Predicting sepsis mortality into an era of pandrug-resistant E. coli through modeling.

Background: Infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria are increasingly frequent, burdening healthcare systems worldwide. As pathogens acquire resistance to all known antibiotics - i.e.

Influence of Vessel Geometry, Flow Conditions, and Thrombin Concentration on Fibrin Accumulation and Cerebral Aneurysm Occlusion After Flow Diversion.

As the number of cerebral aneurysms treated with flow diverters continues to increase, it is important to understand what factors influence not only thrombus formation within the aneurysm cavity but also fibrin accumulation across the device and its associated disruption and blockage of the inflow stream. Both processes contribute to the eventual occlusion of the aneurysm or its continued patency and incomplete occlusion which may require future re-treatment. To investigate fibrin accumulation on flow diverters placed across the neck of cerebral aneurysms, a previously developed computational model that couples flow and fibrin dynamics is used in combination with experimental in vitro models of cerebral aneurysms treated with flow diverters.

Enhancement of detoxification of xenobiotic aromatic amine dyes by N-acetyltransferase 1 (NAT1) enzyme on human keratinocytes cells through structural modification.

The metabolic conversion of aromatic amines to N-acetylated forms in skin and keratinocytes depends on N-acetyltransferase-1 (NAT1). Common hair color ingredient such as para-phenylenediamine (PPD) causes allergic contact dermatitis. We explored how different electronic substituents on PPD aided NAT1 enzyme biotransform oxidative arylamine (AA) compounds G1-G13 by N-acetylation, NAT-1 activity assays, metabolism, and in vitro clearance investigations in human keratinocytes, while identifying NAT-1 protein levels by Western blot and qRT-PCR.

On-Table Virtual Reality to Reduce Anxiety/Distress during Radiotherapy Treatments: A Pilot Randomized Trial.

We report the first randomized trial of a virtual reality (VR) headset used on-table during external beam radiotherapy treatments to reduce anxiety/distress during receipt of radiotherapy. A small pilot study was conducted among 10 patients, with VR randomized to start in the first week ('immediate VR') vs. second week ('delayed VR') of treatment.

Nanocellulose synthesis via synergistic application of solid acid and cellulase.

Nanocellulose stands out in numerous applications due to its excellent properties. Yet, achieving its preparation in a cost-effective, efficient, and environmentally benign manner remains challenging. This study introduces a green synthesis approach by employing a non-polluting solid acid, combined with a cellulase enzyme, for nanocellulose production.

Comparison of three different cystatin C measurement procedures in a pediatric chronic kidney disease cohort: Calibration for longitudinal measurements and implications for clinical estimation of GFR.

Introduction: Serum cystatin C (CysC) is used to estimate glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), including in the Chronic Kidney Disease in Children (CKiD) Under 25 years (U25eGFR) equations. Several CysC measurement procedures available from diagnostic vendors include reference material for calibration, but the extent of heterogeneity across manufacturers is unclear. Since heterogeneity may have clinical and research implications for eGFR, we evaluated three CysC procedures in samples from the CKiD study representing a wide spectrum of kidney function.

Outpatient follow-up and future care-seeking for pediatric ambulatory care-sensitive conditions.

Objectives: Outpatient follow-up visits are often recommended for children with ambulatory care-sensitive conditions (ACSCs) who are discharged from emergency departments or urgent care centers (acute care settings). We sought to assess whether attending a follow-up visit within 7 days is associated with seeking initial office-based care rather than acute care during a subsequent ACSC illness. Understanding this association is crucial to guide recommendations for routine short-term follow-up visits in children who seek acute care for these common conditions.

Evaluation of antibiotic purchase data for ceftiofur and enrofloxacin and minimum inhibitory concentrations among Escherichia coli isolates from swine farms in the Midwestern United States using multiple statistical models.

Antimicrobial resistance is considered a global One Health threat. Controlling selection pressure by reducing antibiotic use in livestock is a significant component of the response to this threat. The science concerning use and resistance is complicated and affected by time from antibiotic exposure, changing bacterial fitness, and varies by drug and pathogen.

Development of posttransplant diabetes mellitus in US recipients of liver transplant is influenced by OPTN region.

Posttransplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in liver transplant recipients (LTRs). We used the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) database to compare the incidence of developing PTDM across the United States and develop a risk prediction model for new-onset PTDM using OPTN region as well as donor-related, recipient-related, and transplant-related factors. All US adult, primary, deceased donor, LTRs between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2016, with no prior history of diabetes noted, were identified.

Sex and Gender Considerations in Orthopaedic Research: Existing Barriers, What's Needed by Institutions and Research Departments, and How to Guide Junior Investigators and Faculty.

JBJS convened a symposium to discuss the reporting of sex and gender in research studies as an imperative to improve research methods and results to benefit all patients. Barriers to improved reporting include a lack of societal and cultural acceptance of its need; a lack of education regarding appropriate terminology and appropriate statistical methods and efficient study designs; a need for increased research funding to support larger group sizes; unknown concordance of cell and animal models with humans to reflect biologic variables such as sex; and a lack of understanding of key considerations of gender, race, and other social determinants of health and how these factors intersect. Attention to developing and disseminating best-practice statistical methods and to educating investigators (at all career levels), reviewers, funders, editors, and staff in their proper implementation will aid reporting.

Phenotypic Plasticity During Organofluorine Degradation Revealed by Adaptive Evolution.

A major factor limiting the biodegradation of organofluorine compounds has been highlighted as fluoride anion toxicity produced by defluorinating enzymes. Here, two highly active defluorinases with different activities were constitutively expressed in Pseudomonas putida ATCC 12633 to examine adaption to fluoride stress. Each strain was grown on α-fluorophenylacetic acid as the sole carbon source via defluorination to mandelic acid, and each showed immediate fluoride release and delayed growth.

Optimizing RNA extraction methods for high-throughput transcriptome sequencing of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded cardiac tissue specimens.

Archived FFPE cardiac tissue specimens are valuable for molecular studies aimed at identifying biomarkers linked to mortality in cardiovascular disease. Establishing a reliable and reproducible RNA extraction method is critical for generating high-quality transcriptome sequences for molecular assays. Here, the efficiency of four RNA extraction methods: Qiagen AllPrep DNA/RNA method (Method QP); Qiagen AllPrep DNA/RNA method with protocol modification on the ethanol wash step after deparaffinization (Method QE); CELLDATA RNA extraction (Method BP) and CELLDATA RNA extraction with protocol modifications on the lysis step (Method BL) was compared on 23 matching FFPE cardiac tissue specimens (n = 92).

Molecular Testing for the World Health Organization Classification of Central Nervous System Tumors: A Review.

Importance: Molecular techniques, including next-generation sequencing, genomic copy number profiling, fusion transcript detection, and genomic DNA methylation arrays, are now indispensable tools for the workup of central nervous system (CNS) tumors. Yet there remains a great deal of heterogeneity in using such biomarker testing across institutions and hospital systems. This is in large part because there is a persistent reluctance among third-party payers to cover molecular testing.

Unmet needs in diagnosis and management of portopulmonary hypertension: How far have we reached?

Portopulmonary hypertension (POPH), a form of pulmonary artery hypertension, occurs because of portal hypertension. Pulmonary hemodynamics and right heart function are key entities that are considered when diagnosing and treating POPH. Medical management, combined with liver transplantation, offers a unique opportunity of POPH "cure," however transplant risk can be significant as it relates to the severity of POPH.

A minority of Th1 and Tfh effector cells express survival genes shared by memory cell progeny that require IL-7 or TCR signaling to persist.

It is not clear how CD4 memory T cells are formed from a much larger pool of earlier effector cells. We found that transient systemic bacterial infection rapidly generates several antigen-specific T helper (Th)1 and T follicular helper (Tfh) cell populations with different tissue residence behaviors. Although most cells of all varieties had transcriptomes indicative of cell stress and death at the peak of the response, some had already acquired a memory cell signature characterized by expression of genes involved in cell survival.

NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation and Altered Mitophagy Are Key Pathways in Inclusion Body Myositis.

Background: Inclusion body myositis (IBM) is the most prevalent muscle disease in adults for which no current treatment exists. The pathogenesis of IBM remains poorly defined. In this study, we aimed to explore the interplay between inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction in IBM.

Light Environment of Arctic Solstices is Coupled With Melatonin Phase-Amplitude Changes and Decline of Metabolic Health.

Light environment in the Arctic differs widely with the seasons. Studies of relationships between objectively measured circadian phase and amplitude of light exposure and melatonin in community-dwelling Arctic residents are lacking. This investigation combines cross-sectional (n = 24-62) and longitudinal (n = 13-27) data from week-long actigraphy (with light sensor), 24-h salivary melatonin profiles, and proxies of metabolic health.

Views on cervical cancer screening among female caregivers at the Uganda cancer Institute.

Patients admitted to Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) have their non-medical needs provided by caregivers called "attendants" who are predominantly female family members. This provides a unique opportunity to provide free screening among attendants during their free time at the hospital. The objective of this qualitative focus group study was to understand knowledge of and facilitators and barriers to cervical cancer screening among attendants at the UCI.

Multidisciplinary interventions in ectodermal dysplasia: A clinical case report.

Ectodermal dysplasia (ED) is a spectrum of inherited disorders that compromise the development and function of ectodermal structures, like hair, nails, and teeth. This case report describes a 17-year-old male with sparse hair and cognitive difficulties who was diagnosed with ED in childhood. A multidisciplinary evaluation with dermatology, neurology, and dentistry revealed characteristic clinical features, and the histopathological diagnosis was confirmed via punch biopsy.

We Can Optimize Protein Nutrition and Reduce Nitrogen Waste in Global Pig and Food Production Systems by Adopting Circular, Sustainable, and One Health Practices.

We have exceeded the earth's carrying capacity to manage the amount of nitrogen (N) waste being generated globally, which can have devastating environmental consequences if immediate action is not taken. Our global food system is a major N user and contributor to N waste. Pork is the most consumed animal-derived protein source in the world, but like other food producing animals, the nitrogen use efficiency of converting dietary protein to edible lean meat is less than 50%.