Prevention and Management of Infectious Complications in Pediatric Patients With Cancer: A Survey Assessment of Current Practices Across Children's Oncology Group Institutions.

Introduction: While clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for pediatric oncology infection prophylaxis and management exist, few data describe actual management occurring at pediatric oncology centers.

Methods: An electronic survey querying infection management practices in nontransplant pediatric oncology patients was iteratively created by the Children's Oncology Group (COG) Cancer Control and Supportive Care Infectious Diseases Subcommittee and sent to leaders at all COG institutions, limiting each site to one response to represent their institution.

Results: The response rate was 57% (129/227 institutions).

Observational Characterization of the Retreatment Course of Patients With Thyroid Eye Disease.

Background: To characterize the retreatment course of patients with thyroid eye disease (TED), who had reactivation after initial therapy with teprotumumab.

Methods: This was a single-center longitudinal cohort study of patients who received an initial course of teprotumumab for active TED and were followed for at least 6 months. Reactivation was defined as the increase of proptosis of 2 mm or more or an increase in Clinical Activity Score (CAS) of two points or more, as adapted from the Optic-X study.

Impact of Social Determinants of Health on Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Care for HIV Prevention.

Background: HIV continues to disproportionately impact men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States (US). Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is effective, but disparities persist. Limited studies have conducted systematic evaluations of social determinants of health (SDOH) and their effects on PrEP persistence among MSM.

Sulfate Promotes Compact CaCO Formation and Protects Portland Cement from Supercritical CO Attack.

Supercritical (sc) CO in geologic carbon sequestration (GCS) can chemically and mechanically deteriorate wellbore cement, raising concerns for long-term operations. In contrast to the conventional view of "sulfate attack" on cement, we found that adding 0.15 M sulfate to the acidic brine can significantly reduce the impact of scCO attack on Portland cement, resulting in stronger cement than that found in a sulfate-free system.

Structural polymorphism and diversity of human segmental duplications.

Segmental duplications (SDs) contribute significantly to human disease, evolution and diversity but have been difficult to resolve at the sequence level. We present a population genetics survey of SDs by analyzing 170 human genome assemblies (from 85 samples representing 38 Africans and 47 non-Africans) in which the majority of autosomal SDs are fully resolved using long-read sequence assembly. Excluding the acrocentric short arms and sex chromosomes, we identify 173.

Treatment of e-cigarette use among hospitalised adolescents and young adults: a protocol for intervention development and evaluation of preliminary efficacy and implementation outcomes in a randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Hospitalisation represents an opportunity to identify and treat e-cigarette use among adolescents and young adults (AYAs). Knowledge on how to provide this care is lacking. We aim to fill this gap by developing an e-cigarette use intervention and evaluating preliminary efficacy and implementation outcomes among hospitalised AYAs.

Updated Appropriate Use Criteria for Amyloid and Tau PET: A Report from the Alzheimer's Association and Society for Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Workgroup.

The Alzheimer's Association and the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging convened a multidisciplinary workgroup to update appropriate use criteria (AUC) for amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) and to develop AUC for tau PET. The workgroup identified key research questions that guided a systematic literature review on clinical amyloid/tau PET. Building on this review, the workgroup developed 17 clinical scenarios in which amyloid or tau PET may be considered.

Mortality of gastrointestinal cancers attributable to smoking, alcohol, and metabolic risk factors, and its association with socioeconomic development status 2000-2021: GI Cancer Mortality and Risk Factors.

Objective: Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers account for one-third of global cancer mortality, with nearly half being preventable. This study updates the global burden of GI cancers attributed to major risk factors: smoking, alcohol, and metabolic disturbances.

Methods: We utilized data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 to examine trends in death and age-standardized death rates related to GI cancers caused by smoking, alcohol, high body mass index (BMI), and high fasting blood glucose (FBG) from 2000 to 2021.

Targeting macrophages in cancer immunotherapy: Frontiers and challenges.

Background: Cancer immunotherapy has emerged as a groundbreaking approach in cancer treatment, primarily realized through the manipulation of immune cells, notably T cell adoption and immune checkpoint blockade. Nevertheless, the manipulation of T cells encounters formidable hurdles. Macrophages, serving as the pivotal link between innate and adaptive immunity, play crucial roles in phagocytosis, cytokine secretion, and antigen presentation.

Outcomes of shoulder biceps tenotomy versus tenodesis are difficult to determine from non-randomized studies due to selection bias: Tenodesis is more commonly performed on younger males.

The long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT) is a common source of anterior shoulder pain, frequently addressed during rotator cuff repairs. Surgical management typically involves either tenotomy or tenodesis, each offering distinct advantages and disadvantages. Tenotomy, a straightforward procedure with a short rehabilitation period, is well-suited for low-demand patients but carries a higher risk of Popeye deformity and cramping pain.

A comparative study of Merkel cell carcinoma and melanoma incidence and survival in the United States, 2000-2021.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) and melanoma are important contributors to skin cancer mortality in the United States. We evaluated their epidemiology using US cancer registry data. During 2000-2021, 19,444 MCCs and 646,619 melanomas of the skin were diagnosed.

The Impact of Surgical Prehabilitation on Postoperative Patient Outcomes: A Systematic Review.

Introduction: Prehabilitation (preoperative rehabilitation) encompasses a range of patient health driven interventions with the potential to enhance surgical outcomes. This systematic review aims to assess the efficacy of prehabilitation on postoperative outcomes across surgical specialties, focusing on physical functionality and postoperative length of stay (LOS).

Methods: Medline, Embase, CINAHL Plus, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Clinicaltrials.

Chronic Liver Disease as a Risk Factor For Post-ERCP Complications: A Nationwide Retrospective Analysis.

Introduction: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is indicated for multiple pancreatic and biliary pathologies and carries a heightened risk profile compared with other endoscopic procedures. Considerable research has been directed towards discerning risk factors associated with complications such as post-ERCP pancreatitis and post-ERCP bleeding. Despite this, data on chronic liver disease (CLD) as a risk factor for complications is limited.

Demographic Correlates of Autism: How Do Associations Compare Between Diagnosis and a Quantitative Trait Measure?

Prevalence of autism diagnosis has historically differed by demographic factors. Using data from 8224 participants drawn from the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program, we examined relationships between demographic factors and parent-reported autism-related traits as captured by the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS; T score > 65) and compared these to relations with parent-reported clinician diagnosis of ASD, in generalized linear mixed effects regression analyses. Results suggested lower odds of autism diagnosis, but not of SRS T > 65, for non-Hispanic Black children (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.

Association Between Early Immunosuppression Center Variability and One-Year Outcomes After Pediatric Liver Transplant.

Background: Despite the existence of institutional protocols, liver transplant centers often have variability in early immunosuppression practices. We aimed to measure within-center variability in early immunosuppression after pediatric liver transplant (LT) and examine its association with one-year outcomes.

Methods: We analyzed pediatric LTs from 2013 to 2018 in the United Network for Organ Sharing registry, with data aggregated by center.

Multimodal Measurement of Pubertal Development: Stage, Timing, Tempo, and Hormones.

Using data from the Human Connectome Project in Development (N = 1304; ages 5-21 years; 50% male; 59% White, 17% Hispanic, 13% Black, 9% Asian), multiple measures (self-report, salivary hormones) and research designs (longitudinal, cross-sectional) were used to characterize age-related changes and sex differences in pubertal development. Both sexes exhibit a sigmoid trajectory of pubertal development; females show earlier pubertal timing and increased tempo ~9-13 years, while males show greater tempo ~14-18 years. All hormones increased with age, with sex differences in testosterone and DHEA levels and in testosterone rates of change.

Periodic paralysis across the life course: age-related phenotype transition and sarcopenia overlap.

In Periodic Paralysis (PP), a rare inherited condition caused by mutation in skeletal muscle ion channels, the phenotype changes with age, transitioning from the episodic attacks of weakness that give the condition its name, to a more degenerative phenotype of permanent progressive weakness and myopathy. This leads to disability and reduced quality of life. Neither the cause of this phenotype transition, nor why it occurs around the age of 40 is known.

Risk stratification and diagnostic evaluation of patients found to have microscopic hematuria by their primary care providers.

Background: Our goal was to identify, and risk stratify primary care patients with microscopic hematuria (MH), describe the diagnostic evaluations they received, and determine whether the evaluations were consistent with the recommendations of the 2020 AUA/SUFU microscopic hematuria guidelines.

Methods: A retrospective review of patients presenting to primary care clinics with a diagnosis of MH was performed. The patient risk category was determined based on the 2020 AUA/SUFU guidelines.

Chiropractic Care for a Posterior Tibialis Tendon Tear in a Transgender Male Athlete with Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy.

Objective: The purpose of this case study was to report the management of a patient with posterior tibialis tendon injury concurrent with gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT).

Clinical Features: A 31-year-old transgender male presented to a chiropractic clinic with spontaneous, right medial foot pain following running that day. Medical history revealed bilateral congenital pes planus and intramuscular administration of testosterone for 8 years.

Updated appropriate use criteria for amyloid and tau PET: A report from the Alzheimer's Association and Society for Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Workgroup.

Introduction: The Alzheimer's Association and the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging convened a multidisciplinary workgroup to update appropriate use criteria (AUC) for amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) and to develop AUC for tau PET.

Methods: The workgroup identified key research questions that guided a systematic literature review on clinical amyloid/tau PET. Building on this review, the workgroup developed 17 clinical scenarios in which amyloid or tau PET may be considered.

Affect Expression During Social and Non-Social Contexts in Autistic Young Adults.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by impairments in social affective engagement. The present study uses a mild social stressor task to add to inconclusive past literature concerning differences in affective expressivity between autistic young adults and non-autistic individuals from the general population (GP). Young adults (mean age = 21.

Perspectives on Conducting Behavioral Intervention With Adolescents Using a Virtual Platform-A Thematic Analysis From the Viewpoint of Study Coordinators.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic led to widespread adoption of virtual communication platforms. Virtual study visits were implemented in the pilot cluster randomized trial (CRT) stage of Teen Adherence in KidnEy transplant Improving Tracking To Optimize Outcomes (TAKE-IT TOO). The present study aimed to understand study coordinators' perspectives on conducting a behavioral intervention with adolescent kidney transplant recipients using virtual conferencing platforms.

Development and validation of a molecular classifier of meningiomas.

Background: Meningiomas exhibit considerable clinical and biological heterogeneity. We previously identified four distinct molecular groups (immunogenic, NF2-wildtype, hypermetabolic, proliferative) that address much of this heterogeneity. Despite the utility of these groups, the stochasticity of clustering methods and the use of multi-omics data for discovery limits the potential for classifying prospective cases.