Linking American Spine Registry (ASR) and Medicare Data:an analysis of 8,755 Lumbar Fusion Cases.

Study Design: Retrospective observational study.

Objective: To evaluate whether the combined American Spine Registry and Medicare (ASR/CMS) data yields substantially different findings versus ASR data alone with regard to key parameters such as risk stratification, complication rates and readmission rates in lumbar surgery investigated through an analysis of 8,755 spondylolisthesis cases.

Summary Of Background Data: Medicare data correlation has been effective for determining revision rates for other procedures such as total hip replacement.

Quantifying Muscle Volume Deficits Among 38 Lower Extremity Muscles in Collegiate Football Athletes After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Background: Quadriceps dysfunction is ubiquitous after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR). Addressing quadriceps dysfunction is crucial to improve function, reduce the reinjury risk, and maintain long-term knee health. While deficits specific to the quadriceps are well documented, less is known about the effect of an ACL injury on other lower extremity muscle groups.

Context-specific eQTLs provide deeper insight into causal genes underlying shared genetic architecture of critically ill COVID-19 and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Most genetic variants identified through genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are suspected to be regulatory in nature, but only a small fraction colocalize with expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs, variants associated with expression of a gene). Therefore, it is hypothesized but largely untested that integration of disease GWAS with context-specific eQTLs will reveal the underlying genes driving disease associations. We used colocalization and transcriptomic analyses to identify shared genetic variants and likely causal genes associated with critically ill COVID-19 and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Species- and strain-specific microbial modulation of interferon, innate immunity, and epithelial barrier in 2D air-liquid interface respiratory epithelial cultures.

Background: The microbiome regulates the respiratory epithelium's immunomodulatory functions. To explore how the microbiome's biodiversity affects microbe-epithelial interactions, we screened 58 phylogenetically diverse microbes for their transcriptomic effect on human primary bronchial air-liquid interface (ALI) cell cultures.

Results: We found distinct species- and strain-level differences in host innate immunity and epithelial barrier response.

Cardiovascular disease, bone fracture, and all-cause mortality risks among postmenopausal women by arthritis and veteran status: A multistate Markov transition analysis.

Arthritis, a chronic inflammatory condition linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and bone fracture, is more frequent among military veterans and postmenopausal women. This study examined correlates of arthritis and relationships of arthritis with risks of developing CVD, bone fractures, and mortality among postmenopausal veteran and non-veteran women. We analyzed longitudinal data on 135,790 (3,436 veteran and 132,354 non-veteran) postmenopausal women from the Women's Health Initiative who were followed-up for an average of 16 years between enrollment (1993-1998) and February 17, 2024.

Robotic Versus Open Placement of Hepatic Artery Infusion Pumps.

Background: A growing number of centers offer hepatic artery infusion pump (HAIP) chemotherapy for advanced liver malignancies. While small series have demonstrated feasibility of robotic HAIP placement, comparison of outcomes with open placement is lacking. We compared outcomes after robotic versus open HAIP placement.

fMRI data acquisition and analysis for task-free, anesthetized rats.

Templates for the acquisition of large datasets such as the Human Connectome Project guide the neuroimaging community to reproducible data acquisition and scientific rigor. By contrast, small animal neuroimaging often relies on laboratory-specific protocols, which limit cross-study comparisons. The establishment of broadly validated protocols may facilitate the acquisition of large datasets, which are essential for uncovering potentially small effects often seen in functional MRI (fMRI) studies.

A morphometric signature to identify ductal carcinoma in situ with a low risk of progression.

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) may progress to ipsilateral invasive breast cancer (iIBC), but often never will. Because DCIS is treated as early breast cancer, many women with harmless DCIS face overtreatment. To identify features associated with progression, we developed an artificial intelligence-based DCIS morphometric analysis pipeline (AIDmap) on hematoxylin-eosin-stained (H&E) tissue sections.

Greater residential greenness is associated with reduced epigenetic aging in adults.

Potential pathways linking urban green spaces to improved health include relaxation, stress alleviation, and improved immune system functioning. Epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) is a composite biomarker of biological aging based on DNA methylation measurements; it is predictive of morbidity and mortality. This cross-sectional study of 116 adult residents of a metropolitan area in central North Carolina investigated associations between exposure to residential green spaces and EAA using four previously developed epigenetic age formulas.

Structure and function of a near fully-activated intermediate GPCR-Gαβγ complex.

Unraveling the signaling roles of intermediate complexes is pivotal for G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) drug development. Despite hundreds of GPCR-Gαβγ structures, these snapshots primarily capture the fully activated complex. Consequently, the functions of intermediate GPCR-G protein complexes remain elusive.

Animal models of cocaine use: importance of social context and co-use.

Cocaine-use disorders (CUDs) continue to be a major public health problem that requires effective treatments. Despite decades of preclinical research, there are no FDA-approved pharmacotherapies for cocaine use. While there are numerous potential reasons why no efficacious treatments have been identified or approved for cocaine use, we discuss two possible reasons in this review: the low number of studies incorporating social variables and the overlooking of the clinical reality of polysubstance use.

The urinary eccDNA landscape in prostate cancer reveals associations with genome instability and vital roles in cancer progression.

Introduction: Extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA) plays significant roles in cancer progression and prognosis. However, it remains unclear whether cell-free eccDNA, considered more stable than linear DNA, possesses cancer-specific genomic features. Furthermore, the biogenesis and function of eccDNAs are not yet fully understood.

TFEB-dependent autophagy-lysosomal pathway is required for NRF2-driven antioxidative action in obstructive sleep apnea-induced neuronal injury.

Nearly one billion individuals worldwide suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and are potentially impacted by related neurodegeneration. TFEB is considered a master regulator of autophagy and lysosomal biogenesis, but little is known about its role in neuronal oxidative stress and resultant injury induced by OSA. This study aimed to investigate these issues.

Sexual identity, sexual behavior, and drug use behaviors among people who use drugs in the rural U.S.

Introduction: People who use drugs (PWUD) are at risk of HIV infection, but the frequency and distribution of transmission-associated behaviors within rural communities is not well understood. Further, while interventions designed to more explicitly affirm individuals' sexual orientation and behaviors may be more effective, descriptions of behavior variability by orientation are lacking. We sought to describe how disease transmission behaviors and overdose risk vary by sexual orientation and activity among rural PWUD.

Development and validation of a county deprivation index for assessing socio-economic disparities in the United States: Implications for public health outcomes and mitigation strategies.

Objective: To develop and validate a county deprivation index (CDI) that assesses socio-economic disparities and their impact on health outcomes at the county level.

Study Design: A retrospective, cross-sectional study using publicly available county-level data.

Methods: Hierarchical cluster analysis was used to group 18 county-level socio-economic indicators into three clusters: economic well-being and technical connectivity, socio-economic disadvantage and vulnerability, and housing affordability and quality of life.

Quercetin derivatives in roasted Coffea arabica and its popular beverages.

This study is focused on quantification of six quercetin derivatives in roasted Coffea arabica L. from different geographical origins and post-harvest processing methods for the first time. Popular beverages (espresso and moka) were also studied.

Imaging-based prediction of early recurrence and neoadjuvant therapy outcomes for resectable beyond Milan HCC.

Purpose: To develop and validate an MRI-based model for predicting postoperative early (≤2 years) recurrence-free survival (RFS) in patients receiving upfront surgical resection (SR) for beyond Milan hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to assess the model's performance in separate patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy for similar-stage tumors.

Method: This single-center retrospective study included consecutive patients with resectable BCLC A/B beyond Milan HCC undergoing upfront SR or neoadjuvant therapy. All images were independently evaluated by three blinded radiologists.

Navigating Disagreements on Health Information: How Patients With Cancer Perceive Health Care Providers' Approaches to Discussing Patient-Identified Information.

Purpose: Although publicly available cancer-related information online and offline could help patients make informed decisions, it also poses challenges due to prevalent misinformation. Patients need proper provider guidance to ensure they use valid and relevant information in decisions. We identify effective communication approaches for providers when (1) discussing patient-identified information and (2) disagreeing with it.

Incidence of Wounds Associated with Posterior Midline Incision for Achilles Tendon Pathology in a Large Cohort at a Tertiary Care Center.

Background: We sought to determine the wound complications associated with a straight midline incision overlying the Achilles tendon. Data on sex, age, body mass index (BMI), surgery performed, date of surgery, and wound development were collected.

Methods: We retrospectively collected data on 217 patients with a mean ± SD age of 46.

Safety and Efficacy of Lotilaner Ophthalmic Solution (0.25%) in Treating Demodex Blepharitis: Pooled Analysis of Two Pivotal Trials.

Introduction: Lotilaner ophthalmic solution (0.25%) is the first United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA)-approved drug for treating Demodex blepharitis. In pivotal trials, it was found to be well tolerated and demonstrated a significant reduction in collarettes and mite density after a 6-week treatment regimen.

What Next for the Science of Patient Preference? Interoperability, Standardization, and Transferability.

Using patient preference information (PPI) to incorporate patient voices into the drug development lifecycle can help align therapies with the needs and values of patients. However, several barriers have limited the use of PPI, including a lack of clarity on its use by decision-makers, a need for greater decision-maker trust in PPI, and a lack of time, budgets, and access to specialist expertise. The value proposition for PPI could be enhanced by making it FAIR: Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Assessing the Impact of Improved Cookstove Technology Trials (ICTs) on Household Air Pollution and Human Health in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Purpose Of Review: A major contributor to household air pollution (HAP) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is unclean cooking fuel. Improved cookstove technology (ICT) interventions have been promoted as a solution, but their impacts on health are unclear. Our aim is to conduct a systematic review to explore the impacts of ICT interventions on health outcomes in SSA.