Noncoding variants and sulcal patterns in congenital heart disease: Machine learning to predict functional impact.

Neurodevelopmental impairments associated with congenital heart disease (CHD) may arise from perturbations in brain developmental pathways, including the formation of sulcal patterns. While genetic factors contribute to sulcal features, the association of noncoding variants (ncDNVs) with sulcal patterns in people with CHD remains poorly understood. Leveraging deep learning models, we examined the predicted impact of ncDNVs on gene regulatory signals.

The phase I RELEASE clinical trial to evaluate the safety of NK cells in COVID-19.

The severity of COVID 19 symptoms has a direct correlation with lymphopenia, affecting natural killer (NK) cells. SARS-CoV-2 specific "memory" NK cells obtained from convalescent donors can be used as cell immunotherapy. In 2022 a phase I, dose-escalation, single center clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the safety and feasibility of the infusion of CD3/CD56 NK cells against moderate/severe cases of COVID-19 (NCT04578210).

Plasma Circulating Metabolites Associated With Steatotic Liver Disease and Liver Enzymes: A Multiplatform Population-Based Study.

Background And Aims: Steatotic liver disease (SLD) is the most common chronic liver disease strongly associated with metabolic dysfunction, but its pathogenesis remains incompletely understood. Exploring plasma circulating metabolites may help in elucidating underlying mechanisms and identifying new biomarkers for SLD.

Methods: We examined cross-sectionally the association between plasma metabolites and SLD as well as liver enzymes using data from 4 population-based cohort studies (Rotterdam study, Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, The Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Family Study, and Study of Latinos).

Challenges in autopsy training for pathology residents: A survey of autopsy directors.

Resident training in autopsy provides a foundation of knowledge and skills for forensic pathologists and anatomic pathologists, but obstacles are present in ensuring quality training. A survey of US autopsy service directors at sites with pathology residency programs was used to identify common challenges in resident autopsy training. Respondents (n = 29) largely believed that negative attitudes from residents, faculty, training programs, and/or the medical system at large (34%) and time limitations (34%) were the most significant challenges for residency autopsy training.

CTU Hornet 65 Niner: A network dataset of geographically distributed low-interaction honeypots.

This data article introduces a new network dataset created to help understand how geographical location impacts the quality, type, and amount of incoming network attacks received by honeypots. The dataset consists of 12.4 million network flows collected from nine low-interaction honeypots in nine cities across the world for 65 days, from April 29th to July 1st, 2024.

Association of safer smoking supply distribution with participant encounters and naloxone distribution from syringe services programs: Findings from the National Survey of Syringe Services Programs in the United States.

Background: In response to the recent and growing shift from injecting heroin to smoking fentanyl, an increasing number of syringe services programs (SSPs) in the United States are distributing safer smoking supplies. There is a lack of research on whether safer smoking supply distribution is associated with increased SSP engagement and naloxone distribution from SSPs. Therefore, we aimed to assess predictors of safer smoking supply distribution by SSPs and estimate associations between safer smoking supply distribution and scale of harm reduction services.

A Case Report of Mycophenolate Mofetil-Induced Fulminant Colitis in a 76-Year-Old Renal Transplant Recipient.

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is a widely utilized immunosuppressive medication to prevent organ rejection in transplant recipients and manage autoimmune diseases. While gastrointestinal side effects, such as diarrhea and abdominal discomfort, are common, fulminant colitis is a rare complication. This case report describes the occurrence of fulminant colitis in a 76-year-old renal transplant recipient.

Reducing Postbreast Reconstruction Infection Rates: Our Journey to Achieving Low Postoperative Infection Outcomes.

Introduction: Breast surgeries are classified as clean procedures associated with a lower risk of post-operative infections; however, the reported infection rates post-breast surgeries are still significantly high. Surgical site infections (SSIs) are indeed one of the most common and serious complications following breast surgery.

Methodology: A retrospective study assessed the rate of SSIs post-breast reconstructive surgery after the implementation of the infection control protocol at James Cook University Hospital and Friarage Hospital from December 2022 to June 2024.

Therapeutic manipulation and bypass of the blood-brain barrier: powerful tools in glioma treatment.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) remains an obstacle for delivery of chemotherapeutic agents to gliomas. High grade and recurrent gliomas continue to portend a poor prognosis. Multiple methods of bypassing or manipulating the BBB have been explored, including hyperosmolar therapy, convection-enhanced delivery (CED), laser-guided interstitial thermal therapy (LITT), and Magnetic Resonance Guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS) to enhance delivery of chemotherapeutic agents to glial neoplasms.

Emotion recognition deficits in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: a comprehensive meta-analysis of accuracy and response time.

Background: Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent challenges in social communication and restricted, repetitive behaviors. Emotion recognition deficits are a core feature of ASD, impairing social functioning and quality of life. This meta-analysis evaluates emotion recognition accuracy and response time in individuals with autism spectrum disorder compared to neurotypical individuals and those with other neurodevelopmental disorders.

Impact of Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 Inhibitors on Lipoprotein(a): A Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] has been independently associated with increased cardiovascular risk.

Objectives: The authors examined the effect of monoclonal antibody proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors (PCSK9is) on plasma Lp(a) levels across multiple trials.

Methods: Studies were retrieved comparing the effect of PCSK9i vs placebo on Lp(a) levels.

Trends of Representation of Women in Professional Medical Societal Leadership in the United States and Europe.

Background: There continue to be significant gender disparities with women being underrepresented in medical professional society leadership roles, despite more women entering medical school.

Objectives: This study aimed to elucidate the pattern of representation of women in medical society presidential positions in the United States and Europe over the past 50 years. It further examines gender-related trends in the field of cardiology and among medical trainees.

Naxos Disease and Related Cardio-Cutaneous Syndromes.

Naxos disease is a rare autosomal recessive condition combining arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, woolly hair, and palmoplantar keratoderma. The first identified causative variant was in the gene encoding the desmosomal protein plakoglobin. Naxos disease exhibits fibro-fatty myocardial replacement with immunohistological abnormalities in cardiac protein and signaling pathways, highlighting the role of inflammation and potential anti-inflammatory treatments.

Practice Patterns and Attitudes Regarding Pregnancy and Parenthood After Lung Transplantation.

Background: Parenthood after lung transplantation (LuTx) is uncommon. Although data exist regarding practice patterns surrounding pregnancy after heart transplantation, there are no data specific to LuTx recipients and parenthood more broadly.

Methods: We conducted a voluntary, anonymous online survey between October and December 2021.

Treatment decision regret after precision prostatectomy: An analysis of patient-reported outcomes predicting decision regret.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess postoperative decision regret (DR) after precision prostatectomy (PP), a novel subtotal surgical technique for prostate cancer (PCa) that involves the preservation of the unilateral capsule and seminal vesicle, and to identify factors predictive of DR after PP.

Materials And Methods: After a shared decision-making process, 128 patients underwent PP for the treatment of localised PCa. Given the subtotal nature of the surgery, patients were informed about the possibility of a detectable prostate-specific antigen and secondary treatment.

Outcomes following intradetrusor onabotulinumtoxinA in a national cohort of nursing home residents.

Objectives: To determine predictors of treatment success and complications following intradetrusor onabotulinumtoxinA injections among a large cohort of nursing home (NH) residents, representing one of the most frail and vulnerable populations in the United States.

Materials And Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of long-stay NH residents who underwent onabotulinumtoxinA injections between 2014 and 2016. Residents were identified using the Minimum Data Set (MDS) linked to Medicare claims.

SPIRIT-DEFINE explanation and elaboration: recommendations for enhancing quality and impact of early phase dose-finding clinical trials protocols.

Unlabelled: Transparent and accurate reporting in early phase dose-finding (EPDF) clinical trials is crucial for informing subsequent larger trials. The SPIRIT statement, designed for trial protocol content, does not adequately cover the distinctive features of EPDF trials. Recent findings indicate that the protocol contents in past EPDF trials frequently lacked completeness and clarity.

CONSORT-DEFINE explanation and elaboration: recommendations for enhancing reporting quality and impact of early phase dose-finding clinical trials.

Unlabelled: Early phase dose-finding (EPDF) trials are key in the development of novel therapies, with their findings directly informing subsequent clinical development phases and providing valuable insights for reverse translation. Comprehensive and transparent reporting of these studies is critical for their accurate and critical interpretation, which may improve and expedite therapeutic development. However, quality of reporting of design characteristics and results from EPDF trials is often variable and incomplete.

Mindray CL-900i assay: An effective assay for hepatitis B surface antigen screening with superior specificity.

Objectives: The chemiluminescence immunoassay automated Abbott ARCHITECT hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) screening assay is globally recognized for its superior sensitivity but notably low specificity. This mandates positive results confirmation by another confirmatory assay, such as the widely used Abbott ARCHITECT HBsAg neutralizing assay. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of the new chemiluminescence immunoassay, Mindray CL-900i HBsAg screening assay in comparison to the ARCHITECT neutralizing/confirmatory assay.

Effect of a chemically-modified-curcumin on dental resin biodegradation.

Introduction: Previous studies have shown () esterase is a key mediator of dental composite biodegradation, which can contribute to recurrent caries. This study is to investigate the inhibitory effects of a novel Chemically-Modified-Curcumin (CMC 2.24) on esterase activities and related dental material biodegradation.

Sepsis in Northern Tanzania: A Prospective Observational Study of Clinical Characteristics, Management, and Outcomes for Adolescents and Adults With Sepsis.

Background: Despite a high burden of sepsis in Sub-Saharan Africa, clinical data for adolescent and adult sepsis in this setting are limited. We sought to describe clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes in adolescents and adults with sepsis in northern Tanzania. We also assessed for clinical associations with in-hospital mortality.

Key bacterial vaginosis-associated bacteria influence each other's growth in biofilms in rich media and media simulating vaginal tract secretions.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a very common gynaecologic condition affecting women of reproductive age worldwide. BV is characterized by a depletion of lactic acid-producing species and an increase in strict and facultative anaerobic bacteria that develop a polymicrobial biofilm on the vaginal epithelium. Despite multiple decades of research, the etiology of this infection is still not clear.

Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation for Parkinson's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) has emerged as a novel noninvasive adjunct therapy for advanced Parkinson's disease (PD), yet no quantitative analysis had been conducted to assess its therapeutic effect.

Objectives: This review aimed to investigate the efficacy of tVNS on motor function, other potential clinical targets and its safety in various treatment conditions.

Methods: We searched six databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that involved treating PD patients with tVNS.