Efficacy and Safety of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists for Weight Loss Among Adults Without Diabetes : A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have investigated glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) and dual or triple co-agonists for weight loss among adults with overweight or obesity and without diabetes.

Purpose: To assess the efficacy and safety of GLP-1 RAs and co-agonists for the treatment of obesity among adults without diabetes.

Data Sources: MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane CENTRAL from inception to 4 October 2024.

Medicare Advantage Networks Include Few Black Or Hispanic Physicians, Making Concordant Care Inaccessible For Many.

Black and Hispanic patients who receive care from Black and Hispanic physicians have greater use of preventive care. However, receiving care from racially concordant physicians requires that such physicians are included in private insurance plan networks. Using data from 2019, we examined the extent to which racially concordant physicians are available in the Medicare Advantage (MA) program, which disproportionately enrolls Black and Hispanic Medicare beneficiaries, by linking MA physician networks to physician race and ethnicity to measure the diversity of in-network physicians.

Challenges to Aging in the Right Place for Older Adults Experiencing Homelessness.

Background And Objectives: Aging in the Right Place (AIRP), the process of occupying housing that meets one's unique preferences and needs, is a critical component of aging well. Homelessness in later life compromises AIRP. This qualitative study examined the factors that informed housing options before, during, and after episodes of homelessness in later life and the indicators of AIRP that those options embodied.

Insufficient LGBTQ+ education across disciplines suggested by national survey of health professionals in training.

Health professionals often feel underprepared to treat patients who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer (LGBTQ+). Additionally, lack of access to professionals who are knowledgeable about LGBTQ+ inclusive care contributes to the myriad of health disparities experienced by LGBTQ+ communities. This cross-sectional survey study explores the preparedness of healthcare profession trainees for caring for LGBTQ+ patients by quantifying the hours and quality of training health profession trainees receive in LGBTQ+ education across disciplines.

Influenza vaccine effectiveness against medically attended outpatient illness, United States, 2023-24 season.

Background: The 2023-24 U.S. influenza season was characterized by a predominance of A(H1N1)pdm09 virus circulation with co-circulation of A(H3N2) and B/Victoria viruses.

Expression Analysis of Cyst Specific Protein (CSP21) and Cellulose Synthase II (CSII) Genes in Acanthamoeba castellanii Trophozoites Exposed to Silver Nanoparticles Conjugated with Elaeagnus umbellata.

Purpose: Acanthamoeba species are eucaryotic protozoa found predominantly in soil and water. They cause ulceration and vision loss in the cornea (Acanthamoeba keratitis) and central nervous system (CNS) infection involving the lungs (granulomatous amoebic encephalitis). Antiparasitic drugs currently used in the treatment of infections caused by Acanthamoeba species are not effective at the desired level in some anatomical regions such as the eye and CNS.

Practical approach to quantitative liver and pancreas MRI in children.

Quantitative abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers non-invasive, objective assessment of diseases in the liver, pancreas, and other organs and is increasingly being used in the pediatric population. Certain quantitative MRI techniques, such as liver proton density fat fraction (PDFF), R2* mapping, and MR elastography, are already in wide clinical use. Other techniques, such as liver T1 mapping and pancreas quantitative imaging methods, are emerging and show promise for enhancing diagnostic sensitivity and treatment monitoring.

A phase I study of convection-enhanced delivery (CED) of liposomal-irinotecan using real-time magnetic resonance imaging in patients with recurrent high-grade glioma.

Background: Irinotecan demonstrates anti-tumor efficacy in preclinical glioma models but clinical results are modest due to drug delivery limitations. Convection enhanced delivery (CED) improves drug delivery by increasing intratumoral drug concentration. Real-time magnetic resonance imaging of infusate delivery during CED may optimize tumor coverage.

Use of oral retinoids in the perioperative period by surgical specialty: a literature review.

This review examines the impact of oral retinoids, particularly isotretinoin, on incisional wound healing across surgical specialties. Commonly prescribed for dermatologic conditions, concerns persist regarding oral retinoids' potential adverse effects on wound healing, prompting the widespread practice of discontinuing these medications before surgery. We performed a PubMed search and analyzed research published regarding the use of oral retinoids in a variety of surgical subspecialties: dermatologic, plastic, ophthalmologic, orthopedic, ENT/otologic, and maxillofacial.

Comparative study on the reaction mechanism of 5-hydroxymethyl furfural on Pd(111) and Cu(111).

Context: In this work, a comparative study on the catalytic conversion of 5-hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF) to 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)furan (BHMF) on precious Pd(111) and nonprecious Cu(111) was systematically performed. On the basis of the calculated activation energy (E) and reaction energy (E), the optimal energy path for the hydrogenation of HMF (F-CHO) into BHMF (F-CHOH) on Pd(111) is as follows: F-CHO + 2H → F-CHOH + H → F-CHOH; the minimum reaction path on Cu(111) is F-CHO + 2H → F-CHO + H → F-CHOH. On Cu(111), the formation of F-CHOH from F-CHO hydrogenation is the rate-determining step because it has the highest reaction energy barrier and the smallest rate constant.

Validating the revised Attitudes Toward People With Disabilities Scale with health care professionals.

Objective: Disability stigma has been linked with adverse chronic and acute health outcomes in people with disabilities. The present study updated the widely used Attitudes Toward Disabled Persons measure (to the revised Attitudes Toward People With Disabilities [ATPD] scale) among health care professionals and validated the measure using a disability stigma framework.

Design: A survey with 272 health care professionals and students was conducted.

Prognostic factors for refractory outcome in localizing TIO: experience in a tertiary center.

Context: TIO, a paraneoplastic disorder characterised by renal phosphate wasting, is cured by surgical removal of the culprit tumour. Despite correct localization, some remain refractory to intervention, resulting in substantial long-term medical complications.

Aim: We aim to identify risk factors associated with a refractory outcome.

Essential Competencies in Nursing Leadership From Asian Leaders' Perspectives.

The literature on nursing leadership tends to be mainly based on Western perspectives and models, which could be viewed as an imperialistic and colonialist aspect of nursing knowledge development. Furthermore, leadership competencies and skills could differ across countries due to variations in cultural backgrounds. The purpose of this discussion paper is to identify essential competencies of leaders from Asian nurse leaders' perspectives and provide suggestions for future nursing leadership.

Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number as a Potential Biomarker for the Severity of Motor Symptoms and Prognosis in Parkinson's Disease.

Background: Mitochondrial function influences Parkinson's disease (PD) through the accumulation of pathogenic alpha-synuclein, oxidative stress, impaired autophagy, and neuroinflammation. The mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA-CN), representing the number of mitochondrial DNA copies within a cell, serves as an easily assessable proxy for mitochondrial function.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the diagnostic and prognostic capabilities of mtDNA-CN in PD.

Droplet-Scale Conversion of Aluminum into Transparent Aluminum Oxide by Low-Voltage Anodization in an Electrowetting System.

A localized conversion of aluminum into transparent aluminum oxide by droplet-scale anodization is demonstrated in this work. The anodized region can be contained and controlled on the basis of the electrowetting response of the droplet. A highly uniform and transparent anodized spot was achieved using an anodization voltage of 2 V for 10 min.

Understanding the Termination Effect of TiCT MXene Membrane on Water Structure and Interaction with Alginate Foulants: A Molecular Dynamics Study.

The effects of termination functional groups of the TiCT MXene membrane on the structural and dynamics properties of nearby water molecules and foulants are investigated through molecular dynamics simulations. The simulation results show that a much denser water layer can be formed at the vicinity of hydroxyl (OH) termination than that near fluorine (F) or oxygen (O) termination. Particular focus is given to the molecular binding properties of β-d-mannuronic acid (M) and α-l-guluronic acid (G) alginate monomers on the MXene membrane surface with different termination groups.

Introductory Analysis and Validation of CUT&RUN Sequencing Data.

The CUT&RUN technique facilitates detection of protein-DNA interactions across the genome. Typical applications of CUT&RUN include profiling changes in histone tail modifications or mapping transcription factor chromatin occupancy. Widespread adoption of CUT&RUN is driven, in part, by technical advantages over conventional ChIP-seq that include lower cell input requirements, lower sequencing depth requirements, and increased sensitivity with reduced background signal due to a lack of cross-linking agents that otherwise mask antibody epitopes.

One-step spray pyrolysis synthesis of ZnO/Ag hollow spheres for enhanced visible-light-driven antibacterial applications and wound healing.

ZnO/Ag hollow particles were synthesized a one-step spray pyrolysis method for enhanced antibacterial activity and wound healing applications. The hollow structure and uniform distribution of Ag nanoparticles within the ZnO matrix were confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). UV-Vis spectroscopy and Tauc plot analysis revealed a reduction in the bandgap, attributed to the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of Ag, improving light absorption in the visible range.

Gene expression and DNA methylation changes in response to hypoxia in toxicant-adapted Atlantic killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus).

Coastal fish populations are threatened by multiple anthropogenic impacts, including the accumulation of industrial contaminants and the increasing frequency of hypoxia. Some populations of the Atlantic killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus), like those in New Bedford Harbor (NBH), Massachusetts, USA, have evolved a resistance to dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) that may influence their ability to cope with secondary stressors. To address this question, we compared hepatic gene expression and DNA methylation patterns in response to mild or severe hypoxia in killifish from NBH and Scorton Creek (SC), a reference population from a relatively pristine environment.

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Peripheral HTR2A Antagonists for Colorectal Cancer.

Colorectal cancer is a prevalent and prominent contributor to global cancer-related fatalities with challenges in drug resistance and metastasis. Recent research highlights the potential relationship between serotonin and cancer. 5-Hydroxytryptamine receptor 2A (HTR2A) mRNA expression in colorectal cancer cells was found to be notably elevated compared to that in normal colon cells.

Expression and clinical significance of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, insulin-like growth factor 1, and beta-2 microglobulin in cognitive dysfunction after ischemic stroke in the elderly.

We aimed to unveil the clinical significance of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-VD), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and beta-2 microglobulin (β2-MG) levels in cognitive dysfunction after ischemic stroke (IS) in the elderly. A total of 160 geriatric IS patients admitted to our hospital were retrospectively collected. The patients' serum 25-OH-VD, IGF-1, and β2-MG levels were detected, and the correlation between the three levels and the patients' National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores was tested by the Pearson test.

Structure/function of ATP sulfurylase domain of human 3'-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphosulfate synthase (hPAPSS).

3'-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphosulfate (PAPS) is synthesized by PAPS synthase (PAPSS) in two steps. In the first step ATP sulfurylase (ATPS) transfers sulfate group onto adenylyl moiety of ATP to form adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate (APS) and PPi. APS-kinase (APSK) then transfers the gamma-phosphoryl from ATP onto 3'-OH of APS to form PAPS and ADP.

CeO -anchored β-Ni(OH) nanosheets onto nickel foam for efficient energy-saving hydrogen production an electrocatalytic glucose oxidation reaction.

Electrolytic glucose oxidation has garnered great interest in energy-saving hydrogen generation. However, high charge-transfer resistance and inefficient active centers have been recognized as the primary issues for poor electrochemical performance. In this study, for the first time, we offer a novel defect-rich CeO /β-Ni(OH) composite nanosheet-decorated Ni foam electrocatalyst (denoted as Ce@NF-GA), synthesized a unique hydrothermal approach under the co-participation of glycerol and acetic acid.

A Case of Severe Advanced Diabetic Cardiac Autonomic Neuropathy: Severe Orthostatic Hypotension Complicated With Episodes of Nocturnal Supine Hypertensive Emergency Episodes.

Diabetic cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is caused by damage to the autonomic nerve fibers that innervate the heart and blood vessels, leading to abnormalities in heart rate control and vascular dynamics. CAN encompasses symptoms such as exercise intolerance, orthostatic hypotension, cardiac denervation syndrome, and nocturnal hypertension. Neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (nOH), resulting from severe diabetic CAN, can cause symptomatic orthostatic hypotension.