Normative measurements of the frontal nerve by magnetic resonance imaging in an Australia cohort.

Purpose: To report the normative dimensions of the frontal nerve (FN) on fat-suppressed suppressed gadolinium (fs-gad) enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Method: A retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent coronal fs-gad T1-weighted MRI. Orbits were excluded if there was unilateral or bilateral pathology of the FN or optic nerve sheath (ONS), incomplete MRI sequences, poor image quality or indiscernible FN on radiological assessment.

Optimizing Sedation Strategies in the Cardiac ICU: Induction, Maintenance and Weaning.

Purpose Of Review: We aim to summarize the available literature guiding tailored sedation practices for specific conditions encountered in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CICU).

Recent Findings: Data specific for the CICU population is lacking. Preclinical data and observational studies guide sedation approaches for specific pathologies that we have used to generate a guideline for sedative choice for various scenarios.

Distinct TYRO3 and PROS1 expression levels contribute to preeclampsia pathogenesis.

Preeclampsia (PE) is a severe placental complication occurring after the 20th week of pregnancy. PE is associated with inflammation and an increased immune reaction against the fetus. TYRO3 and PROS1 suppress inflammation by clearing apoptotic cells.

Impact of cardiac position, morphology and operative technique on long-term fontan outcomes in heterotaxy.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the outcomes of heterotaxy patients undergone the Fontan operation, focusing on morphological features and surgical techniques.

Methods: Eighty-two consecutive heterotaxy patients who underwent the Fontan operation from 1985 to 2021 were compared to 150 patients with tricuspid atresia (TA) and 144 patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazard model were used to analyze transplant-free survival and predictor of outcomes.

Effects of Tasimelteon Treatment on Traumatic Brain Injury Through NRF-2/HO-1 and RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL Pathways in Rats.

Secondary brain damageafter traumatic brain injury (TBI) involves oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, apoptosis, and necroptosis and can be reversed by understanding these molecular pathways. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of tasimelteon (Tasi) administration on brain injury through the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF-2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1)/receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3)/mixed lineage kinase domain-like (MLKL) pathways in rats with TBI. Thirty-two male Wistar albino rats weighing 300-350 g were randomly divided into four groups: the control group, trauma group, Tasi-1 group (trauma + 1 mg/kg Tasi intraperitoneally), and Tasi-10 group (trauma + 10 mg/kg Tasi intraperitoneally).

Bright and Specific Targeting of Metastatic Lymph Nodes in Orthotopic Mouse Models of Gastric Cancer with a Fluorescent Anti-CEA Antibody.

Background: Gastric cancer poses a major diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Improved visualization of tumor margins and lymph node metastases with tumor-specific fluorescent markers could improve outcomes.

Methods: To establish orthotopic models of gastric cancer, one million cells of the human gastric cancer cell line, MKN45, were suspended in 50 μl of equal parts PBS and Matrigel and injected into the nude mouse stomach with a 29-gauge needle.

Nitric oxide synthase inhibitors reduce the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps and alleviate airway inflammation in the mice model of asthma.

Asthma, a widespread chronic inflammatory disease can contribute to different degrees of lung function damage. The objective of this study is to explore the potential effects of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors in asthma using mice model induced by ovalbumin (OVA). BALB/c mice were treated with OVA to establish an asthma model.

Disclosing the impact of metformin and methotrexate in adjuvant arthritis in female rats: molecular docking and biochemical insights on visfatin.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most common systemic autoimmune inflammatory diseases, with a progressive etiology that results in serious complications and a higher chance of early death. Visfatin, an adipokine, is correlated with disease pathologic features and becomes a key biomarker and therapeutic target for RA. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-arthritic activity of metformin (an antidiabetic drug with anti-inflammatory activities) and methotrexate (the first choice for disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in RA, with diverse adverse effects) in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis in female rats.

New insight on the acute CCl-induced hepatotoxicity model in rats.

The CCl-induced hepatotoxicity model is a traditional preclinical assay applied to evaluate potential hepatoprotective compounds. However, several studies have used it with inappropriate dose and exposure time, generating both weak response or irreversible liver injury, as well as lack of representative liver and plasma biomarkers. Therefore, this study aims to determine the best dose and exposure time of CCl in Wistar rats, permitting a proper evaluation of potential hepatoprotective effect.

Fluvoxamine may reverse the decrease in filtering capacity that occurs in acute kidney injury by increasing IL-10 and ACE expressions and preserving AQ-2, AQ-4, CL-5, and ZO-1 expressions.

The kidneys have a regulatory role in many diseases with their diuresis function and capacity to maintain electrolyte balance. In case of extensive damage, the kidney's filtration capacity is impaired and cannot fulfill its functions. Fluvoxamine (FLV), an antidepressant agent, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Phyto-mediated fabrication of silver nanoparticles from Scrophularia striata extract (AgNPs-SSE): a potential inducer of apoptosis in breast cancer cells.

Background: Breast carcinoma stands out as the most widespread invasive cancer and the top contributor to cancer-related mortality in women. Nanoparticles have emerged as promising tools in cancer detection, diagnosis, and prevention. In this study, the antitumor and apoptotic capability of silver nanoparticles synthesized through Scrophularia striata extract (AgNPs-SSE) was investigated toward breast cancer cells.

SHP2 promotes the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in triple negative breast cancer cells by regulating β-catenin.

Purpose: Growing evidence suggests that the tyrosine phosphatase SHP2 is pivotal for tumor progression. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most lethal subtype of breast cancer, characterized by its high recurrence rate, aggressive metastasis, and resistance to chemotherapy. Understanding the mechanisms of tumorigenesis and the underlying molecular pathways in TNBC could aid in identifying new therapeutic targets.

Assessing the diagnostic potential of SATB2 and β-catenin as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Introduction: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is associated with poor prognosis. The roles of the transcription factor special AT-rich binding protein-2 (SATB2) and β-catenin in PDAC have been a subject of controversy. We aimed to assess the diagnostic and prognostic impact of SATB2 and β-catenin in PDAC.

The ImageGuideEcho Registry: Using Data Science to Understand and Improve Echocardiography.

Purpose Of Review: To provide a contemporary update on the American Society of Echocardiography's ImageGuideEcho Registry and present a case study of an individual institution's experience with enrollment.

Recent Findings: Technical innovation in clinical echocardiography has expanded the impact of echocardiography in cardiovascular care and provides new opportunities to leverage clinical data to inform quality improvement initiatives and research. The ImageGuideEcho Registry is the first echocardiography-specific imaging registry in the United States and provides a data infrastructure for quality improvement and multicenter research.

Epicardial Pacemaker Lead Related Cardiac Strangulation: The Importance of Early Recognition.

Lead strangulation is a dangerous complication of epicardial pacemaker insertion. This complication has been increasingly highlighted lately. Our institution has recently identified four cases over the past five years.

The protective efficacy of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on oxidative stress, inflammation, neurotransmitter perturbations, and apoptosis induced by monosodium glutamate in the brain of male rats.

Exaggerated neuronal excitation by glutamate is a well-known cause of excitotoxicity, a key factor in numerous neurodegenerative disorders. This study examined the neurotoxic effect of monosodium glutamate (MSG) in the brain cortex of rats and focused on assessing the potential neuroprotective effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs). Four groups of adult male rats (n = 10) were assigned as follows; normal control, ω-3 PUFAs (400 mg/kg) alone, MSG (4 mg/g) alone, and MSG plus ω-3 PUFAs (4 mg/g MSG plus 400 mg/kg ω-3 PUFAs).

Long-Term Outcome of Chronic Hepatitis B-Histological Score and Viral Genotype Are Important Predictors of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Current guidelines to prevent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection are based on risk assessments that include age, sex, and virological and biochemical parameters. The study aim was to investigate the impact of predictive markers on long-term outcomes. The clinical outcomes of 100 patients with chronic hepatitis B were investigated 30 years after a baseline assessment that included liver biopsy.

International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes Subcommittee on the taxonomy of : minutes of the closed meeting, Zoom meeting, 24 September 2024.

Subcommittee on the taxonomy of : minutes of the closed meeting, Zoom meeting, 24 September 2024.

Fragments of Community: Physician Assistant Student Perspectives on Experience of Community With Faculty.

Introduction: Burnout is prevalent among both physician assistant (PA) students and faculty in the United States. Theories concerning the root cause of this burnout include a breakdown of community, which, in this context, serves as a framework comprising membership, influence, integration and fulfilment of needs, and shared emotional connection. A community framework has yet to be formally applied to the PA learning environment.

Introducing Medical Educators to Interpersonal Theory: Its Application to Emotional Intelligence.

Introduction: Interpersonal theory can be used to better understand the personal and social manifestations of individual difference variables in physician assistant (PA) students. Emotional intelligence (EI) is characterized by self and social awareness that facilitates effective communication. While EI has been examined in PA students, a theoretical framework for describing why and how EI has beneficial effects has not been articulated.

Reimagining Physician Assistant Education: Championing Cognitive Diversity to Promote Inclusivity, Neurodiversity Awareness, and a Sense of Belonging.

Neurodiversity, encompassing conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and dyslexia, represents a significant and often under-recognized segment of the population, including within science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine fields like medicine. Neurodiverse individuals possess unique skills, including enhanced creativity, analytical thinking, and meticulous attention to detail, which are valuable in health care professions. However, failure to recognize and support these individuals can result in missed opportunities, social isolation, and mental health challenges.

Bridging the Gap: Implementing an Adjunct Faculty as a Remediation Specialist in a Physician Assistant/Associate Program.

Introduction: Creating a successful remediation plan for physician assistant/associate students comes with its challenges, particularly because of the limited time available for both faculty and students. In an accelerated 24-month program, the pace of the curriculum leaves little time to fall behind in mastering knowledge and skills. One possible solution is appointing an adjunct faculty member to serve as a dedicated Remediation Specialist (RS) to focus solely on student remediation.

Implicit and Explicit Race and Weight Biases Among Physician Assistant Preceptors and Trainees.

Introduction: As new equity, diversity, and inclusion programs emerge in physician assistant/associate (PA) education, there is a need to assess baseline levels of implicit and explicit biases among PA preceptors' and trainees. The objectives of this study were (1) to measure implicit and explicit race (Black/White) and weight (fat/thin) biases among PA preceptors and trainees and (2) to identify potential gaps in PA preceptor and trainee education.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of PA preceptors and trainees from one program operating in several US states; implicit and explicit race and antifat biases and receipt of prior education were measured.

A Novel Rabbit Model of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction-Induced Dry Eye.

Purpose: The objective of this three-phase study was to develop a model of mild to moderate evaporative dry eye to be used to evaluate tear film stability endpoints during product development.

Methods: Rabbits were sedated prior to ophthalmic cautery of meibomian gland orifices. The orifices of eyelid meibomian glands were half-cauterized (to yield obstruction of every other meibomian gland orifices), fully cauterized (to yield obstruction of all meibomian gland orifices), or untreated.

Ocular Safety and Toxicology of Subretinal Gene Therapy With rAAV.hPDE6A in Nonhuman Primates.

Purpose: Reports of gene therapy-associated retinal atrophies and inflammation have highlighted the importance of preclinical safety assessments of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector systems. We evaluated in nonhuman primates (NHPs) the ocular safety and toxicology of a novel AAV gene therapy targeting retinitis pigmentosa caused by mutations in PDE6A, which has since been used in a phase I/II clinical trial (NCT04611503).

Methods: A total of 34 healthy cynomolgus animals (Macaca fascicularis) were treated with subretinal injections of rAAV.