The Global academic research organization network: Data sharing to cure diseases and enable learning health systems.

Introduction: Global data sharing is essential. This is the premise of the Academic Research Organization (ARO) Council, which was initiated in Japan in 2013 and has since been expanding throughout Asia and into Europe and the United States. The volume of data is growing exponentially, providing not only challenges but also the clear opportunity to understand and treat diseases in ways not previously considered.

Comparison of the Huntington's Disease like 2 and Huntington's Disease Clinical Phenotypes.

Background: Huntington's disease like 2 (HDL2) is the most common Huntington's disease (HD) phenocopy in many countries and described as the phenocopy with the greatest resemblance to HD. The current clinical description of HDL2 is based on retrospective data. It is unknown whether HDL2 has clinical features that distinguish it from HD.

Effective treatment of post-intubation subglottic stenosis in children with holmium laser therapy and cryotherapy via flexible bronchoscopy.

Importance: Post-intubation subglottic stenosis (SGS) in children can be life threatening. Definitive treatment varies and lacks a universally accepted approach.

Objective: We performed a prospective study to assess the safety and feasibility of holmium laser combined with cryotherapy delivered via flexible bronchoscopy for the treatment of post-intubation SGS in children.

Factors associated with early dropout in an employer-based commercial weight-loss program.

Objective: Minimizing program dropout is essential for weight-loss success, but factors that influence dropout among commercial programs are unclear. This study's objective was to determine factors associated with early dropout in a commercial weight-loss program.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of a remotely delivered, employer-based commercial program from 2013 to 2016 was conducted.

Association of plasma nitrite levels with obesity and metabolic syndrome in the Old Order Amish.

Objectives: Plasma nitrite is a metabolite of nitric oxide and reflects endogenous nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity. Although plasma nitrites were previously linked with obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS), the direction of association remains inconsistent, possibly due to sample heterogeneity. In a relatively homogeneous population, we hypothesized that nitrite levels will be positively associated with overweight/obesity and MetS.

Perinatal findings in a patient with a novel large chromosome 19p deletion.

We describe the prenatal and postnatal course of an infant with a large 19p deletion. Cases such as ours will improve the knowledge of specific gene functions for every medical specialist. The goal is to allow for a more rapid diagnosis, accurate prognosis and to decrease the likelihood of complications.

The effects of cognitive behavioral therapy on resting-state functional brain network in drug-naive patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Objectives: Although cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), the treatment mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the effects of CBT on changes in the intrinsic whole-brain functional network of OCD patients.

Materials And Methods: Twenty drug-naive and noncomorbid OCD patients were recruited, and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging was performed before and after 12 weeks of CBT.

Serum amyloid A1 (SAA1) protein in human colostrum.

Proteins of the serum amyloid A (SAA) family have been remarkably conserved in evolution. Their biologic function(s) are not fully defined but they are likely to be a part of primordial host defense. We have detected a ∼ 12-kDa protein reacting with antibodies against serum amyloid A (SAA) in human colostrum by western blotting.

Plasma sphingolipids and depressive symptoms in coronary artery disease.

Background: Depression is highly prevalent in individuals with coronary artery disease (CAD) and increases the risk of future cardiac events and mortality. Sphingolipids have been implicated in the pathophysiology of both CAD and depression. This study assessed the association between plasma sphingolipid concentrations and depressive symptoms in CAD subjects.

Reproducibility of quantitative structural and physiological MRI measurements.

Introduction: Quantitative longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy (MRI/S) is used to assess progress of brain disorders and treatment effects. Understanding the significance of MRI/S changes requires knowledge of the inherent technical and physiological consistency of these measurements. This longitudinal study examined the variance and reproducibility of commonly used quantitative MRI/S measurements in healthy subjects while controlling physiological and technical parameters.

Lenalidomide-induced eosinophilic pneumonia.

Multiple myeloma is a plasma cell dyscrasia accounting for 10% of haematologic malignancies. Lenalidomide is an immunomodulatory drug analogous to thalidomide that is approved for use in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome, and in combination with dexamethasone for refractory or relapsed multiple myeloma. Lenalidomide is preferred to thalidomide because of reduced toxicity, and pulmonary side effects are considered rare.

Reduced LPL and subcutaneous lipid storage capacity are associated with metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women with obesity.

Objectives: This study examines the hypothesis that lower adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity and a limited capacity for subcutaneous adipocyte expansion will be associated with metabolic syndrome (MSyn) in postmenopausal women who are overweight and obese.

Methods: Women ( = 150; age 60 ± 1 year; BMI: 31.5 ± 0.

Reproducibility of tract-based white matter microstructural measures using the ENIGMA-DTI protocol.

Background: In preparation for longitudinal analyses of white matter development in youths with family histories of substance use disorders (FH+) or without such histories (FH-), we examined the reproducibility and reliability of global and regional measures of fractional anisotropy (FA) values, measured using the Enhancing Neuro Imaging Genetics Through Meta Analysis (ENIGMA)-diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) protocol. Highly reliable measures are necessary to detect any subtle differences in brain development.

Methods: First, we analyzed reproducibility data in a sample of 12 healthy young adults (ages 20-28) imaged three times within a week.

Alternate-day versus daily energy restriction diets: which is more effective for weight loss? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Alternate-day-fasting (ADF) has been proposed as an effective dieting method. Studies have found that it also can increase life span in rodents, and reduce inflammation in humans. The aim of this paper was to systematically review the efficacy of ADF compared to very-low-calorie dieting (VLCD) in terms of weight loss, and reduction of fat mass and fat-free mass.

Perceived helpfulness of the individual components of a behavioural weight loss program: results from the Hopkins POWER Trial.

Background: Behavioural weight loss programs are effective first-line treatments for obesity and are recommended by the US Preventive Services Task Force. Gaining an understanding of intervention components that are found helpful by different demographic groups can improve tailoring of weight loss programs. This paper examined the perceived helpfulness of different weight loss program components.

A 6-month telephone-based weight loss intervention in overweight and obese subjects with idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

Objectives: The purpose of this paper is to measure the change in body weight after a 6-month telephone-based weight loss intervention in overweight and obese subjects with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and mild visual loss randomized to receive either acetazolamide or placebo.

Methods: One hundred sixty-five subjects with IIH, aged 29.1 ± 7.