Joint estimation of activity, attenuation and motion in respiratory-self-gated time-of-flight PET.

Whole-body Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging is often hindered by respiratory motion during acquisition, causing significant degradation in the quality of reconstructed activity images. An additional challenge in PET/CT imaging arises from the respiratory phase mismatch between CT-based attenuation correction and PET acquisition, leading to attenuation artifacts. To address these issues, we propose two new, purely data-driven methods for the joint estimation of activity, attenuation, and motion in respiratory self-gated time-of-flight (TOF) PET.

Malignant transformation of cervical ganglioglioma to glioblastoma in a pediatric patient: illustrative case.

Background: Gangliogliomas are low-grade gliomas typically found in the temporal lobes with a low rate of malignant transformation. In rare cases, they may be found in the spinal axis.

Observations: An 8-year-old boy presented with 2 months of neck pain and upper extremity incoordination and was found to have a cervicomedullary lesion.

Competition for shared resources increases dependence on initial population size during coalescence of gut microbial communities.

The long-term success of introduced populations depends on both their initial size and ability to compete against existing residents, but it remains unclear how these factors collectively shape colonization dynamics. Here, we investigate how initial population (propagule) size shapes the outcome of community coalescence by systematically mixing eight pairs of in vitro microbial communities at ratios that vary over six orders of magnitude, and we compare our results to neutral ecological theory. Although the composition of the resulting cocultures deviated substantially from neutral expectations, each coculture contained species whose relative abundance depended on propagule size even after ~40 generations of growth.

Epstein-Barr virus and the immune microenvironment in multiple sclerosis: Insights from high-dimensional brain tissue imaging.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS), yet its exact role in disease progression remains unclear. Using high-dimensional CO-detection by indexing, a technology for spatial imaging, this study examines the cellular microenvironment of MS lesions in secondary progressive MS and primary progressive MS. We analyzed immune, glial, neuronal, and endothelial cell interactions within MS lesions and normal-appearing white matter across two independent cohorts.

Quantifying compositional variability in microbial communities with FAVA.

Microbial communities vary across space, time, and individual hosts, generating a need for statistical methods capable of quantifying variability across multiple microbiome samples at once. To understand heterogeneity across microbiome samples from different host individuals, sampling times, spatial locations, or experimental replicates, we present FAVA (-based Assessment of Variability across vectors of relative Abundances), a framework for characterizing compositional variability across two or more microbiome samples. FAVA quantifies variability across many samples of taxonomic or functional relative abundances in a single index ranging between 0 and 1, equaling 0 when all samples are identical and 1 when each sample is entirely composed of a single taxon (and at least two distinct taxa are present across samples).

Antibody reactivity against EBNA1 and GlialCAM differentiates multiple sclerosis patients from healthy controls.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system (CNS), which is linked to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, preceding the disease. The molecular mechanisms underlying this connection are only partially understood. We previously described molecular mimicry between the EBV transcription factor EBV nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) and three human CNS proteins: anoctamin-2 (ANO2), alpha-B crystallin (CRYAB), and glial cellular adhesion molecule (GlialCAM).

Response to "Considerations in selecting comparison conditions in psychotherapy trials: Recommendations for future research".

Several researchers who have evaluated (IPT) wrote a commentary arguing that the group-delivered IPT treatment for eating disorders that we adapted and used in a recent trial (Stice, Rohde, et al., 2023) was less effective than the new dissonance-based eating disorder treatment () because the group-delivered IPT did not contain all core elements, was not developmentally appropriate, was not tailored for people with eating disorders, and because our team lacked sufficient IPT expertise. In response, we note that the group-delivered IPT that we evaluated produced higher abstinence from binge eating and compensatory weight control behaviors (40%) than did individually delivered IPT in the only trial that also evaluated this treatment with a broad range of eating disorders (33%; Fairburn et al.

Measuring Spatial Social Polarization in Public Health Research: A Scoping Review of Methods and Applications.

Spatial social polarization (SSP) refers to the uneven spatial distribution and subsequent concentration of polarized social and/or economic groups in a specified geographic area. However, there is heterogeneity in how SSP is measured and operationalized in research. To this end, we conducted a scoping review to characterize the use of SSP measures in public health research, providing a foundation for those seeking to navigate this complex literature, select measurement options, and identify opportunities for methodological development.

The spectrum of radiation therapy options for craniopharyngioma: a systematic review.

Purpose: Craniopharyngiomas (CPs) are rare, slow-growing brain tumors which originate in the sellar region. CPs may present with symptoms secondary to compression of surrounding structures, particularly the pituitary gland, and surgical removal has traditionally been the mainstay of treatment. However, due to high recurrence rates for CPs, especially when gross total resection is not feasible, radiotherapy has played an increasingly significant role in their management.

Implementing Accuracy, Completeness, and Traceability for Data Reliability.

Importance: While it is well known that data quality underlies evidence validity, the measurement and impacts of data reliability are less well understood. The need has been highlighted in the 21st Century Cures Act of 2016 and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Real-World Evidence Program framework in 2018, draft guidance in 2021 and final guidance in 2024. Timely visibility into implementation may be provided by the Transforming Real-World Evidence With Unstructured and Structured Data to Advance Tailored Therapy (TRUST) study, a Verantos Inc-led FDA-funded demonstration project to explore data quality and inform regulatory decision-making.

Evaluating the survival and removal of from surfaces made with traditional and sustainable cement-based materials in field-relevant conditions.

Unlabelled: Soil household floors are common in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and can serve as reservoirs of enteric pathogens. Cement-based floors may interrupt pathogen transmission, but little is known about pathogen survival or removal from cement-based surfaces. This study investigated the survival of , an indicator of fecal contamination, on cement-based surfaces and evaluated its reduction through common household activities (mopping, sweeping, and walking).

Secondary SBP Prophylaxis is associated with a higher rate of non-SBP infections in Two US-based National Cirrhosis Cohorts.

Introduction: Antibiotic overuse and subsequent antibiotic resistance lead to worse infection outcomes in cirrhosis. Secondary spontaneous bacterial peritonitis prophylaxis (SecSBBPr) is associated with higher SBP recurrence but impact on non-SBP infections is unclear.

Methods: We studied patients with cirrhosis and SBP who were given SecSBPPr or not between 2009-2019 in two complementary national cohorts [Veterans affairs corporate data warehouse (VA-CDW) and non-VA TriNetX].

Influence of environmental exposures on T follicular helper cell function and implications on immunity: a comparison of Bangladeshi and American children.

Unlabelled: T follicular helper (Tfh) cells are crucial for B cell activation and subsequent antibody production. This functionality is influenced by surface markers such as CD40L, a costimulatory factor which promotes B cell activation, and CD57, which is a well-known marker of senescence. This study examined age-specific differences in Tfh cell function in Bangladeshi and American children.

The Potential of Model-Free Parameters Derived From IVIM in Evaluating Pathological Indicators and Long-Term Survival in NPC.

Background: IVIM is a useful quantitative tool for predicting prognosis, but it is labor-intensive. Simplified b-value settings and post-processing could be more practicable for clinical applications.

Purpose: To assess the value of model-free parameters (virtual MR elastography [vMRE] and signature-index [S-index]) derived from IVIM in evaluating pathological indicators and long-term survival in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), and to compare those with model-based parameters.

Exploring the Viability of Matching Marginal Donors With Low Renal Function Recipients in Liver Transplantation.

Background: Renal function varies among liver transplantation (LT) candidates with the same Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD)3.0 score. The impact of marginal grafts on post-LT renal function and prognosis varies based on the pre-LT renal function.

The impact of extent of nodal involvement on stage IIIA (N2) non-small cell lung cancer outcomes.

Objective: Stage IIIA (N2) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment can depend on the extent of nodal involvement, with surgery considered for limited disease and definitive chemoradiation preferred for bulky or multi-station disease. Evidence to support management is limited. This study evaluated the impact of the extent of stage IIIA (N2) nodal involvement on outcomes after surgery.

Radiation therapy does not improve survival in patients who are upstaged after esophagectomy for clinical early-stage esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Objective: Radiation after esophagectomy may cause conduit dysfunction with unclear oncologic benefits. We hypothesized that adjuvant chemoradiation does not improve survival over chemotherapy alone for patients with pathologic upstaging after primary surgery for cT1-2N0M0 esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Methods: The impact of adjuvant therapy after primary surgery for cT1-2N0M0 esophageal adenocarcinoma upstaged to pT3-4 or pN+ in the National Cancer Database (2004-2019) was evaluated with logistic regression, Kaplan-Meier analysis, and Cox modeling.

Medication and Therapy Profiles for Pain and Symptom Management Among Adults With Cerebral Palsy.

Objective: To examine the most common patterns of pain and symptom management strategies among adults living with cerebral palsy (CP), and to determine if there are differences by pain phenotype or co-occurring neurodevelopmental disorders.

Patients And Methods: Federally insured beneficiaries were included if they had an ICD-9-CM/ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for CP (N=41,595). The study took place from January 10, 2024, to December 15, 2024.

Argentine ant chemical profiles vary by location on the Stanford University campus.

The Argentine ant ( ) is an invasive ant species found across California. Many invasive ant species, including the Argentine ant, can use chemical defense compounds to ward off predators or compete with native ant species, which aids in invasive spread. Previously, Stanford undergraduate researchers found variation in the potency of Argentine ant chemical profiles (collected in varying locations on campus) in repelling during chemotaxis assays.

Education Research: Trends in the National Resident Matching Program Headache Medicine Match Data: A Retrospective Observational Study.

Background And Objectives: The objective of this study was to examine the trends in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) Headache Medicine match data since inception and the evolution of the Headache Medicine fellowship application process. The NRMP Headache Medicine fellowship match was implemented for appointment years 2016-2018 and then suspended, in part because of the small number of applicants relative to available positions and participation outside of the match. In 2019, the American Headache Society (AHS) Consortium of Academic Program Directors accepted the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Fellowship Application Timing Position Statement.

Evaluating Three Modelling Frameworks for Assessing Changes in Fin Whale Distribution in the Mediterranean Sea.

Understanding the habitat of highly migratory species is aided by using species distribution models to identify species-habitat relationships and to inform conservation and management plans. While Generalized Additive Models (GAMs) are commonly used in ecology, and particularly the habitat modeling of marine mammals, there remains a debate between modeling habitat (presence/absence) versus density (# individuals). Our study assesses the performance and predictive capabilities of GAMs compared to boosted regression trees (BRTs) for modeling both fin whale density and habitat suitability alongside Hurdle Models treating presence/absence and density as a two-stage process to address the challenge of zero-inflated data.

Biomineralize Mitochondria in Metal-Organic Frameworks to Promote Mitochondria Transplantation From Non-Tumorigenic Cells Into Cancer Cells.

Mitochondria are crucial to cellular physiology, and growing evidence highlights the significant impact of mitochondrial dysfunction in diabetes, aging, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancers. Therefore, mitochondrial transplantation shows great potential for therapeutic use in treating these diseases. However, transplantation process is notably challenging due to very low efficiency and rapid loss of bioactivity post-isolation, leading to poor reproducibility and reliability.

Circulating neutralizing antibodies and SARS-CoV-2 variant replication following postvaccination infections.

The effect of preexisting neutralizing antibodies (NAb) on SARS-CoV-2 shedding in postvaccination infection (PVI) is not well understood. We characterized viral shedding longitudinally in nasal specimens in relation to baseline (pre/periinfection) serum NAb titers in 125 participants infected with SARS-CoV-2 variants. Among 68 vaccinated participants, we quantified the effect of baseline NAb titers on maximum viral RNA titers and infectivity duration.

Global nLPHL One Working Group (GLOW) Research Roadmap for Nodular Lymphocyte-Predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma.

Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) is a rare, indolent lymphoma lacking an evidence-based standard of care. NLPHL research has been challenging due to its classification, unique features, and rarity. The Global nLPHL One Working Group (GLOW) launched in 2020 to accelerate NLPHL research internationally across all ages and stages and to establish a global standard of care.