Methods to Adjust for Confounding in Test-Negative Design COVID-19 Effectiveness Studies: Simulation Study.

Background: Real-world COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness (VE) studies are investigating exposures of increasing complexity accounting for time since vaccination. These studies require methods that adjust for the confounding that arises when morbidities and demographics are associated with vaccination and the risk of outcome events. Methods based on propensity scores (PS) are well-suited to this when the exposure is dichotomous, but present challenges when the exposure is multinomial.

Clinical Activity of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Inhibitors in Patients With MAP2K1 (MEK1)-Mutated Metastatic Cancers.

Purpose: MAP2K1/MEK1 mutations are potentially actionable drivers in cancer. MAP2K1 mutations have been functionally classified into three groups according to their dependency on upstream RAS/RAF signaling. However, the clinical efficacy of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway inhibitors (MAPKi) for MAP2K1-mutant tumors is not well defined.

Elective Discontinuation of Larotrectinib in Pediatric Patients With TRK Fusion Sarcomas and Related Mesenchymal Tumors.

Larotrectinib is a highly selective tropomyosin receptor kinase (TRK) inhibitor with efficacy in children with TRK fusion tumors. We evaluated patient outcomes after elective discontinuation of larotrectinib in the absence of disease progression in a protocol-defined wait-and-see subset analysis of eligible patients where treatment resumption with larotrectinib was allowed if disease progressed. We also assessed the safety and efficacy of larotrectinib in all pediatric patients with sarcoma.

Discourse on measurement.

Measurement literacy is required for strong scientific reasoning, effective experimental design, conceptual and empirical validation of measurement quantities, and the intelligible interpretation of error in theory construction. This discourse examines how issues in measurement are posed and resolved and addresses potential misunderstandings. Examples drawn from across the sciences are used to show that measurement literacy promotes the goals of scientific discourse and provides the necessary foundation for carving out perspectives and carrying out interventions in science.

Impact of Medicaid Policies on Pre-pregnancy Preventive Dental Care.

Background: Dental care before pregnancy is critical for preventing poor oral health, which is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. People with low incomes, however, may face insurance-related barriers to obtaining dental care. Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act increased access to dental care utilization among adults with low incomes.

Masquelet's induced membrane technique in the upper limb: a systematic review of the current outcomes.

Background: The Masquelet induced membrane technique is a surgical procedure that allows the reconstruction of segmental bone defects using a relatively simple approach that requires minimal resources from both the healthcare facility and the patient. Historically applied to the lower limb, this technique is gaining increasing attention in the literature for its use in the upper limb.

Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted using the PubMed and Google Scholar databases to identify all studies reporting the outcomes of the Masquelet induced membrane technique in the long bones of the upper limb (humerus, radius, and ulna) with a sample size of at least 3 patients.

Evaluation of the importance of sediment organic matter composition for CH production by microcosm tests with and without addition of natural sources (cyanobacterial biomass and riparian pasture) in two subtropical, eutrophic reservoirs.

The biochemical composition of sediments, which depends on the origin of the organic matter (OM), is decisive in methane (CH) production. This study aimed to determine the CH produced under anaerobic conditions from different substrates: native reservoir sediments and sediments with the addition of complex OM from Microcystis spp. blooms and terrestrial plants (pasture), alongside the biochemical characterization of the substrates used.

Accuracy and variability in clinical predictions of speech recognition outcomes for cochlear implant users.

Objectives: An improvement in speech perception is a major well-documented benefit of cochlear implantation (CI), which is commonly discussed with CI candidates to set expectations. However, a large variability exists in speech perception outcomes. We evaluated the accuracy of clinical predictions of post-CI speech perception scores.

Ciliary Body Medulloepithelioma: Clinical and Pathologic Challenges with a Focus on Molecular Genetics.

Objective: Ciliary body medulloepithelioma (CBME), a pediatric intraocular tumor with potential for locally aggressive behavior and metastasis, may present with a diverse spectrum of clinical and histopathologic features leading to diagnostic and management challenges. Examination of unusual CBME cases highlights challenges and modern diagnostic techniques which facilitate accurate diagnosis and guide management.

Methods: A retrospective clinicopathologic analysis of 6 patients with unusual clinical or pathologic features of CBME was performed.

Emergence of a novel reassortant highly pathogenic avian influenza clade 2.3.4.4b A(H5N2) Virus, 2024.

Reassortant highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N2) clade 2.3.4.

Genetic Services in Appalachia Conference Series.

This study examined the data generated as part of a seven-session webinar series that focused on genetics care provision in the medically underserved, rural Appalachian region and examined how these services have adapted to challenging practice environments. Barriers and facilitators to care in our region were considered. Data included a baseline survey of registrants, transcripts of sessions, and feedback about sessions.

Xylosandrus ambrosia beetles preference of nursery tree species for attacks and colonization under water stress.

The role of flood and drought stress on Xylosandrus ambrosia beetle attacks and colonization in nursery trees with varying levels of water stress tolerance has not yet been studied. This study aimed to examine ambrosia beetle preference for tree species varying in their tolerance to water stress. Container-grown dogwoods, redbuds, and red maples were exposed to flood, drought, or sufficient water treatments for 28 d and beetle attacks were counted every third day.

Distinct patterns of genome size evolution in each bryophyte lineage are not correlated with whole genome duplication.

Background And Aims: Genome size varies by orders of magnitude across land plants, and the factors driving evolutionary increases and decreases in genome size vary across lineages. Bryophytes have the smallest genomes relative to other land plants and there is growing evidence for frequent whole genome duplication (WGD) across the lineage. However, the broad patterns of genome size, chromosome number, and WGD have yet to be characterized across bryophytes in a phylogenetic context.

Computing chemical potentials with machine-learning-accelerated simulations to accurately predict thermodynamic properties of molten salts.

The successful design and deployment of next-generation nuclear technologies heavily rely on thermodynamic data for relevant molten salt systems. However, the lack of accurate force fields and efficient methods has limited the quality of thermodynamic predictions from atomistic simulations. Here we propose an efficient free energy framework for computing chemical potentials, which is the central free energy quantity behind many thermodynamic properties.

Efficacy of the nutritional support team model in the management of patients undergoing total gastrectomy combined with Roux-en-Y anastomosis.

Objective: To explore the efficacy of the nutritional support team (NST) management model in patients undergoing total gastrectomy combined with Roux-en-Y anastomosis.

Methods: Clinical data of 102 patients who underwent total gastrectomy combined with Roux-en-Y anastomosis in Xingtai Central Hospital from January 2020 to October 2023 were retrospectively collected. Of 102 patients, 53 received the NST model of management (NST group), while 49 were managed by the conventional nutritional support (TN group).

Lightweight Retinal Layer Segmentation With Global Reasoning.

Automatic retinal layer segmentation with medical images, such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) images, serves as an important tool for diagnosing ophthalmic diseases. However, it is challenging to achieve accurate segmentation due to low contrast and blood flow noises presented in the images. In addition, the algorithm should be light-weight to be deployed for practical clinical applications.

MITIGATING OVER-SATURATED FLUORESCENCE IMAGES THROUGH A SEMI-SUPERVISED GENERATIVE ADVERSARIAL NETWORK.

Multiplex immunofluorescence (MxIF) imaging is a critical tool in biomedical research, offering detailed insights into cell composition and spatial context. As an example, DAPI staining identifies cell nuclei, while CD20 staining helps segment cell membranes in MxIF. However, a persistent challenge in MxIF is saturation artifacts, which hinder single-cell level analysis in areas with over-saturated pixels.

The manipulation of odor availability of training aids used in detection canine training.

Detection canines can identify numerous substances for which they have been trained. Historically, and a point of ongoing contention, detection canine threshold (i.e.

First, Do No Harm (to the One You Train).

Unlabelled: or "first, do no harm" is perhaps the most well-known aphorism in the culture of medical education. While its application to patients is well known, the injunction can also be read with medical trainees in mind. Teaching physicians have an obligation to recognize their role as moral teachers and coaches, who must consider "first, do no harm" not only when considering their patients but also when weighing the moral formation of their trainees, especially in a season in which medical educators are attempting to clarify the "harms" of medical training.

Insulin Therapy for Acute Pancreatitis in a Patient With Lipase Maturation Factor 1 Mutation: A Case Report.

Acute pancreatitis is a frequent cause of hospital admission, managed with intravenous (IV) fluids, analgesia, and oral feeding when tolerated. In patients with hypertriglyceridemia-induced pancreatitis, insulin and other therapies may be necessary for disease resolution. We present a case of a patient with severe acute pancreatitis and euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) with known lipase maturation factor 1 (LMF1) gene mutations, which can impact insulin efficacy on triglyceride metabolism through altered lipoprotein lipase activity, successfully treated with intravenous insulin.

Performance of a Toric, Monthly, Soft Contact Lens in Digital Device Users.

Purpose: To determine the performance of TOTAL30 for Astigmatism (T30fA; Alcon; Fort Worth, TX, USA) contact lenses (CLs) in existing CL wearers who are also frequent digital device users.

Methods: This 1-month, 3-visit study recruited adult, 18- to 40-year-old subjects who were required to use daily digital devices for at least 8 hours per day. All subjects were refit into T30fA CLs.

Clinical and Radiographic Evaluation between Conventional Mineral Trioxide Aggregate and Gel-based Mineral Trioxide Aggregate in Indirect Pulp Therapy: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Indirect pulp treatment (IPT) is often employed in dentistry as a valuable technique for preserving dental vitality. While mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) remains a popular choice, the need for materials with shorter setting times, lower costs, and minimized discoloration concerns has led to the exploration of alternative options.

Aim: To evaluate and compare the radiographic and clinical outcomes of gel-based MTA Kids e-MTA (Kids-e-Dental, Mumbai, India) with MTA (ProRoot MTA, Dentsply Tulsa, Johnson City, TN, USA).

Attaching artificial Achilles and tibialis cranialis tendons to bone using suture anchors in a rabbit model: assessment of outcomes.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the timing and mode of failure of metallic screw-type suture anchors used to attach artificial tendons to bone in an New Zealand White rabbit model.

Study Design: Metal suture anchors with braided composite sutures of varying sizes (United States Pharmacopeia (USP) size 1, 2, or 5) were used to secure artificial tendons replacing both the Achilles and tibialis cranialis tendons in 12 female New Zealand White rabbits. Artificial tendons were implanted either at the time of (immediate replacement,  = 8), or four/five weeks after (delayed replacement,  = 4) resection of the biological tendon.