Your Blood is Out for Delivery: Considerations of Shipping Time and Temperature on Degradation of RNA from Stabilized Whole Blood.

Remote research studies are an invaluable tool for reaching populations with limited access to large medical centers or universities. To expand the remote study toolkit, we previously developed homeRNA, which allows for at-home self-collection and stabilization of blood and demonstrated the feasibility of using homeRNA in high temperature climates. Here, we expand upon this work through a systematic study exploring the effects of high temperature on RNA integrity (represented as RNA Integrity Number, RIN) through in-lab and field experiments.

Determination of Site Occupancy in the M-Pd-Zn (M = Cu, Ag, and Au) γ-Brass Phase by CALculation of PHAse Diagrams Modeling and Rietveld Refinement.

The Pd-Zn γ-brass phase provides exciting opportunities for synthesizing site-isolated catalysts with precisely controlled Pd active site ensembles. Introducing a third metallic element into the γ-brass lattice further perturbs the catalytic active site ensembles. Here, we introduce coinage metallic elements M (M = Cu, Ag, and Au) into the Pd-Zn γ-brass phase and investigate the site occupation factors of each element in the γ-brass lattice.

Site-Specific Ventricular Tachycardia Inducibility.

Background: Programmed electrical stimulation (PES) is an essential part of ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation procedures, but VT is not always inducible, usually for reasons that are not clear.

Objectives: This study sought to review pacing site-specific failure of PES to induce scar-related VT and to provide a potential mechanistic explanation of the phenomena using a computer simulation.

Methods: Six patients in whom aggressive PES from traditional RV pacing sites failed to induce VT, but VT was easily inducible from a nontraditional site, were reviewed.

Age-Related Ventricular Tachycardia Substrate Characteristics for Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot Before Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve Placement.

Background: Ventricular tachycardia (VT) substrate characteristics before transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement (TPVR) in repaired tetralogy of Fallot (rTOF) are unknown.

Objectives: In this study, the authors sought to evaluate substrates for sustained monomorphic VT before TPVR in rTOF.

Methods: Retrospective (2017 to 2021) and prospective (commencing 2021) rTOF patients with native right ventricular outflow tract referred for electrophysiology study (EPS) before TPVR were included.

Percutaneous VT Ablation via RA-to-LV Access in Patients With Double Mechanical Valves: A Multicenter Registry.

Background: In patients with mechanical aortic and mitral valves requiring catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia (VT), a technique for access from the right atrium (RA) to the left ventricle (LV) via puncture of the inferoseptal process of the LV was previously described in a single-center series.

Objectives: This study sought to report the multicenter experience of VT ablation using this novel LV access approach.

Methods: We assembled a multicenter registry of patients with double mechanical valves who underwent VT ablation with RA-to-LV access.

OLAgen: A Software Tool for Reagent Design to Expand Access to Single-Nucleotide Variant Detection by the Oligonucleotide Ligation Assay.

Single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) and polymorphisms are characteristic biomarkers in various biological contexts, including pathogen drug resistances and human diseases. Tools that lower the implementation barrier of molecular SNV detection methods would provide greater leverage of the expanding single-nucleotide polymorphism/SNV database. The oligonucleotide ligation assay (OLA) is a highly specific means for detection of known SNVs and is especially powerful when coupled with PCR.

Vitamin A deficiency and male-specific effects on heart function in mice.

Hepatic stores of Vitamin A (retinol) are mobilized and metabolized in the heart following myocardial infarction. The physiological consequences of this mobilization are poorly understood. Here we used dietary depletion in a lecithin retinol acyltransferase mutant mouse line to induce Vitamin A deficiency and investigate the effects on cardiac function and recovery from myocardial infarction.

Reconstructive techniques for chest and breast deformities in Poland syndrome: An up-to-date systematic review.

Background: Poland syndrome (PS) is a congenital abnormality defined as aplasia or hypoplasia of the unilateral pectoralis muscle and breast tissue that may be accompanied by limb or thoracic deformities. Reconstruction of deformities associated with PS is challenging owing to the spectrum of differences. We aimed to evaluate the trends in surgical management of chest and breast anatomical anomalies associated with PS.

The saccade target is prioritized for visual stability in naturalistic scenes.

The present study investigated the mechanisms of visual stability using naturalistic scene images. In two experiments, we asked whether the visual system relies on spatial location of the saccade target, as previously found with simple dot stimuli, or relational positions of the objects in the scene during visual stability decisions. Using a modified version of the saccadic suppression of displacement task, we manipulated the information that is displaced in the scene as well as visual stability using intrasaccadic target blanking paradigm.

Neuraminidase 1 regulates neuropathogenesis by governing the cellular state of microglia via modulation of Trem2 sialylation.

Neuraminidase 1 (NEU1) cleaves terminal sialic acids from sialoglycoproteins in endolysosomes and at the plasma membrane. As such, NEU1 regulates immune cells, primarily those of the monocytic lineage. Here, we examine how Neu1 influences microglia by modulating the sialylation of full-length Trem2 (Trem2-FL), a multifunctional receptor that regulates microglial survival, phagocytosis, and cytokine production.

Nanosecond Nanothermometry in an Electron Microscope.

Thermal transport in nanostructures plays a critical role in modern technologies. As devices shrink, techniques that can measure thermal properties at nanometer and nanosecond scales are increasingly needed to capture transient, out-of-equilibrium phenomena. We present a novel pump-probe photon-electron method within a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) to map temperature dynamics with unprecedented spatial and temporal resolutions.

Olaparib as treatment for platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer by BRCA mutation and homologous recombination deficiency: Phase 2 LIGHT study final overall survival analysis.

Background: LIGHT (oLaparib In HRD-Grouped Tumor types; NCT02983799) prospectively evaluated olaparib treatment in patients with platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer (PSROC) assigned to cohorts by known BRCA mutation (BRCAm) and homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) status: germline BRCAm (gBRCAm), somatic BRCAm (sBRCAm), HRD-positive non-BRCAm, and HRD-negative. At the primary analysis, olaparib treatment demonstrated activity across all cohorts, with greatest efficacy in terms of objective response rate and progression-free survival observed in the g/sBRCAm cohorts. The authors report final overall survival (OS).

Prolonged Preservation of up to 24h at 10°C does not Impact Outcomes after Lung Transplantation.

Objective: To determine the impact of prolonged storage of donor lungs at 10°C of up to 24h on outcome after lung transplantation.

Background: An increasing body of evidence suggests 10°C as the optimal storage temperature for donor lungs. A recent study showed that cold ischemic times can be safely expanded to >12h when lungs are stored at 10°C.

Fetal Cartilage Progenitor Cells in the Repair of Osteochondral Defects.

Background: Therapies for cartilage restoration are of great interest, but current options provide limited results. In salamanders, interzone (IZN) tissue can regenerate large joint lesions. The mammalian homolog to this tissue exists during fetal development and exhibits remarkable chondrogenesis in vitro.

Non-instrumented management of traumatic atlanto-axial rotatory subluxation: surgical technique.

Atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation (AARS) in the adult population is primarily trauma-induced. Conservative and surgical treatments have both been used successfully in treating AARS. In cases where AARS cannot be reduced by conservative measures, open reduction and fusion is the conventional treatment approach.

A comparative analysis of anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty versus reverse shoulder arthroplasty for posterior glenoid wear patterns.

Introduction: Reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) and anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) are well-known methods of treating glenohumeral arthritis, which often leads to posterior wear of the glenoid. This study compared minimum two-year outcome measures in patients treated with RSA and TSA for Walch B2 and B3 glenoids.

Methods: Thirty-eight shoulders underwent TSA and 40 shoulders underwent RSA by two fellowship-trained shoulder surgeons at a tertiary referral center.

Antibiogram profiles of pathogenic and commensal bacteria in goat and sheep feces on smallholder farm.

Introduction: The increase of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in zoonotic pathogens poses a substantial threat to both animal production and human health. Although large-scale animal farms are acknowledged as major reservoirs for AMR, there is a notable knowledge gap concerning AMR in small-scale farms. This study seeks to address this gap by collecting and analyzing 137 fecal samples from goat and sheep farms in Tennessee and Georgia.

The contribution of community transmission to the burden of hospital-associated pathogens: A systematic scoping review of epidemiological models.

Healthcare-associated infections (HAI), particularly those involving multi-drug resistant organisms (MDRO), pose a significant public health threat. Understanding the transmission of these pathogens in short-term acute care hospitals (STACH) is crucial for effective control. Mathematical and computational models play a key role in studying transmission but often overlook the influence of long-term care facilities (LTCFs) and the broader community on transmission.

Comparison of Multi-Drug Resistant Organisms Causing Early Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in Three Geographically Distinct Trauma Intensive Care Units.

It is unclear why differences in patient location change organisms causing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). We investigated VAP organisms in three geographically separate trauma intensive care units (TICUs). A retrospective review of organisms causing VAP (bronchoalveolar lavage [BAL] performed ≤7 d after admission and growing ≥10 cfu/mL) in three geographically separate TICUs was conducted.

Virus-free CRISPR knock-in of a chimeric antigen receptor into KLRC1 generates potent GD2-specific natural killer cells.

Natural killer (NK) cells are an appealing off-the-shelf, allogeneic cellular therapy due to their cytotoxic profile. However, their activity against solid tumors remains suboptimal in part due to the upregulation of NK-inhibitory ligands, such as HLA-E, within the tumor microenvironment. Here, we utilize CRISPR-Cas9 to disrupt the KLRC1 gene (encoding the HLA-E-binding NKG2A receptor) and perform non-viral insertion of a GD2-targeting chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) within NK cells isolated from human peripheral blood.

Positive clinical tests for medial epicondylalgia are more common than tests for lateral epicondylalgia in recreational pickleball players: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Epicondylalgia is a common overuse injury in tennis. However, little is known regarding epicondylalgia in pickleball.

Purpose: This study examined the prevalence of positive epicondylalgia tests in recreational pickleball players and the relationship between positive tests and player characteristics.