Corneal Keratocytes, Fibroblasts, and Myofibroblasts Exhibit Distinct Transcriptional Profiles In Vitro.

Purpose: After stromal injury to the cornea, the release of growth factors and pro-inflammatory cytokines promotes the activation of quiescent keratocytes into a migratory fibroblast and/or fibrotic myofibroblast phenotype. Persistence of the myofibroblast phenotype can lead to corneal fibrosis and scarring, which are leading causes of blindness worldwide. This study aims to establish comprehensive transcriptional profiles for cultured corneal keratocytes, fibroblasts, and myofibroblasts to gain insights into the mechanisms through which these phenotypic changes occur.

Polygenic Scores of Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in American Indian Adults.

Importance: Numerous efforts have been made to include diverse populations in genetic studies, but American Indian populations are still severely underrepresented. Polygenic scores derived from genetic data have been proposed in clinical care, but how polygenic scores perform in American Indian individuals and whether they can predict disease risk in this population remains unknown.

Objective: To study the performance of polygenic scores for cardiometabolic risk factors of lipid traits and C-reactive protein in American Indian adults and to determine whether such scores are helpful in clinical prediction for cardiometabolic diseases.

Short-Term Safety and Effectiveness for Tenecteplase and Alteplase in Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Importance: Tenecteplase is an alternative to alteplase for emergency treatment of acute ischemic stroke. However, limited data are available comparing their clinical effectiveness in routine clinical practice.

Objective: To compare short-term effectiveness and safety outcomes for patients with ischemic stroke treated with intravenous tenecteplase vs alteplase.

Macroscopically Self-Aligned and Chiralized Carbon Nanotubes: From Filtration to Innovation.

Because of their natural 1D structure combined with intricate chiral variations, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) exhibit various exceptional physical properties, such as ultrahigh thermal conductivity and diameter-dependent electrical behavior, ranging from semiconducting to metallic. While CNTs excel individually at the nanoscale, their 1D and chiral nature can be lost on a macroscopic scale when they are randomly assembled. Therefore, the alignment and organization of CNTs in macroscopic structures is crucial for harnessing their full potential.

Antitumor efficacy of intermittent low-dose erlotinib plus sulindac via MHC upregulation and remodeling of the immune cell niche.

A previously reported clinical trial in familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) patients treated with erlotinib plus sulindac (ERL + SUL) highlighted immune response/interferon-γ signaling as a key pathway. In this study, we combine intermittent low-dose ERL ± SUL treatment in the polyposis in rat colon (Pirc) model with mechanistic studies on tumor-associated immune modulation. At clinically relevant doses, short-term (16 weeks) and long-term (46 weeks) ERL ± SUL administration results in near-complete tumor suppression in Pirc colon and duodenum (p < 0.

"It's almost like not existing": Adult children's experiences of not being recognized and their perceptions of being forgotten by their parents with dementia.

Parents living with dementia sometimes do not recognize their adult child caregivers, who may then perceive they are forgotten. Yet, research on the experience of being unrecognized and perceived as forgotten by a parent with dementia is scarce. Object relations theory suggests healthy development of a child's sense of self during early development is linked to being held in mind by a primary caretaker.

In-device Battery Failure Analysis.

Lithium-ion batteries are indispensable power sources for a wide range of modern electronic devices. However, battery lifespan remains a critical limitation, directly affecting the sustainability and user experience. Conventional battery failure analysis in controlled lab settings may not capture the complex interactions and environmental factors encountered in real-world, in-device operating conditions.

Penile prosthesis for erectile dysfunction: recommendations from the 5th International Consultation on Sexual Medicine.

Introduction: Penile prosthesis (PP) is one of the main approved therapies for erectile dysfunction (ED). Greater than 50 years of clinical use has led to considerable innovation in PP surgery and patient care.

Objectives: To summarize the current literature and provide updated clinical evidence to inform healthcare providers on best practices with PP.

Multi-level barriers to equitable postpartum permanent contraception.

Background: There are several barriers to fulfillment of desired postpartum permanent contraception (PC). Prior research has primarily focused on the federal Medicaid sterilization policy as a barrier to PC; however, other barriers need to be examined.

Objectives: To explore the levels and intersections of barriers to postpartum PC that exist external to the Medicaid policy.

Regional anesthesia for arrhythmias: a review of current literature.

Purpose Of The Review: The aim is to provide a comprehensive review of regional anesthesia techniques to control ventricular arrhythmias.

Recent Findings: While promising, the use of stellate ganglion block (SGB) for arrhythmia control is still under investigation, and further clinical trials are warranted to fully understand its efficacy, long-term outcomes, suitable patient group, and safety profile. Nevertheless, it remains a potential adjunctive therapy in the management of ventricular arrhythmias in select patients.

Cutaneous lupus erythematosus presenting as a nonhealing ulcer in an African American woman: A case report.

Objective: Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) is a chronic autoimmune disorder of the skin.

Methods: In this report, we describe the case of an African American woman with CLE who had an ulcer on her posterior thigh. Despite this, initial biopsy specimen of the lesion revealed no evidence of CLE until a repeat biopsy 5 months later.

Managing Donor Site Pain After Alveolar Bone Grafting: A Comparative Analysis of Liposomal Bupivacaine (Exparel), Bupivacaine-Soaked Gelfoam, and ON-Q Ropivacaine.

Introduction: Traditionally, alveolar bone grafting (ABG) uses bone from the iliac crest for repair. Harvesting this graft has been associated with significant donor site pain. Local anesthetic is a useful adjunct to alleviate postoperative opioid requirements.

Nonparametric Estimation of a Biometric Function Using Ranked Set Sampling With Ties Information.

The mean residual life (MRL) function plays an important role in the summary and analysis of survival data. The main advantage of this function is that it summarizes the information in units of time instead of a probability scale, which requires careful interpretation. Ranked set sampling (RSS) is a sampling technique designed for situations, where obtaining precise measurements of sample units is expensive or difficult, but ranking them without referring to their accurate values is cost-effective or easy.

The Final Rule in a Bind: What We Are Learning From Suboptimal Simultaneous Heart-Kidney Outcomes and Potential Solutions to the Problem.

Background: The 2018 revision of the adult Heart Allocation Policy (aHAP) led to a notable increase in the rate of simultaneous heart-kidney transplants (SHKT) in the United States. However, this policy has faced criticism for its inability to enhance post-transplant survival rates or decrease mortality among SHKT recipients on the waitlist, although high-quality kidneys are used.

Methods: We analyzed data from the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, covering 1549 SHKT cases from 2015 to 2021.

Primate Behavior and the Importance of Comparative Studies in Biological Anthropology.

Biological anthropology seeks to understand humans from an evolutionary perspective. Namely, what makes humans different from other animals, and how did we get this way? Many relevant traits are physical, but many others are behavioral. For example, when and why did our species develop complex cognition, enduring bonds, and intense cooperation? Given the importance of behavior, biological anthropologists have a long history of turning to our primate relatives to generate hypotheses about the evolutionary processes shaping humans.

Advancements in Three-Dimensional Super-Resolution Ultrasound Imaging: A Narrative Review.

The lack of sensibility of traditional ultrasound (US) imaging to the slow blood flow in small vessels resulted in the development of microbubble (MB) contrast agents. These MBs are given intravenously, and US imaging can detect them quite effectively. This noninvasive imaging method, known as contrast-enhanced US (CEUS), now makes it possible to accurately assess tissue perfusion and blood flow.

"Rigorous and Systematic Qualitative Data Analysis in Biological Anthropology".

Biological anthropologists have long engaged in qualitative data analysis (QDA), though such work is not always foregrounded. In this article, we discuss the role of rigorous and systematic QDA in biological anthropology and consider how it can be understood and advanced. We first establish what kinds of qualitative data and analysis are used in biological anthropology.

The potential impact of alternatives to opioids (ALTO) protocol on opioid reduction in the community emergency department.

Objective: To investigate the potential impact of implementing alternatives to opioids (ALTOs) protocol in a community emergency department (ED) in North Texas. We hypothesize that the ALTO protocol is associated with decreased opioid utilization without affecting patient satisfaction to pain control and ED flow.

Design: A retrospective, single-center, cohort study.

Understanding post-operative opioid use across multiple surgical specialties.

Background: The United States (US) is facing an opioid epidemic. Prescribed opioids are a contributor to this national issue. Strategies to reduce opioid prescriptions are a high priority.

Applications of heavy metal-based nanoparticles in cosmetics: a comprehensive review.

The utilisation of heavy metal-based nanoparticles in cosmetic products has been steadily increasing because of their extraordinary physicochemical properties and benefits. In this thorough review, we will delve into the various types of nanoparticles, such as green nanoparticles, metallic nanoparticles, and carbon-based nanoparticles, with a special focus on heavy metal-based nanoparticles. These heavy metal-based nanoparticles exhibit exceptional physical and mechanical properties, making them suitable materials for cosmetic and personal care products.

Electrostatic interactions in nucleosome and higher-order structures are regulated by protonation state of histone ionizable residue.

The nucleosome serves as the fundamental unit of chromatin organization, with electrostatic interactions acting as the driving forces in the folding of nucleosomes into chromatin. Perturbations around physiological pH conditions can lead to changes in the protonation states of titratable histone residues, impacting nucleosome surface electrostatic potentials and interactions. However, the effects of proton uptake or release of histone ionizable groups on nucleosome-partner protein interactions and higher-order chromatin structures remain largely unexplored.