Dysregulated mTOR networks in experimental sporadic Alzheimer's disease.

Background: Beyond the signature amyloid-beta plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been shown to exhibit dysregulated metabolic signaling through insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) networks that crosstalk with the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR). Its broad impact on brain structure and function suggests that mTOR is likely an important therapeutic target for AD.

Objective: This study characterizes temporal lobe (TL) mTOR signaling abnormalities in a rat model of sporadic AD neurodegeneration.

Use of Maternal Race and Weight Provides Equitable Performance in Serum Screening for Open Neural Tube Defects.

Background: Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels are used in screening for open neural tube defects (ONTD). Historical reports show that AFP levels and maternal weights are higher in self-reported Black than White individuals, but recent reports question the need to account for these variables in screening. Our study compares screening performance with and without accounting for race.

When I Don't see me, Am I seen? Race and student perception of the surgery clerkship.

Introduction: Increasing interest in general surgery from students who are Under-Represented in Medicine (URiM) is imperative to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. We examined medical student third year surgery clerkship evaluations quantitatively and qualitatively to understand the experiences of URiM and non-URiM learners at our institution.

Methods: Evaluations from 235 graduated medical students between the years of 2019 and 2021 were analyzed.

Validation of a monoclonal unconjugated estriol antibody for use in prenatal maternal serum screening.

Objectives: Unconjugated estriol (uE3) is used as a marker for fetal aneuploidy in maternal serum screening tests. The goal of this study was to examine the validity of a new immunoassay for uE3 that uses a monoclonal antibody (m-uE3) rather than the more commonly used polyclonal antibody (p-uE3).

Setting: Assays were performed in the Special Chemistry laboratory at Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island.

An Educational Assessment of Evidence Used for Variant Classification: A Report of the Association for Molecular Pathology.

The Association for Molecular Pathology Variant Interpretation Testing Among Laboratories (VITAL) Working Group convened to evaluate the Standards and Guidelines for the Interpretation of Sequence Variants implementation into clinical practice, identify problematic classification rules, and define implementation challenges. Variants and associated clinical information were provided to volunteer respondents. Participant variant classifications were compared with intended consensus-derived classifications of the Working Group.

Adjusting antimüllerian hormone levels for age and body mass index improves detection of polycystic ovary syndrome.

Objective: To examine whether accounting for a woman's age and body mass index (BMI) would improve the ability of antimüllerian hormone (AMH) to distinguish between women with (cases) and without (controls) polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

Design: An opportunistic case-control dataset of reproductive age women having evaluations for PCOS as defined by National Institutes of Health criteria.

Setting: Two medical centers in the United States enrolled women.

Assessment of laboratories offering cell-free (cf) DNA screening for Down syndrome: results of the 2018 College of American Pathology External Educational Exercises.

Purpose: Summarize and interpret results from exercises distributed to laboratories offering cell-free (cf) DNA screening for Down syndrome.

Methods: The College of American Pathologists distributed three patient-derived plasma specimens twice in 2018. Sequencing platforms, test methods, results, and responses to supplemental questions were collected.

Fewer women aged 35 and older choose serum screening for Down's syndrome: Impact and implications.

Objective: To quantify changes in the proportion of women aged 35 and older choosing serum screening for Down's syndrome over time and the effect on false positive and detection rates.

Methods: From Rhode Island hospital-based laboratory prenatal screening records (2013-2017) we extracted the test performed (Integrated, Combined, Quadruple), maternal age, and Down's syndrome risk; documented observed changes in maternal age distributions and false positive rates, and modelled the impact of varying proportions of older women choosing screening on each test's performance using the 2015 United States birth cohort as baseline.

Results: Over five years, observed false positive rates for Integrated testing declined from 1.

Ovarian aging is associated with gray matter volume and disability in women with MS.

Objective: To determine if ovarian aging as measured by levels of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is associated with pattern of multiple sclerosis (MS) progression in women.

Methods: Women with MS and healthy controls were included from a longitudinal research cohort with up to 10 years follow-up. Plasma AMH levels were measured by ELISA for baseline and years 3, 5, and 8-10.

A First-Trimester Biomarker Panel for Predicting the Development of Gestational Diabetes.

Objective: Serum markers measured early in pregnancy have been associated with the later diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). This study aims to explore the performance of a panel of first-trimester biochemical markers for the prediction of GDM.

Methods: A case-control study was performed that included 12 women who developed GDM and 60 controls matched for maternal and gestational age at blood collection.

Use of first or second trimester serum markers, or both, to predict preeclampsia.

Objectives: Preeclampsia is a serious complication of pregnancy, threatening fetal and maternal health. The aim of our study is to examine the association between preeclampsia and biochemical markers, in matched first and second trimester maternal serum samples.

Study Design: This is a nested case/control study derived from the cohort of pregnancies delivering at Women & Infants Hospital.

CD28 homodimer interface mimetic peptide acts as a preventive and therapeutic agent in models of severe bacterial sepsis and gram-negative bacterial peritonitis.

Background: Severe gram-negative bacterial infections and sepsis are major causes of morbidity and mortality. Dysregulated, excessive proinflammatory cytokine expression contributes to the pathogenesis of sepsis. A CD28 mimetic peptide (AB103; previously known as p2TA) that attenuates CD28 signaling and T-helper type 1 cytokine responses was tested for its ability to increase survival in models of polymicrobial infection and gram-negative sepsis.

Olfaction and apathy in Parkinson's disease.

Background: Olfactory deficits are frequent among patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD). Additionally, apathy (as quantified by the Apathy Evaluation Scale), is more prevalent in PD patients compared to the general population. Olfactory impairment and apathy are associated with dysfunction in overlapping brain regions.