PGRMC2 and HLA-G regulate immune homeostasis in a microphysiological model of human maternal-fetal membrane interface.

Chorion trophoblasts (CTCs) and immune cell-enriched decidua (DECs) comprise the maternal-fetal membrane interface called the chorio-decidual interface (CDi) which constantly gets exposed to maternal stressors without leading to labor activation. This study explored how CTCs act as a barrier at CDi. The roles of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G and progesterone receptor membrane component 2 (PGRMC2) in mediating immune homeostasis were also investigated.

Comparison of combined intravenous and intra-arterial thrombolysis with intravenous thrombolysis alone in stroke patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy: a propensity-matched analysis.

Background: A combination of intravenous (IVT) or intra-arterial (IAT) thrombolysis with mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion (AIS-LVO) has been investigated. However, there is limited data on patients who receive both IVT and IAT compared with IVT alone before MT.

Methods: STAR data from 2013 to 2023 was utilized.

Spatial transcriptomics of fetal membrane-Decidual interface reveals unique contributions by cell types in term and preterm births.

During pregnancy, two fetomaternal interfaces, the placenta-decidua basalis and the fetal membrane-decidua parietals, allow for fetal growth and maturation and fetal-maternal crosstalk, and protect the fetus from infectious and inflammatory signaling that could lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes. While the placenta has been studied extensively, the fetal membranes have been understudied, even though they play critical roles in pregnancy maintenance and the initiation of term or preterm parturition. Fetal membrane dysfunction has been associated with spontaneous preterm birth (PTB, < 37 weeks gestation) and preterm prelabor rupture of the membranes (PPROM), which is a disease of the fetal membranes.

Eosinophilic myenteric ganglionitis: A case in a 14-year-old-male.

Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO) is a rare, severe, and often debilitating condition that can result in significant morbidity and mortality amongst the pediatric population. Eosinophilic myenteric ganglionitis (EMG) is a rare inflammatory neuropathy of the myenteric plexus with characteristic eosinophilic infiltration with and without hypogangliosis. The disorder has been previously documented as a cause of CIPO.

Clinical and radiographic outcomes after mechanical thrombectomy in medium-vessel posterior cerebral artery occlusions: Subgroup analysis from STAR.

Background: Whereas mechanical thrombectomy (MT) has become standard-of-care treatment for patients with salvageable brain tissue after acute stroke caused by large-vessel occlusions, the results of MT in patients with medium-vessel occlusions (MEVOs), particularly in the posterior cerebral artery (PCA), are not well known.

Methods: Using data from the international Stroke Thrombectomy and Aneurysm Registry (STAR), we assessed presenting characteristics and clinical outcomes for patients who underwent MT for primary occlusions in the P2 PCA segment. As a subanalysis, we compared the PCA MeVO outcomes with STAR's anterior circulation MeVO outcomes, namely middle cerebral artery (MCA) M2 and M3 segments.

Impact of duration of dual anti-platelet therapy on risk of complications after stent-assisted coiling of unruptured aneurysms.

Background: The optimal duration for dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after stent-assisted coiling (SAC) of intracranial aneurysms is unclear. Longer-term therapy may reduce thrombotic complications but increase the risk of bleeding complications.

Methods: A retrospective review of prospectively maintained data at 12 institutions was conducted on patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms who underwent SAC between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2020, and were followed ≥6 months postprocedure.

Assessment of current biomarkers and interventions to identify and treat women at risk of preterm birth.

Preterm birth remains an important global problem, and an important contributor to under-5 mortality. Reducing spontaneous preterm birth rates at the global level will require the early identification of patients at risk of preterm delivery in order to allow the initiation of appropriate prophylactic management strategies. Ideally these strategies target the underlying pathophysiologic causes of preterm labor.

Population-level trends in self-reported healthcare utilization among older adults in Mexico with and without cognitive impairment.

Background: Older adults with cognitive impairment exhibit different patterns of healthcare utilization compared to their cognitively healthy counterparts. Despite extensive research in high-income countries, similar studies in low- and middle-income countries are lacking. This study aims to investigate the population-level patterns in healthcare utilization among older adults with and without cognitive impairment in Mexico.

Management of pediatric pial arteriovenous fistulas with a single connection: two illustrative cases.

Pediatric arteriovenous fistulas (PAVFs) are rare, representing only 7.3-17.2% of all pediatric shunts.

Distinct Pathological Changes in Preweaning Mice Infected with Live-Attenuated Rift Valley Fever Virus Strains.

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a mosquito-borne zoonotic viral disease endemic to Africa and the Middle East. Live-attenuated RVF vaccines have been studied for both veterinary and human use due to their strong immunogenicity and cost-effective manufacturing. The live-attenuated MP-12 vaccine has been conditionally approved for veterinary use in the U.

Use of Human Macrophages to Study Bunyavirus NSs Functions.

The NSs protein is a major virulence factor in bunyaviruses, crucial for viral pathogenesis. However, assessing NSs protein function can be challenging due to its inhibition of cellular RNA polymerase II, impacting NSs protein expression from plasmid DNA. The recombinant Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) MP-12 strain (rMP-12), a highly attenuated vaccine strain, can be safely manipulated under biosafety level 2 conditions.

Surgical decompression in spinal Paget's disease: illustrative case.

Background: Paget's disease of bone (PDB) is a common bone metabolic pathology in older adults, characterized by mixed osteolytic, osteoblastic, and quiescent periods. Surgical guidelines for PDB involving the spine are not well-defined and are reserved for cases refractory to medical treatments, typically bisphosphonates like zoledronic acid. This case study describes a 52-year-old male with PDB who presented with rapidly progressing myelopathy symptoms refractory to standard medical treatment, warranting surgical decompression.

A population analysis of delayed ejaculation using a claims database: characteristics and national trends in prevalence, incidence, and pharmacotherapy.

We investigated the prevalence, incidence, and rates of pharmacological treatment of delayed ejaculation using the TriNetX Diamond Network. We included all men evaluated in the inpatient, outpatient, and emergency settings. Prevalence was determined by comparing the number of men diagnosed with delayed ejaculation to the entire population.

A dynamic flow fetal membrane organ-on-a-chip system for modeling the effects of amniotic fluid motion.

Fetal membrane (amniochorion), the innermost lining of the intrauterine cavity, surround the fetus and enclose amniotic fluid. Unlike unidirectional blood flow, amniotic fluid subtly rocks back and forth, and thus, the innermost amnion epithelial cells are continuously exposed to low levels of shear stress from fluid undulation. Here, we tested the impact of fluid motion on amnion epithelial cells (AECs) as a bearer of force impact and their potential vulnerability to cytopathologic changes that can destabilize fetal membrane functions.

Protein SUMOylation promotes cAMP-independent EPAC1 activation.

Protein SUMOylation is a prevalent stress-response posttranslational modification crucial for maintaining cellular homeostasis. Herein, we report that protein SUMOylation modulates cellular signaling mediated by cAMP, an ancient and universal stress-response second messenger. We identify K561 as a primary SUMOylation site in exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (EPAC1) via site-specific mapping of SUMOylation using mass spectrometry.

Testosterone levels increase following bariatric surgery - validation of preceding literature in a large-scale population analysis.

Background: The effects of bariatric surgery on testosterone levels in men with obesity and hypogonadism have not been thoroughly explored yet.

Objectives: To investigate the possible effects of bariatric surgery on T levels in obese hypogonadal men by comparing T levels before and after surgery using a comprehensive claims database.

Materials And Methods: The TriNetX US Collaborative Network database was used to identify men ages 18-80 who underwent a bariatric procedure and had a serum T value of < 350 ng/dL prior to surgery.

Treatment abandonment in children with Wilms tumor at a national referral hospital in Uganda.

Introduction: The incidence of pediatric Wilms' tumor (WT) is high in Africa, though patients abandon treatment after initial diagnosis. We sought to identify factors associated with WT treatment abandonment in Uganda.

Methods: A cohort study of patients < 18 years with WT in a Ugandan national referral hospital examined clinical and treatment outcomes data, comparing children whose families adhered to and abandoned treatment.

Hard-Flaccid syndrome: a survey of sexual medicine practitioners' knowledge and experience.

Hard-flaccid syndrome (HFS) is a poorly understood condition of male sexual dysfunction (MSD) that has more recently become a new topic of discussion in online forums and sexual medicine conferences. There has been limited research looking into HFS and consequently there are no evidence-based guidelines for its work-up and management. In order to identify the current level of understanding of HFS in the sexual medicine community, a survey was distributed at a national urologic conference focusing on pertinent management strategies employed by practitioners, and their own thoughts on HFS.

What is the association between the microbiome and cognition? An umbrella review protocol.

Introduction: Cognitive impairment is reported in a variety of clinical conditions including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's and 'long-COVID'. Interestingly, many of these clinical conditions are also associated with microbial dysbiosis. This comanifestation of cognitive and microbiome findings in seemingly unrelated maladies suggests that they could share a common mechanism and potentially presents a treatment target.

A multi-organ, feto-maternal interface organ-on-chip, models pregnancy pathology and is a useful preclinical extracellular vesicle drug trial platform.

Pregnant women and their fetuses are often excluded from clinical trials due to missing drug-related pre-clinical trial information at the human feto-maternal interface (FMi). The two interfaces-placenta/decidua and fetal membranes/decidua are gatekeepers of drug transport; however, testing their functions is impractical during pregnancy. Limitations of current / models have hampered drug development and testing during pregnancy.

Risk Factors for Pediatric Intracranial Neoplasms in the Kids' Inpatient Database.

Introduction: In children and adolescents, brain and central nervous system (CNS) tumors are the leading types of cancers. Past studies have found differing rates of intracranial cancers among races and identified additional cancer risk factors. This study aimed to see if these differences can be substantiated with further investigation of the latest version (2019) of the Kids' Inpatient Database (KID).