5,261 results match your criteria: "The University of Texas Medical Branch.[Affiliation]"

Article Synopsis
  • Steroids are commonly used for immunosuppression in kidney transplant patients, but older individuals may not need them as much due to a decrease in their immune system response, leading to potential long-term side effects.
  • This study aimed to analyze the adverse effects associated with long-term steroid use in older kidney transplant recipients by utilizing real-world data from the TriNetX database over a 10-year period.
  • Results showed a comparison between two groups: those who underwent early-steroid withdrawal and those on continuous steroid therapy, with findings focused on various health complications like diabetes, heart issues, and cancers.
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Diamond Blackfan anemia (DBA) is caused by germline heterozygous loss-of-function pathogenic variants (PVs) in ribosomal protein (RP) genes, most commonly and . In addition to red cell aplasia, individuals with DBA are at increased risk of various cancers. Importantly, the mechanism(s) underlying cancer predisposition are poorly understood.

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Revisiting the paradigm of anhematophagy in male mosquitoes.

bioRxiv

October 2024

Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.

Female mosquitoes are reproductively obligate bloodfeeders which feed on vertebrate blood to obtain nutrients required for egg production (driving transmission of vector-borne pathogens in the process), and which rely on plant sugars for their non-reproductive energy requirements. Male mosquitoes, on the other hand, are thought to rely exclusively on plant sugars for their energetic needs; indeed, this dichotomy is one of the central tenets of medical entomology. Here, we show that male and mosquitoes will readily take blood from a membrane feeder when reared under dehydration conditions with no toxic effects.

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Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and the transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 (TRPV1) are both upregulated and play key roles in the induction and expression of paclitaxel-related chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Using Apolipoprotein A-I binding protein, non-specific cholesterol depletion, TLR4 mis-sense rats and a TLR4 inhibitor, we demonstrate that co-localization of TRPV1 with TLR4 to cholesterol-rich lipid membrane rafts in nociceptors is essential for its normal activation as well as for its exaggerated activation that underlies the development and expression of CIPN. The findings suggest that TLR4-lipid rafts may have an essential role in numerous neuroinflammatory and neuropathic pain conditions.

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Purpose Of Review: Despite growing evidence supporting the diagnostic utility of coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) for anatomical assessment of coronary artery disease (CAD), its is underutilized in peri-procedural planning especially in the acute setting.

Recent Findings: Incorporation of flow reserve measurement techniques into CCTA has expanded its sensitivity and specificity for obstructive disease, and continued improvement in CCTA technology permits more accurate cross-sectional plaque characterization. CCTA has the potential to constitute the mainstay of pre-procedural planning for patients with CAD, who are being considered for percutaneous coronary intervention , reducing their ad hoc nature while facilitating equipment selection and improving catheterization lab safety and throughput.

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mSphere of Influence: Revisiting the central dogma, again!

mSphere

November 2024

Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA.

Dr. Parimal Samir works in the field of host-pathogen interactions. In this mSphere of Influence article, he reflects on how the manuscript entitled " gene synthesis by an antiviral reverse transcriptase" by Samuel Sternberg and colleagues made an impact by reminding him that there is still so much to discover in life sciences.

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Role of Monocyte/Macrophages in the Pathogenesis of NeuroHIV.

Results Probl Cell Differ

October 2024

Department of Neurobiology, The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, TX, USA.

Article Synopsis
  • Monocyte/macrophages are important immune cells that originate from myeloid cells and are involved in defending the body against infections as well as helping with healing processes.
  • Recent research has highlighted their involvement in both acute and chronic HIV infections, suggesting that they play a significant role in these conditions.
  • The discussion will center around how these cells migrate within the body and their potential function as reservoirs for the HIV virus.
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Objective: To compare outcomes of middle meningeal artery embolization (MMAE) alone versus combined with conventional surgery in the management of chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH).

Methods: A systematic literature search was performed on PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and CINAHL, followed by a meta-analysis comparing recurrence rates, surgical rescue, mortality, in-hospital complications, and length of hospital stay was conducted. Mean differences and risk ratios were pooled using a random effects model, with subgroup analysis performed using Cochrane RevMan 5.

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Design, fabrication, and calibration of a micromachined thermocouple for biological applications in temperature monitoring.

Biosens Bioelectron

January 2025

The Estelle and Daniel Maggin Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA; BioMedical Engineering & Imaging Institute, Leon and Norma Hess Center for Science and Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA. Electronic address:

This paper presents a microneedle thermocouple probe designed for temperature measurements in biological samples, addressing a critical need in the field of biology. Fabricated on a Silicon-On-Insulator (SOI) wafer, the probe features a doped silicon (Si)/chrome (Cr)/gold (Au) junction, providing a high Seebeck coefficient, rapid response times, and excellent temperature resolution. The microfabrication process produces a microneedle with a triangular sensing junction.

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Access to health and rights of children in street situations and working children: a scoping review.

BMJ Paediatr Open

October 2024

Department of Community Paediatrics, South Western Sydney Local Health District, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia.

Article Synopsis
  • Street and working children (SWC) face numerous challenges, including violence and limited access to healthcare, highlighting the need for better understanding of their rights in this area.
  • The study conducted extensive research from 2000 to present, identifying 35 relevant studies that primarily focused on aspects like trafficking and exploitation, mostly in Africa and the USA.
  • Findings show that barriers such as cost, stigma, and legal issues hinder healthcare access for SWC, while support and proactive healthcare use can facilitate access; there is an urgent need for improved training for healthcare professionals to address these issues.
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Article Synopsis
  • - Calcium signaling is crucial for how neurons communicate and for muscle movement, with junctophilin proteins being key components of calcium channels in cells.
  • - The study investigated the effects of downregulating a specific junctophilin gene through RNA interference (RNAi) by feeding bacteria that target this gene.
  • - Results showed that reducing the gene's expression changed the physical structure of cells and decreased movement in wild-type organisms, supporting the idea that this gene is important for muscle function.
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Article Synopsis
  • - COVID-19 is not just a respiratory illness; it can also cause various neurological issues, such as seizures, anxiety, and memory problems, indicating that the virus affects the brain.
  • - Researchers found that the trigeminal nerve, in addition to the commonly known olfactory nerve, is an effective pathway for the SARS-CoV-2 virus to invade the brain, leading to viral replication.
  • - While significant brain infections occurred without clear tissue damage, changes in gene expression linked to neuronal function and damage were observed, suggesting new mechanisms of how coronaviruses can impact the nervous system.
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Article Synopsis
  • - Asymptomatic bacteriuria affects a notable percentage of pregnant women, with some developing symptomatic urinary tract infections (UTIs) that carry risks like low birthweight and preterm delivery.
  • - Current methods for detecting UTIs, including urine cultures and dipstick tests, have limitations, particularly in interpreting results for asymptomatic bacteriuria, highlighting the need for more reliable diagnostic guidelines.
  • - The study aims to create and assess an evidence-based algorithm to improve the interpretation of urinalysis results and treatment decisions for asymptomatic bacteriuria among pregnant patients during routine obstetric visits.
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Introduction: Patients with mild burns take most accounts, however, the impact of mild burns is less known. Nerve destruction leads to muscle atrophy. We posit that even mild burn injury could worsen demyelinated nerves related to muscle pathophysiological impairment.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study focuses on identifying predictive biomarkers for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) related to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) by examining the gut microbiome and liver gene expression in mice with altered Pten genes.
  • Findings reveal that changes in gut microbiome composition correlate with tumor presence, particularly in mice with multiple tumors, while specific gene expression changes in the liver are linked to tumor burden and inflammation.
  • The research uncovers potential microbiome factors and gene expression patterns that drive liver cancer development, which could aid in creating new prevention strategies and risk assessment tools for HCC.
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Article Synopsis
  • One anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) is gaining popularity and needs a thorough safety evaluation compared to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB).
  • A study matched 1,569 patients who had OAGB with 6,276 RYGB patients, finding OAGB to have lower complication rates, shorter operation times, and reduced hospital stays.
  • Results indicated that OAGB led to significant improvements, such as a 27% decrease in overall complications and a notably lower rate of bowel obstructions compared to RYGB.
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The Controversy over Price Transparency: Patients and Plastic Surgeons Disagree.

Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open

October 2024

Institute of Dermatology and Plastic Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio.

Background: The No Surprises Act (NSA) went into effect on January 1, 2022. This federal law is designed to minimize surprise bills for emergency care, out of network (OON) care, and care for uninsured or self-pay individuals. To achieve these goals, the NSA relies heavily on physicians providing cost estimates to patients prior to administering care.

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Background: In 2009, Gary and colleagues reviewed prior research examining racial and ethnic differences in outcomes after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Over the past 15 years, advances in research and changes in the demographic composition of the United States warrant a comprehensive understanding of racial and ethnic disparities after TBI.

Objective: A systematic review will be conducted to examine racial and ethnic differences in TBI outcomes from 2009 to 2023.

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Objective: To investigate the impact of race on prescription patterns of therapies for overactive bladder (OAB).

Methods: The TriNetX Diamond network was queried to identify adult females with a diagnosis of urinary urgency incontinence (UUI) or OAB, excluding those with stress incontinence or mixed incontinence. Treatments were defined as behavioral, medical, or minimally invasive in accordance with American Urological Association (AUA) guidelines.

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Health literacy after traumatic brain injury: characterisation and control comparison.

Brain Impair

October 2024

Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic, Australia.

Background Little is known about health literacy in traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors. The aims of this study were to compare health literacy in individuals with TBI with that of a control group; to examine the association between health literacy in individuals with TBI and demographic, injury, and cognitive factors; and compare the relationship between health literacy and physical and mental health outcomes. Methods A cross-sectional observational study design was used.

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