Substrate stiffness dictates unique doxorubicin-induced senescence-associated secretory phenotypes and transcriptomic signatures in human pulmonary fibroblasts.

Cells are subjected to dynamic mechanical environments which impart forces and induce cellular responses. In age-related conditions like pulmonary fibrosis, there is both an increase in tissue stiffness and an accumulation of senescent cells. While senescent cells produce a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), the impact of physical stimuli on both cellular senescence and the SASP is not well understood.

Project ECHO Occupational and Environmental Medicine: A Qualitative Study of HealthCare Providers Supporting Workers with Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses.

Purpose: This qualitative study investigated the needs, barriers, and facilitators that affect primary care providers' involvement in supporting patients' stay-at-work and return-to-work following injury or illness. It also aims to understand the lived experiences of primary care providers who participated in the Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes training program for Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ECHO OEM). By examining both the structural and experiential aspects of the program, this study seeks to provide insights into how ECHO OEM influences providers' approaches to occupational health challenges.

Assessment and Reporting of Extraintestinal Manifestations and Fatigue in Phase 3 Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinical Trials.

Background: Extraintestinal Manifestations (EIMs) of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) are frequently experienced by patients and may lead to severe symptoms and fatigue. However, the reporting patterns of these outcomes in IBD randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is not clear.

Methods: We searched placebo controlled phase 3 RCTs of advanced therapies in IBD and assessed the frequency and means of reporting EIM and fatigue data in these studies.

New onset refractory status epilepticus: Long-term outcomes beyond seizures.

We propose and prioritize important outcome domains that should be considered for future research investigating long-term outcomes (LTO) after new onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE). The study was led by the international NORSE Institute LTO Working Group. First, literature describing the LTO of NORSE survivors was identified using a PubMed search and summarized to identify knowledge gaps.

Functional variants in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene are associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer.

Background: Individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF; a recessive disorder) have an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). Evidence suggests individuals with a single CFTR variant may also have increased CRC risk.

Methods: Using population-based studies (GECCO, CORECT, CCFR, and ARIC; 53 785 CRC cases and 58 010 controls), we tested for an association between the most common CFTR variant (Phe508del) and CRC risk.

Prevalence of and risk factors for osteoporosis and fragility fracture in adults with cerebral palsy: A systematic review.

Aim: To systematically review the prevalence and incidence of osteoporosis, osteopenia, low bone mass, and fragility fracture in adults with cerebral palsy (CP), and identify the risk factors for osteoporosis and fracture.

Method: A systematic literature search was performed in the MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, AMED, Cochrane Reviews, EMBASE, and EBM database reviews from inception until May 2024. Search terms covered a combination of keywords for CP, fracture, osteoporosis, incidence and prevalence, and risk factors.

Factors affecting utilization of male sexual and reproductive health services: a qualitative description of males in Anambra State, Southeast Nigeria.

Introduction: The utilization of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services by males globally is significantly low despite their considerable sexual and reproductive health needs. This study aimed to understand the factors that influence the utilization of male sexual and reproductive health SRH services.

Methods: We used an explanatory sequential mixed methods research design, with qualitative description to explore the perceptions of males (15-49years) on the utilization of male SRH services in Anambra State, Nigeria.

Metabolic syndrome and its effect on immune cells in apical periodontitis- a narrative review.

Objectives: Apical periodontitis (AP) is an inflammatory immune response in periapical tissues caused by microbial infections. Failure of root canal treatment or delayed healing is often due to intracanal or extra-radicular bacteria. However, beyond microbial factors, the patient's systemic health can significantly influence the progression and healing of AP.

Impact of papillary muscle infarction on atrial and ventricular myocardial deformation in non-anterior STEMI patients.

The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of papillary muscle (PPM) infarction on left atrial and ventricular strain parameters in patients with non-anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NA-STEMI) using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). This retrospective study performed CMR scans on 88 consecutive patients with NA-STEMI (68 males, 65 ± 10.05 years).

Use of risk assessment tools in emergency general surgery: a cross-sectional survey of surgeons and trainees.

The applicability of risk assessment tools (RATs) for preoperative risk assessment (PRA) in Emergency General Surgery (EGS) is unclear. Limited knowledge of surgeons' approach to risk assessment is available. We investigated how Canadian surgeons approach PRA for EGS and their awareness of available RATs.

Prognostic value of MR visibility/invisibility in men on Active Surveillance.

Objective: We sought to determine, in a prospective long term cohort, the prognostic value of negative MR imaging with respect to upgrading and need for intervention in men on AS.

Method: A long term prospective single centre study of men on Active surveillance with MR imaging. Primary outcome was upgrading on biopsy and rate of intervention.

Chemical signals and social structures strengthen sexual isolation in Drosophila pseudoobscura.

Species that coexist in hybrid zones sexually isolate through reproductive character displacement, a mechanism that favours divergence between species. In Drosophila, behavioural and physiological traits discourage heterospecific mating between species. Recently, social network analysis revealed flies produce strain-specific and species-specific social structures.

The Canadian Experience With Magnetic Esophageal Anastomosis: A Report From the Canadian Consortium for Research in Pediatric Surgery Study (CanCORPS).

Objective: Magnetic anastomosis is an innovative technique for establishing esophageal continuity in infants born with esophageal atresia. Few case series featuring this technology have been published, with even fewer reports on complications. We present the entire Canadian experience with this approach.

Switching to faricimab from the current anti-VEGF therapy: evidence-based expert recommendations.

Dual inhibition of the angiopoietin (Ang)/Tie and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signalling pathways in patients with retinal diseases, such as neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and diabetic macular oedema (DME), may induce greater vascular stability and contribute to increased treatment efficacy and durability compared with treatments that only target the VEGF pathway. Faricimab, a bispecific intravitreal agent that inhibits both VEGF and Ang-2, is the first injectable ophthalmic drug to achieve treatment intervals of up to 16 weeks in Phase 3 studies for nAMD and DME while exhibiting improvements in visual acuity and retinal thickness. Data from real-world studies have supported the safety, visual and anatomic benefits and durability of faricimab, even in patients who were previously treated with other intravitreal agents.

Acceptability of digital health intervention during pregnancy to inform women about postpartum contraception (DIGICAP): a pilot randomised controlled study.

Background: Pregnancy within a year of childbirth has negative impacts on women and their children's health. We developed a digital health intervention (DHI) to empower women in contraceptive choices postpartum. Our pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) aimed to establish the feasibility of a main RCT of the effects of the DHI compared with standard care on long-acting contraception use.

ECLS-SHOCK and DanGer Shock: Implications for optimal temporary mechanical circulatory support use for cardiogenic shock due to acute myocardial infarction.

Despite concerted efforts to rapidly identify patients with cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction (AMI-CS) and provide timely revascularization, early mortality remains stubbornly high. While artificially augmenting systemic flow through the use of temporary mechanical circulatory support (tMCS) devices would be expected to reduce the rate of progression to multi-organ dysfunction and thereby enhance survival, reliable evidence for benefit has remained elusive with lingering questions regarding the appropriate selection of both patients and devices, as well as the timing of device implantation relative to other critical interventions. Further complicating matters are the resource-intensive multidisciplinary systems of care that must be brought to bear in this complex patient population.

Endocrinologists' Acceptability and Implementation of Hemoglobin A1c Targets among Adults with Type 1 Diabetes.

Aims: Attainment of the A1C target of ≤7.0% is consistently low among those living with type 1 diabetes (T1D). We evaluated endocrinologists' acceptability and implementation of A1C targets.

Differences in Sensorimotor Integration, Cervical Sensorimotor Control, and Cognitive-Motor Dual Tasking Costs in Chronic Non-Specific Neck Pain Patients with High vs. Low Catastrophizing Tendencies Compared to Healthy Controls.

Chronic non-specific neck pain (CNSNP) is a common condition and its relationship to the pain catastrophizing construct in terms of sensorimotor functions and dual task performance is not fully understood. We aimed to investigate the differences in sensorimotor integration, cervical sensorimotor control, and cognitive-motor dual tasking abilities between CNSNP patients (> 3 months) with high versus low catastrophizing tendencies and healthy controls. Ninety participants were recruited, 30 asymptomatic controls, and 60 patients with CNSNP; 30 scoring high (> 75 percentile) and 30 scoring low (< 25th percentile) on the pain catastrophizing scale (PCS).

Selective activation of FZD2 and FZD7 reveals non-redundant function during mesoderm differentiation.

During gastrulation, Wnt-β-catenin signaling dictates lineage bifurcation generating different mesoderm cell types. However, the specific role of Wnt receptors in mesoderm specification remains elusive. Using selective Frizzled (FZD) and LRP5/6 antibody-based agonists, we examined FZD receptors' function during directed mesoderm differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs).

mTor limits autophagy to facilitate cell volume expansion and rapid wound repair in Drosophila embryos.

Embryonic wounds repair rapidly, with no inflammation or scarring. Embryonic wound healing is driven by collective cell movements facilitated by the increase in the volume of the cells adjacent to the wound. The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTor) complex 1 (TORC1) is associated with cell growth.