The Autonomic Nervous System and Inflammation in Chronic Kidney Disease.

The autonomic nervous system plays a crucial role in regulating physiological processes and maintaining homeostasis through its two branches: the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the parasympathetic nervous system. Dysregulation of the autonomic system, characterized by increased sympathetic activity and reduced parasympathetic tone, is a common feature in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular disease. This imbalance contributes to a pro-inflammatory state, exacerbating disease progression and increasing the risk for cardiovascular events.

The profound effect of diabetes mellitus control on outcomes of coccidioidomycosis.

Coccidioidomycosis is an endemic fungal infection caused by the soil-dwelling Coccidioides immitis/posadasii. One prior study showed that persons with diabetes mellitus (DM) with elevated glucose at the time of coccidioidomycosis had poorer coccidioidal outcomes compared to persons without DM. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between hemoglobin A1C (A1C) and outcomes among persons with coccidioidomycosis and co-existing DM.

Optimized Scaffold-Free Human 3D Adipose Tissue Organoid Culture for Obesity and Disease Modeling.

Obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are strongly linked to abnormal adipocyte metabolism and adipose tissue (AT) dysfunction. However, existing adipose tissue models have limitations, particularly in the stable culture of fat cells that maintain physiologically relevant phenotypes, hindering a deeper understanding of adipocyte biology and the molecular mechanisms behind differentiation. Current model systems fail to fully replicate in vivo metabolism, posing challenges in adipose research.

Patient-reported Outcomes in Mothers with Chronic Hepatitis B Infection: A cross-sectional analysis.

Background & Aims: The health-related quality of life (HRQoL) during pregnancy has not been well-lidated in mothers with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). We aim to compare patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in CHB mothers with those of healthy mothers during pregnancy.

Methods: Between 4/16/2023 and 7/31/2023, we invited consecutive CHB and healthy mothers to complete the self-administered 36-item Short Form Survey (SF-36) and the Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ) for PRO assessment.

Impact of Immunotherapy on the Care Patterns and Outcomes of Patients with Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background: Modern immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors revolutionized cancer treatment and outcomes. This study aims to demonstrate how immunotherapy has impacted the national landscape of systemic treatment and palliative care in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: Retrospective cohort selecting patients from the U.

Clinical outcomes in peripheral ulcerative keratitis.

Purpose: To evaluate clinical and treatment outcomes in patients with peripheral ulcerative keratitis (PUK).

Design: Retrospective, case series SUBJECTS: Patients diagnosed with PUK at the Wilmer Eye Institute between January 2003 and October 2022.

Methods: Data collected included demographics, presence of systemic disease, disease laterality, duration of disease, PUK activity, presence of corneal perforation, and treatments.

Recovery Time and Success: A Comparative Study of Robotic and Manual Total Hip Arthroplasty Outcomes.

Background: Despite the growing utilization of robotic-assisted total hip arthroplasty (rTHA), major debate remains regarding its comparative effectiveness in achieving optimal patient outcomes compared to manual total hip arthroplasty (mTHA). This study aimed to compare both the rate and time to achieve minimal clinically important difference (MCID) between rTHA and mTHA.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis comparing 341 rTHAs with a 1:3 propensity score-matched cohort of 1,023 mTHAs performed from 2016 to 2022.

Statin Use is Associated with Decreased Venous Thromboembolism Events Following Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Matched Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Despite advances in surgical techniques and postoperative prophylactic protocols, venous thromboembolism (VTE) events remain an important source of morbidity following total hip arthroplasty (THA). Prior research in cardiology and other surgical fields has suggested that statin medications may have a protective effect against VTE. Our study aimed to: 1) Assess if preoperative statin use was associated with decreased rates of VTE following THA, and 2) conduct a subgroup analysis of statin intensity and VTE events.

Long-Term Cognitive Outcomes in Adult Patients Receiving Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapies.

Background: CAR T-cell therapy (CAR-T) is leading to durable responses in patients with cancer but there is concern that cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurotoxicity may impact survivors' cognitive function. We assessed long-term cognitive function in CAR-T recipients and examine factors associated with change in cognition over time.

Methods: We assessed perceived cognition (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Cognition) and neurocognitive performance (standardized neuropsychological battery) in adult patients prior to receiving CAR-T and at 6 month follow-up.

A Comparison of Endoscopic and Surgical Gastrojejunostomy in Patients with Malignant Gastric Outlet Obstruction: A National Cohort Analysis (2016-2020).

Background And Aims: Malignant gastric outlet obstruction (MGOO) is an unfortunate complication of advanced upper gastrointestinal malignancies. Historically, surgical gastrojejunostomy has been the procedure of choice to achieve enteral bypass. Recently, endoscopic techniques have gained popularity in the management of MGOO.

Reducing IgG accumulation via neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) blockade relieves neuropathic pain.

Preclinical and clinical studies have established that autoreactive immunoglobulin G (IgG) can drive neuropathic pain. We recently demonstrated that sciatic nerve chronic constriction injury (CCI) in male and female mice results in the production of pronociceptive IgG, which accumulates around the lumbar region, including within the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and spinal cord, facilitating the development of neuropathic pain. These data raise the intriguing possibility that neuropathic pain may be alleviated by reducing the accumulation of IgG.

CDC WONDER: Trends in diabetes mellitus mortality in the United States from 1968 to 2021.

This study analyzes U.S. diabetes mortality trends from 1968 to 2019 using CDC WONDER data.

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Study of Monoclonal Antibodies Near an Oil-Water Interface.

Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) represent an important class of biologic therapeutics that can treat a variety of diseases including cancer, autoimmune disorders or respiratory conditions (e.g. COVID-19).

Female Genital Schistosomiasis: Addressing Diagnostic and Programmatic Gaps to Advance Elimination Efforts.

This report underscores the critical need to include Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS) within schistosomiasis elimination frameworks and sexual and reproductive health programs. Affecting an estimated 40-56 million women, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa, FGS is often underdiagnosed and neglected in public health programs. This paper highlights FGS as a vital gap in schistosomiasis control and comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services, advocating for integrated approaches that address FGS awareness and diagnosis within disease elimination initiatives and health services.

From Mapping to Elimination: A Comprehensive Overview of Rwanda's Schistosomiasis Program.

Objectives: Schistosomiasis (SCH) remains a public health challenge in Rwanda despite ongoing interventions. This paper provides an overview of Rwanda's SCH journey, highlighting progress made through mass drug administration (MDA), diagnostic advancements, and strategic partnerships with key stakeholders.

Methods: Since 2014, the point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen (POC-CCA) test has been introduced alongside Kato-Katz (KK), improving mapping accuracy and detecting low-intensity infections.

Dietary Advanced Glycation End Products and Superovulation with Gonadotropins Alters RAGE expression in the Ovaries Differently at Each Follicular Stage of Development.

The purpose of this study was to examine the deposition of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and their receptors, RAGE, in ovarian follicles during folliculogenesis in mice fed high (H-AGE) or low (L-AGE) AGE diets and following superovulation with gonadotropins. We hypothesize that H-AGE diet is associated with increased AGE deposition and RAGE expression in various stages of ovarian follicular development, and superovulation with gonadotropins may alter these changes. C57BL/6J mice were fed low L-AGE (n=10) or H-AGE (n=10) diet for 12 weeks.

Bioimpedance Measurements of Fibrotic and Acutely Injured Lung Tissues.

In injured and diseased tissues, changes in molecular and cellular compositions, as well as tissue architecture, lead to alterations in both physiological and physical characteristics. Notably, the electrical properties of tissues, which can be characterized as bioelectrical impedance (bioimpedance), are closely linked to the health and pathological conditions of the tissues. This highlights the significant role of quantitatively characterizing these electrical properties in improving the accuracy and speed of diagnosis and prognosis.

Oxidative stress and obesity are associated with endothelial dysfunction and subclinical atherosclerosis in adolescents.

Objectives: This study explores the relationship between obesity, endothelial dysfunction, and the critical role of oxidative stress biomarkers in subclinical atherosclerosis.

Design & Methods: The study included 114 adolescents aged 12-17 years from Juiz de Fora, Brazil, divided into 40 individuals with obesity and 74 controls. Physical and biochemical assessments were conducted, including measurements of Brachial Flow-Mediated Dilation (BFMD), Carotid Intima-Media Thickness (IMT), and oxidative biomarkers such as nitrite, nitrate, and 8-isoprostane.

Comparison of temporary mechanical circulatory support devices for patients with cardiogenic shock after acute myocardial infarction: A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Despite the high mortality of cardiogenic shock after acute myocardial infarction (AMI-CS), the comparative efficacy and safety of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) in patients with AMI-CS is unknown. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of various MCS with initial medical therapy for AMI-CS patients.

Methods: We searched PubMed and EMBASE in July 2024.

The role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis in thyroid cancer.

The hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis, diagnosis, risk stratification, effectiveness of radioiodine therapy, and treatment response evaluation in epithelial thyroid cancer. Supraphysiological doses of levothyroxine are used in patients with intermediate-risk and high-risk thyroid cancer to suppress thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) to prevent tumour progression. However, free thyroxine and tri-iodothyronine have also been found to promote tumour growth in thyroid cancer preclinical models.

Lerodalcibep and evolocumab for the treatment of homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia with PCSK9 inhibition (LIBerate-HoFH): a phase 3, randomised, open-label, crossover, non-inferiority trial.

Background: Lerodalcibep, a small binding anti-PCSK9 protein (adnectin), showed effective LDL cholesterol reduction in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia. We aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of lerodalcibep and evolocumab in a globally diverse homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia population.

Methods: This phase 3, randomised, open-label, crossover, non-inferiority study consisted of two 24-week treatment periods separated by an 8-week washout.

In vitro comparative analysis of metabolic capabilities and inhibitory profiles of selected CYP2D6 alleles on tramadol metabolism.

Tramadol, the 41st most prescribed drug in the United States in 2021 is a prodrug activated by CYP2D6, which is highly polymorphic. Previous studies showed enzyme-inhibitor affinity varied between different CYP2D6 allelic variants with dextromethorphan and atomoxetine metabolism. However, no study has compared tramadol metabolism in different CYP2D6 alleles with different CYP2D6 inhibitors.

Appetite-Control and Eating-Behavior Traits Might Not Be Impacted by a Single Weight-Cycling Episode in Weight-Cycling Athletes: Results of the Wave Study.

Purpose: The impact of weight cycling (WC)-successive weight loss (WL) and weight regain (WG)-on athlete performance is well documented, but effects on appetite are not. This study assessed the impact of a WC episode on dietary and appetitive profiles in athletes, considering sex and sport type.

Methods: Athletes (28 male, 20 female) from combat (n = 23), strength (n = 12), and endurance (n = 13) sports participated in 3 conditions during a WC episode (baseline, WL, WG).