Positive susceptibility-based contrast imaging with dephased balanced steady-state free precession.

Purpose: Dephasing gradients can be introduced within a variety of gradient-echo pulse sequences to delineate local susceptibility changes ("White-Marker" phenomenon), e.g., for the visualization of metallic interventional devices which are otherwise difficult to display.

Denoising complex-valued diffusion MR images using a two-step, nonlocal principal component analysis approach.

Purpose: To propose a two-step, nonlocal principal component analysis (PCA) method and demonstrate its utility for denoising complex diffusion MR images with a few diffusion directions.

Methods: A two-step denoising pipeline was implemented to ensure accurate patch selection even with high noise levels and was coupled with data preprocessing for g-factor normalization and phase stabilization before data denoising with a nonlocal PCA algorithm. At the heart of our proposed pipeline was the use of a data-driven optimal shrinkage algorithm to manipulate the singular values in a way that would optimally estimate the noise-free signal.

A dual-purification system to isolate mitochondrial subpopulations.

Mitochondria perform diverse functions, such as producing ATP through oxidative phosphorylation, synthesizing macromolecule precursors, maintaining redox balance, and many others. Given this diversity of functions, we and others have hypothesized that cells maintain specialized subpopulations of mitochondria. To begin addressing this hypothesis, we developed a new dual-purification system to isolate subpopulations of mitochondria for chemical and biochemical analyses.

Zebrafish ETS transcription factor Fli1b functions upstream of Scl/Tal1 during embryonic hematopoiesis.

During embryonic development vascular endothelial and hematopoietic cells are thought to originate from a common precursor, the hemangioblast. An evolutionarily conserved ETS transcription factor FLI1 has been previously implicated in the hemangioblast formation and hematopoietic and vascular development. However, its role in regulating hemangioblast transition into hematovascular lineages is still incompletely understood.

Evaluation of Department of Defense hospital antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) using a novel Core Elements scoring approach and modeling Core Elements scores with metrics related to ASP outcomes.

Objective: Evaluate Department of Defense (DoD) antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) by assessing the relationship between key clinical outcome metrics (antibiotic use, incidence of resistant pathogens, and incidence of infections) and CDC Core Element (CE) adherence.

Design: Retrospective, cross-sectional study of DoD hospitals in 2018 and 2021.

Methods: National Healthcare Safety Network Standardized Antimicrobial Administration Ratios (SAARs) were used to measure antibiotic use and microbiology results to evaluate four types of pathogen incidence.

A 10-year examination of people with psychosis in American television programing: are representations improving over time?

Background: Media portrayals inform understandings of mental illness; yet little research has investigated representations of characters with psychosis in fictional television programming.

Aims: This study examined the valence and trends regarding representations of people with psychosis in popular fictional television programing in the United States, one of the most influential markets in the world.

Methods: A content analysis was conducted of the 50 most-watched American primetime fictional television shows from 2011 to 2021.

A mixed-methods study assessing the performance of a clinical decision support tool for testing for patients receiving laxatives.

Objective: To better understand clinicians' rationale for ordering testing for infection (CDI) for patients receiving laxatives and the impact of the implementation of a clinical decision support (CDS) intervention.

Design: A mixed-methods, case series was performed from March 2, 2017 to December 31, 2018.

Setting: Yale New Haven Hospital, a 1,541 bed tertiary academic medical center.

Assessing the safety of increased outpatient cephalosporin use following the modification of penicillin allergy cross-reactivity alerts.

Background: Concerns about penicillin-cephalosporin cross-reactivity have historically led to conservative prescribing and avoidance of cephalosporins in patients with penicillin allergy labels, potentially causing suboptimal outcomes. Recent evidence suggests a lower risk of cross-reactivity, prompting a reassessment of alert systems.

Objective: To assess the impact of limited penicillin cross-reactivity alerts on outpatient cephalosporin use and the incidence of adverse reactions in a healthcare setting.

Retinoid X receptor agonist 9CDHRA mitigates retinal ganglion cell apoptosis and neuroinflammation in a mouse model of glaucoma.

Glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness, is characterized by the progressive loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and optic nerve damage, often associated with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). Retinoid X receptors (RXRs) are ligand-activated transcription factors crucial for neuroprotection, as they regulate gene expression to promote neuronal survival via several biochemical networks and reduce neuroinflammation. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of 9-cis-13,14-dihydroretinoic acid (9CDHRA), an endogenous retinoid RXR agonist, in mitigating RGC degeneration in a high-IOP-induced experimental model of glaucoma.

New Opportunities or More of the Same? Health Industry Entrants in the Post-Pandemic Era.

This cross-sectional study examines shifts in health industry entry and sector choice among women, racially minoritized workers, and immigrants during the pandemic era. Using data from the Annual Social and Economic Supplement of the Current Population Survey (2018-2023), we compare entrant characteristics before and during the pandemic era, focusing on demographic composition and sector choice. Results show minimal shifts by gender, race, or education but highlight a rise in entrants from outside the labor force, particularly among White women and racially minoritized men.

Assessing Environmental Justice in Mexico: How Polluting Industries and Healthcare Disparities Impact Congenital Heart Defects.

Background: Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are the most prevalent birth defects globally and the second leading cause of death in Mexican children under five. This study examines how industrial activity and social vulnerabilities independently and jointly influence CHD incidence across 2446 Mexican municipalities from 2008 to 2019.

Methods: Using negative binomial regression models, we evaluated associations between polluting industries, healthcare access, and CHD incidence.

Perioperative Trends in Distress Among Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: Distress is common among cancer patients, especially those undergoing surgery. However, no study has systematically analyzed distress trends in this population. The purpose of this study was to systematically review perioperative rates of distress, as well as differences across cancer types, in cancer patients undergoing surgical intervention.

Investigation of structural and dynamic properties of the Butyrophilin BTN3A1/BTN2A1 cytoplasmic complex by F solution NMR.

Butyrophilin 3A1 (BTN3A1) is an integral membrane protein capable of detecting phosphoantigens, like (E)-4-hydroxy-3-methyl-but-2-enyl diphosphate (HMBPP), through its internal B30.2 domain. Detection of phosphoantigens leads to interactions with butyrophilin 2A1 and the subsequent activation of γδ-T cells.

Personality and Markers of Lower Extremity Function: Findings From Six Samples.

ObjectivesThis study investigated the associations between Five-Factor Model personality traits and balance impairment and lower limb strength.MethodsMiddle-aged and older adults (Age range: 34-104 years; >27,000) from six large samples from the US and England were assessed for standing balance, lower limb strength, personality traits, sociodemographic, and health-related variables.ResultsHigher extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness were related to lower balance impairment risk and better lower limb strength.

"Someday, I'll be an ancestor:" Understanding indigenous intergenerational connectedness through qualitative research to inform measure development.

Intergenerational connectedness broadly encompasses relations among humans, lands, and all living and spiritual beings, and functions as an important part of Indigenous well-being. Many public health campaigns and interventions aim to promote connectedness to support holistic wellness and reduce health inequities. Currently, however, there are no measurement tools to assess intergenerational connectedness to support culturally grounded research and program evaluation.

Temporal Profiling of Male Cortical Astrocyte Transcription Predicts Molecular Shifts From Early Development to Aging.

Astrocytes are the most abundant glial cell type in the central nervous system (CNS). Astrocytes are born during the early postnatal period in the rodent brain and mature alongside neurons, demonstrating remarkable morphological structural complexity, which is attained in the second postnatal month. Throughout this period of development and across the remainder of the lifespan, astrocytes participate in CNS homeostasis, support neuronal partners, and contribute to nearly all aspects of CNS function.

Impact of a Multiplex PCR Assay for Rapid Diagnosis and Antibiotic Utilization in Trauma Intensive Care Unit Patients with Ventilator-Acquired Pneumonia.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a frequent complication in injured patients. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) facilitates rapid identification of many respiratory pathogens prior to formal culture results. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of multiplex PCR implementation in a trauma intensive care unit (TICU) on antibiotic utilization and de-escalation.

Effects of Complex I Inhibition on the Architecture of Neural Rosettes Differentiated from Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells.

Orchestrated changes in cell arrangements and cell-to-cell contacts are susceptible to cellular stressors during central nervous system development. Effects of mitochondrial complex I inhibition on cell-to-cell contacts have been studied in vascular and intestinal structures; however, its effects on developing neuronal cells are largely unknown. We investigated the effects of the classical mitochondrial stressor and complex I inhibitor, rotenone, on the architecture of neural rosettes-radially organized neuronal progenitor cells (NPCs)-differentiated from human-induced pluripotent stem cells.

The Shadow Pandemic Contextualised: Albania's Response to Domestic Violence During COVID-19.

Background: Domestic violence (DV) encompasses a pattern of psychological, physical, sexual, financial, and/or emotional abuse, manifesting through assault, threats, and intimidation. Economic and social stressors in conjunction with the COVID-19 pandemic escalated DV cases worldwide, including those in Albania. Socioeconomic vulnerabilities worsened the situation, with DV-related complaints to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Albania increasing by 60% between March and May 2020, compared to the same period in 2019.

Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome and Combinations of Its Components: Findings from the Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey, 2021.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a clinical construct that conglomerates risk factors interconnected with cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. More than a thousand million individuals in the world were diagnosed with MetS in 2018. Our objective was to examine the prevalence of MetS and its components among Mexican adults.

Availability, Participation, and Interest in Workplace Wellness Programs for Head Start Educators.

Head Start (HS) is the largest federally funded early childhood education program in the United States. It prepares children socially, emotionally, and academically and sets the foundation for school readiness and academic success. In 2024, the Head Start Program Performance Standards were updated to provide enhanced support and workforce stability, including improvements in health and wellness.

Dual Functional Electroconductive Biofortified Electrospun Scaffold Functionalized With MWCNTs and Bacopa Monnieri for Accelerated Peripheral Nerve Regeneration.

Peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs) often lead to semi or complete loss of motor, sensory and autonomic functions. Although autografts are still the best option for PNI repair, their use is restricted due to the morbidity and availability of donor nerves. Because electrospun scaffolds may replicate the structure of native extracellular matrix (ECM), they provide a viable alternative.

Sequence Diversity in the 3' Untranslated Region of Alphavirus Modulates IFIT2-Dependent Restriction in a Cell Type-Dependent Manner.

Alphaviruses (family Togaviridae) are a diverse group of positive-sense RNA (+ssRNA) viruses that are transmitted by arthropods and are the causative agent of several significant human and veterinary diseases. Interferon (IFN)-induced proteins with tetratricopeptide repeats (IFITs) are a family of RNA-binding IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) that are highly upregulated following viral infection and have been identified as potential restrictors of alphaviruses. The mechanism by which IFIT1 restricts RNA viruses is dependent on self and non-self-discrimination of RNA, and alphaviruses evade this recognition via their 5' untranslated region (UTR).

Medication experiences in the treatment of opioid use disorders: Insights from Reddit.

Background And Aims: Better understanding the challenges faced by patients on medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), including methadone and buprenorphine, is critical to increasing their use/retention. Social media platforms such as Reddit offer a space for patients to share their experiences with medications. We aimed to identify and characterize challenges faced by patients taking MOUD through analysis of discussions from the r/Methadone and r/suboxone subreddits.

Femtosecond laser-ablative aqueous synthesis of multi-drug antiviral nanoparticles.

Background: Nanomedicine offers a number of innovative strategies to address major public health burdens, including complex respiratory illnesses. In this work, we introduce a multi-drug nanoparticle fabricated using femtosecond laser ablation for the treatment of influenza, SARS-CoV-2, and their co-infections.

Methods: The SARS-CoV-2 antiviral, remdesivir; the influenza antiviral, baloxavir marboxil; and the anti-inflammatory, dexamethasone, were co-crystalized and then ablated in aqueous media using a femtosecond pulsed laser and subsequently surface modified with the cationic polymer, chitosan, or poly-d-lysine.