Muscle imaging in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy research: A scoping review and expert recommendations.

Clinical trial readiness is an important topic in the field of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). As FSHD is a slowly progressive and clinically heterogeneous disease, imaging biomarkers have been proposed to complement clinical outcome measures. Muscle magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) have been used to measure disease severity, activity and progression.

Association between plasma perfluoroalkyl substances and high-grade serous ovarian cancer overall survival: A nested case-control study.

Background: Although evidence suggests that perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are positively correlated to several disease risks, no studies have proven if plasma PFASs are related to ovarian cancer survival.

Objective: To explore the association between plasma PFASs and high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) overall survival (OS) in the population who did not smoke.

Methods: We conducted a nested case-control study within the Ovarian Cancer Follow-Up Study, matching 159 dead patients and 159 survival ones based on body mass index, sample date, and age at diagnosis.

Pharmacological ascorbate combined with rucosopasem selectively radio-chemo-sensitizes NSCLC via generation of HO.

Differences in cancer and normal cell oxidative metabolism provide a unique therapeutic opportunity for developing combined modality approaches with redox-active small molecules as radio-chemosensitizers that are well-tolerated by normal tissues. Pentaazamacrocyclic Mn (II)-containing (MnPAM) superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimetics and pharmacological ascorbate given IV to achieve [mM] plasma levels (pharmacological ascorbate: P-AscH‾) have been shown to act individually as cancer cell radio- and chemosensitizers via the generation of HOin vivo. The current study shows that the combination of newly developed MnPAM dismutase mimetic, rucosopasem manganese (RUC) with P-AscH‾ radio-sensitizes non-small cell lung cancer cells (NSCLC) and increases steady state levels of intracellular HO with no additional toxicity to normal human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs).

Alemtuzumab and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: Analysis of an international surveillance database and systematic literature review.

Objectives: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a thrombotic microangiopathy associated with severe deficiency in ADAMTS13. ADAMTS13 deficiency may be secondary to absent or dysfunctional protein production due to mutations in the ADAMTS13 gene (congenital TTP) or autoantibody-mediated clearance and/or inhibition (immune-mediated TTP). This autoimmunity may, albeit rarely, occur secondary to certain medications (eg, ticlopidine).

Flavobacterium plantiphilum sp. nov., Flavobacterium rhizophilum sp. nov., Flavobacterium rhizosphaerae sp. nov., Chryseobacterium terrae sp. nov., and Sphingomonas plantiphila sp. nov. isolated from salty soil showing plant growth promoting potential.

Members of the genera Flavobacterium, Chryseobacterium and Sphingomonas constitute a group of microorganisms in the rhizosphere associated with plant growth promoting (PGP) features. A polyphasic approach was employed to ascertain the taxonomic status of five selected strains. Overall genome relatedness indices of digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) and average nucleotide identity (ANI) between the strains and the other members of the genera Flavobacterium, Chryseobacterium and Sphingomonas were found to be below the established thresholds, respectively.

Exploring the impact of a pain assessment information visualization tool on provider-patient pain discussion with limited English proficiency Hmong patients.

Objective: This pilot study examines the impact of the Pain Assessment Information Visualization (InfoViz) Tool on the length of the patient visit for Hmong patients with limited English proficiency (LEP).

Methods: A static design study was used to collect data from a triad of 20 Hmong patients with LEP, medical interpreters, and clinicians in the usual care group followed by 20 triads in the intervention group in primary care. We analyzed patient-clinician communication audio-recorded visits in primary care, examining both the length of the visit and the nature of the clinician efforts to gather more information using Svarstad's clinician conversation conceptualization to explore probing frequencies for three pain categories: pain location, severity, and quality in the intervention group (Pain InfoViz Tool) and usual care group.

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Accelerated Epigenetic Aging in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos: Nativity as an Effect Modifier.

Background: Whether adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with accelerated epigenetic aging over time among the Hispanic/Latino population remains unknown. This study examined the longitudinal association between ACEs and epigenetic age acceleration (EAA), as well as potential effect modifiers, among a sample of Hispanic/Latino adults.

Methods: We analyzed 960 Hispanic/Latino adults with DNA methylation (DNAm) profile data from two visits (approximately six years apart) sampled from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL).

A DFT study of pure and Si-decorated boron nitride allotrope Irida monolayer as an effective sensor for hydroxyurea drug.

Investigating effective nanomaterials for the detection of hydroxyurea anticancer drugs is essential for promoting human health and safeguarding environmental integrity. This research utilized first-principles estimations for examining the adhesion and electronic characteristics of hydroxyurea (HU) on both pristine and Si-decorated innovative two-dimensional boron nitride allotrope, known as Irida analogous (Ir-BNNS). Analyzing the adsorption energy revealed that the HU molecule has a significant interaction (E = -1.

Traumatic arthrotomy: A systematic review evaluating diagnostic strategies.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to systematically review available strategies for diagnosing traumatic arthrotomy.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted on October 8th, 2023 using Ovid Medline, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, and Embase Classic. Studies were included in the review if they evaluated a diagnostic strategy for traumatic arthrotomy.

Temporal properties of transcutaneous direct current motor conduction block.

Direct current (DC) electrical block of peripheral nerve conduction shows promise for clinical applications to treat spasticity, pain, and cardiac arrhythmias. Most previous work has used invasive nerve cuffs. Here we investigate the potential of non-invasive transcutaneous direct current motor block (tDCB).

Breaking Barriers with Data Equity: The Essential Role of Data Disaggregation in Achieving Health Equity.

Achieving health equity necessitates high-quality data to address disparities that have remained stagnant or even worsened over time despite public health interventions. Data disaggregation, the breakdown of data into detailed subcategories, is crucial in health disparities research. It reveals and contextualizes hidden trends and patterns about marginalized populations and guides resource allocation and program development for specific needs in these populations.

At least four groups of kratom consumers in the United States: latent-class analysis of motivations for kratom use.

Kratom is a plant with alkaloids acting at opioid, serotonergic, adrenergic, and other receptors. Consumers report numerous use motivations. To distinguish subgroups of kratom consumers by kratom-use motivations using latent-class analysis.

Examining how support persons' buprenorphine attitudes and their communication about substance use impacts patient well-being.

While social support benefits those in treatment for opioid use disorder, it is unclear how social support impacts patient outcomes. This study examines how support person attitudes toward buprenorphine and their communication about substance use are associated with the well-being of patients receiving buprenorphine treatment. We analyzed cross-sectional baseline data from 219 buprenorphine patients (40% female) and their support persons (72% female).

Mapping Interdisciplinary Role Ownership Over Actionable Practices Identified From the Bereaved Family Survey.

Purpose: To determine the feasibility of mapping interdisciplinary role ownership over actionable practices identified from qualitative comments in the Veterans Affairs Bereaved Family Survey (BFS).

Methods: We polled two providers from each of 14 disciplines as to whether an actionable practice that improved end-of-life care quality sits within their scope of practice. We grouped practices by having the greatest, middle, and fewest number of disciplines that claimed role ownership and then characterized what roles were shared.

Intraprocedural Three-Dimensional Imaging Registration Optimizes Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Guided Focused Ultrasound and Facilitates Novel Applications.

Background And Objective: Transcranial magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) has revolutionized ablative treatment of essential tremor in recent years. However, limitations in precision targeting may account for suboptimal efficacy and significant side effects. We describe a simple intraprocedural three-dimensional image-guided lesion shaping technique that can improve overall outcomes of MRgFUS for essential tremor and facilitate expansion to novel indications.

Clinical Evaluation of the NaviNetics Stereotactic System Using Intraoperative Portable Surgical Imaging System in DBS Surgery.

Background And Objectives: A typical workflow for deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery consists of head frame placement, followed by stereotactic computed tomography (CT) or MRI before surgical implantation of the hardware. At some institutions, this workflow is prolonged when the imaging scanner is located far away from the operating room, thereby increasing workflow times by the addition of transport times. Recently, the intraoperative O-arm has been shown to provide accurate image fusion with preoperative CT or MR imaging, suggesting the possibility of obtaining an intraoperative localization scan and postoperative confirmation.

Supratotal Resection Versus Gross Total Resection for Isocitrate Dehydrogenase-Wildtype Glioblastoma and Grade 4 Isocitrate Dehydrogenase-Mutant Astrocytoma: Meta-Analysis of Individual Patient Data.

Background And Objectives: IDH-wildtype glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and grade 4 IDH-mutant astrocytoma are challenging to manage in oncology. This study explores the contrast between gross total resection (GTR) and supratotal resection (SupTR) for IDH-wildtype GBM and grade 4 IDH-mutant astrocytoma, aiming to summarize their influence on crucial clinical outcomes.

Methods: This systematic review was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines.

T-Bar Angular Offset: A Novel Angle for Predicting Postoperative Coronal Balance Using Intraoperative Stitched Radiographs.

Background And Objectives: Accurate intraoperative assessment of coronal alignment is critical to achieving favorable clinical outcomes in adult spinal deformity surgery. However, surgical positioning creates challenges in predicting standing coronal alignment. Gravity-based plumblines require an upright posture and are not possible intraoperatively.

Casz1 is required for both inner hair cell fate stabilization and outer hair cell survival.

Cochlear inner hair cells (IHCs) and outer hair cells (OHCs) require different transcription factors for their cell fate stabilization and survival, suggesting separate mechanisms are involved. Here, we found that the transcription factor Casz1 was crucial for early IHC fate consolidation and for OHC survival during mouse development. Loss of Casz1 resulted in transdifferentiation of IHCs into OHCs, without affecting OHC production.

The Sikkim flood of October 2023: Drivers, causes and impacts of a multihazard cascade.

On 3 October 2023, a multihazard cascade in the Sikkim Himalaya, India, was triggered by 14.7 million m of frozen lateral moraine collapsing into South Lhonak Lake, generating an ~20 m tsunami-like impact wave, breaching the moraine, and draining ~50 million m of water. The ensuing Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) eroded ~270 million m of sediment, which overwhelmed infrastructure, including hydropower installations along the Teesta River.