A comparison of myeloid-derived suppressor cell populations in patients with ulcerated vs non-ulcerated melanoma receiving immune checkpoint blockade.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are expanded in cancer patients, have an intrinsic immunosuppressive function, and thus may play a role in resistance to immunotherapy. Ulceration of the melanoma primary is associated with more aggressive disease and is an independent prognostic factor for melanoma-specific survival. However, the underlying factors contributing to this more aggressive phenotype are not completely understood.

Long-term Thyroid Outcomes After COVID-19 Vaccination: A Cohort Study of 2,333,496 Patients from the TriNetX Network.

Context: Reports on long-term thyroid dysfunction following COVID-19 vaccination are limited. Understanding the risk of subacute thyroiditis, hyperthyroidism, and hypothyroidism in vaccinated individuals is crucial for post-vaccination monitoring.

Objective: This study evaluated the risk of thyroid dysfunction in COVID-19 vaccinated individuals compared to unvaccinated individuals using a large cohort.

'Does human papillomavirus (HPV) cause cancer?' - A cross-sectional study of HPV awareness among sexual minority men in Nigeria.

Background Human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cancers are a global concern, particularly for sexual minority men (SMM). Understanding awareness and the determinants of these beliefs is crucial for developing educational programs to reduce HPV-associated cancers. This study explored awareness and determinants of beliefs about HPV's carcinogenicity among SMM living with and without HIV in Nigeria.

Characteristics and determinants of quality non-directive pregnancy options counselling: a scoping review.

Non-directive pregnancy options counselling (POC) is a core component of comprehensive reproductive health care for pregnant people wanting support in making a pregnancy outcome decision. Approximately one quarter of people with unintended pregnancies and people seeking abortion care seek POC. This study synthesises global evidence on access to and characteristics of quality non-directive POC.

Using a novel and validated survey tool to analyze sexual functioning following vaginoplasty in transgender individuals.

Background In the healthcare setting, transgender patients are often marginalized, face discrimination and have limited access to high-quality gender-affirming care, such as gender-affirming surgery (GAS). As a result, the available data pertaining to GAS are often based on convenience samples, and the majority of published studies in the US are cross-sectional. Transgender people may undergo GAS to align their bodies with their gender identities.

Views of speech pathology educators on a learning resource for cognitive-communication disorders: a user survey of TBIBank Grand Rounds.

Background Cognitive-communication disorders are highly prevalent after traumatic brain injury and have significant impacts on rehabilitation outcomes. TBIBank Grand Rounds was developed as an online multimedia resource to support clinical education about cognitive-communication disorders. The objective of this study was to survey speech pathology educators to establish their views towards TBIBank Grand Rounds.

Comparison of Unaided and Aided Visual Acuity in Adults With Down Syndrome.

Purpose: Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) have reduced visual acuity (VA), even when wearing refractive correction. The relationship between refractive error and VA in adults with DS is explored.

Methods: Thirty adults with DS (age = 29 ± 10 years) were enrolled in a trial comparing clinical and objectively determined refractions.

Spatial Variation in the Association between Extreme Heat Events and Warm Season Pediatric Acute Care Utilization: A Small-Area Assessment of Multiple Health Conditions and Environmental Justice Implications in California (2005-2019).

Background: The increasing frequency and severity of extreme heat events due to climate change present unique risks to children and adolescents. There is a lack of evidence regarding how heat's impacts on pediatric patients vary spatially and how structural and sociodemographic factors drive this heterogeneity.

Objectives: We examined the association between extreme heat events and pediatric acute care utilization in California for 19 distinct health conditions.

The Adverse Health Effects of Air Pollution from Sugarcane Burning: A Scoping Review of Observational and Experimental Evidence.

Background: Sugarcane burning is an agricultural practice that is implemented to increase sugar yields. However, sugarcane burning produces air pollutants associated with adverse health outcomes. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the defined exposures and health effects associated with sugarcane burning and identifies research gaps.

Systematic bias in malaria parasite relatedness estimation.

Genetic studies of Plasmodium parasites increasingly feature relatedness estimates. However, various aspects of malaria parasite relatedness estimation are not fully understood. For example, relatedness estimates based on whole-genome-sequence (WGS) data often exceed those based on sparser data types.

Inferring demographic and selective histories from population genomic data using a two-step approach in species with coding-sparse genomes: an application to human data.

The demographic history of a population, and the distribution of fitness effects (DFE) of newly arising mutations in functional genomic regions, are fundamental factors dictating both genetic variation and evolutionary trajectories. Although both demographic and DFE inference has been performed extensively in humans, these approaches have generally either been limited to simple demographic models involving a single population, or, where a complex population history has been inferred, without accounting for the potentially confounding effects of selection at linked sites. Taking advantage of the coding-sparse nature of the genome, we propose a 2-step approach in which coalescent simulations are first used to infer a complex multi-population demographic model, utilizing large non-functional regions that are likely free from the effects of background selection.

Interplay between Skeletal Muscle Catabolism and Remodeling of Arteriovenous Fistula via YAP1 Signaling.

Background: Arteriovenous (AV) fistulas are the preferred access for dialysis but have a high incidence of failure. This study aims to understand the crosstalk between skeletal muscle catabolism and AV fistula maturation failure.

Methods: Skeletal muscle metabolism and AV fistula maturation were evaluated in mice with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Revised Process for ACNS Guidelines Development.

The development of clinical practice guidelines is an evolving field. In response to the need for consistent, evidence-based medical practice, the American Clinical Neurophysiology Society identified the need to update the Society's guideline development process. The American Clinical Neurophysiology Society Guidelines Committee created an action plan with the goal of improving transparency and rigor for future guidelines and bringing existing guidelines to current standards.

Overcoming Hesitancy and Barriers to Care with Integration of Telemedicine in a Free Student-run Health Clinic.

Introduction: Nadezhda Clinic is a free student-run health clinic that provides culturally sensitive primary care services to the underserved Russian-speaking population of the greater Sacramento area. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the clinic suspended in-person services and solely offered telemedicine visits. Most patients were hesitant to utilize telemedicine due to poor technological literacy, privacy concerns, and a preference for in-person care.

"Nobody Seemed to Notice My Work": The Lived Experiences of Home Care Workers Assisting People With Chronic Diseases: A Phenomenological Study.

Introduction: Home care workers (HCWs) are paid caregivers who provide support to patients with chronic conditions and functional limitations. Additionally, they provide emotional support to patients and familial support. Although several qualitative studies have been conducted on HCWs, they focused more on studying prevalently the lived experiences about the workplace violence, the end of life, stressor and resilience, during the COVID-19 pandemic or focused more in dementia and heart failure, but not on feelings and working conditions.

The patient and caregiver experience of CAR T-cell therapy: A qualitative analysis.

Background/purpose: Immunotherapies, such as CAR-T, have revolutionized cancer treatment for some cancers. However, these treatments often require active participation of a family member or friend to act as a caregiver at home for several weeks after infusion. Given the novelty of CAR-T, there is a need to better understand the experience of patients receiving these treatments and their caregivers.

Transient methods for understanding the properties of strongly oxidizing radicals.

This review discusses the properties of strongly oxidizing radicals in organic and aqueous media and highlights the challenges in obtaining accurate values of their reduction potentials. Transient redox equilibrium methods based on the use of strong photooxidants or initiated by pulse radiolysis are shown to provide versatile approaches for decoupling electron transfer reactions from follow-up reactivity of unstable radical species, resulting in accurate values of reduction potentials of very positive couples, including some solvent radical cations. We also show that correlations of reduction potentials with Hammett ∑+p parameters, as well as gas phase ionization potentials, can be used to estimate the redox properties of unknown couples within a homologous series of compounds.

A Phase 3B, Open-Label Study to Evaluate the Immunogenicity and Safety of the Quadrivalent Meningococcal Nimenrix Vaccine When Given to Healthy Infants at 3 and 12 Months of Age.

Introduction: Infants and young children typically have the highest age-related risk of invasive meningococcal disease. The immunogenicity and safety of a single primary dose and a booster of a meningococcal A/C/W/Y tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine (MenACWY-TT; Nimenrix) in infants were evaluated.

Methods: In this phase 3b, open-label, single-arm study, healthy 3-month-old infants received a single Nimenrix dose followed by a booster at age 12 months (1 + 1 series).

Identifying At-Risk Populations for Reoperations, Readmissions, and Interventions in MBSAQIP Using a Novel Inpatient Postoperative Care Metric.

Introduction: Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is increasingly used for obesity and metabolic disease, with safety profiles showing it is among the safest major operations. The last 20 + years have noted significantly improved safety that has been accompanied by decreasing length of stay and select populations electing for outpatient surgery, leading to continued decreases in cost. Regardless, readmissions and complications still occur, requiring inpatient postoperative care (IP-POC).

Is it possible to return to skiing following long-construct spinal deformity surgery?

Background: Alpine skiing requires flexibility, endurance, strength and rotational ability, which may be lost after long fusions to the pelvis for adult spinal deformity (ASD). ASD patients may worry about their ability to return to skiing (RTS) postoperatively. There is currently insufficient data for spine surgeons to adequately address questions about when, or if, their patients might RTS.

Sacral Alar-Iliac (SAI) screw diameter is not associated with pelvic fixation failure for neuromuscular scoliosis patients.

Purpose: Determine if Sacral Alar-Iliac (SAI) screw diameter is associated with pelvic fixation failure in pediatric patients with neuromuscular scoliosis (NMS) treated with posterior spinal fusion (PSF).

Methods: NMS patients from a single institution who underwent PSF with bilateral SAI screw fixation from 2010 to 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical parameters, SAI screw sizes, and radiographic outcomes were analyzed.