Improvement in Serum Eosinophilia is Observed in Clinical Responders to Ustekinumab but not Adalimumab in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Introduction: In inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the number of eosinophils increases in the lamina propria of the intestinal tract, but their specific patho-mechanistic role remains unclear. Elevated blood eosinophil counts in active IBD suggest their potential as biomarkers for predicting response to biologic therapies. This study evaluates blood eosinophil count trends and their predictive value for clinical response and endoscopic improvement in patients with IBD receiving ustekinumab or adalimumab induction therapy.

Improved Mesenchymal Stem Cell Viability in High-Stiffness, Translational Cartilage Matrix Hydrogels.

Scaffolds made from cartilage extracellular matrix are promising materials for articular cartilage repair, attributed to their intrinsic bioactivity that may promote chondrogenesis. While several cartilage matrix-based scaffolds have supported chondrogenesis and/or , it remains a challenge to balance the biological response (e.g.

Addressing Water Scarcity to Achieve Climate Resilience and Human Health.

Water scarcity is projected to affect half of the world's population, gradually exacerbated by climate change. This article elaborates from a panel discussion at the 2023 United Nations Water Conference on Addressing Water Scarcity to Achieve Climate Resilience and Human Health. Understanding and addressing water scarcity goes beyond hydrological water balances to also include societal and economic measures.

Comparison of a Novel Ultra-Widefield Three-Color Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope to Other Retinal Imaging Modalities in Chorioretinal Lesion Imaging.

Purpose: To compare the assessment of clinically relevant retinal and choroidal lesions as well as optic nerve pathologies using a novel three-wavelength ultra-widefield (UWF) scanning laser ophthalmoscope with established retinal imaging techniques for ophthalmoscopic imaging.

Methods: Eighty eyes with a variety of retinal and choroidal lesions were assessed on the same time point using Topcon color fundus photography (CFP) montage, Optos red/green (RG), Heidelberg SPECTRALIS MultiColor 55-color montage (MCI), and novel Optos red/green/blue (RGB). Paired images of the optic nerve, retinal, or choroidal lesions were initially diagnosed based on CFP imaging.

Aqueous Leaf Extract of Protects Against Gentamicin-Induced Kidney Injury via Decreases in Renal Function, Inflammation, and Apoptosis Markers.

The effect of the aqueous extract of (AAI) on gentamicin (GEN)-induced kidney injury was investigated. The study involves 20 adult male Wistar rats (housed in four separate plastic cages) such that graded dosages of AAI were administered to the experimental group for 14 days per oral (PO) before exposure to GEN toxicity (100 mg/kg) for 1 week. At the end of the study, comparisons of some markers of renal functions, antioxidant status, and inflammatory and apoptotic markers were made between the control, GEN, and AAI-pretreated groups at < .

Oral Supplements and Photoprotection: A Systematic Review.

Photoprotective effects of various nutritional components and supplements have been demonstrated in animal and studies. The objective of this systematic review is to assess the photoprotective effects of various dietary supplements. A systematic review of studies assessing dietary supplements on photoprotective outcomes was performed.

Development and Internal Validation of an AI-Enabled Cuff-less, Non-invasive Continuous Blood Pressure Monitor Across All Classes of Hypertension.

Background: Non-invasive, continuous blood pressure monitoring technologies require additional validation beyond standard cuff-based methods. This study evaluates a non-invasive, multiparametric wearable cuffless blood pressure (BP) diagnostic monitor across all hypertension classes with diverse subjects.

Methods: A prospective, multicenter study assessed Nanowear's SimpleSense-BP performance, including induced and natural BP changes, significant BP variations (Systolic BP (SBP) ≥ ± 15 mm Hg and Diastolic BP (DBP) ≥ ± 10 mm Hg), and reference input value validity over 4 weeks.

Role of Trained Immunity in Heath and Disease.

Purpose Of Review: This review aims to explore the role of immune memory and trained immunity, focusing on how innate immune cells like monocytes, macrophages, and natural killer cells undergo long-term epigenetic and metabolic rewiring. Specifically, it examines the mechanisms by which trained immunity, often triggered by infection or vaccination, could impact cardiac processes and contribute to both protective and pathological responses within the cardiovascular system.

Recent Findings: Recent research demonstrates that vaccination and infection not only activate immune responses in circulating monocytes and tissue macrophages but also affect immune progenitor cells within the bone marrow environment, conferring lasting protection against heterologous infections.

Mercury exposure in an endangered songbird: influence of marsh hydrology and evidence for early breeding impairment.

Songbird reproductive success can decline from consuming mercury-contaminated aquatic insects, but assessments of hydrologic conditions influencing songbird mercury exposure are lacking. We monitored breast feather total mercury (THg) concentrations and reproductive success in the U.S.

Early Results of Implementing Rapid Methadone Titration for Hospitalized Patients: A Case Series.

Objectives: With the increase in illicit fentanyl use in the USA, hospitals face challenges managing opioid withdrawal and opioid use disorder (OUD). To improve opioid withdrawal and OUD treatment among hospitalized patients with daily fentanyl use, we developed a rapid methadone titration (RMT) protocol. We describe development, implementation, and outcomes during the first 12 weeks.

Incidence and Prevalence of Post-COVID-19 Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: A Report from the Observational RECOVER-Adult Study.

Background: Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) may occur after infection. How often people develop ME/CFS after SARS-CoV-2 infection is unknown.

Objective: To determine the incidence and prevalence of post-COVID-19 ME/CFS among adults enrolled in the Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery (RECOVER-Adult) study.

Guidance on selecting and evaluating AI auto-segmentation systems in clinical radiotherapy: insights from a six-vendor analysis.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) based auto-segmentation has demonstrated numerous benefits to clinical radiotherapy workflows. However, the rapidly changing regulatory, research, and market environment presents challenges around selecting and evaluating the most suitable solution. To support the clinical adoption of AI auto-segmentation systems, Selection Criteria recommendations were developed to enable a holistic evaluation of vendors, considering not only raw performance but associated risks uniquely related to the clinical deployment of AI.

Regenerative Functions of Regulatory T Cells and Current Strategies Utilizing Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Immunomodulatory Tissue Regeneration.

Background: Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are essential for maintaining immune homeostasis and facilitating tissue regeneration by fostering an environment conducive to tissue repair. However, in damaged tissues, excessive inflammatory responses can overwhelm the immunomodulatory capacity of Tregs, compromising their functionality and potentially hindering effective regeneration. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) play a key role in enhancing Treg function.

Inter-rater agreement and characterization of pleural line and subpleural fields in canine lung ultrasound: a comparative pilot study between high-frequency linear and curvilinear transducers using B- and M-mode ultrasonographic profiles.

Background: Lung ultrasound (LUS) is increasingly utilized in veterinary medicine to assess pulmonary conditions. However, the characterization of pleural line and subpleural fields using different ultrasound transducers, specifically high-frequency linear ultrasound transducers (HFLUT) and curvilinear transducers (CUT), remains underexplored in canine patients. This study aimed to evaluate inter-rater agreement in the characterization of pleural line and subpleural fields using B- and M-mode ultrasonography in dogs with and without respiratory distress.

Back pain disability and PROMIS scores in children with hyperkyphosis are worse than children with idiopathic scoliosis.

Purpose: To compare health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) between children with hyperkyphosis and idiopathic scoliosis using 9-item Oswestry Disability Index (ODI-9) and Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pain Interference, Mobility, and Anxiety.

Methods: Children with hyperkyphosis, idiopathic scoliosis, and controls with no structural diagnosis ages 10-18 years who completed the PROMIS Pediatric Pain Interference, Mobility, and Anxiety domains were retrospectively evaluated from April 2021 to June 2023. Comparisons were made between hyperkyphosis, idiopathic scoliosis, and control groups.

Recurrent Diffuse Tenosynovial Giant Cell Tumor of the Temporomandibular Joint.

Purpose: Recurrent diffuse-type tenosynovial giant cell tumor: Clinical presentation, Diagnosis, and Management.

Background: Tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TGCT), is a neoplasm arising from synovial joints, bursae, or tendon sheaths. The initial clinical symptoms are vague and non-diagnostic.

Effect of Fecal Microbiota Transplant on Antibiotic Resistance Genes Among Patients with Chronic Pouchitis.

Background: Pouchitis is common among patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) who have had colectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. Antibiotics are first-line therapy for pouch inflammation, increasing the potential for gut colonization with multi-drug resistant organisms (MDRO). Fecal microbial transplant (FMT) is being studied in the treatment of pouchitis and in the eradication of MDRO.

Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Access to Transportation Among Persons with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Background: Lack of access to reliable transportation is a barrier to utilizing healthcare and other resources related to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Little research has evaluated race/ethnicity-based differences in access to reliable transportation among persons with T2DM.

Purpose: To examine whether access to reliable transportation for persons with T2DM differed by race/ethnicity.

COVID-19 Impact On Black and Latina Women: Pregnancy and Parenting.

The coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) pandemic presented unique challenges for pregnant women and birthing individuals, particularly those from Black and Latino communities. Understanding the impact of the pandemic on their experiences is crucial for providing adequate support and care during vulnerable times. This research delves into the specific effects of COVID-19 on maternal stress and resilience.