Achilles Tendon Surgical Repair Partially Restores Early Plantar Flexor Structure and Function in a Rat Model.

Achilles tendon ruptures significantly impair long-term patient function, with two-thirds of patients experiencing persistent functional deficits. Although nonsurgical treatment has gained popularity due to its perceived lower risk of complications, the specific effects of this approach on tendon healing, muscle function, and overall performance remain poorly understood. Directly comparing surgical and nonsurgical treatment options in a clinical population is challenging given the diverse nature of the patient population.

Metabolic Risk Factors Relate to Worse Tendon Health in Individuals With Achilles Tendinopathy.

A high proportion of individuals with Achilles tendinopathy continue to demonstrate long-term symptoms and functional impairments after exercise treatment. Thus, there is a need to delineate patient presentations that may require alternative treatment. The objective of this study was to evaluate if the presence of metabolic risk factors relates to tendon symptoms, psychological factors, triceps surae structure, and lower limb function in individuals with Achilles tendinopathy.

Lethal Phenotype and Expansion of the Clinical Spectrum of Biallelic Loss of Function Variant in SENP7 Gene Unveiled by Whole Exome Sequencing.

SUMOylation involves covalent attachment of small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) proteins to specific lysine residues on target proteins and regulates various aspects of their function. Sentrin-specific proteases (SENPs) are key players in both the conjugation reaction of SUMO proteins to their targets and the subsequent deconjugation of SUMO-conjugated substrates. Here, we provide the first comprehensive prenatal description of a lethal syndrome linked to a novel homozygous stop-gain variant in SENP7 c.

Associations Between Food Restriction, Alcohol and Marijuana Use and Co-Use, and Consequences Among College Students.

Background: Simultaneous alcohol and marijuana use (SAM) and food restriction on days students intend to drink are associated with an increased risk of substance use-related consequences. However, these negative outcomes have been studied mostly in alcohol-only use contexts. Little is known about the combination of alcohol, marijuana, SAM, and food restriction.

Dissemination of the Care Ecosystem Collaborative Care Model for Dementia.

Background: Dementia represents a growing healthcare challenge in the United States. The Care Ecosystem, an effective collaborative care model, bridges medical and social care needs for individuals with dementia. The purpose of this study was to describe how the Care Ecosystem has been disseminated and the lessons learned from this experience.

Interdisciplinary, Computer-Guided Periodontal and Dental Management of a Novel Hypo- and Microdontia Case Restored With Ultrathin Veneers Fabricated via INKGLUE Technique.

Objectives: This report illustrates the digital interdisciplinary management of a case presenting with diastemata, a retained primary tooth, microdontia, and hypodontia. Esthetic crown lengthening and ultrathin veneers optimized the natural dentition and achieved a stable, minimally-invasive, and esthetically-pleasing outcome.

Clinical Considerations: Reduction guides were digitally-designed and 3D-printed for guided crown lengthening and dental veneer preparation.

The incremental validity of level of personality functioning over borderline personality features in associations with early adolescent social reward processing.

More work is needed to establish the validity of the Alternative Model of Personality Disorders (AMPD) in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Acceptance of the AMPD as the primary model of personality disorder requires identifying neurocognitive validators of AMPD-defined personality functioning and demonstrating superiority of the AMPD over the traditional categorical model of personality disorder. It is also important to establish the utility of the AMPD in a developmental context given evidence that personality disorder emerges in adolescence.

Factors and Outcomes Associated With Using Scratch-Cooked, Organic, and Locally Grown Foods in School Meals in California.

Background: Incorporating scratch-cooked, organic, and locally grown foods into school meal programs can enhance meal quality and support local food systems.

Methods: 430 California school food authorities were surveyed to (1) evaluate their use of scratch-cooked, organic, and locally grown foods in their programs; (2) identify demographic and operational characteristics related to this use; and (3) analyze the relationship between serving more of these foods and perceived barriers to student meal participation. Poisson and logistic regression models, adjusted for SFAs' demographic characteristics, were used.

Developing archetypes for key roles in a pragmatic trial: implementing human-centered design to promote advance care planning in primary care.

Background: Archetypes are representations of a group of people with shared behaviors, attitudes, and characteristics. The design and use of archetypes have potential application to increase partnership and support when embedding and scaling interventions but methodological approaches have not been developed.

Objective: To describe the methodology of designing archetypes for use in a pragmatic trial of advance care planning in the primary care context, SHARING Choices ((NCT04819191).

Supporting implementation of universal prevention initiatives in K-12 schools: impacts on fidelity through organizational readiness and team functioning in a cluster-randomized trial.

Background: Rural School Support Strategies (RS3) is a bundle of implementation supports (including training, technical assistance, and a virtual learning collaborative) designed for the scale-up of universal prevention initiatives. This study addresses mechanisms of action, exploring whether positive effects of RS3 on implementation fidelity are attributable to improvements in functioning of school implementation teams, and increases in organizational readiness.

Methods: Data are from a cluster-randomized hybrid Type 3 implementation-effectiveness trial of RS3 among rural Idaho schools implementing Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS).

The sow vaginal and gut microbiota associated with longevity and reproductive performance.

Background: Sow longevity and reproductivity are essential in the modern swine industry. Although many studies have focused on the genetic and genomic factors for selection, little is known about the associations between the microbiome and sows with longevity in reproduction.

Results: In this study, we collected and sequenced rectal and vaginal swabs from 48 sows, nine of which completed up to four parities (U4P group), exhibiting reproductive longevity.

Assessing exposure to weight stigma: development and initial validation of the Weight Stigma Exposure Inventory (WeSEI).

Background: Weight stigma is pervasive, and it has a significant impact on the social, physical, and psychological health of an individual. Weight stigma is observed from several different sources. Therefore, the present study developed and validated a new instrument, the Weight Stigma Exposure Inventory (WeSEI), to assess different sources of observed weight stigma across interpersonal and non-interpersonal sources.

Substance use recovery needs among college students seeking recovery services: a thematic qualitative analysis.

Background: College students who are in recovery from substance use disorders face challenges related to abstaining from substance use, finding supportive social networks, and achieving their academic goals. These students may therefore seek out various recovery supports at their institutions to meet their needs and goals.

Methods: This study analyzed previously collected data to explore themes related to students' experiences of recovery, including their recovery needs and challenges while also attending college.

Buprenorphine and postpartum contraception utilization among people with opioid use disorder: a multi-state analysis.

Background: The postpartum period provides an opportunity for birthing people with opioid use disorder (OUD) to consider their future reproductive health goals. However, the relationship between the use of medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and contraception utilization is not well understood. We used multistate administrative claims data to compare contraception utilization rates among postpartum people with OUD initiating buprenorphine (BUP) versus no medication (psychosocial services receipt without MOUD (PSY)) in the United States (US).

Access to robot-assisted total knee arthroplasty varies significantly by race/ethnicity.

Background: Racial/ethnic disparities in access to total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have been extensively demonstrated. Over the past several years, there has been a rapid increase in the utilization of robot-assisted TKA (RA-TKA). Therefore, this study sought to determine whether previously established racial/ethnic disparities extend to access to RA-TKA relative to conventional TKA.

Efficacy of intermittent fasting on improving liver function in individuals with metabolic disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Intermittent fasting (IF) can be an effective dietary therapy for weight loss and improving cardiometabolic health. However, there is scant evidence regarding the role of IF on indicators of liver function, particularly in adults with metabolic disorders. Therefore, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the effects of IF on liver function in adults with metabolic disorders.

Sexual Health Advocacy for Guys (SHAG): a randomized trial of the impact of a text-messaging program on HIV incidence and STI testing among a national sample of sexual minority cisgender adolescent and young adult men.

Background: Disparities in sexually transmitted infections (STI) including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among sexual minority boys and young men are substantial. Effective HIV and STI prevention programs that include access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medication do not consistently include younger sexual minority men. Text-messaging programs for HIV prevention have been associated with increases in HIV testing among sexual minority adolescent boys, but these programs have not incorporated a focus on PrEP or STIs beyond HIV.

Benchmarking Alzheimer's disease prediction: personalised risk assessment using polygenic risk scores across various methodologies and genome-wide studies.

Background: The success of selecting high risk or early-stage Alzheimer's disease individuals for the delivery of clinical trials depends on the design and the appropriate recruitment of participants. Polygenic risk scores (PRS) show potential for identifying individuals at risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Our study comprehensively examines AD PRS utility using various methods and models.

Greater improvement in insulin sensitivity per unit weight loss associated with tirzepatide versus semaglutide: An exploratory analysis.

Aims: To explore the relationship between weight loss and insulin sensitivity in response to tirzepatide or semaglutide.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a post hoc exploratory analysis of a 28-week, double-blind, randomized trial in people with type 2 diabetes treated with metformin, randomized to tirzepatide 15 mg, semaglutide 1 mg or placebo. We evaluated the relationship between change in body weight and change in insulin sensitivity determined from hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp (M value), or from mixed-meal tolerance testing (Matsuda index).

Implementation research logic model in the design and execution of eHealth innovations for maternal and newborn healthcare in Ethiopia.

Background: The use of eHealth innovations is becoming increasingly important in improving health outcomes, especially for maternal and newborn health. However, planning and executing these innovations can be challenging due to their complex nature. To provide guidance and clarity on implementation approaches, researchers need to use implementation research (IR) tools.

Provider kinematic strategies during the delivery of spinal manipulation and mobilization: a scoping review of the literature.

Background: Spinal manipulation (MAN) and mobilization (MOB) are biomechanically different yet both elicit pain reduction and increased range of motion. Previous investigations have focused on quantifying kinetics (e.g.

Comparative genomics analyses of Actinobacteriota identify Golgi phosphoprotein 3 (GPP34) as a widespread ancient protein family associated with sponge symbiosis.

Background: Sponges harbor microbial communities that play crucial roles in host health and ecology. However, the genetic adaptations that enable these symbiotic microorganisms to thrive within the sponge environment are still being elucidated. To understand these genetic adaptations, we conducted a comparative genomics analysis on 350 genomes of Actinobacteriota, a phylum commonly associated with sponges.

Multiparametric grading of glaucoma severity by histopathology can enable post-mortem substratification of disease state.

Neurodegeneration in glaucoma patients is clinically identified through longitudinal assessment of structure-function changes, including intraocular pressure, cup-to-disc ratios from fundus images, and optical coherence tomography imaging of the retinal nerve fiber layer. Use of human post-mortem ocular tissue for basic research is rising in the glaucoma field, yet there are challenges in assessing disease stage and severity, since tissue donations with informed consent are often unaccompanied by detailed pre-mortem clinical information. Further, the interpretation of disease severity based solely on anatomical and morphological assessments by histology can be affected by differences in death-to-preservation time and tissue processing.