Structural and functional brain correlates of the neutrophil- and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio in neuropsychiatric disorders.

Skews in the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) increasingly demonstrate prognostic capability in a range of acute and chronic mental health conditions. There has been a recent uptick in structural and functional magnetic responance imaging data corroborating the role of NLR and MLR in a cluster of neuropsychiatric disorders that are characterized by cognitive, affective, and psychomotor dysfunction. Moreover, these deficits are mostly evident in setting of acute and chronic disease comorbidity implicating aging and immunosenescent processes in the manifestation of these geriatric syndromes.

Instance maps as an organising concept for complex experimental workflows as demonstrated for (nano)material safety research.

Nanosafety assessment, which seeks to evaluate the risks from exposure to nanoscale materials, spans materials synthesis and characterisation, exposure science, toxicology, and computational approaches, resulting in complex experimental workflows and diverse data types. Managing the data flows, with a focus on provenance (who generated the data and for what purpose) and quality (how was the data generated, using which protocol with which controls), as part of good research output management, is necessary to maximise the reuse potential and value of the data. Instance maps have been developed and evolved to visualise experimental nanosafety workflows and to bridge the gap between the theoretical principles of FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable) data and the everyday practice of experimental researchers.

Trends in anterior shoulder instability procedures over the last decade in the United States.

Background: The treatment algorithm for traumatic shoulder instability has evolved, emphasizing the significance of glenoid bone loss and the glenoid track, addressing humeral, and glenoid vault bone deficiencies. This study examines trends and demographics of anterior shoulder instability procedures in the United States from 2010 to 2020.

Methods: PearlDiver database was queried for patients who underwent traumatic anterior shoulder instability procedures.

Challenges in autopsy training for pathology residents: A survey of autopsy directors.

Resident training in autopsy provides a foundation of knowledge and skills for forensic pathologists and anatomic pathologists, but obstacles are present in ensuring quality training. A survey of US autopsy service directors at sites with pathology residency programs was used to identify common challenges in resident autopsy training. Respondents (n = 29) largely believed that negative attitudes from residents, faculty, training programs, and/or the medical system at large (34%) and time limitations (34%) were the most significant challenges for residency autopsy training.

Combined Klippel-Feil syndrome, Sprengel deformity, and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: A rare case report.

Klippel-Feil syndrome (KFS) is a rare congenital disorder characterized by the fusion of cervical vertebrae, with a clinical presentation that can vary widely due to genetic and phenotypic diversity. While KFS can occur as an isolated anomaly, it is often associated with other congenital conditions, such as Sprengel deformity, which may present with or without an omovertebral bone, complicating diagnosis and management. This particular case also involves diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the most common subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Retropharyngeal effusion secondary to calcific tendinitis of the longus colli muscle: A case report and brief review of the literature.

Calcification or ossification of the longus colli tendon is a rare and often underdiagnosed cause of acute neck pain, typically seen in middle-aged adults, especially women. This condition results from the deposition of calcium hydroxyapatite crystals in the tendon, causing an inflammatory or granulomatous response. Common symptoms include neck pain, painful swallowing, and fever.

Functionally active modulators targeting the LRRK2 WD40 repeat domain identified by FRASE-bot in CACHE Challenge #1.

Critical Assessment of Computational Hit-Finding Experiments (CACHE) Challenges emerged as real-life stress tests for computational hit-finding strategies. In CACHE Challenge #1, 23 participants contributed their original workflows to identify small-molecule ligands for the WD40 repeat (WDR) of LRRK2, a promising Parkinson's target. We applied the FRASE-based hit-finding robot (FRASE-bot), a platform for interaction-based screening allowing a drastic reduction of the explorable chemical space and a concurrent detection of putative ligand-binding sites.

Internal transcribed spacer metagenomics data unravelling the core fungal community structure residing the wheat and maize rhizosphere.

Plants are colonized by a vast array of microorganisms that outstrip plant cell densities and genes, thus referred to as plant's second genome or extended genome. The microbial communities exert a significant influence on the vigor, growth, development and productivity of plants by supporting nutrient acquisition, organic matter decomposition and tolerance against biotic and abiotic stresses such as heat, high salt, drought and disease, by regulating plant defense responses. The rhizosphere is a complex micro-ecological zone in the direct vicinity of plant roots and is considered a hotspot of microbial diversity.

Association of safer smoking supply distribution with participant encounters and naloxone distribution from syringe services programs: Findings from the National Survey of Syringe Services Programs in the United States.

Background: In response to the recent and growing shift from injecting heroin to smoking fentanyl, an increasing number of syringe services programs (SSPs) in the United States are distributing safer smoking supplies. There is a lack of research on whether safer smoking supply distribution is associated with increased SSP engagement and naloxone distribution from SSPs. Therefore, we aimed to assess predictors of safer smoking supply distribution by SSPs and estimate associations between safer smoking supply distribution and scale of harm reduction services.

A Case Report of Mycophenolate Mofetil-Induced Fulminant Colitis in a 76-Year-Old Renal Transplant Recipient.

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is a widely utilized immunosuppressive medication to prevent organ rejection in transplant recipients and manage autoimmune diseases. While gastrointestinal side effects, such as diarrhea and abdominal discomfort, are common, fulminant colitis is a rare complication. This case report describes the occurrence of fulminant colitis in a 76-year-old renal transplant recipient.

"Breaking the Bleed" Spontaneous Hemorrhage in an Emphysematous Bulla Complicated by Anticoagulation: A Case Report.

We present a case of spontaneous hemorrhage in an emphysematous bulla, complicated by anticoagulation. Bullous emphysema is a well-recognized complication of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and a rare manifestation is hemorrhage into preexisting pulmonary bullae. A 69-year-old male patient presented to the emergency department with hemoptysis, shortness of breath, and productive cough.

Effects of Inlet Geometry on Perfusion and Ischemia in Anomalous Aortic Origin of the Right Coronary Artery (AAORCA).

Anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery (AAOCA) comprises a set of rare congenital abnormalities in the origin or path of the coronary arteries with highly variable clinical implications. This is a pilot feasibility study where we investigated the influence of the anomalous coronary artery inlet architecture on coronary perfusion using coronary blood flow computational simulations to help predict the risk for coronary ischemia in patients with anomalous aortic origin of the right coronary artery (AAORCA) with these types of anomalous coronary artery inlet architectures. We developed a protocol for generating 3D models of patient coronary artery anatomies from an IRB-approved dataset of cardiac CT images of patients with AAORCA at our institution.

Dosimetric Planning Comparison for Left Ventricle Avoidance in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Radiotherapy.

Introduction: Radiation may unintentionally injure myocardial tissue, potentially leading to radiation-induced cardiac disease (RICD), with the net benefit of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) radiotherapy (RT) due to the proximity of the lung and heart. RTOG-0617 showed a greater reduction in overall survival (OS) comparing higher doses to standard radiation doses in NSCLC RT. VHeart has been reported as an OS predictor in the first- and fifth-year follow-ups.

Therapeutic manipulation and bypass of the blood-brain barrier: powerful tools in glioma treatment.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) remains an obstacle for delivery of chemotherapeutic agents to gliomas. High grade and recurrent gliomas continue to portend a poor prognosis. Multiple methods of bypassing or manipulating the BBB have been explored, including hyperosmolar therapy, convection-enhanced delivery (CED), laser-guided interstitial thermal therapy (LITT), and Magnetic Resonance Guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS) to enhance delivery of chemotherapeutic agents to glial neoplasms.

A case of bacteremia in a 38-year-old homeless male originating from a maggot-infested amputated foot.

() was first isolated from the larval stage of the fly vector It is a gram-negative, non-motile, strictly aerobic rod that thrives in temperatures between 28º C and 37º C. Its strong chitinase activity aids in metamorphosis, which suggests a symbiotic relationship with the fly. Although rare, has been implicated in human infections, like bacteremia and osteomyelitis, typically transmitted through fly larvae in skin wounds.

Brain receptor dynamics in early and adult life stress: Gateways to maladaptive coping strategies.

Stress plays a significant role in the onset of numerous psychiatric disorders. Depending on individual resilience or stressor's nature, long-term changes to stress in the brain can lead to a wide range of behavioral symptoms, including social withdrawal, feelings of helplessness, and emotional overeating. The brain receptor molecules are key mediators of these processes, translating neuromodulatory signals into neuronal responses or circuit activity changes that ultimately shape behavioral outcomes.

Implementing Food as Medicine During COVID-19: Produce Prescriptions and Integrative Group Medical Visits in Federally Qualified Health Centers.

Background: Food as Medicine is a rapidly developing area of health care in the United States, aimed at concurrently addressing nutrition-sensitive chronic conditions and food and nutrition insecurity. Recipe4Health (R4H) is a Food as Medicine program with an integrative health equity focus. It provides prescriptions for locally grown produce ('Food Farmacy') with or without integrative group medical visits, alongside training for clinic staff.

Capture of Patient Itch Scores in Practice Reveals Disparate Itch Impact on the Basis of Age, Gender, and Race: A Cross-Sectional Survey Analysis.

Background: Skin symptom burden, varying with patient populations, may not be readily observed by clinicians, resulting in incomplete appreciation of total skin disease burden.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to define patient itch burdens and associated health-related QOL affecting different patient demographics and to identify potential population health disparities.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional, secondary data analysis of data captured using an automated routine electronic previsit survey completed by patients who visited Emory Healthcare Dermatology clinic between March 2021 and October 2022 (6532 patient visits).

Development and Evaluation of the Dermatomyositis Outcomes for Muscle and Skin as an Outcome Measure in Dermatomyositis Clinical Trials.

The Total Improvement Score (TIS), which is used as the primary efficacy measure in dermatomyositis (DM) clinical trials, lacks a skin-specific measure. However, skin is a defining feature of DM. In this study, data were analyzed from the phase 3 trial of lenabasum in DM.

Dendriform pulmonary ossification in military combat veterans: A case series.

Dendriform pulmonary ossification (DPO) is a rare condition characterized by mature bone formation in the lung. DPO has been linked to various conditions, but little is known about the link between DPO and hazardous airborne exposures. We queried research databases of military personnel evaluated for deployment-related respiratory diseases at two occupational pulmonary medicine clinics (Colorado, USA) for diagnoses of DPO, and summarized demographics, Gulf War military deployment history, medical history, and pulmonary function testing.

Impact of Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 Inhibitors on Lipoprotein(a): A Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] has been independently associated with increased cardiovascular risk.

Objectives: The authors examined the effect of monoclonal antibody proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors (PCSK9is) on plasma Lp(a) levels across multiple trials.

Methods: Studies were retrieved comparing the effect of PCSK9i vs placebo on Lp(a) levels.

Trends of Representation of Women in Professional Medical Societal Leadership in the United States and Europe.

Background: There continue to be significant gender disparities with women being underrepresented in medical professional society leadership roles, despite more women entering medical school.

Objectives: This study aimed to elucidate the pattern of representation of women in medical society presidential positions in the United States and Europe over the past 50 years. It further examines gender-related trends in the field of cardiology and among medical trainees.

Naxos Disease and Related Cardio-Cutaneous Syndromes.

Naxos disease is a rare autosomal recessive condition combining arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, woolly hair, and palmoplantar keratoderma. The first identified causative variant was in the gene encoding the desmosomal protein plakoglobin. Naxos disease exhibits fibro-fatty myocardial replacement with immunohistological abnormalities in cardiac protein and signaling pathways, highlighting the role of inflammation and potential anti-inflammatory treatments.

Hybrid additive manufacturing for Zn-Mg casting for biomedical application.

Zinc (Zn) and its alloys have been the focus of recent materials and manufacturing research for orthopaedic implants due to their favorable characteristics including desirable mechanical strength, biodegradability, and biocompatibility. In this research, a novel process involving additive manufacturing (AM) augmented casting was employed to fabricate zinc-magnesium (Zn-0.8 Mg) artifacts with surface lattices composed of triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS), specifically gyroid.