Association of Novel EEG Biomarkers of Sleep Depth and Cortical Arousability with Cardiac Autonomic Modulation in Adolescents.

Study Objectives: To examine the developmental association of the odds ratio product (ORP), an electroencephalographic measure of sleep depth, during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep with 24-hour heart rate variability (HRV), an electrocardiographic measure of cardiac autonomic modulation (CAM), in the transition to adolescence.

Methods: Leveraging data from the Penn State Child Cohort, we performed longitudinal analyses on 313 children (median [Md] age 9 years) followed-up after Md=7.4y and cross-sectional analyses on 344 adolescents (Md=16y).

A regularized Bayesian Dirichlet-multinomial regression model for integrating single-cell-level omics and patient-level clinical study data.

The abundance of various cell types can vary significantly among patients with varying phenotypes and even those with the same phenotype. Recent scientific advancements provide mounting evidence that other clinical variables, such as age, gender, and lifestyle habits, can also influence the abundance of certain cell types. However, current methods for integrating single-cell-level omics data with clinical variables are inadequate.

A unified combination framework for dependent tests with applications to microbiome association studies.

We introduce a novel meta-analysis framework to combine dependent tests under a general setting, and utilize it to synthesize various microbiome association tests that are calculated from the same dataset. Our development builds upon the classical meta-analysis methods of aggregating P-values and also a more recent general method of combining confidence distributions, but makes generalizations to handle dependent tests. The proposed framework ensures rigorous statistical guarantees, and we provide a comprehensive study and compare it with various existing dependent combination methods.

Measurement of Whole Blood Tacrolimus Concentrations by LC-MS/MS and Immunoassay Methods: Influence of Immediate-Release vs Extended-Release Tacrolimus Formulations.

Background: Therapeutic drug monitoring of the immunosuppressant tacrolimus is commonly performed by immunoassay or LC-MS/MS. Measurement biases between these methodologies have been characterized for immediate-release tacrolimus (IR-tac; Prograf) but have not been performed for extended-release formulations such as Envarsus. These discrepancies can impact patient care, as appropriate dosing is required to maintain therapeutic concentrations and immunosuppression.

Scalable and Durable Superhydrophobic Coating Using Shellac-Based Bioadhesive and Hierarchical Silica Nanoparticles.

Superhydrophobic coatings have broad applications across various fields but often face challenges, such as complexity, high cost, low mechanical/thermal stability, toxicity, and environmental hazards. In this study, we demonstrate a simple, scalable, eco-friendly, and durable spray-coating method using bioadhesive shellac and octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS)-modified silica nanoparticles to create superhydrophobic surfaces. The silica nanoparticles impart superhydrophobicity by forming hierarchical micro/nanostructures and reducing surface free energy, while shellac ensures strong adhesion of the nanoparticles to a wide range of substrates, including nonwoven polypropylene fibers, glass, plastic, metal, wood, cotton, and concrete.

Neutrophil- Interaction Induces Neutrophil Extracellular Traps, DAMPs, and Inflammatory Molecule Release.

Neutrophils, the first cells to arrive at infection sites, release neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) comprising nuclear and/or mitochondrial DNA webs decorated with proteins. Similar to other parasites, induces NET extrusion. However, our understanding of NET formation and neutrophil fate after NET release in a Leishmania infection context is limited.

Psychotherapy research in the deaf community: pilot clinical trial lessons learned.

At the time of publication, there are no evidence-based psychotherapies to treat any behavioral health condition with Deaf clients. This article describes unique study design considerations for psychotherapy clinical trials conducted in the U.S.

A replication study of novel fetal hemoglobin-associated genetic variants in sickle cell disease-only cohorts.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common monogenic disease in the world and is caused by mutations in the β-globin gene (HBB). Notably, SCD is characterized by extreme clinical heterogeneity. Inter-individual variation in fetal hemoglobin (HbF) levels strongly contributes to this patient-to-patient variability, with high HbF levels associated with decreased morbidity and mortality.

Accuracy of a Novel High-Throughput "Car Blood Pressure" Measurement Protocol.

Background: More than one in three adults with hypertension in the United States are unaware of their condition, highlighting the importance of large-scale screening campaigns. Currently, the identification of hypertension is largely limited to medical settings. To help overcome this barrier, we developed a novel high-throughput screening protocol that measures blood pressure (BP) while patients remain seated in an automobile ("car-BP").

Electrical homeostasis of the inner mitochondrial membrane potential.

The electric potential across the inner mitochondrial membrane must be maintained within certain bounds for the proper functioning of the cell. A feedback control mechanism for the homeostasis of this membrane potential is proposed whereby an increase in the electric field decreases the rate-limiting steps of the electron transport chain (ETC). An increase in trans-membrane electric field limits the rate of proton pumping to the inter-membrane gap by slowing the ETC reactions and by intrinsically induced electroporation that depolarizes the inner membrane.

Comparative Analysis of Caco-2 Cells and Human Jejunal and Duodenal Enteroid-Derived Cells in Gel- and Membrane-Based Barrier Models of Intestinal Permeability.

Intestinal absorption is a key toxicokinetics parameter. While the colon carcinoma cell line Caco-2 is the most used in vitro model to estimate human drug absorption, models representing other intestinal segments are developed. We characterized the morphology, tissue-specific markers and functionality of three human intestinal cell types: Caco-2, primary human enteroid-derived cells from jejunum (J2), and duodenum (D109) when cultured in the OrganoPlate® 3-lane 40 microphysiological system (MPS) or static 24-well Transwells™.

Increased Incidence and Severity of Group A Streptococcal Infections in Children in Southeast Texas From June 2022 to May 2023.

Background: Group A Streptococcus (GAS) infections can cause a range of disease manifestations and severity, including invasive infections that can lead to death. In 2022-2023, there was an increased number of cases of invasive GAS in the United States following a decline in 2020-2022.

Methods: We investigated this surge at a 3-hospital system of children's hospitals in Southeast Texas.

Dendrimer-Mediated Molecular Sieving on Avidin.

Decoration of proteins and enzymes with well-defined polymeric structures allows precise decoration of protein surfaces, enabling controlled modulation of activity. Here, the impact of dendronization on the interaction between avidin and biotin was investigated. A series of generation 3-7 bis(2,2-hydroxymethyl)propionic acid (bis-MPA) dendrons were coupled to either biotin or avidin to yield a library of dendronized avidin and biotin structures.

Characterization of TNG348: a selective, allosteric USP1 inhibitor that synergizes with PARP inhibitors in tumors with homologous recombination deficiency.

Inhibition of the deubiquitinating enzyme USP1 can induce synthetic lethality in tumors characterized by homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) and represents a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of BRCA1/2 mutant cancers, potentially including patients whose tumors have primary or acquired resistance to PARP inhibitors (PARPi). Here, we present a comprehensive characterization of TNG348, an allosteric, selective, and reversible inhibitor of USP1 (USP1i). TNG348 induces dose-dependent accumulation of ubiquitinated protein substrates both in vitro and in vivo.

Investigation of Amphiphilic PDMS-Hyperbranched Polyglycerol Copolymers to Tune the Fouling-Release Properties in a Moisture Curable Coating System.

Hyperbranched polyglycerol (HBPG) has been proven to be effective as a hydrophilic material when incorporated into amphiphilic copolymers, enhancing fouling-release properties. These amphiphilic polymers not only increase the effectiveness of coatings across a wide range of organisms but also impart antifouling characteristics without resorting to toxic chemicals. HBPGs exhibit high resistance to proteins and lead to the effective removal of marine organisms under low impact pressures.

Bibliometric analysis of global research status and trends of circadian rhythms in cancer from 2004 to 2024.

Research linking circadian dysregulation to cancer development has received increasing attention recently. However, a comprehensive understanding of research hotspots and trends in this area remains limited. International studies on the circadian rhythms in cancer were retrieved and downloaded from the Web of Science database.

A feasibility study of : an elder mistreatment intervention for family caregivers of persons living with dementia.

Elder mistreatment occurs in as many as one-half of the 11 million family care partnerships with persons living with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias (AD/ADRD) in the United States. is an 8-week psychoeducational intervention to prevent psychological mistreatment among family caregivers to persons living with dementia by building healthy caregiving relationships. The investigators conducted a single-arm pre- and posttest study to assess 's feasibility.

Epidemiology and anatomic distribution of colorectal cancer in South Africa.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fifth most common cancer in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and the third most common in South Africa (SA). CRC characteristics in SSA are not well described. The aim is to describe patient characteristics and anatomic location of colorectal adenocarcinoma (CRC-AC) in SA.

Time to regional surgical care in rural South Africa.

Background: District hospitals in South Africa have limited surgical capacity and regional hospitals treat most essential surgical conditions. This study aimed to describe the pathway and time to regional hospital surgical care for persons with general surgery conditions (PSC) in South Africa.

Methods: This was a retrospective audit of all persons referred on the Vula Mobile App to the general surgery service at Worcester Regional Hospital (WRH) from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2019.

iSODA: A Comprehensive Tool for Integrative Omics Data Analysis in Single- and Multi-Omics Experiments.

Thanks to the plummeting costs of continuously evolving omics analytical platforms, research centers collect multiomics data more routinely. They are, however, confronted with the lack of a versatile software solution to harmoniously analyze single-omics and interpret multiomics data. We have developed iSODA, a web-based application for the analysis of single- and multiomics data.

Insect size responses to climate change vary across elevations according to seasonal timing.

Body size declines are a common response to warming via both plasticity and evolution, but variable size responses have been observed for terrestrial ectotherms. We investigate how temperature-dependent development and growth rates in ectothermic organisms induce variation in size responses. Leveraging long-term data for six montane grasshopper species spanning 1,768-3 901 m, we detect size shifts since ~1960 that depend on elevation and species' seasonal timing.

International Medical Graduates in Academic Cardiothoracic Surgery.

Objective: To assess the research productivity, career advancement, grant funding, and scholarly impact of international medical graduates (IMGs) in academic cardiothoracic surgery.

Summary Background Data: Physician shortages undermine patient care and risk exacerbating inequities, especially in cardiothoracic surgery, which may lose a quarter of its workforce by 2050-the most substantial reduction in surgery. IMGs could help alleviate these shortages, but there is limited data about their academic experiences.

Defer, Share, or Drive the Decision: Empowering Patients with Varied Preferences to Engage in Decision-making (an Analysis from Alliance A231701CD).

Objective: To understand how breast cancer patients experience the surgical decision process and identify strategies surgeons can employ to empower patients to engage in decision-making.

Background: Patient engagement in decision-making is associated with improved patient outcomes. Although, some patients prefer that their healthcare provider drive the decision, the benefits of engaging in decision-making hold true even for patients who prefer to defer to their provider.

Characterizing disparities in the HIV care continuum among U.S. transgender and cisgender medicare beneficiaries, 2008-2017.

Although HIV is more prevalent among transgender and gender-diverse individuals than cisgender people, a dearth of research has compared the HIV-related care engagement of these populations. Using 2008-2017 Medicare data, we identified TGD (trans feminine and non-binary [TFN], trans masculine and non-binary [TMN], unclassified gender) and cisgender (male, female) beneficiaries with HIV and explored within and between gender group differences in the predicted probability of engagement in the HIV Care Continuum. Transgender and gender-diverse individuals had a higher predicted probability of every HIV-related care outcome vs.

Deconvoluting thermomechanical effects in X-ray diffraction data using machine learning.

X-ray diffraction is ideal for probing the sub-surface state during complex or rapid thermomechanical loading of crystalline materials. However, challenges arise as the size of diffraction volumes increases due to spatial broadening and because of the inability to deconvolute the effects of different lattice deformation mechanisms. Here, we present a novel approach that uses combinations of physics-based modeling and machine learning to deconvolve thermal and mechanical elastic strains for diffraction data analysis.