Sensitivity and Specificity of a Signaling Question for Surveillance of Cognitive Functioning in Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease.

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) confers neurological risks that contribute to cognitive and academic difficulties. Clinical guidelines state that cognition should be monitored using signaling questions. However, evidence is lacking regarding the extent to which signaling questions accurately identify children with cognitive issues.

Quantification of racial and ethnic disparities in alcohol-related problems in light of different methodological approaches.

Aim: We applied the Institute of Medicine (IOM) definition of racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare to estimate disparities in alcohol-related problems. This estimation involved adjusting for drinking patterns, gender and age, with observed disparities further explained by socioeconomic status (SES). We compared results of five statistical approaches which use different methods for adjusting covariates.

Bibliometric analysis of glycolysis and prostate cancer research from 2004 to 2024.

Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) ranks as the second most common disease among men and the fourth most prevalent cancer worldwide. Enhanced glycolysis and excessive lactate secretion are recognized as critical factors driving the progression of various cancers. This study systematically investigated the research trends associated with glycolysis in PCa through bibliometric analysis.

Patient-Centric Approach for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease in Older People.

Purpose Of Review: The purpose of this review is to outline considerations for treating older adults with rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) as it relates to infection, comorbidities, cancer, and quality of life.

Recent Findings: The recent 2023 American College of Rheumatology/American College of Chest Physicians guideline conditionally recommended specific disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), antifibrotics, and short-term glucocorticoids to treat RA-ILD. Since RA-ILD often affects older adults, we contextualize these pharmacologic options related to infection, gastrointestinal (GI) effects, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and quality of life.

Major individual and regional variations in unit entrainment by oscillations of different frequencies.

In vitro studies have shown that a neuron's electroresponsive properties can predispose it to oscillate at specific frequencies. In contrast, network activity in vivo can entrain neurons to rhythms that their biophysical properties do not predispose them to favor. However, there is limited information on the comparative frequency profile of unit entrainment across brain regions.

Proteomic signature of HIV-associated subclinical left atrial remodeling and incident heart failure.

People living with HIV are at higher risk of heart failure and associated left atrial remodeling compared to people without HIV. Mechanisms are unclear but have been linked to inflammation and premature aging. Here we obtain plasma proteomics concurrently with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in two independent study populations to identify parallels between HIV-related and aging-related immune dysfunction that could contribute to atrial remodeling and clinical heart failure.

Developing novel Lin28 inhibitors by computer aided drug design.

Lin28 is a key regulator of cancer stem cell gene network that promotes therapy-resistant tumor progression in various tumors. However, no Lin28 inhibitor has been approved to treat cancer patients, urging exploration of novel compounds as candidates to be tested for clinical trials. In this contribution, we applied computer-aided drug design (CADD) in combination with quantitative biochemical and biological assays.

Seroprevalence, incidence estimates, and environmental risk factors for dengue, chikungunya, and Zika infection amongst children living in informal urban settlements in Indonesia and Fiji.

Background: The burden of Aedes aegypti-transmitted viruses such as dengue, chikungunya, and Zika are increasing globally, fueled by urbanization and climate change, with some of the highest current rates of transmission in Asia. Local factors in the built environment have the potential to exacerbate or mitigate transmission.

Methods: In 24 informal urban settlements in Makassar, Indonesia and Suva, Fiji, we tested children under 5 years old for evidence of prior infection with dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses by IgG serology.

Neighborhood environment associations with cognitive function and structural brain measures in older African Americans.

Background: Since older adults spend significant time in their neighborhood environment, environmental factors such as neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage, high racial segregation, low healthy food availability, low access to recreation, and minimal social engagement may have adverse effects on cognitive function and increase susceptibility to dementia. DNA methylation, which is associated with neighborhood characteristics as well as cognitive function and white matter hyperintensity (WMH), may act as a mediator between neighborhood characteristics and neurocognitive outcomes.

Methods: In this study, we examined whether DNA methylation in peripheral blood leukocytes mediates the relationship between neighborhood characteristics and cognitive function (N = 542) or WMH (N = 466) in older African American (AA) participants without preliminary evidence of dementia from the Genetic Epidemiology Network of Arteriopathy (GENOA).

Altered Protein Structures and Neoepitopes in Lupus Neutrophils From Dysregulated Splicing of Messenger RNA.

Objective: To test whether messenger RNA (mRNA) splicing is altered in neutrophils from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and can produce neoantigens.

Methods: RNA sequencing of neutrophils from patients with SLE (n = 15) and healthy donors (n = 12) were analyzed for mRNA splicing using the RiboSplitter pipeline, an event-focused tool based on SplAdder with subsequent translation and protein domain annotation. RNA sequencing from SARS-CoV2-infected individuals was used as an additional comparator.

Case report: Immediate and sustained relief of postherpetic neuralgia with erector spinae nerve block in a 60-year-old woman.

Introduction: The erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is a relatively new regional anesthetic procedure that provides analgesia below the erector spinae muscles in an interfascial plane. The indications for its use continue to expand as we learn more about this block.

Case: We report a case of a 60 year old woman presenting to the emergency department (ED) with severe intractable pain after recent onset of herpes zoster infection.

Frailty index predicts adverse short- and long-term outcomes in older adults with rib fractures.

Background: Older adults with rib fractures pose an increasing clinical and financial burden on healthcare. Identifying and addressing the increased risk of adverse outcomes has been a key objective in geriatric co-management of surgical patients. The Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment-based Frailty Index (FI-CGA) is a useful predictor of complications and mortality in older adults, but its value in rib fracture management remains unclear.

Intermittent High-Degree AV Block, Rash, and Facial Droop with Negative Lyme PCR.

Background: Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness in the United States, and cases of Lyme disease have nearly doubled since the early 2000s. Symptoms and presentation vary based on severity of illness, with more serious complications of disease consisting of neurologic and cardiac dysfunction. Testing is often unreliable, which can lead to delayed diagnosis and management.

Predicting admission for fall-related injuries in older adults using artificial intelligence: A proof-of-concept study.

Aim: Pre-injury frailty has been investigated as a tool to predict outcomes of older trauma patients. Using artificial intelligence principles of machine learning, we aimed to identify a "signature" (combination of clinical variables) that could predict which older adults are at risk of fall-related hospital admission. We hypothesized that frailty, measured using the 5-item modified Frailty Index, could be utilized in combination with other factors as a predictor of admission for fall-related injuries.

Predictors of Potentially Inappropriate Stimulant Prescribing Among Adults.

Purpose: Increases in adult stimulant prescribing pose a potential risk due to the higher prevalence of contraindicated conditions among this population. We sought to identify patient, provider, and visit characteristics predictive of potentially inappropriate adult stimulant prescriptions.

Methods: We conducted a repeated cross-sectional study using the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, a nationally representative weighted sample of 5 453 702 723 ambulatory care visits from 2012 to 2019.

Artificial intelligence-enabled safety monitoring in Alzheimer's disease clinical trials.

Background: Investigators conducting clinical trials have an ethical, scientific, and regulatory obligation to protect the safety of trial participants. Traditionally, safety monitoring includes manual review and coding of adverse event data by expert clinicians.

Objectives: Our study explores the use of natural language processing (NLP) and artificial intelligence (AI) methods to streamline and standardize clinician coding of adverse event data in Alzheimer's disease (AD) clinical trials.

INTERCEPT-AD, a phase 1 study of intravenous sabirnetug in participants with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia due to Alzheimer's disease.

Background: Soluble species of multimeric amyloid-beta including globular amyloid-beta oligomers (AβOs) and linear amyloid-beta protofibrils are toxic to neurons. Sabirnetug (ACU193) is a humanized monoclonal antibody, raised against globular species of soluble AβO, that has over 650-fold greater binding affinity for AβOs over monomers and appears to have relatively little binding to amyloid plaque.

Objectives: To assess safety, pharmacokinetics, and exploratory measures including target engagement, biomarker effects, and clinical efficacy of sabirnetug in participants with early symptomatic Alzheimer's disease (AD; defined as mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia due to AD).

Diabetes is associated with a higher incidence of short-term mortality risk and readmission in patients who undergo surgical but not transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is increasingly used for aortic valve replacement instead of surgical aortic valve replacement (sAVR). We aimed to examine the impact of diabetes on 30-day mortality, 30-day readmission and compare outcomes between TAVR and sAVR.

Methods: Data were extracted from the Nationwide Readmissions Database from 2012 to 2017.

Systematic review of health and social outcomes among Indigenous People exposed to the child welfare system: a protocol.

Introduction: The link between parent-child separation through child welfare systems and negative health and social outcomes is well documented. In contrast, despite the over-representation of Indigenous children and youth in child welfare systems, the relationship between child welfare system involvement and health and social outcomes among Indigenous populations has not been systematically reviewed. Our objective is to assess whether Indigenous People who have been exposed to a child welfare system personally or intergenerationally (ie, parents and/or grandparents) within Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the USA (CANZUS countries) and the circumpolar region are at an increased risk for negative health and social outcomes compared with other exposed and non-exposed groups.

Patient and provider factors associated with follow-up for positive depression screens in adults: a retrospective review of University of Utah primary and specialty care clinics.

Objective: To identify patient and provider factors associated with lower rates of follow-up for positive depression screens in outpatient settings.

Design: Retrospective cohort study with electronic health record analysis investigating factors associated with follow-up care for patients with moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms. Patient and provider variables were associated with rates of follow-up for positive depression screens.

Interactive effects between yields of Bt and non-Bt corn and planting dates in the southeastern United States.

Transgenic corn (Zea mays L.) expressing insecticidal toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) helps to control or suppress injury from a range of target insect pests. This study summarizes the yield benefits of Bt corn from field trials in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina evaluating Bt and non-Bt corn hybrids from 2009 to 2023.

Predicting Elevated Postvoid Residual Urine Volume Following OnabotulinumtoxinA Treatment for Overactive Bladder: A Pilot Study.

Objectives: To evaluate possible predictors of elevated postvoid residual volume (PVR) following onabotulinumtoxinA administration in patients with idiopathic overactive bladder (OAB), a condition that may include urinary urgency, frequency, and nocturia, without any identifiable cause or underlying neurological or metabolic condition.

Methods: Adults who had been treated with 100-200 U onabotulinumtoxinA for OAB and had previous failure of other OAB treatments were identified by retrospective review of medical chart data from three urology clinics in the United States treating patients with a variety of urological conditions. A total of 211 patients were allocated to cohorts based on posttreatment PVR < 200 mL (n = 173) and ≥ 200 mL (n = 38).

Comparison of Clinical and Radiological Outcomes of Three-Column Lumbar Osteotomies with and without Interbody Cages for Adult Spinal Deformity.

Background Context: Correcting sagittal malalignment in adult spinal deformity (ASD) is a challenging task, often requiring complex surgical interventions like pedicle subtraction osteotomies (PSOs). Different types of three-column osteotomies (3COs), including Schwab 3, Schwab 4, Schwab 4 with interbody cages, and the "sandwich" technique, aim to optimize alignment and fusion outcomes. The role of interbody cages in enhancing fusion and segmental correction remains unclear.

Use of period- or fertility-tracking technologies pre- and post-Dobbs.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate whether use of period- or fertility-tracking technologies decreased from pre- to post-Dobbs, and to identify user characteristics and changes in reasons for use.

Study Design: We used data from the Surveys of Women, population-based surveys on reproductive health among self-identified women aged 18-44 years, conducted in five states. We compared prevalence of use of period- or fertility-tracking technologies and reasons for use pre-Dobbs (2018-2019 in Iowa and Ohio; 2019-2020 in Arizona, New Jersey, and Wisconsin) and post-Dobbs (2022-2023 in all five states), overall and stratified by state.