Preoperative Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist Utilization and Association with Bariatric Surgery Outcomes.

Background: The efficacy of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP1RA) for the treatment of obesity has led to considerably increased demand for these medications. GLP1RA use prior to bariatric surgery may represent a novel approach to treating obesity. The objectives of this study were to (1) describe trends in pre-bariatric GLP1RA use, (2) investigate social and clinical factors associated with their use, and (3) evaluate differences in clinical outcomes based on preoperative GLP1RA use.

Trends in Co-morbid Dementia and Chronic Kidney Disease.

Background: Little is known about the population of Medicare beneficiaries with both chronic kidney disease (CKD) and Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD).

Methods: Using data from Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) beneficiaries aged 65 and over identified through 2011-2019 Master Beneficiary Summary File (MBSF), we estimated the size, growth, and racial-ethnic characteristics of the ADRD and CKD populations. Individuals were classified as having ADRD and CKD based on CMS Chronic Conditions Data Warehouse (CCW) indicators in the MBSF Chronic Conditions file.

Enabling tumor-specific drug delivery by targeting the Warburg effect of cancer.

Metabolic reprogramming of tumor cells is an emerging hallmark of cancer. Among all the changes in cancer metabolism, increased glucose uptake and the accumulation of lactate under normoxic conditions (the "Warburg effect") is a common feature of cancer cells. In this study, we develop a lactate-responsive drug delivery platform by targeting the Warburg effect.

Socioeconomic, Race-Ethnicity, Household, and Infrastructure Disparities of Hematologic Cancer Outcomes in the US.

Although social determinants of health (SDoH) investigations have shown limited analyses of socioeconomic and race-ethnic status on certain hematologic malignancies, the impact of factors beyond those across a fuller scope of hematologic cancers remains unknown. The Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), a tool for assessing varied US-census derived sociodemographic factors, allows the specific quantification of SDoH in dynamic, regional contexts for their associations with hematologic-malignancy inequities. To assess the summative influence of varied SDoH-factors on hematologic malignancy outcomes and discern which SDoH-factors contributed the largest associations towards disparities 796,005 adults with hematologic malignancies between 1975-2017 were identified for this retrospective cohort study.

Antiseizure Medications in Poststroke Seizures: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

Background And Objectives: The most effective antiseizure medications (ASMs) for poststroke seizures (PSSs) remain unclear. We aimed to determine outcomes associated with ASMs in people with PSS.

Methods: We systematically searched electronic databases for studies on patients with PSS on ASMs.

PKCδ germline variants and genetic deletion in mice augment antitumor immunity through regulation of myeloid cells.

Based on the notion that hypomorphic germline genetic variants are linked to autoimmune diseases, we reasoned that novel targets for cancer immunotherapy might be identified through germline variants associated with greater T-cell infiltration into tumors. Here, we report that while investigating germline polymorphisms associated with a tumor immune gene signature, we identified PKCδ as a candidate. Genetic deletion of PKCδ in mice resulted in improved endogenous antitumor immunity and increased efficacy of anti-PD-L1.

Home Health Care Research for Children With Disability and Medical Complexity.

Pediatric home health care represents a vital system of care for children with disability and medical complexity, encompassing services provided by family caregivers and nonfamily home health care providers and the use of durable medical equipment and supplies. Home health care is medically necessary for the physiologic health of children with disability and medical complexity and for their participation and function within home, school, and community settings. While the study of pediatric home health care in the United States has increased in the last decade, its research remains primarily methodologically limited to observational studies.

Oocyte donors' physical outcomes and psychosocial experiences: a mixed-methods study.

Objective: To expand knowledge on physical outcomes and psychosocial experiences of oocyte donors after donation across 3 age cohorts.

Design: Cross-sectional mixed-methods survey.

Patients: A total of 363 participants (ages: 22-71 years, M = 38.

Design and implementation of optics for the experiment for cryogenic large-aperture intensity mapping (EXCLAIM).

This work describes the design and implementation of optics for EXCLAIM, the EXperiment for Cryogenic Large-Aperture Intensity Mapping. EXCLAIM is a balloon-borne telescope that will measure integrated line emission from carbon monoxide at redshifts z < 1 and ionized carbon ([CII]) at redshifts z = 2.5 - 3.

Clinical criteria for limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy.

Limbic predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy neuropathologic change (LATE-NC) is highly prevalent in late life and a common co-pathology with Alzheimer's disease neuropathologic change (ADNC). LATE-NC is a slowly progressive, amnestic clinical syndrome. Alternatively, when present with ADNC, LATE-NC is associated with a more rapid course.

AAPM Truth-based CT (TrueCT) reconstruction grand challenge.

Background: This Special Report summarizes the 2022, AAPM grand challenge on Truth-based CT image reconstruction.

Purpose: To provide an objective framework for evaluating CT reconstruction methods using virtual imaging resources consisting of a library of simulated CT projection images of a population of human models with various diseases.

Methods: Two hundred unique anthropomorphic, computational models were created with varied diseases consisting of 67 emphysema, 67 lung lesions, and 66 liver lesions.

Simple and safe redo sternotomy technique using the ultrasonic bone scalpel for patients with an embedded calcified conduit.

With the increase of patients with adult congenital heart disease, the number of high-risk multiple redo sternotomies is increasing. Calcified conduit embedded in the sternum or large vessels attached to the sternum presents an especially challenging case. This video tutorial presents a simple safe redo sternotomy technique using an ultrasonic bone scalpel in such high-risk patients.

Determinants of Racial and Ethnic Differences in Maternal Cardiovascular Health in Early Pregnancy.

Background: Suboptimal cardiovascular health (CVH) in pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal and offspring outcomes. To guide public health efforts to reduce disparities in maternal CVH, we determined the contribution of individual- and neighborhood-level factors to racial and ethnic differences in early pregnancy CVH.

Methods: We included nulliparous individuals with singleton pregnancies who self-identified as Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black (NHB), or non-Hispanic White (NHW) and participated in the nuMoM2b cohort study (Nulliparous Pregnancy Outcomes Study: Monitoring Mothers-to-Be).

Cross-sectional evaluation of medical reversals among National Institute of Health guideline practices implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic: how often did experts err in a time of crisis?

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic required the rapid and often widespread implementation of medical practices without robust data. Many of these practices have since been tested in large, randomised trials and were found to be in error. We sought to identify incorrect recommendations, or reversals, among National Institute of Health COVID-19 guidelines and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approvals and authorisations.

Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons guidelines development: Clinical Practice Guideline Update Standard Operating Procedure.

Introduction: The SAGES Guidelines Committee creates evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (CPGs). Updates which incorporate new evidence into the guidelines are necessary to maintain relevance for clinical use. A description of our standard operating procedure for this process is described here, which contributes to SAGES' commitment to producing high-quality clinical recommendations.

Prognostic, biological, and structural implications of FLT3-JMD point mutations in acute myeloid leukemia: an analysis of Alliance studies.

The FLT3 gene frequently undergoes mutations in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), with internal tandem duplications (ITD) and tyrosine kinase domain (TKD) point mutations (PMs) being most common. Recently, PMs and deletions in the FLT3 juxtamembrane domain (JMD) have been identified, but their biological and clinical significance remains poorly understood. We analyzed 1660 patients with de novo AML and found FLT3-JMD mutations, mostly PMs, in 2% of the patients.

Left atrial mechanics in youth with chronic kidney disease and similarly aged healthy controls.

Background: In adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD), abnormal left atrial reservoir strain (LASr) is an early, yet clinically significant, indicator of myocardial dysfunction. However, left atrial mechanics are understudied in youth with CKD. The objective of this study was to assess left atrial strain function in youth with CKD and similarly aged, healthy controls.

Revealing an unexpectedly low electron injection threshold via reinforced shock acceleration.

Collisionless shock waves, found in supernova remnants, interstellar, stellar, and planetary environments, and laboratories, are one of nature's most powerful particle accelerators. This study combines in situ satellite measurements with recent theoretical developments to establish a reinforced shock acceleration model for relativistic electrons. Our model incorporates transient structures, wave-particle interactions, and variable stellar wind conditions, operating collectively in a multiscale set of processes.

Slow Down Fluids to Speed Up the Intestine - Exploring Postoperative Ileus in Pediatric Gastrointestinal Surgery.

Introduction: Postoperative ileus is a known complication of gastrointestinal (GI) surgery. In adult populations, ileus is associated with higher amounts of intraoperative intravenous (IV) fluids. This study examines the relationship between intraoperative IV fluids and postoperative ileus in pediatric patients undergoing GI surgery.

A Method for Imaging the Ischemic Penumbra with MRI using IVIM.

Background And Purpose: In acute ischemic stroke, the amount of "local" CBF distal to the occlusion, i.e. all blood flow within a region whether supplied antegrade or delayed and dispersed through the collateral network, may contain valuable information regarding infarct growth rate and treatment response.

Parenting Practices and Well-Being and Health Behaviors Among Young Asian American Children.

Importance: Literature suggests that well-being and health status differ by generational status among Asian American individuals.

Objective: To compare young children's well-being and health behaviors and their parents' parenting practices among families of second-generation Asian American, third- or later-generation Asian American, and third- or later-generation non-Hispanic White children in the US.

Design, Setting, And Participants: For this survey study, secondary data analysis was conducted from September 2, 2023, to June 19, 2024, using data from the 2018 to 2022 National Survey of Children's Health participants aged 6 months to 5 years.