Sex-Based Disparities in Treatment and Healthcare Utilization in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

: Sex-related treatment disparities are well-documented across various medical conditions, yet their impact on the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains underexplored. This study aims to investigate sex-based differences in the management of ulcerative colitis (UC), focusing on both medical and surgical approaches and examining whether biological sex correlates with variations in healthcare utilization. : A systematic search was conducted across multiple databases, including MEDLINE (via PubMed), Google Scholar, the Cochrane Library, and ScienceDirect, to identify studies on sex differences in ulcerative colitis (UC) management up to April 2024.

Mural Cells Initiate Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Adjacent Endothelial Cells in Extracranial AVMs.

Extracranial arteriovenous malformations (eAVMs) are complex vascular lesions characterized by anomalous arteriovenous connections, vascular instability, and disruptions in endothelial cell (EC)-to-mural cell (MC) interactions. This study sought to determine whether eAVM-MCs could induce endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), a process known to disrupt vascular integrity, in the eAVM microenvironment. eAVM and paired control tissues were analyzed using RT-PCR for EC (, , and ) and EndMT-specific markers (, , , /.

MnSOD Mimetics in Therapy: Exploring Their Role in Combating Oxidative Stress-Related Diseases.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are double-edged swords in biological systems-they are essential for normal cellular functions but can cause damage when accumulated due to oxidative stress. Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), located in the mitochondrial matrix, is a key enzyme that neutralizes superoxide radicals (O), maintaining cellular redox balance and integrity. This review examines the development and therapeutic potential of MnSOD mimetics-synthetic compounds designed to replicate MnSOD's antioxidant activity.

In-Hospital Mortality by Race and Ethnicity Among Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients Using Data From the US National COVID Cohort Collaborative.

Background: Studies examining racial and ethnic disparities in-hospital mortality for patients hospitalized with COVID-19 had mixed results. Findings from patients within academic medical centers (AMCs) are lacking, but important given the role of AMCs in improving health equity.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to assess whether minority patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C) institutions, which consist predominantly of AMCs, have higher mortality rates relative to White patients.

The association of workforce configurations with length of stay and charges in hospitalized patients with congestive heart failure.

Introduction: Clinicians are the conduits of high-quality care delivery. Clinicians have driven advancements in pharmacotherapeutics, devices, and related interventions and improved morbidity and mortality in patients with congestive heart failure over the past decade. Yet, the management of congestive heart failure has become extraordinarily complex and has fueled recommendations from the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology to optimize the composition of the care team to reduce the health, economic, and the health system burden of high lengths of stay and hospital charges.

Pre-trained Convolutional Neural Networks Identify Parkinson's Disease from Spectrogram Images of Voice Samples.

Machine learning approaches including deep learning models have shown promising performance in the automatic detection of Parkinson's disease. These approaches rely on different types of data with voice recordings being the most used due to the convenient and non-invasive nature of data acquisition. Our group has successfully developed a novel approach that uses convolutional neural network with transfer learning to analyze spectrogram images of the sustained vowel /a/ to identify people with Parkinson's disease.

G-tube contrast check: Transition from fluoroscopy to abdominal radiographs.

Background: Reports of radiographic exam evaluation for G-tube malposition in children are limited.

Objective: Evaluate effectiveness of a new 2-view abdominal radiograph exam protocol instituted to provide 24/7 coverage at 2 affiliated hospitals and replace the prior fluoroscopic G-tube contrast check exam.

Materials And Methods: G-tube radiographic exams performed between December 2019 and May 2022 at 2 affiliated hospitals were identified and retrospective chart review was performed to delineate exam test yield, accuracy, sensitivity, specificity.

IL-1β-driven NF-κB transcription of ACE2 as a Mechanism of Macrophage Infection by SARS-CoV-2.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by infection with the enveloped RNA betacoronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, led to a global pandemic involving over 7 million deaths. Macrophage inflammatory responses impact COVID-19 severity; however, it is unclear whether macrophages are infected by SARS-CoV-2. We sought to identify mechanisms regulating macrophage expression of ACE2, the primary receptor for SARS-CoV-2, and to determine if macrophages are susceptible to productive infection.

Beyond symptom reduction: Veterans' goals for posttraumatic stress disorder treatment.

Despite a varied selection of available trauma-focused evidence-based psychotherapies (TF-EBPs) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), few veterans receive a full course of an evidence-based treatment. A better understanding of and alignment with veterans' PTSD treatment goals could be one way to improve treatment engagement and adherence, consistent with veteran-oriented care within the U.S.

Weight change and cardiovascular disease incidence in breast cancer survivors: a nationwide cohort study.

Background: Breast cancer survivors (BCS) face a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) due to treatment-related cardiotoxicity and pre-existing conditions. We investigated how post-diagnosis weight changes and obesity impact CVD risk in this population.

Method: Using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database (2010-2019), BCS without previous history of CVD were enrolled.

Impact of extended-course oral nirmatrelvir/ritonavir in established Long COVID: a case series.

Background: Prior case series suggest that a 5-day course of oral Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir) benefits some people with Long COVID, within and/or outside of the context of an acute reinfection. To the best of our knowledge, there have been no prior case series of people with Long COVID who have attempted longer courses of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir.

Methods: We documented a case series of 13 individuals with Long COVID who initiated extended courses (>5 days; range: 7.

Excess mortality due to COVID-19 in Thailand between the pandemic and post-pandemic periods.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had a significant effect on mortality rates worldwide, with Thailand being no exception. Gaining insights into the impact of pandemic-related mortality is essential for assessing its broader consequences on public health. This study aimed to analyze excess deaths during the pandemic (January 1, 2020-September 30, 2022) and post-pandemic period (October 2022-December 2023) at regional and national levels in Thailand.

Gut microbes metabolize strawberry phytochemicals and mediate their beneficial effects on vascular inflammation.

Evidence suggests that a healthy gut microbiome is essential for metabolizing dietary phytochemicals. However, the microbiome's role in metabolite production and the influence of gut dysbiosis on this process remain unclear. Further, studies on the relationship among gut microbes, metabolites, and biological activities of phytochemicals are limited.

Flow-Through Flaps as a Robust Method for Advanced Free Flap Reconstruction in the Head and Neck: A Multi-Institutional Experience.

Background: Flow-through flaps (FTFs) are an advanced technique in which a free flap is anastomosed to the pedicle of another free flap to reconstruct extensive head and neck defects when recipient vessels are scarce.

Methods: A multi-institutional cohort of FTFs used for head and neck reconstruction were reviewed. For comparison, FTF outcomes were compared to free flaps that required vein grafts (VG) to reach distant recipient vessels.

A Combined Approach for Rapid Dereplication of Herb-Drug Interaction Causative Agents in Botanical Extracts-A Molecular Networking Strategy To Identify Potential Pregnane X Receptor (PXR) Modulators in Yohimbe.

Despite promising preliminary biology, natural products isolation efforts may be confounded when the active compound is not isolated during bioassay-guided purification or classical pharmacognostic research investigations. A more rational isolation procedure connecting the polypharmacology of an herb to its individual constituents must be applied to better detect bioactive molecules before tedious analytical steps are considered. While (yohimbe) has been traditionally used in herbal medicine as a general tonic, an aphrodisiac, a performance enhancer, and an integral part of various dietary supplements, the hydroethanolic extract of yohimbe was identified to possess at least 3-4-fold induction of the pregnane X receptor (PXR) at 30 μg/mL, a key nuclear receptor implicated in adverse interactions, .

Enhancing immune response and survival in hepatocellular carcinoma with novel oncolytic Jurona virus and immune checkpoint blockade.

Members of the genus including Jurona virus (JURV) have emerged as promising immunotherapeutic agents, characterized by their tumor selectivity, fast kinetics, low seroprevalence, and minimal toxicity in humans. Here, we demonstrate that the administration of JURV leads to tumor regression in both hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) xenograft and syngeneic models. Furthermore, our findings indicate that combining JURV and anti-PD-1 therapy reduced tumor burden and improved survival rates over JURV or anti-PD-1 alone in an orthotopic HCC model.

Functional Connectivity to the Amygdala in the Neonate Is Impacted by the Maternal Anxiety Level During Pregnancy.

Background And Purpose: Anxiety during pregnancy is common, and exposure to heightened anxiety during pregnancy may influence children's brain development and functioning. However, it is unclear if exposure to low levels of anxiety in utero would also impact the developing brain. The current prospective and longitudinal study included 40 healthy pregnant women without pregnancy complications or previous diagnosis of anxiety disorders.

A review of literature of a functional, congenital intrathoracic kidney.

Introduction: The rarest form of renal ectopia, the thoracic kidney, has been documented in only about 200 cases worldwide. There are four recognized causes of congenital thoracic renal ectopia: renal ectopia with an intact diaphragm, diaphragmatic eventration, diaphragmatic hernia, and traumatic diaphragmatic rupture. This condition often presents as an incidental finding in asymptomatic patients.

Nextflow4MS-DIAL: A Reproducible Nextflow-Based Workflow for Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Metabolomics Data Processing.

Reproducibility in untargeted metabolomics data processing remains a significant challenge due to software limitations and the complex series of steps required. To address these issues, we developed Nextflow4MS-DIAL, a reproducible workflow for liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) metabolomics data processing, validated with publicly available data from MetaboLights (MTBLS733). Nextflow4MS-DIAL automates LC-MS data processing to minimize human errors from manual data handling.

Safety and efficacy of CAR-T cell therapy in patients with autoimmune diseases: a systematic review.

Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy has revolutionized the treatment of various hematological malignancies. Recently, CAR-T has been used in refractory auto-immune diseases with initial encouraging results. In this systematic review, we examined the safety and efficacy of CAR-T in patients with refractory auto-immune diseases.

Exploring LGBTQ+ youth well-being: Utilizing a mixed-method approach to uncover insights, needs, and strategies of LGBTQ+ youth in Northwest Arkansas.

Objective: This study investigates the well-being and needs of LGBTQ+ youth in Northwest Arkansas, aiming to understand factors influencing their quality of life and inform supportive policies and practices.

Methods: This exploratory, descriptive evaluation used a sequential explanatory mixed methods design to explore LGBTQ+ youth well-being and needs in Northwest Arkansas. 218 online survey respondents and six interviewees under 21 who self-identified as LGBTQ+ participated.

Slow-Coagulation Transscleral Cyclophotocoagulation in Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma.

Purpose: To evaluate the outcomes of slow-coagulation transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (SC-TSCPC) in pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PXG).

Methods: A single-center, retrospective non-comparative study including consecutive patients with medically uncontrolled PXG who underwent SC-TSCPC (1250-milliwatt power and 4-second duration). The primary outcome measure was surgical success (defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) between 6 - 21 mmHg with ≥20% reduction compared to baseline and no need for further glaucoma surgeries or development of vision-threatening complications).

Topical Netarsudil in Childhood Glaucoma: A Systematic Review.

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of topical netarsudil 0.02% in managing childhood glaucoma.

Methods: A literature search in the electronic databases of PubMed CENTRAL, Google Scholar, EMBASE, the Register of Controlled Trials, and Ovid MEDLINE from January 2017 to August 2023 using one or a combination of the following terms: "netarsudil," "rhopressa," "Rho-kinase," "pediatric glaucoma," "childhood glaucoma," "intraocular pressure" was conducted.