Risk factors and surgical approaches in neglected subaxial cervical spine fractures-dislocations: Experiences with two cases and literature review.

This case report describes our experience of surgical strategies of two patients with neglected subaxial cervical spine fracture-dislocation that came to our center with subsequent follow-ups. Subaxial cervical spine fracture-dislocation must be immediately diagnosed and treated. However, it can be neglected in some cases, especially in developing health care systems and patients with low socioeconomic status.

Adolescent Tobacco/Nicotine Use and the Potential Role of Contingency Management-based Interventions.

The high prevalence of tobacco/nicotine use among youth, including e-cigarettes, is a public health problem in the United States. Early exposure leads to an increased risk of dependence and health consequences in adulthood. We reviewed the literature on current treatment approaches for nicotine/tobacco use in adolescents/young adults and highlighted underexplored areas of treatment research.

Prone extension views in cervical MRI: A case-driven Novel approach.

The cervical spinal canal has a wide range of motion and specific biomechanics involved with different pathologies that may cause dynamic cord compressions. This study has introduced new protocol for acquiring an extension view of cervical MRI to assess dynamic cervical spinal canal compromise. We posit that dynamic MRI comprising extension view in prone position could be a practical option when deciding the best approach in treating challenging patients.

Perioperative Blood Transfusion Is Associated with Worse 30-Day Mortality and Complications After Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair.

Background: It is not uncommon for patients requiring vascular surgery, and in particular aortic surgery, to have increased requirements for blood transfusion. However, studies examining the effects of perioperative transfusion for thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) are limited. Using large multicenter data, we aimed to study the impact of perioperative blood transfusion on 30-day mortality and complications after TEVAR.

Peripheral and central biomarkers associated with inflammation in antipsychotic naïve first episode psychosis: Pilot studies.

Background: Elevated serum pro-inflammatory molecules have been reported in early psychosis. What is not known is whether peripheral inflammatory biomarkers are associated with CNS biomarkers. In the brain, release of pro-inflammatory molecules by microglial hyperactivity may lead to neuronal apoptosis seen in neurodegenerative disorders and account for loss of brain tissue observed in psychotic disorders.

Secondary physical features in children with FASD.

Objective: The diagnoses included within the umbrella term fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), are based on the documentation of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE), growth deficits and a pattern of dysmorphic physical features and neurobehavioral impairments. Although 3 key facial features (short palpebral fissures, a smooth philtrum and a thin vermilion of the upper lip) are the only dysmorphic features taken into account for the diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) or partial FAS (pFAS), several other features are commonly seen in individuals with these diagnoses. The goals of our study were to determine if some of these secondary physical features also occur more frequently in children with alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND) relative to controls, and if a cluster of these features combined in a dysmorphology score could be used to identify those negatively impacted by PAE but who do not have the cardinal physical features that led to a diagnosis of FAS or pFAS.

Emerging roles for tumor stroma in antigen presentation and anti-cancer immunity.

Advances in immunotherapy in the last decade have revolutionized treatment paradigms across multiple cancer diagnoses. However, only a minority of patients derive durable benefit and progress with traditional approaches, such as cancer vaccines, remains unsatisfactory. A key to overcoming these barriers resides with a deeper understanding of tumor antigen presentation and the complex and dynamic heterogeneity of tumor-infiltrating antigen-presenting cells (APCs).

Resident microbes shape the vaginal epithelial glycan landscape.

Epithelial cells are covered in carbohydrates (glycans). This glycan coat or "glycocalyx" interfaces directly with microbes, providing a protective barrier against potential pathogens. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a condition associated with adverse health outcomes in which bacteria reside in direct proximity to the vaginal epithelium.

People with HIV at the end-of-life and their next-of-kin/loved ones are willing to participate in interventional HIV cure-related research.

Introduction: The Last Gift study at the University of California San Diego (UCSD), United States enrolls terminally ill people with HIV (PWH) in HIV cure research.

Methods: From 2017 to 2022, we conducted surveys with Last Gift participants and their next-of-kin/loved ones to evaluate willingness to participate in different types of HIV cure research at the end of life (EOL). We analyzed willingness data descriptively.

Patients with Prior Exposure to a Combination of Statins & Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACE-Is)/Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs) Have Better Outcomes after Carotid Revascularization than Patients with Prior Exposure to Statins Alone: A MultiCenter Analysis.

Background: Statin use has been studied and confirmed to have a beneficial impact on perioperative carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid artery stenting (CAS) outcomes. The benefits of Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-I) in hypertension, ischemic heart disease, heart failure, diabetes mellitus, and renal disease are well-known; however, the impact of continuing or withholding ACE-Is/angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) on CEA and CAS outcomes is not addressed well in the literature. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of preoperative statin use combined with ACE-Is/ARBs in patients undergoing CEA or CAS on mortality and morbidity using a multi-institutional database.

Whole-genome surveillance identifies markers of drug resistance and novel genomic regions under selection in Mozambique.

Malaria is a devastating disease caused by parasites. The evolution of parasite drug resistance continues to hamper progress toward malaria elimination, and despite extensive efforts to control malaria, it remains a leading cause of death in Mozambique and other countries in the region. The development of successful vaccines and identification of molecular markers to track drug efficacy are essential for managing the disease burden.

Increasing the meaningful involvement of women in HIV cure-related research: a qualitative interview study in the United States.

Background: Cisgender women represent over half of people living with HIV globally. However, current research efforts toward a cure for HIV focus predominantly on cisgender men. The under-representation of women in HIV cure clinical studies is particularly problematic given data suggesting that sex-dependent phenotypes limit scientific discovery.

'With this study, we have hope that something is coming': community members' perceptions of HIV cure-related research in Durban, South Africa - a qualitative focus group study.

Background: Developing a cure for HIV remains a global scientific priority. In 2022, the Females Rising through Education, Support and Health (FRESH) cohort launched an HIV cure-related trial involving an analytical treatment interruption (ATI) in Durban, South Africa.

Objectives: To explore community perspectives about HIV cure-related research.

Qualitative Examination of the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Access and Adherence to Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Among Sexual and Gender Minorities.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) access and adherence decreased nationwide. This study examined pandemic-related disruptions to PrEP access and adherence among clients of a health center (Center) in Los Angeles, California. Clients ( = 25) and Center personnel ( = 11) completed qualitative interviews from March to July 2021.

Retractions and Rewards in Science: An Open Question for Reviewers and Funders.

In recent years, the changing landscape for the conduct and assessment of research and of researchers has increased scrutiny of the reward systems of science. In this context, correcting the research record, including retractions, has gained attention and space in the publication system. One question is the possible influence of retractions on the careers of scientists.

rCRUX: A Rapid and Versatile Tool for Generating Metabarcoding Reference libraries in R.

Key to making accurate taxonomic assignments are curated, comprehensive reference barcode databases. However, the generation and curation of such databases has remained challenging given the large and continuously growing volumes of DNA sequence data and novel reference barcode targets. Monitoring and research applications require a greater diversity of specialized gene regions and targeted taxa to meet taxonomic classification goals then are currently curated by professional staff.

Pharmacology of a Potent and Novel Inhibitor of the NOD-Like Receptor Pyrin Domain-Containing Protein 3 (NLRP3) Inflammasome that Attenuates Development of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis and Liver Fibrosis.

The NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a multiprotein complex and component of the innate immune system that is activated by exogenous and endogenous danger signals to promote activation of caspase-1 and the maturation and release of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-18. Inappropriate activation of NLRP3 has been implicated in the pathophysiology of multiple inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, including cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative diseases, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), thus increasing the clinical interest of this target. We describe in this study the preclinical pharmacologic, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic properties of a novel and highly specific NLRP3 inhibitor, JT001 (6,7-dihydro-5H-pyrazolo[5,1-b][1,3]oxazine-3-sulfonylurea).

Vulnerability in Biomedical Research: A Historical Reflection and Practical Implications for HIV Cure-Related Research.

The concept of vulnerability in bioethics was first referenced in 1979, when the Belmont Report highlighted the need for special consideration of certain populations in the application of its general principles of respect for persons, beneficence, and justice in research with human participants. Since then, a body of literature has emerged regarding the content, status, and scope, as well as ethical and practical implications of vulnerability in biomedical research. The social history of HIV treatment development has at various points reflected and actively influenced bioethics' debate on vulnerability.

A novel mechanism of 6-methoxydihydroavicine in suppressing ovarian carcinoma by disrupting mitochondrial homeostasis and triggering ROS/ MAPK mediated apoptosis.

Alkaloids derived from (Papaveraceae family), have been found to display antineoplastic activity in several types of cancer. However, the antitumor effects and mechanisms of a new alkaloid extracted from the fruits of , named 6-Methoxydihydroavicine (6-ME), remains unclear in the case of ovarian cancer (OC). CCK-8 assay was employed to analyze the cell viabilities of OC cells.

3D genome mapping identifies subgroup-specific chromosome conformations and tumor-dependency genes in ependymoma.

Ependymoma is a tumor of the brain or spinal cord. The two most common and aggressive molecular groups of ependymoma are the supratentorial ZFTA-fusion associated and the posterior fossa ependymoma group A. In both groups, tumors occur mainly in young children and frequently recur after treatment.