Evaluation of the Pediatric Regional Anesthesia Time-Out Checklist: A Simulation Study.

Introduction: The Society for Pediatric Anesthesia Quality and Safety Committee developed the Pediatric Regional Anesthesia Time-Out Checklist, consisting of 14 safety items intended to be reviewed by an anesthesia team prior to a regional anesthetic. Primarily, we hypothesized that use of this Checklist would increase the number of safety items performed compared with no checklist, evaluating the usefulness of this tool. Secondarily, we hypothesized that, after checklist training, subjects would show better clinical judgment by electing to perform a regional anesthetic in scenarios in which no programmed error existed and electing to not perform a regional anesthetic in scenarios in which a programmed error did exist.

Migraine Genetic Susceptibility Does Not Strongly Influence Migraine Characteristics and Outcomes in a Treated, Real-World, Community Cohort.

: Migraine is a common neurological disorder with highly variable characteristics. While genome-wide association studies have identified genetic risk factors that implicate underlying pathways, the influence of genetic susceptibility on disease characteristics or treatment response is incompletely understood. We examined the relationships between a previously developed standardized integrative migraine polygenic genetic risk score (PRS) and migraine characteristics in a real-world, treated patient cohort.

Associations of Voice Metrics with Postural Function in Parkinson's Disease.

Background: This study aimed to explore the potential associations between voice metrics of patients with PD and their motor symptoms.

Methods: Motor and vocal data including the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale part III (UPDRS-III), Harmonic-Noise Ratio (HNR), jitter, shimmer, and smoothed cepstral peak prominence (CPPS) were analyzed through exploratory correlations followed by univariate linear regression analyses. We employed these four voice metrics as independent variables and the total and sub-scores of the UPDRS-III as dependent variables.

Dysregulation of FURIN and Other Proprotein Convertase Genes in the Progression from HPV Infection to Cancer.

Productive infections of oncogenic human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are closely linked to the differentiation of host epithelial cells, a process that the virus manipulates to create conditions favorable to produce virion progeny. This viral interference involves altering the expression of numerous host genes. Among these, proprotein convertases (PCs) have emerged as potential oncogenes due to their central role in cellular functions.

Leadless Pacing: Current Status and Ongoing Developments.

Although significant strides have been made in cardiac pacing, the field is still evolving. While transvenous permanent pacing is highly effective in the management of bradyarrhythmias, it is not risk free and may result in significant morbidity and, rarely, mortality. Transvenous leads are often the weakest link in a pacing system.

The Homeobox Transcription Factor NKX3.1 Displays an Oncogenic Role in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Cells.

Background/objectives: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in men. The increase in incidence rates of more advanced and aggressive forms of the disease year-to-year fuels urgency to find new therapeutic interventions and bolster already established ones. PCa is a uniquely targetable disease in that it is fueled by male hormones (androgens) that drive tumorigenesis via the androgen receptor or AR.

Feasibility and Acceptability of Integrating Acupuncture for Management of Multiple Symptoms in Medically Underserved Breast Cancer Survivors.

Background/objectives: Breast cancer survivors undergoing long-term endocrine therapy often experience multiple symptoms, including pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, hot flashes, anxiety, and depression. This study explored the feasibility and acceptability of integrating acupuncture for symptom management in medically underserved breast cancer survivors.

Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted at two clinics serving medically underserved populations.

The Rare Entity of Basaloid Thymic Carcinoma: A Multicentric Retrospective Analysis from the Italian Collaborative Group for ThYmic MalignanciEs (TYME).

Background: thymic basaloid carcinoma (BTC) is an extremely rare tumor, and very little data are available on BTC's biology, clinical behavior, drug sensitivity, and patient outcomes.

Methods: We performed a retrospective observational study on patients diagnosed with BTC in 11 referral centers of TYME. All BTC diagnoses were reviewed by the referring pathologist.

Evaluating Tumor Tissue Modified Viral (TTMV)-HPV DNA for the Early Detection of Anal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Recurrence.

Background: The incidence and mortality of anal squamous cell carcinoma (ASCC) are rising, with greater than 80% of cases linked to human papillomavirus (HPV), primarily HPV16. Post-treatment surveillance can be challenging due to the limitations of anoscopy, digital anal rectal exam (DARE), and imaging. Plasma tumor tissue modified viral (TTMV)-HPV DNA has shown strong sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value in detecting the recurrence of HPV-driven oropharyngeal cancer.

Pediatric Intensive Care Provider Attitudes About Children with Medical Complexity and Neurologic Impairment: A Qualitative Study.

(1) Background: Children with medical complexity (CMC) and neurologic impairment (NI) are a growing population in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). (2) Objective: Our aim was to explore and describe the experiences and beliefs of PICU providers caring for CMC with NI. (3) Methods: A qualitative interview-based study was conducted.

Knockout of Causes Inner Ear Developmental Defects in Zebrafish.

: Alternative splicing is essential for the physiological and pathological development of the inner ear. Disruptions in this process can result in both syndromic and non-syndromic forms of hearing loss. DHX38, a DEAH box RNA helicase, is integral to pre-mRNA splicing regulation and plays critical roles in development, cell differentiation, and stem cell maintenance.

Food Security and Cardio-Metabolic Risk in Individuals with Metabolic Syndrome.

This study assessed the association of food security with potential cardio-metabolic risk factors among persons with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Data were derived from the baseline data of a randomized controlled lifestyle intervention trial for individuals with MetS. Household food security, fruit and vegetable intake, perceived food environment, and perceived stress were collected using validated questionnaires.

Stress Due to Inflation and Its Association with Anxiety and Depression Among Working-Age Adults in the United States.

Inflation generates stress, which may lead to high rates of anxiety and depression. Given the recent surge and subsequent decline in the inflation rate in the United States, the prevalence of stress due to inflation may vary, as well as its relationship with anxiety and depression. Therefore, we investigated the prevalence of stress due to inflation and its association with anxiety and depression over time among working-age adults in the United States.

Incidence of ophthalmic manifestations in congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV).

Background: Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections are associated with eye manifestations, especially in patients with systemic disease. However, there are no ophthalmic screening guidelines for infants with congenital CMV.

Methods: Retrospective review of pediatric patients (< 18 years old, 2010-2023) with a diagnosis of congenital CMV and at least 1 eye examination.

A randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial of ketamine in Rett syndrome.

Background: Preclinical studies and anecdotal case reports support the potential therapeutic benefit of low-dose oral ketamine as a treatment of clinical symptoms in Rett syndrome (RTT); however, no controlled studies have been conducted in RTT to evaluate safety, tolerability and efficacy.

Design: This was a sequentially initiated, dose-escalating cohort, placebo-controlled, double blind, randomized sequence, cross-over study of oral ketamine in 6-12-year-old girls with RTT to evaluate short-term safety and tolerability and explore efficacy.

Methods: Participants were randomized to either five days treatment with oral ketamine or matched placebo, followed by a nine-day wash-out period and then crossed-over to the opposite treatment.

Dual anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 blockade in metastatic basal cell carcinoma.

We report the basal cell cancer (BCC) cohort of the SWOG/NCI 1609 Dual Anti-CTLA-4 & Anti-PD-1 blockade in Rare Tumors (DART), a phase II prospective, multicenter basket trial of nivolumab and ipilimumab. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR) (RECIST v1.1).

A community-engaged qualitative study of factors affecting sleep among Hispanic/Latinos with short sleep duration.

Background: Despite having high prevalence of short sleep duration, poor sleep quality, and sleep disorders in adult Hispanics living in the US, there is limited understanding of the underlying barriers to sleep and effective interventions in these groups. This study aimed to increase understanding of sleep duration and attitudes toward sleep interventions among Hispanic adults.

Methods: We conducted 5 online focus group discussions with male and female participants aged 18-65 recruited from the Hispanic community who reported sleeping <7 hours per night.

Patient-reported outcomes in sarcopenia: An ICFSR task force report.

The International Conference on Frailty and Sarcopenia Research (ICFSR) Task Force convened in March 2024 to address patient-reported outcomes measures (PROMs) in the field of sarcopenia. PROMs are crucial to enhance healthcare services at both individual and societal levels. PROMs complement objective outcome measures by capturing insights that patients are best suited to judge.

Mechanical thrombectomy in elderly stroke patients with low ASPECTS: insights from STAR.

Background: The elderly population (≥80 years) were underrepresented in recent trials of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for anterior circulation large vessel occlusion acute ischemic stroke (LVO-AIS) with low Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) (≤5).

Methods: This study analyzed data from a prospectively maintained database of 37 thrombectomy centers. The primary cohort of the study comprised patients with LVO-AIS aged ≥80 who underwent EVT with ASPECTS≤5 from 2013 to 2023.

Radiation Segmentectomy for Early Hepatocellular Carcinoma is Curative.

In this Expert Opinion, we provide the rationale for concluding that radiation segmentectomy (using RADSEG method), a technique of administrating ablative, complete necrosis-inducing trans-arterial Yttrium-90 (Y90) radiotherapy in limited-disease burden hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is curative. Currently, curative options for early stage and other carefully selected HCC patients include transplantation, resection, and ablation. Because of issues with organ availability, co-morbidities preventing resection, and tumor size and location limiting ablation, other treatments are necessary for this selected patient population.

Formative research and development of a referral toolkit for sexual health services linkages within chicago public high schools.

Objective: Linking adolescent students to sexual health services has been recommended to promote overall adolescent health and wellbeing. Support at the school level is needed to develop such linkages, particularly in large, urban districts.

Data Collection Methods: A series of focus groups and interviews were conducted in three high schools piloting sexual health services linkage efforts in Chicago Public Schools.

Molecular classification of endometrial cancers (EC) and association with relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) outcomes: Ancillary analysis of GOG-0258.

Purpose: Determine if molecular classification using mismatch repair (MMR) and p53 protein expression predicts recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) in endometrial cancer (EC) patients treated with chemotherapy and radiation (CRT) versus chemotherapy (CT).

Methods: GOG-0258, a phase III randomized trial (NCT00942357), compared CRT to CT. Immunohistochemistry assessed MMR and p53 status.