Prevention and Management of Infectious Complications in Pediatric Patients With Cancer: A Survey Assessment of Current Practices Across Children's Oncology Group Institutions.

Introduction: While clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for pediatric oncology infection prophylaxis and management exist, few data describe actual management occurring at pediatric oncology centers.

Methods: An electronic survey querying infection management practices in nontransplant pediatric oncology patients was iteratively created by the Children's Oncology Group (COG) Cancer Control and Supportive Care Infectious Diseases Subcommittee and sent to leaders at all COG institutions, limiting each site to one response to represent their institution.

Results: The response rate was 57% (129/227 institutions).

The Effect of Fluoroquinolones on Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection.

Fluoroquinolones (FQs) are a widely prescribed class of antibiotics including ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and ofloxacin. They are commonly used to treat a variety of infections worldwide. Known for their broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, as well as excellent pharmacokinetics and bioavailability, the use of FQs has risen significantly.

Time to Therapy May Not Impact Diagnosis Upstaging in Patients Referred for Management of Luminal Gastrointestinal Neoplasia.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically impacted endoscopy practice. Recommendations were to postpone elective cases, including procedures for removal of luminal neoplasia. This provided a natural experiment to evaluate outcomes related to these decisions and the impact of time to procedure on change in histology.

Reduction of Chemokine CXCL9 Expression by Omega-3 Fatty Acids via ADP-Ribosylhydrolase ARH3 in MIN6 Insulin-Producing Cells.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) results from the autoimmune destruction of the insulin-producing β cells of the pancreas. Omega-3 fatty acids protect β cells and reduce the incidence of T1D, but the mechanism is poorly understood. We have shown that omega-3 fatty acids reduce pro-inflammatory cytokine-mediated β-cell apoptosis by upregulating the expression of the ADP-ribosylhydrolase ARH3.

The Clinical Assessment of Eccentric and Concentric Stepping Kinetics has Utility in Older African American Men with Knee Arthritis.

Introduction: Stair navigation is physically demanding for individuals with knee osteoarthritis and may result in movement asymmetries that can be quantified using kinetic analysis and force-time parameters. Thus, the purpose of this cross-sectional study was to determine if kinetic force-time parameter asymmetries are present in individuals with knee osteoarthritis and associated with functional outcomes.

Methods: Forty-six older male veterans (61.

Cholate Shunt, Oral Cholate Challenge and Endoscopic Lesions of Portal Hypertension: The SHUNT-V Study.

Background: The accuracy of current criteria for ruling out large oesophageal varices (LEV) and other endoscopic lesions of portal hypertension (PH) may be compromised by obesity and MASLD/MASH.

Aims: In the US multicentre SHUNT-V study, we evaluated the disease severity index (DSI) for detecting LEV and other lesions of PH at endoscopy.

Methods: Subjects were adults with compensated cirrhosis scheduled for endoscopy to screen for varices.

Manipulating the EphB4-ephrinB2 axis to reduce metastasis in HNSCC.

The EphB4-ephrinB2 signaling axis has been heavily implicated in metastasis across numerous cancer types. Our emerging understanding of the dichotomous roles that EphB4 and ephrinB2 play in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) poses a significant challenge to rational drug design. We find that EphB4 knockdown in cancer cells enhances metastasis in preclinical HNSCC models by augmenting immunosuppressive cells like T regulatory cells (Tregs) within the tumor microenvironment.

The mTOR Pathway: A Common Link Between Alzheimer's Disease and Down Syndrome.

Down syndrome (DS) is a chromosomal condition that causes many systemic dysregulations, leading to several possible age-related diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD). This may be due to the triplication of the Amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene or other alterations in mechanistic pathways, such as the mTOR pathway. Impairments to upstream regulators of mTOR, such as insulin, PI3K/AKT, AMPK, and amino acid signaling, have been linked to amyloid beta plaques (Aβ) and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT), the most common AD pathologies.

"They Need to Feel Non-Judgmental": Results of Participatory Photovoice Research to Inform Lung Cancer Screening Imagery.

Introduction: Effective communication and messaging strategies are crucial to raise awareness and support participants' efforts to adhere to lung cancer screening (LCS) guidelines. Health messages that incorporate images are processed more efficiently, and given the stigma surrounding lung cancer and cigarette smoking, emphasis must be placed on selecting imagery that is engaging to LCS-eligible individuals. This exploratory study aimed to identify person-centered themes surrounding LCS imagery.

Reduced protein kinase C delta in a high molecular weight complex in mitochondria and elevated creatine uptake into Barth syndrome B lymphoblasts.

Aim: Barth syndrome (BTHS) is a rare X-linked genetic disease in which mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation is impaired due to a mutation in the gene. The protein kinase C delta (PKCδ) signalosome exists as a high molecular weight complex in mitochondria and controls mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation.

Method: Here, we examined PKCδ levels in mitochondria of aged-matched control and BTHS patient B lymphoblasts and its association with a higher molecular weight complex in mitochondria.

Nutcracker syndrome (a Delphi consensus).

Background: Nutcracker syndrome (NCS) describes the symptomatic compression of the left renal vein between the aorta and superior mesenteric artery. Whereas asymptomatic compression is a common radiological finding, patients with NCS can report a range of symptoms. There are no specific diagnostic criteria and interventions include a range of open surgical and endovascular procedures.

Less is more: Streamlining management of isolated traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage in the modified brain injury guidelines.

Background: Patients with isolated traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (iTSAH) are managed according to the modified Brain Injury Guidelines (mBIG) class. The current study aimed to describe patients with iTSAH and analyze their clinical outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on trauma patients with iTSAH.

Biomarker-based acute kidney injury sub-phenotypes refine risk assessment in children undergoing cardiac surgery.

Background: Pediatric cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CS-AKI) is common with variable association with outcomes, possibly because transient serum creatinine (SCr) elevations are unrelated to kidney disease. Sub-phenotypes of CS-AKI with biomarker integration may provide prognostic enrichment. This study aims to determine if combining early postoperative urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) and SCr into sub-phenotypes strengthens associations with AKI and outcomes.

Placenta-derived SOD3 deletion impairs maternal behavior via alterations in FGF/FGFR-prolactin signaling axis.

Offspring growth requires establishing maternal behavior associated with the maternal endocrine profile. Placentae support the adaptations of the mother, producing bioactive molecules that affect maternal organs. We recently reported that placentae produce superoxide dismutase 3 (SOD3) that exerts sustained effects on the offspring liver via epigenetic modifications.

Multi-organ clinical manifestations of Mpox: an umbrella review of systematic reviews.

Background: Mpox is a severe viral zoonosis that has emerged as a public health concern due to its potential for human-to-human transmission and severe illness. Understanding its clinical manifestations is crucial for effective management and control. Several systematic reviews have assessed various manifestations of Mpox.

Global Challenges After a Global Challenge: Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected not only individual lives but also the world and global systems, both natural and human-made. Besides millions of deaths and environmental challenges, the rapid spread of the infection and its very high socioeconomic impact have affected healthcare, economic status and wealth, and mental health across the globe. To better appreciate the pandemic's influence, multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches are needed.