The Long Noncoding RNA Paupar Modulates PAX6 Regulatory Activities to Promote Alpha Cell Development and Function.

Many studies have highlighted the role of dysregulated glucagon secretion in the etiology of hyperglycemia and diabetes. Accordingly, understanding the mechanisms underlying pancreatic islet α cell development and function has important implications for the discovery of new therapies for diabetes. In this study, comparative transcriptome analyses between embryonic mouse pancreas and adult mouse islets identified several pancreatic lncRNAs that lie in close proximity to essential pancreatic transcription factors, including the Pax6-associated lncRNA Paupar.

Low ferroportin expression in AML is correlated with good risk cytogenetics, improved outcomes and increased sensitivity to chemotherapy.

Iron metabolism is altered in a variety of cancers; however, little is known about the role of iron metabolism in the biology and response to therapy of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Here we show that SLC40A1, the gene encoding the iron exporter ferroportin (FPN), is variably expressed among primary AMLs and that low levels are associated with good prognosis and improved outcomes. In particular, core binding factor (CBF) AMLs, which are associated with good outcomes with chemotherapy, consistently have low level of SLC40A1 expression.

Choosing Wisely in Critical Care: Results of a National Survey From the Critical Care Societies Collaborative.

Objectives: Over-utilization of tests, treatments, and procedures is common for hospitalized patients in ICU settings. American Board of Internal Medicine Foundation's Choosing Wisely campaign tasked professional societies to identify sources of overuse in specialty care practice. The purpose of this study was to assess how critical care clinicians were implementing the Critical Care Societies Collaborative Choosing Wisely recommendations in clinical practice.

The why and how our trauma patients die: A prospective Multicenter Western Trauma Association study.

Background: Historically, hemorrhage has been attributed as the leading cause (40%) of early death. However, a rigorous, real-time classification of the cause of death (COD) has not been performed. This study sought to prospectively adjudicate and classify COD to determine the epidemiology of trauma mortality.

Microbiome and disease in the upper airway.

Purpose Of Review: Microbiome refers to the genetic potential of resident microorganisms that inhabit a given niche. The exact role of the microbiome and its relation to chronic disease processes remains largely unknown, although various associations have been observed. We reviewed current literature investigating the microbiome of the upper airway by subsite (nasal cavity, sinus cavities, nasopharynx, and larynx) and its relation to chronic inflammatory disease processes.

Detection of oligoprogressive disease in oncogene-addicted non-small cell lung cancer using PET/CT versus CT in patients receiving a tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Objectives: In oncogene-addicted non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), oligoprogressive disease (OPD) can be treated with local ablative therapy (LAT) to prolong benefit from tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). A comparison of PET/CT vs. CT for the detection of OPD at first extra central nervous system (eCNS) progression was performed to determine which modality was more sensitive for OPD detection.

In-Hospital Pediatric Stroke Alert Activation.

Background: Pediatric stroke alerts or "code strokes" allow for rapid evaluation, imaging, and treatment of children presenting with stroke-like symptoms. In a previous study of emergency department-initiated pediatric stroke alerts, 24% of children had confirmed strokes. The purpose of this study was to characterize in-hospital pediatric stroke alerts.

Donor-Site Morbidity of Vascularized Bone Flaps from the Distal Femur: A Systematic Review.

Background: Vascularized grafts from the femur, including the medial femoral condyle and medial femoral trochlea, are increasingly being used. It is critical to understand the lower extremity complications from flap harvest.

Methods: The authors searched available literature reporting on femoral flaps using PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Database, and Web of Science.

The Diagnostic Yield of Malignancy Comparing Cytology, FISH, and Molecular Analysis of Cell Free Cytology Brush Supernatant in Patients With Biliary Strictures Undergoing Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiography (ERC): A Prospective Study.

Background: Routine cytology of biliary stricture brushings obtained during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has suboptimal sensitivity for malignancy. We compared the individual and combined ability of cytology, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis and PCR-based mutation profiling (MP) to detect malignancy in standard biliary brushings.

Methods: We performed a prospective study of patients undergoing ERCP using histology or 1 year follow-up to determine patient outcomes.

Outcomes and indications for early hand therapy after multiple concomitant elective hand procedures.

Study Design: Retrospective comparative study.

Introduction: Trigger finger and carpal tunnel surgery are common, but not without complications including pain and edema, which are treated with hand therapy (HT). There are limited data for the outcomes of multiple trigger finger releases (MTFRs) or combined trigger finger and carpal tunnel surgery and the subsequent need for HT.

TFCC Injuries: Meta-Analysis and Comparison of Diagnostic Imaging Modalities.

 Imaging of the triangular fibrocartilaginous complex (TFCC) remains difficult, as no single imaging modality demonstrates perfect sensitivity and specificity.  This study performs a meta-analysis of multiple previous publications to guide noninvasive imaging selection for the diagnosis of TFCC injuries.  A literature search was performed and conducted.

International Liver Transplantation Society Consensus Statement on Immunosuppression in Liver Transplant Recipients.

Effective immunosupression management is central to achieving optimal outcomes in liver transplant recipients. Current immunosuppression regimens and agents are highly effective in minimizing graft loss due to acute and chronic rejection but can also produce a substantial array of toxicities. The utilization of immunosuppression varies widely, contributing to the wide disparities in posttransplant outcomes reported between transplant centers.

Tracheobronchomalacia and Excessive Dynamic Airway Collapse.

Tracheobronchomalacia (TBM) and excessive dynamic airway collapse (EDAC) are more frequently being recognized as the etiology of multiple types of respiratory complaints from chronic cough to exertional syncope to recurrent infections. Identification of these conditions requires a high suspicion, as well as a thorough history and physical examination. Dynamic computed tomography imaging and bronchoscopic evaluation are integral in achieving an accurate diagnosis.

Machine Learning in Radiology: Applications Beyond Image Interpretation.

Much attention has been given to machine learning and its perceived impact in radiology, particularly in light of recent success with image classification in international competitions. However, machine learning is likely to impact radiology outside of image interpretation long before a fully functional "machine radiologist" is implemented in practice. Here, we describe an overview of machine learning, its application to radiology and other domains, and many cases of use that do not involve image interpretation.

#TwittIR: Understanding and Establishing a Twitter Ecosystem for Interventional Radiologists and Their Practices.

The use of social media among interventional radiologists is increasing, with Twitter receiving the most attention. Twitter is an ideal forum for open exchange of ideas from around the world. However, it is important for Twitter users to gain a rudimentary understanding of the many potential communication pathways to connect with other users.

IVC filter placements in children: nationwide comparison of practice patterns at adult and children's hospitals using the Kids' Inpatient Database.

Background: Inferior vena cava (IVC) filter placement in children has been described in literature, but there is variability with regard to their indications. No nationally representative study has been done to compare practice patterns of filter placements at adult and children's hospitals.

Objective: To perform a nationally representative comparison of IVC filter placement practices in children at adult and children's hospitals.

Preadmission Oral Corticosteroids Are Associated With Reduced Risk of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Critically Ill Adults With Sepsis.

Objectives: To determine the association between preadmission oral corticosteroid receipt and the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome in critically ill patients with sepsis.

Design: Retrospective observational study.

Setting: Medical, surgical, trauma, and cardiovascular ICUs of an academic medical center.

Reprint of "Hypomyelinating disorders: An MRI approach.

In recent years, the concept of hypomyelinating disorders has been proposed as a group of disorders with varying systemic manifestations that are identified by MR findings of absence or near absence of the T2 hypointensity that develops in white matter as a result of myelination. Initially proposed as a separate group because they were the largest single category of undiagnosed leukodystrophies, their separation as a distinct group that can be recognized by looking for a specific MRI feature has resulted in a marked increase in their diagnosis and a better understanding of the different causes of hypomyelination. This review will discuss the clinical presentations, imaging findings on standard MRI, and new MRI-related techniques that allow a better understanding of these disorders and proposed methods for quantifying the myelination as a potential means of assessing disease course and the effects of proposed treatments.

Hypomyelinating disorders: An MRI approach.

In recent years, the concept of hypomyelinating disorders has been proposed as a group of disorders with varying systemic manifestations that are identified by MR findings of absence or near absence of the T2 hypointensity that develops in white matter as a result of myelination. Initially proposed as a separate group because they were the largest single category of undiagnosed leukodystrophies, their separation as a distinct group that can be recognized by looking for a specific MRI feature has resulted in a marked increase in their diagnosis and a better understanding of the different causes of hypomyelination. This review will discuss the clinical presentations, imaging findings on standard MRI, and new MRI-related techniques that allow a better understanding of these disorders and proposed methods for quantifying the myelination as a potential means of assessing disease course and the effects of proposed treatments.

Trial of a Paclitaxel-Coated Balloon for Femoropopliteal Artery Disease.

Background: The treatment of peripheral artery disease with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty is limited by the occurrence of vessel recoil and restenosis. Drug-coated angioplasty balloons deliver antiproliferative agents directly to the artery, potentially improving vessel patency by reducing restenosis.

Methods: In this single-blind, randomized trial conducted at 54 sites, we assigned, in a 2:1 ratio, 476 patients with symptomatic intermittent claudication or ischemic pain while at rest and angiographically significant atherosclerotic lesions to angioplasty with a paclitaxel-coated balloon or to standard angioplasty.

Plasma and Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers Predict Cerebral Injury in HIV-Infected Individuals on Stable Combination Antiretroviral Therapy.

Objectives: HIV-associated brain injury persists despite combination antiretroviral therapy, but contributing factors remain poorly understood. We postulated that inflammation-associated biomarkers will be associated with cerebral injury on proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in chronically HIV-infected subjects.

Methods: Five biomarkers were measured in 197 HIV-infected subjects: soluble CD14, MCP-1, IP-10, MIP-1β, and fractalkine.

Increased Coronary Artery Plaque Volume Among Male Marathon Runners.

Background: Long-term marathon running improves many cardiovascular risk factors, and is presumed to protect against coronary artery plaque formation. This hypothesis, that long-term marathon running is protective against coronary atherosclerosis, was tested by quantitatively assessing coronary artery plaque using high resolution coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) in veteran marathon runners compared to sedentary control subjects.

Methods: Men in the study completed at least one marathon yearly for 25 consecutive years.