Guidelines for the standardization of pre-analytical variables for salivary biomarker studies in Alzheimer's disease research: An updated review and consensus of the Salivary Biomarkers for Dementia Research Working Group.

There is a pressing need for accessible biomarkers with high diagnostic accuracy for Alzheimer's disease (AD) diagnosis to facilitate widespread screening, particularly in underserved groups. Saliva is an emerging specimen for measuring AD biomarkers, with distinct contexts of use that could complement blood and cerebrospinal fluid and detect various analytes. An interdisciplinary, international group of AD and related dementias (ADRD) researchers convened and performed a narrative review of published studies on salivary AD biomarkers.

Life-Space Mobility Is Related to Loneliness Among Living-Alone Older Adults: Longitudinal Analysis With Motion Sensor Data.

Background: Life-space mobility can be a behavioral indicator of loneliness. This study examined the association between life-space mobility measured with motion sensors and weekly vs. annually reported loneliness.

Using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Detect Differences in Micturition-Related Brain Activity Between Volitional and Involuntary Detrusor Contractions.

Introduction: Detrusor contractions can be classified as either volitional or involuntary. The latter are a hallmark of urge urinary incontinence. Understanding differences in neuroactivation associated with both types of contractions can help elucidate pathophysiology and therapeutic targets.

SLC26A3 (DRA, the Congenital Chloride Diarrhea Gene): A Novel Therapeutic Target for Diarrheal Diseases.

Diarrhea associated with enteric infections, gut inflammation, and genetic defects poses a major health burden and results in significant morbidity and mortality. Impaired fluid and electrolyte absorption and/or secretion in the intestine are the hallmark of diarrhea. Electroneutral NaCl absorption in the mammalian GI tract involves the coupling of Na/H and Cl/HCO exchangers.

Systematic review: differences in complete blood count component rhythms.

Study Objectives: The complete blood count (CBC) is one of the most commonly ordered blood tests with a large range of reference values that does not consider time of day for interpretation. Our objective was to systematically review this topic to report on peak and trough timing of CBC values.

Methods: A systematic search was performed for studies evaluating any component of the CBC with at least three collections over 24 hours.

Combined effect of confinement and dielectric exclusion on ion adsorption in slits, pores, and cavities.

We present simulation results for the Donnan equilibrium between a homogeneous bulk reservoir and inhomogeneous confining geometries with varying number of restricted dimensions, . Planar slits ( = 1), cylindrical pores ( = 2), and spherical cavities ( = 3) are considered. The walls have a negative surface charge density.

Virtual versus in-person didactic modalities: A national survey of emergency medicine residencies.

Background: Following the widespread shift from in-person to virtual delivery of didactics during the COVID-19 pandemic, some emergency medicine (EM) residency programs have retained virtual didactic time while others have returned exclusively to in-person didactics. In this national survey of EM residency programs, we explored the current national distribution of virtual versus in-person didactic time and the circumstances and motivators for use of each.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey with branched logic was designed via Qualtrics.

Utility of photon-counting detectors for MV-kV dual-energy computed tomography imaging.

Purpose: High soft-tissue contrast imaging is essential for effective radiotherapy treatment. This could potentially be realized using both megavoltage and kilovoltage x-ray sources available on some therapy treatment systems to perform "MV-kV" dual-energy (DE) computed tomography (CT). However, noisy megavoltage images obtained with existing energy-integrating detectors (EIDs) are a limiting factor for clinical translation.

Considerations for the Treatment of Sexual and Gender Minority Individuals in Colon and Rectal Surgery.

Sexual and gender minorities (SGMs) experience critical barriers to health care access and have unique health care needs that are often overlooked. Given the rise in individuals identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer, colorectal surgeons are likely to care for increasing numbers of such individuals. Here, we discuss key barriers to health care access and research among SGM populations and outline approaches to address these barriers in clinical practice.

Management of Dysglycemia in a Pregnancy Complicated by Fanconi-Bickel Syndrome.

Background/objective: Fanconi-Bickel Syndrome (FBS) is an inherited disorder of glucose metabolism resulting from functional loss of glucose transporter 2 characterized by fasting hypoglycemia oscillating with postprandial hyperglycemia. Dysglycemia treatment strategies during FBS pregnancy have not been reported, and insulin therapy carries significant risk due to fasting hypoglycemia in FBS. We report for the first time: (1) glycemic profiles obtained via continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), (2) CGM-guided strategies for cornstarch and nutritional therapy for fasting hypoglycemia and postprandial hyperglycemia, respectively, and (3) placental glucose transporter 2 isoform expression in a pregnant individual with FBS.

Association of COMT rs4680 Genotype With Chronic Neuropathic Pain Experience in Patients With Sickle Cell Disease.

Purpose: The pain experience of patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) frequently consists of episodes of acute exacerbation. However, recent studies suggest that many patients who suffer from SCD have symptoms of chronic neuropathic pain. Additional research is needed to determine what role genotype plays in the patient's pain phenotype experience in SCD.

Pregnancy and birth complications among women undergoing bariatric surgery: sleeve gastrectomy versus Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

Background: Metabolic bariatric surgery is the most effective therapy for severe obesity, which affects the health of millions, most of whom are women of child-bearing age. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG) are the most common bariatric procedures and are associated with durable weight loss and comorbidity resolution. Although obstetric outcomes broadly improve, the safety profile comparing the impact of RYGB and SG on obstetric outcomes is underexplored.

Brain phosphoproteomic analysis identifies diabetes-related substrates in Alzheimer's disease pathology in older adults.

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia. Insulin signaling dysfunction exacerbates tau protein phosphorylation, a hallmark of AD pathology. However, the comprehensive impact of diabetes on patterns of AD-related phosphoprotein in the human brain remains underexplored.

The role of neuropsychological assessment in the evaluation of patients with cognitive-behavioral change due to suspected Alzheimer's disease and other causes of cognitive impairment and dementia.

The Alzheimer's Association convened a Diagnostic Evaluation, Testing, Counseling and Disclosure Clinical Practice Guideline workgroup to help combat the major global health challenges surrounding the timely detection, accurate diagnosis, and appropriate disclosure of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia due to Alzheimer's disease (AD) or other diseases that cause these types of cognitive-behavioral disorders. The newly published clinical practice guidelines are proposed as a structured approach to evaluation. The purpose of the present article is to provide a clinical perspective on the use of neuropsychology within the new framework and practice guidelines outlined under the Diagnostic Evaluation, Testing, Counseling and Disclosure of Suspected Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders (DETeCD-ADRD) recommendations for primary care and specialty care.

Factor analysis and clustering of motor and psychiatric dimensions in idiopathic blepharospasm.

Introduction: Idiopathic blepharospasm is a clinically heterogeneous form of focal dystonia, also associated with psychiatric symptoms. The identification of the most relevant sets of motor and psychiatric manifestations may help better understand the specific phenomenology of the condition and delineate blepharospasm subtypes more accurately.

Methods: Patients with idiopathic blepharospasm were from the Dystonia Coalition project.

Current Approaches to Optimize Donor Heart for Transplantation.

Heart transplantation remains a critical therapy for patients with end-stage heart failure, offering incremental survival and improved quality of life. One of the key components behind the success of heart transplantation is the condition and preservation of the donor heart. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of ischemic reperfusion injury, risk factors associated with primary graft dysfunction, current use of various preservation solutions for organ procurement and recent advancements in donor heart procurement technologies.

Shared Decision-Making in Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty: Understanding Surgeon and Patient Perspectives Regarding When It Is Time for Surgery.

Background: Although total hip and total knee arthroplasty are highly successful operations, the decision of whether and when to undergo surgery is highly subjective and discretionary, and specific guidelines regarding readiness for surgery remain elusive. The nature of these decisions underscores the importance of shared decision-making, which is founded on the concept that patients substantially contribute to determining their own readiness for surgery. The OPTION survey was developed as a conversation aid to facilitate shared decision-making in the context of total joint arthroplasty.

Real-World Treatment Patterns and Healthcare Resource Use for Patients with Myelofibrosis: Results from the METER Study.

Myelofibrosis (MF) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm that was most commonly treated with hydroxyurea (HU) prior to approval of ruxolitinib (RUX), now the standard of care. Factors that influence changes in MF treatment in real-world settings are not well understood. The METER study (NCT05444972) was a multi-country retrospective chart review of MF treatment patterns, treatment effectiveness, and healthcare resource utilization.

Retinal Docosahexaenoic Acid Is Significantly Reduced in Diabetic Humans and Mice: Possible Relationship to Diabetic Retinopathy.

Purpose: The retina contains the highest concentration of the omega 3 fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), in the body. Although epidemiologic studies showed an inverse correlation between the consumption of omega 3 fatty acids and the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy, there are no data showing the effect of diabetes on retinal DHA in humans. In this study, we measured the DHA content of the retina in diabetic and non-diabetic humans as well as mice and determined the effect of diabetes on retinal thickness and function in mice.

Sex Differences in Pain Scores and Medication Consumption for Chronic Non-Cancer Pain.

Background: Chronic pain is defined as any persistent or recurring pain lasting longer than 3 months that significantly affects a person's quality of life. Millions worldwide are impacted by chronic pain, but its subjective nature makes it difficult to quantify and compare between individuals.

Methods: This retrospective analysis aimed to examine the differences in pain perception and reporting between male and female patients, as well as how their pain was managed.

Late-life social activity and subsequent risk of dementia and mild cognitive impairment.

Introduction: Social activity is associated with better cognitive health in old age. To better translate epidemiological research for public health communication, we estimated relations of levels of social activity to average age at dementia onset.

Methods: In the Rush Memory and Aging Project (MAP), we followed 1923 dementia-free older adults and conducted annual clinical evaluations of dementia/mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

A mechanistic, functional, and clinical perspective on targeting CD70 in cancer.

The oncoimmunology research has witnessed notable advancements in recent years. Reshaping the tumor microenvironment (TME) approach is an effective method to improve antitumor immune response. The T cell-mediated antitumor response is crucial for favorable therapeutic outcomes in several cancers.

Sex and Gender Considerations in Orthopaedic Research: Existing Barriers, What's Needed by Institutions and Research Departments, and How to Guide Junior Investigators and Faculty.

JBJS convened a symposium to discuss the reporting of sex and gender in research studies as an imperative to improve research methods and results to benefit all patients. Barriers to improved reporting include a lack of societal and cultural acceptance of its need; a lack of education regarding appropriate terminology and appropriate statistical methods and efficient study designs; a need for increased research funding to support larger group sizes; unknown concordance of cell and animal models with humans to reflect biologic variables such as sex; and a lack of understanding of key considerations of gender, race, and other social determinants of health and how these factors intersect. Attention to developing and disseminating best-practice statistical methods and to educating investigators (at all career levels), reviewers, funders, editors, and staff in their proper implementation will aid reporting.

Early Life Stress, DNA Methylation of NR3C1 and HSD11B2, and Oral Feeding Skill Development in Preterm Infants: A Pilot Study.

Background: Early life stress exposure in preterm infants may alter DNA methylation of NR3C1 and HSD11B2, disrupting neurobehaviors needed for oral feeding (PO) skill development.

Purpose: To (1) examine the feasibility of the study protocol; (2) describe early life stress, DNA methylation of NR3C1 and HSD11B2, and PO skill development; and (3) explore the association between DNA methylation of NR3C1 and HSD11B2 and infant characteristics, early life stress, and PO skill development.

Method: We employed a longitudinal descriptive pilot study (N = 10).