Demographics and regional trends of ischemic heart disease-related mortality in older adults in the United States, 1999-2020.

Background: Ischemic heart disease (IHD) has a significant impact on public health and healthcare expenditures in the United States (US).

Methods: We used data from the CDC WONDER database from 1999-2020 to identify trends in the IHD-related mortality of patients ≥ 75 years in the US. AAMRs per 100,000 population and APC were calculated and categorized by year, sex, race, and geographic divisions.

Alcohol-induced liver injury is mediated via α4-containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors expressed in hepatocytes.

Background: Our previous study demonstrated that alcohol induced the expression of the α4 subunit of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the livers of wild type mice (WT), and that whole-body α4 nAChR knockout mice (α4KO) showed protection against alcohol-induced steatosis, inflammation, and injury. Based on these findings, we hypothesized that hepatocyte-specific α4 nAChRs may directly contribute to the detrimental effects of alcohol on the liver.

Methods: Hepatocyte-specific α4 knockout mice (α4HepKO) were generated, and the absence of α4 nAChR was confirmed through PCR of genomic DNA.

Lipidomics of Huntington's Disease: A Comprehensive Review of Current Status and Future Directions.

Background: Huntington's disease (HD) is a multifaceted neurological disorder characterized by the progressive deterioration of motor, cognitive, and psychiatric functions. Despite a limited understanding of its pathogenesis, research has implicated abnormal trinucleotide cytosine-adenine-guanine CAG repeat expansion in the huntingtin gene (HTT) as a critical factor. The development of innovative strategies is imperative for the early detection of predictive biomarkers, enabling timely intervention and mitigating irreversible cellular damage.

Genomic sequencing in diverse and underserved pediatric populations: parent perspectives on understanding, uncertainty, psychosocial impact, and personal utility of results.

Purpose: Limited evidence evaluates parents' perceptions of their child's clinical genomic sequencing (GS) results, particularly among individuals from medically underserved groups. Five Clinical Sequencing Evidence-Generating Research (CSER) consortium studies performed GS in children with suspected genetic conditions with high proportions of individuals from underserved groups to address this evidence gap.

Methods: Parents completed surveys of perceived understanding, personal utility, and test-related distress after GS result disclosure.

Outcomes of the Paul Glaucoma Implant in Refractory Secondary Glaucoma.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the Paul Glaucoma Implant (PGI) surgery in patients with secondary glaucomas.

Patients And Methods: Retrospective chart review of adult patients with medically recalcitrant secondary glaucoma who underwent PGI implantation at a single tertiary center between August 2022 and June 2023. The primary outcome measure was surgical success.

Postoperative Radiotherapy ± Cetuximab for Intermediate-Risk Head and Neck Cancer.

Purpose: Radiotherapy (RT)/cetuximab (C) demonstrated superiority over RT alone for locally advanced squamous head and neck cancer. We tested this in completely resected, intermediate-risk cancer.

Methods: Patients had squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) of the oral cavity, oropharynx, or larynx, with one or more risk factors warranting postoperative RT.

Irreversible Electroporation and β-Glucan Induced Trained Innate Immunity for the Treatment of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: A Phase II Study.

Introduction: Irreversible electroporation(IRE) has augmented the effects of certain immunotherapies in pancreatic cancer(PDA). Yeast-derived particulate beta-glucan induces trained innate immunity and has successfully reduces murine PC tumor burden. This is a Phase II study to test the hypothesis that IRE may augment beta-glucan induced trained immunity in patients with PDA.

Factors Associated With the Development of Heart Failure Following Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains a major global health burden, encompassing a spectrum of conditions from unstable angina to acute myocardial infarction. Despite advancements in early detection and management, ACS is often complicated by the development of heart failure. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to identify factors associated with the development of heart failure following acute coronary syndrome.

The potential link between the development of Alzheimer's disease and osteoporosis.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and osteoporosis (OP) pose distinct but interconnected health challenges, both significantly impacting the aging population. AD, a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by memory impairment and cognitive decline, is primarily associated with the accumulation of abnormally folded amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. OP, a skeletal disorder marked by low bone mineral density, involves dysregulation of bone remodeling and is associated with an increased risk of fractures.

Multi-Institutional Analysis of Pancreatoduodenectomy for Nonfamilial Periampullary Adenoma: A Novel Risk Score to Guide Shared Decision-Making.

Introduction: Pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) may occasionally be indicated for complete removal of periampullary (duodenal and ampullary) adenomas (PAs). As compared with malignant indications, PD for benign or pre-malignant disease is often associated with increased morbidity. While the Spigelman classification assesses malignancy risk for familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)-related duodenal adenomas, no malignancy risk score (MRS) exists for non-FAP related PAs.

How Pediatric Readiness can Impact Pediatric Trauma From Every Day to Mass Events.

Disaster events such as weather events and mass casualty events are increasing in frequency and severity. Caring for children during a surge requires a regional approach given limited pediatric inpatient capacity and expertise. During the 2024 American Academy of Pediatrics National Convention and Exhibition, the Section on Surgery and Council on Children and Disasters (COCD) partnered to present a joint symposium emphasizing importance of pediatric readiness and disaster preparedness and role of pediatric trauma surgeons in disaster preparedness and response in all communities.

Glutathione, Vitamin C, and Cysteine Use in Autistic Children With Disruptive Behavior: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Pilot Study.

Objective: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by social communication differences and restricted interests. One proposed biologic mechanism underlying ASD is oxidative stress, leading to the clinical use of glutathione based on anecdotal reports of improved behavior in autistic children. In this pilot study, we tested this observation using a randomized clinical trial format to collect preliminary data on glutathione safety and efficacy.

Frequency and reasons that parents decline genetic testing for critically ill neonates.

Purpose: Current literature reports strong support among parents for genetic testing for ill neonates; yet, some parents decline this testing for unknown reasons. We aimed to document the proportion of parents who decline, describe their clinical and demographic characteristics, and categorize their rationales.

Methods: We reviewed medical records to collect and compare clinical and demographic information for patients whose parents consented to and declined recommended genetic testing.

Risk Profile and Prognostic Implications of Premature Advanced Coronary Atherosclerotic Disease Among Young to Early Middle-aged Adults: The Coronary Artery Calcium Consortium.

Introduction: Premature advanced subclinical coronary atherosclerosis among young adults is an under-recognized and unique disease phenotype that has not been well characterized.

Methods: We used data from 44,047 participants with no prior CVD history (59.8% male) from the Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) Consortium.

The impact of aging on neutrophil functions and the contribution to periodontitis.

The increasing aging population and aging-associated diseases have become a global issue for decades. People over 65 show an increased prevalence and greater severity of periodontitis, which poses threats to overall health. Studies have demonstrated a significant association between aging and the dysfunction of neutrophils, critical cells in the early stages of periodontitis, and their crosstalk with macrophages and T and B lymphocytes to establish the periodontal lesion.

Incidence and Progression of Diastolic Dysfunction in People With HIV in Tanzania: A Comparative Cohort.

Background: People living with HIV (PLWH) have a higher prevalence of diastolic dysfunction and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in cross-sectional studies. Longitudinal data are lacking, especially from Africa.

Objectives: The aim was to examine: 1) the incidence of diastolic dysfunction in PLWH compared to community controls in Tanzania; 2) the progression of diastolic function and LVH in PLWH after antiretroviral therapy initiation; and 3) traditional, endemic, and HIV-specific risk factors for diastolic function and LVH.

Sociodemographic disparities in everyday discrimination among a national sample of adults in the United States, 2023.

Objective: Discrimination is a social determinant contributing to health inequities in the United States (US). This study investigated the prevalence of, and sociodemographic disparities in, perceived everyday discrimination among a national sample of US adults.

Methods: We used data from the 2023 National Health Interview Survey ( = 27,538) and estimated the prevalence of three perceived everyday discrimination outcomes (1) any discrimination, (2) unique components of the discrimination experience, and (3) the Everyday Discrimination Scale (EDS) (range: 0-20) overall and by age, sex assigned at birth, race and ethnicity, sexual orientation, educational attainment, income-to-poverty ratio, and urban-rural status.

Assessing Clinical Improvement of Infants Hospitalized for Respiratory Syncytial Virus-Related Critical Illness.

Background: Pediatric respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-related acute lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) commonly requires hospitalization. The Clinical Progression Scale Pediatrics (CPS-Ped) measures level of respiratory support and degree of hypoxia across a range of disease severity, but it has not been applied in infants hospitalized with severe RSV-LRTI.

Methods: We analyzed data from a prospective surveillance registry of infants hospitalized for RSV-related complications across 39 U.

Creating an Extremely Long-lasting Neuroischemic Wound Model.

In wound study and dressing development, a lack of a suitable animal model that can recapitulate the complex pathophysiology of human chronic wounds has been a major hurdle. Chronic wounds are defined as wounds that heal with a significant delay, usually over a period >2-3 months, but no current animal wound model has such a longischemia. After a longexploration, our group has developed an animal wound model with ischemia and nerve damage lasting for at least 6 months.

Cigar, Pipe, and Smokeless Tobacco Use and Cardiovascular Outcomes From Cross Cohort Collaboration.

Importance: Cardiovascular health outcomes associated with noncigarette tobacco products (cigar, pipe, and smokeless tobacco) remain unclear, yet such data are required for evidence-based regulation.

Objective: To investigate the association of noncigarette tobacco products with cardiovascular health outcomes.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This cohort study was conducted within the Cross Cohort Collaboration Tobacco Working Group by harmonizing tobacco-related data and conducting a pooled analysis from 15 US-based prospective cohorts with data on the use of at least 1 noncigarette tobacco product ranging between 1948 and 2015.

Electrospun nanofibers: Focus on local therapeutic delivery targeting infectious disease.

Whether it be due to genetic variances, lack of patient adherence, or sub-optimal drug metabolism, the risk of antibiotic resistance from medications administered systemically continues to pose significant challenges to fighting infectious diseases. Ideally, infections would be treated locally for maximal efficacy while minimizing off-target effects. The electrospinning of biomaterials has recently facilitated the creation of electrospun nanofibers as an alternative delivery vehicle for local treatment.

A Standardized Classification Scheme for Gastroduodenal Disorder Evaluation Using the Gastric Alimetry System: Prospective Cohort Study.

Background And Aims: Gastric Alimetry™ (Alimetry, New Zealand) is a new clinical test for gastroduodenal disorders involving simultaneous body surface gastric electrical mapping and validated symptom profiling. Studies have demonstrated a range of distinct pathophysiological profiles, and a classification scheme is now required. We used Gastric Alimetry spectral and symptom profiles to develop a mechanism-based test classification scheme, then assessed correlations with symptom severity, psychometrics, and quality of life.