A Simple Method to Analyze Context- and Tissue-Specific Cis-Regulatory Modulations of Homeotic (HOX) Genes Using ChIP.

Homeobox genes (HOX), the master regulators, deploy a unique set of target genes to coordinate and orchestrate the spatiotemporal development of an organism. HOX encoded transcriptional factors regulate the expression of target genes by binding to the specific sequences on the genome. Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and Chromatin Immunoprecipitation with Sequencing (ChIP-Seq) are widely used to map and understand specific gene locus and global regulatory regions on the genome.

Systolic Blood Pressure and Pulse Pressure in Heart Failure: Pooled Participant-Level Analysis of 4 Trials.

Background: Hypertension is common in patients with heart failure with mildly reduced or preserved ejection fraction (HFmrEF/HFpEF), and current guidelines recommend treating systolic blood pressure (SBP) to a target <130 mm Hg. However, data supporting treatment to this target are limited. Additionally, pulse pressure (PP), a marker of aortic stiffness, has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events, but its prognostic impact in HFpEF has not been extensively studied.

A vaccine against cytomegalovirus: how close are we?

The pursuit of a vaccine against the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) has been ongoing for more than 50 years. HCMV is the leading infectious cause of birth defects, including damage to the brain, and is a common cause of complications in organ transplantation. The complex biology of HCMV has made vaccine development difficult, but a recent meeting sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in September of 2023 brought together experts from academia, industry, and federal agencies to discuss progress in the field.

Preschool Children's Science Learning: Instructional Approaches and Individual Differences.

Research Findings: Early science skills predict later science achievement, and persistent achievement gaps in science appear as early as preschool. The current study compared the effectiveness of different instructional approaches for teaching preschoolers about sinking and floating and examined individual differences in learning. Participants were typically developing 4-5-year-olds (=93; 47% female).

Persistent Toughness and Heat Triggered Plasticization in Polylactide Modified with Poly(ethylene oxide)--poly(butylene oxide).

Poly(lactide) (PLA) is a promising biodegradable polymer with potential applications in single-use packaging. However, its use is limited by brittleness, and its biodegradability is restricted to industrial compost conditions due in part to an elevated glass transition temperature (). We previously showed that addition of a poly(ethylene-oxide)--poly(butylene oxide) diblock copolymer (PEO-PBO) forms macrophase-separated rubbery domains in PLA that can impart significant toughness at only 5 wt %.

Exploring symptom clusters and core symptoms during the vulnerable phase in patients with chronic heart failure: a network-based analysis.

Aims: To construct a symptom network of chronic heart failure patients in the vulnerable period and identify core symptoms and bridge symptoms between different symptom clusters.

Methods And Results: A convenience sampling method was used to select 402 patients with chronic heart failure within 3 months after discharge from the cardiology departments of two tertiary-level A hospitals in Zhenjiang City, and symptom-related entries of the Minnesota living with heart failure questionnaire (MLHFQ) were used to conduct the survey. Symptom networks were constructed using the R language.

Engraft: A Collaborative Learning Health Network for Enhanced Transplant and Cellular Therapy Outcomes.

The Engraft Learning Health Network (LHN) aims to improve outcomes for patients undergoing transplant and cellular therapy (TCT) through a collaborative, data-driven approach. Engraft brings together diverse stakeholders, including clinicians, patients, caregivers, and institutions, to standardize best practices and accelerate the dissemination of innovations in TCT care. By establishing a multicenter, real-world clinical registry focused on rapid-cycle quality improvement (QI) and implementation research, Engraft seeks to reduce variability in clinical practice to improve TCT outcomes across centers.

Challenges with effective removal of surfactants from monoclonal antibody formulations.

Buffer exchange is a critical step in biologics development, playing a pivotal role in removing contaminants, adjusting sample conditions, and facilitating compatibility studies. The efficiency of centrifugal concentrators for polysorbate removal was compared to a two-step approach involving a surfactant removal column followed by buffer exchange. Trastuzumab-pkrb from Herzuma® was used.

Persistent organic pollutants and endogenous sex-related hormones in Hispanic/Latino adults: The Hispanic Community health study/study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL).

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated associations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) with sex-related hormones; however, findings were inconsistent. Sex-specific impacts and pathways through which adiposity influences associations are not completely understood. We sought to evaluate sex-specific associations of POPs serum concentration with sex-related hormones and to explore pathways through which adiposity may modify associations.

Utility of color Doppler imaging in patients with retinoblastoma treated by intra-arterial chemotherapy.

Background: There are no clinical parameters that predict response to intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC), which is a first-line treatment for primary and recurrent unilateral retinoblastoma. We evaluated the utility of ophthalmic ultrasound with color Doppler imaging to predict retinoblastoma response to IAC treatment.

Methods: The medical records of 14 retinoblastoma patients (20 eyes) treated with IAC were reviewed retrospectively.

Temperature, violent crime, climate change, and vulnerability factors in 44 United States cities.

Biological and psychological theories suggest complex impacts of heat on aggression and violence. Most previous studies considered temporal intervals of months to years and assumed linear associations. Evidence is needed on daily impacts of temperature on crime, applying non-linear models across different locations.

Developing a community advisory board to combat ageism: process and preliminary outcomes.

Ageism - stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination based on chronological age - is a highly prevalent yet underrecognized form of social discrimination with detrimental effects on healthy aging. Combating ageism is essential for creating an age-friendly society; however, there is no consensus on the optimal approach for doing so. In this manuscript, we posit that community-based participatory research holds promise for addressing and reframing ageism, especially in underserved minoritized communities.

Adaptive Measurement of Change in the Context of Item Parameter Drift.

Adaptive measurement of change (AMC) uses computerized adaptive testing (CAT) to measure and test the significance of intraindividual change on one or more latent traits. The extant AMC research has so far assumed that item parameter values are constant across testing occasions. Yet item parameters might change over time, a phenomenon termed item parameter drift (IPD).

Food insecurity and women's mental health in the Chitwan Valley of Nepal.

Food insecurity is a major threat to global public health and sustainable development. As of 2022, 2.4 billion people worldwide experienced moderate to severe food insecurity.

Patient Insights on Integrating Sleep Apnea Testing into Routine Stroke and TIA Care.

AHA/ASA guidelines recommend patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) be considered for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) evaluation, given the high prevalence of OSA and improved outcomes for cerebrovascular disease when OSA is treated. However, OSA testing has not been incorporated into routine cerebrovascular management. We interviewed 30 patients hospitalized for acute stroke/TIA at six Veterans Affairs facilities participating in a stepped-wedge implementation trial to improve timely OSA testing after stroke/TIA.

Comparative effectiveness of school-based obesity prevention programs for children and adolescents: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Introduction: While many randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have demonstrated the positive effects of school-based programs in reducing body fat among children and teenagers, there is no conclusive evidence to indicate that one approach is superior to another, largely due to the lack of direct and indirect comparisons. This study evaluated the relative effectiveness of various school-based obesity prevention initiatives in improving body mass index (BMI) among children and adolescents using network meta-analysis.

Methods: Searches included four databases focusing on articles published in English between the years 2002 and 2024.

Patient-Reported Outcomes of Bicruciate Multiligament Versus Single Cruciate Multiligament Knee Injuries.

Background: Multiligament knee injuries (MLKIs) are heterogeneous, and bicruciate knee ligament injuries are considered a serious form of this injury. The current literature tends not to distinguish between single and bicruciate MLKI when reporting outcomes.

Purpose: To investigate patient-reported outcomes after surgical treatment of MLKI comparing single cruciate MLKI with bicruciate MLKI.

Psilocybin: From Psychiatric Pariah to Perceived Panacea.

Objective: The authors critically examine the evidence base for psilocybin administered with psychological support/therapy (PST) in the treatment of psychiatric disorders and offer practical recommendations to guide future research endeavors.

Methods: PubMed was searched for English-language articles from January 1998 to November 2023, using the search term "psilocybin." A total of 1,449 articles were identified and screened through titles and abstracts.

Activation of caged functional RNAs by an oxidative transformation.

RNA exhibits remarkable capacity as a functional polymer, with broader catalytic and ligand-binding capability than previously thought. Despite this, the low side chain diversity present in nucleic acids (two purines and two pyrimidines) relative to proteins (20+ side chains of varied charge, polarity, and chemical functionality) limits the capacity of functional RNAs to act as environmentally responsive polymers, as is possible for peptide-based receptors and catalysts. Here we show that incorporation of the modified nucleobase 2-thiouridine (2sU) into functional (aptamer and ribozyme) RNAs produces functionally inactivated polymers that can be activated by oxidative treatment.

The Perceived Impact of Global Surgery Engagement on Career Advancement among US Medical Students.

Introduction: There is growing interest among medical institutions to formalize global surgery training. Understanding medical students' perceptions of how global surgery engagement can enhance career advancement is essential for providing appropriate guidance and support for individuals with aspirations in academic global surgery.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey study of US-based medical students from 38 participating schools was performed.