The Conceptual Framework: A Practical Guide.

There is no single definition of the conceptual framework (CF) or consensus on how it is best applied in the research process. However, in this piece, the authors argue that the CF is a tool used to link the literature review, research methodology, and study design. The CF grounds the study in the previous literature, theories, and models.

Quantifying brain development in the HEALthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study: The magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy protocol.

The HEALthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study, a multi-site prospective longitudinal cohort study, will examine human brain, cognitive, behavioral, social, and emotional development beginning prenatally and planned through early childhood. The acquisition of multimodal magnetic resonance-based brain development data is central to the study's core protocol. However, application of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) methods in this population is complicated by technical challenges and difficulties of imaging in early life.

BAFF promotes follicular helper T cell development and germinal center formation through BR3 signal.

T follicular helper (Tfh) cells represent an important subset of CD4+ T cells that is crucial to the maturation and differentiation of B cells and the production of high-affinity antibodies. Because B cell activating-factor (BAFF), a vital B cell survival factor, is also crucial to B cell maturation and differentiation, we assessed the effects of BAFF on Tfh cell development and function. We demonstrated that deficiency of BAFF, but not of APRIL, markedly inhibited Tfh cell development, germinal center (GC) formation, and antigen-specific antibody production.

Comparing the Ability of Google and ChatGPT to Accurately Respond to Oculoplastics-Related Patient Questions and Generate Customized Oculoplastics Patient Education Materials.

Purpose: To compare the accuracy and readability of responses to oculoplastics patient questions provided by Google and ChatGPT. Additionally, to assess the ability of ChatGPT to create customized patient education materials.

Methods: We executed a Google search to identify the 3 most frequently asked patient questions (FAQs) related to 10 oculoplastics conditions.

Evaluating the 2023 Standardized Letter of Recommendation Form in Applications to Orthopaedic Surgery Residency.

Background: Successfully matching into orthopaedic surgery residency is a challenging endeavor due to the limited number of available positions. Implementation of the Standard Letter of Recommendation (SLOR) in 2017 was intended to allow better comparisons between applicants; however, the form suffered from notable rank inflation ultimately requiring introduction of an updated SLOR for the 2023 to 2024 application cycle. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the 2023 SLOR improves on deficiencies of the 2017 SLOR.

Comparative Analysis of ERCP and PTBD for Biliary Interventions for Readmission Rates and Patient Outcomes.

Background: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) are interventions used to relieve biliary obstruction. The utility of ERCP compared with PTBD is not fully understood from a utilization outcome standpoint. Our study compares readmission rates and hospitalization outcomes in ERCP and PTBD.

Vaping Devices with Video Games.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other agencies have warned e-cigarette to companies to stop selling vaping products that look like toys because these products could attract youth to nicotine use. The vaping industry has gone a step further, producing vaping devices that are fully functional video games. We have observed several new vaping devices that contain youth-oriented video games such as Pac-Man, Tetris, Mario, Q*bert, and virtual pets.

Technology-Based Interventions, with a Stepped Care Approach, for Reducing Sexual Risk Behaviors and Increasing PrEP Initiation Among Transgender and Gender Expansive Youth and Young Adults.

TechStep was a technology-based trial, with a stepped care approach, to reduce sexual risks and increase PrEP uptake among transgender and gender expansive youth and young adults (15-24 years old). From October 2019 to September 2021, 254 participants were randomized into: 1) Text (n = 82), or 2) Webapp (n = 87), or 3) Control (n = 85). At the 3-month follow-up assessment, those randomized to Text and Webapp and did not demonstrate improvement on primary outcomes were re-randomized to receive virtual eCoaching (Text + or Webapp +), or to remain in their initial condition without eCoaching.

Kinetic Modeling of In Vivo K Distribution and Fluxes with Stable K Isotopes: Effects of Dietary K Restriction.

Maintaining extracellular potassium (K) within narrow limits, critical for membrane potential and excitability, is accomplished through the internal redistribution of K between extracellular fluid (ECF) and intracellular fluid (ICF) in concert with the regulation of renal K output to balance K intake. Here we present evidence from high-precision analyses of stable K isotopes in rats maintained on a control diet that the tissues and organs involved in the internal redistribution of K differ in their speed of K exchange with ECF and can be grouped into those that exchange K with ECF either rapidly or more slowly ("fast" and "slow" pools). After 10 days of K restriction, a compartmental analysis indicates that the sizes of the ICF K pools decreased but that this decrease in ICF K pools was not homogeneous, rather occurring only in the slow pool (15% decrease, < 0.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunt Infections.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt infections are a particularly challenging clinical problem. This review article addresses epidemiology and microbiology of CSF shunt infections. Clinical care is reviewed in detail, including recent guidelines and systematic review articles.

Backtracking childhood leukaemia to birth: A battle of addition.

Paediatric leukaemia has a long tail of driver mutations each of which must be 'backtracked' to samples taken at birth to identify the prenatal origin of a subtype. Presently, Bardini et al. describe the first successful backtracking of an NUTM1 rearrangement, which sheds light on the biology of this particular alteration.

A prospective longitudinal investigation of the trajectory of obsessive-compulsive symptoms during adolescence.

Obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS) increase with age during childhood and adolescence, and subthreshold OCS in childhood associate with a higher probability of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) diagnosis in adulthood. Additionally, average age of onset for OCD is in adolescence, with the majority of OCD cases emerging by early adulthood. Despite these trends, the specific course of OCS development in adolescence is relatively unknown.

Status of LGBTQ+ Inclusion: Multi-Institution Assessment of US Radiology Residencies.

Introduction: An inclusive residency program is crucial to the recruitment and retention of competitive and diverse applicants. The radiology lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, or another diverse gender identity (LGBTQ+) inclusion audit was published in 2022, which provided a road map for assessing the inclusivity of a program's policies, facilities, culture, and engagement. In this multi-institutional trial, we detail the results of the LGBTQ+ inclusion audit for nine US radiology residency programs.

Contributions of each of the BAFF receptors to the lymphocyte profiles in C57BL/6 mice.

BAFF, a vital B cell survival and differentiation factor, has three receptors: B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA), transmembrane activator and CAML interactor (TACI) and BR3. Although B cells are greatly reduced in B6.Baff (which harbour no BAFF) and B6.

Randomized pilot trial of cell phone support to improve medication adherence among adolescents and young adults with chronic health conditions.

Introduction: Adolescents and young adults (AYA) living with chronic medical conditions often struggle to develop medication adherence skills. This pilot trial evaluated the impact of a mobile health coaching intervention, Cell Phone Support (CPS), on medication adherence.

Methods: Interventions in this randomized trial were CPS delivered by phone calls (CPS-C), CPS delivered by text messages (CPS-T), or automated text message reminders (ATR).

Effects of a fruit-ice combination flavor on appeal and sensory experience of vaping and moderation by preexisting e-cigarette flavor preference.

E-cigarettes with ice flavors, which are products with a cooling agent added to a characterizing flavor (e.g., grape-ice), are widely sold.

Perinatal arterial ischemic stroke diagnosed in infants receiving therapeutic hypothermia for hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.

Background: Both perinatal arterial ischemic stroke (PAIS) and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) can present with neonatal encephalopathy. We hypothesized that among infants undergoing therapeutic hypothermia, presence of PAIS is associated with a higher risk of seizures and a lower risk of persistent encephalopathy after rewarming.

Methods: We studied 473 infants with moderate or severe HIE enrolled in the HEAL Trial who received a brain MRI.