Control of neurovascular coupling by ATP-sensitive potassium channels.

Regional blood flow within the brain is tightly coupled to regional neuronal activity, a process known as neurovascular coupling (NVC). In this study, we demonstrate the striking role of SUR2- and Kir6.1-dependent ATP-sensitive potassium (K) channels in control of NVC in the sensory cortex of conscious mice, in response to mechanical stimuli.

Differentiating the contributions of Na/K pump current and persistent Na current in simulated voltage-clamp experiments.

The persistent Na current (I) is thought to play important roles in many brain regions including the generation of inspiration in the ventral respiratory column (VRC) of mammals. The characterization of the slow inactivation of I requires long-lasting voltage steps (>1 s), which will increase intracellular Na and activate the Na/K-ATPase pump current (I). Thus, I may contribute to the previously measured slow inactivation of I and the generation of the inspiratory bursting rhythm.

Retrospective Study of the Efficacy of Biofeedback Therapy for Pediatric Persistent Posttraumatic Headache.

Background: Posttraumatic headache is common in pediatrics. Studies have examined treatment of postconcussion symptoms, but few target posttraumatic headache. Biofeedback therapy has been studied in children and teens with primary headaches, but not posttraumatic headache.

Chronic high fat diet-induced cerebrovascular remodeling impairs recovery of blood flow after cerebral ischemia in mice.

Obesity and associated metabolic disturbances worsen brain ischemia outcome. High fat diet (HFD)-fed mice are obese and have cerebrovascular remodeling and worsened brain ischemia outcome. We determined whether HFD-induced cerebrovascular remodeling impaired reperfusion to the ischemic penumbra.

Assays to Enhance Metabolic Phenotyping in the Kidney.

The kidney is highly metabolically active, and injury induces changes in metabolism that can impact repair and fibrosis progression. Changes in expression of metabolism-related genes and proteins provide valuable data, but functional metabolic assays are critical to confirm changes in metabolic activity. Stable isotope metabolomics are the gold standard, but these involve considerable cost and specialized expertise.

No Injury Observed in Kidneys Treated with Burst Wave Lithotripsy in Therapeutically Anticoagulated Pigs.

Current American Urological Association guidelines recommend that patients with acute obstructive kidney stone requiring continuous anticoagulation/antiplatelet therapy should not be treated by shockwave lithotripsy or percutaneous nephrolithotomy because of the risk of catastrophic renal hemorrhage possible with those techniques. Currently, ureteroscopy is the only recommended surgical treatment. We evaluated if burst wave lithotripsy (BWL) could be used in these cases by treating pigs with BWL while undergoing anticoagulation therapy.

Impact of Gender Identity Field in the Veterans Health Administration Electronic Health Record, 2016‒2023.

To distinguish differences in physical and mental health between transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) veterans identified via diagnostic codes, self-identification, and their combination. We used sociodemographic characteristics and physical and mental health diagnoses for TGD veterans receiving care in Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Among the cohort of 12 745 TGD veterans, 69.

The impact of FDA-cleared molecular solutions for BK polyomavirus quantitation.

Accurate detection and monitoring of BK polyomavirus (BKV) infection is of critical importance in the post-transplant period, guiding treatment decisions that balance the anti-rejection effects of immune suppression with host-protective effects of immune defense. Historically, test methods for BKV have been independently developed by laboratories to address this unmet need. However, these assays can suffer from inconsistencies in analytical variability, which in turn have hindered the establishment of commutable and clinically actionable viral load thresholds for clinical management.

Climate change and the cost-of-living squeeze in desert lizards.

Climate warming can induce a cost-of-living "squeeze" in ectotherms by increasing energetic expenditures while reducing foraging gains. We used biophysical models (validated by 2685 field observations) to test this hypothesis for 10 ecologically diverse lizards in African and Australian deserts. Historical warming (1950-2020) has been more intense in Africa than in Australia, translating to an energetic squeeze for African diurnal species.

Mechanism of Fe(II) Chemisorption on Hematite(001) Revealed by Reactive Neural Network Potential Molecular Dynamics.

Atomic-scale understanding of important geochemical processes including sorption, dissolution, nucleation, and crystal growth is difficult to obtain from experimental measurements alone and would benefit from strong continuous progress in molecular simulation. To this end, we present a reactive neural network potential-based molecular dynamics approach to simulate the interaction of aqueous ions on mineral surfaces in contact with liquid water, taking Fe(II) on hematite(001) as a model system. We show that a single neural network potential predicts rate constants for water exchange for aqueous Fe(II) and for the exergonic chemisorption of aqueous Fe(II) on hematite(001) in good agreement with experimental observations.

Quick Freezing-Induced Au Nanoparticle Aggregates (QFIAAs) for Near-IR (NIR) Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) Substrates.

Here, we report a simple method to prepare near-IR (NIR) surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates by quickly freezing a citrate-capped Au nanoparticle (AuNP) solution in liquid nitrogen, followed by thawing it at room temperature. This process aggregates AuNPs in a controlled manner by forming ice crystals with smaller grain sizes when compared to a slow freezing process. The resulting smaller AuNP aggregates remain suspended in solution long enough to conduct high-throughput chemical analysis in a microwell plate using the NIR SERS spectroscopy.

Your Blood is Out for Delivery: Considerations of Shipping Time and Temperature on Degradation of RNA from Stabilized Whole Blood.

Remote research studies are an invaluable tool for reaching populations with limited access to large medical centers or universities. To expand the remote study toolkit, we previously developed homeRNA, which allows for at-home self-collection and stabilization of blood and demonstrated the feasibility of using homeRNA in high temperature climates. Here, we expand upon this work through a systematic study exploring the effects of high temperature on RNA integrity (represented as RNA Integrity Number, RIN) through in-lab and field experiments.

Estimating the Proportion of Telehealth-Able United States Emergency Department Visits.

Study Objective: We use national emergency department (ED) data to identify the proportion of "telehealth-able" ED visits, defined as potentially conductible by Video Only or Video Plus (with limited outpatient testing).

Methods: We used ED visits by patients 4 years of age and older from the 2019 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and applied survey weighting for national representativeness. Two raters categorized patient-described Reasons for Visit (RFV) as telehealth-able (yes, no, uncertain) for both Video Only and Video Plus visits.

Age-Related Ventricular Tachycardia Substrate Characteristics for Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot Before Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve Placement.

Background: Ventricular tachycardia (VT) substrate characteristics before transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement (TPVR) in repaired tetralogy of Fallot (rTOF) are unknown.

Objectives: In this study, the authors sought to evaluate substrates for sustained monomorphic VT before TPVR in rTOF.

Methods: Retrospective (2017 to 2021) and prospective (commencing 2021) rTOF patients with native right ventricular outflow tract referred for electrophysiology study (EPS) before TPVR were included.

Adolescent Coronal Shear Fractures of the Distal Humerus: Surgical Approach and Outcomes.

Purpose: Isolated coronal shear fractures of the distal humerus in adolescents are rare injuries with unique surgical challenges. Respect for the posterior blood supply, open physes, and need for direct visualization to achieve anatomic reduction are critical considerations in surgical fixation. This study presents a case series and a surgical approach used in treating these patients.

Statin Use With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors and Survival in Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer.

Objective: To determine the association between concurrent statin use with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and lung cancer-specific and overall mortality in patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Materials And Methods: SEER-Medicare was used to conduct a retrospective study of Medicare beneficiaries ≥65 years of age diagnosed with NSCLC between 2007 and 2017 treated with an ICI. Patients were followed from date of first ICI claim until death, 1 month from last ICI claim, or 12/31/2018, whichever came first.

Diverse perspectives on supporting the health and wellness of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Background: Persons with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) are a growing population, frequently living with complex health conditions and unmet healthcare needs. Traditional clinical practice and research methods and measures may require adaptation to reflect their preferences.

Objective: The perspectives of people with IDD, caregivers/partners, and clinicians were obtained to provide insight into factors contributing to the health and wellness of people with IDD.

Impact of orthognathic surgery on the cheek area using the Barcelona line.

A facial appearance of premature aging due to poor bone support of the soft tissues is frequently found in patients with midface hypoplasia. This study was performed to evaluate the changes in the soft tissues of the cheek area in patients subjected to bimaxillary orthognathic surgery. The cheek line angle and length of 27 consecutive patients who underwent bimaxillary surgery, were measured on cone beam computed tomography scans obtained before surgery and at 1 and 12 months after surgery using 3D software.

Development of TAR-200: A novel targeted releasing system designed to provide sustained delivery of gemcitabine for patients with bladder cancer.

Treatment options for recurrent high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (HR NMIBC) and muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) are limited, highlighting a need for clinically effective, accessible, and better-tolerated alternatives. In this review we examine the clinical development program of TAR-200, a novel targeted releasing system designed to provide sustained intravesical delivery of gemcitabine to address the needs of patients with NMIBC and of those with MIBC. We describe the concept and design of TAR-200 and the clinical development of this gemcitabine intravesical system in the SunRISe portfolio of studies.

ACUTE HYPERGLYCEMIA INDUCES PODOCYTE APOPTOSIS BY MONOCYTE TNF-α RELEASE, A PROCESS ATTENUATED BY VITAMIN D AND GLP-1 RECEPTOR AGONISTS.

Targeting optimal glycemic control based on hemoglobin A1c (A1c) values reduces but does not abolish the onset of diabetic kidney disease and its progression to chronic kidney disease (CKD). This suggests that factors other than the average glucose contribute to the residual risk. Vitamin D deficiency and frequent episodes of acute hyperglycemia (AH) are associated with the onset of albuminuria and CKD progression in diabetes.

Eighth Annual Society of Thoracic Surgeons Pedimacs Report.

Background: The Pediatric Interagency Registry for Mechanical Circulatory Support (Pedimacs), supported by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, provides detailed information on pediatric patients supported with ventricular assist devices (VADs).

Methods: From September 19, 2012, to December 31, 2023, there were 1648 devices in 1349 patients (<19 years) from 39 North American Hospitals with 100 patients enrolled in 2023.

Results: Cardiomyopathy was the most common underlying etiology (59%), followed by congenital heart disease (26%) and myocarditis (8%).