Functional and Cognitive Impairment in Patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: Cognitive Tests and Plasma Neurofilament Light Chain Levels.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory, autoimmune, and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system. The disease can manifest and progress with both physical and cognitive symptoms, affecting the patient's daily activities. The aim of our study was to investigate the correlation between functional status, cognitive functions, and neurofilament light chain levels in plasma in MS patients.

Integrative proteogenomic analysis identifies COL6A3-derived endotrophin as a mediator of the effect of obesity on coronary artery disease.

Obesity strongly increases the risk of cardiometabolic diseases, yet the underlying mediators of this relationship are not fully understood. Given that obesity strongly influences circulating protein levels, we investigated proteins mediating the effects of obesity on coronary artery disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. By integrating two-step proteome-wide Mendelian randomization, colocalization, epigenomics and single-cell RNA sequencing, we identified five mediators and prioritized collagen type VI α3 (COL6A3).

A Call for a Neoadjuvant Kidney Cancer Consortium: Lessons Learned from Other Cancer Types.

Neoadjuvant systemic treatment strategies have improved outcomes in several solid tumour types. This success has not yet been replicated in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). A consensus and international collaboration are urgently needed for the development of adaptive perioperative immunotherapy strategies for patients with RCC at high risk of recurrence.

Characteristics of children and adolescents with multidrug-resistant and rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis and their association with treatment outcomes: a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis.

Background: There are few data on the treatment of children and adolescents with multidrug-resistant (MDR) or rifampicin-resistant (RR) tuberculosis, especially with more recently available drugs and regimens. We aimed to describe the clinical and treatment characteristics and their associations with treatment outcomes in this susceptible population.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis.

Association of Alcohol Use Disorder and Perioperative Complications and Adverse Events After Spinal Fusion Surgery During the In-hospital Period: An Analysis of the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) Database.

Objective: Alcohol use disorder carries major effects shown to limit social support, increase recovery times, and lead to a higher incidence of surgical complications. This retrospective cohort study investigated the influence of AUD on perioperative outcomes and adverse events after spinal fusions in the largest sample size to date and spanning 11 years.

Methods: Data for adult (>18 years old) patients who underwent a spinal fusion as their primary surgery were identified from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database for the years 2009-2020.

Characterization of gene-environment interactions for vitamin D through variance quantitative trait loci: a UK Biobank-based genetic epidemiology study.

Background: Understanding gene-environment interactions associated with vitamin D status may refine nutrition and public health strategies for vitamin D deficiency. Recent methodological advances have enabled the identification of variance quantitative trait loci (vQTLs) where gene-environment interactions are enriched.

Objectives: To identify vQTLs for serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25OHD) concentrations and characterize potential gene-environment interactions of vQTLs.

Polygenic risk discriminates Lewy body dementia from Alzheimer's disease.

Introduction: Lewy body dementia (LBD) shares genetic risk factors with Alzheimer's disease (AD), including apolipoprotein E (APOE), but is distinguishable at the genome-wide level. Polygenic risk scores (PRS) may therefore improve diagnostic classification.

Methods: We assessed diagnostic classification using AD-PRS excluding APOE (AD-PRS ), APOE risk score (APOE-RS), and plasma phosphorylated tau 181 (p-tau181), in 83 participants with LBD, 27 with positron emission tomography amyloid beta (Aβ)positive mild cognitive impairment or AD (MCI+/AD), and 57 controls.

Serious Bacterial Infections and Hepatitis C Virus Among People Who Inject Drugs: A Syndemic or Intertwined Epidemics?

Limited research has examined the possible synergistic interrelationships between serious bacterial infections (SBIs) of the heart (i.e., endocarditis), bone, spine, brain, or joints (e.

Long term outcomes associated with the use of perioperative systemic chemotherapy on low grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasms with pseudomyxoma peritonei treated with cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

Introduction: Low grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasms (LAMN) are indolent tumors that lack invasive potential but may present as pseudomyxoma peritonei. Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) significantly improves both overall and recurrence free survival. While systemic chemotherapy is generally considered ineffective for LAMN, little literature is available to support this notion.

Hip Arthroscopy and Its Impact on Performance in National Hockey League Players Using Team-Based Advanced Performance Statistics.

Background: Ice hockey players have a high rate of hip pathology, which can lead to hip arthroscopy. Previous studies have not utilized team-based advanced performance statistics in the setting of hip arthroscopy in National Hockey League (NHL) players.

Purpose/hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to use team-based advanced performance statistics to evaluate postoperative performance after hip arthroscopy in NHL players in comparison with their preoperative performance and matched controls of uninjured skaters.

A Longitudinal Investigation of Trans and Nonbinary Youth Identity: Individual Processes and Family Agreement in the Trans Teen and Family Narratives Project.

Few studies have focused on transgender and nonbinary youths' (TNBY) gender development and even less well understood is how family members understand TNBY identity. The current study investigated: a) how TNBY describe their gender identity over time, and b) how family members understand TNBY gender identity over time. The baseline sample included 96 members of 33 families (33 TNBY, 48 cisgender caregivers, 15 siblings) from the United States; 30 families continued after Wave 1.

Computational Nuclear Oncology Toward Precision Radiopharmaceutical Therapies: Ethical, Regulatory, and Socioeconomic Dimensions of Theranostic Digital Twins.

Computational nuclear oncology for precision radiopharmaceutical therapy (RPT) is a new frontier for theranostic treatment personalization. A key strategy relies on the possibility to incorporate clinical, biomarker, image-based, and dosimetric information in theranostic digital twins (TDTs) of patients to move beyond a one-size-fits-all approach. The TDT framework enables treatment optimization by real-time monitoring of the real-world system, simulation of different treatment scenarios, and prediction of resulting treatment outcomes, as well as facilitating collaboration and knowledge sharing among health care professionals adopting a harmonized TDT.

Embracing the Future of Clinical Trials in Radiotherapy: An NRG Oncology CIRO Technology Retreat Whitepaper on Pioneering Technologies and AI-Driven Solutions.

This white paper examines the potential of pioneering technologies and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven solutions in advancing clinical trials involving radiotherapy. As the field of radiotherapy evolves, the integration of cutting-edge approaches such as radiopharmaceutical dosimetry, FLASH radiotherapy, image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT), and AI promises to improve treatment planning, patient care, and outcomes. Additionally, recent advancements in quantum science, linear energy transfer/relative biological effect (LET/RBE), and the combination of radiotherapy and immunotherapy create new avenues for innovation in clinical trials.

Staffing Paradigm for Infection Prevention and Control in the Era of Antimicrobial Resistance: the Veterans Health Administration Experience.

Antimicrobial resistance and other emerging healthcare complexities continue to challenge infection prevention and control (IPC) resources. The Veterans Health Administration developed a comprehensive prevention approach to address multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), including a unique staffing model to complement infection preventionists. In particular, the MDRO Prevention Coordinator was established to support MDRO prevention initiatives.

Comparing Midline and Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters-A Randomized Feasibility Trial.

Objectives: The most effective use of midline catheters in children is not understood. We aimed to (1) test the feasibility of a trial comparing peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) to midline catheters in hospitalized children in need of durable vascular access and (2) collect preliminary effectiveness data of the 2 devices.

Methods: Our study combined a single site, randomized controlled feasibility trial (RCT, primary study) and a prospective observational study (alternative study) comparing PICCs to midline catheters.

Gadopiclenol Enables Reduced Gadolinium Dose While Maintaining Quality of Pulmonary Arterial Enhancement for Pulmonary MRA: An Opportunity for Improved Safety and Sustainability.

Rationale And Objectives: Pulmonary magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is an imaging method with proven utility for the exclusion of pulmonary embolism and avoids the need for ionizing radiation and iodinated contrast agents. High-relaxivity gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs), such as gadopiclenol, can be used to reduce the required gadolinium dose for pulmonary MRA. The aim of this study was to compare the contrast enhancement performance of gadopiclenol with an established gadobenate dimeglumine-enhanced pulmonary MRA protocol.

Third Proceedings of The North American Airway Collaborative (NoAAC): Consensus Statement on Trial Design for Airway Stenosis.

Importance: Airway stenosis is a rare but debilitating disorder that significantly degrades the quality of life in affected patients. Treatments are primarily surgical, and disease management lacks established medical therapies. The North American Airway Collaborative held its third symposium at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, on April 15, 2024, focused on strategies to advance the care of these patients.

Evolution of sleep disordered breathing in infants with achondroplasia.

Purpose: Children with achondroplasia (ACH) are at risk for sudden death in infancy due to sleep disordered breathing (SDB) and foramen magnum stenosis (FMS). Sleep studies and neuroimaging are performed in infants with ACH, but interpretation of infant studies is challenging. We sought to describe baseline data on polysomnography (PSG) indices in infants with achondroplasia as well as effects of age and surgery on these parameters.

Shared signaling pathways and comprehensive therapeutic approaches among diabetes complications.

The growing global prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM), along with its associated complications, continues to rise. When clinically detected most DM complications are irreversible. It is therefore crucial to detect and address these complications early and systematically in order to improve patient care and outcomes.

Identify biological Alzheimer's disease using a novel nucleic acid-linked protein immunoassay.

Blood-based biomarkers have been revolutionizing the detection, diagnosis and screening of Alzheimer's disease. Specifically, phosphorylated-tau variants (p-tau, p-tau and p-tau) are promising biomarkers for identifying Alzheimer's disease pathology. Antibody-based assays such as single molecule arrays immunoassays are powerful tools to investigate pathological changes indicated by blood-based biomarkers and have been studied extensively in the Alzheimer's disease research field.

Access to CARe: A Narrative of Real-World Medical Decision-Making to Access Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-Cell Therapy in Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is a potentially life-saving treatment for children with relapsed/refractory B-cell hematologic malignancies, and remains an important investigational therapy for other childhood cancers. Yet, access to this class of therapies remains suboptimal through both commercial use and clinical trials, especially in children, adolescents, and young adults. Using a series of case-based discussions, we outline guidance on real-world medical decision-making, and offer potential solutions to enhancing access to CAR T-cell therapy as a treatment modality.