Increased risk of pulmonary embolism in patients with dermatomyositis/polymyositis, a retrospective cohort study from Israel.

Background: Despite the well-established association between chronic inflammatory conditions and pulmonary embolism(PE), previous investigations of the relationship between Dermatomyositis(DM) and Polymyositis(PM) with PE were scarce and have been subject to significant limitations, including small sample sizes and failure to account for potential confounders.

Objectives: To investigate the correlation between DM/PM and PE, as well as assessing the impact of serologic status, myonecrosis, and inflammation markers on this relationship.

Methods: In this large, nationwide population-based study, we used the Clalit Health Services medical database and extracted all DM/PM patients who were first diagnosed between 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2018 and compared them with age and gender matched controls in a ratio of 1:5.

Looking beyond seeing: Components of visual-spatial ability as an overarching process.

Visual-spatial skills have been a fertile ground for assessing aspects of intelligence and investigating its components. The initial goal of this bipartite study was to elucidate the nature of the underlying components of visual-spatial processes and the relations among them. The second goal was examination of a higher, overarching factor, underlying spatial ability but also lexical-semantic performance as well.

ZnR/GPR39 regulates hepatic insulin signaling, tunes liver bioenergetics and ROS production, and mitigates liver fibrosis and injury.

Adequate supply of zinc is essential for hepatic function and its deficiency is associated with acute liver injury (ALI) and chronic nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, how zinc controls hepatic function is unknown. We found that the zinc sensitive ZnR/GPR39, a mediator of zinc signaling, enhances hepatic phosphorylation of ERK1/2, which is reduced in ZnR/GPR39 deficient livers.

Real-world treatment patterns, biomarker testing, and clinical outcomes of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer patients in the immunotherapy era.

Background: Treatment for first-line (1L) metastatic non-small cell cancer (mNSCLC) changed with the introduction of immunotherapy. We describe treatment utilization and clinical outcomes in a real-world mNSCLC cohort in a 2.7-million-member state-mandated health provider.

SIRT6-dependent functional switch via K494 modifications of RE-1 silencing transcription factor.

RE-1 silencing transcription factor (REST) is a key repressor of neural genes. REST is upregulated under stress signals, aging and neurodegenerative diseases, but although it is upregulated, its function is lost in Alzheimer's Disease. However, why it becomes inactive remains unclear.

Nationwide analysis of air pollution hotspots across India: A spatiotemporal PM trend analysis (2008-2019).

Introduction: India experiences high levels of air pollution as measured by fine particulate matter <2.5 μm (PM) across the country. With limited resources, it is imperative to identify the most impacted areas.

Curalin supplement as add-on therapy for type 2 diabetes Mellitus.

Aims: To examine the efficacy and safety of Curalin, as a supplement to anti-diabetic drugs (ADD).

Methods: 135 patients were enrolled in the study. Among them, 109, ages 18-85 years, with HA1c 7.

CRISPR spacers acquired from plasmids primarily target backbone genes, making them valuable for predicting potential hosts and host range.

In recent years, there has been a surge in metagenomic studies focused on identifying plasmids in environmental samples. Although these studies have unearthed numerous novel plasmids, enriching our understanding of their environmental roles, a significant gap remains: the scarcity of information regarding the bacterial hosts of these newly discovered plasmids. Furthermore, even when plasmids are identified within bacterial isolates, the reported host is typically limited to the original isolate, with no insights into alternative hosts or the plasmid's potential host range.

Professional development: a mixed methods study of Masters of Public Health alumni.

Introduction: We examined the perceptions of the Master of Public Health (MPH) degree graduates regarding their personal competencies, job performance and professional development using a mixed method, explanatory sequential design.

Methods: A cross-sectional, self-administered questionnaire of the Haifa School of Public Health alumni who graduated between 2005 and 2022 was disseminated to 849 graduates between March and June 2022, from which 127 responded (response rate: 14.90%).

Imaging blood-brain barrier dysfunction in drug-resistant epilepsy: A multi-center feasibility study.

Objective: Blood-brain barrier dysfunction (BBBD) has been linked to various neurological disorders, including epilepsy. This study aims to utilize dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) to identify and compare brain regions with BBBD in patients with epilepsy (PWE) and healthy individuals.

Methods: We scanned 50 drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) patients and 58 control participants from four global specialized epilepsy centers using DCE-MRI.

Enhancing Coronary Revascularization Decisions: The Promising Role of Large Language Models as a Decision-Support Tool for Multidisciplinary Heart Team.

Background: While clinical practice guidelines advocate for multidisciplinary heart team (MDHT) discussions in coronary revascularization, variability in implementation across health care settings remains a challenge. This variability could potentially be addressed by language learning models like ChatGPT, offering decision-making support in diverse health care environments. Our study aims to critically evaluate the concordance between recommendations made by MDHT and those generated by language learning models in coronary revascularization decision-making.

Prestige of disciplines within the field of nursing: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Considering the global shortage of nurses, leaders in the field must understand the strengths and weaknesses of various nursing specialties in order to retain professionals within the field. Occupational prestige reflects the perceived contribution of an occupation 'to society', and measures its desirability, benefit and values. Understanding how experienced nurses view the prestige of nursing specialties may help to explain why some specialties are more desirable than others.

Perinatal outcomes in pregnancies achieved after fertility treatments with and without diet-controlled GDM.

Objective: To evaluate the rates of adverse perinatal outcomes among women who conceived after fertility treatments with and without diet-controlled GDM.

Methods: In this retrospective population-based cohort study, all pregnancies of non-diabetic and diet-controlled GDM women who conceived after fertility treatments (in-vitro fertilization - IVF and ovulation induction - OI) and delivered between the years 1996-2016 in a tertiary medical center, were included. Pregnancies of women with pre-gestational diabetes mellitus, and those complicated with gestational diabetes mellitus A2, multiple pregnancies, congenital malformations and those lacking prenatal care, were excluded.

Stress and Pregnancy Outcomes: A Review of the Literature.

The human body has the ability to adapt to changing circumstances, and mobilizes various biological systems in order to do so. When exposed to stressful conditions, the endocrine, nervous, and immune systems come together to aid in maintaining homeostasis; however, during periods of chronic stress, these systems can become maladaptive and lead to long-term detrimental health outcomes. Amongst the lingering effects associated with chronic stress exposure, increasingly, studies are identifying a link to adverse pregnancy and neonatal outcomes.

Fentanyl Initiation Rate Following the Requirement for Specialist Approval.

Background: Healthcare organizations attempt to address unwarranted fentanyl use, which often leads to increased risk of addiction and overdose.

Objective: To assess the impact of a requirement for a specialist's approval on fentanyl initiation for non-oncological pain.

Design: A retrospective cohort study based on observational data.

Lateral and medial telencephalic pallium lesions impair spatial memory in goldfish.

Fish, like many other animals, navigate to ensure survival. While the telencephalon region of the teleost fish brain is believed to play a critical role in navigation, lesion and electrophysiology studies differ as to whether navigation is situated in the lateral pallium or the medial pallium. To address this inconsistency, we replicated combined behavioral and lesion studies in the goldfish.

Candidate stem cell isolation and transplantation in Hexacorallia.

Stem cells are the foundation for cell therapy due to their ability to self-renew, differentiate into other cell types, and persist throughout the life of an organism. Stem cell isolation and transplantation have not yet been established in Hexacorallia, a cnidarian subclass containing stony corals and sea anemones. Here, we demonstrate that candidate stem cells in the hexacorallian Nematostella vectensis can be transplanted into adult animals.

A molecular mechanism for bright color variation in parrots.

Parrots produce stunning plumage colors through unique pigments called psittacofulvins. However, the mechanism underlying their ability to generate a spectrum of vibrant yellows, reds, and greens remains enigmatic. We uncover a unifying chemical basis for a wide range of parrot plumage colors, which result from the selective deposition of red aldehyde- and yellow carboxyl-containing psittacofulvin molecules in developing feathers.