Identity change metaphors in public blogs written by people living with dementia and their care partners.

Dementia and the associated stigma pose unique threats to the identity of persons with dementia, triggering attempts to cope with resulting identity changes. We explore identity change narratives and metaphors written by people with dementia and care partners in public blog posts. These metaphors reflect bloggers' motivation to adapt, adjust, and cope with identity change and their motives to challenge common misunderstandings of dementia as a complete loss of selfhood.

Combining Top-Down and Bottom-Up: An Open Microfluidic Microtumor Model for Investigating Tumor Cell-ECM Interaction and Anti-Metastasis.

Using a combined top-down (i.e., operator-directed) and bottom-up (i.

Break through the mold: Hyper-IgE syndrome as a vehicle for invasive aspergillosis.

Hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome (HIGES) is a rare immunodeficiency characterized by high levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE) in the setting of various clinical features such as cutaneous candidiasis, asthma, recurrent rashes, and fungal infections. This case describes a 70-year-old male with cachexia and dyspnea found to have a cavitary lesion and aspergilloma, with remarkably high IgE and positive 1,3-β-D-glucan and Aspergillus testing. Herein, we describe the aforementioned case, review the available literature, and hypothesize the connection between invasive fungal infections and HIGES.

Health Disparities in Rheumatology in the United States.

Objective: Underserved populations are often at risk of experiencing systematic healthcare disparities. Existing disparities in care access, quality of care received, and treatment outcomes among patients with rheumatic disease are not well understood.

Methods: We conducted a targeted literature review to understand disparities in health outcomes, treatment patterns, and healthcare management faced by rheumatology patients in the United States, with a focus on rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Using hyperspectral reflectance to detect changes in photosynthetic activity in leaves as a function of decreasing soil water content.

Application of hyperspectral reflectance technology to track changes in photosynthetic activity in () remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between hyperspectral reflectance and photosynthetic activity in the leaves of in response to a decrease in soil water content. Results demonstrated that the reflectance in both the visible light and near-infrared bands increased in conjunction with reduced soil water content.

International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: Long-Chain Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids.

Position Statement: The International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) presents this position based on a critical examination of the literature surrounding the effects of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (ω-3 PUFA) supplementation on exercise performance, recovery, and brain health. This position stand is intended to provide a scientific foundation for athletes, dietitians, trainers, and other practitioners regarding the effects of supplemental ω-3 PUFA in healthy and athletic populations. The following conclusions represent the official position of the ISSN: Athletes may be at a higher risk for ω-3 PUFA insufficiency.

Impact of driver licensing renewal policies on older driver crash involvement and injury rates in 13 states, 2000-2019.

Background: Motor vehicle crashes are the second leading cause of injury death among adults aged 65 and older in the U.S., second only to falls.

Preoperative Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist Utilization and Association with Bariatric Surgery Outcomes.

Background: The efficacy of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP1RA) for the treatment of obesity has led to considerably increased demand for these medications. GLP1RA use prior to bariatric surgery may represent a novel approach to treating obesity. The objectives of this study were to (1) describe trends in pre-bariatric GLP1RA use, (2) investigate social and clinical factors associated with their use, and (3) evaluate differences in clinical outcomes based on preoperative GLP1RA use.

Prenatal treatment with the antidepressant fluoxetine on maternal and neonatal behavior in sheep.

Background: Fluoxetine is commonly prescribed to treat depression during pregnancy. We aimed to evaluate the effects of prenatal fluoxetine exposure on maternal-offspring behavior in a non-depressed sheep model.

Methods: On day 119 ± 1 of a 151-day expected gestation, Hampshire ewes were randomly assigned to receive intravenous fluoxetine (10 mg/kg for the first 2 days and 5 mg/kg daily thereafter until parturition) or a control vehicle.

Gut microbiota modulation in cardiac cell therapy with immunosuppression in a nonhuman primate ischemia/reperfusion model.

Gut microbiota affect transplantation outcomes; however, the influence of immunosuppression and cell therapy on the gut microbiota in cardiovascular care remains unexplored. We investigated gut microbiota dynamics in a nonhuman primate (NHP) cardiac ischemia/reperfusion model while under immunosuppression and receiving cell therapy with human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived endothelial cells (EC) and cardiomyocytes (CM). Both immunosuppression and EC/CM co-treatment increased gut microbiota alpha diversity.

Orphan nuclear receptor NR2E3 is a new molecular vulnerability in solid tumors by activating p53.

The orphan nuclear receptor NR2E3 has emerged as a potential tumor suppressor, yet its precise mechanisms in tumorigenesis require further investigation. Here, we demonstrate that the full-length protein isoform of NR2E3 instead of its short isoform activates wild-type p53 and is capable of rescuing certain p53 mutations in various cancer cell lines. Importantly, we observe a higher frequency of NR2E3 mutations in three solid tumors compared to the reference population, highlighting its potential significance in tumorigenesis.

Genomic and phenotypic correlates of mosaic loss of chromosome Y in blood.

Mosaic loss of Y (mLOY) is the most common somatic chromosomal alteration detected in human blood. The presence of mLOY is associated with altered blood cell counts and increased risk of Alzheimer disease, solid tumors, and other age-related diseases. We sought to gain a better understanding of genetic drivers and associated phenotypes of mLOY through analyses of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of a large set of genetically diverse males from the Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine (TOPMed) program.

Limb Underloading in Walking Transmits Less Dynamic Knee Joint Contact Forces after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Introduction: Individuals with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) often walk with a less dynamic vertical ground reaction force (vGRF), exemplified by a reduced first peak vGRF and elevated midstance vGRF compared to uninjured controls. However, the mechanism by which altered limb loading affects actual tibial plateau contact forces during walking remains unclear.

Methods: Our purpose was to use musculoskeletal simulation to evaluate the effects of first peak vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) biofeedback on bilateral tibiofemoral contact forces relevant to the development of post-traumatic osteoarthritis (OA) in 20 individuals with ACLR.

Clinical impacts of utilizing ceftriaxone and metronidazole versus piperacillin/tazobactam in patients diagnosed with complicated diverticulitis.

Background: The optimal antibiotic regimen to empirically treat complicated diverticulitis has not been well established in guidelines.

Methods: A 5-year retrospective cohort study was conducted with 322 patients admitted to Mayo Clinic hospitals for complicated diverticulitis. Outcomes for 89 patients treated with ceftriaxone and metronidazole were compared to 233 patients treated with piperacillin/tazobactam.

CKD Management in the Age of Telenephrology: An Observational Analysis of a Hybrid Telenephrology System within a Veteran's Affairs Medical Center.

Background: Nephrology has seen an uptake in transition to remote care delivery. The impact of telenephrology care on chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression is not well defined.

Methods: We analyzed data from patients naturally selected for telenephrology versus standard, in-person visits.

Accelerating the Future of Oncology Drug Development: The Role of Consortia in the Delivery of Precision Oncology Early Phase Clinical Trials.

Purpose: Over the past 15 years, the landscape of early phase clinical trials (EPCTs) has undergone a remarkable expansion in both quantity and intricacy. The proliferation of sites, trials, sponsors, and contract research organizations has surged exponentially, marking a significant shift in research conduct. However, EPCT operations suffer from numerous inefficiencies, such as cumbersome start-up processes, which are particularly critical when drug safety and the recommended phase II dose need to be established in a timely manner.

Estimating realized relatedness in free-ranging macaques by inferring identity-by-descent segments.

Biological relatedness is a key consideration in studies of behavior, population structure, and trait evolution. Except for parent-offspring dyads, pedigrees capture relatedness imperfectly. The number and length of identical-by-descent DNA segments (IBD) yield the most precise relatedness estimates.

Formulation of Quality Improvement Methodology for Risk Mitigation in Congenital Cardiac Catheterization.

The C3PO collaborative, with a history of successful quality improvement (QI) initiatives, leveraged registry participants to develop a multi-center QI initiative to reduce adverse events (AEs) in congenital cardiac catheterization. A 32-person, interdisciplinary working group analyzed audited data for all congenital cardiac catheterization cases from 2014-2017. The primary outcome was the occurrence of any high-severity (level 3/4/5) AE.

Time-driven cost analysis of pediatric liver biopsy completed in pediatric sedation clinic and operating room.

Background: Pediatric ultrasound (US)-guided percutaneous liver biopsy is a commonly performed procedure in children, and may be performed in a variety of clinical settings. However, there is little research on the relative costs associated with different sedation methods and locations.

Objective: This study uses time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC) to identify relevant costs associated with different biopsy sedation techniques and locations to help inform providers and patients as well as guide value-conscious care.

Therapeutic efficacy of jeoryeong-tang in dextran sulfate sodium-induced mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Jeoryeong-tang (JRT) was first recorded in . It is composed of Polyporus Sclerotium, Poria, Asini Corii Colla, Alisma Rhizome, and Talcum at the same weight ratio. These medicinal materials are known for diuretic and hemostatic effects and have been traditionally used to treat kidney and bladder diseases.

Outcomes following resective and disconnective strategies in the treatment of epileptic spasms: a systematic review of the literature and individual patient data meta-analysis.

Epileptic spasms (ES) are a unique seizure type typically presenting in the form of infantile epileptic spasms syndrome (IESS) with characteristic hypsarrhythmia on scalp EEG and a preponderance with developmental delay or regression. While pharmacotherapy is the mainstay of treatment, surgical options, including disconnective or resective procedures, are increasingly recognized as viable therapeutic options for recurrent or persistent ES. However, limited data on safety, effectiveness, and prognostic factors hinder informed decision-making regarding surgery indications, timing, and intervention type.

Capnocytophaga canimorsus in Iliac Artery Mycotic Aneurysm: The Role of Molecular Diagnostics.

BACKGROUND The bacterial organism Capnocytophaga canimorsus is an oral commensal of cats and dogs and can cause life-threatening infections like mycotic aneurysm, meningitis, and sepsis. Mycotic aneurysms occur when microbial infections cause arterial wall degeneration. Difficulty in diagnosing Capnocytophaga canimorsus infection can occur due to the bacteria's fastidious nature and laboratory testing limitations, contributing to the infection's high morbidity and mortality.

Rapid implementation of open-access pandemic education for global frontline healthcare workers.

Background: The recent global pandemic posed extraordinary challenges for healthcare systems. Frontline healthcare workers required focused, immediate, practical, evidence-based instruction on optimal patient care modalities as knowledge evolved around disease management.

Objective: This course was designed to provide knowledge to protect healthcare workers; combat disease spread; and improve patient outcomes.

Prophage-DB: a comprehensive database to explore diversity, distribution, and ecology of prophages.

Background: Viruses that infect prokaryotes (phages) constitute the most abundant group of biological agents, playing pivotal roles in microbial systems. They are known to impact microbial community dynamics, microbial ecology, and evolution. Efforts to document the diversity, host range, infection dynamics, and effects of bacteriophage infection on host cell metabolism are extremely underexplored.

Predictive equation derived from 6,497 doubly labelled water measurements enables the detection of erroneous self-reported energy intake.

Nutritional epidemiology aims to link dietary exposures to chronic disease, but the instruments for evaluating dietary intake are inaccurate. One way to identify unreliable data and the sources of errors is to compare estimated intakes with the total energy expenditure (TEE). In this study, we used the International Atomic Energy Agency Doubly Labeled Water Database to derive a predictive equation for TEE using 6,497 measures of TEE in individuals aged 4 to 96 years.