Melanocortin 5 receptor signaling protects against podocyte injury in proteinuric glomerulopathies.

Melanocortin therapeutics, exemplified by adrenocorticotropic hormone, have a proven steroidogenic-independent anti-proteinuric and glomerular protective effect. The biological functions of melanocortins are mediated by melanocortin receptors (MCR), including MC1R, which recent studies have shown to protect against glomerular disease. However, the role of other MCRs like MC5R is unknown.

Novel Role of Pin1-Cis P-Tau-ApoE Axis in the Pathogenesis of Preeclampsia and Its Connection with Dementia.

Preeclampsia (preE) is a severe multisystem hypertensive syndrome of pregnancy associated with ischemia/hypoxia, angiogenic imbalance, apolipoprotein E (ApoE)-mediated dyslipidemia, placental insufficiency, and inflammation at the maternal-fetal interface. Our recent data further suggest that preE is associated with impaired autophagy, vascular dysfunction, and proteinopathy/tauopathy disorder, similar to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), including the presence of the cis stereo-isoform of phosphorylated tau (cis P-tau), amyloid-β, and transthyretin in the placenta and circulation. This review provides an overview of the factors that may lead to the induction and accumulation of cis P-tau-like proteins by focusing on the inactivation of peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase (Pin1) that catalyzes the cis to trans isomerization of P-tau.

The Impact of Ageing on Diaphragm Function and Maximal Inspiratory Pressure: A Cross-Sectional Ultrasound Study.

: The effects of ageing on the diaphragm are unclear. This study examined the association between ageing and diaphragm thickness, thickening fraction (TF), and diaphragm excursion (DE) as assessed by ultrasonography after adjusting for other factors. The relationship between these parameters and maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) was also investigated.

Development of a checklist for cognitive assessment requirements (CARE) based on a Delphi consensus study.

Situational factors can influence cognitive performance and should be considered for conducting cognitive assessments. The objective of this project was to develop a checklist for Cognitive Assessment Requirements (CARE) to identify these situational factors before conducting cognitive assessments and account for them. This study employed a four-round Delphi approach involving 22 experts to identify situational factors that can impact cognitive assessment results.

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.

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Lyme Carditis-A Case Series and Review of Literature.

Lyme carditis is an uncommon but potentially fatal manifestation of early disseminated Lyme disease. Timely diagnosis poses a clinical challenge due to the highly variable and non-specific symptomatology that can be easily overlooked, as well as the limited availability of specific and non-invasive diagnostic tests for assessing cardiac involvement. While cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is the standard imaging modality for diagnosing various etiologies of cardiomyopathy, its application in Lyme carditis remains understudied.

Association of external ventricular drain duration and output with cerebral infarct risk in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Background: The optimal duration of external ventricular drain (EVD) in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is debatable. We sought to determine the association of EVD duration and output with outcomes, including cerebral infarct.

Methods: We performed a retrospective study of a prospectively collected cohort of consecutive patients with aSAH who were admitted to an academic center from 2016 to 2023.

Orbital and Ocular Venous Congestion: A Rare Manifestation of Hypervascular Paget Disease of the Bone.

A 73-year-old male with a history of incidentally diagnosed Paget disease of bone affecting the skull and left orbit 2 years prior presented with 3 months of vision loss, proptosis, and periorbital swelling of the OS. Examination showed best-corrected Snellen visual acuity of 20/150 in the affected eye, intact motility, 7 mm of relative proptosis, significant dilated and tortuous "corkscrew" conjunctival vessels, serous choroidal and retinal detachments, optic nerve hyperemia, and venous tortuosity and dilation. Although the bony lesions in the left orbit were stable from 1 year prior on imaging, the diagnostic angiogram demonstrated osseous blush and hypervascularity of the lesion.

Charles R. Drew (1904-1950): A Pioneer of Blood Banking.

Dr. Charles Richard Drew, a pioneering figure in modern blood banking and 20th-century medicine, revolutionized blood donation and storage processes, fundamentally shaping the field as we know it today. His extensive work with blood and plasma, combined with an innovative approach to reducing contamination, laid the foundation for modern standards in safety and efficiency.

Comparison of a Virtual and in-Person OSCE on Advanced Communication Skills: Qualitative Insights from Medical Student Debrief Transcripts.

Objectives: This study investigates the differences between in-person versus virtual format of an advanced communication skills OSCE through thematic analyses of post-OSCE debrief transcripts.

Methods: Two cohorts of senior medical students participated in either a 2019 in-person or 2021 virtual advanced communication skills OSCE. Students were grouped in triads and rotated through three of five possible cases.

Perceived Discrimination in the Healthcare Setting and Medical Mistrust: Findings from the Health Information National Trends Survey, 2022.

Background: Perceived discrimination and medical mistrust are barriers to care that impact both individual and population health.

Objective: This study aims to characterize the prevalence of perceived racial or ethnic discrimination in healthcare as well as mistrust in the medical system and explore their associations with race and ethnicity.

Design: Cross-sectional study of nationally representative data from the Health Information National Trends Survey (fielded March-November 2022).

The effects of experimental sleep disruption on daytime performance among children with asthma living in urban environments.

Objectives: Children with asthma living in urban environments are at risk for disrupted sleep due to the presence of nocturnal asthma symptoms and urban stressors. Suboptimal sleep can affect children's daily functioning. The current study examined the effects of experimental sleep disruption on daytime performance in children with persistent asthma from urban backgrounds.

Education Research: Use by Neurologists of Microteaching and Microassessment Programs for Teaching, Learning, and Patient Care Needs: A Qualitative Study.

Background And Objectives: Microlearning is the acquisition of knowledge or skills in small units, commonly delivered by digital technology. NeuroBytes (NB) and Question of the Day (QOD) are 2 microinstructional programs in neurology. NB programs are brief, video-based mini-courses on clinical topics (microteaching); QODs are daily multiple-choice questions (microassessment).

Impact of hospital readmission site on outcomes in acute ischemic stroke patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy: a nationwide analysis.

Background: Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) significantly improves outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion. There is limited understanding of how the site of hospital readmission after MT influences patient outcomes. Addressing this gap may be important for optimizing post-MT care and improving long-term outcomes for stroke patients.

Using Community Engagement to Create a Telecoaching Intervention to Improve Self-Management in Adolescents and Young Adults With Cystic Fibrosis: Qualitative Study.

Background: Adolescents and young adults (AYA) with cystic fibrosis (CF) are at risk for deviating from their daily treatment regimen due to significant time burden, complicated daily therapies, and life stressors. Developing patient-centric, effective, engaging, and practical behavioral interventions is vital to help sustain therapeutically meaningful self-management.

Objective: This study aimed to devise and refine a patient-centered telecoaching intervention to foster self-management in AYA with CF using a combination of intervention development approaches, including an evidence- and theory-based approach (ie, applying existing theories and research evidence for behavior change) and a target population-centered approach (ie, intervention refinement based on the perspectives and actions of those individuals who will use it).

Clinicopathologic characteristics of ductal carcinoma in situ and risk of subsequent invasive breast cancer: a multicenter, population-based cohort study.

Purpose: To study the association between clinicopathologic characteristics of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and risk of subsequent invasive breast cancer (IBC).

Methods: We conducted a case-control study nested in a multicenter, population-based cohort of 8175 women aged ≥ 18 years with DCIS diagnosed between 1987 and 2016 and followed for a median duration of 83 months. Cases (n = 497) were women with a first diagnosis of DCIS who developed a subsequent IBC ≥ 6 months later; controls (2/case; n = 959) were matched to cases on age at and calendar year of DCIS diagnosis.

Videoconferencing Dysmorphia: The Impact on Self-perception and Desire for Cosmetic Procedures.

Objective: The authors sought to examine the association between the increased use of videoconferencing and image-enhancing software filters during the COVID-19 pandemic and the corresponding rise in interest in cosmetic procedures. We aimed to discern if heightened exposure to one's digital self-image correlates with a greater inclination toward cosmetic interventions.

Methods: In this cross-sectional questionnaire survey study, adult participants living in the United States were recruited on Amazon's Mechanical Turk platform.

Craniosynostosis: Quantifying Differences in Skull Architecture.

Craniosynostosis, a condition marked by the premature fusion of one or more cranial sutures, exhibits diverse phenotypes. This study aims to advance the understanding of these phenotypes beyond the conventional 2-dimensional analysis by focusing on identifying indicators of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) such as bony thinning or irregularities in skull morphology. A retrospective review was conducted for all pediatric patients with midline craniosynostosis who presented to our tertiary academic center for evaluation.

Prenatally Diagnosed Absent Septum Pellucidum and Septo-Optic Dysplasia: A Narrative Review and Practical Recommendations for Pediatric Neurologists.

Evaluation of the cavum septum pellucidum is required in standard second-trimester screening fetal anatomy ultrasound scans. The absence of septum pellucidum triggers further evaluation and referral for subspecialty counseling. Absence of septum pellucidum is linked to other midline anomalies including septo-optic dysplasia.

Morphological changes to peripheral joints supporting thumb trapezial metacarpal osteoarthritis.

The present study aims to determine if morphological differences of the scaphoid, trapezoid, and second metacarpal are associated with thumb osteoarthritis by comparing three-dimensional bone models of healthy controls and osteoarthritis patients. Fifty-eight patients with moderate to severe thumb osteoarthritis (modified Eaton ≥ II) and 35 healthy controls from a larger completed investigation were examined. To quantify morphological variations, a statistical shape model was created that classified binary with respect to the Eaton grading system: non-osteoarthritis or moderate/severe osteoarthritis (II-IV).