The Role of Value Analysis in Pressure Injury Prevention: A Quality Improvement Project.

Purpose: Global pressure injury (PI) statistics reveal that hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) remain a substantial burden, with over 1 in 10 hospitalized adults being affected. The purpose of this analysis is to describe how consistent collection, analysis, and use of data allow hospitals to validate their clinical and economic outcomes and to adjust PI prevention strategies.

Participants And Setting: HAPI incidence data for acute care patients at a 280-bed regional community hospital in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States (West Virginia) were collected from January 2012 to July 2023.

Larger Perfusion Mismatch Volume Is Associated With Longer Hospital Length of Stay in Medium Vessel Occlusion Stroke.

Background And Purpose: Prolonged length of stay (LOS) following a stroke is associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes. Factors predicting LOS in medium vessel occlusion (MeVO), impacting up to 40% of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) cases, remain underexplored. This study aims to investigate the predictors of LOS in AIS-MeVO.

Genetic deficiency or pharmacological inhibition of cGAS-STING signalling suppresses kidney inflammation and fibrosis.

Background And Purpose: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterised by inflammation, which can lead to tubular atrophy and fibrosis. The molecular mechanisms are not well understood. In this study, we investigated the functional role of the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)- stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signalling in renal inflammation and fibrosis.

Evaluating Young Children With Fractures for Child Abuse: Clinical Report.

Fractures are common injuries in childhood and can be caused by unintentional injury, medical conditions, and child abuse. Although the consequences of failing to diagnose an abusive injury in a child can be grave, the consequences of incorrectly diagnosing child abuse in a child whose fractures have another etiology are also significant. This report aims to review recent advances in the understanding of fracture specificity, fracture mechanisms, and other medical conditions that predispose infants and children to fracture.

International Expert-Based Consensus Definition, Classification Criteria, and Minimum Data Elements for Osteoradionecrosis of the Jaw: An Inter-Disciplinary Modified Delphi Study.

Purpose: Osteoradionecrosis of the jaw (ORNJ) is a severe iatrogenic disease characterized by bone death after radiation therapy (RT) to the head and neck. With over 9 published definitions and at least 16 classification systems, the true incidence and severity of ORNJ are obscured by lack of a standard for disease definition and severity assessment, leading to inaccurate estimation of incidence, reporting ambiguity, and likely under-diagnosis worldwide. This study aimed to achieve consensus on an explicit definition and phenotype of ORNJ and related precursor states through data standardization to facilitate effective diagnosis, monitoring, and multidisciplinary management of ORNJ.

Beta-Blockers After PCI for Stable Coronary Artery Disease and Preserved Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction.

Background: Limited data exist on the long-term impact of beta-blocker therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of early beta-blocker initiation vs no initiation following PCI in patients with stable CAD and preserved LVEF.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study employed target trial emulation and incident user design, utilizing the TriNetx database (2009-2024).

The Quality of Veterans Healthcare Administration Cardiovascular Care.

A total of 9 million veterans receive care in a unique healthcare system, the Veterans Healthcare Administration (VHA), with nearly 50% reporting at least one cardiovascular disease. Despite evidence for high quality of health care in the VHA, more veteran care is being moved to the non-VHA community. An assumption of this shift in care is that the quality of non-VHA care is at least comparable to VHA care.

ReBreed21-ET: Evaluation of a rapid resynchronization program that allows timed embryo transfer every 21 days.

This study evaluated the efficiency of a rapid resynchronization of ovulation program to allow timed embryo transfer (TET) every 21d in heifer embryo recipients. Holstein heifers (n = 510) had synchronized ovulation using a modified 5d CoSynch program for a TET (D7) after induced ovulation (D0). After TET, heifers were blocked by number of previous TETs and randomized into one of two resynchronization of ovulation programs: Resynch28 (n = 279), a traditional resynch program for TET 35d after previous TET; or ReBreed21-ET, a program designed to allow TET 21d after previous TET.

Tucatinib and trastuzumab in HER2-mutated metastatic breast cancer: a phase 2 basket trial.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2, also known as ERBB2) signaling promotes cell growth and differentiation, and is overexpressed in several tumor types, including breast, gastric and colorectal cancer. HER2-targeted therapies have shown clinical activity against these tumor types, resulting in regulatory approvals. However, the efficacy of HER2 therapies in tumors with HER2 mutations has not been widely investigated.

Cerebral blood volume index in the era of thrombectomy-treated large and medium vessel ischemic strokes.

The cerebral blood volume index (CBV index) is a perfusion-based marker of collateral status. Several real-world data analyses from observational stroke cohorts have established relationships between this parameter and a range of favorable and unfavorable stroke outcomes. In this review, an overview is provided of the CBV index, within the context of thrombectomy-treated large vessel and medium vessel occlusion ischemic strokes.

Silica-Activated Redox Signaling Confers Rice with Enhanced Drought Resilience and Grain Yield.

Under a changing climate, enhancing the drought resilience of crops is critical to maintaining agricultural production and reducing food insecurity. Here, we demonstrate that seed priming with amorphous silica (SiO) nanoparticles (NPs) (20 mg/L) accelerated seed germination speed, increased seedlings vigor, and promoted seedling growth of rice under polyethylene glycol (PEG)-mimicking drought conditions. An orthogonal approach was used to uncover the mechanisms of accelerated seed germination and enhanced drought tolerance, including electron paramagnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), metabolomics, and transcriptomics.

Site-Specific Ventricular Tachycardia Inducibility.

Background: Programmed electrical stimulation (PES) is an essential part of ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation procedures, but VT is not always inducible, usually for reasons that are not clear.

Objectives: This study sought to review pacing site-specific failure of PES to induce scar-related VT and to provide a potential mechanistic explanation of the phenomena using a computer simulation.

Methods: Six patients in whom aggressive PES from traditional RV pacing sites failed to induce VT, but VT was easily inducible from a nontraditional site, were reviewed.

Metabolomics signatures of serotonin reuptake inhibitor (escitalopram), serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (duloxetine) and cognitive-behavioral therapy on key neurotransmitter pathways in major depressive disorder.

Metabolomics provides powerful tools that can inform about heterogeneity in disease and response to treatments. In this exploratory study, we employed an electrochemistry-based targeted metabolomics platform to assess the metabolic effects of three randomly-assigned treatments: escitalopram, duloxetine, and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in 163 treatment-naïve outpatients with major depressive disorder. Serum samples from baseline and 12 weeks post-treatment were analyzed using targeted liquid chromatography-electrochemistry for metabolites related to tryptophan, tyrosine metabolism and related pathways.

Comparing field and lab quantitative stable isotope probing for nitrogen assimilation in soil microbes.

Unlabelled: Soil microbial communities play crucial roles in nutrient cycling and can help retain nitrogen in agricultural soils. Quantitative stable isotope probing (qSIP) is a useful method for investigating taxon-specific microbial growth and utilization of specific nutrients, such as nitrogen (N). Typically, qSIP is performed in a highly controlled lab setting, so the field relevance of lab qSIP studies remains unknown.

Trends and Disparities in CAD and AMI in the United States From 2000 to 2020.

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) still pose a significant burden to the health care system, affecting population subgroups differently.

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to describe age, sex, and racial disparities in mortality rates for CAD and AMI in the United States between 2000 and 2020.

Methods: This was an ecological study with trend analysis of mortality rates using data from the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention surveillance databases.

Gastrointestinal bleed mortality disparities in patients with atrial fibrillation: A cross-sectional analysis 1999-2020.

Introduction: Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) is often encountered among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) due to the use of anticoagulation. This study assesses disparities in GIB-related mortality among decedents with AF in the United States.

Methods: GIB mortality data in patients with AF from 1999 to 2020 was queried from the CDC database.

Daratumumab plus lenalidomide/dexamethasone in untreated multiple myeloma: analysis of key subgroups of the MAIA study.

In the MAIA study (median follow-up, 56.2 months), daratumumab plus lenalidomide and dexamethasone (D-Rd) significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival versus lenalidomide and dexamethasone (Rd) alone in transplant-ineligible newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM). In this post hoc analysis of clinically important subgroups in MAIA (median follow-up, 64.

Targeting TRPC channels for control of arthritis-induced bone erosion.

Arthritis leads to bone erosion due to an imbalance between osteoclast and osteoblast function. Our prior investigations revealed that the Ca-selective ion channel, Orai1, is critical for osteoclast maturation. Here, we show that the small-molecule ELP-004 preferentially inhibits transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels.

Light-dark shift promotes colon carcinogenesis through accelerated colon aging.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide, with rising prevalence among younger adults. Several lifestyle factors, particularly disruptions in circadian rhythms by light-dark (LD) shifts, are known to increase CRC risk. Epidemiological studies previously showed LD-shifts are associated with increased risk of CRC.

Patterns of Care in Adjuvant Radiation Therapy for Stage II Endometrioid Endometrial Adenocarcinoma: A National Cancer Database Analysis.

Purpose: Treating stage II endometrial cancer involves total hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and risk-adapted adjuvant therapy. Professional guidelines support various adjuvant treatments, but high-level data supporting specific options are conflicting. We sought to evaluate adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) trends for these patients, hypothesizing increased utilization of pelvic external beam RT (EBRT) over time.

Caregiver acceptability of seasonal malaria chemoprevention in two districts in the Upper West region, Ghana: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Acceptability of malaria chemoprevention interventions by caregivers is crucial for overall programme success. This study assessed coverage and acceptability of Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) in selected communities in the Northern part of Ghana.

Methods: An analytical cross-sectional design was conducted from "July 23rd to August 4th, 2020-a 12-day period that covered 5 days of the first SMC implementation cycle and 7 days post-implementation.

Factors Associated With Prolonged Venous Transit in Large Vessel Occlusion Acute Ischemic Strokes.

Background And Purpose: Prolonged venous transit (PVT), derived from computed tomography perfusion (CTP) time-to-maximum (T) maps, reflects compromised venous outflow (VO) in acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion (AIS-LVO). Poor VO is associated with worse clinical outcomes, but pre-treatment markers predictive of PVT are not well described.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 189 patients with anterior circulation AIS-LVO who underwent baseline CT evaluation, including non-contrast CT, CT angiography, and CTP.

High cellular plasticity state of medulloblastoma local recurrence and distant dissemination.

Medulloblastoma (MB), a heterogeneous pediatric brain tumor, poses challenges in the treatment of tumor recurrence and dissemination. To characterize cellular diversity and genetic features, we comprehensively analyzed single-cell/nucleus RNA sequencing (sc/snRNA-seq), single-nucleus assay for transposase-accessible chromatin sequencing (snATAC-seq), and spatial transcriptomics profiles and identified distinct cellular populations in SHH (sonic hedgehog) and Group_3 subgroups, with varying proportions in local recurrence or dissemination. Local recurrence showed higher cycling tumor cell enrichment, whereas disseminated lesions had a relatively notable presence of differentiated subsets.

Antiseizure Medications in Poststroke Seizures: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

Background And Objectives: The most effective antiseizure medications (ASMs) for poststroke seizures (PSSs) remain unclear. We aimed to determine outcomes associated with ASMs in people with PSS.

Methods: We systematically searched electronic databases for studies on patients with PSS on ASMs.