Rabin8 phosphorylated by NDR2, the canine early retinal degeneration gene product, directs rhodopsin Golgi-to-cilia trafficking.

The Rab11-Rabin8-Rab8 ciliogenesis complex regulates the expansion of cilia-derived light-sensing organelles, the rod outer segments, via post-Golgi rhodopsin transport carriers (RTCs). Rabin8 (also known as RAB3IP), an effector of Rab11 proteins and a nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for Rab8 proteins, is phosphorylated at S272 by NDR2 kinase (also known as STK38L), the canine early retinal degeneration (erd) gene product linked to the human ciliopathy Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA). Here, we define the step at which NDR2 phosphorylates Rabin8 and regulates Rab11-to-Rab8 succession in Xenopus laevis transgenic rod photoreceptors expressing human GFP-Rabin8 and its mutants.

Size Matters: A Comparative Study on Midday Fogging and Lens Settling in Patients With Keratoconus Wearing Mini-Scleral Lenses With Two Different Diameters.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to compare the changes in postlens fluid optical density, timing and quantity of lens settling, and the clinical performance between two different mini-scleral lenses.

Methods: Seventeen eyes of 10 patients with keratoconus were fitted with a 15-mm mini-scleral lens (AirKone Scleral Lenses; Laboratoire LCS, Normandy, France), and 15 eyes of 10 patients with keratoconus were fitted with 16.5-mm mini-scleral lenses (Misa Lenses; Microlens Contactlens Technology, Arnhem, The Netherlands).

Positional lagophthalmos variability in facial nerve palsy with and without upper eyelid loading.

Purpose: Lagophthalmos from facial nerve palsy is traditionally measured with patients in an upright position and may fail to identify positional variability. This study aims to assess the effects of body position, surgical technique, implant material, and patient demographics on lagophthalmos.

Methods: A multicenter prospective study was performed to evaluate positional changes in paralytic lagophthalmos and the effects of various patient and surgical factors.

Demographic-Based Personalized Left Ventricular Hypertrophy Thresholds for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Diagnosis.

Background: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a leading cause of sudden cardiac death. Current diagnosis emphasizes the detection of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) using a fixed threshold of ≥15-mm maximum wall thickness (MWT). This study proposes a method that considers individual demographics to adjust LVH thresholds as an alternative to a 1-size-fits-all approach.

Further Evidence That Female (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) Utilizes Photo-Degradation to Produce Volatiles That Are Attractive to Adult Males.

The Asian longhorned beetle, (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae), is a serious pest of over 43 species of hardwood trees in North America, China and Europe. The development of an effective lure and trap for monitoring has been hindered by the fact that mate finding involves a rather complex series of behaviors and responses to several chemical (and visual), cues. Adults (female-biased) locate a tree via host kairomones.

Mental Health Literacy and Attitudes Towards Mental Health Problems Among College Students, Nepal.

(1) Background: Research on mental health literacy (MHL) and attitudes toward mental health problems (ATMHP) among non-medical college students in Nepal is limited. This study examined the relationship between MHL and ATMHP, considering demographic variables and familiarity with mental health issues; (2) Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey with 385 college students from Chitwan and Kathmandu, Nepal, using opportunity sampling. Descriptive and inferential statistics examined demographic differences, while Pearson's correlation assessed relationships among latent variables; (3) Results: No relationship was found between MHL and ATMHP (r = -0.

Impact of pulmonary hypertension on short and long-term outcome after mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair: A meta-analysis.

Background: Pulmonary hypertension (pHTN) has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality after mitral Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair (TEER), but the association remains uncertain. This study aims to evaluate the impact of pHTN on cardiovascular outcomes following TEER.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Medline to identify studies reporting outcomes after TEER in individuals with pHTN.

The relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) < 42% is independently associated with hemorrhagic transformation in anterior circulation large vessel occlusion.

Background: Pretreatment CT perfusion (CTP) marker relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) < 42% lesion volume has recently shown to predict poor collateral status and poor 90-day functional outcome. However, there is a paucity of studies assessing its association with hemorrhagic transformation (HT). Here, we aim to assess the relationship between rCBV < 42% lesion volume with HT.

Epidemiological trends in gastrointestinal cancers and risk factors across U.S. states from 2000 to 2021: a systematic analysis for the global burden of disease study 2021.

Introduction: Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers account for over a quarter of all cancer-related deaths in the United States; however, the latest trends in their prevalence remain unclear.

Methods: Data on GI cancers were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. Age-standardized incidence rates (ASIR) and age-standardized mortality rates (ASMR) were estimated across various states, sexes, ages, and risk factors, and annual percentage changes were calculated.

PEGylated solid lipid nanoparticles for the intranasal delivery of combination antiretroviral therapy composed of Atazanavir and Elvitegravir to treat NeuroAIDS.

Intranasal drug administration offers a promising strategy for delivering combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) directly to the central nervous system to treat NeuroAIDS, leveraging the nose-to-brain route to bypass the blood-brain barrier. However, challenges such as enzymatic degradation in the nasal mucosa, low permeability, and mucociliary clearance within the nasal cavity must first be addressed to make this route feasible. To overcome these barriers, this study developed solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) with varying PEGylation levels (0 %, 5 %, 10 %, and 15 % w/w of PEGylated lipid), co-encapsulated with Elvitegravir (EVG) and Atazanavir (ATZ) as an integrase and protease inhibitor, respectively.

Virtual Reality Training to Reduce Workplace Violence in Healthcare.

Violence against nurses and other healthcare workers is a significant and escalating concern, impeding the provision of safe and effective healthcare services. A majority of nurses experience some kind of violence, including physical and nonphysical assaults during their careers. The consequences of workplace violence extend beyond individual trauma, leading to increased burnout, turnover, and significant financial costs for healthcare systems.

Impact of COVID-19 Diagnosis on Weight Trajectories of Children in the US National COVID Cohort Collaborative.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the obesity epidemic, with both adults and children demonstrating rapid weight gain during the pandemic. However, the impact of having a COVID-19 diagnosis on this trend is not known. Using longitudinal data from January 2019 to June 2023 collected by the US National Institute for Health's National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C), children (age 2-18 years) with positive COVID-19 test results { = 11,474, 53% male, mean [standard deviation (SD)] age 5.

Patterns in mortality associated with heart failure and lung cancer among older adults in the United States: An analysis of 20 years.

Background: Despite an established association between heart failure (HF) and lung cancer (LC), there is limited evidence available regarding mortality patterns among the older (≥65 years) population in the United States.

Methods: The mortality data, spanning 1999 to 2019, was surveyed using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC WONDER) database with HF and LC identified as underlying or contributing causes of death. Crude and age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMR) were calculated per 100,000 individuals.

Accelerating biosimilar market access: the case for allowing earlier standing.

Biosimilars, which are affordable alternatives to biologic medicines, face delays in market entry due to the current patent litigation framework under the Biologic Price Competition and Innovation Act. Currently, biosimilar manufacturers can only initiate patent litigation to attempt to clear weak and invalid patents after submitting their Biologic License Application to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which happens after completing extensive, and costly clinical trials. By contrast, generic drug manufacturers can start litigation earlier due to shorter development times and less stringent clinical requirements, allowing them to launch immediately after the primary patent expires.

Employer Perspective on Pain Fellowship Education: A Survey to Understand the Current State of Pain Medicine Training.

Background: Pain medicine care has expanded to encompass a wider range of conditions, necessitating updated education and training for pain specialists to utilize emerging technologies effectively. A national survey was conducted through several verified Pain organizations regarding pain physician employers' perspectives on pain medicine fellowship training and education. The survey aimed to gather insights from a diverse range of geographic locations, practice types (academic and private practice), and practice settings.

Amivantamab Plus Lazertinib in Patients With EGFR-mutant Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) After Progression on Osimertinib and Platinum-based Chemotherapy: Results From CHRYSALIS-2 Cohort A.

Introduction: Treatment options for patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with disease progression on/after osimertinib and platinum-based chemotherapy are limited.

Methods: CHRYSALIS-2 Cohort A evaluated amivantamab+lazertinib in patients with EGFR exon 19 deletion- or L858R-mutated NSCLC with disease progression on/after osimertinib and platinum-based chemotherapy. Primary endpoint was investigator-assessed objective response rate (ORR).

Excitatory/Inhibitory imbalance as a mechanism linking autism and sleep problems.

Sleep problems occur more frequently in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) than in typically developing individuals, and recent studies support a genetic link between ASD and sleep disturbances. However, it remains unclear how sleep problems may be mechanistically connected to ASD phenotypes. A longstanding hypothesis posits that an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory (E/I) signaling in the brain underlies the behavioral characteristics of ASD.

KDM6A facilitates Xist upregulation at the onset of X inactivation.

Background: X chromosome inactivation (XCI) is a female-specific process in which one X chromosome is silenced to balance X-linked gene expression between the sexes. XCI is initiated in early development by upregulation of the lncRNA Xist on the future inactive X (Xi). A subset of X-linked genes escape silencing and thus have higher expression in females, suggesting female-specific functions.

Immunometabolism In Brain Aging and Neurodegeneration: Bridging Metabolic Pathways and Immune Responses.

The complex set of interactions between the immune system and metabolism, known as immunometabolism, has emerged as a critical regulator of disease outcomes in the central nervous system. Numerous studies have linked metabolic disturbances to impaired immune responses in brain aging, neurodegenerative disorders, and brain injury. In this review, we will discuss how disruptions in brain immunometabolism balance contribute to the pathophysiology of brain dysfunction.

Effectiveness and Safety of Treatments for Early-Stage Merkel Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized and Non-Randomized Studies.

Objective: The lack of consensus on the benefits and harms of standard therapies, including surgery (SRx), radiotherapy (RTx), chemotherapy (CTx), and their combinations among early-stage MCC, prompted this study.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized and non-randomized studies published between January 01, 1972, and January 31, 2023, and having overall survival (OS), local recurrence (LR), regional recurrence (RR), disease-specific survival (DSS), and/or disease-free survival (DFS) as outcomes was conducted using the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), PubMed (NCBI), Scopus (ELSEVIER), and Web of Science (CLAVIRATE) databases. Hazard ratios (HRs) and their variances were pooled using the inverse variance heterogeneity model.

Disparities in Advanced Stage Colorectal Cancer Outcomes in Appalachia: A Comprehensive Review.

The Appalachian region consists of over 26 million Americans, of whom almost 2.5 million live in rural areas. Various social determinants of health including but not limited to rural living conditions and geographic isolation, food insecurity, and low income contribute to disparate health outcomes compared to the rest of the country.