Protein biomarkers of interstitial lung abnormalities in relatives of patients with pulmonary fibrosis.

Rationale: First-degree relatives of patients with pulmonary fibrosis (relatives) are at high risk for interstitial lung abnormalities (ILA), highlighting the need for biomarkers for risk prediction. We aimed to identify blood proteins associated with and predictive of ILA among relatives of patients with pulmonary fibrosis.

Methods: Relatives enrolled in two independent cohorts had protein levels measured using an aptamer-based proteomic platform.

Efficacy and safety of the activin signalling inhibitor, sotatercept, in a pooled analysis of PULSAR and STELLAR studies.

Introduction: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive disease associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Sotatercept is a first-in-class activin signalling inhibitor that acts to restore the balance between the growth-promoting and growth-inhibiting signalling pathways.

Methods: This post-hoc, exploratory, pooled analysis combines data from the double-blind placebo periods of the phase 2 PULSAR (NCT03496207) and phase 3 STELLAR (NCT04576988) studies.

A Latent Trait-based Measure as a Data Harmonization and Missing Data Solution Applied to the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes Cohort.

Background: Collaborative research consortia provide an efficient method to increase sample size, enabling evaluation of subgroup heterogeneity and rare outcomes. In addition to missing data challenges faced by all cohort studies like nonresponse and attrition, collaborative studies have missing data due to differences in study design and measurement of the contributing studies.

Methods: We extend ROSETTA, a latent variable method that creates common measures across datasets collecting the same latent constructs with only partial overlap in measures, to define a common measure of socioeconomic status (SES) across cohorts with varying indicators in the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes Cohort, a consortium of pregnancy and pediatric cohorts.

Sacubitril/valsartan is associated with improvements in quality of life in adult congenital heart disease patients with systemic right ventricular failure.

Background: Short-term improvements in quality of life (QOL) have been reported in adult congenital heart disease patients with systemic right ventricle (sRV) failure after treatment with sacubitril/valsartan. This study aimed to evaluate the medium-term QOL changes in sRV failure patients treated with sacubitril/valsartan.

Methods: In this single-centre, prospective cohort study, patients with symptomatic sRV failure completed the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research/Academic Hospital Leiden Questionnaire for Adult's Health-Related Quality of Life (TAAQOL) at baseline and after starting treatment with sacubitril/valsartan.

Ten proposed measures to improve vaccination: Health care providers' perspectives on promoting the vaccination intake of children with special healthcare needs in China.

Introduction: Children with special healthcare needs (CSHCN) often experience vaccination delays or missed vaccines in China. The coverage rate of the age-appropriate National Immunisation Programme vaccine was suboptimal. This study aimed to explore attitudes, behaviours, and suggestions regarding the improvement of routine vaccination services for CSHCN among healthcare providers.

Risk of long covid in patients with pre-existing chronic respiratory diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: An estimated 10-30% of people with COVID-19 experience debilitating long-term symptoms or long covid. Underlying health conditions associated with chronic inflammation may increase the risk of long covid.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine whether long covid risk was altered by pre-existing asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults.

[Middle Meningeal Artery Embolization for Chronic Subdural Hematoma].

Middle meningeal artery embolization(MMAE) is an effective treatment for chronic subdural hematoma(CSDH). Retrospective analyses have indicated that MMAE for CSDH is not only minimally invasive but also highly safe, and is associated with a significantly lower recurrence rate than that of conventional treatments. However, there is no consensus regarding treatment strategies, including the patient-selection criteria, embolic materials, and procedural techniques.

Conflicts of interest in the International Agency for Research on Cancer process of identifying carcinogenic hazards to humans.

Managing conflicts of interest (COIs) in scientific decision-making is important for minimizing bias and fostering public trust in science. Proper management of COIs has added significance when scientists are making decisions that impact public policy, such as assessing substances for carcinogenicity. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) organizes expert working groups to identify putative carcinogens and determine whether or not the hazard is likely to present significant potential harm to humans.

The Circulating Renin-Angiotensin System and Mortality among Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19: A Mechanistic Substudy of the ACTIV-4 Host Tissue Trials.

SARS-CoV-2 targets angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE2), a key peptidase of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), which regulates the balance of the vasoconstrictor/inflammatory peptide Ang II and the vasodilator/anti-inflammatory peptide Ang-(1-7). Few studies have quantified the circulating elements of the RAS longitudinally in SARS-CoV-2 infection and their association with COVID-19 outcomes. Thus, we evaluated the association of circulating RAS enzymes and peptides with mortality among patients with COVID-19.

Urinary Incontinence Is an Independent Risk Factor for Nursing Home Placement Among Assisted Living Residents.

Objectives: Prior studies suggested that urinary incontinence (UI) may be a risk factor for nursing home (NH) placement among older community-dwelling individuals. Our objectives were to evaluate if UI is an independent risk factor in NH placement among assisted living (AL) residents and assess the impact of UI on NH placement by race/ethnicity.

Design: This retrospective cohort study is based on the 2019-2021 Medicare enrollment and claims data.

Gelatin methacryloyl-phenylboronic acid/Hydroxyadamantane self-healing microgels for the periodontitis treatment by promoting alveolar bone regeneration.

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory condition mainly caused by the interaction between the host immune system and periodontal tissue pathogens, and may lead to consequences, such as alveolar bone defects and tooth loss. Incomplete bacterial removal, persistent inflammation and high reactive oxygen species (ROS) environment are the main challenges for periodontal tissue repair and alveolar bone regeneration. In this study, an injectable composite microgel (Gelatin methacryloyl-Phenylboronic acid/Hydroxyadamantane, GPH) loaded with antimicrobial peptide (AMP) and cerium dioxide (CeO) microspheres was developed to achieve a synergistic function of bacteriostasis, immunomodulation, and ROS removal.

Carbohydrate polymer-based nanoparticles in curcumin delivery for cancer therapy: A review.

The use of natural products for cancer treatment has a lengthy history. The safety and multifunctionality of naturally occurring substances have rendered them appropriate for cancer treatment. Curcumin influences multiple molecular pathways and is advantageous for treating both hematological and solid tumors.

Parenterally administered amino acids decrease acute mortality in fasting patients with aspiration pneumonia: A retrospective study.

Background & Aims: To prevent food aspiration, numerous patients with aspiration pneumonia are restricted from eating early during their hospital stay. Although they receive parenteral nutrition (PN) on a fasting regimen, the optimal dose and composition remain unknown. The current study aimed to investigate whether PN with amino acids (AA) affects 30-day mortality of patients with aspiration pneumonia.

An Update on Animal Models of Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease.

Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) is a significant global health concern and a leading cause of liver disease-related deaths. However, the treatment options are limited due to the lack of animal models that accurately replicate ALD pathogenesis. An ideal ALD animal model should have pathological characteristics similar to those of human ALD, with a clear pathological process and ease of drug intervention.

Caregiver Resilience through the First Two Years after Traumatic Brain Injury: A Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems Study.

Objective: To examine: (1) the trajectory of caregiver resilience over two years following onset of a care recipient's moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), (2) caregiver-related outcomes associated with resilience, and (3) changes in associations between caregiver resilience, other caregiver characteristics, and care-recipient variables across time.

Design: Prospective cohort.

Setting: TBI Model Systems (TBIMS) centers.

Ultrasonographic Changes in the Anterior Scalene Muscle in Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.

Introduction: Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) encompasses multiple symptoms produced by compression of the neurovascular bundle within the thoracic outlet. The subtypes of thoracic outlet are termed for the major affected structure including neurogenic (nTOS), venous (vTOS), and arterial (aTOS) thoracic outlet syndrome. Neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome accounts for over 95 percent of thoracic outlet syndrome cases and occurs from compression of the brachial plexus.

Report on the Development of the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics' Academic "Accreditation Standards for Advanced Practice Doctoral Education in Nutrition and Dietetics".

The dietetics profession is facing a shortage of registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) with a terminal degree. The need for doctoral prepared RDNs was augmented with the entry-level RDN requiring a graduate degree and exacerbated by the number of retirees from the baby boomer generation. Advanced practice doctoral (APD) programs can assist in meeting the increased need for doctoral prepared RDNs.

Cluster Analysis of HCC Prognosis Using Preoperative AFP and DCP Levels: A Multi-Institutional Study.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, characterized by high recurrence rates post-curative resection. Tumor markers des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) are crucial for HCC diagnosis and prognosis, yet their roles in the modern era of HCC epidemiology require reevaluation.

Methods: This multi-institutional retrospective study analyzed 1,515 patients who underwent hepatectomy for primary HCC.

Prenatal Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Relation to Antibody Titers and Infections in Childhood.

Background: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent and ubiquitous chemicals posing environmental and health risks. Impact on the human immune system is of particular concern, especially during fetal immune development. Alterations to fetal immune development can impact immunity later in life, e.

Nanoparticle-based Drug Delivery Systems to Modulate Tumor Immune Response for Glioblastoma Treatment.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a primary central nervous system neoplasm, characterized by a grim prognosis and low survival rates. This unfavorable therapeutic outcome is partially attributed to the inadequate immune infiltration and an immunosuppressive microenvironment, which compromises the effectiveness of conventional radiotherapy and chemotherapy. To this end, precise modulation of cellular dynamics in the immune system has emerged as a promising approach for therapeutic intervention.