Cortical thickness across the lifespan in a Colombian cohort with autosomal-dominant Alzheimer's disease: A cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Cortical thinning is a marker of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD). We investigated the age-related trajectory of cortical thickness across the lifespan (9-59 years) in a Colombian kindred with autosomal dominant AD (ADAD).

Methods: Two hundred eleven participants (105 presenilin-1 [] E280A mutation carriers, 16 with cognitive impairment; 106 non-carriers) underwent magnetic resonance imaging.

Neural Selective Cryoneurolysis with Ice Slurry Injection in a Rat Model.

Background: Postoperative pain caused by trauma to nerves and tissue around the surgical site is a major problem. Perioperative steps to reduce postoperative pain include local anesthetics and opioids, the latter of which are addictive and have contributed to the opioid epidemic. Cryoneurolysis is a nonopioid and long-lasting treatment for reducing postoperative pain.

A role for stromal autophagy in cancer-associated fibroblast activation.

In the tumor stroma, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) affect all aspects of tumor evolution. Whereas several programs leading to CAF activation have been elucidated, little is known about the impact of the microenvironment on the turnover of key CAF regulators. RBPJ/CSL is a transcriptional repressor that mediates NOTCH signaling and its down-modulation activates the gene expression program(s) leading to stromal senescence and CAF activation.

Evaluation of the CLL-IPI in relapsed and refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia in idelalisib phase-3 trials.

The CLL-IPI is a risk-weighted prognostic model for previously untreated patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), but has not been evaluated in patients with relapsed CLL or on novel therapies. We evaluated the CLL-IPI in 897 patients with relapsed/refractory CLL in 3 randomized trials testing idelalisib (PI3Kδ inhibitor). The CLL-IPI identified patients as low (2.

A cost-effectiveness analysis of denosumab for the prevention of skeletal-related events in patients with multiple myeloma in the United States of America.

Objective: A large, pivotal, phase 3 trial in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) demonstrated that denosumab, compared with zoledronic acid, was non-inferior for the prevention of skeletal-related events (SREs), extended the observed median progression-free survival (PFS) by 10.7 months, and showed significantly less renal toxicity. The cost-effectiveness of denosumab vs zoledronic acid in MM in the US was assessed from societal and payer perspectives.

Potentiation of antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation by inorganic salts.

Antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation (aPDI) involves the use of non-toxic dyes excited with visible light to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can destroy all classes of microorganisms including bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses. Selectivity of killing microbes over host mammalian cells allows this approach (antimicrobial photodynamic therapy, aPDT) to be used in vivo as an alternative therapeutic approach for localized infections especially those that are drug-resistant. Areas covered: We have discovered that aPDI can be potentiated (up to 6 logs of extra killing) by the addition of simple inorganic salts.

Exploring the potential cost-effectiveness of precision medicine treatment strategies for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Activated B-cell-like (ABC) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is associated with worse survival after standard rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (RCHOP) chemoimmunotherapy compared to germinal center B-cell-like (GCB) subtype. Preliminary evidence suggests that benefits from novel agents may vary by subtype. Hypothesizing that treatment stratified by DLBCL subtype could be potentially cost-effective, we developed micro-simulation models to compare three first-line treatment strategies: (1) standard RCHOP for all patients (2) subtype testing followed by RCHOP for GCB and novel treatment for ABC DLBCL, and (3) novel treatment for all patients.

Use of an objective structured clinical exam (OSCE) for early identification of communication skills deficits in interns.

Introduction: There is limited information about whether OSCE during GME orientation can identify trainee communication deficits before these become evident via clinical performance evaluations.

Methods: Ninety-seven interns matriculating to eight residency programs in six specialties at four hospitals participated in a nine-station communication skills OSCE. Ratings were based on the "Kalamazoo, adapted" communication skills checklist.

Openness to adopting evidence-based practice in public substance use treatment in South Africa using task shifting: Caseload size matters.

Background: In response to the lack of coverage for substance use treatment in the Western Cape province of South Africa, the local government expanded funding for evidence-based practices (EBPs) for treating substance use. Yet, little is known about provider and staff attitudes towards adopting EBPs in this setting, which is particularly relevant in this context where task shifting clinical care increases demands on paraprofessional providers. This study aimed to (1) assess attitudes towards adopting EBPs among a range of staff working in substance use treatment in Cape Town using a task shifting model; and (2) evaluate factors associated with openness towards adopting EBPs in this setting.

Needs assessment with elder Syrian refugees in Lebanon: Implications for services and interventions.

Currently, over 1 million Syrian and Palestinian refugees have fled Syria to take refuge in Lebanon. Among this vulnerable population, elder refugees warrant particular concern, as they shoulder a host of additional health and safety issues that require additional resources. However, the specific needs of elder refugees are often overlooked, especially during times of crisis.

Clonally expanded cytotoxic CD4 T cells and the pathogenesis of IgG4-related disease.

IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a systemic condition of unknown cause characterized by highly fibrotic lesions, with dense lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates containing a preponderance of IgG4-expressing plasma cells. CD4 T cells and B cells constitute the major inflammatory cell populations in IgG4-RD lesions. IgG4-RD patients with active, untreated disease show a marked expansion of plasmablasts in the circulation.

Reconciling technology and humanistic care: Lessons from the next generation of physicians.

Purpose: There is concern among physicians that the rising use of technology in medicine may have a negative impact on compassionate patient-centered care. This study explores medical student attitudes and ideas about technology in medicine in order to consider ways to achieve symbiosis between technology use and the delivery of humanistic, patient-centered care.

Methods: This qualitative study uses data from 138 essays written by medical students in the United States and Canada responding to the prompt "Using a real life experience, describe how technology played a role, either negatively or positively, in the delivery of humanistic patient care.

Heightened sensitivity to emotional expressions in generalised anxiety disorder, compared to social anxiety disorder, and controls.

Few studies have examined potential differences between social anxiety disorder (SAD) and generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) in the sensitivity to detect emotional expressions. The present study aims to compare the detection of emotional expressions in SAD and GAD. Participants with a primary diagnosis of GAD (n = 46), SAD (n = 70), and controls (n = 118) completed a morph movies task.

Abuse, nocturnal stress hormones, and coronary heart disease risk among women with HIV.

This study investigated the relationships among abuse, nocturnal levels of cortisol and norepinephrine (NE), and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk as measured by the Framingham risk score among women with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Participants (n = 53) from the Chicago Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS), a longitudinal prospective cohort study initiated in 1994, were enrolled in this study during 2012. At WIHS baseline and annual follow-up visits, women were asked about recent experiences of abuse.

Characteristics associated with virologic failure in high-risk HIV-positive participants with prior failure: a post hoc analysis of ACTG 5251.

Unlabelled: Patients with prior virologic failure (VF) are at an increased risk of subsequent failure, emergence of resistance, and death. This analysis identifies outcomes and correlates of VF in a high-risk population.

Methods: A5251 was designed to evaluate an enhanced adherence counseling intervention delivered by nurses from a central call site on virologic suppression.

Use of the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory at Brookhaven National Laboratory to Conduct Charged Particle Radiobiology Studies Relevant to Ion Therapy.

Although clinical studies with carbon ions have been conducted successfully in Japan and Europe, the limited radiobiological information about charged particles that are heavier than protons remains a significant impediment to exploiting the full potential of particle therapy. There is growing interest in the U.S.

Psychopharmacological interventions in autism spectrum disorder.

Introduction: Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) commonly present for treatment of emotional and behavioral disturbances associated with ASD's "core" symptoms. Psychotropic medications are widely utilized in alleviating associated emotional and behavioral symptoms.

Areas Covered: Emotional and behavioral disturbances associated with ASD include irritability/severely disruptive behavior, which comprises the heaviest symptom burden; hyperactivity and other Attention-Deficit-Hyperactivity-Disorder (ADHD)-type symptoms; repetitive/stereotyped behaviors; and social withdrawal.

An Evidence-Based Systematic Review of Yin Yang Huo (Epimedium spp.) by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration.

An evidence-based systematic review of yin yang huo (Epimedium spp.) by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration consolidates the safety and efficacy data available in the scientific literature using a validated, reproducible grading rationale. This article includes written and statistical analysis of clinical trials, plus a compilation of expert opinion, folkloric precedent, history, pharmacology, kinetics/dynamics, interactions, adverse effects, toxicology, and dosing.