Clustering Sequence Data with Mixture Markov Chains with Covariates Using Multiple Simplex Constrained Optimization Routine (MSiCOR).

Mixture Markov Model (MMM) is a widely used tool to cluster sequences of events coming from a finite state-space. However, the MMM likelihood being multi-modal, the challenge remains in its maximization. Although Expectation-Maximization (EM) algorithm remains one of the most popular ways to estimate the MMM parameters, however, convergence of EM algorithm is not always guaranteed.

The health-related experiences of detained immigrants with and without mental illness.

Background: Incarcerated individuals with mental illness face unique health challenges, yet we know little about individuals with mental illness who are detained by US immigration authorities. We aimed to describe the health-related experiences of detained immigrants with and without mental illness.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional telephone survey in 2021 with a sample of recently detained immigrants who were detained by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and released in the United States in 2020-2021 ( = 203).

Descriptive Analysis of Preoperative Breast Reconstruction Patient Expectations Using the BREAST-Q Expectations Module.

Patient expectations have been shown to influence postoperative outcomes across surgical specialties. However, the impact of expectations in breast reconstruction is not well understood. The purpose of this project is to perform the first large-scale analysis and classification of BREAST-Q Expectations responses in patients undergoing implant-based reconstruction.

Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effects of High-Dose Ondansetron on Clinical Symptoms and Brain Connectivity in Obsessive-Compulsive and Tic Disorders.

Objective: Sensory phenomena (SP) are aversive sensations driving repetitive behaviors in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and Tourette's disorder that are not well addressed by standard treatments. SP are related to the functioning of an interoceptive-sensorimotor circuit that may be modulated by the 5-HT receptor antagonist ondansetron. The present study employed an experimental medicine approach to test the effects of 4 weeks of high-dose ondansetron compared to placebo on SP severity and brain connectivity in a cohort of individuals with OCD and/or Tourette's disorder.

Longitudinal Changes in Patient- and Clinical-Reported Outcomes in Early Spinocerebellar Ataxia Types 1, 2, 3, and 6 from the IDEA Study.

Background: Clinical outcomes assessments (COAs) in spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) need to be standardized, ataxia-specific, sensitive to change, clinically relevant, and meaningful to patients.

Objectives: To evaluate the longitudinal 1- and 2-year performances of different patient reported outcomes, including the Patient Reported Outcome Measure of Ataxia (PROM-Ataxia), and clinician reported outcomes, including FARS and SARA, in those with early manifest symptoms of SCA 1, 2, 3, and 6.

Methods: We studied 53 patients with early stage SCA1-3 and SCA6 from The Instrumented Data Exchange for Ataxia Study and 24 age-matched healthy controls.

Plant-based eating pattern and psychological symptoms: a cross-sectional survey among patients with migraine.

Objectives: The present study evaluated the association between plant-based diet index (PDI) and psychological symptoms, including depressive symptoms, stress, and anxiety among Iranian women diagnosed with migraine headaches.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 262 patients with migraine (aged 20-50 years; body mass index, 18.5-30 kg/m²).

Molecular Profiling of Odontoclasts during Physiological Tooth Replacement.

The odontoclast is a rarely studied cell type that is overly active in many dental pathologies, leading to tooth loss. It is difficult to find diphyodont mammals in which either physiological or pathological root resorption can be studied. Here we use the adult leopard gecko, which has repeated cycles of physiological tooth resorption and shedding.

Descriptive Epidemiology of Complete ACL Tears in the Skeletally Immature Population: A Prospective Multicenter PLUTO Study.

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are common in pediatric and adolescent patients. Understanding this population's injury characteristics and treatment strategies is vital for managing this high-risk group.

Purpose: To report the descriptive epidemiology and treatment strategies of a large cohort of skeletally immature patients with complete ACL tears.

Individualized Neoantigen-Directed Melanoma Therapy.

Individualized neoantigen-directed therapy represents a groundbreaking approach in melanoma treatment that leverages the patient's own immune system to target cancer cells. This innovative strategy involves the identification of unique immunogenic neoantigens (mutated proteins specific to an individual's tumor) and the development of therapeutic vaccines that either consist of peptide sequences or RNA encoding these neoantigens. The goal of these therapies is to induce neoantigen-specific immune responses, enabling the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells presenting the targeted neoantigens.

Screening of Oxidative Stress-related Biomarkers and Antioxidant Drugs for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Based on Bioinformatics and Molecular Docking.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine and metabolic disorder affecting women of reproductive age. Oxidative stress (OS) is suggested to play a significant role in the development of PCOS. Using antioxidants to reduce OS and maintain a healthy balance in the body could be a novel treatment approach for PCOS.

Description of STRIVE-ON Study Protocol: Safety and Tolerability of GTX-104 (Nimodipine Injection for IV Infusion) Compared with Oral Nimodipine in Patients Hospitalized for Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (aSAH): A Prospective, Randomized, Phase III Trial (STRIVE-ON).

Oral nimodipine is the only drug approved in North America for patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). However, bioavailability is variable and frequently poor, leading to fluctuations in peak plasma concentrations that cause dose-limiting hypotension. Furthermore, administration is problematic in patients who cannot swallow.

Structured surgical training in minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) increases textbook outcome-a risk-adjusted learning curve.

Background: Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy (MIE) is a complex surgical procedure that has become a cornerstone in the management of esophageal cancer. This study aims to delineate the learning curve associated with MIE and its impact on patient outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 191 patients who underwent MIE between 2015 and 2022.

Coeliac disease: complications and comorbidities.

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disease characterized by small intestinal villus atrophy and inflammation upon exposure to gluten. It has a global prevalence of approximately 1%. Although the gluten-free diet can be an effective treatment, this diet is burdensome with practical difficulties and frequent inadvertent gluten exposure.

Urology on a changing planet: links between climate change and urological disease.

Urological diseases and their varied forms of management warrant special attention in the setting of climate change. Regarding urological cancers, climate change will probably increase the incidence and severity of cancer diagnoses through exposures to certain environmental risk factors, while simultaneously disrupting cancer care delivery and downstream outcomes. Regarding benign urological diseases, a burgeoning body of work exists on climate-related heat waves, dehydration, urolithiasis, renal injury and infectious and vector-borne diseases.

Association between changes in genital immune markers and vaginal microbiome transitions in bacterial vaginosis.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV), characterized by an imbalance in the vaginal microbiota, is a prevalent condition among women of reproductive age and a risk factor for human immunodeficiency virus, sexually transmitted infections, and preterm birth. BV is generally considered to induce mucosal inflammation, but the specific pathways and cell types involved are not well characterized. This prospective study aimed to assess associations between microbial changes and mucosal immune responses in BV patients.

Isolation of PCSK9-specific nanobodies from synthetic libraries using a combined protein selection strategy.

Nanobodies (Nbs) hold great potential to replace conventional antibodies in various biomedical applications. However, conventional methods for their discovery can be time-consuming and expensive. We have developed a reliable protein selection strategy that combines magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS)-based screening of yeast surface display (YSD) libraries and functional ligand-binding identification by Tat-based recognition of associating proteins (FLI-TRAP) to isolate antigen-specific Nbs from synthetic libraries.

Platelet-white cell ratio is more strongly associated with mortality than other common risk ratios derived from complete blood counts.

Complete blood count indices and their ratios are associated with adverse clinical outcomes for many acute illnesses, but the mechanisms generating these associations are not fully understood. Recent identification of a consistent pattern of white blood cell and platelet count co-regulation during acute inflammatory recovery provides a potentially unifying explanation. Here we show that the platelet-to-white-cell ratio, which was selected based on this conserved recovery pattern, is more strongly associated with mortality than other blood count markers and ratios in four important illnesses involving acute inflammation: COVID-19, acute heart failure, myocardial infarction, and stroke.

Radiological safety atlas of minimally invasive midfoot fusion: A cadaver study.

Purpose: The popularity of minimally invasive (MIS) foot surgery continues to grow. However, it comes with certain limitations that present notable challenges. One significant hurdle is the absence of direct visualization of neurovascular structures and tendons.

Ligand-restricted synNotch switches enable precision cell therapy.

Lim and colleagues demonstrate that synNotch transcriptional circuits engineered into T cells can be used to precisely control location-specific expression of payloads responding to antigen triggers, thus locally inhibiting unwanted immunity or neuroinflammation. With no off-tumor toxicity or systemic immunosuppression upon elimination of mouse brain tumors, this approach can achieve better efficacy than anticipated.

Elevated plasma Tau-PT217 linked to decreased hippocampal functional connectivity in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Background: Osteoarthritis is associated with a higher risk of developing dementia, though the underlying biological mechanisms have remained unclear. Recent studies suggest that blood phosphorylated tau proteins, particularly Tau-PT217, are sensitive biomarkers capable of detecting cognitive decline in its early stages, making it useful for early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of cognitive impairment.

Methods: In this study, we investigated the plasma phosphorylated tau protein levels (Tau-PT217 and Tau-PT181), hippocampus functional connectivity, and cognitive function in people with knee osteoarthritis compared to age and gender matched pain-free controls.