Indoor Air Quality Conditions and Respiratory Virus Detections in Elementary Schools-Kansas City, Missouri, February-March 2023.

Background/objectives: Respiratory viruses circulate year-round and can spread indoors via inhalation of airborne particles. Effective ventilation and filtration may reduce transmission, particularly in school settings where children and staff spend significant time. This study examines the impact of indoor air quality (IAQ) and ventilation in schools on respiratory virus detection.

Feasibility of an Interactive, Iterative Zoom-based Anti-racism Course for Academic Neurology Faculty.

While there has been increasing education on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) for medical students and residents, neurology faculty are also in need of formal education on race and racism. The aim was to implement and evaluate the feasibility, efficacy and preliminary impact of an interactive Zoom-based anti-racism curriculum that was repeated in a new academic year to foster learning and discussion amongst neurology faculty. A Justice Equity Diversity and Inclusion Curriculum (JEDI) was delivered to Brown University Neurology faculty during 2021-2022 and again in 2023-2024.

Cardiac Troponins in Kidney Disease.

Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in individuals with kidney disease. In recent years, biomarkers such as cardiac troponins have become indispensable to the diagnosis and prognosis of cardiac disease, such as MI and heart failure. However, these biomarkers behave differently in the general population compared with people with kidney disease, who may have higher baseline levels and reactions to acute disturbance due to a combination of reduced renal clearance of biomarker molecules and increased production due to concurrent cardiovascular disease and cardiorenal syndrome.

IGSF11-Mediated Immune Modulation: Unlocking a Novel Pathway in Emerging Cancer Immunotherapies.

Immunoglobulin superfamily member 11 (IGSF11) has recently emerged as a critical immune checkpoint ligand that interacts with the V-domain immunoglobulin suppressor of T-cell activation (VISTA) receptor to inhibit T-cell activation and promote immune escape. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that targeting the IGSF11-VISTA axis effectively reverses immunosuppression by enhancing T-cell effector functions and increasing the secretion of prostimulatory cytokines such as IFN-γ. This immune modulation shifts the tumor microenvironment from an immune "cold" state, characterized by low immune infiltration and activity, to a more immunoreactive "hot" state that is more susceptible to immune-mediated destruction.

Comparison of a direct consultative advanced heart failure role in the outcomes of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients.

Background: Advanced heart failure and transplant (AHFTC) teams are crucial in the management of patients in cardiogenic shock. We sought to explore the impact of AHFTC physicians on outcomes in patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support.

Aim: To determine whether outcomes differ in the care of ECMO patients when AHFTC physicians serve in a primary consultative role.