MRD4U: A path to development for personalized liquid biopsy for children with central nervous system tumors.

Background: Liquid biopsy assays using cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) can revolutionize care for children with central nervous system (CNS) tumors by enabling precise monitoring of therapeutic responses and detecting recurrence or measurable residual disease (MRD). These assays can detect cell-free, circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) via somatic alterations, though accurately measuring low-abundance ctDNA in CSF is challenging.

Methods: Our research focused on the optimization of next-generation sequencing library preparation from cell-free DNA (cfDNA), evaluating four commercial kits to address the low nucleic acid yield in CSF-derived cfDNA.

Use of Paid Family Care in the Community: National Trends Among Older Adults With Functional Impairment, 2011-2022.

Objectives: Paying family caregivers (eg, children, friends) is an innovative approach to support older adults in the community and ease direct care workforce shortages. Yet, data about the receipt of paid family care are lacking. In this study, we used a nationally representative sample of Medicare beneficiaries to (1) identify characteristics associated with receipt of paid family care in 2022, and (2) describe national trends in receipt of paid family care between 2011 and 2022.

A conceptual model of factors potentially influencing prescribing decisions for chronic conditions: an overview of systematic reviews.

Background: Nearly half of all adults are affected by chronic conditions with long-term medications often being the primary intervention. Although models like that of Murshid and Mohaidin contribute to our understanding of prescribing behaviours, they are not specific to chronic conditions and may not reflect the full range of influencing factors relevant to long-term care. Better understanding the factors that may influence healthcare professionals' decision-making could help inform policy and guidelines as well as identify targets for future research and interventions.

Systematic Documentation of State Variation in Medicaid Home- and Community-based Services: The Medicaid Home and Community-based Services Dataset Initiative.

Background And Objectives: In the United States, Medicaid plays a prominent and growing role as a primary payer for home- and community-based services (HCBS) to help adults remain living independently in the community. While Medicaid HCBS programs vary significantly across states, limited historical, systematic data about Medicaid HCBS program components exist. We presented a systematic, reproducible approach to capture comprehensive characteristics of Medicaid HCBS waivers.

Caregiving Network Precarity among Community-Living, Dually-Enrolled Persons with Dementia.

Background And Objectives: Most Persons with Dementia live in the community, relying on caregiving networks to meet their needs. Caregiving network precarity refers to insecurity or instability in these networks, defined as caregiver(s) being unable or unwilling to continue in their role. Given the importance of caregiving to aging in place and the high burden associated with dementia caregiving, we sought to identify factors associated with caregiving network precarity for community-living, dually-enrolled persons with dementia.

Cell autonomous microglia defects in a stem cell model of frontotemporal dementia tau.

Neuronal dysfunction has been extensively studied as a central feature of neurodegenerative tauopathies. However, across neurodegenerative diseases, there is strong evidence for active involvement of immune cells like microglia in driving disease pathophysiology. Here, we demonstrate that MAPT mRNA and tau protein are expressed in microglia in human brains and in human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived microglia like cells (iMGLs).

From Nursing Homes to Home Care: Examining the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Direct Care Worker Transitions.

Objectives: Due to poor working conditions and low wages, workforce turnover in the long-term care industry has been a longstanding issue. Increased risks to workers caused by the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these issues. Thus, many states offered wage supports (eg, hazard pay) to try to stabilize the workforce.

The effect of intrawound vancomycin powder on surgical site infection in inguinal lymph node dissection: a randomized controlled trial pilot study.

Background: Inguinal lymph node dissections are morbid surgeries with high rates of postoperative wound infections. The primary objective of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility of implementing a randomized controlled trial to assess the impact of intrawound vancomycin powder on postoperative complications after inguinal lymph node dissection in patients with vulvar cancer. Secondary objectives included 1) 30-day composite postoperative complication rate, and 2) adverse effects.

Comprehensive Genomic Characterization of Congenital and Infantile Cancers Reveals High Yield of Medically Meaningful Findings.

Purpose: We describe findings from genomic profiling of tumors among infantile pediatric patients studied within a translational research protocol established at our pediatric tertiary care center. Comprehensive genomic profiling was initiated to aid in diagnosis, prognostication, treatment, and detection of germline disease predisposition in this patient cohort.

Methods: Enhanced exome sequencing of disease and comparator tissue was coupled with RNA sequencing of the disease-involved specimen to assess for single nucleotide variation, insertion/deletions, copy number alteration, structural variation, fusions, and methylation profiling-based tumor classification scores.

Support for Care Economy Policies by Political Affiliation and Caregiving Responsibilities.

Importance: Identifying effective and financially viable strategies to meet the care needs of perons with impaired function is a policy challenge for high-income countries with aging populations. The 2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers identified a range of actions to support caregivers, while family-oriented policies to promote the affordability of care were promoted by both candidates in the 2024 presidential election.

Objective: To examine public perceptions of federal policies to support older adults, adults living with disabilities, and their family caregivers by political affiliation and caregiving status.

Thyroid Cancer Incidence and Trends in United States and Canadian Pediatric, Adolescent, and Young Adults.

Background/objectives: Thyroid cancer incidence has risen in both the United States and Canada, despite differing healthcare systems. While overdiagnosis likely partly explains this trend in adults, its impact on younger populations is unclear. We used the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries, which included 133,808 thyroid cancer cases from the United States and Canada, to assess incidence trends among pediatric, adolescent, and young adult (PAYA) populations.

Home- and Community-Based Service Use Among Veterans: The National Landscape.

Background: The Veteran population is aging rapidly, with already higher rates of disability compared to non-Veteran peers. Consequently, demand for home- and community-based long-term services and supports (HCBS) is increasing. Understanding who needs and uses HCBS is particularly important in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA)-a payer for HCBS.

Perceived Control, Cognitive Training, and Incident Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias in the ACTIVE Study.

Objectives: Greater perception of control over important life outcomes has been linked to better cognitive performance and greater benefits from cognitive training interventions among older adults. However, it is not yet known whether perceived control predicts incident Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) or influences links between cognitive training and ADRD incidence.

Methods: Data were obtained from 2,021 participants in the Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly (ACTIVE) trial.

Comparison of matching the compound or elements as a differential problem-solving response.

Differential observing responses (DORs) are additional response requirements used to promote orientation to a stimulus in a discrimination task. Farber and Dickson (2023) recently provided a DOR taxonomy, and these authors reported that no prior research has compared the effects of distinct DOR requirements. We compared the effects of two DOR requirements on textual responding by five children exhibiting reading deficits.

Somatic and Stem Cell Bank to study the contribution of African ancestry to dementia: African iPSC Initiative.

Introduction: Africa, home to 1.4 billion people and the highest genetic diversity globally, harbors unique genetic variants crucial for understanding complex diseases like neurodegenerative disorders. However, African populations remain underrepresented in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) collections, limiting the exploration of population-specific disease mechanisms and therapeutic discoveries.

Long-Term Care Services and Supports Needed for Successful Aging-in-Place: A Critical Review.

We summarize the state of the evidence on the long-term services and supports infrastructure to support aging-in-place. We find an extensive literature describing the importance of affordable medical and social services delivered in the home, support for family caregivers, and the role of technology for improving communication among patients, caregivers, and health care teams to support aging-in-place. We identify gaps in access to affordable services and an inadequate workforce prepared to support aging-in-place, raising concerns about meeting the future needs of our aging population.

Distribution and concordance of HER2 scores in endometrial and ovarian cancer.

Objectives: Although multiple HER2 scoring criteria exist, the optimal strategy to identify patients with gynecologic malignancies who may benefit from HER2-directed therapies remains unknown. The objectives of this study were to assess the distribution and concordance of HER2 scores in endometrial and ovarian cancer.

Methods: One hundred five tumor specimens from 94 patients with endometrial or epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) who underwent Caris tumor profiling from 11/2022 to 01/2025 were identified from a retrospective database.

Knowledge of and Attitudes Towards End-of-Life Doulas Among Gynecologic Oncologists.

ObjectiveEnd-of-life doulas (EOLDs) offer non-medical support to patients and families, yet little is known regarding how knowledgeable and receptive gynecologic oncologists are to EOLDs.MethodsMembers of the New England Association of Gynecologic Oncologists (NEAGO) were surveyed regarding demographics and familiarity with and attitudes towards EOLDs. Descriptive statistics described demographics.

Alanine Scanning to Define Membrane Protein-Lipid Interaction Sites Using Native Mass Spectrometry.

Lipids surrounding membrane proteins interact with different sites on the protein with varying specificities, ranging from highly specific to weak interactions. These interactions can modulate the structure, function, and stability of membrane proteins. Thus, to better understand membrane protein structure and function, it is important to identify the locations of lipid binding and the relative specificities of lipid binding at these sites.

Somatic and Stem Cell Bank to Study the Contribution of African Ancestry to Dementia: African iPSC Initiative.

Introduction: Africa, home to 1.4 billion people and the highest genetic diversity globally, harbors unique genetic variants crucial for understanding complex diseases like neurodegenerative disorders. However, African populations remain underrepresented in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) collections, limiting the exploration of population-specific disease mechanisms and therapeutic discoveries.

Regulation of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) proliferation by Epithelial Growth Factor Like-7 (EGFL7).

Understanding the pathways regulating normal and malignant hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) biology is important for improving outcomes for patients with hematologic disorders. Epithelial Growth Factor Like-7 (EGFL7 is ∼30 kDa secreted protein that is highly expressed in adult HSCs. Using genetic knock-out ( KO) mice and recombinant EGFL7 (rEGFL7) protein, we examined the role of Egfl7 in regulating normal hematopoiesis.

Growth of the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly and the role of for-profit programs.

The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is a managed care program financed by capitated government payments that primarily serves adults aged 55 or older requiring nursing home level of care who are dual-eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. While PACE programs have historically been nonprofit entities, in 2016, a regulation change allowed for-profit PACE programs to help expand the program. We describe PACE program growth from 2010 to 2022.

An Expert Consensus Statement for Implementing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Nightmares in Adults.

Objectives: Research supports cognitive behavioral therapies for nightmares (CBT-N) in adults. However, the nuances of implementation and unstandardized nomenclature for treatment components has created confusion in the field. To provide clarification, an expert consensus panel convened to review treatment manual components and to develop guidelines for the standardized implementation and terminology of CBT-N.

Trabectedin Enhances the Antitumor Effects of IL-12 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

IL-12 is a potent NK cell-stimulating cytokine, but the presence of immunosuppressive myeloid cells such as myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) can inhibit IL-12-induced NK-cell cytotoxicity. Thus, we hypothesized that trabectedin, a myeloid cell-depleting agent, would improve the efficacy of IL-12 in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). In vitro treatment of healthy donor NK cells with trabectedin increased expression of the activation marker CD69 and mRNA expression of T-box transcription factor (Tbx21), the cytotoxic ligands TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TNFSF10), Fas ligand (FASLG), and the dendritic cell (DC)-recruiting chemokine lymphotactin (XCL1).