Physical Activity Is Associated With Decreased Epigenetic Aging: Findings From the Health and Retirement Study.

Background: Epigenetic aging measures or clocks are DNA methylation-based indicators of biological aging, linked to health outcomes and disease risk. Physical activity and exercise may influence epigenetic aging, suggesting a pathway through which it promotes healthier aging and reduces chronic disease burden. In this study, we assessed the association between self-reported moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) in participants of the Health and Retirement Study, followed biennially for 12 years from 2004 to 2016.

Medication and Therapy Profiles for Pain and Symptom Management Among Adults With Cerebral Palsy.

Objective: To examine the most common patterns of pain and symptom management strategies among adults living with cerebral palsy (CP), and to determine if there are differences by pain phenotype or co-occurring neurodevelopmental disorders.

Patients And Methods: Federally insured beneficiaries were included if they had an ICD-9-CM/ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for CP (N=41,595). The study took place from January 10, 2024, to December 15, 2024.

Recent trends in National Institutes of Health funding for cerebral palsy lifespan research.

Aim: To determine the landscape of recent National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding for cerebral palsy (CP)-related research regarding lifespan issues.

Method: This longitudinal study examined NIH funding for CP-related research between 2014 and 2023, particularly focusing on lifespan issues. We searched NIH databases Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tools Expenditures and Results, and Research, Condition, and Disease Categorization for keyword 'cerebral palsy'.

Cardiac Tamponade Complicating Type A Acute Aortic Dissection: Insights From 25 Years of Registry Research.

Background: Cardiac tamponade (TMP) is a catastrophic complication of type A acute aortic dissection (TAAAD), increasing the risk of morbidity and mortality.

Objectives: The present study aimed to assess the characteristics, management, and outcomes of TAAAD patients with preoperative TMP enrolled in the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection database from 1996 to 2022.

Methods: Data from 63 aortic centers were analyzed and TAAAD patients with and without preoperative TMP were compared.

State-of-the-Art Review of Aortic Root Reconstruction: Contemporary Techniques and Challenges.

Aortic root reconstruction operations have undergone substantial evolution with technical modifications, expanding indications, and the need for increasingly complex decision-making. The purpose of this state-of-the-art review is to detail our approach to contemporary aortic root reconstruction operations. First, we review the evolution of root reconstruction procedures over the years and discuss the approach to the aortic root patient for lifetime management of aneurysm and valvular disease in the modern context of management options.

Initial cannulation strategy impacts perioperative outcomes of acute type A dissection in high-volume centers.

Objective: We performed an intention-to-treat analysis of initial cannulation strategy to assess the impact on perioperative outcomes in acute type A dissection using multicenter data.

Methods: All patients undergoing surgical repair of acute type A dissection from a multicenter national registry of 9 high-volume aortic centers were analyzed. Cannulation strategies included in the analysis were axillary, femoral, direct aortic, and innominate.

Collective Weakness and Fluidity in Weakness Status Associated With Basic Self-Care Limitations in Older Americans.

Aims: To examine the associations of 1) absolute and normalized weakness cut-points, 2) collective weakness categories, and 3) changes in weakness status on future activities of daily living (ADL) limitations in older Americans.

Methods: The analytic sample included 11,656 participants aged ≥65-years from the 2006-2018 waves of the Health and Retirement Study. ADL were self-reported.

Open, endovascular or hybrid repair of aortic arch disease: narrative review of diverse strategies with diverse options.

Objectives: The management of aortic arch disease is complex. Open surgical management continues to evolve, and the introduction of endovascular repair is revolutionizing aortic arch surgery. Although these innovative techniques have generated the opportunity for better outcomes in select patients, they have also introduced confusion and uncertainty regarding best practices.

Axillary vs Femoral Arterial Cannulation in Acute Type A Dissection: International Multicenter Data.

Background: Cannulation strategy in acute type A dissection (ATAD) varies widely without known gold standards. This study compared ATAD outcomes of axillary vs femoral artery cannulation in a large cohort from the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection (IRAD).

Methods: The study retrospectively reviewed 2145 patients from the IRAD Interventional Cohort (1996-2021) who underwent ATAD repair with axillary or femoral cannulation (axillary group: n = 1106 [52%]; femoral group: n = 1039 [48%]).

Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients Screened for Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Replacement: The TriACT Registry.

Background: Transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement (TTVR) abolishes tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and has emerged as a definitive treatment for TR.

Objectives: The purpose of this multicenter, observational study was to determine the clinical characteristics and short-term outcomes of patients with TR screened for TTVR.

Methods: Patients underwent TTVR screening at 7 centers on a compassionate-use basis.

Type 2 Diabetes Increases the Risk of Serious and Life-Threatening Conditions Among Adults With Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury.

Objective: To compare the incidence of and adjusted hazards for serious and life-threatening morbidities among adults with traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) with and without type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Participants And Methods: A retrospective longitudinal cohort study was conducted from September 1, 2022 to February 2, 2023, among privately insured beneficiaries if they had an International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision or 10th Revision, Clinical Modification diagnostic code for TSCI (n=9081). Incidence estimates of serious and life-threatening morbidities, and more common secondary and long-term health conditions, were compared at 5 years of enrollment.

Association of Cerebral Oximetry With Brain Ischemic Lesions and Functional Outcomes in Arch Repair.

Background: This exploratory analysis of the randomized controlled Aortic Surgery Cerebral Protection Evaluation CardioLink-3 trial sought to determine if cerebral oximetry desaturation during elective proximal arch repair is associated with detrimental postoperative neuroradiologic and neurofunctional outcomes.

Methods: Cerebral oximetry and pre- and postoperative brain magnetic resonance imaging data from 101 participants were analyzed. Oximetry data from the trial allocation groups were compared; the relationships between cerebral oximetry indices and new ischemic cerebral lesions on magnetic resonance imaging and neurologic outcomes were also evaluated.

Lifelong Fitness in Ambulatory Children and Adolescents with Cerebral Palsy I: Key Ingredients for Bone and Muscle Health.

Physical activity of a sufficient amount and intensity is essential to health and the prevention of a sedentary lifestyle in all children as they transition into adolescence and adulthood. While fostering a fit lifestyle in all children can be challenging, it may be even more so for those with cerebral palsy (CP). Evidence suggests that bone and muscle health can improve with targeted exercise programs for children with CP.

Measuring grip strength in adolescents and adults with cerebral palsy in a clinic setting: Feasibility, reliability, and clinical associations.

Aim: To determine the feasibility and reliability of measuring grip strength and its association with anthropometrics and diseases among adolescents and adults (≥16 years old) with cerebral palsy (CP).

Method: In this cross-sectional study, individuals with CP, classified in Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS)/Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) levels I to V, were recruited to measure grip strength, anthropometrics, and self-reported current/history of disease during a routine clinical visit. Feasibility was determined as the proportion recruited/consented/completed testing.

Changes to physical activity behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic and their associated factors: a cross sectional survey of Mexican women.

Background: On March 24, 2020, the Mexican Government established social distancing measures to address the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The resulting home confinement affected daily lifestyle habits such as eating, sleeping, and physical activity (PA). The objectives of this study were to determine changes in PA behaviors among Mexican women due to the COVID-19 pandemic and to assess potential factors associated with these changes.

Hemiarch versus extended arch repair for acute type A dissection: Results from a multicenter national registry.

Objective: We compared perioperative outcomes of patients with acute type A aortic dissection undergoing hemiarch (HA) versus extended arch (EA) repair with or without descending aortic intervention.

Methods: Nine hundred twenty-nine patients underwent acute type A aortic dissection repair (2002-2021, 9 centers) including open distal repair (HA) with or without additional EA repair. EA with intervention on the descending aorta (EAD) included elephant trunk, antegrade thoracic endovascular aortic replacement, or uncovered dissection stent.

ACTIVE STRIDES-CP: protocol for a randomised trial of intensive rehabilitation (combined intensive gait and cycling training) for children with moderate-to-severe bilateral cerebral palsy.

Introduction: For children with cerebral palsy (CP), who are marginally ambulant, gross motor capacity peaks between 6 and 7 years of age with a subsequent clinical decline, impacting their ability to engage in physical activity. Active Strides-CP is a novel package of physiotherapy targeting body functions, activity and participation outcomes for children with bilateral CP. This study will compare Active Strides-CP to usual care in a multisite randomised waitlist-controlled trial.