Targeted RNA sequencing identified gene expression profiles linked to severe necrosis and mortality in preterm infants with surgical necrotizing enterocolitis.

Background: We aim to determine the gene expression changes that occur in surgical NEC infants with and without moderate to severe necrosis and survivors and non-survivors.

Methods: Targeted RNA sequencing was performed on RNA isolated from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) intestinal tissue samples (N=36). DeSeq2 was used to analyze differential expressions between infants with mild to moderate and severe necrosis and with respect to survival status.

Impella 5.5 Versus Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump for Bridging Heart Transplant Patients: A Contemporary Analysis of the United Network for Organ Sharing Database.

Anecdotally, over the past 2 years, many transplant centers in the United States have shifted toward using Impella 5.5 instead of intra-aortic balloon pumps (IABP) for less sick patients. The aim of our study is to determine if Impella 5.

Comparing methods for glomerular filtration rate estimation.

Background: The glomerular filtration rate (GFR), estimated from serum creatinine (SCr), is widely used in clinical practice for kidney function assessment, but SCr-based equations are limited by non-GFR determinants and may introduce inaccuracies across racial groups. Few studies have evaluated whether advanced modeling techniques enhance their performance.

Methods: Using multivariable fractional polynomials (MFP), generalized additive models (GAM), random forests (RF), and gradient boosted machines (GBM), we developed four SCr-based GFR-estimating equations in a pooled data set from four cohorts ( = 4665).

Fractal analysis in different regions of a fracture surface in a dental glass-ceramic.

Objectives: Previous studies have reported the fractal dimension of dental ceramic fracture surfaces from mist and hackle regions. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the fractal dimensional increment between the mirror, mist, and hackle regions of lithium disilicate fracture surfaces.

Methods: Nine bar-shaped specimens were prepared from lithium disilicate glass-ceramic.

Assessing the risk of preeclampsia/eclampsia in Mississippi black women with chronic kidney disease using electronic health records.

Objectives: Preeclampsia (PE) is risk factor for renal dysfunction, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with higher prevalence of PE. However, the role of preexisting CKD in PE development in minority mothers has been understudied. Additionally, previous studies rarely examine CKD on PE risk independent from common comorbidities seen in patients with CKD such as hypertension (HTN) and diabetes.

ERAS including minimal Narcotic Pain Management Is Successful After Heart Transplant and LVAD Implantation: A Single Center Review.

Objective: To assess the outcomes of an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol for heart failure patients receiving heart transplant or left ventricular assist device (LVAD) surgery.

Methods: A single center, retrospective IRB study reviewed consecutive heart transplant and LVAD implantation patients from May 2020 to May 2022. Patients received an organized ERAS protocol.

Impella 5.5 versus intra-aortic balloon pump for bridging dual organ heart-kidney transplants: Analysis of the UNOS database.

Background: There has been an exponential increase in the utilization of temporary mechanical support devices for bridging Status 2 heart transplant candidates. The aim of our study is to determine outcomes in dual organ heart/kidney recipients for patients bridged with an Impella 5.5 versus IABP.

eHealth interventions and patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a growing global health concern, with increasing mortality rates driven by the obesity pandemic. Weight loss has been shown to improve MASLD outcomes, yet the effectiveness of eHealth interventions in MASLD management remains uncertain. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of eHealth interventions compared with standard care in improving health outcomes among patients with MASLD.

ChemoID-guided therapy improves objective response rate in recurrent platinum-resistant ovarian cancer randomized clinical trial.

Patients with recurrent platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (PROC) have poor clinical outcomes, owing mainly to the presence of therapy-resistant cancer stem cells (CSCs). The NCT03949283 randomized clinical trial enrolled patients with recurrent PROC to receive ChemoID-guided chemotherapy or the best physician-choice regimen selected from the same list of thirteen mono or combination chemotherapies. The primary outcome was objective response rate (ORR) assessed on CT scans using the RECIST 1.

Bridging disciplines: An evaluation of learning about Interprofessional roles and responsibilities through an interactive group activity.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines interprofessional education (IPE) as "when two or more professions learn about, from and with each other", and considers IPE a necessary component of a "collaborative practice-ready" workforce. In this article we describe an interprofessional educational activity that focused on increasing students' knowledge of healthcare professionals' roles and responsibilities. Faculty members representing six healthcare related disciplines collaborated to develop an interactive group activity.

Comparing four different methods of measuring fracture toughness and its relationship with fractal dimension in a polycrystalline (3Y-TZP) dental ceramic.

Objectives: Previous studies reported various methods of measuring fracture toughness of dental ceramics. The objectives of this study were to compare different methods and to validate fractal analysis to estimate fracture toughness for a polycrystalline dental ceramic.

Methods: Bar-shaped specimens were prepared from 3 mol% yttria-stabilized tetragonal polycrystalline (3Y-TZP) ceramic.

Interpretation time efficiency with radiographs: a comparison study between standard 6 and 12 MP high-resolution display monitors.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare interpretation efficiency of radiologists reading radiographs on 6 megapixel (MP) versus 12 MP monitors.

Approach: Our method compares two sets of monitors in two phases: in phase I, radiologists interpreted using a 6 MP, 30.4 in.

A regionally tailored epidemiological forecast and monitoring program to guide a healthcare system in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, analytics and predictive models built on regional data provided timely, accurate monitoring of epidemiological behavior, informing critical planning and decision-making for health system leaders. At Atrium Health, a large, integrated healthcare system in the southeastern United States, a team of statisticians and physicians created a comprehensive forecast and monitoring program that leveraged an array of statistical methods.

Methods: The program utilized the following methodological approaches: (i) exploratory graphics, including time plots of epidemiological metrics with smoothers; (ii) infection prevalence forecasting using a Bayesian epidemiological model with time-varying infection rate; (iii) doubling and halving times computed using changepoints in local linear trend; (iv) death monitoring using combination forecasting with an ensemble of models; (v) effective reproduction number estimation with a Bayesian approach; (vi) COVID-19 patients hospital census monitored via time series models; and (vii) quantified forecast performance.

AI-enabled left atrial volumetry in coronary artery calcium scans (AI-CAC) predicts atrial fibrillation as early as one year, improves CHARGE-AF, and outperforms NT-proBNP: The multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis.

Background: Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scans contain actionable information beyond CAC scores that is not currently reported.

Methods: We have applied artificial intelligence-enabled automated cardiac chambers volumetry to CAC scans (AI-CAC) to 5535 asymptomatic individuals (52.2% women, ages 45-84) that were previously obtained for CAC scoring in the baseline examination (2000-2002) of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

Computed Tomography and Dual-Energy X-Ray Asorptiometry body composition parameter harmonisation to universalise adipose tissue measurements in a population-based cross-sectional study.

To harmonise computed tomography (CT) and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) body composition measurements allowing easy conversion in longitudinal assessments and across cohorts to assess cardiometabolic risk and disease. Retrospective cross-sectional observational study from 1996 to 2008 included participants in the Pennington Center Longitudinal Study (PCLS) (N = 1967; 571 African American/1396 White). Anthropometrics, whole-body DXA and abdominal CT images were obtained.

Serological assessment of the durability of vaccine-mediated protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Virus-neutralizing antibodies are often accepted as a correlate of protection against infection, though questions remain about which components of the immune response protect against SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this small observational study, we longitudinally measured spike receptor binding domain (RBD)-specific and nucleocapsid (NP)-specific serum IgG in a human cohort immunized with the Pfizer BNT162b2 vaccine. NP is not encoded in the vaccine, so an NP-specific response is serological evidence of natural infection.

AI-enabled Left Atrial Volumetry in Cardiac CT Scans Improves CHARGE-AF and Outperforms NT-ProBNP for Prediction of Atrial Fibrillation in Asymptomatic Individuals: Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Background: Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scans contain actionable information beyond CAC scores that is not currently reported.

Methods: We have applied artificial intelligence-enabled automated cardiac chambers volumetry to CAC scans (AI-CAC), taking on average 21 seconds per CAC scan, to 5535 asymptomatic individuals (52.2% women, ages 45-84) that were previously obtained for CAC scoring in the baseline examination (2000-2002) of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

EFFECT OF LOW-POWER LASER IRRADIATION ON THE SHEAR BOND STRENGTH AND THERMAL CHANGES ACROSS DIFFERENT ZIRCONIA THICKNESSES USING DIFFERENT IRRADIATION TIMES.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of irradiation time and zirconia thickness using low power Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradia)on (for debonding purposes) on the thermal changes and shear bond strength (SBS) of resin-bonded 3% mol yIrium oxide stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (3YTZP) specimens.

Materials And Methods: 3Y-TZP slices of 0.5-, 2-, and 3- mm thick were used.

External Validation of a Novel Multimarker GFR Estimating Equation.

Key Points: Using multiple markers may improve GFR estimation especially in settings where creatinine and cystatin C are known to be limited. Panel eGFR is a novel multimarker eGFR equation consisting of age, sex, cystatin C, and nuclear magnetic resonance–measured creatinine, valine, and myo-inositol. eGFR-Cr and eGFR-Cr-CysC may underestimate measured GFR, while panel eGFR was unbiased among younger Black male individuals.

Pulmonary Surface Irregularity Score as a New Quantitative CT Marker for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis-a Pilot Study.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the accuracy and inter-observer agreement of a quantitative pulmonary surface irregularity (PSI) score on high-resolution chest CT (HRCT) for predicting transplant-free survival in patients with IPF. For this IRB-approved HIPAA-compliant retrospective single-center study, adult patients with IPF and HRCT imaging (N = 50) and an age- and gender-matched negative control group with normal HRCT imaging (N = 50) were identified. Four independent readers measured the PSI score in the midlungs on HRCT images using dedicated software while blinded to clinical data.

Immune marker reductions in black and white Americans following sleeve gastrectomy in the short-term phase of surgical weight loss.

Background: Surgical weight loss procedures like vertical sleeve gastrectomy (SG) are sufficient in resolving obesity comorbidities and are touted to reduce the burden of pro-inflammatory cytokines and augment the release of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Recent reports suggest a reduced improvement in weight resolution after SG in Black Americans (BA) versus White Americans (WA). The goal of this study was to determine if differences in immunoglobulin levels and general markers of inflammation after SG in Black Americans (BA) and White Americans (WA) may contribute to this differential resolution.