Clinical and demographic predictors of the need for pharmacotherapy in neonatal abstinence syndrome.

Objective: Development and validation of a clinical prediction model for receipt of pharmacotherapy for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS).

Study Design: Data from three cohorts included opioid exposed neonates ≥37 weeks gestation. Primary outcome was the receipt of pharmacotherapy utilizing a modified Finnegan Neonatal Abstinence Scoring System (FNASS).

Buprenorphine and Methadone Discontinuation During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

Objective: Treatment of pregnant patients with opioid use disorder with methadone or buprenorphine is crucial for maternal and neonatal safety. While several clinical trials have demonstrated higher treatment discontinuation rates for buprenorphine compared with methadone outside of pregnancy, evidence during pregnancy and the postpartum period is limited. The authors compared treatment discontinuation between buprenorphine and methadone during pregnancy and over follow-up through 1 year postpartum.

Evaluation of potential mechanisms for skeletal muscle mass recovery early after left ventricular assist device implantation.

Background: We observed significant gains in appendicular lean mass (ALM) over the first 6 months of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support for patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). We sought to determine whether improved HF neurohumoral stability, inflammation, physical activity, or nutrition, are most closely related to this muscle mass recovery.

Methods: We prospectively recruited 30 adults with HFrEF ±21 days from LVAD implantation.

Tracking progression of aortic stenosis with echocardiography.

Background: Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is used to assess aortic stenosis (AS) severity and track disease progression. As the field moves to study medical therapies to halt disease progression, reliable non-invasive imaging markers that are sensitive to small changes in disease progression are needed to enable efficient trial designs. The signal-to-noise ratio of commonly obtained TTE-based measures of progressive (non-severe) AS severity is unknown.

Insights from the trial innovation network's initial consultation process.

Multicenter clinical trials are essential for evaluating interventions but often face significant challenges in study design, site coordination, participant recruitment, and regulatory compliance. To address these issues, the National Institutes of Health's National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences established the Trial Innovation Network (TIN). The TIN offers a scientific consultation process, providing access to clinical trial and disease experts who provide input and recommendations throughout the trial's duration, at no cost to investigators.

Averting collapse: Reimagining the NTDs ecosystem through G20 health diplomacy and science innovation.

The recent termination of the U.S. Government's neglected topical diseases (NTD) mass treatment program, following similar cuts by the UK, threatens decades of progress.

Comparison of excess mortality between atrial fibrillation, heart failure, myocardial infarction, and stroke: trends over 2000-2022.

Background And Aims: Monitoring trends in mortality of atrial fibrillation (AF) in comparison with other major cardiovascular conditions indirectly gives insights into the relative progress in management. We examined trends in relative survival metrics of AF compared with heart failure (HF), myocardial infarction (MI), and stroke.

Methods: This nationwide cohort study included all individuals newly diagnosed with AF, HF, MI, or stroke between 2000-2021.

Association of Volume Overload With Kidney Function Outcomes Among Patients With Acute Decompensated Heart Failure.

Rationale & Objective: Reduced kidney function, as evaluated by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), is a powerful risk factor for adverse outcomes among patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). However, evidence that volume overload is a risk factor for declines in eGFR has been inconsistent. This study examined this association among adults with ADHF.

"Interest-holders": A new term to replace "stakeholders" in the context of health research and policy.

Background: Given the colonial connotations of the term "stakeholder", its continued use may be perceived as disrespectful to Indigenous Peoples. While several groups have introduced alternative terms, each has its own limitations. The objective of this article is to introduce "interest-holders" as an alternative term to "stakeholders" and describe the discussions underpinning the adoption of the new term by the MuSE Consortium.

The Impact of Opt-In versus Opt-Out Consent Process for the Use of Donor Human Milk on Feeding Practice and Growth Pattern in Preterm Neonates.

This study aimed to assess the impact of an opt-out consent process compared with the opt-in consent process for using pasteurized donor human milk (PDHM) on feeding practices and growth in preterm neonates.A retrospective study of 200 neonates ≤28 weeks' gestation compared the effects of opt-in versus opt-out consent processes on time to first enteral feed, feeding types, growth trajectories, and prematurity-related morbidities. Descriptive statistics were used to compare the two groups.

Novel Hemodynamic Markers and Kidney Function in Patients with Acute Decompensated Heart Failure.

Key Points: Lower pulmonary artery pulsatility index is associated with increased risk of dialysis in patients with heart failure. No association was demonstrated between aortic pulsatility index and kidney outcomes.

Background: Patients admitted with acute decompensated heart failure are vulnerable to declines in kidney function, but the exact mechanisms are unknown.

Dose-Dense Docetaxel and Radium-223 in Bone-Dominant Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer.

Background: Disease progression in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) remains bone-dominant and docetaxel-responsive. Docetaxel and radium-223 would be a logical combination but myelosuppression is dose-limiting. Dose-dense schedules of docetaxel have comparable activity to bolus dosing with mitigated myelosuppression.

Rapid Genome Sequencing Compared to a Gene Panel in Critically Ill Infants with a Suspected Genetic Disorder: An Economic Evaluation.

Introduction: Rapid genome sequencing (rGS) provides high diagnostic yield for critically ill infants with suspected genetic disorders, but has high upfront costs and insufficient insurance coverage. Assessing the downstream costs and health outcomes associated with rGS is important for guiding coverage decisions. This study compares 1-year healthcare costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) for: 1) early rGS (within 7 days of admission) for all infants, and 2) early targeted neonatal gene sequencing (NewbornDx) for all infants, followed by later rGS (after 7 days) for undiagnosed infants.

Longitudinal Electronic Cigarette Exposures Impair Respiratory Function and Structure in the Female Apoe/- Mouse.

Introduction: Electronic cigarette (EC) usage amongst naïve users in the U.S. has been rising for the last decade.

Leveraging dissemination and implementation science to facilitate adoption of a human nutrition research e-learning course.

Background: Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) developed an online self-paced course to address the gap identified in critical thinking skills related to peer-reviewed nutrition science publications. Initial engagement was low, prompting the launch of a quality improvement project utilizing Dissemination and Implementation (D&I) science principles to enhance participation. This report details the development and execution of the dissemination strategy, course promotion methods, and outcomes related to participant engagement and feedback.

Two human portable glucometers and a veterinary point-of-care glucometer correlate well with a reference laboratory chemistry analyzer for measurement of blood glucose concentrations in dogs.

Objective: Comparison of a veterinary glucometer (AlphaTRAK 2 [AT-2]) and 2 human glucometers (FreeStyle Libre 2 [FS-] and FreeStyle Libre 14 [FS-14]) to an automated, wet-chemistry analyzer (reference analyzer).

Methods: This was a prospective observational study at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine between January 2021 and September 2022 and included 187 client and staff-owned dogs. Following venipuncture, 3 glucometers (FS-14, FS-2, and AT-2) were used to measure blood glucose, and the reference analyzer was used to measure serum glucose.

Offering is not enough: an attempt to increase infectious diseases testing at a large county jail in Massachusetts.

Background: Eliminating infectious diseases epidemics requires resources for testing, prevention, and treatment in jails. The 2022 Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention guidelines recommend offering hepatitis C virus (HCV), HIV, and STI testing at jail intake. Currently, the impact of offering testing at intake in jails has only been analyzed in the context of multi-modal strategies to increase testing.

Racial/Ethnic and Nativity Disparities in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, United States 2018-2021.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with adverse pregnancy and birth complications. Asian populations have the highest risk of GDM, with even greater risk among foreign-born (FB) residents. Socio-political factors, such as heightened anti-Asian racism and travel restrictions during COVID19 may have further increased their risk of GDM.

A maturity model for Clinical Trials Management Ecosystem.

Introduction: Managing clinical trials is a complex process requiring careful integration of human, technology, compliance, and operations for success. We collaborated with experts to develop a multi-axial Clinical Trials Management Ecosystem (CTME) maturity model (MM) to help institutions identify best practices for CTME capabilities.

Methods: A working group of research informaticists was established.