Critical Assessment of the Recommended Alert Limit Curves for Occupational Heat Exposure.

Background: Occupational heat stress recommendations aim to achieve thermal equilibrium and keep core temperature (T) below 38.0°C. We assessed the recommended alert limit curves when: (1) work-rest ratios are adjusted based on wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) at a fixed rate of metabolic heat production (H) and (2) H is adjusted based on WBGT at a fixed work-rest ratio.

Should Surgeons Unionize? What Would Hippocrates Say?

This article explores the evolving landscape of surgical practice and the potential need for unionization among surgeons. Historically, surgeons were too consumed by their demanding workloads to consider collective bargaining. However, shifts in health care employment structures-where hospitals and health systems increasingly govern surgeons' work conditions-have led to discussions about unionization.

Leveraging dynamic stability to infer regulation in protein-protein interaction networks: A study of infectious vulnerability in COPD.

The fourth leading cause of death in the US, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is punctuated by frequent viral and bacterial infections causing severe acute exacerbations (AECOPD) and increased mortality. In previous work we have shown that altered immune cell signaling may confer increased and persistent susceptibility to infection. Here we continue this investigation by conducting broad-spectrum proteomic profiling of circulating white blood cells to assemble an empirical protein-protein interaction network associated with frequency of infectious exacerbation.

Cell-scale dynamic modeling of membrane interactions with arbitrarily shaped particles.

Modeling membrane interactions with arbitrarily shaped colloidal particles, such as environmental micro- and nanoplastics, at the cell scale remains particularly challenging, owing to the complexity of particle geometries and the need to resolve fully coupled translational and rotational dynamics. Here, we present a force-based computational framework capable of capturing dynamic interactions between deformable lipid vesicles and rigid particles of irregular shapes. Both vesicle and particle surfaces are represented using triangulated meshes, and Langevin dynamics resolves membrane deformation alongside rigid-body particle motion.

Long COVID in People With Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Managing long COVID in people with multiple sclerosis and related disorders (pwMSRD) is complex due to overlapping symptoms. To address evidence gaps, we evaluated long COVID susceptibility in pwMSRD versus controls and its associations with multi-domain function and disability.

Methods: In this multicenter cross-sectional study, participants completed a survey covering 71 post-infection symptoms, distinguishing new-onset from worsening symptoms.

Metabolomic profiles of an atherogenic TMAO-dietary pattern among postmenopausal women.

Purpose: We previously identified a dietary pattern (DP) associated with plasma trimethylamine -oxide (TMAO) and choline, the TMAO-DP, where higher scores represent more atherogenic potential of the diet. The mechanisms linking dietary intake to the presence of choline and TMAO in the plasma, and by which TMAO may influence atherosclerosis in humans require further clarification. The objective was to evaluate associations between the TMAO-DP and metabolomic profiles in postmenopausal women from the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI).

Clinical outcomes and independently adjudicated results of M2 aspiration thrombectomy: a subgroup analysis from the Imperative Trial.

Background: The ESCAPE-MeVO (Endovascular Treatment to Improve Outcomes for Medium Vessel Occlusions) and DISTAL (Endovascular Therapy plus Best Medical Treatment vs Best Medical Treatment Alone for Medium Vessel Occlusion Stroke) trials failed to demonstrate the superiority of endovascular thrombectomy over best medical management for medium and small vessel occlusions. Potential limitations of these trials include older patient populations, lower presenting National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores, higher rates of premorbid disability, delayed revascularization times, inclusion of both medium and small vessel occlusions, and widespread use of stent retrievers. Here we present M2 occlusion data from the Imperative Trial, evaluating aspiration thrombectomy with the Zoom System.

Welfare Policies, Joint Pain Prevalence and Educational Gaps in 50 U.S. States from 2011 to 2021: A Fixed Effects Analysis.

Research on geographic disparities in pain and arthritis-related outcomes is still in its infancy, with little attention to the developing trends over time and the role of state's welfare policies in shaping pain disparities. This study examines 1) spatiotemporal trends of moderate/severe arthritis-related joint pain prevalence across 50 U.S.

Pitch perfect: evaluating four years of the SAGES Shark Tank experience.

Background: Since 2021, the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) has hosted the Shark Tank Innovation Competition, inviting emerging surgical innovators and startup companies to pitch their technology and business model to a panel of judges. The winner receives a $30,000 prize, and finalists and semifinalists are eligible for further investment by the SAGES Investment Network Collaborative (SINC) managed by SAGES Ingenuity. This survey aimed to assess the progress of ventures that competed in Shark Tank.

Redundant and Singular Regulatory Elements Underlie the Rapidly Evolving Pigmentation of Drosophila.

A major hurdle in understanding the molecular changes responsible for metazoan diversity is the characterization of cis-regulatory elements (CREs) for gene regulatory networks (GRNs). CRE changes are suspected to be commonplace in trait evolution, since such changes circumvent deleterious effects of pleiotropy. A growing list of genes, though, are known to be regulated by redundant CREs.

Blood and cerebrospinal fluid metallomics uncover mercury, chromium, and iron alterations in Parkinson's disease.

BackgroundGiven the increasing global prevalence of Parkinson's disease (PD) and its complex etiopathogenesis, understanding the role of environmental factors is crucial. Prior investigations suggested a potential link between metal exposure and PD, yet conflicting results emerged.ObjectiveTo identify differences in metal concentrations in whole blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in PD patients compared to controls.

Estimating food availability and self-reliance in island territories: Puerto Rico as a case study.

Introduction: In Small Island Developing States (SIDS), limited statistical capacity and reliance on imports hinder comprehensive assessments of food systems. For island territories, this issue is more pronounced as food production data are disaggregated, inconsistent, and scarce. Most non-independent territories within the SIDS designation are not included in international food availability datasets, and local datasets are not readily available.

Prenatal Psychological Adjustment, Relationship Satisfaction, and Parental Reflective Functioning: An Examination of Actor and Partner Effects in the Context of Paternal Moderate to Heavy Drinking.

Objective: Parental reflective functioning (PRF) emerges during the prenatal period and helps fathers and mothers prepare for the transition to parenthood. Few studies have considered how PRF could support at-risk fathers and their partners across this transition. In a sample of moderate to heavy drinking fathers, an actor-partner interdependence mediation model (APIMeM) was used to examine concurrent indirect effects between prenatal psychological symptoms and paternal and maternal PRF through interparental relationship satisfaction while accounting for the interdependence among father-mother dyads.

Long-Term Regime Shifts in Xeric Ecoregion Freshwater Fish Assemblages due to Anthropogenic and Climate Stressors.

Shifting climate regimes are projected to increase the area of xeric regions and result in more pronounced intermittency across river networks. Given these projected changes, we aim to understand the factors contributing to species persistence under increasing aridity. To investigate how changing flow regimes are related to changes in fish richness and assemblage composition, we compiled data from 1473 xeric stream sites in the United States and Australia.

Rethinking calibration as a statistical estimation problem to improve measurement accuracy.

Calibration in analytical chemistry is crucial for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of measurements. Proper calibration strategies minimize errors, enhance reproducibility, and maintain compliance with regulatory requirements. Without it, data integrity could be compromised, leading to incorrect conclusions and potentially flawed decisions in both research and industrial applications.

Regulation of hepatic organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B-type transport function by the protein kinase LYN.

Src family kinases, including the Lck/Yes-related novel protein kinase (LYN), have emerged as posttranslational modulators of various transporters involved in clinically relevant pharmacokinetic drug-drug interactions. LYN expression was recently detected in hepatocytes, and we hypothesized that LYN deficiency alters the phosphorylation status and activity of transporters involved in hepatic drug disposition. An untargeted phospho-proteomic screen in livers of mice revealed that LYN deficiency was associated with significantly reduced phosphorylation of the hepatic uptake organic anion transporting polypeptide Oatp1b2 transporter that recognizes a wide range of structurally diverse xenobiotics.

Acceptability and feasibility of online occupational performance coaching for parents of children with disabilities in the UK.

Introduction: Occupational performance coaching is a collaborative, strengths-based approach used by occupational therapists working with children and families. This study evaluates the acceptability and feasibility of delivering an online occupational performance coaching programme for parents of children with disabilities in the United Kingdom.

Method: Mixed-methods feasibility study.

Mental health disorders among people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review protocol.

Background: The mental health of people living with HIV (PLWH) is a growing concern globally, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where there is limited access to mental healthcare, with evidence showing high levels of depression, anxiety and neurocognitive disorders among this population. While Mental Health Disorders (MHDs) can impede HIV care and promote adverse health outcomes, there is limited literature on MHDs among PLWH. This scoping review will explore the existing literature on the burden and factors associated with MHDs among adults living with HIV in SSA.

Assessing the global variation in patient characteristics, management and short-term outcomes of spontaneous intracranial haemorrhage worldwide: a protocol for a global observational prospective multicentre study (the PLOT-ICH study).

Introduction: Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide, with the greatest burden in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Haemorrhagic stroke or spontaneous intracranial haemorrhage (sICH), including intraparenchymal haemorrhage (IPH) and subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH), has the highest mortality and morbidity. Local management practices for haemorrhagic stroke vary greatly between geographical regions.

Characterization of hydrolase activity in ocular tissues of humans and preclinical species.

Hydrolases in the eye play an important role in the metabolism of ophthalmic drugs, especially those administered locally to the eyes. With the growing interest in peptide-based therapeutics for treating eye disease, it has become increasingly important to characterize the enzymatic activities of ocular tissues against both small molecules and peptides to better understand their ocular metabolism. In this study, we characterized the activities of hydrolases, including carboxylesterase 1 and 2, arylacetamide deacetylase, paraoxonases, cytidine deaminase, fatty-acid amide hydrolase, and peptidases by incubating probe substrates in whole eye homogenates and vitreous humors from human donors and 3 preclinical species, including New Zealand White rabbits, Gottingen minipigs, and Cynomolgus monkeys.

Heel Pad Degloving Injuries: A Case Series.

Introduction: Heel pad degloving injuries are rare but serious injuries, with minimal data available regarding optimal management. In this study, a series of patients treated for heel pad degloving injuries in association with ipsilateral lower leg and foot fractures is described.

Methods: Records were retrospectively reviewed for patients aged 18 years and older treated for heel pad degloving injuries associated with ipsilateral foot or ankle fractures at one American College of Surgeons Level 1 center between January 1, 2005, and January 1, 2024, screened using International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision codes related to any open fractures of the foot or ankle.

The Association Between Performance on the Emergency Medical Services In-Training Exam and Passing the Emergency Medical Services Certifying Exam.

Background: Prior studies have demonstrated a correlation between in-training exam performance and success on the certifying exam in various medical specialties. It is unknown if a relationship exists between performance on the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) In-Training Exam (EMSITE) and success on the EMS Certifying Exam (EMSCE); consequently, EMSITE score reports include percentile rankings to compare performance against other fellows, but do not offer a criterion score or prediction of success on the EMSCE. The goal of this study was to examine if an association exists between EMSITE score and success on the EMSCE.

Synthesis of polymer-clindamycin conjugates through lipase-catalyzed esterification and RAFT polymerization.

Relative to free antibiotics, polymer-antibiotic conjugates (PACs) can possess modified solubility, sustained release behavior, and prolonged bioactivity in biological systems. As one of the most potent and ubiquitous antibiotics, clindamycin (Clin) has broad-spectrum antibiotic activity with versatile medical applications. However, polymer-Clin conjugates have not been reported yet.

Bilateral luxatio erecta: a case report.

Luxatio erecta is a rare form of glenohumeral dislocation in which the humeral head is displaced inferior to the glenoid, accounting for fewer than 0.5% of all shoulder dislocations; thus, bilateral involvement is exceedingly rare. We present a rare case of bilateral luxatio erecta in a 59-year-old male complicated by progressive ulnar neuropathy and rotator cuff deficiency, successfully managed with staged surgical intervention in the form of left-sided rotator cuff repair and right-sided reverse total shoulder arthroplasty, demonstrating good functional outcomes at over 2-year follow-up.