The Glucocorticoid Receptor Inhibits NRF2-Mediated Expression of SLC7A11.

SLC7A11 encodes the glutamate-cystine exchanger xCT, which is a key regulator of intracellular antioxidant capacity and extracellular glutamate levels. We have identified SLC7A11 as a direct target of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). The GR agonist dexamethasone represses SLC7A11 expression in multiple cell types, from epithelial cells to astrocytes.

The Case for Specifications Grading.

Grades profoundly shape student approaches to learning, yet traditional points-based systems are often misaligned with educational goals. Specifications grading has emerged as a viable alternative that promotes mastery learning, transparency, and rigor. This grading approach replaces numerical points with clearly defined, pass/fail criteria tied to course outcomes.

A qualitative analysis of postpartum women's experiences with urinary incontinence and physical activity.

Problem: The postpartum period is associated with low physical activity, and increased risk of activity-related adverse health conditions.

Background: Urinary incontinence (UI) is a prevalent postpartum condition associated with low physical activity which protects against many adverse postpartum health conditions. However, little is known about how postpartum women experience UI and physical activity.

FABP5 in skin macrophages mediates saturated fat-induced IL-1β signaling in psoriatic inflammation.

High fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity increases the risk and severity of psoriasis. However, the immunoregulatory effects of different HFDs on psoriasis pathogenesis remains poorly understood. Here, mimicking human dietary fat profiles, four HFDs-saturated, monounsaturated, omega-6, and omega-3 fats-were designed and used to induce obesity in mice.

ENLITE PD: A Randomized Clinical Trial of Light Therapy for Impaired Sleep in Parkinson's Disease.

Background: Light therapy (LT) in Parkinson's disease improves sleep. Specific LT parameters require further study, including optimal frequency.

Objectives: We aimed to determine if once- or twice-daily bright white light therapy (BWLT) improves sleep.

Cancer and Post-Therapy Cardiotoxicity Risk in Adolescents, Young Adults, and Adults With Down Syndrome.

The median life expectancy of people with Down syndrome has increased substantially over the past several decades, from 4 years in 1970 to 53 years in 2010. Despite the recent improvement in survival, there is little data about the prevalence of age-related diseases, including age-related malignancies, and the impact of standard cancer treatments on cardiovascular health. We retrospectively reviewed medical records for age- and sex-matched patients ≥ 15 years old with and without Down syndrome using the TriNetX platform to identify the prevalence of malignancies and explore cardiovascular outcomes after treatment with anthracyclines.

Biomarkers for the Diagnosis of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders: Existing Landscapes and Emerging Frontiers.

Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) are a spectrum of mental health conditions that are the most common pregnancy-related complications in the United States. Despite great strides in developing appropriate pharmacological and psychological treatments, PMADs continue to lack biological measures for diagnosis and prediction. Such measures could be effectively utilized to subtype and mechanistically explore PMADs and appropriately leverage mental healthcare resources.

An Olive Oil-Based High-Fat Diet Promotes Obesity-Driven Metastasis of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Obesity is strongly associated with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving obesity-induced TNBC progression could facilitate development of precision dietary intervention strategies. Here, we used murine models of obesity induced by different high-fat diets (HFDs) to examine their impact on TNBC progression.

Corneal transplantation wound dehiscence after penetrating keratoplasty and deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty.

Purpose: To study clinical characteristics and outcomes of penetrating keratoplasty (PK) and deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) wound dehiscence.

Methods: This retrospective case series assessed PK and DALK recipients with wound dehiscence at a single institution. We evaluated relationships between dehiscence etiologies, transplant indications, ocular/systemic comorbidities, keratoplasty type, and adverse post-dehiscence outcomes, especially graft failure and visual loss.

Factors Directing Treatment Decision-Making in the Management of Glottic Insufficiency.

Objectives: To examine factors that direct decisions in the treatment of glottic insufficiency and propose a paradigm that may assist in treatment decision-making in glottic insufficiency.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was completed of 73 patients with vocal fold atrophy, presbyphonia, or vocal fold motion impairment, including diagnosis, Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10), Voice Problem Impact Scales (VPIS), Glottal Function Index (GFI), Eating Assessment Tool-10 (EAT-10), Consensus Auditory Perceptual Analysis of Voice (CAPE-V), glottal gap size, stimulability, treatment decisions, and outcomes. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify which variables predicted initial treatment recommendation.

Older and Black Breast Cancer Survivors at Higher Risk for Negative Respiratory Outcomes Following COVID-19 Infection.

Background: Negative respiratory outcomes have been reported in people diagnosed with COVID-19. Breast cancer, the most common cancer diagnosed in women globally, is an important cancer to investigate regarding COVID-19 outcomes. We hypothesized that women with breast cancer and infected with COVID-19 would demonstrate a greater risk for negative respiratory outcomes than people without breast cancer.

Genetically determined body mass index is associated with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in polygenic and Mendelian randomization analyses.

Obesity has been associated with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), but the evidence is inconclusive. We examined the association between genetically determined adiposity and four common NHL subtypes: diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), follicular lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and marginal zone lymphoma, using eight genome-wide association studies of European ancestry (N = 10,629 cases, 9505 controls) and constructing polygenic scores for body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for BMI (WHRadjBMI). Higher genetically determined BMI was associated with an increased risk of DLBCL [odds ratio (OR) per standard deviation (SD) = 1.

Metabolic Effects of Healing Touch During Cervical Cancer Treatment: An Exploratory Analysis.

Introduction: Cancer treatment with chemotherapy frequently leads to side effects such as fatigue, pain, nausea, and anxiety. Healing Touch is a non-invasive complementary therapy often used by cancer patients to address side effects of treatment. To better inform the use of complementary therapies, there is a need to understand the biological mechanisms underlying the effects of such treatments.

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).

Dexmedetomidine's effect on neonatal sedation, pain, respiratory status and cardiovascular system.

Objective: To describe the effects of dexmedetomidine on sedation, pain, respiratory status, and hemodynamics in neonates.

Methods: A retrospective study of 206 infants in a level IV NICU (2016-2021) receiving continuous dexmedetomidine infusion. Pain/sedation scores, BP, vasopressor and inotrope score (VIS), and concomitant sedatives/analgesics (CSA) were recorded before and every 3-4 h for 24 h.

Acoustic Metrics of the Strain Dimension of Voice Quality: A Scoping Review.

Background: Strained voice quality-commonly referred to as vocal strain-is a hallmark of functional voice disorders such as muscle tension dysphonia and is often associated with vocal fatigue and laryngeal hyperfunction. Although listeners describe it as excessive vocal effort, strained voice quality frequently overlaps perceptually with breathiness and roughness, complicating reliable assessment. Despite its clinical relevance, no standardized acoustic definition of strained voice quality has been established.

Stentplasty for treating symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic disease following failure of medical therapy.

Purpose: Endovascular treatment of intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) remains challenging due to procedural risks and stroke recurrence. Previous trials have favored aggressive medical therapy. In patients refractory to medical therapy, 'stentplasty' using expandable and retrievable devices may provide a safer alternative to balloon angioplasty by allowing controlled submaximal vessel dilation without flow arrest.

A comprehensive measurement of hemophilia economic burden in Iraq: a field-based study.

Background: This study assessed the economic burden of hemophilia A, B, and A with inhibitors, including direct medical, non-medical, and indirect costs from both governmental and patient perspectives.

Research Design And Methods: A retrospective cost-of-illness analysis was conducted at a public hospital in Baghdad, Iraq serving hemophilia patients. Government costs were derived from medical records, while patient out-of-pocket expenses were gathered via interviews.

Placental Igf1 overexpression sex-specifically impacts mouse placenta structure, altering offspring striatal development and behavior.

Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) is primarily produced in the placenta and is essential for neurodevelopment. Specifically, how placental IGF1 production persistently influences the brain is unclear, but with rates of complicated pregnancies on the rise, understanding placental contributions to child outcomes is paramount. We hypothesize that placental Igf1 expression alters fetal neurodevelopment relevant to neurodevelopmental disorders.

Quality of Hand Hygiene Performance: A Systematic Literature Review.

Background: Hand hygiene (HH) is essential for infection prevention in healthcare, but the quality of its performance, meaning how well it is done, receives much less attention than compliance. This review examines how HH technique is assessed and can be improved among healthcare providers.

Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, six databases were searched through May 15, 2025.

Sleep, physical activity, and pregnancy symptoms: Factors associated with cognitive performance in early pregnancy.

Background: Women often report disruptions in cognitive performance during pregnancy. Though substantiated by objective assessments, findings have been inconsistent and potential contributing factors are not well understood.

Aim: The objective of this study was to examine the cross-sectional associations between maternal mood, stress, pregnancy-related symptoms and device measured 24-hour activity behaviors with cognitive performance in the first trimester of pregnancy.