Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) as a Biomarker in Clinically Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: SPIROMICS cohort.

Rationale: Inflammation is central to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) pathogenesis but incompletely represented in COPD prognostic models. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a readily available inflammatory biomarker.

Objectives: To explore the associations of NLR with smoking status, clinical features of COPD, and future adverse outcomes.

A Minimally Invasive Method for Generating a Syngeneic Orthotopic Mouse Model of Lung Cancer.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) continues to be the number one cause of cancer-related death for both women and men worldwide. More information needs to be gathered to understand the interactions between cancer cells, the immune system, the microenvironment within each tumor, and the host tissue to develop more effective treatment modalities. Reported here is a simple, repeatable method for inducing cancer within the mouse lung, allowing for the monitoring of tumor growth from early to late-stage disease.

Intravenous thrombolysis before endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke due to tandem lesions: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The role of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in patients with tandem lesions (TL) undergoing endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) remains a subject of ongoing debate. The substantial clot burden and the potential need for periprocedural antiplatelet therapy during emergent carotid stenting (CAS) add to the complexity of treatment decisions. This study aims to systematically review and meta-analyze the literature to evaluate the comparative safety and efficacy of IVT plus EVT versus EVT alone in AIS patients with TL.

Finite element simulation of lung parenchyma deformation based on porcine data.

Accurate modeling of lung parenchymal biomechanics is critical for understanding respiratory function and improving diagnoses. Traditional hyperelastic models capture tissue deformation but miss essential physiological interactions. This study evaluates an experimentally informed poroelastic model (Birzle's formulation) against hyperelastic-only models within a finite element framework.

Influence of second dialect use on the production of first dialect lexical tonesa).

This study focuses on suprasegmental features and investigates how the use of a second tonal dialect influences the production of tones in the first dialect among bidialectal speakers of Chengdu Mandarin (CM) and Standard Mandarin (SM). Using a word-naming task, this study analyzed the acoustic differences between tones in SM and CM that share similar pitch contours and assessed the impact of SM use on CM tone production. How bidialectal listeners perceptually map SM tones onto CM categories was further evaluated using a dissimilarity rating task.

Analysis of essential genes in by CRISPRi and Tn-seq.

Essential genes are interesting in their own right and as potential antibiotic targets. To date, only one report has identified essential genes on a genome-wide scale in , a problematic pathogen for which treatment options are limited. That foundational study used large-scale transposon mutagenesis to identify 404 protein-encoding genes as likely to be essential for vegetative growth of the epidemic strain R20291.

Heterozygous Med13l mice recapitulate a developmental growth delay and craniofacial anomalies seen in MED13L syndrome.

Background: Gene transcription is crucial for embryo and postnatal development and is regulated by the Mediator complex. Mediator is comprised of four submodules, including the kinase submodule (CKM). The CKM consists of MED13, MED12, CDK8, and CCNC.

"Engineering Rifampicin-Encapsulated Inhalable Microparticles for Precision Tuberculosis Therapy: In Vivo Distribution and Therapeutic Evaluation".

Tuberculosis (TB) continues to cause significant global mortality, highlighting the need for improved drug delivery systems. The objective of this paper focuses in describing the formulation, optimization and in vivo assessment of rifampicin encapsulated PLGA microparticles for site-specific inhalation therapy. Microparticles for inhalation were produced by spray drying, and the DoE methodology was applied to reach the most suitable aerodynamic properties (mass median aerodynamics diameter (MMAD) 2.

Nanostructured Clays Used as Carriers for Controlled Delivery of Antibacterial Compounds From Direct Restorative Dental Materials: A Scoping Review.

Objective: Through a scoping review, this study meticulously mapped and characterized these nanostructured clays used to release antibacterial active compounds from direct restorative dental materials.

Material And Methods: The systematic approach involved searches in the PubMed/MEDLINE, Lilacs, Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Embase databases. Two independent and calibrated researchers (kappa: 0.

Fit accuracy of complete crowns fabricated by generative artificial intelligence design: a comparative clinical study.

Purpose: Designing restorations remains challenging because the process is time-consuming and requires operator skill and experience. This clinical study evaluated the fit accuracy of polymerized complete crowns fabricated using a web-based 3D generative artificial intelligence design (GAID) method compared to crowns fabricated using a conventional computer-aided design (CCAD) method.

Materials And Methods: Sixty-two patients requiring complete crowns in maxillary and mandibular premolars and molars were enrolled.

Case Report: preoperative prediction of aneurysm rupture site using aortic morphological and biomechanical analysis validated by intraoperative imaging.

Prediction of aneurysm rupture has been a great challenge for decades. We report a successful rupture site prediction on a 97 mm abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). A 73-year-old man with an 11-year history of AAA presented to our outpatient clinic with a one-week history of hemoptysis.

Sex Differences in Ketogenic Diet Response Reveal Gonadal Hormone Interaction With FGF21 in Mice.

Although indicated as adjunctive therapy for seizure disorders, ketogenic diets (KDs) have gained popularity for weight loss and mitigating the metabolic risks associated with severe obesity. However, efficacy, durability, and long-term consequences are incompletely understood. In preclinical models, most studies have included only male mice, precluding an understanding of sex-specific responses to KD.

Prenatal Body Image: Association with Disordered Eating Behaviors and Depressive Symptoms Across Pregnancy.

Disordered eating behaviors and depressive symptoms can be problematic during pregnancy for both the individual and their offspring. Our study aimed to determine the extent to which body image dissatisfaction early in pregnancy predicts eating disorder behaviors and/or depressive symptoms across pregnancy. Participants ( = 253) completed self-report assessments of depressive and eating disorder symptoms alongside the modified Body Image in Pregnancy Scale in their first, second, and third trimesters.

Exploring the Screening Methods, Prevalence, and Risk Factors of Malnutrition in Multiple Sclerosis: A Scoping Review.

Background & Aims: People with multiple sclerosis (MS) may be predisposed to malnutrition as several malnutrition risk factors are common among this group; however, evidence on malnutrition in MS is sparse. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to explore what is known about malnutrition in MS.

Methods: A scoping review was performed in 5 databases (Ovid Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central, Scopus, and the Web of Science Core Collection) in February 2024.

THE IMPACT OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND STRESS ON FROZEN EMBRYO TRANSFER CYCLES: THE STEP AND STRESS TRACKING TO ESTIMATE PREGNANCY (SSTEP) TRIAL.

Objective: To investigate the impact of objectively measured physical activity and stress on programmed hormone replacement therapy (HRT) frozen embryo transfer (FET) outcomes.

Design: Observational cohort study SUBJECTS: Patients undergoing standard HRT FET at a single academic center.

Exposure: Average daily step counts before and after FET as measured by FitBit Charge 5 wearable activity tracker.

Does hsCRP provide insights into an inflammatory phenotype of knee osteoarthritis?

Objective: Posthoc analysis of a canakinumab trial showed a risk reduction of joint replacement in participants with cardiac disease and elevated hsCRP (≥2mg/dL). We determined if hsCRP could serve as a marker to identify an inflammatory OA phenotype characterized by intra-articular synovitis.

Method: We used data from the NIH-funded MOST Study, where participants had baseline knee MRIs and hsCRP assays.

Novel p53 reactivators that are synergistic with olaparib for the treatment of gynecologic cancers with mutant p53.

Ovarian and endometrial cancers frequently harbor a mutation in the tumor suppressor gene TP53, which occurs in over 90 % of ovarian cancers and in the most aggressive endometrial cancers. The normal tumor suppressive functions of p53 are disrupted, resulting in unregulated cell growth and therapeutic resistance to standard treatments including chemotherapy and PARP inhibitors. Hence, a novel therapeutic strategy is urgently needed for p53 mutant gynecologic cancers, and we propose that converting mutant p53 to a wild type conformation and restoring its tumor suppressive functions has the potential to greatly improve treatment.

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.