Neonatal striatal volume is associated with infant anhedonia.

Anhedonia is increasingly recognized as a transdiagnostic risk factor for psychopathology. New evidence demonstrates that anhedonia is present in infancy and early childhood. Structural variability in striatal regions involved in reward processing and pleasure seeking is concurrently linked to anhedonia, yet few studies have examined whether striatal differences presage anhedonia, and none have examined prospective associations before middle childhood.

Food access and associated socioeconomic factors in the Durham-Chapel Hill Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), North Carolina.

The adversity of diet-related diseases is increased because of food insecurity . North Carolina is higher than the national average (11.7%) in food insecurity at 13.

Delayed hypertensive crisis after intracavernosal phenylephrine for penile plication.

Intracavernosal phenylephrine injection is commonly used during penile plication for Peyronie's disease due to its desirable vasoconstrictive effect in achieving detumescence. Although systemic absorption of medications following intracavernosal administration may occur, high-dose intracavernosal phenylephrine has been reported to be safe and effective in treating priapism with a rare incidence of morbidity or significant haemodynamic changes. We describe a 68-year-old man who underwent ambulatory penile plication with intra-operative intracavernosal phenylephrine injection, which led to hypertensive emergency 90 min postoperatively.

Emerging stimuli-responsive hydrogels for enhancing chronic wound healing.

Stimuli-responsive hydrogels have gained significant attention in wound care due to their ability to adapt to dynamic physiological conditions, making them promising candidates for facilitating chronic wound healing. These hydrogels can respond to both internal and external environmental stimuli such as temperature, pH, reactive oxygen species (ROS), glucose levels, MMP, mechanical forces, magnetism, and ultrasound, enabling precise, on-demand therapeutic interventions through controlled drug release. This responsiveness is governed by reversible changes in their polymer network structure caused by interactions with external stimuli.

Feasibility of Intravaginal Artesunate as an Adjuvant HPV & Cervical Precancer Treatment Among Women Living With HIV in Kenya: Study Protocol for a Phase II Clinical Trial.

IntroductionCervical cancer disproportionately affects women in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), who account for 90% of deaths from the disease. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is responsible for 99% of cervical cancer cases. Women living with HIV (WLWH) have a higher risk of persistent HPV infection and a greater likelihood of developing cervical cancer.

The COVID-19 global pandemic and allostatic load among a cohort of Black and Latina transgender women living with HIV.

This exploratory study investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on stress biomarkers and allostatic load for Black and Latina transgender women living with HIV (BLTWLH), as well as COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and vaccination status. LITE Plus is a longitudinal cohort study of BLTWLH designed to identify pathways linking biopsychosocial stress to HIV co-morbidities. Participants were enrolled between October 2019-June 2022.

Characterization of Heparin Interactions With Recombinant Rodent Stabilin-2/Hyaluronic Acid Receptor for Endocytosis (HARE).

Stabilin-2 is the primary scavenger for hyaluronan (HA) and binds to over two dozen other ligands including chondroitin sulfates, heparin, oxidized/acetylated LDL, etc. Although rat liver sinusoidal endothelial cells are the preferred primary cell lines and animal for physiological studies of Stab2/HARE, the rat recombinant protein has never been characterized. Since the rat Stab2/HARE has a high degree homology to mouse Stab2/HARE which has been cloned, our hypothesis is that the rat receptor is identical to mouse and very similar to the human receptor.

Quantification of Endothelial Fatty Acid Uptake using Fluorescent Fatty Acid Analogs.

Endothelial cells (ECs) play a central role in regulating fatty acid (FA) transport from the bloodstream into metabolic tissues, yet tools to quantify EC FA uptake in a reliable, scalable manner remain limited. Here, we present a rapid, quantitative, and cost-effective assay to measure FA uptake in ECs using fluorescent FA analogs (BODIPY-C12 and BODIPY-C16), which allow investigation of chain length-specific uptake dynamics in a 96-well plate format. The protocol incorporates positive (3-hydroxyisobutyrate, lactate) and negative (niclosamide) controls and is validated in both primary (HUVECs) and immortalized (EA.

Novel Role of the Epstein-Barr Virus Encoded Deubiquitinating Enzyme (BPLF1) in mTOR-Mediated Cell Growth and Proliferation Pathways.

Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) is a causative agent of infectious mononucleosis and is strongly associated with Burkitt lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. EBV encodes a deubiquitinating enzyme, BPLF1, which is important for infectious virus production, B-cell immortalization, and tumorigenesis. To elucidate BPLF1's role, an affinity-based mass spectrometry screen was performed, which suggested that BPLF1 and mTOR interact.

State of the art biology, progression, and clinical management of monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL): consensus report from the Intercepting Blood Cancers Workshop Committee.

In March 2023 and 2024, a panel of international experts convened at the first and second Intercepting Blood Cancers (IBC) Workshops, with the aim of better appreciating the diagnostic challenges, pathophysiology, and potential therapeutic interventions for precursor malignant hematology conditions. Here, we report a summary of the proceedings from the sessions focused on monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL)/chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). We highlight four main content areas: biology of MBL, clinical implications of MBL, progression of MBL and transformation from indolent CLL to aggressive disease, and opportunities for therapeutic intervention in early CLL.

Pre-COVID-19 Geographic Inequalities in Non-Hispanic Black US Life Expectancy, 1990 to 2019.

In recent years, US life expectancy has stagnated relative to other developed countries and geographic inequalities in mortality within the United States have widened. Much of the recent literature has focused on non-Hispanic White mortality. Less attention has been devoted to non-Hispanic Black mortality independent of Black-White disparities.

Flavored e-cigarettes modulate embryo development, fetal growth, and potentiate early fetal demise without nicotine.

Background: Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) function by aerosolizing a base liquid containing nicotine and flavoring, used by an estimated 15% of pregnant women as a supposed safer alternative to traditional cigarettes. Our previous studies demonstrated e-cigarettes can delay gestation. Limited studies have examined in vivo effects on the placenta.

Chitosan-Glycerol Injectable Hydrogel for Intratumoral Delivery of Macromolecules.

Intratumoral injections of macromolecules, such as biologics and immunotherapeutics, show promise in overcoming dose-limiting side effects associated with systemic injections and improve treatment efficacy. However, the retention of injectates in the tumor microenvironment is a major underappreciated challenge. High interstitial pressures and dense tumor architectures create shear forces that rapidly expel low-viscosity solutions post-injection.

Evaluating the Implementation Success of an Intensity-Adapted Guideline for Pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia in Malawi: An Observational-Implementation Study Protocol.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is most often incurable in low-resource settings. To address this challenge, the International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) developed an intensity-adapted AML practice guideline in 2019. Here, we present the protocol of an observational-implementation study evaluating the SIOP guideline in Malawi.

Pediatric Renal Transplants: Effects of Intraoperative Management on Postoperative Kidney Function.

Objectives: Physiological management during pedi-atric renal transplants may affect outcomes secondary to intraoperative organ perfusion. Our goal was to investigate intraoperative factors affecting postope-rative renal function. We investigated whether mean arterial pressure, total intravenous fluids, central venous and invasive arterial pressure monitoring, and epidural analgesia would correlate with postoperative serum creatinine.

Feelings about abortion at time of care: Findings from an Ohio abortion facility.

Introduction: Prevailing abortion stigma may contribute to how people feel prior to receiving an abortion, and these feelings may influence healthcare decision making. We analyzed data from a patient intake questionnaire regarding feelings at the time of first abortion appointment. We described responses, co-occurrence of sentiments, and associations between responses and abortion characteristics.

Private commercial companies sharing health-relevant consumer data with health researchers in sub-Saharan Africa: an ethical exploration.

Sharing large digital-first datasets, including for purposes for which they were not originally intended, is a hallmark of the 'big data revolution'. Through their routine operations, private commercial companies collect massive amounts of diverse data from their customers, some of which may interest those working in the public sector, such as health researchers. Researchers and government agencies worldwide have been increasingly using data from commercial entities (such as Google, Microsoft, Apple, Facebook/Meta, Twitter/X and Amazon, among others) to generate health-related insights.

Site-Level Variation in Tracheal Intubation in the Pediatric Emergency Department: A Report From the National Emergency Airway Registry for Pediatric Emergency Medicine (NEAR4PEM).

Objectives: To describe site-level variation in the performance and outcomes of tracheal intubation (TI) in pediatric emergency departments (PEDs) using the National Emergency Airway Registry for Pediatric Emergency Medicine (NEAR4PEM).

Methods: A multicenter observational study of TI was performed between April 2018 and September 2023. TI data were obtained from the 16 PEDs contributing to the NEAR4PEM registry.

Rising Heat, Rising Risks: Understanding the Nexus of Marine Heatwaves, Fishing Dependence, and Vulnerability to Coastal Communities.

Marine heatwaves are increasing in frequency, intensity, and duration as a result of climate change, and their biological impacts can in turn influence coastal communities. Despite advances in our knowledge of the physical drivers of marine heatwaves and their biological impacts, there has been limited work linking these extreme events to subsequent impacts on social systems. Describing risk to well-being in coastal communities from marine heatwaves requires the consideration of the severity of marine heatwaves, impacted systems, and social vulnerability.

The Pediatric Procedural Holistic Comfort Assessment-Revised: A Psychometric Analysis.

In this article, we present the psychometrics of the Pediatric Procedural Holistic Comfort Assessment-Revised (PPHCA-R). The PPHCA-R is a storybook instrument for children of diverse backgrounds aged 4-8 years. We recruited 196 children undergoing a nonurgent needle procedure in a pediatric multispecialty care center.

Impact of motivational interviewing on psychosocial and symptom outcomes during breast cancer endocrine therapy.

Purpose: Adjuvant endocrine therapy (ET) is recommended to women with hormone receptor-positive (HR +) breast cancer for 5-10 years to reduce recurrence risk and mortality, but adhering to ET for this full period is challenging due to the physical and psychosocial effects of treatment. We sought to understand how participation in a patient-centered counseling intervention affected anxiety and depression, recurrence worry, and treatment related symptoms.

Methods: We conducted a single-arm pilot study over a 12-month period, consisting of five counselor-led motivational interviewing (MI) counseling sessions.

Newborn Screening of the Endocrine System: Best Practices for Evaluation of Hypothyroidism and Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia.

Newborn screening for congenital hypothyroidism (CH) and congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is essential to reduce the risk of morbidity and mortality from delayed identification and treatment of these conditions. Infants with untreated CH are at risk for intellectual disability, psychomotor dysfunction, and impaired growth, and those with untreated CAH are at risk for adrenal crisis as well as significant virilization of female infants. As multiple perinatal factors such as prematurity, clinical instability, and maternal health conditions and medications can impact newborn screening results, early consultation of pediatric endocrinology is recommended to ensure test interpretation incorporates perinatal considerations.

Implications of shame for patient reported outcomes in Bowel Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction.

Background And Aims: Bowel Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBI) are a highly stigmatized group of disorders. Even though the link between stigma and shame is overall acknowledged, few studies focusing on health-related stigma mention shame, and research on shame in Bowel DGBI is non-existent. The aim of this study was to examine the implications of shame in Bowel DGBI.

Comparison of intrinsic foot muscle function in patients with different lower extremity conditions.

Background: The intrinsic foot muscles (IFM), or foot core, provides stability to the foot skeleton. IFM dysfunction has been linked to foot and ankle injuries; however, the functional assessment of IFM in lower extremity conditions remains a clinical conundrum. We undertook a large study to understand the differences in muscle size and quality of IFM across a spectrum of conditions including Chronic Ankle Instability (CAI), Patellofemoral Pain (PFP), 1st Metatarsophalangeal Joint (1st MTPJ)  arthrodesis and in patients with diabetes.