Atrial Fibrillation and Older Age Predict Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels Among Patients With Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND: Predictors have not been determined of serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels among patients with heart failure (HF). OBJECTIVE: The primary purpose was to evaluate history of atrial fibrillation, age, gender, and left ventricular ejection fraction as predictors of serum BDNF levels at baseline, 10 weeks, and 4 and 8 months after baseline among patients with HF. METHODS: This study was a retrospective cohort analyses of 241 patients with HF. Data were retrieved from the patients' health records (coded history of atrial fibrillation, left ventricular ejection fraction), self-report (age, gender), and serum BDNF. Linear multiple regression analyses were conducted. RESULTS: One hundred three patients (42.7%) had a history of atrial fibrillation. History of atrial fibrillation was a significant predictor of serum BDNF levels at baseline (ß = -0.16, P = .016), 4 months (ß = -0.21, P = .005), and 8 months (ß = -0.19, P = .015). Older age was a significant predictor at 10 weeks (ß = -0.17, P = .017) and 4 months (ß = -0.15, P = .046). CONCLUSIONS: Prospective studies are needed to validate these results. Clinicians need to assess patients with HF for atrial fibrillation and include treatment of it in management plans.

Polycystic ovary syndrome: A review of diagnosis and management, with special focus on atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease prevention.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrinopathy worldwide with a heterogeneous clinical presentation including reproductive, metabolic, and endocrine elements. However, the assessment and management of PCOS remains inconsistent, with many women undiagnosed and untreated. We now also understand that the management of PCOS should extend throughout a woman's lifespan as many elements of the syndrome persist after menopause. Management has traditionally focused on the treatment of hyperandrogenism and oligomenorrhea. Women with PCOS often have dyslipidemia, hypertension, obesity, and metabolic syndrome, which may be worsened by the hormonal abnormalities, and are therefore at higher risk for cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality, a risk that increases after menopause. While treatment with hormonal therapy, in particular combined oral contraceptives, may improve cardiovascular risk factors, management plans should incorporate specific diagnosis and management of these factors, if present, because of the strong contribution to the risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Given the complexities of the syndrome, optimal management often requires a multi-disciplinary approach including the lipid and cardiometabolic specialist to provide counseling and support for lifestyle modification along with pharmacologic therapy as indicated to address the full range of any reproductive, endocrine, and cardiometabolic abnormalities.

Artificial intelligence (AI) implementation within the National Health Service (NHS): the South West London AI Working Group experience.

In the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence (AI) for radiology, with a plethora of vendor options and use-cases and evidence claims to sift through, the pressing question is how to effectively implement the right tool for enhanced patient care? This article presents a structured approach to AI deployment, drawing from a comprehensive case study in South West London. We underscore the necessity of forming a dedicated AI team with a clear vision and assertive leadership to navigate such complexities. Central to our discussion is the significance of crafting an AI implementation plan, with an overarching aim to augment patient care, promote operational efficiency, and lay down standardized protocols for seamless AI adoption. By presenting a blueprint for AI implementation within the National Health Service (NHS), we intend to demystify the process for radiology departments across the UK, enabling them to make informed decisions and empowering their staff to embrace and leverage AI responsibly ensuring that patient welfare remains at the heart of innovation. Thus, having a framework to follow when implementing an AI solution that addresses a vision for scalable adoption, core team members with diversity of skillset, staff engagement and education, plan for vendor selection, and change management is crucial for success.

Integrated single-cell analysis defines the epigenetic basis of castration-resistant prostate luminal cells.

Understanding prostate response to castration and androgen receptor signaling inhibitors (ARSI) is critical to improving long-term prostate cancer (PCa) patient survival. Here, we use a multi-omics approach on 229,794 single cells to create a mouse single-cell reference atlas for interpreting mouse prostate biology and castration response. Our reference atlas refines single-cell annotations and provides a chromatin context, which, when coupled with mouse lineage tracing, demonstrates that castration-resistant luminal cells are distinct from the pre-existent urethra-proximal stem/progenitor cells. Molecular pathway analysis and therapeutic studies further implicate AP1 (JUN/FOS), WNT/ß-catenin, FOXQ1, NF-κB, and JAK/STAT pathways as major drivers of castration-resistant luminal populations with relevance to human PCa. Our datasets, which can be explored through an interactive portal (https://visportal.roswellpark.org/data/tang/), can aid in developing combination treatments with ARSI for advanced PCa patients.

Factors influencing hospital charges for tonsillectomy to treat obstructive sleep apnea in children.

PURPOSE: This study investigates the impact of patient characteristics and demographics on hospital charges for tonsillectomy as a treatment for pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The aim is to identify potential disparities in hospital charges and contribute to efforts for equitable access to care. METHODS: Data from the 2016 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) Kid Inpatient Database (KID) was analyzed. The sample included 3,304 pediatric patients undergoing tonsillectomy ± adenoidectomy for OSA. Variables such as age, race, length of stay, hospital region, residential location, payer information, and median household income were collected. The primary outcome variable was hospital charge. Statistical analyses, including t-tests, ANOVA, and multiple linear regression, were conducted. RESULTS: Among 3,304 pediatric patients undergoing tonsillectomy for OSA. The average total charges for tonsillectomy were $26,400, with a mean length of stay of 1.70 days. Significant differences in charges were observed based on patient race, hospital region, and payer information. No significant differences were found based on gender, discharge quarter, residential location, or median household income. Multiple linear regression showed race, hospital region, and residential location were significant predictors of total hospital charges. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the influence of patient demographics and regional factors on hospital charges for pediatric tonsillectomy in OSA cases. These findings underscore the importance of addressing potential disparities in healthcare access and resource allocation to ensure equitable care for children with OSA. Efforts should be made to promote fair and affordable treatment for all pediatric OSA patients, regardless of their demographic backgrounds.

Appointment Factors Contributing to Children with Speech Disorders Missing Speech and Language Pathology Appointments.

This study explores missed pediatric speech and language pathology (SLP) appointments to identify barriers for patients with speech disorders. Data from 839 referrals at Boston Medical Center, including demographics, appointment details, COVID-19 lockdown, and number of items on patient problem lists, were analyzed using chi-square tests and logistic regression. The findings revealed that lockdown status, appointment timing, appointment type (in-person vs telemedicine), referral department (ear, nose, and throat [ENT] vs non-ENT), sex, race, primary language, birthplace, and primary care provider presence had no significant impact on attendance. However, the number of patient-listed problems, prior cancelations, and missed appointments were significant predictors of patients who did not keep appointments. In conclusion, this research emphasizes the patient's problem list and past appointment behavior as critical factors in predicting missed SLP appointments for pediatric speech disorder patients. These insights can guide targeted interventions to improve attendance and enhance SLP engagement.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Depression and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder After a Mass Shooting.

This cross-sectional study examines the self-reported mental health outcomes of adults 4 years after witnessing and surviving the shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Speech Outcomes of Frenectomy for Tongue-Tie Release: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Tongue-tie, which is also known as ankyloglossia, is a common condition where the lingual frenulum is unusually tight or short. While most literature investigates the impact of tongue-tie on breastfeeding, recent articles have examined its role in speech production in children. However, these have not previously been reviewed systematically. This study aims to determine the impact of tongue-tie on speech outcomes and assess whether frenectomy can improve speech function. METHODS: In this systematic review, we conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Embase, and speechBITE to analyze primary studies investigating the impact of frenectomy for tongue-tie on speech outcomes. We extracted data regarding patient age, male to female ratio, procedure type, follow-up time, and speech outcomes and ran statistical analyses to determine if frenectomy for tongue-tie leads to improvement in speech issues in pediatric patients. Speech outcomes extracted were subjectively measured based on the interpretation of a speech and language pathologist or parent. RESULTS: Our analysis included 10 studies with an average patient age of 4.10 years, and average cohort size of 22.17 patients. Overall, frenectomy for tongue-tie was associated with an improvement in speech articulation (0.78; 95% CI: 0.64-0.87; P < .01). Increasing patient age was found to be negatively correlated with post-frenectomy speech outcomes (P = .01). However, this relationship disappeared in the adjusted model. CONCLUSION: Overall, we conclude that frenectomy is a suitable treatment to correct speech issues in select patients with tongue-tie if caught early in childhood. Despite the limited investigations around speech outcomes post-frenectomy, these results are informative to providers treating tongue-tie.

Developing Folate-Conjugated miR-34a Therapeutic for Prostate Cancer: Challenges and Promises.

Prostate cancer (PCa) remains a common cancer with high mortality in men due to its heterogeneity and the emergence of drug resistance. A critical factor contributing to its lethality is the presence of prostate cancer stem cells (PCSCs), which can self-renew, long-term propagate tumors, and mediate treatment resistance. MicroRNA-34a (miR-34a) has shown promise as an anti-PCSC therapeutic by targeting critical molecules involved in cancer stem cell (CSC) survival and functions. Despite extensive efforts, the development of miR-34a therapeutics still faces challenges, including non-specific delivery and delivery-associated toxicity. One emerging delivery approach is ligand-mediated conjugation, aiming to achieve specific delivery of miR-34a to cancer cells, thereby enhancing efficacy while minimizing toxicity. Folate-conjugated miR-34a (folate-miR-34a) has demonstrated promising anti-tumor efficacy in breast and lung cancers by targeting folate receptor α (FOLR1). Here, we first show that miR-34a, a TP53 transcriptional target, is reduced in PCa that harbors TP53 loss or mutations and that miR-34a mimic, when transfected into PCa cells, downregulated multiple miR-34a targets and inhibited cell growth. When exploring the therapeutic potential of folate-miR-34a, we found that folate-miR-34a exhibited impressive inhibitory effects on breast, ovarian, and cervical cancer cells but showed minimal effects on and targeted delivery to PCa cells due to a lack of appreciable expression of FOLR1 in PCa cells. Folate-miR-34a also did not display any apparent effect on PCa cells expressing prostate-specific membrane antigen (PMSA) despite the reported folate's binding capability to PSMA. These results highlight challenges in the specific delivery of folate-miR-34a to PCa due to a lack of target (receptor) expression. Our study offers novel insights into the challenges and promises within the field and casts light on the development of ligand-conjugated miR-34a therapeutics for PCa.

Bioenergetic profiles of peripheral mononuclear cells and systemic inflammation in women with Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome (IC/BPS).

Inflammation is thought to contribute to the etiology of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS). It is well-known that disruption in metabolism in immune cells contributes to inflammation in several inflammatory diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether cellular bioenergetics is altered in monocytes and lymphocytes from women with IC/BPS, and if these alterations correlate with systemic inflammatory markers. Age and BMI matched adult healthy women (HS; n = 18) and women with IC/BPS (n = 18) were included in the study. Blood was collected to assess cellular bioenergetics in monocytes and lymphocytes using a Seahorse XF96 Analyzer and plasma cytokine levels were measured using Meso Scale Discovery immunoassays. The correlation between bioenergetic parameters, cytokines, and demographics was determined using Pearson correlation coefficients. Means of the two groups were compared using the two-group t-test. Patients with IC/BPS had reduced monocyte oxygen consumption rates and glycolytic rates compared to healthy subjects. In contrast, lymphocytes from these patients had increased oxygen consumption rates and glycolytic rates. Several cytokines and chemokines including Interferon-gamma (IFN-É£), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-ɑ), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Interleukin-8 (IL-8) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were significantly elevated in the plasma of patients with IC/BPS. However, Transforming growth factor (TGF-ß) and Interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels were significantly decreased in IC/BPS patients compared to HS. In addition, Interferon gamma (IFN-É£), TNF-ɑ, IL-8, and TGF-ß levels correlated with several bioenergetic parameters in monocytes or lymphocytes from healthy subjects. In contrast, TNF-ɑ and IL-8 correlated with bioenergetic parameters in monocytes from IC/BPS patients. Monocyte and lymphocyte cellular bioenergetics and plasma cytokine levels are different in patients with IC/PBS compared to HS. It appears that systemic inflammation is greater in this cohort which may negatively impact immune cell function. The relationship between cellular bioenergetics and inflammation in monocytes and lymphocytes could be important in understanding the pathogenesis of IC/PBS and warrants further investigation.

A Drug Discovery Perspective on FDA Expedited Development and Incentive Programs.

Expedited development and approval pathways at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) such as Priority review, Fast Track Designation, Breakthrough Designation, and Accelerated Approval are programs available to drug sponsors that aim to incentivize and expedite the delivery of drugs to patients in need. In addition, other incentive programs such as Orphan Drug Designation (ODD), Qualified Infectious Disease Product Designation (QIDP), and Rare Pediatric Disease Designation (RPDD) are available to drug sponsors to help motivate development of drugs that may have lower economic incentive for commercialization. These programs have been largely effective, and many new innovative drugs since 2010 have accessed these programs. This Perspective highlights how these programs have been used in recent FDA drug approvals and discusses future ways sponsors and regulatory agencies may further enable development of these innovative drugs in the most expeditious fashion.

Who tests for lead and why? A 10-year analysis of blood lead screening, follow-up and CNS outcomes in a statewide US healthcare system.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to determine (1) which providers in US healthcare systems order lead tests, why and at what frequency and (2) whether current patient population lead levels are predictive of clinical outcomes. METHODS: Retrospective medical record study of all blood lead tests in the Medical University of South Carolina healthcare system 2012-2016 and consequent evidence of central nervous system (CNS)-related disease across a potential 10-year window (2012-2022). RESULTS: Across 4 years, 9726 lead tests resulted for 7181 patients (49.0% female; 0-94 years), representing 0.2% of the hospital population. Most tests were for young (76.6%≤age 3) and non-Hispanic black (47.2%) and Hispanic (26.7%) patients. A wide variety of providers ordered tests; however, most were ordered by paediatrics, psychiatry, internal medicine and neurology. Lead levels ranged from ≤2.0 µg/dL (80.8%) to ≥10 µg/dL (0.8%; max 36 µg/dL). 201 children (3.1%) had initial lead levels over the reference value for case management at the time (5.0 µg/dL). Many high level children did not receive follow-up testing in the system (36.3%) and those that did often failed to see levels fall below 5.0 µg/dL (80.1%). Non-Hispanic black and Hispanic patients were more likely to see lead levels stay high or go up over time. Over follow-up, children with high lead levels were more likely to receive new attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and conduct disorder diagnoses and new psychiatric medications. No significant associations were found between lead test results and new CNS diagnoses or medications among adults. CONCLUSIONS: Hospital lead testing covers a small portion of patients but includes a wide range of ages, presentations and provider specialities. Lack of lead decline among many paediatric patients suggests there is room to improve provider guidance around when to test and follow-up.

Depression and anxiety as mediators of the relationship between sleep disturbance and somatic symptoms among adolescents on a psychiatric inpatient unit.

Background: This study investigated the relationship between sleep disturbance and somatic symptoms among adolescents residing on a psychiatric inpatient unit. Given the evidence that sleep disturbance may precede the onset of depression and anxiety and the clear associations between mood and somatic symptoms, depression and anxiety were considered as potential mediators of this relationship. Gender was tested as a potential moderator of the relationship between sleep disturbance and depression and anxiety, respectively. Method: A convenience sample of 83 adolescents completed a packet of self-report measures after admission to the unit. Measures assessed depression, sleep disturbance, anxiety, and somatic symptoms. Mediation and moderation analyses were conducted using SPSS PROCESS macro. Results: With anxiety included as a covariate, the overall indirect effect of sleep disturbance on somatic symptoms through depression was significant. No significant moderation effects were found, although females reported significantly higher levels of sleep disturbance, depression, anxiety, and somatic symptoms than males. Conclusions: Results indicated that depression mediated the relationship between sleep disturbance and somatic symptoms above and beyond the effects of anxiety. These findings suggest that interventions aimed at reducing the negative effects of sleep disturbance should also target mood in this population. Individual differences including gender should be considered when developing interventions.

Developing folate-conjugated miR-34a therapeutic for prostate cancer treatment: Challenges and promises.

Prostate cancer (PCa) remains a common cancer with high mortality in men due to its heterogeneity and the emergence of drug resistance. A critical factor contributing to its lethality is the presence of prostate cancer stem cells (PCSCs), which can self-renew, long-term propagate tumors and mediate treatment resistance. MicroRNA-34a (miR-34a) has shown promise as an anti-PCSC therapeutic by targeting critical molecules involved in cancer stem cell (CSC) survival and functions. Despite extensive efforts, the development of miR-34a therapeutics still faces challenges, including non-specific delivery and delivery-associated toxicity. One emerging delivery approach is ligand-mediated conjugation, aiming to achieve specific delivery of miR-34a to cancer cells, thereby enhancing efficacy while minimizing toxicity. Folate-conjugated miR-34a (folate-miR-34a) has demonstrated promising anti-tumor efficacy in breast and lung cancers by targeting folate receptor α (FOLR1). Here, we first show that miR-34a, a TP53 transcriptional target, is reduced in PCa that harbors TP53 loss or mutations and that miR-34a mimic, when transfected into PCa cells, downregulated multiple miR-34a targets and inhibited cell growth. When exploring the therapeutic potential of folate-miR-34a, we found that folate-miR-34a exhibited impressive inhibitory effects on breast, ovarian and cervical cancer cells but showed minimal effects on and targeted delivery to PCa cells due to a lack of appreciable expression of FOLR1 in PCa cells. Folate-miR-34a also did not display any apparent effect on PCa cells expressing prostate-specific membrane antigen (PMSA) despite the reported folate's binding capability to PSMA. These results highlight challenges in specific delivery of folate-miR-34a to PCa due to lack of target (receptor) expression. Our study offers novel insights on the challenges and promises within the field and cast light on the development of ligand-conjugated miR-34a therapeutics for PCa.

The Complex Role of Thrombin in Cancer and Metastasis: Focus on Interactions with the Immune System.

Thrombin, a pleiotropic enzyme involved in coagulation, plays a crucial role in both procoagulant and anticoagulant pathways. Thrombin converts fibrinogen into fibrin, initiates platelet activation, and promotes clot formation. Thrombin also activates anticoagulant pathways, indirectly inhibiting factors involved in coagulation. Tissue factor triggers thrombin generation, and the overexpression of thrombin in various cancers suggests that it is involved in tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Increased thrombin generation has been observed in cancer patients, especially those with metastases. Thrombin exerts its effects through protease-activated receptors (PARs), particularly PAR-1 and PAR-2, which are involved in cancer progression, angiogenesis, and immunological responses. Thrombin-mediated signaling promotes angiogenesis by activating endothelial cells and platelets, thereby releasing proangiogenic factors. These functions of thrombin are well recognized and have been widely described. However, in recent years, intriguing new findings concerning the association between thrombin activity and cancer development have come to light, which justifies a review of this research. In particular, there is evidence that thrombin-mediated events interact with the immune system, and may regulate its response to tumor growth. It is also worth reevaluating the impact of thrombin on thrombocytes in conjunction with its multifaceted influence on tumor progression. Understanding the role of thrombin/PAR-mediated signaling in cancer and immunological responses is crucial, particularly in the context of developing immunotherapies. In this systematic review, we focus on the impact of the thrombin-related immune system response on cancer progression.