Search

BackgroundThe algorithmic patient preference predictor (PPP) has been proposed to aid in decision making for incapacitated patients in the absence of advanced directives. Ethical and legal challenges aside, multiple practical barriers exist for building a personalized PPP. Here, we examine previous work using machine learning to predict patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) for capacitated patients undergoing diverse procedures, therapies, and life events. Demonstrating robust performance in predicting PROMs for capacitated patients could suggest opportunities for developing a model tailored to incapacitated ones.MethodsWe performed a scoping review of PubMed, Embase, and Scopus using the PRISMA-ScR guidelines to capture studies using machine learning to predict PROMs following a medical event alongside qualitative studies exploring a theoretical PPP.ResultsSixty-eight studies used machine learning to evaluate PROMs; an additional 20 studies focused on a theoretical PPP. For PROMs, orthopedic surgeries (n = 33) and spinal surgeries (n = 12) were the most common medical event. Studies used demographic (n = 30), pre-event PROMs (n = 52), comorbidities (n = 29), social determinants of health (n = 30), and intraoperative variables (n = 124) as predictors. Thirty-four different PROMs were used as the target outcome. Evaluation metrics varied by task, but performance was overall poor to moderate for the best reported scores. In models that used feature importance, pre-event PROMs were the most predictive of post-event PROMs. Fairness assessments were rare (n = 6). These findings reinforce the necessity of the integrating patient values and preferences, beyond demographic factors, to improve the development of personalized PPP models for incapacitated patients.ConclusionThe primary objective of a PPP is to estimate patient-reported quality of life following an intervention. Use of machine learning to predict PROMs for capacitated patients introduces challenges and opportunities for building a personalized PPP for incapacitated patients without advanced directives.

Background:. Surrogates, proxies, and clinicians making shared treatment decisions for patients who have lost decision-making capacity often fail to honor patients’ wishes, due to stress, time pressures, misunderstanding patient values, and projecting personal biases. Advance directives intend to align care with patient values but are limited by low completion rates and application to only a subset of medical decisions. Here, we investigate the potential of large language models (LLMs) to incorporate patient values in supporting critical care clinical decision-making for incapacitated patients in a proof-of-concept study. Methods:. We simulated text-based scenarios for 50 decisionally incapacitated patients for whom a medical condition required imminent clinical decisions regarding specific interventions. For each patient, we also simulated five unique value profiles captured using alternative formats: numeric ranking questionnaires, text-based questionnaires, and free-text narratives. We used pre-trained generative LLMs for two tasks: 1) text extraction of the treatments under consideration and 2) prompt-based question-answering to generate a recommendation in response to the scenario information, extracted treatment, and patient value profiles. Model outputs were compared with adjudications by three domain experts who independently evaluated each scenario and decision. Results and Conclusions:. Automated extractions of the treatment in question were accurate for 88% (n = 44/50) of scenarios. LLM treatment recommendations received an average Likert score by the adjudicators of 3.92 of 5.00 (five being best) across all patients for being medically plausible and reasonable treatment recommendations, and 3.58 of 5.00 for reflecting the documented values of the patient. Scores were highest when patient values were captured as short, unstructured, and free-text narratives based on simulated patient profiles. This proof-of-concept study demonstrates the potential for LLMs to function as support tools for surrogates, proxies, and clinicians aiming to honor the wishes and values of decisionally incapacitated patients.

Abstract Background As the availability of genomic testing grows, variant interpretation will increasingly be performed by genomic generalists, rather than domain-specific experts. Demand is rising for laboratories to accurately classify variants in inherited cardiac condition (ICC) genes, including secondary findings. Methods We analyse evidence for inheritance patterns, allelic requirement, disease mechanism and disease-relevant variant classes for 65 ClinGen-curated ICC gene-disease pairs. We present this information for the first time in a structured dataset, CardiacG2P, and assess application in genomic variant filtering. Results For 36/65 gene-disease pairs, loss of function is not an established disease mechanism, and protein truncating variants are not known to be pathogenic. Using the CardiacG2P dataset as an initial variant filter allows for efficient variant prioritisation whilst maintaining a high sensitivity for retaining pathogenic variants compared with two other variant filtering approaches. Conclusions Access to evidence-based structured data representing disease mechanism and allelic requirement aids variant filtering and analysis and is a pre-requisite for scalable genomic testing.

Study objective: To develop a digital platform to conduct family-based, dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) genetic research. Design: The DCM Project Portal, a direct-to-participant electronic recruitment, consent, and communication tool, was designed using prior experience with traditional enrollment methods and characteristics and feedback of current participants. Participants: DCM patients (probands) and their family members enrolled from June 7, 2016 to March 15, 2020 at 25 US advanced heart failure programs. Results: The portal was designed as a self-guided, three module (registration, eligibility, and consent) process with supporting informational and messaging resources integrated throughout. The experience is tailored to user type and the format adaptable with programmatic growth. Characteristics of participants of the recently completed DCM Precision Medicine Study were assessed as an exemplary user population. A majority of the diverse (34 % non-Hispanic Black (NHE-B), 9.1 % Hispanic; 53.6 % female) proband (n = 1223) and family member (n = 1781) participants aged ≥18 years reported not at all or rarely having problems learning about their health from written information (81 %) and a high confidence in completing medical forms (77.2 % very much or often confident), supporting a self-guided model. A majority of participants across age and race-ethnicity groups reported internet access, with highest rates of no reported access in those ≥77 years (31.9 %), NHE-B (25.2 %), and Hispanic (22.9 %), a similar pattern to those reported by the US Census Bureau as of 2021. Conclusions: The portal is an example of a digital approach to family-based genetic research that offers opportunity to improve access and efficiency of research operations.

Cardiac muscle has the highest mitochondrial density of any human tissue, but mitochondrial dysfunction is not a recognized cause of isolated cardiomyopathy. Here, we determined that the rare mitofusin (MFN) 2 R400Q mutation is 15–20× over-represented in clinical cardiomyopathy, whereas this specific mutation is not reported as a cause of MFN2 mutant-induced peripheral neuropathy, Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease type 2A (CMT2A). Accordingly, we interrogated the enzymatic, biophysical, and functional characteristics of MFN2 Q400 versus wild-type and CMT2A-causing MFN2 mutants. All MFN2 mutants had impaired mitochondrial fusion, the canonical MFN2 function. Compared to MFN2 T105M that lacked catalytic GTPase activity and exhibited normal activation-induced changes in conformation, MFN2 R400Q and M376A had normal GTPase activity with impaired conformational shifting. MFN2 R400Q did not suppress mitochondrial motility, provoke mitochondrial depolarization, or dominantly suppress mitochondrial respiration like MFN2 T105M. By contrast to MFN2 T105M and M376A, MFN2 R400Q was uniquely defective in recruiting Parkin to mitochondria. CRISPR editing of the R400Q mutation into the mouse Mfn2 gene induced perinatal cardiomyopathy with no other organ involvement; knock-in of Mfn2 T105M or M376V did not affect the heart. RNA sequencing and metabolomics of cardiomyopathic Mfn2 Q/Q400 hearts revealed signature abnormalities recapitulating experimental mitophagic cardiomyopathy. Indeed, cultured cardiomyoblasts and in vivo cardiomyocytes expressing MFN2 Q400 had mitophagy defects with increased sensitivity to doxorubicin. MFN2 R400Q is the first known natural mitophagy-defective MFN2 mutant. Its unique profile of dysfunction evokes mitophagic cardiomyopathy, suggesting a mechanism for enrichment in clinical cardiomyopathy.

Following the Pluto flyby of the New Horizons spacecraft, the mission provided a unique opportunity to explore the Kuiper Belt in situ. The possibility existed to fly by a Kuiper Belt object (KBO), as well as to observe additional objects at distances closer than are feasible from Earth-orbit facilities. However, at the time of launch no KBOs were known about that were accessible by the spacecraft. In this paper we present the results of 10 yr of observations and three uniquely dedicated efforts—two ground-based using the Subaru Suprime Camera, the Magellan MegaCam and IMACS Cameras, and one with the Hubble Space Telescope—to find such KBOs for study. In this paper we overview the search criteria and strategies employed in our work and detail the analysis efforts to locate and track faint objects in the Galactic plane. We also present a summary of all of the KBOs that were discovered as part of our efforts and how spacecraft targetability was assessed, including a detailed description of our astrometric analysis, which included development of an extensive secondary calibration network. Overall, these efforts resulted in the discovery of 85 KBOs, including 11 that became objects for distant observation by New Horizons and (486958) Arrokoth, which became the first post-Pluto flyby destination.

Precision medicine genetics study design requires large, diverse cohorts and thoughtful use of electronic technologies. Involving patients in research design may increase enrollment and engagement, thereby enabling a means to relevant patient outcomes in clinical practice. Few data, however, illustrate attitudes of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and their family members toward genetic study design. This study assessed attitudes of 16 enrolled patients and their family members (P/FM), and 18 investigators or researchers (I/R) of the ongoing DCM Precision Medicine Study during a conjoint patient and investigator meeting using structured, self‐administered surveys examining direct‐to‐participant enrollment and web‐based consent, return of genetic results, and other aspects of genetic study design. Survey respondents were half women and largely identified as white. Web‐based consent was supported by 93% of P/FM and 88% of I/R. Most respondents believed that return of genetic results would motivate study enrollment, but also indicated a desire to opt out. Ideal study design preferences included a 1‐hour visit per year, along with the ability to complete study aspects by telephone or web and possibility of prophylactic medication. This study supports partnership of patients and clinical researchers to inform research priorities and study design to attain the promise of precision medicine for DCM.

The morphogenic process of convergent thickening (CT) was originally described as the mediolateral convergence and radial thickening of the explanted ventral involuting marginal zone (IMZ) of Xenopus gastrulae (Keller and Danilchik, 1988). Here, we show that CT is expressed in all sectors of the pre-involution IMZ, which transitions to expressing convergent extension (CE) after involution. CT occurs without CE and drives symmetric blastopore closure in ventralized embryos. Assays of tissue affinity and tissue surface tension measurements suggest CT is driven by increased interfacial tension between the deep IMZ and the overlying epithelium. The resulting minimization of deep IMZ surface area drives a tendency to shorten the mediolateral (circumblastoporal) aspect of the IMZ, thereby generating tensile force contributing to blastopore closure (Shook et al., 2018). These results establish CT as an independent force-generating process of evolutionary significance and provide the first clear example of an oriented, tensile force generated by an isotropic, Holtfreterian/Steinbergian tissue affinity change.

BackgroundInternational travel can expose travelers to a number of health risks. Pretravel consultation (PC) helps mitigate risk and prepare travelers for health concerns that might arise. The assessment of risk, mitigation strategies, and relevance of pretravel advice is dependent on how closely travelers adhere to their planned travel itinerary and activities. We determined the proportion of returned travelers whose completed travel experiences differed from their stated travel itineraries, and identified discrepancies that significantly altered the traveler's health risk and would have required alternative counseling during their PC.MethodsWe conducted a prospective cohort study at the SickKids' Family Travel Clinic between October 2014 and November 2015. Returned travelers who completed a post-travel survey were included. Pretravel consultation assessments and post-trip surveys were compared to identify discrepant trip experiences.ResultsA total of 389 travelers presented to the clinic for a PC during the study period and 302 (77.6%) were enrolled. Post-travel surveys were received from 119 (39.4%) participants, representing 101 unique itineraries. The median participant age was 36.3 years (IQR 26.6-47.5) and there were 73 female travelers (61%). Most participants (n = 87,73%) were healthy as well as Canadian born (n = 84, 71%). A quarter of travelers were visiting friends and relatives (VFR) (n = 30, 25.2%). The vast majority of returned travelers (n = 109, 92%) reported discrepant trip experiences involving trip duration, countries visited, accommodations, environmental surroundings and/or activities. Almost two thirds of these individuals (n = 68, 62%) would have required alternative pretravel counseling. We did not identify any demographic or planned trip characteristics that predicted discrepant trip experiences requiring alternative pretravel counseling.ConclusionsThe majority of travelers reported discrepant trip experiences and the discrepancies often affected health risk. Therefore, clinicians should consider providing broader counselling during the PC as discrepancies from planned travel are common.

Purpose: Emergency medical services (EMS) responders are a group of medically skilled professionals who perform a wide range of essential medical services within a community including emergency response, patient transport, and mobile integrated healthcare. The proper functioning of the EMS system is paramount to the well-being of the medical system and public health. The intent of this paper is to review current EMS standards and practice to determine the danger a high consequence infectious disease (HCID) may pose to these healthcare workers and the community.Areas Addressed: Through the review of EMS practice several areas were identified as vulnerabilities to the EMS network. These vulnerabilities consisted of the lack of standardized licensing practice, inconsistent medical direction, and the inability to properly implement the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). The compounding of these vulnerabilities allows for HCIDs to pose a serious threat to EMS personnel with the possibility of devastating and crippling the EMS infrastructure within the US.Discussion: The vulnerabilities identified must be addressed both to protect EMS providers and to enhance the resilience of the US healthcare system. Ways to address the identified vulnerabilities should focus on improving the EMS curriculum and increasing minimum levels of education for first responders. Targeting minimum education and training standards could be the most effect method of reducing the dangers of HCIDs to EMS systems.

The need to prepare veterinarians to serve as part of the disaster medical response for mass casualty incidents has been recognized since at least the 1960's. The potential value of incorporating veterinarians for mass casualty disaster response has been noted by organizations throughout the world. Clinical veterinarians are highly trained medical professionals with access to equipment, medications, and treatment capabilities that can be leveraged in times of crisis. The ongoing threat of disasters with the current widespread healthcare access barriers requires the disaster management community to address the ethical constraints, training deficiencies and legal limitations for veterinary medical response to mass casualty disasters. An ethical imperative exists for veterinarians with translatable clinical skills to provide care to humans in the event of a mass casualty disaster with insufficient alternative traditional medical resources. Though this imperative exists, there is no established training mechanism to prepare veterinarians for the provision of emergency medical care to humans. In addition, the lack of clear guidance regarding what legal protections exist for voluntary responders persists as a barrier to rapid and effective response of veterinarians to mass casualty disasters. Measures need to be undertaken at all levels of government to address and remove the barriers. Failure to do so reduces potentially available medical resources available to an already strained medical system during mass casualty events.

Abstract Background Variants in TTN are frequently identified in the genetic evaluation of skeletal myopathy or cardiomyopathy. However, due to the high frequency of TTN variants in the general population, incomplete penetrance, and limited understanding of the spectrum of disease, interpretation of TTN variants is often difficult for laboratories and clinicians. Currently, cardiomyopathy is associated with heterozygous A‐band TTN variants, whereas skeletal myopathy is largely associated with homozygous or compound heterozygous TTN variants. Recent reports show pathogenic variants in TTN may result in a broader phenotypic spectrum than previously recognized. Methods Here we report the results of a multisite study that characterized the phenotypes of probands with variants in TTN. We investigated TTN genotype‐phenotype correlations in probands with skeletal myopathy and/or cardiomyopathy. Probands with TTN truncating variants (TTNtv) or pathogenic missense variants were ascertained from two academic medical centers. Variants were identified via clinical genetic testing and reviewed according to the American College of Medical Genetics criteria. Clinical and family history data were documented via retrospective chart review. Family studies were performed for probands with atypical phenotypes. Results Forty‐nine probands were identified with TTNtv or pathogenic missense variants. Probands were classified by clinical presentation: cardiac (n = 30), skeletal muscle (n = 12), or both (cardioskeletal, n = 7). Within the cardioskeletal group, 5/7 probands had heterozygous TTNtv predicted to affect the distal (3’) end of the A‐band. All cardioskeletal probands had onset of proximal‐predominant muscle weakness before diagnosis of cardiovascular disease, five pedigrees support dominant transmission. Conclusion Although heterozygous TTNtv in the A‐band is known to cause dilated cardiomyopathy, we present evidence that these variants may in some cases cause a novel, dominant skeletal myopathy with a limb‐girdle pattern of weakness. These findings emphasize the importance of multidisciplinary care for patients with A‐band TTNtv who may be at risk for multisystem disease.

This paper delivers an accurate approximation for adaptive threshold and optimal frame detection algorithms based on the robust multi-taper method aiming at an efficient spectrum sensing in cognitive radio systems. An appropriate adaptive thresholding allows for seamless vacation of unlicensed secondary users from certain bands upon primary users’ requests, while arbitrary optimal frame detection contributes to the computational and throughput demands. Simulation exercises corroborate the given analysis over Rayleigh channel and multiple-input multiple-output configuration and emphasize the critical role of adopting applicable adaptive threshold and optimal frame detection policies. Keywords: Cognitive radio, Spectrum sensing, Multi-taper, Adaptive threshold, Optimal sensing duration

Abstract Background Pathogenic variants in TTN (OMIM 188840), encoding the largest human protein, are known to cause dilated cardiomyopathy and several forms of skeletal myopathy. The clinical interpretation of TTN variants is challenging, however, due to the frequency of missense changes, variable testing and reporting practices in commercial laboratories, and incomplete understanding of the spectrum of TTN‐related disease. Methods We report a heterozygous TTN deletion segregating in a family with an unusual skeletal myopathy phenotype associated with facial weakness, gait abnormality, and dilated cardiomyopathy. Results A novel 16.430 kb heterozygous deletion spanning part of the A‐ and M‐bands of TTN was identified in the proband and his symptomatic son, as well as in an additional son whose symptoms were identified on clinical evaluation. The deletion was found to be de novo in the proband. Conclusion Pathogenic variants in TTN may be an unrecognized cause of skeletal myopathy phenotypes, particularly when accompanied by dilated cardiomyopathy.

Detailed studies on Carboniferous species of the xenacanth Orthacanthus have shown that the xenacanth dorsal fin spine can be used for skeletochronological analyses and provides valuable information about development, growth and environmental life conditions of those extinct sharks. We report here for the first time the histology and skeletochronology of Permian specimens, dorsal spines of Orthacanthus platypternus from the Craddock Bone Bed (lower Clear Fork Formation; Early Permian, Leonardian age) of northern Baylor County (north-central Texas, USA). Twelve dorsal spines of O. platypternus preserve a highly vascularized wall mainly composed of centrifugally growing dentine in a succession of dentine layers, probably deposited with an annual periodicity. As expected, spines of individuals with 1–2 dentine layers, presumably juveniles, present the smallest sizes. However, spines of individuals showing at least 3–4 dentine layers and interpreted to be subadults/young adults, are distributed in two spine-size clusters corresponding to females (probably the largest spines) and males, in agreement with the hypothesis of sexual size dimorphism proposed in a previous biometric analysis. Our comparative study of O. platypternus and the Stephanian species O. meridionalis further suggests that spine denticulation can be useful for distinguishing between species of Orthacanthus and sexually dimorphic forms (juvenile to adults) in each species. Total body length estimations of O. platypternus from the Craddock Bone Bed point to relatively large juveniles and small subadults/young adults (less than 2 m in total length), living as opportunistic predators in the pond-channel coastal plain environments represented by the bone bed deposits. The com-parative analyses of the ontogenetic stages of the recorded specimens of O. platypternus and their distribution along different facies and localities indicate that this species was euryhaline, diadromous with a catadromous life-cycle which was strongly regulated by the semi-arid, seasonally dry tropical climate affecting western Pangaea during the Early Permian

Wallace H. Terry Jr., who served as deputy bureau chief for Time magazine in Saigon, had amassed an impressive record as a journalist. Hired by the Washington Post at just [...]