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This article explores the use of temporalis muscle thickness (TMT) and masseter muscle thickness (MMT) as measures of sarcopenia and proxies for frailty in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the sinonasal tract (SNSCC) and sinonasal adenocarcinoma (SNAC). The study aimed to determine if lower TMT and MMT were associated with worse overall survival, 30-day readmission, and progression-free survival. However, the results showed that TMT and MMT measurements did not correlate with these outcomes in the study population. The authors suggest that further research with larger patient numbers and different types of pathology is needed to investigate the use of TMT and MMT as markers for frailty in sinonasal cancer. [Extracted from the article]

This article, published in the Journal of Neurological Surgery, explores the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) to assess the thickness of the temporalis and masseter muscles as indicators of frailty in patients with sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (SNSCC). The study found that both MRI and CT measurements correlated with frailty measures, but MRI measurements were better associated with frailty than CT measurements. The authors suggest that MRI should be considered the gold standard imaging for future studies on TMT and MMT in patients with SNSCC. [Extracted from the article]

GM1‐gangliosidosis (GM1) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder leading to early mortality and causing progressive decline of physical skills and cerebral functioning. No approved treatment for GM1 exists. In this study—the first to explore priorities of parents of subjects with pediatric onset forms of GM1—we address a crucial gap by characterizing symptoms most critical to caregivers of children with GM1 to treat. Our two‐part, mixed‐methods approach began with focus groups, followed by interviews with a distinct set of parents. Interviews included a prioritization activity that used best‐worst scaling. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis and rapid analysis process. Parents prioritized the symptoms they believed would increase their child's lifespan and improve their perceived quality of life (QoL); these symptoms focused on communicating wants/needs, preventing pain/discomfort, getting around and moving one's body, and enhancing eating/feeding. Although lifespan was highly valued, almost all parents would not desire a longer lifespan without acceptable child QoL. Parents indicated high caregiver burden and progressive reduction in QoL for children with GM1. This novel study of caregiver priorities identified important symptoms for endpoints' selection in patient‐focused drug development in the context of high disease impact and unmet treatment needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prevalence of deaths involving synthetic opioids has historically been lower in Texas than most U.S. states but more than quadrupled from January 2020 to January 2022. This paper explores the emergence of fentanyl in a drug supply where black tar heroin predominates, a factor considered protective against fentanyl adulteration, through the perspectives of people who use drugs (PWUD). Objectives: We describe experiences of unintentional exposure to fentanyl, illustrate how some people identify fentanyl in their supply, and present harm reduction strategies that PWUD use to avoid overdose. Methods: Thirty rapid assessment interviews were conducted in July 2021 at 2 mobile outreach sites of a harm reduction organization in Austin, Texas. The brief semistructured interviews were designed to assess participant fentanyl exposure experiences. Results: Participants were clients who reported using heroin or fentanyl in the past week and had lived in Texas for at least 6 months. Seventeen participants identified as male, 10 as female, and 3 as nonbinary. Half identified as white; other participants were Latinx (6), black (2), American Indian (1), and mixed race (6). Two-thirds were unhoused or in transitional housing. The drug supply in Texas has evolved; most participants reported that the heroin and other drugs they obtained contain fentanyl. Participants detected differences by observing changes in the physical characteristics of the drug, experiencing unexpected effects, and using fentanyl test strips. Many had been unintentionally exposed to fentanyl and expressed concerns about fentanyl’s presence. The presence of fentanyl had negative unintended consequences for participants, including adverse effects and developing a dependence on opioids. Conclusion: PWUD in Austin, Texas, report increasing prevalence of unintentional fentanyl exposure, despite the predominance of black tar heroin. Pharmacists can provide crucial supplies and education to safeguard the health of this vulnerable population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on how reduction of AMPA receptor activity on mature oligodendrocytes attenuates loss of myelinated axons in autoimmune neuroinflammation. Topics discussed include excitotoxic mechanisms in mature oligodendrocytes contribute to demyelination and axonal injury; glutamate-stimulated calcium influx into oligodendrocyte somas is AMPA receptor; and mature oligodendrocytes to the pathophysiology of myelinated axons.

Background: Addressing the negative impact of substance use disorders (SUDs) on individuals, families, and communities is a public health priority. Most treatments and interventions require engagement with a healthcare provider or someone who can offer recovery support. The need for interventions that facilitate self-management of relapse triggers at the moment they occur is also critical. Our study aimed to explore the user experience of individuals using a just-in-time smartphone episodic resonance breathing (eRPB) intervention to address stress, anxiety, and drug cravings., Methods: We conducted an 8-week pilot study of the eRPB with 30 individuals in recovery from SUD. Data on 3 indicators of user experience-acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility-were collected using survey questions (n = 30) and semi-structured interviews (n = 11). We performed univariate analysis on the survey data and deductive thematic analysis on the qualitative data., Results: A majority of the survey respondents agreed that the application (app) was acceptable (> 77%), appropriate (> 82%), and feasible (> 89%). Several interview participants stated that the app helped them relax and manage stress and cravings and expressed appreciation for the simplicity of its design. Participants also reported barriers to feasibility (such as forgetting to use the app) and recommendations for improvement (such as the addition of motivational messages)., Conclusions: Our findings show that individuals in recovery from SUD had highly positive experiences with the eRPB app. A positive user experience may improve adherence to the intervention and, ultimately, the self-management of stress, anxiety, and craving relapse triggers., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Background: The number of internationally adopted children living with perinatally-acquired HIV (IACP) in the U.S. is increasing, yet little is known about their families' experiences navigating HIV disclosure within a community context. This paper examines the lived experiences of adoptive parents as they navigate HIV disclosure and manage stigma toward their adopted children within their broader communities., Methods: A purposive sample of parents of IACP was recruited at two pediatric infectious disease clinics and via closed Facebook groups. Parents completed two semi-structured interviews approximately one year apart. Interview questions included strategies parents used to reduce the impact of community level stigma that their child is likely to encounter as they mature. Interviews were analyzed using Sort and Sift, Think and Shift analytic approach. All parents (n = 24) identified as white and most ( n = 17) had interracial families, with children adopted from 11 different countries (range: age at adoption 1-15 years; range: age at first interview 2-19 years)., Results: Analyses revealed that parents serve as advocates for their child by both supporting more public HIV disclosure at times, but also applying indirect strategies such as working to improve outdated sex education material. Knowledge of HIV disclosure laws empowered parents to make informed decisions about who, if anyone, in the community needed to know their child's HIV status., Conclusion: Families with IACP would benefit from HIV disclosure support/training and community-based HIV stigma reduction interventions., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Bingaman, Hamilton, Houpt, Olivero and Fair.)