Recent Publications

Laryngoscope. 2025 Aug 8. doi: 10.1002/lary.70012. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: A clinical swallow evaluation (CSE) is a subjective exam with limited diagnostic accuracy. We hypothesize that audiometric data collected superficially can enhance the detection of swallowing dysfunction. This study examines audiometric differences between normal and dysfunctional swallows on Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) using a digital stethoscope.

METHODS: In this single-center prospective study, adult patients undergoing FEES for dysphagia had a digital stethoscope placed on the left neck. Audiometric data were analyzed by consistency and compared to Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS) and Yale Pharyngeal Residue Severity Rating Scale (YPS) scores.

RESULTS: Forty-nine patients with a total of 617 individual swallow events were included. Twenty-two patients (45%) had a PAS score of 1-2, 20 (41%) had a PAS score of 3-5, and 7 (14%) had a score of PAS 6-8. Multivariable analysis revealed significant differences in swallow duration (F = 4.65; p = 0.01), peak amplitude (F = 10.6; p < 0.0001), area under the curve (F = 6.13; p = 0.002), and median frequency (F = 8.52; p = 0.0002). Patients with PAS ≥ 3 had prolonged swallow (5.4 s versus 3.3 s, p < 0.0001), lower peak amplitudes (0.25 dB versus 0.32 dB; p < 0.001), and a lower median frequency (169.4 Hz versus 214.8 Hz; p < 0.0001) compared to those with PAS 1-2. Higher YPS scores (III-V) were associated with a longer swallow duration (5.5 s versus 3.5 s, p < 0.0001) and lower median frequency (158.1 Hz versus 221.1 Hz; p = 0.0005).

CONCLUSION: Audiometric data reveals significant differences in swallow duration, amplitude, and frequency in patients with swallow dysfunction. These findings suggest that audiometric analysis may serve as a valuable adjunct to the standard CSE.

PMID:40776676 | DOI:10.1002/lary.70012

bioRxiv [Preprint]. 2025 Jul 29:2025.07.24.666388. doi: 10.1101/2025.07.24.666388.

ABSTRACT

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), an important therapeutic target, comprises a scaffold subunit PR65 composed of 15 HEAT (Huntingtin/elongation/A-subunit/TOR1) repeats, a catalytic subunit, and one of many different regulatory subunits that enable binding to specific substrates. Recently, small molecule activators of PP2A (SMAPs) were identified, although their mechanisms of action have not been fully defined. Here we explore the interaction of PR65 with two SMAPs, ATUX-8385 and the non-functional DBK-776, using single-molecule optical tweezers, ensemble methods, and computational analysis. In the absence of SMAP, PR65 shows multiple unfolding and refolding transitions, and the force-extension profiles are very heterogeneous with evidence of misfolding. Similar heterogeneity has been observed for chemical-induced unfolding of tandem-repeat proteins like PR65, a consequence of the internal symmetry of the repeat architecture. In the presence of ATUX-8385, higher unfolding and refolding forces are observed globally, and there is less misfolding, suggesting that ATUX-8385 acts like a pharmacological chaperone. In contrast, DBK-766-binding induces higher unfolding forces for only a few repeats of PR65, suggestive of a more localised effect; moreover, subsequent stretch-relax cycles show that PR65 is irreversibly locked in the unfolded state. Docking and molecular dynamics simulations provide additional insights how SMAP binding modulates PR65 structure and function.

PMID:40766424 | PMC:PMC12324213 | DOI:10.1101/2025.07.24.666388

Endoscopy. 2025 Aug 4. doi: 10.1055/a-2675-4322. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Background & Aims Post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP) is common. Though multiple pancreatic duct (PD) cannulations are a known risk factor for PEP, the impact of single cannulations remains controversial. We aimed to identify whether single PD cannulation is associated with PEP. Methods We examined a prospective multi-center cohort of patients undergoing ERCP for biliary indications between 2021-2024, with third-party intra-procedural data recording and 30-day follow-up. PEP was defined using consensus definitions. Associations between PD cannulations and PEP were evaluated with multivariable logistic regression, with other patient- and procedure-related risk factors and preventive interventions used as covariates. Results were reported as odds ratios (ORs). Results PEP occurred in 282 (3.8%) of 7,430 ERCPs across nine centers. From multivariable analysis, PD cannulation was statistically significantly associated with PEP, with similar odds for single and multiple cannulations in first-time patients (OR=2.03, 95%CI [1.32-3.14] for single, OR=2.18 95%CI [1.18-4.00] for 5 or more cannulations). This was also true for all-comers (OR=1.97, 95%CI [1.33-2.93] for single, OR=2.15, 95%CI [1.21-3.82] for 5 or more). PD cannulation to the head (OR=2.09, 95%CI [1.36-3.21]) and body (OR=2.42, 95%CI [1.56-3.79]) were both associated with PEP, while side branch cannulations alone were not (OR=1.18, 95%CI [0.64-2.06]). Conclusions Single main PD duct canulation is independently associated with PEP and appears to be responsible for most of the magnitude of the association with PD cannulation. These data lend additional support to the use of preventative interventions such as PD stenting in cases where the PD is inadvertently cannulated.

PMID:40759180 | DOI:10.1055/a-2675-4322

Small. 2025 Aug 3:e06023. doi: 10.1002/smll.202506023. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Transition metal dichalcogenides are promising alternatives to noble metal catalysts, e.g., for (photo-)activation of greenhouse gases or hydrogenations. Herein, a direct synthetic route for 2D TiS2 nanosheets on Au(111) by titanium deposition in the presence of a mild, organic, non-oxidizing sulfur source is presented. High-resolution scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) is used to gain atomic-level insights into the TiS2 nanosheet morphology. In contrast to the literature, this protocol gains mostly hexagonal and truncated triangular nanosheets with an increased edge contrast in STM, analog to metallic edge states in MoS2. Synchrotron-based photoelectron spectroscopy allows insights into compositional details, specifically to distinguish different S sites on the TiS2 sheets and other S species on the sample. Further, a minimum size is identified (9 S atoms side length), which underlines the importance of moiré reconstructions for stress relief. The TiS2 sheets coexist with [Au]Ti1S3 clusters, in which a single gold atom is alloyed into the surface and capped by three S atoms. Together with the finding of a critical sheet size, this points toward on-surface Ostwald ripening as a relevant process in the sheet formation. Ab-initio calculations (density functional theory) underscore that the chemical potential of S is an essential descriptor to maintain shape control.

PMID:40754752 | DOI:10.1002/smll.202506023

Faraday Discuss. 2025 Aug 1. doi: 10.1039/d5fd90019k. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:40748046 | DOI:10.1039/d5fd90019k

Children (Basel). 2025 Jun 20;12(7):812. doi: 10.3390/children12070812.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Early care and education programs promote children's social-emotional development, predicting later school success. The COVID-19 pandemic worsened an existing youth mental health crisis and increased teacher stress. Therefore, we applied an infant and early childhood mental health consultation model, Jump Start Plus COVID Support (JS+CS), aiming to decrease behavioral problems in children post-pandemic.

METHODS: A cluster randomized controlled trial compared JS+CS to an active control, Healthy Caregivers-Healthy Children (HC2), at 30 ECE centers in low-income areas in South Florida. Participants were not blinded to group assignment. Teachers reported on children's social-emotional development at baseline and post-intervention using the Devereux Early Childhood Assessment and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. We assessed whether teacher stress, classroom practices, and self-efficacy mediated the relationship between JS+CS and child outcomes. We also explored whether baseline behavior problems moderated JS+CS effects on child protective factors, relative to HC2.

RESULTS: Direct group-by-time differences between JS+CS and HC2 were limited. However, JS+CS demonstrated significant within-group improvements in teacher-reported child protective factors, behavior support practices, and classroom safety practices. Classroom safety practices consistently mediated positive changes in child behaviors, including the DECA total protective factor score and subdomains of initiative and self-regulation. Additionally, teacher perceptions of behavior support mediated gains in child attachment.

CONCLUSIONS: JS+CS shows promise in building protective systems around children through intentional support for teachers, underscoring the value of whole-child, whole-environment approaches in early intervention.

PMID:40723005 | DOI:10.3390/children12070812

J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2025 Jul 28. doi: 10.1111/jgh.70031. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:40717675 | DOI:10.1111/jgh.70031