An Exciting Therapeutic Avenue for Lyme Disease
SCGB1D2 Inhibits Growth of Borrelia burgdorferi and Affects Susceptibility to Lyme Disease
Strausz S, Abner E, Blacker G, Galloway S, Hansen P [et al.], Ollila HM
Published in Nature Communications on 3/19/2024 

Pandemic Had Long-lasting Effect on Ability of Hospitals to Perform Surgeries
Orthopedic Surgery Volume Trends During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Postvaccination Era: Implications for Healthcare Planning
Ghoshal S, Stovall N, King AH, Miller AS, Harris MB, Succi MD
Published in Journal of Arthroplasty on 3/19/2024 | *Summary available |  Research Spotlight

Potential of Stem Cell Therapy to Improve Functional Outcomes in Neurointestinal Disease
Autologous Cell Transplantation for Treatment of Colorectal Aganglionosis in Mice
Pan W, Rahman AA, Ohkura T, Stavely R, Ohishi K [et al.], Hotta R
Published in Nature Communications on 3/20/2024 

New Model of Scene Processing in the Human Brain
A Previously Undescribed Scene-selective Site Is the Key to Encoding Ego-motion in Naturalistic Environments
Kennedy B, Malladi SN, Tootell RBH, Nasr S
Published in Elife on 3/20/2024 

CCR2+ Macrophages May Serve as Therapeutic Target to Alleviate Cardiovascular Complications in Vulnerable Patients with Viral Infections
Virus-Induced Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Causes Cardiomyopathy Through Eliciting Inflammatory Responses in the Heart
Grune J, Bajpai G, Ocak PT, Kaufmann E, Mentkowksi K [et al.], Nahrendorf M
Published in Circulation on 3/20/2024 | *Summary available 

Questions about the Effectiveness of Increased Scanning
Trends in Non-focal Neurological Chief Complaints and CT Angiography Utilization among Adults in the Emergency Department
Rigney GH, King AH, Chung J, Ghoshal S, Jain A [et al.], Succi MD
Published in Internal and Emergency Medicine on 3/21/2024 | *Summary available 

PRC1 Composition Can Modulate Condensate Properties
Modularity of PRC1 Composition and Chromatin Interaction Define Condensate Properties
Niekamp S, Marr SK, Oei TA, Subramanian R, Kingston RE
Published in Molecular Cell on 3/22/2024 

Intervention Increased Self-selected Activity Participation but Did Not Otherwise Accelerate Recovery
Telephone-Based Rehabilitation Intervention to Optimize Activity Participation After Breast Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Lyons KD, Wechsler SB, Ejem DB, Stevens CJ, Azuero A [et al.], Bakitas MA
Published in JAMA Network Open on 3/22/2024 | *Summary available 

AI May Help Identify Individuals at High Risk of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events
Deep Learning to Estimate Cardiovascular Risk From Chest Radiographs : A Risk Prediction Study
Weiss J, Raghu VK, Paruchuri K, Zinzuwadia A, Natarajan P, Aerts HJWL, Lu MT
Published in Annals of Internal Medicine on 3/26/2024 | *Summary available

Revealing CARD9’s Tricks
Translational Genetics Identifies a Phosphorylation Switch in CARD9 Required for Innate Inflammatory Responses
Brandt M, Cao Z, Krishna C, Reedy JL, Gu X [et al], Xavier RJ
Published in Cell Reports on 3/26/2024 | *Summary available

Revising the US Preventive Services Task Force Guideline Would Increase Screening and Eliminate Racial Disparity in Screening Eligibility
Pack-Year Smoking History: An Inadequate and Biased Measure to Determine Lung Cancer Screening Eligibility
Potter AL, Xu NN, Senthil P, Srinivasan D, Lee H [et al.], Yang CJ
Published in Journal of Clinical Oncology on 3/27/2024 | *Summary available

Potential Cause of Cognitive Difficulties in People Living with MS
Instability of Excitatory Synapses in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis and the Outcome for Excitatory Circuit Inputs to Individual Cortical Neurons
Gillani RL, Kironde EN, Whiteman S, Zwang TJ, Bacskai BJ
Published in Brain, Behavior, and Immunity on 3/27/2024 | *Summary available | Research Spotlight

Study Finds Benefits in Prescribing Alcohol Use Disorder Medications Upon Discharge from Alcohol-Related Hospitalizations
Outcomes After Initiation of Medications for Alcohol Use Disorder at Hospital Discharge
Bernstein EY, Baggett TP, Trivedi S, Herzig SJ, Anderson TS
Published in JAMA Network Open on 3/29/2024 | *Summary available | Press Release 

Improvements to the Classification Approach for Pathogenicity of Copy Number Variants
Exome Copy Number Variant Detection, Analysis, and Classification in a Large Cohort of Families with Undiagnosed Rare Genetic Disease
Lemire G, Sanchis-Juan A, Russell K, Baxter S, Chao KR [et al.], O'Donnell-Luria A
Published in American Journal of Human Genetics on 4/1/2024 | *Summary available 

HP Active in a Selection of HER2-amplified Tumors but Did Not Meet the Predefined Efficacy Benchmark
Trastuzumab and Pertuzumab in Patients with Non-Breast/Gastroesophageal HER2-Amplified Tumors: Results from the NCI-MATCH ECOG-ACRIN Trial (EAY131) Subprotocol J
Connolly RM, Wang V, Hyman DM, Grivas P, Mitchell EP [et al.], Flaherty KT
Published in Clinical Cancer Research on 4/1/2024 

Trials Reveal that Internet-Based Conversations Help Sustain Brain Function in Older Adults
Internet-Based Conversational Engagement Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial (I-CONECT) Among Socially Isolated Adults 75+ Years Old With Normal Cognition or Mild Cognitive Impairment: Topline Results
Dodge HH, Yu K, Wu CY, Pruitt PJ [et al.], Silbert LC; I-CONECT Team
Published in Gerontologist on 4/1/2024 | *Summary available | Press Release 

A Combination of Approved Drugs Enhances the Delivery of Anti-Bacterial Medications to Treat Tuberculosis
Normalizing Granuloma Vasculature and Matrix Improves Drug Delivery and Reduces Bacterial Burden in Tuberculosis-infected Rabbits
Datta M, Via LE, Dartois V, Weiner DM, Zimmerman M [et al.], Jain RK
Published in PNAS on 4/2/2024 | *Summary available | Press Release 

Plasma-based Liquid Biopsy Platform for Cardiovascular Diseases
Distinct Plasma Extracellular Vesicle Transcriptomes in Acute Decompensated Heart Failure Subtypes: A Liquid Biopsy Approach
Gokulnath P, Spanos M, Lehmann HI, Sheng Q, Rodosthenous R [et al.], Das S
Published in Circulation on 4/2/2024 | *Summary available 

Electronic Medical Record Tool Helps Clinicians Diagnose Mpox
Separating the Rash from the Chaff: Novel Clinical Decision Support Deployed During the Mpox Outbreak
Lazarus JE, Green CV, Jerry MS, Germaine L, McEvoy DS [et al.], Shenoy ES
Published in Infection Control and Healthcare Epidemiology on 4/2/2024 | *Summary available | Press Release 

Hippocampus Essential for the ‘Offline’ Motor Learning That Occurs During Both Wakeful Rest and Sleep
Maintenance of Procedural Motor Memory across Brief Rest Periods Requires the Hippocampus
Mylonas D, Schapiro AC, Verfaellie M, Baxter B, Vangel M, Stickgold R, Manoach DS
Published in Journal of Neuroscience on 4/3/2024 | *Summary available 

Laser Therapy Shows Promise as Stroke Treatment
Near-Infrared II Photobiomodulation Preconditioning Ameliorates Stroke Injury via Phosphorylation of eNOS
Yokomizo S, Kopp T, Roessing M, Morita A, Lee S [et al.], Atochin DN
Published in Stroke on 4/4/2024 | *Summary available

Simplified Detection of Multiple Circulating Tumor-associated Proteins from Liquid Biopsies
Magnetic Silica-Coated Fluorescent Microspheres (MagSiGlow) for Simultaneous Detection of Tumor-Associated Proteins
Halabi EA, Gessner I, Yang K, Kim JJ, Jana R, Peterson HM, Spitzberg J, Weissleder R
Published in Angewandte Chemie International Edition on 4/5/2024 | *Summary available 

Treatment Did Not Result in Significantly Better Exercise Capacity
Randomized Trial of a Selective Aldose Reductase Inhibitor in Patients With Diabetic Cardiomyopathy
Januzzi JL Jr, Butler J, Del Prato S, Ezekowitz JA, Ibrahim NE [et al.], Zannad F
Published in Journal of the American College of Cardiology on 4/8/2024 

Cholesterol Metabolism Is a Broad Property of Phylogenetically Diverse Oscillibacter
Gut Microbiome and Metabolome Profiling in Framingham Heart Study Reveals Cholesterol-metabolizing Bacteria
Li C, Stražar M, Mohamed AMT, Pacheco JA, Walker RL [et al.], Xavier RJ
Published in Cell on 4/11/2024 | *Summary available 

Confirmation of New Therapeutic Target for Treatment of Huntington's Disease
Splice Modulators Target PMS1 to Reduce Somatic Expansion of the Huntington's Disease-associated CAG Repeat
McLean ZL, Gao D, Correia K, Roy JCL, Shibata S [et al.], Gusella JF
Published in Nature Communications on 4/12/2024 | *Summary available 

New Target Mechanisms Grounded in Patient Genetics for Huntington's Disease
Posttranscriptional Regulation of FAN1 by miR-124-3p at rs3512 Underlies Onset-delaying Genetic Modification in Huntington's Disease
Kim KH, Hong EP, Lee Y, McLean ZL, Elezi E [et al.], Lee JM
Published in PNAS on 4/12/2024 | *Summary available 

Physician Peer Coaching an Effective Strategy for Reducing Burnout and Improving Well-being
Physician Coaching by Professionally Trained Peers for Burnout and Well-Being: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Kiser SB, Sterns JD, Lai PY, Horick NK, Palamara K
Published in JAMA Network Open on 4/12/2024 | *Summary available 

Interventions Targeting EOL Preparedness and Alleviating Household Material Hardship May Improve Bereavement Outcomes
Family Characteristics and Childcare Patterns Associated with Early Social Functioning in Cancer-bereaved Parents
Snaman JM, Chen L, Mazzola E, Helton G, Feifer D [et al.], Wolfe J
Published in Cancer on 4/15/2024 | *Summary available 

Gout and Cardiovascular Benefits Associated with SGLT2i v Sulfonylureas
Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors vs Sulfonylureas for Gout Prevention Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Receiving Metformin
McCormick N, Yokose C, Lu N, Wexler DJ, Aviña-Zubieta JA [et al.], Choi HK
Published in JAMA Internal Medicine on 4/15/2024 | *Summary available 

Physical Activity Reduces Stress-Related Brain Activity to Lower Cardiovascular Disease Risk
Effect of Stress-Related Neural Pathways on the Cardiovascular Benefit of Physical Activity
Zureigat H, Osborne MT, Abohashem S, Mezue K, Gharios C [et al.], Tawakol A
Published in Journal of the American College of Cardiology on 4/16/2024 | *Summary available | Press Release 

IGFBP1 a Major Player in Metabolism Changes in Pregnancy
Placental IGFBP1 Levels During Early Pregnancy and the Risk of Insulin Resistance and Gestational Diabetes
Hivert MF, White F, Allard C, James K, Majid S [et al.], Powe CE
Published in Nature Medicine on 4/16/2024 | *Summary available

Researchers Find that Accelerated Aging Biology in the Placenta Contributes to a Rare Form of Pregnancy-Related Heart Failure
Placental Senescence Pathophysiology Is Shared Between Peripartum Cardiomyopathy and Preeclampsia in Mouse and Human
Roh JD, Castro C, Yu A, Rana S, Shahul S [et al.], Rosenzweig A
Published in Science Translational Medicine on 4/17/2024 | *Summary available | Press Release 

New Understanding of Neurobiological Systems Relevant to PTSD Pathophysiology
Genome-wide Association Analyses Identify 95 Risk Loci and Provide Insights into the Neurobiology of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Nievergelt CM, Maihofer AX [et al.]; AURORA Study; Estonian Biobank Research Team; FinnGen Investigators; HUNT All-In Psychiatry; Stein MB, Ressler KJ, Koenen KC
Published in Nature Genetics on 4/18/2024 | *Summary available 

New Resource for Future Investigations of Eosinophilic Inflammation
An Esophagus Cell Atlas Reveals Dynamic Rewiring During Active Eosinophilic Esophagitis and Remission
Ding J, Garber JJ, Uchida A, Lefkovith A, Carter GT [et al.], Xavier RJ
Published in Nature Communications on 4/18/2024 | *Summary available 

Childhood Excess Adiposity and Adipose Tissue Dysfunction May Be a First Signs of Later PCOS Risk
Associations of Childhood Adiposity and Cardiometabolic Biomarkers With Adolescent PCOS
Whooten RC, Rifas-Shiman SL, Perng W, Chavarro JE, Taveras E, Oken E, Hivert MF
Published in Pediatrics on 4/18/2024 | *Summary available 

Feasibility of Incorporating Multisector Sampling in Cancer Vaccine Design
Integrating Multisector Molecular Characterization into Personalized Peptide Vaccine Design for Patients with Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma
Johanns TM, Garfinkle EAR, Miller KE, Livingstone AJ, Roberts KF [et al.], Dunn GP
Published in Clinical Cancer Research on 4/19/2024 

New Insights into Neural Underpinnings of Cross-sensory Processing
Neuronal Modeling of Cross-sensory Visual Evoked Magnetoencephalography Responses in Auditory Cortex
Lankinen K, Ahveninen J, Jas M, Raij T, Ahlfors SP
Published in Journal of Neuroscience on 4/24/2024 | *Summary available 

Lack of Transparency in Conflicts of Interest Statements in Surgical Journals
Accuracy of Conflicts in Interest in General Surgical Journals
Bharani T, Yuan C, Mahida K, Mukhtar S, Bosch H [et al.], Agarwal D
Published in Annals of Surgery on 4/19/2024 | *Summary available 

Study Identifies Signs of Repeated Blast-Related Brain Injury in Active-Duty United States Special Operations Forces
Impact of Repeated Blast Exposure on Active-duty United States Special Operations Forces
Gilmore N, Tseng CJ, Maffei C, Tromly SL, Deary KB [et al.], Edlow BL
Published in PNAS on 4/22/2024 | *Summary available | Press Release 

Early Targeting of the Locus Coeruleus May Delay Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease
Spatiotemporal Patterns of Locus Coeruleus Integrity Predict Cortical Tau and Cognition
Bueichekú E, Diez I, Kim CM, Becker JA, Koops EA [et al.], Jacobs HIL
Published in Nature Aging on 4/25/2024 | *Summary available | Research Spotlight 

Pandemic Had Long-lasting Effect on Ability of Hospitals to Perform Surgeries
Orthopedic Surgery Volume Trends During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Postvaccination Era: Implications for Healthcare Planning
Ghoshal S, Stovall N, King AH, Miller AS, Harris MB, Succi MD
Published in Journal of Arthroplasty on 3/19/2024 | Research Spotlight

This study looked at how the number of orthopedic surgeries (like hip and knee replacements) changed because of the COVID-19 pandemic at a large city hospital. They found that during the peak of COVID-19, the volume of surgeries decreased by 72%, with elective surgeries (those that can be scheduled in advance) and emergency surgeries both significantly dropping. After the worst part of the pandemic and once vaccines were available, surgery numbers started to go back up, reaching close to the usual numbers before the pandemic, but still not completely back to normal. The study showed that even by the end of 2022, not all types of surgeries had returned to their pre-pandemic levels, with emergency surgeries (those that can’t wait) still being less frequent. The findings suggest that the pandemic had a long-lasting effect on the ability of hospitals to perform surgeries, which could lead to more health problems for patients waiting for their surgeries. 

(Summary submitted by Marc Succi, MD, Department of Radiology) 

CCR2+ Macrophages May Serve as Therapeutic Target to Alleviate Cardiovascular Complications in Vulnerable Patients with Viral Infections
Virus-Induced Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Causes Cardiomyopathy Through Eliciting Inflammatory Responses in the Heart
Grune J, Bajpai G, Ocak PT, Kaufmann E, Mentkowksi K [et al.], Nahrendorf M
Published in Circulation on 3/20/2024 

In this manuscript, we report that cardiac macrophage subsets change in human patients with COVID-19 towards the inflammatory CCR2+ subset. This is important because CCR2+ macrophages are harmful. The work in mice indicates that those changes in leukocyte phenotype can be induced by activation of the host’s immune system even without any viral presence in the heart. Our findings in mice with virus-like ARDS support the idea that modulating the host immune response may alleviate inflammatory cardiac complications. We conclude that CCR2+ macrophages may serve as a therapeutic target to alleviate cardiovascular complications in vulnerable patients with viral infections. 

(Summary submitted by Matthias Nahrendorf, MD, Center for Systems Biology) 

Questions About the Effectiveness of Increased Scanning
Trends in Non-focal Neurological Chief Complaints and CT Angiography Utilization among Adults in the Emergency Department
Rigney GH, King AH, Chung J, Ghoshal S, Jain A [et al.], Succi MD
Published in Internal and Emergency Medicine on 3/21/2024 

The study analyzed the use of head and neck CTA scans in patients with urgent neurological symptoms like headache and dizziness to see if more scanning led to better outcomes. Over five years, there was a significant increase in the number of these scans performed, but the rate of scans showing actual problems decreased. This suggests that although more patients were scanned, the likelihood of finding serious issues did not improve, raising questions about the effectiveness of increased scanning. 

(Summary submitted by Marc Succi, MD, Department of Radiology) 

Intervention Increased Self-selected Activity Participation but Did Not Otherwise Accelerate Recovery
Telephone-Based Rehabilitation Intervention to Optimize Activity Participation After Breast Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Lyons KD, Wechsler SB, Ejem DB, Stevens CJ, Azuero A [et al.], Bakitas MA
Published in JAMA Network Open on 3/22/2024 

Many women struggle to perform activities related to employment, home management, and caretaking after completing breast cancer treatment. We developed a telephone-delivered rehabilitation intervention to promote valued activity engagement and compared it to an education control condition in a randomized controlled trial. The intervention catalyzed greater improvements in self-selected activity participation and satisfaction, but did not accelerate overall recovery in other outcomes such as quality of life, where clinically and statistically significant improvement was seen in both conditions. Future research is needed, but our results suggest that a participant-driven, activity-focused intervention has potential to improve cancer survivors' activity engagement post-treatment. 

(Summary submitted by Kathleen Lyons, ScD, OTR/L, MGH Institute for Health Professions) 

AI May Help Identify Individuals at High Risk of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events
Deep Learning to Estimate Cardiovascular Risk From Chest Radiographs : A Risk Prediction Study
Weiss J, Raghu VK, Paruchuri K, Zinzuwadia A, Natarajan P, Aerts HJWL, Lu MT
Published in Annals of Internal Medicine on 3/26/2024 | *Summary available 

We developed an artificial intelligence (AI) system (CXR-CV-Risk) that identifies persons at high-risk of cardiovascular mortality based on an individual’s chest x-ray image. The CXR-CV-Risk model was developed using 40,718 individuals, then validated in 11,001 Mass General Brigham outpatients. CXR-CV-Risk identified people at high risk of cardiovascular diseases including heart attack and stroke, beyond the clinical standard. This tool could be used to opportunistically screen existing chest x-rays to flag people who could benefit from cholesterol lowering medication and other preventative interventions. 

(Summary submitted by Michael T. Lu, MD, MPH, Cardiovascular Imaging Research Center, Department of Radiology) 

(Summary submitted by Ramnik Xavier, MD, PhD, Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Medicine) 

Revealing CARD9’s Tricks
Translational Genetics Identifies a Phosphorylation Switch in CARD9 Required for Innate Inflammatory Responses
Brandt M, Cao Z, Krishna C, Reedy JL, Gu X [et al], Xavier RJ
Published in Cell Reports on 3/26/2024 

Genome-wide association studies have linked a gene called CARD9 to antifungal immunity and, through work done several years ago at Broad, to inflammatory bowel disease. We report that a specific variant of the gene, R101C, disrupts inflammatory signaling by the CARD9 protein in myeloid cells, which is important for immune responses against fungal infection. Mice carrying the human CARD9 variant failed to fend off fungal skin infection and showed minimal inflammation. The findings suggest the variant disables a phosphorylation-dependent signaling switch that activates immune defenses. 

(Summary submitted by Ramnik Xavier, MD, PhD, Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Medicine) 

Revising the US Preventive Services Task Force Guideline Would Increase Screening and Eliminate Racial Disparity in Screening Eligibility
Pack-Year Smoking History: An Inadequate and Biased Measure to Determine Lung Cancer Screening Eligibility
Potter AL, Xu NN, Senthil P, Srinivasan D, Lee H [et al.], Yang CJ
Published in Journal of Clinical Oncology on 3/27/2024

In this analysis of two large cohort studies, use of a 20-pack-year smoking history cutoff as a selection criterion for lung cancer screening in the current US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) guideline excluded many individuals diagnosed with lung cancer and led to a marked racial disparity in screening eligibility between Black versus white individuals. Revising the current USPSTF guideline to include a 20-year smoking duration cutoff (instead of a 20-pack-year smoking history cutoff) increased the proportion of patients with lung cancer who would qualify for screening and eliminated the racial disparity in screening eligibility.

(Summary submitted by Chi-Fu Jeffrey Yang, MD, Department of Surgery)

Potential Cause of Cognitive Difficulties in People Living with MS
Instability of Excitatory Synapses in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis and the Outcome for Excitatory Circuit Inputs to Individual Cortical Neurons
Gillani RL, Kironde EN, Whiteman S, Zwang TJ, Bacskai BJ
Published in Brain, Behavior, and Immunity on 3/27/2024 | Research Spotlight 

A major cause of cognitive (thinking) difficulties in people living with the inflammatory brain condition multiple sclerosis (MS) is damage to brain cells (neurons) and their connections called synapses. Synapses are the sites in the brain that allow for learning and memory formation, and they constantly change in the healthy brain as the person learns. Using an experimental model of MS, we discovered that inflammation makes synapses unstable, which results in increased turnover of synapses. This instability of synapses and synaptic damage is likely an important cause of cognitive difficulties in people living with MS. Our goal is to find treatments that protect synapses in people living with MS to preserve cognitive function. 

(Summary submitted by Rebecca L. Gillani, MD, PhD, Department of Neurology) 

Study Finds Benefits in Prescribing Alcohol Use Disorder Medications Upon Discharge from Alcohol-Related Hospitalizations
Outcomes After Initiation of Medications for Alcohol Use Disorder at Hospital Discharge
Bernstein EY, Baggett TP, Trivedi S, Herzig SJ, Anderson TS
Published in JAMA Network Open on 3/29/2024 | Press Release 

Hospitalizations due to alcohol use disorder are common and present an opportunity to engage patients with treatment by prescribing evidence-based medications like naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram. We looked at alcohol-related hospitalizations using a national sample of Medicare administrative claims and found that 2% of hospitalizations involved initiation of these medications upon hospital discharge. After controlling for differences in patient and hospital characteristics, we found that patients who received these medications had substantially lower rates of emergency room visits or hospital readmissions within 30 days of discharge. These findings support ongoing efforts to increase medication prescribing in the discharge setting. 

(Summary submitted by Eden Y. Bernstein, MD, Department of Medicine) 

Improvements to the Classification Approach for Pathogenicity of Copy Number Variants
Exome Copy Number Variant Detection, Analysis, and Classification in a Large Cohort of Families with Undiagnosed Rare Genetic Disease
Lemire G, Sanchis-Juan A, Russell K, Baxter S, Chao KR [et al.], O'Donnell-Luria A
Published in American Journal of Human Genetics on 4/1/2024 

Copy number variants (CNVs), representing additional or missing DNA segments, pose challenges for precise detection via exome sequencing, complicating assessments of their contribution to disease. We applied the GATK-gCNV algorithm to detect CNVs in exome data from 6,633 families with undiagnosed rare diseases sequenced through the Broad Center for Mendelian Genomics and identified disease-causing CNVs in 171 families (2.6%). Additionally, we developed an approach to address current limitations in CNV classification. Our approach advances the systematic framework to assess the pathogenicity of CNVs and enhances diagnostic efficacy at a reduced cost than whole genome sequencing. 

(Summary submitted by Alba Sanchis-Juan, PhD, Center for Genomic Medicine) 

Trials Reveal that Internet-Based Conversations Help Sustain Brain Function in Older Adults
Internet-Based Conversational Engagement Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial (I-CONECT) Among Socially Isolated Adults 75+ Years Old With Normal Cognition or Mild Cognitive Impairment: Topline Results
Dodge HH, Yu K, Wu CY, Pruitt PJ [et al.], Silbert LC; I-CONECT Team
Published in Gerontologist on 4/1/2024 | Press Release 

Social isolation, characterized by small social networks and lack of social contact and support, is a known risk factor for dementia. However, only a few studies have examined whether intensified social interactions later in life could benefit brain health. The Internet-based conversational engagement trial (I-CONECT) showed that engaging in stimulating conversations via Internet/webcam four times weekly, lasting 30 minutes each, led to significantly higher cognitive test scores after six months compared to the control group, who only had weekly 10-minute phone check-in calls. Addressing social isolation through interventions like this study can be an effective strategy for reducing dementia prevalence by delaying cognitive decline. 

(Summary submitted by Hiroko H. Dodge, PhD, FGSA, Department of Neurology) 

A Combination of Approved Drugs Enhances the Delivery of Anti-Bacterial Medications to Treat Tuberculosis
Normalizing Granuloma Vasculature and Matrix Improves Drug Delivery and Reduces Bacterial Burden in Tuberculosis-infected Rabbits
Datta M, Via LE, Dartois V, Weiner DM, Zimmerman M [et al.], Jain RK
Published in PNAS on 4/2/2024 | Press Release 

More than 1.6 million die each year from the bacterial infection tuberculosis (TB), in part due to the poor distribution of antibacterial drugs to diseased tissue in the lungs. Leveraging our insights in improving drug delivery for cancerous tumors, we have developed similar strategies to improve TB treatment outcomes. By repurposing safe and readily available drugs, we show in preclinical animal models that we can improve drug delivery to the sites of infection, activate an effective immune response, and reduce or even eradicate the bacterial infection. This strategy is ready for testing in clinical trials for TB patients. 

(Summary submitted by Rakesh K. Jain, PhD, E.L. Steele Laboratories for Tumor Biology, Department of Radiation Oncology) 

Plasma-based Liquid Biopsy Platform for Cardiovascular Diseases
Distinct Plasma Extracellular Vesicle Transcriptomes in Acute Decompensated Heart Failure Subtypes: A Liquid Biopsy Approach
Gokulnath P, Spanos M, Lehmann HI, Sheng Q, Rodosthenous R [et al.], Das S
Published in Circulation on 4/2/2024 

Extracellular vesicles (EV) are membrane-bound nanobodies with a variety of molecular cargoes. We hypothesized that the mRNA and long noncoding RNA transcriptome of EVs reflect the transcriptome of the cells or tissues of origin, thereby providing a real-time dynamic read-out of cellular stress and disease pathways. Our study shows that the EV transcriptome in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) reflects transcripts primarily present in cardiomyocytes, while the transcripts in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), a systemic disease, reflects transcripts from diverse tissues and cardiac cell types, providing a plasma-based liquid biopsy platform to sample disease-related transcripts in cardiovascular diseases. 

(Summary submitted by Saumya Das, MD, PhD, Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine) 

Electronic Medical Record Tool Helps Clinicians Diagnose Mpox
Separating the Rash from the Chaff: Novel Clinical Decision Support Deployed During the Mpox Outbreak
Lazarus JE, Green CV, Jerry MS, Germaine L, McEvoy DS [et al.], Shenoy ES
Published in Infection Control and Healthcare Epidemiology on 4/2/2024 | Press Release 

We designed a computer program that helps clinicians make sure they don’t miss the diagnosis of mpox in a patient with a rash. We did an analysis to determine how accurate our program was and found that it identified nearly all cases of mpox. This helps ensure that patients with mpox get diagnosed, so we can prevent further spread of the illness. Because the program is so accurate, it also allows us to say pretty definitively to low-risk patients that they don’t have mpox. 

(Summary submitted by Jacob E. Lazarus, MD, PhD, Infectious Disease Unit, Department of Medicine) 

Hippocampus Essential for the ‘Offline’ Motor Learning That Occurs During Both Wakeful Rest and Sleep
Maintenance of Procedural Motor Memory across Brief Rest Periods Requires the Hippocampus
Mylonas D, Schapiro AC, Verfaellie M, Baxter B, Vangel M, Stickgold R, Manoach DS
Published in Journal of Neuroscience on 4/3/2024 

The hippocampus plays a critical role in memory, but is not generally associated with learning motor skills. Our study confirms that patients with amnesia due to hippocampal damage can learn a typing task, but they learn it differently. Unlike their healthy peers, they lose speed across brief rest breaks and compensate for these losses by typing faster. Together with our earlier discovery that amnesic patients fail to show the typical performance enhancement after a night of sleep, our study shows that the hippocampus is essential for the ‘offline’ motor learning that occurs during both wakeful rest and sleep. 

(Summary submitted by Dara S. Manoach, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging) 

Laser Therapy Shows Promise as Stroke Treatment
Near-Infrared II Photobiomodulation Preconditioning Ameliorates Stroke Injury via Phosphorylation of eNOS
Yokomizo S, Kopp T, Roessing M, Morita A, Lee S [et al.], Atochin DN
Published in Stroke on 4/4/2024

The current stroke treatment is effective only for a minor fraction of patients. Here, we tried to find a new and effective therapy. We have discovered that treating the head with low-power invisible laser light improves the function of blood vessels in the brain via stimulating the production of the well-known gas molecule “nitric oxide (NO),” which is critical for blood vessel function and decreases stroke injury. Since laser therapy is widely used in medicine already and has proven to be safe with few side effects, we expect that we could advance this technology to clinical trials soon. 

(Summary submitted by Satoshi Kashiwagi, MD, PhD, Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology) 

Simplified Detection of Multiple Circulating Tumor-associated Proteins from Liquid Biopsies
Magnetic Silica-Coated Fluorescent Microspheres (MagSiGlow) for Simultaneous Detection of Tumor-Associated Proteins
Halabi EA, Gessner I, Yang K, Kim JJ, Jana R, Peterson HM, Spitzberg J, Weissleder R
Published in Angewandte Chemie International Edition on 4/5/2024 

Current assays to detect multiple tumor-associated proteins in circulation often encounter crossover reactions, leading to false positives and high background signals. Until now, solutions involve complex, custom-designed equipment or costly setups, limiting their application in simple laboratory environments. In this study, we develop a straightforward protocol to adapt a sensitive bead-based detection platform to measure multiple tumor proteins in standard fluorescence imaging plates, enabling the simultaneous analysis of thousands of reactions per plate. Our approach focuses on the design and synthesis of bright fluorescent and magnetic beads (MagSiGlow) that allow for barcoded tumor protein identification. This imaging-based single-bead assay, combined with in-house developed software, allows the detection of an average of 40,000 beads in less than one second. We demonstrate the effectiveness of this method with remarkable sensitivity (detection limits of 100 pg/mL) and over 85% reduction in signal cross-over compared to the current solution-based approaches a. This approach promises to significantly advance high throughput biosensing in diverse laboratory settings. 

(Summary submitted by Katherine S Yang, PhD, Center for Systems Biology) 

Cholesterol Metabolism Is a Broad Property of Phylogenetically Diverse Oscillibacter
Gut Microbiome and Metabolome Profiling in Framingham Heart Study Reveals Cholesterol-metabolizing Bacteria
Li C, Stražar M, Mohamed AMT, Pacheco JA, Walker RL [et al.], Xavier RJ
Published in Cell on 4/11/2024 

Changes in the gut microbiome have been linked to type 2 diabetes, obesity, and inflammatory bowel disease. Our team have found that gut microbes could affect cardiovascular disease as well. By studying metabolites and microbial genomes from participants in the Framingham Heart Study, they found that bacteria from the genus Oscillibacter take up and metabolize cholesterol, and that people with higher levels of the bacteria in their gut had lower levels of cholesterol. The findings suggest that manipulating the microbiome could help decrease cholesterol in people. 

(Summary submitted by Ramnik Xavier, MD, PhD, Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Medicine) 

Confirmation of New Therapeutic Target for Treatment of Huntington's Disease
Splice Modulators Target PMS1 to Reduce Somatic Expansion of the Huntington's Disease-associated CAG Repeat
McLean ZL, Gao D, Correia K, Roy JCL, Shibata S [et al.], Gusella JF
Published in Nature Communications on 4/12/2024 

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease caused by an expanded CAG repeat in the Huntingtin (HTT) gene. Lowering mutant huntingtin has been proposed for treating HD, but genetic modifiers implicate somatic CAG repeat expansion as the driver of onset. We investigated splice-modulating compounds that target HTT, showing that they also target PMS1, a genetic modifier of HD onset. We developed a new model for quantifying CAG repeat expansion in vitro and found that the splice modulators slow CAG repeat expansion by reducing functional PMS1. We confirm PMS1 is a valid therapeutic target for treating HD by suppressing somatic CAG repeat expansion that can be targeted by splice modulators or CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing. 

(Summary submitted by Zach McLean, PhD, Center for Genomic Medicine) 

New Target Mechanisms Grounded in Patient Genetics for Huntington's Disease
Posttranscriptional Regulation of FAN1 by miR-124-3p at rs3512 Underlies Onset-delaying Genetic Modification in Huntington's Disease
Kim KH, Hong EP, Lee Y, McLean ZL, Elezi E [et al.], Lee JM
Published in PNAS on 4/12/2024 

Expansions of CAG trinucleotide repeats cause many Mendelian disorders, including Huntington's disease (HD). Genes influencing repeat instability are anticipated to impact the course of HD. Surprisingly, FAN1, previously unrelated to instability, emerged as the strongest genetic modifier of HD. This study shows that a microRNA is responsible for FAN1-mediated delay in HD onset. An alternate allele of genetic variant rs3512 in FAN1 3'-UTR induces a mismatch at miR-124-3p's binding site, increasing FAN1 levels and delaying HD onset by reducing CAG repeat instability. Our findings unveil pivotal target mechanisms grounded in patient genetics, offering novel avenues for disease-modifying therapies. 

(Summary submitted by Jong-Min Lee, PhD, Center for Genomic Medicine) 

Physician Peer Coaching an Effective Strategy for Reducing Burnout and Improving Well-being
Physician Coaching by Professionally Trained Peers for Burnout and Well-Being: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Kiser SB, Sterns JD, Lai PY, Horick NK, Palamara K
Published in JAMA Network Open on 4/12/2024 

Physician burnout is a serious problem plaguing our healthcare system. Coaching is one way that has been shown to improve physician burnout. This study aimed to explore whether coaching of physicians by other peer physicians who were professionally trained in coaching reduces burnout and improves well-being, workplace satisfaction, and work engagement for physicians. Investigators assigned 138 Mass General Physician Organization physicians who volunteered for coaching to either receive six sessions of coaching immediately or after three months. Physicians who received 3 months of coaching showed improved scores in professional fulfillment, work engagement, and burnout compared to those who did not receive coaching. These findings show that physician peer coaching is an effective strategy for reducing burnout and improving well-being. 

Summary submitted by J Kerri Palamara McGrath, MD, Center for Physician Well-being, Department of Medicine) 

Interventions Targeting EOL Preparedness and Alleviating Household Material Hardship May Improve Bereavement Outcomes
Family Characteristics and Childcare Patterns Associated with Early Social Functioning in Cancer-bereaved Parents
Snaman JM, Chen L, Mazzola E, Helton G, Feifer D [et al.], Wolfe J
Published in Cancer on 4/15/2024 

When a child dies from cancer, their parents often face profound and enduring grief. Research shows that parents who can integrate this grief into their lives and maintain their social connections early on tend to fare better in the long term. To understand what helps parents in this difficult time, we surveyed parents whose children had died from cancer at two large medical centers. We found that parents who didn't experience financial hardship and those who felt prepared for their child's end-of-life (EOL) circumstances were more likely to maintain their social functioning in the first two years after their child's death. Findings suggest that interventions focusing on EOL preparation and reducing financial strain could improve outcomes for bereaved parents. 

(Summary submitted by Jennifer M. Snaman, MD, Dana Farber Cancer Institute) 

Gout and Cardiovascular Benefits Associated with SGLT2i v Sulfonylureas
Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors vs Sulfonylureas for Gout Prevention Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Receiving Metformin
McCormick N, Yokose C, Lu N, Wexler DJ, Aviña-Zubieta JA [et al.], Choi HK
Published in JAMA Internal Medicine on 4/15/2024 

Gout affects >12 million Americans, who experience extremely painful episodes of inflammatory joint flares, which may also increase risk of heart attack and stroke.  We studied patients with diabetes who were taking metformin and starting another glucose-lowering medication, either sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), a newer medication also used for heart and kidney disease, or sulfonylureas, an older but more familiar medication.  SGLT2i were associated with lower risk of developing gout (primary prevention), and with a lower rate of additional gout flares (secondary prevention).  SGLT2i were also associated with lower risk of heart attack and stroke, and hospitalizations for heart failure. 

(Summary submitted by Hyon K. Choi, MD, DrPH, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Department of Medicine) 

Physical Activity Reduces Stress-Related Brain Activity to Lower Cardiovascular Disease Risk
Effect of Stress-Related Neural Pathways on the Cardiovascular Benefit of Physical Activity
Zureigat H, Osborne MT, Abohashem S, Mezue K, Gharios C [et al.], Tawakol A
Published in Journal of the American College of Cardiology on 4/16/2024 | Press Release 

Stress/depression cause heart disease. Physical activity (PA) reduces both stress/depression and heart disease risk. We used brain imaging to study whether PA partially reduces heart disease by reducing the brain’s stress signaling. We found that PA reduced stress activity (by strengthening cortical activity) and that this effect partially explains exercise’s heart benefits. Next, in over 53,000 individuals, we tested whether PA has a greater effect on reducing heart disease among individuals with higher stress signaling (e.g., individuals with depression). There we found that PA is roughly twice as effective in lowering heart disease risk among those with depression. 

(Summary submitted by Ahmed Tawakol, MD, Cardiovascular Research Center, Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine) 

IGFBP1 a Major Player in Metabolism Changes in Pregnancy
Placental IGFBP1 Levels During Early Pregnancy and the Risk of Insulin Resistance and Gestational Diabetes
Hivert MF, White F, Allard C, James K, Majid S [et al.], Powe CE
Published in Nature Medicine on 4/16/2024

We profiled over 400 samples from human placentas and looked for relationships between genes expressed in that placental tissue and insulin resistance during pregnancy. We identified insulin like growth factor binding protein 1 (IGFBP1) as a protein made by the placenta with a strong inverse relationship to insulin resistance. We then measured IGFBP 1 levels in the blood from 3 different studies of pregnant individuals. We found that low levels of IGFBP1 in the blood were strongly correlated with maternal insulin resistance. Low levels of IGFBP1 also predicted gestational diabetes; in particular, low IGFBP1 levels were a marker for a high-risk insulin resistant form of gestational diabetes that we have previously shown has more pregnancy complications. Our findings suggest that IGFBP1 is a major player in metabolism changes in pregnancy and this may allow us to develop new approaches to treatment for gestational diabetes. 

(Summary submitted by Camille E. Powe, MD, Diabetes Research Center, Department of Medicine) 

Researchers Find that Accelerated Aging Biology in the Placenta Contributes to a Rare Form of Pregnancy-Related Heart Failure
Placental Senescence Pathophysiology Is Shared Between Peripartum Cardiomyopathy and Preeclampsia in Mouse and Human
Roh JD, Castro C, Yu A, Rana S, Shahul S [et al.], Rosenzweig A
Published in Science Translational Medicine on 4/17/2024 | Press Release 

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare form of heart failure that occurs in pregnant women. What causes PPCM is a mystery. Recent studies suggest these women likely harbor genetic predispositions for heart failure that are unmasked by circulating factors during pregnancy. We sought to determine what those factors are. Surprisingly, we found high levels of senescence (or aging) proteins in these young women. We discovered that accelerated placental aging drives this phenomenon, and resetting this process closer to normal levels can improve heart function in animal models of PPCM. This study identifies an unexpected role of aging biology in pregnancy-related heart disease, opening doors to new approaches for therapeutic development. 

(Summary submitted by Jason D. Roh, MD, MHS, Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine) 

New Understanding of Neurobiological Systems Relevant to PTSD Pathophysiology
Genome-wide Association Analyses Identify 95 Risk Loci and Provide Insights into the Neurobiology of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Nievergelt CM, Maihofer AX [et al.]; AURORA Study; Estonian Biobank Research Team; FinnGen Investigators; HUNT All-In Psychiatry; Stein MB, Ressler KJ, Koenen KC
Published in Nature Genetics on 4/18/2024 

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurs in some people after they experience a traumatic event such as assault or a natural disaster. Genetic factors are thought to influence who develops PTSD after trauma. A new study of over 1.3 million people examined millions of genetic variants to determine whether specific genes were associated with risk of PTSD. Over 95 variants were found, including 80 newly discovered variants which implicate several neurobiological systems relevant to PTSD to be targeted for follow-up studies aimed at developing new treatments. 

(Summary submitted by Karestan C. Koenen, PhD, Psychiatric & Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Department of Psychiatry) 

New Resource for Future Investigations of Eosinophilic Inflammation
An Esophagus Cell Atlas Reveals Dynamic Rewiring During Active Eosinophilic Esophagitis and Remission
Ding J, Garber JJ, Uchida A, Lefkovith A, Carter GT [et al.], Xavier RJ
Published in Nature Communications on 4/18/2024 

Disrupted cell interactions in the esophagus can cause eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), an increasingly diagnosed inflammatory condition. We analyzed 421,312 esophageal cells from EoE patients in active disease, remission, and healthy individuals. Our study revealed 60 esophageal cell subsets, with previously undescribed, disease-associated changes in relative abundance of specific cell types, and perturbations in cell states and intercellular signaling, including a novel role of actively cycling mast cells, IL-9-producing TH2 and endothelial cells, and proinflammatory macrophages and dendritic cells expressing EoE risk genes. This work represents the most extensive and detailed analysis of the cellular landscape of the human esophagus to date and provides a valuable resource for future investigations of eosinophilic inflammation and potential therapeutic strategies. 

(Summary submitted by Ramnik Xavier, MD, PhD, Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Medicine) 

Childhood Excess Adiposity and Adipose Tissue Dysfunction May Be a First Signs of Later PCOS Risk
Associations of Childhood Adiposity and Cardiometabolic Biomarkers With Adolescent PCOS
Whooten RC, Rifas-Shiman SL, Perng W, Chavarro JE, Taveras E, Oken E, Hivert MF
Published in Pediatrics on 4/18/2024 

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormone condition among females that affects heart, metabolic, and reproductive health. Although PCOS is often first diagnosed in late adolescence, less is known about its early signs in younger females. We studied this in Project Viva, a study following mother-child pairs since birth. Among 13% of female participants with PCOS, we found that increased body fat and hormones related to fat (‘adipokines’) in childhood and early teen years were linked with a higher PCOS risk in the later teen years. Future studies are important to understand how decreasing body fat in childhood may impact PCOS risk. 

(Summary submitted by Rachel C. Whooten, MD, Department of Pediatrics) 

Lack of Transparency in Conflicts of Interest Statements in Surgical Journals
Accuracy of Conflicts in Interest in General Surgical Journals
Bharani T, Yuan C, Mahida K, Mukhtar S, Bosch H [et al.], Agarwal D
Published in Annals of Surgery on 4/19/2024 

Accurately declaring conflicts of interest is important to build trust in science. Most journals have strict policies encouraging authors to disclose their industry relationships and any potential conflicts. We examined 7 popular general and minimally invasive surgery journals, and found that nearly one in three authors did not disclose their conflicts of interest accurately. Authors affiliated with UK and Australia were more likely to report their conflicts accurately compared to U.S.-affiliated authors. Only ~10% of the payments made to authors by an industry sponsor in excess of $50,000 were reported accurately, and senior/last authors were most likely to underreport their industry relationships. These findings should encourage journals to enforce stricter rules, and authors to proactively report any possible conflicts of interest. 

(Summary submitted by Divyansh Agarwal, MD, PhD, Department of Surgery) 

Study Identifies Signs of Repeated Blast-Related Brain Injury in Active-Duty United States Special Operations Forces
Impact of Repeated Blast Exposure on Active-duty United States Special Operations Forces
Gilmore N, Tseng CJ, Maffei C, Tromly SL, Deary KB [et al.], Edlow BL
Published in PNAS on 4/22/2024 | Press Release 

United States Special Operations Forces are at risk for brain injury from repeated blast exposure, but there is currently no diagnostic test that can detect these injuries. In a study of 30 active-duty United States Special Operations Forces personnel, MGH researchers found that increased blast exposure was associated with structural, functional, and neuroimmune changes to the brain and a decline in health-related quality of life. The neuroimaging findings converged at a region of the frontal lobe that modulates cognition and emotion. The researchers are now designing a larger study to develop a multimodal diagnostic test for repeated blast brain injury. 

(Summary submitted by Brian L. Edlow, MD, Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Neurology) 

New Insights into Neural Underpinnings of Cross-sensory Processing
Neuronal Modeling of Cross-sensory Visual Evoked Magnetoencephalography Responses in Auditory Cortex
Lankinen K, Ahveninen J, Jas M, Raij T, Ahlfors SP
Published in Journal of Neuroscience on 4/24/2024 

Human brain sensory areas, which process external and internal sensory information, are influenced by inputs from other brain regions. By combining magnetoencephalography and computational neural modeling, we characterized the inputs arriving to auditory cortex when auditory or cross-sensory visual stimuli were presented to participants. The responses elicited by auditory and visual stimuli were consistent with feedforward and feedback type of input patterns observed in animal models. The results extend our knowledge of neural underpinnings of cross-sensory processing. 

(Summary submitted by Kaisu Lankinen, PhD, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging) 

Early Targeting of the Locus Coeruleus May Delay Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease
Spatiotemporal Patterns of Locus Coeruleus Integrity Predict Cortical Tau and Cognition
Bueichekú E, Diez I, Kim CM, Becker JA, Koops EA [et al.], Jacobs HIL
Published in Nature Aging on 4/25/2024 | Research Spotlight 

The locus coeruleus is a small region in the brain vulnerable to accumulation of abnormal forms of Alzheimer’s disease-related tau proteins early in adulthood. But so far, it was not known if accumulation of tau proteins in the locus coeruleus precede spreading of tau to other brain regions and which biological mechanisms contribute to this. By using specialized brain scans of older individuals, the authors showed that changes in the locus coeruleus precede tau increases in other brain regions and together, were associated with later cognitive decline. This spreading of tau was associated with genes involved in folding and transport of proteins. These findings suggest that interventions early in life targeting the locus coeruleus system may contribute to delaying disease progression. 

(Summary submitted by Heidi Jacobs, PhD, Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging) 

A Combination of Approved Drugs Enhances the Delivery of Anti-Bacterial Medications to Treat Tuberculosis
Featuring Rakesh K. Jain, PhD 

Researchers have found that approved drugs that were originally shown to normalize blood vessels surrounding tumors (to improve drug delivery to cancer cells) can enhance the delivery of anti-microbial medications to kill tuberculosis bacteria residing in the lungs. These drugs (bevacizumab and losartan) alone and in combination with anti-microbial agents, promoted anti-bacterial host responses and improved health outcomes in lab models with tuberculosis. 

Study Finds Benefits in Prescribing Alcohol Use Disorder Medications Upon Discharge from Alcohol-Related Hospitalizations
Featuring Eden Y. Bernstein, MD 

In a study of 9,000+ Medicare Part D beneficiaries with alcohol-related hospitalizations, only 2% received filled prescriptions for alcohol use disorder at discharge. Those who received prescriptions for AUD medication had a 42% lower likelihood of emergency room visits, readmissions, or death within 30 days. The results indicate that hospitalizations for alcohol use disorder may present an opportunity to help patients initiate effective medications for this condition. 

Electronic Medical Record Tool Helps Clinicians Diagnose Mpox
Featuring Jacob Lazarus, MD, PhD and Erica Shenoy, MD, PhD 

Investigators built a novel tool into the electronic medical record to help clinicians screen for mpox (formally known as monkeypox). The computer program was highly accurate in assisting in the diagnosis. People identified as high risk for mpox by the tool were triaged for isolation and testing, supporting early diagnosis and reduced risk of transmission. 

Mass General Study Identifies an AI Model That Can Accurately Assess PTSD in Postpartum Women
Featuring Sharon Dekel, PhD 

An artificial intelligence model combined with a trained machine learning algorithm was found by Mass General researchers and collaborators to accurately identify childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder (CB-PTSD). The findings could set the stage for a highly effective, low-cost, and readily accessible way to screen for the disorder, which affects up to 8M women worldwide. Interventions could then be offered to the mother to reduce the trauma associated with the birthing process. 

Physical Activity Reduces Stress-Related Brain Activity to Lower Cardiovascular Disease Risk
Featuring Ahmed Tawakol, MD 

Results from a new study indicate that physical activity may help protect against cardiovascular disease in part by reducing stress-related brain activity. This effect in the brain may help to explain why study participants with depression (a stress-related condition) experienced the greatest cardiovascular benefits from physical activity. 

Researchers Find that Accelerated Aging Biology in the Placenta Contributes to a Rare Form of Pregnancy-Related Heart Failure
Featuring Jason Roh, MD, MHS 

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a rare form of heart failure that occurs in women during late pregnancy or early postpartum, and one in which the cause remains largely unknown. In a new study, Mass General researchers and colleagues show that elevated levels of proteins related to cellular senescence, or aging, in the blood and the placenta are linked to this form of heart failure. Targeting aging-related placental proteins improved heart function in a lab model of peripartum cardiomyopathy, suggesting a potential new approach for therapeutic development. 

Study Identifies Signs of Repeated Blast-Related Brain Injury in Active-Duty United States Special Operations Forces
Featuring Brian L. Edlow, MD, Natalie Gilmore, PhD and Yelena G. Bodien, PhD 

Repeated exposure to explosive blasts has the potential to cause brain injuries, but there is currently no diagnostic test for these injuries. In a study of 30 active-duty United States SOF personnel, researchers found that increased blast exposure was associated with structural, functional, and neuroimmune changes to the brain and a decline in health-related quality of life. The researchers are now designing a larger study to develop a diagnostic test for repeated blast brain injury. 

Trials Reveal that Internet-Based Conversations Help Sustain Brain Function in Older Adults
Featuring Hiroko H. Dodge, PhD 

In a clinical trial including patients aged 75 years and older with normal cognition or mild cognitive impairment, frequent internet/webcam-based conversations with trained interviewers led to better scores on tests that assessed various brain functions. Results from the trial, which was conducted by a team including researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital, suggest that providing frequent stimulating conversational interactions via the internet could be an effective home-based strategy to prevent cognitive decline and dementia. 

How Often Were Adults With Down Syndrome Listed as Do-Not-Resuscitate During the COVID-19 Era?
Featuring Stephanie Santoro, MD 

Stephanie Santoro, MD, Director of Quality Improvement Research for the Down Syndrome Program at Mass General for Children, is senior author of a recent study in the American Journal of Medical Genetics, Part C, “Retrospective Review of Code Status of Individuals with Down Syndrome During the COVID-19 Era”. 

Caregiver Perception of Care Integration in a Single Specialty Clinic for Down Syndrome
Featuring Stephanie Santoro, MD 

Stephanie Santoro, MD, Director of Quality Improvement Research for the Down Syndrome Program at Mass General for Children, is senior author of a recent study in the American Journal of Medical Genetics, Part C, “The Pediatric Integrated Care Survey (PICS) in a Multidisciplinary Clinic for Down Syndrome”. 

A Huge Leap Forward for Drug Discovery in Cancer
Featuring Liron Bar-Peled, PhD 

Liron Bar-Peled, PhD, an investigator at the Krantz Center for Cancer Research at Massachusetts General Hospital and an associate professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, is the senior author of a new study in Cell, “DrugMap: A Quantitative Pan-Cancer Analysis of Cysteine Ligandability”. 

Gout Recurrence: Understanding Serum Urate Levels
Featuring Natalie McCormick, PhD 

Natalie McCormick, PhD, an investigator in the Rheumatology & Allergy Clinical Epidemiology Research Center at the Mongan Institute at Massachusetts General Hospital and an instructor in Medicine at Harvard Medical School, is the lead author of a recently published paper in JAMA, “Serum Urate and Recurrent Gout”. 

Early Targeting of the Locus Coeruleus May Delay Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease
Featuring Heidi Jacobs, PhD 

Heidi Jacobs, PhD, an associate investigator at the Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging at Massachusetts General Hospital and an associate professor of Radiology at Harvard Medical School, is the corresponding author of a new letter in Nature Aging, “Spatiotemporal Patterns of Locus Coeruleus Integrity Predict Cortical Tau and Cognition”. 

Orthopaedic Surgery Volume Trends During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Post-Vaccination Era
Featuring Marc Succi, MD

Marc Succi, MD, a physician investigator in the Department of Radiology at Massachusetts General Hospital, associate chair of innovation and commercialization at Mass General Brigham Enterprise Radiology and an assistant professor of Radiology at Harvard Medical School, is the lead author of a recently published paper in Journal of Arthroplasty, “Orthopaedic Surgery Volume Trends During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Post-Vaccination Era: Implications for Healthcare Planning”.

How Inflammation Damages Synapses in an Experimental Model of Multiple Sclerosis
Featuring Rebecca Gillani, MD, PhD 

Rebecca Gillani, MD, PhD, a physician investigator in the Department of Neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital and an Instructor in Neurology at Harvard Medical School, is the lead author of a recently published paper in Brain, Behavior, and Immunity; “Instability of Excitatory Synapses in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis and the Outcome for Excitatory Circuit Inputs To Individual Cortical Neurons”. 

Snapshot of Science: Mass General’s High Impact Research Publications for March 2024
Increase the sensitivity of liquid biopsies, neurons in the human brain able to predict what we’re going to say before we say it and much more 

Tracking Differences in “Time to Surgery” for Breast Cancer Patients Could Reduce Disparities and Improve Outcomes
Featuring Tawakalitu Oseni, MD 

A recent study both validated time to surgery as a standardized metric for breast cancer care and identified a worrying difference in time to surgery between Black and white patients. 

Innovative Service at Mass General Brigham Encourages Research Labs to Embrace Sustainability
Featuring Ann-Christine Duhaime, MD 

How a consultation service at Mass General Brigham is helping research labs go green and embrace sustainability in their science. 

Autism Acceptance Month: The Experience of Being Diagnosed with Autism as an Adult
Featuring Ingrid Kiehl, MD 

Adult diagnosis of autism has risen in recent years, but what does that mean for patients, and what emotions does this experience evoke? 

A Chance Discovery Leads to a New Insights on the History of Research Nurses at Massachusetts General Hospital
A scrapbook compiled by a former research nurse at Mass General was acquired thanks to a unique partnership between history enthusiasts.