Harvard University

Proliferative control of the saccular-stage developing mouse lung requires the histone methylation activity of KMT2D

KMT2D, the histone methyltransferase and core component of the COMPASS/MLL4 complex, has been implicated in developmental diseases such as Kabuki Syndrome, interstitial lung disease, and congenital diaphragmatic hernia, with clear links to pediatric pulmonary disorders. Despite t...

The extreme diversity of retinal amacrine cells has deep evolutionary roots

Amacrine cells (ACs) comprise a heterogeneous class of inhibitory neurons in the vertebrate retina, exhibiting morphological and functional complexity rivaling that of cortical interneurons. Here, we integrate single-cell and single-nucleus transcriptomic atlases from 24 vertebra...

Scanning X-ray microdiffraction studies of protein accumulation and tissue loss in thin sections of human brain tissue in Alzheimer’s disease

Neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease is characterized by accumulation of pathological protein deposits including Aβ plaques, tau tangles and diffuse neuropil threads accompanied by wide-spread tissue loss. While dense protein deposits are readily observed by conventional meth...

Integrating mental health support into care for placenta accreta spectrum: a qualitative analysis of patient perspectives

Abstract Background Patients with high-risk pregnancies due to placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) are at high risk of morbidity and mortality, which may increase risk for childbirth related mental health sequelae including postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and trauma...

Paternal Exposure to Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals and Couples’ Pregnancy Outcomes: A Qualitative Review of the Literature

Abstract Purpose of Review Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are ubiquitous, and exposure to them has been associated with adverse reproductive health in both animals and humans. While the adverse effects of maternal EDC exposures on pregnancy outcomes have been extensively i...

Dental Care as a Test Case for Rural Health Reform

This Viewpoint uses dental care as a test case for whether rural health care reform translates into more reliable access.

Data-driven prediction of fifteen-year all-cause mortality among 2.3 million individuals in the VA

ABSTRACT We present a data-driven framework to predict 15-year all-cause mortality using outpatient administrative records for 2.3 million Veterans in the largest integrated U.S. healthcare system. Rather than relying on predefined clinical phenotypes, we used the 1,000 most comm...

Splicing genes as main targets of differential splicing

Abstract Splicing of transcripts via the spliceosome machinery is a complex process involving a multitude of proteins and short noncoding RNAs. In addition to full-length transcripts with all exons in the genomically encoded order, alternatively spliced transcripts can also be pr...

Apical extracellular matrix development

The apical extracellular matrix (aECM) plays crucial roles during morphogenesis and forms the interface through which tissues communicate with the environment. The aECM exhibits complex molecular composition and structure, including multi-layered organization, localized cell-type...

Cardiovascular Risk Prediction with the Kidney Failure Risk Equation in the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Study

Background: The Kidney Failure Risk Equation (KFRE) is an established tool to predict the risk of kidney failure among patients with CKD. Patients with CKD more often die from cardiovascular (CV) causes than renal causes, and more often experience a non-fatal CV event than progre...

A joint geophysical-geochemical deep-mantle zoning map beneath East Africa and the Indian Ocean

Geochemical signatures of hotspot lavas suggest that their mantle sources are compositionally distinct, but their source locations remain elusive. Mapping hotspots to their deep origins is complicated by the presence of interconnected, low–seismic velocity networks in the mantle,...

Inhibition of RhoA-mediated secretory autophagy in megakaryocytes mitigates myelofibrosis in mice

Abstract Megakaryocytes (MKs) are large, polyploid cells that contribute to bone marrow homeostasis through the secretion of cytokines such as transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1). During neoplastic transformation, immature MKs accumulate in the bone marrow where they induce fib...

Focal Therapy for Prostate Cancer

This retrospective study uses data from the National Cancer Database to examine patterns and temporal trends in use of focal therapy for prostate cancer in US cancer centers; characterize inappropriate use in low-, high-, or very–high-risk disease; and describe intermediate-risk...

Fatal Neuroinvasive Astrovirus VA1 Encephalitis in a Child With High‐Risk B‐ALL Receiving Blinatumomab

O.L. is a named inventor on patents held by Boston Children's Hospital related to vaccine adjuvants and antigens as well as human in vitro systems that model the safety and immunogenicity of vaccines and immunotherapeutics. O.L.’s laboratory receives sponsored research support fr...

Platelet Reactivity and Sex Differences: Clinical Implications for Women

Platelets are central to hemostasis and thrombosis. Excessive platelet activation contributes to arterial thrombotic events, including myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and complications of peripheral artery disease, whereas excessive platelet inhibition increases bleeding...

Psychoactive Medication Prescribing After Critical Illness in American Adults Not Justified by a Documented Supporting Diagnosis

Objectives: To describe psychoactive medication (PM) prescribing in the 30 days after an ICU admission requiring mechanical ventilation not supported by a documented diagnosis in American adults not prescribed a PM before ICU admission. This nondiagnostically supported PM prescri...

Developing Consensus Using the Delphi Method

The Delphi method is a technique for obtaining consensus from a panel of experts on a particular topic or set of decisions, such as diagnostic or treatment algorithms, medical education competencies, or curricular components. This article aims to introduce researchers new to cons...

‘Talk CKD Options’: improving how clinicians communicate treatment options in advanced kidney disease using a conversation analysis-based training intervention

Abstract Background Most older people with kidney failure and multiple co-morbidities must decide between dialysis or conservative kidney management. Dialysis is often presented as the default, despite providing uncertain survival benefits in this population. The Optimising Staff...

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Recurrence and Future Type 2 Diabetes Risk Across Racial and Ethnic Groups

OBJECTIVE Despite rising diabetes prevalence among women, data on long-term diabetes risk following gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), particularly its recurrence, remain limited, especially for Asian women. This study examined associations among GDM, its recurrence, and subseq...

Environmental exposure to semi-volatile organic compounds and COPD progression: Evidence mapping, exposure assessment and metabolomic insights

Introduction Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) progression may be influenced by non-smoking environmental exposures, especially among never-smokers and environmentally exposed populations. Semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) are relevant because they persist in air...