The rapid emergence of publicly accessible artificial intelligence platforms such as large language models (LLMs) has led to an equally rapid increase in articles exploring their potential benefits and risks. We performed a bibliometric analysis of ChatGPT literature in medicine and science to better understand publication trends and knowledge gaps. Following title, abstract, and keyword searches of PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases for ChatGPT articles published in the medical field, articles were screened for inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were extracted from included articles, with citation counts obtained from PubMed and journal metrics obtained from Clarivate Journal Citation Reports. After screening, 267 articles were included in the study, most of which were editorials or correspondence with an average of 7.5 +/− 18.4 citations per publication. Published articles on ChatGPT were authored largely in the United States, India, and China. The topics discussed included use and accuracy of ChatGPT in research, medical education, and patient counseling. Among non-surgical specialties, radiology published the most ChatGPT-related articles, while plastic surgery published the most articles among surgical specialties. The average citation number among the top 20 most-cited articles was 60.1 +/− 35.3. Among journals with the most ChatGPT-related publications, there were on average 10 +/− 3.7 publications. Our results suggest that managing the inevitable ethical and safety issues that arise with the implementation of LLMs will require further research exploring the capabilities and accuracy of ChatGPT, to generate policies guiding the adoption of artificial intelligence in medicine and science.

Background: Alzheimer disease and Alzheimer disease–related dementia represent complex neuropathologies directly challenging individuals, their families, and communities in the United States. To support persons living with dementia, family or informal caregivers often encounter complex financial, psychological, and physical challenges. A widely used solution such as a consolidated web-based assistance or guidance platform is missing, compounding care challenges. Objective: In preparation for designing an internet-based artificial intelligence–driven digital resource platform, a qualitative interview study was conducted to characterize the challenges and needs of family caregivers in the United States. Methods: A semistructured interview topic guide in English was developed by engaging community partners and research partnerships. Family caregiver participants were purposefully recruited via various means, such as word of mouth, local dementia community service providers, digital recruitment emails, flyers, and social media. Interested individuals were first invited to complete an eligibility screening survey, and eligible individuals were then contacted to arrange a web-based in-depth interview via Zoom (Zoom Video Communications) from January 1, 2022, to May 31, 2022. A follow-up survey was administered in May 2022 to provide an overview of the participants’ demographics, socioeconomic characteristics, and caregiving information. Thematic analysis in a framework approach was used to identify and organize themes and the study findings. Results: Following the prescreening of 150 eligible respondents, 20% (30/150) individuals completed both the interviews and follow-up survey, allowing for an in-depth look into the challenges, experiences, and expectations of primary caregivers of people living with dementia. Most participants (20/30, 67%) were primary caregivers of persons with dementia, and 93% (28/30) had provided care for at least a year. Most participants were aged >50 years (25/30, 83%), female (23/30, 77%), White (25/30, 83%), and non-Hispanic (27/30, 90%) and held a bachelor’s or graduate degree (22/30, 73%). Collectively, all participants acknowledged challenges in caring for people living with dementia. Thematic analyses elicited the challenges of caregiving related to functional care needs and financial and legal challenges. In addition, participants identified the need for an integrative digital platform where information could be supplied to foster education, share resources, and provide community support, enabling family caregivers to improve the quality of care and reducing caregiver burden. Conclusions: This study emphasized the difficulties associated with the family caregiver role and the expectations and potential for a supportive web-based platform to mitigate current challenges within the caregiving role.

Achilles tendon (AT) pathologies are common musculoskeletal conditions that can significantly impair function. Despite various traditional treatments, recovery is often slow and may not restore full functionality. The use of extracellular vesicles (EVs) has emerged as a promising therapeutic option due to their role in cell signaling and tissue regeneration. This systematic review aims to consolidate current in vivo animal study findings on the therapeutic effects of EVs on AT injuries. An extensive literature search was conducted using the PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases for in vivo animal studies examining the effects of EVs on AT pathologies. The extracted variables included but were not limited to the study design, type of EVs used, administration methods, efficacy of treatment, and proposed therapeutic mechanisms. After screening, 18 studies comprising 800 subjects were included. All but one study reported that EVs augmented wound healing processes in the AT. The most proposed mechanisms through which this occurred were gene regulation of the extracellular matrix (ECM), the enhancement of macrophage polarization, and the delivery of therapeutic microRNAs to the injury site. Further research is warranted to not only explore the therapeutic potential of EVs in the context of AT pathologies, but also to establish protocols for their clinical application.

Background/Objectives: Prior studies have noted varied, spontaneous motor recovery in rat strains after spinal cord injury (SCI), but systematic comparisons of different locomotor measurements across different severity and sexes are lacking. Hence, we quantified hindlimb utilization in male and female Sprague-Dawley (SD) and Wistar rats following moderate and severe SCI. Methods: Compression SCI was induced using a 15-g clip for 180 s for moderate SCI or a 50-g aneurysm clip for 60 s for severe SCI in male and female SD and Wistar rats. Measures of locomotor performance using the Basso–Beattie–Bresnahan (BBB), CatWalk gait analysis, and horizontal ladder tests were taken postoperatively and weekly for seven weeks. Results: BBB scores indicated greater spontaneous recovery in SD rats, with females showing higher scores than males following moderate and severe SCI. No sex or strain differences were observed in the horizontal ladder test. The CatWalk results indicated greater average hindlimb swing speed in SD rats following moderate SCI, but greater print area was observed in Wistar rats after severe SCI, although female SD rats had greater print area than either male SD or female Wistar rats following moderate SCI. Conclusions: The findings that SD rats, especially females, exhibited greater spontaneous motor recovery following moderate SCI indicate the need to consider the sex and strain of rats when conducting therapeutic testing following moderate SCI. The significance of these findings is that they should facilitate the use of appropriate rat models for translational research in SCI that can be applied to future clinical trials.

Ischemic stroke is a debilitating neurological disease most commonly resulting from an occlusion within the cerebral vasculature. Ischemia/reperfusion injury is oftentimes a consequence of stroke, characterized by oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and the activation of surrounding glial cells following restoration of blood supply. Astrocytes are regarded as the most prominent glial cell in the brain and, under pathologic conditions, display, among other pathologies, activated (GFAP) relatively proportional to the degree of reactivity. The primary objective of the study was to determine the temporal profile of astrocyte reactivity following ischemic stroke. Thirty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to surgery consisting of either 90-min middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) or sham surgery. Animals were sub-grouped by postoperative euthanization day; 2 days (n = 10), 4 days (n = 11), and 7 days (n = 13). Fluorescence microscopy and densitometry were utilized to quantify GFAP immunoreactivity, which indicated a non-linear relationship following ischemia/reperfusion. Results demonstrated substantially higher GFAP levels in MCAo groups than in sham, with peak GFAP reactivity being shown in the brains of rats euthanized on day 4. These findings are applicable to future research, especially in the investigation of interventions that target reactive astrocytes following ischemic injury.

Background/Objectives: Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are increasingly recognized as causes of both systemic and neurologic illness. While their impact on vascular health is established, their role in cerebrovascular disease remains underexplored. This review aims to synthesize clinical evidence linking TBDs with cerebrovascular events, focusing on mechanisms of injury, pathogen-specific associations, and treatment outcomes. Methods: A narrative review was conducted using Boolean keyword searches across PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, and Web of Science. Relevant literature on ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, cerebral vasculitis, and stroke mimics associated with TBDs was examined. The review included case reports, observational studies, and mechanistic research. Pathogen-specific data and disease characteristics were extracted and summarized. Results: Several tick-borne pathogens were associated with cerebrovascular complications. Borrelia burgdorferi was most commonly implicated and typically presented with large-vessel vasculitis. Rickettsia, Ehrlichia, and Anaplasma species caused endothelial injury through immune-mediated inflammation. Powassan virus and Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever virus exhibited central nervous system involvement and hemorrhagic potential. Babesia species contributed to vascular injury through thrombocytopenia and embolic complications. Neuroimaging frequently demonstrated multifocal stenoses and vessel wall inflammation. Antimicrobial treatment, particularly with doxycycline or ceftriaxone, was often effective, especially when administered early. Supportive care for stroke symptoms varied by presentation and underlying pathogen. Conclusions: Cerebrovascular disease caused by tick-borne pathogens is an underrecognized but potentially reversible condition. Despite diverse etiologies, most pathogens share a final common pathway of endothelial dysfunction. Early recognition and targeted antimicrobial therapy, combined with supportive stroke care, are essential to improving patient outcomes.