The Pathophysiology and Vascular Complications of Diabetes in Chronic Kidney Disease: A Comprehensive Review.

The coexistence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) represents a significant global health challenge, contributing to substantial morbidity, mortality, and economic burden. T2DM is the leading cause of CKD, and CKD exacerbates diabetes-related complications, creating a bidirectional relationship driven by oxidative stress, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction. Diabetic kidney disease (DKD), affecting some individuals with T2DM, accelerates progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and increases cardiovascular mortality.

Cultivating Excellence: Development and Validation of a Bilingual Competency Self-Assessment Tool for Infection Prevention and Control Practitioners.

Background: The study aimed at developing and validating a bilingual competency self-assessment tool for infection prevention and control practitioners based on the core competencies proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Methods: The study was conducted from December/2021 to June/2023. The bilingual tool (Brazilian Portuguese and English versions) was developed according to four stages: 1) conceptual framework establishment and item generation; 2) content validity; 3) response process validity; and 4) internal structure validity.

From Traditional to Cutting-Edge: Transforming Pulmonary Valve Assessment With Advanced Echocardiography Techniques.

The pulmonary valve (PV), although often less emphasized than other heart valves, is crucial for cardiac function and hemodynamics. Historically, the PV has been underrepresented in echocardiographic assessments due to its rare involvement in pathological conditions, particularly in adults. Additionally, the anatomical position of the PV makes it one of the most challenging valves to visualize using conventional echocardiography.

Adjuvant hormone therapy and overall survival among low-grade and apparent early-stage endometrial stromal sarcoma patients.

Objective: Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (LG-ESS). While adjuvant hormone therapy is recommended for patients with advanced/recurrent disease, no consensus regarding its use among early-stage patients exists. We aimed to identify correlates of adjuvant hormone therapy use and associations of adjuvant hormone therapy and overall survival (OS) in stage I LG-ESS patients.