LocustLens: leveraging environmental data fusion and machine learning for desert locust swarm prediction.

The desert locust is one of the most destructive locusts recorded in human history, and it has caused significant food shortages, monetary losses, and environmental calamities. Prediction of locust attacks is complicated as it depends on various environmental and geographical factors. This research aims to develop a machine-learning model for predicting desert locust attacks in 42 countries that considers three predictors: soil moisture, maximum temperature, and precipitation.

The current state of primary healthcare in Pakistan: a way forward for low-to-middle income countries.

Background: Primary healthcare (PHC) plays a crucial role in improving health outcomes and reducing healthcare burden, especially in low-to-middle-income countries (LMICs). However, PHC has not received adequate attention in Pakistan despite its recognized importance. This study aims to examine the current state of PHC in Pakistan, identifying factors compromising its quality and effectiveness.

Demographic trends and disparities in mortality related to coexisting heart failure and diabetes mellitus among older adults in the United States between 1999 and 2020: A retrospective population-based cohort study from the CDC WONDER database.

Background: Heart Failure (HF) and Diabetes Mellitus (DM) often coexist, and each condition independently increases the likelihood of developing the other. While there has been concern regarding the increasing burden of disease for both conditions individually over the last decade, a comprehensive examination of mortality trends and demographic and regional disparities needs to be thoroughly explored in the United States (US).

Methods: This study analyzed death certificates from the CDC WONDER database, focusing on mortality caused by the co-occurrence of HF and DM in adults aged 75 and older from 1999 to 2020.

Recent Developments in Oral Delivery of Vaccines Using Nanocarriers.

As oral administration of vaccines is the preferred route due to its high patient compliance and ability to stimulate both cellular and humoral immune responses, it is also associated with several challenges that include denaturation of vaccine components in the acidic environment of the stomach, degradation from proteolytic enzymes, and poor absorption through the intestinal membrane. To achieve effective delivery of such biomolecules, there is a need to investigate novel strategies of formulation development that can overcome the barriers associated with conventional vaccine delivery systems. Nanoparticles are advanced drug delivery carriers that provide target-oriented delivery by encapsulating vaccine components within them, thus making them stable against unfavorable conditions.

Pre-Existing Autoimmune Disease Increases the Risk of Cardiovascular and Noncardiovascular Events After Immunotherapy.

Background: The use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) is associated with cardiovascular (CV) events, and patients with pre-existing autoimmune disease are at increased CV risk.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to characterize the risk for CV events in patients with pre-existing autoimmune disease post-ICI.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of 6,683 patients treated with ICIs within an academic network.

Sodium-Glucose Co-Transporter-2 Inhibitors and Cardiac Outcomes Among Patients Treated With Anthracyclines.

Background: Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors improve outcomes among patients with established heart failure. Despite supportive basic science studies, there are no data on the value of SGLT2 inhibitors among patients treated with anthracyclines.

Objectives: This study sought to test the cardiac efficacy and overall safety of SGLT2 inhibitors in patients treated with anthracyclines.

The efficacy and safety of cardio-protective therapy in patients with 5-FU (Fluorouracil)-associated coronary vasospasm.

Background: Coronary vasospasm is a known side effect of 5-FU (fluorouracil) therapy. Beyond switching to non-5FU-based chemotherapy, there are no established treatments for 5-FU associated coronary vasospam. Our objective was to assess the safety and efficacy of re-challenge with 5-FU after pre-treatment with calcium channel blockers (CCBs) and long-acting nitrates among patients 5-FU associated coronary vasospasm.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors for cancer and venous thromboembolic events.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are widely used cancer treatments. There are limited data on the risk for developing venous thromboembolism (VTE) among patients on an ICI.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of 2854 patients who received ICIs at a single academic centre.

Association between incidental statin use and skeletal myopathies in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Objectives: Skeletal myopathies are highly morbid, and in rare cases even fatal, immune-related adverse events (irAE) associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). Skeletal myopathies are also a recognized statin-associated side effect. It is unknown whether concurrent use of statins and ICIs increases the risk of skeletal myopathies.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction after left-sided valve surgery: prevalent and relevant.

Aims: To investigate the epidemiological and prognostic relationship between heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and left-sided valve surgery using all-cause mortality as a primary endpoint.

Methods And Results: We studied a total of 973 patients, of whom 673 had undergone left-sided valve surgery (time from surgery to enrolment 50 ± 30 months after valve surgery) and 300 patients with HFpEF without prior surgery served as control group. Among patients after surgery, 67.

Pericardial disease in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Background: There are limited data on the occurrence, associations and outcomes of pericardial effusions and pericarditis on or after treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).

Methods: This was a retrospective study at a single academic center that compared 2842 consecutive patients who received ICIs with 2699 age- and cancer-type matched patients with metastatic disease who did not receive ICI. A pericardial event was defined as a composite outcome of pericarditis and new or worsening moderate or large pericardial effusion.

The Incidence, Risk Factors, and Outcomes With 5-Fluorouracil-Associated Coronary Vasospasm.

Background: Coronary vasospasm is a recognized side effect of 5-FU (fluorouracil). There are limited and conflicting data on the incidence, risk factors and prognostic effect of 5-FU associated vasospasm.

Objectives: To assess the incidence, risk factors and prognostic implications of 5-FU coronary vasospasm among patients receiving 5-FU regimens at a single tertiary care center.

Myocardial T1 and T2 Mapping by Magnetic Resonance in Patients With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Associated Myocarditis.

Background: Myocarditis is a potentially fatal complication of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. Data on the utility of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) T1 and T2 mapping in ICI myocarditis are limited.

Objectives: This study sought to assess the value of CMR T1 and T2 mapping in patients with ICI myocarditis.

Electrocardiographic features of immune checkpoint inhibitor associated myocarditis.

Background: Myocarditis is a highly morbid complication of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) use that remains inadequately characterized. The QRS duration and the QTc interval are standardized electrocardiographic measures that are prolonged in other cardiac conditions; however, there are no data on their utility in ICI myocarditis.

Methods: From an international registry, ECG parameters were compared between 140 myocarditis cases and 179 controls across multiple time points (pre-ICI, on ICI prior to myocarditis, and at the time of myocarditis).

Right ventricular function and outcome in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Aims: Right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) on echocardiography has been shown to predict outcomes in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). However, a comparison with the gold standard, RV ejection fraction (EF) on cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), has never been performed.

Methods And Results: Consecutive patients scheduled for TAVR underwent echocardiography and CMR.

Sex Differences in Left Ventricular Remodeling and Outcomes in Chronic Aortic Regurgitation.

Background: Left ventricular (LV) dilatation is a key compensatory feature in patients with chronic aortic regurgitation (AR). However, sex-differences in LV remodeling and outcomes in chronic AR have been poorly investigated so far.

Methods: We performed cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) including phase-contrast velocity-encoded imaging for the measurement of regurgitant fraction (RegF) at the sinotubular junction, in consecutive patients with at least mild AR on echocardiography.

Decreased Absolute Lymphocyte Count and Increased Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Associated Myocarditis.

Background Myocarditis attributable to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy is a potentially fatal immune-related adverse event. Limited data have suggested an association between baseline and on-treatment absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the development of other immune-related adverse events; there are no data characterizing the role of ALC and NLR in ICI-associated myocarditis. Methods and Results This was a case control study of 55 patients with ICI myocarditis and 55 controls without any post-ICI immune-related adverse events.

Efficacy of Tocilizumab in Patients Hospitalized with Covid-19.

Background: The efficacy of interleukin-6 receptor blockade in hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) who are not receiving mechanical ventilation is unclear.

Methods: We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving patients with confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, hyperinflammatory states, and at least two of the following signs: fever (body temperature >38°C), pulmonary infiltrates, or the need for supplemental oxygen in order to maintain an oxygen saturation greater than 92%. Patients were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive standard care plus a single dose of either tocilizumab (8 mg per kilogram of body weight) or placebo.

Association Between Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors With Cardiovascular Events and Atherosclerotic Plaque.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) treat an expanding range of cancers. Consistent basic data suggest that these same checkpoints are critical negative regulators of atherosclerosis. Therefore, our objectives were to test whether ICIs were associated with accelerated atherosclerosis and a higher risk of atherosclerosis-related cardiovascular events.

Prevalence and Predictors of the Burnout Syndrome in Medical Students of Karachi, Pakistan.

Objectives Burnout is a psychophysiological syndrome, consisting of a triad of emotional and physical exhaustion, exhibition of impersonal attitude and loss of a sense of achievement for oneself. This study aimed to pinpoint its risk factors, measure its current prevalence in medical students of Karachi, Pakistan and accentuate the areas of focus to benefit the primary care-oriented community as a whole. Methods This cross-sectional study included responses from 600 medical students in Karachi (third to final year).