Metabolic and hormonal profiling in polycystic ovarian syndrome: insights into INSR gene variations.

Background: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder characterized by irregular periods, excess androgen levels, and polycystic ovaries, affecting many women of reproductive age.

Methods And Results: This study employed statistical and molecular analyses to compare hormone and metabolic markers between PCOS patients and controls. Sanger sequencing identified two INSR gene variants linked to high insulin and pre-diabetic conditions.

A study on the side effects caused by the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine: Focus on IgG antibodies and serological biomarkers.

Introduction: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic that spread swiftly is now a major global public health issue. Vaccines are currently being distributed in an effort to limit the viral transmission and mortality. The aim of the study was monitoring of both safety and efficacy in determining the overall effectiveness of the vaccine and identifying any potential safety concerns.

Characteristics and outcomes of pregnancies in the Maternal Outcomes Masterset real-world database.

Purpose: Describe patient characteristics and pregnancy outcomes among all pregnant patients, and additionally describe infant outcomes among the subset with linked infants in the Maternal Outcomes Masterset (MOM).

Methods: We used closed claims within the MOM data to identify publicly and privately insured patients at the first record of pregnancy January 1, 2018-December 1, 2021, with ≥180 days baseline enrollment. We described characteristics during baseline and follow-up (until an observed pregnancy endpoint, disenrollment, or 42-week maximum).

The influence of SARS-CoV-2 on male reproduction and men's health.

Background: SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, primarily affects the respiratory system by targeting the Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor and TMPRSS2. However, these receptors are also present in other organs, including the testes, where a higher concentration of ACE2 receptors has been observed. This raises concerns about the potential impact of the virus on male fertility.

Comparing effects of beetroot juice and Mediterranean diet on liver enzymes and sonographic appearance in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized control trials.

Background: In both developed and developing countries, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has lately risen to the top of the list of chronic liver illnesses. Although there is no permanent cure, early management, diagnosis, and treatment might lessen its effects. The purpose of conducting the current study is to compare the effects of beetroot juice and the Mediterranean diet on the lipid profile, level of liver enzymes, and liver sonography in patients with NAFLD.

Molecular and clinical significance of FLT3, NPM1, DNMT3A and TP53 mutations in acute myeloid leukemia patients.

Background: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a type of blood cancer that affects the bone marrow and blood cells. AML is characterized by the rapid growth and accumulation of abnormal white blood cells, known as myeloblasts, which interfere with the production of normal blood cells.

Aims: The main aim was to determine the relationship between these genetic alterations and the clinico-haematological parameters and prognostic factors with therapy for Iraqi patients with AML.

Heterogeneity in the definition of chronic rhinosinusitis disease control: a systematic review of the scientific literature.

Purpose: Disease control is conceptually recognized to be an important outcome measure for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). However, inconsistent usage is a significant factor in disadoption of important concepts and it is presently unclear how consistently the construct of CRS 'control' is being defined/applied. The objective of this study was to determine the heterogeneity of CRS disease control definitions in the scientific literature.

Determinants of impact factor and Eigenfactor score in otolaryngology journals.

Objective: This study aims to identify determinants of high impact, measured by Impact Factor (IF) and Eigenfactor score, among otolaryngology journals.

Methods: Bibliometric data of "otorhinolaryngology" journals were collected from the Journal Citation Reports (JCR) database. For the years 2009-2020, we collected normalized Eigenfactor score, 5-year IF, immediacy index, fraction of IF from journal-self citation, proportion and magnitude of published citable articles, and total citation counts.

Clinical outcomes and phylogenetic analysis in reflection with three predominant clades of SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Background: The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) undergoes continuous evolution, resulting in the emergence of several variants. Each variant has a different severity and mortality rate.

Using primary care data to assess comparative effectiveness and safety of apixaban and rivaroxaban in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation in the UK: an observational cohort study.

Objective: To compare real-world effectiveness and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AFib) for prevention of stroke.

Study Design And Setting: A comparative cohort study in UK general practice data from The Health Improvement Network database.

Participants And Interventions: Before matching, 5655 patients ≥18 years with nonvalvular AFib who initiated at least one DOAC between 1 July 2014 and 31 December 2020 were included.

Identification of three novel DNMT3A mutations with compromising methylation capacity in human acute myeloid leukaemia.

Background: Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a complex and heterogeneous hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell malignancy characterised by the accumulation of immature blast cells in the bone marrow, blood, and other organs linked to environmental, genetic, and epigenetic factors. Somatic mutations in the gene DNA (cytosine-5)-methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A; NM_022552.4) are common in AML patients.

Disease severity and efficacy of homologous vaccination among patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 Delta or Omicron VOCs, compared to unvaccinated using main biomarkers.

From March 2021, various countries including Iraq issued prompted recommendations for increased COVID-19 vaccine protection in individuals especially those at risk of catching the virus (i.e., lifestyle, health sector workers, and chronic diseases).

Clinical laboratory parameters and comorbidities associated with severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Background: The pandemic coronavirus disease (COVID-19) dramatically spread worldwide. Considering several laboratory parameters and comorbidities may facilitate the assessment of disease severity. Early recognition of disease progression associated with severe cases of COVID-19 is essential for timely patient triaging.

Serum troponin, D-dimer, and CRP level in severe coronavirus (COVID-19) patients.

Background: Abnormal inflammation coagulation biomarker levels of troponin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and D-dimer levels in serum have been demonstrated to be associated and involved in the disease progression of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods: First: the study aimed to investigate the correlation of troponin, CRP, d-dimer, white blood cell (WBC) and polymerase chain reaction-cycle threshold (PCR-Ct) within COVID-19 survivors (143 patients; 79 males, 64 females) and in deceased (30 patients; 12 males, 18 females) group. Also, assessing any differences between both groups in studied parameters.

Natural killer cell immunosuppressive function requires CXCR3-dependent redistribution within lymphoid tissues.

NK cell suppression of T cells is a key determinant of viral pathogenesis and vaccine efficacy. This process involves perforin-dependent elimination of activated CD4+ T cells during the first 3 days of infection. Although this mechanism requires cell-cell contact, NK cells and T cells typically reside in different compartments of lymphoid tissues at steady state.

Hypoalbuminemia in patients following their recovery from severe coronavirus disease 2019.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by a contagious virus that has spread to more than 200 countries, territories, and regions. Thousands of studies to date have examined all aspects of this disease, yet little is known about the postrecovery status of patients, especially in the long term. Here, we examined erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and serum albumin biomarkers in patients with a history of severe and mild-to-moderate COVID-19 following their recovery.

Health care resource utilization and cost of severe hypoglycemia treatment in insulin-treated patients with diabetes in the United States.

Hypoglycemia is a major limiting factor in achieving glycemic control in persons with diabetes. In some instances, recovery from a severe hypoglycemia event may require health care resource utilization (HCRU), including the use of emergency medical services (EMS), visits to the emergency department (ED), and inpatient hospitalization. To (a) describe the profiles of patients who experience severe hypoglycemic events and (b) characterize HCRU and the associated cost related to severe hypoglycemia treatment.

Reasons for discontinuing insulin and factors associated with insulin discontinuation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a real-world evidence study.

Background: Evidence suggests that insulin therapy of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is frequently discontinued. However, the reasons for discontinuing insulin and factors associated with insulin discontinuation in this patient population are not well understood.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adults with T2DM prescribed insulin between 2010 and 2017 at Partners HealthCare.

Erratum: Therapeutic Targeting of Follicular T Cells with Chimeric Antigen Receptor-Expressing Natural Killer Cells.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.

Immunomodulatory effects of cytokine-induced expansion of cytotoxic lymphocytes in a mouse model of lupus-like disease.

Background Aims: Certain therapies (e.g., daclizumab) that promote expansion of natural killer (NK) cells are associated with clinical amelioration of disease in the context of multiple sclerosis and associated mouse models.

Therapeutic Targeting of Follicular T Cells with Chimeric Antigen Receptor-Expressing Natural Killer Cells.

Follicular helper T cells (T) are critical for vaccine and infection elicitation of long-lived humoral immunity, but exaggerated T responses can promote autoimmunity and other pathologies. It is unfortunate that no clinical interventions exist for the selective depletion of follicular T cells to alleviate these diseases. We engineered a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) facilitating the specific targeting of cells with high expression levels of human programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), a cardinal feature of follicular T cells.