Reduction of surgical site infection rates in elective colorectal surgery by means of a nationwide interventional surveillance programme. A cohort study.

Introduction: Colorectal surgery has the highest surgical site infection (SSI) rates of all abdominal surgeries. Epidemiological surveillance is an excellent instrument to reduce SSI rates, but its effects may be time-limited and need to be monitored periodically. This study analyses the effectiveness of an interventional surveillance programme with regard to reducing SSI rates after elective colorectal surgery.

Contrasting the clinical and biological characteristics of young and old COPD patients.

Background: The ECLIPSE study was a large, international, prospective, controlled, observational study that included COPD patients (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) grades 2-4), as well as smoking and non-smoking participants with normal spirometry, aged 40-75 years, who were followed-up regularly for 3 years. Here we sought to contrast the clinical and biological characteristics of young COPD controls of similar age and older COPD patients included in ECLIPSE.

Methods: We compared 106 young (<50 years) and 488 old (>70 years) COPD patients, as well as 119 young smokers and 92 nonsmoker controls (<50 years) with normal spirometry.

Ketone Bodies Are Potential Prognostic Biomarkers in Relapsed/Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: Results from the R2-GDP-GOTEL Trial.

Patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who are ineligible for high-dose chemotherapy have limited treatment options and poor life expectancy. The purpose of this study is to identify a serum metabolomic profile that may be predictive of outcome in patients with R/R-DLBCL. This study included 69 R/R DLBCL patients from the R2-GDP-GOTEL trial (EudraCT 2014-001620-299).

Sociobehavioral determinants of non-retention among adolescents and young adults living with HIV.

Objective: This study aimed to identify age-specific cofactors of nonretention among adolescents and young adults living with HIV (AYLHIV) ages 10-24.

Design: This analysis used data from the Data-Informed Stepped Care study (DiSC; NCT05007717), a cluster randomized clinical trial in 24 health facilities in Western Kenya.

Methods: During 12-month follow-up, youth-reported cofactors of missed visits and loss-to-follow-up (LTFU; did not return to clinic within study period) were assessed using generalized linear and mixed effect models and stratified by gender and age.

Oral antibiotic prophylaxis induces changes in the microbiology of surgical site infection after colorectal surgery. A matched comparative study.

Aim: Oral antibiotic prophylaxis (OAP) lowers rates of surgical site infection (SSI) and may aid anastomotic healing in colorectal surgery. The aim of this study was to analyse the understudied impact of OAP on SSI microbiology after colorectal surgery.

Method: A post hoc analysis was performed on a previous prospective, multicentre study of elective colorectal surgery.

Combination of Apigenin and Melatonin with nanostructured lipid carriers as anti-inflammatory ocular treatment.

Ocular inflammation is a complex pathology with limited treatment options. While traditional therapies have side effects, novel approaches, such as natural compounds like Apigenin (APG) and Melatonin (MEL) offer promising solutions. APG and MEL, in combination with nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC), may provide a synergistic effect in treating ocular inflammation, potentially improving patient outcomes and reducing adverse effects.

Evaluation of ChatGPT-4 for the detection of surgical site infections from electronic health records after colorectal surgery: A pilot diagnostic accuracy study.

Background: Surveillance of surgical site infection (SSI) relies on manual methods that are time-consuming and prone to subjectivity. This study evaluates the diagnostic accuracy of ChatGPT for detecting SSI from electronic health records after colorectal surgery via comparison with the results of a nationwide surveillance programme.

Methods: This pilot, retrospective, multicentre analysis included 122 patients who underwent colorectal surgery.

Jitegemee (rely on yourself): a multi-phase process of co-creating a personal savings intervention with female sex workers in western Kenya to reduce their HIV risk.

Background: HIV prevalence among female sex workers (FSW) is significantly higher than among women in the general population. Studies have shown that FSW engage in unprotected sex which provides higher compensation when they face emergency situations. We co-created a savings intervention - Jitegemee (rely on yourself) - with FSW to encourage them to save part of their earnings to withdraw in emergency situations in order to reduce risk.

A Review on the Application of Deep Eutectic Solvents in Polymer-Based Membrane Preparation for Environmental Separation Technologies.

The use of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) for the preparation of polymer membranes for environmental separation technologies is comprehensively reviewed. DESs have been divided into five categories based on the hydrogen bond donor (HBD) and acceptor (HBA) that are involved in the production of the DESs, and a wide range of DESs' physicochemical characteristics, such as density, surface tension, viscosity, and melting temperature, are initially gathered. Furthermore, the most popular techniques for creating membranes have been demonstrated and discussed, with a focus on the non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) method.

Appropriate Use of Antibiotics in Acute Pancreatitis: A Scoping Review.

Background: While selective use of antibiotics for infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN) in acute pancreatitis (AP) is recommended, studies indicate a high rate of inadequate treatment.

Methods: A search of PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases was conducted, focusing on primary research and meta-analyses. Data were categorized based on core concepts, and a narrative synthesis was performed.

Factorial Analysis and Thermal Kinetics of Chemical Recycling of Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Aided by Neoteric Imidazolium-Based Ionic Liquids.

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) waste accumulation poses significant environmental challenges due to its persistent nature and current management limitations. This study explores the effectiveness of imidazolium-based neoteric solvents [Emim][OAc] and [Bmim][OAc] as catalytic co-solvents in the glycolysis of PET with ethylene glycol (EG). Reaction thermal kinetics showed that both ionic liquids (ILs) significantly enhanced the depolymerization rate of PET compared to traditional methods.

Assessment of the effectiveness of a polypropylene onlay mesh in the prevention of laparoscopic trocar-site incisional hernia in high-risk patients. A randomized clinical trial.

Purpose: Trocar site incisional hernia (TSIH) is a common complication of laparoscopic surgery. In the scientific literature there are few descriptions of methods or tools for its prevention. The aim of this report was to assess the effectiveness and safety of a prophylactic measure designed to lower rates of TSIH.

Extracellular Vesicles of the Probiotic Nissle 1917 Reduce PepT1 Levels in IL-1β-Treated Caco-2 Cells via Upregulation of miR-193a-3p.

PepT1, a proton-coupled oligopeptide transporter, is crucial for intestinal homeostasis. It is mainly expressed in small intestine enterocytes, facilitating the absorption of di/tri-peptides from dietary proteins. In the colon, PepT1 expression is minimal to prevent excessive responses to proinflammatory peptides from the gut microbiota.

Combining Metabolomics and Machine Learning to Identify Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers in Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Pre- and Post-Radiation Therapy.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounting for over 85% of cases and poor prognosis in advanced stages. This study explored shifts in circulating metabolite levels in NSCLC patients versus healthy controls and examined the effects of conventionally fractionated radiation therapy (CFRT) and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). We enrolled 91 NSCLC patients (38 CFRT and 53 SBRT) and 40 healthy controls.

The Impact of Green Physical Crosslinking Methods on the Development of Sericin-Based Biohydrogels for Wound Healing.

Silk sericin (SS)-based hydrogels show promise for wound healing due to their biocompatibility, moisture regulation, and cell proliferation properties. However, there is still a need to develop green crosslinking methods to obtain non-toxic, absorbent, and mechanically strong SS hydrogels. This study investigated the effects of three green crosslinking methods, annealing treatment (T), exposure to an absolute ethanol vapor atmosphere (V.

PSMA PET/CT SUVmax as a prognostic biomarker in patients with metachronous metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC).

Background: Metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) is treatment-resistant and generally considered incurable. The development of prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission-computed tomography (PSMA PET/CT) has generated immense expectations due to its diagnostic accuracy in prostate cancer (PCa). PSMA expression of the primary tumor, quantified by SUVmax, is a predictor of oncological outcomes.

Exploring the effect of the axial ligands on the anticancer activity of [C,N,N'] Pt(IV) cyclometallated compounds.

The synthesis of three novel [C,N,N'] Pt(IV) cyclometallated compounds containing hydroxo, dichloroacetato or trifluoroacetato axial ligands is reported. Compound [PtCl(OH){(CH)N(CH)NCH(4-FCH)}] (3) was prepared by the oxidative addition of hydrogen peroxide to [C,N,N'] Pt(II) cyclometallated compound [PtCl{(CH)N(CH)NCH(4-FCH)}] (1) and further the reaction of compound 3 with dichloroacetate or trifluoroacetate anhydrides led to the formation of the corresponding compounds [PtCl(CHClCOO){(CH)N(CH)NCH(4-FCH)}] (4) and [PtCl(CFCOO){(CH)N(CH)NCH(4-FCH)}] (5). The properties of the new compounds along with those of the compound [PtCl{(CH)N(CH)NCH(4-FCH)}] (2), including stability in aqueous media, reduction potential using cyclic voltammetry, cytotoxic activity against the HCT116 CRC cell line, DNA interaction, topoisomerase I and cathepsin inhibition, and computational studies involving reduction of the Pt(IV) compounds and molecular docking studies, are presented.

Using FRAME to characterize provider-identified adaptations to a stepped care intervention for adolescents and youth living with HIV in Kenya: a mixed methods approach.

Introduction: The Data-informed Stepped Care (DiSC) study is a cluster-randomized trial implemented in 24 HIV care clinics in Kenya, aimed at improving retention in care for adolescents and youth living with HIV (AYLHIV). DiSC is a multi-component intervention that assigns AYLHIV to different intensity (steps) of services according to risk. We used the Framework for Reporting Adaptations and Modifications-Expanded (FRAME) to characterize provider-identified adaptations to the implementation of DiSC to optimize uptake and delivery, and determine the influence on implementation outcomes.

In vitro and in vivo studies of ocular topically administered NLC for the treatment of uveal melanoma.

Uveal melanoma is one of the most common and aggressive intraocular malignancies, and, due to its great capability of metastasize, it constitutes the most incident intraocular tumor in adults. However, to date there is no effective treatment since achieving the inner ocular tissues still constitutes one of the greatest challenges in actual medicine, because of the complex structure and barriers. Uncoated and PEGylated nanostructured lipid carriers were developed to achieve physico-chemical properties (mean particle size, homogeneity, zeta potential, pH and osmolality) compatible for the ophthalmic administration of (S)-(-)-MRJF22, a new custom-synthetized prodrug for the potential treatment of uveal melanoma.

Modulation of Serotonin-Related Genes by Extracellular Vesicles of the Probiotic Nissle 1917 in the Interleukin-1β-Induced Inflammation Model of Intestinal Epithelial Cells.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory condition involving dysregulated immune responses and imbalances in the gut microbiota in genetically susceptible individuals. Current therapies for IBD often have significant side-effects and limited success, prompting the search for novel therapeutic strategies. Microbiome-based approaches aim to restore the gut microbiota balance towards anti-inflammatory and mucosa-healing profiles.

Quality check: concordance between two monitoring systems for postoperative organ/space-surgical site infections in rectal cancer surgery. Linkage of data from the Catalan Cancer Plan and the VINCat infection surveillance programme.

Background: The Catalan Cancer Plan (CCP) undertakes periodic audits of cancer treatment outcomes, including organ/space surgical site infections (O/S-SSI) rates, while the Catalan Healthcare-associated Infections Surveillance Programme (VINCat) carries out standardized prospective surveillance of surgical site infections (SSI) in colorectal surgery. This cohort study aimed to assess the concordance between these two monitoring systems for O/S-SSI following primary rectal cancer surgery.

Methods: The study compared O/S-SSI incidence data from CCP clinical audits versus the VINCat Programme in patients undergoing surgery for primary rectal cancer, in 2011-12 and 2015-16, in publicly funded centres in Spain.

Impact of an antimicrobial stewardship program indicator on the appropriateness of the empiric antibiotic treatment of urinary source Escherichia coli bacteraemia.

A prospective multicentre study was carried out between 2017 and 2021 to assess (1) the appropriateness of the empirical treatment to the local guidelines of urinary source Escherichia coli bacteraemia, (2) the appropriateness of empirical treatment to antibiotic sensitivity results and (3) the degree of error in the local guidelines regarding the antibiotic sensitivity reported in acute care hospitals enrolled in the vigilància de les infeccions relacionades amb l'atenció sanitària de Catalunya program. During the study period, 79.0% of the empirical treatments analysed complied with the guidelines and 88.

Novel nanostructured lipid carriers loading Apigenin for anterior segment ocular pathologies.

Dry eye disease (DED) is a chronic multifactorial disorder of the ocular surface caused by tear film dysfunction and constitutes one of the most common ocular conditions worldwide. However, its treatment remains unsatisfactory. While artificial tears are commonly used to moisturize the ocular surface, they do not address the underlying causes of DED.

A Descriptive Study of 103 Primary Cutaneous B-Cell Lymphomas: Clinical and Pathological Characteristics and Treatment from the Spanish Lymphoma Oncology Group (GOTEL).

Primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas (PCBCLs) are B-cell lymphomas that can occur in the skin without evidence of extracutaneous involvement. The 2005 WHO/EORTC classification of cutaneous lymphomas and its 2018 update have distinguished three main categories based on clinicopathological, immunohistochemical, and genetic characteristics: primary cutaneous marginal zone lymphoma (PCMZL), primary cutaneous follicle centre lymphoma (PCFCL), and primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, leg type (PCDLBCL-LT). PCMZL and PCFCL are clinically indolent, while PCDLBCL-LT is an aggressive lymphoma.