Impact of Atrial Fibrillation on Outcomes in Stroke Patients with Tandem Occlusions Treated with Thrombectomy. A multicentre study.

Background: Tandem occlusions, involving simultaneous extracranial and intracranial artery blockages, represent a complex subtype of acute ischemic stroke treated with mechanical thrombectomy (MT). However, to date, the impact of atrial fibrillation (AF) on outcomes in this population remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of MT in patients with tandem occlusions, comparing those with AF to their counterparts without AF.

Exploring the Anion Site Disorder Kinetics in Lithium Argyrodites.

Lithium argyrodites LiPS ( = Cl, Br, I) are a promising class of solid-state electrolytes with the potential to achieve high conductivities (>10 mS·cm) necessary for use in solid-state batteries. Previous research has shown that structural factors, in particular, site disorder between the sulfide and halide anions, can impact the ionic conductivity of lithium argyrodites. One current hypothesis for this correlation between anion site disorder and ionic transport is a connection to the lithium-ion substructure.

Anamorelin Efficacy in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Patients With Cachexia: Insights From ROMANA 1 and ROMANA 2.

Background: Cancer cachexia presents a significant challenge, but the ghrelin agonist anamorelin shows promise as a potential treatment. This study examined whether the baseline systemic inflammatory response (SIR) (measured by the modified Glasgow Prognostic Score [mGPS]), low BMI or greater weight loss, was associated with a differential treatment effect of anamorelin in people with cachexia and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods: ROMANA 1 and ROMANA 2 were double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised Phase 3 trials that enrolled people with inoperable stage III/IV NSCLC with cachexia (≥ 5% weight loss within 6 months or body mass index [BMI] < 20 kg/m).

Global burden of HBV-related liver disease: Primary liver cancer due to chronic HBV infection increased in over one-third of countries globally from 2000 to 2021.

Backgrounds Aims: Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related liver disease ranks as the seventh leading cause of mortality. Despite advances in prevention and treatment, global disparities in the burden of primary liver cancer (PLC) persist. We evaluate global trends in the prevalence, incidence, and death of HBV-related liver disease.

A preliminary analysis of teaching children with autism spectrum disorder self-protection skills for bullying situations.

Children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder are at high risk of being bullied, but research on teaching children with autism self-protection skills for bullying situations is scant. We taught five children self-protection skills for two types of bullying (threats and unkind remarks) and consecutive bullying occurrences. We first evaluated behavioral skills training and a textual prompt to teach children to report threats of physical or material harm, provide a disapproving statement after a first unkind remark, and occupy themselves with an activity away from a bully after a second unkind remark.

Impact of Sex on Clinical Outcomes of Tandem Occlusion in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients Treated With Mechanical Thrombectomy. A Propensity-Matched Analysis.

Background: Although mechanical thrombectomy (MT) represents the standard of care for ischemic stroke due to large-vessel occlusion (LVO), the impact of sex on outcomes in tandem occlusions remains unclear. We investigated sex-based differences in outcomes after MT for tandem occlusions.

Methods: This multicenter observational study included consecutive patients with tandem occlusion treated with MT across three stroke centers (2021-2023).

Alcohol-Related Liver Disease, Followed by Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease, Emerges as the Fastest-Growing Aetiologies for Primary Liver Cancer in the United States.

Objective: Primary liver cancer (PLC) is projected to be the third leading cause of cancer mortality in the United States in 2040. We examine the burden of PLC in the United States, stratified by sex, state and aetiological risk factors.

Methods: Data on PLC prevalence, incidence, death and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021.

Unmet needs in diagnosis and management of portopulmonary hypertension: How far have we reached?

Portopulmonary hypertension (POPH), a form of pulmonary artery hypertension, occurs because of portal hypertension. Pulmonary hemodynamics and right heart function are key entities that are considered when diagnosing and treating POPH. Medical management, combined with liver transplantation, offers a unique opportunity of POPH "cure," however transplant risk can be significant as it relates to the severity of POPH.

Nutritional interventions in randomised clinical trials for people with incurable solid cancer: A systematic review.

Background & Aims: Malnutrition is highly prevalent in those with cancer and more so in those with incurable cancer. In incurable cancer, it is widely agreed that optimal nutritional care has the potential to positively impact patient and caregiver distress and oncological outcomes. The aim of this systematic review was to describe the diversity and frequency of nutritional interventions, whether given in isolation or as part of a multimodal intervention in those with incurable cancer, in randomised controlled trials.

Vascular endothelial cells derived from transgene-free pig induced pluripotent stem cells for vascular tissue engineering.

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) hold great promise for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases through cell-based therapies, but these therapies require extensive preclinical testing that is best done in species-in-species experiments. Pigs are a good large animal model for these tests due to the similarity of their cardiovascular system to humans. However, a lack of adequate pig iPSCs (piPSCs) that are analogous to human iPSCs has greatly limited the potential usefulness of this model system.

Neighborhood Social Determinants of Health are Associated With Metabolic Dysfunction-associated steatotic Liver Disease Outcomes.

Background & Aims: Significant health disparities exist in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), driven by social determinants of health (SDOH). Few studies have explored neighborhood-level SDOH in MASLD.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of patients with MASLD at a multi-state healthcare institution.

Integrating patient-centred and tumour-centred cancer care: the EU-MyPath implementation project offers an innovative digital solution with care pathways.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality, with new cases expected to rise. Medical advances increase cure rates and prolong patient lives, but survivorship involves high symptom burden, loss of function and emotional distress. Improving patient-centred care (PCC) and quality of life throughout the care process is essential.

Smoking and outcomes in candidates for liver transplantation: Analysis of the Pulmonary Vascular Complications of Liver Disease 2 (PVCLD2).

Patients with chronic liver disease commonly have abnormal lung function; however, the impact of smoking on outcomes in these patients is unknown. We hypothesized current or past smoking would be associated with worse survival in patients with advanced liver disease. The Pulmonary Vascular Complications in Liver Disease Study 2 (PVCLD2) was a prospective cohort of patients with advanced liver disease undergoing evaluation for liver transplantation (LT).

Porphyrin-Polymer as a Photosensitizer Prodrug for Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy and Biomolecule Binding Ability.

This study presents the development and characterization of a novel porphyrin-Jeffamine polymer conjugate designed to function as a photosensitizer prodrug for antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT). The conjugate features a photosensitive porphyrin unit covalently attached to a biocompatible polymer backbone, with enhanced solubility, stability, and bioavailability compared to those of the free porphyrin derivatives. The photophysical properties were studied using transient absorption spectroscopy spanning the fs-μs time scales in addition to emission studies.

Portal Hypertensive Gastropathy and MELD-Na Score Predict Recurrent Gastrointestinal Bleeding After TIPSS: An ALTA Group Study.

Background: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPSS) is highly effective for treatment of variceal bleeding; however, factors contributing to rebleeding complications remain unclear.

Aims: In this study, we aim to determine risk factors for recurrent portal hypertensive gastrointestinal bleeding following TIPSS.

Methods: Utilising the Advancing Liver Therapeutic Approaches multicentre database, we retrospectively identified adult patients who underwent TIPSS for secondary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding and had a gastrointestinal rebleeding event within 1 year.

Intra-arterial contrast administration: a confounding appearance on stroke CT imaging.

A female patient in her 70s presented with mild slurred speech. Clinical assessment revealed only minor dysarthria. A stroke protocol CT study was performed comprising a non-contrast CT head, CT angiogram (CTA) and CT perfusion (CTP) imaging.

A Combined Telemedicine and Ambulatory Wound Care Team Intervention for Improving Cross-Sector Outpatient Chronic Wound Management: Protocol for the Mixed Methods TELE-AMBUS Research Project.

Background: There is a growing prevalence of nonhealing wounds and chronic diseases in society, and there is an associated need for wound management solutions that include the use of telemedicine. A broad spectrum of factors influences the planning and execution of interventions within telemedicine in chronic wound management, spanning organizations, technologies, and individuals, including professionals and patients. The Telemedicine and Ambulatory Wound Care Team (TELE-AMBUS) project applies a whole-system research approach to account for this spectrum of factors.

Shear-Thinning Extrudable Hydrogels Based on Star Polypeptides with Antimicrobial Properties.

Hydrogels with low toxicity, antimicrobial potency and shear-thinning behavior are promising materials to combat the modern challenges of increased infections. Here, we report on 8-arm star block copolypeptides based on poly(L-lysine), poly(L-tyrosine) and poly(S-benzyl-L-cysteine) blocks. Three star block copolypeptides were synthesized with poly(S-benzyl-L-cysteine) always forming the outer block.

Planning under uncertainty for safe robot exploration using Gaussian process prediction.

The exploration of new environments is a crucial challenge for mobile robots. This task becomes even more complex with the added requirement of ensuring safety. Here, safety refers to the robot staying in regions where the values of certain environmental conditions (such as terrain steepness or radiation levels) are within a predefined threshold.

Ponsegromab for the Treatment of Cancer Cachexia.

Background: Cachexia is a common complication of cancer and is associated with an increased risk of death. The level of growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), a circulating cytokine, is elevated in cancer cachexia. In a small, open-label, phase 1b study involving patients with cancer cachexia, ponsegromab, a humanized monoclonal antibody inhibiting GDF-15, was associated with improved weight, appetite, and physical activity, along with suppressed serum GDF-15 levels.

Predictors of long-term clinical outcomes after TIPS: An ALTA group study.

Background And Aims: While TIPS is traditionally considered a bridge to liver transplant (LT), some patients achieve long-term transplant-free survival (TFS) with TIPS alone. Prognosis and need for LT should not only be assessed at time of procedure, but also re-evaluated in patients with favorable early outcomes.

Approach And Results: Adult recipients of TIPS in the multicenter advancing liver therapeutic approaches retrospective cohort study were included (N=1127 patients; 2040 person-years follow-up).