Impact of Induction Chemotherapy Before Radical Chemoradiation in Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Tertiary Centre Experience.

Advanced Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) poses challenges for upfront resection. While surgery followed by adjuvant treatment is standard, induction chemotherapy is explored for better resectability and organ preservation. Its efficacy in unresectable cases is still uncertain and yet to be proven.

Emergency department visits and hospitalizations after a diagnosis of angina with no obstructive coronary artery disease (ANOCA).

Introduction: Angina with no obstructive coronary artery disease (ANOCA) presents diagnostic and treatment challenges, significantly burdening healthcare resources. This study assessed emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations and factors associated with these outcomes following ANOCA and stable angina (SA) with obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) diagnoses.

Methods: A retrospective cohort of individuals who had their first invasive cardiac catheterization for chest pain in Alberta from 2002 to 2017 was extracted retrospectively from the Alberta Provincial Project for Outcome Assessment in Coronary Heart Disease (APPROACH) database.

Trend of cardiovascular mortality among metastatic renal cell cancer patients in the US from 2005 to 2020.

Recent advances in treating advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with distant metastasis have significantly enhanced cancer-specific outcomes. However, these patients are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and events. This study aims to investigate the trend of incidence-based mortality specific to CVD in patients with metastatic RCC.

Higher prevalence of gestational diabetes in euthyroid women with thyroid autoimmunity who were expecting a female fetus.

Objective: In the general population, women pregnant with a male fetus (MF) have a higher prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) compared with those pregnant with a female fetus (FF). Some studies suggest a higher prevalence of GDM in euthyroid pregnant women with thyroid autoimmunity (TAI+) compared with women without TAI (TAI-). However, whether the impact of TAI on GDM correlates with fetal gender has not been documented.

Basophils may as a risk factor for upper gastrointestinal cancer: a Mendelian randomization (MR) study.

Objective: Upper gastrointestinal (UGI) cancers, including esophageal (EC) and gastric (GC) cancers, pose a significant global health challenge. Previous studies have indicated a fundamental correlation between basophil count and the risk of UGI cancer. However, confirming a causal relationship demands further investigation.

The causal relationship between immune cells and hepatocellular carcinoma: a Mendelian randomization (MR).

Objective: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a complex and multifaceted disease that is increasingly prevalent globally. The involvement of immune cells in the tumour microenvironment has been linked to the progression of HCC, but the exact cause-and-effect relationship is not yet clear. In this study, we utilise Mendelian randomization (MR) to investigate the potential causal links between immune factors and the development of HCC.

In silico prediction and experimental evaluation of LIP3228 of pathogenic Leptospira as a potential subunit vaccine target against leptospirosis.

A protein subunit vaccine comprising conserved surface-exposed outer membrane proteins (SE-OMPs) is considered a promising platform for leptospirosis vaccine. The search for novel vaccine candidates that confer high protective efficacy against leptospirosis is ongoing. The LIP3228 protein was previously identified as a conserved and abundant SE-OMP with the potential to serve as an effective vaccine candidate.

Effectiveness of ongoing single dose rifampicin post-exposure prophylaxis (SDR-PEP) implementation under routine programme conditions-An observational study in Nepal.

Background/introduction: Leprosy control remains a challenge in Nepal. Single-dose rifampicin post-exposure prophylaxis (SDR-PEP) shows promise in reducing leprosy incidence among contacts of index cases, contributing to reducing the transmission of Mycobacterium (M.) leprae.

Phosphate-to-alanine ratio and bilirubin-to-androsterone glucuronide ratio are the hub metabolites in upper gastrointestinal cancers: a Mendelian randomisation (MR) study.

Objective: Upper gastrointestinal (UGI) cancers, particularly esophageal cancer (EC) and gastric cancer (GC) represent a significant health burden with complex etiologies. Metabolic alterations are known to play a crucial role in cancer development and progression. Identifying key metabolic biomarkers may offer insights into the pathophysiology of UGI cancers and potential therapeutic targets.

Causal association between metabolites and upper gastrointestinal tumors: A Mendelian randomization study.

Upper gastrointestinal (UGI) tumors, notably gastric cancer (GC) and esophageal cancer (EC), are significant global health concerns due to their high morbidity and mortality rates. However, only a limited number of metabolites have been identified as biomarkers for these cancers. To explore the association between metabolites and UGI tumors, the present study conducted a comprehensive two‑sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis using publicly available genetic data.

Histopathological Spectrum of the Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Endoscopic Biopsies at a Tertiary Hospital: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

Introduction: Upper gastrointestinal tract disorders are prevalent worldwide, encompassing neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions like infections and inflammation. Endoscopic biopsies play a crucial role in diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and complication detection. Despite their routine use, comprehensive data on their histopathological spectrum is sparse.

Reviving lost shadows: investigating the habitat ecology of the rediscovered hispid hare () in Nepal.

The endangered hispid hare () is one of the least studied mammal species. The recent rediscovery of hispid hare in Chitwan National Park (CNP) after three decades, necessitated urgent conservation measures. A detailed investigation into the species' ecology is imperative for developing evidence-based conservation strategies to support these efforts.

Photoactivated rose bengal mitigates a fibrotic phenotype and improves cutaneous wound healing in full-thickness injuries.

Healing of deep cutaneous wounds often results in detrimental sequelae, including painful and debilitating scars. Current therapies for full-thickness injuries that target specific phases of wound healing have moderate success; however, full resolution remains incomplete and negative consequences persist if skin homeostasis is not achieved. Photoactivated molecules can modulate cellular responses by generating reactive oxygen species and may provide a novel therapeutic option to improve wound healing.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome associated with pancytopenia: a case report.

Introduction And Importance: Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) is a rare and unusual hypersensitivity reaction to certain drugs like allopurinol, commonly used for treating gout. SJS is recognized by extensive necrosis and detachment of skin and mucus membranes. Pancytopenia, characterized by decreased levels of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets, is an exceedingly rare occurrence in the rare disorder SJS.

Prediction models for COVID-19 disease outcomes.

SARS-CoV-2 has caused over 6.9 million deaths and continues to produce lasting health consequences. COVID-19 manifests broadly from no symptoms to death.

Association of a 40-Gene Expression Profile With Risk of Metastatic Disease Progression of Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Specification of Benefit of Adjuvant Radiation Therapy.

Purpose: Adjuvant radiation therapy (ART) for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma is recommended based on a number of wide-ranging clinicopathologic features, which encompass a broad array of patients. The 40-gene expression profile (GEP) test classifies cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma tumors into low (class 1), higher (class 2A), or highest (class 2B) risk of nodal and/or distant metastasis. This study's hypotheses are as follows: (1) local recurrence is associated with metastatic disease progression and (2) 40-GEP, by identifying high risk for metastasis, could predict a metastasis-specific benefit from ART.

Notes from the Field: Potential Outbreak of Extrapulmonary Mycobacterium abscessus subspecies massiliense Infections from Stem Cell Treatment Clinics in Mexico - Arizona and Colorado, 2022.

Mycobacterium abscessus is an intrinsically drug-resistant, rapidly growing, nontuberculous mycobacterium; extrapulmonary infections have been reported in association with medical tourism (1). During November-December 2022, two Colorado hospitals (hospitals A and B) treated patient A, a Colorado woman aged 30-39 years, for M. abscessus meningitis.

Hypothermic Cardiac Arrest: A Case Report of an Unexpected Survivor Using Air Medical Transportation in Nepal.

This is a case of a 34-year-old man surviving hypothermic cardiac arrest with excellent neurologic recovery in Nepal. After 3 days without communication at an altitude of approximately 6,000 m, the patient was located in a crevasse and retrieved by a helicopter-supported search and rescue team. At first contact, he was reported to be breathing and shivering with appropriate pupillary response.

Integrating the 40-Gene Expression Profile (40-GEP) Test Improves Metastatic Risk-Stratification Within Clinically Relevant Subgroups of High-Risk Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma (cSCC) Patients.

Introduction: The validated 40-gene expression profile (40-GEP) test independently stratifies risk of regional or distant metastasis for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) tumors with high-risk clinicopathologic features. This study evaluated the stratification of risk by the 40-GEP test in a large cohort of tumors with one or more high-risk factors and in clinically relevant subgroups, including tumors within National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) high- and very-high-risk groups, lower-stage BWH T1 and T2a tumors, and patients > 65 years old.

Methods: This multicenter (n = 58) performance study of the 40-GEP included 897 patients.

Post-traumatic stress disorder in burn patients - A large database analysis.

Introduction: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) afflicts a significant portion of burn patients. This study aims to analyze the morbidity, prevalence, and treatment of PTSD in the burn population.

Methods: Using the TriNetX database, we identified burned patients > 18 years of age without (A) or with (B) a PTSD diagnosis.

SerpinB3/4 Expression Is Associated with Poor Prognosis in Patients with Cholangiocarcinoma.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), the second most common primary liver tumor, is associated with a dismal outcome, and useful prognostic markers are not currently available in clinical practice. SerpinB3, a serine protease inhibitor, was recently found to play a relevant role in malignant transformation in different cancers. The aim of the present study was to determine the expression of SerpinB3/4 in tissue and serum samples of patients with CCA in relation to clinical outcomes.

A distinct isoform of lymphoid enhancer binding factor 1 (LEF1) epigenetically restricts EBV reactivation to maintain viral latency.

As a human tumor virus, EBV is present as a latent infection in its associated malignancies where genetic and epigenetic changes have been shown to impede cellular differentiation and viral reactivation. We reported previously that levels of the Wnt signaling effector, lymphoid enhancer binding factor 1 (LEF1) increased following EBV epithelial infection and an epigenetic reprogramming event was maintained even after loss of the viral genome. Elevated LEF1 levels are also observed in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and Burkitt lymphoma.

Natriuretic Peptide Receptor B Protects Against Atrial Fibrillation by Controlling Atrial cAMP Via Phosphodiesterase 2.

Background: β-AR (β-adrenergic receptor) stimulation regulates atrial electrophysiology and Ca homeostasis via cAMP-dependent mechanisms; however, enhanced β-AR signaling can promote atrial fibrillation (AF). CNP (C-type natriuretic peptide) can also regulate atrial electrophysiology through the activation of NPR-B (natriuretic peptide receptor B) and cGMP-dependent signaling. Nevertheless, the role of NPR-B in regulating atrial electrophysiology, Ca homeostasis, and atrial arrhythmogenesis is incompletely understood.