Real-world impact of luspatercept on red blood cell transfusions among patients with myelodysplastic syndromes: A United States healthcare claims database study.

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are associated with anemia and the need for blood transfusions. In clinical trials, luspatercept reduced transfusion dependency among patients with lower-risk MDS. This United States (US) study describes real-world clinical outcomes pre- and post-luspatercept initiation among patients with MDS.

Subtype-Specific Detection in Stage Ia Breast Cancer: Integrating Raman Spectroscopy, Machine Learning, and Liquid Biopsy for Personalised Diagnostics.

This study explores the integration of Raman spectroscopy (RS) with machine learning for the early detection and subtyping of breast cancer using blood plasma samples. We performed detailed spectral analyses, identifying significant spectral patterns associated with cancer biomarkers. Our findings demonstrate the potential for classifying the four major subtypes of breast cancer at stage Ia with an average sensitivity and specificity of 90% and 95%, respectively, and a cross-validated macro-averaged area under the curve (AUC) of 0.

Facet-Dependent Adsorption of Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and Actinides onto Goethite: REE Pattern Variability and Cerium Anomaly.

Assessing the fate of contaminants in the environment requires a deep understanding of intrinsic adsorption mechanisms on natural minerals such as Fe-oxyhydroxides. In this study, we proposed an innovative approach to probe site heterogeneities on the goethite surface by comparing the adsorption behavior of rare earth elements (REEs, including Sc, Y, and all lanthanides; Ln) except Pm, as well as Th and U. A surface loading-dependent adsorption of Ln and Y was observed, with a shift from (i) preferential middle to heavy REE adsorption and (ii) limited to substantial fractionation between Y and Ho as the loading increased.

Artificial Intelligence-Prompted Explanations of Common Primary Care Diagnoses.

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI)-generated explanations about medical topics may be clearer and more accessible than traditional evidence-based sources, enhancing patient understanding and autonomy. We evaluated different AI explanations for patients about common diagnoses to aid in patient care.

Methods: We prompted ChatGPT 3.

Addressing Cumulative Effects through an Indigenous-led Assessment Process.

Cumulative effects assessments are often expected to include an analysis of environmental and social effects despite a relative lack of clarity around how include a broad spectrum of social and cultural impacts. In Canda, these expectations are evolving in part in response to the need to consider the impacts of development on Indigenous communities, and the emergence of Indigenous-led Led Impact Assessment. Led by a team from the Tŝilhqot'in National Government and the University of British Columbia's Centre for Environmental Assessment Research, this project explored how to improve processes for assessing cumulative effects drawing from an Indigenous-led approach.

Heavy-Metal Ions Control on PFAS Adsorption on Goethite in Aquatic Systems.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants that often co-occur with heavy metals. Despite their prevalence, the mobility of PFAS in complex, multicomponent systems, particularly at the molecular scale, remains poorly understood. The vast diversity of PFAS and their low concentrations alongside anthropogenic and natural substances underscore the need for integrating mechanistic insights into the sorption models.

Field cycling imaging to characterise breast cancer at low and ultra-low magnetic fields below 0.2 T.

Background: This prospective feasibility study explores Field-Cycling Imaging (FCI), a new MRI technology that measures the longitudinal relaxation time across a range of low magnetic field strengths, providing additional information about the molecular properties of tissues. This study aims to assess the performance of FCI and investigate new quantitative biomarkers at low fields within the context of breast cancer.

Methods: We conducted a study involving 9 people living with breast cancer (10 tumours in total, mean age, 54 ± 10 years).

Family Medicine Must Prepare for Artificial Intelligence.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is poised to revolutionize family medicine, offering a transformative approach to achieving the Quintuple Aim. This article examines the imperative for family medicine to adapt to the rapidly evolving field of AI, with an emphasis on its integration in clinical practice. AI's recent advancements have the potential to significantly transform health care.

Risk of mortality in patients requiring reoperative open-heart surgery.

Background: Improvements in surgical techniques and perioperative care as well as increased patient life expectancies have led cardiothoracic surgeons to perform more complex operations, including reoperative open-heart surgeries. However, there is debate as to which patients are appropriate operative candidates for reoperative procedures.

Methods: This is a retrospective, single-center study of patients who underwent reoperative open-heart surgery via median sternotomy or thoracotomy over a 10-year period.

Advances in Raman spectroscopy for characterising oral cancer and oral potentially malignant disorders.

Oral cancer survival rates have seen little improvement over the past few decades. This is mainly due to late detection and a lack of reliable markers to predict disease progression in oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs). There is a need for highly specific and sensitive screening tools to enable early detection of malignant transformation.

Electronic Health Record Nudges and Health Care Quality and Outcomes in Primary Care: A Systematic Review.

Importance: Nudges have been increasingly studied as a tool for facilitating behavior change and may represent a novel way to modify the electronic health record (EHR) to encourage evidence-based care.

Objective: To evaluate the association between EHR nudges and health care outcomes in primary care settings and describe implementation facilitators and barriers.

Evidence Review: On June 9, 2023, an electronic search was performed in PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Web of Science for all articles about clinician-facing EHR nudges.

Communication as Healing Art in Caring for Persons with Alzheimer's and Dementia.

Communication is an essential aspect of care for all patients but is especially important for individuals with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia. Nurses who care for persons living with dementia (PwD), as well as family members and caregivers, need understanding of verbal and nonverbal communication techniques and approaches that are effective throughout the stages of dementia. Spiritual assessment and care also are critical.

Performance of Language Models on the Family Medicine In-Training Exam.

Background And Objectives: Artificial intelligence (AI), such as ChatGPT and Bard, has gained popularity as a tool in medical education. The use of AI in family medicine has not yet been assessed. The objective of this study is to compare the performance of three large language models (LLMs; ChatGPT 3.

The effects of singing interventions on quality of life, mood and levels of agitation in community-dwelling people living with dementia: A quantitative systematic review.

Music-based interventions have been found to benefit people living with dementia and have positive impacts on cognition and well-being. Most people with dementia live in the community and compared to people with dementia in residential care often have less access to music-based interventions. There are many forms of music interventions and singing has shown particular promise; in the realm of music interventions.

A Phase 3, Randomized, Active-controlled, Single-blind Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy of Fibrin Sealant Grifols in Achieving Hemostasis in Pediatric Surgery.

Background: In this study, two fibrin sealant products, Fibrin Sealant Grifols (FS Grifols 80 mg/mL fibrinogen; 500 IU/mL thrombin) and Evicel (fibrinogen 55-85 mg/mL; thrombin 800-1200 IU/mL) were studied for efficacy in achieving hemostasis at a targeted bleeding site (TBS) on parenchymous or soft tissue in pediatric surgeries.

Methods: This phase 3, single-blind, active comparator, non-inferiority trial compared the number of patients achieving hemostasis at a TBS at four (T - primary endpoint), seven (T) and 10 (T) minutes after application, Safety and tolerability were assessed by recording adverse events during and after procedures. Eligible patients were <18 years old undergoing elective, open, non-cardiac thoracic, abdominal or pelvic surgeries.

Elastic Scattering Spectroscopy on Patient-Selected Lesions Concerning for Skin Cancer.

Background: Access to dermatologists is limited in parts of the US, making primary care clinicians (PCCs) integral for early detection of skin cancers. A handheld device using elastic scattering spectroscopy (ESS) was developed to aid PCCs in their clinical assessment of skin lesions.

Methods: In this prospective study, 3 PCCs evaluated skin lesions reported by patients as concerning and scanned each lesion with the handheld ESS device.

Co-producing a board game to learn and engage about dementia inequalities: First impacts on knowledge in the general population.

Background: Receiving and accessing care after a diagnosis of dementia, both for the person and their carer, are fraught with inequalities. The aim of this public engagement activity was to co-produce a board game about dementia inequalities to facilitate learning, dialogue and educate about different barriers, and facilitators, to diagnosis and care and to test the game's impact on dementia knowledge with the general public.

Methods: Two virtual and two face-to-face workshops with people with dementia, unpaid carers, health and social care professionals and Third Sector representatives were held between October 2022 and June 2023.

Professional Burnout and Career Choice Regret in Urology Residents.

Purpose Of Review: High rates of professional burnout and career choice regret among urology residents may increase professional dissatisfaction, shorten career longevity, and exacerbate urology workforce shortages. Understanding the prevalence of and risk factors for burnout may help develop interventions.

Recent Findings: Up to 48% of contemporary U.

A systematic review of digital access to post-diagnostic health and social care services for dementia.

Objectives: For many people with dementia and unpaid carers, using technology for care and support has become essential. Rapid proliferation of technology highlights the need to understand digital access to health and social care services for dementia. This mixed-methods systematic review aims to explore digital access to health and social care services for dementia, from the perspective of people with dementia and unpaid carers.

Efficient PFAS removal from contaminated soils through combined washing and adsorption in soil effluents.

This study investigates soil washing as a viable strategy to remove poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from contaminated soils using various washing agents including water, methanol, ethanol, and cyclodextrin ((2-Hydroxypropyl)-β-cyclodextrin HPCD)). Water was less effective (removing only 30 % of PFAS), especially for long-chain hydrophobic PFAS. Methanol (50 % v/v) or HPCD (10 mg g soil) achieved > 95 % PFAS removal regardless of PFAS type, soil size fraction (0-400 µm or 400-800 µm), or experimental setups (batch or column, at liquid/solid (L/S) = 1).