Ionizing radiation improves skin bacterial dysbiosis in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

Introduction: Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) is closely associated with the host microbiome. While recent evidence suggests that shifts in specific bacterial taxa are associated with response to UV-B, a form of non-ionizing radiation, the impact of ionizing radiation (IR) has not been investigated.

Methods: 16S rRNA and gene amplicon sequencing were performed on DNA extracted from swabs of lesional/non-lesional skin of 12 CTCL patients before/after TSEBT or local IR and from 25 matched healthy controls (HC).

Gene targets with therapeutic potential in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Major treatments include liver transplantation, resection, and chemotherapy, but the 5-year recurrence rate remains high. Late diagnosis often prevents surgical intervention, contributing to poor patient survival rates.

The multifaceted effects of migraine on Syrian society: insights from a multicenter cross-sectional study.

Background: Migraine is the most common primary headache. It's alone responsible for 1.3% of disability in the world.

Intolerance of uncertainty and psychological flexibility as predictors of mental health from adolescence to old age.

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic brought with it significant social, economic and health uncertainties. These were proposed to impact young people more compared to adults, leading adolescents to report more mental health problems during the pandemic. The current study examined whether differences in cognitive risk (tolerance of uncertainty) and protective (psychological flexibility) factors accounted for age-related differences in depression and anxiety.

Assessing the longevity of attribute framing in attenuating the nocebo effect to brand and generic medication.

The perception of taking a generic, relative to brand, medication has been demonstrated to exacerbate the nocebo effect. Conversely, positive attribute framing has been shown to attenuate the nocebo effect. However, little is known about the longevity of positive attribute framing nor how it interacts with generic versus brand treatment cues.

Tibiotalar nailing using an antegrade intramedullary tibial nail: a salvage procedure for unstable distal tibia and ankle fractures in the frail elderly patient.

Aim: This article describes the technique of tibiotalar nailing performed using an antegrade tibial nail for salvage of distal tibia and ankle fractures in elderly patients.

Materials And Methods: We report indications, surgical technique, and the clinical outcomes and complication rate in our series to date. A retrospective review was performed at our level 1 major trauma centre.

The prevalence of dyslipidemia in patients on hemodialysis: a cross-sectional study from Syria.

Unlabelled: Dyslipidemia is an established risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is the main cause of mortality among haemodialysis (HD) patients. We investigate the prevalence and characteristics of dyslipidemia in HD patients. Also, we aimed to study the prediction scores; Framingham risk score (FRS), and the atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk score; among this population.

A systematic proteomic profiling and pathway analysis of protein biomarkers in diabetic retinopathy with subsequent validation of the IL-6 upstream regulator.

Purpose: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Identifying risk factors associated with DR development and progression is crucial for improving treatment efficacy. Although proteomic changes in DR have been extensively studied, the results remain equivocal.

Radiation Oncology Resident Evaluations: Current Methods and Resident Perceptions.

Purpose: This study analyzes assessments within radiation oncology (RO) to determine characteristics of existing assessment methods and then report resident perceptions of these methods. We hypothesize familiarity with evaluation methods is predictive of the perceived utility of evaluations and behavioral changes.

Methods And Materials: This study was conducted in 2 phases.

Greater traditionalism predicts COVID-19 precautionary behaviors across 27 societies.

People vary both in their embrace of their society's traditions, and in their perception of hazards as salient and necessitating a response. Over evolutionary time, traditions have offered avenues for addressing hazards, plausibly resulting in linkages between orientations toward tradition and orientations toward danger. Emerging research documents connections between traditionalism and threat responsivity, including pathogen-avoidance motivations.

Communicating the Gynecologic Brachytherapy Experience (CoGBE): Clinician perceived benefits of a graphic narrative discussion guide.

Purpose: Many current radiotherapy patient education materials are not patient-centered. An interprofessional team developed Communicating the Gynecologic Brachytherapy Experience (CoGBE), a graphic narrative discussion guide for cylinder, intracavitary, and interstitial high-dose-rate (HDR) gynecologic brachytherapy. This study assesses perceived clinical benefits, usability, and anxiety-reduction of CoGBE.

Predictors of Acute Hematologic Toxicity in Women Receiving Extended-Field Chemoradiation for Cervical Cancer: Do Known Pelvic Radiation Bone Marrow Constraints Apply?

Purpose: Patients with cervical cancer who are at high risk for para-aortic lymphatic involvement may receive extended-field chemoradiation (EF-CRT), with inclusion of the para-aortic region. Increased radiation to bone marrow (BM) may heighten hematologic toxicity (HT) and affect timely delivery of chemoradiation. Factors associated with HT in this setting have not been well studied.

A Brief Analysis on Clinical Severity of Mandibulofacial Dysostosis Guion-Almeida Type.

Objective: Genetic variants in EFTUD2 were proven to influence variable phenotypic expressivity in mandibulofacial dysostosis Guion-Almeida type (MFDGA) or mandibulofacial dysostosis with microcephaly (MFDM). Yet, the association between the severity of clinical findings with variants within the EFTUD2 gene has not been established. Thus, we aim to elucidate a possible genotype-phenotype correlation in MFDM.

Application of novel FeO/Zn-metal organic framework magnetic nanostructures as an antimicrobial agent and magnetic nanocatalyst in the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds.

Using the microwave-assisted method, novel FeO/Zn-metal organic framework magnetic nanostructures were synthesized. The crystallinity, thermal stability, adsorption/desorption isotherms, morphology/size distribution, and magnetic hysteresis of synthesized FeO/Zn-metal organic framework magnetic nanostructures were characterized by XRD patterns, TGA curve, BET adsorption/desorption technique, SEM image, and VSM curve, respectively. After confirming the FeO/Zn-metal organic framework magnetic nanostructures, its antimicrobial properties against Gram-positive bacterial, Gram-negative bacterial, and fungal strains based on minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) values were studied.

Knowledge-based planning for multi-isocenter VMAT total marrow irradiation.

Purpose: Total marrow irradiation (TMI) involves optimization of extremely large target volumes and requires extensive clinical experience and time for both treatment planning and delivery. Although volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) achieves substantial reduction in treatment delivery time, planning process still presents a challenge due to use of multiple isocenters and multiple overlapping arcs. We developed and evaluated a knowledge-based planning (KBP) model for VMAT-TMI to address these clinical challenges.

Method for Determining Treated Metal Surface Quality Using Computer Vision Technology.

Computer vision and image processing techniques have been extensively used in various fields and a wide range of applications, as well as recently in surface treatment to determine the quality of metal processing. Accordingly, digital image evaluation and processing are carried out to perform image segmentation, identification, and classification to ensure the quality of metal surfaces. In this work, a novel method is developed to effectively determine the quality of metal surface processing using computer vision techniques in real time, according to the average size of irregularities and caverns of captured metal surface images.

A phase 1 trial utilizing TMI with fludarabine-melphalan in patients with hematologic malignancies undergoing second allo-SCT.

Relapse after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) remains the primary cause of treatment failure. A second SCT can result in long-term survival in a subset of patients, but the relapse rate remains high. We conducted a single-center, phase 1, modified 3 + 3 dose-escalation study of the feasibility of combining intensity-modulated total marrow irradiation (IM-TMI) with fludarabine and melphalan for conditioning.

Can Identity Buffer Against the Detrimental Effects of Threat? The Case of the Qatar Blockade.

In 2017, the blockade of Qatar Gulf states caused a plethora of effects on the country. This paper sought to examine the resulting threat effects of this blockade in terms of lowered self-esteem and well-being, and the potential buffering effects of an overarching identity. Using self-report questionnaire data from Qatari secondary school students ( = 1,410), multiple moderated mediation models investigated the predictive effects of youngsters' perceived threat, self-esteem, on their well-being, and the mitigating roles herein of, respectively, national, Gulf region, and Arab identity.

Opioid Use in Patients With Cervical Cancer at Two Urban Medical Centers.

Purpose: Patients with cervical cancer are at high risk for opioid use. This study aimed to characterize opioid prescribing patterns at 2 urban hospitals.

Methods And Materials: Data from patients with cervical cancer treated with curative intent from 2011 to 2018 were retrospectively collected.

Small cell carcinoma of the ovary, pulmonary type: A role for adjuvant radiotherapy after carboplatin and etoposide?

Background: Primary small cell ovarian cancer of pulmonary type (SCCOPT) remains a rare ovarian tumor. Its aggressive nature is associated with poor survival outcomes. Current treatment algorithms rely on systemic chemotherapy, primarily involving platinum agents.

Direct endoscopic placement of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomies with jejunal extension tubes (PEG-J) using ultra-thin endoscopes - long-term outcomes from a U.S. tertiary referral center.

Introduction: Several techniques for PEG-J tube placement have been described, commonly requiring fluoroscopic guidance and/or fixation of the jejunostomy tube (J-tube) into the small intestine. We describe a modified technique for placing jejunostomy tubes under direct visualization through a PEG with the use of ultra-thin endoscopes and steel guidewire.

Methods: A retrospective study at a single tertiary academic center evaluating patients who underwent PEG-J placement between 2010 and 2020.

Local Control and Use of External Beam Parametrial Boost in the Era of Image-Guided Brachytherapy for Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer.

Objective: Historically, external beam parametrial boost (EBPB) has been used in locally advanced cervical cancers to supplement radiation dose. However, it has become controversial in the era of image-guided brachytherapy. Modern 3D imaging and brachytherapy techniques have improved delineation and coverage of tumor.