Multi-antigen serology and a diagnostic algorithm for the detection of arbovirus infections as novel tools for arbovirus preparedness in southeast Europe (MERMAIDS-ARBO): a prospective observational study.

Background: Arboviruses are increasingly affecting Europe, partly due to the effects of climate change. This increase in range and impact emphasises the need to improve preparedness for emerging arboviral infections that often co-circulate and might have overlapping clinical syndromes. We aimed to strengthen surveillance networks for four clinically relevant arboviruses in southeast Europe.

Prevalence, clinical management, and outcomes of adults hospitalised with endemic arbovirus illness in southeast Europe (MERMAIDS-ARBO): a prospective observational study.

Background: Arboviruses have expanded into new regions in Europe, yet data indicate gaps in disease notifications and a risk of further spread. We aimed to report on prevalence, clinical management, and outcomes of endemic arbovirus infections in southeast Europe.

Methods: In this prospective observational study (MERMAIDS-ARBO), we enrolled adults (age ≥18 years) hospitalised with an arbovirus-compatible disease syndrome within 21 days of symptom onset across 21 hospitals in seven countries in southeast Europe over four arbovirus seasons (May 1-Oct 31, during 2016-19).

Multi-ancestral genome-wide association study of clinically defined nicotine dependence reveals strong genetic correlations with other substance use disorders and health-related traits.

Genetic research on nicotine dependence has utilized multiple assessments that are in weak agreement. We conducted a genome-wide association study of nicotine dependence defined using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-NicDep) in 61,861 individuals (47,884 of European ancestry, 10,231 of African ancestry, 3,746 of East Asian ancestry) and compared the results to other nicotine-related phenotypes. We replicated the well-known association at the locus (lead SNP: rs147144681, p =1.

Nanoparticles increase the efficacy of cancer chemopreventive agents in cells exposed to cigarette smoke condensate.

Lung cancer is a leading cause of death in developed countries. Although smoking cessation is a primary strategy for preventing lung cancer, former smokers remain at high risk of cancer. Accordingly, there is a need to increase the efficacy of lung cancer prevention.

Short-term but not long-term loss of patency of venous reconstruction during pancreatic resection is associated with decreased survival.

Background: Pancreatic surgery with vascular reconstruction is increasingly performed to offer the benefits of surgical resection to patients with locally advanced disease. The short- and long-term patency rates and the clinical significance of thrombosis of such reconstructions are unknown.

Methods: We reviewed pancreatectomies requiring venous reconstruction from 1994 to 2011.

Predictors of recurrence in intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm: experience with 183 pancreatic resections.

Objectives: We examined long-term outcomes in patients with surgically treated intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) to determine if any clinical or histologic features could predict risk of recurrent disease.

Methods: We reviewed 183 margin-negative surgical resections performed for IPMN between 1994 and 2011 with documented postoperative abdominal imaging. We calculated time to recurrent disease as indicated by radiographic change and created a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model to assess the relationship between patient characteristics and histopathologic tumor features and disease recurrence.

Readmission after pancreatic resection is not an appropriate measure of quality.

Background: Hospital readmission has been proposed as a metric for quality of medical and surgical care. We examined our institutional experience with readmission after pancreatic resection, and assessed factors predictive of readmission.

Methods: We reviewed 787 pancreatic resections performed at a single institution between 2006 and 2010.

Delivery of calf thymus DNA to tumor by folate receptor targeted cationic liposomes.

Calf thymus DNA (ctDNA) has been shown to stimulate macrophages to produce cytokines both in vitro and in vivo when complexed with cationic liposomes. In addition, direct cytotoxicity of ctDNA has been found in tissue culture and in mice. In this study, ctDNA and folate receptor targeted cationic liposome complexes (ctDNA-F-CLs) were prepared and evaluated in FR (+) tumors.

An oral delivery device based on self-folding hydrogels.

A self-folding miniature device has been developed to provide enhanced mucoadhesion, drug protection, and targeted unidirectional delivery. The main part of the device is a finger like bilayered structure composed of two bonded layers. One is a pH-sensitive hydrogel based on crosslinked poly(methyacrylic acid) (PMAA) that swells significantly when in contact with body fluids, while the other is a non-swelling layer based on poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA).