Sociodemographic factors and comorbidities are associated with an elevated risk of herpes simplex keratitis: a population-based study in Taiwan.

To investigate the association among comorbidities, sociodemographic factors, and herpes simplex keratitis (HSK). This nationwide, population-based, retrospective, matched case-control study included 27,651 patients with HSK identified from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database based on the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) code 054.42 for dendritic keratitis and 054.

Increased ratio of red cell distribution width to lymphocyte percentage as a new preoperative marker for unfavorable survival outcomes in upper tract urothelial carcinoma.

The aim of the present study was to determine the prognostic significance of a novel marker, the red cell distribution width to lymphocyte percentage (RDW-to-LYM%) ratio, in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). The clinical and follow-up data of 625 patients with UTUC receiving RNU were retrospectively analyzed. The optimal cut-off value of the pre-treatment RDW-to-LYM% ratio was determined as 0.

A rare case of monomorphic epitheliotropic intestinal T-cell lymphoma, presenting with spontaneous intestinal perforation.

Introduction And Importance: Monomorphic epitheliotropic intestinal T-cell lymphoma (MEITL) is a rare and aggressive T-cell lymphoma that primarily affects the intestine. It has a poor prognosis and high mortality rate. Symptoms at presentation can be non-specific, and imaging studies may show similarities with nonmalignant conditions.

Incidence of Acute Kidney Injury and Mortality Post Successful Cardiac Surgery in a Kashmiri Cohort: A Prospective Comparison of the RIFLE and KDIGO Criteria.

Background and objectives In critically ill patients, acute kidney injury (AKI) influences mortality and morbidity. Few studies have looked at mortality and the frequency of AKI following successful heart and thoracic operations. The current study investigates the association between AKI and mortality rates among patients undergoing post-cardiac surgery care within the Cardiology & Cardio Vascular Thoracic Surgery (CVTS) Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Assessing validity and reliability of Copenhagen burnout tool and DASS-21 amongst the faculty members.

Background: Various tools had been used to measure the level of burnout, anxiety, and depression. The Copenhagen Burnout Inventory assesses personal, work or job, and patient related burnout. While DASS21 assesses stress, anxiety, and depression.

PCR-Based Microarray Enhances Diagnosis of Culture-Negative Biopsied Tissue in Patients with Invasive Mold Infections: Real-World Experience in a Tertiary Medical Center.

A fungal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplifies conserved genes across diverse species, combined with the subsequent hybridization of amplicons using a specific oligonucleotide microarray, allowing for the rapid detection of pathogens at the species level. However, the performance of microarrays in diagnosing invasive mold infections (IMI) from infected tissue samples is rarely reported. During the 4-year study period, all biopsied tissue samples from patients with a suspected IMI sent for microarray assays were analyzed.

Galectins induced from hemocytes bridge phosphatidylserine and N-glycosylated Drpr/CED-1 receptor during dendrite pruning.

During neuronal pruning, phagocytes engulf shed cellular debris to avoid inflammation and maintain tissue homeostasis. How phagocytic receptors recognize degenerating neurites had been unclear. Here, we identify two glucosyltransferases Alg8 and Alg10 of the N-glycosylation pathway required for dendrite fragmentation and clearance through genetic screen.

Preoperative systemic inflammation response index enhances the prognostic value of tumor multifocalityin upper tract urothelial carcinoma.

In cancer, tumor-related inflammation affects disease progression and survival outcomes. However, the role of systemic inflammation in tumor multifocality in upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is not well understood. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of the systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) on tumor multifocality for predicting oncological outcomes in patients with UTUC after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU).

Enhancing Annual Wellness Visits: A Pharmacy-Driven Quality Improvement Approach With Multidisciplinary Collaboration.

Annual wellness visits (AWVs) guide appropriate patient care through lifestyle modifications, medication intervention, or social assistance. We launched a quality improvement program to target Medicare beneficiaries as part of an Accountable Care Organization (ACO). Key stakeholders collectively implemented a process consisting of two cohorts: AWVs completed with the support of the pharmacy team or directly by providers.

Rare case of solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas with liver and splenic metastasis in a 19-year-old girl.

Introduction: Solid pseudopapillary neoplasms (SPNs) of the pancreas are rare neoplasms, accounting for only 1 %-2 % of all pancreatic tumors, and predominantly affect female patients.

Case Presentation: The present case report details a patient presenting to the emergency department with abdominal pain for 3 days who ultimately received a diagnosis of SPNs in the pancreatic body and tail. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a sizable mass arising from the pancreas, featuring an enhancing cystic component with involvement of the liver and spleen.

Efficacy of short- versus prolonged-courses of antimicrobial therapy for carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae bloodstream infections: A propensity score-matched cohort study.

Background: As limited antibiotic options are available for the treatment of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) bloodstream infections (BSIs), the optimal treatment duration for CRKP BSIs is unclear. Our objective was to investigate whether short courses (6-10 days) are as effective as prolonged courses (≥11 days) of active antibiotic therapy for CRKP BSIs.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study comprising adults with monomicrobial CRKP BSI receiving a short or prolonged course of in vitro active therapy at a medical center was conducted between 2010 and 2021.

Antibacterial and anti-biofilm activities of antibiotic-free phosphatidylglycerol/docosahexaenoic acid lamellar and non-lamellar liquid crystalline nanoparticles.

Infectious diseases, particularly those associated with biofilms, are challenging to treat due to an increased tolerance to commonly used antibiotics. This underscores the urgent need for innovative antimicrobial strategies. Here, we present an alternative simple-by-design approach focusing on the development of biocompatible and antibiotic-free nanocarriers from docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) that has the potential to combat microbial infections and phosphatidylglycerol (DOPG), which is attractive for use as a biocompatible prominent amphiphilic component of Gram-positive bacterial cell membranes.

BRCA2 Polymorphisms and Breast Cancer Susceptibility: a Multi-Tools Bioinformatics Approach.

Background/aims: The main focus of this investigation is to identify deleterious single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in the BRCA2 gene through in silico approach, thereby,providing an understanding of potential consequences regarding the susceptibility to breast cancer.

Methods: The GenomAD database was used to identify SNPs. To determine the potential adverse consequences, our study employed various prediction tools, including SIFT, PolyPhen, PredictSNP, SNAP2, PhD-SNP, and ClinVar.

Galectin-4 Antimicrobial Activity Primarily Occurs Through its C-Terminal Domain.

Although immune tolerance evolved to reduce reactivity with self, it creates a gap in the adaptive immune response against microbes that decorate themselves in self-like antigens. This is particularly apparent with carbohydrate-based blood group antigens, wherein microbes can envelope themselves in blood group structures similar to human cells. In this study, we demonstrate that the innate immune lectin, galectin-4 (Gal-4), exhibits strain-specific binding and killing behavior towards microbes that display blood group-like antigens.

Association between Sjögren syndrome, sociodemographic factors, comorbid conditions, and optic neuritis: a Taiwanese population-based study.

Purpose: Our study aimed to explore the correlation between Sjögren syndrome, sociodemographic factors, comorbid conditions, and optic neuritis.

Methods: This retrospective, nationwide, population-based, matched case-control investigation involved 33,190 individuals diagnosed with optic neuritis, identified using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes 377.30 for optic neuritis or 377.

Prognostic value of preoperative radiographic perinephric fat features in renal cell carcinoma patients undergoing surgery.

Background: We aimed to assess the prognostic importance of perinephric fat features in images of patients with non-metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) undergoing surgery.

Methods: We enrolled RCC patients who underwent surgical treatment between 2011 and 2019. Two characteristics, including perinephric fat thickness and perinephric fat stranding, were evaluated using preoperative computed tomography or magnetic resonance images.

Evaluation of the photocatalytic degradation mechanism of methylene blue using nascent and Ag ions-modified TiO.

In photocatalytic removal of organic pollutants, adsorption and degradation are two important processes that take place. Various instrumental techniques and trapping experiments have been used to identify the reactive species and the mechanism of photodegradation. The present work focuses on investigating the mechanism of photo-induced degradation from the comparative characterization of fresh and used samples, isotherm models, competitive adsorption, and desorption studies of pure and Ag-modified TiO NPs.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Toward the Prevention of Hepatitis B Virus Infection Among Medical Students in Medina City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Introduction: This study focuses on assessing the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to Hepatitis B virus (HBV) prevention among medical students in Medina, Saudi Arabia. HBV is a significant global health concern, with a high prevalence in Saudi Arabia. Medical students due to their field, are at higher risk of exposure.

Pantailocins: phage-derived bacteriocins from and subsp. .

Phage-derived bacteriocins (tailocins) are ribosomally synthesized structures produced by bacteria in order to provide advantages against competing strains under natural conditions. Tailocins are highly specific in their target range and have proven to be effective for the prevention and/or treatment of bacterial diseases under clinical and agricultural settings. We describe the discovery and characterization of a new tailocin locus encoded within genomes of and subsp.

Clinical impact of the combination of rapid species identification and antifungal stewardship intervention in adults with candidemia.

Background: Candidemia is associated with a high mortality rate. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical impact of a diagnostic intervention and antifungal stewardship in adults with candidemia, including effectiveness in facilitating appropriate antifungals and improving patient outcomes.

Methods: A pre-post quasi-experimental study was conducted to analyze the impact of the integrated workflow of rapid species identification and antifungal stewardship intervention provided by infectious disease specialists for adults with candidemia at a medical center in southern Taiwan from March 1st, 2014 to February 29th, 2016.