Lymph-node ratio as a risk factor for recurrence following neoadjuvant docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil therapy for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Background And Purpose: It remains unclear whether the lymph-node ratio (LNR) is a relevant factor for the risk of recurrence following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (nCT) with docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil (DCF), which is a new standard of care for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in Japan. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical utility of LNR as a risk factor for recurrence.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 75 patients who underwent nCT-DCF followed by curative surgery for resectable ESCC.

Osteoarthritis: An integrative overview from pathogenesis to management.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent degenerative joint disease characterised by cartilage and subchondral bone breakdown, impacting millions worldwide. This review provides an overview of the complex aetiology of OA, integrating biochemical, mechanical, and genetic factors. It also emphasises a multifaceted management approach, combining non-pharmacological, pharmacological, and surgical treatments.

Timing of intravenous dexamethasone and analgesia after brachial plexus block: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: The addition of intravenous dexamethasone can significantly prolong analgesia and reduce opioid-related side effects after brachial plexus blockade, but the most effective administration time is yet unknown. The objective of this study is to determine if the timing of administration of dexamethasone affects the duration of analgesia after supraclavicular brachial plexus block.

Methods: This is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial performed at a single-center, tertiary academic health sciences center.

Efficacy and mechanisms of curcumin in the treatment of osteoarthritis: A scoping review.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that primarily affects the elderly worldwide. It is characterized by local inflammation, which can be targeted therapeutically using natural anti-inflammatory compounds such as curcumin. This scoping review explores the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of curcumin in OA management.

The role of inflammatory gene polymorphisms in severe COVID-19: a review.

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, has profoundly impacted global healthcare systems and spurred extensive research efforts over the past three years. One critical aspect of the disease is the intricate interplay between the virus and the host immune response, particularly the role of inflammatory gene expression in severe COVID-19. While numerous previous studies have explored the role of genetic polymorphisms in COVID-19, research specifically focusing on inflammatory genes and their associations with disease severity remains limited.