Machine learning-based prognostic modeling in gallbladder cancer using clinical data and pre-treatment [F]-FDG-PET-radiomic features.

Objectives: This study evaluates the effectiveness of machine learning (ML) models that incorporate clinical and 2-deoxy-2-[F]fluoro-D-glucose ([F]-FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET)-radiomic features for predicting outcomes in gallbladder cancer patients.

Materials And Methods: The study analyzed 52 gallbladder cancer patients who underwent pre-treatment [F]-FDG-PET/CT scans between January 2011 and December 2021. Twenty-seven patients were assigned to the training cohort between January 2011 and January 2018, and the data randomly split into training (70%) and validation (30%) sets.

Dasatinib and Quercetin as Senolytic Drugs Improve Fat Deposition and Exhibit Antifibrotic Effects in the Medaka Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease Model.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) causes cellular senescence due to oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and ectopic fat deposition in the liver. Recently, dasatinib, an antitumor agent, and quercetin, a dietary supplement, were combined as a senolytic drug to eliminate senescent cells. Thus, this study aimed to examine the effects of dasatinib and quercetin administration on removing senescent cells and their therapeutic effects on MASLD in a medaka MASLD model.

Usefulness of the Primary Tumor Standardized Uptake Value of Iodine-123 Metaiodobenzylguanidine for Predicting Metastatic Potential in Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma.

Purpose: To examine the usefulness of semi-quantitative analysis using the standardized uptake value (SUV) of iodine-123 metaiodobenzylguanidine ([I]-MIBG) for predicting metastatic potential in patients with pheochromocytoma (PHEO) and paraganglioma (PGL).

Procedures: This study included 18 PHEO and 2 PGL patients. [I]-MIBG visibility and SUV-related parameters (SUVmax, SUVmean, tumor volume of [I]-MIBG uptake [TV_MIBG], and total lesion [I]-MIBG uptake) were compared with the pathological grading obtained using the Pheochromocytoma of the Adrenal Gland Scaled Score (PASS) and the Grading System for Adrenal Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma (GAPP), which are used to predict metastatic potential.

Applying deep learning-based ensemble model to [F]-FDG-PET-radiomic features for differentiating benign from malignant parotid gland diseases.

Objectives: To develop and identify machine learning (ML) models using pretreatment 2-deoxy-2-[F]fluoro-D-glucose ([F]-FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET)-based radiomic features to differentiate benign from malignant parotid gland diseases (PGDs).

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study included 62 patients with 63 PGDs who underwent pretreatment [F]-FDG-PET/computed tomography (CT). The lesions were assigned to the training (n = 44) and testing (n = 19) cohorts.

PCPE-1, a brown adipose tissue-derived cytokine, promotes obesity-induced liver fibrosis.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH, previously termed non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)), is a major complication of obesity that promotes fatty liver disease. MASH is characterized by progressive tissue fibrosis and sterile liver inflammation that can lead to liver cirrhosis, cancer, and death. The molecular mechanisms of fibrosis in MASH and its systemic control remain poorly understood.

An Infant With COVID-19 Presenting With a Bulging Fontanel: A Case Report and Literature Review.

A bulging fontanel is a sign of elevated intracranial pressure, which can be caused by diseases with intracranial fluid retention or swelling of the cerebral parenchyma. We experienced a case of an infant with a typical course of mild coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) but with a bulging fontanel as a finding at presentation. The patient, a three-month-old boy with no underlying conditions, presented to the emergency clinic with fever, vomiting, and loss of appetite.

Changes in Psychological Condition during Cancer Chemotherapy.

Background: Psychological disorders are prevalent in cancer patients and their psychological condition can change during cancer chemotherapy and influence their quality of life and adherence to treatment.

Patients And Methods: This prospective observational study enrolled cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. The enrolled patients were assessed at the start of chemotherapy, after the first course of chemotherapy, and more than 2 months later by themselves and by medical staff using four different items.

An updated review on the treatment for diversion colitis and pouchitis, with a focus on the utility of autologous fecal microbiota transplantation and its relationship with the intestinal microbiota.

Diversion colitis (DC) is characterized by mucosal inflammation in the defunctioned segment of the colon following a colostomy or ileostomy. The major causes of DC are an increase in the number of aerobic bacteria, a lack of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and immune disorders in the diverted colon. However, its exact pathogenesis remains unknown.

Multiparametric approach with synthetic MR imaging for diagnosing salivary gland lesions.

Purpose: To determine whether synthetic MR imaging can distinguish between benign and malignant salivary gland lesions.

Methods: The study population included 44 patients with 33 benign and 11 malignant salivary gland lesions. All MR imaging was obtained using a 3 Tesla system.

Machine learning approach using F-FDG-PET-radiomic features and the visibility of right ventricle F-FDG uptake for predicting clinical events in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis.

Objectives: To investigate the usefulness of machine learning (ML) models using pretreatment F-FDG-PET-based radiomic features for predicting adverse clinical events (ACEs) in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis (CS).

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study included 47 patients with CS who underwent F-FDG-PET/CT scan before treatment. The lesions were assigned to the training (n = 38) and testing (n = 9) cohorts.

Universal health coverage in the context of population ageing: catastrophic health expenditure and unmet need for healthcare.

Background: Universal health coverage means that all people can access essential health services without incurring financial hardship. Even in countries with good service coverage and financial protection, the progress towards universal health coverage may decelerate or be limited with respect to the growing older population. This study investigates the incidence/prevalence, determinants, and consequences of catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) and unmet need for healthcare and assesses the potential heterogeneity between younger (≤ 64 years) and older people (65 years≤).

Differential heparan sulfate dependency of the Drosophila glypicans.

Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) are composed of a core protein and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains and serve as coreceptors for many growth factors and morphogens. To understand the molecular mechanisms by which HSPGs regulate morphogen gradient formation and signaling, it is important to determine the relative contributions of the carbohydrate and protein moieties to the proteoglycan function. To address this question, we generated ΔGAG alleles for dally and dally-like protein (dlp), two Drosophila HSPGs of the glypican family, in which all GAG-attachment serine residues are substituted to alanine residues using CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis.

Differentiating primary central nervous system lymphoma from glioblastoma by time-dependent diffusion using oscillating gradient.

Background: This study aimed to elucidate the impact of effective diffusion time setting on apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC)-based differentiation between primary central nervous system lymphomas (PCNSLs) and glioblastomas (GBMs) and to investigate the usage of time-dependent diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted involving 21 patients with PCNSLs and 66 patients with GBMs using diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) sequences with oscillating gradient spin-echo (Δ = 7.1 ms) and conventional pulsed gradient (Δ = 44.

Oscillating Gradient Diffusion-Weighted MRI for Risk Stratification of Uterine Endometrial Cancer.

Background: Oscillating gradient diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) enables elucidation of microstructural characteristics in cancers; however, there are limited data to evaluate its utility in patients with endometrial cancer.

Purpose: To investigate the utility of oscillating gradient DWI for risk stratification in patients with uterine endometrial cancer compared with conventional pulsed gradient DWI.

Study Type: Retrospective.