Dysgeusia in MASLD-related advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD): a silent driver towards the "Bermuda" triangle of malnutrition-sarcopenia-frailty severely affecting prognosis.

Background: Dysgeusia is a distortion of the sense of taste whose prevalence and relationship with nutritional status in Metabolic dysfunction-associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD)-related advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD) have never been systematically explored.

Methods: 200 MASLD patients [60 ≤ F3 fibrosis, 70 compensated ACLD (cACLD), and 70 decompensated (dACLD)] were enrolled. At baseline, the Child-Pugh (CP) score was determined.

Novel Immune Response Evasion Strategy to Redose Adeno-associated Viral Vectors and Prolong Survival in Surfactant Protein-B Deficient Mice.

Surfactant protein-B (SP-B) deficiency is a lethal neonatal respiratory disease with few therapeutic options. Gene therapy using adeno-associated viruses (AAV) to deliver human cDNA (AAV-hSPB) can improve survival in a mouse model of SP-B deficiency. However, the effect of this gene therapy wanes.

Heat Treatment as a Safe-Handling Procedure for Rift Valley Fever Virus.

Rift Valley Fever virus (RVFV) is a mosquito-borne virus with high pathogenic potential in ruminants and humans. Due to its high potential for spreading, it is considered a priority pathogen, and it is included in the Bluepoint list of the World Health Organization (WHO). Given the high pathogenic potential of the virus, it is crucial to develop a rapid heat-mediated inactivation protocol to create a safer working environment, particularly in medical facilities that lack a biosafety level 3 laboratory required for direct handling of RVFV.

Digital Applications for Videoterminal-Associated Dry Eye Disease.

Dry eye disease (DED) has become increasingly prevalent in the digital era, largely due to prolonged screen exposure. The excessive use of digital devices contributes to inappropriate blink frequency and dynamics, leading to ocular surface dryness and discomfort. Additionally, digital screen use has broader implications for systemic health, including visual strain, headaches, and disrupted circadian rhythms caused by blue light exposure.

Topical insulin used alone or in combination with drug-depository contact lens for refractory cases of neurotrophic keratopathy.

Purpose: To report the clinical outcomes achieved in refractory cases of neurotrophic keratopathy (NK) through the utilization of insulin eye drops alone or in conjunction with a drug-depository contact lens (DDCL).

Observations: This multicentric prospective open-label uncontrolled case series included consecutive patients with NK refractory to conventional treatment. Insulin eye drops (1 unit/mL) were prescribed 4 times/day in all cases, and a Therapeutic Hyper-CL™ soft contact lens (EyeYon Medical, Ness Ziona, Israel), designed to act as a drug reservoir, was applied in selected patients.