The health-economic impact of urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio testing for chronic kidney disease in Japanese non-diabetic patients.

Background: The objective of this analysis was to estimate the clinical and economic impact of undertaking urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) testing alongside regular estimated glomerular filtration rate testing for chronic kidney disease in non-diabetic Japanese patients versus no testing and versus urine protein-creatinine ratio (UPCR) testing.

Methods: An economic model, taking a Japanese healthcare perspective, estimated the health-economic impact of UACR testing over a lifetime time horizon. Outcomes reported were additional costs, clinical benefits measured, such as prevented dialyses and cardiovascular events, quality-adjusted life years gained, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios.

The health-economic impact of urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio testing for chronic kidney disease in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes.

Aims/introduction: This analysis seeks to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio testing compared with urine protein-creatinine ratio testing and no urine testing for the identification of kidney damage in individuals with type 2 diabetes who have, or are at risk of, chronic kidney disease in Japan.

Materials And Methods: A health-economic model estimated the clinical and economic consequences of different tests to evaluate kidney damage in line with Japanese guidelines, taking a Japanese healthcare perspective. Differences in the diagnostic performance of tests were considered by the integration of real-world Japanese data.

Assessment of the Antibiofilm Performance of Silver-Containing Wound Dressings: A Dual-Species Biofilm Model.

Background It is commonly accepted that microorganisms found within hard-to-heal wounds are present in biofilm form. Biofilms are often polymicrobial in nature, which increases their virulence and tolerance to antimicrobial agents. The aim of this study was to compare the antibiofilm activity of silver-containing antimicrobial wound dressings in a dual-species simulated wound biofilm model.

Leveraging real-world data to predict cancer cachexia stage, quality of life, and survival in a racially and ethnically diverse multi-institutional cohort of treatment-naïve patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Introduction: Cancer-associated cachexia (CC) is a progressive syndrome characterized by unintentional weight loss, muscle atrophy, fatigue, and poor outcomes that affects most patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The ability to identify and classify CC stage along its continuum early in the disease process is challenging but critical for management.

Objectives: The main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of CC stage overall and by sex and race and ethnicity among treatment-naïve PDAC cases using clinical, nutritional, and functional criteria.

The bacterial displacement test: an in vitro microbiological test for the evaluation of intermittent catheters and urinary tract infection.

Aims: Intermittent catheters (ICs) are commonly used in bladder management, but catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) remain challenging. Insertion tips may reduce the risk of CAUTIs by minimizing bacterial transfer along the urinary tract. However, there are few laboratory tests to evaluate such technologies.

Esophageal cancer in Hispanics: a demographic analysis of the National Cancer Database.

Background: Hispanics are the fastest-growing minority and the second largest ethnic group in the United States, accounting for 18% of the national population. The American Cancer Society estimated 18,440 new cases of esophageal cancer (EC) in the United States in 2020. Hispanics are reported to be at high risk of EC.

Dancing in the purple rain: color affinity and oviposition choices in Aedes sierrensis (Diptera: Culicidae).

The western tree hole mosquito, Aedes sierrensis (Ludlow) (Diptera: Clucidae), is a pestiferous mosquito with a range extending over the entire pacific seaboard and into portions of the intermountain west. As a peridomestic heartworm vector, it demands at least some level of surveillance to understand its abundance. However, the species is refractory to a majority of conventional vector surveillance approaches for tracking mosquitoes.

Timing After Neoadjuvant Therapy Predicts Mortality in Patients Undergoing Esophagectomy: a Propensity Score-Matched Analysis.

Background: Currently most surgeons allow 6-12 weeks after neoadjuvant therapy prior to recommending esophagectomy. Given that complete pathologic response correlates to improved survival, some have advocated a longer interval should be entertained to increase the pathologic response. The impact of an expanded neoadjuvant therapy-surgery timing is not currently well understood.

The drivers of non-adherence to albuminuria testing guidelines and the clinical and economic impact of not identifying chronic kidney disease.

Background: Regular monitoring is required to ensure that patients who have, or are at risk of, chronic kidney disease (CKD) receive appropriate management. Guidelines recommend regular testing of estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and albuminuria. However, evidence suggests that albuminuria testing rates, specifically urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), are suboptimal.

The effects of the tumor suppressor gene on the proliferation and apoptosis of breast cancer cells via AKT phosphorylation.

Background: The proliferation and apoptosis of cancer cells play important roles in breast carcinomas. However, to date, there have been few reports on the correlation between the expression of PTEN and AKT phosphorylation in breast cancer. This present study investigated the effects of the phosphatase and tensin homology deleted from chromosome 10 () gene on the proliferation and apoptosis of breast cancer cells through protein kinase B (AKT) phosphorylation.

Antimicrobial Activity of Silver-Containing Surgical Dressings in an In vitro Direct Inoculation Simulated Wound Fluid Model Against a Range of Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria.

Surgical site infections can lead to serious complications and present a huge economic burden. Established wound infections can be difficult to eradicate so preventative measures, including antimicrobial dressings, are advantageous. The antimicrobial activity of an ionic silver, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and benzethonium chloride-containing (ISEB) surgical cover dressing (SCD) was compared with two other silver-containing SCDs (silver sulfate and ionic silver carboxymethylcellulose [CMC]) and a non-silver-containing CMC SCD control using an in vitro model.

The use of indocyanine green (ICYG) angiography intraoperatively to evaluate gastric conduit perfusion during esophagectomy: does it impact surgical decision-making?

Background: Ischemia is known to be a major contributor for anastomotic leaks and indocyanine green (ICYG) fluorescence angiography has been utilized to assess perfusion. Experienced esophageal surgeons have clinically assessed the gastric conduit with acceptable outcomes for years. We sought to examine the impact of ICYG in a surgeon's decision-making during esophagectomy.

Estimated health economic impact of conducting urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio testing alongside estimated glomerular filtration rate testing in the early stages of chronic kidney disease in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Aim: To estimate the health economic impact of undertaking urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) testing versus no UACR testing in early stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods: An economic model, taking a UK healthcare system perspective, estimated the impact of UACR testing on additional costs, clinical benefits measured as prevented dialyses and cardiovascular-related deaths, life years gained (LYg), LYg before kidney failure, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). Sixteen of the 18 Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) heatmap categories were considered separately, and grouped in health states according to CKD risk.

Comparative outcomes of laparoscopic and robotic approaches to gastrectomy: a National Cancer Database study.

Background: Gastric cancer is associated with significant mortality worldwide. Radical gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy is considered the only curative option. Traditionally, these operations are associated with significant morbidity.

Outcomes of adjuvant radiation therapy after chemotherapy in resected extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: A National Cancer Database analysis.

Background: Adjuvant capecitabine is considered a standard of care for resected cholangiocarcinoma per the BILCAP trial. The role of adjuvant radiation therapy in that trial was not addressed. This study was designed to examine the outcomes of adjuvant radiation in patients who received chemotherapy for resected cholangiocarcinoma.

A highly predictive cardiac positron emission tomography (PET) risk score for 90-day and one-year major adverse cardiac events and revascularization.

Background: With the increase in cardiac PET/CT availability and utilization, the development of a PET/CT-based major adverse cardiovascular events, including death, myocardial infarction (MI), and revascularization (MACE-Revasc) risk assessment score is needed. Here we develop a highly predictive PET/CT-based risk score for 90-day and one-year MACE-Revasc.

Methods And Results: 11,552 patients had a PET/CT from 2015 to 2017 and were studied for the training and development set.

Hydrochemical and isotopic baselines for understanding hydrological processes across Macquarie Island.

Isotopic and hydrochemical data from lakes provide direct information on catchment response to changing rainfall, evaporation, nutrient cycling, and the health of ecosystems. These techniques have not been widely applied to lakes in the Southern Hemisphere high latitudes, including Southern Ocean Islands (SOIs) experiencing rapid, significant shifts in climate. Historical work has highlighted the localised nature of geochemical drivers in controlling the hydrochemical evolution of lakes, such as geology, sea spray contribution, vegetation, geographical location, and ice cover extent.

Efficacy and safety of esophagectomy via left thoracic approach versus via right thoracic approach for middle and lower thoracic esophageal cancer: a multicenter randomized clinical trial (NST1501).

Background: Left thoracic approach (LTA) has been a favorable selection in surgical treatment for esophageal cancer (EC) patients in China before minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) is popular. This study aimed to demonstrate whether right thoracic approach (RTA) is superior to LTA in the surgical treatment of middle and lower thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (TESCC).

Methods: Superiority clinical trial design was used for this multicenter randomized controlled two-parallel group study.

Emerging biological archives can reveal ecological and climatic change in Antarctica.

Anthropogenic climate change is causing observable changes in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean including increased air and ocean temperatures, glacial melt leading to sea-level rise and a reduction in salinity, and changes to freshwater water availability on land. These changes impact local Antarctic ecosystems and the Earth's climate system. The Antarctic has experienced significant past environmental change, including cycles of glaciation over the Quaternary Period (the past ~2.

A new conceptual framework for the transformation of groundwater dissolved organic matter.

Groundwater comprises 95% of the liquid fresh water on Earth and contains a diverse mix of dissolved organic matter (DOM) molecules which play a significant role in the global carbon cycle. Currently, the storage times and degradation pathways of groundwater DOM are unclear, preventing an accurate estimate of groundwater carbon sources and sinks for global carbon budgets. Here we reveal the transformations of DOM in aging groundwater using ultra-high resolution mass spectrometry combined with radiocarbon dating.

Adjuvant therapy for margin positive pancreatic cancer: A propensity score matched analysis.

Background: Adjuvant chemotherapy or chemoradiation is often recommended for resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma. We sought to examine the impact of these therapies on R1 resected pancreatic cancer.

Methods: Utilizing the National Cancer Database we identified patients who underwent pancreatic resection for adenocarcinoma.

Salt to conserve: a review on the ecology and preservation of hypersaline ecosystems.

When it comes to the investigation of key ecosystems in the world, we often omit salt from the ecological recipe. In fact, despite occupying almost half of the volume of inland waters and providing crucial services to humanity and nature, inland saline ecosystems are often overlooked in discussions regarding the preservation of global aquatic resources of our planet. As a result, our knowledge of the biological and geochemical dynamics shaping these environments remains incomplete and we are hesitant in framing effective protective strategies against the increasing natural and anthropogenic threats faced by such habitats.

Comparative outcomes of transthoracic versus transhiatal esophagectomy.

Background: Surgical resection has become a mainstay of therapy for locally advanced esophageal cancer and can increase survival significantly. With the advancement of minimally invasive surgery, there is still debate on the best approach for esophagectomy. We report a modern analysis of outcomes with transthoracic versus transhiatal esophagectomy.