Point-of-care tests, diagnostic uncertainty and antimicrobial stewardship in the ICU: procalcitonin or PCR to aid antibiotic-stop decisions - an observational cohort study.

Objectives: Intensive care unit (ICU) clinicians stop antibiotics more often, with a negative infection: point-of-care test (PCR-POCT). Simulated cases of diagnostic uncertainty regarding infection resolution led clinicians to choose options such as procalcitonin (PCT) and/or PCR-POCTs +/- de-escalation to aid stop decisions. We hypothesised that a direct infection indicator, PCR-POCT, would influence stop judgements more than indirect PCT.

Prognostic factors in localized pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma after neoadjuvant therapy and resection: a systematic review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: Prognostic markers for overall survival (OS) in resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are well-established but remain unclear following neoadjuvant therapy (NAT). This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine factors associated with OS following NAT in resected PDAC.

Methods: The PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane CENTRAL databases were systematically searched from inception till May 2024.

Mutational analysis of cytoplasmic domain of integrin subunit alpha-1 and its association with periapical wound healing after surgical endodontic treatment.

Background: Numerous studies reported that the healing after surgical endodontic retreatment is influenced by multiple factors which include the genetic profile of the patient, epigenetics, and immune responses. The genes which are primarily responsible for the healing potential in different individuals are those which are involved in the regulation of the cytoskeleton and cellular adhesion which subsequently affects bone deposition and healing. Integrins are cell-surface molecules, possess a key role in the cytoskeleton and cellular adhesion.