Beyond platelet production: Megakaryocytes' emerging roles in immunity and infection.

Conventionally, megakaryocytes (MKs) are regarded as platelet-producing cells and their platelet-related functions in haemostasis have been well documented. However, it is increasingly evident that MKs have functions beyond platelet production. Convincing findings suggest that MKs are active participants in immunity and infections.

Optimising topical wound care outcomes for fungating breast wounds - A systematic review of current institutional practice.

Background: Fungating breast wounds cause significant complications and morbidity to patients. Wound care is of paramount importance in optimising care and alleviating suffering for patients with malignant breast wounds. Currently, routinely implemented objective assessment tools for fungating breast wound treatment outcomes are non-existent, and institutional practice varies.

Alcohol-associated hepatitis trends before and following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic across two distinct cohorts in the United States and Hong Kong.

Background & Aims: Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) burden has been rising globally, fueled by increases in high-risk alcohol use following the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. We evaluated trends in annual incidence of alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH) before and following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic across two geographically distinct populations in the USA and Hong Kong.

Methods: Using US national Veterans Affairs (VA) data and Hong Kong territory-wide data, trends in annual incidence of AH were evaluated from 2000 to 2023.