Reasons for organ and tissue donation refusal and opposition: a scoping review.

Objective: To map the reasons why individuals oppose or refuse organ and tissue donation, from an international perspective.

Methods: A scoping review was conducted from May 2022 to February 2024 using a three-stage search strategy across five databases and Google Scholar. Data analysis involved categorizing information based on similarities and populations studied.

Age dependent deficits in speech recognition in quiet and noise are reflected in MGB activity and cochlear onset coding.

The slowing and reduction of auditory responses in the brain are recognized side effects of increased pure tone thresholds, impaired speech recognition, and aging. However, it remains controversial whether central slowing is primarily linked to brain processes as atrophy, or is also associated with the slowing of temporal neural processing from the periphery. Here we analyzed electroencephalogram (EEG) responses that most likely reflect medial geniculate body (MGB) responses to passive listening of phonemes in 80 subjects ranging in age from 18 to 76 years, in whom the peripheral auditory responses had been analyzed in detail (Schirmer et al.

Cement Viscosity and Application Time Lead to Significant Changes in Cement Penetration and Contact Surface Area.

Background: Application time and viscosity are factors that can significantly affect the properties of bone cement and implant fixation. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of different application times of 2 different cements on mechanical parameters, cement interdigitation, and cement distribution.

Methods: P.

Anti-TNF therapy impairs both short- and long-term IgG responses after repeated vaccination.

Background: Recently, it has been questioned whether vaccination of patients with inflammatory (auto)immune diseases under anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) treatment leads to impaired vaccine-induced immune responses and protection against breakthrough infections. However, the effects of TNF blockade on short- and long-term immune responses after repeated vaccination remain unclear. Vaccination studies have shown that initial short-term IgG antibodies (Abs) carry highly galactosylated and sialylated Fc glycans, whilst long-term IgG Abs have low levels of galactosylation and sialylation and are most likely generated by long-lived plasma cells (PCs) derived primarily from the germinal center (GC) response.

Development of Focused Ultrasound-Assisted Nanoplexes for RNA Delivery.

RNA-based therapeutics, including siRNA, have obtained recognition in recent years due to their potential to treat various chronic and rare diseases. However, there are still limitations to lipid-based drug delivery systems in the clinical use of RNA therapeutics due to the need for optimization in the design and the preparation process. In this study, we propose adaptive focused ultrasound (AFU) as a drug loading technique to protect RNA from degradation by encapsulating small RNA in nanoliposomes, which we term nanoplexes.

Understanding Successful Mentor-Mentee Relationships in New Faculty Scholars Program.

Background And Objectives: Mentorship is critical for the career development of health care professionals and educators. Facilitating successful mentorship is valuable in supporting future leaders and educators in family medicine. Since 1988, the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine's New Faculty Scholars (NFS) program has provided 1-year mentorship opportunities for new faculty.

The Joint Vasculitis Registry in German-speaking countries (GeVas): subgroup analysis of 266 AAV patients.

Objectives: Prospective long-term observational data on the disease course of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) were missing in Germany to date. Therefore, the Joint Vasculitis Registry in German-speaking countries (GeVas) has been established to follow the course of patients with AAV. The aim of this study is to present baseline data of patients with newly diagnosed and relapsing AAV enrolled in the GeVas registry.

Clinical Impact of Routine Assessment of Patient-Reported Health Status in Heart Failure Clinic: The PRO-HF Trial.

Background: The impact of routine clinic use of patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures on clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF) has not been well-characterized. We tested if clinic-based use of a disease-specific PRO improves patient-reported quality of life at 1 year.

Methods: The PRO-HF trial (Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement in Heart Failure Clinic) was an open-label, parallel, patient-level randomized clinical trial of routine PRO assessment or usual care at an academic HF clinic between August 30, 2021, and June 30, 2022, with 1 year of follow-up.

Donation and Equitable Access to Organ, Tissue, and Cell Transplants: A Brazilian Perspective on the Strategy and Plan of Action 2019-2030.

Objective: To position the Brazilian Transplant System within the context of the 4 Strategic Lines of Action proposed by the Pan-American Health Organization.

Method: A specialist analysis was conducted through comparative analyses of the 4 Strategic Lines of Action, objectives, and indicators outlined in the Action Plan, along with the donation and transplantation system in accordance with Brazilian transplantation law. Subsequent to an in-depth review of the document issued by the health authority, a series of meetings involving 8 specialists in organ donation and transplantation were conducted.

Uptake of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors in Hospitalized Patients With Heart Failure: Insights From the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System.

Background: The use of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) in Veterans Affairs (VA) patients hospitalized with heart failure (HF) has not been reported previously.

Methods: VA electronic health record data were used to identify patients hospitalized for HF (primary or secondary diagnosis) from 01/2019-11/2022. Patients with SGLT2i allergy, advanced/end-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) or advanced HF therapies were excluded.

Effects of calcium supplementation on changes in the IL2, IL4, IL6, IL10 axes and oxidative stress in pregnant women at risk for pre-eclampsia.

Background: Pregnant women with hypertensive disorders are at increased risk for inflammatory diseases and oxidative stress. The dilemma raised by the best dosage of calcium supplementation on these factors is evident. The aim of the current study was to examine the effects of calcium on biomarkers of the purinergic system, inflammation and oxidative stress, which are factors contributing to vascular damage in pregnant women at high risk of pre-eclampsia.

Balloon-expandable transcatheter heart valves for treatment of aortic valve stenosis in patients with large aortic annuli: Evaluation of deployment balloon overfilling strategies.

Objectives: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) using balloon-expandable (BE) transcatheter heart valves (THV) in aortic annuli above 29 mm includes particular procedural steps, mainly involving overfilling of the deployment balloon. Data on overfilling strategies in clinical daily practice is scarce. We herein aimed for a retrospective description of utilized overfilling strategies in those patients.

Valve-in-valve procedures for degenerated surgical and transcatheter aortic valve bioprostheses using a latest-generation self-expanding intra-annular transcatheter heart valve.

Background: Valve-in-valve (ViV) transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for failing aortic surgical bioprostheses or transcatheter heart valves (THV) has demonstrated a reasonable clinical and hemodynamic efficacy. Traditionally, self-expanding (SE) supra-annular THV are considered to result in superior hemodynamics compared with balloon-expandable intra-annular THV after ViV. However, so far no data are found on latest-generation intra-annular SE THV for aortic ViV procedures which might be superior with regard to coronary access or subsequent valve reintervention.

Micromotion measurement at the interfaces of cemented tibial endoprosthetic replacements: A new standardized in vitro model using open-cell rigid foam.

Early aseptic loosening following primary total knee arthroplasty related to several factors might appear at the interface implant-cement or cement-bone. A standardized in vitro model might provide information on the relevance of single variable parameter of cementation including technique and cement respectively bone structure on fixation strength. Micromotion measurement using different directions of load should detect the primary stability of the interfaces.

Systematic literature review informing the 2022 update of the EULAR recommendations for the management of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV): part 1-treatment of granulomatosis with polyangiitis and microscopic polyangiitis.

Objective: To summarise and update evidence to inform the 2022 update of the EULAR recommendations for the management of antineutrophil cytoplasm antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV).

Methods: A systematic literature review (SLR) was performed to identify current evidence regarding treatment of AAV. PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane library were searched from 1 February 2015 to 25 February 2022.

Systematic literature review informing the 2022 update of the EULAR recommendations for the management of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV): Part 2 - Treatment of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis and diagnosis and general management of AAV.

Objective: To summarise and update evidence to inform the 2022 update of the European Alliance of Associations of Rheumatology (EULAR) recommendations for the management of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV).

Methods: Three systematic literature reviews (SLR) were performed. PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane library were searched from 1 February 2015 to 25 February 2022.

Effect of periprocedural furosemide-induced diuresis with matched isotonic intravenous hydration in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a serious complication which is associated with increased mortality. The RenalGuard system was developed to reduce the risk of AKI after contrast media exposition by furosemide-induced diuresis with matched isotonic intravenous hydration. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the RenalGuard system on the occurrence of AKI after TAVI in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Adverse Events Reporting Systems in Cells, Organs, and Tissues Donation and Transplantation: Scoping Review.

Background: This study aimed to map adverse events reporting systems in cells, organs, and tissues donation and transplantation, including the terms applicable in each system and scientific literature.

Methods: This was a scoping review using the Joanna Briggs Institute method. A search strategy in 3 phases was used, and searches were conducted in PubMed, Embase, LILACS, Scholar Google, and government and organ donations and transplantation associations' sites during June and August 2021.

Time Elapsed Between Cells, Tissues, and Organs Donation and Transplantation and Adverse Events Detection.

Background: This study was designed to discuss the time elapsed between cell, tissue, and organ donation and transplantation and detection of adverse events notified in São Paulo, Brazil.

Methods: This is a descriptive study with a quantitative approach. Data were provided by the Transplant Center of the state of São Paulo from the "Individual notification form of adverse reactions in Biovigilance" between 2016 and 2019.