Evidence update on e-cigarette dependence: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: We conducted this review to examine the risk of e-cigarette dependence in different populations by updating the review on this topic by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine.

Methods: Six academic databases were searched for studies published between September 2017 and December 2023. We included peer-reviewed human, animal, cell/in vitro original studies examining associations of e-cigarette use and dependence but excluded qualitative studies.

The Use of Knives With Versus Without Integrated Water-jet Function During Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy for Patients With Achalasia: A Meta-analysis.

Background: Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is a well-established endoscopic treatment for achalasia, utilizing an endoscopic knife for dissection. Recently, new knives with an integrated water-jet (WJ) function have been introduced. This study aims to compare the technical, perioperative, and late postoperative outcomes between WJ knives and conventional (C) knives, which lack the WJ function, through a pairwise meta-analysis of published comparative studies.

An emotionally intelligent haptic system - An efficient solution for anxiety detection and mitigation.

Background: Anxiety is a psycho-physiological condition associated with an individual's mental state. Long-term anxiety persistence can lead to anxiety disorder, which is the underlying cause of many mental health problems. As such, it is critical to precisely identify anxiety by automated, effective, and user-bias-free ways.

The impact of medication regimen complexity on patient-related and clinical outcomes in kidney failure: a systematic review.

Introduction: Kidney failure is a life-limiting condition that profoundly impacts an individual's quality of life. The significant medication burden on patients required to manage the comorbidities and complications of kidney failure can have implications for patient-reported and clinical outcomes.

Methods: This work systematically reviewed methods used to assess medication regimen complexity amongst adults with kidney failure, the associated patient-reported and clinical outcomes, and the effectiveness of interventions to address regimen complexity.

Evaluating cervical mucous inflammatory status as novel predictor for spontaneous onset of labour at term: A prospective observational study.

Background: The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between cervical inflammatory status at term gestation and spontaneous onset of labour. The was to search for a cost-effective, readily available, point of care test as predictor for spontaneous onset of labour (SPOL) at term.

Methods: This prospective observational cohort study was .

Excipient induced allergies in oral medications: unravelling the covert threat - a systematic review.

Excipients have been identified as 'inert' substances that often enhance the non-pharmacological aspects of a medication. However, recent clinical evidence elucidates their potential in inducing anaphylaxis and indicates that they are often overlooked as potential allergens in routine clinical practice. The aim of the study was to assimilate published evidence on excipient-induced allergies associated with the use of oral medications and to underline their potential as potent allergens.

Interpretable deep learning survival predictions in sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

Background: Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD) is a rapidly progressive and fatal prion disease with significant public health implications. Survival is heterogenous, posing challenges for prognostication and care planning. We developed a survival model using diagnostic data from comprehensive UK sCJD surveillance.

Heart failure following cavopulmonary shunt - An unusual story of desmin cardiomyopathy.

Partial cavopulmonary shunt is an established procedure for patients with abnormal right ventricular (RV) physiology. Late failure of the Glenn shunt is usually due to further progression of the primary disease process. However, there may be surprises, as in our patient.

A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study on Experiences of Patients Post Heart Transplantation.

The present study was conducted to explore the lived-in experiences of post-heart transplant patients. This study with a hermeneutic phenomenological approach was conducted on 23 heart transplant recipients in a tertiary hospital, AIIMS, New Delhi, India, from August to December 2020. Participants were selected through total enumerative sampling.

Unconventional Optical Matter of Hybrid Metal-Dielectric Nanoparticles at Interfaces.

Optical matter, a transient arrangement formed by the interaction of light with micro/nanoscale objects, provides responsive and highly tunable materials that allow for controlling and manipulating light and/or matter. A combined experimental and theoretical exploration of optical matter is essential to advance our understanding of the phenomenon and potentially design applications. Most studies have focused on nanoparticles composed of a single material (either metallic or dielectric), representing two extreme regimes, one where the gradient force (dielectric) and one where the scattering force (metallic) dominates.

Electronic relaxation pathways in thio-acridone and thio-coumarin: two heavy-atom-free photosensitizers absorbing visible light.

Heavy-atom-free photosensitizers (HAF-PSs) have emerged as a new class of photosensitizers aiming to broaden their applicability and versatility across various fields of the photodynamic therapy of cancers. The strategy involves replacing the exocyclic oxygen atoms of the carbonyl groups of established biocompatible organic fluorophores with sulfur, thereby bathochromically shifting their absorption spectra and enhancing their intersystem crossing efficiencies. Despite these advancements, the photophysical attributes and electronic relaxation mechanisms of many of these HAF-PSs remain inadequately elucidated.

Medication Regimen Complexity and Patient-Centred Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Peritoneal Dialysis.

Background: Although patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) typically have complex treatment needs, the effect of medication regimen complexity on patient outcomes has not been thoroughly evaluated. This study aims to quantify medication regimen complexity and evaluate patient-centred outcomes including medication adherence and its determinants in patients undergoing PD.

Methods: This study combined a retrospective audit of baseline data with a prospective evaluation of patient-related outcomes among patients undergoing PD at a large metropolitan dialysis centre in Australia.

Community-Based Point-of-Care Screening for Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Rural Tanzania.

Sub-Saharan Africa has a high burden of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The lack of surveillance programs has led to low rates of diagnosis and treatment, particularly in rural areas. We conducted mobile HBV-HCC screening clinics in rural Tanzania between March 2021 and February 2023.

Stoichiometry of ligand binding and role of C-terminal lysines in Mycobacterium tuberculosis and human GAPDH multifunctionality.

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate-dehydrogenase (GAPDH; EC1.2.1.

Rhombencephalitis With Long Segment Transverse Myelitis: A Presentation With a Rare Etiology.

Rhombencephalitis is an inflammatory disease affecting the hindbrain (brainstem and cerebellum). The causes of rhombencephalitis can be divided into infections, autoimmune conditions, and paraneoplastic syndrome. Early onset rhombencephalitis is associated with demyelinating disorders or Epstein-Barr virus infection.

Indian Experience with Vericiguat: A Review Based upon Case Series.

Heart failure (HF) is a condition that can result in repeated hospitalizations every year and can result in worsening HF (WHF). Although current pharmacological treatment for HF is fairly effective, there is a need to lower the residual risk of cardiovascular events and hospitalizations. Vericiguat, a soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulator, a new entrant, seems to present a promising therapeutic option for HF with signs of worsening, and early initiation of this therapy may be beneficial in certain patient profiles.

Follicular lymphoma comprises germinal center-like and memory-like molecular subtypes with prognostic significance.

A robust prognostic and biological classification for newly diagnosed follicular lymphoma (FL) using molecular profiling remains challenging. FL tumors from patients treated in the RELEVANCE trial with rituximab-chemotherapy (R-chemo) or rituximab-lenalidomide (R2) were analyzed using RNA sequencing, DNA sequencing, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and/or fluorescence in situ hybridization. Unsupervised gene clustering identified 2 gene expression signatures (GSs) enriched in normal memory (MEM) B cells and germinal center (GC) B-cell signals, respectively.

532 nm versus 810 nm subthreshold micropulse laser in treatment of non-resolving central serous chorioretinopathy: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: The relative efficacy of 532 nm subthreshold micropulse laser in comparison to the 810 nm subthreshold micropulse laser, in the treatment of central serous chorioretinopathy is not known.

Methods: This randomized controlled trial included 99 eyes each in groups A and B. Key inclusion criteria were: (i) vision loss for minimum three months due to persistent central serous chorioretinopathy; (ii) focal leaks (upto two leaks) on fundus fluorescein angiography.