Mechanical thrombectomy in elderly stroke patients with low ASPECTS: insights from STAR.

Background: The elderly population (≥80 years) were underrepresented in recent trials of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for anterior circulation large vessel occlusion acute ischemic stroke (LVO-AIS) with low Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) (≤5).

Methods: This study analyzed data from a prospectively maintained database of 37 thrombectomy centers. The primary cohort of the study comprised patients with LVO-AIS aged ≥80 who underwent EVT with ASPECTS≤5 from 2013 to 2023.

The risks of adverse events with mirtazapine for adults with major depressive disorder: a systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis.

Background: Mirtazapine is used to treat depression worldwide, and the effects of mirtazapine on depression rating scales are well-known. Our primary objective was to assess the risks of adverse events with mirtazapine for major depressive disorder.

Methods: We searched relevant sources from inception to 7 March 2024 for randomised clinical trials comparing mirtazapine versus placebo in adults with major depressive disorder.

Clinical presentation and management of Tolosa-Hunt syndrome: a case report.

Tolosa-Hunt Syndrome (THS) is an exceptionally rare disorder characterised by recurrent episodes of excruciating ophthalmoplegia, commonly affecting one side of the face and involving the third, fourth, sixth, and fifth cranial nerves. This syndrome results from non-specific inflammation affecting the cavernous sinus, superior orbital fissure (SOF), and/or orbital apex. In this case report, we present the clinical features, diagnostic evaluation, and management of a 46-year-old female with THS.

Comparing the efficacy and safety of extended vs standard dosing of ocrelizumab in MS: A systemic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a challenging autoimmune disease that disrupts the central nervous system, leading to a range of symptoms. Ocrelizumab, a treatment commonly used for MS, targets B cells to help manage the disease. While the standard-interval dosing (SID) is effective, the COVID-19 pandemic raised concerns about safety, particularly around immune responses.

Institutional experience with implanted cardiac device risk level assessment: Comparing calculation and measurement.

Background: The use of in-vivo dosimetry is a long-standing but also labor-intensive component of risk-level assessment for patients with implanted devices. A calculation-only approach, using treatment planning system (TPS)-calculated doses along with imaging doses estimates when relevant, has the potential to streamline the physics workflow without negatively impacting patient safety.

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of using a calculation-only approach for risk level assessment for patients with implanted electronic medical devices.

Antimicrobial Activity of Imipenem/Relebactam and Comparator Agents Against Gram-Negative Isolates Collected From Pediatric Patients: SMART 2018-2022 Global Surveillance.

Objectives: To evaluate the in vitro susceptibility of recent Gram-negative pathogens collected from pediatric patients to imipenem/relebactam (IMI/REL) and comparator agents.

Methods: From 2018 to 2022 254 hospitals in 62 countries collected Enterobacterales or Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from patients <18 years old as part of the SMART global surveillance program. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC)s were determined using CLSI broth microdilution and interpreted with 2024 CLSI breakpoints.

Effects of strategies to tackle racism experienced by healthcare professionals: a systematic review.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) training interventions on race inequalities experienced by healthcare professionals.

Design: Systematic review.

Data Sources: Cochrane, MEDLINE and Embase databases were searched from database inception to February 2024.

Formulation development and evaluation, in silico PBPK modeling and in vivo pharmacodynamic studies of clozapine matrix type transdermal patches.

Clozapine is a potent serotonin receptor antagonist and commonly used for the treatment of Schizophrenia. The study aimed to develop and optimize the transdermal matrix patch of clozapine. A 3-level, 3-factor Central Composite Design was applied to examine and validate the impact of various formulation variables, Eudragit, PEG, and oleic acid on in vitro drug release, flux, and tensile strength (TS).

Equivocating and Deliberating on the Probability of COVID-19 Infection Serving as a Risk Factor for Lung Cancer and Common Molecular Pathways Serving as a Link.

The COVID-19 infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 in late 2019 posed unprecedented global health challenges of massive proportions. The persistent effects of COVID-19 have become a subject of significant concern amongst the medical and scientific community. This article aims to explore the probability of a link between the COVID-19 infection and the risk of lung cancer development.

Optimizing dual energy X-ray image enhancement using a novel hybrid fusion method.

Background: Airport security is still a main concern for assuring passenger safety and stopping illegal activity. Dual-energy X-ray Imaging (DEXI) is one of the most important technologies for detecting hidden items in passenger luggage. However, noise in DEXI images, arising from various sources such as electronic interference and fluctuations in X-ray intensity, can compromise the effectiveness of object identification.

Seedless velocimetry of high-enthalpy hypersonic boundary layers by nitric oxide ionization induced flow tagging and imaging at 100 kHz.

This Letter describes the first, to the best of our knowledge, demonstration of a velocity measurement by nitric oxide ionization induced flow tagging and imaging (NiiFTI) of a high-enthalpy hypersonic flow utilizing naturally formed nitric oxide. The measurements were conducted in the hypervelocity expansion tunnel (HXT) at Texas A&M University in Mach 8.5 and Mach 10 flows near an ogive test article.

ADME, Toxicity, Molecular Docking, Molecular Dynamics, Glucokinase activation, DPP-IV, α-amylase, and α-glucosidase Inhibition Assays of Mangiferin and Friedelin for Antidiabetic Potential.

Today the alarming situation of diabetes seeks innovative antidiabetic medications, especially those derived from natural sources, as natural substances are safer than manufactured pharmaceuticals. Therefore, this study investigated the inhibitory properties of mangiferin and friedelin against glucokinase (GK), dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV), α-amylase, and α-glucosidase using computational methods, in vitro enzyme assays, and in-depth ADMET analysis. The study utilized a computer-aided drug design approach to assess the potential therapeutic properties of mangiferin and friedelin as Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) therapeutic agents.

Angiopoietin-2 and Mortality Outcomes in End-Stage Renal Disease with Heart Failure as a Comorbidity.

Angiopoeitin-2 (Ang2) is a vascular growth factor involved in regulating angiogenesis and endothelial remodeling. Higher Ang2 levels have been associated with mortality in the general population and among male hemodialysis patients, but its effects on concomitant heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are unknown. Plasma samples from 73 ESRD patients and 40 healthy patients were analyzed for Ang2 concentrations using ELISA.

A Challenging Case of Miliary Tuberculosis in Pregnancy.

Miliary tuberculosis (TB) is an uncommon yet severe condition that can pose substantial risks to pregnant women and their unborn child. This case study describes a 22-year-old pregnant female at 23 weeks of gestation presented with breathlessness, fever accompanied by chills, dry cough, and loss of appetite. With no significant comorbidities, her initial symptoms were inconclusive, leading to her initial diagnosis as a case of pyrexia of unknown origin.

Vascular Endothelial Dysfunction and Immunothrombosis in the Pathogenesis of Atrial Fibrillation.

Atrial Fibrillation (AF) induces proinflammatory processes which incite vascular endothelial activation and dysfunction. This study seeks to examine the potential relationship between various endothelial, inflammatory, thrombotic, and renin-angiotensin-system (RAS) biomarkers in AF patients.Blood samples were from AF patients (n = 110) prospectively enrolled in this study prior to their first AF ablation.

A randomised controlled feasibility trial of Behavioural activation as a treatment for people with diabetes and depression: (DiaDeM feasibility trial).

Background: There is a lack of evidence on effective treatments for depression in people with T2DM, particularly in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). This study aims to test the feasibility and acceptability of a culturally adapted Behavioural Activation (BA) intervention (DiaDeM) for people with depression and T2DM in two South Asian LMICs.

Methods: A multicountry, individually randomised-controlled feasibility trial was conducted from March 2022 to November 2022.

Comparative Study of Inhaled Corticosteroids and Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists As Controller Options for Mildly to Moderately Persistent, Stable Asthma.

Introduction: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by bronchoconstriction, airway hyperresponsiveness, and variable airflow limitation. This results in symptoms such as wheezing, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, chest pain, and coughing.

Objectives: The primary objective of the study is to compare the efficacy of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) versus leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRA) in improving asthma control, lung function, and quality of life in patients with mild to moderate persistent asthma.

Formulation development, characterization, and mechanistic PBPK modeling of metoclopramide loaded halloysite nanotube (HNT) based drug-in-adhesive type transdermal drug delivery system.

Metoclopramide is an antiemetic agent prescribed for motion sickness, cancer chemotherapy, and pregnancy. The present work aimed to design a metoclopramide-loaded halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) drug-in-adhesive transdermal drug delivery system. Four formulations F1, F2, and F3 with different ratios of HNTs to metoclopramide and a F4 without HNTs were developed using acrylic adhesive DURO-TAK 387-2510 by the solvent casting method.

Missing outcome data in randomised clinical trials of psychological interventions: a review of published trial reports in major psychiatry journals.

Background: Missing outcome data can pose a serious threat to the validity of randomised clinical trial results. We aimed to study the extent of missing outcome data in randomised clinical trials of psychological interventions.

Methods: We performed a retrospective study of randomised clinical trial reports of psychological interventions published in World Psychiatry, JAMA Psychiatry, Lancet Psychiatry, American Journal of Psychiatry, British Journal of Psychiatry, or Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics from 2017 to 2022.

Prolonged intracranial catheter dwell time exacerbates penumbral stress and worsens stroke thrombectomy outcomes.

Background: The duration of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is a negative predictor of outcomes in acute ischemic stroke (AIS), yet the precise mechanisms are unclear. We investigated whether the placement of large-bore catheters intracranially reduces blood flow to the ischemic penumbra and diminishes the efficacy of MT.

Methods: We investigated the impact of different catheter sizes on flow through the intracranial circulation using an in vitro model.

Pretreatment Quality of Life and Substance Use Among Patients Diagnosed With Head and Neck Cancer.

Background: There is a paucity of research on the effects of commonly used substances, such as cannabis and other drugs, on quality of life as a contributor to head and neck cancer (HNC) prognosis. We examined associations between non-alcohol or tobacco substance use (cannabis and other illicit drug) and self-reported quality of life in patients with HNC prior to starting treatment.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of patients who presented for routine psych-oncologevaluation prior to treatment between 11/2015 and 9/2022.