Disparate molecular mechanisms in cardiac ryanodine receptor channelopathies.

Aims: Mutations in the cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2) are associated with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT). This study investigates the underlying molecular mechanisms for CPVT mutations within the RyR2 N-terminus domain (NTD).

Methods And Results: We consulted the high-resolution RyR2 structure in both open and closed configuration to identify mutations G357S/R407I and A77T, which lie within the NTD intra- and inter-subunit interface with the Core Solenoid (CSol), respectively.

Antimicrobial Activity of Tea and Agarwood Leaf Extracts Against Multidrug-Resistant Microbes.

Emerging multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains are the main challenges to the progression of new drug discovery. To diminish infectious disease-causing pathogens, new antibiotics are required while the drying pipeline of potent antibiotics is adding to the severity. Plant secondary metabolites or phytochemicals including alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, and terpenes have successfully demonstrated their inhibitory potential against the drug-resistant pathogens.

Survival Outcomes and Disparities in Surgery Refusal for Papillary Thyroid Cancer.

Background/aim: Surgery is the cornerstone of treatment for papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), yet some patients refuse surgery, which may impact their survival outcomes. Understanding factors associated with surgery refusal could inform interventions to improve acceptance of recommended care.

Patients And Methods: This retrospective cohort study evaluated the impact of surgery refusal on overall survival (OS) and identified associated demographic and clinical factors using data on patients with PTC from the National Cancer Database from 2004 to 2019.

Modeling Overall Survival in Patients With Pancreatic Cancer From a Pooled Analysis of Phase II Trials.

Background: We evaluated the validity of surrogacy of progression-free survival (PFS) or time-to-progression (TTP) and overall response rate (ORR) in phase II trials of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). In addition, we explored the impact of predictive variables on overall survival (OS) and developed an optimal OS model.

Methods: We analyzed 1867 clinical endpoint from 619 phase II PDAC trials with a systematic search from PubMed.

Factors Affecting Outcomes After Free Functional Gracilis Muscle Transfer for Elbow Flexion in Brachial Plexus Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Purpose: Free functional gracilis transfer (FFGT) is a useful option for reconstruction of elbow flexion following brachial plexus injury presenting late or with poor outcomes from previous nerve surgery. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to investigate variables associated with superior outcomes. The efficacy of single versus double FFGT, where the first FFGT is performed to restore elbow flexion, and the choice of donor nerve for neurotization were evaluated.

Disparities in time to treatment initiation for rectal cancer patients: an analysis of demographic and socioeconomic factors.

Background: This study investigated demographic and socioeconomic factors contributing to disparities in the time to treatment for rectal cancer. Subgroup analysis based on age < 50 and ≥ 50 was performed to identify differences in time to treatment among young adults (age < 50) compared to older adults with rectal cancer.

Methods: An analysis was performed using data from the National Cancer Database, spanning from 2004 to 2019.

Contributors to post-operative venous thromboembolism risk after breast cancer surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) events are a preventable complication for patients undergoing surgery for breast cancer. However, there is a lack of consistency in the existing literature regarding the potential risk factors affecting these individuals.

Methods: This study aimed to investigate the potential risk factors associated with an increased risk of VTE following surgery for breast cancer.

Early Stage Breast Cancer: Does Histologic Subtype (Ductal vs. Lobular) Impact 5 Year Overall Survival?

Histology is an important predictor of the behavior of breast cancer. We aim to study the impact of histology on the overall survival (OS) of breast cancer patients. We studied 11,085 breast cancer patients diagnosed with T1-T2 tumors, clinically node-negative and non-metastatic, from 2004 to 2019 included in the National Cancer Database.

Clinical and laboratory profile of Expanded Dengue Syndrome: experience of 2019 outbreak from Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Background Objectives: Bangladesh is afflicted with periodic dengue outbreak every few years and one of the worst upsurges was recorded in 2019 during which there was an increasing trend of dengue with unusual symptoms which were not so common before. This study aims to describe the experience of three tertiary care centres of Dhaka regarding the clinical and laboratory, hospital outcome and management profile of the Expanded Dengue Syndrome (EDS) cases admitted from the 2019 outbreak.

Methods: The current work was a cross-sectional observational study which took place from August 1 to December 31 2019 at three major tertiary care centres in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

pH-Tolerant Wet Adhesion of Catechol Analogs.

The need for improved wet adhesives has driven research on mussel-inspired materials incorporating dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) and related analogs of the parent catechol, but their susceptibility to oxidation limits practical application of these functionalities. Here, we investigate the molecular-level adhesion of the catechol analogs dihydroxybenzamide (DHB) and hydroxypyridinone (HOPO) as a function of pH. We find that the molecular structure of the catechol analogs influences their susceptibility to oxidation in alkaline conditions, with HOPO emerging as a particularly promising candidate for pH-tolerant adhesives for diverse environmental conditions.

Perioperative sildenafil therapy in pulmonary hypertension associated with congenital cardiac disease: An updated meta-analysis.

To provide an updated meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of sildenafil on pediatric patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) associated with congenital heart disease (CHD). To assess the efficacy and safety of sildenafil, five outcomes, time duration of post-operative need for mechanical ventilation, time duration of post-operative ICU stay, length of hospitalization (LOH), the incidence of mortalities and pulmonary arterial pressure to aortic pressure ratio (PAP/AoP) were regarded as primary efficacy outcomes. Standardized mean difference (SMD) was calculated for continuous data.

Disparities in Time-to-treatment for Patients With Melanoma.

Background/aim: This study aimed to investigate the demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with disparities in the time-to-treatment for melanoma.

Patients And Methods: We conducted an analysis of patients with melanoma from 2004 to 2019 using the National Cancer Database. Time intervals from diagnosis to surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy were compared based on age, sex, race, and socioeconomic status.

Efficacy and safety of bedaquiline and delamanid in the treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Multi and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis is a grave cause of global public health concern due to its high mortality and limited treatment options. We conducted this systemic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of bedaquiline and delamanid, which have been added to the WHO-recommended regimen for treating drug-resistant tuberculosis. Electronic databases were searched from their inception until December 1st 2021, for eligible studies assessing the efficacy and safety of bedaquiline and delamanid for treating drug-resistant tuberculosis.

Cardiovascular risk in a contemporary cohort of patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms'.

Background: Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are a group of disorders of clonal haemopoiesis associated with an inherent risk of arterial and venous thrombotic complications. The prevalence of thrombotic complications and the impact of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) in contemporary patient cohorts within the current era of MPN treatments have not been completely defined.

Objectives: We aim to characterise the cardiovascular risk of patients with MPN by identifying the prevalence of CVRFs and describing the pattern of thrombotic events.

Disparities in Time to Treatment for Skin Cancer.

Background/aim: Skin cancer is the most common cancer worldwide. This study aimed to identify factors contributing to the disparities in skin cancer treatment.

Patients And Methods: Data from The National Cancer Database (NCDB) spanning 2004 to 2019 were utilized.

Modeling diabetic endothelial dysfunction with patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells.

Diabetes is a known risk factor for various cardiovascular complications, mediated by endothelial dysfunction. Despite the high prevalence of this metabolic disorder, there is a lack of in vitro models that recapitulate the complexity of genetic and environmental factors associated with diabetic endothelial dysfunction. Here, we utilized human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived endothelial cells (ECs) to develop in vitro models of diabetic endothelial dysfunction.

Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Activity of Phytochemicals from Tea and Agarwood Leaf Extracts against Isolated Bacteria from Poultry and Curd.

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are becoming increasingly common, leading to a global health crisis. The effects of abusing antibiotics not only increase pathogenic resistance but also cause various diseases and syndromes. Gut microbiota contains many beneficial roles for health, while antibiotics kill both pathogens and gut microbiota which is considered one of the major side effects of antibiotics.

Sociodemographic Barriers to the Timely Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer.

Background/aim: Pancreatic cancer has a high mortality rate and timely treatment is imperative for favorable patient outcomes. This retrospective study aimed to identify disparities in time to treatment for pancreatic cancer based on sociodemographic factors.

Patients And Methods: The study used the National Cancer Database from 2004 to 2019.

A scoping review on integrated health campaigns for immunization in low- and middle-income countries.

Health campaign integration is a key implementation strategy outlined by the World Health Organization to achieve universal health coverage. This scoping review synthesizes the evidence on Integrated Health Campaigns (IHC) in the field of immunization in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) regarding the most common strategies, facilitators and barriers. Four reviewers followed a systematic approach to identify, screen and analyse relevant articles.