Impact of Preoperative Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist on Outcomes Following Major Surgery.

Background: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) are increasingly being used for the management of diabetes mellitus and obesity. We sought to define the impact of preoperative GLP-1RA use on outcomes following major surgical procedures.

Methods: Patients who underwent a major surgical procedure between 2013 and 2021 were identified using the IBM MarketScan database.

Detection and identification of Naegleria species along with Naegleria fowleri in the tap water samples.

Naegleria fowleri, the causative agent of Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), is commonly found in warm freshwater environments and can enter the brain through nasal passages during activities like swimming or ablution. PAM has a high fatality rate, raising concerns about its global health impact. In Pakistan, particularly in Karachi, a significant number of cases have been reported, often with no history of recreational water exposure, but with regular ablution using tap water.

Gene signatures derived from transcriptomic-causal networks stratify colorectal cancer patients for effective targeted therapy.

Background: Gene signatures derived from transcriptomic-causal networks offer potential for tailoring clinical care in cancer treatment by identifying predictive and prognostic biomarkers. This study aimed to uncover such signatures in metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) patients to aid treatment decisions.

Methods: We constructed transcriptomic-causal networks and integrated gene interconnectivity into overall survival (OS) analysis to control for confounding genes.

Toward expert-level medical question answering with large language models.

Large language models (LLMs) have shown promise in medical question answering, with Med-PaLM being the first to exceed a 'passing' score in United States Medical Licensing Examination style questions. However, challenges remain in long-form medical question answering and handling real-world workflows. Here, we present Med-PaLM 2, which bridges these gaps with a combination of base LLM improvements, medical domain fine-tuning and new strategies for improving reasoning and grounding through ensemble refinement and chain of retrieval.

Role of topological indices in predictive modeling and ranking of drugs treating eye disorders.

Topological indices (TIs) of chemical graphs of drugs hold the potential to compute important properties and biological activities leading to more thoughtful drug design. Here, we considered certain drugs treating eye-related disorders, including cataract, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration. By combining modeling and decision-makings approaches, this study presents a cost-effective way to comprehend the behavior of molecules.

Prevalence and demographic profile of keratoconus among high school students in Kenya.

Purpose: To determine the prevalence and demographic profile of keratoconus (KC) among high school students in Nairobi County, Kenya.

Methods: In this population-based, prospective, cross-sectional study, multistage cluster sampling was used to select the participants. All students underwent visual acuity measurement, auto-refraction, retinoscopy and corneal topography.

Efficacy of Amitriptyline in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background/aims: Amitriptyline is prescribed off-label for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). We conducted a meta-analysis to assess its efficacy.

Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted until November 10, 2023, using MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science to study the efficacy of amitriptyline in patients with IBS.

Palliative Medicine Consultation Reduces Readmission Significantly in Certain Diagnoses: A Retrospective Analysis.

Hospital readmissions within 30 days are a significant concern due to their negative impact on patient outcomes and healthcare system costs. This retrospective study explores the impact of palliative medicine consultation on reducing readmission rates for patients with severe, life-limiting illnesses. Real-world data from a 21-hospital system was analyzed for six specific diagnoses, including heart failure, sepsis, pneumonia, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Thyroid Dysfunction Prevalence and Risk Factors in the Southeastern Part of Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background And Aims: Globally thyroid disorders (TDs) are common health issues including in the Southeast Asian region. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the prevalence of thyroid disorders in the Bangladeshi population, with a particular focus on the frequency, etiology, and comorbidity of various thyroid diseases.

Methods: A cross-sectional research design was conducted in the southeastern part of Bangladesh.

Ethyl 4-[(2-hy-droxy-eth-yl)amino]-2-(4-meth-oxyphen-yl)-1-methyl-5-oxo-2,5-di-hydro-1-pyrrole-3-carboxyl-ate.

In the title compound, CHNO the pyrrolidine ring is almost planar and subtends a dihedral angle of 85.77 (7)° with the pendant phenyl ring. An intra-molecular N-H⋯O hydrogen bond generates an (6) loop.

Intrauterine Contraceptive Device Translocation Leading to Right Anteromedial Ovarian Surface Impingement and Laparoscopic Retrieval: A Case Report and Literature Review.

We report a rare case of a 29-year old woman presenting with abdominal pain, whose initial examination failed to identify intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) threads. IUCD migration was confirmed by CT scan and subsequent single-port laparoscopic retrieval alleviated her symptoms.

Synergistic Effects of Hydrogen Peroxide Preconditioning and Valproic Acid on Hepatic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Introduction: Ex vivo preconditioning increases the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in terms of antioxidant activity, growth factor production, homing, differentiation, and immunomodulation. Therefore, it is considered an effective strategy to be used before transplantation and therapeutic application of MSCs. Histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi), valproic acid (VPA), has been reported to induce hepatic differentiation in MSCs.

Leveraging Saliva for Insights into Head and Neck Cancer.

Head and neck cancer (HNC) represents a heterogeneous group of malignancies with increasing global incidence and notable mortality. Early detection is essential for improving survival rates and minimizing recurrence; however, existing diagnostic methods are often invasive and complex. There is a need for noninvasive and more effective approaches for early detection and real-time monitoring of HNC.

Machine learning-based identification of animal feeding operations in the United States on a parcel-scale.

The increasing global demand for meat and dairy products, fueled by rapid industrialization, has led to the expansion of Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs) in the United States (US). These operations, often found in clusters, generate large amounts of manure, posing a considerable risk to water quality due to the concentrated waste streams they produce. Accurately mapping AFOs is essential for effective environmental and disease management, yet many facilities remain undocumented due to variations in federal and state regulations.

Association of TCF7L2 genetic variants rs12255372 and rs7903146 with the polycystic ovary syndrome risk: systemic review and meta-analysis.

Background: A significant overlap in the pathophysiological features of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been reported; and insulin resistance is considered a central driver in both. The expression and hepatic clearance of insulin and subsequent glucose homeostasis are mediated by TCF7L2 via Wnt signaling. Studies have persistently associated TCF7L2 genetic variations with T2DM, however, its results on PCOS are sparse and inconsistent.

Left Atrial Enlargement in Primary Cryptogenic Strokes Without Atrial Fibrillation.

The relationship between left atrial enlargement (LAE) and primary cryptogenic stroke (PCS) remains a mystery. LAE has been proposed to be an independent risk factor of PCS, recurrent ischemic strokes, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, and thromboembolism. Our study evaluates the prevalence of LAE among patients with PCS in the absence of atrial fibrillation, unlike previous studies that included atrial fibrillation, in order to isolate LAE as a risk factor.

The resilience of ethical assets against different uncertainty shocks.

The focus of this research is to examine the safe-haven properties of seven ethical and conventional asset classes using two sophisticated techniques: quantile coherence and Wavelet coherence. We analyze data ranging from October 3, 2011, to September 30, 2021, that encapsulates several global risk events. The results exhibit either positive or neutral associations between most assets and the Geopolitical Risk (GPR), indicating their safe haven capabilities against the GPR shocks.

Exploration of novel triazolo-thiadiazine hybrids of deferasirox as multi-target-directed anti-neuroinflammatory agents with structure-activity relationship (SAR): a new treatment opportunity for Alzheimer's disease.

It is believed that inflammation influences several physiological processes, including the function of the central nervous system. Moreover, the impairment of lipid mechanisms/pathways is associated with neurodegenerative disorders and onset of Alzheimer's disease (AD). AD is a chronic neurodegenerative disease representing the major cause of dementia worldwide.

Development of an immunodiagnostic assay for the detection of .

Background/aim: (SCMV; genus and family ), poses a significant threat to global sugarcane cultivars, including those in Pakistan. The aim of this study was to develop a rapid and effective diagnostic tool for detection of SCMV, enabling timely implementation of control measures to mitigate potential yield losses.

Materials And Methods: The study focused on the in silico analysis, physicochemical properties, immunogenicity, and subcellular localization of the SCMV coat protein (CP).

Introducing a Synchronous Workshop Feedback Model for OSCE Development in an International Education Partnership.

University College London (UCL) and Newgiza University (NGU) have been in an academic collaboration since 2016. We describe the introduction of a real-time feedback model for OSCE assessments within this partnership. We developed a workshop for faculty members at UCL and NGU to co-develop OSCE stations for use in final year summative exams at NGU.

Continuous Flow Synthesis of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles Enabling Rapid Screening of Synthesis-Structure-Property Relationships.

An adjustable and scalable method for the continuous flow synthesis of cupric oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs), targetted the reduction of their activity to synthetic biomembranes to inform the fabrication of nanoparticles (NPs) with reduced toxicity for commercial applications. By manipulating key factors; temperature, residence time, and the ratio of precursor to reductant, precise control over the morphology of CuO NPs is achieved with X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirming the formation of needle-shaped CuO NPs. One-variable-at-a-time studies reveal a relationship between the synthesis conditions and the characteristics of the resultant NPs, with CuO NPs varying controllably between 10-50 nanometres in length and 4-10 nanometres in width.

Textbook outcome in liver surgery for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: defining predictors of an optimal postoperative course using machine learning.

Background: We sought to define textbook outcome in liver surgery (TOLS) for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) by considering the implications of perioperative outcomes on overall survival (OS).

Methods: Using a multi-institutional database, TOLS for ICC was defined by employing novel machine learning (ML) models to identify perioperative factors most strongly predictive of OS ≥ 12 months. Subsequently, clinicopathologic factors associated with achieving TOLS were investigated.

Convolutional Neural Networks for the segmentation of hippocampal structures in postmortem MRI scans.

Background: The hippocampus plays a crucial role in memory and is one of the first structures affected by Alzheimer's disease. Postmortem MRI offers a way to quantify the alterations by measuring the atrophy of the inner structures of the hippocampus. Unfortunately, the manual segmentation of hippocampal subregions required to carry out these measures is very time-consuming.

Phytochemical profile and in vitro evaluation of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) foliage as ruminant feed with/without green banana flour.

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a crucial crop in tropics and subtropics, primarily cultivated for its tuber. However, its foliage is rich in protein and can supply essential elements for ruminants. The objective of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical compounds by Gas chromatography-MS (GC-MS) and the main phenolic by High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) present in cassava foliage, along with the fermentation pattern using a semi-automated gas production (GP) system.