Optimal Medical Therapy for Heart Failure and Integrated Care in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: A Report From the ESC-EHRA EORP Atrial Fibrillation Long-Term General Registry.

Background: Heart failure (HF) often occurs in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), with a major impact on prognosis. Few data are available on the effect of integrated treatment strategies to improve prognosis in patients with AF. We aimed to evaluate the association between HF (according to left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF]), HF optimal medical therapy and adherence to the Atrial Fibrillation Better Care pathway, and major outcomes in patients with AF.

Diagnostic work-up of bile duct strictures: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Guideline.

1: ESGE recommends the combination of endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition (EUS-TA) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-based tissue acquisition as the preferred diagnostic approach for tissue acquisition in patients with jaundice and distal extrahepatic biliary stricture in the absence of a pancreatic mass. 2: ESGE suggests that brushing cytology should be completed along with fluoroscopy-guided biopsies, wherever technically feasible, in patients with perihilar biliary strictures. 3: ESGE suggests EUS-TA for perihilar strictures when ERCP-based modalities yield insufficient results, provided that curative resection is not feasible and/or when cross-sectional imaging has shown accessible extraluminal disease.

[The impact of diabetes on aesthetic procedures].

Diabetes may have an impact on aesthetic medicine, influencing both the safety and efficacy of various aesthetic procedures. Key aspects of the impact of diabetes on aesthetic medicine are summarized. Individuals with diabetes often experience dry skin, a condition known as xerosis, which may affect the overall texture and appearance of the skin.

2024 European guidelines for the management of genital herpes.

Genital herpes is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections worldwide. Using the best available evidence, this guideline recommends strategies for diagnosis, management and follow-up of the condition as well as for minimizing transmission. Early recognition and initiation of therapy is key and may reduce the duration of illness or avoid hospitalization with complications, including urinary retention, meningism or severe systemic illness.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography training conditions, results from a pan-European survey: Between vision and reality.

Background: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) still has a relatively high complication rate, underscoring the importance of high-quality training. Despite existing guidelines, real-world data on training conditions remain limited. This pan-European survey aims to systematically explore the perceptions surrounding ERCP training.

Single-Component Starch-Based Hydrogels for Therapeutic Delivery.

Hydrogels are interesting materials as delivery systems of various therapeutic agents, mainly due to the water-swollen network and the localized and sustained drug release. Herein, single-component starch-based hydrogels with enhanced degradation rates were produced by applying a facile synthesis and proposed for a novel delivery system of therapeutic molecules. Starch was oxidized with sodium periodate in water and mild conditions to generate aldehyde derivatives that, after a freeze-thaw procedure, were allowed to compact and stable hydrogels.

The Role of the Six-Minute Walk Test in the Functional Evaluation of the Efficacy of Rehabilitation Programs After COVID-19.

Patients with COVID-19 suffering in the acute phase from both the sequelae of the disease and prolonged immobilization require a rehabilitation phase for functional recovery and a comprehensive functional evaluation. This study proposes using the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) as a global functional assessment tool to quantify rehabilitation outcomes in post-COVID patients. Additionally, investigating the effect of High-Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT) on patients with musculoskeletal comorbidities was another key research question.

AI-Based Analysis of Ziehl-Neelsen-Stained Sputum Smears for as a Screening Method for Active Tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis is the primary cause of death due to infection in the world. Identification of in sputum is a diagnostic test, which can be used in screening programs-especially in countries with a high incidence of tuberculosis-to identify and treat those persons with the highest risk of disseminating the infection. We previously developed an algorithm which is able to automatically detect mycobacteria on tissue; in particular, our algorithm identified acid-fast bacilli on tissue with 100% specificity, 95.

The Benefits of a Rehabilitation Program Following Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction.

The medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) is critical for patellar stability. This study investigates the efficacy of a one-year physical therapy rehabilitation program following MPFL reconstruction using Synthetic Graft (SG) and Quadriceps Tendon Autograft (QTA). Thirty-five patients aged 18-38 underwent MPFL reconstruction (20 SG, 15 QTA).

Bacteremia in an Immunocompromised Patient with Hematological Comorbidities-Case Report.

is a rare pathogen that can cause bacteremia in immunocompromised patients, particularly those with hematological conditions like acute myeloid leukemia. In this case, a 56-year-old woman developed bacteremia following chemotherapy and multiple infections, including invasive aspergillosis. Despite broad-spectrum antibiotic treatments, her fever persisted until the blood cultures identified .

Evaluation of the In Vitro Behavior of Electrochemically Deposited Plate-like Crystal Hydroxyapatite Coatings.

The purpose of coatings is to protect or enhance the functionality of the substrate material, irrespective of the field in which the material was designed. The use of coatings in medicine is rapidly expanding with the objective of enhancing the osseointegration ability of metallic materials such as titanium. The aim of this study was to obtain biomimetic hydroxyapatite (HAp)-based coatings on titanium by using the pulsed galvanostatic method.

Analyzing postoperative complications in colorectal cancer surgery: a systematic review enhanced by artificial intelligence.

Introduction: Colorectal cancer stands as a predominant cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Despite progressive strides in surgical methodologies, the specter of postoperative complications is very large, significantly impacting both morbidity and mortality rates. This review aims to meticulously examine existing scholarly works to gauge the prevalence, severity, and therapeutic approaches to postoperative complications arising from colorectal cancer surgeries.

Autoimmunity, a relevant exclusion criterion in the development of mRNA-based compounds: A systematic review of clinical trials registries.

Background: Messenger RNA (mRNA) -based compounds have been lately developed as one of the most promising treatment alternatives in a wide range of pathologies, especially cancers and infectious diseases.

Aim: To review the current research landscape on mRNA-based compounds, with a focus on the inclusion criteria used for participants with autoimmune diseases and/or under immunosuppressive treatments.

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search based on PICO framework specifically formulated, throughout the most important clinical trial registries: WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) portal, ClinicalTrials.

A quality assessment and systematic review of clinical practice guidelines on hormone replacement therapy for menopause using the AGREE II instrument.

Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) have an indispensable role in guiding the selection of treatments for menopause. Variations in guidelines can impact treatments and health outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess CPGs on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for menopause, systematically reviewing their quality and compiling recommendations for HRT usage.

The Effectiveness of High Intensity Laser in Improving Motor Deficits in Patients with Lumbar Disc Herniation.

Background: High-Intensity Laser (HIL) therapy, known for its biostimulatory effects on nerve cell growth and repair, shows promise for improving motor deficits caused by morphopathological changes. This research study aimed to comprehensively assess muscle strength changes through muscle testing, complemented by functional tests evaluating factors contributing to disability in patients with Lumbar Disc Herniation (LDH) and associated motor impairment, following a complex rehabilitation protocol incorporating HIL therapy.

Methods: A total of 133 individuals with LDH and motor deficits were divided into two groups.

Mechanisms of Resistance to Rituximab Used for the Treatment of Autoimmune Blistering Diseases.

Autoimmune blistering diseases represent a group of chronic severe, disabling, and potentially fatal disorders of the skin and/or mucous membranes, primarily mediated by pathogenic auto-antibodies. Despite their rarity, these diseases are associated with significant morbidity and mortality and profound negative impact on the patient's quality of life and impose a considerable economic burden. Rituximab, an anti-CD-20 monoclonal antibody, represents the first line of therapy for pemphigus, regardless of severity and a valuable off-label therapeutic alternative for subepidermal autoimmune blistering diseases as it ensures high rates of rapid, long-lasting complete remission.

Ocular Movement Examination in Peripheral Vestibular Disorders as a Tool to Improve Diagnosis: A Literature Review.

: This study reviews the current literature on ocular movements, specifically focusing on nystagmus associated with peripheral vestibular disorders, to enhance diagnostic accuracy. The evaluation of ocular movements, particularly nystagmus, provides essential insights into the function and dysfunction of the vestibular system, helping clinicians distinguish between peripheral and central causes of vertigo and imbalance. : A comprehensive search of PubMed was conducted using key terms such as "ocular movements", "nystagmus", "vestibular nystagmus", and "peripheral vestibular disorders".

EUS-Guided Radiofrequency Ablation Therapy for Pancreatic Neoplasia.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) under endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) guidance has been developed and utilized over the last decade to provide the loco-regional treatment of solid and cystic pancreatic neoplastic lesions. The advantage of this approach relies on the close proximity of the EUS transducer to the target pancreatic lesion, which, coupled with the development of specifically designed RFA ablation devices, has made the procedure minimally invasive, with a clear reduction in adverse events as compared to the high morbidity of the surgical approach. EUS-RFA has been applied so far to pancreatic functional and non-functional neuroendocrine neoplasms, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma or metastases to the pancreas, and pancreatic neoplastic cysts.

European pollen reanalysis, 1980-2022, for alder, birch, and olive.

The dataset presents a 43 year-long reanalysis of pollen seasons for three major allergenic genera of trees in Europe: alder (Alnus), birch (Betula), and olive (Olea). Driven by the meteorological reanalysis ERA5, the atmospheric composition model SILAM predicted the flowering period and calculated the Europe-wide dispersion pattern of pollen for the years 1980-2022. The model applied an extended 4-dimensional variational data assimilation of in-situ observations of aerobiological networks in 34 European countries to reproduce the inter-annual variability and trends of pollen production and distribution.

Pregnancy-Related Thromboembolism-Current Challenges at the Emergency Department.

Thrombotic events during pregnancy are burdened by an increased risk of morbidity and mortality, despite innovations in their diagnosis and treatment. Given their multifactorial etiology, it is important to understand all the pathophysiological mechanisms but especially to achieve correct and timely diagnosis. Pulmonary embolism (PE) during pregnancy represents a rare event, with an incidence of 1 per 1000 pregnancies, but it is also one of the leading causes of death during pregnancy.

Portal Vein Pulsatility: A Valuable Approach for Monitoring Venous Congestion and Prognostic Evaluation in Acute Decompensated Heart Failure.

Background: The severity of systemic congestion is associated with increased portal vein flow pulsatility (PVP).

Aim: To determine the usefulness of PVP as a marker of decongestion and prognosis in acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) patients.

Methods: 105 patients, 60% of whom were men, were hospitalized with ADHF, and their PVP index (PVPI) was calculated (maximum velocity-minimum velocity/maximum velocity) × 100 on admission and before discharge, along with their EVEREST score, inferior vena cava diameter (IVC), NT-proBNP, serum sodium, and glomerular filtration rate.