Assessing Postoperative Quality of Life and Psychological Impact of Free Flap Reconstruction in Advanced Head and Neck Cancer Patients.

Introduction Head and neck cancer (HNC) significantly affects patients worldwide, often resulting in physical disfigurement, functional impairment, and diminished quality of life (QoL). Advanced HNC may necessitate reconstructive surgeries using free tissue transfer, which, despite improving survival, can exacerbate emotional and social challenges such as anxiety, depression, and social isolation. This study aims to evaluate the well-being of patients undergoing free flap surgery for advanced HNC using validated tools.

The Novel HLA-DRB1*03:218N Allele, Identified by Next-Generation Sequencing in a Greek Individual.

The HLA-DRB1*03:218N allele differs from HLA-DRB1*03:174N by a single nucleotide substitution in exon 2.

Identification of the Novel HLA-DQB1*05:02:01:19 Allele in a Candidate Bone Marrow Donor by Next Generation Sequencing.

The HLA-DQB1*05:02:01:19 allele differs from HLA-DQB1*05:02:01:01 by a single nucleotide substitution in intron 3.

Cardiac Troponin Levels in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: "Markers of High Risk or Just Noise''?

Kidney disease is linked to the development of cardiovascular disorders, further increasing morbidity and mortality in this high-risk population. Thus, early detection of myocardial damage is imperative in order to prevent devastating cardiovascular complications within this patient group. Over the years, cardiac biomarkers have been identified and are now widely used in everyday clinical practice.

Identification of the Novel HLA-DQB1*03:01:01:69 Allele in a Candidate Bone Marrow Donor by Next Generation Sequencing.

The HLA-DQB1*03:01:01:69 allele differs from HLA-DQB1*03:01:01:03 by a single nucleotide substitution in intron 2.

Post-Discharge Outcomes of Elderly Patients Hospitalized for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Flare Complicated by Clostridioides difficile Infection.

Objectives: Elderly hospitalized patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) flare and concurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) are considered at high risk of IBD-related complications. We aimed to evaluate the short, intermediate, and long-term post-discharge complications among these patients.

Methods: A retrospective multicenter cohort study assessing outcomes of elderly individuals (≥60 years) hospitalized for an IBD flare who were tested for CDI (either positive or negative) and discharged.

Modulation of Metabolomic Profile in Sepsis According to the State of Immune Activation.

Objective: To investigate the metabolomic profiles associated with different immune activation states in sepsis patients.

Design: Subgroup analysis of the PROVIDE (a Personalized Randomized trial of Validation and restoration of Immune Dysfunction in severe infections and Sepsis) prospective clinical study.

Setting: Results of the PROVIDE study showed that patients with sepsis may be classified into three states of immune activation: 1) macrophage-activation-like syndrome (MALS) characterized by hyperinflammation, sepsis-induced immunoparalysis, and 3) unclassified or intermediate patients without severe immune dysregulation.

Transpulmonary Plasma Endothelin-1 Arterial:Venous Ratio Differentiates Survivors from Non-Survivors in Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19-Induced Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent vasoconstrictor produced by endothelial cells and cleared from circulating blood mainly in the pulmonary vasculature. In a healthy pulmonary circulation, the rate of local production of ET-1 is less than its rate of clearance. In the present study, we aimed to investigate whether the abnormal pulmonary circulatory handling of ET-1 relates to poor clinical outcomes in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Enhancing the Chain of Survival: The Role of Smartphone Applications in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.

This review explores the role of smartphone applications in providing real-time guidance for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) practices and highlights their potential to improve CPR quality among laypersons. A narrative literature review was conducted on the effectiveness of mobile CPR applications for smartphones. Studies published between 2014 and 2024 were included to ensure that new technological advances were examined.

Effects of long-term corticosteroid use on susceptibility to respiratory viruses: a narrative review.

Background: Synthetic glucocorticoids are among the most commonly administered drugs due to their potent immunomodulatory properties. However, they may put patients at risk for infections. Their effect on the incidence of respiratory viral infections (RVIs) remains unclear.

Serum and urinary levels of MIF, CD74, DDT and CXCR4 among patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, type 2 diabetes and healthy individuals: Implications for further research.

Background: Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a highly conserved cytokine with pleiotropic properties, mainly pro-inflammatory. MIF seems to exert its pro-inflammatory features by binding to its transmembrane cellular receptor CD74. MIF also has CXCR4, which acts as a co-receptor in this inflammatory process.

A novel HLA-DQB1*06 variant allele, HLA-DQB1*06:02:01:40, identified by next-generation sequencing.

The HLA-DQB1*06:02:01:40 allele differs from HLA-DQB1*06:02:01:01 by a single nucleotide substitution in intron 2.

A novel HLA-DQB1*03 variant allele, HLA-DQB1*03:01:01:64, identified by next-generation sequencing.

The HLA-DQB1*03:01:01:64 allele differs from HLA-DQB1*03:01:01:03 by a single nucleotide substitution in intron 2.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy in heart failure based on Strauss criteria for left bundle branch block.

Aims: The left bundle branch block (LBBB) is a strong predictor of response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). However, a significant number of patients do not respond to the treatment. The study sought to evaluate the impact of the stricter Strauss criteria for left bundle branch block (St-LBBB) on CRT response, hospitalizations, ventricular arrhythmia (VA) events and mortality.