From Pure Tones to Complex Sounds: Expanding Audiology Tools to Better Address Speech and Language Development.

This editorial highlights the limitations of relying solely on pure-tone audiometry for diagnosing and managing hearing loss, particularly in the fields of speech-language pathology and audiology. While pure-tone audiometry has long been the gold standard for assessing hearing sensitivity, its capacity to fully capture the complexities of hearing impairments is increasingly called into question. The article examines the profound impact of hearing loss on language development, psychosocial well-being, and quality of life, especially in infants and toddlers, who are at risk of significant delays in speech and language development.

Ravulizumab and Efgartigimod in Myasthenia Gravis: A Real-World Study.

Background And Objectives: Biologics that target pathogenic antibodies (Abs) and their effector functions such as the complement inhibitor ravulizumab and the neonatal Fc receptor agonist efgartigimod have recently been approved for the treatment of acetylcholine receptor (AChR)-Ab-positive myasthenia gravis (MG), but comparative studies are lacking.

Methods: In a prospective, exploratory real-world study, we assessed clinical efficacy, safety, and biological effects of ravulizumab and efgartigimod treatment initiation. Myasthenia Gravis-Activities of Daily Living and Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis scores were used as clinical endpoints.

Effect of Different Dietary Patterns on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors: An Umbrella Review of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses.

Background/objectives: Lifestyle interventions such as dietary changes have been proposed to control the cardiometabolic risk factors and thus prevent cardiovascular (CV) disease (CVD). We performed an umbrella review to investigate whether different dietary patterns affect CV risk in individuals with at least one cardiometabolic risk factor (hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome) but not established CVD.

Methods: We systematically searched the PubMed and Scopus databases (up to August 2024) for the systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Quercetin's Potential in MASLD: Investigating the Role of Autophagy and Key Molecular Pathways in Liver Steatosis and Inflammation.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MASLD) is a widespread liver disorder characterized by excessive fat accumulation in the liver, commonly associated with metabolic syndrome components such as obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. With a global prevalence of up to 30%, MASLD is projected to affect over 100 million people in the U.S.

Application of Additive Manufacturing in Assisted Reproductive Techniques: What Is the Evidence? A Clinical and Technical Systematic Review of the Literature.

This article investigates the transformative impact of 3D and bio 3D printing technologies in assisted reproductive technology (ART), offering a comprehensive review of their applications in improving reproductive outcomes. Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a thorough literature search focusing on the intersection of ART and additive manufacturing, resulting in the inclusion of 48 research papers. The study highlights bio 3D printing's potential in revolutionizing female infertility treatments, especially in follicle complex culture and ovary printing.

Duration of Antimicrobial Treatment in Adult Patients with Pneumonia: A Narrative Review.

Pneumonia remains a major global health concern, causing significant morbidity and mortality among adults. This narrative review assesses the optimal duration of antimicrobial treatment in adults with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP), and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Current evidence about the impact of treatment duration on clinical outcomes demonstrates that shorter antibiotic courses are non-inferior, regarding safety and efficacy, compared to longer courses, particularly in patients with mild to moderate CAP, which is in line with the recommendations of international guidelines.

Heart Failure: A Deficiency of Energy-A Path Yet to Discover and Walk.

Heart failure is a complex syndrome and our understanding and therapeutic approach relies mostly on its phenotypic presentation. Notably, the heart is characterized as the most energy-consuming organ, being both a producer and consumer, in order to satisfy multiple cardiac functions: ion exchange, electromechanical coordination, excitation-contraction coupling, etc. By obtaining further knowledge of the cardiac energy field, we can probably better characterize the basic pathophysiological events occurring in heart disease patients and understand the metabolic substance changes, the relationship between the alteration of energy production/consumption, and hence energetic deficiency not only in the heart as a whole but in every single cardiac territory, which will hopefully provide us with the opportunity to uncover the beginning of the heart failure process.

Annexin A2 in Tumors of the Gastrointestinal Tract, Liver, and Pancreas.

Annexin A2 (ANXA2) is a protein that is involved in many physiological and pathological cellular processes. There is compelling evidence that its dysregulated expression, be it up- or downregulation, contributes to the oncogenesis of various neoplasms, including those of the digestive system. The present review summarizes the current knowledge on the role of ANXA2 in the main tumors of the digestive system.

Do cooking techniques influence copper bioaccesibility in foods after in vitro digestion/fermentation in adults and children?

Cu is essential for the growth and organism health. Classically, its available fraction has been studied by in vitro digestion studies as a measure of bioaccessibility of Cu (Cu-BA). In this work we applied a novel in vitro digestion/fermentation method to multiple foods subjected to different home cooking techniques (raw form vs.

Isolation of Species Is Associated with Comorbidities, Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation, and Treatment Outcomes in Surgical ICU Patients, a Cross-Sectional Study.

The isolation of may be related to comorbidity, prolonged mechanical ventilation, and survival during intensive care unit (ICU) stay, especially with non-albicans (NAC). To examine the frequency of isolation, associated comorbidities and outcomes in the surgical ICU in Osijek University Hospital, Croatia, the data from the electronic database from May 2016 to 30 June 2023 were analyzed. In a cross-sectional study examining 15,790 microbiological samples, different strains of were observed in 581 samples from 236 patients.

Preliminary Study on Lutetium-177 and Gold Nanoparticles: Apoptosis and Radiation Enhancement in Hepatic Cancer Cell Line.

This study investigates a novel approach toward enhancing the efficacy of Lutetium-177 (Lu-177) radiopharmaceutical therapy by combining it with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in the HepG2 hepatic cancer cell line. Lu-177, known for its effective β radiation, also emits gamma rays at energies (113 keV and 208 keV) near the photoelectric absorption range, suggesting potential for targeted and localized radiation enhancement when used in conjunction with AuNPs. Thus, HepG2 cells were treated at two different activity levels (74 MBq and 148 MBq), with Lu-177 alone, with a combination of Lu-177 and AuNPs in two sizes (10 nm and 50 nm), while some received no treatment.

Rectal colonization with multidrug-resistant organisms and risk for bloodstream infection among high-risk Greek patients.

Background: Studies link multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) rectal colonization to increased infection risk, data from Greece, a country with high rates of MDRO, are limited.

Methods: We assessed bloodstream infection (BSI) risk following rectal colonization by MDROs across three Greek hospitals (2019-2022).

Results: Of 4,370 inpatients, 31.

Laparoscopic Heller myotomy versus peroral endoscopic myotomy in children with esophageal achalasia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Currently, laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) and peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) are the best treatment modalities for esophageal achalasia in children. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to compare the efficacy of LHM and POEM.

Methods: A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar and Web of Science for original articles comparing LHM and POEM.

A systematic review of therapies for aortobronchial fistulae.

Objective: The aim of the study was to summarize epidemiologic data about aortobronchial fistulas and compare outcomes (mortality, recurrence, re-operation) of open, staged, and endovascular repair of aortobronchial fistula.

Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted to identify eligible studies published between January of 1999 and December of 2019. The Cochrane Library, PubMed and Scopus databases were used as search engines.

Physical Activity Habits Among Physicians: Data From the Athens Medical Association.

Background: Physicians' exercise habits vary across different medical specialties and health service infrastructure. We assessed physicians' exercise performance according to the recommendations of the 2020 European Society of Cardiology Guidelines.

Methods: This cross-sectional study comprised 742 physicians of the Athens Medical Association (AMA), Greece.

Tumor and blood B-cell abundance outperforms established immune checkpoint blockade response prediction signatures in head and neck cancer.

Background: Immunotherapy has improved the outcomes for some patients with head and neck squamous-cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, the low and variable response rates observed highlight the need for robust response biomarkers to select patients for treatment.

Patients And Methods: We assembled and analyzed a large HNSCC dataset, encompassing 11 clinical cohorts including 1232 patient samples, spanning a variety of disease subtypes and immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) treatment types, tissue sources, data modalities, and timing of measurements.

Real-World Pattern-of-Care Analysis of Primary Cutaneous Lymphomas Radiation Therapy Among European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Members.

Purpose: We aim to determine the current treatment patterns and recommendations among physicians for cutaneous lymphomas and to identify the types of skin lymphomas for which existing radiation regimens need improvement.

Methods And Materials: A questionnaire from the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer was distributed to all members of the Cutaneous Lymphoma Tumour Group and Radiation Oncology Scientific Council. This online survey included 13 questions regarding treatment practices for patients with cutaneous lymphoma.

A study of platelet function in patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenia treated with thrombopoietin receptor agonists.

Background: Thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-RAs) are widely used in immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and are associated with increased thrombotic risk. However, data regarding their impact on platelet function is scarce.

Methods: Platelet function was evaluated in chronic ITP patients enrolled over one year, using light transmission aggregometry and platelet-derived microparticle (PMP) levels measurement with flow cytometry.