Xalnesiran with or without an Immunomodulator in Chronic Hepatitis B.

Background: Xalnesiran, a small interfering RNA molecule that targets a conserved region of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome and silences multiple HBV transcripts, may have efficacy, with or without an immunomodulator, in patients with chronic HBV infection.

Methods: We conducted a phase 2, multicenter, randomized, controlled, adaptive, open-label platform trial that included the evaluation of 48 weeks of treatment with xalnesiran at a dose of 100 mg (group 1), xalnesiran at a dose of 200 mg (group 2), xalnesiran at a dose of 200 mg plus 150 mg of ruzotolimod (group 3), xalnesiran at a dose of 200 mg plus 180 μg of pegylated interferon alfa-2a (group 4), or a nucleoside or nucleotide analogue (NA) alone (group 5) in participants with chronic HBV infection who had virologic suppression with NA therapy. The primary efficacy end point was hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss (HBsAg level, <0.

Increased mortality from alcohol use disorder, alcohol-associated liver disease, and liver cancer from alcohol among older adults in the United States: 2000 to 2021.

Background: To investigate the trends in alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), liver cancer from alcohol, and alcohol use disorder (AUD) burden among older adults in the United States (US).

Methods: We gathered the ALD, liver cancer from alcohol, and AUD prevalence, mortality, and age-standardized rates (ASRs) from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2021 between 2010 and 2021. We estimated the annual percent change (APC) with confidence intervals (CIs) for the burden of ALD, liver cancer from alcohol, and AUD in older adults (>70 years) in the United States.

Large Language Model Ability to Translate CT and MRI Free-Text Radiology Reports Into Multiple Languages.

Background High-quality translations of radiology reports are essential for optimal patient care. Because of limited availability of human translators with medical expertise, large language models (LLMs) are a promising solution, but their ability to translate radiology reports remains largely unexplored. Purpose To evaluate the accuracy and quality of various LLMs in translating radiology reports across high-resource languages (English, Italian, French, German, and Chinese) and low-resource languages (Swedish, Turkish, Russian, Greek, and Thai).

Comparison of Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Kale Extract Versus Ibuprofen After Impacted Mandibular Third Molar Surgery: A Randomized, Double-Blind Split-Mouth Clinical Trial.

Background/objective: We assessed the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of kale extract (500 mg anthocyanin equivalent) in patients after mandibular molar surgery.

Methods: In our randomized clinical trial, postoperative subjects (n = 20) aged 18-25 years old took kale extract or ibuprofen (400 mg) capsules for 7 days, or vice versa, after surgical removal of each impacted tooth. Their pain intensity was then assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS).

Mild and efficient approach to aromatic backbone cleavage using copper-lignosulfonate/hydrogen peroxide system.

This study investigates the dual role of copper ions in catalysis and complexation during the oxidation of lignosulfonates with hydrogen peroxide (HO) under alkaline conditions. The presence of copper ions reduces partial oxidation by 86 % compared to HO treatment alone, enhancing overall conversion efficiency to 63 % under increased oxidative conditions. Analyses reveal that copper-lignosulfonate complexes facilitate redox cycling and hydroxyl radical generation through interactions with HO, confirming copper's dual functions.

Polysaccharide extract of Spirulina sp. increases effector immune-cell killing activities against cholangiocarcinoma.

Cyanobacteria and algae serving as promising food supplements have recently garnered attention for their emerging potential in anti-cancer activity. Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) or bile duct cancer is one of the top-leading cancers affecting people, particularly in Asian continent. With patients exhibiting no or minimal symptoms in the early stages, advanced CCA is often diagnosed, and primary treatments such as surgery may not be suitable.

Development of a Prediction Model for the Risk of Infection in Patients with Aplastic Anemia: Survival Analysis in Recurrent Events.

Background: In patients with aplastic anemia (AA), infection-related complications are the leading cause of mortality. However, limited knowledge about the predictive factors for infection in these patients exists. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate risk factors for infection and develop a risk prediction model for the occurrence of infection in patients with AA.

Real-world usage pattern, effectiveness and safety of oral tramadol/dexketoprofen trometamol fixed-dose combination in moderate-to-severe acute pain in Asia: a prospective, multicentre, observational study.

Objectives: This study aims to determine the usage pattern, effectiveness and safety of oral tramadol 75 mg and dexketoprofen trometamol 25 mg fixed-dose combination (TRAM/DKP FDC) in the short-term treatment of moderate-to-severe acute pain in real-world clinical practice in Asia.

Design: Real-world, prospective, multicentre, observational, phase IV study.

Setting: 13 tertiary-care hospital sites across the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.

Under the name of "Lua": revisiting genetic heterogeneity and population ancestry of Austroasiatic speakers in northern Thailand through genomic analysis.

Background: Austroasiatic (AA)-speaking populations in northern Thailand are of significant interest due to their status as indigenous descendants and their location at the crossroads of AA prehistoric distribution across Southern China, the Indian Subcontinent, and Mainland Southeast Asia. However, the complexity of ethnic identification can result in inaccuracies regarding the origin and migration history of these populations. To address this, we have conducted a genome-wide SNP analysis of 89 individuals from two Lavue and three Lwa-endonym populations.

Long-term risk of mortality and loss to follow-up in children and adolescents on antiretroviral therapy in Asia.

Objective: We described mortality and loss to follow-up (LTFU) in children and adolescents who were under care for more than 5 years following initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Methods: Patients were followed from 5 years after ART until the earlier of their 25th birthday, last visit, death, or LTFU. We used Cox regression to assess predictors of mortality and competing risk regression to assess factors associated with LTFU.

Gemcitabine, carboplatin, and Epstein-Barr virus-specific autologous cytotoxic T lymphocytes for recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma: VANCE, an international randomized phase III trial.

Background: Epstein-Barr virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (EBV-CTL) is an autologous adoptive T-cell immunotherapy generated from the blood of individuals and manufactured without genetic modification. In a previous phase II trial of locally recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (R/M NPC) patients, first-line gemcitabine and carboplatin (GC) and EBV-CTL combination demonstrated objective antitumor EBV-CTL activity and a favorable safety profile. The present study explored whether this combined first-line chemo-immunotherapy strategy would produce superior clinical efficacy and better quality of life compared with conventional chemotherapy treatment.

Therapeutic roles of coenzyme Q10 in peripheral nerve injury-induced neurosensory disturbances: Mechanistic insights from injury to recovery.

Peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs) are prevalent conditions mainly resulting from systemic causes, including autoimmune diseases and diabetes mellitus, or local causes, for example, chemical injury and perioperative nerve injury, which can cause a varying level of neurosensory disturbances (NSDs). Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an essential regulator of mitochondrial respiration and oxidative metabolism. Here, we review the pathophysiology of NSDs caused by PNIs, the current understanding of CoQ10's bioactivities, and its potential therapeutic roles in nerve regeneration, based on evidence from experimental and clinical studies involving CoQ10 supplementation.

Total Synthesis and Anti-inflammatory Activity of Asperjinone and Asperimide C.

Total syntheses of two γ-butenolide natural products, asperjinone () and asperimide C () in both racemic and chiral forms have been accomplished utilizing Basavaiah's one-pot Friedel-Crafts/maleic anhydride formation protocol as a key strategy. Our syntheses verified the revised structure of proposed by Williams et al. and the structure and absolute configuration of reported by the Li group.

Solanum melongena L. Extract Promotes Intestinal Tight Junction Re-Assembly via SIRT-1-Dependent Mechanisms.

Tight junction disruption can lead to pathogenesis of various diseases without therapeutic strategy to recover intestinal barrier integrity. The main objective of this study is to demonstrate the effect of Solanum melongena L. extract (SMLE) on intestinal tight junction recovery and its underlying mechanism.

Determination of vat-photopolymerization parameters for microneedles fabrication and characterization of HPMC/PVP K90 dissolving microneedles utilizing 3D-printed mold.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing serves as an alternative method for fabricating microneedle (MN) patches with a high object resolution. In this investigation, four distinct needle shapes: pyramid mounted over a long cube (shape A), cone mounted over a cylinder (shape B), pyramidal shape (shape C), and conical shape (shape D) were designed using computer-aided design (CAD) software with compensated bases of 350, 450 and 550 µm. Polylactic acid (PLA) biophotopolymer resin from eSun and stereolithography (SLA) 3D printer from Anycubic technology were used to print MN patches.

variants and their genotype-phenotype correlations in Thai patients with haemophilia A: a nationwide multicentre study.

Aims: Analysis of the gene helps predict the risk of developing factor VIII (FVIII) inhibitors and the depth of phenotype in haemophilia A (HA) patients. Since data in Southeast Asian countries remain scarce, we aim to study variation correlated with HA phenotypes in Thailand.

Methods: Thai patients with HA were enrolled from seven haemophilia treatment centres during 2022-2023.

Implementation of First-Trimester Screening and Prevention of Preeclampsia: A Stepped Wedge Cluster-Randomized Trial in Asia.

Background: This trial aimed to assess the efficacy, acceptability, and safety of a first-trimester screen-and-prevent strategy for preterm preeclampsia in Asia.

Methods: Between August 1, 2019, and February 28, 2022, this multicenter stepped wedge cluster randomized trial included maternity/diagnostic units from 10 regions in Asia. The trial started with a period where all recruiting centers provided routine antenatal care without study-related intervention.

Nanofabrication of Losartan Potassium Sustained Release Floating Microspheres using Different Grades of Ethyl Cellulose and its Insight on Release Profiles.

Introduction: A sustained release system for losartan potassium designed to delay its residence time in the stomach through the preparation of solvent evaporation technique-based floating microspheres. The influence of the different grades of Ethocel™ such as 4 cps, 10 cps, and 22 cps as well as the drug: polymer ratio on various properties of microspheres were tested.

Methods: Thermal and functional analysis revealed no interaction between the encapsulated drug and polymer.

The Discovery of Selective Protein Arginine Methyltransferase 5 Inhibitors in the Management of β-Thalassemia through Computational Methods.

β-Thalassemia is an inherited genetic disorder associated with β-globin chain synthesis, which ultimately becomes anemia. Adenosine-2,3-dialdehyde, by inhibiting arginine methyl transferase 5 (PRMT5), can induce fetal hemoglobin (HbF) levels. Hence, the materialization of PRMT5 inhibitors is considered a promising therapy in the management of β-thalassemia.

Polymeric scaffold integrated with nanovesicle-entrapped curcuminoids for enhanced therapeutic efficacy.

Polymeric scaffolds were developed fortified with nanovesicle-encapsulated individual curcumin (CUR) and tetrahydrocurcumin (THC) for improved therapeutic efficacy due to their low stability and efficacy in native form. Nanovesicle-encapsulated individual CUR and THC were fabricated using thin-film hydration techniques and characterized. CUR/THC in native and vesicle-encapsulated form demonstrated diminished LPS-instigate nitric oxide (NO) levels in macrophage cells in a concentration-dependent demeanor.