Desensitization With Imlifidase for HLA-Incompatible Deceased Donor Kidney Transplantation: A Delphi International Expert Consensus.

Highly sensitized (HS) patients in need of kidney transplantation (KTx) typically spend a longer time waiting for compatible kidneys, are unlikely to receive an organ offer, and are at increased risk of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR). Desensitization using imlifidase, which is more rapid and removes total body immunoglobulin G (IgG) to a greater extent than other methods, enables transplantation to occur between HLA-incompatible (HLAi) donor-recipient pairs and allows patients to have greater access to KTx. However, when the project was launched there was limited data and clinical experience with desensitization in general and with imlifidase specifically.

Dose Evaluation and Optimization of Amoxicillin in Children Treated for Lyme Disease.

Amoxicillin is commonly used to treat erythema migrans in the first stage of Lyme disease in children, with a recommended dose of 50 mg/kg/day, administered three times a day (q8h). This model-based simulation study aimed to determine whether splitting the same daily dose into two administrations (q12h) would provide comparable drug exposure. A pharmacokinetic model suitable for a pediatric population (age: 1 month to 18 years, weight: 4-80 kg) was selected through a literature review.

Extracellular vesicles in ageing cold-stored whole blood may not compensate for the decreasing haemostatic function in vitro.

Background: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have procoagulative properties. As EVs are known to accumulate in stored blood products, we compared the EV content and coagulation capacity of leukoreduced cold-stored whole blood (CSWB) with current prehospital and in-hospital component therapies to understand the role of EVs in the haemostatic capacity of ageing CSWB.

Materials And Methods: Blood was obtained from 12 O RhD-positive male donors.

Defining Excellence: The First Core Set of Quality Indicators for the European Paediatric Surgical Audit on Hirschsprung's Disease Care.

Aim: This study aimed to develop a universally applicable core set of quality indicators for Hirschsprung's disease care through a consensus-driven process, to standardise and improve care quality across Europe.

Methods: A modified Delphi method was used to achieve consensus among healthcare professionals (HPs) and patient representatives (PRs) across Europe. Participants completed three rounds of anonymous surveys, rating quality indicators for Hirschsprung's disease care.

Lung cancer screening program quality indicators - review & recommendations - An International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer Delphi process study.

Introduction: Lung cancer screening (LCS) using low-dose-computed tomography reduces lung cancer mortality in high-risk individuals. Evaluating and monitoring LCS programs are important to ensure and improve quality, efficiency and participant outcomes. There is no agreement on LCS quality indicators (QIs).

Behind the software: The impact of Unobtrusiveness, Goal Setting and persuasive features on BMI.

Background: Studies have demonstrated that interventions targeting weight loss and body mass index (BMI) reduction can be successful, although the specific factors that influence their effectiveness are still unclear. Behavior change support systems (BCSS) are an approach that aims to help users in their efforts to modify their behavior. A useful tool for assessing BCSS is the Persuasive Systems Design model (PSD), where different features and postulates can be employed.

Clinical outcomes of atrial fibrillation screening: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have investigated the benefits of atrial fibrillation (AF) screening. However, since none have shown a significant reduction in stroke rates, the impact of screening on clinical outcomes remains uncertain.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs reporting clinical outcomes of systematic AF screening in participants without known AF.

Comprehensive neuropsychological assessment and predictors of cognitive functioning at six months after COVID-19 in patients treated in the ICU, regular hospital ward, or isolated at home.

Cognitive impairment in patients with COVID-19 has been reported, but findings are inconsistent. This study assessed cognitive functioning 6 months post-infection across three COVID-19 severity groups compared to non-COVID controls. Seventy-two ICU-treated, 49 ward-treated, and 44 home-isolated patients with COVID-19, along with 48 controls, underwent neuropsychological evaluation and assessment of subjective cognitive symptoms, depressive symptoms, and fatigue.

Altered Pattern of Serum N-Glycome in Subarachnoid Hemorrhage and Cerebral Vasospasm.

: Subarachnoid hemorrhage is a serious condition caused by ruptured intracranial aneurysms, resulting in severe disability mainly in young adults. Cerebral vasospasm is one of the most common complication of subarachnoid hemorrhage; thus, active prevention is key to improve the prognosis. The glycosylation of proteins is a critical quality attribute which is reportedly altered in patients diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke.

Edentulism or Poor Oral Hygiene: Which Is the Stronger Predictor for All-Cause Mortality?

: All-cause mortality consisting of several heterogeneous subgroups does not have a well-defined set of risk factors. Despite the well-described role of oral hygiene on mortality, the association between the condition of the existing dentition and mortality remains unclear. Therefore, we embarked on the current study to assess the association of oral hygiene self-care (OHS) with all-cause mortality.

Predicting Early Death in Head and Neck Cancer-A Pilot Study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate biomarkers and biological characteristics of tumor biopsies from patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) to assess the risk of early death. Furthermore, we analyzed whether any combination of markers could be used for the prognostication of death within six months after cancer diagnosis. Patients diagnosed with HNC, receiving curative treatment decision at a multidisciplinary tumor board meeting, and who died within six months of diagnosis were included in this study.

PET-CT Imaging in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: A Narrative Review on Risk Stratification and Prognosis.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a heterogeneous cardiac disease and one of its major challenges is the limited accuracy in stratifying the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). Positron emission tomography (PET), through the evaluation of myocardial blood flow (MBF) and metabolism using fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake, can reveal microvascular dysfunction, ischemia, and increased metabolic demands in the hypertrophied myocardium. These abnormalities are linked to several factors influencing disease progression, including arrhythmia development, ventricular dilation, and myocardial fibrosis.

Risk factors and preventive measures for severe orofacial and neck infections: a three-year observational study.

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify the risk factors of severe orofacial and neck infections and the factors that could prevent them and reduce their severity.

Methods: A three-year prospective observational study was conducted from 8.15.

Increasing prehospital tourniquet use attributed to non-indicated use: an 11-year retrospective study.

Purpose: The use of prehospital tourniquets (PHTQ) for haemorrhage control in the civilian trauma population has increased over the past decade with some reports documenting the overuse of the device. The aim of this study was to identify the proportion of PHTQ use that is non-indicated and determine how this proportion is changing over time.

Methods: An 11-year retrospective study was performed at a Level-1 Trauma Centre on all trauma patients admitted with a PHTQ.

The role of non-respiratory arousals in residual daytime sleepiness in patients with obstructive sleep apnea treated with positive airway pressure: An analysis of the European Sleep Apnea Database registry.

Study Objectives: To assess the impact of the non-respiratory arousal burden at baseline polysomnography (PSG) on residual daytime sleepiness in positive airway pressure (PAP)-treated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Methods: We included OSA patients from the European Sleep Apnea Database registry with available arousal data who had at least 2 treatment follow-up visits. The primary outcome was the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score under PAP.

One hundred thirty-four germ line PU.1 variants and the agammaglobulinemic patients carrying them.

Leukopoiesis is lethally arrested in mice lacking the master transcriptional regulator PU.1. Depending on the animal model, subtotal PU.

Association Between Symptoms of Body Dysmorphia and Social Media Usage: A Cross-Generational Comparison.

The rise of social media parallels a mental health epidemic. The effect of social media usage on rates and severity of body dysmorphic disorder is not well-understood. To determine if an association exists between social media engagement, body dysmorphia symptoms, and/or interest in cosmetic surgery in a demographically diverse cross-section of the U.

Skin Grafting.

Although skin grafting is a basic surgical procedure, there are many sophisticated innovations that are used only by experienced surgeons. In-depth knowledge of new and old methods gives the opportunity to select the most appropriate technique in each case. Most methods have been invented long ago, but some of them have been rediscovered and further refined.

Computed Tomography Angiography in the Catheterization Laboratory: A Guide Towards Optimizing Coronary Interventions.

Cardiac computed tomography (CT) has become an essential tool in the pre-procedural planning and optimization of coronary interventions. Its non-invasive nature allows for the detailed visualization of coronary anatomy, including plaque burden, vessel morphology, and the presence of stenosis, aiding in precise decision making for revascularization strategies. Clinicians can assess not only the extent of coronary artery disease but also the functional significance of lesions using techniques like fractional flow reserve (FFR-CT).

Novel Real-Time Fluoroscopic Assessment Method of Transcatheter Heart Valve Expansion Following Balloon-Expandable TAVR.

Background: Transcatheter heart valve (THV) underexpansion after transcatheter aortic valve replacement may be associated with worse outcomes. THV expansion can be assessed fluoroscopically using a pigtail for calibration; however, the accuracy of this technique specific to transcatheter aortic valve replacement is unknown. We assessed the accuracy and reproducibility of a novel fluoroscopic method to assess THV expansion using the THV commissural post for calibration.

Sex-Specific Clinical and Genetic Factors Associated With Adverse Outcomes in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

Background: Females with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy present at a more advanced stage of the disease and have a higher risk of heart failure and death. The factors behind these differences are unclear. We aimed to investigate sex-related differences in clinical and genetic factors affecting adverse outcomes in the Sarcomeric Human Cardiomyopathy Registry.

Dermatologist Driven Aesthetic Nail Enhancement.

Background: Nail aesthetic procedures so far have been a neglected domain of nail medicine. With changing times, more people are getting sensitized towards nail enhancement; hence, there is an ever-increasing need for dermatologist driven aesthetic nail procedures.

Discussion: The management of various nail disorders takes a long time and might not be very rewarding with regard to complete aesthetic improvement.

Assessing blood flow in uterine fibroids using intravoxel incoherent motion imaging compared with dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI.

To assess the utility of IVIM parameters in evaluating uterine fibroid blood flow compared to dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) derived blood flow. Sixteen premenopausal women with uterine fibroids were enrolled in this prospective study. Pelvic MRI scans were obtained for each subject, both with and without continuous intravenous infusion of oxytocin, known to decrease significantly uterine fibroid blood flow, to assess the changes in blood flow of uterine fibroids.

Nephrectomy in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease: A consensus statement of the ERA Genes & Kidney Working Group.

A substantial number of patients with Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) undergo a nephrectomy, especially in work-up for a kidney transplantation. Currently, there is no evidence-based algorithm to guide clinicians which patients should undergo nephrectomy, the optimal timing of this procedure, or the preferred surgical technique. This systematic review-based consensus statement aimed to answer important questions regarding nephrectomy in ADPKD.