Actual Use of Budesonide Enteric-Coated Capsules for Crohn's Disease in Japan: Analysis of Health Insurance Big Data.

Using a large health insurance database in Japan, we examined the real-world usage of budesonide enteric-coated capsules (BUD) in treating Crohn's disease. We analyzed data from the Japan Medical Data Center claims database for Crohn's disease patients prescribed BUD from April 2016 to March 2021, focusing on prescription status, adverse events (AEs), monitoring tests, and concomitant medications over 2 years following BUD initiation. Patients were categorized into two groups based on BUD usage duration: ≤1 year and >1 year.

Grasping Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) from the Perspective of Psychoneuroimmunoendocrinology (PNIE): Etiopathogenic Mechanisms and Relevance for the Integrative Management.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating condition caused by exposure to traumatic events, affecting 5-10% of the population, with increased prevalence among women and individuals in war zones. Beyond psychological symptoms, PTSD induces significant physiological changes across systems. Psychoneuroimmunoendocrinology (PNIE) offers a framework to explore these complex interactions between the psyche and the nervous, immune, and endocrine systems.

Redo Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement versus Valve-in-Valve Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement for Degenerated Bioprosthetic Valves.

Background: Valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve replacement (ViV-TAVR) is associated with improved perioperative safety compared to redo surgical aortic valve replacement (redo-SAVR), but long-term outcomes remain uncertain. We therefore compare long-term outcomes of ViV-TAVR and redo-SAVR.

Methods: The study included 1:1 propensity-matched Medicare beneficiaries with degenerated bioprosthetic valves admitted between 09/29/2011 and 12/30/2020 undergoing either redo-SAVR or ViV-TAVR.

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons National Intermacs Database Risk Model for Durable Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation.

Background: Statistical risk models for durable left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation inform candidate selection, quality improvement, and evaluation of provider performance. We developed a 90-day mortality risk model utilizing The Society of Thoracic Surgeons National Intermacs Database (STS Intermacs).

Methods: STS Intermacs was queried for primary durable LVAD implants from 1/ 2019 - 9/2023.

Joint image reconstruction and segmentation of real-time cardiac MRI in free-breathing using a model based on disentangled representation learning.

Purpose: To investigate image quality and agreement of derived cardiac function parameters in a novel joint image reconstruction and segmentation approach based on disentangled representation learning, enabling real-time cardiac cine imaging during free-breathing.

Methods: A multi-tasking neural network architecture, incorporating disentangled representation learning, was trained using simulated examinations based on data from a public repository along with MR scans specifically acquired for model development. An exploratory feasibility study evaluated the method on undersampled real-time acquisitions using an in-house developed spiral bSSFP pulse sequence in eight healthy participants and five patients with intermittent atrial fibrillation.

Unveiling results and insights from multinational, multicenter Study of Prescribing patterns and Effectiveness of Ceftolozane/Tazobactam Real-world Analysis (SPECTRA).

Objectives: Antibacterial-resistant gram-negative hospital-acquired infections result in significant morbidity and mortality. In clinical trials, ceftolozane/tazobactam (C/T) has been effective against these infections; however, real-world findings are limited.

Methods: SPECTRA was a global, retrospective, observational inpatient study of adults treated with C/T for ≥48 hours, conducted between 2016 and 2020.

Transmitted HIV-1 Drug Resistance in Estonian Residents and Ukrainian Refugees in 2020 and 2022.

Objectives: We investigated the prevalence of drug resistance mutations (DRMs) in individuals newly diagnosed with HIV-1 in Estonia in 2020 and 2022, and in Ukrainian war refugees living with HIV who arrived in Estonia in 2022.

Methods: HIV-1 genomic RNA was sequenced in protease-reverse transcriptase and integrase regions. DRMs were determined separately by Stanford University CPR Tool and HIVdb Program.

PSMA-targeted delivery of docetaxel in prostate cancer using small-sized PDA-based micellar nanovectors.

In this study, we present the first comparative analysis of active and passive drug delivery systems for docetaxel (DTX) in prostate cancer using supramolecular self-assembled micellar nanovectors. Specifically, we developed two novel micelles based on polydiacetylenic amphiphiles (PDA) for passive and active targeting. The active targeting micelles were designed with a prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) ligand, ACUPA, to facilitate recognition by PSMA-positive cancer cells.

Brief Report: Preventing Infusion-related Reactions With Intravenous Amivantamab: Results From SKIPPirr, a Phase 2 Study.

Introduction: Amivantamab, an EGFR-MET bispecific antibody, is approved for multiple indications in EGFR-mutated advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as monotherapy or combined with other agents. Intravenous amivantamab is associated with a 67% infusion-related reactions (IRR) rate.

Methods: The phase 2 SKIPPirr study (NCT05663866) enrolled patients with EGFR-mutated (Ex19del/L858R) advanced NSCLC after progression on osimertinib and platinum-based chemotherapy who received intravenous amivantamab plus oral lazertinib (amivantamab-lazertinib), a third-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Global impact of 10- and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines on pneumococcal meningitis in all ages: the PSERENADE project.

Background: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) introduced in childhood national immunization programs lowered vaccine-type invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), but replacement with non-vaccine-types persisted throughout the PCV10/13 follow-up period. We assessed PCV10/13 impact on pneumococcal meningitis incidence globally.

Methods: The number of cases with serotyped pneumococci detected in cerebrospinal fluid and population denominators were obtained from surveillance sites globally.

Neurodevelopmental Follow-Up in Children with Intrauterine and Perinatal Exposure to Chikungunya Virus.

Objective: To investigate the effects of intrauterine and perinatal exposure to chikungunya virus (CHIKV) on neurodevelopment in infants and toddlers.

Study Design: We conducted a cohort study comparing children with intrauterine or perinatal exposure to maternal CHIKV infection with unexposed controls in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Neurodevelopment was assessed with General Movement Assessments (GMA) in the first six months of life, and the Bayley-III Scales of Infant and Toddler Development and Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) for older children.

A European Delphi Consensus on the Management of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms in Patients with Heritable Aortic Diseases.

Objective: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in a patient with an underlying heritable aortic disease (HAD) is rare, and evidence based recommendations for its management are lacking. This study aimed to generate a consensus from multidisciplinary specialists on the diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance of AAA associated with HAD and to define topics of interest for future research.

Methods: A Delphi consensus was designed involving European multidisciplinary specialists and reported using the ACcurate COnsensus Reporting Document (ACCORD) reporting guideline.

Pulsed Field Ablation in the Elderly via a Pentaspline Multielectrode Catheter: Safety, Efficacy, and Comparison with Cryoballoon and Radiofrequency Devices.

Background: Catheter ablation is an effective treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF). Pulsed field ablation (PFA) has emerged as a novel energy modality, which relies on high-voltage electric fields to achieve cardiac tissue ablation. Data on its efficacy in the elderly are scarce.

Handheld dynamometry testing during dialysis: intra and inter-rater reliability study.

Objective: The aim was to assess the intra and inter-rater reliability of the handheld dynamometry testing of lower limb muscles during hemodialysis.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study including subjects undertaking hemodialysis for at least 3 months. Handheld dynamometer measurements of hip and ankle muscle strength (N) were registered on 4 different occasions, 2 trials by raters A and 2 by raters B, to evaluate the intra and inter-rater reliability.

Using Laboratory Test Results for Surveillance During a New Outbreak of Acute Hepatitis in 3-Week- to 5-Year-Old Children in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Curaçao: Observational Cohort Study.

Background: In March 2022, a concerning rise in cases of unexplained pediatric hepatitis was reported in multiple countries. Cases were defined as acute hepatitis with serum transaminases >500 U/L (aspartate transaminase [AST] or alanine transaminase [ALT]) in children aged 16 years or younger. We explored a simple federated data analytics method to search for evidence of unreported cases using routinely held data.

Nivolumab and hypofractionated radiotherapy in patients with advanced melanoma: A phase 2 trial.

Background: Radiotherapy is thought to enhance anti-tumor immunity, particularly when delivered in a hypofractionated and multisite manner. Therefore, we investigated the effects of combining radiotherapy with nivolumab in patients with advanced melanoma.

Methods: This was a multicenter, non-randomized, phase 2 trial that enrolled patients with treatment-naïve metastatic melanoma.

Effect of individual physiotherapy and telerehabilitation on back pain and quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis with mild and moderate disability.

Background: Back pain is a common but often underestimated symptom of patients with MS that can negatively influence their quality of life. However there are only limited number of studies comparing the effect of different types of exercise and use of telerehabilitation on back pain in MS. Therefore, the aim of the study is to compare whether telerehabilitation alone is as effective as conventional outpatient physiotherapy followed by online exercise.

Association of dysfunctional adiposity index with kidney impairment is accounted for by pigment epithelium-derived factor in type 2 diabetes mellitus - An 11-year follow-up of the SMART2D cohort study.

Aims: This novel longitudinal study investigated the association of the new dysfunctional adiposity index (DAI) with kidney impairment in multi-ethnic Asians with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and the mediation effect of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF).

Methods: T2DM adults followed for up to 10.5 years were analyzed (n = 1611).

Use of multi-modal non-contrast MRI to predict functional outcomes after stroke: A study using DP-pCASL, DTI, NODDI, and MAP MRI.

Purpose: This study aims to assess whether water exchange rate (k), a surrogate for blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, is associated with functional outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS).

Methods: We studied 22 AIS patients enrolled from 1/2022 to 4/2024 who underwent multi-modal non-contrast imaging on a 3.0-Tesla scanner, including DP-pCASL, DTI, NODDI and MAP imaging.

Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia across the spectrum of alcohol use disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Insomnia is prevalent among patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD), potentially undermining treatment and increasing the risk of relapse. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is the recommended first-line treatment for insomnia, but its efficacy is not well-characterized in patients across the spectrum of AUD. The aim of this meta-analysis was to quantify the effectiveness of CBT-I in improving insomnia severity and alcohol-related outcomes in adults with heavy alcohol use and/or varying levels of AUD severity and comorbid insomnia.

A Medication Management App (Smart-Meds) for Patients After an Acute Coronary Syndrome: Pilot Pre-Post Mixed Methods Study.

Background: Medication nonadherence remains a significant challenge in the management of chronic conditions, often leading to suboptimal treatment outcomes and increased health care costs. Innovative interventions that address the underlying factors contributing to nonadherence are needed. Gamified mobile apps have shown promise in promoting behavior change and engagement.

Pros and cons of surgical versus conservative management for head and neck paraganglioma: a real-world data analysis.

Purpose: To compare functional deficits associated to surgery with those caused by the growth of the head and neck paragangliomas (HNPGLs).

Methods: 72 patients with HNPGLs were included. Patients were divided in group A (49 patients undergoing surgery) and group B (23 patients following a wait and see approach).

Automated spinopelvic measurements on radiographs with artificial intelligence: a multi-reader study.

Purpose: To develop an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm for automated measurements of spinopelvic parameters on lateral radiographs and compare its performance to multiple experienced radiologists and surgeons.

Methods: On lateral full-spine radiographs of 295 consecutive patients, a two-staged region-based convolutional neural network (R-CNN) was trained to detect anatomical landmarks and calculate thoracic kyphosis (TK), lumbar lordosis (LL), sacral slope (SS), and sagittal vertical axis (SVA). Performance was evaluated on 65 radiographs not used for training, which were measured independently by 6 readers (3 radiologists, 3 surgeons), and the median per measurement was set as the reference standard.

Count-rate management in I SPECT/CT calibration.

Background: System calibration is essential for accurate SPECT/CT dosimetry. However, count losses due to dead time and pulse pileup may cause calibration errors, in particular for I, where high count rates may be encountered. Calibration at low count rates should also be avoided to minimise detrimental effects from e.

Epidemiology and Management of Actinic Keratosis in France: A General Population Survey (REAKT).

The objective of this retrospective observational study was to estimate the prevalence of actinic keratosis (AK) in individuals aged ≥ 40 years in France, to describe the characteristics of affected patients, and to describe treatments. A representative panel of 20,000 households with ≥ 1 member aged ≥ 40 years were invited to participate. Participants who reported AK lesions diagnosed by a physician were eligible.