The microenvironment of secondary lymphedema. The key to finding effective treatments?

Lymphedema is characterized by the swelling of extremities due to the accumulation of interstitial fluids. It is a painful and devastating disease that increases the risk of infections and destroys patients' quality of life. Secondary lymphedema is caused by damage to the lymphatic system due to infections, obesity, surgery, and cancer treatments.

Low-dose aspirin versus placebo in postpartum venous thromboembolism: a multi-national, pilot, randomised, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Despite the morbidity and mortality of venous thromboembolism, there is little evidence to guide postpartum thromboprophylaxis in patients at moderate risk. We aimed to assess the feasibility of conducting a double-blind, randomised trial of aspirin versus placebo in postpartum individuals with two or more venous thromboembolism risk factors, mild-to-moderate thrombophilia, or both.

Methods: The pilot PARTUM trial, a multi-national, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, was conducted in seven centres across Canada, France, Ireland, and the Netherlands.

Vanadium recovery from oil sands petcoke fly ash: A comprehensive techno-economic assessment.

Bitumen-derived petcoke contains significant quantities of vanadium, recoverable from the fly ash formed during combustion. Despite efforts to process vanadium recovery from petcoke, detailed cost information, critical for stakeholders and decision-makers, remains absent in the public domain. To address this gap, we developed data-intensive techno-economic models specifically for vanadium recovery from petcoke fly ash.

AutoCOR: Autonomous condylar offset ratio calculator for post-operative total knee arthroplasty radiographs.

Background: This study aims to automate the measurement process of posterior condylar offset ratio (PCOR) and anterior condylar offset ratio (ACOR) to improve the Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) evaluation. Accurate calculation of PCOR and ACOR, performed manually by orthopedic surgeons, is crucial for assessing postoperative range of motion and implant positioning. Manual measurements, however, are time-consuming, prone to human error, and subject to variability.

Risk Factors for 30-Day Postoperative Infection in Pediatric Ventricular Shunts for Hydrocephalus.

Background: Ventricular shunt infections lead to significant morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to identify risk factors for 30-day postoperative infection outcomes of ventricular shunts for pediatric hydrocephalus.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) Pediatric database for years 2016-2021.

Individualized transfusion decisions to minimize adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction and anemia.

Background: Risk-benefit tradeoffs between restrictive versus liberal red blood cell transfusion strategies may vary across individuals. This exploratory analysis aimed to derive and evaluate individualized treatment effects of defined transfusion strategies in patients with acute MI and anemia with the goal of minimizing adverse cardiovascular outcomes.

Methods: This study analyzed 3,447 (98.

Molecular clustering on ctDNA improves the prognostic stratification of DLBCL patients compared to ctDNA levels.

Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) levels can help predict outcomes in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), but its integration with DLBCL molecular clusters remains unexplored. Using the LymphGen tool in 77 DLBCL with both ctDNA and tissue biopsy, a 95.8% concordance rate in molecular cluster assignment was observed, showing the reproducibility of molecular clustering on ctDNA.

Network Meta-Analysis: Comparison of Endoscopic Dysplasia Detection Technologies in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Background: Novel colorectal cancer endoscopic surveillance techniques for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have recently been developed.

Aims: Compare the efficacy of currently available techniques for dysplasia detection in colonic IBD.

Methods: We conducted a systematic literature search from inception to March 2024 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or prospective cohort studies enrolling adults with IBD and having surveillance colonoscopy for dysplasia screening.

Therapeutic potential of ketone bodies on exercise intolerance in heart failure: looking beyond the heart.

Recent evidence suggests that ketone bodies have therapeutic potential in many cardiovascular diseases including heart failure (HF). Accordingly, this has led to multiple clinical trials that use ketone esters to treat HF patients, which we term ketone therapy. Ketone esters, specifically ketone monoesters, are synthetic compounds which, when consumed, are de-esterified into two β-hydroxybutyrate (βOHB) molecules and increase the circulating βOHB concentration.

Association of social determinants of health with first antiseizure medication prescription for patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To assess whether social determinants of health (SDOHs) are associated with the first antiseizure medication (ASM) prescribed for newly diagnosed epilepsy.

Methods: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) standards were followed, and the protocol registered (CRD42023448998). Embase, Medline, and Web of Science were searched up to July 31, 2023.

Quantitative Pupillometry Predicts Neurologic Deterioration in Patients with Large Middle Cerebral Artery Stroke.

Objective: This study assesses whether longitudinal quantitative pupillometry predicts neurological deterioration after large middle cerebral artery (MCA) stroke and determines how early changes are detectable.

Methods: This prospective, single-center observational cohort study included patients with large MCA stroke admitted to Boston Medical Center's intensive care unit (2019-2024). Associations between time-to-neurologic deterioration and quantitative pupillometry, including Neurological Pupil Index (NPi), were assessed using Cox proportional hazards models with time-dependent covariates adjusted for age, sex, and Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score.

Interplay of Light, Melatonin, and Circadian Genes in Skin Pigmentation Regulation.

Circadian regulation of skin pigmentation is essential for thermoregulation, ultraviolet (UV) protection, and synchronization of skin cell renewal. This regulation involves both cell-autonomous photic responses and non-cell-autonomous hormonal control, particularly through melatonin produced in a light-sensitive manner. Photosensitive opsins, cryptochromes, and melatonin regulate circadian rhythms in skin pigment cells.

Upper cervical spinal cord atrophy in MS: Sex, menopause, and neurodegeneration.

Background: Spinal cord (SC) atrophy is a key imaging biomarker of progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). Progressive MS is more common in men and postmenopausal women.

Objective: Investigate the impact of sex and menopause on SC measurements in persons with MS (pwMS).

The safety and feasibility of transcranial direct current stimulation and exercise therapy for the treatment of cervicogenic headaches: A randomized pilot trial.

Objective: Our primary objective was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of transcranial direct current stimulation combined with exercise therapy for the treatment of cervicogenic headache. Our exploratory objectives compared symptoms of headache, mood, pain, and quality of life between active and sham transcranial direct stimulation combined with exercise therapy.

Background: Cervicogenic headache arises from injury to the cervical spine or degenerative diseases impacting cervical spine structure resulting in pain, reduced quality of life, and impaired function.

Unlocking Mechanisms for Soil Organic Matter Accumulation: Carbon Use Efficiency and Microbial Necromass as the Keys.

Soil microorganisms transform plant-derived C (carbon) into particulate organic C (POC) and mineral-associated C (MAOC) pools. While microbial carbon use efficiency (CUE) is widely recognized in current biogeochemical models as a key predictor of soil organic carbon (SOC) storage, large-scale empirical evidence is limited. In this study, we proposed and experimentally tested two predictors of POC and MAOC pool formation: microbial necromass (using amino sugars as a proxy) and CUE (by O-HO approach).

Nursing knowledge in cardio-oncology: results of an international learning needs-assessment survey.

Background: With early detection and improvements in systemic and local therapies, millions of people are surviving cancer, but for some at a high cost. In some cancer types, cardiovascular disease now competes with recurrent cancer as the cause of death. Traditional care models, in which the cardiologist or oncologist assess patients individually, do not address complex cancer and cardiovascular needs.

The association of frailty and bedside body composition tools with total body potassium and body cell mass: a pilot study in adults with cirrhosis.

The accurate assessment of body composition in cirrhosis is challenging as fluid accumulation affects most techniques. The whole-body counter is a state-of-the-art method that measures total body potassium (TBK) unbiased by fluid, from which body cell mass (BCM) is derived. This pilot study in 20 patients with cirrhosis evaluated bedside tools including the liver frailty index (LFI), bioimpedance analysis-based phase angle, calf circumference (CC), and BMI (body mass index)/edema-adjusted CC, and explored their association with TBK and BCM.

Serology and histology in Sjögren's syndrome diagnosis: a retrospective accuracy study.

Introduction: Sjögren's syndrome (SS) presents complex diagnostic challenges due to its multi-organ involvement, often leading to misdiagnosis, which can result in unnecessary treatments, elevated healthcare costs, and significant impacts on patient quality of life. Accurate diagnosis is therefore critical, utilising ACR/EULAR criteria that include both labial minor salivary gland (LMSG) biopsy and anti-SSA antibodies.

Methods: This retrospective study analysed medical records of 87 adults suspected of primary SS, who underwent both anti-SSA serology and LMSG biopsy.

Risky transportation-related behaviors among high school students, 2007 to 2023.

The study highlights significant declines in risky transportation-related behaviors among US high school students from 2007 to 2023.

Biomimetic Confined Assembly of Plasmonic CuS from Electronic Waste for Rapid Photothermal Disinfection.

Photothermal disinfection (PTD) offers promising potential for water purification due to its sustainable and broad-spectrum bactericidal properties, although it is hindered by slow charge separation in photosensitizers. Herein, we present a plasma-mediated PTD technique utilizing an efficient localized heating effect induced by incident light at specific wavelengths for rapid bacterial inactivation. A metallic CuS photosensitizer, derived from electronic waste through a biomimetic transmembrane confined-assembled strategy, facilitates collective and coherent oscillation of free electrons around Cu atoms in the near-infrared range.

Nano-fibrous biopolymers as building blocks for gel networks: Interactions, characterization, and applications.

Biopolymers derived from natural resources are highly abundant, biodegradable, and biocompatible, making them promising candidates to replace non-renewable fossil fuels and mitigate environmental and health impacts. Nano-fibrous biopolymers possessing advantages of biopolymers entangle with each other through inter-/intra-molecular interactions, serving as ideal building blocks for gel construction. These biopolymer nanofibers often synergize with other nano-building blocks to enhance gels with desirable functions and eco-friendliness across various applications in biomedical, environmental, and energy sectors.

Duck Tembusu virus induced mitophagy in vacuolate spermatogenic cells is mediated by PINK1-Parkin pathway.

As a significant emerging and re-emerging pathogen in China, the widely spread of Duck Tembusu virus (DTMUV) caused enormous economic losses to poultry industry. On account of DTMUV diseases' main symptoms on haemorrhagic oophoritis, intensive attentions were focused on female reproductive organ. Nevertheless, the DTMUV infection of sperm and testis manifested that testis was an important vector for vertical transmission of DTMUV.

Quality of warfarin management following transfer from an anticoagulation clinic to primary care.

Background: Advances in alternative oral anticoagulants has reduced use and clinician comfort with warfarin. Our specialty anticoagulation clinic (AC) operates at maximum capacity and must transfer patients to accept new referrals.

Objectives: To compare time within therapeutic range (TTR) during 6 months of AC care versus following transfer to primary care for a minimum of 6 months and to a maximum of 24 months.

A randomized trial comparing endovascular and surgical management of ruptured intracranial aneurysms excluded from previous trials.

Objective: Many patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms (RIAs) underrepresented or excluded from previous randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing surgery with endovascular treatment (EVT) are still considered for surgical clipping, but the best management of these patients remains unknown.

Methods: The International Subarachnoid Aneurysm Trial-2 was a randomized trial comparing surgical versus EVT of RIAs considered for surgical clipping, despite the results of previous RCTs, and also eligible for EVT. The primary endpoint was death or dependency according to the modified Rankin Scale score (mRS score > 2) at 1 year.

Negative Pressure Ventilation Ex-Situ Lung Perfusion Preserves Porcine and Human Lungs for 36-Hours.

Introduction: Preclinically, 24-hour continuous Ex-Situ Lung Perfusion (ESLP) is the longest duration achieved in large animal models and rejected human lungs. Here, we present our 36-hour Negative Pressure Ventilation (NPV)-ESLP protocol applied to porcine and rejected human lungs.

Methods: Five sets of donor domestic pig lungs (45-55 kg) underwent 36-hour NPV-ESLP.