Implementation and evaluation of a navigation program for people with cancer in old age and their family caregivers: study protocol for the EU NAVIGATE International Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Cancer navigation programs aim to support, educate, and empower patients and families, addressing barriers to diagnostics, treatment, and care. Navigators engage with people to ensure timely access to services and resources. While promising for older people with cancer, these programs are scarce in Europe, and research on their effectiveness and implementation is limited.

Interventional anti-reflux management for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in lung transplant recipients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and aspiration are risk factors in the development of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) in the lung transplant population. The aim of this study was to investigate if allograft function and survival improved after anti-reflux surgery (ARS) in lung transplant recipients.

Methods: In accordance with PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane library databases from inception until 13/01/2024.

Hypertonic saline in acute decompensated heart failure (HSHF).

Hypertonic saline with high dose furosemide improves refractory heart failure. In this case series of 10 patients of refractory acute decompensated heart failure, effect of HSS with furosemide was compared with furosemide alone. Patients responded to the therapy better, with faster decongestion, without significant adverse effects or worsening renal function.

Global burden of disease attributable to metabolic risk factors in adolescents and young adults aged 15-39, 1990-2021.

Background: Metabolic risk factors are a significant cause of global burden among adolescents and young adults, but there is a lack of attention to the burden attributable to these metabolic risk factors globally.

Aims: This study aims to provide comprehensive estimates of five important metabolic risk factors and the attributable disease burden in people aged 15-39 years from 1990 to 2021, based on the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) database.

Methods: Global total deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were used to describe the burden attributable to five common metabolic risk factors, including high fasting plasma glucose (FPG), high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high systolic blood pressure (SBP), high body mass index (BMI), and kidney dysfunction, in adolescents and young adults.

Biofunctionalized polymeric nanoparticles for the enhanced delivery of erlotinib in cancer therapy.

Erlotinib, a potent epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor, faces bioavailability challenges due to poor water solubility and stability. This study aims to optimize erlotinib-loaded PLGA nanoparticles using a 3 factorial design to enhance drug delivery and therapeutic efficacy. The effects of PLGA concentration (R1) and NaTPP concentration (R2) on nanoparticle characteristics, including particle size, zeta potential, and polydispersity index (PDI), were investigated.

Longitudinal Goal Attainment With Repeat Injections of AbobotulinumtoxinA in Adults With Lower Limb Spasticity: Results From a Prospective Observational Study.

Objective: To assess longitudinal goal attainment with repeat abobotulinumtoxinA (AboBoNT-A) injections for lower limb spasticity (LLS) over 16 months.

Design: Prospective, longitudinal, international, multicenter, observational study (NCT04050527).

Setting: Specialist neurorehabilitation centers.

Performance of a Short Version of the Everyday Cognition Scale (ECog-12) to Detect Cognitive Impairment.

Background: The Everyday Cognition (ECog) 12-item scale, a functional decline measurement, can distinguish dementia from cognitively unimpaired (CU). Limited data compare ECog-12 performance by raters (self vs. informant) and scoring systems (average numeric vs.

Seroprevalence and risk factors for brucellosis amongst livestock and humans in a multi-herd ranch system in Kagera, Tanzania.

Background: Brucellosis remains a significant health and economic challenge for livestock and humans globally. Despite its public health implications, the factors driving the endemic persistence of at the human-livestock interface in Tanzania remain poorly elucidated. This study aimed to identify the seroprevalence of infection in livestock and humans within a ranching system and determine associated risk factors for disease endemicity.

Risk Factors and Clinical Outcomes of Perioperative Hypotension in the Neck of Femur Fracture Surgery: A Case-Control and Cohort Analysis.

Introduction Neck-of-femur (NOF) fractures have high prevalence rates and require prompt surgical intervention for better outcomes. Perioperative hypotension (POH) in the geriatric population has poor outcomes with several contributing factors. The study intends to explore these risk factors and their correlation with patient outcomes.

Should the beach chair position have national guidelines to reduce the risk of cerebrovascular complications? Results from a National Survey of Surgeons and Anaesthetists.

Background: The beach chair position is frequently used in UK shoulder surgeries, but cerebrovascular complications, while rare, can have severe consequences. No consensus exists on best practices due to limited evidence.

Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted with a convenience sampling method among the British Elbow and Shoulder Society and Regional Anaesthesia UK members to gauge the need for guidelines.

The ADNI Administrative Core: Ensuring ADNI's success and informing future AD clinical trials.

The Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) Administrative Core oversees and coordinates all ADNI activities, to ensure the success and maximize the impact of ADNI in advancing Alzheimer's disease (AD) research and clinical trials. It manages finances and develops policies for data sharing, publications using ADNI data, and access to ADNI biospecimens. The Core develops and executes pilot projects to guide future ADNI activities and identifies key innovative methods for inclusion in ADNI.

Comparative Outcomes of Percutaneous K-Wires Versus Plate Fixation in the Treatment of Distal Radius Fractures: A Focus on Stability in Osteoporotic Patients and Both-Bone Distal End Fractures.

Background Distal radius fractures (DRFs) are commonly treated with percutaneous K-wire or plate fixation. The relative efficacy and stability of these methods, particularly in osteoporotic patients and in cases involving both distal radius and ulna fractures, remain subjects of clinical debate. Objective This study aims to compare the outcomes of percutaneous K-wire fixation versus plate fixation in patients with distal end radius fractures, focusing on postoperative stability in osteoporotic conditions and both-bone distal end fractures.

New tablet-based screening tool for assessment of cognitive decline in Nigeria.

We comment on the importance of the novel tablet-based screening tool for cognitive decline recently studied in Nigeria by Ogbuagu et al. TabCAT-BHA was administered on an iPad in urban and rural settings and was found to be a sensitive and culturally appropriate tool for assessing cognitive function and impairment. With accuracy, portability, speed, and ease of use, this study shows that such tests, computerized or online, have the potential to improve the screening of cognitive decline in diverse countries such as Nigeria, to facilitate early treatment and improved care and quality of life.

Assessment and repeatability of aerobic capacity using the Chester Step Test among current, former, and never smokers.

Cigarette smoking contributes to reduced cardiorespiratory performance, which may improve upon cessation. Consequently, former smokers' cardiorespiratory fitness should not be significantly different from that of never-smokers. This study aims to compare V̇O values among current, former, and never smokers and assess the repeatability of measurements using the Chester Step Test (CST).

A short version of the Everyday Cognition scale can predict clinical progression and cognitive decline.

Background: The Everyday Cognition scale (ECog-39) scores are associated with future cognitive decline. We investigated whether the 12-item ECog (ECog-12), which is being collected in Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI)4, can predict progression.

Methods: Baseline self (PT)- and study partner (SP)-ECog-12 data were extracted from the 39-item version collected in the ADNI.

Targeting Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α in Pancreatic Cancer: siRNA Delivery Using Hyaluronic Acid-Displaying Nanoparticles.

Conventional anticancer therapies often lack specificity, targeting both cancerous and normal cells, which reduces efficacy and leads to undesired off-target effects. An additional challenge is the presence of hypoxic regions in tumors, where the Hypoxia Inducible Factor (HIF) transcriptional system drives the expression of pro-survival and drug resistance genes, leading to radio- and chemo-resistance. This study aims to explore the efficacy of targeted nanoparticle (NP)-based small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapies in downregulating these genes to enhance treatment outcomes in pancreatic cancer, a tumor type characterized by high CD44 expression and hypoxia.

Modelling a Western Lifestyle in Mice: A Novel Approach to Eradicating Aerobic Spore-Forming Bacteria from the Colonic Microbiome and Assessing Long-Term Clinical Outcomes.

Introduction: The environmentally acquired aerobic spore-forming (EAS-Fs) bacteria that are ubiquitous in nature (e.g., soil) are transient colonisers of the mammalian gastro-intestinal tract.

Internalizing Symptoms and Their Impact on Patient-Reported Health-Related Quality of Life and Fatigue among Patients with Craniopharyngioma During Proton Radiation Therapy.

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe fatigue, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and brain tumor-associated symptoms after surgical resection and during proton radiotherapy, using latent class analysis (LCA), and to determine if there is class membership change among pediatric patients with craniopharyngioma.

Methods: For all patients ( = 92), demographic and disease-related/clinical variables were attained, and patient reported outcomes were collected prior to proton therapy, at week three, and at the completion of proton therapy. The mean scores for fatigue, HRQOL, and brain tumor symptoms were compared over time and profiles were identified.