Hospitalized Advanced Heart Failure With Preserved vs Reduced Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction: A Global Perspective.

Background: Outcomes of hospitalized patients with heart failure (HF) and characteristics of advanced HF stage may vary across left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and world regions.

Objectives: This study sought to analyze characteristics of hospitalized advanced HF patients across LVEF spectrum, world regions, and country income.

Methods: Among 18,553 hospitalized patients with acute HF (7,902 new-onset HF and 10,651 decompensated chronic HF) enrolled in the global registry REPORT-HF (International Registry to Assess Medical Practice With Longitudinal Observation for Treatment of Heart Failure), we analyzed characteristics and outcomes of patients with advanced HF, defined as previously diagnosed HF; severe symptoms before current admission (NYHA functional class III/IV); and ≥1 HF-related hospitalization in the preceding 12 months, excluding the current.

Editorial of Special Issue "Nutrition and Critical Illness".

Managing nutrition therapy in critically ill patients is complex due to the ongoing inflammation, catabolic stress, and changing metabolic demands that occur throughout an illness [...

Chemotherapeutic Drug Delivery Nanoplatform Development: From Physicochemical to Preclinical Evaluation.

Through this study, the synergistic behavior of small-molecular-weight, amphiphilic surfactant molecules and the triblock copolymer Pluronic 188 was extensively evaluated based on their ability to formulate nanocarriers with novel properties for the delivery of class II and IV (biopharmaceutical classification system) chemotherapeutic compounds. The combination of four different surfactants at multiple weight ratios and twelve initially formulated nanosystems resulted in four hybrid delivery platforms, which were further studied in terms of multiple physicochemical characteristics, as well as their stability in protein-rich media (fetal bovine serum/phosphate-buffer saline). Finally, we obtained a single final nanoformulation that exhibited a high loading capacity (%EE ≥ 75%) and a sustained drug release profile under physiological conditions (model drug methotrexate), without altering the original physicochemical characteristics of the carrier.

Initial Experience with the 4D Mini-TEE Probe in the Adult Population.

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a vital diagnostic tool in clinical practice, particularly in transcatheter interventions where it aids in both pre-operative planning and intra-operative guidance. Traditional TEE probes often require general anesthesia due to patient discomfort. However, the development of miniaturized TEE probes presents a promising alternative, enabling routine examinations and interventions with minimal sedation.

Artificial Intelligence in Head and Neck Cancer Diagnosis: A Comprehensive Review with Emphasis on Radiomics, Histopathological, and Molecular Applications.

The present review discusses the transformative role of AI in the diagnosis and management of head and neck cancers (HNCs). It explores how AI technologies, including ML, DL, and CNNs, are applied in various diagnostic tasks, such as medical imaging, molecular profiling, and predictive modeling. This review highlights AI's ability to improve diagnostic accuracy and efficiency, particularly in analyzing medical images like CT, MRI, and PET scans, where AI sometimes outperforms human radiologists.

Molecular Alterations in Paired Epithelial Ovarian Tumors in Patients Treated with Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy.

Background: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) followed by interval debulking surgery (IDS) and adjuvant chemotherapy is a therapeutic choice for women with advanced ovarian cancer. Whether NACT affects the tumor's molecular profile has not been determined.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of patients with advanced-stage epithelial ovarian cancer treated with NACT at oncology departments affiliated with the Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group (HeCOG).

Antipsychotic drugs for anorexia nervosa.

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the effects of antipsychotic drugs (both first- and second-generation antipsychotics) compared to placebo on body weight gain, psychological symptoms, acceptability, and adverse events for people with anorexia nervosa.

The clinical course of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with glomerular diseases and evaluation of the subsequent risk of relapse.

Introduction: This study aimed to describe the clinical course of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in patients with glomerular diseases (GDs) and its impact on the probability of relapse.

Methods: Patients with biopsy-proven GD and positive PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 from glomerular clinics across Greece were studied retrospectively. Those who received the GD diagnosis after the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination or coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) or ended in ESKD prior to infection were excluded.

Pneumatosis intestinalis - an illusive disease.

Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) is characterised by pathological gas infiltration into the submucosa and subserosa of the gastrointestinal tract, sometimes with an unclear pathogenesis. The clinical presentation of PI varies, with the diagnosis established via computed tomography (CT), where PI manifests as linear or bubbly gas patterns within the bowel wall. Management often necessitates surgical intervention to address potential life-threatening causes like mesenteric ischemia or bowel necrosis.

The emerging role of artificial intelligence in neuropathology: Where are we and where do we want to go?

The field of neuropathology, a subspecialty of pathology which studies the diseases affecting the nervous system, is experiencing significant changes due to advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). Traditionally reliant on histological methods and clinical correlations, neuropathology is now experiencing a revolution due to the development of AI technologies like machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL). These technologies enhance diagnostic accuracy, optimize workflows, and enable personalized treatment strategies.

Lymphoepithelial Carcinoma of the Lung: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Lymphoepithelial or lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma is a poorly differentiated carcinoma located outside the nasopharynx with similar morphologic characteristics to its nasopharyngeal counterpart. Lymphoepithelial carcinoma of the lung is a rare subtype of squamous cell lung carcinoma frequently associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, accounting for approximately 1% of non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC). We herewith present a case of a 78-year-old female patient who was diagnosed with lymphoepithelial carcinoma of the lung, emphasizing its distinct epidemiological features, clinical workup, and histopathological characteristics.

Intravenous thrombolysis or antiplatelet therapy for acute nondisabling ischemic stroke: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Purpose: Uncertainties remain on the optimal treatment for acute minor stroke with nondisabling symptoms. The two most common therapeutic approaches are intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and antiplatelet therapy, notably dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). We synthesized data from the literature to compare IVT to DAPT and identify the best treatment for this population.

Mpox and Lessons Learned in the Light of the Recent Outbreak: A Narrative Review.

According to the WHO, more than 90,000 cases of mpox have been reported since the 2022 worldwide outbreak, which resulted in 167 deaths, while a new outbreak in Africa since 2023 has resulted in over 18,000 cases and 617 deaths. Mpox is a zoonosis caused by the monkeypox virus, a double-stranded DNA virus belonging to the Orthopoxvirus genus, which causes smallpox-like illness. Until 2022, cases were predominately located in West and Central Africa, with only sporadic cases and outbreaks reported in other parts of the world.

Fungal Shoulder Periprosthetic Infections: A Systematic Review.

: Data regarding fungal PJIs of the shoulder are scarce. The present systematic review aims to identify and evaluate all published shoulder fungal PJIs in an effort to better understand the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to these infections. : A systematic review according to the PRISMA guidelines was conducted, locating all shoulder fungal PJIs.

Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation's Impact on Sexual Function in Female Patients with Neurogenic Detrusor Overactivity, Sexual Dysfunction, and Multiple Sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) frequently results in both urinary and sexual dysfunction, which significantly impairs quality of life. Conventional treatments for bladder dysfunction often prove insufficient, leading to the exploration of alternative therapies such as percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS). This study aimed to assess the impact of PTNS on sexual function and bladder symptoms in female MS patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) and female sexual dysfunction (FSD).

To Drink or Not to Drink? Investigating Alcohol's Impact on Prostate Cancer Risk.

Background/objectives: Prostate cancer (PCa) is a significant global health issue. The relationship between alcohol consumption and PCa risk has been the subject of extensive research, yet findings remain inconsistent. This review aims to clarify the association between alcohol intake and PCa risk, its aggressiveness, and the potential metabolic pathways involved in PCa onset.