Evaluation of two methods for counting residual leukocytes in leukoreduced packed red cells: Flow cytometry and fully automated cell counter.

Background And Objectives: Objective of the study is to explore the possibility of utilization of seven part fully automated hematology analyzer for enumeration of residual leukocytes (residual white blood cells [rWBCs]) in leukoreduced packed red cells (LR-PRCs) prepared from whole blood at a blood center as an alternate to the gold standard method, flow cytometry. In this study, we evaluate the performance characteristic of hematology analyzer against flow cytometry for the estimation of rWBCs in 39 LR-PRC units.

Materials And Methods: PRCs prepared from whole blood donations by 39 donors were leukoreduced and their volumes were noted.

Enhanced sensitivity and scalability with a Chip-Tip workflow enables deep single-cell proteomics.

Single-cell proteomics (SCP) promises to revolutionize biomedicine by providing an unparalleled view of the proteome in individual cells. Here, we present a high-sensitivity SCP workflow named Chip-Tip, identifying >5,000 proteins in individual HeLa cells. It also facilitated direct detection of post-translational modifications in single cells, making the need for specific post-translational modification-enrichment unnecessary.

Prevalence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors in high-risk Kyrgyzstan population as compared to Indians - An Indo-Kyrgyz cardiometabolic study.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are one of the most prevalent causes of mortality worldwide, especially significant in low- and middle-income countries. Kyrgyzstan and India represent such nations that face a huge burden of CVD-related deaths globally. Understanding the prevalence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) in these populations is critical for effective prevention and management strategies.

Long-Term Weight Loss Outcomes in a Virtual Weight Care Clinic Prescribing a Broad Range of Medications Alongside Behavior Change.

Background: Virtually-delivered obesity care has the potential to increase access to weight loss interventions at scale. While there is ample literature assessing various weight loss interventions, studies specifically demonstrating outcomes of commercial programs offering antiobesity medications in virtual care settings are lacking.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study assessed the weight loss outcomes of 66,094 participants in a virtual weight care program that prescribes antiobesity medications alongside a digital behavior change program.

The Empathy Quandary in Postgraduate Medical Training.

Background: Empathy stands as a cornerstone of humanistic qualities and is essential in healthcare for understanding and alleviating emotional suffering. Despite its necessity, formal empathy training remains elusive in postgraduate medical education across the globe, contributing to decline of humanistic practice among trainees. This study aims to assess and establish the need for empathy training by evaluating the perspectives of postgraduate trainees and faculty.

Malignant Insulinoma: Diagnostic Difficulties and Treatment Strategies in a Case of Persistent Hypoglycemia.

Hypoglycemia in non-diabetic individuals is a rare but critical condition that often signals an underlying pathology. Insulinoma, a rare neuroendocrine tumor of the pancreas, is a key differential diagnosis. As the most common functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, insulinomas originate from pancreatic islet cells and are predominantly benign.

Comparative efficacy and safety of colchicine and interleukin-1 antagonists in recurrent pericarditis: a network meta-analysis.

Introduction: Despite advancement of therapeutic approaches to recurrent pericarditis, it poses notable challenges to its' management. As per the current guidelines, colchicine is the first line therapy, although, non-conventional treatments like interleukin-1 (IL-1) antagonists (rilonacept, anakinra, goflikicept) are progressively utilized for refractory cases.

Evidence Acquisition: A comprehensive electronic search identified relevant literature across multiple databases, focusing on recurrence rates and adverse effects associated with each treatment regimen.

Cryoballoon Pulmonary Vein Isolation With Versus Without Additional Right Atrial Linear Ablation for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: The CRALAL Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) alone is less effective in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) compared with those with paroxysmal AF. We investigate whether additional linear ablation from the superior vena cava to the right atrial septum and cavotricuspid isthmus ablation improves the rhythm outcome of patients with persistent AF undergoing cryoballoon PVI (Cryo-PVI).

Methods: In this investigator-initiated, multicenter, randomized clinical trial, 289 patients with persistent AF refractory to antiarrhythmic drug therapy were randomized 1:1 to either Cryo-PVI with additional right atrium (RA) linear ablation or Cryo-PVI alone.

Relationship Between Severity of Ischemia and Coronary Artery Disease for Different Stress Test Modalities in the ISCHEMIA Trial.

Background: The relationship between the extent and severity of stress-induced ischemia and the extent and severity of anatomic coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with obstructive CAD is multifactorial and includes the intensity of stress achieved, type of testing used, presence and extent of prior infarction, collateral blood flow, plaque characteristics, microvascular disease, coronary vasomotor tone, and genetic factors. Among chronic coronary disease participants with site-determined moderate or severe ischemia, we investigated associations between ischemia severity on stress testing and the extent of CAD on coronary computed tomography angiography.

Methods: Clinically indicated stress testing included nuclear imaging, echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, or nonimaging exercise tolerance test.

Comprehensive surgical management of a severe 270-degree circumferential penetrating neck injury from an industrial accident: a case report.

Penetrating neck injury (PNI), involving disruption of the platysma muscle, accounts for 10% of trauma cases and poses significant morbidity and mortality risks. This case report details the management of a 45-year-old male who sustained a 270-degree circumferential neck incision from an industrial accident. The patient presented with a deep neck laceration, severe blood loss, and hypovolemic shock.

Efficacy and Safety of a Fixed-Dose Combination of Brinzolamide 1%/Timolol 0.5% vs. Dorzolamide 2%/Timolol 0.5% in Indian Patients With Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma or Ocular Hypertension: A Randomized Phase 3 Study.

Introduction Fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) have the potential in glaucoma management to improve efficacy due to the complementary mechanism of action of the drugs as well as compliance while reducing adverse effects by minimizing exposure to preservatives and the financial burden on the patients. FDC of brinzolamide/timolol has demonstrated efficacy and safety in multinational phase 3 studies in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and ocular hypertension. However, efficacy and safety in the Indian population are not known.

The QIBA Profile for Dynamic Susceptibility Contrast MRI Quantitative Imaging Biomarkers for Assessing Gliomas.

The dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) MRI measures of relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) play a central role in monitoring therapeutic response and disease progression in patients with gliomas. Previous investigations have demonstrated promise of using rCBV in classifying tumor grade, elucidating tumor viability after therapy, and differentiating pseudoprogression and pseudoresponse. However, the quantification and reproducibility of rCBV measurements across patients, devices, and software remain a critical barrier to routine or clinical trial use of longitudinal DSC MRI in patients with gliomas.

What is the clinical utility of acoustic and vibrational analyses in uncemented total hip arthroplasty?

Background: Despite recent developments in THA, a more objective method is needed to assist orthopedic surgeons in identifying the insertion endpoint of the broaching procedure. Therefore, this systematic review evaluated the in-vivo efficacy of various acoustic and vibration analyses in detecting proper implant seating, identifying intraoperative complications, and quantifying the accuracy of predictive modeling using acoustics.

Methods: Four electronic databases were searched on July 23rd, 2023, to retrieve articles evaluating the use of acoustic analysis during THA.

Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants: Building a Team and Optimizing Practice in the Medical ICU.

The integration of nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) into the medical ICU (MICU) is becoming increasingly vital due to the rising number of critically ill patients and the shortage of board-certified intensivists. Successful recruitment and utilization of NPs and PAs in the MICU setting require a unique understanding of potential variations of the scope of practice based on state law and educational backgrounds, as well as the implementation of best practices around training and leadership support. The purpose of this article was to review the best strategies for creating a MICU team with NPs and PAs.

Electrophysiological Phenotype-Genotype Study of Sustained Monomorphic Ventricular Tachycardia in Inherited, High Arrhythmic Risk, Left Ventricular Cardiomyopathy.

Background: Among inherited cardiomyopathies involving the left ventricle, whether dilated or not, certain genotypes carry a well-established arrhythmic risk, notably manifested as sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (SMVT). Nonetheless, the precise localization and electrophysiological profile of this substrate remain undisclosed across different genotypes.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and left ventricle involvement due to high-risk genetic variants and SMVT treated by electrophysiological study were recruited from 18 European/US centers.

Risk of Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury in Computed Tomography: A 16 Institutional Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objectives: Concern about contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) may delay the timely administration of contrast media for computed tomography (CT). The precise causative effect of iodinated contrast media on CI-AKI and its relevant risk factors remains an area of ongoing investigation. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the risk of CI-AKI following contrast-enhanced CT and its predisposing risk factors.

Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Borderline Resectable Head and Neck Cancers: A Comparative Study of Three-Drug and Two-Drug Regimens in a Low- and Middle-Income Country (LMIC) Context.

Background Borderline resectable head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) presents a significant therapeutic challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like India. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) aims to downstage tumors to achieve operability, but the optimal regimen remains controversial due to varying efficacy and toxicity profiles. This study compares the efficacy and toxicity of a three-drug regimen (TPF: docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil) with a two-drug regimen (taxane and platinum) in patients with borderline resectable HNSCC in an LMIC setting.

Outcomes of Dose Escalation of Imatinib in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patients: A Retrospective Analysis From an Indian University Teaching Hospital.

Background: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treatment in low- and middle-income countries faces significant financial and logistical constraints. In scenarios where second-line tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are unavailable or unaffordable, dose escalation of imatinib provides an alternative. This study evaluates the efficacy, safety, and progression-free survival (PFS) outcomes of dose escalation of imatinib in CML patients who experienced suboptimal response or progression on standard doses.