Treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus: new therapeutic options.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune inflammatory disease of unknown cause, with heterogeneity in its clinical presentation, as well as variability in its clinical course and prognosis. The current goal of treatment is to achieve disease remission or a state of low activity, and thereby improve the patient's quality of life. Biological therapy in lupus, unlike other entities, although it has not been fully established, in recent years it has burst onto the scene with important therapeutic novelties.

Two episodes of bacteremia of zoonotic origin caused by different Streptococcus canis isolates in the same patient within a time span of 1 year.

Two episodes of bacteremia of cutaneous origin in a female patient were caused by two unrelated Streptococcus canis isolates within 1-year interval between the two infection episodes. The most likelihood transmission route in both episodes was a dog pet that habitually licked patient´s legs. Isolates were characterised by antimicrobial susceptibility test and whole genome sequencing.

Prospective study of HDR brachytherapy (BT), external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT): 10-years experience of an MRI-guided approach.

Objectives: To evaluate the predictive factors for biochemical failure and distant metastases in a prospective cohort of patients with localized prostate cancer treated with the combination of HDR BT and EBRT.

Methods And Materials: Patients with intermediate (IR) or high-risk (HR) prostate adenocarcinoma received a single fraction of HDR of 15 Gy combined with RT of 37.5 Gy in 15 fractions.

Lipid fingerprint-based histology accurately classifies nevus, primary melanoma, and metastatic melanoma samples.

Probably, the most important factor for the survival of a melanoma patient is early detection and precise diagnosis. Although in most cases these tasks are readily carried out by pathologists and dermatologists, there are still difficult cases in which no consensus among experts is achieved. To deal with such cases, new methodologies are required.

Dysautonomia and small fiber neuropathy in post-COVID condition and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Background: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and post-COVID condition can present similarities such as fatigue, brain fog, autonomic and neuropathic symptoms.

Methods: The study included 87 patients with post-COVID condition, 50 patients with ME/CFS, and 50 healthy controls (HC). The hemodynamic autonomic function was evaluated using the deep breathing technique, Valsalva maneuver, and Tilt test.

Core outcomes and factors influencing the experience of care for children with severe acute exacerbations of asthma: a qualitative study.

Objective: To identify the outcomes considered important, and factors influencing the patient experience, for parents and caregivers of children presenting to hospital with a severe acute exacerbation of asthma. This work contributes to the outcome-identification process in developing a core outcome set (COS) for future clinical trials in children with severe acute asthma.

Design: A qualitative study involving semistructured interviews with parents and caregivers of children who presented to hospital with a severe acute exacerbation of asthma.

Systemic lupus erythematosus and glucocorticoids: A never-ending story?

Glucocorticoids (GCs) continue to be essential agents for the management of systemic lupus erythematosus, since there are no other drugs able to active remission of active disease so rapidly. However, their potential for causing irreversible damage greatly limit their use. Fortunately, some strategies may help take advantage of their huge anti-inflammatory power while limiting GC-induced side effects.

EFOMP policy statement NO. 19: Dosimetry in nuclear medicine therapy - Molecular radiotherapy.

The European Council Directive 2013/59/Euratom (BSS Directive) includes optimisation of treatment with radiotherapeutic procedures based on patient dosimetry and verification of the absorbed doses delivered. The present policy statement summarises aspects of three directives relating to the therapeutic use of radiopharmaceuticals and medical devices, and outlines the steps needed for implementation of patient dosimetry for radioactive drugs. To support the transition from administrations of fixed activities to personalised treatments based on patient-specific dosimetry, EFOMP presents a number of recommendations including: increased networking between centres and disciplines to support data collection and development of codes-of-practice; resourcing to support an infrastructure that permits routine patient dosimetry; research funding to support investigation into individualised treatments; inter-disciplinary training and education programmes; and support for investigator led clinical trials.

Transmucosal Boston Keratoprosthesis Type II in a Case of Severe Bilateral Chemical Burn.

Purpose: The purpose of this report was to describe a new alternative surgical technique combining oral mucosa and the Boston Keratoprosthesis type II (BKPro II) in a patient with severe chemical burn.

Methods: We present a case of a 37-year-old man who suffered a severe bilateral chemical burn. Visual acuity was light perception and projection in both eyes.

Recovery course of persistent posterior subretinal fluid after successful repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

Purpose: To investigate best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), subretinal fluid (SRF) absorption time or ellipsoid zone (EZ) restoration time and various variables in patients with persistent SRF after successful primary repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).

Methods: This retrospective multicenter study allowed independent analysis of the healing pattern by two observers based on composite of serial cross-sectional macular optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans. Univariate and multivariate analyses were implemented.

Physical activity and sedentary behaviour in patients admitted with COPD: Associated factors.

Aim: To establish amongst a cohort of patients admitted with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease which factors were associated with their level of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior prior to the admission event.

Methods: Prospective observational cohort study. Nine Spanish hospitals participated.

Results of phase 2 randomized multi-center study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of infusion of memory T cells as adoptive therapy in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pneumonia and/or lymphopenia (RELEASE NCT04578210).

Background Aims: There are currently no effective anti-viral treatments for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-hospitalized patients with hypoxemia. Lymphopenia is a biomarker of disease severity usually present in patients who are hospitalized. Approaches to increasing lymphocytes exerting an anti-viral effect must be considered to treat these patients.

Preclinical Evaluation of an Imidazole-Linked Heterocycle for Alzheimer's Disease.

Humanity is facing a vast prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases, with Alzheimer's disease (AD) being the most dominant, without efficacious drugs, and with only a few therapeutic targets identified. In this scenario, we aim to find molecular entities that modulate imidazoline I receptors (I-IRs) that have been pointed out as relevant targets in AD. In this work, we explored structural modifications of well-established I-IR ligands, giving access to derivatives with an imidazole-linked heterocycle as a common key feature.

Can Vitality and Mental Health Influence Upper Extremity Pain? A Prospective Cohort Study of 1185 Female Hospital Nurses.

Musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremity are among the most common occupational problems affecting nurses. The aim of this study was to analyze the prospective association between vitality and mental health and increased upper extremity pain intensity in female hospital nurses during a 1-year follow-up. A prospective cohort of 1185 female nurses from 19 hospitals in Denmark was conducted using baseline and 12-month follow-up questionnaires to identify potential associations between levels of vitality and mental health (SF-36 subscales) with pain intensity (0-10 scale) in the shoulder, elbow and hand/wrist regions.

Direct MR arthrography of the hip joint: anterior approach without imaging guidance.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to describe the anterior injection approach, with anatomical landmark guidance, for direct MR arthrography (dMRA) of the hip joint, and to evaluate the effectiveness in joint distension and the security of the technique.

Material And Methods: Retrospective review of hip dMRAs was conducted on patients with suspected intra-articular pathology from two MR outpatient centers, performed by two radiologists with 25 and 5 years of experience, respectively. The analysis included assessing the presence of intra-articular contrast material (gadolinium-based solution), the number of injections performed, the degree of joint distension, and the degree of contrast extravasation.

Acylation of glycerolipids in mycobacteria.

We report on the existence of two phosphatidic acid biosynthetic pathways in mycobacteria, a classical one wherein the acylation of the sn-1 position of glycerol-3-phosphate (G3P) precedes that of sn-2 and another wherein acylations proceed in the reverse order. Two unique acyltransferases, PlsM and PlsB2, participate in both pathways and hold the key to the unusual positional distribution of acyl chains typifying mycobacterial glycerolipids wherein unsaturated substituents principally esterify position sn-1 and palmitoyl principally occupies position sn-2. While PlsM selectively transfers a palmitoyl chain to the sn-2 position of G3P and sn-1-lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), PlsB2 preferentially transfers a stearoyl or oleoyl chain to the sn-1 position of G3P and an oleyl chain to sn-2-LPA.

Effectiveness of neural mobilisation for the treatment of nerve-related cervicobrachial pain: a systematic review with subgroup meta-analysis.

Neural mobilisations (NM) have been advocated for the treatment of nerve-related cervicobrachial pain; however, it is unclear what types of patients with nerve-related cervicobrachial pain (if any) may benefit. Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, PeDro, Cinahl, and Cochrane databases were searched from inception until December 2022. Randomised controlled trials were included if they assessed the effectiveness of NM in nerve-related cervicobrachial pain, and outcome measures were pain intensity and/or disability.

Correlation between polysomnographic parameters and volumetric changes generated by maxillomandibular advancement surgery in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: a fluid dynamics study.

Study Objectives: Maxillomandibular advancement surgery (MMA) is a therapeutic option for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The main objective of this study was to determine the impact of MMA on the physical and airflow characteristics of the upper airway based on data obtained by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and to correlate these data with polysomnography parameters. Other objectives included the identification of presurgical variables that could help avoid surgeries likely to have a low success rate.

Development and evaluation of the psychometric properties of a digital questionnaire for the evaluation of perinatal psychosocial needs.

Background: If the purpose of maternal education is for women to take control of their own health and that of their family in the process, it is essential to have a simple instrument that allows them to self-assess, globally, how prepared they are to face future childbirth and maternity. As there is nothing similar in our area, the objective of this study was to design a complete, specific measurement questionnaire, with good metric quality and in digital format, for the assessment of perinatal psychosocial needs.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out, to evaluate the psychometric properties of a digital measurement questionnaire.

The Role of the Dysregulation of Long Non-Coding and Circular RNA Expression in Medulloblastoma: A Systematic Review.

Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant brain tumor in childhood. Although recent multi-omic studies have led to advances in MB classification, there is still room for improvement with regard to treatment response and survival. Therefore, identification of new and less invasive biomarkers is needed to refine the diagnostic process and to develop more personalized treatment strategies.

PEACE V-Salvage Treatment of OligoRecurrent nodal prostate cancer Metastases (STORM): Acute Toxicity of a Randomized Phase 2 Trial.

Background: Treatment recommendations for patients with limited nodal recurrences are lacking, and different locoregional treatment approaches are currently being used.

Objective: The aim of this trial is to compare metastasis-directed therapy (MDT) with or without elective nodal pelvic radiotherapy (ENRT).

Design, Setting, And Participants: PEACE V-Salvage Treatment of OligoRecurrent nodal prostate cancer Metastases (STORM) is an international, phase 2, open-label, randomized, superiority trial (ClinicalTrials.