Trastuzumab-Pertuzumab Plus Eribulin or Taxane as First-Line Chemotherapy for Human Epidermal Growth Factor 2-Positive Locally Advanced/Metastatic Breast Cancer: The Randomized Noninferiority Phase III EMERALD Trial.

Purpose: Trastuzumab-pertuzumab (HP) plus taxane is a current standard first-line therapy for recurrent or metastatic human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2)+ breast cancer (BC). We investigated noninferiority of eribulin to a taxane when combined with dual HER2 blockade as first-line systemic treatment for locally advanced/metastatic HER2+ BC.

Methods: In the phase III EMERALD trial (target sample size, 480; ClinicalTrials.

High Prevalence of Malnutrition in Geriatric Patients With Solid Organ Cancer-An Institutional Study.

Purpose: The demographic transition toward aging heralds an increase in the number of geriatric patients with cancer in India. Comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) is a sine qua non for treatment planning and shared decision making in these patients. We aimed to study the prevalence of malnutrition and the associated risk factors in geriatric patients with solid organ cancer.

Recent advances in HPV biotechnology: Understanding host-virus interactions and cancer progression-a review.

Cervical cancer ranks as the fourth most common cancer among women globally, posing a significant mortality risk. Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is the primary instigator of cervical cancer development, often alongside co-infection with other viruses, precipitating various malignancies. This study aimed to explore recent biotechnological advances in understanding HPV infection dynamics, host interactions, and its role in oncogenesis.

Comparative Analysis of Cosmetic and Functional Outcomes in Corneal Tattooing (Keratopigmentation) versus Ocular Prosthesis.

Objectives: This study compares the cosmetic and functional outcomes of corneal tattooing/keratopigmentation and ocular prostheses in rehabilitating disfigured eyes, focusing on esthetic appearance and emotional well-being.

Methods: Ninety-two patients were included: 48 received corneal tattooing, and 44 were fitted with ocular prostheses. Anophthalmic surgery was indicated for trauma, painful blind eye, endophthalmitis, tumor, and corneal ulcer, while corneal tattooing was performed for trauma, corneal ulcer, and endophthalmitis.

Ultrasensitive "Hunter of Target": Rabbit Monoclonal Antibody-Based Competitive Lateral Flow Immunoassay for Saxitoxin.

The rapid, sensitive, and accurate detection of paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs), such as saxitoxin (STX), is critical for protecting human health due to the frequent occurrence of toxic red tides. In this work, to address the low affinity of traditional mouse monoclonal antibodies (m-mAbs), rabbit monoclonal antibodies (r-mAbs) against STX were produced by a single B-cell sorting culture and a cross-selection strategy. The r-mAbs showed 100-fold improvement in sensitivity (IC = 0.

Successful Long-Term Management of NF1 Congenital Tibial Dysplasia with Prophylactic Bypass Graft and Bracing: A Case Report.

Case: An 8-year-old girl with NF1 and congenital tibial dysplasia with significant bilateral tibial bowing underwent McFarland procedures. Now age 22 with 14-year follow-up indicating sustained correction and healing of her bilateral limb deformities.

Conclusion: This case illustrates the McFarland procedure provided adequate corrective treatment of this deformity and remains a success at long-term follow-up.

Dexamethasone Intravitreal Injection in Diabetic Patients Undergoing Cataract Surgery: an updated literature review.

Purpose: This literature review synthetizes current evidence on the timing and efficacy of dexamethasone intravitreal injections for diabetic macular edema (DME) in patients undergoing cataract surgery, particularly phacoemulsification, to determine the optimal timing for improved outcome.

Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted across key databases to identify peer-reviewed studies, clinical trials, and meta-analyses addressing dexamethasone injections administered pre-, intra-, and post-operatively for DME in the context of cataract surgery. Studies were selected based on relevance to timing, visual outcomes, and inflammation control, with a focus on comparative efficacy.

Deloyers Technique for Restoration of Bowel Continuity Following Extended Left Hemicolectomy: A Comprehensive Analysis of 97 Cases and Literature Review.

Background: Deloyers technique addresses challenges in restoring bowel continuity following extended left hemicolectomies. Despite being first described in 1958, the technique remains underutilized, with limited data on long-term outcomes.

Objective: To evaluate the indications, surgical and functional outcomes of Deloyers technique and review existing literature.

How Is Preoperative Opioid Use Associated With Readmissions and Outcomes in Lower Extremity Trauma?

Background: Opioid use disorder (OUD) has been implicated as a potential risk factor for adverse outcomes and readmissions in various surgical procedures. Patients admitted with an open fracture of the lower extremity often have multifarious pain needs, require surgical procedures, and have prolonged rehabilitation; previous OUD complicates this process. Our goal was to describe at a national level how OUD is associated with readmission, complications, and healthcare expenditure for patients admitted with open lower extremity fractures.

3D-Printed "Jigsaw Puzzle" in Craniomaxillofacial Comminuted Fracture Reduction.

Background: Surgical treatment of comminuted and multiple facial fractures is challenging, as identifying the bone anatomy and restoring the alignment are complicated. To overcome the difficulties, 3D-printed "jigsaw puzzle" has been innovated to improve the surgical outcome. This study aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of 3D-printed model in facial fracture restoration procedures.

Takotsubo Syndrome Following Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review and Metasummary of Case Reports/Series.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) catheter ablation is safe and effective, though rare cases of takotsubo syndrome (TTS) have been observed without proven causation. This review synthesizes TTS following AF ablation case reports and series. Until October 2024, PubMed/Medline, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar were searched for AF ablation and TTS case reports and series.

"INSERT-COIN": A PROSPECTIVE STUDY OF COIN INGESTION IN CHILDREN OF SOUTHERN ITALY.

Background And Aims: Coins are the most commonly ingested foreign bodies. When they get stuck in the distal esophagus there is no general agreement about the timing of their removal, since some of them may spontaneously migrate into the stomach, no longer requiring removal. We aimed at evaluating the gastric spontaneous passage of esophageal-retained coins, as well as complications.

Infliximab and adalimumab in the treatment of fistulizing Crohn's disease: a propensity score-matched analysis from the prospective Persistence Australian National IBD Cohort (PANIC4) study.

Background/aims: There are spare data on comparative medication efficacy in fistulizing Crohn's disease (FCD), particularly with immunomodulator co-therapy. Persistence is a unique way to assess real-world outcomes.

Methods: The persistence of all dispensed biological agents were analysed from the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) registry data 2005-2021 for FCD.

Impact of the Inflammatory Burden Index on Prognosis After Hepatectomy for Colorectal Liver Metastasis.

Background/aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic impact of the inflammatory burden index (IBI), a novel inflammation-based biomarker, in patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) after hepatic resection.

Patients And Methods: One hundred fifty patients with CRLM who underwent hepatectomy were retrospectively analyzed. The IBI was defined as C-reactive protein × neutrophil count/lymphocyte count.

Alopecia Induced by Poly-L-Lactic Acid Injection.

Cosmetic procedures carry inherent risks of adverse events. Though rarely reported, transient and permanent alopecia are potential complications of these procedures. We report the case of a 35-year-old woman who developed pain and patches of nonscarring alopecia with erythema and edema following aesthetic application of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) on the face and along the frontal hairline.

Eating Disorder Risk Factors and the Impact of Obesity in Patients With Psoriasis.

Current evidence indicates that obesity may initiate psoriasis or worsen existing disease. Various factors contribute to the development of obesity, including eating disorders (EDs). The aim of this study was to screen for and identify factors associated with EDs in patients with psoriasis and their impact on the development of obesity in this population.

Sulfilimines from a Medicinal Chemist's Perspective: Physicochemical and in Vitro Parameters Relevant for Drug Discovery.

While sulfoximines are nowadays a well established functional group for medicinal chemistry, the properties of sulfilimines are significantly less well studied, and no sulfilimine has progressed to the clinic to date. In this account, the physicochemical and in vitro properties of sulfilimines are reported and compared to those of sulfoximines and other more traditional functional groups. Furthermore, the impact on the physicochemical and in vitro properties of real drug scaffolds is studied in two series of sulfilimine-containing analogs of imatinib and hNE inhibitors.

Endovascular laser fenestration of a frozen elephant trunk stent graft for treatment of chronic cerebral malperfusion.

Objectives: Mal-deployment of the thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) stent graft during a frozen elephant trunk (FET) procedure for an acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) leads to devastating complications. We report a hemiarch replacement with TEVAR stent graft covering the aortic arch vessels salvaged through an endovascular approach.

Methods: A 69-year-old man with ATAAD in 2018, status post-hemiarch repair with TEVAR, presented in 2023 with progressive dizziness/syncope and lower extremity hypertension with inability to tolerate anti-hypertensives.

Radiographic Subluxation Following Total Hip Arthroplasty in Flexed-Seated Position: A Report of 3 Cases.

Case: We present 3 cases demonstrating radiographic posterior subluxation in lateral functional radiographs taken in the flexed-seated position. Two of the patients were asymptomatic, and 2 showed the posterior translation of the femoral head, which is almost a dislocation, with spontaneous reduction. The subluxation can occur not only in patients after lumbar fusion surgery but also in patients with relatively normal lumbar spine due to excessive hip flexion.

A conserved fungal Knr4/Smi1 protein is crucial for maintaining cell wall stress tolerance and host plant pathogenesis.

Filamentous plant pathogenic fungi pose significant threats to global food security, particularly through diseases like Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) and Septoria Tritici Blotch (STB) which affects cereals. With mounting challenges in fungal control and increasing restrictions on fungicide use due to environmental concerns, there is an urgent need for innovative control strategies. Here, we present a comprehensive analysis of the stage-specific infection process of Fusarium graminearum in wheat spikes by generating a dual weighted gene co-expression network (WGCN).

Building materials could store more than 16 billion tonnes of CO annually.

Achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions likely entails not only lowering emissions but also deploying carbon dioxide (CO) removal technologies. We explored the annual potential to store CO in building materials. We found that fully replacing conventional building materials with CO-storing alternatives in new infrastructure could store as much as 16.

Impacts of EPA's finalized power plant greenhouse gas standards.

Emissions reductions may be met with relatively small costs.

Hepatitis B virus genotypes A1 and A2 have distinct replication phenotypes due to polymorphisms in the HBx gene.

HBV genotype A has two major subtypes, A1 (commonly in Africa) and A2 (commonly in Europe) with only 4% nucleotide differences. Individuals infected with these two subtypes appear to have different clinical manifestations and virologic features. Whether such a difference results from the virus or host has not been established.

Methylome profiling of cell-free DNA during the early life course in (un)complicated pregnancies using MeD-seq: Protocol for a cohort study embedded in the prospective Rotterdam periconception cohort.

Introduction: Placental DNA methylation differences have been associated with timing in gestation and pregnancy complications. Maternal cell-free DNA (cfDNA) partly originates from the placenta and could enable the minimally invasive study of placental DNA methylation dynamics. We will for the first time longitudinally investigate cfDNA methylation during pregnancy by using Methylated DNA Sequencing (MeD-seq), which is compatible with low cfDNA levels and has an extensive genome-wide coverage.

Predicting early cessation of exclusive breastfeeding using machine learning techniques.

Background: Identification of mother-infant pairs predisposed to early cessation of exclusive breastfeeding is important for delivering targeted support. Machine learning techniques enable development of transparent prediction models that enhance clinical applicability. We aimed to develop and validate two models to predict cessation of exclusive breastfeeding within one month among infants born after 35 weeks gestation using machine learning techniques.