Biomarkers.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is a public health crisis, and its lasting consequences are not yet fully understood. Epidemiological data suggest that low- and middle-income countries, such as Brazil, will bear a considerable burden of COVID-19-related comorbidities. Individuals who have survived COVID-19 often report persistent symptoms, including neurological manifestations such as brain fog.

Biomarkers.

Background: COVID-19, identified as the greatest health concern of the century, is associated with vascular inflammation and endothelial activation, resulting in multisystemic damage, including to the central nervous system (CNS). Recent investigations indicate a link between endothelial dysfunction, neurological changes, and the development of the so-called long-COVID. Molecules expressed in the endothelium such as P-selectin, E-selectin, and VEGF-A, increased under inflammatory injury, may be associated with conditions like brain injuries and neurodegenerative diseases.

Public Health.

Background: Dementia is a global public health concern, that poses daily challenges to the individuals, families, and healthcare systems worldwide. Sixty percent of those affected reside in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where 71% of new cases are anticipated by 2025. Most dementia studies focus on high-income countries, emphasizing the need for region-specific investigations in areas like Southeast Asia, where diverse cultural, economic, and healthcare settings present unique complexities.

Public Health.

Background: The role of diet in modulating inflammation and its potential impact on cognition has raised attention. Additionally, recent research has addressed the disruption of the gut-brain axis in dementia development. This study aims to explore how the interactions between inflammatory diets and Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection affect cognitive domains in older adults.

Biomarkers.

Background: Long-COVID is characterized by persistent symptoms post-infection with SARS-CoV-2. This condition includes neurological manifestations and has been proposed as a potential risk factor for the development of dementia. Individuals presenting with dementia due to Alzheimer's disease have dysfunctional brain metabolism, including metabolic brain network (MBN) hypoconnectivity.

Biomarkers.

Background: The potential clinical utility of plasma biomarkers for biological staging of AD demands definition and validation of cutoff values. Plasma ptau-217 and GFAP have accurately predicted core pathological changes such as tau aggregation and amyloid (Aβ) deposition, being proposed as complementary biomarkers. Thus, we aim to test a staging framework with plasma GFAP and ptau-217 using cuttof values to predict Aβ/Tau PET stages and compare its performance with an artificial intelligence (AI) prediction model.

Alzheimer's Imaging Consortium.

Background: Long-COVID is characterized by persistent symptoms post-infection with SARS-CoV-2. This condition includes neurological manifestations and has been proposed as a potential risk factor for the development of dementia. Individuals presenting with dementia due to Alzheimer's disease have dysfunctional brain metabolism, including metabolic brain network (MBN) hypoconnectivity.

Cerebral white matter damage in patients with end-stage kidney disease associates with cognitive impairment.

Background: Damage to brain white matter often occurs in individuals with chronic kidney disease, which might be related to their cognitive decline. This study aims to investigate tract-specific white matter damage in patients with end-stage kidney disease by using fixel-based analysis.

Methods: Images of 31 end-stage kidney disease patients and 16 normal controls (aged: 61.

Synthesizing evidence to guide the design and implementation of effective strategies for discontinuing postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis in surgical settings: an umbrella review post-WHO 2018 recommendations.

Background: Postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis (PAP) involves using antibiotics after surgery to prevent surgical site infections (SSIs). However, studies have shown that PAP offers no additional benefits compared to discontinuation after surgical incision closure, prompting its de-implementation to prevent unnecessary antibiotic use that may contribute to antibiotic resistance. We conducted this review to synthesize evidence for guiding the design and implementation of effective strategies for discontinuing PAP practice and optimizing antibiotic use in surgical settings.

Artificial Intelligence Models May Aid in Predicting Lymph Node Metastasis in Patients with T1 Colorectal Cancer.

Background/aims: Inaccurate prediction of lymph node metastasis (LNM) may lead to unnecessary surgery following endoscopic resection of T1 colorectal cancer (CRC). We aimed to validate the usefulness of artificial intelligence (AI) models for predicting LNM in patients with T1 CRC.

Methods: We analyzed the clinical data, laboratory results, pathological reports, and endoscopic findings of patients who underwent radical surgery for T1 CRC.

Blood eosinophil count and treatment patterns of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients in South Korea using real-world data.

Background/aims: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management guidelines have increasingly emphasised the importance of exacerbation prevention, and the role of blood eosinophil count (BEC) as a biomarker for inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) response. This study aimed to describe the distribution and stability of BEC and understand real-world treatment patterns among COPD patients in South Korea.

Methods: This was a retrospective database analysis using data obtained from the KOrea COPD Subgroup Study (KOCOSS) registry between January 2012 and August 2018.

Bariatric surgery for treatment of morbid obesity in adults.

Morbid obesity requires active intervention, with treatment options including lifestyle modification, pharmacotherapy, and surgery. As the prevalence of obesity continues to rise in Korea, it is crucial for specialists and general practitioners to have a comprehensive understanding of obesity and its management. Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment modality for obesity, leading to significant weight loss and metabolic benefits.

Talquetamab plus Teclistamab in Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma.

Background: Talquetamab (anti-G protein-coupled receptor family C group 5 member D) and teclistamab (anti-B-cell maturation antigen) are bispecific antibodies that activate T cells by targeting CD3 and that have been approved for the treatment of triple-class-exposed relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.

Methods: We conducted a phase 1b-2 study of talquetamab plus teclistamab in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. In phase 1, we investigated five dose levels in a dose-escalation study.

Venetoclax therapy in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia patients relapsed after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) remains an option for young and fit chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) patients with high-risk disease features. However, allotransplanted patients are generally excluded from clinical trials, making data regarding the use of venetoclax after alloHSCT extremely rare. We report data from 7 CLL patients who received venetoclax after alloHSCT among 53 Italian centers.

Endoscopic techniques for the diagnosis of pancreatic cystic lesions.

Pancreatic cysts are mostly incidental findings on computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scans, with few patients presenting with abdominal pain or other symptoms. The accurate diagnosis of cysts is important as management depends on the type (neoplastic or non-neoplastic). Cross-sectional imaging is fast being replaced with endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and various techniques based on that such as EUS-guided fine needle aspiration, EUS-guided needle confocal laser endomicroscopy, EUS-through-the-needle biopsy, and contrast-enhanced EUS.

Family support and dementia screening participation among older adults: Evidence from a South Korea fact-finding survey on the status of older adults.

Objectives: South Korea is one of the most rapidly aging societies worldwide and the prevalence of dementia is expected to rise to 10.3% by 2025. Early diagnosis requires early access to support, information, and medication.

Disentangling the role of selenium in antagonizing the toxicity of arsenic and cadmium.

Cadmium (Cd) and inorganic arsenic (As) compounds are considered to be among the major public health hazards. This is due to both the high intrinsic toxicity of these substances and the often difficult to avoid exposure of the general population through contaminated water and food. One proposed method to reduce the toxic effects of As and Cd on animals and humans is the use of selenium (Se).

Primary and secondary cardiovascular prevention: Recent advances.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide with 20 million deaths annually. Recent advances in both primary and secondary prevention strategies have shown promising results in reducing the incidence and recurrence of cardiovascular events, but a question of fundamental importance is whether we are effective enough when predicting risk only in those over 40 years of age and only for 10 years. A similarly important question concerns the pathophysiological border between primary and secondary prevention and whether we should reorient our focus to atherosclerosis prevention as a continuous process that becomes clinically apparent later in life.

Fibre: The Forgotten Carbohydrate in Sports Nutrition Recommendations.

Although dietary guidelines concerning carbohydrate intake for athletes are well established, these do not include recommendations for daily fibre intake. However, there are many scenarios in sports nutrition in which common practice involves the manipulation of fibre intake to address gastrointestinal comfort around exercise, or acute or chronic goals around the management of body mass or composition. The effect of fibre intake in overall health is also important, particularly in combination with other dietary considerations such as the elevated protein requirements in this population.

Vaginal versus caesarean delivery in fetal macrosomia-a retrospective cohort study.

Objective: The aims of this study were to determine the incidence of macrosomic births over a 5-year period and to examine the childbirth complications for both mother and newborn.

Patients And Methods: During the study period there were a total of 16,126 deliveries, of which 1905 were macrosomic fetuses (defined as those with a birthweight of 4000 g or more). Data on the course of pregnancy and childbirth were collected from existing maternal and peripartum medical records.

Associations between dietary patterns and intestinal inflammation among HIV-infected and uninfected adults: A cross-sectional study in Tanzania.

The increased burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is fueled by lifestyle factors including diet. This cross-sectional study explored among Tanzanian adults whether unhealthy dietary patterns are associated with intestinal and systemic inflammation which could increase the risk of NCDs. The study included 574 participants, with both diet and inflammatory markers data.

Challenges and motivating factors for integrating geostatistical models in targeted schistosomiasis control: A qualitative case study in Northwestern Tanzania.

Introduction: To address problems of over- and under-treatment with preventive chemotherapy resulting in ongoing transmission of schistosomiasis, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends targeted mass drug administration (MDA) interventions at a sub-district level. In Tanzania, the lack of sub-district (ward) prevalence data has inhibited a transition to targeted treatment. Model-based prevalence estimation combined with routine surveillance data can be used to overcome this gap.

"They are not HIV treatments drugs; they are preventive drugs (PrEP)". Experiences of PrEP uptake among vulnerable adolescent girls and young women in Tanzania.

Introduction: HIV poses a significant global health concern, affecting adolescents among other populations. This is attributed to various vulnerabilities including biological factors, gender inequalities and limited access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services in sub-Saharan Africa. In Tanzania, adolescent girls, and young women (AGYW) face double the risk of HIV infection compared to their male counterparts.

Three in four children age 12-23 months missed opportunities for vaccination in Sub-Saharan African countries: a multilevel mixed effect analysis of demographic health and surveys 2016-2023.

Background: Despite vaccination being the most cost-effective means to prevent disease and its adverse consequences, missing opportunities for vaccination remains a critical public health challenge. Many SSA countries still couldn't reach the target endorsed by the Global Vaccine Action Plan. Identifying contributing factors helps policymakers and planners to design potential interventions to avert missing opportunities for vaccination.