Early Outcomes from Proton Craniospinal Irradiation for Leptomeningeal Metastasis From Solid Tumors.

Purpose: Treatment options for leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) are limited. A recent phase 2 study found that proton craniospinal irradiation (pCSI) was well-tolerated and improved survival. We report our experience with pCSI for solid-tumor LM.

Development and evaluation of a Hospice Foundation of Taiwan Bereavement Assessment Scale: A psychometric properties test.

Objectives: Supporting family caregivers (FCs) is a critical core function of palliative care. Brief, reliable tools suitable for busy clinical work in Taiwan are needed to assess bereavement risk factors accurately. The aim is to develop and evaluate a brief bereavement scale completed by FCs and applicable to medical staff.

Identification of the conditions and minimum requirements necessary for the release of autologous fresh CAR T-cell products under hospital exemption: a position paper from the WP-bioproduction of the UNITC consortium.

The accessibility of CAR-T cells in centralized production models faces significant challenges, primarily stemming from logistical complexities and prohibitive costs. However, European Regulation EC No. 1394/2007 introduced a pivotal provision known as the hospital exemption.

Exploration of the Role of Cyclophilins in Established Hepatitis B and C Infections.

Cyclophilin (Cyp) inhibitors are of clinical interest in respect to their antiviral activities in the context of many viral infections including chronic hepatitis B and C. Cyps are a group of enzymes with peptidyl-prolyl isomerase activity (PPIase), known to be required for replication of diverse viruses including hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV and HCV). Amongst the Cyp family, the molecular mechanisms underlying the antiviral effects of CypA have been investigated in detail, but potential roles of other Cyps are less well studied in the context of viral hepatitis.

Impairment of Microcirculation Parameters in Patients with a History of Diabetic Foot Ulcers.

: According to the International Working Group on Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) risk classification, the estimated risk of developing a diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is much higher in patients with a history of DFUs (Grade 3) compared to those with a peripheral neuropathy but without a history of DFUs (Grades 1 and 2). It has been suggested that microcirculation impairment is involved in DFU genesis and could be taken into account to refine the existing risk classification. The aim of this study was to evaluate microcirculation parameters in patients with diabetes according to their estimated DFU risk.

Outcomes of Brain Metastasis from Lung Cancer.

: Little information has been published on patients diagnosed with brain metastasis secondary to lung cancer. Correlating outcome patterns (hospice care, lost to follow-up, death before hospice care or treatment) and specific characteristics of treated and untreated patients may identify subsets of patients who may benefit from treatment. : We evaluated data from the Kentucky Cancer Registry and identified 284 cases who were diagnosed with brain metastasis secondary to non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) between 1 August 2016, and 31 December 2019.

Increasing Serious Illness Conversations in Patients at High Risk of One-Year Mortality Using Improvement Science: A Quality Improvement Study.

Serious illness conversation (SIC) in an important skillset for clinicians. A review of mortality meetings from an urban academic hospital highlighted the need for early engagement in SICs and advance care planning (ACP) to align medical treatments with patient-centered outcomes. The aim of this study was to increase SICs and their documentation in patients with low one-year survival probability identified by updated Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) scores.

Automated AI-based image analysis for quantification and prediction of interstitial lung disease in systemic sclerosis patients.

Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare connective tissue disease associated with rapidly evolving interstitial lung disease (ILD), driving its mortality. Specific imaging-based biomarkers associated with the evolution of lung disease are needed to help predict and quantify ILD.

Methods: We evaluated the potential of an automated ILD quantification system (icolung) from chest CT scans, to help in quantification and prediction of ILD progression in SSc-ILD.

Development of the PRECIOUS Short-Form (PRECIOUS-SF) quality of care measure for children with serious illnesses.

Background: Rising number of children with complex medical conditions necessitate regular healthcare quality evaluation to achieve optimal outcomes. To address the need for a periodic and quick assessment of quality of care in serious childhood illnesses, we developed a short version of previously validated 45-item PaRental Experience with care for Children with serIOUS illnesses (PRECIOUS) measure.

Methodology: PRECIOUS was administered by parents of children living with serious illnesses at two time-points (baseline and two weeks) in an online survey.

The influence of positive and negative intraoperative feedback in laparoscopic simulation in pediatric urology training.

Background And Objective: This study aimed to explore the impact of positive or negative feedback on the performance of trainees in pediatric urology during simulation exercises in pediatric laparoscopy.

Methods: Twenty-five students enrolled in a national Pediatric Urology Laparoscopy Simulation participated in the study. They performed the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) skills, specifically peg-transfer and intracorporeal knot-tying, in a randomized study design while receiving positive or negative feedback from an attending pediatric urologist.

Detection of fungal pathogens by a histomolecular approach using targeted-massive parallel sequencing on formalin-fixed tissues: a retrospective study.

Objectives: Since fungal infections (FI) are frequently encountered by pathologists, it is crucial to improve fungal diagnosis on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues (FT). We aimed to investigate if a histomolecular approach using targeted-massive parallel sequencing (MPS) could help detect and identify fungi on FT, when no mycological diagnosis is available on fresh tissue.

Methods: Forty-nine FT from 48 patients with histopathological FI diagnosis but without mycological identification were retrospectively included.

Peaceful dying among Canada's elderly: An analysis of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging.

Introduction: Death is universal, yet relatively little is known about how Canadians experience their death. Using novel decedent interview data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging we describe the prevalence and characteristics of peace with dying among older Canadians.

Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of decedent interview data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging.

Real-World Outcomes of Pralsetinib in RET Fusion-Positive NSCLC.

Introduction: Pralsetinib is a RET inhibitor found to have antitumor activity in advanced, metastatic, fusion-positive NSCLC.

Objective: To assess real-world efficacy of pralsetinib and treatment sequences in patients with RET fusion-positive NSCLC.

Design: Retrospective study of consecutive patients enrolled in the French expanded-access program for pralsetinib from December 1, 2019, to December 31, 2021.

'Striving to achieve control'. Registered nurses' experiences of palliative care quality during the COVID-19 pandemic - a qualitative study.

Background: Providing quality palliative care during a pandemic was challenging. Both specialist and community healthcare services cared for patients that faced life-threatening illness and who were influenced by the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Little knowledge has yet been provided on how registered nurses (RNs) experienced the palliative care quality during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In vivo Safety and Feasibility of a Computed Tomography-Guided Robotic Device for Percutaneous Needle Placement in Bone.

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of a robotic device used clinically in soft tissues (abdomen and lung), modified in design and workflow, to perform needle insertion in percutaneous bone procedures.

Methods: The primary objective was safety (severe complications) of robotic-assisted insertion in this new application. Secondary objectives were feasibility (placement technical success), performance (acceptable insertions rate), accuracy (lateral deviation), number of intermediate CT-scans and tolerance (minor/moderate complications).

Cardiogenic shock in patients with active onco-hematological malignancies: A multicenter retrospective study.

Purpose: Onco-hematological (OH) patients face significant cardiovascular risks due to malignancy and drug toxicity. Data are limited on the characteristics and outcomes of OH patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) in intensive care units (ICUs).

Methods: This multicenter retrospective study included 214 OH patients with CS across 22 ICUs (2010-2021).

How is the specialist-primary palliative care model functioning for cancer patients in the current New Zealand health system?

Aim: Patient barriers to accessing hospice and palliative care (PC) have been well studied. Important, yet less investigated, is how cancer patients whose hospice referrals were not accepted are being cared for. This article aims to understand the referral process from PC providers' perspectives and the implications of the current palliative system for patients, families and health professionals.

Outpatient Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care Intensity: Linking Massachusetts Cancer Registry with All-Payer Claims.

Background: Early palliative care is associated with better outcomes for patients with advanced-stage cancers. Using a novel data linkage, we assessed outpatient palliative care use before death and its association with end-of-life care intensity and variation across eight provider networks.

Methods: We linked Massachusetts Cancer Registry and the All-Payer Claims Database for individuals with commercial insurance, Medicaid or Medicare Advantage diagnosed with colorectal, lung, prostate, and breast cancers from 2010 through 2013 who died by December 31, 2014.

Management and outcome of mesh infection after abdominal wall reconstruction in a tertiary care center.

Purpose: Abdominal wall reconstruction is a common surgical procedure, with a post-operative risk of mesh-associated infection of which management is poorly known. This study aims to comprehensively analyze clinical and microbiological aspects of mesh infection, treatment modalities, and associated outcomes.

Methods: Patients with abdominal mesh infection were included in a retrospective observational cohort (2010-2023).

Survey of legislative frameworks and national recommendations governing paediatric maintenance haemodialysis in Europe.

Background: The application of international recommendations for paediatric maintenance haemodialysis (HD) could be strengthened by national laws or written recommendations. Our aim was therefore to describe the national rules governing paediatric maintenance HD in European countries.

Methods: A national representative, approved by the president of each paediatric nephrology society, was contacted in all 42 European countries to complete two online questionnaires.

Pathogenesis of prosthetic joint infections: bacterial adhesion and internalization in osteoblasts, synoviocytes and endothelial cells.

is frequently isolated during prosthetic joint infections (PJIs). Unlike , its internalization and persistence within cells are controversial. We aimed to determine whether internalization is involved in the pathophysiology of PJIs.

Blood immunophenotyping of multiple sclerosis patients at diagnosis identifies a classical monocyte subset associated to disease evolution.

Introduction: Myeloid cells trafficking from the periphery to the central nervous system are key players in multiple sclerosis (MS) through antigen presentation, cytokine secretion and repair processes.

Methods: Combination of mass cytometry on blood cells from 60 MS patients at diagnosis and 29 healthy controls, along with single cell RNA sequencing on paired blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from 5 MS patients were used for myeloid cells detailing.

Results: Myeloid compartment study demonstrated an enrichment of a peculiar classical monocyte population in 22% of MS patients at the time of diagnosis.