Xalnesiran with or without an Immunomodulator in Chronic Hepatitis B.

Background: Xalnesiran, a small interfering RNA molecule that targets a conserved region of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome and silences multiple HBV transcripts, may have efficacy, with or without an immunomodulator, in patients with chronic HBV infection.

Methods: We conducted a phase 2, multicenter, randomized, controlled, adaptive, open-label platform trial that included the evaluation of 48 weeks of treatment with xalnesiran at a dose of 100 mg (group 1), xalnesiran at a dose of 200 mg (group 2), xalnesiran at a dose of 200 mg plus 150 mg of ruzotolimod (group 3), xalnesiran at a dose of 200 mg plus 180 μg of pegylated interferon alfa-2a (group 4), or a nucleoside or nucleotide analogue (NA) alone (group 5) in participants with chronic HBV infection who had virologic suppression with NA therapy. The primary efficacy end point was hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss (HBsAg level, <0.

MR Elastography Using the Gravitational Transducer.

MR elastography is a non-invasive imaging technique that provides quantitative maps of tissue biomechanical properties, i.e., elasticity and viscosity.

Lack of fibro-inflammatory response in human mammary adipose tissue in obesity.

Background: Understanding how obesity impacts human mammary adipose tissue (MAT) biology is crucial for deciphering its role in mammary epithelium during both physiological and pathophysiological processes, including breast cancer. Hypertrophic mammary adipocytes and Crown-Like Structures are present in MAT of patients with obesity but whether these changes initiate a fibro-inflammatory response at the tissue level remains insufficiently explored.

Objective: We investigated the markers of adipose tissue dysfunction (immune cell infiltration, secretion pattern and fibrosis) in tumor-free MAT of patients with obesity versus patients who are lean.

CD57 EMRA CD8 T cells in cancer patients over 70: associations with prior chemotherapy and response to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy.

Background: Immune ageing complicates cancer treatment in older individuals. While immunotherapy targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway can reinvigorate T cells, these cells tend to become senescent with age. This study investigates different CD8 T cell subsets usually associated with senescence, in cancer patients over 70 years old who are undergoing anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy, and examines the relationship between these senescent cells and prior chemotherapy exposure.

The protein tyrosine phosphatase Lyp/PTPN22 drives TNFα-induced priming of superoxide anions production by neutrophils and arthritis.

Neutrophils are essential for host defense against infections, but they also play a key role in acute and chronic inflammation. The protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 22 (PTPN22) gene encodes the lymphoid-specific tyrosine phosphatase (Lyp) and a genetic single-nucleotide polymorphism of PTPN22 rs2476601 (R620W) has been associated with several human autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Here, we investigated the role of Lyp in TNFα-induced priming of neutrophil ROS production and in the development of arthritis using new selective Lyp inhibitors.

Scurvy incidence trend among children hospitalised in France, 2015-2023: a population-based interrupted time-series analysis.

Background: Scurvy, historically rare in-high income countries, has re-emerged as an indicator of socioeconomic and dietary disparities. Limited data exist on scurvy trends among European children, particularly following socioeconomic changes since the COVID-19 pandemic. This study analysed scurvy incidence trends among French children over a nine-year period, examining potential post-pandemic increases.

Prognostic value of early response in predicting survival in hepatocellular carcinoma patients treated with selective internal radiation therapy.

Objectives: This study evaluates the prognostic value of tumor response on CT at 3 months, assessed by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST), modified RECIST (mRECIST), and Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System Treatment Response Algorithm (LR-TRA) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT).

Materials And Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 102 HCC patients treated with SIRT between 2018 and 2020. RECIST, mRECIST, and LR-TRA were assessed at 3 months post-SIRT.

Brain microstructural damage through serial diffusion tensor imaging and outcomes in Susac syndrome: A prospective cohort study.

Background: Susac syndrome (SuS) is a rare immune-mediated microangiopathy with potential disabling evolution. We aimed to analyze brain microstructural damage through diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in SuS and determine its association with poor outcomes.

Method: CarESS study is a prospective multicenter national cohort study of patients with SuS.

ClustAll: An R package for patient stratification in complex diseases.

In the era of precision medicine, it is necessary to understand heterogeneity among patients with complex diseases to improve personalized prevention and management strategies. Here, we introduce ClustAll, a Bioconductor package designed for unsupervised patient stratification using clinical data. ClustAll is based on the previously validated methodology ClustAll, a clustering framework that effectively handles intricacies in clinical data, including mixed data types, missing values, and collinearity.

Epidemiological and clinicopathological characteristics of vascular-limited renal AL amyloidosis.

Background And Hypothesis: Kidney involvement, along with cardiac disease, is the most frequent manifestation of systemic AL amyloidosis usually resulting in nephrotic-range proteinuria. Rarely, deposits predominantly or exclusively affect the intrarenal arterioles or arteries, these vascular-limited forms following a distinct clinical course, but very little is known about these forms. Our work plan at better characterizing renal vascular limited AL amyloidosis.

Association between preoperative uric acid concentration and the occurrence of atrial fibrillation following cardiac surgery: an observational prospective study.

Objectives: Uric acid (UA) concentration is associated with increased risk of atrial fibrillation, but few studies have investigated this association after cardiac surgery. This study investigated the statistical association between postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) and preoperative UA concentration according to the type of cardiac surgery.

Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing cardiac surgery at a tertiary center from January to May 2019 were eligible.

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in patients with vascular liver diseases: Observations from a VALDIG multicenter study.

Background & Aims: Patients with vascular liver diseases (VLD) are at higher risk of both severe courses of COVID-19 disease and thromboembolic events. The impact of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in patients with VLD has not been described and represents the aim of our study.

Methods: International, multicenter, prospective observational study in patients with VLD analyzing the incidence of COVID-19 infection after vaccination, severity of side effects, occurrence of thromboembolic events and hepatic decompensation.