Safety and Efficacy of Long-term Use of Infliximab in Severe Juvenile Dermatomyositis - 12 Years of Follow-up.

Juvenile dermatomyositis with emphasized vasculopathy is rare, but the most severe form of the disease, with a poor prognosis with relapsing and chronic course or, in some cases, lethal outcome. We present a case of a 19-year-old Caucasian female, who developed severe acute juvenile dermatomyositis with emphasized multisystem vasculopathy, including retinal vasculopathy and maculopathy (cotton-wool spots, retinal hemorrhages, macular edema) at the age of 8. Due to no response to standard treatment protocols and rapid worsening of clinical symptoms and laboratory findings, a TNF inhibitor (infliximab) was introduced after the third week of treatment resulting in complete normalisation of muscle enzyme levels and complete resolution of eye changes within the next 2 weeks with a gradual general recovery.

The Influence of Psychological Stress on the Levels of the Skin's Natural Moisturizing Factor in Croatian Medical Students.

Psychological stress may affect skin barrier homeostasis and slow down its recovery. Therefore, we aimed to examine the association between psychological stress levels and natural moisturizing factor (NMF) levels in the stratum corneum (SC). NMF levels were determined in the SC of 25 third-year and 25 sixth-year medical students in two periods (stressful and non-stressful) using the tape stripping method, high-performance liquid chromatography, and spectrophotometry.

Continuing anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody after secondary resection significantly prolongs overall survival for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who were responsive to first-line anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody plus chemotherapy doublet.

The combination of anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibodies (mAb) and doublet chemotherapy is the standard first-line treatment for patients with wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Some patients may require secondary resection after first-line treatment. However, it remains unclear whether targeted therapy should be continued after liver resection.

Outcomes of upfront primary tumor resection in patients with synchronous wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer.

This multicenter study explored the survival benefits of upfront primary tumor resection (PTR) followed by first-line cetuximab plus chemotherapy in real-world patients with wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Treatment options for mCRC include chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and surgery. The efficacy of upfront PTR in managing mCRC remains unclear.

Peptidoglycan induces CXCL10 production and inhibits esophageal squamous cell carcinoma proliferation.

Poor oral health is an independent risk factor for upper-aerodigestive tract cancers, including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC); thus, good oral health may reduce the risk of ESCC. We previously reported that high expression of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 6, which recognizes peptidoglycan (PGN) from Gram-positive bacteria correlates with a good prognosis after esophagectomy for ESCC. Most beneficial bacteria in the mouth are Gram-positive.

2024 HRS perspective on advancing workflows for CIED remote monitoring.

Cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) generate substantial data, often stored in image or PDF formats. Remote monitoring, now an integral component of patient care, places considerable administrative burdens on clinicians and staff, in large part due to the challenge of integrating these data seamlessly into electronic health records. Since 2006, the Heart Rhythm Society, in collaboration with the CIED industry, has led an initiative to establish a unified standard nomenclature.

A Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Study of Esomeprazole Comparing a Dual Delayed-Release Formulation (YYD601) to a Conventional Formulation Following Multiple Administrations in Healthy Adult Subjects.

Background: YYD601 is a new dual delayed-release formulation of esomeprazole, developed to enhance plasma exposure and prolong the duration of acid suppression.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetic (PK), and pharmacodynamic (PD) profiles of YYD601 20 mg following single and multiple oral administrations in healthy, fasting adult Koreans, and to compare these outcomes to those of the conventional esomeprazole 20 mg capsule.

Methods: A randomized, open-label, two-period crossover study was conducted in 28 participants, who were divided into two treatment groups: one group received YYD601 20 mg, and the other received conventional esomeprazole 20 mg, once daily for five consecutive days.

Evaluating Avacopan in the Treatment of ANCA-Associated Vasculitis: Design, Development and Positioning of Therapy.

Recently, avacopan has been approved for the treatment of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). Avacopan is an inhibitor of the C5a-receptor, which plays an important role in chemotaxis and the amplification loop of inflammation in AAV. In the most recent, international guidelines avacopan is recommended as steroid-sparing agents for the management of AAV.

A case of corneal opacity caused by atovaquone administration.

Purpose: Atovaquone is an alternative drug that is used for the prevention and treatment of pneumonia when the first-line drug, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (ST combination), cannot be used due to side effects. However, atovaquone is known to cause ocular side effects including oculomucocutaneous syndrome and vortex keratopathy. In this report, we describe a patient who developed bilateral white granular diffuse corneal opacity that extended from the corneal sub-epithelium to the stroma after continuous oral atovaquone administration for 14 months.

Simplified segmental scleral buckling without localization and cryopexy: A retrospective comparison with conventional segmental scleral buckling.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to propose a simplified segmental scleral buckling (SSSB) technique that does not require break localization for less-experienced vitreoretinal surgeons.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study compared the clinical results of 46 conventional and 23 SSSB (conventional segmental SB [CSSB] and SSSB, respectively) procedures in a tertiary referral retinal center in Taiwan between 2008 and 2019. In the CSSB group, breaks were localized during surgery.

Vitrectomy for diabetic retinopathy: A review of indications, techniques, outcomes, and complications.

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most severe forms of retinopathy and a leading cause of blindness all over the world. Of a greater concern is proliferative diabetic retinopathy which leads to vitreous haemorrhage and tractional retinal detachment in such cases. A majority of these cases require a surgical intervention to improve vision and prevent further vision loss.

Optical coherence tomography characteristics in hydroxychloroquine retinopathy and the correlations with visual deterioration in Taiwanese.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate optical coherence tomography (OCT) characteristics in hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) retinopathy and their correlation with visual acuity among Taiwanese patients.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively recruited patients undergoing long-term HCQ treatment who had received examinations of best-corrected visual acuity and OCT scans. We observed disruptions in the ellipsoid zone (EZ) and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) across different retinal regions.

The predictive power of baseline metabolic and volumetric [F]FDG PET parameters with different thresholds for early therapy failure and mortality risk in DLBCL patients undergoing CAR-T-cell therapy.

Objective: [F]FDG imaging is an integral part of patient management in CAR-T-cell therapy for recurrent or therapy-refractory DLBCL. The calculation methods of predictive power of specific imaging parameters still remains elusive. With this retrospective study, we sought to evaluate the predictive power of the baseline metabolic parameters and tumor burden calculated with automated segmentation via different thresholding methods for early therapy failure and mortality risk in DLBCL patients.

Variations in linear energy transfer distributions within a European proton therapy planning comparison of paediatric posterior fossa tumours.

Background And Purpose: Radiotherapy for paediatric posterior fossa tumours may cause complications in the brainstem and upper spinal cord due to high doses. With proton therapy (PT) this risk may increase due to higher relative biological effectiveness (RBE) from elevated linear energy transfer (LET). This study assesses variations in LET in the brainstem and spinal cord in proton treatment plans from European centres.

Induced Neural Stem Cell Transplantation in Spinal Cord Injury: Present Status and Next Steps.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) remains a significant clinical challenge, with no fully effective treatment available despite advancements in various therapeutic approaches. This review examines the emerging role of induced neural stem cells (iNSCs) as promising candidates for SCI treatment, highlighting their potential for direct neural regeneration and integration with host tissue. We explore the biology of iNSCs, their mechanisms of action, and their interactions with host tissue, including modulating inflammatory responses, promoting axonal growth, and reconstructing neural circuits.

Myelopathy Due to Hypertrophic Pachymeningitis Associated With ANCA Vasculitis: A 10-Year Follow-up Case Report.

This case report describes a rare presentation of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies-associated hypertrophic pachymeningitis in a 49-year-old woman with cranial and spinal lesions. Initial management comprised decompressive laminectomy and steroid therapy, with the subsequent addition of immunosuppressant therapy following symptom recurrence. After a ten-year follow-up, significant symptom improvement and return of motor function were noted.

Surgical and Neurointensive Management for Acute Spinal Cord Injury: A Narrative Review.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) following high-energy trauma often leads to lasting neurologic deficits and severe socioeconomic impact. Effective neurointensive care, particularly in the early stages post-injury, is essential for optimizing outcomes. This review discusses the role of neurointensive care in managing SCI, emphasizing early assessment, stabilization, and intervention strategies based on recent evidence-based practices.

Successful Treatment of Growing Skull Fracture That Developed Only 3 Weeks After Injury: A Case Report.

A growing skull fracture (GSF) is a fracture that gradually widens as the arachnoid membrane or brain parenchyma herniates into the fractured space in a skull fracture accompanied by dural injury. GSF has a good prognosis if diagnosed early and treated surgically. However, it is generally a chronic complication with low incidence, making diagnosis difficult.

Using Artificial Intelligence in the Comprehensive Management of Spinal Cord Injury.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) frequently results in persistent motor, sensory, or autonomic dysfunction, and the outcomes are largely determined by the location and severity of the injury. Despite significant technological progress, the intricate nature of the spinal cord anatomy and the difficulties associated with neuroregeneration make full recovery from SCI uncommon. This review explores the potential of artificial intelligence (AI), with a particular focus on machine learning, to enhance patient outcomes in SCI management.

Efficacy of Additional Surgical Decompression on Functional Outcome in Pyogenic Spinal Epidural Abscess With No Neurological Deficit.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of additional surgical decompression with antibiotics to treat pyogenic spinal epidural abscess (SEA) with no neurological deficits.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients diagnosed with spontaneous pyogenic SEA in the thoracolumbosacral area who presented with sciatica and no motor deficits in the lower extremities. The treatment took place in a single tertiary hospital.

Spinal Cord Injury From Tuberculous Spondylitis Misdiagnosed as Metastatic Spinal Tumor and Bacterial Spondylitis: A Case Report & Literature Review.

Tuberculous (TB) spondylitis, also known as Pott's disease, was first described by Percivall Pott in 1779. The diagnosis of TB spondylitis is often delayed because of the non-specific nature of the infection, which can lead to severe consequences. Differential diagnosis is especially critical in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy who present with lymph node or bone metastasis.

Adherence to Oral Nutritional Supplements: A Review of Trends in Intervention Characteristics and Terminology Use Since the Year 2000.

Research on disease-related malnutrition and adherence to oral nutritional supplements (ONS) has increased in recent years. To guide future studies, it is important to identify trends in terminology use and intervention characteristics. This review aimed to map characteristics of research investigating adherence to ONS in patients with disease-related malnutrition and explore changes over time.