Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a physical activity intervention in adults with lymphoma undergoing treatment.

Background: To determine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a 6-month tailored non-linear progressive physical activity intervention (PAI) for lymphoma patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Methods: Patients newly diagnosed with lymphoma (non-Hodgkin (NHL) or Hodgkin (HL)) were randomized into the PAI or healthy living intervention (HLI) control (2:1). Feasibility was assessed by examining accrual, adherence, and retention rates.

The interaction of tPA with NMDAR1 drives neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in α-synuclein-mediated neurotoxicity.

The thrombolytic protease tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is expressed in the CNS, where it regulates diverse functions including neuronal plasticity, neuroinflammation, and blood-brain-barrier integrity. However, its role in different brain regions such as the substantia nigra (SN) is largely unexplored. In this study, we characterize tPA expression, activity, and localization in the SN using a combination of retrograde tracing and β-galactosidase tPA reporter mice.

Inferior vena cava diameter in patients with chronic heart failure and chronic kidney disease: a retrospective study.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) carries the highest population attributable risk for mortality among all comorbidities in chronic heart failure (CHF). No studies about the association between inferior vena cava (IVC) diameter and all-cause mortality in patients with the comorbidity of CKD and CHF has been published.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, a total of 1327 patients with CHF and CKD were included.

Evaluation of a biomarker for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis derived from a hypomethylated DNA signature of human motor neurons.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) lacks a specific biomarker, but is defined by relatively selective toxicity to motor neurons (MN). As others have highlighted, this offers an opportunity to develop a sensitive and specific biomarker based on detection of DNA released from dying MN within accessible biofluids. Here we have performed whole genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) of iPSC-derived MN from neurologically normal individuals.

Nonacademic predictors of China medical licensing examination.

Background: National Medical Licensing Examination (NMLE) is the entrance exam for medical practice in China, and its general medical knowledge test (GMKT) evaluates abilities of medical students to comprehensively apply medical knowledge to clinical practice. This study aimed to identify nonacademic predictors of GMKT performance, which would benefit medical schools in designing appropriate strategies and techniques to facilitate the transition from medical students to qualified medical practitioners.

Methods: In 1202 medical students, we conducted the deletion-substitution-addition (DSA) and structural equation model (SEM) analyses to identify nonacademic predictors of GMKT performance from 98 candidate variables including early life events, physical conditions, psychological and personality assessments, cognitive abilities, and socioeconomic conditions.

Methodological challenges using routine clinical care data for real-world evidence: a rapid review utilizing a systematic literature search and focus group discussion.

Background: The integration of real-world evidence (RWE) from real-world data (RWD) in clinical research is crucial for bridging the gap between clinical trial results and real-world outcomes. Analyzing routinely collected data to generate clinical evidence faces methodological concerns like confounding and bias, similar to prospectively documented observational studies. This study focuses on additional limitations frequently reported in the literature, providing an overview of the challenges and biases inherent to analyzing routine clinical care data, including health claims data (hereafter: routine data).

The association between neutrophil to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and gallstones: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: Several studies have discussed the relationship between cholesterol and gallstones, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) as a representative of this has been addressed in various diseases. The metric neutrophil to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (NHR) derived from HDL-C has attracted much attention. The purpose of this article is to examine the relationship between NHR and gallstones in a population of American adults.

Anemia in pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence, determinants, and health impacts in Egypt.

Background: The WHO considers anemia in pregnancy a severe public health issue when prevalence surpasses 40%. In response, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine anemia among pregnant women in Egypt, focusing on its prevalence, determinants, and associated complications.

Methods: We conducted a systematic literature search for studies published between January 1, 2010, and August 18, 2024, to identify studies from Egypt reporting on anemia in pregnant women, including its prevalence, associated determinants, and complications.

The clinical value of short-term insemination: a retrospective analysis of 3496 patients.

Background: The safety and effectiveness of short-term insemination remain a subject of controversy. This study aims to investigate the impact of short-term insemination on both embryo quality and pregnancy outcomes and whether it is necessary to apply short-term insemination to all patients underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 3,496 patients from two centers over the period January 2016 to December 2022.

Blood absolute lymphocyte count and trajectory are important in understanding severe COVID-19.

Background: Low blood absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) may predict severe COVID-19 outcomes. Knowledge gaps remain regarding the relationship of ALC trajectory with clinical outcomes and factors associated with lymphopenia.

Methods: Our post hoc analysis of the Therapeutics for Inpatients with COVID-19 platform trial utilized proportional hazards models to assess relationships between Day (D) 0 lymphopenia (ALC < 0.

Oral Administration of [F]MC225 for Quantification of P-glycoprotein Function: A Feasibility Study.

Purpose: This preclinical study explored the feasibility of assessing P-glycoprotein (P-gp) function in both brain and gastrointestinal (GI) tract of rats using positron emission tomography (PET) following oral administration of [F]MC225. Different oral administration protocols were evaluated, and radioactivity uptake was compared with uptake following intravenous administration.

Procedures: Twelve male Wistar rats were divided into four groups and subjected to intravenous or oral [F]MC225 administration protocols: G (intravenous route), G (oral administration without fasting), G (oral administration with fasting), and G (oral administration with fasting following administration of the P-gp inhibitor tariquidar).

Role of Endoluminal Functional Lumen Imaging Probe in Bariatric Surgery and Bariatric Endoscopy.

Obesity is associated with significant morbidity, with an estimated prevalence of 42.4% in the USA. Treatment of severe obesity often involves Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

Clinical and economic effects of the transformation from an open to a laparoscopic center for colorectal surgery.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of transitioning from open to laparoscopic surgery for colorectal carcinoma in a primary care hospital setting. Despite the recognized benefits of laparoscopic surgery in postoperative recovery and its demonstrated oncological equivalence, only a minority of patients (30-40%) in Germany undergo laparoscopic procedures, primarily due to concerns which, in addition to the perioperative quality data and economic aspects, focus on patient safety.

Methods: Over a three-year period (2012-2014), the transformation process was observed in a colorectal cancer center.

Accuracy of lung ultrasound in predicting successful extubation in preterm infants born ≤ 25 weeks.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the predictive value of the lung ultrasound score (LUS) for successful extubation in preterm infants born at ≤25 weeks.

Methods: This was a single-center, prospective cohort study. Preterm infants with gestational age (GA) ≤ 25 weeks who received invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) for ≥72 h were included.

Onsite Primary Care to Address Medical Needs Among Permanent Supportive Housing Tenants: A Feasibility Demonstration Project.

Background: There is limited evidence on interventions to address the health needs of vulnerable patients in permanent supportive housing (PSH).

Aim, Setting, Participants: Evaluate the feasibility of Project HOPE, a weekly onsite primary care pilot intervention for tenants of a single-site PSH program.

Program Description: Physicians, nursing, and pharmacy providers work with existing case managers to provide onsite routine and acute care, outreach, and care coordination.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Vascular Invasion Treated with Resin Yttrium-90 Transarterial Radioembolization Using Single Compartment Dosimetry.

Purpose: To report outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with lobar and segmental vascular invasion treated with resin Yttrium-90 transarterial radioembolization (Y90-TARE) with single-compartment MIRD (Medical Internal Radiation Dose) model.

Materials And Methods: This was a retrospective IRB approved study of patients with a diagnosis of HCC with vascular invasion undergoing resin Y90-TARE from 2014 to 2022 (n = 61). Patients with Body Surface Area dosimetry (n = 20), main portal vein invasion (n = 6) and patients with an ECOG of > 2 were excluded (n = 1) with a final cohort of 34 patients.

Deep learning empowered sensor fusion boosts infant movement classification.

Background: To assess the integrity of the developing nervous system, the Prechtl general movement assessment (GMA) is recognized for its clinical value in diagnosing neurological impairments in early infancy. GMA has been increasingly augmented through machine learning approaches intending to scale-up its application, circumvent costs in the training of human assessors and further standardize classification of spontaneous motor patterns. Available deep learning tools, all of which are based on single sensor modalities, are however still considerably inferior to that of well-trained human assessors.

Systematic review of machine learning applications using nonoptical motion tracking in surgery.

This systematic review explores machine learning (ML) applications in surgical motion analysis using non-optical motion tracking systems (NOMTS), alone or with optical methods. It investigates objectives, experimental designs, model effectiveness, and future research directions. From 3632 records, 84 studies were included, with Artificial Neural Networks (38%) and Support Vector Machines (11%) being the most common ML models.

Integrating genetics and transcriptomics to characterize shared mechanisms in digestive diseases and psychiatric disorders.

Digestive and psychiatric disorders tend to co-occur, yet mechanisms remain unclear. Leveraging genetic and transcriptomic data integration, we conduct multi-trait analysis of GWAS (MTAG) and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to explore shared mechanism between psychiatric and gastrointestinal disorders. Significant genetic correlations were found between these disorders, especially in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), depression (DEP), and neuroticism (NE).

Positive association between chronic hepatitis B virus infection and anemia in pregnancy in Southern China.

This observational investigation aimed to explore potential risk factors for anemia in pregnancy. Firstly, a cross-sectional study was conducted, encompassing a review of clinical data of 43,201 pregnant women admitted to the Hainan Women and Children's Medical Center between January 2017 and December 2020. Comparison between women with and without anemia in pregnancy revealed significant differences between the two groups concerning age, gestational diabetes, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, chronic hepatitis B virus infection, syphilis infection, and human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Motor cortical neuronal hyperexcitability associated with α-synuclein aggregation.

ΑBSTRACT: In Parkinson's disease (PD), Lewy pathology deposits in the cerebral cortex, but how the pathology disrupts cortical circuit integrity and function remains poorly understood. To begin to address this question, we injected α-synuclein (αSyn) preformed fibrils (PFFs) into the dorsolateral striatum of mice to seed αSyn pathology in the cortical cortex and induce degeneration of midbrain dopaminergic neurons. We reported that αSyn aggregates accumulate in the motor cortex in a layer- and cell-subtype-specific pattern.

Fedratinib for the treatment of myelofibrosis: a critical appraisal of clinical trial and "real-world" data.

Fedratinib is a predominantly JAK2 inhibitor that has shown efficacy in untreated and ruxolitinib-exposed patients with myelofibrosis (MF). Based on randomized clinical trial data, it is approved for use in patients with International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) or Dynamic International Prognostic Scoring System (DIPSS) intermediate-2 or high-risk disease and is distinguished from ruxolitinib in that it can be administered without dose reduction in patients with thrombocytopenia, to a platelet count above 50,000/µL. In these trials, fedratinib achieved significant spleen volume reduction in ~30-45% of patients and improvement in total symptom scores in 35-40% with good tolerability.

Enabling next-generation engineered TCR-T therapies based on high-throughput TCR discovery from diagnostic tumor biopsies.

Adoptive cell therapy with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) can mediate tumor regression, including complete and durable responses, in a range of solid cancers, most notably in melanoma. However, its wider application and efficacy has been restricted by the limited accessibility, proliferative capacity and effector function of tumor-specific TIL. Here, we develop a platform for the efficient identification of tumor-specific TCR genes from diagnostic tumor biopsies, including core-needle biopsies frozen in a non-viable format, to enable engineered T cell therapy.

Digestive cancers: mechanisms, therapeutics and management.

Cancers of the digestive system are major contributors to global cancer-associated morbidity and mortality, accounting for 35% of annual cases of cancer deaths. The etiologies, molecular features, and therapeutic management of these cancer entities are highly heterogeneous and complex. Over the last decade, genomic and functional studies have provided unprecedented insights into the biology of digestive cancers, identifying genetic drivers of tumor progression and key interaction points of tumor cells with the immune system.

A diagnostic host-specific transcriptome response for Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia to guide pediatric patient treatment.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae causes atypical pneumonia in children and young adults. Its lack of a cell wall makes it resistant to beta-lactams, which are the first-line treatment for typical pneumonia. Current diagnostic tests are time-consuming and have low specificity, leading clinicians to administer empirical antibiotics.