Personalized PDAC chip with functional endothelial barrier for tumour biomarker detection: A platform for precision medicine applications.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive cancer characterised by poor survival rates and an increasing global incidence. Advances in the staging and categorization of pancreatic tumours, along with the discovery of functional mutations, have made precision treatments possible, which may lead to better clinical results. To further improve customized treatment approaches, in vitro models that can be used for functional drug sensitivity testing and precisely mimic the disease at the organ level are required.

Identification of three new HLA-A intronic variants by next-generation sequencing.

Three novel HLA-A intronic variants, HLA-A*03:01:01:121, HLA-A*29:02:01:41 and HLA-A*30:02:01:24, detected by next-generation sequencing.

Characterization of Tissue Immunity Defense Factors of the Lip in Primary Dentition Children with Bilateral Cleft Lip Palate.

Background: Bilateral cleft lip palate is a severe congenital birth defect of the mouth and face. Immunity factors modulate immune response, inflammation, and healing; therefore, they are vital in the assessment of the immunological status of the patient. The aim of this study is to assess the distribution of Gal-10, CD-163, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, HBD-2, HBD-3, and HBD-4 in tissue of the bilateral cleft lip palate in primary dentition children.

Novel Nipple Reinnervation Technique Using N. Suralis Graft.

Following nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM), patients commonly experience significant impairment or total loss of nipple sensitivity, which negatively impacts the patients' quality of life, whereas patients who retain nipple sensation postoperatively experience enhanced physical, psychosocial, and sexual well-being. Reinnervation techniques such as nerve allografting have been utilized to retain sensation. Despite the benefits of nerve allografts, such as lack of donor site morbidity, ease of use, and potentially shorter surgery time, there are shortcomings, such as the cost of commercially available acellular nerve allografts, and, most importantly, decreased sensory and motor function recovery for acellular nerve allografts with a diameter greater than 3 mm or a length greater than 50 mm.

Effect of Combination of Point-of-Care C-Reactive Protein Testing and General Practitioner Education and Long-Term Effect of Education on Reducing Antibiotic Prescribing for Children Presenting with Acute Infections in General Practice in Latvia: A Randomized Controlled Intervention Study.

Background: Antibiotics are often overprescribed in children in general practice. We investigated whether the availability of C-reactive protein point-of-care testing (CRP POCT) in daily practice and general practitioner (GP) education reduces antibiotic prescribing for children with acute infections and whether GP education has a long-term effect on antibiotic prescribing.

Methods: This was a randomized controlled intervention study with randomization at the GP practice level.

Safety and efficacy of rodatristat ethyl for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (ELEVATE-2): a dose-ranging, randomised, multicentre, phase 2b trial.

Background: The role of serotonin in pulmonary arterial hypertension has been extensively studied in recent decades, with preclinical data strongly indicating involvement in disease pathogenesis; however, clinical studies have yielded mixed results.

Methods: ELEVATE-2 was a phase 2b dose-ranging, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial investigating rodatristat ethyl as a treatment for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. The study was conducted at 64 sites across 16 countries in Europe and North America.

Unravelling the genetic landscape of cervical insufficiency: Insights into connective tissue dysfunction and hormonal pathways.

Background: The intricate molecular pathways and genetic factors that underlie the pathophysiology of cervical insufficiency (CI) remain largely unknown and understudied.

Methods: We sequenced exomes from 114 patients in Latvia and Lithuania, diagnosed with a short cervix, CI, or a history of CI in previous pregnancies. To probe the well-known link between CI and connective tissue dysfunction, we introduced a connective tissue dysfunction assessment questionnaire, incorporating Beighton and Brighton scores.

Characterisation of two new HLA-DPA1 alleles: HLA-DPA1*02:139 and -DPA1*02:140N.

HLA-DPA1*02:139 and -DPA1*02:140N, two novel HLA-DPA1 alleles detected by next-generation sequencing.

Identification of six new HLA-C variants with nucleotide changes in non-coding regions.

Six novel HLA-C variants with nucleotide changes in non-coding regions: HLA-C*04:32:01:02, -C*07:01:01:142, -C*08:04:01:05, -C*12:03:01:68, -C*12:03:01:69 and -C*16:01:01:41.

European Quality Markers in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Specialty Training: Defining Standards.

According to the European Union (EU) Directive 2005/36, the medical specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) exists with two possible formats: dual degree OMFS called Dental, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (DOMFS) - basic medical and basic dental training and single medical degree Maxillofacial Surgery (MFS). Within the EU and across all of Europe, differences in the nature and quality of OMFS training coexist. By implementing the highest possible standards of training, patient care can be improved.

Darolutamide in Combination With Androgen-Deprivation Therapy in Patients With Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer From the Phase III ARANOTE Trial.

Purpose: For patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC), delaying progression to castration-resistant disease is important not only for overall survival (OS) but also for patients' quality of life. Darolutamide plus androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) with docetaxel improved OS versus ADT and docetaxel in patients with mHSPC. The ARANOTE trial evaluated darolutamide and ADT without chemotherapy in patients with mHSPC.

Identification of the novel HLA-C*08:291 allele by next-generation sequencing.

HLA-C*08:291, a novel HLA class I allele detected by next-generation sequencing.

Exercise and brain health in patients with coronary artery disease: study protocol for the HEART-BRAIN randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) have a higher risk of developing cognitive impairment and mental health disorders compared to the general population. Physical exercise might improve their brain health. The overall goal of the HEART-BRAIN randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to investigate the effects of different types of exercise on brain health outcomes in patients with CAD, and the underlying mechanisms.

Tumor and α-SMA-expressing stromal cells in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors have a distinct RNA profile depending on tumor grade.

Alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression in the stroma is linked to the presence of cancer-associated fibroblasts and is known to correlate with worse outcomes in various tumors. In this study, using a GeoMx digital spatial profiling approach, we characterized the gene expression of the tumor and α-SMA-expressing stromal cell compartments in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNETs). The profiling was performed on tissues from eight retrospective cases (three grade 1, four grade 2, and one grade 3).

The Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Infection on Sleep, Daytime Sleepiness, and Depression-Longitudinal Cohort Study.

: COVID-19 disease, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has presented significant challenges to global health, with acute and chronic implications for various aspects of well-being, including sleep and quality of life. This study aimed to investigate the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and quality of life in hospitalised and home-treated patients after three and six months. : A longitudinal cohort study was conducted, enrolling hospitalised patients from a single clinical university hospital and home-treated participants through a survey spread through social networks.