Impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the field of hematopoietic cell transplantation in the Asia-Pacific region: APBMT Activity Survey 2020/2021.

COVID-19 became a global pandemic in 2020 and significantly affected the activity of hematopoietic cell transplants (HCT) worldwide. Despite these challenges, a total of 28,793 transplants, including 18,518 allogeneic and 10,275 autologous transplants, were performed in 719 facilities in 2020 in the Asia-Pacific (AP) region. This represented a 5.

Closed-loop systems for deep brain stimulation to treat neuropsychiatric disorders.

Introduction: A closed-loop or feedback-control system is a process which considers the system's output in order to automatically adjust the input. Compared to a traditional open-loop system, a closed-loop system allows for a higher degree of accuracy with minimal human intervention. Novel methods of closed loop 'adaptive' deep brain stimulation DBS (aDBS) are being developed.

Assessing dissociation: A systematic review and evaluation of existing measures.

Objective: This review aimed to assess the psychometric properties and methodological quality of existing dissociation measures.

Methods: MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycINFO were searched in May 2023 using comprehensive search terms for 'dissociation' combined with terms for 'measurement' and 'psychometric properties'. The review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023423485) and followed PRISMA and COSMIN guidelines.

Monitoring and Treatment of Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria in Patients with Aplastic Anemia in Asia: An Expert Consensus.

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) clones can be identified in a significant proportion of patients with aplastic anemia (AA). Screening for PNH clones at the time of an AA diagnosis is recommended by national and international guidelines. In this report, an expert panel of physicians discusses current best practices and provides recommendations for managing PNH in patients with AA in the Asia-Pacific region.

IL-18 biology in severe asthma.

The role of interleukin-18 (IL-18) and inflammasomes in chronic inflammatory airway diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), has garnered significant attention in recent years. This review aims to provide an overview of the current understanding of IL-18 biology, the associated signaling pathways, and the involvement of inflammasome complexes in airway diseases. We explore the multifaceted role of IL-18 in asthma pathophysiology, including its interactions with other cytokines and contributions to both T2 and non-T2 inflammation.

Exploring eating disorder risk among Thai transfeminine youth: a comparative study with cisgender females.

Background: Adolescents, particularly vulnerable during puberty, often face heightened concerns about dieting and body image. Transfeminine youth, especially in Asian cultures, are understudied in this context. This study investigates eating disorder risks among Thai transfeminine youth and compares to cisgender females, focusing on the association with body dissatisfaction.

Religiosity, perceived family support, and gender disclosure of LGBTQ + medical students in Thailand.

Background: The well-being of LGBTQ + medical students can be influenced by religiosity, family support, and the disclosure of their gender identity or sexual orientation. These factors have frequently been overlooked and warrant further consideration in creating a supportive environment for all students.

Methods: This multicenter study investigated two main outcomes including the differences in religiosity and perceived family support between LGBTQ + and non-LGBTQ + medical students in Thailand, and the gender disclosure to family among LGBTQ + medical students.

Characteristics and therapeutic outcomes of subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma with and without germline HAVCR2 mutations in Thai children and adolescents.

Background: Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma (SPTCL) is a rare subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma associated with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)/HLH-like systemic illnesses and germline HAVCR2 mutations. Although previous studies suggested successful treatment of SPTCL with immunosuppressive therapy (IST) without chemotherapy, IST data in pediatric SPTCL remain scarce. To explore characteristics and therapeutic outcomes, comparing IST-based and chemotherapy-based regimens in pediatric SPTCL, in this retrospective cohort study, patients with SPTCL diagnosed at age ≤20 years during 2007-2023 were enrolled from 6 hematology/oncology centers in Thailand.

Dietary pattern and the corresponding gut microbiome in response to immunotherapy in Thai patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Gut microbiota is considered a key player modulating the response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in cancer. The effects of dietary pattern on this interaction is not well-studied. A prospective multicenter cohort of 95 patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) undergoing ICI therapy were enrolled.

Differential Expression of Proteins and Genes at the Tumor-Brain Interface in Invasive Meningioma.

Most meningiomas are dural-based extra-axial tumors in close contact with the brain. Expression of genes and proteins at the tumor-brain interface in brain-invasive meningioma is basically unknown. Using the NanoString pan-cancer panel, differential expression of genes in the invasive edge versus main tumor body was determined in 12 invasive meningiomas (comprising the discovery cohort), and 6 candidate genes: DTX1, RASGRF1, GRIN1, TNR, IL6, and NR4A1, were identified.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of factors contributing to post-kidney transplant anemia and the effect of erythropoietin-stimulating agents.

Background: The effects of various risk and associated factors on post-kidney transplant anemia (PTA) have not been fully compared and estimated. This meta-analysis aims to elucidate factors contributing to PTA and determine the influence of erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESAs) on renal outcomes, thus offering potential pathways for enhanced management strategies post-transplant.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted in electronical database.

Perturbations in the skin microbiome of infantile and adult seborrheic dermatitis and new treatment options based on restoring a healthy skin microbiome.

Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) is a common, multifaceted skin condition, but its undefined etiology hampers the development of effective therapeutic strategies. In this review, we describe the intricate relationship between the skin microbiome and the pathogenesis of SD, focusing on the complex interplay between three major groups of organisms that can either induce inflammation (Malassezia spp., Staphylococcus aureus) or else promote healthy skin (Propionibacterium spp.

Impact of HbE mutation on the clinical severity of HbH disease: A multicentre study from Thailand.

Haemoglobin (Hb) H disease and HbH disease with co-inherited HbE mutation are the most prevalent forms of α-thalassaemia in Southeast Asia. Data were limited when comparing clinical phenotypes between these two patient groups. We conducted a Thai multicentre study and enrolled 588 patients [median (IQR) age 13.