An update on multiple breath washout in children with cystic fibrosis.

Introduction: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the CF transmembrane regulator (CFTR) gene, leading to progressive lung disease and systemic complications. Lung disease remains the primary cause of morbidity and mortality, making early detection of lung function decline crucial. The Lung Clearance Index (LCI), derived from the multiple breath washout (MBW) test, has emerged as a sensitive measure for identifying early airway disease.

ANXA1-FPR2 axis mitigates the susceptibility to atrial fibrillation in obesity via rescuing AMPK activity in response to lipid overload.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent arrhythmia in clinical practice, and obesity serves as a significant risk factor for its development. The underlying mechanisms of obesity-related AF remain intricate and have yet to be fully elucidated. We have identified FPR2 as a potential hub gene involved in obesity-related AF through comprehensive analysis of four transcriptome datasets from AF patients and one transcriptome dataset from obese individuals, and its expression is up-regulated in both AF and obese individuals.

Diagnostic and therapeutic hysteroscopy in Ethiopia: a retrospective study on practice and outcomes.

Background: Hysteroscopy is considered the standard for evaluating the uterine cavity. Limited data exists regarding hysteroscopy in Ethiopia. Therefore, the objective of the study was to describe the diagnostic and operative hysteroscopic procedures at St.

Coagulopathy in acute liver failure.

Acute liver failure (ALF) is a rare but rapidly progressing syndrome, marked by severe liver dysfunction and altered mental status. While definitions of ALF vary across different guidelines, with timelines ranging from 4 to 26 weeks between jaundice onset and encephalopathy, the key defining features remain encephalopathy and coagulopathy. Elevated coagulation markers, particularly prothrombin time and international normalized ratio, have traditionally been associated with bleeding risks.

The interplay between lung galectins and pro-fibrotic markers in post-COVID-19 fibrogenesis: A pilot study.

Aims: COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, can lead to serious lung conditions, notably interstitial pulmonary fibrosis.

Main Methods: Our study tracked the progression of fibrosis markers in serial bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) measurements collected from 16 COVID-19 patients at 1, 3, and 6 months post-infection. Additionally, BAL samples from 10 healthy control subjects were included.

Resolution of MASH with no worsening of fibrosis after bariatric surgery improves 15-year survival: a prospective cohort study.

Objectives: Investigate the consequences of the histological progression of metabolically associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and fibrosis on long-term survival after bariatric surgery.

Methods: From 1994 to 2021, 3028 patients at the University Hospital of Lille were prospectively included. Baseline liver biopsies were systematically performed with proposed follow-up biopsies 1 year after surgery, mainly in MASH patients.

Diamino variants of piperazine-based tissue transglutaminase inhibitors.

Tissue transglutaminase (TG2) is a multifunctional protein that can catalyze the cross-linking between proteins, and function as a G-protein. TG2's unregulated behaviour has been associated with fibrosis, celiac disease and cancer metastasis. Recently, small molecule irreversible inhibitors have been designed, bearing an electrophilic warhead that can react with the catalytic cysteine, abolishing TG2's catalytic and G-protein capabilities.

Fulminant Edwardsiella tarda bacteremia following near-drowning episode in a patient without cirrhosis: A case report.

Edwardsiella tarda is a Gram-negative intracellular pathogen within the Enterobacterales order, recognized as a causative agent of hemorrhagic septicemia in fish but also pathogenic to humans. However, the clinical course and prognostic factors of E. tarda bacteremia are not fully understood.

Retinal microvascular dysfunction in systemic sclerosis.

Background And Aims: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a systemic autoimmune disease, characterized by widespread microvasculopathy and fibrosis. Vascular and endothelial cell changes appear to precede other features of SSc. Retinal vascular analysis is a new, easy-to-use tool for the assessment of retinal microvascular function.

Bone quality analysis of the mandible in alcoholic liver cirrhosis: Anatomical, microstructural, and microhardness evaluation.

Objectives: Alcoholic bone disease has been recognized in contemporary literature as a systemic effect of chronic ethanol consumption. However, evidence about the specific influence of alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC) on mandible bone quality is scarce. The aim of this study was to explore microstructural, compositional, cellular, and mechanical properties of the mandible in ALC individuals compared with a healthy control group.

Molecular and Clinical Risk Factors Associated with Thrombosis and Bleeding in Myelofibrosis Patients.

Background:  The risk of thrombosis and bleeding in myelofibrosis (MF) has been historically underappreciated. We sought to investigate potential molecular and clinical risk factors for venous (VTE) and arterial (ATE) thrombotic events as well as bleeding episodes.

Methods:  Data from 246 consecutive MF patients were analyzed.

Renin-independent aldosteronism and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and cirrhosis: A genetic association study.

Background & Aims: Renin-independent aldosteronism (RIA) refers to a spectrum of autonomous aldosterone hypersecretion. We aimed to explore the genetical relationship between RIA and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and cirrhosis.

Methods: We included 125357 participants from the cohort of United Kingdom Biobank.

Patient-Reported Outcome Scale for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: Development and Validation in China.

Purpose: To develop and validate the patient-reported outcome scale for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF-PRO) to provide a reliable and scientific measure for clinical trials on idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

Methods: We analyzed the relevant literature and medical records and conducted interviews and panel discussions to develop the conceptual framework and generate the item pool. We subjected the collected items to removal, mergence, or modification to form the initial scale through a qualitative review by experts and patients.

Hydroxychloroquine as a Promising Therapy for Systemic IgG4-Related Disease: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a systemic fibro-inflammatory disease potentially affecting every part of the human body. Because of variability in clinical presentation, IgG4-RD can be challenging to diagnose. Untreated disease can lead to irreversible organ damage such as fibrosis.

Metabolomic Changes Associated With the Change in HVPG After DAAs Therapy in HCV Cirrhotic Patients.

Background And Aims: In response to direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) therapy, patients who experience a decrease in hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) considerably reduce liver complications and have increased survival. This study aimed to assess the metabolomic changes associated with the changes in HVPG from the start of DAA therapy until 48 weeks after effective DAA therapy in patients with advanced HCV-related cirrhosis.

Methods: We carried out a multicenter longitudinal study in 31 patients with advanced hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related cirrhosis.

Image quality assessment and automation in late gadolinium-enhanced MRI of the left atrium in atrial fibrillation patients.

Background: Late gadolinium-enhanced (LGE) MRI has become a widely used technique to non-invasively image the left atrium prior to catheter ablation. However, LGE-MRI images are prone to variable image quality, with quality metrics that do not necessarily correlate to the image's diagnostic quality. In this study, we aimed to define consistent clinically relevant metrics for image and diagnostic quality in 3D LGE-MRI images of the left atrium, have multiple observers assess LGE-MRI image quality to identify key features that measure quality and intra/inter-observer variabilities, and train and test a CNN to assess image quality automatically.

Re-rupture rate and complications after percutaneous Tenolig® repair in acute midsubstance rupture of Achilles tendon.

Purpose: Acute midsubstance Achilles tendon ruptures are the most common tendon injuries in adults and the choice of surgical technique is still debated. The objective of this study is to evaluate the rate of iterative ruptures and postoperative complications at a minimum follow-up of one year of percutaneous sutures of the Achilles tendon, as well as to investigate the risk factors for rupture.

Methods: In this single-center retrospective study, 142 patients (119 men and 23 women, mean age of 46 years) were reviewed at a mean follow-up of 24 (12-38) months.

Emerging clinical evidence of a dual role for Ang-2 and VEGF-A blockade with faricimab in retinal diseases.

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapies have transformed the treatment of retinal diseases. However, VEGF signaling is only one component of the complex, multifactorial pathophysiology of retinal diseases, and many patients have residual disease activity despite ongoing anti-VEGF treatment. The angiopoietin/tyrosine kinase with immunoglobulin and epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (Ang/Tie2) signaling pathway is critical to endothelial cell homeostasis, survival, integrity, and vascular stability.

Application of machine learning methods for predicting esophageal variceal bleeding in patients with cirrhosis.

Objective: To develop and compare machine learning models based on CT morphology features, serum biomarkers, and basic physical conditions to predict esophageal variceal bleeding.

Materials And Methods: Two hundred twenty-four cirrhotic patients with esophageal variceal bleeding and non-bleeding were included in the retrospective study. Clinical and serum biomarkers were used in our study.

Morton's neuroma: who, when and how contributed to its description and treatment?

Purpose: The interdigital nerve neuroma of the forefoot is commonly known as Morton's Neuroma. Many authors have described and treated this condition before and after Morton. This study aims to investigate the past scientific literature to better understand what comprehension and treatments have been used to master this pathology.

Inflammation remains a dynamic component of portal hypertension in regressive alcohol-related cirrhosis.

Background: Portal hypertension (PH) resulting from static and dynamic intrahepatic changes drives liver-related complications even after removing the underlying aetiological factor.

Objective: We investigated the impact of inflammation on the dynamic component of PH during disease regression in animal models of toxin-induced cirrhosis and patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis.

Methods: In mice, cirrhosis was induced via toxin application for 12 weeks followed by toxin-withdrawal allowing for one or 2 weeks of regression.

AGA Clinical Practice Update on Management of Portal Vein Thrombosis in Patients With Cirrhosis: Expert Review.

Description: Portal vein thromboses (PVTs) are common in patients with cirrhosis and are associated with advanced portal hypertension and mortality. The treatment of PVTs remains a clinical challenge due to limited evidence and competing risks of PVT-associated complications vs bleeding risk of anticoagulation. Significant heterogeneity in PVT phenotype based on anatomic, host, and disease characteristics, and an emerging spectrum of therapeutic options further complicate PVT management.

A Health Systems Strengthening Approach to Address the High Burden of Hepatitis C in Pakistan.

Hepatitis C virus infection is a serious liver disease that can progress to cirrhosis and, in chronic cases, lead to liver cancer or liver failure. Pakistan has the second highest burden of HCV in the world, a rising number of liver cancer cases and a unique pattern of healthcare-associated HCV transmission. Unfortunately, the country is not on track to meet the WHO's target of complete elimination of HCV by 2030.

Hepatitis B Care and Treatment in Zanzibar, Tanzania: A Demonstration Project Following 2015 WHO Treatment Guidelines, 2017-2021.

Zanzibar, a low-resource semiautonomous region of Tanzania, has an estimated prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections of 3.6%. To assess the feasibility of care and treatment, a 5-year hepatitis B demonstration project was implemented in Zanzibar during January 2017-December 2021, following the 2015 WHO HBV care and treatment guidelines.

Peri-Implant Enhancement of the Breast: Imaging Features, Significance, and Management Strategies.

Objective: Peri-implant enhancement can be seen on contrast-enhanced breast MRI, but its association with malignancy has not been described, leading to considerable variability in assessment and recommendations by radiologists. This study evaluated imaging features, management, and outcomes of implant-related enhancement.

Methods: This multisite IRB-approved retrospective review queried all breast MRI reports for keywords describing peri-implant enhancement, fluid, and/or masses (plus synonymous descriptions) and implant-associated malignancies, with subsequent imaging and chart review.