Development and Validation of a Predictive Model of Prostate Screening Compliance: A Nationwide Population-Based Study.

Introduction: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common cancer in men worldwide, with significant incidence and mortality, particularly in Mexico, where diagnosis at advanced stages is common. Early detection through screening methods such as digital rectal examination and prostate-specific antigen testing is essential to improve outcomes. Despite current efforts, compliance with prostate screening (PS) remains low due to several barriers.

Association between cardiovascular health and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: a nationwide cross-sectional study.

Purpose: Evidence concerning the effect of cardiovascular health (CVH) on the risk of metabolic dysfunctional-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is scarce. This study aimed to investigate the association between CVH and MASLD.

Methods: 5680 adults aged ≥ 20 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017-March 2020 were included.

Harnessing the tumor microenvironment: targeted cancer therapies through modulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is integral to cancer progression, impacting metastasis and treatment response. It consists of diverse cell types, extracellular matrix components, and signaling molecules that interact to promote tumor growth and therapeutic resistance. Elucidating the intricate interactions between cancer cells and the TME is crucial in understanding cancer progression and therapeutic challenges.

Efficacy of the ECHOMANTRA online intervention to support recovery from anorexia nervosa in adult patients: study protocol of a randomized controlled multi-center trial.

Background: Poor quality of life in adults with anorexia nervosa (AN) and persistent high rates of readmission highlight the necessity of developing interventions to optimize treatment outcomes. ECHOMANTRA is a novel online intervention based on interventions for carers (Experienced Carers Helping Others, ECHO) and patients (Maudsley Model of Anorexia Nervosa Treatment for Adults, MANTRA) with anorexia nervosa. The objective of this paper is to describe the study protocol of a randomized control trial (RCT) aimed at evaluating the efficacy of an adaptation of the ECHOMANTRA for adults AN inpatients and outpatients, and their carers, to be implemented as an add-on to treatment-as-usual (TAU).

The effects of diacylglycerol edible oil intervention in patients with chronic metabolic syndrome combined with asymptomatic hyperuricemia: study protocol for a multicenter, prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial.

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of diacylglycerol (DAG) edible oil intervention in patients with chronic metabolic syndrome complicated by asymptomatic hyperuricemia through a multicenter, prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial.

Methods: A multicenter, double-blind, and randomized controlled trial involving 176 patients was designed. All patients with chronic metabolic syndrome complicated by asymptomatic hyperuricemia who meet inclusion and exclusion criteria will be included in the study and will be randomized to either group A or group B.

Risk prediction tools for pressure injury occurrence: an umbrella review of systematic reviews reporting model development and validation methods.

Background: Pressure injuries (PIs) place a substantial burden on healthcare systems worldwide. Risk stratification of those who are at risk of developing PIs allows preventive interventions to be focused on patients who are at the highest risk. The considerable number of risk assessment scales and prediction models available underscores the need for a thorough evaluation of their development, validation, and clinical utility.

The virome composition of respiratory tract changes in school-aged children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection.

Background: Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) is a common pathogen for respiratory infections in children. Previous studies have reported respiratory tract microbial disturbances associated with MP infection (MPI); however, since the COVID-19 pandemic, respiratory virome data in school-aged children with MPI remains insufficient. This study aims to explore the changes in the respiratory virome caused by MPI after the COVID-19 pandemic to enrich local epidemiological data.

Comparing prediction accuracy for 30-day readmission following primary total knee arthroplasty: the ACS-NSQIP risk calculator versus a novel artificial neural network model.

Background: Unplanned readmission, a measure of surgical quality, occurs after 4.8% of primary total knee arthroplasties (TKA). Although the prediction of individualized readmission risk may inform appropriate preoperative interventions, current predictive models, such as the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) surgical risk calculator (SRC), have limited utility.

Efficacy & safety of brolucizumab 6.0 mg versus 3.6 mg in diabetic macular edema.

Background: Management of Diabetic Macular edema (DME) requires repeated injections. Therefore newer Anti-VEGFs like Brolucizumab with longer durability have been introduced. We compared two different dosages of Brolucizumab, 6.

Supervised machine learning statistical models for visual outcome prediction in macular hole surgery: a single-surgeon, standardized surgery study.

Purpose: To evaluate the predictive accuracy of various machine learning (ML) statistical models in forecasting postoperative visual acuity (VA) outcomes following macular hole (MH) surgery using preoperative optical coherence tomography (OCT) parameters.

Methods: This retrospective study included 158 eyes (151 patients) with full-thickness MHs treated between 2017 and 2023 by the same surgeon and using the same intraoperative surgical technique. Data from electronic medical records and OCT scans were extracted, with OCT-derived qualitative and quantitative MH characteristics recorded.

Long non-coding RNA NEAT1 promotes ovarian granulosa cell proliferation and cell cycle progression via the miR-29a-3p/IGF1 axis.

Background: Granulosa cell proliferation and survival are essential for normal ovarian function and follicular development. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as important regulators of cell proliferation and differentiation. Nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1) has been implicated in various cellular processes, but its role in granulosa cell function remains unclear.

Investigating the impact of microbiome-changing interventions on food decision-making: MIFOOD study protocol.

Background: Obesity is a multifactorial disease reaching pandemic proportions with increasing healthcare costs, advocating the development of better prevention and treatment strategies. Previous research indicates that the gut microbiome plays an important role in metabolic, hormonal, and neuronal cross-talk underlying eating behavior. We therefore aim to examine the effects of prebiotic and neurocognitive behavioral interventions on food decision-making and to assay the underlying mechanisms in a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT).

Evaluation of the effects of asymmetric lumbosacral transitional vertebra on pelvic morphology in dogs using ventrodorsal radiographs.

Background: A lumbosacral transitional vertebra (LTV) is a congenital anomaly of the caudal vertebral column. It has been associated with asymmetrical canine hip dysplasia (CHD) and cauda equina syndrome (CES) in German Shepherd dogs. This retrospective cross-sectional study aims to report the potential influence of asymmetric LTV on pelvic anatomy using ventrodorsal (VD) radiographs.

Unraveling the genetic spectrum of inherited deaf-blindness in Portugal.

Background: Syndromic genetic disorders affecting vision can also cause hearing loss, and Usher syndrome is by far the most common etiology. However, many other conditions can present dual sensory impairment. Accurate diagnosis is essential for providing patients with genetic counseling, prognostic information, and appropriate resources.

Lipid nanoparticles deliver DNA-encoded biologics and induce potent protective immunity.

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for mRNA delivery have advanced significantly, but LNP-mediated DNA delivery still faces clinical challenges. This study compared various LNP formulations for delivering DNA-encoded biologics, assessing their expression efficacy and the protective immunity generated by LNP-encapsulated DNA in different models. The LNP formulation used in Moderna's Spikevax mRNA vaccine (LNP-M) demonstrated a stable nanoparticle structure, high expression efficiency, and low toxicity.

Acceptability of intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine plus dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine in Papua New Guinea: a qualitative study.

Background: In moderate-to-high malaria transmission regions, the World Health Organization recommends intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp) with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) alongside insecticide-treated bed nets to reduce the adverse consequences of pregnancy-associated malaria. Due to high-grade Plasmodium falciparum resistance to SP, novel treatment regimens need to be evaluated for IPTp, but these increase pill burden and treatment days. The present qualitative study assessed the acceptability of IPTp-SP plus dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DP) in Papua New Guinea, where IPTp-SP was implemented in 2009.

Uncomplicated Amyand's hernia in a setting of abdominal wall insufficiency: a case report.

Introduction: Amyand's hernia, an uncommon condition characterized by the presence of the appendix within an inguinal hernial sac (< 1% incidence), poses diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Often it is an intraoperative finding, with almost no clinical symptoms.

Case Presentation: This is a case of an Indian male in his early 80 years, diagnosed with bilateral direct inguinal hernias, one of which contained a noninflamed appendix.

Validity, reliability and clinical utility of ASSIST-Y in assessing risk of substance-related harm and dependence in Spanish male adolescents.

Background: Substance use among adolescents is strongly associated with adverse physical, mental health, and social outcomes. Prevention and early intervention can reduce the likelihood of future problems, but requires valid and reliable screening tools capable of assessing risk across a range of substances. This study assessed the validity, reliability, and clinical utility of the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST-Y) for adolescents aged 15-17 years.

Targeting lipid metabolism: novel insights and therapeutic advances in pancreatic cancer treatment.

Lipid metabolism in cancer is characterized by dysregulated lipid regulation and utilization, critical for promoting tumor growth, survival, and resistance to therapy. Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly aggressive malignancy of the gastrointestinal tract that has a dismal 5-year survival rate of less than 10%. Given the essential function of the pancreas in digestion, cancer progression severely disrupts its function.

The prognostic value of systemic immune-inflammation index in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma treated with immune-based therapy.

Background: Predicting the efficacy of immune-based therapy in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a clinical challenge. This study aims to evaluate the prognostic value of the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) in forecasting treatment response and survival outcomes for HCC patients undergoing immune-based therapy.

Methods: We analyzed a cohort of 268 HCC patients treated with immune-based therapy from January 2019 to March 2023.

Prevalence and Predictors of Overweight and Obesity Among School-Aged Children in the Country of Georgia: A Cross-Sectional Study, 2022.

Background: Childhood overweight and obesity are significant global public health challenges that affect approximately 340 million children worldwide. In Georgia, the prevalence of childhood obesity is alarming, with approximately 28% of 7-year-old children classified as overweight or obese in 2019. This study aimed to investigate the key factors associated with overweight and obesity among school-age children in Georgia.

SARS-CoV-2 excretion and genetic evolution in nasopharyngeal and stool samples from primary immunodeficiency and immunocompetent pediatric patients.

Background: Primary Immunodeficiency disorders (PID) can increase the risk of severe COVID-19 and prolonged infection. This study investigates the duration of SARS-CoV-2 excretion and the genetic evolution of the virus in pediatric PID patients as compared to immunocompetent (IC) patients.

Materials And Methods: A total of 40 nasopharyngeal and 24 stool samples were obtained from five PID and ten IC children.

Electroacupuncture alleviates paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy by reducing CCL2-mediated macrophage infiltration in sensory ganglia and sciatic nerve.

Background: Paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy (PIPN) is prevalent among patients receiving paclitaxel chemotherapy, which results in sensory abnormality as well as neuropathic pain. Conventional medications lack effectiveness on PIPN. Clinical trials identified beneficial effects of acupuncture on PIPN among patients receiving chemotherapy.

Predictive value of machine learning for the progression of gestational diabetes mellitus to type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: This systematic review aims to explore the early predictive value of machine learning (ML) models for the progression of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: A comprehensive and systematic search was conducted in Pubmed, Cochrane, Embase, and Web of Science up to July 02, 2024. The quality of the studies included was assessed.