A framework towards implementation of sequencing for antimicrobial-resistant and other health-care-associated pathogens.

Antimicrobial resistance continues to be a growing threat globally, specifically in health-care settings in which antimicrobial-resistant pathogens cause a substantial proportion of health-care-associated infections (HAIs). Next-generation sequencing (NGS) and the analysis of the data produced therein (ie, bioinformatics) represent an opportunity to enhance our capacity to address these threats. The 3rd Geneva Infection Prevention and Control Think Tank brought together experts to identify gaps, propose solutions, and set priorities for the use of NGS for HAIs and antimicrobial-resistant pathogens.

Validity and reliability of the Danish version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) in patients with major lower extremity amputations: A psychometric study.

Background: Patients undergoing major lower extremity amputation (LEA) due to vascular disease face an increased risk of post-surgery anxiety and depression. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), widely used to identify anxiety and depressive symptoms, has been translated into Danish, but its content validity has not previously been tested in LEA patients. This study aims to test the validity and reliability of HADS in this population.

Could entrustable professional activities support assessment in optometric clinical education in Australia and New Zealand?

Entrustable professional activities (EPAs) are increasingly being adopted as an assessment tool by medicine and other health professions in a bid to enhance competency-based health professional education. EPAs are well-defined professional activities that can be entrusted to students to perform with varying levels of supervision. They were introduced to overcome some of the limitations of traditional assessment methods of competency such as individual skills assessment or Direct Observation of Procedures and Objective Structured Clinical Examinations.

EpiMapper: A new tool for analyzing high-throughput sequencing from CUT&Tag.

Since the invention of next-generation sequencing, new methods have been developed to understand the regulation of gene expression through epigenetic markers. Among these, CUT&Tag (Cleavage Under Targets and Tagmentation) analysis has emerged as an efficient epigenomic profiling technique with low input requirements, high sensitivity, and low background signals. Although wet-lab techniques are available, data analysis remains challenging for scientists without expert-level computational skills.

Knowledge and use of pericranial nerve blocks in headache treatment in Mexico.

Background: In developed countries, most of the neurologists use pericranial nerve blocks to treat headache patients, nevertheless, the knowledge and use patterns of this technique in developing countries are unknown.

Objective: Evaluate the knowledge and use patterns of pericranial nerve blocks in headache treatment by Mexican neurologists.

Material And Methods: We did a cross-sectional study, 90 Mexican neurologists completed a 26-question survey including data about sociodemographics, knowledge and patterns of use of pericranial nerve blocks.

Assessment of fracture risk with FRAX and FRAXplus.

FRAX, a risk calculator that provides individualized 10-year probabilities of hip and major osteoporotic fracture, has been widely used for fracture risk assessment since its launch in 2008. It is now incorporated into very many guidelines worldwide to inform osteoporosis management. In this review, we explore the development of FRAX and how it enhances fracture risk prediction as compared to use of bone mineral density alone, as well as approaches to utilizing FRAX in determining intervention and assessment thresholds.

The clinical assessment of lung involvement in patients with Still's disease, results from the multicentre international AIDA Network Still's Disease Registry.

Objectives: To assess the lung involvement in patients with Still's disease, an inflammatory disease assessing both children and adults. To exploit possible associated factors for parenchymal lung involvement in these patients.

Methods: A multicentre observational study was arranged assessing consecutive patients with Still's disease characterized by the lung involvement among those included in the AIDA (AutoInflammatory Disease Alliance) Network Still's Disease Registry.

First-time use of electronic patient-reported outcome measures in a cluster randomized trial: a qualitative study.

Background: Although there is clear evidence supporting the beneficial effects of regularly assessing patient-reported outcomes (PROs), the comprehensive integration of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) into routine cancer care remains limited. This study aimed to explore the facilitators and barriers encountered by principal investigators (PIs) (oncologists) and study nurses during the implementation of the Eir ePROM within a cluster randomized trial (c-RCT) in cancer outpatient clinics. Additionally, we sought to examine the influence of Eir on the working routines of the participants.

Inhibition of programmed cell death by melanoma cell subpopulations reveals mechanisms of melanoma metastasis and potential therapeutic targets.

Melanoma is an aggressive type of skin cancer that arises from melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing skin pigment. In contrast to non-melanoma skin cancers like basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma is more invasive. Melanoma was distinguished by its rapid progression, high metastatic potential, and significant resistance to conventional therapies.

Impact of calreticulin mutations on treatment and survival outcomes in myelofibrosis during ruxolitinib therapy.

Calreticulin (CALR) mutations are detected in around 20% of patients with primary and post-essential thrombocythemia myelofibrosis (MF). Regardless of driver mutations, patients with splenomegaly and symptoms are generally treated with JAK2-inhibitors, most commonly ruxolitinib. Recently, new therapies specifically targeting the CALR mutant clone have entered clinical investigation.

Pipeline embolization device for aneurysm recurrence after stent-assisted coiling.

Objective: Since the emergence of the Pipeline Embolization Device (PED), its off-label use has significantly improved the treatment effectiveness of complex intracranial aneurysms, including the treatment of recurrent aneurysms. Although PED is effective in this situation, there is still a lack of evidence-based medicine for its role in recurrent aneurysms after stent-assisted coiling. The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of PED treatment for recurrent aneurysms after stent-assisted coiling.

Clinical cut-offs for hip- and knee arthroplasty outcome - minimal clinically important improvement (MCII) and patient acceptable symptom state (PASS) of patient-reported outcome measures (PROM).

Purpose: Clinical cut-offs like minimum clinically important improvement (MCII) and patient acceptable symptom state (PASS) increase the interpretability of patient reported outcome measures (PROMs), but cut-off estimates vary considerably, clouding a clear definition of a successful surgical outcome. We report estimates of MCII and PASS following hip- and knee arthroplasty using multiple methods and compare the different estimation methods.

Methods: Elective hip or knee arthroplasty patients who underwent the regular pre- and postoperative assessments 2014-2018 were included.

Delphi consensus on the diagnostic criteria of polycystic ovary syndrome.

Purpose: To gather the current opinion among Italian gynecologists and endocrinologists regarding the definition, diagnosis, and treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Method: A Delphi survey consisting of 26 statements was designed by a nine-member panel (consisting of members from the Italian Society of Endocrinology (SIE) and the Experts Group AQon Inositol in Basic and Clinical Research and on PCOS (EGOI-PCOS)) and distributed to 102 experts in PCOS across the fields of gynecology and endocrinology. Consensus was defined as an agreement between at least 70% of responders.

Transperitoneal versus low anterior access single-port pyeloplasty: surgical and functional outcomes from a tertiary referral center.

Background: Transperitoneal approach to robot-assisted pyeloplasty (RAP) have been preferred in the last decades because of the use of multi-port robotic platforms. However, this approach is linked to notable issues, such as pneumoperitoneum and lateral decubitus position, which is associated with potential soft tissues injuries, and it is a time-consuming procedure. Single-port (SP) platform was introduced to potentially address these issues.

Unmet needs in the management of patients with bilateral synchronous renal masses: the rationale for clinical decision-making.

Background: Bilateral synchronous renal masses (BSRMs) are a rare finding, and the optimal treatment strategy remains undetermined. This study depicts the management of BSRM at eight European high-volume centers.

Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of prospective institutional databases collecting all patients presenting with clinical T1-2 N0 M0 BSRMs between 1993 and 2020 at 8 tertiary referral high-volume centers for renal cancer treatment in Europe.

Edaravone Mitigates Hippocampal Neuronal Death and Cognitive Dysfunction by Upregulating BDNF Expression in Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Rats.

Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a severe neurological injury during infancy, often resulting in long-term cognitive deficits. This study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of Edaravone (EDA), a free radical scavenger, and elucidate the potential role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in mediating these effects in neonatal HIE rats. Using the Rice-Vannucci model, HIE was induced in neonatal rats, followed by immediate administration of EDA after the hypoxic-ischemic insult.

The Burden of Diabetes in the Southeastern Coastal Region of China From 1990 to 2019 and Projections for 2030: A Systematic Analysis of the 2019 Global Burden of Disease Study.

Aim: This study examined the diabetes burden in Fujian Province, China, from 1990 to 2019, comparing it with China and global levels to inform policymakers.

Materials And Methods: We used data from GBD 2019 to analyse diabetes prevalence, death, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs). We assessed the average annual percentage change (AAPC) and estimated the impact of 17 risk factors.

Potential interaction between clorsulon and ivermectin for malaria vector control.

Mass ivermectin (IVM) treatment of livestock (MITL) is under consideration as a malaria control tool as IVM-treated livestock are lethal to blood-feeding Anopheles mosquitoes. MITL is routinely used as a prophylaxis in livestock to reduce the burden and transmission of helminth infections. Recently, there has been a shift in the veterinary IVM market in Southeast Asia wherein nearly all standard IVM formulations are now co-formulated with clorsulon (CLO).

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccination Is Associated With Increased Odds of Preterm Birth.

Aim: To analyse whether respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination during pregnancy increases the odds of preterm birth.

Methods: A rapid review and meta-analysis was performed. The main outcome was the risk of preterm (gestational week less than 37) birth.

A Population-Based Study of the Association Among Dry Mouth, Vitamin B2, and Mortality.

Background: Previous studies have indicated that older adults with the symptom of dry mouth have an increased risk of death. B vitamins are strongly linked to oral and systemic health. However, the relationship among dry mouth, vitamin B2 and mortality remains unclear.

Whole-genome sequencing of cell-free DNA reveals DNA of tumor origin in plasma from patients with colorectal adenomas.

The presence of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in patients with colorectal adenomas remains uncertain. Studies using tumor-agnostic approaches report ctDNA in 10-15% of patients, though with uncertainty as to whether the signal originates from the adenoma. To obtain an accurate estimate of the proportion of patients with ctDNA, a sensitive tumor-informed strategy is preferred, as it ensures the detected signal originates from the adenoma.

Application of Whole-Exome Sequencing in the Genetic Diagnosis of Prenatal Ultrasound Abnormalities.

Prenatal diagnosis is a crucial tool in reducing birth defects. Research indicates that whole-exome sequencing (WES) is particularly effective for detecting abnormalities associated with structural ultrasound findings. This study aimed to evaluate the utility of WES in the genetic diagnosis of prenatal ultrasound abnormalities.