Novel predictors of infection-related rehospitalization in older patients with heart failure in Japan.

Aim: Rehospitalization of patients with heart failure (HF) incurs high health care costs and increased mortality. Infection-related rehospitalizations in patients with HF occur frequently, and the risk increases with age. This study aimed to identify the factors associated with infection-related rehospitalizations in older patients with HF.

Influence of gut microbial metabolites on tumor immunotherapy: mechanisms and potential natural products.

In recent years, tumor immunotherapy has made significant breakthroughs in the treatment of malignant tumors. However, individual differences in efficacy have been observed in clinical practice. There is increasing evidence that gut microbial metabolites influence the efficacy of distal tumor immunotherapy via the gut-liver axis, the gut-brain axis and the gut-breast axis, a process that may involve modulating the expression of immune cells and cytokines in the tumor microenvironment (TME).

Melatonin Aids in Treating Mood and Sleep Problems Resulting from Hormonal Therapy in Breast Cancer Patients: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Background: Hormone therapy is commonly used to treat breast cancer but can cause mood disorders and sleep disturbances, negatively impacting patients' well-being.

Objectives: This trial aimed to evaluate the effects of melatonin on sleep problems and mood changes in breast cancer patients undergoing hormone therapy.

Methods: The study was conducted at Omid Hospital in Isfahan, Iran, using a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled design.

Evaluation of Oral Nano-Silymarin Formulation Efficacy in the Prevention of Hand-Foot Syndrome and Neuropathy Induced by XELOX or m-FOLFOX6 Regimens in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: A Triple-Blinded, Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Folinic acid, fluorouracil, and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) and oxaliplatin and capecitabine (XELOX) are the most widely used chemotherapy regimens for treating metastatic colorectal carcinoma (CRC). These regimens are associated with various adverse reactions, including neuropathy and hand-foot syndrome (HFS). Silymarin, a flavonoid derived from , has a wide range of biological activities.

Arterialized Venous Free Flap for Hand Defect Reconstruction Due to Ischemic Steal Syndrome.

Ischemic steal syndrome (ISS) occurs in hemodialysis patients. Hence, it rarely becomes gangrene or disrupts hand function. We reported a patient with an ISS and radial atherosclerosis that presented with infected ulcer.

Low expression of CD39 on monocytes predicts poor survival in sepsis patients.

Background: Sepsis is a critical condition associated with high morbidity and mortality, emphasizing the need for reliable biomarkers for its diagnosis and prognosis. This study uses advanced immunological techniques to evaluate monocytic CD39 (mCD39) expression as a potential marker in sepsis.

Methods: This prospective observational cohort study included 206 participants from the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine between April 2022 and September 2023.

Comparative safety signals of dopamine agonists: psychiatric and cardiovascular risks derived from FDA adverse event reporting system (FAERS) data.

Background: Dopamine receptor agonists (DAs) are widely used as first-line therapeutic agents for Parkinson's disease. However, comparative clinical trials assessing their safety profiles are limited. This study aims to compare adverse event (AE) data across various DAs to inform personalized treatment strategies.

Impact of differentiated care service delivery systems on adherence among the HIV-positive patients receiving antiretroviral therapy in a Southeastern Nigerian State.

Aim: Globally, differentiated care has been adopted across human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment cascades as part of the strategies of increasing and sustaining retention in care. This study examined the impact of this new service delivery approach on adherence among patients receiving antiretroviral therapy in Imo state, Nigeria.

Methods: This was a cross sectional study carried at one tertiary and three secondary care hospitals selected across the state using a questionnaire.

Efficacy and safety of medroxyprogesterone acetate on noninvasive ventilation -treated exacerbated COPD patients: a double-blind randomized clinical trial.

Background: In acute exacerbation periods of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), patients may experience hypoxemia or hypercapnia. Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) and respiratory stimulant drugs are used to treat this condition. Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) can cross the blood-brain barrier and cause breathing stimulation and hyperventilation.

Comparative effect of aspirin versus clopidogrel monotherapy on incident type 2 diabetes in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases: A target trial emulation study.

Aims: To compare the effects of low-dose aspirin and clopidogrel on the risk of incident type 2 diabetes among patients with ASCVD.

Methods: This target trial emulation study was performed usingthe IQVIA Medical Research Data UK primary care database, including adults with an incident first ASCVD event who initiated low-dose aspirin or clopidogrel between 2004 and 2021. We applied an overlap weighting approach to balance treatment groups.

Association of plasma metabolites and cardiac mitochondrial function with heart failure progression.

Aims: Plasma metabolites are prognostic in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), with citric acid cycle metabolites linked to ejection fraction (EF) changes. We investigated these mechanisms in a canine chronic HFrEF model. We tested associations between changes in plasma metabolites, left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic volume and cardiomyocyte mitochondrial function.

The Impact of Once Daily Dosing on Protein Binding of Clozapine and Norclozapine.

Purpose/background: Clozapine and norclozapine are highly protein bound. Currently, clozapine is increasingly prescribed once daily (QD). Higher (once daily) doses may theoretically lead to saturation of protein binding of (nor)clozapine, resulting in increased unbound fractions.

Clinical features, treatment, and prognosis of nivolumab induced immune encephalitis.

Immune encephalitis (IE) is an immune-mediated adverse events (irAEs) linked to nivolumab therapy, and its clinical characteristics remain unclear. This study aimed to analyze the clinical patterns of nivolumab-induced IE to inform diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies. We conducted a retrospective analysis of nivolumab-induced IE by reviewing case reports from the database until October 31, 2024.

Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis of combination therapy for inflammatory bowel disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), encompassing Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, manifests as a chronic, recurrent, and refractory intestinal inflammatory condition significantly impacting patients' quality of life. Despite ongoing research, its etiology and pathogenesis remain incompletely understood. Recent advancements in medical research highlight the critical role of drug combination therapies in managing IBD.

Diagnostic difficulty in an adolescent with dissociative identity disorder.

Introduction: Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a complex and controversial psychiatric condition characterised by the presence of two or more distinct identities, personality states, or identities that recurrently take control of an individual's behaviour. The identities or personality states may have distinct characteristics, memories, and behaviours, making identifying and differentiating them challenging. We describe a complex case that presented diagnostic challenges because of the fluctuations in psychiatric presentations associated with DID, and we outline a multidisciplinary and biopsychosocial intervention.

Disposal Practices of Leftover Medicines Among University of Rwanda Undergraduate Students.

Background: University students typically use prescribed or non-prescribed medications, often resulting in the accumulation of leftover medications. Hence, understanding their disposal practices is crucial, as improper disposal contribute to significant public health and environmental risks.

Objective: This study intended to assess the disposal practices of leftover medications among undergraduate students at the University of Rwanda, as well as the factors influencing these practices.

Carbapenem de-escalation as an antimicrobial stewardship strategy: a narrative review.

Increased carbapenem prescribing has contributed to rising rates of carbapenem-resistant bacterial pathogens. Although antimicrobial stewardship efforts that facilitate de-escalation of carbapenems to alternative agents can minimize unnecessary exposure, clinicians may be hesitant to de-escalate therapy due to concerns for potentially compromising patient outcomes. A literature search was performed to characterize carbapenem de-escalation strategies and assess associated patient outcomes.

Calciprotein particle-induced calcium overload triggers mitochondrial dysfunction in endothelial cells.

Calciprotein particles (CPPs) are calcium- and phosphate-containing nanoparticles numbers of which are increased in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). CPPs have been associated with the development of vascular disease, although the underlying mechanisms are unknown. We previously showed that CPPs induce endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction by reducing nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability and generating superoxide (O ).

Schisandrol A mitigated voriconazole-induced liver injury in mice through regulation of farnesoid X receptor-mediated bile acid metabolism.

Schisandrol A has been previously used to mitigate hepatotoxicity. However, the effects of schisandrol A on voriconazole-induced hepatic injury have not been investigated. In this study, we aimed to explore the effects of schisandrol A on voriconazole-induced hepatic injury in mice, as well as to elucidate the underlying mechanism.

Plasma esketamine and noresketamine levels and antidepressant response with oral esketamine treatment.

Objective: Oral esketamine has relatively low and variable bioavailability, which may complicate broader use as an antidepressant. This study aimed to investigate associations between different pharmacokinetic outcomes and change in depressive symptoms following oral esketamine administration in patients with treatment-resistant depression. Understanding such associations may inform dosing and administration strategies in clinical practice.

Dietary patterns in Tanzania's transitioning rural and urban areas.

Background: Like other Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries, Tanzania is undergoing socio-economic changes that impact lifestyles and dietary choices. Traditionally, differences in dietary habits between rural and urban areas in Tanzania and other SSA countries were prominent. However, recent research indicates converging lifestyles and dietary choices associated with increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases.

Design and Evaluation of ACAFiB-APP, a clinical decision support system for anticoagulant considerations in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: Patients with atrial fibrillation are at risk for various complications, including thromboembolic events. This study involves developing and evaluating a Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS) to select appropriate anticoagulant drug, considering comorbidities, laboratory data, and concurrent medications. The system is based on a streamlined interpretation of the most recent globally accepted clinical guidelines.

Ultrafast cell-free DNA extraction from body fluids using UiO-66-NH hydrogel packed syringe.

Liquid biopsy represents a noninvasive or minimally invasive diagnostic approach relevant for both the organ-specific changes and systemic health conditions, whereas cell-free DNA (cfDNA) extraction from body liquids has attracted much attention in liquid biopsy, especially. Nowadays, metal-organic frameworks (MOF) such as UiO-66-NH has been demonstrated efficient extraction property for DNA molecular, whereas the disadvantages of MOF for solid-phase extraction (SPE) still remain. Herein, one macro-pored MOF hydrogel formation strategy was constructed in this study to achieve superb extraction performance of cfDNAs from body fluids.

Defining histamine H2 receptor antagonist response in critically ill patients with heart failure: a machine learning cluster analysis.

Background: Recent studies showed histamine H2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs) exposure was associated with reduced mortality in heart failure (HF) patients. However, specific HF patients who are sensitive to H2RAs exposure or not are yet to be further defined.

Aim: This study aimed to identify HF patient characteristics that may benefit from H2RAs exposure.