Identification and validation of cholesterol metabolism-related gene GNB3 as prognosis biomarker for pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Patients with pancreatic cancer have a poor prognosis. The role of cholesterol metabolism-related genes (CMGs) pattern in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) clinical prognostic significance is still unsuspected. In this study, 13 CMGs were eventually chosen as the prognostic signature to construct a risk model in PAAD.

Social Determinants of Health and Medication Adherence in Older Adults with Prevalent Chronic Conditions in the United States: An Analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009-2018.

Background: The older adult population is rapidly expanding in the United States (US), with a high prevalence of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Medication nonadherence is prevalent in this population, with less evidence on the influence of social determinants of health (SDoH). Thus, the objective of this study was to identify and prioritize SDoH associated with medication adherence among US older adults with these comorbidities.

A Contemporary Multifaceted Insight into the Association Between Diabetes Mellitus and Diverticular Disease: An Update About Geriatric Syndrome.

Diverticular disease, once considered a rare geriatric gastrointestinal condition, has now become a prevalent disorder associated with increased morbidity and healthcare costs. The spectrum of complications from diverticular disease ranges from incidental findings to more serious issues such as bleeding and diverticulitis. Symptomatic diverticular disease represents a significant economic burden in the western world.

The Antimicrobial Resistance of : A 5-Year Retrospective Analysis at a Tertiary Hospital in Jordan.

infections are a global health concern, increasingly complicated by rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study analyzed the prevalence and AMR patterns of circulating species in Amman, Jordan, using electronic records from a tertiary teaching hospital's microbiology lab (from 2017 to 2022). Complete records of isolates (n = 2673) were assessed by sample type, species, and AMR.

The Direct Medical Costs of Sickle Cell Disease in Saudi Arabia: Insights from a Single Center Study.

: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder that is common in countries with consanguineous marriages. It leads to various complications, including painful episodes, infections, delayed growth, stroke, and organ damage, which contribute to high healthcare utilization and costs. In Saudi Arabia, the prevalence of SCD is notably high, largely due to the frequency of consanguineous marriages.

Clinical Application of Volumetric Absorptive Microsampling for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Oral Targeted Anticancer Drugs.

Background: Therapeutic Drug Monitoring optimizes oral anticancer drug treatment by measuring plasma levels. Volumetric absorptive microsampling (VAMS) allows home sampling with a minimal blood sample. However, methods for converting whole blood into plasma are required to interpret these results.

Olanzapine; Postinjection Syndrome; Pharmacokinetics in View: Grand Round/A Case Study.

Olanzapine is a second-generation antipsychotic that is frequently administered intramuscularly as a slow-release depot and maintenance treatment for schizophrenia. Therapeutic values range from 20 to 80 mcg/L and levels >100 mcg/L are considered toxic. Postinjection delirium/sedation syndrome (PDSS) is a rare but serious adverse effect after the injection of olanzapine depot formulations.

Assessment of contraceptive use and side effects among women in five countries across the Middle East: a cross-sectional study.

Purpose: Contraceptive use and associated adverse effects are underreported in the Middle East. This study aimed to investigate contraceptive use and reported side effects in five Middle Eastern countries.

Methods: This study, conducted over eight weeks in the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq, utilized an online closed-ended structured questionnaire to extract the study information.

Implementing a nurse-enabled, integrated, shared-care model involving specialists and general practitioners in early breast cancer post-treatment follow-up (EMINENT): a single-centre, open-label, phase 2, parallel-group, pilot, randomised, controlled trial.

Background: Current models of post-treatment cancer care rely heavily on hospital-based, medical specialists and do not sufficiently leverage primary care. Many breast cancer survivors face ongoing unmet needs that may benefit from a multidisciplinary, shared-care approach. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of implementing nurse-enabled, shared-follow-up care between the acute and primary care setting for early-stage breast cancer.

Rising incidence of recreational ketamine use: Clinical cases and management in emergency settings.

The recreational use of ketamine has risen significantly in the Netherlands, particularly among young adults in nightlife settings. This trend has been accompanied by an increase in first aid incidents involving ketamine, often in combination with other substances such as alcohol or MDMA, leading to heightened toxicity. Acute intoxication with ketamine manifests through symptoms like agitation, hallucinations, nausea, tachycardia, and hypertension, while frequent use is associated with long-term complications, including ketamine-induced uropathy.

Safety profiles of sevoflurane in pediatric patients: a real-world pharmacovigilance assessment based on the FAERS database.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the safety profile of sevoflurane in pediatric populations using real-world data.

Methods: Data were extracted from the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) from the first quarter of 2004 to the third quarter of 2024. We analyzed reports where sevoflurane was the primary suspect in individuals aged 0-18, employing disproportionality analysis to detect adverse events associated with sevoflurane.

Unraveling the Mechanisms of AhR-Notch Interplay in Mediating Arsenic Trioxide Cytotoxicity in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cell Lines.

Arsenic trioxide (ATO) induces oxidative stress and apoptotic cell death in cancer cells; however, the underlying mechanisms and its effects on other signaling pathways, particularly in breast cancer, remain inadequately understood. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is expressed in breast cancer cells and linked to disease progression, while Notch signaling enhances migratory properties in these cells. The simultaneous use of the AhR agonist (FICZ), AhR antagonist (CH223191), and Notch antagonist (DAPT) was intended to investigate how the modulation of these pathways affects the response of breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cell) to ATO.

Adjuvant radiotherapy in postmenopausal women with early-stage ER-positive breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The management of early breast cancer (BC) includes breast-conserving surgery (BCS), postoperative radiation therapy (PORT) and systemic therapy. Therefore, we aim at evaluating all the efficacy endpoints for PORT compared to no PORT in older women with early-stage BC.

Method: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Scopus databases from inception up to May 2024 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) where patients were randomized into either PORT vs no PORT.

Gynura procumbens leaf extract-loaded self-microemulsifying drug delivery system offers enhanced protective effects in the hepatorenal organs of the experimental rats.

Gynura procumbens, known as longevity spinach, is a plant traditionally used in tropical Asian countries for its anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, anti-hypertensive, and anti-hyperglycemic properties. The current study aimed to enhance the hepatorenal protective activity of Gynura procumbens leaf extract (GLE) by developing a self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS). SMEDDS-GLE exhibited the formation of small micelles with a mean droplet size of 231 nm.

Multifaceted role of heparin in oncology: from anticoagulation to anticancer mechanisms and clinical implications.

Heparin, traditionally known for its anticoagulant properties, has recently been identified as a potential agent in cancer therapy. Its derivatives, including low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) and unfractionated heparin (UFH), are being investigated for their multifaceted roles in oncology. This review focuses on the expanding exploration of heparin's anticancer effects and its possible integration into cancer treatment protocols.

The impact of genetic variations in FPGS, MTHFR, and ATIC on methotrexate response among pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Objectives: Genetic polymorphisms in FPGS, MTHFR, and ATIC have emerged as important modulators of methotrexate (MTX) metabolism and toxicity. We investigated the distribution of FPGS rs10106, MTHFR rs1801131, and ATIC rs2372536 polymorphisms in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and assessed their influence on MTX concentrations, toxicity profiles, and clinical outcomes.

Methods: Genotyping of FPGS rs10106 G > A, MTHFR rs1801131 A > C, and ATIC rs2372536 C > G polymorphisms was conducted using the Sequenom MassARRAY iPLEX platform in 145 pediatric ALL patients.

Effect of dasatinib on blood concentrations of sunitinib and adverse events in a patient with metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with sunitinib: A case report.

The combined use of sunitinib and other tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) is discouraged because of the increased risk of adverse events (AEs). Furthermore, plasma sunitinib levels are affected by drugs that affect CYP3A4 activity; therefore, caution should be exercised when using CYP3A4 inhibitors. In the present study, a 59-year-old Japanese man with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) while on sunitinib treatment and was simultaneously treated with sunitinib and dasatinib, a multi-TKI used for CML with moderate CYP3A4 inhibitory activity.

Validation of the Arabic eHealth literacy questionnaire: a factor and Rasch analysis study.

Introduction: Amidst the rapid digitalization of healthcare, there is a need for tools that accurately assess eHealth literacy across cultural contexts. This study focused on the validation of an Arabic version of the eHealth Literacy Questionnaire (eHLQ), a tool to facilitate patient engagement and health outcomes in digital healthcare.

Method: Using a convenience sampling method, the study recruited a diverse sample of 657 participants from Jordan (58.

Mitochondrial DNA in atherosclerosis research progress: a mini review.

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that primarily affects large and medium-sized arteries and is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. This article reviews the multifaceted role of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in AS, including its structure, function, release, and relationship with inflammation. Damage and release of mtDNA are considered central drivers in the development of AS, as they participate in the progression of AS by activating inflammatory pathways and affecting lipid metabolism.

Recent Advances in Propranolol Hydrochloride Formulations for the Treatment of Infantile Hemangiomas.

Infantile hemangiomas (IHs) are a kind of skin soft tissue benign tumors in infants, with a high incidence rate and significant harm. Rapid early proliferation can cause severe cosmetic deformities and organ development disorders. Propranolol Hydrochloride (PRH), a non-selective adrenergic β-receptor blocker, has become the first-line treatment for IHs due to its good efficacy and safety compared to other drugs.

Metabolomic Analysis, Antiproliferative, Anti-Migratory, and Anti-Invasive Potential of Amlodipine in Lung Cancer Cells.

Background And Objective: Lung cancer stands as the leading cause of cancer-related fatalities worldwide. While chemotherapy remains a crucial treatment option for managing lung cancer in both early-stage and advanced cases, it is accompanied by significant drawbacks, including severe side effects and the development of chemoresistance. Overcoming chemoresistance represents a considerable challenge in lung cancer treatment.

Antibiogram Surveillance to Determine Appropriate Initial Empiric Antibiotic Therapy for Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia.

Our protocolized empiric antibiotic therapy for early (≤7 d) ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and late (>7 d) VAP based on our local antibiogram leads to inappropriate empiric antibiotic therapy (IEAT) approximately 15% of the time. We reviewed our trauma intensive care unit (TICU) antibiogram to determine if sensitivity patterns were changing and warranted protocol adjustments. We hypothesized there would be no change in IEAT over time.

GLP-1RA-induced delays in gastrointestinal motility: Predicted effects on coadministered drug absorption by PBPK analysis.

Background: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are breakthrough medicines for obesity treatment and have rapidly gained widespread clinical application. Although GLP-1RAs are generally not associated with drug-drug interactions (DDIs) via drug metabolism or transporter pathways, their effects on reduced gastrointestinal (GI) motility could influence the pharmacokinetics of coadministered oral medications.

Objectives: This study uses physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling to evaluate the DDI potential of GLP-1RA-induced GI motility delays.

Sequential Treatment of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer in Taiwan: Real-World Evidence From Regorafenib and Trifluridine/Tipiracil Use.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the real-world effectiveness and safety of sequential treatment with regorafenib and trifluridine/tipiracil (FTD-TPI) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) in Taiwan.

Methods: Data were obtained from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) to assess clinical outcomes in mCRC patients who were treated with both drugs in either sequential order from 2016 to 2019. Overall survival (OS) was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox's proportional hazard models, with adjustments made for age, gender, Quan-CCI score, presence of liver metastases, number of metastatic sites, and the use of anti-epidermal growth factor receptor medications.