Biologically-targeted discovery-replication scan identifies G×G interaction in relation to risk of Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Inherited genetics represents an important contributor to risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), and its precursor Barrett's esophagus (BE). Genome-wide association studies have identified ∼30 susceptibility variants for BE/EAC, yet genetic interactions remain unexamined. To address challenges in large-scale G×G scans, we combined knowledge-guided filtering and machine learning approaches, focusing on genes with (A) known/plausible links to BE/EAC pathogenesis (n=493) or (B) prior evidence of biological interactions (n=4,196).

Context-dependent effects of CDKN2A and other 9p21 gene losses during the evolution of esophageal cancer.

CDKN2A is a tumor suppressor located in chromosome 9p21 and frequently lost in Barrett's esophagus (BE) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). How CDKN2A and other 9p21 gene co-deletions affect EAC evolution remains understudied. We explored the effects of 9p21 loss in EACs and cancer progressor and non-progressor BEs with matched genomic, transcriptomic and clinical data.

Distinct immune signatures for predicting the immunotherapy efficacy of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) are distinct histological subtypes of esophageal cancer. The tumor microenvironment of each subtype significantly influences the efficacy of immunotherapy. However, the characteristics of the tumor microenvironments of both subtypes, as well as their specific impacts on immunotherapy outcomes, still require further elucidation.

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma of the External Auditory Canal: A Rare Primary Involvement.

The authors describe a rare case of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) with primary involvement of the external auditory canal (EAC) and subsequent dissemination to the central nervous system, initially manifesting as a benign ear infection. This case highlights the importance of considering differential diagnoses in patients with persistent or worsening symptoms unresponsive to empirical treatment. A 53-year-old man presented with a one-week history of aural fullness, otalgia, and otorrhea in the left ear.

European consensus on endoscopic surgery for bilateral vocal fold immobility: classification and nomenclature.

Introduction: There are inconsistencies in how different endoscopic procedures to manage Bilateral Vocal Fold Immobility (BVFI) have been described in the literature. This limits our ability to compare functional outcomes. There is no unifying international terminology available that precisely describes the anatomical boundaries and extent of the different types of treatment.

Insights into the Neurobiology of Behavioral Inhibition from Nonhuman Primate Models.

Children with extreme behavioral inhibition (BI) are at a significantly greater risk to develop anxiety disorders later in life. We and others have identified similar early-life temperamental BI in nonhuman primates (NHPs), including rhesus monkeys. NHP models of BI provide a unique opportunity to study the neurobiology of BI in a species that shares biological, developmental, and socioemotional similarities with humans.

Clinicopathological and therapeutic comparisons of esophageal cancer between China and the USA: a multicenter hospital-based study.

Background: Esophageal cancer (EC) remains a global health challenge due to its poor prognosis. China and the United States of America (USA) represent two distinct epicenters of EC burden. Understanding the EC disparities in these two countries is vital for tailoring prevention strategies, optimizing treatment, and enhancing outcomes in both countries.

Therapy response monitoring in blood plasma from esophageal adenocarcinoma patients using cell-free DNA methylation profiling.

Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is an aggressive cancer characterized by a high risk of relapse post-surgery. Current follow-up methods (serum carcinoembryonic antigen detection and PET-CT) lack sensitivity and reliability, necessitating a novel approach. Analyzing cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from blood plasma emerges as a promising avenue.

Reevaluating the Causes of Otitis Externa: A Case Report.

A 28-year-old female domestic helper presented to the Ear, Nose, and Throat clinic complaining of three weeks of right otalgia associated with a right blocked ear. The hearing was otherwise normal, and she denied otorrhoea, dizziness or imbalance, ear digging, or water contact, and has no history of ear eczema. She has no other past medical history and no recent travel history.

Rift Valley Fever outbreaks in the East African Community: insights from ProMed data (2010-2024).

Background: Rift Valley Fever (RVF) is a mosquito-borne zoonotic disease that poses a serious threat to both humans and livestock across various regions, particularly in Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and parts of the Indian Ocean Islands. This study seeks to analyze the spatial and temporal distribution and trends of RVF outbreaks within the East African Community (EAC) countries, offering insights into the patterns and progression of these outbreaks in the region.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the Program for Monitoring Emerging Diseases (ProMed), a digital, event-based disease surveillance system, to identify reports of outbreak events in Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, and South Sudan from 2010 to 2024.

Advancements and challenges in the treatment of esophageal cancer: A comprehensive review.

Esophageal cancer (EC) is an aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis, ranking seventh in incidence and sixth cancer-related deaths globally. EC is classified in two main types, the esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), with ESCC being more common in Eastern Europe, South Asia, and Africa, while EAC is prevalent in Western Europe and North America. Molecular analysis identifies three subgroups of ESCC, each with distinct genetic mutations and treatment responses.

Sustained DMARD-free remission in subgroups of patients with rheumatoid arthritis: an analysis of two prospective cohorts with early arthritis.

Background: About 20% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis on disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) can reach sustained DMARD-free remission. Nonetheless, the 2022 EULAR recommendations discourage complete cessation of DMARDs due to flare risk. The evidence behind this recommendation is obtained from trial populations using biological DMARDs, representing only a subgroup of the total population of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Microenvironment and Biomarkers in Esophageal Cancers: An Approach for Early Detection and Identification.

Background Esophageal cancer is a prevalent and highly lethal malignancy worldwide, comprising two main subtypes: esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). While both subtypes are frequently encountered, ESCC has historically been more common globally. However, in recent decades, EAC has emerged as the predominant type in industrialized nations, often developing from Barrett's esophagus, a condition driven by chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Laser Ablation of an Isolated External Auditory Canal Skin Wedge.

Introduction: External ear malformations represent a spectrum of congenital anomalies that may involve the external auditory canal (EAC), tympanic membrane (TM), or associated structures. A rare anomaly, the EAC skin wedge, results from incomplete canalization during embryologic development. This report presents the clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, and surgical management of this condition.

Transtibial Pullout for Medial Meniscus Posterior Root Reconstruction With Split-Gracilis Autograft.

Meniscal root tears are recognized as an important pathology. Failure to recognize and to treat this pathology could lead to early-onset osteoarthritis, similar to a total meniscectomy. Surgical treatment is essential to restore meniscal function and to normalize compartment contact pressures, whenever there is joint overload and not severe cartilaginous damage.

Development and validation of a nomogram to predict overall survival in patients with External auditory canal cancer.

Aim: We aimed to examine the influence of various prognostic factors on the outcome of external auditory canal (EAC) cancer and create a graphical prediction tool, marking a first in this field, premised on these determinants.

Methods: We retrospectively analysed 173 patients with EAC cancer, making this the largest patient cohort in the literature. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method, and the log-rank test was used to assess the differences between established prognostic variables.

Intranasal influenza-vectored vaccine expressing pneumococcal surface protein A protects against Influenza and Streptococcus pneumoniae infections.

Streptococcus pneumoniae and influenza A virus (IAV) are significant agents of pneumonia cases and severe respiratory infections globally. Secondary bacterial infections, particularly by Streptococcus pneumoniae, are common in IAV-infected individuals, leading to critical outcomes. Despite reducing mortality, pneumococcal vaccines have high production costs and are serotype specific.

Distinct microbiome dysbiosis and epigenetic anomaly in esophageal adenocarcinoma and its underlying Barrett's esophagus.

Interaction between host genotoxic changes and mucosa-associated microbiome (MAM) dysbiosis may have a role in various digestive cancers. We investigated MAM in Barrett's esophagus (BE) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) progression sequence and its association with host genotoxic changes. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed in three different groups of biopsies from nonneoplastic BE from patients without cancer (N, normal group; n = 47) and with EAC (ADJ, adjacent group; n = 27).

Integrating Payor-Segregated Outpatient Obstetrics and Gynecology Care Models: The Patient Perspective.

Objective:  Significant racial and ethnic disparities in maternal morbidity and mortality as well as gynecologic outcomes persist in the United States. The role of ambulatory care in obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN), particularly in facilities that separate resident and attending care along payor (and de facto racial) lines, remains unclear. This study examines patient perspectives on payor-segregated health care delivery in an academic medical center (AMC) and opinions on possible integration.

Management of Facial Nerve Schwannoma Occluding the External Auditory Canal.

Facial nerve schwannomas (FNSs) eroding through the external auditory canal (EAC) are unusual and present difficult management options.When facial nerve function is normal, observation is generally recommended.If the tumor completely obstructs the EAC creating a conductive hearing loss as in this case, mapping of the motor fibers of the facial nerve may be considered with partial resection to alleviate the conductive hearing loss.

Rhodium complex [RhLI]I: a novel anticancer agent inducing tumor inhibition and apoptosis.

Numerous chemotherapeutic agents are currently employed in cancer treatment, but many are associated with significant side effects. This study aims to identify a novel anticancer drug that minimizes or eliminates these adverse effects. The anticancer activity of the Rhodium (III) complex cis-[RhLI]I was evaluated through both in vivo and in vitro functional assays.

The Prognostic Role of Pulmonary Arterial Elastance in Patients Undergoing Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation: A Pilot Study.

: Pulmonary arterial elastance (Ea) is a helpful parameter to predict the risk of acute postoperative right ventricular failure (RVF) after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. A new method for calculating Ea, obtained by the ratio between transpulmonary gradient and stroke volume (Ea), has been proposed as a more accurate measure than the Ea obtained as the ratio between pulmonary artery systolic pressure and stroke volume (Ea). However, the role of Ea in predicting acute RVF post-LVAD implantation remains unclear.

Postoperative Radiotherapy for pT1- and pT2-Classified Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the External Auditory Canal.

Background: There is no consensus regarding the indication for postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) for T1- and T2-classified squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the external auditory canal (EAC) even with negative surgical margins. This study aimed to evaluate whether PORT provides additional benefits for these cases.

Methods: We collected retrospective data from fourteen international hospitals, including resected pT1- and pT2-classified EAC SCC with negative surgical margins.

Approach to the Diagnosis and Management of Complex Fascicular Ventricular Tachycardias.

Complex ventricular tachycardias involving the fascicular system (fascicular ventricular tachycardias [FVTs]) can be challenging. In this review, we describe our approach to the diagnosis and ablation of these arrhythmias with 10 illustrative cases that involve (1) differentiation from supraventricular tachycardia; (2) assessment for atypical bundle branch reentry and other interfascicular FVTs; (3) examination of P1/P2 activation sequences in sinus rhythm, pacing, and tachycardia; and (4) entrainment techniques to establish the tachycardia mechanism and aid circuit localization. To summarize, 5 cases had prior ablation with 2 previously misdiagnosed as supraventricular tachycardia.