Efficacy and safety of daprodustat in patients on peritoneal dialysis in the ASCEND-D trial.

Background And Hypothesis: Daprodustat, an oral hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor, is approved for treatment of anemia in dialysis patients with CKD in some parts of the world. This subgroup analysis examined the efficacy and safety of daprodustat versus darbepoetin alfa in patients with anemia of CKD undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD).

Methods: ASCEND-D (NCT02879305) was an open-label, Phase 3 trial; patients with CKD were randomized to daprodustat daily and epoetin alfa (HD patients) or darbepoetin alfa (PD patients).

Meta-Analysis: Exclusive Enteral Nutrition in Adults With Ulcerative Colitis.

Background: Exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) is an established dietary therapy for Crohn's disease but its role in ulcerative colitis remains unclear.

Aims: To investigate the efficacy of EEN in adults with active ulcerative colitis and compare variations in treatment protocols, safety, tolerability and adherence.

Methods: We conducted a systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, Emcare, CINAHL, Web of Science and trial registries for articles published from inception until July 21, 2024.

Percutaneous treatment of de Quervain's disease using Sono-Instruments®: A feasibility study.

We investigated the safety and effectiveness of percutaneous release for de Quervain's disease using Sono-Instruments® in cadaveric specimens. The mean procedure duration was 4 minutes, and complete release was achieved in all specimens.

Micronutrient status and risk of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in Indonesian tuberculosis case contacts.

Background: Certain micronutrient levels have been associated with the risk of developing TB disease. We explored the possible association of selected at-risk micronutrient levels with the development of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) infection.

Normal tissue complication probability model for severe radiation-induced lymphopenia in patients with pancreatic cancer treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

Background And Purpose: Radiation-induced lymphopenia (RIL) may be associated with a worse prognosis in pancreatic cancer. This study aimed to develop a normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) model to predict severe RIL in patients with pancreatic cancer undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT).

Materials And Methods: We reviewed pancreatic cancer patients treated at our facility for model training and internal validation.

Elective Sternotomy With Fluoroscopic Guidance for the Removal of a Residual Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Lead: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Infectious myocarditis (IM) and infective endocarditis (IE), sometimes associated with infection of the surrounding mediastinal tissue or embolic complications caused by residual implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) lead material embedded in the ventricle, present a significant challenge for cardiac surgeons due to the difficulty of precisely locating the old intracardiac pacing lead remnants because of the heart's continuous movement. We present the case of successful two-stage elective sternotomy extraction of two residual defibrillator leads, one trapped in the left innominate vein, easily removed after veinotomy without cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), and the other embedded intramyocardially in the inferior wall of the right ventricle, successfully removed under CPB after fluoroscopic guidance. The patient was discharged four weeks post-operation without complications.

Exploring the association between pro-inflammatory mediators and sarcopenia in cancer patients through different diagnostic tools: a narrative review.

Background And Objective: Sarcopenia, characterized by the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass (MM) and muscle function, is a common and debilitating condition in cancer patients, significantly impacting their quality of life, treatment outcomes, and overall survival. The pathophysiology of sarcopenia is multifactorial, involving metabolic, hormonal, and inflammatory changes. Recent research highlights the role of chronic inflammation in the development and progression of sarcopenia, with pro-inflammatory cytokines being key mediators of muscle catabolism.

Current perspectives and the future of disease-modifying therapies in type 1 diabetes.

Use of immunomodulating agents to prevent the progression of autoimmune β-cell damage leading to type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is an interesting area for research. These include non-specific anti-inflammatory agents, immunologic vaccination and anti-inflammatory agents targeting specific immune cells or cytokines. Teplizumab is an anti-CD3-molecule that binds to and leads to the disappearance of the CD3/TCR complex and rendering the T cell anergic to its target antigen.

Rare histopathological diagnosis of malakoplakia and Rosai‑Dorfman disease in the same uterus mimicking malignancy: A case report.

In the present case, a 66-year-old woman presented to the Specialty Hospital (Amman, Jordan) with recurrent post-menopausal bleeding. A pelvic ultrasound scan showed an abnormal endometrial thickness of 8 mm and no adnexal masses. An endometrial biopsy revealed abundant foamy histiocyte infiltration features suggestive of xanthogranulomatous endometritis.

Potential effects of liver dysfunction at the time of diagnosis in patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

Whilst severe liver dysfunction is rarely encountered at the time of diagnosis for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), mild elevations aminotransferase (<5 times the upper limit of normal) may be more frequently seen. Liver dysfunction at the time of diagnosis of AML is a parameter that requires investigation and can assist the clinicians in predicting prognosis. The aim of the present study was to investigate liver dysfunction at the time of diagnosis using the assoicated parameters in patients with AML.

Dysregulation of genes involved in the long-chain fatty acid transport in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive lethal malignancy with limited options for treatment and a 5-year survival rate of 11% in the United States. As for other types of tumors, such as colorectal cancer, aberrant lipid synthesis and reprogrammed lipid metabolism have been suggested to be associated with PDAC development and progression.

Aim: To identify the possible involvement of lipid metabolism in PDAC by analyzing in tumoral and non-tumoral tissues the expression level of the most relevant genes involved in the long-chain fatty acid (FA) import into cell.

Unraveling the landscape of pediatric pancreatic tumors: Insights from Japan.

Pediatric pancreatic tumors, though rare, pose significant diagnostic and management challenges. The recent, 22-year nationwide survey on pediatric pancreatic tumors in Japan by Makita offers valuable insights into this uncommon entity, revealing striking geographical variations and questioning current treatment paradigms. This editorial commentary analyzes the study's key findings, including the predominance of solid pseudopapillary neoplasms and their younger age of onset, which contrast sharply with Western data.

Valvular Heart Disease-Related Mortality Between Middle- and High-Income Countries During 2000 to 2019.

Background: Valvular heart disease (VHD) management has evolved rapidly in recent decades, but disparities in health care access persist among countries with varying socioeconomic backgrounds.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate global mortality trends from VHD and assess the difference between middle- and high-income countries.

Methods: We obtained mortality data from the World Health Organization Mortality Database for VHD and its subgroups (rheumatic valvular disease [RVD], infective endocarditis [IE], aortic stenosis [AS], and mitral regurgitation [MR]) from 2000 to 2019.

Ethnic Differences in Atrial Fibrillation in the United Kingdom.

Background: Within the United States, White individuals experience a higher risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) while exhibiting a lower AF-related stroke risk compared to other ethnic groups. It is possible that these observations stem from phenomena unique to the United States, such as differential health care access. The United Kingdom provides socialized medicine, which ostensibly promotes equitable health care access.

Rheumatic Heart Disease Burden in Africa and the Need to Build Robust Infrastructure.

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is an important public health problem in Africa. Mapping the epidemiology of RHD involves elucidating its geographic distribution, temporal trends, and demographic characteristics. The prevalence of RHD in Africa varies widely, with estimates ranging from 2.

Left Atrial Dimension and CHADS-VASc Score in Predicting Stroke in Patients with Rheumatic Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Rheumatic atrial fibrillation (AF) patients are at an elevated risk of stroke events, yet the associated risk factors remain unclear.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the CHADS-VASc score in predicting stroke events in rheumatic AF patients and explore potential enhancements for increased predicting accuracy in the Asian population, comparing it to nonvalvular AF.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study spanning March 2010 to December 2020 included 29,341 AF patients followed up for up to 10 years, with 1,942 identified as having rheumatic AF.

Global Health Inequities in Electrophysiology Care: A State-of-the-Art Review.

This state-of-the-art review examines disparities in the diagnosis, management, and outcomes of cardiac arrhythmias globally. These arrhythmias include atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachyarrhythmias underlying sudden cardiac death, and bradyarrhythmias associated with sinus node and atrioventricular node disease. Arrhythmias in low- and middle-income countries often result in higher mortality rates due to complex and poorly documented risk factors, lack of clinical expertise among health care personnel, lack of sufficient infrastructure, and challenges in access to care.

Promotion of Cardiovascular Health in Africa: The Alliance for Medical Research in Africa (AMedRA) Expert Panel.

This proposed scientific statement is focused on providing new insights regarding challenges and opportunities for cardiovascular health (CVH) promotion in Africa. The statement includes an overview of the current state of CVH in Africa, with a particular interest in the cardiometabolic risk factors and their evaluation through metrics. The statement also explains the main principles of primordial prevention, its relevance in reducing noncommunicable disease and the different strategies that have been effective worldwide.

Surgical Excision and Radiotherapy for Giant Keloids in Auricula: A Case Report.

Keloids are characterized by excessive growth of fibrous tissue resulting from abnormal wound-healing processes. They may lead to functional impairments, aesthetic deformities, pruritus, and a decreased quality of life. Various therapies, including intralesional corticosteroid injections, cryotherapy, laser therapy, surgical excision, and radiotherapy, have been used to manage keloids, but the recurrence rates remain high.

Atypical HPV Typing: Detection of Genital-Associated HPV Type 6 in Verruca Vulgaris of the Hands and Feet in an HIV-Positive Patient.

Verruca vulgaris is a cutaneous infection predominantly caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) type 1, 2, and 4. In immunocompromised individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, HPV leads to a higher prevalence of infections and also has a greater likelihood of being infected with atypical types such as genital-associated HPV in extragenital sites. This case report describes a 48-year-old male patient who presented with skin-colored verrucous papules on the hands and feet, with no evidence of genital lesions.

Effect of chronic total occlusion of coronary arteries on cardiovascular outcomes in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has significantly advanced the treatment of severe aortic stenosis (AS), particularly in elderly patients who often have coexisting coronary artery disease (CAD). Chronic total occlusion (CTO), a severe form of CAD, may negatively impact outcomes in TAVR patients, though data are limited. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the impact of CTO on TAVR outcomes.

Malnutrition and risks of atrial fibrillation recurrence after catheter ablation.

Background: Recent data showed an association between malnutrition and increased all-cause mortality and thromboembolic risk in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the impact of malnutrition on the clinical outcomes for patients undergoing catheter ablation for AF is still debated. Our study aimed to examine this relationship using all existing available data.

A novel prediction model for survival in individual patients with cardiac resynchronization therapy with a defibrillator: Analysis of the new Japan cardiac device treatment registry database.

Background: Accurate prediction for survival in individualized patients with cardiac resynchronization therapy with a defibrillator (CRT-D) is difficult.

Methods: We analyzed the New Japan cardiac device treatment registry (JCDTR) database to develop a survival prediction model for CRT-D recipients.

Results: Four hundred and eighty-two CRT-D recipients, at the implantation year 2018-2021, with a QRS width ≥120 ms and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤35% at baseline, were analyzed.