3,430 results match your criteria: "General Hospital "Alexandra"[Affiliation]"

Article Synopsis
  • Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) enhances left ventricular function in heart failure patients, but its mechanisms remain partly unclear; this study aimed to investigate these mechanisms using 2D speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE).
  • The study involved 46 patients who underwent CRT and evaluated their cardiac performance at baseline and post-CRT implementation through 2D-STE and a 6-minute walk test, observing a 48% response rate at 6 months, particularly in those with dilated cardiomyopathy.
  • Optimizing CRT by adjusting the activation timing of the ventricular electrodes was found to significantly improve left ventricular function, with improvements in effective stroke volume and rotational mechanics serving as key indicators of successful therapy
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: Caesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) is a rare form of ectopic pregnancy in which the early pregnancy implants at the site of the uterine scar. Methotrexate (MTX) in lower doses can be used to treat CSPs. However, MTX administration is associated with a spectrum of side effects that include hematological toxicities.

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The purpose of this prospective case-control study is to investigate the correlation of the miR-143 gene rs353292 polymorphism in Caucasian women with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) compared to a matched control group with at least one live birth and without pregnancy losses. In total, 110 women with recurrent pregnancy losses and 95 control women were recruited. Peripheral blood was collected from all women, and the isolation of DNA was performed with Monarch Genomic DNA Purification.

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Background/objectives: Embryo implantation is a highly complex process that requires the precise regulation of numerous molecules to be orchestrated successfully. Micro RNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression and play a crucial role in the regulation of embryo implantation. This article aims to summarize the key findings of the literature regarding the role of miRNAs in human embryo implantation, emphasizing their involvement in critical stages such as decidualization, endometrial receptivity and trophoblast adhesion.

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Background/objectives: This study investigates the relationship between cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) expression, leptin, and hormone profiles-specifically progesterone, testosterone, androstenedione, estradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)-across four distinct ovulation induction protocols (HMG, HMG/hCG, rFSH, and rFSH/hCG). It also investigates the relationship between follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) Ser680Asn polymorphisms, CART expression, and in vitro fertilization (IVF) results, with the goal of better understanding how CART and FSHR polymorphisms affect ovarian response and oocyte quality.

Methods: Data were obtained from 94 women who underwent controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) as part of their IVF therapy.

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The role of complement factor I rare genetic variants in age related macular degeneration in Finland.

Hum Mol Genet

November 2024

Gyroscope Therapeutics Limited, A Novartis Company, Rolling Stock Yard, 188 York Way, London, N7 9AS, United Kingdom.

Article Synopsis
  • Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the primary cause of permanent blindness in developed countries, with certain genetic variations in the complement factor I (CFI) gene increasing the risk of developing the disease.
  • Research focusing on the Finnish population revealed novel CFI rare variants (RVs) in individuals with dry AMD, highlighting the need to understand how these genetic factors influence disease progression.
  • Functional assays showed the G547R variant severely disrupts CFI's regulatory role in the complement system, while another variant, G328R, affects protein production; these findings suggest that certain RVs significantly contribute to AMD risk in this population.
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Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a respiratory condition impacting daily activities of susceptible individuals and increasing the risk of respiratory infections and cardiovascular disease. Body Mass Index, Airflow Obstruction, Dyspnea, and Exercise Capacity (BODE) index is applied clinically to measure the survival of COPD patients. Inflammatory mediators, including cytokines and chemokines, significantly contribute to the COPD pathology.

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Survival outcomes of endometrial cancer patients with disease involving the lower uterine segment: A meta-analysis.

Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol

January 2025

First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, "Alexandra" General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.

Objectives: Lower uterine segment (LUS) involvement is encountered in a small proportion of endometrial cancer patients and is associated with aggressive histological features. Despite the available evidence, there seems to be a lack of consensus concerning its actual impact on disease related survival.

Study Design: The search strategy involved the Medline, Scopus, Clinicaltrials.

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Background: Cabazitaxel is an effective treatment in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients previously exposed to docetaxel and novel hormonal treatments. Understanding the molecular biology of mCRPC disease and taking into account the several approved treatment options, biomarkers are needed to guide decision making including cabazitaxel treatment.

Methods: Cababone was a phase II translational study that attempted to identify predictors of cabazitaxel efficacy.

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Local excision of early rectal cancer: A multi-centre experience of transanal endoscopic microsurgery from the United Kingdom.

World J Gastrointest Surg

October 2024

Department of General Surgery, Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth PO6 3LY, Hampshire, United Kingdom.

Background: Total mesorectal excision remains the gold standard for the management of rectal cancer however local excision of early rectal cancer is gaining popularity due to lower morbidity and higher acceptance by the elderly and frail patients.

Aim: To investigate the results of local excision of rectal cancer by transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEMS) approach carried out at three large cancer centers in the United Kingdom.

Methods: TEMS database was retrospectively reviewed to assess demographics, operative findings and post operative clinical and oncological outcomes.

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Background: National strategies to address chronic kidney disease (CKD) are crucial to support kidney health. Lack of political support in the form of policy decisions and funding leads to fragmentation of kidney care and catastrophic health expenditure. This study used data from the third iteration of the International Society of Nephrology Global Kidney Health Atlas (ISN-GKHA) to obtain a global overview of the existence and reach of national strategies for kidney care.

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Article Synopsis
  • Thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis (CMC-1 OA) is a common issue especially in older adults and women, and there's an increasing need for effective non-surgical treatment options as its prevalence rises.
  • Previous research included two network meta-analyses on nonoperative interventions for CMC-1 OA but only focused on specific methods (splints and intraarticular injections), highlighting the gap for a comprehensive comparison.
  • The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of various nonoperative treatments for CMC-1 OA by analyzing pain relief, functional improvement, and grip strength through a systematic review of 29 studies, ultimately including 22 trials for detailed comparison.
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Article Synopsis
  • Chronic cough is a common medical issue that affects patients' quality of life but is often poorly managed due to reliance on outdated treatment methods and lengthy waiting times for care.
  • Current approaches treat chronic cough as a symptom of other conditions, leading to unnecessary costs and potential harm, rather than recognizing it as a distinct disease.
  • Newer guidelines suggest that chronic cough should be viewed as its own condition, which could improve patient understanding, treatment focus, healthcare organization, and research advancements.
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Article Synopsis
  • A 43-year-old woman developed both UVF and VVF after a total hysterectomy and initially tried conservative treatment, which didn't work.
  • She then underwent a successful surgical procedure to correct the issues and has remained symptom-free for a year, highlighting the importance of recognizing and managing these rare fistula formations effectively.
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Chronic cough is a complex disorder that affects up to 5-10% of the general population. It can be challenging to manage as there are few effective treatments, although several novel antitussives are in clinical development. The endpoints used to assess their efficacy in clinical trials should be optimal; most large clinical trials currently use objective measures as the primary outcome, especially cough frequency.

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Background & Aims: Limited data exist regarding the implementation of the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria for diagnosing malnutrition in Crohn's disease (CD), and its association with CD prognosis. In the present study eighteen GLIM combinations and a combined one were implemented to identify differences in the prevalence of malnutrition and to investigate potential associations with clinical outcomes at 6 months.

Methods: Different methodologies to diagnose malnutrition were used at baseline, namely the Subjective Global Assessment (SGA), eighteen different combinations of phenotypic and etiologic GLIM criteria and a combined version based on all GLIM combinations (GLIMcv) to test differences in the estimated prevalence and outcomes' prognosis.

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Safety and efficacy of pembrolizumab, radiation therapy, and surgery versus radiation therapy and surgery for stage III soft tissue sarcoma of the extremity (SU2C-SARC032): an open-label, randomised clinical trial.

Lancet

November 2024

Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA; Duke Cancer Institute, Durham, NC, USA; Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. Electronic address:

Background: Approximately half of patients with localised, high-risk soft tissue sarcoma of the extremity develop metastases. We aimed to assess whether the addition of pembrolizumab to preoperative radiotherapy and surgery would improve disease-free survival.

Methods: We completed an open-label, randomised clinical trial in patients with grade 2 or 3, stage III undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma or dedifferentiated or pleomorphic liposarcoma of the extremity and limb girdle.

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The environmental impact of large language models (LLMs) in medicine spans carbon emission, water consumption and rare mineral usage. Prior-generation LLMs, such as GPT-3, already have concerning environmental impacts. Next-generation LLMs, such as GPT-4, are more energy intensive and used frequently, posing potentially significant environmental harms.

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The general public as well as physiotherapists evaluate spinal flexion as dangerous regardless of their own low back pain history.

Musculoskelet Sci Pract

November 2024

First Department of Internal Medicine, General University Hospital in Prague, U Nemocnice 2, Prague, Czech Republic. Electronic address:

Background: Maladaptive fear of movement in individuals with low back pain may be associated with worse clinical outcomes.

Objective: To explore beliefs about the perceived dangers regarding different spinal postures within the Czech Republic.

Design: Exploratory cross-sectional study including physiotherapists and members of the general public.

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Surgical Management of Non-ulcer, Nonneoplastic Gastric Perforations.

Surg Clin North Am

February 2025

Department of Surgery, NYU Langone Hospitals - Brooklyn, 150 55th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11220, USA. Electronic address:

Gastric perforation is a core emergency disease treated by the general surgeon. The majority are caused by peptic ulcer disease and neoplasms; however, other etiologies, such as iatrogenic injury and gastric ischemia, are prevalent enough to merit separate attention. While the authors can extrapolate from our knowledge of the treatment of ulcer and neoplastic perforations when treating the lesser known causes, there are nuanced differences in how they approach it.

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Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales in solid organ transplant recipients.

Am J Transplant

November 2024

Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA. Electronic address:

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) are an important threat to the health of solid organ transplant recipients (SOTr); data comparing outcomes of SOTr with CRE to non-SOTr with CRE are lacking. A matched cohort study was performed within 2 prospective, multicenter, cohort studies (Consortium on Resistance Against Carbapenems in Klebsiella and other Enterobacterales and Consortium on Resistance Against Carbapenems in Klebsiella and other Enterobacterales 2). The epidemiology, desirability of outcome rankings outcomes, and mortality of SOTr and non-SOTr hospitalized in the United States (December 2011-August 2017) with clinical isolates with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-defined CRE were compared.

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Antioxidants have a well-established effect on general health and are essential in preventing oxidative damage to cells by scavenging free radicals. Free radicals are thought to be neutralized by these substances, which include polyphenols, β-carotene, and vitamins C and E, reducing cellular damage. On the other hand, recent data indicates that consuming excessive amounts of antioxidants may have side effects.

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: Obstetric ultrasound is one of the most commonly used imaging modalities during pregnancy to detect any fetal abnormalities. The aim of this systematic review was to appraise all available scientific literature and summarize current evidence regarding the safety of fetal ultrasound by using the thermal index (TI) and mechanical index (MI). : We applied the PRISMA guidelines in order to prepare the review, and a 2-step process was performed in order to evaluate the available literature and decide which studies to be included.

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