Desensitization With Imlifidase for HLA-Incompatible Deceased Donor Kidney Transplantation: A Delphi International Expert Consensus.

Highly sensitized (HS) patients in need of kidney transplantation (KTx) typically spend a longer time waiting for compatible kidneys, are unlikely to receive an organ offer, and are at increased risk of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR). Desensitization using imlifidase, which is more rapid and removes total body immunoglobulin G (IgG) to a greater extent than other methods, enables transplantation to occur between HLA-incompatible (HLAi) donor-recipient pairs and allows patients to have greater access to KTx. However, when the project was launched there was limited data and clinical experience with desensitization in general and with imlifidase specifically.

Cardiac arrest: Pre-hospital strategies to facilitate successful resuscitation and improve recovery rates.

The estimated annual incidence of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is approximately 120 cases per 100000 inhabitants in western countries. Although the rates of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use of automated external defibrillator are increasing, the likelihood of survival to hospital discharge is no more than 8%. To date, various devices and methods have been utilized in the initial CPR approach targeting to improve survival and neurological outcomes in OHCA patients.

Evaluation of Cognitive Functions in People Living with HIV Before and After COVID-19 Infection.

Background: Cognitive function decline is a problem in aging people living with HIV (PLWHIV). COVID-19 infection is associated with neuropsychiatric manifestations that may persist. The aim of our study was to evaluate cognitive function in PLWHIV before and after COVID-19 infection.

Assessment of Long-Term Engagement in Aerobic Versus Resistance Exercise on 20-Year Cardiovascular Disease Incidence (2002-2024): The ATTICA Epidemiological Cohort Study.

: The aim of this study was to assess whether aerobic exercise, as opposed to resistance training or a combination of both, is associated with long-term cardiovascular outcomes. : The ATTICA study is a population-based cohort study with a 20-year follow-up (2002-2022); it was conducted in the Attica region, Greece, and included 3042 adult participants (45 ± 11 years, 1518 females). Physical activity engagement in aerobic, resistance, or combined exercise, and 20-year tracking, together with information regarding atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) incidence were available for 1988 participants (45 ± 12 years old, 987 males, 1001 females).

Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Cardio-Renoprotective Pharmacological Interventions in Chronic Kidney Disease: An Umbrella Review of Network Meta-Analyses and a Multicriteria Decision Analysis.

Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1a), and non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (ns-MRA) are promising treatments for chronic kidney disease. This umbrella review of network meta-analyses evaluated their effects on cardiovascular outcomes, kidney disease progression, and adverse events, using the TOPSIS method to identify the optimal intervention based on P-scores. A total of 19 network meta-analyses and 44 randomized controlled trials involving 86,150 chronic kidney disease patients were included.

Unraveling the Anti-Cancer Mechanisms of Antibiotics: Current Insights, Controversies, and Future Perspectives.

Cancer persists as a significant global health challenge, claiming millions of lives annually despite remarkable strides in therapeutic innovation. Challenges such as drug resistance, toxicity, and suboptimal efficacy underscore the need for novel treatment paradigms. In this context, the repurposing of antibiotics as anti-cancer agents has emerged as an attractive prospect for investigation.

Prevalence of FGFR2b Protein Overexpression in Advanced Gastric Cancers During Prescreening for the Phase III FORTITUDE-101 Trial.

Purpose: Fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 isoform IIIb (FGFR2b) protein overexpression is an emerging biomarker in gastric cancer and gastroesophageal junction cancer (GC). We assessed FGFR2b protein overexpression prevalence in nearly 3,800 tumor samples as part of the prescreening process for a global phase III study in patients with newly diagnosed advanced or metastatic GC.

Methods: As of June 28, 2024, 3,782 tumor samples from prescreened patients from 37 countries for the phase III FORTITUDE-101 trial (ClinicalTrials.

Expression of Tissue Remodeling- and Inflammation-Related Factors During the Wound-Healing Process in Humans.

: There is a growing interest in the research of wound healing mechanisms worldwide. Particular attention has been paid to the expression of tissue remodeling- and inflammation-related factors. Herein, we investigate the expression patterns of TGF-β1, IL-6, TNF-a, uPA, uPA receptors, MMP-2, and MMP-9 through the four phases of the normal wound-healing process in humans.

Retrospective, Non-Interventional, Multicenter Study on the Effectiveness and Safety of Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guerin in Patients with Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: Real-World Experience from Six Hospital Centers in Greece.

Background: While the clinical application of SII-ONCO-Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is well established in Greece, there is a lack of real-world data on its effectiveness and safety. This retrospective, observational, multicenter, chart-review study aims to provide real-life data on the effectiveness and safety of SII-ONCO-BCG in patients with intermediate- and high-risk NMIBC.

Methods: From January 2016 to December 2023, medical records from six hospital centers were reviewed for adult patients with histologically confirmed stage Ta or T1 NMIBC (with or without carcinoma in situ [CIS]) who received at least one maintenance course of SII-ONCO-BCG after induction.

The interplay between sex, lifestyle factors and built environment on 20-year cardiovascular disease incidence; the ATTICA study (2002-2022).

Background And Aim: This study aims to investigate the role of the built environment in terms of urban-rural disparities in cardiovascular disease (CVD) epidemiology, focusing on middle- and long-term CVD risk assessment. Moreover, this study seeks to explore sex-specific differences in urban and rural settings.

Methods: The ATTICA Study is a prospective study conducted from 2002 onwards.

Nanotechnology-based approaches for targeted drug delivery for the treatment of respiratory tract infections.

Background: Nanotechnology has emerged as a promising field for the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of respiratory tract infections (RTIs). By leveraging the unique properties of nanoscale delivery systems, nanotechnology can significantly enhance the selectivity and efficacy of antimicrobials, thereby reducing off-target effects.

Objective: This review explores the development and application of targeted nanosystems in combating viral, bacterial, and fungal RTIs.

Heterotopic Triplet Pregnancy After Assisted Reproductive Techniques: A Systematic Review.

Heterotopic pregnancy is defined as the simultaneous presence of an intrauterine and an extrauterine pregnancy and is considered a rare condition. As a part of this entity, heterotopic triplet pregnancy, defined as the presence of three embryos, with at least one being ectopic, is exceedingly rare. In recent years, the broad use of assisted reproductive techniques to help infertile couples has contributed to the constant rise of non-spontaneous heterotopic triplets.

Association Between Polymorphisms in DNA Repair Genes and Glioma Susceptibility: A Meta-Analysis of Four Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (rs3212986, rs13181, rs25487, and rs861539).

Cases with central nervous system tumors represent a small amount of all tumors, and the diagnosis of high-grade gliomas (HGGs) is mostly difficult as they frequently show intratumoral morphological heterogeneity. Genetic factors, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), have an important role in modifying glioma susceptibility. We conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis to investigate the ERCC1 (rs3212986), ERCC2 (rs13181), XRCC1 (rs25487), and XRCC3 (rs861539) genes to see if they are any risk factors for glioma susceptibility.

Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Patients With Charcot Neuro-Osteoarthropathy in People With Diabetes Mellitus in Six Countries: A Multicenter Observational Study From 1996 to 2022.

To describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with Charcot neuro-osteoarthropathy (CNO) and to examine for differences between participants with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) (T1DM) and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Multicenter observational study in eight diabetic foot clinics in six countries between January 1, 1996, and December 31, 2022. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters were obtained from the medical records.

Precision medicine in gynecological cancer (Review).

The advent of personalized and precision medicine has revolutionized oncology and treatment of gynecological cancer. These innovative approaches tailor treatments to individual patient profiles beyond genetic markers considering environmental and lifestyle factors, thereby optimizing therapeutic efficacy and minimizing adverse effects. Precision medicine uses advanced genomic technologies such as next-generation sequencing to perform comprehensive tumor profiling.

Validation of gender-equity model for liver allocation (GEMA) and its sodium variant (GEMA-Na) in candidates for liver transplantation.

Background: The current allocation system for liver transplantation (LT) is based on the sickest-first policy, using objective variables to ensure equal priority. However, under-prioritization of female patients for LT, compared to males, is well demonstrated and new scores have been proposed to overcome this systematic bias. This study evaluated the ability of these new scores to predict the long-term outcomes of patients with cirrhosis.

Diagnostic approach to patients with suspected motility disorders: one size does not fit all.

Background: Dysphagia and retrosternal chest pain are considered typical manifestations of major esophageal motility disorders (mEMD). High-resolution manometry (HRM) is the gold standard for mEMD diagnosis, while endoscopy and barium swallow are ancillary tools. We aimed to investigate the frequency of mEMD among patients referred for HRM with typical compared to non-typical symptoms.

A comparative analysis of smoking status among the Roma and the general population during pregnancy: The critical role of midwives in smoking cessation.

Introduction: Tobacco consumption poses severe health risks, particularly for pregnant women, where it exacerbates maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. This issue is especially critical among minority groups such as the Roma, who face unique socio-economic and cultural challenges that contribute to higher smoking rates. This study investigates the smoking behaviors of pregnant Roma women and the general population, highlighting the role of midwives in smoking cessation.

Anorexia nervosa is associated with higher brain mu-opioid receptor availability.

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe psychiatric disorder, characterized by restricted eating, fear to gain weight, and a distorted body image. Mu-opioid receptor (MOR) functions as a part of complex opioid system and supports both homeostatic and hedonic control of eating behavior. Thirteen patients with AN and thirteen healthy controls (HC) were included in this study.

The Putative Antidiabetic Effect of on Diabetes Mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus (DM), a global disease that significantly impacts public health, has become increasingly common over time. In this review, we aim to determine the potential benefits of St. John's Wort (SJW) as an adjunct therapy for DM.

Real-world effectiveness and safety of bulevirtide monotherapy for up to 96 weeks in patients with HDV-related cirrhosis.

Background And Aims: Bulevirtide (BLV) 2 mg/day is EMA approved for treatment of compensated chronic hepatitis due to Delta virus (HDV) infection, however real-life data in large cohorts of patients with cirrhosis are lacking.

Methods: Consecutive HDV-infected patients with cirrhosis starting BLV 2 mg/day since September 2019 were included in a European retrospective multicenter real-life study (SAVE-D). Patient characteristics before and during BLV treatment were collected.

Prognostic factors for first recurrence following meningioma surgery.

The present study investigated the role of the Simpson grade system, MIB-1 immunohistochemical marker, meningioma location and grade in the risk of recurrence. Between January, 2008 and January, 2018, the present study retrospectively evaluated all patients undergoing craniotomy for the resection of a histopathologically confirmed meningioma. Patients with neurofibromatosis, acoustic neurinomas and radiation treatment prior to surgery were excluded.

Prognostic Value of Serum TMAO Measurement in Patients with STEMI: A Systematic Literature Review.

Background: Gut microbiota-derived metabolite Trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) is increasingly recognized as a potential novel prognostic biomarker for cardiovascular disease. Our research work aimed to investigate the potential utility of TMAO measurement in patients with STelevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI).

Methods: We performed a systematic literature search in PubMed from inception to the 1st of February 2024 to identify all studies examining the association between plasma TMAO levels and disease complexity or clinical outcomes in STEMI patients.

The Conservative Management of the Carpometacarpal Joint Fracture-Dislocation: A Case of the Second to the Fifth Ray.

Carpometacarpal (CMC) joint fractures-dislocations are rare due to the complex structure of the carpal bones and strong ligamentous support; while the clinical image is usually "noisy," they present significant management challenges due to the unstable nature of the injury. These injuries are typically caused by high-energy trauma and frequently result in dorsal dislocations. Treatment requires a careful balance between the immobilization and surgical restoration of the anatomical alignment to prevent complications.