Prognostic implications of genotype findings in non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy: A network meta-analysis.

Aims: Evidence on the relative impact of diverse genetic backgrounds associated with non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) remains contradictory. This study sought to synthesize the available data regarding long-term outcomes of different gene groups in DCM.

Methods And Results: Electronic databases were systematically screened to identify studies reporting prognostic data on pre-specified gene groups.

The Impact of Post-traumatic Stress on Sexual Function of Survivors of Hematological Malignancies and Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

Background: Autolοgous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (AHSCT) is a treatment οption fοr patients with hematological malignancies that improves prοgnοsis and survival. Thus, it is necessary tο deal with its long-term cοmplications, such as sexual dysfunction and trauma that significantly affect survivors' quality οf life.

Objective: The aim οf this study was to evaluate the Sexual Function (SF) and the Pοst-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) οf survivοrs οf hematolοgical malignancy and AHSCT.

Right Ventricular and Right Atrial Strain Are Associated with Kidney Dysfunction in Acute Heart Failure.

Background: In acute heart failure (HF), low cardiac output and venous congestion are pathophysiological mechanisms that contribute to renal function impairment. This study investigated the association between advanced echocardiographic measures of right ventricular and atrial function and renal impairment in patients with acute HF.

Methods And Results: A total of 377 patients hospitalized for acute HF were prospectively evaluated.

Translation and Validation of Digital Competence Indicators in Greek for Health Professionals: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: it is widely accepted that living in the digital transformation era, the need to develop and update new professional skills and tools in health sectors is crucially important. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the reliability and validity of the Digital Competence Indicators tool in assessing the digital skills of Greek health professionals.

Methods: in this cross-sectional study, 494 health professionals, including doctors (175) and registered nurses (319) working in four Greek hospitals were recruited and willingly participated using a convenience-sampling method.

Assessment of Early Vascular Aging Ambulatory Score (EVAAs): A Large Population-based External Validation Study.

Background: Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV) remains the gold-standard method to assess Early Vascular Aging (EVA) defined by arterial stiffness. However, its high cost, time-consuming process, and need for qualified medical staff shows the importance of identifying alternative methods for the EVA evaluation.

Objective: In order to simplify the process of assessing patient's EVA, we recently developed the Early Vascular Aging Ambulatory score (EVAAs), a simple tool to predict the risk of EVA.

A cross-national investigation of psychosis-like experiences in five European countries included in the E-CLECTIC study: Psychometric challenges in studying their measurement.

Background: Psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) are subtle, subclinical perturbations of perceptions and thoughts and are common in the general population. Their characterisation and unidimensionality are still debated.

Methods: This study was conducted by the Electronic-halluCinations-Like Experiences Cross-culTural International Consortium (E-CLECTIC) and aimed at measuring the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences (CAPE) factorial structure across five European countries (Belgium; Czech Republic, Germany; Greece, and Spain) and testing the adequacy of the unidimensional polytomous Rasch model of the tool via Partial Credit Model (PCM) of the CAPE to detect people with a high risk for developing psychosis.

The Impact of Expert Pathology Review and Molecular Diagnostics on the Management of Sarcoma Patients: A Prospective Study of the Hellenic Group of Sarcomas and Rare Cancers.

Precise classification of sarcomas is crucial to optimal clinical management. In this prospective, multicenter, observational study within the Hellenic Group of Sarcoma and Rare Cancers (HGSRC), we assessed the effect of expert pathology review, coupled with the application of molecular diagnostics, on the diagnosis and management of sarcoma patients. Newly diagnosed sarcoma patients were addressed by their physicians to one of the two sarcoma pathologists of HGSRC for histopathological diagnostic assessment.

Development of a self-administered online battery for remote assessment of executive functions and verbal memory: equivalence with face-to-face administration, preliminary norms, and acceptance.

Objectives: Interest in teleneuropsychology services increased considerably after the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the utility of unsupervised administration of computerized tests remains largely unexplored. In the present study, we developed a brief computerized battery that assesses self-reported cognitive abilities and performances on executive functioning and verbal memory.

Infection prevention and control of highly infectious pathogens in resource-limited countries: an experience from Marburg viral disease outbreak in Kagera Region - Tanzania.

Marburg viral disease (MVD) is a highly infectious disease with a case fatality rate of up to 90%, particularly impacting resource-limited countries where implementing Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures is challenging. This paper shares the experience of how Tanzania has improved its capacity to prevent and control highly infectious diseases, and how this capacity was utilized during the outbreak of the MVD disease that occurred for the first time in the country in 2023.In 2016 and the subsequent years, Tanzania conducted self and external assessments that revealed limited IPC capacity in responding to highly infectious diseases.

Prognostic Impact of Body Mass Index in Atrial Fibrillation.

: Contradictory results have been reported regarding the influence of obesity on the prognosis of atrial fibrillation (AF). The present study aimed to explore the potential association of body mass index (BMI) with the clinical outcomes of hospitalized patients with AF. : In this retrospective, post hoc analysis of the MISOAC-AF randomized trial, 1113 AF patients were included and stratified as the following: underweight (BMI < 18 kg/m), normal weight (BMI 18-24.

Clinical Applications of Adipose-Derived Stem Cell (ADSC) Exosomes in Tissue Regeneration.

Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are mesenchymal stem cells with a great potential for self-renewal and differentiation. Exosomes derived from ADSCs (ADSC-exos) can imitate their functions, carrying cargoes of bioactive molecules that may affect specific cellular targets and signaling processes. Recent evidence has shown that ADSC-exos can mediate tissue regeneration through the regulation of the inflammatory response, enhancement of cell proliferation, and induction of angiogenesis.

Comparative outcomes of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery versus open surgery for bronchogenic cysts in adults: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Open thoracotomy has been the traditional surgical approach for patients with bronchogenic cysts (BCs). This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) compared to open surgery for the treatment of BCs in adults.

Methods: This single-institution, retrospective cohort study included 117 consecutive adult patients who underwent VATS (group A) or open surgery (group B) for BC resection between February 2019 and January 2023.

Uncommon Coexistence of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Psoriatic Arthritis: A Case-Based Review.

Cases of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) following psoriatic arthritis (PsA) or vice versa are uncommon. Due to the complexity of autoimmune diseases and the rarity of such cases, comprehensive global data on the co-occurrence of these conditions are limited. Moreover, the pathophysiology concerning the coexistence of SLE and PsA has yet to be fully understood.

The optimal second-line therapy for older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus: protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis using individual participant data (IPD).

Background: Due to increasing life expectancy, almost half of people with type 2 diabetes are aged 65 years or over worldwide. When metformin alone does not control blood sugar, the choice of which second-line therapy to prescribe next is not clear from currently available evidence. The existence of frailty and comorbidities in older adults further increases the complexity of medical decision-making.

Successful Conservative Management of a Patient With Symptomatic Cervical Perineural Cysts: A Case Report.

Perineural cysts, also known as Tarlov cysts, are rare benign cerebrospinal fluid-filled cysts usually located at the junction of the posterior nerve root and the dorsal root ganglion and are usually asymptomatic. They are most commonly found in the sacral region and are uncommon in the cervical spine. Despite their rarity, symptomatic cases may present with neurological symptoms due to the compression of adjacent neurological structures.

Antibiotic utilization patterns in Tanzania: a retrospective longitudinal study comparing pre- and intra-COVID-19 pandemic era using Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority data.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing public health concern globally, and misuse of antibiotics is a major contributor.

Objective: This study investigated antibiotic utilization patterns before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Tanzania using data from the Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority (TMDA).

Methods: This retrospective longitudinal study analysed secondary data.

Multiorgan Congestion Assessment by Venous Excess Ultrasound Score in Acute Heart Failure.

Background: This study sought to explore the prevalence and clinical utility of different patterns of multiorgan venous congestion as assessed by the venous excess ultrasound (VExUS) score in hospitalized patients with acute heart failure (HF).

Methods: Consecutive patients admitted for acute HF were prospectively enrolled. Inferior vena cava diameter, hepatic vein, portal vein, and renal vein Doppler waveforms were assessed at admission, and patients were stratified based on VExUS score from 0 to 3, with higher values indicating worse congestion.

Outcomes of Nonoperative Management of Penetrating Abdominal Trauma Injury: A Retrospective Study.

Background: The treatment of penetrating abdominal injuries has changed in recent years with more focus on "nonoperative management" (NOM) to avoid unnecessary laparotomies while identifying injuries early. Although the NOM approach is widely used for stab wounds, its effectiveness in managing abdominal gunshot wounds is controversial. NOM of penetrating abdominal injuries is becoming more dependent on hemodynamic stability and improved noninvasive radiological interventions.