Status of Sepsis Care in European Hospitals: Results from an International Cross-Sectional Survey.

Rationale: Early detection, standardized therapy, adequate infrastructure and strategies for quality improvement should constitute essential components of every hospital's sepsis plan.

Objectives: To investigate the extent to which recommendations from the sepsis guidelines are implemented and the availability of infrastructure for the care of patients with sepsis in acute hospitals.

Methods: A multidisciplinary cross-sectional questionnaire was used to investigate sepsis care in hospitals.

Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(ethylene furanoate)/Poly(ε-caprolactone) Block Copolymers.

Biobased poly(ethylene furanoate) (PEF)/poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) block copolymers have been synthesized using ring opening polymerization (ROP) of ε-caprolactone (ε-CL) in the presence of PEF in different mass ratios. An increase in intrinsic viscosity is observed for the block copolymers with higher ε-CL content due to the extension of their macromolecular chain. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MS) was employed to understand the composition and structure of the produced block copolymers.

Anaphylaxis in infancy: An area that needs to be highlighted.

Anaphylaxis, the most severe end of the spectrum of allergic reactions, has shown increasing incidence globally over recent years. This hypersensitivity reaction can occur at any age, including infancy. Recent data, although scarce, show that anaphylaxis is increasingly reported in infancy, with food identified as the leading cause of anaphylaxis cases in this age group.

What is the Best Approach to Removing the Social Stigma from the Diagnosis of Gender Dysphoria?

Historically, the transgender population has faced prejudice and discrimination within society. The purpose of diagnostic terms is to direct clinical care and facilitate insurance coverage. However, the existence of a medical diagnosis for gender nonconformity can exacerbate the stigmatization of transgender people with adverse consequences on their emotional health and social life.

Real-world treatment patterns in patients with non-metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in Greece: the 'EVIDENCE' study.

Background: The treatment landscape of non-metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NM-NSCLC) is rapidly evolving with recent approvals of immunotherapies and targeted therapies.

Methods: This retrospective study included 202 adults diagnosed with NM-NSCLC between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2020 primarily aiming to capture initial management strategies.

Results: Most frequent treatment patterns among Stage I/II patients ( = 84) were surgery only (48.

Evaluating Minimal Residual Disease Negativity as a Surrogate Endpoint for Treatment Efficacy in Multiple Myeloma: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

This meta-analysis examined the association between minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity and survival outcomes in 15 304 patients with multiple myeloma (MM) enrolled in randomized controlled trials published until June 2, 2024. Overall, there was a significant, negative and strong association between MRD negativity odds ratios and survival hazard ratios (β_PFS = -0.20, p < 0.

Multifolding Vertical-Flow Electrochemical Paper-Based Devices with Tunable Dual Preconcentration for Enhanced Multiplexed Assays of Heavy Metals.

This work describes fully integrated multifolding electrochemical paper-based devices (ePADs) for enhanced multiplexed voltammetric determination of heavy metals (Zn(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II)) using tunable passive preconcentration. The paper devices integrate five circular sample preconcentration layers and a 3-electrode electrochemical cell. The hydrophobic barriers of the devices are drawn by pen-plotting with hydrophobic ink, while the electrodes are deposited by screen-printing.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist protocols for pituitary suppression in assisted reproduction.

Background: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa) are commonly used in assisted reproduction technology (ART) cycles to prevent a luteinising hormone (LH) surge during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) prior to planned oocyte retrieval, thus optimising the chances of live birth. We compared the benefits and risks of the different GnRHa protocols used.

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of different GnRHa protocols used as adjuncts to COH in women undergoing ART.

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.

Advancements in prognostic factors and survival outcomes following pulmonary metastasectomy for head and neck cancers.

Surgical treatment of lung metastases originating from head and neck tumors has shown favorable outcomes with low incidence of complications and mortality. This study aims to investigate survival and prognostic factors following pulmonary metastasectomy for head and neck cancers. A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted through the Medline database, focusing on English-language studies related to surgical treatment of lung metastases from head and neck cancers.

Toward the Optimization of a Perovskite-Based Room Temperature Ozone Sensor: A Multifaceted Approach in Pursuit of Sensitivity, Stability, and Understanding of Mechanism.

Metal halide perovskites (MHPs) have attracted significant attention owing to their simple manufacturing process and unique optoelectronic properties. Their reversible electrical or optical property changes in response to oxidizing or reducing environments make them prospective materials for gas detection technologies. Despite advancements in perovskite-based sensor research, the mechanisms behind perovskite-gas interactions, vital for sensor performance, are still inconclusive.

Association of statins, gliptins, and antipsychotics with bullous pemphigoid: A case-control study in the Cretan population.

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an autoimmune blistering disorder predominantly affecting the elderly. Recently, many studies have shed light on the effect of specific drug intake and comorbidities on the development of BP. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of specific drug class intake and comorbidities with the development of BP in the Cretan population.

Trends in cutaneous melanoma mortality and incidence in European Union 15+ countries between 1990 and 2019.

Background: Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is the leading cause of skin cancer mortality with associated high healthcare costs. Up-to-date reporting of epidemiological trends for CM is required to project future trends, assess the burden of disease and aid evaluation of new diagnostic, therapeutic and preventative strategies.

Objectives: To describe the trends in CM mortality, incidence, mortality-to-incidence indices (MIIs) and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) over the last three decades.

Scoping review of infectious disease prevention, mitigation and management in passenger ships and at ports: mapping the literature to develop comprehensive and effective public health measures.

Background: With various infectious disease risks to passenger ship travellers, guidance for infectious disease prevention, mitigation and management (PMM) exists. Emerging infections and emergencies necessitate updated, context-specific guidelines and practices. New evidence for infection PMM must be translated into guidance for governmental authorities and the passenger ship industry.

Skin image analysis for detection and quantitative assessment of dermatitis, vitiligo and alopecia areata lesions: a systematic literature review.

Vitiligo, alopecia areata, atopic, and stasis dermatitis are common skin conditions that pose diagnostic and assessment challenges. Skin image analysis is a promising noninvasive approach for objective and automated detection as well as quantitative assessment of skin diseases. This review provides a systematic literature search regarding the analysis of computer vision techniques applied to these benign skin conditions, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

Detection and identification of Naegleria species along with Naegleria fowleri in the tap water samples.

Naegleria fowleri, the causative agent of Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), is commonly found in warm freshwater environments and can enter the brain through nasal passages during activities like swimming or ablution. PAM has a high fatality rate, raising concerns about its global health impact. In Pakistan, particularly in Karachi, a significant number of cases have been reported, often with no history of recreational water exposure, but with regular ablution using tap water.

Impact of trace metal supplementation on anaerobic biological methanation under hydrogen and carbon dioxide starvation.

Biomethanation is a crucial process occurring in natural and engineered systems which can reduce carbon dioxide to methane impacting the global carbon cycle. However, little is known about the effect of on-and-off gaseous provision and micronutrients on bioconversion. Here, anaerobic microbiomes underwent intermittent feeding with incremental starvations and selective metal supplementation to assess the impact of hydrogen and carbon dioxide availability on microbial physiology.

The Impacts of Substance Use and Depression on HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Use and Adherence Among Sexual and Gender Minority Adolescents and Young Adults in the Keeping it LITE Cohort.

Substance use and depression are prevalent in sexual and gender minorities (SGM), but evidence about their impacts on HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use is mixed. We assessed these impacts in a US-based cohort of 3,330 young SGM who tested negative for HIV and completed baseline and semiannual assessments on substance use (cocaine, methamphetamine, or heroin), depression, and PrEP use and adherence. We estimated prevalence differences (PDs) to compare baseline and 12-month PrEP use and adherence between participants with and without substance use and depression, separately and jointly.

Identification of a Novel Immune-Gene Signature with Prognostic Value in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer: A Pilot Study.

The tumor microenvironment has a significant input on prognosis and also for predicting clinical outcomes in various types of cancers. However, tumor tissue is not always available, thus, rendering peripheral blood a preferable alternative in the search for prognostic and predictive gene signatures. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) constitutes a quite heterogeneous disease characterized by poor prognosis.