Treatment strategies for limited-stage small cell carcinoma of the esophagus: evidence from a Chinese multicenter cohort study and the American SEER database.

Background: The rare incidence of small cell carcinoma of the esophagus (SCCE) makes prospective studies difficult to conduct, the efficacy of existing standard treatment regimens for SCCE is therefore highly controversial. This study aimed to explore differences in the efficacy of three different treatment regimens [upfront surgery, neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT), and chemoradiotherapy (CRT)] in patients with limited-stage SCCE (LS-SCCE).

Methods: In total, 483 patients with LS-SCCE were screened from five centers from June 2001 to June 2020, and 128 patients with LS-SCCE were screened from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database.

Implementing and evaluating shared decision-making before transcatheter aortic valve implantation with a dedicated pathway and questionnaire.

Aims: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement for patients with aortic valve stenosis. The choice between TAVI, surgery, or a conservative approach should be based upon multiple factors including clinical considerations, technical feasibility, and informed patient preference. In this context, engaging patients in a shared decision-making (SDM) process becomes essential, but this practice is generally underused.

The Bronchodilator and Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Long-Acting Muscarinic Antagonists in Asthma: An EAACI Position Paper.

As cholinergic innervation is a major contributor to increased vagal tone and mucus secretion, inhaled long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) are a pillar for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. By blocking the muscarinic receptors expressed in the lung, LAMA improve lung function and reduce exacerbations in asthma patients who remained poorly controlled despite treatment with inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting β2 agonists. Asthma guidelines recommend LAMA as a third controller to be added on before the initiation of biologicals.

The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer Lung Cancer Staging Project: Application and Interpretation of the Residual Tumor (R) Classification for Lung Cancer. Results from an International Survey among Pathologists and Thoracic Surgeons.

Objective: The study aimed to assess the opinion of pathologists and thoracic surgeons of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) regarding application and interpretation of the residual tumor (R) classification for lung cancer.

Methods: Based on their membership-profile a total of n=623 pathologists and thoracic surgeons were identified and contacted by email with a cover letter and a link to an online survey. The questionnaire consisted of 12 questions about various aspects on application and interpretation of the R classification for lung cancer.

Diagnosis and management of dilated cardiomyopathy: a systematic review of clinical practice guidelines and recommendations.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is extensively discussed in numerous expert consensus documents and international guidelines, with differing recommendations. To support clinicians in daily practice and decision-making, we conducted a systematic review of key guidelines and recommendations concerning the diagnosis and clinical management of DCM. Our research encompassed MEDLINE and EMBASE databases for relevant articles published, as well as the websites of relevant scientific societies.

Procedural factors influencing successful coronary sinus reducer implantation for refractory angina: A single-centre experience.

Background: Coronary sinus reducer (CSR) implantation is emerging as a novel effective percutaneous therapy for patients with refractory angina. Limited data exists examining the factors influencing successful CSR implantation. As CSR implantation becomes more widely adopted, a greater understanding of the procedural challenges which operators encounter is required.

Botulinum toxin A for the management of temporomandibular myofascial pain: A cohort study.

Myofascial pain represents the largest subgroup of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) that account for a common cause of non-dental orofacial pain. The management of TMD is complex due to the chronic nature of the condition, alongside acute episodes presenting to the clinician. A fundamental part of TMD management is consideration of the biopsychosocial element in its aetiology.

Novel agents for treating severe hypertriglyceridemia.

The PALISADE trial extended the data available for inhibition of apolipoprotein (apo) C3 inhibition for treating severe hypertriglyceridemia. 75 patients with persistent chylomicronemia were allocated to 2 doses of plozasiran or placebo. Triglycerides were reduced by a net 53%-58%, and a borderline significant 17% reduction was seen in pancreatitis events.

Surgical valve replacement in adults late after total cavo-pulmonary connection/Fontan procedure.

Objectives: There is dearth of data on long-term outcomes of systemic semilunar (SS) or atrioventricular (AV) valve operation in adult patients with a Fontan circulation. We describe a single-centre experience of adults who underwent valve surgery late after a Fontan procedure.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all patients with a Fontan circulation who had a reoperation for severe valve disease during adulthood in our centre.

Multicenter Validation of the Ocular Myasthenia Gravis Rating Scale Questionnaire.

Background And Objectives: Ocular myasthenia gravis (OMG) causes disabling ocular symptoms of ptosis and diplopia, but a validated disease-specific patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) has not been reported. We sought to validate a novel PROM for OMG, OMG Rating Scale Questionnaire (OMGRate-q), as a measure of visual functioning to support patient-centered care.

Methods: This was a prospective study of patients aged 18 years and older with OMG receiving care at 3 medical centers (January 2022-October 2023).

Closed-loop automated oxygen control in late preterm and term, ventilated infants: A randomised controlled trial.

Aim: To compare the time spent above the target oxygen saturation range (SpO > 96%) and the duration of supplemental oxygen between ventilated infants receiving closed-loop automated oxygen control (CLAC) or manual oxygen control in late preterm and term ventilated infants.

Methods: Infants were randomised to receive CLAC or manual oxygen control from recruitment and within 24 h of mechanical ventilation until successful extubation.

Results: Forty infants with a median (IQR) gestational age of 37.

Oral health care pathways for patients with epidermolysis bullosa: A position statement from the European reference network for rare skin diseases.

Background: Inherited epidermolysis bullosa (EB) comprises a group of genetic disorders characterized by skin fragility and unique oral features. It requires interdisciplinary care from several health professionals, including oral health teams. Modern dentistry encompasses a wide range of therapeutic options performed by specialists from different fields.

T and T measurements of the neonatal brain at 7 T.

Purpose: To determine the expected range of NMR relaxation times (T and T) in the neonatal brain at 7 T.

Methods: Data were acquired in a total of 40 examinations on infants in natural sleep. The cohort included 34 unique subjects with postmenstrual age range between 33 and 52 weeks and contained a mix of healthy individuals and those with clinical concerns.

Advances and Challenges in Prenatal Detection and Genetic Diagnosis of Upper Limb Anomalies: Analysis of a South London and Kent Cohort.

Objective: Prenatal detection and genetic diagnosis of congenital upper limb anomalies is particularly challenging due to both anatomical and technological factors. Hereby, we present a cross-sectional description of clinical and genetic findings in a 188-patient cohort.

Method: In this retrospective study, we present 188 cases with prenatally or postnatally detected upper limb anomalies, either isolated, associated with other anomalies, or syndromic.

Breaking Down the Barriers for Patients With Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma: Current Controversies and Challenges for Radiation Oncologists in 2024.

Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL) are a rare collection of diseases, frequently associated with diagnostic challenges and complex management dilemmas. The multidisciplinary team is vital for accurate clinico-pathological diagnoses and for collaborative therapeutic decisions throughout the management journey, which frequently involves multiple lines of therapy. Radiotherapy (RT) is a highly effective skin-directed therapy for CTCL, commonly delivered as localised fields or as total skin electron beam therapy (TSEBT).

Trimethylamine N-oxide in cardiovascular disease: Pathophysiology and the potential role of statins.

Cardiovascular diseases are one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide, with the total number of cases increasing to 523 million in 2019. Despite the advent of new drugs, cardiovascular mortality has increased at an alarming rate of 53.7 % from 12.

Duration of viral persistence in human semen after acute viral infection: a systematic review.

The persistence of viruses in human semen following acute infection can contribute to the ongoing transmission of a disease or cause resurgence after an outbreak has been declared ended. Viral persistence in semen affects embryonic development and male fertility, and the development of drugs and vaccines. We conducted a systematic review of viral persistence in semen in accordance with PRISMA guidelines.

Brain health is essential for smooth economic transitions: towards socio-economic sustainability, productivity and well-being.

Optimal brain health is essential to smoothing major global skill-intensive economic transitions, such as the bioeconomy, green, care economy and digital transitions. Good brain health is vital to socio-economic sustainability, productivity and well-being. The care transition focuses on recognizing and investing in care services and care work as essential for economic growth and social well-being.

Chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus: a comparison of instruments and associations with patient-reported outcomes using an electronic patient-reported outcome survey in Europe.

Background: The associations between self-reported chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus (CKD-aP) and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) have been reported using various instruments to assess itch. Data collection via multiple CKD-aP instruments allows the evaluation of different domains and measurements of CKD-aP burden and may help tailor data capture for future research or clinical care.

Methods: An electronic PRO (ePRO) survey was distributed to European hemodialysis (HD) patients enrolled in the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS) in 2021-23.

Gestational hypercholanemia suppresses pregnancy-associated adipose mass increase and stimulates a pro-inflammatory environment in mice.

Women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) have hypercholanemia alongside an increased risk of dyslipidemia. We investigated how cholic acid (CA) supplementation in murine pregnancy impacts adipose tissue function. Mice were fed normal or 0.