Otomycosis risk after non-suppurative middle ear surgery.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors that may cause postoperative otomycosis in patients undergoing Chronic Nonsuppurative Otitis Media (CNSOM) surgery.

Methods: In this retrospective study, 409 out of 523 patients met the inclusion criteria. 44 patients diagnosed with otomycosis CNSOM were analyzed.

CD36 as a Therapeutic Target in Tumor Microenvironment and Lipid Metabolism.

Dysregulated lipid metabolism within the tumor microenvironment (TME) is a critical hallmark of cancer progression, with lipids serving as a major energy source for tumor cells. Beyond their role in cell membrane synthesis, lipids also provide essential substrates for biomolecule production and activate signaling pathways that regulate various cellular processes. Aberrant lipid metabolism impacts not only function but also alters the behavior of immune and stromal cells within the TME.

Updates on Recent Advances in the Therapy of Adult Psoriatic Disease.

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a heterogeneous inflammatory disease with various joint and skin manifestations and multiple associated comorbidities. The management of PsA is important not only in controlling disease activity and preventing subsequent damage but also in improving the quality of life and reducing mortality. Over the years, numerous drugs have been introduced into the therapeutic armamentarium of the disease.

Decoding Epilepsy: Prickle2 and Multifaceted Molecular Pathway Connections.

Background: The Prickle2 (Pk2) gene shows promising potential in uncovering the underlying causes of epilepsy, a neurological disorder that is currently not well understood. This paper utilizes the online tool PubMed to gather and condense information on the involvement of PCP channels and the associated roles of PCP pathway molecules in the onset of epilepsy. These findings are significant for advancing epilepsy treatment.

Application of Chitosan-based Nanogel in Cancer Nanomedicine.

Chitosan is a kind of natural material with many unique physicochemical and biological properties related to antibacterial, antioxidant, and chelating. In recent years, chitosan-based nano gels (CS-NG) have been widely used in the field of cancer nanomedicine due to their excellent characteristics including biodegradability, biocompatibility, flexibility, large surface area, controllability, high loading capacity, and especially it can be engineered to become stimuli-responsive to tumor environments. In this review, we summarized the main synthesis approaches of CS-NGs including radical polymerization, self-assembly, microemulsion, and ionic gelation methods.

Emotional Stress in Cardiac and Vascular Diseases.

Introduction/objective: Emotional, mental, or psychological distress, defined as increased symptoms of depression, anxiety, and/or stress, is common in patients with chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular (CV) disease (CVD).

Methods: Literature was reviewed regarding data from studies and meta-analyses examining the impact of emotional stress on the occurrence and outcome of several CVDs (coronary disease, heart failure, hypertension, arrhythmias, stroke). These influences' pathophysiology and clinical spectrum are detailed, tabulated, and pictorially illustrated.

Atrial Fibrillation-Related Bradycardia and/or Bradycardia-Related Atrial Fibrillation: When and How to Intervene.

Introduction/objective: Atrial fibrillation (AF) could present with slow ventricular-response; bradycardia could facilitate the emergence of AF. The conviction that one "does not succumb" from bradycardia as an escape rhythm will emerge unless one sustains a fatal injury following syncope is in stark difference with ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VA), which may promptly cause cardiac arrest. However, this is not always the case, as a life-threatening situation may emerge during the bradycardic episode, i.

Macrophage HERC6 Promotes NAFLD: Integrated Analyses of Mendelian Randomization and Single-Cell Transcriptome.

Aims And Objectives: This study aimed to explore the relationship between HERC6- associated immune response and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and to screen drug candidates for novel treatments.

Materials And Methods: Mendelian Randomization (MR) was performed to test the relationship between a genetically predicted increase in HERC6 expression and the development of NAFLD. A single-cell RNA-seq profile of liver tissue with histological characteristics (GSE168933) was obtained.

Proteomics Analysis of Five Potential Plasma-derived Exosomal Biomarkers for Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Aims: This study was to explore the relationship between plasma exosomes and Acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Background: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is one of the most common cardiovascular complications. Recent studies have shown that exosomes play a crucial role in the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases.

Pro-renin Receptor (PRR) as a Target to Reduce Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Post Liver Transplantation.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the main causes of chronic liver disorders following liver transplantation. The prorenin receptor (PRR) plays a role in glucose and lipid metabolism, and the hepatic dysregulation of PRR is associated with the upregulation of several molecular pathways, such as the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) that promotes hepatic lipogenesis and leads to lipid accumulation in hepatocytes by upregulation of lipogenic genes. PRR inhibition leads to a reduction in the hepatic expression of sortilin-1 and low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) levels and down-regulation of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and reduces fatty acids synthesis in hepatocytes.

Effect of zoledronic acid on biological characteristics of cervical cancer cells.

Cervical cancer (CC) is a malignant tumor in females characterized by high incidence and mortality rates, often resulting in a poor prognosis for patients. Zoledronic acid (ZA), a third-generation bisphosphonate, exhibits anti-tumor properties across various types of tumors. To further understand the effect of ZA in the treatment of CC, this article included two kinds of human CC cells (CCCs) as the research object, examining the impact of varying levels of ZA on the cells' biological properties.

Appropriateness of lumbar spine imaging in patients presenting to the emergency department with low back pain in a Western Australian tertiary hospital.

Background: The Australian Rheumatology Association identified the use of imaging in patients with low back pain without indication of serious pathology as a low-value practice.

Aims: To determine the appropriateness of diagnostic lumbar spine imaging requests in patients with low back pain presenting to a Western Australian hospital's emergency department.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of all adult patients (18 years and older) who presented with low back pain to the Fiona Stanley Hospital emergency department from 1 July 2020 to 31 December 2020.

Reconstruction of Abdominal Defects After Open Abdomen Treatment Using Propeller Flaps of the Superior and Deep Inferior Epigastric Artery System: Report of Two Cases.

Open abdomen treatment (OAT) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. In cases where primary or delayed fascial closure cannot be achieved, vacuum-assisted wound closure and mesh-mediated fascial traction are indicated, which often result in a planned ventral hernia. If secondary skin closure is not feasible, common treatment of granulated abdominal defects involves split-thickness skin-grafting or healing by secondary intention leading to significant scarring and sometimes mutilating defects.

Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound Delays the Onset of Osteoporosis and Dyslipidemia in Mice With Premature Ovarian Insufficiency.

Objectives: The pathogenesis of premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) not only affects the ovarian structure and function but also gives rise to complications such as osteoporosis and dyslipidemia. Although low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) has been proven effective in treating POI, its impact on the associated complications remains unexplored. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effects of LIPUS irradiation on osteoporosis and dyslipidemia in a mouse model of POI.

Barriers and Enablers in the Implementation of Physical Activity Improvement for Pregnant Women With Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Aim: To identify the barriers and enablers in the implementation of evidence-based physical activity (PA) programmes for the improvement of health outcomes among pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and to develop strategies for implementing this evidence in clinical practice.

Methods: A convergent mixed-methods study was conducted, integrating a descriptive qualitative research design with a cross-sectional survey. In-depth interview was used to collect the views and cognitions about physical activity from medical staff, leaders and pregnant women.

Novel Ru(II) Complexes as Type-I/-II Photosensitizers for Multimodal Hypoxia-Tolerant Chemo-Photodynamic/Immune Therapy.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is increasingly regarded as an attractive approach for cancer treatment due to its advantages of low invasiveness, minimal side effects, and high efficiency. Here, two novel Ru(II) complexes , were designed and synthesized by coordinating phenanthroline and biquinoline ligands with Ru(II) center, and their chemo-photodynamic therapy and immunotherapy were explored. Both and exhibited significant phototoxicity against A549 and 4T1 tumor cells type-I/-II PDT.

Effectiveness of education programs on axSpA patients: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Introduction: The current standard of care of patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA), in addition to pharmacological treatment, includes regular exercise and patient education.(1) The primary goal of this systematic literature review (SLR) is to update the evidence of the effectiveness of education programs for patients with axial SpA (axSpA).

Methods: We systematically searched three databases, PubMed, Embase and Web of Science Core Collection, from January 2000 to June 2023, using the following terms: "patient education", "patient counselling", "patient teaching", "patient engaging", "patient empowerment", "health education", "spondyloarthritis", "spondyloarthropaties", "spondylitis" and "ankylosing spondylitis".

The Bioefficacy Protocol: Biomarkers identification of TNF inhibitors efficacy in Axial Spondyloarthritis patients using transcriptome and proteome analysis.

Background: Axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic condition affecting the axial skeleton, leading to pain, stiffness, and fatigue. While biologic therapies have improved clinical management, many patients experience partial or no responses, resulting in delays in disease control. Additionally, the risk of adverse events and increased costs remains a concern.

Anakinra as a first-line therapy for systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis when nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug treatment fails: A single-center French retrospective study.

Introduction: Anakinra has dramatically improved the management of systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA) over the last decade. Nevertheless, management remains inconsistent; corticosteroids are still frequently used. We analyzed the course of SJIA in children treated with anakinra according to the time of treatment initiation after disease onset.

CheckAP: Prevalence of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and performance evaluation of the EARP questionnaire in the population of Portuguese patients with psoriasis followed in a dermatology setting.

Background: The percentage of Portuguese psoriasis patients with psoriatic arthritis is unknown but musculoskeletal complaints related to PsA affect up to a third of patients. Dermatologists can identify early PsA as skin symptoms often precede joint symptoms in 80% of patients. Efficient and easy to perform screening tools are needed to help dermatologists effectively discriminate between Pso and PsA patients.

European Guideline on Chronic Nausea and Vomiting-A UEG and ESNM Consensus for Clinical Management.

Introduction: Chronic nausea and vomiting are symptoms of a wide range of gastrointestinal and non-gastrointestinal conditions. Diagnosis can be challenging and requires a systematic and well-structured approach. If the initial investigation for structural, toxic and metabolic disorders is negative, digestive motility and gut-brain interaction disorders should be assessed.

Microenvironmental β-TrCP negates amino acid transport to trigger CD8 T cell exhaustion in human non-small cell lung cancer.

CD8 T cell exhaustion (Tex) has been widely acknowledged in human cancer, while the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that reduced amino acid (aa) metabolism and mTOR inactivation are accountable for Tex in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). NSCLC cells impede the T cell-intrinsic transcription of SLC7A5 and SLC38A1, disrupting aa transport and consequently leading to mTOR inactivation.

Using language to evaluate curricular impact: a novel approach in assessing clinical reasoning curricula.

Objectives: Published clinical reasoning curricula are limited, and measuring curricular impact has proven difficult. This study aims to evaluate the impact of a broad-reaching, multi-level reasoning curricula by measuring utilization of clinical reasoning terminology in published abstracts.

Methods: In 2014, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) created a clinical reasoning curriculum with interventions at the student, resident, and faculty levels with the goal of bringing reasoning education to the forefront.