Unilateral Bleomycin-induced Interstitial Pneumonitis Mouse Model With Both a Healthy and a Diseased Lung.

Background/aim: A standard mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis has been created by intratracheal or intraperitoneal administration of bleomycin. However, a difficulty presented by this traditional method is its high mortality rate of more than 50% after bleomycin administration. In this study, we aimed to establish a unilateral lung disease model and to assess its feasibility and usefulness.

Synergistic Eradication of Fibrosarcoma With Acquired Ifosfamide Resistance Using Methionine Restriction Combined With Ifosfamide in Nude-mouse Models.

Background/aim: Ifosfamide is used clinically with doxorubicin as first-line chemotherapy for soft-tissue sarcoma. However, ifosfamide efficacy for soft-tissue sarcoma is limited due to frequent occurence of ifosfamide resistance and thus more effective therapy is needed. The present study aimed to determine the synergy of recombinant methioninase (rMETase) plus ifosfamide against HT1080 human fibrosarcoma cells in vitro.

Antitumor Activity of the PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitor SCL-1 in Various Mouse Tumor Models.

Background/aim: Immune checkpoint blockade has achieved great success as a targeted immunotherapy for solid cancers. However, small molecules that inhibit programmed death 1/programmed death ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) binding are still being developed and have several advantages, such as high bioavailability. Previously, we reported a novel PD-1/PD-L1-inhibiting small compound, SCL-1, which showed potent antitumor effects on PD-L1 tumors.

Assessment of Brain Development in Children With Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia - an Automated Brain Segmentation Approach.

Background/aim: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a critical condition affecting newborns, which often results in long-term morbidities, including neurodevelopmental delays, which affect cognitive, motor, and behavioral functions. These delays are believed to stem from prenatal and postnatal factors, such as impaired lung development and chronic hypoxia, which disrupt normal brain growth. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of these neurodevelopmental impairments is crucial for improving prognosis and patient outcomes, particularly as advances in treatments like ECMO have increased survival rates but also pose additional risks for neurodevelopment.

Thrombosis in Children: A Retrospective Study from a Single-center Database.

Background/aim: The incidence and characteristics of pediatric thrombotic events have become increasingly recognized, due to the enhanced utilization of advanced diagnostic techniques. Pediatric thrombosis remains less frequent than in adults, often manifesting in those with underlying congenital or acquired risk factors. This study aimed to establish epidemiological data on pediatric thrombotic events in Bihor County, Romania, highlighting the challenges of diagnosis in smaller medical centers and proposing a relevant diagnostic and treatment algorithm.

Effects of Institutional Experience on Plan Quality in Stereotactic Radiotherapy Using HyperArc for Brain Metastases.

Background/aim: HyperArc (HA) is an automated planning technique enabling single-isocenter brain stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT); however, dosimetric outcomes may be influenced by the planner's expertise. This study aimed to assess the impact of institutional experience on the plan quality of HA-SRT for both single and multiple brain metastases.

Materials And Methods: Twenty patients who underwent HA-SRT for single metastasis between 2020 and 2021 comprised the earlier group, while those treated between 2022 and 2024 constituted the later group.

Bortezomib With High-dose Melphalan Conditioning Regimen in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Patients: Long-term Follow-up.

Background/aim: Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is the standard strategy after induction therapy for newly diagnosed transplant-eligible multiple myeloma. High-dose melphalan (HDM) conditioning has been the recommended treatment regimen for a long time. No other conditioning regimen has been proven safer and more effective.

Vaccine Adherence: From Vaccine Hesitancy to Actual Vaccination and Reasons for Refusal of Childhood Vaccines in a Group of Postpartum Mothers.

Background/aim: Vaccine refusal or delay remains a significant public health concern, leading to lower vaccination rates and increasing the risk of preventable diseases.

Patients And Methods: The study included 404 mothers and 413 children, assessing vaccination coverage and conducting telephone interviews with mothers who declined vaccines to understand their reasons.

Results: Children of mothers who supported vaccination were more likely to be fully immunized compared to those with hesitant mothers.

Changes in miRNA Pattern Expression Associated With COVID-19 Severity.

Background/aim: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection, manifests a wide range of clinical symptoms ranging from mild to moderate and severe. Host-related factors influence the course of SARS-CoV-2 infection; for instance, the expression of host microRNAs (miRNAs) could influence the progression and complications of COVID-19. This study aimed to determine the expression pattern of endogenous miRNAs in 80 severe COVID-19 patients compared to a group of healthy individuals.

Potential Contribution of Epithelial Growth Factor Receptor to PI3K/AKT Pathway Dysregulation in Canine Soft Tissue Sarcoma.

Background/aim: Soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is a mesenchymal tumor affecting multiple organs in dogs. Previous studies identified activation of the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (PKB, AKT) pathway in canine STS cell lines and clinical samples, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study investigated PTEN loss, PIK3CA mutation, and EGFR over-expression as potential drivers of PI3K/AKT pathway activation in STS.

Therapeutic Potential of Dimethyl Sulfoxide Subconjunctival Injection in a Diabetic Retinopathy Rat Model.

Background/aim: Diabetic retinopathy (DR), a complication of diabetes, causes damage to retinal blood vessels and can lead to vision impairment. Persistent high blood glucose levels contribute to this damage, and despite ongoing research, effective treatment options for DR remain limited. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) has shown anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in both in vivo and in vitro studies; however, its potential as an anti-inflammatory agent in the context of DR has not yet been explored.

Effectiveness of Chemoimmunotherapy in Small-cell Lung Cancer Patients With a Poor Performance Status or Higher Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio.

Background/aim: Chemoimmunotherapy has improved overall survival in patients with extensive small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). However, the backgrounds of patients enrolled in clinical trials tend to differ from those of patients treated in clinical practice, and the effectiveness of chemoimmunotherapy may be unclear in some populations, including patients with poor performance status. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of chemoimmunotherapy for SCLC patients in clinical practice while focusing on several subgroups.

The Bidirectional Impact of Cancer Radiotherapy and Human Microbiome: Microbiome as Potential Anti-tumor Treatment Efficacy and Toxicity Modulator.

Microbiome and radiotherapy represent bidirectionally interacting entities. The human microbiome has emerged as a pivotal modulator of the efficacy and toxicity of radiotherapy; however, a reciprocal effect of radiotherapy on microbiome composition alterations has also been observed. This review explores the relationship between the microbiome and extracranial solid tumors, particularly focusing on the bidirectional impact of radiotherapy on organ-specific microbiome.

Disproportionality Analysis of Hepatotoxic and Gastrointestinal Adverse Events Associated With Nintedanib Using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report (JADER) Database.

Background/aim: Nintedanib may cause adverse events such as elevated liver enzyme levels, diarrhea, and decreased appetite. These adverse events should be managed appropriately as they affect the quality of life of patients. This study has aimed to analyze patient characteristics and time-to-onset of adverse events caused by nintedanib using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report (JADER) database.

Effect of Oral Nutritional Supplements Composed of High Protein on Body Weight Loss After Gastrectomy.

Background/aim: Body weight loss (BWL) after gastrectomy for gastric cancer (GC) decreases postoperative quality of life and survival in patients with GC. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of oral nutritional supplements composed of high protein on BWL in the early period following gastrectomy.

Patients And Methods: Pre- and postoperative body weight and skeletal muscle mass were measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis in patients undergoing radical gastrectomy for GC and analyzed retrospectively.

Molecular Hydrogen as a Potential Adjunctive Therapy to Improve Renal Function and Reduce Fatigue in an Elderly Patient With Chronic Comorbidities: A Case Report.

Background/aim: Hydrogen therapy has demonstrated potential as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory intervention, particularly in the management of chronic diseases such as chronic kidney disease (CKD) and autoimmune conditions. This case report presents the possible therapeutic benefits of molecular hydrogen capsule treatment in enhancing renal function and alleviating chronic fatigue in an elderly female with coronary artery disease (CAD), type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) complicated by nephropathy, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of adjunctive hydrogen therapy in an elderly patient with multiple chronic comorbidities.

A Time-varying Analysis of General Practice Prescribing in the COVID-19 Era: Lessons from Prescription Dynamics in a Pandemic.

Background/aim: Pharmacotherapy is vital in medicine, but inappropriate and inadequate use of medications significantly impacts global mortality and morbidity. Increased prescribing may indicate irrational use or prolonged illness, while decreased prescribing could suggest undertreatment, supply shortages, or the availability of safer and, more effective treatments. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted health systems, potentially altering prescribing patterns.

Evaluation of Times-to-onset and Outcomes of Lung Adverse Events Associated With Sorafenib Using JADER.

Background/aim: Despite the seriousness of lung adverse events (AEs) associated with sorafenib, comprehensive data are limited. This study was conducted to examine the disproportionality, times to onset, incidence rates, and outcomes of sorafenib-associated lung AEs, using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report database.

Patients And Methods: Data for the period between April 2004 and May 2023 were analyzed.

Transient Ischaemic Attack in a Patient With Conn Syndrome: A Case Report and Literature Review on the Importance of Identifying Secondary Hypertension.

Background/aim: Transient ischaemic attack (TIA) is characterised by a temporary neurological dysfunction resulting from focal ischaemia in the brain, spinal cord or retina without acute infarction. These episodes typically last less than 24 hours and are significant predictors of subsequent ischaemic strokes. Hypertension is a major risk factor for cerebrovascular events, and primary aldosteronism (PA) is recognised as a common cause of secondary hypertension.

Heart Failure Masked as Pulmonary Embolism in Non-adherent Patient With Atrial Fibrillation: Case Report and Analytical Review of the Literature.

Background/aim: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) commonly co-occur, significantly increasing morbidity and mortality. Poorly controlled AF can contribute to complications like HF and is associated with conditions, such as stroke and pulmonary embolism (PE). This report involves a man with AF who had persistent respiratory symptoms and left-sided chest pain, initially suspected to be PE, but eventually diagnosed as HF.

Preclinical Assessment of Safety and Efficacy of Deferoxamine (DFO)-pretreated Feline Adipose Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Background/aim: This study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of deferoxamine (DFO) pretreated feline adipose tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells (fATMSCs) for the treatment of inflammatory disorders.

Materials And Methods: fATMSCs were isolated from feline adipose tissue and characterized using flow cytometry for surface marker expression and differentiation assays for adipogenic, osteogenic, and chondrogenic lineages. Different concentrations of DFO were used to evaluate its impact on fATMSC activity.

Metabolic Syndrome and Somatic Composition: A Large Cross-sectional Analysis.

Background/aim: To elucidate the relationship between metabolic syndrome (Mets) and somatic composition [fat mass, fat-free (FF) mass, and fat to fat-free (F-FF) ratio] among health checkup recipients (7,776 males and 10,121 females).

Patients And Methods: We classified study subjects into four types considering Japanese criteria for Mets; Type A is for males with waist circumference (WC) <85 cm and females with WC <90 cm, Type B is for males with WC ≥85 cm and females with WC ≥90 cm, but without any metabolic abnormalities, Type C is for males with WC ≥85 cm and females with WC ≥90 cm and one metabolic disorder (pre-Mets), and Type D is Mets. We compared baseline characteristics among types of A, B, C, and D.

Early Oral Feeding in Patients Undergoing Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery: A Propensity Score-matching Study.

Background/aim: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol is adopted in clinical practice worldwide, but a lack of evidence for measurable benefits after upper gastrointestinal (GI) surgeries can be detected especially regarding early oral feeding.

Patients And Methods: A propensity score-matching study was conducted at the Department of Surgery of the University of Pécs between January 2020 and December 2023. The study included patients who underwent upper GI cancer surgery and were treated according to an early oral feeding protocol (EOF).

Lesion Volume Divided by ADC Measures Is an Independent Prognostic Marker in Colorectal Liver Metastasis Treated by Y90-radioembolization.

Background/aim: To assess the ability of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) at baseline in predicting overall survival in patients who undergo Y90-radioembolization (Y90-RE) for liver-dominant metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) in the salvage situation.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective review of 411 lesions in 63 patients with refractory mCRC treated with Y90-RE was conducted. Manual region of interest (ROI) measurements were applied using a whole lesion and volume method.

Detection of Costal Cartilage Fractures on CT Images With Computer-aided Detection System for Rib Fractures.

Background/aim: Costal cartilage fractures are associated with poor prognosis in patients with blunt chest trauma. A Computer-Aided Detection (CAD) system for detecting rib fractures has been used in practice, but it is unclear whether this system recognizes costal cartilage fractures. This study investigated whether the CAD system for rib fracture can detect costal cartilage fractures.