Automated spinopelvic measurements on radiographs with artificial intelligence: a multi-reader study.

Purpose: To develop an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm for automated measurements of spinopelvic parameters on lateral radiographs and compare its performance to multiple experienced radiologists and surgeons.

Methods: On lateral full-spine radiographs of 295 consecutive patients, a two-staged region-based convolutional neural network (R-CNN) was trained to detect anatomical landmarks and calculate thoracic kyphosis (TK), lumbar lordosis (LL), sacral slope (SS), and sagittal vertical axis (SVA). Performance was evaluated on 65 radiographs not used for training, which were measured independently by 6 readers (3 radiologists, 3 surgeons), and the median per measurement was set as the reference standard.

Chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder: conclusions from a Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) Controversies Conference.

In 2017, Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) published a Clinical Practice Guideline Update for the Diagnosis, Evaluation, Prevention, and Treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease-Mineral and Bone Disorder (CKD-MBD). Since then, new lines of evidence have been published related to evaluating disordered mineral metabolism and bone quality and turnover, identifying and inhibiting vascular calcification, targeting vitamin D levels, and regulating parathyroid hormone. For an in-depth consideration of the new insights, in October 2023, KDIGO held a Controversies Conference on CKD-MBD: Progress and Knowledge Gaps Toward Personalizing Care.

ISCT MSC committee statement on the US FDA approval of allogenic bone-marrow mesenchymal stromal cells.

The December 2024 US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of Mesoblast's Ryoncil (remestemcel-L-rknd)-allogeneic bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC(M)) therapy-in pediatric acute steroid-refractory graft-versus-host-disease finally ended a long-lasting drought on approved MSC clinical products in the United States. While other jurisdictions-including Europe, Japan, India, and South Korea-have marketed autologous or allogeneic MSC products, the United States has lagged in its approval. The sponsor's significant efforts and investments, working closely with the FDA addressing concerns regarding clinical efficacy and consistent MSC potency through an iterative process that spanned several years, was rewarded with this landmark approval.

Immunonutrition to improve the quality of life of upper gastrointestinal cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant treatment prior to surgery (NEOIMMUNE): double-blind randomized controlled multicenter clinical trial.

Background: Malnutrition is common with esophagogastric cancers and is associated with negative outcomes. We aimed to evaluate if immunonutrition during neoadjuvant treatment improves patient's health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and reduces postoperative morbidity and toxicities during neoadjuvant treatment.

Methods: A multicenter double-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) was undertaken.

Arginine metabolism in myeloid cells in health and disease.

Metabolic flexibility is key for the function of myeloid cells. Arginine metabolism is integral to the regulation of myeloid cell responses. Nitric oxide (NO) production from arginine is vital for the antimicrobial and pro-inflammatory responses.

Relationship between plasma urea and copeptin in response to arginine stimulation in healthy adults, patients with vasopressin deficiency and primary polydipsia.

Background: Arginine infusion stimulates copeptin secretion, a surrogate marker of arginine vasopressin (AVP), thereby serving as a diagnostic test in the differential diagnosis of suspected AVP deficiency (AVP-D). Yet, the precise mechanism underlying the stimulatory effect of arginine on the vasopressinergic system remains elusive. Arginine plays a significant role in the urea cycle and increases the production of urea.

Adding checkpoint inhibitors to first-line chemotherapy for NUT carcinoma patients.

Rare cancers present significant challenges in diagnosis, treatment, and research, accounting for up to 25% of global cancer cases. Due to their rarity and atypical presentations, they are often misdiagnosed, resulting in late-stage detection and poor outcomes. Here, we describe a patient case with advanced metastatic nasopharynx NUT carcinoma, one of the rarest and most aggressive cancers.

Extracellular vesicles from pancreatic cancer and its tumour microenvironment promote increased Schwann cell migration.

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) exhibits a high frequency of neural invasion (NI). Schwann cells (SCs) have been shown to be reprogrammed to facilitate cancer cell migration and invasion into nerves. Since extracellular vesicles (EVs) affect the tumour microenvironment and promote metastasis, the present study analysed the involvement of EVs from pancreatic cancer cells and their microenvironment in altering SC phenotype as part of the early events in the process of NI.

Cardiovascular disease risk in Korean patients with systemic lupus erythematosus compared to diabetes mellitus and the general population.

To evaluate the incidence and risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among Korean patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) comparing them to diabetes patients and the general population. This nationwide cohort study focused on incident SLE patients aged over 40 years, matched with diabetes patients and the general population (1:4:4 ratio). CVD was defined as ischaemic heart disease, ischaemic stroke, and cardiac arrest.

Novel treatment strategy targeting interleukin-6 induced by cancer associated fibroblasts for peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancer.

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a crucial component in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of peritoneal metastasis (PM), where they contribute to tumor progression and metastasis via secretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6). Here, we investigated the role of IL-6 in PM of gastric cancer (GC) and assessed whether anti-IL-6 receptor antibody (anti-IL-6R Ab) could inhibit PM of GC. We conducted immunohistochemical analysis of IL-6 and α-smooth muscle (α-SMA) expressions in clinical samples of GC and PM, and investigated the interactions between CAFs and GC cells in vitro.

Ferroptosis triggers mitochondrial fragmentation via Drp1 activation.

Constitutive mitochondrial dynamics ensure quality control and metabolic fitness of cells, and their dysregulation has been implicated in various human diseases. The large GTPase Dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) is intimately involved in mediating constitutive mitochondrial fission and has been implicated in mitochondrial cell death pathways. During ferroptosis, a recently identified type of regulated necrosis driven by excessive lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial fragmentation has been observed.

Longitudinal omics data and preclinical treatment suggest the proteasome inhibitor carfilzomib as therapy for ibrutinib-resistant CLL.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is a malignant lymphoproliferative disorder for which primary or acquired drug resistance represents a major challenge. To investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms, we generate a mouse model of ibrutinib resistance, in which, after initial treatment response, relapse under therapy occurrs with an aggressive outgrowth of malignant cells, resembling observations in patients. A comparative analysis of exome, transcriptome and proteome of sorted leukemic murine cells during treatment and after relapse suggests alterations in the proteasome activity as a driver of ibrutinib resistance.

Stopping of adalimumab in juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis (ADJUST): a multicentre, double-masked, randomised controlled trial.

Background: Adalimumab is an effective treatment for juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis. Data are scarce on the effects of discontinuing adalimumab after control of the disease had been reached. We aimed to assess efficacy and safety of discontinuing treatment in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis.

Prognostic performance of the two-step clinical care pathway in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.

Background & Aims: Current guidelines recommend a 2-step approach for risk stratification in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) with Fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4) followed by liver stiffness measurement (LSM) by vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) or similar second-line tests. This study aimed to examine to prognostic performance of this approach.

Methods: The VCTE-Prognosis Study was a longitudinal study of patients with MASLD who had undergone VCTE examinations at 16 centres from the US, Europe and Asia with subsequent follow-up for clinical events.

Leveraging Epigenetic Alterations in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma for Clinical Applications.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive malignancy characterized by late detection and poor prognosis. Recent research highlights the pivotal role of epigenetic alter- ations in driving PDAC development and progression. These changes, in conjunction with genetic mutations, contribute to the intricate molecular landscape of the disease.

Is the Coronal Plane Alignment of the Knee (CPAK) Classification Useful to Plan Individualized Total Knee Arthroplasty Surgery for the Spanish Population? A Critical Analysis of the CPAK Classification.

Introduction: The CPAK classification aims to categorize knee phenotypes. The original study was based on Australian and Belgian population, but significant variation in CPAK distribution exists between different geographic areas. The primary objective is to evaluate knee phenotypes of osteoarthritic Spanish population based on the CPAK system.

Six-month safety and efficacy outcomes from the randomized-controlled arm of the WRAPSODY Arteriovenous Access Efficacy (WAVE) trial.

Stenosis within the arteriovenous fistula (AVF) of hemodialysis patients leads to vascular access dysfunction and inadequate hemodialysis. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is the standard therapy for stenosis. However, rates of restenosis and loss of access patency remain high.

Safety and efficacy of nipocalimab in adults with generalised myasthenia gravis (Vivacity-MG3): a phase 3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Background: Given burdensome side-effects and long latency for efficacy with conventional agents, there is a continued need for generalised myasthenia gravis treatments that are safe and provide consistently sustained, long-term disease control. Nipocalimab, a neonatal Fc receptor blocker, was associated with dose-dependent reductions in total IgG and anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies and clinically meaningful improvements in the Myasthenia Gravis Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) scale in patients with generalised myasthenia gravis in a phase 2 study. We aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of nipocalimab in a phase 3 study.

Tuberculosis and people who use drugs: why focus on this overlooked population is important and why adapted interventions are necessary.

People who use drugs show a higher incidence and prevalence of tuberculosis than people who do not use drugs in areas where Mycobacterium tuberculosis is endemic. However, this population is largely neglected in national tuberculosis programmes. Strategies for active case finding, screening, and linkage to care designed for the general population are not adapted to the needs of people who use drugs, who are stigmatised and difficult to reach.

Isolated subsegmental pulmonary embolism identification based on international classification of diseases (ICD)-10 codes and imaging reports.

Background: Isolated subsegmental pulmonary embolism (issPE) is a commonly encountered diagnosis. Although the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 codes are used for research, their validity for identifying issPE is unknown. Moreover, issPE diagnosis is challenging, and the findings from radiology reports may conflict with those from expert radiologists.

Association of single nucleotide polymorphisms rs7459185 of the HSPβ1 gene and the risk of hematological toxicity in lung cancer.

Purpose: Hematological toxicities (HTs) in lung cancer (LCa) may compromise the delivery of Radio-Chemotherapy (RTCT), and consequently affect the control of the disease. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association of Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with HT.

Material/methods: In this prospective multicentre study, 264 patients with primary LCa treated with RTCT between 2012 and 2018 were included.

People with aphasia show stable Cumulative Semantic Interference (CSI) when tested repeatedly in a web-based paradigm: A perspective for longitudinal assessment.

Retrieving words quickly and correctly is an important language competence. Semantic contexts, such as prior naming of categorically related objects, can induce conceptual priming but also lexical-semantic interference, the latter likely due to enhanced competition during lexical selection. In the continuous naming (CN) paradigm, such semantic interference is evident in a linear increase in naming latency with each additional member of a category out of a seemingly random sequence of pictures being named (cumulative semantic interference/CSI effect).