Global epidemiology of acute kidney injury in hospitalised patients with decompensated cirrhosis: the International Club of Ascites GLOBAL AKI prospective, multicentre, cohort study.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious complication of cirrhosis. A systematic, global characterisation of AKI occurring in patients with cirrhosis is lacking. We therefore aimed to assess global differences in the characteristics, management, and outcomes of AKI in hospitalised patients with cirrhosis.

Urges now, interests later: On the factors and dynamics of epistemic curiosity.

More information today is becoming more accessible to more people at an ever-growing rate. How does epistemic curiosity operate in this expanding informational landscape? We test a novel theory which postulates that experienced curiosity is a function of two psychological factors: Interest, which is cognitive, "cool" and relatively stable in time, and Urge that is "hot" and quick to rise and decay. These factors determine one's experienced curiosity at any given point in time.

Long-term impacts of oil spill pollution on the insectivorous bat community in the hyper-arid Evrona Nature Reserve, Israel.

Vachellia (known as Acacia) trees are key species for various taxa in desert ecosystems, and highly important foraging sites for insectivorous bat species. Bats are one of the largest groups of mammals in desert habitats and potentially exercise top-down control of insects in natural and agricultural desert ecosystems. In both 1974 and 2014, large-scale oil spills contaminated the hyper-arid Evrona Nature Reserve in the southern Arava Valley, Israel.

Evaluation of pain management strategies in acute infectious otologic conditions: a national survey of ENT trainees.

Purpose: This study aims to assess pain management strategies employed by otolaryngology residents for acute otologic conditions, evaluate their perceptions of pain management both generally and specifically for these conditions, and understand the pain management training and education they received during residency.

Methods: A national, cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted among otolaryngology residents across all training levels. The survey opened with a theoretical patient encounter where participants provided discharge recommendations, unaware that pain management considerations were the primary outcome of interest.

Infraoccluded first permanent molars and their association with facial and skeletal development.

Introduction: Permanent molar infraocclusion, usually caused by ankylosis, has been scarcely studied. Unilateral first molar infraocclusion (UFMI) restricts alveolar bone development locally, leading to asymmetrical dental arches and occlusion. This study investigates whether its effect extends beyond dental structures to affect facial and skeletal asymmetries.

Electrochemical Biosensors for the Detection of Exosomal microRNA Biomarkers for Early Diagnosis of Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Early and precise diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's (AD) and Parkinson's (PD) is crucial for slowing their progression and enhancing patient outcomes. Exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging as promising biomarkers due to their ability to reflect the diseases' pathology, yet their low abundance poses significant detection hurdles. This review article delves into the burgeoning field of electrochemical biosensors, designed for the precise detection of exosomal miRNA biomarkers.

Shedding light on the embryogenesis and eye development of the troglophile cave spider Tegenaria pagana C. L. Koch, 1840 (Araneae: Agelenidae).

Background: Relatively little is known about the diversity of embryonic development across lineages of spiders, even though the study of embryonic development is a primary step in evo-devo studies and essential for understanding phenotypic evolution. Practically nothing is known about embryogenesis in cave-dwelling spiders, animals which play an important role in cave ecosystems and may have remarkable adaptations to aphotic habitats such as loss of eyes.

Results: Here, we describe embryogenesis and study the expression patterns of several genes of the Retinal Determination Network (RDN) in the troglophile (species that have pre-adaptations to life in caves, and can complete their life cycle in caves, as well as in epigean habitats) eye-bearing funnel-web spider species Tegenaria pagana C.

Establishment and validation of a nomogram of postoperative delirium in patients undergoing cardiac surgery: a retrospective study of MIMIC-IV.

Objective: To establish a nomogram for predicting the occurrence of postoperative delirium (POD) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Materials And Methods: Data from 5379 patients were retrieved from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC-IV) database and divided into a training set and a validation set at a 7:3 ratio. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to identify independent predictors and establish nomograms to predict the occurrence of POD.

Association and risk of blood urea nitrogen-to-creatinine ratio with congestive heart failure in critically ill COPD patients.

Objective: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of global morbidity and death. The blood urea nitrogen-to-creatinine ratio (BCR) is recognized as a crucial marker to assess renal function and cardiovascular risk. Nevertheless, the effects of BCR on COPD patients suffering comorbid congestive heart failure (CHF) is not clarified.

Can large language models assist with pediatric dosing accuracy?

Background And Objective: Medication errors in pediatric care remain a significant healthcare challenge despite technological advancements, necessitating innovative approaches. This study aims to evaluate Large Language Models' (LLMs) potential in reducing pediatric medication dosage calculation errors compared to experienced nurses.

Methods: This cross-sectional study (June-August 2024) involved 101 nurses from pediatric and neonatal departments and three LLMs (ChatGPT-4o, Claude-3.

Observation of switchable polar skyrmion bubbles down to the atomic layers in van der Waals ferroelectric CuInPS.

Polar skyrmions are topologically nontrivial polarization textures that demonstrate exotic physical phenomena and novel memory applications. Thus far, these textures have primarily been reported in oxide-ferroelectric-based epitaxial heterostructures because their stabilization requires an elastic energy penalty from the epitaxial strains. Here, without the epitaxial-strain engineering, we discover polar skyrmion bubbles in stand-alone van der Waals ferroelectric CuInPS crystal through the combination of piezoelectric force microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and phase-field simulations.

Predictors of perioperative stroke in patients with Ischemic-type moyamoya disease treated with surgical revascularization: A retrospective multicenter study.

Introduction: Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a chronic cerebrovascular disorder characterized by progressive stenosis or occlusion of the internal carotid arteries and the development of collateral moyamoya vessels. Surgical revascularization is commonly used to prevent future ischemic events in ischemic-type MMD, but there remains a high rate of stroke perioperatively. This study aims to analyze the predictive factors for perioperative stroke in patients with ischemic-type MMD undergoing surgical revascularization using a large multicenter database.

Lipoprotein(a) - From Biomarker to Therapy: A Review for the Clinician.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the predominant cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Amid rising CVD rates, Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] has been recognized as a critical biomarker identifying individuals at an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and calcific aortic valve stenosis (AS), independent of traditional risk factors. Lp(a) is a lipoprotein variant similar to LDL but includes apolipoprotein(a), which influences its pathogenic potential.

Impaired folate metabolism reshapes auditory response profiles and impairs loudness perception in MTHFR-deficient mice.

Folate metabolism, regulated by methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), is crucial for proper neurodevelopment, and disruptions-whether due to genetic polymorphisms or maternal nutritional deficits-have been linked to cognitive and behavioral impairments. Notably, MTHFR-deficient mouse models display altered social interaction and auditory communication, hinting at disruptions in auditory-related circuits and prompting the question of whether impaired folate metabolism might also affect sound processing and perception. Here, using two-photon calcium imaging, we show that MTHFR deficiency increases both spontaneous and sound-evoked activity in the auditory cortex and significantly shifts neuronal response profiles, which in turn elevates perceived loudness while reducing sound-level discrimination.

External Cephalic Version in Twin Pregnancies with Non-Vertex Presenting Twin.

Objective Mode of delivery in twin pregnancies is primarily based on the presentation of the leading twin. When the leading twin is vertex, the recommendation is to attempt vaginal delivery, otherwise the recommended mode of delivery is cesarean delivery (CD). In singleton pregnancies, external cephalic version (ECV) is a widely accepted procedure for non-vertex presentation, with a success rate of 50-70%.

Hot and Cold Fibrosis: The Role of Serum Biomarkers to assess the Immune Mechanisms and ECM-Cell Interactions in Human Fibrosis.

Fibrosis is a pathological condition characterized by excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, particularly collagens, leading to tissue scarring and organ dysfunction. In fibrosis, an imbalance between collagen synthesis (fibrogenesis) and degradation (fibrolysis) results in the deposition of fibrillar collagens disrupting the structural integrity of the ECM and, consequently, the tissue architecture. Fibrosis is associated with a wide range of chronic diseases, including liver cirrhosis, kidney fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, and autoimmune diseases.

The role played by negative affect in food reappraisal.

Food-related cognitive reappraisal refers to reinterpreting thoughts about eating and can be used to downregulate the desire to eat. Food reappraisal has been proposed as a method for treating obesity and overweight. However, the influence of food reappraisal on affective states has been understudied.

Implementing early psychosis services: Experiences from the laboratory for early psychosis center.

Increased research on early psychosis treatment and clinical outcomes has prompted interest in greater understanding of the efficacy of coordinated specialty care (CSC) across the United States. CSC clinics have become the standard for early psychosis care and act as a venue through which learning health systems (LHS) can be established. A learning health system integrates research findings into clinical care to create a continuous feedback loop.

Scoping literature review to identify candidate domains for the OMERACT Systemic Lupus Erythematosus core outcome set.

Objective: To identify candidate Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) domains from the literature for consideration towards the development of the SLE Core Outcome Set.

Methods: This was a comprehensive scoping literature review of SLE clinical trials and systematic reviews published since 2010. Studies were identified from 5 databases and were screened for eligibility.

Evolution of Extraintestinal Manifestations in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis Post-Restorative Proctocolectomy and Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis: A Single-Center Retrospective Study.

Background And Aims: Extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs) are common in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). However, the prevalence and associated factors of EIMs in UC patients post-restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (RPC + IPAA) are not well established.

Methods: We extracted clinical, demographic, and laboratory data of all UC patients who underwent IPAA surgery and followed up in our comprehensive pouch clinic between 2003 and 2021.

Financial exploitation vulnerability and social connectedness in middle-aged and older adults without dementia.

Objectives: Financial exploitation of older adults is an understudied but widespread phenomenon in the United States. Previous research examining the association between social functioning and financial exploitation vulnerability suggests that social embeddedness may be protective against financial exploitation. It is not clear, however, whether relationship depth and/or social network diversity (i.

Ketogenic Diet Intervention for Obesity Weight-Loss- A Narrative Review, Challenges, and Open Questions.

Purpose Of Review: The ketogenic diet (KD) has gained clinical attention for its potential benefits in weight loss and metabolic syndrome. By mimicking fasting through carbohydrate (CHO) restriction, KD shifts energy utilization to ketone bodies (KB) instead of glucose. Despite promising results, the effects on different weight loss indicators remain controversial, with challenges in monitoring adherence standards, optimal macronutrient composition, potential risks, and long-term sustainability.

Decreased Life Expectancy in Patients with Acute and Chronic Pancreatitis.

Background And Aims: Population-based data on the life expectancy and mortality for acute (AP) and chronic pancreatitis (CP) in the United States are limited. This study evaluates the life expectancy, mortality rates and the cause of death in AP and CP patients.

Methods: Using the nationwide Veterans Administration database from 1999 to 2015, we identified AP and CP patients (using ICD-9 codes) and non-pancreatitis patients (controls).

Community-acquired Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia in healthy children-13 years of experience in a pediatric tertiary center.

Unlabelled: Staphylococcus aureus (SA) is an important pathogen in the pediatric population. Community-acquired SA bacteremia (SAB) may also occur in healthy individuals, yet literature on this matter is scarce. Our study aims to describe patient characteristics, clinical course, and outcomes of healthy children with SAB.