Multimodal transesophageal echocardiography in the surgical resection of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and inferior vena cava tumor thrombus.

Background: The incidence and mortality rate of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are increasing globally. HCC with inferior vena cava tumor thrombus (HCCIVCTT) represents an advanced stage of the disease. Research suggests that for patients with advanced HCCIVCTT, liver resection combined with thrombectomy is a safe and feasible option that can provide moderate survival benefit.

Regorafenib with or without chemotherapy/immunotherapy in second-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic: a single-center retrospective analysis.

Background: Regorafenib, approved in China for the third-line treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), targets multiple tyrosine kinases. We retrospectively evaluated the efficacy and safety of regorafenib, both as monotherapy and in combination with capecitabine or immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), as a second-line treatment for patients unable to access hospital-based care due to limited hospital visits during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Methods: Retrospective analysis was conducted on individual patient data from Peking University Third Hospital, covering the period from January 2020 to September 2023.

Integrating T-cell inflammation features for prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma: a novel predictive model.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third most common cause of cancer-related death globally and accounts for 75% to 90% of primary liver cancer cases. The high mortality rate of HCC, coupled with the absence of reliable prognostic biomarkers, makes its treatment and prognosis evaluation challenging. The features of the T cell-inflamed microenvironment include active interferon (IFN)-γ signaling and the presence of cytotoxic effector molecules, antigen presentation, and T-cell activating cytokines.

Patient-Specific Rods vs Traditional Rods in Surgical Correction of Adult Spinal Deformities: A Case-Matched Study.

Aim: Patient specific pre-contoured rods (PSRs) represent a relatively new technological development aimed at improving surgical outcomes and reducing complications in adult spinal deformity surgery. To date, only a limited number of studies have been published comparing PSRs with traditional spinal rods. In this paper, we compare the surgical, imaging, and clinical outcomes of PSRs and traditional spinal rods in a single-center case-matched study.

Predicting Success: The Crucial Role of Preoperative Data in Refractive Surgery Outcomes.

Refractive surgery, which includes techniques such as Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK), Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) and Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE), has revolutionized ophthalmology by offering advanced solutions for vision correction. However, the choice of the technique to be used in the individual patient is highly dependent on a thorough preoperative evaluation. This retrospective study aims to investigate how preoperative parameters, including corneal thickness, topography, and refraction, affect long-term post-operative clinical outcomes.

Management of Aorto-Duodenal Fistula: Case Series and Technical Notes.

Aorto-duodenal fistula (ADF) is a rare clinical condition characterized by abnormal communication between the 3rd or 4th portion of the duodenum and the aorta, typically associated with aneurysmal disease. The incidence of ADF is expected to increase, however, there remains a lack of consensus on the optimal approach for intestinal restoration. In this study, we present three cases of ADF and their respective treatments using three distinct surgical techniques.

Mind the gap in kidney care: translating what we know into what we do.

Historically, it takes an average of 17 years to move new treatments from clinical evidence to daily practice. Given the highly effective treatments now available to prevent or delay kidney disease onset and progression, this is far too long. The time is now to narrow the gap between what we know and what we do.

Helminth extracellular vesicles co-opt host monocytes to drive T cell anergy.

Parasitic helminths secrete extracellular vesicles (EVs) into their host tissues to modulate immune responses, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. We demonstrate that Ascaris EVs are efficiently internalised by monocytes in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and increase the percentage of classical monocytes. Furthermore, EV treatment of monocytes induced a novel anti-inflammatory phenotype characterised by CD14, CD16, CC chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) cells.

New Horizons in Menopause, Menopausal Hormone Therapy, and Alzheimer's Disease: Current Insights and Future Directions.

Accumulating evidence suggests that the effects of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) on risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and all-cause dementia are influenced by timing of initiation relative to age and time-since-menopause and the type of formulation. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of MHT conducted in older postmenopausal women indicate an increased risk of dementia. While RCTs conducted in midlife are lacking, observational research has provided evidence for associations between midlife estrogen-only therapy (ET) use and a reduced risk of AD dementia, whereas estrogen-progestogen therapy (EPT) is associated with more variable outcomes.

Influence of zinc oxide nanoparticles on the carbon accumulation on silver exposed to carbon dioxide hydrogenation reaction conditions.

The strong influence of surface adsorbates on the morphology of a catalyst is exemplified by studying a silver surface with and without deposited zinc oxide nanoparticles upon exposure to reaction gases used for carbon dioxide hydrogenation. Ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy measurements indicate accumulation of carbon deposits on the catalyst surface at 200 °C. While oxygen-free carbon species observed on pure silver show a strong interaction and decorate the atomic steps on the catalyst surface, this decoration is not observed for the oxygen-containing species observed on the silver surface with additional zinc oxide nanoparticles.

New polymorphisms of Vkork1 gene related to anticoagulant resistance of rats and mice in Italy.

Background: Anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) are a very effective tool to control rodent pest populations. Nevertheless, AR resistance has been documented worldwide. ARs block the cycle of vitamin K, leading to the death of the animal by internal bleeding: mutations in Vkorc1 gene can cause resistance.

A roadmap toward promoting and improving brain health in Europe and closing the awareness and funding gap.

Background And Purpose: The global burden of neurological diseases exceeds 43.1%, imposing a significant burden on patients, caregivers and society. This paper presents a roadmap to reduce this burden and improve brain health (BH) in Europe.

Availability and Key Characteristics of National Early Warning Systems for Emerging Profiles of Antimicrobial Resistance in High-Income Countries: Systematic Review.

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) recently advocated an urgent need for implementing national surveillance systems for the timely detection and reporting of emerging antimicrobial resistance (AMR). However, public information on the existing national early warning systems (EWSs) is often incomplete, and a comprehensive overview on this topic is currently lacking.

Objective: This review aimed to map the availability of EWSs for emerging AMR in high-income countries and describe their main characteristics.

Clusters of Patient Empowerment and Mental Health Literacy Differentiate Professional Help-Seeking Attitudes in Online Mental Health Communities Users.

Objectives: Grounded in the Health Empowerment Model, which posits that health literacy and patient empowerment are intertwined yet distinct constructs, this study investigates how the interplay of these factors influences attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help in members of online communities for mental health (OCMHs). This while acknowledging the multidimensionality of patient empowerment, encompassing meaningfulness, competence, self-determination, and impact.

Design And Methods: A cluster analysis of data gathered from 269 members of Italian-speaking OCMHs on Facebook has been performed.

Physician knowledge, use, and perceptions of genetic biomarker testing for the management of patients with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer: an international physician survey.

Aims: To explore physician-reported knowledge, use, and perceptions of genetic testing for advanced ovarian cancer management.

Materials & Methods: Gynecology/oncology specialists ( = 390) in the US, Europe, Canada, Japan, and Australia completed an online survey spanning March 2021 to April 2022.

Results: Physician-reported breast cancer gene mutation (BRCAm) testing rates increased over the 2 years before the survey; most patients underwent testing in the preceding 6 months.

Drug Delivery Applications of Hydrophobic Deep Eutectic Solvent-in-Water Nanoemulsions: A Comparative Analysis of Ultrasound Emulsification and Membrane-Assisted Nanoemulsification.

The emergence of green chemistry and engineering principles to enforce sustainability aspects has ensured the prevalence of green solvents and green processes. Our study addresses this quest by exploring drug delivery applications of hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents (DESs) which are alternative green solvents. Initially, this work showcases the hydrophobic drug solubilization capabilities of a natural hydrophobic DES, menthol, and decanoic acid.

Effect of the maternal sleep disturbances and obstructive sleep apnea on feto-placental Doppler: A systematic review.

Literature evidenced an association of maternal sleep disturbances and maternal obstructive sleep apnea with significant obstetric complications. Moreover, the maternal sleep disturbances effect on feto-placental circulation had not been extensively examined. Our objective is to explore the possible maternal sleep disturbances impact on the feto-placental indices evaluated through the Doppler study.

Recombinant Klotho administration after myocardial infarction reduces ischaemic injury and arrhythmias by blocking intracellular calcium mishandling and CaMKII activation.

Ischaemic heart disease (IHD) remains a major cause of death and morbidity. Klotho is a well-known anti-ageing factor with relevant cardioprotective actions, at least when renal dysfunction is present, but its actions are much less known when renal function is preserved. This study investigated Klotho as a biomarker and potential novel treatment of IHD-associated complications after myocardial infarction (MI) under preserved renal function.

The role of Anti-PAD4, Anti-CarP, and Anti-RA33 antibodies combined with RF and ACPA in predicting abatacept response in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: To explore the role of newly emerging autoantibodies (AAbs) - peptidyl-arginine deiminase 4 (aPAD4), carbamylated proteins (aCarP), and anti-RA33 (aRA33) - alongside the traditionally assessed rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA), in predicting the response to abatacept (ABT) and its retention rate in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

Methods: Data from 121 consecutive ABT-treated RA patients were recorded. The RF and ACPA status were retrospectively assessed by reviewing the patients' clinical records.