Predicting treatment response and survival in rectal cancer: insights from 18 FDG-PET/MRI post-neoadjuvant therapy.

Introduction: Accurate identification of patients with pathologic complete response (pCR) following neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy (RCT) for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) is essential. 18-FDG PET/MRI provides metabolic information that complements the morphological assessment of standard MRI, potentially enhancing the differentiation between fibrotic and tumorous tissues post-treatment. This study aims to evaluate the performance of 18-FDG PET/MRI in assessing treatment response compared to standard MRI.

International consensus guidelines on the implementation and monitoring of vosoritide therapy in individuals with achondroplasia.

Achondroplasia is the most common genetic form of short-limbed skeletal dysplasia (dwarfism). Clinical manifestations and complications can affect individuals across the lifespan, including the need for adaptations for activities of daily living, which can affect quality of life. Current international guidelines focus on symptomatic management, with little discussion regarding potential medication, as therapeutic options were limited at the time of their publication.

Artificial intelligence in antimicrobial stewardship: a systematic review and meta-analysis of predictive performance and diagnostic accuracy.

The increasing threat of antimicrobial resistance has prompted a need for more effective antimicrobial stewardship programs (AMS). Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) tools have emerged as potential solutions to enhance decision-making and improve patient outcomes in AMS. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the impact of AI in AMS and to assess its predictive performance and diagnostic accuracy.

18 kDa TSPO targeting drives polarized human microglia towards a protective and restorative neurosteroidome profile.

An aberrant pro-inflammatory microglia response has been associated with most neurodegenerative disorders. Identifying microglia druggable checkpoints to restore their physiological functions is an emerging challenge. Recent data have shown that microglia produce de novo neurosteroids, endogenous molecules exerting potent anti-inflammatory activity.

Prediction of Pt, Ir, Ru, and Rh complexes light absorption in the therapeutic window for phototherapy using machine learning.

Effective light-based cancer treatments, such as photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photoactivated chemotherapy (PACT), rely on compounds that are activated by light efficiently, and absorb within the therapeutic window (600-850 nm). Traditional prediction methods for these light absorption properties, including Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (TDDFT), are often computationally intensive and time-consuming. In this study, we explore a machine learning (ML) approach to predict the light absorption in the region of the therapeutic window of platinum, iridium, ruthenium, and rhodium complexes, aiming at streamlining the screening of potential photoactivatable prodrugs.

Lewinnek zone not "the be-all and end-all" functional planning for acetabular component positioning in total hip arthroplasty.

Background: Proper positioning of a total hip arthroplasty (THA) plays a crucial role in the success and long-term survivorship of the implant. Cup positioning within the Lewinnek Safe Zone (LSZ) does not, however, avoid implant dislocation. Thus, the concept of a functional cup position has been introduced.

Nickel-induced labial angioedema in a pediatric patient with orthodontic braces: a case report.

Background: Angioedema is a condition marked by sudden, intense swelling of the subcutaneous and submucosal tissues, typically associated with hypersensitivity reactions, genetic mutations, or reactions to medications. It can also result from contact with allergens such as nickel, leading to dermatitis.

Case Presentation: A 12-year-old girl presented at our Pediatric Immunology and Allergology service with recurrent labial angioedema for over a year, linked to the consumption of legumes and tomatoes, and following the use of a metal flute.

Clinical predictors for surfactant retreatment in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome: the results of a pooled analysis.

Background: The issue of retreatment with surfactant of infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) has been poorly investigated. Our aim was to identify possible clinical predictors of the need for multiple doses of surfactant in a large cohort of very preterm infants.

Methods: Data were analyzed from three previous studies on infants born between 25 and 31 weeks of gestation with RDS who were treated with surfactant.

Amitriptyline for the treatment of vulvodynia in patients with vulvar lichen sclerosus: a case series of 20 patients.

Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus (VLS) is a chronic autoimmune disease that often leads to vulvodynia, a debilitating chronic pain condition in the vulvar region. Treating vulvodynia in the context of VLS presents a significant therapeutic challenge due to the lack of standardized protocols. This article presents a case series of 20 women treated with amitriptyline for vulvodynia secondary to VLS, accompanied by an extended review of the literature.

Systemic metabolic crosstalk as driver of cancer cachexia.

Cachexia is a complex metabolic disorder characterized by negative energy balance due to increased consumption and lowered intake, leading to progressive tissue wasting and inefficient energy distribution. Once considered as passive bystander, metabolism is now acknowledged as a regulator of biological functions and disease progression. This shift in perspective mirrors the evolving understanding of cachexia itself, no longer viewed merely as a secondary consequence of cancer but as an active process.

Gut microbiota and bilirubin metabolism: unveiling new pathways in health and disease.

Bilirubin reductase (BilR), a gut microbiota-derived enzyme that reduces bilirubin to urobilinogen, was recently identified. Given the role of bilirubin in preventing modern diseases, understanding the link between the gut microbiota and health via modulation of bilirubin metabolism marks a major advance in medical research and potential treatments.

Comparison of Manual and Mechanical Ventilation During Intensive Care Unit Transport Following Cardiac Surgery: Impact on Oxygenation, Ventilation, and Hemodynamic Stability.

Objectives: Following cardiac surgery, patients often require ventilatory support during transport to the intensive care unit (ICU). Manual ventilation using a bag valve mask (BVM) is commonly employed; however, mechanical ventilation may sometimes be preferred due to concerns regarding oxygenation, ventilation, and hemodynamic stability. The decision between manual and mechanical ventilation is typically based on clinical experience and surgical factors, as there is no established consensus or robust clinical evidence to guide this choice.

Cerebral vein thrombosis: management tactics with a focus on pregnancy, the use of hormone therapy and assisted reproductive technologies.

Cerebral vein thrombosis is a rare, life-threatening condition that has now become more commonly diagnosed due to advancements in imaging techniques. Our purpose is to improve understanding of pathogenesis, diagnosis and pregnancy and IVF management in patients with a history of cerebral thrombosis. We present an overview of the modern tactics of anticoagulant therapy for cerebral thrombosis with a focus on pregnancy, the use of hormone therapy, and assisted reproductive technologies.

The fine line between relief and risk: new insights into postoperative delirium.

There is a complex association between postoperative pain and postoperative delirium, which highlights the need for a more balanced approach to pain management that considers various risk factors. We emphasise the importance of comprehensive documentation and standardised monitoring to improve detection and management of postoperative delirium, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes. We advocate for a precision anaesthesia approach, which tailors care to individual patient profiles, as a potential solution to address these challenges.

Patient-reported outcomes following ciltacabtagene autoleucel or standard of care in patients with lenalidomide-refractory multiple myeloma (CARTITUDE-4): results from a randomised, open-label, phase 3 trial.

Background: In CARTITUDE-4, ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel) significantly improved progression-free survival (primary endpoint; previously reported) versus standard of care in patients with relapsed, lenalidomide-refractory multiple myeloma. We report here patient-reported outcomes.

Methods: In the ongoing, phase 3, open-label CARTITUDE-4 study, patients were recruited from 81 sites in the USA, Europe, Asia, and Australia, and were randomly assigned 1:1 to cilta-cel (target, 0·75 × 10 CAR-T cells/kg) or standard of care (daratumumab, pomalidomide, and dexamethasone; pomalidomide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone).

Prevalence and Characteristics of Chronic Hand Eczema Among Adults in Denmark: A General Population-Based Study.

Background: The epidemiology of chronic hand eczema (CHE) remains poorly examined.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of CHE in a general adult population and describe the characteristics of affected individuals.

Methods: We investigated the prevalence and characteristics of CHE using a random sample from the general Danish population (The Danish Skin Cohort).

Fabrication of novel pullulan/carboxymethyl chitosan-based edible film incorporated with ultrasonically equipped aqueous zein/turmeric essential oil nanoemulsion for effective preservation of mango fruits.

This study aimed to develop ultrasonically-assisted, alcohol-free, and noncorrosive aqueous zein/turmeric essential oil (TEO)-loaded nanoemulsions (NEs) to stimulate pullulan/carboxymethyl chitosan (P/CMCS)-based edible films for mango fruit preservation. The influence of innovative sonicated zein/TEO-based NEs (ZTNEs) as nanofillers on the physico-mechanical characteristics of the resulting P/CMCS edible films was investigated. A stable and well-dispersed ZTNE was achieved using 20 % zein with 10 min of ultrasound treatment, leading to a reduced droplet size (194.

DOPAC as a modulator of α-Synuclein and E46K interactions with membrane: Insights into binding dynamics.

α-Synuclein (Syn) is an intrinsically disordered protein, abundant in presynaptic neurons. It is a constituent of the Lewis Body inclusions as amyloid fibrils, in Parkinson's disease patients. It populates an ensemble of conformations and floats between the free random coil and the membrane-bound α-helical species.

Synergistic Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue and Ibuprofen Using Co₃O₄-Decorated Hexagonal Boron Nitride (hBN) Composites under Sun-like Irradiation.

In this study, we report the synthesis and photocatalytic performance of Co₃O₄-decorated hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) composites for degrading methylene blue (MB) and ibuprofen (IBF) under sunlight irradiation. Using a dry impregnation method, the composites were prepared with varying Co₃O₄ loadings (0.5%, 1%, 2%).

Optimizing Biochar-Based Column Filtration Systems for Enhanced Pollutant Removal in Wastewater Treatment: A Preliminary Study.

This study aims to test the efficiency of biochar-based substrates in removing chemical and bacteriological pollutants from wastewater and to determine the optimal percentage of biochar (BC) to implement for large-scale filters (e.g., constructed wetlands).

Beyond Traditional Body Composition Metrics: Load-Capacity Indices Emerge as Predictors of Cardiometabolic Outcomes - A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The adaptive and independent interrelationships between different body composition components have been identified as crucial determinants of disease risk. Based on this concept, the load-capacity model of body composition, which utilizes measurements obtained through non-anthropometric techniques such as dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), was proposed. This model is typically operationalized as the ratio of metabolic load (adipose mass) to metabolic capacity (lean mass).

A 10-Year Comparative Analysis of the Two Most Common Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty Implants (Delta Xtend and SMR) in the New Zealand Joint Registry.

Hypothesis And Background: As the incidence of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) continues to rise, better understanding of the long-term risks and complications is necessary to determine the best choice of implant. The majority (75%) of RTSA performed in New Zealand use either SMR (Systema Multiplana Randelli, Lima-LTO, Italy) or Delta Xtend (DePuy Synthes, USA). The aim of this registry-based study was to compare implant survival, risk of revision and reasons for revision between the two most frequently used RTSA prostheses: SMR and Delta Xtend.

Microcystoid macular edema in epiretinal membrane: not a retrograde maculopathy.

Purpose: To investigate the incidence, clinical spectrum and pathophysiology of microcystoid macular edema (MME) in two cohorts of patients with epiretinal membrane (ERM) and idiopathic full thickness macular hole (FTMH).

Design: Single-center, Retrospective, interventional, cohort study.

Methods: Review of clinical charts, structural and en-face optical coherence tomographty (OCT) and fluorescein angiography (FA) imaging of ERM and FTMH eyes which underwent surgery with pars plana vitrectomy and internal limiting membrane (ILM) peel, with a minimum follow-up of 6 months.