Practice Patterns of Biologics Prescriptions and Surgery in Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps.

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) remains challenging to manage effectively, with high symptom recurrence rates and significant impacts on quality of life, prompting a need to evaluate the real-world use of biologics and optimize treatment strategies.

Objective: To assess the real-world application and perspectives of American Rhinologic Society (ARS) members on biologic treatments and surgical interventions for CRSwNP, focusing on clinical practice patterns, adoption of biologics, and their impact on surgical practices.

Methods: A standardized questionnaire evaluated clinical practice patterns of biologics prescriptions and surgery in treating CRSwNP between July 2022 and August 2023.

Workplace dignity amongst clinical nurses.

Background: The workplace environment plays a pivotal role in employees' lives as they spend many hours there. Recently, greater attention has been placed on workplace conditions as a key social determinant of health. One way through which workplace conditions may affect health is workplace dignity.

Chemerin, TNF - α and the degree of albuminuria in patients with diabetic kidney disease.

Background: Chronic inflammation has been increasingly recognized as an essential pathogenic mechanism for the development and progression of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Chemerin is an adipokine which has been suggested to be related to inflammation and has been correlated with the development of diabetic complications. We aimed to explore the potential links between chemerin, TNF - α, as a marker of systemic inflammation, and the level of albuminuria in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Overall survival and prognostic factors associated with cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy combined with intraoperative radiation therapy in patients with advanced abdominopelvic malignancies: A single center retrospective analysis of 159 patients.

Background And Objectives: The aim of this study was to look at the overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and prognostic factors associated with cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) combined with intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT).

Methods: This study is a single center retrospective study performed on 159 patients who underwent treatment with CRS and HIPEC combined with IORT for abdominopelvic malignancies. OS and PFS were used to evaluate the efficacy of this treatment strategy amongst patients with abdominopelvic malignancies.

Patent ductus arteriosus closure in small infants weighing less than 1500 g using KA micro plug: steps and tips.

Background: Transcatheter patent ductus arteriosus closure in premature infants is gaining attention with rapidly growing experience. The KA micro plug device poses many favourable features for ductus arteriosus closure in premature infants. The study aimed to describe the technique and outcomes of a KA micro plug in closing the ductus arteriosus in premature infants weighing less than 1500 g.

The McMaster Cough Severity Questionnaire (MCSQ): a cough severity instrument for patients with refractory chronic cough.

Background: Cough severity represents an important endpoint to assess the impact of therapies for patients with refractory chronic cough (RCC).

Objective: To develop a new patient-reported outcome measure addressing cough severity in patients with RCC.

Methods: Phase 1 (item generation): A systematic survey, focus groups, and expert consultation generated 51 items.

Computer-assisted evaluation of retinal vessel tortuosity in children with sickle cell disease without retinopathy.

Objective: We assessed the predictive efficacy of automatically quantified retinal vascular tortuosity from the fundus pictures of patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) without evident retinopathy.

Methods: Retinal images were obtained from 31 healthy and 31 SCD participants using fundus imaging and analyzed using a novel computational automated metric assessment. The local and global vessel tortuosity and their relationship with systemic disease parameters were analyzed based on the images.

Short-term effectiveness and side effects of ketogenic diet for drug-resistant epilepsy in children with genetic epilepsy syndromes.

Background: Drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) impacts a significant portion, one-third, of individuals diagnosed with epilepsy. In such cases, exploring non-pharmacological interventions are crucial, with the ketogenic diet (KD) standing out as a valuable option. KD, a high-fat and low-carb dietary approach with roots dating back to the 1920s for managing DRE, triggers the formation of ketone bodies and modifies biochemistry to aid in seizure control.

Prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma using the albumin to alkaline phosphatase ratio, literature review, and meta-analysis.

Background: Data about the impact of albumin-to-alkaline phosphatase ratio (AAPR) on prognosis in hepatocellular cancer (HCC) patients are inconclusive and conflicting.

Methods: The authors systematically searched literatures from seven databases (PubMed, Medline, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, Google Scholar, and CINAHL), updated to September 2023. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs were pooled and synthesized using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis version 3 in order to assess the overall impact of AAPR on patient's prognosis.

Recent progress and applications of single-cell sequencing technology in breast cancer.

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) technology enables the precise analysis of individual cell transcripts with high sensitivity and throughput. When integrated with multiomics technologies, scRNA-seq significantly enhances the understanding of cellular diversity, particularly within the tumor microenvironment. Similarly, single-cell DNA sequencing has emerged as a powerful tool in cancer research, offering unparalleled insights into the genetic heterogeneity and evolution of tumors.

Anchoring guide catheter to facilitate recanalising occluded pulmonary vein in small children: a novel technique.

Transcatheter pulmonary vein recanalisation is challenging. Herein, we described a novel technique facilitating the recanalisation of occluded three pulmonary veins in two small children. This technique enhances the catheter's alignment and stability during the recanalisation process.

Outcome of patient undergoing redo mitral valve surgery with incidence rate of mitral valve infective endocarditis.

Background: The incidence of infective endocarditis (IE) in patients undergoing redo mitral valve (MV) surgery was evaluated. The outcomes of all the patients and the patients' specific characteristics were recorded. The patients were analyzed to further the research of IE in this population.

Linear endoscopic ultrasound: Current uses and future perspectives in mediastinal examination.

This editorial elaborates on the current and future applications of linear endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) a substantial diagnostic and therapeutic modality for various anatomical regions. The scope of endosonographic assessment is broad and, among other factors, allows for the evaluation of the mediastinal anatomy and related pathologies, such as mediastinal lymphadenopathy and the staging of central malignant lung lesions. Moreover, EUS assessment has proven more accurate in detecting small lesions missed by standard imaging examinations, such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.

Effects of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation on postural stability in subacute stroke: A randomized control trial.

Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) promotes neuromodulation and neuroplasticity in the brain. The aim of this study was to determine the long-term effects of the anodal tDCS on postural and trunk stability, physical performance, anticipatory postural adjustment and quality of life in sub-acute stroke patients. Thirty-six participants with sub-acute stroke were divided into experimental and control groups using sealed envelope randomization.