Molecular evidence for the efficacy of PBM therapy in the treatment of oral lichen planus.

Purpose: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disease, in which T-Lymphocytes induce apoptosis of basal keratinocytes, leading to the formation of symptomatic lesions. It is assumed that blocking the cell death program and enhancing cell proliferation would be crucial to the healing process. The aim of the study was to verify the efficacy of Photobiomodulation (PBM) in OLP management, by evaluating the effects of laser irradiation on the processes of apoptosis and cell proliferation.

Brief Report: Cystatin C Provides Substantially Higher Glomerular Filtration Rate Estimates Than Creatinine in a Subset of Black People With HIV on Current Antiretroviral Regimens.

Background: In African populations, estimated glomerular filtration rate by cystatin C (eGFRcys) is better aligned with gold-standard GFR measurements than eGFR by creatinine (eGFRcr). Moreover, eGFRcys is unaffected by the effects of antiretroviral therapy (ART) on tubular secretion and may thus provide better estimates of GFR in people with HIV on ART.

Setting: Observational cohort study of people of African ancestry living with suppressed HIV RNA on ART in London, United Kingdom.

Lymphatic leaks - success of intranodal lymphangiogram first strategy.

Background: Lymphatic leaks are associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Intranodal lymphangiography (ILAG) involves the direct injection of ethiodised lipid into the hilum of lymph nodes. It is diagnostic procedure that can have therapeutic effects secondary to a local sclerosant effect.

Performance of Noninvasive Tests for Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis and Liver Fibrosis Resolution after Bariatric Surgery.

Background: Noninvasive tests (NITs) to monitor metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) progression and response to interventions are needed because of the risks of liver biopsy. A monocytes-based diagnostic test using perilipin-2 (PLIN2) and Ras-related protein-14 (RAB14) predict the severity of MASH and fibrosis. Here we compared the performances of PLIN2 and RAB14 with cytokeratin-18 (CK18) assessed by Ella™ or M65 ELISA in predicting MASH and fibrosis resolution following bariatric surgery in a longitudinal and histologically characterized cohort of individuals with obesity.

Actinomycosis in a Gallbladder Specimen: A Case Report.

Actinomycosis is a chronic, granulomatous infection caused by species, a group of anaerobic, gram-positive bacteria commonly found in the human oral cavity, gastrointestinal, and female genital tracts. Although it predominantly affects the cervicofacial region, rare manifestations such as gallbladder actinomycosis can occur. This report presents a case of gallbladder actinomycosis in a 61-year-old man who presented with a two-week history of right upper quadrant pain, jaundice, nausea, and vomiting.

The Value of Digital Rectal Examination (DRE) in Prostate Cancer Diagnostics.

Background and objective Prostate cancer (PCA) is the most prevalent cancer among males. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends referral to PCA diagnostic pathway based on two criteria: (1) abnormal digital rectal examination (DRE) and (2) elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA). This study evaluates the diagnostic value of routine DRE in patients undergoing PCA assessment with pre-biopsy MRI.

Characteristics of refractory disease and persistent symptoms in inflammatory arthritis: Qualitative framework analysis of interviews with patients and health care professionals.

Objectives: This study aims to explore patients' and clinicians' understanding and experiences of refractory disease (RD) and persistent physical and emotional symptoms (PPES) in patients with inflammatory arthritis (IA), namely rheumatoid arthritis or polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis from their perspectives through interviews and/or focus groups.

Design: A qualitative study was conducted, following a pragmatic epistemology approach with framework analysis employed.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews or focus groups with IA patients (n = 25) and multi-disciplinary rheumatology HCPs (n = 32) were conducted at one time point to obtain participants respective understanding and experiences of managing RD/PPES, and its impact on the patient-professional relationship.

Patient-Reported Improvements in Patients with PNH Treated with Iptacopan from Two Phase 3 Studies.

Iptacopan, a first-in-class, oral, selective complement factor B inhibitor, demonstrated efficacy and safety as monotherapy in C5 inhibitor (C5i)-experienced (APPLY-PNH [NCT04558918]) and C5i-naive (APPOINT-PNH [NCT04820530]) patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). In APPLY-PNH and APPOINT-PNH, changes in fatigue (FACIT-Fatigue) and health-related quality of life (HRQOL; EORTC QLQ-C30) from baseline to Day 168 were evaluated. The proportion of patients achieving meaningful within-patient change (MWPC) on the FACIT-Fatigue and 4 EORTC QLQ-C30 subscales (physical functioning, role functioning, fatigue, dyspnea) was evaluated using anchor-based thresholds.

Schizophrenia more employable than depression? Language-based artificial intelligence model ratings for employability of psychiatric diagnoses and somatic and healthy controls.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) assists recruiting and job searching. Such systems can be biased against certain characteristics. This results in potential misrepresentations and consequent inequalities related to people with mental health disorders.

Biomarkers in biliary atresia - an elusive promise of predicting outcome.

Research on biomarkers in BA promises to predict and change outcomes in BA. This goal is still unrealized at the moment. The study by Kamp et al attempts to understand the drivers of fibrosis and elucidate the role of amyloid-related genes in the pathophysiology of BA.

Intestinal icrobiota Transplant Prior to llogeneic tem Cell ransplant (MAST) trial: study protocol for a multicentre, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, phase IIa trial.

Introduction: Lower diversity of the gut microbiome prior to allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) correlates with reduced survival after the intervention. Most patients undergoing HCT for a haematological malignancy have previously received intensive chemotherapy, resulting in prolonged neutropenic episodes requiring broad-spectrum antibiotics; use of these has been linked to reduced microbiome diversity. Intestinal microbiota transplant (IMT) is a novel treatment approach that restores this diversity.

In Situ Light-Source Delivery During 5-Aminulevulinic Acid-Guided High-Grade Glioma Resection: Spatial, Functional and Oncological Informed Surgery.

Background/objectives: 5-aminulevulinic acid (5-ALA)-guided surgery for high-grade gliomas remains a challenge in neuro-oncological surgery. Inconsistent fluorescence visualisation, subjective quantification and false negatives due to blood, haemostatic agents or optical impediments from the external light source are some of the limitations of the present technology.

Methods: The preliminary results from this single-centre retrospective study are presented from the first 35 patients operated upon with the novel Nico Myriad Spectra System©.

Expedited Conveyance of Out-of-Hospital-Cardiac Arrest patients with STEMI and shockable rhythms to Cardiac Arrest Centres - A Feasibility Pilot Study of the British Cardiovascular Intervention Society conveyance algorithm.

Background And Aims: Guidelines suggest non-traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) be conveyed to cardiac arrest centres (CAC). We hypothesised that (a) a pre-hospital conveyance algorithm based on initial presenting rhythm following OHCA is feasible and (b) that would demonstrate survival advantage.

Methods: This observational pilot study included all consecutive patients with OHCA from suspected cardiac aetiology from the county of Essex, United Kingdom from April 2022-April 2023.

Clinical outcomes of closed versus open simple ankle fractures patterns requiring soft tissue reconstruction: A prospective comparative observational study.

Background: Contemporary guidelines advocate for initial debridement and single-stage definitive fixation with immediate soft tissue reconstruction for open fractures. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of single-stage stabilization and immediate definitive soft tissue coverage in open ankle fractures compared to closed fractures.

Methods: We compared all isolated open ankle fractures (OF) treated between January 2017 and June 2019 to a control group of operatively managed closed ankle fractures (CF).

Implant waste and associated costs in trauma and orthopaedic surgery: a systematic review.

Purpose: Trauma and orthopaedic (T&O) surgery relies on medical implants and materials, often resulting in metalwork wastage (prosthesis, screws, nails, and plates). This places an economic strain on healthcare services and the environment. Our primary outcome is to quantify the implant wastage across the literature, and secondarily investigate the associated costs in this specialty.

Transcoronary cooling and dilution for cardioprotection during revascularisation for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: Design and rationale of the STEMI-Cool study.

Background: ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is treated with immediate primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) to restore coronary blood flow in the acutely ischaemic territory, but is associated with reperfusion injury limiting the benefit of the therapy. No treatment has proven effective in reducing reperfusion injury. Transcoronary hypothermia has been tested in clinical studies and is well tolerated, but is generally established after crossing the occlusion with a guidewire therefore after initial reperfusion, which might have contributed to the neutral outcomes.

Current concepts of fourth-generation minimally invasive and open hallux valgus surgery.

Hallux valgus (HV) presents as a common forefoot deformity that causes problems with pain, mobility, footwear, and quality of life. The most common open correction used in the UK is the Scarf and Akin osteotomy, which has good clinical and radiological outcomes and high levels of patient satisfaction when used to treat a varying degrees of deformity. However, there are concerns regarding recurrence rates and long-term outcomes.

Comparative Efficacy of Videolaryngoscopy and Direct Laryngoscopy in Patients Living With Obesity: A Meta-Analysis.

Intubation in patients living with obesity poses unique challenges due to altered airway anatomy and reduced physiological reserve, increasing the risk of complications. In synthesizing evidence from multiple trials, our meta-analysis suggests that videolaryngoscopy may provide a higher likelihood of achieving successful intubation on the first attempt compared to direct laryngoscopy while not substantially increasing the procedure time. Videolaryngoscopy was associated with a significant increase in first-pass intubation success compared to direct laryngoscopy, with a pooled risk ratio (RR) of 0.