Comparing immunogenicity and safety following transition from reference rituximab to biosimilar rituximab (DRL_RI) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized, double-blind, phase 3 study.

Objectives: To assess immunogenicity and safety in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) transitioning from rituximab [US-licensed rituximab: Reference Product (RP); EU-approved rituximab: Reference Medicinal Product (RMP)] to DRL_RI (proposed rituximab biosimilar), in comparison to those continuing on RP/RMP.

Methods: This double-blind, randomized, Phase 3 study included 140 RA patients having prior exposure to RP/RMP; transitioned to DRL_RI (n = 70) or continued with RP/RMP (n = 70) for two 1000 mg infusions on Days 1 and 15. Assessments included Time-matched Rituximab Concentration (TMRC), anti-drug antibodies (ADAs), neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) and ADA titre over 12 weeks, and safety follow-up till 26 weeks.

An expert consensus statement on biomarkers of ageing for use in intervention studies.

Biomarkers of ageing serve as important outcome measures in longevity-promoting interventions. However, there is limited consensus on which specific biomarkers are most appropriate for human intervention studies. This work aimed to address this need by establishing an expert consensus on biomarkers of ageing for use in intervention studies via the Delphi method.

Insights into general practitioners' self-care across 38 countries during the pandemic: a cross-sectional study.

Background: The adoption of healthy self-care practices has proven necessary for professional life, as they often serve as a shield against stressors in the workplace. The COVID-19 pandemic created a high strain on general practitioners (GPs), contributing to increased workload, burnout, and anxiety. The present study aimed to identify self-care practices adopted by GPs amid the COVID-19 pandemic; and to explore the relationships between self-care practices and risk of distress.

Uncomplicated Type B Aortic Dissection: A European Multicentre Cross-Sectional Evaluation.

Background: A multicentre European randomized control trial - European Uncomplicated Type B Aortic Repair (EU-TBAR) is being developed to compare pre-emptive thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) with custom-made devices versus conventional optimal medical therapy. The pretrial set-up is confluent on different pillars, including evaluation of 1) European activity, trends, and governance; 2) outcome reporting; and 3) cost evaluation. This article aimed to demonstrate the observational cross-sectional survey results from participating centers and highlight the risk assessment, activity, practices, and governance of uncomplicated type B aortic dissection (uTBAD).

The RecA-NT homology motif in ImuB mediates the interaction with ImuA' which is essential for DNA damage-induced mutagenesis.

The mycobacterial mutasome - comprising ImuA', ImuB, and DnaE2 - has been implicated in DNA damage-induced mutagenesis in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. ImuB, which is predicted to enable mutasome function via its interaction with the β clamp, is a catalytically inactive Y-family DNA polymerase. Like some other members of the Y-family, ImuB features a recently identified amino acid motif with homology to the RecA N-terminus (RecA-NT).

Is it the right time to promote competency-based European Training Requirements in Ophthalmology? A European Board of Ophthalmology survey.

Purpose: To report national practices and recent progress in competency-based medical education (CBME) implementation in ophthalmology across European countries.

Methods: A 30-question online survey was emailed to European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS) ophthalmology section delegates, European Board of Ophthalmology Diploma (EBOD) examiners and presidents of ophthalmology societies affiliated with UEMS/EBO.

Results: A total of 230 ophthalmologists with an average age of 54.

Concurrent ultrafast twisting and proton transfer photoreactions in new pyrano[2,3-]pyrazole derivatives.

Pyrano[2,3-]pyrazole derivatives are a class of compounds exhibiting dual solvent-dependent fluorescence. This interesting and potentially useful optical property is attributed to the excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT). We have investigated excited state dynamics of these molecules in detail using femtosecond time-resolved fluorescence and transient absorption spectroscopy.

Professional competencies in social work concerned with alcohol use problems in Lithuania: Moving beyond 'know-how'.

There has been relatively little research on professional competencies in social work with individuals with alcohol use problems. The present study investigates the patterns of competencies and abilities that constitute different competence dimensions in this field of social work. Additionally, the study attempts to confirm the validity and assess the reliability in the use of the Perceived Social Work Competence Scale (PSWCS) for measuring professional competencies in Lithuania.

Migraine and cognitive dysfunction: a narrative review.

The association between migraine and cognitive function has been studied during the last decade, however, this relationship is not well established. As migraine prevalence is highest between the ages of 30-40, aligning with some of our most productive years, we must understand cognitive changes within this disorder. Cognitive impairment potentially limits social and professional interactions, thus negatively impacting quality of life.

European S2k guidelines for hidradenitis suppurativa/acne inversa part 2: Treatment.

Introduction: This second part of the S2k guidelines is an update of the 2015 S1 European guidelines.

Objective: These guidelines aim to provide an accepted decision aid for the selection, implementation and assessment of appropriate and sufficient therapy for patients with hidradenitis suppurativa/acne inversa (HS).

Methods: The chapters have been selected after a Delphi procedure among the experts/authors.

Can triad forestry reconcile Europe's biodiversity and forestry strategies? A critical evaluation of forest zoning.

Balancing increasing demand for wood products while also maintaining forest biodiversity is a paramount challenge. Europe's Biodiversity and Forest Strategies for 2030 attempt to address this challenge. Together, they call for strict protection of 10% of land area, including all primary and old growth forests, increasing use of ecological forestry, and less reliance on monocultural plantations.

SGLT2-Inhibition in Patients With Alport Syndrome.

Introduction: Large-scale trials showed positive outcomes of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Whether the use of SGLT2i is safe and effective in patients with the common hereditary CKD Alport syndrome (AS) has not yet been investigated specifically in larger cohorts.

Methods: This observational, multicenter, international study (NCT02378805) assessed 112 patients with AS after start of SGLT2i.

Physical fitness levels among children in northeast Italy by sex and age group: a comparison with teachers' assessments and children in other European countries.

Introduction: Physical fitness is associated with health-related quality of life, especially among youth. Although schools play an important role in promoting children's physical activity, in Italy the lack of qualified physical education teachers in primary schools may be compromising children's achievement of recommended levels of physical activity.

Methods: To test that possibility, we measured the physical fitness of 170 children (i.

Development of a Microphysiological Cartilage-on-Chip Platform for Dynamic Biomechanical Stimulation of Three-Dimensional Encapsulated Chondrocytes in Agarose Hydrogels.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most prevalent joint diseases globally, characterized by the progressive breakdown of articular cartilage, resulting in chronic pain, stiffness, and loss of joint function. Despite its significant socioeconomic impact, therapeutic options remain limited, largely due to an incomplete understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving cartilage degradation and OA pathogenesis. Recent advances in in vitro modeling have revolutionized joint tissue research, transitioning from simplistic two-dimensional cell cultures to sophisticated three-dimensional (3D) constructs that more accurately mimic the physiological microenvironment of native cartilage.

Carbon monoxide poisoning: a clinical case report.

Background: Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is a serious yet frequently overlooked condition with diverse and nonspecific clinical presentations. The analysis of Lithuanian statistics reveals fluctuations in patient admissions and consultations through the poisoning center over a four-year period, with notable variations in fatality rates. Despite these trends, CO poisoning remains a significant public health concern due to its potential for severe long-term sequelae or death.

Pancreatic pseudocyst after acute pancreatitis in children.

Acute pancreatitis in children is a rare condition; however, the incidence of this acute condition has been increasing over the past few decades. In most cases, acute pancreatitis does not cause severe complications in children, but in some cases, it can be complicated by fluid accumulation, fistulas and vascular pathologies, but the most common complication remains the formation of pseudocysts. This article describes the clinical case of a 11-year-old girl from Lithuania, which effectively illustrates a rare condition in children-acute pancreatitis and its developed complication-the formation of a pancreatic pseudocyst.

Investigation of a multi-frequency ultrasonic acoustic pressure source for acoustic agglomeration.

This paper represents numerical and experimental investigations of an ultrasonic multifrequency piezoelectric acoustic pressure source whose target application is acoustic agglomeration of fine and ultrafine particles. The operation of source is based on three vibration modes at 25.83 kHz, 34.

Association of exposure to second-hand smoke during childhood with blood DNA methylation.

Introduction: By recent estimates, 40% of children worldwide are exposed to second-hand smoke (SHS), which has been associated with adverse health outcomes. While numerous studies have linked maternal smoking during pregnancy (MSDP) to widespread differences in child blood DNA methylation (DNAm), research specifically examining postnatal SHS exposure remains sparse. To address this gap, we conducted epigenome-wide meta-analyses to identify associations of postnatal SHS and child blood DNAm.

Comparison of targeted next generation sequencing assays in non-small cell lung cancer patients.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most prevalent type of lung cancer the mutational spectrum of which has been extensively characterized. Treatment of patients with NSCLC based on their molecular profile is now part of the standard clinical care. The aim of this study was firstly to investigate two different NGS-based tumor profile genetic tests and secondly to assess the clinical actionability of the mutations and their association with survival and clinicopathological characteristics.

Sex-specific differences in insulin response and substrate oxidation after repeated, brief whole-body immersion in 45 °C water: A prospective, interventional study.

Prolonged heat exposure is suggested to improve glucose metabolism and fat oxidation, but no studies have addressed whether brief heat stimuli represent a viable, time-efficient, alternative approach. Consequently, we examined the ability of brief stimuli evoked by 45 °C water to improve glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and fat oxidation in young, non-obese, males and females. Twenty-four participants completed fourteen 5-min sessions involving whole body passive heating in 45 °C water.

Output sampling synchronization and state estimation in flux-charge domain memristive neural networks with leakage and time-varying delays.

This paper theoretically explores the coexistence of synchronization and state estimation analysis through output sampling measures for a class of memristive neural networks operating within the flux-charge domain. These networks are subject to constant delayed responses in self-feedback loops and time-varying delayed responses incorporated into the activation functions. A contemporary output sampling controller is designed to discretize system dynamics based on available output measurements, which enhances control performance by minimizing update frequency, thus overcoming network bandwidth limitations and addressing network synchronization and state vector estimation.

Associations of reproductive hormones and stress-related factors with menopausal symptoms.

Objective: The main aim was to evaluate the relationships between menopausal symptoms, endogenous hormones, and stress-related factors.

Methods: Participants were recruited through online advertisements at Vilnius University and social networks. Sixty-three White Lithuanian women aged 50.