Robotic Versus Laparoscopic Liver Resection: A Nationwide Propensity Score Matched Analysis.

Objective: To compare nationwide outcomes of robotic liver resection (RLR) with laparoscopic liver resection (LLR).

Background: Minimally invasive liver resection is increasingly performed using the robotic approach as this could help overcome inherent technical limitations of laparoscopy. It is unknown if this translates to improved patient outcomes.

Susceptibility to and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection according to prescription drug use-an observational study of 46,506 Danish healthcare workers.

It is not well investigated whether exposure to specific drug classes is associated with COVID-19. We investigated the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe COVID-19 among healthcare workers according to prescription drug use. We conducted an observational study among Danish healthcare workers.

Evaluation of the Accuracy of Point-of-Care Urine Chloride Measured via Strip Test in Patients with Heart Failure.

Background: In clinical practice, patient self-monitoring is crucial in achieving therapeutic goals in various diseases. In heart failure (HF), it is particularly important due to the increasing role of urine composition. Therefore, we proposed this study to assess the accuracy of urine chloride () assessment via strip test in relation to chloride and sodium (uNa) measurements in a gold-standard laboratory method.

Hemostatic derangements associated with cardiopulmonary bypass predict outcomes in pediatric patients undergoing corrective heart surgery.

Background: Understanding of the hemostatic and complement alterations associated with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in pediatric patients and the impact of these alterations on outcome is limited.

Objectives: The present study prospectively characterized these alterations and their association with postoperative outcomes in pediatric CPB.

Methods: All patients aged <21 years undergoing CPB at the authors' institution between 2020 and 2021 who weighed >3 kg, were >36 weeks gestational age, and had no known prothrombotic or hemorrhagic disorders were eligible.

Durability and Efficacy of Faricimab in Treatment-Resistant Retinal Edema Utilizing "Real-World" Dosing Regimens.

To retrospectively analyze clinical outcomes of patients with "treatment-resistant" neovascular age-related macular degeneration or diabetic macular edema who were switched to intravitreal faricimab injections (IFIs) using a "real-world" treat-and-extend (TAE) protocol. Seventy-one eyes from 62 patients receiving antivascular endothelial growth factor injections were evaluated before and after switching to IFI. Demographic and clinical data were collected.

Surgical Applications for Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate.

Bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) is an autologous orthobiologic agent that may be of benefit in specific surgical scenarios. Composed of elements isolated from bone marrow, including mesenchymal stromal cells, bone marrow-derived platelets, red and white blood cells, and hematopoietic precursors, BMAC has gained appeal for its potential to slow the progression of chondral degeneration, improve function, and provide symptomatic relief. BMAC is typically prepared during the final stages of a surgical procedure, beginning with bone marrow aspirate harvested from the iliac crest, distal femur, body of the ilium, or proximal humerus and then centrifuged to yield concentrated marrow cells.

Tibial tubercle osteotomy (TTO): A review of impactful papers in the literature.

Background: Tibial tubercle osteotomy (TTO) is a procedure that can be used as an alternative to total knee arthroplasty (TKA) or to address patellar instability in patients experiencing dislocation events. The purpose of this paper is to systematically evaluate the most cited articles pertaining to TTO through bibliometric analysis.

Methods: A search using the Web of Science database with keywords pertaining to TTO was conducted in April 2024.

Occupational Exposure to 50 ppm Isoflurane Impairs Sperm Parameters in Mice.

Objectives: The aims of the study are to assess the effect of occupational exposure to isoflurane on the sperm quality of mice and to investigate whether cessation of exposure can restore seminal quality.

Methods: Mice were exposed to 50 ppm of isoflurane for 5 hours per day over a 30-day period. Following this exposure, they were euthanized at predetermined postexposure intervals, and their sperm samples were analyzed for kinetics and viability parameters.

Ubiquitin-derived artificial binding proteins targeting oncofetal fibronectin reveal scaffold plasticity by β-strand slippage.

Affilin proteins, artificial binding proteins based on the ubiquitin scaffold, have been generated by directed protein evolution to yield de-novo variants that bind the extra-domain B (EDB) of oncofetal fibronectin, an established marker of tumor neovasculature. The crystal structures of two EDB-specific Affilin variants reveal a striking structural plasticity of the ubiquitin scaffold, characterised by β-strand slippage, leading to different negative register shifts of the β5 strands. This process recruits amino acid residues from β5 towards the N-terminus to an adjacent loop region and subsequent residues into β5, respectively, remodeling the binding interface and leading to target specificity and affinity.

Atrioventricular Synchrony Delivered by a Dual-Chamber Leadless Pacemaker System.

Background: A dual-chamber leadless pacemaker system has been designed for atrioventricular synchronous pacing using wireless, beat-to-beat, implant-to-implant (i2i) communication between distinct atrial and ventricular leadless pacemakers. The atrioventricular synchrony achieved across various ambulatory scenarios has yet to be systematically evaluated.

Methods: A prospective, single-arm, unblinded, multicenter, international clinical trial of the leadless pacemaker system was conducted in patients with a conventional dual-chamber pacing indication enrolled from February 2022 to March 2023.

Occupational Factors Associated With Burnout Among a Sample of 9-1-1 Public Safety Telecommunicators in Washington State.

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate occupational factors associated with burnout among a sample of 9-1-1 public safety telecommunicators (PSTs).

Methods: An online survey measuring organizational factors (ie, perceived visibility and inclusion in the agency, respectful culture, leadership support, perceived gratitude, and coworker conflict); job characteristic s (ie, work-life integration, overtime, salary satisfaction, and job meaningfulness); and burnout, demographic, and call center characteristics was emailed to a sample of PSTs.

Analysis: Descriptive, bivariate, and multiple linear regression analyses were used to characterize the sample and investigate relationships among variables.

A Modular Communicative Leadless Pacing-Defibrillator System.

Background: The subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is associated with fewer lead-related complications than a transvenous ICD; however, the subcutaneous ICD cannot provide bradycardia and antitachycardia pacing. Whether a modular pacing-defibrillator system comprising a leadless pacemaker in wireless communication with a subcutaneous ICD to provide antitachycardia and bradycardia pacing is safe remains unknown.

Methods: We conducted a multinational, single-group study that enrolled patients at risk for sudden death from ventricular arrhythmias and followed them for 6 months after implantation of a modular pacemaker-defibrillator system.

The effects of Facebook and Instagram on the 2020 election: A deactivation experiment.

We study the effect of Facebook and Instagram access on political beliefs, attitudes, and behavior by randomizing a subset of 19,857 Facebook users and 15,585 Instagram users to deactivate their accounts for 6 wk before the 2020 U.S. election.

Metformin and the Liver: Unlocking the Full Therapeutic Potential.

Metformin is a highly effective medication for managing type 2 diabetes mellitus. Recent studies have shown that it has significant therapeutic benefits in various organ systems, particularly the liver. Although the effects of metformin on metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis are still being debated, it has positive effects on cirrhosis and anti-tumoral properties, which can help prevent the development of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Tackling Infectious Diseases with Rapid Molecular Diagnosis and Innovative Prevention.

Infectious diseases (IDs) are a leading cause of death. The diversity and adaptability of microbes represent a continuing risk to health. Combining vision with passion, our transdisciplinary medical research team has been focussing its work on the better management of infectious diseases for saving human lives over the past five decades through medical discoveries and innovations that helped change the practice of medicine.

Design of a Stem Cell-Based Therapy for Ependymal Repair in Hydrocephalus Associated With Germinal Matrix Hemorrhages.

Background: In preterm birth germinal matrix hemorrhages (GMHs) and the consequent posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH), the neuroepithelium/ependyma development is disrupted. This work is aimed to explore the possibilities of ependymal repair in GMH/PHH using a combination of neural stem cells, ependymal progenitors (EpPs), and mesenchymal stem cells.

Methods: GMH/PHH was induced in 4-day-old mice using collagenase, blood, or blood serum injections.