The Use of Tissue Concentrations of Biological and Small-Molecule Therapies in Clinical Studies of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

The introduction of biological therapies has revolutionized inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) management. A critical consideration in developing these therapies is ensuring adequate drug concentrations at the site of action. While blood-based biomarkers have shown limited utility in optimizing treatment (except for TNF-alpha inhibitors and thiopurines), tissue drug concentrations may offer valuable insights.

Overcoming Challenges in the Commercialization of Biopolymers: From Research to Applications-A Review.

Biopolymers are promising sustainable alternatives to petrochemical polymers, but the recent increase in published research articles has not translated into marketable products. Here, we discuss barriers to market entry by exploring application-specific, ecological, and economic aspects, such as the utilization of biodegradable polymers to mitigate the accumulation of microplastics. We summarize previous studies revealing how fiber surface properties and the dwell time during fiber spinning affect degradability.

The Role of ctDNA in the Management of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer in the AI and NGS Era.

Liquid biopsy (LB) involves the analysis of circulating tumour-derived DNA (ctDNA), providing a minimally invasive method for gathering both quantitative and qualitative information. Genomic analysis of ctDNA through next-generation sequencing (NGS) enables comprehensive genetic profiling of tumours, including non-driver alterations that offer prognostic insights. LB can be applied in both early-stage disease settings, for the diagnosis and monitoring of minimal residual disease (MRD), and advanced disease settings, for monitoring treatment response and understanding the mechanisms behind disease progression and tumour heterogeneity.

Establishing an Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Program.

Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) is a complex, life-saving procedure that uses mechanical support for patients with refractory cardiac arrest, representing the pinnacle of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) applications. Effective ECPR requires precise patient selection, rapid mobilization of a multidisciplinary team, and skilled cannulation techniques. Establishing a program necessitates a cohesive ECMO system that promotes interdisciplinary collaboration, which is essential for managing acute cardiogenic shock and severe pulmonary failure.

Meta-Analysis of MINIject vs. Two iStents as Standalone Treatment for Glaucoma with 24 Months of Follow-Up.

This study compares the long-term intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering efficacy of standalone MINIject (iSTAR Medical, Belgium) suprachoroidal implantation and two iStent (Glaukos, CA, USA) trabecular bypass implantation using a systematic review and meta-analysis. Systematic review of standalone implantation of MINIject or iStent inject with at least 24 months of follow up. The mean and standard deviation of IOP and the number of IOP-lowering medications at baseline and at 24 months were extracted.

Physical Activity and Frailty Are Impaired in Older Adults with Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo.

: Benign Paroxysmal Positioning Vertigo (BPPV), diagnosed in 46% of older adults with complaints of dizziness, causes movement-related vertigo. This case-control study compared physical activity, frailty and subjective well-being between older adults with BPPV (oaBPPV) and controls. : Thirty-seven oaBPPV (mean age 73.

Xanthohumol: Anti-Inflammatory Effects in Mechanically Stimulated Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells.

Background/objectives: Initial sterile inflammation is an essential molecular process in the periodontium during orthodontic tooth movement. A better understanding and possible modulations of these processes are of great interest to develop individual therapies for special patient groups. The prenylated plant polyphenol xanthohumol (XN) could have modulating effects as it has shown anti-inflammatory and angiogenesis-inhibiting effects in various cell lines.

Malaria Prevention for Pregnant Women and Under-Five Children in 10 Sub-Saharan Africa Countries: Socioeconomic and Temporal Inequality Analysis.

Background: Malaria remains a public health challenge in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite gains from strategies like Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs) and Intermittent Preventive Treatment during pregnancy (IPTp), significant socioeconomic inequalities persist, particularly among pregnant women and children under five. This study analyzed temporal and socioeconomic inequalities in malaria prevention in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Feasibility of Schema Therapy for Recurrent Depression in a Disaster Relief Worker with Prior Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Treatment Using Prolonged Exposure Therapy.

This report presents the follow-up treatment course of a previously published case that demonstrated the effectiveness of prolonged exposure (PE) therapy for a disaster relief worker. The patient, a municipal employee in Fukushima Prefecture, developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and mood disorders after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and subsequent disasters. This follow-up focuses on the period from 2021 to early 2024, during which the patient experienced symptom recurrence after his father's death.

Health and Liver Diagnostic Markers Influencing Glycemia in Subjects with Prediabetes: Preview Study.

Introduction: Glucose homeostasis may be dependent on liver conditions and influence health-related markers and quality of life (QoL) objective measurements. This study aimed to analyze the interactions of glycemia with liver and health status in a prediabetic population.

Subjects And Methods: This study included 2220 overweight/obese prediabetics from the multinational PREVIEW project.

Exploring Immune Cell Infiltration and Small Molecule Compounds for Ulcerative Colitis Treatment.

Background/objectives: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with a relapsing nature and complex etiology. Bioinformatics analysis has been widely applied to investigate various diseases. This study aimed to identify crucial differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and explore potential therapeutic agents for UC.

Clinical Introduction of Stem Cell Sparing Radiotherapy to Reduce the Risk of Xerostomia in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer.

Background/objectives: Studies have shown that dose to the parotid gland stem cell rich (SCR) regions should be reduced to lower the risk of xerostomia after radiotherapy (RT). This study aimed to assess whether stem cell sparing (SCS)-RT can be adopted in routine clinical practice.

Methods: Multiple planning studies were performed to compare SCS-RT with standard (ST)-RT using 30 head and neck cancer patients.

The Cost-Effectiveness of Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping in High-Risk Endometrial Cancer.

The aim was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping in comparison to routine pelvic lymphadenectomy for lymph node assessment in patients with high-risk endometrial cancer (EC). A decision-analytic model was developed to compare SLN mapping with pelvic lymphadenectomy for guiding adjuvant therapy in patients with high-risk endometrioid and non-endometrioid EC, focusing on costs and health outcomes. The input data were obtained from systematic literature searches and expert consensus.

Adding Anti-HER2 Therapy to Neoadjuvant Endocrine Therapy Seems Effective in Hormone Receptor and HER2 Positive Breast Cancer Patients Unfit for Chemotherapy: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study.

: Data are lacking on the optimal neoadjuvant systemic treatment (NST) for women with hormone receptor-positive (HR+) human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer if they are unfit to receive the combination of chemotherapy and anti-HER2 therapy. The aim of this study was to determine whether the rates of ypT0 and ypN0 differ between patients treated with neoadjuvant endocrine therapy (NET) versus NET combined with anti-HER2 therapy (NET+aHER2). : Data from the Netherlands Cancer Registry were analysed to identify women diagnosed with primary HR+/HER2+ breast cancer between 2008 and 2019, treated with either NET or NET+aHER2.

Oncological resection and perioperative outcomes of robotic, laparoscopic and open pancreatoduodenectomy for ampullary adenocarcinoma: a propensity score matched international multicenter cohort study.

Background: Ampullary adenocarcinoma (AAC) typically presents at an early stage due to biliary obstruction and therefore might be specifically suitable for minimally invasive pancreatoduodenectomy (MIPD). However, studies assessing MIPD specifically for AAC, including the robotic and laparoscopic approach, are limited. The aim of this study is to compare short- and long-term oncological resection and perioperative outcomes of robotic (RPD), laparoscopic (LPD) and open pancreatoduodenectomy (OPD) performed specifically for AAC.

Prevalence of child maltreatment in Albania.

Background: Child maltreatment is a global issue that significantly impacts children's lives. In 2018, 32% of 15-year-olds in Albania reported experiencing physical abuse.

Aim: To assess the prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of child abuse and neglect in Albania.

Medication non-adherence: reflecting on two decades since WHO adherence report and setting goals for the next twenty years.

Background: Non-adherence to medication remains a persistent and significant challenge, with profound implications for patient outcomes and the long-term sustainability of healthcare systems. Two decades ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) dedicated its seminal report to adherence to long-term therapies, catalysing notable changes that advanced both research and practice in medication adherence. The aim of this paper was to identify the most important progress made over the last 2 decades in medication adherence management and to initiate a discussion on future objectives, suggesting priority targets for the next 20 years.

Just informal patient payments are not enough, 'personal connections' and knowledge of the 'rules' are also required: a logistic regression analysis of informal practices in health care in Ukraine.

In Ukraine, patients and their family members face numerous barriers to health care services. In response, they use coping strategies, that are manifold and complex activities aimed at overcoming these barriers, the financial burden of the treatment, and the poor quality of health care services. These activities include formal and informal practices.

Access to healthcare for children with CHDs in middle and low-income countries: a systematic literature review.

CHD includes a wide range of cardiac disorders present at birth. If appropriate care is delivered in time, the prognosis is relatively good. However, in many parts of the world, access to healthcare continues to be a problem for these patients, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Implementing recycling in the operating room: a single-center experience.

Background: Climate change poses significant challenges to global health, exacerbated by healthcare systems' carbon footprint and waste generation. Surgical activities contribute to these impacts, necessitating sustainable practices to mitigate environmental harm. This study aims to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of a recycling program in reducing waste, carbon emissions, and disposal costs in the operating rooms (ORs).

Reference intervals of work ability and productivity loss and their use in patients with inflammatory rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases.

Objectives: To establish reference intervals (RIs) for work ability, at-work productivity loss and overall productivity loss in the general working population and to compare work ability and at-work productivity loss of patients with inflammatory rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease (iRMD) with this population.

Methods: Cross-sectional analysis among patients with iRMDs and population controls without iRMDs having paid work and participating in a Dutch cohort study. They reported on three work outcomes: work ability (0-10), at-work productivity loss and overall productivity loss (0%-100%).

Novel Insights Into Gyrate Atrophy of the Choroid and Retina (GACR): A Cohort Study.

Gyrate atrophy of the choroid and retina (GACR, OMIM #258870) is a rare inherited metabolic disorder characterized by progressive chorioretinal degeneration and hyperornithinemia. Current therapeutic modalities potentially slow disease progression but are not successful in preventing blindness. To allow for trial development, increased knowledge of the clinical phenotype and current therapeutic outcomes is required.

Baseline gray matter volume associates with working memory performance after prefrontal transcranial direct current stimulation.

Working memory is crucial for daily life and is often impaired in neuropsychiatric conditions. Attempts to enhance it using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) have shown mixed results, possibly due to large inter-individual variability. This study assessed whether baseline regional brain volume was associated with working memory performance following tDCS.