Loneliness is associated with different structural brain changes in schizophrenia spectrum disorders and major depression.

Background: Loneliness, distress from having fewer social contacts than desired, has been recognized as a significant public health crisis. Although a substantial body of research has established connections between loneliness and various forms of psychopathology, our understanding of the neural underpinnings of loneliness in schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) remains limited.

Methods: In this study, structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) data were collected from 57 SSD and 45 MDD patients as well as 41 healthy controls (HC).

Obsessive-compulsive symptoms and personal recovery in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS) frequently co-occur in patients with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders (SSD). Patients with SSD and OCS experience increased clinical and social challenges, including diminished quality of life and subjective well-being. However, it is unknown whether co-morbid OCS are associated with personal recovery.

Epidemiology, Ventilation Management, and Outcomes in Invasively Ventilated Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients: An Analysis of Four Observational Studies in Four Countries on Two Continents.

Epidemiology, ventilator management, and outcomes in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) because of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been described extensively but have never been compared between countries. We performed an individual patient data analysis of four observational studies to compare epidemiology, ventilator management, and outcomes. We used propensity score weighting to control for confounding factors.

Perioperative Chemotherapy or Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy in Esophageal Cancer.

Background: The best multimodal approach for resectable locally advanced esophageal adenocarcinoma is unclear. An important question is whether perioperative chemotherapy is preferable to preoperative chemoradiotherapy.

Methods: In this phase 3, multicenter, randomized trial, we assigned in a 1:1 ratio patients with resectable esophageal adenocarcinoma to receive perioperative chemotherapy with FLOT (fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin, and docetaxel) plus surgery or preoperative chemoradiotherapy (radiotherapy at a dose of 41.

Adherence to Oral Anticancer Agents Among Adults With Gastrointestinal Tract Cancer: A Scoping Review.

Background: Patients with gastrointestinal tract cancer reported suboptimal adherence to oral anticancer agents (OAAs), reducing their therapeutic benefit and increasing mortality risk. A scoping review can comprehensively map available evidence on adherence to OAAs and inform appropriate support to improve treatment outcomes.

Objective: The aim of this study was to comprehensively map studies on adherence to OAAs among adults with gastrointestinal tract cancer, including the adherence rate, nonadherence reasons, influential factors, management strategies, and theories that guide these studies.

The Significance of a Cerebrovascular Accident Outcome Prediction Model for Patients, Family Members, and Health Care Professionals: Qualitative Evaluation Study.

Background: Patients with cerebrovascular accident (CVA) should be involved in setting their rehabilitation goals. A personalized prediction of CVA outcomes would allow care professionals to better inform patients and informal caregivers. Several accurate prediction models have been created, but acceptance and proper implementation of the models are prerequisites for model adoption.

Harnessing Big Heterogeneous Data to Evaluate the Potential Impact of HIV Responses Among Key Populations in Sub-Saharan Africa: Protocol for the Boloka Data Repository Initiative.

Background: In South Africa, there is no centralized HIV surveillance system where key populations (KPs) data, including gay men and other men who have sex with men, female sex workers, transgender persons, people who use drugs, and incarcerated persons, are stored in South Africa despite being on higher risk of HIV acquisition and transmission than the general population. Data on KPs are being collected on a smaller scale by numerous stakeholders and managed in silos. There exists an opportunity to harness a variety of data, such as empirical, contextual, observational, and programmatic data, for evaluating the potential impact of HIV responses among KPs in South Africa.

Case Report: A Novel Homozygous Variant in the Gene Causes Fanconi Anemia.

Fanconi anemia (FA) is a rare genetic disorder that affects multiple systems in the body and is the most prevalent congenital syndrome, leading to bone marrow failure. Twenty-two genes have been identified as contributors to the disease. Significant advancements have been made in the past 2 decades in understanding the genetic and pathophysiological processes involved.

Prevalence of the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and burnout syndrome (BOS) among intensive care unit (ICU) healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pandemic COronaVIrus Disease-19 (COVID-19) was a traumatic event that had a significant impact on the mental health of healthcare workers (HCWs), especially intensive care units (ICUs). Months of exposure and the threat of death can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and high physical and emotional strain can lead to burnout syndrome (BOS). The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of PTSD and BOS among ICU HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Impact of International Fellowship on Research Productivity: International Fellowship on Research Productivity.

International medical graduates (IMGs) represent a significant portion of the US physician workforce, comprising 25% across all specialties with a strong presence in internal medicine and primary care. However, their representation in plastic surgery remains limited at only 10%. Matching into a US plastic surgery residency is highly competitive for both US medical graduates and IMGs.

Beyond , Pharmaceutical Molecule Production in Cell-Free Systems and the Use of Noncanonical Amino Acids Therein.

Throughout history, we have looked to nature to discover and copy pharmaceutical solutions to prevent and heal diseases. Due to the advances in metabolic engineering and the production of pharmaceutical proteins in different host cells, we have moved from mimicking nature to the delicate engineering of cells and proteins. We can now produce novel drug molecules, which are fusions of small chemical drugs and proteins.

Significance of birth in the maintenance of quiescent neural stem cells.

Birth is one of the most important life events for animals. However, its significance in the developmental process is not fully understood. Here, we found that birth-induced alteration of glutamine metabolism in radial glia (RG), the embryonic neural stem cells (NSCs), is required for the acquisition of quiescence and long-term maintenance of postnatal NSCs.

The deubiquitinase USP5 prevents accumulation of protein aggregates in cardiomyocytes.

Protein homeostasis is crucial for maintaining cardiomyocyte (CM) function. Disruption of proteostasis results in accumulation of protein aggregates causing cardiac pathologies such as hypertrophy, dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and heart failure. Here, we identify ubiquitin-specific peptidase 5 (USP5) as a critical determinant of protein quality control (PQC) in CM.

Perinatal dysfunction of innate immunity in cystic fibrosis.

In patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), repeated cycles of infection and inflammation eventually lead to fatal lung damage. Although diminished mucus clearance can be restored by highly effective CFTR modulator therapy, inflammation and infection often persist. To elucidate the role of the innate immune system in CF etiology, we investigated a CF pig model and compared these results with those for preschool children with CF.

A pan-orthohantavirus human lung xenograft mouse model and its utility for preclinical studies.

Orthohantaviruses are emerging zoonotic viruses that can infect humans via the respiratory tract. There is an unmet need for an in vivo model to study infection of different orthohantaviruses in physiologically relevant tissue and to assess the efficacy of novel pan-orthohantavirus countermeasures. Here, we describe the use of a human lung xenograft mouse model to study the permissiveness for different orthohantavirus species and to assess its utility for preclinical testing of therapeutics.

Risk factors of gallbladder cancer in Nepal: A case control study.

Background: Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is a rare, highly fatal disease with diagnosis in advanced stage and low survival rate. Nepal ranked 4th position with highest rates of GBC for 10 countries in 2020.

Objective: To find the association between socio-demographic, behavioral and environmental factors associated with the development of GBC.

Practitioner, patient and public views on the acceptability of mobile stroke units in England and Wales: A mixed methods study.

Background: Evidence for Mobile Stroke Units (MSUs) demonstrates that onset to treatment times for intravenous thrombolysis can be reduced and access to mechanical thrombectomy might be improved. Despite growing use of MSUs internationally, to date there have been no studies in NHS England and NHS Wales exploring the acceptability of MSUs to clinicians, patient and public representatives and other key stakeholders, which are important when considering potential feasibility and implementation.

Methods: This study used a mixed methods design with a cross-sectional survey and qualitative workshops and interviews between October 2023 to May 2024.

SURGICAL TECHNIQUES TO INCREASE RESECTABILITY IN LIVER METASTASIS.

The development of surgical techniques, chemotherapy, biological agents, and multidisciplinary approaches have made patients with unresectable colorectal liver metastases eligible for surgery. Many strategies have been developed to allow patients for surgical resection (percutaneous portal vein embolization, liver venous deprivation, parenchyma-sparing liver surgery, reverse strategy, associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy, and liver transplantation), the only form of disease control and curative treatment.

MANAGEMENT OF SYNCHRONIC LARGE LIVER METASTASIS IN A NON-OCCLUSIVE COLON TUMOR.

In patients with synchronic liver colorectal metastasis, resection of the primary tumor and liver metastases is the only potentially curative strategy. In such cases, there is no consensus on whether resection of the primary tumor and metastases should be performed simultaneously or whether a staged approach should be performed (resection of the primary tumor and after, hepatectomy, or hepatectomy first). Patients with no bowel occlusion and with extensive liver disease are advised neoadjuvant oncological therapy.

NON-FUNCTIONING SPORADIC PANCREATIC NEUROENDOCRINE TUMOR IS AN INDEPENDENT RISK FACTOR FOR RECURRENCE AFTER SURGICAL TREATMENT.

Background: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) are uncommon and heterogeneous neoplasms, often exhibiting indolent biological behavior. Their incidence is rising, largely due to the widespread use of high-resolution imaging techniques, particularly influencing the diagnosis of sporadic non-functioning tumors, which account for up to 80% of cases. While surgical resection remains the only curative option, the impact of factors such as tumor grade, size, and type on prognosis and recurrence is still unclear.

COMPLICATIONS AFTER HEPATECTOMY.

Complete removal of metastatic disease and maintenance of an adequate liver remnant remains the only treatment option with curative intent concerning colorectal liver metastases. Surgery impacts on the long-term prognosis and complications adversely affect oncological results. The actual morbidity involving this scenario is debatable and estimated to be ranging from 15% to 50%.

Hepatitis B infection (HBsAg and HBeAg) status among women attending antenatal care at public healthcare facilities of South Africa, 2017.

Eight years after WHO adopted a resolution to eliminate hepatitis B by the year 2030, the disease remains a global public health concern, with vertical transmission of HBV being a major obstacle to this goal. Our study aimed to determine the HBV infection status of pregnant women in South Africa at a national level to evaluate the risk of vertical transmission and provide evidence for public health decision-making. We conducted HBsAg testing on 1,942 HIV-uninfected and 2,312 HIV-infected pregnant women from South Africa's public health sector in 2017, followed by HBeAg testing on HBsAg-positive samples.

"The impact of the Little Orange Book on how parents/carers manage symptoms of illness in children: A mixed methods study".

Background: Previous literature has highlighted the complexity of supporting an acutely unwell child and the unnecessary use of services by parents/carers. The Little Orange Book (LOB) was developed as an information resource for parents/carers of young children to assist in managing symptoms of childhood illness and to encourage the appropriate use of healthcare services.

Objectives: This study aimed to understand parent/carer views and experiences using the Little Orange Book.

Female Brain and Endocrinological Research-Veteran (FemBER-Vet) study: A study protocol for identifying endocrinological, lifestyle and psychosocial determinants of brain health outcomes in female veterans for future intervention success.

Background: Recent studies have demonstrated a greater risk of dementia in female veterans compared to civilians; with the highest prevalence noted for former service women with a diagnosis of psychiatric (trauma, alcoholism, depression), and/or a physical health condition (brain injury, insomnia, diabetes). Such findings highlight the need for increased and early screening of medical and psychiatric conditions, and indeed dementia, in the female veteran population. Further, they call for a better understanding of the underlying biopsychosocial mechanisms that might confer heightened risk for female veterans, to tailor preventative and interventional strategies that support brain health across the lifespan.