Preserved brain youthfulness: longitudinal evidence of slower brain aging in superagers.

Background: Superagers, older adults with exceptional cognitive abilities, show preserved brain structure compared to typical older adults. We investigated whether superagers have biologically younger brains based on their structural integrity.

Methods: A cohort of 153 older adults (aged 61-93) was recruited, with 63 classified as superagers based on superior episodic memory and 90 as typical older adults, of whom 64 were followed up after two years.

Prognosis of Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction After Mastectomy Flap Necrosis: Predictors of Failure and Salvage.

Background: In the realm of implant-based breast reconstruction, mastectomy flap necrosis (MFN) is a prevalent yet grave complication that poses a threat to the stability of the inserted prosthesis. Although numerous investigations have scrutinized the risk factors for MFN development, few have delved into the aftermath, specifically implant failure or salvage. This study seeks to appraise the prognosis of the implanted prosthesis following MFN occurrence, as well as identify predictors of such outcomes.

Lesion-based grading system using clinicopathological and MRI features for predicting positive surgical margins in prostate cancer.

Objectives: To develop and validate a lesion-based grading system using clinicopathological and MRI features for predicting positive surgical margin (PSM) following robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) among prostate cancer (PCa) patients.

Methods: Consecutive MRI examinations of patients undergoing RALP for PCa were retrospectively collected from two medical institutions. Patients from center 1 undergoing RALP between January 2020 and December 2021 were included in the derivation cohort and those between January 2022 and December 2022 were allocated to the validation cohort.

Exploring the efficacy of fluorouracil and platinum based chemotherapy in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma to bridge the treatment gap in resource limited settings.

Advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) poses treatment challenges, especially where access to multi-kinase inhibitors and ICIs is limited by high costs and lack of insurance. This study evaluates the effectiveness of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) plus platinum-based chemotherapy as an alternative systemic treatment for advanced HCC. A retrospective analysis of advanced HCC patients treated with 5-FU plus platinum-based chemotherapy was conducted.

Correlates of Cetuximab Efficacy in Recurrent and Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Previously Treated With Immunotherapy.

Purpose: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are now first-line therapy for most patients with recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC), and cetuximab is most often used as subsequent therapy. However, data describing cetuximab efficacy in the post-ICI setting are limited.

Methods: We performed a single-institution retrospective analysis of patients with R/M HNSCC treated with cetuximab, either as monotherapy or in combination with chemotherapy, after receiving an ICI.

Biomimetic Air-Lifted Organ Culture System with a Protective Coverage Membrane for Full-Thickness Corneal Preservation.

Effective storage and utilization of limited donor corneal resources are in high demand to alleviate the shortage of donor corneal tissue. Here, we designed a static air-lifted organ culture system equipped with a protective coverage membrane, namely, an air-lifted OC-P system, to provide a biomimetic physiological environment for full-thickness corneal preservation. The air-lifted OC-P system features a unique collagen-based protective coverage membrane that can offer a moist, oxygen-rich environment for corneal epithelium, produce an appropriate intraocular pressure onto the cornea by gravity, and facilitate the maintenance of the organ culture medium level for nutrient supply during corneal preservation.

Impact of molecular diagnostic techniques on the acute respiratory infection sentinel surveillance program, Antioquia, Colombia, 2022.

Objectives: Surveillance of acute respiratory infection (ARI) informs vaccination, preventive, and management decisions. In many countries, immunofluorescence is the cornerstone for ARI surveillance. We aimed to determine the effect of adding multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR) to conventional surveillance in ARI.

Sex and race disparities in emergency department patients with chest pain and a detectable or mildly elevated troponin.

Background: Identifying and eliminating health disparities is a public health priority. The goal of this analysis is to determine whether cardiac testing or outcome disparities exist by race or sex in patients with detectable to mildly elevated serum troponin.

Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of the CMR-IMPACT trial that randomized patients with symptoms suggestive of acute coronary syndrome and a detectable or mildly elevated troponin measure from 4 US hospitals to an early invasive angiography or cardiac MRI strategy.

Integrating deep learning and machine learning for improved CKD-related cortical bone assessment in HRpQCT images: A pilot study.

High resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HRpQCT) offers detailed bone geometry and microarchitecture assessment, including cortical porosity, but assessing chronic kidney disease (CKD) bone images remains challenging. This proof-of-concept study merges deep learning and machine learning to 1) improve automatic segmentation, particularly in cases with severe cortical porosity and trabeculated endosteal surfaces, and 2) maximize image information using machine learning feature extraction to classify CKD-related skeletal abnormalities, surpassing conventional DXA and CT measures. We included 30 individuals (20 non-CKD, 10 stage 3 to 5D CKD) who underwent HRpQCT of the distal and diaphyseal radius and tibia and contributed data to develop and validate four different AI models for each anatomical site.

Benchmarking antimicrobial use to antimicrobial resistance: a comparative study of two hospitals using current National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) metrics.

Objective: We aimed to determine whether benchmarking antimicrobial use (AU) to antimicrobial resistance (AR) using select AU/AR ratios is more informative than AU metrics in isolation.

Design: We retrospectively measured AU (antimicrobial therapy days per 1,000 days present) and AU/AR ratios (specific antimicrobial therapy days per corresponding AR event) in two hospitals during 2020 through 2022. We then had antimicrobial stewardship committee members evaluate each AU and corresponding AU/AR value and indicate whether they believed it represented potential overuse, appropriate use, or potential underuse of the antimicrobials, or whether they could not provide an assessment.

The association between arachidonic acid and gallstone risk: cross-sectional study and Mendelian randomization analysis.

Background: The formation of gallstones is a multifactorial process involving lifestyle habits, lipid metabolism disorders, and genetic factors. This study aims to explore the association between 19 types of dietary fatty acids and gallstone disease using large-scale population data, assess the correlation between dietary fatty acids and serum fatty acids, and investigate the causal relationship between plasma lipids and gallstone disease from a genetic perspective.

Methods: We employed a cross-sectional study design, combined with logistic regression analysis to evaluate the association between dietary fatty acids and gallstone disease.

The role of four-dimensional flow MRI as an adjunct to endoscopy for predicting variceal bleeding in patients with cirrhosis.

Background: Non-invasive approach other than conventional endoscopy could be effectively used for screening and monitoring esophageal variceal bleeding (EVB).

Purpose: To retrospectively investigate the role of four-dimensional (4D) flow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as an add-on tool to endoscopy for predicting EVB in cirrhotic patients with esophageal varices (EVs).

Material And Methods: A cohort of 109 cirrhotic patients with EVs was divided into four groups: A = negative red color [RC] sign, no EVB, n = 60; B = negative RC sign, EVB, n = 13; C = positive RC sign, no EVB, n = 10; and D = positive RC sign, EVB, n = 26.

Evaluating the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective potential of fruiting body and mycelium extracts from edible yellow morel (Morchella esculenta L. Pers.).

Scope: This study aimed to assess the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and acetylcholinesterase activities of fruiting bodies (FB) and mycelium (M) extracts of Morchella esculenta L. collected from various regions of Pakistan. The samples included Skardu fruiting body (SKFB) and mycelia Skardu (SKM), Malam Jaba fruiting body (MJFB) and Malam Jaba mycelia (MJM), Krair Mansehra fruiting body (KMFB) and Krair Mansehra mycelia (KMM), and Thandiani fruiting body (TFB) and Thandiani mycelia (TM).

The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer Staging Project: The Database and Proposal for the Revision of the Staging of Pulmonary Neuroendocrine Carcinoma in the Forthcoming Ninth Edition of the TNM Classification for Lung Cancer.

Introduction: Pulmonary high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) includes small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC). The seventh and eighth editions of the TNM classification for lung cancer confirmed the applicability of this staging system for SCLC. With the proposal of N2 and M1c subcategories for the ninth edition classification, we assessed the applicability to NECs.

Future directions in the evaluation and management of newly diagnosed metastatic cancer.

There is a much debate regarding optimal selection in patients with metastatic cancer who should undergo local treatment (surgery or radiation treatment) to the primary tumor and/or metastases. Additionally, the optimal treatment of newly diagnosed metastatic cancer is largely unclear. Current prognostication systems to best inform these clinical scenarios are limited, as all metastatic patients are grouped together as having Stage IV disease without further incorporation of patient and disease-specific covariates that significantly impact patient outcomes.

Effects of black mulberry, chokeberry, and elderberry extracts on the healing of burn wounds.

Background: In the burn affected area of the skin, the progression or deepening of wounds is related to oxidative stress. Especially in the highly susceptible stasis zone, tissues survive to the extent that they can cope with oxidative stress.

Objective: This study investigated the potential of extracts (E) derived from the fruits (F) and leaves (L) of elderberry (E), chokeberry (C), and black mulberry (M), which are rich in antioxidant properties, to enhance the recovery of the stasis zone in burn wounds.

The value of magnetic resonance imaging in predicting vesicovaginal fistula in cervical cancer with bladder invasion treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy.

Objectives: To assess the predictive value of magnetic resonance imaging for vesicovaginal fistula development in cervical cancer patients with bladder invasion treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of the medical records of 43 cervical cancer patients with bladder invasion between 1999 and 2015. Bladder invasion was confirmed through magnetic resonance imaging (scores ≥3) or cystoscopic findings, with or without biopsy.

Using evidence-based imaging referral guidelines to facilitate appropriate imaging: Are they all the same?

Rationale And Objectives: Countries worldwide have selected, adopted, adapted, and translated evidence-based imaging referral guidelines from radiology professional bodies. This study establishes the concordance of three imaging referral guidelines from the ACR, ESR, and RCR, and examines the emergency department cervical spine imaging appropriateness rates.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective analysis of the electronic medical records was performed between October 1st to December 31st, 2022, evaluating 452 radiography and 153 CT imaging referrals.

Pharmacological blocking of microfibrillar-associated protein 4 reduces retinal neoangiogenesis and vascular leakage.

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema are leading causes of vision-loss evoked by retinal neovascularization and vascular leakage. The glycoprotein microfibrillar-associated protein 4 (MFAP4) is an integrin αβ ligand present in the extracellular matrix. Single-cell transcriptomics reveal MFAP4 expression in cell-types in close proximity to vascular endothelial cells including choroidal vascular mural cells and retinal astrocytes and Müller cells.

Blood-based epigenome-wide association study and prediction of alcohol consumption.

Alcohol consumption is an important risk factor for multiple diseases. It is typically assessed via self-report, which is open to measurement error through recall bias. Instead, molecular data such as blood-based DNA methylation (DNAm) could be used to derive a more objective measure of alcohol consumption by incorporating information from cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) sites known to be linked to the trait.