Substrate stiffness dictates unique doxorubicin-induced senescence-associated secretory phenotypes and transcriptomic signatures in human pulmonary fibroblasts.

Cells are subjected to dynamic mechanical environments which impart forces and induce cellular responses. In age-related conditions like pulmonary fibrosis, there is both an increase in tissue stiffness and an accumulation of senescent cells. While senescent cells produce a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), the impact of physical stimuli on both cellular senescence and the SASP is not well understood.

Efficacy and safety of KN026 and docetaxel for HER2-positive breast cancer: a phase II clinical trial.

Background: The standard first-line treatment for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive recurrent/metastatic breast cancer currently includes pertuzumab plus trastuzumab and docetaxel. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of KN026, an anti-HER2 bispecific antibody, plus docetaxel in first-line treatment of HER2-positive recurrent/metastatic breast cancer.

Methods: This open-label, single-arm, phase II study enrolled patients with HER2-positive recurrent/metastatic breast cancer in 19 centers across China from December 30, 2019 to May 27, 2021.

Impact of Recent Translational and Therapeutic Developments on Clinical Course of BCR::ABL1-Positive and -Negative Myeloproliferative Neoplasms.

Despite the study of BCR::ABL1-positive and -negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) providing seminal insights into cancer biology, tumor evolution and precision oncology over the past half century, significant challenges remain. MPNs are clonal hematopoietic stem cell-derived neoplasms with heterogenous clinical phenotypes and a clonal architecture which impacts the often-complex underlying genetics and microenvironment. The major driving molecular abnormalities have been well characterized, but debate on their role as disease-initiating molecular lesions continues.

Response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy leads to better survival outcomes in upper tract urothelial carcinoma.

Objectives: To evaluate the benefit of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for patients with high-risk upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) using a large, well-curated multi-institutional database.

Patients And Methods: This study was a multi-institutional retrospective analysis conducted by the UTUC Collaborative Network (UCAN), combining data from 2276 patients with UTUC who underwent radical nephroureterectomy at seven high-volume tertiary care centres in the United States. The UCAN data were analysed to evaluate the impact of response to NAC on survival outcomes in patients with UTUC.

Acute zonal occult outer retinopathy (AZOOR) complex associated with torpedo retinopathy following COVID-19 recombinant mRNA vaccination: a case report of a rare clinical presentation.

Background: While vaccination remains crucial in mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, several ocular adverse events has been reported, including Acute Zonal Occult Outer Retinopathy (AZOOR) complex.

Case Presentation: A 31-year-old female presented declined best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and flashes in both eyes three days following second recombinant mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Moderna). Fundus autofluorescence (FAF) illustrated speckled hyper-AF lesions surrounding right eye torpedo maculopathy site and hyper-AF lesions in the left macula.

Medication underuse in real-life practice: the impact of galcanezumab towards achieving very low frequency episodic migraine in a southeast Asian middle-income nation.

Background: Migraine progression, particularly from episodic to chronic migraine (CM), increases disease burden and healthcare costs. Understanding the new concept of "Medication Underuse Headache" should encourage the health care provider to consider early intervention with calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) monoclonal antibodies. Galcanezumab given early in the course of the disease, may prevent migraine chronification and have a robust response, moreso than when initiated in later stages of migraine.

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Division of Household Labor Among Women Physicians and Advanced Practice Providers.

Background: COVID-19 increased the burden of childcare on parents, leaving women vulnerable to increased disparities in the division of domestic labor. Women healthcare workers may be at heightened risk of worsening gender parity in the workplace as a result.

Objective: To examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on gender parity in the division of household responsibilities among women healthcare workers.

Cardiovascular safety of osteoanabolic agents.

Purpose: Several osteoanabolic agents have been developed to build new bone more efficiently than anti-resorptive drugs. Among them, romosozumab, an anti-sclerostin antibody, is a potent pharmacological tool to prevent fractures in osteoporosis patients. The efficacy of romosozumab in preventing osteoporotic fractures is robust.

Evolution of the umbilical cord blood proteome across gestational development.

Neonatal health is dependent on early risk stratification, diagnosis, and timely management of potentially devastating conditions, particularly in the setting of prematurity. Many of these conditions are poorly predicted in real-time by clinical data and current diagnostics. Umbilical cord blood may represent a novel source of molecular signatures that provides a window into the state of the fetus at birth.

A comparative study of polydopamine vs. glass ionomer cement for adhesion mechanisms on enamel and dentin using SEM and shear bond strength evaluation.

Polydopamine (PD), inspired by the wet adhesion mechanism of mussel foot proteins, has emerged as a promising adhesive material with wide-ranging applications. This study aimed to compare the adhesive properties of PD and Glass Ionomer Cement (GIC) on enamel and dentin substrates, evaluating PD's potential as an alternative adhesive in dental practice. A total of 120 human premolars were prepared, with 80 teeth allocated for Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis and 40 teeth reserved for shear bond strength testing.

Prognostic factors for survival in patients with advanced cholangiocarcinoma treated with percutaneous transhepatic drainage.

Biliary drainage is then one of the necessary procedures to help patients suffering from icterus to reduce serum bilirubin levels and relieve symptoms. The aim of this study was identifying risk factors for survival in patients with cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) treated with percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) and to develop a simple scoring system predicting survival from PTBD insertion. This single-centre retrospective study included 175 consecutive patients undergoing PTBD for extrahepatic CCA (perihilar and distal).

The association between metabolomic profiles of lifestyle and the latent phase of incident chronic kidney disease in the UK Population.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health challenge associated with lifestyle factors such as diet, alcohol, BMI, smoking, sleep, and physical activity. Metabolomics, especially nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR), offers insights into metabolic profiles' role in diseases, but more research is needed on its connection to CKD and lifestyle factors. Therefore, we utilized the latest metabolomics data from the UK Biobank to explore the relationship between plasma metabolites and lifestyle factors, as well as to investigate the associations between various factors, including lifestyle-related metabolites, and the latent phase of CKD onset.

Safety and Feasibility of Robotic Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy With Immediate Direct-to-Implant Reconstruction - Insights From the One of the Largest Centers in Asia.

Background: The use of robotic-assisted nipple-sparing mastectomy (R-NSM) with immediate direct-to-implant (DTI) reconstruction in treatment of breast cancer has been a controversial topic. The adoption of robotic surgery in breast cancer treatment has gained traction globally due to its minimally invasive nature, potential for improved cosmetic outcomes and better intraoperative visualization. This study provides insights on safety and feasibility robotic mastectomy at one of the largest centers in Asia.

Adolescent primary hyperparathyroidism.

Adolescent primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a rare endocrine disorder bearing distinctions from the adult form. This review examines its unique aspects, focusing on clinical presentation, genetic etiologies, genotype-phenotype correlations, and therapeutic management. Adolescent PHPT often has a genetic basis, whether familial, syndromic, or apparently sporadic, and identifying the underlying genetic cause is important for patient care.

Rare Care - Cross-Sector Care Coordination.

Rare and undiagnosed diseases collectively represent a global health priority, presenting distinct challenges for healthcare systems due to their low prevalence, cumulative frequency, and complex care requirements. The impact of rare and undiagnosed diseases on children and their families extends beyond physical and mental health, affecting every aspect of their lives. This paper outlines the development of an innovative Model of Care that emphasises cross-sector care coordination as an approach to enhance the health and well-being of Western Australian children living with rare and undiagnosed diseases.

Consensus and Guidelines on Diagnosis and Management of Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy (PCV) from the Asia-Pacific Vitreo-retina Society (APVRS).

A panel of 21 international experts are formed by the Asia-Pacific Vitreo-retina Society to work out the consensus and guidelines on polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). PCV is a common subtype of neovascular age-related macular degeneration and is more prevalent in Asian populations. Recent advancement in imaging technology allows greater understanding of the disease process of PCV.

The incidence and risk factor for febrile urinary tract infection after robot-assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy in bladder cancer patients.

Introduction: Febrile urinary tract infections are major complications of radical cystectomy; however, their characteristics after robot-assisted radical cystectomy remain unclear. Thus, we investigated the rate, severity, pathogens, and risk factors of febrile urinary tract infections after robot-assisted radical cystectomy.

Patients And Methods: Patients who underwent robot-assisted radical cystectomy at three institutions between April 2018 and March 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.

A Five-Year Longitudinal Assessment of Quality of Life in Patients Who Have Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head Undergoing Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Multicenter Study.

Background: The effects of surgical treatment on the quality of life (QOL) of patients who have osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) have been rarely reported. This multicenter study aimed to elucidate the longitudinal QOL in patients who have ONFH undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA).

Methods: Self-assessment QOL questionnaires, including the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Hip Disease Evaluation Questionnaire (JHEQ), Oxford Hip Score (OHS), and 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey Version 2 (SF-12v2), were administered to 124 patients at six months, one year, two and five years postoperatively.

A biodegradable polymer plug for liver tract embolization after percutaneous or surgical placement of transhepatic biliary drainage tubes: a feasibility study.

To evaluate the feasibility of liver tract embolization after transhepatic biliary drainage using a biodegradable polymer plug (IMPEDE-FX, Shape Memorial Medical, Santa Clara, CA, USA).In a retrospective observational study, 15 plug embolizations were performed in 13 patients at risk for tract-related adverse events (AEs). Risk factors included coagulopathy, cirrhosis, central bile duct puncture, previous drain-related bleeding, malignant obstruction, large tract diameter, or multilevel strictures.

Aspirin after completion of standard adjuvant therapy for colorectal cancer (ASCOLT): an international, multicentre, phase 3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Aspirin is a simple, globally available medication that has been shown to reduce the incidence of colorectal cancer. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of aspirin in the secondary prevention of colorectal cancer.

Methods: This phase 3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted at 66 centres across 11 countries and territories (ten in Asia-Pacific; one in the Middle East).

Pathological and biochemical effects of polyethylene microplastic exposure in hydrothermal vent crab, Xenograpsus testudinatus.

Microplastic pollution significantly threatens marine ecosystems, including those with unique adaptations. This study evaluates the implications of polyethylene microplastics (PE-MPs) on the hydrothermal vent crab, Xenograpsus testudinatus. Crabs were exposed to varying fluorescent green polyethylene microspheres (FGPE) concentrations for 7 days.

Detecting freezing of gait: A comprehensive toolkit for enhanced Parkinson's assessment.

Introduction: Detecting Freezing of Gait (FOG) poses challenges, with the subjective 6-item FOG Questionnaire relying solely on patient perception. We aim to create a holistic FOG Detection Toolkit combining subjective and objective elements (descriptions, images, and videos) to improve FOG detection precision.

Methods: Development of the FOG Detection Toolkit involved a detailed cover sheet on FOG and its triggers, along with video exemplars and a 4-item FOG-specific self-assessment questionnaire, all rigorously validated.

The severity of coronary heart disease and the incidence of later diabetic retinopathy in diabetic population: A retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: The coronary heart disease (CHD) can influence the development of several diseases. The presence of CHD is correlated to a higher incidence of concurrent diabetic retinopathy (DR) in previous study. Herein, we aim to analyze the relationship between the CHD severity and following DR with different severity.