The ReAct project: Analysis of data from 23 different laboratories to characterise DNA recovery given two sets of activity level propositions.

The ReAct (Recovery, Activity) project is an ENFSI (European Network of Forensic Science Institutes) supported initiative comprising a large consortium of laboratories. Here, the results from more than 23 laboratories are presented. The primary purpose was to design experiments simulating typical casework circumstances; collect data and to implement Bayesian networks to assess the value (i.

Physical Activity and Quality of Life After Distal Femur Tumor Resection and Limb Salvage.

: Distal femur tumor resection with limb salvage is a demanding procedure that offers hope for patients by preserving the limb rather than opting for amputation. While limb salvage can improve both physical function and psychological well-being, there's limited knowledge on how active patients remain afterward and how their Quality of Life (QoL) is affected, especially regarding physical activities and sports. This study investigates the quality of life of the patients through the development of motor activity, focusing on both physical and sporting activity of the above-mentioned individuals and their physical abilities to participate in activities of daily and sporting life after surgery.

Determinants of physical function, as measured using PROMIS PF-10a, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: results from the international COVID-19 Vaccination in Autoimmune Diseases (COVAD) study.

Objectives: Physical function in RA is largely influenced by multiple clinical factors, however, there is a growing body of evidence that psychological state and other comorbidities also play an essential role. Using data obtained in the COVID-19 Vaccination in Autoimmune Diseases study, an international self-reported e-survey, we aimed to explore the predictive ability of sociodemographic and clinical variables on Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function Short Form 10a (PROMIS PF-10a) in RA and to investigate variation in disease activity and functional outcomes based on country-level socio-economic parameters.

Methods: Patient demographics, disease characteristics including current symptom status, functional status and treatment variables, as well as income level of the country of residence, were extracted from survey responses.

Age-dependent phenotypes of cognitive impairment as sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Cognitive changes associated with PASC may not be uniform across populations. We conducted individual-level pooled analyses and meta-analyses of cognitive assessments from eight prospective cohorts, comprising 2,105 patients and 1,432 controls from Argentina, Canada, Chile, Greece, India, Italy, Russia, and the UK. The meta-analysis found no differences by country of origin.

A Multicenter ICET-A Survey on Adherence to Annual Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) Screening in Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemia (TDT) Patients - The Expert Clinicians' Opinion on Factors Influencing the Adherence and on Alternative Strategies for Adherence Optimization.

Background: Current guidelines for screening glucose dysregulation (GD) in patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT) recommend an annual 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) starting at the age of 10 years.

Objective: Assessment of adherence to OGTT screening in patients with TDT.

Methods: A questionnaire was distributed to 18 Thalassemia Centers in 10 different countries, targeting factors influencing adherence to annual OGTT screening in specialized multidisciplinary pediatric and adult TDT units and identifying strategies to improve adherence to OGTT in TDT patients.

The complexities of aeronautical transfer of acutely unwell neurosurgical patients.

Objective: Neurosurgical care is difficult to access in many scenarios. Aeromedical evacuation of acutely unwell neurosurgical patients from remote, isolated or poorly equipped locations can be considered. This article aims to provide a framework of logistical factors which deserve special consideration in the preparation of these patients for transfer.

Axilla Management in Breast Cancer Surgery: Brief Review and Current Practice Recommendations.

The diagnostic and therapeutic approach to the axilla in breast cancer patients has changed significantly over the past 30 years, with the replacement of complete axillary lymph node dissection practices by less invasive approaches. Reference is made to clinical findings that have led to practical treatment recommendations and are paving the way to new levels of de-escalation in breast cancer surgery.

Can ChatGPT play a significant role in anatomy education? A scoping review.

Purpose: We performed a scoping review to explore if ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence platform, can play a significant role in anatomy education.

Methods: PubMed, SCOPUS, ERIC and Cochrane databases were searched for articles which included anatomical questions asked to ChatGPT. From each article, we extracted the following data: authors, type of study (qualitative or quantitative), presence or not of comparison of ChatGPT with other platforms or humans, type of questions asked to ChatGPT and evaluation of the answers to these questions.

The Effect of Autologous Serum Tears 50% on the Ocular Surface of Patients With Severe Dry Eye Disease due to Sjogren Syndrome: A Prospective, Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled, Contralateral Eye Study.

Purpose: To assess the impact of autologous serum (AS) tears at a 50% concentration on the ocular surface of patients with refractory dry eye disease (DED) because of Sjogren syndrome.

Methods: Twenty eyes of ten patients with severe immune-mediated DED were contralaterally randomized to receive either AS tears 50% or artificial tears between June 2021 and May 2023. Changes in tear stability, ocular surface staining, and in the morphology of the corneal sub-basal nerves were evaluated before treatment and at 1, 2, and 3 months after treatment using objective tests for DED and confocal microscopy.

Metabolic Dysfunction Associated-Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) and Cardiovascular Risk: Embrace All Facets of the Disease.

Purpose Of Review: In recent years, the terms "metabolic associated fatty liver disease-MAFLD" and "metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease-MASLD" were introduced to improve the encapsulation of metabolic dysregulation in this patient population, as well as to avoid the negative/stigmatizing terms "non-alcoholic" and "fatty".

Recent Findings: There is evidence suggesting links between MASLD and coronary heart disease (CHD), heart failure (HF), atrial fibrillation (AF), stroke, peripheral artery disease (PAD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD), although the data for HF, AF, stroke and PAD are scarcer. Physicians should consider the associations between MASLD and CV diseases in their daily practice.

Genetic predisposition to high circulating levels of interleukin 6 and risk for Alzheimer's disease. Discovery and replication.

Importance: Aging is accompanied by immune dysregulation, which has been implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. Individuals who are genetically predisposed to elevated levels of proinflammatory mediators might be at increased risk for AD.

Objective: To investigate whether genetic propensity for higher circulating levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) is associated with AD risk.

Role of MRI and surgical excision in long-standing diffuse-type GCTTS of the flexor tendon sheath.

Diffuse-type giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath (GCTTS) is a rare, benign, yet locally aggressive soft tissue tumor commonly affecting the hand. This case report presents a 55-year-old male with a 5-year history of GCTTS in the flexor tendon sheath of the long finger. MRI played a critical role in both diagnosis and surgical planning, revealing key features such as the tumor's 10 cm length, hemosiderin deposition, and blooming artifacts.

The impact of new-onset atrial fibrillation in the setting of acute coronary syndrome.

Approximately 10 % of patients who have suffered from myocardial infarction develop new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF). Coronary artery disease implicating atrial branches has been associated with AF. The following variables have been associated with new-onset AF in the setting of acute coronary syndrome: older age, history of hypertension, history of angina, history of stroke, chronic renal failure, body mass index, no statin use, worse nutritional status, worse Killip class, admission heart rate ≥ 85 bpm, complete atrioventricular block, Glasgow prognostic score, Syntax score, CHEST score > 3, PRECISE-DAPT score ≥ 25, left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40 %, increased left atrial diameter, E/E' ratio > 12, epicardial fat tissue thickness, and thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow < 3.

Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) Deficiency and Metabolic-Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease in a Young Patient.

Metabolic-dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the most common chronic liver disease in the Western world. MASLD-associated cirrhosis prevalence is on the rise along with the obesity and metabolic syndrome epidemic. Genetic factors are included in the multi-hit model of MASLD pathogenesis and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) has an important role.

Upper Limb Deep Venous Thrombosis Associated With Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters in Hospitalised Surgical Patients.

Introduction Surgical inpatients frequently require peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) for parenteral feeding and administration of medication. PICCs may cause upper limb deep venous thrombosis (ULDVT), which impacts patient morbidity. We investigated the risk and prevention of PICC-ULDVT in hospitalised surgical inpatients.

Factors associated with quality of life in long-COVID syndrome.

Approximately 10% of patients experience persistent symptoms following COVID-19, known as long-COVID syndrome. This cross-sectional study explored factors of quality of life (QoL) in 53 long-COVID patients. QoL was measured using the World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index, fatigue with the Fatigue Visual Analogue Scale, and psychological health with the Depression-Anxiety-Stress-21 questionnaire.

Early life acute infections and risk for cow's milk protein allergy or atopic dermatitis at 6 months of age in high risk for allergy infants.

Background: Early life infections (ELIs), encompassing both viral and bacterial types, occur within the first six months of life. Influenced by genetic host factors and environmental conditions, the relationship between ELIs and subsequent allergic manifestations, particularly cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) and atopic dermatitis (AD), is complex and not fully understood.

Objective: The aim of the current study was to examine the potential interplay between nutrition, infections, and allergic manifestations in the first six months of life in infants with a family history of allergies, who were either exclusively breastfed (EBF) or fed a combination of breast milk and standard (SF) or partially hydrolyzed infant formula (pHF).

Polygenic score distribution differences across European ancestry populations: implications for breast cancer risk prediction.

Background: The 313-variant polygenic risk score (PRS) provides a promising tool for clinical breast cancer risk prediction. However, evaluation of the PRS across different European populations which could influence risk estimation has not been performed.

Methods: We explored the distribution of PRS across European populations using genotype data from 94,072 females without breast cancer diagnosis, of European-ancestry from 21 countries participating in the Breast Cancer Association Consortium (BCAC) and 223,316 females without breast cancer diagnosis from the UK Biobank.

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in 7704 Individuals: An Analysis from the Greek Registry for the Prevalence of Familial Hypercholesterolemia (GRegistry-FH).

The intention of this study was to profile the cohort from the Greek Registry for the prevalence of Familial Hypercholesterolemia (GRegistry-FH) by estimating the prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD), myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, dyslipidemia, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), pre-DM, smoking, abnormal thyroid function (ATF), and lipid values. The GRegistry-FH is a prospective study involving door-to-door interviews conducted by trained interviewers. Overall, 7704 individuals aged ≥18 years, randomly selected from all the regions of Greece, participated.

Typical dose values for intra-operative fluoroscopy during orthopaedic trauma surgery at Larnaca general hospital in cyprus: A five-year retrospective study.

The purpose of this study was to establish typical dose values at orthopaedic operating rooms of the Larnaca General Hospital (LGH). Kerma area product (KAP), fluoroscopy time (FT) and cumulative air-kerma (K) measurements were collected for 821 patients who underwent common and reproducible trauma surgery over a five-year period, with three mobile C-arm systems; two equipped with an image-intensifier and one with a flat-panel detector. Dose indices were automatically extracted from radiation dose structured reports or DICOM meta-data files archived in the PACS, using custom-made software.

Electroencephalogram criticality in cognitive impairment: a monitoring biomarker?

Unlabelled: Critical states present scale-free dynamics, optimizing neuronal complexity and serving as a potential biomarker in cognitively impaired patients. We explored electroencephalogram (EEG) criticality in amnesic Mild Cognitive Impairment patients with clinical improvement in working memory, verbal memory, verbal fluency and overall executive functions after the completion of a 6-month prospective memory training. We compared "before" and "after" stationary resting-state EEG records of right-handed MCI patients (n = 17; 11 females), using the method of critical fluctuations and Haar wavelet analysis.

Assessing Disability in Thalassaemia: A Position Statement by the Thalassaemia International Federation.

Thalassemia is not currently conceived per se as a disability, but it can be a disability-inducing condition if poorly treated or as complications increase with age. People living with thalassemia do not wish, on the one hand, to be considered disabled persons to avoid stigma and loss of opportunities to achieve social inclusion in all paths of life while, on the other, they are in need of lifelong appropriate, disease-specific health and social care, including disability allowances and schemes, in order to be able to smoothly integrate into society and achieve professional, educational, personal, and social goals. The ongoing debate on whether thalassemia is a disability or not is thus complex and inconclusive and has created a vast heterogeneity of policies and approaches across the globe.

An expert consensus statement on biomarkers of ageing for use in intervention studies.

Biomarkers of ageing serve as important outcome measures in longevity-promoting interventions. However, there is limited consensus on which specific biomarkers are most appropriate for human intervention studies. This work aimed to address this need by establishing an expert consensus on biomarkers of ageing for use in intervention studies via the Delphi method.

Definition of sinonasal and otological exacerbation in patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia: an expert consensus.

Background: Recurrent infections of the nose, sinuses and ears are common problems for people with primary ciliary dyskinesia. While pulmonary exacerbations in primary ciliary dyskinesia are defined, there is no definition for ear-nose-throat exacerbations, a potential outcome for research and clinical trials.

Methods: We set up an expert panel of 24 ear-nose-throat specialists, respiratory physicians, other healthcare professionals and patients to develop consensus definitions of sinonasal and otological exacerbations in children and adults with primary ciliary dyskinesia for research settings.