Association of the Revised Cardiac Risk Index with 1-year postoperative mortality: A single-center retrospective study.

Objective: To explore risk factors for 1-year postoperative mortality and to identify its association with the Revised Cardiac Risk Index (RCRI).

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study involving 54,933 patients aged 18 years and above who were surgically treated under general or regional anesthesia in a tertiary hospital in Singapore. Independent risk factors for 1-year postoperative mortality were identified by univariate Cox regression analysis.

Trends in drug repurposing: Advancing cardiovascular disease management in geriatric populations.

Drug repurposing is a promising strategy for managing cardiovascular disease (CVD) in geriatric populations, offering efficient and cost-effective solutions. CVDs are prevalent across all age groups, with a significant increase in prevalence among geriatric populations. The middle-age period (40-65 years) is critical due to factors like obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and psychosocial stress.

True cancer stem cells exhibit relative degrees of dormancy and genomic stability.

Background: Cancer stem cells in human tumors have been defined by stem cell markers, embryonal signaling pathways and characteristic biology, ie., namely the ability to repopulate the proliferating population. However, even if these properties can be demonstrated within a tumor cell subpopulation, it does not mean that they are truly hierarchical stem cells because they could have been derived from the proliferating population in a reversible manner.

Claudins as diagnostic tools and therapeutic targets-Glimpse of the horizon.

Claudins (CLDNs) play a crucial and indispensable role as fundamental components within the structure of tight junctions. Due to the distinct and unique distribution pattern exhibited by CLDNs in both normal and malignant tissues, these proteins have garnered significant attention as pivotal targets for systemic anti-cancer therapy and as noteworthy diagnostic markers. This review provides a comprehensive and detailed elucidation of the fundamental understanding surrounding CLDNs, their intricate expression patterns, the potential role they play in cancer diagnosis and therapeutic potentials; all encapsulated within a succinct summary of the cutting-edge advancements and the information derived from various clinical trials.

Evolution of treatment of fragility fractures of the pelvic ring. An update.

The term "fragility fractures of the pelvis" refers to the disruptions of the pelvic ring that are caused by low energy injuries (such as low-level falls or falls from the standing position) in the elderly population (age over 65 years) in the absence of metastatic bone disease. These fractures are increasing in numbers, due to the aging population, particularly in the developed countries, causing significant morbidity and mortality [1]. Although some fracture patterns are stable enough requiring only conservative treatment, other fracture types can cause significant pelvic instability, demanding a more insistent management protocol.

Comparative outcomes of endovascular vs. surgical treatment in craniocervical junction dural arteriovenous fistulas: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Craniocervical junction dural arteriovenous fistulas (CCJ-DAVFs) are rare and complex vascular malformations that are challenging to diagnose and treat. This study aims to compare surgical and endovascular treatments for CCJ-DAVFs through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines.

Incidence and Risk Factors for Nonreversal of Stoma in Patients With Crohn's Disease: A Single-Center Study.

Background: Even in the biological era, permanent stoma is not uncommon in patients with Crohn's Disease.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the incidence and risk factors of permanent stoma in Crohn's disease patients and provide clinical evidence for reducing this disabling outcome.

Design: Consecutive patients with Crohn's disease who underwent ostomies in the past decade were reviewed.

Collaboration to transition members to preferred formulary dipeptidyl-peptidase-4 inhibitor.

Objective: To describe the outcomes of a partnership between a drug plan and pharmacists to switch patients from brand name dipeptidyl-peptidase-4 inhibitors to the generic alogliptin.

Study Design: Single-center, retrospective chart review.

Methods: Clinical pharmacists contacted patients with primary care providers within the health system affiliated with the drug plan to facilitate the switch.

Evaluation and Management of Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection.

The purpose of this review is to serve as an update on congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) evaluation and management for obstetrician-gynecologists and to provide a framework for counseling birthing people at risk for or diagnosed with a primary CMV infection or reactivation or reinfection during pregnancy. A DNA virus, CMV is the most common congenital viral infection and the most common cause of nongenetic childhood hearing loss in the United States. The risk of congenital CMV infection from transplacental viral transfer depends on the gestational age at the time of maternal infection and whether the infection is primary or nonprimary.

Refining Established Practices for Research Question Definition to Foster Interdisciplinary Research Skills in a Digital Age: Consensus Study With Nominal Group Technique.

Background: The increased use of digital data in health research demands interdisciplinary collaborations to address its methodological complexities and challenges. This often entails merging the linear deductive approach of health research with the explorative iterative approach of data science. However, there is a lack of structured teaching courses and guidance on how to effectively and constructively bridge different disciplines and research approaches.

Circuit Modules for Flexible Locomotion.

Locomotion, like all behaviors, possesses an inherent flexibility that allows for the scaling of movement kinematic features, such as speed and vigor, in response to an ever-changing external world and internal drives. This flexibility is embedded in the organization of the spinal locomotor circuits, which encode and decode commands from the brainstem and proprioceptive feedback. This review highlights our current understanding of the modular organization of these locomotor circuits and how this modularity endows them with intrinsic mechanisms to adjust speed and vigor, thereby contributing to the flexibility of locomotor movements.

Evaluating the Acceptance and Usability of an Independent, Noncommercial Search Engine for Medical Information: Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Study and User Behavior Tracking Analysis.

Background: The internet is a key source of health information, but the quality of content from popular search engines varies, posing challenges for users-especially those with low health or digital health literacy. To address this, the "tala-med" search engine was developed in 2020 to provide access to high-quality, evidence-based content. It prioritizes German health websites based on trustworthiness, recency, user-friendliness, and comprehensibility, offering category-based filters while ensuring privacy by avoiding data collection and advertisements.

Conventional MRI-Based Structural Disconnection and Morphometric Similarity Networks and Their Clinical Correlates in Multiple Sclerosis.

Background And Objectives: Although multiple sclerosis (MS) can be conceptualized as a network disorder, brain network analyses typically require advanced MRI sequences not commonly acquired in clinical practice. Using conventional MRI, we assessed cross-sectional and longitudinal structural disconnection and morphometric similarity networks in people with MS (pwMS), along with their relationship with clinical disability.

Methods: In this longitudinal monocentric study, 3T structural MRI of pwMS and healthy controls (HC) was retrospectively analyzed.

Precision Oncology: A Global Perspective on Implementation and Policy Development.

Despite the acknowledged merits of precision oncology (PO) and its increasing global implementation, its full potential for advancing care and prevention remains unrealized. The benefits are currently accessible to only limited patient segments because of multifaceted barriers. Successful implementation hinges on various factors-scientific complexities not limited to technical, clinical, regulatory, economic, administrative, and health care policy-related challenges.

Survival Outcomes for Adolescent and Young Adults With Cancer in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review.

Purpose: Patients with adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer are recognized as a vulnerable subpopulation in high-income countries (HICs). Although survival gaps between HIC and low- and middle-income country (LMIC) children with cancer are well described, LMIC AYAs have been neglected. We conducted a systematic review to describe cancer outcomes among LMIC AYAs.

Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes-Palliative Care in Africa and Quality of Life, Symptoms, Patient Experience, and Caregiver Distress Among Patients With Cancer.

Purpose: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the association between the Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes-Palliative Care (ECHO-PC; ECHO Model-Based comprehensive educational and telementoring intervention) for health care professionals (HCPs) and change in patient-reported quality-of-life (QOL; Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General [FACT-G]) among patients with advanced cancer. We also examined the association between ECHO-PC and changes in symptom distress (Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale [ESAS]), patient experience and satisfaction, and caregiver distress scores.

Methods: ECHO-PC Clinic sessions were conducted twice a month for 1 year by an interdisciplinary team of PC clinicians at the MD Anderson Cancer Center, with participation of experts in PC in sub-Saharan Africa, using standardized curriculum on the basis of PC needs in the region.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Breast Cancer Patient Care: Results From a Tertiary Care Center in Lebanon.

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on breast cancer care in terms of the stage at presentation, treatment delays, and follow-up in a tertiary care center in Lebanon.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study compared patients with breast cancer who presented to a tertiary care center in Lebanon before (September 2019-December 2019) and during (September 2020-December 2020) the COVID-19 pandemic. We extracted data from the electronic medical records of patients with breast cancer who had their initial presentation, were under treatment, or were on follow-up during our period of interest.