Associations between multi-metal joint exposure and decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in solar greenhouse workers: A study of a unique farmer group.

Background: Solar greenhouse workers, a unique farmer group, have been reported to have a higher risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) compared to the general population, possible due to exposure to multiple metals.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the associations between exposure to multiple metals and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Northwest China.

Effectiveness of hypertonic saline with or without hyaluronic acid among patients with cystic fibrosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The clinical effectiveness of hypertonic saline (HS) in individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) can be compromised by adverse effects. The objective of this study was to examine the efficacy of hyaluronic acid (HA) in mitigating these negative occurrences.

Methods: A comprehensive review of the literature was carried out using three electronic databases: Medline, Cochrane Central, and Embase.

Construction of contiguous quaternary carbon centers enabled by dearomatization of phenols with 3-bromooxindoles.

A transition metal-free and oxidation-free dearomatization of phenols through conjugate addition to generated indol-2-one from 3-bromooxindole is detailed in this report. This methodology offers an effective approach for the synthesis of a range of 3-substituted oxindoles containing contiguous quaternary carbon centers (CQCCs) with yields of up to 99%. The reaction is characterized by mild conditions, exceptional efficiency, environmental compatibility, favorable functional group tolerance, and scalability to large-scale production.

Roles of the tumor microenvironment in the resistance to programmed cell death protein 1 inhibitors in patients with gastric cancer.

Despite the continuous developments and advancements in the treatment of gastric cancer (GC), which is one of the most prevalent types of cancer in China, the overall survival is still poor for most patients with advanced GC. In recent years, with the progress in tumor immunology research, attention has shifted toward immunotherapy as a therapeutic approach for GC. Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitors, as novel immunosuppressive medications, have been widely utilized in the treatment of GC.

A multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of topical oestradiol gel for endometrial regeneration after induced abortion.

Study Question: Is topical oestradiol gel effective in promoting endometrial regeneration after a surgical abortion?

Summary Answer: Topical oestradiol gel is effective in promoting endometrial regeneration after a surgical abortion with few side-effects.

What Is Known Already: Oestrogen is effective in promoting endometrial regeneration. Transdermal oestrogen has been widely used in clinical practice for endometrial regeneration after induced abortion, but high-level evidence is limited.

Tracking the Helicobacter pylori Epidemic in Adults and Children in China.

Background: The Helicobacter pylori epidemic in China accounts for up to a third of gastric cancers worldwide. We aim to monitor the temporal and spatial dynamics of H. pylori infection in both adults and children across China.

A Multi-Specialty Delphi Consensus on Assessing and Managing Cardiopulmonary Risk in Patients with COPD.

Background: In Canada, COPD represents a significant burden to the patient and health system, as it is often under or misdiagnosed and sub-optimally treated. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a common co-morbidity in COPD and there is significant interplay between these two chronic conditions. Across all stages of COPD disease severity, deaths can be attributed not only to respiratory causes but also to cardiovascular-related factors.

The Impact of Body Image on Physical Function and Return to Work After Burn: A Burn Model System Study.

Burn injury can have a lasting impact on quality of life beyond the initial injury. The aim of this study was to examine the recovery process through analyzing the relationship between body image, physical function, and return to work. This study uses data from the Burn Model System (BMS) National Longitudinal Database and includes 1,001 participants injured between 2015 and 2023 who were measured using Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS-29) Physical Function, Employment Status, and the Body Image subscale.

Age-Specific Reference Intervals for Thyroid-Stimulating Hormones and Free Thyroxine to Optimize Diagnosis of Thyroid Disease.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and subsequent free thyroxine (FT4) concentrations outside the reference interval (RI) are used to diagnose thyroid diseases. Most laboratories do not provide age-specific RIs for TSH and FT4 beyond childhood, although TSH concentrations vary with age. Therefore, we aimed to establish TSH and FT4 age-specific RIs throughout life and aimed to determine whether using these RIs would result in reclassification of thyroid disease diagnoses in adults.

Spindle cell lipoma, a rare entity affecting the larynx: A case report.

Spindle cell lipoma is a very rare occurrence in the larynx and can be cured by complete excision. In this case report we present the case of a 71-year-old female who presented to the otorhinolaryngology outpatient department of Northwest General Hospital and Research Centre, Peshawar, with complaints of occasional irritation and a foreign body sensation in the throat while swallowing, for the last three years. She had undergone a surgical procedure 30 years back for the same complaint and remained asymptomatic till three years back.

Clinical characteristics and risk factors of severe COVID-19 in hospitalized neonates with omicron variant infection: a retrospective study.

Background: Reports on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in neonates are limited, especially in patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) Omicron variant. This study aims to analyze the clinical characteristics and identify risk factors associated with severe COVID-19 in neonates infected with Omicron variant.

Methods: The study population was represented by neonates with COVID-19, who were admitted to The Affiliated Children's Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University in northwest China, from December 10, 2022 to January 20, 2023.

Modeling antisense oligonucleotide therapy in MECP2 duplication syndrome human iPSC-derived neurons reveals gene expression programs responsive to MeCP2 levels.

Genomic copy-number variations (CNVs) that can cause neurodevelopmental disorders often encompass many genes, which complicates our understanding of how individual genes within a CNV contribute to pathology. MECP2 duplication syndrome (MDS or MRXSL in OMIM; OMIM#300260) is one such CNV disorder caused by duplications spanning methyl CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2) and other genes on Xq28. Using an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) to normalize MECP2 dosage is sufficient to rescue abnormal neurological phenotypes in mouse models overexpressing MECP2 alone, implicating the importance of increased MECP2 dosage within CNVs of Xq28.

Long-term outcomes of mechanochemical ablation using the Clarivein device for the treatment of great saphenous vein incompetence.

Objective: The short-term anatomical success rates of mechanochemical ablation using the Clarivein device (Merit Medical) in the treatment of great saphenous vein (GSV) incompetence are high. However, the anatomical success rates seem to drop over time. The aim of this study was to determine the long-term outcomes of GSV treatment using the Clarivein and to assess whether specific anatomical features better correlate with clinical or quality of life (QoL)-related outcomes.

IGLON5 Frequency in Idiopathic REM Sleep Behavior Disorder: A Multicenter Study.

Background And Objectives: Idiopathic/isolated REM sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) has been strongly linked to neurodegenerative synucleinopathies such as Parkinson disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and multiple system atrophy. However, there have been increasing reports of RBD as a presenting feature of serious and treatable autoimmune syndromes, particularly IGLON5. This study's objective was to investigate the frequency of autoantibodies in a large cohort of participants with iRBD.

Socioeconomic inequalities in patients undergoing abdominal wall reconstruction in the North-West of England, UK: a three-centre retrospective cohort study.

Purpose: Patients from deprived areas are more likely to experience longer waiting times for elective surgery, be multimorbid, and have inferior outcomes from elective and emergency surgery. This study aims to investigate how surgical outcomes vary by deprivation for patients undergoing elective abdominal wall reconstruction.

Methods: A three-centre retrospective cohort study was conducted across three hospitals in North-West England, including patients with complex ventral hernias undergoing abdominal wall reconstruction between 2013 and 2021.

Global neuro-oncology: what lies ahead for low- and middle-income countries?

Over the past few decades, the global healthcare community has achieved remarkable success in controlling many communicable diseases across various regions. However, non-communicable diseases now constitute a significant portion of disease morbidity and mortality, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Among these, cancer, in particular, is witnessing a notable increase in incidence in many LMICs.

Impact of Isoniazid Preventive Therapy on Tuberculosis Incidence and Predictors of Tuberculosis Among People Living With HIV/AIDS at Debre Tabor General Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) to decrease the effects of tuberculosis (TB) on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients. However, not enough research has been conducted to determine the impact of IPT on TB incidence and their predictors. Therefore, the goal of this study was to evaluate how IPT affects the incidence of TB and identify factors that are predictive of TB among HIV/AIDS patients.