Increased plasma DOPA decarboxylase levels in Lewy body disorders are driven by dopaminergic treatment.

DOPA Decarboxylase (DDC) has been proposed as a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarker with increased concentrations in Lewy body disorders (LBDs) and highest levels in patients receiving dopaminergic treatment. Here we evaluate plasma DDC, measured by proximity extension assay, and the effect of dopaminergic treatment in three independent LBD (with a focus on dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson's disease (PD)) cohorts: an autopsy-confirmed cohort (n = 71), a large multicenter, cross-dementia cohort (n = 1498) and a longitudinal cohort with detailed treatment information (n = 66, median follow-up time[IQR] = 4[4, 4] years). Plasma DDC was not altered between different LBDs and other disease groups or controls in absence of treatment.

Challenges and perspectives in the management of BRAF-mutated metastatic melanoma: Systemic treatment sequencing and brain metastases.

The global incidence of metastatic melanoma with BRAF mutations, characterized by aggressive behavior and poor prognosis, is rising. Recent treatment advances, including immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) and targeted therapies (TT) such as BRAF and MEK inhibitors, have significantly enhanced patient outcomes. Although guidelines recommend sequencing strategies, real-world implementation can be influenced by clinical scenarios.

Efficacy, immunogenicity, and safety of an investigational maternal respiratory syncytial virus prefusion F protein-based vaccine.

Background: In this phase 3 trial of an investigational maternal respiratory syncytial virus prefusion F protein-based vaccine (RSVPreF3-Mat), a higher rate of preterm birth was observed in the vaccine (6.8%) versus the placebo group (4.9%).

Refractory and Resistant Herpes Simplex Virus Mucocutaneous Infections in Immunocompromised Patients: Literature Review and Proposed Definitions for Use in Clinical Trials.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is one of the most prevalent viral infections worldwide. In general, host immunity is sufficient to clear viral shedding and recurrences, although it is insufficient to prevent subsequent virologic reactivations. In immunocompromised patients, prolonged and difficult-to-treat HSV infections may develop.

Urinary Endotrophin and Long-term Outcomes in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Background: Kidney fibrosis is a suggested cause of kidney failure and premature mortality. Because collagen type VI is closely linked to kidney fibrosis, we aimed to evaluate whether urinary endotrophin, a collagen type VI fragment, is associated with graft failure and mortality among kidney transplant recipients (KTR).

Methods: In this prospective cohort study, KTR with a functioning graft ≥1-y posttransplantation were recruited; 24-h urinary endotrophin excretion was measured using an ELISA method.

The impact of preoperative venous thromboembolism on patients undergoing TURBT: Perioperative outcomes and healthcare costs from US insurance claims data.

Objectives: To assess the impact of a positive history of venous thromboembolism (VTE) on perioperative outcomes, including length of in-hospital stay, readmission rates, 90-day postoperative complications, and healthcare costs in bladder cancer (BCa) patients undergoing transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) in the United States.

Patients And Methods: Patients aged ≥18 years with a BCa diagnosis undergoing TURBT were identified in the Merative® Marketscan® Research de-identified databases between 2007 and 2021. Multivariable logistic regression adjusted by relevant perioperative confounders was used to investigate the association between diagnosis of VTE before TURBT and 90-day complication rates, new postoperative VTE events, re-hospitalization, and total hospital expenditures (2021 US dollars).

Second-line treatment patterns and outcomes in advanced HCC after progression on atezolizumab/bevacizumab.

Background & Aims: Atezolizumab/bevacizumab (A/B) is now a standard first-line treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the optimal second-line regimen is not known. We evaluated real-world treatment patterns and outcomes to investigate factors associated with post-progression survival (PPS).

Methods: In this multicenter, international, retrospective study, we examined clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with advanced HCC who progressed on first-line A/B.

Rectovaginal Fistula Repair Following Vaginoplasty in Transgender Females: A Systematic Review of Surgical Techniques.

Rectovaginal fistula (RVF) remains a complex complication following gender-affirming vaginoplasty. This review aims to evaluate RVF repair techniques and outcomes following vaginoplasty. A systematic review was performed per PRISMA guidelines.

Identification of strengths and weaknesses of the healthcare system for persons living with rare diseases in Catalonia (Spain), and recommendations to improve its comprehensive attention: the "acERca las enfermedades raras" project.

Background: Rare diseases (RDs) are a heterogeneous group of complex and low-prevalence conditions in which the time to establish a definitive diagnosis is often too long. In addition, for most RDs, few to no treatments are available and it is often difficult to find a specialized care team.

Objectives: The project "acERca las enfermedades raras" (in English: "bringing RDs closer") is an initiative primary designed to generate a consensus by a multidisciplinary group of experts to detect the strengths and weaknesses in the public healthcare system concerning the comprehensive care of persons living with a RD (PLWRD) in the region of Catalonia, Spain, where a Network of Clinical Expert Units (Xarxa d'Unitats de Expertesa Clínica or XUEC) was created and is being implemented since 2015.

Interleukin-23 versus Interleukin-17 Inhibitors in Preventing Incidental Psoriatic Arthritis in Patients with Psoriasis: A Real-World Comparison From the TriNetX US Collaborative Network.

Background: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a common comorbidity in patients with psoriasis (PsO) that leads to significant disease burden. Biologic therapies targeting the interleukin (IL)-23/IL-17 axis have been widely used for PsO, but their comparative effectiveness in preventing PsA remains unclear.

Objective: The study objective was to compare the occurrence of developing incidental PsA among PsO patients treated with interleukin-23 inhibitors (IL23is) or interleukin-17 inhibitors (IL17is).

Spatial accuracy of dose delivery significantly impacts the planning target volume margin in linear accelerator-based intracranial stereotactic radiosurgery.

The impact of three-dimensional (3D) dose delivery accuracy of C-arm linacs on the planning target volume (PTV) margin was evaluated for non-coplanar intracranial stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). A multi-institutional 3D starshot test using beams from seven directions was conducted at 22 clinics using Varian and Elekta linacs with X-ray CT-based polymer gel dosimeters. Variability in dose delivery accuracy was observed, with the distance between the imaging isocenter and each beam exceeding 1 mm at one institution for Varian and nine institutions for Elekta.

Direct collaboration between hospitals and NGOs, an essential tool to reinforce linkage to care in people living with HIV.

With the aim of improving access and engagement to healthcare in people living with HIV (PLHIV), in 2022 Gregorio Marañón Hospital and the NGO COGAM developed a circuit for recruitment and referral to hospital. Program targeted PLHIV who were neither receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART) nor on medical follow-up (FU); but also, individuals at risk who underwent screening tests at the NGO and, if positive, were referred for confirmation. The result was an increase in annual new PLHIV seen in hospital by reaching a population who were, essentially, young men (94% male, median age 30 years), migrants (95%) with recent diagnosis of HIV (median 5 years) and who were recently arrived in Spain (median 5 months).

Generation, establishment and characterization of three pluripotent stem cell lines (CVTTHi002-A, CVTTHi003-A and CVTTHi004-A) from primary testicular somatic cells isolated from two prepuberal and one peripuberal Klinefelter Syndrome (47 XXY) patients.

Klinefelter Syndrome (KS) is an aneuploid genetic condition in males characterized by at least one additional copy of the X chromosome. Due to fibrotic degeneration of the testis, these patients suffer infertility in the future. The pathogenic mechanism by which this occurs is still not well known.

Intraindividual Comparison of Image Quality Between Low-Dose and Ultra-Low-Dose Abdominal CT With Deep Learning Reconstruction and Standard-Dose Abdominal CT Using Dual-Split Scan.

Objective: The aim of this study was to intraindividually compare the conspicuity of focal liver lesions (FLLs) between low- and ultra-low-dose computed tomography (CT) with deep learning reconstruction (DLR) and standard-dose CT with model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR) from a single CT using dual-split scan in patients with suspected liver metastasis via a noninferiority design.

Materials And Methods: This prospective study enrolled participants who met the eligibility criteria at 2 tertiary hospitals in South Korea from June 2022 to January 2023. The criteria included (a) being aged between 20 and 85 years and (b) having suspected or known liver metastases.

The Role of Multimodality Imaging in Multiple Valvular Heart Diseases. A Clinical Consensus Statement of the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI) of the ESC.

With this document, the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI) provides an Expert Consensus on the role of multi-modality imaging (MMI) in the management of patients with multiple valvular heart disease (MVD). Emphasis is given to the use of MMI to unravel the diagnostic challenges that characterize these patients and to improve risk stratification. Complementing the last European Society of Cardiology and European Association of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery guidelines on valvular heart disease, this Expert Consensus document also outlines how MMI assessment should form an integral part of the multi-disciplinary heart team discussion for patients with MVD to help with complex decision-making regarding the choice and timing of treatment.

Temperature Exposure and Psychiatric Symptoms in Adolescents From 2 European Birth Cohorts.

Importance: Climate change can adversely affect mental health, but the association of ambient temperature with psychiatric symptoms remains poorly understood.

Objective: To assess the association of ambient temperature exposure with internalizing, externalizing, and attention problems in adolescents from 2 population-based birth cohorts in Europe.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This cohort study analyzed data from the Dutch Generation R Study and the Spanish INMA (Infancia y Medio Ambiente) Project.

Association Between Plasmodium Infection and Blood Count Values: Implications for Malaria Diagnosis in Resource-Limited Settings.

Purpose: Malaria remains a major global health challenge, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), contributing substantially to mortality and morbidity rates. In resource-limited settings, access to specialized diagnostic tests is often restricted, making basic blood analysis a valuable diagnostic tool. This study investigated the correlation between malaria infection and full blood count values in a rural region of Ghana during the 2022 rainy season, aiming to highlight diagnostic insights available from routine blood analyses.

Pelvic ring fracture and erectile dysfunction (PERFECD) - 3 year follow-up cross sectional study.

Introduction: Pelvic ring fractures are known to be associated with complications associated with adjacent organ injuries, such as the urogenital tract (e.g. erectile dysfunction (ED), which are sometimes diagnosed in a delayed fashion.

Diffusion tensor imaging features of white matter pathways in the brain after COVID-19 infection.

Purpose: To determine whether there is a difference in apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) values in white matter pathways in the subacute period after COVID-19 infection and to evaluate the correlation between diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics and laboratory findings.

Material And Methods: The study included 64 healthy controls and 91 patients. Patients were classified as group 1 (all patients, n = 91), group 2 (outpatients, n = 58), or group 3 (inpatients, n = 33).

Large-Scale Validation of the Feasibility of GPT-4 as a Proofreading Tool for Head CT Reports.

Background The increasing workload of radiologists can lead to burnout and errors in radiology reports. Large language models, such as OpenAI's GPT-4, hold promise as error revision tools for radiology. Purpose To test the feasibility of GPT-4 use by determining its error detection, reasoning, and revision performance on head CT reports with varying error types and to validate its clinical utility by comparison with human readers.

Clinical and Prognostic Significance of Additional Chromosomal Abnormalities at Diagnosis of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia.

The influence of t(v;22) sole, major route ACAs all (+8, n = 14; +Ph, n = 10; +19, n = 1), and -Y sole on progression-free survival. Survival curves are compared with those of patients with the standard t(9;22) translocation. Other ACAs or complex karyotypes did not influence survival.

Pathogenicity assessment of genetic variants identified in patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia: novel cases of Familial Chylomicronemia Syndrome from the Dyslipidemia Registry of the Spanish Atherosclerosis Society.

Purpose: Genetic testing is required to confirm a diagnosis of familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS). We assessed the pathogenicity of variants identified in the FCS canonical genes to diagnose FCS cases.

Methods: 245 patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia underwent next-generation sequencing.

Using Anal Cytology and Human Papillomavirus DNA and E6/E7 mRNA Detection to Optimize High-Resolution Anoscopy Referrals in Men Who Have Sex With Men With HIV.

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate screening procedures for anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSILs) with anal liquid-based cytology (aLBC) and biomarkers to identify candidates for high-resolution anoscopy (HRA).

Methods: This cross-sectional study included men who have sex with men with HIV. Participants underwent HRA, aLBC, and biomarker testing.

Environment scan of generative AI infrastructure for clinical and translational science.

This study reports a comprehensive environmental scan of the generative AI (GenAI) infrastructure in the national network for clinical and translational science across 36 institutions supported by the CTSA Program led by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) at the United States. Key findings indicate a diverse range of institutional strategies, with most organizations in the experimental phase of GenAI deployment. The results underscore the need for a more coordinated approach to GenAI governance, emphasizing collaboration among senior leaders, clinicians, information technology staff, and researchers.

Real-world usage and effectiveness of recombinant factor IX Fc in haemophilia B from the B-SURE study in France.

Background: More real-world data are needed to complement existing phase III studies on the efficacy and safety of recombinant factor IX Fc fusion protein (rFIXFc) in people with haemophilia B.

Objectives: We report final data from the B-SURE study, evaluating the real-world usage and effectiveness of rFIXFc in France.

Methods: Previously treated patients (all ages/severities) received on-demand or prophylactic rFIXFc during B-SURE.