TOS UK (Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, United Kingdom): A Retrospective Review of Practice.

Objective: Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is caused by compression of the neurovascular bundle at the thoracic outlet which often poses a diagnostic challenge. Patient management is often based on surgeon choice and experience. This study aims to describe practices relating to the diagnosis and management of TOS in the UK over a 1-year period.

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons General Thoracic Surgery Database: 2024 Update on Outcomes and Research.

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons General Thoracic Surgery Database (STS GTSD) remains the largest and most comprehensive audited thoracic surgical database in the world. As the STS GTSD grows to nearly 1 million cases, the pulmonary resection for cancer and esophagectomy short-term risk models have been refined to provide participants with benchmarked performance reports to facilitate quality improvement efforts. New for 2025 will be the development of long-term risk models and the online release of both short- and long-term risk calculators.

The neuroprotective effect of human umbilical cord MSCs-derived secretome against α-synuclein aggregates on the blood-brain barrier.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a specialized network that maintains central nervous system homeostasis. Disruption of the BBB can lead to neuronal damage and contribute to neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's disease (PD), characterized by alpha-synuclein (αSN) aggregation, which forms intracellular inclusions. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown promise in alleviating the severity of neurological diseases through their paracrine secretions.

Comparison between Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition criteria and protein-energy wasting in patients with kidney failure undergoing peritoneal dialysis.

Background: Protein-energy wasting (PEW) is the chronic kidney disease (CKD)-specific diagnosis encompassing malnutrition. PEW is associated with adverse outcomes, including those receiving peritoneal dialysis (PD). Identifying PEW requires accurate methods to improve diagnosis.

Prevalence, incidence, and clinical features of cardiac involvement in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis.

Background: The epidemiology and characteristics of cardiac involvement in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis remain unclear. We aimed to determine the prevalence, incidence, and clinical features of cardiac sarcoidosis in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis.

Methods: The characteristics of patients with biopsy-proven pulmonary sarcoidosis were retrospectively evaluated.

Outcomes of Anesthesia-Supported versus Endoscopist-Driven Sedation Modalities: A retrospective cohort study.

Background And Aims: Anesthesia involvement has become commonplace in many procedural settings. The goal of this study is to compare sedation modalities utilized by endoscopists and anesthesiologists in the endoscopy suite, particularly with respect to recovery time and adverse events.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study including adults (≥18) undergoing outpatient EGD and/or colonoscopy at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida between October 1, 2018 through December 31, 2022.

Updated Mini-Review on Polychlorinated Diphenyl Ethers (PCDEs) in Food: Levels and Dietary Intake.

Polychlorinated diphenyl ethers (PCDEs) are a class of chlorinated aromatic compounds with structural similarities to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs). Due to their physicochemical properties, PCDEs are highly resistant to degradation and tend to accumulate in soils, sediments, and aquatic organisms, making them capable of entering and persisting in the food chain. As with other persistent organic pollutants (POPs), diet represents the primary route of human exposure to PCDEs.

Efficacy of an online exercise program to improve weight management outcomes in individuals with obesity; A randomised trial.

Aims: To compare the efficacy of an online exercise programme with that of standard physical activity recommendations for weight management.

Methods: We conducted an unblinded randomised controlled trial involving individuals with obesity. The study group received dietary advice and participated in an online exercise programme, while the control group received dietary advice and exercise guidance via printed documents.

Changes in Out-of-Pocket Drug Expenditures Among Medicare Beneficiaries with Dementia Under the Inflation Reduction Act: A Simulation Study.

Objectives: We investigated how the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Medicare Part D benefit redesign may reduce out-of-pocket (OOP) drug expenditures for Medicare beneficiaries with dementia. Methods Design Utilizing data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) linked with Medicare claims, we simulated post-redesign OOP drug spending by applying the 2025 prescription drug cost-sharing rules to each beneficiary's pre-redesign Part D medication utilization data for 2016, adjusting for inflation. Participants Our study population comprised HRS respondents aged 65 and older in 2016, enrolled in Medicare fee-for-service, with at least one Part D drug claim in 2016, and diagnosed with dementia between 2000 and 2016 (n=1,677).

A Value Set for the EQ-5D-5L for United Arab Emirates.

Objectives To develop a value set for the EQ-5D-5L based on preferences of the general adult population of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods The study followed the EuroQol EQ-5D-5L Valuation protocol and involved conducting interviewer-administered face-to-face or online interviews in Arabic or English, using the EuroQol Valuation Technology (EQ-VT) with a sample of 1005 adults representing the UAE general population. Sample recruitment involved a two-stage quota sampling strategy across the seven Emirates of the UAE, ensuring representation of nationals and expatriates.

Development and testing the psychometric properties of 20 bolt-on items for the EQ-5D-5L across 31 rare diseases.

Objective: Our objective was to develop and assess the psychometric properties of relevant bolt-on items for the EQ-5D-5L in patients with rare diseases (RDs).

Methods: Nineteen new EQ-5D-5L bolt-ons were developed based on literature review, expert input and qualitative interviews and focus groups with patients, caregivers and representatives of patient associations. A nationwide, cross-sectional, web-based survey in China included patients or caregivers of patients with 31 RDs in China (n=9,190).

A Comparison of International Modelling Methods to Evaluate Health Economics of Colorectal Cancer Screening: A Systematic Review.

Objectives: Cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) is an accepted approach to evaluate cancer screening programmes. CEA estimates partially depend on modelling methods and assumptions used. Understanding common practice when modelling cancer relies on complete, accessible descriptions of prior work.

Co-existing autonomous cortisol secretion in primary aldosteronism.

Aim: Co-existing primary aldosteronism (PA) and autonomous cortisol secretion (ACS) has been recently recognized as a distinct entity. This study aimed to assess the incidence of ACS in patients with PA, and its impact on clinical and laboratory parameters.

Methods: Ninety-two patients diagnosed with PA were included.

Dietary carbohydrate quality is associated with epigenetic age acceleration: a cross-sectional study of the CARDIA cohort.

Background: Dietary intake is one lifestyle factor that is expected to impact gene expression by altering DNA methylation (DNAm), thus affecting epigenetic aging. Studies on the association between quality of carbohydrates and epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) are scarce despite the evidence that quality may be more important than amount of carbohydrates consumed.

Objective: We aimed to identify the cross-sectional associations of carbohydrate quality and fiber-rich food score with epigenetic age acceleration in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study.

In-vitro susceptibility of cefiderocol and other comparators in carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacilli: A study from India.

Introduction: Cefiderocol is a parenteral catechol-type siderophore cephalosporin, which has been approved for the treatment of gram-negative bacterial infections. Its activity among the carbapenem-resistant gram negative bacilli (CR-GNBs) in India is largely unknown.

Methodology: We tested in-vitro susceptibility of cefiderocol in 84 CR-GNB [ carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB), carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) , carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli (CREC) and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP)] by broth microdilution(BMD) and disc diffusion (DD) using Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) and European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) breakpoints and concordance of DD was compared with BMD.

An mHealth Intervention to Support Psychosocial Wellbeing of Racial and Ethnically Diverse Families in the NICU.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of an mHealth neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parent support smartphone application to improve psychosocial well-being, specifically reduced stress and anxiety, increased parenting competence, and improved social support among a diverse group of parents with infants born preterm in three Chicago-area NICUs.

Study Design: A time-lapsed, quasi-experimental design in which control participants were enrolled and then intervention participants enrolled. Data collection occurred at three timepoints: NICU admission (AD), discharge (DC), and 30 days post-discharge (DC+30).

Rubicon siRNA-encapsulated liver-targeting nanoliposome is a promising therapeutic for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a prevalent metabolic liver disorder worldwide, and effective therapeutic strategies for its treatment remains limited. In this article, we introduced Glipo-siRubi, a hepatocytes-targeting RNA interference (RNAi) nanoliposome for suppression of Rubicon expression, aiming to achieve precise regulation of autophagy in NAFLD. Autophagy activation induced by Rubicon suppression resulted in reduced endoplasmic reticulum stress and intracellular lipid accumulation in vitro.

Iontophoresis-driven transdermal drug delivery system based on porous microneedles for hyperuricemia treatment.

An iontophoresis-driven porous microneedles (IPMNs) system has been developed for hyperuricemia management, which can be effectively prolong the anti-hyperuricemia effect. Porous microneedles (PMNs) with good biocompatibility, high porous volume, and excellent substance exchange capacity were firstly prepared for drug transdermal delivery and active iontophoresis.In vitro experiments showed that the transdermal delivery efficiency of anti-hyperuricemia drug (Allopurinol, AP) could be controlled using the iontophoresis current of IPMNs system.

A randomised non-inferiority trial investigating antibiotic adjustments based on blood culture in acute cholangitis.

Objectives: This study evaluated the adequacy of using blood cultures alone for antibiotic therapy in mild-to-moderate acute cholangitis after adequate biliary drainage.

Methods: A prospective, multi-centre, non-inferiority, randomised trial was conducted from August 2015 to September 2023 across 12 tertiary hospitals in South Korea. Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to groups.

RNA Methylation Homeostasis in Ocular Diseases: All Eyes on Me.

RNA methylation is a pivotal epigenetic modification that adjusts various aspects of RNA biology, including nuclear transport, stability, and the efficiency of translation for specific RNA candidates. The methylation of RNA involves the addition of methyl groups to specific bases and can occur at different sites, resulting in distinct forms, such as N6-methyladenosine (mA), N1-methyladenosine (mA), 5-methylcytosine (mC), and 7-methylguanosine (mG). Maintaining an optimal equilibrium of RNA methylation is crucial for fundamental cellular activities such as cell survival, proliferation, and migration.

Retinal and Choroidal Circulation Impairments in Fanconi Anemia.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of Fanconi anemia (FA) on retinal and choroidal microvasculature using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA).

Design: Cohort study with age-matched controls.

Subjects And Participants: This study included 11 eyes from 11 patients diagnosed with FA and 12 eyes from 12 age-matched healthy controls.

Agreement between Color, Fluorescein Angiography, and SD-OCT in the Detection of Macular Fibrosis in Neovascular AMD.

Purpose: Color imaging is the accepted reference standard for detection of macular fibrosis in neovascular age-macular degeneration. Other imaging modalities of fluorescein angiography (FA) and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) are also used but no formal agreement studies exist. We evaluated the agreement between fibrosis on colour, FA and SD-OCT-detected hyperreflective material (HRM) and their clinical relevance.

Cardioesophageal Reflex. Should it trigger clinician's response?

Cardiologists and gastroenterologists often encounter the coexistence of symptoms and functional abnormalities, but determining causation is more difficult.​​ In 1962 Smith and Papp first coined the term "linked angina". Their statement was preceded by the experiment whereby increase in bile duct pressure elicited the typical chest pain in patients with ischemic heart disease.

Endothelial Growth Media Components Alters SARS-CoV-2 Spike-Directed Growth Kinetics.

Direct SARS-CoV-2 infection of endothelial cells is challenging to study in vitro. To examine whether endothelial cell culture conditions impact the ability of SARS-CoV-2 to infect cells, we evaluated the effects of commercial cell culture media composition on SARS-CoV-2 Spike-directed viral infection. In African Green Monkey kidney epithelial cells (VeroE6), we found that commercial cell culture media (EGM2) produced inhibitory effects on recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSV-SARS-CoV-2) growth that is not seen in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM).