What Can We Learn From Qualitative Impact Evaluations About the Effectiveness of Lobby and Advocacy? A Meta-Evaluation of Dutch aid Programmes and Assessment Tool.

Official development agencies are increasingly supporting civil society lobby and advocacy (L&A) to address poverty and human rights. However, there are challenges in evaluating L&A. As programme objectives are often to change policies or practices in a single institution like a Government Ministry, L&A programmes are often not amenable to large-n impact evaluation methods.

The potential of antibody-drug conjugates for effective therapy in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Introduction: Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are a rapidly evolving class of anti-cancer drugs with a significant impact on management of hematological malignancies including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). ADCs combine a cytotoxic drug (a.k.

Diurnal fluctuations of subthalamic nucleus local field potentials follow naturalistic sleep-wake behavior in Parkinson's disease.

Study Objectives: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) may improve sleep dysfunction, a common non-motor symptom of Parkinson disease (PD). Improvement in motor symptoms correlates with DBS-suppressed local field potential (LFP) activity, particularly in the beta frequency (13 - 30 Hz). Although well-characterized in the short term, little is known about the innate progression of these oscillations across the sleep-wake cycle.

Multicenter In-House Evaluation of an Amplicon-Based Next-Generation Sequencing Panel for Comprehensive Molecular Profiling.

Background: Predicting response to targeted cancer therapies increasingly relies on both simple and complex genetic biomarkers. Comprehensive genomic profiling using high-throughput assays must be evaluated for reproducibility and accuracy compared with existing methods.

Methods: This study is a multicenter evaluation of the Oncomine™ Comprehensive Assay Plus (OCA Plus) Pan-Cancer Research Panel for comprehensive genomic profiling of solid tumors.

Beyond the Herald Patch: Exploring the Complex Landscape of Pityriasis Rosea.

Pityriasis rosea (PR) is a prevalent dermatological condition characterized by a distinctive herald patch, followed by secondary eruptions, often forming a "Christmas tree" pattern on the trunk. Despite its recognizable clinical presentation, the etiology of PR remains uncertain, with hypotheses pointing to both infectious and noninfectious origins. Human herpesviruses (HHV) 6 and 7 have been implicated, with evidence suggesting viral reactivation as a potential trigger.

Physical Activity Amid a Pandemic: How Socioeconomic and Demographic Factors Shaped Behaviors During COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic led to significant shifts in societal norms and individual behaviors, including changes in physical activity levels. This study examines the relationship between socioeconomic and sociodemographic factors and changes in physical activity levels during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic levels among adult Arkansans. Survey data were collected from 1,205 adult Arkansans in July and August 2020, capturing socioeconomic and sociodemographic characteristics and information on physical activity changes since the onset of the pandemic.

Early Reinitiation of Obesity Pharmacotherapy Post Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy in Youth: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Bariatric surgery is the most effective intervention for severe pediatric obesity, but a subset of youth experience suboptimal weight loss and/or recurrent weight gain. Early re-initiation of obesity pharmacotherapy postoperatively may improve outcomes, though this has not been evaluated in pediatric populations.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study at a tertiary care children's hospital evaluated the safety and efficacy of reintroducing obesity pharmacotherapy within six weeks after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG).

Partial versus radical cystectomy in localized colorectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Locally advanced colorectal tumors frequently invade adjacent organs, particularly the urinary bladder in the sigmoid colon and upper rectum, complicating multivisceral resections. This study compared postoperative outcomes of partial cystectomy (PC) and total cystectomy (TC) in patients with locally advanced colorectal cancer.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Central Register of Clinical Trials, and Web of Science for studies published up to November 2024.

"The Brain is…": A Survey of the Brain's Many Definitions.

A reader of the peer-reviewed neuroscience literature will often encounter expressions like the following: 'the brain is a dynamic system', 'the brain is a complex network', or 'the brain is a highly metabolic organ'. These expressions attempt to define the essential functions and properties of the mammalian or human brain in a simple phrase or sentence, sometimes using metaphors or analogies. We sought to survey the most common phrases of the form 'the brain is…' in the biomedical literature to provide insights into current conceptualizations of the brain.

Projections of Public Spending on Pharmaceuticals: A Review of Methods.

Background: Forecasting future public pharmaceutical expenditure is a challenge for healthcare payers, particularly owing to the unpredictability of new market introductions and their economic impact. No best-practice forecasting methods have been established so far. The literature distinguishes between the top-down approach, based on historical trends, and the bottom-up approach, using a combination of historical and horizon scanning data.

Do transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks improve pain after laparoscopic bilateral inguinal hernia repairs beyond the recovery unit? A randomized control trial.

Purpose: While surgeons agree that perioperative field blocks should be performed for open inguinal hernia surgery, there lacks consensus in the minimally invasive context. Prior small-scale randomized trials study pain scores only up to 24 h postoperatively. Thus, we sought to investigate the analgesic benefits of a bupivacaine transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block in the first 4 postoperative days.

Updates on Methods for Body Composition Analysis: Implications for Clinical Practice.

Background: Recent technological advances have introduced novel methods for measuring body composition, each with unique benefits and limitations. The choice of method often depends on the trade-offs between accuracy, cost, participant burden, and the ability to measure specific body composition compartments.

Objective: To review the considerations of cost, accuracy, portability, and participant burden in reference and emerging body composition assessment methods, and to evaluate their clinical applicability.

Assessing the Risk of Sexually Transmitted Infections among Men who have Sex with Men in San Francisco during COVID-19: A Socio-ecological Analysis.

Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by sexually transmitted infections, a disparity that has only worsened in recent years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, an overall increasing trend remained.

Methods: We utilized data from the MSM cycle of the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (NHBS) study in San Francisco, California, conducted from June 2021 through December 2021, to identify socio-ecological disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic that were associated with sexually transmitted infections.

Extracellular vesicles: essential agents in critical bone defect repair and therapeutic enhancement.

Bone serves as a fundamental structural component in the body, playing pivotal roles in support, protection, mineral supply, and hormonal regulation. However, critical-sized bone injuries have become increasingly prevalent, necessitating extensive medical interventions due to limitations in the body's capacity for self-repair. Traditional approaches, such as autografts, allografts, and xenografts, have yielded unsatisfactory results.

Comparison of tibiofibular syndesmosis stability following treatment of proximal, middle, and distal third fibula fractures.

Purpose: While treatment modalities for Maisonneuve fractures involving the proximal third of the fibula are established, no studies to date have reported outcomes associated with syndesmotic-only fixation of middle third fibular shaft fractures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate outcomes associated with syndesmotic-only fixation in the treatment of Maisonneuve fractures involving the middle third of the fibula.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on 257 cases of syndesmotic ankle instability with associated fibular fractures at a level 1 trauma center between 2013 and 2023.

Ovarian cancer staging and follow-up: updated guidelines from the European Society of Urogenital Radiology female pelvic imaging working group.

Objective: To provide up-to-date European Society of Urogenital Radiology (ESUR) guidelines for staging and follow-up of patients with ovarian cancer (OC).

Methods: Twenty-one experts, members of the female pelvis imaging ESUR subcommittee from 19 institutions, replied to 2 rounds of questionnaires regarding imaging techniques and structured reporting used for pre-treatment evaluation of OC patients. The results of the survey were presented to the other authors during the group's annual meeting.

IL-17 as a putative hallmark of intense arthralgia and age-related serum immune mediator networks during acute chikungunya fever.

Introduction: The present study aimed at evaluating the systemic profile and network connectivity of immune mediators during acute chikungunya fever (CHIKF) according to days of symptoms onset and ageing.

Methods: A total of 161 volunteers (76 CHIKF patients and 85 non-infected healthy controls) were enrolled.

Results And Discussion: Data demonstrated that a massive and polyfunctional storm of serum immune mediators was observed in CHIKF.

Percutaneous hallux fusion with calcaneus bone autograft: a retrospective cohort study of clinical and radiographic outcomes.

Background: In the case of end-stage hallux rigidus, first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint arthrodesis is the gold-standard and is traditionally performed via an open approach. However, complications such as nonunion have been reported to be as high as 30%. Recently, there have been reports demonstrating a percutaneous approach to be effective and safe.

Can We Maintain Muscle Mass on a Plant-Based Diet?

Purpose Of Review: This review aims to determine whether muscle mass and function can be effectively maintained without relying on animal-based protein sources. We evaluate the quality, digestibility, and essential amino acid profiles of plant-based proteins to understand their potential in preventing and managing sarcopenia.

Recent Finding: Recent studies indicate that while animal-based proteins have traditionally been considered the gold standard for supporting muscle protein synthesis, certain plant-based protein blends, fortified with leucine or other essential amino acids, can produce comparable anabolic responses.

Functional outcomes after ankle fracture-dislocation: a systematic review.

Introduction: Ankle fractures represent a significant portion of orthopedic injuries, with fracture dislocations tending to have worse outcomes. Logsplitter fractures represent a subset of fracture dislocations in which the talus is axially wedged in the tibiofibular joint. We aim to comprehensively investigate and report on the complications and functional outcomes associated with ankle fracture-dislocations.

Safety of accessing brachial veins for large-bore upper extremity venous thrombectomy using ClotTriever Thrombectomy System.

Purpose: To evaluate access site adverse events following ClotTriever-mediated large-bore mechanical thrombectomy via small upper extremity deep veins (< 6-mm).

Materials And Methods: Twenty patients, including 24 upper extremity venous access sites, underwent ClotTriever-mediated large-bore thrombectomy of the upper extremity and thoracic central veins for symptomatic deep vein obstruction unresponsive to anticoagulation. Patients without follow-up venous duplex examinations (n = 3) were excluded.

The role of the Mediterranean diet in reducing the risk of cognitive impairement, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease: a meta-analysis.

Age-related cognitive impairment and dementia pose a significant global health, social, and economic challenge. While Alzheimer's disease (AD) has historically been viewed as the leading cause of dementia, recent evidence reveals the considerable impact of vascular cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID), which now accounts for nearly half of all dementia cases. The Mediterranean diet-characterized by high consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and olive oil-has been widely recognized for its cardiovascular benefits and may also reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia.

Evaluating the Real-World Safety of Icosapent Ethyl Versus Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid in Nationwide US Veterans Cohort: Examining Atrial Fibrillation and Bleeding Endpoints.

Purpose: The REDUCE-IT randomized trial demonstrated a cardiovascular benefit of icosapent ethyl (IPE) but also raised potential safety signals for atrial fibrillation (AF) and serious bleeding. We aimed to evaluate the real-world safety of IPE versus mixed omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (OM-3) formulations.

Methods: This retrospective active comparator new-user cohort study compared rates of new-onset AF and major bleeding (MB) among adult new users of IPE versus OM-3 in 2020-2024 US Veterans Affairs data.

The Cost-Effectiveness of CDK4/6 Inhibitors in Treating HR+/HER2- Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients in the USA: When Non-medication Expenses are Considered.

Background And Objective: Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)4/6 inhibitors in combination with endocrine therapy (ET) significantly enhance progression-free survival and overall survival in patients diagnosed with HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer (MBC). However, they are highly expensive, and their economic impact has not been fully evaluated. This is a retrospective secondary analysis evaluating the cost effectiveness of these drugs, differentiating between medication-related and non-medication costs from a healthcare perspective.