A Case of a Newborn Presenting With a VACTERL-Like Association.

The VACTERL (vertebral defects, anal atresia, cardiac defects, tracheoesophageal fistula, renal anomalies, and limb abnormalities) association represents an enigmatic syndrome requiring further study. This report describes a full-term neonate born to a multiparous woman who was found, upon further examination, to have multiple congenital abnormalities, including a bicuspid aortic valve, patent foramen ovale, tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF), asymmetric crying facies, microphallus, and a single inguinal testis. The discussion explores environmental and genetic factors that may contribute to this association, as well as similar conditions, such as CHARGE (coloboma, heart defects, choanal atresia, growth retardation, genital abnormalities, and ear abnormalities) syndrome.

Anti-bacterial Efficacy of Zirconium Oxide Nanoparticles on Streptococcus mutans and Enterococcus faecalis: An In Vitro Study.

Introduction Complex interactions between cariogenic bacteria and host factors modulate dental caries. , a gram-positive facultative anaerobe plays a prominent role in the initiation of caries. The ability of to adhere to salivary enamel pellicle results in an acidic local habitat for the organism.

Imaging for Asynchronous Bilateral Epidural Hematoma: A Case Report.

Asynchronous bilateral hematomas are exceedingly rare and pose increased risk and challenge during surgical treatment. In this case report, a 31-year-old male patient was initially found to have only a large left-sided epidural hematoma which was subsequently evacuated. An immediate postoperative CT scan demonstrated a new right-sided epidural hematoma.

Sporotrichoid Nocardiosis in an Immunocompetent Patient: A Case Report.

spp. rarely cause infection in humans and are most common in the immunocompromised population. Pulmonary nocardiosis is the most common presentation.

A Case of Transthyretin Cardiac Amyloidosis Coexisting With Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Cardiac amyloidosis is a rare but increasingly recognized cause of heart failure, often underdiagnosed until later stages of the disease. This report describes a case of transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) in a 68-year-old male patient with a significant medical history of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a combination seldom documented in the literature. The patient presented with progressive symptoms of heart failure, and diagnostic testing confirmed ATTR cardiac amyloidosis through pyrophosphate (PYP) scanning.

Siblings With Berardinelli-Seip Congenital Lipodystrophy: Clinical Insights and Challenges.

Berardinelli-Seip congenital lipodystrophy (BSCL), also known as congenital generalized lipodystrophy (CGL), is an exceptionally rare autosomal recessive disorder marked by a significant deficiency of adipose tissue throughout the body. This lack of adipose tissue, normally found beneath the skin and between internal organs, leads to impaired adipocyte formation and fat storage, causing lipids to accumulate in atypical tissues such as muscles and the liver. The extent of adipose tissue loss directly influences the severity of symptoms, which can include a muscular appearance, increased appetite, bone cysts, marrow fat depletion, acromegalic features, severe insulin resistance, skeletal muscle hypertrophy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, hepatic steatosis, hepatomegaly, cirrhosis, and intellectual disability.

Differentiating Cystic Lesions in the Sellar Region of the Brain Using Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Early Diagnosis: A Prospective Review of the Novel Diagnostic Modalities.

This paper investigates the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to enhance the differentiation of cystic lesions in the sellar region, such as pituitary adenomas, Rathke cleft cysts (RCCs) and craniopharyngiomas (CP), through the use of advanced neuroimaging techniques, particularly magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The goal is to explore how AI-driven models, including convolutional neural networks (CNNs), deep learning, and ensemble methods, can overcome the limitations of traditional diagnostic approaches, providing more accurate and early differentiation of these lesions. The review incorporates findings from critical studies, such as using the Open Access Series of Imaging Studies (OASIS) dataset (Kaggle, San Francisco, USA) for MRI-based brain research, highlighting the significance of statistical rigor and automated segmentation in developing reliable AI models.

Accelerated Low-Dose Total Skin Electron Beam Therapy Using the Modified Stanford Technique: An In Vivo Dosimetry Confirmation Study.

Purpose Low-dose total skin electron beam therapy (LD-TSEBT) has recently gained popularity in treating mycosis fungoides (MF) due to its reduced toxicity and favorable response rates. Combining accelerated LD-TSEBT with the modified Stanford technique (mST), a condensed cycling approach, offers a promising and convenient option. However, in vivo dosimetry data confirming the effectiveness of this approach is limited.

Current Treatment Paradigm and Approach to Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common forms of primary liver cancer worldwide. Herein, we present a review article that provides a broad overview of the current landscape of HCC, including the etiology, potential risk factors, and molecular pathways that can serve as potential therapeutic targets. The risk factors tend to vary depending on the geographic distribution; hepatitis B-induced cirrhosis and HCC occur more frequently in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, whereas metabolic disorders are the culprits in Western Europe and the Americas.

The Assessment of TikTok as a Source of Quality Health Information on Human Papillomavirus: A Content Analysis.

Background Various studies have evaluated the quality of health-related information on TikTok (ByteDance Ltd., Beijing, China), including topics such as COVID-19, diabetes, varicoceles, bladder cancer, colorectal cancer, and others. However, there is a paucity of data on studies that examined TikTok as a source of quality health information on human papillomavirus (HPV).

Four-Point C2 Fixation for Unstable Atlas Fractures: Technical Note.

Traumatic burst fractures of the atlas occur with axial loading of the cervical spine. Many of these injuries can be treated by nonsurgical management with external orthosis; however, cases with transverse ligament disruption or significant C1 lateral mass displacement require internal reduction and fixation. In patients with poor bone quality in the setting of osteoporosis or chronic illness, atlanto-axial fixation and reduction of the fracture can be a challenge, necessitating extension of fusion to the occiput, which significantly limits the range of motion.

A Rare Case of Congenital Buccal Lipoblastoma in a Term Neonate.

A lipoblastoma is a benign tumor of adipocytes originating from embryonic white fat and occurs in the pediatric population. Congenital lipoblastomas, however, are rare, and the incidence of these tumors in neonates is unknown. Due to their rare presentation, congenital oral lipoblastomas can, firstly, pose diagnostic challenges for the pediatrician and must be differentiated from the more commonly seen oral lesions in the newborn and other rare malignant growths.

A Complicated Triad of Diabetic Ketoacidosis, Hypertriglyceridemia, and Acute Pancreatitis in a Patient With Alcohol Abuse and Undiagnosed Diabetes Mellitus.

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), hypertriglyceridemia, and acute pancreatitis are a rare and potentially fatal triad. This article presents a fatal case of acute pancreatitis, DKA, and hypertriglyceridemia in a patient with undiagnosed diabetes mellitus struggling with alcoholism. The patient was unresponsive to standard pancreatitis and DKA treatment protocol and progressed to develop multi-organ failure.

Access to Hearing Healthcare and Barriers Among United States Veterans: A Survey-Based Study.

Objective: We investigated use of hearing care among US veterans and explore motivations, barriers, and adherence to hearing healthcare.

Study Design: Cross-sectional online survey.

Setting: US Veterans.

Abdominal myosteatosis measured with computed tomography predicts poor outcomes in patients with glioblastoma.

Background: Alterations in cellular metabolism affect cancer survival and can manifest in metrics of body composition. We investigated the effects of various body composition metrics on survival in patients with glioblastoma (GBM).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients who had an abdominal and pelvic computed tomography (CT) scan performed within 1 month of diagnosis of GBM (178 participants, 102 males, 76 females, median age: 62.

Azithromycin-loaded PLGA microspheres coated with silk fibroin ameliorate inflammation and promote periodontal tissue regeneration.

Periodontitis, a widespread inflammatory disease, is the major cause of tooth loss in adults. While mechanical periodontal therapy benefits the periodontal disease treatment, adjunctive periodontal therapy is also necessary. Topically applied anti-inflammatory agents have gained considerable attention in periodontitis therapy.

Trend of Representation of Women in Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Endoscopy Conferences in Asia.

Objectives: Despite progress in promoting gender equality, gender bias remains a significant obstacle for women and hinders their academic advancement. We aim to survey and critically analyze women's representation in conferences and changes over time in various regions of Asian countries.

Methods: An international survey was conducted with representatives from East Asia (Hong Kong, China, and Japan), South Asia (India and Pakistan), and Southeast Asia (Vietnam and Thailand).

Pediatric Scleral Lenses: 21-Year Retrospective Review.

Purpose: Retrospective study to review scleral lens outcomes in the pediatric population over a 21-year period, at a single clinical center.

Results: A total of 209 pediatric eyes (108 males and 101 females), distributed between 97 right and 112 left eyes, of which 147 eyes had ocular surface disease and 62 eyes had irregular cornea/refractive conditions, were treated with scleral lenses over a 21-year period. The mean age at the time of treatment initiation was 10.

Evidence for targeting autonomic dysfunction in systemic sclerosis: A scoping review.

Autonomic dysfunction is a common and early complication among patients with systemic sclerosis, suggesting that it may play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease and be a potential target for therapeutic interventions. Although the true prevalence of autonomic dysfunction among patients with systemic sclerosis is still unclear, it is estimated that as many as 80% of patients may be affected. Autonomic dysfunction may lead to widespread multi-organ dysfunction through its effects on the cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, sweat and salivary glands, and pupils.

Patient and Healthcare Professional Perspectives on Crohn's Perianal Fistula Treatment: Results From a Discrete Choice Experiment.

Background: Crohn's perianal fistulas (CPF) are difficult to manage and often require multiple interventions. This study aimed to assess the preferences of patients and healthcare professionals (HCPs) for attributes of CPF-related procedures/surgeries to better inform CPF management.

Methods: This US cross-sectional, observational study was conducted via a web-enabled questionnaire (October 2021-January 2022) among patients aged 21-89 years with a self-reported physician diagnosis of CPF (with or without CPF-related surgery experience) and HCPs (gastroenterologists and colorectal surgeons who managed ≥3 patients with CPF in the past 12 months).

Spectroscopic and calorimetric study of the interaction between Nile blue and double-stranded RNA.

Nile blue has been widely used in histological staining, fluorescence labeling, and DNA probing, with its intercalation behavior into the DNA helix being well documented. Here, we present a comprehensive investigation to address a current knowledge gap regarding the binding properties of Nile blue to two types of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA): poly(A·U) and poly(I·C), using various biophysical techniques. Absorption and fluorescence spectroscopic studies suggest a significant binding interaction between Nile blue and the two designated dsRNAs, specifically indicating an intercalation binding mode with poly(A·U) and demonstrating a noticeably higher binding affinity compared to poly(I·C).

Coping and Social Support in Relation to Minority Stress and Cigarette Smoking Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Veterans.

The intersection between a minoritized sexual orientation identity and a U.S. military Veteran status places lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) Veterans at increased risk for cigarette smoking.

Pharyngeal airway dimensions and adipose distribution in the minipig.

Objective: To evaluate the pharyngeal airway dimensions and regional pharyngeal adipose distribution in the young adult minipig model.

Materials And Methods: Eight 7-8-months-old Yucatan minipigs, half male and female, were sedated and placed prone to scan the pharyngeal region. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed using dynamic turbo-field echo (TFE)-sequence with respiratory gating and adipose-weighted sequence.

LiAlClS: a low-cost and high-performance solid electrolyte for solid-state batteries.

Solid electrolytes (SEs) are crucial for advancing next-generation rechargeable battery technologies, but their commercial viability is partially limited by expensive precursors, unscalable synthesis, or low ionic conductivity. Lithium tetrahaloaluminates offer an economical option but exhibit low Li conductivities with high activation energy barriers. This study reports the synthesis of lithium aluminum chalcohalide (LiAlClS) using inexpensive precursors one-step mechanochemical milling.