Biological variation of cardiac biomarkers in athletes during an entire sport season.

Objectives: Cardiac biomarkers are useful for the diagnostic and prognostic assessment of myocardial injury (MI) and heart failure. By measuring specific proteins released into the bloodstream during heart stress or damage, these biomarkers help clinicians detect the presence and extent of heart injury and tailor appropriate treatment plans. This study aims to provide robust biological variation (BV) data for cardiac biomarkers in athletes, specifically focusing on those applied to detect or exclude MI, such as myoglobin, creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB) and cardiac troponins (cTn), and those related to heart failure and cardiac dysfunction, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal brain natriuretic pro-peptide (NT-proBNP).

Combined use of cleft and truncated triangle signs helps improve the preoperative MRI diagnosis of lateral meniscus posterior root tears in patients with ACL injuries.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate whether combining the analysis of different magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signs enhances the diagnostic accuracy of lateral meniscus posterior root tears (LMPRTs) in patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. We hypothesised that analysing the cleft, ghost and truncated triangle signs and lateral meniscus extrusion (LME) measurement together would improve the preoperative MRI-based diagnosis of LMPRTs.

Methods: This retrospective study used prospectively collected registry data from two academic centres, including patients undergoing primary or revision ACL reconstruction (ACLR) and LMPRT repair.

Characterisation of the Novel HLA-C*03:657 Allele in a Korean Individual by Next-Generation Sequencing.

HLA-C*03:657 differs from HLA-C*03:04:01:02 by one nucleotide substitution in codon 82 in exon 2.

Artificial Intelligence in Pancreatic Imaging: A Systematic Review.

The rising incidence of pancreatic diseases, including acute and chronic pancreatitis and various pancreatic neoplasms, poses a significant global health challenge. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) for example, has a high mortality rate due to late-stage diagnosis and its inaccessible location. Advances in imaging technologies, though improving diagnostic capabilities, still necessitate biopsy confirmation.

Intervention of a Communication Between PI3K/Akt and β-Catenin by (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Suppresses TGF-β1-Promoted Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Invasive Phenotype of NSCLC Cells.

The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) assists in the acquisition of invasiveness, relapse, and resistance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and can be caused by the signaling of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) through Smad-mediated or Smad-independent pathways. (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a multifunctional cancer-preventing bioconstituent found in tea polyphenols, has been shown to repress TGF-β1-triggered EMT in the human NSCLC A549 cell line by inhibiting the activation of Smad2 and Erk1/2 or reducing the acetylation of Smad2 and Smad3. However, its impact on the Smad-independent pathway remains unclear.

A preliminary ex vivo diffusion tensor imaging study of distinct aortic morphologies.

Changes in the microstructure of the aortic wall precede the progression of various aortic pathologies, including aneurysms and dissection. Current clinical decisions with regards to surgical planning and/or radiological intervention are guided by geometric features, such as aortic diameter, since clinical imaging lacks tissue microstructural information. The aim of this proof-of-concept work is to investigate a non-invasive imaging method, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), in ex vivo aortic tissue to gain insights into the microstructure.

AdvantAGE: Implementation and Evaluation of an Interprofessional Transitional Care Model for Frail Older Adults-Protocol of an Effectiveness-Implementation Hybrid Study.

Aim: To implement and evaluate an Advanced Practice Nurse-led transitional care model (AdvantAGE) to reduce rehospitalisation rates in frail older adults discharged from a Swiss geriatric hospital.

Design: The study adopts an effectiveness-implementation hybrid design (Type 1) to simultaneously evaluate the effectiveness of the care model and explore the implementation process.

Methods: The primary outcome, the 90-day rehospitalisation rate, will be evaluated using a matched-cohort design with a prospective intervention group and a retrospective control group.

Comparison of taurolidine with 4% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid on antimicrobial lock effectiveness: An experimental study.

Background: Antimicrobial lock therapy is recommended for preventing and treating catheter-related bloodstream infections, but different solutions have uncertain efficacy.

Methods: Two locks, 1.35% taurolidine and 4% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), were tested on Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant S.

Extracellular vesicles in ageing cold-stored whole blood may not compensate for the decreasing haemostatic function in vitro.

Background: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have procoagulative properties. As EVs are known to accumulate in stored blood products, we compared the EV content and coagulation capacity of leukoreduced cold-stored whole blood (CSWB) with current prehospital and in-hospital component therapies to understand the role of EVs in the haemostatic capacity of ageing CSWB.

Materials And Methods: Blood was obtained from 12 O RhD-positive male donors.

Precision in Liver Diagnosis: Varied Accuracy Across Subgroups and the Need for Variable Thresholds in Diagnosis of MASLD.

Background And Aims: The performance of non-invasive liver tests (NITs) is known to vary across settings and subgroups. We systematically evaluated whether the performance of three NITs in detecting advanced fibrosis in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) varies with age, sex, body mass index (BMI), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) status or liver enzymes.

Methods: Data from 586 adult LITMUS Metacohort participants with histologically characterised MASLD were included.

Defining Excellence: The First Core Set of Quality Indicators for the European Paediatric Surgical Audit on Hirschsprung's Disease Care.

Aim: This study aimed to develop a universally applicable core set of quality indicators for Hirschsprung's disease care through a consensus-driven process, to standardise and improve care quality across Europe.

Methods: A modified Delphi method was used to achieve consensus among healthcare professionals (HPs) and patient representatives (PRs) across Europe. Participants completed three rounds of anonymous surveys, rating quality indicators for Hirschsprung's disease care.

Noninvasive in vivo imaging of macrophages: understanding tumor microenvironments and delivery of therapeutics.

Macrophages are pivotal in the body's defense and response to inflammation. They are present in significant numbers and are widely implicated in various diseases, including cancer. While molecular and histological techniques have advanced our understanding of macrophage biology, their precise function within the cancerous microenvironments remains underexplored.

Incidence and Risk Factors for Varicella-Zoster Virus-Associated Central Nervous System Infections: A Nationwide Swedish Retrospective Case-Control Study.

The determinants of varicella-zoster virus (VZV)-associated central nervous system (CNS) infection have not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the incidence and risk factors, including immunosuppression, for different manifestations of VZV-associated CNS infection. Patient registers were used to include adults diagnosed with VZV-associated CNS infections between 2010 and 2019 in Sweden.

Altered medial temporal lobe subregion volumes in systemic lupus erythematosus patients with neuropsychiatric symptoms.

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) often presents with neuropsychiatric (NP) involvement, including cognitive impairment and depression. Past magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) research in SLE patients showed smaller hippocampal volumes but did not investigate other medial temporal lobe (MTL) regions. Our study aims to compare MTL subregional volumes in SLE patients to healthy individuals (HI) and explore MTL subregional volumes in relation to neuropsychiatric SLE (NPSLE) manifestations.

RADAR-AD: assessment of multiple remote monitoring technologies for early detection of Alzheimer's disease.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting millions worldwide, leading to cognitive and functional decline. Early detection and intervention are crucial for enhancing the quality of life of patients and their families. Remote Monitoring Technologies (RMTs) offer a promising solution for early detection by tracking changes in behavioral and cognitive functions, such as memory, language, and problem-solving skills.

Propensity score matched comparison of lymph node upstaging in early-stage lung cancer: open versus minimally invasive surgery with standardized lymphadenectomy.

Background: Lymph node upstaging represents a quality criterion for standardized lymphadenectomy in lung cancer surgery. The aim of the study was to compare whether the quality of standardized lymphadenectomy in lung cancer surgery is comparable in minimally invasive (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery) and the open approach (thoracotomy). Furthermore, factors associated with lymph node upstaging were assessed, as was its impact on overall survival and progression-free survival.

Incorporating Spatial and Spectral Saturation Modules Into MR Fingerprinting.

In this work, we introduce spatial and chemical saturation options for artefact reduction in magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) and assess their impact on T and T mapping accuracy. An existing radial MRF pulse sequence was modified to enable spatial and chemical saturation. Phantom experiments were performed to demonstrate flow artefact reduction and evaluate the accuracy of the T and T maps.

Immunomodulation effects of collagen hydrogel encapsulating extracellular vesicles derived from calcium silicate stimulated-adipose mesenchymal stem cells for diabetic healing.

Diabetic wounds are characterized by chronic inflammation, reduced angiogenesis, and insufficient collagen deposition, leading to impaired healing. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSC) offer a promising cell-free therapeutic strategy, yet their efficacy and immunomodulation can be enhanced through bioactivation. In this study, we developed calcium silicate (CS)-stimulated ADSC-derived EVs (CSEV) incorporated into collagen hydrogels to create a sustained-release system for promoting diabetic wound healing.

Exploring the Clinical Diversity of Castleman Disease and TAFRO Syndrome: A Japanese Multicenter Study on Lymph Node Distribution Patterns.

Individuals diagnosed with Castleman disease (CD) and TAFRO syndrome (characterized by thrombocytopenia, anasarca, fever, bone marrow fibrosis, and organomegaly) displays a wide range of clinical symptoms, including varying patterns of lymph node enlargement, systemic inflammation, and impaired organ function. Some patients may present with both CD and TAFRO syndrome concurrently. A retrospective study conducted across multiple centers in Japan examined 321 cases to determine if the quantity and position of swollen lymph nodes could forecast the clinical progression and intensity of these conditions.

External validation of a multivariable prediction model for positive resection margins in breast-conserving surgery.

Objectives: Positive resection margins after breast-conserving surgery (BCS) most often demands a repeat surgery. To preoperatively identify patients at risk of positive margins, a multivariable model has been developed that predicts positive margins after BCS with a high accuracy. This study aimed to externally validate this prediction model to explore its generalizability and assess if additional preoperatively available variables can further improve its predictive accuracy.