Protocol for the development of a global core outcome set for the surgical treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer: a literature review and international Delphi survey.

Introduction: There is a lack of consensus on the optimal surgical strategy for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), partly due to inconsistent reporting of outcomes. This limits the ability to compare study results, hindering the ability to draw conclusions regarding novel treatment strategies. The development of a core outcome set (COS) reduces heterogeneity in the selection and reporting of clinical trial outcomes.

Proton radiotherapy significantly reduces pneumonia in oesophageal cancer patients.

Background: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) followed by surgical resection is the current standard of care for oesophageal cancer (EC) patients. This treatment is associated with a variety of complications, with pneumonia being the most common. We hypothesize that proton radiotherapy (PRT) can significantly reduce the incidence of pneumonia compared to photon radiotherapy (PhRT).

Enhanced detection of atrial fibrillation in single-lead electrocardiograms using a cloud-based artificial intelligence platform.

Background: Although smartphone-based devices have been developed to record 1-lead ECG, existing solutions for automatic atrial fibrillation (AF) detection often has poor positive predictive value.

Objective: This study aimed to validate a cloud-based deep learning platform for automatic AF detection in a large cohort of patients using 1-lead ECG records.

Methods: We analyzed 8,528 patients with 30-second ECG records from a single-lead handheld ECG device.

Genetic variants in COMT and ESR1 genes shape treatment response to raloxifene in schizophrenia-spectrum disorders.

Background/objective: Raloxifene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), may improve symptoms and cognition in schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD). Studies have shown inconsistent efficacy, especially in men with SSD. We assessed whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on genes involved in the pharmacodynamics (ESR1 and COMT) and pharmacokinetics (UGT1A8) of raloxifene can explain the heterogeneous treatment response to raloxifene augmentation in patients with SSD.

Hospital admission of older patients with mild traumatic brain injury and traumatic intracranial hemorrhage: is it always necessary?

Background And Importance: Traumatic intracranial hemorrhage (tICH) after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is not uncommon in the elderly. Often, these patients are admitted to the hospital for observation. The necessity of admission in the absence of clinically important intracranial injuries is however unclear.

Evaluation of a context-aware chatbot using retrieval-augmented generation for answering clinical questions on medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw.

The potential of large language models (LLMs) in medical applications is significant, and Retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) can address the weaknesses of these models in terms of data transparency and scientific accuracy by incorporating current scientific knowledge into responses. In this study, RAG and GPT-4 by OpenAI were applied to develop GuideGPT, a context aware chatbot integrated with a knowledge database from 449 scientific publications designed to provide answers on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). A comparison was made with a generic LLM ("PureGPT") across 30 MRONJ-related questions.

Gut microbiome dysbiosis is not associated with portal vein thrombosis in patients with end-stage liver disease: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a common complication in patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD). The portal vein in ESLD patients is proposedly an inflammatory vascular bed due to translocation of endotoxins and cytokines from the gut. We hypothesized that a pro-inflammatory gut microbiome and elevated trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a driver of thrombosis, may contribute to PVT development.

Students' perspective on the Dutch National Pharmacotherapy Assessment, a national survey study among final-year medical students.

Introduction: The Dutch National Pharmacotherapy Assessment (DNPA) was introduced in 2013 to improve clinical pharmacology and therapeutics (CPT) education. This study investigated final-year medical students' perceived motivation and level of preparation for the DNPA in different scenarios: mandatory vs. non-mandatory, and traditional high-stakes assessment programme vs.

The impact of summative, formative or programmatic assessment on the Dutch National Pharmacotherapy Assessment: a retrospective multicentre study.

Background: The Dutch National Pharmacotherapy Assessment (DNPA), which focuses on assessing medication safety and essential drug knowledge, was introduced to improve clinical pharmacology and therapeutics education in the Netherlands. This study investigated how the performance of final-year medical students on the DPNA was affected by the assessment programme (traditional with summative or formative assessment, and programmatic assessment).

Methods: This multicentre retrospective longitudinal observation study (2019-2023) involved final-year medical students from four medical schools in the Netherlands.

Maternal postpartum mental health negatively affects infants' health related quality of life.

Objectives: To assess the association of early and late postpartum maternal mental health with infants' health related quality of life (HRQoL).

Methods: The study was embedded within the POST-UP trial (n = 1843). Infants' HRQoL was assessed with the Infant and Toddler Quality of Life Questionnaire Short Form-47 at ages 1 month (1 m), and 12 m.

Using network analysis to characterize clinical improvement during cognitive processing therapy.

Objective: Cross-sectional network studies find mixed results regarding changes in network structure as a response to treatment across disorders. This study characterized improvement in mental health following Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD in veterans from the perspective of network psychometrics and explored how cross-sectional networks inform our understanding of PTSD recovery.

Methods: Veterans with PTSD participated in CPT-based intensive treatment programs (ITPs), offered in two-week (N = 635) or three-week (N = 457) formats.

Pain perception, opioid consumption and mobility following lateral compression pelvic ring injuries: a two-year prospective cohort study.

Purpose: A prospective longitudinal cohort study was performed to gain insight into the course of recovery in terms of pain, opioid consumption, and mobility in patients with a lateral compression (LC) pelvic injury.

Methods: Adult patients with an LC injury, without any cognitive disorders or limited mobility and who could communicate in Dutch were asked to participate. Pain in terms of NRS (numeric rating scale, range 0-10), opioid use and mobility were recorded at eight time points: at hospital admission, and three days, one week, six weeks, three months, six months, one year and two years after the injury.

Second Versus First Molar Extractions in Class II Division 1 Malocclusion Treatment: A Retrospective Longitudinal Outcome Study into Maxillary Canine, Premolar, and Molar Movement.

This retrospective longitudinal outcome study comparing orthodontic extraction modalities, including extraction of maxillary first or second molars, aimed to compare the three-dimensional tooth movement of maxillary canines (C), premolars (P1, P2), and molars (M1, M2) in Class II division 1 malocclusion treatment with fixed appliances. A sample of 98 patients (mean age 13.20 ± 1.

Abnormal Venous Flow in Pregnant Women with Mild Right Ventricular Dysfunction in Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot: A Clinical Model for Organ Dysfunction in Preeclampsia.

Pregnant women with congenital heart disease carry a high risk of complications, especially when cardiac function is suboptimal. Increasing evidence suggests that impaired right ventricular (RV) function has a negative effect on placental function, possibly through venous congestion. We report a case series of hepatic and renal venous flow patterns in pregnant women with right ventricular dysfunction after repaired Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF), relative to those observed in normal pregnancy and preeclampsia.

Micronutrient Deficiencies in Heart Failure and Relationship with Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency.

Background: Micronutrient deficiencies are common and play a significant role in the prognosis of many chronic diseases, including heart failure (HF), but their prevalence in HF is not well known. As studies have traditionally focused on causes originating within the intestines, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) has been overlooked as a potential contributor. The exocrine pancreas enables the absorption of various (fat-soluble) micronutrients and may be insufficient in HF.

The maternal body mass index and first-trimester placental (vascular) development.

Background: Maternal obesity is associated with maternal complications, including hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), and related fetal complications, such as fetal growth restriction. During pregnancy, the placenta is one of the key regulators of embryonic and fetal growth. Previous studies mainly investigated placental growth by measuring postpartum placental weight.

A reproducibility study on invasion in small pulmonary adenocarcinoma according to the WHO and a modified classification, supported by biomarkers.

Objectives: Evaluating invasion in non-mucinous adenocarcinoma (NMA) of the lung is crucial for accurate pT-staging. This study compares the World Health Organization (WHO) with a recently modified NMA classification.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective case-control study was conducted on small NMA pT1N0M0 cases with a 5-year follow-up.

Safety, Efficacy and Pharmacokinetics of daily optimised doses of Rifampicin for the Treatment of Tuberculosis: A Systematic Review and Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis.

Background: Higher than standard doses of rifampicin could improve the treatment outcome of drug-susceptible tuberculosis without compromising the safety of patients.

Methods: We performed a systematic review of prospective clinical studies including adults with pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB receiving rifampicin doses above 10mg/kg/day. We extracted the data on overall adverse events (AE), hepatic AE, sputum culture conversion (SCC) at week 8, recurrence, mortality, and pharmacokinetics.

A systematic review of salivary gland hypofunction and/or xerostomia induced by non-surgical cancer therapies: prevention strategies.

Purpose: This systematic review aimed to assess the updated literature for the prevention of salivary gland hypofunction and xerostomia induced by non-surgical cancer therapies.

Methods: Electronic databases of MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCT) that investigated interventions to prevent salivary gland hypofunction and/or xerostomia. Literature search began from the 2010 systematic review publications from the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer/International Society of Oral Oncology (MASCC/ISOO) up to February 2024.

Development and Validation of a Deep Learning Model Based on MRI and Clinical Characteristics to Predict Risk of Prostate Cancer Progression.

Purpose To validate a deep learning (DL) model for predicting the risk of prostate cancer (PCa) progression based on MRI and clinical parameters and compare it with established models. Materials and Methods This retrospective study included 1607 MRI scans of 1143 male patients (median age, 64 years; IQR, 59-68 years) undergoing MRI for suspicion of clinically significant PCa (csPCa) (International Society of Urological Pathology grade > 1) between January 2012 and May 2022 who were negative for csPCa at baseline MRI. A DL model was developed using baseline MRI and clinical parameters (age, prostate-specific antigen [PSA] level, PSA density, and prostate volume) to predict the time to PCa progression (defined as csPCa diagnosis at follow-up).