Preferences for albumin use in adult intensive care unit patients with shock: An international survey.

Introduction: Use of albumin is suggested for some patients with shock, but preferences for its use may vary among intensive care unit (ICU) physicians.

Methods: We conducted an international online survey of ICU physicians with 20 questions about their use of albumin and their opinion towards a randomised trial among adults with shock comparing the use versus no use of albumin.

Results: A total of 1248 respondents participated, with a mean response rate of 37%, ranging from 18% to 75% across 21 countries.

Immunogenicity, reactogenicity, and safety of a second booster with BNT162b2 or full-dose mRNA-1273: A randomized VACCELERATE trial in adults aged ≥75 years (EU-COVAT-1-AGED Part B).

Objectives: To assess the safety and immunogenicity of a fourth vaccination (second booster) in individuals aged ≥75 years.

Methods: Participants were randomized to BNT162b2 (Comirnaty, 30 µg) or messenger RNA (mRNA)-1273 (Spikevax, 100 µg). The primary end point was the rate of two-fold antibody titer increase 14 days after vaccination, targeting the receptor binding domain (RBD) region of wild-type SARS-CoV-2.

Aortic disease and cardiomyopathy in patients with a novel DNMT3A gene variant causing Tatton-Brown-Rahman syndrome.

Tatton-Brown-Rahman syndrome (TBRS) is a rare congenital genetic disorder caused by autosomal dominant pathogenic variants in the DNA methyltransferase DNMT3A gene. Typical TBRS clinical features are overgrowth, intellectual disability, and minor facial anomalies. However, since the syndrome was first described in 2014, a widening spectrum of abnormalities is being described.

Helicobacter pylori infection found during upper endoscopy performed for the diagnosis of celiac, inflammatory bowel diseases, and eosinophilic esophagitis: A multicenter pediatric European study.

Background: Helicobacter pylori may be found during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGE) performed to diagnose celiac disease (CeD), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). We aimed to describe the frequency of H. pylori in children undergoing UGE for CeD, IBD, and EoE and the number of children receiving eradication treatment.

Prevalence and trends of contact sensitization in patients with psoriasis in Lithuania.

Background: Psoriasis and allergic contact dermatitis are 2 very common dermatoses. The relationship between them has not yet been fully understood. Contact dermatitis can be an additional cause of epidermal disruption in psoriasis patients, resulting in poor management of the disease.

Incidence and Risk Factors of Perianal Pathology during Pregnancy and Postpartum Period: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Objective: We aimed to identify the incidence and risk factors of perianal pathology during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted in three institutions in Lithuania. A total of 190 patients were examined and interviewed three times (<12, 18-20 weeks of gestation, and during the first 2 months after delivery).

Giant aortic aneurysm repair in a child due to arterial tortuosity syndrome.

Arterial tortuosity syndrome is an extremely rare hereditary connective tissue disorder. We present a case of an incidentally diagnosed aneurysm of the aortic root and the ascending aorta caused by arterial tortuosity syndrome, which was confirmed genetically. The aneurysm was repaired surgically.

Respiratory Support Effects over Time on Regional Lung Ventilation Assessed by Electrical Impedance Tomography in Premature Infants.

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) frequently necessitates respiratory support. While non-invasive methods are typically the preferred approach, mechanical ventilation becomes necessary for patients with insufficient response. Our study aimed to compare two common respiratory support modes, volume-targeted mechanical ventilation and non-invasive ventilation continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC), using electrical impedance tomography.

Ixazomib, Lenalidomide, and Dexamethasone (IRD) Treatment with Cytogenetic Risk-Based Maintenance in Transplant-Eligible Myeloma: A Phase 2 Multicenter Study by the Nordic Myeloma Study Group.

Scarce data exist on double maintenance in transplant-eligible high-risk (HR) newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) patients. This prospective phase 2 study enrolled 120 transplant-eligible NDMM patients. The treatment consisted of four cycles of ixazomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone (IRD) induction plus autologous stem cell transplantation followed by IRD consolidation and cytogenetic risk-based maintenance therapy with lenalidomide + ixazomib (IR) for HR patients and lenalidomide (R) alone for NHR patients.

Influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the congenital heart surgery service in Lithuania.

Introduction: CHD is a unique group of medical pathologies. Literature worldwide reports significant decrements in the case volume of patients with these conditions due to the recent global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019. The only centre providing congenital cardiac care for Lithuanian population is in a hospital which was the main medical institution for the sickest coronavirus disease 2019 patients.

Tailoring the Use of Central Pancreatectomy Through Prediction Models for Major Morbidity and Postoperative Diabetes: International Retrospective Multicenter Study.

Objective: To develop a prediction model for major morbidity and endocrine dysfunction after central pancreatectomy (CP) which could help in tailoring the use of this procedure.

Background: CP is a parenchyma-sparing alternative to distal pancreatectomy for symptomatic benign and premalignant tumors in the body and neck of the pancreas CP lowers the risk of new-onset diabetes and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency compared with distal pancreatectomy but it is thought to increase the risk of short-term complications, including postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF).

Methods: International multicenter retrospective cohort study including patients from 51 centers in 19 countries (2010-2021).

Review of short-term and long-term adverse effects of covid-19 vaccination during pregnancy.

Background: The covid-19 pandemic sparked a debate about the safety of vaccines during pregnancy. However, pregnant women were excluded from the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine phase 3 trials. As two years have passed since the first Covid-19 vaccine and more studies have been conducted, we want to evaluate the scientific literature to determine any actual risks in taking the vaccine during pregnancy.

Childhood Obesity as a Global Problem: a Cross-sectional Survey on Global Awareness and National Program Implementation.

Objective: The rising global epidemic of childhood obesity is a major public health challenge. Despite the urgency, there is a lack of data on the awareness and implementation of preventative measures. The aim of this study was to identify areas for improvement in the prevention and management of childhood obesity worldwide.

Rabbit models of dry eye disease: comparative analysis.

Aim: To report ocular changes in rabbits after the implementation of three different induction methods to create dry eye (DE) conditions and provides evidence of DE-related disease evolution.

Methods: Experimental methods were divided into 3 models. The first model used involved triple injection of complete Freund's adjuvant, 50 µL each, also called the meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) model.

Pilot Cadaveric Study of Anatomical Variations of the Median Nerve at the Wrist in the Lithuanian Population.

Introduction:  Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is known as one of the most common neurological disorders in the human body. Nowadays, the prevalence in the general population ranges between 1% and 5%. Due to its high prevalence and increasing incidence of carpal tunnel surgery, the anatomical variations of the median nerve at the wrist are important to know to avoid iatrogenic injury of the nerve.

Efficacy of focal high-dose-rate brachytherapy in the treatment of patients diagnosed with low or favourable: intermediate-risk prostate cancer-a protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Prostate cancer (PCa) is men's second most predominant cancer worldwide. Because the prostate-specific antigen test is used in diagnostics, PCa is more often diagnosed in the early stages, making radical treatment of the disease possible. However, it is estimated that over a million men worldwide suffer from radical treatment-related complications.

On the additional risk for human health in the use of sandblasting of building walls.

In 2021, concentrations of heavy metals (Ba, Cr, Fe, Mn, Pb, Ru, Sr, Zn, Zr) and radiocesium (Cs) were measured in 13 locations in Vilnius in surface samples of walls and facades of buildings built of yellow bricks in order to evaluate possible aerosol air pollution due to sandblasting. The activity concentrations of Cs appeared there as a result of global fallout and precipitation of the products of the accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, and the concentration of Pb, as a component of road transport emissions. Other trace elements turned out to be impurities in the material of yellow bricks.

Nutraceutical approaches to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): A position paper from the International Lipid Expert Panel (ILEP).

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is a common condition affecting around 10-25% of the general adult population, 15% of children, and even > 50% of individuals who have type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is a major cause of liver-related morbidity, and cardiovascular (CV) mortality is a common cause of death. In addition to being the initial step of irreversible alterations of the liver parenchyma causing cirrhosis, about 1/6 of those who develop NASH are at risk also developing CV disease (CVD).