Research Communication: Serum Metabolomic Signatures Predict Tumour Recurrence After Resection or Ablation in Patients With Early-Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) often experience recurrence after curative therapies, underscoring a need for risk stratification models. We validated 6 and 13-metabolite signatures in patients who achieved complete response following surgical resection or local ablation. Of 78 patients, 32 (41.

Essential role of protein kinase R in the pathogenesis of pulmonary veno-occlusive disease.

Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD) is a rare and severe subtype of pulmonary arterial hypertension, characterized by progressive remodeling of small pulmonary arteries and veins with no therapies. Using a mitomycin C (MMC)-induced rat model, we previously demonstrated that protein kinase R (PKR)-mediated integrated stress response (ISR) drives endothelial dysfunction and vascular remodeling. To determine if PKR is the primary mediator of ISR and the pathogenesis, we treated control (Ctrl) and PKR knockout (KO) mice with the same dose of MMC.

A plasma proteomics-based candidate biomarker panel predictive of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Identifying a reliable biomarker for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is crucial for clinical practice. Here, in this cross-sectional study, we used the Olink Explore 3072 platform to investigate plasma proteomics as a biomarker tool for this neurodegenerative condition. Thirty-three proteins were differentially abundant in the plasma of patients with ALS (n = 183) versus controls (n = 309).

Postoperative Recovery of Balance Function in Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: A 12-Month Longitudinal Study Using the Brief BESTest and Its Association with Patient-Reported Outcomes.

Prospective observational study. Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) impairs balance and gait function, increasing fall risk and limiting quality of life. Although postoperative recovery of balance is clinically important, longitudinal data using multidimensional balance assessments are limited.

Re-examination of the role of displacement and photon catalysis operation in continuous variable measurement device-independent quantum key distribution.

We investigate the benefits of using -photon catalyzed two-mode squeezed coherent (-PCTMSC) state in continuous variable measurement device-independent quantum key distribution (CV-MDI-QKD). To that end, we derive the Wigner characteristic function of the -PCTMSC state and show that the 0-PCTMSC state is a Gaussian state and is an inferior choice as compared to the zero photon catalyzed two-mode squeezed vacuum state for CV-MDI-QKD. We carry out the optimization of the secret key rate with respect to all state parameters, namely variance, transmissivity, and displacement.

A Comparative Evaluation of the Effect of Photobiomodulation on the Depth of Anaesthesia During Endodontic Treatment of Teeth with Symptomatic Irreversible Pulpitis-A Prospective Clinical Trial.

Background: Effective pulpal anesthesia is crucial in endodontic practice, particularly in treating symptomatic irreversible pulpitis. This study explores photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) as a non-invasive adjunct to traditional anesthesia.

Aim: To compare the efficiency of diode laser and Er, Cr: YSGG laser in enhancing anesthesia depth during endodontic treatment of teeth with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis.

High-quality genome assembly of the endemic, threatened, White-bellied Sholakili Sholicola albiventris (Muscicapidae: Blanford, 1868) from the Shola Sky Islands, India.

The White-bellied Sholakili (Sholicola albiventris) is an endemic, elevationally restricted species occurring in the Shola Sky Islands of the Western Ghats of India. This unique understory bird, with a complex vocal repertoire, exhibits impacts of anthropogenic habitat fragmentation on gene flow. Here, we present the first genome assembly for Sholicola albiventris, which was assembled using a combination of Nanopore and Illumina sequences.

Navigating Infective Native Aortic Aneurysms in Tropical Regions: Insights from a Five-Year Malaysian Experience.

Background: To describe the clinical characteristics, microbiological profiles, anatomic distribution, operative strategies, and outcomes of patients with infective native aortic aneurysms (INAAs) managed at a high-volume vascular center in Southeast Asia.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 70 patients with INAAs treated surgically or endovascularly between January 2018 and December 2023. Demographics, clinical presentation, microbiological findings, operative data, antibiotic regimens, and follow-up outcomes were analyzed.

A Rare Case Report of Giant Cell Tumor in the Distal Tibia: Management with Tumor Excision and Limb Reconstruction with Ilizarov Fixator.

Introduction: Giant cell tumor (GCT) is a benign, locally aggressive neoplasm commonly affecting the ends of long bones. Treatment varies based on tumor stage and includes curettage, bone grafting, resection, wide excision, prosthetic reconstruction, radiation, and embolization. This case report presents a rare GCT of the distal tibia managed with wide excision and reconstruction with an Ilizarov ring fixator.

Impact of LI-RADS CT and MRI Ancillary Features on Diagnostic Performance: An Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis.

Background A recent meta-analysis showed independent associations between most Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) ancillary features (AFs) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), malignancy, and benignity. However, the impact of AFs on the diagnostic performance of LI-RADS remains unclear. Purpose To evaluate the impact of applying individual AFs on the diagnostic performance of CT and MRI LI-RADS using an individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis.

A Rare Case of HLA-B51 Positive MAGIC Syndrome: A Clinical Conundrum.

The term mouth and genital ulcers with inflamed cartilage (MAGIC) syndrome was initially dubbed by Firestein et al. in 1985. He described five patients with clinical manifestations of Behcet's disease (BD) as well as relapsing polychondritis (RP), putting forward the terminology MAGIC syndrome to describe the overlap of the two diseases.

Diagnostic Performance of CT/MRI LI-RADS Version 2018 Major Feature Combinations: Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis.

Background The CT/MRI Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) diagnostic algorithm classifies liver observations in patients with high-risk hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using imaging features. However, data regarding the diagnostic performance of specific LI-RADS major feature combinations is limited. Purpose To conduct a systematic review and individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis to establish the positive predictive values (PPVs) of LI-RADS major feature combinations using CT/MRI LI-RADS version 2018 in patients at risk for HCC.

CT Perfusion Map Generation from Multi-phase CT Angiography Using Generative adversarial model for Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Background And Purpose: Multiphase CT Angiography (mCTA) has shown potential as a diagnostic tool for acute ischemic stroke (AIS), as it captures dynamic changes in cerebral vasculature. However, mCTA has limitations in assessing brain tissue perfusion, which reduces its clinical interpretability. To address this limitation, we aim to develop a generative adversarial network (GAN) that generates CT Perfusion (CTP)-like maps from mCTA.

Effect of Prophylactic Tranexamic Acid in Per-operative and Post-operative Blood Loss in Hysterectomy for Benign Condition: A Randomized Controlled Study.

Background: The most common nutritional deficiency condition in the world is anaemia. Hysterectomy is the second-most frequently performed major surgery on women in the world. Amongst the list of per-operative and post-operative complications associated with hysterectomy of all routes, blood loss is one of the most common complications, leading to mortality and morbidity of the patient.

Functional tendon regeneration is driven by regulatory T cells and IL-33 signaling.

Tendon injuries heal by scar, leading to poor function. To date, the role of immune cells remains underexplored. Using a neonatal mouse model of functional tendon healing compared to adult scar-mediated healing, we identified a regenerative immune profile that is associated with type 1 inflammation followed by rapid polarization to type 2, driven by macrophages and regulatory T cells (T cells).

Recruitment and Retention Strategies Adopted in an Indian Urban Longitudinal Study of Aging.

An Indian cohort study called the TATA Longitudinal Study of Aging (TLSA) seeks to determine the protective and risk variables for dementia. Our study used innovative recruitment and retention techniques, such as establishing relationships with urban neighborhoods, involving them in awareness campaigns, providing valuable medical advice, and offering mobile unit assessments and transportation services. Around 1400 individuals aged ≥45 years were recruited for the study and around 82% of them are still active part of the study.

Genetic, Epigenetic, and Hormonal Regulation of Stress Phenotypes in Major Depressive Disorder: From Maladaptation to Resilience.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a complex psychiatric disorder with varied molecular mechanisms underlying its aetiology, diagnosis, and treatment. This review explores the crucial roles of stress, genetics, epigenetics, and hormones in shaping susceptibility and resilience to mood disorders. We discuss how acute stress can be beneficial, while prolonged stress disrupts brain function, leading to MDD.

Assessing Quality of Sensitization Programs of State-Wide Youth Mental Health Promotion Program - An Indian Example.

Background: Sensitization plays a pivotal role in raising awareness about critical youth issues and encouraging them to access support services, contributing to the success of programs like Yuva Spandana, a youth-centric mental health promotion initiative in Karnataka, India. For youth to access support within YSKs, the quality and effectiveness of sensitization programs (SPs) are crucial. A standard quality assessment through indicators for SPs is required to provide recommendations for improvement.

Persisting challenges in the early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Introduction: Prognosis in patients with HCC is largely determined by stage at diagnosis, highlighting the importance of effective early detection strategies. HCC surveillance is associated with increased early detection and reduced HCC-related mortality and is currently recommended in patients with cirrhosis or chronic HBV infection.

Areas Covered: We performed a targeted literature review to identify limitations of current HCC surveillance practices and strategies for improvement.

Reliability of Three Pain Assessment Tools in Children Requiring Dental Treatment: A Comparative Clinical Study.

Background: Accurate pain assessment in pediatric dental patients is crucial for effective pain management and treatment planning.

Materials And Methods: A total of 120 children aged 6-12 years, requiring dental treatment, were enrolled in this study. Each child was assessed using the three pain scales after undergoing a standardized dental procedure.

Comparative Evaluation of Effect of Therapeutic Nutrition on Serum Albumin Levels and Nutritional Indices in Patients Undergoing Open Reduction and Internal Fixation for Maxillofacial Fractures - A Prospective Clinical Trial.

Aim: To assess effect of therapeutic nutrition on serum albumin levels, nutritional indices and on recovery of patients who have undergone open reduction and internal fixation for maxillofacial fractures.

Methods: A total of 82 patients were included in this prospective study with 41 patients each in therapeutic and non-therapeutic nutrition group. Pre-operative serum albumin, prognostic nutritional index (PNI) and nutritional risk index (NRI) were calculated.