Effects on Jump Shooting Accuracy when Using Unstable Surfaces for Functional Balance Training of Youth Basketball Players.

This study examined the effects of a 10-week functional balance training program using unstable surfaces on dynamic postural control, lower-limb power, and technical shooting performance in adolescent male basketball players. Twenty-one participants were assigned to an experimental group (n = 11; age 16.14 ± 1.

Identification of treatment effect modifiers and prognostic factors in newly diagnosed and relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.

We aimed to identify variables that affect the prognosis and treatment effect in multiple myeloma (MM). Published literature of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and population-adjusted indirect comparisons (PAICs) in newly diagnosed (ND) and relapsed/refractory (RR) MM populations reporting overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were identified. Possible treatment effect modifiers (TEMs) were evaluated based on the ratio between effect estimates of different strata within subgroups for OS and PFS among eligible RCTs.

Network connectivity, between-study heterogeneity and timepoint challenges in generalized myasthenia gravis: a feasibility assessment of indirect treatment comparisons.

We performed a feasibility assessment to systematically evaluate randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) treatments. The goal was to identify the advantages and disadvantages of different indirect treatment comparison (ITC) methods. A systematic literature review was conducted to identify relevant gMG RCTs for ITCs.

Inpatient outcomes of rheumatoid arthritis in hospitalized patients using cannabis: data from the National Inpatient Sample.

Background: Despite advancements in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment, effective pain management remains challenging, with many patients also experiencing insomnia, anxiety, and depression. Cannabis, with its analgesic properties, offers a promising nonopioid alternative. This study evaluated outcomes in hospitalized RA patients using cannabis through the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database.

Indirect Treatment Comparisons in EUnetHTA Relative Effectiveness Assessments: Learnings and Recommendations for the Implementation of EU Joint Clinical Assessments.

Background: Beginning in January 2025, all new active substances must undergo evaluation of relative clinical effectiveness through European Union (EU) joint clinical assessments (JCAs). In the absence of head-to-head data, indirect treatment comparisons (ITCs) become indispensable in meeting the numerous population, intervention, comparators and outcomes (PICO) criteria to support decision-making.

Objective: This study examined ITCs in European Network for Health Technology Assessment (EUnetHTA) relative effectiveness assessments (REAs) to obtain valuable insights into their potential implications for future JCAs.

Health state utilities associated with X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP).

Background: X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP) is a rare, inherited retinal disease characterized by impairment in visual field and visual acuity with continuous progression leading to blindness. Gene therapies for XLRP are under investigation, and health state utilities are needed for use in cost-utility analyses examining the value of these treatments.

Objective: This study aimed to estimate utilities associated with XLRP severity.

Current approaches for management of gastric varices in the United States: a survey of providers' attitudes and practices.

Introduction: Bleeding from gastric varices (GV) is more drastic and associated with higher mortality than that from esophageal varices. There are multiple therapeutic approaches for GV bleeding. Although endoscopic cyanoacrylate glue injection (ECGI) is recommended as the first-line management for GV bleeding worldwide, its implementation in the US is limited.

Indirect Treatment Comparisons in Healthcare Decision Making: A Targeted Review of Regulatory Approval, Reimbursement, and Pricing Recommendations Globally for Oncology Drugs in 2021-2023.

Introduction: Indirect treatment comparisons (ITCs) evaluate novel treatments compared to appropriate comparators when direct evidence is unavailable or infeasible. The objective of this study was to highlight the prevalence of different ITC methods in oncology drug submissions and to provide insights into how ITCs have been used in recent regulatory approval, reimbursement recommendations, or pricing decisions across various regions and diverse assessment frameworks.

Methods: A targeted literature review was conducted to identify assessment documents for oncology drug submissions that included ITCs.

Adjustment for imbalances in baseline characteristics in the MAGNITUDE phase 3 study confirms the clinical benefit of niraparib in combination with abiraterone acetate plus prednisone in patients with metastatic prostate cancer.

Background: MAGNITUDE (NCT03748641) demonstrated favourable outcomes with niraparib plus abiraterone acetate plus prednisone (+AAP) versus placebo+AAP in patients with BRCA1/2-altered metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Imbalances in prognostic variables were reported between arms, which impacts estimation of both the clinical benefit and cost‑effectiveness of niraparib+AAP for healthcare systems. A pre-specified multivariable analysis (MVA) demonstrated improved overall survival (OS) with niraparib+AAP.

Feasibility of Indirect Treatment Comparisons Between Niraparib Plus Abiraterone Acetate and Other First-Line Poly ADP-Ribose Polymerase Inhibitor Treatment Regimens for Patients with BRCA1/2 Mutation-Positive Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer.

Introduction: Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) are a novel option to treat patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Niraparib plus abiraterone acetate and prednisone (AAP) is indicated for BRCA1/2 mutation-positive mCRPC. Niraparib plus AAP demonstrated safety and efficacy in the phase 3 MAGNITUDE trial (NCT03748641).

A matching-adjusted indirect comparison of results from REDUCE and RESPECT-two randomized trials on patent foramen ovale closure devices to prevent recurrent cryptogenic stroke.

Aims: Two randomized clinical trials, REDUCE and RESPECT, demonstrated that patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure in combination with antithrombotic therapy was more effective for the prevention of recurrent ischemic stroke compared with antithrombotic therapy alone. The aim of this study was to determine the relative efficacy and safety of the PFO closure devices used in REDUCE (HELEX and CARDIOFORM Septal Occluders) compared with the device used in RESPECT (Amplatzer PFO Occluder).

Methods: An unanchored matching-adjusted indirect comparison (MAIC) of the PFO closure arms of the REDUCE and RESPECT trials was performed using patient-level data from REDUCE weighted to match baseline characteristics from RESPECT.

Pitfalls in Urinary Tract Cytopathology.

Background: Urine cytopathology is a cost-effective method to diagnose and follow patients with high-grade urothelial carcinoma (UC). However, some benign, reactive, and metaplastic changes may mimic UC and pose a diagnostic challenge for cytopathologists.

Summary: Our comprehensive review focuses on summarizing common pitfalls encountered in urine cytopathology, based on the 2nd edition of The Paris System (TPS) for reporting urinary tract cytopathology and other recent published literature.

Donor respiratory multidrug-resistant bacteria and lung transplantation outcomes.

Rationale: Respiratory culture screening is mandatory for all potential lung transplant donors. There is limited evidence on the significance of donor multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria on transplant outcomes. Establishing the safety of allografts colonized with MDR bacteria has implications for widening an already limited donor pool.

Donor blood cultures and outcomes after lung transplantation: a single-center report.

Background: Transplanting lungs from donors with positive blood cultures has not been shown to adversely affect survival. There is limited evidence for potential effects on other outcomes, such as hospital course, graft function, and transmission of infection.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included adult patients who underwent lung-only transplantation for the first time between March 2010 and December 2022.

A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW OF DISEASE PROGRESSION REPORTED IN RPGR -ASSOCIATED X-LINKED RETINITIS PIGMENTOSA.

Purpose: Retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator-associated X-linked retinitis pigmentosa ( RPGR -associated XLRP) is a rare and severe form of retinitis pigmentosa, resulting in progressive visual impairment; however, disease progression data are limited. A systematic literature review was conducted to assess available data on disease progression in RPGR -associated XLRP.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, and select congress abstracts were evaluated through June 2022.

Lung transplantation outcomes in underweight recipients: A single center experience.

Background: Current guidelines recommend a body mass index (BMI) of 16 kg/m as the minimum threshold for lung transplantation, despite mixed evidence on outcomes in underweight patients. The current study aimed to describe survival outcomes of underweight patients who underwent lung transplantation at a single center.

Methods: This retrospective observational study included adult lung transplant recipients who underwent transplantation for the first time between March 2010 and March 2022 at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center and excluded patients with obesity.

How are Companion Diagnostics Considered in Economic Evaluations of Oncology Treatments? A Review of Health Technology Assessments.

Background: Companion diagnostic (CDx) testing is increasingly used to identify eligible patients for targeted treatments. Guidance on how CDx testing should be incorporated into cost-effectiveness models (CEM) is limited. This review evaluated how health technology assessment bodies and research organizations considered CDx in CEMs of targeted therapies in oncology and whether this ultimately impacted their decisions or time from regulatory approval to recommendations.

International multicenter validation of GES score for HCC risk stratification in chronic hepatitis C patients.

We have recently demonstrated the ability of a simple predictive model (GES) score to determine the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after using direct-acting antivirals. However, our results were restricted to Egyptian patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 4. Therefore, we studied a large, independent cohort of multiethnic populations through our international collaborative activity.

Hepatitis B virus core-related antigen (HBcrAg) as a prognostic marker for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma: A mini systematic review of the literature.

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection is a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Previous studies showed that elevated levels of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) DNA and HBsAg are associated with increased HCC risk in patients with chronic HBV infection. Multiple studies showed that high levels of HBV DNA and Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) are associated with higher HCC risk in CHB patients.

First record of the nematode, sp. infecting the broomtail wrasse () from Egypt.

A total of 385 Red Sea coral reef fish representing three species; Broom tail wrasse (), Blacktip grouper () and Rabbit fish ( sp.). were examined for the presence of nematode species.

A systematic review of noninferiority margins in oncology clinical trials.

A systematic literature review was conducted to identify and characterize noninferiority margins for relevant end points in oncology clinical trials. Randomized, controlled, noninferiority trials of patients with cancer were identified in PubMed and Embase. Of 2284 publications identified, 285 oncology noninferiority clinical trials were analyzed.