Robotic upper urinary tract reconstruction for ureteral stricture: a single-center series.

The surgical approach of ureteral stricture has changed dramatically over the past 15 years with the rise of robotic upper urinary tract reconstruction. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of all robotic ureteral reconstructions performed at a single academic center for ureteral stricture and to assess the predictive factors of stricture recurrence. The charts of all patients who underwent robot-assisted ureteral reconstruction between 2013 and 2024 at a single academic center were retrospectively reviewed.

Enabling micro-assessments of skills in the simulated setting using temporal artificial intelligence-models.

Background: Assessing skills in simulated settings is resource-intensive and lacks validated metrics. Advances in AI offer the potential for automated competence assessment, addressing these limitations. This study aimed to develop and validate a machine learning AI model for automated evaluation during simulation-based thyroid ultrasound (US) training.

Dealing with manuscript rejections in academic medicine: It takes two hands to clap.

Academic publishing is increasingly prevalent in clinical training and practice, as part of the burgeoning field of academic medicine, where physicians are expected not only to perform their conventional clinical duties and responsibilities, but also increasingly have to engage in various forms of scholarly activities to contribute to evidence-based practice, as part of their key performance indicators. However, for physicians who are not trained as academics or scientists, the learning curve for scholarly endeavours can be steep and fraught with setbacks and rejections. Therefore, in this editorial article, we offer our perspectives as residents-in-training on the roles of both clinician-authors and journal editorial/peer review teams in facilitating healthy cognitive-emotional processing of unfavourable manuscript decisions in academic medicine.

The Volar Central Approach for Distal Radius Fracture: A Prospective Nerve Conduction Study of 38 Patients.

Background: In distal radius fracture (DRF) surgery with volar locking plates, the flexor carpi radialis approach is commonly used. However, the volar central approach (VCA), between the median nerve and the finger flexors, may improve visualization of the volar ulnar corner. A similar approach has been linked with a higher risk of iatrogenic median neuropathy.

Global Consensus Statement on the Management of Pregnancy in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Background & Aims: Pregnancy can be a complex and risk-filled event for women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). High-quality studies in this population are lacking, with limited data on medications approved to treat IBD during pregnancy. For patients, limited knowledge surrounding pregnancy impacts pregnancy rates, medication adherence, and outcomes.

Cone Unit-Based Anatomical Liver Resection Guided by Preoperative Embolization and ICG Fluorescence: A Novel Surgical Strategy.

Background: The liver cone unit (Tokyo 2020 terminology) of the peripheral portal vein territory represents the smallest anatomical and functional unit of the liver. While this unit enables anatomical, subsegmental resection, particularly in patients with cirrhosis, the tumor-bearing cone unit can be challenging to identify intraoperatively. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 58-year-old man with hepatitis C-related cirrhosis (Child-Pugh B) was diagnosed with a subcapsular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in segment 8.

Consortium profile: the methylation, imaging and NeuroDevelopment (MIND) consortium.

Epigenetic processes, such as DNA methylation, show potential as biological markers and mechanisms underlying gene-environment interplay in the prediction of mental health and other brain-based phenotypes. However, little is known about how peripheral epigenetic patterns relate to individual differences in the brain itself. An increasingly popular approach to address this is by combining epigenetic and neuroimaging data; yet, research in this area is almost entirely comprised of cross-sectional studies in adults.

GABA receptor availability in clinical high-risk and first-episode psychosis: a [C]Ro15-4513 positron emission tomography study.

Disrupted gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmission may contribute to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Reductions in hippocampal GABAergic neurons have been found in schizophrenia, and increased hippocampal perfusion has been described in schizophrenia and in people at clinical high-risk for psychosis (CHRp). We have also found decreases in hippocampal GABA receptors containing the α5 subunit (GABARα5) in a well-validated neurodevelopmental rat model of relevance for schizophrenia.

Chronic kidney disease and incident cancer risk: an individual participant data meta-analysis.

Background: Studies examining the association of chronic kidney disease (CKD) with cancer risk have demonstrated conflicting results.

Methods: This was an individual participant data meta-analysis including 54 international cohorts contributing to the CKD Prognosis Consortium. Included cohorts had data on albuminuria [urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR)], estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), overall and site-specific cancer incidence, and established risk factors for cancer.

Linezolid versus daptomycin for VRE bloodstream infections in patients with malignancy: The impact of neutropenia on outcomes.

Objectives: Vancomycin-resistant enterococcal bloodstream infections (VRE-BSIs) carry high mortality in patients with malignancy. While neutropenia is a known risk factor for mortality in patients with malignancy and BSI, its impact on the effectiveness of daptomycin and linezolid in VRE-BSI is not well defined.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter cohort study of hospitalized patients aged ≥18 years with malignancy and VRE-BSI between 2010 and 2021.

Evolution of osteitis condensans ilii-like sclerosis in first-time mothers by serial sacroiliac joint MRI during pregnancy and in the postpartum period.

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the evolution of subchondral sacroiliac joint (SIJ) sclerosis from pregnancy to 12 months postpartum, and to explore preceding and concomitant magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features, potentially indicating osteitis condensans ilii (OCI).

Methods: One hundred three first-time mothers were recruited for serial SIJ MRIs. MRI scans were performed at pregnancy weeks 20 and 32, and at 3, 6, and 12 months postpartum.

Targeting pathological ERK1/2 signaling in cancer and beyond.

Dysregulation of the RAF-MEK-ERK1/2 pathway is involved in the pathoetiology of many diseases. Its central role in cancer has led to the development of drugs targeting upstream receptors, RAS, and kinases in the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 (ERK1) and 2 (ERK2) signaling cascade. The use of these drugs in cancer therapy - together with ongoing monitoring of their effectiveness, evolving side-effects, and resistance mechanisms - has expanded our knowledge of both the physiological and pathological functions of ERK1/2 and could thus provide potential alternative therapeutic strategies.

Transmetatarsal amputation versus multiple toes amputations for non-ischemic diabetic foot infection management.

Background: The management of diabetic foot infections (DFIs) is a complex multidisciplinary process and often necessitates surgical interventions. Unfortunately, amputations such as single or multiple toes amputations (MTA) or full transmetatarsal amputation (TMA) are often the unavoidable solution. This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of TMA versus MTA in managing non-ischemic diabetic foot infections.

Comparison of clinical features between patients with bone and soft tissue angiosarcomas.

Background: Angiosarcoma is a rare and aggressive malignancy arising from vascular endothelial cells, with distinct subtypes originating in bone (AS-B) and soft tissue (AS-ST). While these subtypes share pathological similarities, differences in clinical outcomes remain unclear due to limited data. This study aimed to compare the clinical features, treatment strategies, and survival outcomes between AS-B and AS-ST using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database.

Cancer-specific mortality in secondary bladder cancer after nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma.

Objective: To examine differences in cancer-specific mortality (CSM) in nonmetastatic upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) patients with vs. without secondary bladder cancer (BCa) after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU).

Methods: Within the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (SEER 2000-2021), T1-T4N0M0 UTUC patients treated with RNU and diagnosed with secondary BCa were identified.

Ovarian mature teratomas: Differences in management and outcomes in adolescents cared for by gynecologic and pediatric surgeons.

Background: Ovarian mature teratomas (OMTs) are the most common benign ovarian tumors in pediatric patients. Management in adolescents can be performed by pediatric (PSs) or gynecologic surgeons (GSs). The aim of this study was to assess the differences in OMT management and the repercussions according to the risk of secondary events.

Multiomics approach to evaluating personalized biomarkers of allergen immunotherapy.

Recent advancements in genomics and "omic" technologies have ushered in a transformative era referred to as personalized or precision medicine. This innovative approach considers the unique genetic profiles of individuals, along with a range of variability factors, to devise tailored disease treatments and prevention strategies that cater to the distinct needs of each patient. Although the terms personalized medicine and precision medicine are frequently utilized interchangeably, it is essential to delineate the subtle distinctions between them.