Hair analysis for monitoring adherence to inhaled respiratory medications: possibilities and limitations.

Purpose: Non-adherence to inhaled medication poses a significant clinical and economic burden on patients with respiratory diseases. This narrative review provides an overview of key aspects of hair analysis, in general and specific for inhaled medications, and explores the potential of hair analysis as a novel tool to monitor adherence to inhaled medications.

Methods: PubMed searches were conducted to explore four aspects: (1) mechanisms of (inhaled) drug's systemic absorption and deposition in hair; (2) quantification of drugs in hair; (3) factors impacting (inhaled) drug hair concentrations; and (4) clinical studies assessing inhaled medication adherence through hair analysis.

Influence of ultrafiltration conditions on the unbound fraction of phenytoin and valproic acid.

Purpose: This study was designed to analyse the influence of temperature, pH and storage time on unbound fractions of PHT and VPA.

Methods: The influence of ultrafiltration (UF) temperature on measured unbound fractions of PHT and VPA in spiked samples was evaluated in a single laboratory experiment and in data from a national external quality control (EQC) database. The influence of pH adjustment with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) on measured unbound fractions of PHT and VPA was investigated in patient samples.

Validation of angiography-based FFR in non-culprit vessels of patients presenting with STEMI.

Background: Fractional flow reserve (FFR) for non-culprit lesions (NCLs) in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) can be influenced by temporary changes in microvascular resistance. Angiography-derived vessel fractional flow reserve (vFFR) has been tested as a less-invasive alternative.

Aims: The FAST STEMI II study aimed to assess the diagnostic performance of acute-setting vFFR vs.

Time below range alone is insufficient to identify severe hypoglycaemia risk in type 1 diabetes-the critical role of hypoglycaemia awareness: results from the SFDT1 study.

Aims/hypothesis: Severe hypoglycaemia events (SHE) remain frequent in people with type 1 diabetes despite advanced diabetes technologies. We examined whether time below range (TBR) 3.9 mmol/l (70 mg/dl; TBR70) or 3.

Identifying rehabilitation needs as part of secondary prevention in individuals with Atrial Fibrillation - a Delphi consensus study.

Aim: This study aimed to establish general consensus on a systematic needs assessment model to determine eligibility for cardiac rehabilitation (CR) as part of secondary prevention in individuals with atrial fibrillation (AF). Specific objectives included identifying relevant needs assessment criteria and establishing consensus on referral criteria.

Methods: A Delphi study was conducted following the ACCORD guidelines (ACcurate COnsensus Reporting Document) with participation of an international, multi-disciplinary expert panel including physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals, across primary and secondary care as well as academic research.

Lacrimal gland ultrasonography shows superior reliability of OMERACT colour Doppler scoring compared to B-mode, in patients with clinically suspected Sjögren's disease.

Objective: To investigate the reliability of lacrimal gland ultrasound (LGUS) in patients with clinically suspected Sjögren's disease (SjD).

Method: Of 41 consecutive patients with clinically suspected SjD, 28 were diagnosed with SjD and 13 were classified as non-SjD. Forty patients were scored for bilateral lacrimal gland (LG) B-mode evaluation; LGs were 'not visible' in one case.

Novel prosthetic medial meniscus restores contact pressures to native values in a meniscectomized canine stifle.

Objective: The aim of this study was to ascertain whether a prosthetic meniscus adapts pressures to native tibial contact pressures in a canine stifle joint after total medial meniscectomy.

Study Design: Ex vivo biomechanical experimental study.

Sample Population: Seven cadaveric hindlimbs of seven large-breed dogs.

Clinical Impact of Continuation Versus Cessation of Antiviral Therapy in Chronic Hepatitis B: A Modelling Study With Implications for Hepatitis B Cure.

Discontinuing antivirals in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) 'e' antigen negative infection can enhance HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) loss but risks complications. We modelled the clinical impact of discontinuing antivirals in chronic HBV. We developed a Markov state model with Monte Carlo simulation of chronic HBV to compare continuation of antiviral therapy with 3 strategies of cessation and reinitiation for: (1) virologic relapse, (2) clinical relapse, or (3) hepatitis flare.

Lactococcal mobile genetic elements harbour a diverse phage defensome rich in restriction-modification systems.

The genomes of 43 distinct lactococcal strains were reconstructed by a combination of long- and short-read sequencing, resolving the plasmid complement and methylome of these strains. The genomes comprised 43 chromosomes of approximately 2.5 Mb each and 269 plasmids ranging from 2 to 211 kb (at an average occurrence of 6 per strain).

Eye tracking for the classification of visual function in individuals with vision impairment: A validation in Para athletes.

Eye tracking has the potential to be used as a meaningful measure of the consequences of vision impairment (VI), yet a comprehensive test battery is lacking. In this study, we sought to evaluate the feasibility and validity of a test battery of eye movements as a tool to measure visual performance in individuals with VI. A test battery including fixation stability, smooth pursuit, saccades, free viewing, and visual search was administered to 46 athletes with VI and 10 control participants.

First evaluation of a novel pulsatile LVAD: Feasibility and haemodynamic impact in acute heart failure.

Aims: Non-pharmacological therapies for acute decompensated heart failure (HF) and cardiogenic shock have evolved considerably in recent decades. Short-term mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices can be used as circulatory backup. While nearly all available devices use continuous flow, evidence indicates that pulsatile flow can be more effective.

The Prevalence of Scapholunate Signal Abnormalities on Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Background: Although trauma is a major cause of symptomatic scapholunate interosseous ligament (SLIL) pathology, many patients do not recall a specific injury or repetitive trauma. We report on: (1) the prevalence of SLIL signal changes in patients who underwent wrist magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for various indications; and (2) the prevalence of SLIL signal changes on MRI in patients without prior wrist trauma.

Methods: This is a retrospective study evaluating 1021 patients who underwent wrist MRI or magnetic resonance arthrogram.

Repurposed antihypertensive drugs for negative symptoms in schizophrenia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Schizophrenia is a complex psychiatric disorder characterized by positive, negative, and general psychopathological symptoms. While antipsychotic drugs are effective for positive symptoms, they provide limited benefit for negative symptoms, which are often persistent and strongly associated with functional disability. Additionally, up to 30% of patients exhibit resistance to current treatments, including clozapine.

Nerve Excitability in Asymptomatic Carriers and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients With C9orf72.

Objective: We investigated the effects of C9orf72 mutation carriership on peripheral nerve excitability in asymptomatic individuals from families with a history of C9orf72 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and patients.

Methods: We included 47 asymptomatic individuals from families with a history of C9orf72 ALS, of whom 23 were carriers (C9) and 24 were noncarriers (C9). In addition, 11 C9 and 110 C9 ALS patients and 50 healthy controls participated.

Nail toxicities associated with cancer therapies: Insights and recommendations from the EADV task force dermatology for cancer patients.

Nail toxicities are a frequent yet underreported adverse effect of cancer therapies. These toxicities can significantly impact patients' quality of life and may lead to treatment modifications or interruptions. This narrative review aims to analyse the types, severity and underlying mechanisms of nail toxicities associated with cancer treatments as well as their management.

Lower survival, higher surgical complexity, but no difference in physical functioning and pain in total knee arthroplasty following osteotomy versus primary total knee arthroplasty without osteotomy: Analysis of 189,932 procedures of the Dutch Arthroplasty Register.

Purpose: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) following an osteotomy around the knee might be technically more challenging and yield inferior outcome compared with primary TKA. The aim of this study was to investigate the survival, use of revision components and clinical outcome of TKAs postosteotomy compared with primary TKAs.

Methods: Patients from the Dutch Arthroplasty Register who underwent TKA after osteotomy or primary TKA with osteoarthritis as primary diagnosis from 2007 to 2022 and aged ≥18 years at the time of the procedure were selected.

Systematic video analysis of ankle sprain injuries in elite male football (soccer): Injury mechanisms, situational patterns, biomechanics and neurocognitive errors study: A study on 140 consecutive players.

Purpose: To describe the mechanisms, situational patterns, biomechanics and neurocognitive errors related ankle sprain injuries of professional male football players during match play.

Methods: There were 166 consecutive ankle sprain injuries identified occurring during official matches in players of top European football leagues. One hundred and forty (84%) injury videos were analysed for mechanism and situational pattern, with biomechanics on 20 players.

Emerging Radiopharmaceuticals Beyond FDG for Ovarian Cancer: A Review of Advances in Nuclear Medicine.

Aims: This review summarizes the role and future prospects of nuclear medicine in ovarian cancer, focusing on novel radiopharmaceuticals beyond FDG for diagnostic, predictive, and therapeutic applications within a theranostic framework.

Materials And Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted using major databases. Peer-reviewed articles addressing non-FDG radiopharmaceuticals in ovarian cancer were identified and assessed; FDG-based studies were excluded due to the availability of prior comprehensive reviews.

The use of injectable orthobiologics for knee osteoarthritis: A formal ESSKA-ORBIT consensus. Part 2-Cell-based therapy.

Purpose: This European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy (ESSKA) formal consensus aims to provide evidence- and expert opinion-based recommendations for the use of point-of-care- and expanded-cell-based therapy (CBT) in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA), focusing on indications, preparation, and administration.

Methods: A multidisciplinary group of 77 leading experts in musculoskeletal regenerative medicine from 22 European Countries formed a steering group, a rating group, and a reader group. The steering group developed 23 questions, originating from 27 statements.

A Novel Approach to Early Personalized Hemodynamic Resuscitation: Non-Invasive Peripheral Photoplethysmography for Identifying Predominant Vasodilatory Shock in Sepsis.

Introduction: Sepsis remains a leading cause of mortality, with mortality from septic shock exceeding 40%. Standardized resuscitation (30 mL/kg) may cause adverse outcomes, including fluid overload or prolonged hypotension, emphasizing the need for individualized strategies. Sepsis-induced shock arises from varying degrees of vasodilation and hypovolemia, yet patients often present with similar clinical signs in the emergency department (ED).

Love as Bait: A Scoping Review and Crime Script Analysis of Online Romance Scams.

This study presents a scoping review and crime script analysis of the modus operandi of online romance scammers. Online romance scams are a form of fraud in which perpetrators fabricate online romantic relationships with victims, aiming to emotionally manipulate and, ultimately, financially exploit them. The review aims to synthesize existing research on how scammers operate and to develop a comprehensive crime script that can guide prevention and policy efforts.

Does the existing evidence on flexible and navigable suction ureteral access sheath indicate a potential paradigm shift in the management of kidney and ureteral stones with flexible ureteroscopy? An overview from EAU endourology.

Purpose Of Review: This opinion article from the EAU Endourology Section critically summarizes the existing evidence on flexible and navigable suction ureteral access sheaths (FANS) to determine if they represent a paradigm shift in managing kidney and ureteral stones with flexible ureteroscopy (FURS). This scoping review aims to synthesize recent findings on FANS efficacy, safety, and potential to overcome limitations of conventional ureteral access sheath (C-UAS) and other modalities.

Recent Findings: Current evidence demonstrates FANS significantly outperforms C-UAS.