INTRODUCTION: This study was performed to compare the efficacy and safety of PreserFlo MicroShunt (PMS) implantation with mitomycin C (MMC) applied by sub-tenon injection versus conventional application by MMC-soaked sponges. METHODS: This retrospective, 1-year cohort study included 100 eyes of 100 patients with glaucoma who underwent PMS implantation with MMC (0.4 mg/ml) delivered either by sub-tenon injection (50 eyes) or via soaked sponges (50 eyes). The primary outcome measure at 1 year was intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction, with complete success defined as an IOP reduction of ≥ 20% and achieving a target IOP of ≤ 21 or 18 mmHg without the use of medication. Secondary outcomes, including corneal endothelial cell density (CECD) loss, the number of medications, and complications, were assessed and compared between the groups. RESULTS: Sustained reductions in mean IOP were observed in both groups over the 1-year follow-up, with no significant differences between the groups. The complete success rate, with a target IOP of ≤ 21 mmHg after 1 year, was 19.3% in the sponge group and 26.4% in the injection group. The qualified success rate was 59.0% and 87.4% in the sponge and injection groups, respectively. A longer survival rate was observed in the injection group than in the sponge group when IOP was below 21 mmHg. The mean CECD significantly decreased (P < 0.01) from baseline to each postoperative follow-up time point in both groups. At 1 year postoperatively, the percentage of total CECD loss was 8.1% in the sponge group and 8.0% in the injection group. However, no significant differences in mean CECD values, the number of medications, or adverse events were found between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: PMS implantation with sub-tenon injection of MMC was comparable in terms of efficacy and safety to traditional MMC delivery via soaked sponges. However, the injection group demonstrated a significantly higher success rate than the sponge group.
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Wilson disease (WD) primarily presents with hepatic and neurological symptoms. While hepatic symptoms typically precede the neurological manifestations, copper accumulates in the brain already in this patient group and leads to subclinical brain MRI abnormalities including T2 hyperintensities and atrophy. This study aimed to assess brain morphological changes in mild hepatic WD. WD patients without a history of neurologic symptoms and decompensated cirrhosis and control participants underwent brain MRI at 3T scanner including high-resolution T1-weighted images. A volumetric evaluation was conducted on the following brain regions: nucleus accumbens, caudate, pallidum, putamen, thalamus, amygdala, hippocampus, midbrain, pons, cerebellar gray matter, white matter (WM), and superior peduncle, using Freesurfer v7 software. Whole-brain analyses using voxel- and surface-based morphometry were performed using SPM12. Statistical comparisons utilized a general linear model adjusted for total intracranial volume, age, and sex. Twenty-six WD patients with mild hepatic form (30 ± 9 years [mean age ± SD]); 11 women; mean treatment duration 13 ± 12 (range 0-42) years and 28 healthy controls (33 ± 9 years; 15 women) were evaluated. Volumetric analysis revealed a significantly smaller pons volume and a trend for smaller midbrain and cerebellar WM in WD patients compared to controls. Whole-brain analysis revealed regions of reduced volume in the pons, cerebellar, and lobar WM in the WD group. No significant differences in gray matter density or cortical thickness were found. Myelin or WM in general seems vulnerable to low-level copper toxicity, with WM volume loss showing promise as a marker for assessing brain involvement in early WD stages.
- MeSH
- bílá hmota patologie diagnostické zobrazování MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- hepatolentikulární degenerace * patologie diagnostické zobrazování MeSH
- játra patologie diagnostické zobrazování MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- magnetická rezonanční tomografie * MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- mozek * patologie diagnostické zobrazování MeSH
- šedá hmota patologie diagnostické zobrazování MeSH
- studie případů a kontrol MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
Hand and foot osteosarcoma represents ~1% of all diagnosed cases of osteosarcoma. The rarity of osteosarcoma of the hand and foot leads to frequent misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis or incorrect treatments, which can lead to fatal consequences. Typically, salvaging the affected limb is the treatment of choice, and with the use of chemotherapy, 60-65% of patients with osteosarcoma can be treated without amputation. Due to its rarity, misdiagnosis and treatment delays are common, yet detailed reviews and analyses of such cases are limited. The present retrospective cohort study aimed to review and analyze cases of osteosarcoma located in the hand and foot. From January 2007 to January 2019, 11 patients were treated at the Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute Sarcoma Center (Brno, Czechia), 5 cases affected the hand and 6 affected the foot. A total of 6 male patients and 5 female patients, with a mean age of 30.9±16.74 years, were diagnosed with hand or foot osteosarcoma. The mean follow-up period was 90.36±66.14 months. The mean tumor size detected during diagnosis was 4.29±1.81 cm. Osteoblastic osteosarcoma was the most common histopathological type, accounting for 4 cases (33.4%). A majority of the osteosarcomas were identified as high grade (81.8%). A total of 5 patients experienced misdiagnoses following their initial biopsy, with 2 patients initially receiving treatment outside the Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute Sarcoma Center. The most frequently encountered misdiagnosis was giant-cell tumor of the bone. A total of 3 patients underwent limb amputation and 2 patients developed lung metastasis and succumbed to the disease. The disease-free survival period and overall survival rate were calculated using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. The mean disease-free survival period was 82.83±60.05 months, while the overall survival rate was 72%, with a mean survival time of 90.36±56.73 months. In summary, an examination of a case series involving 11 patients diagnosed with osteosarcoma of the hand and foot was conducted. The treatment approach, clinical characteristics and patient outcomes were described. A total of four case studies of patients with osteosarcoma in the hand or foot were presented. Misdiagnosis of this disease may result in the inappropriate treatment being administered to patients, therefore, the correct and rapid diagnosis of disease is necessary for effective treatment of hand and foot osteosarcomas.
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
BACKGROUND: Vaccination against 5 prominent meningococcal serogroups (A/B/C/W/Y) is necessary for broad disease protection. We report immunopersistence through 4 years after a 2-dose (6-month interval) pentavalent MenABCWY primary vaccine series and safety and immunogenicity of a booster administered 4 years after primary vaccination. METHODS: This randomized, active-controlled, observer-blinded study was conducted in the United States and Europe. In stage 1, healthy MenACWY vaccine-naive or -experienced 10- to 25-year-olds were randomized 1:2 to receive MenABCWY and placebo or MenB-fHbp and MenACWY-CRM. Eligible participants were randomly selected to participate in stage 2, which was an open-label immunopersistence and booster extension. Immunogenicity was assessed through serum bactericidal antibody using human complement (hSBA) assays with serogroups A/C/W/Y (MenA/C/W/Y) and 4 primary serogroup B (MenB) test strains. Immunogenicity endpoints included hSBA seroprotection rates through 48 months after primary vaccination and 1 month after the booster. Safety endpoints included booster reactogenicity events and adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: Of 1379 eligible participants, 353 entered stage 2; 242 completed the 48-month blood draw after primary vaccination and 240 completed the booster vaccination phase. MenA/C/W/Y seroprotection rates remained high for 4 years following a 2-dose MenABCWY primary series (MenACWY-naive, 62.0 %-100.0 %; MenACWY-experienced, 98.7 %-100.0 %) and trended higher than those after a single MenACWY-CRM dose (MenACWY-naive, 38.1 %-95.2 %; MenACWY-experienced, 89.7 %-100.0 %). Corresponding seroprotection rates against MenB remained stable and generally higher than baseline (MenABCWY, 18.2 %-36.6 %; MenB-fHbp, 16.2 %-31.9 % across strains). Following a booster, seroprotection rates against all 5 serogroups were ≥ 93.8 % across groups. Most booster dose reactogenicity events were mild or moderate in severity, and AEs were infrequent. CONCLUSIONS: Immune responses remained high for MenA/C/W/Y and above baseline for MenB through 4 years after the MenABCWY primary series, with robust responses for all 5 serogroups observed following a booster. The MenABCWY booster had an acceptable safety and tolerability profile consistent with the primary series. NCT03135834.
- MeSH
- dítě MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- imunogenicita vakcíny MeSH
- komplement imunologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- meningokokové infekce * prevence a kontrola imunologie MeSH
- meningokokové vakcíny * imunologie škodlivé účinky aplikace a dávkování MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- Neisseria meningitidis imunologie MeSH
- protilátky bakteriální * krev MeSH
- sekundární imunizace * metody MeSH
- séroskupina MeSH
- vakcíny konjugované imunologie aplikace a dávkování škodlivé účinky MeSH
- Check Tag
- dítě MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- randomizované kontrolované studie MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Evropa MeSH
- Spojené státy americké MeSH
INTRODUCTION/AIMS: Prospective, randomized, controlled trials of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) maintenance therapy in myasthenia gravis (MG) are lacking. In this trial, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of caprylate/chromatography-purified IVIG; (IGIV-C) in patients with generalized MG undergoing standard care. METHODS: Sixty-two patients enrolled in this phase 2, multicenter, international, randomized trial (1:1 IGIV-C [2 g/kg loading dose; 1 g/kg every 3 weeks through week 21] or placebo). Efficacy was assessed by changes in Quantitative MG (QMG) score at week 24 versus baseline (primary endpoint) and percentage of patients with clinical improvement in QMG, MG Composite (MGC), and MG-Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) scores (secondary endpoints). Safety assessments reported all adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: The change in QMG at 24 weeks was -5.1 for IGIV-C and -3.1 for placebo (p = .187). Seventy percent of patients in the IGIV-C group had improvement in MG-ADL (≥2-point decrease) versus 40.6% in the placebo group (p = .025). Patients showing clinical improvement in QMG and MGC (≥3-point decrease) were 70.0% for IGIV-C versus 59.4% for placebo (p = .442) and 60.0% for IGIV-C versus 53.1% for placebo (p = .610). IGIV-C was well tolerated; serious AEs were similar between arms. Three of four MG exacerbations requiring hospitalizations occurred in the IGIV-C arm with one death. DISCUSSION: Several efficacy parameters showed numerical results greater than those seen in the placebo group. This was a small study and may have been underpowered to see significant differences. Additional studies may be warranted to fully determine the efficacy of IVIG maintenance therapy in MG.
- MeSH
- autoprotilátky krev MeSH
- činnosti denního života MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- dvojitá slepá metoda MeSH
- imunologické faktory terapeutické užití škodlivé účinky aplikace a dávkování MeSH
- intravenózní imunoglobuliny * terapeutické užití škodlivé účinky aplikace a dávkování MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- myasthenia gravis * farmakoterapie MeSH
- prospektivní studie MeSH
- receptory cholinergní * imunologie MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- výsledek terapie MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- klinické zkoušky, fáze II MeSH
- multicentrická studie MeSH
- randomizované kontrolované studie MeSH
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: A critical evaluation of contemporary literature regarding the role of big data, artificial intelligence, and digital technologies in precision cardio-oncology care and survivorship, emphasizing innovative and groundbreaking endeavors. RECENT FINDINGS: Artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm models can automate the risk assessment process and augment current subjective clinical decision tools. AI, particularly machine learning (ML), can identify medically significant patterns in large data sets. Machine learning in cardio-oncology care has great potential in screening, diagnosis, monitoring, and managing cancer therapy-related cardiovascular complications. To this end, large-scale imaging data and clinical information are being leveraged in training efficient AI algorithms that may lead to effective clinical tools for caring for this vulnerable population. Telemedicine may benefit cardio-oncology patients by enhancing healthcare delivery through lowering costs, improving quality, and personalizing care. Similarly, the utilization of wearable biosensors and mobile health technology for remote monitoring holds the potential to improve cardio-oncology outcomes through early intervention and deeper clinical insight. Investigations are ongoing regarding the application of digital health tools such as telemedicine and remote monitoring devices in enhancing the functional status and recovery of cancer patients, particularly those with limited access to centralized services, by increasing physical activity levels and providing access to rehabilitation services. SUMMARY: In recent years, advances in cancer survival have increased the prevalence of patients experiencing cancer therapy-related cardiovascular complications. Traditional cardio-oncology risk categorization largely relies on basic clinical features and physician assessment, necessitating advancements in machine learning to create objective prediction models using diverse data sources. Healthcare disparities may be perpetuated through AI algorithms in digital health technologies. In turn, this may have a detrimental effect on minority populations by limiting resource allocation. Several AI-powered innovative health tools could be leveraged to bridge the digital divide and improve access to equitable care.
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
BACKGROUND: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a disease typified by anomalies in cell metabolism. The function of mitochondria, including subunits of mitochondrial respiratory complex II (CII), in particular SDHB, are often affected. Here we investigated the state and function of CII in RCC patients. METHODS: We evaluated tumour tissue as well as the adjacent healthy kidney tissue of 78 patients with RCC of different histotypes, focusing on their mitochondrial function. As clear cell RCC (ccRCC) is by far the most frequent histotype of RCC, we focused on these patients, which were grouped based on the pathological WHO/ISUP grading system to low- and high-grade patients, indicative of prognosis. We also evaluated mitochondrial function in organoids derived from tumour tissue of 7 patients. RESULTS: ccRCC tumours were characterized by mutated von Hippel-Lindau gene and high expression of carbonic anhydrase IX. We found low levels of mitochondrial DNA, protein and function, together with CII function in ccRCC tumour tissue, but not in other RCC types and non-tumour tissues. Mitochondrial content increased in high-grade tumours, while the function of CII remained low. Tumour organoids from ccRCC patients recapitulated molecular characteristics of RCC tissue. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the state of CII, epitomized by its assembly and SDHB levels, deteriorates with the progressive severity of ccRCC. These observations hold the potential for stratification of patients with worse prognosis and may guide the exploration of targeted therapeutic interventions.
- MeSH
- antigeny nádorové MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- karboanhydrasa IX metabolismus genetika MeSH
- karcinom z renálních buněk * patologie metabolismus genetika MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mitochondriální DNA genetika metabolismus MeSH
- mitochondrie * metabolismus patologie genetika MeSH
- mutace MeSH
- nádorový supresorový protein VHL genetika metabolismus MeSH
- nádory ledvin * patologie metabolismus genetika MeSH
- respirační komplex II * metabolismus genetika MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- sukcinátdehydrogenasa genetika metabolismus MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
OBJECTIVES: This study aims to explore the lasting effects of stress experienced by pregnant women during World War II (WWII) on body and head measurements of their adult daughters. METHODS: The research sample consists of 336 female university students born in Poland between 1925 and 1951. The data include body measurements and socioeconomic information (parental occupation and number of siblings) acquired from questionnaires collected between the 1950s and 1970s. Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney test and Analysis of Variance were used to analyze differences in body measurements between groups of women born before and during the war, as well as the possible influences of socioeconomic variables. RESULTS: The mean measurements of body height, symphysion height, and waist circumference were lower in women conceived and born during the war compared to those born in the pre-war period. In contrast, the mean measurements of biacromial (shoulder) width, trunk length, and three head dimensions were higher in women conceived and born during the war. Additionally, the number of siblings appeared to be a significant factor that may have influenced the body measurements of women in both groups. For instance, a higher number of living siblings, particularly sisters, was associated with reduced body dimensions, such as body height and waist circumference, while a greater number of deceased siblings was linked to an increase in certain body dimensions. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that war-related prenatal conditions may have influenced the postnatal growth and development of women conceived and born during the war. Notably, the direction of these changes varied, which indicates that the growth response to the war-related conditions was a complex adaptation, reflecting both positive and negative changes in different body parts, rather than a uniform pattern of growth suppression.
- MeSH
- 2. světová válka * MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- psychický stres MeSH
- socioekonomické faktory MeSH
- těhotenství MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- těhotenství MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Polsko MeSH
The alveolar-capillary interface is the key functional element of gas exchange in the human lung, and disruptions to this interface can lead to significant medical complications. However, it is currently challenging to adequately model this interface in vitro, as it requires not only the co-culture of human alveolar epithelial and endothelial cells but mainly the preparation of a biocompatible scaffold that mimics the basement membrane. This scaffold should support cell seeding from both sides, and maintain optimal cell adhesion, growth, and differentiation conditions. Our study investigates the use of polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers as a versatile substrate for such cell cultures, aiming to model the alveolar-capillary interface more accurately. We optimized nanofiber production parameters, utilized polyamide mesh UHELON as a mechanical support for scaffold handling, and created 3D-printed inserts for specialized co-cultures. Our findings confirm that PCL nanofibrous scaffolds are manageable and support the co-culture of diverse cell types, effectively enabling cell attachment, proliferation, and differentiation. Our research establishes a proof-of-concept model for the alveolar-capillary interface, offering significant potential for enhancing cell-based testing and advancing tissue-engineering applications that require specific nanofibrous matrices.
A tubular microdialysis probe is made from polysulfone hollow fibre for human haemodialysis, which has an inner diameter of 200 μm and a thickness of 20 μm. Milk is deposited to the outer surface of the hollow fibre and allowed to dry to form a dry sample. The tubular probe is then connected to the syringe pump and microdialysis of the dry sample into 0.5 mol/L HCl as acceptor is performed. 2.5 μL of microdialysate is obtained and analyzed for inorganic cations by capillary electrophoresis with contactless conductivity detection. Baseline separation of NH4+, K+, Ca2+, Na+, Mg2+, Li+ is achieved in 5.5 mol/L acetic acid as background electrolyte using a fused silica capillary with inner diameter of 25 μm and length of 31.5 cm. The reproducibility of dry sample microdialysis including CE analysis for peak area ranges from 2.4 to 3.9 % after normalization to Li+ as internal standard.
- MeSH
- elektroforéza kapilární * přístrojové vybavení metody MeSH
- kationty * analýza MeSH
- mikrodialýza * přístrojové vybavení metody MeSH
- mléko * chemie MeSH
- skot MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- skot MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- hodnotící studie MeSH
