Abstract Reviews

Episiotomy practice and perineal outcomes in low risk vaginal deliveries: comparing a hospital attached birth center and delivery suite in Beirut, Lebanon.

Background: Episiotomy is considered a protective intervention when used selectively rather than routinely. Although current obstetric practice no longer recommends routine episiotomy, data on its use remain limited, particularly in Lebanon.Objective: This study evaluated the prevalence, predictors, and maternal outcomes…

Re-establishing bile acid composition after treatment of recurrent <i>Clostridioides difficile</i> infection with fecal microbiota transplantation compared with oral vancomycin or a 12-strain bacterial mixture.

Patients with Clostridioides difficile infection have high colonic levels of primary bile acids, which are potent germinators of Clostridioides difficile. Several studies have suggested that re-establishing a normal bile acid composition is a key factor in fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT)…

Potential pathogenesis of <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> strains from Cameroon: seroprevalence of 10 proteins involved in the pathogenesis of <i>Helicobacter pylori</i>-related gastro-duodenal diseases, measured using a new multiplex immunoassay among <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> IgM-positive dyspeptic patients.

BackgroundThis study aims to evaluate the seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) proteins involved in its pathogenicity among H. pylori infected patients.Research design and methodsThe analyses were based on 272 serums from H. pylori IgM-positive dyspeptic patients. H. pylori GroEL,…

Absence of steatosis combined with cardiometabolic risk factors confers the highest hepatocellular carcinoma risk in treated chronic hepatitis B.

BackgroundChronic hepatitis B (CHB) is a major cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In patients receiving CHB treatment, coexistence of steatotic liver disease (SLD) and cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRFs) markedly influence HCC risk. This study explored hepatic and metabolic profiles, HCC…

Barriers and facilitators to the utilization of cancer screening services in two Arctic Indigenous communities in Canada.

BackgroundIndigenous communities in Canada have high age-standardized rates of cancer mortality. Remote communities in Canada’s northern territories have a high proportion of Indigenous residents and disproportionately low utilization rates of screening services for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers, which could…

Financial hardship among patients with lung cancer and their family caregivers: A comparative study of two institution-based samples from Hong Kong and Mainland China.

ObjectiveTo investigate and compare the severity and prevalence of financial hardship among lung cancer patients and their caregivers in two institution-based samples from Hong Kong and Mainland China, emphasizing regional differences in healthcare systems and socioeconomic contexts.MethodsA cross-sectional survey of…

Development and validation of a digital PCR assay targeting plasma <i>FAR1</i> methylation for early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, yet current surveillance with alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and ultrasound (US) lacks sufficient accuracy, particularly for early-stage disease. This study aimed to develop and clinically validate a blood-based digital PCR (dPCR)…

Baicalin ameliorates podocyte injury and renal function impairment in idiopathic membranous nephropathy by inhibiting the AGE/RAGE signaling.

Idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) is an autoimmune glomerular disease. Current immunosuppressive therapies often cause side effects and high recurrence rates, highlighting the need for new treatments. Baicalin (BAI), a flavonoid isolated from Scutellaria baicalensis, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This…

Amygdala-putamen connectivity links gratitude to greater well-being.

IntroductionGratitude plays a crucial role in promoting affective well-being, yet the neural mechanisms underlying their relationship remains unclear. Given the central role of the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) and amygdala in emotion and reward processing, this study investigated whether resting-state functional…

Prognostic implications of single antiplatelet therapy in individuals developing diabetic foot disease with concurrent peripheral arterial disease.

BackgroundAntiplatelet therapy is recommended for secondary prevention in patients with diabetes and peripheral arterial disease (PAD), particularly after a diabetic foot event. Nevertheless, the relative effectiveness of aspirin, clopidogrel, and cilostazol for long-term outcomes remains uncertain.MethodsUsing the Taiwan Health and…