Journal of investigative medicine : the official publication of the American Federation for Clinical Research
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Immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors has improved the outcomes of patients with metastatic lung cancer in recent years. Despite improved prognosis, not all patients respond to treatment. Therapeutic interventions to build on the success of immune checkpoint inhibitors are needed. ⋯ Palliative radiation therapy administered in proximity with immune checkpoint inhibitors immunotherapy had no effect on the OS of metastatic lung cancer patients. However, patients receiving palliative radiotherapy with fractions above 700 cGy showed better OS. Further studies are needed to optimize a combination strategy.
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After completing medical school in the United States, most students apply to residency programs in order to progress in their training. The residency application process contains numerous writing sections, including the personal statement, curriculum vitae, and "impactful experiences" section. This study's purpose is to investigate the perception of third and fourth year medical students on generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) and its influence on the residency application process. ⋯ More than half of survey participants believe that in the future, GenAI may alter the significance program directors place on letters of recommendation (LORs) in their selection criteria for deciding who to interview and select. Our survey results indicate that a number of students are either using or are receptive to the idea of using GenAI to draft or refine certain components of their residency application, such as the personal statement and impactful experiences section. As the application of GenAI expands, in-person interactions in the evaluation of candidates may become increasingly critical, and although personal statements and LORs are currently significant components of the residency application, their future roles remain a question.
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This study examined inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) trends over the last 10 years, including their nationwide patterns, and the outcomes of the utilization of total parental nutrition (TPN). Nationwide inpatient sample (NIS) database from 2010 to 2020, was used to identify IBD hospitalization and discharges and investigate outcomes, including in-hospital mortality and hospital resource utilization. The hospitalizations for IBD combining both Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) initially noted a rising trend until 2016 followed by a decreasing trend with statistical significance (p < 0.001). ⋯ The combined use of TPN in IBD showed a decreased trend from 5.9 to 4.3% with statistical significance (p < 0.001). There is a decline in the trend in TPN usage in both CD and UC. The hospital costs and malnutrition trend has increased, while the inpatient mortality, length of stay, and TPN use decreased over the year.
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Multicenter Study
Demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics of extrapulmonary tuberculosis: Eight-year results of a multicenter retrospective study in Turkey.
Extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) is an important public health problem due to its diverse clinical presentations, diagnostic complexities, and significant impact on patient outcomes and public health. Our study aimed to understand the sociodemographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics as well as diagnostic and treatment modalities of adult patients with EPTB. This is a multicentric retrospective study that covers patients with EPTB cases followed up from January 2015 to December 2022 among tuberculosis (TB) dispensaries and Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology clinics of 15 hospitals located in various regions of Turkey. ⋯ Anti-TB treatment-related hepatotoxicity was detected in 8.9% of patients. In this study, it is important to note that the lumbar region is predominantly affected with involvement in spinal region. CRP level was consistent with the number of organ involvements and was one of the most critical results of this study.
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Review
EXPRESS: Effectiveness of stem cells therapy for male infertility restoration: a systematic review.
Cell therapy has emerged as a prominent leader in regenerative medicine, offering potential solutions for various disorders, including infertility. Half of all infertility cases are related to male factors. The objective of this study is to systematically summarize the existing knowledge regarding studies on stem cell-based therapy for the regeneration of impaired spermatogenesis. ⋯ In all studies except for two articles, all the outcomes considered, including germ cells/spermatogonia stem cell differentiation, spermatogenesis restoration, defective testicular tissue regeneration, improved sperm quality parameters, and hormonal levels, as well as increased expression of fertility-related markers and fertility rate, were observed after stem cell transplantation. Transplantation of stem cells, especially MSCs could be a safe and effective method for the treatment of male infertility patients, such as azoospermic cases. Further research to investigate the efficiency of different stem cell sources, providing nutrient conditions for the isolation and differentiation of stem cells, and exploring the paracrine effects of MSCs in male infertility therapy, could be useful.