Objective: This study aimed to develop a configurable clean room paradigm with low air pressure for assisted reproductive technology (ART) clinics and demonstrate the concept’s efficacy using in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. Methods: A high-standard clean room system with positive pressure (13 Pa) was built using accessible materials and equipment for ART laboratories. Methods for controlling and evaluating the clean room’s characteristics were developed and implemented for quality assessment and calibration to maximize efficiency. The feasibility of the flexible clean room concept was assessed by analyzing the key performance indicators of embryo culture and IVF treatment. Results: After 3 weeks of testing, the concentration of particles ≥0.5 μm was 6.04 times lower than the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) class 5 standard (3,520 particles/m3) in the IVF laboratory. Air pressure, noise, temperature, and humidity were controlled stably and appropriately. Five days after installation and handover, the volatile organic compound concentration dropped to 0.00 ppm. With blastocysts and a respectable blastocyst rate, embryonic culture with female patients younger than 40 matched the criteria (63.5% and 38.9%, respectively). After vitrified blastocysts were transferred, the pregnancy and implantation rates were 58.5% and 36.2%, respectively, demonstrating a high degree of treatment success. Conclusion Our customizable, high-quality, low-air-pressure clean room model can be implemented to achieve positive outcomes for infertility treatment.

Endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT) has emerged as a transformative approach for managing gastrointestinal (GI) transmural defects, offering a less invasive and more promising alternative to surgery. Initially developed to address anastomotic leaks after rectal surgery, the application of EVT has expanded to include other locations within the GI tract. This review investigated the principles, indications, procedures, outcomes, challenges, and future perspectives of EVT for the management of GI transmural defects. In conclusion, EVT has demonstrated favorable outcomes in GI defect closure, with reduced complications, shortened hospital stay, and decreased morbidity rates as compared with conventional treatments. Although EVT faces challenges in some specific anatomical locations and in managing severe complications such as major bleeding, ongoing advancements in technology and standardization efforts offer promise for broader indications and better outcomes. Future perspectives include exploring novel EVT devices, refining patient selection criteria and pre-emptive applications, and standardizing procedural protocols.

Laparoscopic total pancreatectomy (LTP) is technically challenging and infrequently documented in the literature. In this paper, we present a new approach for performing fully LTP, a pancreatic tail-first approach with a counterclockwise technique, to accomplish total mesopancreas dissection and standard lymphadenectomy en bloc. Firstly, the tail and body of the pancreas without the spleen were dissected retrogradely, starting from the lower border of the body of pancreas and then from left to right. After that, a counterclockwise dissection of the tail and body of the pancreas was performed. The splenic artery and vein were divided at the terminal end of the pancreatic tail. The spleen was preserved. The entire body and tail of the pancreas were then pulled to the right side. This maneuver facilitated the isolation and dissection of arteries in the retropancreatic region more easily via laparoscopy, including the splenic artery, gastroduodenal artery, and supporting superior mesenteric artery first-approach. It also enabled total mesopancreas dissection.The inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery was resected last during this phase. The remainder of the dissection was like that of a laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy with total mesopancreas dissection, involving two laparoscopic manual anastomoses. The operative time was 490 minutes and the total blood loss was 100 mL. Pathology revealed a low-grade intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm extending from the head to the tail of the pancreas.

Methods: This study included 41 patients with single-level grades 1 or 2 LS from February 2023 to February 2024. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for back and leg pain and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Bridwell fusion grades were evaluated via lumbar spine computed tomography performed 6 months postoperatively. Results: Over a mean follow-up period of 10.6 months (range, 7–18 months), significant improvements were observed in VAS scores for low back pain (from 7.8±0.8 to 2.1±1.4) and leg pain (from 8.1±1.3 to 1.9±1.5) as well as ODI scores (from 50.4±15.4 to 14.8±10.5). The cohort consisted of patients with grades 1 (73.2%) and 2 LS (26.8%) at L4–L5 (58.6%), L5–S1 (34.1%), and L3–L4 (7.3%) levels. The mean operation time was 182.8±36.4 minutes, with a mean intraoperative blood loss of 190.5±81.3 mL and a mean hospital stay of 7.2±3.6 days. Successful fusion (Bridwell grades I/II) was achieved in 82.9% of the cases, with a 4.9% incidence of cage subsidence. Minor complications included durotomies in two patients (4.9%), whereas no major complications, such as nerve root injury, hardware-related issues, or postoperative infections, were reported. Conclusions The described BE-LIF technique, using HA bone grafts, which are an autologous bone from the preserved IAP, and a TLIF cage, is a viable, safe, and effective option for treating low-grade LS. This approach achieves favorable clinical outcomes and high fusion rates, which provides a cost-effective alternative to advanced surgical implants.

Background: and Purpose In the ESCAPE-NA1 (Efficacy and Safety of Nerinetide for the Treatment of Acute Ischaemic Stroke) trial, treatment with nerinetide was associated with improved outcomes in patients who did not receive intravenous alteplase. We compared the effect of nerinetide on clinical outcomes in patients without concurrent intravenous alteplase treatment within different patient subgroups. Methods: ESCAPE-NA1 was a multicenter randomized trial in which acute stroke patients with baseline Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) >4 undergoing endovascular treatment (EVT) were randomized to intravenous nerinetide or placebo. The primary outcome was independence (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score 0–2) at 90 days. We assessed baseline, clinical, and imaging variables as predictors of outcome and for evidence of treatment effect modification. We constructed two multivariable models using variables known prior to randomization and variables known immediately post-EVT procedure to provide adjusted estimates of effect. We assessed for evidence of treatment effect modification using multiplicative interaction terms within each model. Results: Four hundred forty-six patients were included in the analysis. Clinical outcomes were better in patients randomized to the nerinetide arm (mRS 0–2: 59.4% vs. 49.8%). There was possible treatment effect modification by ASPECTS score; patients with ASPECTS 8–10 showed a larger treatment effect compared to those with lower ASPECTS score. Younger age, lower NIHSS score, lower baseline serum glucose, absence of atrial fibrillation at baseline, higher ASPECTS score, middle cerebral artery (vs. internal carotid artery) occlusion, use of conscious or no sedation (vs. general anesthesia), and faster treatment were all predictors of favorable outcome. Conclusion Patients in the nerinetide arm who were not treated with concurrent alteplase showed improved clinical outcomes and the treatment effect was larger among patients with favorable ASPECTS profiles.

Purpose: This research presents an experimental study using validated questionnaires to quantitatively assess the outcomes of art-based observational training in medical students, residents, and specialists. The study tested the hypothesis that art-based observational training would lead to measurable effects on judgement skills (tolerance of ambiguity) and empathy in medical students and doctors. Methods: An experimental cohort study with pre- and post-intervention assessments was conducted using validated questionnaires and qualitative evaluation forms to examine the outcomes of art-based observational training in medical students and doctors. Between December 2023 and June 2024, 15 art courses were conducted in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. Participants were assessed on empathy using the Jefferson Scale of Empathy (JSE) and tolerance of ambiguity using the Tolerance of Ambiguity in Medical Students and Doctors (TAMSAD) scale. Results: In total, 91 participants were included; 29 participants completed the JSE and 62 completed the TAMSAD scales. The results showed statistically significant post-test increases for mean JSE and TAMSAD scores (3.71 points for the JSE, ranging from 20 to 140, and 1.86 points for the TAMSAD, ranging from 0 to 100). The qualitative findings were predominantly positive. Conclusion The results suggest that incorporating art-based observational training in medical education improves empathy and tolerance of ambiguity. This study highlights the importance of art-based observational training in medical education in the professional development of medical students and doctors.

Conversion therapy is a treatment strategy that shifts from palliative systemic therapy to curative surgical treatment for primary and/or metastatic stage IV gastric cancer (GC).To address its clinical statements, the Korean Gastric Cancer Association aims to present a consensus on conversion therapy among experts attending KINGCA WEEK 2024. The KINGCA Scientific Committee and Development Working Group for Korean Practice Guidelines prepared preformulated topics and 9 clinical statements for conversion therapy.The Delphi method was applied to a panel of 17 experts for consensus and opinions. The final comments were announced after the statement presentation and discussed during the consensus meeting session of KINGCA WEEK 2024. Most experts agreed that conversion herapy provides a survival benefit for selected patients who respond to systemic therapy and undergo R0 resection (88.3%). Patients with limited metastases were considered good candidates (94.2%). The optimal timing was based on the response to systemic therapy (70.6%). The regimen was recommended to be individualized (100%) and the duration to be at least 6 months (88.3%). A minimally invasive approach (82.3%) and D2 lymph node dissection (82.4%) were considered for surgery. However, resection for metastases with a complete clinical response after systemic therapy was not advocated (41.2%). All experts agreed on the need for large-scale randomized-controlled trials for further evidence (100%).Recent advancements in treatment may facilitate radical surgery for patients with stage IV GC. Further evidence is warranted to establish the safety and efficacy of conversion therapy.

Background: Recurrent gynecological clear cell carcinoma (rGCCC) has a low objective response rate (ORR) to chemotherapy. Previous preclinical and clinical data suggest a potential synergy between immune checkpoint inhibitors and bevacizumab in rGCCC.Dostarlimab, a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), combined with the anti-angiogenic bevacizumab, presents a novel therapeutic approach. This study will investigate the efficacy of dostarlimab +/− bevacizumab in rGCCC. Methods DOVE is a global, multicenter, international, open-label, randomized phase 2 study of dostarlimab +/− bevacizumab with standard chemotherapy in rGCCC. We will enroll 198 patients with rGCCC and assign them to one of three groups in a 1:1:1 ratio: arm A (dostarlimab monotherapy), B (dostarlimab + bevacizumab), and C (investigator’s choice of chemotherapy [weekly paclitaxel, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, doxorubicin, or gemcitabine]). Patients with disease progression in arm A or C will be allowed to cross over to arm B. Stratification factors include prior bevacizumab use, prior lines of therapy (1 vs. >1), and primary site (ovarian vs. non-ovarian). Key inclusion criteria are histologically proven recurrent or persistent clear cell carcinoma of the ovary, endometrium, cervix, vagina, or vulva; up to five prior lines of therapy; disease progression within 12 months after platinumbased chemotherapy; and measurable disease. Key exclusion criteria are prior treatment with an anti–PD-1, anti–programmed death-ligand 1, or anti–programmed death-ligand 2 agent.The primary endpoint is progression-free survival determined by investigators. Secondary endpoints are ORR, disease control rate, clinical benefit rate, progression-free survival 2, overall survival, and toxicity. Exploratory objectives include immune biomarkers.

Purpose: The KidZ Health Castle Formula (KHC-F) was developed to improve the positioning of multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH probes (MII-pH). We hypothesized that the updated formula KHC-Fv2 would performs better than the original formula. This study aimed to evaluate the reliability of KHC-Fv2. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted to assess MII-pH probe positioning in patients aged 1 month to 18 years. Margins of error within 1 cm above or below the target position, as determined using KHC-Fv2 and compared with fluoroscopy, were accepted. Results: Eighty-four children were included in the study. The mean difference between the KHC-Fv2 and target positions was +0.25 cm cranially. The KHC-Fv2 insertion length fell within the accepted difference of ±1 cm of the target position in 67.9% of the children.This percentage increased in infants under 1 year of age (79.5%) or shorter than 100 cm (74.0%) in height. Conclusion KHC-Fv2 demonstrated strong agreement with correct positioning and significantly reduced the need for a second radiologic control after probe repositioning, particularly in infants or children shorter than 100 cm.