Most studies define the technical success of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) as a Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) revascularization grade of 2b or higher. However, growing evidence suggests that TICI 3 is the best angiographic predictor of improved functional outcomes. To assess the association between successful TICI revascularization grades and functional independence at 90 days, we performed a systematic review and network meta-analysis of thrombectomy studies that reported TICI scores and functional outcomes, measured by the modified Rankin Scale, using the semi-automated AutoLit software platform. Forty studies with 8691 patients were included in the quantitative synthesis. Across TICI, modified TICI (mTICI), and expanded TICI (eTICI), the highest rate of good functional outcomes was observed in patients with TICI 3 recanalization, followed by those with TICI 2c and TICI 2b recanalization, respectively. Rates of good functional outcomes were similar among patients with either TICI 2c or TICI 3 grades. On further sensitivity analysis of the eTICI scale, the rates of good functional outcomes were equivalent between eTICI 2b50 and eTICI 2b67 (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.52 to 1.25). We conclude that near complete or complete revascularization (TICI 2c/3) is associated with higher rates of functional outcomes after EVT.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs. They can regulate the expression of their target genes, and thus, their dysregulation significantly contributes to the development of cancer. Growing evidence suggests that miRNAs could be used as cancer biomarkers. As an oncogenic miRNA, the roles of miR-21 as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker, and its therapeutic applications have been extensively studied. In this review, the roles of miR-21 are first demonstrated via its different molecular networks. Then, a comprehensive review on the potential targets and the current applications as a diagnostic and prognostic cancer biomarker and the therapeutic roles of miR-21 in six different cancers in the digestive system is provided. Lastly, a brief discussion on the challenges for the use of miR-21 as a therapeutic tool for these cancers is added.

PURPOSE: Patients with IDH-mutant 1p/19q-codeleted grade 3 oligodendroglioma (O3 ^IDHmt/Codel ) benefit from adding alkylating agent chemotherapy to radiotherapy (RT). However, the optimal chemotherapy regimen between procarbazine, 1-(2-Chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU), and vincristine (PCV) and temozolomide (TMZ) remains unclear given the lack of randomized trial data comparing both regimens. METHODS: The objective was to assess the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) associated with first-line PCV/RT versus TMZ/RT in patients newly diagnosed with O3 ^IDHmt/Codel . We included patients with histologically proven O3 ^IDHmt/Codel (according to WHO criteria) from the French national prospective cohort Prise en charge des OLigodendrogliomes Anaplasiques (POLA). All tumors underwent central pathologic review. OS and PFS from surgery were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression model. RESULTS: 305 newly diagnosed patients with O3 ^IDHmt/Codel treated with RT and chemotherapy between 2008 and 2022 were included, of which 67.9% of patients (n = 207) were treated with PCV/RT and 32.1% with TMZ/RT (n = 98). The median follow-up was 78.4 months (IQR, 44.3-102.7). The median OS was not reached (95% CI, Not reached [NR] to NR) in the PCV/RT group and was 140 months (95% CI, 110 to NR) in the TMZ/RT group (log-rank P = .0033). On univariable analysis, there was a significant difference in favor of PCV/RT in both 5-year (PCV/RT: 89%, 95% CI, 85 to 94; TMZ/RT: 75%, 95% CI, 66 to 84) and 10-year OS (PCV/RT: 72%, 95% CI, 61 to 85; TMZ/RT: 60%, 95% CI, 49 to 73), which was confirmed using the multivariable Cox model adjusted for age, type of surgery, gender, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, and CDKN2A homozygous deletion (hazard ratio, 0.53 for PCV/RT, 95% CI, 0.30 to 0.92, P = .025). CONCLUSION: In patients with newly diagnosed O3 ^IDHmt/Codel from the POLA cohort, first-line PCV/RT was associated with better OS outcomes compared with TMZ/RT. Our data suggest that the improved safety profile associated with TMZ comes at the cost of inferior efficacy in this population. Further investigation using prospective randomized studies is warranted.

Background: While the impact of low glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) on various outcomes has been extensively studied, the other adverse occurrence, renal hyperfiltration (RHF), remains understudied, poorly defined, and, therefore, its impact on mortality unestablished. Methods: Using a population-based subcohort from the Kuopio Ischaemic Disease Risk Factor Study restricted to non-diabetic Finnish men aged 54 or 55 years, we followed up n = 1179 study participants for up to 35 years. We evaluated the hazard of all-cause mortality associated to RHF at different cutoff points defining eGFR. Based on models’ accuracy we suggested an optimal eGFR cutoff point for the definition of RHF. We divided the RHF category to three subgroups and evaluated them in terms of baseline characteristics and mortality hazard. Results: The eGFR value of 97 mL/min/1.73 m² corresponded to the models with the highest accuracy. Overall RHF associated with an increased risk of mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.42; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.21 to 1.67). Moderate RHF associated with a decreased HR of mortality when compared to mild (0.64; 95% CI 0.46 to 0.9) or to extreme RHF (0.61; 95% CI 0.43 to 0.85), suggesting a rather U-shaped relationship between RHF’s eGFR values and mortality hazard. Conclusion: The burden of increased eGFR within what is still considered normal eGFR category was highly underestimated. RHF’s eGFR values had a U-shaped association with the risk of overall mortality. A more uniform consensual definition of RHF is needed, as higher to normal eGFR values that are not without consequences.

Background The Algerian COVID-19 vaccination campaign, which started by the end of January 2021, is marked by a slowly ascending curve despite the deployed resources. To tackle the issue, we assessed the levels and explored determinants of engagement towards the COVID-19 vaccine among the Algerian population. Methods A nationwide, online-based cross-sectional study was conducted between March 27 and April 30, 2021. A two-stage stratified snowball sampling method was used to include an equivalent number of participants from the four cardinal regions of the country. A vaccine engagement scale was developed, defining vaccine engagement as a multidimensional parameter (5 items) that combined self-stated acceptance and willingness with perceived safety and efficacy of the vaccine. An Engagement score was calculated and the median was used to define engagement versus nonengagement. Sociodemographic and clinical data, perceptions about COVID-19 and levels of adherence to preventive measures were analyzed as predictors for nonengagement. Results We included 1,019 participants, 54% were female and 64% were aged 18-29 years. Overall, there were low rates of self-declared acceptance (26%) and willingness (21%) to take the vaccine, as well as low levels of agreement regarding vaccine safety (21%) and efficacy (30%). Thus, vaccine engagement rate was estimated at 33.5%, and ranged between 29.6-38.5% depending on the region (p>0.05). Nonengagement was independently associated with female gender (OR=2.31, p<0.001), low adherence level to preventive measures (OR=6.93p<0.001), private sector jobs (OR=0.53, p=0.038), perceived COVID-19 severity (OR=0.66, p=0.014), and fear from contracting the disease (OR=0.56, p=0.018). Concern about vaccine side effects (72.0%) and exigence for more efficacy and safety studies (48.3%) were the most commonly reported barrier and enabler for vaccine acceptance respectively; whereas beliefs in the conspiracy theory were reported by 23.4%. Conclusions The very low rates of vaccine engagement among the Algerian population probably explain the slow ascension of the vaccination curve in the country. Vaccine awareness campaigns should be implemented to address the multiple misconceptions and enhance the levels of knowledge and perception both about the disease and the vaccine, by prioritizing target populations and engaging both healthcare workers and the general population.

Background: Urethral prolapse (UP) is a rare, benign condition that often goes misdiagnosed and mistreated. It consists of the eversion of the distal urethral mucosa through the outer urethral meatus, leading to vascular obstruction and prolapsed tissue edema, which aggravates the prolapse. Although many review articles were reported on this condition, none of them focused on the conservative approach nor targeted the pediatric population. In this paper, we present successful medical management of UP in a 13-month-old Caucasian female and perform an extensive review of the literature to include articles that reported a conservative approach in patients under 18-years-old. We also suggested a practical algorithm for both diagnosis and management of this condition. Case presentation: A 13-month-old Caucasian white female was presented with a urinary tract infection and vaginal bleeding. Genital examination showed a hyperemic donut-shaped mass covering the urinary meatus, of 0.7 cm diameter, with an actively bleeding open center. After confirming the diagnosis of UP with catheterization, a conservative approach was decided; antibiotics associated with topical corticosteroids including betamethasone 1% cream. The first-week outcome showed regression of the prolapsed tissue and the examination after four months showed normal vaginal mucosa with no evidence of relapse. Conclusions: 20 studies were retained after PubMed search with a total of 278 female patients aged between 1 month and 15 years old. The main reasons for referral were vaginal bleeding and mass, urinary symptoms followed by sexual abuse. Non-surgical treatment was tried for 162 patients. 53 of them were successfully managed, while 92 reported unsuccessful outcomes. The conservative approach was successful in 19% of all patients and raised to 32.7% in the portion of children selected for the initial conservative approach. Even though this review showed good results with medical treatment in children with UP, additional comparative studies are required to evaluate the effectiveness of conservative treatment in comparison with surgical interventions. In addition, Long-term follow-up is required as recurrence was reported up to 2 years following conservative treatment.