Biliary tract cancer (BTC) is a rare and often deadly disease that's usually found at an advanced stage. The standard first-line treatment is a combination of gemcitabine and cisplatin. However, there's no clear global standard for second-line treatments after chemotherapy. New therapies targeting s
Have you ever heard the phrase "the best intentions can backfire"? This is exactly what happened in an epilepsy monitoring unit. Inserting a peripheral intravascular catheter is a common procedure, but it comes with unforeseen risks. Some patients developed a severe bloodstream infection, Staphyloco
Imagine a 32-year-old woman noticing her hair thinning rapidly. At first glance, doctors might think it's alopecia areata, a common hair loss condition. But looks can be deceiving. This woman had something trickier: lichen planopilaris (LPP), a rare condition where the immune system attacks hair fol
Bee venom isn't just something to be feared; it's a powerful tool in modern medicine. Honeybees, known for their sweet nectar, also produce a venom that can help treat various diseases. This venom is a mix of proteins, peptides, enzymes, and other compounds. Scientists have found that it can fight c
Imagine you're having trouble swallowing food, and it's not getting better despite years of treatment. That's what people with refractory benign esophageal strictures (BESs) experience. But what if there was a quicker, safer way to treat this condition? Enter the self-inflatable balloon (SHIB)—a new
When someone gets badly hurt and loses blood, doctors often use a type of liquid called crystalloids to help increase their blood volume. This has been the standard treatment for a long time, but how much is safe? Researchers decided to explore this by studying a national trauma registry over the pa
Sjögren’s syndrome is an autoimmune disorder where the body attacks its own salivary and tear glands. It's rare for people with Sjögren’s to also have serious kidney issues like membranous glomerulonephritis, where the kidneys' filters get damaged. Even rarer is for these patients to develop cancer,
European countries are taking action against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by creating National Action Plans (NAPs). These plans aim to boost understanding and awareness of AMR. However, translating these targets into practical advice for general practitioners is where things get tricky. General pr
Have you ever thought about what happens to the plastic bags that hold your traditional Chinese herbal decoction? It's convenient for sure, but there might be some hidden trouble brewing inside. When these bags are filled with hot water, they release tiny bits of plastic, known as micro and nanoplas
Imagine this: researchers gave mice with a missing liver enzyme called Agpat5 a diet filled with sugary drinks. What happened? Their weight and body fat didn't budge, but their insulin levels dropped, and they had better blood sugar control. This flip-flops the usual idea that sugar is always bad fo
