SCOTT L. FRANSSEN, D.O.

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In this study, researchers explored the effectiveness of a new chemotherapy approach called hepatic arterial infusion pump (HAIP) using floxuridine, combined with a traditional chemotherapy treatment, on patients with advanced liver cancer that couldn't be surgically removed. They found that patients who received this combined treatment had a one-year survival rate of 80%, much better than the 47% survival rate in previous studies using only standard chemotherapy. Additionally, the three-year survival rate was 31.5%, showing that this new approach could significantly improve outcomes for these patients. Who this helps: This research benefits patients with advanced liver cancer and their doctors by providing a more effective treatment option.

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This study focused on how professionals in eating disorder treatment and artificial intelligence (AI) view the use of AI to improve care for patients with eating disorders. The researchers gathered insights from 22 professionals through discussions that highlighted potential benefits of AI, such as better efficiency and support in treatment, but also pointed out challenges like ethical concerns and the need for human oversight. These findings are essential because they outline what is necessary for safely and effectively integrating AI into treatment practices. Who this helps: Patients with eating disorders and the healthcare professionals who treat them.

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This study looked at the risk of dying within 90 days after major liver surgery, finding that about 10.8% of patients died in that time frame. The researchers identified five key risk factors that predict a patient's chance of mortality: being 65 or older, having type 2 diabetes, having primary liver cancer, being classified as at least a level 3 by the American Society of Anesthesiologists, and undergoing extended liver surgery. They developed a simple scoring system that helps doctors determine a patient's risk level, which is crucial for making informed treatment decisions. Who this helps: This helps patients and doctors by providing a clear way to assess surgery risks.

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This study looks at two different methods for treating patients with a serious condition called unresectable malignant hilar biliary obstruction, which usually causes painless jaundice. Researchers are comparing primary percutaneous stenting (PPS) to endoscopic drainage to see which method leads to fewer complications in the 90 days after treatment. They expect to include 148 patients across several hospitals in the Netherlands, focusing on outcomes like the rate of complications and overall survival. Who this helps: This research benefits patients dealing with unresectable malignant hilar biliary obstruction.

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This study explored a new method called primary percutaneous stenting to help patients with a type of bile duct blockage caused by cancers, aiming to reduce complications and allow more patients to receive additional cancer treatment. Researchers found that out of 67 patients, 18% experienced serious complications within 90 days, but notably, there were no deaths related to the drainage procedure and 63% of patients were able to start systemic cancer treatment afterward. This new stenting method appears safer and more effective than traditional drainage methods, which can lead to more patients getting necessary cancer care. Who this helps: This benefits patients with malignant hilar biliary obstruction and their healthcare providers.

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This paper corrects an earlier article about a clinical trial (TESLA) that looked at a specific procedure, called primary percutaneous stenting, for helping patients with bile duct blockages caused by cancer. The researchers found that this procedure can effectively relieve symptoms in a significant number of patients, though specific numbers were not provided in the abstract. This finding is important because it offers a potential solution for improving the quality of life for patients facing difficult end-of-life issues related to cancer. Who this helps: Patients with malignant hilar biliary obstruction.

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This study looked at how early weightbearing affects healing in patients with specific ankle fractures, known as Weber B fractures. Researchers found that patients who were allowed to put weight on their injured ankle using a walking boot had significantly better ankle function compared to those who remained immobilized in a cast, with a 30-point improvement in function after six weeks and a 10-point improvement after twelve weeks. This matters because it suggests a more active treatment approach can lead to faster recovery and better overall health outcomes, not just for physical function, but also for mental well-being. Who this helps: This helps patients with stable Weber B ankle fractures.

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The study compared two treatments for patients with liver-confined unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), specifically gemcitabine with cisplatin (gem-cis) and hepatic arterial infusion pump (HAIP) chemotherapy. It found that patients receiving gem-cis had a median overall survival of 11.8 months, while those treated with HAIP chemotherapy lived significantly longer, with a median survival of 27.7 months; about 34% of HAIP patients were alive after three years compared to only 3.5% of those on gem-cis. These results highlight that HAIP chemotherapy may offer a much better chance of survival for patients with this aggressive cancer. Who this helps: Patients with liver-confined unresectable iCCA benefit the most from this research.

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This study compared two methods of placing a special pump that delivers chemotherapy directly to the liver for patients with a type of liver cancer that can't be removed by surgery. The researchers found that patients who had the pump placed using robotic surgery recovered faster, with a median recovery time of 2 days compared to 5 days for those who had open surgery. Additionally, patients who had robotic placement had a shorter hospital stay (3 days vs. 5 days) while having similar complication rates. Who this helps: This benefits patients with unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma by providing a quicker recovery option.

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This study looked at how blood flows during a specific type of cancer treatment called hepatic arterial infusion pump (HAIP) chemotherapy in 150 patients. They found that nearly 30% of patients showed abnormal blood flow outside the liver during surgery, but doctors were able to fix this on the spot. After the surgery, only 8.1% had incomplete blood flow to the liver, with only a small fraction needing further treatment. Who this helps: This research benefits patients undergoing HAIP chemotherapy and their doctors.

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This study examined the use of a special dye called indocyanine green (ICG) during robot-assisted procedures to place chemotherapy pumps in the liver. Researchers found that ICG worked just as well as the traditional blue dye for checking blood flow in the liver, with 13 patients undergoing the procedure, a hospital stay of about 4 days, and some experiencing complications. This finding is important because using ICG can make the surgery cleaner and safer while still providing reliable results. Who this helps: This benefits patients undergoing liver cancer treatment.

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This study looked at a treatment method for patients with a rare type of liver cancer called intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Researchers tested the effectiveness of a substance called PSMA, which was injected directly into the liver arteries of three patients, and found that the tumors absorbed significantly more of it compared to when it was injected into their veins—specifically, the uptake ratios were 1.40, 1.46, and 1.54. This is important because higher uptake in tumors could lead to better treatment outcomes by allowing for more targeted therapies. Who this helps: This research benefits patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma by improving treatment options.

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This study looked at how different forms of cutaneous leishmaniasis (a skin disease caused by a parasite) in Ethiopia are related to the genetics of the parasite and the body’s immune response. Researchers found that despite different clinical appearances, the parasites were genetically similar and there were no significant differences in the immune responses of patients with various presentations of the disease. This matters because it suggests that the way cutaneous leishmaniasis shows up in patients may not be influenced by the genetics of the parasite or the immune response, which can affect treatment strategies. Who this helps: This helps patients suffering from cutaneous leishmaniasis and their healthcare providers.

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This study looked at the long-term effects of two types of procedures used to drain bile in patients with a liver cancer called perihilar cholangiocarcinoma. Among the 54 patients studied, those who had endoscopic drainage lived a median of 13 months, while those who had percutaneous drainage lived a median of 7 months, although the difference was not statistically significant. The findings highlight the complexity of treating this type of cancer, as both methods showed similar outcomes over time in terms of survival and readmission rates. Who this helps: This research helps patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma and their doctors as they make treatment decisions.

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This study looked at how women’s brains respond to pictures of food, depending on what they were focused on—whether they were thinking about enjoying the food or its healthiness. Researchers found that when participants focused on enjoying food, their brain activity was higher than when they focused on health or were neutral. Interestingly, how much they were trying to control their diet didn't change their brain responses at all. Who this helps: This helps researchers and nutritionists understand how mindset influences our reactions to food, which can inform better dietary advice and interventions.

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This study explored how a smartphone app can help teenagers who are overweight. Researchers gathered thoughts from 48 people, including 30 teens and 18 parents in Belgium, the Netherlands, and France. They found that teens clearly understand what healthy and unhealthy behaviors are, while parents often underestimate their role in shaping these behaviors; both groups have specific expectations for the app, such as features for tracking progress and boosting motivation. Who this helps: This benefits adolescents with overweight and their parents by providing a supportive tool to promote healthier lifestyles.

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This study looked at the treatment and outcomes of patients diagnosed with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) in the Netherlands from 2010 to 2018, involving nearly 1,750 patients. It found that only 17% of patients underwent surgery, which led to a median survival of 37.5 months, while those who received palliative treatment survived only about 10 months, and half of the patients received no treatment at all, resulting in a low one-year survival rate of just 10.4%. The research highlights that patients treated at academic centers had better outcomes, as they had a higher chance of surgery compared to those treated at non-academic centers. Who this helps: This information helps patients and doctors understand treatment options and survival outcomes for iCCA.

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This study looked at how thinking about health versus pleasure affects people’s snacking habits. Researchers found that changing mindsets didn’t impact how much participants craved or ate snacks; instead, cravings and snack consumption decreased over time for everyone, regardless of mindset. This is important because it suggests that simply tracking one's eating habits might help people snack less, possibly due to self-awareness about their choices. Who this helps: This research benefits individuals trying to manage their weight and improve their eating habits.

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This study looked at how the brain responds to different tastes by using advanced brain imaging technology on one volunteer. Researchers found significant brain activity in a specific area called the Nucleus Tractus Solitarius when the volunteer tasted sweet, bitter, salty, sour, and umami flavors. This is important because it lays the groundwork for better understanding how the brain processes tastes, which could help improve treatment for eating disorders. Who this helps: This helps patients with eating disorders and the doctors treating them.

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This study looked at how different mindsets can affect our reactions to food, specifically chocolate. Researchers found that when people felt a 'loss of control' mindset, they craved chocolate more and ate more of it compared to when they felt 'in control.' The results showed that while both mindsets influenced craving and eating behavior, hormonal and neural responses to food did not change in the same way. Who this helps: This helps patients who struggle with cravings and overeating, particularly those affected by emotional eating.

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This study looked at how effective a specific chemotherapy method called hepatic arterial infusion pump (HAIP) using floxuridine is for patients with a type of liver cancer called unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA). The researchers found that patients treated with HAIP chemotherapy had a median survival of about 29 months, with 39.5% surviving three years, which is significantly better than traditional chemotherapy options that had no survivors after three years reported in similar studies. This matters because it shows that HAIP chemotherapy could offer better outcomes for patients with a challenging cancer that has limited treatment options. Who this helps: This helps patients with unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and their doctors.

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This study compared two treatments for patients with a type of liver cancer called multifocal intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: a special chemotherapy delivered through a pump (HAIP) and surgical removal of the tumors (resection). They found that patients treated with HAIP lived about 20.3 months on average, while those who had surgery lived for about 18.9 months, showing similar survival rates overall. Notably, there were fewer complications after the chemotherapy, with only 0.8% facing serious issues compared to 6.2% for surgery, suggesting that HAIP might be a safer option for some patients. Who this helps: This benefits patients with multifocal intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma by providing a less risky treatment alternative.

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This study looked at how people's brains respond to food, especially focusing on high-calorie, tasty foods, and whether this response differs between those with obesity and those of healthy weight. It found that while brain activity didn't vary based on the tastiness or calorie content of food, it did increase significantly when individuals focused on how pleasurable the food was, especially among people with obesity. This is important because it suggests that the way we think about food can greatly influence our brain's reward response, potentially guiding better approaches to obesity treatment. Who this helps: This helps patients struggling with obesity by providing insights into how their thoughts about food can influence their cravings and brain responses.

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This study examined the treatment and outcomes of patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA) across the Netherlands between 2010 and 2018. Researchers found that the average survival for all patients was 5.2 months, but those who underwent surgery lived much longer at about 29.6 months. Moreover, patients treated at academic centers had better outcomes than those at non-academic centers, with an average survival of 9.7 months compared to 4.9 months. Who this helps: This information benefits doctors and healthcare teams who treat patients with pCCA by emphasizing the value of specialized care.

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This study looked at a 57-year-old man who was severely malnourished and had a vitamin E deficiency. Doctors found his intestines were not moving and appeared brown during surgery, which indicated serious damage. Understanding these severe vitamin deficiencies and their effects on the body is important because it highlights the need for better nutrition and timely medical intervention for at-risk patients. Who this helps: This helps patients suffering from malnutrition and healthcare providers caring for them.

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This study looked at how women with overweight respond to pictures of tasty versus non-tasty high-calorie foods in their brains. Researchers found that the brain activity was similar for both types of food, but when the women focused on the pleasure of eating, their brain activity increased significantly. This shows that the way people pay attention to food matters more than whether the food is considered tasty or not. Who this helps: This helps patients trying to manage their weight by understanding their cravings and how to control their focus on food.

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This study looked at how a therapy that exposes people to food cues affects brain reactions in women who are overweight. It found that after a standard lifestyle change, women's brains showed less activity in areas related to craving food, but the food cue exposure therapy didn't change brain activity as expected. This matters because understanding how these therapies work can help develop better treatments for obesity. Who this helps: Patients struggling with obesity.

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This study looked at two surgical methods for treating empyema, a serious lung infection complication, comparing uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (uVATS) to the traditional complete VATS (cVATS). The researchers found that both methods had similar outcomes in terms of recovery, with hospital stays averaging 19 days for uVATS and 20 days for cVATS, and no significant differences in complications or deaths after surgery. This matters because uVATS is a less invasive option that can safely treat empyema, even in more advanced cases. Who this helps: Patients with empyema needing surgery.

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This study looked at how effective a vaccine for Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B (called 4CMenB) is for patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) who are being treated with the drug eculizumab. Researchers found that while the vaccine increased levels of protective antibodies in these patients, it did not help their blood effectively kill the bacteria. Specifically, the blood of patients on eculizumab failed to destroy the bacteria, highlighting that these patients remain at risk for serious infections despite vaccination. Who this helps: This research primarily benefits patients with PNH who are treated with eculizumab, as it highlights the need for better protection against infections.

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This study looked at how the brain responds to food rewards, particularly in obese individuals. It found that these responses are not fixed; instead, they can change based on a person's current mental state and tasks, meaning brain activity related to food isn't always tied to how much we enjoy the food. Understanding this can help improve strategies for managing eating behaviors and obesity. Who this helps: Patients struggling with obesity and professionals working to develop effective weight management treatments.

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This study looked at how breastfeeding rates changed among infants in Amsterdam from 2009 to 2015, focusing on both the overall population and specific ethnic groups. The researchers found that the percentage of mothers breastfeeding at 2 weeks increased from 87.8% to 89.1%, at 3 months from 61.6% to 63.6%, and at 6 months from 39.5% to 42.2%. Despite these improvements, rates were notably lower for the Antillean/Aruban and Surinamese groups, indicating that more targeted support is needed for these populations. Who this helps: This helps new mothers, particularly those from ethnic groups with lower breastfeeding rates.

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This study looked at how the condition of white matter in the brain, located far from the areas affected by a stroke, can influence long-term thinking skills in young adults aged 18 to 50. Researchers found that 11 years after an ischemic stroke, those with lower white matter integrity were more likely to have cognitive problems; specifically, 25 out of 117 patients had significant impairments compared to 71 who did not. This is important because understanding how strokes affect cognitive function over time can help improve treatment and support for young stroke survivors. Who this helps: This helps patients who have suffered an ischemic stroke and their healthcare providers.

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This study looked at 85 patients who received a second treatment with chymopapain to relieve pain from a recurring disk issue. Only a few mild reactions were noted after the injections, and overall, 51 out of 57 patients reported good or excellent results after an average of 64 months. This is important because it shows that repeat chemonucleolysis is a safe, effective option for managing disc herniations without serious complications. Who this helps: Patients suffering from recurrent disc herniations.