Articles: patients.
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Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a rare genetic disorder affecting multiple bodily systems that predisposes to the development of tumors. It affects approximately 1 in 3000 newborns in Germany. Its clinical manifestations are diverse and complex, and its diagnostic and therapeutic management call for specialized knowledge and experience. The lack of nationwide guidelines and recommendations further increases the difficulty of establishing an appropriate standardized and interdisciplinary approach. ⋯ These recommendations are intended to serve as a guide to a standardized interdisciplinary approach to the management of patients with NF1 in Germany, based on an up-to-date scientific understanding of the disease. This approach should improve care overall, both by enabling better care and by eliminating unnecessary diagnostic studies.
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Cirrhosis is the end stage of chronic liver disease. Cirrhosis causes portal hypertension, which, in turn, can lead to acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF), which is defined as acute decompensation combined with failure of the liver, coagulation system, kidneys, lungs, and/or circulatory system, or hepatic encephalopathy. ⋯ Liver transplantation is currently the only curative option for ACLF but is not suitable for all patients because of the narrow therapeutic window and the common presence of contraindications. Prospective data are lacking that would aid in the selection of patients for liver transplantation so that post-transplantation survival rates can be improved.
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Hemochromatosis is an inheritable condition that mainly affects White populations of European descent. Most patients remain asymptomatic, but others develop advanced organ damage that reduces quality of life and long-term survival. ⋯ Primary care and hospital medicine physicians play an essential role in early identification of this disease, which can be accomplished via standard hematologic testing. Early diagnosis and therapeutic phlebotomy improve clinical outcomes.
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Nocturnists are the principal means by which hospital medicine groups currently ensure continuous overnight coverage of hospitalized patients within academic medical centers and community hospitals. Yet despite their involvement in most aspects of overnight care, a comprehensive review of the impact of nocturnists in the hospital is absent. Here we examine the physiologic effects of overnight work on clinicians, the quality of medical care delivered by nocturnists in floor and intensive care units, the impact of nocturnist presence on trainee supervision and graduated autonomy in academic settings, and prevalent staffing models. ⋯ Compensation is typically greater for nocturnists, but the role's sustainability and impact on overall group retention remain unknown. Nocturnist programs are essential to provide continuous care of hospitalized patients and meet trainee supervision mandates, yet their full impact on patient and educational outcomes requires further investigation. Future research should aim to optimize staffing models to enhance patient care, trainee education, and clinician well-being.
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Adaptive radiotherapy (ART) involves the continuous adaptation of the radiation plan according to patient- and tumor-specific feedback. In online ART, the plan is optimized in real time during the treatment; in offline ART, the plan is recalculated between treatment sessions. Hybrid linear accelerators with integrated CT, MRI, or PET are required to perform online ART. ⋯ Initial studies confirm the feasibility of online ART and arouse the hope that it will enable more precise radiotherapy with less damage to surrounding structures. Phase 3 trials are needed so that the patient groups who stand to benefit most from online ART can be identified.