The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a non-enveloped double-stranded DNA virus capable of infecting skin and mucosa epithelial cells. Commonly, HPV infection is associated with sexually transmitted diseases and is considered the leading cause of cervical cancer and other carcinomas of the anogenital tract. However, several studies reported their involvement in cancers of non-sexual regions, including colorectal, head and neck, and breast cancers. There are several studies from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions on the potential association between high-risk HPVs and cancer; nevertheless, there are limited studies that address the significance of HPV vaccination as a potential guard against these cancers. In the current review, we present a comprehensive description of the current HPV-associated cancers prevalence rates in the MENA region, demonstrating their steady increase with time, especially in African regions. Moreover, we discuss the potential impact of vaccination against HPV infections and its outcome on human health in this region.

Background: Iron deficiency (ID) and anemia in patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) are associated with a reduced quality of life. We assessed the prevalence of ID and anemia in Dutch outpatients with IBD and compared routine ID(A) management among medical professionals to the European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation (ECCO) treatment guidelines. Methods: Between January and November 2021, consecutive adult outpatients with IBD were included in this study across 16 Dutch hospitals. Clinical and biochemical data were extracted from medical records. Additionally, medical professionals filled out questionnaires regarding routine ID(A) management. Results: In total, 2197 patients (1271 Crohn’s Disease, 849 Ulcerative Colitis, and 77 IBD-unclassified) were included. Iron parameters were available in 59.3% of cases. The overall prevalence of anemia, ID, and IDA was: 18.0%, 43.4%, and 12.2%, respectively. The prevalence of all three conditions did not differ between IBD subtypes. ID(A) was observed more frequently in patients with biochemically active IBD than in quiescent IBD (ID: 70.8% versus 23.9%; p < 0.001). Contrary to the guidelines, most respondents prescribed standard doses of intravenous or oral iron regardless of biochemical parameters or inflammation. Lastly, 25% of respondents reported not treating non-anemic ID. Conclusions: One in five patients with IBD suffers from anemia that—despite inconsistently measured iron parameters—is primarily caused by ID. Most medical professionals treat IDA with oral iron or standard doses of intravenous iron regardless of biochemical inflammation; however, non-anemic ID is often overlooked. Raising awareness about the management of ID(A) is needed to optimize and personalize routine care.

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia leading to a five-fold increased risk of stroke. Timely detection of AF is important for the initiation of appropriate therapy and the prevention of adverse outcomes such as AF-related stroke. The aim of this pilot study was to assess the use of a photoplethysmography (PPG)-deriving smartphone application (app) for early detection of AF and initiation of appropriate treatment to avoid AF-related complications such as stroke 1,2 . Patients and Methods: Participants were instructed to perform heart rhythm measurements twice daily and when experiencing symptoms for 7 days using a PPG-deriving smartphone application. All participants with possible AF based on the results of the

Background Adoptive T cell therapy as a treatment for solid tumours is gaining increasing interest. Cancer neoantigens as targets for such therapy is also gaining recognition. Personalised tumour trained lymphocytes (pTTL) is a novel autologous T cell therapy targeting patient-specific neoantigens. A phase I/ II First in Human (FIH) clinical trial of pTTL in Stage IV colorectal cancer (CRC) patients will be initiated in the near future. Methods pTTL is produced through in vitro expansion of T cells derived from regional lymph nodes (RLNs). The T cells derived from RLNs, nodes in anatomical proximity of the tumour, contain a pool of naive and antigen-experienced T cells enriched for tumour-antigen specificity. This enriched population is stimulated during pTTL production with an array of neoantigen epitopes individually designed using PIOR ® , an in house-developed software for neoantigen detec-tion and selection. Selected neoantigens are linked to paramag-netic particles using EpiTCer ® technology. The resulting EpiTCer ® particles are used to stimulate the RLN T cells via phagocytosis and presentation of the neoantigen epitopes by antigen-presenting cells. This process is HLA-independent. Each pTTL product is unique due to the personalised nature of cellular and molecular players (cancer characteristics, immune cell properties and neoantigens are specific to one single individual).

Goal : Aim of the article is to present our experience in minimally invasive thoracotomy in relation to the current