Effect of geography on the use of ultrafiltration during cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.

Background: Ultrafiltration (UF) is a common practice during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) where it is used as a blood management strategy to reduce red blood cell (RBC) transfusion, minimize adverse effects of hemodilution, and reduce proinflammatory mediators. However, its clinical utilization has been shown to vary throughout the continents.

Purpose: The purpose of this investigation was to assess the distribution of UF use across the United States.

Assessing Acceptability: The Role of Understanding Participant, Neighborhood, and Community Contextual Factors in Designing a Community-Tailored Cooking Intervention.

Background: Cooking is an identified dietary strategy that is positively associated with optimal diet quality. Prior to initiating cooking interventions, evaluating the prospective acceptability of the intervention among community members living within low food access areas and understanding geospatial food shopping locations may aid in designing community-tailored interventions.

Methods: A sequential mixed methods study was conducted to determine the prospective acceptability of a planned community-located cooking intervention among African American adults living in a low food access area and with at least one cardiovascular disease risk factor.

Regional variations in the intra- and intervertebral trabecular microarchitecture of the osteoporotic axial skeleton.

Trabecular structures in vertebral bodies are unequally distributed in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine, and also within individual vertebrae. Knowledge of the microstructure of these entities could influence our comprehension and treatment of osteoporotic fractures, and even surgical procedures. Appropriate investigations may clarify the pathomechanisms of various osteoporotic fractures (fish, wedge-shaped, and flat vertebrae).

Interleukin-8 (IL-8) as a Potential Mediator of an Association between Trimethylamine N-Oxide (TMAO) and Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) among African Americans at Risk of Cardiovascular Disease.

Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO)-a microbial metabolite derived from the hepatic-gut axis-is linked to inflammation, hyperlipidemia, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), which is largely hepatically expressed, blocks low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor recycling, also leading to hyperlipidemia. The primary objective of this study was to investigate a previously hypothesized potential relationship between TMAO and PCSK9 in order to explore novel mechanisms linking TMAO and CVD risk.

Going virtual during the COVID-19 pandemic: adaptation of a mixed-methods dietary behavior study within a community-based participatory research study of African-American adults at risk for cardiovascular disease.

Background: Identifying mechanisms to maintain CBPR studies during an infectious disease pandemic is vital. The current paper describes the changes in methods and processes conducted within a CBPR mixed-methods study to a virtual setting during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Method: The DC Community Organizing for Optimal Culinary Knowledge study with Heart (DC COOKS with Heart) was designed to assess the feasibility of a dietary behavior intervention among African-American adults that are at risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Complementary medicine in Germany: a multi-centre cross-sectional survey on the usage by and the needs of patients hospitalized in university medical centers.

Background: The results of recent surveys indicate that more than 50% of the German population has experience with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) or uses CAM regularly. This study investigated the CAM usage and CAM-related needs of hospitalized patients at university medical centres in the state of Baden-Württemberg, Germany.

Methods: A multi-centre, paper-based, pseudonymous survey was carried out by the members of the Academic Centre for Complementary and Integrative Medicine.

Clinical Anatomy of the Posterior Meniscofemoral Ligament of Wrisberg: An Original MRI Study, Meta-analysis, and Systematic Review.

Background: The posterior meniscofemoral ligament (pMFL) of Wrisberg attaches to the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus and the lateral intercondylar aspect of the medial femoral condyle and passes posteriorly to the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). The pMFL plays a role in recovery after PCL injuries and offers stability to the lateral meniscus, promoting normal knee function.

Purpose/hypothesis: The aim of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) arm of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of the pMFL in Polish patients.

Clinical Anatomy of the Anterior Meniscofemoral Ligament of Humphrey: An Original MRI Study, Meta-analysis, and Systematic Review.

Background: The anterior meniscofemoral ligament (aMFL) of Humphrey is an anatomically variable fibrous band of connective tissue that attaches between the lateral aspect of the medial femoral condyle and posterior horn of the lateral meniscus, running posterior to the anterior cruciate ligament and anterior to the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). The presence of an intact aMFL may contribute to stabilization of the lateral compartment of the knee joint.

Purpose: The original magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) arm of this study aimed to assess the aMFL incidence among Polish patients.

The anatomical landmarks effective in the localisation of the median nerve during orthopaedic procedures.

Background: The aim of this study was to create a safe zone for surgeons who perform procedures in the wrist to avoid iatrogenic damage to the median nerve (MN) by identifying anatomical landmarks using ultrasound (USG).

Materials And Methods: We measured the distances between the MN and two easily identifiable anatomical landmarks at the level of the proximal border of carpal ligament using USG.

Results: A total of 57 volunteers (n = 114 upper limbs) were included in this study.

An anatomical investigation of rare upper limb neuropathies due to the Struthers' ligament or arcade: a meta-analysis.

Background: The Struthers' ligament (SL) is a fibrous band that originates fromthe supracondylar humeral process and inserts into the medial humeral epicondyle, potentially compressing both the median nerve and brachial artery. The controversial Struthers' arcade (SA) is a musculotendinous band found in the distal end of the arm that might compress the ulnar nerve. This study aimed to evaluate the pooled prevalence estimate of the SL and SA, and their anatomical features.