Prolonged Taping with Exercise Therapy for Patellofemoral Pain in Adults: A Systematic Review and Single-Arm Meta-Analysis.

: To investigate the effects of prolonged taping on patellofemoral pain (PFP). : A literature search of PubMed, EMBASE (Elsevier), CiNAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted from database inception to 28 June 2024. Eligible studies reported PFP patients over 18 years of age undergoing an exercise protocol with additional taping that was maintained outside of exercise sessions (PROSPERO ID: CRD42023422792).

Advancing dental biofilm models: the integral role of pH in predicting colonization.

Mathematical models can provide insights into complex interactions and dynamics within microbial communities to complement and extend experimental laboratory approaches. For dental biofilms, they can give a basis for evaluating biofilm growth or the transition from health to disease. We have developed mathematical models to simulate the transition toward a cariogenic microbial biofilm, modeled as the overgrowth of within a five-species dental community.

Sitagliptin eye drops prevent the impairment of retinal neurovascular unit in the new Trpv2 rat model.

Impaired function of the retinal neurovascular unit (NVU) is an early event in diabetic retinopathy (DR). It has been previously shown that topical delivery of the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor sitagliptin can protect against diabetes-mediated dysfunction of the retinal NVU in the db/db mouse. The aim of the present study was to examine whether sitagliptin could prevent the DR-like lesions within the NVU of the new non-diabetic model of DR, the Trpv2 knockout rat (Trpv2).

Analysis of Disparities in the Initial Health Care Response to the February 2023 Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.

Objectives: This study analyzes disparities in initial health care responses in Turkey and Syria following the 2023 earthquakes.

Methods: Using Humanitarian Data Exchange, Crude Mortality Rates (CMR) and injury rates in both countries were calculated, and temporal trends of death tolls and injuries in the first month post- catastrophe were compared. World Health Organization (WHO) Flash Appeal estimated funding requirements, and ratios of humanitarian aid personnel in Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams per population from ReliefWeb and MAPACTION data were used to gauge disparities.

Modified lipoprotein-induced sFlt1 production in human placental trophoblasts is mediated by protein kinase C.

Background: Preeclampsia is prevalent in women with diabetes, but the mechanism is unclear. We previously found that oxidized, glycated lipoproteins robustly upregulated soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt1), a key mediator of preeclampsia. Here, we determined the role of protein kinase C (PKC) and its subtypes in sFlt1 regulation in placental trophoblasts, and whether this mechanism might mediate the effect of modified lipoproteins.

Paradoxical Uterine Rupture and Fetal Survival in Placenta Accreta: A Case Report.

We describe a case of uterine rupture in the presence of abnormally invasive placentation, with fetal survival despite a long rupture-to-delivery interval (19.5 hours). The patient had previously had an intrapartum stillbirth delivered via caesarean section with an atypical uterine incision at 34 weeks' gestation.

The association of payer type on genicular radiofrequency neurotomy treatment outcomes: Results of a cross-sectional study.

Background: Genicular radiofrequency neurotomy (GRFN) is an effective treatment for a subset of individuals with chronic knee pain. Previous studies demonstrate that Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries report worse outcomes following various interventional procedures compared with commercially insured patients.

Objective: Evaluate the association of payer type on GRFN treatment outcomes.

The effect of lumbar medial branch radiofrequency neurotomy on cobb angle progression in individuals with adult scoliosis compared to natural history: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Lumbar radiofrequency neurotomy (LRFN) effectively alleviates zygapophyseal joint-mediated pain by coagulating medial branch nerves to disrupt nociceptive signaling pathways. The concomitant denervation of multifidus fibers has led to concern that LRFN may increase segmental instability and accelerate degenerative changes in patients with certain pre-existing spinal pathologies. There is a paucity of literature evaluating whether LRFN increases the progression of spinal curvature in patients with adult scoliosis.

Discectomy for Lumbar Disc Herniation in Pediatric and Adolescent Populations: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Corroborative evidence for discectomy in pediatric or adolescent patients remains scarce, with this single-arm meta-analysis investigating discectomy for lumbar disc herniation (LDH) within this population. PubMed, Embase (Elsevier), CiNAHL, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched. Eligible studies reported pediatric patients under 21 years of age with a diagnosis of LDH that was treated surgically with discectomy.

Recruiting and Engaging Heterosexual-Identified Men Who have Sex with Men: A Brief Report of Considerations for Sex Researchers.

Heterosexual-identified men who have sex with men (H-MSM) are a unique population difficult to identify and recruit for research and practice. Yet, engaging H-MSM remains a top research priority to learn more about this population's health needs. A scoping review was conducted to develop a stronger understanding of recruitment patterns involving H-MSM in research.

Long-term effects of climate change on juvenile bull shark migratory patterns.

Seasonal variability in environmental conditions is a strong determinant of animal migrations, but warming temperatures associated with climate change are anticipated to alter this phenomenon with unknown consequences. We used a 40-year fishery-independent survey to assess how a changing climate has altered the migration timing, duration and first-year survival of juvenile bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas). From 1982 to 2021, estuaries in the western Gulf of Mexico (Texas) experienced a mean increase of 1.

Novel pre-copulatory behavior in basking sharks observed by drone.

Basking sharks (Cetorhinus maximus) seasonally aggregate in coastal surface waters of the North Atlantic, providing opportunities for visual observation. While putative courtship displays have been observed, actual copulation has not been documented. Here we examine video collected by an unmanned aerial vehicle ("drone") of novel behavioral interactions between basking sharks in Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts in May 2021.

Immunological isolation and characterization of neuronal progenitors from human dental pulp: A laboratory-based investigation.

Aims: Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) contain a population of stem cells with a broad range of differentiation potentials, as well as more lineage-committed progenitors. Such heterogeneity is a significant obstacle to experimental and clinical applications. The aim of this study is to isolate and characterize a homogenous neuronal progenitor cell population from human DPSCs.

The effectiveness of out-of-hours palliative care telephone advice lines: A rapid systematic review.

Background: People with palliative care needs and their carers often rely on out-of-hours services to remain at home. Policymakers have recommended implementing telephone advice lines to ensure 24/7 access to support. However, the impact of these services on patient and carer outcomes, as well as the health care system, remains poorly understood.

Cooperation between autotrophic and heterotrophic denitrifiers under low C/N ratios revealed by individual-based modelling.

Denitrifying biofilms, in which autotrophic denitrifiers (AD) and heterotrophic denitrifiers (HD) coexist, play a crucial role in removing nitrate from water or wastewater. However, it is difficult to elucidate the interactions between HD and AD through sequencing-based experimental methods. Here, we developed an individual-based model to describe the interspecies dynamics and priority effects between sulfur-based AD (Thiobacillus denitrificans) and HD (Thauera phenylcarboxya) under different C/N ratios.

Effects of glucose and lactate on abundance in a novel multispecies oral biofilm model.

The oral microbiome plays an important role in protecting oral health. Here, we established a controlled mixed-species biofilm model and used it to assess the impact of glucose and lactate on the ability of , an acidogenic and aciduric species, to compete with commensal oral bacteria. A chemically defined medium was developed that supported the growth of and four common early colonizers of dental plaque: , , , and .

Relaxation of mitochondrial hyperfusion in the diabetic retina via N6-furfuryladenosine confers neuroprotection regardless of glycaemic status.

The recovery of mitochondrial quality control (MQC) may bring innovative solutions for neuroprotection, while imposing a significant challenge given the need of holistic approaches to restore mitochondrial dynamics (fusion/fission) and turnover (mitophagy and biogenesis). In diabetic retinopathy, this is compounded by our lack of understanding of human retinal neurodegeneration, but also how MQC processes interact during disease progression. Here, we show that mitochondria hyperfusion is characteristic of retinal neurodegeneration in human and murine diabetes, blunting the homeostatic turnover of mitochondria and causing metabolic and neuro-inflammatory stress.

A national survey of UK practice for day-case vaginal prolapse surgery: Unrealistic expectations?

Objective: The UK NHS Getting It Right First Time report (2021) recommended that a significant proportion of native tissue vaginal prolapse operations should be undertaken as day-case procedures (target: 80% anterior compartment, 70% posterior compartment, 60% combined anterior/posterior compartment). The evidence for perioperative care, options for anaesthesia and outcomes of day-case vaginal prolapse surgery is limited. This study aimed to establish current practice amongst UK gynaecologists and explore perceived barriers to implementing day-case surgery for pelvic organ prolapse.

Does pre-enrichment of anodes with acetate to select for spp. enhance performance of microbial fuel cells when switched to more complex substrates?

Many factors affect the performance of microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Considerable attention has been given to the impact of cell configuration and materials on MFC performance. Much less work has been done on the impact of the anode microbiota, particularly in the context of using complex substrates as fuel.

Low back pain-related healthcare utilization following intraosseous basivertebral nerve radiofrequency ablation: a pooled analysis from three prospective clinical trials.

Background: The effectiveness and safety of intraosseous basivertebral nerve ablation (BVNA) for treating vertebrogenic pain is established, but low back pain-related healthcare utilization (LBPr-HU) following BVNA continues to be defined.

Methods: LBPr-HU data were pooled from 3 prospective studies. LBPr-HU categories of interest included non-invasive conservative care, opioid utilization, lumbosacral spinal injection (LSI), lumbosacral radiofrequency ablation (LRFA), and lumbosacral spinal surgery.

Widespread habitat loss and redistribution of marine top predators in a changing ocean.

The Northwest Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico are among the fastest warming ocean regions, a trend that is expected to continue through this century with far-reaching implications for marine ecosystems. We examine the distribution of 12 highly migratory top predator species using predictive models and project expected habitat changes using downscaled climate models. Our models predict widespread losses of suitable habitat for most species, concurrent with substantial northward displacement of core habitats >500 km.