Public Health.

Background: To estimate the additive associations of cardiometabolic multimorbidity (CMM) and depression on long-term cognitive trajectory in multi-regional cohorts and validate the generalizability of the findings in varying clinical settings.

Method: Data harmonization was performed across 14 longitudinal cohort studies within the Cohort Studies of Memory in an International Consortium (COSMIC) group, spanning North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. Three external validation studies with distinct settings were employed to assess generalizability.

Differences in tumor size, clinical, demographic, and socioeconomic profiles of central nervous system tumors among a racially diverse cohort: A retrospective case-control study.

Background: One avenue to improve outcomes among brain tumor patients involves the mitigation of healthcare disparities. Investigating clinical differences among brain tumors across socioeconomic and demographic strata, such can aid in healthcare disparity identification and, by extension, outcome improvement.

Methods: Utilizing a racially diverse population from Hawaii, 323 cases of brain tumors (meningiomas, gliomas, schwannomas, pituitary adenomas, and metastases) were matched by age, sex, and race to 651 controls to investigate the associations between tumor type and various demographic, socioeconomic, and medical comorbidities.

Left Bundle Branch Area Pacing Versus Right Ventricular Pacing in Patients With Atrioventricular Block: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) is a new technique for patients with atrioventricular block (AVB) and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), potentially offering better cardiac function than right ventricular pacing (RVP).

Methods: We searched databases and registries for studies that compared LBBAP with RVP in patients with AVB and preserved LVEF. We extracted data on various outcomes and pooled the effect estimates using random-effects models.

Delineating sex-dependent and anatomic decline of motor functions in the SOD1G93A mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

The transgenic SOD1G93A mouse model is the most widely used animal model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a fatal disease of motor neuron degeneration. While genetic background influences onset and progression variability of motor dysfunction, the C57BL/6 background most reliably exhibits robust ALS phenotypes; thus, it is the most widely used strain in mechanistic studies. In this model, paresis begins in the hindlimbs and spreads rostrally to the forelimbs.

Psychometric validation of the Cardiac Distress Inventory - Short Form among people with cardiac diseases in Hong Kong.

Objectives: Cardiac patients experience various somatic and psychosocial symptoms and stress is an important prognostic factor of cardiac rehabilitation. This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the 12-item Cardiac Distress Inventory - Short Form (CDI-SF) in the Chinese context.

Methods: A total of 227 patients with cardiac diseases were recruited in a specialist outpatient clinic in Hong Kong between Aug 2022 and July 2023.

Linitis Plastica in a Patient With Previous Breast Cancer: Primary Gastric Cancer or Breast Cancer Metastases?

Background: Linitis plastica is a challenging diagnosis in the setting of a patient with previous breast cancer.

Case Presentation: We present a case of a 74-year-old Chinese Female with a history of breast cancer who presented with epigastric pain, nausea, early satiety, and weight loss of 5 kg in 3 months. Endoscopic diagnosis of linitis plastica was made, but subsequent management plans were dependent on accurate histological assessment in view of her oncological history.

The Professional Identity of STEM Faculty as Instructors of Course-based Research Experiences.

The professional identity of scientists has historically been cultivated to value research over teaching, which can undermine initiatives that aim to reform science education. Course-Based Research Experiences (CRE) and the inclusive Research and Education Communities (iREC) are two successful and impactful reform efforts that integrate research and teaching. The aim of this study is to explicate the professional identity of instructors who implement a CRE within an established iREC and to explore how this identity contributes to the success of these programs.

The Association between Movement Behaviours and Mental Health Issues in Adolescents with Neurodevelopmental Disorders.

Purpose: To examine movement behaviour with stress-related biomarkers alongside self-reported mental health issues in adolescents with Neurodevelopmental disorders.

Methods: One hundred fifty-one adolescents with clinically diagnosed NDD and aged between 12-17 years were recruited in Hong Kong secondary schools. Salivary cortisol as a stress-related biomarker and self-reported mental health variables including anxiety, depression, and stress were collected.

Impact of depressive symptoms on motivation in persons with post-COVID-19 condition.

Objective: The World Health Organization (WHO) has defined Post-COVID-19 Condition (PCC) as the onset of symptoms within three months after resolution of an acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, wherein symptoms persist for at least two months and cannot be explained by another medical/psychiatric condition. Persons living with PCC report debilitating symptoms including, but not limited to, depressive symptoms and motivational deficits. The aim of this post-hoc analysis was to evaluate the association between depressive symptoms and motivation in adults with PCC.

CD47 predominates over CD24 as a macrophage immune checkpoint in cancer.

Macrophages hold tremendous promise as effectors of cancer immunotherapy, but the best strategies to provoke these cells to attack tumors remain unknown. Here, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of targeting two distinct macrophage immune checkpoints: CD47 and CD24. We found that antibodies targeting these antigens could elicit maximal levels of phagocytosis when combined together in vitro.

Measuring the effectiveness of a radiology-based lecture series on both confidence and career prospects of UK-based undergraduate medical students: a survey-based quantitative study.

Aims: Studies investigating Radiology Teaching within the undergraduate population suggest that medical students do not feel adequately trained in radiological scan interpretation. This study aims to address this shortfall by designing and evaluating a longitudinal teaching series based upon the nationally recognised RCR Curriculum. By doing this, a framework can be provided for other centres to reproduce and develop their own teaching programme.

Ewing Sarcoma of the Sinonasal Tract: A Scoping Review.

Objective: Ewing sarcoma (ES) is a rare aggressive malignancy that can present in the sinonasal region. The objective of this study is to investigate the demographics, presentation, management, and outcomes of patients with sinonasal ES.

Data Sources: PubMed, Web of Science, SCOPUS, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library.

A systematic review on the efficacy of GLP-1 receptor agonists in mitigating psychotropic drug-related weight gain.

Objective: Many psychotropic drugs are highly associated with related weight gain. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are established anti-obesity and glucose-lowering agents. Preliminary evidence also indicates they are fit for purpose in mitigating psychotropic drug-related weight gain (PDWG).

Military spouse and key stakeholder perspectives of effective messaging for US service members on secure storage of personal firearms: a qualitative study.

Background: Secure firearm storage is a proposed method for reducing intentional and unintentional firearm injury and death among US military service members. However, little is known about suggested key messengers and optimal message content to promote secure firearm storage practices among at-risk US service members. This qualitative study focused on military spouse and stakeholder perspectives concerning key messengers and message content for the delivery of effective messaging around promoting secure firearm storage practices among US service members.

High-intensity interval training for improving cardiometabolic health in children and adolescents: An umbrella review of systematic reviews.

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is an emerging exercise strategy to improve health and fitness, but previous studies have evaluated HIIT interventions across different populations and outcomes. This review aimed to comprehensively synthesize published evidence on the effects of HIIT on key cardiometabolic health parameters in children and adolescents. We searched seven databases until February 2024.

Essential Reads in Rhinology: A Bibliometric Analysis.

Aims: Rhinology is a progressive subspecialty within otolaryngology. Bibliometric analysis is a powerful method to survey the landscape of literature on a specific topic and identify publication trends. We aimed to analyze the 50 most impactful English-language rhinology manuscripts of all time to create a targeted reading list for otolaryngologists.

The motivational impact of sport education model on daily physical activity levels among university students: a mediation analysis.

This study investigates the effects of the sport education model on physical literacy and its subsequent impact on daily physical activity levels among university students. Through mediation analysis, this study seeks to uncover the role of situational motivation in these effects. The participants in this study consist of 188 university students (male n = 132, female n = 70; mean age: 18.

Dry Medical Thoracoscopy with Artificial Pneumothorax Induction Using Veress Needle.

Background: In the absence of significant pleural effusion, conventional medical thoracoscopy (MT) is often not feasible due to the risk of lung injury. Dry MT mitigates these risks by inducing artificial pneumothorax through needle insufflation or blunt dissection. Although the Veress needle is commonly used by surgeons to create pneumoperitoneum before laparoscopic surgeries, its application in dry MT has not been widely reported in recent times.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) as treatment for nicotine cessation in psychiatric populations: a systematic review.

Background: Nicotine use and nicotine use disorder (NUD) are the leading causes of preventable death in the United States. Persons with mental disorders  (e.g.

A systematic review in effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) mono-agonists on functional connectivity: Target engagement and rationale for the development in mental disorders.

Introduction: The mechanistic role of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) in modulating brain functional activity has been inadequately examined. Mental disorders are characterized by dysregulated functional connectivity in brain circuits that subserve phenomenology. We conducted a comprehensive synthesis of known effects of GLP-1 and GLP-1RAs on functional connectivity.