Nonsurgical Knee Osteoarthritis Treatments for Reducing Inflammation as Measured on MRI Scans: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a debilitating condition, and synovitis is a structural marker of disease progression that can be identified on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Nonsurgical therapies have been developed with the goal of targeting this inflammation to reduce pain and slow disease progression.

Purpose: To review current randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that measured changes in pain outcomes and synovitis on MRI scans after nonsurgical treatment for persons with knee OA.

Implicit knowledge of words in dogs.

Previous investigations into referential use of object words by dogs have revealed limited understanding in this domain by most dogs. However, a recent study by Boros et al. (Current Biology, 34(8), 1750-1754, 2024) has provided neurological evidence suggesting that understanding of the referential nature of object words and the ability to form mental representations of objects may actually be prevalent among dogs.

Disparities Between Rural and Urban Communities: Response to 18 Months of Diet and Exercise Versus Control for Knee Osteoarthritis and Overweight or Obesity.

Objective: The study objective was to determine whether the clinical response of older adults with knee osteoarthritis and overweight or obesity to 18 months of diet and exercise (D + E) or attention control (C) interventions differed between participants from rural versus urban communities.

Methods: Participants were 823 older adults (mean age, 64.6 years; 77% women) with knee osteoarthritis and overweight or obesity who resided in rural (n = 410) and urban (n = 413) counties in North Carolina.

Association between Heat Vulnerability Index and Stroke Severity.

Background: Socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. We aim to investigate the association between the heat vulnerability index (HVI), an established neighborhood-level metric of heat-related mortality risk, and acute ischemic stroke (AIS) severity.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of consecutive AIS admissions to a comprehensive stroke center between 2012 and 2021.

Ten-year trends, disparities, and clinical impact of stroke thrombectomy and thrombolysis: A single center experience 2012-2021.

Objectives: As indications for acute ischemic stroke treatment expand, it is unclear whether disparities in treatment utilization and outcome still exist. The main objective of this study was to investigate disparities in acute ischemic stroke treatment and determine impact on outcome.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective observational cohort study of consecutive ischemic stroke admissions to a comprehensive stroke center from 2012-2021 was performed.

A comparative evaluation of the role of olfaction in attachment.

Olfactory information plays an important role in the attachment and bonding processes for both humans and non-human animals. Odor cues obtained via individual body odor facilitate attachment and bonding processes across species with regard to both mate selection and mother-infant bonding. The purpose of the present paper is to summarize the role of odor as it pertains to bond formation and maintenance in the mother-infant bond for human infants and non-human animal infants, and for mate selection among human adults and non-human animals.

Innovations report: A grading committee for a required fourth-year emergency medicine clerkship.

Background: Assessment of medical students in the clinical learning environment is fraught with challenges. Seemingly small variations in clinical clerkship evaluation can significantly impact a student's future. As such, the integrity of the grade selection process must be heavily scrutinized.

Predicting COVID-19 Cases in Nursing Homes of California and Ohio: Does the Work Environment Matter?

Objective: The cross-sectional study evaluates if the prepandemic work environments in nursing homes predict coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases among residents and staff, accounting for other factors.

Method: Leveraging data from a survey of California and Ohio nursing homes (n = 340), we examined if Workplace Integrated Safety and Health domains - Leadership, Participation, and Comprehensive and Collaborative Strategies predicted cumulative COVID-19 cases among nursing home residents and staff.

Results: In Ohio, a 1-unit increase in Leadership score was associated with 2 fewer staff cases and 4 fewer resident cases.

Stroke mechanisms in adult moyamoya disease: The association between infarction patterns and quantitative magnetic resonance angiography flow state.

Introduction: Flow augmentation is the mainstay treatment for moyamoya disease as hemodynamic failure is believed to be the dominant mechanism. We aimed to investigate the mechanisms of stroke in moyamoya disease by assessing the relationship between infarction patterns and quantitative magnetic resonance angiography flow state.

Methods: A retrospective study of adult patients with suspected MMD who presented with MRI confirmed acute ischemic stroke predating or following QMRA by a maximum of six months between 2009 and 2021 was conducted.

Two Separate Brain Networks for Predicting Trainability and Tracking Training-Related Plasticity in Working Dogs.

Functional brain connectivity based on resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has been shown to be correlated with human personality and behavior. In this study, we sought to know whether capabilities and traits in dogs can be predicted from their resting-state connectivity, as in humans. We trained awake dogs to keep their head still inside a 3T MRI scanner while resting-state fMRI data was acquired.

Budget impact of the Walk With Ease program for knee osteoarthritis.

Objective: Walk With Ease (WWE) is an effective low-cost walking program. We estimated the budget impact of implementing WWE in persons with knee osteoarthritis (OA) as a measure of affordability that can inform payers' funding decisions.

Methods: We estimated changes in two-year healthcare costs with and without WWE.

A preliminary analysis of the effect of individual differences on cognitive performance in young companion dogs.

Many factors influence cognitive performance in dogs, including breed, temperament, rearing history, and training. Studies in working dog populations have demonstrated age-related improvements in cognitive task performance across the first years of development. However, the effect of certain factors, such as age, sex, and temperament, on cognitive performance in puppies has yet to be evaluated in a more diverse population of companion dogs.

Impact of Cerebral Revascularization on Pial Collateral Flow in Patients With Unilateral Moyamoya Disease Using Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Angiography.

Background And Objectives: Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a chronic steno-occlusive disease of the intracranial circulation that depends on neoangiogenesis of collateral vessels to maintain cerebral perfusion and is primarily managed with cerebral revascularization surgery. A quantitative assessment of preoperative and postoperative collateral flow using quantitative magnetic resonance angiography with noninvasive optimal vessel analysis (NOVA) was used to illustrate the impact of revascularization on cerebral flow distribution.

Methods: A retrospective review of patients with unilateral MMD who underwent direct, indirect, or combined direct/indirect cerebral revascularization surgery was conducted between 2011 and 2020.

Preoperative Synovial Tissue and Synovial Fluid Biomarkers as Predictors for Outcomes After Knee Arthroscopy and ACL Reconstruction: A Narrative Review.

Background: Biomarkers collected in synovial tissue and fluid have been identified as potential predictors of outcomes after arthroscopy.

Purpose: To provide a narrative review of the current literature that assesses the associations between preoperative biomarkers in the synovial fluid or synovial tissue and patient outcomes after knee arthroscopy.

Study Design: Narrative review.

Cost-Effectiveness of Community-Based Diet and Exercise for Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis and Obesity or Overweight.

Objective: Obesity exacerbates pain and functional limitation in persons with knee osteoarthritis (OA). In the Weight Loss and Exercise for Communities with Arthritis in North Carolina (WE-CAN) study, a community-based diet and exercise (D + E) intervention led to an additional 6 kg weight loss and 20% greater pain relief in persons with knee OA and body mass index (BMI) >27 kg/m relative to a group-based health education (HE) intervention. We sought to determine the incremental cost-effectiveness of the usual care (UC), UC + HE, and UC + (D + E) programs, comparing each strategy with the "next-best" strategy ranked by increasing lifetime cost.

Risk of fall or fracture with concomitant use of prescription opioids and other medications in osteoarthritis patients.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) patients taking prescription opioids for pain are at increased risk of fall or fracture, and the concomitant use of interacting drugs may further increase the risk of these events.

Aims: To identify prescription opioid-related medication combinations associated with fall or fracture.

Materials & Methods: We conducted a case-crossover-based screening of two administrative claims databases spanning 2003 through 2021.

Residual Neuromuscular Block Remains a Safety Concern for Perioperative Healthcare Professionals: A Comprehensive Review.

Residual neuromuscular block (RNMB) remains a significant safety concern for patients throughout the perioperative period and is still widely under-recognized by perioperative healthcare professionals. Current literature suggests an association between RNMB and an increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications, a prolonged length of stay in the post anesthesia care unit (PACU), and decreased patient satisfaction. The 2023 American Society of Anesthesiologists Practice Guidelines for Monitoring and Antagonism of Neuromuscular Blockade provide guidance for the use of quantitative neuromuscular monitoring coupled with neuromuscular reversal to recognize and reduce the incidence of RNMB.