A legume-enriched diet improves metabolic health in prediabetes mediated through gut microbiome: a randomized controlled trial.

Healthy dietary patterns rich in legumes can improve metabolic health, although their additional benefits in conjunction with calorie restriction have not been well-established. We investigated effects of a calorie-restricted, legume-enriched, multicomponent intervention diet compared with a calorie-restricted control diet in 127 Chinese prediabetes participants, living in Singapore. The study was a 16-week, single-blind, parallel-design, randomized controlled trial (n = 63 intervention group (IG), n = 64 control group (CG); mean ± SD age 62.

Lower Recurrence Rate After Surgical Treatment for Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax Using a Digital Chest Drainage System.

Objective: This study assessed the impact of digital chest drainage systems for patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) pleurodesis for primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) as compared with conventional chest drainage.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent VATS pleurodesis for PSP was conducted. The primary outcome was pneumothorax recurrence, while secondary outcomes included time to mobilization, degree of lung expansion, drainage duration, and length of hospital stay.

Can We Screen for Limb Length Discrepancy on Spinal Radiographs of Patients With Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis?

Background: The aim of this study was to determine whether height differences in the levels of the iliac crests and femoral heads on erect spinal radiographs can be used as indirect measurements for the screening and surveillance of limb length discrepancy (LLD) in patients with scoliosis.

Methods: Whole body posteroanterior (PA) and lateral erect radiographs of patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with congenital, syndromic, and neuromuscular scoliosis were excluded.

Individualized treatment of type A intramural hematoma-upfront surgery is not always necessary.

Background: Management of acute type A intramural hematoma (IMH) is a controversial topic, and variable treatment strategies have been reported. Upfront aortic replacement may not be necessary in all cases. The goal of our study was to evaluate clinical outcomes of patients with acute type A IMH or thrombosed false lumen (FL) treated with upfront surgery or watchful waiting.

Good short-term results following arthroscopic deepening trochleoplasty combined with medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction: surgical technique and outcomes.

Purpose: To report short-term results and clinical outcomes of arthroscopic deepening trochleoplasty combined with medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction utilizing standard arthroscopic instruments in patients of recurrent patellar dislocation and trochlear dysplasia.

Methods: This is a case series of 13 patients between the ages of 14 and 20 years who presented with recurrent patellar dislocation and severe trochlear dysplasia (Dejour grade D). They were treated surgically using an arthroscopic technique from February 2017 to January 2019 and were followed for 18 months.

A pilot study on the "ScoliBrace" in the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Purpose: Bracing for adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a treatment option to prevent curve progression to surgical level. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a 3D fully customized over corrective brace, "ScoliBrace," an orthosis treatment for AIS.

Methods: This was a prospective pilot study of AIS female patients with inclusion criteria followed recommended Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) Guidelines.

Can the Lower Extremity Functional Scale Be Used in Children and Adolescents? A Validation Study.

Background: The lower extremity functional scale (LEFS) is a patient-reported outcome measure for assessment of lower extremity function. It has been validated in adults but not in children or adolescents.

Methods: Patients 8 to 18 years of age who were treated for a lower limb fracture, injury, or other conditions were invited to join the study.

MTDN: Learning Multiple Temporal Dynamics Representation for Emotional Valence Classification with EEG.

Emotion recognition from electroencephalogram (EEG) requires computational models to capture the crucial features of the emotional response to external stimulation. Spatial, spectral, and temporal information are relevant features for emotion recognition. However, learning temporal dynamics is a challenging task, and there is a lack of efficient approaches to capture such information.

Effect of an Asian-adapted Mediterranean diet and pentadecanoic acid on fatty liver disease: the TANGO randomized controlled trial.

Background: Weight loss is the most effective treatment for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). There is evidence that the Mediterranean diets rich in unsaturated fatty acids and fiber have beneficial effects on weight homeostasis and metabolic risk factors in individuals with NAFLD. Studies have also shown that higher circulating concentrations of pentadecanoic acid (C15:0) are associated with a lower risk for NAFLD.

Improved Comfortability and Satisfaction of Hybrid-mesh Casts in the Conservative Management of Pediatric Supracondylar Humeral Fractures: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Cast immobilization is the mainstay of treatment for stable pediatric supracondylar humeral fractures (SCHFs). In recent years, a waterproof and breathable hybrid-mesh (HM) cast has emerged and been marketed to address common complaints such as itch, skin irritation, and malodor. Hence, this randomized controlled trial seeks to assess the overall satisfaction, comfort, and clinical outcomes of using HM casts in the conservative treatment of stable pediatric SCHF.

How well do we assess the adequacy of bending films in scoliosis?

Aims: To determine whether side-bending films in scoliosis are assessed for adequacy in clinical practice; and to introduce a novel method for doing so.

Methods: Six surgeons and eight radiographers were invited to participate in four online surveys. The generic survey comprised erect and left and right bending radiographs of eight individuals with scoliosis, with an average age of 14.

The machine-vision image guided surgery system reduces fluoroscopy time, ionizing radiation and intraoperative blood loss in posterior spinal fusion for scoliosis.

Purpose: To determine if the novel 3D Machine-Vision Image Guided Surgery (MvIGS) (FLASH™) system can reduce intraoperative radiation exposure, while improving surgical outcomes when compared to 2D fluoroscopic navigation.

Methods: Clinical and radiographic records of 128 patients (≤ 18 years of age) who underwent posterior spinal fusion (PSF), utilising either MvIGS or 2D fluoroscopy, for severe idiopathic scoliosis were retrospectively reviewed. Operative time was analysed using the cumulative sum (CUSUM) method to evaluate the learning curve for MvIGS.

Syphilitic aortitis and ostial coronary stenosis treated by endarterectomy, bypass grafting and aortic valve replacement: a case report.

Background: Syphilitic ostial coronary stenosis is an uncommon manifestation of cardiovascular syphilis, characterized by concomitant aortic regurgitation and isolated or bilateral ostial involvement. Although much has been written about syphilis in the pre-antibiotic era, the key imaging and operative findings were rarely reported in the modern literature. Through multimodality imaging and operative videos, we demonstrate the unique diagnostic and therapeutic hurdles associated with the condition.

Fluorescent Protein Production, Purification, and Coupling to Microspheres.

Fluorescent proteins (FPs) have become an essential tool for biological research. Since the isolation and description of green FP, hundreds of FPs have been discovered and created with various characteristics. The excitation of these proteins ranges from ultraviolet (UV) up to near infrared (NIR).

Aspects of Patient Experience Associated With Improved Scoliosis Research Society-22 Revised (SRS-22R) and European Quality of Life Five-Dimension Five-Level (EQ-5D-5L) Scores in Patients With Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Managed With Observation or Bracing.

Study Design: Prospective cohort study.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between patient-reported experience measures (PREMs) and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) managed nonsurgically with bracing or observation.

Summary Of Background Data: PREMs and PROMs are increasingly used to assess the effectiveness of patient-centered health care provision.

Cannabinoid Biosynthesis Using Noncanonical Cannabinoid Synthases.

We report enzymes from the berberine bridge enzyme (BBE) superfamily that catalyze the oxidative cyclization of the monoterpene moiety in cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) to form cannabielsoin (CBE). The enzymes are from a variety of organisms and are previously uncharacterized. Out of 232 homologues chosen from the enzyme superfamily, four orthologues were shown to accept CBGA as a substrate and catalyze the biosynthesis of CBE.

ADR3, a next generation i-body to human RANKL, inhibits osteoclast formation and bone resorption.

Osteoporosis is a chronic skeletal condition characterized by low bone mass and deteriorated microarchitecture of bone tissue and puts tens of millions of people at high risk of fractures. New therapeutic agents like i-bodies, a class of next-generation single-domain antibodies, are needed to overcome some limitations of conventional treatments. An i-body is a human immunoglobulin scaffold with two long binding loops that mimic the shape and position of those found in shark antibodies, the variable new antigen receptors of sharks.

Retrospective record review on timing of COVID-19 vaccination and cardiac surgery.

Background: Novel clinical challenges are faced by cardiac surgeons under the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Amidst the uncertainties faced due to the socioeconomic and public health impact, there is little evidence surrounding COVID-19 vaccination in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Timing of vaccination and postvaccination adverse effects are required parameters to discuss with cardiac surgical patients.

Healthcare services use by patients with heart failure in Australia: Findings from the SHAPE study.

Background And Objectives: General practitioners (GPs) play a central role in healthcare, serving as the first point of contact, making appropriate referrals and coordinating care for chronic conditions such as heart failure (HF). We sought to determine healthcare use by people with HF in primary care.

Method: In this Study of Heart failure in the Australian Primary carE setting (SHAPE), we analysed records of 1.

Influence of cholesterol level on long-term survival and cardiac events after surgical coronary revascularization.

Objective: Statins have been shown to delay the inevitable progression of atherosclerosis in native coronaries and saphenous vein grafts, thereby reducing ischemic events after surgical coronary revascularization. However, there is significant controversy as to whether titrating statin therapy to concrete cholesterol targets is appropriate.

Methods: A single-center retrospective analysis of 309 consecutive patients who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass graft in 2007 and 2008 was performed.

Gut microbiome responses to dietary intervention with hypocholesterolemic vegetable oils.

Hypercholesterolemia is becoming a problem with increasing significance. Dietary vegetable oils may help to improve this condition due to presence of phytonutrients with potentially synergistic cholesterol-lowering effects. The objective of this 8-week double-blinded randomized clinical trial was to investigate the effects of consuming 30 g of two different blended cooking oils, rich in omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid and phytonutrients, or refined olive oil on the intestinal microbiota in 126 volunteers with borderline hypercholesterolemia.