Contact investigation of tuberculosis in Brunei Darussalam: Evaluation and risk factor analysis.

Introduction: We evaluated the yield of tuberculosis (TB) contact investigation in Brunei Darussalam, and identified the associated factors for latent TB infection (LTBI) diagnosis, as well as for initiating and completing LTBI treatment.

Methods: Data were extracted and digitalised for all close contacts of pulmonary TB (PTB) cases at the National TB Coordinating Centre from January 2009 to December 2018. Generalising estimating equations logistic regression models were used to determine the associated factors.

Novel heterozygous variants of SLC12A6 in Japanese families with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

Background: Recessive mutations in SLC12A6 have been linked to hereditary motor sensory neuropathy with agenesis of the corpus callosum. Patients with early-onset peripheral neuropathy associated with SLC12A6 heterozygous variants were reported in 2016. Only five families and three variants have been reported to date, and the spectrum is unclear.

Direct oral anticoagulants in atrial fibrillation following cardiac surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis.

Background: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have been increasingly used as anticoagulation therapy in the postoperative period. However, their effectiveness in post-cardiac surgical atrial fibrillation is yet to be determined.

Methods: We conducted a meta-analysis, searching three international databases from 1 January 2003 to 26 January 2022 for studies reporting on DOACs in at least 10 adult patients (>18 yr of age) with post-cardiac surgical atrial fibrillation.

Predicting Homelessness Among U.S. Army Soldiers No Longer on Active Duty.

Introduction: The ability to predict and prevent homelessness has been an elusive goal. The purpose of this study was to develop a prediction model that identified U.S.

Decellularized Bovine Pericardial Patch Loaded With Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Enhance the Mechanical Strength and Biological Healing of Large-to-Massive Rotator Cuff Tear in a Rat Model.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the addition of decellularized bovine pericardial patch loaded with mesenchymal stromal cells enhanced bone-to-tendon healing and improved the biomechanical strength of large-to-massive rotator cuff tears in a small animal model.

Methods: Adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) from rat inguinal fat were isolated, cultured, and loaded onto decellularized bovine pericardium patches. To simulate large-to-massive tears, rats were managed with free cage activity for 6 weeks after tear creation.

Co-occurrence of JAK2 V617F-mutated essential thrombocythemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia harboring der(8;17)(q10;q10).

Background And Case: We herein present a case of the co-occurrence of JAK2-mutated essential thrombocythemia (ET) with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) harboring the recurrent and rare whole-arm translocation, der(8;17)(q10;q10). The co-existence of lymphoproliferative neoplasms and myeloproliferative neoplasms is suggested to be a rare event. Under this condition, the lymphoproliferative disorder presents a clinically indolent course with a low-risk biological profile.

Favorable outcomes with durable chimerism after hematopoietic cell transplantation using busulfan and fludarabine-based reduced-intensity conditioning for pediatric patients with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.

Background: The incorporation of a reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) regimen in hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) for patients with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) has decreased early mortality but is associated with a high rate of mixed chimerism and graft failure. Here, we present a successful single-center experience using busulfan and a fludarabine-based RIC regimen for the treatment of HLH.

Methods: The medical records of pediatric patients with HLH who underwent HCT using a busulfan/ fludarabine-based RIC regimen between January 2008 and December 2017 were reviewed retrospectively.

Safety and Efficacy of Liver-Directed Radiotherapy in Combination With Lenvatinib for Hepatocelluar Carcinoma With Macroscopic Tumor Thrombosis.

Background: This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and macroscopic tumor thrombosis who were treated with lenvatinib with or without combined liver-directed radiotherapy (LRT).

Methods: From the institutional registry, we enrolled 82 patients diagnosed with HCC involving macroscopic tumor thrombosis and treated with lenvatinib monotherapy (non-LRT group, n = 54, 65.9%) or lenvatinib in combination with LRT (LRT group, n = 28, 34.

Central Nervous System Demyelination Following COVID-19 mRNA-Based Vaccination: Two Case Reports and Literature Review.

As the world embarks on mass vaccination against SARS-CoV2 to alleviate the spread of this highly contagious novel coronavirus, there are growing anecdotal reports on immune-related neurological complications following immunisation. Similarly, we encountered 2 cases of central nervous system demyelination at our centre with Comirnaty (BNT162b2), a mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine. Our first patient had typical clinical-radiological manifestations of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) after his COVID-19 vaccination.

Initiation Timing of Continuous Interscalene Brachial Plexus Blocks in Patients Undergoing Shoulder Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Before-and-After Study.

A continuous interscalene brachial plexus block (CIBPB) is usually administered before surgery in awake patients. However, the use of CIBPB before surgery could hinder the identification of nerve injuries after total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). This study aimed to compare the analgesic effects of preoperatively and postoperatively initiated CIBPBs in patients undergoing TSA.

Impact of inland waters on highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks in neighboring poultry farms in South Korea.

Background: Since 2003, the H5 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) subtype has caused massive economic losses in the poultry industry in South Korea. The role of inland water bodies in avian influenza (AI) outbreaks has not been investigated. Identifying water bodies that facilitate risk pathways leading to the incursion of the HPAI virus (HPAIV) into poultry farms is essential for implementing specific precautionary measures to prevent viral transmission.

Prognostic impact of the multimodal treatment approach in patients with C19MC-altered embryonal tumor with multilayered rosettes.

Objective: Embryonal tumor with multilayered rosettes (ETMR) is one of the childhood central nervous system tumors with the poorest prognosis; thus, establishing an optimal treatment strategy is essential, However, because of the low incidence and molecular heterogeneity of the tumor, the optimal treatment has not yet been determined. In this study the authors evaluated the prognostic impact of a multimodal treatment approach in patients with ETMR.

Methods: The authors evaluated 4 patients with ETMR at their institution who showed varied clinical features and also conducted clinical characterization and prognostic analysis of previously reported cases of the ETMR-presenting locus 19q13.

Efficacy of the Image-Guided Alignment System for a Four-Haptic Hydrophobic Monofocal Toric Intraocular Lens.

Objective: To compare the difference in performance between the image-guided alignment system and the manual-marking method in the four-haptic hydrophobic monofocal toric intraocular lens (IOL).

Methods: Medical records of patients who underwent cataract surgery with a four-haptic hydrophobic monofocal toric IOL implantation between May 2020 and April 2021 and with 3-month visit data available were investigated. Toric IOL misalignment, residual astigmatism, and mean prediction errors between the two groups were compared.

A mixed method study on the impact of living with spinal muscular atrophy in Malaysia from patients' and caregivers' perspectives.

Background: Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a rare, recessively inherited neuromuscular disorder that causes progressive muscle weakness. There is a low degree of awareness about SMA amongst the public and healthcare providers, which may impact the perception of the disease and its proper management. To understand how this lack of awareness may have affected diagnosis, care and support for SMA patients and their caregivers, this study aims to investigate the impact of SMA on the lives and daily activities of SMA patients and their caregivers in Malaysia.

Nanocapsules Produced by Nanoprecipitation of Designed Suckerin-Silk Fusion Proteins.

Herein, we report on the precise design of a modular fusion protein amenable to the construction of nanocapsules by nanoprecipitation. The central squid suckerin-derived peptide block provides structural stability, whereas both termini from spider silk fibroins make the protein highly soluble at physiological pH, a critical requirement for the nanoprecipitation process. With this design, nanocapsules consisting of fusion protein shells and oily cores with sizes in the range of 190-250 nm are built in a straightforward manner.

Changes in the prevalence of hepatitis B and metabolic abnormalities among young men in Korea.

Changes in the prevalence of disease over time provide valuable information from a public health perspective. We used data from Korea Military Manpower Administration medical examinations for conscription between 2003 and 2019 (n = 5,355,941), which involved young men aged 19 years, to observe changes in liver disease over time at a population level. Trends in the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, the fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index, obesity, and hypertension were assessed.

Prognostic significance of cachexia index in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma treated with systemic chemotherapy.

Cancer cachexia affects quality of life, response to chemotherapy, and survival in many advanced cancer patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of pretreatment cachexia index (CXI) in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with systematic chemotherapy. Patients with advanced HCC treated with lenvatinib therapy between October 2018 and October 2020 were retrospectively studied.

Mental Health and Substance Use Among Homeless Adolescents in the US.

This study uses data from the state-level Youth Risk Behavioral Survey to evaluate mental health and substance use outcomes among homeless and nonhomeless adolescents in 2019.

Spatial-Temporal Accessibility and Inequality of Veterinary Service in Hong Kong: A Geographic Information System-Based Study.

Veterinary services are vital to the welfare of pets and their owners. Previous studies examined multiple factors affecting pet owners' decision to consult veterinarians, yet few studied the spatial accessibility of veterinary services. This study is one of the pioneering studies on the spatial-temporal accessibility of veterinary service and how it is associated with social and spatial inequality in Hong Kong.

Serial magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of the early reaction of all-suture anchors in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the early reaction of all-suture anchors (ASAs) in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

Methods: This retrospective case series comprised 23 patients (8 women, 15 men; mean age = 59.9 years, age range = 36-73 years) with medium-size rotator cuff tear who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

COVID-19 breakthrough infections and humoral immune response among BNT162b2 vaccinated healthcare workers in Malaysia.

The evaluation of breakthrough infection and humoral immunity responses are important outcomes for vaccination policy for healthcare staff. This prospective cohort study collected blood samples at 5-time points; before primary vaccine doses, and at 2, 10 and 24 weeks after BNT162b2 vaccination from 551 HCWs, between March and October 2021. We investigated the association between anti-spike-1 protein receptor-binding domain (anti-S1-RBD) antibody geometric mean titre (GMT) and breakthrough infections.

Comparison of visual results and optical quality of two presbyopia-correcting intraocular lenses: TECNIS symfony versus TECNIS synergy.

Purpose: This study compared the extended depth of focus (EDOF) intraocular lens (IOL) (ZXR00; Tecnis® Symfony, Johnson & Johnson Vision, Santa Ana, CA, USA) and a new presbyopia-correcting IOL that combines EDOF and multifocal profiles (ZFR00; Tecnis Synergy, Johnson & Johnson Vision, Santa Ana, CA, USA) with the same material.

Methods: The medical records of patients undergoing cataract surgery with ZXR00 or ZFR00 implantation between March 2021 and July 2021 and with the data available for the 3-month visit were reviewed. The uncorrected near, intermediate, and distance visual acuity (VA), corrected distance VA, defocus curves, refractive errors (RE), optical quality parameters, and patient-reported visual performance parameters were the main outcome measures.