The C-Brace® microprocessor controlled stance and swing orthosis improves safety, mobility, and quality of life at one year: Interim results from a prospective registry.

Introduction: The C-Brace microprocessor-controlled stance and swing control orthosis has been shown to improve function, mobility, and quality of life. A systematic registry to gather long-term, real-world safety and effectiveness data in patients fit with a C-Brace has not been performed.

Methods: International multicenter registry.

An enhancement of the Genium™ microprocessor-controlled knee improves safety and different aspects of the perceived prosthetic experience for unilateral and bilateral users.

Introduction: Bilateral microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee (MPK) users have unique needs in traversing environmental barriers compared to unilateral users. An enhancement to the Genium™/Genium X3™ MPK which included an updated ruleset, hydraulics, and new bilateral parameter presets was made to improve safety while stumbling and the smoothness of gait for all users while also improving the experience of bilateral users. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the enhancements in a sample with unilateral and bilateral amputation.

Elucidating the Reduction Mechanism of Lithium Bis(oxalato)borate.

Electrolyte additives are indispensable to enhance the performance of Li-ion batteries. Lithium bis(oxalato)borate (LiBOB) has been explored for many years, as it improves both cathode and anode performance. No consensus regarding its reaction mechanisms has, however, been established.

Incidence, remission, and persistence of Raynaud's phenomenon in the general population of northern Sweden: a prospective study.

Background: Raynaud's phenomenon is common condition, but little is known about the natural course. The primary aim of this study was to determine the incidence, remission, and persistence proportions of Raynaud's phenomenon in the general population of northern Sweden. Secondary aims were to determine how individual and exposure factors affect the course of Raynaud's phenomenon, and to assess gender differences.

Heroes, victims, and villains in news media narratives about COVID-19. Analysing moralising discourse in Swedish newspaper reporting during the spring of 2020.

This paper explores news media discourse about COVID-19 during the spring of 2020 in Sweden, aiming to provide an understanding of how moralising discourse is employed in narratives about public health risks and responses. We investigate print news media content about the corona virus and COVID-19 during the early stages of the outbreak, guided analytically by framework focusing on the relationship between moral panics and moral regulation. We direct attention, first, to how both moral majorities and villains, i.

Intergenerational Decision Making: The Role of Family Relationships in Medical Decision Making.

A symposium held at the 42nd annual Society for Medical Decision Making conference on October 26, 2020, focused on intergenerational decision making. The symposium covered existing research and clinical experiences using formal presentations and moderated discussion and was attended by 43 people. Presentations focused on the roles of pediatric patients in decision making, caregiver decision making for a child with complex medical needs, caregiver involvement in advanced care planning, and the inclusion of spillover effects in economic evaluations.

Pregnancy-Associated Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection: Clinical Characteristics, Outcomes, and Risk During Subsequent Pregnancy.

Objectives: Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a common cause of pregnancy-associated myocardial infarction.

Methods: This study compares the clinical course and longitudinal follow-up of 22 cases of pregnancy-associated SCAD (P-SCAD) with 285 cases of non-pregnancy SCAD (NP-SCAD) from Kaiser Permanente Northern California between September 2002 through June 2017.

Results: Age in the P-SCAD group was significantly lower than in the NP-SCAD group (37.

Direct Observation of Double Layer Charging and Early Solid Electrolyte Interphase Formation in Li-Ion Battery Electrolytes.

The solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) is the most critical yet least understood component to guarantee stable and safe operation of a Li-ion cell. Herein, the early stages of SEI formation in a typical LiPF and organic carbonate-based Li-ion electrolyte are explored by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, on-line electrochemical mass spectrometry, and electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance. The electric double layer is directly observed to charge as Li solvated by ethylene carbonate (EC) progressively accumulates at the negatively charged electrode surface.

Manifestations of cold sensitivity - a case series.

To characterise cold sensitivity using a semi-structured interview, physical examination, thermal quantitative sensory testing (QST), and laser speckle contrast analysis (LASCA). Eight women and four men, ages 22-74, with cold sensitivity were interviewed and examined by an occupational physician. Thermal perception thresholds were established using QST, on the pulp of the index and little finger of the most affected hand.

Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection: Clinical Characteristics, Management, and Outcomes in a Racially and Ethnically Diverse Community-Based Cohort.

Context: Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a cause of acute coronary syndrome, which predominantly affects healthy women; however, few data define this vulnerable population.

Objective: To identify demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with SCAD and determine outcomes in a community-based cohort.

Design: Retrospective cohort study of patients with SCAD at Kaiser Permanente Northern California during a 10-year period.

Does the Femoral Head Size in Hip Arthroplasty Influence Lower Body Movements during Squats, Gait and Stair Walking? A Clinical Pilot Study Based on Wearable Motion Sensors.

A hip prosthesis design with larger femoral head size may improve functional outcomes compared to the conventional total hip arthroplasty (THA) design. Our aim was to compare the range of motion (RoM) in lower body joints during squats, gait and stair walking using a wearable movement analysis system based on inertial measurement units (IMUs) in three age-matched male groups: 6 males with a conventional THA (THAC), 9 with a large femoral head (LFH) design, and 8 hip- and knee-asymptomatic controls (CTRL). We hypothesized that the LFH design would allow a greater hip RoM, providing movement patterns more like CTRL, and a larger side difference in hip RoM in THAC when compared to LFH and controls.

Non-Ionizing Radiation in Swedish Health Care-Exposure and Safety Aspects.

The main aim of the study was to identify and describe methods using non-ionizing radiation (NIR) such as electromagnetic fields (EMF) and optical radiation in Swedish health care. By examining anticipated exposure levels and by identifying possible health hazards we also aimed to recognize knowledge gaps in the field. NIR is mainly used in health care for diagnosis and therapy.

Vibrotactile and thermal perception and its relation to finger skin thickness.

Objective: Quantitative measurements of vibrotactile and thermotactile perception thresholds (VPT and TPT, respectively) rely on responses from sensory receptors in the skin when mechanical or thermal stimuli are applied to the skin. The objective was to examine if there is a relation between skin thickness (epidermis and dermis) and VPT or TPT.

Methods: Perception thresholds were measured on the volar side of the fingertip on 148 male subjects, out of which 116 were manual workers exposed to hand-transmitted vibration and 32 were white-collar (office) workers.

Long-term effect of hand-arm vibration on thermotactile perception thresholds.

Background: Occupational exposure to hand-transmitted vibration (HTV) is known to cause neurological symptoms such as numbness, reduced manual dexterity, grip strength and sensory perception. The purpose of this longitudinal study was to compare thermotactile perception thresholds for cold (TPT) and warmth (TPT) among vibration exposed manual workers and unexposed white collar workers during a follow-up period of 16 years to elucidate if long-term vibration exposure is related to a change in TPT over time.

Methods: The study group consisted of male workers at a production workshop at which some of them were exposed to HTV.

Can sensation of cold hands predict Raynaud's phenomenon or paraesthesia?

Background: Raynaud's phenomenon and neurosensory symptoms are common after hand-arm vibration exposure. Knowledge of early signs of vibration injuries is needed.

Aims: To investigate the risk of developing Raynaud's phenomenon and paraesthesia in relation to sensation of cold hands in a cohort of male employees at an engineering plant.

Double-Sided Mechanical Shocks Provoke Larger Seated Postural Reactions Compared With Single-Sided Mechanical Shocks.

Study Design: Human volunteers were exposed experimentally to single-sided mechanical shocks (SSMS) and double-sided mechanical shocks (DSMS) while seated.

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe and contrast seated postural reactions due to SSMS or DSMS in healthy male adults.

Summary Of Background Data: Mechanical shocks to the body, caused when driving on irregular terrain, are suggested to be hazardous to the spine and may be associated with the reported musculoskeletal pain of the back and neck among professional drivers.

Neurovascular hand symptoms in relation to cold exposure in northern Sweden: a population-based study.

Purpose: To describe the self-reported ambient cold exposure in northern Sweden and to relate the level of cumulative cold exposure to the occurrence of sensory and vascular hand symptoms. We hypothesize that cold exposure is positively related to reporting such symptoms.

Methods: A questionnaire about cold exposure and related symptoms was sent out to 35,144 subjects aged 18-70 years and living in northern Sweden.

Relationships between work-related factors and musculoskeletal health with current and future work ability among male workers.

Purpose: The purpose was to increase job-specific knowledge about individual and work-related factors and their relationship with current and future work ability (WA). We studied cross-sectional relationships between mental demands, physical exertion during work, grip strength, musculoskeletal pain in the upper extremities and WA and the relationships between these variables and WA 11 years later.

Methods: We used a dataset of a prospective cohort study (1997-2008) among employees of an engineering plant (n = 157).

Effectiveness of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Versus Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in Patients With End-Stage Renal Disease.

The optimal coronary revascularization strategy (coronary artery bypass grafting [CABG] or percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI]) in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) remains uncertain. We performed an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies comparing CABG and PCI in patients with ESRD using a random-effects model for the primary outcome of long-term all-cause mortality. Our review registered through PROSPERO included observational studies published after 2011 to ensure overlap with previous studies and identified 7 new studies for a total of 23.

Is better preservation of eccentric strength after stroke due to altered prefrontal function?

Ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC) is part of a network that exerts inhibitory control over the motor cortex (MC). Recently, we demonstrated that VLPFC was more activated during imagined maximum eccentric than during imagined concentric contractions in healthy participants. This was accompanied with lower activation levels within motor regions during imagined eccentric contractions.

Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection with Cardiac Tamponade.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is a rare cause of acute coronary syndrome. Clinical presentation ranges from chest pain alone to ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction, ventricular fibrillation, and sudden death. The treatment of patients with spontaneous coronary artery dissection is challenging because the disease pathophysiology is unclear, optimal treatment is unknown, and short- and long-term prognostic data are minimal.

Comparing Anxiety and Depression in Patients With Takotsubo Stress Cardiomyopathy to Those With Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Purpose: To determine whether anxiety or depression is associated with takotsubo stress cardiomyopathy (TSCM).

Methods: A retrospective case-control study was conducted among 73 TSCM cases and 111 acute coronary syndrome (ACS) controls matched for age, sex, and cardiac catheterization date. The study was conducted between May 1, 2009, and February 28, 2010.

Seated postural neck and trunk reactions to sideways perturbations with or without a cognitive task.

Driving on irregular terrain will expose the driver to sideways mechanical shocks or perturbations that may cause musculoskeletal problems. How a cognitive task, imposed on the driver, affects seated postural reactions during perturbations is unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate seated postural reactions in the neck and trunk among healthy adults exposed to sideways perturbations with or without a cognitive task.