Prevalence and Impact of Thyroid Dysfunction in Patients With Chronic Pulmonary Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Thyroid gland dysfunction (TGD) has been increasingly recognized as a potential comorbidity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study was designed to determine the prevalence of TGD in COPD patients. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted according to the guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA).

Utilizing the derivative of unwrapped phase in ultrasonic nondestructive evaluation of elastic properties of polymer filaments.

Polymer filaments represent the fundamental materials employed in fused filament fabrication additive manufacturing. This paper uses an innovative nondestructive evaluation technique for gauging the elastic properties of these polymer filaments. The method hinges on acoustic wave scattering theory, wherein a polymer filament is immersed in water and exposed to an incident acoustic wave.

Increased β1-adrenergic receptor antibody confers a vulnerable substrate for atrial fibrillation via mediating Ca2+ mishandling and atrial fibrosis in active immunization rabbit models.

Background: Autoimmune disorder is the emerging mechanism of atrial fibrillation (AF). The β1-adrenergic receptor antibody (β1-AAb) is associated with AF progress. Our study aims to investigate whether β1-AAbs involves in atrial vulnerable substrate by mediating Ca2+ mishandling and atrial fibrosis in autoimmune associated AF.

The challenges in managing the growth of indigenous children in Perak State, Malaysia: A qualitative study.

Indigenous peoples in Peninsular Malaysia, known as Orang Asli, have been associated with the problem of malnutrition. Approximately 40% of their children are underweight. Indigenous peoples' distinct social, cultural, and economic traits, which differ from those of the dominant communities in which they live, may pose significant challenges for health care providers (HCPs) in addressing the malnutrition issue.

Correlation length ratio as a parameter for determination of fiber-like structures in soft tissues.

Quantitative ultrasound methods can provide valuable information about the microstructure of a material or tissue. This works well when the common assumptions of homogeneity, isotropy, and diffuse scattering conditions are valid. In biological tissues, however, these assumptions are often violated because the microstructure of biological tissues is often heterogeneous and anisotropic.