Long-Term Immunity and Anamnestic Response Following Hepatitis B Vaccination: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Using a systematic review and meta-analytic approach, this study determined the durability of HBV immunity and the prevalence of anamnestic response to a booster HBV vaccine dose in individuals previously vaccinated with a 3-dose HBV vaccine series as children or adolescents. Two researchers independently searched PubMed, Embase and Cochrane from inception to 6/1/2023 and performed data extraction. Studies that included individuals with significant comorbidities or < 5 years of follow-up were excluded.

Surgery for Olecranon Fractures in the Elderly (SOFIE): Results of the SOFIE Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: The financial and resource burden of management of olecranon fractures in the elderly is likely to increase with an aging population. There is limited evidence guiding treatment choice in this cohort. This study aimed to determine whether operative treatment of displaced olecranon fractures in elderly patients provides superior 12-month functional outcomes compared to nonoperative treatment.

Comparing Management Strategies for Thoracolumbar Injury Classification and Severity Score of 4 (TLICS = 4) in the Pediatric Population: A Single-Institutional Experience.

Background: Thoracolumbar (TL) fractures are uncommon injuries in the pediatric population. Surgery is recommended for TL fractures with significant deformity, posterior ligamentous complex disruption, or neurological compromise. The Thoracolumbar Injury Classification and Severity Scale (TLICS) has been validated in pediatric populations and serves as a valuable tool for guiding treatment decisions.

Identifying Predictors of Successful Conversion from OREF Grants to Extramural Federal Funding Among Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Background: Musculoskeletal diseases are a major contributor to global human disability, but research in this area of medicine contends with chronic underfunding in the United States, receiving <2% of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) budget. The Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF) serves as a vital nongovernmental organization, providing essential support for orthopaedic research. This study investigated the translation of various OREF grants into successful extramural federal funding discerning the clinician demographics and OREF award characteristics associated with increased chances of securing federal grants.

Effect of insurance type on Management of Vancouver B Periprosthetic Fractures: length of stay, discharge destination and cost implications.

Background: To assess the effect of private versus public insurance on hospital length of stay, discharge destination, and costs in managing Vancouver B periprosthetic femoral fractures (PFF).

Methods: A retrospective cohort study of PFF patients operatively managed at five public trauma centers. The primary outcome was hospital length of stay.

Systematic Review of Peptide CAQK: Properties, Applications, and Outcomes.

Many central nervous system (CNS) disorders lack approved treatment options. Previous research demonstrated that peptide CAQK can bind to chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) in the extracellular matrix of the CNS. In vivo studies have investigated CAQK conjugated to nanoparticles containing therapeutic agents with varying methodologies/outcomes.

Lumbar disk herniation in pregnancy: its incidence, presentation and management: a systematic review.

Background: Back pain in pregnancy is common, but pain from lumbar disk herniations in pregnancy is rare. This systematic review aims to comprehensively analyse literature on lumbar disk herniation in pregnancy, focusing on risk factors, incidence, clinical presentation, and management.

Methods: We conducted a literature review using PubMed and Web of Science databases, including studies from January 1, 1950, to August 1, 2023.

Impact of Income-to-Poverty Ratio on Long-Term Mortality of Persons with Chronic Liver Disease in the USA, 1999-2018.

Introduction: Chronic liver disease (CLD) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Understanding health disparities can inform appropriate interventions. We aimed to study mortality outcomes of those with CLD by the income level (income-to-poverty ratio <5 as lower income and ≥5 as higher income).

Upper limit of normal ALT levels in health and metabolic diseases: Pooled analysis of 423,355 individuals with bootstrap modelling.

Introduction: Given the global rise in obesity-related metabolic diseases, the upper limit of normal (ULN) alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in individuals with and without metabolic diseases may have changed. We performed a meta-analysis combined with bootstrap modelling to estimate the ALT ULN levels for individuals with and without metabolic diseases.

Methods And Results: Two separate searches of the PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases were performed, one to identify healthy individuals which yielded 12 articles (349,367 individuals); another to include those with potential metabolic diseases but without known liver disease which yielded 35 articles (232,388 individuals).

Global incidence of adverse clinical events in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background/aims: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with a multitude of adverse outcomes. We aimed to estimate the pooled incidence of NAFLD-related adverse events.

Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies of adults with NAFLD to evaluate the pooled incidence of adverse events.

Addressing the Oral Health Needs of Veterans.

The oral health needs of US veterans are an often overlooked aspect of their overall well-being. Veterans, especially those who have experienced military combat, face unique challenges, including the impact of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), in their ability to access and receive dental care. Organizations like the Pacific Dental Services (PDS) Foundation, Veterans Legal Institute (VLI), and PDS Health are working to shed light on these challenges and discuss initiatives designed to improve oral healthcare for veterans.

Mask R-CNN provides efficient and accurate measurement of chondrocyte viability in the label-free assessment of articular cartilage.

Objective: Chondrocyte viability (CV) can be measured with the label-free method using second harmonic generation (SHG) and two-photon excitation autofluorescence (TPAF) imaging. To automate the image processing for the label-free CV measurement, we previously demonstrated a two-step deep-learning method: Step 1 used a U-Net to segment the lacuna area on SHG images; Step 2 used dual CNN networks to count live cells and the total number of cells in extracted cell clusters from TPAF images. This study aims to develop one-step deep learning methods to improve the efficiency of CV measurement.

Coming Together for Better International Oral Health: A Model for Hope.

Good oral health is crucial to overall well-being, and everyone needs to have equal access to quality oral healthcare. Despite this, disparities in oral health still exist on an international scale. In 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) adopted a global oral health strategy to reduce oral diseases and health inequities through public health approaches, integrating oral health with primary healthcare and adopting innovative workforce models.

Impact of fatty liver on long-term outcomes in chronic hepatitis B: a systematic review and matched analysis of individual patient data meta-analysis.

Background/aims: Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and fatty liver (FL) often co-exist, but natural history data of this dual condition (CHB-FL) are sparse. Via a systematic review, conventional meta-analysis (MA) and individual patient-level data MA (IPDMA), we compared liver-related outcomes and mortality between CHB-FL and CHB-no FL patients.

Methods: We searched 4 databases from inception to December 2021 and pooled study-level estimates using a random- effects model for conventional MA.

Global incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 63 studies and 1,201,807 persons.

Background & Aims: The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing. We aimed to estimate the pooled global NAFLD incidence.

Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies of adults without NAFLD at baseline to evaluate the global incidence of ultrasound-diagnosed NAFLD.

Characteristics and Outcomes of Elderly Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients following Surgical Resection: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background & Aims: Due to ageing of the global population, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasingly common among elderly patients, but outcomes after curative hepatic resection are unclear. Using a metanalytic approach, we aimed to estimate overall survival (OS), recurrence free survival (RFS) and complication rates in elderly HCC patients undergoing resection.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases from inception to Nov 10, 2020 for studies reporting outcomes in elderly (age ≥ 65 years) patients with HCC undergoing curative surgical resection.

Global treatment rate and barriers to direct-acting antiviral therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 146 studies and 1 760 352 hepatitis C virus patients.

Background: Global data on the treatment rate with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) for chronic hepatitis C (CHC) are sparse. We aimed to evaluate the CHC treatment rate and barriers to treatment in the DAA era.

Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane from inception to 5 August 2021, for relevant articles.

Measuring chondrocyte viability of articular cartilage based on label-free two-photon microscopy and deep learning image analysis.

Objective: Chondrocyte viability (CV) is an important indicator of articular cartilage health. Two-photon excitation autofluorescence (TPAF) and second harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy provide a label-free method for imaging chondrocytes. In this study, we propose an automated assessment of CV using deep learning cell segmentation and counting based on acquired TPAF/SHG images.

Compartment syndrome following minimally invasive mitral valve repair: A case report.

A 38-year-old Asian male with severe mitral valve regurgitation underwent elective minimally invasive mitral valve repair with artificial chordae and concomitant Cox-Maze procedure. Cardiopulmonary bypass required large peripheral cannulas due to the patient's increased body surface area with a total bypass time of 216 min. At 10 h, the patient reported progressive right lower extremity pain with evidence of swelling, diffuse paresthesias, and weak peripheral pulses.

Forecasted 2040 global prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease using hierarchical bayesian approach.

Background/aims: Due to increases in obesity and type 2 diabetes, the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has also been increasing. Current forecast models may not include non-obese NAFLD. Here, we used the Bayesian approach to forecast the prevalence of NAFLD through the year 2040.

Liver Complications in Untreated Treatment-Ineligible versus Treated Treatment-Eligible Patients with Hepatitis B.

Background: A substantial number of patients who do not meet treatment criteria for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) later develop adverse outcomes such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our aim was to determine whether current practice guidelines adequately identify CHB patients who will benefit from antiviral therapy.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study comparing the incidence of adverse liver outcomes (cirrhosis and/or HCC) in untreated treatment-ineligible (at baseline and throughout follow-up) versus treated treatment-eligible patients according to standard American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) 2018 guidance (alanine aminotransferase [ALT] >70/50 U/L for men/women plus hepatitis B virus [HBV] DNA >20,000/2,000 IU/mL for HBeAg+/-) and with a sensitivity analyses using a lower threshold (ALT >40 U/L and HBV DNA >2,000 IU/mL).

Transient Elastography and Serum-Based Tests for Diagnosis of Fatty Liver and Advanced Fibrosis in a Community Cohort: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.

Background: Noninvasive tests (NITs) are necessary for knowing the true prevalence of fatty liver (FL) and advanced fibrosis. NITs for diagnosis of FL and fibrosis were compared.

Methods: Data were obtained from the National Health and Examination Survey (2017-2018).