Advances in Wearable Stethoscope Technology: Opportunities for the Early Detection and Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases.

Wearable technology, including devices like Apple and Samsung watches, Fitbits, and smart rings, has become widely popular. However, while these consumer electronics are readily available, they do not yet meet the accuracy and safety standards required for medical devices by the U.S.

Brainwave Patterns and Metabolic Adaptations in Rowers Crossing the Atlantic: A Case Series Pilot Study.

Introduction: This pilot study was designed to test the hypothesis that quantitative electroencephalographic (qEEG) measurements reflect physiological adaptations for brain energy reallocation. The study focused on a team of three well-matched male rowers participating in a 30-day, 2,650-mile continuous transatlantic rowing competition, examining the effects of extreme, prolonged stress on brain function and metabolic adaptations.

Methods: Measurements at the start and finish lines included body weight, height, waist circumference, body fat, and a panel of hormones and biochemical markers.

Prefrontal, Frontal, and Temporal Theta EEG Asymmetries and Self-Reports of Emotional Regulation.

Previous studies have shown that right-sided frontal alpha asymmetry (fAA) is an electroencephalography (EEG) marker for negatively valenced emotions and a marker for negative self-perceptions of a person's psychosocial interactions. Alpha activity is affected by the changes in visual stimulation associated with eye-opening and eye-closing; theta activity is not so affected. Therefore, this analysis investigates the relationship between an individual's theta asymmetry and self-perceptions of their psychosocial interactions.

Investigating the Impact of Cold Agglutinins on Red Blood Cell Parameters in a Trauma Patient.

Cold agglutinins are autoantibodies that can cause primary hemolytic anemia and RBC agglutination syndrome. Secondary agglutination of RBCs may be found in hypothermia, as well as in cancers, infections, and traumatic injuries. This report presents the case of a 37-year-old man who suffered multiple injuries in a motorcycle accident.

A Case of Guillain-Barré Syndrome With Multiple Causative Factors in a Young Male.

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), an immune-mediated disease of the peripheral nervous system, is mainly characterized by rapidly progressive ascending weakness of the limbs with reduced or absent deep tendon reflexes. The exact cause of GBS is unknown, but it often occurs after a gastrointestinal or respiratory infection. The present study represents a case of GBS in which multiple antecedent antigenic stimuli may have contributed to the development of GBS.

Epigenetic Mechanisms in Obesity: Broadening Our Understanding of the Disease.

Now recognized as more than just the result of overeating or the consumption of poor-quality foods, obesity is understood to be a multifactorial disease, strongly correlated with a variety of environment-gene interactions. In addressing the complex public health issue of obesity, medical practitioners, along with their allied healthcare counterparts, face the challenge of reducing its prevalence by utilizing and sharing with patients the current, yet incomplete, scientific knowledge concerning the disease. While continued research is required to strengthen direct cause-effect relationships, substantial evidence links post-translational modifications such as DNA methylation and histone modifications of several candidate "obesity" genes to the predilection for obesity.

Pheochromocytoma: A Troublesome Tumor.

This report presents the case of a 45-year-old man with a history of episodic headaches, palpitations, and sweating for the past six months. His blood pressure on admission was 170/100 mmHg. The patient was diagnosed with pheochromocytoma confirmed by elevated levels of plasma catecholamines and metanephrines.

An Integrated Review of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: New Insights to an Old Problem.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common entrapment neuropathy characterized by pain, numbness, and impaired function of the hand due to compression of the median nerve at the level of the wrist. Although CTS can develop from repetitive strain, injury, or medical conditions, there are also congenital and genetic risk factors that can predispose individuals to the condition. With respect to anatomical factors, some individuals are born with a smaller carpal tunnel, which increases their susceptibility to median nerve compression.

Aldosterone Synthase Inhibitors and Dietary Interventions: A Combined Novel Approach for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease.

Systemic hypertension (HTN) is the hallmark of cardiovascular disease and the forerunner of heart failure. These associations have been established over decades of research on essential HTN. Advancements in the treatment of patients diagnosed with HTN, consisting of alpha- or beta-adrenergic receptor blockers, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, thiazide, or aldosterone receptor blockers known as anti-mineralocorticoids, in the presence or absence of low sodium salt diets, often fail to control blood pressure adequately to prevent morbidity and mortality.

Postprandial Hypotension: An Underreported Silent Killer in the Aged.

Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is one of the most common autonomic dysfunctions, with high prevalence in populations of elderly, hypertensive, diabetic, or Parkinson's patients. Evidence is emerging that OH co-occurs with postprandial hypotension (PPH); a greater prevalence of PPH than of OH is reported for Parkinson's disease patients. OH is diagnosed by measuring the blood pressure changes associated with postural changes and often produces alterations in consciousness or other such bothersome symptoms as fainting.

Cardiac Rehabilitation and Cardiopulmonary Fitness in Children and Young Adults With Congenital Heart Diseases: A Critically Appraised Topic.

Public health guidelines and a myriad of studies have proven that exercise is beneficial in the alleviation of various cardio-metabolic diseases. Congenital heart disease (ConHD) is one of the most frequently occurring congenital structural malfunctions in the pediatric population, affecting nine of every 1,000 live births. Only a few studies have established the impact of a structured exercise program on cardiopulmonary fitness in diverse groups of patients with ConHD.

Epigenetics and Pain: New Insights to an Old Problem.

Physicians and neuroscientists have long observed that factors such as thoughts, emotions, and expectations can influence the perception of pain. Pain can be described as an unpleasant sensation that causes physical discomfort and emotional distress. It alerts an individual to seek help and is the main complaint that brings individuals to physicians.

Epigenetic Influences on Wound Healing and Hypertrophic-Keloid Scarring: A Review for Basic Scientists and Clinicians.

Primary care physicians and dermatologists are challenged by patients affected by keloid or hypertrophic scarring resulting from accidental wounding, surgical incisions, tattooing, or "branding" procedures to demonstrate their association with a specific culture, fraternity, or cult. The dysregulated wound healing associated with keloids and hypertrophic scarring adversely affects genetically susceptible individuals, especially persons of color with Fitzpatrick Skin types IV-VI. Although the specific mechanisms of bulky hypertrophic/keloid scarring and its association with oxidative stress and inflammation remain unclear, the current knowledge base is sufficient to provide some guidance to health practitioners who must serve, treat, and counsel affected individuals.

Pancoast tumor presenting with multiple joint pains: a case report.

Background: Pancoast tumors represent a unique subset of lung cancers wherein a primary neoplasm arises in the lung's apex and invades the surrounding soft tissues. One of the main challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of these apical lung cancers is that they are usually not visualized on initial chest x-ray and, by the time the patient presents with symptoms, the tumor has almost always invaded nearby structures.

Case Presentation: Herein we report a case of a 58-year-old nonsmoking African American male who presented to the neurology clinic with a history of multiple chronic joint pains.

Electroencephalographic Signature of Negative Self Perceptions in Medical Students.

Frontal alpha asymmetry (fAA) is purported to be a neurophysiological marker for anxiety and depression. Higher left frontal alpha EEG voltage is associated with lower left and higher right frontal cerebral cortical activation, indicative of right-sided fAA. This pilot study tests the hypothesis that greater left-sided frontal alpha voltage is associated with negative thoughts about oneself.

Case Report: Ulcerative Colitis with Multiple Dural Venous Thrombosis.

Cerebral sinus vein thrombosis (CVT) is a rare but serious complication associated with ulcerative colitis (UC), an idiopathic autoimmune inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract. Management approaches for CVT remain unclear but may include anticoagulation and surgical thrombectomy. Herein, we report a case of a 23-year-old male who developed CVT with a history of UC.

Autoimmune Mechanisms of Interferon Hypersensitivity and Neurodegenerative Diseases: Down Syndrome.

Down syndrome (DS), also known as trisomy 21 (T21), is associated with interferon (IFN) hypersensitivity, as well as predilections for Alzheimer's dementia (AD) and various autoimmune diseases. IFN- and IFN- receptors are encoded on chromosome 21 (Ch21). It remains unclear how other Ch21 genes contribute to the neuropathological features of DS/T21.

Vitamin D and Demyelinating Diseases: Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in all ages regardless of climate or geographical location and evidence is emerging that the incidence of autoimmune diseases is increasing worldwide. Women make up a large proportion of autoimmune disease diagnoses, underscoring the importance of fully elucidating the complex synergistic relationships between estrogens and vitamin D. Vitamin D receptor-activating drugs appear to enhance remyelination in patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) and other demyelinating diseases such as neuromyelitis optica (NMO).

Norepinephrine stabilizes translation-dependent, homosynaptic long-term potentiation through mechanisms requiring the cAMP sensor Epac, mTOR and MAPK.

Neuromodulators regulate higher-order cognitive processes including learning and memory through modulation of synaptic transmission and plasticity. Norepinephrine is a neuromodulator that is secreted throughout the brain in response to novelty or increased arousal, which alters neural circuits by increasing the modifiability of CNS synapses. Norepinephrine activates metabotropic receptors, initiating complex intracellular signalling cascades that can promote enduring changes in synaptic strength including long-term potentiation (LTP).

Mood Responses to Passive and Active Motion Leg Cycling Exercise in Healthy Sedentary Young Adults.

Previous studies suggest that passive motion exercise (PME) may be useful for overcoming exercise limitations associated with a sedentary lifestyle, orthopedic disorders, and various other debilitating conditions. Negative mood response is one of the factors that limit a person's ability to exercise. Therefore, this study tests the hypothesis that the mood response associated with PME is not different than the mood response associated with active motion exercise (AME).

Associations of Alpha and Beta Interhemispheric EEG Coherences with Indices of Attentional Control and Academic Performance.

Unlabelled: . Heretofore, research on optimizing academic performance has suffered from an inability to translate what is known about an individual's learning behaviors to how effectively they are able to use the critical nodes and hubs in their cerebral cortex for learning. A previous study from our laboratory suggests that lower theta-beta ratios (TBRs) measured by EEG may be associated with higher academic performance in a medical school curriculum.

qEEG Measures of Attentional and Memory Network Functions in Medical Students: Novel Targets for Pharmacopuncture to Improve Cognition and Academic Performance.

Objectives: Attentional and memory functions are important aspects of neural plasticity that, theoretically, should be amenable to pharmacopuncture treatments. A previous study from our laboratory suggested that quantitative electroencephalographic (qEEG) measurements of theta/beta ratio (TBR), an index of attentional control, may be indicative of academic performance in a first-semester medical school course. The present study expands our prior report by extracting and analyzing data on frontal theta and beta asymmetries.

Environmental Enrichment and Brain Neuroplasticity in the Kainate Rat Model of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy.

Background And Purpose: Environmental enrichment (EE) improves brain function and ameliorates cognitive impairments; however, whether EE can reverse the learning and memory deficits seen following seizures remains unknown.

Methods: We tested the hypothesis that EE augments neurogenesis and attenuates the learning and memory deficits in rats subjected to kainate-induced seizures in hippocampus, amygdala and motor cortex. EE consisted of daily exposures immediately after KA lesioning (early EE) and after a 60-day period (late EE).

Association of Endothelial Function with Parental Hypertension in Normotensive-Obese African-American Women: A Pilot Study.

Obese African-American (AA) women are at high risk of hypertension (HT) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and arterial augmentation index (AI) are measures of endothelial function and arterial stiffness. Whether endothelial function and arterial stiffness predict risk of HT or CVD in obese African-American women with, versus without, parental histories of HT and whether aerobic exercise is an effective countermeasure remain unclear.