Time in range-A new gold standard in type 2 diabetes research?

Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) is currently the gold standard outcome measure for type 2 diabetes trials. Time in range is a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) metric defined as the proportion of time in euglycemia (3.9-10.

Harmonizing Cognitive and Psychosocial Needs in Cognitive Training: Lessons Learned from Piano Training in Persons Living with Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Objectives: This qualitative study explored the potential of piano training as a holistic intervention to enhance both cognitive and emotional well-being. The study aims to detail the experiences of older adults living with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in a piano training program and recommend strategies to boost engagement.

Methods: Fourteen individuals (seven older adults with MCI and their family members) participated in individual semi-structured interviews before and after a 12-week group-based piano training program.

An mRNA-encoded dominant-negative inhibitor of transcription factor RUNX1 suppresses vitreoretinal disease in experimental models.

Messenger RNA (mRNA)-based therapies are a promising approach to medical treatment. Except for infectious diseases, no other disease has mRNA-based therapies available. The eye is an ideal model for mRNA therapeutic development because it requires limited dosing.

Feasibility and effectiveness of cardiac telerehabilitation for older adults with coronary heart disease: A pilot randomized controlled trial.

Background: Cardiac rehabilitation is a beneficial multidisciplinary treatment of exercise promotion, patient education, risk factor management, and psychosocial counseling for people with coronary heart disease (CHD) that is underutilized due to substantial disparities in access, referral, and participation. Empirical studies suggest that cardiac telerehabilitation (CTR) have safety and efficacy comparable to traditional in-person cardiac rehabilitation, however, older adults are under-reported with effectiveness, feasibility, and usability remains unclear.

Methods: The study randomized 43 older adults (84 % males) to the 12-week CTR intervention or standard of care.

Comprehensive and personalized approach is a critical area for developing remote cardiac rehabilitation programs.

In the evolving landscape of cardiac rehabilitation (CR), adopting digital technologies, including synchronous/real-time digital interventions and smart applications, has emerged as a transformative approach. These technologies offer real-time health data access, continuous vital sign monitoring, and personalized educational enhanced patient self-management and engagement. Despite their potential benefits, challenges and limitations exist, necessitating careful consideration.

Compassionate care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: There was a substantial documented call for healthcare professionals to provide compassionate care during the COVID-19 pandemic and significant criticism voiced when it was lacking. This study aimed to explore perspectives on compassionate care among healthcare professionals providing care during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study focuses on healthcare professionals who participated in a wide range of COVID-19 measures, including testing, quarantine, diagnosis, and care provision (patients with COVID-19 or patients with other illnesses and comorbid with COVID-19).

The core exosome proteome of Trichomonas vaginalis.

Background: Trichomonas vaginalis is parasitic protozoan that causes human urogenital infections. Accumulated reports indicated that exosomes released by this parasite play a crucial role in transmitting information and substances between cells during host-parasite interactions. Current knowledge on the protein contents in T.

Effects of mind-body exercise on physical and psychosocial well-being of stroke patients: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

This study conducted pairwise and network meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of three mind-body exercise interventions (Tai Chi, Qigong, and yoga) on physical capacity, psychological well-being, and quality of life in stroke patients. The research encompassed 30 studies involving 2107 participants and utilized the Risk of Bias 2.0 tool for quality assessment.

Technology-assisted cardiac rehabilitation for coronary heart disease patients with central obesity: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Limited empirical evidence is available regarding the effect of technology-assisted cardiac rehabilitation (TACR) among coronary heart disease (CHD) patients with central obesity.

Aim: To determine the effects of 12-week TACR on health outcomes of patients with CHD.

Design: Two-arm randomized controlled trial.

Experiences of Non-Family Paid Helpers Providing Palliative Care to Stroke Patients: The Toll of Professional Informal Caregiving in a Job Lacking Recognition.

Employing non-family paid helpers has become a prevalent practice across North America, Europe, and Asia, which families adopt to alleviate the stroke care burden, allowing family to take a break from their obligations and perform other social activities. However, paid helpers' experiences of providing palliative care to stroke patients are under-explored. This study aimed to explore the caregiving experiences of non-family paid helpers providing palliative care to stroke patients.

Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Motivation to Change Lifestyle and Health Behaviors for Dementia Risk Reduction scale (MCLHB-DRR) in Chinese community-dwelling older adults.

Objectives: To assess the psychometric properties of Chinese version of Motivation to Change Lifestyle and Health Behaviors for Dementia Risk Reduction (MCLHB-DRR) scale in Chinese community-dwelling older adults.

Methods: A convenience sample of 150 Chinese adults aged ≥50 was recruited from local community facilities. Reliability of MCLHB-DRR was evaluated using internal consistency and test-retest reliability over two weeks.

Combined exercise and cognitive interventions for adults with mild cognitive impairment and dementia: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Background: Exercise and cognitive interventions are beneficial for adults with preclinical and clinical dementia, but it is unclear whether the combination of these two components could generate synergistic benefits and what intervention designs would optimize this effect.

Objectives: This review aims to compare the effects of combined exercise and cognitive interventions on cognitive, psychological, functional outcomes, and health-related quality of life with the corresponding single approach and control groups in adults with mild cognitive impairment and dementia. It also aims to identify the optimal intervention design and factors affecting treatment effects.

Perception of eHealth Programs for Cardiovascular Health: Qualitative Systematic Review and Meta-synthesis.

Background: Despite emerging evidence on the effectiveness of eHealth interventions in improving cardiovascular health, little is known about the perception of use and efficacy of these interventions and real-world application.

Objective: We sought to develop an in-depth understanding of the perceptions of eHealth interventions in improving cardiovascular health.

Methods: This is a systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative studies.

Metabolomics analysis reveals changes related to pseudocyst formation induced by iron depletion in Trichomonas vaginalis.

Background: Iron is an essential element for cellular functions, such as energy metabolism. Trichomonas vaginalis, a human urogenital tract pathogen, is capable of surviving in the environment without sufficient iron supplementation. Pseudocysts (cyst-like structures) are an environmentally tolerated stage of this parasite while encountering undesired conditions, including iron deficiency.

Effects of non-pharmacological interventions on loneliness among community-dwelling older adults: A systematic review, network meta-analysis, and meta-regression.

Background: The highly prevalent late-life loneliness, together with its deleterious health impacts, calls for increasing attention to the need for effective interventions targeting on this growing public health problem. With the increasing evidence on interventions for combating loneliness, it is timely to identify their comparative effectiveness.

Objective: This systematic review, meta-analysis and network meta-analysis was to identify and compare the effects of various non-pharmacological interventions on loneliness in community-dwelling older adults.

Palliative Care for Older Adults Hospitalized for Stroke From the Informal Caregivers' Perspectives: A Qualitative Study.

Background: International guidelines have promoted palliative care (PC) for stroke survivors, but definition and implementation have been less than ideal. This practice gap is more prominent in China, where discussion of death remains taboo.

Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the perspectives of PC among caregivers of hospitalized patients with stroke.

Effects of an empowerment-based educative psycho-behavioral program on neuropsychiatric symptoms among persons with mild cognitive impairment: A mixed methods study.

Background: Mild cognitive impairment refers to the transitional stage between normal aging and dementia. While managing the cognitive symptoms receives most research attention, neuropsychiatric symptoms, particularly depression and anxiety, affect up to 80% of this cohort and detrimentally impact disease progression. Evidence-based interventions to support this preclinical cohort to cope with the neuropsychiatric symptoms are yet to be developed.

A meta-ethnography of developing and living with post-burn scars.

Introduction: Post-burn scarring is often cosmetically unappealing and create discomfort. This makes it crucial to understand the experience of individuals living with scars which can offer insights into their recovery. This review sought to develop an in-depth understanding of living with post-burn scars.

A systematic review: Cost-effectiveness of continuous glucose monitoring compared to self-monitoring of blood glucose in type 1 diabetes.

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is rapidly becoming a vital tool in the management of type 1 diabetes. Its use has been shown to improve glycaemic management and reduce the risk of hypoglycaemic events. The cost of CGM remains a barrier to its widespread application.

Reliability and Validity of the Traditional Chinese Version of the Mild Behavioral Impairment - Checklist Among Persons With Mild Cognitive Impairment - A Validation Study.

Objective: To evaluate the reliability and validity of the traditional Chinese version of the Mild Behavioral Impairment Checklist (MBI-C) among Hong Kong Chinese with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Methods: A total of 172 participants were recruited from 2 community facilities. Cronbach's alpha (α) was calculated to evaluate internal consistency.

Lived experience of neuropsychiatric symptoms among females with mild cognitive impairment: A phenomenological study.

Aims: To explore the lived experience of neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) among females with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Design: A phenomenological study using individual, semi-structured, telephone-based interviews was conducted to explore how the NPS are aroused, evolve, and affect the overall well-being, illness perception and the corresponding coping responses adopted by females with MCI.

Methods: Twenty-nine participants with MCI were recruited from the community setting in Hong Kong between March and October 2020.