Latent Class Growth Analysis of Gout Flare Trajectories: A Three-Year Prospective Cohort Study in Primary Care.

Objective: To investigate the existence of distinct classes of gout flare trajectories and compare their gout-specific, comorbid, and sociodemographic characteristics.

Methods: In a prospective cohort study, adults with gout who were registered with 20 general practices self-reported the number of gout flares experienced at baseline and after 6, 12, 24, and 36 months via postal questionnaires. Latent class growth analysis (LCGA) was used to identify distinct gout flare trajectory classes.

The Fate of Ureteral Memokath Stent(s) in a High-Volume Referral Center: An Independent Long-Term Outcomes Review.

To independently assess upper urinary tract Memokath (MMK-051) stent outcomes in a national tertiary referral center. Two researchers, completely independent to the treating team, reviewed electronic MMK-051 stent(s) patient management records. Outcomes included time to first complication, complication(s)-severity, MMK-051 stent lifespan and change incidence, salvage therapy, further surgical intervention, and mortality.

Causal explanations of depression on perceptions of and likelihood to choose cognitive behavioural therapy and antidepressant medications as depression treatments.

Objectives: This research examined whether people's causal explanations of depression were associated with acceptability and efficacy-related treatment perceptions and likelihood to choose cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and antidepressant medication (ADM) as depression treatments.

Design: A cross-sectional internet-based design was used.

Methods: A general population sample was used over a clinical sample to study those who had not yet chosen to enter treatment.

Infant Attentional behaviors Are Associated With ADHD Symptomatology and Executive Function in Early Childhood.

We explored associations between infant attentional behaviors as measured by the First Year Inventory (FYIv2.0) and dimensional ratings of ADHD symptomatology and executive function (EF) in early childhood. This study included parents ( = 229) who filled out the FYIv2.

Catch-Up Growth in Children Born Small for Gestational Age Related to Body Composition and Metabolic Risk at Six Years of Age in the UK.

Objectives: To determine differences in body composition and glucose metabolism according to childhood growth outcomes in a population-based sample of children born small for gestational age (SGA).

Methods: A single-centre study of 259 children born SGA identified through hospital records and contacted when aged 4-7 years. Questionnaire data on pre/perinatal history and growth parameters during childhood was collected from the parents, and in a subgroup of 150 children face-to-face assessments were performed, including anthropometric parameters, lean and fat mass, blood pressure, fasting glucose, and C-peptide.

Laboratory Analysis Techniques for the Perinatal Microbiome: Implications for Studies of Probiotic Interventions.

The microbiome is composed of many organisms and is impacted by an intricate exchange between genetics and environmental factors. The perinatal microbiome influences both the developing fetus and the pregnant person. The purpose of this article is to describe the tests that are currently available for laboratory analysis of the perinatal microbiome in relationship to probiotic interventions.

Systematic Review of Disparities and Differences in the Access and Use of Allied Health Services Amongst Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often benefit from allied health services such as occupational therapy, speech and language pathology, and applied behavioral analysis. While there is consistent evidence of disparities in access and use of medical services (e.g.

Getting more from standard rotator cuff strengthening exercises.

Background: A simple modification to standard rotator cuff exercises using an additional resistance band around the scapula has been recommended in the clinical setting, postulated to encourage activation of the posterior scapular stabilisers and increase rotator cuff activation. The aim of this clinical laboratory study was to compare scapular and rotator cuff muscle activation between standard and modified exercises.

Methods: Electromyographic data were collected from 10 healthy adults via surface and intramuscular electrodes from the scapular and rotator cuff muscles.

TGF-β1-Licensed Murine MSCs Show Superior Therapeutic Efficacy in Modulating Corneal Allograft Immune Rejection In Vivo.

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are a promising therapeutic option for multiple immune diseases/disorders; however, efficacy of MSC treatments can vary significantly. We present a novel licensing strategy to improve the immunosuppressive capacity of MSCs. Licensing murine MSCs with transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β MSCs) significantly improved their ability to modulate both the phenotype and secretome of inflammatory bone marrow-derived macrophages and significantly increased the numbers of regulatory T lymphocytes following co-culture assays.

Fecal microbiota transplantation for patients on antibiotic treatment with infection history (GRAFT): Study protocol for a phase II, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to prevent recurrent infections.

Recurrent infections (rCDIs) are a burdensome problem. Patients with a history of CDI that are prescribed antibiotics are at a high risk for recurrence. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been shown to be an effective treatment for rCDI, though there is little information on the impact of FMT with antibiotics on the gut microbiome.

Survey of Methylmercury Exposures and Risk Factors Among Indigenous Communities in Guyana, South America.

Background: Gold mining activities in forested areas across Guyana have been a common practice for more than a century. The intensification of artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in recent decades caused by global market demand is contributing to the mobilization of mercury into aquatic systems. Indigenous populations who consume high levels of locally sourced fish are greater at risk for methylmercury poisoning from ingestion of contaminated fish.

Administration of Human Non-Diabetic Mesenchymal Stromal Cells to a Murine Model of Diabetic Fracture Repair: A Pilot Study.

Individuals living with type 1 diabetes mellitus may experience an increased risk of long bone fracture. These fractures are often slow to heal, resulting in delayed reunion or non-union. It is reasonable to theorize that the underlying cause of these diabetes-associated osteopathies is faulty repair dynamics as a result of compromised bone marrow progenitor cell function.

Effects of Sustained Treatment With Lixisenatide on Gastric Emptying and Postprandial Glucose Metabolism in Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: Tachyphylaxis for slowing of gastric emptying is seen with continuous exposure to glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). We therefore aimed to establish whether prolonged use of a "short-acting" GLP-1 receptor agonist, lixisenatide, achieves sustained slowing of gastric emptying and reduction in postprandial glycemia.

Research Design And Methods: A total of 30 patients with metformin-treated type 2 diabetes underwent assessment of gastric emptying (scintigraphy) and glucose metabolism (dual tracer technique) after a 75-g glucose drink, before and after 8 weeks' treatment with lixisenatide (20 μg subcutaneously daily) or placebo, in a double-blind randomized parallel design.

Multidimensional Global Optimization and Robustness Analysis in the Context of Protein-Ligand Binding.

Accuracy of protein-ligand binding free energy calculations utilizing implicit solvent models is critically affected by parameters of the underlying dielectric boundary, specifically, the atomic and water probe radii. Here, a global multidimensional optimization pipeline is developed to find optimal atomic radii specifically for protein-ligand binding calculations in implicit solvent. The computational pipeline has these three key components: (1) a massively parallel implementation of a deterministic global optimization algorithm (VTDIRECT95), (2) an accurate yet reasonably fast generalized Born implicit solvent model (GBNSR6), and (3) a novel robustness metric that helps distinguish between nearly degenerate local minima via a postprocessing step of the optimization.

Aerobic exercise improves memory and prevents cognitive deficits of relevance to schizophrenia in an animal model.

Introduction And Objectives: Cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia (CIAS) greatly reduces patients' functionality, and remains an unmet clinical need. The sub-chronic phencyclidine (scPCP) rat model is commonly employed in studying CIAS. We have previously shown that voluntary exercise reverses impairments in novel object recognition (NOR) induced by scPCP.

HDAC1 modulates OGG1-initiated oxidative DNA damage repair in the aging brain and Alzheimer's disease.

DNA damage contributes to brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases. However, the factors stimulating DNA repair to stave off functional decline remain obscure. We show that HDAC1 modulates OGG1-initated 8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG) repair in the brain.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Movement Disorders and Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Movement disorders and neurodegenerative diseases are a variety of conditions that involve progressive neuronal degeneration, injury, or death. Establishing the correct diagnosis of a movement disorder or neurodegenerative process can be difficult due to the variable features of these conditions, unusual clinical presentations, and overlapping symptoms and characteristics. MRI has an important role in the initial assessment of these patients, although a combination of imaging and laboratory and genetic tests is often needed for complete evaluation and management.

Advances in Transition Metal Seleno- and Tellurocarbonyl Chemistry.

In contrast to the ubiquity of transition-metal carbonyl, and (to a lesser extent) thiocarbonyl complexes, transition-metal complexes of carbon monoselenide L MCSe and monotelluride L MCTe remain scarce. The last few years, however, have seen notable steps towards expanding this chemistry, specifically with regards to new systematic studies on homologous sets of chalcocarbonyl complexes L MCE (E=O, S, Se, Te), the first reports of new bi- and polynuclear CSe and CTe bridging complexes and a confluence with metal carbido chemistry. Herein the properties, syntheses and reactions of these rare but fundamentally intriguing compounds are discussed.

Posterior Shoulder Instability Classification, Assessment, and Management: An International Delphi Study.

Objective: To reach consensus among international shoulder experts on the most appropriate assessment and management strategies for posterior shoulder instability (PSI).

Design: Delphi.

Methods: In phase 1 of the study, we reviewed the literature, generated the Delphi items, created the survey, and identified clinical experts.

Sleep and circadian instability in delayed sleep-wake phase disorder.

Study Objectives: In patients with delayed sleep-wake phase disorder (DSWPD), the circadian clock may be more easily affected by light at night. This creates a potential vulnerability, whereby individuals with irregular schedules may have less stable circadian rhythms. We investigated the stability of circadian timing and regularity of sleep in patients with DSWPD and healthy controls.

Enhanced recovery after head and neck cancer surgery: a review of current literature.

Purpose Of Review: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) is well documented in a number of surgical specialities. However, it remains an emerging concept in surgical head and neck cancer care. The purpose of this review is to appraise the current evidence investigating enhanced recovery in head and neck cancer, and explore areas for future clinical research.

Is Malaria an Important Cause of Death among Adults?

A long-held assumption has been that nearly all malaria deaths in high-transmission areas are of children younger than 5 years and pregnant women. Most global malaria mortality estimates incorporate this assumption in their calculations. In 2010, the Indian Million Death Study, which assigns cause of death by verbal autopsy (VA), challenged the reigning perception, producing a U-shaped mortality age curve, with rates rising after age 45 years in areas of India with substantial malaria transmission.

Current evidence for nonpharmacological interventions and criteria for surgical management of persistent acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis: A systematic review.

Background: The primary aim of this systematic review was to investigate the individual/combined effectiveness of nonpharmacological interventions in individuals with persistent acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis. The secondary aims were to investigate the comparative effectiveness of nonpharmacological versus surgical interventions, and to identify the criteria used for defining failure of conservative interventions in individuals who require surgery for persistent acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis.

Method: Major electronic databases were searched from inception until October 2018.