Reactive EEG Biomarkers for Diagnosis and Prognosis of Alzheimer's Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative condition characterized by progressive cognitive decline with currently no effective treatment available. One of the most critical areas in AD research is the identification of reliable biomarkers, which are essential for accurate diagnosis, prognostic assessment, and the development of targeted therapies. In this study, we introduce two novel reactive EEG (rEEG) biomarkers aimed at enhancing the diagnosis of AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Assessment of fracture risk with FRAX and FRAXplus.

FRAX, a risk calculator that provides individualized 10-year probabilities of hip and major osteoporotic fracture, has been widely used for fracture risk assessment since its launch in 2008. It is now incorporated into very many guidelines worldwide to inform osteoporosis management. In this review, we explore the development of FRAX and how it enhances fracture risk prediction as compared to use of bone mineral density alone, as well as approaches to utilizing FRAX in determining intervention and assessment thresholds.

The clinical assessment of lung involvement in patients with Still's disease, results from the multicentre international AIDA Network Still's Disease Registry.

Objectives: To assess the lung involvement in patients with Still's disease, an inflammatory disease assessing both children and adults. To exploit possible associated factors for parenchymal lung involvement in these patients.

Methods: A multicentre observational study was arranged assessing consecutive patients with Still's disease characterized by the lung involvement among those included in the AIDA (AutoInflammatory Disease Alliance) Network Still's Disease Registry.

Assessing fluid responsiveness by using functional hemodynamic tests in critically ill patients: a narrative review and a profile-based clinical guide.

Fluids are given with the purpose of increasing cardiac output (CO), but approximately only 50% of critically ill patients are fluid responders. Since the effect of a fluid bolus is time-sensitive, it diminuish within few hours, following the initial fluid resuscitation. Several functional hemodynamic tests (FHTs), consisting of maneuvers affecting heart-lung interactions, have been conceived to discriminate fluid responders from non-responders.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy vs. robotic pyelolithotomy for large renal stones: an inverse probability treatment weighting analysis.

Background: The American Urologic Association (AUA) and the European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines endorse percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for symptomatic stones larger than 20 mm despite significant risks such as bleeding and urosepsis. Robotic pyelolithotomy (RPL) is emerging as an appealing alternative to PCNL, particularly for patients with anatomical variations like pelvic or horseshoe kidneys, malrotation, previous unsuccessful PCNL, and congenital renal anomalies such as ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO).

Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted involving patients from Miulli Hospital and A.

Barriers and enablers to measuring resting metabolic rate in the high-performance sporting system: A qualitative exploratory study.

Measurements of resting metabolic rate (RMR) may be undertaken for dietary planning purposes or to assess for low energy availability (LEA). This study investigated barriers and enablers to measuring RMR in real-world, high-performance sport environments. Twelve interviews were conducted with technicians ( = 6 dietitians,  = 6 physiologists) employed across six National Institute Networks, two National Sporting Organisations and one professional sporting code.

Feasibility and Acceptability of a Virtual "Dementia Awareness for Caregivers" Course in Brazil and India.

Objective: To establish whether a virtual dementia awareness course is feasible for caregivers of people with dementia in Brazil and India.

Methods: A pre/posttest single group, multisite feasibility study, mixed methods exploratory design was applied. Primary caregivers of people with dementia in Brazil and India took a 3 to 4-hour course adapted for online delivery, with 10 to 15 caregivers.

Long-term outcomes of second-generation drug-eluting stents versus coronary artery bypass graft: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials and multivariable adjusted data.

Long-term data are limited comparing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with second-generation drug-eluting stents (S-DES) vs coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with complex coronary artery disease (CAD). We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing these interventions in patients with left main or multivessel CAD. We systematically reviewed PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane for studies that compared PCI with S-DES and CABG in patients with left main or multivessel CAD with a minimum mean follow-up period of 3 years.

Current status of pulmonary rehabilitation and impact on prognosis of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in South Korea.

Background: The benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) have been limited to improving dyspnea, exercise capacity, and quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to assess the current status of PR and its effect on prognosis.

Methods: The Nationwide Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) database was used in this study.

Impact of antifibrotic therapy on lung cancer incidence and mortality in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Background: Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) are at risk of lung cancer development. Antifibrotic therapy could slow disease progression of IPF, but there is limited data on its effectiveness on lung cancer. Here, we aimed to investigate lung cancer incidence and the risk of mortality of patients with IPF receiving antifibrotic therapy.

Lung cancer organoid-based drug evaluation models and new drug development application trends.

Lung cancer is a malignant tumor with high incidence and mortality rates in both men and women worldwide. Although anticancer drugs are prescribed to treat lung cancer patients, individual responses to these drugs vary, making it crucial to identify the most suitable treatment for each patient. Therefore, it is necessary to develop an anticancer drug efficacy prediction model that can analyze drug efficacy before patient treatment and establish personalized treatment strategies.

Analysis of the determinants of alcohol consumption and expenditure in Ecuador: an econometric analysis.

Background: This study delves into the determinants of alcohol consumption and expenditure in Ecuador, focusing on personal characteristics, education levels, and regional variations. This study aimed to provide nuanced insights into alcohol-related behaviors within the Ecuadorian population.

Methods: Employing probit and Tobit models, the study ensures a robust analytical framework to assess the factors influencing alcohol consumption and expenditure.

Biologics as well as inhaled anti-asthmatic therapy achieve clinical remission: Evidence from the Severe Asthma Network in Italy (SANI).

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of severe asthma (SA) treatments after 12 months in achieving clinical remission (CR) within the context of the Severe Asthma Network in Italy (SANI) using the recent SANI definition of CR on treatment.

Methods: CR has been defined by SANI as complete, partial, and no CR. Complete CR is defined by the absence of oral corticosteroids (OCS), no symptoms, no exacerbations, and stable lung function, and partial CR requires the absence of OCS and the fulfillment of 2 out of the other 3 criteria.

Risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in Asian patients with primary biliary cholangitis: A nationwide and hospital cohort study.

Background & Aims: Large-scale studies on the association between primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Asians are scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of HCC and its risk factors in a nationwide cohort.

Methods: The data of 4,882 patients with PBC and 38,603 matched controls were extracted from the Korean National Health Insurance Service (2007-2020) and analyzed.

Characterization of Photo-Cross-Linked Polyethylene Pipes for Geothermal Energy Storage.

This study investigates the morphology and thermo-mechanical properties of cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) pipes for potential use in high-temperature borehole thermal energy storage systems. Particular attention is given to a novel type of PEX pipe produced through photoinitiated cross-linking (PEX-e). Two formulations, PEX-e1 and PEX-e2, were analyzed and compared to peroxide-cross-linked polyethylene (PEX-a) and non-cross-linked bimodal polyethylene (PE100) pipes.

Erratum to: Corrigendum: 2023 Korean Society of Menopause - Osteoporosis Guidelines Part I.

This corrects the article on p. 126 in vol. 30, PMID: 39315504.

Sarcopenic Obesity: A Comprehensive Approach for Postmenopausal Women.

Sarcopenic obesity, characterized by the concurrent presence of muscle loss and obesity, poses significant health challenges, especially in the elderly. This review explores the impact of sarcopenic obesity on disability, metabolic health, comorbidities, and potential management strategies. With the aging global population, the prevalence of sarcopenic obesity is expected to increase, necessitating a comprehensive management approach.

Identification of vascular hotspots and analysis of micro-vessel flow velocity waveforms in high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions of the cervix.

Objectives: To assess hotspot micro-vessel flow velocity waveforms in human papillomavirus (HPV) cervical infections using transvaginal power Doppler ultrasound (TV-PDU) and explore associations with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia [CIN] II and III).

Methods: In all, 62 patients with confirmed HPV-HSIL (14 CIN II, 48 CIN III) and 65 age- and parity-matched women with neither HPV infection nor CIN were compared. Seven parameters by TV-PDU were used to assess vascular classification and micro-vessel flow velocity, including vascular grading (class I, II, III), lowest pulsatility index (PI), resistance index (RI), peak systolic velocity (PS), end-diastolic velocity (ED), time average maximum velocity (TAMV), and the vascular index (VI = PS/ED).

Real-world efficacy and safety of universal 8-week glecaprevir/pibrentasvir in patients with chronic hepatitis C with early chronic kidney disease or pre-end-stage renal disease: Insights from a nationwide hepatisis C virus registry in Taiwan.

An 8-week regimen of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir is recommended for treatment-naïve patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). In alignment with the Taiwanese government's objective to eliminate hepatitis C by 2025, this study aimed to provide real-world evidence on the use of this regimen in treatment-naïve patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) by using data from the Taiwan Association for the Study of the Liver HCV Registry (TACR). CKD was defined by an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of <60 mL/min/1.

A preliminary hospital-based study of a hybrid placement incorporating traditional and non-traditional placement and supervisory model elements: Perspectives of undergraduate speech-language pathology.

Purpose: This preliminary study sought to explore speech-language pathology students' perspectives of a novel placement experience embedding traditional and non-traditional placement and supervisory model-elements in a hospital setting.

Method: A mixed-method sequential explanatory design was used, incorporating an online survey comprising of 26 questions and a focus group. Descriptive statistics were obtained and a reflexive thematic approach was used to analyse the transcripts.

Diabetes Fact Sheets in Korea 2024.

Backgruound: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, management, and comorbidities of diabetes mellitus among Korean adults.

Methods: Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2019-2022) were analyzed to assess the prevalence, treatment, risk factors, and comorbidities of diabetes. Comparisons between young and older adults with diabetes were emphasized.

Big Data Research for Diabetes-Related Diseases Using the Korean National Health Information Database.

The Korean National Health Information Database (NHID), which contains nationwide real-world claims data including sociodemographic data, health care utilization data, health screening data, and healthcare provider information, is a powerful resource to test various hypotheses. It is also longitudinal in nature due to the recommended health checkup every 2 years and is appropriate for long-term follow-up study as well as evaluating the relationships between health outcomes and changes in parameters such as lifestyle factors, anthropometric measurements, and laboratory results. However, because these data are not collected for research purposes, precise operational definitions of diseases are required to facilitate big data analysis using the Korean NHID.

Does Meaning in Life Mediate Associations Between Suffering and Subsequent Mental Well-Being? Longitudinal Evidence From Two Non-Western Samples.

Narrative accounts have documented the potential for suffering to degrade a person's well-being by undermining their sense of meaning in life, but few studies have investigated this among nonclinical samples living in non-Western contexts of the Global South. Leveraging data from a set of three-wave longitudinal studies with younger Indonesian (Study 1: Wave 1 [December 2020], Wave 2 [January 2021], Wave 3 [February 2021]; N = 620) and Colombian adults (Study 2: Wave 1 [August/September 2021], Wave 2 [October/November 2021], Wave 3 [February 2022]; N = 2626), the present research used causal mediation methods within a counterfactual framework to examine whether the associations between suffering (Wave 1) and subsequent anxiety symptoms, depression symptoms, and general mental health (Wave 3) are mediated by meaning in life (Wave 2). Mediation analyses in both studies provided some evidence indicating that overall suffering (Wave 1) is indirectly associated with worse subsequent mental well-being on all three outcomes (Wave 3) via lower meaning in life (Wave 2).