Value of ultrasound-assessed dactylitis in the early diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis.

Purpose: The primary objective of this prospective, longitudinal, observational, single-centre study was to evaluate the association between ultrasound-assessed lesions of dactylitis and the diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in patients with psoriasis (PsO) and hand arthralgia.

Methods: We included adult patients diagnosed with PsO with hand arthralgia, with or without other musculoskeletal complaints. They were clinically assessed at baseline, 6 and 12 months by a rheumatologist blinded to the ultrasound findings.

Multi-angle acquisition and 3D composite reconstruction for organ-targeted PET using planar detectors.

Background: This study investigates a multi-angle acquisition method aimed at improving image quality in organ-targeted PET detectors with planar detector heads. Organ-targeted PET technologies have emerged to address limitations of conventional whole-body PET/CT systems, such as restricted axial field-of-view (AFOV), limited spatial resolution, and high radiation exposure associated with PET procedures. The AFOV in organ-targeted PET can be adjusted to the organ of interest, minimizing unwanted signals from other parts of the body, thus improving signal collection efficiency and reducing the dose of administered radiotracer.

Factors associated with essential newborn care practice among obstetric care providers in public hospitals in Gamo, Gofa, and Wolayta zones, southern Ethiopia: A facility-based cross-sectional study, 2022.

Background: Almost everywhere, neonatal mortality can be decreased with ease if competent obstetricians give the necessary treatment. Unfortunately, observational techniques were not used to examine basic essential newborn care practice among obstetric care providers in Ethiopia. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate factors related to essential newborn care practice using observational techniques among obstetric care providers in public hospitals in the Gamo, Gofa, and Wolayta zones, southern Ethiopia.

Therapeutic dose prediction of α5-GABA receptor modulation from simulated EEG of depression severity.

Treatment for major depressive disorder (depression) often has partial efficacy and a large portion of patients are treatment resistant. Recent studies implicate reduced somatostatin (SST) interneuron inhibition in depression, and new pharmacology boosting this inhibition via positive allosteric modulators of α5-GABAA receptors (α5-PAM) offers a promising effective treatment. However, testing the effect of α5-PAM on human brain activity is limited, meriting the use of detailed simulations.

High-resolution vessel wall MRI in Moyamoya disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic and prognostic applications.

Purpose: Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a rare cerebrovascular disorder characterized by the narrowing of arteries at the brain's base. While cerebral angiography is the gold standard for diagnosis, high-resolution vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging (VW-MRI) has recently emerged as a non-invasive diagnostic tool. This systematic review aims to provide insights into the role of VW-MRI in enhancing the diagnosis and management of MMD.

Point-of-care additive manufacturing: state of the art and adoption in Spanish hospitals during pre to post COVID-19 era.

Background: 3D technologies [Virtual and Augmented 3D planning, 3D printing (3DP), Additive Manufacturing (AM)] are rapidly being adopted in the healthcare sector, demonstrating their relevance in personalized medicine and the rapid development of medical devices. The study's purpose was to understand the state and evolution of 3DP/AM technologies at the Point-of-Care (PoC), its adoption, organization and process in Spanish hospitals and to understand and compare the evolution of the models, clinical applications, and challenges in utilizing the technology during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

Methods: This was a questionnaire-based qualitative and longitudinal study.

ASYMPTOMATIC INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE DIAGNOSED DURING COLORECTAL CANCER POPULATION SCREENING IN CATALONIA: CHARACTERISTICS AND NATURAL HISTORY.

Introduction: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is usually diagnosed when symptomatic. Prognosis and evolution of preclinical IBD is largely unknown. However, colorectal cancer screening programs (CRCSP) detect a subset of IBD patients with no symptoms.

Cortical and subcortical gray matter volume and cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease.

Introduction: This study investigated the cortical and subcortical gray matter volume (GMV) and cognitive impairment (CI) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).

Methods: In this study, T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of the cortex and subcortex was conducted on 92 individuals diagnosed with PD and 92 healthy controls (HCs). PD patients were divided into three groups: PD with normal cognition (PD-NC,  = 21), PD with mild CI (PD-MCI,  = 43), and PD with severe CI (PD-SCI,  = 28).

Will the Real Immunogens Please Stand Up: Exploiting the Immunogenic Potential of Cryptococcal Cell Antigens in Fungal Vaccine Development.

is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that is a continuous global health concern, especially for immunocompromised populations. The World Health Organization recognized as one of four critical fungal pathogens, thus emphasizing the need for increased research efforts and clinical resource expansion. Currently, there are no fungal vaccines available for clinical use.

A Randomized Control Trial of a Virtually Delivered Program for Increasing Upper Limb Activity After Stroke.

Background: Upper limb activity following stroke is low, which may limit recovery. We investigated whether a virtually-delivered upper limb program, that included a wearable device with reach-to-grasp feedback, would increase upper limb activity after stroke.

Methods: This was a parallel-group, assessor-blinded, randomized control trial conducted at 6 sites across 5 provinces of the CanStroke Recovery Trials Platform between 2020 to 2022.

The Effect of Total Sleep Deprivation on the Cognitive and In-Game Performance of Rocket League Esport Players.

Purpose: It is presumed by many that acute sleep loss results in degraded in-game esports (competitive, organized video game play) performance. However, this has not been experimentally investigated to date. The objective of the current experiment was to elucidate whether ~29hrs of total sleep deprivation impacts in-game performance for the popular esport

Patients And Methods: Twenty skill-matched pairs (N = 40 total) were recruited.

Antifungal susceptibility profile of Candida species and uncommon yeasts from drug abusers with oral candidiasis.

In Iran, there is limited information regarding the species distribution and antifungal susceptibility profiles of yeast isolates from drug addicts suffering from oral candidiasis (OC). In this study, 104 yeast isolates, including 98 Candida species and 6 uncommon yeasts, were collected from 71 drug abusers with OC. The susceptibility profiles of Candida spp.

Empagliflozin in acute myocardial infarction in patients with and without type 2 diabetes: A pre-specified analysis of the EMPACT-MI trial.

Aims: In the EMPACT-MI trial, empagliflozin reduced heart failure (HF) hospitalizations but not mortality in acute myocardial infarction (MI). Contemporary reports of clinical event rates with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in acute MI trials are sparse. The treatment effect of empagliflozin in those with and without T2DM in acute MI is unknown.

Air pollution exposure disparities among ethnic groups in high-income countries: a scoping review.

Background: The adverse health effects of air pollution are well-established. Previous reviews have highlighted disparities in air pollution exposure between minoritized ethnic groups and majoritized ethnic groups. However, these reviews primarily focused on proximity to pollution sources rather than objectively measured concentrations.

Excessive hypercholesterolaemia during pregnancy as a risk factor for endothelial dysfunction in pre-eclampsia.

Pregnancy induces significant changes in the maternal cardiovascular system, and insufficient vascular endothelial adaptations to pregnancy contribute to the development of pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia. Pre-eclampsia is not only a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality, but also a significant risk factor for the development of later-life cardiovascular disease. However, the specific mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia, as well as the mechanisms for an increased susceptibility to cardiovascular disease later in life, are not fully characterized.

Remineralisation of enamel erosive lesions by daily-use fluoride treatments: network meta-analysis of an in situ study set.

Objectives: Daily-use fluoride products are first-line protection against enamel wear from dietary-acid exposure (DAE). This study aimed to understand effects of fluoride concentration, fluoride salt, product form and ingredients in daily-use products on remineralisation and demineralisation, via network meta-analysis (NMA) of 14 studies using one well-established in-situ model. Remineralisation (surface-microhardness recovery, SHMR) after treatment, and protection against subsequent demineralisation (acid-resistance ratio, ARR) were measured.

The impact of wearing compression hosiery and the use of assistive products for donning and doffing: A descriptive qualitative study into user experiences.

This qualitative study aimed to describe users' experiences and needs related to wearing, donning, and doffing compression hosiery, and the provision process of compression hosiery and associated assistive products for donning and doffing. Adults who have been advised to wear compression hosiery participated in semi-structured interviews. Existing frameworks about the provision process and acceptance of assistive technology guided the topic list.

Virologic failure and emergent integrase strand transfer inhibitor drug resistance with long acting cabotegravir for HIV treatment: A meta-analysis.

Background: The long-acting injectable regimen of cabotegravir plus rilpivirine (CAB/RPV) emerged as an alternative to oral standard of care integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI)-based regimens for individuals with adherence challenges or preference for reduced dosing schedules. Although oral INSTI regimens have a high barrier to emergent resistance, less is known about the potency and durability of CAB/RPV.

Methods: We reviewed clinical trial registries, PubMed, EMBASE, and conference abstract databases to identify published reports of CAB/RPV for HIV therapy.

Impact of polygeNic risk score for glaucoma on psycHosocial ouTcomes (INSiGHT) study protocol.

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness with early detection and intervention critical to slowing disease progression. However, half of those affected are undiagnosed. This is largely due to the early stages of disease being asymptomatic; current population-based screening measures being unsupported; and a lack of current efficient prediction models.

Photobiomodulation as part of multimodal analgesia to improve pain relief and wound healing after elective caesarean section: A protocol for randomized controlled trial.

Background: Caesarean section (CS) is the most common inpatient surgical procedure performed in Canada. CS is known to cause moderate-to-severe pain, which is suggested to be associated with postpartum depression and persistent pain. Existing limitations in multimodal analgesia and conscious attempts to avoid opioids highlight the need for non-pharmacological strategies.

Effect of an intensive lifestyle intervention on cystatin C-based kidney function in adults with overweight and obesity: From the PREDIMED-Plus trial.

Background: Large-scale trials evaluating a multicomponent lifestyle intervention aimed at weight loss on kidney function are lacking.

Methods: This was a post hoc analysis of the "PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea-Plus" (PREDIMED-Plus) randomized controlled trial, including patients with overweight/obesity and metabolic syndrome, measured cystatin C and creatinine. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to an intensive weight loss lifestyle intervention (intervention group [IG]) consisting of an energy-restricted Mediterranean diet (MedDiet), physical activity promotion and behavioral support, or a control group (CG) receiving ad libitum MedDiet recommendations.