Measurement Properties of the Friedreich Ataxia Rating Scale in Patients with Spinocerebellar Ataxia.

Introduction: The Friedreich Ataxia Rating Scale-Activities of Daily Living (FARS-ADL) is a valid, highly utilized measure for assessing ADL impacts in patients with Friedreich ataxia. We provide evidence of the psychometric validity of the FARS-ADL in two cohorts of patients with spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA).

Methods: Using data from a cohort of real-world subjects with SCA (recruited at Massachusetts General Hospital [MGH]; n = 33) and a phase 3 trial of troriluzole in adults with SCA (NCT03701399 [Study 206]; n = 217), comprising a subset of patients with the SCA3 genotype (n = 89), the psychometric measurement properties and minimal change thresholds of the FARS-ADL were examined.

Artificial intelligence-enhanced diagnosis of degenerative joint disease using temporomandibular joint panoramic radiography and joint noise data.

This study aimed to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) model for the screening of degenerative joint disease (DJD) using temporomandibular joint (TMJ) panoramic radiography and joint noise data. A total of 2631 TMJ panoramic images were collected, resulting in a final dataset of 3908 images (2127 normal (N) and 1781 DJD (D)) after excluding indeterminate cases and errors. AI models using GoogleNet were evaluated with six different combinations of image data, clinician-detected crepitus, and patient-reported joint noise.

Absence of MCJ/DnaJC15 promotes brown adipose tissue thermogenesis.

Obesity poses a global health challenge, demanding a deeper understanding of adipose tissue (AT) and its mitochondria. This study describes the role of the mitochondrial protein Methylation-controlled J protein (MCJ/DnaJC15) in orchestrating brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis. Here we show how MCJ expression decreases during obesity, as evident in human and mouse adipose tissue samples.

Evaluation of Drug-Drug Interactions in Pharmacoepidemiologic Research.

Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) represent a significant concern for clinical care and public health, but the health consequences of many DDIs remain largely underexplored. This knowledge gap underscores the critical need for pharmacoepidemiologic research to evaluate real-world health outcomes of DDIs. In this review, we summarize the definitions commonly used in pharmacoepidemiologic DDI studies, discuss common sources of bias, and illustrate through examples how these biases can be mitigated.

Retinal vascular fingerprints predict incident stroke: findings from the UK Biobank cohort study.

Objective: To investigate the associations between a comprehensive set of retinal vascular parameters and incident stroke to unveil new associations and explore its predictive power for stroke risk.

Methods: Retinal vascular parameters were extracted from the UK Biobank fundus images using the Retina-based Microvascular Health Assessment System. We used Cox regression analysis, adjusted for traditional risk factors, to examine the associations, with false discovery rate adjustment for multiple comparisons.

Validity of the Diabetic Wound Assessment Learning Tool.

Purpose: The development of the Diabetic Wound Assessment Learning Tool (DiWALT) has previously been described. However, an examination of its application to a larger, more heterogeneous group of participants is lacking. In order to allow for a more robust assessment of the psychometric properties of the DiWALT, we applied it to a broader group of participants.

Dietary-Lifestyle Patterns and Colorectal Cancer Risk: Global Cancer Update Programme (CUP Global) Systematic Literature Review.

Background: While healthy dietary and lifestyle factors have been individually linked to lower colorectal cancer (CRC) risks, recommendations for whole diet-lifestyle patterns remained unestablished due to limited studies and inconsistent pattern definitions.

Objective: This updated review synthesized literature on dietary-lifestyle patterns and CRC risk/mortality.

Methods: PubMed and Embase were searched through 31 March 2023 for randomized controlled trials and prospective cohort studies examining adulthood dietary patterns combined with modifiable lifestyle factors such as adiposity, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and/or others.

Video versus Direct Laryngoscopy for Tracheal Intubation Following Cardiac Arrest: a Secondary Analysis of the DEVICE Trial.

Background: Airway management is a critical component of the care of patients experiencing cardiac arrest, but data from randomized trials on the use of video vs direct laryngoscopy for intubation in the setting of cardiac arrest are limited. Current AHA guidelines recommend placement of an endotracheal tube either during CPR or shortly after return of spontaneous circulation but do not provide guidance around intubation methods, including the choice of laryngoscope.

Research Question: Does use of video laryngoscopy improve the incidence of successful intubation on the first attempt, compared to use of direct laryngoscopy, among adults undergoing tracheal intubation after experiencing cardiac arrest?

Study Design And Methods: This secondary analysis of the Direct versus Video Laryngoscope (DEVICE) trial compared video laryngoscopy versus direct laryngoscopy in the subgroup of patients who were intubated following cardiac arrest.

Enhancing representation of special populations: An approach to the inclusion of women veterans in VA clinical trials.

The under-recruitment of historically marginalized populations into clinical trials thwarts equitable inclusion of individuals who could benefit from healthcare innovations and limits the generalizability of results. For decades, the Veterans Health Administration (VA) has conducted large clinical trials that impact clinical guidelines for veterans and civilians alike. Within the VA, women are a numeric minority, and recruitment of this population into trials is challenged by gender-specific care structures, distinct demographic characteristics, and mistreatment such as higher rates of military sexual trauma and harassment on VA grounds.

Accuracy (trueness and precision) of 3-dimensional virtual patients: an in vitro investigation of different facial scanners and digital integration techniques.

Objectives: To investigate the influence of different facial scanners and integration approaches on the accuracy of virtual dental patients (VDPs).

Methods: Forty VDPs were generated using a head mannequin and two facial scanners: 1) an industrial scanner and 2) a smartphone scanner. For each scanner, two integration methods were applied: 1) integration by virtual facebow scan and 2) integration by nose-teeth scan.

Exploring the influence of perineal biometrics and stiffness measured by elastography during pregnancy on perineal tears : a pilot study.

Objectives: This study aimed to describe the biometrics and elasticity of the perineal body and the anal sphincter in the ninth month of pregnancy and explore their association with the risk of perineal tears during childbirth.

Methods: In this prospective observational study, pregnant women at 36-40 weeks of gestation were included. Using transperineal 2D-mode ultrasound and shear wave elastography (SWE), we measured the biometrics and stiffness of the perineal body (PB), external anal sphincter (EAS), internal anal sphincter (IAS), and anal mucosa (AM) at rest and during Valsalva maneuvers.

Association Between Short-Term Exposure to Ambient PM and Its Components with Hospital Admissions for Patients with Coronary Heart Disease and Comorbid Diabetes Mellitus in Beijing, China.

Existing researches had primarily investigated the associations between various air pollutants and the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) or diabetes mellitus (DM) separately. However, the significance and effects of PM and its components in patients with CHD and comorbid DM (CHD-DM) remain unclear. Patient data was sourced from the Beijing Municipal Health Commission Information Centre between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2018.

Interposition Arthroplasty with Meniscal Allograft for the Treatment of Sternoclavicular Joint Pathology; The SC Calamari Technique.

Background: Painful degeneration of the sternoclavicular joint refractory to nonoperative treatment has historically been managed with resection of the degenerative segment of the medial clavicle. Although this has produced good results with improvement in symptoms, recurrent pain necessitating revision surgery is not an infrequently encountered outcome. To reduce the occurrence of recurrent postoperative pain, a novel technique to reconstruct the intra-articular disc at the time of medial clavicle resection was developed.

Who participates in the 'Celebrate Recovery' mutual-help organization? Results from a National US Investigation.

Introduction: Celebrate Recovery (CR) is a new, rapidly growing mutual-help organization (MHO) based on Christian principles and is the largest religious MHO in the US. However, very little is known about CR empirically.

Methods: Secondary data analysis of the National Recovery Study (NRS) (Kelly et al.

Trastuzumab deruxtecan in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive breast cancer brain metastases: A systematic review and updated meta-analysis.

Background: Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) has shown promising activity in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer (BC) and central nervous system (CNS) involvement. In this updated meta-analysis, we explore the effectiveness of T-DXd in a large subset of patients with HER2-positive BC and CNS disease.

Methods: A systematic search was made on September 16th, 2024, for studies investigating T-DXd in the scenario of HER2-positive BC and brain metastases (BMs) and/or leptomeningeal disease (LMD).

Intravitreal Sustained Release Steroid Implants Are Safe and Effective in Patients With Glaucoma Drainage Devices.

Purpose: To describe effects of sustained-release steroid delivery devices on intraocular pressure (IOP) in eyes with glaucoma drainage devices (GDD).

Methods: Retrospective case series of eyes with steroid implants (dexamethasone or fluocinolone acetonide) and prior GDD (Ahmed, Baerveldt) without uveitis. Outcomes included IOP, IOP rise, central foveal thickness (CFT), and IOP medications.

Effectiveness of Synchronous Postdischarge Contacts on Health Care Use and Patient Satisfaction : A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Postdischarge contacts (PDCs) after hospitalization are common practice, but their effectiveness in reducing use of acute care after discharge remains unclear.

Purpose: To assess the effects of PDC on 30-day emergency department (ED) visits, 30-day hospital readmissions, and patient satisfaction.

Data Sources: MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL searched from 2012 to 25 May 2023.

Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the most common chronic liver disease in the United States. It is characterized by steatosis in the liver and is potentially reversible. Risk factors include obesity, type 2 mellitus, and other metabolic disorders.

Novel Immune Response Evasion Strategy to Redose Adeno-associated Viral Vectors and Prolong Survival in Surfactant Protein-B Deficient Mice.

Surfactant protein-B (SP-B) deficiency is a lethal neonatal respiratory disease with few therapeutic options. Gene therapy using adeno-associated viruses (AAV) to deliver human cDNA (AAV-hSPB) can improve survival in a mouse model of SP-B deficiency. However, the effect of this gene therapy wanes.