Detecting freezing of gait: A comprehensive toolkit for enhanced Parkinson's assessment.

Introduction: Detecting Freezing of Gait (FOG) poses challenges, with the subjective 6-item FOG Questionnaire relying solely on patient perception. We aim to create a holistic FOG Detection Toolkit combining subjective and objective elements (descriptions, images, and videos) to improve FOG detection precision.

Methods: Development of the FOG Detection Toolkit involved a detailed cover sheet on FOG and its triggers, along with video exemplars and a 4-item FOG-specific self-assessment questionnaire, all rigorously validated.

Anti-inflammatory effects of moxifloxacin and levofloxacin on cadmium-activated human astrocytes: Inhibition of proinflammatory cytokine release, TLR4/STAT3, and ERK/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Cadmium is a non-essential element and neurotoxin that causes neuroinflammation, which leads to neurodegenerative diseases and brain cancer. To date, there are no specific or effective therapeutic agents to control inflammation and alleviate cadmium-induced progressive destruction of brain cells. Fluoroquinolones (FQs), widely used antimicrobials with effective blood-brain barrier penetration, show promise in being repurposed as anti-inflammatory drugs.

A prospective comparative trial to determine the optimal number of EUS-guided fineneedle passes for successful organoid creation in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Introduction: EUS-guided fine-needle organoid creation (EUS-FNO) from pancreatic cancer (PC) has been increasingly important for precision medicine. The cost for pancreatic organoid creation is substantial and close to 2000 USD/specimen in our institution, and the specimen has to be processed immediately after tissue acquisition so the more passes and specimens, the higher cost of organoid creation will incur. To date, no prospective comparison trial has answered how many needle passes of EUS-FNO needed for a successful organoid creation.

Overweight, obesity, and cardiovascular disease in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia: the EAS FH Studies Collaboration registry.

Background And Aims: Overweight and obesity are modifiable risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in the general population, but their prevalence in individuals with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HeFH) and whether they confer additional risk of ASCVD independent of LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) remains unclear.

Methods: Cross-sectional analysis was conducted in 35 540 patients with HeFH across 50 countries, in the EAS FH Studies Collaboration registry. Prevalence of World Health Organization-defined body mass index categories was investigated in adults (n = 29 265) and children/adolescents (n = 6275); and their association with prevalent ASCVD.

Mental health professionals' perspectives and suggestions on religious and superstitious activities engagement of patients with serious mental illness: A national survey in Thailand.

Background: Patients with serious mental illness (SMI) often engage in religious and superstitious activities. The implications of such engagements remain unclear, with no established guidelines for mental health professionals.

Aims: This study aimed to survey perspectives and gather suggestions from various disciplines within mental healthcare regarding the engagement in religious/superstitious activities of SMI patients: schizophrenia spectrum disorders, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder.

Increased atherogenicity in mood disorders: a systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression.

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD) often coexist with metabolic syndrome. Both are linked to increased atherogenicity and a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases. Nevertheless, a comprehensive analysis of key atherogenic biomarkers in MDD/BD is still lacking.

Association between Clot Waveform Analysis Parameters and the Severity of Liver Cirrhosis.

Background:  Clot waveform analysis (CWA) provides a global assessment of hemostasis and may be useful for patients with cirrhosis with complex hemostatic abnormalities. This study aimed to assess the association between prothrombin time (PT-) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT-) based CWA parameters and cirrhosis severity and prospectively evaluate the role of CWA in predicting mortality and acute decompensation (AD) over 1 year.

Methods:  This prospective study included adult patients with cirrhosis between June 2021 and December 2023 at Chulalongkorn University Hospital.

Maximizing Graft Diameter: Unleashing the Power of Triple-fold Hamstring Autografts for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

In this article, we explain a simple method to effectively enhance the graft size and maintain the tissue integrity of a hamstring autograft. The triple-fold technique is useful for creating a soft-tissue size and length suitable for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Managing cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease: an update of the literature.

Introduction: Cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease (PD) substantially affects patient outcomes, function, and quality of life. PD-related cognitive dysfunction is often heterogeneous in clinical presentation and rates of progression. As cognitive changes occur in many people with PD, it is essential to evaluate cognition, provide education, and implement management strategies for cognitive symptoms.

Fruit Extract Ameliorates High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity in Mice and Alleviates Macrophage-Induced Inflammation in Adipocytes In Vitro.

(EL) is a wild fruit known for containing several health-promoting compounds. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of EL fruit extract on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophages. Mice fed an HFD and given EL fruit extract for 10 weeks exhibited significantly lower body weight, reduced lipid accumulation, diminished oxidative stress in adipocytes, and decreased macrophage infiltration compared to those not receiving the EL extract.

Ergonomic wedge pillow to reduce neck pain after prone ERCP; a randomized, controlled study.

Background: Prone positioning during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) can lead to post-procedure neck pain due to increased cervical spine stress and prolonged muscle stretching. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and satisfaction of an ergonomic wedge pillow for patients undergoing prone ERCP.

Methods: Patients indicated for ERCP were randomized 1:1 to a study group (with the pillow) or a control group.

Low-Dose Emicizumab Versus Low-/Intermediate-Dose Factor VIII Secondary Prophylaxis for Noninhibitor Haemophilia A Patients With Severe Bleeding Phenotype.

Background: Subcutaneous emicizumab, a factor VIII (FVIII)-mimicking bispecific monoclonal antibody, can effectively prevent bleeds in haemophilia A (HA) patients with/without inhibitors; however, its standard-dose regimens are financially burdensome. Low-dose emicizumab prophylaxis may alternatively be applied to noninhibitor HA patients in resource-limited settings.

Methods: During 2023, Thai patients with noninhibitor severe HA or moderate HA with severe bleeding phenotype (historical annualized bleeding rate [ABR] >5 bleeds/year before regular FVIII prophylaxis) who received low-/intermediate-dose FVIII secondary prophylaxis ≥8 months were enrolled.

The centenarian blueprint: lessons in defying Parkinson's disease.

Recent advancements in neurology have shifted focus from mere diagnosis to comprehensive management of movement disorders, particularly Parkinson's Disease (PD), which is rapidly increasing in prevalence due to global ageing trends. While age is a key risk factor for PD, centenarians often exhibit a remarkably low prevalence of the disease, presenting an intriguing paradox. This viewpoint explores potential reasons for this low prevalence, drawing on studies from regions with high centenarian populations, known as Blue Zones.

Association between serum endocan levels and organ failure in hospitalized patients with cirrhosis.

Background & Aims: Acute-on-chronic liver failure is a syndrome characterized by organ failure and high short-term mortality. The lack of reliable biomarkers for the early detection of acute-on-chronic liver failure is a significant challenge. Endothelial dysfunction plays a key role in the development of organ failure.

Penetrating keratoplasty versus deep anteriror lamellar keratoplasty for macular corneal dystrophy: A meta-analysis.

We assessed the efficacy of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) and penetrating (PK) for macular corneal dystrophy (MCD) We searched on 4 databases for articles published up to the end of April, 2024. The study's outcome was postoperative visual acuity and other factors that may affect visual outcomes (e.g.

Quantifying fluid retention following modern pain management in TKA: an observational study.

Background: Body fluid retention after major surgeries, including total knee arthroplasty (TKA), is well documented in the literature. Currently, multimodal pain control protocols consisting of several medications together with early discharge protocol may magnify this adverse event after a patient's discharge. However, no study has focused on the quantitative and chronological changes in body fluids following modern pain management protocols for TKA.

Confirmatory Cytopathology and Potential Impact on the Predictive Value of Gene Expression Profiling in Patients With Uveal Melanoma.

To determine whether the availability of a cytopathology-confirming diagnosis is correlated with the prognostic accuracy of a gene expression profiling assay. A single-center retrospective review was performed of patients diagnosed with uveal melanoma who had a fine-needle aspiration biopsy and gene expression profiling before proton therapy from 2012 to 2020. The development of metastases was compared in patients with gene expression profiling and cytopathology (gene expression profiling+cytopathology group) and patients with gene expression profiling only (gene expression profiling only group).

Gastrointestinal: Direct Visualization of Biliary Tuberculosis.

Background: Biliary tuberculosis is a rare type of hepatobiliary tuberculosis. Clinical presentation, imaging, or cholangiogram are difficult to distinguish from other common causes of cholangiopathy or malignancy. Direct visualization of bile duct via cholangioscopy and targeted biopsy was introduced as one of effective investigations for tissue acquisition and diagnosis.

Efficacy of generic versus branded diacerein for treatment of knee osteoarthritis: A randomized control trial.

Background: Several studies have proved that diacerein effectively treats knee osteoarthritis (OA). All studies used branded diacerein. Recently, generic diacerein has been available in several countries, with limited studies comparing the efficacy of generic and branded diacerein for knee OA treatment.

Impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the field of hematopoietic cell transplantation in the Asia-Pacific region: APBMT Activity Survey 2020/2021.

COVID-19 became a global pandemic in 2020 and significantly affected the activity of hematopoietic cell transplants (HCT) worldwide. Despite these challenges, a total of 28,793 transplants, including 18,518 allogeneic and 10,275 autologous transplants, were performed in 719 facilities in 2020 in the Asia-Pacific (AP) region. This represented a 5.