Preoperative rectus femoris muscle ultrasound, its relationship with frailty scores, and the ability to predict recovery after cardiac surgery: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Frailty is common in patients undergoing cardiac surgery and is associated with poorer postoperative outcomes. Ultrasound examination of skeletal muscle morphology may serve as an objective assessment tool as lean muscle mass reduction is a key feature of frailty.

Methods: This study investigated the association of ultrasound-derived muscle thickness, cross-sectional area, and echogenicity of the rectus femoris muscle (RFM) with preoperative frailty and predicted subsequent poor recovery after surgery.

Comparison of diclofenac with tramadol, tizanidine or placebo in the treatment of acute low back pain and sciatica: multi-center randomized controlled trial.

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of disability worldwide and has posed numerous health and socioeconomic challenges. This study compared whether nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in combination with tramadol, tizanidine or placebo would be the best treatment regime to improve the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) scores at 1 week.

Methods: This was a multi-center, double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled trial including adult patients with acute LBP and sciatica in three emergency departments in Hong Kong.

Human γδ T cell identification from single-cell RNA sequencing datasets by modular TCR expression.

Accurately identifying γδ T cells in large single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) datasets without additional single-cell γδ T cell receptor sequencing (sc-γδTCR-seq) or CITE-seq (cellular indexing of transcriptomes and epitopes sequencing) data remains challenging. In this study, we developed a TCR module scoring strategy for human γδ T cell identification (i.e.

Prevalence and description of digital device use among preschool children: A cross-sectional study in Kota Setar District, Kedah.

Introduction: Digital device helps children enhance academic, cognitive and psychomotor skills. However, prolonged use causes physical inactivity, poor interpersonal skills and communication problems. Information on digital device use among young children in Malaysia is currently limited.

Clinical Perspectives and Management of Edema in Chronic Venous Disease-What about Ruscus?

Edema is highly prevalent in patients with cardiovascular disease and is associated with various underlying pathologic conditions, making it challenging for physicians to diagnose and manage. We report on presentations from a virtual symposium at the Annual Meeting of the European Venous Forum (25 June 2021), which examined edema classification within clinical practice, provided guidance on making differential diagnoses and reviewed evidence for the use of the treatment combination of extract, hesperidin methyl chalcone and vitamin C. The understanding of the pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying fluid build-up in chronic venous disease (CVD) is limited.

Association of Tinnitus with Anxiety and Depression among Active-Duty Army Personnel and Veterans at Hospital Angkatan Tentera Tuanku Mizan, Malaysia.

Objectives: To study the prevalence of tinnitus, its characteristic and its association with anxiety and depression among active-duty army personnel and veterans. This study also wants to determine the correlation of Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) with Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS) among active-duty army personnel and veterans at Hospital Angkatan Tentera Tuanku Mizan.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Department of Hospital Angkatan Tentera Tuanku Mizan from January 2020 until June 2021, involving active-duty army personnel and veterans with at least 3 years of service.

A novel peptide vaccination augments cytotoxic CD8 T-cell responses against Mycobacterium tuberculosis HspX antigen.

Cellular immunity is a critical factor determining the safety and efficacy of newly developed vaccines against Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Crosstalk between CD4 and CD8 T-lymphocytes plays central roles in perpetuating the cytotoxic killing to the infected cells for host clearance. Our study proposed a novel alternating MHC-class II restricted peptide vaccination strategy to enhance the antigen-specific CD8 T-cell activity against alpha-crystalline heat-shock protein (HspX) in C57BL/6 mice.

Chitosan Reinforced with Kenaf Nanocrystalline Cellulose as an Effective Carrier for the Delivery of Platelet Lysate in the Acceleration of Wound Healing.

The clinical use of platelet lysate (PL) in the treatment of wounds is limited by its rapid degradation by proteases at the tissue site. This research aims to develop a chitosan (CS) and kenaf nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) hydrogel composite, which intend to stabilize PL and control its release onto the wound site for prolonged action. NCC was synthesized from raw kenaf bast fibers and incorporated into the CS hydrogel.

Hoarseness in an older adult: Ortner syndrome.

A detailed examination in an older adult presenting with chronic hoarseness is mandatory to exclude an upper aerodigestive tract malignancy. We describe a 71-year-old chronic smoker with essential hypertension who presented with hoarseness and vocal fatigue for 5 months. Laryngoscopic examination showed left vocal fold paralysis with phonation gap.

Alarming triad of progressive hoarseness in a male smoker.

Hoarseness accounts for 1% of all consultations in primary care. Suspicion of malignancy should be considered in individuals with risk factors presenting with unexplained hoarseness lasting more than two weeks. A significant number of patients with laryngeal cancer present at an advanced stage due to lack of awareness regarding vocal health.

Comparison of Chemoembolization, Radioembolization, and Transarterial Ethanol Ablation for Huge Hepatocellular Carcinoma (≥ 10 cm) in Tumour Response and Long-Term Survival Outcome.

Purpose: To compare transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), transarterial radioembolization using Yttrium-90 (TARE), and transarterial ethanol ablation (TEA) for huge hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in treatment responses and long-term survival outcomes.

Materials And Methods: In this retrospective study approved by institutional committee, inclusion criteria were tumour ≥ 10 cm, newly diagnosed, treatment naïve, Child A, Performance Score 0 or 1, no venous invasion or extrahepatic disease on contrast-enhanced CT or MRI. There were 107 patients (Supportive Care [SC] 17, TACE 54, TARE 17, TEA 19).

Blood Flow Diversion Within Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) after Selective Occlusion of Feeding Arteries (SOFA) and Feasibility of Utilizing the SOFA Technique in Transarterial Chemoembolization (SOFA-TACE).

Purpose: Arterial feeders supplying a hepatocellular carcinoma are known to be interconnected through the sinusoid-like tumor vasculature. It was observed angiographically that when one of the feeders is selectively catheterized for drug delivery in transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), the whole tumor vasculature will be filled up, if the arterial inflow from all the other feeders is temporarily arrested with selective occlusion of feeding arteries (SOFA) using an additional catheter (balloon catheter). The feasibility of using the SOFA technique in TACE (SOFA-TACE) is discussed.

Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on cardiac arrest resuscitation practices and outcomes in non-COVID-19 patients.

The effect of changes to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) procedures in response to Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) management and outcomes are unreported. In this multicenter retrospective study, we showed that median time to arrival of resuscitation team has increased and proportion of patients receiving first-responder CPR has lowered during this pandemic. IHCA during the pandemic was independently associated with lower return of spontaneous circulation OR 0.

Type II Collagen-Conjugated Mesenchymal Stem Cells Micromass for Articular Tissue Targeting.

The tissue engineering approach in osteoarthritic cell therapy often requires the delivery of a substantially high cell number due to the low engraftment efficiency as a result of low affinity binding of implanted cells to the targeted tissue. A modification towards the cell membrane that provides specific epitope for antibody binding to a target tissue may be a plausible solution to increase engraftment. In this study, we intercalated palmitated protein G (PPG) with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and antibody, and evaluated their effects on the properties of MSCs either in monolayer state or in a 3D culture state (gelatin microsphere, GM).

Fabrication of Adipose-Derived Stem Cell-Based Self-Assembled Scaffold under Hypoxia and Mechanical Stimulation for Urethral Tissue Engineering.

Long urethral strictures are often treated with autologous genital skin and buccal mucosa grafts; however, risk of hair ingrowth and donor site morbidity, restrict their application. To overcome this, we introduced a tissue-engineered human urethra comprising adipose-derived stem cell (ASC)-based self-assembled scaffold, human urothelial cells (UCs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs). ASCs were cultured with ascorbic acid to stimulate extracellular matrix (ECM) production.

Saliva substitute mouthwash in nasopharyngeal cancer survivors with xerostomia: a randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: Xerostomia is a prevalent sequelae among nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) survivors; yet, effective treatment protocols have been elusive. This study was a prospective randomized clinical trial to compare the effects of saliva substitute mouthwash in nasopharyngeal cancer survivors with xerostomia, between two treatment arms, conducted in a tertiary center.

Materials And Methods: This study measured the effects within 4 weeks in relation to summated xerostomia inventory (SXI) and unstimulated whole saliva (UWS).

Gelatin Microsphere for Cartilage Tissue Engineering: Current and Future Strategies.

The gelatin microsphere (GM) provides an attractive option for tissue engineering due to its versatility, as reported by various studies. This review presents the history, characteristics of, and the multiple approaches to, the production of GM, and in particular, the water in oil emulsification technique. Thereafter, the application of GM as a drug delivery system for cartilage diseases is introduced.

Preeclampsia in pregnancy affecting the stemness and differentiation potency of haematopoietic stem cell of the umbilical cord blood.

Background: Umbilical cord blood (UCB) has been proposed as the potential source of haematopoietic stem cells (HSC) for allogeneic transplantation. However, few studies have shown that a common disease in pregnancy such as preeclampsia would affect the quality of UCB-HSC. Total nucleated cell count (TNC) is an important parameter that can be used to predict engraftment including UCB banking.

Transarterial Ethanol Ablation for Small Hepatocellular Carcinoma (≤ 3 cm): A Comparative Study Versus Radiofrequency Ablation.

Purpose: The objective was to evaluate the local treatment efficacy of transarterial ethanol ablation (TEA) as compared to radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Materials And Methods: This was a retrospective study between January 2005 and April 2017, in which the treatment outcomes of all patients who received either percutaneous TEA or RFA for HCC tumors of size ≤ 3 cm, of Child-Pugh grade A or B, received no prior treatment other than surgical resection, were compared. For TEA, a mixture of absolute ethanol and ethiodized oil at a proportion of 1:2 by volume was administered superselectively into the tumor via a microcatheter placed at the feeding arteries.

Centella asiatica (L.)-Neurodifferentiated Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promote the Regeneration of Peripheral Nerve.

Background: Centella asiatica (L.) is a plant with neuroprotective and neuroregenerative properties; however, its effects on the neurodifferentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and on peripheral nerve injury are poorly explored. This study aimed to investigate the effects of C.

Corrigendum to "Comparing cost and effectiveness of IVPCA morphine with perioperative multimodal analgesia of oral etoricoxib and oxycontin: A retrospective study" [J Orthop 16 (2019) 585-589].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.jor.