Patient- and clinician-based evaluation of large language models for patient education in prostate cancer radiotherapy.

Background: This study aims to evaluate the capabilities and limitations of large language models (LLMs) for providing patient education for men undergoing radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer, incorporating assessments from both clinicians and patients.

Methods: Six questions about definitive radiotherapy for prostate cancer were designed based on common patient inquiries. These questions were presented to different LLMs [ChatGPT‑4, ChatGPT-4o (both OpenAI Inc.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Children with Pulmonary Atresia and Intact Ventricular Septum: Mortality and Associated Outcomes.

Data on outcomes of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) are limited in patients with pulmonary atresia intact ventricular septum (PAIVS). The objective of this study was to describe the use of ECMO and the associated outcomes in patients with PAIVS. We retrospectively reviewed neonates with PAIVS who received ECMO between 2009 and 2019 in 19 US hospitals affiliated with the Collaborative Research for the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Society (CoRe-PCICS).

Vaccine Specifically for Immunocompromised Individuals against Superbugs.

Immunocompromised populations, including cancer patients, elderly individuals, and those with chronic diseases, are the primary targets of superbugs. Traditional vaccines are less effective due to insufficient or impaired immune cells. Inspired by the "vanguard" effect of neutrophils (NE) during natural infection, this project leverages the ability of NE to initiate the NETosis program to recruit monocytes and DC cells, designing vaccines that can rapidly recruit immune cells and enhance the immune response.

External DC Shocks of Symptomatic Supraventricular Tachycardia during Screw-In Leadless Pacemaker Implant: A Case Report.

We present the case of a 64-year-old man who, during the implantation of an active-fixation leadless pacemaker (LP, Aveir VR, Abbott, USA), underwent several external defibrillation shocks up to 240 Joules, due to symptomatic sustained supraventricular tachycardia at 160 bpm. The shocks, delivered both before and after the screwing of the device in the low interventricular septum, did not cause any technical damage to the device, and no complications were observed. The device was then deployed successfully.

Host cell lectins ASGR1 and DC-SIGN jointly with TMEM106B confer ACE2 independence and imdevimab resistance to SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus with spike mutation E484D.

The naturally occurring mutation E484D in the spike (S) protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can render viral entry ACE2 independent and imdevimab resistant. Here, we investigated whether the cellular proteins ASGR1, DC-SIGN, and TMEM106B, which interact with the viral S protein, can contribute to these processes. Employing S protein-pseudotyped particles, we found that expression of ASGR1 or DC-SIGN jointly with TMEM106B allowed for robust entry of mutant E484D into otherwise non-susceptible cells, while this effect was not observed upon separate expression of the single proteins and upon infection with SARS-CoV-2 wild type (WT).

Spin Glass State and Griffiths Phase in van der Waals Ferromagnetic Material FeGeTe.

The discovery of two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals ferromagnetic materials opens up new avenues for making devices with high information storage density, ultra-fast response, high integration, and low power consumption. FeGeTe has attracted much attention because of its ferromagnetic transition temperature near room temperature. However, the investigation of its phase transition is rare until now.

Parkinson's Disease and Caregiving Roles, Demands, and Support Needs and Experiences: A Scoping Review.

A public health priority is the increasing number of persons with Parkinson's disease (PwP), and the need to provide them with support. We sought to synthesize the experiences of relatives or friends-family caregivers-who provide such support. This study was a scoping literature review modeled by the PRISMA guidelines.

Applying Results of Extended Genotyping to Management of Positive Cervicovaginal Human Papillomavirus Test Results: Enduring Guidelines.

Objective: The Enduring Consensus Cervical Cancer Screening and Management Guidelines Committee developed recommendations for the use of extended genotyping results in cervical cancer prevention programs.

Methods: Risks of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 or worse were calculated using data obtained with the Onclarity HPV Assay from large cohorts. Management recommendations were based on clinical action thresholds developed for the 2019 American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology Risk-Based Management Consensus Guidelines.

Simplified Jaw Functional Limitation Scale for Temporomandibular Disorders: Psychometric Evaluation.

Objective: This study aimed to simplify the Jaw Functional Limitation Scale (JFLS) and evaluate its reliability and validity in assessing jaw function in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in primary care.

Methods: TMD patients and non-TMD participants were assessed using Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD). Demographic data and the 8-item JFLS questionnaire were collected to quantify jaw functional restriction.

Celiac trunk angiography with balloon occlusion of splenic artery for diagnosis and treatment of splenic steal syndrome.

Splenic steal syndrome (SSS) post liver transplant is a potential cause of graft dysfunction in the setting of peripheral hepatic arterial bed resistance and redirection of blood flow to a dominant splenic artery resulting in reduction of hepatic arterial inflow. We report utilization of balloon occlusion of the proximal splenic artery as an objective measure to confirm the diagnosis of SSS in a patient with orthotopic liver transplant followed by successful treatment with proximal splenic artery embolization using Gelfoam and Amplatzer vascular plug. Written informed consent for the publication of this case report was obtained from the patient.

Trajectories and patterns of US counties' policy responses to the COVID-19 pandemic: A sequence analysis approach.

Background: It is increasingly recognized that policies played a role in mitigating or exacerbating health inequities during the COVID-19 pandemic. While US counties were particularly active in policymaking, limited work has characterized geographic and temporal variation in pandemic-era policymaking at the local level, a prerequisite for later studies examining the health effects of these policies. This paper fills this gap by characterizing county-level COVID-19-related policy trajectories over time using a novel national policy database and innovative methods.

Superior Nasal Septal Deviation as a Contributing Factor for Dacryocystitis.

Background Dacryocystitis (DC) is a disease most often caused by an obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct, leading to over-accumulation of tears in the lacrimal sac, epiphora, and aseptic inflammation. External and endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) aims to restore the tear pathway by creating a bypass from the lacrimal sac to the nose. The aim of this study is to investigate superior nasal septal deviation as a possible contributing factor in the incidence and treatment of dacryocystitis.

Diagnostic Imaging for a Pectoralis Major Muscle Tear in a 30-Year-Old Weightlifter: A Case Report.

Objective: The purpose of this report is to describe the presentation of a patient with a pectoralis major tendon (PMJ) tear.

Clinical Features: A 30-year-old male weightlifter presented to a chiropractor with localized left arm pain that began while bench-pressing. Ecchymosis and swelling were present, but no contour abnormalities were seen.

Mortality After Pediatric Cardiac Surgery in Patients From Disadvantaged Neighborhoods.

Background: Disadvantaged socioeconomic status correlates with adverse outcomes for patients with congenital heart disease. We examined individual and neighborhood characteristics associated with adverse short-term surgical outcomes and investigated potential drivers of disparities.

Methods: Single-center retrospective analysis collected clinical and demographic information on cardiovascular surgery patients over a 15-year period (2007-2022) from the District of Columbia metropolitan area.

Pregnancy & cardiovascular disease: the PREG-CVD-HH registry.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death in pregnant and peripartal women in western countries. Physiological changes during pregnancy can lead to cardiovascular complications in the mother; women with pre-existing heart disease may not tolerate these changes well, increasing their susceptibility to adverse cardiovascular outcomes during pregnancy. The aim of this study is to characterize pregnancy-induced changes in cardiac function, biomarker concentrations and cardiovascular outcomes in women with CVD during pregnancy at a tertiary care hospital in Germany.

Costs of Influenza Illness and Acute Respiratory Infections by Household Income Level: Catastrophic Health Expenditures and Implications for Health Equity.

Background: Seasonal influenza illness and acute respiratory infections can impose a substantial economic burden in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We assessed the cost of influenza illness and acute respiratory infections across household income strata.

Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of data from a prior systematic review of costs of influenza and other respiratory illnesses in LMICs and contacted authors to obtain data on cost of illness (COI) for laboratory-confirmed influenza-like illness and acute respiratory infection.

Association of Anatomical Features of the Petrotympanic Fissure and Presence of Foramen of Huschke With Temporomandibular Disorders.

Background: The foramen of Huschke (FH) and the petrotympanic fissure (PTF) are anatomical structures that can influence temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) by potentially affecting the movement and function of the mandibular condyle.

Objective: This study investigates the relationship between patients with TMD and the presence of FH and PTF to enhance diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images from 212 patients.

Analysis of Repeat Hepatitis C Viremia After Sustained Virologic Response in a Large Cohort of U.S. Veterans.

Background: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection affects >1% of the U.S. population, higher among U.

Dietary Profile of Women With Chronic Muscle Temporomandibular Disorder: An Observational Study.

Background: Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is the main chronic pain that affects the face, and it is associated with dietary changes due to pain and dysfunction. However, there is a scarcity of studies on its impact on nutrition and vice versa.

Objectives: To assess and compare the intake of energy and nutrients among chronic TMD myalgia and asymptomatic women and to evaluate data according to dietary reference intakes (DRI) and the World Health Organization (WHO) values.

Deception and Fraud in the Justification of "Pediatric Drug Development": A Challenge at the Interface of Medicine and Law.

United States and European Union laws demand separate clinical studies in children as a condition for drugs' marketing approval. Justified by carefully framed pseudo-scientific wordings, more so the European Medicines Agency than the United States Food and Drug Administration, "Pediatric Drug Development" is probably the largest abuse in medical research in history. Preterm newborns are immature and vulnerable, but they grow.

Advanced control parameter optimization in DC motors and liquid level systems.

In recent times, there has been notable progress in control systems across various industrial domains, necessitating effective management of dynamic systems for optimal functionality. A crucial research focus has emerged in optimizing control parameters to augment controller performance. Among the plethora of optimization algorithms, the mountain gazelle optimizer (MGO) stands out for its capacity to emulate the agile movements and behavioral strategies observed in mountain gazelles.

Effect of Eight Months of Swimming on Bone Quality of Different Anatomical Regions: A Study on Wistar Rat Models.

Swimming is a popular sport with several health benefits, but its effects on bone quality are controversial possibly due to distinct effects on different anatomical regions. Our aim was to investigate the effect of 8-month swimming on bone growth, mass, geometry, trabecular microarchitecture and osteocyte density of the lumbar vertebrae, femur and tibia of male rats. Wistar rat models were assigned to either a swimming (n = 10; 2h/d, 5 d/week) or a physically active control group (n = 10) for 8 months, after which they were sacrificed and their lumbar vertebrae, femur and tibia assessed for bone mass, cortical geometry, trabecular microarchitecture and osteocyte density through µ-CT and histology.

Water, sanitation, handwashing, and nutritional interventions can reduce child antibiotic use: evidence from Bangladesh and Kenya.

Antibiotics can trigger antimicrobial resistance and microbiome alterations. Reducing pathogen exposure and undernutrition can reduce infections and antibiotic use. We assess effects of water, sanitation, handwashing (WSH) and nutrition interventions on caregiver-reported antibiotic use in Bangladesh and Kenya, longitudinally measured at three timepoints among birth cohorts (ages 3-28 months) in a cluster-randomized trial.