Effects of Anti-obesity Strategies on Bone Mineral Density: A Comprehensive Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Although an appropriate weight management strategy is essential for obese individuals, weight loss can have adverse effects on bone mineral density (BMD). We conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials to evaluate changes in BMD after the implementation of various weight loss strategies.

Methods: The PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were searched to find articles published from database inception until June 2023.

The modification effect of concentration on the correlation between ambient ozone and psoriasis: a hospital-based time-series study.

The effects of short-term ambient ozone (O) exposure on health outcomes have received growing concerns, but its effects on psoriasis is still unclear. The purpose of our study was to investigate the effects of short-term exposure to O on psoriasis, and to find out potential modifiers. A hospital-based time-series study with outpatient visit data of psoriasis was performed in Chongqing, the largest metropolitan in Southeast China.

Do coping mechanisms moderate the effect of stressful life events on depression and anxiety in young people? A case-control study from Latin America.

Background: Stressful life events (SLEs) are associated with increased risk of depression or anxiety. Coping mechanisms may moderate this relationship but little is known on this topic in young people or in Latin America.

Aim: To investigate whether coping strategies predict odds of depression and/or anxiety and moderate the relationship between SLEs and depression and/or anxiety in young people in Peru, Lima and Bogotá.

New users of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors are at low risk of incident pancreatic cancer: a nationwide population-based cohort study.

Aim: We aimed to investigate whether sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) are associated with a decreased risk of gastrointestinal (GI) cancers in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) compared to other glucose lowering medications (oGLMs).

Methods: This active-comparator, new-user cohort study used the nationwide National Health Insurance Service database of the Republic of Korea from September 2014 to June 2020. From 79,423 new users of SGLT2is and 294,707 new users of oGLMs, we used a propensity score to match 59,954 from each of these two treatment groups.

Application of Dragonnet and Conformal Inference for Estimating Individualized Treatment Effects for Personalized Stroke Prevention: Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Stroke is a major cause of death and disability worldwide. Identifying individuals who would benefit most from preventative interventions, such as antiplatelet therapy, is critical for personalized stroke prevention. However, traditional methods for estimating treatment effects often focus on the average effect across a population and do not account for individual variations in risk and treatment response.

Burden of female-specific cancers in China from 1990 to 2021: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021.

Background: Breast cancer and reproductive system cancers remain significant public health threats for Chinese women. This study aimed to evaluate the latest epidemiological patterns and trends of four female-specific cancers in China.

Methods: The year- and age-specific estimates of the incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) associated with breast, cervical, ovarian, and uterine cancers in China from 1990 to 2021 were generated from the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factors 2021 study.

Efficacy of delivery of care with Tele-continuous EEG in critically ill patients: a multicenter randomized controlled trial (Tele-cRCT study) study.

Background: Continuous electroencephalography (cEEG) has been recommended in critically ill patients although its efficacy for improving patients' functional status remains unclear. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of Tele-cEEG with Tele-routine EEG (Tele-rEEG), in terms of seizure detection rate, mortality and functional outcomes.

Methods: This study is a 3-year randomized, controlled, parallel, multicenter trial, conducted in eight regional hospitals across Thailand.

Integrating Clinical and Histopathological Data to Predict Delayed Graft Function in Kidney Transplant Recipients Using Machine Learning Techniques.

Given the significant impact of delayed graft function (DGF) on transplant outcomes, the aim of this study was to develop and validate machine learning (ML) models capable of predicting the risk of DGF in deceased-donor kidney transplantation (DDKT). This retrospective cohort study was conducted using clinical and histopathological data collected between 2018 and 2022 at Ramathibodi Hospital from DDKT donors, recipients, and post-implantation time-zero kidney biopsy samples to develop predictive models. The performance of three ML models (neural network, random forest, and extreme gradient boosting [XGBoost]) and traditional logistic regression on an independent test data set was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) and Brier score calibration.

Opportunistic Screening for Osteoporosis by CT as Compared with DXA.

Background: Osteoporosis is commonly evaluated using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for bone mineral density (BMD). Non-contrast computed tomography (CT) scans provide an alternative for opportunistic osteoporosis assessment. This study aimed to evaluate screening thresholds for osteoporosis based on CT attenuation values in Hounsfield units (HU) of L1-L4 vertebrae from CT scans of the abdominal region, compared to DXA assessments of the lumbar spine and hips.

Chronic cough management: Practical guidelines and PICO-based evidence for treatment.

This part reviews the management of chronic cough and proposes a management algorithm. Despite proven improvements in quality of life following chronic cough treatment, a clear understanding of the disease and the evidence for the efficacy of some treatments remain vague. Eight key questions regarding the treatment in the uncertain areas were systematically addressed based on the PICO framework and applying the GRADE system for evidence synthesis to provide the strength of recommendation and quality of evidence for key questions, with narrative components for the description of other chronic cough treatment including non-pharmacological therapy.

Chronic cough management: Practical guidelines and PICO-based evidence for screening and investigation.

Chronic cough is a common clinical condition requiring comprehensive assessment. This review employs a symptom-focused approach, prioritizing the presenting symptom of "chronic cough" to mirror real-world clinical practice. Ten key questions regarding the investigations in the uncertain areas were systematically addressed based on the PICO framework and applying the GRADE system for evidence synthesis to provide the strength of recommendation and quality of evidence for key questions.

Predicting persistent SARS-CoV-2 shedding in immunocompromised patients: a probability-based approach.

Background: Although recommended isolation periods for Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been shortened as the pandemic has subsided, prolonged Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) shedding remains common in immunocompromised patients. This study estimated the probability of viral clearance in these patients based on elapsed days and specific risk factors.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled immunocompromised patients with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis from January 2022 to May 2023 during the Omicron variant era.

Validation of the Thai translation of the attitudes toward euthanasia scale.

In Thailand, euthanasia has been a controversial topic for several decades. The assessment of attitudes toward euthanasia among medical students who will become future medical practitioners is essential for the progression of future legislation and practice. This study aimed to adapt and validate the Attitude Towards Euthanasia scale in the Thai context and measure its validity and reliability.

Menopausal Symptom Burden in Premenopausal Breast Cancer Patients: Interaction of Chemotherapy and Ovarian Function Suppression on Tamoxifen Treatment.

Aim: To compare menopausal symptoms between tamoxifen alone and tamoxifen with ovarian function suppression (OFS) over 12 months, identifying related factors.

Methods: This prospective, observational study included 209 premenopausal patients with breast cancer on tamoxifen, recruited from Asan Medical Center, Republic of Korea. We collected demographic and clinical information from the participants' medical records and assessed menopausal symptoms using the Korean Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) at 3-, 6-, and 12-months postdiagnosis.

Impact of Routine Follow-Ups After Curative Gastrectomy in Elderly Patients with Early Gastric Cancer.

Introduction: Elderly patients with early gastric cancer exhibit a relatively shorter life expectancy and lower recurrence risk, prompting consideration of whether the regular follow-up strategy should apply to this demographic. This study was designed to determine the effect of routine postoperative follow-up on the elderly patients, specifically those pathologically diagnosed with stage I gastric cancer.

Methods And Materials: This retrospective analysis was conducted at a single tertiary center and enrolled patients aged ≥ 75 years who underwent curative gastrectomy for stage I gastric cancer between January of 2007 and December of 2016.

Economic evaluation of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate prophylaxis to prevent mother-to-child transmission of Hepatitis B virus infection: evidence from a lower-middle income country.

No cost-effectiveness information of preventive strategies for mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) has existed for policy decision making. This study aimed to compare the cost-effectiveness of alternative strategies to prevent MTCT of HBV in Vietnam. Cost-utility analysis using a hybrid decision-tree and Markov model were performed from healthcare system and societal perspectives.

Development of a diagnostic multivariable prediction model of a positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR result in healthcare workers with suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection in hospital settings.

Background: Despite declining COVID-19 incidence, healthcare workers (HCWs) still face an elevated risk of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. We developed a diagnostic multivariate model to predict positive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results in HCWs with suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study on episodes involving suspected SARS-CoV-2 symptoms or close contact among HCWs in Bogotá, Colombia.

Risk of extrahepatic malignancies in patients with autoimmune hepatitis: a nationwide cohort study.

Introduction: Nationwide, population-based data on the risk of extrahepatic malignancy in patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) in Asian countries are scarce. This study aimed to examine the risk of developing extrahepatic malignancies in a nationwide cohort of patients with AIH.

Methods: Using claims data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, patients diagnosed with AIH between 2007 and 2019 (n=7,382) were matched in a 1:8 ratio with an age- and sex-matched control population (n=58,320).

Simple prediction model for vitamin D deficiency in women with osteoporosis or risk factors for osteoporosis in Thailand.

Introduction: In Thailand, the assessment of vitamin D status by measuring 25-hydroxyvitamin D[25(OH)D] levels in individuals at risk for osteoporosis is constrained by limited facilities and high costs. This study aimed to create a clinical model for predicting vitamin D deficiency in women with osteoporosis or risk factors for osteoporosis.

Materials And Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 490 women.

From the 100 Day Mission to 100 lines of software development: how to improve early outbreak analytics.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, considerable advances have been made to improve epidemic preparedness by accelerating diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccine development. However, we argue that it is crucial to make equivalent efforts in the field of outbreak analytics to help ensure reliable, evidence-based decision making. To explore the challenges and key priorities in the field of outbreak analytics, the Epiverse-TRACE initiative brought together a multidisciplinary group of experts, including field epidemiologists, data scientists, academics, and software engineers from public health institutions across multiple countries.

Comparison of Corneal Epitheliotrophic Factors of Undiluted Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma and Autologous Serum Eye Drops for Dry Eye Disease.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to compare the growth factor concentrations in undiluted autologous platelet-rich plasma (APRP) and autologous serum (AS) eye drops.

Methods: This was a single-center, prospective trial conducted in a tertiary university hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. Ninety-six patients with moderate-to-severe dry eye disease, who were randomly assigned to receive either 100% APRP or 100% AS, were enrolled in the study.

Preserved motion perception and the density of cortical projections to V5 in homonymous hemianopia.

Following a unilateral post-chiasmal lesion of the geniculo-striate pathway, patients develop homonymous visual field defects. Using classical perimetry, patients with 'complete' homonymous hemianopia are unaware of stimuli in the affected hemifield. However, some show preserved vision in the affected hemifield in which the conscious perception of moving stimuli is preserved (Riddoch phenomenon).