Effects of blood pressure lowering in patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis before endovascular thrombectomy.

Background: The effects of blood pressure (BP) lowering in patients treated with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV tPA) before endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) are unclear.

Aims: This study aims to investigate whether intensive and conventional BP management affect outcomes differently, depending on IV tPA administration before EVT.

Methods: In this subgroup analysis of the Outcome in Patients Treated with Intra-Arterial Thrombectomy-Optimal Blood Pressure Control (OPTIMAL-BP; ClinicalTrials.

Computer-Aided Diagnosis in Spontaneous Abortion: A Histopathology Dataset and Benchmark for Products of Conception.

Spontaneous abortion, commonly known as miscarriage, is a significant concern during early pregnancy. Histopathological examination of tissue samples is a widely used method to diagnose and classify tissue phenotypes found in products of conception (POC) after spontaneous abortion. Histopathological examination is subjective and dependent on the skill and experience of the examiner.

Comparison of bioelectrical impedance analysis and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for the diagnosis of sarcopenia in the older adults with metabolic syndrome: equipment-specific equation development.

Objective: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and sarcopenia together pose significant health risks, increasing frailty, falls, and fractures in older adults. This study compared muscle mass measurements obtained using two different dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) machines and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and evaluated the accuracy of these measurements in these older adults.

Methods: In this prospective multicenter cohort study, patients aged ≥ 65 years with MetS had their muscle mass assessed using both BIA and DXA.

Development of a novel in vitro respiratory sensitization assay and its application in an integrated testing strategy (ITS).

Currently, evaluating respiratory sensitization is challenging with a lack of mechanistic understanding and appropriate testing methods. Given the similarities between skin and respiratory sensitization, using defined approach (DA) in OECD Test Guideline (TG) 497 will be helpful. However, adopting skin sensitization DA is not reliable in predicting respiratory sensitization and has not been validated.

Discontinuation of β-blocker therapy in stabilised patients after acute myocardial infarction (SMART-DECISION): rationale and design of the randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: There is a lack of evidence to support the effectiveness of prolonged β-blocker therapy after stabilisation of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) without heart failure (HF) or left ventricular systolic dysfunction.

Methods And Analysis: The SMart Angioplasty Research Team: DEcision on Medical Therapy in Patients with Coronary Artery DIsease or Structural Heart Disease Undergoing InterventiON (SMART-DECISION) trial is a multicentre, prospective, open-label, randomised, non-inferiority trial designed to determine whether discontinuing β-blocker therapy after ≥1 year of maintenance in stabilised patients after AMI is non-inferior to continuing it. Patients eligible for participation are those without HF or left ventricular systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction >40%) who have been continuing β-blocker therapy for ≥1 year after AMI.

Constellations of Depressive Symptoms, Substance Use, and Risky Sexual Behavior Among Higher Education Students: A Moderated Mediation Analysis of Mask-Wearing Practice During COVID-19.

Mental health and substance use emerged as critical factors associated with health risk behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic, and its importance has only grown in the post-pandemic period, particularly among priority groups like higher education students. To enhance our understanding of how mental health and substance use factors interact with preventive measures like mask-wearing to affect risky sexual behaviors (RSBs), our study examined the associations between depressive symptoms, substance use, and RSBs among college and university students in the United States. We specifically aimed to assess the impact of mask-wearing on the association between depressive symptoms, binge drinking and marijuana use, and RSBs during the pandemic.

Bilateral hand dystonia following high-velocity thrust manipulation: a case report.

Thrust manipulation is one of the most commonly used techniques for managing musculoskeletal pain in clinical practice. This involves the application of a high-velocity, low-amplitude force directed to the joints with the intent of achieving joint cavitation. This current case report describes a female in her mid-20s who presented with excessive bilateral and involuntary hand muscle contractions after bilateral thrust manipulation.

Vaginal microbiota of pregnant women with and infections.

Background: The association between preterm birth and species such as and has been extensively investigated. In a clinical setting, conventional diagnostic methods for them involve culture methods for spp. and spp.

Characteristics of fragility hip fracture-related falls in the older adults: A systematic review.

Background And Objectives: With the global aging trend, the incidence of falls and hip fractures is projected to rise, leading to an increased associated burden. Over 90% of hip fractures result from falls, yet not all falls cause fractures, suggesting specific fall characteristics may contribute to hip fractures. This review provides insights into fragility hip fracture-related falls among the older adults, aiding in understanding and developing effective fall prevention strategies for this population.

Bioimpedance-Guided Fluid Removal in Continuous KRT: The VENUS Randomized Clinical Trial.

Key Points: This study, the sole randomized trial of its kind, proposes guidelines for fluid balance management in continuous KRT (CKRT) patients using bioimpedance. Despite this, bioimpedance analysis–guided volume management did not influence the proportion of patients achieving estimated euvolemia at 7 days into CKRT. Further investigation is needed to assess whether bioimpedance analysis guidance can facilitate rapid fluid removal in the early phase of CKRT for patients with AKI.

The Effectiveness of Exercise Programs in Adolescents with Thoracic Kyphosis: A Narrative Review.

Thoracic kyphosis is a common postural problem affecting over 20% of adolescents. This condition can contribute to various spinal problems, leading to a decreased ability to perform daily activities, reduced quality of life, and impaired pulmonary function. This review aimed to investigate the effectiveness of exercise programs in adolescents with thoracic kyphosis.

Child maltreatment and youth exposure to risky environments: Latent class analysis of youth activity spaces.

Background: Child maltreatment may alter the way that adolescents engage in and interact within the places they visit in their daily routines, namely youth activity spaces. Thus, it is important to understand how maltreatment experiences are linked to adolescents' exposure to environmental and contextual risks within their activity spaces.

Objective: The aim of the study was to explore the associations between child maltreatment and patterns of risk exposures within youth activity spaces among adolescents.

Short-Term Outcomes of Intraarticular Corticosteroid Injection into the Lumbar Facet Joint According to the Findings of Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography Imaging.

Objective: Bone single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) preferentially localizes areas exhibiting greater bone remodeling and enhanced perfusion, which helps identify areas of pain and inflammation in the lumbar facet joints (LFJs). Herein, we investigated the treatment outcome of intraarticular (IA) corticosteroid injection in patients with LFJ-origin lower back pain (LBP) depending on the presence of increased LFJ uptake on bone SPECT.

Methods: We retrospectively recruited 38 patients with LFJ-origin LBP.

Usefulness of the Kansas University Standing Balance Scale in inpatient rehabilitation: a retrospective validation study.

Adequate balance assessment is essential for designing rehabilitation programs and preventing falls. This study aimed to report the cross-cultural adaptation of the Korean version of the Kansas University Standing Balance Scale (KUSBS), investigate its concurrent and predictive validities, and examine aging-related differences. The adaptation was performed using a standard protocol.

Characteristics of Severe Asthma in the Elderly: Observations From the Korean Severe Asthma Registry (KoSAR).

Purpose: Few studies have compared the clinical characteristics of severe asthma (SA) in elderly patients compared to that in nonelderly patients.

Methods: We analyzed data from the Korean SA Registry, a nationwide, real-world observational study of SA in Korea. The baseline clinical characteristics, disease control status, and medication use of the patients were compared between elderly (≥ 65 years) and nonelderly groups.

Effectiveness of intradiscal ozone injections for treating pain following herniated lumbar disc: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Low back pain and sciatica caused by herniated lumbar discs (HLDs) are common complaints among patients visiting pain clinics. Among the various therapeutic methods, intradiscal ozone injections have emerged as an effective alternative or additional treatment option for HLDs.

Objective: This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effectiveness of intradiscal ozone injections in the treatment of HLDs.

The assessment of the validity, safety, and utility of ChatGPT for patients with herniated lumbar disc: A preliminary study.

ChatGPT is perceived as a potential tool for patients diagnosed with herniated lumbar disc (HLD) to ask questions concerning desired information, with provision for necessary responses. In this preliminary study, we assessed the validity, safety, and utility of ChatGPT in patients with HLD. Two physicians specializing in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders discussed and determined the 12 most frequently asked questions by patients with HLD in clinical practice.

AI in evaluating ambulation of stroke patients: severity classification with video and functional ambulation category scale.

Background: The evaluation of gait function and severity classification of stroke patients are important to determine the rehabilitation goal and the level of exercise. Physicians often qualitatively evaluate patients' walking ability through visual gait analysis using naked eye, video images, or standardized assessment tools. Gait evaluation through observation relies on the doctor's empirical judgment, potentially introducing subjective opinions.

Clinical significance of residual ischaemia in acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock undergoing venoarterial-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Aims: Although culprit-only revascularization during the index procedure has been recommended in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS), the reduction in residual ischaemia is also emphasized to improve clinical outcomes. However, few data are available about the significance of residual ischaemia in patients undergoing mechanical circulatory supports. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of residual ischaemia on clinical outcomes in patients with AMI undergoing venoarterial-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO).