A 25-year neglected giant anterior urethral stone associated with urethral diverticulum and urethrocutaneous fistula: A case report.

Introduction: Urethral stone (US) is an uncommon disease that may be associated with other conditions. It's interesting if the patient neglected his disease after decades. This case report discusses the giant anterior urethral stone, as well as the neglect in the peripheral area.

Exploring the neuroprotective potential of immunosuppressants in Parkinson's disease.

Introduction: Neuroprotective therapy to slow Parkinson's disease (PD) progression is a critical unmet need. Neuroinflammation likely represents an important pathophysiologic mechanism for disease progression. Medications that target this inflammation, such as immunosuppressants, represent potential disease-modifying therapies for PD.

Abnormal cardiovascular control during exercise: Role of insulin resistance in the brain.

During exercise circulatory adjustments to meet oxygen demands are mediated by multiple autonomic mechanisms, the skeletal muscle exercise pressor reflex (EPR), the baroreflex (BR), and by feedforward signals from central command neurons in higher brain centers. Insulin resistance in peripheral tissues includes sensitization of skeletal muscle afferents by hyperinsulinemia which is in part responsible for the abnormally heightened EPR function observed in diabetic animal models and patients. However, the role of insulin signaling within the central nervous system (CNS) is receiving increased attention as a potential therapeutic intervention in diseases with underlying insulin resistance.

The cost of fear: Impairments of decision-making in specific phobia.

Background: Decision-making processes may play a pivotal role in the etiology and maintenance of specific phobia. However, empirical evidence is limited. This study examined whether decision-making is only impaired in presence of fear-related stimuli or whether general impairments exist but are more pronounced in the presence of fear-related stimuli.

Review: A systematic review of dairy cow health, welfare, and behaviour in year-round loose range housing.

This systematic review compares the health, welfare, and behaviour of dairy cows in year-round loose housing systems against those kept in other housing systems in temperate regions. Year-round loose housing systems comprised housing where dairy cows had no access to the outdoors or only had access to a yard, pen or run. The comparator housing systems also comprised housing with and without outdoor access (including grazing).

Clinico-pathological characterisation of human papillomavirus-associated oral epithelial dysplasia.

Background: Human papillomavirus-associated oral epithelial dysplasia (HPV-OED) has been recently recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a distinct type of oral epithelial dysplasia. The rarity of HPV-OED, together with gaps in the current understanding of risk factors and clinical behaviour raise the risk of under-recognition and misdiagnosis. To address this, we describe the clinico-pathological features of a consecutive series of HPV-OED from a single institution to provide additional insight into the presentation and behaviour of this disease.

Nutritional interventions in depression: The role of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids in neuropsychiatric health.

Background: Depression is a pervasive mental health disorder with complex etiologies involving neurotransmitter imbalances, inflammation, and hormonal dysregulation. Emerging evidence highlights the significance of nutritional interventions in improving depressive symptoms.

Objective: This review explores the mechanisms of action and clinical applications of Vitamin D and Omega-3 fatty acids in managing depression, providing insights into their potential therapeutic roles.

Changing an exercise behaviour for physically inactive patients with breast cancer during chemotherapy- the critical role of nurse support: An implementation study.

Purpose: This implementation study investigates the feasibility of a nurse-led pedometer intervention and motivational counselling for physically inactive people with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy in a real-world oncology outpatient setting. It also evaluates the effectiveness of supportive conversations with specialized nurses in terms of behavior change.

Methods: Nurses were trained through an 8-h educational program to deliver the intervention.

Pregnancy and postnatal outcomes for women with intellectual disability and their infants: A systematic review.

Background: While the perinatal period is a vulnerable time for women and their infants, it is also a window to promote adjustment and support. Women with intellectual disability might be a uniquely vulnerable group owing to pre-existing health and care inequalities. The aim of this paper is to explore the pregnancy and postnatal outcomes of women with intellectual disability and the health and development of their infants.

Population-level impact of COVID-19 on thyroid function tests: Results from a repeated cross-sectional study.

Purpose: Reports have highlighted thyroid abnormalities, including subacute thyroiditis and thyrotoxicosis, in COVID-19 patients, with a potential link between thyroid dysfunction and disease severity. However, population-level studies on COVID-19's impact on thyroid hormone levels are limited. We aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on thyroid function tests at the population level.

Web Visualization for Spatiotemporal Genomic Epidemiology, Annotation, and Mutation Dynamics of Orthohantavirus hantanense Using Nextstrain.

The phylogeographic inference approach aims to connect genomic data with epidemiology to understand the spread and evolution of pathogens using visualization of spatiotemporal reconstructions. Orthohantavirus hantanense (HTNV), the causative agent of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), represents a significant global public health concern. Here, we introduce a localized Nextstrain platform for HTNV, offering a comprehensive resource for facilitating spatiotemporal genomic surveillance and the study of evolutionary dynamics of viral genomes.

Digital Home-Based Self-Monitoring System for People with Heart Failure: Protocol for Development of SmartHeart and Evaluation of Feasibility and Acceptability.

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a chronic, progressive condition where the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. In addition to the daily challenges that HF poses, acute exacerbations can lead to costly hospitalizations and increased mortality. High health care costs and the burden of HF have led to the emerging application of new technologies to support people living with HF to stay well while living in the community.

Health and Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Children and Young People: Analysis of Free-Text Responses From the Children and Young People With Long COVID Study.

Background: The literature is equivocal as to whether the predicted negative mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic came to fruition. Some quantitative studies report increased emotional problems and depression; others report improved mental health and well-being. Qualitative explorations reveal heterogeneity, with themes ranging from feelings of loss to growth and development.

Cross-Platform Ecological Momentary Assessment App (JTrack-EMA+): Development and Usability Study.

Background: Traditional in-clinic methods of collecting self-reported information are costly, time-consuming, subjective, and often limited in the quality and quantity of observation. However, smartphone-based ecological momentary assessments (EMAs) provide complementary information to in-clinic visits by collecting real-time, frequent, and longitudinal data that are ecologically valid. While these methods are promising, they are often prone to various technical obstacles.

Value Propositions for Digital Shared Medication Plans to Boost Patient-Health Care Professional Partnerships: Co-Design Study.

Background: Health authorities worldwide have invested in digital technologies to establish robust information exchange systems for improving the safety and efficiency of medication management. Nevertheless, inaccurate medication lists and information gaps are common, particularly during care transitions, leading to avoidable harm, inefficiencies, and increased costs. Besides fragmented health care processes, the inconsistent incorporation of patient-driven changes contributes to these problems.

Digital Information Exchange Between the Public and Researchers in Health Studies: Scoping Review.

Background: Information exchange regarding the scope and content of health studies is becoming increasingly important. Digital methods, including study websites, can facilitate such an exchange.

Objective: This scoping review aimed to describe how digital information exchange occurs between the public and researchers in health studies.

Structure-Based Virtual Screening Identifies 2-Arylthiazole-4-Carboxylic Acids as a Novel Class of Nanomolar Affinity Ligands for the CaMKIIα Hub Domain.

The Ca/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II α (CaMKIIα) plays a crucial role in regulating neuronal signaling and higher brain functions, being involved in various brain diseases. Utilization of small molecules targeting the CaMKIIα hub domain has proved to be a promising strategy for specific CaMKIIα modulation and future therapy. Through an structure-based virtual screening campaign, we herein identified 2-arylthiazole-4-carboxylic acids as a new class of high-affinity CaMKIIα hub ligands.

The Effects of Hospital Delivery Volume and Travel Time on Perinatal Mortality and Delivery in Transit: Causal Inference with Triangulation.

Background: Hospital regionalization involves balancing hospital volume and travel time. We investigated how hospital volume and travel time affect perinatal mortality and the risk of delivery in transit using three different study designs.

Methods: This nationwide cohort study used data from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway (1999-2016) and Statistics Norway.

Pre-pandemic leukocyte count is associated with severity of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection among older women in the Women's Health Initiative.

Objective: Although dysregulated inflammation has been postulated as a biological mechanism associated with post-acute sequelae of severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection (PASC) and shown to be a correlate and an outcome of PASC, it is unclear whether inflammatory markers can prospectively predict PASC risk. We examined the association of leukocyte count and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) concentrations, measured ~25 years prior to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, with PASC, PASC severity, and PASC-associated cognitive outcomes at follow-up among postmenopausal women.

Methods: Using biomarker data from blood specimens collected during pre-pandemic enrollment (1993-1998) and data on 1,237 Women's Health Initiative participants who completed a COVID-19 survey between June 2021 and February 2022, we constructed multivariable regression models that controlled for pertinent characteristics.

Evaluation of the association between thyroid-stimulating hormone with handgrip strength and dynapenia in euthyroid postmenopausal women.

Objective: To examine the association between serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels with handgrip strength (HGS) and dynapenia in euthyroid postmenopausal women.

Methods: This was an exploratory cross-sectional study among 385 participants from the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproduction of the Dexeus Women's University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain. Age, age at menopause, adiposity, alcohol consumption, body mass index (BMI), and smoking status were recorded.

Use of Electronic Health Records to Identify Factors Related to Skin Changes in Terminal Patients.

Objective: To investigate the incidence of skin changes at life's end (SCALE) among hospice patients and identify associated factors.

Methods: The authors conducted a retrospective chart review of demographic data, medical history, Braden Scale assessment scores, Charlson Comorbidity Index, symptom records, and medical treatments of patients admitted to a local teaching hospital's hospice unit between May 2019 and April 2021.

Results: Most (79%) of the 300 hospice patients included in the study had cancer.

Enhancing Reflexivity in Research and Practice in Healthcare Through Oral-Based Autoethnography.

Autoethnography is an increasingly used method to promote individual and group reflexivity in research, not the least in healthcare. However, autoethnography's uptake among practitioners is impeded by the fact that it has not been adequately adapted to practitioner settings from its academic origins. This article analyzes the experience of a research team comprised of practitioners/surgeons and social scientists using primarily oral-based autoethnographic practices to promote reflexive collaboration in a longitudinal research and innovation project on selection and training of surgical residents.

Electroconvulsive shock and transcranial magnetic stimulation do not alter the survival or spine density of adult-born striatal neurons.

Adult neurogenesis has most often been studied in the hippocampus and subventricular zone-olfactory bulb, where newborn neurons contribute to a variety of behaviors. A handful of studies have also investigated adult neurogenesis in other brain regions, but relatively little is known about the properties of neurons added to non-canonical areas. One such region is the striatum.