The assessment of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in residency: the benefits of a four-year longitudinally integrated curriculum.

Context: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has diverse applications across various clinical specialties, serving as an adjunct to clinical findings and as a tool for increasing the quality of patient care. Owing to its multifunctionality, a growing number of medical schools are increasingly incorporating POCUS training into their curriculum, some offering hands-on training during the first 2 years of didactics and others utilizing a longitudinal exposure model integrated into all 4 years of medical school education. Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine (MWU-AZCOM) adopted a 4-year longitudinal approach to include POCUS education in 2017.

Relevance of Sentinel Nodes in Atypical Territories in Surgically Treated Patients With T1-2N0 Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Objectives: To assess the usefulness of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in patients with early-stage oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Materials And Methods: Seventy-five patients (mean age 62 years) diagnosed with cT1-2 N0 underwent SLNB with Tc, lymphoscintigraphy/SPECT-CT, and gamma probe detection with intraoperative histological examination of the resected sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs). Elective neck dissection was performed during the same surgical procedure of primary tumor resection when malignant deposits were detected microscopically.

Decoding Salience: A Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Investigation of Reward and Contextual Unexpectedness in Memory Encoding and Retrieval.

The present study investigated the neuromodulatory substrates of salience processing and its impact on memory encoding and behaviour, with a specific focus on two distinct types of salience: reward and contextual unexpectedness. 46 Participants performed a novel task paradigm modulating these two aspects independently and allowing for investigating their distinct and interactive effects on memory encoding while undergoing high-resolution fMRI. By using advanced image processing techniques tailored to examine midbrain and brainstem nuclei with high precision, our study additionally aimed to elucidate differential activation patterns in subcortical nuclei in response to reward-associated and contextually unexpected stimuli, including distinct pathways involving in particular dopaminergic modulation.

Refinement of a Published Gene-Physical Activity Interaction Impacting HDL-Cholesterol: Role of Sex and Lipoprotein Subfractions.

Large-scale gene-environment interaction (GxE) discovery efforts often involve analytical compromises for the sake of data harmonization and statistical power. Refinement of exposures, covariates, outcomes, and population subsets may be helpful to establish often-elusive replication and evaluate potential clinical utility. Here, we used additional datasets, an expanded set of statistical models, and interrogation of lipoprotein metabolism via nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based lipoprotein subfractions to refine a previously discovered GxE modifying the relationship between physical activity (PA) and HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C).

Sex-associated differences in incentive salience and drinking behaviour in a rodent model of alcohol relapse.

The ability of environmental cues to trigger alcohol-seeking behaviours is thought to facilitate problematic alcohol use. Individuals' tendency to attribute incentive salience to cues may increase the risk of addiction. We sought to study the relationship between incentive salience and alcohol addiction using non-preferring rats to model the heterogeneity of human alcohol consumption, investigating both males and females.

Using system dynamics modeling approach to strengthen health systems to combat cancer: a systematic literature review.

Aim: Dynamic cancer control is a current health system priority, yet methods for achieving it are lacking. This study aims to review the application of system dynamics modeling (SDM) on cancer control and evaluate the research quality.

Methods: Articles were searched in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus from the inception of the study to November 15th, 2023.

Effects of miRNAs in inborn error of metabolism and treatment strategies.

Metabolism is the name given to all of the chemical reactions in the cell involving thousands of proteins, including enzymes, receptors, and transporters. Inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) are caused by defects in the production and breakdown of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Micro ribonucleic acids (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNA molecules, ⁓19-25 nucleotides long, hairpin-shaped, produced from DNA.

The depth of arterial supply of forehead: a meta-analysis.

Background: The rapid growth of aesthetic medicine has led to an increased demand for non-surgical cosmetic procedures in the frontal region of the face. However, alongside this rise in popularity, there is a growing awareness of the potential complications associated with these procedures especially connected with fillers. The intricate vascular anatomy of the forehead, specifically the supratrochlear (STA) and supraorbital (SOA) arteries, poses significant risks if not thoroughly understood.

Stigma, Depression, and Attitudes Towards Seeking Psychological Help Among Nurses: The Role of Personal Stigma as an Inconsistent Mediator.

Rationale: Identifying whether perceived stigma or personal stigma more significantly affects nurses' attitudes towards seeking psychological help is essential for effectively addressing current challenges and facilitating early intervention for the well-being of nurses and their patients.

Aims And Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the mediating roles of personal stigma and depression in the relationship between perceived stigma among nurses and their attitudes towards seeking psychological help.

Methods: The sample of this descriptive cross-sectional study consisted of 302 nurses working in a university hospital in southern Turkey, selected using the purposive sampling method, between April 1 and May 1, 2021.

Gestational Duration and Postnatal Age-Related Changes in Aperiodic and Periodic Parameters in Neonatal and Toddler Electroencephalogram (EEG).

The brain develops most rapidly during pregnancy and early neonatal months. While prior electrophysiological studies have shown that aperiodic brain activity undergoes changes across infancy to adulthood, the role of gestational duration in aperiodic and periodic activity remains unknown. In this study, we aimed to bridge this gap by examining the associations between gestational duration and aperiodic and periodic activity in the EEG power spectrum in both neonates and toddlers.

Genomic Prediction of Individual Inbreeding Levels for the Management of Genetic Diversity in Populations With Small Effective Size.

In populations of small effective size (N), such as those in conservation programmes, companion animals or livestock species, inbreeding control is essential. Homozygosity-by-descent (HBD) segments provide relevant information in that context, as they allow accurate estimation of the inbreeding coefficient, provide locus-specific information and their length is informative about the "age" of inbreeding. Our objective was to evaluate tools for predicting HBD in future offspring based on parental genotypes, a problem equivalent to identifying segments identical-by-descent (IBD) among the four parental chromosomes.

Receipt of humanitarian cash transfers, household food insecurity and the subjective wellbeing of Syrian refugee youth in Jordan.

Objective: Humanitarian aid, including food aid, has increasingly shifted towards provision of cash assistance over in-kind benefits. This paper examines whether food security mediates the relationship between receipt of humanitarian cash transfers and subjective wellbeing among Syrian refugee youth in Jordan.

Design: Secondary analysis of the 2020-21 Survey of Young People in Jordan, which is nationally representative of Syrian youth aged 16-30.

The healthfulness of major food brands according to Health Canada's nutrient profile model for proposed restrictions on food marketing to children.

Objective: To examine the proportion of products offered by leading food brands in Canada that are 'unhealthy' according to Health Canada's (HC) nutrient profile model for proposed restrictions on food marketing to children (M2K-NPM).

Design: Nutritional information for products offered by top brands was sourced from the University of Toronto FLIP and Menu-FLIP 2020 databases, respectively. HC's M2K-NPM, which includes thresholds for sodium, total sugars and saturated fat, was applied to products.

Apparent diffusion coefficient and magnetic resonance imaging characteristics in predicting response to radiosurgery in patients with vestibular schwannomas.

Objective: Predicting treatment response in patients with vestibular schwannomas (VSs) remains challenging. This study aimed to evaluate the use of pre-treatment normalized apparent diffusion coefficient (nADC) values and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging characteristics in predicting treatment outcomes in patients with VSs undergoing radiosurgery.

Methods: The MR images of 44 patients with VSs who underwent radiosurgery at our institution were retrospectively reviewed, and the patients were categorized into tumor control ( = 28) and progression ( = 16) groups based on treatment response after treatment initiation, with a median follow-up duration of 29.

A Comparative Study on Kidney Morphology of Anatolian Ground Squirrels, Rabbits, and Rats.

In this study, the kidneys of ground squirrels (hibernated and nonhibernated), rabbits, and rats were examined macro and microanatomically. Kidney morphology was investigated by stereo microscopy, light microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Triple and immunohistochemical staining were performed for light microscopic examinations.

Associations of Tai Chi With Depression and Anxiety Among Older Adults: Nationwide Study Findings From a Network Perspective.

Within the global population, depression and anxiety are common among older adults. Tai Chi is believed to have a positive impact on these disturbances. This study examined the network structures of depression and anxiety among older Tai Chi practitioners vs non-practitioners.

Investigation of Anti-Apoptotic Effects and Mechanisms of Astragaloside IV in a Rat Model of Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury.

Background: Ischemic stroke is a prevalent and life-threatening cerebrovascular disease that is challenging to treat and associated with a poor prognosis. Astragaloside IV (AS-IV), a primary bioactive component of Astragali radix, has demonstrated neuroprotective benefits in previous studies. This study aimed to explore the mechanisms through which AS-IV may treat cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI).

Early Initiation of Breastfeeding and Exclusive Breastfeeding in Anglophone and Francophone West African Countries: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prevalence.

Early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) and exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) are highly effective forms of preventive medicine in many low- and middle-income countries, including Anglophone and Francophone West African countries. Despite the proven benefits of EIBF and EBF in reducing mortality and morbidity, there is limited systematic evidence from West African countries. Hence, the aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to estimate the pooled prevalence of EIBF and EBF in Anglophone and Francophone West African countries.

Effects of double data extraction on errors in evidence synthesis: a crossover, multicenter, investigator-blinded, randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: The objective was to investigate the role of double extraction in reducing data errors in evidence synthesis for pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical interventions.

Design: Crossover randomized controlled trial (RCT).

Setting: University and hospital with teaching programs in evidence-based medicine.

A medical trailblazer in the Ottoman Empire: The legacy of Dr Caroline Frances Hamilton (1861-1944).

This article explores the life and work of Dr Caroline F. Hamilton, one of the pioneering female physicians sent from the USA to the Ottoman Empire in the late 19th century. Over a career spanning three decades, Hamilton provided critical medical care, especially to women, at the Azariah Smith Memorial Hospital in Aintab, overcoming legal, cultural, and political obstacles to become one of the first women licensed to practise medicine in the region.

Mitochondrial dysfunction and lipid alterations in primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Objectives: Indications of mitochondrial dysfunction are commonly seen in liver diseases, but data are scarce in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Analyzing circulating and liver-resident molecules indirectly reflecting mitochondrial dysfunction, we aimed to comprehensively characterize this deficit in PSC, and whether this was PSC specific or associated with cholestasis.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively included plasma from 191 non-transplant patients with large-duct PSC and 100 healthy controls and explanted liver tissue extracts from 24 PSC patients and 18 non-cholestatic liver disease controls.

Filamin A C-terminal fragment modulates Orai1 expression by inhibition of protein degradation.

Filamin A (FLNA) is an actin-binding protein that has been reported to interact with STIM1 modulating the activation of Orai1 channels. Cleaving of FLNA by calpain leads to a C-terminal fragment that is involved in a variety of functional and pathological events, including pro-oncogenic activity in different types of cancer. Here we show that full-length FLNA is downregulated in samples from colon cancer patients as well as in the adenocarcinoma cell line HT-29.

Effect of digital health applications with or without gamification on physical activity and cardiometabolic risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Use of health applications (apps) to support healthy lifestyles has intensified. Different app features may support effectiveness, including gamification defined as the use of game elements in a non-game situation. Whether health apps with gamification can impact behaviour change and cardiometabolic risk factors remains unknown.

AI predictive models and advancements in microdissection testicular sperm extraction for non-obstructive azoospermia: a systematic scoping review.

Study Question: How accurately can artificial intelligence (AI) models predict sperm retrieval in non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) patients undergoing micro-testicular sperm extraction (m-TESE) surgery?

Summary Answer: AI predictive models hold significant promise in predicting successful sperm retrieval in NOA patients undergoing m-TESE, although limitations regarding variability of study designs, small sample sizes, and a lack of validation studies restrict the overall generalizability of studies in this area.

What Is Known Already: Previous studies have explored various predictors of successful sperm retrieval in m-TESE, including clinical and hormonal factors. However, no consistent predictive model has yet been established.