Parents' initiative in community-based support for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities: The non-profit model.

Background: The birth of a child with an intellectual or developmental disability inherently presents challenges to parents regarding the child's long-term future. This qualitative study examined the perceptions of parents who are kibbutz members, focusing on the non-profit organisation they established and the socioeconomic model they developed to ensure the future wellbeing of their children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Method: In-depth interviews were conducted with 12 participants and used a thematic analysis based on case study methodology.

A Paper-Based Sensor for the Detection of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Utilizing a Cleavable Fluorescent Polymer.

Nowadays, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has emerged as one of the major hazards to the health of the upper gastrointestinal tract, and there is an urgent need for a low-cost, user-friendly, and non-invasive detection method. Herein, a paper-based sensor (CP sensor) for the non-invasive screening of GERD is proposed. The sensor is structured as a specially shaped cellulose paper strip embedded with fluorescent colloids, which are self-assembled from a cleavable synthetic fluorescent polymer (P4).

Exploring psychosomatic congruence: The effect of focusing on body parts as a body-oriented mentalization process.

Background/objective: : Patients with somatic symptoms are considered to have a deficiency in body-oriented mentalization; that is, the ability to perceive and interpret bodily sensations in relation to psychological states. We introduce the novel concept of psychosomatic congruence-the alignment of physical sensations with cognition and emotional states, which leads to behaviors that synchronize physical manifestations with emotional experiences and internal reflections. Despite its clinical relevance, this concept has not been empirically examined.

NET Models Meeting 2024 white paper: the current state of neuroendocrine tumour research models and our future aspirations.

Current models for the study of neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are severely limited. While (e.g.

A nosographic and etiopathogenetic framework for subchondral bone marrow lesions in the knee: A narrative review.

Purpose: Subchondral bone marrow lesions (BMLs) are present in a wide range of pathologies with different prognoses. Thus, a careful diagnosis is mandatory to address them with the proper treatment. The aim of this review was to examine BMLs aetiology and their relationship with biomechanical and biological factors, to identify BMLs and help clinicians to properly recognize and treat each of these common alterations.

Imaging of Caseous Mitral Annulus Calcification.

We present 2 cases of caseous mitral annulus calcification (MAC) in which one patient was asymptomatic whereas the second experienced left hemianopsia. Both patients underwent transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography exams which revealed severe MAC with a mass consistent with caseous MAC. A mobile component of the caseous MAC was observed in the patient with left hemianopsia.

Transcatheter Aspiration of Tricuspid Vegetation.

Objective: This study sought to present the endovascular approach of transcatheter aspiration using the FlowTriever (Inari Medical) aspiration system for high surgical risk patients with right-sided infective endocarditis.

Key Steps: General anesthesia and transesophageal echocardiogram guidance; ultrasonography-guided femoral vein access, preclosure sutures, and insertion of a 24-F sheath; insertion of straight 24-F aspiration cannula over a stiff wire, parked in the superior vena cava; introduction of a 20-F curved cannula inside the 24-F cannula to create a telescopic assembly; accurate positioning using the right ventricle inflow/outflow projection in biplane mode; adjustment of the curved cannula radius by sliding the inner cannula in and out inside the mother cannula; manual aspiration of the vegetation; Postaspiration transesophageal echocardiogram assessment.

Potential Pitfalls: Avoid leaflet and annular injury and account for potential embolization.

Renal Physiology Education via Podcast: Channel Your Enthusiasm.

Renal physiology is considered one of the most challenging medical disciplines to understand and to teach. Eight academic nephrologists have come together to produce a podcast devoted to helping learners at any level improve their understanding of this difficult topic. Using Dr Burton D.

Early Detection of Testicular Sertoli Cell Tumor Through Physical Examination: A Case Report.

Testicular tumors represent the most common solid organ malignancy in young and adult males. Sex cord-stromal tumors are the second-largest group of primary testicular cancers, after germ-cell tumors. Sertoli cell (SC) tumors of the testis are relatively rare, accounting for only a small fraction of testicular tumors.

Hybrid care model: Combining telemedicine and office visits for diabetes management in older adults with type 1 diabetes.

Aims: To evaluate the use of hybrid (telehealth and in-person) care on visitation and glycaemia in older adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Methods: In this retrospective study, we examined clinical characteristics, number of visits (telehealth and in-person) and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) metrics for older adults (≥65 years) with T1D from electronic health records during the pre-COVID-19 pandemic (March 1, 2019-March 1, 2020; in-person) and pandemic (September 1, 2020-August 31, 2021; hybrid) periods. Main outcomes were the number of visits and changes in glycaemic control (HbA1c), and in a sub-group of older adults using CGM, changes in CGM metrics between in-person and hybrid care.

NF-B Inhibitory Activity of the Di-Hydroxy Derivative of Piperlongumine (PL-18).

Inflammation is a critical response of the immune system to infection or injury, serving to repair and restore tissue homeostasis. While acute inflammation generally protects against harmful stimuli, prolonged and chronic inflammation have detrimental effects and disrupts tissue homeostasis. Due to the complex and multifactorial etiology of chronic inflammation, effective treatment remains elusive.

Acoustic speech features are associated with late-life depression and apathy symptoms: Preliminary findings.

Background: Late-life depression (LLD) is a heterogenous disorder related to cognitive decline and neurodegenerative processes, raising a need for the development of novel biomarkers. We sought to provide preliminary evidence for acoustic speech signatures sensitive to LLD and their relationship to depressive dimensions.

Methods: Forty patients (24 female, aged 65-82 years) were assessed with the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS).

Coding intensity variation in Medicare Advantage.

Enrollment in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans rose to over 50% of eligible Medicare patients in 2023. Payments to MA plans incorporate risk scores that are largely based on patient diagnoses from the prior year, which incentivizes MA plans to code diagnoses more intensively. We estimated coding inflation rates for individual MA contracts using a method that allows for differential selection into contracts based on patient health.

Efficacy of brief behavioral and sleep hygiene education with mindfulness intervention on sleep, social jetlag and mental health in adolescence: a pilot study.

Objectives: Sleep is often compromised in adolescents, affecting their health and quality of life. This pilot-study was conducted to evaluate if implementing brief-behavioral and sleep-hygiene education with mindfulness intervention may positively affect sleep-health in adolescents.

Method: Participants in this community-based non-randomized cohort-study volunteered for intervention (IG)- or control-group (CG).

Non-Stoichiometric Amorphous Calcium Carbonate Forms in Macromolecular Condensates via Interphase Diffusion.

Transient amorphous phases are known as functional precursors in the formation of crystalline materials, both in vivo and in vitro. A common route to regulate amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) crystallization is via direct interactions with negatively charged macromolecules. However, a less explored phenomenon that can influence such systems is the electrostatically driven formation of Ca-macromolecule dense phases.

Propensity-score matched outcomes of minimally invasive and open pelvic exenteration in locally advanced rectal cancer.

Pelvic exenteration (PE) entails an en bloc resection of locally advanced primary or recurrent rectal cancer. This study aimed to assess the short-term and survival outcomes of minimally invasive (MI)- and open PE. A retrospective cohort analysis of patients with stage III rectal adenocarcinoma treated with PE from the National Cancer Database (2010-2019) was conducted.

Impact of Lookback Duration on the Performance of a Claims-Based Frailty Proxy in Women With Stage I-III Breast Cancer.

Background: Frailty is an important prognostic indicator in older women with breast cancer. The Faurot frailty index, a validated claims-based frailty proxy measure, uses healthcare billing codes during a user-specified ascertainment window to predict frailty. We assessed how the duration of frailty ascertainment affected the ability of the Faurot frailty index to predict one-year mortality in women with stage I-II breast cancer.

Psychosocial Support Needs and Preferences Among Family Caregivers of ICU Patients with Severe Acute Brain Injury: A Qualitative Thematic Analysis.

Background: Family caregivers of patients with severe acute brain injury (SABI) are at risk for clinically significant chronic emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress. Existing psychosocial interventions for caregivers of intensive care unit (ICU) patients are not tailored to the unique needs of caregivers of patients with SABI, do not demonstrate long-term efficacy, and may increase caregiver burden. In this study, we explored the needs and preferences for psychosocial services among SABI caregivers to inform the development and adaptation of interventions to reduce their emotional distress during and after their relative's ICU admission.

Manuscript publication of abstracts presented at gynecologic surgery societies' annual meetings.

Purpose: To study characteristics and identify factors associated with full manuscript publication of oral abstracts presented at gynecologic surgery societies' annual meetings.

Study Design: We reviewed all oral abstracts presented at four major gynecologic surgery meetings in 2018. Oral abstracts subsequently published as peer-reviewed manuscripts were compared to those that were not published.

An 18-year comprehensive safety study on microfocused ultrasound and monopolar radiofrequency combined with cosmetic injectables in 1,040 patients.

Microfocused ultrasound (MFU) and (MRF) are non-invasive modalities widely used for skin rejuvenation and are often combined with injectables, including neuromodulators and soft tissue fillers. However, large-scale, long-term safety data on such combination therapies are lacking. To address this gap, we conducted a retrospective chart review at two private practice dermatology clinics in South Korea from June 2005 to December 2023.

Unlocking prognostic potential: A genomic signature of caloric restriction in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer.

Objectives: Epithelial ovarian cancer is a significant contributor to cancer-related mortality in women, frequently recurring post-treatment, often accompanied by chemotherapy resistance. Dietary interventions have demonstrated influence on cancer progression; for instance, caloric restriction has exhibited tumor growth reduction and enhanced survival in animal cancer models. In this study, we calculated a transcriptomic signature based on caloric-restriction for ovarian cancer patients and explored its correlation with ovarian cancer progression.

Quality of life identification by unsupervised cluster analysis: A new approach to modelling the burden of endometriosis.

Background: Symptoms frequently associated with endometriosis affect quality of life (QoL). Our aim investigated the hypothesis that cluster analysis can be used to identify homogeneous phenotyping subgroups of women according to the burden of the endometriosis for their QoL, and then to investigate the phenotype differences observed between these subgroups.

Methods: We developed an anonymous online survey, which received responses from 1,586 French women with endometriosis.