Ultra-processed food consumption and risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease: The Framingham Heart Study.

Background: Ultra-processed food consumption is emerging as a risk factor for various cardiometabolic diseases, however its association with dementia and Alzheimer's disease has rarely been explored.

Objectives: We sought to examine whether ultra-processed food consumption is associated with risk of all-cause dementia and Alzheimer's disease among middle-age and older adults.

Design: A prospective cohort study.

Prognostic performance of the two-step clinical care pathway in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.

Background & Aims: Current guidelines recommend a 2-step approach for risk stratification in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) with Fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4) followed by liver stiffness measurement (LSM) by vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) or similar second-line tests. This study aimed to examine to prognostic performance of this approach.

Methods: The VCTE-Prognosis Study was a longitudinal study of patients with MASLD who had undergone VCTE examinations at 16 centres from the US, Europe and Asia with subsequent follow-up for clinical events.

Parathyroid hormone levels following denosumab vs. zoledronic acid therapy for osteoporosis.

The objective of this retrospective, database study was to characterize the rate, magnitude and timeline of increases in parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels post-denosumab (DMAb) vs. zoledronic acid (ZA) injection in patients with osteoporosis and near normal baseline PTH. Included were osteoporotic females, ≥50 years, initiating treatment with 60 mg DMAb or 5 mg ZA.

Specific symptomatology profile associated with treatment resistant depression: A multicentric study from the Group for the Study of Resistant Depression with a focus on sex.

Background: Clinical predictors of treatment-resistant depression could improve treatment strategies. Depressive symptom profiles at baseline are potential outcome predictors, but little evidence is available, and sex-specific profiles have been scarcely investigated.

Methods: Baseline symptom scores of 1294 patients with major depressive disorder were assessed by the Montgomery-Åsberg depression rating scale (MADRS) as part of a multicenter study by the "Group for the Studies of Resistant Depression".

Risk Factors for Postoperative Infection in Patients After Pilon Fracture Fixation.

The combination of high energy fractures, extensive soft tissue trauma, and high infection rates in pilon fractures of the distal tibia have long challenged surgeons. Despite the ample evidence, there is no consensus regarding the factors that may influence postoperative infections following surgical management of these fractures. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors for postoperative infections in patients undergoing surgical management for pilon fractures.

Breast cancer outcomes after skin- and nipple-sparing mastectomy in BRCA pathogenic mutation carriers versus non-BRCA carriers.

Unlabelled: Our previous study on BRCA breast cancer carriers disclosed a high local recurrence (LR) rate in patients who underwent skin sparing (SSM) or nipple sparing mastectomy (NSM) without postoperative radiation therapy (RT), compared to breast conservation surgery or mastectomy with RT. The current study compares the LR rates in BRCA versus non BRCA carriers after SSM/NSM in relation the receipt of RT.

Methods: The study was approved by the institutional ethics committee.

Unique considerations in the assessment and management of traumatic brain injury in older adults.

The age-specific incidence of traumatic brain injury in older adults is rising in high-income countries, mainly due to an increase in the incidence of falls. The severity of traumatic brain injury in older adults can be underestimated because of a delay in the development of mass effect and symptoms of intracranial haemorrhage. Management and rehabilitation in older adults must consider comorbidities and frailty, the treatment of pre-existing disorders, the reduced potential for recovery, the likelihood of cognitive decline, and the avoidance of future falls.

An integrated participatory framework for WEFE nexus strategic planning: The Jordan Valley case study.

The Jordan Valley (JV) is a critical region where the interplay of water, energy, food, and ecosystem (WEFE) dynamics presents both challenges and opportunities for sustainable development and climate change mitigation and adaptation. In such a transboundary river basin with acute nexus problems and a long history of conflicts, it is essential that conscious efforts are made to pluralize the debate and actively encourage stakeholders' empowerment, participation and fair collaboration in strategic planning. An integrated framework for participatory strategic planning in the WEFE nexus is proposed, which has been developed in the context of the JV case study.

Isolated subsegmental pulmonary embolism identification based on international classification of diseases (ICD)-10 codes and imaging reports.

Background: Isolated subsegmental pulmonary embolism (issPE) is a commonly encountered diagnosis. Although the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 codes are used for research, their validity for identifying issPE is unknown. Moreover, issPE diagnosis is challenging, and the findings from radiology reports may conflict with those from expert radiologists.

Contribution of a post-secondary academic enrichment program on cognitive abilities of adults with severe intellectual disability using an e-book.

Unlabelled: We investigated the impact of participation in post-secondary university education (PSE) on the academic knowledge of adult students with severe intellectual disability and extensive support needs (SIDESN) vs. a similar group of controls who did not participate in PSE. We also examined whether the PSE would result in a "near transfer" to basic crystallized (facts and information) and fluid (problems involving executive functions and working memory) cognitive abilities, the contribution of background characteristics and crystallized and fluid abilities to their academic knowledge, semantic fluency and temporal relations.

Comparison of complications and surgery outcomes in skin closure methods following cesarean sections.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the impact of absorbable subcutaneous staples for skin closure in cesarean delivery (CD) on maternal morbidity.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a single tertiary university-affiliated medical center between January 2011 and April 2022. In 2020, a new technique involving absorbable subcutaneous staples for skin closure in CD was introduced.

Network Types for End-Of-Life Care and Home Deaths Among Older Adults in Europe During COVID-19 Pandemic.

The study identified care network types comprising informal and formal care providers during the end-of-life period, and examined their relationship with home deaths. End-of-life interviews were conducted with proxies during the two waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). The sample included 486 participants who passed away during the pandemic and received care during their final year.

Preoperative hand therapy instructions do not improve short-term outcomes in carpal tunnel and trigger finger surgery.

The impact of preoperative structured instructions by a hand therapist on recovery after carpal tunnel and trigger finger releases was assessed in 87 patients. No significant differences in recovery, satisfaction, or outcomes were found, suggesting limited benefit.

Association between body mass index, obesity, and vulvar cancer recurrence.

Objective: The objective of this paper is to study the association between obesity and tumor recurrence in patients with vulvar cancer.

Methods: This is a retrospective study including vulvar cancer patients from 2003 to 2022. Our primary outcome was progression-free survival (PFS) stratified by status of obesity, defined as body mass index (BMI) >30.

Patient Performance of Care Tasks During Acute Hospitalisation: A Scoping Review.

Background: Patient self-care is established as improving outcomes, yet acute care in hospitals is provided such that patients tend to be passive recipients of care. Little is known about the extent and type of patient participation in treatment care tasks in acute hospital settings.

Aims: To map and synthesise available literature on self-performance of care tasks in acute hospital settings.

Targeted Polymer-Peptide Conjugates for E-Selectin Blockade in Renal Injury.

Background/objectives: Leukocytes play a significant role in both acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD), contributing to pathogenesis and tissue damage. The process of leukocyte infiltration into the inflamed tissues is mediated by the interactions between the leukocytes and cell adhesion molecules (CAMs, i.e.

Clinical Competency in Managing Malnutrition-Sarcopenia Syndrome Among Physical Therapists: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Background/objectives: Malnutrition and sarcopenia are interrelated health concerns among the elderly. Each condition is associated with increased mortality, morbidity, rehospitalization rates, longer hospital stays, higher healthcare costs, and reduced quality of life. Their combination leads to the development of "Malnutrition-Sarcopenia Syndrome" (MSS), characterized by reductions in body weight, muscle mass, strength, and physical function.

Multiscale Numerical Study of Enhanced Ductility Ratios and Capacity in Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Concrete Beams for Safety Design.

Rigid reinforced concrete (RC) frames are generally adopted as stiff elements to make the building structures resistant to seismic forces. However, a method has yet to be fully sought to provide earthquake resistance through optimizing beam and column performance in a rigid frame. Due to its high corrosion resistance, the integration of CFRP offers an opportunity to reduce frequent repairs and increase durability.

Ultrasonic Deposition of Cellulose Nanocrystals on Substrates for Enhanced Eradication Activity on Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens.

Amidst the pervasive threat of bacterial afflictions, the imperative for advanced antibiofilm surfaces with robust antimicrobial efficacy looms large. This study unveils a sophisticated ultrasonic synthesis method for cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs, 10-20 nm in diameter and 300-900 nm in length) and their subsequent application as coatings on flexible substrates, namely cotton (CC-1) and membrane (CM-1). The cellulose nanocrystals showed excellent water repellency with a water contact angle as high as 148° on the membrane.

Genomic Insight into Isolates from Fresh Raw Mussels and Ready-to-Eat Stuffed Mussels.

Consuming raw or undercooked mussels can lead to gastroenteritis and septicemia due to contamination. This study analyzed the prevalence, density, species diversity, and molecular traits of spp. in 48 fresh raw wild mussels (FRMs) and 48 ready-to-eat stuffed mussels (RTE-SMs) through genome analysis, assessing health risks.

A Review of Miniature Radio Transmitters for Wildlife Tracking.

This article surveys the literature on miniature radio transmitters designed to track free-ranging wild animals using emitter-localization techniques. The articles covers the topics of power sources used in such transmitters, including miniature batteries and energy harvesting, techniques for generating the transmitted radio-frequency carrier, techniques for creating short radio pulses and more general on-off schedules, modulation in modern wildlife-tracking transmitters, construction, manufacturing, and tuning techniques, and recent trends in this area. The article also describes the recreation of the first successful wildlife-tracking transmitter, a nontrivial invention that had a profound impact on wildlife ecology, and explores its behavior.

Radiation-Induced Wavelength Shifts in Fiber Bragg Gratings Exposed to Gamma Rays and Neutrons in a Nuclear Reactor.

Fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) inscribed by UV light and different femtosecond laser techniques (phase mask, point-by-point, and plane-by-plane) were exposed-in several irradiation cycles-to accumulated high doses of gamma rays (up to 124 MGy) and neutron fluence (8.7 × 10/cm) in a research-grade nuclear reactor. The FBG peak wavelengths were measured continuously in order to monitor radiation-induced shifts.