Optimization of x-ray dark-field CT for human-scale lung imaging.

Background: X-ray grating-based dark-field imaging can sense the small angle scattering caused by object's micro-structures. This technique is sensitive to the porous microstructure of lung alveoli and has the potential to detect lung diseases at an early stage. Up to now, a human-scale dark-field CT (DF-CT) prototype has been built for lung imaging.

Factors Associated with Low/Moderate Perceived Risk for HIV Acquisition Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men Eligible to Use Pre-exposure Prophylaxis from Brazil, Mexico, and Peru.

Perceived risk for HIV acquisition among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) may not align with their actual sexual HIV exposure. Factors associated with low/moderate perceived risk among GBMSM eligible for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) (based on their high estimated HIV exposure) have been poorly described in Latin America. This is a secondary analysis of a 2018 web-based cross-sectional survey in Brazil, Mexico, and Peru.

Exposure to Rifampicin and its Metabolite 25-Deacetylrifampicin Rapidly Decreases During Tuberculosis Therapy.

Background And Objective: Limited information is available on the pharmacokinetics of rifampicin (RIF) along with that of its active metabolite, 25-deacetylrifampicin (25-dRIF). This study aimed to analyse the pharmacokinetic data of RIF and 25-dRIF collected in adult patients treated for tuberculosis.

Methods: In adult patients receiving 10 mg/kg of RIF as part of a standard regimen for drug-susceptible pulmonary tuberculosis enrolled in the Opti-4TB study, plasma RIF and 25-dRIF concentrations were measured at various occasions.

Exploring factors associated with Kidney Disease Quality of Life in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease: the Reach-J CKD cohort study.

Background: Although several studies have examined the Kidney Disease Quality of Life (KDQOL) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), the factors associated with kidney-related symptoms have not been fully explored.

Methods: This nationwide multicenter cohort study enrolled 2248 patients. To identify the factors associated with each item or the three KDQOL domains, such as burden of kidney disease, symptoms/problems of kidney disease, and impact of kidney disease on daily life, multiple regression analysis was performed using baseline data.

Alcohol drinking leads to sex-dependent differentiation of T cells.

Objective: Global per capita alcohol consumption is increasing, posing significant socioeconomic and medical challenges also due to alcohol-related traumatic injuries but also its biological effects. Trauma as a leading cause of death in young adults, is often associated with an increased risk of complications, such as sepsis and multiple organ failure, due to immunological imbalances. Regulatory T cells play a crucial role in maintaining immune homeostasis by regulating the inflammatory response.

New insights into the goals of transgender male versus non-binary individuals considering metoidioplasty and phalloplasty gender-affirming surgery.

Background: Understanding patient goals for metoidioplasty and phalloplasty gender-affirming surgery (MaPGAS) is paramount to achieving satisfactory, preference-sensitive outcomes, yet there is a lack of understanding of MaPGAS priorities and how these may vary between transgender men and non-binary individuals assigned female at birth (AFAB).

Aim: To understand the surgical goals of transgender men and non-binary individuals AFAB considering MaPGAS.

Methods: An online survey was created following literature review and qualitative interviews and distributed via social media and a community health center to participants AFAB aged ≥18 years who had considered but not yet undergone MaPGAS.

Acoustic Measures According to Speaker Gender Identity: Differences and Correlation With Vocal Satisfaction.

Objective: To analyze acoustic measures of speech and vowel samples from individuals of different genders and to correlate these acoustic measures with vocal satisfaction. This study aims to provide additional data on acoustic measures, serving as references for clinicians while emphasizing the importance of moving beyond cisgender norms. Additionally, it addresses a gap in the Brazilian context by exploring correlations between acoustic measures and self-perceived vocal satisfaction across diverse gender groups.

Chinese herbal formula Tongxie Yaofang granules for diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase II trial.

Objectives: To assess the therapeutic effects and safety of Tongxie Yaofang (TXYF) granules vs placebo as an alternative treatment for diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D). We hypothesised that TXYF would improve clinical responses among patients with IBS-D.

Design: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase II, superiority trial.

Age- and sex-specific incidence rates and future projections for hip fractures in Zimbabwe.

Introduction: Population ageing in Africa is increasing healthcare demands. Hip fractures require multidisciplinary care and are considered an indicator condition for age-related health services. We aimed to estimate current hip fracture incidence in Zimbabwe, compare rates against other regional estimates and estimate future fracture numbers.

Unexpected finding of encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis: mind the cocoon.

Here, we present a fatal case of a man in his 40s with encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS). In retrospect, a spot diagnosis on the abdominal CT scan. The patient presented with progressive abdominal complaints of pain and vomiting over the last 2 months.

Conduction system metastasis in a patient with carcinoma oesophagus.

A young man in his 30s presented to us with multiple episodes of syncope and exertional dyspnoea for the last 2 weeks. He was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the lower one-third of the oesophagus in 2021 for which he was treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, followed by McKeown oesophagectomy. At 2-year follow-up, he had developed a soft tissue swelling in the scalp, which was diagnosed as a tumour recurrence and radiotherapy was initiated.

Genital orf.

A man in his early 40s presented with extensive skin lesions in the groin and genital regions. The lesions were erythematous and maculopapular but evolved into vesicles and pustules with surrounding cellulitis. He stated that he grips livestock between his legs for sheep shearing.

Bullous pyoderma gangrenosum revealing acute myeloid leukaemia.

We describe a man in his 60s presenting poor scar development following surgical treatment for popliteal aneurysm. The clinical features in a postoperative context and the poor clinical response to intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics were highly suggestive of bullous pyoderma gangrenosum. Histology, with dense inflammatory infiltrate of neutrophils, subsequently confirmed the diagnosis and the response to systemic corticosteroids was rapid and complete.

Polymicrobial empyema in a patient with lung adenocarcinomacontaining .

A man in his 60s with advanced COPD and lung adenocarcinoma presented with sepsis and acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure. Imaging revealed bilateral pleural effusions, and he was found to have a polymicrobial empyema which included Despite appropriate treatment, he continued to deteriorate and ultimately died of sepsis. species, typically benign constituents of the oral microbiota, rarely can instigate pleuropulmonary infections, especially in immunocompromised individuals.

Varicella-zoster virus meningitis with hypoglycorrhachia, presenting with painless occipital herpes zoster mimicking atopic dermatitis.

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a known cause of meningoencephalitis, typically in immunocompromised inpatients. We report a case of meningitis caused by VZV in an immunocompetent man in his 20s. Diagnosis was delayed due to the atypical presentation of painless occipital zoster mimicking atopic dermatitis, and the presence of hypoglycorrhachia in his cerebrospinal fluid.

Infective endocarditis: a growing threat despite medical progress. A look at trends in Spain.

Introduction And Objectives: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a serious public health problem both in Spain and worldwide. This study aimed to analyze the trends in the incidence of IE in Spain from 1992 to 2021.

Methods: We used IE incidence data from the Global Health Data Exchange and population data from the Spanish National Statistics Institute to analyze changes in age-standardized incidence rates.

Anemia and Prognosis in Patients with Acute Venous Thromboembolism.

Background:  Studies found an association between anemia and overall mortality and major bleeding (MB) in patients with acute venous thromboembolism (VTE), but whether anemia is causally related to death, bleeding, or recurrent VTE is uncertain.

Objectives:  To explore the association between anemia at baseline and short-/long-term clinical outcomes in a prospective cohort of 928 patients with acute VTE.

Methods:  We defined anemia as a hemoglobin <13 g/dL for men/< 12 g/dL for women.

Age-related Arterial Stiffening is Associated with A Body Shape Index (ABSI) and Lean Body Mass Index -A Retrospective Cohort Study in Healthy Japanese Population.

Introduction: Several anthropometric indices reflecting cardiometabolic risks have been developed, but the relationship of body composition with arterial stiffness remains unclear. We aimed to determine the interaction between age-related anthropometric changes and progression of arterial stiffness.

Methods: This research analyzed cross-sectional data (N=13,672) and 4-year longitudinal data (N=5,118) obtained from a healthy Japanese population without metabolic disorders.

Interactive segmentation for accurately isolating metastatic lesions from low-resolution, large-size bone scintigrams.

Bone is a common site for the metastasis of malignant tumors, and Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) is widely used to detect these metastases. Accurate delineation of metastatic bone lesions in SPECT images is essential for developing treatment plans. However, current clinical practices rely on manual delineation by physicians, which is prone to variability and subjective interpretation.

Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the pancreas: A case report.

Introduction: Primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a rare type of pancreatic cancer with an extremely low incidence rate and a prognosis that is poorer than that of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Presentation Of Case: We report a case of pure pancreatic SCC in an 80-year-old man. Based on the examination before surgical resection, we did not detect any SCC lesions that might have metastasized to the pancreas.

The lean body mass to visceral fat mass ratio is negatively associated with cardiometabolic disorders: a cross-sectional study.

The literature has documented conflicting and inconsistent associations between muscle-to-fat ratios and metabolic diseases. Additionally, different adipose tissues can have contrasting effects, with visceral adipose tissue being identified as particularly harmful. This study aimed to explore the relationship between the ratio of the lean mass index (LMI) to the visceral fat mass index (VFMI) and cardiometabolic disorders, including dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes, as previous research on this topic is lacking.

Retinal graft dislocation managed by repeat autologous retinal transplant for refractory macular hole.

A septuagenarian man presented with a visual acuity of hand motions and a large refractory macular hole (MH). We performed an autologous retinal transplant (ART) and covered the graft with fibrin glue without any endotamponade. The autograft was found to have dislocated from the MH when the patient was reviewed 1 week later.

Bilateral corneal endothelial decompensation following airbag-induced trauma.

Approximately 3% of individuals in road traffic accidents suffer ocular injuries. We present a case of a man in his late 80s who presented with bilateral corneal decompensation following airbag deployment during a road traffic accident. Ocular examination revealed multilevel ocular injury with severe bilateral corneal oedema.

Bilateral hippocampal toxicity in a patient using kratom.

As an emerging toxic recreational drug, kratom use has been associated with a range of adverse effects, but reports of structural changes in the central nervous system are rare. We report a case of a young man in his 20s with a history of anxiety and depression who presented with an altered mental status and anterograde and retrograde amnesia following kratom use. His labs showed elevated alanine aminotransferase and ammonia levels, and his MRI revealed bilateral hippocampal T2 hyperintensity signal changes.

Men's Experience of Abuse During Child- and Adulthood and Identification of Self as Perpetrator: A Cross-Sectional Study in Psychiatric Care.

The aim of this study was to describe the extent to which men in psychiatric care have experienced emotional, physical, and sexual abuse during the life course and the association between this experience and being a perpetrator oneself. The aim was also to identify who exposed them to abuse and whether there was an association between the category of abuser and being a perpetrator oneself. A cross-sectional study was performed using the self-administered NorVold Abuse Questionnaire for men.