Effectiveness of Anti-Inflammatory Agents to Prevent Atrial Fibrillation After Cardiac Surgery: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

Background: Preventing postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) as one of the most significant complications of cardiovascular surgeries remains a major clinical challenge. We conducted a systematic review with network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, to identify the most effective and safe anti-inflammatory drugs to prevent new-onset POAF.

Methods: MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched without language or publication-date restriction on August 8, 2022 (updated on August 8, 2023).

Management of Patients with Myocardial Injury After Noncardiac Surgery: A Retrospective Chart Review.

Background: Myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery (MINS) is associated with an increased incidence of cardiac morbidity and mortality. Little is known about how these patients are managed.

Methods: We performed a single-centre retrospective chart review of patients referred to a postoperative clinic with the diagnosis of MINS.

Patient Preferences in Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC) Screening and ICD Implantation: Canadian ARVC Registry Substudy.

Background: Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is typically diagnosed following an arrhythmic event or during screening after a family member experiences sudden cardiac death. Implantation of a defibrillator (ICD) improves survival but can be associated with morbidity and risks, an important consideration within a shared decision-making context. This study examined patient decisional needs and preferences surrounding ARVC screening and prophylactic ICD implantation.

A Comprehensive Review of the Role of GLP-1 Agonists in Weight Management and Their Effect on Metabolic Parameters Such as Blood Glucose, Cholesterol, and Blood Pressure.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) have been developed to manage type 2 diabetes mellitus. Although, in the last 10 years, the use of GLP-1 RAs, especially semaglutide and liraglutide, has increased, its clinical implications and how it affects metabolic parameters have yet to be fully consolidated. This narrative review explores the metabolic effects of GLP-1 RAs in weight management, blood glucose, cardiovascular health, lipid profiles, and blood pressure.

Food supply toxicants and additives alter the gut microbiota and risk of metabolic disease.

Metabolic disease is rising along with both global industrialization and the use of new commercial, agricultural, and industrial chemicals and food additives. Exposure to these compounds may contribute to aspects of metabolic disease such as obesity, diabetes, and fatty liver disease. Ingesting compounds in the food supply is a key route of human exposure, resulting in the interaction between toxicants or additives and the intestinal microbiota.

Secondary Immunodeficiency.

The field of medicine is constantly changing and, as healthcare providers, we are fortunate to be practicing in a time when patients are living longer and novel therapeutic options continue to evolve. However, these new advances may be associated with adverse effects that practitioners need to be aware of. Some of these impair the immune system leading to secondary immunodeficiencies (SID) that increase host susceptibility to infections and other complications.

International myeloma working group immunotherapy committee recommendation on sequencing immunotherapy for treatment of multiple myeloma.

T-cell redirecting therapy (TCRT), specifically chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy (CAR T-cells) and bispecific T-cell engagers (TCEs) represent a remarkable advance in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM). There are several products available around the world and several more in development targeting primarily B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) and G protein-coupled receptor class C group 5 member D (GRPC5D). The relatively rapid availability of multiple immunotherapies brings the necessity to understand how a certain agent may affect the safety and efficacy of a subsequent immunotherapy so MM physicians and patients can aim at optimal sequential use of these therapies.

Patients Undergoing Manipulation under Anesthesia following Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty: Are Their Patient-Reported Outcome Measures Inferior?

Stiffness after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) can lead to decreased function and patient dissatisfaction. Manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) is often performed to improve range of motion (ROM); however, there is no consensus on indications or timing. The purpose of this study was to compare clinical results and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) between patients who underwent MUA versus those with an uncomplicated postoperative course following primary TKA.

Guidelines International Network: Principles for Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Health Guideline Enterprise.

Description: Artificial intelligence (AI) has been defined by the High-Level Expert Group on AI of the European Commission as "systems that display intelligent behaviour by analysing their environment and taking actions-with some degree of autonomy-to achieve specific goals." Artificial intelligence has the potential to support guideline planning, development and adaptation, reporting, implementation, impact evaluation, certification, and appraisal of recommendations, which we will refer to as "guideline enterprise." Considering this potential, as well as the lack of guidance for the use of AI in guidelines, the Guidelines International Network (GIN) proposes a set of principles for the development and use of AI tools or processes to support the health guideline enterprise.

Internet-Based Dementia Prevention Intervention (DementiaRisk): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial and Knowledge Translation.

Background: Research has shown that engaging in a range of healthy lifestyles or behavioral factors can help reduce the risk of developing dementia. Improved knowledge of modifiable risk factors for dementia may help engage people to reduce their risk, with beneficial impacts on individual and public health. Moreover, many guidelines emphasize the importance of providing education and web-based resources for dementia prevention.

Comparative Efficacy of Nonsteroid Immunosuppressive Medications in Childhood Nephrotic Syndrome.

Importance: Cyclophosphamide and calcineurin inhibitors are the most used nonsteroid immunosuppressive medications globally for children with various chronic inflammatory conditions. Their comparative effectiveness remains uncertain, leading to worldwide practice variation. Nephrotic syndrome is the most common kidney disease managed by pediatricians globally and suboptimal treatment is associated with high morbidity.

Comparative Analysis of Machine Learning Algorithms Used for Translating Aptamer-Antigen Binding Kinetic Profiles to Diagnostic Decisions.

Current approaches for classifying biosensor data in diagnostics rely on fixed decision thresholds based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, which can be limited in accuracy for complex and variable signals. To address these limitations, we developed a framework that facilitates the application of machine learning (ML) to diagnostic data for the binary classification of clinical samples, when using real-time electrochemical measurements. The framework was applied to a real-time multimeric aptamer assay (RT-MAp) that captures single-frequency (12.

Does increasing the resistance-training volume lead to greater gains? The effects of weekly set progressions on muscular adaptations in females.

We investigated the effect of increasing the number of sets per week every fortnight versus performing a constant set volume on muscular adaptations over 12 weeks. Thirty females (RT experience 2.1 ± 1.

Evaluating a Hearing Loop Implementation for Live Orchestral Music.

Objectives: Live music creates a sense of connectedness in older adults, which can help alleviate the social isolation frequently associated with hearing loss and aging. However, most hearing-aid (HA) users are dissatisfied with the sound quality of live music and rate sound quality as important to them. Assistive listening systems are frequently independent of a user's HAs and fall short in tailoring to each individual's hearing loss.

Potassium-telluroether interactions: structural characterisation and computational analysis.

Dissolution of the potassium complex [K(ATe)(dme)] (1-Te) in THF, layering with hexanes, and cooling to -30 °C afforded X-ray quality crystals of [K(ATe)(THF)] (2-Te). The K-TeR distances in 2-Te are substantially shorter than those in 1-Te, and DFT and QTAIM calculations support the presence of K-TeR interactions, providing the first unambiguous examples of s-block-telluroether bonding. Attempts to prepare bulk quantities of 2-Te afforded [K(ATe)(THF)] (3-Te), and further drying yielded [K(ATe)(THF)] (4-Te) and [K(ATe)] (5-Te).

Effect of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field and Microwave Therapy on Pain and Physical Function in Older Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background And Purpose: The objective was to examine the adjuvant effect of active pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) versus microwave (MW) therapy, as well as sham PEMF, in addressing pain and improving functionality for treating knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

Methods: This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial. Individuals diagnosed with KOA were assigned to an intervention combining an exercise program (EX) with active PEMF, MW, or sham PEMF.

Unmet Social Needs of Older Adults With Mobility Limitations Following Inpatient Rehabilitation Discharge in Nigeria: A Qualitative Narrative Inquiry Study.

Background And Purpose: Approximately, 30% to 60% of older adults experience functional decline following hospitalization, which has implications for their ability to meet social needs after discharge. Exploring the unmet social needs of older adults following discharge is warranted to rethink the elements of hospital discharge in low-resource countries. This study explored the unmet social needs of older adults with mobility limitations following discharge from an inpatient rehabilitation unit in a state hospital in Northern Nigeria.

Graded activity for acute and subacute low back pain.

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the benefits and harms of graded activity compared to placebo, sham, or no treatment, on pain and function in adults with acute and subacute non-specific low back pain.

Spirituality-Based Intervention in Hypertension: EFfects on Blood PrEssure and EndotheliaL Function-FEEL Trial Results.

Background: Emerging evidence suggests that spirituality improves patient outcomes, however, this has undergone only limited evaluation in randomized trials. Hypertension is a major cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide.

Objectives: To evaluate whether a spirituality-based intervention, compared to a control group, can reduce blood pressure (BP) and improve endothelial function after 12 weeks in patients with mild or moderate hypertension (HTN).

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for the Treatment of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: A Pilot Study.

Purpose: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a debilitating chronic pain condition characterized by sensory, motor, and autonomic dysfunction with a world-wide prevalence of 26.2 per 100,000 people per year and is 3 to 4 times more prevalent in females. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has shown to be beneficial for pain relief in neuropathic pain and initial evidence in CRPS is promising, but studies are limited.

Depression and anxiety symptoms among Afghan war widows and their associated factors: A cross-sectional analytical study.

Background: The 4 decades of conflict have particularly exacerbated the mental health of Afghan war widows, a population that has not been extensively studied in this context.

Aim: This study aims to fill the gap in the literature by providing robust data on the prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms and identifying associated factors among Afghan war widows.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 2023, interviewing war widows from four community health centers in Kandahar, Afghanistan.