Black-white hole pattern: an investigation on the automated chronic neuropathic pain detection using EEG signals.

Electroencephalography (EEG) signals provide information about the brain activities, this study bridges neuroscience and machine learning by introducing an astronomy-inspired feature extraction model. In this work, we developed a novel feature extraction function, black-white hole pattern (BWHPat) which dynamically selects the most suitable pattern from 14 options. We developed BWHPat in a four-phase feature engineering model, involving multileveled feature extraction, feature selection, classification, and cortex map generation.

Intensive Lifestyle Intervention, Cardiac Biomarkers, and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Diabetes: Look AHEAD Cardiac Biomarker Ancillary Study.

Background: N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) are associated with cardiovascular outcomes and are recommended for measurement in type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, the effects of an intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI) targeting weight loss on cardiac biomarkers and the prognostic association of changes in these biomarkers with risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes in T2D are not well-established.

Objectives: This study sought to evaluate the effects of an ILI on cardiac biomarkers and the association of changes in cardiac biomarkers with risk of cardiovascular outcomes in T2D.

Prospective prediction of childhood body mass index trajectories using multi-task Gaussian processes.

Background: Body mass index (BMI) trajectories have been used to assess the growth of children with respect to their peers, and to anticipate future obesity and disease risk. While retrospective BMI trajectories have been actively studied, models to prospectively predict continuous BMI trajectories have not been investigated.

Materials And Methods: Using longitudinal BMI measurements between birth and age 10 y from a mother-offspring cohort, we leveraged a multi-task Gaussian process approach to develop and evaluate a unified framework for modeling, clustering, and prospective prediction of BMI trajectories.

When Would Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery Not Be Preferable for Metastatic Spine Disease?

Background: Metastatic spine tumor surgery (MSTS) is an important treatment modality of metastatic spinal disease (MSD). Open spine surgery (OSS) was previously the gold standard of treatment till the early 2010s. However, advancements in MSTS in recent years have led to the advent of minimally invasive spinal surgery (MISS) techniques for the treatment of MSD.

Hypertension in Adults With Diabetes in Southeast Asia: A Systematic Review.

Diabetes is one of the most pressing health issues in the Southeast Asian region, and hypertension has been commonly reported as a comorbidity in adults with diabetes. This systematic review aimed to synthesize evidence on the prevalence and management of hypertension in adults with diabetes in Southeast Asian countries. A literature search was conducted in Ovid MEDLINE and Embase Classic + Embase from database inception until March 15, 2024.

A Longitudinal Study of the Association of Awareness of Disease Incurability with Patient-Reported Outcomes in Heart Failure.

Objectives: To examine awareness of disease incurability among patients with heart failure over 24 mo and its associations with patient characteristics and patient-reported outcomes (distress, emotional, and spiritual well-being).

Methods: This study analyzed 24-mo data from a prospective cohort study of 251 patients with heart failure (New York Heart Association class III/IV) recruited from inpatient wards in Singapore General Hospital and National Heart Centre Singapore. Patients were asked to report if their doctor told them they were receiving treatment to cure their condition.

Initial experience with pump controlled retrograde trial-off (PCRTO) veno-arterial extra corporeal membrane oxygenation in children.

Pump Controlled Retrograde Trial Off (PCRTO) is a relatively new technique in trialing-off Veno-Arterial Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (VA-ECMO). Literature on the use of PCRTO in children remains scarce. We describe our centre's initial experience with PCRTO in a neonate and an older child and review its potential advantages and disadvantages compared to traditional weaning methods.

Evaluation of fatigue, load and the quality of chest compressions by bystanders in hot and humid environments.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the physiological load on bystanders during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the quality of chest compressions in hot and humid environments.

Methods: This prospective experimental study compared the physical load and quality of chest compressions among healthy volunteers who performed 10 min chest compression in a climate chamber under normal conditions (for Tokyo) (Wet Bulb Globe Temperature [WBGT] 21 °C) and hot and humid conditions (WBGT 31 °C). The primary outcome was the depth of chest compressions over a 10-minute period.

Proteome-Wide Genetic Investigation of Large Artery Stiffness.

The molecular mechanisms contributing to large artery stiffness (LAS) are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between circulating plasma proteins and LAS using complementary proteomic and genomic analyses. A total of 106 proteins associated with carotid-femoral pulse-wave velocity, a noninvasive measure of LAS, were identified in 1,178 individuals from the Asklepios study cohort.

Quantitative CT Scan Analysis in Rheumatoid Arthritis-Related Interstitial Lung Disease.

Background: Quantitative CT imaging may be a useful predictor of outcome in rheumatoid arthritis-related interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD).

Research Question: What is the utility of deep learning-based lung fibrosis quantitation on CT imaging in assessing disease severity, predicting mortality, and identifying progression in RA-ILD?.

Study Design And Methods: CT scans on a primary cohort of 289 patients and a validation cohort of 50 individuals with RA-ILD were assessed quantitatively by using the data-driven texture analysis (DTA) method.

Associations of Circulating Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 Levels With Progression of Cerebral Small-Vessel Disease, Cognitive Decline, and Incident Dementia.

Background: The association between platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) with cerebral small-vessel disease and cognition in dementia-free subjects remains uninvestigated.

Methods And Results: A prospective cohort of dementia-free subjects was recruited from memory clinics and followed up for 5 years. Annual neurocognitive assessments and twice-yearly brain magnetic resonance imaging scans were performed.

Hospitalized Advanced Heart Failure With Preserved vs Reduced Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction: A Global Perspective.

Background: Outcomes of hospitalized patients with heart failure (HF) and characteristics of advanced HF stage may vary across left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and world regions.

Objectives: This study sought to analyze characteristics of hospitalized advanced HF patients across LVEF spectrum, world regions, and country income.

Methods: Among 18,553 hospitalized patients with acute HF (7,902 new-onset HF and 10,651 decompensated chronic HF) enrolled in the global registry REPORT-HF (International Registry to Assess Medical Practice With Longitudinal Observation for Treatment of Heart Failure), we analyzed characteristics and outcomes of patients with advanced HF, defined as previously diagnosed HF; severe symptoms before current admission (NYHA functional class III/IV); and ≥1 HF-related hospitalization in the preceding 12 months, excluding the current.

Revisiting nanomedicine design strategies for follow-on products: A model-informed approach to optimize performance.

The field of nanomedicine is undergoing a seismic transformations with the rise of nanosimilars, reshaping the pharmaceutical landscape and expanding beyond traditional innovators and generic manufacturers. Nanodrugs are increasingly replacing conventional therapies, offering improved efficacy and safety, while the demand for follow-on products drives market diversification. However, the transition from preclinical to clinical stages presents challenges due to the complex biopharmaceutical behavior of nanodrugs.

Recurrent Hospitalizations for Fluid Overload in Diabetes with Kidney Failure Treated with Dialysis.

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is the most common cause of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in Singapore. ESKD patients have high disease burden and are at increased risk of recurrent hospitalizations, including fluid overload. This study aimed to characterize the risk factors associated with readmissions for fluid overload that will identify high-risk hospitalizations for interventions to reduce readmissions.