Evaluation of the effects of asymmetric lumbosacral transitional vertebra on pelvic morphology in dogs using ventrodorsal radiographs.

Background: A lumbosacral transitional vertebra (LTV) is a congenital anomaly of the caudal vertebral column. It has been associated with asymmetrical canine hip dysplasia (CHD) and cauda equina syndrome (CES) in German Shepherd dogs. This retrospective cross-sectional study aims to report the potential influence of asymmetric LTV on pelvic anatomy using ventrodorsal (VD) radiographs.

Optical coherence tomography angiography reveals abnormal retinal vascular density and perfusion in patients with X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy: a cross-sectional study.

Purpose: X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (XALD) can affect the eyes. Existing therapies are hampered by early quantitative examination methods. This study used an optical coherence tomography angiography system (OCTA) to investigate retinal microvascular density and perfusion in XALD patients.

Trends in Israel's Medical Administration subspecialty, 1987-2022.

Background: Israel is unique in offering a formal subspecialty in Medical Administration and mandating it for physicians applying for senior roles. Data on the prevalence and characteristics of these specialists are limited.

Methods: The national registry of licensed physicians was used to identify all living physicians who completed the Medical Administration subspecialty by December 31, 2022.

Mortality and morbidity patterns in Yaoundé, Cameroon: an ICD-11 classification-based analysis.

Background: In Cameroon, like in many other resource-limited countries, data generated by health settings including morbidity and mortality parameters are not always uniform. In the absence of a national guideline necessary for the standardization and harmonization of data, precision of data required for effective decision-making is therefore not guaranteed. The objective of the present study was to assess the reporting style of morbidity and mortality data in healthcare settings.

Healthcare practitioners as accomplices: a qualitative study of gender affirmation in a context of ambiguous regulation in Indonesia.

Background: The World Professional Association for Transgender Health guidelines Standards of Care 8 draw on ethical arguments based on individual autonomy, to argue that healthcare and other professionals should be advocates for trans people. Such guidelines presume the presence of medical services for trans people and a degree of consensus on medical ethics. Very little is known, however, about the ethical challenges associated with both providing and accessing trans healthcare, including gender affirmation, in the Global South.

Comparison of the adequacies of the OSCE and vOSCE to assess the competencies required under Brazilian medical curriculum guidelines: a multicenter study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the popularization of information and communication technology in medical education. This study aimed to compare the objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) and the virtual objective structured clinical examination (vOSCE), based on expert opinion, as tools for assessing the competencies needed under medical curriculum guidelines in Brazil.

Methods: In this multicenter study, the suitability levels of the OSCE and vOSCE for assessing the competencies needed under the Brazilian National Curriculum Guidelines (DCNs) were compared.

Relationship between kidney function and healthy life expectancy: A historical cohort study.

Background: The impact of chronic kidney disease (CKD) on healthy life expectancy and healthcare costs requires research. This study examined associations between CKD and healthy life expectancy, and its economic burden.

Methods: This study of community-dwelling adults residing in Hakui City, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan used data from the National Health Insurance database between 2012 and 2022.

Incidence, trends and patterns of female breast, cervical, colorectal and prostate cancers in Antigua and Barbuda, 2017-2021: a retrospective study.

Background: Globally, estimates of cancer cases and deaths have increased since 2018, particularly in Latin America and Caribbean countries. In Antigua and Barbuda, understanding the burden of common cancers such as female breast, cervical, colorectal and prostate cancers is critical. This study aimed to assess the incidence, trends, and patterns of these four cancers from 2017 to 2021.

Associations between changes in the gut microbiota and liver cirrhosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Summaries of the relationships between the microbiota and liver cirrhosis and their conclusions are not consistent. This study describes microbial differences in patients with liver cirrhosis by performing a meta-analysis.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library and collected related articles published before March 10, 2024.

A novel deep learning-based pipeline architecture for pulp stone detection on panoramic radiographs.

Objectives: Pulp stones are ectopic calcifications located in pulp tissue. The aim of this study is to introduce a novel method for detecting pulp stones on panoramic radiography images using a deep learning-based two-stage pipeline architecture.

Materials And Methods: The first stage involved tooth localization with the YOLOv8 model, followed by pulp stone classification using ResNeXt.

Comparison between ruptured anterior choroidal artery aneurysms and ruptured intracranial aneurysms in other locations in relation to aneurysm dimensions at rupture.

Purpose: It was noticed that anterior choroidal artery (AChoA) aneurysms appear to rupture at relatively smaller sizes compared with aneurysms in other intracranial locations, based on anecdotal clinical experience. We therefore aimed to compare ruptured AChoA aneurysms with other ruptured aneurysms in other intracranial locations, pertaining to aneurysm dimensions. This may help in finding out if the rupture risk stratification, based on the amalgamation of aneurysms of multiple locations in one group, precisely estimates aneurysm rupture risk.

Exploring behavioral determinants of residents' ecological conservation in rural tourism development.

This study explores the residents' behavioral determinants of ecological conservation in rural tourism development, focusing on resident participation to promote sustainable development in the tourism industry. By integrating the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and the Norm Activation Model (NAM), it examines the roles of subjective norm, responsibility attribution, ecological environmental risk perception, and human capital in shaping ecological conservation behavior. Based on data from 331 valid responses collected through a questionnaire survey, structural equation model (SEM) was performed using SPSS and AMOS to analyze ecological conservation behavior.

Microscopic augmented reality calibration with contactless line-structured light registration for surgical navigation.

The use of AR technology in image-guided neurosurgery enables visualization of lesions that are concealed deep within the brain. Accurate AR registration is required to precisely match virtual lesions with anatomical structures displayed under a microscope. The purpose of this work was to develop a real-time augmented surgical navigation system using contactless line-structured light registration, microscope calibration, and visible optical tracking.

Hemispheric asymmetry and its influence on cranioplasty complications after decompressive craniectomy.

To explore temporal dynamics of cerebral herniation through the calvarial defect after decompressive craniectomy. To investigate patterns of hemispheric asymmetry in ischemic stroke and traumatic brain injury after decompressive craniectomy.To assess clinical implications of hemispheric asymmetry evaluation in order to minimize cranioplasty complications.

Cardiac strangulation by epicardial pacing wires in adults.

Like children, adult patients with active or abandoned epicardial pacing leads are also at risk of developing life-threatening cardiac ischemia due to mechanical compression of the coronary arteries. As this complication is amenable to surgical removal, these patients require periodic evaluation for myocardial ischemia even if they are asymptomatic.

A combinatory approach of non-chain ring and henon map for image encryption application.

Algebraic structures play a vital role in securing important data. These structures are utilized to construct the non-linear components of block ciphers. Since constructing non-linear components through algebraic structures is crucial for the confusion aspects of encryption schemes, relying solely on these structures can result in limited key spaces.

The burden of prostate cancer in the North Africa and Middle East Region from 1990 to 2021.

Prostate cancer ranks among the most prevalent malignancies affecting males globally. This study sought to document the incidence, deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) that were due to prostate cancer in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, and its 21 countries, from 1990 to 2021. We analysed publicly accessible data from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 study to present findings on the incidence, deaths, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) associated with prostate cancer.

[Establishment of a standard DSS library for identification of original plants of medicinal materials in Chinese Pharmacopoeia].

With the development of molecular pharmacognosy, the advantages of DNA molecular markers in the identification of original plants of Chinese medicinal materials are becoming increasingly significant. To compensate for the limitations of existing markers in the quality supervision of Chinese medicinal materials, our team has independently designed a new molecular marker named DNA signature sequence(DSS). This marker is a nucleotide sequence that only appears in a specific taxonomic unit, with a length of 40 bp and high identification accuracy.

[Construction and development prospect of evaluation indicator system for sustainable utilization of traditional Chinese medicine resources based on DPSIR model].

Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) resources refer to the total reserves of plants, animals, and minerals that can be used as raw materials of TCM(including Chinese medicial materials, TCM decoction pieces, TCM dispensing granules, traditional Chinese patent medicine, and TCM hospital preparation) and folk herbal medicine, which served as the material basis of inheritance, innovation, and development of TCM. In recent years, the sustainable utilization of TCM resources has received high attention and acquired a series of significant achievements in resource survey, quality evaluation, resource protection, innovative technology, and development and utilization, which effectively promoted the sustainable utilization of TCM resources and high-quality development of the TCM industry. The most urgent issue currently is to shift the focus of the research on the sustainable utilization of TCM resources from a sustainable utilization technology system to a sustainable utilization evaluation indicator system.

Structural Determinants of Health Literacy Among Formerly Incarcerated Individuals: Insights From the Survey of Racism and Public Health.

Background: Formerly incarcerated individuals (FIIs) encounter difficulties with covering the cost of dental and medical care, adhering to medication regimens, and receiving fair treatment from health care providers. Yet, no published research has examined modifiable pathways to increase FIIs' health literacy (HL), which is essential for addressing the health needs of this vulnerable population.

Objective: The aim of this article is to examine neighborhood characteristics (neighborhood deprivation, racial and economic polarization, and residential segregation) and public assistance program enrollment as structural determinants of limited health literacy (LHL) among FIIs.

Health Literacy Curricula in Pediatric Residency Programs: A National Survey.

Objective: Using health literacy informed communication strategies can mitigate health inequities. Despite the high prevalence of limited health literacy among parents and children, pediatricians infrequently use clear communication techniques and further education is imperative. There is minimal literature exploring health literacy curricula in pediatric residencies.

The immune-inflammatory responses on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the neurovascular unit in perioperative neurocognitive disorder.

Perioperative neurocognitive disorders (PNDs) refer to a wide spectrum of cognitive impairment persisting days to even after a year postoperative with significant morbidity and mortality. However, despite much efforts involving perioperative managements, PNDs are still prevalent with no standard preventative and therapeutic strategy. To overcome PNDs, a better understanding of pathophysiology of PNDs is crucial and a large number of studies have proven that immune-inflammatory responses from surgical stress are involved in the abnormal activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and destabilization of neurovascular unit (NVU) that lead to PNDs.

R21 in Matrix-M adjuvant in UK malaria-naive adult men and non-pregnant women aged 18-45 years: an open-label, partially blinded, phase 1-2a controlled human malaria infection study.

Background: R21 is a novel malaria vaccine, composed of a fusion protein of the malaria circumsporozoite protein and hepatitis B surface antigen. Following favourable safety and immunogenicity in a phase 1 study, we aimed to assess the efficacy of R21 administered with Matrix-M (R21/MM) against clinical malaria in adults from the UK who were malaria naive in a controlled human malaria infection study.

Methods: In this open-label, partially blinded, phase 1-2A controlled human malaria infection study undertaken in Oxford, Southampton, and London, UK, we tested five novel vaccination regimens of R21/MM.

Baseline characteristics of patients in the Chinese Bronchiectasis Registry (BE-China): a multicentre prospective cohort study.

Background: Bronchiectasis is a disease with a global impact, but most published data come from high-income countries. We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of patients with bronchiectasis in China.

Methods: The Chinese Bronchiectasis Registry (BE-China) is a prospective, observational cohort enrolling patients from 111 hospitals in China.

Automated system for diagnosing pulmonary fibrosis using crackle analysis in recorded lung sounds based on iterative envelope mean fractal dimension filter.

Patients with pulmonary fibrosis (PF) often experience long waits before getting a correct diagnosis, and this delay in reaching specialized care is associated with increased mortality, regardless of the severity of the disease. Early diagnosis and timely treatment of PF can potentially extend life expectancy and maintain a better quality of life. Crackles present in the recorded lung sounds may be crucial for the early diagnosis of PF.