Quantification of valvular regurgitation by transthoracic 3D high pulse repetition frequency Doppler echocardiography.

Aims: To improve quantification of valvular regurgitation, a 3D high-pulse repetition frequency Doppler (3D HPRFD) method was developed for regurgitant volume (RVol) estimation from transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Although successfully applied and in selected clinical cases, a systematic clinical validation of 3D HPRFD has not been published. Hence, our aims were to investigate (i) feasibility of 3D HPRFD and (ii) correlation between 3D HPRFD and RVol estimates obtained by the 2D proximal isovelocity surface area (PISA) method and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in patients with either aortic regurgitation (AR) or mitral regurgitation (MR).

The effect of temperature constraints on the treatment of tumors using focused ultrasound-induced acoustic streaming.

The transport of drugs into tumor cells near the center of the tumor is known to be severely hindered due to the high interstitial pressure and poor vascularization. The aim of this work is to investigate the possibility to induce acoustic streaming in a tumor. Two tumor cases (breast and abdomen) are simulated to find the acoustic streaming and temperature rise, while varying the focused ultrasound transducer radius, frequency, and power for a constant duty cycle (1%).

How to Optimize Deimplementation of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy?

Background: The omission of sentinel lymph node biopsy in low-risk elderly breast cancer patients has been introduced in several guidelines. Despite evidence to support its safety, this recommendation has not been implemented by many clinicians. We have examined two aspects of this recommendation that may explain why sentinel lymph node biopsy continues to be performed in most of these patients.

Impact of varying accelerometer epoch length on physical activity patterns in adults: Considerations for public health.

Background: To process wearables sensors data, end-users face a wide variety of choices influencing physical activity (PA) patterns estimation. This study investigated the impact of varying epoch length on PA patterns in adults and World Health Organization (WHO) PA guidelines prevalence, assessed by accelerometer.

Methods: The study included 181 adults (18-74 years) from the Esteban Study (2014-2016).

Metformin improves infection by strengthening macrophage antimicrobial functions.

Introduction: The incidence and prevalence of infections with non-tuberculous mycobacteria such as (Mav) are increasing. Prolonged drug regimens, inherent antibiotic resistance, and low cure rates underscore the need for improved treatment, which may be achieved by combining standard chemotherapy with drugs targeting the host immune system. Here, we examined if the diabetes type 2 drug metformin could improve Mav-infection.

Mapping the values of radiology.

Radiology is polyvalent, as it is valuable in many ways to many groups, such as to individuals, professionals, and populations. However, not all values are positive. While Value-Based HealthCare (VBHC) has moved the focus from volume-based to value-based health care and Value-Based Radiology (VBR) has highlighted a vast variety of values in radiology, such frameworks provide no measures to differentiate, assess, and balance the various values.

The long-lasting impact of high-intensity training via collaborative care in patients with schizophrenia: A 5-year follow-up study.

Unlabelled: Although exercise is medicine for outpatients with schizophrenia, it is unclear if one-year adherence-supported exercise leads to a "tipping point", at which the exercise becomes a routine manifested as life-long training in the patient group.

Methods: Forty-eight outpatients (28 men/20 women: 35 ± 11 (mean ± SD) years) with schizophrenia (ICD-10: F20-29) were randomised to: 1) collaborative care group (TG), performing aerobic interval (AIT; 4 × 4-min treadmill walking/running at ∼90 % peak heart rate) and leg press maximal strength training (MST; 4 × 4 repetitions at ∼90 % maximal strength [1RM]) 2d·wk. for 1-year, supported by transportation and training supervision; or 2) control group (CG).

A hands-free carotid Doppler can identify spontaneous circulation without interrupting cardiopulmonary resuscitation: an animal study.

Background: Identifying spontaneous circulation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is challenging. Current methods, which involve intermittent and time-consuming pulse checks, necessitate pauses in chest compressions. This issue is problematic in both in-hospital cardiac arrest and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest situations, where resources for identifying circulation during CPR may be limited.

Dysregulation of synaptic transcripts underlies network abnormalities in ALS patient-derived motor neurons.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by dysfunction and loss of upper and lower motor neurons. Several studies have identified structural and functional alterations in the motor neurons before the manifestation of symptoms, yet the underlying cause of such alterations and how they contribute to the progressive degeneration of affected motor neuron networks remain unclear. Importantly, the short and long-term spatiotemporal dynamics of neuronal network activity make it challenging to discern how ALS-related network reconfigurations emerge and evolve.

The Once and Future Fish: Assessing a Millennium of Atlantic Herring Exploitation Through Mixed-Stock Analysis and Ancient DNA.

Small pelagic fish support profitable fisheries and are important for food security around the world. Yet, their sustainable management can be hindered by the indiscriminate impacts of simultaneous exploitation of fish from multiple distinct biological populations over extended periods of time. The quantification of such impacts is greatly facilitated by recently developed molecular tools-including diagnostic single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) panels for mixed-stock analysis (MSA)-that can accurately detect the population identity of individual fish.

Combining Problem-Based Learning and Team-Based Learning in a Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship: How Do Students Spend Their Self-Study Time?

Self-study is essential for student learning, and active learning methods aim to facilitate constructive self-study time usage. How active learning strategies actually affect student self-study in medical education, however, remains partly unknown. The aim of this study was to examine medical students' use of self-study time in a longitudinal integrated clerkship employing active learning strategies.

Predicting recovery in patients with mild traumatic brain injury and a normal CT using serum biomarkers and diffusion tensor imaging (CENTER-TBI): an observational cohort study.

Background: Even patients with normal computed tomography (CT) head imaging may experience persistent symptoms for months to years after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). There is currently no good way to predict recovery and triage patients who may benefit from early follow-up and targeted intervention. We aimed to assess if existing prognostic models can be improved by serum biomarkers or diffusion tensor imaging metrics (DTI) from MRI, and if serum biomarkers can identify patients for DTI.

State-wise variation and inequalities in caesarean delivery rates in India: analysis of the National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-2021) data.

Background: India's caesarean delivery (CD) rate of 21.5% suggests adequate national access to CD but may mask significant disparities. We examined variation in CD rates across states (geography), wealth, and health care sector (public versus private).

Mental health and mental health problems among users of AAC: a scoping review.

Functional communication is crucial for mental health and for coping with mental health problems. People with disabilities are at increased risk of mental health problems, and people who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) are reported to be at greater risk of depression and anxiety than people without impairments. This scoping review summarizes existing knowledge about the mental health and mental health problems of people who use AAC.

Escaping the ordinary: a review of escape rooms in medical and veterinary education.

Background: Escape rooms (ERs), immersive role-playing games that require participants to solve a series of puzzles within a set time to achieve a specific goal, have gained popularity as innovative educational tools.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted using the PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search of PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Scopus, for articles published between inception of journals to April 2024, focusing on the integration, outcomes, and participants' perceptions of ERs in medical and veterinary education.

Results: A total of 619 articles were retrieved, of which 12 articles met the inclusion criteria for final analysis.

Comparative assessment of airborne infection risk tools in enclosed spaces: Implications for disease control.

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, highlighted the importance of understanding transmission modes and implementing effective mitigation strategies. Recognizing airborne transmission as a primary route has reshaped public health measures, emphasizing the need to optimize indoor environments to reduce risks. Numerous tools have emerged to assess airborne infection risks in enclosed spaces, providing valuable resources for public health authorities, researchers, and the general public.

Norwegian adaptation of the Quality in Psychiatric Care - In-Patient instrument: psychometric properties and factor structure.

Background: Validated instruments measuring the quality of mental healthcare from patients' perspectives are scarce, and available instruments have been requested. One of the few instruments measuring the quality of care from a patient's perspective is the Swedish Quality in Psychiatric Care-In-Patient (QPC-IP). This cross-sectional study aimed to translate and adapt the QPC-IP instrument for a Norwegian context and assess its psychometric properties.

Comparing radiologists and radiographers' assessment of MRI referrals for low back pain: Insights from two imaging centres in Norway.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the differences in MRI referral assessments for low back pain (LBP) between radiologists and in-house trained radiographers.

Methods: This is the second part of a retrospective study where MRI referrals for LBP conducted within two imaging centres in Norway were assessed for justification and referral quality. This study examines differences in how the recruited assessors (four radiologists and two radiographers) evaluated the referrals.

Using New Technologies to Analyze Gut Microbiota and Predict Cancer Risk.

The gut microbiota significantly impacts human health, influencing metabolism, immunological responses, and disease prevention. Dysbiosis, or microbial imbalance, is linked to various diseases, including cancer. It is crucial to preserve a healthy microbiome since pathogenic bacteria, such as and , can cause inflammation and cancer.

TEVAR versus open aortic arch replacement in ex vivo perfused human thoracic aortas.

This study aims to assess the outcomes of therapeutic options for aortic arch pathologies by comparing thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) with open arch replacement (OAR) using woven polyester grafts from a mechanical and biomechanical perspective, with emphasis on ex vivo perfused human thoracic aortas reproducing heart rate and stroke volume conditions. Eleven non-diseased thoracic aortas from human cadavers were divided into TEVAR (n=5) and OAR (n=6) and tested using a custom-built mock circulation loop. Pressure, diameter, and stroke volume were monitored during perfusion before and after the intervention.

Beyond the field: How pesticide drift endangers biodiversity.

Airborne pesticide drift poses a substantial environmental threat in agriculture, affecting ecosystems far from the application sites. This process, in which up to 25% of applied pesticides are carried by air currents, can transport chemicals over hundreds or even thousands of kilometers. Drift rates peak during the summer months, reaching as high as 60%, and are influenced by various factors, including wind speed, temperature, humidity, and soil type.

Microplastics in aquatic systems: A comprehensive review of its distribution, environmental interactions, and health risks.

Microplastics (MPs) have become a critical pollutant, accumulating in aquatic ecosystems and posing significant environmental and human health risks. Approximately 5.25 trillion plastic particles float in global oceans, releasing up to 23,600 metric tonnes of dissolved organic carbon annually, which disrupts microbial dynamics.