The value of non-punctate echogenic foci in the ultrasonic diagnosis of thyroid nodules.

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic value of different subtypes of non-punctate echogenic foci in thyroid malignancy.

Methods: Retrospective research of 342 thyroid nodules with calcification was performed. The echogenic foci were divided into punctate echogenic foci (type I) and non-punctate echogenic foci (type II), and type II were further divided into four subtypes: macrocalcification (type IIa), continuous peripheral calcification (type IIb), discontinuous peripheral calcification (type IIc) and isolated calcification (type IId).

Evaluating the effects of continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration on O and CO removal and energy expenditure measurement using indirect calorimetry.

Background: Continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) is used in critically ill patients, but its impact on O₂ and CO₂ removal, as well as the accuracy of resting energy expenditure (REE) measurement using indirect calorimetry (IC) remains unclear. This study aims to evaluate the effects of CVVHDF on O₂ and CO₂ removal and the accuracy of REE measurement using IC in patients undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy.

Design: Prospective, observational, single-center study.

Ruthenium-106 brachytherapy and central uveal melanoma.

Purpose: Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary ocular malignancy. The size and location of the tumor are decisive for brachytherapy with the β-emitting ruthenium-106 (Ru-106) plaque. The treatment of juxtapapillary and juxtafoveolar UM may be challenging because of the proximity or involvement of the macula and optic nerve and high recurrence rates.

Breast density assessment via quantitative sound-speed measurement using conventional ultrasound transducers.

Objectives: The aim is to assess the feasibility and accuracy of a novel quantitative ultrasound (US) method based on global speed-of-sound (g-SoS) measurement using conventional US machines, for breast density assessment in comparison to mammographic ACR (m-ACR) categories.

Materials And Methods: In a prospective study, g-SoS was assessed in the upper-outer breast quadrant of 100 women, with 92 of them also having m-ACR assessed by two radiologists across the entire breast. For g-SoS, ultrasonic waves were transmitted from varying transducer locations and the image misalignments between these were then related analytically to breast SoS.

Evaluating the Real-World Safety of Icosapent Ethyl Versus Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid in Nationwide US Veterans Cohort: Examining Atrial Fibrillation and Bleeding Endpoints.

Purpose: The REDUCE-IT randomized trial demonstrated a cardiovascular benefit of icosapent ethyl (IPE) but also raised potential safety signals for atrial fibrillation (AF) and serious bleeding. We aimed to evaluate the real-world safety of IPE versus mixed omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (OM-3) formulations.

Methods: This retrospective active comparator new-user cohort study compared rates of new-onset AF and major bleeding (MB) among adult new users of IPE versus OM-3 in 2020-2024 US Veterans Affairs data.

Development of an image quality evaluation system for bedside chest X-ray images using scatter correction processing.

In plain radiography, scattered X-ray correction processing (Virtual Grid: VG) is used to estimate and correct scattered rays in images. We developed an objective evaluation system for bedside chest X-ray images using VG and investigated its usefulness. First, we trained the blind/referenceless image spatial quality evaluator (BRISQUE) on 200 images obtained by portable chest radiography.

Prevalence of Chronic Hand Eczema in adults: A cross-sectional survey of over 60,000 respondents in the general population in Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

Background: The lack of attention to Chronic Hand Eczema (CHE) and the lack of a specific International Classification of Diseases code for CHE may have limited the assessment of CHE prevalence. To date, prevalence estimates have primarily been derived from (partly small) single-country studies.

Objectives: To estimate the annual prevalence of self-reported physician-diagnosed CHE across socio-demographic characteristics among adults in Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom (UK).

Growth Differentiation Factor-15 Is Associated With Congestion-Related Anorexia and Weight Loss in Advanced Heart Failure.

Background: Growth differentiation factor (GDF)-15 is a pleiotropic cytokine that is associated with appetite-suppressing effects and weight loss in patients with malignancy.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the relationships between GDF-15 levels, anorexia, cachexia, and clinical outcomes in patients with advanced heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

Methods: In this observational, retrospective analysis, a total of 344 patients with advanced HFrEF (age 58 ± 10 years, 85% male, 67% NYHA functional class III), underwent clinical and echocardiographic examination, body composition evaluation by skinfolds and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, circulating metabolite assessment, Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire, and right heart catheterization.

Associations between violent and sexual childhood trauma and maladaptive coping in patients with functional seizures.

Objective: Functional seizures (FS) are a highly debilitating symptom of functional neurological disorder (FND). FS requires a multi-disciplinary approach to treatment because the patient's initial presentation is to neurology, emergency medicine, or primary care and treatment consists of psychotherapy. People with FS commonly experience severe childhood trauma, particularly sexual trauma.

An innovative multicomponent compression system in a single bandage for venous leg ulcer and/or oedema treatment: a real-life study in 343 patients.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the performance of an innovative multicomponent compression system in a single bandage (UrgoK1, Laboratoires Urgo, France) in the treatment of patients with venous leg ulcers (VLUs) and/or lower limb oedema in everyday practice.

Method: A prospective, observational, clinical study with the evaluated compression system was conducted in 39 centres in Germany between March 2022 and July 2023. Main outcomes included a description of the treated patients, changes in wound healing and oedema progression, local tolerance and acceptability of the compression system.

Livestock shifts lepidopteran herbivore community due to intraguild elimination in Mediterranean agroforestry systems.

Livestock grazing and trampling have been shown to reduce arthropod populations. Among arthropods, defoliating lepidopterans are particularly important for their impact on trees, the keystone structures of agroforestry systems. This study investigates the impact of livestock on the community of defoliating lepidopterans in agroforestry systems.

Investigation of stakeholder perceptions of the wheelchair service delivery process.

The wheelchair service delivery process (SDP) is a large complex system and therefore has many potential points of failure; determining priorities for improvement is challenging. The complexities introduce several barriers to accessing and maintaining wheelchairs for individuals with mobility impairments. Given the breadth and depth of the barriers, it is important to know in which areas to focus future policy reform efforts.

Retrospective observational cohort study of premature neonates screened for ROP with 7 years of follow-up assessing the visual outcomes and adequacy of preschool visual screening.

Background: Very premature infants screened for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) that do not develop ROP still experience serious visual developmental challenges, and while it is recommended that all children in the UK are offered preschool visual screening, we aimed to explore whether this vulnerable group requires dedicated follow-up.

Methods: We performed a real-world retrospective observational cohort study of children previously screened for ROP in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (Scotland) between 2013 and 2015. We excluded those with any severity of ROP identified during screening.

What is the impact of sports-related gambling advertising on gambling behaviour? A systematic review.

Background And Aims: Gambling is a public health issue and widespread advertising of gambling products may contribute to gambling harms. Sports-related gambling advertising includes advertising around sports games or for sports betting products. This review aimed to provide the most systematic and up-to-date review of the literature on the association between sports-related gambling advertising and gambling behaviour.

Optimal timing for epinephrine administration in adult patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A retrospective observational study.

Background: This study aimed to clarify the appropriate timing for epinephrine administration in adults with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), particularly those cases with nonshockable rhythms, by addressing resuscitation time bias.

Methods: We performed a retrospective observational study utilizing a multicenter OHCA registry involving 95 hospitals in Japan between June 2014 and December 2020. We included patients with OHCA and nonshockable rhythms who received epinephrine during resuscitation.

First episode of psychosis in rural Greece: A multi-center study of the Mobile Mental Health Units.

Background: Over the last decades the study of schizophrenia-spectrum disorders has been focused on early and comprehensive intervention during the first episode of psychosis (FEP), but studies in rural settings are only rare. In Greece mental healthcare in rural areas is mostly delivered by the locally-based Mobile Mental Health Units (MMHUs).

Aims: The aim of the present study was to address treatment of FEP patients by the MMHUs in rural areas in Greece, focusing on patients with a first episode of schizophrenia.

Pre-disability resilience and well-being following the onset of functional impairments.

Objectives: Tested the prospective relationship of a resilient personality prototype determined prior to disability onset to well-being among persons with and without debilitating functional impairments nine to 10 years later. A resilient profile was expected to predict well-being through its beneficial associations with positive affect, perceived control and social support.

Design: Longitudinal, prospective observation study.

Prospective Multicenter Evaluation of the MDS "Suggestive of PSP" Diagnostic Criteria.

Background: The recent Movement Disorders Society (MDS)-progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) diagnostic criteria conceptualized three clinical diagnostic certainty levels: "suggestive of PSP" for sensitive early diagnosis based on subtle clinical signs, "possible PSP" balancing sensitivity and specificity, and "probable PSP" highly specific for PSP pathology.

Objective: The aim of this study was to prospectively validate the criteria against long-term clinical follow-up and characterize the diagnostic certainty increase over time.

Methods: Patients with "possible PSP" or "suggestive of PSP" diagnosis and clinical follow-up were recruited in two German multicenter longitudinal observational studies (ProPSP and DescribePSP).

The Pivotal Role of an Early Post-Acute Cardiac Rehabilitation as an Evidence-Based Management of Left Ventricular Assist Device Patients.

Background: Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) implantation is an important treatment option for patients with advanced CHF. Referral to an early, intensive cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program in these patients seems still underused. This observational descriptive study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of an early intensive CR program in LVAD recipients, also comparing results with a matched group of advanced HFrEF patients.

Effect of Immunoadsorption on clinical presentation and immune alterations in COVID-19-induced and/or aggravated ME/CFS.

Autoreactive antibodies (AAB) are currently being investigated as causative or aggravating factors during post-COVID. In this study we analyze the effect of immunoadsorption therapy on symptom improvement and the relationship with immunological parameters in post-COVID patients exhibiting symptoms of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) induced or aggravated by an SARS-CoV-2 infection. This observational study includes 12 post-COVID patients exhibiting a predominance of ME/CFS symptoms alongside increased concentrations of autonomic nervous system receptors (ANSR) autoantibodies and neurological impairments.

Local excision for T1 rectal cancer: A population-based study of practice patterns and oncological outcomes.

Aim: Local excision (LE) for T1 rectal cancer may be recommended in those with low-risk disease, while resection is typically recommended in those with a high risk of luminal recurrence or lymph node metastasis. The aim of this work was to compare survival between resection and LE.

Method: This was a population-based retrospective cohort study set in the Canadian province of Ontario.

Neonatal Feeding Practices and SARS-CoV-2 Transmission in Neonates with Perinatal SARS-CoV-2 Exposure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The risk of neonatal SARS-CoV-2 infection from the mother's own milk (MoM) in neonates who are exposed to maternal SARS-CoV-2 during the perinatal period remains unclear. We conducted a systematic review to assess the association between MoM feeding and neonatal SARS-CoV-2 infection in neonates who were born to SARS-CoV-2-positive pregnant persons. PubMed Central and Google Scholar were searched for studies published by 14 March 2024 that reported neonatal SARS-CoV-2 infection by feeding type.

Clinical and Functional Outcomes of Peri-Implant Fractures Associated with Short Proximal Femur Nails: Prevention Strategies and Key Insights.

: Hip fractures are prevalent among the elderly and impose a significant burden on healthcare systems due to the associated high morbidity and costs. The increasing use of intramedullary nails for hip fracture fixation has inadvertently introduced risks; these implants can alter bone elasticity and create stress concentrations, leading to peri-implant fractures. The aim of this study is to investigate the outcomes of peri-implant hip fractures, evaluate the potential causes of such fractures, determine the type of treatment provided, assess the outcomes of said treatments, and establish possible improvement strategies.

The Possible Impact of Zinc-Enriched Multivitamins on Treatment-Naïve Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis Patients.

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis is a common oral mucosal disorder characterized by painful ulcerations and frequent recurrences, which can significantly impair quality of life. This study explores the efficacy of zinc-enriched multivitamin supplementation (ZnVita, containing 22.5 mg of elemental zinc) for the treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis in treatment-naïve patients, aiming to diminish the reliance on immunomodulatory drugs.

An Observational Study of the First 100 Patients Undergoing Nocturnal Every-Other-Day Online Hemodiafiltration: Clinical Outcomes and Patient and Technique Survival.

: High-volume online hemodiafiltration (OL-HDF) has proven to be the most efficient dialysis modality and to offer better clinical outcomes in patients on hemodialysis. Longer and more frequent dialysis sessions have demonstrated clinical and survival benefits. : A single-center observational study of the first one hundred patients on nocturnal every-other-day OL-HDF was conducted with the aim of reporting the experience with this treatment schedule and evaluating analytical and clinical outcomes as well as the patient and technique survival.