Neurophysiological assessment of cortical motor function: A direct comparison of methodologies.

Objective: Assessment of cortical function with threshold tracking transcranial magnetic stimulation (TT-TMS) has developed as a biomarker to inform disease pathophysiology, particularly in neurodegenerative disease and dementia. At present, a fully integrated testing system does not exist. To advance clinical utility, and to streamline software design to integrate with diagnostic approaches in an outpatient setting, the present series of studies assessed the effects of altering diagnostic paradigms to measure interstimulus interval (ISI) including serial ascending [T-SICIs] and parallel [T-SICIp] methodologies as measures of cortical motor function (the MagXite software).

Targeting interleukin-6 pathways in giant cell arteritis management: A narrative review of evidence.

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a chronic inflammatory vasculitis with a significant impact on vascular and patient health. It may present with non-specific symptoms and can lead to severe complications if not managed effectively. This narrative review explores the treatment of GCA with interleukin-6 (IL-6) pathway inhibitors, focusing on key studies from selected databases published between 2018 and 2024.

Food Allergy in Children in China.

The prevalence of food allergies in China seems to be increasing, but there are limited studies describing the pattern of food allergies across the country. This review highlights regional variations observed across China, with data indicating a higher prevalence in the more economically developed eastern and southern coastal regions compared to inland areas. Egg and milk are the most common allergies among children under 3 years old; for children above 3 years old, specific food allergens also show regional differences, with shellfish allergies being more common in southern and eastern coastal areas, while wheat and fruit allergies are more prevalent in northern regions.

Outcomes of pancreatectomy for histologically proven intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm with reference to Fukuoka guidelines.

Background: Intraductal papillary mucinous tumour (IPMN) of pancreas is increasingly recognized to have malignant potential. Fukuoka guidelines are commonly used to select patients with IPMN for resection due to high chance of malignancy, which includes high-grade dysplasia (HGD) or invasive carcinoma (IC).

Methods: A retrospective study on consecutive patients who have undergone pancreatectomy with IPMN as the final pathology was performed.

Improving Lynch syndrome detection: a mixed-methods process evaluation of a hybrid type III effectiveness-implementation trial.

Introduction: Translating evidence-based practices into real-world healthcare settings is challenging, particularly in the rapidly evolving field of genomics. A pragmatic two-arm cluster-randomized clinical trial (Hide and Seek Project - HaSP) tested two implementation approaches for improving hereditary cancer referral practices with one key distinction: implementation strategies that were designed 1) explicitly using psychological theory, or 2) using healthcare professional intuition. This mixed-methods process evaluation aimed to provide insights into how and why change occurred by examining contextual determinants, identifying mechanisms of action, and exploring the role of theory.

Virtual Reality-based Infrared Pupillometry (VIP) for long COVID.

Objective: To evaluate the use of virtual reality-based infrared pupillometry (VIP) to detect individuals suffering long COVID.

Design: Prospective, case-control cross-sectional study.

Participants: Participants aged 20-60 were recruited from a community eye screening programme.

Direct traction MR imaging of the wrist: practical experience.

Objective: To study the effect of direct wrist traction on patient pain and joint distraction on MRI.

Materials And Methods: 291 patients (109 males, 182 females; mean age, 45.8 years) who underwent wrist MRI between November 2019 and September 2024 were studied (152 patients with traction, 139 patients without traction).

Effects of Physical Activity and Inactivity on Microvasculature in Children: The Hong Kong Children Eye Study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of physical activity and inactivity on the microvasculature in children, as measured from retinal photographs.

Methods: All participants were from the Hong Kong Children Eye Study, a population-based cross-sectional study of children aged 6 to 8 years. They received comprehensive ophthalmic examinations and retinal photography.

Double-Suture Scleral-Fixated Intraocular Lens With Two Polypropylene Sutures.

Purpose: We present a modified technique in performing scleral fixation of a posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) using 2 pairs of double-armed 9-O polypropylene sutures and an ab-externo technique, in 2 patients with surgical aphakia after complicated cataract surgery.

Methods: Two eyes of 2 patients underwent this modified technique by an experienced cataract surgeon (A.L.

2024 Hong Kong College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Guidelines for cervical cancer prevention and screening.

Primary prevention of cervical cancer is best achieved by vaccinating girls with a prophylactic human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. Despite the high efficacy of such vaccines, cervical cancer screening remains necessary because current vaccines do not offer full protection. Secondary prevention via cervical screening should target all women from age 25 years or at the onset of sexual activity, whichever occurs later, until age 64 years.

Impact of Body Image Perception on Behavioral Outcomes in Chinese Adolescent and Young Adult Survivors of Sarcoma.

Purpose: To identify the prevalence and predictive factors of body image dissatisfaction among Chinese adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors of sarcoma and to evaluate its associations with behavioral outcomes.

Methods: In total, 116 AYA survivors (response rate: 88%; 48.3% female; mean age 28.

Emerging concepts of CMV in transplantation.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections continue to be associated with significant morbidity and mortality following solid organ transplantation and haemopoietic stem cell transplantation. Advances in understanding the biology of CMV in the immunosuppressed host will translate into improved management approaches and better clinical outcomes. Updated definitions of resistant and refractory CMV infections will lead to more consistent reporting of CMV outcomes, better inform appropriate antiviral strategies and influence clinical trial design.

Clinical diagnostic reference levels and image quality metrics for CT in oncology patients.

Background: In CT, the volumetric CT dose index (CTDI), dose-length product (DLP) and patient's size-specific dose estimates (SSDE) are used as diagnostic reference level (DRL) metrics.

Objectives: To develop clinical local DRL values for CT chest-abdomen-pelvis (CAP) examinations using the CTDI, DLP and SSDE, and to determine the image quality achieved.

Method: In total, 201 cancer patients were included in the study.

Early-stage hypertension defined by the 2017 ACC/AHA blood pressure guideline carries excessive cardiovascular risk in axial spondyloarthritis patients.

Background: Hypertension (HTN) is the most important modifiable risk factor for the development of cardiovascular events (CVEs). Patients with axSpA are also associated with an increased risk of future CVE.

Objectives: To ascertain whether baseline early-stage HTN is a predictor of future CVE in addition to inflammation in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).

Comparison of surgical outcomes of endoscopic enucleation of the prostate using different energies.

Objective: This study evaluates surgical outcomes in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients undergoing transurethral enucleation using various holmium laser (HoLEP) settings and/or bipolar devices (BipoLEP).

Design: This study was retrospective.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 158 BPH patients treated surgically, categorized by method: BipoLEP ( = 28), HoLEP with short pulse (HoLEP-SP,  = 26), HoLEP with long pulse and low energy (HoLEP-LP/LE,  = 29), HoLEP with long pulse and high energy (HoLEP-LP/HE,  = 26), HoLEP using Moses technology (HoLEP-Mo,  = 19), and a combination of HoLEP and BipoLEP (HoLEP-mix,  = 30).

Step-by-Step Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Replacement Using the LuX-Valve Plus System.

The LuX-Valve Plus is a novel radial force-independent orthotopic transjugular transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement device proven to be effective in TR reduction. We describe preprocedural assessment for eligibility and procedural planning by means of computed tomography as well as procedural steps of device implantation under multimodality imaging guidance including transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), intracardiac echocardiography (ICE), and fluoroscopy: steering into the right ventricle, leaflet capture by graspers, fine valve adjustment, and septal anchor deployment. Potential pitfalls are avoided by achieving optimal alignment by means of TEE multiplanar reconstruction to steer the delivery system, and using mid-esophageal and deep gastric views of 3-dimensional TEE and supplementary ICE to visualize the graspers for leaflet capture, especially when TEE imaging is technically challenging.