Effects of population aging on quality of life and disease burden: a population-based study.

Background: As population aging intensifies, it becomes increasingly important to elucidate the casual relationship between aging and changes in population health. Therefore, our study proposed to develop a systematic attribution framework to comprehensively evaluate the health impacts of population aging.

Methods: We used health-adjusted life expectancy (HALE) to measure quality of life and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) to quantify the burden of disease for the population of Guangzhou.

Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a physical activity intervention in adults with lymphoma undergoing treatment.

Background: To determine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a 6-month tailored non-linear progressive physical activity intervention (PAI) for lymphoma patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Methods: Patients newly diagnosed with lymphoma (non-Hodgkin (NHL) or Hodgkin (HL)) were randomized into the PAI or healthy living intervention (HLI) control (2:1). Feasibility was assessed by examining accrual, adherence, and retention rates.

High clinical utility of long-read sequencing for precise diagnosis of congenital adrenal hyperplasia in 322 probands.

Background: The molecular genetic diagnosis of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is very challenging due to the high homology between the CYP21A2 gene and its pseudogene CYP21A1P.

Methodology: This study aims to assess the clinical efficacy of targeted long-read sequencing (T-LRS) by comparing it with a control method based on the combined assay (NGS, Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification and Sanger sequencing) and to introduce T-LRS as a first-tier diagnostic test for suspected CAH patients to improve the precise diagnosis of CAH.

Results: A large cohort of 562 participants including 322 probands and 240 family members was enrolled for the perspective (96 probands) and prospective study (226 probands).

Presence of the Anopheles culicifacies complex species A in southeast Iran.

Background: The Anopheles culicifacies complex is one of the most important malaria vectors in Southeast Asia and Southeastern Iran. Although the sibling species within this complex are morphologically indistinguishable, they differ significantly in their disease transmission potential, blood-feeding behaviour, and other biological traits. Cytogenetic and chromosomal studies have identified five sibling species within this complex: A, B, C, D, and E.

Deproteinized Bovine Bone Mineral With Collagen for Anterior Maxillary Ridge Augmentation: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the effects of deproteinized bovine bone mineral with collagen (DBBMC) combined with deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) on facial alveolar bone augmentation in the anterior maxillary region.

Materials And Methods: Patients receiving dental implant placement with simultaneous lateral bone augmentation using DBBM (control group) or DBBMC combined with DBBM (test group) were included in the study. The radiographic assessment of facial alveolar bone, such as facial horizontal bone thickness (FHBT), facial vertical bone level (FVBL), and square of facial bone (SFB), was taken by cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Characteristics and long-term health outcomes of the first domestic COVID-19 outbreak cases in Da Nang, Vietnam: a longitudinal cohort study.

Background: Vietnam experienced the first COVID-19 domestic outbreak due to the Wuhan strain (B.1.1) in Da Nang from July 2020.

Association between skin sympathetic nerve activity and electrocardiogram alterations after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

While autonomic dysregulation and repolarization abnormalities are observed in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), their relationship remains unclear. We aimed to measure skin sympathetic nerve activity (SKNA), a novel method to estimate stellate ganglion nerve activity, and investigate its association with electrocardiogram (ECG) alterations after SAH. We recorded a total of 179 SKNA data from SAH patients at three distinct phases and compared them with 20 data from controls.

Exercise limitation in chronic kidney disease: An experimental pilot study with leg and arm exercise.

Maximal oxygen uptake (VOmax) in healthy subjects is primarily limited by systemic oxygen delivery. In chronic kidney disease (CKD), VOmax is potentially reduced by both central and peripheral factors. We aimed to investigate the effect on VOpeak of adding arm exercise to leg exercise.

HKA angle exceeding 5 degrees is strongly associated with lateral patellar translation beyond 2 mm: surgical recommendations for avoiding adverse effects on the patellofemoral joint after OWHTO.

Purpose: Previous studies reported that anterior knee pain (AKP) occurs with an incidence of 32% after opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO). However, the biomechanical effects of this procedure on patellofemoral joints (PFJs) remain unclear. We aimed to quantify the changes in the kinematics and cartilage conditions of the PFJ during stair climbing before and after OWHTO.

Deciphering key nano-bio interface descriptors to predict nanoparticle-induced lung fibrosis.

Background: The advancement of nanotechnology underscores the imperative need for establishing in silico predictive models to assess safety, particularly in the context of chronic respiratory afflictions such as lung fibrosis, a pathogenic transformation that is irreversible. While the compilation of predictive descriptors is pivotal for in silico model development, key features specifically tailored for predicting lung fibrosis remain elusive. This study aimed to uncover the essential predictive descriptors governing nanoparticle-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

Effective community engagement in one health research in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review.

Background: The one health (OH) approach, linking human, animal, and environmental health, relies on effective community engagement (CE), education, stewardship, and effective regional and global partnerships. For real impact, communities should be at the centre of research agenda setting and program implementation. This review aimed at synthesizing empirical evidence on how communities are involved in one health research.

AmelOBP4: an antenna-specific odor-binding protein gene required for olfactory behavior in the honey bee (Apis mellifera).

Background: Odorant binding proteins (OBPs) initiate the process of odorant perception. Numerous investigations have demonstrated that OBPs bind a broad variety of chemicals and are more likely to carry pheromones or odor molecules with high binding affinities. However, few studies have investigated its effects on insect behavior.

Use of virtual reality to remotely train healthcare professionals in paediatric emergency tracheostomy skills: protocol for a multi-centre, non-inferiority educational interventional study with historical controls.

Background: The insertion of a tracheostomy is an established technique used to wean patients off ventilatory support, manage secretions in complex conditions, and as a potentially life-saving procedure to bypass upper airway obstruction. Life-threatening complications during aftercare are not uncommon and may be influenced by a lack of education of carers or healthcare providers of children and young people living with a tracheostomy. Education programmes designed and supported by the National Tracheostomy Safety Project are effective, but resources are not available to educate the workforce at scale.

Diagnosis of Parkinson's disease by eliciting trait-specific eye movements in multi-visual tasks.

Background: Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder, and eye movement abnormalities are a significant symptom of its diagnosis. In this paper, we developed a multi-task driven by eye movement in a virtual reality (VR) environment to elicit PD-specific eye movement abnormalities. The abnormal features were subsequently modeled by using the proposed deep learning algorithm to achieve an auxiliary diagnosis of PD.

Effects of levothyroxine therapy on bone and mineral metabolism in hypothyroidism: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Thyroid hormone plays an important role in accumulating bone development and regulating bone metabolism. It is established that hypothyroidism is linked to increased risk of osteoporosis and fracture. However, the effects of levothyroxine (LT4) treatment on bone for hypothyroid patients remain controversial.

Association between COVID-19 anxiety syndrome and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the postpandemic era: a cross-sectional study in Hong Kong.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had profound psychophysiological and socioeconomic effects worldwide. COVID-19 anxiety syndrome (CAS) is a specific cluster of maladaptive coping strategies, including perseveration and avoidance behaviours, in response to the perceived threat and fear of COVID-19. CAS is distinct from general COVID-19 anxiety.

Prospective clinical evidence from over 1,000 pan-cancer patients: a complement to fosaprepitant in the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.

Background: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and/or vomiting (CINV) is an intractable adverse effect of anticancer drugs. Although prophylactic use of fosaprepitant may be effective in reducing CINV, there is a lack of studies evaluating the application of fosaprepitant in real world.

Aims And Methods: This study prospectively observed the effectiveness and safety for the prophylaxis of CINV in a real-world clinical setting.

Reflecting on the impact of the COVID pandemic on patient management and its subsequent influence on long-term outcomes: a case-control study in the field of esophago-gastric cancer.

Background: The delivery of cancer services changed significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to describe changes in presentations, assess the change in recommendations by the MDT during the pandemic, and describe the subsequent long-term impact of these changes on survival rates in patients with EG cancer.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was designed comparing three patient groups of those referred to EG MDT in the same 6-month period pre-pandemic (PP;2019) during the initial phase of the pandemic (P1;2020) and the year after the initial phase (P2;2021).

95-95-95 HIV indicators among children younger than 15 years in South Africa: results from the 2017 national HIV prevalence, incidence, behaviour, and communication survey.

Background: Early detection and initiation of care is crucial to the survival and long-term well-being of children living with HIV (CLHIV). However, there remain challenges regarding early testing and linking of CLHIV for early treatment. This study examines the progress made towards achieving the 95-95-95 HIV indicators and associated factors among CLHIV < 15 years in South Africa.

Impact of a new case-based payment scheme on volume distribution across public hospitals in Zhejiang, China: does 'Same disease, same price' matter.

Background: With the implementation of the hierarchical medical system (HMS) in China, Zhejiang Province introduced an innovative payment scheme called "payment method by disease types with point counting". This scheme was initially adopted in Jinhua in July 2017, and was later integrated with the "same disease, same price" policy in Hangzhou in January 2020. This study aimed to investigate the impact of these reforms on the distribution of health service volume.

Caregiver acceptability of seasonal malaria chemoprevention in two districts in the Upper West region, Ghana: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Acceptability of malaria chemoprevention interventions by caregivers is crucial for overall programme success. This study assessed coverage and acceptability of Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) in selected communities in the Northern part of Ghana.

Methods: An analytical cross-sectional design was conducted from "July 23rd to August 4th, 2020-a 12-day period that covered 5 days of the first SMC implementation cycle and 7 days post-implementation.

Social cognition in bipolar I and II disorders: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: In recent years, there has been a rapid increase in reports upon social-cognition impairments in bipolar disorder. This study aimed to compare the characteristics of social cognition domains in bipolar I (BD I) and II (BD II) based on the findings to date.

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted on Web of Science and PubMed from inception to 28 August 2024.

An introduction to MyBFF@school, a school-based childhood obesity intervention program: a cluster randomized controlled trial.

Obesity trend among Malaysian children is on the rise. Noting that the tendency for them to grow into obese adults and the relationship of obesity to many non-communicable diseases, the My Body is Fit and Fabulous at School (MyBFF@school program) was designed to combat obesity among the schoolchildren. The program was piloted in 2014 in Putrajaya, Malaysia.

Delayed completion of pneumococcal conjugate vaccination among children 4-48 months in rural Uganda: a socio-demographic inquiry.

In spite of the commendable global Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) coverage in the last two decades, completion and timeliness of receipt of all the required doses are still below target. In Uganda, the 3 + 0 PCV regimen has been reported to have a steady decline in the completion rate and the reasons for the delayed completion are unidentified. This study aimed at assessing the influence of socio-demographic factors on delayed PCV completion among young children.

Effects of MyBFF@school, a multifaceted obesity intervention program, on anthropometry and body composition of overweight and obese primary schoolchildren.

Background: Recently, there has been an increase in the prevalence of childhood obesity in Malaysia, raising concerns about increased cardiometabolic morbidity. MyBFF@school is a multifaceted program comprising physical activity, nutritional education, and psychological empowerment introduced to combat childhood obesity in Malaysia. The efficacy of a six-month intervention on the body composition of overweight and obese primary schoolchildren was evaluated.