Corneal thickness, contrast sensitivity and binocular vision in menopausal and non-menopausal women.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of menopause on ocular health and visual function.

Method: Sixty-two women (31 premenopausal and 31 postmenopausal) who visited Rasht Health Center were selected and matched based on their ages and compared in terms of their hormonal status, central corneal thickness (CCT), contrast sensitivity (CS), binocular vision variables and refractive error.

Results: CCT and corneal curvature were significantly thinner in postmenopausal women.

Evaluation of a New Patellar Tendon Bearing Brace With Offloading Monitoring and Adjustability: A Pilot Study.

Background And Aims: The patellar tendon-bearing (PTB) brace is a crucial device designed to lessen axial forces on the tibia. The newly designed PTB brace allows clinicians to measure offloading amount in the realtime. This study aimed to explore the relationship between a rise in displacement between the foot plate and calf shells of this new PTB brace and changes in the amount of offloading on the tibia.

Predicting the diabetic foot in the population of type 2 diabetes mellitus from tongue images and clinical information using multi-modal deep learning.

Aims: Based on the quantitative and qualitative fusion data of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine, a diabetic foot (DF) prediction model was established through combining the objectified parameters of TCM and Western medicine.

Methods: The ResNet-50 deep neural network (DNN) was used to extract depth features of tongue demonstration, and then a fully connected layer (FCL) was used for feature extraction to obtain aggregate features. Finally, a non-invasive DF prediction model based on tongue features was realized.

Capsaicin-induced Ca overload and ablation of TRPV1-expressing axonal terminals for comfortable tumor immunotherapy.

As a common malignancy symptom, cancer pain significantly affects patients' quality of life. Approximately 60%-90% of patients with advanced cancer experience debilitating pain. Therefore, a comprehensive treatment system that combines cancer pain suppression and tumor treatment could provide significant benefits for these patients.

Scalable fabrication of freely shapable 3D hierarchical Cu-doped hydroxyapatite scaffolds via rapid gelation for enhanced bone repair.

Critical-sized bone defects present a formidable challenge in tissue engineering, necessitating innovative approaches that integrate osteogenesis and angiogenesis for effective repair. Inspired by the hierarchical porous structure of natural bone, this study introduces a novel method for the scalable production of ultra-long, copper-doped hydroxyapatite (Cu-HAp) fibers, utilizing the rapid gelation properties of guar gum (GG) under controlled conditions. These fibers serve as foundational units to fabricate three-dimensional porous scaffolds with a biomimetic hierarchical architecture.

Vulnerability: An Interpretive Descriptive Study of Personal Support Workers' Experiences of Working During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Ontario, Canada.

Background/objectives: Personal support workers (PSWs) are important healthcare workers providing essential services to thousands of Canadians. PSWs face many challenges that were exacerbated in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study we explore experiences of PSWs working through the pandemic in Ontario long-term care (LTC) homes by focusing on the vulnerability of such workers.

["Shugan Tiaoshen" needling improves depression after ischemic stroke by regulating AMPK-dependent autophagy].

Objectives: To observe the effect of "Shugan Tiaoshen"(soothing the liver and regulating the mental activities) needling on the expressions of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and autophagy-related proteins in the prefrontal cortex of rats with depression after ischemic stroke (post-stroke depression), in order to explore its mechanisms underlying improvement of post-stroke depression behaviors.

Methods: A total of 60 male SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation (control), stroke, post-stroke depression, inhibitor, acupuncture, and acupuncture + inhibitor groups. The post-stroke depression model was established by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery and reperfusion (MCAO/R), combined with chronic unpredictable mild stimulation (CUMS).

Fostering Adherence to Evidence-Based Care in the Management of Musculoskeletal Shoulder Pain: A Mixed Methods Study.

Objective: The objective was to identify the priorities of individuals with musculoskeletal shoulder pain and their health care providers (HCPs) that are perceived to foster multi-stakeholder adherence to evidence-based recommendations.

Methods: The study used a mixed methods design, informed by concept mapping. Patients with shoulder pain (ie, ≥6 weeks) and HCPs involved in their care (recruited via social media, email, etc.

Effects of high and low level lasers on soreness following dry needling in patients with chronic myofascial neck pain. A randomized-controlled trial.

This research was designed to study effects of high versus low-level laser therapy (HILT and LLLT) on post-dry needling soreness (PNS) at patients with chronic neck pain. We also studied effects of HLLT or LLLT application plus dry needling (DN) on pain, range of motion (ROM), and neck disability index (NDI) at the identified patients. This is a clinical trial in 48 women with chronic neck pain aged 18-35 who were divided into three groups: HLLT, LLLT, and placebo group.

Comparison of the effect of separate and simultaneous application of Tecar therapy and low-level laser therapy on the neurological symptoms of type 2 diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy of lower limbs.

Objectives: The study aimed to compare the effects of separate and simultaneous application of Tecar therapy and low-level laser therapy on neurological symptoms of type 2 diabetic patients.

Patients And Methods: In this randomized control trial conducted between November 2021 and February 2022, 45 patients (30 females, 15 males; mean age: 65.7±7.

Unraveling the role of cancer-associated fibroblasts in colorectal cancer.

Within the intricate milieu of colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) act as pivotal orchestrators, wielding considerable influence over tumor progression. This review endeavors to dissect the multifaceted functions of CAFs within the realm of CRC, thereby highlighting their indispensability in fostering CRC malignant microenvironment and indicating the development of CAFs-targeted therapeutic interventions. Through a comprehensive synthesis of current knowledge, this review delineates insights into CAFs-mediated modulation of cancer cell proliferation, invasiveness, immune evasion, and neovascularization, elucidating the intricate web of interactions that sustain the pro-tumor metabolism and secretion of multiple factors.

A New Socket Prototype Design with a Heat-Exchanging Metal Layer for Individuals with Below-knee Amputation.

Background: Individuals who have undergone lower limb amputation often struggle with excessive heat and sweating in their prosthetic sockets. This is due to the closed environment of the socket, which disrupts the body's natural cooling mechanisms and can lead to increased skin temperature, sweating, and various skin problems. This study aimed to develop a new socket to alleviate heat buildup in those with below-knee amputation.

Factors Influencing Presenteeism in Middle-aged and Older Workers with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Single-center Cross-sectional Study.

Objectives: Managing presenteeism among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is important for balancing disease management and employment. This study aimed to investigate presenteeism, exercise self-efficacy (SE), and physical function indices in workers with CKD and to examine the factors that influence presenteeism in this patient group.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 36 workers with stage 3-5 pre-dialysis CKD.

Investigating autonomic dysfunction in post-COVID-19 syndrome from skin to brain: A case-control study using EMG-SSR and fNIRS.

Background: Autonomic dysfunction is a well-recognized complication associated with post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS). ANS maladaptation could underlie a potential pathogenetic mechanism of PCS, contributing to PCS symptoms. However, there remains an ongoing debate regarding whether autonomic and neuropathic symptoms observed in PCS patients are indicative of central or peripheral ANS pathology.

Exosomes derived from adipose mesenchymal stem cells promote corneal injury repair and inhibit the formation of scars by anti-apoptosis.

In the corneal wound healing process, epithelial cell re-epithelialization and migration are the critical first steps following an injury. As the disease progresses, orderly regeneration of corneal stromal collagen and mild corneal stromal fibrosis are vital for corneal function reconstruction. Exosomes derived from adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs-Exos) have emerged as a promising therapy due to their anti-oxidant, anti-apoptosis, and tissue repair properties.

What are the Perceptions and Lived Experiences of Canadian Injured Workers about the Provision of Physiotherapy Services using Telerehabilitation?

Purpose: Despite evidence of efficacy, the effectiveness of telerehabilitation in real-world clinical settings is still largely unknown. Telerehabilitation requires a substantial transformation of the organization and delivery of traditional services. Considering that a virtual setting can create unique challenges for providing physiotherapy services and given the physical and potential hands-on nature of evidence-based assessments and interventions, it is important to investigate what injured workers think of receiving physiotherapy care via telerehabilitation and to examine if rehabilitation needs are adequately met.

Pelvic floor muscle activation in response to pressure stimuli applied to the vulvar vestibule: an observational study comparing women with and without provoked vestibulodynia.

Background: The nature of pelvic floor muscle (PFM) involvement in provoked vestibulodynia (PVD) is poorly understood.

Aim: We aimed to determine if PFM electromyographic (EMG) activity in anticipation of or response to pressure applied to the posterior vaginal fourchette differs between those with and without PVD, and if the magnitude of PFM response is associated with pressure pain sensitivity, psychological or psychosexual function.

Methods: This was an observational case-control study.

Pelvic floor muscle activation amplitude at rest, during voluntary contraction, and during Valsalva maneuver-a comparison between those with and without provoked vestibulodynia.

Background: The neuromuscular contribution to increased tone of the pelvic floor muscles (PFMs) observed among those with provoked vestibulodynia (PVD) is unclear.

Aim: To determine if PFM activity differs between those with provoked PVD and pain free controls, and if the extent of PFM activation at rest or during activities is associated with pain sensitivity at the vulvar vestibule, psychological, and/or psychosexual outcomes.

Methods: This observational case-control study included forty-two volunteers with PVD and 43 controls with no history of vulvar pain.

Mild hypohydration in healthy older adults increases pain-related brain activity without affecting pain perception: a single-blind study.

Understanding how hydration status influences pain perception is particularly important in older adults, as both dehydration and pain are prevalent in this population. Ten individuals (70 ± 4 yr) completed two randomized and counterbalanced trials. They were exposed to passive heat until they lost 1% body mass through sweat and urine (∼100 min), with the loss either unreplaced (sham infusion, HYPO) or fully replaced via 0.

The Effects of Whole-Body Exercise on Swallowing Function in Older Adults With Parkinson's Disease: A Proof-of-Principle Study.

Purpose: Rodent models suggest that when respiratory demands increase during an exercise program, tongue and thyroarytenoid muscles engage to maintain a patent airway, leading to increased muscle strength. This suggests that nonspecific exercises that increase respiratory rate may improve swallowing. As such, the purpose of this proof-of-principle study was to determine the potential for whole-body exercise to improve tongue strength, cough strength, and self-reported swallowing function in older adults with Parkinson's disease (PD).

Enhancing adapted physical activity training for community organizations: co-construction and evaluation of training modules.

Community-based physical activity programmes benefit persons with disabilities. However, there is a lack of evidence-based tools to support kinesiologists' training in such programmes. This study aimed to co-create and evaluate physical activity training modules for community-based adapted physical activity (APA) programmes.

Effects of hypothetical low versus moderate-to-high intensity weight management regimens on knee replacements.

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of a hypothetical biennial weight management regimen in reducing the necessity for knee replacement (KR) surgery among middle-aged and older adults with or at a higher risk for knee osteoarthritis (OA). Data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative cohort in the US, comprising community-dwelling adults aged 45-79 years at high risk for or with symptomatic knee OA who underwent baseline assessments from September 2008 to December 2010 were used. Subsequent evaluations were conducted at 12, 24, and 96 months.

Development of a Real-Time Single-Leg Hop Movement Quality Assessment to Identify Lower-Extremity Biomechanical Risk Factors.

Context: The single-leg hop is based solely on performance with no measure of movement quality. The purpose of this study was to (1) develop a real-time screening tool to capture single-leg functional performance and movement quality and (2) to provide preliminary validation (criterion validity) of a trained clinician's real-time movement quality assessment with 3D kinematics.

Study Design: Cross-sectional.

Occupational Performance Coaching on Health Self-Care Behavior and Activity Participation for Adults With Heart Failure: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Importance: Patients with heart failure (HF) experience restrictions in their activity participation. Health self-care behavior (HSCB) among patients with HF is an essential component of managing HF symptoms.

Objective: To assess the effect of occupational performance coaching (OPC) on improving activity participation and HSCB among patients with HF.