Pathway analysis of the impact of dysphagia on the prognosis of patients with stroke: Based on structural equation modeling.

Background And Aims: Dysphagia is significantly correlated with prognostic outcomes in patients with stroke; however, the intrinsic mechanism of action between the two remains unclear. This study aimed to model the intrinsic mechanism of action between dysphagia and prognostic outcomes in patients with stroke based on structural equation modeling.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 900 inpatients with stroke from three large hospitals was performed.

Effect of enhanced external counterpulsation versus individual shear rate therapy on the peripheral artery functions.

In this study, we aimed to assess the effects of enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) and individual shear rate therapy (ISRT) on peripheral artery function in patients with lower extremity atherosclerotic disease (LEAD). We randomly assigned 45 LEAD patients to receive 35 sessions of 45 min of EECP (n = 15), ISRT (n = 15), or sham-control (n = 15). Flow-mediated dilation in the brachial artery (brachial-FMD); 6-min walk distance; blood flow in the popliteal, posterior tibial, anterior tibial, and dorsalis pedis arteries; and plasma levels were measured before and after the 7 weeks treatment.

Immediate effect of alone and combined virtual reality, gait-like muscle vibration and transcranial direct current stimulation on neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury: a pilot study.

Study Design: Quasi-experimental pilot study.

Objectives: Evaluate the immediate effect of virtual reality (VR), gait-like muscle vibration (MV) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined or alone on neuropathic pain in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Setting: Inpatient rehabilitation centre.

A Systematic Review of Worldwide Female Enrollment in Randomized Controlled Trials of Post-Stroke Lower Extremity Rehabilitation.

This review systematically examined the reporting of sex and female participation in post-stroke lower extremity (LE) motor rehabilitation randomized controlled trials (RCTs) over time and identified differences in female participation across RCTs conducted in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs), high-income-countries (HICs), and HIC-regions. Systematic searches were conducted of MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and PsycINFO from 1970 to May 2022. RCTs in English were included if they examined post-stroke LE motor rehabilitation interventions in adults diagnosed with stroke.

Implementing digital respiratory technologies for people with respiratory conditions: A protocol for a scoping review.

The value of 'data-enabled', digital healthcare is evolving rapidly, as demonstrated in the COVID-19 pandemic, and its successful implementation remains complex and challenging. Harmonisation (within/between healthcare systems) of infrastructure and implementation strategies has the potential to promote safe, equitable and accessible digital healthcare, but guidance for implementation is lacking. Using respiratory technologies as an example, our scoping review process will capture and review the published research between 12th December 2013 to 12th December 2023.

Temporal and Fronto-Central Auditory Evoked Responses in Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Scoping Review.

At the cortical level, the central auditory neural system (CANS) includes primary and secondary areas. So far, much research has focused on recording fronto-central auditory evoked potentials/responses (P1-N1-P2), originating mainly from the primary auditory areas, to explore the neural processing in the auditory cortex. However, less is known about the secondary auditory areas.

Pilot Study on the Relationship Between Different Lower Limb Raising Velocities and Trunk Muscle Contraction in Active Straight Leg Raise.

Background/objectives: The active straight leg raise requires intricate coordination between the hip, knee, pelvis, and spine. Despite its complexity, limited research has explored the relationship between lower limb raising velocity and trunk muscle motor control during an active straight leg raise in healthy individuals. This study aimed to explore the potential effects of increased lower limb raising velocity on core muscle contractions during active straight leg raises.

Effect of Ankle-Foot Orthosis on Paretic Gastrocnemius and Tibialis Anterior Muscle Contraction of Stroke Survivors During Walking: A Pilot Study.

Ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) have been commonly prescribed for stroke survivors with foot drop, but their impact on the contractions of paretic tibialis anterior (TA) and medial gastrocnemius (MG) has remained inconclusive. This study thus investigated the effect of AFOs on these muscle contractions in stroke survivors. The contractions of paretic TA and MG muscles were assessed in twenty stroke patients and compared between walking with and without AFOs, using a novel wearable dynamic ultrasound imaging and sensing system.

Dual-Engineered Phage Vaccine Platform Facilitates STING Activation for Influenza Protection.

Influenza epidemics remain a global public health challenge. Vaccination with nucleic acid-based vaccines, which trigger strong cellular and humoral immune responses, represents a promising approach for preventing virus infection. However, its effectiveness relies on efficient delivery and an immunoadjuvant.

New Horizons in Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1: Cellular Senescence as a Therapeutic Target.

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is considered a progeroid disease (i.e., causing premature aging).

Evaluation of the Test Phase of the "Program GIFT in Residence": Results from a Pilot Participatory Action Research.

Despite the negative effects on older adults, resident-to-resident aggression (RRA) remains a complex and understudied problem. Few interventions exist that address this issue by promoting goodwill. Using the intervention mapping approach, the evaluation of the test phase of the pilot Program GIFT in private seniors' residences (PSRs) (Quebec, Canada) was conducted through qualitative interviews with 25 residents, 21 staff members, and 4 managers.

Lower extremity joint kinematics in individuals with and without bilateral knee osteoarthritis during normal and narrow-base walking: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a prevalent musculoskeletal disease affecting joint mechanics. Considering the effect of step-width changes on the biomechanics of gait, especially the alteration of stability dynamics during narrow-base gait, this study investigated the kinematic parameters of the lower extremities during both normal and narrow-base walking in individuals with and without KOA.

Methods: A cross-sectional study with 20 individuals with bilateral KOA and 20 controls was conducted.

Applicability of creatinine-based glomerular filtration rate assessment equations to patients with neurogenic bladder.

Purpose: Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) measured by dynamic renal scintigraphy (Gates method) is used in this study as the standard to investigate the applicability of two creatinine (Cr)-based GFR estimation equations in Chinese patients of different genders, age groups, and GFR stages diagnosed with neurogenic bladder (NB).

Methods: GFR values were measured using Tc-DTPA renal dynamic imaging, the new serum creatinine (Cr)-based chronic kidney disease epidemiology collaborative group (CKD-EPI) equation, and the equation for the estimated GFR of CKD patients in China, which were designated as sGFR, EPI-GFR, and cGFR, respectively. Pearson's correlation and linear regression were used to compare the differences, absolute differences, precision, and accuracies of the results of the two equations with sGFR to determine the formula offering better performance for the assessment of patients with NB.

Comparing and assessing physical activity and sedentary behaviour guidelines for different populations with and without chronic conditions and/or disabilities: a systematic review protocol.

Physical activity guidelines targeting different populations with and without chronic diseases or disabilities are required to meet the diverse functional and physiological needs experienced by different subgroups of people to achieve optimal health benefits. As the importance of physical activity guidelines in promoting optimal health and well-being becomes increasingly recognised, there is a critical need for their systematic evaluation to ensure they remain effective, applicable and aligned with evolving health needs and scientific insights. This study aims to systematically review, critically evaluate, and compare global physical activity and sedentary behaviour guidelines on frequency, intensity, time, and type of exercise for adults, pregnant and postpartum women, and people living with chronic conditions and/or disabilities.

Artificial Intelligence and Its Revolutionary Role in Physical and Mental Rehabilitation: A Review of Recent Advancements.

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies into physical and mental rehabilitation has the potential to significantly transform these fields. AI innovations, including machine learning algorithms, natural language processing, and computer vision, offer occupational therapists advanced tools to improve care quality. These technologies facilitate more precise assessments, the development of tailored intervention plans, more efficient treatment delivery, and enhanced outcome evaluation.

Expanding HIV Self-Test Kits via Community Pharmacies in Rwanda Has Improved Availability, but Affordability Remains an Issue.

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends HIV self-testing (HIVST) to complement the existing HIV testing services. Pursuant to this, Rwanda approved the over-the-counter sale of Oral Quick HIV self-tests in community pharmacies, facilitating home testing and addressing accessibility issues. However, the availability and affordability of HIVSTs in these settings remains unexplored.

Clinical features in patients with acquired intermittent and constant exotropia who underwent surgery.

Background: acquired exotropia mostly manifests as an intermittent form, and very few cases show constant exotrpia. However, the differences in the clinical features of the constant and intermittent exotropia patients has not been clear yet.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 6159 patients with exotropia from 2012 to 2022 in Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran.

Performance of ChatGPT-4o on the Japanese Medical Licensing Examination: Evalution of Accuracy in Text-Only and Image-Based Questions.

This study evaluated the performance of ChatGPT with GPT-4 Omni (GPT-4o) on the 118th Japanese Medical Licensing Examination. The study focused on both text-only and image-based questions. The model demonstrated a high level of accuracy overall, with no significant difference in performance between text-only and image-based questions.

Do biopsychosocial factors predict the level of physical activity in individuals with persistent shoulder pain?

Objective: The objective of this cross-sectional study was to compare the physical activity level between individuals with and without rotator cuff related shoulder pain (RCRSP), and, in individuals with RCRSP, investigate whether biopsychosocial factors are associated with the physical activity level.

Methods: Seventy-four participants with and 84 participants without RCRSP wore a fitness tracking watch for seven consecutive days to assess physical activity (step count, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA)-minutes). Additionally, participants with RCRSP completed questionnaires on their level of pain, disability, and physical activity (short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire [IPAQ]), as well as on biopsychosocial factors, including resilience, stress, catastrophizing, anxiety and depressive symptoms, self-efficacy, and social support.

The Combination of Aligned PDA-Fe@PLCL Conduit with Aligned GelMA Hydrogel Promotes Peripheral Nerve Regeneration.

Biomaterial-assisted therapeutic strategies enable precise modulation to direct endogenous cellular responses and harness regenerative capabilities for nerve repair. However, achieving effective cellular engagement during nerve remodeling remains challenging. Herein, a novel composite nerve guidance conduit (NGC), the GelMA/PLys@PDA-Fe@PLCL conduit is developed by combining aligned poly(l-lactide-co-caprolactone) (PLCL) nanofibers modified with polydopamine (PDA), ferrous iron (Fe⁺), and polylysine (PLys) with aligned methacrylate-anhydride gelatin (GelMA) hydrogel nanofibers.