Exploring New Tools in Upper Limb Rehabilitation After Stroke Using an Exoskeletal Aid: A Pilot Randomized Control Study.

Background/objectives: Spasticity commonly occurs in individuals after experiencing a stroke, impairing their hand function and limiting activities of daily living (ADLs). In this paper, we introduce an exoskeletal aid, combined with a set of augmented reality (AR) games consisting of the Rehabotics rehabilitation solution, designed for individuals with upper limb spasticity following stroke.

Methods: Our study, involving 60 post-stroke patients (mean ± SD age: 70.

Vidofludimus Calcium in Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Ulcerative Colitis: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Phase 2 Trial.

Introduction: Vidofludimus calcium (VidoCa) is a dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) inhibitor that demonstrated efficacy in immune-related diseases. This study assessed the safety and efficacy of VidoCa in patients with active ulcerative colitis (UC).

Methods: This placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial randomized adults with moderate-severe UC to receive once-daily VidoCa (10, 30, or 45 mg) or placebo for 10 weeks (induction); patients with symptomatic remission were re-randomized to VidoCa 10, 30 mg, or placebo once-daily for an additional 40 weeks (maintenance).

Hydranencephaly in a Newborn: A Case Report and a Review of the Literature.

Hydranencephaly (HE) is a severe and isolated malformation affecting the cerebral mantle. In this condition, the cerebral hemispheres are entirely or almost entirely absent, replaced by a membranous sac filled with cerebrospinal fluid, while the midbrain is usually preserved. Although HE is a relatively rare brain disorder, the differential diagnosis must include conditions such as severe hydrocephalus, porencephalic cysts, and alobar holoprosencephaly.

Functional genotype classification groups distinguish disease severity in recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa.

Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) is a genetic disorder due to pathogenic variants in the COL7A1 gene. In this study we determined the association between different categories of COL7A1 variants and clinical disease severity in 236 RDEB patients in North America. Published reports or in-silico predictions were used to assess the impact of pathogenic variants in COL7A1 on type VII collagen (C7) protein function.

Use of vaginal pessary in women with symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse: Risk factors for failure one year after insertion.

Introduction: Vaginal pessaries are offered as a first-line treatment for symptoms associated with pelvic organ prolapse (POP). The objective of our study was to identify risk factors for failure of pessary use within 1 year of insertion.

Materials And Methods: We prospectively included women who accepted a pessary fitting for symptomatic POP.

Geographical location of ischemic stroke patients affects thrombolysis availability in Denmark.

Introduction: Early recognition and treatment of stroke is paramount for good outcome. Transport distance may result in delayed arrival for revascularization therapy. We investigated how transport time and distance to the revascularization unit affected the probability of receiving intravenous thrombolysis in Denmark between 2015 and 2020, for patients calling the Emergency Medical Services within three hours of symptom onset.

Surgical Site Infection After Sacral Neuromodulation: Impact of Postoperative Antibiotics.

Importance: There are limited data to guide practices to reduce surgical site infections following sacral neuromodulation; however, many surgeons prescribe prophylactic postoperative antibiotics after device implantation.

Objective: The aim of the study was to compare the proportion of patients with sacral neuromodulation device-associated surgical site infections after use of prophylactic postoperative antibiotics versus none.

Study Design: This was a multicenter retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing sacral neuromodulation device implantation at 11 institutions from January 2014 to December 2023, comparing outcomes in patients who did versus did not receive prophylactic postoperative antibiotic treatment.

Trends in Medicare Coverage of Overactive Bladder Medications in the United States.

Importance: Strong evidence demonstrates long-term cognitive decline associated with anticholinergics. While prevalent among older populations, medical management of overactive bladder (OAB) is dictated by insurance coverage rather than medical provider and patient preferences.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess Medicare insurance plan coverage for select OAB medications and evaluate coverage of preferred medications to medications with a greater risk of cognitive dysfunction.

Expert Rater Agreement for Symptoms and Diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder in Youth.

The diagnosis of bipolar disorder (BD) in young children has been a topic of debate, in part owing to varied interpretation of manic-like symptoms. We examined how expert academic clinicians participating in the pediatric bipolar biobank varied in their interpretation and application of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) criteria and diagnoses. Study co-investigators reviewed 12 standardized narratives and for each marked a visual analog scale with their confidence in the presence of manic episodes and criteria.

Real-world treatment patterns in patients with non-metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in Greece: the 'EVIDENCE' study.

Background: The treatment landscape of non-metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NM-NSCLC) is rapidly evolving with recent approvals of immunotherapies and targeted therapies.

Methods: This retrospective study included 202 adults diagnosed with NM-NSCLC between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2020 primarily aiming to capture initial management strategies.

Results: Most frequent treatment patterns among Stage I/II patients ( = 84) were surgery only (48.

Public Health.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) health literacy is low in high-risk populations and is likely a determinant of timely care seeking behavior. Our group aimed to develop a novel brief questionnaire for use in community outreach and related studies of AD awareness.

Methods: We developed an initial 15-item AD knowledge questionnaire "ASK-AD (Assess Symptoms and Knowledge of AD)" following pilot study and cognitive interviews with subject matter experts along with elementary school children.

Safety and efficacy of the automated suture system in valvular heart surgery: a multicenter, prospective registry.

Background: In the last years, the Cor-Knot device has been increasingly used in heart valve surgery. Our aim was to investigate the incidence of valvular complications in patients who underwent valvular surgery using the Cor-Knot device in multicentric cohorts at one-year follow-up.

Methods: Three hundred and sixty-eight patient underwent heart valve repair or replacement surgery using automated titanium suture fasteners in four cardiothoracic surgery departments between September 2018 and January 2020.

Clinical and Electrophysiological Characteristics of 23 French Patients With Neurolymphomatosis.

Introduction/aims: Neurolymphomatosis is a hematological condition defined by the direct infiltration of malignant lymphomatous cells into the peripheral nervous system. Since nerve conduction studies may disclose demyelinating features, clinicians may misdiagnose neurolymphomatosis as chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). This study aimed to determine whether patients with neurolymphomatosis met the 2021 revised criteria for CIDP.

Case Report: Utility of brain [F]FDG PET/CT in the diagnosis of Sydenham's chorea.

Sydenham's chorea is an autoimmune reaction against cerebral basal ganglia associated with rheumatic fever, caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus infection. Diagnosis of this condition is difficult because of significant delay between infection onset and symptoms presentation, resulting in few positive biological tests or imaging exams. We report the case of a nine-year-old boy exhibiting hemicorporal abnormal movements with tics for whom [F]FDG PET/CT exam allowed to make the diagnosis, associated with anti-DNase B elevation.

Metformin-encapsulating immunoliposomes conjugated with anti-TROP 2 antibody fragments for the active targeting of triple-negative breast cancer.

Trophoblast cell-surface antigen 2 (TROP 2) has re-emerged as a promising biomarker in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), with high overexpression in many TNBC cases. However, despite its potential and approval as an antibody-drug-conjugate for TNBC treatment, TROP 2-targeted delivery systems are currently underexplored. Therefore, this study was aimed at exploiting the potential of TROP 2 targeting by encapsulating metformin (Met), an antidiabetic drug associated with tumor growth inhibitory properties, inside liposomes decorated with TROP 2-targeting single-chain variable fragments (scFvs).

Randomized, observer-blind, controlled Phase 1 study of the safety and immunogenicity of the Na-GST-1/Alhydrogel hookworm vaccine with or without a CpG ODN adjuvant in hookworm-naïve adults.

Background: Recombinant Necator americanus Glutathione-S-Transferase-1 (Na-GST-1) formulated on Alhydrogel (Na-GST-1/Alhydrogel) is being developed to prevent anemia and other complications of N. americanus infection. Antibodies induced by vaccination with recombinant Na-GST-1 are hypothesized to interfere with the blood digestion pathway of adult hookworms in the host.

Digital 3D exoscope is an effective tool for the surgery of falx and parasagittal meningiomas.

Purpose: Digital 3D exoscopes are promising tools for microneurosurgery. The results of exoscope-assisted resection of intracranial meningiomas have only been addressed in few case reports. We retrospectively compared the results of exoscope and microscope-assisted surgery of falx and parasagittal meningiomas.

Modifiable Health Behaviours in Children with HCM: Lessons from the Heart Health Survey.

Obesity factors into hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)-related risk as a disease modifying environmental factor. Behaviours such as diet and sleep are seldom reported upon in children with HCM. It was our aim to report on these factors in this population.

Comparative Analysis of Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation and Modified Natural Cycle Protocols on Gene Expression and Quality of Oocytes, Zygotes, and Embryos in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART).

This study investigated the influence of two in vitro fertilization (IVF) protocols-controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) and a modified natural cycle protocol-on gene expression levels (Anti-Müllerian Hormone (), Anti-Müllerian Hormone Receptor Type 2 (), Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Receptor (), and Androgen Receptor ()) and the subsequent reproductive outcomes of assisted reproductive technology (ART). Gene expression, as well as oocyte, zygote, and embryo morphological parameters, were analyzed to evaluate the differences between the protocols. Our findings show that expression was significantly associated with successful fertilization, while expression correlated with improved embryo transfer outcomes.