Smartphone-based detection of COVID-19 and associated pneumonia using thermal imaging and a transfer learning algorithm.

COVID-19-related pneumonia is typically diagnosed using chest x-ray or computed tomography images. However, these techniques can only be used in hospitals. In contrast, thermal cameras are portable, inexpensive devices that can be connected to smartphones.

Dissecting the complex sex-based associations of myopia with height and weight.

Objectives: To assess height and weight as possible sex-specific risk factors for bilateral myopia among young adults.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study including 101,438 pre-enlisted young adult males and females, aged 17.4 ± 0.

Weight loss and response to chemotherapy in pediatric patients with osteosarcoma.

Background: Weight loss and malnutrition are common findings in pediatric oncology patients, but their prognostic significance is controversial. We sought to evaluate the correlation between weight loss and response to neo-adjuvant chemotherapy in pediatric patients with osteosarcoma.

Procedure: All medical files of patients treated for osteosarcoma in a single pediatric haemato-oncology center between January 2011 and October 2022 were retrospectively reviewed.

The effect of COVID-19 vaccination on 30-day mortality after cardiac surgery - Insights from the Israel national registries.

Background: We compared the effect of perioperative COVID-19, before and after vaccination, on 30-day mortality after cardiac surgery.

Methods: Data was extracted from several national registries. The study period was March 1, 2020-March 31, 2022.

Ultra-processed food consumption and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance: A systematic review.

Background: High ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption is associated with the development of various diet-related non-communicable diseases, especially obesity and type 2 diabetes. The present study aimed to systematically review the association between UPF consumption and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its leading risk factors; metabolic syndrome (MetS) and insulin resistance (IR).

Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Cochrane (March 2023), and references of the identified articles were checked.

Coronary Sinus Narrowing Improves Coronary Microcirculation Function in Patients With Refractory Angina: A Multicenter Prospective INROAD Study.

Background: The underlying mechanisms responsible for the clinical benefits following coronary sinus narrowing and pressure elevation remain unclear. The present study aims to investigate whether coronary sinus narrowing improves the indexes of coronary microcirculatory function.

Methods: Patients with refractory angina who had a clinical indication for reducer implantation underwent invasive physiological assessments before and 4 months after the procedure.

Medical Cannabis Increases Appetite but Not Body Weight in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

We aimed to elucidate the effect of Medical Cannabis (MC) on appetite and nutritional status among patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). A case series of patients with IBD were initiating treatment with MC for disease-related symptoms, at the IBD clinic of a tertiary referral medical center. Patients' demographics, anthropometrics, medical history and treatment and MC use were systematically recorded.

Implementation of Artificial Intelligence-Based Computer Vision Model for Sleeve Gastrectomy: Experience in One Tertiary Center.

Introduction: Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is the most common metabolic and bariatric procedure performed. Leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) for automated real-time data structuring and annotations of surgical videos has immense potential of clinical applications. This study presents initial real-world implementation of AI-based computer vision model in sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and external validation of accuracy of safety milestone annotations.

The Impact of Carotid Endarterectomy on Choriocapillaris Perfusion.

Purpose: The impact of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) on choriocapillaris (CC) perfusion was investigated using swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA) imaging before and after surgery in patients with clinically significant carotid artery stenosis (CAS).

Methods: In this prospective observational study, patients with clinically significant CAS undergoing unilateral CEA had SS-OCTA imaging performed in both eyes before and within 1 week after surgery. The percent CC flow deficits (CC FD%) and CC thickness were assessed using previously validated algorithms.

Digital Mobility Measures: A Window into Real-World Severity and Progression of Parkinson's Disease.

Background: Real-world monitoring using wearable sensors has enormous potential for assessing disease severity and symptoms among persons with Parkinson's disease (PD). Many distinct features can be extracted, reflecting multiple mobility domains. However, it is unclear which digital measures are related to PD severity and are sensitive to disease progression.

Is Diastasis Recti Abdominis Rehabilitation after Childbirth Able to Prevent the Onset of Stress Urinary Incontinence? A Case-Control Study.

Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) represent the first-line approach to pelvic floor dysfunctions (PFDs). Recently, studies have shown a synergy between the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles, hypothesizing that the anatomical and functional integrity of the abdominal wall plays a role in the prevention of pelvic floor disorders. Some studies have shown a significant correlation between diastasis recti abdominis (DRA) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Acidosis-mediated increase in IFN-γ-induced PD-L1 expression on cancer cells as an immune escape mechanism in solid tumors.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized cancer therapy, yet the efficacy of these treatments is often limited by the heterogeneous and hypoxic tumor microenvironment (TME) of solid tumors. In the TME, programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression on cancer cells is mainly regulated by Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), which induces T cell exhaustion and enables tumor immune evasion. In this study, we demonstrate that acidosis, a common characteristic of solid tumors, significantly increases IFN-γ-induced PD-L1 expression on aggressive cancer cells, thus promoting immune escape.

MRI-based navigated cryosurgery of extra-abdominal desmoid tumors using skin fiducial markers: a case series of 15 cases.

Background: Precision surgery is becoming increasingly important in the field of Orthopaedic Oncology. Image-guided percutaneous cryosurgery (CRA) has emerged as a valid treatment modality for extra-abdominal desmoid tumors (EDTs). To date, most CRA procedures use CT-based guidance which fails to properly characterize tumor segments.

An Integrative, Multiparametric Approach to Tricuspid Regurgitation Evaluation: A Case-Based Illustration.

Echocardiography is the first-line modality for assessing tricuspid regurgitation (TR). In addition to evaluation of the mechanism of TR, echocardiography can provide quantitative parameters of TR severity and assess hemodynamics. This case series demonstrates the importance of integrating multiple parameters in the evaluation of TR and the role of multimodality imaging.

Performance of brushite plaster as kidney stone phantoms for laser lithotripsy.

Artificial phantoms used in photothermal near-infrared laser lithotripsy research generally fail to mimic both the chemical and the physical properties of human stones. Though high-energy, 1 J pulses are capable of fracturing hard human stones into several large fragments along natural boundaries, similar behavior has not been observed in commonly used gypsum plasters like BegoStone. We developed a new brushite-based plaster formulation composed of ≈90% brushite that undergoes rapid fracture in the manner of human stones under fragmentation pulse regimes.

Photorefractive keratectomy in flat, normal, and steep corneas.

Purpose: To compare photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) outcomes in patients with different corneal steepness.

Setting: Care-Vision Laser Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel.

Design: Retrospective comparative chart review.

Determinants of clinical response to empirical antibiotic treatment in patients with cirrhosis and bacterial and fungal infections-Results from the ICA "Global Study" (EABCIR-Global Study).

Background: The administration of an appropriate empirical antibiotic treatment is essential in cirrhosis and severe bacterial infections. We aimed to investigate the predictors of clinical response of empirical antibiotic treatment in a prospective cohort of patients with cirrhosis and bacterial and fungal infections included in the International Club of Ascites "Global Study."

Methods: Patients hospitalized with cirrhosis and bacterial/fungal infection were prospectively enrolled at 46 centers.

The Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Interest Group (PESIG) under the auspice of the ISPN Research Committee: Availability of relevant technology and geographical distribution.

Purpose: Epilepsy surgery for pediatric drug-resistant epilepsy has been shown to improve seizure control, enhance patient and family QoL, and reduce mortality. However, diagnostic tools and surgical capacity are less accessible worldwide. The International Society Pediatric Neurosurgery (ISPN) has established a Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Interest Group (PESIG), aiming to enhance global collaboration in research and educational aspects.

Early safety and mid-term clinical outcomes of technology transfer of transcatheter aortic valve implantation in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis in Vietnam: a single-center experience of 90 patients.

Background: This study investigated the early safety and mid-term outcomes of stepwise implementation of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in Vietnamese patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) at a single center, following the process of technical transfer.

Methods: From 2017 to 2022, 90 patients with symptomatic severe AS underwent TAVI at a tertiary hospital in Vietnam. The first 30 cases received support for technology transfer from international proctors.

Shifting Strategies in the Treatment of Pediatric Craniopharyngioma.

Purpose Of Review: Craniopharyngiomas represent one of the most challenging diseases to treat. Despite their benign histology, and after many decades of surgical experience and technological advancements, there is still no clear consensus regarding the most effective management for this tumor. Due to their location and aggressive local characteristics, purely surgical approaches all too often result in unacceptable morbidity.