Psychometric Validation of the German Version of the Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity (RAPA): A Secondary Analysis of Cross-Sectional Survey Data.

Background And Aims: Regular physical activity holds numerous health benefits for older people, yet the majority of older people do not meet the World Health Organization's physical activity recommendations. Brief physical activity screening tools can support healthcare professionals in identifying patients who would benefit from physical activity promotion and counselling. The Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity (RAPA) questionnaire is a validated brief physical activity screening tool designed for clinical practice.

The Movahed protocol and algorithm for preventing intubation in patients with acute or sympathetic crashing acute pulmonary edema (SCAPE) without cardiogenic shock by repeated administration of buccal nitroglycerin ointments.

Patients presenting with severe acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema with hypoxia commonly require intubation until heart failure treatments take effect. A new term describing similar condition is called sympathetic crashing acute pulmonary edema (SCAPE). It is also called Flash pulmonary edema.

Comparison of long-term outcomes in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis treated with different immunosuppressive drugs.

Background: We compared long-term clinical outcomes between patients with cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) who received no treatment (NT), steroid treatment (ST), disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), or tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors (TNF).

Methods: Patients from SSM healthcare system's data warehouse were identified using ICD codes. Inclusion criteria included at least 6 months of follow-up.

Burden and predictors of mortality related to cardiogenic shock in the South Bronx Population.

Objectives: Cardiogenic shock is a significant economic burden on healthcare facilities and patients. The prevalence and outcome of cardiogenic shock in the South Bronx are unknown. The aim of the study was to examine the burden of non-AMI CS in Hispanic and Black population in South Bronx and characterize their in-hospital outcomes.

Physical cardiac rehabilitation effects on cardio-metabolic outcomes in the patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a systematic review.

Objectives: This systematic review aimed to review existing evidence to evaluate the effects of physical cardiac rehabilitation on cardio-pulmonary outcomes in the patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).

Methods: We conducted a systematic search of the databases PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The initial search led to 1222 citations after removing duplicate results.

Self-reported preoperative anxiety and depression associated with worse patient-reported outcomes for periacetabular osteotomy and hip arthroscopy surgery.

Adverse mental health status has been linked to less successful surgical outcomes across several orthopaedic subspecialties. Mental health represents a modifiable risk factor that can be optimized preoperatively to maximize outcomes for hip preservation surgery. This study examines the relationship between preoperative mental health status and preoperative and postoperative outcomes for adolescent and adult patients undergoing hip preservation surgery.

Preoperative quantitative imaging use in predicting intraoperative decision for hip labral repair versus reconstruction.

Intraoperative assessment of labral quality determines arthroscopic repair versus reconstruction for hip labral tear treatment. T2 mapping technology discriminates between healthy and damaged cartilage. This study investigated if T2 mapping magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can preoperatively predict labral repair versus reconstruction.

The topography of nullomer-emerging mutations and their relevance to human disease.

Nullomers are short DNA sequences (11-18 base pairs) that are absent from a genome; however, they can emerge due to mutations. Here, we characterize all possible putative human nullomer-emerging single base pair mutations, population variants and disease-causing mutations. We find that the primary determinants of nullomer emergence in the human genome are the presence of CpG dinucleotides and methylated cytosines.

Research focus and theme evolution on enhanced external counterpulsation: A bibliometric analysis.

Aims: The study delved into the identification of key research areas and evolving trends within the domain of Enhanced External Counterpulsation, aiming to gain comprehensive insights into the subject matter.

Methods: Utilizing the sophisticated search parameter of 'topic' (TS) on the Web of Science (WoS) database, the necessary information was retrieved. This research employed an array of tools for effective data extraction, analysis, and visualization, which included Microsoft Excel for tabular management, HistCite Pro for citation analysis, GunnMap for geographical mapping, BibExcel for bibliometric assessments, and VOSviewer for network visualization purposes.

Mortality and Length of Stay Implications of Deterioration-Associated Transfer to the Intensive Care Unit over Different Time Frames.

Background: Quality improvement initiatives in the acute care setting often target reduction of mortality and length of stay (LOS). Unplanned care escalations are associated with increased mortality risk and prolonged LOS, but may be precipitated by different factors, including appropriate triage, bed availability, and post-admission deterioration.

Objectives: This work evaluates different transfer timeframes to quantify the impact of deterioration-associated unplanned transfers to intensive care (ICU) on mortality and LOS, informing evidence-based interventions to improve patient care.

Novel p.Arg534del Mutation and MTHFR C667T Polymorphism in Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) With Autism Spectrum Phenotype: A Case Report.

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) presents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disability, developmental delay, seizures, hypotonia during infancy, joint laxity, behavioral issues, and characteristic facial features. The predominant mechanism is due to CGG trinucleotide repeat expansion of more than 200 repeats in the 5'UTR (untranslated region) of (Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein 1) causing promoter methylation and transcriptional silencing. However, not all patients presenting with the characteristic phenotype and point/frameshift mutations with deletions in have been described in the literature.

Comparative Analysis of Hydration Status and Microbial Quality of Tap Water Between Urban and Rural Settings in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.

Maintaining proper hydration is crucial for human health, physiological functions, and cognitive performance. This study sought to determine the hydration status and the microbial safety of tap water in an urban setting (Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Campus) and a rural community (Adjamesu) in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The water safety perception and hydration status of 171 study participants aged 10-61 years were assessed.

The Diagnostic Journey of Dysautonomia Patients: Insights from a Patient-Reported Outcome Study.

Dysautonomia refers to any disorder involving altered function of the autonomic nervous system. Dysautonomia can be debilitating as it often affects multiple organ systems. The diagnostic journey for individuals affected by dysautonomia can be hindered by symptom overlap with other conditions and by limited access to autonomic specialists.

Same-Day Access for Head and Neck Cancer: Effect on Patient Outcome and Quality-Related Benchmarks.

Delays in cancer treatment are detrimental across nearly every disease site in oncology including head and neck cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of same-day access for patients with newly diagnosed head and neck cancer referred for radiation therapy consultation. From March 2021 to March 2023, a total of 50 consecutive patients who completed curative treatment were matched to a control subject who did not use the same-day initiative based on age, gender, histology, performance status, primary tumor site, stage, p16 status, treatment, and smoking history.

Analytical validation of a novel bioassay for thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin.

Background: A novel and rapid cell-based bioassay, Turbo TSI, for measurement of thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins (TSI) was recently reported. An assessment of the analytical performance of this TSI bioassay is described herein.

Methods: Thawed cells from Turbo TSI kits were treated with different concentrations of a World Health Organization (WHO) international standard (IS) TSI-positive serum.

Association of Infection with Pediatric Asthma in Palestine.

Purpose: Significant debate exists on the association between infection and childhood asthma. We aimed to explore this association in a cohort of children in Palestine while estimating the prevalence of in this population.

Methods: We conducted a prospective case-control study among children aged 6-15 years in Palestine, including 44 asthma cases diagnosed by pediatric pulmonologists and 99 age-matched healthy controls recruited through cluster sampling from schools.

Detection of Eosinophilic Cell-free Granules Based on Expression of CCR3 and MBP Markers in Esophageal Biopsy Specimens of Patients with Suspected and Confirmed Eosinophilic Esophagitis.

Purpose: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is the most well-known eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorder (EGID) characterized by the presence of a high number eosinophils within the esophageal epithelium and the clinical signs. Biopsies of patients with suspected EoE may not show a high number of eosinophils, however the presence of granules may help with the diagnosis. This study aims to evaluate the presence of cell-free eosinophil granules in the esophageal tissue of patients with suspected and confirmed EoE to accelerate the diagnosis and treatment of patients with low eosinophil count.

Loss or inhibition of lysosomal acid lipase leads to cholesteryl ester accumulation without affecting muscle formation or mitochondrial function.

Skeletal muscle (SM) is essential for movement, stability, and overall body function, and it readily adapts to changes in energy demand. Myogenesis is energy-intensive and involves complex molecular and cellular events. We recently demonstrated that the absence of lysosomal acid lipase (LAL) significantly impacts the SM phenotype, primarily by disrupting energy homeostasis and reducing ATP production.

The pragmatic cycle of knowledge work: Unlocking cross-domain collaboration in open innovation spaces.

Collaborating is increasingly characterized by working across domains and organizations. Teams rapidly form and dissolve, actors and settings frequently change, yet most academic research focuses on stable organizations and team configurations with familiar domains. This leads to the question: how do people successfully collaborate across domains and organizations in circumstances where there is little shared knowledge? We explored this question within the nascent digital health sector when Hacking Health-a non-profit organization-used an open innovation approach to bring together actors from different domains and organizations in temporary spaces to spur new collaborations.

Genetics and Epigenetics of Human Pubertal Timing: The Contribution of Genes Associated With Central Precocious Puberty.

Human puberty is a dynamic biological process determined by the increase in the pulsatile secretion of GnRH triggered by distinct factors not fully understood. Current knowledge reveals fine tuning between an increase in stimulatory factors and a decrease in inhibitory factors, where genetic and epigenetic factors have been indicated as key players in the regulation of puberty onset by distinct lines of evidence. Central precocious puberty (CPP) results from the premature reactivation of pulsatile secretion of GnRH.

Management of a COVID-19 outbreak using a multidisciplinary approach and infection prevention control practices at a community living center in Veterans Administration Hospital, North Texas.

Background: The increase in severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) cases due to the omicron strain led to reduced acute care hospital beds at the Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital, North Texas; veterans with non-severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease were managed at a community living center (CLC), a VA nursing home. The management of non-severe COVID-19 in VA nursing homes has not been extensively described.

Methods: We describe resident characteristics and outcomes, and infection control practices implemented during 2 COVID-19 outbreak periods (January 12-February 15, 2022, June 28-July 14, 2023).

Developing a curriculum on antimicrobial stewardship for pediatric residents: a needs assessment.

Objective: Identify essential components of a curriculum on antimicrobial stewardship (AS) for pediatric residents.

Design: Survey.

Setting: Academic tertiary care children's hospital.

Development and validation of an antibiotic appropriateness metric for urinary tract infections and pyelonephritis in ambulatory settings.

Ambulatory antibiotic stewardship has traditionally focused on acute respiratory infections with few studies evaluating metrics for other commonly encountered ambulatory conditions, including urinary tract infections (UTI). We describe the development and validation of an electronically captured appropriate antibiotic use metric for ambulatory UTIs using coding data.

Comparison of sampling and culture methods for the recovery of yeast from hospital surfaces.

Objective: To compare the recovery of yeast from hospital surfaces from two different collection methods: Eswab moistened with molecular water, and premoistened stick-mounted sponge.

Design: Comparison of collection methods for the recovery of yeast in the hospital environment.

Setting: This study took place at intensive care units of a large academic medical center.