Using Virtual Reality to Promote Self-Identity Reconstruction as the Main Focus of Therapy.

Based on the repertory grid technique, we developed Explore Your Meanings (EYME), a digital platform that helps patients explore identity values and internal conflicts using virtual reality (VR). EYME was part of a research project treating depression in young adults, including 10 weekly, 1-h sessions aimed at changing personal constructs-cognitive schemas that shape how individuals interpret reality. We present the case of Mary, a 21-year-old woman diagnosed with persistent major depressive disorder and social phobia.

Association of Albumin-To-Creatinine Ratio With Diabetic Retinopathy Among US Adults (NHANES 2009-2016).

Objective: This study investigates the relationship between the albumin-to-creatinine ratio and diabetic retinopathy (DR) in US adults using NHANES data from 2009 to 2016. This study assesses the predictive efficacy of the urinary serum albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR/SACR Ratio) against traditional biomarkers such as the serum albumin-to-creatinine ratio (SACR) and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) for evaluating DR risk. Additionally, the study explores the potential of these biomarkers, both individually and in combination with HbA1c, for early detection and risk stratification of DR.

Early developmental trajectories of the impaired hand in infants with unilateral cerebral palsy.

Aim: To identify developmental trajectories of impaired hand function in infants aged 3 to 15 months with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP).

Method: Sixty-three infants (37 male; median gestational age 37 weeks [interquartile range 30-39.1 weeks]) recruited as part of a randomized trial with a confirmed diagnosis of unilateral CP were included.

Digging deeper into necrotizing enterocolitis: bridging clinical, microbial, and molecular perspectives.

Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) is a severe, life-threatening inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract, especially affecting preterm infants. This review consolidates evidence from various biomedical disciplines to elucidate the complex pathogenesis of NEC, integrating insights from clinical, microbial, and molecular perspectives. It emphasizes the modulation of NEC-associated inflammatory pathways by probiotics and novel biologics, highlighting their therapeutic potential.

Intranasal administration of antiseizure drugs using new formulation trends: one step closer to reach clinical trials.

Introduction: Although there are numerous options for epilepsy treatment, its effective control continues unsatisfactory. Thus, search for alternative therapeutic options to improve the efficacy/safety binomial of drugs becomes very attractive to investigate. In this context, intranasal administration of antiseizure drugs formulated on state-of-the-art nanosystems can be a promising strategy.

Drought tolerance as an evolutionary precursor to frost and winter tolerance in grasses.

Accumulating evidence is suggesting more frequent tropical-to-temperate transitions than previously thought. This raises the possibility that biome transitions could be facilitated by precursor traits. A wealth of ecological, genetic and physiological evidence suggests overlap between drought and frost stress responses, but the origin of this overlap, i.

Low-Level Red Light for the Progression Myopia in Children: A Meta-Analysis.

Purposes: This meta-analysis aims to systematically analyze the efficacy of low-level red light (LRL) therapy for myopia control and prevention in children.

Methods: All the data were searched from the PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. The Cochrane Handbook was used to evaluate the quality of the included studies.

The Psychosocial and Contextual Predictors of Revenge Desire and Attitudes in Crime Victims: A Scoping Review.

Criminal victimization is associated with an increased risk of violent offending, which can be motivated by revenge. Experiencing revenge desire could also be harmful for crime victims' mental health. To limit revenge's harmful effects, researchers have examined the predictors of revenge desire and attitudes.

Circadian Misalignment Impacts Cardiac Autonomic Modulation in Adolescence.

Study Objectives: Although heart rate variability (HRV), a marker of cardiac autonomic modulation (CAM), is known to predict cardiovascular morbidity, the circadian timing of sleep (CTS) is also involved in autonomic modulation. We examined whether circadian misalignment is associated with blunted HRV in adolescents as a function of entrainment to school or on-breaks.

Methods: We evaluated 360 subjects from the Penn State Child Cohort (median 16y) who had at least 3-night at-home actigraphy (ACT), in-lab 9-h polysomnography (PSG) and 24-h Holter-monitoring heart rate variability (HRV) data.

Impact and Mechanisms of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia on Fatigue among Cancer Survivors: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Study Objectives: Cancer-related fatigue is one of the most common symptoms in cancer survivors. Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) can improve fatigue, but mechanisms are unclear. This secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial evaluated whether CBT-I led to a significant improvement in fatigue, accounting for change in comorbid symptoms of insomnia, perceived cognitive impairment (PCI), anxiety, and depression.

Examining Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS) Cue Reactivity Using a Remote Platform: Cigarette and ENDS Desire in Dual Users.

Introduction: Prior research shows that in-person exposure to electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) use increases desire for cigarettes and ENDS. However, less is known about the impact of cues delivered during remote interactions. This study extends previous in-person cue work by leveraging a remote confederate-delivered cue-delivery paradigm to evaluate the impact of dual nicotine vaping (vs.

Magnetic resonance imaging safety in Asia-Oceania: call for action.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) safety is a critical concern in the Asia-Oceania region, as it is elsewhere in the world, due to the unique and complex MRI environment that demands attention. This call-for-action outlines ten critical steps to enhance MRI safety and promote a culture of responsibility and accountability in the Asia-Oceania region. Key focus areas include strengthening education and expertise, improving quality assurance, fostering collaboration, increasing public awareness, and establishing national safety boards.

Adverse Events of Factor Xa Inhibitors in Pediatric Patients: A Meta-analysis and Pharmacovigilance Study.

Background: This study aimed to provide a comprehensive review of adverse events (AEs) associated with factor Xa (FXa) inhibitors in pediatric patients.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the European Union Clinical Trials Register for English-language records from the establishment of the database up to October 17, 2023.

What Influences Postpartum Depressive Symptoms? The role of Social Determinants of Health, Race-Based Discrimination and Stressful Life Experiences.

Objective: Development of postpartum depressive symptoms (PDS) is influenced by many social determinants of health, including income, discrimination, and other stressful life experiences. Early recognition of PDS is essential to reduce its long-term impact on mothers and their children, but postpartum checkups are highly underutilized. This study examined how stressful life experiences and race-based discrimination influence PDS development and whether or not a women has a postpartum checkup.

The Effect of Colchicine on Platelet Function Profiles in Patients with Stable Coronary Artery Disease: The ECLIPSE Pilot Study.

Introduction: This prospective, single-arm pharmacodynamic study assessed the effect of colchicine (COLC) [Strides Pharma UK Ltd, Watford, Hertfordshire, England] 0.5 mg administered orally once daily for 14 days on platelet reactivity with respect to aspirin reaction units (ARUs) and P2Y reaction units (PRUs).

Methods: Twenty-two patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) on dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with daily maintenance aspirin and clopidogrel were recruited.

Glass Ceiling.

Fifty-five word stories have proven a useful reflective tool across medicine. This short piece details an episode in which 'leadership' came up short. Leadership has to make itself present.

Current and Emerging Therapies for Lysosomal Storage Disorders.

Lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs) are rare inherited metabolic disorders characterized by defects in the function of specific enzymes responsible for breaking down substrates within cellular organelles (lysosomes) essential for the processing of macromolecules. Undigested substrate accumulates within lysosomes, leading to cellular dysfunction, tissue damage, and clinical manifestations. Clinical features vary depending on the degree and type of enzyme deficiency, the type and extent of substrate accumulated, and the tissues affected.

Zinc Combined with Metformin Corrects Zinc Homeostasis and Improves Steroid Synthesis and Semen Quality in Male Type 2 Diabetic Mice by Activating PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway.

Male infertility is a common complication of diabetes. Diabetes leads to the decrease of zinc (Zn) content, which is a necessary trace element to maintain the normal structure and function of reproductive organs and spermatogenesis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of metformin combined with zinc on testis and sperm in diabetic mice.

Short-term efficacy and safety of PreserFlo MicroShunt in Japanese patients with medically treated primary open-angle glaucoma.

Purpose: To assess the efficacy and safety of PreserFlo MicroShunt (PMS) combined with mitomycin C in patients with medically treated primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).

Study Design: A retrospective observational study.

Methods: The study examined 83 eyes from 83 patients with medically treated glaucoma surgery naive POAG.

Retinal detachment after acute retinal necrosis: a retrospective analysis of hospitalized patients.

Purpose: To review hospitalized patients with Acute Retinal Necrosis (ARN) and investigate factors associated with subsequent retinal detachment (RD).

Study Design: Retrospective.

Methods: The study included 40 patients (42 eyes), categorized into non-RD (23 eyes) and RD (19 eyes) groups.

Visualization of porcine and human aqueous humor outflow tract anatomies with transparency enhancement.

Purpose: There is no established method for visualizing the three-dimensional (3D) structure of the aqueous humor outflow tract. This study attempted to visualize the 3D structures of porcine and human ocular tissues, particularly the aqueous humor outflow tract using a transparency reagent composed of 2, 2-thiodiethanol.

Study Design: Clinical and experimental.