Harnessing the Power of Voice: A Deep Neural Network Model for Alzheimer's Disease Detection.

Background And Purpose: Voice, reflecting cerebral functions, holds potential for analyzing and understanding brain function, especially in the context of cognitive impairment (CI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study used voice data to distinguish between normal cognition and CI or Alzheimer's disease dementia (ADD).

Methods: This study enrolled 3 groups of subjects: 1) 52 subjects with subjective cognitive decline; 2) 110 subjects with mild CI; and 3) 59 subjects with ADD.

Weight changes after smoking cessation affect the risk of vertebral fractures: a nationwide population-based cohort study.

Background Context: Smoking cessation reduces the risk of vertebral and hip fractures but usually increases body weight. Since underweight is known as a risk factor for vertebral fractures, smoking cessation is considered to have a protective effect on vertebral fractures. However, the actual effect of weight change after smoking cessation on the risk of vertebral fractures remains uncertain.

Comparative Study of Post-Surgical Outcomes in Pain, Disability, and Health-Related Quality of Life for Adult Spinal Deformity in Patients Aged above and below 75 Years.

(1) Background: Adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery is known to improve clinical and radiological parameters; however, it may also cause more complications in elderly patients. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of ASD surgery, specifically regarding pain, disability, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients aged 75 years and over and patients aged under 75 years; (2) Methods: A total of 151 patients who underwent ASD surgery between August 2014 and September 2020 were included. Patients were divided into two groups based on whether they are 75 years and over or under.

Factors affecting successful immediate indirect decompression in oblique lateral interbody fusion in lumbar spinal stenosis patients.

Background: Oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) offers indirect decompression of stenotic lesions of the spinal canal and foramen through immediate disc height restoration. Only a few studies have reported the effect of cage position and associated intraoperatively modifiable factors for successful immediate indirect decompression following OLIF surgery. This study aimed to investigate the intraoperatively modifiable factors for successful radiological outcomes of OLIF.

Evaluating the Efficacy of Water-Soluble Bone Wax (Tableau Wax) in Reducing Blood Loss in Spinal Fusion Surgery: A Randomized, Controlled, Pilot Study.

: Lumbar decompression with fusion surgery is an effective treatment for spinal stenosis, but critical postoperative hematoma is a concern. Bone wax has been widely used to control bone bleeding but it has some drawbacks. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Tableau wax, a bioabsorbable hemostatic material, in patients undergoing spinal fusion surgery through a pilot study design.

Tucatinib and Trastuzumab for Previously Treated Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2-Positive Metastatic Biliary Tract Cancer (SGNTUC-019): A Phase II Basket Study.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of tucatinib and trastuzumab in patients with previously treated human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) metastatic biliary tract cancer (mBTC).

Methods: SGNTUC-019 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04579380) is an open-label phase II basket study evaluating the efficacy and safety of tucatinib and trastuzumab in patients with HER2-altered solid tumors.

Real-World Effectiveness and Safety of a Single-Pill Combination of Olmesartan/Amlodipine/Hydrochlorothiazide in Korean Patients with Hypertension and Cardiovascular Risk Factors.

Introduction: Patients with hypertension and additional cardiovascular risk factors pose a challenge by requiring more intensive blood pressure (BP) control. Single-pill combination (SPC) therapy can benefit these patients by improving medication adherence.

Methods: This prospective, multicenter observational study assessed the real-world safety and effectiveness of an SPC containing olmesartan, amlodipine, and hydrochlorothiazide (O/A/H) in South Korean patients with hypertension and cardiovascular risk factors.

Single-Agent Divarasib (GDC-6036) in Solid Tumors with a G12C Mutation.

Background: Divarasib (GDC-6036) is a covalent KRAS G12C inhibitor that was designed to have high potency and selectivity.

Methods: In a phase 1 study, we evaluated divarasib administered orally once daily (at doses ranging from 50 to 400 mg) in patients who had advanced or metastatic solid tumors that harbor a G12C mutation. The primary objective was an assessment of safety; pharmacokinetics, investigator-evaluated antitumor activity, and biomarkers of response and resistance were also assessed.

Duration of Adjunctive Antidepressant Maintenance in Bipolar I Depression.

Background: Antidepressants are used to treat acute depression in patients with bipolar I disorder, but their effect as maintenance treatment after the remission of depression has not been well studied.

Methods: We conducted a multisite, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of maintenance of treatment with adjunctive escitalopram or bupropion XL as compared with discontinuation of antidepressant therapy in patients with bipolar I disorder who had recently had remission of a depressive episode. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to continue treatment with antidepressants for 52 weeks after remission or to switch to placebo at 8 weeks.

Comparison of surgical outcomes between lumbar interbody fusions using expandable and static cages: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The use of static cages for lumbar interbody fusion (LIF) can cause complications such as end plate violation, graft subsidence, and nerve injury. Therefore, expandable cages that allow for in-situ expansion have been developed to overcome these problems. However, it remains uncertain whether expandable cages have better surgical outcomes than static cages do.

Device-supported automated basal insulin titration in adults with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Technological advances make it possible to use device-supported, automated algorithms to aid basal insulin (BI) dosing titration in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials were performed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and quality of life of automated BI titration versus conventional care. The literature in Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane databases from January 2000 to February 2022 were searched to identify relevant studies.

Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion Performed Using a CaO-SiO-PO-BO Bioactive Glass Ceramic or Polyetheretherketone Cage Filled with Hydroxyapatite/β-Tricalcium Phosphate: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

A CaO-SiO-PO-BO bioactive glass-ceramic (BGS-7) spacer provides high mechanical stability, produces a chemical bond to the adjacent endplate, and facilitates fusion after spine surgery. This prospective, randomized, single-blind, non-inferiority trial aimed to evaluate the radiographic outcomes and clinical efficacy of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) using a BGS-7 spacer for treating cervical degenerative disorders. Thirty-six patients underwent ACDF using a BGS-7 spacer (Group N), and 40 patients underwent ACDF using polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cages filled with a mixture of hydroxyapatite (HA) and β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) for the treatment of cervical degenerative disorders.

Measurement of interspinous motion in dynamic cervical radiographs using a deep learning-based segmentation model.

Objective: Interspinous motion (ISM) is a representative method for evaluating the functional fusion status following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgery, but the associated measuring difficulty and potential errors in the clinical setting remain concerns. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of a deep learning-based segmentation model for measuring ISM in patients who underwent ACDF surgery.

Methods: This study is a retrospective analysis of flexion-extension dynamic cervical radiographs from a single institution and a validation of a convolutional neural network (CNN)-based artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm for measuring ISM.

Risk of fracture according to temporal changes of low body weight changes in adults over 40 years: a nationwide population-based cohort study.

Background: Low body weight is associated with an increased risk of fractures. However, the effect of temporal changes in the low body weight status on the risk of fracture remains unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the relationships between temporal changes in low body weight status and the risk of fractures in adults over the age of 40 years.

Use of basal insulin in the management of adults with type 2 diabetes: An Asia-Pacific evidence-based clinical practice guideline.

The objective of this study was to provide recommendations regarding effectiveness, safety, optimal starting dose, optimal maintenance dose range, and target fasting plasma glucose of five basal insulins (glargine U-300, degludec U-100, glargine U-100, detemir, and insulin protamine Hagedorn) in insulin-naïve adult patients with type 2 diabetes in the Asia-Pacific region. Based on evidence from a systematic review, we developed an Asia-Pacific clinical practice guideline through comprehensive internal review and external review processes. We set up and used clinical thresholds of trivial, small, moderate, and large effects for different critical and important outcomes in the overall certainty of evidence assessment and balancing the magnitude of intervention effects when making recommendations, following GRADE methods (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation).

Effectiveness, safety, initial optimal dose, and optimal maintenance dose range of basal insulin regimens for type 2 diabetes: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

Aims: To investigate the effectiveness, safety, optimal starting dose, optimal maintenance dose range, and target fasting plasma glucose of five basal insulins in insulin-naïve patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched from January 2000 to February 2022. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) approach was adopted.

Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of conventional and interlaminar full-endoscopic decompressive laminectomy to treat lumbar spinal stenosis (ENDO-F trial): Protocol for a prospective, randomized, multicenter trial.

Lumbar spinal stenosis is a common spinal degenerative condition. Minimally invasive interlaminar full-endoscopic decompressive laminectomy provides greater patient satisfaction and faster recovery than open decompressive laminectomy. The aim of our randomized controlled trial will be to compare the safety and efficacy of interlaminar full-endoscopic laminectomy and open decompressive laminectomy.

Effect of olmesartan and amlodipine on serum angiotensin-(1-7) levels and kidney and vascular function in patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

Background: Recent studies suggest that angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)] might have beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. We investigated the effects of olmesartan on the changes in serum ACE2 and Ang-(1-7) levels as well as kidney and vascular function in patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, active comparator-controlled trial.

Development and Validation of a Risk-Prediction Nomogram for Chronic Low Back Pain Using a National Health Examination Survey: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Several prognostic factors have been reported for chronic low back pain (CLBP). However, there are no studies on the prediction of CLBP development in the general population using a risk prediction model. This cross-sectional study aimed to develop and validate a risk prediction model for CLBP development in the general population, and to create a nomogram that can help a person at risk of developing CLBP to receive appropriate counseling on risk modification.