Body Regions Research Articles

Prevalence of teenage uterine fibroid: The radiologic perspective

Background: Uterine fibroids are the most common benign neoplasms among women but are rare and less seen before puberty. Objective: This study is to evaluate the prevalence of teenage uterine fibroids using radiologic imaging. Materials and Method: It was a cross-sectional study among 1225 teenage girls over a 12-month period. Participation was voluntary with patients’ confidentiality maintained. Ethical approval from the ethics committee was also obtained from participants, or guidance before the study. Age, clinical presentation, and provisional diagnosis were obtained from the referral form while the weight and height were measured before the pelvic ultrasonography. A full bladder was obtained by requesting the participants to take about 500 ml of water before the scan using a 3.5 MHz curvilinear probe coupled into a GE LOGIQ 5 ultrasound machine. Each participant lay supine on the examination couch in the presence of a chaperone. An ultrasound acoustic gel was applied on the skin of the exposed body region to obliterate the air interface between the skin and the transducer. The findings were documented, collated, and analyzed with descriptive statistics using IBM SPSS version 23.0 statistical software for Windows, and results were presented as tables, charts, and figures. Results: The age distribution of the participants was 12 years (8.65%; n = 106), 13 years (15.27%; n = 187), and 16 years (23.35%; n = 286). The highest frequency of uterine leiomyoma was seen among those within the 85th to 94th percentile of BMI. Uterine fibroids were seen at ages 13, 14, and 15 years, accounting for 0.58% (n=22) of the participants. Other findings were PID (7.75%, n=106), UTI (7.52%, n=10), and ovarian cyst (1.50%, n=12). Conclusion: The study also concludes that uterine fibroids can be seen among teenagers aged 13 to 15 years with a point prevalence of 1.8%. Also conclude that the disease is commoner among overweight teenagers.

Challenges in Describing Tremor and Dystonia.

Tremor is defined as an oscillatory and rhythmical movement. By contrast, dystonia is defined by sustained or intermittent abnormal postures, repetitive movements, or both. Tremor and dystonia often coexist in the same individual. Sometimes tremor and dystonia occur in the same body region, and sometimes they occur in separate body regions. In other cases, dystonic movements are rapid and repetitive, and they may mimic tremor. The varied clinical phenomenology of dystonia and tremor were recognized in the earliest descriptions of dystonia, and various terms have been used to describe the relationships between tremor and dystonia. The term dystonic tremor was first introduced to distinguish tremor-like movements in dystonia from more common tremors such as essential tremor. Subsequently, the same term was adopted to refer to any combination of dystonia and tremor in the same body region. Both applications of this term continue to be used in the modern literature. Other related terms have also been proposed such as tremor associated with dystonia, tremulous dystonia, dystonia-tremor syndrome, and dystonia with tremor. The proliferation of terms has become confusing, and expert opinion regarding application of these terms is divided, so a group of specialists was assembled to review the terminology and to develop recommendations for a more consistent approach. The group agreed that the term tremor should exclusively refer to rhythmic movements. The group also agreed that repetitive dystonic movements that are grossly arrhythmic should not be labeled with terms that imply they are a type of tremor. Moreover, when tremor and dystonia coexist, it may be clinically more useful to describe them separately, using descriptive terms rather than hybrid terms that imply suspected etiology. Easy-to-use clinical terms are essential, although bedside discrimination of movements may sometimes be challenging. In the future, motion analysis or physiologic measures may aid in the discrimination of movements that remain clinically uncertain.

The effect of musculoskeletal system disorders in female office workers.

Objectives. This study aimed to analyze the effects of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) on the work performance, musculoskeletal fitness and quality of life of female office workers employed at a university. Methods. MSDs were evaluated in different body regions with the Cornell musculoskeletal discomfort questionnaire (CMDQ), job performance with the work role functioning questionnaire (WRFQ), musculoskeletal fitness with the musculoskeletal fitness battery (MFB) and quality of life with the short form-12 quality of life questionnaire (SF-12). Results. There was a significant weak correlation between job performance and lower back pain (LBP) (r = -0.21, p = 0.01). There were significant weak to moderate negative correlations between quality of life and CMDQ pain scores for each body part except the back, lower back and hip. There was a significant difference between those who always went to work and those who missed work for 10 days or more only in terms of LBP and hip pain scores (p = 0.008, p = 0.002). Conclusion. Musculoskeletal pain negatively impacts employees' quality of life and work performance. Neck and extremity pain reduce office workers' quality of life, while LBP and hip pain can affect work performance and lead to absenteeism.

Lutein and inflammation: a comprehensive review of its mechanisms of action

Lutein, a natural dihydroxy carotenoid and a member of the non-vitamin A carotenoids family, is abundant in yellow-colored fruits and green leafy vegetables such as spinach and lettuce. As the second most common type of carotenoid found in human serum, lutein offers a plethora of medicinal benefits, including anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidative properties. It is well-absorbed and systemically localized to the liver, lung, and retina, where it can cross the blood-retina barrier and accumulate in the macular pigment. Due to its anti-oxidative and singlet oxygen quenching properties, lutein is reported to reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Higher concentrations of fasting plasma carotenoids and enhanced skin yellowing after lutein consumption indicate its presence in various regions of the human body, including the skin, breast, brain, and cervix. Lutein has remarkable benefits for neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular health, liver protection, and bone disease prevention. In the central nervous system (CNS), lutein supports brain homeostasis through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, increasing interleukin-10 (IL-10) and reducing tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). It reduces the risk of coronary artery disease and exerts anti-inflammatory effects on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Lutein protects against alcohol-induced liver damage by modulating the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) signaling pathway. Additionally, lutein promotes bone health by enhancing mineralized bone nodule development and inhibiting osteoclast production, reducing bone resorption, and suppressing soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL). These multifaceted benefits make lutein a valuable agent in disease prevention and health promotion. This review discusses the comprehensive profile of lutein as a phytochemical activity, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-cancer, hepatoprotective, neurological, and cardioprotective effects. Additionally, it discusses lutein’s beneficial impact on macular degeneration and eye diseases, showcasing its potential as a natural, plant-based therapeutic agent.

The severely injured older patient: identifying patients at high risk for mortality using the Dutch National Trauma Registry

PurposeThe incidence of severely injured older trauma patients is increasing globally, portraying high mortality rates. Exploring the demographics and clinical outcomes of this subgroup is essential to further improve specialised care at the right place. This study was performed to identify severely injured older patients at high risk for mortality by examining their characteristics and identifying prognostic factors contributing to mortality.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from the Dutch National Trauma Registry to identify all trauma patients aged 70 years and older from 2016 to 2022. Subgroup analyses for characteristics and outcomes were performed based on Injury Severity Score (ISS) 16–24 and ISS ≥ 25, as well as age groups of 70–79, 80–89 and ≥ 90 years. A logistic, backwards regression analysis was performed to identify predictors for mortality within each ISS groups.ResultsIn total, 10,901 patients were included. The mean age was comparable between the ISS groups (80.48 ± 6.8 vs. 80.54 ± 6.6 years). The main trauma mechanisms in both the ISS 16–24 and ISS ≥ 25 were low energy falls and bicycle accidents. The head and thorax were the most frequently injured body regions, with a significantly higher proportion of severe head injuries in the ISS ≥ 25 group (32.6% vs. 73.4%). Mortality rates increased significantly with higher injury severity (13.9% vs. 48.9%) and advancing age (22.6% vs. 32.4% vs. 35.8%). The most significant predictors of mortality in the ISS 16–24 group were an increase in ASA score and a GCS 3–8 at arrival (OR for GCS: 7.2 (95% CI 5.7–9.1), AUC 0.76). Similarly, in the ISS ≥ 25 group, an increased ASA score and a GCS 3–8 at arrival were the most significant predictors of mortality as well (OR for GCS: 10.8 (9.1–12.9), AUC 0.79). Although increasing age was also associated with a higher risk of mortality in both ISS groups, its impact was less significant than the aforementioned variables.ConclusionSevere injuries in older patients are predominantly caused by low energy falls and bicycle accidents, leading to high mortality rates. A low GCS at arrival and high ASA scores are most strongly associated with an increased risk for mortality. Notably, despite the prevalence of severe injuries among the oldest patients, the proportion of intensive care unit admissions decreases markedly with age. This raises the question what feasible care for these often frail patients should comprise of and where this care should be provided, especially for those with severe pre-existent comorbidities.Level of evidence and study typeLevel III, prognostic/epidemiological.

The Impact of Age Differences and Injury Severity on Pedestrian Traffic Crashes: An Analysis of Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes

Background/Objectives: The incidence of pedestrian traffic injuries is an escalating concern for public health worldwide. Particularly in fast-developing nations, such as Saudi Arabia, these injuries form a significant portion of trauma-related healthcare challenges. This study aims to explore age-specific differences in trends, seasonal variations, and the overall impact of pedestrian traffic injuries in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with a focus on injury characteristics and clinical outcomes. Methods: The study conducted a retrospective analysis using data from the Saudi Trauma Registry (STAR) covering the period between August 2017 and December 2022. It employed descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multivariable linear regression analyses to explore demographic trends, characteristics of injuries, and hospital-based outcomes. Results: This study analyzed data from 1062 pedestrian injury cases, revealing key demographic and clinical patterns. Most incidents occurred on weekdays (71.9%) and during nighttime hours (63.3%), with seasonal peaks observed from April to June (30.4%). The lower extremities (27.5%) and head (21.3%) were the most frequently injured body regions. ICU admissions were more common among individuals aged 30–40, females, and those with head or chest trauma, while higher in-hospital mortality was associated with patients over 60 years old, transport by private or police vehicles, and extended ICU and hospital stays. Approximately 25.6% of cases required ICU care, with an overall in-hospital mortality rate of 4.9%. Conclusions: This study provides an in-depth analysis of pedestrian traffic injuries treated at a trauma center in Riyadh, highlighting significant demographic, temporal, and clinical patterns. Understanding these trends is essential for optimizing resource allocation and improving emergency care outcomes. Furthermore, the identified age-specific risk factors and seasonal variations underscore the critical need for targeted interventions and policy enhancements to improve road safety and reduce the burden of pedestrian injuries.

The strigolactones-mediated DNA demethylation activates the phosphoinositide pathway in response to salt stress.

Salt stress severely affects the growth and development of tomato. Strigolactones (SLs) and DNA methylation have been shown to be involved in the growth and development and response to salt stress in tomato. However, the regulation of SLs on DNA methylation in tomato under salt stress remains unclear. In this study, the interaction between SLs and DNA methylation inhibitors 5-azacytidine (5-azaC) alleviate salt stress damage by increasing the plant height, stem diameter, leaf area, and root length of tomato, as well as enhancing the biosynthesis of chlorophyll, carotenoid and flavonoid. The transcriptome and genome-wide methylation analysis between NaCl and NaCl + GR24 treatment show that plant-pathogen interaction, MAPK signaling pathway, plant hormone signal transduction and phosphatidylinositol signaling system may be means for SLs in response to salt stress. Among, SLs strikingly up-regulate the pivotal genes related to phosphatidylinositol signaling system, and reduce CHG methylation level in promoter and body region of these genes under salt stress, implying that SLs mediated-demethylation may promote gene expression. The determination results of relevant metabolites and gene expression levels in the phosphatidylinositol signaling system suggest that PIP2, DAG, IP3, and PA are raised by co-treatment of SLs and 5-azaC under salt stress relative to NaCl + 5-azaC treatment. The same response pattern is also presented in the SlPLC2, SlNPC1, SlPLD-Z, SlPLD-B, SlDGK1, SlDGK5, SlDGK7 and SlPIP5K9 genes. These results strongly indicate that phosphatidylinositol signaling system response to salt stress is related to the SLs mediated-demethylation, and provide a potential means for defenses salt stress in tomato.

The role of 18F-FDG PET/CT in detecting recurrence and metastasis in posttreatment nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients with elevated Epstein-Barr virus DNA.

The objective of this study is to evaluate and compare the clinical utility of 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose PET and computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) in detecting recurrence and metastasis in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) who exhibit elevated levels of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA following treatment. A total of 103 patients with NPC were studied retrospectively. All patients were in remission following initial treatment. Elevated EBV DNA was found for the first time at review and 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging was completed. The number of tracer lesions and the maximum standardized uptake value in the body region were recorded to evaluate the diagnostic ability of 18F-FDG PET/CT. The final diagnosis was confirmed either through pathology or clinical follow-up lasting 6 months or longer. Out of the 103 patients, 97 patients had a total of 434 lesions that were ultimately diagnosed as recurrent or metastatic. In patient-based analyses, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging were 100%, 50%, 97%, and 100%, respectively. In lesion-based analyses, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging were 99.3%, 30.3%, 94.9%, and 83.3%, respectively. 18F-FDG PET/CT demonstrates potential value in detecting recurrence and metastasis of NPC.

Size-Specific Dose Estimate for Chest of Adult Patients in 128- Slice Computed Tomography at Rajavithi Hospital

Aims: To determine the patient radiation dose using Size-Specific Dose Estimates (SSDEs) for chest CT in adult patients performed with 128-slice CT technology. Study Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted as a retrospective analysis. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Radiology, Rajavithi Hospital, between April 1 and September 30, 2021. Methods: We included 500 patients (209 males, 291 females). All patients underwent chest contrast enhancement with a venous phase protocol. The patient radiation dose in terms of SSDE was calculated based on AP+Lat dimensions, effective diameter, and water-equivalent diameter. SSDEs was measured from the middle slice of the scan range. The conversion factors following body size and composition were applied according to the AAPM Reports No. 204 and 220 recommendations. Additionally, the study assessed the effective dose and dose-length product (DLP). Key parameters, including DLP, CTDIvol, effective dose, and SSDEs at the 75th percentile, were evaluated to determine radiation dose levels. These values were then compared with established national and international diagnostic reference levels. Results: The study found that the mean DLP was 301.74 mGy·cm, CTDIvol was 8.38 mGy, effective dose was 4.22 mSv, SSDE (AP+Lat) was 11.80 mGy, SSDE (Effective Diameter) was 11.86 mGy, and SSDE (Dw) was 12.91 mGy. When compared with reference radiation dose values from Thailand and international standards, the DLP, CTDIvol, and effective dose values were found to be lower than both Thai and international reference values. In contrast, the SSDE (AP+Lat) was also lower than previously reported findings. Additionally, the study found no available comparative data for SSDE (Effective Diameter) and SSDE (Dw). Conclusion: The comparison of radiation dose values using SSDE across the three methods revealed highly consistent results. The SSDE values obtained from this study can serve as reference levels for the radiation doses received by patients undergoing CT scans at the Radiology Department of Rajavithi Hospital. These values are instrumental in assessing the appropriateness of radiation doses applied during CT imaging and can serve as benchmarks for future dose optimization efforts. Furthermore, this study highlights the significance of evaluating radiation doses in diagnostic imaging, providing valuable baseline data that enhances our understanding of the radiation risks associated with various types of examinations. Further research is warranted to investigate radiation exposure in computed tomography for other body regions.

Is lamotrigine a teratogen?

To assess whether lamotrigine (Lamictal), when used in antiseizure medication (ASM) monotherapy, is a teratogen. Analysis of data from 490 LTG monotherapy treated pregnancies and 214 pregnancies in women with epilepsy not exposed to any antiseizure medications during at least the first half of pregnancy. The LTG-treated and the untreated pregnancies were well matched in nearly all regards apart from ASM exposure. There was a foetal malformation (FM) occurrence rate of 4.49 % in the LTG-exposed pregnancies and 3.27 % in the untreated pregnancies (Risk Ratio = 1.37; 95 % C.I. 0.60, 3.16). Logistic regression produced no evidence that the extent of the LTG-associated malformation occurrence hazard was LTG dose related. However, the malformation-affected body regions tended to differ between the LTG-treated and untreated pregnancies. The above findings do not reach a statistically significant level (P < 0.05) but, taken overall, they do not necessarily exclude the possibility that LTG may be a weak teratogen. If LTG monotherapy-associated foetal malformation occurrence rates are used as the comparator against which to evaluate the foetal malformation hazards associated with other ASMs, the findings may possibly be open to the risk of falsely reassuring outcomes.

3D printable and myoelectrically sensitive hydrogel for smart prosthetic hand control

Surface electromyogram (sEMG) serves as a means to discern human movement intentions, achieved by applying epidermal electrodes to specific body regions. However, it is difficult to obtain high-fidelity sEMG recordings in areas with intricate curved surfaces, such as the body, because regular sEMG electrodes have stiff structures. In this study, we developed myoelectrically sensitive hydrogels via 3D printing and integrated them into a stretchable, flexible, and high-density sEMG electrodes array. This electrode array offered a series of excellent human-machine interface (HMI) features, including conformal adherence to the skin, high electron-to-ion conductivity (and thus lower contact impedance), and sustained stability over extended periods. These attributes render our electrodes more conducive than commercial electrodes for long-term wearing and high-fidelity sEMG recording at complicated skin interfaces. Systematic in vivo studies were used to investigate its efficacy to control a prosthetic hand by decoding sEMG signals from the human hand via a multiple-channel readout circuit and a sophisticated artificial intelligence algorithm. Our findings demonstrate that the 3D printed gel myoelectric sensing system enables real-time and highly precise control of a prosthetic hand.

Gambaran Derajat Trauma dengan Menggunakan AIS dan ISS pada Korban Kecelakaan di RS Labuang Baji

Traffic accidents are a leading cause of injury and death, particularly among individuals of productive age. This study aims to analyze injury patterns among traffic accident victims at Labuang Baji General Hospital, Makassar, during December 2024, utilizing data from Visum et Repertum (VeR). The Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) assigns severity scores to injuries across different body regions, while the Injury Severity Score (ISS) aggregates these scores to assess overall trauma severity. A retrospective research method was employed, analyzing medical records of accident victims. Collected data included injury locations and types, as well as AIS and ISS scores. Findings indicate that the majority of accident victims were motorcyclists of productive age, who are at higher risk for severe trauma. The most common injury was head trauma. AIS scores varied, with some patients sustaining injuries ranging from minor to severe. The average ISS indicated a level of trauma severity with a favorable prognosis. In conclusion, the application of AIS and ISS systems is effective in evaluating trauma severity among accident victims at Labuang Baji General Hospital. This information is crucial for planning medical management and allocating resources necessary for treating patients with varying degrees of injury severity and and compliance with the Road Traffic and Transportation Law.

Beyond Sight: Environmental Interaction with the Hands or Feet?

How humans perceive the texture of a surface can inform and guide how their interaction takes place. From grasping a glass to walking on icy steps, the information we gather from the surfaces we interact with is instrumental to the success of our movements. However, the hands and feet differ in their ability to explore and identify textures. Higher concentrations of mechanoreceptors in the fingertips provide tactile information to help modulate force and grip while the receptors of the feet help to inform surface texture and aid in balance. Cleland et al. (2024), explores the relationship between texture perception, mode of exploration and region of body used to explore said texture (hands vs feet). This research is especially important in the context of understanding how texture perception affects stability, how hands and feet differ in their management and execution of tasks and how this is adjusted in special populations of visually impaired individuals.

Neuromuscular Excitation Pattern in Expert Indoor Skydivers

The evolution of indoor skydiving from military origins to a globally recreational pursuit has attracted individuals without prior specific training, exposing them to the heightened risk of muscle–joint injuries associated with indoor skydiving. This study aims to assess the muscular excitation patterns in highly skilled instructors to determine the optimal activation strategies for preventing musculoskeletal injuries. Nine expert indoor skydiving instructors (M/F: 8/1; age 31 ± 7 years; body mass: 70.5 ± 11.1 kg; stature: 1.74 ± 0.09 m) were enrolled. The surface electromyographic signal was recorded on the anterior deltoid, AD; posterior deltoid, PD; pectoralis major, PM; latissimus dorsi, LD; rectus abdominis, Rabd; erector spinae, ES; rectus femoris, RF; and biceps femoris, BF for each position: PRONE, SUPINE, SIT, and head-down (HD). A synchronous heart rate was recorded to assess the cardiac engagement. The neuromuscular load (NeLo), representative of the excitation amplitude of a muscle set, was determined for each position across different body regions. PRONE and SUPINE were the least demanding in terms of cardiac engagement (67 ± 6 and 85 ± 8 bpm, respectively) and exhibited the lowest neuromuscular excitation (24 ± 10 and 24 ± 8% Max, respectively). By contrast, HD exhibited the highest cardiac (127 + 18 bpm) and neuromuscular (71 + 11% Max) engagement and particularly in the lower-trunk and lower-limbs muscles. SIT predominantly engaged upper-trunk and shoulder muscles. The findings indicate the significant engagement of the musculature surrounding the shoulder joint and that responsible for lower-trunk stabilization in maintaining the investigated positions. A targeted training regimen on strengthening these muscles is advised before practicing indoor skydiving to prevent shoulder joint injuries or lower back muscle overloads.

Paravertebral crystal deposition disease: a retrospective study of clinical presentation, prevalence, and CT imaging findings.

Paravertebral crystal deposition disease, characterized by the deposition of crystals around the vertebral bodies leading to acute inflammation and pain, is a condition that remains largely unrecognized. This study aims to elucidate the prevalence, clinical features, and CT findings associated with this disease. We retrospectively analyzed 14,839 consecutive patients who underwent chest and/or abdominal CT (September 2017 to September 2024) owing to chest, abdominal, or back pain. Cases demonstrating paravertebral calcification with a surrounding soft tissue density of ≥ 5mm were identified and further evaluated. Twenty-four cases of paravertebral crystal deposition disease were identified, with a prevalence of 0.16% (95% CI: 0.10, 0.24). The mean age was 46.2years, with a female predominance (n = 15, 63%). Back pain was the most common presenting symptom (n = 15, 63%). Calcifications were primarily located at the lower thoracic and upper lumbar spine (Th6/7-L1/2) in 18 cases (75%) and in the anterior median to anterior right region of the vertebral body in 21 cases (86%). Mean of maximum CT values of the crystal deposition was approximately 800 HU; in follow-up cases, the depositions either resolved or exhibited morphological changes. This study adds to the current knowledge base by identifying a 0.16% prevalence of paravertebral crystal deposition disease in patients with torso pain-often overlooked in clinical practice, primarily affecting middle-aged women. CT imaging shows calcifications mainly in the lower thoracic and upper lumbar spine. Considering this self-limiting disease in differential diagnoses can improve diagnostic accuracy and patient management.

Impact of Concomitant Injuries on Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Isolated versus Non-Isolated Traumatic Brain Injury.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) often occurs alongside injuries to other body regions, worsening patient outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of concomitant injuries on clinical outcomes in patients with isolated versus non-isolated TBI. A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from the Emergency Department-based Injury In-depth Surveillance System (EDIIS), encompassing 180,058 TBI patients admitted to 23 tertiary hospitals from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2022. Patients were categorized into isolated TBI (iTBI, n = 127,673) and non-isolated TBI (niTBI, n = 52,385) groups based on injury diagnostic codes. Clinical outcomes-including 24-hour and 30-day mortality, hospital admission, and interhospital transfer-were compared. Multivariate logistic regression analyses adjusted for potential confounders were performed. niTBI patients exhibited significantly higher 24-hour mortality (1.5% vs. 0.4%), 30-day mortality (2.6% vs. 1.0%), hospital admissions (24.5% vs. 8.4%), and interhospital transfers (3.6% vs. 1.1%) compared to iTBI patients (all p < 0.001). Concomitant injuries increased the adjusted odds of 24-hour mortality (aOR = 1.456; 95% CI: 1.286-1.648) and 30-day mortality (aOR = 1.111; 95% CI: 1.022-1.208). Thoracic injuries were the most significant predictor of adverse outcomes in niTBI patients, nearly sixfold increasing the odds of 24-hour mortality (aOR = 5.958; 95% CI: 5.057-7.019). Concomitant injuries significantly worsen clinical outcomes in TBI patients, with thoracic injuries being the most critical predictor of mortality. These findings highlight the importance of comprehensive trauma assessment and targeted prevention strategies to improve survival rates and optimize resource allocation for patients with multiple injuries.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Central Sterile Supply Technicians, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand

Objective: The study aimed to examine the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among central sterile supply technicians (CSSTs) in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand, and investigate the risk factors associated with these disorders.Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among CSSTs regarding work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). Technicians were asked about the presence and severity of disorders throughout the whole body during the sterilization procedure. The survey was distributed to the CSSTs at the central sterilization supply departments (CSSDs) of 32 hospitals in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, Thailand.Results: The prevalence rate of WMSDs in various bodily regions was assessed among technicians at the time of questioning (88.3%), after one week (65.4%), and after one year (59.2%). Various body parts were reported to have developed Musculoskeletal problems, with the lower back being the most frequently reported (88.8%), followed by the upper back (84.9%), and the ankles/feet (38.5%). These MSDs were influenced by age over 30 years (odds ratio [OR] 3.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.59-6.93), work schedule (OR 2.58, 95% CI 1.02-4.96) and the handling of heavy-load equipment (OR 2.56, 95% CI 1.47-10.37) or carts, which significantly increased the risk of developing such illnesses.Conclusion: Many CSSTs from the CSSDs reported WMSDs in various locations on their bodies. Lower back pain was the most common complaint.

An Efficient 3D Convolutional Neural Network for Dose Prediction in Cancer Radiotherapy from CT Images.

Introduction: Cancer is a highly lethal disease with a significantly high mortality rate. One of the most commonly used methods for treatment is radiation therapy. However, cancer treatment using radiotherapy is a time-consuming process that requires significant manual work from planners and doctors. In radiation therapy treatment planning, determining the dose distribution for each of the regions of the patient's body is one of the most difficult and important tasks. Nowadays, artificial intelligence has shown promising results in improving the quality of disease treatment, particularly in cancer radiation therapy. Objectives: The main objective of this study is to build a high-performance deep learning model for predicting radiation therapy doses for cancer and to develop software to easily manipulate and use this model. Materials and Methods: In this paper, we propose a custom 3D convolutional neural network model with a U-Net-based architecture to automatically predict radiation doses during cancer radiation therapy from CT images. To ensure that the predicted doses do not have negative values, which are not valid for radiation doses, a rectified linear unit (ReLU) function is applied to the output to convert negative values to zero. Additionally, a proposed loss function based on a dose-volume histogram is used to train the model, ensuring that the predicted dose concentrations are highly meaningful in terms of radiation therapy. The model is developed using the OpenKBP challenge dataset, which consists of 200, 100, and 40 head and neck cancer patients for training, testing, and validation, respectively. Before the training phase, preprocessing and augmentation techniques, such as standardization, translation, and flipping, are applied to the training set. During the training phase, a cosine annealing scheduler is applied to update the learning rate. Results and Conclusions: Our model achieved strong performance, with a good DVH score (1.444 Gy) on the test dataset, compared to previous studies and state-of-the-art models. In addition, we developed software to display the dose maps predicted by the proposed model for each 2D slice in order to facilitate usage and observation. These results may help doctors in treating cancer with radiation therapy in terms of both time and effectiveness.

USING INFRARED THERMOGRAPHIC TECHNIQUE AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO CONVENTIONAL RECTAL THERMOMETER IN SHEEP

This research was established to assess the precision of the infrared (IR) camera and thermometer in measuring different body regions of sheep. This study was undertaken in the animal farm at the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Duhok, Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The temperature was measured from the rectum using a digital thermometer. At the same time, the peripheral temperatures were measured from the ears, muzzle (MUZ), inner thigh (IT), inguinal region (ING), rectum, vulva, and five areas of the eyes, including nasal conjunctiva (NC), nasal limbus (NL), center cornea (CC), temporal limbus (TL), and temporal conjunctiva (TC) using IR thermometer and IR camera. The temperatures obtained from the IR thermometer were higher than those obtained from the digital thermometer. only NC temperature was found to be significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher than other eye regions, and rectal and vulva temperatures. IR thermal camera showed no significant differences in the eyes' NL, CC, TL, and TC regions compared to rectum and vulva temperatures using the digital thermometer. The muzzle temperature was significantly (P&lt;0.05) lower than all other body parts. In addition, the inner thigh, inguinal region, and ear temperatures were significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher than rectum and vulva temperatures. The rectum and vulva temperatures obtained from the IR thermometer were significantly higher (P&lt;0.05) than thermal camera and digital thermometer temperatures. In conclusion, thermal cameras as a non-invasive and accurate method can be an alternative temperature measuring method.

Evaluating Paediatric Injury Hospitalisations From Indoor Trampoline Parks Across Australia: A Multi-Centre Study.

The introduction and increasing popularity of indoor trampoline facilities has seen increases in the incidence of trampoline park injuries (TPIs), particularly amongst the paediatric population. A challenge to the development of effective injury prevention interventions is the limited study pool of detailed activity and outcome data to provide better understanding of the characteristics of injurious events. A cross-sectional study of individuals under 16 years of age hospitalised after TPI from November 2018 to December 2021 was conducted. Patient demographics and TPI characteristics were collected through prospective case notifications from clinicians across Australia, via the Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit. Additional data were collected using retrospective medical record review at two major paediatric centres in Australia. In total, 48 cases of TPIs were reported: median age was 9.5 years with 28 (58.3%) being males. The most common injury mechanism was a fall on the trampoline (n = 34, 72.3%). The most commonly injured body region was upper limb (n = 27, 56.3%), followed by lower limb (n = 11, 22.9%): all limb injuries involved a fracture. Most patients required operative intervention (n = 37, 90.2%). The results from this study suggest that serious injuries continue to occur at trampoline parks, and thus remain an injury concern that requires attention. This issue needs to be addressed with consistent application of the Australian Standard, along with other injury prevention initiatives.