Inclusion Criteria Research Articles

A Set of FMRI Quality Control Tools in AFNI: Systematic, in-depth and interactive QC with afni_proc.py and more

Abstract Quality control (QC) assessment is a vital part of FMRI processing and analysis, and a typically under-discussed aspect of reproducibility. This includes checking datasets at their very earliest stages (acquisition and conversion) through their processing steps (e.g., alignment and motion correction) to regression modeling (correct stimuli, no collinearity, valid fits, enough degrees of freedom, etc.) for each subject. There are a wide variety of features to verify throughout any single subject processing pipeline, both quantitatively and qualitatively. We present several FMRI preprocessing QC features available in the AFNI toolbox, many of which are automatically generated by the pipeline-creation tool, afni_proc.py. These items include: a modular HTML document that covers full single subject processing from the raw data through statistical modeling; several review scripts in the results directory of processed data; and command line tools for identifying subjects with one or more quantitative properties across a group (such as triaging warnings, making exclusion criteria or creating informational tables). The HTML itself contains several buttons that efficiently facilitate interactive investigations into the data, when deeper checks are needed beyond the systematic images. The pages are linkable, so that users can evaluate individual items across a group, for increased sensitivity to differences (e.g., in alignment or regression modeling images). Finally, the QC document contains rating buttons for each "QC block", as well as comment fields for each, to facilitate both saving and sharing the evaluations. This increases the specificity of QC, as well as its shareability, as these files can be shared with others and potentially uploaded into repositories, promoting transparency and open science. We describe the features and applications of these QC tools for FMRI.

The effect of plate location on radial nerve palsy recovery time associated with humeral shaft fractures.

This study aims to investigate the influence of plate placement on nerve regeneration in humerus fractures accompanied by radial nerve injury. A retrospective analysis was conducted on a cohort of 94 patients with humerus fractures and concomitant radial nerve injury treated between January 2018 and November 2022. After applying exclusion criteria, 31 patients were included in the study. Clinical outcomes were assessed by comparing demographic data, surgical duration, radial nerve recovery time, the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH), and the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale. Two distinct groups were established: lateral plating and anteromedial (AM) plating. These groups demonstrated comparability regarding age, gender, and body mass index (BMI). No statistically significant differences were observed between the groups concerning MEPS and MRC. The AM plating group notably exhibited shorter surgical durations, faster recovery times, and lower DASH scores. According to the findings of this investigation, in cases of humerus fractures accompanied by radial nerve injury, AM plating may be preferable over lateral plating due to its association with reduced surgical durations and expedited nerve recovery.

Should high-dose N-acetylcysteine be given in cases of massive paracetamol overdoses: A narrative review.

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is regarded as an effective treatment of paracetamol overdoses. However, in cases of "massive" paracetamol overdoses, recent studies indicate that patients may not be sufficiently treated with the standard dose of NAC (300 mg/kg over 20-21 h). The subject is further complicated because "massive overdoses" and "high-risk" are defined differently; some studies use the ingested amount (e.g., >40 g), and some studies use blood concentrations of paracetamol and transaminases. This narrative review investigates whether high-dose NAC significantly decreases the risk of hepatotoxicity in patients with massive paracetamol overdoses. Three observational studies were analysed; one study with 373 patients found no significant difference (odds ratio [OR]: 1.27, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.49-3.29). One study with 79 patients found a significant difference (OR: 0.27, 95% CI: 0.08-0.94). The third study with 89 patients found a significant difference in hepatoxicity between the groups (p= 0.043). There are no solid evidence to support that treatment with high-dose NAC significantly reduces the rate of hepatotoxicity in patients presenting with massive paracetamol overdoses. Differences in inclusion criteria in the included studies make the studies incomparable. This paper shows that standardized inclusion is needed to determine whether a high-dose NAC regimen should be included in clinical practice.

Evaluation of maternal serum protein biomarkers in the prenatal evaluation of placenta accreta spectrum: A systematic scoping review.

Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) is an increasingly commonly reported condition due to the continuous increase in the rate of cesarean deliveries (CD) worldwide; however, the prenatal screening for pregnant patients at risk of PAS at birth remains limited, in particular when imaging expertise is not available. Two major electronic databases (MEDLINE and Embase) were searched electronically for articles published in English between October 1992 and January 2023 using combinations of the relevant medical subject heading terms and keywords. Two independent reviewers selected observational studies that provided data on one or more measurement of maternal blood-specific biomarker(s) during pregnancies with PAS at birth. PRISMA Extension for Scoping Review (PRISMA-ScR) was used to extract data and report results. Of the 441 reviewed articles, 29 met the inclusion criteria reporting on 34 different biomarkers. 14 studies were retrospective and 15 prospective overall including 18 251 participants. Six studies had a cohort design and the remaining a case-control design. Wide clinical heterogeneity was found in the included studies. In eight studies, the samples were obtained in the first trimester; in five, the samples were collected on hospital admission for delivery; and in the rest, the samples were collected during the second and/or third trimester. Measurements of serum biomarkers, some of which have been or are still used in screening for other pregnancy complications, could contribute to the prenatal evaluation of patients at risk of PAS at delivery; however, important evidence gaps were identified for suitable cutoffs for most biomarkers, variability of gestational age at sampling and the potential overlap of the marker values with other placental-related complications of pregnancy.

Yield of alarm features in predicting significant endoscopic findings among hospitalized patients with dyspepsia

BACKGROUND Dyspepsia is a very prevalent upper gastrointestinal tract symptoms complex. Some of these symptoms might arise from serious underlying diseases, so the promotion of evidence-based guidelines could potentially better align evaluation and treatment. AIM To determine the value of alarm features as a predictive factor for significant endoscopic findings (SEFs) among hospitalized patients presenting with dyspepsia. METHODS We conducted a retrospective case-control study including information about 6208 endoscopic procedures performed for hospitalized patients. Patients were divided into two groups, with and without SEFs, and compared to elucidate the ability of the different alarm features to predict SEFs. RESULTS During the study, 605 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. When the demographics and clinical characteristics of the two groups were compared, tachycardia (P < 0.05), normocytic anemia, (P < 0.05), leukocytosis (P < 0.05), and hypoalbuminemia (P < 0.05) documented on admission prior to endoscopy were strong predictors of SEFs. Among the alarm features, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, persistent vomiting, odynophagia [odds ratio (OR) = 3.81, P < 0.05; OR = 1.75, P = 0.03; and OR = 7.81, P = 0.07, respectively] were associated with SEFs. Unexplained weight loss was strongly associated with malignancy as an endoscopic finding (OR = 2.05; P < 0.05). In addition, long-term use of anti-aggregate medications other than aspirin (P < 0.05) was correlated to SEFs. CONCLUSION Novel predictors of SEFs were elucidated in this study. These parameters could be used as an adjunctive in decision making regarding performing upper endoscopy in hospitalized patients with dyspepsia.

Why do young men not seek help for affective mental health issues? A systematic review of perceived barriers and facilitators among adolescent boys and young men.

Men are less likely to seek help for their mental health than women, but less is known about the specific patterns of help-seeking in adolescent boys and young men. This is concerning as adolescent boys and young men have high suicide rates but a low take-up of services. It is therefore of particular importance that the access needs of this group are understood. This review sought to identify the barriers and facilitators faced by adolescent boys and young men in help-seeking for affective mental health disorders. A search of the PubMed, APA PsycInfo, and Cochrane databases identified 3961 articles, of which 12 met the inclusion criteria. Six of the studies were qualitative, five were quantitative and one used mixed methods. Two authors independently extracted data and assessed the quality of the articles. Five key themes were identified, including the impact of social norms, with the subthemes of conformity to masculine norms and self-stigma, limited availability of information about mental health, and 'male-friendly' mental health literacy campaigns. Other themes referred to the help-seeking preferences of adolescent boys and young men, in terms of informal or formal and online or offline help-seeking. Some of the factors were well-researched (e.g., conformity to masculine norms as a barrier) whereas other factors (e.g., self-compassion as a facilitator) were less researched. These barriers and facilitators need to be considered in the development of future strategies to improve the help-seeking behaviour of adolescent boys and young men.

Efficacy of Interval Training in Improving Body Composition and Adiposity in Apparently Healthy Adults: An Umbrella Review with Meta-Analysis.

Although the efficacy of interval training for improving body composition has been summarized in an increasing number of systematic reviews in recent years, discrepancies in review findings and conclusions have been observed. This study aims to synthesize the available evidence on the efficacy of interval training compared with moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) and nonexercise control (CON) in reducing body adiposity in apparently healthy adults. An umbrella review with meta-analysis was performed. A systematic search was conducted in seven databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Database, CINAHL, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science) up to October 2023. Systematic reviews with meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing interval training and MICT/CON were included. Literature selection, data extraction, and methodological quality assessment (AMSTAR-2) were conducted independently by two reviewers. Meta-analyses were performed using a random-effects model. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on the type of interval training [high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and sprint interval training (SIT)], intervention duration, body mass index, exercise modality, and volume of HIIT protocols. Sixteen systematic reviews, including 79 RCTs and 2474 unique participants, met the inclusion criteria. Most systematic reviews had a critically low (n = 6) or low (n = 6) AMSTAR-2 score. Interval training demonstrated significantly greater reductions in total body fat percent (BF%) compared with MICT [weighted mean difference (WMD) of - 0.77%; 95% confidence interval (CI) - 1.12 to - 0.32%] and CON (WMD of - 1.50%; 95% CI - 2.40 to - 0.58%). Significant reductions in fat mass, visceral adipose tissue, subcutaneous abdominal fat, and android abdominal fat were also observed following interval training compared to CON. Subgroup analyses indicated that both HIIT and SIT resulted in superior BF% loss than MICT. These benefits appeared to be more prominent in individuals with overweight/obesity and longer duration interventions (≥ 12weeks), as well as in protocols using cycling as a modality and low-volume HIIT (i.e., < 15min of high-intensity exercise per session). This novel umbrella review with large-scale meta-analysis provides an updated synthesis of evidence with implications for physical activity guideline recommendations. The findings support interval training as a viable exercise strategy for reducing adiposity in the general population.

Yield of alarm features in predicting significant endoscopic findings among hospitalized patients with dyspepsia

BACKGROUND Dyspepsia is a very prevalent upper gastrointestinal tract symptoms complex. Some of these symptoms might arise from serious underlying diseases, so the promotion of evidence-based guidelines could potentially better align evaluation and treatment. AIM To determine the value of alarm features as a predictive factor for significant endoscopic findings (SEFs) among hospitalized patients presenting with dyspepsia. METHODS We conducted a retrospective case-control study including information about 6208 endoscopic procedures performed for hospitalized patients. Patients were divided into two groups, with and without SEFs, and compared to elucidate the ability of the different alarm features to predict SEFs. RESULTS During the study, 605 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. When the demographics and clinical characteristics of the two groups were compared, tachycardia (P &lt; 0.05), normocytic anemia, (P &lt; 0.05), leukocytosis (P &lt; 0.05), and hypoalbuminemia (P &lt; 0.05) documented on admission prior to endoscopy were strong predictors of SEFs. Among the alarm features, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, persistent vomiting, odynophagia [odds ratio (OR) = 3.81, P &lt; 0.05; OR = 1.75, P = 0.03; and OR = 7.81, P = 0.07, respectively] were associated with SEFs. Unexplained weight loss was strongly associated with malignancy as an endoscopic finding (OR = 2.05; P &lt; 0.05). In addition, long-term use of anti-aggregate medications other than aspirin (P &lt; 0.05) was correlated to SEFs. CONCLUSION Novel predictors of SEFs were elucidated in this study. These parameters could be used as an adjunctive in decision making regarding performing upper endoscopy in hospitalized patients with dyspepsia.

Prognostic Factors in Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: The Experience of Two Audiology Tertiary Referral Centres

Background and Objectives: Although different hypotheses have been proposed over time, there is a dearth of information on factors able to predict the response to treatment for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) and hearing recovery. The aim of this study was to apply univariate and multivariate statistical models in a retrospective clinical setting of patients given therapy for ISSNHL at our tertiary academic audiological centers to investigate the prognostic value of clinical signs, symptoms, and comorbidities in relation to hearing recovery. Materials and Methods: The inclusion criteria were: history of ISSNHL diagnosed and treated at the Padova or Modena tertiary academic audiological centers; age ≥ 18 years; availability of clinical and audiological outcome data. The exclusion criteria were: hearing loss in acoustic schwannoma, endolymphatic hydrops, meningitis, trauma (head trauma, temporal bone fracture, acoustic trauma), barotrauma, perilymphatic fistula; exposure to noise levels ≥ 80 dB in the work environment; any unilateral or bilateral hearing loss (except for presbycusis) prior to ISSNHL diagnosis; any disorders affecting the external or middle ear; any previous ear surgery; refusal to make medical data available for research purposes. Eighty-six consecutive patients (38 females, 48 males; median age: 58 years; interquartile range: 47.00–69.00 years) were included. A systemic steroid therapy was administered to all patients, either orally with prednisone or intravenously with methylprednisolone. Second-line therapy included intratympanic steroid injections and/or hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Results: A multivariate logistic regression model was used, including the non-multicollinear clinical and audiological variables, which showed a p-value &lt; 0.10 at the univariate analyses (namely age at diagnosis, time to diagnosis, oral steroid dose, and PTA on the affected side). Only PTA on the affected side retained its statistical significance (OR: 1.0615, 95% CI: 1.0185–1.1063, p = 0.005). Conclusions: The analysis of our data showed an association between the hearing threshold before treatment and the recovery from ISSNHL. Further studies on larger cohorts (especially in a prospective setting) are needed to shed more light on the prognostic role of clinical parameters in patients with ISSNHL. In a correct counseling setting, with regard to the patient’s concern about not being able to recover hearing, it is important to offer perspectives of appropriate hearing rehabilitation approaches.

Quality of Life in Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis Patients After Vocal Fold Surgery: An In-Depth Exploration.

This study explores the quality of life among patients with Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis (RRP) after vocal fold surgery as measured by the outcome scores of the Voice Handicap Index (VHI) and the Distress Thermometer and Problem List in Patients with Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis (DT&amp;PL). Differences in quality of life were explored within the independent variables age, surgical frequency, weeks since last vocal fold operation, gender, HPV type, surgical location, vaccination with Gardasil©, and a patient's request to speak with a speech-language pathologist. A single-center, observational cohort study was conducted with VHI and DT&amp;PL scores and demographic and clinical data obtained from patient files. Inclusion criteria were a confirmed HPV type, age 18 years or older, the ability to fill in both questionnaires in Dutch, and having undergone at least one surgical procedure to remove laryngeal papilloma. Relationships of the independent variables with VHI and Distress Thermometer (DT) scores were explored using univariable and multivariable regressions as well as linear regression models. Of 271 RRP patients, 100 met the inclusion criteria and responded to requests to fill in both questionnaires with a minimum of 12 weeks after their last operation. Our study showed a statistically significant negative relationship between age and VHI scores (P=0.02) in the univariable, and multiple linear regressions (P=0.01), indicating that patients experienced fewer self-perceived functional voice disabilities with each increase in age. A parallel negative relationship is seen between the variables age (P=0.03) and DT scores. Our results showed a statistically significant positive relationship between the number of vocal fold surgeries and DT scores (P=0.03). The results of this study show a significant relationship between age, surgical frequency, and quality of life in patients with Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis (RRP). Older patients have lower Voice Handicap Index (VHI) and Distress Thermometer (DT scores), indicating fewer self-perceived voice and disease-related quality of life problems. Conversely, a rise in surgical frequency is significantly associated with higher DT scores, reflecting greater disease-related distress.

Functional seizures and binge eating disorder: A cross-sectional study

ObjectiveFunctional seizures (FS) are brief, involuntary changes in behaviour or consciousness, distinct from epileptic seizures, potentially associated with psychological dissociation. Binge eating disorder (BED) was linked to psychological and somatic dissociation also. However, any connection between FS and BED is insufficiently explored. We aimed to assess BED prevalence in individuals with FS, anxiety/depression (AD), and healthy subjects (HS), to investigate dissociation’s link to binge eating, and to explore psychological characteristics of FS individuals. MethodParticipants underwent evaluations based on ILAE guidelines and DSM-5 criteria, including questionnaires assessing binge eating, dissociation, anxiety, depression and personality traits. Inclusion criteria were age > 18 years, no history of substance abuse, no history of epilepsy, and no use of medications inducing eating disorders. ResultsWe found significantly more frequent and severe binge-eating symptoms in individuals with FS and AD compared to HS. Depression and dissociation correlated with binge-eating symptoms in both AD and FS groups. The PID-5 facet ’Perseveration’ predicted binge-eating attitudes only in FS individuals; they reported more childhood emotional neglect and increased disinhibition compared do AD people. DiscussionThis study underscores the commonality of binge-eating symptoms in FS individuals, emphasizing its association with dissociation symptoms. This finding support the hypothesis of a link between dissociation and eating disorders. Unique clinical characteristics in individuals with FS were identified, as a compulsive dimension related to binge-eating symptoms, providing a comprehensive understanding of their psychological profile and guiding targeted therapeutic interventions.

Pediatric dentistry systematic reviews using the GRADE approach: methodological study

BackgroundTo assess the reporting of the certainty of the evidence using the GRADE approach in systematic reviews of interventions in pediatric dentistry.MethodsThe inclusion criteria were systematic reviews of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and non-randomized studies of interventions (NRSIs) in pediatric dentistry that reported the certainty of the evidence through the GRADE approach. Paired independent reviewers screened the studies, extracted data, and appraised the methodological quality using the Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR 2) tool. The certainty of the evidence was extracted for each outcome. A descriptive analysis was conducted.ResultsAround 28% of pediatric dentistry reviews of interventions used the GRADE approach (n = 24). Twenty reviews reported 112 evidence outcomes from RCTs and 13 from NRSIs using GRADE evidence profile tables. The methodological quality was high (16.7%), moderate (12.5%), low (37.5%), and critically low (33.3%), fulfilling the majority of the AMSTAR 2 criteria. The certainty of the evidence for outcomes generated from RCTs and NRSIs was very low (40.2% and 84.6%), low (33.1% and 7.7%), moderate (17.8% and 7.7%), and high (9.8% and 0.0%). The main reasons to downgrade the certainty were due to (for RCTs and NRSIs, respectively): risk of bias (68.8% and 84.6%), imprecision (67.8% and 100.0%), inconsistency (18.8% and 23.1%), indirectness (17.8% and 0.0%), and publication bias (7.1% and 0.0%).ConclusionThe proportion of systematic reviews assessing the certainty of the evidence using the GRADE approach was considered small, considering the total initial number of published pediatric dentistry reviews of intervention. The certainty of the evidence was mainly very low and low, and the main problems for downgrading the certainty of evidence were due to risk of bias and imprecision.RegistrationPROSPERO database #CRD42022365443.

How state firework restrictions affect the incidence of paediatric firework injuries in the USA

ObjectivesState laws dictate firework access in the USA, and the association between state laws and paediatric firework injuries has not been investigated. We hypothesise that states with fewer firework restrictions...

The use of artificial intelligence in musculoskeletal ultrasound: a systematic review of the literature.

To systematically review the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound (US) with an emphasis on AI algorithm categories and validation strategies. An electronic literature search was conducted for articles published up to January 2024. Inclusion criteria were the use of AI in MSK US, involvement of humans, English language, and ethics committee approval. Out of 269 identified papers, 16 studies published between 2020 and 2023 were included. The research was aimed at predicting diagnosis and/or segmentation in a total of 11 (69%) out of 16 studies. A total of 11 (69%) studies used deep learning (DL)-based algorithms, three (19%) studies employed conventional machine learning (ML)-based algorithms, and two (12%) studies employed both conventional ML- and DL-based algorithms. Six (38%) studies used cross-validation techniques with K-fold cross-validation being the most frequently employed (n = 4, 25%). Clinical validation with separate internal test datasets was reported in nine (56%) papers. No external clinical validation was reported. AI is a topic of increasing interest in MSK US research. In future studies, attention should be paid to the use of validation strategies, particularly regarding independent clinical validation performed on external datasets.

The Impact of Sex and Arterial Stiffness Interactions on the Outcome after an Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background/Objectives: Arterial stiffness (AS) is an independent predictor of cardiovascular events and is associated with a poor prognosis. While AS may represent a novel therapeutic target, recent evidence shows that it is sexually dimorphic. The aim of this study was to evaluate relative sex differences in arterial stiffness and their possible impact on the outcome of acute ischemic stroke. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated a cohort of adult patients with the following inclusion criteria: acute ischemic stroke, which occurred within 24 h from the onset of symptoms, confirmed through neuroimaging examinations, additional evaluations including extracranial and transcranial arterial ultrasound examinations, transthoracic echocardiography, a 12-lead resting ECG, and continuous 24 h in-hospital blood pressure monitoring. Based on the 24 h blood pressure monitoring, the following parameters were evaluated: systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean blood pressure, pulse pressure, and arterial stiffness index (ASI). The modified Rankin scale (mRS) was assessed at 90 days to evaluate the 3-month clinical outcome, defining an unfavorable outcome as an mRS score ≥ 3. To assess the factors associated with unfavorable outcomes, a stepwise logistic regression model was performed on the total sample size, and the analyses were replicated after stratifying by sex. Results: A total of 334 patients (176 males, 158 females) were included in the analysis. There was a significant sex-dependent impact of ASI on the 90-day unfavorable Rankin score (mRS score ≥ 3) as only men had a reduced likelihood of favorable outcomes with increasing arterial stiffness (OR:1.54, 95% CI: 1.06–2.23; P-interaction = 0.023). Conclusions: The influence of ASI on the 3-month functional outcome after acute ischemic stroke is at least in part sex-related, suggesting that, in males, higher ASI values are associated with a worse outcome.

Retrospective Evaluation of the Vehicular Trauma Prevalence in Dogs (Based on the Data of the Rostov Region Veterinary Clinic Chain for the Period of 2018–2022)

Introduction. Vehicular trauma is one of the most common causes of canine trauma — at least 51% of the total number of the canine trauma according to the foreign statistics. The main risk group consists of the dog males aged from 1 to 3 years old. In Russia no research was conducted to analyse the prevalence of vehicular trauma in dogs that would allow determining the risk factors, the nature and severity of injuries, and making recommendations for the owners and veterinarians. This article proposes a retrospective evaluation of the vehicular trauma prevalence in dogs based on the data of the Rostov region veterinary clinic chain for the period of 2018–2022.Materials and Methods. For retrospective evaluation, the medical histories of patients of the “VitaVet” LLC veterinary clinic chain (Rostov region) were used as the material. The selection of medical histories was carried out from September 2022 to March 2023 in accordance with the following inclusion criteria: the presence of a vehicular trauma in the animal's anamnesis; diagnosis based on the physical examination, X-ray examination and ultrasound examination; absence of data on the other potentially life-threatening diseases in the animal medical history. The severity of dogs’ condition was evaluated according to five parameters of the ATT scale (Animal Trauma Triage) and the estimate shock index.Results. A retrospective evaluation of the vehicular trauma prevalence in dogs was carried out based on the data of 559 selected medical histories. Of these, 217 histories belonged to bitches (94% non-neutered) and 342 to dog males (98% non-neutered). It was revealed that the number of deaths in bitches was almost two times less in comparison with the male dogs (13% and 20.2% respectively). About 45% of vehicular trauma occurred in animals aged from 1 to 3 years old. The lowest percentage of deaths (6.15%) and the average ATT score (3.15±0.09) were found in bitches under one year old. In bitches aged from 1 to 3 years old, these parameters equalled to 10.74% mortality and 3.46±0.07 ATT score. Among male dogs, the lowest mortality percentage was found in males from 7 to 10 years old (11.11%), in animals under one year old it was 12.84%. The largest number of injured dogs was in the small dog breeds (63.69%), however in large dog breeds the percentage of deaths and the average ATT score were higher (54.8% and 4.34±0.3). The most common diagnoses resulting from the vehicular trauma were: femoral fracture, pelvic fracture, craniocerebral trauma, contusion, tibia fracture, vertebral fracture.Discussion and Conclusion. The results of the retrospective evaluation indicate that the young non-neutered dog males were most often subject to the vehicular trauma (dogs under the age of 3 years old were in the risk group). Mortality among the dog males was higher than among the bitches. The small dog breeds were more likely to get the vehicular trauma, whereas the percentage of deaths in large dog breeds was higher. The most common injuries observed during the period of research were the musculoskeletal disorders, this fully corresponds to the data published in the foreign scientific sources. Further expansion of the sample of research taking into account the data of the other veterinary clinic chains will create the opportunity for getting a more detailed picture in the research area.

Tracing the Scientific Legacy: Bibliometric Analysis of LATAM Research in Bariatric Surgery for 33 Years.

Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) has experienced considerable growth, addressing the challenges of obesity and its complications. The lack of a comprehensive bibliometric analysis in Latin America motivates this study, highlighting the need to understand the evolution of research in this area and its impact on clinical decision-making and health policies. A cross-sectional bibliometric study was carried out using the Scopus database. A structured search strategy was designed to identify articles related to bariatric surgery with authors affiliated with Latin American countries. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, followed by a descriptive and bibliometric analysis of the scientific production found. A total of 3553 documents published between 1991 and 2024 were included. There was an annual growth of 11%, with an average age of documents of 7.5years. A concentration was observed in some countries, notably Brazil, Mexico, and Chile. Although scientific output increased, the average number of citations per article showed a downward trend since 2003. Despite the growth in scientific production, the quality and relevance of research is questioned, especially given the decrease in the impact received. It highlights the lack of meaningful regional collaboration, which could limit the sharing of knowledge and resources. Questions are raised about gaps in research capacity and the economic and development implications are discussed. This study provides valuable information to strengthen future research in bariatric surgery in Latin America. It highlights the importance of promoting regional and international collaboration and improving research training in countries with less participation. Clinical intervention strategies can benefit from better understanding research trends and adopting evidence-based practices in a more informed manner.

The conceptualisation and application of co-occupation in occupational therapy and occupational science across various situations: A scoping review protocol

ABSTRACT Background The concept of co-occupation captures the transactional nature of the occupations people perform together. Although the concept has wide application possibilities, it has mainly been used to describe occupations between parents and young children. Objective To provide an overview of the existing knowledge and gap in knowledge about how the concept of co-occupation is conceptualised and applied in the field of occupational science and in the occupational therapy profession. Method The proposed scoping review will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute – JBI methodology. The key information sources to be searched are CINAHL (EBSCO), MEDLINE (PubMed), Google Scholar, PsycInfo, Open science – OSF, PROSPERO, Opengrey.eu and Greylit.org. Searches will be limited to Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, English, and German languages. All studies will be assessed from the inclusion and exclusion criteria described in the protocol; and will include any study where co-occupation is used in any context of occupational science or occupational therapy across various situations. Conclusion The envisioned impact of the completed review will be a nuanced description of the concept of co-occupation and its application, thereby bringing forth a current comprehension of the concept of co-occupation for research and application.

Inpatient mortality and outcomes of COVID-19 among patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy: A propensity matched analysis

BackgroundPatients with chronic medical conditions, particularly cardiovascular diseases, are at a greater risk of adverse outcomes due to COVID-19. The effect of COVID-19 on patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) is not known well. ObjectivesTo study the impact of COVID-19 infection on NICM hospital mortality and other outcomes. MethodsThis study included a cohort of patients from the 2020 and 2021 National Inpatient Sample databases. Patients hospitalized for COVID-19 with and without NICM were matched using a 1:1 propensity score-matching ratio. Outcomes analyzed were in-hospital mortality, rates of acute kidney injury (AKI), acute myocardial infarction (AMI), cardiogenic shock, cardiac arrest, mechanical ventilation, tracheal intubation, pulmonary embolism (PE), ventricular tachycardia (VT), ventricular fibrillation (VF), length of stay (LOS), and total hospitalization charges. ResultsA total of 2,532,652 patients met the inclusion criteria (1,199,008 females [47.3 %], predominantly white 1,456,203 (57.5 %); mean [SD] age 63 [5.4] years), including 64,155 (2.5 %) patients with a history of NICM. Following propensity matching, 10,258 COVID-19 patients with and without NICM were matched. Patients with NICM had higher rates of AMI (11.1 vs. 7.1 %, p < 0.001), cardiogenic shock (2 vs. 0.6 %, p < 0.001), cardiac arrest (4.4 vs. 3.2 %, p < 0.01), mechanical ventilation (13.7 vs 12 %, p < 0.01), VT (8.5 vs. 2.2 %, p < 0.001), and VF (1.0 vs 0.25 %, p < 0.001). The odds ratios for in-hospital mortality, AKI, and PE did not differ significantly. ConclusionA History of NICM does not affect COVID-19 mortality but increases the risk of cardiovascular complications.

Longitudinal Increases in Time to Surgery for Patients with Breast Cancer: A National Cohort Study.

Longer time to surgery (TTS) isassociated with worse survival in patients with breast cancer. Whether this associationhas encouraged more prompt care delivery remains unknown. The National Cancer Database was used to identify patients ≥18 years of agediagnosed with clinical stage 0-III breast cancer between 2006 and 2019 for whom surgery was the first mode of treatment.A linear-by-linear test fortrend assessed median TTS acrossthe interval. Adjusted linear regression modelingwas used to examineTTS trends across patient subgroups. Overall, 1,435,584 patients met the inclusion criteria. The median age was 63 years (interquartile range [IQR] 53-72), 84.3% of patients were White, 91.1% were non-Hispanic, and 99.2% were female. The median TTS in 2006 was 26 days (IQR 16-39) versus39 days in 2019(IQR 27-56)[p<0.001]. In a multivariable linear regression model, TTS increased significantly, with an annualincrease of 0.83 days(95% confidence interval 0.82-0.85; p<0.001).A consistent, significant increase in TTS was observed on subgroup analyses by surgery type, reconstruction, patient race, hospital type, and disease stage. Black race, Hispanic ethnicity, and having either Medicaid or being uninsured were significantly associated with prolonged TTS, as were mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. Despiteevidence that longer TTS is associated with poorer outcomes in patients with breast cancer, TTS has steadily increased, which may be particularly detrimental to marginalized patients. Further studies are needed to ensure the delivery of timely care to all patients.