Male Age Research Articles

Hip joint and age relationship in Thai population by image processing technique.

Bone age is a critical factor in personal identification, with the hip joint-encompassing the acetabulum and femoral head-commonly used in age estimation. Age assessments rely on factors such as bone porosity and morphological characteristics. These are currently conducted by experts and their conclusions can vary. The logistical challenge of transporting physical bones complicates the process. The increasing use of image processing techniques in the medical field provides a more efficient and convenient alternative. This study used image processing methods to analyze area ratios and percent porosity of the acetabulum and femoral head, with a statistical evaluation of the relationship between these parameters and age at a 90% confidence level (α=0.10). The dataset comprised images from 167 skeletons including 59 females aged 30 to 88 and 108 males aged 28 to 97. The analysis revealed a significant relationship between percent porosity and age in males, both in the acetabulum and femoral head, with P-values below 0.10 but this relationship was not observed in females. A significant relationship between area ratio and age was found in the femoral head region for both genders but not in the acetabulum. The accuracy and comparability of the results were enhanced by applying a standardized image processing protocol.

Effects of cannabis smoke and oral Δ9THC on cognition in young adult and aged rats.

With increasing legalization of recreational and medical cannabis, use of this drug is growing rapidly among older adults. As cannabis can impair cognition in young adults, it is critically important to understand how its consumption interacts with the cognitive profile of aged subjects, who are already at increased risk of decline. The current study was designed to determine how cannabis influences multiple forms of cognition in young adult and aged rats of both sexes when delivered via two translationally-relevant routes of administration. Rats were exposed acutely to cannabis smoke or chronically to oral Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9THC), followed by cognitive testing. Acute cannabis smoke enhanced prefrontal cortex-dependent working memory accuracy in aged males, but impaired accuracy in aged females, while having no effects in young adults of either sex. In contrast, the same cannabis smoke regimen had minimal effects on a hippocampus-dependent trial-unique non-matching to location mnemonic task, irrespective of age or sex. Chronic oral consumption of Δ9THC enhanced working memory in aged rats of both sexes, while having no effects in young adults. In contrast, the same Δ9THC regimen did not affect spatial learning and memory in either age group. Minimal age differences were observed in Δ9THC pharmacokinetics with either route of administration. The results show that cannabis and Δ9THC can attenuate working memory impairments that emerge in aging. While these enhancing effects do not extend to hippocampus-dependent cognition, cannabis does not appear to exacerbate age-associated impairments in this cognitive domain.

Machine Learning Prediction of Pituitary Macroadenoma Consistency: Utilizing Demographic Data and Brain MRI Parameters.

Consistency of pituitary macroadenomas is a key determinant in surgical outcomes, with non-soft consistency linked to more complications and incomplete resections. This study aimed to develop a machine learning model to predict the consistency of pituitary macroadenomas to improve surgical planning and outcomes. A retrospective study of patients with pituitary macroadenomas was conducted. Data included brain magnetic resonance imaging findings (diameter and apparent diffusion coefficient), patient demographics (age and sex), and tumor consistency. Seventy patients were evaluated, 59 with soft consistency and 11 with non-soft consistency. The support vector machine (SVM) was the best model with ROC AUC score of 83.3% [95% CI 65.8, 97.6], AP AUC of 69.8% [95% CI 41.3, 91.1], sensitivity of 73.1% [95% CI 44.4, 100], specificity of 89.8% [95% CI 82, 96.7], F1 score of 0.63 [95% CI 0.36, 0.83], and Matthews correlation coefficient score of 0.57 [95% CI 0.29, 0.79]. These findings indicate a significant improvement over random classification, as confirmed by a permutation test (p < 0.05). Additionally, the model had a 67.4% probability of outperforming the second-best model in cross-validation, as determined through Bayesian analysis, and demonstrated statistical significance (p < 0.05) compared to non-ensemble models. Using explainability heuristics, both 2D and 3D probability maps highlighted areas with a higher probability of non-soft consistency. The attributes most influential in the correct classification by our best model were male sex and age ≤ 42.25years. Despite some limitations, the SVM model showed promise in predicting tumor consistency, which could aid in surgical planning. To address concerns about generalizability, we have created an open-access repository to promote future external validation studies and collaboration with other research centers, with the goal of enhancing model prediction through transfer learning.

Neuromuscular and biochemical responses of the hamstrings to a Flywheel Russian belt Deadlift in women and men

ABSTRACT The purpose of the study was to analyze hamstrings muscle damage and recovery after a novel Flywheel Russian belt Deadlift (FRBD) exercise using neuromuscular tests and associated biochemical markers of structural damage. Maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) torque and rate of force development (RFD) over several time-intervals by the 90º hip :20º knee test (standing isometric test for the hamstrings) and range of motion (ROM) Jurdan test (combination of active knee extension test and modified Thomas test), together with serum biomarkers of muscle damage and oxidative stress, were tested at baseline and +24h, +48h and +72h in healthy, untrained and physically active 15 females (age= 21.5±3.4 years) and 15 males (age= 21.4±1.9 years). FRBD-induced muscle damage was observed as a reduction in MVIC torque and RFD at all time-intervals until +72h. Also, hamstrings neuromuscular capacity reductions were associated with serum biomarkers of structural and oxidative damage. However, only males showed ROM changes. Overall, the FRBD triggered a decrease in hamstrings neuromuscular capacities, and an upregulation of biochemical markers of structural and oxidative damage until +72h. The 90º hip :20º knee test provides an adequate reliability to screen hamstrings recovery in both women and men after flywheel training, through MVIC torque and both early and late RFD.

Testosterone in long-term sedentary aging males: Effect of antiaging strategies.

Physical activity can provide health benefits if done regularly and of sufficient duration and intensity. TheWorld Health Organization recommends adults do 150-300 min of moderate-intensity activity per week, 75-150 min of vigorous-intensity activity, or an equivalent combination.Physical inactivity is the fourth leading cause of early death globally, with 31% of the world's population not getting enough physical activity. Aging is defined by rapid decline in physical activity, loss of mobility, and premature morbidity.Low testosterone levels in men decline from 30 to 40 years of age, and this continues until death. Antiaging strategies, such as caloric restriction, balanced diet, regular exercise, weight management, diabetes control, and smoking cessation can prevent and treat aging-related diseases. Exercise significantly boosts testosterone production, with levels varying based on type, frequency, volume, intensity, and duration. It increases muscle steroidogenesis, total testosterone, and free testosterone in the elderly. Testosterone replacement therapy in elderly men improves physical function, strength, protein synthesis, cholesterol, bone density, sexual desire, erectile function, and overall cognition. However, some studies suggest dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation may provide health improvements without negative effects, potentially reversing arterial aging and reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Senolytic therapeutics focus on cellular senescence, and stem cell transplantation investigates the therapeutic potential of older stem cells.

Evaluation of pulmonary tuberculosis disease burden in Shenyang, China, 2023

BackgroundPulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is one of the most serious infectious diseases worldwide and poses a great threat to people’s health. China has a vast territory with substantial regional disparities in the PTB disease burden. However, there have been no studies conducted to evaluate the PTB disease burden in Shenyang. The aim was to elucidate the magnitude, composition, and distribution of PTB disease burden in Shenyang.MethodsThe disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) calculated based on Global Burden of Disease (GBD) framework was used to assess the disease burden of PTB in Shenyang in 2023, and descriptive epidemiological methods were employed to elucidate the magnitude, composition, and distribution characteristics of PTB disease burden in Shenyang.ResultsIn 2023, 4,169 PTB cases were reported in Shenyang, including 2,901 males and 1,268 females. The incidence of PTB was 45.50/105, of which 64.29/105 for males and 27.30/105 for females. The incidence among males was higher than that among females (X2 = 688.56, p<0.001). The highest incidence was 107.00/105 in the group of the population aged 80 and above (X2 = 1171.75, p<0.001). In 2023, 189 PTB deaths were reported in Shenyang, including 156 males and 33 females. The mortality of PTB was 2.06/105 of which 3.46/105 for males and 0.71/105 for females. The mortality among males was higher than that among females (X2 = 83.69, p<0.001). The highest mortality was 16.04/105 in the group of the population aged 80 and above (X2 = 285.61, p<0.001). The PTB DALYs rate was 58.25/105, of which 91.73/105 for males and 21.22/105 for females. The DALYs rate among males was higher than that among females (X2 = 44.04, p<0.001). The highest DALYs rate was 149.86/105 in the group of the population aged 80 and above (X2 = 305.35, p<0.001). Years of life lost (YLLs) due to PTB accounted for 71.38% of total DALYs, of which 74.33% for males and 52.89% for females.ConclusionThe PTB DALYs rate in Shenyang was 58.25/105, which was lower than that in China, equivalent to 80% of the national PTB disease burden rate. The disease burden showed a characteristic of increasing with age, and the PTB DALYs rate for males was higher than that for females, being equivalent to 4 times the female rate. The predominant disease burden of PTB was attributed to YLLs, accounting for as much as 71.38%, indicating that PTB primarily results in premature mortality rather than disability. Therefore, the focus should be shifted towards early intervention to reduce transmission, especially for the aged males.

Donors in the COVID-19 era: How did donor characteristics change in Japan?

The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruptions to the blood service in Japan. Stay-at-home policies in schools, organizations and companies made it challenging to access potential blood donors, leading to a substantial decline in blood donation rates. This study aimed to examine the profile of blood donors during the pandemic and compare it with that in the pre-pandemic period. Blood donors who contributed to the Japanese Red Cross Blood Services between April 2018 and March 2021 were evaluated based on age, gender, occupation, donation site, height, body weight (BW) and donation status (first-time [FT] or repeat). Factors influencing the return of FT donors who contributed before and during the pandemic were also explored. During the initial phase of the pandemic, a significant decrease in blood donations was observed, particularly in Tokyo. Despite intermittent drops, the required blood volume was ultimately collected. Donations by both female and male repeat donors increased, although the number of male repeat donors decreased, with only female repeat donors experiencing an absolute increase. Before the pandemic, younger age, 200-mL donation, higher body mass index and fixed donation sites were significantly associated with FT donor returns. During the pandemic, higher age (for males) and 400-mL donation (for females) emerged as significant factors. With changes in donor profiles during the pandemic, there was a noticeable shift in the characteristics of FT donors who returned for a subsequent donation within the following year, particularly in terms of age and blood donation volume. Despite the challenges, the required blood volume was successfully collected, thanks to increased donations from repeat blood donors. Recruiting and retaining committed donors is essential for maintaining sustainable blood services, especially during crisis situations.

Growth hormone replacement therapy enhances humoral response to COVID-19 mRNA vaccination in patients with adult-onset growth hormone deficiency.

Given the established link between GH/insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) deficiency and severe COVID-19 outcomes, this research seeks to determine whether GH therapy can enhance vaccine efficacy in patients with adult-onset growth hormone deficiency (aGHD). We conducted an observational retrospective study involving two groups: a cohort of 10 patients (8 females, 2 males) with obesity and aGHD who initiated recombinant GH replacement therapy at a standard dose of 0.1mg/day six months to one year before their first vaccine dose, and a matched control group of 7 patients (5 females, 2 males) with aGHD who had not started GH treatment. Both groups were matched for age, gender, and body mass index (BMI) to ensure comparability. Blood samples were collected 3 to 6months after the third booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (BNT162b2, Pfizer-BioNTech) and analyzed for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies using a commercially available assay. The GH-treated group exhibited a significantly greater humoral response compared to the untreated group, with a mean antibody titer of 19,122.1 ± 7,736.84 U/mL versus 9,539.14 ± 5,408.90 U/mL in the control group (p = 0.01). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that GH replacement therapy was the only statistically significant predictor of vaccine response, while factors such as male sex, age, and visceral adipose tissue showed negative correlations that did not reach significance. Our findings suggest that GH replacement therapy may enhance the immune response to COVID-19 vaccination in patients with aGHD, potentially improving their overall metabolic health and immune function.

Abstract TP363: Cognitive Consequences of IL-6 Trans-Signaling Inhibition in Aged Mice: A Comparative Study of Males and Females

Introduction: IL-6 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine typically low in healthy young individuals but elevated after stroke, correlating with worse outcomes. IL-6 binds to soluble IL-6 receptors, which then interact with the glycoprotein gp130, initiating pro-inflammatory trans-signaling. In young mice, gp130Fc administration showed dose-dependent benefits. To test this in older individuals, gp130Fc (0.5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) was given to aged mice 4 hours after middle cerebral artery occlusion. This dose caused 80% mortality in aged males within 72 hours, while all females survived. A lower dose (0.25 mg/kg) improved survival to 70% in aged males. Aged females had higher baseline plasma IL-6, which may explain their higher dose tolerance. Aging is associated with cognitive decline, leading us to hypothesize that inhibiting IL-6 trans-signaling could improve cognitive function in older animals. Methods: Aged (18-19 months) C57BL/6 male and female mice were used to assess cognitive deficits following gp130Fc treatment. The mice received either saline or gp130Fc at doses of 0.25 mg/kg (for males) and 0.5 mg/kg (for females) via intraperitoneal injection a week before behavioral testing and at day 14. Cognitive function was evaluated using several tests: Y-Maze on day 7, Novel Object Recognition Test (NORT) on day 14, and Object Location (OL) on day 21. From days 22-26, mice underwent training on the Barnes Maze, with testing on day 27. Mice were euthanized on day 28. Results: Older animals exhibited similar deficits in short-term memory as assessed on the Y maze, NORT, and OL task regardless of sex, but aged females showed worse long-term memory retention compared to age-matched males, as assessed by the Barnes Maze. Female mice took longer to escape and made more incorrect entries (P&lt;0.05) than males. Inhibition of peripheral IL-6 trans-signaling worsened (P&lt;0.05) long-term memory retention in aged males compared to vehicle-treated animals, whereas gp130Fc treatment improved long-term memory retention in aged females. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that aged female mice exhibit more pronounced cognitive impairments than their male counterparts. Inhibition of IL-6 trans-signaling with gp130Fc ameliorates cognitive deficits in aged females but exacerbates cognitive decline in aged males.

Clinical outcomes among COVID-19 patients initiated on molnupiravir in Denmark - A national registry study.

Molnupiravir (MOV) is an orally bioavailable ribonucleoside with antiviral activity against all tested SARS-CoV-2 variants. We describe the demographic, clinical, and treatment characteristics of non-hospitalized Danish patients treated with MOV and their clinical outcomes following MOV initiation. Among all adults (>18years) who received MOV between 16 December 2021 and 30 April 2022 in an outpatient setting in Denmark, we summarized their demographic and clinical characteristics at baseline and post-MOV outcomes using descriptive statistics. Outcomes were emergent hospitalization and all-cause mortality during the 28 days after MOV initiation. We estimated the odds ratios (OR) of outcomes by time from positive test to treatment using logistic regression. We identified 3691 MOV-treated patients, of whom 45.8% were male and mean age was 70.1 years. Most patients (76.2%) initiated MOV within 0-2 days after a positive SARS-CoV-2 test and 16.8% within 3-5 days. Over a 28-day period, rates for all-cause, respiratory- or COVID-19-related, and COVID-19-related hospitalization were 4.8%, 2.6% and 1.5%, respectively. All-cause mortality was 1.6%. Initiation of MOV 3-5 days after a positive SARS-CoV-2 test compared to 1-2 days was associated with an increased risk of all-cause (OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.29-2.67) and respiratory or COVID-19-related (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.07-2.94) hospitalization, and all-cause mortality (OR 2.90, 95% CI 1.64-5.15). MOV was primarily prescribed to vaccinated elderly persons with multiple comorbidities. The all-cause hospitalization and mortality rates in this population were low. Early initiation of MOV reduced the risk of hospitalization and death compared with late initiation.

Tumor lysis syndrome in colorectal cancer: A systematic review of clinical characteristics.

122 Background: Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is an oncologic emergency resulting from the release of potassium, phosphorus, and nucleic acids from tumor cells. While rare in colorectal cancer (CRC), TLS is linked with high mortality, and literature is limited. This study aims to summarize the clinical characteristics of patients with TLS in CRC. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of TLS in CRC through a comprehensive literature search in PubMed and manual searches from January 1st, 1993, up to September 13th, 2024. Keywords included "Tumor Lysis Syndrome," "Colorectal Cancer," and "Colon Cancer." 32 studies were found, identifying 11 spontaneous and 22 therapy-related TLS cases. Quantitative and qualitative data were extracted for descriptive analysis. Results: A total of 33 patients (16 males and 15 females) had a mean age of 56.5 ± 17.8 years at TLS diagnosis. The mean ages for males and females were 58.3 ± 7.1 and 55.8 ± 13.7 years, respectively (p=0.59). The primary histology was adenocarcinoma (92%) followed by neuroendocrine (8%) (data unavailable for 9 patients). Among 15 patients with grading information, Grade 2 tumors were most common (53%), followed by Grade 3 (40%) and Grade 1 (7%). Staging data was available for 32 patients. Most patients had Stage IV disease (94%), with frequent metastases to the liver (93%), lungs (30%), and bones (10%). Hyperuricemia is present in all patients (1 patient without data). Acute kidney injury (AKI) was present in all patients (4 patients without data). Hyperphosphatemia was found in 82% of patients (5 patients without data). Hypocalcemia was noted in 52% (10 patients without data), and hyperkalemia was found in 74% (6 patients without data). Out of the 33 patients, 11 experienced spontaneous TLS (33%) and 22 had therapy-related TLS (67%). Duration of TLS onset following therapy was available for 17 patients, including one outlier at 30 days on Capecitabine. The mean duration for therapy-related TLS, excluding the outlier, was 3.8 ± 2.5 days. Among the 22 patients on therapy, 59% received 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)-based treatment. 31% of those receiving 5-FU had combination therapy with Bevacizumab. Death occurred in 59% of patients, with data missing for 4 patients. Conclusions: TLS in colorectal cancer (CRC) is associated with a mortality rate of up to 59% and shows no gender preference. Identifying predictive factors is crucial for TLS prophylaxis. Patients with TLS in CRC often present with Stage IV disease, liver metastasis, hyperuricemia, and acute kidney injury (AKI).

Minimum wages and alcohol consumption: Evidence from Canadian longitudinal microdata.

The objective is to estimate the effect of provincial minimum wage increases in Canada on heavy drinking, binge drinking and average daily alcohol consumption. We estimate standard regression models by gender-age group with drinking behaviours as the dependent variables and the minimum wage among the independent variables. We employ the Canadian National Population Health Survey which began in 1994 and ended in 2011, a period comparable to that used by many U.S. The longitudinal feature of the Canadian microdata is an advantage over most U.S. datasets, allowing control for individual fixed effects, including unobserved propensities regarding alcohol. As in U.S. studies, estimation relies on differences in timing and size of minimum wage changes across jurisdictions. We find no consistent evidence that minimum wage increases increase drinking overall. Indeed, for less-educated males ages 26-64, we estimate that a $1 increase (about 15 %) in the real minimum wage would have reduced the prevalence of heavy drinking by 2.2 percentage points and average daily alcohol consumption by 0.15 standard drinks, with wild bootstrap 95 % confidence intervals (-4.3, -0.1) and (-0.28, -0.07) respectively. Our estimates for females are less consistent but some point towards modest increases in drinking. Besides our strongest finding of no evidence that minimum wages increase drinking overall, our findings can also be seen as consistent with earlier research on this same Canadian dataset that found minimum wage increases reduced stress in less-educated male workers.

Advancing African American and hispanic health literacy with a bilingual, personalized, prevention smartphone application.

Many online health information sources are generic and difficult to understand, but consumers want information to be personalized and understandable. Smartphone health applications (apps) offer personalized information to support health goals and reduce preventable chronic conditions. This study aimed to determine how the HealthyMe/MiSalud personalized app (1) engaged English-speaking African American and Spanish-speaking Hispanic adults, and (2) motivated them to set goals and follow preventive recommendations. Our study adds to the literature on digital health, health information seeking, and prevention. We used a multi-method approach, including community and participatory design principles, to learn about potential African American and Hispanic adult health app users and evaluate the app in two usability tests and a 12-month field test. Ninety-six African American and Hispanic adults downloaded the HealthyMe/MiSalud app and used it for a minimum of 36 weeks. We found they wanted personalized information on core prevention topics, and their health histories and goals affected how they rated topic relevance. African American females ages 18-34 were more likely to save an article aligned with family health history, and African American females aged 35-49, males age 50-64, and African American males overall were more likely to save an article aligned with their health goals. Our study revealed that a prevention app with personalized recommendations can support health information seeking and health literacy. These findings can help app developers, public health practitioners, and researchers when designing apps for groups of varying identities.

Differences in risk factor profiles for peripheral artery disease compared to coronary, cerebral and carotid artery

The aim of this study was to evaluate the greatest drivers for development of lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD) in relation to coronary, precerebral, or cerebral artery disease This prospective study (Malmö Diet and Cancer study) included 26,681 participants. The diagnosis of incident PAD, coronary artery disease (CoAD), atherothrombotic ischemic stroke (IS) free from atrial fibrillation or flutter, and carotid artery disease (CaAD) was validated. A modified Lunn-McNeil competing risk analysis was performed to compare the Hazard Ratio (HR) strength of PAD in relation to CoAD, IS, or CaAD. The estimated population attributable risk fractions (PAF) for each atherosclerotic manifestation were estimated by first fit an age and sex adjusted Cox proportional hazard regression, and then estimate the PAF using the Direct method. Male sex, age, and hypertension were risk factors for development of all atherosclerotic manifestations. Current smoking accounted for 45.6% (95% CI 41.1–47.2), 16.1%, 14.0%, and 23.3% of the risk for development of PAD, CoAD, IS, and CaAD, respectively. Hypertension was more associated with development of PAD than CoAD (p = 0.009). Smoking and diabetes mellitus were positively associated with all four manifestations, but these associations were significantly stronger for PAD than the other three manifestations. Smoking and diabetes mellitus had a larger impact on incident PAD than incident coronary, cerebral or precerebral artery manifestations. Since the lower extremity arteries are the easiest to access and examine, they may be considered as the first arterial bed to examine in patients at increased risk for atherosclerotic manifestations.

Changes in lake sturgeon spawning periodicity is associated with prior reproductive effort

Long-lived iteroparous organisms vary resource expenditures toward migration and reproduction in response to individual physical factors and conspecific interactions, which can affect future reproductive timing and interval. Reproductive actions can lead to trade-offs associated with allocations to current vs. future reproduction, including longer reproductive interval, require additional study. The objective of this study was to evaluate associations between physical stream characteristics, individual behaviors, and breeding demographics and spawning periodicity in lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens). We used Radio Frequency Identification tags to monitor spawning migration by male (N = 1931) and female (N = 683) adults over seven consecutive years (2016 through 2022) in the Black River, Cheboygan Co., MI. We used ordinal regression models to quantify associations. Male spawning periodicity (1.60 ± 0.63 years; mean ± SE) decreased with increasing body size and intra-sex interactions and increased with increasing cumulative temperature, discharge, number of inter-sex interactions, and complete river migrations in a season. Female spawning periodicity (3.19 ± 0.05 years, mean ± SE) decreased with increasing upstream swimming time and inter-sex interactions. Results demonstrated spawning periodicity shortened as male lake sturgeon age, and future breeding opportunities decreased, while female periodicity may be more individualized and is more likely to be affected by resource acquisition.

Severity of skin disease strongly correlates with quality of life in people with psoriatic arthritis: a systematic review.

This systematic review aims to summarise the association between skin disease and quality of life (QoL) in people with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and identify areas for future research and management. This review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42024500994). Databases were searched for articles in English published until 7th January 2025. All study types were included except editorials, conference abstracts and reviews. Data gathered included demographics, treatment, type and severity of skin disease and QoL. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and summarised using vote-counting. 2338 articles were retrieved with 18 ultimately included (10 cross-sectional; 7 observational cohort; 1 randomised controlled trial). A pooled total of 16,960 patients with PsA were included, with 48.1% male and mean age of 47.6years (SD 5.78). Tools for assessing psoriasis included the Psoriasis-Area-Severity-Index (PASI, n = 9), Body-Surface-Area (BSA, n = 7), with four using others, and several using a combination. PASI scores ranged from 2.6 (mild) to 9.88 (moderate); BSA was reported as ≥ 3%, 5-10%, or ≥ 10%. QoL was assessed using Dermatology-Life-Quality-Index (DLQI; n = 10); EuroQol-5 Dimension (EQ-5D; n = 3); 36-Item-Short-Form-Survey (SF-36; n = 3); and four studies used other measures. 13 studies reported an association between worse skin disease and poorer QoL in PsA. Three studies reported no association between severity of skin disease and quality of life, while two were undecided. This review highlights that there is an association between dermatological symptoms and QoL in PsA patients, even in milder disease, indicating the importance of multidiscplinary management to facilitate greater QoL and patient outcomes.

P-1486. Comprehensive Approach to Vibrio Vulnificus: Integrating Drug Therapy, Diagnostic Modalities, and Targeted Care for At-Risk Populations

Abstract Background Vibrio vulnificus (VV), is endemic to warm coastal waters where it causes significant foodborne and aquatic illnesses resulting in high mortality and morbidity. There are no FDA-approved treatments or standard management strategies. Here we explore the landscape of VV infections, their characteristics and treatment outcomes.Figure 1:Outcome of Vibrio Vulnificus Infections Methods Cases of VV from 2014 to 2024 were identified from PubMed and Embase databases, employing pertinent keywords, MeSH terms, and Emtree terms. Articles underwent screening using Rayyan.ai using PRISMA protocol. 72 cases that met inclusion criteria were entered to CURE ID and aggregated data was analyzed.Figure 2:Age Distribution of Vibrio Cases Results The outcome distribution of cases are in Figure 1. 46/72 patients recovered while 21 died. Age and gender of patients with VV infections are displayed in Figure 2 and 3 respectively. Most cases occurred in middle aged individuals while there was a male prevalence in cases. Figure 4 displays the countries where most infections occurred. China and the United States had the highest incidence of cases.Figure 3:Sex of Patients Conclusion The high mortality of VV underscores the importance of finding treatment options for this often-forgotten disease. The age and sex distribution in middle aged males is indicative of the correlation between aquatic activity such as fishing and VV. Males who engage in these activities are at highest risk of contracting VV infections. The geographic distribution of cases underscores countries with warm oceans is where most cases occur. In our data we noticed a prevalence of chronic liver diseases amongst VV patience. We aim to explore this correlation and most effective antimicrobials in a full manuscript.Figure 4:Geographic Distribution of Vibrio Vulnificus Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

P-381. Enhancing Economic Outcomes by Strategic Investment in Orthopedic Surgical Infection Control

Abstract Background This study aims to assess the financial impact of investments in combating hospital-acquired infections, particularly surgical site infections (SSIs) in orthopedic procedures.Figure 1The infection prevention programs to prevent Surgical Site Infections (SSIs) Methods A retrospective cohort study from January 2019 to September 2023 included patients undergoing knee arthroplasty (KA), hip arthroplasty (HA), and open fracture reduction (OFR), defining SSI according to CDC criteria. Costs per SSI patient were retrieved from literature sources: $13,539.50 for hospital costs (LUNA et al., 2022) and $7,523.77 for direct treatment costs, adjusted for inflation (STARLING et al., 2022).Figure 2.Chart of Year-to-Year Surgical Site Infection Rates, Stratified by Type of Orthopedic Surgery Chart of Year-to-Year Surgical Site Infection Rates, Stratified by Type of Orthopedic Surgery Results During the baseline period, January 2019 to to December 2022, 4,258 patients underwent orthopedic surgeries: HA (11%), KA (9%), OFR (80%). Of these, 2,439 were female (57%), 1,819 male (43%), mean and median age 51 years, standard deviation 21 years. 68 patients died in-hospital (1.6%), 239 diagnosed with SSI (5.6%). Postoperative infection increased mortality risk over twofold: without infection (1.5% mortality risk), with infection (3.8% mortality risk), relative risk 2.5, p-value=0.014. SSI was associated with prolonged hospitalization; average length of stay doubled with infection (18.2 days) compared to without (9 days), p-value: 0.001. Comparing infection risks from 2019-2022 (5.6%) to 2023 (1.4%) post-investment in infection control demonstrated a risk reduction. Relative risk (0.25) p-value &amp;lt; 0.001.Table 1.Annual Comparative Analysis of Surgical Site Infection Rates by Orthopedic Surgery Type Conclusion SSIs in orthopedic surgeries pose dual risks, increasing readmissions and impairing hospital performance. Investing in SSI reduction enhances patient care, safety, and yields significant financial returns. This study underscores the ROI of infection prevention, especially targeting orthopedic surgical infections. Preventing SSIs can yield monthly savings of $25,781.49 to $46,393.48Table 2.Reduction in Costs, Hospital Stay Duration, and Prevented Deaths Associated with Surgical Site Infections after Orthopedic Surgeries Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Caffeinated chewing gum enhances maximal strength and muscular endurance during bench press and back squat exercises in resistance-trained men

IntroductionCaffeinated chewing gum, known for its rapid absorption, has not been previously studied for its effects on maximal strength and muscular endurance in resistance exercise. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of caffeinated chewing gum on maximal strength and muscular endurance during bench press and back squat exercises.MethodsIn a randomized, double-blind design, 16 resistance-trained males (age: 21.6 ± 2.0 years, height: 176.8 ± 6.1 cm, mass: 79.6 ± 8.8 kg) chewed either caffeinated gum (3 mg/kg) or a placebo gum on two occasions, 1 week apart. After a standardized warm-up, participants chewed the gum for 5 min before performing maximal strength test (one-repetition maximum [1RM]) and muscular endurance test (60% 1RM repetitions to failure) for bench press and back squat exercises. 1RM, number of repetitions, ratings of perceived exertion and pain perception were assessed.ResultsCaffeinated chewing gum significantly improved 1RM in both bench press (105.3 ± 14.5 vs. 100.3 ± 13.4 kg, +5.0% [95% confidence interval (CI): 3.7–6.3%], p &amp;lt; 0.01) and back squat (172.3 ± 20.2 vs. 161.9 ± 22.3 kg, +6.8% [95%CI: 4.1–9.5%], p &amp;lt; 0.01) exercises with small effect size (Cohen’s d: 0.36 [95%CI: 0.09–0.63] and 0.49 [95%CI: 0.22–0.76], respectively), despite similar levels of pain perception and RPE (p &amp;gt; 0.05). It also increased the number of repetitions in both bench press (20 ± 5 vs. 17 ± 4, +18.8% [95%CI: 11.5–26.1%], p &amp;lt; 0.01) and back squat (37 ± 11 vs. 28 ± 8, +33.3% [95%CI: 23.1–43.4%], p &amp;lt; 0.01) exercises with moderate-to-large effect size (Cohen’s d: 0.76 [95%CI: 0.48–1.03] and 0.89 [95%CI: 0.60–1.16], respectively), despite similar levels of pain perception and RPE (p &amp;gt; 0.05).DiscussionCaffeinated chewing gum (3 mg/kg) improved both maximal strength and muscular endurance during bench press and back squat exercises in resistance-trained men. This approach offers a practical and time-efficient method to improve training performance while minimizing the risk of side effects.

Mortality in the families of children during the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from a repeated cross-sectional study of children in the United States

BackgroundModeling studies suggest that hundreds of thousands of U.S. children have lost caregivers since the COVID-19 pandemic began. However, few studies have directly evaluated changes in mortality in the families of U.S. children using patient-level data, characterized adult decedents and their surviving children, or accounted for the loss of the adult siblings of children.MethodsWe conducted a repeated cross-sectional analysis using Optum’s De-identified Clinformatics® Data Mart, a national claims database that includes privately insured children and families across the U.S. We identified families of children aged 0–17 years enrolled in a family plan during each month in 2016–2021. Among these families, we calculated the proportion with ≥ 1 death of an adult family member aged ≥ 18 years enrolled in the plan, including young adult dependents aged 18–25 years. We used descriptive statistics to assess the age and sex of adult decedents and their surviving children. Moreover, we calculated the proportion of adult decedents who were the siblings of children.ResultsFrom January 2016 through February 2020, the median monthly proportion of families with ≥ 1 adult death was 0.000076 (7.6 per 100,000 families). This rose to 12.1 per 100,000 families in December 2020, fell below the pre-pandemic median during March-July 2021, and exceeded this median for most months during August-December 2021. Among adult decedents, 63.8% were male and mean age was 44.8 (11.4) years. Among surviving children, 59.5% were adolescents aged 12–17 years. Among adult decedents, 4.8% were the siblings of children.ConclusionsDuring the pandemic, the proportion of privately insured children experiencing the loss of an adult family members varied over time, with the highest rates occurring at the end of 2020 and the second half of 2021. Some children lost adult siblings, suggesting that screening for child bereavement should include all family members, not just parents/guardians.