Cross-sectional Pilot Study Research Articles

Macular Oxygen Saturation in Glaucoma Using Retinal Oximetry of Visible Light Optical Coherence Tomography: A Pilot Study.

A cross-sectional pilot study to compare macular oxygen saturation (sO2) and associated clinical measurements between normal and glaucoma subjects and to evaluate whether macular sO2 can be a diagnostic metric for early-stage glaucoma. Forty-eight eyes of 35 subjects from three groups were included: normal subjects (16 eyes, 10 subjects), suspect/pre-perimetric glaucoma (GS/PPG) subjects (17 eyes, 12 subjects), and perimetric glaucoma (PG) subjects (15 eyes, 13 subjects). We performed retinal oximetry of visible light optical coherence tomography (VIS-OCT) in macular vessels, with 512 × 256 sampling points over a 5 × 5 mm2 area. Zeiss Cirrus OCT scans and a 24-2 visual field test (VFT) were conducted. Statistical analysis was conducted. Significant differences were observed among the three groups for all VIS-OCT, Zeiss OCT, and VFT variables. As glaucoma severity increased, macular AsO2 (arterial sO2) and A-V sO2 (arteriovenous sO2 difference) decreased, whereas macular VsO2 (venous sO2) increased. Macular AsO2 and A-V sO2 were found to be statistically correlated with ganglion cell layer + inner plexiform layer (GCL+IPL) and circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer in all eyes, as well as in PG eyes. Within the PG group, a dominant correlation between AsO2 and ganglion cell layer + inner plexiform layer was observed in the more damaged lower hemifield. Glaucoma subjects showed altered macular sO2, indicating reduced oxygen consumption. The sO2 measured by VIS-OCT could be a potential metric for early glaucoma diagnosis. This study shows macular sO2 measurements via VIS-OCT could bridge advanced imaging technology and clinical glaucoma detection.

Proficiency, Clarity, and Objectivity of Large Language Models Versus Specialists' Knowledge on COVID-19's Impacts in Pregnancy: Cross-Sectional Pilot Study.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly strained health care systems globally, leading to an overwhelming influx of patients and exacerbating resource limitations. Concurrently, an "infodemic" of misinformation, particularly prevalent in women's health, has emerged. This challenge has been pivotal for health care providers, especially gynecologists and obstetricians, in managing pregnant women's health. The pandemic heightened risks for pregnant women from COVID-19, necessitating balanced advice from specialists on vaccine safety versus known risks. In addition, the advent of generative artificial intelligence (AI), such as large language models (LLMs), offers promising support in health care. However, they necessitate rigorous testing. This study aimed to assess LLMs' proficiency, clarity, and objectivity regarding COVID-19's impacts on pregnancy. This study evaluates 4 major AI prototypes (ChatGPT-3.5, ChatGPT-4, Microsoft Copilot, and Google Bard) using zero-shot prompts in a questionnaire validated among 159 Israeli gynecologists and obstetricians. The questionnaire assesses proficiency in providing accurate information on COVID-19 in relation to pregnancy. Text-mining, sentiment analysis, and readability (Flesch-Kincaid grade level and Flesch Reading Ease Score) were also conducted. In terms of LLMs' knowledge, ChatGPT-4 and Microsoft Copilot each scored 97% (32/33), Google Bard 94% (31/33), and ChatGPT-3.5 82% (27/33). ChatGPT-4 incorrectly stated an increased risk of miscarriage due to COVID-19. Google Bard and Microsoft Copilot had minor inaccuracies concerning COVID-19 transmission and complications. In the sentiment analysis, Microsoft Copilot achieved the least negative score (-4), followed by ChatGPT-4 (-6) and Google Bard (-7), while ChatGPT-3.5 obtained the most negative score (-12). Finally, concerning the readability analysis, Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level and Flesch Reading Ease Score showed that Microsoft Copilot was the most accessible at 9.9 and 49, followed by ChatGPT-4 at 12.4 and 37.1, while ChatGPT-3.5 (12.9 and 35.6) and Google Bard (12.9 and 35.8) generated particularly complex responses. The study highlights varying knowledge levels of LLMs in relation to COVID-19 and pregnancy. ChatGPT-3.5 showed the least knowledge and alignment with scientific evidence. Readability and complexity analyses suggest that each AI's approach was tailored to specific audiences, with ChatGPT versions being more suitable for specialized readers and Microsoft Copilot for the general public. Sentiment analysis revealed notable variations in the way LLMs communicated critical information, underscoring the essential role of neutral and objective health care communication in ensuring that pregnant women, particularly vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic, receive accurate and reassuring guidance. Overall, ChatGPT-4, Microsoft Copilot, and Google Bard generally provided accurate, updated information on COVID-19 and vaccines in maternal and fetal health, aligning with health guidelines. The study demonstrated the potential role of AI in supplementing health care knowledge, with a need for continuous updating and verification of AI knowledge bases. The choice of AI tool should consider the target audience and required information detail level.

Investigating outcomes of female genital schistosomiasis in communities in Ogun State, Nigeria: a pilot cross-sectional study.

Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) is still a relatively new area of study in Nigeria, although the knowledge has improved since the Female Genital Schistosomiasis Society of Nigeria was launched in 2022, but gaps exist in evaluating the consequences of this disease. This pilot study investigated outcomes of FGS in two communities in Ogun State, Nigeria. Women <65y of age from two communities in Ogun State were investigated. Of 126 women screened by urine microscopy, only 47 participants further consented for colposcopy to investigate FGS, guided by the World Health Organization FGS pocket atlas. Samples from the cervix and vagina were also subjected to a Pap test. Questionnaires were also used. Among the 47 participants, 23.4% had egg-patent urogenital schistosomiasis, with younger women being significantly more infected (p<0.05): age group 16-25y (30.8%) and 26-35y (35.7%). Investigation by colposcopy showed that 18 (38.3%) women had signs that could be considered as FGS, including grainy sandy patches (12.8%), yellow sandy patches (38.3%), abnormal blood vessels (17%) and rubbery papules (4.3%). Pap smear results showed cervical atypia in all samples, with two having Schistosoma ova. The results of this pilot study reaffirm the reason why more attention to FGS from the Federal Ministry of Health is required, and we strongly recommend the need for more studies with larger sample sizes to gather more information.

Perceptions and Educational Needs of Hospitalized Patients Regarding Blood Transfusion Before Cardiac Surgery: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study

Perceptions and Educational Needs of Hospitalized Patients Regarding Blood Transfusion Before Cardiac Surgery: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study

Patient clusters based on demographics, clinical characteristics and cancer-related symptoms: A cross-sectional pilot study.

This study aimed to identify and preliminary validate distinct clusters of patients with cancer based on demographics, clinical characteristics, and symptoms and to inform future research on sample size requirements for achieving sufficient power in clustering analyses. This cross-sectional pilot study involved 114 patients with cancer from two hospitals in northern Italy. Data were collected on demographics, clinical characteristics, and 20 symptoms using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System in October 2022. t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE) was used to reduce the symptom data and demographics (e.g., age) into two components, which were then clustered using Ward's method. A Monte Carlo simulation was conducted based on the t-SNE components to estimate the sample size needed to achieve 80% power for different cluster solutions (k=2, 3, 4). Two distinct clusters were identified: Cluster 1 (Higher Symptom Burden Cluster) and Cluster 2 (Lower Symptom Burden Cluster). Cluster 1 patients had a higher prevalence of depression, anxiety, and drowsiness. Monte Carlo simulations indicated that 50 patients per cluster were sufficient for k=2 clusters to achieve 80% power, whereas 90 patients per cluster were needed for k=3 clusters and 120 patients per cluster for k=4 clusters. This study identified distinct patient clusters and provided preliminary evidence on the sample size required for clustering analyses in cancer research. Understanding patient clusters enables nurses to provide tailored interventions, potentially improving symptom management and overall patient care.

Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease Adversely Impacts School Performance in Children and Young Adults.

Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) adversely impacts return to work for adult allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) survivors, but no data exist on children with cGVHD transitioning back to school. We hypothesized that cGVHD adversely impacts broad aspects of school experience of children compared to their allogeneic-HSCT peers without cGVHD. We conducted a single center cross-sectional pilot study using a 42-item questionnaire, investigating academic performance and social-emotional aspects of schooling pre- and post-HSCT. Forty allogeneic-HSCT patients of school-age completed the questionnaire, and responses were compared between patients with and without cGVHD. Twenty patients had cGVHD while 20 age or gender matched allogeneic-HSCT patients without cGVHD were controls. Ten of the 20 cGVHD patients experienced academic delays, of whom 2 were unable to resume or commence school due to cGVHD. All controls resumed/commenced school post-HSCT. Patients with cGVHD were chronically absent, as 8 of the 18 cGVHD patients missed ≥4 days of school per month post-HSCT compared to 0/20 controls (P ≤ .001). Profound barriers to school participation specific to cGVHD were appreciated with an average of 3 concurrent barriers (range 1-7) ranging from physical appearance to clothing discomfort. Significant gaps in school services were identified as only 6 (33%) cGVHD had school accommodations post-HSCT. Academic challenges and emotional and psychosocial impacts are profound. Future studies evaluating the feasibility of standardizing early school-based interventions are required.

Elevated Serum Levels of Acid Sphingomyelinase in Female Patients with Episodic and Chronic Migraine

Migraine is one of the most common neurological disorders and the second most disabling human condition. The molecular mechanisms of migraine have been linked to neuropeptide release, endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress and inflammatory processes. Acid sphingomyelinase (aSMase) is a secreted enzyme that leads to sphingomyelin degradation to produce ceramide. Its activity has been associated with several molecular processes involved in migraine. Therefore, this cross-sectional study aims to study the potential role of aSMase in patients with episodic and chronic migraine. In this cross-sectional pilot study, serum samples from female healthy controls (n = 23), episodic migraine (EM) patients (n = 31), and chronic migraine (CM) patients (n = 28) were studied. The total serum levels of aSMase were determined by ELISA. In addition, the serum levels of sphingomyelin (SM), dihydro-sphingomyelin (dhSM), ceramide (Cer), and dihydro-ceramide (dhCer) were determined by mass spectrometry as biomarkers involved in the main molecular pathways associated with aSMase. aSMase serum levels were found significantly elevated in both EM (3.62 ± 1.25 ng/mL) and CM (3.07 ± 0.95 ng/mL) compared with controls (1.58 ± 0.72 ng/mL) (p &lt; 0.0001). ROC analysis showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.94 (95% CI: 0.89–0.99, p &lt; 0.0001) and 0.90 (95% CI: 0.81–0.99, p &lt; 0.0001) for EM and CM compared to controls, respectively. Regarding other biomarkers associated with aSMase’s pathways, total SM serum levels were significantly decreased in both EM (173,534 ± 39,096 pmol/mL, p &lt; 0.01) and CM (158,459 ± 40,010 pmol/mL, p &lt; 0.0001) compared to the control subjects (219,721 ± 36,950 pmol/mL). Elevated serum levels of aSMase were found in EM and CM patients compared to the control subjects. The decreased SM levels found in both EM and CM indicate that aSMase activity plays a role in migraine. Therefore, aSMase may constitute a new therapeutic target in migraine that should be further investigated.

Association of digital eye strain with central corneal thickness: a cross-sectional observational pilot study.

This study aimed to evaluate whether the digital eye strain (DES) was associated with the low central corneal thickness (CCT). This observational cross-sectional pilot study was conducted from April 2023 to October 2023 at a tertiary eye care centre in North India, where CCT values were compared between subjects with DES and those without DES. Two hundred and eighty subjects (n = 280) aged 15-40years with clear corneas and lenses were initially included in this study. Those with corneal opacity, corneal degeneration, pregnancy, and diabetes were excluded. These subjects were then assessed with a 'computer vision syndrome questionnaire (CVS-Q)' test. Participants having a score ≥ 6 were grouped as the "DES group" and participants having a score < 6 were grouped as the "Control group". The participants from each group were then examined with Spectral Domain Ocular Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT) to measure CCT. The primary outcome was to evaluate the comparative difference in CCT values between the two groups as well as the association of DES with CCT values. The study included one hundred and forty (n = 140) subjects each in the DES group and the control group. The DES score assessed with the CVS-Q questionnaire ranged from 6 to 32 in the DES group, with a mean ± SD of 17.08 ± 7.01. The overall mean CCT was 507.31 ± 31.01 (median, 512 microns; range, 450-601 microns). There was a significant difference in the mean CCT between the two groups, with lower mean CCT values in the DES group (487.76 ± 23.61 microns) than the control group (526.87 ± 24.53 microns) (p < 0.0001). The CVS-Q test score had moderate inverse correlation in the DES group (Pearson's r = - 0.42, p < 0.01) and negligible correlation (Pearson's r = - 0.14, p = 0.12) in the control group with CCT. Central corneal thickness was observed to be reduced among the subjects with digital eye strain (DES).

The Impact of Stress on Women’s Sexuality in the First Months After Childbirth—A Pilot Cross-Sectional Comparative Study

Background: The postpartum period can carry strong stress related to the sudden changes in a woman’s life, which may contribute to changes in the female sexual sphere. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of stress on women’s sexuality in the early motherhood period. Methods: A total of 111 women were studied, including 65 in the puerperal period and 46 women who constituted the control group. We used the author’s questionnaire and five standardized psychological questionnaires (CISS-21,STAI, PSS-10, SSS-W, and the Mell–Krat Scale for women). Results: Perceived stress (PSS-10 scores) was significantly lower (p &lt; 0.001) and sexual satisfaction (SSS-W scores) was significantly higher both regarding the summary scores (p &lt; 0.001) and in all subscales (contentment, communication, and compatibility). In the study group, the intensity of stress was negatively correlated with the level of sexual satisfaction (p = 0.014). Women with an emotional way of coping with stress (CISS-21 inventory) in both groups achieved higher scores of sexual satisfaction in terms of communication, but a lower level in terms of interpersonal contact (p = 0.007), but higher stress intensity scores in the PSS-10 scale and in both STAI questionnaire stems. Conclusions: The early period of motherhood does not increase stress levels or decrease sexual satisfaction. It is likely that the sense of stability promotes a reduction in stress levels, which contributes to better sexual satisfaction.

Influence of Sex and Age on Irisin Levels in Pediatric Type 1 Diabetes: A Pilot Study

Background: Irisin is a myokine involved in the browning of adipocytes, the regulation of body composition and the enhancement of glycemic control. Additionally, irisin has been suggested to play a role in signaling mechanisms associated with the onset of puberty. In this study, we aimed to explore the interaction between muscle and adipose indices, urine irisin levels and glycemic control. Methods: This cross-sectional pilot study enrolled 76 consecutive pediatric patients (mean age 11.7 ± 3.8 years) diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (mean disease duration 2.1 ± 1.6 years). Body composition was assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis (MFR z-score and skeletal muscle mass index). Urine irisin levels and glycemic control parameters (HbA1c, insulin dose-adjusted A1c [IDAA1c]) were evaluated. One linear regression model, stratified by sex, analyzed the sex-specific impact of puberty and age on irisin levels. A second linear regression model explored the associations of selected variables with irisin levels. Results: The first linear regression model revealed that irisin levels rise with age in prepubertal boys and decline with increased age among pubertal boys. The second linear regression analysis revealed no significant associations between irisin levels and metabolic parameters after adjusting for covariates. In contrast to boys, there were no significant interactions found in girls. Conclusions: Our novel findings revealed sex and age differences in the irisin levels of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. The dynamics underlying the role of irisin during pubertal development in the pediatric population with diabetes warrant further exploration.

The relationship of anxiety, benefit finding and academic engagement among Chinese college students in different stages of COVID-19: a repeated cross-sectional pilot study

The relationship of anxiety, benefit finding and academic engagement among Chinese college students in different stages of COVID-19: a repeated cross-sectional pilot study

Sex-specific association of immunological markers in CS-delivered newborns with pre-pregnancy body mass index and gestational weight gain of mothers

Just as overweight and obesity may impair immunity, excessive body weight-related parameters of women in the pre-conception period and during pregnancy are possible detrimental factors for fetal programming of the immune system in their offspring. We investigated the relationship of pre-pregnancy body mass index (pBMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG) of mothers with the placental transport rate (PTR) of IgG antibodies and antineutrophil cytoplasmatic antibodies against lactoferrin (Lf-ANCA) and their concentration in umbilical cord blood serum (UCS), verifying the sex-specificity of this relationship. The examined group of this cross-sectional pilot study consisted of 101 pregnant women and their healthy CS-delivered newborn children. The concentration of antibodies in maternal serum (MS) and UCS were determined by ELISA method. PTR was assessed as a ratio of the concentration of antibodies in the UCS and MS. A significantly lower PTR of IgG and their concentration in the UCS were demonstrated in newborns of mothers with an excessive pBMI compared to those with pBMI < 25 and the association was more pronounced in male newborns. The lowest PTR of beneficial IgG and their concentration in the UCS as well as the highest PTR of detrimental Lf-ANCA and their concentration in UCS were observed in newborns born to mothers with co-occurrence of both an excessive pBMI and GWG. It seems that maternal preconception overweight and obesity along with an excessive GWG can be a predictor of unfavorable immune effects in fetuses. Further studies are needed to explain the role of maternal weight-related parameters in the development of immunological health of their offspring.

P0206 Skin deep connections: patients with stricturing Crohn’s disease are more likely to have a history of skin scarring than those with non-stricturing Crohn’s and non-IBD controls

Abstract Background The mechanism and prediction of stricturing Crohn’s disease (CD) to guide medical therapy remains elusive. Formation of hypertrophic and keloid skin scars have not been previously studied in IBD. This study aimed to evaluate the nature of skin scars in patients with CD, and their association with different phenotypes. Methods Adult patients attending a tertiary IBD service were invited to participate in this cross-sectional observational study. Patients were divided into three groups (non-IBD controls, non-structuring/non-penetrating CD and stricturing/penetrating CD). A patient survey tool, consisting of 8 questions was administered to assess for the presence of scars and their type. Disease characteristics were ascertained using electronic medical records. The primary outcome of the study was the prevalence of either hypertrophic or keloid scarring across the 3 groups. Secondary outcomes included the rates of scarring overall as well as keloid and hypertrophic scars individually between the three groups. The chi-square test along with pair-wise comparison differences was used to assess for differences between groups. Results 189 patients were recruited for this study with baseline characteristics presented in table 1 below. Control patients were older than the other groups (p = 0.013). Patients with stricturing/penetrating CD were more likely to be male. Patients with stricturing/penetrating CD (36.5%) were more likely to have either hypertrophic or keloid scars than those with non-stricturing/non-penetrating CD (11.1%) and non-IBD controls (6.3%), p = &amp;lt;0.0001. Pairwise comparisons revealed differences individually between the stricturing/penetrating and non-stricturing/non-penetrating (p = 0.001) and healthy controls (p &amp;lt; 0.001), but not between the latter two groups (p = 0.52). 8 patients with structuring/penetrating CD had a history of keloid scars, but none in the other 2 groups (p &amp;lt; 0.001). Across the 3 groups, there was no difference in the rates of normal scars (p = 0.112). Conclusion In this pilot cross-sectional study, a higher rate of hypertrophic or keloid scarring was demonstrated in patients with stricturing or penetrating disease in comparison to healthy controls and those with non-stricturing/non-penetrating disease, suggesting potential underlying common pathophysiology. Future studies confirming this novel association may provide an avenue for further study of predictive and therapeutic targets for IBD.

A Pilot Study Exploring the Relationship Between Milk Composition and Microbial Capacity in Breastfed Infants.

Maternal obesity may contribute to childhood obesity in a myriad of ways, including through alterations of the infant gut microbiome. For example, maternal obesity may contribute both directly by introducing a dysbiotic microbiome to the infant and indirectly through the altered composition of human milk that fuels the infant gut microbiome. In particular, indigestible human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are known to shape the composition of the infant gut microbiome. The goal of this study was to characterize the HMO profiles of normal-weight and overweight mothers and to quantitatively link HMO concentrations to the taxonomic composition and functional potential of the infant gut microbiome. Normal-weight (BMI = 18.5-24.9; n = 9) and overweight/obese (OW/OB; BMI > 25; n = 11) breastfeeding mothers and their infants were enrolled in this single-center, cross-sectional pilot study. Human milk from the mothers and rectal stool swabs from the infants were collected 7-9 weeks postpartum. The HMO composition, microbiome composition, and microbial functions were assessed using HPLC, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and metagenomic sequencing, respectively. Neither the HMO profiles nor the infant microbiome composition varied according to maternal BMI status. Taxonomically, the gut microbiota of infants were dominated by typical gut lineages including Bifidobacterium. Significant correlations between individual HMOs and bacterial genera were identified, including for Prevotella, a genus of the Bacteroidota phylum that was positively correlated with the concentrations of lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT) and lacto-N-hexaose (LNH). Using metagenomic assembled genomes, we were also able to identify the broad HMO-degradative capacity across the Bifidobacterium and Prevotella genera. These results suggest that the maternal BMI status does not impact the HMO profiles of human milk. However, select HMOs were correlated with specific bacterial taxa, suggesting that the milk composition influences both the taxonomic composition and the functional capacity of the infant gut microbiome.

Evaluating Tech Neck: A Pilot Study Using a Self-Developed Questionnaire on Symptoms, Posture, and Preventive Measures.

Musculoskeletal symptoms, such as neck pain, back pain, and eye strain, are prevalent in modern work environments, particularly among individuals engaged in prolonged sitting and repetitive tasks. This study aimed to explore the prevalence of these symptoms and the impact of ergonomic tool usage, break frequency, posture awareness, and proactive measures on symptom intensity and daily functioning. This cross-sectional pilot study used a self-developed questionnaire to assess the prevalence and intensity of musculoskeletal symptoms among participants aged 6-18 years. The survey collected data on ergonomic tool usage, break frequency, posture awareness, and proactive measures (such as taking breaks and seeking professional help). Symptom intensity was assessed across common musculoskeletal issues. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's Alpha. Statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics, Chi-squared tests, ANOVA, and Spearman's correlation, were used to identify significant correlations and associations between variables. A significant proportion of participants reported moderate to severe symptoms, including neck pain, back pain, and eye strain. Participants who used ergonomic tools reported significantly lower symptom intensity (<0.001). A positive correlation was found between fewer breaks and higher symptom intensity (r = 0.908, p < 0.001). Those with higher posture awareness reported lower symptom intensity (p < 0.001). Proactive measures, including regular breaks and ergonomic interventions, were perceived as effective strategies for managing symptoms. Increased symptom intensity was associated with reduced ability to perform daily activities (p < 0.001). The study highlights the significant role of ergonomic tools, posture awareness, and regular breaks in mitigating musculoskeletal symptoms. Proactive measures, including structured interventions, can effectively reduce symptom intensity and improve daily functioning. These findings suggest that workplace health strategies focusing on ergonomics and posture education are crucial for reducing the impact of musculoskeletal discomfort on employee well-being and productivity.

Unraveling the inflammation–degeneration tangle in early MS: preliminary insights from ferritin, neurogranin, TREM2, and retinal ganglion cell layer

BackgroundMultiple sclerosis (MS) involves a complex interplay between immune-mediated inflammation and neurodegeneration. Recent advances in biomarker research have provided new insights into the molecular underpinnings of MS, including ferritin, neurogranin, Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid cells 2 (TREM2), and neurofilaments light chain.ObjectivesThis pilot study aims to investigate the levels of these biomarkers in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of MS patients and explore their associations with clinical, cognitive, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) parameters.MethodsThis cross-sectional pilot study included 26 patients with relapsing MS (RMS) and 13 symptomatic controls (SCs). Clinical, cognitive, and OCT assessments were performed, and CSF samples were analyzed for ferritin, neurogranin, TREM2, and neurofilaments.ResultsNeurogranin levels were significantly higher in RMS patients compared to SCs (p = 0.04), and the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis indicated that neurogranin could be considered a disease biomarker (AUC = 0.733, p = 0.01). Ferritin and neurogranin showed a strong positive correlation (r = 0.690, p < 0.01), and both were inversely correlated with retinal ganglion cell layer (GCL) thickness. TREM2 was positively associated with baseline Expanded Disability Status Scale score.ConclusionThis pilot study suggests that neurogranin may be a potential biomarker at the time of MS diagnosis, and the interplay between ferritin, neurogranin, and TREM2 highlights the complex relationship between inflammation, oxidative stress, and neuronal damage in MS. The inverse association of ferritin and neurogranin with GCL thickness warrants further investigation into the role of iron metabolism and synaptic damage in the early stages of the disease.

Measuring Self-Reported Well-Being of Physicians Using the Well-Being Thermometer: Cohort Study.

Advancements in medical science have focused largely on patient care, often overlooking the well-being of health care professionals (HCPs). This oversight has consequences; not only are HCPs prone to mental and physical health challenges, but the quality of patient care may also endure as a result. Such concerns are also exacerbated by unprecedented crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. Compared to other sectors, HCPs report high incidence of stress, depression, and suicide, among other challenging factors that have a significant negative impact on their well-being. Given these substantial concerns, the development of a tool specifically designed to be used in clinical settings to measure the well-being of HCPs is essential. A United Kingdom-based cross-sectional pilot study was carried out to measure self-reported well-being in a cohort of 148 physicians, using the newly developed well-being thermometer. The aim of the tool is to allow respondents to develop an individual sense of "well-being intelligence" thus supporting HCPs to have better insight and control over their well-being and allow insights into how to manage it. The tool consists of 5 well-being domains-health, thoughts, emotions, spiritual, and social. Each domain can be measured individually or combined to produce an overall well-being score. The tool demonstrated good internal consistency; the Cronbach α in this study was 0.84 for the total scale. Results from this cohort demonstrated that the well-being thermometer can be used to gather intelligence of staff well-being. This is a promising new tool that will assist HCPs to recognize their own well-being needs and allow health care organizations to facilitate change in policies and practices to reflect a better understanding of staff well-being.

Clinical characteristics of anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody among aquaporin-4 negative neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders in Egyptian patients

Some patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD)-like symptoms test negative for anti-aquaporin-4 (anti-AQP4) antibodies. Among them, a subset has antibodies targeting myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), a condition now termed MOG antibody-associated disease (MOGAD). MOGAD shares features with NMOSD, like optic neuritis and myelitis, but differs in pathophysiology, clinical presentation, imaging findings, and biomarkers. The present study investigated the prevalence of anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (anti-MOG) antibodies in anti-AQP4 seronegative Egyptian patients initially diagnosed with NMOSD and the link between their presence and clinical characteristics and disease-induced disability to gain insights into MOGAD. This pilot cross-sectional study included 40 anti-AQP4 antibody-negative patients initially diagnosed with NMOSD, six children and 34 adults. They were screened for anti-MOG antibodies by the indirect immunofluorescence cell-based assay. Of all included patients, only 7.5% (n = 3) were positive for anti-MOG antibodies and had significantly higher disability scores than seronegative patients (p = 0.021). The presence of anti-MOG antibodies was not significantly associated with age (p = 0.696), gender (p = 0.232), type of relapse (p = 0.488), number of attacks (p = 0.968), family history of consanguinity (p = 0.211), family history of autoimmune disease (p = 0.608), nor with smoking (p = 0.608). Detecting anti-MOG antibodies in anti-AQP4-negative NMOSD patients is essential for accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment, as MOGAD is now recognized as a separate clinical entity.

Reliability, Objectivity, Validity and Reference Levels of the Austrian Balance Check (ABC)-A Novel Balance Field Test for Children, Adolescents and Young Adults to Assess Static Balance.

Balance is a relevant indicator of physical fitness and correlates with intellectual abilities. Due to limited resources, however, balance tests are underrepresented in fitness checks. To develop an effective field test to assess static balance with minimal cost, little spatial requirement and short testing time, a cross-sectional pilot study was conducted in three different school types (primary school, secondary school, and high school) and the reliability, objectivity and validity of the novel Austrian Balance Check (ABC) were assessed, with the generation of age- and gender-specific reference values. Tests were carried out with participants from regular school classes (RSC) and elite sports school classes (ESC). A total of 1005 participants were included (age range: 6.2 to 19.8 years). Participants in RSC (ICC2.1 = 0.92, 95% CI 0.90 to 0.93) showed excellent values, and those in ESC (ICC2.1 = 0.89, 95% CI 0.85 to 0.93) had good to excellent values in the reliability test. Objectivity was excellent in both groups (RSC (ICC2.1 = 0.99, 95% CI 0.98 to 0.99); ESC (ICC2.1 = 0.98, 95% CI 0.96 to 0.99)). A gold standard comparison using an electronic force plate showed a strong negative correlation: participants with high overall ABC scores showed less movement on the force plate (parameters of the center of pressure: surface area (ρ = -0.61), mean velocity (ρ = -0.65) and path length (ρ = -0.65). The test duration of ABC was significantly (p < 0.001) shorter compared with an established balance test. ABC offers potential benefits by allowing field-based static balance testing in large groups with low cost, minimal time and spatial requirements as well as high reliability, objectivity and validity.

Enteral Nutrition Practices and Complications in ICU Settings: A Cross-Sectional Study of Healthcare Professionals' Perspectives in Saudi Arabia.

Enteral Nutrition (EN) is the preferred method for providing nutritional support in intensive care units (ICUs) compared to parenteral nutrition (PN) due to its physiological advantages, safety profile, and cost-effectiveness compared to parenteral nutrition (PN). However, evidence suggests that EN might be associated with some complications. In this study, we aimed to identify the most common EN complications, as reported by healthcare professionals (HCPs) working in adult and paediatric ICUs (PICUs) in Saudi Arabia. We also investigated the factors influenced the HCPs' perception in reporting these EN complications. In this cross-sectional pilot study, data was collected through an online survey from 25 December 2022 to the end of February 2023. All dietitians, physicians and nurses working in adult and PICUs in Saudi-Arabia were eligible to participate. The survey collected information about the demographic data of the participants, some of the EN related practice in intensive care settings as well as the frequency of the reported EN complications. A total of 173 respondents were included in the study. The most frequently reported complications were diarrhoea [3.06 ±1.197], aspiration [2.88 ±1.261], and constipation [2.85 ±1.11]. A statistical difference was recorded in the frequency of some of the reported EN complications between HCPs working in adults and paediatric ICUs (p<0.05). The participant's profession (r=-2.84, p<0.05) and years of experience (r=-0.5, p<0.05) appeared to statistically influence the perception of HCPs regarding EN complications. This study highlighted the commonly reported complications associated with EN, with differences observed between adult and paediatric settings. The variation in reported complications may be attributed to differences in practitioner characteristics. These findings may emphasize the importance of targeted training, standardized reporting, and evidence-based practices to optimize EN management and improve patient outcomes in ICU settings.