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Domestic violence against women increased during COVID-19 lockdowns. This inaugural study examined the content of Australian government online portals, for women seeking support and help for domestic violence, during the 2021 COVID-19 pandemic. This mixed methods study incorporated four phases: a search; measurement of portal quality standard using DISCERN; enumeration of portal items; and a qualitative exploration of portal text. Australian governments must continue to work alongside domestic violence services as we found some portals were better than others. Continued review, revision, and funding are needed to meet the demands associated with this evolving public health emergency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) can be used to examine the dynamics of suicidal ideation in daily life. While the general acceptability and feasibility of EMA in suicide research has been established, further examination of potential iatrogenic effects (i.e., negative reactivity) and identifying those more likely to react negatively is needed. Participants (N = 82) with current suicidal ideation completed 21 days of EMA (4×/day) and filled in M = 78% (Med = 84%) of the EMA. No positive or negative affect reactivity was observed in EMA ratings over the study period. Retrospectively, most participants rated their experience as positive (69%); 22% indicated mood worsening, and 18% suicidal ideation reactivity. Those with more borderline personality traits, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and higher depressive, anxiety, and suicidal ideation symptoms, were more likely to report iatrogenic effects. In conclusion, while high compliance rates and lack of affect reactivity during EMA indicate that EMA is well tolerated in suicide research, a minority of participants may report subjective mood effects in retrospect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Enteral feeding tubes are commonly utilized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) due to the underdevelopment of coordination between sucking, swallowing, and breathing, or due to various diseases affecting the respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, or neurological systems. The aim of the study was to investigate the differences in bacterial colonization patterns in hospitalized infants who received enteral feeding through either nasogastric (NG) or orogastric (OG) feeding tubes. Materials and Methods: This study was a hospital-based cross-sectional investigation that was carried out on infants who were admitted to the NICU. The NICU gathered feeding tubes throughout 4 months, beginning in August 2022 and continuing through December 2022. In addition, informed consent was collected from the participant's parents or legal guardians for the entire group of people who took part in the research. The fact that the patient participated in this study had no bearing on the level of care that they were given. The research team gave serious consideration to recruiting any of the newborns who were receiving medical attention in the NICU and who had a feeding tube inserted during the time that sample collection was taking place. The infants did not receive any probiotics as a form of treatment in any of the cases. Results: Infants with NG tubes had a significantly higher number of C-sections (P = 0.04), infants with NG tube were exclusively breastfed (P = 0.02), and one or more dose of antenatal steroids was administered more in infants with OG tube (P = 0.04). The most common types of bacteria found in NG and OG tubes were Proteobacteria (with a mean relative abundance of 50% and 60%, respectively), Firmicutes (with a mean relative abundance of 33% and 23%, respectively), and Actinobacteria (9% and 7%, respectively). Conclusion: Oral versus nasal feeding tube insertion was found to have a greater influence on bacterial colonization than any of the other clinical factors that were evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges with its impact on patient safety culture and staff well-being. This study was to identify potential changes in safety culture among health care workers from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to determine the differences across occupational groups. The Safety Attitudes Questionnaire (SAQ) was administered electronically in both English and Malay languages using the Google Forms platform in 2018 and was repeated in 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Comparisons were made between 2018 and 2021 to determine changes in patient safety culture for the overall staff population and by occupational groups. A total of 3175 health care workers completed the questionnaire in 2021. Overall, a comparable percentage agreement was found for all SAQ domains in 2018 and 2021 with visible improvements for doctors and support staff. Safety Attitudes Questionnaire domain scores differed in teamwork, safety climate, perception of hospital management, and working condition domains across occupational groups. Self-isolation and COVID-19 were associated with poorer SAQ domain scores, while redeployment was associated with improvements in SAQ domain scores. Interventions targeting areas of weakness as well as utilizing positive experiences such as redeployment should be explored to enhance patient safety in hospitals settings postpandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Evidence from animal and human studies suggests glutamatergic dysfunction in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The purpose of this study was to investigate glutamate abnormalities in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLFPC) of individuals with PTSD using 7T MRS, which has better spectral resolution and signal-to-noise ratio than lower field strengths, thus allowing for better spectral quality and higher sensitivity. We hypothesized that individuals with PTSD would have lower glutamate levels compared to trauma-exposed individuals without PTSD and individuals without trauma exposure. Additionally, we explored potential alterations in other neurometabolites and the relationship between glutamate and psychiatric symptoms. Methods: Individuals with PTSD (n = 27), trauma-exposed individuals without PTSD (n = 27), and individuals without trauma exposure (n = 26) underwent 7T MRS to measure glutamate and other neurometabolites in the left DLPFC. The severities of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and dissociation symptoms were assessed. Results: We found that glutamate was lower in the PTSD and trauma-exposed groups compared to the group without trauma exposure. Furthermore, N -acetylaspartate (NAA) was lower and lactate was higher in the PTSD group compared to the group without trauma exposure. Glutamate was negatively correlated with depression symptom severity in the PTSD group. Glutamate was not correlated with PTSD symptom severity. Conclusion: In this first 7T MRS study of PTSD, we observed altered concentrations of glutamate, NAA, and lactate. Our findings provide evidence for multiple possible pathological processes in individuals with PTSD. High-field MRS offers insight into the neurometabolic alterations associated with PTSD and is a powerful tool to probe trauma- and stress-related neurotransmission and metabolism in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most prevalent endocrinopathies among young women. Ultrasound evidence of polycystic ovaries is one of its crucial diagnostic criteria. Objectives: Our main objective is to study the contribution of ultrasound data in diagnosing PCOS. In addition, we aim to establish a new cutoff point for the use of ultrasound and to determine its sensitivity as well as its specificity. Design: It was a prospective study, including all patients presenting with clinical hyperandrogenism. Methods: The ultrasound examination of these patients was performed using a novel ultrasound machine (18 MHz) compared to an older ultrasound machine (2 Hz–8 MHz). Inclusion criteria encompassed adult female patients over 18 years presenting symptoms suggestive of PCOS, particularly hyperandrogenism and oligo-anovulation, meeting Rotterdam's diagnostic criteria. Prior to inclusion, assessments were conducted to eliminate other potential causes explaining hyperandrogenism or menstrual disorders in both groups. Results: We examined 92 patients diagnosed with PCOS. Menstrual disorders were the main symptoms, with amenorrhea being more frequent in the PCOS group (G1) (48.9% vs the control group (G2): 11.1%). The follicle number was significantly lower in the control group, as assessed by both ultrasound machines (p < 10−3). The accuracy of the new ultrasound device was evaluated compared to the old one using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, revealing a cutoff of 18 follicles (sensitivity of 68.1%, specificity of 100%) and an area under the curve of 0.955. We found a significant difference between the median values of the number of follicles (NF) by both ultrasound machines (18 vs 12). It was positively correlated with an index of r = 0.916. For the volume, it was distinctively higher in G1 (p < 10−3). ROC curve analysis revealed an ovarian volume cutoff of 9.25 ml with a sensitivity of 48.9% and a specificity of 100%. Both ultrasound machines were positively correlated with an index of r = 0.979 (p < 10−3). Conclusion: In conclusion, we were able to establish significant correlations between the new and the old ultrasound devices for both the NF and ovarian volume. Our study is distinctive as it represents the first on the African continent to re-evaluate the ultrasound criterion for PCOS. Plain language summary: Validating ultrasound criteria for PCOS in North African patients In this study, we explored patients using ultrasound to better diagnose Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in North African women. Ovarian follicles are small sacs in a woman's ovaries that not only release eggs but also produce important hormones like estrogen and progesterone. These hormones regulate the menstrual cycle, prepare the body for pregnancy, and influence many aspects of a woman's health and well-being. We set new standards for measuring follicles and ovaries to improve diagnosis accuracy. Background: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is often diagnosed using ultrasound in North African women. Current ultrasound standards may not be accurate enough for this group. This study aimed to improve PCOS diagnosis by setting new standards for measuring ovarian sizes and follicle numbers. Methods: We reviewed a new ultrasound method. We then established new measurement thresholds specific to North African women. These new standards were tested for accuracy in diagnosing PCOS. Results: Our new measurement thresholds were more accurate in diagnosing PCOS. The improved standards led to better identification of PCOS in North African women. This suggests that current ultrasound methods might need adjustments based on population-specific data. Conclusions: Using ultrasound with new measurement standards can improve PCOS diagnosis in North African women. Adjusting diagnostic criteria to specific populations may enhance overall healthcare outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Increasing incidence of fragility fractures has spurred development of protocols, largely focused on peri-operative care, with numerous proven benefits. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate outcomes of our hip fracture treatment program regarding successful protocol implementation, compliance, effect on subsequent fracture rates, and mortality during the first decade of adoption. Methods: A retrospective review identified patients >65 years old with fragility hip fractures between 2010 and 2022. The HiROC (+) cohort consisted of patients who received a "High-Risk Osteoporosis Clinic" (HiROC) referral for bone health evaluation and bisphosphonate initiation as indicated. Additional fracture rates and mortality at 3 years were calculated. Protocol implementation and compliance over the first 10 years was analyzed in the four identified cohorts. Results: A total of 1671 fragility hip fractures were identified, with 386 excluded due to insufficient follow-up, with an average age of 81.6 years and a median follow-up of 36.4 months. Of the 1280 included cases, 56% (n = 717) had a HiROC referral placed. HiROC(+) groups had lower subsequent fracture rates at two years, compared to those without referral (28% vs 13%, P < 0.0001) and those completing more steps of the protocol had lower subsequent fracture rates (28% vs 15% vs 13% vs 5%, P < 0.0001). No statistically significant difference was observed between the cohorts for anatomic site of subsequent fractures. Discussion: Greater than half of all eligible patients were successfully captured by the protocol. Patients completing more steps of the protocol had lower subsequent fracture rates. Captured patients demonstrated reduced mortality rates when compared to current literature. Conclusion: Successful implementation of this geriatric hip fracture protocol was associated with reduced additional fractures and mortality rates. Identifying steps of process failures in the protocol can provide opportunities for increased compliance and reduction in future fracture occurrences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following late-life spousal bereavement, sensory and quasi-sensory experiences of the deceased (SED) are commonly reported. This longitudinal study examined SED among 310 older widowed adults 6–10 (T1) and 18–20 (T2) months post loss. Reports of SED in the first 6–10 months after loss were associated with higher symptom levels of prolonged grief, post-traumatic stress, and loneliness at T1. Experiencers of SED were more likely to experience symptoms of prolonged grief and post-traumatic stress above cut-off scores at T1. Importantly, only a minority of the experiencers of SED displayed these elevated levels of bereavement-related distress. In addition, employing multi-level-modeling, a similar trajectory of decreasing bereavement-related distress over time was found for both experiencers and non-experiencers of SED. We argue that SED may be one of several potential reactions to bereavement, which should not be seen as an indicator of grief complications per se. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This pilot randomized controlled trial tested the potential efficacy of a brief internet-based, passive psychoeducation intervention, Free From Abuse, in promoting healthy relationships among young adults. Participants aged 18 to 24 years were randomly assigned to an intervention treatment (n = 71) or a placebo control condition (n = 77). Participants in the treatment arm had a larger increase in recognition of abusive behavior and reduction in domestic violence myth acceptance scores than participants in the control arm postintervention and after one week. This study provides preliminary evidence that brief internet-based passive psychoeducation is potentially useful in promoting healthy relationships among young adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The relationship between abnormalities of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and elbow symptoms in baseball players remains unclear. Purpose/Hypothesis: This study aimed to compare findings of the UCL on microscopic MRI between asymptomatic and symptomatic elbows in baseball players. We hypothesized that the MRI grade of UCL injuries would exhibit no correlation with medial elbow symptoms in baseball players. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: The study participants were skeletally mature baseball players who underwent high-resolution microscopic MRI of the medial elbow including for medical checkups. Elbows with previous surgical treatment or traumatic UCL injuries were excluded. The patients were divided into symptomatic and asymptomatic groups. The UCL appearance on microscopic MRI was categorized into 4 grades and compared between the groups. Abnormal findings in the medial elbow including bony fragments at the medial epicondyle, osteophytes or bony fragments in the sublime tubercle, and bone marrow edema (BME) in the sublime tubercle were also evaluated. Results: A total of 426 baseball players (426 elbows) with a mean age of 20 years (range, 14-41 years) were included. The asymptomatic and symptomatic groups included 158 and 268 elbows, respectively. In the asymptomatic group, based on MRI grading of the UCL, 46 (29%) elbows were rated as grade I, 64 (41%) as grade II, 40 (25%) as grade III, and 8 (5%) as grade IV. In the symptomatic group, 75 (28%) elbows were rated as grade I, 118 (44%) as grade II, 61 (23%) as grade III, and 14 (5%) as grade IV. There was no significant difference in the MRI grades between the groups (P =.9). BME in the sublime tubercle was more frequently seen in the symptomatic group than in the asymptomatic group (P <.001). Conclusion: There was no difference in MRI grades of the UCL between symptomatic and asymptomatic elbows in baseball players; approximately 30% of elbows demonstrated high-grade UCL injuries in both groups. BME in the sublime tubercle was more frequently seen in symptomatic elbows than in asymptomatic elbows. BME in the sublime tubercle was a better indicator of symptoms than was MRI grading of the UCL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: High tibial osteotomy (HTO) aims to realign the varus knee to alleviate stress in the medial compartment. However, detailed information on the impact of HTO on stress distribution across the tibiofemoral joint surface still needs to be completely elucidated. Purpose/Hypothesis: The present study aimed to analyze the subchondral bone density distribution to validate the alignment threshold causing paradoxical changes. We hypothesized that there would be a paradoxical stress change in the medial compartment beyond a specific threshold for lower limb realignment after HTO. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A retrospective clinical study of 32 knees from 30 patients who underwent medial opening-wedge HTO between 2015 and 2019 was conducted at Hokkaido University Hospital. The subchondral bone density across the tibiofemoral joint was analyzed using computed tomography–osteoabsorptiometry before and after HTO. The high-density area (HDA) within the medial and lateral compartments and their subregions, which were quartered in the coronal plane, was specifically examined. Results: The hip-knee-ankle angle, medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA), joint line obliquity (JLO), and joint line convergence angle significantly changed after HTO (P <.01). The HDA of the medial compartment to the total HDA ratio decreased from 83% to 77%. Paradoxically, the HDA in the most central subregion of the medial compartment increased from 24% to 30%. There were significant differences between MPTA and JLO in patients with and without paradoxical changes in the HDA. MPTA and JLO cutoff values causing paradoxical changes in the HDA were 94° and 4°, respectively. Conclusion: There was a paradoxical stress increase in the M4 region at the medial compartment associated with the MPTA and JLO beyond specific thresholds. Therefore, surgical planning should be cautiously performed to prevent overcorrection, which can lead to adverse stress distribution changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Short- and midterm evaluations of arthroscopic meniscal surgery have shown little or no effect in favor of surgery, although long-term effects, including radiographic changes, are unknown. Purpose: To compare the 10-year outcomes in middle-aged patients with meniscal symptoms between a group that received an exercise program alone and a group that received knee arthroscopy in addition to the exercise program with respect to the prevalence of radiographic and symptomatic osteoarthritis (OA), patient-reported outcomes, and clinical status. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. Methods: Of 179 eligible patients aged 45 to 64 years, 150 were randomized to undergo either 3 months of exercise therapy (nonsurgery group) or knee arthroscopy in addition to the exercise therapy (surgery group). Surgery usually consisted of partial meniscectomy (n = 56) or diagnostic arthroscopy (n = 8). Radiographs were assessed according to the Kellgren-Lawrence score at the baseline and 5- and 10-year follow-ups. Patient-reported outcome measures were reported at the baseline and 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year follow-ups. Clinical status was assessed at a 10-year follow-up. The primary outcomes were radiographic OA and changes in the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Pain subscale (KOOSPAIN) from the baseline to the 10-year follow-up. The primary analysis was performed using the intention-to-treat approach. Results: At the time of the 10-year follow-up, eight patients had died, leaving 142 eligible patients. Radiographic OA was assessed for 95 patients (67%), questionnaires were answered by 110 (77%), and the clinical status was evaluated for 95 (67%). Radiographic OA was present in 67% of the patients in each group (P ≥.999); symptomatic OA was present in 47% of the nonsurgery group and 57% of the surgery group (P =.301). There were no differences between groups regarding changes from baseline to 10 years in any of the KOOS subscales. Conclusion: Knee arthroscopic surgery, in most cases consisting of partial meniscectomy or diagnostic arthroscopy, in addition to exercise therapy in middle-aged patients with meniscal symptoms, did not increase the rates of radiographic or symptomatic OA and resulted in similar patient-reported outcomes at the 10-year follow-up compared with exercise therapy alone. Considering the short-term benefit and no long-term harm from knee arthroscopic surgery, the treatment may be recommended when first-line treatment—including exercise therapy for ≥3 months—does not relieve patient's symptoms. Registration: Clinical Trials NCT01288768 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is a condition characterized by abnormal subchondral bone with disturbance of overlying articular cartilage. The role of weightbearing alignment in the pathophysiology of OCD lesion development is not fully understood. Hypothesis: Lower extremity mechanical axis would be concordant with femoral condylar OCD lesion location. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Cases were identified from a single, large academic institutional database using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision and Tenth Revision and Current Procedural Terminology codes associated with OCD. Patients were included if they had a magnetic resonance imaging scan demonstrating the OCD lesion and lower extremity alignment radiographs. OCD lesion location was identified using Cahill and Berg zones. The primary outcome was the association of OCD lesion location with weightbearing mechanical axis. Secondary outcomes included the association of mechanical axis with skeletal maturity, OCD lesion stability, and treatment. For unilateral OCD lesions, mechanical axis was compared between affected and unaffected lower extremities. Results: A total of 86 patients (95 knees) with an OCD lesion of the femoral condyle were identified. The population was 74% male, and the mean age was 21 years. In total, 65% of knees had closed physes, 82% of lesions were unstable, and 85% underwent a surgical procedure. Mechanical axis was located in the same zone as the OCD lesion in 48% of cases and within the same compartment in 56% of cases. Spearman correlation coefficient demonstrated a moderate positive correlation (rs = 0.59). No significant differences were found in the association of mechanical axis and OCD lesion location in subgroup analysis of medial versus lateral femoral condylar OCD lesions, skeletal maturity, stability of the lesion, or treatment group. For patients with varus alignment and medial femoral condylar OCD lesions, the mean lateral distal femoral angle was 89.9°, and medial proximal tibial angle was 85.4°; for valgus alignment and lateral femoral condylar lesions, the lateral distal femoral angle was 84.8°, and medial proximal tibial angle was 88.8°. Patients with unilateral medial femoral condylar OCD lesions were more likely to have varus alignment of the affected extremity compared with the contralateral extremity (59% vs 36%; P =.01). Conclusion: This study demonstrated a relationship between lower extremity mechanical weightbearing axis and femoral condylar OCD location. Patients with unilateral medial femoral condylar OCD lesions frequently had asymmetric varus alignment in the affected extremity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although pediatric medial epicondylar fractures and apophysitis are well studied, patterns of subapophyseal avulsion and ligamentous injuries of the medial elbow in this population merit investigation to inform optimal treatment strategies. Purpose: To describe the occurrence and demographic correlates of ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) avulsion and soft tissue injuries of the pediatric and adolescent elbow. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: An institutional review board–approved review was conducted to identify consecutive patients with medial elbow injuries treated in a tertiary pediatric sports medicine practice between 2016 and 2021. Radiographs were obtained during injury evaluation, and patients with nondisplaced medial epicondylar apophysitis and complete epicondylar fracture were excluded, resulting in 150 patients with soft tissue injuries occurring distal to the medial epicondyle apophysis (subapophyseal) for study. Radiographs were evaluated for bony avulsion of the UCL from either the medial epicondyle proximally or the ulnar sublime tubercle distally. Injuries without radiographic evidence of bony avulsion, but with clinical examination findings consistent with ligamentous injury, were classified as radiographically negative UCL injuries, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed to further evaluate these injuries if moderate to severe medial swelling of the elbow or significant concern for medial structural injury was present on examination. These MRI scans were evaluated to classify the UCL injury and assess for periosteal or cartilaginous avulsions. Results: A total of 150 patients (mean age, 12.5 ± 3.4 years; 70 female), 55% (150/274) of the entire medial elbow injury population, had a subapophyseal injury. Of these patients, 62 had a bony avulsion detected on radiograph, and 88 had a radiographically negative injury. In addition to the 62 radiographic avulsions, the 61 MRI scans obtained on those radiographically negative injuries revealed 33 complete UCL disruptions, resulting in 63.3% (95/150) of patients sustaining a complete ligamentous disruption. With the MRI scans, 37 (61%) cases of cartilaginous or periosteal avulsion of the UCL were diagnosed. Overall, 66% of all 150 subapophyseal injuries had a bony, cartilaginous, or periosteal UCL avulsion. Patients with cartilaginous (mean age, 10.3 years) and bony (mean age, 10.6 years) avulsions were younger than those with central ligament injury (mean age, 14.2 years) or periosteal (mean age, 14.2 years) avulsions (P =.005). There was a significant association between the mechanism of injury and the location of UCL tear identified on MRI scans: traumatic falls were associated with distal tears, and throwing injuries were associated with proximal tears (P <.001). Conclusion: UCL central ligament and avulsion lesions may be frequently diagnosed after injury to the pediatric medial elbow, the majority of which are complete injuries, and may require MRI for diagnosis. The mechanism of injury may predict the location of ligamentous injury, and osteocartilaginous avulsions are more likely to present at younger ages than injuries to the soft tissue of the UCL or periosteum. The prevalence of these injuries merits further investigation into best protocols of nonoperative treatment or surgical repair techniques and outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This quasi-experimental study investigated the preliminary effects of a structured education intervention in a pooled sample of cardiovascular rehabilitation (CR) patients in Brazil. Recently enrolled (RE) and long-term enrolled (LTE) patients attended 12 weekly education sessions in addition to three weekly exercise sessions. Patients completed surveys assessing disease-related knowledge, physical activity, food intake, self-efficacy, and health literacy. Functional capacity was assessed by the 6-minutes walking test. All outcomes were assessed at pre-,post-CR, and 6-months follow-up. Bonferroni correction was applied. In total, 69 (69.7%) patients completed all three assessments. There were significant improvements in knowledge pre-to post-test in both subgroups (p < 0.001), and in functional capacity (p ≤ 0.001) and food intake (p ≤ 0.001) pre-to post-test in the RE subgroup. Post-test knowledge was correlated to physical activity, functional capacity and health literacy. This preliminary study suggests the importance of structured education for CR patients. A larger study using a randomized controlled design is needed to determine efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: There is no study on the relationship between triglyceride-glucose index (TyG index) and skeletal muscle mass in middle-aged and elderly C population. Therefore, the aim of the study is to investigate the relationship between the TyG index and weight-adjusted relative skeletal muscle index (RSMI) in middle-aged and elderly C population. Methods: We retrospectively studied 947 aged ⩾40 years subjects who got a routine medical examination in the Department of Geriatrics of R Hospital from May 2021 to March 2023. The RSMI was designed to evaluate skeletal muscle mass and calculated based on lean mass of the limbs(kg)/body weight(kg) × 100%. Skeletal muscle mass reduction was defined as a RSMI of 1-2 standard deviations (SD) below of healthy adults aged 30-49 years old. Considering the quartile groups of the TyG index, the subjects were assigned to 4 groups: Q1 (less than or equal to 8.171), Q2 (from 8.172 to 8.569), Q3 (from 8.570 to 8.992), and Q4 (greater than or equal to 8.993). Results: With TyG index increased, RSMI levels significantly reduced(P <.001). Spearman's correlation analysis showed that the TyG index was negatively correlated with RSMI in males (r = −0.320) and females (r = −0.240). The TyG index was positively correlated with body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (P <.05). Besides, binary logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of developing reduced skeletal muscle mass in the group Q4 was 2.131 (95%CI:1.118-4.064) in males; and was 2.472 (95%CI:1.581-3.867) in females compared to the Q1 group. Conclusion: TyG index was negatively correlated with relative skeletal muscle index, and a higher TyG index was associated with the development of reduced skeletal muscle mass independently of other influencing factors. Therefore, the TyG index promises to be a predictor of skeletal muscle mass loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low health literacy (LHL) significantly impacts patients' ability to participate actively in their healthcare. Registered nurses (RNs) play a crucial role in identifying LHL and addressing patient knowledge gaps and skill deficits. This correlational study examined the relationship between RNs' predictions of patients' health literacy levels (HLL) and the actual HLL of a predominately Hispanic patient population. In addition, personal factors (i.e., demographics) were analyzed to determine their influence on the nurse's predictions and patients' HLL. Data were collected from 84 participant patient–nurse couplets admitted to a medical-surgical unit in a rural setting located on the United States–Mexico border. In addition to demographic information collected via survey, RNs were asked to predict their patient's health literacy abilities while the Newest Vital Sign, a health literacy assessment tool, was deployed to determine the actual HLL of patients participating in the study. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t -tests, and chi-square tests while a Spearman correlational model was used to examine the relationship between predicted HLL and actual HLL. Finally, a logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between personal factors and HL data for RNs and patients. Analysis of the data revealed that RNs consistently overestimated patients' abilities, as evidenced by the disparity between patients' actual HLL (mean 1.71) and predicted HLL (mean 4.26) by RNs, with a moderately strong positive relationship (rs =.418). Notably, higher academic preparation and years of experience did not enhance the RNs' ability to identify LHL while the highest level of education completed was the only statistically significant predictor of adequate health literacy in the patient population sampled. These findings emphasize the need to prioritize effective health literacy education in RN academic preparation and clinical practice to support the detection of LHL when a standardized health literacy assessment tool is not utilized in the clinical setting. By recognizing the presence of LHL, healthcare professionals can better support patients' needs and bridge the knowledge gap, ultimately improving patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is no standard approach for managing the use or dose of loop diuretics after initiating sacubitril/valsartan. Objective: To investigate longitudinal trends in loop diuretic therapy use and doses during the initial 6 months following sacubitril/valsartan initiation. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included adult patients who were initiated on sacubitril/valsartan in cardiology clinics. Inclusion criteria were patients diagnosed with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (ejection fraction ≤40%) and initiated on sacubitril/valsartan in an outpatient setting. We investigated longitudinal trends in the prevalence of loop diuretic use and furosemide equivalent dose at baseline, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 month and 6 months following sacubitril/valsartan initiation. Results: A total of 427 patients were included in the final cohort. Compared to the baseline loop diuretic use and dose, there were no significant longitudinal changes in the prevalence of loop diuretic use or the furosemide equivalent dose over the 6 months following sacubitril/valsartan initiation. The use of sacubitril/valsartan was not significantly associated with reductions in the use or dose of loop diuretics over a 6-month follow-up period. Conclusion: The use of sacubitril/valsartan did not significantly change the use or dose of loop diuretics over 6-month follow-up period. Initiation of sacubitril/valsartan may not need a pre-emptive loop diuretic dose reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Clinical studies have demonstrated significant advantages of combined anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) and lateral extra-articular procedures (LEAPs) over isolated ACLR in terms of reducing graft rupture and reoperation rates. However, most of the published studies have included young patients, and no studies have focused on patients aged >30 years. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of isolated ACLR versus ACLR + LEAP at midterm follow-up in patients aged >30 years. The hypothesis was that patients who underwent combined procedures would experience significantly lower rates of graft rupture. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Patients >30 years of age who underwent primary ACLR + LEAP between January 2003 and December 2020 were propensity matched at a 1:1 ratio to patients who underwent isolated ACLR. A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data was performed to determine graft rupture rates, knee stability, reoperation rates, and complications. Graft survivorship was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Risk factors associated with the occurrence of graft failure were analyzed using a Cox proportional hazards model. Results: Two groups of 551 patients each were included in the study, and the mean follow-up was 97.19 ± 47.23 months. The overall mean age was 37.01 ± 6.24 years. The LEAP group consisted of 503 (91.3%) patients who had anterolateral ligament reconstruction and 48 (8.7%) patients who had a Lemaire procedure. Overall, 19 (1.7%) patients had graft failure: 15 (2.7%) in the no-LEAP group and 4 (0.7%) in the LEAP group (P =.0116). The risk of graft failure was significantly associated with the absence of LEAP (31 vs 12; hazard ratio, 3.309; 95% CI, 1.088-10.065; P =.0350) and age between 30 and 35 years (hazard ratio, 4.533; 95% CI, 1.484-13.841; P =.0080). A higher rate of reoperation for secondary meniscectomy was found in the no-LEAP group (5.6% vs 2.2%; P =.0031). Conclusion: Patients aged >30 years who underwent combined ACLR and LEAP experienced a >3-fold lower risk of ACL graft failure compared with those who underwent isolated ACLR. Furthermore, the group without LEAP experienced a higher rate of secondary meniscectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Plating of proximal phalangeal fracture is the commonly adopted fixation method. However, whether placing the implant at the dorsal or lateral aspect of the phalanx can yield a better clinical outcome is still under debate. Our study aims to compare the functional outcome of dorsal plating versus lateral plating in patients suffering from a proximal phalangeal fracture. Methods: A retrospective comparative study was performed comparing the clinical outcome of dorsal and lateral plating in proximal phalangeal fracture. Fourteen patients from our center with a total of 17 proximal phalangeal fractures (excluding the thumb) were included in this study. The total range of movement and range of movement of each finger joint together with grip strength were the main focuses of this study. Operative complications and the need for subsequent related operations were also analyzed. Results: Nine cases were treated by dorsal plating and eight cases adopted lateral plating. There was no significant difference in demographic data between the two groups with a mean follow-up period of 20.75 months. Lateral plating provided better total range of movement (dorsal plating (D): 203.9 ± 35.2 vs. lateral plating (L): 248.8 ± 23.7; p -value = 0.01) and percentage change in total range of movement (D: 79.41% ± 10.35, L: 94.47% ± 6.09; p -value < 0.01). There was less extension lag in lateral plating as evidenced by the sum of extension lag of the three finger joints being statistically significantly smaller (D: 32.8 ± 14.2 vs. L: 4.44 ± 6.2, p < 0.01). Less percentage decrease in grip strength compared with the contralateral normal hand was also noted in the lateral plating group (D: 68.17% ± 31.11 vs. L: 98.13% ± 10.88, p = 0.02). Conclusions: Based on this study, lateral plating provides better functional outcomes in terms of range of movement, extension lag, and grip strength than dorsal plating. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic, retrospective comparative study, Level III. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate therapeutic footwear expectations and usability of individuals with diabetes and foot complications. Design: A prospective multicenter study was conducted on participants with a high risk of developing a diabetic foot ulcer. Setting: Participants were enrolled in 11 different specialized diabetic foot units in Spain between March 2022 and June 2023. Subjects: Patients with diabetes at moderate to high risk of foot ulceration receiving first therapeutic footwear prescription. Interventions: All the patients included in the research were prescribed with their first pair of therapeutic footwear. Main measures: Primary outcome measures were MOS-pre and MOS-post questionnaires evaluating use and usability of prescribed therapeutic footwear. Secondary outcome measures aimed to evaluate footwear clinical efficacy as ulceration rate and self-reported perceived walking distance per day. Results: The use of therapeutic footwear exceeded the patient's pre-provision prediction of their anticipated use in 94% of people (n = 126). Based on the visual analogic satisfaction scale, the median satisfaction of daily wearing their therapeutic footwear was 7 points, Interquartile Range (IQR) [5–8.25]. During the follow-up period, 39 participants (29.1%) experienced diabetic foot ulcer. Perceived walking distance participants reported an improvement in their perceived walking ability during various daily life activities. Conclusions: Diabetes patients at moderate to high risk of diabetic foot ulcer improved their perception of walking ability after therapeutic footwear prescription. Adherence to the therapeutic footwear prescription resulted in less ulcerations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to classify patterns of trauma exposure among disaster victims using latent class analysis (LCA) and to examine group differences in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depressive symptoms over three years. Data were obtained from a 3-year panel survey of Korean disaster victims (male = 461, female = 513) who responded to four types of trauma experiences: threatened death, injury or disease, witnessing injury or death, and loss of family or relatives in 2017. The LCA yielded three classes: the low-threat (66.1%), life-threat (29.4%), and multi-threat (4.5%) groups. One-way analysis of variance showed that the multi-threat group had the highest levels of PTSD, depressive, and anxiety symptoms in 2017, 2018, and 2019. Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms significantly decreased between 2017 and 2018 in the life-threat and multi-threat groups. However, there were no differences between 2018 and 2019 in any groups. These results highlight the importance of early intervention during the proximal period after trauma, particularly in individuals exposed to multiple types of traumatic experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated whether mood and lifestyle-related indicators of physical health are differentially expressed according to self-reported levels of depressive symptoms among young adults with a current episode of major depression. In a cross-sectional study, we recruited 94 young adults (females = 67, 71.3%; males = 27, 28.7%; aged 18–35 years) with a current episode of major depression. We assessed their mood with the Profile of Mood States (POMS), and Beck Anxiety Inventory-(BAI), sleep with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), physical activity with the Simple Physical Activity Questionnaire (SIMPAQ), and their cardiorespiratory fitness. Participants' depression levels were classified as follows using established cut-points: (a) Mild Depressive Symptoms (MIDS, BDI-II 14-19 points, n = 17), (b) Moderate Depressive Symptoms (MODS, BDI-II 20–28 points, n = 37) or (c) Severe Depressive Symptoms (SEDS, BDI-II 29–63 points, n = 40). As expected, we found that young adults with SEDS, when compared to those with MODS and MIDS, showed higher depressive mood on the POMS, and they exhibited greater anxiety symptoms, lower reported 'vigor' on physical activity measures, worse sleep quality as expressed by their global score sleep; daytime dysfunction; and sleep disturbance, and they showed lower cardiorespiratory fitness. Those with moderate depressive symptoms only differed from those with mild symptoms with respect to hostility, fatigue and mood disturbance. Although there was a gradient whereby worse mental and physical health indicators were more closely related to the SEDS depression categorization, while healthier indicators were associated with the MIDS category, some parameters were not different between the MDD severity groups, particularly when comparing MIDS and MODS. Clinicians treating patients with MDD should consider these factors when designing lifestyle-based interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Sleep disturbances are common among older adults and can have detrimental effects on their overall well-being. Tai Chi exercise has shown promise in improving sleep quality, quality of life (QoL), and psychological well-being in various populations. Objective: To investigate the effect of a home-based simplified Tai Chi exercise program on sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, QoL, and psychological well-being in Egyptian older adults. Methods: A quasi-experimental design was employed, with 152 participants aged 60 years and above assigned to either an experimental group (n = 87) or a control group (n = 65). Thecontrol group received a health education program to improve their sleeping quality and life-style, while the experimental group received a similar health education program and Tai Chi exercise training program. The participants in the experimental group were instructed to perform 3 months Tai Chi exercise. Data on sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, QoL, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and depression symptoms were collected at baseline, and one month, and 3 months post-intervention using validated questionnaires. Repeated measures ANOVA was done to investigate the effectiveness of the intervention programsover 3 time periods. Results: The results showed significant improvements in sleep quality (p <.001), QoL (p <.005), GAD (p <.005), and depression symptoms (p <.005) post-interventions. Also, there were significant difference in the effectiveness of the intervention programs between both the experimental and control groups. The experimental group exhibited greater improvements compared to the control group. Conclusion: The findings support the beneficial effects of a home-based simplified Tai Chi exercise program on sleep quality, QoL, and psychological well-being in Egyptian older adults. These results have important implications for promoting healthy aging and improving overall well-being in this population. Further research is recommended to validate these findings and explore the underlying mechanisms of Tai Chi exercise on the outcomes of interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anterolateral knee laxity (ALLx) has been linked to tears of the lateral meniscus (LM) and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Purpose: To investigate the longitudinal relationship between the signal intensity (SI) of the repaired LM on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and residual ALLx after ACL reconstruction (ACLR). Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Included were 87 patients who underwent double-bundle ACLR and lateral meniscal repair (mean age, 23.5 years; body mass index, 23.7 kg/m2; 56 women) at a single institution between 2010 and 2019. Proton density-weighted (PDW) and T2-weighted (T2W) MRI was performed at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively, and the SI ratio (SIR) was calculated as (SI of the repaired LM)/(SI of the posterior cruciate ligament). At the 12-month follow-up, ALLx was evaluated using the pivot-shift test; an International Knee Documentation Committee grade ≥1 indicated residual ALLx. Results: Overall, 12 patients (13.8%) exhibited ALLx at 12 months postoperatively. At 3 months postoperatively, the SIR on PDW images (SIR-PDW) was significantly higher in patients with ALLx versus those without ALLx (1.98 ± 0.77 vs 1.49 ± 0.52, respectively; P = .007); there was no difference in the SIR on T2W images between the groups. SIR-PDW at 3 months postoperatively was correlated negatively with patient age (r = -0.308, P = .004). When patients were stratified into a younger (≤22 years; n = 53; ALLx = 7 [13.2%]) and an older (>22 years; n = 34; ALLx = 5 [14.7%]) group, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) for SIR-PDW in the younger group were statistically significant for predicting the prevalence of ALLx at all follow-up times (AUCs, 0.733-0.788) with optimal cutoff values of 2.00 at 3 months, 1.50 at 6 months, and 1.50 at 12 months. Logistic regression analysis revealed that if younger patients consistently had higher SIR-PDW values than the cutoff values, they were more likely to have residual ALLx (odds ratios, 10.24-23.57). Conclusion: For younger patients who underwent both ACLR and lateral meniscal repair, higher MRI SI of the repaired LM was associated with a higher prevalence of residual ALLx. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The tibial tubercle–trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance is a measurement used to quantitatively assess tibial tubercle lateralization (TTL), and it has important reference value for the treatment of patellar dislocation (PD). However, TT-TG distance accuracy has been questioned, so many new parameters have been proposed. Purpose: To compare which of the TT-TG, tibial tubercle–midepicondyle (TT-ME), tibial tubercle–Roman arch (TT-RA), tibial tubercle–tibial intercondylar midpoint (TT-TIM), and tibial tubercle–mid inter-epicondyle trochlea intersection (TT-MIELTI) distances better reflect TTL in patients with PD. Study Design: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 96 patients who had undergone surgery for PD and 96 patients without PD (controls) were included in the study. The patients had all undergone computed tomography examination. The TT-TG, TT-ME, TT-RA, TT-TIM, TT-MIELTI distances and the TTL distance were measured independently by 2 surgeons in a blinded and randomized fashion. The t test was used to detect whether the parameters were significantly different between the 2 groups. The TTL distance was used as a reference value for lateralization of tibial tubercle. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to determine correlations between the defined measurements. Results: The intra- and interobserver reliability of the defined measurements was excellent. All parameters except for TT-TIM distance were significantly larger in the PD group than the control group (P < .01 for all). There was a moderate correlation (r = 0.601) between the TT-TG distance and TTL, and other parameters were less correlated with TTL. Conclusion: Among 5 the parameters tested, the TT-TG distance still had the highest correlation with TTL and was able to reflect TTL better in patients with PD. The role of TT-TIM distance in the assessment of PD needs further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acupuncture is a potentially effective non-pharmacological treatment for insomnia. Objective: We observed the responses of patients with insomnia to acupuncture in routine clinical practice. In addition, we explored patient characteristics that might affect the treatment response to acupuncture for insomnia. Methods: Medical records of patients with insomnia in a Korean medicine clinic with baseline Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) scores ⩾8 and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores ⩾5 were reviewed. Acupuncture was applied at ST43, GB41, ST41, SI5, HT3, KI10, HT7 and ST3, for 1–2 months. The ISI and PSQI were measured monthly to assess insomnia severity. The effect of acupuncture over time was analyzed using a multilevel linear model for repeated measures. In addition, logistic regression was used to explore predictors of treatment response. Results: A total of 91 patients with insomnia aged 59.2 ± 12.5 years (mean ± standard deviation (SD)) (90.1% female) were included in the analysis. After the acupuncture treatment, ISI scores were significantly reduced by −3.75 (95% confidence interval (CI) = −4.99, −2.50) and −4.69 (95% CI = −6.22, −3.16) after the first and second month, respectively. The PSQI global scores also improved, and sleep duration showed a tendency to increase by 0.35 h (95% CI = −0.17, 0.86) after acupuncture treatment. Three cases of mild fatigue were reported. In addition, higher baseline pain/discomfort predicted a greater likelihood of response after acupuncture treatment (odds ratio (OR) = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.10, 2.60). Conclusion: In a real-world setting, the insomnia of outpatients in a clinic was slightly alleviated after acupuncture treatment. These findings require validation by randomized controlled trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction/Objectives: Companion animals (CAs) may benefit human health, but few studies have examined their impact on stroke survivors. This study examines participation, quality of life (QoL), attachment, cognition, and executive function differences between stroke survivors living with and without CAs. Methods: In this cross-sectional, community-setting study, 25 stroke survivors with a CA and a matched group of 27 without a CA completed standard tools. Results: Stroke survivors with a CA scored significantly higher in participation and 1 cognitive performance test. No significant differences were found in other cognitive measures or QoL, and attachment to a CA was not correlated with participation or QoL within the research group. However, lower attachment avoidance correlated with better participation in survivors living with dogs. Conclusion: Living with CAs, especially dogs, might be associated with some cognitive function and participation benefits among stroke survivors. The link between CAs and cognitive function is unclear: Survivors with higher cognitive functioning might be more capable of caring for a CA, or having and caring for a CA might promote better cognitive function. Attachment patterns also might explain stroke survivors' participation levels. Further study is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It is well known that rotator cuff repair is associated with an overall retear rate of 21% to 26%. However, a cuff retear may not necessarily be associated with poor clinical outcomes. Hypothesis: There would be no difference in clinical outcomes between patients with a cuff retear and those with an intact repair at a midterm follow-up of 5 years. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted involving patients who received arthroscopic complete repair of the supraspinatus tendon between January 2009 and December 2017. Patients who did not have a postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan or who had a follow-up of <5 years were excluded. Clinical outcomes, including the visual analog scale (VAS) score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, and active forward flexion (FF) of the involved shoulder were assessed at the 2-year and 5-year follow-up points. Results: The study group included 105 patients with a mean follow-up of 85 months. MRI scans were performed at a mean of 20 months. Fourteen full-thickness cuff retears and 91 intact repairs were identified using postoperative MRI scans. Significant improvement in VAS score, ASES score, and FF were found between the preoperative assessment and the 2 designated follow-up points (2 years and 5 years) in both the cuff retear and the intact repair groups (P <.001). The VAS and ASES scores at the 2-year follow-up for the intact repair group were 1.8 ± 2.0 and 80.7 ± 18.1, respectively. The corresponding values for the retear group were 2.3 ± 2.2 and 71.9 ± 19.5, respectively. No significant difference was found between the 2 groups in the VAS and ASES scores at the 2-year follow-up. However, patients with an intact repair had a better VAS score (1.4 ± 1.8; P =.049) and ASES score (81.7 ± 17; P =.019) than those with a cuff retear at the 5-year assessment (3.0 ± 2.8 and 67.1 ± 22.9, respectively). In the intact repair group, 91% of patients achieved the minimal clinically important difference for the 5-year VAS score, compared with 54% in the cuff retear group (P <.001). The corresponding values for the 5-year ASES score were 80% and 54%, respectively (P =.044). FF measurements at the 5-year follow-up in patients with intact repair and those with a cuff retear were 161°± 23° and 144°± 37°, respectively (P =.059). Continuous improvement in VAS score and FF between the 2-year and 5-year follow-up was observed in the intact repair group (P =.005 and P =.04, respectively). Conclusion: The patients with an intact repair had better VAS and ASES scores compared with those who had a cuff retear at a midterm follow-up of 5 years. Between the 2-year and the 5-year follow-up, some further improvement was observed in the VAS score and FF in the intact repair group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There are multiple recommended protocols for Vitamin D (VitD) supplementation in elderly; however, only a few studies achieved to examine the role of VitD supplements before intertrochanteric fracture surgery on mortality and complications after surgery. Methods: This single-center block-randomized double-blinded trial was conducted on 80 patients with intertrochanteric fractures and a sufficient level of 25 (OH) VitD. The intervention group received an intramuscular 300,000 IU VitD ampule before surgery. The primary outcome was a 6-month mortality rate, and the secondary outcomes were 1- and 2-year mortality rates and Harris Hip Score (HHS) in 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery. Chi-square, t-test, repeated measure ANOVA, and Cox regression survival model was used for statistical analysis. Results: 40 patients were allocated to each group. Demographic, clinical characteristics, and preoperative evaluations were not significantly different between the groups. Mortality rate 6-month after the surgery was 7.5% and 10% for the intervention and placebo groups respectively (P value =.71), 15% and 12.5% at 1-year (P value =.83), and 25% and 27.5% at 2-year (P value =.98). Based on the Cox regression model, only age was significantly associated with mortality (HR = 1.229, P value <.001). Significant HHS changes from baseline through 24 months after surgery were observed within both groups; however, mean differences were not significantly different between groups. Conclusions: A single preoperative 300,000 IU VitD did not significantly impact 2-year survival and HHS in patients with intertrochanteric fractures and sufficient serum VitD level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Quantitative analysis of the glenoid face knotless-type anchor placement for arthroscopic Bankart repair has not been reported. Purpose: To evaluate the clinical and radiologic outcomes after arthroscopic Bankart repair using knotless bioabsorbable anchors depending on the anchor location. Study design: Case series, Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A total of 124 patients (113 men and 11 women; age, 25.6 ± 7.5 years; follow-up time, 46.5 ± 18.2 months [range, 6.2-75.5 months]) who underwent arthroscopic Bankart repair with the bioabsorbable knotless anchor between 2017 and 2021 were included in this study. Among them, 118 patients were observed for >2 years (mean, 48.2 ± 16.8 months [range, 24-75.5 months]) and were analyzed for final clinical and radiologic outcomes. Using postoperative 6-month magnetic resonance imaging, remnant glenoid (%) and labral height were measured. Shoulder range of motion (ROM), radiographic osteoarthritic change, dislocation, apprehension test, and return to sports were recorded. Three groups were established based on the remnant glenoid, which represented the percentage of the exposed glenoid anteroposterior diameter to the original diameter using the best-fit circle method—group A: lower quartile; group B: interquartile; and group C: upper quartile—and variables were analyzed. Results: Overall, the remnant glenoid was 57% ± 6.4% (range, 41.5%-75%) after the surgery. Osteoarthritic change, dislocations, and positive apprehension tests were observed in 5 (4.2%), 4 (3.4%), and 12 (10.2%) patients, respectively. A total of 34 (28.8%) and 64 (54.2%) patients could return to sports without and with restrictions, respectively. Comparing groups A, B, and C, postoperative labral height (7 ± 1, 7 ± 2, and 7 ± 1 mm; P =.623), final osteoarthritic change (1, 4, and 0; P =.440), positive apprehension tests (5, 5, and 2; P =.387), and return to sports (complete/restricted/unable, 6/18/5, 19/29/11, 9/17/4; P =.769) were not different. All ROM were similar across the groups (all P >.054), except for external rotation (ER) at postoperative 6 months (41.3°± 12.8°; 50.2°± 18.5°; and 49.8°± 15.2°; P =.050). However, ER after 1 year was similar across the groups (all P >.544). In further analysis, patients with positive apprehension tests had lower labral height compared with others (5 [4-6] mm and 7 [6-8] mm; P <.001). Conclusion: In arthroscopic Bankart repair, the placement of knotless bioabsorbable anchors on the glenoid face, combined with the remplissage procedure or rotator interval closure, resulted in a low recurrence rate and moderate return to sports. However, most patients had some restrictions in returning to sports. Moreover, this technique was not associated with postoperative arthritis and shoulder stiffness, including ER deficit, which was not affected by the position of the anchor on the glenoid face for a minimum 2-year follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Current classification systems for intra-articular pathology intraoperatively have been described for patients with femoroacetabular impingement rather than dysplasia. Purpose: To (1) describe intra-articular findings in dysplastic hips undergoing combined hip arthroscopy and periacetabular osteotomy (PAO); (2) propose a new chondrolabral classification system for dysplastic hips based on these findings; and (3) correlate patient-reported outcome measures (PROM) with the newly proposed classification. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A total of 46 hips underwent combined hip arthroscopy and PAO at our institution between September 2013 and December 2014, irrespective of symptoms or radiographic findings. PROMs were evaluated preoperatively and at 2 years postoperatively. At the time of hip arthroscopy, the chondrolabral junction was classified as normal without tear (1 hip, type 1); hypertrophic labrum without chondrolabral disruption (19 hips, type 2); chondrolabral disruption on the articular side, not extending into the capsular side (16 hips, type 3A); chondrolabral disruption extending through the capsular side (3 hips, type 3B); and exposed acetabular subchondral bone (7 hips, type 4). Results: There was a significant difference in postoperative modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) (P =.020), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain scores (P =.037), and WOMAC total scores (P =.049) between chondrolabral junction types. Post hoc analyses demonstrated significant differences between type 2 (84.9 ± 12.9) and type 3A (67.8 ± 20.7; P =.198), and between type 2 and type 4 (59.3 ± 24.3; P =.011) in postoperative mHHS scores; and between type 2 (83.9 ± 12.9) and type 3A (68.9 ± 23.7; P =.045) in postoperative WOMAC total scores. In multivariate analysis, chondrolabral type 3 or type 4, age >35 years, and previous surgery were significantly correlated with worse mHHS scores at 2 years. Conclusion: This new chondrolabral classification is proposed to describe intra-articular pathology seen during combined hip arthroscopy and PAO, specifically in dysplastic hips. More advanced chondrolabral disease was associated with worse PROMs at 2 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is a clinical sequela that causes the recurrence of ankle sprain by inducing ankle sensorimotor dysfunction. Animal models of CAI have recently shown that ankle ligament injuries mimicking an ankle sprain result in chronic loss of ankle sensorimotor function. However, the underlying mechanisms determining the pathogenesis of CAI remain unclear. Hypothesis: Ankle instability after an ankle sprain leads to the degeneration of the mechanoreceptors, resulting in ankle sensorimotor dysfunction and the development of CAI. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Four-week-old male Wistar rats (N = 30) were divided into 2 groups: (1) the ankle joint instability (AJI) group with ankle instability induced by transecting the calcaneofibular ligament (n = 15) and (2) the sham group (n = 15). Ankle instability was assessed using the anterior drawer test and the talar tilt test at 4, 6, and 8 weeks after the operation (n = 5, for each group at each time point), and ankle sensorimotor function was assessed using behavioral tests, including ladder walking and balance beam tests, every 2 weeks during the postoperative period. Morphology and number of mechanoreceptors in the intact anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) were histologically analyzed by immunofluorescence staining targeting the neurofilament medium chain and S100 proteins at 4, 6, and 8 weeks postoperatively (n = 5 per group). Sensory neurons that form mechanoreceptors were histologically analyzed using immunofluorescence staining targeting the mechanosensitive ion channel PIEZO2 at 8 weeks postoperatively (n = 5). Results: Ankle sensorimotor function decreased over time in the AJI group, exhibiting decreased ankle instability compared with the sham group (P =.045). The number of mechanoreceptors in the ATFL was reduced (P <.001) and PIEZO2 expression in the sensory neurons decreased (P =.008) at 8 weeks postoperatively. The number of mechanoreceptors was negatively correlated with ankle sensorimotor dysfunction (P <.001). Conclusion: The AJI model demonstrated degeneration of the mechanoreceptors in the ATFL and decreased mechanosensitivity of the sensory neurons, which may contribute to CAI. Clinical Relevance: Ankle instability causes degeneration of mechanoreceptors and decreases the mechanosensitivity of sensory neurons involved in the development of CAI. This finding emphasizes the importance of controlling ankle instability after ankle sprains to prevent recurrence and the onset of CAI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study investigates the influence of aerobic exercise training on inhibitory control of executive functions in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Design: Single-blind randomized controlled trial. Setting: Outpatient Physical Therapy Clinic. Participants: Children aged 7–11 with left-sided hemiplegic cerebral palsy with emotional and behavioral dysregulation evidenced by scores >28 on Paediatric Symptom Checklist and GMFCS I or II (n = 60). Intervention: Participants were randomly allocated into two equal groups. The control group received standard-of-care physical therapy for 1 h, and the aerobic exercise group received standard-of-care physical therapy for 30 min and moderate-intensity continuous exercise on a bicycle ergometer for 30 min. All groups received treatment three times a week for 12 weeks. Main Measures: The Eriksen Flanker test and Stroop Color–Word test were used to assess inhibitory control of executive function at the baseline and after 12 weeks. Results: Differences between pre- and post-treatment values in the exercise group showed significant improvement in Flanker response accuracy and Stroop response accuracy (p = 0.001) and significant decreases in Flanker congruent reaction time and Stroop congruent reaction time (p < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences between both groups in Flanker incongruent reaction time and Stroop incongruent reaction time (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Aerobic exercise has a promising effect on inhibitory control of executive function in children with left-sided hemiplegic cerebral palsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Childhood traumas have been considered risk factors for many psychiatric disorders. Recent studies demonstrated that childhood traumas can also be considered risk factors for neurological diseases. In this context, the objective of this study is to investigate the effects of childhood traumas on treatment resistance in patients with epilepsy. The study sample consisted of 85 epilepsy patients, 40 male and 45 female, who were diagnosed and followed up by a neurologist. Of these patients, 45 were being followed up with the diagnosis of refractory epilepsy, and 40 were being followed up with the diagnosis of treatment-responsive epilepsy. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging and electroencephalography were performed on all patients. In addition, all patients were administered childhood trauma questionnaire (CTQ) and Hamilton depression rating scale (HAM-D). Epilepsy patients included in the study were divided into refractory epilepsy and treatment-responsive epilepsy groups. There was no significant difference between the groups in sociodemographic characteristics. On the other hand, total CTQ and all CTQ subscale scores and HAM-D scores were significantly higher in the refractory epilepsy group than in the treatment-responsive epilepsy group. This study demonstrates that childhood traumas may contribute to treatment resistance in epilepsy patients. Therefore, it is recommended that a history of childhood traumas be routinely queried in the treatment of epilepsy patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Intensive and critical care nurses need to demonstrate ethical sensitivity especially in recognizing and dealing with ethical dilemmas particularly as they often care for patients living with life-threatening conditions. Theories suggest that there is a convergence between nurses' empathy and ethical sensitivity. Evidence in the literature indicates that nurses' emotional, demographic, and work characteristics are associated with their level of empathy and ethical sensitivity. Aim: To investigate the relationship between nurses' empathy and ethical sensitivity, considering their emotional states (depression, anxiety, and stress), demographic and work characteristics, and test an empirical model describing potential predictors of empathy (as a mediator) and ethical sensitivity using path analysis. Research design: Using a cross-sectional design, the philosophical theory of care ethics and empathy was extended and adopted as a conceptual framework for this study and tested by path analysis. Participants and research context: Data were collected from 347 intensive care nurses recruited by ten educational-medical hospitals in Iran using a questionnaire between February and March 2021. Ethical considerations: The study was reviewed by the Ethical Advisory Board in Iran and conducted according to the Declaration of Helsinki. Findings: Study participants demonstrated a mild level of stress, anxiety, and depression, alongside a relatively high level of empathy and ethical sensitivity. Nurses with good socioeconomic status had higher empathetic behavior with patients than those with weak status. Nurses aged over 40 who had received ethics training and had higher work experience were associated with higher ethical sensitivity compared to nurses under 20 years of age. Empathy directly affected ethical sensitivity; however, anxiety had an indirect effect on ethical sensitivity through empathy. Among demographic factors, age had a positive direct effect on ethical sensitivity. Conclusions: Less anxiety and a high level of empathy contribute to higher levels of ethical sensitivity among intensive and critical care nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim and Objective: To study the prevalence and risk factors of prehypertension and hypertension among adolescents (18–19 years) at the entry level of professional course. Materials and Methods: After institutional ethics committee approval and informed consent from participants, the data were collected and entered into the Excel sheet. Appropriate statistical analysis was applied. The final result was statistically interpreted. Results: A total of 273 student participants were included in the study. There were 104 males and 169 females. One hundred and seven participants were 18 years old and 168 were 19 years old. Male: female ratio is 1:1.6. Prehypertension was seen in 91 (33.3%) and hypertension was observed in 34 (12.57%). Seven (20.6%) cases had a family history of hypertension. Twenty-two (8.1%) had addictive habits. Inadequate physical activity was seen in 32 (94.1%) of cases who had hypertension. Poor sleep quality was seen in hypertensives (17; 50%). In our study also, there was no statistically significant association between gender and systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure (P > 0.05). There is a statistical significance association between the gender and body mass index (BMI) but not between BMI and hypertension status. There was statistically significant association was there between prehypertension and hypertension with habits. Conclusion: Change in habits and dietary modification will have impact on the development of prehypertension and or hypertension among adolescents. More emphasis must be given to screen adolescents at college entry. Adolescents are best target age group for primordial prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Aortic aneurysms represent a chronic degenerative disease with life-threatening implications. In order for patients to comprehend health related information, it must be written at a level that can be readily understood. Study Design: In January 2023, we searched "aneurisma aorta" and "endoprótesis aorta" terms on Google, Yahoo and Microsoft/Bing. The 31th websites provided by each search engine were analyzed. Four readability measures were used to evaluate websites regarding aortic aneurysm and their endovascular treatment in Spanish language: Flesch Index, Flesch-Szigriszt Index, Fernández-Huerta Index and grading Inflesz scale. The quality on information was evaluated by the HONcode seal, the DISCERN instrument and the JAMA benchmark criteria. Results: 180 websites containing the terms "aneurisma aorta" and "endoprótesis aorta" were analyzed. Among the websites retrieved, the mean Flesh index score (53.12 ± 6.09 and 47.48 ± 7.12, respectively; P =.019), the Flesch-Szigriszt index (56.39 ± 5.72 and 48.10 ± 8.33; P =.000), and the Fernández Huerta index (61.30 ± 5.59 and 53.19 ± 8.21; P =.000), corresponding to a "somewhat difficult" readability level. In addition, the Inflesz scale (2.62 ±.59 and 2.07 ±.61; P =.000) reported a "somewhat difficult" readability, higher for the websites regarding aortic aneurysm. The HONcode seal was only presented in websites regarding aortic aneurysm (16.7%), whereas none of the websites relating to aortic endoprostheses presented it (0%) (P =.000). Websites that presented the HONcode seal obtained higher DISCERN score (P =.000, 95% CI = 6.42-16.84) and JAMA score (P =.000, 95% CI = 3.44-11.32). Conclusion: Internet information on aortic aneurysms and aortic endoprostheses is too difficult to read for the general Spanish-speaking population and is lacking in quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Confusion persists regarding the ideal dosage of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection for knee osteoarthritis (OA). Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of the study was to compare the efficacy of 2 different single-injection PRP dosages in patients with early knee OA—a conventional 4 mL dose and a superdose of 8 mL. It was hypothesized that 8 mL of PRP would be superior to 4 mL of PRP in this patient population. Study Design: Randomized clinical trial; Level of evidence, 1. Methods: Patients with early knee OA (Kellgren-Lawrence grades 1 and 2) who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into 2 groups: Group A (n = 50 knees) received a 4-mL PRP injection, and group B (n = 49 knees) received an 8-mL PRP injection, both prepared using the same procedure. Patients were evaluated at the baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC), the WOMAC-Pain subscale, the visual analog scale for pain, the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, and patient satisfaction, and results were compared between the groups. Results: The baseline characteristics of the 2 groups were comparable (group A: mean age, 51.96 ± 6.93 years; group B: mean age, 49.12 ± 9.8 3 years). Leucocyte-depleted PRP with 3.5 times concentration (final product platelet concentration, 706.74 × 103–μL) was injected. The mean absolute platelet count injected was 2.82 ± 0.0012 billion in group A and 5.65 ± 0.0022 billion in group B. All patient-reported outcome scores improved significantly in both groups from the baseline to the final follow-up (P <.001), with overall trends and results significantly better in group B than in group A (P <.001). Patient satisfaction at the 6-month follow-up was also better in group B (96%) compared with group A (68%). Short (2 to 7 days) self-limiting complications, such as pain and stiffness, occurred more often in group B (P <.001). Conclusion: Patients with early knee OA had significantly better improvement in pain and function when treated with an 8-mL injection of PRP compared with a 4-mL injection of PRP. The larger dose of PRP had approximately twice the number of platelets. Registration: CTRI/2020/02/023403 (Clinical Trials Registry-India identifier). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Screen time (ST), mainly social media (SM), has increased during the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, impacting mental and physical health. This study aims to analyze SM use in young adults ages 18 to 28 years and lifestyle changes during COVID-19 to provide a baseline on pandemic habits in the younger population. Methods: An international cross-sectional observational study was conducted from September 2020 to January 2021. Participants responded about their SM behavior, and activities they noticed they did less and more during COVID-19. A total of 183 responses were analyzed. Results: The top reason respondents increased SM was for entertainment. Many respondents increased ST, physical activity (PA), and sleeping habits during COVID-19, while many decreased socialization, PA, and going outdoors. PA had mixed results among participants, indicating some increased PA and some decreased. Evidence suggests that timing of quarantining during the pandemic significantly influenced variables, like ST (P =.004) and socialization (P =.037). Discussion and Conclusion: Respondents generally noticed increased SM use for various reasons, including socialization, potentially explaining why respondents feel they socialize less. ST use increased; some people reported increased PA while others reported a decrease. Altogether, this provides vital context on young adults' SM and lifestyle habits, highlighting potential areas for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hip arthroscopy has become the mainstay surgical intervention for the treatment of femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS). However, postoperative outcomes and rates of secondary surgery are mixed in patients with differing levels of preoperative osteoarthritis (OA). Furthermore, there is a paucity of literature comparing patients with and without OA at long-term follow-up. Purpose: To compare outcomes and rates of secondary surgery at minimum 10-year follow-up, including revision hip arthroscopy and conversion to total hip arthroplasty (THA), in patients with Tönnis grade 1 undergoing hip arthroscopy for FAIS compared with a propensity-matched control group of patients with Tönnis grade 0. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Patients who underwent primary hip arthroscopy for FAIS between January 2012 and February 2013 were identified. Patients with Tönnis grade 1 were propensity matched in a 1:2 ratio by age, sex, and body mass index (BMI) to patients with Tönnis grade 0. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) were collected at varying timepoints including preoperatively and 1, 2, 5, and 10 years postoperatively and compared between the 2 cohorts. Rates of minimal clinically important difference (MCID) and Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS) achievement at 10 years were evaluated and compared between groups. Rates of secondary surgery including revision hip arthroscopy and conversion to total hip arthroplasty (THA) were evaluated. Gross survivorship between cohorts was evaluated using a Kaplan-Meier gross survivorship curve. A subanalysis was performed comparing patients with Tönnis grade 1 who converted to THA and those who did not. Results: A total of 31 patients with Tönnis grade 1 (age, 42.6 ± 9.0 years; BMI, 28.0 ± 6.3) were successfully matched to 62 patients with Tönnis grade 0 (age, 42.1 ± 8.5, P =.805; BMI, 26.1 ± 3.9, P =.117). Both the Tönnis grade 1 and Tönnis grade 0 groups demonstrated significant improvements regarding all PROs at minimum 10 years (P <.05 for all), except for the Hip Outcome Score Activities of Daily Living subscale (HOS-ADL) (P =.066) in the Tönnis grade 1 cohort. No significant difference (P >.05 for all) was noted between cohorts regarding any 10-year PRO. When the authors evaluated comparisons between preoperative and 1-, 2-, 5-, and 10-year PRO measures, significant differences were noted between cohorts regarding 2-year HOS-ADL (P =.021), Hip Outcome Score Sports-Specific subscale (P =.016), and modified Harris Hip Score (P =.026); otherwise, differences did not reach significance. High rates of 10-year MCID and PASS achievement were seen, with no significant differences between groups. Patients with Tönnis grade 1 had significantly higher rates of conversion to THA compared with patients who had Tönnis grade 0 (25.8% vs 4.8%; P =.006). Patients with Tönnis grade 1 had significantly lower gross survivorship compared with those who had Tönnis grade 0 (71.0% vs 85.5%, respectively; P =.04). Conclusion: Hip arthroscopy confers comparable postoperative clinical improvements to patients who have FAIS with and without mild OA; however, the benefits among patients with mild OA may be less durable. Patients with Tönnis grade 1 had significantly higher conversion to THA and reduced gross survivorship compared with patients with no evidence of preoperative OA, suggesting that patients with evidence of OA may need to be cautioned on the higher rate of conversion surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The coronal lateral collateral ligament (LCL) sign (the entire LCL being seen in 1 coronal slice on a magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] scan), is a new secondary sign of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. Purpose: To (1) evaluate the coronal LCL sign in adults with ACL tears and (2) compare the magnitude of the MRI scan parameters between adolescent and adult ACL-deficient knees with positive coronal LCL signs. Study design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence: 3. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent ACL reconstruction between February 1, 2013, and May 31, 2021, and divided them into adolescent (10-18 years) and adult (>18 years) groups. Tibial translation, femorotibial rotation, and presence of the coronal LCL sign were evaluated using MRI. The static femorotibial position parameters were also compared between positive and negative coronal LCL sign groups. Independent Student t tests were used to identify statistically significant differences for continuous variables, whereas the categorical variables were compared using the chi-square test. Results: A total of 65 adolescents and 300 adults with ACL tears were identified. The coronal LCL sign was present in a similar percentage of adolescents and adults with ACL tears (57% vs 58%; P = .873). The anterior tibial translation (ATT) in patients with positive coronal LCL signs (adolescents, 7.9 ± 3.4 mm; adults, 6.6 ± 3.5 mm) was significantly greater compared with those with negative signs (adolescents, 1.5 ± 2.6 mm, P < .001; adults, 2.3 ± 4.2 mm, P < .001). Femorotibial rotation was also statistically greater in positive coronal LCL sign groups (adolescents, 6.4°± 5.6°; adults, 7.0°± 5.0°) compared with negative sign groups (adolescents, 0.7°± 4.7°, P < .001; adults, 3.5°± 4.2°, P < .001). Conclusion: The occurrence of the coronal LCL sign on MRI scans was comparable between adolescents and adults with ACL-deficient knees. The presence of the LCL sign was associated with a greater ATT and femorotibial rotation in both adolescents and adults with ACL tears. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]