Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Acta Neurol Scand 2020 Jul 12. Epub 2020 Jul 12.

Developmental Neurosciences, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK.

Since December 2019, the world has been experiencing a catastrophic pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV2. This virus primarily targets the human respiratory system. Available information suggests that people with epilepsy (PWE) are not at higher risk of being infected by the virus, nor of more severe COVID-19 manifestations, as a result of the epilepsy alone. Read More

J Nephrol 2020 Jul 11. Epub 2020 Jul 11.

Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, 102 Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China.

Background: Kidney transplantation offers the best potential for full rehabilitation in patients with end-stage kidney disease who are treated with dialysis. However, due to organ shortage which is a universal phenomenon, most patients need to be maintained on a period of dialysis therapy before the prospect of transplantation. Peritoneal dialysis (PD) could be an ideal form of renal replacement therapy due to its favorable profile toward preservation of residual renal function, patient survival, lower overall burden on cardiovascular morbidity and infection risks. Read More

Int J Colorectal Dis 2020 Jul 11. Epub 2020 Jul 11.

Department of General Surgery, Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, Birmingham, UK.

Objectives: To evaluate the comparative outcomes and clinical characteristics of simultaneous and staged colorectal and hepatic resections for colorectal cancer with synchronous hepatic metastases.

Methods: We conducted a systematic search of electronic information sources, and bibliographic reference lists. Perioperative morbidity and mortality, anastomotic leak, wound infection, bile leak, bleeding, intra-abdominal abscess, sub-phrenic abscess, reoperation, recurrence, 5-year overall survival, procedure time, and length of hospital stay were the evaluated outcome parameters. Read More

Cancer Immunol Immunother 2020 Jul 11. Epub 2020 Jul 11.

Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 253 Gongye Road, Guangzhou, 510282, People's Republic of China.

To date, immunotherapy has opened a new chapter in the treatment of lung cancer. Precise biomarkers can help to screen subpopulations of lung cancer to provide the best treatment. Multiple studies suggest that specific gene mutations may be predictive markers in guiding non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment. Read More

Med Sci Monit 2020 Jul 12;26:e924570. Epub 2020 Jul 12.

Department of Plastic Surgery, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China (mainland).

BACKGROUND Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) occurs primarily among elderly patients over 70 years old, but the ability to predict the prognosis of these elderly patients is poor. This population-based study aimed to identify prognostic risk factors for elderly patients with MCC. MATERIAL AND METHODS The survival and disease information of MCC patients age 65 years or older was downloaded from the SEER database, and all data were split into 2 groups based on age 80 years, with overall survival and MCC-specific survival as the main outcome indicators. Read More

Fetal Diagn Ther 2020 Jul 10:1-6. Epub 2020 Jul 10.

Medical Sciences Post Graduation, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil,

Introduction: Prelabor rupture of membranes (PROM) is a frequent clinical situation, and the decision about the best time for delivery remains controversial, mainly due to the risk of neonatal respiratory morbidity (NRM). Assessment of fetal lung maturity using ultrasound, a safe method and widely used in current obstetrical practice, could change this scenario. This study was designed to evaluate the ability of quantitative ultrasound method QuantusFLM® to predict NRM in patients with PROM and whether maternal BMI, gestational age, occurrence of the disease, and presence of oligohydramnios influenced the performance. Read More

Eur J Cancer 2020 Jul 9;136:76-83. Epub 2020 Jul 9.

Medical Oncology, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France. Electronic address:

Background: Papillary renal cell carcinoma (pRCC) is the most common non-clear cell RCC (nccRCC). Pivotal studies evaluating immune checkpoint inhibitors mostly excluded nccRCC. The aim of this retrospective and multicentre study was to evaluate the activity of programmed death-1 (PD-1)/ programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors specifically in metastatic pRCC. Read More

Clin Microbiol Infect 2020 Jul 9. Epub 2020 Jul 9.

Department of Infectious Diseases and General Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium.

Objectives: Neurotoxicity related to cefepime is increasingly reported in the literature but specific data concerning continuous infusion (CI) of the drug are still lacking. Our primary objective was to evaluate the incidence of neurotoxicity related to CI of cefepime and the associated risk factors. Our secondary objectives were to analyze the plasma cefepime concentrations and to define the threshold above which neurotoxicity occurs. Read More

J Diabetes Complications 2020 Jun 26:107665. Epub 2020 Jun 26.

Department of Nephrology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China. Electronic address:

Objective: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) related to diabetes has become more common than glomerulonephritis in recent years. Given the inefficient and difficult identification of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) from non-diabetic kidney disease (NDKD) as well as a result of emerging evidence supporting a role for tubular involvement in DKD, we aimed to investigate the utility of urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) in the differential diagnosis and predictive value of DKD from NDKD.

Methods: Data for 100 type 2 diabetic patients with CKD at our center from June 2016 to August 2019 were reviewed. Read More

Microb Cell Fact 2020 Jul 11;19(1):137. Epub 2020 Jul 11.

College of Basic Medicine, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, 279 Zhouzhu Highway, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, 201318, China.

Background: Zoonotic hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection emerged as a serious threat in the industrialized countries. The aim of this study is exploring a new approach for the control of zoonotic HEV in its main host (swine) through the design and development of an economically interesting chimeric vaccine against HEV and against a devastating swine infection: the foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) infection.

Results: First, we adopted a computational approach for rational and effective screening of the different HEV-FMDV chimeric proteins. Read More

Int Forum Allergy Rhinol 2020 Jul 11. Epub 2020 Jul 11.

Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has heightened awareness of aerosol generation by human expiratory events and their potential role in viral respiratory disease transmission. Concerns over high Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) viral burden of mucosal surfaces has raised questions about the aerosol generating potential and dangers of many otorhinolaryngologic procedures. However, the risks of aerosol generation and associated viral transmission by droplet or airborne routes for many otorhinolaryngology procedures are largely unknown. Read More

Liver Int 2020 Jul 11. Epub 2020 Jul 11.

Fatty Liver Program, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Comprehensive Transplant Program, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States.

Background & Aims: Liver fibrosis assessed by liver biopsy is predictive of clinical liver events in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) correlates with liver biopsy in assessing liver fibrosis. However, data assessing the relationship between MRE and clinical liver events are lacking. Read More

Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020 Jul 8. Epub 2020 Jul 8.

Center for Interventional Endoscopy, AdventHealth Orlando, Orlando, FL, USA. Electronic address:

Background & Aims: Given the lack of procedure standardization, findings vary from analyses of pancreatic tissues collected by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy. It is not clear which needle and technique yield best specimen for analysis. We compared the specimen quality and accuracy of diagnoses made from samples collected by fine-needle biopsy needles using different collection techniques. Read More

Ophthalmology 2020 Jul 8. Epub 2020 Jul 8.

Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California. Electronic address:

Purpose: To evaluate the safety of pupillary dilation in primary angle closure suspects (PACS) with concurrent visually significant cataract (VSC), to identify risk factors associated with elevated IOP, and to describe changes in anterior segment anatomy following pupillary dilation.

Design: Prospective study.

Participants: Patients with PACS and VSC and no prior laser or intraocular surgery were recruited. Read More

Ann Rheum Dis 2020 Jul 10. Epub 2020 Jul 10.

Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA

Objective: The goal of these studies is to discover novel urinary biomarkers of lupus nephritis (LN).

Methods: Urine from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients was interrogated for 1000 proteins using a novel, quantitative planar protein microarray. Hits were validated in an independent SLE cohort with inactive, active non-renal (ANR) and active renal (AR) patients, in a cohort with concurrent renal biopsies, and in a longitudinal cohort. Read More

Emerg Med J 2020 Jul 10. Epub 2020 Jul 10.

Emergency Medicine, Manchester Metropolitan University - All Saints Campus, Manchester, UK.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a surge of information being presented to clinicians regarding this novel and deadly disease. There is a clear urgency to collate, review, appraise and act on this information if we are to do the best for clinicians and patients. However, the speed of the pandemic is a threat to traditional models of knowledge translation and practice change. Read More

Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab 2020 Jun 20:101438. Epub 2020 Jun 20.

Division of Maternal Medicine, Center for Maternal-Fetal-Neonatal and Reproductive Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagayaku, Tokyo, 1578535, Japan. Electronic address:

Subclinical autoimmune thyroiditis exacerbates after delivery through immune rebound mechanisms and results in 5 types of thyroid dysfunction. The prevalence of postpartum thyroid dysfunction is around 5% in mothers in the general population. Typically, an exacerbation induces destructive thyrotoxicosis followed by transient hypothyroidism, known as postpartum thyroiditis. Read More

Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab 2020 Jun 18:101437. Epub 2020 Jun 18.

Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Pediatric Endocrinology, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Electronic address:

Thyroid hormone (TH) is indispensable for normal embryonic and fetal development. Throughout gestation TH is provided by the mother via the placenta, later in pregnancy the fetal thyroid gland makes an increasing contribution. Maternal thyroid dysfunction, resulting in lower or higher than normal (maternal) TH levels and transfer to the embryo/fetus, can disturb normal early development. Read More

BMC Vet Res 2020 Jul 10;16(1):236. Epub 2020 Jul 10.

Biosciences eastern and central Africa-International Livestock Research Institute, Old Naivasha Road, P.O. Box 30709-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.

Background: Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides (Mmm) is the causative agent of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia in cattle. A prototype subunit vaccine is being developed, however, there is currently no diagnostic test that can differentiate between infected cattle and those vaccinated with the prototype subunit vaccine. Read More

Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020 Jul 8;17(14). Epub 2020 Jul 8.

The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.

Colonoscopy is the best screening choice for at-risk persons, because it offers prevention through the removal of preneoplastic lesions in addition to early detection. This study aims to report the participation rate of colonoscopy screening and examine its associated factors amongst Chinese first-degree relatives of people with colorectal cancer based on the health belief model (HBM). A cross-sectional study was conducted in Shenzhen, China from March to May 2019. Read More

Brain Sci 2020 Jul 8;10(7). Epub 2020 Jul 8.

Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing, Austin, TX 78712, USA.

The advancement of the pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) knowledge base requires biospecimens and data from large samples. This study seeks to describe a novel clinical research modality to establish best practices for enrolling a diverse pediatric TBI population and quantifying key information on enrollment into biobanks. Screening form responses were standardized and cleaned through Google Sheets. Read More

J Clin Med 2020 Jul 8;9(7). Epub 2020 Jul 8.

Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, 20138 Milan, Italy.

Stress computed tomography perfusion (Stress-CTP) and computed tomography-derived fractional flow reserve (FFR) are functional techniques that can be added to coronary computed tomography angiography (cCTA) to improve the management of patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). This retrospective analysis from the PERFECTION study aims to assess the impact of their availability on the management of patients with suspected CAD scheduled for invasive coronary angiography (ICA) and invasive FFR. The management plan was defined as optimal medical therapy (OMT) or revascularization and was recorded for the following strategies: cCTA alone, cCTA+FFR, cCTA+Stress-CTP and cCTA+FFR+Stress-CTP. Read More

Int J Surg Case Rep 2020 Jun 20;73:75-78. Epub 2020 Jun 20.

Breast Unit, Department of Surgical Science, Policlinico Tor Vergata University, Viale Oxford, 81, 00133, Rome, Italy. Electronic address:

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in woman. Approximately 5-10% of breast cancer occurs as de novo stage IV and some studies have shown that from 10% to 30% of those patients presents Brain Metastasis.

Presentation Of Case: In this study, we report a case of solitary brain metastasis of breast cancer in a 63-year-old Italian Caucasian woman with neurological symptoms as first clinical presentation. Read More

Comput Biol Chem 2020 Jun 24;88:107308. Epub 2020 Jun 24.

Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address:

One of the hallmarks of Parkinson's disease (PD), a long-term neurodegenerative syndrome, is the accumulation of alpha-synuclein (α-syn) fibrils. Despite numerous studies and efforts, inhibition of α-syn protein aggregation is still a challenge. To overcome this issue, we propose an in silico pharmacophore-based repositioning strategy, to find a pharmaceutical drug that, in addition to their defined role, can be used to prevent aggregation of the α-syn protein. Read More

PLoS One 2020 10;15(7):e0236064. Epub 2020 Jul 10.

Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.

Background: The best management of hypertension in frail oldest-old (≥80 years of age) remains unclear and we still lack guidelines that provide specific recommendations. Our study aims to investigate guideline use in general practitioners (GPs) and to examine if guideline use relates to different decisions when managing hypertension in frail oldest-old.

Design/setting: Cross-sectional study among currently active GPs from 29 countries using a case-vignettes survey. Read More

PLoS One 2020 10;15(7):e0235821. Epub 2020 Jul 10.

Provincial TB Services, British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, Canada.

Introduction: The emerging epidemiological evidence of increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among persons diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) has not been systematically reviewed to date. Our aim was to review the existing epidemiological evidence for elevated risk of CVD morbidity and mortality among persons diagnosed with TB compared to controls.

Materials And Methods: EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Cochrane databases were searched (inception to January 2020) for terms related to "tuberculosis" and "cardiovascular diseases". Read More

J Hypertens 2020 Jul 6. Epub 2020 Jul 6.

Research Unit Hypertension and Cardiovascular Epidemiology, KU Leuven Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Belgium.

Objective: Echocardiographic definitions of subclinical left atrial dysfunction based on epidemiological data remain scarce. In this population study, we derived outcome-driven thresholds for echocardiographic left atrial function parameters discriminating between normal and abnormal values.

Methods: In 1306 individuals (mean age, 50. Read More

J Am Assoc Nurse Pract 2020 Jul 7. Epub 2020 Jul 7.

University of Colorado College of Nursing, Aurora, Colorado.

Background: The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Assessment Test (CAT) is a questionnaire used for COPD symptom assessment that is validated, reliable, and evidence based; yet, few specialty or primary care practices have formally implemented it in practice.

Local Problem: The University of Colorado's pulmonary division has consistently been rated the best in the country by US News and World Reports; however, the dedicated multidisciplinary COPD clinic at the University had yet to formally implement any COPD Assessment tools for COPD symptom management. This quality improvement project focused on the successful implementation of the CAT for management of COPD and whether its use impacts symptom management. Read More

Curr Opin Cardiol 2020 Jul 6. Epub 2020 Jul 6.

Division of Cardiology, Southlake Regional Health Centre, Newmarket, Ontario, Canada.

Purpose Of Review: Coronary artery disease affecting bifurcations poses a challenge for percutaneous intervention. Several techniques and strategies for percutaneous management of bifurcation lesions have been described in the literature with variable data available for outcomes. In this review, we provide an overview of the strategies and techniques used for percutaneous intervention of bifurcation lesions with an update of recent technical developments and clinical evidence. Read More

Curr Opin Cardiol 2020 Jul 6. Epub 2020 Jul 6.

The Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

Purpose Of Review: A healthy lifestyle throughout one's lifespan is the core foundation for both primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Risk-based decisions for pharmacological therapy is added on-top of lifestyle management. Thus, understanding lifestyle-based recommendations is central to CVD prevention. Read More

Clin Spine Surg 2020 Jul 8. Epub 2020 Jul 8.

School of Medicine & Medical Science, University College Dublin.

Plant Dis 2020 Jul 10:PDIS09191836RE. Epub 2020 Jul 10.

College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P.R. China.

Wheat stripe rust, caused by f. sp. (), is one of the most important and devastating diseases of wheat; therefore, it is necessary to rapidly and accurately quantify fungicide effectiveness to monitor sensitivity and manage the disease. Read More

Br J Nurs 2020 Jul;29(13):738-743

Respiratory Nurse Specialist and Independent Nurse Prescriber, Mater Hospital, Belfast.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is widely established as a health challenge, with predictions that it will be the third leading cause of global mortality and reduced health status within the next 10 years. Exacerbations of COPD are now the second largest cause of emergency hospitalisation in the UK. The respiratory clinical nurse specialist has an active role in the acute management of COPD exacerbations in the hospital setting, and it is essential that prescribing decisions are made based on the best available evidence. Read More

Clin Appl Thromb Hemost 2020 Jan-Dec;26:1076029620936350

Hemostasis & Thrombosis Research Laboratories at Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL, USA.

This practical guidance, endorsed by the Brazilian Society of Thrombosis and Hemostasis and The Brazilian Society of Angiology and Vascular Surgery, the International Union of Angiology and the European Venous Forum, aims to provide physicians with clear guidance, based on current best evidence-based data, on clinical strategies to manage antithrombotic strategies in patients with coronavirus disease 2019. Read More

Arch Pathol Lab Med 2020 Jul 10. Epub 2020 Jul 10.

Clinical Pathology Unit, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, Milan, Italy (Dr. Aloisio, Dr. Chibireva, Dr. Serafini, Dr. Pasqualetti, Dr. Falvella, Dr. Dolci, Dr. Panteghini); Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences 'Luigi Sacco', University of Milan, Milan, Italy (Dr. Dolci, Dr. Panteghini).

A relevant portion of COVID-19 patients develop severe disease with negative outcomes. Several biomarkers have been proposed to predict COVID-19 severity, but no definite interpretative criteria have been established to date for stratifying risk. To evaluate six serum biomarkers (C-reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase, D-dimer, albumin, ferritin and cardiac troponin T) for predicting COVID-19 severity and to define related cut-offs able to aid clinicians in risk stratification of hospitalized patients. Read More

J Biophotonics 2020 Jul 10:e2541. Epub 2020 Jul 10.

Imaging, Biomechanics and Mathematical Modeling solution, Narayana Nethralaya Foundation, Bangalore, India.

The purpose of this study was to assess unique corneal tomographic parameters of allergic eye disease (AED) using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and artificial intelligence (AI). A total of 57 eyes diagnosed with AED were included. The curvature and aberrations of the air-epithelium (A-E) and epithelium-Bowman's layer (E-B) interfaces were calculated. Read More

Cancer 2020 Jul 10. Epub 2020 Jul 10.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Kindai University Nara Hospital, Nara, Japan.

Background: Although the American Joint Committee on Cancer TNM classification has been amended to include human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) as an independent entity, to the authors' knowledge the optimized de-escalating treatment modality has not been established to date.

Methods: The authors conducted a retrospective, nationwide, observational study in patients with HPV-related OPSCC who were treated from 2011 to 2014 in Japan to determine the best treatment modality.

Results: A total of 688 patients who were newly diagnosed with HPV-related OPSCC who were treated with curative intent at 35 institutions and had coherent clinical information and follow-up data available were included in the current study. Read More

JAMA 2020 Jul 10. Epub 2020 Jul 10.

Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Importance: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, due to the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has caused a worldwide sudden and substantial increase in hospitalizations for pneumonia with multiorgan disease. This review discusses current evidence regarding the pathophysiology, transmission, diagnosis, and management of COVID-19.

Observations: SARS-CoV-2 is spread primarily via respiratory droplets during close face-to-face contact. Read More

J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle 2020 Jul 10. Epub 2020 Jul 10.

FMTS, Department of Physiology, EA3072 Mitochondria, Oxidative Stress and Muscular Protection, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.

Background: Patients with lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and sarcopenia are a population at risk requiring specific and targeted care. The aim of this review is to gather all relevant studies associating sarcopenia and PAD and to identify the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms as well as potential therapeutic strategies to improve skeletal muscle function.

Methods: A systematic review was carried out following the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Read More

Brain Tumor Res Treat 2020 Jul 9. Epub 2020 Jul 9.

Neuro-Oncology Clinic, National Cancer Center Korea, Goyang, Korea.

Background: As the application of radiotherapy to brain metastasis (BM) increases, the incidence of radiation necrosis (RN) as a late toxicity of radiotherapy also increases. However, no specific treatment for RN is indicated except long-term steroids. Here, we summarize the clinical results of bevacizumab (BEV) for RN. Read More

Doc Ophthalmol 2020 Jul 9. Epub 2020 Jul 9.

Department of Ophthalmology, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan.

Purpose: To report the 30-months' course of macular dystrophy in a patient with genetically confirmed spinocerebellar ataxia type1 (SCA1).

Methods: Detailed ophthalmological examinations including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), perimetry, multimodal fundus imaging, and electrophysiological recordings were performed on a 52-year-old woman with SCA1. The number of CAG sequence repeats of the candidate gene was verified. Read More

Health Promot Int 2020 Jul 10. Epub 2020 Jul 10.

College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Queensland, Australia.

High-income countries (HICs) in sub-tropical and tropical regions are at an increasing risk of Aedes mosquito-borne disease (MBD) outbreaks such as dengue fever. As the Aedes mosquito predominately lives and breeds in and around people's homes, community participation in MBD management is an important part of preventing MBD outbreaks. Historically, government-led strategies have dominated community participation efforts as opposed to strategies co-designed or led by the community. Read More

Ophthalmol Glaucoma 2020 Jan-Feb;3(1):14-24. Epub 2019 Nov 8.

IBM Research-Australia, Melbourne, Australia.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a machine learning model to forecast future circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (cpRNFL) thickness in eyes of healthy, glaucoma suspect, and glaucoma participants from multimodal temporal data.

Design: Retrospective analysis of a longitudinal clinical cohort.

Participants: Longitudinal clinical cohort of healthy, glaucoma suspect, and glaucoma participants. Read More

Ann Transl Med 2020 Jun;8(12):795

Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER). Madrid, España.

In the late 19th century, Otto Frank published the first description of a ventricular pressure-volume diagram, thus laid the foundation for modern cardiovascular physiology. Since then, the analysis of the pressure-volume loops became a reference tool for the study of the ventricular pump properties. However, understanding cardiovascular performance requires both the evaluation of ventricular properties and the modulating effects of the arterial system, since the heart and the arterial tree are anatomically and functionally related structures. Read More

Liver Cancer 2020 Jun 29;9(3):363-364. Epub 2020 Apr 29.

Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Essen University Hospital, Essen, Germany.

Sci Rep 2020 Jul 9;10(1):11328. Epub 2020 Jul 9.

Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Musculoskeletal Research Unit, Southmead Hospital, University of Bristol, Learning and Research Building (Level 2), Bristol, BS10 5NB, UK.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common chronic degenerative joint disease which causes substantial joint pain, deformity and loss of activities of daily living. Currently, there are over 500 million OA cases worldwide, and there is an urgent need to identify biomarkers for early detection, and monitoring disease progression in patients without obvious radiographic damage to the joint. We have used regression modelling to describe the association of 19 of the currently available biomarkers (predictors) with key radiographic and clinical features of OA (outcomes) in one of the largest and best characterised OA cohort (NIH Osteoarthritis Initiative). Read More

Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol 2020 Jun 6. Epub 2020 Jun 6.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of British Columbia, 275 - 2660 Oak Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6H 3Z6, Canada. Electronic address:

The pathogenesis of bowel endometriosis is multifactorial. There is a predilection for disease of the rectum/sigmoid colon because refluxed endometrium is more likely to settle in the pouch of Douglas and its movement is delimited by the sigmoid colon, in addition to the close proximity of the rectum/sigmoid to posterior extrinsic uterine adenomyosis and to ovarian endometriomas. Once situated, deep bowel endometriosis has features of invasion, angiogenesis, and fibrosis (repeated tissue injury and repair), with emerging research on oxidative stress and the microbiome. Read More

Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2020 Jul 6:101562. Epub 2020 Jul 6.

Centre for Epidemiology Versus Arthritis, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with pain, disability and increased risk of developing comorbidities and premature mortality. While these poor outcomes have improved in line with advances in the treatment of RA, they still persist to some degree today. Physical activity and smoking are two areas of patients' lives where changes may have a substantial impact on the poor outcomes associated with RA. Read More

Parasit Vectors 2020 Jul 9;13(1):341. Epub 2020 Jul 9.

University of Maryland Institute of Human Virology, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

Background: The financial implications of Lyme disease (LD) can vary widely for both the health system and the individual patients experiencing the disease. The aim of this review was to summarize published data on clinical and economic outcomes associated with LD.

Methods: A literature review was conducted to identify all studies of LD that incorporate both clinical outcomes and costs. Read More

BMC Med Inform Decis Mak 2020 Jul 9;20(Suppl 3):127. Epub 2020 Jul 9.

School of Economics and Management, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen, China.

Background: In the few studies of clinical experience available, cigarette smoking may be associated with ischemic heart disease and acute coronary events, which can be reflected in the electrocardiogram (ECG). However, there is no formal proof of a significant relationship between cigarette smoking and electrocardiogram results. In this study, we therefore investigate and prove the relationship between electrocardiogram and smoking using unsupervised neural network techniques. Read More