Life-Basel最新文献

(1) Background: To assess the impact of excessive body fat on cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and coronary artery health in children and adolescents following acute Kawasaki disease (KD-CA). (2) Methods: A retrospective study of KD-CA patients (ages 8-16) who completed cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in the last five years. Participants were classified based on body mass index (BMI) and fat mass index (FMI) into normal and excessive adiposity groups. Coronary artery (CA) Z-scores were calculated using the Lambda-Mu-Sigma method, with peak VO2 Z-scores (peak VO2 Z-score) derived from a database of Hong Kong Chinese children and adolescents. Primary outcomes included peak VO2 Z-score, Max-Z (maximum CA Z-score), anaerobic threshold metabolic equivalent (AT MET), peak MET, and pulse oxygen. Statistical analyses were conducted to evaluate differences across groups. (3) Results: A total of 112 KD-CA patients were included (mean age: 11.71 ± 2.54 years). The mean peak VO2 Z-score was -0.63 ± 0.98. Participants with normal BMI and FMI had significantly higher pulse oxygen levels compared to those with excessive BMI and FMI (both p < 0.001). Additionally, those with normal FMI showed higher AT MET, peak MET, peak VO2 Z-score (p = 0.049), and lower Max-Z (p = 0.026) than excessive FMI participants. Boys, especially those with normal adiposity, had superior AT MET, peak MET, pulse oxygen, and Max-Z compared to girls. (4) Conclusions: Excessive adiposity in KD-CA patients is associated with reduced CRF and elevated Max CA Z-score. These findings highlight the need to monitor body composition to optimize cardiovascular health in this population.

Temporal hollowing is a common aesthetic concern addressed with filler injections using an anatomy-based approach. Understanding the complex anatomy of the temporal region, including the superficial temporal artery, temporal branch of the facial nerve, and sentinel vein, is essential for safe and effective treatment. Injection planes-subfascial, within the superficial temporal fat pad, or submuscular-are selected based on individual anatomy and desired outcomes. Techniques like retrograde horizontal fanning with a cannula optimize filler distribution, enhance contour, and minimize complications. Recognizing zones of caution helps prevent vascular and nerve injuries. This approach allows clinicians to achieve natural, youthful fullness in the temples, improving overall facial aesthetics and patient satisfaction.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR), a leading cause of vision impairment worldwide, is characterized by progressive damage to the retina due to prolonged hyperglycemia. Despite advances in treatment, current interventions largely target late-stage vascular complications, leaving underlying neurodegenerative processes insufficiently addressed. This article explores the crucial role in neuronal survival, axonal growth, and synaptic plasticity and the neuroprotective potential of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) as a therapeutic strategy for enhancing retinal resilience in DR. Furthermore, it discusses innovative delivery methods for BDNF, such as gene therapy and nanocarriers, which may overcome the challenges of achieving sustained and targeted therapeutic levels in the retina, focusing on early intervention to preserve retinal function and prevent vision loss.

Simultaneous color contrast is a perceptual phenomenon in which a target stimulus appears to change its hue due to color induction from the surrounding background. In this study, we investigated whether this phenomenon is influenced by the structural complexity and identity of the stimuli used. In Experiment 1, we created two sets of stimuli varying in structural complexity and asked participants to perform a color-matching task on the achromatic target. Low-complexity targets consisted of simple squares, while high-complexity targets were stylized cars. The results showed that high-complexity stimuli triggered stronger color induction from the background and exhibited greater interindividual variation in perceived color saturation. Conversely, low-complexity stimuli were predominantly perceived as achromatic across all participants. In Experiment 2, we further explored whether these effects were influenced by differences in the stimuli's topology and identity. Topological factors were controlled by ensuring similar organizations of stimulus elements across conditions, while the role of stimulus identity was examined by including a condition in which the high-complexity stimuli from Experiment 1 were presented in a scrambled arrangement, preventing recognition. The results demonstrated that color contrast increased with the complexity of the stimuli but also highlighted the role of identity, as the condition where the car was recognizable elicited the strongest color induction. We conclude that simultaneous color contrast is strengthened by factors that pertain to both the complexity of the stimuli used and their identity.

The liver is a frequent focus in radiology due to its diverse pathology, and artificial intelligence (AI) could improve diagnosis and management. This systematic review aimed to assess and categorize research studies on AI applications in liver radiology from 2018 to 2024, classifying them according to areas of interest (AOIs), AI task and imaging modality used. We excluded reviews and non-liver and non-radiology studies. Using the PRISMA guidelines, we identified 6680 articles from the PubMed/Medline, Scopus and Web of Science databases; 1232 were found to be eligible. A further analysis of a subgroup of 329 studies focused on detection and/or segmentation tasks was performed. Liver lesions were the main AOI and CT was the most popular modality, while classification was the predominant AI task. Most detection and/or segmentation studies (48.02%) used only public datasets, and 27.65% used only one public dataset. Code sharing was practiced by 10.94% of these articles. This review highlights the predominance of classification tasks, especially applied to liver lesion imaging, most often using CT imaging. Detection and/or segmentation tasks relied mostly on public datasets, while external testing and code sharing were lacking. Future research should explore multi-task models and improve dataset availability to enhance AI's clinical impact in liver imaging.

Minimally invasive treatments for Dupuytren's disease (DD), such as percutaneous needle fasciotomy (PNF) and collagenase clostridium histolyticum (CCH), have become alternatives to open surgeries. This meta-analysis compared these treatments in terms of complications, patient satisfaction, clinical outcomes, and recurrence. Relevant studies up to June 2024 were identified through major databases, following PRISMA guidelines, and the study was registered on PROSPERO. Statistical analysis using Review Manager 5.4 found PNF had lower post-operative rates of oedema (RR = 0.15, 95% CI [0.09, 0.27], p < 0.00001), lymphadenopathy (RR = 0.09, 95% CI [0.02, 0.38], p = 0.0010), and pruritus (RR = 0.1, 95% CI [0.01, 0.73], p = 0.02) compared to CCH. However, there were no significant differences in skin tears, recurrence, reintervention, extension deficit, or residual flexion at metacarpal and proximal interphalangeal joints (p > 0.05). Patient-reported outcomes, including QuickDASH and URAM scores, also showed no significant differences. Eleven studies involving 1443 patients were analysed, and most were at a low-to-moderate risk of bias, as assessed using the Cochrane or Newcastle-Ottawa tools. While PNF showed fewer minor complications, overall clinical and patient-reported outcomes were comparable between the treatments. These findings highlight the need to tailor treatment choices to patient preferences and clinical context.

This study evaluates the potential of ChatGPT as a tool for providing information to patients with frozen shoulder, focusing on its validity, utility, and safety. Five experienced physicians selected fourteen key questions on musculoskeletal disorders after discussion and verified their adequacy by consulting one hundred and twenty frozen shoulder patients for additional or alternative inquiries. These questions were input into ChatGPT version 4.0, and its responses were assessed by the physicians using a 5-point Likert scale, with scores ranging from 1 (least favorable) to 5 (most favorable) in terms of validity, safety, and utility. The findings showed that for validity, 85.7% of the responses scored 5, and 14.3% scored 4. For safety, 92.9% received a score of 5, while one response received a 4. Utility ratings also demonstrated high scores, with 85.7% of responses rated 5 and 14.3% rated 4. These results indicate that ChatGPT provides generally valid, safe, and useful information for patients with frozen shoulder. However, users should be aware of potential gaps or inaccuracies, and continued updates are necessary to ensure reliable and accurate guidance. It should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, highlighting the need for continued updates to ensure reliable and accurate guidance.

This study aims to investigate the potential impact of commercial low-vision filters on intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs), which have significantly advanced our understanding of non-image-forming visual functions. A comprehensive analysis by modeling the potential responses of ipRGCs to commercially available low-vision filters was conducted, focusing on how the spectral properties of these filters could alter ipRGC function. Additionally, the influence of aging on the crystalline lens was considered. Colorimetric changes in the transmitted light by these filters were also analyzed, highlighting variations based on the manufacturer. The study uncovered the diverse responses of ipRGCs to fifty low-vision filters, shedding light on the potential modifications in ipRGC stimulation and visual function. Notably, the consideration of aging in the crystalline lens revealed significant alterations in ipRGC response. Furthermore, the analysis of colorimetric changes demonstrated substantial differences in the light transmitted by these filters, with variations dependent on the manufacturer. This research underscores the nuanced relationship between low-vision filters and ipRGCs, providing insights into their potential impact on visual function. The varying responses observed, coupled with the influence of aging on the crystalline lens, emphasize the complexity of this interaction. Additionally, the distinct colorimetric changes based on filter manufacturer suggest the need for tailored approaches in enhancing visual perception for individuals with visual impairments.

As the prostate cancer (PCa) detection rate in South Korea is increasing year by year, authors investigated whether there was a plausible relationship between the year the prostate biopsy (PBx) was performed and the PCa detection rate. The medical records of 1628 patients who underwent PBx between 2008 and 2022, for each even-numbered year, were retrospectively reviewed. The primary outcome was the PCa detection rate, and the secondary outcome was to determine whether the PCa detection rate was significantly associated with the year of PBx and other clinical factors. When comparing baseline clinical factors among PBx patients by year, there were significant differences in age at the time of PBx (p = 0.017) and the number of PBx cores (p < 0.001). PCa detection rates ranged from 24.8% to 48.9% and were significantly positively correlated with the year of PBx (R² = 0.885, p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis according to the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level (≤10, over 10 to 20, >20 ng/mL) showed detection rates of 13.5-40.9%, 29.2-62.2%, and 73.3-92.6%, respectively (p < 0.001-0.021). Subgroup analysis according to the International Society of Urological Pathology grade group (ISUP GG) (1, 2-3, 4-5) showed that the PCa detection rate increased significantly over time in two subgroups (2-3: 4.8→16.7%, 4-5: 10.4→18.9%, all p = 0.002) except in the ISUP GG 1 subgroup. The PCa detection rate tends to increase with each successive biennial year of PBx. This increasing trend seems to be particularly pronounced in patients with relatively older age, higher PSA, and higher ISUP GG.

This case report presents the therapeutic effects of herbal medicine modified Sihogyeji-tang monotherapy for suspected nonatypical endometrial hyperplasia (EH), documented through transabdominal ultrasonography monitoring and clinical symptom assessment. A 38-year-old woman presented with hypomenorrhea and ovulation-related pain, headache, body aches, and nausea since April 2023. The patient was clinically assessed as having nonatypical EH based on the ultrasound findings and clinical symptoms. She was treated with modified Sihogyeji-tang twice daily from 3 June 2023 to 29 December 2023. Treatment outcomes were evaluated using regular transabdominal ultrasonography measurements of endometrial thickness and changes in menstrual patterns, including cycle length and blood volume. Menstrual symptoms showed notable improvements: severe ovulation pain decreased from NRS 7-8 to 0, menstrual volume increased from 2 to 3 medium pads to 4 to 5 large pads per day during peak flow, and menstrual duration normalized from 4 to 6 days. Symptoms associated with ovulation and menstruation, headache, chills, and nausea resolved. At the 3-month follow-up visit after 7 months of herbal medicine treatment, endometrial thickness measured during the secretory phase had normalized to 1.40 cm (normal range: 0.7-1.4 cm). The coexisting uterine myoma remained stable throughout the treatment and follow-up. No adverse events were reported during the entire course of treatment. This case demonstrated that modified Sihogyeji-tang alone may effectively improve suspected nonatypical EH and its associated symptoms. Improvement was objectively assessed using ultrasound measurements and was sustained over a 9-month follow-up.