Temporal changes in extra-axial brain hematoma's signal intensity in magnetic resonance images of trauma patients: A preliminary,technical study

IntroductionDating the exact or estimated time of trauma is an important issue facing forensic medicine. Several clinical and radiological methods were used to achieve this purpose. In the recent study, we aimed to track the changes in the signal intensity of the extra-axial brain hematoma using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) conventional sequences as well as diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC).Materials and methodsConsidering inclusion and exclusion criteria, all patients with blunt head trauma were involved. After proper management., stabilization, and resuscitation, the participants were assessed using conventional sequences of MRI and DWI twenty-four hours, forty-eight hours, and three weeks after the injury. Temporal changes of signal intensity were compared by Wilcoxon ranged test.ResultsSixteen patients sustaining blunt head trauma were included in this study. The study showed that during the time, diffusion restriction could be seen in an extraaxial hematoma. At the first 24 hours, the signal of hematoma was void in 87.5% of DWI and 100% of ADC. On the second day, they were hypo-signal in 75% of DWI and 100% 0f ADCs, and after three weeks, 100% of cases were hyper-signal in DWI and hypo-signal ADCs.ConclusionThis preliminary study has shown that the DWI can be used to detect and track the extra-axial hematoma. The signal intensity was void during the first twentyfour hours, although it became hypo-signal after 48 hours. Of note, the diffusion restriction is noted after three weeks.     

Sex differences in the regularity and symmetry of gait in older adults with and without knee osteoarthritis

BackgroundThree-dimensional (3D) motion measured at the lower back during walking can describe the regularity and symmetry of gait that may be related to osteoarthritis (OA) and functional status. However, gait speed and inherent sex differences, regardless of the presence of OA, may confound these measures. Therefore, there is a need to understand the effect of OA separately among males and females, without the confounding influence of gait speed.ObjectiveTo investigate the difference in 3D gait regularity and symmetry measures between gait speed-matched males and females with and without knee OA.MethodGait regularity and symmetry were computed as autocorrelations of pelvic accelerations during treadmill walking in four groups of older adults: healthy asymptomatic females (AsymF; n = 44), healthy asymptomatic males (AsymM; n = 45), females diagnosed with knee OA (OAF; n = 44), and males diagnosed with knee OA (OAM; n = 45). Data were obtained from a larger research database, allowing for the matching of gait speed between groups. The main effect of OA, sex, and interaction effect between them was examined for the 3D gait regularity and symmetry measures at an alpha level of 0.05.ResultsThere was no main effect of OA on any variable, but there was a significant main effect of sex on mediolateral and anteroposterior gait regularity measures. Specifically, females demonstrated significantly greater gait regularity, most notably in the mediolateral directions compared to males.ConclusionOlder adult females were found to display significantly greater mediolateral gait regularity as compared to males, regardless of the presence of OA. Further, this difference exists among matched gait speeds, suggesting it is not the result of gait speed. Overall, these results highlight the importance of sex-specific analyses and considering gait speed when examining gait acceleration patterns near the center of mass for both cross sectional and longitudinal gait assessments.     

Analysis of Similarities and Differences between Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

Both coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID?19) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) are epidemic, contagious, sudden, and publicly harmful diseases. The whole?genome nucleotide identity of the pathogens causing the two diseases reached 79.5%. The mechanism and treatment of COVID?19 are still under investigation. Combining the experiences of SARS prevention and treatment in 2003, and the case data and literature of COVID?19, the similarities and differences between the two diseases in terms of causes, susceptible people, characteristics, dialectical mode, and treatment were analyzed. The two diseases are both plagues in terms of Chinese medicine. The cause of SARS was “heat poison,” and its pathogenesis was “heat poison, stasis, and qi and yin deficiency.” Therefore the treatment regimen was mainly to clear away heat, detoxicate, and expel evil. While the cause of COVID?19 was “wet poison,” and its pathogenesis was “wet, poison, heat, stasis, close, syncope, and yang collapse.” Hence the basic treatment strategy was to declare lung and remove dampness. Treatment of COVID?19 was clearing away evil qi as soon as possible, with the basic treatment regimen, which was declaring lung, removing dampness, and dispelling the evil. Combined with Traditional Chinese medicine’s (TCM’s) understanding and experience in SARS prevention and treatment, and Chinese clinical cured cases, we try to provide strategies for people all over the world to understand and respond to COVID?19, through the analysis and comparison. To improve COVID-19 prevention and treatment regimen and give full play to the advantages of TCM.     

Esophageal Surveillance Practices in Esophageal Atresia Patients: A Survey by the Eastern Pediatric Surgery Network

IntroductionEndoscopic surveillance guidelines for patients with repaired esophageal atresia (EA) rely primarily on expert opinion. Prior to embarking on a prospective EA surveillance registry, we sought to understand EA surveillance practices within the Eastern Pediatric Surgery Network (EPSN).MethodsAn anonymous, 23-question Qualtrics survey was emailed to 181 physicians (surgeons and gastroenterologists) at 19 member institutions. Likert scale questions gauged agreement with international EA surveillance guideline-derived statements. Multiple-choice questions assessed individual and institutional practices.ResultsThe response rate was 77%. Most respondents (80%) strongly agree or agree that EA surveillance endoscopy should follow a set schedule, while only 36% claimed to perform routine upper GI endoscopy regardless of symptoms. Many institutions (77%) have an aerodigestive clinic, even if some lack a multi-disciplinary EA team. Most physicians (72%) expressed strong interest in helping develop evidence-based guidelines.ConclusionsOur survey reveals physician agreement with current guidelines but weak adherence. Surveillance methods vary greatly, underscoring the lack of evidence-based data to guide EA care. Aerodigestive clinics may help implement surveillance schedules. Respondents support evidence-based protocols, which bodes well for care standardization. Results will inform the first multi-institutional EA databases in the United States (US), which will be essential for evidence-based care.Level of EvidenceThis is a prognosis study with level 4 evidence.     

Differences in weight loss outcomes for males and females on a low-carbohydrate diet: A systematic review

It has been widely demonstrated that there are a broad range of individual responses to all weight management regimens, often masked by reports of the mean. Identifying features of responders and non-responders to weight loss regimens enables a more tailored approach to the provision of weight management advice. Low-carbohydrate diets are currently popular, and anecdote suggests that males are more successful at losing weight using this approach. This is feasible given the physiological and socio-psychological differences between the genders. We analysed the extent and variation in weight change for males and females separately through a systematic search for all low-carbohydrate diet trials published since 1985. Very few studies compared weight loss outcomes by gender and, of those that did, most lacked supporting data. The majority of studies reported no gender difference but when a gender difference was found, males were more frequently reported as losing more weight than females on a low-carbohydrate diet. The lack of gender stratification in weight loss trials is concerning, as there are a range of gender-based factors that affect weight loss outcomes. This study highlights the importance of examining weight change for males and females separately, since as failure to do so may mask any potential differences, which, if detected, could assist with better weight loss outcomes.     

Pediatric button battery ingestion: A single center experience and risk score to predict severe outcomes

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to analyze the management and outcomes of primary button battery ingestions and their sequelae at a single high-volume center, and to propose a risk score to predict the likelihood of a severe outcome.MethodsThe medical record was queried for all patients under 21 years old evaluated at our institution for button battery ingestion from 2008 to 2021. A severe outcome was defined as having at least one of the following: deep/circumferential mucosal erosion, perforation, mediastinitis, vascular or airway injury/fistula, or development of esophageal stricture. From a selection of clinically relevant factors, logistic regression determined predictors of a severe outcome, which were incorporated into a risk model.Results143 patients evaluated for button battery ingestion were analyzed. 24 (17%) had a severe outcome. The independent predictors of a severe outcome in multivariate analysis were location of battery in the esophagus on imaging (96%), battery size >/ = 2 cm (95%), and presence of any symptoms on presentation (96%), with P < 0.001 in all cases. Predicted probability of a severe outcome ranged from 88% when all three risk factors were observed, to 0.3% when none were present.ConclusionWe report the presentation, management, and complication profiles of a large cohort of BB ingestions treated at a single institution. A risk score to predict severe outcomes may be used by providers initially evaluating patients with button battery ingestion in order to allocate resources and expedite transfer to a center with pediatric endoscopic and surgical capabilities.Level of evidenceLevel IV.Type of studyClinical Research Paper.