Limitations of the knee society score in kinematically aligned total knee arthroplasty.

Purpose: The Knee Society Scoring System (KSS) is a frequently used outcome score which quantifies functional patients' outcomes before and after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Several problems arise when trying to implement KSS for obtaining postoperative outcomes after more personalised aligned TKAs. Scoring for valgus femorotibial angle (FTA) intervals outside moderate ranges is often poorly explained, the specific version of KSS used for outcome collection is frequently unclear and the exact measuring methods are typically not described in the literature. The aims of this systematic review were to investigate the latest user practice, the application of KSS and its limitations after kinematically aligned (KA) TKA. Methods: A systematic literature search following PRISMA guidelines was conducted on PubMed, Embase, Medline and Scopus to identify potentially relevant articles for this review, published from the beginning of January 2013 until the end of January 2023. Broad Mesh terms such as 'kinematic alignment', 'total knee arthroplasty' and 'knee society score' were used for building search strategy in each database accordingly. Articles reporting postoperative values of the objective surgeon-assessed KSS after KA TKA or KA and mechanically aligned TKA were included. For assessing included randomised control trials (RCTs), an Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's design-specific scale for assessing RCTs was used. The non-RCTs were assessed by using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tool. The Ottawa-Newcastle Score system was also used. Studies were additionally evaluated for their radiological methodology by using a five-question checklist (Radiological Assessment Qualit criteria). Results: The initial search identified 167 studies, of which 129 were considered for screening. Ten studies reporting outcomes after KA TKA did not use the objective surgeon-assessed part of KSS for clinical outcome measurement, and 30 studies reporting outcomes after KA TKA did not use KSS at all for clinical and/or functional outcomes. From the 10 included studies, only six have used the latest KSS score (2011), the rest using its 1989 variant; and out of these six studies, only two presented values of the FTA, which is needed for calculating the KSS's 'alignment' subcomponent, the rest presenting hip-knee-ankle angle (HKA) values. Additionally, when converting these HKA values to FTA intervals, the authors of this systematic review found that KA TKA FTA intervals display limits, which tend to be outside the 'well-scored' KSS anatomical alignment interval. Conclusion: The inconsistent and nonstandardised use of the surgeon-assessed KSS across studies reviewed compromises assessment reliability and patient outcome scores. To enhance precision and comparability, it is crucial to standardise the KSS application, incorporating personalised alignment strategies for more accurate patient evaluations. Level of Evidence: Level III.

Long-term medical and quality of life outcomes among voluntary liver donors.

BACKGROUND: Long-term medical and quality of life (QOL) outcomes in voluntary liver donors remain under investigated. The objective of the current study was to report long-term medical outcomes and re-evaluate QOL in living liver donors. METHODS: This was a single-center retrospective cohort study of donors who underwent donor hepatectomy between 2012 and 2018. We investigated long-term outcomes in 7 domains. These include medical problems, surgical procedures, work-related issues, pregnancy outcomes, psychiatric interventions, willingness to donate again, and long-term mortality. QOL was evaluated using short-form 36. RESULTS: The median follow-up time was 61.4 months (53.3-83.7). Among 698 donors, 80 (11.5%) experienced medical problems, 4 (0.6%) had work-related issues, and 20 (2.9%) needed psychiatric assistance. Surgery was performed in 49 donors (7%), and females were more likely to have undergone incisional hernia repair (5.8% vs 1.9%, P = .006). There were 79 postdonation pregnancies including 41 normal vaginal deliveries (51.9%), 35 cesarean sections (44.3%), and 3 miscarriages (3.8%). Willingness to donate again was reported by 658 donors (94.3%). Donors whose recipients were alive were more likely to donate again (95.5% vs 90.5%, P = .01). There were 3 deaths (0.4%) in the long-term. The mean physical composite score at initial and follow-up evaluation was 86.7 ± 13.9 and 76.5 ± 20.9 (P = .001), and the mean mental composite score at initial and follow-up evaluation was 92.1 ± 13.5 and 80.7 ± 16 (P = .001). CONCLUSION: The overall long-term outlook in living liver donors is promising. QOL parameters might deteriorate over time and frequent re-evaluation might be considered.

Sociodemographic factors associated with vaccine hesitancy in the South Asian community in Canada.

OBJECTIVE: South Asians represent the largest non-white ethnic group in Canada and were disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. We sought to determine the factors associated with vaccine hesitancy in South Asian Canadians. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of vaccine hesitancy using data collected at the baseline assessment of a prospective cohort study, COVID CommUNITY South Asian. Participants (18 + years) were recruited from the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area in Ontario (ON) and the Greater Vancouver Area in British Columbia (BC) between April and November 2021. Demographic characteristics and vaccine attitudes measured by the Vaccine Attitudes Examination (VAX) scale were collected. Each item is scored on a 6-point Likert scale, and higher scores reflect greater hesitancy. A multivariable linear mixed effects model was used to identify sociodemographic factors associated with vaccine hesitancy, adjusting for multiple covariates. RESULTS: A total of 1496 self-identified South Asians (52% female) were analyzed (mean age = 38.5 years; standard deviation (SD): 15.3). The mean VAX score was 3.2, SD: 0.8 [range: 1.0‒6.0]. Factors associated with vaccine hesitancy included: time since immigration (p = 0.04), previous COVID-19 infection (p < 0.001), marital status (p < 0.001), living in a multigenerational household (p = 0.03), age (p = 0.02), education (p < 0.001), and employment status (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Among South Asians living in ON and BC, time since immigration, prior COVID-19 infection, marital status, living in a multigenerational household, age, education, and employment status were associated with vaccine hesitancy. This information can be used to address vaccine hesitancy in the South Asian population in future COVID-19 waves or pandemics.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: Les Asiatiques du Sud, qui représentent le plus grand groupe ethnique non-blanc au Canada, ont été démesurément touchés par la pandémie de COVID-19. Nous avons cherché à déterminer les facteurs associés à l'hésitation vaccinale chez les Canadiennes et les Canadiens asiatiques du Sud. MéTHODE: Nous avons mené une analyse transversale de l'hésitation vaccinale à l'aide des données collectées durant l'évaluation préliminaire d'une étude de cohorte prospective du nom de COVID CommUNITY South Asian. Les personnes participantes (18 ans et plus) ont été recrutées dans la région du grand Toronto et de Hamilton, en Ontario, et dans la région du Grand Vancouver, en Colombie-Britannique, entre avril et novembre 2021. Le profil démographique et les attitudes face aux vaccins, mesurées selon l'échelle Vaccine Attitudes Examination (VAX), ont été obtenus. Chaque élément a été noté selon une échelle de Likert en 6 points (plus la note est élevée, plus l'hésitation vaccinale est importante). Un modèle linéaire multivarié à effets mixtes a servi à identifier les facteurs sociodémographiques associés à l'hésitation vaccinale, en rajustant les données pour tenir compte de plusieurs covariables. RéSULTATS: En tout, 1 496 personnes s'identifiant comme étant Asiatiques du Sud (dont 52 % de femmes) ont été analysées (âge moyen = 38,5 ans; écart-type [S] : 15,3). La note VAX moyenne était de 3,2, S : 0,8 [intervalle : 1,0‒6,0]. Les facteurs associés à l'hésitation vaccinale étaient : le temps écoulé depuis l'immigration (p = 0,04), une infection antérieure par la COVID-19 (p < 0,001), l'état matrimonial (p < 0,001), le fait de vivre dans un ménage multigénérationnel (p = 0,03), l'âge (p = 0,02), l'instruction (p < 0,001) et la situation d'emploi (p = 0,001). CONCLUSION: Chez les Asiatiques du Sud vivant en Ontario et en Colombie-Britannique, le temps écoulé depuis l'immigration, une infection antérieure par la COVID-19, l'état matrimonial, le fait de vivre dans un ménage multigénérationnel, l'âge, l'instruction et la situation d'emploi étaient associés à l'hésitation vaccinale. Ces informations peuvent être utilisées pour aborder l'hésitation vaccinale dans la population asiatique du Sud lors de vagues de COVID-19 ou de pandémies futures.

Long-term clinical outcomes of intravascular imaging-guided percutaneous coronary intervention versus angiography-guided percutaneous coronary intervention in complex coronary lesions: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: In this study, we aim to discuss the long-term clinical outcomes of intravascular ultrasound imaging-guided percutaneous intervention (IVUS-PCI) versus angiography-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in complex coronary lesions over a mean period of 2 years. Methods: A systematic search and meta-analysis were conducted to assess the efficacy of using intravascular ultrasound or optical coherence tomography guidance in coronary artery stenting compared to angiography. Results: A total of 11 randomized controlled trials with 6740 patients were included. For the primary outcome, a pooled analysis (3.2 vs 5.6%). For secondary outcomes, the risk was significantly low in image-guided percutaneous intervention compared with angiography. Conclusion: Intravascular imaging-guided PCI is significantly more effective than angiography-guided PCI in reducing the risk of target lesion revascularization, target vessel revascularization, cardiac death, major adverse cardiovascular events and stent thrombosis.

A meta-analysis was conducted to compare intravascular ultrasound guidance/optical coherence tomography percutaneous coronary intervention with angiography percutaneous coronary intervention with target lesion revascularization as the primary outcome and target vessel revascularization, stent thrombosis, myocardial infarction, major adverse cardiovascular events, all cause death and cardiac death as the secondary outcomes.

Confluence of Challenges: A Case Report of Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome Coexisting With Depressive Illness, Severe Weight Loss, and an Incidental Adnexal Cyst.

In the case of a 24-year-old woman experiencing depressive illness, weight loss, vomiting, and hypoglycemia, initial suspicion of gastroenteritis shifted to reveal compensated metabolic acidosis and electrolyte imbalances. A subsequent CT scan revealed both superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome and an incidental adnexal cyst, leading to treatment involving electrolyte correction and laparoscopic duodenojejunostomy, ultimately facilitating her recovery.

Autologous Fascial Slings for Stress Urinary Incontinence: a 17-year Follow-up of a Randomised Controlled Study.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Safety concerns with the use of mesh in vaginal surgery have been ongoing. Autologous fascial slings (AFS) avoid foreign body complications. We compared the long-term (17-year) outcomes of two AFS repair methods-the standard sling and short sling (sling-on-string), and assessed durability and patient satisfaction of these for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). METHODS: A total of 107 patients from three urogynaecology units who had participated in a randomised controlled trial assessing standard (n = 52) and short (n = 55) slings were followed up for a median period of 17 years. Primary outcomes were Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7) and Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6) scores to assess the impact on the quality of life and symptom distress. Logistic quantile regression was employed to compare the two methods. Secondary outcomes included long-term complications and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: Mean scores showed no statistically significant difference between the standard and short slings at the 17-year follow-up relating to IIQ and UDI scores, leakage or urgency (p > 0.05). Improved bladder function was observed at 17 years compared with baseline (standard sling-IIQ scores mean difference [MD] 1.22 [CI: 0.69, 1.74], UDI scores MD 0.83 [CI: 0.70, 0.97]; short sling-IIQ score MD 1.14 [CI: 0.73, 1.54], UDI scores MD 0.54 [CI: 0.40, 0.67]) with age-related deterioration over time. Re-operation rates were low and patient satisfaction rates were high (67.2%) at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Autologous fascial slings are an effective and durable option for management of SUI and the short sling procedure can be recommended owing to plausible surgical advantages.

Video Versus Direct Laryngoscopy for Intubation: Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Direct laryngoscopy (DL) is a modality commonly used in endotracheal intubation (EI). Video laryngoscopy (VL) was introduced to further facilitate the procedure with enhancement in glottic views, which captures the video image of the vocal cords to be projected onto a screen, providing enhanced visualization. This real-time video projection aids in accurately placing the endotracheal tube (ETT) through the vocal cords. In emergency and critical care settings, both laryngoscopes are used for intubations. This study assesses the efficacy of both modalities by comparing success rates in first-attempt tracheal intubation in critically ill patients.  PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus were searched and all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies until 2023 were included. Studies included patients in critical care settings undergoing EI under the guidance of either DL or VL. The primary outcome was the first attempt at successful tracheal intubation. The secondary outcomes assessed the comparative safety of DL and VL by comparing the rates of severe hypoxemia, severe hypotension, and cardiac arrest occurring during each modality. P-values were considered of statistical significance if below 0.05. Statistical analysis was performed using RevMan v5.4 (The Nordic Cochrane Centre, The Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen, Denmark). The results were displayed in the form of forest plots.  A total of eight studies were included with a total of 5348 patients, with 1780 in the DL group and 3568 in the VL group. Analysis revealed that in emergency situations, the success rate of intubation on the first attempt was significantly higher for VL than DL [81.5% vs 68%; RR= 1.19; 95% CI: 1.10, 1.29; p <0.00001; I2=70%]. There was no significant correlation between VL and severe hypoxemia [13.4% vs 11.6%; RR= 0.99; 95% CI: 0.74, 1.33; p =0.97; I2=46%], severe hypotension [6.09% vs 4.78%; RR:1.19; 95% CI: 0.83, 1.72; p =0.35, I2-15%], and cardiac arrest, [0.8% vs 0.4%; RR= 1.17; 95% CI: 0.37, 3.70]; p =0.79; I2=0%]. Our meta-analysis confirmed that VL has a higher success rate for first-pass intubation than DL. Furthermore, our analysis has shown no significant evidence linking VL to any adverse events.

Engaging Participants Through Hybrid Community-Centered Approaches: Lessons Learned During the COVID CommUNITY Public Health Research Program.

Community-centered research studies can improve trust, cultural appropriateness, and accurate findings through meaningful, in-depth engagement with participants. During the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers shifted to implement pandemic-specific guidelines on top of already existing safety practices; these adjustments gave insight into bettering the structure of forthcoming research studies. At the Population Health Research Institute (PHRI)/McMaster University, the COVID CommUNITY study staff took field notes from their experience at the Ontario (ON) and British Columbia (BC) sites navigating an observational prospective cohort study during the pandemic. These field notes are outlined below to provide insight into culturally responsive, trust-centered, and communication-focused strategies used to improve hybrid research. A significant challenge the team overcame was obtaining blood sample collections by executing socially distanced sample collections outside of participants' homes, coined "Porch Pickups." Data collection was made more accessible through phone surveys and frequent virtual contact. To enhance recruitment strategies for sub-communities of the South Asian population, staff focused on cultural interests and "gift-exchange" incentives. Cultural awareness was prioritized through correct name pronunciation, conducting data collection in participant preferred languages, and using flexible approaches to data collection. These strategies were developed through weekly team meetings where improvement strategies were discussed, and concerns were addressed in real-time.

Definition of normal, neutral, deviant and aberrant coronal knee alignment for total knee arthroplasty.

PURPOSE: One of the most pertinent questions in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is: what could be considered normal coronal alignment? This study aims to define normal, neutral, deviant and aberrant coronal alignment using large data from a computed tomography (CT)-scan database and previously published phenotypes. METHODS: Coronal alignment parameters from 11,191 knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients were measured based on three dimensional reconstructed CT data using a validated planning software. Based on these measurements, patients' coronal alignment was phenotyped according to the functional knee phenotype concept. These phenotypes represent an alignment variation of the overall hip knee ankle angle (HKA), femoral mechanical angle (FMA) and tibial mechanical angle (TMA). Each phenotype is defined by a specific mean and covers a range of ±1.5° from this mean. Coronal alignment is classified as normal, neutral, deviant and aberrant based on distribution frequency. Mean values and distribution among the phenotypes are presented and compared between two populations (OA patients in this study and non-OA patients from a previously published study). RESULTS: The arithmetic HKA (aHKA), combined normalised data of FMA and TMA, showed that 36.0% of knees were neutral within ±1 SD from the mean in both angles, 44.3% had either a TMA or a FMA within ±1-2 SD (normally aligned), 15.3% of the patients were deviant within ±2-3 SD and only 4.4% of them had an aberrant alignment (±3-4 SD in 3.4% and >4 SD in 1.0% of the patients respectively). However, combining the normalised data of HKA, FMA and TMA, 15.4% of patients were neutral in all three angles, 39.7% were at least normal, 27.7% had at least one deviant angle and 17.2% had at least one aberrant angle. For HKA, the males exhibited 1° varus and females were neutral. For FMA, the females exhibited 0.7° more valgus in mean than males and grew 1.8° per category (males grew 2.1° per category). For TMA, the males exhibited 1.3° more varus than females and both grew 2.3° and 2.4° (females) per category. Normal coronal alignment was 179.2° ± 2.8-5.6° (males) and 180.5 > ± 2.8-5.6° (females) for HKA, 93.1 > ± 2.1-4.2° (males) and 93.8 > ± 1.8-3.6° (females) for FMA and 86.7 > ± 2.3-4.6° (males) and 88 > ± 2.4-4.8° (females) for TMA. This means HKA 6.4 varus or 4.8° valgus (males) or 5.1° varus to 6.1° valgus was considered normal. For FMA HKA 1.1 varus or 7.3° valgus (males) or 0.2° valgus to 7.4° valgus was considered normal. For TMA HKA 7.9 varus or 1.3° valgus (males) or 6.8° varus to 2.8° valgus was considered normal. Aberrant coronal alignment started from 179.2° ± 8.4° (males) and 180.5 > ± 8.4° (females) for HKA, 93.1 > ± 6.3° (males) 93.8 > ± 5.4° (females) for FMA and 86.7 > ± 6.9° (males) and 88 > ± 7.2° (females) for TMA. This means HKA > 9.2° varus or 7.6° valgus (males) or 7.9° varus to 8.9° valgus was considered aberrant. CONCLUSION: Definitions of neutrality, normality, deviance as well as aberrance for coronal alignment in TKA were proposed in this study according to their distribution frequencies. This can be seen as an important first step towards a safe transition from the conventional one-size-fits-all to a more personalised coronal alignment target. There should be further definitions combining bony alignment, joint surfaces' morphology, soft tissue laxities and joint kinematics. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

A comparison of continuous cold flow and compression device and traditional icing regimen and no icing following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A pilot study.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of continuous cold flow and compression device as against traditional icing regimen and without icing after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. All patients undergoing ACL reconstruction from June 2021 to August 2021 were enrolled in this study. Patients were randomly allocated to three groups: A control group (n=10) with no ice regimen post-operatively, a second control group (n=10) with ice bag, and a third group (n=10) with continuous cold flow and compression device (physiolab). All patients who had isolated ACL tear evident on magnetic resonance imaging were included. Pain intensity, limb girth, Oxford Knee Score, and 12-item survey form were measured pre- and post-operatively. Significant difference was noted between pain scores in all groups at two- and six-week follow-ups with p-value of 0.004 and 0.01. The test for "between subject effects" showed significant difference (p=0.007) in limb girth between the two groups. Cold and compression device can be used to reduce swelling immediately after ACL reconstruction.

Evaluating patient flow through an emergency ophthalmology consult service in a tertiary care academic centre in Quebec.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to characterize the epidemiology, common reasons, and diagnostic accuracy of referrals made by emergency departments (EDs) and optometrists to an emergency ophthalmology consultation service as well as to identify opportunities for improvement. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1249 referrals made to the emergency ophthalmology consultation service at a tertiary care centre between July 2018 and June 2019. METHODS: Patient charts were examined, and clinical variables were extracted. Statistical significance (p < 0.05) was determined via t tests and χ2 tests for continuous and categorical variables, respectively. Diagnostic accuracy of providers and time delay between referral and ophthalmologic encounter also were assessed. RESULTS: Both EDs and optometrists most often referred cases with vitreoretinal (36.48% and 37.19%, respectively) and corneal pathology (21.42% and 20.25%, respectively). Optometrists (n = 240; 52.48%) were significantly more accurate in their diagnoses than EDs (n = 940; 32.45%; p < 0.00001). Specifically, optometrists were significantly more accurate when diagnosing anterior-chamber (n = 29; 58.62%; p = 0.039) and vitreoretinal (n = 89; 60.67%; p < 0.00001) pathology than EDs (anterior chamber, n = 77, 36.36%; vitreoretinal, n = 344, 18.90%). Across all ED referrals (n = 940), 58 (6.17%) had a prolonged delay. Across all optometrist-to-ED referrals (n = 150), 6 (4.00%) had a prolonged delay. Accounting for all cases, the total incidence of prolonged delay was 5.87%. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate the need for improved communication between optometrists and ophthalmologists to reduce the wait-time burden on EDs. Patients may benefit from direct referral by optometrists to ophthalmologists. Education of allied health professionals on ophthalmic disease also may improve diagnostic accuracy.

Fabrication of a three-dimensional bone marrow niche-like acute myeloid Leukemia disease model by an automated and controlled process using a robotic multicellular bioprinting system.

BACKGROUND: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a hematological malignancy that remains a therapeutic challenge due to the high incidence of disease relapse. To better understand resistance mechanisms and identify novel therapies, robust preclinical models mimicking the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment are needed. This study aimed to achieve an automated fabrication process of a three-dimensional (3D) AML disease model that recapitulates the 3D spatial structure of the BM microenvironment and applies to drug screening and investigational studies. METHODS: To build this model, we investigated a unique class of tetramer peptides with an innate ability to self-assemble into stable hydrogel. An automated robotic bioprinting process was established to fabricate a 3D BM (niche-like) multicellular AML disease model comprised of leukemia cells and the BM's stromal and endothelial cellular fractions. In addition, monoculture and dual-culture models were also fabricated. Leukemia cell compatibility, functionalities (in vitro and in vivo), and drug assessment studies using our model were performed. In addition, RNAseq and gene expression analysis using TaqMan arrays were also performed on 3D cultured stromal cells and primary leukemia cells. RESULTS: The selected peptide hydrogel formed a highly porous network of nanofibers with mechanical properties similar to the BM extracellular matrix. The robotic bioprinter and the novel quadruple coaxial nozzle enabled the automated fabrication of a 3D BM niche-like AML disease model with controlled deposition of multiple cell types into the model. This model supported the viability and growth of primary leukemic, endothelial, and stromal cells and recapitulated cell-cell and cell-ECM interactions. In addition, AML cells in our model possessed quiescent characteristics with improved chemoresistance attributes, resembling more the native conditions as indicated by our in vivo results. Moreover, the whole transcriptome data demonstrated the effect of 3D culture on enhancing BM niche cell characteristics. We identified molecular pathways upregulated in AML cells in our 3D model that might contribute to AML drug resistance and disease relapse. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate the importance of developing 3D biomimicry models that closely recapitulate the in vivo conditions to gain deeper insights into drug resistance mechanisms and novel therapy development. These models can also improve personalized medicine by testing patient-specific treatments.

Integration measurement and its applications in low- and middle-income country health systems: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Despite growing interest in and commitment to integration, or integrated care, the concept is ill-defined and the resulting evidence base fragmented, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Underlying this challenge is a lack of coherent approaches to measure the extent of integration and how this influences desired outcomes. The aim of this scoping review is to identify measurement approaches for integration in LMICs and map them for future use. METHODS: Arksey and O'Malley's framework for scoping reviews was followed. We conducted a systematic search of peer-reviewed literature measuring integration in LMICs across three databases and screened identified papers by predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. A modified version of the Rainbow Model for Integrated Care guided charting and analysis of the data. RESULTS: We included 99 studies. Studies were concentrated in the Africa region and most frequently focused on the integration of HIV care with other services. A range of definitions and methods were identified, with no single approach for the measurement of integration dominating the literature. Measurement of clinical integration was the most common, with indicators focused on measuring receipt of two or more services provided at a single point of time. Organizational and professional integration indicators were focused on inter- and intra-organizational communication, collaboration, coordination, and continuity of care, while functional integration measured common information systems or patient records. Gaps were identified in measuring systems and normative integration. Few tools were validated or publicly available for future use. CONCLUSION: We identified a wide range of recent approaches used to measure integration in LMICs. Our findings underscore continued challenges with lack of conceptual cohesion and fragmentation which limits how integration is understood in practice.

Safety and Efficacy of Zavegepant in Treating Migraine: A Systematic Review.

Drugs that act on the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) pathway herald the dawn of a new era in the management of migraine headaches. The blockade of CGRP alleviates neural inflammation and has been associated with reduced pain sensitization. Zavegepant is a third-generation drug and is the first intranasal CGRP antagonist to be developed. This systematic review aims to assess the safety, efficacy, pharmacokinetics, and tolerability of Zavegepant as an abortive treatment for migraine. Studies that assessed the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of Zavegepant for migraine were identified through a systematic literature review of PubMed, Clinicaltrials.gov, and Cochrane databases in April 2023. Our systematic review yielded a total of six studies that fit our inclusion criteria. Of these, data from only two randomized control trials (RCTs) was homogenous; hence, forest plots of results pooled from the included studies were not reported. The included studies showed that Zavegepant is an efficacious and well-tolerated abortive treatment modality for episodic migraine in adult patients. Zavegepant showed safety and efficacy in migraine treatment according to various parameters throughout the six included studies. These parameters include adverse events, pharmacokinetic properties, CGRP inhibition, effect on blood pressure/electrocardiogram, pain freedom, and freedom from most bothersome symptoms.

Effect of aerobic exercise training on EEG: event-related potential and neuropsychological functions in depressed elderly with mild cognitive impairment.

Increased depressive severity has been linked to neurocognitive impairment. Aerobic exercise (AE) is an efficient technique for improving cognitive function. However, studies indicating the importance of AE to neurophysiological and neuropsychological functions in the depressed elderly using event-related potentials (ERPs) are scarce. Objectives: This study aimed to identify the potential benefits of AE on neurophysiological and neuropsychological functions. Methods: A total of 30 depressed older adults (AE group: n=15; control group (CG): n=14) were recruited based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The AE group was subjected to an 8-week-period AE program (3 times/week for 30 min per session) at moderate intensity, determined using heart rate maximum (HRmax). The training intensity was set at 50% HRmax and increased by 5% in subsequent weeks. Pre- and post-training measures for neurophysiological function were tested using ERP-P300 (amplitude-µV and latency-ms) and also for neuropsychological functions using the trail making test (TMT), mini mental status examination (MMSE), and everyday cognition questionnaire (ECog). Results: In the experimental group, statistically significant improvements were observed when analyzed for all 3 (group-by-time interaction effect, main effect of time, and main effect of group), in both neurophysiological functions (*p<0.001) and neuropsychological functions (*p<0.001), except for ECog scores, where the results were insignificant for the main effect of a group. Correlation analysis demonstrated no association between neurophysiological and neuropsychological functions (*p>0.05). Conclusion: Findings showed that 8 weeks of AE training may be a promising approach to improve cognitive functions in depressed older adults. However, considering relatively small number of patients, the question arises for effectiveness in other populations.

O aumento da gravidade de quadros de depressão tem sido associado a comprometimento neurocognitivo. O exercício aeróbico (EA) é uma técnica eficiente para melhorar a função cognitiva. No entanto, estudos sugerindo a importância de EA para funções neurofisiológicas e neuropsicológicas usando potenciais relacionados a eventos (PRE) em idosos deprimidos são escassos. Objetivo: Identificar os potenciais benefícios do EA nas funções neurofisiológicas e neuropsicológicas. Métodos: Vinte e nove idosos deprimidos (grupo EA: n=15; grupo controle: GC: n=14) foram recrutados segundo critérios de inclusão e exclusão. O grupo EA foi submetido a um programa de EA de oito semanas (3 vezes/semana em sessões de 30 minutos cada) em intensidade moderada, determinada pela frequência cardíaca máxima (FCmáx). A intensidade do treinamento foi fixada em 50% da FCmax e aumentada em 5% nas semanas subsequentes. As medidas pré- e pós-treinamento para a função neurofisiológica foram testadas pelo ERP-P300 (amplitude-µV e latência-ms) e também para as funções neuropsicológicas usando o Trail Making Test (TMT), o Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE) e o Everyday Cognition Questionnaire (ECog). Resultados: No grupo experimental, melhorias estatisticamente significativas foram observadas quando analisadas para todos os 3 (efeito de interação grupo por tempo, efeito principal do tempo e efeito principal do grupo), em ambas as funções neurofisiológicas (*p<0,001) e funções neuropsicológicas (*p<0,001), exceto para escores ECog, onde os resultados foram insignificantes para o efeito principal de um grupo. A análise de correlação não demonstrou nenhuma associação entre funções neurofisiológicas e neuropsicológicas (*p>0,05). Conclusão: Os achados mostraram que 8 semanas de treinamento de EA podem ser uma abordagem promissora para melhorar as funções cognitivas em idosos deprimidos. No entanto, considerando um número relativamente pequeno de pacientes, surge a questão da eficácia em outra população.

3D bioprinting of ultrashort self-assembling peptides to engineer scaffolds with different matrix stiffness for chondrogenesis.

62Articular cartilage is a nonvascularized and poorly cellularized tissue with a low self-repair capacity. Therefore, damage to this tissue due to trauma or degenerative joint diseases such as osteoarthritis needs a high-end medical intervention. However, such interventions are costly, have limited healing capacity, and could impair patients' quality of life. In this regard, tissue engineering and three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting hold great potential. However, identifying suitable bioinks that are biocompatible, with the desired mechanical stiffness, and can be used under physiological conditions is still a challenge. In this study, we developed two tetrameric self-assembling ultrashort peptide bioinks that are chemically well-defined and can spontaneously form nanofibrous hydrogels under physiological conditions. The printability of the two ultrashort peptides was demonstrated; different shape constructs were printed with high shape fidelity and stability. Furthermore, the developed ultrashort peptide bioinks gave rise to constructs with different mechanical properties that could be used to guide stem cell differentiation toward specific lineages. Both ultrashort peptide bioinks demonstrated high biocompatibility and supported the chondrogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells. Additionally, the gene expression analysis of differentiated stem cells with the ultrashort peptide bioinks revealed articular cartilage extracellular matrix formation preference. Based on the different mechanical stiffness of the two ultrashort peptide bioinks, they can be used to fabricate cartilage tissue with different cartilaginous zones, including the articular and calcified cartilage zones, which are essential for engineered tissue integration.

EXTENSIVE ORBITAL AND PARAPHARYNGEAL EMPHYSEMA REQUIRING URGENT CANTHOTOMY AND CANTHOLYSIS AFTER PARS PLANA VITRECTOMY.

PURPOSE: The authors report the emergent management of a case of orbital and parapharyngeal emphysema causing orbital compartment syndrome and signs of peripheral neuropathy days after pars plana vitrectomy. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: A 20-year-old woman underwent 3-port 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy in the right eye for total retinal detachment under general anesthesia. All sclerotomies were secured with 7-0 polyglactin 910 (Vicryl; Ethicon) sutures before instillation of 15% C3F8 gas. On the third postoperative day, the patient presented with a 3-mm proptosis, near-total ophthalmoplegia, jaw protrusion, head deviation, tongue protrusion, and facial twitching. Computed tomography showed extensive subcutaneous gas in the right orbit and bilateral parapharyngeal spaces, and a tethered right optic nerve with globe tenting. A decision was made to perform urgent lateral canthotomy and cantholysis. Three hours after canthotomy and cantholysis, her neurologic signs had resolved except for intermittent tongue protrusion, which resolved thereafter. At postoperative Week 7, the patient's vision was 20/70 and her intraocular pressure was 13 mmHg. CONCLUSION: To the authors' knowledge, this is the only report of a modern small-gauge vitrectomy procedure being complicated by orbital compartment syndrome and extensive emphysema causing peripheral neuropathy, and successfully treated with urgent canthotomy and cantholysis.

Use of the forgotten joint score (FJS)-12 to evaluate knee awareness after quadriceps tendon reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Quadriceps tendon rupture (QTR) is a severe injury of the knee extensor apparatus. The study aims to validate the use of forgotten joint score (FJS-12) for functional outcome assessing after surgical treatment of QTR. METHODS: Fifty-seven patients who underwent surgery for QTR with transosseous suture reconstruction in a single orthopaedic surgery and traumatology center between 2015 and 2020 were eligible for enrolment in this retrospective case series. The demographic data and other pre-operative details such as age, gender, comorbidities and medication use also were extracted from the medical records. Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) were gathered in the form of Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index Score (WOMAC), Tegner Activity Score (TAS), Lysholm Score and FJS-12 at a mean follow-up time of 49.84 months ± 20.64 months. The FJS-12 was validated by correlation with WOMAC, TAS and Lysholm Score. RESULTS: The mean age of all patients were 69.2 ± 13.6 years with 51 (89.5%) males and 6 (10.5%) females. The mean time from injury to surgery was 3.39 ± 5.46 days. All patients reported satisfactory functional outcomes after surgery on FJS-12, WOMAC and Lysholm scores, except the TAS, which decreased slightly from pre-operative level. There was a high negative correlation between WOMAC and FJS-12, but moderate positive correlations between FJS-12 and TAS and Lysholm scores. The Cronbach's alpha value was 0.96 for 12 items in FJS-12. CONCLUSION: This study has found that FJS-12 is a reliable and easy to assess tool for functional outcomes after QTR reconstruction. It has shown moderate to strong correlation with other commonly used outcome measures (WOMAC, TAS and Lysholm).

Evidence-based geriatric knowledge among healthcare providers in Vietnam: adaptation, validation, and pilot of the knowledge about older patients quiz.

BACKGROUND: Vietnam's aging population is growing rapidly, but its health workforce's capacity to provide quality geriatric care is not clearly understood. We aimed to provide a cross-culturally relevant and validated instrument to assess evidence-based geriatric knowledge among healthcare providers in Vietnam. METHODS: We translated the Knowledge about Older Patients Quiz from English to Vietnamese using cross-cultural adaptation methods. We validated the translated version by evaluating its relevance to the Vietnamese context, as well as its semantic and technical equivalence. We fielded the translated instrument on a pilot sample of healthcare providers in Hanoi, Vietnam. RESULTS: The Vietnamese Knowledge about Older Patients Quiz (VKOP-Q) had excellent content validity (S-CVI/Ave) and translation equivalence (TS-CVI/Ave) of 0.94 and 0.92, respectively. The average VKOP-Q score was 54.2% (95% CI: 52.5-55.8) and ranged from 33.3 to 73.3% among 110 healthcare providers in the pilot study. Healthcare providers in the pilot study had low scores on questions related to the physiopathology of geriatric conditions, communication techniques with sensory impaired older adults, and differentiating age related changes from abnormal changes or symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The VKOP-Q is a validated instrument to assess geriatric knowledge among healthcare providers in Vietnam. The level of geriatric knowledge among healthcare providers in the pilot study was unsatisfactory, which supports the need for further assessment of geriatric knowledge among a nationally representative sample of healthcare providers.

Perceptions of COVID-19 risk, vaccine access and confidence: a qualitative description of South Asians in Canada.

OBJECTIVES: In the first full year of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020), South Asians living in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) and Greater Vancouver area (GVA) experienced specific barriers to accessing SARS-CoV-2 testing and reliable health information. However, between June 2021 and February 2022, the proportion of people having received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose was higher among this group (96%) than among individuals who were not visible minorities (93%). A better understanding of successful approaches and the challenges experienced by those who remain unvaccinated among this highly vaccinated group may improve public health outreach in subsequent waves of the current pandemic or for future pandemic planning. Using qualitative methods, we sought to explore the perceptions of COVID-19 risk, vaccine access, uptake and confidence among South Asians living in Canada. DESIGN: Semistructured interviews conducted with 25 participants analysed using thematic analysis. Throughout this process, we held frequent discussions with members of the study's advisory group to guide data collection (community engagement, recruitment and data analysis). SETTING: Communities of the GTHA and GVA with interviews conducted virtually over Zoom or telephone. PARTICIPANTS: 25 participants (15 from Ontario and 10 from British Columbia) were interviewed between July 2021 and January 2022. 10 individuals were community members, 9 were advocacy group leaders and 6 were public health staff. RESULTS: Access to and confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine was impacted by individual risk perceptions; sources of trusted information (ethnic and non-ethnic); impact of COVID-19 and the pandemic on individuals, families and society; and experiences with COVID-19 mandates and policies (including temporal and generational differences). Approaches that include community-level awareness and tailored outreach (language and cultural context) were considered successful. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding factors and developing strategies that build vaccine confidence and improve access can guide approaches that increase vaccine acceptance in the current and future pandemics.Visual abstract can be found at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iXdnJj9ssc3hXCllZxP0QA9DhHH-7uwB/view.