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Whitney McDonough posted an update 1 week, 4 days ago
Background Microfocused ultrasound (MFU) is a nonsurgical treatment for the improvement of skin laxity. Multiple MFU devices with and without a visualization system are commercially available. Aims This study aims to compare the accuracy rates of MFU on target treatment areas with and without a visualization system. Patients/methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using 52 dermatologists as study subjects. Each subject was asked to treat one simulated volunteer on the face and upper neck with MFU for 2 sessions using the training mode. Participants were allowed to see the ultrasound monitoring screen in one session (visualized session) and were not allowed to see the monitoring screen in the other session (nonvisualized session). One investigator evaluated the accuracy rate by monitoring real-time whether an appropriate contact between the transducer and the skin is shown on the visualization system when the energy release button is pressed. Results Higher accuracy rates were observed in the visualized session than the nonvisualized session in all treatment areas including brow, lateral orbit, infraorbital, cheek, and upper neck. The greatest difference in accuracy rates was observed when performing the treatment on the upper neck. Participants with more experiences had higher accuracy rates while performing visualization session when compared to those who had less experiences. Visualized sessions required a significantly longer treatment time. Conclusions The utilization of MFU with visualization system increases the likelihood of proper skin contact. This in turn may give a more favorable treatment outcome and decrease the rates of complications from MFU treatment.I used to begin my microbiology lecture series with a slogan “microbes rule the world”. And I continued by reminding the students that microbes, in fact, have been on earth billions of years before man and that they most probably stay here after mankind has been extinguished. The current SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic makes this statement actual but also a bit creepy.Introduction The long-term mortality rate in adolescent and middle-aged patients with low- medium risk community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains unelucidated. Objective Understanding the long-term mortality rate in adolescent and middle-aged patients with low- medium risk CAP in Beijing, China, to provide a basis for the long-term management of CAP patient METHODS A follow-up survey was conducted telephonically from December 2017 to January 2018 to assess the survival status among 808 patients from a CAP-China cohort enrolled from 10 general hospitals in Beijing between November 2010 and April 2012. The all-cause mortality rate was determined, and Cox’s proportional hazard model was performed to identify potential factors predicting mortality. Results Among the 808 patients, the mean age(SD) was 45.4(19.6) year-old, and the median(IQR) pneumonia severity index (PSI ) score was 42.0(35.8). Survival status for a total of 426 (52.7%) were determined during the follow-up, and the non-follow-up patients were withterm mortality rate.Objectives Current options for treating emergent episodes of hypomania and mania in bipolar disorder are limited. Our objective was to compare the effectiveness and safety of add-on melatonin in hypomania or mania over three weeks as a well-tolerated therapy. Methods A randomised, double-blind, parallel-group, three-week comparison of modified release melatonin (n=21) vs placebo (n=20) in adult bipolar patients aged 18-65 years. Permuted block randomisation was used with participants and investigators masked to treatment allocation. Trial registration is ISRCTN28988273 and EUdraCT2008-000281-23. Approved by the South Central National Research Ethics Service (Oxford REC A) ref 09/H0604/63. Results The trial was negative as there was no significant difference between melatonin and placebo on the primary outcome – mean Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) score at Day 21 (mean difference (MD) -1.77 ([95%CI-6.39 to 2.85]; p=0.447). Significantly fewer patients on melatonin scored 10 or more on the Altman Self Rating Mania Scale (ASRM) (odds ratio (OR) 0.164 [95% CI 0.0260 to 1.0002]; p=0.05). Quick Inventory of Depression Symptomatology Clinician Version-16 (QIDS-C16) scores were not significantly different. selleckchem (OR 1.77 [95% CI0.43 to 7.29]; p=0.430). The proportion of patients scoring less than or equal to 5 on the self-report QIDS-SR16 at end-point was greater for the melatonin group (OR 8.35[95% CI1.04 to 67.23]; p=0.046). Conclusions In this small trial melatonin did not effectively treat emerging hypomania or mania as there was no significant difference on the primary outcome. The sample size limitation and secondary outcomes suggest further investigation of melatonin treatment in mood episodes is indicated.We would like tocongratulate Villa et al fora recent published letter to the editor(Villa et al; 2020), emphasizing the use of tele(oral)medicine as an effective diagnostic tool(Estai et al, 2018),which could be usefulin the current time of crisis.The COVID‐19 pandemic, and the social isolation measures mandatedby health authorities haveled toa reassessing of the professional practicesin our Dental College.Aim To assess the impact of educational workshops on the knowledge, attitudes, and intended practices (KAP) of the general public towards diabetes in Jordan in terms of symptoms, risk factors, complications, and prevention. Methods A pharmacist led educational intervention and Propensity score matching was carried out for a convenience sample to assess Jordanians pre- and post-knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards diabetes mellitus (DM) using a validated questionnaire. Results Among the 357 invited participants, 335 attended the educational workshops (response rate 93.8%). Prior to intervention, participants showed an overall knowledge score of 16.03 ± 4.88. About half of the participants knew that a sedentary lifestyle is a risk factor for getting DM (n = 172, 51.3%). Following educational intervention, knowledge scores significantly improved to be 21.36 ± 2.11 (P value less then .001). A similar finding was obtained for attitude scores, where mean attitude scores significantly improved from 2.74 ± 1.