Medicine
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Obesity prevalence remains high in the United States (US), and is rising in most other countries. This is a repeated cross-sectional study using a nationally representative sample of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999 to 2012. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were separately performed for adults (n = 37,639) and children/adolescents (n = 28,282) to assess the associations between the length of time in the US, and the prevalences of obesity and diabetes. ⋯ On the other hand, the gap in obesity prevalence between US-born and foreign-born children/adolescents decreased from 1999 to 2011 due to a rapid increase in obesity prevalence among the foreign-born population, until there was no significant difference in 2011 to 2012. This study revealed that the risks of obesity and diabetes have increased in foreign-born US residents with time living in the US. However, the obesity gap between US-born and foreign-born populations is closing.
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Retracted Publication
Tibial nerve stimulation to inhibit the micturition reflex by an implantable wireless driver microstimulator in cats.
Traditional tibial nerve stimulation (TNS) has been used to treat overactive bladder syndrome (OAB), but there are some shortcomings. Thus, a novel alternative is needed for the treatment of OAB. The study investigated the effects of a new type of tibial nerve microstimulator on the micturition reflex in cats. ⋯ The implantable wireless driver tibial nerve microstimulator appears to be effective in inhibiting the micturition reflex during physiologic and pathologic conditions. The implantable wireless driver tibial nerve microstimulator could be used to treat OAB.
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Review Case Reports
Silent pulmonary thromboembolism in neurosurgery patients: Report of 2 cases and literature review.
The requirement of postoperative bedridden and immobilization renders neurosurgical patients with higher risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), then more vulnerable for pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). But silent pulmonary thromboembolism (SPTE) can be the very early stage of any typical form of PTE, its diagnosis and management is therefore critical in neurosurgical departments. However, to date, perioperative SPTE has not been attached with enough attention. ⋯ Clinicians should be aware of the importance of early recognition of SPTE. Effective management of risk factors of hyper-coagulation state should be the key to prophylaxis. And routine monitor of D-dimer as well as regular check of lower limbs ultrasonography should be standardized and included in guidelines of neurosurgical patient management.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Reduction in postpartum weight with laser acupuncture: A randomized control trial.
Gestational weight gain and weight retention at 1 year after delivery are associated with long-term obesity. We aimed to investigate the effect of laser acupuncture therapy on postpartum weight control. ⋯ Laser acupuncture reduces postpartum weight retention by improving BMI and BFP, but does not impact the WBR following short-term treatment.
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Observational Study
A proposed predictive model for advanced fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B and its validation.
We created a predictive model using serum-based biomarkers for advanced fibrosis (F3 or more) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and to confirm the accuracy in an independent cohort. A total of 249 CHB patients were analyzed. To achieve our study aim, a training group (n = 125) and a validation group (n = 124) were formed. ⋯ In all subgroup analyses of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) status (HB surface antigen quantification, HBV-DNA quantification, and HBe antigen seropositivity), GMPH score in F3 or F4 was significantly lower than that in F0 to F2. In the above mentioned 8 variables, differences between the liver fibrosis stages (F0 to F1 vs F2, F2 vs F3, F3 vs F4, F0 to F1 vs F3, F0 to F1 vs F4, and F2 vs F4) for the entire cohort (n = 249) were all significant only in GMPH score. In conclusion, the GMPH scoring system may be helpful for detecting advanced liver fibrosis in patients with CHB.