Annals of medicine
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Background: Vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) often occur in patients with osteoporosis. These fractures can also lead to postural changes. Several studies have shown that patients with vertebral compression fractures have a restrictive pattern in their pulmonary function. ⋯ MVV showed significant progress at both 1 and 3 weeks after discharge. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and maximal inspiratory muscle strength significantly improved 1 week after discharge. Conclusion: Taking all the data together, PVP not only can resolve severe back pain but can also provide excellent improvements in MVV and chest mobility in patients with vertebral compression fractures.
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Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are regarded as a standard of care in multiple malignancies. We hypothesized that serum parameters are of prognostic value in ICI treated patients suffering from solid tumours. ⋯ The results of this analysis suggest that serum parameters might have prognostic value for the outcome of cancer patients treated with ICI, regardless of the tumour type.Key messagesIn this retrospective analysis, 114 patients with solid tumours were included. The results of this analysis point out that pre-treatment LDH, CRP and albumin levels are strongly prognostic for a poor 6-month OS.In addition to that, a high GRIm-score and poor GPS were associated with a worse OS (GRIm: HR = 2.84, 95% CI 1.72-4.69; p < .001 for high vs. low; GPS HR = 3.57, 95% CI 1.76-7.25; p < .001 for poor vs. good).Pre-treatment serum parameters might have prognostic value for the outcome of cancer patients treated with ICI, regardless of the tumour type.
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Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a frequent cause of hospitalisation. Several factors, such as pandemics, vaccines and globalisation may lead to changes in epidemiology, clinical presentation, and outcomes of CAP, which oblige to a constant actualisation. We performed this study to analyse how these factors have evolved over a 10-year period. ⋯ We have not found relevant differences in the bacterial aetiology of CAP over this 10-year period. There has been a decline in septic complications of CAP such as septic shock, bacteraemia, and complicated pleural effusion. Influenza vaccination is an important tool to reduce mortality.KEY MESSAGESThere were no differences in the bacterial pathogens causing CAP among the 10-year study period. There has been a decline in septic complications of CAP such as septic shock, bacteraemia, and complicated pleural effusion.
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A well-balanced curriculum is critical for ensuring that students graduate with the necessary skills. There is growing interest in evaluating the functional value of non-clinical courses compared to clinical courses. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the views of optometry and vision science professionals on the utility and relevance of optics-based courses. ⋯ The perceived importance of optics-based courses varied according to several factors. However, in general, these courses were deemed helpful in terms of curricular content and practical relevance to practice, regardless of specialisation or the workplace.Key messagesIn terms of the value offered to the professional competencies that an optometrist needs, the practical utility of optics courses in optometry curriculums is contested.Optometrists' perceptions of optics courses were examined using a cross-sectional survey.Respondents rated the perceived usefulness of optics courses for their career, with a mean collective value of 20.78 out 30 points.The highest percentage of respondents in this study expressed their preference for the face-to-face learning method rather than the hybrid method.Male optometrists perceived learning optics courses as significantly less helpful than female optometrists.
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Gender-Based (GB) intimate partner violence is a social and public health issue globally. Several risks of violence related to male sexual partners' perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV) following the disclosure of their female intimate partners' HIV + status have been reported. No research has been conducted on male sexual partner's perspectives of perpetrating IPV following their female intimate partners' disclosure of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive status as a risk factor for the perpetration of IPV in Ghana. ⋯ From the data, HIV positive status disclosure served as a risk factor for different forms of GB IPV against HIV positive women in Ghana, thus making this group more vulnerable and exposed to more GB IPV. Strategies to prevent the perpetration of IPV against women newly diagnosed as HIV positive are needed. We recommend screening all newly diagnosed HIV-positive women for abuse as an additional prevention strategy for IPV associated with disclosure of positive HIV status. KEY MESSAGESHIV positive status disclosure serves as a risk for the perpetration of IPV.Men are predisposed to violence upon hearing that their female heterosexual intimate partners are HIV positive.HIV infection information is distressful to receive from an intimate partner.