Plos One
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As personalized medicine (PM) is expected to greatly improve health outcomes, efforts have recently been made for its clinical implementation in Korea. We aimed to evaluate public awareness and attitude regarding PM. ⋯ Our results identify the urgent need for public education as well as the potential health disparities in access to PM. This study helps to frame policies for implementing PM in clinical practice.
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Objective was to examine the temporal variation of HIV sero-discordancy in select representative countries (Kenya, Lesotho, Mali, Niger, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe) in sub-Saharan Africa at different HIV epidemic scales. A sero-discordant couple is defined as a stable couple (SC) in which one partner is HIV-positive while the other is HIV-negative. ⋯ Sero-discordancy patterns varied with the evolution of the epidemics, and were affected by both epidemic phase and scale. The largest variations were found in high HIV-prevalence countries. The fraction of stable couples that are sero-discordant, as opposed to being sero-concordant positive, was projected to increase with ART scale-up and further HIV incidence decline over the coming two decades. These findings inform strategic planning and resource allocation for interventions among sero-discordant couples.
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Despite the high number of amateur musicians in the general population, little is known about the musculoskeletal health of amateur musicians. Playing a musical instrument is supposed to be a risk factor for the development of musculoskeletal complaints. This study aimed to evaluate playing-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMDs) among amateur musicians playing in student orchestras. ⋯ This study is the first to report on PRMDs and its associated factors in a large group of amateur musicians. The prevalence of PRMDs in amateur musicians is high, however the DASH scores reflect a confined impact of these PRMDs on their functioning as a musician. Preventive measures are needed aiming at reducing PRMDs among amateur musicians.
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Observational Study
Thromboelastometry profile in critically ill patients: A single-center, retrospective, observational study.
Transfusion therapy is associated with increased morbidity, mortality and costs. Conventional coagulation tests (CCT) are weak bleeding predictors, poorly reflecting coagulation in vivo. Thromboelastometry (ROTEM) provides early identification of coagulation disorders and can guide transfusion therapy by goals, reducing blood components transfusion. ⋯ The predominant ROTEM profile observed in this sample of critically ill patients was normal. In contrast, CCT suggested coagulopathy leading to a possibly unnecessary allogenic blood component transfusion. ROTEM test may avoid inappropriate allogeneic blood products transfusion in these patients.
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Observational Study
Mottling score and skin temperature in septic shock: Relation and impact on prognosis in ICU.
Mottling score, defined by 5 areas over the knee is developed to evaluate tissue perfusion at bedside. Because of the subjective aspect of the score, we aimed to compare mottling score and skin temperature in septic shock with infrared thermography in ICU and the correlation to survival. ⋯ Skin temperature measured with infrared thermography technology around the knee is lower when mottling sign is present and sign microcirculation alterations. This method, compared to standard mottling score is objective and allows data collections. However, this method failed to predict mortality in ICU patients.