JON ARTHUR JACOBSON, MD

Plain English
This study examined how effectively the common social support survey, the Multidimensional Scale of Social Support (MSPSS), works for gender diverse people. Researchers analyzed data from 428 participants and found that the way the survey assesses support from partners, family, and friends is different for gender diverse individuals than for cisgender individuals. They discovered that support from significant others, family, and friends may not be accurately represented when combined into a single score, indicating that a new or adapted survey might be needed for better results. Who this helps: This helps gender diverse individuals and the professionals who support them.

Plain English
This study looks at the anatomy of wrist tendons and common problems that can cause wrist pain, such as de Quervain tenosynovitis and tendon ruptures. It highlights important details for correct diagnosis, like how certain tendons can look similar on scans, potentially leading to confusion. Understanding these aspects is essential because it helps healthcare providers accurately diagnose and treat wrist tendon disorders. Who this helps: This benefits patients dealing with wrist pain and the doctors treating them.

Plain English
This paper studies how ultrasound (US) can be used to diagnose muscle injuries in athletes. The findings underline that ultrasound is a valuable tool because it is affordable, easy to use, and helps doctors understand the injury better and plan recovery. It can differentiate between types of injuries and identify complications, which can improve decisions about when an athlete can safely return to play. Who this helps: This helps athletes and sports medicine doctors.

Plain English
This study looked at how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to improve musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging, which includes analyzing muscles and soft tissues. It found that while AI could significantly enhance diagnosis and image quality for conditions like rotator cuff tears, the technology is not yet fully developed for ultrasound when compared to other imaging methods like CT and MRI. The research highlights the need for better training and standardized procedures to create high-quality images and improve AI applications in this area. Who this helps: This helps patients needing diagnosis for musculoskeletal conditions and doctors who perform these imaging tests.

Plain English
This study looked at how seeking negative feedback from others affects depression, especially for young adults who tend to ruminate or dwell on their negative feelings. Researchers found that 91 participants who sought negative feedback showed increased depression symptoms after three months, particularly those who were already prone to rumination and had experienced stressful life events. This is important because it suggests that tackling rumination could help break the cycle of depression linked to negative feedback. Who this helps: This helps patients dealing with depression and their doctors.

Plain English
This study looked at how university students make risky decisions after receiving criticism and how that relates to their tendency for self-harm that isn’t suicidal (NSSI). Researchers tested 286 students, finding that while all participants generally made safer choices when not faced with criticism, those who had self-harmed more recently took bigger risks when criticized. These results underscore the important role that negative feedback has in influencing decision-making for those at risk of self-injury. Who this helps: This helps students dealing with emotional challenges and the healthcare providers who support them.

Plain English
This study looked at blood flow in the arteries of the wrist and fingers using ultrasound. Researchers measured parameters like the size of the arteries and how quickly blood flowed through them in 25 patients, including 18 women and a few people with diabetes. They found that the average size of the finger arteries was 7 mm for the radial digital artery and 10 mm for the ulnar digital artery, with faster flow in women than men. This information is important because it gives a baseline for understanding blood flow, which can help in future treatments for patients needing finger surgeries. Who this helps: Patients needing finger surgeries or conditions affecting arm blood flow.

Plain English
This study looked at how people's self-esteem affects their positive and negative attitudes. Researchers found that individuals with high self-esteem see their positive opinions as a big part of who they are, while those with low self-esteem do not. In fact, the positivity effect—where people emphasize their positive feelings—was most pronounced in high self-esteem individuals and less evident or even reversed in those with low self-esteem. Understanding this connection is important because it helps shed light on how self-esteem influences people's attitudes. Who this helps: This research benefits psychologists and mental health professionals working with patients on self-esteem issues.

Plain English
This research paper looks at how dynamic musculoskeletal ultrasound can help diagnose specific soft tissue problems such as slipping ribs, muscle hernias, snapping hips, and issues with peroneal tendons. The study emphasizes that this imaging technique reveals problems that other tests might miss, which improves patient care. Recognizing these issues early can lead to better treatments and outcomes for affected individuals. Who this helps: Patients with musculoskeletal injuries and their doctors.

Plain English
This study explored a method for using ultrasound to diagnose and treat wrist and hand issues by dividing the area into four sections: front (volar), inner (ulnar), back (dorsal), and outer (radial). The researchers found that this quadrant-based approach makes examinations easier and more effective, helping to identify conditions like median nerve problems, ulnar nerve issues, and various tendon injuries. This method is important because it allows doctors to make better, more accurate decisions about treatment. Who this helps: This benefits patients with wrist and hand pain and the doctors treating them.

Plain English
This study examined the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) of the knee using MRI and ultrasound, focusing on how often they showed signs of issues. Out of 77 knee exams, MRI showed low signal intensity in 21% of cases, while 75% had intermediate signals, and ultrasound showed 62% as having a bright (hyperechoic) appearance. The findings matched well between MRI and ultrasound, indicating that changes in the LCL are quite common and often associated with normal connective tissue. Who this helps: This research benefits doctors and patients dealing with knee injuries by improving the understanding of ligament conditions.

Plain English
Researchers looked at the confusing and inconsistent terms used in musculoskeletal and sports ultrasound, which can hinder education and patient care. An expert panel of 18 specialists agreed on a standardized set of terms and definitions to improve communication, achieving over 80% consensus on key topics, including anatomy and pathology. This clarity is important for ensuring everyone—doctors, patients, and insurers—understand ultrasound results and procedures correctly, leading to better outcomes. Who this helps: This helps patients, doctors, and healthcare providers involved in musculoskeletal and sports medicine.

Plain English
This study focused on creating a clear set of terms for musculoskeletal and sports ultrasound to improve communication among healthcare professionals. An expert panel of 18 members agreed on over 80% of the terminology used in seven key topics, which include definitions, equipment use, anatomy, and procedures. Having standardized language helps reduce confusion and improve the quality of care in ultrasound practices. Who this helps: This benefits doctors, patients, and healthcare providers in sports medicine.

Plain English
This study looked at how the medial meniscus, a cartilage in the knee, moves when a person is lying down versus standing up. Researchers found that in healthy knees, the meniscus moved only 0.8 mm when lying down, but this increased to 1.6 mm when standing. In knees with degeneration or tears, the movement was greater, with measurements rising from 1.6 mm to 2.3 mm when standing. This is important because it shows that weight-bearing ultrasound can provide valuable insights into knee conditions that might not be clear from MRI alone. Who this helps: This benefits patients with knee issues, providing clearer diagnoses and better treatment options.

Plain English
This study looked at how to use ultrasound to examine lumps or masses in the soft tissues near the skin. The panel of experts found that specific ultrasound features can help identify various types of masses, and they've created clear guidelines for how to manage these findings. This is important because accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment can lead to better outcomes for patients. Who this helps: This helps patients with soft-tissue masses and the doctors treating them.

Plain English
This study looked at how people's beliefs influence their willingness to share scientific information with strangers. Out of 1,508 college students, those who valued self-esteem were more likely to pass along scientific messages that matched their beliefs rather than those that didn't. This is important because it shows how personal biases can affect the spread of scientific knowledge, impacting how information is shared online. Who this helps: This research helps communication scholars and anyone involved in promoting accurate scientific information.

Plain English
This study looked at how kidney problems like acute kidney injury (AKI), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and kidney failure affect thinking and decision-making skills. Researchers used a robotic device to test 104 patients and found that those with AKI had more significant difficulties with tasks like reaching for objects compared to those with CKD or kidney failure. Specifically, AKI patients scored a 0.64 on a challenging task, indicating worse performance than their peers. Understanding these cognitive issues is essential because it highlights the need for better support and treatment for kidney patients, particularly after experiencing AKI. Who this helps: This helps patients recovering from acute kidney injuries and their healthcare providers.

Plain English
This study looked at how different factors lead to the risk of suicide in people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Researchers analyzed responses from 282 individuals and found that medical symptoms can influence psychological issues, which then increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Addressing these medical and psychological factors early can help prevent serious outcomes. Who this helps: This helps patients with inflammatory bowel disease and their healthcare providers.

Plain English
The study looked at how people's beliefs about the importance of self-esteem affect their emotional responses to feedback about themselves. It found that when people think self-esteem is very important, their feelings about feedback become more tied to whether the feedback is positive or negative—people with high self-esteem react more favorably to positive information. This matters because it helps us understand how belief in self-esteem's importance can influence how individuals respond to evaluations, potentially impacting their mental health and self-image. Who this helps: This helps patients who struggle with self-esteem issues and their therapists.

Plain English
This study looked at whether adding a medication called palbociclib to standard hormone therapy improved outcomes for men with a certain type of advanced prostate cancer that has a specific genetic marker (RB-positive). The research involved 60 patients, and after 28 weeks of treatment, both groups experienced similar success in reducing their prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, with 80% reaching an acceptable PSA level. However, palbociclib didn't provide any additional benefit, and some genetic changes were linked to worse outcomes. Who this helps: This information is useful for doctors treating men with RB-positive advanced prostate cancer.

Plain English
This study looked at tears in the quadriceps femoris tendon, specifically where they occur and their severity, using MR imaging. Researchers evaluated 53 tendon tears from 52 patients and found that most tears happened near the kneecap, with partial tears occurring more often in one tendon part and complete tears in other parts. Additionally, tears associated with bony avulsion were more severe. Who this helps: This research benefits doctors by providing clearer insights into tendon injuries, which can improve treatment for patients with knee injuries.

Plain English
This study examined how well a new robotic tool (Kinarm Exoskeleton Lab or EXO) measures arm movement and control compared to an existing robotic tool (Kinarm End-Point Lab or EP) in healthy individuals. Researchers found that the two platforms produced similar results, with an impressive 79% reduction in the amount of data needed to represent the same information, maintaining accuracy in understanding how people move. This is important because it shows that either robotic platform can effectively assess behavioral patterns, which may eventually help diagnose and monitor neurological conditions. Who this helps: This research benefits doctors and researchers working with patients who have neurological disorders.

Plain English
This study examined whether practices like yoga and meditation increase or decrease self-enhancement, which is how people feel about their own worth. The researchers found that these practices actually boost self-enhancement; for example, their research involved 97 yoga students and 300 university students and confirmed earlier findings that mind-body practices can make people feel better about themselves. This matters because it challenges the idea that such practices promote a "quiet ego," highlighting instead their potential to enhance self-esteem. Who this helps: This helps patients and individuals who engage in mind-body practices, like yoga and meditation.

Plain English
This study looked at the hand and wrist of 100 healthy people, aged 19 to 82, using ultrasound to identify specific changes in their joints. Researchers found that nearly all subjects had shallow, non-inflammatory indentations (called pseudoerosions) on the tops of their metacarpal bones, especially on the second and third fingers, with 99% showing these changes on both hands. This is important because it shows that these changes are common in healthy individuals and shouldn't be mistaken for signs of inflammation or disease. Who this helps: Patients and doctors by improving understanding of joint health and distinguishing between normal findings and those linked to disease.

Plain English
This study compared portable hand-held ultrasound machines to traditional cart-based ultrasound machines to see how well they can diagnose musculoskeletal issues. Out of 100 patients, both machines agreed on the diagnosis 65% of the time. For the other 35%, changes in diagnosis didn't typically lead to different treatment decisions, with only 4% resulting in a meaningful change. Who this helps: This benefits patients by providing insights into the effectiveness of portable ultrasound diagnostics.

Plain English
This study looked at knee X-rays to see if certain findings could help tell the difference between gout and calcium pyrophosphate deposition (CPPD). Researchers analyzed 49 X-rays from patients with confirmed cases and found that 61% had CPPD while 39% had gout. Key findings included that cartilage icing and chondrocalcinosis were more likely to be found in patients with CPPD, with chondrocalcinosis being 95% specific and 94% predictive for diagnosing CPPD compared to gout. Who this helps: This helps doctors accurately diagnose and treat patients with joint pain to ensure they receive the right care.

Plain English
The Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation (SCORE) was created in 2008 to improve how we control and eliminate schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease. The study found that large field studies on various drug administration strategies were conducted, and they gathered important data that will help guide policies for better treatment and elimination of the disease. By connecting researchers with national programs and providing practical findings, SCORE aims to enhance the overall strategy against schistosomiasis. Who this helps: This helps patients suffering from schistosomiasis and healthcare professionals managing the disease.

Plain English
This study explored whether human growth hormone (HGH) can help prevent muscle weakness in young men recovering from surgery for a torn knee ligament. The results showed that those who received HGH had a 29% increase in knee strength compared to those who got a placebo, and they also had 36% lower levels of a marker associated with cartilage damage. This matters because enhancing muscle strength might help patients recover better and reduce their risk of future knee problems. Who this helps: Young men recovering from ACL surgery.

Plain English
The study examines how imaging techniques like ultrasound and dual energy CT scans can help diagnose and understand gout, a common type of arthritis that affects about 5% of people with arthritis. It highlights that these imaging methods can effectively show the presence of harmful crystal deposits and the damage they cause, particularly in chronic cases. Understanding these imaging features is important for accurate diagnosis and treatment, as it can prevent long-lasting damage to joints and surrounding tissues. Who this helps: This benefits patients with gout and healthcare providers involved in their diagnosis and treatment.

Plain English
This study looked at a new surgical technique called nonrigid suture fixation used during the Latarjet procedure, which is meant to fix shoulder instability. Researchers examined CT scans from 107 patients and found that about 75% of them had more than 75% healing in the grafts after surgery, with 96% showing that the graft remained in a good position. This is important because it shows that this new technique could lead to better recovery and fewer complications compared to traditional methods. Who this helps: This helps patients with shoulder instability looking for effective surgical options.

Plain English
This research focused on how a new triple-drug treatment, made up of ivermectin, diethylcarbamazine, and albendazole, can more effectively remove the parasites causing lymphatic filariasis, a disease affecting millions. The study found that this combination therapy is significantly better at clearing parasites from the bloodstream compared to older two-drug treatments, showing improved results in community trials. This matters because it could speed up efforts to eliminate lymphatic filariasis in countries where the disease is common, benefiting public health on a large scale. Who this helps: This helps patients suffering from lymphatic filariasis and the healthcare workers treating them.

Plain English
This study looked at how palmar fibromatosis, also known as Dupuytren contracture, appears on ultrasound in patients diagnosed with it. Researchers analyzed ultrasound images from 36 patients and found that 98% of the lesions appeared darker (hypoechoic) and 95% were stiff (noncompressible), with most located near the tendons in the hand, particularly around the fourth finger. Understanding these characteristics helps doctors better identify and diagnose this condition, potentially improving treatment approaches. Who this helps: This helps patients with Dupuytren contracture and their doctors.

Plain English
This study looked at the muscles and tendons of patients with sepsis—a severe infection that can lead to organ failure—and compared them to patients with trauma who did not have sepsis. Researchers found that the psoas muscle, which is important for movement, was significantly smaller in septic patients, averaging 9.31 cm compared to 12.21 cm in the healthy control group. However, the tendons did not show any significant differences between the two groups. Understanding these changes in muscle size can help improve rehabilitation for critically ill patients. Who this helps: This helps patients recovering from sepsis and the doctors who treat them.

Plain English
This study looked at where wrist ganglion cysts are typically found using ultrasound imaging. It found that 69% of the cysts were located on the palm side (volar) of the wrist, particularly between the radial artery and a key tendon, rather than on the back (dorsal), which is what was previously thought. This is important because knowing the most common locations of these cysts can help doctors more accurately diagnose and treat them. Who this helps: Patients with wrist ganglion cysts.

Plain English
This study looked at how to better measure the amount of oxygen supplied to the brain of critically ill patients using a technique called near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Researchers found that factors such as age, heart rate, and blood gas levels were significantly linked to brain oxygen levels, and their analysis explained 58% of the variation in these levels. This is important because it means NIRS could be a useful tool for doctors to monitor brain oxygen and improve treatment for patients in intensive care. Who this helps: This helps critically ill patients in intensive care.

Plain English
This study looked at critically ill adults in intensive care units to see if low levels of oxygen in the brain during the first 72 hours can lead to problems like delirium and long-term cognitive issues. They monitored brain oxygen levels continuously and assessed patients for delirium, using various tests for neurological function three and twelve months after they left the ICU. The research is important because it could help identify ways to reduce neurological problems in patients who survive serious illnesses. Who this helps: This helps patients recovering from critical illness and their doctors by improving understanding of brain health during ICU care.

Plain English
This study looked at different ways to examine nerves in the arms when patients have conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome or neck-related nerve problems. It found that ultrasound is often a better choice for doctors because it is easier to use, cheaper, and allows for quick comparisons with the other arm. MRI is still important for getting detailed images of deeper nerves. Who this helps: This research benefits patients suffering from arm nerve issues by helping doctors choose the best imaging method for diagnosis.

Plain English
This study explored the impact of neck strengthening exercises on the head movement of young athletes to see if stronger necks can help reduce the risk of concussions. Over eight weeks, 17 participants were divided into two groups: one did neck strengthening exercises, while the other did general resistance exercises. Both groups improved their neck size and strength, but the neck strengthening group showed even greater improvements, which might help lower the risk of concussions during sports. Who this helps: Youth athletes and their coaches.

Plain English
This research looked at athletic injuries in the lower body, like those that affect the legs and feet. The study found that using ultrasound imaging can help diagnose these injuries better than other methods when symptoms are unclear. This is important because accurate diagnosis can lead to more effective treatment, helping athletes recover faster. Who this helps: This helps athletes and healthcare providers working with sports injuries.

Plain English
This study looked at different imaging methods, like MRI and ultrasound, to check on rotator cuff repairs after surgery and see if there are any complications. Researchers found that in the first 6 months after surgery, the repaired rotator cuff can look varied and confusing, but it typically becomes clearer and more normal as time goes on. This information is important because it helps doctors understand what to expect after surgery and when to be concerned about complications. Who this helps: This helps patients recovering from rotator cuff surgery and their doctors.

Plain English
This study focuses on using ultrasound to examine the elbow, highlighting the importance of following a specific routine that includes checking different parts of the elbow. The researchers demonstrated how to effectively scan the elbow by dividing it into four sections: front, inside, outside, and back. This method is crucial for accurately diagnosing elbow issues. Who this helps: This benefits doctors and medical professionals who perform elbow examinations.

Plain English
Researchers studied how well a targeted therapy called Cabozantinib works for men with aggressive prostate cancer that has spread to the bones. In laboratory tests, they found that the treatment significantly slowed tumor growth and improved certain imaging metrics related to tumor behavior, but it didn’t prevent bone loss. In a clinical trial, most patients showed positive signs of response to the treatment after six weeks, suggesting this imaging approach could help assess treatment effectiveness more accurately. Who this helps: This research benefits patients with metastatic prostate cancer by improving treatment monitoring and outcomes.

Plain English
This study looked at how to make sense of complex data collected by a special robot that measures different aspects of movement and coordination in healthy people. Researchers used a technique called principal component analysis (PCA) to simplify over 100 performance metrics from tasks into just a few key components, reducing the data by 67-79% while still capturing a significant amount of useful information (70-82% of the original data). This is important because it makes it easier for doctors and researchers to understand and use the data, especially when looking for patterns in sensorimotor issues in patients. Who this helps: This helps doctors and researchers working with patients who have movement disorders.