Abstract Breast cancer is the most frequent event in Li-Fraumeni syndrome associated with germline TP53 variants. Some studies have shown that breast cancers in women with Li-Fraumeni syndrome are commonly HER2-positive, suggesting that HER2 amplification or over-expression in a young woman may be a useful criterion to test for germline variants in the TP53 gene. We assessed the prevalence of germline TP53 variants by Sanger sequencing or next-generation sequencing in 149 women...
1w
Abstract The objective of this study was to prepare and characterize dexamethasone polymeric nanoparticles by membrane emulsification method. Shirasu porous glass was used as a membrane for the emulsification process. The mean particle size was determined by photon correlation spectroscopy, and the drug release test was performed in the dialysis cell. The size of nanoparticles was increased with increasing applied pressure, membrane pore size, the polymeric content of the oily...
1d
Abstract In this work, two types of MWCNT-oxazolidinone conjugates were synthesized, by varying the quartz tube lengths in the reactor (40 cm and 60 cm), with the aim at evaluating and comparing their biological potential against nine bacterial strains. MWCNT-1 (40 cm) showed higher surface defects and lower crystallinity than MWCNT-2 (60 cm). During each step of chemical modification, the organic material incorporation onto the MWCNTs changed the surface defects, density, and...
1d
Abstract Coronavirus pandemic is burdening healthcare systems around the world to the full capacity they can accommodate. There is an overwhelming need to find a treatment for this virus as early as possible. Computer algorithms and deep learning can participate positively by finding a potential treatment for SARS-CoV-2. In this paper, a deep learning model and machine learning methods for the classification of potential coronavirus treatments on a single human cell will be...
3d
Abstract This study aimed to extend the application of plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) process to the production of immobilized composite photocatalysts with sensitizing nanoparticles (NPs) on the metallic substrate. For this purpose, the immobilized Fe2O3/TiO2 layers with different amounts of sonochemically synthesized Fe2O3 NPs were prepared on the titanium substrate using the PEO method and their structural, morphological, optical, and photocatalytic properties were investigated....
4d
Abstract We use molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the material properties of cubic zinc blende Si0.5Ge0.5 alloy nanowire (NW). We elucidate the effect of nanowire size, crystal orientations, and temperature on the material properties. We found that the reduction in the NW cross-sectional area results in lower ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and Young’s modulus. The [111] and [110] oriented NWs exhibit the highest fracture strength and fracture toughness, respectively....
4d
Abstract Considering that basic bismuth nitrate Bi6O5(OH)3(NO3)5·3H2O (BBN) with a wide band gap energy (Eg = ~ 3.40 eV) could only respond to UV light, herein, BiOI-coupled BBN (BBN/BiOI) heterojunction at the size of several microns was synthesized by a grinding-assistant ion-exchange strategy. BiOI nanoparticles with relatively uniform diameters in the range of 0.22–0.71 μm attached on the surface of BBN at the size of around 10 μm. BBN/BiOI exhibited significantly enhanced...
4d
Abstract This study reports the synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using an unconventional, eco-friendly method that utilizes cinnamon bark extract as a reducing agent and stabilizer. The synthesized AuNPs were characterized using UV–Vis spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). UV–Vis spectrum shows the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak around 535 nm. TEM shows the spherical shape of AuNPs and the particle size distribution at around 35 nm. The ability...
6d
Abstract The synthesis of nanorods and nanowires of early transition metal oxides by hydrothermal methods and the conversion of some bulk oxides to nitrides in NH3 flow are both well established. However, the conversion of such oxide nanostructures to nitrides is not as well explored but could be a valuable method of producing nanowires, nanorods, and other asymmetric or high aspect ratio nanoparticles of the highly conductive metal nitrides. In this work, nanostructures of...
1w
Summary Background The prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) are still poor. Nedaplatin/paclitaxel regimen has shown activity with lower toxicity in metastatic ESCC. Recombinant human endostatin (Rh-endostatin), an inhibitor of angiogenesis, has shown inhibitory effects on ESCC xenograft. We assessed the activity and safety of Rh-endostatin plus paclitaxel/nedaplatin in patients with recurrent or metastatic advanced ESCC. Methods In this single-center, open-label,...
3d
Summary Lactoferrin has gained extensive attention due to its ample biological properties. In this study, recombinant human lactoferrin carrying humanized glycosylation (rhLf-h-glycan) expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris SuperMan5, which is genetically glycoengineered to efficiently produce functional humanized glycoproteins inclosing (Man)5(GlcNAc)2 Asn-linked glycans, was analyzed, inspecting its potential toxicity against cancer cells. The live-cell differential nuclear...
4d
Summary Background The MYC oncogene is one of the most frequently altered driver genes in cancer. MYC is thus a potential target for cancer treatment as well as a biomarker for the disease. However, as a target for treatment, MYC has traditionally been regarded as “undruggable” or difficult to target. We set out to evaluate the efficacy of a novel MYC inhibitor known as MYCMI-6, which acts by preventing MYC from interacting with its cognate partner MAX. Methods MYCMI-6 response...
6d
Summary Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) are recommended first-line treatments in EGFR-mutated (EGFRm) non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, acquired resistance (e.g. MET amplification) is frequently observed. Savolitinib (volitinib, HMPL-504, AZD6094) is an oral, potent, and highly selective MET-TKI. In this phase Ib, open-label, multicenter study, we enrolled Chinese patients with EGFRm advanced NSCLC, whose disease progressed following...
6d
Abstract Purpose The incidence of sternal fractures in blunt trauma patients lies between 3 and 7%. The role, timing and indications for surgical management are not well delineated and remain controversial for patients undergoing surgical stabilization of sternum fracture (SSSF). We sought to identify the national rate of SSSF in patients with a sternum fracture hypothesizing patients undergoing SSSF will have a decreased rate of mortality...
1d
Abstract Purpose Sedation management of trauma patients after damage control laparotomy (DCL) has not been optimized. We evaluated if shorter sedation exposure was associated with increased proportion of delirium-free/coma-free (DF/CF-ICU) days and change in time to definitive fascial closure (DFC). Methods We reviewed trauma DCL patients at an ACS-verified...
1d
Abstract Purpose The modified Trauma-Induced Coagulopathy Clinical Score (mTICCS) presents a new scoring system for the early detection of the need for a massive transfusion (MT). This easily applicable score was validated in a large trauma cohort and proven comparable to more established complex scoring systems. However, the inter-rater reliability of the mTICCS has not yet been investigated. ...
1w
Abstract The capability of faecal indicator bacteria (FIB) to be environmental in origin and the deficient specificity of markers can mean uncertain outcomes when just a single marker is distinguished. This can give a bogus thought regarding water quality. A water quality analysis and the correlation between FIB, multiple physiochemical parameters and a viral marker in recreational waters were studied. For water concentration, carefully validated virus filtration techniques...
1d
Potential Reuse of PET Waste Bottles as a Green Substrate/Adsorbent for Reactive Black 5 Dye Removal
Abstract The adsorption process is one of the most promising alternatives for textile effluent treatment. Different materials have been used as adsorbents and most of them present hard recovery, increasing the process cost. In this work, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste bottles were used as a substrate for the formation of titanium dioxide (TiO2-G5) films aiming at Reactive Black 5 removal by adsorption process. The TiO2-G5/PET films were characterized by N2 adsorption-desorption,...
4d
Abstract The objectives of this research were to evaluate the maintenance of water quality when using chitosan foam filters in water recirculation systems during the cultivation of Nile tilapia and to verify the zootechnical performance and the hepatic and branchial histopathological changes, in comparison with the use of biological filter with bioballs. Two Nile tilapia cultivation trials were carried out (trial 1: 35-L tanks; trial 2: 130-L tanks), using six individual water...
6d
Abstract In this work, we were interested in eliminating the organic and mineral compounds that pose problems in obtaining drinking water using the method of coagulation. These substances are stable in the medium due to their colloidal sizes and surface loads, which require appropriate treatment. For this purpose, we explored the removal of colloidal suspension using a coagulant formed by co-precipitation of AlCl3.6H2O in an alkaline medium. This practice leads to the formation...
1w
Abstract During storm events, contaminants and sediments from roadways, curbside, parking lots, and lawns in urban environments are mobilized and transported by the stormwater runoff. These contaminants are finally discharged in waterbodies, such as rivers and lakes, with adverse effects on public health and ecosystems. Several studies have reported high levels of heavy metals and nutrients in urban stormwater runoff. Best management practices such as sedimentation and bioretention...
1w
Abstract Background Dexmedetomidine, an α2 agonist, has well-known anesthetic and analgesic-sparing effects. We designed this study to evaluate the effect of intraoperative dexmedetomidine infusion on intra operative blood loss and postoperative pain in functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Methods This prospective cohort study included 90 patients...
1w
Abstract As the global climate warms, the fate of lacustrine fish is of huge concern, especially given their sensitivity as ectotherms to changes in water temperature. The Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus L.) is a salmonid with a Holarctic distribution, with peripheral populations persisting at temperate latitudes, where it is found only in sufficiently cold, deep lakes. Thus, warmer temperatures in these habitats particularly during early life stages could have catastrophic consequences...
3d
Abstract This article examines the choices that might be needed for India’s energy sector under alternative mitigation scenarios. The article draws on the CD-LINKS study—a collaborative EU project under which seven pathways based on different combinations of carbon budget (high and low) and policy implementation (early and late) were developed and examined. This study uses the MARKAL energy system model to develop these scenarios. The three broad strategies that emerge for India...
4d
Abstract Farmers’ climate perceptions are responsible for shaping their adaptive responses and are thus essential to consider for the design of strategies to reduce vulnerability and increase resilience. In this study, we collected social data in four communities in the central Ethiopian Highlands on farmers’ climate perceptions and adaptations using group discussions and PRA tools. We related these to climate data spanning 30 years (1981 to 2010), consisting of daily minimum...
5d
Summary Background The prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) are still poor. Nedaplatin/paclitaxel regimen has shown activity with lower toxicity in metastatic ESCC. Recombinant human endostatin (Rh-endostatin), an inhibitor of angiogenesis, has shown inhibitory effects on ESCC xenograft. We assessed the activity and safety of Rh-endostatin plus paclitaxel/nedaplatin in patients with recurrent or metastatic advanced ESCC. Methods In this single-center, open-label,...
3d
Summary Lactoferrin has gained extensive attention due to its ample biological properties. In this study, recombinant human lactoferrin carrying humanized glycosylation (rhLf-h-glycan) expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris SuperMan5, which is genetically glycoengineered to efficiently produce functional humanized glycoproteins inclosing (Man)5(GlcNAc)2 Asn-linked glycans, was analyzed, inspecting its potential toxicity against cancer cells. The live-cell differential nuclear...
5d
Summary Background The MYC oncogene is one of the most frequently altered driver genes in cancer. MYC is thus a potential target for cancer treatment as well as a biomarker for the disease. However, as a target for treatment, MYC has traditionally been regarded as “undruggable” or difficult to target. We set out to evaluate the efficacy of a novel MYC inhibitor known as MYCMI-6, which acts by preventing MYC from interacting with its cognate partner MAX. Methods MYCMI-6 response...
6d
Summary Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) are recommended first-line treatments in EGFR-mutated (EGFRm) non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, acquired resistance (e.g. MET amplification) is frequently observed. Savolitinib (volitinib, HMPL-504, AZD6094) is an oral, potent, and highly selective MET-TKI. In this phase Ib, open-label, multicenter study, we enrolled Chinese patients with EGFRm advanced NSCLC, whose disease progressed following...
6d
Abstract High utility itemset mining is an important extension of frequent itemset mining which considers unit profits and quantities of items as external and internal utilities, respectively. Since the utility function has not downward closure property, an overestimated value of utility is obtained using an anti-monotonic upper bound of utility function to prune the search space and improve the efficiency of high utility itemset mining methods. Transaction-weighted utilization...
5d
Abstract Integrating social networks data in the process of promoting business and marketing applications is widely addressed by several researchers. However, regarding the isolation between social network platforms managing such data has become a challenging task facing data scientist. In this respect, the present paper is designed to put forward a special semantic data integration approach, whereby a unified presentation and access to social networks data can be maintained....
5d
Abstract Real-world network data can be incomplete (e.g., the social connections are partially observed) due to reasons such as graph sampling and privacy concerns. Consequently, communities detected based on such incomplete network information could be not as reliable as the ones identified based on the fully observed network. While existing studies first predict missing links and then detect communities, in this paper, a joint optimization framework, Communities detected on...
5d
Abstract We consider the task of discovering functional dependencies in data for target attributes of interest. To solve it, we have to answer two questions: How do we quantify the dependency in a model-agnostic and interpretable way as well as reliably against sample size and dimensionality biases? How can we efficiently discover the exact or \(\alpha \) -approximate top-k dependencies? We address the first question by adopting information-theoretic notions....
5d
Abstract The application of edge clouds is becoming more and more widespread. The resource optimization is one of the important research contents of edge cloud. Generally, the edge cloud has limited computing resources and energy. Resource optimization can make tasks perform efficiently and reduce costs. Therefore, achieving high energy efficiency while ensuring a satisfying user experience is critical. This paper proposes the resource optimization and load balancing model....
5d
Abstract Long short-term memory (LSTM) is a powerful deep learning technique that has been widely used in many real-world data-mining applications such as language modeling and machine translation. In this paper, we aim to minimize the latency of LSTM inference on cloud systems without losing accuracy. If an LSTM model does not fit in cache, the latency due to data movement will likely be greater than that due to computation. In this case, we reduce model parameters. If, as...
5d
Abstract With the rapid growth of Twitter in recent years, there has been a tremendous increase in the number of tweets generated by users. Twitter allows users to make use of hashtags to facilitate effective categorization and retrieval of tweets. Despite the usefulness of hashtags, a major fraction of tweets do not contain hashtags. Several methods have been proposed to recommend hashtags based on lexical and topical features of tweets. However, semantic features and data sparsity...
6d
The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of using peri-operative brachytherapy (BRTx) for positive/narrow margins present post primary surgical resection of oral tongue squamous cel...
6d
Abstract Background Decision aids are patient-focused tools that have the potential to reduce the overuse of head computed tomography (CT) scans. Objective The objective of this study was to create a consensus among Canadian mild traumatic brain injury and emergency medicine experts on modifications required to adapt two American decision aids about head...
1d
Abstract Background and Objective The CP-6D is a new preference-based measure derived from the CPQOL, a cerebral palsy-specific quality-of-life questionnaire. The CP-6D contains six dimensions, each with five levels. A preference-based value set is required to score the CP-6D on a utility scale and render it suitable for cost-utility analysis. This study aims to estimate the utility value set for the CP-6D for interventions for people...
2d
Abstract Pectus excavatum has been performed using techniques such as sternum elevation and sternum reversal; however, the Nuss method is now widely used. The Nuss method is considered less invasive, but it requires a plate. We have performed open-repair surgery that can be completed at once without using a plate as a standard procedure. Conversely, the usefulness of the internal thoracic artery (ITA) in coronary artery bypass surgery and breast reconstruction has increased in...
1d
Abstract The current Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a huge impact on emergency surgical services in the UK. The Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) published guidelines about COVID-19 pandemic in March, 2020 to aid decision making for the surgeons. These guidelines recommended that all patients requiring urgent surgery should have reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and/or computed tomography (CT) thorax pre-operatively. However, it is currently...
1d
Abstract Associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) has been widely used in recent years. However, the clinical outcomes of ALPPS compared with that of two-stage hepatectomy (TSH) remain controversial. This meta-analysis aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of ALPPS and TSH. Relevant studies were retrieved via a search of the “MEDLINE,” “EMBASE,” and “SCIENCE DIRECT” databases. A meta-analysis of the mortality rate, second surgery completion...
1d
Abstract In the early postoperative period after laparoscopic surgery, most patients experience decreased bowel activity and abdominal pain. Gum chewing can increase bowel movements through cephalic-vagal stimulation as a fake nutrition method and thus prevent ileus. This study aimed to investigate the effects of gum chewing on early postoperative recovery after laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery. A total of 106 patients, who underwent the laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery...
1d
Abstract The COVID-19 disease caused by novel coronavirus was first reported in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 with 5% patients having severe lung injury. Though this disease primarily presents as a lower respiratory tract infection, multiple digestive manifestations have been reported which are often overlooked. The present case report describes the unusual progression of COVID-19 disease from pneumonia to a procoagulant state leading to superior mesenteric artery thrombosis and...
1d
Abstract Despite the development of vascular reconstruction techniques, thoracic sympathectomy still represents a valid therapeutic option for certain ischemic disorders. In selected patients for which direct revascularization is not feasible because of the very peripheral localization of vascular lesions, sympathectomy maximizes tissue preservation thus preventing or delaying major amputation and it permits optimal pain control. Also, thoracic sympathectomy can be safely performed...
4d
Abstract A low-lying pubic tubercle is one of the commonly implicated anatomical factors associated with indirect inguinal hernias. Even though many studies have addressed this topic, we found that they had major lacunae that are addressed in this article. The purpose of this study was to compare the incidence of low-lying pubic tubercle in a direct and indirect inguinal hernia, the accuracy of radiological measurement with clinical measurement for low-lying pubic tubercle, and...
5d
Abstract A 28-year-old lady has presented to the surgical emergency with jaundice and pain in the right upper abdomen for 4 days. Ultrasound features were suggestive of gallstones with a dilated common bile duct (CBD). On magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), there was a gallstone of size 2.5 cm obstructing the CBD with a characteristic hyperintense core with triradiate pattern—the Mercedes Benz sign.
1w
Abstract Transhiatal esophagectomy (THE) with cervical esophagogastric anastomosis is done for esophageal carcinoma and various benign lesions of the esophagus. Cervical anastomotic (CA) leak following THE is a serious complication that adds significantly to morbidity. As these leaks usually manifest in neck, local wound care is one of the essential components to manage such leaks. This study aims to evaluate the effect of negative pressure therapy (NPT) on healing of cervical...
1w
Abstract Thyroidectomy is one of the most commonly performed surgeries of the head and neck and it calls for meticulous hemostasis as thyroid is one of the most vascular glands in our body. To demonstrate the application of Thunderbeat™ in a retroauricular approach thyroidectomy for the first time in the existing world literature to the best of our knowledge. Forty-five-year-old female patient with nodular goiter underwent retroauricular approach thyroidectomy using Thunderbeat™...
1w
Abstract In the last few decades, there has essentially been an explosion in the use of lasers in medicine, especially in the area of cosmetic dermatology. Potentially harmful substances are liberated when tissues are vaporized with laser. This creates numerous risks, including the spread of infectious disease. Smoke evacuators are devices that capture and filter laser plume, thereby maintaining a safe environment for the surgical team and patient. Our aim was to characterize the...
1d
Abstract This study was conducted in order to compare the safety and efficacy of LLLT, 5% minoxidil, and combination therapy in the treatment of FPHL. A randomized controlled trial was developed to study the effect of LLLT on FPHL using a device called iHelmet®, which is equipped with 200 5mW laser diode source (650 nm) arrays. Ninety Ludwig’s types II–III FPHL patients were randomly divided into 3 groups: LLLT group (A), 5% minoxidil group (B), and combination group(C). Hair density,...
3d
Abstract The evaluation of pigmented lesions on tattooed skin poses a diagnostic challenge for dermatologists, as a nevus may be partially or completely obscured by tattoo pigment. Because of incidences of melanoma arising from tattooed skin, the current gold standard is to biopsy these lesions. Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is a noninvasive imaging modality used in the diagnosis and management of skin diseases that may allow for diagnosis, while preserving the tattoo design....
4d
Abstract Deep dyspareunia affects almost half of the women with endometriosis and is associated with vaginal endometriotic lesions. Our pilot study’s objective is to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of CO2-laser ablation under colposcopic guidance for the treatment of symptomatic vaginal endometriosis. A non-comparative pilot study has been performed. Only women with histologically proven vaginal endometriosis, who declared the presence of moderate or severe deep dyspareunia,...
4d
Abstract Healing wounds represent a major public health problem, mainly when it is infected. Besides that, the antibiotics misuse and overuse favor the development of bacterial resistance. This study evaluated the effects of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) combined with artificial skin on disinfection of infected skin wound in rats. Twenty-four Wistar rats were randomly distributed into 4 groups (n = 6): (i) control—untreated; (ii) aPDT—treated with curcumin-mediated...
4d
Abstract Purpose Few previous studies estimated the association between micronutrient status and sleep quality; no previous work was done in patients with depression compared with healthy controls. Methods Using a case-control design, 96 patients with depression were age- and sex-matched with 96 healthy controls. Dietary assessment utilized a standardized...
3d
Abstract Purpose Stroke is a major cause of death in China. This study aimed to investigate the association between sleep duration (nighttime sleep and daytime napping) and stroke in elderly Chinese individuals with self-reported health status. Methods A total of 4785 Chinese adults over 65 years from the 2011 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal...
4d
Abstract Objective This study aimed to investigate the association between each parameter of intermittent hypoxia in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and the cognitive profile, cortical thickness, and white matter integrity in middle-aged and older adults. Methodology Participants were newly diagnosed with moderate or severe OSA from the King Chulalongkorn...
6d
Abstract Cellular response to TBI is a mixture of excitotoxicity, neuroinflammation, and cell death. Biomarkers that can track these lesions and inflammatory processes are being explored for their potential to provide objective measures in the evaluation of TBI, from prehospital care to rehabilitation. By understanding the pathways involved, we could be able to improve diagnostic accuracy, guide management, and prevent long-term disability. We listed some of the recent advances...
1d
Abstract Calcified thoracic disc herniations present a rare and challenging entity. Due to the close proximity to the spinal cord and relative narrowing of the spinal canal, the optimal approach remains a matter of debate. While the transthoracic approach is usually preferred, we adapted a new technique described in 2012: the transdural posterior approach. Our aim was to evaluate its benefits in patients with giant thoracic disc protrusions. We retrospectively reviewed all patients...
4d
Abstract Chiari malformation type I (CM1) is a common neurosurgical disorder. It often causes debilitation in the affected patients. CM1 is a herniation of the caudal cerebellum into the spinal canal. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of posterior fossa decompression and duraplasty (PFDD) in treated CM1 patients. In retrospective design, we reviewed the medical records of diagnosed patients with CM1 at two neurosurgical centers spanning 8 years...
1w
Abstract Models provide a way to describe systems as they are now and how we want to change them. Formal methods reduce the probability of misunderstanding. Different types of model are needed at different parts of the project life cycle. Conceptual models differ in detail from implementation-specific models. The early stages use scope statements, storyboards and requirements specification. Examples are provided about Fred and his dog and colorectal cancer referral.
1d
Abstract Performing interstage home monitoring using digital platforms (teleIHM) is becoming commonplace but, when used alone, may still require frequent travel for in-person care. We evaluated the acceptability, feasibility, and added value of integrating teleIHM with synchronous telemedicine video visits (VVs) and asynchronous video/photo sharing (V/P) during the interstage period. We conducted a descriptive program evaluation of patient-families receiving integrated multimodality...
16h
Abstract A 10-year-old male with prolonged fever, rash, and conjunctivitis presented to the emergency department with concern for Kawasaki disease, found to have myocarditis and PCR positive for SARS-CoV-2.
6d
Abstract Chiari network is an embryonic remnant of the right sinus venosus. It appears as a thin, fenestrated membrane attached to two or more regions within the right atrium. Usually, a Chiari network has a benign course; however, rare complications associated with a Chiari network have been reported. We present the case of a neonate with hypoxemia and a Chiari network protruding into the right ventricular inflow tract associated with right-to-left shunting across the patent...
6d
Abstract Aortic root dilatation is frequently encountered in adults with repaired Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). The timing of total repair is known to have a significant correlation with late aortic root dilatation, but it is not well established. The objective of this study was to investigate the risk factors and correlation with timing of total repair for aortic root dilatation in adults with repaired TOF. An observational retrospective cohort study was conducted in 314 adults...
6d
Abstract Fontan patients rely on atrial function for diastolic filling and to augment cardiac output. Emerging data suggests that diminished atrial function is predictive of poor outcomes in adults but studies evaluating the association between atrial mechanics in Fontan patients and outcomes are lacking. We sought to assess atrial function in Fontan patients using speckle tracking echocardiography to determine whether atrial function is associated with invasive hemodynamics and...
1w
Abstract Fragmented QRS (fQRS) is an easily evaluated noninvasive parameter in electrocardiograms (ECGs) for predicting cardiac adverse events. Our study aimed to evaluate whether fQRS could be used as a risk factor to predict a major adverse cardiac event (MACE) in children with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Our retrospective study enrolled 63 patients aged ≤ 19 years who were newly diagnosed with idiopathic DCM at Samsung Medical Center from 2003 to 2014, and followed...
1w
Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of combining transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement (TPVR) and electrophysiology (EP) procedures. A retrospective review was undertaken to identify TPVR and EP procedures that were concomitantly performed in the cardiac catheterization laboratory at University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital from January 2011 to October 2019. Procedural and follow-up data were compared between patients who...
1w
Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term function of the aortic valve in patients with discrete subaortic stenosis (DSS), and its prognostic implications. 34 patients with the diagnosis of isolated DSS were treated at our pediatric heart center between 1992 and 2019. Demographic, echocardiographic and surgical data were analyzed. 26 patients had surgery to remove the subaortic membrane. The primary endpoint of this study was a change in the aortic valve...
1w
Abstract People can relatively easily report summary properties for ensembles of objects, suggesting that this information can enrich visual experience and increase the efficiency of perceptual processing. Here, we ask whether the ability to judge diversity within object arrays improves with experience. We surmised that ensemble judgments would be more accurate for commonly experienced objects, and perhaps even more for objects of expertise like faces. We also expected improvements...
1d
The article was published with a typo in the article title. The word “corpusclel’s” should read “corpuscle”.
1d
Abstract People are sensitive to regularities in the environment. Recent studies employing the additional singleton paradigm showed that a singleton distractor that appeared more often in one specific location than in all other locations may lead to attentional suppression of high-probability distractor locations. This in turn effectively reduced the attentional capture effect by the salient distractor singleton. However, in basically all of these previous studies, the probability...
1d
Abstract Under a “cocktail-party” environment with simultaneous multiple talkers, recognition of target speech is effectively improved by a number of perceptually unmasking cues. It remains unclear whether emotions embedded in the target-speaker’s voice can either improve speech perception alone or interact with other cues facilitating speech perception against a masker background. This study used two target-speaker voices with different emotional valences to examine whether recognition...
1d
Abstract Humans and animals are capable of estimating and discriminating nonsymbolic numerosities via mental representation of magnitudes—the approximate number system (ANS). There are two models of the ANS system, which are similar in their prediction in numerosity discrimination tasks. The log-Gaussian model, which assumes numerosities are represented on a compressed logarithmic scale, and the scalar variability model, which assumes numerosities are represented on a linear scale....
1d
Abstract A core assumption of ideomotor theory is that learned bidirectional associations between actions and their effects enable agents to select and initiate actions by anticipating their sensory consequences. Although the acquisition of bidirectional action–effect (A-E) associations built on the experience of one’s own movements has received considerable empirical support, the available evidence for A–E learning through the observation of others’ actions and their effects...
1d
Abstract The early work of Charles W. Eriksen and colleagues provided us with both the flanker task and the concepts of response competition and continuous flow. The model of the flanker task that Eriksen and colleagues developed also includes the idea that processing occurs in two phases and the specific claim that pro-active response inhibition is employed to prevent errors under certain conditions. We first replicated and extended the behavioral evidence that motivated this...
2d
Abstract Visual working memory (VWM) is typically considered to represent complete objects—that is, separate parts of an object are maintained as bound objects. Yet it remains unclear whether and how the features of disparate parts are integrated into a whole-object memory representation. Using a change detection paradigm, the present study investigated whether VWM performance varies as a function of grouping strength for features that either determine the grouped object (orientation)...
2d
Abstract Purpose Robotic endovascular technology may offer advantages over conventional manual catheter techniques. Our aim was to compare the endovascular catheter path-length (PL) for robotic versus manual contralateral gate cannulation during endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), using video motion analysis (VMA). Methods This was a multicentre...
3d
Abstract Purpose A dental splint was developed for non-invasive rigid point-based registration in electromagnetically (EM) navigated mandibular surgery. Navigational accuracies of the dental splint were compared with the common approach, that is, using screws as landmarks. Methods A dental splint that includes reference registration notches was 3D printed....
4d
Abstract Purpose With the growing availability and variety of imaging modalities, new methods of intraoperative support have become available for all kinds of interventions. The basic principles of image fusion and image guidance have been widely adopted and are commercialized through a number of platforms. Although multimodal systems have been found to be useful for guiding interventional procedures, they all have their limitations. The...
5d
Abstract Withaferin-A, an active withanolide derived from the medicinal herbal plant Withania somnifera induces autophagy, reduces TDP-43 proteinopathy, and improves cognitive function in transgenic mice expressing mutant TDP-43 modelling FTLD. TDP-43 is a nuclear DNA/RNA-binding protein with cellular functions in RNA transcription and splicing. Abnormal cytoplasmic aggregates of TDP-43 occur in several neurodegenerative diseases including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS),...
1d
Abstract The human amnion has been used for decades in wound healing, particularly burns. Amnion epithelial cells (AECs) have been the focus of extensive research based on their possible pluripotent differentiation ability. A novel, cultured cell population derived from AECs, termed human amnion–derived multipotent progenitor (AMP) cells, secrete numerous cytokines and growth factors that enhance tissue regeneration and reduce inflammation. This AMP cell secretome, termed ST266,...
4d
Abstract A limited number of peripheral targets generate pain. Inflammatory mediators can sensitize these. The review addresses targets acting exclusively or predominantly on sensory neurons, mediators involved in inflammation targeting sensory neurons, and mediators involved in a more general inflammatory process, of which an analgesic effect secondary to an anti-inflammatory effect can be expected. Different approaches to address these systems are discussed, including scavenging...
5d
Abstract There are a broad range of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) available in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), but limited biomarkers exist to personalise DMT choice. All DMTs, including monoclonal antibodies such as rituximab and ocrelizumab, are effective in preventing relapses and preserving neurological function in MS. However, each agent harbours its own risk of therapeutic failure or adverse events. Pharmacogenetics, the study of the effects of genetic...
6d
Abstract Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathic pain (CIPNP) often occurs in cancer patients treated with antineoplastic drugs. Therapeutic management of CIPNP is very limited, at least in part due to the largely unknown mechanisms that underlie CIPNP genesis. Here, we showed that systemic administration of the chemotherapeutic drug paclitaxel significantly and time-dependently increased the levels of cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB) in dorsal root ganglion...
1w
Abstract In mammals, spinal cord injuries often result in muscle paralysis through the apoptosis of lower motor neurons and denervation of neuromuscular junctions. Previous research shows that the inflammatory response to a spinal cord injury can cause additional tissue damage after the initial trauma. To modulate this inflammatory response, we delivered lentiviral anti-inflammatory interleukin-10, via loading onto an implantable biomaterial scaffold, into a left-sided hemisection...
1w
Abstract To improve early melanoma detection, educational programs have been developed for general practitioners (GPs). This study aimed to determine whether the adjunct of teaching basic knowledge of pigmented skin lesions (PSL) to the training in melanoma diagnosis improves the GPs’ diagnostic accuracy of melanoma. An interventional prospective study was conducted over a 3-month period where GPs attended a 2-h training course. The 1st session taught clinical melanoma recognition...
2d
Abstract Patient knowledge of risk factors, signs and symptoms associated with oral cancers is crucial for increasing the likelihood of patient presentation for opportunistic screening and reducing delay in patient appraisal for early detection. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of oral cancer and to ascertain socio-demographic factors that influence knowledge amongst adult dental patients attending public clinics in Brisbane, Australia. A convenience sample of 213 adult...
3d
Abstract Medical school clerkship offers third year medical students multiple opportunities to acquire clinical experience through real patient interactions and integration into the healthcare teams of different specialities. As part of the general surgery rotation, medical students are invited to scrub in to assist with surgeries—a chance to simultaneously gain medical knowledge while developing technical skills. They learn that there is a possibility of inflicting harm to the...
4d
Abstract Therapeutic radiographers (TRs) are well-placed to deliver advice to cancer patients; however, limited research exists on their practices in providing advice on healthy lifestyle behaviours. Through an online survey, this study aimed to explore TRs’ current practices, barriers, and facilitators around delivering healthy behaviour advice to cancer patients. An online survey was sent to 72 radiotherapy departments in the UK and 583 TRs responded to the survey. Findings showed...
5d
Abstract The emerging discipline of oncofertility advocates for the timely provision of fertility preservation (FP) to all cancer patients of childbearing age by healthcare providers. A lack of practice due to limited FP-related knowledge was found among healthcare providers. A systematic review was undertaken on the educational programs on FP for healthcare providers. An initial search was performed in MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus databases in...
5d
Abstract Quality improvement and patient safety education is an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) common program requirement for hematology/oncology fellowships. Interprofessional clinical patient safety activities, such as root cause analyses (RCA), can be challenging to incorporate into busy schedules. We report on a multicentered experience utilizing a simulated RCA educational module in an attempt to provide fellows with the tools needed to participate...
6d
Abstract Background The treatment of gastroparesis refractory to medical therapy has evolved to include purely endoscopic techniques. Per oral pyloromyotomy (POP) has evolved from traditional laparoscopic or open pyloroplasty to become a safe and effective minimally invasive option for patients with gastroparesis. As compared to laparoscopic pyloroplasty (LP), POP produces similar improvements in gastric emptying and symptom mitigation,...
1d
Abstract Background Fluorescence-based enhanced reality (FLER) enables the quantification of fluorescence signal dynamics, which can be superimposed onto real-time laparoscopic images by using a virtual perfusion cartogram. The current practice of perfusion assessment relies on visualizing the bowel serosa. The aim of this experimental study was to quantify potential differences in mucosal and serosal perfusion levels in an ischemic...
1d
Abstract Background Laparoscopic liver resection for metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) remains controversial. The objective of this study was to compare the short-term and mid-term outcomes of patients with CRC undergoing laparoscopic versus open colorectal resection with simultaneous resection for liver metastases. Methods ...
1d
Abstract Background 5G communication technology has been applied to several fields in telemedicine, but its effectiveness, safety, and stability in remote laparoscopic telesurgery have not been established. Here, we conducted four ultra-remote laparoscopic surgeries on a swine model under the 5G network. The aim of the study was to investigate the effectiveness, safety, and stability of the 5G network in remote laparoscopic telesurgery....
1d
Abstract Background and aims In recent years, with the development of endoscopic techniques, endoscopic resection is widely used for duodenal papillary adenomas, but conventional endoscopic resection has a high rate of incomplete resection and recurrence. On this basis, we have employed a novel modified endoscopic papillectomy (ESP). In this study, we evaluated the feasibility and advantages of this ESP for the treatment of duodenal...
1d
Abstract Background Laparoscopic surgery requires a new set of skill to be learned by the surgeons, of which the most relevant is tissue manipulation. Excessive forces applied to the tissue can cause rupture during manipulation or ischemia when confronting both sides of the tissue. The aim of this study is to establish the construct validity of the SurgForce system for objective assessment of advanced laparoscopic skills, based...
1d
Abstract Background Rendezvous endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP) is a well-established method for treatment of choledocholithiasis. The primary aim of this study was to determine how different techniques for management of common bile duct stone (CBDS) clearance in patients undergoing cholecystectomy have changed over time at tertiary referral hospitals (TRH) and county/community hospitals (CH). The secondary...
1d
Abstract Background Up to 20% of medical students are unable to reach competency in laparoscopic surgery. It is unknown whether these difficulties arise from heterogeneity in neurological functioning across individuals. We sought to examine the differences in neurological functioning during laparoscopic tasks between high- and low-performing medical students using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). ...
1d
Abstract Background Bile duct injury rates for laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) remain higher than during open cholecystectomy. The “culture of safety” concept is based on demonstrating the critical view of safety (CVS) and/or correctly interpreting intraoperative cholangiography (IOC). However, the CVS may not always be achievable due to difficult anatomy or pathology. Safety may be enhanced if surgeons assess difficulties objectively,...
4d
Abstract Background Hemostasis is very important for a safe surgery, particularly in endoscopic surgery. Accordingly, in the last decade, vessel-sealing systems became popular as hemostatic devices. However, their use is limited due to thermal damage to organs, such as intestines and nerves. We developed a new method for safe coagulation using a vessel-sealing system, termed flat coagulation (FC). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy...
5d
Abstract Background Common bile duct (CBD) stones are reported in ~ 15% of patients who undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy for symptomatic gallstones. Prior to lithotripsy techniques, transcystic laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) was limited to smaller CBD stones. The addition of lithotripsy to LCBDE increases cost, operative time and staffing requirements. Predicting which patients might require lithotripsy would...
6d
Abstract Background Bowel endometriosis is the most common pattern of Deep Endometriosis (DE). Arising from the posterior portion of the cervix and spreading to the recto-vaginal septum, utero-sacral and parametrial ligaments could lead to a distortion of normal pelvic anatomy, causing pain and infertility. Hormonal therapy is the first-line treatment in non-symptomatic patient. Conversely, laparoscopic surgical treatment has to be...
6d
Fluorescent cholangiography significantly improves patient outcomes for laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Abstract Background Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the most common elective abdominal surgery in the USA, with over 750,000 performed annually. Fluorescent cholangiography (FC) using indocyanine green dye (ICG) permits identification of extrahepatic biliary structures to facilitate dissection without requiring cystic duct cannulation. Achieving the “critical view of safety” with assistance of ICG cholangiogram may support identification...
6d
Abstract Background Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)-guided liver biopsy is a novel technique to obtain adequate liver samples for diagnosis of liver parenchymal diseases. There are studies that have evaluated the feasibility and safety of EUS-guided parenchymal liver biopsy (EUS-LB), however, factors that can influence specimen quality are yet to be determined. Our aim was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of EUS-LB and evaluate...
6d
Abstract Background and study aims Lumen-apposing stents (LAMS) are approved to treat peripancreatic collections and for gallbladder and bile duct drainage. Over the last years, LAMS have also been used for off-label indications including gastrojejunostomy, gastro-gastrostomy and drainage of postsurgical collections. We aimed to analyze indications, technical/clinical success rates and complications of all LAMS placed over the last...
1w
Abstract Background This study aimed to evaluate fetal adverse outcomes of laparoscopy and laparotomy in pregnant women to determine the safety of these surgical approaches. Methods This was a retrospective nationwide case–control study of women who became pregnant for the first time between 2000 and 2012 in Taiwan. The case (with adverse fetal outcomes)...
1w
Abstract Background When Rectocele is part of a complex pelvic organ prolapse, a full repair is recommended. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological results after laparoscopic surgery in patients with symptomatic rectocele and III/IV stage vaginal vault prolapse Methods This is a prospective cohort study of women with symptomatic...
1w
Abstract Introduction No manometric criteria have been defined to select patients for magnetic sphincter augmentation (MSA). The first step to establish such criteria is to measure the outflow resistance at esophagogastric junction (EGJ) imposed by MSA. This resistance needs to be overcome by the esophageal contraction in order for the esophagus to empty and to avoid postoperative dysphagia. This study was designed to measure the outflow...
1w
Abstract Background Multiple bariatric databases have been formed, but there have been no comprehensive assessments of military treatment facilities (MTFs). MTFs have unique patients and coverage policies by Tricare insurance. Methods MHS Mart (M2) was used to review the outpatient medical record, AHLTA, from October 2013 to December 2018 for type...
1w
Abstract Background Our group has previously demonstrated that low socioeconomic status (SES) independently predicts ≤ 25th percentile weight-loss following bariatric surgery (BS). Given that sociodemographic metrics can be separated into income, education, and race, we sought to investigate how each metric independently impacted weight loss following BS. Methods ...
1w
Abstract Background Although the link between achalasia and morbid obesity is unclear, the reported prevalence is 0.5–1% in this population. For bariatric surgery patients, optimal type and timing of achalasia intervention is uncertain. Methods Patient charts from a single academic institution were retrospectively reviewed. Between 2012 and 2019, 245...
1w
Abstract Background The impact of bariatric surgery on atherosclerosis is a relatively less studied subject. Obesity has been identified as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), a surrogate marker for atherosclerosis and risk of CVD, has been found to be associated with obesity. Recent literature has shown that there is significant reduction in CIMT following bariatric...
1w
Abstract Introduction The benefits of minimally invasive surgery are numerous; however, considerable variability exists in its application and there is a lack of standardized training for important advanced skills. Our goal was to determine whether participation in an advanced laparoscopic curriculum (ALC) results in improved laparoscopic suturing skills. Methods and procedures...
1w
Abstract Background Myotomy length for per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is standardized for type I and II achalasia. However, for type III achalasia, jackhammer esophagus, diffuse esophageal spasms and esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction, there is no standard. Determining myotomy length based on the high-pressure zone found during high-resolution manometry (HRM) and spastic length found during esophagography may be used to...
1w
Abstract Background Telemedicine has been shown to improve patient access to medical care while potentially improving overall healthcare efficiency. It has not been consistently explored on an acute care surgery service as a method of increasing clinic availability and efficiency within a safety-net hospital system. Socioeconomic hardships associated with an in-person clinic visit can deter patients with limited resources. A virtual...
1w
Abstract Introduction Various methods have been described to create a functional neovagina with feminizing (male-to-female) gender affirming surgery. Intestinal vaginoplasty using ileal or colon segments confers natural mucus production and greater canal depth with primary vaginoplasty. In this work we describe an alternative approach to primary and salvage vaginoplasty using right colon. We focus on relative advantages compared to...
1w
Abstract Background Augmentation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is the primary goal of both surgical and endoscopic therapies for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The feasibility, efficacy, safety, and reversibility of a newly developed endotherapy for GERD using intraluminal magnets referred to as a magnet closure device (MCD) were evaluated. Methods ...
1w
Abstract Introduction Pudendal nerve and artery entrapment is an underdiagnosed pathology responsible of several urinary, sexual and anorectal complaints. The aim of our study was to evaluate safety and feasibility of laparoscopic transperitoneal pudendal nerve and artery release in a large retrospective cohort of patients with pudendal nerve entrapment syndrome with both a short and long-term follow-up. Technical details and outcomes...
1w
Abstract Background Burnout among physicians is an increasing concern, and surgeons are not immune to this threat. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has caused dramatic changes to surgeon workflow, often leading to redeployment to other clinical areas, slowdown and shutdown of elective surgery practices, and an uncertain future of surgical practice in the post-pandemic setting. Paradoxically, for many surgeons who had to prepare for but...
1w
Abstract Background Morbidity and recurrence rates are higher in obese patients undergoing open abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR). Historically, body mass index (BMI) ≥ 40 has served as a relative contraindication to open AWR. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) on outcomes after AWR for higher versus lower BMI patients. ...
1w
Abstract Introduction The advantages of laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) are well known, but their financial costs are poorly evaluated. The aim of this study was to analyze the economic impact of surgical difficulty on LLR costs, and to identify clinical factors that most affect global charges. Methods All patients who underwent LLR from 2014 to...
1w
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