Spectroscopic Properties of TmF-Doped CaF Crystals.

In this study, we report the growth and comprehensive spectroscopic analysis of TmF-doped CaF crystals, grown using the vertical Bridgman method. The optical absorption and photoluminescence properties of both trivalent (Tm) and divalent (Tm) thulium ions were investigated. Optical absorption spectra in the UV-VIS-NIR range reveal characteristic transitions of Tm ions, as well as weaker absorption bands corresponding to Tm ions.

Impact of an Integrated Human Performance Support Group: Evaluation of Air Force Special Warfare Candidate Training and Musculoskeletal Injury Outcomes Over Eight Fiscal Years.

Introduction: The Special Warfare Training Wing and Special Warfare Human Performance Support Group (HPSG; all-co-authors) were established in fiscal year (FY) 2019 to consolidate and oversee all Air Force Special Warfare (AFSPECWAR) training and provide embedded medical and human performance support to candidates with the goal of improving graduation rates and the longevity of the AFSPECWAR operator. The purpose of this manuscript is to assess the impact of the HPSG on AFSPECWAR graduation rates, musculoskeletal injury (MSKI) incidence, and cost.

Materials And Methods: Graduation rates, MSKI incidence (including incidence density and cumulative incidence probability), and MSKI-related health care costs were assessed across all AFSPECWAR training pipelines spanning 8 FYs 2015-22, including Indoctrination, Assessment, and Selection Courses (Selection); Tactical Air Control Party (TACP); Special Tactics (ST), and Guardian Angel (GA).

Association between self-reported functional capacity measures and postoperative myocardial injury in patients undergoing noncardiac surgeries.

Background: Self-reported functional capacity measures have an uncertain role in the pre-operative cardiovascular risk stratification.

Aim: This substudy aimed to evaluate whether self-reported metabolic equivalent (MET) could improve the prediction of postoperative myocardial injury (MI) over other well-established cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods: This is a post hoc analysis of an international multicenter prospective cohort study.

High-Frequency Linear Array (20 MHz) Based on Lead-Free BCTZ Crystal.

Centimeter-sized BaTiO3-based crystals grown by top-seeded solution growth from the BaTiO3-CaTiO3-BaZrO3 system were used to process a high-frequency (HF) lead-free linear array. Piezoelectric plates with (110)pc cut within 1° accuracy were used to manufacture two 1-3 piezo-composites with thicknesses of 270 and [Formula: see text] for resonant frequencies in air of 10 and 30 MHz, respectively. The electromechanical characterization of the BCTZ crystal plates and the 10-MHz piezocomposite yielded the thickness coupling factors of 40% and 50%, respectively.

Pro-Con Debate: Cardiac Troponin Measurement as Part of Routine Follow-up of Myocardial Damage Following Noncardiac Surgery.

Elevated troponin levels within 3 days of surgery, independent of the presence of symptoms, are strongly linked to increased risk of short- and long-term morbidity and mortality. However, the value of screening with troponin measurements is controversial. The Canadian Cardiovascular Society guidelines on perioperative cardiac risk assessment and management for patients who undergo noncardiac surgery recommends measuring daily troponin for 48 to 72 hours after surgery in high-risk patients.

Life impact of VA-ECMO due to primary graft dysfunction in patients after orthotopic heart transplantation.

Aims: Primary graft dysfunction (PGD) is a feared complication after heart transplantation (HTX). HTX patients frequently receive veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) until graft recovery. Long-term mortality of patients weaned from VA-ECMO after HTX is comparable with non-ECMO patients.

Quantification of metabolic equivalents (METs) by the MET-REPAIR questionnaire: A validation study in patients with a high cardiovascular burden.

Study Objective: Quantifying functional capacity is a core component of preoperative cardiovascular risk assessment. Lower metabolic equivalents (METs) are associated with higher morbidity/mortality in non-surgical and surgical populations. However, actually measuring METs preoperatively is rare.

Luminescence Properties and Judd-Ofelt Analysis of Various ErF Concentration-Doped BaF Crystals.

The influence of erbium ion concentration on the optical properties of BaF:ErF crystals was investigated. Four ErF concentration (0.05, 0.

Liver stiffness quantification in biopsy-proven nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients using shear wave elastography in comparison with transient elastography.

Purpose: This study prospectively assessed the performance of liver stiffness measurements using point shear-wave elastography (p-SWE) in comparison with transient elastography (TE) in patients with biopsy-proven nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Methods: Fifty-six consecutive adult patients with a histological diagnosis of NAFLD prospectively underwent TE and p-SWE on the same day. The median of 10 measurements (SWE-10), the first five (SWE-5), and the first three (SWE-3) measurements were analyzed for p-SWE.

Preoperative N-Terminal Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide and Cardiovascular Events After Noncardiac Surgery: A Cohort Study.

Background: Preliminary data suggest that preoperative N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) may improve risk prediction in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery.

Objective: To determine whether preoperative NT-proBNP has additional predictive value beyond a clinical risk score for the composite of vascular death and myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery (MINS) within 30 days after surgery.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Troponin T monitoring to detect myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery: a cost-consequence analysis.

Background: Myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery (MINS) is a mostly asymptomatic condition that is strongly associated with 30-day mortality; however, it remains mostly undetected without systematic troponin T monitoring. We evaluated the cost and consequences of postoperative troponin T monitoring to detect MINS.

Methods: We conducted a model-based cost-consequence analysis to compare the impact of routine troponin T monitoring versus standard care (troponin T measurement triggered by ischemic symptoms) on the incidence of MINS detection.

Assessment of Left Ventricular Dimensions by Transoesophageal Echocardiography in Patients During Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery.

Objective: Normative values of left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic area and diameter (EDA and EDD) for intraoperative transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) have not been established. We aimed to define the ranges of LV EDA and EDD for intraoperative TEE examinations in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

Methods: A MEDLINE search for studies reporting LV EDA and EDD in CABG patients was performed.

Association of Postoperative High-Sensitivity Troponin Levels With Myocardial Injury and 30-Day Mortality Among Patients Undergoing Noncardiac Surgery.

Importance: Little is known about the relationship between perioperative high-sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT) measurements and 30-day mortality and myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery (MINS).

Objective: To determine the association between perioperative hsTnT measurements and 30-day mortality and potential diagnostic criteria for MINS (ie, myocardial injury due to ischemia associated with 30-day mortality).

Design, Setting, And Participants: Prospective cohort study of patients aged 45 years or older who underwent inpatient noncardiac surgery and had a postoperative hsTnT measurement.

Growth and Characterization of Lead-free Piezoelectric Single Crystals.

Lead-free piezoelectric materials attract more and more attention owing to the environmental toxicity of lead-containing materials. In this work, we review our first attempts of single crystal grown by the top-seeded solution growth method of BaTiO₃ substituted with zirconium and calcium (BCTZ) and (KNa)NbO₃ substituted with lithium, tantalum, and antimony (KNLSTN). The growth methodology is optimized in order to reach the best compositions where enhanced properties are expected.

Laser demonstration with highly doped Yb:Gd2O3 and Yb:Y2O3 crystals grown by an original flux method.

We present, to the best of our knowledge, the first laser demonstration of an Yb-doped Gd(2)O(3) cubic crystal. This crystal was obtained by the flux method using an original borate-based solvent, which was particularly well suited to the growth of rare earth sesquioxide crystals at half the working temperature of classical growth techniques. This flux method is a very interesting alternative for the production of laser sesquioxide crystals, not only because it provides access to new matrices of the cubic polymorph, but also because it permits high Yb(3+)-doping levels for these crystals.

Effectiveness evaluation of an integrated automatic thermomechanic massage system (SMATH® system) in non-specific sub-acute and chronic low back pain - a randomized double-blinded controlled trial, comparing SMATH therapy versus sham therapy: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a major health problem in modern society, with 70-85% of the population experiencing LBP at some time in their lives. Each year, 5-10% of the workforce misses work due to LBP, most for less than 7 days. Almost 10% of all patients are at risk of developing chronic pain and disability.

High sensitivity troponin T concentrations in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery: a prospective cohort study.

Objectives: To determine the proportion of noncardiac surgery patients exceeding the published 99th percentile or change criteria with the high sensitivity Troponin T (hs-TnT) assay.

Design And Methods: We measured hs-TnT preoperatively and postoperatively on days 1, 2 and 3 in 325 adults.

Results: Postoperatively 45% (95% CI: 39-50%) of patients had hs-TnT≥14ng/L and 22% (95% CI:17-26%) had an elevation (≥14ng/L) and change (>85%) in hs-TnT.

[Perioperative management of chronic medication: to withhold, continue or intensify?].

All patients should undergo surgical procedures in the most stable and favourable condition with a continuation of chronic medication. Accordingly, this medication should be continued until the day before surgery in most patients. The preoperative period should be used to evaluate the completeness and quality of the medical treatment.

Safety profile of amateur kickboxing among military and civilian competitors.

The purpose of this study was to identify match-ending injuries in amateur kickboxing (KB) among military and civilian competitors. A total of 148 competitors, of whom 5 were on active duty in the U.S.

No holds barred sport fighting: a 10 year review of mixed martial arts competition.

Objective: To identify the most salient medical issues that may be associated with mixed martial arts competition by determining the types and proportions of match stoppages.

Methods: Publicly available video footage of 1284 men competing in 642 consecutive televised matches from November 1993 to November 2003 was reviewed to determine the reasons for which matches were stopped. Matches were sanctioned by either a United States or Japan based mixed martial arts organisation.

Patient with gemfibrozil-controlled hypertriglyceridemia that developed acute pancreatitis after starting ketogenic diet.

Objective: To report the case of a patient with gemfibrozil-controlled hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) that developed acute pancreatitis several days after starting a high-fat ketogenic diet.

Methods: The patient was evaluated and treated by the authors.

Results: The patient denied viral prodrome or previous symptoms, ethanol consumption, or a known history of cholelithiasis.

Successful chemotherapy in a male patient with malignant lymphoma and Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON).

Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is a bilateral subacute optic neuropathy caused by hereditary missense mutations of the mitochondrial genome. Primary mutations are located at nucleotide positions 11778, 3460, and 14484 in genes encoding subunits of complex I of the respiratory chain. It has been suggested that degenerative changes in the optic nerve might be mediated by apoptosis.

High density binding of proteins and peptides to poly(D,L-lactide) grafted with polyacrylic acid.

The use of graft polymers for the functionalisation of biomaterial surfaces is already widespread. We investigated the adsorptive and covalent binding of a variety of proteins and peptides to poly(D,L-lactide) grafted with polyacrylic acid. Covalent attachment was achieved through coupling of amino groups of the protein/peptide to the carboxyl groups of the graft polymer by using a water-soluble carbodiimide and N-hydroxysuccinimide.