A Proposed Psychologic Clearance Algorithm for Spinal Cord Stimulation Implantation Supported by a Scoping Review.

Objectives: Patients with refractory chronic pain may be considered for spinal cord stimulation (SCS) as an interventional therapy. Studies have shown that psychiatric disorders are associated with worse outcomes. However, this relationship may not be understood by all healthcare professionals.

Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy as an Accurate Forensic Tool for Bone Classification and Individual Reassignment.

This article provides a detailed discussion of the evidence available to date on the application of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and supervised classification methods for the individual reassignment of commingled bone remains. Specialized bone chemistry studies have demonstrated the suitability of bone elemental composition as a distinct individual identifier. Given the widely documented ability of the LIBS technique to provide elemental emission spectra that are considered elemental fingerprints of the samples analyzed, the analytical potential of this technique has been assessed for the investigation of the contexts of commingled bone remains for their individual reassignment.

A methodological framework for estimating ambient PM particulate matter concentrations in the UK.

Scientific evidence sustains PM particles' inhalation may generate harmful impacts on human beings' health; therefore, their monitoring in ambient air is of paramount relevance in terms of public health. Due to the limited number of fixed stations within the air quality monitoring networks, development of methodological frameworks to model ambient air PM particles is primordial to providing additional information on PM exposure and its trends. In this sense, this work aims to offer a global easily-applicable tool to estimate ambient air PM as a function of meteorological conditions using a multivariate analysis.

Chitosan-Cement Composite Mortars: Exploring Interactions, Structural Evolution, Environmental Footprint and Mechanical Performance.

The increasing environmental concerns about synthetic polymers as reinforcement in the construction industry have highlighted the need for eco-friendly, biodegradable fibers as potential alternative materials for cementitious composites. This study examines the influence of chitosan particle concentrations on the midterm compressive strength of mortars. Chitosan particles, derived from shrimp shells, were mixed with high early strength hydraulic cement at various percentages (0, 0.

Long-term suitability of an alternative host for rearing the sugarcane stalk borer parasitoid .

The continuous utilisation of an alternative host may influence parasitoid performance across successive generations due to conditioning in natal hosts. (Olliff) has successfully been reared using L. pupae as a feasible alternative host.

Observed rates of surgical instrument errors point to visualization tasks as being a critically vulnerable point in sterile processing and a significant cause of lost chargeable OR minutes.

Background: The reporting of surgical instrument errors historically relies on cumbersome, non-automated, human-dependent, data entry into a computer database that is not integrated into the electronic medical record. The limitations of these reporting systems make it difficult to accurately estimate the negative impact of surgical instrument errors on operating room efficiencies. We set out to determine the impact of surgical instrument errors on a two-hospital healthcare campus using independent observers trained in the identification of Surgical Instrument Errors.

Cognitive impairment and its association with clinical variables in Mexican persons with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.

Introduction: Cognitive impairment has a substantial impact on the daily function of people living with demyelinating diseases. However, the study of cognitive failures and their association with clinical variables in people suffering from neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) has been scarce, especially in the latin american (Mexican) population at early and middle stages of the disease.

Method: We applied the Rao's Brief Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological tests and obtained data of lesion burden through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), expression of AQPQ4-IgG antibodies, and degree of disability in 30 patients with NMOSD and 30 healthy participants as a control group.

Large-scale DNA sequencing identifies rare variants associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus susceptibility in known risk genes.

The identification of rare genetic variants associated to Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) could also help to understand the pathogenic mechanisms at the basis of the disease. In this study we have analyzed a cohort of 200 Italian SLE patients in order to explore the rare protein-coding variants in five genes (TNFAIP3, STAT4, IL10, TRAF3IP2, and HCP5) already investigated for commons variants found associated in our previous studies. Genomic DNA of 200 SLE patients was sequenced by whole exome sequencing.

LanDis: the disease landscape explorer.

From a network medicine perspective, a disease is the consequence of perturbations on the interactome. These perturbations tend to appear in a specific neighbourhood on the interactome, the disease module, and modules related to phenotypically similar diseases tend to be located in close-by regions. We present LanDis, a freely available web-based interactive tool ( https://paccanarolab.

Combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema.

Purpose Of Review: Combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) is a syndrome characterized by upper lobe emphysema with lower lobe fibrosis. We aim to bring some clarity about its definition, nature, pathophysiology, and clinical implications.

Recent Findings: Although multiple genetic and molecular pathways have been implicated in the development of CPFE, smoking is considered the most prevalent risk factor.

Elucidating Best Geospatial Estimation Method Applied to Environmental Sciences.

The aim of this study is to assess and identify the most suitable geospatial interpolation algorithm for environmental sciences. The research focuses on evaluating six different interpolation methods using annual average PM concentrations as a reference dataset. The dataset includes measurements obtained from a target air quality network (scenery 1) and a sub-dataset derived from a partitive clustering technique (scenery 2).

Effect of Salt Mist Ageing on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Two Ignimbrites from the Canary Islands (Spain).

The aim of this research work is to study the effect of salt mist ageing on the physico-mechanical properties of two ignimbrites from the Canary Islands (Spain). Due to their insular nature and extensive coastlines, these regions are highly susceptible to atmospheric salt aerosols, which is a significant weathering agent for building materials. The ignimbrites analysed are marketed under the names "Azul Lomo Tomás de León" and "Marrón de Abades" and are widely used as building stones.

Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Using a Portable Retinal Camera in Vanuatu.

Background And Objective: Proof-of-concept study to test the feasibility of using an all-in-one portable retinal camera for the screening of diabetic retinopathy in the Pacific Island of Vanuatu, which has a high rate of diabetes and its associated complications and a dearth of ophthalmologists.

Study Design/materials And Methods: From February 10, 2020, through February 28, 2020, 49 patients with diabetes mellitus from three islands in Vanuatu were recruited to participate in the study. Demographics, basic health data and retinal photography were obtained.

Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging Abnormalities in Acute Flaccid Myelitis.

Background: Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) presents with acute onset of flaccid paralysis with involvement of the gray matter on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spinal cord. Studies have reported brain MRI abnormalities, but the characteristics have not been fully defined. In this multicenter study, we assessed the acute features and evolution of brain MRI abnormalities in AFM.

The Mechanism of Inhibition of Pyruvate Formate Lyase by Methacrylate.

Pyruvate Formate Lyase (PFL) catalyzes acetyl transfer from pyruvate to coenzyme a by a mechanism involving multiple amino acid radicals. A post-translationally installed glycyl radical (G· in ) is essential for enzyme activity and two cysteines (C and C) are proposed to form thiyl radicals during turnover, yet their unique roles in catalysis have not been directly demonstrated with both structural and electronic resolution. Methacrylate is an isostructural analog of pyruvate and an informative irreversible inhibitor of pfl.

Preparation, characterization, and life cycle assessment of banana rachis-recycled high-density polyethylene composites.

Agro-industrial wastes are sustainable resources that have advantages as a reinforcement for polymeric matrices. This study examined the use of banana rachis fiber (BRF) in reinforcing the recycled high-density polyethylene (rHDPE) matrix. For this purpose, polymer composites with 5-20 wt% of BRF were prepared by the extrusion process using a twin-screw extruder and followed a hot press method.

Multidisciplinary Teams for the Management of Infective Endocarditis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: The management of infective endocarditis (IE) is complex owing to a high burden of morbidity and mortality. Recent guidelines recommend dedicated multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) for the management of IE. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate and summarize the effect of MDT management on patient outcomes.

Evolving Trends in US Mortality from Opioid Overdose: Heroin and Beyond.

Objective: Our objective was to explore evolving trends in US drug overdose mortality, overall and by age, sex, race, urbanization, and geography from 1999-2020.

Methods: This is a descriptive epidemiologic study. We used the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research and Multiple Cause of Death files from the National Center for Health Statistics.

Translation-coupled mRNA quality control mechanisms.

mRNA surveillance pathways are essential for accurate gene expression and to maintain translation homeostasis, ensuring the production of fully functional proteins. Future insights into mRNA quality control pathways will enable us to understand how cellular mRNA levels are controlled, how defective or unwanted mRNAs can be eliminated, and how dysregulation of these can contribute to human disease. Here we review translation-coupled mRNA quality control mechanisms, including the non-stop and no-go mRNA decay pathways, describing their mechanisms, shared trans-acting factors, and differences.

Guidelines for Diagnosis and Management of Infective Endocarditis in Adults: A WikiGuidelines Group Consensus Statement.

Importance: Practice guidelines often provide recommendations in which the strength of the recommendation is dissociated from the quality of the evidence.

Objective: To create a clinical guideline for the diagnosis and management of adult bacterial infective endocarditis (IE) that addresses the gap between the evidence and recommendation strength.

Evidence Review: This consensus statement and systematic review applied an approach previously established by the WikiGuidelines Group to construct collaborative clinical guidelines.

Oxidation of chlortetracycline and its isomers by Botrytis aclada laccase in the absence of mediators: pH dependence and identification of transformation products by LC-MS.

Tetracyclines are antibiotics considered emerging pollutants and currently, wastewater treatment plants are not able to remove them efficiently. Laccases are promising enzymes for bioremediation because they can oxidize a wide variety of substrates. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Botrytis aclada laccase for the oxidation of chlortetracycline and its isomers in the absence of a mediator molecule, at a pH range between 3.