Reducing postoperative blood product usage and costs in cardiothoracic surgery: the implementation of a multispecialty perioperative care model incorporating a haemostasis checklist.

Transfusion of blood products following cardiothoracic surgery represents a significant proportion of national blood product usage, has significant cost implications and is associated with increased 30-day mortality. Following identification of an increase in blood product use, we implemented a healthcare improvement initiative using a perioperative care model and establishment of a new multispecialty cardiothoracic surgery taskforce to further define and tackle the problem. The initiative incorporated a bundle of preoperative identification of high-risk patients, an intraoperative haemostasis checklist, a programme of unit education focussing on bleeding postbypass and use of thromboelastography and introduction of postoperative protocols for identification and escalation of bleeding.

Reconstruction Kernel Optimization for Ultra-High-Resolution Photon-Counting Detector Computed Tomography of the Lung.

Background: The latest generation of computed tomography (CT) systems based on photon-counting detector promises significant improvements in several clinical applications, including chest imaging.

Purpose: The aim of the study is to evaluate the image quality of ultra-high-resolution (UHR) photon-counting detector CT (PCD-CT) of the lung using four sharp reconstruction kernels.

Material And Methods: This retrospective study included 25 patients (11 women and 14 men; median age, 71 years) who underwent unenhanced chest CT from April to May 2023.

Lifting limitations following elbow arthroplasty: A survey of British Elbow and Shoulder Society members.

The primary aim of this survey was to capture current practice with regard to lifting limitations following elbow arthroplasty. An online survey was emailed to all members of the British Elbow and Shoulder Society. All consultant respondents who reported performing elbow arthroplasty were asked about their advice for post-operative lifting limitations.

Environmental influences on the distribution and ecology of the fluke intermediate host : a systematic review.

is one of the most distributed intermediate hosts of across Europe, North Africa and South America. Therefore, understanding the environmental preferences of this species is vital for developing control strategies for fascioliasis and other trematodes such as . This systematic literature review evaluates the current understanding of the snail's environmental preferences to identify factors which might aid control and areas where further research is needed.

A multi-scale framework for predicting α-cyclodextrin assembly on polyethylene glycol axles.

Controlling the distribution of rings on polymer axles, such as α-cyclodextrin (αCD) on polyethylene glycol (PEG), is paramount in imparting robust mechanical properties to slide-ring gels and polyrotaxane-based networks. Previous experiments demonstrated that the functionalization of polymer ends could modulate the coverage of αCDs on PEG. To explore the design rule, we propose a multi-scale framework for predicting αCD assembly on bare and functionalized PEG.

Head and neck cancer incidence is rising but the sociodemographic profile is unchanging: a population epidemiological study (2001-2020).

Background: Increasing incidence of head and neck cancers (HNCs), driven by rising rates of oropharynx cancer (OPC), has been recorded around the world. This study examined trends in HNC and subsites (oral cavity, oropharynx, and larynx cancers) in Scotland focusing on assessing whether the sociodemographic profile has changed over the past 20 years.

Methods: Scottish Cancer Registry data (2001-2020) including European Age Standardised Rates of HNC and subsites were analysed in multivariate Poisson regression by age, sex, area-based socioeconomic status, and year of diagnosis (with interaction tests).

Controlling and predicting alkyl-onium electronic structure.

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and calculations show that fully alkylated onium cation electronic structure can be tuned using both the alkyl chains and the central onium atom. The key for tuning the central onium atom is methyl longer alkyl chains, allowing selection of the optimum cation for a wide range of applications, including catalysis and biocides.

Intranasal Trigeminal Function in Aging Adults.

Background: Intranasal trigeminal function is important in detecting environmental stimuli. The impact of age-associated chemosensory dysfunction upon taste and olfaction is well described, but an understanding of trigeminal loss (chemesthesis) is lacking.

Objective: The goal of this study was to characterize trigeminal function in a cohort of older adults and explore potential impacts.

An End-User Evaluation of Blast Overpressure and Accelerative Impact Body-Worn Sensors.

Introduction: Blast overpressure and accelerative impact can produce concussive-like symptoms in service members serving both garrison and deployed environments. In an effort to measure, document, and improve the response to these overpressure and impact events, the U.S.

Influence of Lead Knee Extension on Ball Velocity and Elbow Varus Torque in Professional and High School Baseball Pitchers.

Background: When the lead leg of a pitcher contacts the ground, the knee braces and then rapidly extends, initiating energy transfer to begin pelvis and trunk rotation.

Purpose: To investigate the relationship of lead knee extension during the pitching delivery with peak lead knee extension velocity, ball velocity, and elbow varus torque in high school and professional pitchers.

Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study.

Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography Reconstructions May Detect Pincer Lesions With Higher Sensitivity Than Radiographs in Patients With Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome.

Purpose: To assess the diagnostic capability of radiographs (XRs) to detect pincer lesions compared with 3-dimensional (3D) computed tomography scans in patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS).

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of all patients who underwent hip arthroscopy for FAIS between September 1, 2020, and October 2, 2022. Preoperative imaging was reviewed.

Factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine uptake among Latinos: A cross-sectional study.

Vaccination against COVID-19 can prevent severe illness and reduce hospitalizations and deaths. Understanding and addressing determinants contributing to vaccine uptake among high-risk groups, such as Latinos, are pivotal in ensuring equitable vaccine distribution, promoting health equity, and fostering community engagement to bridge the gap in vaccine acceptance and ultimately enhance public health. This study aimed to examine factors influencing vaccine uptake among Latinos.

Development and external validation of a head and neck cancer risk prediction model.

Background: Head and neck cancer (HNC) incidence is on the rise, often diagnosed at late stage and associated with poor prognoses. Risk prediction tools have a potential role in prevention and early detection.

Methods: The IARC-ARCAGE European case-control study was used as the model development dataset.

Opaganib Downregulates N-Myc Expression and Suppresses In Vitro and In Vivo Growth of Neuroblastoma Cells.

Neuroblastoma (NB), the most common cancer in infants and the most common solid tumor outside the brain in children, grows aggressively and responds poorly to current therapies. We have identified a new drug (opaganib, also known as ABC294640) that modulates sphingolipid metabolism by inhibiting the synthesis of sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) by sphingosine kinase-2 and elevating dihydroceramides by inhibition of dihydroceramide desaturase. The present studies sought to determine the potential therapeutic activity of opaganib in cell culture and xenograft models of NB.

Defining tennis elbow characteristics - The assessment of magnetic resonance imaging defined tendon pathology in an asymptomatic population.

Background: This radiological study aims to assess the prevalence of lateral elbow pathology in an asymptomatic population using 3.0T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods: Bilateral elbow MRI was undertaken in 30 asymptomatic volunteers.

Characteristics of Rodeo Injuries and Suggestions for Injury Prevention: A Systematic Review.

Background: Rodeo is a globally popular sport, with its athletes prone to various types of injuries. There is no systematic review discussing rodeo injuries across all age groups.

Purpose: To (1) review the published literature on incidence, types of injuries, and factors leading to injuries in rodeo athletes; (2) provide prevention recommendations for health care providers; and (3) identify gaps in the research.

Risk Factors for Early Lower Limb Re-Amputation in Vascular Diseases.

Background: Numerous risk factors for lower limb amputations are known; however, this study aimed to identify risk factors for re-amputation in patients within 6 months from an initial lower limb amputation procedure.

Methods: This single-center retrospective cohort study was performed at the Hospital Regional Hans Dieter Schmidt in Brazil. The study included patients who were aged at least 18 years and had undergone lower limb amputation between 2013 and 2022.

Comparing modern identification methods for wild bees: Metabarcoding and image-based morphological taxonomic assignment.

With the decline of bee populations worldwide, studies determining current wild bee distributions and diversity are increasingly important. Wild bee identification is often completed by experienced taxonomists or by genetic analysis. The current study was designed to compare two methods of identification including: (1) morphological identification by experienced taxonomists using images of field-collected wild bees and (2) genetic analysis of composite bee legs (multiple taxa) using metabarcoding.

Too sensitive or not sensitive enough? Sensitivity to context and justice-involved youths' response to violence exposure.

With high rates of violence exposure among justice-involved youth, it is critical to identify factors that might impact the likelihood of youth engaging in violence themselves. One such factor is sensitivity to context, which describes how sensitive youth are to experiences in their environment. Using an ethnically diverse sample of justice-involved male adolescents (47% Latino, 38% Black/African American, 15% White) aged 13-17 at the time of their first arrest, the results of this study indicate that exposure to violence was related to increased violent behavior six months later, and this effect was strongest among youth who were low in sensitivity to context.

The Sphingolipid-Modulating Drug Opaganib Protects against Radiation-Induced Lung Inflammation and Fibrosis: Potential Uses as a Medical Countermeasure and in Cancer Radiotherapy.

Fibrosis is a chronic pathology resulting from excessive deposition of extracellular matrix components that leads to the loss of tissue function. Pulmonary fibrosis can follow a variety of diverse insults including ischemia, respiratory infection, or exposure to ionizing radiation. Consequently, treatments that attenuate the development of debilitating fibrosis are in desperate need across a range of conditions.

High-dose atorvastatin therapy progressively decreases skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiratory capacity in humans.

BACKGROUNDWhile the benefits of statin therapy on atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease are clear, patients often experience mild to moderate skeletal myopathic symptoms, the mechanism for which is unknown. This study investigated the potential effect of high-dose atorvastatin therapy on skeletal muscle mitochondrial function and whole-body aerobic capacity in humans.METHODSEight overweight (BMI, 31.

Opportunistically identifiable vertebral fractures on routine radiological imaging predict mortality: observational cohort study.

Unlabelled: In men and women with opportunistically identifiable vertebral fractures (VFs) on routine CT scans including the chest and/or abdomen, the risk of death is 51% higher than in those with no VF on the CT scan, and 325% higher than an age- and sex-matched general population cohort.

Purpose: There is little knowledge about the risk of death in patients with VFs present on routine radiological imaging. We evaluated the risk of death in men and women aged 50 years or older with opportunistically identifiable VFs on routine CT scans and not treated with osteoporosis medications.