Progress and Outcomes of Intraoperative Nerve Monitoring During Thyroidectomy.

Importance: Intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM) is not considered standard of care during thyroidectomy, and guidelines are vague about its use in the absence of strong evidence of superiority over visualization of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) alone.

Objective: To characterize patterns of IONM use during thyroidectomy in the US and evaluate the association of IONM with postoperative outcomes.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This cohort study used the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) thyroidectomy data from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2022.

Utilizing Artificial Intelligence to Increase the Readability of Patient Education Materials in Pediatric Otolaryngology.

To identify the reading levels of existing patient education materials in pediatric otolaryngology and to utilize natural language processing artificial intelligence (AI) to reduce the reading level of patient education materials. Patient education materials for pediatric conditions were identified from the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) website. Patient education materials about the same conditions, if available, were identified and selected from the websites of 7 children's hospitals.

Evaluating the Connection Between Rural Travel Time and Health: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Older Adults Living in the Northeast United States.

Introduction: To characterize the impact of rural patients' travel time to obtain healthcare on their reported utilization of preventive healthcare services and personal health outcomes.

Methods: Online survey data from rural adults ages 50+ years living in the Northeastern United States were collected from February to August 2021. Study measures included self-reported travel time to obtain healthcare, use of preventive healthcare, and health outcomes.

Screening for Financial Toxicity Among Patients With Cancer: A Systematic Review.

Objective: Despite the pervasiveness and adverse impacts of financial toxicity (FT) in cancer care, there are no definitive measures for FT screening that have been widely integrated into clinical practice. The aim of this review is to evaluate current methods of assessing FT among patients with cancer and confirm factors associated with higher risk of FT.

Methods: A systematic review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines.

Examining the roles of travel distance, medical mistrust, and cancer fatalism in the uptake of clinical cancer prevention among women in rural and urban US communities: A secondary data analysis.

Introduction: Rural adults are less likely to receive cancer screening than urban adults, likely due to systematic differences in community- and individual-level factors. The purpose of this study was to analyze the relative contributions of rurality, travel time, medical mistrust, and cancer fatalism in explaining uptake of clinical cancer prevention services.

Methods: We conducted a secondary data analysis of 2019-2020 survey data from women, ages 45-65, in rural and urban counties in central Pennsylvania, examining rurality, travel time to a primary care provider, medical mistrust, and cancer fatalism, as well as uptake of guideline-recommended colorectal cancer screening, cervical cancer screening, and preventive check-up.

The role of social cohesion in explaining rural/urban differences in healthcare access and health status among older adults in the mid-Atlantic United States.

Social cohesion can influence health. It is higher among rural versus urban residents, but the burden of chronic disease is higher in rural communities. We examined the role of social cohesion in explaining rural/urban differences in healthcare access and health status.

Comparative yields of antimicrobial peptides released from human and cow milk proteins under infant digestion conditions predicted by methodology.

Mammalian milk proteins are known to encrypt antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) which can be passively released and exert bioactivity in the gastrointestinal and cardiovascular systems pre- or post-absorption, respectively. However, the contribution of 'passive' food-derived AMPs to the pool of endogenous and microbial AMPs has not been differentiated in previous research. Insight into the consequences of protein digestion and peptide bioactivity can be gained using tools.

Finding our own ways of working together: reflections on implementing and facilitating a multidisciplinary and equity-oriented model of Group Pregnancy Care for women of refugee background.

Objective: This paper explores professional staff experiences of implementing and facilitating a multidisciplinary equity-oriented model of Group Pregnancy Care for women of refugee background. This model was the first of its kind in Australia and one of the first worldwide.

Design And Setting: This exploratory descriptive qualitative study reports the process evaluation findings from the formative evaluation of Group Pregnancy Care for women of refugee background.

Lipase-catalysed changes in essential oils revealed by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography.

Candida antarctica lipase A (CALA) was applied for the chemo-selective enzymatic transesterification of terpene and phenyl alcohols in 35 different essential oil samples. Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC×GC‒MS) analysis enabled the separation and tentative identification of a cohort of 125 compounds, allowing the instant visualisation of the reaction process changes, amid the complex chemical background of the samples. The results indicate that 42 out of 79 alcohols so-identified were fully or partially esterified within 48 h of reaction, with primary alcohols being the substrates of preference of the enzyme (90-100% conversion), followed by secondary alcohols (mostly ~ 80-100% conversion).

Hypocalcemia After Thyroidectomy in Patients with Prior Bariatric Surgery: A Propensity Score Matched Analysis from a National Administrative Database.

Studies have suggested that patients with prior gastric bypass may be at increased risk for hypocalcemia following thyroidectomy. Unfortunately, most of these studies are limited to case reports and small series. This study represents the largest sample size to date to assess the incidence of post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia in patients with a history of bariatric surgery.

Quantitative assessment of enzymatic processes applied to flavour and fragrance standard compounds using gas chromatography with flame ionisation detection.

The performance of different enzymes towards the bioprocessing of aroma-related compounds was investigated and a strategy based on GC-FID analysis was developed to facilitate assessment of the stages of characterisation, screening and optimisation, including chiral ratio determination. Characterisation included activity assays (UV-Vis and GC-FID), protein quantification (NanoDrop spectrophotometry) and molar mass estimation (SDS-PAGE electrophoresis). Screening experiments assessed different enzymes, substrates, solvents, acyl donors or mediators.

Demonstration of anti-oxidant properties of mustard seed (Brassica juncea) protein isolate in orange juice.

Previous research has shown that formulated and natural beverages containing mixtures of anti-oxidants can produce stable levels of hydrogen peroxide (HO). The aim of this study was to demonstrate the ultimate anti-oxidant effects of proteins for suppressing HO, using a protein extract from mustard seed (Brassica juncea). The mustard seed protein isolate (MPI) contained ∼51% protein, and 6.

Production of hydrogen peroxide in commercial orange juice products is related to proximate composition, processing conditions and storage time.

Based on the observed production of HO in formulated beverages containing artificial or 'non-natural' mixtures of anti-oxidants (AOXs), it was hypothesized that the natural redox-active compounds present in orange juice (OJ) might also produce HO. Here, we report the levels of HO found in commercially manufactured OJ products in 'fresh' (4 °C on-shelf storage, N = 9) and 'processed' (ambient on-shelf storage, N = 9) categories. The average concentrations of HO immediately after opening the container (T0) were significantly higher (p < 0.

Formulations of selected Energy beverages promote pro-oxidant effects of ascorbic acid and long-term stability of hydrogen peroxide.

Recently, autoxidation mediated by ascorbic acid (AA) and other ingredients, has been implicated in generation of hydrogen peroxide (HO) in so-called Energy beverages. Here, we report the use of cyclic voltammetry and the FOX assay to monitor at short and long incubation times, respectively, the production and stability of HO generated by AA and redox-active ingredients. Levels of HO in Energy drinks (36.

The learning curve and safety of continuous intraoperative vagus nerve monitoring in thyroid surgery.

Introduction: Continuous intraoperative nerve monitoring allows for continuous feedback on the integrity of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) and the quality of its induced myogenic potential. The aims of this study were to assess the time requirements and risks associated with vagus nerve electrode placement when learning the technique.

Methods: This is a prospective observational study carried out in a single otolaryngology department at the start of a trainee's placement.

Relaxation Effects of Essential Oils Are Explained by Their Interactions with Human Brain Neurotransmitter Receptors and Electroencephalography Rhythms.

Inhaled essential oils (EOs) are bioavailable to the brain and are consistently reported to promote relaxation effects. Their mechanisms of action are however not well understood. The aim of this investigation was to assess the neuroactivity of EOs based on their (i) binding interactions to neurotransmitter receptors and (ii) bioelectrical activities in the brain as measured by electroencephalography (EEG).

Leveraging community engagement to increase the health literacy of youth in rural Pennsylvania: The ACHIEVE program.

Purpose: Limited health literacy is prevalent within rural populations and associated with poor health outcomes. This study examined a school-based, community-engaged program called ACHIEVE (Advancing Community Health Innovation through Education, Vision, and Empowerment) for preliminary efficacy in improving knowledge and self-efficacy related to health literacy among youth in rural Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.

Methods: ACHIEVE was designed using an iterative process that utilized validated sources, educational standards, and community engagement.

Anxiolytic effects of essential oils may involve anti-oxidant regulation of the pro-oxidant effects of ascorbate in the brain.

Essential oils (EOs) absorbed via inhalation are consistently reported to produce anxiolytic effects. The underlying neurochemical mechanisms, however, are not well understood. High concentrations of ascorbate in the human brain (~10 mM in neurons) implicates this compound as a key signaling molecule and regulator of oxidative stress.

Isothermal modelling of protein adsorption to thermo-responsive polymer grafted Sepharose Fast Flow sorbents.

In this study, five adsorption isotherm models, that is, the Langmuir, Freundlich, Langmuir-Freundlich, Temkin and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller isotherms, were utilized for the analysis of the experimental adsorption data for six classes of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-based thermo-responsive copolymer-grafted Sepharose Fast Flow sorbents of different copolymer compositions with two structurally related proteins, namely bovine holo-lactoferrin and bovine holo-transferrin at 20 and 50°C. The experimental data for bovine holo-lactoferrin could be mathematically fitted to the Freundlich and Temkin isotherms when the protein feed concentrations were in the range of 1-40 mg/mL at both 20 and 50°C. Similar analysis of the binding of the homologous protein, bovine holo-transferrin, to the same thermo-responsive copolymer-grafted sorbents revealed that the experimental data could be fitted to the Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin isotherms with coefficients of determination value over 0.

Comparison of blood flow restriction devices and their effect on quadriceps muscle activation.

Objectives: Blood flow restriction training (BFRT) provides an alternative approach to traditional strength training. The purpose of this study was to determine differences in quadriceps muscle activation, subject reported pain, and perceived exertion between three exercise conditions: low-load resistance BFRT with (1) regulated and (2) standardized devices, and (3) high-load resistance exercise without BFRT.

Design: Randomized cross over study.

The role of microbial infection in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and the opportunity for protection by anti-microbial peptides.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia. Its pathology is primarily characterized by extracellular deposits of amyloid β peptide and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. Current rationales to explain the pathogenesis of AD include amyloid cascade, inflammation, infection defense and anti-microbial protection hypotheses.

Adsorption of a Humanized Monoclonal Antibody onto Thermoresponsive Copolymer-Grafted Sepharose Fast Flow Sorbents.

The batch adsorption behavior of a humanized monoclonal antibody (hIgG2 mAb) with thermoresponsive polymer (TRP)-modified Sepharose Fast Flow sorbents with different compositions of grafted copolymers is described. At high protein loadings, the adsorption with negatively charged copolymer-modified sorbents exhibited S-shaped isotherms in most cases, indicative of unrestricted multilayer adsorption. The adsorption capacity of the negatively charged copolymer-modified sorbents increased with an increase in the applied environmental temperature due to increased protein-sorbent surface hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions.