Machine-Learning-Based Detecting of Eyelid Closure and Smiling Using Surface Electromyography of Auricular Muscles in Patients with Postparalytic Facial Synkinesis: A Feasibility Study.

Surface electromyography (EMG) allows reliable detection of muscle activity in all nine intrinsic and extrinsic ear muscles during facial muscle movements. The ear muscles are affected by synkinetic EMG activity in patients with postparalytic facial synkinesis (PFS). The aim of the present work was to establish a machine-learning-based algorithm to detect eyelid closure and smiling in patients with PFS by recording sEMG using surface electromyography of the auricular muscles.

Pro-Con Debate: Monitored Anesthesia Care Versus General Endotracheal Anesthesia for Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography.

Over the past several decades, anesthesia has experienced a significant growth in nonoperating room anesthesia. Gastrointestinal suites represent the largest volume location for off-site anesthesia procedures, which include complex endoscopy procedures like endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). These challenging patients and procedures necessitate a shared airway and are typically performed in the prone or semiprone position on a dedicated procedural table.

An investigation into the long-term binding and uptake of PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS in soil - plant systems.

This study investigated the potential aging and plant bioaccumulation of three perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs), perfluorosulphonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorohexanesulphonic acid (PFHxS) in 20 soils over a six-month period. Sorption coefficients (Log K) ranged from 0.13-1.

Addressing challenges in providing a reliable ecotoxicology data for graphene-oxide (GO) using an algae (Raphidocelis subcapitata), and the trophic transfer consequence of GO-algae aggregates.

The graphene oxide (GO) due to its exceptional structure, physicochemical and mechanical properties is a very attractive material for industry application. Even though, the unique properties of GO (e.g.

Predicting partitioning of radiolabelled C-PFOA in a range of soils using diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy.

The aim of this study was to establish partitioning coefficients (K) of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in a wide range of soils and determine if those values can be predicted from soil properties using multiple linear regression (MLR) and from infrared spectra of soils using partial least squares regression (PLSR). For 100 different soils, the K values of spiked radiolabelled C-PFOA ranged from 0.6 to 14.

The use of mid-infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy for acid sulfate soil analysis.

Good management of sulfide minerals and sulfuric acid in Acid Sulfate Soils (ASS) requires cost-effective rapid analytical data for their characterisation. However, the determination of properties in ASS samples using traditional laboratory techniques is expensive and time consuming. Excessive delays in analysis risks sample changes from oxidation.

Assessment of cyanide contamination in soils with a handheld mid-infrared spectrometer.

We examined the feasibility of using handheld mid-infrared (MIR) Fourier-Transform infrared (FT-IR) instrumentation for detecting and analysing cyanide (CN) contamination in field contaminated soils. Cyanide spiking experiments were first carried out, in the laboratory, to test the sensitivity of infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT) spectrometry to ferro- and ferricyanide compounds across a range of reference soils and minerals. Both benchtop and handheld diffuse reflectance infrared spectrometers were tested.

Rapid prediction of total petroleum hydrocarbons in soil using a hand-held mid-infrared field instrument.

This manuscript reports on the performance of a hand-held diffuse reflectance (mid)-infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT) spectrometer for the prediction of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) in three different diesel-contaminated soils. These soils include: a carbonate dominated clay, a kaolinite dominated clay and a loam from Padova Italy, north Western Australia and southern Nigeria, respectively. Soils were analysed for TPH concentration using a standard laboratory methods and scanned in DRIFT mode with the hand-held spectrometer to determine TPH calibration models.

High-performance Liquid Chromatography Measured Metabolites of Endogenous Catecholamines and Their Relations to Chronic Kidney Disease and High Blood Pressure in Heart Transplant Recipients.

Background: Patients after solid organ transplantation, especially heart and kidneys, are prone to be hypertensive. Recently chronic kidney disease and renalase metabolism of endogenous catecholamines are thought to make major contribution to the pathogenesis of hypertension.

Materials And Methods: We analyzed 75 heart recipients (80% male, 20% female), medium age 54.

Post-myocardial infarction ventricular septal defect. Is it better to operate on a fresh infarction or to wait? A case study.

The authors present case studies of two patients, aged 76 and 77, who were diagnosed with fresh post-myocardial infarction ventricular septal defects (VSD) and were admitted for urgent surgical intervention. The report is a comment in the discussion concerning the optimal time for surgical intervention.

CYP2C9 Polymorphism and Unstable Anticoagulation with Warfarin in Patients Within the First 3 Months Following Heart Valve Replacement.

Background: Warfarin dose requirements are partly determined by common single nucleotide polymorphisms in VKORC1 and CYP2C9 genes.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate how the presence of allelic variants in CYP2C9 affects the stability of anticoagulation in patients within the first 3 months following elective heart valve replacement.

Material And Methods: In a case-control study we compared 18 consecutive carriers of CYP2C9*2 and/or *3 and 25 well-matched patients with the wild type CYP2C9*1/*1 genotype.

Adherence to antihypertensive therapy among heart transplant recipients.

Introduction: Adherence to therapeutic recommendations, concerning in particular drug administration, diet and healthy life style, is essential to obtain optimal medical treatment effects. Elevated blood pressure is an extremely important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery disease, chronic heart failure and stroke, as well as chronic kidney disease.

Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the level of adherence among heart transplant recipients and to explain the reasons for non-adherence phenomenon.

Complexation of silver and dissolved organic matter in soil water extracts.

An important aspect of the behaviour and fate of silver (Ag) in soils is the interaction with dissolved organic matter (DOM). The complexation and strength of binding of Ag(+) with DOM in soil water extracts was examined and modelled based on a range of chemical and quality DOM measurements. Silver ion binding measured by addition of the (110m)Ag radioisotope in addition to a cation exchange resin technique were used to determine strongly complexed Ag in solutions.

Transient and reproducible loss of motor-evoked potential signals after intravenous levetiracetam in a child undergoing craniotomy for resection of astrocytoma.

Transcranial electrical motor-evoked potential (tceMEP) monitoring is used in complex intracranial and spinal surgeries to detect and prevent neurological injury. We present a case of transient, reproducible loss of tceMEPs after an infusion of levetiracetam during craniotomy and tumor resection in a child. Cessation of the infusion resulted in restoration of baseline tceMEPs.

GEMAS: prediction of solid-solution phase partitioning coefficients (Kd) for oxoanions and boric acid in soils using mid-infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy.

The authors' aim was to develop rapid and inexpensive regression models for the prediction of partitioning coefficients (Kd), defined as the ratio of the total or surface-bound metal/metalloid concentration of the solid phase to the total concentration in the solution phase. Values of Kd were measured for boric acid (B[OH]3(0)) and selected added soluble oxoanions: molybdate (MoO4(2-)), antimonate (Sb[OH](6-)), selenate (SeO4(2-)), tellurate (TeO4(2-)) and vanadate (VO4(3-)). Models were developed using approximately 500 spectrally representative soils of the Geochemical Mapping of Agricultural Soils of Europe (GEMAS) program.

YKL-40, a novel marker of cardiovascular complications, is related to kidney function in heart transplant recipients.

Background: YKL-40 is an inflammatory glycoprotein involved in endothelial dysfunction and expressed in macrophages in the earliest lesions of atherosclerosis. Elevated serum YKL-40 levels are independently associated with the presence and extent of coronary artery disease and cardiovascular mortality. Because there are no data on heart transplant recipients and because they are prone to cardiovascular complications, the aim of this study was to assess YKL-40 in this population with particular attention to its relationship with endothelial damage.

Zonulin and iron metabolism in heart transplant recipients.

Background: In patients after heart transplantation, anemia is relatively common and is associated with impaired kidney function, subclinical inflammatory state, and immunosuppressive treatment. Zonulin-prehaptoglibin-2 is newly discovered protein with poorly defined function. Hemoglobin binds haptoglobin, and this stable complex prevents oxidative stress caused by hemoglobin.

Fibroblast growth factor 23 and Klotho as cardiovascular risk factors in heart transplant recipients.

Background: Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 23 is one of the most recently discovered FGFs. This phosphaturic hormone produced in bones is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and thus mortality. Klotho is an essential coreceptor for FGF23 and at the same time it is known as a "longevity" hormone.

Dopamine and noradrenaline are unrelated to renalase, heart rate, and blood pressure in heart transplant recipients.

Introduction: Renalase may degrade catecholamines and regulate sympathetic tone and blood pressure. The aim of this study was to assess dopamine, norepinephrine, and renalase in 80 heart transplant recipients and 22 healthy volunteers and their correlations with heart rate, blood pressure control, type of hypotensive therapy, and renal function.

Patients And Methods: Renalase, dopamine, and norepinephrine were studied by using commercially available assays.

Inadequate blood pressure control in orthotopic heart transplant: is there a role of kidney function and immunosuppressive regimen?

Introduction: Cardiac transplantation is the definitive therapy for eligible patients with end-stage heart failure. Hypertension is a widely accepted risk factor for its outcome.

Patients And Methods: We analyzed 169 heart transplant recipients.

Effect of immunosuppressive therapy on the serum fatty acids of phospholipids fraction in patients after heart transplantation.

Background: The effects of tacrolimus (Tac) and cyclosporine (CsA) on lipid profile is well known; however, little is known about the changes in fatty acids (FA) of phosholipids fraction (PL) in heart transplant patients after treatment with these immunosuppressants. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Tac and CsA on serum FA of PL in heart transplant patients.

Methods: The study included 23 patients after heart transplantation on Tac (n = 14; group II) or CsA (n = 9; group I).

Correlations between demographics, knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes regarding organ transplantation among academic students in Poland and their potential use in designing society-wide educational campaigns.

Background: Family objection precludes 10% of cadaveric donations in Poland. Academic students represent a socially influential demographic group. Educational campaigns improving their attitudes may increase overall donation rates.

GEMAS: prediction of solid-solution partitioning coefficients (Kd) for cationic metals in soils using mid-infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy.

Partial least squares regression (PLSR) models, using mid-infrared (MIR) diffuse reflectance Fourier-transformed (DRIFT) spectra, were used to predict distribution coefficient (Kd) values for selected added soluble metal cations (Ag(+), Co(2+), Cu(2+), Mn(2+), Ni(2+), Pb(2+), Sn(4+), and Zn(2+)) in 4813 soils of the Geochemical Mapping of Agricultural Soils (GEMAS) program. For the development of the PLSR models, approximately 500 representative soils were selected based on the spectra, and Kd values were determined using a single-point soluble metal or radioactive isotope spike. The optimum models, using a combination of MIR-DRIFT spectra and soil pH, resulted in good predictions for log Kd+1 for Co, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn (R(2) ≥ 0.

Serum ghrelin level and TNF-α/ghrelin ratio in patients with previous myocardial infarction.

Background And Aims: Studies investigating serum ghrelin level in atherosclerosis yielded contradictory results. Interaction of ghrelin with adipocytokines is obscure in cardiovascular diseases. We undertook this study to determine which molecules influence ghrelin level and to see whether post-myocardial infarction (MI) patients have decreased ghrelin levels.