Prognostic and Diagnostic Power of Delta Neutrophil Index and Mean Platelet Component in Febrile Patients with Suspected Sepsis.

Background: The delta neutrophil index (DNI), a prognostic and diagnostic marker for sepsis, is based on the leukocyte count. Platelet activation, similar to leukocyte activation, plays a crucial role in host defense against pathogens and may serve as a predictor of sepsis outcome. However, the combined evaluation of mean platelet component (MPC) and DNI has rarely been used to assess sepsis.

Financial hardship associated with catastrophic out-of-pocket spending tied to primary care services in low- and lower-middle-income countries: findings from a modeling study.

Background: Financial risk protection (FRP) is a key component of universal health coverage (UHC): all individuals must be able to obtain the health services they need without experiencing financial hardship. In many low-income and lower-middle-income countries, however, the health system fails to provide sufficient protection against high out-of-pocket (OOP) spending on health services. In 2018, OOP health spending comprised approximately 40% of current health expenditures in low-income and lower-middle-income countries.

Efficacy of ex vivo purging with CD34+ selection to maximize the effects of autologous stem cell transplantation in peripheral T-cell lymphoma patients.

Background Aims: Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) are rare and aggressive tumors with uncertain optimal treatment. This study investigated the clinical outcomes of high-dose chemotherapy (HDT) followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) after CD34+ selective purging in PTCL patients.

Methods: Retrospective analysis included 67 PTCL patients who achieved remission and underwent HDT/ASCT.

A Compact and Efficient Boost Converter in a 28 nm CMOS with 90 mV Self-Startup and Maximum Output Voltage Tracking ZCS for Thermoelectric Energy Harvesting.

There are increasing demands for the Internet of Things (IoT), wearable electronics, and medical implants. Wearable devices provide various important daily applications by monitoring real-life human activities. They demand low-cost autonomous operation in a miniaturized form factor, which is challenging to realize using a rechargeable battery.

3.6 mW Active-Electrode ECG/ETI Sensor System Using Wideband Low-Noise Instrumentation Amplifier and High Impedance Balanced Current Driver.

An active electrode (AE) and back-end (BE) integrated system for enhanced electrocardiogram (ECG)/electrode-tissue impedance (ETI) measurement is proposed. The AE consists of a balanced current driver and a preamplifier. To increase the output impedance, the current driver uses a matched current source and sink, which operates under negative feedback.

Microstructure, Tensile, and Fatigue Properties of Large-Scale Austenitic Lightweight Steel.

High-Mn lightweight steel, Fe-0.9C-29Mn-8Al, was manufactured using steelmaking, ingot-making, forging, and rolling processes. After the final rolling process, a typical austenite single phase was observed on all sides of the thick plate.

Clinical Features, Gene Alterations, and Outcomes in Prefibrotic and Overt Primary and Secondary Myelofibrotic Patients.

The Philadelphia-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are divided in three major groups: polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET), and primary myelofibrosis (PMF). The 2016 WHO classification incorporates also prefibrotic PMF (pre-PMF) and overt PMF. This study aimed to discriminate the clinical features, genetic alterations, and outcomes in patients with prefibrotic, overt PMF, and secondary MF (SMF).

Comparison of Netarsudil/Latanoprost Therapy with Latanoprost Monotherapy for Lowering Intraocular Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Purpose: Netarsudil is a Rho kinase inhibitor and the first new class of clinically useful ocular hypotensive agents. In this study, we conducted a systematic literature review and meta-analysis to summarize and synthesize the available evidence on the efficacy and safety of fixed-dose combination (FDC) therapy with netarsudil/latanoprost in patients with glaucoma.

Methods: We identified relevant studies in PubMed, Ovid Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Central until April 2021.

Depth of Response to Intensive Chemotherapy Has Significant Prognostic Value among Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Patients Undergoing Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation with Intermediate or Adverse Risk at Diagnosis Compared to At-Risk Group According to European Leukemia Net 2017 Risk Stratification.

We evaluated the prognostic efficiency of the European Leukemia Net (ELN) 2017 criteria on the post-transplant outcomes of 174 patients with intermediate (INT; n = 108, 62%) or adverse (ADV) risk (n = 66, 38%) of acute myeloid leukemia; these patients had received the first allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) at remission. After a median follow-up period of 18 months, the 2 year OS, RFS, and CIR after HSCT were estimated to be 58.6% vs.

Peripapillary RNFL/vessel density ratio in patients with type2 diabetes without clinical diabetic retinopathy.

To identify how diabetic retinal neurodegeneration (DRN) and microvascular impairment are affected differently by various factors in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients without diabetic retinopathy via the ratio of RNFL thickness/vessel density (RNFL/VD) ratio. In this retrospective cross-sectional study, subjects were divided into two groups: controls (control group) and patients with T2DM (DM group). The RNFL thickness, VD, and RNDL/VD ratio were compared between two groups, and correlation analyses were performed to identify the relationship between the RNFL/VD ratio and various factors.

Space-Time-Modulated Reconfigurable Metamaterial Based on a Field-Focused Cavity for Nonreciprocal Transmission Control and Frequency Conversion.

Lorentz reciprocity is a fundamental physical property limiting advanced wave propagation control. Previously, special materials and magnetic bias were used to break the reciprocity; however, the approaches are limited by the bulky and costly implementation. To achieve nonreciprocity without magnetic bias, space-time-modulated metamaterials have been investigated for far-field wave propagation control.

A 12-b Subranging SAR ADC Using Detect-and-Skip Switching and Mismatch Calibration for Biopotential Sensing Applications.

This paper presents a 12-b successive approximation register (SAR) analog-to-digital converter (ADC) for biopotential sensing applications. To reduce the digital-to-analog converter (DAC) switching energy of the high-resolution ADC, we combine merged-capacitor-switching (MCS) and detect-and-skip (DAS) methods, successfully embedded in the subranging structure. The proposed method saves 96.

Positive Role of Delta Neutrophil Index (DNI) as a Prodiagnostic Marker in Cecal Ligation and Puncture (CLP)-Induced Sepsis Murine Model.

Sepsis is an emergent infectious disease and a leading cause of death despite immediate intervention. While Delta neutrophil index (DNI) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) are known as a prodiagnostic marker of sepsis, the preclinical evidence of the best marker of sepsis is unclear. For this, using a well-designed cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis mouse model, we comparatively measured the level and cost-effectiveness of sepsis biomarkers such as DNI, myeloperoxidase (MPO), procalcitonin (PCT), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α).

An 11.8-fJ/Conversion-Step Noise Shaping SAR ADC with Embedded Passive Gain for Energy-Efficient IoT Sensors.

Herein, we present a noise shaping successive-approximation-register (SAR) analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with an embedded passive gain multiplication technique. The noise shaping moves the in-band quantization noise from the signal band to out-of-band for improved signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The proposed approach tackles the drawback of the previous active noise shaping (increased power and extra noise) and passive noise shaping (limited noise suppression and signal loss).

Impact of Epstein-Barr Virus on Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma Not Otherwise Specified and Angioimmunoblastic T-Cell Lymphoma.

Purpose: The significance of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infections for the prognosis of patients with peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs), specifically angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) and PTCL not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS), remains unclear. The Epstein-Barr encoding region can be used to detect EBV in tissue sections by hybridization (ISH) and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays of peripheral blood samples from patients with PTCLs. This study compared the outcomes patients with AITL or PTCL-NOS for whom the presence of EBV infection was assessed by these two methods.

A Tactile-Pattern-Integrated Sensing Window for More Consistent Photoplethysmography (PPG) Measurements.

We have demonstrated a tactile-pattern-integrated sensing window for more consistent photoplethysmogram (PPG) measurements. The pattern is composed of two tiny bumps that measure 500μm in diameter and 300μm in height and allow users to position their finger pulps more consistently on the sensing window over different measurement occasions, simply by following their tactile sensation. We experimentally compared the tactile pattern window to a flat window (without any bumps) for 5 test subjects and found that the sensing window with the tactile pattern significantly helped users obtain more consistent PPG signals than the flat window (p < 0.

Effects of health education on adolescents' non-cognitive skills, life satisfaction and aspirations, and health-related quality of life: A cluster-randomized controlled trial in Vietnam.

Objective: The effectiveness of health education on adolescents has been questioned, along with a growing body of empirical studies documenting the absence of behavioral changes after the intervention. However, evidence on its impact on other crucial health domains, besides health practices, is lacking. We evaluated the causal effects of a school-based health education program on adolescents' multidimensional psychological health factors.

Association between depression and antibiotic use: analysis of population-based National Health Insurance claims data.

Background: Frequent exposure to antibiotic treatments may increase the risk of antibiotic resistance, which may threaten the effectiveness of future antibiotic treatments. Thus, it is important to identify the preventable risks in terms of antibiotic use. This study assessed the association between major depressive disorder (MDD) and antibiotic use by comparing the likelihood and extent of antibiotic use between patients with and without MDD.

Complications associated with the Rotarex wire in a patient with peripheral artery disease.

The Rotarex device is used for thrombectomy as well as atherectomy in patients with PAD. It is important to carefully consider the wire position of the Rotarex device during the procedure. As possible as the wire should be located in a lesion-free area.

Cancer Screening Literacy among Vietnamese Population: Does Annual Checkup Improve Cancer Screening Literacy?

Background: Colorectal, breast, and cervical cancers disproportionately impact the Vietnamese population. However, research on cancer prevention among this population was very limited. The purpose of this study is to examine the cancer screening literacy levels for these three types of cancers among rural Vietnamese and investigate correlates of cancer screening literacy.

Is Pap Test Awareness Critical to Pap Test Uptake in Women Living in Rural Vietnam?

Introduction: Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among Vietnamese females. By detecting precancerous cells, Pap test screening plays a critical role in the fight against cervical cancer. The present study aims to investigate health-related factors associated with receipt of Pap test among Vietnamese females living in rural Vietnam, particularly examining the correlation between awareness level of the Pap test and the receiving of Pap test.

Role of Health Literacy in Health-Related Information-Seeking Behavior Online: Cross-sectional Study.

Background: The internet has emerged as a main venue of health information delivery and health-related activities. However, few studies have examined how health literacy determines online health-related behavior.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the current level of health-related information-seeking using the internet and how health literacy, access to technology, and sociodemographic characteristics impact health-related information-seeking behavior.

16.8 nW Ultra-Low-Power Energy Harvester IC for Tiny Ingestible Sensors Sustained by Bio-Galvanic Energy Source.

Herein, we present a 16.8 nW ultra-low-power (ULP) energy harvester integrated circuit (IC) for ingestible biomedical sensors. The energy harvester can be powered from the electro-galvanic operation inside a human body, which provides a sustainable and long-term energy source.

Impact of donor type on long-term graft-versus-host disease-free/relapse-free survival for adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia in first remission.

We assessed the impact of donor type on long-term outcomes of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) in 440 consecutive adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in first complete remission (CR1), particularly focusing on the donor type-specific difference in graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)-free/relapse-free survival (GRFS). Donor sources were matched sibling donor (MSD; n = 199), matched unrelated donor (MUD; n = 110), 1-allele-mismatched unrelated donor (1-MMUD; n = 83), and cord blood (CB; n = 48). Cumulative incidence of severe chronic GVHD was 14.