Machine learning and deep learning for classifying the justification of brain CT referrals.

Objectives: To train the machine and deep learning models to automate the justification analysis of radiology referrals in accordance with iGuide categorisation, and to determine if prediction models can generalise across multiple clinical sites and outperform human experts.

Methods: Adult brain computed tomography (CT) referrals from scans performed in three CT centres in Ireland in 2020 and 2021 were retrospectively collected. Two radiographers analysed the justification of 3000 randomly selected referrals using iGuide, with two consultant radiologists analysing the referrals with disagreement.

Prolonged interval to surgery following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Long-course neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT), followed by surgery after an interval of 6-8 weeks, represents standard of care for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). Increasing this interval may improve rates of complete pathological response (pCR) and tumour downstaging. We performed a meta-analysis comparing standard (SI, within 8 weeks) versus longer (LI, after 8 weeks) interval from NCRT to surgery.

Intracranial calcifications simulating Aicardi-Goutières syndrome in PARS2-related mitochondrial disease.

PARS2 encodes an aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase that catalyzes the ligation of proline to mitochondrial prolyl-tRNA molecules. Diseases associated with PARS2 primarily affect the central nervous system, causing early infantile developmental epileptic encephalopathies (EIDEE; DEE75; MIM #618437) with infantile-onset neurodegeneration. Dilated cardiomyopathy has also been reported in the affected individuals.

Frequent vascular access thrombosis in a patient with end stage kidney disease on hemodialysis.

Vascular access thrombosis (VAT) is common among patients receiving hemodialysis and leads to missed dialysis treatments, hospitalizations, catheter placement, and graft/fistula abandonment. This article reviews the association between hypercoagulability and VAT and the high prevalence of hypercoagulable states in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). This article reviews the role of antithrombotic and anticoagulant medications in preventing VAT.

In Utero Presentation of Left Ventricular Aneurysm.

Congenital left ventricular aneurysm, pseudoaneurysm, and diverticulum are rare entities. These diagnoses can be made pre- and/or postnatally. Although these entities overlap clinically and morphologically, important distinctions can allow for accurate diagnoses.

Atypical infiltrates on endomyocardial biopsy are associated with adverse outcomes in pediatric heart transplantation.

Background: The significance of atypical infiltrates (eosinophils or plasma cells) on endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) after pediatric heart transplant (HTx) is not known. We hypothesized that atypical infiltrates are associated with worse post-HTx outcomes.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients <21 years old who underwent primary HTx between 2013 and 2017.

Student perceptions of the use of three-dimensional (3-D) virtual reality (VR) simulation in the delivery of radiation protection training for radiography and medical students.

Background: VR simulation-based learning is increasingly used in healthcare education to prepare students for clinical practice. This study investigates healthcare students' experience of learning radiation safety in a simulated interventional radiology (IR) suite.

Method: Radiography students (n = 35) and medical students (n = 100) were introduced to 3D VR radiation dosimetry software designed to improve the learners' understanding of radiation safety in IR.

Integrative Volume Status Assessment.

Volume status assessment is a critical but challenging clinical skill and is especially important for the management of patients in the emergency department, intensive care unit, and dialysis unit where accurate intravascular assessment is necessary to guide appropriate fluid management. Assessment of volume status is subjective and can vary from provider to provider, posing clinical dilemmas. Traditional non-invasive methods of volume assessment include assessment of skin turgor, axillary sweat, peripheral edema, pulmonary crackles, orthostatic vital signs, and jugular venous distension.

A qualitative analysis of radiography students' reflective essays regarding their experience of clinical placement during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted healthcare services and clinical placement for healthcare students. There is a paucity of qualitative research into radiography students' experiences of clinical placement during the pandemic.

Method: Students in stages three and four of a 4-year BSc Radiography degree in Ireland wrote reflective essays regarding their experience of clinical placement during the COVID-19 healthcare crisis.

Supporting radiography clinical placements in Ireland during the COVID-19 pandemic: The practice educators perspective.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted healthcare services and the clinical learning environment. Several studies have investigated radiography students' experiences of clinical placement during the pandemic; however, few have investigated the Clinical Practice Educator's (CPEs) perspective. CPEs play a pivotal role in supporting clinical education.

Barefoot Running on Grass as a Potential Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis: A Prospective Case Series.

Background: Foot characteristics and running biomechanics in shod populations are associated with the aetiology of plantar fasciitis, the most common musculoskeletal disease of the foot. Previous Case reports have demonstrated improvements in the symptoms of plantar fasciitis after a period of barefoot running on grass.

Methods: Recreational runners with symptomatic plantar fasciitis were prospectively enrolled into a 6-week grass based barefoot running programme.

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy is under-recognized in end-stage pediatric heart failure: A 36-year single-center experience.

Background: Although ventricular failure is a late finding in adults with AC, we hypothesize that this is a presenting symptom in pediatric heart failure patients who undergo HT and that their ventricular arrhythmia burden could differentiate AC from other cardiomyopathies.

Methods: We performed a single-center retrospective cohort study reviewing 457 consecutive pediatric (≤18 years) HT recipients at our institution. Explanted hearts were examined to establish the primary diagnosis, based on pathologic findings.

A meta-analysis of laparoscopic versus ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane block in laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

Background: Enhanced recovery programmes in laparoscopic colorectal surgery (LCS) employ combined approaches to achieve postoperative analgesia. Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a locoregional anaesthetic technique that may reduce postoperative pain.

Aims: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the effectiveness of laparoscopic- versus ultrasound-guided TAP block in LCS.

LMOD2-related dilated cardiomyopathy presenting in late infancy.

Leiomodin-2 (LMOD2) is an important regulator of the thin filament length, known to promote elongation of actin through polymerization at pointed ends. Mice with Lmod2 deficiency die around 3 weeks of age due to severe dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), resulting from decreased heart contractility due to shorter thin filaments. To date, there have been three infants from two families reported with biallelic variants in LMOD2, presenting with perinatal onset DCM.

Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Irritable Bowel Syndrome Among Individuals With Symptomatic Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

Goals: Our aim was to describe the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other gastrointestinal symptoms in a sample of veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and to examine the relationship between gastrointestinal symptoms, PTSD severity, depression severity, and number of prior traumatic events reported.

Background: IBS and PTSD can co-occur; yet, little research has focused on describing the gastrointestinal symptoms and prevalence of IBS among veterans with PTSD.

Materials And Methods: We examined baseline data from a randomized clinical trial of behavioral interventions for veterans with PTSD.

Anastomotic Leak after Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis.

There are special considerations when treating anastomotic leak after restorative proctocolectomy and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. The epidemiology, risk factors, anatomic considerations, diagnosis and management, as well as the short- and long-term consequences to the patient are unique to this patent population. Additionally, there are specific concerns such as "tip of the J" leaks, transanal management of anastomotic leak/presacral sinus, functional outcomes after leak, and considerations of redo pouch procedures.

Size exclusion chromatography of aromatic compounds in high-boiling petroleum samples.

Knowledge of aromatic compounds in petroleum samples is of paramount interest from processing and environmental viewpoints. Considering the complexity of such samples, a selective analytical strategy viz. aromatic specific size exclusion chromatographic methodology using amino-bonded silica phase, was adopted to obtain the average molecular weights of distilled cuts, residue and the corresponding crude oil.

Tympanostomy Tubes or Medical Management for Recurrent Acute Otitis Media.

Background: Official recommendations differ regarding tympanostomy-tube placement for children with recurrent acute otitis media.

Methods: We randomly assigned children 6 to 35 months of age who had had at least three episodes of acute otitis media within 6 months, or at least four episodes within 12 months with at least one episode within the preceding 6 months, to either undergo tympanostomy-tube placement or receive medical management involving episodic antimicrobial treatment. The primary outcome was the mean number of episodes of acute otitis media per child-year (rate) during a 2-year period.

Loving-Kindness Meditation vs Cognitive Processing Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Veterans: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Additional options are needed for treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among veterans.

Objective: To determine whether group loving-kindness meditation is noninferior to group cognitive processing therapy for treatment of PTSD.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This randomized clinical noninferiority trial assessed PTSD and depression at baseline, posttreatment, and 3- and 6-month follow-up.

A Novel Large-Vessel Arteritis in SARS-CoV-2-Related Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C).

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a newly defined condition associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The syndrome has been described as a "Kawasaki disease"-like illness and the spectrum of associated abnormalities, including vascular complications, remain to be fully defined. The novel findings of a large-vessel arteritis in this report will add to the understanding of this syndrome and its associated vascular complications.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on management and outcomes in acute appendicitis: Should these new practices be the norm?

Background: In early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered management of surgical patients globally. International guidelines recommended that non-operative management be implemented wherever possible (e.g.