Binding Modes and Water-Mediation of Polyelectrolyte Adsorption to a Neutral CaCO Surface.

Aqueous polyelectrolytes are effective mineralization inhibitors due to their ability to template onto crystal surfaces and chelate ions in solution. These additives have been shown to alter the morphology of calcium carbonate crystals, making them promising candidates for biological and industrial applications. However, while key to designing more effective mineralization inhibitors, the molecular mechanisms governing the interactions between polyelectrolytes and crystal surfaces remain poorly understood.

Fourth ventricular roof angle does not predict surgical outcome in paediatric patients with Chiari I malformation.

Purpose: Pre-operative fourth ventricle roof angle (FVRA) has recently been highlighted as a novel radiographic predictor of clinical severity in Chiari type-I malformation (CM-I) as reported by Seaman et al. (J Neurosurg Pediatr 25:1-8, 2021). This has led to suggestions that FVRA could be included in algorithms to determine indications for surgery.

Machine learning in cancer-associated thrombosis: hype or hope in untangling the clot.

The goal of machine learning (ML) is to create informative signals and useful tasks by leveraging large datasets to derive computational algorithms. ML has the potential to revolutionize the healthcare industry by boosting productivity, enhancing safe and effective patient care, and lightening the load on clinicians. In addition to gaining mechanistic insights into cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT), ML can be used to improve patient outcomes, streamline healthcare delivery, and spur innovation.

DNA liquid biopsy-based prediction of cancer-associated venous thromboembolism.

Cancer-associated venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a major source of oncologic cost, morbidity and mortality. Identifying high-risk patients for prophylactic anticoagulation is challenging and adds to clinician burden. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) sequencing assays ('liquid biopsies') are widely implemented, but their utility for VTE prognostication is unknown.

Use of romiplostim for antineoplastic therapy-induced thrombocytopenia in gynecologic and breast cancers.

Objective: Romiplostim is used to treat chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia in a variety of tumor types; however, few studies have examined its use in breast and gynecologic cancers. We evaluated platelet response and durability of response to romiplostim in patients with gynecologic or breast cancer complicated by chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia.

Methods: We retrospectively identified 33 patients with gynecologic or breast cancer who received romiplostim between 07/1/2021-07/31/2022 at an academic cancer center.

Machine learning natural language processing for identifying venous thromboembolism: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a leading cause of preventable in-hospital mortality. Monitoring VTE cases is limited by the challenges of manual medical record review and diagnosis code interpretation. Natural language processing (NLP) can automate the process.

Adsorption Isotherm and Mechanism of Ca Binding to Polyelectrolyte.

Polyelectrolytes, such as poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), can effectively mitigate CaCO scale formation. Despite their success as antiscalants, the underlying mechanism of binding of Ca to polyelectrolyte chains remains unresolved. Through all-atom molecular dynamics simulations, we constructed an adsorption isotherm of Ca binding to sodium polyacrylate (NaPAA) and investigated the associated binding mechanism.

Is High-Flow Nasal Oxygenation a Game Changer in Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration?: A pilot study.

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the high-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) and supraglottic airway device (SAD) techniques in oncological patients undergoing endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) and transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) to evaluate the efficacy of HFNO in them.

Methods: This pilot study was conducted at Sultan Qaboos Comprehensive Cancer Care and Research Centre, Muscat, Oman, from May 2022 to March 2023. Patients undergoing EBUS TBNA under moderate sedation were quasi-randomised into the HFNO and SAD groups.

High-risk and silent clonal hematopoietic genotypes in patients with nonhematologic cancer.

Clonal hematopoiesis (CH) identified by somatic gene variants with variant allele fraction (VAF) ≥ 2% is associated with an increased risk of hematologic malignancy. However, CH defined by a broader set of genotypes and lower VAFs is ubiquitous in older individuals. To improve our understanding of the relationship between CH genotype and risk of hematologic malignancy, we analyzed data from 42 714 patients who underwent blood sequencing as a normal comparator for nonhematologic tumor testing using a large cancer-related gene panel.

Pericapsular Nerve Group Block as an Effective Intervention for Pain Relief and Improving Functional Mobility in Cancer Patients: A Case Series.

Pericapsular nerve group block (PENG) is an ultrasound-guided regional block technique that blocks the articular branches of the femoral nerve, accessory obturator nerve and obturator nerve. These nerves richly innervate the anterior capsule of the hip joint and blocking these nerves helps in hip analgesia. PENG block is commonly used in hip fracture pain perioperatively.

Prolonged Indwelling Percutaneous Nephrostomy Leading to Purple Urinary Bag Syndrome in Palliative Care Setting: A Case Report.

Purple urine bag syndrome (PUBS) is a complication and a rare phenomenon associated with bacterial colonisation in bladder catheters in which urine turns purple in the tubing and the catheter bag. This condition can be distressing and panicking for the patients and their families as well as the medical staff caring for them. It is an interesting and unusual presentation that affects people with long-term indwelling catheters and chronic constipation.

Application of Machine Learning to the Prediction of Cancer-Associated Venous Thromboembolism.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common and impactful complication of cancer. Several clinical prediction rules have been devised to estimate the risk of a thrombotic event in this patient population, however they are associated with limitations. We aimed to develop a predictive model of cancer-associated VTE using machine learning as a means to better integrate all available data, improve prediction accuracy and allow applicability regardless of timing for systemic therapy administration.

Tumor Genomic Profile Is Associated With Arterial Thromboembolism Risk in Patients With Solid Cancer.

Background: Patients with cancer have an increased risk for arterial thromboembolism (ATE). Scant data exist about the impact of cancer-specific genomic alterations on the risk for ATE.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine whether individual solid tumor somatic genomic alterations influence the incidence of ATE.

The Nation's First Publicly Recognized Overdose Prevention Centers: Lessons Learned in New York City.

In November of 2021, multiple factors converged to create a window of opportunity to open overdose prevention centers (OPCs) at two existing syringe service programs (SSPs) in New York City (NYC). Political will exists in NYC, particularly toward the end of the de Blasio administration's term, and the NYC Health Department worked to garner additional support from local and state elected officials given the dire need to address the overdose crisis. This coincided with readiness on the part of one of the NYC SSP providers, OnPoint NYC, to open and operate OPC services.

Surfactant in a Polyol-CO Mixture: Insights from a Classical Density Functional Theory Study.

Silicone-polyether (SPE) surfactants, made of a polydimethyl-siloxane (PDMS) backbone and polyether branches, are commonly used as additives in the production of polymeric foams with improved properties. A key step in the production of polymeric foams is the nucleation of gas bubbles in the polymer matrix upon supersaturation of dissolved gas. However, the role of SPE surfactants in the nucleation of gas bubbles is not well understood.

Cancer genetic alterations and risk of venous thromboembolism.

Cancer has long been known to incur an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Multiple risk factors for cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) have been identified, and several pathophysiological mechanisms elucidated. However, until recently there was scant data available about the influence of cancer-specific somatic genetic alterations on the risk of venous thromboembolism.

Comparison of Diagnostic Yield and Complications in Ultrasound-Guided Closed Pleural Biopsy Versus Thoracoscopic Pleural Biopsy in Undiagnosed Exudative Pleural Effusion.

Introduction Malignancy, tuberculosis, and non-tubercular pleural infections account for most exudative pleural effusion. Pleural fluid cytology, biochemical tests and even pleural fluid cell block studies may fail to yield a diagnosis in certain cases. Medical thoracoscopy is the gold standard for the diagnosis of unexplained pleural effusions.