Association between the Static and Dynamic Lung Function and CT-Derived Thoracic Skeletal Muscle Measurements-A Retrospective Analysis of a 12-Month Observational Follow-Up Pilot Study.

Background: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with low skeletal muscle mass and severe airway obstruction have higher mortality risks. However, the relationship between dynamic/static lung function (LF) and thoracic skeletal muscle measurements (SMM) remains unclear. This study explored patient characteristics (weight, BMI, exacerbations, dynamic/static LF, sex differences in LF and SMM, and the link between LF and SMM changes.

Unveiling the formation mechanism of PbPd intermetallic phases in solvothermal synthesis using X-ray total scattering.

Pd possesses attractive catalytic properties and nano-structuring is an obvious way to enhance catalytic activity. Alloying Pd with Pb has been shown to enhance the catalytic effect of alcohol oxidation. Further optimization of the catalytic effect can be accomplished by controlling the particle size and key to this is understanding the formation mechanism.

Pair Distribution Function from Liquid Jet Nanoparticle Suspension using Femtosecond X-ray Pulses.

X-ray scattering data measured on femtosecond timescales at the SACLA X-ray Free Electron Laser (XFEL) facility on a suspension of HfO nanoparticles in a liquid jet were used for pair distribution function (PDF) analysis. Despite a non-optimal experimental setup resulting in a modest Q of ~8 Å , a promising PDF was obtained. The main features were reproduced when comparing the XFEL PDF to a PDF obtained from data measured at the PETRA III synchrotron light source.

A reactor for time-resolved X-ray studies of nucleation and growth during solvothermal synthesis.

Understanding the nucleation and growth mechanisms of nanocrystals under hydro- and solvothermal conditions is key to tailoring functional nanomaterials. High-energy and high-flux synchrotron radiation is ideal for characterization by powder X-ray diffraction and X-ray total scattering in real time. Different versions of batch-type cell reactors have been employed in this work, exploiting the robustness of polyimide-coated fused quartz tubes with an inner diameter of 0.

Meltable, Glass-Forming, Iron Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks.

We describe the first meltable iron-based zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF), denoted . This material, elusive from direct synthesis, is obtained from the thermal treatment of [Fe(im)(Him)], which yields Fe(im) upon loss of the neutral imidazole molecules. Different crystalline phase transformations are observed upon further heating, until the material melts at 482 °C.

Zr solution structures from pair distribution function analysis.

The structures of metal ions in solution constitute essential information for obtaining chemical insight spanning from catalytic reaction mechanisms to formation of functional nanomaterials. Here, we explore Zr solution structures using X-ray pair distribution function (PDF) analysis across pH (0-14), concentrations (0.1-1.

Delineation uncertainties of tumour volumes on MRI of head and neck cancer patients.

Background: During the last decade, radiotherapy using MR Linac has gone from research to clinical implementation for different cancer locations. For head and neck cancer (HNC), target delineation based only on MR images is not yet standard, and the utilisation of MRI instead of PET/CT in radiotherapy planning is not well established. We aimed to analyse the inter-observer variation (IOV) in delineating GTV (gross tumour volume) on MR images only for patients with HNC.

Characterisation of intravenous pharmacokinetics in Göttingen minipig and clearance prediction using established to extrapolation methodologies.

The use of the Göttingen minipig as an animal model for drug safety testing and prediction of human pharmacokinetics (PK) continues to gain momentum in pharmaceutical research and development. The aim of this study was to evaluate to extrapolation (IVIVE) methodologies for prediction of hepatic, metabolic clearance ( in Göttingen minipig, using a comprehensive set of compounds. clearance was determined in Göttingen minipig by intravenous cassette dosing and hepatocyte intrinsic clearance, plasma protein binding and non-specific incubation binding were determined .

Rocuronium 0.3 or 0.9 mg/kg comparing onset time, duration of action, and intubating conditions in patients 80 years and older: A randomized study.

Background: Limited data exist about the optimal dose of rocuronium for intubation in elderly patients. We hypothesized that rocuronium 0.9 mg/kg would lead to a shorter onset time than 0.

Evaluation of automated radiostereometric image registration in total knee arthroplasty utilizing a synthetic-based and a CT-based volumetric model.

Radiostereometic analysis (RSA) is an accurate method for rigid body pose (position and orientation) in three-dimensional space. Traditionally, RSA is based on insertion of periprosthetic tantalum markers and manual implant contour selection which limit clinically application. We propose an automated image registration technique utilizing digitally reconstructed radiographs (DRR) of computed tomography (CT) volumetric bone models (autorsa-bone) as a substitute for tantalum markers.

Supplemental oxygen for traumatic brain injury: A systematic review.

Background: Oxygen supplementation is recommended after traumatic brain injury (TBI) but excessive oxygen may be harmful. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of supplemental oxygen or high/low inspiratory oxygen fraction (FiO ) for TBI patients on in-hospital mortality.

Methods: We searched Medline (Pubmed), EMBASE and the Cochrane Library for interventional and observational studies fulfilling the following criteria: TBI patients >17 years (population); initial use of supplemental oxygen/high (≥0.

A high fraction of inspired oxygen may increase mortality in intubated trauma patients - A retrospective cohort study.

Background: Mechanical ventilation of trauma patients is common, and many will require a higher than normal fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO) to avoid hypoxaemia. The primary objective of this study was to assess the association between FiO and all-cause, one-year mortality in intubated trauma patients.

Methods: Adult trauma patients intubated in the initial phase post-trauma between 2015 and 2017 were retrospectively identified.

Ketamine versus propofol for rapid sequence induction in trauma patients: a retrospective study.

Background: Rapid Sequence Induction (RSI) is used for emergency tracheal intubation to minimise the risk of pulmonary aspiration of stomach contents. Ketamine and propofol are two commonly used induction agents for RSI in trauma patients. Yet, no consensus exists on the optimal induction agent for RSI in the trauma population.

Unravelling the complex formation mechanism of HfO nanocrystals using in situ pair distribution function analysis.

Hafnia, HfO, which is a wide band gap semiconducting oxide, is much less studied than the chemically similar zirconia (ZrO). Here, we study the formation of hafnia nanocrystals from hafnium tetrachloride in methanol under solvothermal conditions (248 bar, 225-450 °C) using complementary in situ powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and Pair Distribution Function (PDF) analysis. The main structural motif of the precursor solution (HfCl dissolved in methanol) is a Hf oxide trimer with very similar local structure to that of m-HfO.

A blinded randomized study comparing intubating conditions after either rocuronium 0.6 mg·kg or remifentanil 2 µg·kg in elderly patients.

Background: To facilitate tracheal intubation, either a neuromuscular blocking agent or a bolus dose of remifentanil can be administered. We hypothesized that rocuronium 0.6 mg·kg provided a larger proportion of excellent intubating conditions compared to remifentanil 2 µg·kg in patients above 80 years.

Search and Rescue Helicopters for Emergency Medical Service Assistance: A Retrospective Study.

Objective: The time until treatment is a crucial factor for the outcome after medical emergencies. One way of reducing transportation time is the use of helicopter-based emergency medical services, but poor weather conditions, commitment to another mission, or technical problems may limit the availability. In these cases, military search and rescue (SAR) helicopters can be used.

Preoperative CHADS-VASc Score is Associated With Postoperative Survival Following Surgical Ablation Concomitantly With Other Cardiac Surgery.

Background: The CHADS-VASc scoring system has been shown to predict long-term outcomes in patients undergoing catheter ablation but has not yet been investigated for patients undergoing surgical ablation. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate the ability of CHADS-VASc to predict long-term outcomes after surgical ablation.

Method: In a retrospective study, patients were included if they underwent surgical ablation concomitantly with other cardiac surgery.

Healthy Weight Loss Maintenance with Exercise, Liraglutide, or Both Combined.

Background: Weight regain after weight loss is a major problem in the treatment of persons with obesity.

Methods: In a randomized, head-to-head, placebo-controlled trial, we enrolled adults with obesity (body-mass index [the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters], 32 to 43) who did not have diabetes. After an 8-week low-calorie diet, participants were randomly assigned for 1 year to one of four strategies: a moderate-to-vigorous-intensity exercise program plus placebo (exercise group); treatment with liraglutide (3.

Interatomic potential parameterization using particle swarm optimization: Case study of glassy silica.

Classical molecular dynamics simulations of glassy materials rely on the availability of accurate yet computationally efficient interatomic force fields. The parameterization of new potentials remains challenging due to the non-convex nature of the accompanying optimization problem, which renders the traditional optimization methods inefficient or subject to bias. In this study, we present a new parameterization method based on particle swarm optimization (PSO), which is a stochastic population-based optimization method.

Bond Switching in Densified Oxide Glass Enables Record-High Fracture Toughness.

Humans primarily interact with information technology through glass touch screens, and the world would indeed be unrecognizable without glass. However, the low toughness of oxide glasses continues to be their Achilles heel, limiting both future applications and the possibility to make thinner, more environmentally friendly glasses. Here, we show that with proper control of plasticity mechanisms, record-high values of fracture toughness for transparent bulk oxide glasses can be achieved.

Assessment of knee kinematics with dynamic radiostereometry: Validation of an automated model-based method of analysis using bone models.

Radiostereometic analysis (RSA) is a precise method for the functional assessment of joint kinematics. Traditionally, the method is based on tracking of surgically implanted bone markers and analysis is user intensive. We propose an automated method of analysis based on models generated from computed tomography (CT) scans and digitally reconstructed radiographs.

Measurements of Cardiac Output and Management of Blood Transfusions During Burn Surgery-An Observational Prospective Study.

Burn surgery can cause extensive bleeding, which lead to perioperative blood transfusions. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether blood transfusions during burn surgery, guided by standard monitoring with inspection of the operative field, measurements of blood pressure, heart rate, hourly diuresis, and concentrations of hemoglobin and lactate could sustain the preoperative cardiac output (CO) till end of surgery. We investigated 15 patients ≥18 years of age scheduled for burn surgery, where the perioperative monitoring included an arterial line.

Discontinuation of anticoagulants after successful surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Background: The decision of whether to continue oral anticoagulation therapy (OAT) after successful surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation is challenging, and current guidelines provide no specific recommendations on whether or not it is safe to terminate OAT. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess long-term outcomes in patients who either did or did not, receive OAT after surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Methods: In a prospective follow-up study, patients were included if surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation concomitantly with other cardiac surgery was done, between 2004 and 2018 at Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark.