Return to work after lumbar microdiskectomy - a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Study Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To investigate evidence on the prevalence and timeline of RTW after lumbar microdiskectomy.

Summary Of Background Data: While lumbar microdiskectomy is a widely used and well-studied procedure, there is lack of evidence on the postoperative prevalence and schedule of return to work after this type of surgery.

Solvent-Responsive Glass Transition Behavior of Polyelectrolyte Complexes.

Polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) have attracted considerable attention owing to their unique physicochemical properties and potential applications as smart materials. Herein, the glass transitions of PECs solvated with varying alcohols are investigated in poly(diallyldimethylammonium)/poly(acrylic acid) (PDADMA/PAA) complexes by using modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC). Solvents with one or two hydroxyl groups are selected to examine the effect of PAA-solvent interactions on the glass transition temperature ( ).

Prognostic analysis of acute type A aortic dissection after different surgical interventions: a cohort study.

Background: Acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) requires emergency surgery, but the choice of primary surgery remains controversial. It is believed that simple ascending aorta replacement may lead to higher postoperative survival rate, while the Sun procedure [frozen elephant trunk (FET) + total arch replacement (TAR)] performed in the first stage may obtain better long-term results. The study aimed to compare the outcome of ATAAD patients who underwent the Sun procedure with those without TAR + FET.

Examining the prevention approach in National Dementia Plans from European and North American countries.

Objectives: This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of National Dementia Plans (NDPs) from selected European and North American countries, focusing on the distinct prevention strategies outlined and the approaches employed for reducing dementia risk.

Method: The sample consisted of 16 NDPs from Austria, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, the UK, and the USA. These NDPs were retrieved from the Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI) database, with regular updates checked on official governmental websites.

A transdisciplinary, comparative analysis reveals key risks from Arctic permafrost thaw.

Permafrost thaw poses diverse risks to Arctic environments and livelihoods. Understanding the effects of permafrost thaw is vital for informed policymaking and adaptation efforts. Here, we present the consolidated findings of a risk analysis spanning four study regions: Longyearbyen (Svalbard, Norway), the Avannaata municipality (Greenland), the Beaufort Sea region and the Mackenzie River Delta (Canada) and the Bulunskiy District of the Sakha Republic (Russia).

Higher cardiorespiratory fitness levels attenuate but do not negate the heightened risk of sudden cardiac death due to obesity: A prospective cohort study.

Background: Higher levels of CRF have been demonstrated to attenuate or negate the adverse cardiovascular impacts of other risk factors. We aimed to assess the interplay between body mass index (BMI), CRF and sudden cardiac death (SCD) risk.

Methods: Body mass index was calculated based on guideline recommendations and CRF assessed using a respiratory gas exchange analyzer during clinical exercise testing at baseline in 2308 men aged 42-61 years of age.

Contrasting Seasonal Distribution Patterns of Two Boreal Aerial Hawking Bat Species in Finland.

Climate change poses significant consequences for temperate bat species, potentially altering their distribution ranges and generating novel interactions among species sharing similar ecological niches. Recent observations suggest distribution range expansion in the Palearctic aerial hawking bat, , prompting an investigation into its interaction with , a northern Palearctic species overlapping with the previous in many ecological characteristics. This study examines the spatiotemporal variations between the two boreal bat species to form an evidence-based background onto which future research on, e.

Predisposed vulnerabilities and survival among the Finnish soldiers of World War II: historical life course approach.

In this methodological paper we propose a historical life course approach to analyze soldiers' predispositions to experience war-related violence and stress and to respond to it. We argue that a closer quantitative inspection of pre-war and wartime factors will help to understand the various causes leading to different exposures to stress and violence during the war, which have consequently had different outcomes for the war survivors' later lives. Our methodology is designed for a rich data source, the Finnish Army in World War II Database (FA2W,  = 4,253), but is generally also applicable to other case studies.

Fungal Planet description sheets: 1697-1780.

Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: , from accumulated snow sediment sample. , on leaf spots of . , on submerged decaying wood in sea water, on , as endophyte from healthy leaves of .

Parental depression and emotional feeding practices are associated with a tendency towards overeating in preadolescents.

Background: Children's eating behaviors, including a tendency towards overeating, are strongly influenced by the family. Children prone to overeating are at a high risk of excessive weight gain, which can lead to further adverse health outcomes. Therefore, identifying factors that contribute to overeating is crucial for promoting healthy weight development.

Enhancement of Thermal, Mechanical, and Oxidative Properties of Polypropylene Composites with Exfoliated Hexagonal Boron Nitride Nanosheets.

This study investigates the enhancement of polypropylene (PP) composites through the incorporation of exfoliated hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) nanosheets. The preparation process involved exfoliating h-BN in a liquid phase using a high-pressure homogenizer, followed by the coating of PP pellets with the exfoliated nanosheets using an acoustic mixer. Melt extrusion was then employed to fabricate h-BN-reinforced PP composite films.

Characterization of Photo-Cross-Linked Polyethylene Pipes for Geothermal Energy Storage.

This study investigates the morphology and thermo-mechanical properties of cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) pipes for potential use in high-temperature borehole thermal energy storage systems. Particular attention is given to a novel type of PEX pipe produced through photoinitiated cross-linking (PEX-e). Two formulations, PEX-e1 and PEX-e2, were analyzed and compared to peroxide-cross-linked polyethylene (PEX-a) and non-cross-linked bimodal polyethylene (PE100) pipes.

Steric and Electronic Effects of Zirconocenealkyl-Borate Ion Pairs on Catalyst Activation: A Theoretical Study.

The effectiveness of metallocene catalysts in the cationic ring-opening polymerization (cationic ROP) of ε-caprolactone (CL) is influenced by the choice of metallocene/borate systems, particularly their bulkiness. Recent research examines this effect on the initiation and propagation stages of cationic ROP. We conducted a density functional theory study on the precatalyst activation of cationic CL ROP by zirconocene/borate catalysts, where four models of zirconocene precatalysts (CpZrMe (), (MeCp)CpZrMe (), (MeCp)ZrMe (), and IndZrMe ()) were combined with boron cocatalysts B(CF) and [X][B(CF) ] (X = PhC or PhMeNH).

Soil Microbiome Inoculation for Resilient and Multifunctional New Forests in Post-Agricultural Landscapes.

Afforestation is increasingly recognized as a critical strategy to restore ecosystems and enhance biodiversity on post-agricultural landscapes. However, agricultural legacies, such as altered soil structure, nutrient imbalances, and depleted microbial diversity, can slow down forest establishment or cause ecosystems to deviate from expected successional trajectories. In this opinion paper, we explore the potential of soil inoculations as a tool to overcome these challenges by introducing beneficial microbial communities that can accelerate ecosystem recovery and forest development.

Trees First Inhibit Then Promote Litter Decomposition in the Subarctic.

Trees affect organic matter decomposition through allocation of recently fixed carbon belowground, but the magnitude and direction of this effect may depend on substrate type and decomposition stage. Here, we followed mass loss, chemical composition and fungal colonisation of leaf and root litters incubated in mountain birch forests over 4 years, in plots where belowground carbon allocation was severed by tree girdling or in control plots. Initially, girdling stimulated leaf and root litter mass loss by 12% and 22%, respectively, suggesting competitive release of saprotrophic decomposition when tree-mediated competition by ectomycorrhizal fungi was eliminated (Gadgil effect).

Increase in Occurrence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Differs by Age Group and Gender-Finnish Nationwide Register Study.

Introduction: This study describes epidemiology of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and use of ADHD medication across all age groups in Finland.

Methods: This retrospective study is based on nationwide registers in Finland. The study population included individuals with ADHD diagnosis and/or an ADHD medication record at least once during 2015-2020.

The Recognition and Management of Adverse Effects in Electroconvulsive Therapy: Findings From a Finnish Survey Study.

Aim: The aim of the study was to survey the observed incidence of adverse effects (AEs) related to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in Finnish neuromodulation units, as well as to explore what medical interventions are used to prevent and treat them in those units.

Methods: An electronic survey was conducted among Finnish neuromodulation units at the end of 2022. The survey included 35 questions related to AEs and their prevention and/or treatment in the responding units' ECT patient populations.

Characterization of the Titanium(III) Tris(alkyl) Ti{CH(SiMe3)2}3 and its Conversion to a Dimeric Alkyl-bridged Titanium(IV) Species.

The reaction of three equivalents of LiCH(SiMe3)2 with TiCl3(NMe3)2 afforded the rare homoleptic Ti(III) alkyl Ti{CH(SiMe3)2}3 (1) which crystallized as blue needles in 32 % yield. Single crystal X-Ray data for 1 showed a trigonal pyramidal coordination geometry around titanium, which could be ascribed to weak interactions between the C-H bonds and the Ti(III) atom based on computational results. X-band EPR spectroscopy give spectral parameters consistent with the proposed Ti(III) formulation.

Effects of converting cropland to grassland on greenhouse gas emissions from peat and organic-rich soils in temperate and boreal climates: a systematic review.

Background: To align with climate goals, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agriculture must be reduced significantly. Cultivated peatlands are an important source of such emissions. One proposed measure is to convert arable fields on peatlands to grassland, as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) default emission factors (EF) for organic soils are lower from grasslands.

Abstracts from the 2024 European Association for Vision and Eye Research Congress, 3-5 November 2024, Valencia.

Aims/purpose: This study aims to assess whether changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) occur after a blood draw and quantify these changes' magnitude in a group of patients over 60 years old.

Methods: We analysed data from the right eye of 54 subjects, with a mean ( SD) age of 68 4 years. The measurements were conducted in the morning while fasting.

Abstracts from the 2024 European Association for Vision and Eye Research Congress, 3-5 November 2024, Valencia.

Aims/purpose: This study aims to assess whether changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) occur after a blood draw and quantify these changes' magnitude in a group of patients over 60 years old.

Methods: We analysed data from the right eye of 54 subjects, with a mean ( SD) age of 68 4 years. The measurements were conducted in the morning while fasting.

Conformationally adaptive therapeutic peptides for diseases caused by intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs). New paradigm for drug discovery: Target the target, not the arrow.

The traditional model of protein structure determined by the amino acid sequence is today seriously challenged by the fact that approximately half of the human proteome is made up of proteins that do not have a stable 3D structure, either partially or in totality. These proteins, called intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs), are involved in numerous physiological functions and are associated with severe pathologies, e.g.

The complexities of aeronautical transfer of acutely unwell neurosurgical patients.

Objective: Neurosurgical care is difficult to access in many scenarios. Aeromedical evacuation of acutely unwell neurosurgical patients from remote, isolated or poorly equipped locations can be considered. This article aims to provide a framework of logistical factors which deserve special consideration in the preparation of these patients for transfer.