Development of an antimicrobial tissue conditioner with quaternary ammonium methacryloxy silane (K18): An in vitro study.

Purpose: To determine the effects of K18 quaternary ammonium methacryloxy silane (QAS) on tissue conditioner materials and their antimicrobial properties.

Methods: 30% K18 QAS in methyl methacrylate (MMA; K18-MMA; 0%, 15%, and 20% w/w) was incorporated into a commercial tissue conditioner (Coe comfort). The degree of curing (Shore A hardness), hydrophilicity (contact angle), flow, liquid sorption, mass loss, and antimicrobial properties of Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguinis, and Candida albicans were determined.

Impact of patient age on morbidity and mortality in adults with acute traumatic cervical spinal cord injury: An ACS trauma quality programs database study.

Background: This study aimed to examine associations between age and outcomes in acute cervical SCI (cSCI) patients.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Programs database to compare outcomes for acute cSCI patients stratified by age: 18-44, 45-65, and > 65 years. Patient demographics, comorbidities, injury type, treatment modality, AEs, and length of stay (LOS) were assessed.

Impact of Multi-Institutional Enhanced Recovery after Surgery Protocol Implementation on Elective Colorectal Surgery Outcomes.

Background: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols aim to improve surgical patient outcomes, although their effectiveness may vary. This study assessed the impact of multi-institutional ERAS implementation on postoperative morbidity in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery.

Study Design: We conducted a multicenter retrospective cohort study using the American College of Surgeons NSQIP database from 2012 to 2020.

Estimating the ovarian cancer CA-125 preclinical detectable phase, in-vivo tumour doubling time, and window for detection in early stage: an exploratory analysis of UKCTOCS.

Background: The ovarian cancer (OC) preclinical detectable phase (PCDP), defined as the interval during which cancer is detectable prior to clinical diagnosis, remains poorly characterised. We report exploratory analyses from the United Kingdom Collaborative Trial of Ovarian Cancer Screening (UKCTOCS).

Methods: In UKCTOCS between Apr-2001 and Sep-2005, 101,314 postmenopausal women were randomised to no screening (NS) and 50,625 to annual multimodal screening (MMS) (until Dec-2011) using serum CA-125 interpreted by the Risk of Ovarian Cancer Algorithm (ROCA).

Predictors of Bilateral Disease in Low-Risk Papillary Thyroid Cancer: Histopathologic Insights and Preoperative Ultrasonography.

Background: With the current shift toward de-escalation of surgical management in low-risk papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), understanding predictors and the clinical significance of additional tumors in the contralateral lobe is important. This study investigated the histopathologic predictors of bilateral disease in low-risk PTC patients and the utility of preoperative ultrasonography in guiding completion thyroidectomy decisions.

Methods: Patients treated with total thyroidectomy (TT) for low-risk PTCs (< 4 cm) at the Endocrine Surgical Unit of the Royal North Shore Hospital, University of Sydney from 2013 to 2020 were identified from a prospectively maintained database.

Wilson disease in the USA: epidemiology and real-world patient characteristics based on a retrospective observational health claims study.

Objectives: To describe the epidemiology, patient characteristics and comorbidities in patients with Wilson disease (WD) in the USA.

Design: Retrospective, population-based study.

Setting: The study used the US Komodo claims database containing records regarding medical claims for over 120 million individuals.

Prognostic, biological, and structural implications of FLT3-JMD point mutations in acute myeloid leukemia: an analysis of Alliance studies.

The FLT3 gene frequently undergoes mutations in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), with internal tandem duplications (ITD) and tyrosine kinase domain (TKD) point mutations (PMs) being most common. Recently, PMs and deletions in the FLT3 juxtamembrane domain (JMD) have been identified, but their biological and clinical significance remains poorly understood. We analyzed 1660 patients with de novo AML and found FLT3-JMD mutations, mostly PMs, in 2% of the patients.

Technology in the Trenches: The Impact of evolving technologies on Combat Mental Health.

Purpose Of Review: Medicine and specifically mental health have been affected by emerging technologies advancing mental health treatment while at the same time bringing new challenges and stressors to the battlefield, military systems, and the warfighter.

Recent Findings: This article reviews the evolving positive and negative impacts of technology on combat mental health and treatment. A history of technology and military mental health concerns and services is followed by an overview of present benefits and risks.

Utilizing Quantitative Analysis of CSF Volume from Clinical T1-Weighted MRI to Predict Thrombectomy Outcomes.

Background And Purpose: Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is the standard for acute ischemic stroke from large vessel occlusion, but post-EVT functional independence varies. Brain atrophy, linked to higher cerebrospinal fluid volume (CSFV), may affect outcomes. Baseline CSFV could predict EVT benefit by assessing brain health.

Synaptive Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Stereotactic Radiosurgery.

Introduction The Synaptive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system (Synaptive Medical, Toronto, Canada) is a midfield 0.5 T head-only scanner for imaging the head and neck in adults and pediatrics. The system received US FDA and Health Canada clearance for clinical use in 2020.

The effect of adductor canal block on outcomes of total knee arthroplasty: A single centre, historical cohort study.

Background: Adductor canal blocks (ACBs) have been associated with reduced pain following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). There is a paucity of evidence regarding whether these early differences impact longer term outcomes. This study aimed to identify whether using ACB in TKA was associated with improvements in both early and late outcomes.

A Critical Appraisal of the Application of Frailty and Sarcopenia in the Spinal Oncology Population.

Study Design: Systematic review and clinimetric analysis.

Objectives: Frailty and sarcopenia predict worse surgical outcomes among spinal degenerative and deformity-related populations; this association is less clear in the context of spinal oncology. Here, we sought to identify frailty and sarcopenia tools applied in spinal oncology and appraise their clinimetric properties.

What is the Optimal Management of Metastatic Spine Patients With Intermediate Spinal Instability Neoplastic Scores: To Operate or Not to Operate?

Study Design: Systematic review.

Objective: In patients with extradural metastatic spine disease, we sought to systematically review the outcomes and complications of patients with intermediate Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score (SINS) lesions undergoing radiation therapy, percutaneous interventions, minimally invasive surgeries, or open spinal surgeries.

Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and the Cochrane Center Register of Controlled Trials were queried for studies that reported on SINS intermediate patients who underwent: 1) radiotherapy, 2) percutaneous intervention, 3) minimally invasive, or 4) open surgery.

Experiences of Māori and Pacific women recruited into a pregnancy clinical trial in Aotearoa, New Zealand: a Kaupapa Māori qualitative study.

Objectives: To explore the perspectives of Māori and Pacific women who participated in the Fish Oil study to ascertain what barriers and facilitators may exist for successfully recruiting Māori and Pacific women into clinical trials.

Design: A Kaupapa Māori qualitative study.

Setting: Auckland, New Zealand.

Experimental Study on the Elastic Support in a Discrete Rail Fastening System Used in Ballastless Tram Track Structures.

This paper presents an experimental study on the elastic support in a discrete rail fastening system used in a ballastless tram track structure. The study focuses on the elastic support of the anchor element, specifically the Pm49 baseplate. These elements significantly influence environmental pollution along tram routes, such as vibration (at low frequencies) or noise (at high frequencies), as well as static and dynamic rail deflections.

Development of Application Customization Toolkit (ACT) for 3D Thermal Elastic-Plastic Welding Analysis.

A 3D thermal elastic-plastic welding analysis ACT (Application Customization Toolkit) was developed in ANSYS, making welding analysis more accessible. The welding analysis was performed using a decoupled method, separated into thermal and structural analyses. To validate the results, comparisons were made with previous studies for two types of welding: T-joint fillet welding and butt welding.

Scots Pine Bark Extracts as Co-Hardeners of Epoxy Resins.

Extracts from natural waste like bark or leaves are great sources of phytochemicals, which contain functional groups (hydroxyl, carboxylic, vinyl, allyl) attractive in terms of polymer synthesis. In this study, the synthesis of epoxy with an extract of Scots pine bark as a natural co-hardener was evaluated. Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy was used for the identification of phytochemicals with conjugated dienes and quantification of TPC.

Tailored Approach to Temporary Mechanical Circulatory Support for Cardiogenic Shock: Strategies to Facilitate Patient Mobilization.

Purpose Of Review: This article discusses a tailored approach to managing cardiogenic shock and temporary mechanical circulatory support (tMCS). We also outline specific mobilization strategies for patients with different tMCS devices and configurations, which can be enabled by this tailored approach to cardiogenic shock management.

Recent Findings: Safe and effective mobilization of patients with cardiogenic shock receiving tMCS can be accomplished.

Algorithm-informed treatment from EEG patterns improves outcomes for patients with major depressive disorder.

Objective: Selecting the right medication for major depressive disorder (MDD) is challenging, and patients are often on several medications before an effective one is found. Using patient EEG patterns with computer models to select medications is a potential solution, however, it is not widely performed. Therefore, we evaluated a commercially available EEG data analysis system to help guide medication selection in a clinical setting.

Observational study of venous leg ulcer treated with a native collagen-alginate dressing and the impact on wound-related quality of life.

Background: Venous leg ulcers (VLUs) are associated with various physical and social adverse effects for patients but also contribute to a significant socioeconomic burden.

Purpose: To examine the clinical performance and safety of a collagen-alginate dressing in combination with standard wound care in non-healing VLUs.

Methods: In an observational, explorative, single-center study, VLUs of 60 patients were covered with a collagen-alginate dressing.

The transport, distribution, and budget of anthropogenic I in the Bohai and North Yellow Seas, China.

The potential release of radionuclides threatens marine ecosystems with the rapid development of coastal nuclear power plants in China. However, transport, dispersion, and final budget of anthropogenic radionuclides remain unclear, especially in the Bohai and North Yellow Seas, which are semi-enclosed marginal seas with poor water exchange. This study analyzed anthropogenic I concentration (a typical product of nuclear power plant operations) in seawater samples from this area.

Quantifying microplastics concentration of invertebrates from three Antarctic fjords.

Microplastics, small pieces of plastic measuring less than five millimeters, have spread to all ecosystems, even those in the Southern Ocean around Antarctica. In particular, microplastics have been found contaminating water in emerging fjords, or inlets created by deglaciation, along the Antarctic Peninsula. Microplastics contamination puts fjord communities, which are unique and dominated by benthic species, at high risk for microplastic exposure leading to issues with feeding, endocrine disruption, and exposure to adsorbed toxins, all of which lower fecundity and survivability.