Temporary Flow Diversion in Oncological Embolization Procedures Using Degradable Starch Microspheres.

Objectives: This study aims to report on the application of degradable starch microspheres to provide flow diversion by means of temporary embolization of healthy tissues in oncological endovascular procedures when tumor feeding vessels are not selectively accessible.

Methods: This is a multicenter retrospective analysis of patients undergoing visceral embolization procedures of malignancies. The inclusion criteria were as follows: flow diversion performed by injection of degradable starch microspheres, visceral embolization procedures with unfeasible superselective catheterism of the target, and a malignant pathology.

Sensory Acceptability of Multiple-Micronutrient-Fortified Lentils in Bangladesh.

In this study, panelists in rural Bangladesh ( = 150) assessed the sensory attributes of two cooked and uncooked dehulled red lentils: the control (unfortified lentils) and lentils fortified with eight vitamins and two minerals (multiple micronutrient fortified; MMF). The panelists evaluated the appearance, odor, and overall acceptability using a nine-point hedonic scale (1 = extremely dislike; 9 = extremely like). The taste and texture of the cooked lentils, prepared as South Asian lentil meals, were assessed.

Statistical Testing of Random Number Generators and Their Improvement Using Randomness Extraction.

Random number generators (RNGs) are notoriously challenging to build and test, especially for cryptographic applications. While statistical tests cannot definitively guarantee an RNG's output quality, they are a powerful verification tool and the only universally applicable testing method. In this work, we design, implement, and present various post-processing methods, using randomness extractors, to improve the RNG output quality and compare them through statistical testing.

Metastable Oscillatory Modes as a Signature of Entropy Management in the Brain.

Entropy management, central to the Free Energy Principle, requires a process that temporarily shifts brain activity toward states of lower or higher entropy. Metastable synchronization is a process by which a system achieves entropy fluctuations by intermittently transitioning between states of collective order and disorder. Previous work has shown that collective oscillations, similar to those recorded from the brain, emerge spontaneously from weakly stable synchronization in critically coupled oscillator systems.

A Comparison of Causative Pathogens in Bone and Prosthetic Joint Infections: Implications for Antimicrobial Therapy.

: The microbiological profile of bone and joint infections is important for determining the empiric choice of both systemic and local antimicrobial therapy. This study assessed whether there was a difference in the bacterial species that were isolated on culture in osteomyelitis (OM), fracture-related infection (FRI) or prosthetic joint infection (PJI). This was a retrospective, observational cohort study of patients who had surgical intervention for PJI or OM or FRI with a positive microbial culture between 2019 and 2022.

5-HT Receptors in the BNST Modulate Contextual Fear Conditioning Without Affecting Acute Early Life Stress-Enhanced Fear Learning in Adult Rats.

Background/objectives: Rodents provide a useful translational model of fear- and anxiety-related behaviors. Previously stressed animals exhibit physiological and behavioral stress responses that parallel those observed in anxious humans. Patients diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) present with a spectrum of debilitating anxiety symptoms that result from exposure to one or more traumatic events, with individuals exposed to early adverse experiences and women having increased vulnerability for diagnoses; however, the mechanisms of this increased vulnerability remain unknown.

Advances in the Study of Anticipatory Postural Adjustments.

Postural stability is critical to the execution of almost any voluntary movement [...

Galantamine-Memantine Combination in the Treatment of Parkinson's Disease Dementia.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects over 1% of population over age 60. It is defined by motor and nonmotor symptoms including a spectrum of cognitive impairments known as Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD). Currently, the only US Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment for PDD is rivastigmine, which inhibits acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase increasing the level of acetylcholine in the brain.

Joint-Sparing Resection of Juxta-Articular Primary Tumors of the Knee Using Titanium Alloy 3D-Printed Cutting Guides and Allograft Reconstruction.

Joint-sparing resection of juxta-articular knee tumors is challenging. With the development of 3D printing technology, custom-made cutting guides were introduced with the aim to improve the accuracy of tumor resection margins and to shape the allograft for adequate matching in biological reconstruction. Between December 2017 and July 2023, 13 patients underwent joint-sparing juxta-articular resection of the knee for a primary bone tumor at our institution.

The Relationship Between Nursing Work Environment and Breastfeeding Prevalence During Child Hospitalization: A Multicenter Study.

: Breastfeeding during pediatric hospitalization is often challenging, especially in a setting where nursing work environments can affect breastfeeding support. This study examines the relationship between nursing work environments and the prevalence of breastfeeding during child hospitalization, focusing on aspects such as nursing workload, stress levels, and quality of work life (QoWL). : A cross-sectional multicenter study was conducted in Italian pediatric hospitals from October 2023 to January 2024.

Using Natural Language Processing and Social Media Data to Understand the Lived Experience of People with Fibromyalgia.

Background And Objectives: Fibromyalgia has many unmet needs relating to treatment, and the delivery of effective and evidence-based healthcare is lacking. We analyzed social media conversations to understand the patients' perspectives on the lived experience of fibromyalgia, factors reported to trigger flares of pain, and the treatments being discussed, identifying barriers and opportunities to improve healthcare delivery.

Methods: A non-interventional retrospective analysis accessed detail-rich conversations about fibromyalgia patients' experiences with 714,000 documents, including a fibromyalgia language tag, which were curated between May 2019 and April 2021.

Estimating an Elephant Population Size Through Local Ecological Knowledge.

In planning and monitoring measures to protect wildlife in an area, it is important to have a reliable baseline estimate of population size and trends. There has been minimal published information on a small population of elephants, a keystone and endangered species, in a large area west of Etosha National Park in Namibia, known locally as the Northern Highlands. It is a highly remote, mountainous area in which it is difficult to count elephants.

Characteristics of older patients undergoing surgery in the UK: SNAP-3, a snapshot observational study.

Background: Frailty and multimorbidity are common in older adults, but the prevalence and interaction of these conditions in surgical patients remain unclear. This study describes the clinical characteristics of a heterogeneous cohort of older UK surgical patients.

Methods: We conducted a prospective observational cohort study during 5 days in March 2022, aiming to recruit all UK patients aged 60 yr and older undergoing surgery, excluding minor procedures (e.

Oncological resection and perioperative outcomes of robotic, laparoscopic and open pancreatoduodenectomy for ampullary adenocarcinoma: a propensity score matched international multicenter cohort study.

Background: Ampullary adenocarcinoma (AAC) typically presents at an early stage due to biliary obstruction and therefore might be specifically suitable for minimally invasive pancreatoduodenectomy (MIPD). However, studies assessing MIPD specifically for AAC, including the robotic and laparoscopic approach, are limited. The aim of this study is to compare short- and long-term oncological resection and perioperative outcomes of robotic (RPD), laparoscopic (LPD) and open pancreatoduodenectomy (OPD) performed specifically for AAC.

A bio-psycho-social investigation of menopause transition and job satisfaction.

Objectives: To examine the implications of menopause transition for job satisfaction within a framework that integrates bio-psycho-social factors and effects.

Study Design: The study analyses quantitative and qualitative data from a survey of 1684 women in three UK police forces, where growing numbers work during menopause transition within what has been termed a hyper-masculine culture.

Results: We evidence that job satisfaction is negatively impacted by experience of menopause symptoms.

The multi-dimensional stigma of chronic pain: A narrative review.

Accumulating evidence suggests that stigma is a pervasive and pernicious psychosocial phenomenon that affects people living with chronic pain. In this narrative review, we describe the nature of stigma experienced by people with chronic pain and discuss its multifaceted determinants. These determinants include features of pain itself and intersectional factors, including comorbid conditions and social marginalization.

The role of the complement system in the response to cytotoxic therapy.

The complement system is increasingly recognised as a key player in tumour progression and response to cancer treatment. Cytotoxic therapies, including chemo- and radiotherapy are standard-of-care for the majority of cancer patients. Cytotoxics have been found to alter the expression of complement system proteins and activation of components.

COLOFIT: Development and Internal-External Validation of Models Using Age, Sex, Faecal Immunochemical and Blood Tests to Optimise Diagnosis of Colorectal Cancer in Symptomatic Patients.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in the United Kingdom and the second largest cause of cancer death.

Aim: To develop and validate a model using available information at the time of faecal immunochemical testing (FIT) in primary care to improve selection of symptomatic patients for CRC investigations.

Methods: We included all adults (≥ 18 years) referred to Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust between 2018 and 2022 with symptoms of suspected CRC who had a FIT.

High prevalence of reverse transcriptase inhibitors associated resistance mutations among people living with HIV on dolutegravir-based antiretroviral therapy in Francistown, Botswana.

Objectives: We assessed HIV-1 drug resistance profiles among people living with HIV (PLWH) with detectable viral load (VL) and on dolutegravir-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Botswana.

Methods: The study utilised available 100 residual HIV-1 VL samples from unique PLWH in Francistown who had viraemia at-least 6 months after initiating ART in Botswana's national ART program from November 2023 to January 2024. Viraemia was categorized as low-level viraemia (LLV) (VL: 200-999 copies/mL) or virologic failure (VF) (VL ≥1000 copies/mL).

Necrotising fasciitis in the elderly: comparison between patients aged 60 years and older and those younger than 60 years.

Introduction: Increasing age is associated with an increased incidence of necrotising fasciitis. In this study, we aimed to compare the clinical presentation, investigations, microbiology and clinical outcome in elderly (age ≥60 years) and nonelderly (age <60 years) patients with extremity necrotising fasciitis.

Methods: A retrospective review of patients with extremity necrotising fasciitis who were surgically treated between January 2005 and December 2021 was conducted.

HIV interventions across the care continuum for adolescents in high-burden countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Adolescents (10-19 years old) have poor outcomes across the prevention-to-treatment HIV care continuum, leading to significant mortality and morbidity. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of interventions that documented HIV outcomes among adolescents in HIV high-burden countries.

Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library for studies published between January 2015 and September 2024, assessing at least one HIV outcome along the prevention-to-care cascade, including PrEP uptake, HIV testing, awareness of HIV infections, ARV adherence, retention, and virological suppression.

Medication non-adherence: reflecting on two decades since WHO adherence report and setting goals for the next twenty years.

Background: Non-adherence to medication remains a persistent and significant challenge, with profound implications for patient outcomes and the long-term sustainability of healthcare systems. Two decades ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) dedicated its seminal report to adherence to long-term therapies, catalysing notable changes that advanced both research and practice in medication adherence. The aim of this paper was to identify the most important progress made over the last 2 decades in medication adherence management and to initiate a discussion on future objectives, suggesting priority targets for the next 20 years.

Digital health interventions in adult intensive care and recovery after critical illness to promote survivorship care.

Digital health refers to the field of using and developing technology to improve health outcomes. Digital health and digital health interventions (DHIs) within the area of intensive care and critical illness survivorship are rapidly evolving. Digital health interventions refer to technologies in clinical interventional format.

Sudden gains in internet cognitive therapy for social anxiety disorder in routine clinical practice.

Background: Sudden gains are large symptom improvements between consecutive therapy sessions. They have been shown to occur in randomised controlled trials of internet-delivered psychological interventions, but little is known about their occurrence when such treatments are delivered in routine clinical practice.

Objective: This study examined the occurrence of sudden gains in a therapist-guided internet-delivered Cognitive Therapy intervention for social anxiety disorder (iCT-SAD) delivered in the UK NHS talking therapies for anxiety and depression (formerly known as IAPT services).