Healthcare utilization 9 months pre- and post- COVID-19 hospitalization among patients discharged alive.

BACKGROUND: Emerging evidence suggests that there is an increase in healthcare utilization (HCU) in patients due to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We investigated the change in HCU pre and post hospitalization among patients discharged home from COVID-19 hospitalization for up to 9 months of follow up. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This retrospective study from a United States cohort used Optum® de-identified Clinformatics Data Mart; it included adults discharged home post hospitalization with primary diagnosis of COVID-19 between April 2020 and March 2021. We evaluated HCU of patients 9 months pre and post -discharge from index hospitalization. We defined HCU as emergency department (ED), inpatient, outpatient (office), rehabilitation/skilled nursing facility (SNF), telemedicine visits, and length of stay, expressed as number of visits per 10,000 person-days. RESULTS: We identified 63,161 patients discharged home after COVID-19 hospitalization. The cohort of patients was mostly white (58.8%) and women (53.7%), with mean age 72.4 (SD± 12) years. These patients were significantly more likely to have increased HCU in the 9 months post hospitalization compared to the 9 months prior. Patients had a 47%, 67%, 65%, and 51% increased risk of ED (rate ratio 1.47; 95% CI 1.45-1.49; p < .0001), rehabilitation (rate ratio 1.67; 95% CI 1.61-1.73; p < .0001), office (rate ratio1.65; 95% CI 1.64-1.65; p < .0001), and telemedicine visits (rate ratio 1.5; 95% CI 1.48-1.54; p < .0001), respectively. We also found significantly different rates of HCU for women compared to men (women have higher risk of ED, rehabilitation, and telemedicine visits but a lower risk of inpatient visits, length of stay, and office visits than men) and for patients who received care in the intensive care unit (ICU) vs those who did not (ICU patients had increased risk of ED, inpatient, office, and telemedicine visits and longer length of stay but a lower risk of rehabilitation visits). Outpatient (office) visits were the highest healthcare service utilized post discharge (64.5% increase). Finally, the risk of having an outpatient visit to any of the specialties studied significantly increased post discharge. Interestingly, the risk of requiring a visit to pulmonary medicine was the highest amongst the specialties studied (rate ratio 3.35, 95% CI 3.26-3.45, p < .0001). CONCLUSION: HCU was higher after index hospitalization compared to 9 months prior among patients discharged home post-COVID-19 hospitalization. The increases in HCU may be driven by those patients who received care in the ICU.

Complex delayed blood transfusion reaction: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Inefficient blood transfusions present a significant challenge, leading to the wastage of crucial blood resources and increased medical expenses. This study aims to address this issue by providing a comprehensive analysis of a case involving an ineffective clinical transfusion and outlining the significance of identifying multiple alloantibodies in resolving transfusion challenges. CASE REPORT: We present a detailed follow-up on a patient treatment journey, highlighting the critical role of identifying multiple alloantibodies through various methodologies in addressing the transfusion problem. Subsequently, a strategic intervention was implemented, leading to a successful patient outcome. CONCLUSION: This study underscores the importance of conducting a thorough analysis of ineffective transfusions and implementing scientifically formulated transfusion plans based on rational explanations. Such an approach not only improves hemoglobin levels but also contributes to better patient outcomes, thereby reducing blood resource wastage and medical costs.

Opioid Prescribing Patterns After Colorectal Resections in the United States of America.

Background The opioid epidemic is a significant source of morbidity and mortality in the United States of America. Minimizing opioid prescribing after operations has become an important component of post-operative care pathways. We hypothesized that opioid prescribing has decreased over time after colorectal resections. Methods This is a retrospective study from 2012 to 2019 using the Optum Clinformatics database (Eden Prairie, MN). We included patients aged 18 years or older who had an elective colorectal resection. Our primary outcome was the rate of opioid prescription at post-operative discharge. Secondary outcomes included the rates of gabapentinoid (GABA) prescribing post-operatively. Results Of 17,900 patients, the most common procedure was sigmoid colectomy (35%). Most procedures were open (N=10,626, 59.4%). The most common indication was benign disease (N=12,439, 69.5%). Post-operative opioid prescribing decreased from 64.4% in 2012 to 46.7% in 2019. In the adjusted model, the odds of post-operative opioid prescription were 37% lower in 2019 than in 2012 (OR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.56-0.72; p<0.0001). At 60 days and one year post surgery, opioid prescribing decreased from 11.6% and 5.9% in 2012 to 7.2% and 5.2% in 2019 (p<0.0001). At 60 days, gabapentinoid prescribing increased from 2.3% in 2012 to 4.0% in 2019 (p=0.0016). Conclusions Our data show that opioid prescribing is common after colorectal surgery with an overall post-operative prescription rate of 55.8%. The modification of post-operative pathways to include guidance on opioid prescribing and non-opioid alternatives may curb opioid prescribing, decrease the number of new persistent opioid users, and decrease the number of opioids available for diversion.

TERRA regulates DNA G-quadruplex formation and ATRX recruitment to chromatin.

The genome consists of non-B-DNA structures such as G-quadruplexes (G4) that are involved in the regulation of genome stability and transcription. Telomeric-repeat containing RNA (TERRA) is capable of folding into G-quadruplex and interacting with chromatin remodeler ATRX. Here we show that TERRA modulates ATRX occupancy on repetitive sequences and over genes, and maintains DNA G-quadruplex structures at TERRA target and non-target sites in mouse embryonic stem cells. TERRA prevents ATRX from binding to subtelomeric regions and represses H3K9me3 formation. G4 ChIP-seq reveals that G4 abundance decreases at accessible chromatin regions, particularly at transcription start sites (TSS) after TERRA depletion; such G4 reduction at TSS is associated with elevated ATRX occupancy and differentially expressed genes. Loss of ATRX alleviates the effect of gene repression caused by TERRA depletion. Immunostaining analyses demonstrate that knockdown of TERRA diminishes DNA G4 signals, whereas silencing ATRX elevates G4 formation. Our results uncover an epigenetic regulation by TERRA that sequesters ATRX and preserves DNA G4 structures.

Advanced organic recovery from municipal wastewater with an enhanced magnetic separation (EMS) system: Pilot-scale verification.

The up-concentration process has been demonstrated as an attractive approach to carbon-neutral wastewater treatment. Innovation in the separation processes can help eliminate the current heavy dependence on gravity, and credible pilot-scale verification is crucial for application promotion. We hereby proposed a pilot-scale enhanced magnetic separation (EMS) system as an up-concentration step to maximize energy recovery from municipal wastewater. The design of EMS was based on the hypothesis that magnetic-driven separation could be a breakthrough in separation speed, and adsorption could further enhance the separation efficiency by capturing soluble substances. Jar tests confirmed the feasibility of activated carbon adsorption, which could also roughen the surface of aggregates. Further, over one-year operation of a 300 m3/d EMS equipment provided optimum operation strategies and evidence of system effectiveness. More than 80% of particulate organics and 60% of soluble organics were removed within 10 min at an energy consumption of only 0.036 kWh/m3. The characteristics of sludge were clarified in terms of organic concentration, extracellular polymeric substances composition, and micro-community analysis. The anaerobic experiments further demonstrated the potential value of the concentrated products. Surprisingly, the developed EMS system exhibited significant advantages in time consumption and space occupation, with competitive operating cost and energy consumption. Overall, the results of this study posed the EMS process for up-concentration as a potential approach to organics recovery from municipal wastewater.

A novel anammox aggregate nourished sustainably internal heterotrophic nitrate removal pathway with endogenous carbon source.

Anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) is a cost-effective nitrogen removal pathway but instinctively generated nitrate limits its application. A novel anammox aggregate reduced the production of nitrate significantly with efficient removal of ammonia and nitrite in this work. The results demonstrated that the internal heterotrophic nitrate removal (IHNAR) pathway exists stably at inner of anammox aggregates, which eliminated 42.31 ± 3.85 % nitrate generated in anammox at without consuming external carbon source. The observed volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and adequate protein, polysaccharide and humic acids in the aggregates verified that the in-situ fermentation supplied sustainably endogenous carbon sources for the IHNAR. The efficient interspecies cooperation between anammox bacteria, heterotrophic denitrifiers and fermentative bacteria was identified, as the intrinsic justification for the obtained sustainability of IHNAR pathway. The findings were expected to provide theoretical guidance for promotions and applications of the anammox process with high-efficiency total nitrogen removal capabilities.

Up-concentration processes of organics for municipal wastewater treatment: New trends in separation.

Carbon neutrality is a pressing goal for the whole society. Over 20% of municipality electrical energy on public utilities was consumed by the operation of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Up-concentration of organic matters and maximum energy recovery is essential for a more sophisticated municipal wastewater management. Chemical coagulation and biological adsorption have been used to achieve efficient carbon capture, while separation is an overlooked step. It may lead to poor effluent quality, as well as consume most of the time and volume. The introduction of new driving forces, such as pressure and magnetism, significantly improved the retention rate and speed, respectively. In this paper, recent works were comprehensively reviewed and a horizontal comparison was conducted from aspects of separation speed, retention rate, concentrate characteristics and economic costs. This review also discussed the selection of technologies under different conditions. Finally, the practical application, fouling mitigation with considering the value of the concentrate, identification of unique concentrate characteristics, and the establishment of an evaluation system was suggested as core issues for future researches. This review will promote the development of an energy-efficient wastewater treatment system with up-concentration processes.

Revealing the effect of preparation parameters on zeolite adsorption performance for low and medium concentrations of ammonium.

The effect of preparation parameters on the performance of zeolite for ammonium (20-300 mg N/L) adsorption from simulated wastewater is reported. It was found that the ratios of Na2O/SiO2 and Si/Al had a more important influence than crystallization time on zeolite adsorption properties. Relatively low Na2O/SiO2 ratios were beneficial for fabrication of zeolites with high proportions of micropore area and volume, which led to the surface adsorption mechanism being dominated by surface free energy and pore effects. However, with decreasing Si/Al ratios, the effect of ion-exchange was more prominent due to the high negative surface potential of zeolite. In addition, the concentration of weak acid sites on the zeolites was increased with lower ratios of Na2O/SiO2 and Si/Al, which may promote ammonium removal. Therefore, the most effective zeolite for ammonium removal, which was fabricated at Na2O/SiO2 = 1.375, Si/Al = 4 and crystallization time of 48 hr, exhibited the cooperative effects of adsorption, ion-exchange and a large amount of weak acid sites. The maximum ammonium adsorption capacity (35.06 ±â€¯0.98 mg/g) and the removal efficiency (94.44% ±â€¯4.00%) were obtained at the dosage of 4.0 g/L zeolite NaX at ammonium concentrations of 300 mg N/L and 20 mg N/L, respectively. The Freundlich isotherm and pseudo-first-order kinetics models provided excellent fitting for the ammonium adsorption process. In addition, zeolite NaX showed about 1.23-3.2 times the ammonium adsorption capacity of clinoptilolite. The stable and efficient reusability of zeolite NaX after five regeneration cycles demonstrated that this adsorbent has considerable potential for practical industrial applications.

[Photosynthetic characteristics and active ingredients differences of Asarum heterotropoides var. mandshuricum under different light irradiance].

Chlorophyll content,leaf mass to per area,net photosynthetic rate and bioactive ingredients of Asarum heterotropoides var. mandshuricum,a skiophyte grown in four levels of solar irradiance were measured and analyzed in order to investigate the response of photosynthetic capability to light irradiance and other environmental factors. It suggested that the leaf mass to per area of plant was greatest value of four kinds of light irradiance and decreasing intensity of solar irradiance resulted in the decrease of leaf mass to per area at every phenological stage. At expanding leaf stage,the rate of Chla and Chlb was 3. 11 when A. heterotropoides var. mandshuricum grew in full light irradiance which is similar to the rate of heliophytes,however,the rate of Chla and Chlb was below to 3. 0 when they grew in shading environment. The content of Chla,Chlb and Chl( a+b) was the greatest value of four kinds of light irradiance and decreasing intensity of solar irradiance resulted in its decreasing remarkably( P<0. 05). The rate of Chla and Chlb decreased but the content of Chla,Chlb and Chl( a+b) increased gradually with continued shading. The maximum value of photosynthetically active radiation appeared at 10: 00-12: 00 am in a day. The maximum value of net photosynthetic rate appeared at 8: 30-9: 00 am and the minimum value appeared at 14: 00-14: 30 pm at each phenological stage if plants grew in full sunlight. However,when plants grew in shading,the maximum value of net photosynthetic rate appeared at about 10: 30 am and the minimum value appeared at 12: 20-12: 50 pm at each phenological stage. At expanding leaf stage and flowering stage,the average of net photosynthetic rate of leaves in full sunlight was remarkably higher than those in shading and it decreased greatly with decreasing of irradiance gradually( P < 0. 05). However,at fruiting stage,the average of net photosynthetic rate of leaves in full sunlight was lower than those in 50% and 28% full sunlight but higher than those in 12% full sunlight. All photosynthetic diurnal variation parameters of plants measured in four kinds of different irradiance at three stages were used in correlation analysis. The results suggested that no significant correlation was observed between net photosynthetic rate and photosynthetically active radiation,and significant negative correlation was observed between net photosynthetic rate and environmental temperature as well as vapor pressure deficit expect for 12% full sunlight. Positive correlation was observed between net photosynthestic rate and relative humidity expect for 12% full sunlight. Significant positive correlation was observed between net photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance in the four light treatments. Only,in 12% full sunlight,the net photosynthetic rate was significantly related to photosynthetically active radiation rather than related to environmental temperature,vapor pressure deficit and relative humidity. In each light treatment,a significant positive correlation was observed between environmental temperature and vapor pressure deficit,relative humidity as well as stomatal conductance. Volatile oil content was 1. 46%,2. 16%,1. 56%,1. 30% respectively. ethanol extracts was 23. 44%,22. 45%,22. 18%,21. 12% respectively. Asarinin content was 0. 281%,0. 291%,0. 279% and 0. 252% respectively. The characteristic components of Asarum volatile oil of plant in different light treatments did not change significantly among different groups.

Uterine-preserving pelvic organ prolapse surgery using the UPHOLD LITE vaginal support system: The outcomes of 291 patients.

This article aims to evaluate the safety and outcome of women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) treated by a minimally invasive bilateral sacrospinous hysteropexy (UPHOLD LITE Vaginal Support System, Boston Scientific) without concomittent anti-incontinence surgery.This retrospective study was conducted between 2014 and 2016. Evaluated items included surgical parameter and postoperative outcome.Three hundred thirteen women with POP were eligible and 22 were excluded because of history of either or more following situations, such as hysterectomy, mesh augmentation, previous anti-incontinence procedures, and radical pelvic surgery before. With a median follow-up of 26 months, surgery-related morbidity rate was 23.7% (69/291), including 1 with bladder injury (0.3%), 2 with hematoma (0.7%), 8 with urinary tract infection (2.8%), 48 with voiding dysfunction (16.5%) and 10 with mesh problems (3.4%). Among these morbidities, 12 patients (4.1%) needed surgical intervention, including 6 for mesh problems, 1 for bladder injury, 2 for hematoma, and 3 for anti-incontinence surgery. The difference of pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) stage before and after surgery showed a statistical significance (anterior portion from 1.36 ±â€Š2.60 to -2.69 ±â€Š0.26, posterior portion from -1.29 ±â€Š2.08 to -2.46 ±â€Š0.62, and cervix portion from 2.03 ±â€Š4.80 to -6.98 ±â€Š2.26, all P < .001). At the end of August 2018, re-intervention rate for POP recurrence was 2.1% (n = 6), including abdominal sacrocolpopexy (n = 1), anterior repair (n = 1), vaginal total hysterectomy and uterine-sacral ligament suspension (n = 1), vaginal total hysterectomy and LeFort (n = 1), LeFort (n = 1), and pessary support (n = 1).Because some women developed postoperative lower urinary tract symptom, preoperative evaluation, including careful and detailed history taking, and urodynamic evaluation is suggested. After adequate counseling, uterine-preserving sacrospinal ligament suspension by UPHOLD LITE Vaginal Support System surgery could be considered in the management of women with POP, because of its high successful rate (97.9%) and low morbidity rate.

Simultaneous Determination of Six Active Components in Danggui Kushen Pills via Quantitative Analysis of Multicomponents by Single Marker.

In this paper, a valid evaluation method for the quality control of Danggui Kushen pills (DKP) has been established based on quantitative analysis of multicomponents by single marker (QAMS). Gallic acid, matrine, oxymatrine, catechin, ferulic acid, and rutin were selected as the indexes for quality evaluation of DKP. The analysis was achieved on an Agilent ZORBAX SB-C18 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 µm) via gradient elution. Gallic acid was used as internal standard to determine the relative correction factors (RCF) between gallic acid and other five constituents in DKP. The contents of those components were calculated at the same time. The accuracy of QAMS method was verified by comparing the contents of six components calculated by external standard (ES) method with those of the QAMS method. It turned out that there was no significant difference between the quantitative results of QAMS method and external standard method. The proposed QAMS method was proved to be accurate and feasible according to methodological experiments, which provided an accurate, efficient, and economical approach for quality evaluation of DKP.

Enhancing anaerobic digestion of waste activated sludge by pretreatment: effect of volatile to total solids.

In this study the effect of volatile to total solids (VS/TS) on anaerobic digestion of waste activated sludge (WAS) pretreated by alkaline, thermal and thermal-alkaline strategies was studied. Experimental results showed that the production of methane from sludge was increased with VS/TS. When anaerobic digesters were fed with sludge pretreated by the thermal-alkaline method, the average methane yield was improved from 2.8 L/d at VS/TS 0.35 to 4.7 L/d at VS/TS 0.56. Also, the efficiency of VS reduction during sludge anaerobic digestion varied between 18.9% and 45.6%, and increased gradually with VS/TS. Mechanism investigation of VS/TS on WAS anaerobic digestion suggested that the general activities of anaerobic microorganisms, activities of key enzymes related to sludge hydrolysis, acidification and methanogenesis, and the ratio of Archaea to Bacteria were all increased with VS/TS, showing good agreement with methane production.

Rabies Virus Infection in Ferret Badgers (Melogale moschata subaurantiaca) in Taiwan: A Retrospective Study.

Fifteen ferret badgers (Melogale moschata subaurantiaca), collected 2010-13 and stored frozen, were submitted for rabies diagnosis by direct fluorescent antibody test and reverse transcription PCR. We detected seven positive animal samples, including some from 2010, which indicated that the ferret badger population in Taiwan had been affected by rabies prior to 2010.

Influence of boundary on the effect of double-layer polarization and the electrophoretic behavior of soft biocolloids.

The electrophoresis of a soft particle comprising a rigid core and a charged porous membrane layer in a narrow space is modeled. This simulates, for example, the capillary electrophoresis of biocolloids such as cells and microorganisms, and biosensor types of device. We show that, in addition to the boundary effect, the effects of double-layer polarization (DLP) and the electroosmotic retardation flow can be significant, yielding interesting electrophoretic behaviors. For example, if the friction coefficient of the membrane layer and/or the boundary is large, then the DLP effect can be offset by the electroosmotic retardation flow, making the particle mobility to decrease with increasing double layer thickness, which is qualitatively consistent with many experimental observations in the literature, but has not been explained clearly in previous analyses. In addition, depending upon the thickness of double layer, the friction of the membrane layer of a particle can either retard or accelerate its movement, an interesting result which has not been reported previously. This work is the first attempt to show solid evidence for the influence of a boundary on the effect of DLP and the electrophoretic behavior of soft particles. The model proposed is verified by the experimental data in the literature. The results of numerical simulation provide valuable information for the design of bio-analytical apparatus such as nanopore-based sensing applications and for the interpretation of relevant experimental data.

Poly[tris-(2,5-dimethyl-benzene-1,4--dicarboxyl-ato)bis-(pyridine)trizinc(II)].

The asymmetric unit of the title polymeric compound, [Zn(3)(C(10)H(8)O(4))(3)(C(5)H(5)N)(2)](n) or [Zn(3)(dmbdc)(3)(py)(2)](n) (dmbdc = 2,5-dimethyl-benzene-dicarboxyl-ate; py = pyridine) contains two Zn(II) ions, one of which is located on an inversion centre, one and a half 2,5-dimethyl-benzene-dicarboxyl-ate ligands and one pyridine ligand. Each ZnO(6) octa-hedron is sandwiched between two ZnO(4)N square-pyramids, forming a trinuclear zinc secondary building unit (SBU); each SBU is further linked by six 2,5-dimethyl-benzene-dicarboxyl-ate ligands with six adjacent trinuclear zinc SBU's, forming a two-dimensional layer structure with a (3,6) net. One of the three zinc ions is octa-hedrally coordinated and the other two are square-pyramidally coordinated. The coordination modes for 2,5-dimethyl-benzene-dicarboxyl-ates are bis-(bidentate) or bidentate-tridentate.

Surgical outcomes of short-segment fixation for thoracolumbar fracture dislocation.

BACKGROUND: Currently long-segment pedicle instrumentation for a thoracolumbar (T-L) fracture-dislocation is gaining in popularity. Otherwise, short-segment fixation may be chosen as an another treatment method. This article evaluates the efficacy and complications of short-segment fixation for the treatment of thoracic or lumbar spine fracture-dislocation. METHODS: Twenty patients with thoracic or lumbar spine fracture-dislocation were included in the study. The mean follow-up period was 3 years. Clinical, neurologic, radiologic (angle of deformity, displacement percentage, fusion rate), and complication outcomes were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The rate of failure, defined as an increase of 10" or more in local kyphosis, an increase of 10% or more in displacement percentage, the development of pseudarthrosis, and/or implant failure, was analyzed. Short-segment instrumentation had a higher failure rate in the lower lumbar region (L3-L5) and a lower rate at the thoracolumbar junction (T11-L2). CONCLUSION: Thoracolumbar fracture-dislocation required firmer fixation especially in the low lumbar region, and short-segment fixation resulted in a high failure rate. Circumferential anterior and posterior fusion often played a role in certain severely injured cases. Good postoperative spinal alignment is crucial to a good outcome.