A feasibility study of Online Mellow Bumps: A Turkish pilot study of an online group-based antenatal parenting intervention.

BACKGROUND: As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mellow Parenting proposed online strategies for some of their interventions. One such intervention was Mellow Bumps - becoming Online Mellow Bumps. The objective of this study was to evaluate the implementation of antenatal parenting intervention Mellow Bumps in an online format and determine if this can be done safely and without detriment to pregnant women in Turkey. METHOD: The study used an exploratory study design to investigate routine evaluation data collected pre- and post-intervention. Outcomes were online feasibility, mental health symptoms (depression, anxiety and stress), maternal subjective well-being, perceived quality of relationship with baby, maternal confidence and maternal social connectivity. 128 mums-to-be took part in the intervention between January 2021 and May 2021 from a total of 21 different provinces in Turkey. RESULTS: 57 pre- and post-intervention responses were eligible for analysis. This gives a response rate of 44.5% for evaluation, though the intervention completion rate was high at 89.5%, suggesting the intervention is engaging and accessible. Improvements were found for maternal stress levels, maternal subjective well-being and perceived relationship with baby. Improvements were also found for maternal confidence and maternal social connectivity. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to evaluate the antenatal parenting intervention Mellow Bumps in an online format, namely Online Mellow Bumps. The online format makes the programme accessible for at-risk mothers and families, with the potential to continue reaching wider audiences beyond the pandemic who otherwise might struggle to access support. The findings show that the online group can be effective in improving mental health symptoms and mental well-being, supporting expectant mothers before the baby is born. Future research using a control group, a larger and more inclusive sample, and assessing the longer-term effects on parent and child would be beneficial.

Innovation and translation efforts in wireless medical connectivity, telemedicine and eMedicine: a story from the RFID Center of Excellence at the University of Pittsburgh.

Translational research has recently been rediscovered as one of the basic tenants of engineering. Although many people have numerous ideas of how to accomplish this successfully, the fundamental method is to provide an innovative and creative environment. The University of Pittsburgh has been accomplishing this goal though a variety of methodologies. The contents of this paper are exemplary of what can be achieved though the interaction of students, staff, faculty and, in one example, high school teachers. While the projects completed within the groups involved in this paper have spanned other areas, the focus of this paper is on the biomedical devices, that is, towards improving and maintaining health in a variety of areas. The spirit of the translational research is discovery, invention, intellectual property protection, and the creation of value through the spinning off of companies while providing better health care and creating jobs. All but one of these projects involve wireless radio frequency (RF) energy for delivery. The remaining device can be wirelessly connected for data collection.

Influence of boric acid additive size on green lubricant performance.

As the industrial community moves towards green manufacturing processes, there is an increased demand for multi-functional, environmentally friendly lubricants with enhanced tribological performance. In the present investigation, green (environmentally benign) lubricant combinations were prepared by homogeneously mixing nano- (20 nm), sub-micrometre- (600 nm average size) and micrometre-scale (4 µm average size) boric acid powder additives with canola oil in a vortex generator. As a basis for comparison, lubricants of base canola oil and canola oil mixed with MoS(2) powder (ranging from 0.5 to 10 µm) were also prepared. Friction and wear experiments were carried out on the prepared lubricants using a pin-on-disc apparatus under ambient conditions. Based on the experiments, the nanoscale (20 nm) particle boric acid additive lubricants significantly outperformed all of the other lubricants with respect to frictional and wear performance. In fact, the nanoscale boric acid powder-based lubricants exhibited a wear rate more than an order of magnitude lower than the MoS(2) and larger sized boric acid additive-based lubricants. It was also discovered that the oil mixed with a combination of sub-micrometre- and micrometre-scale boric acid powder additives exhibited better friction and wear performance than the canola oil mixed with sub-micrometre- or micrometre-scale boric acid additives alone.

Communication between functional and denervated muscles using radiofrequency.

OBJECTIVE: This article focuses on establishing communication between a functional muscle and a denervated muscle using a radiofrequency communications link. The ultimate objective of the project is to restore the eye blink in patients with facial nerve paralysis. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Two sets of experiments were conducted using the gastrocnemius leg muscles of Sprague-Dawley rats. In the initial tests, varying magnitudes of voltages ranging from 0.85 to 2.5 V were applied directly to a denervated muscle to determine the voltage required to produce visible contraction. The second set of experiments was then conducted to determine the voltage output from an in vivo muscle contraction that could be sensed and used to coordinate a signal for actuation of a muscle in a separate limb. After designing the appropriate external communication circuitry, a third experiment was performed to verify that a signal between a functional and a denervated muscle can be generated and used as a stimulus. RESULTS: Voltages below 2 V at a 10-millisecond pulse width elicited a gentle, controlled contraction of the denervated muscle in vivo. It was also observed that with longer pulse widths, higher stimulation voltages were required to produce sufficient contractions. CONCLUSION: It is possible to detect contraction of a muscle, use this to generate a signal to an external base station, and subsequently cause a separate, denervated muscle to contract in response to the signal. SIGNIFICANCE: This demonstration in vivo of a signaling system for pacing of electrical stimulation of 1 muscle to spontaneous contraction of another, separate muscle, using radiofrequency communication without direct connection, may be used in numerous ways to overcome nerve damage.

Mechanism of in vivo DNA transport into cells by electroporation: electrophoresis across the plasma membrane may not be involved.

BACKGROUND: Recently, in vivo gene transfer with electroporation (electro-gene transfer) has emerged as a leading technology for developing nonviral gene therapies and nucleic acid vaccines. The widely hypothesized mechanism is that electroporation induces structural defects in the membrane and provides an electrophoretic force to facilitate DNA crossing the permeabilized membrane. In this study, we have designed a device and experiments to test the hypothesis. METHODS: In this study, we have designed a device that alternates the polarity of the applied electric field to elucidate the mechanism of in vivo electro-gene transfer. We also designed experiments to challenge the theory that the low-voltage (LV) pulses cannot permeabilize the membrane and are only involved in DNA electrophoresis, and answer the arguments that (1) the reversed polarity pulses can cause opposing sides of the cell membrane to become permeabilized and provide the electrophoresis for DNA entry; or (2) once DNA enters cytoplasmic/endosomal compartments after electroporation, it may bind to cellular entities and might not be reversibly extracted. Thus a gradual buildup of the DNA in the cell still seems quite possible even under the condition of the rapid reversal of polarity. RESULTS: Our results indicate that electrophoresis does not play an important role in in vivo electro-gene transfer. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides new insights into the mechanism of electro-gene transfer, and may allow the definition of newer and more efficient conditions for in vivo electroporation.

Digital syndactylization for the treatment of interdigital squamous cell carcinoma in situ (Bowen disease).

Bowen disease, or squamous cell carcinoma in situ, has been described as a premalignant intraepidermal lesion of the skin. Although more frequently occurring on limbs, interdigital presentation of squamous cell carcinoma in situ in the foot has been rarely reported, likely because of undetected development. Excision has been recommended as the treatment of choice; however, removal of these lesions from intertriginous skin may present few options for skin closure. Interdigital syndactylization may be an acceptable option for the treatment of interdigital manifestations of Bowen disease. The authors present a case of interdigital squamous cell carcinoma in situ successfully treated with excision and digital syndactylization. At the 2-year follow-up, there was no recurrence and no digital deformities.

Fine-needle aspiration in PreservCyt: a novel and reproducible method for possible ancillary proteomic pattern expression of breast neoplasms by SELDI-TOF.

Proteomic profiles of tumor protein expression by the surface enhanced laser desorption-ionization time of flight (SELDI-TOF) methodology have been shown to have a potential usefulness for protein discovery as well as screening, diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic considerations of cancer from several organ systems. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) specimens from tumor samples is an accepted method to diagnose the cells of interest but often can be a limited assessment due to quantity of the sample. The current use of fresh or rapidly frozen specimens for proteomic profiling can be burdensome for clinicians to collect and submit specimens. The current study tests the hypothesis that placement of FNA and other cytological material in PreservCyt may be an acceptable method of sample handling for protein profiling evaluation by this method though it may not be suitable for true protein discovery or characterization. Excised fresh breast tissue for evaluation and/or treatment of a variety of breast lesions were sampled by FNA technique and placed into PreservCyt. These samples were then homogenized under denaturing conditions and evaluated by the SELDI-TOF methodology. Most samples collected showed a satisfactory quantity of protein for analysis by the SELDI-TOF methodology. Protein patterns from a variety of benign and malignant lesions revealed reproducible patterns on triplicate testing. Benign lesions had similar protein patterns across age groups in this limited series that may have potential diagnostic significance. In conclusion, FNA of breast tissue placed in PreservCyt is a potentially acceptable method of sample handling for evaluation by the SELDI-TOF methodology for establishment of reproducible protein patterns. Preliminary results from a spectrum of breast lesions suggest these patterns may have potential for ancillary testing for diagnostic consideration of breast lesions. This collection methodology could simplify sample gathering for further testing of all types of cytological specimens by the SELDI-TOF methodology. Larger studies will be needed to assess this methodology as a diagnostic aid.

Acute hepatic allograft rejection: a comparison of patients with and without centrilobular alterations during first rejection episode.

The histologic diagnosis of acute hepatic allograft rejection is usually based upon the identification of characteristic portal tract features. In addition to these, centrilobular alterations such as central vein endothelialitis, zone 3 inflammation, and hepatocyte necrosis may also be seen during episodes of acute rejection. The purpose of this study was to identify any differences in the subsequent clinical course of patients with and without centrilobular alterations during their first biopsy-proven episode of acute rejection. Acute rejection was diagnosed at least once in 35 liver recipients who had undergone allograft biopsy. Of these, 15 (43%) had centrilobular alterations in their first posttransplant biopsy. These 15 patients developed ductopenia (60% vs. 30%) and subsequent episodes of acute rejection (53% vs. 25%) more often than did the 20 patients who lacked centrilobular alterations in their first posttransplant biopsy. Time to first episode of acute rejection and rates of subsequent recurrent hepatitis and death were similar between the 2 groups. Patients with centrilobular alterations during a first episode of acute rejection are more likely to have subsequent episodes of acute rejection and to develop features of chronic rejection than are patients without these changes. These patients may benefit from more vigilant clinical follow-up and/or higher levels of immunosuppression.

Histologic changes resembling acute rejection in a liver transplant patient treated with terbinafine.

We present a case of histologic changes resembling acute cellular rejection in a liver transplant patient treated with terbinafine. Approximately 5 years after orthotopic liver transplantation, a 51-year-old Hispanic man developed elevated liver enzyme levels. A biopsy sample was interpreted as acute cellular rejection, and the patient was treated with increased immunosuppression. Review of medications showed that the patient had been started on terbinafine approximately 4 weeks earlier for onychomycosis, and it was discontinued. A follow-up visit 2 weeks later revealed progressive jaundice, malaise, and nausea, and evaluation of a second liver biopsy sample revealed marked centrilobular cholestasis and severe bile duct damage, consistent with terbinafine hepatotoxicity. Although these histologic changes have been described in treated patients with both normal and abnormal livers, the potential for confusion with acute rejection in patients with hepatic transplantation has not previously been reported.

Unique collision of hodgkin lymphoma and adenosquamous carcinoma in the uterine cervix: synchronous malignant neoplasms of the cervix.

To document the first reported synchronous occurrence of Hodgkin lymphoma and adenosquamous carcinoma involving the female genital tract. Review of cytologic, histologic, and immunohistochemical studies obtained from a 50-year-old, multiparous, postmenopausal, Hispanic female who had a left inguinal mass, bilateral lower extremity pain and numbness, fatigue, anorexia, a 20- to 30-pound weight loss, and a malodorous vaginal discharge at presentation is presented. Cervical squamous cell carcinoma was diagnosed by routine cytologic and histologic analysis. Hodgkin lymphoma subsequently was diagnosed in the inguinal lymph nodes by fine-needle aspiration biopsy and excisional biopsy before the patient underwent hysterectomy. In addition to invasive and in situ adenosquamous carcinoma of the uterine cervix, the hysterectomy specimen also contained previously unsuspected Hodgkin lymphoma. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of adenosquamous carcinoma and Hodgkin lymphoma synchronously involving the female reproductive tract.