Association Between Opioid Use Disorder and Seizure Incidents Among Alcohol Use Disorder Patients.

Many previous studies have discussed an association between alcohol use disorder (AUD) and seizure incidents. There are also case reports of seizures during opioid withdrawals. Therefore, it is possible that AUD patients may have a higher risk of seizures if they also have opioid use disorder (OUD). However, it remains unproven whether AUD patients with a dual diagnosis of OUD have higher seizure incidents, to our knowledge. This study explored seizure incidents among the patients with a dual diagnosis of AUD and OUD as well as seizures among AUD only or OUD only patients. This study utilized de-identified data from 30 777 928 hospital inpatient encounters at 948 healthcare systems over 4 years (9/1/2018-8/31/2022) from the Vizient® Clinical Database for this study. Applying the International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision (ICD-10) diagnostic codes, AUD (1 953 575), OUD (768 982), and seizure (1 209 471) encounters were retrieved from the database to examine the effects of OUD on seizure incidence among AUD patients. This study also stratified patient encounters for demographic factors such as gender, age, and race, as well as the Vizient-categorized primary payer. Greatest gender differences were identified among AUD followed by OUD, and seizure patient groups. The mean age for seizure incidents was 57.6 years, while that of AUD was 54.7 years, and OUD 48.9 years. The greatest proportion of patients in all 3 groups were White, followed by Black, with Medicare being the most common primary payer in all 3 categories. Seizure incidents were statistically more common (P < .001, chi-square) in patients with a dual diagnosis of AUD and OUD (8.07%) compared to those with AUD only (7.55%). The patients with the dual diagnosis had a higher odd ratio than those with AUD only or OUD only. These findings across more than 900 health systems provide a greater understanding of seizure risks. Consequently, this information may help in triaging AUD and OUD patients in certain higher-risk demographic groups.

Dynamic effects of dietary protein restriction on body weights, food consumption, and protein preference in C57BL/6J and Fgf21-KO mice.

Single-case experimental designs (SCEDs) are rarely used in behavioral neuroscience despite their potential benefits. The current study used a SCED to evaluate the effects of dietary protein restriction in C57BL/6J and Fgf21-knockout (KO) mice on body weight, food consumption, and protein preference and changes in those outcome measures were quantified using multilevel linear models. In C57BL/6J mice, rate of weight gain was lower and food consumption and protein preference higher during periods of low (4% kcal) protein diet feeding compared to periods of normal (18% kcal) protein diet feeding. In Fgf21-KO mice, who do not produce the liver-derived hormone FGF21, rate of weight gain and protein preference were not substantially affected by diet although food consumption was slightly higher during periods of low protein diet than periods of normal protein diet. These results demonstrate that protein restriction dynamically regulates physiological and behavioral responses at the individual mouse level and that FGF21 is necessary for those responses. Further, the current results demonstrate how a SCED can be used in behavioral neuroscience research, which entails both scientific and practical benefits.

Modelos de simulação clínica virtual: revisão de escopo / Virtual clinical simulation models: scope review

Resumo: O objetivo deste presente estudo foi identificar quais modelos de simulação clínica virtual descritos na literatura científica são utilizados como estratégia de ensino em estudantes e profissionais de enfermagem. A simulação clínica, é uma técnica que substitui as experiências reais por experiências guiadas replicáveis permitindo aos estudantes e profissionais de enfermagem vivenciarem a representação de um acontecimento real. Uma vez que a simulação clínica virtual utiliza um computador de alto nível, fazendo com que essa técnica viabilize condições de maior segurança e autoconfiança do estudante durante sua formação teórica e prática, consolidando seus conhecimentos, habilidades e competências. Método: Revisão sistematizada do tipo Scoping Review, que consiste nas cinco etapas: (1) formulação da questão de pesquisa (2) identificação dos estudos relevantes; (3) seleção de estudos; (4) mapeamento de evidências científicas; (5) apresentação e interpretação dos resultados. As bibliotecas digitais e bases de dados escolhidas para este estudo foram: PubMed, Medline, Scielo, Scopus, BvS, Web of Science, Lilacs, Embase, Ebsco. Os descritores utilizados foram: Simulação/ Simulação clínica/ Simulação clínica virtual/ Realidade virtual /Treinamento por Simulação/ Treinamento com Simulação de Alta Fidelidade/ Simulação por Computador/ Estudante de Enfermagem/ Estratégias de ensino/ Educação. A coleta de dados ocorreu no período de 1° de maio até 1° de novembro do ano de 2020. Foram descritos os seguintes critérios de seleção: trabalhos de qualquer natureza que retratam estudos sob simulação clínica virtual em estudantes de enfermagem da graduação e pós-graduação; artigos publicados na literatura nacional e internacional nos idiomas português, inglês e espanhol dos últimos 20 anos, desde janeiro 2000 até agosto 2020, todos estes disponíveis online nas bases de dados consultados e aqueles que respondem ao problema ou questão de revisão. Os dados extraídos foram analisados e sintetizados narrativamente. Resultados: Dos 711 artigos recuperadas na busca, foram salvas para revisão e conteúdo, onde apenas 52 artigos duplicados e excluídas por não contribuírem com elementos para a análise temática desta revisão, 507 estudos foram excluídos com base no título e resumo, dos quais 152 foram selecionados, assim 99 estudos foram excluídos com base no conteúdo. Apenas 53 estudos atenderam os critérios de seleção para o estudo. Destes, 16 foram selecionados no Scopus, 17 no Medline/PubMed, 1 no Embase, 11 no Ebesco, 1 no BvS, 7 no Web Of Science e 5 no PubMed Central. Conclusão: Esta revisão de escopo fornece uma avaliação abrangente do uso de diferentes modelos de simulação clínica virtual no ensino de enfermagem, esses modelos podem melhorar o conhecimento de estudantes e profissionais de enfermagem. Em geral, o uso da simulação de realidade virtual deve ser considerado para aprimorar o conhecimento e como complemento a outras estratégias de simulação para melhorar a qualidade e a segurança da prática clínica. No entanto, a heterogeneidade e o risco de viés entre os estudos incluídos devem ser levados em consideração. Estudos de grande escala rigorosamente desenhados são necessários para confirmar ainda mais os resultados desta revisão.

Abstract: The objective of this present study was to identify which virtual clinical simulation models described in the scientific literature are used as a teaching strategy for nursing students and professionals. Clinical simulation is a technique that replaces real experiences with replicable guided experiences, allowing nursing students and professionals to experience the representation of a real event. Since the virtual clinical simulation uses a high-level computer, making this technique possible conditions of greater security and self-confidence of the student during their theoretical and practical training, consolidating their knowledge, skills and competences. Method: Systematized review of the Scoping Review type, which consists of five steps: (1) formulation of the research question (2) identification of relevant studies; (3) selection of studies; (4) mapping of scientific evidence; (5) presentation and interpretation of results. The digital libraries and databases chosen for this study were: PubMed, Medline, Scielo, Scopus, BvS, Web of Science, Lilacs, Embase, Ebesco. The descriptors used were: Simulation / Clinical Simulation / Virtual Clinical Simulation / Virtual Reality / Training by Simulation / Training with High Fidelity Simulation / Computer Simulation / Nursing Student / Teaching Strategies / Education. Data collection took place from May 1st to November 1st, 2020. The following selection criteria were described: works of any nature that portray studies under virtual clinical simulation in undergraduate and graduate nursing students graduation; articles published in national and international literature in Portuguese, English and Spanish for the last 20 years, from January 2000 to August 2020, all of which are available online in the consulted databases and those that respond to the problem or review question. The extracted data were analyzed and synthesized narratively. Results: Of the 711 articles retrieved in the search, they were saved for review and content, where only 52 articles were duplicated and excluded for not contributing elements to the thematic analysis of this review, 507 studies were excluded based on title and abstract, of which 152 were selected, thus 99 studies were excluded based on content. Only 53 studies met the selection criteria for the study. Of these, 16 were selected from Scopus, 17 from Medline/PubMed, 1 from Embase, 11 from Ebesco, 1 from BvS, 7 from Web Of Science and 5 from PubMed Central. Conclusion: This scoping review provides a comprehensive assessment of the use of different virtual clinical simulation models in nursing education, these models can improve the knowledge of nursing students and professionals. In general, the use of virtual reality simulation should be considered to enhance knowledge and as a complement to other simulation strategies to improve the quality and safety of clinical practice. However, heterogeneity and risk of bias among included studies must be taken into account. Large-scale rigorously designed studies are needed to further confirm the results of this review.

Effect of whole-body vibration training on transcutaneous oxygen levels of the foot in patients with type 2 diabetes: A randomized controlled trial.

Whole body vibration (WBV) has been suggested as improving skin and blood flow. This study aimed to determine the effect of exposure to WBV on levels of partial transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO2) in the foot of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) within the metabolic control goals. A block randomized, open, two-arm, parallel and controlled clinical trial was conducted. Participants recruited from the Center of Comprehensive Care for the Patient with Diabetes were assessed at the National Institute of Rehabilitation, Mexico City. Control group underwent multidisciplinary care for T2D; experimental group, in addition to the comprehensive diabetes care, was exposed to WBV through an exercise program, attending three times a week for a period of 3 months. TcPO2 was measured in the feet of the participants at baseline and after 12 weeks. A sample of 50 volunteers with recently-diagnosed T2D and similar baseline characteristics (demographic, cardiovascular risk, presence of diabetic polyneuropathy, and indicators of glycemic control and TcPO2) was recruited. The experimental group (n = 27) showed a mean value of 47.7 ± 6.1 mmHg in TcPO2, significantly higher (p = 0.028) than the 44.3 ± 7.5 mmHg of control group (n = 23), at the end of intervention. In conclusion, exposure to WBV promoted an increase and a significant 3 mmHg difference in the foot TcPO2 levels between those subjects with T2D that underwent the 12-week exercise program and those not exposed to the treatment.

High performance rotational vibration isolator.

We present a new rotational vibration isolator with an extremely low resonant frequency of 0.055 ± 0.002 Hz. The isolator consists of two concentric spheres separated by a layer of water and joined by very soft silicone springs. The isolator reduces rotation noise at all frequencies above its resonance which is very important for airborne mineral detection. We show that more than 40 dB of isolation is achieved in a helicopter survey for rotations at frequencies between 2 Hz and 20 Hz. Issues affecting performance such as translation to rotation coupling and temperature are discussed. The isolator contains almost no metal, making it particularly suitable for electromagnetic sensors.

Biased random walks on a lattice: exact numerical method to study the effect of alternating fields in disordered and asymmetric systems of obstacles.

The migration of a particle in a system of obstacles under the action of an external field is often modeled using lattice Monte Carlo algorithms. For example, such simulation methods have been used to study the electrophoresis of charged molecules in sieving gels and the separation of particles using ratchet systems. In the case of constant fields or low-frequency alternating fields, the Monte Carlo simulation method can be mapped onto a numerical or algebraic matrix problem that can be solved exactly. In this Rapid Communication, we generalize this matrix approach to treat periodic time-dependent fields. The evolution of the spatial distribution function during a period is computed using a sequence of transfer matrices, and a steady-state closure relation allows us to calculate the exact mean velocity of the particle during a complete cycle. As an example, we examine the properties of a simple spatially asymmetric ratchet system in the presence of periodic alternating fields (symmetric and asymmetric) as well as random telegraph signals.

Chemokines and diabetic wound healing.

Chemokines are critical for white blood cell recruitment to injured tissues and play an important role in normal wound healing processes. In contrast, impaired wound healing in diabetic patients is accompanied by decreased early inflammatory cell infiltration but persistence of neutrophils and macrophages in the chronic, nonhealing wounds. These changes in inflammatory cell recruitment occur in conjunction with alterations in chemokine and growth factor expression. In addition to leukocyte trafficking, many different cell types, including endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and keratinocytes, produce and respond to chemokines, and these interactions are altered in diabetic wounds. Thus, the chemokine system may have both direct and inflammatory-mediated effects on many different aspects of diabetic wound healing. The potential roles of chemokines and inflammatory or immune cells in nonhealing diabetic wounds, including impairments in growth factor expression, angiogenesis, extracellular matrix formation, and reepithelialization, are examined.