Costs of Digital Adherence Technologies for Tuberculosis Treatment Support, 2018-2021.

Digital adherence technologies are increasingly used to support tuberculosis (TB) treatment adherence. Using microcosting, we estimated healthcare system costs (in 2022 US dollars) of 2 digital adherence technologies, 99DOTS medication sleeves and video-observed therapy (VOT), implemented in demonstration projects during 2018-2021. We also obtained cost estimates for standard directly observed therapy (DOT). Estimated per-person costs of 99DOTS for drug-sensitive TB were $98 in Bangladesh (n = 719), $119 in the Philippines (n = 396), and $174 in Tanzania (n = 976). Estimated per-person costs of VOT were $1,154 in Haiti (87 drug-sensitive), $304 in Moldova (173 drug-sensitive), $452 in Moldova (135 drug-resistant), and $661 in the Philippines (110 drug-resistant). 99DOTS costs may be similar to or less expensive than standard DOT. VOT is more expensive, although in some settings, labor cost offsets or economies of scale may yield savings. 99DOTS and VOT may yield savings to local programs if donors cover infrastructure costs.

Emerging Vanadium-Doped Cobalt Chloride Carbonate Hydroxide for Flexible Electrochromic Micro-Supercapacitor: Charged-State Prediction from RGB Input by ANN Model.

Multifunctional devices integrated with electrochromic and supercapacitance properties are fascinating because of their extensive usage in modern electronic applications. In this work, vanadium-doped cobalt chloride carbonate hydroxide hydrate nanostructures (V-C3H NSs) are successfully synthesized and show unique electrochromic and supercapacitor properties. The V-C3H NSs material exhibits a high specific capacitance of 1219.9 F g-1 at 1 mV s-1 with a capacitance retention of 100% over 30 000 CV cycles. The electrochromic performance of the V-C3H NSs material is confirmed through in situ spectroelectrochemical measurements, where the switching time, coloration efficiency (CE), and optical modulation (∆T) are found to be 15.7 and 18.8 s, 65.85 cm2 C-1 and 69%, respectively. A coupled multilayer artificial neural network (ANN) model is framed to predict potential and current from red (R), green (G), and blue (B) color values. The optimized V-C3H NSs are used as the active materials in the fabrication of flexible/wearable electrochromic micro-supercapacitor devices (FEMSDs) through a cost-effective mask-assisted vacuum filtration method. The fabricated FEMSD exhibits an areal capacitance of 47.15 mF cm-2 at 1 mV s-1 and offers a maximum areal energy and power density of 104.78 Wh cm-2 and 0.04 mW cm-2, respectively. This material's interesting energy storage and electrochromic properties are promising in multifunctional electrochromic energy storage applications.

Advantages of a Data Capture System with Video to Record Neonatal Resuscitation Interventions.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the completeness and accuracy of neonatal resuscitation documentation the electronic medical record (EMR) compared with a data capture system including video STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective observational study of 226 infants assessed for resuscitation at birth between April 2019 and October 2021 at Sharp Mary Birch Hospital, San Diego. Completeness was defined as the presence of documented resuscitative interventions in the EMR. We assessed the timing and frequency of interventions to determine the accuracy of the EMR documentation using video recordings as an objective record for comparison. Inaccuracy of EMR documentation was scored as missing (not documented), underreported, or overreported. RESULTS: Overall, the completeness of resuscitation interventions documented in the EMR was high (85-100%), but the accuracy of documentation varied between 39-100% Modes of respiratory support were accurately captured in 96-100% of the EMRs. Time to successful intubation (39%) and maximum FiO2 (47%) were the least accurately documented interventions in the EMR. Underreporting of interventions with several events (eg, number of positive pressure ventilation events and intubation attempts) were also common errors in the EMR. CONCLUSIONS: The self-reported modes of respiratory support were accurately documented in the EMR whereas the timing of interventions was inaccurate when compared with video recordings. The use of a video capture system in the delivery room provided a more objective record of the timing of specific interventions during neonatal resuscitations.

The Effects of Various Approaches to Lobectomies on Respiratory Muscle Strength, Diaphragm Thickness, and Exercise Capacity in Lung Cancer.

BACKGROUND: The most common surgery for non-small cell lung cancer is lobectomy, which can be performed through either thoracotomy or video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). Insufficient research has examined respiratory muscle function and exercise capacity in lobectomy performed using conventional thoracotomy (CT), muscle-sparing thoracotomy (MST), or VATS. This study aimed to assess and compare respiratory muscle strength, diaphragm thickness, and exercise capacity in lobectomy using CT, MST, and VATS. METHODS: The primary outcomes were changes in respiratory muscle strength, diaphragm thickness, and exercise capacity. Maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) were recorded for respiratory muscle strength. The 6-min walk test (6MWT) was used to assess functional exercise capacity. Diaphragm thickness was measured using B-mode ultrasound. RESULTS: The study included 42 individuals with lung cancer who underwent lobectomy via CT (n = 14), MST (n = 14), or VATS (n = 14). Assessments were performed on the day before surgery and on postoperative day 20 (range 17-25 days). The decrease in MIP (p < 0.001), MEP (p = 0.003), 6MWT (p < 0.001) values were lower in the VATS group than in the CT group. The decrease in 6MWT distance was lower in the MST group than in the CT group (p = 0.012). No significant differences were found among the groups in terms of diaphragmatic muscle thickness (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The VATS technique appears superior to the CT technique in terms of preserving respiratory muscle strength and functional exercise capacity. Thoracic surgeons should refer patients to physiotherapists before lobectomy, especially patients undergoing CT. If lobectomy with VATS will be technically difficult, MST may be an option preferable to CT because of its impact on exercise capacity.

Comparison Results of Three-Port Robot-Assisted and Uniportal Video-Assisted Lobectomy for Functional Recovery Index in the Treatment of Early Stage Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive lobectomy is the standard treatment for early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The aim of this study is to investigate postoperative recovery in a prospective trial of discharged patients with early stage non-small cell lung cancer undergoing robot-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) versus uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery (UVATS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a prospective and observational study. From 9 September 2022 to 1 July 2023, 178 patients diagnosed with NSCLC admitted to the Department of Thoracic Surgery of Shandong Provincial Hospital signed informed consent and underwent lobectomy by RATS and UVATS. The functional recovery index included MD Anderson Symptom Inventory, Christensen Fatigue Scale, EORTC QLQ-C30, and Leicester Cough Questionnaire. RESULTS: After propensity score-matched analysis, each group included 42 cases. For the baseline characteristics of patients, operation time (p = 0.01) and length of stay (p = 0.04) were shorter in the RATS group. The number of lymph nodes resected in the RATS group was much more than in the UVATS group. According to our investigation, appetite loss, nausea, diarrhea, and cough severity after RATS were better than after UVATS. After the first week, pain severity degree of the RATS group was higher than UVATS, while there was no difference during the second and third week. The physical score of the RATS group was higher than the UVATS group (p = 0.04), according to the Leicester Cough Questionnaire. CONCLUSION: RATS was associated with severe short-term postoperative pain but less postoperative complications.

Robotic Versus Thoracoscopic Sub-lobar Resection for Octogenarians with Clinical Stage IA Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: A Propensity Score-Matched Real-World Study.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive sub-lobectomy is sufficient in treating small early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, comparison of the feasibility and oncologic efficacy between robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS) and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in performing sub-lobectomy for early-stage NSCLC patients age 80 years or older is scarce. METHODS: Octogenarians with clinical stage IA NSCLC (tumor size, ≤ 2 cm) undergoing minimally invasive wedge resection or segmentectomy at Shanghai Chest Hospital from 2011 to 2020 were retrospectively reviewed from a prospectively maintained database. Propensity score-matching (PSM) with a RATS versus VATS ratio of 1:4 was performed. Perioperative and long-term outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: The study identified 594 patients (48 RATS and 546 VATS patients), and PSM resulted in 45 cases in the RATS group and 180 cases in the VATS group. The RATS patients experienced less intraoperative bleeding (60 mL [interquartile range (IQR), 50-100 mL] vs. 80 mL [IQR, 50-100 mL]; P = 0.027) and a shorter postoperative hospital stay (4 days [IQR, 3-5 days] vs. 5 days [IQR, 4-6 days]; P = 0.041) than the VATS patients. The two surgical approaches were comparable concerning other perioperative outcomes and postoperative complications (20.00% vs. 26.11%; P = 0.396). Additionally, during a median follow-up period of 66 months, RATS and VATS achieved comparable 5-year overall survival (90.48% vs. 87.93%; P = 0.891), recurrence-free survival (83.37% vs. 83.18%; P = 0.782), and cumulative incidence of death. Further subgroup comparison also demonstrated comparable long-term outcomes between the two approaches. Finally, multivariate Cox analysis indicated that the surgical approach was not independently correlated with long-term outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The RATS approach shortened the postoperative hospital stay, reduced intraoperative bleeding by a statistically notable but clinically insignificant amount, and achieved long-term outcomes comparable with VATS in performing sub-lobectomy for octogenarians with early-stage small NSCLC.

Multimodality Cardiovascular Imaging for Totally Video-Guided Thorascopic Cardiac Surgery.

Totally video-guided thorascopic cardiac surgery (TVTCS) represents one of the most minimally invasive access routes to the heart. Its feasibility and safety can be guaranteed by an experienced surgeon with skilled operative techniques under the guidance of a video signal via thoracoscopy and the imaging from transesophageal echocardiography. At present, this surgical approach has been applied for atrioventricular valve disease, atrial septum defects plus and partial anomalous pulmonary venous drainage, cardiac tumors, hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, aortic valve disease, and atrial fibrillation. Multimodality cardiovascular imaging, including echocardiography, X-ray, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cardiac catheterization, provides morphologic characteristics and function status of the cardiovascular system and a comprehensive view of the target anatomy. In this review, the benefits of multimodality cardiovascular imaging are summarized for the clinical practice of TVTCS, including the preoperative preparation, intraoperative guidance and postoperative supervision. The disease categories are also individually reviewed on the basis of multimodality cardiovascular imaging, to ensure the feasibility and safety for TVTCS. Cardiovascular imaging technologies not only confirm who is a candidate for this surgical technique, but also provide technical support during the procedure and for postop follow to assess the clinical outcomes. Multimodality cardiovascular imaging is instrumental to provide the requirements to solve the problems for conduction of TVTCS; and to provide individualized protocols with high-resolution and real-time dynamic imaging fusion.

The use of videos for diabetes patient education: A systematic review.

Diabetes prevalence is rising worldwide, calling for public health concerns and interventions to improve prevention and management. Self-care is an important component in reducing the incidence of complications from diabetes, but it must be taught. This systematic review aims to synthesise the evidence for education videos for people with diabetes. Electronic databases, including Ovid (Medline, Embase, EmCare), PsychInfo, CINAHL, Web of Science and Scopus, were searched for studies on educational videos for patients with diabetes that met the inclusion criteria. A total of 36 studies met the inclusion criteria. Data extracted were synthesised through narrative synthesis. Studies examined outcomes including biological (i.e., glycated haemoglobin (HbA1C), weight, BMI), non-biological (health literacy, self-efficacy) and subjective feedback (i.e., acceptability, cultural appropriateness). The most common length of video was ≤10 min. Online dissemination was the most common method of video distribution. A statistically significant decrease (ranging from -0.1% to -2.1%) in HbA1C was noted in 7 of 12 studies examining this outcome. Other studies also found evidence of improvement in health literacy, self-efficacy, physical activity, medication adherence and other outcomes. Feedback from participants was generally positive, and emphasis was placed on the need for cultural appropriateness and representation in the educational videos.

Clinical study of thoracoscopic assisted different surgical approaches for early thymoma: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The efficacy and safety of subxiphoid thoracoscopic thymectomy (SVATS) for early thymoma are unknown. The purposes of this meta-analysis were to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of SVATS for early thymoma, to compare it with unilateral intercostal approach video thoracoscopic surgery (IVATS) thymectomy, and to investigate the clinical efficacy of modified subxiphoid thoracoscopic thymectomy (MSVATS) for early anterior mediastinal thymoma. METHODS: Original articles describing subxiphoid and unilateral intercostal approaches for thoracoscopic thymectomy to treat early thymoma published up to March 2023 were searched from PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated and analyzed for heterogeneity. Clinical data were retrospectively collected from all Masaoka stage I and II thymoma patients who underwent modified subxiphoid and unilateral intercostal approach thoracoscopic thymectomies between September 2020 and March 2023. The operative time, intraoperative bleeding, postoperative drainage, extubation time, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative visual analog pain score (VAS), and postoperative complications were compared, and the clinical advantages of the modified subxiphoid approach for early-stage anterior mediastinal thymoma were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 1607 cases were included in the seven studies in this paper. Of these, 591 cases underwent SVATS thymectomies, and 1016 cases underwent IVATS thymectomies. SVATS thymectomy was compared with IVATS thymectomy in terms of age (SMD = - 0.09, 95% CI: -0.20 to - 0.03, I2 = 20%, p = 0.13), body mass index (BMI; SMD = - 0.10, 95% CI: -0.21 to - 0.01, I2 = 0%, p = 0.08), thymoma size (SMD = - 0.01, 95% CI: -0.01, I2 = 0%, p = 0.08), operative time (SMD = - 0.70, 95% CI: -1.43-0.03, I2 = 97%, p = 0.06), intraoperative bleeding (SMD = - 0.30. 95% CI: -0.66-0.06, I2 = 89%, p = 0.10), time to extubation (SMD = - 0.34, 95%CI: -0.73-0.05, I2 = 91%, p = 0.09), postoperative hospital stay (SMD = - 0.40, 95% CI: -0.93-0.12, I2 = 93%, p = 0.13), and postoperative complications (odds ratio [OR] = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.42-2.12, I2 = 57%, p = 0.88), which were not statistically significantly different between the SVATS and IVATS groups. However, the postoperative drainage in the SVATS group was less than that in the IVATS group (SMD = - 0.43, 95%CI: -0.84 to - 0.02, I2 = 88%, p = 0.04), and the difference was statistically significant. More importantly, the postoperative VAS was lower in the SVATS group on days 1 (SMD = - 1.73, 95%CI: -2.27 to - 1.19, I2 = 93%, p < 0.00001), 3 (SMD = - 1.88, 95%CI: -2.84 to - 0.81, I2 = 97%, p = 0.0005), and 7 (SMD = - 1.18, 95%CI: -2.28 to - 0.08, I2 = 97%, p = 0.04) than in the IVATS group, and these differences were statistically significant. A total of 117 patients undergoing thoracoscopic thymectomy for early thymoma in the Department of Thoracic Surgery of the Second Hospital of Jilin University were retrospectively collected and included in the analysis, for which a modified subxiphoid approach was used in 42 cases and a unilateral intercostal approach was used in 75 cases. The differences between the two groups (MSVATS vs. IVATS) in general clinical characteristics such as age, sex, tumor diameter, Masaoka stage, Word Health Organization (WHO) stage, and intraoperative and postoperative conditions, including operative time, postoperative drainage, extubation time, postoperative hospital stay, and postoperative complication rates, were not statistically significant (p > 0.05), while BMI, intraoperative bleeding, and VAS on postoperative days 1, 3, and 7 were all statistically significant (p < 0.05) in the MSVATS group compared with the IVATS group. CONCLUSION: The meta-analysis showed that the conventional subxiphoid approach was superior in terms of postoperative drainage and postoperative VAS pain scores compared with the unilateral intercostal approach. Moreover, the modified subxiphoid approach had significant advantages in intraoperative bleeding and postoperative VAS pain scores compared with the unilateral intercostal approach. These results indicate that MSVATS can provide more convenient operation conditions, a better pleural cavity view, and a more complete thymectomy in the treatment of early thymoma, indicating that is a safe and feasible minimally invasive surgical method.

A prospective, pragmatic non-inferiority study of emergency intubation success with the single-use i-view versus standard reusable video laryngoscope.

INTRODUCTION: Video laryngoscope (VL) technology improves first-pass success. The novel i-view VL device is inexpensive and disposable. We sought to determine the first-pass intubation success with the i-view VL device versus the standard reusable VL systems in routine use at each site. METHODS: We performed a prospective, pragmatic study at two major emergency departments (EDs) when VL was used. We rotated i-view versus reusable VL as the preferred device of the month based on an a priori schedule. An investigator-initiated interim analysis was performed. Our primary outcome was a first-pass success with a non-inferiority margin of 10% based on the per-protocol analysis. RESULTS: There were 93 intubations using the reusable VL devices and 81 intubations using the i-view. Our study was stopped early due to futility in reaching our predetermined non-inferiority margin. Operator and patient characteristics were similar between the two groups. The first-pass success rate for the i-view group was 69.1% compared to 84.3% for the reusable VL group. A non-inferiority analysis indicated that the difference (-15.1%) and corresponding 90% confidence limits (-25.3% to -5.0%) did not fall within the predetermined 10% non-inferiority margin. CONCLUSIONS: The i-view device failed to meet our predetermined non-inferiority margin when compared to the reusable VL systems with the study stopping early due to futility. Significant crossover occurred at the discretion of the intubating operator during the i-view month.

Computer vision for automated seizure detection and classification: A systematic review.

Computer vision (CV) shows increasing promise as an efficient, low-cost tool for video seizure detection and classification. Here, we provide an overview of the fundamental concepts needed to understand CV and summarize the structure and performance of various model architectures used in video seizure analysis. We conduct a systematic literature review of the PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases from January 1, 2000 to September 15, 2023, to identify the strengths and limitations of CV seizure analysis methods and discuss the utility of these models when applied to different clinical seizure phenotypes. Reviews, nonhuman studies, and those with insufficient or poor quality data are excluded from the review. Of the 1942 records identified, 45 meet inclusion criteria and are analyzed. We conclude that the field has shown tremendous growth over the past 2 decades, leading to several model architectures with impressive accuracy and efficiency. The rapid and scalable detection offered by CV models holds the potential to reduce sudden unexpected death in epilepsy and help alleviate resource limitations in epilepsy monitoring units. However, a lack of standardized, thorough validation measures and concerns about patient privacy remain important obstacles for widespread acceptance and adoption. Investigation into the performance of models across varied datasets from clinical and nonclinical environments is an essential area for further research.

Epilepsy phenotype and its reproducibility after lateral fluid percussion-induced traumatic brain injury in rats: Multicenter EpiBioS4Rx study project 1.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to assess reproducibility of the epilepsy outcome and phenotype in a lateral fluid percussion model of posttraumatic epilepsy (PTE) across three study sites. METHODS: A total of 525 adult male Sprague Dawley rats were randomized to lateral fluid percussion-induced brain injury (FPI) or sham operation. Of these, 264 were assigned to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI cohort, 43 sham, 221 traumatic brain injury [TBI]) and 261 to electrophysiological follow-up (EEG cohort, 41 sham, 220 TBI). A major effort was made to harmonize the rats, materials, equipment, procedures, and monitoring systems. On the 7th post-TBI month, rats were video-EEG monitored for epilepsy diagnosis. RESULTS: A total of 245 rats were video-EEG phenotyped for epilepsy on the 7th postinjury month (121 in MRI cohort, 124 in EEG cohort). In the whole cohort (n = 245), the prevalence of PTE in rats with TBI was 22%, being 27% in the MRI and 18% in the EEG cohort (p > .05). Prevalence of PTE did not differ between the three study sites (p > .05). The average seizure frequency was .317 ± .725 seizures/day at University of Eastern Finland (UEF; Finland), .085 ± .067 at Monash University (Monash; Australia), and .299 ± .266 at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA; USA; p < .01 as compared to Monash). The average seizure duration did not differ between UEF (104 ± 48 s), Monash (90 ± 33 s), and UCLA (105 ± 473 s; p > .05). Of the 219 seizures, 53% occurred as part of a seizure cluster (≥3 seizures/24 h; p >.05 between the study sites). Of the 209 seizures, 56% occurred during lights-on period and 44% during lights-off period (p > .05 between the study sites). SIGNIFICANCE: The PTE phenotype induced by lateral FPI is reproducible in a multicenter design. Our study supports the feasibility of performing preclinical multicenter trials in PTE to increase statistical power and experimental rigor to produce clinically translatable data to combat epileptogenesis after TBI.

Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists and Capsule Endoscopy in Patients with Diabetes: A Matched Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) is valuable for assessing conditions like gastrointestinal bleeding, anemia, and inflammatory bowel disease. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) are prescribed for diabetes and weight loss, with their pharmacologic effects including delaying gastric emptying. This study investigates the impact of GLP-1 RA usage on VCE outcomes in patients with diabetes. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study involves patients with diabetes undergoing VCE while on GLP-1 RA, matched 1:1 ratio with controls based on demographics and diabetes related factors, who are not on GLP-RA. The primary outcome is gastric transit time in VCE studies, with secondary outcome being incomplete small bowel evaluation and the small bowel transit time. RESULTS: In the 68 GLP-1 RA patient cohort, five (7%) experienced VCE failure to pass through the stomach, while all controls passed successfully (p=0.06). GLP-1 RA patients had longer gastric transit time (99.3 ± 134.2 minutes) compared to controls (25.3 ± 31.6 minutes, p <0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed GLP-1 RA usage was associated with increased gastric transit time by 74.5 minutes (CI: 33.8-115.2, p <0.001) compared to controls, after adjusting on relevant factors. Sixteen GLP-1 RA patients (23.5%) experienced incomplete passage of the VCE through the small intestine, a significantly higher rate compared to three patients in the control group (4.4%) (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: GLP-1 RA usage is associated with prolonged gastric transit time and a higher rate of incomplete small bowel evaluation during VCE. Future studies may be crucial for evaluating strategies to mitigate these effects.

Dev-ResNet: automated developmental event detection using deep learning.

Delineating developmental events is central to experimental research using early life stages, permitting widespread identification of changes in event timing between species and environments. Yet, identifying developmental events is incredibly challenging, limiting the scale, reproducibility and throughput of using early life stages in experimental biology. We introduce Dev-ResNet, a small and efficient 3D convolutional neural network capable of detecting developmental events characterised by both spatial and temporal features, such as the onset of cardiac function and radula activity. We demonstrate the efficacy of Dev-ResNet using 10 diverse functional events throughout the embryonic development of the great pond snail, Lymnaea stagnalis. Dev-ResNet was highly effective in detecting the onset of all events, including the identification of thermally induced decoupling of event timings. Dev-ResNet has broad applicability given the ubiquity of bioimaging in developmental biology, and the transferability of deep learning, and so we provide comprehensive scripts and documentation for applying Dev-ResNet to different biological systems.

Kinematics and muscle activity of pectoral fins in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) station holding in turbulent flow.

Pectoral fins play a crucial role in fish locomotion. Despite fishes living in complex fluid environments that exist in rivers and tidal flows, the role of the pectoral fins in navigating turbulent flows is not well understood. This study investigated the kinematics and muscle activity of pectoral fins in rainbow trout as they held station in the unsteady flows behind a D-section cylinder. We observed two distinct pectoral fin behaviors, one during braking and the other during Kármán gaiting. These behaviors were correlated to whole-body movements in response to the hydrodynamic conditions of specific regions in the cylinder wake. Sustained fin extensions during braking, where the fin was held out to maintain its position away from the body and against the flow, were associated with the cessation of forward body velocity, where the fish avoided the suction region directly downstream of the cylinder. Transient fin extensions and retractions during Kármán gaiting controlled body movements in the cross-stream direction. These two fin behaviors had different patterns of muscle activity. All braking events required recruitment from both the abductor and adductor musculature to actively extend a pectoral fin. In contrast, over 50% of fin extension movements during Kármán gaiting proceed in the absence of muscle activity. We reveal that in unsteady fluid environments, pectoral fin movements are the result of a complex combination of passive and active mechanisms that deviate substantially from canonical labriform locomotion, the implications of which await further work on the integration of sensory and motor systems.

Uterine packing with chitosan-covered tamponade to treat postpartum hemorrhage.

Postpartum hemorrhage remains a major cause of maternal mortality and morbidity worldwide with higher rates found in resource-challenged countries. Conventional use of uterotonics such as oxytocin, prostaglandins, and medications to support coagulation, such as fibrinogen and tranexamic acid, are helpful but may not be sufficient to arrest life-threatening postpartum hemorrhage. Severe postpartum hemorrhage leads to an increased need for blood transfusions and the use of invasive techniques, such as intrauterine balloon tamponade, compression sutures, and arterial ligation, as advanced steps in the management cascade. In extreme cases where hemorrhage is resistant to these therapies, a hysterectomy may be necessary to avoid possible maternal death. Uterine packing with a chitosan-covered tamponade is an emerging tool in the armamentarium of the obstetrical team, especially when resources for advance surgical and other invasive options may be limited. Modified chitosan-impregnated gauze was originally described in the management of acute hemorrhage in the field of military medicine, combining the physiological antihemorrhaging effect of modified chitosan with a compression tamponade for the acute treatment of wound bleeding. The first described use in obstetrics was in 2012, showing that the chitosan-covered tamponade is an effective intervention to arrest ongoing therapy-resistant postpartum hemorrhage. Further studies showed a reduction in hysterectomies and blood transfusions. The method is, however, underreported and is not yet an established method used worldwide. To demonstrate the step-by-step application of the intrauterine chitosan-covered tamponade in the management of therapy-resistant postpartum hemorrhage, we have produced a teaching video to illustrate the important steps and techniques to optimize the effectiveness and safety of this novel intervention.

Associations of screen use with cognitive development in early childhood: the ELFE birth cohort.

BACKGROUND: The associations of screen use with children's cognition are not well evidenced and recent, large, longitudinal studies are needed. We aimed to assess the associations between screen use and cognitive development in the French nationwide birth cohort. METHODS: Time and context of screen use were reported by parents at ages 2, 3.5 and 5.5. Vocabulary, non-verbal reasoning and general cognitive development were assessed with the MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventory (MB) at age 2, the Picture Similarities subtest from the British Ability Scales (PS) at age 3.5 and the Child Development Inventory (CDI) at ages 3.5 and 5.5. Outcome variables were age-adjusted and standardized (mean = 100, SD = 15). Multiple imputations were performed among children (N = 13,763) with ≥1 screen use information and ≥1 cognitive measures. Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between screen use and cognitive development were assessed by linear regression models adjusted for sociodemographic and birth factors related to the family and children, and children's lifestyle factors competing with screen use. Baseline cognitive scores were further considered in longitudinal analysis. RESULTS: TV-on during family meals at age 2, not screen time, was associated with lower MB scores at age 2 (ß [95% CI] = -1.67 [-2.21, -1.13]) and CDI scores at age 3.5 (-0.82 [-1.31, -0.33]). In cross-sectional analysis, screen time was negatively associated with CDI scores at ages 3.5 (-0.67 [-0.94, -0.40]) and 5.5 (-0.47 [-0.77, -0.16]), and, in contrast, was positively associated with PS scores (0.39 [0.07, 0.71]) at age 3.5. Screen time at age 3.5 years was not associated with CDI scores at age 5.5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Our study found weak associations of screen use with cognition after controlling for sociodemographic and children's birth factors and lifestyle confounders, and suggests that the context of screen use matters, not solely screen time, in children's cognitive development.

REM sleep behaviour disorder (RBD): Personal perspectives and research priorities.

The formal identification and naming of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) in 1985-1987 is described; the historical background of RBD from 1966 to 1985 is briefly discussed; and RBD milestones are presented. Current knowledge on RBD is identified with reference to recent comprehensive reviews, allowing for a focus on research priorities for RBD: factors and predictors of neurodegenerative phenoconversion from isolated RBD and patient enrolment in neuroprotective trials; isolated RBD clinical research cohorts; epidemiology of RBD; traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, RBD and neurodegeneration; depression, RBD and synucleinopathy; evolution of prodromal RBD to neurodegeneration; gut microbiome dysbiosis and colonic synuclein histopathology in isolated RBD; other alpha-synuclein research in isolated RBD; narcolepsy-RBD; dreams and nightmares in RBD; phasic REM sleep in isolated RBD; RBD, periodic limb movements, periodic limb movement disorder pseudo-RBD; other neurophysiology research in RBD; cardiac scintigraphy (123I-MIBG) in isolated RBD; brain magnetic resonance imaging biomarkers in isolated RBD; microRNAs as biomarkers in isolated RBD; actigraphic, other automated digital monitoring and machine learning research in RBD; prognostic counselling and ethical considerations in isolated RBD; and REM sleep basic science research. RBD research is flourishing, and is strategically situated at an ever-expanding crossroads of clinical (sleep) medicine, neurology, psychiatry and neuroscience.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation Exercises Effectively Improve Chronic Cough After Surgery for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Cough is a major complication after lung cancer surgery, potentially impacting lung function and quality of life. However, effective treatments for managing long-term persistent postoperative cough remain elusive. In this study, we investigated the potential of a pulmonary rehabilitation training program to effectively address this issue. METHODS: Between January 2019 and December 2022, a retrospective review was conducted on patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who underwent lobectomy and lymph node dissection via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) at Daping hospital. Based on their postoperative rehabilitation methods, the patients were categorized into 2 groups: the traditional rehabilitation group and the pulmonary rehabilitation group. All patients underwent assessment using the Leicester cough questionnaire (LCQ) on the third postoperative day. Additionally, at the 6-month follow-up, patients' LCQ scores and lung function were re-evaluated to assess the long-term effects of the pulmonary rehabilitation training programs. RESULTS: Among the 276 patients meeting the inclusion criteria, 195 (70.7%) were in the traditional rehabilitation group, while 81 (29.3%) participated in the pulmonary rehabilitation group. The pulmonary rehabilitation group showed a significantly lower incidence of cough on the third postoperative day (16.0% vs 29.7%, P = .018) and higher LCQ scores in the somatic dimension (5.09 ± .81 vs 4.15 ± 1.22, P = .007) as well as in the total score (16.44 ± 2.86 vs 15.11 ± 2.51, P = .018, whereas there were no significant differences in psychiatric and sociological dimensions. At the 6-month follow-up, the pulmonary rehabilitation group continued to have a lower cough incidence (3.7% vs 12.8%, P = .022) and higher LCQ scores across all dimensions: somatic (6.19 ± .11 vs 5.75 ± 1.20, P = .035), mental (6.37 ± 1.19 vs 5.85 ± 1.22, P = .002), sociological (6.76 ± 1.22 vs 5.62 ± 1.08, P < .001), and total (18.22 ± 2.37 vs 16.21 ± 2.53, P < .001). Additionally, lung function parameters including FVC, FVC%, FEV1, FEV1%, MVV, MVV%, DLCO SB, and DLCO% were all significantly higher in the pulmonary rehabilitation group compared to the traditional group. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary rehabilitation exercises significantly reduced the incidence of postoperative cough and improved cough-related quality of life in patients undergoing lobectomy, with sustained benefits observed at the 6-month follow-up. Additionally, these exercises demonstrated superior lung function outcomes compared to traditional rehabilitation methods.

Pulmonary rehabilitation exercises significantly reduced the incidence of postoperative cough and improved cough-related quality of life in patients undergoing lobectomy, with sustained benefits observed at the 6-month follow-up. Additionally, these exercises demonstrated superior lung function outcomes compared to traditional rehabilitation methods.

A pilot randomised controlled trial of acceptance and commitment therapy for medication decision-making and quality of life in women with breast cancer: The ACTION trial.

OBJECTIVE: Non-adherence to adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) in women with breast cancer is common and associated with medication side-effects and distress. We co-designed an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy intervention (ACTION) to enhance medication decision-making and quality of life (QoL). We undertook a pilot trial of ACTION to inform the feasibility of a phase III trial, and to examine intervention acceptability. METHODS: This was a multi-site, exploratory, two-arm, individually randomised external pilot trial. Women with early breast cancer prescribed AET were randomised (1:1) to receive usual care (UC) or UC + ACTION. The ACTION intervention comprised a remotely delivered one-to-one ACT session followed by three group sessions delivered by clinical psychologists, alongside a website containing ideas for the self-management of side effects. RESULTS: Of the 480 women screened for eligibility, 260 (54.2%) were approached and 79 (30.4%) randomised. 71 (89.9%) women provided data at 3-month and 70 (88.6%) at 6-month 40 women were randomised to receive UC + ACTION and 32 (80.0%) completed the intervention. Most (75.0%) accessed the website at least once. ACTION was acceptable to participants (Borkovec & Nau Scale: mean = 7.8 [SD = 2.7] out of 10). Signals of effectiveness in favour of the UC + ACTION arm were observed for medication adherence (Adherence Starts with Knowledge questionnaire-12), QoL (work and social adjustment scale), health-related QoL (functional assessment of cancer therapy[FACT] general and FACT-ES-19/23), distress (generalised anxiety disorder -7, patient health questionnaire-9) and psychological flexibility (valuing questionnaire). CONCLUSIONS: The ACTION intervention was acceptable to patients. There were promising signals for effectiveness on primary and secondary outcomes. A phase III randomised controlled trial is feasible. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN12027752.