Prognosis of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy via Decomposed Digital Volume Pulse from the Fingertip.

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a very common neurological disorder in diabetic patients. This study presents a new percussion-based index for predicting DPN by decomposing digital volume pulse (DVP) signals from the fingertip. In this study, 130 subjects (50 individuals 44 to 89 years of age without diabetes and 80 patients 37 to 86 years of age with type 2 diabetes) were enrolled. After baseline measurement and blood tests, 25 diabetic patients developed DPN within the following five years. After removing high-frequency noise in the original DVP signals, the decomposed DVP signals were used for percussion entropy index (PEIDVP) computation. Effects of risk factors on the incidence of DPN in diabetic patients within five years of follow-up were tested using binary logistic regression analysis, controlling for age, waist circumference, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and the new index. Multivariate analysis showed that patients who did not develop DPN in the five-year period had higher PEIDVP values than those with DPN, as determined by logistic regression model (PEIDVP: odds ratio 0.913, 95% CI 0.850 to 0.980). This study shows that PEIDVP can be a major protective factor in relation to the studied binary outcome (i.e., DPN or not in diabetic patients five years after baseline measurement).

A prospective, single-center, randomized clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of three types of laser vaporization surgeries using a 180-W GreenLight XPS laser, a 300-W diode laser, and a 200-W thulium laser for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of three different laser prostate vaporization surgeries, which were photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP), diode laser vaporization (DVP), and thulium laser vaporization (ThuVAP), for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in a randomized clinical trial. METHODS: A total of 71 consecutive patients with BPH were included; 23 patients were treated with PVP, 23 with DVP, and 25 with ThuVAP. Patients were evaluated with disease-related symptomatic questionnaires, Quality of Life (QOL) Index, and maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax ) for 12 months. Patients were monitored to record operation/vaporization time, 24-hour hemoglobin/sodium drop, length of catheterization/hospitalization, and perioperative/postoperative complications. RESULTS: In all three groups, patients showed significant and comparable improvements in symptom scores, QOL Index, and Qmax during the 12-month follow-up period. The mean operation/vaporization time was equivalent across all three groups at 69/23 (PVP), 81/34 (DVP), and 76/32 minutes (ThuVAP), while the applied laser energy was lower for PVP at 157 kJ compared to the other two techniques (DVP at 358 kJ, ThuVAP at 240 kJ). The mean vaporization rates per unit energy were significantly different between the three groups (PVP 0.16, DVP 0.09, and ThuVAP 0.09 mL/kJ). There were no significant differences in the main safety profiles between the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that these three types of laser surgeries are similar in terms of complications and outcomes, with excellent hemostasis and high patient satisfaction. It was suggested that sufficient tissue vaporization could be achieved using less energy through PVP surgery.

An International Federal Hyperledger Fabric Verification Framework for Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Passport.

The COVID-19 virus has been spreading worldwide on a large scale since 2019, and the most effective way to prevent COVID-19 is to vaccinate. In order to prove that vaccination has been administered to allow access to different areas, paper vaccine passports are produced. However, paper vaccine passport records are vulnerable to counterfeiting or abuse. Previous research has suggested that issuing certificates digitally is an easier way to verify them. This study used the consortium blockchain based on Hyperledger Fabric to upload the digital vaccine passport (DVP) to the blockchain network. In order to enable collaboration across multiple systems, networks, and organizations in different trust realms. Federated Identity Management is considered a promising approach to facilitate secure resource sharing between collaborating partners. Therefore, the international federal identity management architecture proposed in this study enables inspectors in any country to verify the authenticity of the DVP of incoming passengers using the consortium blockchain. Through practical construction, the international federal Hyperledger verification framework for the DVP proposed in this study has shown the feasibility of issuing a global DVP in safety analysis and efficacy testing.

Refined polysaccharide from Dendrobium devonianum resists H1N1 influenza viral infection in mice by activating immunity through the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway.

Dendrobium polysaccharide exhibits multiple biological activities, such as immune regulation, antioxidation, and antitumor. However, its resistance to viral infection by stimulating immunity is rarely reported. In this study, we explored the effect and mechanism of DVP-1, a novel polysaccharide from Dendrobium devonianum, in the activation of immunity. After being activated by DVP-1, the ability of mice to prevent H1N1 influenza virus infection was investigated. Results of immune regulation showed that DVP-1 significantly improved the immune organ index, lymphocyte proliferation, and mRNA expression level of cytokines, such as IL-1ß, IL-4, IL-6, and TNF-α in the spleen. Immunohistochemical results showed that DVP-1 obviously promoted the mucosal immunity in the jejunum tissue. In addition, the expression levels of TLR4, MyD88, and TRAF6 and the phosphorylation levels of TAK1, Erk, JNK, and NF-κB in the spleen were upregulated by DVP-1. The virus infection results showed that the weight loss of mice slowed down, the survival rate increased, the organ index of the lung reduced, and the virus content in the lung decreased after DVP-1 activated immunity. By activating immunity with DVP-1, the production of inflammatory cells and inflammatory factors in BALF, and alveolar as well as peribronchiolar inflammation could be prevented. The results manifested that DVP-1 could resist H1N1 influenza virus infection by activating immunity through the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway.

The Effect of Software Versions on the Measurement of Retinal Vascular Densities Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography.

BACKGROUND: The goal of the study was to determine the effect of different software versions on the measurement of retinal vessel densities using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in normal subjects. METHODS: Thirty-two eyes of eighteen healthy subjects were imaged using two OCTA devices: the Optovue RTVue and the Zeiss Cirrus. The macular 3 × 3 mm scan protocol was used. The images acquired using the Optovue OCTA device were exported using two different software versions in the system and compared to the images acquired through the Zeiss OCTA. In addition, the Optovue OCTA images were exported after manual adjustment of the segmentation boundaries according to the intraretinal layer definition. The densities of the superficial vascular plexus (SVP) and deep vascular plexus (DVP) were measured using fractal analysis by box-counting (Dbox). RESULTS: Both the vessel densities of the SVP and DVP acquired using the Optovue OCTA device were significantly different when compared to those from the Zeiss OCTA device (all, P <.05). No significant difference was found between the vessel densities of the SVP exported using both the new and old versions of Optovue (P >.05). However, the DVP exported using the new Optovue software version was significantly different compared to those exported using the old version (P <.05). The vessel densities of the SVP and DVP were related among the Optovue OCTA software versions and manual adjustment method (r ranged from 0.55 to 0.77; all P <.05). CONCLUSION: This is the first study to determine that different software versions with various intraretinal layer segmentation methods affect the vessel density measurements of the SVP and DVP.

Diagnostic accuracy and interobserver variability of Dynamic Vascular Pattern (DVP) in primary liver malignancies - A simple semiquantitative tool for the analysis of contrast enhancement patterns.

BACKGROUND: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is a valuable tool in the diagnostic approach of focal liver lesions, but occasionally subjective and observer-dependent. Semiquantitative evaluation of dynamic CEUS (DCEUS) with standardised software programmes such as Dynamic Vascular Pattern (DVP) could help to improve diagnostic accuracy and objectivity in liver tumour assessment. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed at evaluation of diagnostic accuracy of DVP in a clinical setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: DVP images of 52 focal liver lesions [30 hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), 15 intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinomas (ICCs), 7 focal nodular hyperplasias (FNHs)] were analysed by four blinded observers with different levels of CEUS-experience. Diagnostic accuracies for the assessment of dignity and entity were evaluated. RESULTS: Mean sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value for detection of malignancy with DVP were 48.4% /67.8% /92.7% and 29.3%, respectively. Total diagnostic accuracies for dignity/entity were 63.9% /38.5% (HCC: 58.3% /25.8%; ICC: 73.3% /50%; FNH: 67.9% /67.9%). Interreader-agreement was moderate (κ= 0.42-0.58). Differential diagnosis between ICC and HCC was most challenging. CONCLUSION: Although developed to improve diagnostic accuracy and objectivity in the assessment of focal liver lesions, DVP alone seems insufficient for differential diagnosis of HCC, ICC and FNH and cannot replace the skills of an experienced observer.

Delayed intracerebral and subdural hematomas after ventriculo-peritoneal shunt in a child: A case report and review of the literature.

Ventriculo-peritoneal shunt (VPS) continues to remain the main diverted method to drain the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the ventricles to the peritoneal cavity. It has some complications that must be managed promptly to avoid any eventual fatal evolution. The association of delayed intracerebral and subdural hematomas after VPS insertion is a very rare complication and has, to our knowledge, never previously been reported in the literature. We report a very uncommon association of this entity occurring 11months after a shunt placement in a 13-year-old boy and discuss the likely pathogenesis, as well as the clinical and the radiological data.

Hipertensão Intracraniana Infantil sem Hidrocefalia em Paciente Portador de DVP: Relato de Caso / Pediatric Intracranial Hypertension Without Hydrocephalus In Patient With VPS: Case Report

Introdução: Hipertensão intracraniana (HIC) primária é uma entidade rara definida pelo aumento da pressão intracraniana (PIC) sem a presença de lesão de massa ou hidrocefalia e com composição normal do líquor (LCR). É mais comum em mulheres acima do peso, mas sua incidência vem aumentando em crianças. Desta forma, o objetivo do presente estudo é relatar um caso de HIC primária infantil e sua apresentação clínica e conduta. Relato de caso: Paciente com derivação ventriculoperitoneal (DVP) apresenta-se com cefaleia intensa, com mudança no padrão da dor, associada a foto, fonofobia e episódios de vômitos. Exames de imagem sem alterações. Realizou derivação ventricular externa (DVE) para alívio e monitorização da PIC até substituição do cateter proximal obstruído da DVP. Conclusão: O desconhecimento e a ausência de alterações nos exames de imagem podem atrasar o diagnóstico da HIC primária. Este relato demonstra a importância da suspeita e investigação em pacientes com DVP que se apresentem com sintomas de HIC, objetivando o diagnóstico precoce e evitando possíveis complicações

Introduction: Primary intracranial hypertension (PIH) is a rare entity defined by increased intracranial pressure (ICP) without the presence of mass lesion or hydrocephalus and with normal CSF composition. It is more common in overweight women, but its incidence is increasing in children. Thus, the goal of the present study is to report a case of pediatric PIH and its clinical presentation and conduct. Case report: A patient with ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) presents with intense headache and change in pain pattern, associated with photo, phonophobia and episodes of vomiting. Image exams without alterations. He performed external ventricular drain (EVD) for relief

Ascitis por líquido cefalorraquideo secundario a derivación ventriculo-peritoneal / Cerebrospinal fluid ascites secondary to ventriculo - expert neal

La ascitis por Líquido cefalorraquídeo es una complicación relativamente rara que se ha reportado en la literatura prácticamente desde 1972. Junto con el pseudoquiste abdominal corresponde a un 2% de las complicaciones de las derivaciones ventriculoperitoneales. Múltiples teorías han intentado explicar la patogenia de esta patología. A continuación se presenta el caso de un paciente de 36 años del Hospital México quien luego de 11 años de colocada una DVP desarrolla un cuadro de ascitis por LCR cuyos estudios clínicos no mostraron causa desencadenante evidente del cuadro por lo que fue necesario realizar una derivación ventrículo-atrial. Se incluye además una revisión de la literatura vigente.

Ascites by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a relatively rare complication that has been reported in the literature almost since 1972. Along with abdominal pseudocyst corresponds to 2% of the complications of ventriculoperitoneal shunts (VPS) . Multiple theories have attempted to explain the pathogenesis of this disease. Then the case of a patient of 36 years of the Hospital Mexico who after 11 years VPS placed one develops a picture of ascites CSF is presented whose clinical studies showed no obvious precipitating cause it was necessary to perform a ventriculo -atrial shunt. A review of the current literature is also included.