Correlations between ultrasound, tomographic, and intraoperative measurements of the great saphenous vein used as an arterial graft.

Background: The great saphenous vein is the major superficial vein of the lower limb, and also the most often used as arterial graft material for lower limb revascularization. Prior knowledge of the quality of the vein can guide choice of therapeutic strategy, avoiding surgery that is doomed to failure. Discrepancies between intraoperative findings of the quality of the great saphenous vein and imaging tests are also frequently observed. Objectives: To evaluate the diameter of the great saphenous vein using two imaging methods (Duplex Ultrasound and Computed Tomography) and the gold-standard (intraoperative direct measurement of the vein), comparing the results. Methods: Prospective, observational study of data obtained during routine medical procedures performed by the Vascular Surgery team. Results: 41 patients were evaluated, with a 12-month follow-up. 27 (65.85%) were male and mean age was 65.37 years. 19 (46.34%) patients had femoropopliteal grafts and 22 (53.66%) had distal grafts. Preoperative saphenous vein internal diameters measured with the patient supine were on average 16.4% smaller on CT and 33.8% smaller on US than the external diameters measured after intraoperative hydrostatic dilatation. There were no statistical differences in measurements when sex, weight, and height were considered. Conclusions: Saphenous vein diameters were underestimated by preoperative US and CT scans when compared to intraoperative measurements. Thus, in patients undergoing graft planning for revascularization, the choice of conduit should take this data into consideration, so that use of the saphenous vein is not ruled out unnecessarily during planning.

A Novel Approach to Obtain PAR with a Multi-Channel Spectral Microsensor, Suitable for Sensor Node Integration.

We propose a novel approach to measure photosynthetically active radiation (PAR ) in the form of photosynthetic photon flux density with an inexpensive, small multi-channel spectrometer sensor, with integrated optical filters and analog-to-digital converter. Our experiments prove that the combination of eight spectral channels with different optical sensitivities, such as the sensorchip in use (AS7341, ams), derive the PAR with an accuracy of 14/m2/s. Enabled by the sensor architecture, additional information about the light quality can be retrieved which is expressed in the RLQI. A calibration method is proposed, and exemplary measurements are performed. Moreover, the integration in a solar-powered wireless sensor node is outlined, which enables long-term field experiments with high sensor densities and may be used to obtain important indexes, such as the GPP.

2-Aminoacetophenone formation through UV-C induced degradation of tryptophan in the presence of riboflavin in model wine: Role of oxygen and transition metals.

2-Aminoacetophenone is an off-flavor that can result from tryptophan degradation via riboflavin-photosensitized reaction. This study investigates the impact of light exposure, provided by a UV-C source, oxygen concentrations and transition metals on the formation of 2-aminoacetophenone in model wine containing tryptophan and riboflavin. Irrespective of oxygen and transition metals, >85% of tryptophan were degraded via first-order kinetics to unknown product(s). However, longer light exposure and more oxygen caused 2-aminoacetophenone concentrations to increase. Transition metals decelerated the 2-aminoacetophenone formation and acetaldehyde was formed suggesting photo-Fenton reaction occurred as a competitive reaction. The degradation rate of riboflavin inclined with less oxygen and in the presence of transition metals due to the depletion of oxygen by photo-Fenton reaction. Oxygen plays an important role in the regeneration of riboflavin and therefore must be seen as an intensifier for light-induced 2-aminoacetophenone formation. This paper provides new insights into riboflavin-photosensitized reactions.

Influence of Potential Alcohol in Grapes on Phenolic and Sensory Characteristics of Red Wine.

Potential alcohol, as obtained by grape maturity, affects the extraction of phenolics during winemaking. The extent to which potential alcohol is correlated to phenolic and sensory characteristics of red wine was investigated. Decoupling of the ripening kinetics of grape constituents due to climate change emphasizes this question. The impact of potential alcohol, as naturally obtained by grape maturity or adjusted by sugar addition, representing high sugar but low phenolic maturity, on wine characteristics was investigated for two varieties over two vintages. Enhancement of potential alcohol to late harvest conditions did not achieve the sensory characteristics of wine made from phenolic mature grapes. An experimental model was developed revealing the contribution of potential alcohol to phenolic and sensory characteristics. In Pinot noir, anthocyanins correlated well with natural potential alcohol but were not influenced by enhanced potential alcohol. In Cabernet Sauvignon, polymeric pigments provided the most accurate information about grape maturity perception in wine.

Effect of the polysaccharide capsule and its heptose on the resistance of Campylobacter jejuni to innate immune defenses.

Campylobacter jejuni is a commensal in many animals but causes diarrhea in humans. Its polysaccharide capsule contributes to host colonization and virulence in a strain- and model-specific manner. We investigated if the capsule and its heptose are important for interactions of strain NCTC 11168 with various hosts and their innate immune defenses. We determined that they support bacterial survival in Drosophila melanogaster and enhance virulence in Galleria mellonella. We showed that the capsule had limited antiphagocytic activity in human and chicken macrophages, decreased adherence to chicken macrophages, and decreased intracellular survival in both macrophages. In contrast, the heptose increased uptake by chicken macrophages and supported adherence to human macrophages and survival within them. While the capsule triggered nitric oxide production in chicken macrophages, the heptose mitigated this and protected against nitrosative assault. Finally, the C. jejuni strain NCTC 11168 elicited strong cytokine production in both macrophages but quenched ROS production independently from capsule and heptose, and while the capsule and heptose did not protect against oxidative assault, they favored growth in biofilms under oxidative stress. This study shows that the wild-type capsule with its heptose is optimized to resist innate defenses in strain NCTC 11168 often via antagonistic effects of the capsule and its heptose.

Political news on Instagram: influencer versus traditional magazine and the role of their expertise in consumers' credibility perceptions and news engagement.

Introduction: Social networking sites (SNS) are increasingly used by consumers to read and share political news. In this context, Instagram plays an important role due to its prevalence and visual characteristics. However, previous research has highlighted that consumers fail to identify the source of online news, though source characteristics were shown to be vital for news credibility perceptions. Nevertheless, research on whether and which source characteristics have an influence on Instagram consumers' credibility perceptions and news engagement intentions are lacking. The present study addresses this empirical gap by investigating potential effects of source expertise and source type on source credibility, message credibility, news engagement intentions, and personal involvement regarding political news on Instagram. Method: We randomly presented participants with political news posts from one of four sources, either the Instagram representation of a fictional news magazine or influencer with or without political expertise. Participants assessed the perceived credibility of the source and the news, their news engagement intentions, and personal involvement. Results: We analyzed data from 416 participants. Results showed significant main effects of source expertise on each of the dependent variables. Those were shown to be indirect effects through personal involvement. There were hardly any effects of source type. Discussion: These results provide new insights into the role of source expertise on credibility perceptions and news engagement intentions, and provide insights into the comparison between influencers and Instagram representations of traditional news magazines. Theoretical implications for future research and practical implications for content creators, users, and SNS platforms are discussed.

Impact of Retinopathy of Prematurity on Visual Motor Integration.

BACKGROUND: Preterm infants are at risk for neurodevelopmental deficits. An association between retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and impaired cognitive outcome has already been described. However, less is known about the impact of ROP on visual motor integration (VMI), which is a prerequisite not only for fine motor abilities but also for further school skills. Therefore, the aim of this study was to retrospectively investigate the impact of ROP on VMI at preschool age. METHODS: The study was conducted at the Medical University of Vienna, including patients born between January 2009 and December 2014 with a gestational age of less than 30 weeks and/or a birth weight of less than 1,500 g. VMI was determined by Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual Motor Integration (Beery VMI) at the age of 5 years. RESULTS: Out of 1,365 patients, 353 met inclusion criteria for this study. Two hundred sixteen of them had no ROP, while 137 had ROP (stage 1: n = 23, stage 2: n = 74, stage 3: n = 40). Mean value of the Beery VMI score was significantly lower in the ROP group compared to the No-ROP group (90 ± 16 vs. 99 ± 14; p < 0.01). By correcting for other important medical conditions, ROP still had a significant impact on Beery VMI score (p < 0.01). Particularly, lower scores were found for stage 2 (p < 0.01) and stage 3 (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Beery VMI scores were significantly lower in preterm infants with ROP stage 2 and 3 than in infants without ROP. This study shows the negative impact of ROP on VMI skills at preschool age, even after adjustment for key demographic and medical characteristics.

The Effects of Different Feedback Types on Learning With Mobile Quiz Apps.

Testing is an effective learning method, and it is the basis of mobile quiz apps. Quiz apps have the potential to facilitate remote and self-regulated learning. In this context, automatized feedback plays a crucial role. In two experimental studies, we examined the effects of two feedback types of quiz apps on performance, namely, the standard corrective feedback of quiz apps and a feedback that incorporates additional information related to the correct response option. We realized a controlled lab setting (n = 68, Study 1) and an unsupervised mobile setting (n = 150, Study 2). In the learning phase, participants used the quiz app and received feedback. They also completed a subsequent test as well as a follow-up test 1 week later by using the same quiz app. Irrespective of feedback type and setting, cognitive outcomes (quiz scores) and metacognitive outcomes (response certainty) increased similarly in the short term and long term. Feedback effects were not moderated by participants' overall response certainty during learning, their prior knowledge, and the difficulty of quiz items. Moreover, we found that participants perceived the quiz app to be similarly attractive, interesting, and enjoyable in both feedback conditions and that they spent slightly more time to process quiz items in the lab setting. We discuss these results in detail, including the role of moderating and mediating factors and prospects for further research and practice. Overall, our results underline that quiz apps are useful and effective tools that can support the acquisition and retention of semantic knowledge in different learning settings.

Impact of Formulation and Suspension Properties on Redispersion of Aluminum-Adjuvanted Vaccines.

The adsorption of antigens to the surface of 2 commonly used insoluble adjuvants, aluminum phosphate and aluminum hydroxide, has been well characterized. In spite of the pharmaceutical benefits, alum-based vaccine formulations can present challenges in redispersion of the final product after storage. Inability to resuspend alum-based vaccines during administration results in inadequate dosing, thus rendering the product unusable. Here, the influence of formulation conditions on the resuspendability of aluminum adjuvant-containing vaccines was investigated. Particle size analysis by Micro-Flow Imaging (MFI™), zeta potential measurement, and sedimentation analysis by Turbiscan® were used to characterize suspension properties. Ionic strength, pH, and antigen concentration were found to significantly influence sedimentation behavior, particle size, and redispersion. Increasing ionic strength increased the sedimentation rate of adjuvants favoring resuspendability. The addition of bovine serum albumin to aluminum phosphate reduced resuspendability more significantly than the addition of lysozyme. Decreased resuspendability correlated with an increase in fine-to-large particle ratio and decrease in sedimentation rate. In summary, resuspendability of adjuvant drug product is favored by increased flocculation, decrease in fine-to-large particle ratio, and reduction in surface charge of antigen and adjuvant. A careful balance of these formulation conditions can therefore be an effective means to mitigate challenges of alum adjuvant redispersion.

[Psychotherapy with physically challenged children and young people: implications of a change of paradigm]. / Psychotherapie körperbehinderter Kinder und Jugendlicher: Implikationen eines Paradigmawechsels.

In the light of newer scientific developments the biopsychosocial approach in psychotherapy appears to be in need of a revision. In neurosciences a paradigm change from a linear to a dynamic outlook on development as a self-organizing process guided by interactions with the environment took place under the heading of Neural Plasticity during the last ten years. This implies that the conditions of development for challenged children are not comparable with those of healthy children as the case-examples of children with Spina Bifida indicate. On this background, a pilot project was launched with the goal of determining which forms of psychotherapy are helpful for challenged children. A practically oriented, eclectic approach was developed applying empiric-regulative cycles which promotes the dynamics of self-organizing psychic and physical processes as shown in a presented example of a child experiencing post-lesional plasticity. Thus, psychotherapy is understood as a co-constructive process of reciprocal shaping of relationship; it fosters beneficial organization processes of psychic and physical impact.

Contribution of Intravenous Administration Components to Subvisible and Submicron Particles Present in Administered Drug Product.

Particulate matter present in drug products intended for parenteral administration to patients is typically monitored and controlled in the finished drug product to minimize potential risks to patients. In contrast to particulates found in drug products, the current study evaluated particulates representative of materials and operations typically used in the dose preparation and administration of drug products. A comprehensive assessment of intrinsic and extrinsic sources of subvisible and submicron particulates arising from materials associated with subcutaneous and intravenous dose preparation and administration was conducted. In particular, particles arising from disposable syringes, commercial sterile diluents, and intravenous supplies were quantitated using established methods for subvisible (light obscuration, flow imaging) and submicron particles (resistive pulse sensing). Each of these sources contributed varying amounts of particulates; therefore, owing to sources from materials required for administration, it is inadequate to assume that the total particulate load delivered to patients arises solely from the drug product. Careful consideration of the administration method and supplies used can improve the predictability of particulate levels present in dose preparations or administration volumes.

Correlação das medidas ultrassonográficas, tomográficas e intraoperatórias da veia safena interna utilizada como enxerto arterial / Correlations between ultrasound, tomographic, and intraoperative measurements of the great saphenous vein used as an arterial graft

Resumo Contexto A veia safena interna é a principal veia superficial do membro inferior, sendo também a mais utilizada para cirurgias de enxerto arterial para revascularização de membros inferiores. O conhecimento prévio da qualidade da veia pode orientar a mudança da estratégia terapêutica, evitando cirurgias fadadas ao insucesso. Observou- se, com frequência, a discrepância entre achados intraoperatórios e exames de imagem. Objetivos Avaliar e comparar o calibre da veia safena interna através de dois métodos de imagem [ultrassonografia (USG) dúplex e angiotomografia computadorizada (angio TC)] e do padrão-ouro (medida no intraoperatório). Métodos Tratou-se de estudo prospectivo observacional. Os dados coletados foram obtidos dos procedimentos médicos de rotina realizados pela equipe de Cirurgia Vascular. Resultados Foram avaliados 41 pacientes, seguidos clinicamente por 12 meses, sendo 27 (65,8%) do sexo masculino, com média de idade de 65,37 anos. Dezenove (46,3%) pacientes foram submetidos a enxerto fêmoro-poplíteo, e 22 (53,7%) a enxertos distais. Os diâmetros da veia safena foram em média 16,4% menores na TC e 33,8% menores na USG, quando medidos em decúbito dorsal no pré-operatório, comparados ao diâmetro externo após dilatação hidrostática no intraoperatório. Não houve diferença estatística das medidas da cirurgia quando se comparou sexo, peso e altura. Conclusões A avaliação do calibre da veia safena foi subestimada pelos exames de USG e TC pré-operatórias com o paciente em decúbito dorsal, em relação à medida intraoperatória. Em pacientes em programação de enxerto para revascularização, a escolha do conduto deve levar esse dado em consideração para que não ocorra exclusão precipitada do uso da veia safena no planejamento.

Abstract Background The great saphenous vein is the major superficial vein of the lower limb, and also the most often used as arterial graft material for lower limb revascularization. Prior knowledge of the quality of the vein can guide choice of therapeutic strategy, avoiding surgery that is doomed to failure. Discrepancies between intraoperative findings of the quality of the great saphenous vein and imaging tests are also frequently observed. Objectives To evaluate the diameter of the great saphenous vein using two imaging methods (Duplex Ultrasound and Computed Tomography) and the gold-standard (intraoperative direct measurement of the vein), comparing the results. Methods Prospective, observational study of data obtained during routine medical procedures performed by the Vascular Surgery team. Results 41 patients were evaluated, with a 12-month follow-up. 27 (65.85%) were male and mean age was 65.37 years. 19 (46.34%) patients had femoropopliteal grafts and 22 (53.66%) had distal grafts. Preoperative saphenous vein internal diameters measured with the patient supine were on average 16.4% smaller on CT and 33.8% smaller on US than the external diameters measured after intraoperative hydrostatic dilatation. There were no statistical differences in measurements when sex, weight, and height were considered. Conclusions Saphenous vein diameters were underestimated by preoperative US and CT scans when compared to intraoperative measurements. Thus, in patients undergoing graft planning for revascularization, the choice of conduit should take this data into consideration, so that use of the saphenous vein is not ruled out unnecessarily during planning.

The teaching of anatomy during the Covid-19 pandemic / O ensino de anatomia durante a pandemia de Covid-19

Abstract: Introduction: Human Anatomy is an essential subject for medical education. In addition to the theoretical content, practice is an irreplaceable way of learning. However, the COVID-19 pandemic brought up new challenges to the teaching of Anatomy. Therefore, new strategies were implemented aiming to adapt the medical curriculum. Experience report: At UNICAMP, Anatomy was taught virtually, through synchronous and asynchronous activities. For practical sessions, teachers and teaching assistants recorded lessons using real anatomical structures. The students had tutoring sessions with content review and quizzes. The anatomy final exams were taken on Google Forms. At the end of each semester, questionnaires were applied so that the students could evaluate the teaching tools. Discussion: The new method had both positive and negative aspects, but it was important to assure the maintenance of the teaching-learning process. All tools were approved by the students and the objectives of the course were achieved with no additional funding. Conclusion: This experience demonstrated that a teaching team consisting of teachers and monitors is of great value in the learning process. Furthermore, it showed that low-cost technology tools are helpful in overcoming adversities. Nevertheless, this model does not replace face-to-face teaching.

Resumo: Introdução: A anatomia humana é uma disciplina indispensável para a formação médica. Além do conteúdo teórico, sabe-se que o aprendizado por meio da prática é insubstituível. Entretanto, a pandemia de Covid-19 impôs desafios ao ensino de anatomia. Por isso, novas estratégias de ensino foram desenvolvidas para adaptar o currículo médico. Relato de experiência: Na Unicamp, o conteúdo de anatomia foi oferecido virtualmente por meio de atividades síncronas e assíncronas. Para as práticas, professores e monitores gravaram aulas com peças anatômicas verdadeiras. Os alunos também tiveram monitorias com revisão de conteúdo e quizzes. As provas finais foram feitas em formulários do Google Forms. Ao fim de cada semestre letivo, aplicaram-se questionários para que os estudantes avaliassem as novas ferramentas de ensino. Discussão: O novo método teve pontos positivos e negativos, mas foi importante para garantir a manutenção do processo de ensino-aprendizagem. Todas as ferramentas foram aprovadas pelos alunos, e atingiram-se os objetivos do curso sem financiamento adicional. Conclusão: Essa experiência demonstrou que a união entre professores e monitores é de grande valia para o processo de ensino-aprendizagem. Além disso, revelou que ferramentas tecnológicas de baixo custo podem ser úteis nesse contexto. Entretanto, esse modelo não substitui o ensino presencial.

Thrilling News Revisited: The Role of Suspense for the Enjoyment of News Stories.

Previous research on news perception has been dominated by a cognitively oriented perspective on reception processes, whereas emotions have been widely neglected. Consequently, it has remained open which features of a news story might elicit affective responses and hence modulate news perception, shifting the focus to the emotional potential of the narrative. According to the affective-disposition theory, the experience of suspense is the striving force of immersion in fictional dramas. Thereby, a positive affective disposition toward the protagonist of a story and a high likelihood of a bad ending should increase suspense that, in turn, should positively influence reading appreciation and lingering interest in the story. We investigated whether suspense and its determinants also play such a key role in the context of news stories. Study 1 (n = 263) successfully replicated results of an earlier study, whereas Studies 2 (n = 255) and 3 (n = 599) challenged the generalizability of some effects related to manipulated characteristics of a news story. In contrast, correlational relationships between perceived news characteristics and news evaluation were relatively stable. In particular, participants' liking of the protagonist and the perceived likelihood of a good ending were positively associated with suspense, reading appreciation, and lingering interest. This result indicates a preference for happy endings and contradicts the notion that likely negative outcomes are beneficial for suspense and the enjoyment of news stories, as postulated by the affective-disposition theory in the context of fictional dramas. Moreover, experienced suspense reliably mediated the correlations between, on the one hand, participants' liking of the protagonist and the perceived likelihood of a good ending and, on the other hand, reading appreciation and lingering interest. The news story's personal relevance was less influential than expected. Further, we observed a large absence of interaction effects, indicating that central characteristics of a news story can be independently varied to a large degree. In a nutshell, we may conclude that suspense significantly mediates the correlation between perceived news characteristics and the enjoyment of news stories, whereas manipulations of news characteristics do not necessarily influence the enjoyment of narratives as desired.