Preserving medial iliofemoral ligament avoids excessive leg lengthening in total hip arthroplasty using anterolateral-supine approach.

Background: In this study, we compared postoperative leg length discrepancy (LLD) after total hip arthroplasty using the anterolateral-supine approach (ALSA THA) with or without medial iliofemoral ligament (mILFL) preservation and examined the effect of the remaining mILFL on postoperative LLD. Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective case control study. Unilateral primary THA with a preoperative LLD <15 mm, in which the contralateral side was intact, was included. After ALSA THA, we compared the absolute values of postoperative LLDs and examined the ratio of postoperative LLD >5 mm with and without mILFL preservation. Demographic data, clinical scores, and operative data were collected. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: We included 341 hips (preservation group: 283 hips; resection group: 58 hips). The mean (range) absolute values of the postoperative LLDs were 2.3 (0-15.9) mm and 3.4 (0-14.8) mm, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.36). The proportion of postoperative LLD >5 mm differed significantly between the groups (4.4 % and 20.0 %, respectively; p < 0.01). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that resection of the mILFL was the only significant factor that caused excessive leg lengthening (odds ratio, 5.28; 95 % confidence interval, 2.12-13.10, p < 0.01). Significant differences were reported in surgical time (81 (38-132) and 96 (54-157), respectively; p < 0.01) and intraoperative blood loss (297 (50-1170) and 388 (100-1150), respectively; p < 0.01). However, no significant differences in clinical scores, dislocation (including instability), or reoperation rates were observed between the two groups. Conclusion: In patients with a preoperative LLD <15 mm, preserving the mILFL in ALSA THA avoids excessive leg lengthening and may lead to shorter LLD without any difficulties.

Telomere Length Measurement in Human Tissue Sections by Quantitative Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (Q-FISH).

Telomeres in most somatic cells shorten with each cell division, and critically short telomeres lead to cellular dysfunction, cell cycle arrest, and senescence. Thus, telomere shortening is an important hallmark of human cellular senescence. Quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization (Q-FISH) using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue sections allows the estimation of telomere lengths in individual cells in histological sections. In our Q-FISH method, fluorescently labelled peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probes are hybridized to telomeric and centromeric sequences in FFPE human tissue sections, and relative telomere lengths (telomere signal intensities relative to centromere signal intensities) are measured. This chapter describes our Q-FISH protocols for assessing relative telomere lengths in FFPE human tissue sections.

Comparison of the refractive prediction errors of artificial intelligence formula with 3 conventional formulas and 11 combination methods in cataract surgery on eyes with short axial length

ABSTRACT Purpose: To compare the refractive prediction error of Hill-radial basis function 3.0 with those of 3 conventional formulas and 11 combination methods in eyes with short axial lengths. Methods: The refractive prediction error was calculated using 4 formulas (Hoffer Q, SRK-T, Haigis, and Hill-RBF) and 11 combination methods (average of two or more methods). The absolute error was determined, and the proportion of eyes within 0.25-diopter (D) increments of absolute error was analyzed. Furthermore, the intraclass correlation coefficients of each method were computed to evaluate the agreement between target refractive error and postoperative spherical equivalent. Results: This study included 87 eyes. Based on the refractive prediction error findings, Hoffer Q formula exhibited the highest myopic errors, followed by SRK-T, Hill-RBF, and Haigis. Among all the methods, the Haigis and Hill-RBF combination yielded a mean refractive prediction error closest to zero. The SRK-T and Hill-RBF combination showed the lowest mean absolute error, whereas the Hoffer Q, SRK-T, and Haigis combination had the lowest median absolute error. Hill-radial basis function exhibited the highest intraclass correlation coefficient, whereas SRK-T showed the lowest. Haigis and Hill-RBF, as well as the combination of both, demonstrated the lowest proportion of refractive surprises (absolute error >1.00 D). Among the individual formulas, Hill-RBF had the highest success rate (absolute error ≤0.50 D). Moreover, among all the methods, the SRK-T and Hill-RBF combination exhibited the highest success rate. Conclusions: Hill-radial basis function showed accuracy comparable to or surpassing that of conventional formulas in eyes with short axial lengths. The use and integration of various formulas in cataract surgery for eyes with short axial lengths may help reduce the incidence of refractive surprises.

Targeting gut microbiota by starch molecular size and chain-length distribution to produce various short-chain fatty acids.

The detailed relationships among starch fine molecular structures, gut microbiota, and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are not fully understood. We hypothesized that specific starch molecular size and chain-length distribution are favored by gut bacteria for the secretion of SCFAs. To investigate this, different types of starches with diverse molecular size and chain-length distributions (e.g., amylose content ranging from about 1 % to 38 %) were subjected to in vitro fermentation with human fecal inocula. Tapioca and waxy maize starches were notably more effective at producing acetate and propionate compared to lentil, wheat, and pea starches (p < 0.05). Correlation analysis revealed, for the first time, that the number of amylose chains with a degree of polymerization between 500 and 5000 was positively correlated with the abundance of Bacteroides_coprocola_DSM_17136 and Bacteroides_plebeius, possibly relating to the higher production of acetate and propionate. These results indicate that starches with certain fine molecular structures could be used to target gut bacteria to produce various types of SCFAs, thereby amplifying beneficial effects on human health.

Length of Stay, Readmission Rates, and Mortality Are Similar Between Hospitalized Individuals With Sickle Cell Disease With and Without COVID-19.

Background We sought to clarify the impact of COVID-19 on clinical outcomes in sickle cell disease patients, given their baseline hypercoagulable state in combination with COVID-19-related coagulopathies and other complications.  Methods Retrospective chart review of two groups of sickle cell disease patients hospitalized between March 2020 to December 2021: Group 1 did not have COVID-19 (n = 95) and Group 2 did (n = 73).  Results Groups 1 and 2 were similar in terms of age, race, sex, comorbid illnesses, genotype, hydroxyurea use, and opioid use. Group 1 and 2 patients had a mean hospital length of stay of 7.05 and 7.64 days, respectively (p = 0.981). ICU-level care was required for six (6.3%) Group 1 patients and four (5.5%) Group 2 patients (p = 1.000). Readmissions within 30 days occurred for 25 (26.3%) Group 1 patients, and 18 (24.7%) Group 2 patients (p = 0.807). Death occurred for one (1.05%) Group 1 patient and one (1.4%) Group 2 patient (p = 1.000). There were no significant differences in commonly ordered initial laboratory values (total bilirubin, hemoglobin, hematocrit, creatinine, lactate dehydrogenase, and D-dimer) between Group 1 and Group 2 patients.  Conclusions We observed no significant differences in clinical outcomes among sickle cell disease patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 compared to those without COVID-19.

TSH enhances neurite outgrowth.

Extra-thyroidal effects of TSH have been reported in various tissues expressing the TSH receptor (TSHR) including several areas of the brain. However, the influence of TSH on neuronal phenotypes has not been examined. Using a well-characterized human neuroblastoma cell line (SH-SY5Y), we have examined TSH signaling effects on the phenotype of these cells after their neuronal differentiation. Following an 18-day differentiation protocol, we successfully redifferentiated the SH-SY5Y cells into ~100% neuronal cells as indicated by the development of extensive neurofilaments with SMI-31 expression. Furthermore, using absolute digital PCR, we quantified TSHR mRNA, and also TSHR protein expression, in the redifferentiated cells and found that the neuronal cells expressed high quantities of both TSHR message and protein at baseline. Exposure to TSH induced primary, secondary, and tertiary neurite outgrowths, which are essential for cell-cell communication. Quantitative analysis of neurites using ImageJ showed a dose-dependent increase in neurites. The addition of TSH up to 1 mU/ml resulted in a ~2.5-fold increase in primary, and ~1.5-fold in secondary and tertiary neurites. The lengths of the neurites remained unaffected with the dosage of TSH treatment. Furthermore, TSHR signaling in the differentiated cells resulted in enhanced generation of cAMP, pPI3K, pAKT, and pNFkB pathways and suppression of pMAPK suggesting an influence of these signals in driving neurite outgrowth. These data showed that the TSH/TSHR axis in neurons may contribute to enhanced neurite outgrowth. The potential pathophysiological effects of TSH on the induction of neurite outgrowth and its relationship to neurodegenerative diseases remain to be explored.

Vegetation Length is Associated with Long-term Survival in Patients Treated Surgically for Infective Endocarditis.

Background: The impact of vegetation length on therapeutic decision-making and prediction of long-term survival of patients with infective endocarditis is a highly topical issue. The aim of the study was to clarify the impact of vegetation length greater than 10 mm on long-term survival treated surgically for infective endocarditis. Methods: Patients treated surgically for infective endocarditis in our hospital from January 2006 to November 2022 and were successfully followed up were included in the retrospective analysis. Results: 814 survivors discharged from our medical center were successfully followed up to the date of death or the end date of the research and allocated to a group with vegetation length <10 mm (n = 432) or ≥10 mm (n = 382). The average follow-up time was 75.1 ± 1.8 months. Multivariate analysis indicated vegetation length ≥10 mm was associated with 1-year and 5-year mortality. Multivariate analysis of Cox regression identified vegetation length ≥10 mm to be associated with all-time mortality. Multivariate analysis identified male gender, long time between symptoms and surgery, more preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and more preoperative aortic regurgitation to be associated with vegetation length ≥10 mm in infective endocarditis. Conclusions: Our study indicated that vegetation length ≥10 mm was associated with long-term survival in patients treated surgically for infective endocarditis.

Modeling heterogeneity of Sudanese hospital stay in neonatal and maternal unit: non-parametric random effect models with Gamma distribution.

OBJECTIVE: Studies looking into patient and institutional variables linked to extended hospital stays have arisen as a result of the increased focus on severe maternal morbidity and mortality. Understanding the length of hospitalization of patients after delivery is important to gain insights into when hospitals will reach capacity and to predict corresponding staffing or equipment requirements. In Sudan, the distribution of the length of stay during delivery hospitalizations is heavily skewed, with the average length of stay of 2 to 3 days. This study aimed to investigate the use of non-parametric random effect model with Gamma distributed response for analyzing skewed hospital length of stay data in Sudan in neonatal and maternal unit. METHODS: We applied Gamma regression models with unknown random effects, estimated using the non-parametric maximum likelihood (NPML) technique [5]. The NPML reduces the heterogeneity in the distribution of the response and produce a robust estimation since it does not require any assumptions on the distribution. The same applies to the log-Gamma link that does not require any transformation for the data distribution and it can handle the outliers in the data points. In this study, the models are fitted with and without covariates and compared using AIC and BIC values. RESULTS: The findings imply that in the context of health care database investigations, Gamma regression models with non-parametric random effect consistently reduce heterogeneity and improve model accuracy. The generalized linear model with covariates and random effect (k = 4) had the best fit, indicating that Sudanese hospital length of stay data could be classified into four groups with varying average stays influenced by maternal, neonatal, and obstetrics data. CONCLUSION: Identifying factors contributing to longer stays allows hospitals to implement strategies for improvement. Non-parametric random effect model with Gamma distributed response effectively accounts for unobserved heterogeneity and individual-level variability, leading to more accurate inferences and improved patient care. Including random effects can significantly affect variable significance in statistical models, emphasizing the need to consider unobserved heterogeneity when analyzing data containing potential individual-level variability. The findings emphasise the importance of making robust methodological choices in healthcare research in order to inform accurate policy decisions.

Mucoadhesion across scales: Towards the design of protein-based adhesives.

Mucoadhesion is a special case of bioadhesion in which a material adheres to soft mucosal tissues. This review elucidates our current understanding of mucoadhesion across length, time, and energy scales by focusing on relevant structural features of mucus. We highlight the importance of both covalent and non-covalent interactions that can be tailored to maximize mucoadhesive interactions, particularly concerning proteinaceous mucoadhesives, which have been explored only to a limited extent so far in the literature. In particular, we highlight the importance of thiol groups, hydrophobic moieties, and charged species inherent to proteins as key levers to fine tune mucoadhesive performance. Some aspects of protein surface modification by grafting specific functional groups or coupling with polysaccharides to influence mucoadhesive performance are examined. Insights from this review offer a physicochemical roadmap to inform the development of biocompatible, protein-based mucoadhesive systems that can fulfil dual roles for both adhesion and delivery of actives, enabling the fabrication of advanced biomedical, nutritional and allied soft material technologies.

Leukocytes telomere length as a biomarker of adverse drug reactions induced by Osimertinib in advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

This study aimed to measure relative telomere length (RTL) in blood leukocytes of advanced-stage NSCLC patients either with or without Osimertinib-induced ADRs and determine whether RTL could serve as a biomarker of Osimertinib-induced ADRs. Blood leukocytes RTL were measured in 63 advanced-stage NSCLC patients and 62 age-matched healthy controls using real-time polymerase chain reaction. In patients with advanced-stage NSCLC, RTL was significantly shorter than that in healthy controls (P < 0.001). Compared to patients without ADRs and those with mild/moderate ADRs, patients with severe ADRs exhibited significantly decreased RTL (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). ROC curve analysis uncovered a diagnostic value of RTL as a biomarker of Osimertinib-induced ADRs (AUC = 1.000, P < 0.001). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a significant association between shorter RTL and increased cumulative incidence of Osimertinib-induced ADRs in patients with advanced-stage NSCLC (P < 0.001). Shorter RTL in blood leukocytes would reflect the occurrence of Osimertinib-induced ADRs and might emerge as a promising biomarker for identifying advanced-stage NSCLC patients who are at risk of experiencing Osimertinib-induced ADRs, particularly those with severe ADRs.

Blue light stimulation of the blind spot in human: from melanopsin to clinically relevant biomarkers of myopia.

The protective effects of time spent outdoors emphasize the major role of daylight in myopia. Based on the pathophysiology of myopia, the impact of blue light stimulation on the signaling cascade, from melanopsin at the blind spot to clinically relevant biomarkers for myopia, was investigated. Parameters and site of light stimulation are mainly defined by the photopigment melanopsin, that is sensitive to blue light with a peak wavelength of 480 nm and localized on the intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGC) whose axons converge to the optic disc, corresponding to the physiological blind spot. Blue light at the blind spot (BluSpot) stimulation provides the opportunity to activate the vast majority of ipRGC and avoids additional involvement of rods and cones which may exert incalculable effects on the signaling cascade.Experimental studies have applied anatomical, histochemical, electrophysiological, imaging, and psychophysical methods to unravel the mode of action of BluSpot stimulation. Results indicate activation of melanopsin, improvement of contrast sensitivity, gain in electrical retinal activity, and increase of choroidal thickness following BluSpot stimulation. Short-term changes of clinically relevant biomarkers lead to the hypothesis that BluSpot stimulation may exert antimyopic effects with long-term application.

Evaluation of Leg Length Difference on Perioperative Radiographs of Total Hip Arthroplasty Considering Lower Limb Malposition.

BACKGROUND: During total hip arthroplasty (THA) in lateral decubitus, perioperative radiography allows the surgeon a simple evaluation of the leg length difference (LLD) by measuring the proximal femoral length. However, the effect of femoral malpositioning on proximal femoral length measurements during the evaluation of perioperative radiographs is not adequately understood. We aimed to (1) investigate the effects of malposition on proximal femoral length using three-dimensional computer simulations and (2) verify whether a simple correction formula can improve the accuracy of LLD evaluation on perioperative radiographs. METHODS: We analyzed 86 patients who underwent THA. Digitally reconstructed radiography (DRR) images were reconstructed in various limb positions (femoral abduction, adduction, and flexion), and proximal femoral length measurements in those malpositions were simulated. Additional morphological measurements of the femoral neck torsion angle in the sagittal plane were performed to elucidate the simulation findings. The malposition angle of abduction-adduction was evaluated with actual perioperative radiographs, and trigonometric correction was attempted. RESULTS: The leg length measurement decreased as the femoral DRR image shifted from neutral to abduction and adduction, demonstrating approximately 1 mm per 10° of abduction or adduction. The leg length measurement increased as the femoral image shifted from neutral to 10° and 20° of flexion, demonstrating approximately 3 mm per 10° of flexion. With a peak at 20° of flexion, the proximal femoral length measurement decreased in the DRR images at 30°, 40°, 50° and 60° of flexion. The femoral neck torsion angle was 21.1 ± 5.6° on the operative side. The effect of coronal malposition on leg length discrepancy was so small that the difference following trigonometric correction was not statistically significant (p=0.108). CONCLUSION: In the present simulation, coronal malposition had a small effect on LLD evaluation. As the femoral neck has a torsion of approximately 20°, the proximal femoral length is projected the longest when the femur is flexed 20°. With careful positioning of the limb in the coronal plane, the use of a correction formula for LLD evaluation would not be necessary. Surgeons should ensure that both lower limbs are in the same position in the sagittal plane during THA in lateral decubitus.

Association between monocyte to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and telomere length: based on NHANES 1999-2002.

BACKGROUND: Telomere length is closely associated with the occurrence and development of cardiovascular and other diseases. Monocyte to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (MHR) is a novel indicator of inflammation, oxidative stress, and metabolic syndrome, with some predictive ability for related disease risks in clinical practice. However, there is no research on the correlation between these two factors. METHODS: Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2002, we conducted analysis and research on the correlation between MHR and telomere length using the Kruskal-Wallis H test, Spearman rank correlation analysis, and partial correlation analysis. Weighted linear regression analysis assessed the strength of the association between the two variables, while restricted cubic spline regression (RCS) explored potential nonlinear relationships between them. RESULTS: The results of correlation analysis showed that MHR levels were negatively correlated with telomere length (ρ=-0.083, P < 0.001), and this relationship remained statistically significant after controlling for other covariates (P all < 0.001). Weighted linear regression analysis showed that after adjusting for all covariates, MHR remained negatively associated with telomere length (ß = -0.020; 95% CI: -0.039 to -0.002; P = 0.037). Subgroup analysis shows that the negative association between MHR and telomere length appeared more striking among females (𝛽 = -0.024; 95%CI: -0.050 to 0.001; P = 0.058), the Non-Hispanic White (𝛽 = -0.022; 95%CI: -0.045 to 0.002; P = 0.066), and other race (𝛽 = -0.067; 95%CI: -0.134 to -0.000; P = 0.049). Using RCS explored potential nonlinear relationships between MHR and telomere length, revealing no nonlinear relationship between the two (P = 0.102). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests a negative correlation between MHR levels and telomere length in American adults. More comprehensive research is needed to confirm these findings in the future.

Deactivated fused silica tubing: A solution for flexible time weighted averaging needle trap sampling.

In time-weighted averaging (TWA) with needle trap extraction (NTE), the control of the sampling rate is critical for accurate analysis. By adjusting the diffusion length and cross-sectional area, the sampling rate can be modified in accordance with Fick's first law of diffusion. In this study, deactivated fused silica tubing (DFST) of varying lengths was used to fine-tune these parameters, allowing for precise control of the sampling rate in TWA-NTE devices. The fabricated devices were used to extract benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, o-xylene (BTEX), and selected alkanes as model compounds. Experimental sampling rates were obtained using a standard gas flow generating system and compared to theoretical values, showing statistical similarity. The devices were tested in various real-world environments, including a parking lot, garages, and a box containing a burning candle, and their practical applicability was confirmed. The use of DFST effectively controlled both diffusion length and cross-sectional area, thereby enhancing sampling performance. The results of this study demonstrate that DFST serves as a versatile and adjustable attachment for needle trap devices (NTD), significantly broadening the range of NTD applications in terms of concentration and sampling time. This approach not only reduces analysis costs but also improves adherence to Fick's law by minimizing the influence of other mass transfer mechanisms. Consequently, more consistent and predictable extraction behavior was observed, particularly for higher molecular weight species, strengthening the overall applicability of the TWA-NTE method.

Liposomal Bupivacaine Reduces Post-Operative Pain and Opioids Consumption in Spine Surgery: A Meta-Analysis of 1,269 Patients.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Postoperative pain management in spine surgery remains a challenge. Liposomal bupivacaine (LB) has emerged as an alternative or adjunct to opioid-based analgesia. However, existing studies evaluating LB efficacy in spine surgery yield conflicting results and a meta-analysis compiling the literature is lacking. PURPOSE: The purpose of this meta-analysis was to evaluate pain outcomes, opioid use, and LOS following LB administration after spine surgery STUDY DESIGN: Meta-analysis METHODS: Following the PRISMA guidelines, PubMed, Cochrane, and Google Scholar (pages 1-20) were accessed and explored up to May 2024. Data on medical complications, postoperative pain, postoperative opioid consumption, and length of stay were extracted. Mean differences (MD) with 95% CI were used for continuous data, and odds ratios (OR) were calculated for dichotomous data. RESULTS: This meta-analysis comprised eleven studies consisting of 1269 patients (677 in the LB group, 592 in the control group). No statistically significant difference was observed in complication rates. The LB group exhibited significantly lower pain scores at postoperative day 2 (MD=-0.31; 95% CI: -0.52- -0.09, p=0.006), lower postoperative opioid consumption (MD=-0.42; 95% CI: -0.79- -0.06, p=0.02), and shorter length of stay (MD=-0.57; 95% CI: -0.94- -0.20, p=0.002). CONCLUSION: In the immediate postoperative period after spine surgery, the utilization of liposomal bupivacaine was associated with improved pain outcomes, decreased opioid consumption, and shortened length of stay. Although further research is warranted, these findings suggest that LB may offer a valuable adjunct to pain management strategies in patients undergoing spine surgery.

The concealed information test with a continuously moving stimulus.

The Concealed Information Test (CIT) aims to extract concealed crime-related knowledge using physiological measures. In the present study, we propose a new variant of the CIT that contains a continuously moving stimulus. A total of 81 participants were either informed or not about the specific location of an upcoming terrorist attack. The CIT consisted of a map with a superimposed moving dot, combined with measurements of respiration and electrodermal activity. The results revealed both respiratory suppression and an increase in skin conductance when the moving dot passed the target location only in informed participants. These findings showed that this new variant of the CIT can differentiate between groups of informed and uninformed individuals and an exploratory analysis revealed it can help narrow down a search area.

Scale-Dependent Growth Modes of Selective Area Grown III-V Nanowires.

Due to their flexible geometry, in-plane selective area grown (SAG) nanowires (NWs) encompass the advantages of vapor-liquid-solid NWs and planar structures. The complex interplay of growth kinetics and NW dimensions provides new pathways for crystal engineering; however, their growth mechanisms remain poorly understood. We analyze the growth mechanisms of GaAs(Sb) and InGaAs/GaAs(Sb) in-plane SAG NWs using molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). While GaAs(Sb) NWs consistently follow a layer-by-layer growth, the InGaAs/GaAs(Sb) growth transitions from step-flow to layer-by-layer and layer-plus-island depending on the InGaAs thickness and the NW dimensions. We extract the diffusion lengths of Ga adatoms along the [11̅0] and [110] directions under As2 during GaAs(Sb) growth. Our results indicate that Sb may inhibit the layer-by-layer to step-flow transition. Our findings show that different growth modes can be achieved in the MBE of in-plane SAG NWs grown on the same substrate and highlight the importance of the interplay with NW dimensions.

Extended Monitoring for Transition to Oral Corticosteroids in Acute Severe Ulcerative Colitis May Be Unnecessarily Prolonging Length of Stay.

BACKGROUND: There is no guideline regarding whether patients treated with intravenous corticosteroids for acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) should be monitored in the hospital after transitioning to oral steroids. Our study aimed to: (1) compare rates of oral steroid transition failure and 30-day readmission between ASUC hospitalizations with extended inpatient monitoring compared to accelerated inpatient monitoring, and (2) identify predictors of oral steroid transition failure. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of ulcerative colitis (UC) related admissions at UCSF from 2014 to 2022 was conducted comparing rates of steroid transition failures in extended inpatient monitoring (≥ 24 h on oral steroids prior to discharge) to accelerated inpatient monitoring (< 24 h on oral steroids). Steroid transition failure was defined as worsening colitis activity with the need to return to IV steroids or undergo colectomy. Data analysis incorporated demographics, disease features, and treatment history. RESULTS: Transition failures from intravenous to oral corticosteroids occurred in 8% of all UC-related admissions. There was a significant difference in transition failure observed between the extended and accelerated monitoring groups, 13 vs 3% (p = 0.03), respectively, with 83.3% of total transition failures occurring within the extended monitoring group. The 30-day readmission rate was 6% in each group (p = 0.93). No significant predictors of transition failures were identified. CONCLUSION: Transition failures from IV to oral steroids are uncommon in ASUC hospitalizations. Transition failures were more likely to occur with extended monitoring, suggesting potential predictors and/or patient selection bias within this group. Further studies are needed to investigate the parameters driving clinician decision-making regarding oral steroid transitioning.

Choroidal thickness in macular, nasal midperiphery, and temporal midperiphery regions and its relationship with axial length and refractive error.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the choroidal thickness (ChT) distribution in adult myopic eyes, focusing on the macular, nasal midperiphery, and temporal midperiphery regions, and to explore its relationship with axial length (AL) and refractive error. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional, observational study. METHODS: Twenty-nine eyes of 29 adult volunteers were examined. ChT was measured using high-speed swept-source optical coherence tomography covering an area of 50 degrees in three different regions: centered at macular, nasal side at 33 degrees, and temporal side at 33 degrees. Statistical analyses were performed to assess differences in ChT between regions and correlations with AL and spherical equivalent (SE). RESULTS: ChT was found to be thickest in the macular region, followed by the nasal and temporal midperiphery regions. Significant correlations were observed between AL/SE and ChT in the macular and temporal regions, but not in the nasal region. The temporal midperiphery showed the strongest correlation with AL and SE. CONCLUSION: This study revealed a nasal-temporal asymmetry in ChT distribution in myopic eyes, with the temporal midperiphery showing the thinnest ChT. The strong correlations between ChT in the temporal midperiphery and AL/SE suggest a role for the temporal choroid in axial elongation and myopia progression. These findings highlight the importance of considering peripheral ChT in understanding ocular growth and myopia management.

Thermal and structural analysis of binary mixtures of pyrimidine liquid crystals using Modulated Differential Calorimetry and Synchrotron X-ray Diffraction measurements.

We present a systematic experimental dataset on the temperature dependence of specific heat capacity in a binary mixture of the second and seventh homologous series of 5-alkyloxy-2-(4-nonyloxy-phenyl) pyrimidine(PhP) liquid crystal compound. These binary mixtures exhibit nematic, smectic-A, and smectic-C phases within a concentration range of xPhP1 = 0 to 0.45. The liquid crystalline phases are structurally characterized using synchrotron X-ray diffraction. We determine the apparent molecular length in the nematic phase, smectic layer spacing, average distance between the long axes of molecules, correlation length, and orientational order parameters ( and ) as functions of temperature. The tilt angle in the SmC phase is inferred from the layer spacing data. To examine the critical behavior near the nematic to smectic A(NA) and smectic A to the smectic C (AC) phase transitions, we evaluate the critical exponents: α from specific heat capacity, ß from the fitting of the temperature-dependent tilt angle, and ν‖, ν⊥from the temperature-dependent longitudinal (ξ‖) and transverse (ξ⊥) correlation lengths. Modulated Differential Scanning Calorimetry (MDSC) measurements indicate the absence of phase shift, latent heat and imaginary specific heat capacity, suggesting that the AC transitions are second-order for all binary mixtures. The results obtained from heat capacity reveal that both the AC and NA transitions exhibit non-universal behaviours with effective exponents lying between the tricritical and 3D-XY values and follow nearly identical curve with decreasing width of the Sm-A and N phases. The Josephson hyperscaling relation is verified for both the NA and AC transitions in different mixtures. Moreover, knowing the heat capacity critical exponent α and the order parameter critical exponent ß, the susceptibility critical exponent γ for the AC transition can be estimated from Rushbrooke equality α+2ß+γ=2, with γ values ranging from 1.015 to 1.313, indicating the system's crossover character and apparently validating the Rushbrooke equality.