Water droplet evaporation in varied gravity and electric fields.

Sessile water droplet evaporation in varied gravity and electric fields has been experimentally studied. Specifically, the influences of gravity and electric fields are investigated in the context of the heat flux distribution beneath the droplets, as well as the droplet mechanics and resulting shapes. Experimental testing was carried out during a European Space Agency (ESA) Parabolic Flight Campaign (PFC 66). The droplets tested evaporated with a pinned contact line, a single wettability condition, and varied droplet volume and substrate heat flux. The peak heat transfer was located at the contact line for all cases. The peak heat flux, average heat flux, and droplet evaporation rate were shown to vary strongly with gravity, with higher values noted for hypergravity conditions and lower values in microgravity conditions. The droplet thermal inertia was shown to play a significant role, with larger droplets taking more time to reach thermal equilibrium during the parabolic testing period. No significant impact of the electric field on the droplet evaporation was noted for these test conditions.

Projectile Embolism From a Firearm Injury: A Case Report.

Projectile embolism resulting from firearm injuries is a rare but highly lethal complication when not diagnosed early. This report presents a case of projectile embolism from a firearm injury with an unusual entry site, the cerebral venous circulation, which subsequently migrates to the pulmonary circulation with a fatal outcome. A 24-year-old male patient was admitted to a high-complexity hospital due to a gunshot wound. A plain skull computed tomography (CT) revealed a left laminar subdural hematoma and traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage with multiple metallic fragments embedded in the skull, some penetrating the galeal sinus, with perilesional bleeding. Contrast-enhanced chest tomography showed non-thrombotic embolism of metallic fragments in the pulmonary artery for the apical segment of the left upper lobe and right intraventricular regions. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a hyperechoic image of 3 mm in the subvalvular apparatus toward the interventricular septum. Subsequently, the patient experienced neurological deterioration with signs of cerebral edema and parieto-occipital epidural hematomas with metallic fragments and projectiles. Measures to counteract cerebral edema were initiated. Later, the patient developed mydriasis, the absence of brainstem reflexes, and experienced cardiac arrest. This report delineates a case of projectile embolism, highlighting a distinctive aspect characterized by an unusual entry point.

A molecular perspective for the development of antibodies against the human respiratory syncytial virus.

The human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) is the leading etiologic agent causing respiratory infections in infants, children, older adults, and patients with comorbidities. Sixty-seven years have passed since the discovery of hRSV, and only a few successful mitigation or treatment tools have been developed against this virus. One of these is immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies against structural proteins of the virus, such as Palivizumab, the first prophylactic approach approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the USA. In this article, we discuss different strategies for the prevention and treatment of hRSV infection, focusing on the molecular mechanisms against each target that underly the rational design of antibodies against hRSV. At the same time, we describe the latest results regarding currently approved therapies against hRSV and the challenges associated with developing new candidates.

Determination of the Terbium-152 half-life from mass-separated samples from CERN-ISOLDE and assessment of the radionuclide purity.

Terbium-152 is one of four terbium radioisotopes that together form a potential theranostic toolbox for the personalised treatment of tumours. As 152 Tb decay by positron emission it can be utilised for diagnostics by positron emission tomography. For use in radiopharmaceuticals and for activity measurements by an activity calibrator a high radionuclide purity of the material and an accurate and precise knowledge of the half-life is required. Mass-separation and radiochemical purification provide a production route of high purity 152Tb. In the current work, two mass-separated samples from the CERN-ISOLDE facility have been assayed at the National Physical Laboratory to investigate the radionuclide purity. These samples have been used to perform four measurements of the half-life by three independent techniques: high-purity germanium gamma-ray spectrometry, ionisation chamber measurements and liquid scintillation counting. From the four measurement campaigns a half-life of 17.8784(95) h has been determined. The reported half-life shows a significant difference to the currently evaluated half-life (ζ-score = 3.77), with a relative difference of 2.2 % and an order of magnitude improvement in the precision. This work also shows that under controlled conditions the combination of mass-separation and radiochemical separation can provide high-purity 152Tb.

Analysis of Twitter conversations in obstetric anesthesiology using the hashtag #OBAnes during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: #OBAnes is the most used hashtag in obstetric anesthesiology. The primary objective of the study was to characterize #OBAnes tweets at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Observational study of all tweets using #OBAnes between June 30, 2019 and October 19, 2020. A list of 19 topics was compiled to categorize each tweet. All Twitter users were manually assigned into one of 19 Symplur Healthcare Stakeholder categories. RESULTS: There were 12 431 tweets with #OBAnes during the study period, posted by 1704 unique users. The top user category was Doctor (n = 1211, 71%) with 9665 (78%) tweets. The top three topics identified within Twitter conversations were neuraxial anesthesia, COVID-19, and general anesthesia. CONCLUSIONS: Twitter facilitated thousands of obstetric anesthesia-related discussions during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with most conversations centering on anesthesia type (neuraxial or general anesthesia).

Current and emerging pharmacological treatments for respiratory syncytial virus infection in high-risk infants.

INTRODUCTION: The human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) is the leading cause of respiratory infections in children, older adults, and patients with comorbidities. Since the hRSV discovery, multiple efforts have been made to generate therapies that control the devastating effects on the population at risk in winter. AREAS COVERED: This article describes the development of different drugs and treatments approved for use in the risk-population against hRSV infection. In addition, an exhaustive bibliographical review is presented here describing new candidate molecules under evaluation and showing promising results in different assays in animal models and clinical studies. Additionally, we highlight antiviral molecules, monoclonal antibodies, and nanobodies among the new candidate treatments. EXPERT OPINION: hRSV is a major burden for the health systems, promoting their collapse worldwide. Therefore, developing new therapies is an essential goal to decrease hospitalization rates caused by hRSV infection in high-risk populations. For this, injecting resources and exploring new targets in addition to the F protein is an interesting alternative to achieve this goal.

Scottish Firefighters Occupational Cancer and Disease Mortality Rates: 2000-2020.

BACKGROUND: Increased mortality from cancers and other diseases has been reported in USA, Canadian, and Nordic firefighters. However, UK firefighters are understudied. AIMS: To determine whether UK firefighters suffer increased mortality from cancers and other diseases when compared with the general population. METHODS: Mortality from cancer and other diseases in Scottish male firefighters between 2000 and 2020 was compared with the general Scottish male population and expressed as standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) (with 95% confidence intervals, CI). RESULTS: Significant overall excess cancer mortality was found for Scottish firefighters compared with the general population (SMR 1.61, CI 1.42-1.81). Scottish firefighters were nearly three times more likely to die of malignant neoplasms (unspecified sites) (SMR 2.71, CI 1.71-4.00). Excess cancer mortality was also found for several site-specific cancers, including prostate (SMR 3.80, CI 2.56-5.29), myeloid leukaemia (SMR 3.17, CI 1.44-5.58), oesophagus (SMR 2.42, CI 1.69-3.29) and urinary system (kidney and bladder) (SMR 1.94, CI 1.16-2.91). Mortality from neoplasms of unknown behaviour was over six times greater in Scottish firefighters (SMR 6.37, CI 2.29-12.49). Additionally, significantly higher mortality was found for: acute ischaemic heart diseases (SMR 5.27, CI 1.90-10.33), stroke (SMR 2.69, CI 1.46-4.28), interstitial pulmonary diseases (SMR 3.04, CI 1.45-5.22), renal failure (SMR 3.28, CI 1.18-6.44) and musculoskeletal system diseases (SMR 5.64, CI 1.06-13.83). CONCLUSIONS: UK firefighters suffer significant excess mortality from cancer and other diseases when compared with the general population. Preventative health monitoring and presumptive legislation are urgently required to protect UK firefighters' health.

Micro-vibration results in vitro-derived bovine blastocysts with greater cryotolerance, epigenetic abnormalities, and a massive transcriptional change.

Much effort has been employed to improve the quality of embryos obtained by in vitro production (IVP) given the relevance of this technology to current livestock systems. In this context, dynamic IVP systems have proved beneficial to the embryo once they mimic fluid flows and mechanical forces resulting from the movement of ciliated cells and muscle contraction in the reproductive tract. In the present study, we sought to confirm these initial findings as well as assess potential molecular consequences to the embryo by applying micro-vibration (45 Hz for 5 s once per 60 min) during both oocyte maturation and embryo culture in cattle. As a result, micro-vibration led to lower incidence of apoptosis in blastocysts following vitrification-thawing. Further analyses revealed epigenetic and transcriptional changes in blastocysts derived from the micro-vibration treatment, with a total of 502 differentially expressed genes. Enrichment analyses linked differentially expressed genes to 'Oxidative phosphorylation', 'Cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction', and 'Signaling pathways regulating pluripotency of stem cells'. Yet, a meta-analysis indicated that the transcriptional changes induced by micro-vibration were not toward that of in vivo-derived embryos. In conclusion, micro-vibration increases the cryoresistance of bovine embryos, but caution should be taken given the unclear consequences of epigenetic and transcriptional abnormalities induced by the treatment.

Absorbance-Transmittance Excitation Emission Matrix Method for Quantification of Major Cannabinoids and Corresponding Acids: A Rapid Alternative to Chromatography for Rapid Chemotype Discrimination of Cannabis sativa Varieties.

Background: Phytocannabinoids naturally occur in the cannabis plant (Cannabis sativa), and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) predominate. There is a need for rapid inexpensive methods to quantify total THC (for statutory definition) and THC-CBD ratio (for classification into three chemotypes). This study explores the capabilities of a spectroscopic technique that combines ultraviolet-visible and fluorescence, absorbance-transmittance excitation emission matrix (A-TEEM). Methods: The A-TEEM technique classifies 49 dry flower extracts into three C. sativa chemotypes, and quantifies the total THC-CBD ratio, using validated gas chromatography (GC)-flame ionization (FID) and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) methods for reference. Multivariate methods used are principal components analysis for a chemotype classification, extreme gradient boost (XGB) discriminant analysis (DA) to classify unknown samples by chemotype, and XGB regression to quantify total THC and CBD content using GC-FID and HPLC data on the same samples. Results: The A-TEEM technique provides robust classification of C. sativa samples, predicting chemotype classification, defined by THC-CBD content, of unknown samples with 100% accuracy. In addition, A-TEEM can quantify total THC and CBD levels relevant to statutory determination, with limit of quantifications (LOQs) of 0.061% (THC) and 0.059% (CBD), and high cross-validation (>0.99) and prediction (>0.99), using a GC-FID method for reference data; and LOQs of 0.026% (THC) and 0.080% (CBD) with high cross-validation (>0.98) and prediction (>0.98), using an HPLC method for reference data. A-TEEM is highly predictive in separately quantifying acid and neutral forms of THC and CBD with HPLC reference data. Conclusions: The A-TEEM technique provides a sensitive method for the qualitative and quantitative characterization of the major cannabinoids in solution, with LOQs comparable with GC-FID and HPLC, and high values of cross-validation and prediction. As a spectroscopic technique, it is rapid, with data acquisition <45 sec per measurement; sample preparation is simple, requiring only solvent extraction. A-TEEM has the sensitivity to resolve and quantify cannabinoids in solution based on their unique spectral characteristics. Discrimination of legal and illegal chemotypes can be rapidly verified using XGB DA, and quantitation of statutory levels of total THC and total CBD comparable with GC-FID and HPLC can be obtained using XBD regression.

COVID-19 and dengue coinfection in Latin America: A systematic review.

Introduction: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread globally, becoming a long-lasting pandemic. Dengue is the most common arboviral disease in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. COVID-19 and dengue coinfections have been reported, associated with worse outcomes with significant morbidity and mortality. Therefore, this study aims to determine the epidemiological situation of COVID-19 and dengue coinfection in Latin America. Methods: A systematic literature review was performed using PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, LILACS, and BVS databases from January 1, 2020, to September 4, 2021. The key search terms used were "dengue" and "COVID-19". Results: Nineteen published articles were included. The studies were case reports with a detailed description of the coinfection's clinical, laboratory, diagnostic, and treatment features. Conclusion: Coinfection with SARS-CoV-2 and dengue virus is associated with worse outcomes with significant morbidity and mortality. The similar clinical and laboratory features of each infection are a challenge in accurately diagnosing and treating cases. Establishing an early diagnosis could be the answer to reducing the estimated significant burden of these conditions.

Half-life determination of 155Tb from mass-separated samples produced at CERN-MEDICIS.

Terbium-155 has been identified for its potential for single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in nuclear medicine. For activity measurements, an accurate and precise half-life of this radionuclide is required. However, the currently evaluated half-life of 5.32(6) d with a relative standard uncertainty of 1.1% determines the precision possible. Limited literature for the half-life measurements of this radionuclide is available and all reported investigations are prior to 1970. Further measurements are therefore needed to confirm the accuracy and improve the precision of the half-life for its use in the clinical setting. Two samples produced and mass separated at the CERN-MEDICIS facility have been measured at the National Physical Laboratory by two independent techniques: liquid scintillation counting and high-purity germanium gamma-ray spectrometry. A half-life of 5.2346(36) d has been determined from the weighted mean of the half-lives determined by the two techniques. The half-life reported in this work has shown a relative difference of 1.6% to the currently evaluated half-life and has vastly improved the precision.

A mixed-methods study on evaluating an updated, francophone version of ETAT+ training in Madagascar.

Background: Madagascar needs major efforts to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals, despite the considerable reduction of child mortality during past years. In this context, implementation of emergency triage assessment and treatment (ETAT) plays an important role. In recent years, ETAT training activities rarely took place in Madagascar. To strengthen ETAT in Madagascar, a pilot training course was conducted in December 2019 at the University Hospital Mahajanga. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate if the ETAT+ pilot training content matches clinical needs in Madagascar and whether participants achieved their learning objectives. Methods: In this cross-sectional mixed-methods study, a 41-item questionnaire was used at the end of the ETAT+ training to evaluate their learning experience from the 12 participants (paediatricians, physicians, nurses and midwives). Six weeks after the training, guided interviews were conducted among five participants to describe how training content could be transferred into clinical practice in five health facilities. Results: Results suggest that this pilot project designed to contribute to the re-establishment of ETAT in Madagascar meets participants' needs and is adapted to clinical realities in terms of transmitted knowledge, skills and competencies. However, results also show that considerable multi-disciplinary efforts are needed to advance ETAT+ implementation in Madagascar. Conclusion: Implementation processes of ETAT training programmes need re-evaluation to assure their validity to contribute to quality of care improvements efficiently. Further operational research is required to evaluate sustainable, innovative implementation strategies adapted to contexts in Madagascar. Contributions of the study: This study aims to evaluate an updated Malagasy version of the Emergency Triage Assessment and Treatment Plus (ETAT+). The training met the participants' needs and was adapted to the clinical realities in Madagascar relating to transmitted knowledge, skills and competencies.

The engagement of orthopaedic surgeons in diabetic foot care in England.

AIMS: Diabetic foot care is a significant burden on the NHS in England. We have conducted a nationwide survey to determine the current participation of orthopaedic surgeons in diabetic foot care in England. METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to all 136 NHS trusts audited in the 2018 National Diabetic Foot Audit (NDFA). The questionnaire asked about the structure of diabetic foot care services. RESULTS: Overall, 123 trusts responded, of which 117 admitted patients with diabetic foot disease and 113 had an orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeon. A total of 90 trusts (77%) stated that the admission involved medicine, with 53 (45%) of these admissions being exclusively under medicine, and 37 (32%) as joint admissions. Of the joint admissions, 16 (14%) were combined with vascular and 12(10%) with orthopaedic surgery. Admission is solely under vascular surgery in 12 trusts (10%) and orthopaedic surgery in 7 (6%). Diabetic foot abscesses were drained by orthopaedic surgeons in 61 trusts (52%) and vascular surgeons in 47 (40%). CONCLUSION: Orthopaedic surgeons make a significant contribution to both acute and elective diabetic foot care currently in the UK. This contribution is likely to increase with the movement of vascular surgery to a hub and spoke model, and measures should be put in place to increase the team based approach to the diabetic foot, for example with the introduction of a best practice tariff.Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2022;3(8):618-622.

k-domination and total k-domination numbers in catacondensed hexagonal systems.

In this paper we study the k-domination and total k-domination numbers of catacondensed hexagonal systems. More precisely, we give the value of the total domination number, we find upper and lower bounds for the 2-domination number and the total 2-domination number, characterizing the catacondensed hexagonal systems which attain these bounds, and we give the value of the 3-domination number for any catacondensed hexagonal system with a given number of hexagons. These results complete the study of k-domination and total k-domination of catacondensed hexagonal systems for all possible values of k.

OPTN/SRTR 2020 Annual Data Report: Kidney.

The year 2020 presented significant challenges to the field of kidney transplantation. After increasing each year since 2015 and reaching the highest annual count to date in 2019, the total number of kidney trans- plants decreased slightly, to 23642, in 2020. The decrease in total kidney transplants was due to a decrease in living donor transplants; the number of deceased donor transplants rose in 2020. The number of patients waiting for a kidney transplant in the United States declined slightly in 2020, driven by a slight drop in the number of new candidates added in 2020 and an increase in patients removed from the waiting list owing to death-important patterns that correlated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The complexities of the pandemic were accompanied by other ongoing challenges. Nationwide, only about a quarter of waitlisted patients receive a deceased donor kidney transplant within 5 years, a proportion that varies dramatically by donation service area, from 14.8% to 73.0%. The nonutilization (discard) rate of recovered organs rose to its highest value, at 21.3%, despite a dramatic decline in the discard of organs from hepatitis C-positive donors. Nonutilization rates remain particularly high for Kidney Donor Profile Index ≥85% kidneys and kidneys from which a biopsy specimen was obtained. Due to pandemic-related disruption of living donation in spring 2020, the number of living donor transplants in 2020 declined below annual counts over the last decade. In this context, only a small proportion of the waiting list receives living donor transplants each year, and racial disparities in living donor transplant access persist. As both graft and patient survival continue to improve incrementally, the total number of living kidney transplant recipients with a functioning graft exceeded 250,000 in 2020. Pediatric transplant numbers seem to have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The total number of pediatric kidney transplants performed decreased to 715 in 2020, from a peak of 872 in 2009. Despite numerous efforts, living donor kidney transplant remains low among pediatric recipients, with continued racial disparities among recipients. Of concern, the rate of deceased donor transplant among pediatric waitlisted candidates continued to decrease, reaching its lowest point in 2020. While this may be partly explained by the COVID-19 pandemic, close attention to this trend is critically important. Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract remain the leading cause of kidney disease in the pediatric population. While most pediatric de- ceased donor recipients receive a kidney from a donor with KDPI less than 35%, most pediatric deceased donor recipients had four or more HLA mis- matches. Graft survival continues to improve, with superior survival for living donor recipients versus deceased donor recipients.

Inflammatory markers and BDNF in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in Parkinson's disease (PD).

OBJECTIVE: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) exacerbates Parkinson's disease (PD) manifestations including cognitive dysfunction. Both OSA and PD have been associated with inflammation. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been implicated in cognitive function. We aimed to investigate inflammatory cytokines and BDNF in relation to OSA and PD symptoms. METHODS: In a prospective observational study, patients with PD underwent overnight polysomnography. Morning serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, TNFα, and BDNF were quantified at baseline (n = 64) and 6 months (n = 38). Outcomes included non-motor and motor standard scores; Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA); and Epworth Sleepiness scale (ESS). Associations were assessed using linear regression, adjusting for age, sex and body mass index. RESULTS: At baseline, IL-6 was associated with the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (ß = 0.013, p = 0.03), and the Oxygen Desaturation Index (ß = 0.028, p = 0.002). No other associations between cytokines and sleep parameters were found. Motor dysfunction was associated with IL-6 (ß = 0.03, p = 0.001). ESS was associated non-significantly with IL-6 (ß = 0.04, p = 0.07) and BDNF (ß = 555, p = 0.06). At follow-up, change in IL-6 was associated with change in non-motor (ß = 0.08, p = 0.007), and motor (ß = 0.03, p = 0.001) symptoms. Change in BDNF was associated with change in ESS (ß = 1450, p = 0.02). INTERPRETATION: We found an association between IL-6 levels and both OSA severity and PD motor dysfunction. At follow-up, increasing IL-6 correlated with deterioration of motor and non-motor PD symptoms. Increasing BDNF correlated with increasing sleepiness. Further work with a larger sample size is needed, but our results support the hypothesis that OSA-related inflammation plays a role in PD manifestations and progression.