A Comparison of In Vitro Measurement and Ultrasound for Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter Placement in Premature Infants: A Before-and-After Self-Controlled Prospective Study.

Background This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of ultrasonography (US) and in vitro measurement (IVM) methods in localizing peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) in premature infants and analyze the relevant factors affecting the accuracy of IVM. Methodology The study employs a prospective before-and-after self-controlled clinical trial design. A total of 210 premature infants who underwent PICC catheterization were compared. We assessed the rate of catheter tip placement, consistency, and stability and analyzed the relevant factors. Results The study enrolled a total of 202 premature infants after eight infants dropped out. The one-time positioning rates of the PICC catheter tip using US and IVM were 100% and 73.8%, respectively. Concerning IVM, 53 (26.2%) patients did not reach the optimal position, with 24 (11.8%) patients having a shallow position and 29 (14.3%) having a deep position. The consistency of the two methods was 0.782 (p < 0.05). The degree of dispersion of US was 0.2 (0.0-0.4) cm, which was significantly smaller than IVM at 1.5 (0.0-1.8) cm. Gestational age less than 32 weeks (odds ratio (OR) = 6.64, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.43-30.81), weight less than 1,500 g (OR = 5.85, 95% CI = 2.11-16.20), body length less than 40 cm (OR = 15.36, 95% CI = 4.47-52.72), mechanical ventilation (OR = 5.13, 95% CI = 1.77-14.83), abdominal distension (OR = 78.18, 95% CI = 10.62-575.22), and bloating (OR = 8.81, 95% CI = 1.42-47.00) were risk factors that affected the accuracy of IVM. Conclusions Gestational age, weight, length, mechanical ventilation, abdominal distension, and swelling can lead to deviations with IVM. US can directly view the tip of the catheter, which is more accurate. Additionally, it is recommended to reduce the length of the catheter by 1.3 cm when using IVM to achieve the best-estimated placement length.

Right superior frontal gyrus: A potential neuroimaging biomarker for predicting short-term efficacy in schizophrenia.

Antipsychotic drug treatment for schizophrenia (SZ) can alter brain structure and function, but it is unclear if specific regional changes are associated with treatment outcome. Therefore, we examined the effects of antipsychotic drug treatment on regional grey matter (GM) density, white matter (WM) density, and functional connectivity (FC) as well as associations between regional changes and treatment efficacy. SZ patients (n = 163) and health controls (HCs) (n = 131) were examined by structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) at baseline, and a subset of SZ patients (n = 77) were re-examined after 8 weeks of second-generation antipsychotic treatment to assess changes in regional GM and WM density. In addition, 88 SZ patients and 81 HCs were examined by resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) at baseline and the patients were re-examined post-treatment to examine FC changes. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) were applied to measure psychiatric symptoms and cognitive impairments in SZ. SZ patients were then stratified into response and non-response groups according to PANSS score change (≥50 % decrease or <50 % decrease, respectively). The GM density of the right cingulate gyrus, WM density of the right superior frontal gyrus (SFG) plus 5 other WM tracts were reduced in the response group compared to the non-response group. The FC values between the right anterior cingulate and paracingulate gyrus and left thalamus were reduced in the entire SZ group (n = 88) after treatment, while FC between the right inferior temporal gyrus (ITG) and right medial superior frontal gyrus (SFGmed) was increased in the response group. There were no significant changes in regional FC among the non-response group after treatment and no correlations with symptom or cognition test scores. These findings suggest that the right SFG is a critical target of antipsychotic drugs and that WM density and FC alterations within this region could be used as potential indicators in predicting the treatment outcome of antipsychotics of SZ.

Prevalence of multimorbidity in survivors of 28 cancer sites: an English nationwide cross-sectional study.

Multimorbidity, the presence of a chronic condition in addition to cancer, is of particular importance to cancer survivors. It has an impact on the progression, stage at diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of cancer patients. Evidence is scarce on the prevalence of specific comorbidities in survivors of different cancers to inform prevention and management of multimorbidity. The objective of this study is to address this evidence gap by using large scale electronic health data from multiple linked UK healthcare databases to examine the prevalence of multimorbidity in 28 cancer sites. For this population-based cross-sectional study, we linked primary and secondary healthcare data from the UK Clinical Research Practice Datalink (CPRD) GOLD dataset and Hospital Episode Statistics (HES). We identified survivors of 28 common cancers aged 18 years or older at diagnosis who survived 2 years of cancer and compared their multimorbidity with matched controls without a history of cancer. To compare prevalence of individual comorbidity, multivariable logistic regression models, adjusted for confounding factors were used. Between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2020, we identified 347,028 cancer survivors and 804,299 controls matched on age, sex and general practice. Cancer survivors had a higher prevalence of multimorbidity compared to non-cancer controls across all the cancer sites. Hypertension (56.2%), painful conditions (39.8%), osteoarthritis (38.0%), depression (31.8%) and constipation (31.4%) were the five most frequent chronic conditions reported. Compared to the controls, higher odds of constipation were found in survivors of 25 of the 28 cancer sites and higher odds of anaemia were found in 23 cancer sites. Prevalence of constipation, anaemia and painful conditions were higher after cancer diagnosis compared to before diagnosis. Since these comorbidities are not uniformly assessed as part of any of the comorbidity scales, they tend to be underreported among cancer survivors. The elevated risk of certain comorbidities in cancer survivors suggests the potential for preventative efforts in this population to lower disease burden and improve quality of life. Long-term conditions should not be viewed as the inevitable result of cancer diagnosis and treatment. We need to consider integrated management of chronic conditions tailored to specific cancers to improve cancer survivorship.

Patient Comfort with Before and After Photography at Plastic Surgery Offices.

BACKGROUND: Before and after (B&A) photographs are a sensitive part of patients' medical records, and the use of smartphones may pose risks to confidentiality and comfort. The purpose of this study was to assess patient comfort depending on the circumstances under which these photographs being taken. METHODS: Amazon's Mechanical Turk crowdsourcing service and REDCap's survey manager were used to recruit survey participants. An anonymous survey was distributed to ascertain demographics and comfort in various B&A scenarios using a five-point Likert scale. T tests and ANOVA testing were used to compare groups. RESULTS: There were 411 respondents with an average age of 36.1 years old. Of them, 46% were female and the majority were White (90%) and non-Hispanic (64%). Nearly one-third had previously undergone plastic surgery, with 80% receiving B&A photography. Surgeons took these photographs 51% of the time with similar rates of smartphone cameras use (47%) versus professional cameras (52%). The public had similar levels of comfort when a nurse or a surgeon took the clinical photographs (p = 0.08). Patients were significantly less comfortable when non-medically trained office staff captured their photographs (p = 0.0041). The public had similar comfort levels with the use of smartphones and professional cameras when dressed but were significantly less comfortable with the use of a smartphone when unclothed (p = < 0.001). CONCLUSION: To ensure the best patient experience, B&A photography should be taken by a medical professional. If photographs are to be taken when the patient is unclothed, the use of a professional-grade camera may help ease patient discomfort. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Impact of Rapid Response Teams on Pediatric Care: An Interrupted Time Series Analysis of Unplanned PICU Admissions and Cardiac Arrests.

Pediatric rapid response teams (RRTs) are expected to significantly lower pediatric mortality in healthcare settings. This study evaluates RRTs' effectiveness in decreasing cardiac arrests and unexpected Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) admissions. A quasi-experimental study (2014-2017) at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, involved 3261 pediatric inpatients, split into pre-intervention (1604) and post-intervention (1657) groups. Baseline pediatric warning scores and monthly data on admissions, transfers, arrests, and mortality were analyzed pre- and post-intervention. Statistical methods including bootstrapping, segmented regression, and a Zero-Inflation Poisson model were employed to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of the intervention's impact. RRT was activated 471 times, primarily for respiratory distress (29.30%), sepsis (22.30%), clinical anxiety (13.80%), and hematological abnormalities (6.7%). Family concerns triggered 0.1% of activations. Post-RRT implementation, unplanned PICU admissions significantly reduced (RR = 0.552, 95% CI 0.485-0.628, p < 0.0001), and non-ICU cardiac arrests were eliminated (RR = 0). Patient care improvement was notable, with a -9.61 coefficient for PICU admissions (95% CI: -12.65 to -6.57, p < 0.001) and a -1.641 coefficient for non-ICU cardiac arrests (95% CI: -2.22 to -1.06, p < 0.001). Sensitivity analysis showed mixed results for PICU admissions, while zero-inflation Poisson analysis confirmed a reduction in non-ICU arrests. The deployment of pediatric RRTs is associated with fewer unexpected PICU admissions and non-ICU cardiopulmonary arrests, indicating improved PICU management. Further research using robust scientific methods is necessary to conclusively determine RRTs' clinical benefits.

Investigating safety and cost-effectiveness of cable median barriers in Louisiana.

OBJECTIVES: Cable median barriers (CMBs) are installed on freeway medians to prevent cross-median crashes and reduce the severity of median-related crashes. Though CMBs are effective in preventing cross-median crashes, they are also known to increase the number of property damage-only (PDO) crashes. The higher frequency of PDO crashes could result in increased CMB maintenance and repair expenses. The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety impact and economic justification of CMBs in Louisiana. METHODS: Initially, a flowchart was developed using Louisiana crash data to identify targeted crashes, such as median-related and cross-median crashes. This was followed by a 3-year observational before-and-after crash analysis with an emphasis on head-on collisions and crashes involving large trucks. Using a 4-step improved prediction method, crash modification factors were then developed to quantitatively assess the impact of CMBs on crash outcomes, accounting for and adjusting to changes in the annual average daily traffic (AADT) and relevant crash frequencies before and after CMB implementation. Finally, an exhaustive benefit-cost analysis was conducted to determine the cost-effectiveness of CMBs. RESULTS: The results revealed that CMBs significantly reduced cross-median crashes of all severities. However, an increase in PDO crashes was observed in both total and median-related crashes. Large truck cross-median crashes and head-on collisions also decreased significantly after CMB implementation. Testing Level 4 (TL-4) CMBs were found to be more effective in preventing vehicles from crossing the median and in reducing crashes of higher severity levels. The benefit-cost ratios, calculated using economic crash unit costs for both total and targeted crashes, were greater than 1. Notably, the estimated benefit-cost ratios were considerably higher, demonstrating that CMBs are cost-effective countermeasures for enhancing traffic safety. CONCLUSION: This study contributes to the understanding of CMB performance from both traffic safety and economic perspectives. The findings may assist transportation agencies in making decisions regarding the management of CMB systems. Based on the comprehensive analysis of CMBs on Louisiana freeways, this project has revealed that CMBs are an effective and economically justified crash countermeasure. Thus, further implementation of CMBs is recommended until better alternatives are available.

An Online Pediatric Palliative Care Education and Mentoring (Project ECHO) in Nepal: A Program Implementation Case Study and Assessment of Changes in Healthcare Providers' Knowledge, Confidence, and Attitudes.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this implementation study was to describe the implementation and evaluation of the impact of an online pediatric palliative care training program in Nepal, using the Project ECHO model. METHODS: The study used mixed methods, including a program case study describing the online learning program and before-and-after surveys of program participants, assessing learning through changes in knowledge, comfort, and attitudes. An end-of-program survey was used to evaluate participants' overall experiences with the learning program and use of the learning resources. RESULTS: A literature review, stakeholder surveys, and expert input informed the design of the intervention. The course used the Project ECHO model of online education, with modifications based on the leadership team's previous ECHO experiences and local stakeholder input. The intervention occurred over 9 months, with 22 online teaching sessions. Each session consisted of a didactic lecture, case presentation, and interactive discussion with expert clinical teachers. Fifty-five clinicians in Nepal participated, including physicians (47%), nurses (44%), and psychotherapists (5%). Clinicians reported improvements in knowledge, skills, and attitudes after program participation. Program acceptability scores were high, with 93% of participants reporting that the course provided effective learning. CONCLUSIONS: Project ECHO can be successfully implemented to deliver continuing professional development in Nepal. Delivering palliative care education online using the Project ECHO model, leads to improved knowledge, skills, and attitudes for clinicians. Project ECHO suggests an innovative solution which can provide training and support to clinicians in settings where educational opportunities in palliative care are limited.

Conventional or parking-protected bike lanes? A Full-Bayesian before-and-after assessment.

OBJECTIVE: Biking infrastructure plays a crucial role in ensuring cyclists' safety and encouraging more people to bike. Recently, many North American municipalities started to adopt a new bike lane design, namely the parking-protected bike lane (PPBL), in which the bike lane is placed between the sidewalk and the parking lane. This study aims to assess the safety impacts associated with converting conventional bike lanes (CBLs) to PPBLs. METHODS: To that end, collision and traffic data were collected at 19 street sections from three corridors in Vancouver and Ottawa before and after the conversion. Poisson-Lognormal Linear Intervention model was developed to undertake a Full Bayesian before-and-after analysis to evaluate the change in the frequency of bike-vehicle collisions and other collaterally affected collisions (i.e., total and rear-end collisions) after implementing PPBLs. RESULTS: Reductions of 31.2%, 16.5%, and 4.4% were observed for total, rear-end, and bike collisions, respectively, after implementing the PPBLs, but the results varied significantly depending on the corridor characteristics. CONCLUSION: Overall, PPBLs demonstrated positive impacts on cyclist safety in some corridors, but their performance is highly sensitive to bike path opening density, intersection density, and intersection treatments.

The impact of COVID-19 on the mental and sexual health of patients with infertility: a prospective before-and-after study.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has seriously impacted the mental and sexual health of the general population. Patients dealing with infertility constitute a unique subset within society, susceptible to heightened sensitivity amid pressures and crises. However, to the best of our knowledge, the impact of the different stages of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental and sexual health of patients with infertility has not been investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the mental and sexual health of patients with infertility during different stages of the COVID-19 pandemic (during the lockdown, when controls were fully liberalized, and during the post-pandemic era). METHODS: This prospective before-and-after study was conducted between April and May 2022 (during the lockdown), December and January 2023 (when controls were fully liberalized), and May and August 2023 (during the post-pandemic era). This study explored the sexual and mental health of women with infertility during the three stages of the COVID-19 pandemic using standardized mental health and sexual function questionnaires. The Chi-square test was used to compare categorical data, and the ANOVA test was used to compare numerical data. RESULTS: Patients had the highest 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) and 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) scores and the highest rates of anxiety and depression during the immediate full-release phase. During the complete liberalization phase, patients had the lowest Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) scores and the highest incidence of sexual dysfunction. CONCLUSION: This study is the first one to report the repercussions of COVID-19 on the mental and sexual well-being of individuals experiencing infertility across various phases of the pandemic. Upon the complete lifting of control measures, close to 99% of participants exhibited varying degrees of anxiety and depression. Our research underscores that individuals with infertility faced elevated levels of anxiety, depression, and sexual dysfunction during the phase of full liberalization of COVID-19 control measures, in stark contrast to the periods of lockdown and the post-pandemic era.

Assessing the effectiveness of speed limit reduction in Edmonton: A case study analysis.

This study evaluates the impact of reducing the default speed limit from 50 km/h to 40 km/h on traffic safety and drivers' behavior in Edmonton, Canada. The research comprehensively examines collision and speed data to assess the outcomes of the new speed limit. Collision data was analyzed across three distinct periods: pre-COVID (2017-2019), the COVID period (2019-2021), and the after-implementation period (August 2021 to July 2022). Speed surveys were conducted on 219 road segments before and after the implementation of the speed limit change. The study utilized a before-and-after with a comparison group approach to evaluate the impact on collisions, using 50 km/h roads that maintained their speed limit throughout as the comparison group. The impact of the reduced speed limit on road safety was assessed by analyzing collision data for two periods, pre-COVID (2017-2019) and COVID (2019-2021), compared to the period after setting the new speed limit (2021-2022). Two-sample t-tests were employed to examine the change in speeds. The analysis revealed statistically significant reductions in the overall number of collisions and injuries and fatalities resulting from collisions, by 25% and 31%, respectively. The study also categorized neighborhoods and roads to demonstrate the areas that experienced the greatest benefits. Speed data showed statistically significant reductions in the average and 85th percentile speeds, with drivers lowering their speeds at 115 locations, accounting for 53% of the surveyed locations. Moreover, higher speed reductions were observed on local roads compared to collector roads, and narrower roads compared to wider roads.. Overall, the study demonstrates that reducing the speed limit can lead to lower speeds and fewer collisions on the roads, creating a safer road environment for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. Additionally, it provides a detailed framework for municipalities to evaluate the effectiveness of their speed limit reduction programs.

Before-and-After Photography on Social Media: The Pursuit of Impossible Beauty.

Plastic surgeons and aesthetic medicine professionals often share "before" and "after" clinical cases on social media, but this practice can lead to unintended consequences, such as dysmorphophobia and unrealistic expectations. These before-and-after images, frequently posted on social media, tend to promote unreachable, sometimes retouched, beauty standards, downplaying the complexities of the surgical process, omitting details about postoperative care, recovery, and potential complications. This can create the illusion that perfection is easily attainable through surgery, fostering unrealistic ideals and negatively impacting viewers' self-image and self-worth. Dysmorphophobia, characterized by an excessive preoccupation with perceived flaws in one's appearance, is closely linked to social media usage, especially among Caucasian women. Plastic surgeons hold the responsibility to provide honest insights into cosmetic procedures on social media, emphasizing the healing process, potential risks, and limitations. Celebrating diversity in appearance and sharing genuine patient stories can combat idealized beauty standards and reduce the stigma surrounding cosmetic surgery. They must prioritize honesty, provide comprehensive context for their images, and promote a broader view of beauty that includes mental health and individual diversity. Their ethical responsibility extends beyond the operating room and should guide all aspects of their professional practice.Level of Evidence V This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Rhinoplasty and YouTube: A Cross-Sectional Study to Assess the Quality, Dependability, and Reliability of Videos on Rhinoplasty.

INTRODUCTION: Rhinoplasty, also referred to as a nose job or a reconstruction of the nose, is a surgical procedure that alters and reconstructs the nose for aesthetic or functional purposes. With the emergence of social media and modern internet accessibility, YouTube has gained popularity among users of all ages. Despite this, the accuracy and credibility of these videos and the information they include could be cause for concern. AIMS: This study intends to assess the competence, quality, and dependability of the information in the videos related to "Rhinoplasty surgery" on YouTube. METHODOLOGY: This is a cross-sectional observational study that analyzes rhinoplasty information on YouTube. A Google Forms questionnaire was used to collect the data. The Global Quality Score (GQS), reliability score, and Video Power Index (VPI) were used to assess quality and reliability, and statistical analysis was performed using IBM Corp. Released 2012. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 21.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp. The inclusion criteria were videos ranging from 1 minute to 20 minutes in duration, pertinent to the topic of rhinoplasty surgery, and in either English or Hindi. RESULTS: A total of 71 videos were analyzed, and 70 videos were included. A comparison of GQS, reliability score, and VPI based on the type of uploader was done by the Kruskal-Wallis test. The association between VPI, GQS, and reliability score with that of the uploader of the video was found to be statistically insignificant (p<0.05). Videos uploaded by healthcare organizations, news outlets, patients, or other relevant groups have the most GQS (4.5), whereas videos uploaded by hospitals have the lowest. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the type of uploader, videos have no statistically significant changes in quality, reliability, or video power, implying that the type of uploader does not necessarily impact the overall quality or reliability of the information presented in the investigated YouTube videos. While the majority of the videos addressed the indications of rhinoplasty and provided information about the etiology, there were gaps in discussing pre-procedural investigations and preventive measures. Due to our limitations, expanding the number of accounts used for search and increasing the number of videos might overcome the search algorithm.

Effect of Dietary Modification and Physical Activity on Obese Young Adults Going to Gym for Weight Loss in Central India: A Before and After Study.

BACKGROUND: An adequate diet is a prerequisite for appropriate growth and development so as to remain active. Balanced nutrition coupled with physical activity forms a healthy lifestyle which eventually leads to multiple health benefits such as positive mental health and a lower risk of noncommunicable diseases like diabetes, hypertension, etc. It has become an upcoming trend for young adults to join a gym. In order to maintain weight members, go to the gym because they consider it as a positive opportunity to boost self-esteem and to make appropriate health decisions to feel better. There is a need to highlight with the help of research studies that lifestyle modification in the form of diet and physical activity on a regular basis can help in controlling obesity. METHODS: A before and after the study was carried out in Nagpur city located in Central India for a period of 8 months (April 1, 2022 to November 30, 2022). The study subjects were obese young adults going to the gym in Nagpur city. Diet and physical activity interventions were given for a duration of three months to the study subjects. The study instrument was a predesigned and pretested questionnaire. RESULTS: In the present study, total 110 study subjects responded by completely filling out the questionnaire The total calorie and protein intake of the study subjects before and after giving intervention for three months was found to be highly significant (p-value < 0.0001). The change in mean anthropometric parameters of the study subjects before and after giving intervention for three months was found to be highly significant (p-value < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Dietary modification combined with physical activity for an average of 75 minutes is the most effective short-term intervention for weight loss. The present study concludes that lifestyle modifications can reverse the trend of obesity. It is reversible, and obese individuals can normalize their BMI with appropriate interventions as was performed with the present obese study subjects.

Data-based analysis of psychological and emotional changes in breast cancer patients at different ages before and after surgery.

To analyze psychological and emotional changes in breast cancer patients at different ages before and after surgery based on data. The clinical data of 363 patients undergoing radical mastectomy for breast cancer in our hospital from December 2019 to December 2021 were selected for retrospective analysis. The patients' psychological and emotional changes before and after surgery were evaluated with the mental health symptom self-rating scale, and patients' quality of life was assessed by World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL)-BREF. On a whole, no significant differences in the patients' scores on somatization, interpersonal sensitivity, dreadness and others before and after surgery were observed (P > 0.05), while their scores on obsessive-compulsive symptom, depression, anxiety, hostility, paranoid ideation and psychopathy as well as the total scores were significantly different (P < 0.05); before and after surgery, patients' psychological scores were not significantly different among the five groups (P > 0.05), but various WHOQOL-BREF scores were significantly different (P < 0.05). Surgical treatment has little impact on the psychological mood of breast cancer patients, obvious difference in quality of life is presented among patients at different ages before and after surgery, and therefore targeted clinical intervention should be given.

Fourier Channel Attention Powered Lightweight Network for Image Segmentation.

The accuracy of image segmentation is critical for quantitative analysis. We report a lightweight network FRUNet based on the U-Net, which combines the advantages of Fourier channel attention (FCA Block) and Residual unit to improve the accuracy. FCA Block automatically assigns the weight of the learned frequency information to the spatial domain, paying more attention to the precise high-frequency information of diverse biomedical images. While FCA is widely used in image super-resolution with residual network backbones, its role in semantic segmentation is less explored. Here we study the combination of FCA and U-Net, the skip connection of which can fuse the encoder information with the decoder. Extensive experimental results of FRUNet on three public datasets show that the method outperforms other advanced medical image segmentation methods in terms of using fewer network parameters and improved accuracy. It excels in pathological Section segmentation of nuclei and glands.

In situ detection and mass spectrometry imaging of protein-related metabolites in Bombyx batryticatus before and after frying with wheat bran.

Bombyx batryticatus is derived from the dried larva of Bombyx mori Linnaeus infected by Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuillant. Raw Bombyx batryticatus should be stir-fried before oral administration due to its irritation to the gastrointestinal tract. Nevertheless, it is still an arduous task to uncover the intrinsic mechanism of Bombyx batryticatus processing. In this study, we collected two types of Bombyx batryticatus, one being stir-fried and the other serving as a control. Then, an informative approach, which integrated matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) with chemometrics analysis, was established to screen processing-associated markers and reveal in situ spatial distribution patterns of protein-related metabolites. After optimization of experimental conditions, 21 ions were initially detected from Bombyx batryticatus, including amino acids and peptides. In addition, 15 differential markers were screened by orthogonal projection to potential structure discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), which were localized and visualized in the transverse section of Bombyx batryticatus by MSI. Eventually, it can be demonstrated that the stir-frying process reduces toxicity while potentially boosting specific biological activities of Bombyx batryticatus. In summary, the established strategy could not only clarify the chemical transformation of protein-related metabolites from Bombyx batryticatus before and after frying with wheat bran, but also reveal the significance of Chinese medicine processing technology.

The Effect of Sodium Nitroprusside Treatment on Storage Ability of Fresh-Cut Potato.

Quality deterioration is a major problem restricting the fresh-cut potato industry. The present study investigated the effect of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) treatment on the quality of fresh-cut potatoes during short-term storage. The treatment was carried out immediately either before or after cutting, using an SNP concentration of 200 µmol/L. The results showed that SNP treatment inhibited the accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and total soluble solids (TSSs). SNP treatment also decreased the firmness, chewing properties, and ascorbic acid (AsA) content in potatoes, maintaining high levels of total phenols (TPs), total flavonoids (TFs), nitric oxide (NO), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Furthermore, SNP treatment restrained the rise of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), peroxidase (POD), and polyphenol oxidase (PPO), as well as the electrolyte leakage (EL) rate. After SNP treatment, the nitrite content in the potatoes was within security scope. Comparing potatoes treated before and after cutting, the best result was noted in the potatoes soaked in SNP before cutting, which displayed the smallest losses in firmness (11.24%), chewing properties (34.30%), and AsA (40.35%), and maximum increases in TPs (32.84%), TFs (2.83-time), NO (76.11%), and SOD activity (93.15%). Moreover, this group presented the minimum MDA content, EL rate, and TSS values and the lowest PAL, POD, and PPO activities. These results indicated that 200 µmol/L SNP applied for 20 min, particularly before cutting, is an efficient alternative technology that can be used in the fresh-cut potato industry.

Evaluation of laboratory predictors for intravenous immunoglobulin resistance and coronary artery aneurysm in Kawasaki Disease before and after therapy.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) before and after therapy. METHODS: Patients with KD were divided into different groups according to their responsiveness to initial intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment and coronary status. The clinical and laboratory parameters before and after therapy were compared. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify the independent risk factors, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was applied to assess and compare the prediction ability of risk factors and their fluctuations. RESULTS: Of the 153 patients included in the study, 41 (26.8%) had IVIG resistance and 37 (24.2%) had developed CAA. After stratifying by therapy response, the two groups differed in the levels of total bilirubin (TSB), albumin, and sodium, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte count ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte count ratio (PLR), TSB-to-albumin (B/A) ratio, and prognostic nutritional index (PNI) before IVIG, and in the white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil count, levels of hemoglobin, C-reactive protein (CRP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and albumin, NLR, PNI, capillary leakage index (CLI), and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) after IVIG. Multivariate analysis revealed that the B/A ratio before IVIG and CLI and SII after IVIG were significantly and positively associated with IVIG resistance and that there was a larger decline in the B/A ratio and smaller decline in CLI and SII pre- and post-treatment in the IVIG-resistant group than in the IVIG-responsive group. However, no statistical differences in the fluctuations of the B/A ratio, CLI, and SII as well as all parameters before and after therapy were observed in patients with and without CAA. ROC curve analyses found a greater AUC value of post-treatment parameters (0.751 and 0.706 for CLI and SII, respectively) compared with pre-treatment parameters (0.654 for B/A ratio) in predicting IVIG resistance; however, the predictive ability of the fluctuations in risk factors before and after therapy was not superior to that of baseline values. CONCLUSIONS: The B/A ratio before IVIG and CLI and SII after IVIG were risk factors for IVIG resistance in patients with KD, independent of CAA development. Key Points • A high total bilirubin-to-albumin ratio before IVIG and high capillary leakage and systemic immune-inflammation indices after IVIG may indicate an increased risk of intravenous immunoglobulin resistance in patients with Kawasaki disease. • Post-treatment parameters were superior to pre-treatment parameters in terms of prediction; therefore, rapid and repeated assessment of risk factors before and after treatment must be considered in children in whom the vital signs and symptoms do not improve after treatment.

Characteristics of whole blood donors from 26 blood stations before and after the outbreak of COVID-19:a multicenter study / 中国输血杂志

【Objective】 To analyze the basic characteristics of whole blood donors from blood stations before and after the outbreak of COVID-19. 【Methods】 After excluding invalid data, data related to the basic characteristics of whole blood donors collected from 26 blood stations in China during 2018 to 2021 were statistically analyzed, including the trend of total whole blood donors, the number of repeated blood donors, the frequency of blood donation, the average age of donors and the recruitment of first-time blood donors. 【Results】 Affected by the epidemic, 8 out of 14 indicators were with large variations, accounting for 57%. The overall growth rate of total whole blood donors during the epidemic was higher than before the epidemic (P<0.05).The number of repeated blood donors has shown an increased trend, with a higher number during the epidemic than before (P<0.05). The frequency of blood donation was lower during the epidemic than before(P<0.05).Average ages of blood donors and female blood donors fluctuated widely during the epidemic, both higher than those before the epidemic(P<0.05).The donation rate of first-time blood donors <25 years old and ≥25 years old varied widely and irregularly during the epidemic (both P<0.05). The percentage of first-time blood donors fluctuated irregularly during the epidemic, with overall percentage lower than that before the epidemic(P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 Whole blood donors from 26 blood stations increased after the outbreak of COVID-19, and some indicators in certain areas showed significant fluctuations during the epidemic.

O dispositivo "antes e depois" nas cirurgias estéticas íntimas: novas formas de materialização das normas de gênero / The "before and after" dispositive in intimate aesthetic surgeries: new ways of materializing gender norms / El dispositivo "antes y después" en las cirugías estéticas íntimas: nuevas formas de materializar las normas de género

Resumo Este artigo tem como ponto de partida uma reflexão sobre a produção de imagens e narrativas circunscritas em torno do dispositivo antes e depois. Argumenta que a divulgação de padrões estéticos, especialmente nas redes sociais, opera de modo a prescrever uma necessária transformação e aprimoramento de si. Analisa relatos de experiências de mulheres que realizaram a chamada cirurgia íntima (ninfoplastia ou redução dos pequenos lábios vaginais) com a intenção de melhoria estética. Os depoimentos provêm de um grupo de discussão em torno desses procedimentos na internet. Nos casos em que as intervenções cirúrgicas são avaliadas negativamente, o antes e depois não se realizam da forma prevista. Nesse cenário, as mulheres tendem a ressignificar a necessidade da cirurgia e a reconhecer a imposição, por parte da sociedade, de padrões corporais idealizados. Este processo é discutido por meio do debate acerca do pós-feminismo e constrangimentos de gênero.

Abstract This article analyzes the production of images and narratives circumscribed around the dispositive before and after. It argues that the dissemination of aesthetic standards, especially on social networks, operates in order to prescribe a necessary transformation and improvement of the self. It analyzes reports of experiences of women who underwent the so-called intimate surgery (nymphoplasty or reduction of the labia minora) with the intention of aesthetic improvement. The testimonies come from a discussion group around these procedures on the internet. In cases where surgical interventions are negatively evaluated, the before and after are not performed as expected. In this scenario, women tend to resignify the need for surgery and recognize the imposition, by society, of idealized body standards. This process is discussed through the debate about post-feminism and gender constraints.

Resumen Este artículo tiene como punto de partida una reflexión sobre la producción de imágenes y narrativas circunscritas en torno al dispositivo antes y después. Argumenta que la difusión de normas estéticas, especialmente en las redes sociales, opera para prescribir una necesaria transformación y mejora del yo. Analiza relatos de experiencias de mujeres que se sometieron a la llamada cirugía íntima (ninfoplastía o reducción de labios menores) con la intención de mejorar estéticamente. Los testimonios provienen de un grupo de discusión sobre estos procedimientos en Internet. En los casos en que las intervenciones quirúrgicas son evaluadas negativamente, el antes y el después no se realizan como se esperaba. En ese escenario, las mujeres tienden a resignificar la necesidad de la cirugía y reconocen la imposición, por parte de la sociedad, de patrones corporales idealizados. Este proceso se discute a través del debate sobre el posfeminismo y las restricciones de género.