Lykkegrantham2619
We now envision a new scenario for chemical and biological entities where they both are translated into a common numerical format. In this computational framework, complex connections between entities can be unveiled by means of simple arithmetic operations, such as distance measures, additions, and subtractions.
To study if an additional virtual interactive epilepsy education session improves post-test epilepsy knowledge scores more than providing digital educational material alone in persons with epilepsy (PWE) and caregivers.
In a single centre, open labelled, randomised controlled trial, PWE and caregivers were randomised to receive digital epilepsy educational material alone or an additional virtual interactive epilepsy session along with the digital educational material. Pre-test knowledge scores were compared with post-test knowledge scores. A difference between the post-test scores in the two arms was the primary outcome. This was assessed one week after the epilepsy education had been received. Secondary outcomes were the difference between the two arms in quality of life and breakthrough seizure frequencies at the end of one month.
A total of 130 participants (PWE+caregivers) were randomised of which 66 were in the control arm and 64 in the intervention arm. Baseline demographic and epilepsy characteristics were comparable in both arms except for the higher age of PWE in the intervention arm. Post-test knowledge scores improved significantly from the pre-test knowledge scores in both control and intervention arms (p<0.001). Post-test knowledge scores in the intervention arm were significantly better both for patients (p=0.003) as well as for caregivers (p=0.007) compared to controls. There was no difference in the quality of life and frequency of breakthrough seizures between the two arms.
Digital educational material is effective in improving post-test epilepsy knowledge scores in PWE and caregivers. Knowledge scores can be further improved by an additional virtual interactive session.
Digital educational material is effective in improving post-test epilepsy knowledge scores in PWE and caregivers. Knowledge scores can be further improved by an additional virtual interactive session.
To study the accuracy of automated interictal EEG source localisation based on high-density EEG, and to compare it to low-density EEG.
Thirty patients operated for pharmacoresistant focal epilepsy were retrospectively examined. Twelve months after resective brain surgery, 18 were seizure-free or had 'auras' only, while 12 had persistence of disabling seizures. Presurgical 257-channel EEG lasting 3-20h was down-sampled to 25, 40, and 204 channels for separate analyses. For each electrode setup, interictal spikes were detected, clustered, and averaged automatically before validation by an expert reviewer. An individual 6-layer finite difference head model and the standardised low-resolution electromagnetic tomography were used to localise the maximum source activity of the most prevalent spike. Selleck Proteasome inhibitor Sublobar concordance with the resected brain area was visually assessed and related to favourable vs. unfavourable postsurgical outcome.
Depending on the EEG setup, epileptic spikes were detected in 21-24 patients (70-80%). The median number of single spikes per average was 470 (range 17-15,066). Diagnostic sensitivity of EEG source localisation was 58-75%, specificity was 50-67%, and overall accuracy was 55-71%. There were no significant differences between low- and high-density EEG setups with 25 to 257 electrodes.
Automated high-density EEG source localisation provides meaningful information in the majority of cases. With hundreds of single spikes averaged, diagnostic accuracy is similar in high- and low-density EEG. Therefore, low-density EEG may be sufficient for interictal EEG source localisation if high numbers of spikes are available.
Automated high-density EEG source localisation provides meaningful information in the majority of cases. With hundreds of single spikes averaged, diagnostic accuracy is similar in high- and low-density EEG. Therefore, low-density EEG may be sufficient for interictal EEG source localisation if high numbers of spikes are available.
Although erectile dysfunction (ED) involves an interaction between physiological and psychological pathways, the psychosocial aspects of ED have received considerably less attention so far.
To review the available evidence on the psychosocial aspects of ED in order to develop a position statement and clinical practice recommendations on behalf of the European Society of Sexual Medicine (ESSM).
A comprehensive, narrative review of the literature was performed.
Specific statements and recommendations according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine 2011 Levels of Evidence criteria were provided.
A multidisciplinary treatment, in which medical treatment is combined with a psychological approach, is preferred over unimodal treatment. There is increasing evidence that psychological treatments of ED can improve medical treatments, the patient's adherence to treatment, and the quality of the sexual relationship. The main components of psychological treatment of ED involve cognitive and behavioralnclusivity, and integration when setting up treatments and evaluating their effect. Dewitte M, Bettocchi C, Carvalho J, et al. A Psychosocial Approach to Erectile Dysfunction Position Statements from the European Society of Sexual Medicine (ESSM). Sex Med 2021;XXXXXXXX.
Because the psychosocial approach to ED has been underexposed so far, this position statement provides valuable information for clinicians treating ED. Psychological interventions on ED are based on existing theoretical models that are grounded in empirical evidence. However, the quality of available studies is low, which calls for further research. The sexual medicine field would benefit from pursuing more diversity, inclusivity, and integration when setting up treatments and evaluating their effect. Dewitte M, Bettocchi C, Carvalho J, et al. A Psychosocial Approach to Erectile Dysfunction Position Statements from the European Society of Sexual Medicine (ESSM). Sex Med 2021;XXXXXXXX.
Oral mucositis (OM) is an unpleasant adverse event in patients receiving chemotherapy. A prospective feasibility study showed that elemental diet (ED), an oral supplement that does not require digestion, may prevent OM. Based on this, we established a central review system for oral cavity assessment by dental oncology specialists blinded to background data. We used this system to elucidate the preventive effect of an ED against OM in patients with esophageal cancer receiving docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil (DCF) therapy.
In this phase III, multicenter, parallel-group, controlled trial, patients consuming a normal diet orally were randomly assigned (1 1) to receive two cycles of DCF with (group A) or without (group B) an ED (Elental® 160 g/day). We assessed the incidence of grade ≥2 OM evaluated by two reviewers, changes in body weight, prealbumin, C-reactive protein, and DCF completion rate based on ED compliance.
Of the 117 patients randomly assigned to treatment, four failed to start treatment and were excluded from the primary analysis; thus, groups A and B comprised 55 and 58 patients, respectively. There were no significant differences in background characteristics. Grade ≥2 OM was observed in eight (15%) and 20 (34%) patients in groups A and B, respectively (P= 0.0141). Changes in body weight and prealbumin during the two DCF cycles were significantly higher in group A than B (P= 0.0022 and 0.0203, respectively). During the first cycle, changes in C-reactive protein were significantly lower in group A than B (P= 0.0338). In group A (receiving ED), the DCF completion rate was 100% in patients with 100% ED compliance and 70% in patients failing ED completion (P= 0.0046).
The study findings demonstrate that an ED can prevent OM in patients with esophageal cancer receiving chemotherapy.
The study findings demonstrate that an ED can prevent OM in patients with esophageal cancer receiving chemotherapy.Neonicotinoids pollution poses a serious threat to aquatic ecosystems. However, there is currently little knowledge about how neonicotinoids are transferred from the agricultural environment to the aquatic environment. Here, we conducted in situ high-frequency monitoring of neonicotinoids in soil-water systems along the hydrological flow path during rainfall to explore the horizontal and vertical transport mechanisms of neonicotinoids. The collected samples included 240 surface runoff, 128 subsurface runoff, 60 eroded sediment, 120 soil and 144 soil solution, which were used to analyse neonicotinoids concentrations. Surface runoff, subsurface runoff and eroded sediment were the three main paths for the horizontal migration of neonicotinoids. In the CK (citrus orchards without grass cover) and grass-covered citrus orchards, there are 15.89% and 2.29% of the applied neonicotinoids were transported with surface runoff, respectively. While in the CK and grass-covered citrus orchards, there are only 1.23% and 0.19roded sediment.Sea-based sources account for 32-50 % of total marine litter found at the European basins with the fisheries sector comprising almost 65 % of litter releases. In the south-east coastal waters of the Bay of Biscay this figure approaches the contribution of just the floating marine litter fraction. This study seeks to enhance knowledge on the distribution patterns of floating marine litter generated by the fisheries sector within the Bay of Biscay and in particular on target priority Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to reinforce marine litter prevention and mitigation policies. This objective is reached by combining the data on geographical distribution and intensity of fishing activity, long-term historical met-ocean databases, Monte Carlo simulations and Lagrangian modelling with floating marine litter source and abundance estimates for the Bay of Biscay. Results represent trajectories for two groups of fishing-related items considering their exposure to wind; they also provide their concentration within 34 MPAs. Zero windage coefficient is applied for low buoyant items not subjected to wind effect. Highly buoyant items, strongly driven by winds, are forced by currents and winds, using a windage coefficient of 4 %. Results show a high temporal variability on the distribution for both groups consistent with the met-ocean conditions in the area. Fishing-related items driven by a high windage coefficient rapidly beach, mainly in summer, and are almost non-existent on the sea surface after 90 days from releasing. This underlines the importance of windage effect on the coastal accumulation for the Bay of Biscay. Only around 20 % of particles escaped through the boundaries for both groups which gives added strength to the notion that the Bay of Biscay acts as accumulation region for marine litter. MPAs located over the French continental shelf experienced the highest concentrations (>75 particles/km2) suggesting their vulnerability and need for additional protection measures.This study investigated the effectiveness of a psycho-behavioural intervention (PBI) for freezing of gait (FOG) management in people with Parkinson's disease, through a double-blind randomized controlled pilot trial conducted with nineteen participants. Though no significant between-group differences were found, PBI was feasible, well-tolerated by participants, and exhibited a trend towards improvement for FOG and depression, thereby warranting further longitudinal investigations.