Brandstruphicks0075
) at different skin areas of hands and found that it was significantly lower in primary RP than in secondary RP related to systemic sclerosis.
The new finger temperature device used could be considered useful for performing cold-stimulation test in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon.
The new finger temperature device used could be considered useful for performing cold-stimulation test in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon.
To demonstrate and validate electric field (E-field) calculation and peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) prediction methods that are accurate, computationally efficient, and that could be used to inform regulatory standards.
We describe a simplified method for calculating the spatial distribution of induced E-field over the volume of a body model given a gradient coil vector potential field. The method is easily programmed without finite element or finite difference software, allowing for straightforward and computationally efficient E-field evaluation. Using these E-field calculations and a range of body models, population-weighted PNS thresholds are determined using established methods and compared against published experimental PNS data for two head gradient coils and one body gradient coil.
A head-gradient-appropriate chronaxie value of 669 µs was determined by meta-analysis. Prediction errors between our calculated PNS parameters and the corresponding experimentally measured values were ~5% for the body gradient and ~20% for the symmetric head gradient. Our calculated PNS parameters matched experimental measurements to within experimental uncertainty for 73% of ∆G
estimates and 80% of SR
estimates. Computation time is seconds for initial E-field maps and milliseconds for E-field updates for different gradient designs, allowing for highly efficient iterative optimization of gradient designs and enabling new dimensions in PNS-optimal gradient design.
We have developed accurate and computationally efficient methods for prospectively determining PNS limits, with specific application to head gradient coils.
We have developed accurate and computationally efficient methods for prospectively determining PNS limits, with specific application to head gradient coils.
The purpose of this paper is to identify the issues that limited the supply of home and community-based Long-Term-Care (LTC) for the elderly, offer essential insights into the sustainable development of China's LTC.
A content analysis of news coverage on 12 major portals in China has been conducted to identify the issues.
The results demonstrate that there are 12 significant problems in the supply of home and community-based LTC for the elderly. Epigenetic pathway inhibitors For the service providers, the lack of qualified LTC professionals, limited service types/low service quality and unrealised integrated care, lack of steady profit patterns are the three major problems. The deficiencies of the LTC system and the lack of incentive policies and legislation for private investors' participation are the two major problems faced by the government. The public is confronted with a shortage of home and community support resources and unable to adapt to a change due to their mindsets.
The issues identified in this paper can not only provide some opportunities to various stakeholders in this area but also offer insights into the sustainable development of China's LTC.
The findings presented in this paper provide the means to understand the home and community-based LTC market in China for private investors and government, which will help to promote the cooperation between the two.
The findings presented in this paper provide the means to understand the home and community-based LTC market in China for private investors and government, which will help to promote the cooperation between the two.This study presents for the first time comprehensive measurements of the particle number size distribution (10 nm to 10 μm) together with next-generation sequencing analysis of airborne bacteria inside a dental clinic. A substantial enrichment of the indoor environment with new particles in all size classes was identified by both activities to background and indoor/outdoor (I/O) ratios. Grinding and drilling were the principal dental activities to produce new particles in the air, closely followed by polishing. Illumina MiSeq sequencing of 16S rRNA of bioaerosol collected indoors revealed the presence of 86 bacterial genera, 26 of them previously characterized as potential human pathogens. Bacterial species richness and concentration determined both by qPCR, and culture-dependent analysis were significantly higher in the treatment room. Bacterial load of the treatment room impacted in the nearby waiting room where no dental procedures took place. I/O ratio of bacterial concentration in the treatment room followed the fluctuation of I/O ratio of airborne particles in the biology-relevant size classes of 1-2.5, 2.5-5, and 5-10 μm. Exposure analysis revealed increased inhaled number of particles and microorganisms during dental procedures. These findings provide a detailed insight on airborne particles of both biotic and abiotic origin in a dental clinic.Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), characterized by a loss of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord, is a relatively rare but currently incurable neurodegenerative disease. The global incidence of ALS is estimated as 1.75 per 100,000 person-years and the global prevalence is estimated as 4.1-8.4 per 100,000 individuals. Contributions from outside the central nervous system to the etiology of ALS have been increasingly recognized. Gut microbiome is one of the most quickly growing fields of research for ALS. In this article, we performed a comprehensive review of the results from existing animal and human studies, to provide an up-to-date summary of the current research on gut microbiome and ALS. In brief, we found relatively consistent results from animal studies, suggesting an altered gut microbiome composition in experimental ALS. Publication bias might however be a concern. Findings from human studies are largely inconclusive. link2 A few animal and human studies demonstrated the usefulness of intervention with microbial-derived metabolites in modulating the disease progression of ALS. We discussed potential methodological concerns in these studies, including study design, statistical power, handling process of biospecimens and sequencing data, as well as statistical methods and interpretation of results. Finally, we made a few proposals for continued microbiome research in ALS, with the aim to provide valid, reproducible, and translatable findings.Health and social care services can enhance the community experiences of people with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers but making decisions about service use is complex. Using a grounded theory methodology, we explored service use decision-making in 40 spousal and adult children caregivers for people with Alzheimer's disease across the caregiving and disease trajectory. Participants' perception of their initial service interactions influenced their decision-making process and use of services. Difficulties navigating the healthcare system and finding available services also influenced decision-making. Caregivers make decisions to sustain care in the community that change throughout the caregiving and disease trajectory. Two key factors influence service use (a) the goals of caregiving and (b) the practicalities of accessing services. Both factors change across caregiving phases. By expanding our understanding of how caregivers make service use decisions, we can augment future practice to help caregivers access services that can better support them across the disease trajectory.Early autism spectrum disorder (ASD) detection is a precondition for effective intervention and facilitates significant improvements in functioning. In Israel, toddlers undergo general developmental screening by public health nurses (PHNs) at maternal and child health centres (MCHCs). Nevertheless, there are disparities among ethnic groups in the reported incidence of ASD. By means of an ecological model (EM), we identified strategies that improve ASD detection in the Bedouin community by investigating the social and policy factors that affect diagnosis. We conducted in-depth interviews with 18 policy makers and service providers and three focus groups of PHNs and paediatricians. We mapped the strategies for identifying toddlers with ASD based on the three EM levels. Correlations were established by comparing the codes within and between the EM levels. At the macro-level, the policy makers' strategy for improving ASD detection in the Bedouin community reflected the ideology, values and goals of the PHNs and included the MCHCs as the sole institution involved in detecting ASD. At the meso-level of the service providers, the key elements of the strategy consisted of actualising the professional potential of PHNs and patients' case management. At the micro-level was the population that utilises the services and complies with recommendations. A correlation was established between the PHNs' values and goals and patients' case management. Actualising their professional potential influenced the population's compliance. To reduce gaps in ASD diagnosis between Bedouin communities and the general population, it is necessary to identify and change the policy factors that influence access to services for children with ASD at every EM level while incorporating PHNs from the Bedouin community in future services. Culturally appropriate policies, screening policies and interventions must be developed to serve the needs of Bedouin children.
Prognostic markers for disease severity and identification of therapeutic targets in COVID-19 are urgently needed. We have studied innate and adaptive immunity on protein and transcriptomic level in COVID-19 patients with different disease severity at admission and longitudinally during hospitalization.
Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected at three time points from 31 patients included in the Norwegian SARS-CoV-2 cohort study and analysed by flow cytometry and RNA sequencing. link3 Patients were grouped as either mild/moderate (n=14), severe (n=11) or critical (n=6) disease in accordance with WHO guidelines and compared with patients with SARS-CoV-2-negative bacterial sepsis (n=5) and healthy controls (n=10).
COVID-19 severity was characterized by decreased interleukin 7 receptor alpha chain (CD127) expression in naïve CD4 and CD8 T cells. Activation (CD25 and HLA-DR) and exhaustion (PD-1) markers on T cells were increased compared with controls, but comparable between COVID-19 severity gPlasma B-cell activity and calprotectin were higher in critical COVID-19 while most transcripts related to immune functions were reduced, in particular affecting B cells. The potential of these cells as therapeutic targets in COVID-19 should be further explored.
Mounting evidence suggests that dermatomyositis/polymyositis (DM/PM) are associated with increased risk of atherosclerotic events and venous thromboembolism. However, data on the association between DM/PM and other cardiac outcomes, especially heart failure (HF), are scarce.
To examine the long-term risk and prognosis associated with adverse cardiac outcomes in patients with DM/PM.
Using Danish administrative registries, we included all patients ≥18years with newly diagnosed DM/PM (1996-2018). Risks of incident outcomes were compared with non-DM/PM controls from the background population (matched 14 by age, sex, and comorbidity). In a secondary analysis, we compared mortality following HF diagnosis between DM/PM patients with HF and non-DM/PM patients with HF (matched 14 by age and sex).
The study population included 936 DM/PM patients (median age 58.5years, 59.0% women) and 3744 matched non-DM/PM controls. The median follow-up was 6.9years. Absolute 10-year risks of incident outcomes for DM/PM patients vs matched controls were as follows HF, 6.
