Perfected enhanced recovery

PURPOSE: Bayesian penalised likelihood (BPL) reconstruction, which incorporates point-spread-function (PSF) correction, provides higher signal-to-noise ratios and more accurate quantitation than conventional ordered subset expectation maximization (OSEM) reconstruction. However, applying PSF correction to brain PET imaging is controversial due to Gibbs artefacts that manifest as unpredicted cortical uptake enhancement. The present study aimed to validate whether BPL without PSF would be useful for amyloid PET imaging...

In this paper, we propose a new coding scheme for DNA storage using low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes and interleaving techniques. While conventional coding schemes generally employ error correcting codes in both inter and intra-oligo directions, we show that inter-oligo LDPC codes, optimized by differential evolution, are sufficient in ensuring the reliability of DNA storage due to the powerful soft decoding of LDPC codes. In addition, we apply interleaving techniques for handling non-uniform error characteristics of DNA storage to enhance the decoding performance...

BACKGROUND: With ever increasing rates of emergency caesarean deliveries (CD),incorporating the ERAS protocol might provide a perfect window of opportunity to increase maternal comfort during the postsurgical period, but also improve outcomes and facilitate optimal return of physiological function. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether an ERAS pathway at emergency caesarean birth would permit a reduction in postoperative length of stay and improve postoperative patient satisfaction...

The selective removal of pollutants from water bodies is regarded as a conciliation between the rapid expansion of industrial activities and need of clean water for sustainability. Fluoride is one such geogenic pollutant, and various materials have already been reported. Developing an efficient field employable material is however a challenge. Herein, we report the synthesis and competencies of strategically designed magnetic La-doped Al2 O3 core-shell nanoparticle loaded polymeric nanohybrid as a benchmark fluoride sorbent...

This study aimed to construct a novel corn starch-glycyrrhizic acid (CS-GA) ink and systematically investigate the effects of GA on the water distribution, microstructure, rheology and 3D printing properties of CS hydrogels. The results showed that the CS chains could form strong hydrogen bonds with GA molecules, inhibit the formation of short-range ordered structure of CS and reduce the content of B-type starch. The low-field nuclear magnetic results showed that the introduction of GA could increase bound water content in CS-GA hydrogels...

New and efficient sensors of nerve agents are urgently demanded to prevent them from causing mass casualties in war or terrorist attacks. So, in this work, a novel hierarchical nanoheterostructure was synthesized via the direct growth of α-Fe2 O3 nanorods onto multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) backbones. Then, the composites were functionalized with hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) and successfully applied to detect dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP)-sarin simulant gas. The observations show that the HFIP-α-Fe2 O3 @MWCNT hybrids exhibit outstanding DMMP-sensing performance, including low operating temperature (220 °C), high response (6...

BACKGROUND: Stroke is one of the leading causes of death in the USA and is a major cause of serious disability for adults. This randomized crossover study examines the effect of targeted high-definition transcranial direct current transcranial brain stimulation (tDCS) on upper extremity motor recovery in patients in the post-acute phase of stroke recovery. METHODS: This randomized double-blinded cross-over study includes four intervention arms: anodal, cathodal, and bilateral brain stimulation, as well as a placebo stimulation...

The rumen microbiota is critical in cattle digestion. Still, its low cultivability makes it difficult to study its ecological function and biotechnological potential. To improve the recovery of ruminal microorganisms, this study combined the evaluation of several cultivation parameters with metabarcoding analysis. The parameters tested comprised eight media cultures, three sample dilutions (10-2 , 10-6 , 10-12 ), and two incubation times (3 and 7 days). Bacterial populations were determined through Illumina sequencing of 16S rRNA from three biological replicates...

A technically sound colorectal anastomosis is paramount in optimising outcomes and reducing complications such as anastomotic leak which can lead to prolonged hospital stay, repeated operations, stoma formation, anastomotic stricture formation and even mortality in patients. Therefore, thorough consideration should be given to all aspects of its construct, from its basic mechanical configuration to subsequent evaluation of anastomosis integrity and perfusion. Risk factors for anastomotic leakage are well established and are usually classified into modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors...

Enabling cost-effective safety monitoring of shellfish is an important measure for the healthy development of the coastal marine economy. Herein, a new aptamer@metal-organic framework (MOF)-functionalized affinity monolithic column was proposed and applied in selective in-tube solid-phase microextraction (IT-SPME) coupled with HPLC for the accurate recognition of domoic acid (DA) in shellfish. Using a surface engineering strategy, ZIF-8 MOF was grown in situ inside the poly(epoxy-MA-co-POSS-MA) hybrid monolith...

Injectable hydrogels have been employed for sutureless repair of corneal epithelial defects, which can perfectly fit the defect sites and minimize the associated discomfort. However, numerous hydrogels are ineffective in treating large corneal epithelial defects and still suffer from poor biocompatibility or weak applicability when used as cell carriers. Herein, hydroxypropyl chitin/carboxymethyl chitosan (HPCT/CMCS) temperature-sensitive hydrogels are fabricated, and their physicochemical properties and suitability for corneal epithelial repair are investigated...

The purpose of this study was to assess the quality of clinical brain imaging in healthy subjects and patients on an FDA-approved commercial 0.55 T MRI scanner, and to provide information about the feasibility of using this scanner in a clinical workflow. In this IRB-approved study, brain examinations on the scanner were prospectively performed in 10 healthy subjects (February-April 2022) and retrospectively derived from 44 patients (February-July 2022). Images collected using the following pulse sequences were available for assessment: axial DWI (diffusion-weighted imaging), apparent diffusion coefficient maps, 2D axial fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images, axial susceptibility-weighted images (both magnitude and phase), sagittal T1 -weighted (T1w) Sampling Perfection with Application Optimized Contrast images, sagittal T1w MPRAGE (magnetization prepared rapid gradient echo) with contrast enhancement, axial T1w turbo spin echo (TSE) with and without contrast enhancement, and axial T2 -weighted TSE...

Lycopene biosynthesis is frequently hampered by downstream processing hugely due to its inability to be secreted out from the producing chassis. Engineering cell factories can resolve this issue by secreting this hydrophobic compound. A highly permeable E. coli strain was developed for a better release rate of lycopene. Specifically, the heterologous mevalonate pathway and crtEBI genes from Corynebacterium glutamicum were overexpressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) for lycopene synthesis. To ensure in situ lycopene production, murein lipoprotein, lipoprotein NlpI, inner membrane permease protein, and membrane-anchored protein in TolA-TolQ-TolR were deleted for improved membrane permeability...

This study aims to develop a predictive model for SARS-CoV-2 using machine-learning techniques and to explore various feature selection methods to enhance the accuracy of predictions. A precise forecast of the SARS-CoV-2 respiratory infections spread can help with efficient planning and resource allocation. The proposed model utilizes stochastic regression to capture the virus transmission's stochastic nature, considering data uncertainties. Feature selection techniques are employed to identify the most relevant and informative features contributing to prediction accuracy...

With the advancement of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques, general radiographic methods are no longer sufficient for accurately displaying the structure and pathway of cranial nerves. Various sequences, including 3-dimensional sampling perfection with application-optimized contrast using different flip angle evolution (SPACE), have been developed through MRI technology to effectively display the location and severity of damaged cranial nerves. This current case report describes a 36-year-old male patient with multiple cranial nerve injuries resulting from an invasive Mucor infection...

While allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is a potential curative therapy against hematological malignancies, modulation of donor T cell alloreactivity is required to enhance the graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect and control graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) after allo-HSCT. Donor-derived regulatory CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ T cells (Tregs) play a central role in establishing of immune tolerance after allo-HSCT. They could be a key target to be modulated for increasing the GVL effect and control of GVHD...

To enhance the value of wheat straw derivatives, wheat straw ash (WSA) was used as a reactant for the first time to synthesize spirocyclic alkoxysilane, an important organosilicon raw material, using an energy-saving and environmentally friendly non-carbon thermal reduction method. After spirocyclic alkoxysilane extraction, the biochar in the wheat straw ash prepared an adsorbent for Cu2+ . The maximum copper ion adsorption capacity (Qm ) of silica-depleted wheat straw ash (SDWSA) was 31.431nullmg/g, far exceeding those of WSA and similar biomass adsorbents...

OBJECTIVES: To determine how, and under what circumstances, the PERFECT-ER intervention was implemented in five acute hospital wards and impacted on staff practices and perceptions. DESIGN: Mixed methods process evaluation (undertaken between 2016 and 2018). SETTING: Five acute hospital wards across three different UK regions. PARTICIPANTS: Patients (n=3) admitted to acute wards with hip fracture and cognitive impairment, their relatives (n=29) and hospital staff (n=63)...

Polymer flooding is an appropriate enhanced oil recovery (EOR) process that can increase macroscopic sweep efficiency. We examined two polymeric superpushers at different salinities (10,000 and 42,000 ppm of NaCl and 18,000 ppm of CaCl2 ) and temperatures (30 to 75 °C) as polymer-flooding agents for the EOR process. Rheological and thixotropic tests were attempted to find shear viscosity change when the polymer solutions were introduced under different salinity and temperatures, followed by describing the rheological behavior with the two most common rheological models used for polymer solutions, and then a quadratic model with Design-Expert to detect the effective parameters...

The rapid spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) seriously threatened global public health. Establishing a rapid and sensitive diagnostic test for early detection of the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein is urgently required to defend against the pandemic. Herein, an enhanced lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) was fabricated by trimetallic Au@Pd@Pt core-shell nanozymes for detection of the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein. The Au@Pd@Pt nanozymes (Au@Pd@Pt NZs) synthesized via a one-pot method, with a dendrite morphology and uniform particle size, showed excellent peroxidase-like activity...