Role of maternal hyperoxygenation testing to predict need for balloon atrial septostomy in fetal d-transposition of great arteries

OBJECTIVES

Predicting whether balloon atrial septostomy (BAS) will be necessary after birth for fetuses with d-transposition of the great arteries (d-TGA) remains challenging. We sought to determine whether measurements obtained during fetal maternal hyperoxygenation (MH) testing can improve our ability to predict need for postnatal BAS.

METHODS

Forty-one mothers carrying fetuses with d-TGA with either intact ventricular septum or small ventricular septal defect measuring <3mm underwent MH testing between 33-38 weeks gestation. Patent foramen ovale (PFO) size, measured by 2D and color Doppler, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) shunting (all antegrade versus bidirectional) was assessed in room air (RA) and during MH, blinded to postnatal outcome. BAS status and timing were recorded.

RESULTS

Postnatally, 23 neonates underwent BAS while 18 did not, and 14 subjects underwent emergent BAS within 3 hours of life. By univariate analysis, PFO size measured both in RA and MH and all antegrade shunting in the PDA during MH predicted BAS. During MH testing, median PFO size by 2D measured 2.5mm (interquartile range, IQR, 2-3mm) in fetuses who underwent emergent BAS versus 4.1mm (IQR 3.4-5mm) in fetuses who did not undergo BAS (p<0.001). By cutpoint analysis, PFO size during MH testing ≤ 3.2mm predicted need for emergent BAS with sensitivity 93% and specificity 78%.

CONCLUSIONS

In d-TGA, measurement of PFO size and direction of PDA shunting during MH testing improves our ability to predict need for BAS postnatally, although additional study is needed. We propose incorporating third trimester MH testing when planning deliveries of d-TGA fetuses. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Frequency and classification of addenda in paediatric neuroradiological reports as part of quality assurance

AIM

To determine the frequency and classification of addenda seen in paediatric brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reports.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective review of the addenda of brain MRI reports from a large tertiary children's hospital was undertaken between January 2013 to December 2021 and a subset of above radiology reports was used to classify addenda over 6-month periods, October to March, spanning 2018 to 2021. A radiology fellow and a medical doctor classified the addenda into previously published categories using their best judgement.

RESULTS

Out of 73,643 brain MRI reports over 9 years (108 months) included in the study, only 923 reports (1.25%) had addenda. There was a total of 13,615 brain MRI reports from 6-month periods, of which only 179 reports (1.31%) had an addendum. The number of errors according to categories were: observational 88/13,615 (0.65%); interpretational 16/13,615 (0.12%); non-observational and non-interpretative 82/13,615 (0.6%). Notifications to referring physician made in 29/13,615 (0.21%).

CONCLUSIONS

The overall proportion of addenda to the brain MRI reports of children in the present study was low, at 1.25%. Categorisation of different addenda revealed the most common errors to be observational in 0.65%, including under-reading in the region of interest in 0.25%. Appropriate measures can now be introduced to minimise the error-based addenda further and improve MRI diagnosis in children. Other paediatric practices may choose to follow suit in evaluating their addenda and errors to improve practice.

Study of High-Transverse-Momentum Higgs Boson Production in Association with a Vector Boson in the qqbb Final State with the ATLAS Detector

This Letter presents the first study of Higgs boson production in association with a vector boson (V=W or Z) in the fully hadronic qqbb final state using data recorded by the ATLAS detector at the LHC in proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 137  fb^{-1}. The vector bosons and Higgs bosons are each reconstructed as large-radius jets and tagged using jet substructure techniques. Dedicated tagging algorithms exploiting b-tagging properties are used to identify jets consistent with Higgs bosons decaying into bb[over ¯]. Dominant backgrounds from multijet production are determined directly from the data, and a likelihood fit to the jet mass distribution of Higgs boson candidates is used to extract the number of signal events. The VH production cross section is measured inclusively and differentially in several ranges of Higgs boson transverse momentum: 250-450, 450-650, and greater than 650 GeV. The inclusive signal yield relative to the standard model expectation is observed to be μ=1.4_{-0.9}^{+1.0} and the corresponding cross section is 3.1±1.3(stat)_{-1.4}^{+1.8}(syst)  pb.

Correlation of palatal anatomic characteristics with dermatoglyphic heterogeneity in different growth patterns

AIM AND OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to explore the correlation between dermatoglyphic patterns and quantitative palatal anatomic variables in individuals with different growth patterns.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 126 healthy patients aged 17-25 years. Participants were divided into three groups based on growth patterns: average, vertical, and horizontal. Dermatoglyphic patterns were recorded using an optical fingerprint sensor, and palatal characteristics were measured using digital software. Palatal characteristics, including intercanine width, intermolar width, and palatal depth, were measured using digital software. The results were statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

Significant differences were observed in ridge counts among the three growth patterns. The average growth pattern showed lower ridge counts compared to the vertical and horizontal growth patterns. Dermatoglyphic patterns, such as double loops and tented arches, were significantly higher in the horizontal growth pattern. Weak correlations were found between certain dermatoglyphic patterns and palatal characteristics, with simple arch patterns showing a negative correlation with inter-canine width and symmetrical whorl patterns showing a positive correlation with palatal depth. Loop patterns, spiral patterns, double loop patterns, symmetrical whorl, and simple arch patterns were significant predictors of growth patterns.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed distinct dermatoglyphic patterns and ridge counts among individuals with different growth patterns. Weak correlations were observed between dermatoglyphic patterns and palatal characteristics. However, the predictive value of dermatoglyphics for skeletal malocclusion requires further investigation. Understanding the relationships between dermatoglyphic patterns and craniofacial growth can provide valuable insights into genetic and developmental factors affecting dental and orthodontic conditions.

Measurement of the Centrality Dependence of the Dijet Yield in p+Pb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=8.16 TeV with the ATLAS Detector

ATLAS measured the centrality dependence of the dijet yield using 165  nb^{-1} of p+Pb data collected at sqrt[s_{NN}]=8.16  TeV in 2016. The event centrality, which reflects the p+Pb impact parameter, is characterized by the total transverse energy registered in the Pb-going side of the forward calorimeter. The central-to-peripheral ratio of the scaled dijet yields, R_{CP}, is evaluated, and the results are presented as a function of variables that reflect the kinematics of the initial hard parton scattering process. The R_{CP} shows a scaling with the Bjorken x of the parton originating from the proton, x_{p}, while no such trend is observed as a function of x_{Pb}. This analysis provides unique input to understanding the role of small proton spatial configurations in p+Pb collisions by covering parton momentum fractions from the valence region down to x_{p}∼10^{-3} and x_{Pb}∼4×10^{-4}.

Search for New Phenomena in Two-Body Invariant Mass Distributions Using Unsupervised Machine Learning for Anomaly Detection at sqrt[s]=13 TeV with the ATLAS Detector

Searches for new resonances are performed using an unsupervised anomaly-detection technique. Events with at least one electron or muon are selected from 140  fb^{-1} of pp collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV recorded by ATLAS at the Large Hadron Collider. The approach involves training an autoencoder on data, and subsequently defining anomalous regions based on the reconstruction loss of the decoder. Studies focus on nine invariant mass spectra that contain pairs of objects consisting of one light jet or b jet and either one lepton (e,μ), photon, or second light jet or b jet in the anomalous regions. No significant deviations from the background hypotheses are observed. Limits on contributions from generic Gaussian signals with various widths of the resonance mass are obtained for nine invariant masses in the anomalous regions.

Observation of WZγ Production in pp Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV with the ATLAS Detector

This Letter reports the observation of WZγ production and a measurement of its cross section using 140.1±1.2  fb^{-1} of proton-proton collision data recorded at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The WZγ production cross section, with both the W and Z bosons decaying leptonically, pp→WZγ→ℓ^{'}^{±}νℓ^{+}ℓ^{-}γ (ℓ^{(^{'})}=e, μ), is measured in a fiducial phase-space region defined such that the leptons and the photon have high transverse momentum and the photon is isolated. The cross section is found to be 2.01±0.30(stat)±0.16(syst)  fb. The corresponding standard model predicted cross section calculated at next-to-leading order in perturbative quantum chromodynamics and at leading order in the electroweak coupling constant is 1.50±0.06  fb. The observed significance of the WZγ signal is 6.3σ, compared with an expected significance of 5.0σ.

Combined Measurement of the Higgs Boson Mass from the H→γγ and H→ZZ^{*}→4ℓ Decay Channels with the ATLAS Detector Using sqrt[s]=7, 8, and 13 TeV pp Collision Data

A measurement of the mass of the Higgs boson combining the H→ZZ^{*}→4ℓ and H→γγ decay channels is presented. The result is based on 140  fb^{-1} of proton-proton collision data collected by the ATLAS detector during LHC run 2 at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV combined with the run 1 ATLAS mass measurement, performed at center-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV, yielding a Higgs boson mass of 125.11±0.09(stat)±0.06(syst)=125.11±0.11  GeV. This corresponds to a 0.09% precision achieved on this fundamental parameter of the Standard Model of particle physics.

Search for Dark Photons in Rare Z Boson Decays with the ATLAS Detector

A search for events with a dark photon produced in association with a dark Higgs boson via rare decays of the standard model Z boson is presented, using 139  fb^{-1} of sqrt[s]=13  TeV proton-proton collision data recorded by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The dark boson decays into a pair of dark photons, and at least two of the three dark photons must each decay into a pair of electrons or muons, resulting in at least two same-flavor opposite-charge lepton pairs in the final state. The data are found to be consistent with the background prediction, and upper limits are set on the dark photon's coupling to the dark Higgs boson times the kinetic mixing between the standard model photon and the dark photon, α_{D}ϵ^{2}, in the dark photon mass range of [5, 40] GeV except for the ϒ mass window [8.8, 11.1] GeV. This search explores new parameter space not previously excluded by other experiments.

In silico investigation on sensing of tyramine by boron and silicon doped C60 fullerenes

The present communication deals with the adsorption of tyramine neurotransmitter over the surface of pristine, Boron (B) and Silicon (Si) doped fullerenes. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been used to investigate tyramine adsorption on the surface of fullerenes in terms of stability, shape, work function, electronic characteristics, and density of state spectra. The most favourable adsorption configurations for tyramine have been computed to have adsorption energies of - 1.486, - 30.889, and - 31.166 kcal/mol, respectively whereas for the rest three configurations, it has been computed to be - 0.991, - 6.999, and - 8.796 kcal/mol, respectively. The band gaps for all six configurations are computed to be 2.68, 2.67, 2.06, 2.17, 2.07, and 2.14 eV, respectively. The band gap of pristine, B and Si doped fullerenes shows changes in their band gaps after adsorption of tyramine neurotransmitters. However, the change in band gaps reveals more in B doped fullerene rather than pristine and Si doped fullerenes. The change in band gaps of B and Si doped fullerenes leads a change in the electrical conductivity which helps to detect tyramine. Furthermore, natural bond orbital (NBO) computations demonstrated a net charge transfer of 0.006, 0.394, and 0.257e from tynamine to pristine, B and Si doped fullerenes.

One-pot synthesis of unsubstituted and methyl substituted-pyrazinyl diselenides and monoselenides: structural, optical property characterization and DFT calculations

Organoselenium compounds have long been fascinated researchers owing to their wide range of applications, such as in anticancer, in catalysis, and as molecular precursors for metal selenides. In this view, herein, the one-pot synthesis of dimethyl substituted and unsubstituted dipyrazinyl monoselenides, [(2-pyz)2Se] and [(2,5-Me2-3-pyz)2Se], and the corresponding dipyrazinyl disenides, [(2-pyzSe)2] and [(2,5-Me2-3-pyzSe)2], is demonstrated by the reduction of selenium metal using sodium borohydride at room temperature and a subsequent alkylation using the corresponding pyrazinyl halide in ethanol. All the diselenides and monoselenides were characterized using IR, UV-vis, photoluminescence, and NMR (1H, 13C{1H}, and 77Se{1H}) spectroscopy. The molecular structures of the diselenides and monoselenides were unambiguously determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SC-XRD). The optical properties, including absorption, excitation, emission, and quantum yield, of these organoselenium compounds were examined. Additionally, DFT calculations were performed to determine the HOMO and LUMO orbitals, band gap, and oscillator strength of these ligands.

Correlation between SARS-CoV-2 infection and autoimmune rheumatic diseases: a comprehensive analysis of blood biomarkers in COVID-19 patients

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to better understand the link between SARS-CoV-2 infection and autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs) development by analyzing blood samples from 200 registered participants, and measuring biomarkers, such as cell-free DNA, MPO (myeloperoxidase), cathepsin S, and complement type 2 receptor.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Blood samples were collected from 200 participants (100 females and 100 males; age range: 17-55 years). Participants were divided into five groups based on their COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid-specific IgG, and COVID-19 vaccination status. The Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) was used to identify the biomarkers.

RESULTS

ANOVA and t-tests revealed that the group of COVID-19 positive, SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid-specific IgG negative, and non-vaccinated individuals had the greatest average value for cathepsin S (p = 0.03). This suggests a correlation between the presence of COVID-19 and autoimmune disorders. The group with the greatest average value of cell-free DNA was the COVID-19-negative, SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid-specific IgG-negative, vaccinated group (p = 0.03). This may suggest that even though they had not contracted the disease, they may have had a stronger immune response to the virus since vaccines can stimulate an immune response even in individuals who have not been infected by the virus. Furthermore, the SARS-Cov-2 nucleocapsid-specific IgG+ and COVID-19 positive groups had higher levels of myeloperoxidase, a neutrophil protein linked to inflammation and tissue damage, suggesting a higher risk of autoimmune rheumatologic illnesses (p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

The study suggests a correlation between COVID-19 status and the development of autoimmune disorders, as well as a potential link between a COVID-19 infection and a strong immune response. However, this study had limitations - the selection of participants and a small sample size, which offers potential for further research and examination.

Donor complications of contralateral C7 nerve transfer in Brachial Plexus Birth Injury: a systematic review

PURPOSE

Contralateral C7 (CC7) nerve transfer is a reconstructive option in the upper limb when there are limited donor options. Promising results have been reported in the adult population but its role in Brachial Plexus Birth Injury (BPBI) is unclear. A major concern with this technique is the potential impact on the contralateral, unaffected limb. Our aim was to review the available literature on the use of this transfer in BPBI, to determine the incidence of short- and long-term deficits at the donor site.

METHODS

The relevant literature was identified from searches of Embase, Ovid Emcare and Ovid MEDLINE, for combinations of terms relating to CC7 nerve transfer and BPBI.

RESULTS

Seventy-five patients were included in this review, from the eight papers that were eligible for inclusion, from a total of 16 papers identified. Patient age ranged from three to 93 months and the shortest follow-up period was six months. Post-operative motor deficits at the donor site included reduced range of shoulder abduction; triceps weakness; and phrenic nerve palsy. All motor deficits recovered within six months. The only sensory deficit reported was reduced sensation in the median nerve distribution which, in all cases, resolved within four weeks. Finally, synchronous donor limb motion and sensation were reported in 46.6% of patients.

CONCLUSION

CC7 nerve transfer in BPBI appears to have few long-term donor limb complications. Sensory and motor deficits are reportedly transient. The impact of synchronous motion and sensation on upper limb function in this patient cohort is not yet known.

Observation of Single-Top-Quark Production in Association with a Photon Using the ATLAS Detector

This Letter reports the observation of single top quarks produced together with a photon, which directly probes the electroweak coupling of the top quark. The analysis uses 139  fb^{-1} of 13 TeV proton-proton collision data collected with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. Requiring a photon with transverse momentum larger than 20 GeV and within the detector acceptance, the fiducial cross section is measured to be 688±23(stat) _{-71}^{+75}(syst)  fb, to be compared with the standard model prediction of 515_{-42}^{+36}  fb at next-to-leading order in QCD.

RELEVANCE FOR DIAGNOSIS, THERAPY, AND STRATEGIES OF GUT MICROBES DYSBIOSIS IN CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Dysbiosis and weakened gastrointestinal barrier function have been identified as potential regulators of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). The complex connection among gut micro biota and CKD is provided in this study, with particular attention to how inflammation contributes to the CKD path physiology. It establishes the inverse association between CKD and gut microbial dysbiosis by exploring the collision of CKD about the organization and capabilities of the gut micro biota. The possibility of new diagnostic tools in measuring the dynamic changes within the gut microbial ecology illustrates the importance of accurately diagnosing gut micro biota abnormalities in CKD. Additionally, the study explores the targeted medicines that focus on gut micro biota in CKD. Using data from both human clinical trials and rat models, the study demonstrates the variety of therapeutic approaches and their ability to limit the rate of development of CKD and its accompanying problems. The study we performed was based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta Analyses (PRISMA) approach. The findings show the significance of investigating the relationship between gut micro biota and CKD, paving up the possibility for new therapeutic strategies to improve the patient outcomes and quality of life. The present understanding of CKD-induced modifications to the gut micro biota and the ensuing effects on gastrointestinal health, emphasizing studies, will be highlighted in this review.

Measurement of Suppression of Large-Radius Jets and Its Dependence on Substructure in Pb+Pb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02 TeV with the ATLAS Detector

This letter presents a measurement of the nuclear modification factor of large-radius jets in sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV Pb+Pb collisions by the ATLAS experiment. The measurement is performed using 1.72  nb^{-1} and 257  pb^{-1} of Pb+Pb and pp data, respectively. The large-radius jets are reconstructed with the anti-k_{t} algorithm using a radius parameter of R=1.0, by reclustering anti-k_{t} R=0.2 jets, and are measured over the transverse momentum (p_{T}) kinematic range of 158 Collapse

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Measurement of the Sensitivity of Two-Particle Correlations in pp Collisions to the Presence of Hard Scatterings

A key open question in the study of multiparticle production in high-energy pp collisions is the relationship between the "ridge"-i.e., the observed azimuthal correlations between particles in the underlying event that extend over all rapidities-and hard or semihard scattering processes. In particular, it is not known whether jets or their soft fragments are correlated with particles in the underlying event. To address this question, two-particle correlations are measured in pp collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV using data collected by the ATLAS experiment at the LHC, with an integrated luminosity of 15.8  pb^{-1}, in two different configurations. In the first case, charged particles associated with jets are excluded from the correlation analysis, while in the second case, correlations are measured between particles within jets and charged particles from the underlying event. Second-order flow coefficients, v_{2}, are presented as a function of event multiplicity and transverse momentum. These measurements show that excluding particles associated with jets does not affect the measured correlations. Moreover, particles associated with jets do not exhibit any significant azimuthal correlations with the underlying event, ruling out hard processes contributing to the ridge.

Observation of an Excess of Dicharmonium Events in the Four-Muon Final State with the ATLAS Detector

A search is made for potential ccc[over ¯]c[over ¯] tetraquarks decaying into a pair of charmonium states in the four muon final state using proton-proton collision data at sqrt[s]=13  TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 140  fb^{-1} recorded by the ATLAS experiment at LHC. Two decay channels, J/ψ+J/ψ→4μ and J/ψ+ψ(2S)→4μ, are studied. Backgrounds are estimated based on a hybrid approach involving Monte Carlo simulations and data-driven methods. Statistically significant excesses with respect to backgrounds dominated by the single parton scattering are seen in the di-J/ψ channel consistent with a narrow resonance at 6.9 GeV and a broader structure at lower mass. A statistically significant excess is also seen in the J/ψ+ψ(2S) channel. The fitted masses and decay widths of the structures are reported.

Observation of the γγ→ττ Process in Pb+Pb Collisions and Constraints on the τ-Lepton Anomalous Magnetic Moment with the ATLAS Detector

This Letter reports the observation of τ-lepton-pair production in ultraperipheral lead-lead collisions Pb+Pb→Pb(γγ→ττ)Pb and constraints on the τ-lepton anomalous magnetic moment a_{τ}. The dataset corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 1.44  nb^{-1} of LHC Pb+Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV recorded by the ATLAS experiment in 2018. Selected events contain one muon from a τ-lepton decay, an electron or charged-particle track(s) from the other τ-lepton decay, little additional central-detector activity, and no forward neutrons. The γγ→ττ process is observed in Pb+Pb collisions with a significance exceeding 5 standard deviations and a signal strength of μ_{ττ}=1.03_{-0.05}^{+0.06} assuming the standard model value for a_{τ}. To measure a_{τ}, a template fit to the muon transverse-momentum distribution from τ-lepton candidates is performed, using a dimuon (γγ→μμ) control sample to constrain systematic uncertainties. The observed 95% confidence-level interval for a_{τ} is -0.057 Collapse

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Spray pyrolysis-derived robust ferroelectric BiFeO3 thin films

Scalable and low-cost synthesis of high-quality ferroic films is critical for the development of advanced electronic devices and sensors. Here, we employ solution-based spray pyrolysis to fabricate bismuth ferrite thin films on glass substrates and explore the impact of annealing conditions to attain functional thin films of superior quality and switchable polarization. Optimised thin films display polycrystalline nanostructured grains with the highest X-ray diffraction intensity along the (110) orientation and a mixed Fe2+/3+ valence suggesting the presence of oxygen vacancies. The optimized films show a complex ferroelectric domain microstructure and exhibit robust nanoscale polarization switching in the range of several volts. Domains are found to scale with the sizes of nanocrystalline grains, which points to the role of surface-energy-related mechanisms affecting the domain patterns. Our results demonstrate the potential of spray pyrolysis for the fabrication of high-quality ferroelectric thin films and provide new opportunities for the development of low-cost scalable advanced electronic devices.

Strong Constraints on Jet Quenching in Centrality-Dependent p+Pb Collisions at 5.02 TeV from ATLAS

Jet quenching is the process of color-charged partons losing energy via interactions with quark-gluon plasma droplets created in heavy-ion collisions. The collective expansion of such droplets is well described by viscous hydrodynamics. Similar evidence of collectivity is consistently observed in smaller collision systems, including pp and p+Pb collisions. In contrast, while jet quenching is observed in Pb+Pb collisions, no evidence has been found in these small systems to date, raising fundamental questions about the nature of the system created in these collisions. The ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider has measured the yield of charged hadrons correlated with reconstructed jets in 0.36  nb^{-1} of p+Pb and 3.6  pb^{-1} of pp collisions at 5.02 TeV. The yields of charged hadrons with p_{T}^{ch}>0.5  GeV near and opposite in azimuth to jets with p_{T}^{jet}>30 or 60 GeV, and the ratios of these yields between p+Pb and pp collisions, I_{pPb}, are reported. The collision centrality of p+Pb events is categorized by the energy deposited by forward neutrons from the struck nucleus. The I_{pPb} values are consistent with unity within a few percent for hadrons with p_{T}^{ch}>4  GeV at all centralities. These data provide new, strong constraints that preclude almost any parton energy loss in central p+Pb collisions.

Test of CP Invariance in Higgs Boson Vector-Boson-Fusion Production Using the H→γγ Channel with the ATLAS Detector

A test of CP invariance in Higgs boson production via vector-boson fusion has been performed in the H→γγ channel using 139  fb^{-1} of proton-proton collision data at sqrt[s]=13  TeV collected by the ATLAS detector at the LHC. The optimal observable method is used to probe the CP structure of interactions between the Higgs boson and electroweak gauge bosons, as described by an effective field theory. No sign of CP violation is observed in the data. Constraints are set on the parameters describing the strength of the CP-odd component in the coupling between the Higgs boson and the electroweak gauge bosons in two effective field theory bases: d[over ˜] in the HISZ basis and c_{HW[over ˜]} in the Warsaw basis. The results presented are the most stringent constraints on CP violation in the coupling between Higgs and weak bosons. The 95% C.L. constraint on d[over ˜] is derived for the first time and the 95% C.L. constraint on c_{HW[over ˜]} has been improved by a factor of 5 compared to the previous measurement.

THE IMPACT OF SLEEP ON PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH: IMPORTANCE OF HEALTHY SLEEP HABITS

Sleep is an important part of health, and when you go to sleep, how long you sleep, and how well you sleep all have a big impact on your health. Sleep may be required for regulating the body's metabolism, feelings, function, memory storage, brain recovery, and learning. Because of how important these processes are, sleep should be seen as just as important to health as what you eat and how much you exercise. Adults' sleep generally gets shorter and less restful, their sleep starts later and is more broken up, they have more sleep problems, and their rest-activity rhythms get weaker. In addition to receiving enough sleep (quality), healthy sleep habits also include maintaining a consistent sleep schedule. Ninety male college students with varying sleep schedules were analyzed for their physical and emotional well-being. By using factor analysis to categorize individuals' sleeping patterns across three dimensions regularity, quality, and quantity. We were able to develop sleep-habit measures. Clustering identified four distinct patterns of sleep behavior: good sleep was defined by regular, high-quality sleep despite being of comparatively brief duration; long sleep was predictable, fairly lengthy, but of minimal quality; short sleep was of excellent quality despite being short and irregular; and poor sleep was erratic, low-quality, and relatively long. The excellent sleepers also had reduced diastolic and systolic and a smaller means waist measurement. In addition, the poor sleepers had the lowest average MCS scores of all of the study groups. Poor sleepers also had the lowest mean scores on the Subjective Depression Scale (SDS). Issues involving glucose or lipid absorption were also more common in the short-term and long poor-sleep categories. Without restful sleep and a regular bedtime routine, it is impossible to maintain excellent mental and physical wellness, even if time and sleep are maintained constantly. Therefore, to produce suitable sleep recommendations for enhanced mental and physical health, we evaluated not only the quantity of sleep but also its consistency and high quality.

Observation of Fast Current Redistribution in an Imploding Plasma Column

Spectroscopic measurements of the magnetic field evolution in a Z-pinch throughout stagnation and with particularly high spatial resolution reveal a sudden current redistribution from the stagnating plasma (SP) to a low-density plasma (LDP) at larger radii, while the SP continues to implode. Based on the plasma parameters it is shown that the current is transferred to an increasing-conductance LDP outside the stagnation, a process likely to be induced by the large impedance of the SP. Since an LDP often exists around imploding plasmas and in various pulsed-power systems, such a fast current redistribution may dramatically affect the behavior and achievable parameters in these systems.

Demographics and host-kill parameters of Diglyphus horticola Khan against Chromatomyia horticola (Goureau)

The pea leafminer, Chromatomyia horticola (Goureau) (Diptera: Agromyzidae) is a polyphagous and serious pest of peas. In India, this pest is attacked by many parasitoids and among them Diglyphus horticola Khan (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) is an important one, however, demographics and pest-kill potential of this parasitoid has not been studied so far. This study presents the first report on its demographics and pest-kill potential on C. horticola. The parasitoid showed three modes of host-killing behaviour viz. host-feeding, parasitism and host-stinging. The parasitoid females killed more number of hosts by parasitism than host-feeding or host-stinging. The pre-adult survival, net reproductive rate, intrinsic rate of increase (r_m) and finite rate of increase (λ) were higher on the 5-days old host larvae than those reared on the 3-days old larvae. Demographics and pest-kill parameters of D. horticola were also better on 5-days old host larvae than on 3-days old host larvae. Based on the study, D. horticola appeared to be a promising biocontrol agent for the suppression of C. horticola in peas and could be promoted through conservation biological control. Further studies are required to standardize the mass production protocol and release rates to use the parasitoid by augmentation.

Study on Effectiveness of Intervention of a Vertical Flow Constructed Wetland in between Septic Tank and Soak Pit for the Treatment of Septic Tank Effluent

Septage comprises the solid and liquid constituents of any primary treatment system, including a Septic Tank. In this study, the wastewater collected from a septic tank is passed through a partially converted anaerobic filter, and a vertical flow constructed wetland (VFCW) before being sent to a soak pit. The main objective of this case study was to check the effectiveness of incorporating a VFCW between a septic tank and a soak pit to bring down the consequences created due to effluent seepage from soak pits to the groundwater. Conventionally, the effluent gets directly passed to soak pits after primary onsite treatment in the septic tank. The soak pit walls made of porous materials allow the gradual seepage of final effluent into the ground, polluting the groundwater reserves. We analyzed the septic tank effluent from 60 households wherein the effluent was let off into the soak pits. The various parameters analyzed with their averages were 393.83 ± 293.41 mg.L-1 for COD, 151.48 ± 94.37 mg.L-1 for BOD, 30.81 ± 13.05 mg.L-1 for NO3-, 23.35 ± 13.54 mg.L-1 for PO43-, 7.35 ± 0.31 for pH, 184.05 ± 163.20 mg.L-1 for TSS, 3.05 x 107± 2.04 x 108 CFU.100mL-1 for TC. Therefore, it is certain that the final effluent being sent into soak pits after primary treatment does not meet the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) discharge standards. In this case study, we were able to obtain final effluent values after VFCW treatment as 55.72 mg.L-1 for COD, 12.12 mg.L-1 for BOD, 10.2 mg.L-1 for NO3-, 3.74 mg.L-1 for PO43-, 7.41 for pH, 8.37 mg.L-1 for TSS, 379.27 mg.L-1 for TS and 51.9 CFU.100mL-1 for TC. With this case study, we were able to resolve this impediment by bringing down the values of all the parameters considered while analyzing under the limits of discharge standards set by CPCB. The removal efficiency of COD, BOD, NO3-, PO43-, pH, TSS, and TC after wetland was found to be 89.46%, 88.051, 63.484, 44.37%, 3.41%, 98.47%, 97.71%, 97.19% respectively. The study has proven that with the introduction of another decentralized treatment system between a septic tank and soak pit, it is safe to dispose of the effluent into soak pits, thereby reducing the chances of groundwater pollution considerably.

A comparison of methods to suppress electrocardiographic artifacts in local field potential recordings

OBJECTIVE

Local field potential (LFP) recordings from deep brain stimulation (DBS) electrodes are often contaminated with electrocardiographic (ECG) artifacts that hinder the detection of disease-specific electrical brain activity.

METHODS

Three ECG suppression methods were evaluated: (1) QRS interpolation of the Perceive toolbox, (2) template subtraction, and (3) singular value decomposition (SVD). LFPs were recorded with the Medtronic Percept^TM PC system in nine Parkinson's disease patients with stimulation OFF ("OFF-DBS"; anode disconnected) and ON at 0 mA ("ON-DBS 0 mA"; anode connected). Findings were verified with simulated ECG-contaminated time series.

RESULTS

ECG artifacts were present in 10 out of 18 ON-DBS 0 mA recordings. All ECG suppression methods drastically reduced artifact-induced beta band (13-35 Hz) power and at least partly recovered the beta peak and beta burst dynamics. Using external ECG recordings and lengthening artifact epoch length improved the performance of the suppression methods. Increasing epoch length, however, elevated the risk of flattening the beta peak and losing beta burst dynamics.

CONCLUSIONS

The SVD method formed the preferred trade-off between artifact cleaning and signal loss, as long as its parameter settings are adequately chosen.

SIGNIFICANCE

ECG suppression methods enable analysis of disease-specific neural activity from signals affected by ECG artifacts.

Frequency of Low Cardiac Output Syndrome Following on Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery and it's Association with Degree of Pre-operative Left Ventricular Dysfunction

Background Low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS) is a serious complication after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. It is associated with 10 times to 17 times increase in mortality and markedly increase morbidity. Objective To find out the frequency of Low cardiac output syndrome following on pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery, to determine the association of Low cardiac output syndrome with degree of pre-operative left ventricular dysfunction and to compare in hospital outcomes of coronary bypass surgery with and without low cardiac output syndrome. Method This prospective, descriptive study enrolled 200 patients who underwent on pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery using antegrade St Thomas blood cardioplegia. Pre-operatively grouped into two groups consisting Group A of 100 patients with pre-operative left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥ 40% and group B of 100 patients with pre-operative left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 40%. Post-operatively frequency of low cardiac output syndrome was compared between the groups and in-hospital outcomes were studied. Result The mean age of the patients in the study was 53.50±7.57 years. Male to female ratio was 1.8:1. Results showed overall frequency of low cardiac output syndrome was 21.5%. The frequency of LCOS was 15 vs 28% (p - 0.038) in patients with preoperative LV EF ≥ 40% and < 40% respectively. The outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting surgery were stroke (3.82 vs. 30.23%, p - 0.001), acute kidney injury (5.09 vs. 23.25%, p - 0.001), respiratory failure (6.36 vs. 34.88%, p - 0.001), ICU stay days (4.75 ± 1.28 vs. 7.44 ± 4.66, p - 0.018), hospital stay days (9.56 ± 2.40 vs. 15.22 ± 3.89, p - 0.001) and mortality (4.45 vs. 32.55%, p - 0.001) in patients without and with low cardiac output syndrome respectively. Conclusion The frequency of low cardiac output syndrome following coronary artery bypass surgery is 21.5%. Left ventricular dysfunction pre-operatively is associated with high frequency of low cardiac output syndrome following surgery. There is significantly poor outcome of coronary artery bypass surgery with low cardiac output syndrome in terms of stroke, respiratory failure, acute kidney injury, mortality and significant ICU stay, hospital stay in compare to patients without low cardiac output syndrome.

Vascular remodeling in sheep implanted with endovascular neural interface

Objective.The aim of this work was to assess vascular remodeling after the placement of an endovascular neural interface (ENI) in the superior sagittal sinus (SSS) of sheep. We also assessed the efficacy of neural recording using an ENI.Approach.The study used histological analysis to assess the composition of the foreign body response. Micro-CT images were analyzed to assess the profiles of the foreign body response and create a model of a blood vessel. Computational fluid dynamic modeling was performed on a reconstructed blood vessel to evaluate the blood flow within the vessel. Recording of brain activity in sheep was used to evaluate efficacy of neural recordings.Main results.Histological analysis showed accumulated extracellular matrix material in and around the implanted ENI. The extracellular matrix contained numerous macrophages, foreign body giant cells, and new vascular channels lined by endothelium. Image analysis of CT slices demonstrated an uneven narrowing of the SSS lumen proportional to the stent material within the blood vessel. However, the foreign body response did not occlude blood flow. The ENI was able to record epileptiform spiking activity with distinct spike morphologies.Significance. This is the first study to show high-resolution tissue profiles, the histological response to an implanted ENI and blood flow dynamic modeling based on blood vessels implanted with an ENI. The results from this study can be used to guide surgical planning and future ENI designs; stent oversizing parameters to blood vessel diameter should be considered to minimize detrimental vascular remodeling.

Overall survival in the OlympiA phase III trial of adjuvant olaparib in patients with germline pathogenic variants in BRCA1/2 and high risk, early breast cancer

BACKGROUND

The randomized, double-blind OlympiA trial compared 1 year of the oral poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase inhibitor, olaparib, to matching placebo as adjuvant therapy for patients with pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in germline BRCA1 or BRCA2 (gBRCA1/2pv) and high-risk, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative, early breast cancer (EBC). The first pre-specified interim analysis (IA) previously demonstrated statistically significant improvement in invasive disease-free survival (IDFS) and distant disease-free survival (DDFS). The olaparib group had fewer deaths than the placebo group, but the difference did not reach statistical significance for overall survival (OS). We now report the pre-specified second IA of OS with updates of IDFS, DDFS, and safety.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

One thousand eight hundred and thirty-six patients were randomly assigned to olaparib or placebo following (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy if indicated. Endocrine therapy was given concurrently with study medication for hormone receptor-positive cancers. Statistical significance for OS at this IA required P < 0.015.

RESULTS

With a median follow-up of 3.5 years, the second IA of OS demonstrated significant improvement in the olaparib group relative to the placebo group [hazard ratio 0.68; 98.5% confidence interval (CI) 0.47-0.97; P = 0.009]. Four-year OS was 89.8% in the olaparib group and 86.4% in the placebo group (Δ 3.4%, 95% CI -0.1% to 6.8%). Four-year IDFS for the olaparib group versus placebo group was 82.7% versus 75.4% (Δ 7.3%, 95% CI 3.0% to 11.5%) and 4-year DDFS was 86.5% versus 79.1% (Δ 7.4%, 95% CI 3.6% to 11.3%), respectively. Subset analyses for OS, IDFS, and DDFS demonstrated benefit across major subgroups. No new safety signals were identified including no new cases of acute myeloid leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome.

CONCLUSION

With 3.5 years of median follow-up, OlympiA demonstrates statistically significant improvement in OS with adjuvant olaparib compared with placebo for gBRCA1/2pv-associated EBC and maintained improvements in the previously reported, statistically significant endpoints of IDFS and DDFS with no new safety signals.

Concordance of three point of care testing devices with clinical chemistry laboratory standard assays and patient-reported outcomes of blood sampling methods

Background

Point of care testing (POCT) devices have been developed to facilitate immediate results with the potential to aid screening for new disease and enable patients to self-monitor their disease. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the major cause of mortality globally and are increasing in prevalence as the population ages. Allied health care professionals (AHPs) are skilled in undertaking risk assessment and delivering preventative advice, providing opportunities to access large proportions of the population who may not visit their doctor, within non-traditional community settings. There is evidence of high levels of support from public, patients and health professionals for engaging AHPs in risk-targeted early case detection of certain NCDs. Thus, POCT devices offer a potential alternative to traditional venous blood collection, as novel care pathways for increasing early case detection and access to preventative care. The objectives of this study were to: (i) determine the concordance of the specific POCT devices with laboratory-based standard assays employed within clinical biochemistry laboratories. (ii) compare the sampling experience of both methods via patient-reported experiences.

Methods

A prospective, two-centre study was undertaken involving 158 participants who provided informed consent. Venous blood was collected for traditional assays of HbA1c, creatinine/ estimated Glomerular-Filtration-Rate (eGFR) and vitamin-D. Capillary blood was collected by finger prick test and also assayed for the same biochemical indices (Nova StatSensor (creatinine/eGFR); Siemens DCA-Vantage (HbA1C); CityAssays (vitamin-D)). All users were provided with device training. Participants reported any discomfort experienced by each simultaneously applied method (randomised in order) via a 100 mm Visual-Analogue-Scale.

Results

Results for each POCT device and the laboratory standard were analysed by Bland-Altman plots to determine assay concordance. POCT devices demonstrated good concordance with laboratory testing, with at least 95% of all samples being within two standard deviations, for each of the devices tested. The majority of participants reported less discomfort with POCT than venepuncture, with the average reported discomfort being 17/100 mm less for POCT compared to venous blood sample collection on the visual analogue scale.

Conclusions

The POCT devices demonstrated acceptable concordance with laboratory-based assays, and patients reported lower levels of discomfort compared to traditional means of blood collection. This study demonstrates the potential of using these devices as acceptable methods for opportunistic testing of “at-risk” individuals within non-traditional community care settings.

CASE REPORT ON RARE OUTCOME OF A RETROPERITONEAL MASS: MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES AND LESSONS LEARNT

Background. Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) are non-epithelial mesenchymal solid neoplasm with varied presentation. The study reports the case of a retroperitoneal GIST in a 21‑year‑old male presented with an abdominal lump for six months. The lesion was initially thought to be a retroperitoneal sarcoma. Exploratory laparotomy revealed an abdominopelvic mass covering the entire right side of abdomen and pelvis. The tumour was adherent to the terminal ileum and ascending colon. There were dense adhesions between the retroperitoneum with involvement of the middle third of the right ureter. The tumour was resected with right hemicolectomy with ileotransverse anastomosis. Post-operative histopathology revealed it as high-grade spindle cell type GIST. The patient is presently on post-operative chemotherapy with Imatinib mesylate. Objective. Atypical presentations of GIST are seldom discussed but frequently encountered in clinical practice. This article depicts different challenges the surgeon has to face while diagnosing such atypical entity. Methods. Case report of atypical GIST presenting as retroperitoneal lump. Results. The patient underwent surgical resection and is presently on post-operative chemotherapy with good overall outcome for a one year follow up. Conclusions. GISTs presenting as retroperitoneal lumps are very rare, they should be considered in their differential diagnosis of an atypical retroperitoneal mass.

Handling and Protecting Medical Organizations and Patients’ Data in the Age of Technology

This paper aims to examine the effectiveness of the data protection strategies carried out by managers across various organizations, including medical, and determine their awareness about data protection laws. It examines the role of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or Personal Data Protection Bill, 2018 in India, determining the measures taken by HR Manager in handling the processes of employees’ data and the organization’s strategy. The study utilizes a qualitative approach of data collection, wherein HR managers conducted interviews from various organizations. Transcripts were further analyzed using text analysis to determine the effectiveness of data protection in the organization and how GDPR is helping in this process. The HR Managers will collectively identify the ways and means of data privacy and security that manage organizations’ data and strengthen their security measures. This study is expected to determine securities adopted by organizations. It would suggest more stringent measures to the HR Managers for data security in the future.