Category: Nevin Manimala

J Phys Chem Lett. 2024 Jul 22:7635-7644. doi: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.4c01664. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The complex ionic-electronic conduction in mixed halide perovskites enables their use beyond von Neumann architectures implemented in resistive switching memory devices. Although device fabrication based on perovskite compounds involves solution-processing at low temperatures, reducing further fabrication costs by eliminating expensive materials can improve their compatibility with upscalable deposition techniques. Notably, the substrate on which the perovskite active layer is developed has been reported to severely affect its quality and thus the overall device performance. Hereby, we demonstrate the sustainable manufacturing of memristive perovskite solar cells by replacing the expensive poly[bis(4-phenyl)(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)amine] (PTAA) that serves as a hole transporting layer (HTL) with a self-assembled monolayer (SAM), namely [2-(3,6-dimethoxy-9H-carbazol-9-yl)ethyl]phosphonic acid (MeO-2PACz). Multiple sequential memristive current-voltage characteristics of single devices are reported, and average data of multiple reference and targeted devices are compared. Resistive switching memory devices based on SAM exhibit improved performance having reduced average SET voltage values and narrower statistical variation compared to reference devices with PTAA. It is shown that both PTAA and SAM based devices exhibit high ON/OFF ratio of about 10³ operating at low switching electric fields. Replacing an expensive polymer-based HTL with this approach reduces fabrication costs compared to PTAA.

PMID:39037751 | DOI:10.1021/acs.jpclett.4c01664

Int J Surg. 2024 Jul 22. doi: 10.1097/JS9.0000000000001952. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim is to assess and contrast the effectiveness and safety of employing robotic surgery versus traditional open surgery in managing cases of hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

METHODS: Computer searches were conducted in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang Database to identify case-control studies comparing robotic surgery with traditional open surgery in the treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma from inception until July 2023. References from retrieved articles were reviewed to broaden the search. This review was prospectively registered in the PROSPERO database (PROSPERO ID: CRD42024527511) and reported in line with PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) and AMSTAR (Assessing the methodological quality of systematic reviews) Guidelines.The primary outcome measures included operation time, intraoperative blood transfusion rate, R0 resection rate, lymph node metastasis rate, incidence of postoperative complications, and postoperative hospital stay. Data analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 software, calculating combined odds ratios (OR), mean differences (MD), and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).

RESULTS: A total of 4 studies encompassing 267 patients diagnosed with hilar cholangiocarcinoma (177 males and 90 females, mean age of (58.8±5.7) years) were included in this analysis. Among these, 165 patients underwent open surgery, while 102 patients underwent robotic surgery. The results of the meta-analysis demonstrated comparable outcomes between the two groups. Specifically, the operation time between the robotic surgery and open surgery cohorts did not significantly differ (MD=-103.96, 95% CI: -216.90 to 8.98, P=0.070). Additionally, the intraoperative blood transfusion rate (OR=1.32, 95% CI: 0.43 to 4.07, P=0.630), R0 resection rate (OR=1.41, 95% CI: 0.71 to 2.81, P=0.330), and lymph node metastasis rate (OR=1.62, 95% CI: 0.46 to 5.63, P=0.450) showed no significant differences between the groups. Similarly, there were no statistically significant disparities observed in the incidence of postoperative complications (OR=0.60, 95% CI: 0.28 to 1.31, P=0.200) and postoperative hospital stay (MD=2.17, 95% CI: -11.56 to 15.90, P=0.760).

CONCLUSION: In the treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma, robotic surgery demonstrates comparable safety and feasibility to traditional open surgery. However, due to the limited quantity and quality of the included studies, these conclusions warrant validation through additional high-quality investigations.

PMID:39037741 | DOI:10.1097/JS9.0000000000001952

Int J Surg. 2024 Jul 22. doi: 10.1097/JS9.0000000000001981. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The management and outcomes of patients with thymoma associated with myasthenia gravis (TAMG) are heterogeneous. Here, we propose a novel classification system based on Masaoka stage and Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) classification, aiming to guide surgical decisions and perioperative management for these patients. Considering both oncological and neurological factors, this novel TAMG classification provides valuable information on outcome stratification and clinical decision-making for TAMG.

PMID:39037728 | DOI:10.1097/JS9.0000000000001981

J Imaging Inform Med. 2024 Jul 22. doi: 10.1007/s10278-024-01195-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Adenomatous polyps, a common premalignant lesion, are often classified into villous adenoma (VA) and tubular adenoma (TA). VA has a higher risk of malignancy, whereas TA typically grows slowly and has a lower likelihood of cancerous transformation. Accurate classification is essential for tailored treatment. In this study, we develop a deep learning-based approach for the localization and classification of adenomatous polyps using endoscopic images. Specifically, a pre-trained EGE-UNet is first adopted to extract regions of interest from original images. Multi-level feature maps are then extracted by the feature extraction pipeline (FEP). The deep-level features are fed into the Pyramid Pooling Module (PPM) to capture global contextual information, and the squeeze body edge (SBE) module is then used to decouple the body and edge parts of features, enabling separate analysis of their distinct characteristics. The Group Aggregation Bridge (GAB) and Boundary Enhancement Module (BEM) are then applied to enhance the body features and edge features, respectively, emphasizing their structural and morphological characteristics. By combining the features of the body and edge parts, the final output can be obtained. Experiments show the proposed method achieved promising results on two private datasets. For adenoma vs. non-adenoma classification, It achieved a mIoU of 91.41%, mPA of 96.33%, mHD of 11.63, and mASD of 2.33. For adenoma subclassification (non-adenomas vs. villous adenomas vs. tubular adenomas), it achieved a mIoU of 91.21%, mPA of 94.83%, mHD of 13.75, and mASD of 2.56. These results demonstrate the potential of our approach for precise adenomatous polyp classification.

PMID:39037669 | DOI:10.1007/s10278-024-01195-7

Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback. 2024 Jul 22. doi: 10.1007/s10484-024-09653-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

To investigate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture combined with biofeedback electrical stimulation on female stress urinary incontinence. Ninety patients diagnosed in a hospital between January 2020 and January 2021 were randomly divided into three groups (A, B and C). Group A was treated with biofeedback electrical stimulation, 3 times a week for 30 min for 15 times. Group B used acupuncture treatment, including Guanyuan, Qihai, Zhongji, Zusanli, Sanyinjiao and Yinlingquan, once a day, Monday-Friday, 30 min each, for a total of 10 times. Group C was treated with acupuncture combined with biofeedback electrical stimulation. All three groups were combined with pelvic floor muscle training. Following treatment, the changes in class I and II muscle fibre strength, ICI-Q-SF score and urine leakage in the 1-hour pad test were compared. Prior to treatment, there was no significant difference in the general data of the three patient groups, as well as class I and II muscle fibre strength, ICI-Q-SF score and 1-hour urinary pad test (P > 0.05). Following treatment, class I and II muscle fibre strength in groups A and C improved compared with before, with statistical significance (P < 0.05); there was no significant difference in group B (P > 0.05). In the three groups, ICI-Q-SF scores and 1-hour urinary pad test results were lower compared with before (P < 0.05), with those in group C better than those in groups A and B (P < 0.05). The treatment efficiency of the three patient groups was 86.7%, 83.3% and 96.7%, respectively. Combined acupuncture and biofeedback electrical stimulation can improve pelvic floor muscle strength, urine leakage and quality of life, and can be superior to biofeedback and acupuncture treatment alone.

PMID:39037667 | DOI:10.1007/s10484-024-09653-2

Methods Mol Biol. 2024;2811:1-26. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3882-8_1.

ABSTRACT

This chapter summarizes clinical evidence on tumor dormancy, with a special focus on our research supporting the role of dormancy both in local and distant recurrence of breast cancer following mastectomy. Starting from these premises, we propose a model of neoplastic development that allows us to elucidate several relevant clinical phenomena, including the mammographic paradox, the significance of ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence after conservative surgery, and the effect of surgeries performed after the removal of the primary. We will discuss the biological implications of the dormancy-based model, which are at odds with Somatic Mutation Theory. We will then review new models, alternatives to the Somatic Mutation Theory, for cancer development, with special emphasis on the Dynamic System Theory and the originality of its conceptual approach. Finally, we will put particular emphasis on the view of cancer development as a tissue-level process. We believe that this will help harmonize the molecular biology research with the new conceptual approach and bridge the knowledge gap on dormancy between bench and bedside.

PMID:39037646 | DOI:10.1007/978-1-0716-3882-8_1

Virchows Arch. 2024 Jul 22. doi: 10.1007/s00428-024-03876-8. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Frequent discussions in the tumour board about the Residual tumour (R) Classification of the UICC’s “TNM Classification of Malignant Tumours”, especially in the case of breast surgery specimens, raised the question about differing interpretations amongst different medical specialties. Thus, we designed a survey about the R Classification with a special focus on breast cancer specimens. An online survey was conducted, where a web link to the survey was distributed via email to various medical professional societies dealing with breast cancer in Austria and Germany with the request to distribute the link to their members. The study population consisted of physicians of all educational levels of different medical professions, who deal with breast carcinomas in their daily routine. Two hundred two participants, of which 160 (79.2%) have more than 10 years’ professional experience, took part in the survey; 88 (43.6%) were surgeons/gynaecologists, 80 (39.6%) pathologists, 19 (9.4%) radiation oncologists/ therapists, 8 (4.0%) radiologists, and 7 (3.5%) oncologists. We show that the R Classification is not completely mastered by anyone and that there are significant differences in the interpretation of the R Classification between different medical specialties. For better differentiation between the residual tumour (R Classification) of the TNM and a pure resection margin assessment, we suggest the use of a Resection margin (Rm) Classification to avoid further misunderstandings. To assist better multidisciplinary cooperation and to ensure better patient care all medical disciplines should be educated about the actual meaning and correct application of the R Classification.

PMID:39037644 | DOI:10.1007/s00428-024-03876-8

Wien Med Wochenschr. 2024 Jul 22. doi: 10.1007/s10354-024-01049-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

RN Braun observed that frequencies of health disorders in general practice are so consistent that he called his discovery “Case Distribution Law”. Our study compares morbidity data from methodologically similar surveys in primary care practices over a period of fifty years. Frequency ranks were determined for each observation period and the first 150 ranks were compared with Spearman’s correlation coefficients. All correlations were consistently positive. Frequency ranks were strikingly similar for surveys carried out at approximately the same time, especially when nomenclatural matching had been carried out before data collection. Ranks were also very similar where clear disease classifications were possible, but less so for non-specific symptoms.The consistency of the distribution of health disorders helps develop diagnostic strategies (diagnostic protocols) and appropriate labeling for non-specific, diagnostically open symptom classifications. According to Braun’s considerations, the regularity of case distribution plays an important role in the professionalization of primary care.

PMID:39037633 | DOI:10.1007/s10354-024-01049-5

Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 2024 Jul 22:10499091241265404. doi: 10.1177/10499091241265404. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Sleep difficulty in caregivers is associated with poor physical and psychological outcomes. The purpose of this study was to describe family caregivers’ perception of sleep difficulty through the hospice trajectory after a cancer diagnosis as predicted by age, sex, self-report of anxiety or depression, and cohabitation.

METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis of longitudinal data using multilevel modeling with nested model comparisons. Beginning with an unconditional growth model, predictors were added to nested models to test differential impact.

RESULTS: Caregivers (n = 164) were predominately white (n = 160; 97%) and female (n = 113, 69%). We hypothesized that age, sex, history of anxiety or depression, and cohabitation would predict sleep difficulty. The cohabitation predictor model was a statistically significant model for caregiver perception of sleep difficulty that worsened throughout hospice caregiving (b = .184, $\chi$² = 7.199, P = 0.027) but age, sex, and history of depression or anxiety did not improve model fit.

CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that family caregivers who cohabitate exhibit increased perception of sleep difficulty over the course of hospice. Future studies and interventions for hospice family caregivers’ sleep should consider cohabitation between the patient and the caregiver as a significant predictor of sleep difficulty to observe and potentially mediate the negative outcomes associated with caregiver sleep difficulty. Further, determining the underlying reasons for sleep difficulty in cohabitation (e.g., patient symptoms or treatments) should be explored.

PMID:39037620 | DOI:10.1177/10499091241265404

HIV Res Clin Pract. 2024 Dec;25(1):2378585. doi: 10.1080/25787489.2024.2378585. Epub 2024 Jul 22.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Person-centered care (PCC) is considered a fundamental approach to address clients’ needs. There is a dearth of data on specific actions that HIV treatment providers identify as priorities to strengthen PCC.

OBJECTIVE: This study team developed the Person-Centered Care Assessment Tool (PCC-AT), which measures PCC service delivery within HIV treatment settings. The PCC-AT, including subsequent group action planning, was implemented across 29 facilities in Zambia among 173 HIV treatment providers. Mixed-methods study objectives included: (1) identify types of PCC-strengthening activities prioritized based upon low and high PCC-AT scores; (2) identify common themes in PCC implementation challenges and action plan activities by low and high PCC-AT score; and (3) determine differences in priority actions by facility ART clinic volume or geographic type.

METHODS: The study team conducted thematic analysis of action plan data and cross-tabulation queries to observe patterns across themes, PCC-AT scores, and key study variables.

RESULTS: The qualitative analysis identified 39 themes across 29 action plans. A higher proportion of rural compared to urban facilities identified actions related to stigma and clients’ rights training; accessibility of educational materials and gender-based violence training. A higher proportion of urban and peri-urban compared to rural facilities identified actions related to community-led monitoring.

DISCUSSION: Findings provide a basis to understand common PCC weaknesses and activities providers perceive as opportunities to strengthen experiences in care.

CONCLUSION: To effectively support clients across the care continuum, systematic assessment of PCC services, action planning, continuous quality improvement interventions and re-measurements may be an important approach.

PMID:39037612 | DOI:10.1080/25787489.2024.2378585