Tag: nevin manimala

Environ Geochem Health. 2021 Jun 19. doi: 10.1007/s10653-021-00995-y. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study discusses an estimate of the risk associated with the intake of soil contaminated by lead, based on the nature of the source, through a detailed study of the parameters that can influence the bioaccessibility of the element from soil intake. Statistical variables that are related to the solubility and bioavailability of lead are used for this purpose. This includes considering the values of pH, electrical conductivity, particle size, mineralogical composition and the bioaccessibility/bioasimilability of lead. Obtaining an algorithm, represented by different probability distributions of the parameters considered, needs a thorough knowledge of the source materials, which may allow estimating/evaluating the intake health risk provided by the concentration of the metal present. The selected materials are from sites affected by mining activities in the Region of Murcia (SE of Spain) and soils in nearby areas, using a total of 186 samples. Soil samples, once screened and homogenized, were parameterized by determining pH, electrical conductivity, granulometry, both total and water-extractable Pb content. Oral bioaccessibility tests were also performed, and a detailed mineralogical analysis by X-ray diffraction was carried out.

PMID:34146209 | DOI:10.1007/s10653-021-00995-y

Int J Comput Assist Radiol Surg. 2021 Jun 19. doi: 10.1007/s11548-021-02423-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Rhinoplasty is one of the most common and challenging plastic surgery procedures. Facial analysis is a crucial step in planning. Utilizing three-dimensional (3D) model of a patient’s face is an emerging way of performing facial analysis. This paper evaluates the agreement and reliability of facial measurements taken using a web app, located at digitized-rhinoplasty.com, that utilizes 3D models of the patient’s face.

METHODS: Eleven measurements were calculated on 16 human subjects. Three methods of measurements were performed: direct measurements on human subjects’ faces, measurements on 2D photographs, and measurements on 3D models of face scans. The Bland-Altman plot is used for testing the agreement between the web app and the well-known Blender 3D modeling software. Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability was calculated and compared for 2D and 3D methods using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) method. The statistical analysis methods were checked for the normality and homoscedasticity assumptions.

RESULTS: The results indicate that the web app and Blender software show agreement within 95% confidence limits. The web app performs well in intra-rater and inter-rater reliability statistical analysis. The web app’s reliability scores are consistently better than facial analysis software which was found highly reliable in a previous study. We also compare the methods of measurements in terms of time, ease of use, and cost.

CONCLUSION: The utilization of 3D computer modeling for facial analysis has its advantages and started to become more common due to recent advances in technology. The web app utilizes 3D face scans for pre-operative planning and post-operative evaluation of facial surgeries. The web app performs well in agreement and inter-/intra-reliability analysis and performs consistently better than software that works utilizing 2D photographs. The web app provides accurate, repeatable, affordable, and fast facial measurements for facial analysis when compared to direct and 2D methods.

PMID:34146225 | DOI:10.1007/s11548-021-02423-z

J Robot Surg. 2021 Jun 19. doi: 10.1007/s11701-021-01254-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty (RA-TKA) has potential benefits of improved restoration of mechanical alignment, accuracy of bony resection, and balancing. The purpose of this study was to determine the number of cases necessary for a single surgeon to achieve a constant, steady-state surgical time. The secondary purpose was to identify which steps demonstrated the most time reduced. This was a prospective study assessing intraoperative time for 60 RA-TKA with the Navio surgical system. Overall arthroplasty time and duration for each step were recorded. Statistical analysis included a nonlinear regression and survival regression. Successful implementation required 29 cases to achieve a steady-state. The average time decreased from 41.8 min for the first cohort to 31.1 min for the last cohort, a 26% decrease. The step with the greatest reduction was the “Review of Intraoperative Plan” with a reduction of 2.1 min. This study demonstrates surgical times averaging below 60 min and a learning curve that is complete in 29 cases with the surgeon reporting a high level of confidence with the system at 10 cases. Though Navio assisted TKA showed a significantly slower operative time, we are hopeful that future generations of robotic technology will be more efficiently implemented by surgeons.

PMID:34146231 | DOI:10.1007/s11701-021-01254-z

Ann Surg Oncol. 2021 Jun 19. doi: 10.1245/s10434-021-10294-6. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:34146188 | DOI:10.1245/s10434-021-10294-6

Lasers Med Sci. 2021 Jun 19. doi: 10.1007/s10103-021-03362-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The periocular region is challenging for cosmetic laser surgeons. Surgery and laser resurfacing have traditionally been used to correct periorbital lines and wrinkles. Although effective, the associated downtime with these methods has made many people reluctant to decide for such treatments. More recently, the non-ablative long-pulse 2940 nm Er:YAG laser is being used to improve the structure and function and hence the appearance of skin in the periorbital region. The objective of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of long-pulse 2940 nm Er:YAG laser for non-ablative treatment of periorbital static wrinkles and skin laxity. This is a prospective analysis of 30 patients treated for periorbital rejuvenation using three sessions of non-ablative long-pulse Er:YAG laser over a 3-month period. All patients were assessed according to Fitzpatrick’s classification of periorbital wrinkles to class I, II, or III and were treated with 2940 nm Er:YAG laser using a fluence of 3.75 J/cm², a repetition rate of 1.7-2 Hz, and with the SMOOTH™ pulse mode (250 ms). The treatment sessions were performed on each patient, 4 weeks apart. Patient improvement was assessed before each laser session as well as at 12 months after the final treatment. Blind photographic evaluations were performed by three independent physicians using unlabeled before and after photos arranged in non-chronological order. Reviewers were asked to determine the before and after photos. Patients were asked to answer a questionnaire measuring satisfaction 4 weeks after each session, and to report any adverse reactions. There was statistically and clinically significant improvement in the Fitzpatrick classification of the periorbital wrinkles. Blinded evaluators correctly identified the before and after photos in all cases. All patients reported mild edema and erythema, which persisted for 1 to 2 days, and superficial peeling of the skin for 4 to 6 days after each laser treatment. No long-term adverse effects were reported. The non-ablative long-pulse 2940 nm Er:YAG laser seems to be a safe and effective treatment for periocular rejuvenation with minimal and tolerable adverse reaction. The improvement attained from the laser sessions was persisting after 1 year denoting the long-term efficacy of the procedure.

PMID:34146192 | DOI:10.1007/s10103-021-03362-6

Skeletal Radiol. 2021 Jun 19. doi: 10.1007/s00256-021-03813-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The popliteofibular ligament (PFL) is an important stabilizer of the knee found within the posterolateral corner (PLC) of the joint. Injuries to the PLC can cause substantial patient morbidity. Accurate PFL visualization has been historically challenging, impeding injury diagnosis and treatment. The gold standard for in vivo PFL visualization is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), but this procedure has slice thickness limitations, is costly, and is subject to longer wait times. Ultrasonographic (US) PFL assessment is a potentially viable alternative to MRI. This study aimed to determine the viability of US PFL assessment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten fresh-frozen lower limb specimens were evaluated for the presence and morphometric characteristics of the PFL via US using an 18.0-MHz linear transducer. The cadavers were then dissected and reassessed for the presence and morphometric characteristics of the PFLs for comparison with US findings. Moreover, the fracture of the fibular styloid process near the site of the insertion of the PFL (the arcuate sign) was simulated and assessed via US.

RESULTS: The PFL was visualized and measured in all ten knees via both US and cadaveric assessments. There were no statistically significant differences in PFL morphometric characteristics determined via US examination and dissection. The fibular styloid fracture was easily identified in US examination.

CONCLUSION: US imaging is a viable alternative for accurate and effective assessment of the normal PFL. Moreover, the arcuate sign can be evaluated via US.

PMID:34146118 | DOI:10.1007/s00256-021-03813-9

Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2021 Jun 19. doi: 10.1007/s00402-021-03999-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Intertrochanteric femur fractures (ITFF) are frequently fixed with proximal femoral nailing (PFN), and a common cause of fixation failure is cut-out of the lag screws. In the literature, many factors have been defined to determine the failure risk, including the tip-apex distance (TAD), calcar-referenced tip-apex distance (CalTAD), the Cleveland zone and Parker’s ratio. In this study, a novel technique is described which favors infero-posterior placement of the lag screw and predicts failure risk for PFN. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the tip-neck distance ratio as a factor for the prediction of cut-out after PFN of ITFF.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective evaluation was made of the data of 125 patients applied with PFN for ITFF between October 2016 and September 2019. The occurrence of mechanical complications was analyzed in relation to age, gender, fracture side, American Society of Anaesthesiologists classification, fracture classification, reduction quality, bone quality, Cleveland zone, Parker’s ratio, TAD, CalTAD and the TNDR.

RESULTS: A total of 125 patients, including 16 with mechanical complications, were suitable for full analysis. In the univariate analysis, reduction quality (p = 0.003), the TAD (p = 0.048) and the TNDR (p = 0.030) were statistically associated with mechanical complications (p < 0.05). In the multivariate analysis, good quality of reduction reduced risk of mechanical failure (p = 0.011) and the TNDR (p < 0.001) indicated that these were two independent factors affecting mechanical complications.

CONCLUSION: The results of this study provide clinical evidence that the TNDR is a predictor for cut-out risk. Placement of the lag screw posterior and inferior reduces the risk of mechanical complications.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3.

PMID:34146115 | DOI:10.1007/s00402-021-03999-6

Nat Commun. 2021 Jun 18;12(1):3779. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-24019-6.

ABSTRACT

Single photon emitters (SPEs) in low-dimensional layered materials have recently gained a large interest owing to the auspicious perspectives of integration and extreme miniaturization offered by this class of materials. However, accurate control of both the spatial location and the emission wavelength of the quantum emitters is essentially lacking to date, thus hindering further technological steps towards scalable quantum photonic devices. Here, we evidence SPEs in high purity synthetic hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) that can be activated by an electron beam at chosen locations. SPE ensembles are generated with a spatial accuracy better than the cubed emission wavelength, thus opening the way to integration in optical microstructures. Stable and bright single photon emission is subsequently observed in the visible range up to room temperature upon non-resonant laser excitation. Moreover, the low-temperature emission wavelength is reproducible, with an ensemble distribution of width 3 meV, a statistical dispersion that is more than one order of magnitude lower than the narrowest wavelength spreads obtained in epitaxial hBN samples. Our findings constitute an essential step towards the realization of top-down integrated devices based on identical quantum emitters in 2D materials.

PMID:34145254 | DOI:10.1038/s41467-021-24019-6

Nat Commun. 2021 Jun 18;12(1):3755. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-23935-x.

ABSTRACT

Risk factors for increased risk of death from COVID-19 have been identified, but less is known on characteristics that make communities resilient or vulnerable to the mortality impacts of the pandemic. We applied a two-stage Bayesian spatial model to quantify inequalities in excess mortality in people aged 40 years and older at the community level during the first wave of the pandemic in England, March-May 2020 compared with 2015-2019. Here we show that communities with an increased risk of excess mortality had a high density of care homes, and/or high proportion of residents on income support, living in overcrowded homes and/or with a non-white ethnicity. We found no association between population density or air pollution and excess mortality. Effective and timely public health and healthcare measures that target the communities at greatest risk are urgently needed to avoid further widening of inequalities in mortality patterns as the pandemic progresses.

PMID:34145260 | DOI:10.1038/s41467-021-23935-x

NPJ Breast Cancer. 2021 Jun 18;7(1):79. doi: 10.1038/s41523-021-00285-x.

ABSTRACT

The application of patient-derived xenografts (PDX) in drug screening and testing is a costly and time-consuming endeavor. While cell lines permit extensive mechanistic studies, many human breast cancer cell lines lack patient characteristics and clinical treatment information. Establishing cell lines that retain patient’s genetic and drug response information would enable greater drug screening and mechanistic studies. Therefore, we utilized breast cancer PDX from the Mayo Breast Cancer Genome Guided Therapy Study (BEAUTY) to establish two immortalized, genomically unique breast cancer cell lines. Through extensive genetic and therapeutic testing, the cell lines were found to retain the same clinical subtype, major somatic alterations, and drug response phenotypes as their corresponding PDX and patient tumor. Our findings demonstrate PDX can be utilized to develop immortalized breast cancer cell lines and provide a valuable tool for understanding the molecular mechanism of drug resistance and exploring novel treatment strategies.

PMID:34145270 | DOI:10.1038/s41523-021-00285-x