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Maedica Dec 2022Patients with sarcoidosis are known to have peripheral blood eosinophilia (PBE). However, most of them had PBE slightly above the upper limit of the normal range. Few...
Patients with sarcoidosis are known to have peripheral blood eosinophilia (PBE). However, most of them had PBE slightly above the upper limit of the normal range. Few patients had increased eosinophils in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and eosinophilia in BALF enough to be diagnosed as eosinophilic pneumonia (EP) was extremely rare. We present herein a sarcoidosis case with PBE. There were fluctuations in peripheral eosinophils consistent with sarcoidosis disease activity, and peripheral blood eosinophils increased up to 50%, 12500/mm3, although the patient was affected by cough variant asthma and multimodal therapies for breast cancer. Some case reports showed EP in patients with sarcoidosis. To our best knowledge, however, no sarcoidosis patient presented with such a high level of PBE. In this report, we would like to emphasize that there might be patients with sarcoidosis who have a marked increase in peripheral blood eosinophils.
PubMed: 36818266
DOI: 10.26574/maedica.2022.17.4.990 -
Ecological Applications : a Publication... Jun 2022Long-term monitoring is an important component of effective wildlife conservation. However, many methods for estimating density are too costly or difficult to implement...
Long-term monitoring is an important component of effective wildlife conservation. However, many methods for estimating density are too costly or difficult to implement over large spatial and temporal extents. Recently developed spatial mark-resight (SMR) models are increasingly being applied as a cost-effective method to estimate density when data include detections of both marked and unmarked individuals. We developed a generalized SMR model that can accommodate long-term camera data and auxiliary telemetry data for improved spatiotemporal inference in monitoring efforts. The model can be applied in two stages, with detection parameters estimated in the first stage using telemetry data and camera detections of instrumented individuals. Density is estimated in the second stage using camera data, with all individuals treated as unmarked. Serial correlation in detection and density parameters is accounted for using time-series models. The two-stage approach reduces computational demands and facilitates the application to large data sets from long-term monitoring initiatives. We applied the model to 3 years (2015-2017) of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) data collected in three study areas of the Big Cypress Basin, Florida, USA. In total, 59 females marked with ear tags and fitted with GPS-telemetry collars were detected along with unmarked females on 180 remote cameras. Most of the temporal variation in density was driven by seasonal fluctuations, but one study area exhibited a slight population decline during the monitoring period. Modern technologies such as camera traps provide novel possibilities for long-term monitoring, but the resulting massive data sets, which are subject to unique sources of observation error, have posed analytical challenges. The two-stage spatial mark-resight framework provides a solution with lower computational demands than joint SMR models, allowing for easier implementation in practice. In addition, after detection parameters have been estimated, the model may be used to estimate density even if no synchronous auxiliary information on marked individuals is available, which is often the case in long-term monitoring.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Wild; Deer; Humans; Population Density; Population Dynamics; Telemetry
PubMed: 35112750
DOI: 10.1002/eap.2553 -
Journal of the American Academy of... Dec 2018In keeping with the Journal's policies, we provide a listing of disclosures for all members of the editorial masthead and the ad hoc editors (marked with an asterisk) as...
In keeping with the Journal's policies, we provide a listing of disclosures for all members of the editorial masthead and the ad hoc editors (marked with an asterisk) as of October 19, 2018. This list, based on annually updated signed statements on file in the editorial office, includes all biomedical financial interests and potential conflicts of interest disclosed for the previous 24 months and the foreseeable future.
PubMed: 30522748
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2018.10.005 -
Biotechnology Reports (Amsterdam,... Sep 2017Multifariousness of biofuel sources has marked an edge to an imperative energy issue. Production of hydrogen from microalgae has been gathering much contemplation right... (Review)
Review
Multifariousness of biofuel sources has marked an edge to an imperative energy issue. Production of hydrogen from microalgae has been gathering much contemplation right away. But, mercantile production of microalgae biofuels considering bio-hydrogen is still not practicable because of low biomass concentration and costly down streaming processes. This review has taken up the hydrogen production by microalgae. Biofuels are the up and coming alternative to exhaustible, environmentally and unsafe fossil fuels. Algal biomass has been considered as an enticing raw material for biofuel production, these days photobioreactors and open-air systems are being used for hydrogen production from algal biomass. The formers allow the careful cultivation control whereas the latter ones are cheaper and simpler. A contemporary, encouraging optimization access has been included called algal cell immobilization on various matrixes which has resulted in marked increase in the productivity per volume of a reactor and addition of the hydrogen-production phase.
PubMed: 28702371
DOI: 10.1016/j.btre.2017.06.001 -
Auris, Nasus, Larynx Jun 2023Olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB) is often difficult to pathologically distinguish from other small round cell tumors (SRCTs) arising in the nasal cavities. Although there...
OBJECTIVE
Olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB) is often difficult to pathologically distinguish from other small round cell tumors (SRCTs) arising in the nasal cavities. Although there are several diagnostic markers used for differential diagnosis of ONB, these molecules are also expressed in various neuronal derived tumors. Here, we examined the expression of NeuroD, GAP43, and olfactory marker protein (OMP) in ONB and non-ONB SRCT to determine their utility in the differential diagnosis of ONB.
METHODS
Twenty-six patients diagnosed with and treated for ONB at Kobe University Hospital between 1997 and 2017 with formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded biopsy or surgical resection specimens were included. The expressions of NeuroD, GAP43, and OMP were immunohistochemically examined in these 26 ONB specimens and specimens from 13 SRCTs arising in the nasal cavities for reference.
RESULTS
Among the 26 ONB samples, focal, patchy, and marked staining for NeuroD was observed in 4, 3, and 9 samples, respectively. Focal, patchy, and marked GAP43 staining was observed in 5, 3, and 11 samples, respectively. Consequently, marked positive staining for either NeuroD or GAP43 was observed in 54% (14/26) of ONBs. Among the 13 SRCTs, marked staining for NeuroD was observed in two small cell carcinomas, one undifferentiated carcinoma, and one neuroendocrine carcinoma, whereas marked positive staining for GAP43 was observed only in one undifferentiated carcinoma. No specimen in this study exhibited OMP staining.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest possible roles of GAP43 immunostaining in the differential diagnosis of ONB.
Topics: Humans; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine; Esthesioneuroblastoma, Olfactory; Nasal Cavity; Nose Neoplasms; Olfactory Marker Protein; GAP-43 Protein
PubMed: 35999123
DOI: 10.1016/j.anl.2022.08.004 -
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.... Sep 2022Transposition flaps are useful for reconstruction of many skin defects. Limberg described a rhomboid rotation flap in 1946. Dufourmentel described an improved version of...
Transposition flaps are useful for reconstruction of many skin defects. Limberg described a rhomboid rotation flap in 1946. Dufourmentel described an improved version of the Limberg flap in 1962. The Dufourmentel flap is also a quadrangular rhomboid flap which can be used in any area of the body except for the central face, the fingers, and the volar hand. The design of the Dufourmentel flap creates a wider base for this random flap, thus making it more reliable. Where tissue loss is significant, or where skin and soft tissue elasticity is limited, double opposing Dufourmentel flaps are useful. A variation of the Dufourmentel flap is described where a circular defect is converted to a square. The line of greatest extensibility is marked through the circular defect or lesion. A square is marked around the circle with one corner of the square tilted 10-20 degrees counterclockwise from the line of greatest extensibility. After marking corners A, B, C, and D, lines are marked extending BD and CD. The first incision, DE, will bisect the angle created by extending BD and CD. The second incision, EF, is roughly perpendicular to CD extended, but the angle at E is opened up a bit to create a wider base for the flap. Point D will rotate to point B, E rotates to C, and F translates to D. The invisible line DF should be approximately parallel to the line of greatest extensibility. When the defect is relatively large or where the surrounding tissues have limited elasticity, the above-described ideal variation of the Dufourmentel flap may not be possible because the flap may not rotate and advance all the way around without tension. In this case, double opposing Dufourmentel type flaps have been found to be useful by meeting each other at the halfway point.
PubMed: 36148032
DOI: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000004183 -
Pediatric Emergency Care Jan 2022The aim of this study was to compare ultrasound (US)-marked versus standard lumbar puncture success in infants.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to compare ultrasound (US)-marked versus standard lumbar puncture success in infants.
METHODS
This was a prospective cohort study at an academic pediatric emergency department. Standard lumbar puncture success in a retrospective control was compared with success in a US-marked group. Spinal US was performed with infants in the sitting and lateral decubitus position to identify the interspinous space with the most cerebrospinal fluid. The optimal position was determined, and this space was marked. The proceduralist performed the lumbar puncture at the level of the markings. The primary outcome was a successful lumbar puncture by the first provider, defined as a collection of cerebrospinal fluid with less than 1000 red blood cells/mm3. Secondary outcomes were successful lumbar puncture after attempts by more than 1 provider and collection of any spinal fluid.
RESULTS
Between June 2017 and April 2019, we enrolled 284 infants younger than 12 months, 210 in the retrospective standard group and 74 in the prospective US-marked group. Baseline characteristics of both groups were similar. The primary outcome showed no difference between US-marked group and control (38% vs 36%; difference: 1.6% [95% confidence interval (CI), -14.7 to 10.7]). Secondary outcomes showed no significant success differences by more than 1 provider (51% vs 39%; difference: 12.8% [95% CI, -25.7 to 0.3]) or in obtaining any spinal fluid (82% vs 79%; difference: 3.9% [95% CI -13.3 to 7.5]).
CONCLUSIONS
There were no differences in success between US-marked and standard lumbar punctures in infants by different providers.
Topics: Emergency Service, Hospital; Humans; Prospective Studies; Retrospective Studies; Spinal Puncture; Ultrasonography
PubMed: 32576793
DOI: 10.1097/PEC.0000000000002169 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Dec 2021The Internet of Things (IoT) is a new paradigm that connects objects to provide seamless communication and contextual information to anyone, anywhere, at any time (AAA)....
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a new paradigm that connects objects to provide seamless communication and contextual information to anyone, anywhere, at any time (AAA). These Internet-of-Things-enabled automated objects interact with visitors to present a variety of information during museum navigation and exploration. In this article, a smart navigation and information system (SNIS) prototype for museum navigation and exploration is developed, which delivers an interactive and more exciting museum exploration experience based on the visitor's personal presence. The objects inside a museum share the information that assist and navigate the visitors about the different sections and objects of the museum. The system was deployed inside Chakdara Museum and experimented with 381 users to achieve the results. For results, different users marked the proposed system in terms of parameters such as interesting, reality, ease of use, satisfaction, usefulness, and user friendly. Of these 381 users, 201 marked the system as most interesting, 138 marked most realistic, 121 marked it as easy-in-use, 219 marked it useful, and 210 marked it as user friendly. These statistics prove the efficiency of SNIS and its usefulness in smart cultural heritage, including smart museums, exhibitions and cultural sites.
Topics: Communication; Information Systems; Internet of Things; Museums; Personal Satisfaction
PubMed: 35009853
DOI: 10.3390/s22010312 -
Journal of Thoracic Disease Mar 2020Various approaches and markers for marking the lungs prior to lung tumor resection have been reported. In clinical practice, the hook wire localization method is often...
BACKGROUND
Various approaches and markers for marking the lungs prior to lung tumor resection have been reported. In clinical practice, the hook wire localization method is often used owing to the simplicity of the technique. However, although rare, this method is associated with air embolism, which can be lethal. Because vitamin B2 is harmless to the body and fluorescent, it was applied to various methods for thoracic surgery. Using a pig model, we aimed to examine whether a lung-marking method involving the injection of vitamin B2 to peripheral small lung lesions and observing them under black light irradiation could replace the hook wire localization method.
METHODS
We used a pig model to perform hook wire localization of the lungs and at the same time injected 1 mL of a vitamin B2 aqueous solution to the lung parenchyma at the hook wire puncture site under the visceral pleura. Subsequently, we measured the length of the fluorescent marked area and fluorescence intensity over time. Black light was used to assess the fluorescent marked area, and fluorescence intensity was quantified using image analysis software.
RESULTS
Lung-marking was successful in all five pigs and we visualized the vitamin B2-marked area under black light irradiation. Measurements were taken immediately after thoracotomy (0 min) and 60 and 120 min thereafter. No changes in the length of the marked area (1.3±0.3/1.2±0.3/1.1±0.3 cm, 0/60/120 min, P=0.21) and fluorescence intensity (162.8±55.1/157.2±63.1/165.2±62.2, 0/60/120 min, P=0.96) were observed over time. Compared to the non-marked area (normal lungs), the marked area showed significantly higher fluorescence intensity (P=0.01/0.01/0.01, 0/60/120 min).
CONCLUSIONS
Vitamin B2 lung-marking was performed safely and accurately using the pig model, providing good visibility of the marked area. This approach may replace the hook wire localization method. In the near future, we plan to conduct clinical trials to evaluate the applicability of this method in humans.
PubMed: 32274130
DOI: 10.21037/jtd.2020.01.06 -
International Journal of Surgery... Jan 2024When they encounter various highly related postoperative complications, existing risk evaluation tools that focus on single or any complications are inadequate in...
Development and validation of an interpretable Markov-embedded multilabel model for predicting risks of multiple postoperative complications among surgical inpatients: a multicenter prospective cohort study.
BACKGROUND
When they encounter various highly related postoperative complications, existing risk evaluation tools that focus on single or any complications are inadequate in clinical practice. This seriously hinders complication management because of the lack of a quantitative basis. An interpretable multilabel model framework that predicts multiple complications simultaneously is urgently needed.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The authors included 50 325 inpatients from a large multicenter cohort (2014-2017). The authors separated patients from one hospital for external validation and randomly split the remaining patients into training and internal validation sets. A MARKov-EmbeDded (MARKED) multilabel model was proposed, and three models were trained for comparison: binary relevance, a fully connected network (FULLNET), and a deep neural network. Performance was mainly evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). The authors interpreted the model using Shapley Additive Explanations. Complication-specific risk and risk source inference were provided at the individual level.
RESULTS
There were 26 292, 6574, and 17 459 inpatients in the training, internal validation, and external validation sets, respectively. For the external validation set, MARKED achieved the highest average AUC (0.818, 95% CI: 0.771-0.864) across eight outcomes [compared with binary relevance, 0.799 (0.748-0.849), FULLNET, 0.806 (0.756-0.856), and deep neural network, 0.815 (0.765-0.866)]. Specifically, the AUCs of MARKED were above 0.9 for cardiac complications [0.927 (0.894-0.960)], neurological complications [0.905 (0.870-0.941)], and mortality [0.902 (0.867-0.937)]. Serum albumin, surgical specialties, emergency case, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, age, and sex were the six most important preoperative variables. The interaction between complications contributed more than the preoperative variables, and formed a hierarchical chain of risk factors, mild complications, and severe complications.
CONCLUSION
The authors demonstrated the advantage of MARKED in terms of performance and interpretability. The authors expect that the identification of high-risk patients and the inference of the risk source for specific complications will be valuable for clinical decision-making.
Topics: Humans; Prospective Studies; Inpatients; Postoperative Complications; Risk Factors; Neural Networks, Computer; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 37830953
DOI: 10.1097/JS9.0000000000000817