-
BioRxiv : the Preprint Server For... May 2024Western blotting is a stalwart technique for analyzing specific proteins and/or their post-translational modifications. However, it remains challenging to accommodate...
Western blotting is a stalwart technique for analyzing specific proteins and/or their post-translational modifications. However, it remains challenging to accommodate more than ∼10 samples per experiment without substantial departure from trusted, established protocols involving accessible instrumentation. Here, we describe a 96-sample western blot that conforms to standard 96-well plate dimensional constraints and has little operational deviation from standard western blotting. The main differences are that (i) submerged polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis is operated horizontally (similar to agarose gels) as opposed to vertically, and (ii) a 6 mm thick gel is used, with 2 mm most relevant for membrane transfer (vs ∼1 mm typical). Results demonstrate both wet and semi-dry transfer are compatible with this gel thickness. The major tradeoff is reduced molecular weight resolution, due primarily to less available migration distance per sample. We demonstrate proof-of-principle using gels loaded with molecular weight ladder, recombinant protein, and cell lysates. We expect the 96-well western blot will increase reproducibility, efficiency, and capacity for biological characterization relative to established western blots.
PubMed: 38765957
DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.10.593650 -
Perspectives in Clinical Research 2024There is a need to transition from conventional (on-site) clinical trials (CTs) to trials conducted within the comfort of a patient's home or community (decentralized...
There is a need to transition from conventional (on-site) clinical trials (CTs) to trials conducted within the comfort of a patient's home or community (decentralized CT) through e-consent, remote data monitoring, and telemedicine consults. This shift in trial procedures will positively impact recruitment rates, compliance and participant retention, protocol deviations, and delays or missed visits. Home nursing in CTs (HNCTs) will be an important component of this decentralization effort. A few limitations may impact the implementation of HNCT in India. In this regard, the workstream conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with experts from diverse domains of CT conduct (researchers from academia and industry, clinicians, investigators, nursing staff, patient research advocates, institutional ethics committee, or institutional review board members, legal experts, and trial participants) to collect their understanding, perspectives, and the ground realities about HNCTs in India. The current review puts forth the key areas that would facilitate the establishment of HNCTs in India and provides recommendations for the same.
PubMed: 38765545
DOI: 10.4103/picr.picr_218_22 -
Clinical and Translational Radiation... Jul 2024The PRIDE trial (NOA-28; ARO-2024-01; AG-NRO-06; NCT05871021) is designed to determine whether a dose escalation with 75.0 Gy in 30 fractions can enhance the median...
BACKGROUND
The PRIDE trial (NOA-28; ARO-2024-01; AG-NRO-06; NCT05871021) is designed to determine whether a dose escalation with 75.0 Gy in 30 fractions can enhance the median overall survival (OS) in patients with methylguanine methyltransferase (MGMT) promotor unmethylated glioblastoma compared to historical median OS rates, while being isotoxic to historical cohorts through the addition of concurrent bevacizumab (BEV). To ensure protocol-compliant irradiation planning with all study centers, a dummy run was planned and the plan quality was evaluated.
METHODS
A suitable patient case was selected and the computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and O-(2-[F]fluoroethyl)-L-tyrosine (FET) positron emission tomography (PET) contours were made available. Participants at the various intended study sites performed radiation planning according to the PRIDE clinical trial protocol. The treatment plans and dose grids were uploaded as Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) files to a cloud-based platform. Plan quality and protocol adherence were analyzed using a standardized checklist, scorecards and indices such as Dice Score (DSC) and Hausdorff Distance (HD).
RESULTS
Median DSC was 0.89, 0.90, 0.88 for PTV60, PTV60ex (planning target volume receiving 60.0 Gy for the standard and the experimental plan, respectively) and PTV75 (PTV receiving 75.0 Gy in the experimental plan), respectively. Median HD values were 17.0 mm, 13.9 mm and 12.1 mm, respectively. These differences were also evident in the volumes: The PTV60 had a volume range of 219.1-391.3 cc (median: 261.9 cc) for the standard plans, while the PTV75 volumes for the experimental plans ranged from 71.5-142.7 cc (median: 92.3 cc). The structures with the largest deviations in Dice score were the pituitary gland (median 0.37, range 0.00-0.69) and the right lacrimal gland (median 0.59, range 0.42-0.78).
CONCLUSIONS
The deviations revealed the necessity of systematic trainings with appropriate feedback before the start of clinical trials in radiation oncology and the constant monitoring of protocol compliance throw-out the study.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
NCT05871021.
PubMed: 38765202
DOI: 10.1016/j.ctro.2024.100790 -
European Journal of Nuclear Medicine... May 2024The long axial field of view, combined with the high sensitivity of the Biograph Vision Quadra PET/CT scanner enables the precise deviation of an image derived input...
Optimization and impact of sensitivity mode on abbreviated scan protocols with population-based input function for parametric imaging of [F]-FDG for a long axial FOV PET scanner.
BACKGROUND
The long axial field of view, combined with the high sensitivity of the Biograph Vision Quadra PET/CT scanner enables the precise deviation of an image derived input function (IDIF) required for parametric imaging. Traditionally, this requires an hour-long dynamic PET scan for [F]-FDG, which can be significantly reduced by using a population-based input function (PBIF). In this study, we expand these examinations and include the scanner's ultra-high sensitivity (UHS) mode in comparison to the high sensitivity (HS) mode and evaluate the potential for further shortening of the scan time.
METHODS
Patlak K and DV estimates were determined by the indirect and direct Patlak methods using dynamic [F]-FDG data of 6 oncological patients with 26 lesions (0-65 min p.i.). Both sensitivity modes for different number/duration of PET data frames were compared, together with the potential of using abbreviated scan durations of 20, 15 and 10 min by using a PBIF. The differences in parametric images and tumour-to-background ratio (TBR) due to the shorter scans using the PBIF method and between the sensitivity modes were assessed.
RESULTS
A difference of 3.4 ± 7.0% (K) and 1.2 ± 2.6% (DV) was found between both sensitivity modes using indirect Patlak and the full IDIF (0-65 min). For the abbreviated protocols and indirect Patlak, the UHS mode resulted in a lower bias and higher precision, e.g., 45-65 min p.i. 3.8 ± 4.4% (UHS) and 6.4 ± 8.9% (HS), allowing shorter scan protocols, e.g. 50-65 min p.i. 4.4 ± 11.2% (UHS) instead of 7.3 ± 20.0% (HS). The variation of K and DV estimates for both Patlak methods was comparable, e.g., UHS mode 3.8 ± 4.4% and 2.7 ± 3.4% (K) and 14.4 ± 2.7% and 18.1 ± 7.5% (DV) for indirect and direct Patlak, respectively. Only a minor impact of the number of Patlak frames was observed for both sensitivity modes and Patlak methods. The TBR obtained with direct Patlak and PBIF was not affected by the sensitivity mode, was higher than that derived from the SUV image (6.2 ± 3.1) and degraded from 20.2 ± 12.0 (20 min) to 10.6 ± 5.4 (15 min). K and DV estimate images showed good agreement (UHS mode, RC: 6.9 ± 2.3% (K), 0.1 ± 3.1% (DV), peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR): 64.5 ± 3.3 dB (K), 61.2 ± 10.6 dB (DV)) even for abbreviated scan protocols of 50-65 min p.i.
CONCLUSIONS
Both sensitivity modes provide comparable results for the full 65 min dynamic scans and abbreviated scans using the direct Patlak reconstruction method, with good K and DV estimates for 15 min short scans. For the indirect Patlak approach the UHS mode improved the K estimates for the abbreviated scans.
PubMed: 38763962
DOI: 10.1007/s00259-024-06745-3 -
Journal of Bodywork and Movement... Apr 2024Physical therapists and physiotherapists (PPTs) perform and repeat physical tasks that can lead to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD). The aim was to study... (Review)
Review
Physical therapists and physiotherapists (PPTs) perform and repeat physical tasks that can lead to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD). The aim was to study the main research concerning this problem, i.e. the risk factors, activities that exacerbate WMSD symptoms, alterations in work habits and the proposed responses, and to estimate mean value (±standard deviation, STD) for the most studied parameters. This review was conducted according to the PRISMA guideline. Five databases (Pubmed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, Medeley and Science.gov) were scanned to identify works investigating the different aspects of WMSD among PPTs. Two reviewers independently selected relevant studies using inclusion/exclusion criteria, critically appraised, and extracted data. To homogenize the data, prevalence were reported to the total sample studied when necessary. Among the 9846 articles identified, 19 articles were included. The WMSD prevalence was over 50 %. The areas most affected were the lower back, neck and thumb. An exhaustive list of parameters were constructed for job risk factors (n = 19), activities that exacerbating symptoms (n = 13), altered work habits (n = 15), responses and treatments (n = 26). The mean prevalence (±STD) was calculated for the major parameters. Nine main job risk factors were extracted with an average prevalence of about 30 % and a relatively high variability. Seven activities exacerbating WMSD symptoms and five altered work habits were identified with a homogeneous rate (5-20 %). Three main responses and treatments were found with heterogeneous prevalence. This review provides useful results for the development of future protocols to prevent the occurrence of WMSD among PPTs and meta-analyses.
Topics: Humans; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Physical Therapists; Occupational Diseases; Risk Factors; Prevalence
PubMed: 38763580
DOI: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2024.01.025 -
BMC Oral Health May 2024The theory of planned behavior (TPB) is recognized as an effective theory for behavior change. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of two... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
The theory of planned behavior (TPB) is recognized as an effective theory for behavior change. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of two TPB-based educational interventions on oral self-examination (OSE) behavior and the related TPB constructs among adults in Tehran, Iran, in 2022.
METHODS
This randomized controlled trial involved 400 healthy individuals recruited from 20 urban comprehensive health centers in the southern part of Tehran, Iran. The health centers were randomly assigned to two control (PowerPoint) and intervention (WhatsApp) groups (200 individuals in each group). In the control group (the recipient of the routine care), participants received a 20-minute lecture through a PowerPoint presentation and a pamphlet. In the intervention group (the recipient of an additional intervention alongside the routine care), participants were educated through messages and images on WhatsApp along with having monthly group discussions. Data was collected at baseline, as well as at 1- and 3-month follow-ups using a structured questionnaire. The outcomes assessed included OSE behavior and the related TPB constructs: intention, attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control. Linear and logistic generalized estimating equations (GEE) regression models were used to evaluate the impact of the interventions with STATA version 17.
RESULTS
Of the total participants, 151 (37.75%) were men. The mean ± standard deviation (SD) of ages in the PowerPoint and WhatsApp groups were 39.89 ± 13.72 and 39.45 ± 13.90, respectively. OSE and the related TPB constructs showed significant differences between the groups at the 1-month post-intervention assessment. The effect of PowerPoint was more significant in the short-term (one month), while both methods showed similar effectiveness after three months, specifically in relation to OSE and the TPB constructs. At the 3-month post-intervention assessment, there were significant increases in OSE (OR = 28.63), intention (β = 1.47), attitude (β = 0.66), subjective norm (β = 2.82), and perceived behavioral control (β = 1.19) in both groups (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
The present study provides evidence of the effectiveness of both educational interventions in improving OSE and the TPB constructs after three months. Therefore, both TPB-based educational methods can be recommended for designing and implementing interventions aimed at preventing oral cancer.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
The trial protocol was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT) on 04/03/2022 (registration number: IRCT20220221054086N1).
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Adult; Mouth Neoplasms; Iran; Middle Aged; Self-Examination; Intention; Health Behavior; Psychological Theory; Surveys and Questionnaires; Health Education, Dental; Theory of Planned Behavior
PubMed: 38760829
DOI: 10.1186/s12903-024-04315-5 -
International Journal of Nursing... Dec 2023Adequate staffing is crucial for high quality patient care and nurses' wellbeing. Nurses' professional assessment on adequacy of staffing is the gold standard in...
BACKGROUND
Adequate staffing is crucial for high quality patient care and nurses' wellbeing. Nurses' professional assessment on adequacy of staffing is the gold standard in measuring staffing adequacy. However, available measurement instruments lack reliability and validity.
OBJECTIVES
To develop and psychometrically test an instrument to measure nurses' perceived adequacy of staffing (PAS) of general hospital wards.
DESIGN
A multicenter cross-sectional psychometric instrument development and validation study using item response theory.
SETTINGS
Ten general nursing wards in three teaching hospitals in the Netherlands.
PARTICIPANTS
A sample of 881 participants, including third and fourth year nursing students and nurse/care assistants.
METHODS
The 13-item self-reported questionnaire was developed based on a previous Delphi study and two focus groups. We interviewed five nurses to evaluate the content validity of the instrument. The field test for psychometric evaluation was conducted on ten general wards of three teaching hospitals in the Netherlands. Structural validity of the item bank was examined by fitting a graded response model (GRM) and inspecting GRM fit. Measurement invariance was assessed by evaluating differential item functioning (DIF) of education level and work experience. We examined convergent validity by testing the hypothesis that there was at least a moderate correlation between the PAS instrument and a single item measuring adequacy of staffing. Internal consistency and reliability across the scale were also examined.
RESULTS
A total of 881 measurements were included in the analysis. The data fitted the GRM adequately and item fit statistics were good. DIF was detected for work experience for the protocols item, but the impact on total scores was negligible. The hypothesis was confirmed and the item bank reliably measured two standard deviations around the mean.
CONCLUSIONS
The Nurse Perceived Adequacy of Staffing Scale (NPASS) for nurses of general hospital wards in the Netherlands has sufficient reliability and validity and is ready for use in nurse staffing research and practice.
PubMed: 38746572
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnsa.2023.100138 -
Journal of Eating Disorders May 2024High-energy re-feeding protocols are increasingly utilised for nutritional rehabilitation in adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN), however, concern persists that...
A prospective observational study examining weight and psychosocial change in adolescent and adult eating disorder inpatients admitted for nutritional rehabilitation using a high-energy re-feeding protocol.
BACKGROUND
High-energy re-feeding protocols are increasingly utilised for nutritional rehabilitation in adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN), however, concern persists that adults with AN may be at greater risk of developing complications. In addition, research on psychological outcomes of eating disorder (ED) inpatient treatment programs, and outcomes of high-energy protocols in avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) and bulimia nervosa (BN), is limited. This study of an ED inpatient program using a high-energy protocol, compared changes in weight and psychosocial outcomes between adolescents and adults, and identified medical risk factors associated with deviation from the protocol.
METHOD
This prospective observational study took place in a voluntary ED treatment program in a private hospital. Weight, height, and psychosocial questionnaires (ED Examination-Questionnaire, Depression Anxiety Stress Score, Clinical Impairment Assessment and AN/BN Stage of Change) were collected from consenting adolescents (16-20 years) and adults (> 20 years) on admission and discharge. Medical tolerance to the high-energy protocol was assessed daily. Independent samples t-tests and paired samples t-tests were applied to normally distributed data, and Mann-Whitney U tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests to skewed data. P-values < 0.05 were considered significant statistically.
RESULTS
Ninety-seven participants were recruited. The majority (n = 91, 94%) were female and most (n = 80, 83%) had AN. Forty-two (43%) were adolescents and 55 (57%) were adults. In participants with AN, weight change (Δ) was significant [median Δ 8.0 (interquartile range (IQR) 4.3) kg]. There was no difference in rate of weight change between adolescents and adults with AN [mean Δ 1.8 (standard deviation (SD) 0.5) kg/week vs. Δ 1.8 (SD 0.6) kg/week; p = 0.841, respectively]. One (1%) participant with AN did not tolerate the high-energy protocol due to oedema. Participants achieved positive change in psychosocial questionnaire scores (p < 0.001) after the the specialist ED program, with no difference between adolescents and adults (p > 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
This voluntary ED treatment program using a high energy re-feeding protocol was effective in achieving positive weight and psychological change for adolescents and adults with minimal adverse events. This indicates that the specialist ED program has both nutritional and psychological benefits.
PubMed: 38745266
DOI: 10.1186/s40337-024-01015-x -
Archives of Osteoporosis May 2024Osteoporosis is a common but sub-optimally managed disease amongst aged care residents. Pharmacists undertaking comprehensive medication reviews is one strategy to...
UNLABELLED
Osteoporosis is a common but sub-optimally managed disease amongst aged care residents. Pharmacists undertaking comprehensive medication reviews is one strategy to improve osteoporosis management. Analysis of pharmacist medication review recommendations has identified common clinical practice issues that can be addressed to optimise osteoporosis management for aged care residents.
PURPOSE
This study investigates the prevalence of osteoporosis medicine use amongst Australian aged care residents and explores drug-related problems (DRPs) identified during medication reviews and pharmacist recommendations to resolve them.
METHODS
Resident demographics, medications, diagnoses, osteoporosis related DRPs, and recommendations to resolve them were extracted from medication review reports. A mixed methods approach was taken to analysis, involving descriptive statistical analysis and content analysis.
RESULTS
Medication review reports relating to 980 residents were collected. Antiresorptive therapies were used by 21.7% of residents, of which 87.2% were prescribed denosumab. Osteoporosis related DRPs represented 14.0% of all DRPs identified by pharmacists. Vitamin D was involved in 55.4% of these DRPs, the remainder concerned antiresorptive therapies (23.4%), medications contributing to osteoporosis (16.3%), and calcium (4.9%). Frequent deviations in practice from aged care clinical guidelines and consensus recommendations concerning vitamin D and calcium were found. DRPs and accompanying recommendations relating to denosumab revealed inadequate monitoring and inadvertent therapy disruptions.
CONCLUSION
Pharmacist identified DRPs and recommendations revealed common aspects of clinical practice that can be addressed to improve osteoporosis management for aged care residents. A need to raise awareness of aged care-specific consensus recommendations concerning vitamin D and calcium is evident. Facility protocols and procedures must be developed and implemented to ensure safe and effective use of denosumab.
Topics: Humans; Osteoporosis; Australia; Female; Bone Density Conservation Agents; Aged; Male; Aged, 80 and over; Homes for the Aged; Pharmacists; Vitamin D; Nursing Homes
PubMed: 38744716
DOI: 10.1007/s11657-024-01401-7 -
Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging May 2024The purpose of this study was to evaluate the achievable radiation dose reduction of an ultra-high resolution computed tomography (UHR-CT) scanner using deep learning...
PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the achievable radiation dose reduction of an ultra-high resolution computed tomography (UHR-CT) scanner using deep learning reconstruction (DLR) while maintaining temporal bone image quality equal to or better than high-resolution CT (HR-CT).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
UHR-CT acquisitions were performed with variable tube voltages and currents at eight different dose levels (volumic CT dose index [CTDIvol] range: 4.6-79 mGy), 1024 matrix, and 0.25 mm slice thickness and reconstructed using DLR and hybrid iterative reconstruction (HIR) algorithms. HR-CT images were acquired using a standard protocol (120 kV/220 mAs; CTDI vol, 54.2 mGy, 512 matrix, and 0.5 mm slice thickness). Two radiologists rated the image quality of seven structures using a five point confidence scale on six cadaveric temporal bone CTs. A global image quality score was obtained for each CT protocol by summing the image quality scores of all structures.
RESULTS
With DLR, UHR-CT at 120 kV/220 mAs (CTDIvol, 50.9 mGy) and 140 kV/220 mAs (CTDIvol, 79 mGy) received the highest global image quality scores (4.88 ± 0.32 [standard deviation (SD)] [range: 4-5] and 4.85 ± 0.35 [range: 4-5], respectively; P = 0.31), while HR-CT at 120 kV/220 mAs and UHR-CT at 120 kV/20 mAs received the lowest (i.e., 3.14 ± 0.75 [SD] [range: 2-5] and 2.97 ± 0.86 [SD] [range: 1-5], respectively; P = 0.14). All the DLR protocols had better image quality scores than HR-CT with HIR.
CONCLUSION
UHR-CT with DLR can be performed with up to a tenfold reduction in radiation dose compared to HR-CT with HIR while maintaining or improving image quality.
PubMed: 38744577
DOI: 10.1016/j.diii.2024.05.001