-
PloS One 2024The successful unfolding of many social interactions relies on our capacity to predict other people's action goals, whether these are proximal (i.e., immediate) or...
The successful unfolding of many social interactions relies on our capacity to predict other people's action goals, whether these are proximal (i.e., immediate) or distal (i.e., upcoming). The present set of studies asks whether observers can predict the distal goal of two-step action sequences when presented with communicative modulations of the first movement component of the sequence. We conducted three online experiments in which we presented participants with animations of a box moving to a first target location before moving onwards to a final, either near or far, target location. The second movement component and the target locations were occluded. After observing the first movement, participants were asked to select the most likely final target location, i.e., the distal goal of the sequence. Experiment 1 showed that participants relied on the velocity modulations of the first movement to infer the distal goal. The results of Experiment 2 indicated that such predictions of distal goals are possible even when the second movement in the sequence does not contain any velocity information, thus suggesting that the information present in the first movement plays the major role in the process of linking movements to their distal goals. However, Experiment 3 showed that under some circumstances the second movement can also contribute to how observers predict a distal goal. We discuss these results in terms of the underlying simulation processes that enable observers to predict a distal goal from the observation of proximal communicative modulations.
Topics: Humans; Goals; Male; Female; Adult; Communication; Young Adult; Movement
PubMed: 38935629
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0306072 -
Archivio Italiano Di Urologia,... Jun 2024To assess the diagnostic efficacy of integrating B-mode and color Doppler capabilities of ultrasound (US) to establish a robust standalone diagnostic tool for the... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Exploring the potential of combined B-mode features and color Doppler ultrasound in the diagnosis of ureteric stone as an alternative to ionizing radiation exposure by computed tomography.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the diagnostic efficacy of integrating B-mode and color Doppler capabilities of ultrasound (US) to establish a robust standalone diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of ureteric stones as an alternative to non-contrast-enhanced computed tomography (NCCT).
METHODS
A total of 140 consecutive patients diagnosed with ureteric stones using NCCT were enrolled. On the same day, US in both B-mode and Color Doppler was performed by an experienced radiologist who was blinded to the NCCT scan results. The diagnostic rate of US for stone detection was recorded. Additionally, baseline patient and stone characteristics were analyzed for their association with the accuracy of stone detection using US.
RESULTS
US exhibited a high sensitivity of 91.43%, detecting 128 out of 140 stone foci. Notably, ureteric stones in the proximal and uretero-vesical junction (UVJ) segments were readily identifiable compared to those in the pelvic region (p = 0.0003). Additionally, hydronephrosis enhanced the US's ability to detect stones (p < 0.0001). Conversely, abdominal gases and obesity adversely affected US capabilities (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.009, respectively). Stone side, size, and density showed no statistically significant impact (p > 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
US with its color Doppler capabilities could serve as a reliable and safe alternative imaging modality in the diagnostic work up of patients with ureterolithiasis. Factors including stone location, Hydronephrosis, weight and abdominal gases significantly influenced its accuracy.
Topics: Humans; Ureteral Calculi; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Aged; Adult; Radiation Exposure; Sensitivity and Specificity; Aged, 80 and over; Prospective Studies; Young Adult
PubMed: 38934522
DOI: 10.4081/aiua.2024.12523 -
Clinical Case Reports Jul 2024Cor triatriatum is a rare congenital heart abnormality in which a membrane separates the left atrium (LA; sinister) or the right atrium (dexter) into two compartments....
Cor triatriatum is a rare congenital heart abnormality in which a membrane separates the left atrium (LA; sinister) or the right atrium (dexter) into two compartments. It is also a long-forgotten cause of atrial fibrillation (AF) and substantially higher rates of blood stagnation, particularly proximal to the additional septum in the LA. In this case report, we faced a CHA2DS2-VASc score of 1 in patients with non-valvular AF due to Cor triatriatum sinister (CTS). The decision to start anticoagulants in this particular case was controversial, so we reviewed the literature to assess and address it. We present our case and discuss the indication of anticoagulants in this unique clinical scenario, accompanied by a literature review. Facing this dilemma of starting anticoagulants in special cases of CTS and AF should be individualized and need more investigation. However, till this moment, based on similar reports, it seems to be rational to consider CTS Per se as an additional risk stratification marker beyond the CHA2DS2-VASc score start anticoagulant until the surgical resection. Considering CTS as the sole indication of anticoagulant in patients with normal sinus rhythm is a complex matter that needs further investigation.
PubMed: 38933708
DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.8908 -
Journal of Inflammation Research 2024Significant gastrointestinal hemorrhages, resulting from long-term compression of the duodenum by a hepatic pseudoaneurysm (HAPA), is an extremely rare condition. In...
AIM
Significant gastrointestinal hemorrhages, resulting from long-term compression of the duodenum by a hepatic pseudoaneurysm (HAPA), is an extremely rare condition. In fact, when the pseudoaneurysm is small in diameter, diagnosis can be particularly challenging. Timely and effective diagnosis and treatment is therefore of great significance, and in this case, endoscopy, combined with intravascular therapy, can provide an effective approach, especially since it removes the need for surgery while yielding favorable outcomes.
CASE SUMMARY
A 75-year-old old man presented to the hospital's emergency department with hematemesis and black stool. Despite conservative treatments such as "acid suppression, fluid resupply, hemostasis and blood transfusion", no significant improvement was noted. Emergency gastroscopy subsequently revealed an ulcer in the duodenal bulb (Figure 1), with an exposed thrombotic head and active bleeding on the surface. In addition, abdominal computed tomography (Figure 2) showed no obvious HAPA manifestations. After unsuccessful endoscopic hemostasis, angiography was performed (Figure 3) and a pseudotumor-like dilatation measuring 5.56 mm in diameter was found at the distal end of the proximal branch vessel of the common hepatic artery. Following spring coil embolization (Figure 4), the patient's condition improved and he was discharged from the hospital, with a follow-up after six months showing no signs of recurrence or complications.
CONCLUSION
Duodenal ulcer hemorrhages due to small hepatic pseudoaneurysms are very rare, with endoscopic intervention being effective for such cases.
PubMed: 38933359
DOI: 10.2147/JIR.S467969 -
Orthopedic Research and Reviews 2024Despite a sufficient number of papers on the technique of transtibial amputations, the technique of Ertl-type reamputation in short tibial stump remains unreported.
BACKGROUND
Despite a sufficient number of papers on the technique of transtibial amputations, the technique of Ertl-type reamputation in short tibial stump remains unreported.
AIM
To propose a modification of the Ertl operation in the proximal tibia.
CASE PRESENTATION
The technique of bone bridge creation in a patient with a malformed stump in the upper third of the tibia at the expense of the regenerate formed after corticotomy of the tibial remnant and dosed distraction of the graft by the Ilizarov apparatus is described. Radiological, ultrasound and MRI methods were used to control the regenerate. The follow-up period was 36 months. At 3.5 months, a synostosis was formed, which allowed primary and then permanent prosthesis with a full-contact prosthesis. At 36 months, the organotypic remodelling of the regenerate was completed. The patient works, uses the prosthesis for 15-16 hours a day, and walks on average 8-10 km.
CONCLUSION
The use of the proposed method makes it possible to obtain tibial synostosis without their shortening with elimination of valgus deviation of the fibula stump and the possibility of early functional loading. Synostosis formation occurs within 3.5 months after surgery. Organotypic bone remodelling occurs during primary and then permanent prosthetics. The formed bone bridge has a large support area, which is maintained during the whole follow-up period of 36 months and allows to perform full-contact prosthetics with maximum load on the residual limb end.
PubMed: 38933018
DOI: 10.2147/ORR.S459421 -
BMJ Neurology Open 2024Accurate outcome predictions for patients who had ischaemic stroke with successful reperfusion after endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) may improve patient treatment and...
BACKGROUND
Accurate outcome predictions for patients who had ischaemic stroke with successful reperfusion after endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) may improve patient treatment and care. Our study developed prediction models for key clinical outcomes in patients with successful reperfusion following EVT in an Australian population.
METHODS
The study included all patients who had ischaemic stroke with occlusion in the proximal anterior cerebral circulation and successful reperfusion post-EVT over a 7-year period. Multivariable logistic regression and Cox regression models, incorporating bootstrap and multiple imputation techniques, were used to identify predictors and develop models for key clinical outcomes: 3-month poor functional status; 30-day, 1-year and 3-year mortality; survival time.
RESULTS
A total of 978 patients were included in the analyses. Predictors associated with one or more poor outcomes include: older age (ORs for every 5-year increase: 1.22-1.40), higher premorbid functional modified Rankin Scale (ORs: 1.31-1.75), higher baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (ORs: 1.05-1.07) score, higher blood glucose (ORs: 1.08-1.19), larger core volume (ORs for every 10 mL increase: 1.10-1.22), pre-EVT thrombolytic therapy (ORs: 0.44-0.56), history of heart failure (outcome: 30-day mortality, OR=1.87), interhospital transfer (ORs: 1.42 to 1.53), non-rural/regional stroke onset (outcome: functional dependency, OR=0.64), longer onset-to-groin puncture time (outcome: 3-year mortality, OR=1.08) and atherosclerosis-caused stroke (outcome: functional dependency, OR=1.68). The models using these predictors demonstrated moderate predictive abilities (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve range: 0.752-0.796).
CONCLUSION
Our models using real-world predictors assessed at hospital admission showed satisfactory performance in predicting poor functional outcomes and short-term and long-term mortality for patients with successful reperfusion following EVT. These can be used to inform EVT treatment provision and consent.
PubMed: 38932996
DOI: 10.1136/bmjno-2024-000707 -
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Adhesion between calcium oxalate crystals and renal tubular epithelial cells is a vital cause of renal stone formation; however, the drugs that inhibit crystal adhesion...
Adhesion between calcium oxalate crystals and renal tubular epithelial cells is a vital cause of renal stone formation; however, the drugs that inhibit crystal adhesion and the mechanism of inhibition have yet to be explored. The cell injury model was constructed using nano-COM crystals, and changes in oxidative stress levels, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress levels, downstream p38 MAPK protein expression, apoptosis, adhesion protein osteopontin expression, and cell-crystal adhesion were examined in the presence of polysaccharide (DLP) and sulfated DLP (SDLP) under protected and unprotected conditions. Both DLP and SDLP inhibited nano-COM damage to human kidney proximal tubular epithelial cell (HK-2), increased cell viability, decreased ROS levels, reduced the opening of mitochondrial membrane permeability transition pore, markedly reduced ER Ca ion concentration and adhesion molecule OPN expression, down-regulated the expression of ER stress signature proteins including CHOP, Caspase 12, and p38 MAPK, and decreased the apoptosis rate of cells. SDLP has a better protective effect on cells than DLP. SDLP protects HK-2 cells from nano-COM crystal-induced apoptosis by reducing oxidative and ER stress levels and their downstream factors, thereby reducing crystal-cell adhesion interactions and the risks of kidney stone formation.
PubMed: 38931471
DOI: 10.3390/ph17060805 -
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The extensive use of rodenticides poses a severe threat to non-target species, particularly birds of prey and scavengers. In this study, a GC-MS/MS-based method was used...
The extensive use of rodenticides poses a severe threat to non-target species, particularly birds of prey and scavengers. In this study, a GC-MS/MS-based method was used to unlock the cause of bird deaths in Poland. Organs (liver, heart, kidney, and lungs) collected during autopsies of two rooks () and one carrion crow (), as well as fecal samples, were analyzed for the presence of anticoagulant coumarin derivatives, i.e., warfarin and bromadiolone. As for warfarin, the highest concentration was found in crow samples overall, with concentrations in the feces and lungs at 5.812 ± 0.368 µg/g and 4.840 ± 0.256 µg/g, respectively. The heart showed the lowest concentration of this compound (0.128 ± 0.01 µg/g). In the case of bromadiolone, the highest concentration was recorded in the liver of a rook (16.659 ± 1.499 µg/g) and this concentration significantly exceeded the levels in the other samples. By revealing the reality of the threat, these discoveries emphasize the need to regulate and monitor the trade in rodenticides.
PubMed: 38931431
DOI: 10.3390/ph17060764 -
Nutrients Jun 2024This study investigated the association of preoperative 25-hydroxy (25 (OH)) vitamin D levels with postoperative complications in osteoporotic hip fracture patients... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
This study investigated the association of preoperative 25-hydroxy (25 (OH)) vitamin D levels with postoperative complications in osteoporotic hip fracture patients following surgery. We hypothesized that patients with low concentrations of 25 (OH) vitamin D might have an increased risk of developing adverse outcomes. Between January 2019 and December 2020, a retrospective observational study was conducted, including low-energy fragility fractures at the proximal femur. Regarding preoperative 25 (OH) vitamin D levels, patients were divided into two groups (<30 ng/mL and ≥30 ng/mL). Early and late postoperative complications were assessed and graded according to the Clavien-Dindo classification system. Logistic regression analysis was performed to demonstrate the association between preoperative 25 (OH) vitamin D levels (<30 ng/mL, ≥30 ng/mL) and postoperative complications after adjusting for age and sex. Of 314 patients, 222 patients (70.7%) had a 25 (OH) vitamin D level of <30 ng/mL. The mean serum 25 (OH) vitamin D level was 22.6 ng/mL (SD 13.2). In 116 patients (36.9%), postoperative complications were observed, with the most occurring in the short term (95 patients, 30.2%). Late postoperative complications were present in 21 patients (6.7%), most graded as Clavien I (57.1%). Logistic regression analysis identified a low vitamin D level (<30 ng/mL) as an independent risk factor for early postoperative complications (OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.14-3.73, = 0.016), while no significant correlation was found in late complications (OR 1.08, 95% CI 0.40-2.95, = 0.879). In conclusion, preoperative 25 (OH) vitamin D serum level might be an independent predictor for early postoperative complications. However, future studies are warranted to determine risk factors for long-term complications and establish appropriate intervention strategies.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Postoperative Complications; Vitamin D; Aged; Retrospective Studies; Hip Fractures; Osteoporotic Fractures; Aged, 80 and over; Vitamin D Deficiency; Risk Factors; Middle Aged
PubMed: 38931272
DOI: 10.3390/nu16121917 -
Microorganisms Jun 2024Anaerobic exercise decreases systemic pH and increases metabolic acidosis in athletes, altering the acid-base homeostasis. In addition, nutritional recommendations... (Review)
Review
Anaerobic exercise decreases systemic pH and increases metabolic acidosis in athletes, altering the acid-base homeostasis. In addition, nutritional recommendations advising athletes to intake higher amounts of proteins and simple carbohydrates (including from sport functional supplements) could be detrimental to restoring acid-base balance. Here, this specific nutrition could be classified as an acidic diet and defined as 'Westernized athletic nutrition'. The maintenance of a chronic physiological state of low-grade metabolic acidosis produces detrimental effects on systemic health, physical performance, and inflammation. Therefore, nutrition must be capable of compensating for systemic acidosis from anaerobic exercise. The healthy gut microbiota can contribute to improving health and physical performance in athletes and, specifically, decrease the systemic acidic load through the conversion of lactate from systemic circulation to short-chain fatty acids in the proximal colon. On the contrary, microbial dysbiosis results in negative consequences for host health and physical performance because it results in a greater accumulation of systemic lactate, hydrogen ions, carbon dioxide, bacterial endotoxins, bioamines, and immunogenic compounds that are transported through the epithelia into the blood circulation. In conclusion, the systemic metabolic acidosis resulting from anaerobic exercise can be aggravated through an acidic diet, promoting chronic, low-grade metabolic acidosis in athletes. The individuality of athletic training and nutrition must take into consideration the acid-base homeostasis to modulate microbiota and adaptive physiological responses.
PubMed: 38930520
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12061138