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Thrombosis Journal May 2024Von Willebrand factor (vWF) plays a crucial role in hemostasis, acting as a key factor for platelet adhesion/aggregation and as a transport protein for coagulation...
Impact of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation treatments on acquired von Willebrand syndrome in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a retrospective observational study.
BACKGROUND
Von Willebrand factor (vWF) plays a crucial role in hemostasis, acting as a key factor for platelet adhesion/aggregation and as a transport protein for coagulation factor VIII. vWF is secreted as a giant multimer, and it undergoes shear stress-dependent cleavage by a specific metalloproteinase in plasma. Among vWF multimers, high-molecular-weight (large) multimers are essential for hemostasis. Acquired von Willebrand syndrome, linked to various conditions, is a hemostatic disorder due to reduced vWF activity. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), utilized recently for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients, generates high shear stress inside the pump. This stress may induce a conformational change in vWF, enhancing cleavage by a specific metalloproteinase and thereby reducing vWF activity. However, no study has investigated the effects of ECMO on vWF-related factors in patients receiving or not receiving ECMO. This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between ECMO treatment and acquired von Willebrand syndrome-related factors in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
METHODS
This study included patients with cardiogenic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest admitted to our hospital. The patients were categorized into two groups (ECMO and non-ECMO) based on the presence or absence of ECMO treatment. Plasma samples were collected from patients admitted to the emergency department (days 0-4). The vWF antigen (vWF: Ag), vWF ristocetin cofactor activity (vWF: RCo), and factor VIII activity were measured. Additionally, a large multimer of vWF was evaluated through vWF multimer analysis, utilizing western blotting to probe vWF under non-reducing conditions.
RESULTS
The ECMO and non-ECMO groups included 10 and 22 patients, respectively. The median ECMO treatment in the ECMO group was 64.6 h. No differences in vWF: Ag or factor VIII activity were observed between the two groups during the observation period. However, the ECMO group exhibited a decrease in large vWF multimers and vWF: RCo during ECMO. Strong correlations were observed between vWF: RCo and vWF: Ag in both groups, although the relationships were significantly different between the two groups.
CONCLUSIONS
ECMO treatment in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest resulted in the loss of large vWF multimers and decreased vWF activity. Hence, decreased vWF activity should be considered as a cause of bleeding during ECMO management.
PubMed: 38822325
DOI: 10.1186/s12959-024-00617-4 -
Consciousness and Cognition Jul 2024Some dissociative experiences may be related, in part, to REM intrusion into waking consciousness. If so, some aspects of dream content may be associated with daytime...
Some dissociative experiences may be related, in part, to REM intrusion into waking consciousness. If so, some aspects of dream content may be associated with daytime dissociative experiences. We tested the hypothesis that some types of dream content would predict daytime dissociative symptomology. As part of a longitudinal study of the impact of dreams on everyday behavior we administered a battery of survey instruments to 219 volunteers. Assessments included the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES), along with other measures known to be related to either REM intrusion effects or dissociative experiences. We also collected dream reports and sleep measures across a two-week period from a subgroup of the individuals in the baseline group. Of this subgroup we analyzed two different subsamples; 24 individuals with dream recall for at least half the nights in the two-week period; and 30 individuals who wore the DREEM Headband which captured measures of sleep architecture. In addition to using multiple regression analyses to quantify associations between DES and REM intrusion and dream content variables we used a split half procedure to create high vs low DES groups and then compared groups across all measures. Participants in the high DES group evidenced significantly greater nightmare distress scores, REM Behavior Disorder scores, paranormal beliefs, lucid dreams, and sleep onset times. Validated measures of dreamed first person perspective and overall dream coherence in a time series significantly predicted overall DES score accounting for 26% of the variance in dissociation. Dream phenomenology and coherence of the dreamed self significantly predicts dissociative symptomology as an individual trait. REM intrusion may be one source of dissociative experiences. Attempts to ameliorate dissociative symptoms or to treat nightmare distress should consider the stability of dream content as a viable indicator of dissociative tendencies.
Topics: Humans; Dreams; Dissociative Disorders; Adult; Female; Male; Young Adult; Longitudinal Studies; Middle Aged; Sleep, REM; Adolescent
PubMed: 38821030
DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2024.103708 -
PLOS Global Public Health 2024Combination HIV prevention packages have reduced HIV incidence and improved HIV-related outcomes among young people. However, there is limited data on how package...
Combination HIV prevention packages have reduced HIV incidence and improved HIV-related outcomes among young people. However, there is limited data on how package components interact to promote HIV-related prevention behaviours. We described the uptake of HIV prevention interventions supported by Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Motivated and Safe (DREAMS) Partnership and assessed the association between uptake and HIV-related behaviours among young people in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. We analysed two cohorts followed from May 2017 to December 2019 to evaluate the impact of DREAMS, covering 13-29 year-old females, and 13-35 year-old males. DREAMS interventions were categorised as healthcare-based or social. We described the uptake of interventions and ran logistic regression models to investigate the association between intervention uptake and subsequent protective HIV-related outcomes including no condomless sex and voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC). For each outcome, we adjusted for socio-demographics and sexual/pregnancy history and reported adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Among 5248 participants, uptake of healthcare interventions increased from 2018 to 2019 by 8.1% and 3.7% for males and females respectively; about half of participants reported receiving both healthcare and social interventions each year. The most utilised combinations of interventions included HIV testing and counselling, school-based HIV education and cash transfers. Participation in social interventions only compared to no intervention was associated with reduced condomless sex (aOR = 1.60, 95%CI: 1.03-2.47), while participation in healthcare interventions only was associated with increased condomless sex. The uptake of interventions did not significantly affect subsequent VMMC overall. Among adolescent boys, exposure to school-based HIV education, cash transfers and HIV testing and counselling was associated with increase in VMMC (aOR = 1.79, 95%CI: 1.04-3.07). Multi-level HIV prevention interventions were associated with an increase in protective HIV-related behaviours emphasizing the importance of accessible programs within both school and community settings for young people.
PubMed: 38820546
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0003258 -
Journal of Vision May 2024Perceptual reality monitoring refers to the ability to distinguish internally triggered imagination from externally triggered reality. Such monitoring can take place at...
Perceptual reality monitoring refers to the ability to distinguish internally triggered imagination from externally triggered reality. Such monitoring can take place at perceptual or cognitive levels-for example, in lucid dreaming, perceptual experience feels real but is accompanied by a cognitive insight that it is not real. We recently developed a paradigm to reveal perceptual reality monitoring errors during wakefulness in the general population, showing that imagined signals can be erroneously attributed to perception during a perceptual detection task. In the current study, we set out to investigate whether people have insight into perceptual reality monitoring errors by additionally measuring perceptual confidence. We used hierarchical Bayesian modeling of confidence criteria to characterize metacognitive insight into the effects of imagery on detection. Over two experiments, we found that confidence criteria moved in tandem with the decision criterion shift, indicating a failure of reality monitoring not only at a perceptual but also at a metacognitive level. These results further show that such failures have a perceptual rather than a decisional origin. Interestingly, offline queries at the end of the experiment revealed global, task-level insight, which was uncorrelated with local, trial-level insight as measured with confidence ratings. Taken together, our results demonstrate that confidence ratings do not distinguish imagination from reality during perceptual detection. Future research should further explore the different cognitive dimensions of insight into reality judgments and how they are related.
Topics: Humans; Imagination; Male; Female; Adult; Bayes Theorem; Young Adult; Metacognition; Photic Stimulation; Visual Perception
PubMed: 38814936
DOI: 10.1167/jov.24.5.13 -
Journal of Sleep Research May 2024The world-wide prevalence of insomnia disorder reaches up to 10% of the adult population. Women are more often afflicted than men, and insomnia disorder is a risk factor... (Review)
Review
The world-wide prevalence of insomnia disorder reaches up to 10% of the adult population. Women are more often afflicted than men, and insomnia disorder is a risk factor for somatic and mental illness, especially depression and anxiety disorders. Persistent hyperarousals at the cognitive, emotional, cortical and/or physiological levels are central to most theories regarding the pathophysiology of insomnia. Of the defining features of insomnia disorder, the discrepancy between minor objective polysomnographic alterations of sleep continuity and substantive subjective impairment in insomnia disorder remains enigmatic. Microstructural alterations, especially in rapid eye movement sleep ("rapid eye movement sleep instability"), might explain this mismatch between subjective and objective findings. As rapid eye movement sleep represents the most highly aroused brain state during sleep, it might be particularly prone to fragmentation in individuals with persistent hyperarousal. In consequence, mentation during rapid eye movement sleep may be toned more as conscious-like wake experience, reflecting pre-sleep concerns. It is suggested that this instability of rapid eye movement sleep is involved in the mismatch between subjective and objective measures of sleep in insomnia disorder. Furthermore, as rapid eye movement sleep has been linked in previous works to emotional processing, rapid eye movement sleep instability could play a central role in the close association between insomnia and depressive and anxiety disorders.
PubMed: 38811745
DOI: 10.1111/jsr.14252 -
Proceedings of the National Academy of... Jun 2024Rechargeable sodium-oxygen (Na-O) battery is deemed as a promising high-energy storage device due to the abundant sodium resources and high theoretical energy density...
Rechargeable sodium-oxygen (Na-O) battery is deemed as a promising high-energy storage device due to the abundant sodium resources and high theoretical energy density (1,108 Wh kg). A series of quasisolid electrolytes are constantly being designed to restrain the dendrites growth, the volatile and leaking risks of liquid electrolytes due to the open system of Na-O batteries. However, the ticklish problem about low operating current density for quasisolid electrolytes still hasn't been conquered. Herein, we report a rechargeable Na-O battery with polyvinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene recombination Nafion (PVDF-HFP@Nafion) based quasisolid polymer electrolyte (QPE) and MXene-based Na anode with gradient sodiophilic structure (M-GSS/Na). QPE displays good flame resistance, locking liquid and hydrophobic properties. The introduction of Nafion can lead to a high Na migration number ( = 0.68) by blocking the motion of anion and promote the formation of NaF-rich solid electrolyte interphase, resulting in excellent cycling stability at relatively high current density under quasisolid environment. In the meantime, the M-GSS/Na anode exhibits excellent dendrite inhibition ability and cycling stability. Therefore, with the synergistic effect of QPE and M-GSS/Na, constructed Na-O batteries run more stably and exhibit a low potential gap (0.166 V) after an initial 80 cycles at 1,000 mA g and 1,000 mAh g. This work provides the reference basis for building quasisolid state Na-O batteries with long-term cycling stability.
PubMed: 38809713
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2320012121 -
Nursing Reports (Pavia, Italy) Apr 2024Music evokes positive emotions and reduces stress and anxiety. Operating room (OR) staff face various challenges which can lead to high levels of stress. The aim of the...
BACKGROUND
Music evokes positive emotions and reduces stress and anxiety. Operating room (OR) staff face various challenges which can lead to high levels of stress. The aim of the study is to assess whether listening to music during intraoperative phases improves the work environment by reducing anxiety and stress in the entire surgical team.
METHODS
A prospective observational study was conducted from February to September 2023, involving medical personnel, nursing staff, and nursing students. They were divided into two groups: Group 1 with music during surgical procedures, and Group 2 without music. Participants were administered two validated instruments: the Zung Anxiety Self-Assessment Scale (SAS) to measure anxiety, and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule to assess emotions generating stress. Additional items were included for demographics, job satisfaction, and the organization method.
RESULTS
Music did not impact anxiety, but increased positive emotions while reducing negative ones. Music had an ancillary effect, highlighting the need for significant organizational interventions aimed at increasing operator satisfaction, including offering voluntary instead of mandatory assignments to nursing staff.
CONCLUSIONS
Music appears to reduce stress in the intraoperative team when supported by a positive work environment in which assigned operators have chosen to work in the OR.
PubMed: 38804415
DOI: 10.3390/nursrep14020082 -
Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences 2024Bilateral microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee (MPK) users have unique needs in traversing environmental barriers compared to unilateral users. An enhancement to...
An enhancement of the Genium™ microprocessor-controlled knee improves safety and different aspects of the perceived prosthetic experience for unilateral and bilateral users.
INTRODUCTION
Bilateral microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee (MPK) users have unique needs in traversing environmental barriers compared to unilateral users. An enhancement to the Genium™/Genium X3™ MPK which included an updated ruleset, hydraulics, and new bilateral parameter presets was made to improve safety while stumbling and the smoothness of gait for all users while also improving the experience of bilateral users. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the enhancements in a sample with unilateral and bilateral amputation.
METHODS
A convenience sample of MPK users was recruited from two sites in the USA in two phases. Assessments included the -Test of Functional Mobility, Activity-specific Balance Confidence Scale, Prosthetic Limb User Survey of Mobility, a study-specific questionnaire, and the Comparative Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Questionnaire. Statistical significance of extracted data was tested with the Wilcoxon Rank-Sum Test for independent data and Wilcoxon Signed-Rank for paired data with an significance level of < 0.05. Unilateral subjects were age-matched to the group of bilateral subjects for between-groups and within-groups analyses.
RESULTS
Twenty-six subjects (= 26) were enrolled. Stumble frequency reduced 85% from 16.0 ± 39.7 to 2.4 ± 2.3 (= 0.008) between baseline and final assessment overall. The bilateral group reported 50% ( = 0.009) and 57% ( = 0.009) greater relative improvement in patient-reported ease and safety, respectively, of completing ADLs compared to the unilateral group. The unilateral group reported residual limb pain and low back pain reduced from 2.3 to 1.4 ( = 0.020) and 3.8 to 1.8 ( = 0.027), respectively, whereas the bilateral group did not.
DISCUSSION
Substantial reductions in stumbles, residual limb pain, and back pain were shown overall. These reductions were driven by the unilateral group who also showed improvements in comfort, exertion, and concentration while walking. The enhancements to the knee likely reduced some gait asymmetry for unilateral users. Improvements in patient-reported ease and safety of completing ADLs were shown overall and were driven by the bilateral group. This study shows further improvement in patient experience is achievable through innovation in MPK technology even for patients who appear to be functioning well.
PubMed: 38798750
DOI: 10.3389/fresc.2024.1342370 -
The Journal of Surgical Research May 2024Several studies have investigated surgical residents' perceptions of family planning, and many have investigated medical students' perceptions of surgical specialties;...
INTRODUCTION
Several studies have investigated surgical residents' perceptions of family planning, and many have investigated medical students' perceptions of surgical specialties; however, there is limited research on medical students' perceptions of the impact of family planning on the decision to pursue surgical training. This study aims to investigate male and female medical students' perceptions of family planning in residency.
METHODS
A survey was distributed to all medical students at a single medical school in the Midwest between February 2023 and June 2023. The survey was adapted from a prior study investigating resident perceptions of family planning. It included questions about parental leave, having children, and perceived barriers to family planning.
RESULTS
One hundred students completed surveys. Seventy-four (74%) respondents identified as female and 57 (57%) were interested in surgery. Approximately half (55, 55%) of the respondents were strongly or definitely considering having children during residency. However, only eight (8%) students were aware of policies applicable to having children during residency. A majority (85, 85%) felt the decision to pursue surgical residency would prevent or delay having children at their preferred time. Most students felt they would be negatively perceived by peers (62, 62%) and faculty (87, 87%) if they had children during training. The highest perceived barriers to having children during training were work-time demands, childcare barriers, and time away from training.
CONCLUSIONS
Both men and women are interested in having children during residency but are unaware of the relevant parental leave policies and are concerned about how training will be impacted by taking time away or a lack of flexibility. Without transparency and flexibility in surgical residency, both men and women may forgo having children during training or choose a specialty they perceive to be more conducive to childbearing.
PubMed: 38795672
DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2024.04.048 -
Sleep Medicine Jul 2024Sleep disturbances are an important symptom dimension of post-traumatic-stress-disorder (PTSD). There is no meta-analytic evidence examining the effects of all types of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Sleep disturbances are an important symptom dimension of post-traumatic-stress-disorder (PTSD). There is no meta-analytic evidence examining the effects of all types of pharmacotherapy on sleep outcomes among patients with PTSD.
METHODS
Medline/Embase/PsychInfo/CENTRAL/clinicaltrials.gov/ICTRP, reference lists of published reviews and all included studies were searched for Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) examining any pharmacotherapy vs. placebo or any other drug among patients with PTSD.
PRIMARY OUTCOMES
total sleep time, nightmares, sleep quality.
SECONDARY OUTCOMES
sleep onset latency, number of nocturnal awakenings, time spent awake following sleep onset, dropouts due to sleep-related adverse-effects, insomnia/somnolence/vivid-dreams as adverse-effects. Pairwise and network meta-analyses were performed.
RESULTS
99 RCTs with 10,481 participants were included. Prazosin may be the most effective treatment for insomnia (SMD = -0.88, 95%CI = [-1.22;-0.54], nightmares (SMD = -0.44, 95%CI = [-0.84;-0.04]) and poor sleep quality (SMD = -0.55, 95%CI = [-1.01;-0.10]). Evidence is scarce and indicates lack of efficacy for SSRIs, Mirtazapine, z-drugs and benzodiazepines, which are widely used in daily practice. Risperidone and Quetiapine carry a high risk of causing somnolence without having a clear therapeutic benefit. Hydroxyzine, Trazodone, Nabilone, Paroxetine and MDMA-assisted psychotherapy may be promising options, but more research is needed.
CONCLUSIONS
Underpowered individual comparisons and very-low to moderate confidence in effect estimates hinder the generalisability of the results. More RCTs, specifically reporting on sleep-related outcomes, are urgently needed.
Topics: Humans; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Network Meta-Analysis; Sleep Wake Disorders; Prazosin; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Dreams; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders
PubMed: 38795401
DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2024.05.032