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Microvasculature recovery in lamina cribrosa and peripapillary sclera after glaucoma surgery and its impact on visual field progression
Abstract This study investigates vessel density (VD) changes in the lamina cribrosa (LC) and peripapillary sclera (PPS) after glaucoma surgery and their association with visual field (VF) progression. Primary open-angle glaucoma patients undergoing surgery for uncontrolled intraocular pressure (IOP) at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital were included. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) assessed VD changes in the LC and PPS one month post-surgery. VF progression was evaluated using mean deviation (MD) values from serial VF tests over six months. Of 80 enrolled eyes, 74 were analyzed. Laminar VD recovery occurred in 12 eyes (16.2%), with a 21.92% ± 7.37% increase, linked to shorter axial length (P = 0.005), thinner corneal thickness (P = 0.016), and less PPS VD change (P < 0.001). PPS VD recovery occurred in 14 eyes (18.9%), with an 18.50% ± 7.28% increase, associated with younger age (P = 0.043), longer axial length (P = 0.010), and lower preoperative PPS VD (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that both laminar and PPS VD recovery significantly reduced VF progression risk (P < 0.001). VD recovery, particularly in the LC, predicts better glaucoma outcomes. The distinct responses of LC and PPS to IOP reduction highlight the need to consider individual anatomical factors in glaucoma management.
Trends in net survival from cervical cancer in a Brazilian state with medium Human Development Index
Estimation of parameters for the modified Weibull distribution under step-stress accelerated life testing with application to aircraft windshields data
Abstract In the field of engineering, precise estimation and reliability analysis are vital for ensuring the safety and performance of systems. This research employs several advanced statistical techniques to achieve these objectives. The Modified Weibull Distribution (MWD), a variant of the type-II Weibull model introduced by Lai et al. (IEEE Trans Reliab 52 (1):33–37, 2003), has gained significant attention in engineering and technology for its versatility in modeling bathtub-shaped failure rate data. Its simple and flexible failure rate function (FRF) facilitates straightforward parameter estimation using various methods. This paper introduces novel techniques for parameter estimation in step-stress partially accelerated life testing (SSPALT) for the MWD, a key aspect for predicting component lifespan under varying stress conditions. We compare Maximum Likelihood Estimators (MLE) and Bayesian estimators, utilizing gamma priors due to their suitability for capturing the positive, skewed nature of failure rate parameters, and evaluate these across balanced and unbalanced loss functions, such as Square Error, General Entropy, and Linear Exponential. Through simulation studies, we assess the performance of these estimators and validate our approach using failure times of aircraft windshield data. This work offers practical tools for reliability engineers to improve maintenance scheduling, risk assessment, and the overall reliability of engineering systems.
Childhood predictors of social support and intimate friends in a Cross-National analysis of the global flourishing study
Colorimetric chemosensing of Riboflavin using polymeric micro-array reinforced by silver nanoparticle: State-of-the-art on one-drop biomedical analysis
Antibiotic prescribing practices, perceived constraints, and views on antimicrobial resistance among general and orthopedic surgeons in central India
Abstract India has one of the world’s highest burdens of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Broad-spectrum antibiotics are routinely and empirically initiated in surgery and orthopedic departments, contributing to the AMR. This study aimed to explore the capabilities, opportunities and motivation that influence antibiotic prescribing practices of general and orthopedic surgeons in Central India. This qualitative study was guided by the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation-Behavior model (COM-B) and the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Semi-structured interviews were conducted until redundancy was achieved, including 15 general and orthopedic surgeons in three private-sector hospitals in Ujjain district. Questions were formulated to explore how decisions about antibiotic prescribing are made, and surgeons´ perceptions of antibiotic use, AMR and potential solutions. Manifest and latent content analysis was used. Three main themes were revealed: (1) Antibiotic prescribing decision is a multifactorial process influenced by environmental and sociocultural factors; (2) Infection prevention and control (IPC), diagnostics and treatment need strengthening; (3) AMR is a social problem that requires a collective effort. Participants emphasized the critical role of environmental (e.g., dusty rural setting) and sociocultural factors (e.g., patients’ socioeconomic status) in influencing antibiotic prescribing decisions. Prescribing practices were mostly empirical and varied between participants. Junior practitioners expressed a strong desire for regulation, guidelines, feedback and improvement, whereas senior practitioners were more confident in their prescribing. Doctors expressed frustration and hopelessness when treating resistant infections and recalled the significant contribution of the COVID-19 pandemic to inappropriate antibiotic use. The AMR problem in India was perceived as a broader social issue requiring collective action. Proposed solutions included strengthening IPC and diagnostic practices, developing contextualized antibiotic prescribing guidelines, stricter regulations on antibiotic use, and public education. Antibiotic prescribing decisions are multifactorial and context-specific, strongly impacted by prescribers’ experiences and environmental and sociocultural factors. Our findings could inform future interventions to improve antibiotic use in Central India and beyond.
Sustainable production of bacterial nanocellulose from date fruit waste using Bacillus haynesii for waste valorisation and crystal violet dye removal
Theoretical and experimental investigation of a CuO and graphene embedded polyethylene oxide counter electrode for efficient DSSCs
Fisetin limits Chikungunya virus-induced apoptosis hallmarks in hepatocellular carcinoma cells
All-weather precision alignment technology for ultra-wide steel box girders in cable-stayed bridges
Abstract High precision is required during the precise matching construction of steel box girder cable-stayed bridge segment suspension assembly. Due to temperature differences, sunlight, and other factors, the bridge shape changes dramatically during the day, so the precise matching of steel box girder cable-stayed bridges is generally carried out at night when the temperature is stable. However, nighttime construction restricts the progress of the project and poses certain safety hazards. This article proposes a precise matching construction method for steel beams during the dynamic changes in bridge line shape during the daytime through theoretical calculations and numerical analysis. After one measurement, two retests, and three calculations, and considering the influence of process and environmental factors, dynamic measurement, real-time calculation, and real-time control were applied to Yangmeizhou Bridge to achieve all-weather dynamic precise matching construction of steel box girders, verifying the feasibility of this method.