Browse Articles

LEO or LEO baby within enterprise overlapping stents combined with coil embolization treatment for ruptured vertebrobasilar artery dissecting aneurysms

Development and validation of the PrePain questionnaire for predicting pain

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties and construct validity of the PrePain questionnaire in both the general population and a long-term pain population. The PrePain questionnaire is an 11-item self-administered tool that assesses current pain intensity, long-term pain history, and attitudes, emotions, and behaviors related to pain using a visual analog scale (VAS). This non-randomized observational study included 200 participants: 100 individuals with long-term pain and 100 without. Participants were recruited from a specialist pain rehabilitation clinic and via social media. The study involved baseline and follow-up assessments using the PrePain questionnaire, the Short Health Anxiety Inventory (SHAI-14), and the Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CSQ). Statistical analyses included Spearman correlation for test-retest reliability, sign rank-test for sensitivity to change, Cronbach’s α for internal consistency, principal component analysis for subscale analysis, and mixed-effects linear regression for test of criterion validity. A total of 187 participants completed the study. The PrePain questionnaire demonstrated acceptable face validity and moderate test-retest reliability (coefficients ranging from 0.58 to 0.73). Internal consistency was α = 0.63. Principal component analysis suggested a two or three-factor solution. Criterion validity was supported by significant correlations between PrePain items and SHAI-14 and CSQ catastrophizing, except for the pain sensitivity item. No significant changes were observed in the clinical group between baseline and follow-up assessments. The resuts provide preliminary evidence for the reliability of The PrePain questionnaire and its validity for assessing attitudes, emotions, and behaviors related to pain in both clinical and non-clinical populations. Further research is needed to explore its sensitivity to change and utility in clinical practice.

Prevention and treatment of social anxiety disorder in adolescents: mixed method randomised controlled trial of the guided online intervention SOPHIE

Abstract Social anxiety symptoms are highly prevalent in adolescents and negatively impact their social and academic functioning, highlighting the need for effective low-threshold interventions. This randomised controlled trial evaluated the guided online intervention SOPHIE for adolescents (N = 133; 11–17 years) with social anxiety disorder (SAD; treatment) or subclinical social anxiety (indicated prevention) compared to care-as-usual control condition and qualitatively explored their experiences. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, mid-intervention (4 weeks), post-intervention (8 weeks) and 5-month follow-up and analysed using linear mixed-effects models. SOPHIE did not significantly reduce social anxiety symptoms post-intervention but showed a significant between-group effect at follow-up (d = 0.67, 95%CI [0.32;1.02]). Subgroup analyses by diagnostic condition showed a significant between-group effect at follow-up in the subclinical social anxiety (d = 1.53, 95%CI [1.74;0.41]) but not in the SAD condition. Social functioning significantly improved at post-intervention and follow-up, with medium to large effects (post: d=-0.73, 95%CI [-1.08; -0.37]; follow-up: d=-0.32, 95%CI [-0.66; 0.02]). Qualitative interviews post-intervention revealed that participants found the intervention beneficial, although some found exposure exercises challenging and desired additional support. Very heterogeneous needs emerged regarding the guidance provided during the programme. Low-threshold online interventions for adolescents with social anxiety may be effective, particularly as an indicated prevention approach.

Congo red fluorescence enhances digital pathology workflow in cardiac amyloidosis

Abstract Despite advances in non-invasive methods, endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) remains essential for definitive diagnosis of amyloidosis in many cases. Traditionally, Congo red birefringence (CRB) has been crucial for identifying amyloid deposits but is challenging to capture digitally. Emerging fluorescent Congo red imaging (CRF) overcomes this problem and holds promise in image analysis and AI applications. The diagnostic performance of CRF on virtual slides was evaluated in a cohort of EMB and autopsy cases. The feasibility of developing AI algorithms applicable to centers lacking a fluorescence scanner was investigated leveraging a computational pipeline that enables fluorescence outcome visualization in brightfield. The study analyzed 43 digital myocardial slides stained with Congo Red, acquired using a fluorescent Texas Red filter. Among these, 28 (65%) were diagnosed with amyloidosis, with complete diagnostic agreement with original diagnosis. AI achieved an AUC-ROC of 0.87, 0.86 and 0.79 on the training, validation and test set, respectively, in tile-level classification for amyloidosis positivity and IoU and Dice scores indicating partial but reasonable overlap between predictions and ground truth in amyloid segmentation. The study underscores CRF’s transformative impact on virtual slides and AI integration for diagnosing cardiac amyloidosis, showcasing high reliability and diagnostic accuracy. These advancements promise a more quantitative and precise approach, facilitating the histological study of the disease in the digital transition era of pathology labs.

Nanocarrier mediated DOX/siRNA targeted co-delivery for synergistic treatment of cutaneous melanoma in outdoor athletes

Rising temperatures contribute to West Nile virus diversification and increased transmission potential

Effects of stroboscopic visual training on reaction time and movement accuracy in collegiate athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Cone beam computed tomography analysis of anterior open bite management using clear aligners: a single-arm retrospective study

Abstract Lateral cephalograms have the inherent drawback of superimposition of bilateral structures, while landmarks are more reproducible on CBCT scans. Yet no studies in the literature have utilized 3D imaging to investigate the effects of clear aligners on anterior open bite. Therefore, The aim is to measure the skeletal and dental changes that contribute to anterior open bite closure with clear aligner therapy on CBCT scans. It is a single-arm retrospective study that included 40 cases of anterior open bite who were treated using Invisalign. Pre- and post-treatment CBCT scans were traced to record 13 dental and 3 skeletal measurements. A paired t-test was conducted to compare the mean values of pre- and post-treatment measurements. Combined intrusion of the maxillary right and left molars was statistically significant, meanwhile mandibular molars maintained their vertical position. Maxillary incisors were extruded and retroclined significantly, whereas mandibular incisors were only extruded. While anterior facial height was decreased insignificantly, both lower anterior facial height and mandibular plane angle showed a significant decrease. Clear aligner (Invisalign) therapy is effective in the management of anterior open bite through vertical control, maxillary molars intrusion, maxillary incisors extrusion, maxillary and mandibular incisors retroclination, and mandibular autorotation.

Research on active advance support technology of mining roadway under hard roof condition

Molecular docking study and pharmacokinetic insights of rifampicin in pure and capsule dosage forms

Evaluating eddy current behavior and magnetic loss in pure and Mn/Zn-doped NiFe2O4 spinel ferrites

Variability in the volume transport of deep overflow across the 10°S saddle on the ninetyeast ridge

Influence of path materials on rock avalanche dynamics in the Nayong case study

Comprehensive analysis of Mendelian randomization and scRNA-seq identify key prognostic genes and relevant functional roles in colorectal cancer

Incidence and prevalence of light chain amyloidosis in the United States in 2019–2021 using Optum EHR data

The influence of individual differences in the processing of words expressing discrete emotions: data from a large-scale study

Screening of exotic banana accessions for their resistance to fusarium wilt race 1 and tropical race 4 in India

Enhanced sulfadiazine degradation through synergistic visible light assisted peroxymonosulfate activation using a magnetic Fe₃O₄-ZnIn₂S₄ catalyst

The prevalence and causes of visual impairment in special schools and blind schools in Shanxi Province, China: a cross-sectional study

Abstract This study aimed to determine the prevalence and causes of low vision and blindness among students in special education schools (serving children with disabilities, including intellectual disabilities) and blind schools (for students with blindness or visual impairment) in Shanxi Province, China. A cross-sectional investigation was conducted across nine special education schools and two blind schools in Shanxi Province from March to September 2018. Participants underwent comprehensive ophthalmic examinations, including visual acuity (VA) assessment using Lea Symbols or Cardiff Cards, refraction testing, and anterior/posterior segment evaluations. Non-cycloplegic refraction was performed initially, with cycloplegic refraction administered when VA was subnormal for age. Visual impairment was classified according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. Demographic and general health data were also collected. The study included 441 children from special schools (mean age: 12.3 ± 3.5 years) and 56 children from blind schools or blind classes within special schools (mean age: 13.0 ± 3.2 years). Among special school students, 44 (10.0%) had visual impairment (mild: 9.1%; moderate: 0.9%), primarily attributable to uncorrected refractive errors (90.7%); 10 cases (2.3%) remained undetermined due to poor compliance. In blind schools/classes, 30 children (53.6%) were classified as blind, 22 (39.3%) as visually impaired (moderate: 28.6%; severe: 8.9%), and 4 (7.1%) as undetermined. Notably, 44.6% of visual impairment cases were avoidable, with nystagmus (25.0%), amblyopia (19.6%), and cataract (8.9%) identified as leading causes. These findings underscore the significant burden of uncorrected refractive errors in special schools and the high prevalence of nystagmus in blind schools. The substantial proportion of avoidable visual impairment highlights the critical need for early screening and targeted interventions to improve visual function for children with disabilities.

Sensor based sleep patterns and reported sleep quality in breast cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy

Abstract Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in women worldwide and its treatment often leads to the onset of sleep disturbances. While much research has focused on chemotherapy’s impact on overall sleep quality through subjective measures, less attention has been given to its effects on specific sleep metrics such as duration, timing, continuity, and naps. This preliminary study addresses this gap by assessing sleep duration, timing, and regularity, using the Emfit QS device over 100 consecutive days in 24 breast cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Additionally, we incorporated the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to measure reported sleep quality. Our results suggest that chemotherapy may influence the duration for time spent in bed (ptrend = 0.02) measured by the Emfit QS. Duration in bed decreased over the first seven weeks (e.g., 9.3 h/day at week 1 vs. 8.5 h/day at week 8), and increased thereafter to similar amounts as those recorded in week 1 (9.0 h/day at week 15). Sleep timing and regularity, also measured by the Emfit QS, remained unchanged. Overall sleep quality, as measured by the PSQI, did not change over time. However, our analysis of the individual components of the PSQI revealed that sleep disturbances increased as treatment progressed from week 1 to week 8 (1.3 ± 0.6 to 1.7 ± 0.6; p = 0.01), concurrently with an increase in insomnia symptoms. Approximately, 33%, 63%, and 73% reported having insomnia symptoms at week 1, 8, and 15. These findings highlight critical periods during treatment when patients are vulnerable to disrupted sleep. Future research should focus on interventions to mitigate sleep disturbances, improving patient well-being and overall quality of life.