Extra-Aortic Mycotic Aneurysm Due to Group A Streptococcus after Pharyngitis

Mycotic aneurysms, especially outside the aorta, are uncommon, with group A Streptococcus a particularly rare cause. We report a case of extra-aortic mycotic aneurysm following a sore throat without demonstrable bacteremia where identification of the pathological organism was made by molecular diagnostic techniques after a standard laboratory culture was negative.     

A Review on Joint Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and Plaque Area Measurement in Ultrasound for Cardiovascular/Stroke Risk Monitoring: Artificial Intelligence Framework

Journal of Digital Imaging - Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the top ten leading causes of death worldwide. Atherosclerosis disease in the arteries is the main cause of the CVD, leading to...     

Suicidal ideation is associated with nighttime wakefulness in a community sample

Study ObjectivesNocturnal wakefulness is a risk factor for suicide and suicidal ideation in clinical populations. However, these results have not been demonstrated in general community samples or compared to sleep duration or sleep quality. The present study explored how the timing of wakefulness was associated with suicidal ideation for weekdays and weekends.MethodsData were collected from 888 adults aged 22–60 as part of the Sleep and Healthy Activity, Diet, Environment, and Socialization study. Suicidal ideation was measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, while timing of wakefulness was estimated from the Sleep Timing Questionnaire. Binomial logistic regressions estimated the association between nocturnal (11 pm–5 am) and morning (5 am–11 am) wakefulness and suicidal ideation.ResultsNocturnal wakefulness was positively associated with suicidal ideation on weekdays (OR: 1.44 [1.28–1.64] per hour awake between 11:00 pm and 05:00 am, p < 0.0001) and weekends (OR: 1.22 [1.08–1.39], p = 0.0018). Morning wakefulness was negatively associated with suicidal ideation on weekdays (OR: 0.82 [0.72–0.92] per hour awake between 05:00 am and 11:00 am, p = 0.0008) and weekends (OR: 0.84 [0.75–0.94], p = 0.0035). These associations remained significant when adjusting for sociodemographic factors. Additionally, nocturnal wakefulness on weekdays was associated with suicidal ideation when accounting for insomnia, sleep duration, sleep quality, and chronotype (OR 1.25 [1.09–1.44] per hour awake, p = 0.002).ConclusionWakefulness at night was consistently associated with suicidal ideation. Additionally, morning wakefulness was negatively associated with suicidal ideation in some models. Although these findings are drawn from a non-clinical sample, larger longitudinal studies in the general population are needed to confirm these results.     

Supported metal and metal oxide particles with proximity effect for catalysis

External influence is essential for any change to occur in this world. Similarly, the reaction path of a chemical reaction can be changed with the addition of a catalyst from outside. Sometimes a catalyst performs better when it remains associated with an inert substance, which is called a support material (SM). Improved catalyst accomplishment arises from the ‘proximity effect’. Even inert supports play a role in better product formulation or environmental remediation. In this review, it has been shown how the SM, as a nest, aids the catalyst particle synergistically to perform a good job in a chemical reaction. The structure–function relationship of SM helps in catalyst activation to some extent, and produces active centres that are difficult to fully ascertain. In the text, Langmuir–Hinshelwood (L–H), Mars-van Krevelen (MVK), and Eley–Rideal (E–R) mechanisms are highlighted for the adsorption processes as the case may be. Again, the importance of SM for both catalyst and substrates has been consolidated here in the text. Finally, the role of the initiator and the promoter is also discussed in this review.

Catalysts are empowered with proper support materials (SM). The proximity effect, in other word ‘synergism’ between the two, is still necessary to be explored at the molecular level to revamp this never ending field of catalysis.     

Electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD): Current perspectives and applications in ensuring food safety

Digital microfluidic (DMF) platforms have contributed immensely to the development of multifunctional lab-on-chip systems for performing complete sets of biological and analytical assays. Electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) technology, due to its outstanding flexibility and integrability, has emerged as a promising candidate for such lab-on-chip applications. Triggered by an electrical stimulus, EWOD devices allow precise manipulation of single droplets along the designed electrode arrays without employing external pumps and valves, thereby enhancing the miniaturization and portability of the system towards transcending important laboratory assays in resource-limited settings. In recent years, the simple fabrication process and reprogrammable architecture of EWOD chips have led to their widespread applications in food safety analysis. Various EWOD devices have been developed for the quantitative monitoring of analytes such as food-borne pathogens, heavy metal ions, vitamins, and antioxidants, which are significant in food samples. In this paper, we reviewed the advances and developments in the design of EWOD systems for performing versatile functions starting from sample preparation to sample detection, enabling rapid and high-throughput food analysis.     

Outcome of humeral shaft fractures treated by functional cast brace

Background:Functional brace application for isolated humeral shaft fracture persistently yields good results. Nonunion though uncommon involves usually the proximal third shaft fractures. Instead of polyethylene bivalve functional brace four plaster sleeves wrapped and molded with little more proximal extension expected to prevent nonunion of proximal third fractures. Periodic compressibility of the cast is likely to yield a better result. This can be applied on the 1^st day of the presentation as an outpatient basis. Comprehensive objective scoring system befitting for fracture humeral shaft is a need.Results:The results were assessed using 100 point scoring system where union allotted 30 points and 60 points allotted for angulations (10), elbow motion (10), shoulder abduction (10), shortening (5), rotation (5), absence of infection (10), absence of nerve palsy during treatment (10). Remaining 10 points were allotted for five items with two points each. They were the absence of skin sore, absence of vascular problem, absence of reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), recovery of paralyzed nerve during injury and recovery of paralyzed nerve during treatment. Results were considered excellent with 90 and above, good with 80–89, fair with 70–79 and poor below 70 point. Results at 6 months were excellent in 43.94% (n = 29), good in 42.42% (n = 28), fair in 9.1% (n = 6), poor in 4.55% (n = 3). Union took place in 98.48% (n = 65) with an average of 10.3 weeks (range 6–16 weeks). 87.5% (n = 7) paralyzed radial nerve recovered. All wounds healed. Four patients had transient skin problem. One patient with mid shaft fracture had nonunion due to the muscle interposition.Conclusion:Modified functional cast brace is one of the options in treatment for humeral shaft fractures as it can be applied on the 1^st day of the presentation in most of the situations. Simple objective scoring system was useful particularly in uneducated patients.