French version of the short form of the Neurogenic Bladder Symptom Score: Cross-cultural adaptation and validation

IntroductionThis study aimed to empirically validate a French version of the Neurogenic Bladder Symptoms Score-Short From (NBSS-SF), a psychometric multidimensional tool to assess lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) for patients with a neurological condition.MethodsOne hundred and five participants with multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury prospectively completed the questionnaire at baseline and 7–14 days later. The α coefficient of Cronbach (internal consistency) and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) (test-retest reliability) were calculated.ResultsThe internal consistency for the overall questionnaire was high (Cronbach’s α coefficients from 0.79), while coefficients for each subscale were variable (urinary incontinence 0.91; storage and voiding 0.69; consequences 0.25). For test-retest reliability, 88/105 (84%) patients filled and sent back their questionnaire 10 days (±3.6 days) after baseline version. ICC was 0.90 for the total score and was 0.73 for the urinary incontinence subdomain, 0.79 for storage and voiding, and 0.75 for consequences.ConclusionsThe psychometric qualities of the French version of the NBSS-SF are well-supported, thus providing a valid tool to measure bladder symptoms across three different domains in patients with neurogenic bladder.     

Fermeture percutanée des communications interventriculaires congénitales par la prothèse Amplatzer Duct OccluderII: données préliminaire d’une étude Tunisienne monocentrique

Introduction . Percutaneous closure of congenital ventricular septal defects (VSDs) represents a promising alternative to surgery with lower rate of complications and shorter hospital stay. Its main limitation is the choice of the appropriate device for each type of defect. Aim. To report the experience of the service of cardiology (Sahloul hospital, Sousse, Tunisia) in percutaneous closure of congenital VSDs with Amplatzer Duct Occluder II (ADOII). Methods. This was a retrospective, monocentric study, conducted from January 2013 to December 2017. The study included patients treated by percutaneous closure of congenital VSDs with the ADOII device. Results. Twelve patients (6 boys; 6 girls) were included. The mean±SD of patients’ age and weight were 65±41 months and 23±10 kg, respectively. VSDs were peri-membranous (n=9) and muscular (n=3), and defects were restrictive (n=11) and non-restrictive (n=1). The mean (minimum-maximum) size of VSDs was 4.72 (3-6) mm. Eleven ADOII prostheses were successfully implanted. One failure procedure was noted with migration of the device into the pulmonary artery. A second child with perimembranous defect developed transient atrioventricular block. No deaths occurred. Conclusion. The present early experience shows that percutaneous closure with ADOII device of perimembranous and trabecular VSDs is safe and effective.     

Physiological instability is linked to mortality in primary central nervous system lymphoma: A case–control fMRI study

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is an aggressive brain disease where lymphocytes invade along perivascular spaces of arteries and veins. The invasion markedly changes (peri)vascular structures but its effect on physiological brain pulsations has not been previously studied. Using physiological magnetic resonance encephalography (MREG_BOLD) scanning, this study aims to quantify the extent to which (peri)vascular PCNSL involvement alters the stability of physiological brain pulsations mediated by cerebral vasculature. Clinical implications and relevance were explored. In this study, 21 PCNSL patients (median 67y; 38% females) and 30 healthy age‐matched controls (median 63y; 73% females) were scanned for MREG_BOLD signal during 2018–2021. Motion effects were removed. Voxel‐by‐voxel Coefficient of Variation (CV) maps of MREG_BOLD signal was calculated to examine the stability of physiological brain pulsations. Group‐level differences in CV were examined using nonparametric covariate‐adjusted tests. Subject‐level CV alterations were examined against control population Z‐score maps wherein clusters of increased CV values were detected. Spatial distributions of clusters and findings from routine clinical neuroimaging were compared [contrast‐enhanced, diffusion‐weighted, fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) data]. Whole‐brain mean CV was linked to short‐term mortality with 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity, as all deceased patients revealed higher values (n = 5, median 0.055) than surviving patients (n = 16, median 0.028) (p < .0001). After adjusting for medication, head motion, and age, patients revealed higher CV values (group median 0.035) than healthy controls (group median 0.024) around arterial territories (p ≤ .001). Abnormal clusters (median 1.10 × 10⁵mm³) extended spatially beyond FLAIR lesions (median 0.62 × 10⁵mm³) with differences in volumes (p = .0055).     

Recovery of vanadium and nickel from heavy oil fly ash (HOFA): a critical review

Heavy oil fly ash “HOFA” is the fly ash generated in power stations using heavy oil as fuel. HOFA is considered a hazardous waste because it contains considerable amounts of heavy metals. However, it contains significant amounts of vanadium “V” and nickel “Ni”, which are precious metals for manufacturing processes. This paper presents a critical review of various approaches described in the literature for the recovery of V and Ni from HOFA, including processes of leaching, chemical precipitation, solvent extraction, and ion exchange. The optimum operational parameters and their effects on recovery efficiency are discussed. The digestion mixtures of strong mineral acids used for dissolving all metals present in HOFA are also highlighted. The leaching processes of V and Ni use mainly acidic and alkaline solutions. Bioleaching is a promising environmentally friendly approach for the recovery of V and Ni through using appropriate bacteria and fungi. After leaching, V and Ni compounds are recovered and purified using various techniques, including chemical precipitation, solvent extraction, and ion exchange. In most cases, V and Ni are recovered as thermally decomposable compounds that undergo calcination to produce V₂O₅ and NiO. Eventually, V and Ni are recovered as pure oxides in most approaches, but pure metals are obtained in exceptional procedures.

Overall flowchart of the recovery of V and Ni from HOFA showing the most common steps following the main three optional leaching approaches.     

Evaluation of the Effect of the Loading Time on the Microtensile Bond Strength of Various Restorative Materials Bonded to Silver Diamine Fluoride-Treated Demineralized Dentin

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of immediate versus delayed loading times on the microtensile bond strength (μTBS) of restorative materials, including resin-based composite (RBC), resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC) and glass ionomer cement (GIC), that were bonded to silver diamine fluoride (SDF)-treated demineralized dentin. Ninety caries-free extracted premolar teeth were assigned to three groups (n = 30) loaded with RBC, RMGIC and GIC restorative materials. Each group was further divided into three subgroups (n = 10): subgroup A (control specimens), immediate loading of the restorative material on sound dentin; subgroup B, demineralized dentin, SDF treatment and immediate loading of the restorative material; and subgroup C, demineralized dentin, SDF treatment and restorative material loading a week later. One-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post-hoc tests were performed to compare the μTBS values. The RBC exhibited the highest µTBS, followed by RMGIC and GIC. Multiple comparisons showed an increase in the µTBS in the delayed loading groups irrespective of the restorative material used. The majority of the failure modes were adhesive. Delayed loading of RMGIC for 1 week after SDF application showed significantly higher µTBS than that of immediate loading.     

Microstructural Evolution,Tensile Failure,Fatigue Behavior and Wear Properties of Al2O3 Reinforced Al2014 Alloy T6 Heat Treated Metal Composites

The paper focused on an experimental study on the microstructural, mechanical, and wear characteristics of 15 wt.% alumina (Al₂O₃) particulates with an average particle size of 20 µm, reinforced in Al2014 alloy matrix composite as-cast and heat-treated samples. The metal matrix composite (MMC)samples were produced via a novel two-stage stir-casting technique. The fabricated composite samples were subjected to evaluate hardness, tensile strength, fatigue behavior and wear properties for both as cast and T6 heat-treated test samples. The Al2014 alloy and Al2014-15 wt.% Al₂O₃ MMCs were in solution for 1 h at a temperature of 525 °C, quenched instantly in cold water, and then artificially aged for 10 h at a temperature of 175 °C. SEM and X-ray diffraction analyses were used to investigate the microstructure and dispersion of the reinforced Al₂O₃ particles in the composite and the base alloy Al2014. The obtained results indicated that the hardness, tensile and fatigue strength and wear resistance increased when an amount of Al₂O₃ particles was added, compared to the as-cast Al2014 alloy and it was observed that after subjecting the same composite samples to heat treatment, there was further enhancement in the mechanical and wear properties in the Al2014 matrix alloy and Al2014-15 wt.% Al₂O₃ composite samples.     

Prevalence and correlates of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among the elderly in Qatar: A cross-sectional study

Older individuals are more vulnerable to severe coronavirus disease 2019 and medical complications. Vaccination stands as an efficient and safe vanguard against infection. However, negative attitudes and perceptions pertaining to available vaccines might hinder community inoculation. The aim of this study was to assess vaccine hesitancy and its psychosocial determinants among the elderly in Qatar.We conducted a cross-sectional study between October 15 and November 15, 2020, using a composite online survey including the Vaccine Attitudes Examination Scale in addition to questions on sociodemographic correlates and the role of healthcare professionals.The vaccine hesitancy rate was 19.5%. The main reasons for willingness to vaccinate included understanding the nature of disease and role of vaccination, in addition to information provided by physicians. Fears mainly centered around vaccine safety. Vaccine hesitators were more likely to be non-Qatari and having received the influenza vaccine at least once. Gender, marital status, socioeconomic status, educational level, and having completed childhood vaccinations were not associated with vaccine hesitancy.Efforts should be directed toward raising awareness of vaccine efficacy and safety profiles. Physicians should additionally be educated about their pivotal role in advocating vaccine acceptance. We recommend reassessing vaccine hesitancy and its associated factors following a year of campaigning and vaccine administration to identify and target vulnerable groups.     

Troponina I por Percentil 99 da Definição Universal de Infarto do Miocárdio versus Ponto de Corte de Melhor Acurácia em Síndromes Coronárias Agudas

Background Contemporary diagnosis of ACS and risk stratification are essential for appropriate management and reduction of mortality and recurrent ischemic events, in the acute phase of disease and after hospitalization. The Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction recommends the detection of troponin levels above the 99^th percentile.Objectives To evaluate the occurrence of early death and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in patients without elevation of troponin (<0.034 ng/mL), patients with mild elevation (above the 99^th percentile [>0.034 ng/mL and <0.12 ng/mL)], and patients with significant elevation of troponin (above the diagnostic cutoff for AMI defined by the troponin kit (≥0.12 ng/mL)]; and to analyze the impact of troponin on the indication for invasive strategy and myocardial revascularization.Methods Cross-sectional cohort study of patients with ACS with assessment of peak troponin I, risk score, prospective analysis of 30-day clinical outcomes and two-sided statistical tests, with statistical significance set at p<0.05.Results A total of 494 patients with ACS were evaluated. Troponin > 99^th percentile and below the cutoff point, as well as values above the cutoff, were associated with higher incidence of composite endpoint (p<0.01) and higher rates of percutaneous or surgical revascularization procedures (p<0.01), without significative difference in 30-day mortality.Conclusions Troponin levels above the 99^th percentile defined by the universal definition of AMI play a prognostic role and add useful information to the clinical diagnosis and risk scores by identifying those patients who would most benefit from invasive risk stratification and coronary revascularization procedures.