Rationale, aims and objectives: There is a large body of literature from all over the world that describes, analyzes, or evaluates home care models and interventions. The present article aims to identify the practical lessons that can be gained from a systematic examination of that literature. Method: We conducted a three-step sequential search process from which 113 documents were selected. That corpus was then narratively analyzed according to a realist review approach. Results: A first level of observation is that there are multiple blind spots in the existing literature on home care. The definition and delimitation of what constitutes home care services is generally under-discussed. In the same way, the composition of the basket of care provided and its fit with the need of recipients is under-addressed. Finally, the literature relies heavily on RCTs whose practical contribution to decisions or policy is disputable.At a second level, our analysis suggests that three mechanisms (system integration, case management and relational continuity) are core characteristics of home care models effectiveness. Conclusion: We conclude by providing advice for creating effective home care system change through rational and participatory design and evaluation alongside public dialogue about the purpose and future of home care.

A patient with seizure disorder history was referred for right shoulder dislocation. Post-reduction radiographs revealed a large Hill-Sachs deformity. Patient factors were important in determining the treatment.

The morphology variations of the so-called scimitar vein are many and varied. We present a synthesis of 92 published investigations of the overall scimitar syndrome. We reviewed the clinical presentations, diagnostic modalities, surgical approaches, and outcomes. Diagnostic information was provided by clinical presentations, radiographic findings, transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography, computed-tomographic angiography, magnetic resonance imaging, angiocardiography, and ventilation/perfusion scans. These investigations served to elucidate the origin, course, and termination of the scimitar vein, the intracardiac anatomy, the presence of associated defects, and the patterns of any accompanying pulmonary lesions. In short, they defined the disease prior to surgical intervention. Of the patients described, up to four-fifths presented during infancy, with cardiac failure, increased pulmonary flow, and pulmonary hypertension. Associated cardiac and extracardiac defects, particularly hypoplasia of the right lung, are present in up to three-quarters of cases. Overall operative mortality has been cited between 4.8% and 5.9%. Mortality was highest in patients with preoperative pulmonary hypertension, and those undergoing surgery in infancy. Despite timely surgical intervention, post-repair obstruction of the scimitar vein, intra-atrial baffle obstruction, or stenosis of the inferior caval vein were reported in up to two-thirds of cases. The venous obstruction could not be related to any particular surgical technique. On long term follow-up, one sixth of patients reported persistent dyspnoea and recurrent respiratory infections. Any infants presenting with heart failure, right-sided heart, and hypoplastic right lung should be evaluated to exclude the syndrome. An increased appreciation of variables will contribute to improved surgical management.

In this paper, we prove that the following planar Schrödinger-Poisson system with zero mass -Δu+φu=f(u), x∈R^2, Δφ= 2πu^2, x∈R^2, admits a nontrivial radially symmetric solution under weaker assumptions on f by using some new analytical approaches.

The aim of this article is to study the relationships and models among the Van den Dool and Kratz equation, the gas chromatography, and the Bézier curves constructed by aid of the Bernstein polynomials. Another aim of this article is to introduce open problems that contribute to real-world problems involving mathematics, chemistry, and plant biology, including the Van den Dool and Kratz equation, the gas chromatography, and Bézier curves. Searching for the solutions of these problems may have qualities that will create the potential that can enter the field of study of many researchers. As a result of these goals, the usability of Bézier curves was investigated while determining the chemical composition of essential oil obtained from P. Aladaghensis Leblebici. By applying the retention index from the Van den Dool and Kratz equation and evaluating chemical compositions of the essential oil are characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The Van den Dool and Kratz equation results have the potential to be used not only in the chemical compositions of the oils, but also in applied mathematics and other fields. Moreover, we construct a new special finite sum. A lower bound and inequality are also given for the finite special sum involving the dead time associated with the isocratic step. Some applications and criticisms are given that include this lower bound and inequality for these sums and its effects on the chemical compositions of essential oil and the Van den Dool and Kratz equation.

SARS-CoV-2 caused one of the most devastating pandemics in the recent history of mankind. Due to various countermeasures, including lock-downs, wearing masks and increased hygiene, the virus has been controlled in some parts of the world. More recently, the availability of vaccines, based on RNA or Adenoviruses, have greatly added to our ability to keep the virus at bay, again in some parts of the world only. While available vaccines are effective, it would be desirable to also have more classical vaccines at hand for the future. Key feature of vaccines for long-term control of SARS-CoV-2 would be inexpensive production at large scale, ability to make multiple booster injections and long-term stability at +4 oC. Here we describe such a vaccine candidate, consisting of the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding motif grafted genetically onto the surface of the immunologically optimized cucumber mosaic virus, called CuMV TT-RBM. Using bacterial fermenter production and continuous flow centrifugation, the productivity of the production process is estimated to be >2.5 million doses per 1000 liter fermenter run and the vaccine candidate is stable for at least 14 months at 4°C. We further demonstrate that the candidate vaccine is highly immunogenic in mice and rabbits and induces more high avidity antibodies compared to convalescent human sera and antibodies induced are more cross-reactive to mutant RBDs for variants of concern (VoC). Furthermore, antibody responses are neutralizing and long-lived. This, the here presented VLP-based vaccine may be a good candidate for use as conventional vaccine in the long-term.

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been described to partially overlap with Kawasaki disease (KD) with regard to clinical symptoms, but they are unlikely to share the same disease entity. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to characterize the laboratory parameters of MIS-C compared with those of KD and Kawasaki disease shock syndrome (KDSS). Databases were searched for studies on laboratory parameters of MIS-C (hematology, inflammatory markers, cardiac markers and biochemistry) through May 31, 2021. Twelve studies with 3073 participants yielded 969 MIS-C patients. In terms of hematology, MIS-C patients had lower levels of leukocytes, absolute lymphocyte count and platelet count (PLT) than KD patients and had similar absolute neutrophil count (ANC) and hemoglobin (Hb) levels. In terms of inflammatory markers, MIS-C patients had higher levels of C-reactive protein, D-dimer and ferritin than KD patients and had similar levels of procalcitonin and ESR. In terms of cardiac markers, MIS-C patients had higher CPK levels than KD patients. The levels of NT-proBNP, troponin and AST were not significantly different between MIS-C and KD patients. In terms of biochemistry, MIS-C patients had lower levels of albumin, sodium and ALT and higher levels of creatinine than KD patients. In addition, MIS-C patients had lower levels of PLT, Hb and ESR and higher levels of ANC than KDSS patients. Measurement of laboratory parameters might assist clinicians with accurate evaluation of MIS-C and further mechanistic research.

A patient with late in COVID-19 pneumonia presented peripheral cystic features on chest computed tomography, which were spontaneously resolved with no antibiotic therapy or surgery. Physicians should pay attention to follow up the late phase of COVID-19 pneumonia for better understanding its etiologies and clinical course in the convalescing period.

This is a type of manuscript that does not require an abstract

Increased circulating CRTH2+Tregs are associated with asthma control and exacerbation Short running title:Increased circulating CRTH2+Tregs among patients with asthmaTeerapol Chantveerawonga, Sasipa Sangkangjanavanicha,b, Chirawat Chiewchalermsria,c, Panitan Pradubpongsaa, Wat Mitthamsiria, Sarawut Jindaratd, Ming Wange, Mübeccel Akdisf, Milena Sokolowskaf, Cezmi A. Akdisf, Atik Sangasapaviliyaa, Tadech Boonpiyathada,faDivision of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, Phramongkutklao Hospital, Bangkok, Thailandb Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, ThailandcDepartment of Medicine, Panyananthaphikkhu Chonprathan Medical Center, Srinakharinwirot University, Nonthaburi, ThailanddDepartment of Pharmacology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, ThailandeDepartment of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing TongRen Hospital, Capital Medical University, and the Beijing Key Laboratory of Nasal Diseases, Beijing Institute of Otolaryngology, Beijing, ChinafSwiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF), University of Zurich, and the Christine Kühne-Center for Allergy Research and Education (CK-CARE), Davos, Switzerland

Objectives: To determine the cost-effectiveness of auditory brainstem response prior to MRI (ABR-MRI) compared to standalone MRI to diagnose vestibular schwannoma. Design: A state transition decision-analytic model was developed to simulate costs and effects (quality-adjusted life years) for both treatment strategies for patients suspected of a vestibular schwannoma. Model input was derived from literature, hospital databases, and expert opinions. Scenario and sensitivity analyses addressed model uncertainty. Results: Over a lifetime horizon, ABR-MRI resulted in a limited cost-saving of \euro68 or \euro98 per patient (dependent on MRI sequence) and a health loss of 0.005 QALYs over standalone MRI. ABR-MRI, however, did miss patients with other important pathology (2% of the population) that would have been detected when using standalone MRI. Calculating the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio resulted in \euro14,203 or \euro19,550 saved per lost QALY if ABR-MRI was used instead of standalone MRI. The results were sensitive to the detection rate of vestibular schwannoma and health-related quality of life of missed patients. Conclusion: The cost-saving with ABR-MRI does not seem to outweigh the number of missed patients with VS and other important pathologies that would have been detected when using standalone MRI.

Background There is scarcity of information about the cumulative live birth rates(CLBRs) and time to live birth(TTLB) between progestin primed ovarian stimulation protocol(PPOS) and long GnRH agonist protocol. Objective To compare CLBRs and TTLB in women with normal ovarian reserve following PPOS with long GnRH agonist protocol. Methods A total of 995 women who underwent IVF using either PPOS (n=509) or GnRH antagonist (n=486) ovarian stimulation at the discretion of the attending physicians. The primary outcome measure was the CLBRs within 18 months from the day of ovarian stimulation. Results Both groups had almost comparable demographic and cycle stimulation characteristics except for duration of infertility which was shorter in the PPOS group. CLBRs after one complete IVF cycle including fresh and subsequent FET cycles within 18 months follow up were significantly lower in the PPOS group compared that in the long agonist group 206/509 (40.5%) and 307/486 (63.2%), respectively (odds ratio (OR): 0.641; 95% CI: 0.565-0.726). The average TTLB was significantly shorter in the long agonist group compared to the PPOS group (P < 0.01). In Kaplan-Meier analysis, the cumulative incidence of ongoing pregnancy leading to LB was significantly higher in the long agonist compared in the PPOS group (P < 0.001). Cox regression analysis revealed stimulation protocol adopted was strongly associated with the CLBRs after adjusting other confounding factors (OR =1.917 (1.152-3.190), P=0.012). Conclusion PPOS offers no advantage over conventional protocol in women with a normal ovarian reserve undergoing IVF. Keywords: PPOS, long GnRH agonist protocol, IVF, CLBRs, TTLB

Patients who have undergone upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) cancer surgery are a real challenge in prosthetic rehabilitation. Many clinicians tend to shift towards an implant-supported prosthesis. Thus, we first reviewed a specific type of implant rehabilitation: the connecting bars. Then two clinical cases are described in this article.

A document by Richard Thalappillil. Click on the document to view its contents.

WeChat and access to wireless communication may offer a continuum of care following medical and surgical intervention. This cardiac surgery research study evaluates the process of parental education and social support following pediatric cardiac surgery utilizing standard of care compared to telehealth.

A document by Sheikh Mohammed Irfan. Click on the document to view its contents.

Abstract Objective: Although various guidelines have been established for the management of antithrombotic therapy during surgical treatments, surgical tracheostomy (ST) under continued antithrombotic therapy (CAT) remains a challenge. We investigated the risk factors for complications after ST by focusing on CAT use during ST. Method: Patients’ medical records from 2009 to 2020 were reviewed in this retrospective study. We selected patients who underwent ST at the Department of Otolaryngology of the University of Tokyo Hospital. Patient demographics, complications, and blood test values were recorded and statistically analyzed to identify the risk factors for postoperative complications. Results: We identified 288 patients (median age: 64 years; 184 men [64%]), among whom 40 (median age: 67 years; 29 men [73%]) underwent CAT. Although the patients undergoing CAT had significantly higher values of activated partial thromboplastin time (p = 0.002) and prothrombin time-international normalized ratio (p = 0.006) than those of antithrombotic naïve patients, no statistically significant intergroup differences were observed in the risks of bleeding, infection, or subcutaneous emphysema. Instead, ST under local anesthesia (p = 0.01) and ST for airway emergency (p = 0.02) significantly increased the risk of early postoperative complications. Conclusion: The results of the present study suggest that ST under CAT can be safely performed without any increased risk of postoperative complications. Nevertheless, surgeons should be extra cautious about early complications after ST under local anesthesia without intubation or ST for airway emergency. Key points: 1. We aimed to investigate the risk factors for complications after ST by focusing on CAT use during ST. 2. Patients undergoing CAT had significantly higher values of APTT and PT-INR than those of antithrombotic naïve patients. 3. ST under CAT can be safely performed without any increased risk of postoperative complications. 4. ST under local anesthesia and airway emergency was a risk factor for complications after ST. 5. Among the complications, subcutaneous emphysema was significantly more frequent in ST under local anesthesia and under airway emergency.

A document by Yang Liu. Click on the document to view its contents.

Objectives: Ureteral stend use is a risk factor for BK nephropathy (BKVN). In 2015, we compared the patients with anti-reflux mechanism DJS (ARD-DJS) and those used standard DJS (st-DJS) in terms of BKV and BKVN frequency in 90 kidney transplant patients in two centers. With the increase in the number of our patients over time and lengthening of the follow-up duration, we needed to re-evaluate the data in one center. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 211 patients who underwent kidney transplantation at Diyarbakır Gazi Yaşargil Training and Research Hospital between September 2012 and September 2019. The following parameters were recorded, demographic data, immunosuppression protocols, presence of rejection, graft loss, plasma BKV levels, and presence of BKVN. Median and IQR follow-up time for ARD-DJS and St-DJS patients was 72 months (62,5-80,3 months) and 27,8 months (17,4-39,6 months) respectively. Results: Thirteen patients (6,1%) had BKV viremia. BKVN was revealed by kidney biopsy in 3 of 13 patients. However, graft loss due to BKVN was observed in only one patient. ARD-DJS was used in 4 of these cases and standard DJS was used in 9 of these cases. Patients in whom BKV revealed in the first 3 months were compared in the aspect of DJS technique, BKV was significantly less observed in the ARD-DJS group (ARD-DJS: 2 patients; St-DJS:9 patients), (p=0,046). Conclusions: In our study, BKV was observed less in patients with ARD-DJS that were clinically significant but not statistically significant. Therefore, prospective randomized studies with high patient numbers are needed to determine the effectiveness of ARD-DJS.

Abstract Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) was applied in the prone position. But also, in recent years supine positions was applied in patients with kidney stones. Predicting how much renal stones can be cleared after surgery and possibility of complications is an important question for both surgeons and patients. Therefor different scoring systems are used to predict stone-free and complication rates before surgery. Patients and Methods: Between 2018 and 2920, 80 patients with renal stone who underwent PCNL in the supine position were evaluated preoperatively by S.T.O.N.E. and Guy’s scoring systems. The predictions of both scoring systems for stone-free and complication rates in patients who underwent PCNL in the supine position were evaluated. Also, these scoring systems were compared among themselves for reliability. Result: In both scoring systems, there was a statistically significant difference between postoperative stone-free (SF) and residual stone (RS) patients and in predicting the likelihood of complications in patients. No statistically significant difference was found between the two scoring systems in predicting the stone-free rate. Conclusion: Our findings revealed that S.T.O.N.E. nephrolithometri and Guy’s score systems can be used effectively to predict stone-free rate, complications and operation duration in supine position PCNL for renal stones.

COVID-19 vaccination with BNT162b2 and ChAdOx1 vaccines induces nasal neutralizing antibodiesDeclercq Jozefien(1,2,5)*, Tobback Els(3)*, Vanhee Stijn(2,5), Natalie De Ruyck(1), Gerlo Sarah(4), Gevaert Philippe(1)**, Vandekerckhove Linos(3,4)***shared co-first authorship** shared last authorshipUpper Airways Research Lab URL, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Ghent University, Ghent, BelgiumLaboratory of immunoregulation, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, BelgiumDepartment of General Internal Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, BelgiumHIV Cure Research Centre, Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, BelgiumDepartment of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, BelgiumCorresponding author:Prof. Dr. Philippe GevaertUpper Airways Research Lab URL, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Ghent University,C Heymanslaan 10, 1P1Ghent, Belgium+3293324922Philippe.gevaert@ugent.beFinancial support: no fundingWord count: 591

This study provides a comprehensive review of the existing river measurement data of South Korea. The specific sediment yield in the country is 5–1,500 tons/km 2·year. The watershed area decisively affects the shapes of the curves for flow duration, sediment rating, and cumulative distribution of water and sediment discharge, and it can determine the effects of topographic and anthropogenic characteristics on erosion and sedimentation processes. Regarding flow regime, small watersheds have flashy hydrographs and high sediment concentrations at a given flow discharge. The coefficient of the sediment rating curves for various rivers decreases from 1 to 0.02 as the watershed area increases from 100 to 20,000 km 2, with the exponent of the curves ranging from 1.5 to 2.0. Moreover, sediment transport in small watersheds depends on large floods. The half-yield discharge typically ranges from 5 to 40 times the mean discharge, and it decreases with increasing watershed area. This study proposes equations to calculate the annual discharges, flow duration curves, sediment yield, and cumulative distribution curves of the flow and sediment, as well as the sediment yield at reservoirs in South Korea. Additionally, the sediment regimes in the country are compared to those in other continental regions.

During the pandemic, millions of Americans have become acquainted with the CDC because its reports and the data it collects affect their day-today lives. But the methodology used and even some of the data collected by CDC remain opaque to the public and to the community of academic epidemiology. In this paper, we highlight areas in which CDC methodology might be improved and where greater transparency might lead to broad collaboration. (1) "Excess" deaths are routinely reported, but not "years of life lost", an easily-computed datum that is important for public policy. (2) What counts as an "excess death"? The method for computing the number of excess deaths does not include error bars and we show a substantial range of estimates is possible. (3) Pneumonia and influenza death data on different CDC pages is grossly contradictory. (4) The methodology for computing influenza deaths is not described in sufficient detail that an outside analyst might pursue the source of the discrepancy. (5) Guidelines for filling out death certificates have changed during the COVID-19 pandemic, preventing the comparison of 2020-21 death profiles with any previous year. We conclude with a series of explicit recommendations for greater consistency and transparency, and ultimately to make CDC data more useful to outside epidemiologists.

Background: In this study, sexual function problems in obese infertile women were investigated. Methods: Meeting the inclusion criteria for the study; Included were 150 women obesity without infertility, 150 women obesity with infertility and 150 women normal weight without infertility. The participants were administered a sociodemographic data form, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and the Beck Depression Inventory following the measurement of body mass index. Results: FSFI scores were observed to be statistifical significantly lower in the group of obesity with infertility than in the other two groups. FSFI scores were measured as (19.6 ± 3.6 vs 21.0 ± 3.7 vs 27.1 ± 4.3) in the group of obesity with infertility, the group of obesity without infertility and the control group, respectively. Conclusion: In our study, sexual dysfunction was found to be statistically significantly higher in women obesity with infertility compared to the control group. Therefore, healthcare professionals in women obesity with infertility; in addition to infertility treatment, sexual health counseling should also be considered.