Filling Gaps in Trawl Surveys at Sea through Spatiotemporal and Environmental Modelling

International scientific fishery survey programmes systematically collect samples of target stocks’ biomass and abundance and use them as the basis to estimate stock status in the framework of stock assessment models. The research surveys can also inform decision makers about Essential Fish Habitat conservation and help define harvest control rules based on direct observation of biomass at the sea. However, missed survey locations over the survey years are common in long-term programme data. Currently, modelling approaches to filling gaps in spatiotemporal survey data range from quickly applicable solutions to complex modelling. Most models require setting prior statistical assumptions on spatial distributions, assuming short-term temporal dependency between the data, and scarcely considering the environmental aspects that might have influenced stock presence in the missed locations. This paper proposes a statistical and machine learning based model to fill spatiotemporal gaps in survey data and produce robust estimates for stock assessment experts, decision makers, and regional fisheries management organizations. We apply our model to the SoleMon survey data in North-Central Adriatic Sea (Mediterranean Sea) for 4 stocks: Sepia officinalis, Solea solea, Squilla mantis, and Pecten jacobaeus. We reconstruct the biomass-index (i.e., biomass over the swept area) of 10 locations missed in 2020 (out of the 67 planned) because of several factors, including COVID-19 pandemic related restrictions. We evaluate model performance on 2019 data with respect to an alternative index that assumes biomass proportion consistency over time. Our model’s novelty is that it combines three complementary components. A spatial component estimates stock biomass-index in the missed locations in one year, given the surveyed location’s biomass-index distribution in the same year. A temporal component forecasts, for each missed survey location, biomass-index given the data history of that haul. An environmental component estimates a biomass-index weighting factor based on the environmental suitability of the haul area to species presence. Combining these components allows understanding the interplay between environmental-change drivers, stock presence, and fisheries. Our model formulation is general enough to be applied to other survey data with lower spatial homogeneity and more temporal gaps than the SoleMon dataset

The burden of epilepsy on long-term outcome of genetic developmental and epileptic encephalopathies: A single tertiary center longitudinal retrospective cohort study

Background: This retrospective cohort analysis highlighted neurodevelopmental outcome predictors of genetic developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEE). Patients and methods: Patients' demographic, clinical and molecular genetics data were collected. All patients underwent clinical, developmental, and neuropsychological assessments. Results: We recruited 100 participants (53 males, 47 females) with a mean follow-up lasting 10.46 ± 8.37 years. Age at epilepsy-onset was predictive of poor adaptive and cognitive functions (VABS-II score, r = 0.350, p = 0.001; BRIEF control subscale, r = -0.253; p = 0.031). Duration of epilepsy correlated negatively with IQ (r = -0.234, p = 0.019) and VABS-II score (r = -0.367, p = 0.001). Correlations were found between delayed/lacking EEG maturation/organization and IQ (r = 0.587, p = 0.001), VABS-II score (r = 0.658, p = 0.001), BRIEF-MI and BRIEF-GEC scores (r = -0.375, p = 0.001; r = -0.236, p = 0.033), ASEBA anxiety (r = -0.220, p = 0.047) and ADHD (r = -0.233, p = 0.035) scores. The number of antiseizure medications (ASMs) correlated with IQ (r = -0.414, p = 0.001), VABS-II (r = -0.496, p = 0.001), and BRIEF-MI (r = 0.294, p = 0.012) scores; while age at the beginning of therapy with ASEBA anxiety score (r = 0.272, p = 0.013). The occurrence of status epilepticus was associated with worse adaptive performances. The linear regression analysis model showed that delayed/lacking EEG maturation/organization had a significant influence on the IQ (R2 = 0.252, p < 0.001) and the BRIEF-GEC variability (R2 = 0.042, p = 0.036). The delayed/lacking EEG maturation/organization and the duration of epilepsy also had a significant influence on the VABS-II score (R2 = 0.455, p = 0.005). Conclusions: Age at seizure-onset, EEG maturation/organization, duration of epilepsy, occurrence of status epilepticus, age at the introduction and number of ASMs used are reliable predictors of long-term outcomes in patients with genetic DEE

Mechanical ventilation weaning issues can be counted on the fingers of just one hand: part 2

Assessing heart and diaphragm function constitutes only one of the steps to consider along the weaning path. In this second part of the review, we will deal with the more systematic evaluation of the pulmonary parenchyma-often implicated in the genesis of respiratory failure. We will also consider the other possible causes of weaning failure that lie beyond the cardio-pulmonary-diaphragmatic system. Finally, we will take a moment to consider the remaining unsolved problems arising from mechanical ventilation and describe the so-called protective approach to parenchyma and diaphragm ventilation

Open Versus Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy for Adrenocortical Carcinoma: A Meta-analysis of Surgical and Oncological Outcomes

PURPOSE: This study was designed to determine the role of laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) in the surgical management of adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC). METHODS: A systematic literature review was performed on January 2, 2015 using PubMed. Article selection proceeded according to PRISMA criteria. Studies comparing open adrenalectomy (OA) to LA for ACC and including at least 10 cases per each surgical approach were included. Odds ratio (OR) was used for all binary variables, and weight mean difference (WMD) was used for the continuous parameters. Pooled estimates were calculated with the fixed-effect model, if no significant heterogeneity was identified; alternatively, the random-effect model was used when significant heterogeneity was detected. Main demographics, surgical outcomes, and oncological outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Nine studies published between 2010 and 2014 were deemed eligible and included in the analysis, all of them being retrospective case-control studies. Overall, they included 240 LA and 557 OA cases. Tumors treated with laparoscopy were significantly smaller in size (WMD -3.41 cm; confidence interval [CI] -4.91, -1.91; p < 0.001), and a higher proportion of them (80.8 %) more at a localized (I-II) stage compared with open surgery (67.7 %) (odds ratio [OR] 2.8; CI 1.8, 4.2; p < 0.001). Hospitalization time was in favor of laparoscopy, with a WMD of -2.5 days (CI -3.3, -1.7; p < 0.001). There was no difference in the overall recurrence rate between LA and OA (relative risk [RR] 1.09; CI 0.83, 1.43; p = 0.53), whereas development of peritoneal carcinomatosis was higher for LA (RR 2.39; CI 1.41, 4.04; p = 0.001). No difference could be found for time to recurrence (WMD -8.2 months; CI -18.2, 1.7; p = 0.11), as well as for cancer specific mortality (OR 0.68; CI 0.44, 1.05; p = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: OA should still be considered the standard surgical management of ACC. LA can offer a shorter hospital stay and possibly a faster recovery. Therefore, this minimally invasive approach can certainly play a role in this setting, but it should be only offered in carefully selected cases to avoid jeopardizing the oncological outcome.PURPOSE: This study was designed to determine the role of laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) in the surgical management of adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC). METHODS: A systematic literature review was performed on January 2, 2015 using PubMed. Article selection proceeded according to PRISMA criteria. Studies comparing open adrenalectomy (OA) to LA for ACC and including at least 10 cases per each surgical approach were included. Odds ratio (OR) was used for all binary variables, and weight mean difference (WMD) was used for the continuous parameters. Pooled estimates were calculated with the fixed-effect model, if no significant heterogeneity was identified; alternatively, the random-effect model was used when significant heterogeneity was detected. Main demographics, surgical outcomes, and oncological outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Nine studies published between 2010 and 2014 were deemed eligible and included in the analysis, all of them being retrospective case-control studies. Overall, they included 240 LA and 557 OA cases. Tumors treated with laparoscopy were significantly smaller in size (WMD -3.41 cm; confidence interval [CI] -4.91, -1.91; p < 0.001), and a higher proportion of them (80.8 %) more at a localized (I-II) stage compared with open surgery (67.7 %) (odds ratio [OR] 2.8; CI 1.8, 4.2; p < 0.001). Hospitalization time was in favor of laparoscopy, with a WMD of -2.5 days (CI -3.3, -1.7; p < 0.001). There was no difference in the overall recurrence rate between LA and OA (relative risk [RR] 1.09; CI 0.83, 1.43; p = 0.53), whereas development of peritoneal carcinomatosis was higher for LA (RR 2.39; CI 1.41, 4.04; p = 0.001). No difference could be found for time to recurrence (WMD -8.2 months; CI -18.2, 1.7; p = 0.11), as well as for cancer specific mortality (OR 0.68; CI 0.44, 1.05; p = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: OA should still be considered the standard surgical management of ACC. LA can offer a shorter hospital stay and possibly a faster recovery. Therefore, this minimally invasive approach can certainly play a role in this setting, but it should be only offered in carefully selected cases to avoid jeopardizing the oncological outcome

Towards pancreatic cancer diagnosis using EIS biochips

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Pediatric ultrasound-guided dorsal penile nerve block and sedation in spontaneous breathing: a prospective observational study

BackgroundWorldwide, one of the most common surgical procedures in the pediatric population is circumcision. There is no consent on the best anesthesiologic approach. This study aimed to investigate ultrasound-guided dorsal penile nerve block (DPNB) plus sedation in spontaneous breathing as a time-saving, safe, effective, and opioid-sparing technique.AimsThe primary outcome was the assessment of the time from the end of surgery and the discharge to the post-anesthesia care unit. Secondary outcomes were to evaluate the cumulative dosages of opioids, differences in pain levels between the two groups, and complications at the awakening, 4 h and 72 h after surgery, respectively.MethodsThis was a prospective study with a retrospective control group, approved by the Friuli–Venezia Giulia Ethics Committee. Children in the intervention group received an ultrasound-guided DPNB under sedation and spontaneous breathing. With the probe positioned transversally at the base of the penis using an in-plane approach with a modified technique, local anesthetic was injected under the deep fascia of the penis.ResultsWe recruited 70 children who underwent circumcision at the University Hospital of Udine, Italy, from 1 January 2016 to 1 October 2021: 35 children in the ultrasound-guided DPNB group and 35 children in the control group. Children who received ultrasound-guided DPNB had a statistically significant lower time to discharge from the operating room, did not require mechanical ventilation, maintained spontaneous breathing at all times, received fewer opioids, had lower mean intraoperative arterial pressures, and lower pain levels immediately after surgery.ConclusionUltrasound-guided DPNB associated with sedation and spontaneous breathing is a time-saving, opioid-sparing, safe, and effective strategy for the management of intraoperative and postoperative pain in children undergoing circumcision.Clinical trial registration:ClinicalTrial.gov (NCT04475458, 17 July 2020)

Transperineal Laser Ablation for Focal Therapy of Localized Prostate Cancer: 12-Month Follow-up Outcomes from a Single Prospective Cohort Study

Introduction and objectives: to evaluate the oncological and functional outcomes of transperineal laser ablation (TPLA) as the focal therapy for localized prostate cancer (PCa) after a 12-month follow-up. Materials and methods: patients with low- and intermediate-risk localized PCa were prospectively treated with focal TPLA between July 2021 and December 2022. The inclusion criteria were the following: clinical stage < T2b; PSA < 20 ng/mL; International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grade ≤ 2; MRI-fusion biopsy-confirmed lesion classified as PI-RADS v2.1 ≥ 3. Intra-, peri-, and post-operative data were collected. Variables including age, PSA, prostate volume (PVol), Charlson’s Comorbidity Index (CCI), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) with QoL score, International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5), International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire—Short Form (ICIQ-SF), and Male Sexual Health Questionnaire—Ejaculatory Dysfunction Short Form (MSHQ-EjD) were collected at baseline and at 3, 6 and 12 months after TPLA. Post-operative mpMRI was performed at 3 and 12 months. Finally, all patients underwent prostatic re-biopsy under fusion guidance at 12 months. The success of this technique was defined as no recurrence in the target treated lesion at the 12-month follow up. Results: Twenty-four patients underwent focal TPLA. Baseline features were age [median 67 years (IQR 12)], PSA [5.7 ng/mL (3.9)], PVol [49 mL (27)], CCI [0 (0)], IPSS [11 (9)], IPSS-QoL [2 (2)], IIEF-5 [21 (6)], ICIQ-SF [0 (7)], MSHQ-EjD ejaculation domain [14 (4)] and bother score [0 (2)]. Median operative time was 34 min (IQR 12). Median visual analogue scale (VAS) 6 h after TPLA was 0 (IQR 1). The post-operative course was regular for all patients, who were discharged on the second post-operative day and underwent catheter removal on the seventh post-operative day. No patient had incontinence at catheter removal. A significant reduction in PSA (p = 0.01) and an improvement in IPSS (p = 0.009), IPSS-QoL (p = 0.02) and ICIQ-SF scores (p = 0.04) compared to baseline were observed at the 3-month follow-up. Erectile and ejaculatory functions did not show any significant variation during the follow-up. No intra- and peri-operative complications were recorded. Three Clavien–Dindo post-operative complications were recorded (12%): grade 1 (two cases of urinary retention) and grade 2 (one case of urinary tract infection). At the 12-month follow-up, eight patients showed mpMRI images referable to suspicious recurrent disease (PIRADS v2.1 ≥ 3). After re-biopsy, 7/24 patients’ (29%) results were histologically confirmed as PCa, 3 of which were recurrences in the treated lesion (12.5%). The success rate was 87.5%. Conclusions: the focal TPLA oncological and functional results seemed to be encouraging. TPLA is a safe, painless, and effective technique with a good preservation of continence and sexual outcomes. Recurrence rate at 12 months was about 12.5%

Diaphragm ultrasound evaluation during weaning from mechanical ventilation in COVID-19 patients: a pragmatic, cross-section, multicenter study

Background Diaphragmatic dysfunction is a major factor responsible for weaning failure in patients that underwent prolonged invasive mechanical ventilation for acute severe respiratory failure from COVID-19. This study hypothesizes that ultrasound measured diaphragmatic thickening fraction (DTF) could provide corroborating information for weaning COVID-19 patients from mechanical ventilation. Methods This was an observational, pragmatic, cross-section, multicenter study in 6 Italian intensive care units. DTF was assessed in COVID-19 patients undergoing weaning from mechanical ventilation from 1st March 2020 to 30th June 2021. Primary aim was to evaluate whether DTF is a predictive factor for weaning failure. Results Fifty-seven patients were enrolled, 25 patients failed spontaneous breathing trial (44%). Median length of invasive ventilation was 14 days (IQR 7-22). Median DTF within 24 h since the start of weaning was 28% (IQR 22-39%), RASS score (- 2 vs - 2; p = 0.031); Kelly-Matthay score (2 vs 1; p = 0.002); inspiratory oxygen fraction (0.45 vs 0.40; p = 0.033). PaO2/FiO(2) ratio was lower (176 vs 241; p = 0.032) and length of intensive care stay was longer (27 vs 16.5 days; p = 0.025) in patients who failed weaning. The generalized linear regression model did not select any variables that could predict weaning failure. DTF was correlated with pH (RR 1.56 x 10(27); p = 0.002); Kelly-Matthay score (RR 353; p < 0.001); RASS (RR 2.11; p = 0.003); PaO2/FiO(2) ratio (RR 1.03; p = 0.05); SAPS2 (RR 0.71; p = 0.005); hospital and ICU length of stay (RR 1.22 and 0.79, respectively; p < 0.001 and p = 0.004). Conclusions DTF in COVID-19 patients was not predictive of weaning failure from mechanical ventilation, and larger studies are needed to evaluate it in clinical practice further. Registered: ClinicalTrial.gov (NCT05019313, 24 August 2021)