A randomised controlled trial of neuromuscular stimulation in non-operative venous disease improves clinical and symptomatic status.

Funder: Actergy HealthBACKGROUND: This randomised controlled trial investigates the dosing effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in patients with chronic venous disease (CVD). METHODS: Seventy-six patients with CEAP C3-C5 were randomised to Group A (no NMES), B (30 minutes of NMES daily) or C (60 minutes of NMES daily). Primary outcome was percentage change in Femoral Vein Time Averaged Mean Velocity (TAMV) at 6 weeks. Clinical severity scores, disease-specific and generic quality of life (QoL) were assessed. RESULTS: Seventy-six patients were recruited - mean age 60.8 (SD14.4) and 47:29 male. Six patients lost to follow-up. Percentage change in TAMV (p<0.001) was significantly increased in Groups B and C. Aberdeen Varicose Veins Questionnaire Score (-6.9, p=0.029) and Venous Clinical Severity Score (-4, p-0.003) improved in Group C, and worsened in Group A (+1, p=0.025). CONCLUSIONS: Daily NMES usage increases flow parameters, with twice daily usage improving QoL and clinical severity at 6 weeks in CVD patients

Global impact of the first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic wave on vascular services

This online structured survey has demonstrated the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on vascular services. The majority of centres have documented marked reductions in operating and services provided to vascular patients. In the months during recovery from the resource restrictions imposed during the pandemic peaks, there will be a significant vascular disease burden awaiting surgeons. One of the most affected specialtie

STUDY OF PROMPT PHOTON PRODUCTION IN HADRONIC Z(0) DECAYS

From a sample of 1.5 million Z(0) –&gt; &lt;q(q)over bar&gt; decays collected by the DELPHI detector during 1991, 1992 and 1993, the production cross section for isolated final state photons is measured and is compared with the O(alpha, alpha(s)) matrix element calculations implemented in the EEPRAD and GNJETS Monte Carlo generators. The observed photon yield is used to derive the electroweak couplings of charge 2/3 (u-type) and charge 1/3 (d-type) quarks to the Z(0) boson. The measured values C-2/3 = 0.91(-0.36)(+0.25) and c(1/3) = 1.62(-0.17)(+0.24) are compatible with the Standard Model prediction, C-2/3 = 1.145 and c(1/3) = 1.477

Open data from the first and second observing runs of Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo

Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo are monitoring the sky and collecting gravitational-wave strain data with sufficient sensitivity to detect signals routinely. In this paper we describe the data recorded by these instruments during their first and second observing runs. The main data products are gravitational-wave strain time series sampled at 16384 Hz. The datasets that include this strain measurement can be freely accessed through the Gravitational Wave Open Science Center at http://gw-openscience.org, together with data-quality information essential for the analysis of LIGO and Virgo data, documentation, tutorials, and supporting software