Validation of an enhanced recovery after surgery protocol in gynecologic surgery: an Italian randomized study

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Catching the Reversible Formation and Reactivity of Surface Defective Sites in Metal-Organic Frameworks: An Operando Ambient Pressure-NEXAFS Investigation

In this work, we apply for the first time ambient pressure operando soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) to investigate the location, structural properties, and reactivity of the defective sites present in the prototypical metal-organic framework HKUST-1. We obtained direct evidence that Cu+ defective sites form upon temperature treatment of the powdered form of HKUST-1 at 160 degrees C and that they are largely distributed on the material surface. Further, a thorough structural characterization of the Cu+/Cu2+ dimeric complexes arising from the temperature-induced dehydration/decarboxylation of the pristine Cu2+/Cu2+ paddlewheel units is reported. In addition to characterizing the surface defects, we demonstrate that CO2 may be reversibly adsorbed and desorbed from the surface defective Cu+/Cu2+ sites. These findings show that ambient pressure soft-XAS, combined with state-ofthe-art theoretical calculations, allowed us to shed light on the mechanism involving the decarboxylation of the paddlewheel units on the surface to yield Cu+/Cu2+ complexes and their reversible restoration upon exposure to gaseous CO2

Clinical Effects of an ACT-Group Training in Children and Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract Objective The aim of the present study is evaluate the effectiveness of an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-based training protocol, in adjunct to token economy and previous parent training, in a sample of children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). By promoting the reduction of immediate responses to thoughts and feelings, we aimed to reduce the impulsive behaviour of children and to improve their self-regulation. Methods The protocol was centred on awareness of the present moment, defusion and acceptance of feelings and emotions. Behavioural (Conners' Parent Rating Scale -Revised: Long version, CPRS-R:L) and severity measures (Clinical Global Impression -Severity, CGI-S) were assessed before and after treatment in a clinical sample of 31 children aged 8–13 years. Results At the end of the ACT protocol, children showed significant improvement in global functioning and behavioural symptoms. There were significant improvements in the CPRS subscales Cognitive Problems (p = 0.005), Hyperactivity (p = 0.006), Perfectionism (p = 0.017), ADHD Index (p = 0.023), Global Index: Restless–Impulsive (p = 0.023), Global Index: Total (p = 0.036), DSM IV Inattentive (p = 0.029), DSM IV Hyperactive–Impulsive (p = 0.016), and DSM IV Total (p = 0.003). When controlling for the confounding effect of pharmacological therapy, comorbidities and socio-economic status, treatment maintained a significant effect on the CPRS subscales Perfectionism (partial η2 = 0.31, p < 0.01), Global Index: Restless–Impulsive (partial η2 = 0.29, p < 0.01), Global Index: Total (partial η2 = 0.31, p < 0.01), DSM IV Hyperactive–Impulsive (partial η2 = 0.20, p = 0.02). Symptom severity as rated by CGI-S scores decreased in 74.2% of the children. Conclusions This preliminary work on an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-based child training in children affected by ADHD resulted in significant improvements, measured by a rating scale specific for ADHD

Designing network visualizations for genetic literary criticism

In this paper we present the outcomes of a research aimed at designing a new visual model for the analysis and presentation of data of genetic criticism carried out in collaboration between researchers in information design and literary scholars of the project [name of the project redacted for blind review]. The design process involved three moments: gathering of information for the definition of design requirements, prototyping the networks and conducting preliminarily evaluations, and producing and evaluating ten network visualizations. The presented process is rich in insights about the collaboration between design researchers and scholars involved in digital humanities

How Can Scientific Literature Support Decision-Making in the Renovation of Historic Buildings?:An Evidence-Based Approach for Improving the Performance of Walls

Buildings of heritage significance due to their historical, architectural, or cultural value, here called historic buildings, constitute a large proportion of the building stock in many countries around the world. Improving the performance of such buildings is necessary to lower the carbon emissions of the stock, which generates around 40% of the overall emissions worldwide. In historic buildings, it is estimated that heat loss through external walls contributes significantly to the overall energy consumption, and is associated with poor thermal comfort and indoor air quality. Measures to improve the performance of walls of historic buildings require a balance between energy performance, indoor environmental quality, heritage significance, and technical compatibility. Appropriate wall measures are available, but the correct selection and implementation require an integrated process throughout assessment (planning), design, construction, and use. Despite the available knowledge, decision-makers often have limited access to robust information on tested retrofit measures, hindering the implementation of deep renovation. This paper provides an evidence-based approach on the steps required during assessment, design, and construction, and after retrofitting through a literature review. Moreover, it provides a review of possible measures for wall retrofit within the deep renovation of historic buildings, including their advantages and disadvantages and the required considerations based on context

New-onset myasthenia gravis after mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccination: a case series

Background Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease that targets acetylcholine receptor (AChR) of the neuromuscular junction. New-onset MG after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination has rarely been reported. Case presentation We report about three patients who presented new-onset myasthenia gravis after receiving mRNA SARSCoV-2 vaccination. The patients were all males and older than 55 years. All the patients presented with ocular and bulbar symptoms. The interval between vaccine administration and MG onset ranged from 3 days after the frst dose to 10 days after the second dose. All the patients had elevated serum AChR antibodies and responded to pyridostigmine. Two out of three patients were successfully treated with IVIG or plasma exchange and with long-term immunosuppression. Conclusions MG is a rare disease; clinicians should be aware of possible new-onset MG after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, especially with the current recommendation of booster doses. The hyperstimulation of the innate immune system or the exacerbation of a subclinical pre-existing MG could be possible explanations

Duration of carriage of multidrug-resistant bacteria in dogs and cats in veterinary care and co-carriage with their owners.

Background The emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) represent a threat to human and animal health. Objectives To assess duration of carriage of MDROs in dogs and cats presented to veterinary clinics/hospitals in Switzerland. To estimate prevalence, duration of and risk factors for MDRO carriage in their owners and the occurrence of co-carriage in owner-pet pairs. Methods Prospective, longitudinal, observational study. Nasal swabs and fecal samples were collected from 50 owners of dogs and cats presented to 3 large veterinary hospitals, 1 medium-sized clinic and 1 practice. If pet or owner tested positive for a MDRO, follow-up samples were collected for up to 8 months. Methicillin-resistant (MR) Staphylococcus aureus, MR S. pseudintermedius, MR coagulase-negative staphylococci (MRCoNS), MR Macrococcus spp., cephalosporinase- and carbapenemase-producing (CP) Enterobacterales were isolated and further characterized by MALDI-TOF MS, microdilution, β-lactam resistance gene detection, REP/ERIC-PCR, multilocus sequence typing or whole-genome sequencing. Risk factors for MDRO carriage in owners were explored based on questionnaire-derived data. Results Five out of 50 owners carried 3rd generation cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacterales (3GC-R-Ent.), and 5/50 MRCoNS. In 3 dogs and 4 cats carriage of 3GC-R-Ent. persisted for up to 136 days after discharge (median 99 days, IQR 83 days, range 36-136 days), in two cats isolates were carbapenem-resistant. Owner-pet co-carriage was not observed. No specific risk factors for MDRO carriage in owners were identified. Conclusions After discharge from veterinary care, dogs and cats may carry 3GC-R-Ent. for prolonged time periods. Carriage of MDROs was common in owners, but pet-owner co-carriage of the same MDRO was not observed

Imaging features and ultraearly hematoma growth in intracerebral hemorrhage associated with COVID-19

Purpose: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is an uncommon but deadly event in patients with COVID-19 and its imaging features remain poorly characterized. We aimed to describe the clinical and imaging features of COVID-19-associated ICH. Methods: Multicenter, retrospective, case-control analysis comparing ICH in COVID-19 patients (COV19\u2009+) versus controls without COVID-19 (COV19\u2009-). Clinical presentation, laboratory markers, and severity of COVID-19 disease were recorded. Non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT) markers (intrahematoma hypodensity, heterogeneous density, blend sign, irregular shape fluid level), ICH location, and hematoma volume (ABC/2 method) were analyzed. The outcome of interest was ultraearly hematoma growth (uHG) (defined as NCCT baseline ICH volume/onset-to-imaging time), whose predictors were explored with multivariable linear regression. Results: A total of 33 COV19\u2009+\u2009patients and 321 COV19\u2009-\u2009controls with ICH were included. Demographic characteristics and vascular risk factors were similar in the two groups. Multifocal ICH and NCCT markers were significantly more common in the COV19\u2009+\u2009population. uHG was significantly higher among COV19\u2009+\u2009patients (median 6.2&nbsp;mL/h vs 3.1&nbsp;mL/h, p\u2009=\u20090.027), and this finding remained significant after adjustment for confounding factors (systolic blood pressure, antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy), in linear regression (B(SE)\u2009=\u20090.31 (0.11), p\u2009=\u20090.005). This association remained consistent also after the exclusion of patients under anticoagulant treatment (B(SE)\u2009=\u20090.29 (0.13), p\u2009=\u20090.026). Conclusions: ICH in COV19\u2009+\u2009patients has distinct NCCT imaging features and a higher speed of bleeding. This association is not mediated by antithrombotic therapy and deserves further research to characterize the underlying biological mechanisms