Optimization of CT scanning protocol of Type B aortic dissection follow-up through 3D printed model

This research aims to develop and evaluate a human tissue-like material 3D printed model used as a phantom in determining optimized scanning parameters to reduce the radiation dose for Type B aortic dissection patients after thoracic endovascular aortic repair. The results show that radiation risk for follow-up Type B aortic dissection patients can be potentially reduced. Further, the value of using 3D printed model in studying CT scanning protocols was further validated

Conserved charged amino acid residues in the extracellular region of sodium/iodide symporter are critical for iodide transport activity

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Sodium/iodide symporter (NIS) mediates the active transport and accumulation of iodide from the blood into the thyroid gland. His-226 located in the extracellular region of NIS has been demonstrated to be critical for iodide transport in our previous study. The conserved charged amino acid residues in the extracellular region of NIS were therefore characterized in this study.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Fourteen charged residues (Arg-9, Glu-79, Arg-82, Lys-86, Asp-163, His-226, Arg-228, Asp-233, Asp-237, Arg-239, Arg-241, Asp-311, Asp-322, and Asp-331) were replaced by alanine. Iodide uptake abilities of mutants were evaluated by steady-state and kinetic analysis. The three-dimensional comparative protein structure of NIS was further modeled using sodium/glucose transporter as the reference protein.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>All the NIS mutants were expressed normally in the cells and targeted correctly to the plasma membrane. However, these mutants, except R9A, displayed severe defects on the iodide uptake. Further kinetic analysis revealed that mutations at conserved positively charged amino acid residues in the extracellular region of NIS led to decrease NIS-mediated iodide uptake activity by reducing the maximal rate of iodide transport, while mutations at conserved negatively charged residues led to decrease iodide transport by increasing dissociation between NIS mutants and iodide.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This is the first report characterizing thoroughly the functional significance of conserved charged amino acid residues in the extracellular region of NIS. Our data suggested that conserved charged amino acid residues, except Arg-9, in the extracellular region of NIS were critical for iodide transport.</p

Outcomes and characteristics of ertapenem-nonsusceptible Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteremia at a university hospital in Northern Taiwan: A matched case-control study

Background and purposeCarbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae is an emerging problem worldwide. The object of this study was to investigate the risk factors, characteristics and outcomes of ertapenem-nonsusceptible K pneumoniae (ENSKp) bacteremia.MethodsWe conducted a 1:2 ratio matched case-control study. The controls were randomly selected among patients with ertapenem-susceptible K pneumoniae (ESKp) bacteremia and were matched with ENSKp cases for bacteremia.ResultsSeventy-five patients were included in this study (25 cases and 50 controls). Bivariate analysis showed that prior exposure to either β-Lactam/β-Lactam-lactamase inhibitors (p = 0.008) or 4th generation cephalosporins (p < 0.001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (p = 0.001), acute renal failure (p = 0.021), chronic kidney disease without dialysis (p = 0.021), recent hospital stay (p = 0.016), intensive care unit stay (p = 0.002), mechanical ventilation (p = 0.003), central venous catheter placement (p = 0.016), Foley indwelling (p = 0.022), polymicrobial bacteremia (p = 0.003) and higher Pittsburgh bacteremia score (p < 0.001) were associated with ENSKp bacteremia. The multivariate analysis showed that prior exposure to 4th generation cephalosporins (odds ratio [OR], 28.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.92–269.85; p = 0.004), COPD (OR, 21.38; 95% CI, 2.95–154.92; p = 0.002) and higher Pittsburgh bacteremia score (OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.10–1.66; p = 0.004) were independent factors for ENSKp bacteremia. ENSKp bacteremia had a higher 14-day mortality rate than ESKp bacteremia (44.0% vs. 22.0%; p = 0.049). The overall in-hospital mortality rates for these two groups were 60.0% and 40.0% respectively (p = 0.102).ConclusionENSKp bacteremia had a poor outcome and the risk factors were prior exposure of 4th generation cephalosporins, COPD and higher Pittsburgh bacteremia score. Antibiotic stewardship may be the solution for the preventive strategy

Team flow is a unique brain state associated with enhanced information integration and neural synchrony

Team flow occurs when a group of people reaches high task engagement while sharing a common goal as in sports teams and music bands. While team flow is a superior enjoyable experience to individuals experiencing flow or regular socialization, the neural basis for such superiority is still unclear. Here, we addressed this question utilizing a music rhythm task and electroencephalogram hyper-scanning. Experimental manipulations held the motor task constant while disrupted the hedonic musical correspondence to blocking flow or occluded the partner’s body and task feedback to block social interaction. The manipulations’ effectiveness was confirmed using psychometric ratings and an objective measure for the depth of flow experience through the inhibition of the auditory-evoked potential to a task-irrelevant stimulus. Spectral power analysis revealed higher beta/gamma power specific to team flow at the left temporal cortex. Causal interaction analysis revealed that the left temporal cortex receives information from areas encoding individual flow or socialization. The left temporal cortex was also significantly involved in integrated information at both the intra- and inter-brains levels. Moreover, team flow resulted in enhanced global inter-brain integrated information and neural synchrony. Thus, our report presents neural evidence that team flow results in a distinct brain state and suggests a neurocognitive mechanism by which the brain creates this unique experience

Team flow is a unique brain state associated with enhanced information integration and neural synchrony

Team flow occurs when a group of people reaches high task engagement while sharing a common goal as in sports teams and music bands. While team flow is a superior enjoyable experience to individuals experiencing flow or regular socialization, the neural basis for such superiority is still unclear. Here, we addressed this question utilizing a music rhythm task and electroencephalogram hyper-scanning. Experimental manipulations held the motor task constant while disrupted the hedonic musical correspondence to blocking flow or occluded the partner’s body and task feedback to block social interaction. The manipulations’ effectiveness was confirmed using psychometric ratings and an objective measure for the depth of flow experience through the inhibition of the auditory-evoked potential to a task-irrelevant stimulus. Spectral power analysis revealed higher beta/gamma power specific to team flow at the left temporal cortex. Causal interaction analysis revealed that the left temporal cortex receives information from areas encoding individual flow or socialization. The left temporal cortex was also significantly involved in integrated information at both the intra- and inter-brains levels. Moreover, team flow resulted in enhanced global inter-brain integrated information and neural synchrony. Thus, our report presents neural evidence that team flow results in a distinct brain state and suggests a neurocognitive mechanism by which the brain creates this unique experience

Risk factors and outcomes of carbapenem-nonsusceptible Escherichia coli bacteremia: A matched case–control study

BackgroundInfections due to carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae have been the emerging problem worldwide. This primary object of this study was to understand the risk factors and clinical outcomes of carbapenem-nonsusceptible Escherichia coli (CNSEc) bacteremia.MethodsWe conducted a matched case–control study in a 3,715-bed tertiary care medical center in northern Taiwan. The controls were selected among patients with carbapenem-susceptible E coli and were matched with CNSEc for bacteremia.ResultsFifty-one patients were included in this study (17 cases and 34 controls). Bivariate analysis showed that prior exposure to carbapenems (p<0.001), stay in intensive care units (p=0.016), placement of central venous catheters (p=0.001), chronic liver diseases (p<0.001), uremia with regular dialysis (p=0.004), and mechanical ventilation (p=0.004) were associated with CNSEc bacteremia. Multivariate analysis revealed that prior exposure to carbapenems [odds ratio (OR), 29.17; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.76–484.70; p=0.019], uremia with regular dialysis (OR, 98.58; 95% CI, 4.02–999; p=0.005) and chronic liver diseases (OR, 27.86; 95% CI, 2.31–335.83; p=0.009) were independent risk factors for CNSEc bacteremia. Compared with carbapenem-susceptible E coli group, CNSEc group had a longer hospital stay (68.4 days vs. 35.8 days; p=0.04) and a higher disease severity, as indicated by a Pittsburgh bacteremia score greater than or equal to 4 (5.6% vs. 2.5%; p=0.015). Patients with CNSEc bacteremia had a higher overall in-hospital mortality rate (94.12% vs. 50.00%; p=0.002), but there was no difference in the 28-day mortality between these two groups.ConclusionsCNSEc bacteremia would lead to a poor outcome among patients with prior exposure to carbapenems, chronic liver disease, and uremia with regular dialysis