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Background: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a widespread and frustrating condition that affects millions of people worldwide, with severe consequences on patients' quality of life and health care systems' costs. Currently, the most severe cases of SUI are treated using implanted (and rather invasive) extraurethral artificial sphincters. The authors propose an innovative, minimally invasive endourethral device for the treatment of SUI. Methods: Ten patients with SUI were enrolled in three Italian centers and underwent device implantation. After 10, 30, 60, and 90 days, correct device position was confirmed by ultrasonography. Improvements in continence and quality of life were evaluated through a 24-hour pad-test, an International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnarie-Short Form (ICI-Q) and a custom checklist. The device was explanted after 90 days. Results: The proposed device was successfully implanted and explanted in 8 out of 10 patients. The results of the pad-test, ICI-Q, and custom checklist demonstrated remarkable improvements in continence (median improvement: 82% with respect to the initial condition) and quality of life (mean reduction of the impact of urine losses on the quality of life: 61%). No major pain or discomfort was reported. Conclusions: The results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed endourethral artificial sphincter in addressing SUI. The proposed device was successfully implanted and explanted in a short time (∼10 minutes) without intrinsic side effects and without triggering pain or discomfort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To describe the use, complications and outcome of Finney or Jaboulay pyloroplasties for the treatment of benign gastric outlet lesions in dogs and cats. Materials and Methods: The medical records of dogs and cats surgically treated with Finney or Jaboulay pyloroplasty for benign gastric outflow tract disease in three institutions between January 1, 2015 and August 31, 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Eight dogs and five cats were diagnosed with benign obstructive or perforating gastric outlet lesions, including chronic hypertrophic pyloric gastropathy (n = 4), perforating pyloro‐duodenal peptic ulcer (4), sub‐obstructive pyloro‐duodenal eosinophilic sclerosing fibroplasia (2) and antral or proximal duodenal obstructive mass (3). Nine cases were treated using hand‐sewn Finney pyloroplasty and four cases were treated using stapled Jaboulay pyloroplasty. No major complications were recorded. Cases were followed for a median of 16.1 [11 to 29.6] months. At the last follow‐up, the outcome was excellent in all cases, with no clinical signs recorded and no medical treatment required. Clinical Significance: This case series suggests that Finney and Jaboulay pyloroplasties were safe and effective procedures for the surgical treatment of benign obstructive or perforating gastric outlet lesions in dogs and cats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The osmotic, hydraulic and self-healing efficiency of bentonite-based barriers for the containment of subsoil pollutants is governed not only by the intrinsic chemicophysical parameters of the bentonite, i.e., the solid phase density, [[rho].sub.sk]; the total specific surface, S; the surface density of the electric charge, [sigma]; and the Stern layer thickness, d.sub.Stern], and fraction, [f.sub.Stern], but also by the chemicomechanical fabric parameters that quantify the structure or texture of the solid skeleton, such as the micro, [e.sub.m], and nano, [e.sub.n], void ratios; the average number of platelets or lamellae per tactoid, [N.sub.l,AV]; and the solid skeleton effective electric charge concentration, [[bar.c].sup.sk,0]. In turn, the fabric parameters are controlled by state parameters, such as the total void ratio, e; and the salt concentration of the equilibrium solution, cs. A theoretical framework has been developed to describe the relationships between the aforementioned intrinsic, state, and fabric parameters for a bentonite barrier and its performance parameters: the hydraulic conductivity, k; the effective diffusion coefficient, [D*.sub.s] the chemicoosmotic efficiency coefficient, [omega]; and the osmotic swelling pressure, [u.sub.sw]. The proposed theoretical hydrochemicomechanical model has been validated through comparison with a large amount of experimental results. Key words: chemicohydromechanical behaviour, constitutive laws, geosynthetic clay liner, nuclear waste disposal, smectite fabric. L'efficacite osmotique, hydraulique et autocicatrisante des barrieres a base de bentonite pour le confinement des polluants du sous-sol est non seulement regie par les parametres chimicophysiques intrinseques de la bentonite, tels que la densite de la phase solide, [[rho].sub.sk]; la surface specifique totale, S; la densite de surface de charge electrique, [sigma]; et la couche de Stern par rapport a son epaisseur, [d.sub.Stern], et a sa fraction, [f.sub.Stern], mais aussi par les parametres chimicomecaniques de tissu capables de quantifier la structure ou texture du squelette solide, tels que l'indice de vides a l'echelle micro, [e.sub.m], et nano, [e.sub.n]; le nombre moyen de plaquettes ou lamelles par tactoide, [N.sub.l,AV]; et la concentration effective de la charge electrique du squelette solide, [[bar.c].sub.sk,0]. A leur tour, les parametres de tissu sont controles par certains parametres d'etat, tels que l'indice de vides total, e, et la concentration de sel, [c.sub.s], dans la solution a l'equilibre. Un cadre theorique a ete mis en place afin de decrire les relations entre les parametres intrinseques, d'etat et de tissu mentionnes ci-dessus d'une barriere des polluants a base de bentonite avec ses parametres de performance tels que la conductivite hydraulique, k; le coefficient de diffusion effectif, [D*.sub.s], le coefficient d'efficacite osmotique, [omega]; et la pression de gonflement osmotique, [u.sub.sw]. Le modele hydrochimicomecanique theorique propose a ete valide par la comparaison avec un nombre considerable de resultats experimentaux. Mots-cles : comportement chimicohydromecanique, lois constitutives, revetement d'argile geosynthetique, elimination de dechets nucleaires, tissu smectite., Introduction 'Environmental geotechnics' pertains to a large variety of applications, such as the characterization of polluted sites and landfill waste, the design of containment systems for subsoil pollutant control, radioactive [...]

Introduction: The need for a standardized core curriculum in regional anesthesia has become essential, particularly with the integration of ultrasound revolutionizing and exponentially increasing clinical practice and possibilities. In fact, numerous novel techniques, often overlapping, can confuse practitioners. This study aims to establish a core curriculum for upper limb, lower limb, paraspinal and fascial plane blocks for residency training, addressing potential educational gaps caused by the multitude of techniques, through a Delphi consensus process involving recognized Italian regional anesthesia experts. Methods: A steering committee was formed in order to select a panel of experts in regional anesthesia. A three-round Delphi consensus was planned: two rounds of electronic voting and a final round of mixed electronic voting and round table discussion. The consensus was defined as ≥ 75% agreement for inclusion and lower than ≤ 25% agreement for exclusion from the core curriculum list. Techniques reaching the 50% threshold were included with low consensus. Results: Twenty-nine techniques were selected to be included in the ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia core curriculum. Twenty-two were included with strong consensus: Upper limb: interscalene brachial plexus block, supraclavicular brachial plexus block, infraclavicular brachial plexus block, axillary brachial plexus block, intermediate cervical plexus block Lower limb: femoral nerve block, pericapsular nerve group block, adductor canal block, sciatic nerve block (transgluteal approach, infragluteal approach, and at the popliteal fossa), ankle block Paraspinal/fascial plane blocks: erector spinae plane block, deep serratus anterior plane block, superficial pectointercostal plane block, interpectoral plane block, pectoserratus plane block, rectus sheath block, ilioinguinal iliohypogastric nerves block, transversus abdominis plane block (with subcostal and midaxillary approaches) The remaining seven techniques were included with low consensus: superficial cervical plexus block, lumbar plexus block, fascia iliaca block (suprainguinal approach), anterior quadratus lumborum block, lateral quadratus lumborum block, paravertebral block, and serratus anterior plane block. Conclusions: This curriculum aims to standardize training and ensure that residents acquire the essential skills required for effective and safe practice regardless of the residents' subsequent specialization. By incorporating these techniques, educational programs can provide a structured and consistent approach to regional anesthesia, enhancing the quality of patient care and improving outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Grapiprant is a novel anti‐inflammatory drug approved for the treatment of pain associated with osteoarthritis in dogs. Objective: Compare the efficacy of grapiprant vs meloxicam for the management of postoperative joint pain in dogs. Animals: Forty‐eight dogs presented with cranial cruciate ligament disease and treated by tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) between May 2020 and May 2022. Methods: In this randomized, double blinded, prospective clinical trial, client‐owned dogs with naturally occurring unilateral cruciate ligament rupture were enrolled on the day of surgery. The day after surgery, all animals received a subcutaneous injection of 0.2 mg/kg of meloxicam and were randomly assigned to receive either oral grapiprant (2 mg/kg) or meloxicam (0.1 mg/kg), once a day for 14 days, in a blinded manner. The primary endpoint of the study was the pain severity (PSS) and interference (PIS) scores, assessed by the Canine Brief Pain Inventory (CBPI) at day 3, 7, 10 and 15 after the surgery. Results: Three days after surgery, grapiprant treated dogs had lower PSS compared to meloxicam treated dogs with a mean ± SD of 2.76 ± 0.18 vs 3.25 ± 0.23, respectively (difference of −0.49 [95% CI −0.94 to −0.04], P =.032). Pain Interference Score was also lower in grapiprant group at day 3 (4.11 ± 0.18 vs 4.69 ± 0.16 in meloxicam group [difference of −0.58 {95% CI −1.03 to −0.13}, P =.013]) and at day 10 (2.23 ± 0.13 vs 2.72 ± 0.28 [difference of −0.49 {95% CI −0.92 to −0.01}, P =.049]). Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Our study supports the use of grapiprant as an alternative analgesic to meloxicam for management of postoperative joint pain in dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Case summary: A 10-year-old neutered female domestic shorthair cat was presented to our hospital with a 2-day history of anorexia, vomiting and lethargy. The biochemistry panel revealed increased hepatic enzyme activity and serum amyloid A concentration. Haematological values were within reference intervals. An abdominal ultrasound identified a hyperechoic spindle-shaped structure within the common bile duct and a suspected secondary subobstruction, associated with signs of intra- and extrahepatic biliary tract inflammation. During hospitalisation, the cat developed severe and sustained ionised hypercalcaemia. Exploratory surgery was elected as a result of the lack of clinical improvement, despite supportive treatment and suspected retrograde migration of the spindle-shaped structure. Two grass awns were extracted at the junction of an extrahepatic duct and the common bile duct via choledochotomy using intraoperative ultrasound guidance. A stent was then placed in the bile duct to prevent subsequent bile leakage. Histopathology of the liver revealed a moderate neutrophilic and lymphoplasmacytic inflammation with rare bacterial colonies. Escherichia coli was cultured from a bile sample. No specific cause of hypercalcaemia was identified. The cat recovered uneventfully from surgery. Hepatic enzyme activities and hypercalcaemia progressively decreased within a few weeks after surgery and remained within the reference intervals without treatment. Therefore, hypercalcaemia was suspected to be secondary to a foreign body-related granulomatous reaction. Relevance and novel information: To our knowledge, only one other feline case report of biliary tract obstruction secondary to a biliary foreign body has been described in the literature. This is also the first case reporting the use of intraoperative ultrasound to localise a vegetal foreign body within the biliary tract of a cat. This case is also unique because of the onset of hypercalcaemia suspected to be secondary to a foreign body-related granulomatous reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Downregulating emotional overreactions toward threats is fundamental for developing treatments for anxiety and post-traumatic disorders. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is critical for top-down modulatory processes, and despite previous studies adopting repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over this region provided encouraging results in enhancing extinction, no studies have hitherto explored the effects of stimulating the medial anterior PFC (aPFC, encompassing the Brodmann area 10) on threat memory and generalization. Here we showed that rTMS over the aPFC applied before threat memory retrieval immediately decreases implicit reactions to learned and novel stimuli in humans. These effects enduringly persisted 1 week later in the absence of rTMS. No effects were detected on explicit recognition. Critically, rTMS over the aPFC resulted in a more pronounced reduction of defensive responses compared to rTMS targeting the dorsolateral PFC. These findings reveal a previously unexplored prefrontal region, the modulation of which can efficiently and durably inhibit implicit reactions to learned threats. This represents a significant advancement toward the long-term deactivation of exaggerated responses to threats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a novel forecasting methodology based on neural networks and second-generation wavelets, and an example of application of such methodology for forecasting the oil temperature of an actual power transformer. The proposed method consists on selecting the variables with the highest correlation concerning the magnitude to be predicted (in situations featuring multiple variables), selecting the most appropriate second-generation wavelet from a set of candidate lifting wavelet transforms to smooth each variable's data and using the values smoothed by the selected second-generation wavelet to train the considered neural network. The authors applied the proposed methodology to predict the oil temperature of an existing transformer for four days and for one month using field data collected during four years of equipment operation. The obtained results indicate that selecting the most appropriate second-generation wavelet considering different selection techniques and using them to smooth the input variables significantly reduce the forecasting errors. The application of the proposed approach to forecast the oil temperature from the field-collected data using a long short-term memory neural network considering different batch sizes, neuron numbers and second-generation wavelet selection techniques decreased the average forecasting errors presented by using just the considered long short-term memory network by up to eleven times. The innovations of this proposal about literature are the use of correlation-based variable selection techniques given improving neural network forecasting accuracy, which is unprecedented in transformer insulating oil temperature forecasting applications, and the employment of SGWs to smooth the network's inputs to increase the accuracy of the model significantly. For the application case study presented in this research, the minor average forecasting errors in percentage to predict the four-day and one-month future temperature were, respectively, 0.012 and 0.326%. Also, for one month of forecasting, the average error in degrees Celsius was less than 0.2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People are continuously confronted with difficulties, which are situations that they do not understand yet strive to solve anyway. Researchers employed root cause analysis (RCA) in this study to analyze students’ problem-solving in chemistry and the students’ flaws and challenges in answering the subject. This research included 89 pupils from the secondary school’s science-mathematics department. Students determined strategies to calculate pH and the color of the blended solution after each indicator was dropped. This study’s qualitative method incorporates focus groups and content analysis. The majority of students properly identified the difficulty, and more than half correctly understood the problem. 100% of the pupils fared well in all processes since they were able to recognize and write all of the data. Using the RCA problem-solving technique, they were successful in identifying all of the data as potential causation aspects and the root causes of the problem. However, 37% of the pupils were unable to complete the problem. Investigating problem-solving flaws, it was determined that the students' defects in this problem-solving were application, analysis, practice, remembering, and time. Furthermore, researchers want to investigate the implementation of addressing the flaws in students’ problem-solving to better prepare them for efficient problem-solving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]