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Purpose: To observe interactions of practicing radiologists with a chest x-ray AI tool and evaluate its usability and impact on workflow efficiency. Methods: Using a simulated clinical workflow and remote multi-monitor screensharing, we prospectively assessed the interactions of 10 staff radiologists (5–33 years of experience) with a PACS-embedded, regulatory-approved chest x-ray AI tool. Qualitatively, we collected feedback using a think-aloud method and post-testing semi-structured interview; transcript themes were categorized by: (1) AI tool features, (2) deployment considerations, and (3) broad human-AI interactions. Quantitatively, we used time-stamped video recordings to compare reporting and decision-making efficiency with and without AI assistance. Results: For AI tool features, radiologists appreciated the simple binary classification (normal vs abnormal) and found the heatmap essential to understand what the AI considered abnormal; users were uncertain of how to interpret confidence values. Regarding deployment considerations, radiologists thought the tool would be especially helpful for identifying subtle diagnoses; opinions were mixed on whether the tool impacted perceived efficiency, accuracy, and confidence. Considering general human-AI interactions, radiologists shared concerns about automation bias especially when relying on an automated triage function. Regarding decision-making and workflow efficiency, participants began dictating 5 seconds later (42% increase, P =.02) and took 14 seconds longer to complete cases (33% increase, P =.09) with AI assistance. Conclusions: Radiologist usability testing provided insights into effective AI tool features, deployment considerations, and human-AI interactions that can guide successful AI deployment. Early AI adoption may increase radiologists' decision-making and total reporting time but improves with experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim:Prevention is the best method for decreasing morbidity from peripheral intravenous infiltration and extravasation.The study aimedto study nurses' performance regardingintravenous infiltration and extravasation. Method: This descriptive cross-sectional hospital-based studywas conducted at four paediatric hospitals in Khartoum state. In total, 165 nurses were included using a simple random sampling of different working experiences.Data were collected using an observational checklist and analysed using the statistical packages forthe social sciences (SPSS) version 20. Results:Most of the nurses(72.8%) did not flush 0.9% saline to assess cannula function; all nurses in the present study covered the insertion site with non-transparent plaster, and more than half (57.6%) diluted vesicant medication with a lesser amount than required. There was a statistically significant association between qualifications and practice scores (P=0.001). Conclusion:This study showed that nurses had a poor level of practice regarding intravenous infiltration and extravasation. Recommendation: We recommend education, guidelines, and standards for infusion therapy. Additionally, a supervisory system should be created to ensure best practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was performed to evaluate phytochemical composition of Khaya senegalensis stem bark and Azadirachta indica leaf hydroethanolic (80%) extracts using GC-MS technique as a tentative identification method and screen for antioxidant and antidiabetic properties in Wistar rats. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (150 mg/kg·bw). Animals were divided into groups of six and treated by extracts (400 mg/kg·bw) for 28 days. The results compared with positive and negative control groups of animals. After treatment, blood samples were collected to determine the blood glucose level, lipid profile, liver and kidney function markers, and DPPH free radical scavenging activity was evaluated. Phytochemical investigations revealed that extracts were enriched with a wide range of secondary metabolites such as phenols, saponins, triterpenes, alkaloids, flavonoids, sterols, fatty acids, siloxane derivatives, and anthraquinones in diverse concentrations with reported antioxidant and antidiabetic properties. Biological screening results indicated that both extracts exhibited free-radical scavenging property in DPPH screening, and in that, K. senegalensis stem bark extract (91 ± 0.02%) showed greater reduction than A. indica leaf extract (55 ± 0.03%), with an IC50 of 0.023 ± 0.03 g/mL, which was lower than the reference drug propylgallate (0.077 ± 0.03 g/mL). Both the extracts remarkably reduced the blood glucose concentration in diabetic rats (p < 0.05). However, A. indica leaf extract showed greater reduction (52%) than K. senegalensis stem bark extract (37%). Similarly, the cholesterol, LDL, triglyceride, total protein, albumin, urea, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels decreased significantly (p < 0.05), in comparison to diabetic control animals. However, the concentrations of HDL slightly increased. Overall, both extracts showed significant antidiabetic and antioxidant potential in diabetic rats. As oxidative stress is associated with the hyperglycemia, the antioxidant activity displayed by the extracts will provide additional benefits in the antidiabetic therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) has demonstrated superior results in stroke risk reduction for patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic high-grade carotid stenosis. However, this benefit has long been questioned for the elderly and high-risk populations. In the present study, we aimed to provide high-volume, single-institution data with long-term follow-up examining the risk factors for postoperative stroke and stroke-free survival stratified by age for asymptomatic and symptomatic patients undergoing CEA. A single-institution retrospective review of 840 consecutive patients who had undergone CEA from 2011 to 2018 was performed, inclusive of both symptomatic and asymptomatic operative indications. The primary end point was perioperative stroke within 30 days of surgery. The secondary end points were late stroke, death, and myocardial infarction. Patients aged >80 years were compared with those aged <80 years to examine freedom from stroke and death. Statistically significant differences were defined as those with P <.05. A total of 840 patients were evaluated with a median follow-up of 416 ± 1244 days. Of the 840 patients, 499 (59%) were men, and 604 (72%) were White. The mean age was 72 ± 9 years, with 202 (24%) aged ≥80 years. CEA was performed for symptomatic disease in 305 patients (36%), of whom 143 (47%) had had strokes and 162 (53%) had had transient ischemic attacks. The overall 30-day postoperative stroke rate was 1.0% (eight patients; 0.6% for asymptomatic and 1.6% for symptomatic; P =.147). Compared with younger patients, octogenarians had had a similar stroke rate after CEA (1.5% vs 0.8%; P =.407). Hispanic race was an independent risk factor for postoperative stroke. White race and preoperative statin use both appeared to be protective. Kaplan-Meier survival curves demonstrated decreased a 5-year stroke-free survival in patients aged ≥80 years (P =.031). However, overall, the estimated 5-year survival was similar to the U.S. general population across both age groups. CEA for octogenarians is safe and effective for both symptomatic and asymptomatic populations with excellent 30-day outcomes and long-term survival mirroring that of the general population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to isolate and purify the causative agent of Black Scurf disease on potato crop and to test the efficiency of three concentrations (1, 2 and 3%) of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-PNs) and zinc oxide (ZnO) in controlling the fungus Rhizoctonia solani. The results of morphology and then molecular diagnosis by PCR technology showed that isolate R22 represents the fungus Rhizoctonia solani, which is the cause of potato black scurf disease. The isolate was registered in the gene bank under accession number OM83978. According to the results of laboratory inhibition exhibited that 3% nano-zinc oxide leads to the highest inhibition rate (85.9%) compared to the control group. Also, 3% zinc oxide showed inhibition rate of 43.71% compared to the control. The results of the pot treatments test showed that all of them had an effect in reducing the infection rate (%) and the severity of infection with the fungus R22. So that, the nano-zinc oxide treatment recorded the lowest rate (%) and severity of infection (11% and 4.73% respectively), followed by the fungicide (Ethidium bromide), which scored 22.22% and 18.33% respectively, while in the case of zinc oxide, we recorded 33.33% and 19.03%, respectively, compared to the control group (plant with R22). The results of the study of growth parameters (plant height, fresh weight, dry weight and number of leaves) also exhibited that the nano-zinc oxide treatment recorded a positive increase in growth parameters that amounted to 54, 24.33, 7.33 and 99.33% compared to the control group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New complexes of Ni(II) and Pd(II) with Schiff base ligand derived from 5-nitro isatin with 4-phenyl-3-thiosemicarbazide have been synthesized in absolute ethanol. The isolated solid compounds have been characterized by elemental analyses and spectral (FT-IR, ¹H NMR and UV-Vis) measurements. The Schiff base ligand has been further characterized by single-crystal XRD. It has been found that the Schiff base ligand behaves as a tridentate ligand forming chelates with 1:2 (metal:ligand) in the case of Ni-complex and 1:1 (metal:ligand) in the case of Pd-complex. Octahedral geometry has been suggested for the Ni(II) chelate while square-planar geometry has been suggested for the Pd(II) chelate. The supramolecular structure of the thiosemicarbazide is controlled by large number of short intermolecular contacts such as O...H, H...H, C...C, S...C, S...H, S...N, H...C, N...O and C...O interactions where the most dominant contacts are H...H, H...C, C...C, O...H and S...H interactions. The optimized molecular geometry calculated at B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level agreed very well with the reported X-ray structure. The two bands observed at 434 and 250 nm in the UV-Vis spectrum of the compound in DMSO as solvent have been calculated using TD-DFT method at 430.9 nm (f = 0.1178) and 257.2 nm (f = 0.387), respectively. These bands have been assigned to HOMO→LUMO (96%) and HOMO→LUMO+2 (90%) excitations which belong to n-π* and π-π* transitions, respectively. All the synthesized compounds have been tested against supercoiled pBR322 DNA. These compounds have been found to promote the cleavage of plasmid DNA in the presence of H2O2. The molecular docking of the ligand and its metal complexes refer to groove binding toward the DNA with high docking score of Ni(II) complex rather than the corresponding ligand and Pd(II) complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]