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Breast cancer is one of the most common women's cancers, so an available diagnostic modality, particularly non-invasive, is important. Infrared thermography (IRT) is a supporting diagnostic modality. Until now, many finite element methods (FEM) numerical models have been constructed to evaluate IRT's diagnostic value and to relate breast skin temperature characteristics with breast structural disorder presence, particularly to distinguish between cancerous types and normal structures. However, most of the models were not based on any clinical data, except for several papers based on clinical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data, wherein a three-dimensional (3D) breast model was studied. In our paper, we propose a very simplified numerical two-dimensional FEM model constructed based on clinical ultrasound data of breasts, which is much cheaper and available in real-time as opposed to MRI data. We show that our numerical simulations enabled us to distinguish between types of healthy breasts in agreement with the clinical classification and with thermographic results. The numerical breast models predicted the possibility of differentiation of cancerous breasts from healthy breasts by significantly different skin temperature variation ranges. The thermal variations of cancerous breasts were in the range of 0.5 °C–3.0 °C depending on the distance of the tumor from the skin surface, its size, and the cancer type. The proposed model, due to its simplicity and the fact that it was constructed based on clinical ultrasonographic data, can compete with the more sophisticated 3D models based on MRI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Identification of uncertainties, risks and opportunities for the low carbon transition of a coal- dependent region. • Prevalent Vulnerability Index scoring method applied to risk the assessment of the transition of a coal-dependent region. • Quantification of risks and opportunities of regional transformation of Silesia from the stakeholders' perspective. Transformation of coal-dependent regions in the European Union has received much lower research interest than industry decarbonisation. Moreover, even if territorial strategies are proposed, positive aspects are highlighted, while the risks are neglected or not addressed explicitly. In this context, we explore transition stakeholders' beliefs and perception about political, economic, social, environmental and technological risks and opportunities for the coal-dependent region of Silesia (Poland) – the largest European coal region. A multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary assessment of risks and opportunities demonstrates that all stakeholders but NGOs consider the consequences of climate change-induced uncertainties unambiguously negative. The territorial analysis of Silesian counties based on the Prevalent Vulnerability Index scoring shows that virtually all counties with the ongoing coal mining activity are expected to face difficulties with adapting to changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of plastic deformation process on the dissolution rate of biocompatible Mg alloys was investigated. Two biocompatible MgLi1Ca0,2Zn1 and MgLi1Ca1Zn1 alloys were selected for the study. The alloys were deformed on a 100T press at a temperature of 350°C by conventional extrusion and by the equal channel angular extrusion process (ECAE). The grain size analysis showed a high degree of the grain refinement from approximately 110 mm in the initial state to 2.8 mm after the 3rd pass of the ECAE process. Compared to as-cast state, the degree of strengthening has increased after plastic forming. The results of biodegradation tests have shown a significant increase in corrosion rate after both conventional extrusion and ECAE, although after subsequent ECAE passes, this rate was observed to slightly decrease in the MgLi1Ca1Zn1 alloy. Based on the results of macro- and microstructure examinations, the corrosion progress in samples after the extrusion process was described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of Botulinum toxin (BTX) for cosmetic procedures has been well recognized, however, its popularity and use in treating a variety of conditions within clinical dentistry is continuing to increase. This includes masseteric hypertrophy, neuralgias, temporomandibular joint dysfunction and sialorrhoea, to name just a few. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There are various possible methods of skin closure in total hip arthroplasty (THA) through a lateral skin incision. The cost and time required for each can vary between techniques. The objective of this study was to determine whether there is a difference in patient and surgeon rating of scar outcome using a combination of subcuticular suture and skin adhesive (subcuticular MONOCRYL and DERMABOND [SMD]) vs staples for skin closure after THA.Methods: Patients undergoing THA were recruited from a university hospital. Patients were randomized to staples or SMD. Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale data were collected postoperatively. In addition, visual analog scale pain scores, wound drainage, length of stay, time to closure, and total cost were collected.Results: One hundred twenty-nine patients were available for final analysis. There was no significant difference in Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale scores at 6 weeks or 3 months (P = .71). There was no difference in visual analog scale pain scores (P = .64, P = .49). The staple group had a higher rate of discharge on postoperative days 1 and 3 (P < .001, P < .001) but had a 1.6-minute shorter time of closure (P < .001). There was no significant difference in length of stay or total cost (P = .5).Conclusion: Although there are some small initial advantages to each method of skin closure, there is little difference in scar outcome when comparing SMD and staples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical research in natural product-based psychopharmacology has revealed a variety of promising herbal medicines that may provide benefit in the treatment of mild mood disorders, however failed to unambiguously indicate pharmacologically active constituents. The emerging role of the microbiota-gut-brain axis opens new possibilities in the search for effective methods of treatment and prevention of mood disorders. Considering the clinically proven effectiveness juxtaposed with inconsistencies regarding the indication of active principles for many medicinal plants applied in the treatment of anxiety and depression, the aim of the review is to look at their therapeutic properties from the perspective of the microbiota-gut-brain axis. A literature-based survey was performed using Scopus, Pubmed, and Google Scholar databases. The current state of knowledge regarding Hypericum perforatum, Valeriana officinalis, Piper methysticum, Passiflora incarnata, Humulus lupulus, Melissa officinalis, Lavandula officinalis, and Rhodiola rosea in terms of their antimicrobial activity, bioavailability, clinical effectiveness in depression/anxiety and gut microbiota – natural products interaction was summarized and analyzed. Recent studies have provided direct and indirect evidence that herbal extracts and isolated compounds are potent modulators of gut microbiota structure. Additionally, some of the formed postbiotic metabolites exert positive effects and ameliorate depression-related behaviors in animal models of mood disorders. The review underlines the gap in research on natural products – gut microbiota interaction in the context of mood disorders. Modification of microbiota-gut-brain axis by natural products is a plausible explanation of their therapeutic properties. Future studies evaluating the effectiveness of herbal medicine and isolated compounds in treating mild mood disorders should consider the bidirectional interplay between phytoconstituents and the gut microbiota community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Chemical agents commonly used to sedate agitated patients in the emergency department include benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, or a combination of the 2 classes. Our objective was to determine if a class or combination therapy is (1) more effective, as measured by the proportion sedated at 15-20 minutes and the need for repeat sedation, and (2) safer, as measured by the proportion of reported adverse events.Methods: Systematic literature review and meta-analysis of studies comparing 2 or more chemical agents for sedation of agitated patients in the emergency department were carried out in PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, and the Cochrane database. Meta-analyses for pairwise comparisons of drug class (benzodiazepine, antipsychotic, or combination) were carried out for each outcome: proportion sedated, need for repeat sedation, and adverse events.Results: Seven studies with 1135 patients were included. At 15-20 minutes, the proportion of patients sedated was greater with combination therapy than benzodiazepines alone (risk ratio [RR] = 1.31, P < .0001). Antipsychotics and combination agents required significantly less repeat sedations than benzodiazepines alone (RR = 0.49, P < .0001 and RR = 0.64, P = .002). There was significant heterogeneity in adverse event data, with respiratory system adverse events (desaturation, and need for airway and ventilatory support) being the most commonly reported. Benzodiazepines were associated with a higher incidence of adverse events than antipsychotics or combination therapy.Conclusion: Combination therapy sedated a greater proportion of patients at 15-20 minutes than benzodiazepines alone. Antipsychotics and combination therapy were more effective, requiring less repeat doses for sedation than benzodiazepines. The risk of any adverse event was higher with benzodiazepines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of the study was to assess clinical mental and physical health outcomes of siblings of children with chronic health condition(s) compared with siblings of healthy children or normative data.Study Design: We searched Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PsycINFO, and CINAHL through August 9, 2021. We included English-language studies that reported clinically diagnosable mental or physical health outcomes among siblings of children (<18 years old) with a chronic health condition, included a comparison group, and used an experimental or observational study design. Two reviewers extracted data and independently assessed risk of bias using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale.Results: Of 9899 screened studies, 34 were included; 28 studies reported on mental health, 3 reported on physical health, and 3 reported on mortality. Siblings of children with chronic conditions had greater depression rating scale scores than their comparison groups (standardized mean difference = 0.53; 95% CI = 0.38-0.68; P < .001 [6 studies]), whereas anxiety scores were not substantially increased (standardized mean difference = 0.21; 95% CI = -0.02 to 0.43; P = .07 [7 studies]). The effects for confirmed psychiatric diagnoses (7 studies), mortality (3 studies), or physical health outcomes (3 studies) could not be meta-analyzed given the limited number of studies and between-study heterogeneity.Conclusion: Siblings of children with chronic health conditions may be at an increased risk of depression. Our findings suggest the need for targeted interventions to support the psychological well-being of siblings of children with chronic health conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to assess skeletal effects of zinc or zinc with phytoestrogen (resveratrol or genistein) supplementation in an animal model of rats with DMBA-induced mammary carcinogenesis. The changes in bone parameters such as the length and mass were examined, as well as the changes in concentrations of selected minerals: calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron and phosphorus. Moreover, the investigations focused on finding the differences between the levels of iron and zinc in other tissues: the liver, spleen and serum of the examined rats. Fifty-six female Sprague–Dawley rats, 40 days old, were divided into four groups, regardless of the diets: standard (77 mg Zn kg/food), zinc (4.6 mg/mL via gavage), zinc (4.6 mg/mL) plus resveratrol (0.2 mg/kg bw), and zinc (4.6 mg/mL) plus genistein (0.2 mg/kg bw) for a period from 40 days until 20 weeks of age. The study rats were also treated with 7,12-dimethyl-1,2-benz[a]anthracene (DMBA) to induce mammary carcinogenesis. The applied diet and the advanced mammary cancer did not affect macrometric parameters of the rats’ bones, but they strongly affected their mineral content. It was found that mammary cancer, irrespectively of the applied diet, significantly modified the iron level in the femur, liver, spleen and serum of the examined rats. In addition, zinc supplementation significantly lowered the levels of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus in the femur of rats with mammary cancer as compared with respective levels in the control group. So, it was found that additional supplementation with zinc, which is generally considered to be an antioxidant, with the co-existing mammary carcinoma, increased the unfavorable changes as concerns the stability of bone tissue. The appropriate combination of zinc and phytoestrogens (resveratrol or genistein) could help prevent or slow bone loss associated with a range of skeletal disorders in breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]