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Background: Video-assisted thoracic surgery is currently the recommended treatment for patients with empyema thoracis. However, open window thoracostomy (OWT) is not uncommon and is performed in patients who are in poor general condition or with complicated empyema as a last resort. Although several professional associations have recommended vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) as an adjunct to standard treatment, exact data regarding the clinical role of intrathoracic VAC are not available. The primary objective of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of intrathoracic VAC in debilitated patients and to compare the results with those of previous OWT studies., Methods: We investigated 127 patients with a poor performance status who initially received inpatient intrathoracic VAC for stage II/III empyema thoracis between January 2010 and December 2020., Results: The median duration of VAC was 15 days, and the median length of stay was 18 days. Two patients had complications, and the in-hospital mortality rate was 11.8% (15/127). A total of 25/112 patients (22.3%) were discharged with OWT, 87/112 patients (77.7%) were discharged with a closed chest. Five patients experienced recurrence of empyema. Ultimately, we recorded an absolute success rate of 64.6% (82/127)., Conclusions: Intrathoracic VAC appears to be safer and associated with less morbidity and mortality than OWT in debilitated patients with empyema. Our results revealed a reduced length of hospital stay and an improved success rate. In conclusion, the results of this work should contribute to improving treatment success in pleural empyema patients., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: Patients with distant metastases have an unfavourable prognosis, but patients with isolated pulmonary metastases should generally not be considered hopeless. Complete resection of metachronous and solitary metastases leads to prolonged survival; however, the influence of the location, distribution and bilaterality of pulmonary metastases needs to be investigated further. This article aimed to investigate the role of the distribution of lung metastases in primary colorectal and renal cell cancer patients on prognosis., Methods: We retrospectively investigated the prognosis of patients with pulmonary metastases and colorectal or renal cell carcinoma, defined as the survival time of patients with different metastases. The types of metastases were unilobar, multilobar, unilateral, bilateral, diffuse, synchronous, or metachronous. The secondary outcome of this study was differences in prognosis according to additional criteria., Results: Patients with metachronous metastases had significantly greater median survival than patients with synchronous metastases. There was a statistically significant difference in median survival between patients with unilateral (better survival) and patients with bilateral (worse survival) lung metastases. In patients with renal cell carcinoma, a statistically significant difference in median survival time was detected for patients with unilateral metastases. A significantly longer median survival time was observed in patients without diffuse metastases. A significantly greater median survival time was detected in patients with no thoracic nodal involvement. Moreover, there was no statistically significant difference in the median survival time for patients with colorectal versus renal cell carcinoma in general or for those with lung metastases. No statistically significant difference in median survival time was detected for patients according to single or multiple lung metastases, additional tumours or metastases during disease, the distance of residence from a specialized clinic in Coburg, sex, smoking or adipocytes, multimorbidity, immunosuppression or different cancer treatments., Conclusions: For a minority of patients, pulmonary resection is a chance for prolonged survival. The perioperative mortality rate after metastasectomy is less than five percent. Patients with metachronous and unilateral lung metastases should be evaluated for surgery. Patients with diffuse metastases or lymph node involvement have a significantly shorter median survival time. Decision-making should be interdisciplinary., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at https://tcr.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/tcr-23-1961/coif). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (2024 Translational Cancer Research. All rights reserved.)

Herein, we report the discovery of a first-in-class chemotype 2-(alkylsulfonamido)thiazol-4-yl)acetamides that act as pan-selective inhibitors of cytidine 5'-triphosphate synthetase (CTPS1/2), critical enzymes in the de novo pyrimidine synthesis pathway. Weak inhibitors identified from a high-throughput screening of 240K compounds have been optimized to a potent, orally active agent, compound 27 , which has shown significant pharmacological responses at 10 mg/kg dose BID in a well-established animal model of inflammation.

The DNA-binding protein from starved cells, Dps, is a universally conserved prokaryotic ferritin that, in many species, also binds DNA. Dps homologs have been identified in the vast majority of bacterial species and several archaea. Dps also may play a role in the global regulation of gene expression, likely through chromatin reorganization. Dps has been shown to use both its ferritin and DNA-binding functions to respond to a variety of environmental pressures, including oxidative stress. One mechanism that allows Dps to achieve this is through a global nucleoid restructuring event during stationary phase, resulting in a compact, hexacrystalline nucleoprotein complex called the biocrystal that occludes damaging agents from DNA. Due to its small size, hollow spherical structure, and high stability, Dps is being developed for applications in biotechnology.

Background: A time-geographic diary approach is of interest in occupational therapy due to the inclusion of the diarist's subjective experiences. There are several methods for detecting doing in time, but details needed for analysis are still lacking. The smartphone application POrtable Diary Data collector (PODD), a 24-hr diary based on the time-geographic diary has recently been introduced., Aim: To test the usability of PODD as a tool for diary data collection to detect and visualize sequences of daily activities., Material and Methods: An exploratory sequential design was used, where diary data was first collected and then followed by a questionnaire assessing usefulness. Thirty-one occupational therapy students participated. Usability testing was applied, exploring how participants experienced the use of the device. Data was analysed qualitatively and quantitatively., Results: The PODD visually presents activity sequences and thus assists in detecting patterns of daily occupations (PDO). The students agreed on the supportive statements concerning learnability, efficiency and memorability. Regarding errors and satisfaction, participants agreed that the device was easy to use., Conclusions: Using a mobile application to collect data about students' daily activities was effective. However, the PODD needs to be further evaluated among other groups and contexts as well as for its usefulness for PDO analyses.

Objectives: To compare the accuracy of implant placement performed with either a surgical motor or a torque wrench as part of a half-guided surgical protocol., Materials and Methods: Implant insertion with half-guided surgical protocol was utilized by surgical motor (machine-driven group) or torque wrench (manual group) in the posterior maxilla. After the healing period, accuracy comparison between planned and actual implant positions was performed based on preoperative cone beam computed tomography and postoperative digital intraoral scans. Coronal, apical, and angular deviations, insertion time, and insertion torque were evaluated., Results: Forty patients were treated with 1 implant each; 20 implants were inserted with a surgical motor and 20 implants with a torque wrench. Global coronal and apical deviations were 1.20 ± 0.46 mm and 1.45 ± 0.79 mm in the machine-driven group, and 1.13 ± 0.38 mm and 1.18 ± 0.28 mm in the manual group (respectively). The mean angular deviation was 4.82 ± 2.07° in the machine-driven group and 4.11 ± 1.63° in the manual group. Mean insertion torque was 21.75 ± 9.75 Ncm in the machine-driven group, compared to 18.75 ± 7.05 Ncm in the manual group. Implant placement duration was 9.25 ± 1.86 s in the machine-driven group at a speed of 50 rpm, and 36.40 ± 8.15 s in the manual group., Conclusion: No significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of accuracy and mean insertion torque, while machine-driven implant placement was significantly less time-consuming., Clinical Relevance: Optimal implant placement accuracy utilized by half-guided surgical protocol can be achieved with both machine-driven and torque wrench insertion., Trial Registration: ID: NCT04854239., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Background: In occupational therapy, while several studies have focussed on occupational balance, few have investigated it in the context of sleep., Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between sleep and occupational balance among women., Material and Methods: In total, 157 women responded to the Occupational Balance Questionnaire and Karolinska Sleep Questionnaire. Linear regression was used to analyse data., Results: The median score for occupational balance was 12 (interquartile range [IQR] 9), while that for sleep was 86 (IQR 16). Sleep and sleepiness fatigue were significantly associated ( p  < 0.1) with satisfaction with the number of occupations during a regular week. Difficulties awakening and snoring disorders were significantly associated ( p  < 0.1) with balance with physical, social, intellectual, and restful occupations., Conclusions: The majority of participants slept well and had a good sleep quality. There is an association between occupational balance and sleep. In particular, aspects related to the number of occupations, adequate time to perform them and the time spent recovering and sleeping were associated with good sleep quality. Balance among physical, social, intellectual, and restful occupations was associated with difficulties awakening and snoring., Significance: Our results support the need for occupational therapists to focus on occupational balance, to improve women's sleep.

Background: The Evaluation in Ayres Sensory Integration ® (EASI) is a performance-based assessment tool, aiming to assess sensory perception, sensory reactivity, postural/ocular/bilateral integration, and praxis in children aged 3-12 years. These types of tests are currently not available in Swedish. A structured, multistep process of translation is crucial for maintaining equivalence between the source and target version of a test., Objective: Develop a culturally adapted Swedish research version of the EASI for use in the forthcoming international normative data collection., Method: The translation process followed the first four stages in recommended guidelines for cross-cultural adaptation. Each subtest was translated by two occupational therapists and merged into one Swedish version. That version was reviewed by clinical paediatric occupational therapists in focus groups. The meetings were recorded, transcribed and a content analysis was conducted. One subtest was then subjected to a back-translation process., Result: Some discrepancies regarding semantic equivalence were found and adapted through all stages. No discrepancies regarding idiomatic or conceptual equivalence were found. Revisions due to the translation process have been incorporated into the final research version of the EASI., Conclusion: A first, culturally adapted research version of the EASI is ready for the Swedish normative data collection.

Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility of a newly proposed minimally invasive split-thickness flap design without vertical-releasing incisions for vertical bone regeneration performed in either a simultaneous or staged approach and to analyze the prevalence of adverse events during postoperative healing., Materials and Methods: Following preparation of a split-thickness flap and bilaminar elevation of the mucosa and underlying periosteum, the alveolar bone was exposed over the defects, vertical GBR was performed by means of a titanium-reinforced high-density polytetrafluoroethylene membrane combined with particulated autogenous bone (AP) and bovine-derived xenograft (BDX) in 1:1 ratio. At 9 months after reconstructive surgery, vertical and horizontal hard tissue gain was evaluated based on clinical and radiographic examination., Results: Twenty-four vertical alveolar ridge defects in 19 patients were treated with vertical GBR. In case of 6 surgical sites, implant placement was performed at the time of the GBR (simultaneous group); in the remaining 18 surgical, sites implant placement was performed 9 months after the ridge augmentation (staged group). After uneventful healing in 23 cases, hard tissue fill was detected in each site. Direct clinical measurements confirmed vertical and horizontal hard tissue gain averaging 3.2 ± 1.9 mm and 6.5 ± 0.5 mm respectively, in the simultaneous group and 4.5 ± 2.2 mm and 8.7 ± 2.3 mm respectively, in the staged group. Additional radiographic evaluation based on CBCT data sets in the staged group revealed mean vertical and horizontal hard tissue fill of 4.2 ± 2.0 mm and 8.5 ± 2.4 mm. Radiographic volume gain was 1.1 ± 0.4 cm 3 ., Conclusion: Vertical GBR consisting of a split-thickness flap and using titanium-reinforced non-resorbable membrane in conjunction with a 1:1 mixture of AP+BDX may lead to a predictable vertical and horizontal hard tissue reconstruction., Clinical Relevance: The used split-thickness flap design may represent a valuable approach to increase the success rate of vertical GBR, resulting in predicable hard tissue regeneration, and favorable wound healing with low rate of membrane exposure.

Background: Outcome- or competency-based education is well established in medical and health sciences education. Curricula are based on courses where students develop their competences and assessment is also usually course-based. Clinical reasoning is an important competence, and the aim of this study was to monitor and describe students' progression in professional clinical reasoning skills during health sciences education using observations of group discussions following the case method., Methods: In this qualitative study students from three different health education programmes were observed while discussing clinical cases in a modified Harvard case method session. A rubric with four dimensions - problem-solving process, disciplinary knowledge, character of discussion and communication - was used as an observational tool to identify clinical reasoning. A deductive content analysis was performed., Results: The results revealed the students' transition over time from reasoning based strictly on theoretical knowledge to reasoning ability characterized by clinical considerations and experiences. Students who were approaching the end of their education immediately identified the most important problem and then focused on this in their discussion. Practice knowledge increased over time, which was seen as progression in the use of professional language, concepts, terms and the use of prior clinical experience. The character of the discussion evolved from theoretical considerations early in the education to clinical reasoning in later years. Communication within the groups was supportive and conducted with a professional tone., Conclusions: Our observations revealed progression in several aspects of students' clinical reasoning skills on a group level in their discussions of clinical cases. We suggest that the case method can be a useful tool in assessing quality in health sciences education.

Patterns of daily occupations (PDO) and occupational balance (OB) are recurring phenomena in the literature. Both are related with health and well-being, which makes them central in occupational therapy practice and occupational science. The aim was to review how PDO and OB are described in the literature, to propose a view of how the two constructs may be linked, and elaborate on how such a view may benefit occupational science and occupational therapy. The literature was analysed by latent and manifest content analysis and comparative analysis. The findings were summarized in a model, framing PDO as the more objective and OB as the more subjective result from an interaction between personal preferences and environmental influences. The proposed model does not assume a cause-effect relationship between the targeted constructs, rather a mutual influence and a joint reaction to influencing factors. Indicators of PDO and OB were identified, as well as tools for assessing PDO and OB. The authors propose that discerning PDO and OB as separate but interacting phenomena may be useful in developing a theoretical discourse in occupational science and enhancing occupational therapy practice. Although the scope of this study was limited, the proposed view may hopefully inspire further scrutiny of constructs.

OBJECTIVE. This study explored factors related to changes in the time parents spent with their children with obesity and associated decreases in children's body mass index (BMI) z-scores after an occupation-focused intervention. METHOD. Parents participated in a 1-yr occupation-focused intervention to promote healthy family lifestyles. Data on 40 parents of 22 children with obesity ages 4-6 yr were collected before and after intervention and analyzed using linear and multiple regression methods. RESULTS. Parents increased time spent with their children by an average of 91 min/day. Parents' finances, perceived satisfaction in daily occupations, low BMI, and mastery at inclusion were associated with increased time spent with their children. Mothers' subjective health and high mastery and fathers' perceived occupational value and education explained 67% of the variance in children's BMI z-scores. CONCLUSION. The results indicate important factors to consider in developing interventions that facilitate occupational engagement and health among children with obesity and their families., (Copyright © 2014 by the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.)

Objective: The aim was to explore any change in parents' time use together with their children, changes in their perceived occupational value, and its relationship to children's body mass index (BMI) over the course of a one-year occupation-focused family intervention., Method: The study sample consisted of participants in one arm of a randomized controlled trial, involving mothers and fathers (n = 30) of 17 children aged 4-6 years who were considered obese. Data were collected by time-geographical diaries during the intervention and by measuring the parents' occupational value and the children's BMI before and after the intervention., Results: At the end of the intervention, an increase was shown in the amount of time parents spent together with their children during weekdays (p = .042) and the parents perceived occupational value (p = .013). Children's BMI z-score changed with -0.11 units., Conclusion: Collaboration with parents may be useful in interventions aiming at facilitating a normal weight development among children.

Background: As the rate of overweight among children is rising there is a need for evidence-based research that will clarify what the best interventional strategies to normalize weight development are. The overall aim of the Lund Overweight and Obesity Preschool Study (LOOPS) is to evaluate if a family-based intervention, targeting parents of preschool children with overweight and obesity, has a long-term positive effect on weight development of the children. The hypothesis is that preschool children with overweight and obesity, whose parents participate in a one-year intervention, both at completion of the one-year intervention and at long term follow up (2-, 3- and 5-years) will have reduced their BMI-for-age z-score., Methods/design: The study is a randomized controlled trial, including overweight (n=160) and obese (n=80) children 4-6-years-old. The intervention is targeting the parents, who get general information about nutrition and exercise recommendations through a website and are invited to participate in a group intervention with the purpose of supporting them to accomplish preferred lifestyle changes, both in the short and long term. To evaluate the effect of various supports, the parents are randomized to different interventions with the main focus of: 1) supporting the parents in limit setting by emphasizing the importance of positive interactions between parents and children and 2) influencing the patterns of daily activities to induce alterations of everyday life that will lead to healthier lifestyle. The primary outcome variable, child BMI-for-age z-score will be measured at referral, inclusion, after 6 months, at the end of intervention and at 2-, 3- and 5-years post intervention. Secondary outcome variables, measured at inclusion and at the end of intervention, are child activity pattern, eating habits and biochemical markers as well as parent BMI, exercise habits, perception of health, experience of parenthood and level of parental stress., Discussion: The LOOPS project will provide valuable information on how to build effective interventions to influence an unhealthy weight development to prevent the negative long-term effects of childhood obesity., Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00916318.

Objective and Methods: Time-use methodologies have been proposed to be established research techniques when exploring aspects of daily occupations. In this study, two graphs illustrating the time arrangement of occupations as they appear in a continuous sequence were used in order to encourage individuals to reflect on their everyday life. The aim was to investigate the usefulness of a time-geographical diary method (using illustrative graphs) in combination with stimulated-recall interviews, to facilitate reflections on how patterns of daily occupations change over time and the causes that lie behind these changes. The study had a qualitative design. The participants were two working, married mothers, i.e. individuals considered to have highly complex patterns of daily occupations. The data analysis was performed by using thematic content analysis., Results: The results showed that the stimulated-recall interviews, based on the graphs, facilitated new insights that came to light concerning the scope of the participants' daily life. The method enabled the participants to reflect on their patterns of daily occupations and become aware of changes relevant to explain the causes for engaging in occupations the way they did., Conclusions: The method thus seems useful in research and practice for occupational therapists working with individuals with a need to change lifestyle.

Background: Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) is a serious complications after liver transplantation. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) load measured by quantitative competitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been used as an early marker for the development of PTLD and a guide for initiating preemptive therapy. The aim of this study is to report the results of EBV DNA PCR screening in a transplant population and to examine the risk factors for developing elevated EBV DNA PCR and the effect of interventions for reducing EBV DNA levels., Methods: Medical records of 44 children who underwent liver transplantation and EBV DNA PCR screening during a 3-year period were reviewed, and the patients were prospectively followed up for another 2 years. Eleven patients who developed elevated EBV DNA PCR levels, defined as >/=40 genomes/105 peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) in pretransplant EBV-seronegative patients and >/=200 genomes/105 PBL in pretransplant-seropositive patients, were treated. The initial intervention was reduction of immunosuppression and initiation of anti-viral therapy in all patients, with administration of cytomegalovirus immunoglobulin (CMV-IgG) in two patients. CMV-IgG was then given to five of the patients who did not respond to the initial intervention., Results: The initial intervention resulted in the reduction of EBV DNA PCR levels to below threshold values in 4 of 11 patients. Five patients who did not respond to the initial interventions were subsequently given intravenous CMV-IgG. The EBV DNA PCR level fell in all five of these patients during the course of treatment with CMV-IgG, with a significant reduction (to threshold levels or by two dilutions) in four of the five patients. No episodes of graft rejection were observed., Conclusion: Eleven patients (25%) developed elevated EBV DNA PCR after liver transplantation. There were no identifiable risk factors for developing elevated EBV DNA PCR. A combination of reducing immunosuppression, adding antiviral agents, and initiating CMV-IgG resulted in a significant reduction of EBV DNA levels in nine (82%) patients during the follow-up period.

Zinc deficiency is a relatively common problem in children with chronic liver disease. We have previously shown inappropriate urinary zinc excretion in children with chronic liver disease and hypozincemia. This study was designed to determine if zinc deficiency and inappropriate urinary zinc losses are corrected in children with liver disease by liver transplantation. Thirty-three patients (age 1-19 years) underwent 35 liver transplants for acute and chronic liver disease. At the time of transplant, 17 patients had low plasma zinc (hypozincemic) (plasma zinc, 45.4 +/- 1.8 microg/dL), whereas 18 had normal plasma zinc (75.7 +/- 3.8). Before transplant, patients with zinc deficiency had higher urinary zinc to creatinine ratio compared with those with normal zinc status (6.6 +/- 1.9 vs. 2.2 +/- 0.6; P =.03) and lower serum albumin concentrations (low: 2.8 +/- 0.1 vs. normal: 3.3 +/- 0.2; P =.02). After transplant, there was a significant reduction in urinary zinc losses in the hypozincemic group followed by normalization of plasma zinc levels by 7 days posttransplant. These data suggest that the abnormal renal zinc homeostasis that is present in approximately 50% of pediatric patients undergoing liver transplant is rapidly improved and biochemical zinc deficiency is reversed after liver transplantation.