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Purpose: In this study, we investigated the relationship between the results of thoracic curve correction using minimally invasive surgeries in 35 patients and open surgical correction in 47 patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Methods: The correlations between the Cobb’s angle of the primary and postoperative curves, angle of thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis, correction percentage, derotation values, estimated blood loss, duration of surgery, and period of hospitalization after surgery were assessed by calculating the mean and standard deviation. Calculation and comparison were performed using Pearson correlation. Results: The Cobb’s angle correction ranged from 53.4° ± 11.8° to 6.7° ± 5.2° ( p Conclusion: The open surgical correction procedures were more effective than minimally invasive surgery in correcting the spinal curve. The increase in the duration of open surgical correction increases the estimated blood loss, but it also more significantly improves the correction of Cobb’s angle. Level of evidence: III.

Li-metal batteries (LMBs) employing conversion cathode materials (e.g., FeF

Given the commercial and personnel assets involved as well as the unpredictable nature of the gains switching limbs, stock systems are among absolute highly exciting areas for net worth progress and GDP expansion. Forecasting the future and performances of every stock industry could help investors accumulate wealth during prosperous periods and reduce liabilities during turbulent moments. "Stock industry forecasting" is the process of estimating the eventual worth of transfer business shares and comparable monetary assets. Stock price forecasting has long been a popular area of study. Nevertheless, the widely adopted auto - regressive integrative movement averaged (ARIMA) approach has its inherent benefits and drawbacks. Longer short-term memory (LSTM) systems paradigm consumption towards forecasting additionally demonstrates intriguing potential. By comparing the concepts of such different approaches and the outcomes of predictions, this paper particularly contrasts such two concepts. The LSTM framework is thought to have the strongest forecasting power inside the end; however, data manipulation has a significant impact on it.

Fuel–ablator mix has been established as a major performance degrading effect in the burning plasma regime of recent inertial confinement fusion (ICF) experiments. As such, the study of fuel–ablator mix with experiments and simulations can provide valuable insight for our understanding of these experiments and establish a path for even higher yields and increased robustness. We present a novel high-yield experimental ICF design that is motivated by recent experiments measuring ice–ablator mix with a CH ablator instead of a high-density carbon (HDC) ablator [B. Bachmann et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 129, 275001 (2022)]. We review these experiments in more detail and describe the modeling assumptions and parameters used to obtain agreement with the data from implosion and burn simulations with mix. Using this mix model calibrated a posteriori to the experimental data, we design an implosion that uses a CH ablator that is predicted to achieve better performance than a recent experiment that achieved net target gain of 1.5 in HDC. Because hydrodynamic instabilities are greatly reduced with this new design, we also expect a high reproducibility at the same implosion adiabat as current record yield experiments.

The complex pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation (AF) is governed by multiple risk factors in ways that are still elusive. Basic electrophysiological properties, including atrial effective refractory period (AERP) and conduction velocity, are major factors determining the susceptibility of the atrial myocardium to AF. Although there is a great need for affordable animal models in this field of research, in vivo rodent studies are limited by technical challenges. Recently, we introduced an implantable system for long-term assessment of AF susceptibility in ambulatory rats. However, technical considerations did not allow us to perform concomitant supraventricular electrophysiology measurements. Here, we designed a novel quadripolar electrode specifically adapted for comprehensive atrial studies in ambulatory rats. Electrodes were fabricated from medical-grade silicone, four platinum-iridium poles, and stainless-steel fixating pins. Initial quality validation was performed ex vivo, followed by implantation in adult rats and repeated electrophysiological studies 1, 4, and 8 wk postimplantation. Capture threshold was stable. Baseline AERP values (38.1 ± 2.3 and 39.5 ± 2.0 using 70-ms and 120-ms S1-S1 cycle lengths, respectively) confirmed the expected absence of rate adaptation in the unanesthetized state and validated our prediction that markedly higher values reported under anesthesia are nonphysiological. Evaluation of AF substrate in parallel with electrophysiological parameters validated our recent finding of a gradual increase in AF susceptibility over time and demonstrated that this phenomenon is associated with an electrical remodeling process characterized by AERP shortening. Our findings indicate that the miniature quadripolar electrode is a potent new tool, which opens a window of opportunities for better utilization of rats in AF research.

Coffee brewing produces spent coffee grounds as waste; few studies have investigated the health benefits of these grounds. This study investigated responses to spent coffee grounds in a diet-induced rat model of metabolic syndrome. Male Wistar rats aged 8-9 weeks were fed either corn starch-rich diet or high-carbohydrate, high-fat diet for 16 weeks, which were supplemented with 5% spent coffee grounds during the last 8 weeks. Rats fed non-supplemented diets were used as controls. High-carbohydrate, high-fat diet-fed rats developed metabolic syndrome including abdominal obesity, impaired glucose tolerance, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular and liver damage. Body weight, abdominal fat, total body fat mass, systolic blood pressure, and concentrations of plasma triglycerides and non-esterified fatty acids were reduced by spent coffee grounds along with improved glucose tolerance and structure and function of heart and liver. Spent coffee grounds increased the diversity of the gut microbiota and decreased the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes. Changes in gut microbiota correlated with the reduction in obesity and improvement in glucose tolerance and systolic blood pressure. These findings indicate that intervention with spent coffee grounds may be useful for managing obesity and metabolic syndrome by altering the gut microbiota, thus increasing the value of this food waste.

Transmesocolic and transomental hernias (TOHs) are rare types of internal hernia. Both these hernias occurring concurrently in a patient are even rarer. We report a patient with signs of recurrent small-bowel obstruction who was found to have a dual transmesocolic, TOH. Computed tomography imaging and subsequent laparoscopic exploration identified small-bowel loops passing through a defect in the transverse mesocolon behind the stomach to emerge through the gastrohepatic omentum. This was treated successfully by laparoscopy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a combined transmesocolic, TOH undergoing successful laparoscopic repair.

In chronic obesity, activated adipose tissue proinflammatory cascades are tightly linked to metabolic dysfunction. Yet, close temporal analyses of the responses to obesogenic environment such as high-fat feeding (HFF) in susceptible mouse strains question the causal relationship between inflammation and metabolic dysfunction, and/or raises the possibility that certain inflammatory cascades play adaptive/homeostatic, rather than pathogenic roles. Here, we hypothesized that CTRP6, a C1QTNF family member, may constitute an early responder to acute nutritional changes in adipose tissue, with potential physiological roles. Both 3-days high-fat feeding (3dHFF) and acute obesity reversal [2-wk switch to low-fat diet after 8-wk HFF (8wHFF)] already induced marked changes in whole body fuel utilization. Although adipose tissue expression of classical proinflammatory cytokines (Tnf-α, Ccl2, and Il1b) exhibited no, or only minor, change, C1qtnf6 uniquely increased, and decreased, in response to 3dHFF and acute obesity reversal, respectively. CTRP6 knockout (KO) mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) exhibited increased adipogenic gene expression (Pparg, Fabp4, and Adipoq) and markedly reduced inflammatory genes (Tnf-α, Ccl2, and Il6) compared with wild-type MEFs, and recombinant CTRP6 induced the opposite gene expression signature, as assessed by RNA sequencing. Consistently, 3dHFF of CTRP6-KO mice induced a greater whole body and adipose tissue weight gain compared with wild-type littermates. Collectively, we propose CTRP6 as a gene that rapidly responds to acute changes in caloric intake, acting in acute overnutrition to induce a “physiological inflammatory response” that limits adipose tissue expansion. NEW & NOTEWORTHY CTRP6 (C1qTNF6), a member of adiponectin gene family, regulates inflammation and metabolism in established obesity. Here, short-term high-fat feeding in mice is shown to increase adipose tissue expression of CTRP6 before changes in the expression of classical inflammatory genes occur. Conversely, CTRP6 expression in adipose tissue decreases early in the course of obesity reversal. Gain- and loss-of-function models suggest CTRP6 as a positive regulator of inflammatory cascades, and a negative regulator of adipogenesis and adipose tissue expansion.

Waste from food production can be re-purposed as raw material for usable products to decrease industrial waste. Coffee pulp is 29% of the dry weight of coffee cherries and contains caffeine, chlorogenic acid, trigonelline, diterpenes and fibre. We investigated the attenuation of signs of metabolic syndrome induced by high-carbohydrate, high-fat diet in rats by dietary supplementation with 5% freeze-dried coffee pulp for the final 8 weeks of a 16-week protocol. Coffee pulp decreased body weight, feed efficiency and abdominal fat, normalised systolic blood pressure, left ventricular diastolic stiffness, and plasma concentrations of triglycerides and non-esterified fatty acids, and improved glucose tolerance in rats fed high-carbohydrate, high-fat diet. Further, the gut microbiota was modulated with high-carbohydrate, high-fat diet and coffee pulp supplementation and 14 physiological parameters were correlated with the changes in bacterial community structures. This study suggested that coffee pulp, as a waste from the coffee industry, is useful as a functional food for improving obesity-associated metabolic, cardiovascular and liver structure and function, and gut microbiota.

OBJECTIVE Orexin/hypocretin (Ox) and its receptors (OxR), a neuroendocrine system centrally regulating sleep/wakefulness, were implicated in the regulation of peripheral metabolism. It was hypothesized that human adipose tissue constitutes a direct target of the OxA/OxR system that associates with distinct metabolic profile(s). METHODS Serum Ox levels and abdominal subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue expression of Ox/HCRT, OxR1/HCRTR1, and OxR2/HCRTR2 were measured in n = 81 patients. RESULTS Higher morning circulating Ox levels were associated with improved lipid profile and insulin sensitivity, independently of BMI (β = -0.363, p = 0.018 for BMI-adjusted homeostatic model of insulin resistance). Adipose HCRT mRNA was detectable in

Early detection of crop pest and disease is very critical for taking up suitable control measures to reduce the loss of economic yield. Coffee is an important commercial crop in India which is affected by pests and diseases every year resulting in major yield loss. White stem borer (Xylotrechus quadripes) is the most serious pest of coffee (Arabica sp.) in India causing substantial loss of yield every year. Detection of the infestation in its early stage is quite challenging. In this regard, image pattern recognition techniques offer cost effective and scalable solutions. An image library was created representing different stages of the plant infestation using camera/mobile devices. Our Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) models use these images of healthy and infested plants for early detection of white stem borer infestation. The overall methodology included image processing, machine learning, supervised transfer learning and unsupervised auto-encoding techniques to solve the problem of early detection and severity of the infestation. Using the Inception v3 transfer learning model, we obtained average accuracy of 85.5% which is quite encouraging with limited image datasets. We explore Unsupervised Autoencoder models, which can work with limited image datasets. In addition, statistical analysis of long-term climatic factors such as temperature, rainfall, humidity and luminescence is explored for reliable detection and diagnosis of the infestation. Based on the encouraging results, a mobile application is proposed for near real time monitoring of WSB infestation to help the coffee planter’s community.

Metabolic syndrome, especially obesity, increases the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. We hypothesised that green coffee will attenuate metabolic, cardiovascular and liver parameters in high-carbohydrate high-fat diet-fed rats. Male Wistar rats (8–9 weeks old) were divided into 6 groups and fed for 16 weeks with either corn starch diet (C), C with either 5% green or decaffeinated green coffee in food for the last 8 weeks, high-carbohydrate high-fat diet (H) or H with either 5% green or decaffeinated green coffee in food for the last 8 weeks. Green coffee contained chlorogenic acids, trigonelline, caffeine and diterpenoids; decaffeinated green coffee contained these compounds but no caffeine. Green coffee attenuated body weight, systolic blood pressure, inflammation in the heart and liver and diastolic stiffness without improving glucose sensitivity or plasma lipids. We suggest that chlorogenic acids, trigonelline and diterpenoids in green coffee attenuate diet-induced abnormalities in heart and liver.

Less than a year following the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak, variants of concern have emerged in the form of the British variant B.1.1.7 and the South Africa variant B.1.351. Due to their high infectivity and morbidity, it is crucial to quickly and effectively detect them. Current methods of detection are either time-consuming, expensive or indirect. Here, we report the development of a rapid, cost-effective and direct RT-qPCR method for detection of the two variants of concern. We developed and validate a detection system for the detection of the B.1.1.7 variant and another single detection set for the B.1.351 variant. The developed approach was characterized and tested on wastewater samples and illustrated that all primers and probes were sensitive and specific. The novel system presented here will allow proper response and pandemic containment with regard to these variants. In addition, it may provide a basis for developing tools for the detection of additional variants of concern.

An increase in coal consumption for coal-based power plants in recent years led to an increase in implementation of air quality control systems. The operation of air quality control systems is dictated by the availability of better emissions measurement system. Recent advances in optical technology enabled better in situ and extractive method of monitoring the pollutant species from the flue gas. Sample handling is a very important aspect of measurement process as important as the measurement technique. In situ is the best technique for measuring emitted species without interfering the flue gas composition. However, due to various challenges like high temperature, dust and slurry particulate carryover and moisture interference, extractive approach with advanced filtration and sampling system is generally preferred. Advanced techniques using quantum cascade lasers have recently opened up highly sensitive measurement at high temperatures (above 200 °C). This paper gives a general view of emission measurement methods and also discusses both the monitoring methodologies available and state-of-the-art research in progress globally.

Schwannoma occurring in the psoas muscle is rare. We report a 49-year-old male who presented to the orthopaedic oncosurgery team with persistent lower back pain radiating to the right lower limb following a fall on the back a few months ago. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a well-defined lesion in the right psoas muscle at the level of third lumbar vertebra (L3). He underwent a laparoscopic excision of this mass using one 10 mm and two 5 mm ports. Intraoperative frozen section after a complete excision showed this to be a benign schwannoma. He was discharged the day after surgery. His symptoms gradually reduced over a period of time and he remains well 3 years after surgery. This case highlights the feasibility and safety of minimally invasive treatment of this rare tumour.

Less than a year following the Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak, variants of concern have emerged in the form of variant Alpha (B.1.1.7, the British variant) and Beta (B.1.351, the South Africa variant). Due to their high infectivity and morbidity, it has become clear that it is crucial to quickly and effectively detect these and other variants. Here, we report improved primers-probe sets for reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) for SARS-CoV-2 detection including a rapid, cost-effective, and direct RT-qPCR method for detection of the two variants of concern (Alpha, B.1.1.7 and Beta, B.1.351). All the developed primers-probe sets were fully characterized, demonstrating sensitive and specific detection. These primer-probe sets were also successfully employed on wastewater samples aimed at detecting and even quantifying new variants in a geographical area, even prior to the reports by the medical testing. The novel primers-probe sets presented here will enable proper responses for pandemic containment, particularly considering the emergence of variants of concern.

Femoral hernia occurs through the femoral ring and is commoner in women than in men. Presentation is either with a bulge in the groin or with features of intestinal obstruction. To avoid complications patients are advised surgery upon diagnosis of a femoral hernia. The surgery can be undertaken under local, regional or general anaesthesia and may involve an open or a laparoscopic repair. In a given patient, medical co-morbidities, elective versus emergent presentation and surgeon comfort with a particular approach dictate the choice of technique.

Internal hernia is the cause of only 1% of intestinal obstructions, and left paraduodenal hernias (PDH) comprise about 50% of these cases. As the presentation of PDH is varied, diagnosis is often delayed. Here, we report two patients with left PDH presenting in a subacute manner and diagnosed rapidly with the help of a CT scan. Both underwent successful laparoscopic repair; one patient had closure of the defect, and the other required excision of the sac prior to the closure. We review 21 cases of left PDH treated laparoscopically that were previously reported in the literature, including 14 from Asian countries.

Paragangliomas are catecholamine-secreting neuroendocrine tumours arising from chromaffin tissue at extra-adrenal sites. The commonest site for a paraganglioma is the organ of Zuckerkandl. Traditional treatment of paraganglioma of organ of Zuckerkandl (POZ) involves open surgical resection, and only a few cases of laparoscopic approach to this pathology have been reported. We report the successful laparoscopic resection of a large POZ in a 22-year-old woman and review the previous cases reporting a laparoscopic approach to this rare tumour.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted health-care systems worldwide, mandating novel measures to protect patients and health-care workers. In addition to the stratification of risks in terms of patient, anesthesia, and surgery, surgeons will now have to consider infectious risks associated with the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus in their preoperative assessment. It is imperative that surgeons adapt to this new challenge, which is likely to be a part of the foreseeable future. This review aims to guide the operating surgeon to make informed decisions regarding risks associated with the virus, and how to best prepare for the same. It is a collation of the current knowledge in the field and covers (a) SARS-CoV-2 epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and testing; (b) strategies for stratification of surgeries; (c) preoperative testing; (d) preoperative considerations; (e) intraoperative concerns; (f) precautions to be followed in the performance of open as well as laparoscopic surgery; and (e) issues related to resumption of elective surgery.

Inducing testosterone deficiency, as the standard treatment of prostate cancer, may cause metabolic disorders including insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, central obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and type 2 diabetes. This study measured responses to testosterone deficiency in high-carbohydrate, high-fat (H) diet-fed rats. We then tested whether eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)/docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) ethyl esters (Omacor) reversed these metabolic changes. Male Wistar rats (8–9 weeks old) were divided into eight groups with four groups fed corn starch and four groups fed H diet. For each diet, one group received diet only; one group was orchidectomized; one group was given leuprolide (gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist, 2 mg/kg every 4th week); and the last group was treated with leuprolide and their diet was supplemented with 3% Omacor for the last eight weeks. The protocol was for 16 weeks. Leuprolide worsened metabolic syndrome symptoms and cardiovascular function, and orchidectomy produced greater responses. In H fed leuprolide-treated rats, Omacor decreased systolic blood pressure and left ventricular diastolic stiffness, reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells and collagen deposition in the heart, and reduced lipid accumulation and inflammatory cell infiltration without improving liver damage. These results suggest that Omacor has potential to attenuate metabolic complications in prostate cancer patients with induced testosterone deprivation.

Background: Malfunction of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) catheters is a frequent complication and has traditionally been treated with a laparotomy. We present our experience with minimally invasive surgical (laparoscopic and thoracoscopic) salvage of CAPD catheters. Materials and Methods: Between October 2003 and June 2013, 19 patients (13 males and 6 females with a mean age of 37 years [range 28–64]) underwent minimally invasive laparoscopic salvage of malfunctioning CAPD catheters. These catheters had been placed with either a percutaneous or open technique and had been in place for a mean of 4.5 months (range 2–18 months). All the salvage procedures were performed under general anaesthesia using one 10 mm and two or three 5 mm ports. The various manoeuvres undertaken to re-establish catheter function included correct positioning the catheter and anchoring it to the pelvic peritoneum, clearing the fibrin clot/sheath, freeing up the omentum/bowel/taenia coli. In addition, all patients underwent an omentopexy. Results: Laparoscopic salvage could be completed in 18 patients with good catheter inflow and outflow established at the end of the surgery and one patient underwent thoracoscopic salvage. The median operative time was 63 min (range 45–96 min) and median post-operative hospital stay was 2 days (range 2–5 days). Low volume dialysis was commenced the day after surgery and full volume dialysis by the 10th day. There were no intra- or post-operative complications. All the catheters were functioning at the end of 6-month follow-up. Conclusions: Minimally invasive surgery is a valid, safe and efficacious way of salvaging malfunctioning CAPD catheters. This modality reduces the chances of re-formation of adhesions, ensures rapid recovery, reduced wound-related complications and allows for early institution of peritoneal dialysis.