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The Electronic Faces Thermometer Scale (eFTS)—Construct Validity for Pain Assessment in Pediatric Postoperative Care in Sweden
No full textBackground: Pain in children is undertreated. An assessment scale co-designed with children, parents, and health care professionals could lead to more effective pain assessments and treatment strategies aimed at reducing pain and pain-related symptoms. There are analogue scales validated for self-report of pain in children, but today, children regularly use digital technology, which healthcare should align with. The newly developed electronic Faces Thermometer Scale is a digital assessment scale that needs further validation before it may be recommended for self-reporting pain intensity. Aims: The study aimed to determine the convergent and discriminant validity of a new digital pain assessment scale in a pediatric postoperative setting. Methods: The study was performed at a pediatric surgery department in southern Sweden. A total of 88 children were included, generating 716 assessments. Convergent validity was established by comparing the well-validated Colored Analogue Scale and Faces Pain Scale Revised with the electronic Faces Thermometer Scale. Pain assessments were conducted at three different time points: one before surgery, one once the participant became alert and aware, and one 30–45 min after the second time point. A p-value of 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Discriminant validity was established by comparing a potential non-painful situation with a painful situation using the electronic Faces Thermometer Scale. Results: The agreement between the scales at different time points, as well as across different ages and gender, showed a statistically significant correlation: Kendall's Tau B correlation coefficient varied between 0.61 and 0.79 at different time points. The electronic Faces Thermometer Scale was able to discriminate pain across different age groups and genders. There was a statistically significant difference between pre- and postoperative assessments, and the Clopper–Pearson proportion ranged from 0.70 to 0.90. Conclusions: The electronic Faces Thermometer Scale provides a valid digital scale for self-report of pain within pediatric postoperative care
The earliest sponge spicule tufts from the Cambrian Lower Yanjiahe Formation, Three Gorges area, South China
No full textAs phylogenetically basal metazoans, sponges (phylum Porifera) provide crucial insights into the origins of animal biomineralization and early body plan innovation. However, articulated sponge fossils remain exceptionally rare in Ediacaran–Cambrian transition strata, with most records limited to isolated spicules or ambiguous biomineralized structures. This study reports siliceous and phosphatically preserved sponge spicule tufts from the lower Yanjiahe Formation (∼535 Ma, Fortunian Stage) at the Muyangxi section (eastern Three Gorges area, South China). Dominated by monaxons, with co-occurring pentactine spicules, two morphotypes are distinguished: Type 1 tufts comprise slender, hollow monaxons (mean value of the maximum width: ∼15.9 µm, n = 37) with uniform near-parallel alignment, while Type 2 tufts consist of sturdier phosphatized monaxons (mean value of the maximum width: ∼91.1 µm, n = 135) arranged as subparallel bundles, slightly radially oriented arrangements, and sometimes semi-randomly in single layers, occasionally with perpendicular alignments to the adjacent layers. Small curved oxeas in the Type 2 tufts suggest incipient hierarchical organization. Although fragmentary preservation limits taxonomic resolution, these tufts likely represent the earliest unequivocal biomineralized sponges, potentially corresponding to stem-group Demospongiae and/or Hexactinellida (Silicea). In combination with the previous evidences found from the Ediacaran–Cambrian transition, we hypothesize that early sponge biomineralization was likely monaxon-dominated, with hexactines arising via axial fusion or increased axis number, culminating in hexactinellid diversification by Terreneuvian Stage 2. Integrated with Small Shelly Fossil Zone 1 biochronology, our findings indicate rapid pre-Fortunian to Fortunian-stage spicule enlargement (≤ 200 μm to ≥ 500 μm) and architectural complexification, aligning with early Cambrian ecological escalation. Alternatively, it is possible that the divergence between Hexactinellida and Demospongiae may predate biomineralization, as their last common ancestor may have lacked siliceous spicules. The Yanjiahe spicules illuminate a critical prelude to the Cambrian sponge explosion, bridging Ediacaran soft-bodied ancestors and later diverse, mineralized clades
Anabolic indices of matrix proteins identify regenerative small RNA intrinsic to human cartilage
No full textSome vertebrates regenerate appendages through the action of small noncoding RNAs (smRNAs) expressed in their blastema. Inspired by these models, we investigated whether similar smRNA-mediated mechanisms might contribute to the intrinsic repair capacity of human cartilage. Although humans lack the capacity to regenerate entire limbs, digit tip regrowth and joint cartilage repair following joint distraction suggest latent regenerative potential. Using mass spectrometry and RNA sequencing, we quantified anabolic indices of cartilage extracellular matrix proteins and identified 69 smRNAs correlated with cartilage regeneration in osteoarthritis—six concordantly regulated across species (human, axolotl, zebrafish, and bichir)—including microRNA 21 (miR-21). miR-21 enhanced the expression of key cartilage formation genes, reduced cartilage degradation, and suppressed cytokine secretion from human cartilage and chondrocytes. In contrast to the knee and hip, ankle cartilage exhibited regenerative capacity under osteoarthritic stress, offering a model for a regeneration-permissive joint environment that could inform osteoarthritis therapies
Improving the performance of daily pan evaporation (Evp) prediction using the ensemble empirical mode decomposition combined with deep learning models
No full textThis study presents a novel approach for the prediction of daily pan evaporation (Evp) based on identifying an optimal combination of model inputs. The Kardeh Dam catchment area in northeastern Iran, where significant evaporation occurs, was investigated in this study. Initially, an appropriate combination of inputs was identified through the gamma test and genetic algorithm (GTGA). Using the ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD), each input data was converted into intrinsic mode functions (IMFs), which were then used as input to long short-term memory (LSTM) and convolutional neural network (CNN) models. The model inputs considered in this work for predicting pan evaporation included maximum and minimum temperature, precipitation, and evaporation in earlier stages. Each input variable was transformed into nine IMFs, simplifying the complex pattern of input variables and leading to improved performance of both CNN and LSTM models. The prediction results using the CNN exhibited RMSE, MAE, and SI values equal to 0.33 mm, 0.24 mm, and 0.06, respectively. Using the LSTM, these values were equal to 0.043 mm, 0.11 mm, and 0.016, respectively. The proposed methodology can be applied in various regions for improved evaporation prediction, offering decision-makers and researchers a clearer understanding of future evaporation trends to effectively manage water resources and prevent wastage of water, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions
Supportive housing residents’ experiences of the intervention active in my home
No full textBackground: The occupational therapy intervention, Active in My Home (AiMH), puts occupational engagement, participation in society and personal recovery in focus and includes increased staff support. Aims/Objectives: To investigate how the residents experienced the AiMH support, with a focus on their possibilities for engaging in occupations and participating in society after the intervention. Material and Methods: Sixteen AiMH participants were interviewed at completion, and/or 6-9 months after completion. Data were analysed using content analysis. Results: The main theme was: Boosting personal recovery by discovering new capacities and activity opportunities. Four categories also emerged: Stimulating with new approaches to support and interaction from the staff, Opportunities to reflect on personal recovery were essential, Engaging in reflection and exploring new activities initiated a positive cycle of change and Interacting with group participants and staff provided new perspectives and motivation. Conclusion: The participants gained knowledge about how to engage in meaningful everyday life activities. AiMH contributed to a more supportive housing climate and increased sense of security and connectedness. Significance: AiMH can fill a gap in occupational therapy interventions for residents in supported housing (SH) in Sweden and has potential to change the caregiving culture by promoting a more recovery-oriented form of support
Refining laissez-faire treatment of periocular tumour defects by exploring the impact of defect localization and geometry on the healing process
No full textBackground: Large lower eyelid defects resulting from tumour removal are frequently reconstructed using a tarsoconjunctival flap from the upper eyelid together with an overlying free skin graft, the so-called Hughes procedure. One disadvantage of this technique is that the tarsoconjunctival flap occludes the eye during the revascularization of the graft, which is particularly troublesome for patients with poor vision in the other eye. Another alternative method for reconstructing large lower eyelid defects is the use of a free bilamellar eyelid graft with the advantage that it is a single-stage procedure and that the vision is not occluded during the healing process. However, both these methods require extensive surgery, which is time-consuming and might be too much effort for the frail and elderly. In these specific cases, where one wishes to avoid extensive surgery, laissez-faire treatment, so-called self-healing, might be an alternative. Methods: 46 patients undergoing laissez-faire treatment for periocular tumour defects were included. Surgical defects were in the medial canthal area (n = 10) and the lower eyelid (n = 28), with the latter classified as proportional (n = 21) or disproportional (n = 7) based on the anterior to posterior lamellae ratio. Cases requiring repeated surgical excisions due to tumour-positive margins (n = 8) were analysed separately. Wound contraction was assessed through serial photography after 1 week, 3 weeks, 6–8 weeks, and 5 months to 2 years. Defect size was standardized using corneal area measurements. Results: Proportional lower eyelid defects exhibited predictable healing, with rapid wound contraction the first 6–8 weeks and minimal complications. Disproportional defects showed uneven healing, resulting in ectropion or significant tissue loss in 6 of 7 cases. Medial canthal defects generally healed well, but larger defects (>50% of corneal area) took longer to contract and were associated with traction-related complications in isolated cases. Repeated surgical excisions were associated with a higher prevalence of complications, including ectropion, entropion, and residual defects. Conclusions: Defect geometry is crucial in the healing process and clinical outcomes of periocular defects treated with laissez-faire. Medial canthal defects and proportional lower eyelid defects heal more reliably, while disproportional and large medial canthal defects, as well as cases requiring repeated surgical excisions, pose a higher risk of complications. These findings emphasize the importance of careful patient selection and defect analysis to optimize outcomes
The First Chemical Census of the Milky Way’s Nuclear Star Cluster
No full textAn important step in understanding the formation and evolution of the nuclear star cluster (NSC) is to investigate its chemistry and chemical evolution. Additionally, exploring the NSC’s relationship to the other structures in the Galactic center and the Milky Way disks is of great interest. Extreme optical extinction has previously prevented optical studies, but near-IR high-resolution spectroscopy is now possible. Here, we present a detailed chemical abundance analysis of 19 elements—more than 4 times as many as previously published—for nine stars in the NSC of the Milky Way, observed with the Immersion GRating INfrared Spectrometer on the Gemini South telescope. This study provides new, crucial observational evidence to shed light on the origin of the NSC. We demonstrate that it is possible to probe a variety of nucleosynthetic channels, reflecting different chemical evolution timescales. Our findings reveal that the NSC trends for the elements F, Mg, Al, Si, S, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn, as well as for the s-process elements Ba, Ce, Nd, and Yb, generally follow the inner-bulge trends within uncertainties. This suggests a likely shared evolutionary history, and our results indicate that the NSC population is consistent with the chemical sequence observed in the inner Galaxy (the inner-disk sequence). However, we identify a significant and unexplained difference in the form of higher Na abundances in the NSC compared to the inner bulge. This is also observed in few Galactic globular clusters and may suggest a common enrichment process at work in all these systems
Fiber length and shape-dependent differences in hepatic nanomaterial localization in mice following pulmonary exposure
No full textBackground: Inhaled nanomaterials can translocate from the lungs into systemic circulation and reach the liver, which is the main secondary organ for nanomaterial uptake, potentially causing adverse effects. Understanding how inhaled nanomaterials localize within liver tissue is important for understanding their clearance mechanisms and potential toxicity. Previous in vivo studies have primarily focused on spherical particles, highlighting the need for studies on fiber-shaped nanomaterials. Methods: This study examines the hepatic distribution of five fiber-shaped nanomaterials (three multiwalled carbon nanotubes, gallium phosphide nanowires, and short TiO₂ nanotubes) compared to spherical TiO₂ nanoparticles. Liver samples were collected at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after pulmonary exposure using a single intratracheal (IT) instillation in mice. Paraffin-embedded liver sections were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E), and analyzed using enhanced darkfield microscopy. The localization of the nanomaterials within sections was categorized into four categories: hepatocyte, non-parenchymal cell, sinusoid/vessel, and another placement. Localization was further validated using cell-specific immunohistochemical staining. Furthermore, morphological changes were assessed in liver sections and 1 year post-exposure from mice following pulmonary exposure to eleven different MWCNTs. Results: The hepatic localization of six different nanomaterials were assessed, with more than 10,000 fibers or particles manually counted across all samples. There were significant differences in the localization of long and thick fibers as compared to spherical nanoparticles and short and thin fibers, at all assessed post-exposure time points. Long and thick fiber-shaped nanomaterials were more frequently localized within the liver parenchyma compared to spherical particles and the short TiO2 tubes, which were more frequently found in non-parenchymal cells. Histological analysis revealed that short, thin, and entangled MWCNTs caused minor tissue alterations, including inflammatory cell infiltration and mild connective tissue hyperplasia in portal zones, whereas long and thick MWCNTs did not induce morphological changes. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that the intrahepatic localization of nanomaterials is strongly influenced by fiber shape and dimensions