Religious Chanting and Self-Related Brain Regions: A Multi-Modal Neuroimaging Study.

This protocol presents a multi-modal neuroimaging approach to explore the potential brain activity associated with repetitive religious chanting, a widespread form of mind training in both Eastern and Western cultures. High-density electroencephalogram (EEG), with its superior temporal resolution, allows for capturing the dynamic changes in brain activity during religious chanting. Through source localization methods, these can be attributed to various alternative potential brain region sources. Twenty practitioners of religious chanting were measured with EEG. However, the spatial resolution of EEG is less precise, in comparison to functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Thus, one highly experienced practitioner underwent an fMRI scanning session to guide the source localization more precisely. The fMRI data helped guide the selection of EEG source localization, making the calculation of K-means of the EEG source localization in the group of 20 intermediate practitioners more precise and reliable. This method enhanced EEG's ability to identify the brain regions specifically engaged during religious chanting, particularly the cardinal role of the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC). The PCC is a brain area related to focus and self-referential processing. These multimodal neuroimaging and neurophysiological results reveal that repetitive religious chanting can induce lower centrality and higher delta-wave power compared to non-religious chanting and resting state conditions. The combination of fMRI and EEG source analysis provides a more detailed understanding of the brain's response to repetitive religious chanting. The protocol contributes significantly to the research on the neural mechanisms involved in religious and meditative practices, which is becoming more prominent nowadays. The results of this study could have significant implications for developing future neurofeedback techniques and psychological interventions.

Transient Absorption Spectroscopic Investigation of the Photocyclization-Deprotection Reaction of 3',5'-Dimethoxybenzoin Fluoride.

The 3',5'-dimethoxybenzoin (DMB) system has been widely investigated as a photoremovable protecting group (PRPG) for the elimination of various functional groups and has been applied in many fields. The photolysis of DMB fluoride leads to a highly efficient photocyclization-deprotection reaction, resulting in a high yield of 3',5'-dimethoxybenzofuran (DMBF) in a MeCN solution, while there is a competitive reaction that produces DMB in an aqueous solution. The yield of DMB increased as the volume ratio of water increased. To understand the solvent effect of the photolysis of selected DMB-based compounds, a combination of femtosecond to nanosecond transient absorption spectroscopies (fs-TA and ns-TA), nanosecond time-resolved resonance Raman spectroscopy (ns-TR3) and quantum chemical calculation was employed to study the photophysical and photochemical reaction mechanisms of DMB fluoride in different solutions. Facilitated by the bichromophoric nature of DMB fluoride with electron-donating and -withdrawing chromophores, the cyclized intermediates could be found in a pure MeCN solution. The deprotection of a cyclic biradical intermediate results in the simultaneous formation of DMBF and a cyclic cation species. On the other hand, in aqueous solution, fs-TA experiments revealed that α-keto cations could be observed after excitation directly, which could easily produce the DMB through the addition of a hydroxyl within 8.7 ps. This work provides comprehensive photo-deactivation mechanisms of DMB fluoride in MeCN and aqueous conditions and provides critical insights regarding the biomedical application of DMB-based PRPG compounds.

Modulating Consciousness through Awareness Training Program and Its Impacts on Psychological Stress and Age-Related Gamma Waves.

Aging often leads to awareness decline and psychological stress. Meditation, a method of modulating consciousness, may help individuals improve overall awareness and increase emotional resilience toward stress. This study explored the potential influence of the Awareness Training Program (ATP), a form of consciousness modulation, on age-related brain wave changes and psychological stress in middle-aged adults. Eighty-five participants with mild stress were recruited and randomly assigned to ATP (45.00 ± 8.00 yr) or control (46.67 ± 7.80 yr) groups, matched by age and gender. Ten-minute resting-state EEG data, obtained while the participants' eyes were closed, were collected using a 128-channel EEG system (EGI). A strong positive Pearson correlation was found between fast-wave (beta wave, 12-25 Hz; gamma wave, 25-40 Hz) EEG and age. However, after the 7-week ATP intervention, this correlation became insignificant in the ATP group. Furthermore, there was a significant reduction in stress levels, as measured by the Chinese version of the 10 item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), in the ATP group. These results suggest that ATP may help modulate age-related effects on fast brain waves, as evidenced by the reduced correlation magnitude between age and gamma waves, and lower psychological stress. This suggests that ATP, as a form of consciousness modulation, may improve stress resilience and modulate age-related gamma wave changes.

Time-Resolved Spectroscopic Study of a Photoinduced Intramolecular Chloride Exchange Reaction of 3',5'-Dimethoxybenzoin Chloride.

Photoremovable protecting groups are of great importance due to their remote control over the liberation of diverse reactive species temporally and spatially, including biologically active compounds and functional groups. Here, an in-depth investigation on the heterolysis-solvolysis reaction mechanisms of a photoremovable protecting group, 3',5'-dimethoxybenzoin (DMB) chloride, has been accomplished. With the aid of transient absorption and time-resolved resonance Raman spectroscopies, the features of the intermediates that emerged from the photolysis process were directly observed. Elaborate optical and theoretical studies on DMB chloride have suggested a long-lived α-keto cation intermediate (0.9 ms) exists as a key intermediate, unlike the radical intermediates that are typically generated in such photocyclization reactions. After undergoing nucleophilic addition and isomerization, the intermediate species eventually leads to the formation of the final product(s).

Educational Program with Text Messaging for Community-Dwelling Patients with Hypertension: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Purpose@#Controlling blood pressure minimizes the risk of cardiovascular events among patients with hypertension. Despite regular follow-ups, the hypertension management for patients aged ≥45 years is limited as evidenced from a decreased control rate. This pilot study aimed to test a theory-guided educational program for community-dwelling patients with hypertension. @*Methods@#Sixty-nine patients with hypertension aged ≥45 years and having high blood pressure (>130/80 mmHg) were recruited in this two-arm pilot randomized controlled trial. Participants in the intervention group underwent a program guided by the Health Promotion Model, whereas those in the control group received usual care. Data were collected at baseline, week 8, and week 12 and used to assess the blood pressure, pulse pressure, self-efficacy, and adherence to hypertension management. Data were analyzed using a generalized estimating equation based on the intention-to-treat principle. Process evaluation was conducted to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the educational program. @*Results@#The results obtained using the generalized estimating equation revealed that the educational program led to reduction in the systolic blood pressure (β = −7.12, p = .086) and pulse pressure (β = −8.20, p = .007) and to improve self-efficacy (β = 2.61, p = .269) at week 12. The program had a small-to-moderate effect on the reduction of systolic blood pressure (effect size = −0.45) and pulse pressure (effect size = −0.66) and self-efficacy (effect size = 0.23). The participants were highly satisfied with the educational program. @*Conclusions@#The educational program was found to be feasible and acceptable and may be incorporated into current hypertension management practices at the community level.

Revealing the Photophysical Dynamics of Selected Rigid Donor-Acceptor Systems: From Ligands to Ruthenium(II) Complexes.

Newly designed push-pull ligands (L1 and L2) with bithiophene (bth) as a donor and phenazine (phz) or quinoxalino[2,3-b]quinoxaline (qxq) as acceptors were synthesized and also incorporated with a bipyridyl Ru(II) complex to give Ru1 and Ru2, respectively. The ultrafast photophysical dynamics of the ligand and their respective Ru(II) complexes were well-characterized using time-resolved spectroscopies and quantum chemical calculations. Photoinduced charger transfer (CT) and intersystem crossing (ISC) processes were directly observed for L1 and L2. In addition, the interplay of three different triplet excited states was directly observed in the related Ru(II) complexes. The lowest-lying triplet excited states of the ligands and their respective Ru(II) complexes were both attributed to the CT transitions from donor (bth) to acceptor (phz or qxq) and result in 3ICT (intramolecular charge transfer) and 3ILCT (intraligand charge transfer) excited states, respectively. The lifetimes of the lowest-lying triplet excited states of L1, L2, Ru1, and Ru2 were measured to be 21.3, 50.4, 2.75, and 4.16 µs, respectively.

3D-Printed Coronary Plaques to Simulate High Calcification in the Coronary Arteries for Investigation of Blooming Artifacts.

The diagnostic value of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is significantly affected by high calcification in the coronary arteries owing to blooming artifacts limiting its accuracy in assessing the calcified plaques. This study aimed to simulate highly calcified plaques in 3D-printed coronary models. A combination of silicone + 32.8% calcium carbonate was found to produce 800 HU, representing extensive calcification. Six patient-specific coronary artery models were printed using the photosensitive polyurethane resin and a total of 22 calcified plaques with diameters ranging from 1 to 4 mm were inserted into different segments of these 3D-printed coronary models. The coronary models were scanned on a 192-slice CT scanner with 70 kV, pitch of 1.4, and slice thickness of 1 mm. Plaque attenuation was measured between 1100 and 1400 HU. Both maximum-intensity projection (MIP) and volume rendering (VR) images (wide and narrow window widths) were generated for measuring the diameters of these calcified plaques. An overestimation of plaque diameters was noticed on both MIP and VR images, with measurements on the MIP images close to those of the actual plaque sizes (<10% deviation), and a large measurement discrepancy observed on the VR images (up to 50% overestimation). This study proves the feasibility of simulating extensive calcification in coronary arteries using a 3D printing technique to develop calcified plaques and generate 3D-printed coronary models.

Development of salient medication reminders to facilitate information transfer during transition from inpatient to primary care: the Delphi process.

OBJECTIVE: Transitional care is important to successful hospital discharge. Providing patients with a clear and concise summary of medication-related information can help improve outcomes, in particular, among older adults. The present study aimed to propose a framework for the development of salient medication reminders (SMR), which include drug-related risks and precautions, using the Delphi process. DESIGN: Identification of potential SMR statements for 80% of medication types used by older adult patients discharged from geriatric medicine departments, followed by a Delphi survey and expert panel discussion. SETTINGS: Medical and geriatric departments of public hospitals in Hong Kong. PARTICIPANTS: A panel of 13 geriatric medical experts. OUTCOME MEASURE: A Likert scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree) points, scoring item relevance, importance and clarity. The minimum of 70% consensus was required for each statement to be included. RESULTS: The expert panel achieved consensus through the Delphi process on 80 statements for 44 medication entities. Subsequently, the SMR steering group endorsed the inclusion of these statements in the SMR to be disseminated among older adults at the time of discharge from geriatric medicine departments. CONCLUSIONS: The Delphi process contributed to the development of SMR for older adult patients discharged from public hospitals in Hong Kong. Patient experience with and staff response to the SMR were assessed at four hospitals before implementation at all public hospitals.

A Nurse-Led Education Program for Pneumoconiosis Caregivers at the Community Level.

Pneumoconiosis is an irreversible chronic disease. With functional limitations and an inability to work, pneumoconiosis patients require support from family caregivers. However, the needs of pneumoconiosis caregivers have been neglected. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a nurse-led education program, which involved four weekly 90-min workshops led by an experienced nurse and guided by Orem's self-care deficit theory. A single-group, repeated-measure study design was adopted. Caregivers' mental health (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS, four single items for stress, worriedness, tiredness, and insufficient support), caregiving burdens (caregiving burden scale, CBS), and unmet direct support and enabling needs (Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool, CSNAT) were measured at the baseline (T0), immediately after (T1), and one month after intervention (T2); 49, 41, and 28 female participants completed the T0, T1, and T2 measurements. Mean age was 65.9 years old (SD 10.08) with a range between 37 and 85 years old. The program improved the caregivers' mental wellbeing, and reduced their caregiving burdens and their unmet support and enabling needs, both immediately (T1) and one-month after the intervention (T2). In particular, the intervention improved the caregivers' mental wellbeing significantly, specifically depression symptoms, stress, and tiredness immediately after the intervention; and reduced most of their unmet support needs and unmet enabling needs one-month after the intervention. This was the first nurse-led program for pneumoconiosis caregivers and should serve as a foundation for further studies to test the program with robust designs.

Low Radiation X-rays: Benefiting People Globally by Reducing Cancer Risks.

Modern medical imaging facilitates the diagnosis and treatment of human diseases. However, few people are aware of the cons of radiation exposure from medical imaging. Emerging evidence reveals that cumulative doses of radiation exposure will increase the morbidity and mortality of pertaining cancer. As a special young population, patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) suffer more radiation harms from repeated diagnostic imaging, most of which can be avoided in clinical practice. Accumulating evidence highlights reduced cancer risks of radiation exposure for AIS patients with low/zero radiation imaging modalities proposed, amongst which easy conversion from anterior-posterior (AP) to posterior-anterior (PA) projection for whole-spine radiographs should be stressed. It can greatly reduce radiation doses without compromising the quality of diagnostic imaging. Tight collimation combined with PA projection can further reduce radiation harms, and need to be spread to benefit people globally.

Evaluation of academic integrity of online open book assessments implemented in an undergraduate medical radiation science course during COVID-19 pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: Online open book assessment has been a common alternative to a traditional invigilated test or examination during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, its unsupervised nature increases ease of cheating, which is an academic integrity concern. This study's purpose was to evaluate the integrity of two online open book assessments with different formats (1. Tightly time restricted - 50 min for mid-semester and 2. Take home - any 4 h within a 24-h window for end of semester) implemented in a radiologic pathology unit of a Bachelor of Science (Medical Radiation Science) course during the pandemic. METHODS: This was a retrospective study involving a review and analysis of existing information related to the integrity of the two radiologic pathology assessments. Three integrity evaluation approaches were employed. The first approach was to review all the Turnitin plagiarism detection software reports with use of 'seven-words-in-a-row' criterion to identify any potential collusion. The second approach was to search for highly irrelevant assessment answers during marking for detection of other cheating types. Examples of highly irrelevant answers included those not addressing question requirements and stating patients' clinical information not from given patient histories. The third approach was an assessment score statistical analysis through descriptive and inferential statistics to identify any abnormal patterns that might suggest cheating occurred. An abnormal pattern example was high assessment scores. The descriptive statistics used were minimum, maximum, range, first quartile, median, third quartile, interquartile range, mean, standard deviation, fail and full mark rates. T-test was employed to compare mean scores between the two assessments in this year (2020), between the two assessments in the last year (2019), between the two mid-semester assessments in 2019 and 2020, and between this and last years' end of semester assessments. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: No cheating evidence was found in all Turnitin reports and assessment answers. The mean scores of the end of semester assessments in 2019 (88.2%) and 2020 (90.9%) were similar (p = 0.098). However, the mean score of the online open book mid-semester assessment in 2020 (62.8%) was statistically significantly lower than that of the traditional invigilated mid-semester assessment in 2019 (71.8%) with p < 0.0001. CONCLUSION: This study shows the use of the online open book assessments with tight time restrictions and the take home formats in the radiologic pathology unit did not have any academic integrity issues. Apparently, the strict assessment time limit played an important role in maintaining their integrity.

Degenerative cervical myelopathy: Recent updates and future directions.

Advances in patient selection, surgical techniques, and postoperative care have facilitated spine surgeons to manage complex spine cases with shorter operative times, reduced hospital stay and improved outcomes. We focus this article on a few areas which have shown maximum developments in management of degenerative cervical myelopathy and also throw a glimpse into the future ahead. Imaging modalities, surgical decision making, robotics and neuro-navigation, minimally invasive spinal surgery, motion preservation, use of biologics are few of them. Through this review article, we hope to provide the readers with an insight into the present state of art in cervical myelopathy and what the future has in store for us.

The situation in Hong Kong during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This article briefly discusses the reactions and responses toward the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong, amid major political strife. The traumatic memories from severe acute respiratory syndrome in 2003 as well as the displease and distrust toward the Hong Kong government have aggravated mental health distress during the pandemic while this adversity has also increased community support. This article discusses the specific challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong and proposes lessons learned during the pandemic, including strategies for mental health professionals and the community to reduce psychological distress. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Cancer and mortality risks of patients with scoliosis from radiation exposure: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: The study aimed for unraveling the long-term health impact of cumulative radiation exposure from full-spine radiographs on children/adolescents with scoliosis. METHODS: All cohort, case-control or cross-sectional studies about radiation exposure to scoliosis patients with follow-up period as 20 years or more were included. Meta-analyses were performed for outcomes reported in two or more studies. RESULTS: A total of 9 eligible studies involving 35,641 participants between 1912 and 1990 fulfilled the inclusion criteria, including 18,873 patients with scoliosis and 16,768 controls as regional matched general population. The average number of full-spine radiographs was 23.13 (range: 0-618) according to 14,512 patients between 1912 and 1990 in five studies. The estimated mean cumulated radiation dose of breast was 11.35 cGy. In comparison with controls, pooled incidence rates of cancer, breast cancer and cancer mortality of patients with scoliosis were statistically significant higher [rate of cancer, odds risk (OR) = 1.46, p < 0.00001; breast cancer, OR = 1.20, p = 0.02; cancer mortality, OR = 1.50, p < 0.00001]. No statistically significant differences were found in terms of reproductive events for scoliosis patients, pulmonary function and physical activity for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients. CONCLUSIONS: Based on 35,641 participants with over 20 years' observations from 1912 to 1990, repeated radiographs and pertaining cumulative radiation dose resulted in elevated rates of cancer, breast cancer and cancer mortality for children/adolescents with scoliosis in comparison with matched general population. It is recommended that low-radiation or radiation-free and efficient methods should be used to monitor the evolution of children/adolescents with scoliosis.

Synthesis of Pyrazinopyrazine-Fused Azaacenes through Direct Condensation Reactions between Quinoxalinediamine and Diketones.

We report the synthesis of a new type of pyrazinopyrazine-fused azaacene molecules by a simple and versatile procedure. 6,9-Dihexyldithieno[3,2-f:2',3'-h]quinoxaline-2,3-diamine was synthesized through the condensation between 2,7-dihexylbenzo[1,2-b:6,5-b']dithiophene-4,5-diamine and bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl) oximidate. A series of derivatized molecules with extended two-dimensional aromatic fused-ring structures could be obtained by simple condensation reactions between the quinoxalinediamine intermediate and various diketones. The reaction was proved to be effective for the construction of tetrazaacene derivatives with extended heterocyclic aromatic ring systems. The molecules obtained exhibit low-lying LUMO levels that can be fine-tuned by modifying the molecular structure. Crystallographic results showed that in a solid state, the molecules form "brick wall" structures with a close π-π stacking mode. The stacking between the π-ring systems in the molecules could be further enhanced by expanding the large 2D planar-conjugated structure.

Biofilm-sealed perforation of the gastric body: a rare sequela of gastric band erosion.

Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding is one of the cardinal bariatric interventions and due to its early safety profile, became the mainstay. Major long-term complications of gastric banding include pouch-herniation-dilation and gastric erosion. A 59-year-old female presented to the emergency department with a 2-week history of progressive central abdominal pain and distention on a background history of a laparoscopic adjustable band insertion 11 years previously. Subsequent computed tomography demonstrated an intragastric band erosion. An exploratory laparotomy demonstrated a gastric band eroded through the stomach sealed by a biofilm. Secondary findings included small bowel ischemia and portal vein thrombosis. The gastric band was extracted, and the stomach was repaired. The ischemic small bowel was resected with primary anastomosis. The patient recovered uneventfully. Gastric band erosion should be considered in all patients presenting with abdominal pain and previous weight loss surgery. Prompt recognition may avoid fatal consequences.

Design of Luminescent Isocyano Rhenium(I) Complexes: Photophysics and Effects of the Ancillary Ligands.

Despite the well-reported MLCT [dπ(M) → π*(CNR)] transitions in the isocyano transition metal complexes, emissive complexes with phosphorescence derived from MLCT [dπ(M) → π*(CNR)] were not extensively studied. To provide insights into the design strategy of phosphorescent rhenium(I) complexes with an emissive 3MLCT [dπ(Re) → π*(CNR)] excited state, a series of pentaisocyano rhenium(I) complexes have been synthesized. In contrast to most of the reported penta- or hexaisocyano rhenium(I) complexes with unsubstituted or alkyl- or monohalo-substituted phenylisocyanide ligands, which only exhibit photoluminescence in 77 K glassy medium, the solutions of all of these complexes were found to show phosphorescence at room temperature. Detailed study on their emission properties revealed that they are derived from the 3MLCT [dπ(Re) → π*(CNR)] excited state mixed with LL'CT character. It has been shown that the strong electron-withdrawing substituents on the isocyanide ligands can lower the energy of the MLCT [dπ(Re) → π*(CNR)] state and raise the deactivating ligand-field state. These effects are the crucial criteria to render the pentaisocyano rhenium(I) complexes emissive. Moreover, the emission properties in terms of energy, lifetime, and quantum yields can also be enhanced by the ancillary ligand.

Sensitive determination of lysozyme by using a luminescent and colorimetric probe based on the aggregation of gold nanoparticles induced by an anionic ruthenate(II) complex.

The negatively charged ruthenate(II) complex [Ru(bpy)(PPh3)(CN)3]- and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were used for detecting lysozyme (LYS). The luminescence of the ruthenate(II) complex is quenched by AuNPs, and this induces the aggregation of AuNPs and a color change from red to blue. After addition of lysozyme, the positively charged lysozyme and the negatively charged ruthenate(II) complex bind each other by electrostatic interaction firstly. This prevents AuNPs from aggregation and quenches the emission of the ruthenate(II) complex. Its luminescence and the degree of aggregation of the AuNPs can be used to quantify LYS. The fluorometric calibration plot is linear in the 0.01 to 0.20 µM LYS concentration range, and the calibration plot is linear between 0.02 and 0.20 µM of LYS. The color of the solution can be easily distinguished by bare eyes at 0.08 µM or higher concentration of LYS. The applicability of the method was verified by the correct analysis of LYS in chicken egg white. Graphical abstract Schematic of a luminometric and colorimetric probe based on the induced aggregation of gold nanoparticles by an anionic luminescent ruthenate(II) complex or sensitive lysozyme detection.