Noninvasive disconnection of targeted neuronal circuitry sparing axons of passage and nonneuronal cells

OBJECTIVE Surgery can be highly effective for the treatment of medically intractable, neurological disorders, such as drug-resistant focal epilepsy. However, despite its benefits, surgery remains substantially underutilized due to both surgical concerns and nonsurgical impediments. In this work, the authors characterized a noninvasive, nonablative strategy to focally destroy neurons in the brain parenchyma with the goal of limiting collateral damage to nontarget structures, such as axons of passage. METHODS Low-intensity MR-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS), together with intravenous microbubbles, was used to open the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in a transient and focal manner in rats. The period of BBB opening was exploited to focally deliver to the brain parenchyma a systemically administered neurotoxin (quinolinic acid) that is well tolerated peripherally and otherwise impermeable to the BBB. RESULTS Focal neuronal loss was observed in targeted areas of BBB opening, including brain regions that are prime objectives for epilepsy surgery. Notably, other structures in the area of neuronal loss, including axons of passage, glial cells, vasculature, and the ventricular wall, were spared with this procedure. CONCLUSIONS These findings identify a noninvasive, nonablative approach capable of disconnecting neural circuitry while limiting the neuropathological consequences that attend other surgical procedures. Moreover, this strategy allows conformal targeting, which could enhance the precision and expand the treatment envelope for treating irregularly shaped surgical objectives located in difficult-to-reach sites. Finally, if this strategy translates to the clinic, the noninvasive nature and specificity of the procedure could positively influence both physician referrals for and patient confidence in surgery for medically intractable neurological disorders.

Confidence varies more than time during a change-of-direction task in patients following unilateral ACL reconstruction (180)

Objectives: Psychological outcomes may be important for predicting readiness to return to sport and guiding appropriate treatment intervention during rehabilitation for patients following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Motor confidence can vary based on the context or task in which it is measured, and clinician perceptions of patient confidence may not accurately reflect patient confidence for a given athletic task. The purpose of this study was to: 1) determine how confidence varies between the affected and unaffected limb, 2) compare patient-rated confidence with a clinician’s perception of patient confidence during the completion of a change-of-direction (COD) test and 3) determine how performance varies between standard hop and change of direction tests completed at six months following ACL reconstruction. Methods: 46 patients (76.36 ± 11.82 kg, 176.2 ± 8.8 cm, 24.3 ± 7.2 yrs., 19/46 Female; Table 1) completed a functional assessment at six months following ACL reconstruction with a bone-patellar-tendon-bone (n=18), quadriceps tendon (n=13) or hamstring (n=15) graft. Functional testing included the single, triple and triple crossover hops for distance and the timed 505 change-of-direction (505) test. Patients rated their confidence during the 505 tests on a scale from “0”, representing no confidence, to “10”, or complete confidence in their ability to complete the task. A single clinician indicated their perception of the patient’s confidence on a 10 cm visual analog scale, with scores converted to a 0-10 scale for agreement analysis. Results: Patient (unaffected limb median 9 (range 6-10), affected limb median 7 (3-10), Z=-5.842, p<0.001,) and clinician-perceived confidence (unaffected median 8 (3-10), affected median 7 (3-9), Z=-3.52, p<0.001) were lower on the affected limb during the 505 task (Fig 2). There was no difference in median scores between clinician’s and patients rating the affected limb (Z=-0.681, p=0.496), whereas the clinician rated the unaffected limb lower (Z=-5.016, p<0.001; Fig 2). There was minimal to no agreement and correlation between patient and clinician-perceived confidence in either the affected (Κ = -0.090 (95%CI -0.196-0.016), p=0.170; Rs(44) = 0.173, p=0.251) or unaffected limb (Κ = -0.048 (95%CI -0.140-0.044), p=0.346; Rs(44) = 0.12, p=0.428) during the 505 test. Completion time did not differ whether the 180 pivot was performed on the affected or unaffected limb (3.2 ±0.5 s vs. 3.2 ±0.5 s, p=0.858), while large differences in performance in the single (138 ±39 cm vs. 103 ±42 cm, p<0.001), triple (451 ± 114 cm vs. 367 ± 116 cm, p<0.001) and triple crossover hop tests (403 ± 119 cm vs. 324 ± 116 cm, p<0.001) were observed (Fig 3A and B). Consequently there was a main effect of test (F(3,180) = 30.686, p<0.001) when comparing LSI indicating that the 505 LSI (100 ± 5%) was higher than for the three hop tests (73 ± 19%, p<0.001, 81 ± 13%, p<0.001, 80 ± 15%, p<0.001; Fig 4). Conclusions: Clinician’s perceptions of patient confidence may not accurately reflect patient confidence during the 505 test, although this requires validation with a larger population of clinicians over a greater variety of tasks. Both patients and a clinician report lower confidence in their reconstructed knee during the 505 test despite comparable performance between limbs. Measuring time alone during the 505 may not accurately reflect underlying performance impairments, and measures of confidence and consideration of movement strategies or compensations may be required, alongside additional tests of lower extremity dynamic performance. Further research is required to clarify the importance of task-specific motor confidence against measures of readiness (i.e., ACL-RSI) and in the context of facilitating safe return to sport following ACL reconstruction.

423 Patient Perspective on the Use of the Independent Sector to Maintain Elective NHS Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Introduction COVID-19 resulted in the suspension of planned treatments for patients worldwide leaving millions suffering the physical and mental effects of delay. Reports indicate that when services have been re-established, patients have been afraid to take up appointments. Hospitals put processes in place to counter this, notably separating emergency and elective patient cohorts. Most notably seen by the co-operation between the NHS and independent private healthcare providers in March 2020 at the height of the pandemic. We undertook a study to ascertain the perceptions of NHS patients who underwent elective treatment at independent ‘cold’ sites during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method A cross-sectional study with structured telephone interviews of patients who had planned elective treatments at ‘cold’ independent hospitals between March and September 2020. 1150 patients were identified, and a 20% sample formed a 230 patient study group, with 158 (70%) agreeing to participate. Results 30% of patients delayed their treatment due to COVID related concerns, with 76% of these only accepting treatment because this was at a ‘cold’ site. 46% of patients perceived treatment at a ‘cold’ site as the most important factor contributing to their safety. 153 patients (97%) supported the paid arrangement between the NHS and the independent sector to provide separate ‘cold’ sites for elective treatments. Discussion Safely restarting elective services to allow important planned treatments to take place, as was the pandemic continues, is a priority. Our study indicates that physical separation of patient pathways impacted most on patient confidence, and that the use of ‘cold’ sites is a viable option.

The Impact of a Digital Vaccine Consent Form in a Large Community Pharmacy Chain

Background: A large community pharmacy chain implemented a new digital platform to eliminate the need for patients to fill out a traditional vaccine consent form in the pharmacy. The new digital vaccine consent form allowed patients to complete the form online, where it was transmitted directly to the pharmacy’s network. Objectives: To identify the characteristics of patients who used an online digital vaccine consent form to receive vaccinations and to evaluate patient satisfaction and confidence in utilizing the digital vaccine consent form to receive pharmacy services. Methods: This three-month prospective study was conducted in the Mid-Atlantic division of a large community pharmacy chain. A 16-question survey was developed using information from the literature to collect demographic information and patient confidence and satisfaction with the digital vaccine consent form. An email was sent to pharmacy staff containing instructions on the procedure for posting a recruitment flyer, distributing the survey post-vaccination, and how to return completed surveys. Univariate and bi-variate analysis were conducted. Results: Thirty-six participants responded to the survey, majority of participants were female (56%). Two patients used the digital vaccine consent form; both used because it was more convenient and were likely to use the form again. For those who did not use the digital vaccine consent form, 32% feel somewhat unconfident in using digital technologies for pharmacy services. A majority of patients prefer to be notified about new online services by email (39%) or advertisements in the pharmacy (31%). When asked the likelihood of using the digital vaccine consent form in the future, majority stated unlikely (34%) or neutral (25%). Conclusions: Most participants did not utilize the new digital vaccine form. This provides an opportunity to further engage patients on the availability and use of the digital vaccine consent form in order to advance digital technologies for pharmacy services.

THE WOUNDED SELF AND THE DISMEMBERED FLESH: ANTHROPOLOGICAL SENSE OF COMMUNICATION DYSFUNCTIONS

В статье анализируются коммуникативные дисфункции между пациентами, генетиками-консультантами и врачами в практиках медико-генетического консультирования. Несмотря на очевидную полезность генетических рекомендаций для консультируемого и членов его семьи, а также факт оплаты им услуги консультирования, он (консультируемый) этим рекомендациям часто не следует, подвергая и свою жизнь, и жизнь близких опасности. Как понять эту странность? В качестве виртуального участия в гибридном форуме, обсуждаются два казуса из практики генетического консультирования, которые, при существенном сходстве ситуации, отличаются друг от друга наличием или отсутствие доверия пациентов к научному знанию и экспертным суждениям генетика консультанта. В целях теоретического истолкования поставленной проблемы вводится предположение о самости как коммуникативной дисфункции, которая диагностируется в различных ценностных координатах либо как некомплаентность (noncomplience) в директивных моделях консультирования, либо как отказ от сотрудничества (nonadherence) в недирективных. Если же учесть, что в основе медицины как культурной практики лежит чувство солидарности перед лицом телесного страдания, то в этом плане странное, контрпродуктивное поведение пациента может указывать на наличие глубоких проблем в основах современной социальности. Предлагается формулировка нарративного императива. The article analyzes communication dysfunctions between patients, consulting geneticists and doctors in the practice of medical genetic counseling. Despite the obvious usefulness of genetic advice for the counseled and their family members, as well as the fact that patients pay for counseling services, they (the counseled) often do not follow these recommendations, putting both their own lives and the lives of the loved ones at risk. How to understand this oddity? As a virtual participation in a hybrid forum, two cases from the practice of genetic counseling are discussed, which, with a significant similarity of the situation, differ from each other in the presence or absence of patient confidence in the scientific knowledge and expert judgments of the geneticist. In order to theoretically interpret the problem posed, an assumption is introduced about the self as a communication dysfunction, which is diagnosed in various value coordinates either as noncompliance in directive models of counseling, or as nonadherence in non-directive ones. If we consider that medicine as a cultural practice is based on a sense of solidarity in the face of bodily suffering, then, in this regard, the patient’s strange, counterproductive behavior may indicate the presence of deep problems in the foundations of modern sociality. The formulation of the narrative imperative is proposed.

Botulinum Toxins in Medical and Cosmetic Dermatology

Background: Botulinum toxin (BoNT), a bacterially produced neurotoxin, is a mainstay in the dermatologic armamentarium. Although BoNT is commonly used to treated rhytides associated with ageing, it can be employed for a variety of other cosmetic purposes and medical disorders. Objective: In this review, the authors aim to describe the multitude of uses for BoNT in the dermatologic field. Materials and Methods: This manuscript was designed as a retrospective review of the on- and off-label applications of BoNT in dermatology.Results: In addition to treatment of rhytides, BoNT has been shown to decrease rosacea, menopause-associated flushing, and facial sebum production, while improving patient confidence in their appearance. Furthermore, BoNT has been successfully used to treat primary hyperhidrosis, hair loss, aberrant scarring, Raynaud’s phenomenon-associated vasospasm, as well as a variety of skin diseases. Side effects of BoNT include pain or discomfort associated with injections during treatment, bruising, asymmetry, and swelling. Patients are generally satisfied with clinical results after BoNT treatment. Conclusion: Dermatologists should be aware of all on- and off-label applications of BoNT to provide patients with timely and appropriate medical care. Further research must be completed to fully characterise the safety and use of BoNT for off-label purposes.

Patient perspectives about participation in a chronic rhinosinusitis trial during the COVID pandemic: a qualitative study.

• Telephone interviews were conducted with 19 MACRO trial participants from 5 ENT sites across the UK. • Trial participants experienced mixed levels of communication during the COVID period and some felt uninformed about the trial status and their clinical situation. • Participants were most concerned about getting COVID through interactions with other patients in hospital settings. Conversely, there was a high level of trust in healthcare professionals. • Pre-visit COVID-safety information, minimising contact with other patients, and strict waiting room management can facilitate the restart of the MACRO trial from the patient perspective. • Patient confidence in trial participation is likely to continue improving with COVID vaccination roll out.