Accurate Analysis of the Pitch Pulse-Based Magnitude/Phase Structure of Natural Vowels and Assessment of Three Lightweight Time/Frequency Voicing Restoration Methods.

This paper addresses two challenges that are intertwined and are key in informing signal processing methods restoring natural (voiced) speech from whispered speech. The first challenge involves characterizing and modeling the evolution of the harmonic phase/magnitude structure of a sequence of individual pitch periods in a voiced region of natural speech comprising sustained or co-articulated vowels. A novel algorithm segmenting individual pitch pulses is proposed, which is then used to obtain illustrative results highlighting important differences between sustained and co-articulated vowels, and suggesting practical synthetic voicing approaches.

Peroxidasin expression is increased in intratumoural capillaries and in proximal tubular cells adjacent to clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Peroxidasin (PXDN), is a heme peroxidase with a critical role in the crosslinking of type IV collagen, being essential for basement membrane integrity. Overexpression of PXDN has been associated with poor clinical outcomes in many cancers; however, little is currently known about its role in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). In this study, we characterized the expression of PXDN in tumour tissue and adjacent non-neoplastic tissue from cases of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), chromophobe RCC (chRCC), and renal oncocytoma using immunohistochemistry.

Binaural beat stimulation as a tool to reduce preoperative anxiety in patients undergoing elective surgery and general anesthesia - results from a randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Pronounced anxiety is increasing in society and is common in patients awaiting surgery. It's associated with increased anesthetic requirements, increased postsurgical pain, and also adverse postoperative outcomes. Binaural beats have been proposed as a non-pharmacological intervention to reduce anxiety in medical settings.

Asthma self-knowledge patient-reported outcome measures for the paediatric population with asthma: a systematic review protocol.

Introduction: Asthma is a major personal and public health problem worldwide, with a significant impact on patients' quality of life and health systems. The prevalence of asthma in children is 9.1% and in adolescents is 11%.

Development of a diagnostic checklist to identify functional cognitive disorder versus other neurocognitive disorders.

Background: Functional cognitive disorder (FCD) poses a diagnostic challenge due to its resemblance to other neurocognitive disorders and limited biomarker accuracy. We aimed to develop a new diagnostic checklist to identify FCD versus other neurocognitive disorders.

Methods: The clinical checklist was developed through mixed methods: (1) a literature review, (2) a three-round Delphi study with 45 clinicians from 12 countries and (3) a pilot discriminative accuracy study in consecutive patients attending seven memory services across the UK.

Validation of the adult asthma epidemiological score: a secondary analysis of the EPI-ASTHMA population-based study.

Objective: The A2 score is an eight-question patient-reported outcome measure that has been validated for ruling in (score ≥4) and ruling out (score 0-1) asthma. However, this screening tool has been validated in a cohort similar to the derivation cohort used. This study aims to validate the predictive accuracy of the A2 score in a primary care population against general practitioner (GP) clinical assessment and to determine whether the proposed cut-offs are the most appropriate.

Adenoma detection rate by colonoscopy in real-world population-based studies: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Adenoma detection rate (ADR) is a quality indicator set at a minimum of 25% in unselected populations by the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE). Nevertheless, a lack of pooled observational data resembling real-world practice limits support for this threshold. We aimed to perform a systematic review with meta-analysis to evaluate the pooled rates for conventional adenoma detection, polyp detection (PDR), cecal intubation, bowel preparation, and complications in population-based studies.

Enforcing the right to health in private health systems through Judicialization what can we learn from the scoping review of the cross-national perspective?

Background: Private sector acting in healthcare does not remove the public nature of a health system, nor mitigate the right to health as a human right.

Methods: This scoping review aims to answer the question: what factors influence the pattern of lawsuits seeking to enforce the right to health in private healthcare systems? The search was carried out in Pubmed, SciELO, DOAJ and Scopus.

Results: Out of 464 articles found, after inclusion and exclusion criteria, 30 articles were included.

Impact of Burnout on Anaesthesiologists.

Professional burnout syndrome (PBS) is an issue affecting individuals and organizations alike, characterized by emotional exhaustion and reduced effectiveness resulting from overwhelming work demands. Root causes include excessive workload, unrealistic expectations, and blurred work-life boundaries, which are often intensified by organizational culture and inadequate support systems. The consequences range from decreased productivity and creativity to high turnover rates and financial strain on organizations.

Ultrasonographic Vasospasm and Outcome of Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy and Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndromes.

Purpose: Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) and reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) are often complicated by vasospasm and ischemia. Monitoring with transcranial color-coded Doppler (TCCD) could be useful, but its role is not established. We studied the incidence of ultrasonographic vasospasm (uVSP) in PRES/RCVS and its relationship with ischemic lesions and clinical outcome.

The Benefits and Harms of Pharmacological Treatment for Postradiation Pelvic Pain: A Systematic Review by the European Association of Urology Chronic Pelvic Pain Panel with Recommendations for Clinical Practice.

Context: Radiotherapy of the pelvis is a widely used method for the treatment of malignancies, and local complications including pain following pelvic radiation therapy are acknowledged complications.

Objective: The primary objective is to assess the clinical effectiveness and safety of pharmacological therapies on postradiation pelvic pain.

Evidence Acquisition: A systematic review of the use of different pharmacological treatments in the management of post-radiation pelvic pain was conducted (PROSPERO-ID: CRD42021249026).

Reproductive plans and knowledge of assisted reproductive techniques among lesbian women: an international survey study.

Objective: Lesbian couples must resort to adoption or donated semen to achieve parenthood, the latter usually involving assisted reproductive technology. The aim of this study is to assess homosexual women's knowledge about assisted reproductive techniques, the importance of perceived genetic and gestational relationships for their future mother-child bond, as well as their reproductive plans.

Methods: This is an observational study based on an anonymous survey disseminated online in several countries on different continents, addressed to homosexual women.

European Respiratory Society statement on airway clearance techniques in adults with bronchiectasis.

Airway clearance techniques (ACTs) are part of the main management strategy for patients with bronchiectasis. Despite being a priority for patients, accessibility, implementation and reporting of ACTs are variable in clinical settings and research studies. This European Respiratory Society statement summarises current knowledge about ACTs in adults with bronchiectasis and makes recommendations to improve the future evidence base.

Comprehensive management of anterior drooling: An International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group (IPOG) consensus statement.

Objective: To provide guidance for the comprehensive management of children referred for anterior drooling. The mission of the International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group (IPOG) is to develop expertise-based recommendations for the management of pediatric otolaryngologic disorders with the goal of improving patient care.

Methods: Survey of expert opinion by the members of the International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group (IPOG).

Microbiological Profile of Infectious Keratitis During Covid-19 Pandemic.

Purpose: The Covid-19 pandemic introduced significant changes in our daily life, including the widespread use of face masks. The purpose of this study was to assess if significant changes occurred in the microbiological profile of infectious keratitis.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective study was performed, based on a survey review of the electronic medical records of all patients with presumed infectious keratitis, between March 2020 and October 2021.

International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group: Consensus guidelines on the diagnosis and management of non-tuberculous mycobacterial cervicofacial lymphadenitis.

Introduction: Non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infection commonly manifests as subacute or chronic cervicofacial lymphadenitis in immunocompetent children. The optimal management of this pathology remains controversial.

Objectives: This international consensus guideline aims to understand the practice patterns for NTM cervicofacial lymphadenitis and to address the primary diagnostic and management challenges.

Developing a medication adherence technologies repository: proposed structure and protocol for an online real-time Delphi study.

Introduction: An online interactive repository of available medication adherence technologies may facilitate their selection and adoption by different stakeholders. Developing a repository is among the main objectives of the European Network to Advance Best practices and technoLogy on medication adherencE (ENABLE) COST Action (CA19132). However, meeting the needs of diverse stakeholders requires careful consideration of the repository structure.

Daily low dose of tadalafil improves pain and frequency in bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis patients.

Objective: Bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) is a chronic disease, with consequent high morbidity. Increasing evidence suggests that bladder afferent hyperexcitability, through neurogenic bladder inflammation and urothelial dysfunction, plays a key role in the pathophysiology of BPS/IC. The rationale of using phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5i) would be to decrease bladder afferent hyperactivity.

Management of chronic primary pelvic pain syndromes.

Management of chronic pelvic pain (CPP) remains a huge challenge for care providers and a major burden for healthcare systems. Treating chronic pain that has no obvious cause warrants an understanding of the difficulties in managing these conditions. Chronic pain has recently been accepted as a disease in its own right by the World Health Organization, with chronic pain without obvious cause being classified as chronic primary pain.

Management of post-septal complications of acute rhinosinusitis in children: A 14-year experience in a tertiary hospital.

Introduction: Acute rhinosinusitis accounts for most of the cases of orbital infections and is the most common cause of periorbital oedema in children. Up to 10% of patients with orbital complications of acute rhinosinusitis may experience vision loss and other complications such as meningitis, intracranial abscess or even death. Therefore, these patients require prompt diagnosis and proper treatment.

Deep learning and capsule endoscopy: automatic identification and differentiation of small bowel lesions with distinct haemorrhagic potential using a convolutional neural network.

Objective: Capsule endoscopy (CE) is pivotal for evaluation of small bowel disease. Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding most often originates from the small bowel. CE frequently identifies a wide range of lesions with different bleeding potentials in these patients.