UNASSIGNED: To compare pragmatic real-world 10-kHz high-frequency spinal cord stimulation (HF-SCS) outcomes at a single academic center to the industry-sponsored SENZA-RCT and Stauss et al. study.
UNASSIGNED: This single-center retrospective study included patients with refractory back or limb pain trialed and/or permanently implanted with the Nevro HF-SCS system from 2016 to 2021. Demographic and outcome data were obtained from the electronic medical record (EMR) and real-world global database maintained by Nevro Corp. Data obtained from the global database were confirmed using the EMR. Main outcome measures included positive responder status (≥50% patient-reported percentage pain reduction (PRPPR)), improvement in function, improvement in sleep, and reduction in pain medication usage. Comparison groups included patient outcomes from the SENZA-RCT and Stauss et al. study.
UNASSIGNED: Patients (N = 147) trialed with HF-SCS were reviewed, with data available for 137. Positive trialed patient responder rate (≥50% PRPPR) was 77% (106/137, 95CI 70-84%) vs. 87% (1393/1607, 95CI 85-89%) Stauss et al. vs. 93% (90/97, 95CI 88-98%) SENZA-RCT HF-SCS. At the last available follow-up, positive implanted patient responder rate was 73% (58/80, 95CI 63-82%) vs. 78% (254/326, 95CI 73-82%) Stauss et al. vs. 79% (71/90, 95CI 70-87%) SENZA-RCT HF-SCS. Sixty-seven percent (59/88, 95CI 57-77%) reported improved function vs. 72% (787/1088, 95CI 70-75%) Stauss et al.; 45% (31/69, 95CI 33-57%) reported improved sleep vs. 68% (693/1020, 95CI 65-71%) Stauss et al. and 16% (9/56, 95CI 6-26%) reported decrease in medication use vs. 32% (342/1070, 95CI 29-35%) Stauss et al.
UNASSIGNED: Patient responder rates in this retrospective pragmatic real-world study of HF-SCS are consistent with previous industry-sponsored studies. However, improvements in quality-of-life measures and reduction in medication usage were not as robust as reported in industry-sponsored studies. The findings of this non-industry-sponsored, independent study of HF-SCS complement those of previously published studies by reporting patient outcomes collected in the absence of industry sponsorship.

Mechanical forces related to blood pressure and flow patterns play a crucial role in vascular homeostasis. Perturbations in vascular stresses and strain resulting from changes in hemodynamic may occur in pathological conditions, leading to vascular dysfunction as well as in vascular prosthesis, arteriovenous shunt for hemodialysis and in mechanical circulation support. Turbulent-like blood flows can induce high-frequency vibrations of the vessel wall, and this stimulus has recently gained attention as potential contributors to vascular pathologies, such as development of intimal hyperplasia in arteriovenous fistula for hemodialysis. However, the biological response of vascular cells to this stimulus remains incompletely understood. This review provides an analysis of the existing literature concerning the impact of high-frequency stimuli on vascular cell morphology, function, and gene expression. Morphological and functional investigations reveal that vascular cells stimulated at frequencies higher than the normal heart rate exhibit alterations in cell shape, alignment, and proliferation, potentially leading to vessel remodeling. Furthermore, vibrations modulate endothelial and smooth muscle cells gene expression, affecting pathways related to inflammation, oxidative stress, and muscle hypertrophy. Understanding the effects of high-frequency vibrations on vascular cells is essential for unraveling the mechanisms underlying vascular diseases and identifying potential therapeutic targets. Nevertheless, there are still gaps in our understanding of the molecular pathways governing these cellular responses. Further research is necessary to elucidate these mechanisms and their therapeutic implications for vascular diseases.

BACKGROUND: High-frequency, low tidal volume (HFLTV) ventilation increases the efficacy and efficiency of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Whether those benefits can be extrapolated to RFCA of persistent atrial fibrillation (PeAF) is undetermined.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether using HFLTV ventilation during RFCA in patients with PeAF is associated with improved procedural and clinical outcomes compared to standard ventilation (SV).
METHODS: In this prospective multicenter registry (REAL-AF), patients who had undergone pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) + pulmonary wall isolation (PWI) for PeAF using either HFLTV ventilation or SV were included. The primary efficacy outcome was freedom from all-atrial arrhythmias at 12 months. Secondary outcomes included procedural and long-term clinical outcomes and complications.
RESULTS: A total of 210 patients were included (95 HFLTV, 115 SV) in the analysis. There was no difference in baseline characteristics between groups. Procedural time (80 [63-103.5] minutes vs110 [85-141] minutes; P <.001), total radiofrequency (RF) time (18.73 [13.93-26.53] minutes vs 26.15 [20.30-35.25] minutes; P <.001), and pulmonary vein RF time (11.35 [8.78-16.69] minutes vs 18 [13.74-24.14] minutes; P <.001) were significantly shorter using HFLTV ventilation compared with SV. Freedom from all-atrial arrhythmias was significantly higher with HFLTV ventilation compared with SV (82.1% vs 68.7%; hazard ratio 0.41; 95% confidence interval [0.21-0.82]; P = .012), indicating a 43% relative risk reduction and a 13.4% absolute risk reduction in all-atrial arrhythmias recurrence. There was no difference in long-term procedural-related complications between the groups (P = .270).
CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing RFCA with PVI + PWI for PeAF, use of HFLTV ventilation was associated with higher freedom from all-atrial arrhythmias at 12-month follow-up, with significantly shorter procedural and RF times compared to SV but with similar safety profile.

Ultrasound imaging stands as the predominant modality for neonatal health assessment, with recent advancements in ultrafast Doppler (μDoppler) technology offering significant promise in fields such as neonatal brain imaging. Combining μDoppler with high-frequency ultrasound (HF-μDoppler) presents a potential efficient avenue to enhance in vivo microvascular imaging in small animals, notably newborn rats, a crucial preclinical animal model for neonatal disease and development research. It is necessary to verify the imaging performance of HF-μDoppler in preclinical trials. This study investigates the microvascular imaging capabilities of HF-μDoppler using a 30 MHz high-frequency linear array probe in newborn rats. Results demonstrate the clarity of cerebral microvascular imaging in rats aged 1 to 7 postnatal days, extending to whole-body microvascular imaging, encompassing the central nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord. In conclusion, HF-μDoppler technology emerges as a reliable imaging tool, offering a new perspective for preclinical investigations into neonatal diseases and development.

BACKGROUND: High-frequency hearing loss is one of the most common problems in the aging population and with those who have a history of exposure to loud noises. This type of hearing loss can be frustrating and disabling, making it difficult to understand speech communication and interact effectively with the world.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the impact of spatially unique haptic vibrations representing high-frequency phonemes on the self-perceived ability to understand conversations in everyday situations.
METHODS: To address high-frequency hearing loss, a multi-motor wristband was developed that uses machine learning to listen for specific high-frequency phonemes. The wristband vibrates in spatially unique locations to represent which phoneme was present in real time. A total of 16 participants with high-frequency hearing loss were recruited and asked to wear the wristband for 6 weeks. The degree of disability associated with hearing loss was measured weekly using the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB).
RESULTS: By the end of the 6-week study, the average APHAB benefit score across all participants reached 12.39 points, from a baseline of 40.32 to a final score of 27.93 (SD 13.11; N=16; P=.002, 2-tailed dependent t test). Those without hearing aids showed a 10.78-point larger improvement in average APHAB benefit score at 6 weeks than those with hearing aids (t14=2.14; P=.10, 2-tailed independent t test). The average benefit score across all participants for ease of communication was 15.44 (SD 13.88; N=16; P<.001, 2-tailed dependent t test). The average benefit score across all participants for background noise was 10.88 (SD 17.54; N=16; P=.03, 2-tailed dependent t test). The average benefit score across all participants for reverberation was 10.84 (SD 16.95; N=16; P=.02, 2-tailed dependent t test).
CONCLUSIONS: These findings show that vibrotactile sensory substitution delivered by a wristband that produces spatially distinguishable vibrations in correspondence with high-frequency phonemes helps individuals with high-frequency hearing loss improve their perceived understanding of verbal communication. Vibrotactile feedback provides benefits whether or not a person wears hearing aids, albeit in slightly different ways. Finally, individuals with the greatest perceived difficulty understanding speech experienced the greatest amount of perceived benefit from vibrotactile feedback.

It is predicted that ultra-short electric field pulses (nanosecond) can selectively permeabilize intracellular structures (e.g., mitochondria) without significant effects on the outer cell plasma membrane. Such a phenomenon would have high applicability in cancer treatment and could be employed to modulate cell death type or immunogenic response. Therefore, in this study, we compare the effects of 100 µs x 8 pulses (ESOPE - European Standard Operating Procedures on Electrochemotherapy) and bursts of 100 ns pulses for modulation of the mitochondria membrane potential. We characterize the efficacies of various protocols to trigger permeabilization, depolarize mitochondria (evaluated 1 h  after treatment), the extent of ATP depletion and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Finally, we employ the most prominent protocols in the context of Ca2+ electrochemotherapy in vitro. We provide experimental proof that 7.5-12.5 kV/cm x 100 ns pulses can be used to modulate mitochondrial potential, however, the permeabilization of the outer membrane is still a prerequisite for depolarization. Similar to 100 µs x 8 pulses, the higher the permeabilization rate, the higher the mitochondrial depolarization. Nevertheless, 100 ns pulses result in lesser ROS generation when compared to ESOPE, even when the energy input is several-fold higher than for the microsecond procedure. At the same time, it shows that even the short 100 ns pulses can be successfully used for Ca2+ electrochemotherapy, ensuring excellent cytotoxic efficacy.

1. The Kaijiang duck is a native Chinese breed known for its excellent egg laying performance, killing-out percentage (88.57%), and disease resistance. The assessment of population genetic structure is the basis for understanding the genetics of indigenous breeds and for their protection and management.2. In this study, whole-genome sequencing was performed on 60 Kaijiang ducks to identify genetic variations and investigate the population structure. Homozygosity (ROH) analysis was conducted to assess inbreeding levels in the population.3. The study revealed a moderate level of inbreeding, indicated by an average inbreeding coefficient of 0.1043. This may impact the overall genetic diversity.4. Genomic Regions of Interest identified included 168 genomic regions exhibiting high levels of autozygosity. These regions were associated with processes including muscle growth, pigmentation, neuromodulation, and growth and reproduction.5. The significance of these pathways indicated their potential role in shaping the desirable traits of the Kaijiang duck. These findings provide insights into the genetic basis of the Kaijiang duck\'s desirable traits and can inform future breeding and conservation efforts.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1185389.].

OBJECTIVE: During any radiological procedure, it is important to know the dose to be-administered to the patient and this can be done by estimating the output of the X-ray tube either with a dosimeter or with a mathematical equation or Monte Carlo simulations. The aim of this work is to develop a new mathematical model equation (NMME) for estimating the output of high-frequency X-ray tubes.
METHODS: To achieve this, data collected from ten machines in many regions of Cameroon were used (for nine machines) to build an initial model that does not take into account the anode angle and the tenth machine was used to test the model. Using the SpekCalc software, some simulations were carried out to evaluate the influence of the anode angle. This allowed the NMME to be proposed.
RESULTS: The deviations frequencies between 0.65% and 19.61% were obtained by comparing the output values obtained using initial model with the measured values. The statistical hypothesis test showed that the estimated values using initial model and NMME are in agreement with those measured unlike the Kothan and Tungjai model. For the tenth machine, the percentage difference between estimated and measured values is less than 8 %.
CONCLUSIONS: These results show that the proposed model performed better than the previous models. In the absence of a dosimeter, the NMME could be used to estimate the output of high frequency X-ray machines and therefore the radiation doses received by patients during diagnostic X-ray examinations.

High-frequency hearing loss is one of the most common problems in the aging population and with those who have a history of exposure to loud noises. This type of hearing loss can be frustrating and disabling, making it difficult to understand speech communication and interact effectively with the world.
This study aimed to examine the impact of spatially unique haptic vibrations representing high-frequency phonemes on the self-perceived ability to understand conversations in everyday situations.
To address high-frequency hearing loss, a multi-motor wristband was developed that uses machine learning to listen for specific high-frequency phonemes. The wristband vibrates in spatially unique locations to represent which phoneme was present in real time. A total of 16 participants with high-frequency hearing loss were recruited and asked to wear the wristband for 6 weeks. The degree of disability associated with hearing loss was measured weekly using the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB).
By the end of the 6-week study, the average APHAB benefit score across all participants reached 12.39 points, from a baseline of 40.32 to a final score of 27.93 (SD 13.11; N=16; P=.002, 2-tailed dependent t test). Those without hearing aids showed a 10.78-point larger improvement in average APHAB benefit score at 6 weeks than those with hearing aids (t14=2.14; P=.10, 2-tailed independent t test). The average benefit score across all participants for ease of communication was 15.44 (SD 13.88; N=16; P<.001, 2-tailed dependent t test). The average benefit score across all participants for background noise was 10.88 (SD 17.54; N=16; P=.03, 2-tailed dependent t test). The average benefit score across all participants for reverberation was 10.84 (SD 16.95; N=16; P=.02, 2-tailed dependent t test).
These findings show that vibrotactile sensory substitution delivered by a wristband that produces spatially distinguishable vibrations in correspondence with high-frequency phonemes helps individuals with high-frequency hearing loss improve their perceived understanding of verbal communication. Vibrotactile feedback provides benefits whether or not a person wears hearing aids, albeit in slightly different ways. Finally, individuals with the greatest perceived difficulty understanding speech experienced the greatest amount of perceived benefit from vibrotactile feedback.