Advantages of stereolithographic 3D printing in the fabrication of the Affiblot device for dot-blot assays.

In stereolithographic (SLA) 3D printing, objects are constructed by exposing layers of photocurable resin to UV light. It is a highly user-friendly fabrication method that opens a possibility for technology sharing through CAD file online libraries. Here, we present a prototyping procedure of a microfluidics-enhanced dot-blot device (Affiblot) designed for simple and inexpensive screening of affinity molecule characteristics (antibodies, oligonucleotides, cell receptors, etc.). The incorporation of microfluidic features makes sample processing user-friendly, less time-consuming, and less laborious, all performed completely on-device, distinguishing it from other dot-blot devices. Initially, the Affiblot device was fabricated using CNC machining, which required significant investment in manual post-processing and resulted in low reproducibility. Utilization of SLA 3D printing reduced the amount of manual post-processing, which significantly streamlined the prototyping process. Moreover, it enabled the fabrication of previously impossible features, including internal fluidic channels. While 3D printing of sub-millimeter microchannels usually requires custom-built printers, we were able to fabricate microfluidic features on a readily available commercial printer. Open microchannels in the size range 200-300 µm could be fabricated with reliable repeatability and sealed with a replaceable foil. Economic aspects of device fabrication are also discussed.

Vaccination against influenza in pregnant women in a maternity hospital in the Czech Republic in the season 2020-2021.

OBJECTIVES: Pregnant women are among the priority groups to receive influenza vaccines in the Czech Republic since 2011, data on vaccination coverage are not yet available. The aim of the study was to determine the influenza vaccination coverage (IVC) and provide source data for further activities. METHODS: A prospective observational study was performed in a large maternity hospital in Prague. The self-completed questionnaire was distributed to 5,475 pregnant women between September 1, 2020 and August 31, 2021. Questions included maternal sociodemographic characteristics, influenza vaccination status and sources of maternal vaccination recommendations during pregnancy. RESULTS: A total of 4,617 completed questionnaires have been analysed. The median age of study participants (N = 4,592) was 33 years (range: 18-51 years). The majority (69.7%) of women had completed their university education, most women were childless (58.5%) or had one child (32.5%) before the start of the study. Less than 2% of women reported being vaccinated against influenza during their pregnancy (1.5%; 95% CI, 1.1-1.9%). Only 21% of women knew that it's possible to get vaccinated against influenza during pregnancy. Participants considered influenza vaccination in pregnancy as important (3.3%), useful (41.1%) and useless (44.4%). Out of 959 pregnant women who had information about influenza vaccination during pregnancy, only 6.9% were vaccinated, while among those who did not have this information, 0.1% were vaccinated during pregnancy (p < 0.001). The most frequent source of information was Internet, then media and a general practitioner. CONCLUSIONS: The IVC during pregnancy in our study was extremely low. In order to improve IVC among pregnant women, it is necessary to increase awareness of recommendations and vaccination options among the public and professionals and incorporating vaccination recommendation in routine antenatal practice.

Monitoring the vaccination of pregnant women against pertussis - single-centre one-year study in the Czech Republic.

OBJECTIVES: This observational study aimed to analyse data from big maternity hospital, determine the vaccination coverage and provide source information for further activities. BACKGROUND: Although vaccination of pregnant women against pertussis is recommended in the Czech Republic, data on vaccination coverage are not available. METHODS: The self-completed questionnaire was distributed to 5,475 pregnant women in the maternity hospital between 2020 and 2021. Questionnaires collected mother's sociodemographic characteristics, pertussis vaccination status and sources of recommendations for vaccinations during pregnancy. RESULTS: A total of 4,617 completed questionnaires were analysed. Pertussis vaccination coverage during pregnancy was 1.6 % (95% confidence interval, 1.3-2.0 %). Only 12.5 % of women knew about the possibility of being vaccinated against pertussis during pregnancy. Women considered pertussis vaccination in pregnancy as important (12.9 %), useful (49.1 %) and useless (24.0 %). Of 579 pregnant women who had information about pertussis vaccination during pregnancy, only 12.1 % were vaccinated, while among those who did not have this information, 0.1% were vaccinated during pregnancy (p < 0.001). The most frequent source of information was Internet, then a general practitioner. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to raise awareness of recommendations for pregnancy vaccination among public and professionals, to emphasize the benefits of such vaccination in order to increase the vaccination coverage (Tab. 3, Ref. 31). Text in PDF www.elis.sk Keywords: pertussis, whooping cough, pregnancy, vaccination, health knowledge, prevention.

Comparison of sublingual isosorbide dinitrate and Valsalva maneuver for detection of obstruction in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

INTRODUCTION: A left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction assessment with a provoking test should be a routine part of the evaluation of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The aim of this study was to compare the utility of the Valsalva maneuver (VM) and sublingual spray application of isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) for detection of an obstruction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We prospectively evaluated 81 consecutive HCM patients without severe rest LVOT obstruction (defined as peak rest pressure gradient (PG) ≥ 50 mm Hg). We measured PG at rest, during the VM, after sublingual ISDN spray, and during the VM after ISDN. An obstruction was defined as a PG ≥ 30 mm Hg. RESULTS: An obstruction was present in 15 patients (19%) at rest (median and interquartile range of PG 16 (7-26) mm Hg), in 38 patients (47%) during the VM (PG 28 (12-49) mm Hg), in 50 (62%) patients after ISDN (PG 50 (12-79) mm Hg), and in 55 patients (68%) during the VM after ISDN (PG 59 (20-87) mm Hg). The difference in occurrence of obstruction among different provoking tests was statistically significant for all comparisons (p < 0.001, except for the comparison of the ISDN test with the VM during ISDN, p = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: The ISDN test and the VM are useful screening methods for the detection of an HCM obstruction. Although ISDN appears to be more precise than the VM, the best option is a combination of both methods, which maximizes inducement of LVOT obstruction in patients with HCM.

Sleep apnea prevalence in acute myocardial infarction--the Sleep Apnea in Post-acute Myocardial Infarction Patients (SAPAMI) Study.

BACKGROUND: While sleep apnea (SA) might be a modifiable cardiovascular risk factor, recent data suggest that SA is severely underdiagnosed in patients after acute myocardial infarction (MI). There is limited evidence about day-night variation of onset of MI on dependence of having SA. We therefore investigated the prevalence of SA and examined the day-night variation of onset of MI in acute MI patients. METHODS: We prospectively studied 782 consecutive patients admitted to the hospital with the diagnosis of acute MI. All subjects underwent sleep evaluations using a portable device after at least 48 h post-admission. Using the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), groups were defined as patients without SA (<5 events/h), mild SA (5-15 events/h), moderate SA (15-30 events/h), and severe SA (≥ 30 events/h). RESULTS: Almost all patients (98%) underwent urgent coronary angiography and 91% of patients underwent primary PCI. Using a threshold of AHI ≥ 5 events/h, SA was present in 65.7% of patients after acute MI. Mild SA was present in 32.6%, moderate in 20.4% and severe in 12.7%. The day-night variation in the onset of MI in all groups of SA patients was similar to that observed in non-SA patients. From 6 AM to 12 PM, the frequency of MI was higher in both SA and non-SA patients, as compared to the interval from 12 AM to 6 AM (all p<0.05). CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of SA in patients presenting with acute MI. Peak time of MI onset in SA patients was between 6 AM and noon, similar to that in the general population. Whether diagnosis and treatment of SA after MI will significantly improve outcomes in these patients remains to be determined.

Embryotoxicity of mirtazapine: a study using Chick Embryotoxicity Screening Test.

OBJECTIVE: Mirtazapine is a new antidepressant used in last years, however experience with it during pregnancy is unsatisfactory on the present. Its wide therapeutic range and only little proved side effects may be an advantage for treatment during pregnancy. Aim of our study was to contribute to the knowledge on possible risks. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For embryotoxicity testing we used an alternative method - CHEST, that used chicken embryos as experimental model. Fertilized eggs of outbred Grey Leghorn stock (AVCR farm Kolec) were treated on embryonic day (ED) 4 by Mirtazapine, incubated till 9ED, when they were weighed and examined. Summing the proportions of dead and malformed embryos, the beginning of the embryotoxicity dose range was estimated. RESULTS: Mirtazapine solved in 15% DMSO in water revealed low embryotoxicity corresponding data from preclinical studies. If 100% DMSO was used as a solvent, the dose 0.05 µg/3 µL resulted in 57% mortality (LD50). Typical malformations were microphtalmia and malformation (shortening) of limbs on left side, which is a place of contact the embryonic body with maximal Mirtazapine concentration. Approximation of doses in chick embryos to mammals is complicated by low solubility of mirtazapine. CONCLUSIONS: If the embryotoxic dose was close to LD50, risk at therapeutical doses will be probably low. Mirtazapine according to results of testing and cases published in literature is relatively safe for pregnant women, only higher rate of abortions was demonstrated, however more information is needed to exclude all potential risks.