Left bundle branch area pacing using a stylet-driven, retractable-helix lead: Short-term results from a prospective multicenter IDE trial (the BIO-CONDUCT study).

BACKGROUND: Left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) has swiftly emerged as a safe and effective alternative to right ventricular pacing. Limited data exist on the use of retractable-helix, stylet-driven leads for LBBAP. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to prospectively evaluate the performance and safety of a stylet-driven pacing lead in a rigorously controlled multicenter trial to support US market application. METHODS: A multicenter, prospective, nonrandomized trial enrolled patients with standard pacing indications. Implant procedure and lead data, including threshold, sensing, impedance, and capture type, were collected through 3 months. Primary end points were freedom from LBBAP lead-related serious complications through 3 months and LBBAP implant success according to prespecified criteria. A blinded clinical events committee adjudicated all potential end point complications. RESULTS: A total of 186 patients were included from 14 US sites. LBBAP implants were successful in 95.7% (178 of 186; 95% confidence interval 91.7%-98.1%; P < .0001 for comparison to the performance goal of 88%). Through the 3-month follow-up visit, 3 patients (1.7%) experienced a serious LBBAP complication (all lead dislodgments), resulting in a LBBAP lead-related complication-free rate of 98.3%. A total of 13 patients (7.8%) experienced any system- or procedure-related complication. The mean threshold was 0.89 V at 0.4 ms, the sensing value was 10.8 mV, and impedance was 608 Ω. CONCLUSION: The short-term results from this prospective trial demonstrate both high implant success and freedom from LBBAP lead-related complications using this stylet-driven retractable helix lead. This trial supports the safety, use, and effectiveness of stylet-driven leads for performing contemporary physiologic pacing.

Design and Investigation of a Dynamic Auto-Adjusting Ejector for the MED-TVC Desalination System Driven by Solar Energy.

Ejectors have been widely used in multi-effect distillation, thermal vapor compression (MED-TVC) desalination systems due to their simple structures and low energy consumption. However, traditional fixed geometry ejectors fail to operate under unstable working conditions driven by solar energy. Herein, a dynamic auto-adjusting ejector, equipped with a needle at the nozzle throat, is proposed to improve the ejector's performance under changeable operating conditions. A two-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model is built to analyze the performance and flow field of the ejector. It is found that the achievable entrainment ratio gradually increases as the needle approaches the nozzle, and the entrainment ratio of the ejector is relatively stable, varying slightly between 1.1-1.2 when the primary pressure changes from 2.5 to 4 bar. Besides, the performance comparison between the proposed ejector and the traditional ejector is studied under the same primary pressure range. The entrainment ratio of the designed ejector was 1.6 times higher than that of the conventional ejector at a primary pressure of 2.5 bar. Furthermore, the average entrainment ratio of the designed ejector is 1.14, as compared to 0.84 for the traditional ejector. Overall, the proposed auto-adjusting ejector could be potentially used in MED-TVC desalination systems under variable conditions.

Peak Net Pressure Coefficients of Elliptical Center-Open Dome Roofs.

Recently, the demand for spatial structures such as retractable dome roofs is increasing. The safety of dome roofs must be ensured even when they are open. Hence, studies analyzing the peak pressure coefficients of spherical dome roofs are actively being conducted. However, no peak pressure coefficients for the cladding design of elliptical retractable dome roofs have been proposed. Although several studies on elliptical open dome roofs that open from the edge to the center have been conducted, studies on those that open from the center to the edge are still insufficient. This study investigated the peak pressure coefficients of elliptical center-open dome roofs. For wind tunnel tests, a model was fabricated with an opening ratio of 30%. Under experimental conditions, five different wall height-to-span ratios (from 0.1 to 0.5) were used, with the roof rise-to-span ratio set at 0.1. Accordingly, the experimental values of the peak pressure coefficients of elliptical center-open dome roofs were compared with those of the closed dome roofs proposed in the Korean and Japanese wind load codes. Subsequently, their efficiency was verified. The findings were also compared with previous research outcomes. Based on the results, peak net pressure coefficients are proposed for cladding designs suitable for elliptical center-open dome roofs.

Use of extendable helix leads for conduction system pacing: Differences in lead handling and performance lead design impacts conduction system pacing.

INTRODUCTION: Pacing leads with extendable-retractable helix (EHL) are alternatives to fixed-helix leads (FHL) for conduction system pacing (CSP), but data on handling characteristics are limited. This study evaluated a dual-center experience of lead handling and performance during CSP. METHODS AND RESULTS: Consecutive patients with His-bundle pacing (HBP) or left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) were evaluated for the primary outcome of lead failure, defined as structural damage to the lead necessitating lead replacement. Differences in pacing characteristics were compared. Among 280 patients (mean age 74 ± 11 years, 44% male, 50% LBBP), 246 (88%) received FHL and 34 (12%) received EHL. Of 299 leads used, lead failure occurred more frequently among patients with EHL than FHL (29% vs. 2%, p < .001), regardless of CSP modality. Majority of damaged leads (89%) in the form of helix deformation were successfully removed, with failure occurring in only two patients, both EHL, leading to helix fracture and retention within the septal myocardium. EHL, compared to FHL, was associated with 25-fold increased odds of lead failure (odds ratio: 25.21, 95% confidence interval: 7.35-86.51), and persisted after adjustment in turn for age, pacing modality and indication. CSP implant success rates did not differ by lead design (FHL 80% vs. EHL 71%, p = .18), with similar pacing thresholds at implant and follow-up. CONCLUSION: Helix deformation and fracture were more frequent with EHL in CSP despite similar implant success. These findings have significant implications for lead selection during CSP and raises concerns about the long-term extractability of EHL in CSP.

Treatment of Basicervical Femoral Fracture With Retractable Talon Hip Compression Screw.

Background Basicervical femoral fractures (BFFs) are rare and biomechanically unstable. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Talon™ DistalFix™ (Orthopedic Designs North America, Inc., Tampa, FL, USA) nail for the treatment of BFFs with a novel design. Methodology In this retrospective study, 25 patients with BFFs were analyzed between January 2016 and March 2020 at our institute. All patients were treated with the Talon™ DistalFix™ nail. Patients over the age of 60 years with basicervical fractures caused by low-energy trauma were included in this study. For inclusion into the study, the minimum follow-up time had to be longer than six months. The postoperative radiographic bone union, operative time, tip-apex distance (TAD), sliding distance of the lag screw, quality of fracture reduction, and major complications such as cut-out, non-union of the fracture, femoral head collapse, and cut-through were recorded. The Harris Hip Score was used to evaluate hip function at the end of the follow-up period. Results The mean follow-up period was 22 months (range, 16-28 months), and the mean age was 77.8 years (range, 61-91 years). The average sliding distance of the lag screw was 5.7 mm (range, 0.2-13.1 mm). The mean TAD of immediate postoperative view was 20.8 mm (range, 18.7-23.7 mm), and the TAD was <25 mm in all cases. Radiographic union was confirmed in most cases, and the average time for radiographic union was 18.8 weeks (range, 12-25 weeks). Most fractures (90.5%) had healed with no postoperative mechanical complications (cut-out, cut-thorough, or lateral wall fracture) at the final follow-up, except for two patients. One of the two patients had no evidence of union at six months, and mild varus reduction was observed in the other patient who had shortening of >10 mm. Conclusions According to the clinical and radiological findings of this study, treatment with the Talon™ DistalFix™ nail showed satisfactory results. Hence, it can be a suitable option in the treatment of BFFs.

Mesenteritis esclerosante: diagnóstico y tratamiento / Sclerosing mesenteritis: Diagnosis and treatment

Introducción. El objetivo de este artículo es dar a conocer el caso de un paciente con diagnóstico de mesenteritis esclerosante quien cursó con cuadro de obstrucción intestinal. Descripción del caso. Paciente masculino de 28 años de edad, quien se presenta con cuadro clínico sugestivo de obstrucción intestinal, por lo que se decide resolución quirúrgica. Durante la cirugía se observa una zona fibrótica y adherente del intestino delgado, asociada a un mesenterio engrosado. El examen histopatológico de la pieza quirúrgica confirmó el diagnóstico de mesenteritis esclerosante. Discusión. La mesenteritis esclerosante es una patología de baja incidencia, y su forma de presentación es inespecífica, por lo que el diagnóstico definitivo es histopatológico. La tomografía es útil para el diagnóstico cuando se tiene la sospecha clínica. Puede optarse por el tratamiento quirúrgico para los casos que se presenten con clínica de obstrucción intestinal, o en caso contrario, el tratamiento médico a base de fármacos inmunosupresores e inmunomoduladores ha demostrado ser efectivo. De acuerdo con los diferentes estudios publicados hasta el momento, se observa una adecuada respuesta, independientemente del tratamiento empleado

Introduction. The objective of this article is to present the case of a patient diagnosed with sclerosing mesenteritis who presented with intestinal obstruction.Case description. A 28-year-old male patient, who presented with a clinical picture suggestive of intestinal obstruction, for which a surgical resolution was decided. During surgery, a fibrotic and adherent area of the small intestine is observed, associated with a thickened mesentery. The histopathological examination of the surgical specimen confirmed the diagnosis of sclerosing mesenteritis. Discussion. Sclerosing mesenteritis is a low incidence pathology, and its presentation is nonspecific, so the definitive diagnosis is histopathological. Tomography is useful for diagnosis when there is clinical suspicion. Surgical treatment can be chosen for cases that present with symptoms of intestinal obstruction, or otherwise medical treatment based on immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory drugs has proven to be effective. According to the different studies published so far, an adequate response is observed, regardless of the treatment used

Design of a point-of-care facility for diagnosis of COVID-19 using an off-grid photovoltaic system.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic is one of the biggest public health issues in the last years. The WHO has reported more than 50,000 confirmed cases and more than 1,000,000 confirmed deaths around the world. Early diagnosis is essential for an appropriate patient care and infection control, so laboratory where molecular tests are held plays a main role. However, laboratory facilities for testing are limited in rural areas. Therefore, it is important to have an effective and practical point-of-care diagnostic system in order to be implemented in developing countries with limited energy access. The objective of this research is to develop an energetically autonomous point-of-care diagnostic system for molecular detection of SARS-CoV-2. This design consists of a retractable system with an area of 15.79 m2 and 3 well-distributed interior areas to guaranty appropriate sample processing. Our point-of-care diagnostic system can be installed at a fixed place (stationary), and it can also be transported to various strategic places (itinerant). The off-grid photovoltaic system feasibility was evaluated using the PVsyst software, presenting an installed capacity of 2.79 KWp, consisting of 4 monocrystalline photovoltaic modules, a 45 A charge regulator and 4 batteries (6 V, 453 Ah). The results showed a performance ratio of 0.522, with higher losses by the full battery (31.77%). This research determines that the proposed point-of-care diagnostic system meets all requirements to set and operate molecular techniques to diagnose infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, with good laboratory conditions, secure and eco-efficient energy, supporting the health scheme to prevent and control the spread of the virus.

Evaluation of positional accuracy of the Varian's exact-arm and retractable-arm support electronic portal imaging device using intensity-modulated radiotherapy graticule phantom.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to compare the positional accuracy of varian's exact-arm (E-arm) and retractable-arm (R-arm) supporting electronic portal imaging device (EPID) systems (amorphous silicon flat-panel detector) using the intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) graticule phantom. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The known shifts of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 cm were introduced to the given phantom in longitudinal, lateral, and vertical directions, respectively, with respect to treatment couch of medical linear accelerator. The experiment was repeated for different gantry angle and varying source to imager distances (SIDs). The images were acquired for each shift at varying SIDs and beam orientations for both EPID supporting systems. The corresponding shifts obtained from treatment planning system (TPS) were recorded and compared. RESULTS: The known (expected) and observed (recorded from TPS) shifts obtained for different beam angles (namely, 0°, 90°, 180°, and 270° for anterior, left lateral, posterior, and right-lateral portal images, respectively) in the longitudinal, lateral, and vertical direction at varying SID were compared. The maximum shift in the observed value from the expected one was 3 and 2 mm, respectively, out of the all beam configuration for R-arm and E-arm. These shifts were randomly observed for all imager position and beam orientation. CONCLUSION: The IMRT graticule phantom is an effective tool to check the mechanical characteristic and consistency of different EPID supporting arms. The effect of EPID sag due to gravity (gantry and treatment couch) was not significant for detection of shift in patient's position. The E-arm support EPID has better mechanical stability and accuracy in detection of patient's position than that of R-arm.

Cleaning the genitalia with plain water improves accuracy of urine dipstick in childhood.

We evaluated, both in toilet-trained and not-toilet-trained children, the impact of cleaning the genital area with plain water on the false positive rate at urine dipstick, and evaluated which factors could be associated to falsely positive findings. We prospectively enrolled 612 patients consecutively attending our nephro-urological outpatient clinic. Firstly, we performed urine dipsticks on urine samples collected from patients whose genital area had not been cleaned before. Then we collected a second sample from the patients with positive urine dipstick, after their genital area had been cleaned with plain water. The urine dipstick was considered falsely positive if we documented its normalization at urine dipstick made on the urine sample collected after cleaning the genital area. We found a falsely positive urine dipstick in 25.5% of the patients, and more in detail in 22.9% of the not-toilet-trained children, and in 26.6% of the toilet-trained children (p = 0.37). The only factors leading to a significant increased RR to have a false positive were non-retractable foreskin (RR = 4.38; 95% CI, 2.15-8.9; p = 0.0001) and female gender (RR = 2.47; 95% CI, 1.77-3.44; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Cleaning the genital area with plain water should always be performed before collecting urine samples, even if only a urine dipstick without culture is needed. What is Known: • Cleaning the genital area reduces the urine bacterial contamination rate in populations of toilet-trained pediatric patients. • There are no studies assessing the impact of cleaning the genital area on the quality of the urine dipstick, nor on which factors could affect the urine dipstick findings. What is New: • Falsely positive urine dipstick was found in 25.5% of the 612 prospectively enrolled toilet-trained and not-toilet-trained children. • Non-retractable foreskin and female gender significantly increases the relative risk of falsely positive urine dipsticks.

Paniculitis mesentérica asociada a enfermedad relacionada con IgG4 como causa de fiebre de origen desconocido / Mesenteric panniculitis associated with IgG4-related disease as a cause of fever of unknown origin

La paniculitis mesentérica es un raro desorden inflamatorio de la grasa mesentérica, de la cual hay, hasta ahora, aproximadamente 200 casos reportados en la literatura. Se presenta en adultos a partir de la tercera década de la vida y su etiología es desconocida, pero es sabida su asociación con neoplasias gastrointestinales, genitourinarias y enfermedades reumatológicas. Entre sus manifestaciones clínicas están el dolor abdominal, las alteraciones del tránsito intestinal, la pérdida de peso, la fiebre y los vómitos. El diagnóstico definitivo es fundamentalmente histopatológico, también existen algunos estigmas tomográficos que podrían sugerir su presencia. Debe ser tratada a la mayor brevedad posible y los corticosteroides son los medicamentos a elegir. Se presentó un paciente con diagnóstico de paniculitis mesentérica idiopática, como resultado del estudio de una fiebre de origen desconocido, en el cual logramos además demostrar la asociación de la paniculitis con la enfermedad relacionada con IgG4, desorden recientemente descubierto, caracterizado por lesiones inflamatorias seudotumorales, que cursan con infiltración hística por células plasmáticas IgG4 positivas.

Mesenteric panniculitis is a rare inflammatory disorder of the mesenteric fat, of which there is, so far, about 200 cases reported in the literature. It occurs in elderly adults and its etiology is unknown but its association with gastrointestinal tumors, genitourinary and rheumatological diseases is known. Among its clinical manifestations are abdominal pain, altered bowel movements, weight loss, fever and vomiting. The definitive histopathological diagnosis is fundamentally, there is some tomographic stigma that might suggest its presence. It should be treated as soon as possible and corticosteroids are the drugs of choice. A patient diagnosed with idiopathic mesenteric panniculitis as a result of the evaluation of fever of unknown origin, which we further demonstrate the association of panniculitis with related disease IgG4, disorder recently discovered, characterized by lesions in flammatory pseudotumoral occurs, that occur with tissue infiltration IgG4 positive plasma cells.

Paniculitis mesentérica asociada a enfermedad relacionada con IgG4 como causa de fiebre de origen desconocido / Mesenteric panniculitis associated with IgG4-related disease as a cause of fever of unknown origin

La paniculitis mesentérica es un raro desorden inflamatorio de la grasa mesentérica, de la cual hay, hasta ahora, aproximadamente 200 casos reportados en la literatura. Se presenta en adultos a partir de la tercera década de la vida y su etiología es desconocida, pero es sabida su asociación con neoplasias gastrointestinales, genitourinarias y enfermedades reumatológicas. Entre sus manifestaciones clínicas están el dolor abdominal, las alteraciones del tránsito intestinal, la pérdida de peso, la fiebre y los vómitos. El diagnóstico definitivo es fundamentalmente histopatológico, también existen algunos estigmas tomográficos que podrían sugerir su presencia. Debe ser tratada a la mayor brevedad posible y los corticosteroides son los medicamentos a elegir. Se presentó un paciente con diagnóstico de paniculitis mesentérica idiopática, como resultado del estudio de una fiebre de origen desconocido, en el cual logramos además demostrar la asociación de la paniculitis con la enfermedad relacionada con IgG4, desorden recientemente descubierto, caracterizado por lesiones inflamatorias seudotumorales, que cursan con infiltración hística por células plasmáticas IgG4 positivas(AU)

Mesenteric panniculitis is a rare inflammatory disorder of the mesenteric fat, of which there is, so far, about 200 cases reported in the literature. It occurs in elderly adults and its etiology is unknown but its association with gastrointestinal tumors, genitourinary and rheumatological diseases is known. Among its clinical manifestations are abdominal pain, altered bowel movements, weight loss, fever and vomiting. The definitive histopathological diagnosis is fundamentally, there is some tomographic stigma that might suggest its presence. It should be treated as soon as possible and corticosteroids are the drugs of choice. A patient diagnosed with idiopathic mesenteric panniculitis as a result of the evaluation of fever of unknown origin, which we further demonstrate the association of panniculitis with related disease IgG4, disorder recently discovered, characterized by lesions in flammatory pseudotumoral occurs, that occur with tissue infiltration IgG4 positive plasma cells(AU)

[Extravasation injuries in newborns: our experience about 15 cases]. / Les accidents d'extravasation perfusionnelle chez le nouveau-né : une expérience de 15 cas.

Extravasation injuries are common complications that occur during infusion for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes by the peripheral or central venous catheters. In pediatric settings, iatrogenic extravasations are serious. When they are viewed late, they are sources of functional sequelae. The purpose of this study was to report our experience with the management of iatrogenic extravasations for therapeutic purposes. Between January 2010 and December 2012, fifteen newborns were supported for accidents of infusion of the upper and the lower limbs. The male was mostly affected. The mean age was 3.6days, with extremes of one and nine days. The average birth weight was 2900g. The range was 1200g and 3550g. Serum 10 % glucose and calcium chloride were implicated in all cases. The lesions were seen in the late stages III in six cases and IV in nine cases. The upper limbs were frequently affected. Nine lesions were in the upper limbs and six in the lower limbs. The dorsal surfaces, feet and hands were frequently affected in six and five cases, respectively. Two lesions were in the anterior aspect of the forearm and elbow. Elbows lesions were circular and realized a tourniquet effect. Treatment was conservative in eleven cases: five pro-inflammatory fatty dressings and six alcoholic dressings. The surgery was delayed in four cases. It combined excision-full thickness skin graft, excision-dressing-thin skin grafting, debridement and two-full thickness skin graft for retractable wrist scars. Two deaths were related to associate pathologies. One patient was lost for follow-up. Our results were satisfactory in functional, aesthetic and psychological aspects. Extravasation injuries are serious iatrogenic lesions. If the lesions are seen at an early stage in usual circumstances, in extreme exercise, they are seen late, sometimes at the stage of functional, psychological and cosmetic sequelae. The difficulty of the therapeutic management of these lesions requires prevention through the development of protocols and the permanent training of nursing staff for an efficient practice of infusion.

Clinical application of needle retractable syringe / 现代临床护理

Objective To explore the effects of needle retractable syringe.Methods 400 patients undergoing injection treatment were randomly divided into the experiment group and the control group in equal number.The conventional syringe was used in the control group and the needle retractable syringe was adopted.The pains in the patients,time for puncturing and incidence of puncturing-induced injuries were compared between two groups.Result The pains,time for puncturing and incidence of puncturing-induced injuries in the observation group were all significantly lower than those of the control group(all P < 0.05). Conclusion Needle retractable syringes may help to alleviate the pain,reduce the workload of nurses and lower the incidence of needle stick injuries.