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The benefits of latex-free gloves in the operating room environment.
No full textSterile protective gloves are used to reduce the risk of infection for patients and clinicians in all healthcare settings. This is particularly important in operating theatres, where surgical site infection is a common and serious complication for perioperative patients. These gloves have traditionally been made from natural rubber latex and dusted with cornstarch powder. However, frequent use of latex gloves can lead to a hypersensitivity or allergy to latex. A latex allergy causes discomfort and inconvenience, and it may reduce productivity, impose significant financial burdens and even be life threatening. There has not been sufficient evidence to ban the clinical use of latex; however, in cases of suspected latex allergy, guidelines recommend the use of either latex-free gloves or powder-free, low-protein latex gloves. The use of these alternative gloves has typically been limited to cases of allergy, because they have previously been associated with reduced dexterity and durability compared with latex gloves. This article presents four case studies, in which health professionals in a perioperative setting compare the advantages and disadvantages of using traditional latex surgical gloves with those of latex-free gloves manufactured by Cardinal Health. The findings of these case studies suggest that these latex-free gloves are equal to latex gloves in terms of establishing asepsis and providing comfort and dexterity to the wearer, without presenting the risk of developing latex sensitivity and/or allergy
The association between simple renal cyst and aortic diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.
No full textOBJECTIVE
The objective of this meta-analysis of observational studies was to evaluate the association between simple renal cysts (SRC) and presence of aortic pathology such as aortic aneurysms and dissection.
METHODS
We conducted searches in Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from January 1960 to August 2019 to identify observational studies that examined the association between SRCs and any aortic diseases, including aortic aneurysms and dissection. Two reviewers independently extracted the data and assessed the risk of bias. The meta-analysis was performed by STATA 14.1.
RESULTS
In total, 11 observational studies with 19 719 participants were included in this meta-analysis. Compared to individuals without SRCs, patients with SRCs had higher odds of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) (adjusted OR = 2.61, 95% CI 2.34-2.91, P < 0.001, I = 0%), ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) (adjusted OR = 1.98, 95% CI 1.09-3.63, P = 0.03, I = 90.1%), descending TAA (adjusted OR = 3.44, 95% CI, 2.67-4.43, P < 0.001, I = 0%), type A aortic dissection (AD) (adjusted OR = 1.98, 95% CI 1.32-2.96, P = 0.001, I = 12.9%), and type B AD (adjusted OR = 2.55, 95% CI, 1.31-4.96, P = 0.006, I = 76.2%). There was a higher average in the sum of diameter of SRCs among AAA compared to patients without AAA (WMD = 19.80 mm, 95% CI 13.92-25.67, P < 0.001, I = 63.8%).
CONCLUSION
SRC is associated with higher odds of aortic diseases including AAA, ascending and descending TAA, type A and type B dissection even after adjusting for confounders
Long-term impact of preventive UDCA therapy after transplantation for primary biliary cholangitis.
No full textBACKGROUND & AIMS
Recurrence of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) after liver transplantation (LT) is frequent and able to impair graft and patient survival. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is the current standard therapy for PBC. We investigated the effect of preventive exposure to UDCA on the incidence and long-term consequences of PBC recurrence after LT.
METHODS
We did a retrospective cohort study including 780 patients transplanted for PBC from 1983 to 2017 in 16 centers and 9 countries and followed-up for a median time of 11 years. Among them, 190 received UDCA (10-15 mg/kg/d) preventively. The primary outcome was PBC recurrence as proven by histology. The secondary outcomes were graft loss, liver-related death, and all-cause death. The association between preventive UDCA and outcomes was quantified using multivariable-adjusted Cox and restricted mean survival time (RMST) models.
RESULTS
While recurrence of PBC significantly shortened graft and patient survivals, preventive exposure to UDCA was associated with reduced risk for PBC recurrence (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.41; 95%CI, 0.28 - 0.61; p<0.0001), graft loss (0.33; 0.13 - 0.82; p<0.05), liver-related death (0.46; 0.22 - 0.98; p<0.05), and all-cause death (0.69; 0.49 - 0.96; p<0.05). RMST analysis showed consistent results with a survival gain of 2.26 years (95%CI 1.28 - 3.25) over 20 years. Exposure to cyclosporine rather than to tacrolimus added to the preventive effect of UDCA against PBC recurrence and all-cause death.
CONCLUSIONS
Preventive UDCA after LT for PBC is associated with reduced risk for disease recurrence, graft loss, and death. Regimen combining cyclosporine and preventive UDCA is associated with the lowest risk of PBC recurrence and mortality
The 4 D's of Pellagra and Progress.
No full textNicotinamide homeostasis is a candidate common denominator to explain smooth transitions, whether demographic, epidemiological or economic. This 'NAD world', dependent on hydrogen-based energy, is not widely recognised as it is neither measured nor viewed from a sufficiently multi-genomic or historical perspective. Reviewing the importance of meat and nicotinamide balances during our co-evolution, recent history suggests that populations only modernise and age well with low fertility on a suitably balanced diet. Imbalances on the low meat side lead to an excess of infectious disease, short lives and boom-bust demographics. On the high side, meat has led to an excess of degenerative, allergic and metabolic disease and low fertility. A 'Goldilocks' diet derived from mixed and sustainable farming (preserving the topsoil) allows for high intellectual capital, height and good health with controlled population growth resulting in economic growth and prosperity. Implementing meat equity worldwide could lead to progress for future generations on 'spaceship' earth by establishing control over population quality, thermostat and biodiversity, if it is not already too late
T mapping performance and measurement repeatability: results from the multi-national T mapping standardization phantom program (T1MES).
No full textBACKGROUND
The T Mapping and Extracellular volume (ECV) Standardization (T1MES) program explored T mapping quality assurance using a purpose-developed phantom with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Conformité Européenne (CE) regulatory clearance. We report T measurement repeatability across centers describing sequence, magnet, and vendor performance.
METHODS
Phantoms batch-manufactured in August 2015 underwent 2 years of structural imaging, B and B, and "reference" slow T testing. Temperature dependency was evaluated by the United States National Institute of Standards and Technology and by the German Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt. Center-specific T mapping repeatability (maximum one scan per week to minimum one per quarter year) was assessed over mean 358 (maximum 1161) days on 34 1.5 T and 22 3 T magnets using multiple T mapping sequences. Image and temperature data were analyzed semi-automatically. Repeatability of serial T was evaluated in terms of coefficient of variation (CoV), and linear mixed models were constructed to study the interplay of some of the known sources of T variation.
RESULTS
Over 2 years, phantom gel integrity remained intact (no rips/tears), B and B homogenous, and "reference" T stable compared to baseline (% change at 1.5 T, 1.95 ± 1.39%; 3 T, 2.22 ± 1.44%). Per degrees Celsius, 1.5 T, T (MOLLI 5s(3s)3s) increased by 11.4 ms in long native blood tubes and decreased by 1.2 ms in short post-contrast myocardium tubes. Agreement of estimated T times with "reference" T was similar across Siemens and Philips CMR systems at both field strengths (adjusted R ranges for both field strengths, 0.99-1.00). Over 1 year, many 1.5 T and 3 T sequences/magnets were repeatable with mean CoVs < 1 and 2% respectively. Repeatability was narrower for 1.5 T over 3 T. Within T1MES repeatability for native T was narrow for several sequences, for example, at 1.5 T, Siemens MOLLI 5s(3s)3s prototype number 448B (mean CoV = 0.27%) and Philips modified Look-Locker inversion recovery (MOLLI) 3s(3s)5s (CoV 0.54%), and at 3 T, Philips MOLLI 3b(3s)5b (CoV 0.33%) and Siemens shortened MOLLI (ShMOLLI) prototype 780C (CoV 0.69%). After adjusting for temperature and field strength, it was found that the T mapping sequence and scanner software version (both P < 0.001 at 1.5 T and 3 T), and to a lesser extent the scanner model (P = 0.011, 1.5 T only), had the greatest influence on T across multiple centers.
CONCLUSION
The T1MES CE/FDA approved phantom is a robust quality assurance device. In a multi-center setting, T mapping had performance differences between field strengths, sequences, scanner software versions, and manufacturers. However, several specific combinations of field strength, sequence, and scanner are highly repeatable, and thus, have potential to provide standardized assessment of T times for clinical use, although temperature correction is required for native T tubes at least
COVID-19 in cardiac arrest and infection risk to rescuers: A systematic review.
No full textBACKGROUND
There may be a risk of COVID-19 transmission to rescuers delivering treatment for cardiac arrest. The aim of this review was to identify the potential risk of transmission associated with key interventions (chest compressions, defibrillation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation) to inform international treatment recommendations.
METHODS
We undertook a systematic review comprising three questions: (1) aerosol generation associated with key interventions; (2) risk of airborne infection transmission associated with key interventions; and (3) the effect of different personal protective equipment strategies. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and the World Health Organization COVID-19 database on 24th March 2020. Eligibility criteria were developed individually for each question. We assessed risk of bias for individual studies, and used the GRADE process to assess evidence certainty by outcome.
RESULTS
We included eleven studies: two cohort studies, one case control study, five case reports, and three manikin randomised controlled trials. We did not find any direct evidence that chest compressions or defibrillation either are or are not associated with aerosol generation or transmission of infection. Data from manikin studies indicates that donning of personal protective equipment delays treatment delivery. Studies provided only indirect evidence, with no study describing patients with COVID-19. Evidence certainty was low or very low for all outcomes.
CONCLUSION
It is uncertain whether chest compressions or defibrillation cause aerosol generation or transmission of COVID-19 to rescuers. There is very limited evidence and a rapid need for further studies. Review registration: PROSPERO CRD42020175594