A Stepwise Approach to Inbound Passenger Management at a COVID-19 Temporary Medical Observation Site

In order to slow the spread of SARS-CoV-2, governments have implemented several restrictive measures (lockdown, stay-in-place, and quarantine policies). These provisions have drastically changed the routines of residents, altering environmental conditions in the affected areas. In this context, our work analyzes the effects of the reduced emissions during the COVID-19 period on the ultrafine particles number concentration and their turbulent fluxes in a suburban area. COVID-19 restrictions did not significantly reduce anthropogenic related PM10 and PM2.5 levels, with an equal decrement of about 14%. The ultrafine particle number concentration during the lockdown period decreased by 64% in our measurement area, essentially due to the lower traffic activity. The effect of the restriction measures and the reduction of vehicles traffic was predominant in reducing concentration rather than meteorological forcing. During the lockdown in 2020, a decrease of 61% in ultrafine particle positive fluxes can be observed. At the same time, negative fluxes decreased by 59% and our observation site behaved, essentially, as a sink of ultrafine particles. Due to this behavior, we can conclude that the principal particle sources during the lockdown were far away from the measurement site.

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The Global Limb Anatomic Staging System (GLASS) for CLTI: Improving Inter-Observer Agreement

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10163454 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (16) ◽

pp. 3454

Author(s):

Joep G. J. Wijnand ◽

Devin Zarkowsky ◽

Bian Wu ◽

Steven T. W. van Haelst ◽

Evert-Jan P. A. Vonken ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Staging System ◽

The United States ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Observer Agreement ◽

Lesion Length ◽

Solid Base ◽

Stepwise Approach ◽

Additional Tool ◽

Atherosclerotic Lesions ◽

Stenosis Severity

Objective: The 2020 Global Vascular Guidelines aim at improving decision making in Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia (CLTI) by providing a framework for evidence-based revascularization. Herein, the Global Limb Anatomic Staging System (GLASS) serves to estimate the chance of success and patency of arterial pathway revascularization based on the extent and distribution of the atherosclerotic lesions. We report the preliminary feasibility results and observer variability of the GLASS. GLASS is a part of the new global guideline and posed as a promising additional tool for EBR strategies to predict the success of lower extremity arterial revascularization. This study reports on the consistency of GLASS scoring to maximize inter-observer agreement and facilitate its application. Methods: GLASS separately scores the femoropopliteal (FP) and infrapopliteal (IP) segment based on stenosis severity, lesion length and the extent of calcification within the target artery pathway (TAP). In our stepwise approach, we used two angiographic datasets. Each following step was based on the lessons learned from the previous step. The primary outcome was inter-observer agreement measured as Cohen’s Kappa, scored by two (step 1 + 2) and four (step 3) blinded and experienced observers, respectively. Steps 1 (n = 139) and 2 (n = 50) were executed within a dataset of a Dutch interventional RCT in CLTI. Step 3 (n = 100) was performed in randomly selected all-comer CLTI patients from two vascular centers in the United States. Results: In step 1, kappa values were 0.346 (FP) and 0.180 (IP). In step 2, applied in the same dataset, the use of other experienced observers and a provided TAP, resulted in similar low kappa values 0.406 (FP) and 0.089 (IP). Subsequently, in step 3, the formation of an altered stepwise approach using component scoring, such as separate scoring of calcification and adding a ruler to the images resulted in kappa values increasing to 0.796 (FP) and 0.730 (IP). Conclusion: This retrospective GLASS validation study revealed low inter-observer agreement for unconditioned scoring. A stepwise component scoring provides acceptable agreement and a solid base for further prospective validation studies to investigate how GLASS relates to treatment outcomes.

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Robotic natural-orifice IntraCorporeal anastomosis with Extraction (NICE procedure) for complicated diverticulitis

Surgical Endoscopy ◽

10.1007/s00464-021-08350-z ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Eric M. Haas ◽

Thais Reif de Paula ◽

Roberto Luna-Saracho ◽

Melissa Sara Smith ◽

Jean-Paul J. LeFave

Keyword(s):

Complicated Diverticulitis ◽

Intracorporeal Anastomosis ◽

Natural Orifice ◽

Abdominal Incision ◽

Stepwise Approach ◽

Stapling Device ◽

Video Recordings ◽

Conversion Rates ◽

Technical Modifications ◽

Instrument Control

Abstract Background Totally intracorporeal surgery for left-sided resection carries numerous potential advantages by avoiding crossing staple lines and eliminating the need for an abdominal incision. For those with complicated diverticulitis, minimally invasive surgery is known to be technically challenging due to inflamed tissue, distorted pelvic anatomy, and obliterated tissue planes, resulting in high conversion rates. We aim to illustrate the stepwise approach and modifications required to successful complete the robotic Natural-orifice IntraCorporeal anastomosis with transrectal specimen Extraction (NICE) procedure in this cohort. Methods Consecutive, elective, unselected patients presenting with complicated diverticulitis defined as fistula, abscess and stricture underwent the NICE procedure over a 24-month period. Demographic and intraoperative data were collected, and video recordings were reviewed and edited on encrypted server. Results A total of 60 patients (50% female) underwent the NICE procedure for complicated diverticulitis with a mean age of 58.9 years and mean BMI of 30.7 kg/m2. The mean operative time was 231.6 min. All cases (100%) were achieved with intracorporeal anastomosis using a circular stapling device. All but one patient (98.3%) had successful transrectal extraction of the specimen. Forty-four (73%) of the specimens required a specimen-thinning maneuver to successfully extract the specimen and there were no conversions. We identified seven key technical modifications and considerations to facilitate successful completion of the procedure which are illustrated, including early release of the disease, mesentery-sparing dissection, dual instrument control of the mesenteric vasculature, release of the rectal reflection, use of NICE back table, specimen-thinning maneuver, and closure of the rectal cuff. Conclusion We present a stepwise approach with key modifications to successfully achieve totally robotic intracorporeal resection for those presenting with complicated diverticulitis. This approach may help overcome the technical challenges and provide a foundation for reproducible results.

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Large Survey Camera Collimation and Alignment at the Observation Site by Curvature Sensing

Optik ◽

10.1016/j.ijleo.2021.167273 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 167273

Author(s):

Qichang An ◽

Xiaoxia Wu ◽

Xudong Lin ◽

Jianli Wang ◽

Tao Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Observation Site ◽

Curvature Sensing ◽

Large Survey

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Planning and approach to allergen-specific immunotherapy in polyallergic patients

Immunotherapy ◽

10.2217/imt-2019-0182 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (8) ◽

pp. 577-585

Author(s):

Nerin N Bahceciler ◽

Ozel Yuruker

Keyword(s):

Clinical Management ◽

Respiratory Diseases ◽

Specific Immunotherapy ◽

Clinical Symptoms ◽

Allergen Specific Immunotherapy ◽

Stepwise Approach ◽

Future Studies ◽

Disease Modifying ◽

Management Recommendations ◽

Disease Modifying Treatment

Allergy immunotherapy (AIT) is currently the only disease-modifying treatment for allergic-respiratory diseases. Polysensitization may increase the severity of current disease resulting in subsequent asthma development in patients with allergic rhinitis. Due to the absence of general recommendations for the practical approach to polysensitized patients, clinical management is not standardized. The correlation between sensitizations and clinical symptoms, elimination of possible pollen cross-reactivities and principles of homologous allergen groups will guide the allergists to deduce the most relevant allergens for AIT. In the highlight of the previously proposed approach strategies to polyallergic patients, hereby we propose a revised practical stepwise approach based on the current European Medicine Agency (EMA) guidelines. However, more supporting data from well-designed, controlled, future studies are needed to improve clinical management recommendations for AIT in polyallergic patients.

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