Mechanism of Neonatal Intestinal Injury Induced by Hyperoxia Therapy

High concentration oxygen is widely used in the treatment of neonates, which has a significant effect on improving blood oxygen concentration in neonates with respiratory distress. The adverse effects of hyperoxia therapy on the lung, retina, and neurodevelopment of newborns have been extensively studied, but less attention has been paid to intestinal damage caused by hyperoxia therapy. In this review, we focus on the physical, immune, and microorganism barriers of the intestinal tract and discuss neonatal intestinal tract damage caused by hyperoxia therapy and analyze the molecular mechanism of intestinal damage caused by hyperoxia in combination with necrotizing enterocolitis.

A Comparative Study on the Effects of Ketofol, Dexmedetomidine, and Isofol in Anesthesia of Candidates for Dilatation and Curettage

Background: Dilatation and curettage (D & C) is one of the relatively common surgeries among women. Familiarity with the analgesics, along with their different uses and specific characteristics, can help to determine the best and most appropriate drug to control pain in the patients. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effects of ketofol, dexmedetomidine, and isofol in anesthesia of candidates for D & C. Methods: In this double-blind clinical trial, 150 candidates for D & C surgeries with ASA class 1 and 2 were included. Patients were randomly divided into three groups. The first group received ketamine + propofol, the second group received dexmedetomidine, and the third group received isofol (isoflurane + propofol). Any hemodynamic changes or respiratory disorders, including apnea or hypoventilation, drop in the level of blood oxygen saturation, and the need for respiratory support, were recorded and compared. Results: Hypoventilation was observed in 47 patients in isofol group, 18 in the dexmedetomidine group, and 42 in ketofol group. Also, 48 patients in the isofol group, eight in the dexmedetomidine group, and 33 in the ketofol group experienced apnea. Moreover, 17 patients in the dexmedetomidine group, 35 in the ketofol group, and eight in the isofol group experienced bradycardia. The rate of bradycardia was significantly higher in the dexmedetomidine group (70%) compared to the other two groups, and the rate of hypotension was significantly higher in the isofol group (P = 0.001). Conclusions: According to the results, dexmedetomidine was associated with fewer complications during general anesthesia in D & C surgery.

Effect of Local Cold Therapy on Arterial Blood Oxygen Saturation and Temperature Changes in Patients Undergoing Surgery

Background: Postoperative complications can endanger the patient's life and disrupt the recovery process if not properly managed. Local cold therapy can be a safe non-pharmacologic method to manage these side effects; however, it has not been highly considered. Objectives: This study was done to determine the effect of local cold therapy on arterial blood oxygen saturation and temperature changes in patients undergoing surgery. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was performed at Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences in 2019 on 60 patients undergoing thoracic and abdominal surgery selected by convenience sampling, and they were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups. The intervention (local cold therapy) was performed for 48 hours after full consciousness, three times a day for 20 minutes to the intervention group. Data were collected before and after the intervention using a demographic questionnaire, pulse oximetry device, and thermometer. The data were analyzed based on the independent samples t-test, paired-samples t-test, and chi-square and Fishers’ exact tests by SPSS version 20 software. Results: The mean arterial blood oxygen saturation percentage (O2Sat%) during the intervention significantly increased in both groups (P < 0.05), but the rate of increase was significantly higher in the local cold group (P < 0.05). The results of within-group research showed that the mean temperature had significant differences in the local cold therapy group (P < 0.05), but the mean body temperature did not show a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Local cold therapy can be effectively trained and used by nurses to improve the O2Sat%. It did not affect postoperative body temperature. Further studies must be conducted to investigate the effects of local cold therapy on postoperative body temperature changes.

Hypoxaemia prevalence and management among children and adults presenting to primary care facilities in Uganda: a prospective cohort study.

Introduction Hypoxaemia (low blood oxygen) is common among hospitalised patients, increasing risk of death five-fold and requiring prompt detection and treatment. However, we know little about hypoxaemia prevalence in primary care and the role for pulse oximetry and oxygen therapy. This study assessed the prevalence and management of hypoxaemia at primary care facilities in Uganda. Methods Prospective cohort study in 30 primary care facilities in Uganda, Feb-Apr 2021. Clinical data collectors assessed blood oxygen level (SpO2) of all acutely unwell children, adolescents, and adults, and followed up children aged under 15 years with SpO2<93% to determine subsequent care and outcome. Primary outcome: proportion of children under 5 years of age with severe hypoxaemia (SpO2<90%). Secondary outcomes: severe/moderate hypoxaemia (SpO2 90-93%) by age/sex/complaint. Results Among children U5, the prevalence of severe hypoxaemia was 1.3% (95% CI 0.9 to 2.1); an additional 4.9% (3.9 to 6.1) had moderate hypoxaemia. Performing pulse oximetry according to World Health Organization guidelines exclusively on children with respiratory complaints would have missed 14% (3/21) of severe hypoxaemia and 11% (6/55) of moderate hypoxaemia. Hypoxaemia prevalence was low among children 5-14 years (0.3% severe, 1.1% moderate) and adolescents/adults 15+ years (0.1% severe, 0.5% moderate). A minority (12/27, 44%) of severely hypoxaemic patients were referred; 3 (12%) received oxygen. Conclusion Hypoxaemia is common among acutely unwell children under five years of age presenting to Ugandan primary care facilities. Routine pulse oximetry has potential to improve referral, management and clinical outcomes. Effectiveness, acceptability, and feasibility of pulse oximetry and oxygen therapy for primary care should be investigated in implementation trials.

IoT-based Tetra Health Surveillance System (THSS)

Nowadays, we are very conscious about our health because of how the covid-19 virus has changed our day-to-day life. IoT healthcare devices can be really helpful in this pandemic situation when we are all stuck in our homes. We have witnessed that IoT devices got very popular during this pandemic and the term ‘IoT’ also got really famous in the healthcare industry. If the hospital is far away from someone’s home, then using these portable monitoring devices one can keep track of their well-being. Health is the most important aspect for any individual, so in this paper, we propose a solution named the IoT-based Tetra Health Surveillance System (THSS) which helps us to monitor people who live by themselves or elderly people who want to continuously monitor their vitals due to underlying health conditions. Our proposed solution also displays the Temperature and Humidity, Blood pressure, Body Temperature, and SpO2/Blood Oxygen level at any given moment. This work will have a significant technical and commercial benefit because an individual can monitor all their vitals in one place and they don’t have to buy separate pieces of equipment to monitor each one of their vitals. This proposed device can be an all-in-one solution that is cost-effective and easy to use.

Clinical, Demographic, and Epidemiological Characteristics of Patients Diagnosed with COVID-19 in Zahedan, Southeastern Iran

: As the epidemic spreads, COVID-19 poses a severe threat to the health of communities. Description of epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 patients helps with the prevention and scientific control of the pandemic. This descriptive study was conducted to describe the clinical, demographic, and epidemiological characteristics of 65 patients suspected of having COVID-19. A research-made questionnaire was used for data collection. Moreover, the patient's vital signs were examined. The samples were classified into the two groups of subjects with positive and negative RT-PCR test. Descriptive statistics were used for the analysis of data. The most common manifestations were fever, shortness of breath, and dry cough. Moreover, the lowest proportion belonged to Rh-negative in all ABO blood groups. The patients were mainly male, about 44 years old, and their first and most common manifestations were fever, shortness of breath, and dry cough. In vital signs examination, reduction of blood oxygen saturation was the most important finding. Health centers need to consider these signs in treating COVID-19 patients.