The effect of osteopathic correction on the function of external respiration in patients after COVID -19 coronavirus pneumonia

Introduction. The 2019 coronavirus infection (COVID-19) pandemic caused by a novel coronavirus strain (SARS-CoV-2) posed a serious threat to public health around the world. Postcoid syndrome (post-COVID-19 condition, according to ICD-10 code U09 State after COVID-19 or Postcoid state, Postcoid syndrome) is a pathological condition after a coronavirus infection, accompanied by cardio-respiratory, neurological, musculoskeletal, metabolic disorders. According to a number of studies, osteopathic methods of correction increase the lymph flow, immunological protection of the body, help to reduce pain, reduce the restriction of mobility in the chest, and therefore improve the function of external respiration. There are practically no studies that allow assessing the effect of osteopathic correction methods on the function of external respiration at the modern evidence-based level in patients who have undergone COVID pneumonia.The aim was to study the effect of a single procedure of osteopathic correction on the function of external respiration in patients during the rehabilitation period after coronavirus pneumonia.Materials and methods. On the basis of the Primorsky Institute of Vertebroneurology and Manual Medicine (Vladivostok) the rehabilitation of patients after coronavirus pneumonia was carried out using osteopathic correction. The study included 73 patients over the age of 60 years with varying degrees of lung damage and impaired respiratory function. To assess the function of external respiration, spirometry was performed and the vital capacity of the lungs was assessed; pulse oximetry was performed to measure the saturation of arterial blood hemoglobin with oxygen (SpO2). Osteopathic testing and treatment were carried out according to clinical guidelines, and the biomechanics of the chest was additionally investigated. The Statistica-10 software package was used for the statistical analysis of the obtained data.Results. Osteopathic examination revealed the presence of local somatic dysfunctions in 98,8 % of patients (spinal dysfunction, rib dysfunction, diaphragm dysfunction). 87,6 % of patients were diagnosed with regional somatic dysfunctions of thoracic region. Global somatic dysfunctions were diagnosed in 78,4 % of patients. After a single procedure of osteopathic correction, patients had a statistically significant improvement of the external respiration function, manifested in an increase in vital capacity from 78,27±2,79 to 85,36±3,38 % (p=0,0006). Also, the effectiveness of osteopathic correction is confirmed by a significant increase in the average hemoglobin saturation of arterial blood with oxygen. Thus, in patients with low SpO2 levels, the index increased from 94,21±0,21 to 95,09±0,3 % (p=0,02). After a single osteopathic correction procedure, the number of patients with local somatic dysfunctions decreased from 98,8 to 17,7 %; global somatic dysfunctions were revealed only in 16,3 % of patients. All patients noted an improvement in their general condition, a decrease in symptoms of respiratory discomfort and shortness of breath, and an increase in chest excursion.Conclusion. A single procedure of somatic dysfunctions' osteopathic correction in patients after coronavirus pneumonia leads to a statistically significant improvement in respiratory function. The vital capacity and the oxygen saturation of the blood increase in patients. This is caused by the increase of the mobility of the chest (increase in its excursion), diaphragm, ribs, spine. The obtained results allow recommend the inclusion of osteopathic correction in the rehabilitation programs for patients who have undergone coronavirus infection.

A Fully 3D-Printed Steerable Instrument for Minimally Invasive Surgery

In the field of medical instruments, additive manufacturing allows for a drastic reduction in the number of components while improving the functionalities of the final design. In addition, modifications for users’ needs or specific procedures become possible by enabling the production of single customized items. In this work, we present the design of a new fully 3D-printed handheld steerable instrument for laparoscopic surgery, which was mechanically actuated using cables. The pistol-grip handle is based on ergonomic principles and allows for single-hand control of both grasping and omnidirectional steering, while compliant joints and snap-fit connectors enable fast assembly and minimal part count. Additive manufacturing allows for personalization of the handle to each surgeon’s needs by adjusting specific dimensions in the CAD model, which increases the user’s comfort during surgery. Testing showed that the forces on the instrument handle required for steering and grasping were below 15 N, while the grasping force efficiency was calculated to be 10–30%. The instrument combines the advantages of additive manufacturing with regard to personalization and simplified assembly, illustrating a new approach to the design of advanced surgical instruments where the customization for a single procedure or user’s need is a central aspect.

On the Integrative Interconnection of Extrajudicial and Judicial Resolution of Administrative-Tort Cases

The article considers some features of the integrative relationship between public administration and courts in two types of administrative-tort cases: 1) in cases of administrative offences (or otherwise - in cases of administrative-punishable torts, since the consideration and resolution of this category of administrative-tort cases essentially entails the appointment of administrative penalties according to the rules provided for by Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Offences); 2) in cases of violations of mandatory requirements detected and suppressed by public administration bodies during control and supervisory proceedings (or otherwise - in cases of administrativeavoidable violations, since the consideration and resolution of this category is administrative-tort cases on the merits entail the application of such a measure of administrative enforcement and restorative influence as the introduction of an order to eliminate violations of mandatory requirements under the rules provided for by the legislation of the Russian Federation: 1) add Article 28.8 of the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Offences, providing that when drawing up a protocol on an administrative offense, the consideration of which is attributed to the competence of another body, a decision is made on the transfer of the case materials by authority (if the case is subject to consideration by a public administration body) or by jurisdiction (if the case is subject to consideration in a court of general jurisdiction); 2) as an alternative option for further improvement of the administrative-procedural legislation of the Russian Federation, the issue of applying a single algorithm of procedural actions of public administration bodies when sending materials of administrative-punishable cases to the court by filing an application with a requirement to bring to administrative responsibility, as already provided for in Chapter 25 of the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Offences, is proposed for discussion among scientists and legislators. And if it is necessary to transfer the materials of an administratively punishable case for consideration from one public administration body to another non-judicial body (public administration body), it is possible to provide for a ruling on the transfer of the case materials for consideration; 3) to regulate in the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Offences in the form of an independent chapter “Proceedings in administrative cases on the cancellation of a license and (or) permit” and provide for a single procedure for the review and resolution by the court of administrative cases of this category on administrative claims of public administration bodies.

Thoracoscopic surgical ablation versus catheter ablation as first-line treatment for long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation: the CASA-AF RCT

Background Standalone thoracoscopic surgical ablation may be more effective than catheter ablation in patients with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation. Objectives To determine whether or not surgical ablation is clinically superior to catheter ablation as the first-line treatment strategy in long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation. Design This was a prospective, multicentre, randomised control trial. Setting Four NHS tertiary centres in England. Participants Adults with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation, who had European Heart Rhythm Association symptom scores > 2 and who were naive to previous catheter ablation or thoracic/cardiac surgery. Interventions Minimally invasive thoracoscopic surgical ablation and conventional catheter ablation (control intervention). Main outcome measures The primary outcome was freedom from atrial fibrillation/tachycardia ≥ 30 seconds after a single procedure without antiarrhythmic drugs (class 1C/3) at 1 year, excluding a 3-month blanking period. The secondary outcomes include the intervention-related major complication rate; clinical success (≥ 75% reduction in arrhythmia burden); and changes in symptoms, quality of life and cost-effectiveness. Methods Patients (n = 120) were randomised to surgical ablation (n = 60) or catheter ablation (n = 60). An implanted loop recorder provided continuous cardiac monitoring following ablation. Follow-up visits were at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Loop recorder data were reviewed monthly by a physiologist who was blinded to the randomisation outcome. Results The study treatment was received by 55 patients in the surgical ablation arm and 60 patients in the catheter ablation arm; five patients withdrew from surgical ablation before treatment. Data from randomised and treated patients were analysed as per intention to treat. Patients had a mean age of 62.3 (standard deviation 9.6) years, were predominantly male (74%), had a mean left atrial diameter of 44.6 mm (standard deviation 6 mm) and were in continuous atrial fibrillation for 22 months (range 16–31 months). At 12 months, 26% of patients in the surgical ablation arm (14/54) and 28% of patients in the catheter ablation arm (17/60) were free from atrial arrhythmias after a single procedure without antiarrhythmic drugs (odds ratio 1.13, 95% confidence interval 0.46 to 2.83; p = 0.84). An arrhythmia burden reduction of ≥ 75% was seen in 36 out of 54 (67%) patients in the surgical ablation arm, compared with 46 out of 60 (77%) patients in the catheter ablation arm (odds ratio 1.64, 95% confidence interval 0.67 to 4.08; p = 0.3). Procedure-related serious complications within 30 days of the intervention occurred in 15% (8/55) of patients in the surgical ablation arm (including one death) compared with 10% (6/60) of patients in the catheter ablation arm (p = 0.46). Surgical ablation was associated with significantly higher costs (£23,221 vs. £18,186; p = 0.02) and fewer quality-adjusted life-years than catheter ablation (0.76 vs. 0.83; p = 0.02). Limitations This study was conducted in four highly specialised cardiology centres that have substantial experience in both treatment modalities; therefore, the results may not be widely generalisable. The study was not powered to detect small differences in efficacy. Conclusions We found no evidence to suggest that standalone thoracoscopic surgical ablation outcomes were superior to catheter ablation outcomes in achieving freedom from atrial arrhythmia after a single procedure without antiarrhythmic drugs. Moreover, surgical ablation is associated with a longer hospital stay, smaller improvements in quality of life and higher health-care costs than catheter ablation (standard care therapy). Future work Evaluation of the impact of ablation treatments on sinus rhythm maintenance and quality of life with extended follow-up to 3 years. Model-based economic analysis to estimate long-term benefits, harms and costs of surgical and catheter ablation compared with antiarrhythmic drug therapy in long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation patients. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN18250790 and ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02755688. Funding This project was funded by the Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation (EME) programme, a Medical Research Council (MRC) and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) partnership. This study was supported by the UK Clinical Research Collaboration-registered King’s Clinical Trials Unit at King’s Health Partners, which is part funded by the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Mental Health at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College London and the NIHR Evaluation, Trials and Studies Coordinating Centre. This will be published in full in Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation; Vol. 8, No. 18. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

Standard of proof in criminal proceedings: “variable” or “stepwise” ?

The article is devoted to the analysis of the issue of division of standards of proof in criminal proceedings, in particular one of the types - variable standard of proof, which is distinguished by scholars of the Anglo-Saxon legal system. The article analyzes the question of the possibility of dividing the standards of proof depending on the severity of the criminal offense. The motives and scientific arguments in favor of distinguishing a variable standard of proof in criminal proceedings are studied. Positively assessing the attempt of the appropriate scientific division of standards of proof in criminal proceedings, the authors argue that it is still impossible to agree with him to the end. In particular, according to the authors, the introduction of a variable standard of proof in criminal proceedings will not contribute to the unity of judicial practice in the process of making procedural decisions during criminal proceedings. In addition, the article argues that decisions in criminal proceedings are made on the basis of internal conviction, which determines and assigns the type and measure of punishment, and not vice versa. Therefore, it is at least surprising the position of some scholars that the sanction of a sentence that can be imposed on an accused must determine the necessary level of “persuasion” (“evidence”) for his appointment. It is argued that in some cases, the establishment of a variable standard of proof in criminal proceedings will lead to a violation of the principles of criminal proceedings, in particular equality before the law and the courts. The article presents the position of the authors on the doubtfulness of establishing the degree of proof of the circumstances of criminal proceedings depending on the severity of the criminal offense, as in criminal proceedings there is a single procedure and the same set of procedural rights.

Pulmonary vein isolation using Cryoballoon ablation versus RF ablation using ablation index following the CLOSE protocol: a Prospective Randomized Trial

Background The single procedure success rates of durable pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) varies between 80 and 90 %. This prospective, randomized study investigated the efficacy of Cryoballoon PVI (CBA) versus pulmonary vein isolation with RF-energy following the CLOSE protocol in terms of single-procedure arrhythmia-free outcome and safety. Methods and results A total number of 150 patients undergoing de-novo catheter ablation for paroxysmal AF were randomized to two different treatment arms in a 1:1 fashion. In group-A patients, PVI was performed with the Cryoballoon (Articfront Balloon, Medtronic Inc). The ablation procedure in group B was performed with RF-energy (CARTO 3, Biosense Webster Thermocool STSF), following the CLOSE protocol. During a mean follow-up of 12  4.5 months after a single procedure, 64 (85.33 %) patients of group A were free of arrhythmia recurrence versus 65 (86.67 %) patients in group B (p=ns). A total of 14 patients (group A: 7 (9.33 %) group B: 7 (9.33 %); p=ns) underwent a redo-procedure. No significant difference between both groups was observed in terms of PV recovery (group A: 4 (5.33 %) vs. group B: 3 (4 %); p=ns). Patients of group A showed significantly more AF recurrence during the blanking period of three months (group A: 14 (18.67 %) versus group B: 6 (8 %); p<0.05. Conclusions Cryoballoon PVI and PVI using ablation index following the CLOSE protocol are equally efficient in achieving durable PV-isolation. Cryoballoon ablation leads to significantly more AF recurrence during the blanking period.

6 Plantar plate repair – a single centre, single procedure case series

AimThe plantar plate (PP) is an important structure that maintains stability of the metatarsophalangeal joints1 and is commonly injured in athletes such as sprinters and ballet dancers. However, clinical outcomes following plantar plate repair are limited due to the lack of studies and the heterogeneity of surgical procedures.2 This retrospective case series reviews the pre- and post-operative outcomes of a single-procedure PP repair series.MethodsPatients who underwent PP repair using the Arthrex Complete Plantar Plate Repair System (CPR™) were identified in a single academic hospital centre. Pre- and post-operative outcomes were compared using clinical notes, radiological evaluation and the national podiatry surgery clinical outcomes database (PASCOM-10). Parameters measured included PP rupture grading, congruence, alignment, joint stability and Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ) scores.ResultsA total of 20 patients with confirmed PP rupture underwent CPR™ procedure with a team comprising 4 surgeons. Post-operative congruence correction was achieved in 95% of patients, whereas average alignment score (range 0–4) improved from 2.7 to 0.5 and joint stability score (range 0–4) from 2.6 to 0.25. MOXFQ functional outcome scores were available for 65% of patients, showing a 42%, 53% and 42% improvement for weightbearing (W/S), pain and social interaction (SI) domains respectively.ConclusionsThis is the first single-centre, single procedure PP repair case series. Objective radiological and clinical measures showed good improvement in the majority of patients. Functional outcome scores were more heterogeneous and limited by incomplete data collection. Our results appear replicable with no difference between surgeons performing the same procedure.ReferencesNery C, Coughlin M, Baumfeld D, Raduan F, Mann TS, Catena F. How to classify plantar plate injuries: parameters from history and physical examination. Rev Bras Ortop 2015; 50(6):720–728.Elmajee M, Shen Z, A’Court J, Pillai A. A Systematic Review of Plantar Plate Repair in the Management of Lesser Metatarsophalangeal Joint Instability. The Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery 2017; 56(6):1244–1248.

Prevalence and Predictors of Additional Ablation Beyond Pulmonary Vein Isolation in Patients With Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation

Background: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is an effective strategy in the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). Yet, there are limited data on additional ablation beyond PVI. In this study, we sought to assess the prevalence, predictors, and outcomes of additional ablation in PAF patients.Methods: A total of 537 consecutive patients with PAF were retrospectively evaluated for the index procedure. PVI was successfully conducted in all patients, after which electrophysiological study and drug provocation were performed, and additional ablations were delivered for concomitant arrhythmias, non-PV triggers, and low voltage zone (LVZ). The prevalence, predictors, and outcomes of additional ablation were analyzed.Results: Among 537 consecutive patients, 372 addition ablations were performed in 241 (44.88%) patients, including 252 (67.74%) concomitant arrhythmias in 198 (36.87%) patients, 56 (15.05%) non-PV triggers in 52 (9.68%) patients and 64 (17.20%) LVZ modification in 47 (8.75%) patients. Lower LVEF (OR = 0.937, p = 0.015), AF episode before procedure (OR = 2.990, p = 0.001), AF episode during procedure (OR = 1.998, p = 0.002) and AF episode induced after PVI (OR = 15.958, p &lt; 0.001) were independent predictors of additional ablation. Single-procedure free from atrial arrhythmias at 58.36 ± 7.12 months post-ablation was 70.48%.Conclusions: Additional ablations were common in patients with PAF for index procedure. Lower LVEF and AF episodes before, during the procedure, and induced after PVI predicts additional ablation.