High Effective Sensitivity, Wide Working Range of Melt-blown Nonwoven Conductive Substrates for Smart Wearable Strain Sensors

High sensitivity, wide working range and flexible portability of strain sensors are crucial for smart wearable applications. To obtain these performances, several elastic melt-blown nonwoven substrates with excellent flexibility and high conductivity were developed by loading with polypyrrole through a double-dipping and double-rolling finishing method. The structure and conductivity are characterized by scanning electron microscope, infrared spectrometer, digital source meter and so on. The results indicate that the conductivity of prepared substrates is affected by the pyrrole concentration and polypyrrole amount deposited in nonwovens. Obviously, the conductivity and sensitivity of substrates as strain sensors are highly and positively correlated to the fiber orientation in nonwovens, and the effective working range and corresponding sensitivity of sensors are determined by the elastic deformation interval of melt-blown substrate. When the pyrrole concentration is 5.5%, the nonwoven substrate with 45.30% porosity possesses the anisotropic optimal conductivity with 23.491 S m-1 along winding direction and 15.063 S m-1 along width direction. Moreover, the as-prepared flexible conductive substrate exhibits the characteristics of wide working strain range (0-24.2%), high sensitivity with 1.94 gauge factor at the range, fast response (0.023 s), tiny hysteresis (0.011s), high durability and stability after 1000 cycles. Furthermore, the as-prepared sensor provides an effective method to prepare smart wearable strain sensors used as the monitor of finger bending in details and the precise recognition of human voice changes.

A retrospective case study of laryngeal edema causing airway obstruction immediately post COVID-19 vaccination

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Laryngeal edema is defined as abnormal accumulation of fluid and swelling in the tissues of the larynx commonly associated with laryngeal injuries and allergic causes. The objective of this study is for the prompt recognition and management of laryngeal edema caused by an anaphylaxis reaction after receiving the COVID-19 vaccination from Pfizer-BioNTech, which is extremely important in view of its high morbidity and mortality rate.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> A retrospective case reviews was conducted for all health care workers in Sabah who were administered COVID-19 vaccination from Pfizer-BioNTech from February 2021-April 2021.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> The mean age of study population in present study was found to be 33 years. Total of 42 patients were admitted during the period of 6 weeks out of 5000 health care workers who were vaccinated. Females constituted 64.3% of the study population while males constituted 35.7%. The clinical signs of laryngeal edema were dysphagia; the sensation of a lump in the throat; a feeling of tightness in the throat; voice changes, including hoarseness and roughness; and dyspnea within the period of 3 to 5 minutes post Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination. All patients received appropriate management using standard guidelines.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> The administration of the COVID-19 vaccination from Pfizer-BioNTech is life-threatening, however, its identification may aid in prompt emergency management in the future. Referral to an otorhinolaryngologist is necessary for patients who experience immediate or severe reactions.</p>

SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH DIFFERENT DEGREES OF MEGAESOPHAGUS IN CHAGAS DISEASE

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Dysphagia is the most frequent digestive symptom in Chagas disease, although other symptoms are reported. These symptoms can be associated with the degree of radiological impairment of the esophagus and the duration of dysphagia. OBJECTIVE: This investigation aimed to assess the symptoms and the time of dysphagia related to the different degrees of megaesophagus in patients with Chagas disease. METHODS: A total of 29 patients aged 48 to 73 years participated in this investigation. All of them had dysphagia and a positive serum result for Chagas disease. They were submitted to the assessment of symptoms and radiological examination of the esophagus to assess the degree of megaesophagus, which ranged from I (mild change) to IV (intense change). Dysphagia was quantified with the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10). RESULTS: Twelve (41%) patients had megaesophagus degree I, 9 (31%) had degree II, and 8 (28%) had degrees III (6) and IV (2). The intensity of dysphagia was not related to the result of the radiological examination, with EAT-10 median of 5.5 for the degree I, 9.0 for degree II, and 5.5 for degrees III and IV (P>0.25). Choking (14%), regurgitation (21%), voice complaint (21%), weight loss (17%), and odynophagia (17%) were not related to the degree of megaesophagus. Voice changes and odynophagia were related to the patients’ time of dysphagia. Likewise, the frequency of symptoms and EAT-10 values were related to the duration of dysphagia. CONCLUSION: The longer the patient had dysphagia, the more frequent were the symptoms reported by the patients. There was no relationship between the degrees of megaesophagus and the symptoms and intensity of dysphagia.

Intermittent Vagal Nerve Stimulation-Associated Vocal Fold Movement Impairment

Objectives: Implanted vagal nerve stimulators (VNS) are an accepted therapy for refractory seizures. However, VNS have been shown to affect vocal fold function, leading to voice complaints of hoarseness. We present a case of intermittent VNS-related vocal fold paralysis leading to dysphonia and dysphagia with aspiration in a pediatric patient. Methods: This is a case report of a patient at a tertiary hospital evaluated in pediatric swallow and voice clinics. Patient and mother gave verbal consent to be included in this case report. Results: Indirect laryngeal stroboscopy was performed demonstrating full vocal fold mobility with VNS off and left vocal fold paralysis in lateral position and glottic gap with VNS on. Voice measures were performed demonstrating decreased phonation time, lower pitch, and decreased intensity of voice with VNS on. Flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing demonstrated deep penetration alone with VNS off and deep penetration with concern for aspiration with VNS on. Conclusions: While the majority of cases of vocal fold movement impairment associated with VNS have been noted to have a medialized vocal fold with VNS activation, we describe a case of intermittent vocal fold lateralization associated with VNS activation with resultant voice changes and aspiration.