Satellite assisted disrupted communications in OMNeT++: Experiments and IoT Case Study

In this work we discuss the utilization of micro-satellite constellations as effective infrastructures for the communication among ground stations or even among 'smart' devices in IoT scenarios. We design and implement a series of experiments in OMNeT++ (with the OS3 framework) and evaluate their results in different scenarios. Initially, we establish the necessary theoretical background for space communications, including satellite and constellation design features, with existing and novel satellite services in various areas of interest. Furthermore, we detail the OMNeT++ and OS3 frameworks and introduce the significant variables/parameters for our experiments. Our scenarios are presented in three groups, departing from the straightforward one sender - one receiver communication and proceeding with a topology of multiple neighboring ground stations transmitting pings. We conclude with an IoT Case Study in which we import real measurements from sensors of the SmartSantander test-bed. Through our experiments we observe the effect of simulation parameters such as the constellation design (e.g., the number of satellites and planes) and the intersatelliteLinks regarding the produced RTT and ping loss, while we also highlight their potential contribution on networking communications when disruptions dominate

Η σημασία του μηχανικού καθαρισμού του πεπτικού σωλήνος για την πρόληψη των μετεγχειρητικών λοιμώξεων στισ μείζονες ενδοκοιλιακές επεμβάσεις εκτός παχέος εντέρου

Η μικροβιακή διαμετάθεση αποτελεί πιθανώς την αιτία της λοίμωξης από εντερικής προέλευσης μικροοργανισμούς .οι Danner και συν(1988) βρήκαν μικροβιαιμία από εντερικής προέλευσης μικροοργανισμούς στο 54% των ασθενών μιας ΜΕΘ με τοξιναιμία και στο 24% χωρίς τοξιναιμία. Οι Fiddian-Green και Gnantz (1987) ενοχοποιούν την διαμετάθεση ως αιτία των λοιμώξεων από εντερικής προέλευσης μικροοργανισμούς στο 54%σε ασθενείς που υφίστανται χειρουργικές επεμβάσεις επί της κοιλιακής αορτής δεδομένου ότι η επίπτωση των λοιμώξεων αυτών αυξάνεται αλματωδώς όσο αυξάνεται η οξέωση του παχέος εντέρου ενδοβλεννογονίως. Η ενδοβλεννογόνιος οξέωση προηγείται κατά μερικές ημέρες των ενδοσκοπικών ευρημάτων της ισχαιμικής κολίτιδας η οποία έπεται κατά δυο ως δεκατέσσερις ημέρες της εμφάνισης μικροοργανισμών στο αίμα. Επίσης οι Fabian και συν(1988) απομόνωσαν εντερικής προέλευσης μικροοργανισμούς στο αίμα ασθενών της Μ.Ε.Θ, στην συντριπτική πλειοψηφία των οποίων συνοδευόταν από αύξηση των επίπεδων του γαλακτικού οξέος, που ερμηνεύτηκε ως ένδειξη ιστικής ισχαιμίας. (Antonsson και Fiddian-Green 1991).Από την παρούσα εργασία προκύπτουν αρκετά συμπεράσματα με πρώτο και κύριο την στατιστική απόδειξη της μειώσεως των λοιμώξεων όταν έχουμε μείωση του μικροβιακού φορτίου του εντέρου. Την μείωση αυτή την επιτύχαμε με τον μηχανικό καθαρισμό του εντέρου, μια διαδικασία εύκολη, χαμηλού κόστους και άριστα ανεκτή από τον ασθενή.ΕΝΔΕΙΚΤΙΚΗ ΒΙΒΛΙΟΓΡΑΦΙΑ1. Antonsson J.B. and Fiddian Green R.G. The role of the gut in shock and multiple system organ failure. Eur. J.Syrg. 157: 3, 19912. Berg R.D. Bacterial translocation from the gastrointestinal tract of mice receiving immunosuppressive agents. Current Microbiol. 8: 285, 1983 (ως Berg R.D. 1983).3. Cuevas P and Fine J. Route of absorption from the intestine in the non septic shock. J. Reticuloedothel. Soc 11: 535, 1972 (ως Cuevas και Fine 1972-β).4. Deitch E.A. Bacterial translocation from the gut. A mechanism of infection. J Burn Care Rehabit. 8- 475, 1987 (ως Deitch E.A 1987).5. Fiddian-Green R.G. Splachnic ischemia and multiple organ failure in the critically ill. Ann. Coll. Surg. Engl. 70: 128, 1988 (ως Fiddian Green R.G. 1988).6. Gans H. and Matsumoto K. The escape of endotoxine from the intestine S.G.O. 139:395, 1974.7. Haglund U, Abe T, Cren C, Braide L and Lundgreen O. The intestinal mucosal lesions in shock. Eur. Surg. Res. 8: 435,1976 (ως Hanglud και συν. 1976).8. Levin J.Tomasulo P.A. and Oser R.S. Detection of endotoxine in human blood and demonstration of an inhibitor. J. Lab. Clin. Med. 75: 903, 1070.9. Owens W.E. and Berg R.D. Bacterial translocation coli from the gastrointestinal tract of athymic (nu/nu) mice. Infect. Immun. 27: 461, 1980.10. Wells C.L, Maddaus M.A, Hechoreck R.P, Simmons R.I. Role of macrophage in tranlocation of intestinal bacteria. Arch. Sur

Effects of hospital facilities on patient outcomes after cancer surgery: an international, prospective, observational study

© 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 licenseBackground: Early death after cancer surgery is higher in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) compared with in high-income countries, yet the impact of facility characteristics on early postoperative outcomes is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the association between hospital infrastructure, resource availability, and processes on early outcomes after cancer surgery worldwide. Methods: A multimethods analysis was performed as part of the GlobalSurg 3 study—a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study of patients who had surgery for breast, colorectal, or gastric cancer. The primary outcomes were 30-day mortality and 30-day major complication rates. Potentially beneficial hospital facilities were identified by variable selection to select those associated with 30-day mortality. Adjusted outcomes were determined using generalised estimating equations to account for patient characteristics and country-income group, with population stratification by hospital. Findings: Between April 1, 2018, and April 23, 2019, facility-level data were collected for 9685 patients across 238 hospitals in 66 countries (91 hospitals in 20 high-income countries; 57 hospitals in 19 upper-middle-income countries; and 90 hospitals in 27 low-income to lower-middle-income countries). The availability of five hospital facilities was inversely associated with mortality: ultrasound, CT scanner, critical care unit, opioid analgesia, and oncologist. After adjustment for case-mix and country income group, hospitals with three or fewer of these facilities (62 hospitals, 1294 patients) had higher mortality compared with those with four or five (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3·85 [95% CI 2·58–5·75]; p<0·0001), with excess mortality predominantly explained by a limited capacity to rescue following the development of major complications (63·0% vs 82·7%; OR 0·35 [0·23–0·53]; p<0·0001). Across LMICs, improvements in hospital facilities would prevent one to three deaths for every 100 patients undergoing surgery for cancer. Interpretation: Hospitals with higher levels of infrastructure and resources have better outcomes after cancer surgery, independent of country income. Without urgent strengthening of hospital infrastructure and resources, the reductions in cancer-associated mortality associated with improved access will not be realised. Funding: National Institute for Health and Care Research

Global variation in postoperative mortality and complications after cancer surgery: a multicentre, prospective cohort study in 82 countries

© 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 licenseBackground: 80% of individuals with cancer will require a surgical procedure, yet little comparative data exist on early outcomes in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared postoperative outcomes in breast, colorectal, and gastric cancer surgery in hospitals worldwide, focusing on the effect of disease stage and complications on postoperative mortality. Methods: This was a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of consecutive adult patients undergoing surgery for primary breast, colorectal, or gastric cancer requiring a skin incision done under general or neuraxial anaesthesia. The primary outcome was death or major complication within 30 days of surgery. Multilevel logistic regression determined relationships within three-level nested models of patients within hospitals and countries. Hospital-level infrastructure effects were explored with three-way mediation analyses. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03471494. Findings: Between April 1, 2018, and Jan 31, 2019, we enrolled 15 958 patients from 428 hospitals in 82 countries (high income 9106 patients, 31 countries; upper-middle income 2721 patients, 23 countries; or lower-middle income 4131 patients, 28 countries). Patients in LMICs presented with more advanced disease compared with patients in high-income countries. 30-day mortality was higher for gastric cancer in low-income or lower-middle-income countries (adjusted odds ratio 3·72, 95% CI 1·70–8·16) and for colorectal cancer in low-income or lower-middle-income countries (4·59, 2·39–8·80) and upper-middle-income countries (2·06, 1·11–3·83). No difference in 30-day mortality was seen in breast cancer. The proportion of patients who died after a major complication was greatest in low-income or lower-middle-income countries (6·15, 3·26–11·59) and upper-middle-income countries (3·89, 2·08–7·29). Postoperative death after complications was partly explained by patient factors (60%) and partly by hospital or country (40%). The absence of consistently available postoperative care facilities was associated with seven to 10 more deaths per 100 major complications in LMICs. Cancer stage alone explained little of the early variation in mortality or postoperative complications. Interpretation: Higher levels of mortality after cancer surgery in LMICs was not fully explained by later presentation of disease. The capacity to rescue patients from surgical complications is a tangible opportunity for meaningful intervention. Early death after cancer surgery might be reduced by policies focusing on strengthening perioperative care systems to detect and intervene in common complications. Funding: National Institute for Health Research Global Health Research Unit