Development of quality metrics for ambulatory pediatric cardiology: Transposition of the great arteries after arterial switch operation

ObjectiveTo develop quality metrics (QMs) for the ambulatory care of patients with transposition of the great arteries following arterial switch operation (TGA/ASO).DesignUnder the auspices of the American College of Cardiology Adult Congenital and Pediatric Cardiology (ACPC) Steering committee, the TGA/ASO team generated candidate QMs related to TGA/ASO ambulatory care. Candidate QMs were submitted to the ACPC Steering Committee and were reviewed for validity and feasibility using individual expert panel member scoring according to the RANDâ UCLA methodology. QMs were then made available for review by the entire ACC ACPC during an â open comment period.â Final approval of each QM was provided by a vote of the ACC ACPC Council.PatientsPatients with TGA who had undergone an ASO were included. Patients with complex transposition were excluded.ResultsTwelve candidate QMs were generated. Seven metrics passed the RANDâ UCLA process. Four passed the â open comment periodâ and were ultimately approved by the Council. These included: (1) at least 1 echocardiogram performed during the first year of life reporting on the function, aortic dimension, degree of neoaortic valve insufficiency, the patency of the systemic and pulmonary outflows, the patency of the branch pulmonary arteries and coronary arteries, (2) neurodevelopmental (ND) assessment after ASO; (3) lipid profile by age 11 years; and (4) documentation of a transition of care plan to an adult congenital heart disease (CHD) provider by 18 years of age.ConclusionsApplication of the RANDâ UCLA methodology and linkage of this methodology to the ACPC approval process led to successful generation of 4 QMs relevant to the care of TGA/ASO pediatric patients in the ambulatory setting. These metrics have now been incorporated into the ACPC Quality Network providing guidance for the care of TGA/ASO patients across 30 CHD centers.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/142334/1/chd12540_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/142334/2/chd12540.pd

Comparative Performance Studies of Up- and Down-Milling on AA7075 Plate

The monitoring of machining has been the focus of widespread research in recent years because of its substantial contribution to manufacturing process automation. To maximise productivity, the spindle speed and feed have been increased, which has increased noise and temperature generation in the workpiece and tool. Such loud noise levels are uncomfortable for the operators, create stress, and have negative health effects, which reduces productivity. Controlling the temperature and noise produced during milling is crucial. Among its several series, the aluminium alloy 7075 (AA7075) is one of the strong alloys utilised in aircraft structural components. Hence, the present work examines the effect of spindle speed, feed, and depth of cut on noise and temperature generation during the end-milling of an AA7075 plate with 0.25-inch thickness. The sound and temperature were measured for both up- and down-milling processes and compared. In up-milling, the temperature and noise varied from 32.9 to 50.6 °C and 87.5 to 95 dB and the same were varied from 30.6 to 36.2 °C and 89.6 to 93.9 dB for down-milling. Finally, it was recommended that down-milling is the best process with low noise and temperature generation

5-Flourouracil Loaded N,O-Carboxymethyl Chitosan Nanoparticles as an Anticancer Nanomedicine for Breast Cancer

Chitosan and its carboxymethyl derivatives are smart biopolymers that are non-toxic, biocompatible, biodegradable and hence found applications in biomedical field. In the current work, we have developed 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) loaded N,O-carboxymethyl chitosan (N,O-CMC) nanoparticles (mean diameter: 80±20 nm, zeta potential: +52±47±2 mV) for cancer drug delivery. Drug entrapment efficiency (65%) and in vitro drug release studies were carried out spectrophotometricaly. Cellular internalization of the drug loaded nanoparticles was confirmed by fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometric analysis. Results of anticancer activity via MTT, apoptosis and caspase 3 assays showed the toxicity of the drug loaded nanoparticles towards breast cancer cells. As a whole these results indicates the potential of 5-FU loaded N,O-CMC nanoparticles in breast cancer chemotherapy in which the side effects of conventional chemo treatment could be reduced. Furthermore, the results of in vitro hemolytic assay and coagulation assay substantiate the blood compatibility of the system as well

Combinatorial anticancer effects of curcumin and 5-fluorouracil loaded thiolated chitosan nanoparticles towards colon cancer treatment

Background Evaluation of the combinatorial anticancer effects of curcumin/5-fluorouracil loaded thiolated chitosan nanoparticles (CRC-TCS-NPs/5-FU-TCS-NPs) on colon cancer cells and the analysis of pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of CRC-TCS-NPs/5-FU-TCS-NPs in a mouse model. Methods CRC-TCS-NPs/5-FU-TCS-NPs were developed by ionic cross-linking. The in vitro combinatorial anticancer effect of the nanomedicine was proven by different assays. Further the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution analyses were performed in Swiss Albino mouse using HPLC. Results The 5-FU-TCS-NPs (size: 150 ± 40 nm, zeta potential: + 48.2 ± 5 mV) and CRC-TCS-NPs (size: 150 ± 20 nm, zeta potential: + 35.7 ± 3 mV) were proven to be compatible with blood. The in vitro drug release studies at pH 4.5 and 7.4 showed a sustained release profile over a period of 4 days, where both the systems exhibited a higher release in acidic pH. The in vitro combinatorial anticancer effects in colon cancer (HT29) cells using MTT, live/dead, mitochondrial membrane potential and cell cycle analysis measurements confirmed the enhanced anticancer effects (2.5 to 3 fold). The pharmacokinetic studies confirmed the improved plasma concentrations of 5-FU and CRC up to 72 h, unlike bare CRC and 5-FU. Conclusions To conclude, the combination of 5-FU-TCS-NPs and CRC-TCS-NPs showed enhanced anticancer effects on colon cancer cells in vitro and improved the bioavailability of the drugs in vivo. General significance The enhanced anticancer effects of combinatorial nanomedicine are advantageous in terms of reduction in the dosage of 5-FU, thereby improving the chemotherapeutic efficacy and patient compliance of colorectal cancer cases

Synthesis and Characterization of Starch-Based Bioplastics: A Promising Alternative for a Sustainable Future

With over 9 million additional tons of plastic waste entering the oceans each year, 165 million tons of plastic waste have already defiled our oceans. Considering that just 9% of plastic is recycled, the rest of the waste contaminates the environment or is dumped in landfills, where it can take up to 500 years to degrade while releasing hazardous chemicals into the soil. The bioplastics prepared in this study were obtained from tapioca and sweet potato using plasticizers like glycerol in various combinations. The biodegradability and mechanical and physical properties were analyzed. The tensile strengths of the prepared bioplastic films were 4.25 and 2.35 MPa with elongation at break (EAB) of 39.5% and 25.4% for tapioca and sweet potato bioplastics, respectively. The biodegradability of the films was examined, and thus, the obtained bioplastics in the study are shown to be a good alternative to the existing plastics

Chitin and chitosan in selected biomedical applications

Chitin (CT), the well-known natural biopolymer and chitosan (CS) (bio-based or "artificial polymer") are non-toxic, biodegradable and biocompatible in nature. The advantages of these biomaterials are such that, they can be easily processed into different forms such as membranes, sponges, gels, scaffolds, microparticles, nanoparticles and nanofibers for a variety of biomedical applications such as drug delivery, gene therapy, tissue engineering and wound healing. Present review focuses on the diverse applications of CT and CS membranes and scaffolds for drug delivery, tissue engineering and targeted regenerative medicine. The chitinous scaffolds of marine sponges' origin are discussed here for the first time. These CT based scaffolds obtained from Porifera possess remarkable and unique properties such as hydration, interconnected channels and diverse structural architecture. This review will provide a brief overview of CT and CS membranes and scaffolds toward different kinds of delivery applications such as anticancer drug delivery, osteogenic drug delivery, and growth factor delivery, because of their inimitable release behavior, degradation profile, mucoadhesive nature, etc. The review also provides an overview of the key features of CT and CS membranes and scaffolds such as their biodegradability, cytocompatibility and mechanical properties toward applications in tissue engineering and wound healing