Analysis of the effect of renal excretory system cooling during thermal radiofrequency ablation in an animal model

Objective: Analysis of renal excretory system integrity and efficacy of radiofrequency ablation with and without irrigation with saline at 2 o C (SF2). Materials and Methods: The median third of sixteen kidneys were submitted to radiofrequency (exposition of 1 cm) controlled by intra-surgical ultrasound, with eight minutes cycles and median temperature of 90 o C in eight female pigs. One excretory renal system was cooled with SF2, at a 30ml/min rate, and the other kidney was not. After 14 days of post-operatory, the biggest diameters of the lesions and the radiological aspects of the excretory system were compared by bilateral ascending pyelogram and the animals were sacrificed in order to perform histological analysis. Results: There were no significant differences between the diameters of the kidney lesions whether or not exposed to cooling of the excretory system. Median diameter of the cooled kidneys and not cooled kidneys were respectively (in mm): anteroposterior: 11.46 vs. 12.5 (p = 0.23); longitudinal: 17.94 vs. 18.84 (p = 0.62); depth: 11.38 vs. 12.25 (p = 0.47). There was no lesion of the excretory system or signs of leakage of contrast media or hydronephrosis at ascending pyelogram. Conclusion: Cooling of excretory system during radiofrequency ablation does not significantly alter generated coagulation necrosis or affect the integrity of the excretory system in the studied model.Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas Faculty of MedicineRadium InstituteFederal University of São PauloUniversity of Campinas School of Medical SciencesUNIFESPSciEL

Analysis Of The Effect Of Renal Excretory System Cooling During Thermal Radiofrequency Ablation In An Animal Model.

Analysis of renal excretory system integrity and efficacy of radiofrequency ablation with and without irrigation with saline at 2°C (SF2). The median third of sixteen kidneys were submitted to radiofrequency (exposition of 1 cm) controlled by intra-surgical ultrasound, with eight minutes cycles and median temperature of 90°C in eight female pigs. One excretory renal system was cooled with SF2, at a 30mL/min rate, and the other kidney was not. After 14 days of post-operatory, the biggest diameters of the lesions and the radiological aspects of the excretory system were compared by bilateral ascending pyelogram and the animals were sacrificed in order to perform histological analysis. There were no significant differences between the diameters of the kidney lesions whether or not exposed to cooling of the excretory system. Median diameter of the cooled kidneys and not cooled kidneys were respectively (in mm): anteroposterior: 11.46 vs. 12.5 (p = 0.23); longitudinal: 17.94 vs. 18.84 (p = 0.62); depth: 11.38 vs. 12.25 (p = 0.47). There was no lesion of the excretory system or signs of leakage of contrast media or hydronephrosis at ascending pyelogram. Cooling of excretory system during radiofrequency ablation does not sig¬nificantly alter generated coagulation necrosis or affect the integrity of the excretory system in the studied model.4093-

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

Profile of sexuality and symptoms of lower urinary tract in non-institutionalized elderly

As disfunções urinárias ou sexuais do idoso são subnotificadas. Porém, são de alta prevalência e associadas a diversos prejuízos psicossociais. O presente estudo visa à identificação da prevalência dessas condições por meio de questionários. Utilizou-se o Androgen Deficiency in Aging Male (ADAM) para avaliação de função sexual do homem, questões sobre função sexual feminina e masculina e, o International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) para avaliação de função urinária masculina e feminina. Temos o objetivo de realizar uma investigação nos indivíduos não institucionalizados, acima de 60 anos de idade, para obtermos dados referentes à sua saúde sexual e urinária nas cidades: São Paulo, Campinas, Santo André, São Bernardo do Campo, São Caetano e Londrina. Foram distribuídos cerca de 6000 questionários, sendo utilizados para estudo 3425, com 1575 homens e 1850 mulheres. Em relação ao ADAM, obtivemos 92,49% dos 1385 avaliados com suspeita de apresentarem distúrbio androgênico do envelhecimento masculino (DAEM). Quanto à função sexual masculina, evidenciamos que 383 (32,19%) apresentavam queixas eretivas, 458 (37,54%) de ejaculação precoce e 790 (59,13%) admitiram a necessidade de tratamento para melhorar o desempenho sexual. Quanto à função sexual feminina, 1300 (74,07%) não praticam relação sexual e os principais motivos foram: falta de parceiro, falta de desejo sexual e problema de saúde do parceiro. Além disso, 988 (78,41%) das mulheres que não têm relação sexual admitem estar bem assim e não querem sexo e mais importante: aproximadamente 21% dessas gostariam de ter relação sexual. Quanto à qualidade da relação sexual feminina, 272 (64,92%) acham a relação boa para ambos, 105 (25,06%) boa só para o parceiro e 33 (7,88%) ruim para ambos. Em relação ao IPSS masculino, observamos piora gradual no padrão miccional com o aumento da idade, dos sintomas moderados e graves, principalmente após os 75 anos, sendo os mais prevalentes: nictúria, urgência miccional e aumento da frequência urinária. Quanto ao IPSS feminino, notamos que, mesmo após os 80 anos, a maioria das mulheres (53,37%) apresenta sintomas leves relacionados à disfunção miccional; com o aumento da idade, ocorre um aumento gradual do resultado do IPSS, relacionado com os sintomas moderados e graves, sendo que o pico ocorre após os oitenta anos. Sendo assim, devido ao grande número de distúrbios sexuais e urinários encontrados, deixamos um alerta para que um maior número de medidas de Saúde Pública sejam implantadas, melhorando promover uma melhor qualidade de vida nessa população idosaUrinary or sexual dysfunction in the elderly are underreported. However, are highly prevalent and associated with various psychosocial damage. This study aims to identify the prevalence of these conditions. We used the Androgen Deficiency in Aging Male (ADAM) to assess sexual function of men, questions of male and female sexual function, and the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) for evaluation the urinary function. The aim is to carry out an investigation in non-institutionalized individuals over 60 years of age, to obtain data on its sexual and urinary health in: São Paulo, Campinas, Santo André, São Bernardo do Campo, São Caetano and Londrina. They were distributed about 6,000 questionnaires being used to study 3425, with 1575 men and 1850 women. Compared to ADAM, obtained 92.49% of the 1385 evaluated suspected of presenting androgen disorder of aging male (ADAM). As for the male sexual function, we showed that 383 (32.19%) had erective complaints, 458 (37.54%) of premature ejaculation and 790 (59.13%) admitted the need for treatment to improve sexual performance. As for the female sexual function, 1300 (74.07%) did not practice sexual intercourse and the main reasons were: lack of partner, lack of sexual desire and partner health problem. In addition, 988 (78.41%) of women who haven\'t sexual intercourse admit to being like that and not want sex and, more importantly, about 21% of them would like to have sexual intercourse. As for the quality of the female sex, 272 (64.92%) think the relation is good for both, 105 (25.06%) only good for the partner and 33 (7.88%) bad for both. IPSS when compared to males, we see gradual worsening of urinary pattern with increasing age, related with the moderate and severe symptoms, especially after 75 years, being the most prevalents: nocturia, urinary urgency and urinary frequency. As for the female IPSS, we note that even after 80 years, the majority of women (53.37%) have mild symptoms related to voiding dysfunction; with increasing age there is a gradual increase in the result of the IPSS, associated with moderate and severe symptoms, where the peak occurs after the age of eighty. Thus, due to the large number of sexual and urinary disorders found, left a warning to a greater number of public health measures are implemented, improving promote a better quality of life in this elderly populatio

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study

Background: Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods: The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18-49, 50-69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results: NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year. Conclusion: As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study

Background Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18-49, 50-69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year. Conclusion As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population.The aim of this study was to inform vaccination prioritization by modelling the impact of vaccination on elective inpatient surgery. The study found that patients aged at least 70 years needing elective surgery should be prioritized alongside other high-risk groups during early vaccination programmes. Once vaccines are rolled out to younger populations, prioritizing surgical patients is advantageous