Using the post‐operative quality recovery scale to evaluate recovery with different neuromuscular blocking reversal agentsin the Portuguese population ‐ interim analysis results: 1AP3‐8

Background and Goal of Study: Post-operative Quality Recovery Scale (PQRS), is the first scale evaluating several domains of postoperative recovery. The objectives of this study were to compare overal and physiologic, cognitive, and functional domains of post-operative recovery af ter elective surgical procedures using neostigmine or sugammadex as neuromuscular blocking (NMB) reversal agents, to validate the use of PQRS in the Portuguese population and to objectively assess muscular strength recovery. Materials and Methods: Prospective multicenter observational study comparing postoperative recovery between 2 cohorts of 50 adult patients submitted to elective surgical procedures with general anesthesia using Nondepolarizing Muscle Relaxants and NMB reversal with neostigmine or sugammadex. Measurements obtained using Portuguese version of PQRS at dif ferent timepoint: baseline,15 minutes (T15), 40 minutes (T40), one and three days af ter surgery. Full recovery defined as return to values identical or higher than those measured at baseline, prior to surgery. Muscular strength measured with KERN- MAP® Dynamometer. Ethics Committees approval was obtained. Statistics used linear T-Test, Qui Square and Fisher exact test, data presented as mean±SD for continuous variables. Interim analysis results presented Results and Discussion: Thirty patients received neostigmine and 21 sugammadex. Age and BMI 50.4±11.8 and 28.6±5.6 in the neostigmine group and 38.2±12.7 and 24.7± 4.5 in the sugammadex group (p< 0,001). Overall response rate at T15 was 86% for neostigmine and 95% for sugammadex (p= 0.22). Dif ferences in favor of sugammadex group noted in nociceptive and emotional domains, 80 vs 100% respectively (p=0.04). Overall response rate at T40 was 80% for neostigmine and 65% for sugammadex (p=0.33), primarily reflecting constraints on activities of daily life. Muscular strength did not dif fer. Improvements in recovery scores from T15 to T40 were observed in both groups, without significant dif ferences . Postoperative assessments were feasible using PQRS at T15 and T40 and seem appropriate for comparisons between postoperative recovery domains and overall recovery . These preliminary results suggest nociceptive and emotional domains recovery at T15 may be faster with sugammadex. Conclusion: The results support the adopted PQRS validation process and the potential of this scale as a tool for the evaluation of post operative recovery evaluation in the Portuguese populatio

An automated multiwell plate reading film microscope for live cell autofluorescence lifetime assays

Fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) is increasingly used to read out cellular autofluorescence originating from the coenzyme NADH in the context of investigating cell metabolic state. We present here an automated multiwell plate reading FLIM microscope optimized for UV illumination with the goal of extending high content fluorescence lifetime assays to readouts of metabolism. We demonstrate its application to automated cellular autofluorescence lifetime imaging and discuss the key practical issues associated with its implementation. In particular, we illustrate its capability to read out the NADH-lifetime response of cells to metabolic modulators, thereby illustrating the potential of the instrument for cytotoxicity studies, assays for drug discovery and stratified medicine

Diseño de un modelo de simulación para la gestión de riesgos de mercado en Mercados de Energía Eléctrica: caso MVM

El presente trabajo de investigación revisa los métodos y técnicas para la gestión de riesgos financieros de mercado y las variables que son consideradas para tal fin. Tiene como objetivo proponer un modelo de simulación que incluya los elementos requeridos para la gestión de dichos riesgos el cual servirá de apoyo para el mercado eléctrico mayorista de México. Este modelo se utilizará como base para que, en un futuro cercano, MVM Ingeniería de Software S.A.S. desarrolle el módulo o producto a incorporar en la plataforma Energy Suite, permitiendo ampliar el alcance del producto.The present research work reviews the methods and techniques for managing the financial risks of the market and the variables that are considered for that purpose. Its objective is to propose a simulation model that corresponds to the elements required for the management of said risks, which is the support service for the wholesale electricity market in Mexico. This model is used as a basis for the near future, MVM Ingeniería de Software S.A.S. develop the module or product to be incorporated into the Energy Suite platform, to expand the scope of the product.Magíster en Ingeniería de SoftwareMaestrí

Escore CR‐POSSUM e Índice de Apgar Cirúrgico como fatores preditivos para a alocação de pacientes após cirurgia colorretal

Background and objectives: Surgical patients frequently require admission in high-dependency units or intensive care units. Resources are scarce and there are no universally accepted admission criteria, so patients' allocation must be optimized. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between postoperative destination of patients submitted to colorectal surgery and the scores ColoRectal Physiological and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and Morbidity (CR-POSSUM) and Surgical Apgar Score (SAS) and, secondarily find cut-offs to aid this allocation. Methods: A cross-sectional prospective observational study, including all adult patients undergoing colorectal surgery during a 2 years period. Data collected from the electronic clinical process and anesthesia records. Results: A total of 358 patients were included. Median score for SAS was 8 and CR-POSSUM had a median mortality probability of 4.5%. Immediate admission on high-dependency units/intensive care units occurred in 51 patients and late admission in 18. Scores from ward and high-dependency units/intensive care units patients were statistically different (SAS: 8 vs. 7, p<0.001; CR-POSSUM: 4.4% vs. 15.9%, p<0.001). Both scores were found to be predictors of immediate postoperative destination (p<0.001). Concerning immediate high-dependency units/intensive care units admission, CR-POSSUM showed a strong association (AUC 0.78, p=0.034) with a ≥9.16 cut-off point (sensitivity: 62.5%; specificity: 75.2%), outperforming SAS (AUC 0.67, p=0.048), with a ≤7 cut-off point (sensitivity: 67.3%; specificity: 56.1%). Conclusions: Both CR-POSSUM and SAS were associated with the clinical decision to admit a patient to the high-dependency units/intensive care units immediately after surgery. CR-POSSUM alone showed a better discriminative capacity.Justificativa e objetivos Os pacientes cirúrgicos com frequência precisam de internação em unidade de alta dependência ou unidade de terapia intensiva. Os recursos são escassos e não há critérios de admissão universalmente aceitos; portanto, a alocação dos pacientes precisa ser aprimorada. O objetivo primário deste estudo foi investigar a relação entre o destino dos pacientes após cirurgia colorretal e o Índice de Apgar Cirúrgico (IAC) e o escore CR‐POSSUM – do inglês ColoRectal Physiological and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and Morbidity – e, secundariamente, descobrir pontos de corte para auxiliar essa alocação. Métodos Estudo prospectivo de observação transversal, incluiu todos os pacientes adultos submetidos à cirurgia colorretal durante um período de dois anos. Os dados foram coletados do prontuário clínico eletrônico e dos registros de anestesia. Resultados Foram incluídos 358 pacientes. A mediana para o IAC foi 8 e para a probabilidade de mortalidade no CR‐POSSUM, 4,5%. A admissão imediata em unidade de alta dependência/unidade de terapia intensiva ocorreu em 51 pacientes e a admissão tardia em 18. Os escores dos pacientes na enfermaria e na unidade de alta dependência/unidade de terapia intensiva foram estatisticamente diferentes (tempo de internação: 8 vs. 7, p < 0,001; CR‐POSSUM: 4,4% vs. 15,9%, p < 0,001). Os dois escores foram preditivos do destino imediato pós‐cirurgia (p < 0,001). Em relação à admissão imediata em UAD/UTI, CR‐POSSUM mostrou uma forte associação (ASC 0,78; p = 0,034) com um ponto de corte ≥ 9,16 (sensibilidade: 62,5%; especificidade: 75,2%), superou o IAC (ASC 0,67, p = 0,048), com ponto de corte ≤ 7 (sensibilidade: 67,3%; especificidade: 56,1%). Conclusões Tanto o CR‐POSSUM quanto o IAC foram associados à decisão clínica de admitir um paciente em unidade de alta dependência/unidade de terapia intensiva imediatamente após a cirurgia. CR‐POSSUM isolado mostrou uma capacidade discriminativa melhor.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Validation of the Portuguese Version of the Postoperative Quality Recovery Scale (PostopQRS)

Introduction: The Postoperative Quality Recovery Scale is a brief instrument of six domains designed to assess quality of recovery from early to long term after surgery. This study aims to validate the Portuguese version of the Postoperative Quality Recovery Scale. Material and Methods: In this observational study 101 adult patients undergoing elective surgery completed the Postoperative Quality Recovery Scale at 15 minutes and 40 minutes, one and three days after surgery. Three constructs were assessed for validity: increased recovery over time; effect of gender and recovery association with muscle strength. Reliability, responsiveness, feasibility and acceptability were also assessed. Results: Construct validity was shown by increased recovery over time; worse recovery for female patients in emotive, nociceptive, activities of daily living and overall recovery; improved muscle strength in recovered patients. Internal consistency for activities of daily living was acceptable at all-time points (Cronbach’s α value of 0.772 or higher), indicating scale reliability. The scale was able to detect differences in postoperative quality of recovery between the neuromuscular blockade reversal agents, neostigmine and sugammadex, indicating scale responsiveness. The time to conduct the Portuguese version at baseline was 95 - 581 seconds (median 319 seconds) and it was reduced with subsequent assessments. The proportion of patients completing all scale items was 87%, 75%, 65% and 94% for the four time periods evaluated, indicating scale feasibility and acceptability. Discussion: This study shows that the Portuguese version of the Postoperative Quality Recovery Scale, demonstrates construct validity, reliability, responsiveness, feasibility and acceptability. Conclusions: This study allowed validation of the Portuguese version of the Postoperative Quality Recovery Scale

Real-time multispectral fluorescence lifetime imaging using Single Photon Avalanche Diode arrays

Autofluorescence spectroscopy has emerged in recent years as a powerful tool to report label-free contrast between normal and diseased tissues, both in vivo and ex vivo. We report the development of an instrument employing Single Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) arrays to realize real-time multispectral autofluorescence lifetime imaging at a macroscopic scale using handheld single-point fibre optic probes, under bright background conditions. At the detection end, the fluorescence signal is passed through a transmission grating and both spectral and temporal information are encoded in the SPAD array. This configuration allows interrogation in the spectral range of interest in real time. Spatial information is provided by an external camera together with a guiding beam that provides a visual reference that is tracked in real-time. Through fast image processing and data analysis, fluorescence lifetime maps are augmented on white light images to provide feedback of the measurements in real-time. We validate and demonstrate the practicality of this technique in the reference fluorophores and in articular cartilage samples mimicking the degradation that occurs in osteoarthritis. Our results demonstrate that SPADs together with fibre probes can offer means to report autofluorescence spectral and lifetime contrast in real-time and thus are suitable candidates for in situ tissue diagnostics

Cell surface engineering tools for programming living assemblies

Breakthroughs in precision cell surface engineering tools are supporting the rapid development of programmable living assemblies with valuable features for tackling complex biological problems. Herein, the authors overview the most recent technological advances in chemically- and biologically-driven toolboxes for engineering mammalian cell surfaces and triggering their assembly into living architectures. A particular focus is given to surface engineering technologies for enabling biomimetic cell–cell social interactions and multicellular cell-sorting events. Further advancements in cell surface modification technologies may expand the currently available bioengineering toolset and unlock a new generation of personalized cell therapeutics with clinically relevant biofunctionalities. The combination of state-of-the-art cell surface modifications with advanced biofabrication technologies is envisioned to contribute toward generating living materials with increasing tissue/organ-mimetic bioactivities and therapeutic potential.publishe

Multispectral depth-resolved fluorescence lifetime spectroscopy using SPAD array detectors and fiber probes

Single Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) arrays are increasingly exploited and have demonstrated potential in biochemical and biomedical research, both for imaging and single-point spectroscopy applications. In this study, we explore the application of SPADs together with fiber-optic-based delivery and collection geometry to realize fast and simultaneous single-point time-, spectral-, and depth-resolved fluorescence measurements at 375 nm excitation light. Spectral information is encoded across the columns of the array through grating-based dispersion, while depth information is encoded across the rows thanks to a linear arrangement of probe collecting fibers. The initial characterization and validation were realized against layered fluorescent agarose-based phantoms. To verify the practicality and feasibility of this approach in biological specimens, we measured the fluorescence signature of formalin-fixed rabbit aorta samples derived from an animal model of atherosclerosis. The initial results demonstrate that this detection configuration can report fluorescence spectral and lifetime contrast originating at different depths within the specimens. We believe that our optical scheme, based on SPAD array detectors and fiber-optic probes, constitute a powerful and versatile approach for the deployment of multidimensional fluorescence spectroscopy in clinical applications where information from deeper tissue layers is important for diagnosis