Antibacterial Polysiloxane Polymers and Coatings for Cochlear Implants

Within this study, new materials were synthesized and characterized based on polysiloxane modified with different ratios of N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) and crosslinked via UV-assisted thiol-ene addition, in order to obtain efficient membranes able to resist bacterial adherence and biofilm formation. These membranes were subjected to in vitro testing for microbial adherence against S. pneumoniae using standardized tests. WISTAR rats were implanted for 4 weeks with crosslinked siloxane samples without and with NAC. A set of physical characterization methods was employed to assess the chemical structure and morphological aspects of the new synthetized materials before and after contact with the microbiological medium

SYSTEMIC CORTICOSTEROIDS ASSOCIATED WITH INTRATYMPANIC CORTICOSTEROID TREATMENT FOR IDIOPATHIC SUDDEN HEARING LOSS

Objectives In this study we analyzed hearing recovery rates in patients diagnose with ISSHL after steroid treatment. We evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of intratympanic dexamethasone (ITD) injections added to systemic steroids(salvage therapy) in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) and of ITD therapy as first line therapy. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed for patients diagnose with ISSNHL from last three years. Inclusion criteria define ISSNHL. Patients were treated with systemic corticoid therapy (Solu-medrol) and/or intratympanic therapy (Dexamethasone). Results Outcomes were analyzed as a function of the type of therapy, time to treatment and response. 68,8% of patients responded to treatment with steroid, while 42,22 % failed initial treatment with systemic steroid. 36,8 % of the nonresponders to systemic therapy, opted to receiving ITS salvage therapy. Conclusion Current findings recommend treating ISSNHL with both ITS and OS initially. In patient who do not tolerate OS, ITS should be attempted as first line therapy. ITS injections are an effective salvage therapy after failure with OS

COCHLEAR IMPLANTATION IN A CHILD WITH COMPLEX BILATERAL INNER EAR AND COCHLEO-VESTIBULAR NERVE MALFORMATIONS

Introduction: The cochlear implantation in patients with inner ear malformation has always been a challenge even to the most experienced clinicians. We present the case of a child of 8 years old with profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and the absence of language development with indication of cochlear implantation as single solution for hearing and speech rehabilitation. Methods: The audiological assessment indicates the cochlear implantation. Preoperative CT scan revealed a bilateral inner ear malformation (cochlear common cavity deformity on the right side, cochlear aplasia on the left ear and bilateral vestibular malformation). Brain magnetic resonance showed the presence of auditory nerve only to the right side. The girl was implanted on the right ear in the common cavity with an Advanced Bionics device, HiRes90K with HiFocus1j electrode. Results: The insertion of the portelectrode inside the malformed inner ear was confirmed by X-ray. Audiological evaluation had shown an average of hearing thresholds at 36,25 dB HL in free field pure tone audiometry at 22 months post-implantation. The speech perception was evaluated according to CAP (categories of auditory performance) index at 5 and to the speech intelligibility rating scale (SIR) to 3. Conclusions: The children with inner ear malformations can safely benefit of cochlear implantation. The results for tonal hearing were close to that of cochlear implanted children with normal ear anatomy, but were limited for speech understanding and speech production

Aflatoxins in Feed: Types, Metabolism, Health Consequences in Swine and Mitigation Strategies

Feeding farm animals with aflatoxin-contaminated feed can cause various severe toxic effects, leading to increased susceptibility to infectious diseases and increased mortality, weight loss, poor performance and reduced reproductive capability. Following ingestion of contaminated foodstuffs, aflatoxins are metabolized and biotransformed differently in animals. Swine metabolism is not effective in detoxifying and excreting aflatoxins, meaning the risk of aflatoxicosis is increased. Thus, it is of great importance to elucidate the metabolism and all metabolic pathways associated with this mycotoxin. The damage induced by AFB1 in cells and tissues consists of inhibition of cell proliferation, carcinogenicity, immunosuppression, mutagenicity, oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation and DNA damage, leading to pathological lesions in the liver, spleen, lymph node, kidney, uterus, heart, and lungs of swine. At present, it is a challenging task and of serious concern to completely remove aflatoxins and their metabolites from feedstuff; thus, the aim of this study was a literature review on the deleterious effects of aflatoxins on swine metabolism, as well as alternatives that contribute to the detoxification or amelioration of aflatoxin-induced effects in farm animal feed

Spontaneous Pulmonary Hematoma: Case Report of a Giant Post-COVID-19 Hematoma and Literature Review

Pulmonary hematomas are a rare pathology. Although they are usually reported post-traumatically, there are also spontaneous forms in pulmonary pathologies or during drug therapy. In these spontaneous entities, primitive forms are rarely described, although the contributory local pulmonary pathological terrain or a specific associated medication has not yet been identified. We present the case of a patient who developed a giant pulmonary hematoma that appeared spontaneously during recovery from COVID-19 infection. It appeared in one of the two bullae-like cystic lung lesions developed during secondary COVID-19 infection. The clinical impact was major, with hypotension and anemia being observed, requiring hemodynamic support and the adjustment of drug therapy. The clinical course was favorable, with a quasi-complete resolution of both the hematoma and a second cystic lesion being observable at 8 months by pulmonary remodeling. Spontaneous pulmonary hematomas may constitute a pathological entity associated with a post-COVID-19 remodeling process of the lung and the related anticoagulant treatment, which should be recognized, especially in the actual COVID-19 pandemic or in the widespread use of anticoagulant treatment. Conservative treatment is the method of choice, even in giant lung forms

The Impact of COVID on Lower-Limb Exoskeleton Robotic System Patents—A Review

In recent decades, the field of physical rehabilitation, with the help of robotic systems that aid the population of any age with locomotor difficulties, has been evolving rapidly. Several robotic exoskeleton systems of the lower limbs have been proposed in the patent literature and some are even commercially available. Given the above, we are asking ourselves at the end of the COVID-19 pandemic: how much has this pandemic affected both the publication of patents and the application of new ones? How has new patents’ publication volume or application in robotic exoskeleton systems changed? We hypothesize that this pandemic has caused a reduction in the volume of new applications and possibly publications. We compare pandemic analysis and the last decade’s analysis to answer these questions. In this study, we used a set of statistical tests to see if there were any statistically significant changes. Our results show that the pandemic had at least one effect on applying for new patents based on the information analyzed from the three databases examined

The Impact of COVID on Lower-Limb Exoskeleton Robotic System Patents—A Review

In recent decades, the field of physical rehabilitation, with the help of robotic systems that aid the population of any age with locomotor difficulties, has been evolving rapidly. Several robotic exoskeleton systems of the lower limbs have been proposed in the patent literature and some are even commercially available. Given the above, we are asking ourselves at the end of the COVID-19 pandemic: how much has this pandemic affected both the publication of patents and the application of new ones? How has new patents’ publication volume or application in robotic exoskeleton systems changed? We hypothesize that this pandemic has caused a reduction in the volume of new applications and possibly publications. We compare pandemic analysis and the last decade’s analysis to answer these questions. In this study, we used a set of statistical tests to see if there were any statistically significant changes. Our results show that the pandemic had at least one effect on applying for new patents based on the information analyzed from the three databases examined

Surgical Strategy for Sternal Closure in Patients with Surgical Myocardial Revascularization Using Mammary Arteries

Background: Coronary artery bypass grafting has evolved from all venous grafts to bilateral mammary artery (BIMA) grafting. This was possible due to the long-term patency of the left and right internal mammary demonstrated in angiography studies compared to venous grafts. However, despite higher survival rates when using bilateral mammary arteries, multiple studies report a higher rate of surgical site infections, most notably deep sternal wound infections, a so-called “never event”. Methods: We designed a prospective study between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022 and included all patients proposed for total arterial myocardial revascularization in order to investigate the rate of surgical site infections (SSI). Chest closure in all patients was performed using a three-step protocol. The first step refers to sternal closure. If the patient’s BMI is below 35 kg/m2, sternal closure is achieved using the “butterfly” technique with standard steel wires. If the patient’s BMI exceeds 35 kg/m2, we use nitinol clips or hybrid wire cable ties according to the surgeon’s preference for sternal closure. The main advantages of these systems are a larger implant-to-bone contact with a reduced risk of bone fracture. The second step refers to presternal fat closure with two resorbable monofilament sutures in a way that the edges of the skin perfectly align at the end. The third step is skin closure combined with negative pressure wound therapy. Results: This system was applied to 217 patients. A total of 197 patients had bilateral mammary artery grafts. We report only 13 (5.9%) superficial SSI and only one (0.46%) deep SSI. The preoperative risk of major wound infection was 3.9 +/− 2.7. Bilateral mammary artery grafting was not associated with surgical site infection in a univariate analysis. Conclusions: We believe this strategy of sternal wound closure can reduce the incidence of deep surgical site infection when two mammary arteries are used in coronary artery bypass surgery