Ultrasonic field mapping through a multimode optical fibre

Miniaturising ultrasonic field mapping systems could lead to novel endoscopes capable of photoacoustic tomography and other techniques. However, developing high-resolution arrays of sensitive, sub-millimetre scale ultrasound sensors presents a challenge for traditional piezoelectric transducers. To address this challenge, we conceived an ultrasonic detection concept in which an optical ultrasonic sensor array is read out using a laser beam scanned through a 0.24 mm diameter multimode optical fibre using optical wavefront shaping. We demonstrate this system enables ultrasonic field mapping with >2500 measurement points, paving the way to developing miniaturised photoacoustic endoscopes and other ultrasonic systems based on the presented concept

E-Health : Software Development and Implementation (EHSDI) course

E-Health: Software Development and Implementation (EHSDI) is a training course developed by Partners in Health and now in its second year of implementation in Rwanda, where it is run in partnership with the Rwanda Development Board. The goal of the course is to produce local software developers with the necessary knowledge and skills to develop electronic medical record software, specifically to develop modules for OpenMRS. The course is 9 months long

Experience in implementing a program for basic life support and available automated defibrillation in a cancer center

Unified approaches to ensuring the chain of survival can improve the patient’s prognosis both in out-of-hospital and in-hospital cardiac arrest.Aim. To discuss practical issues of introducing a program for the availability of automated external defibrillation in a cancer center.Material and methods. For four years, our healthcare facility has been implementing a training program for basic and advanced life support according to the European Resuscitation Council standards, combined with the creation and development of an infrastructure for the availability of automatic defibrillation. A roadmap and infrastructure were developed for the project implementation.Results. In 2018-2022, 229 employees (114 doctors, 85 nurses and 30 nonmedical workers) were trained under the basic life support program. Fifteen defibrillators were placed in various units. During the specified period, first aid in case of sudden cardiac arrest using an automated external defibrillator before the resuscitation team arrival was independently provided by doctors and nurses of departments three times. To implement training in the continuous education system, the curriculum has passed the examination and accreditation in the edu. rosminzdrav system.Conclusion. The development and implementation of such initiatives requires significant organizational and methodological work, including continuous education system. However, in our opinion, this is an extremely useful tool for improving the safety and quality of medical care

Specific features of depth distribution profiles of implanted cobalt ions in rutile TiO 2

This paper reports on the results of the calculation of the depth distribution profiles of the concentration of the impurity implanted into an anisotropic crystalline material. The sputtering of the irradiated material, fast one-dimensional diffusion of the impurity along structural channels, and accumulation of the implanted impurity at different depths have been taken into account. The results of the calculations have been compared with the experimental distribution profiles of cobalt ions implanted into the crystal structure of rutile TiO 2 along and across structural channels at different temperatures of the irradiated substrate. A comparison of the model and experimental profiles has made it possible to evaluate the precipitation rate of cobalt in the TiO 2 matrix on different precipitation centers. A model has been proposed for explaining the unusual shift in the peak of the concentration distribution of implanted ions deep into the sample with an increase in the temperature of the irradiated substrate. The model has allowed one to separate the contributions from different phases of the impurity (nanoparticles and solid solution) to the magnetism of the Co: TiO 2 system. © 2011 Pleiades Publishing, Ltd

Deoxygenation affects composition of membrane-bound proteins in human erythrocytes

Background/Aims: ATP release from erythrocyte plays a key role in hypoxia-induced elevation of blood flow in systematic circulation. We have previously shown that hemolysis contributes to erythrocyte ATP release triggered by several stimuli, including hypoxia, but the molecular mechanisms of hypoxia-increased membrane fragility remain unknown. Methods: In this study, we compared the action of hypoxia on hemolysis, ATP release and the composition of membrane-bound proteins in human erythrocytes. Results: Twenty minutes incubation of human erythrocytes in the oxygen-free environment increased the content of extracellular hemoglobin by ∼1.5 fold. Paired measurements of hemoglobin and ATP content in the same samples, showed a positive correlation between hemolysis and ATP release. Comparative analysis of SDS-PAGE electrophoresis of erythrocyte ghosts obtained under control and deoxygenated conditions revealed a ∼2-fold elevation of the content of membrane-bound protein with Mr of ∼60 kDa. Conclusion: Deoxygenation of human erythrocytes affects composition of membrane-bound proteins. Additional experiments should be performed to identify the molecular origin of 60 kDa protein and its role in the attenuation of erythrocyte integrity and ATP release in hypoxic conditions

Initial observations of fine plasma structures at the flank magnetopause with the complex plasma analyzer SCA-1 onboard the Interball Tail Probe

International audienceThe fast plasma analyzer EU-1 of the SCA-1 complex plasma spectrometer is installed onboard the Interball Tail Probe (Interball-1). It provides fast three-dimensional measurements of the ion distribution function on the low-spin-rate Prognoz satellite (about 2min). The EU-1 ion spectrometer with virtual aperture consists of two detectors with 16 E/Q narrow-angle analyzers and electrostatic scanners. This configuration allows one to measure the ion distribution function in three dimensions (over 15 energy steps in 50 eV/Q?5.0 keV/Q energy range in 64 directions) in 7.5 s, which makes it independent of the slow rotation speed of the satellite. A description of the instrument and its capabilities is given. We present here the preliminary results of measurements of ions for two cases of the dawn low- and mid-latitude magnetopause crossings. The properties of observed ion structures and their tentative explanation are presented. The 12 September 1995 pass at low latitude at about 90° solar-zenith angle on the dawn side of the magnetosphere is considered in more detail. Dispersive ions are seen at the edge of the magnetopause and at the edges of subsequently observed plasma structures. Changes in ion velocity distribution in plasma structures observed after the first magnetopause crossing suggest that what resembles multiple magnetopause crossings may be plasma blobs penetrating the magnetosphere. Observed variations of plasma parameters near magnetopause structures suggest nonstationary reconnection as the most probable mechanism for observed structures

Роль «прикроватного ультразвука» при медицинской сортировке пациентов с новой коронавирусной инфекцией: обзор литературы

INTRODUCTION: In the conditions of primary triage of patients with the new coronavirus infection, various medical imaging methods, including «point of care ultrasound», have become key.OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper is to review data published during the pandemic on the assessment of the role of various ultrasound diagnostic methods in medical triage of patients with COVID-19.MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors performed a systematic literature search in Russian and English for the period up to March 10, 2022 using various databases and repositories (Embase, Medline/PubMed, Researchgate, medrxiv.org, RSCI/elibrary). The search was carried out on the keywords «COVID-19», «coronavirus», «коронавирус», «SARS-CoV-2», «2019nCOV», «lung ultrasound», «POCUS», «point of care ultrasound», «прикроватный ультразвук», «ультразвуковое сканирование легких», «triage», «сортировка».RESULTS: The final analysis included 42 publications on different aspects of the use of point of care ultrasound during the pandemic. Of considerable interest are the technical features of the research, classifications and triage algorithms used in different countries.CONCLUSION: The widespread introduction of «point of care ultrasound» technology in the prehospital, emergency department and intensive care units greatly facilitates clinical decision making, including in the initial assessment of the severity of the condition of patients with pneumonia caused by SARS-CoV-2.ВВЕДЕНИЕ: В условиях первичной сортировки пациентов с новой коронавирусной инфекцией, ключевое значение приобрели различные методы медицинской визуализации, в том числе и «прикроватный ультразвук».ЦЕЛЬ: Целью данной работы является обзор опубликованных за период пандемии данных по оценке роли разных методов ультразвуковой диагностики при медицинской сортировке пациентов с COVID-19.МАТЕРИАЛЫ И МЕТОДЫ: Авторами был выполнен систематический поиск литературы на русском и английском языках за период до 10 марта 2022 года с использованием различных баз данных и репозиториев (Embase, Medline/PubMed, Researchgate, medrxiv.org, РИНЦ/elibrary). Поиск осуществлялся по ключевым словам «COVID-19», «coronavirus», «коронавирус», «SARS-CoV-2», «2019nCOV», «lung ultrasound», «POCUS», «point of care ultrasound», «прикроватный ультразвук», «ультразвуковое сканирование легких», «triage», «сортировка».РЕЗУЛЬТАТЫ: В окончательный анализ было включено 42 публикации, посвященные разным аспектам применения прикроватного ультразвука в ходе пандемии. Значительный интерес представляют технические особенности выполнения исследований, применяемые в различных странах классификации и алгоритмы медицинской сортировки.ЗАКЛЮЧЕНИЕ: Широкое внедрение технологии «прикроватного ультразвука» на догоспитальном этапе, в приемном отделении и подразделениях интенсивной терапии значительно облегчает принятие клинических решений, в том числе в рамках первичной оценки тяжести состояния пациентов с пневмонией, вызванной SARS-CoV-2

Empagliflozin in patients hospitalized for acute decompensated heart failure: an expert resolution on the discussion of the EMPULSE trial

An online expert meeting held on November 17, 2021 reviewed the results of the randomized, double-blind, multinational, parallel-group EMPULSE trial, evaluating the clinical benefit and safety of the sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) empagliflozin compared with placebo in patients hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). Patients were included in the study regardless of ejection fraction (EF) and the presence of diabetes and randomized during hospitalization after stabilization. In addition, the EMPULSE trial used a composite result analyzed using a stratified benefit ratio — Win Ratio analysis. There is evidence of clinical benefit of empagliflozin in hospitalized patients with preserved and reduced LVEF, as well as in patients with newly diagnosed ADHF or with acute decompensation of chronic heart failure (CHF) compared with placebo, regardless of type 2 diabetes presence. The importance of the favorable results of the EMPULSE trial and its significance for clinical practice, which implies the early administration of empagliflozin for inpatients, is noted. A number of proposals have been adopted to accelerate the introduction of empagliflozin into clinical practice for patients with ADHF