Performance testing of a low power consumption wireless sensor communication system integrated with an energy harvesting power source

This paper presents the performance testing results of a wireless sensor communication system with low power consumption integrated with a vibration energy harvesting power source. The experiments focus on the system’s capability to perform continuous monitoring and to wirelessly transmit the data acquired from the sensors to a user base station, completely battery-free. Energy harvesting technologies together with system design optimisation for power consumption minimisation ensure the system’s energy autonomous capability demonstrated in this paper by presenting the promising testing results achieved following its integration with Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) and Body Area Network (BAN) applications

Accuracy of intraoral optical scan versus stereophotogrammetry for complete-arch digital implant impression: An in vitro study

To assess and compare the accuracies of intraoral scanners (IOS) and stereophotogrammetry (SPG) devices for complete-arch digital implant impressions.A 4-analog model was digitized using a desk scanner to obtain a reference file. Thirty test scans were conducted using the investigated IOS device, while an additional 30 scans were performed using the SPG device. Using the best-fit algorithm, the resulting 60 test files were aligned with the reference file. Linear (ΔX, ΔY, and ΔZ-axis) and angular deviations (ΔANGLE) were evaluated. Three-dimensional (3D) deviation was calculated based on the Euclidean distance (ΔEUC). The analysis was stratified according to the scanning device and implant position. Fisher's F and t-tests were used to compare the variances and expected values of the two scanning systems.IOS expressed a higher 3D (ΔEUC) mean deviation than SPG (52.8 µm vs. 33.4 µm, P < 0.0001), with extreme measurements up to 181.9 µm. A significantly higher standard deviation (SD) was associated with IOS (37.1 µm vs. 17.7 µm, P < 0.0001). Considering angular deviations, the IOS showed slightly higher angular mean deviations (ΔANGLE) than the SPG (0.28° vs. 0.24°, P = 0.0022), with extreme measurements of up to 0.73°. The SPG SD values were significantly lower than the IOS SD values (0.14° vs. 0.04°, P < 0.0001).The SPG showed significantly higher 3D and angular accuracies for complete arch implant impressions, with consistent repeatability. IOS scanning revealed significantly higher extreme deviations exceeding the acceptable threshold value. Despite study limitations, SPG appears more feasible than IOS for complete-arch digital implant impressions

Reimplantation of an Anomalous Coronary Artery Arising from the Pulmonary Artery

A case of anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery in a patient with the origin of the coronary opposite to the aorta is reported. Between many surgical options we conclude to reestablish a double coronary system reconnecting the coronary through a conduit created with a pulmonary wall baffle and an autologous pericardial patch

Accuracy of complete-arch digital implant impression with intraoral optical scanning and stereophotogrammetry: An in vivo prospective comparative study

Objectives: To assess accuracy of intraoral optical scanning (IOS) and stereophotogrammetry (SPG), complete-arch digital implant impressions in vivo. Materials and Methods: Consecutive patients needing implant-supported screw-retained zirconia complete-arch fixed-dental prostheses (ISZ-FDP) were recruited. For each patient, three impressions were taken: IOS, SPG (tests), and open-tray plaster (reference). Linear (ΔX, ΔY, and ΔZ), three-dimensional (ΔEUC), and angular deviations (ΔANGLE) were evaluated and stratified according to scanning technology for each implant. Potential effects of impression device (IOS and SPG), arch (maxilla and mandible), and implant number (4 and 6) were evaluated through multivariable analysis. Significance level was set at.05. Results: A total of 11 complete arches (5 maxillae, 6 mandibles) in 11 patients were rehabilitated with ISZ-FDPs supported by 4 (n = 8) and 6 implants (n = 3). A total of 50 implants and 100 implant positions were captured by two investigated devices and compared to respective reference (mean ΔEUC IOS 137.2, SPG 87.6 μm; mean ΔANGLE 0.79, 0.38°). Differences between measurements (SPG-IOS) were computed for each implant, with negative values indicating better SPG accuracy. Significant mean ΔEUC difference of −49.60 μm (p =.0143; SD 138.15) and mean ΔANGLE difference of −0.40° (p <.0001; SD 0.65) were observed in favor of SPG. Multivariable analysis showed significant effect on ΔEUC (p =.0162) and ΔANGLE (p =.0001) only for impression devices, with SPG performing better. Conclusions: SPG experienced significantly higher linear and angular accuracy. No effect of type of arch or implant number was detected. Higher extreme deviations were experienced for IOS. SPG can be feasible for complete-arch digital impressions with caution, and rigid prototype try-in is recommended before screw-retained prosthesis manufacturing. © 2023 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd

Innovative Non-Pharmacological Management of Delirium in Persons with Dementia: New Frontiers for Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy?

Delirium; Dementia; Occupational therapyDelirio; Demencia; Terapia ocupacionalDeliri; Demència; Teràpia ocupacionalBackground: Delirium and dementia are two of the most common geriatric syndromes, which requires innovative rehabilitation approaches. Aim: We aimed at determining which occupational therapy and physiotherapy interventions are applied with older people with delirium and dementia in different care settings. We also identified the assessment tools that were used. Materials and methods: We conducted a literature search for scientific articles published from 2012 to 2022 (PubMed, MEDLINE, AMED and CINAHL) with adults aged >65 years including experimental study designs with randomized or non-randomized intervention, exploratory studies, pilot studies, quasi-experimental studies, case series and/or clinical cases. Studies that did not use interventions that could be classified as occupational therapy or physiotherapy were excluded. Results: After applying the exclusion criteria, 9 articles were selected. The most widely used assessment to define dementia was the MMSE (N = 5; 55.5%), whereas the CAM (N = 2; 22.2%), CAM-ICU (N = 2; 22.2%) and RASS (N = 3; 33.3%) were the most widely used to define delirium. The rehabilitation interventions that were most frequently performed were early mobilization, inclusion of the caregiver during treatment, modification of the environment to encourage orientation and autonomy, the interprofessional systemic approach and engaging persons in meaningful activities. Conclusions: Despite the growing evidence on its effectiveness, the role of physiotherapy and occupational therapy interventions in the prevention and treatment of people with dementia and delirium is still emerging. More research is needed to investigate if effective occupational therapy programs known to reduce the behavioral and psychological symptoms in people with dementia are also useful for treating delirium and specifically delirium superimposed on dementia. Regarding physiotherapy, it is crucial to know about the amount and timing of intervention required. Further studies are needed including older adults with delirium superimposed on dementia to define the role of the interprofessional geriatric rehabilitation team

A case of suicide by ingestion of caffeine

Intentional or unintentional caffeine abuse due to excessive intake of beverages or energy drinks containing caffeine is relatively frequent. However, death due to caffeine intoxication is rare and case reports of fatalities from caffeine toxicity are relatively infrequent. In this report, we describe an autopsy case involving a 31year-old man who intentionally took a large amount of caffeine tablets in the form of a weight loss supplement as part of a suicide plan. Caffeine femoral blood concentration (170mg/l) was within the toxic and potentially lethal ranges reported in the literature in similar cases. Postmortem biochemistry results suggested depressed glomerular filtration rate and pre-renal failure at the time of death but failed to reveal myoglobinuria, glycosuria, ketonuria or ketonemia. Based on the absence of pathological findings at autopsy and the high blood caffeine level, death was attributed to acute caffeine toxicity. The case emphasizes the usefulness of performing exhaustive toxicology and searching for all potentially relevant information in order to formulate appropriate hypotheses concerning the cause and manner of death

Occupational Therapists and COVID-19 Pandemic: An Observational Survey in Europe

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a health care emergency in Europe since the first wave in 2020. Several challenges have arisen for occupational therapists, as well as all the health care professionals. The aim of this study was to determine what occupational therapists have changed to adapt their therapeutic processes for this catastrophic situation. Method: An online survey was developed and sent in conjunction with the Council of Occupational Therapy for European Countries (COTEC) to European national associations of occupational therapists. Results: The study was based on a sample of 65 occupational therapists who worked with people with COVID-19. More than half of the occupational therapists (54.8%) had changed departments. The main needs patients expressed (n = 136) during hospitalization were to have social contacts (30.9%), and the main clinical complaints (n = 144) were motor impairment and fatigue (35.4%) and depression (25.7%). The most frequently reported goal (n = 141) was recovery of physical performance and fatigue management (32.6%). Among the emotions mentioned by occupational therapists, negative emotions (76%) were the most common. Conclusion: European occupational therapists demonstrated flexibility and resilience to deal with clinical and organizational challenges during the COVID-19 emergency

The mixed economy of long-term care in England, Germany, Italy, and Spain

"This paper is based on a European Commission-funded study of future long-term care expenditure in Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom. It investigates how sensitive long-term care expenditure is to assumptions about demographic trends, future dependency rates, care arrangements, and real inflation. Macro-simulation projection models for each country reflecting the national characteristics of the care system were used to make comparable projections based on a set of common assumptions. This central case was then used as a point of comparison in order to explore the sensitivity of the models to alternative scenarios about key determinants of future expenditure. The proportion of GDP spent on longterm care is projected to more than double between 2000 and 2050 in each country under the central case. However, projections are highly sensitive to changes in the above assumptions." (author's abstract)"Der Beitrag beruht auf einer EU-finanzierten Studie zur zukünftigen Entwicklung der Ausgaben für Langzeitpflege in Deutschland, Italien, Spanien und dem Vereinigten Königreich. Untersucht wird die Sensitivität der Ausgabenentwicklung hinsichtlich unterschiedlicher Annahmen zur demographischen Entwicklung, zur Pflegebedürftigkeit, zur Pflegeform und zu den Kosten der Pflege. Mittels nationaler Makrosimulationsmodelle, die die länderspezifischen Pflegesysteme berücksichtigen, wird ein auf gemeinsamen Annahmen basierendes Grundmodell berechnet, das den Referenzpunkt der nachfolgenden Sensitivitätsanalyse darstellt. Im Ergebnis zeigt sich in allen Untersuchungsländern, dass sich der Anteil des BIP, der für Pflegeleistungen aufgewandt wird, von 2000 bis 2050 mehr als verdoppelt. Allerdings sind diese Ergebnisse sehr sensitiv in bezug auf Veränderungen der genannten Annahmen." (Autorenreferat

Fatal metformin overdose: case report and postmortem biochemistry contribution

Metformin is an oral antihyperglycemic agent used in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Lactic acidosis from metformin overdose is a rare complication of metformin therapy and occurs infrequently with therapeutic use. Fatal cases, both accidental and intentional, are extremely rare in clinical practice. Metformin is eliminated by the kidneys, and impaired renal function can result in an increased plasma concentration of the drug. In this report, we describe an autopsy case involving a 70-year-old woman suffering from diabetes mellitus and impaired renal function who received metformin treatment. Metformin concentrations in the peripheral blood collected during hospitalization and femoral blood collected during autopsy were 42 and 47.3µg/ml, respectively. Lactic acidosis (29.10mmol/l) was objectified during hospitalization. Furthermore, postmortem biochemistry allowed ketoacidosis to be diagnosed (blood β-hydroxybutyrate, 10,500µmol/l). Death was attributed to lactic acidosis due to metformin intoxication. Increased plasma concentrations of the drug were attributed to severely impaired renal function. The case emphasizes the usefulness of performing exhaustive toxicology and postmortem biochemistry towards the more complete understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms that may be involved in the death process

Protocollo per il campionamento di fitoplancton in ambiente lacustre

No abstract availabl