Radiofrequency Ablation of Life-Threatening Supraventricular Tachycardia Due to a Posteroseptal Accessory Pathway in an Infant

Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) in infants may be resistant to multiple medications and cause life-threatening symptoms. Despite the known risks, catheter ablation may be necessary in rare cases. We present a 4-month-old 4.5 kg infant who presented with SVT that was resistant to all antiarrhythmic medications, including a combination of propafenone, amiodarone and propranolol at maximal doses. The infant underwent successful radiofrequency ablation of a posteroseptal accessory pathway. Despite later recurrence, medical therapy with propafenone and propranolol at standard doses resulted in complete control of the tachycardia until one year of age, when all medications were stopped without further recurrences

Chest-Compression Alone Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: Newer Data for a More Practical Approach / Cardio-Cerebral Resuscitation

  Background: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a leading cause of mortality in the industrialized nations and, accordingly, is a major public health problem. Despite the guidelines and their updates, the survival rate of victims of out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) remains disappointingly low. There are many contributors to poor survival outcome of victims with OHCA. An improper resuscitation algorithm seems to be the major contributor. Chest-compression alone cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CC-CPR), and cardio-cerebral resuscitation (CCR), seems an attractive alternative to conventional CPR. Methods & Results: Reviewing the recent literature, cardiac-only resuscitation emerges as an attractive alternative to conventional CPR, as this simpler technique of CPR, in which continuous chest compressions are provided without rescue breathing avoids the need for mouth-to-mouth ventilation. Under the weight of evidence supported by several recent studies, the AHA issued a science advisory for the public recommending immediate activation of emergency medical services (EMS) after the victim’s collapse and high quality chest compression regarding location and depth with minimum interruptions. Bystanders not trained in CPR are encouraged to initiate immediately hands-only CPR and continue with compressions until an AED is available or EMS arrives at the scene.   Conclusion: CC- CPR and CCR is not inferior to conventional CPR but also promises a survival benefit for victims of OHCA

Financial Reporting in European Football Teams: A Disclosure Analysis of Player Registrations

Purpose – This paper critically analyses sustainable reporting and transparent valuation of the impairment test application (IAS 36) on intangible assets (IAS 38) in football clubs that prepare financial statements in accordance with IAS/IFRS. Design/methodology/approach – The paper examines the financial statements of 13 companies listed on the STOXX Europe Football Index for a five-year period (from 2012 to 2016), following a three-step procedure. It focuses on the governing guidelines’ implementation relating to the UEFA Financial Fair Play Regulations (in September 2009), which was subsequently implemented in 2011/2012. Findings – The research reveals some interesting and some controversial findings. Several football clubs exhibit a low level of disclosure and others a high one. Therefore, this study focuses on specific areas that primarily relate to economic and financial communication, as financial statements need to provide contextual disclosure. Simultaneously, the information disclosed to investors underlines the need for sustainable financing and social decision-making. Research limitations/implications – The first limitation of the study regards the sample size; the number of observations is rather small given the exclusion of Turkish and Polish teams due to non-integral application of IAS/IFRS principles as well as other small-sized companies that do not fit the required company profile. The second limitation is that the players’ registration figures are analysed as aggregate values from a club-level perspective. Originality/value – The study pioneers constructive criticism in relation to financial documentation and reporting produced by football companies. IAS/IFRS require further development in order to adapt typologies of specific sustainable business models for all the companies in the football industry

Procuring Socially Responsible Services Within Sustainability-Driven Thessaloniki

This descriptive exploratory case study reveals the current state of an innovative municipal services’ design for socially responsible tenders, as well as its sustainability findings. A mixed-method approach enables the collection of rich, contextual information from the 60 participating organisations that contribute to the three-step design of this socially responsible framework. Data is analysed using bivariate analysis against the different research variables. Findings indicate an individual notion of strongly correlated procuring public services, involving traditional and digital communication approaches. They lead to innovative public private socioeconomic synergies in supply chain management (SCM), as well as the reestablishment of the city’s social and environmental profile. Growing implications in the Greek public and private sectors link the role of social responsibility to sustainable supply chain management practices (SSCM). As a result, current municipal tenders are reflecting a socially responsible framework design for the city’s growth and sustainable development. In a European post-financial crisis era where budgets are limited, this study contributes to (i) European sustainability socially responsible services and (ii) lessons learned from the participating actors of an SR design, setting a valuable SSCM example for other European counties

Calprotectin in lung diseases

Calprotectin (CLP) is a heterodimer formed by two S-100 calcium-binding cytosolic proteins, S100A8 and S100A9. It is a multifunctional protein expressed mainly by neutrophils and released extracellularly by activated or damaged cells mediating a broad range of physiological and pathological responses. It has been more than 20 years since the implication of S100A8/A9 in the inflammatory process was shown; however, the evaluation of its role in the pathogenesis of respiratory diseases or its usefulness as a biomarker for the appropriate diagnosis and prognosis of lung diseases have only gained attention in recent years. This review aimed to provide current knowledge regarding the potential role of CLP in the pathophysiology of lung diseases and describe how this knowledge is, up until now, translated into daily clinical practice. CLP is involved in numerous cellular processes in lung health and disease. In addition to its anti-microbial functions, CLP also serves as a molecule with pro- and anti-tumor properties related to cell survival and growth, angiogenesis, DNA damage response, and the remodeling of the extracellular matrix. The findings of this review potentially introduce CLP in daily clinical practice within the spectrum of respiratory diseases

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Update

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Every 5 years experts, after reviewing literature and scientific evidence, update the guidelines on Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The objective of this report is to review the main changes in resuscitation that occurred over the last 5 year period. CONTENTS: High-quality chest compressions with adequate rate and depth allowing full recoil of the chest with minimal interruptions is the mainstay of the recommended changes. The 30:2 compression ventilation ratio is maintained, but the former order is modified chest compressions first, followed by airway and breathing (C-A-B instead of A-B-C). Avoiding of excessive ventilation is also recommended. Chest compressions-only CPR in primary cardiac arrest victims, is an option for rescuers who are unable or unwilling to perform mouth to mouth ventilation. Advanced life support algorithm is simplified (regarding drugs, routes of administration, endotracheal intubation). Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) treatment has also been updated. Better practices for teaching and learning resuscitation skills are addressed. CONCLUSIONS: Updating CPR guidelines is important, and continuous education is recommended. This will improve the quality of resuscitation and survival of patients in cardiac arrest

Shoot thinning of Semillon in a hot climate did not improve yield and berry and wine quality

Aim: Shoot thinning is a common canopy management practice used to obtain a desired shoot density and to improve canopy microclimate. Since thinning is often carried out manually, the cost can be high. In this study the effect of severe shoot thinning (50 % of shoots removed) applied at EL 15 was investigated by comparing yield components, canopy size, berry and wine chemistry, and sensory attributes to a non-thinned control for the variety Semillon. The objective was to determine whether shoot thinning could change canopy architecture and lead to improved fruit and wine chemistry and sensory characteristics. Methods and Results: The trial was carried out over four consecutive growing seasons (starting in 2014-15) in the Semillon block of the Coombe vineyard (Waite Campus, the University of Adelaide). Canopy architecture was monitored at key phenological stages in each season and yield components were assessed at harvest. The harvested fruit was used for chemical and sensory analysis of the berries. Wines were made and their chemistry and sensorial attributes assessed. Shoot thinning reduced the total leaf area in only two of the four seasons, but single shoot leaf area and cane weight were higher in shoot-thinned vines in all seasons. Shoot thinning did not reduce yield, despite a large reduction in bunch number, because of increased bunch weight. Shoot thinning did not change berry and wine chemistry. Similarly, little differences were observed in the sensory profile of berries and wines, and the assessors preferred the wines obtained from shoot thinned vines in the last season only. Conclusions: In this study, shoot thinning increased the leaf area per shoot and the cane weight, but yield and grape and wine chemistry were unaffected. The vine balance indices leaf area/yield and yield/pruning weight were also unaffected by the treatment, despite its intensity (50 % of shoots removed). Significance and impact of the study: The practice of shoot thinning when applied at EL stage 15 (8-9 leaves separated) was not effective as a technique to improve canopy microclimate and berry and wine chemistry for the white variety Semillon in a hot Australian climate. By not applying shoot thinning growers could potentially make significant savings without affecting yield or wine properties. Further research is needed to explore the effect and timing of shoot thinning on other varieties and in different environments.Roberta De Bei, Xiaoyi Wang, Lukas Papagiannis, Sigfredo Fuentes, Matthew Gilliham, Steve Tyerman and Cassandra Collin

Educational Research and Developing Countries; facts, figures and some conceptual approaches for analysing interactions between funding, products and users

SUMMARY Educational research in the development context (ERDC) is the product of various kinds of international interactions and negotiations. These provide a typology of such research: disciplinary, instrumental, action, and policy research. All these are characterised by particular patterns of information flow and are influenced by resource availability and power structures. Suggestions for reforming ERDC are put forward. RESUMEN Investigación en educación y países en desarrollo: hechos, cifras y algunos enfoques conceptuales para analizar las interacciones existentes entre financiamiento, resultados y usuarios La investigación educacional en el contexto del desarrollo es resultado de variadas interacciones y negociaciones internacionales, las que le proporcionan una tipología; disciplina, instrumental, acción y política. Todas estas categorías están caracterizadas por determinados flujos informativos e influenciadas por la disponibilidad de recursos y las estructuras de poder. Se formulan sugerencias para reformarla. SOMMAIRE La recherche sur l'éducation et les pays en voie de développement: faits, chiffres, et quelques approches conceptuelles pour l'analyse des interactions entre le financement, les produits et les utilisateurs La recherche sur l'éducation dans le contexte du développement (RECD) est le résultat de différentes sortes d'interactions et de négotiations internationales. Elles donnent une typologie d'une telle recherche: disciplinaire, instrumentale, action, et politique de recherche. Elles sont toutes caractérisées par des formes particulières de courant d'information et sont influencées par la disponibilité des ressources et les structures de compétence Des suggestions en vue de faire des réformes dans la RECD sont énoncées