Congenital and childhood atrioventricular blocks: pathophysiology and contemporary management

Atrioventricular block is classified as congeni- tal if diagnosed in utero, at birth, or within the first month of life. The pathophysiological process is believed to be due to immune-mediated injury of the conduction system, which occurs as a result of transplacental pas- sage of maternal anti-SSA/Ro-SSB/La antibodies. Childhood atrioventricular block is therefore diagnosed between the first month and the 18th year of life. Genetic variants in multiple genes have been described to date in the pathogenesis of inherited progressive car- diac conduction disorders. Indications and techniques of cardiac pacing have also evolved to allow safe perma- nent cardiac pacing in almost all patients, including those with structural heart abnormalities

Computer Simulation of Catheter Cryoablation for Pulmonary Vein Isolation

Cryoablation is a well-established medical procedure for surgically treating atrial fibrillation. Cryothermal catheter therapy induces cellular necrosis by freezing the insides of pulmonary veins, with the goal of disrupting abnormal electrical heart signals. Nevertheless, tissue damage induced by cold temperatures may also lead to other complications after cardiac surgery. In this sense, the simulation of catheter ablation can provide safer environments for training and the performance of cryotherapy interventions. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a novel approach to help better understand how temperature rates can affect this procedure by using computer tools to develop a simulation framework to predict lesion size and determine optimal temperature conditions for reducing the risk of major complications. The results showed that a temperature profile of around −40 °C caused less penetration, reduced necrotic damage, and smaller lesion size in the tissue. Instead, cryotherapy close to −60 °C achieved a greater depth of temperature flow inside the tissue and a larger cross-section area of the lesion. With further development and validation, the framework could represent a cost-effective strategy for providing personalized modeling, better planning of cryocatheter-based treatment, and preventing surgical complications

Ten‐Year Clinical Experience with the Lumenless, Catheter‐Delivered, 4.1‐Fr Diameter Pacing Lead in Patients with and without Congenital Heart

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/135972/1/pace12995.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/135972/2/pace12995_am.pd

Polyvinyl alcohol coating and starch in the post-harvest conservation of avocado

ABSTRACT: This research evaluated whether polymers, individually or in mixtures of PVOH and starch, improve the physicochemical characteristics of avocados for up to eleven days after harvest. Parameters of titratable acidity, respiratory rate, mass loss, total soluble solids and dry matter were evaluated in coated and control fruits. The physicochemical characteristics and preservation of avocado fruits type daisy (Persea americana) for up to eleven days after treatment with 3% starch (S); 2.25% (A) + 0.5% (P); 1.5% (S) + 1% (P), 0.75% (S) + 1.5% (P) and 2% PVOH (P). Glycerol was added to the formulation in a proportion of 30% in relation to the starch. Uncoated fruits were used as controls. The fruits were kept at room temperature (20 ± 5 °C and 70 ± 10% RH), and their analyses occurred before applying the coating (time 0) and on days 4, 7, and 11 of storage - totaling four evaluation times. The data were subjected to homogeneity tests of variances (Hartley test) and normality of residues (Jarque-Bera test). Fruits coated with 2% PVOH had lower respiration rate throughout the experiment, showing that they were efficient in reducing gas exchange between fruits and medium. All coatings reduced the loss of fruit mass and the fruits coated with 0.75% starch and 1.5 PVOH and with 2% PVOH were the ones that most reduced the mass loss. The acidity, firmness and total soluble solids did not differ statistically. PVOH coating was more efficient than starch coating and uncoated fruits during the experiment

Qualidade pós-colheita de Banana revestida com Álcool Polivinílico e Amido / Post-Harvest quality of Banana coated with Polivinilic Alcohol and Starch

A banana é um fruto climatérico com uma vida útil curta após a colheita. O revestimento se apresenta como uma alternativa para minimizar o amadurecimento dos frutos e as perdas pós-colheita. O amido e o álcool polivinílico (PVOH) podem ser utilizados na formulação destes revestimentos. No entanto, pouco se sabe sobre o potencial do revestimento contendo PVOH na conservação pós-colheita de banana. Assim, avaliamos as características físico-químicas e a preservação da banana por até oito dias após o revestimento com 3% de amido (A), 3% de PVOH (P), 2,25% de A + 0,75% de P, 1,5% de A + 1,5% de P e 0,75 % A + 2,25% P. Frutos não revestidos foram utilizados como controle. Frutos revestidos com 1,5% A + 1,5% P e 0,75% AS + 2,25% P e 3% P apresentaram respiração reduzida. Todos os revestimentos reduziram a perda de massa de frutas. Firmeza, acidez e brix não foram afetados pelos revestimentos. Os revestimentos de amido e PVOH reduzem a perda de massa nas bananas, no entanto, apenas reduzem a taxa respiratória com o aumento da concentração de PVOH na mistura