Transvenous Lead Extraction of Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices Indications, Complications and Outcome: An Egyptian Two Years' Experience

BACKGROUND: The growing needs to extract cardiovascular implantable electronic devices warrants the need to improve the outcome and prevent complications. AIM: This study aims to analyse the findings and identify factors associated with complications of Percutaneous Transvenous Lead Extraction in the Critical Care Department, Cairo University. METHODS: We studied 52 candidates for Percutaneous Transvenous Lead extraction of a Permanent Pace Maker (PPM) regarding extraction indications, comorbidities, device type, complications and outcome. Extraction was first attempted by simple manual traction using regular non-locking stylet and if failed, locking stylet, and evolution dilator sheath were used. RESULTS: We extracted 110 leads with a mean lead age of 4.67 ± 3.6 years. The most common extraction indication was an infection (71.15%). Indications correlated significantly with comorbidities (p = 0.024), the most common being Diabetes Mellitus (40.38%). Simple traction was successful in 31 % of the leads, while 69% were extracted using locking stylet and evolution dilator sheath. The method of lead extraction correlated significantly with lead age (P ≤ 0.001). Complications were significantly higher with extraction by evolution dilator sheaths than by simple traction (P = 0.003) and in older patients (P = 0.008). Complications also correlated significantly with extractions indications (p = 0.012), type of PPM (P = 0.037), number of extracted leads (P = 0.041), and lead age (p= 0.011). CONCLUSION: Among the studied variables, extraction indications particularly infection, was the only preventable factor significantly associated with complications. While focusing on preventable factors, improving, implantation and extraction techniques should also be addressed

Sample Size Calculation Guide - Part 5: How to calculate the sample size for a superiority clinical trial

In the previous educational articles, we explained how to calculate the sample size for a rate or a single proportion, for an independent cohort study, for an independent case-control study, and for a diagnostic test accuracy study. In this article, we explain how to calculate the sample size for a superiority clinical trial

Characterization of Asphalt Mixtures in Qatar

The State of Qatar went through a massive road construction program in the last decade as part of the ongoing development of its infrastructure and road transport network. Construction of roads in Qatar generally utilizes imported materials such as aggregate and binders as a result of the scarcity of local construction materials. Characteristics of asphalt mixtures are studied in this research program in order to evaluate mixtures properties in terms of aggregate packing, binder content, voids, mixture density, maximum density and Marshall Stability. Actual mixtures used in the Public Works Authority road projects were analyzed in the research program. Mixtures were prepared following the Qatar Construction Specifications (QCS, 2014). Combined aggregate gradations for different asphalt mixtures were compared with maximum density envelopes for different maximum aggregate sizes. Moreover, regression analysis was used to evaluate the strength of correlations established between different asphalt mixtures properties. The analysis of these mixtures is outlined in terms of general characteristics and consequently, recommendations are given to improve asphalt mixtures performance

Sample Size Calculation Guide - Part 5: How to calculate the sample size for a superiority clinical trial

In the previous educational articles, we explained how to calculate the sample size for a rate or a single proportion, for an independent cohort study, for an independent case-control study, and for a diagnostic test accuracy study. In this article, we explain how to calculate the sample size for a superiority clinical trial

Cognitive Radio for Smart Grid with Security Considerations

In this paper, we investigate how Cognitive Radio as a means of communication can be utilized to serve a smart grid deployment end to end, from a home area network to power generation. We show how Cognitive Radio can be mapped to integrate the possible different communication networks within a smart grid large scale deployment. In addition, various applications in smart grid are defined and discussed showing how Cognitive Radio can be used to fulfill their communication requirements. Moreover, information security issues pertained to the use of Cognitive Radio in a smart grid environment at different levels and layers are discussed and mitigation techniques are suggested. Finally, the well-known Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) is integrated with the Cognitive Radio part of a smart grid communication network to protect against unauthorized access to customer’s data and to the network at large

Effect of Thermal Cycling on Corrosion Rate of Carbon Steel (0.4%C), Water Cooled

The effect of thermal cycling was carried out on steel bars (0.4 %C). A single run was performed at a lower temperature of 320C and an upper temperature of 5000C cooled in water and seawater. For several numbers of cycles up to 30 cycles for an accurate determination of heating and cooling times. The effect of thermal cycling on the corrosion rate was evaluated. The effect of thermal cycling on the following properties was evaluated the corrosion rate. The comparison between the effect of thermal cycling on carbon steel (0.4% C) seawater cooled (previous results, sea-water cooled [1]) and the effect of thermal cycling on carbon steel (0.4 C %) (in this manuscript, water-cooled) has been studied. From the obtained test results (previous and in this paper, it was found that the type of corrosion is uniform, the corrosion rate of the first stage gradually increases with the number of thermal cycling up to 15 cycles, then it takes steady-state up to 30 cycles. It was found that the rate of corrosion (previous results, seawater cooled) is more than (the results in this paper, water-cooled)

Awareness of Basic Life Support among Egyptian Medical Students; a Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: It is important for all medical and paramedical staff to be aware of basic life support (BLS) maneuvers. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the level of BLS awareness among Egyptian medical students.Methods: The level of BLS knowledge was assessed using a validated questionnaire and the results were analyzed using an answer key, prepared from the Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) manual. We used the Student's t-test to analyze the association between awareness level and year of study, previous BLS training and practical experience.Results: A total of 823 medical students with the mean age of 20.3 ± 2.7 years, from Al-Azhar medical schools completed the questionnaire (463 and 360 in academic and clinical years, respectively). About 72% and 84% of students failed to recognize the proper point of chest compression in adults and infants, respectively. Moreover, the majority (80%) did not know how to give rescue breathing in infants. Only 18% of students correctly identified early signs of shock and only 22% knew how to help patients with myocardial infarction. Being in clinical years, previous BLS training or practical experience were significantly associated with higher BLS knowledge scores (p < 0.001).Conclusion: The level of BLS awareness among Egyptian medical students is generally poor. Introduction of regular BLS courses into the undergraduate curriculum is a must to increase the level of BLS knowledge among Egyptian future physicians

PREVALENCE AND CAUSES OF TRAUMATIC DENTAL INJURIES TO ANTERIOR TEETH AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN SANA'A CITY, YEMEN

Objectives: The current study was conducted to reveal the prevalence and causes of traumatic dental injuries to permanent anterior teeth among mixed dentition of schoolchildren in Sana'a City, Yemen. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on 1252 schoolchildren aged 7-12 years in three districts of Sana'a city, Yemen. They numbered 700 males and 552 females from 26 randomly selected public and private schools. Clinical examination of permanent anterior teeth was done according to the classification of Ellis modified by Fried. Results: Prevalence of TDI was 10.30%, with a male ratio of 4.8: female 1, (P <0.05). Most of the children suffered only one damage to the tooth and most of them are in the maxillary central incisors. The TDI increased with older age (10-12 years old) (16.5%) with odds ratio 4.8, (p<0.05). Regarding the site of trauma, most injuries happened in males on the street (44.9%) while in females happened at home (31.81%) and falls were the main cause of TDI. In both sexes, the most common type of injury was class I (enamel fracture) followed by class II (enamel and dentine without pulp involvement). Conclusion: In conclusion, the prevalence of TDI in permanent anterior teeth among mixed dentition of school children in Sana’a was high, higher in males than in females, with a peak age of 10 to 12 years, falls was the common cause, and occurred mostly on the street for boys and home for females. Accordingly, educational programs should be developed that focus on ways to prevent dental trauma and the benefits of seeking urgent treatment to maintain avulsed and fractured teeth.                                 Peer Review History: Received 13 May 2020; Revised 15 June; Accepted 1 July, Available online 15 July 2020 Academic Editor: Dr. Asia Selman Abdullah, Al-Razi university, Department of Pharmacy, Yemen, [email protected] UJPR follows the most transparent and toughest ‘Advanced OPEN peer review’ system. The identity of the authors and, reviewers will be known to each other. This transparent process will help to eradicate any possible malicious/purposeful interference by any person (publishing staff, reviewer, editor, author, etc) during peer review. As a result of this unique system, all reviewers will get their due recognition and respect, once their names are published in the papers. We expect that, by publishing peer review reports with published papers, will be helpful to many authors for drafting their article according to the specifications. Auhors will remove any error of their article and they will improve their article(s) according to the previous reports displayed with published article(s). The main purpose of it is ‘to improve the quality of a candidate manuscript’. Our reviewers check the ‘strength and weakness of a manuscript honestly’. There will increase in the perfection, and transparency. Received file:                Reviewer's Comments:  Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 6.0/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 8.0/10 Reviewer(s) detail: Dr. Alfonso Alexander Aguileral, University of Veracruz,  Mexico, [email protected] Dr. Mohamed Awad Mousnad, Faculty of Pharmacy, International University of Africa (IUA), Khartoum, Sudan, [email protected]  Similar Articles: SERO-PREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS AMONG DENTAL CLINIC WORKERS IN SANA’A CITY- YEMEN AND THE RISK FACTORS CONTRIBUTING FOR ITS INFECTIO