The Pocketable Electronic Devices in Radiation Oncology (PEDRO) Project: How the Use of Tools in Medical Decision Making is Changing?

Purpose: To analyze the impact of mobile electronic devices (MEDs) and apps in the daily clinical activity of young radiation or clinical oncologists in 5 Western European countries (Italy, Germany, Spain, Portugal, and Denmark).

Methods: A web-based questionnaire was sent to 462 young (≤40 years) members of the national radiation or clinical oncology associations of the countries involved in the study. The 15 items investigated diffusion of MEDs (smartphones and/or tablets), their impact on daily clinical activity, and the differences perceived by participants along time.

Reusable superelastic iris retractor. The Microsurgery Advanced Design Laboratory.

We report the development and testing of a new reusable iris retractor for surgical dilatation of the pupil. The iris retractor is composed of superelastic nitinol (nickel-titanium alloy) which can be repeatedly flexed. The reusable superelastic iris retractor is a valuable new device for temporary mechanical dilation of the pupil.

Cardiovascular risk factors in textile workers: prevalence and intervention.

This study included 1,390 textile workers from a southern state who received a screening for risk factors for heart disease. Occupational health nurses then provided an education/counseling intervention and one or more American Heart Association pamphlets using the results of the screening. Over half of the workers had at least one modifiable risk factor for heart disease.