Study of curtaining effect reduction methods in Inconel 718 using a plasma focused ion beam.

The curtaining effect is a common challenge in focused ion beam (FIB) surface preparation. This study investigates methods to reduce this effect during plasma FIB milling of Inconel 718 (nickel-based superalloy). Platinum deposition, silicon mask and XeF gas injection were explored as potential solutions.

Strengthening Privacy and Data Security in Biomedical Microelectromechanical Systems by IoT Communication Security and Protection in Smart Healthcare.

Biomedical Microelectromechanical Systems (BioMEMS) serve as a crucial catalyst in enhancing IoT communication security and safeguarding smart healthcare systems. Situated at the nexus of advanced technology and healthcare, BioMEMS are instrumental in pioneering personalized diagnostics, monitoring, and therapeutic applications. Nonetheless, this integration brings forth a complex array of security and privacy challenges intrinsic to IoT communications within smart healthcare ecosystems, demanding comprehensive scrutiny.

Rationale for combined therapies in severe-to-critical COVID-19 patients.

An unprecedented global social and economic impact as well as a significant number of fatalities have been brought on by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), produced by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Acute SARS-CoV-2 infection can, in certain situations, cause immunological abnormalities, leading to an anomalous innate and adaptive immune response. While most patients only experience mild symptoms and recover without the need for mechanical ventilation, a substantial percentage of those who are affected develop severe respiratory illness, which can be fatal.

[Information systems for health: an analysis of design from a public policy perspectiveSistemas de informação para a saúde: uma análise do design na perspectiva das políticas públicas].

In 2019, the Pan American Health Organization approved a regional policy known as the Plan of Action for Strengthening Information Systems for Health 2019-2023, the design of which is the subject of this article. This analysis was carried out from the point of view of the development of the plan of action, as well as its implementation, in the light of the theoretical concepts of Harold Lasswell and Charles Lindblom. In the study of this policy, consideration was given to context, focus on problems, diversity, and the variety of methods used.

[Normal values of eosinophils in gastric and duodenal mucosa of children referred to upper gastrointestinal endoscopy].

Introduction: With the increasing incidence of food allergies, the presence of eosinophils (Eos) in the gastrointes tinal mucosa has received increased attention, particularly in the esophagus and colon. However, normal values for the Eos count in the stomach and duodenum in pediatric patients are still limited.

The Objective: of this study was to estimate Eos reference values in stomach and duodenal biopsies of children referred to upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

Fructose Malabsorption in Chilean Children Undergoing Fructose Breath Test at a Tertiary Hospital.

Fructose is a highly abundant carbohydrate in western diet and may induce bowel symptoms in children as in adults. The main objective of this study is to describe the frequency of fructose malabsorption (FM) in symptomatic patients 18 years or younger undergoing fructose breath test in a single tertiary center between 2013 and 2018, and to evaluate whether certain symptoms are related to positivity of the test. Out of 273 tests 183 (67%) were compatible with FM.

Per oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) in pediatric patients with esophageal achalasia: First Latin-American experience.

Background: Achalasia is the most common primary motor disorder of the esophagus, but its incidence in pediatric patients is low. Laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) is the current surgical standard of care treatment. Per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has emerged as a safe and effective therapeutic alternative in adult patients.

Prevalence, clinical outcomes and rainfall association of acute respiratory infection by human metapneumovirus in children in Bogotá, Colombia.

Background: Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in children. Viruses are the main etiological agents, and their behavior tends to be seasonal and vary by geographical location. Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) has recently been described as a cause of severe acute respiratory infection and its prevalence and clinical behavior in children at moderate altitudes is unknown.

Concordance between Lactose Quick Test, hydrogen-methane breath test and genotyping for the diagnosis of lactose malabsorption in children.

Background: Lactose intolerance is a frequent condition in certain populations. Different methods for diagnosis exist. There is scarce literature regarding Lactose Quick Test (LQT) and concordance with other methods for lactose intolerance diagnosis in children.

Fat Mass Lowers the Response to Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Blockers in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis.

Objective: Our main objective was to assess the relationship between body composition (BC) and response to tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) blocker treatment in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Our secondary objective was to evaluate the change of BC after treatment, accounting for sex and age.

Methods: All included patients fulfilled the modified New York criteria for AS and were naive to TNF-α blocker.

Functional gastrointestinal disorders in children from low socio-economic status and Helicobacter pylori infection.

Background: Most studies on functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) in children are based on data from the northern hemisphere. Scientific reports are arising in South American population, but little is still known about children from low socio-economic status (SES), where Helicobacter pylori infection is endemic. Our objective was to evaluate the prevalence of FGIDs in school children from low SES and its relationship with H.

Muscle wasting in male TNF-α blocker naïve ankylosing spondylitis patients: a comparison of gender differences in body composition.

Objective: To assess gender differences in body composition (BC) in a cohort of AS patients naïve to TNF-α blockers.

Methods: Patients included fulfilled the Modified New York criteria for AS. Demographic information and disease activity measures (ASDAS and BASDAI) were reported.

Solar radiation is inversely associated with inflammatory bowel disease admissions.

Objective: To explore the associations between latitude and solar radiation with inflammatory bowel disease admission rates in Chile, the country with the largest variation in solar radiation in the world.

Patients And Methods: This is an ecological study, which included data on all hospital-admitted population for inflammatory bowel disease between 2001 and 2012, according to different latitudes and solar radiation exposures in Chile. The data were acquired from the national hospital discharge database from the Department of Health Statistics and Information of the Chilean Ministry of Health.

[Frequency and severity of periodontitis among patients with rheumatoid arthritis].

Background: Periodontitis may have a triggering and aggravating role of various medical conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis.

Aim: To evaluate the periodontal status in Chilean patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), treated in a public hospital.

Patients And Methods: A trained professional conducted a periodontal examination in 40 patients with RA aged 23 to 73 years (85% women).

A triple-masked, randomized controlled trial comparing ultrasound-guided brachial plexus and distal peripheral nerve block anesthesia for outpatient hand surgery.

Background. For hand surgery, brachial plexus blocks provide effective anesthesia but produce undesirable numbness. We hypothesized that distal peripheral nerve blocks will better preserve motor function while providing effective anesthesia.

Cerebral venous thrombosis complicating severe preeclampsia in the postpartum period: a diagnostic challenge.

A 26 year old primigravida with preeclampsia was diagnosed with a cerebral venous thrombosis 6 days following Cesarean section. The diagnosis was initially challenging due to the patient's history of migraines, the preeclampsia, multiple attempts at spinal anesthesia for Cesarean section, and a dural puncture while performing epidural blood patch.

[Frequency of Helicobacter pylori infection in 144 school age Chilean children].

Background: A 73% prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection was estimated in adults in the 2003 Chilean National Health Survey. However, this infection is usually acquired during childhood.

Aim: To determine the frequency of H.

[Association of metabolic syndrome markers with abnormal alanine aminotransferase levels in healthy children].

Background: There is a high prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) among pediatric patients. The identification of clinical predictors of these conditions would allow a timely treatment.

Aim: To evaluate the relationship between serum alanine aminotransferase levels and parameters of metabolic syndrome in asymptomatic school students without hepatic illness.

Placental abruption occurring soon after labor combined spinal-epidural analgesia.

We present a case of placental abruption necessitating emergency cesarean section in an otherwise uncomplicated patient soon after initiation of combined spinal-epidural analgesia in labor. Administration of spinal opioids has the potential to cause fetal bradycardia due to uterine hypertonicity following rapid onset of analgesia. In this case, a previously bloody show before placement of combined spinal-epidural analgesia may have been evidence of a small abruption.

Effect of epidural analgesia with ambulation on labor duration.

Background: Ambulatory epidural analgesia (AEA) is a popular choice for labor analgesia because ambulation reportedly increases maternal comfort, increases the intensity of uterine contractions, avoids inferior vena cava compression, facilitates fetal head descent, and relaxes the pelvic musculature, all of which can shorten labor. However, the preponderance of evidence suggests that ambulation during labor is not associated with these benefits. The purpose of this study is to determine whether ambulation with AEA decreases labor duration from the time of epidural insertion to complete cervical dilatation.

Uniport soft-tip, open-ended catheters versus multiport firm-tipped close-ended catheters for epidural labor analgesia: a quality assurance study.

Study Objective: To compare a multiport, firm-tipped, close-ended, epidural catheter (Portex catheter) with a uniport, open-ended, soft-tipped, wire-reinforced catheter (Arrow catheter) in obstetric patients.

Study Design: Prospective data collection for intradepartmental quality assurance.

Setting: Obstetric unit in a tertiary care maternity hospital.