Hypotensive Events in Pediatric Patients Receiving Dexmedetomidine for MRI.

Purpose: Dexmedetomidine, the preferred pediatric sedating agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), has the side effect of hypotension. Newer recommendations for reporting adverse events in pediatric procedural sedation include using a two-pronged definition. Our aim was to describe the incidence of hypotension in patients undergoing sedated MRI and to identify demographic and clinical factors associated with hypotension, applying a two-pronged definition, where a numerical threshold/clinical criterion must be met as well as at least one clinical intervention performed.

A review of key strategies to address the shortage of analgesics and sedatives in pediatric intensive care.

Importance: Targeted analgosedation is a challenge in critically ill children, and this challenge becomes even more significant with drug shortages.

Observations: Published guidelines inform the provision of analgosedation in critically ill children. This review provides insights into general approaches using these guidelines during drug shortages in Pediatric Intensive Care Units as well as strategies to optimize both pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches in these situations.

Safety and efficacy of medically performed tongue piercing in people with tetraplegia for use with tongue-operated assistive technology.

Background: Individuals with high-level spinal cord injuries need effective ways to perform activities.

Objectives: To develop and test a medically supervised tongue-piercing protocol and the wearing of a magnet-containing tongue barbell for use with the Tongue Drive System (TDS) in persons with tetraplegia.

Methods: Volunteers with tetraplegia underwent initial screening sessions using a magnet glued on the tongue to activate and use the TDS.

Assessment of the Tongue-Drive System Using a Computer, a Smartphone, and a Powered-Wheelchair by People With Tetraplegia.

Tongue-Drive System (TDS) is a wireless and wearable assistive technology that enables people with severe disabilities to control their computers, wheelchairs, and smartphones using voluntary tongue motion. To evaluate the efficacy of the TDS, several experiments were conducted, in which the performance of nine able-bodied (AB) participants using a mouse, a keypad, and the TDS, as well as a cohort of 11 participants with tetraplegia (TP) using the TDS, were observed and compared. Experiments included the Fitts' law tapping, wheelchair driving, phone-dialing, and weight-shifting tasks over five to six consecutive sessions.

A 3-year-old female with abdominal pain, vomiting, and an abdominal mass.

We present a case of a 3-year-old female with a 10-day history of lower abdominal pain, distention, and vomiting, as well as fatigue, low-grade fever, and subjective weight loss who was found to have utero-ovarian torsion with pathology revealing hemorrhagic and infarcted tissue. While the literature is limited, it suggests that utero-adnexal torsion in children may be more common than previously recognized. A missed, or even delayed, diagnosis of utero-adnexal torsion has the potential to result in irreversible ischemic damage.

Qualitative assessment of tongue drive system by people with high-level spinal cord injury.

The Tongue Drive System (TDS) is a minimally invasive, wireless, and wearable assistive technology (AT) that enables people with severe disabilities to control their environments using tongue motion. TDS translates specific tongue gestures into commands by sensing the magnetic field created by a small magnetic tracer applied to the user's tongue. We have previously quantitatively evaluated the TDS for accessing computers and powered wheelchairs, demonstrating its usability.

The tongue enables computer and wheelchair control for people with spinal cord injury.

The Tongue Drive System (TDS) is a wireless and wearable assistive technology, designed to allow individuals with severe motor impairments such as tetraplegia to access their environment using voluntary tongue motion. Previous TDS trials used a magnetic tracer temporarily attached to the top surface of the tongue with tissue adhesive. We investigated TDS efficacy for controlling a computer and driving a powered wheelchair in two groups of able-bodied subjects and a group of volunteers with spinal cord injury (SCI) at C6 or above.

A short educational intervention measurably benefits keloid-prone individuals' knowledge of prevention and treatment.

Background: The Internet is a commonly utilized health information resource that provides access to information of varying quality.

Objective: We sought to evaluate the use of the Internet as a health information resource within a keloid patient population and the effects of an educational intervention on patient knowledge about keloids.


Methods: A consecutive convenience sample of subjects completed a questionnaire on keloid-related Internet use and on personal and family history of keloids.

Evaluation of a smartphone platform as a wireless interface between tongue drive system and electric-powered wheelchairs.

Tongue drive system (TDS) is a new wireless assistive technology (AT) for the mobility impaired population. It provides users with the ability to drive powered wheelchairs (PWC) and access computers using their unconstrained tongue motion. Migration of the TDS processing unit and user interface platform from a bulky personal computer to a smartphone (iPhone) has significantly facilitated its usage by turning it into a true wireless and wearable AT.

Safety of a novel microneedle device applied to facial skin: a subject- and rater-blinded, sham-controlled, randomized trial.

Objective: To assess the safety of a novel microneedle device on facial skin of healthy individuals of all Fitzpatrick skin types.

Design: Subject- and live rater–blinded, sham-controlled, randomized trial.

Setting: University-based ambulatory dermatology service providing both primary and referral care.

Body piercing: complications and prevention of health risks.

Body and earlobe piercing are common practices in the USA today. Minor complications including infection and bleeding occur frequently and, although rare, major complications have been reported. Healthcare professionals should be cognizant of the medical consequences of body piercing.