Initial experience with Edwards SAPIEN valve transcatheter implantation in native RVOT in Latvia.

Transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation has been a well-known method for more than a decade, but there are still many challenging cases when a personalized solution is needed. We report a case of a 15-year-old female patient with tetralogy of Fallot, who underwent a  surgical correction during infancy. Because of progressive pulmonary regurgitation, stenosis, and right ventricle dilatation, transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation in the native right ventricle outflow tract (RVOT) using Edwards SAPIEN valve was performed.

Remote rapid cycle deliberate practice simulation training during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic is posing new challenges for medical education and simulation practice given local social distancing requirements. This report describes the use of an online platform for rapid cycle deliberate practice simulation training that can be used and tailored to local COVID-19 pandemic restrictions as it allows for participants, facilitators and simulation equipment to be apart.

Telementoring for remote simulation instructor training and faculty development using telesimulation.

Introduction: Simulation-based training is essential for high-quality medical care, but it requires access to equipment and expertise. Technology can facilitate connecting educators to training in simulation. We aimed to explore the use of remote simulation faculty development in Latvia using telesimulation and telementoring with an experienced debriefer located in the USA.

A Giant Arteriovenous Malformation and Fistula in a Newborn with Parkes Weber Syndrome. Case Report.

Parkes Weber syndrome (PWS) is a rare congenital condition characterized by capillary cutaneous malformation, limb hypertrophy and multiple arteriovenous fistulas of the affected extremity. Another feature is a port-wine stain on the affected area. PWS is caused by genetic variations in the RAS p21 protein activator () gene which affects the development of the vascular system.

Production of extracellular fructans by Gluconobacter nephelii P1464.

Unlabelled: Bacterial extracellular fructans, known as levans, have potential applications in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries and high fructan producing strains could contribute into the cost reduction and more extensive commercial usage of them. An acetic acid bacteria (AAB) isolate P1464 was obtained from the Microbial Strain Collection of Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Latvia and identified as Gluconobacter nephelii by DNA-DNA hybridization and the formation of extracellular fructans by this strain was confirmed. Isolated extracellular fructose polymers were characterized using FT-IR spectroscopy and the structural features of fructan appeared as similar to the reference sample of bacterial levan.