Mental health consequences of COVID-19 suppression strategies in Victoria, Australia: a narrative review.

The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed significant mental health burdens upon the general population worldwide, either directly owing to the disease or indirectly through aggressive public health measures to control spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. In this narrative review, we used a systematic approach to summarize the impact of restrictive lockdown measures on the general mental health of people living in Victoria, Australia during 2020 and to identify the groups with an increased risk of adverse mental health outcomes. A systematic database search (Ovid Medline, PsycINFO, Embase) for articles examining the mental health of Victorians in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020 yielded 88 articles, of which 15 articles were finally included in this review.

Epidemiology, clinical presentations and outcome of patients presenting to the emergency department after a COVID-19 vaccination: An observational study.

Objective: The World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 pandemic on 11 March 2020. In 2021, several vaccines were provisionally approved to reduce the risk of transmission and hospitalisation of COVID-19 infection. A surge in COVID-19 vaccination was seen between August and October 2021 in Victoria, Australia.

Characterization and Genetic Analyses of New Genes Coding for NOD2 Interacting Proteins.

NOD2 contributes to the innate immune response and to the homeostasis of the intestinal mucosa. In response to its bacterial ligand, NOD2 interacts with RICK and activates the NF-κB and MAPK pathways, inducing gene transcription and synthesis of proteins required to initiate a balanced immune response. Mutations in NOD2 have been associated with an increased risk of Crohn's Disease (CD), a disabling inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

New continuous-flow total artificial heart and vascular permeability.

Background: We tested the short-term effects of completely nonpulsatile versus pulsatile circulation after ventricular excision and replacement with total implantable pumps in an animal model on peripheral vascular permeability.

Methods: Ten calves underwent cardiac replacement with two HeartMate III continuous-flow rotary pumps. In five calves, the pump speed was rapidly modulated to impart a low-frequency pulse pressure in the physiologic range (10-25 mm Hg) at a rate of 40 pulses per minute (PP).

Continuous-flow ventricular assist device exchange is safe and effective in prolonging support time in patients with end-stage heart failure.

Objective: Although the development of continuous-flow ventricular assist devices (CF-VAD) has improved the reliability of these devices, VAD exchange is still occasionally necessary. The focus of this study was to analyze our institution's entire experience with primary CF-VAD implants, evaluate the baseline variables, determine which factors predict the need for exchange, and evaluate the impact of exchange on survival and event-free survival.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of all patients in a single center who received a primary CF-VAD implant between December 1999 and December 2013.

Eight-year experience with a continuous-flow total artificial heart in calves.

Over the last 8 years, we have developed and evaluated a continuous-flow total artificial heart (CFTAH) comprising two rotary blood pumps. To understand the physiologic effects of nonpulsatile circulation, we evaluated the CFTAH in 65 calves for 90 days or less. We describe our experience with 29 calves that survived for 7 days or more.

Ninety-day survival of a calf implanted with a continuous-flow total artificial heart.

We evaluated the effects of steady state flow and perfusion on end-organ function in a long-term calf model. The animal received a continuous-flow total artificial heart (CFTAH) that we created from two axial-flow ventricular assist devices. Pump flow, blood pressure, and other pump parameters were monitored throughout the study, as were arterial blood gas and hematologic values, including neurohormone levels.

Anatomic fitting of total artificial hearts for in vivo evaluation.

Successful anatomic fitting of a total artificial heart (TAH) is vital to achieve optimal pump hemodynamics after device implantation. Although many anatomic fitting studies have been completed in humans prior to clinical trials, few reports exist that detail the experience in animals for in vivo device evaluation. Optimal hemodynamics are crucial throughout the in vivo phase to direct design iterations and ultimately validate device performance prior to pivotal human trials.

Stent treatment of inferior vena cava compression in an ovine with a total artificial heart.

Although current continuous-flow total artificial hearts (CFTAHs) are much smaller than previous models, venous kinking may still occur after device implantation, especially in smaller animals. By inserting a self-expanding stent at the site of venous narrowing in a sheep model implanted with a CFTAH, we were able to restore the normal venous geometry and dramatically increase the CFTAH output. Because this percutaneous approach avoids the challenges associated with reoperation in these cases, it may be useful to other CFTAH investigators.

Enterocytin: A new specific enterocyte marker bearing a B30.2-like domain.

Enterocyte differentiation is correlated to the expression of specific proteins which only a few of them are identified. In this study, we characterize a new marker of enterocyte differentiation using monoclonal antibodies. We showed that small intestinal enterocytes specifically express a new 47 kDa protein named Enterocytin.

Clinical predictors of anaesthetic complications in children with respiratory tract infections.

Details of the preoperative condition, in particular symptoms of respiratory tract infections (RTI), perioperative management and the occurrence of perioperative complications, were collected in a survey of 2051 children. Logistic regression was used to determine which variables were predictors of anaesthetic adverse events. 22.

A genetically engineered, nonthrombogenic cellular lining for LVADs: in vitro preconditioning before in vivo implantation.

Because of the clinical success of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) used for short-term "bridge to transplant" and the limited availability of donor organs, heart assist devices are being considered for long-term implantation as an alternative to heart transplantation. In an effort to improve biocompatibility, our laboratory has developed a nonthrombogenic cellular lining from genetically engineered smooth muscle cells (GE-SMC) for the Thermocardiosystems Heartmate LVAD. Smooth muscle cells have been transduced with the gene for endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS III) and produce NO at concentrations that reduce platelet deposition and smooth muscle cell proliferation when tested in vitro.

Nonthrombogenic, adhesive cellular lining for left ventricular assist devices.

Background: The textured, blood-contacting surfaces of the Thermocardiosystems HeartMate left ventricular assist device (LVAD) promote the passivation of the biomaterial caused by the accumulation of an integral coagulum. Commonly, acute, postimplantation thrombocytopenia causes significant bleeding, requiring surgery or blood transfusions. Chronic complications include thromboembolic microevents that can affect central nervous system function.

A timed reexpansion inspiratory manoeuvre (TRIM) for treating oxyhaemoglobin desaturation in children following a period of apnoea--studies in an animal model.

Our clinical experience has shown that the use of a constant distending airway pressure of 30 cm water for 10 s, termed a timed reexpansion inspiratory manoeuvre (TRIM), is often successful in correcting oxyhaemoglobin desaturation in anaesthetized children. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of TRIM in lambs. Following a standard relaxant anaesthetic, ventilation was stopped and oxyhaemoglobin saturation allowed to fall to 70% and the time taken to return to baseline was compared between three groups.

Progress in the development of a transcutaneously powered axial flow blood pump ventricular assist system.

Development of the Jarvik 2000 intraventricular assist system for long-term support is ongoing. The system integrates the Jarvik 2000 axial flow blood pump with a microprocessor based automatic motor controller to provide response to physiologic demands. Nine devices have been evaluated in vivo (six completed, three ongoing) with durations in excess of 26 weeks.

Anatomical landmarks of the inguinal canal in prepubescent children.

Background: Most adult anatomical texts state that the deep inguinal ring is situated midway between the anterior superior iliac spine and the pubic tubercle. The aim of this study was to determine if this was true in prepubescent children.

Methods: A total of 107 inguinal ligaments and canals were measured during inguinal operations in 80 children (68 boys, age range 1-118 months).

Development of an implantable ventricular assist system.

Background: This study describes the present state of progress in the development of the Jarvik 2000 ventricular assist system.

Methods: Designed for implantation in the human thorax, the system consists of a small (25 cm3, 90 g) intraventricular axial-flow blood pump that transmits power and data via internal electronics and a transcutaneous energy transfer system. The pump is powered by portable internal and external polymer lithium ion batteries.

Separation of the natural atria in experimental implantation of total artificial heart.

Atrial connections in a single-unit total artificial heart (TAH) may be difficult to make because of the rigidity of the device and the fixed position of the atrial inlets. We developed a technique to separate the natural atrial borders in an experimental implantation of a unitary TAH. In this technique, the interatrial groove was dissected to separate the posterior wall of the right atrium from the roof of the left atrium before cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was initiated.

Five month survival in a calf supported with an intraventricular axial flow blood pump.

We are studying in vivo an intraventricular axial flow blood pump (Jarvik 2000) designed for long-term left ventricular support. The small (25 cc, 85 g) valveless pump has been placed intraventricularly in seven calves; pumps have functioned for as long as 5 months. In the four most recent long-term studies completed, calves have survived for 70, 120, 155, and 162 days (in that order); weight gain has averaged 0.

Progress in the development of the ABIOMED total artificial heart.

The ABIOMED implantable total artificial hearts in the final phase of engineering development. The system has a compact electrohydraulically driven energy converter sandwiched between two blood pumps, an internal electronics pack, an internal battery, a transcutaneous energy transmission coil for power transmission, and external wearable electronics pack and battery. The current effort is to complete development of the system during 1996 in preparation for formal pre clinical testing of the device.

In vivo evaluation of an intraventricular electric axial flow pump for left ventricular assistance.

In vivo studies have begun to evaluate a new intraventricular electric axial flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD), the Jarvik 2000, which is a small, valveless pump that is placed inside the left ventricle through the left ventricular apex. The operation, which is performed through a left thoracotomy, may be done without cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross-clamping. Outflow is provided through a 16 mm softly woven, Dacron graft anastomosed to the descending thoracic or abdominal aorta.

In vivo evaluation of a trileaflet mechanical heart valve.

Design goals for a mechanical heart valve include duplicating the hemodynamic performance of the natural valve, eliminating the need for anticoagulants, and maintaining safety. The Lapeyre-Dassault (Dassault-Aviation, Paris, France) prosthetic valve, undergoing development, addresses these goals. The unique trileaflet design consists of a solid titanium ring and three leaflets.

Chronic in vivo evaluation of an electrohydraulic total artificial heart.

Development of the Abiomed total artificial heart (TAH) designed for human use is progressing. Implant durations of longer than 60 days have been achieved in calves. The device consists of blood pumps, valves, and a hydraulic atrial flow balancing chamber fabricated from polyetherurethane.

Improved survival after extended bridge to cardiac transplantation.

In the past, left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support was frequently plagued by complications; thus, bridge to transplantation times were kept short. Increasing evidence suggests that extended bridging provides greater benefit due to improved end-organ perfusion and, thus, generally improved physical condition. To assess whether extended bridging translates into improved long-term survival after transplantation, we reviewed our experience with the HeartMate 1000 IP LVAD (Thermo Cardiosystems, Inc, Woburn, MA).