Impact of the International Quality Improvement Collaborative on outcomes after congenital heart surgery: a single center experience in a developing economy.

Background: The International Quality Improvement Collaborative (IQIC) for Congenital Heart Surgery in Developing Countries was initiated to decrease mortality and major complications after congenital heart surgery in the developing world.

Objective: We sought to assess the impact of IQIC on postoperative outcomes after congenital heart surgery at our institution.

Methods: The key components of the IQIC program included creation of a robust worldwide database on key outcome measures and nurse education on quality driven best practices using telemedicine platforms.

Characterization of new natural cellulosic fiber from Cissus quadrangularis stem.

Polymer composite has contributed tremendously for energy efficient technologies in automotive and aero industries. Environmental and health concerns related to the carcinogenic nature of artificial fiber in polymer composite needs a retrofit. Eco friendly natural cellulosic fiber extract from the stem of Cissus quadrangularis plant is extensively characterized to consider as a viable alternative for man-made hazardous fibers.

Genetic basis of dyslipidemia in disease precipitation of coronary artery disease (CAD) associated type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its complications are linked to environmental, clinical, and genetic factors. This review analyses the disorders of lipids and their genetics with respect to coronary artery disease (CAD) associated with T2DM. Cell organelles, hepatitis C-virus infection, reactive oxygen species produced in mitochondria, and defective insulin signaling due to the arrest of G1 phase to S phase transition of β-cells have significant roles in the precipitation of the diseases.

Temporal trends in cardiac arrest incidence and outcome in Finnish intensive care units from 2003 to 2013.

Purpose: To estimate temporal trends in incidence and hospital mortality after cardiac arrest in Finnish intensive care units.

Methods: Using a large nationwide intensive care unit (ICU) database we identified patients suffering from cardiac arrest following ICU admission (ICU-CA) during the study period (2003-2013). ICU-CA was defined as need for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and/or defibrillation (non-arrest cardioversions were excluded) according to the Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System-76.

Autologous immune enhancement therapy in Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Advances in current treatment regimens in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have resulted in cure rates of 75-80 %. Some molecular genetic abnormalities confer a poor prognosis. Of these, the chromosomal translocation t (9;22)-Philadelphia chromosome is associated with the worst outcome in childhood ALL.

High-resolution liquid patterns via three-dimensional droplet shape control.

Understanding liquid dynamics on surfaces can provide insight into nature's design and enable fine manipulation capability in biological, manufacturing, microfluidic and thermal management applications. Of particular interest is the ability to control the shape of the droplet contact area on the surface, which is typically circular on a smooth homogeneous surface. Here, we show the ability to tailor various droplet contact area shapes ranging from squares, rectangles, hexagons, octagons, to dodecagons via the design of the structure or chemical heterogeneity on the surface.

Validation of the revised injury severity classification score in patients with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury.

Introduction: By analysing risk-adjusted mortality ratios, weaknesses in the process of care might be identified. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the main cause of death in trauma, and thus it is crucial that trauma prediction models are valid for TBI patients. Accordingly, we assessed the validity of the RISC score in TBI patients by internal and external validation analyses.

Predicting outcome in traumatic brain injury: development of a novel computerized tomography classification system (Helsinki computerized tomography score).

Background: Early computerized tomography (CT) abnormalities are important predictors of outcome after traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Objective: To develop a novel CT scoring system (Helsinki CT score) and to compare it with the Marshall CT classification and the Rotterdam CT score in predicting long-term outcome of patients with TBI.

Methods: Eight hundred sixty-nine consecutive TBI patients were included in this open-cohort, retrospective, single-center study.

How to interpret postoperative X-rays after total knee arthroplasty.

Today, total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is one the most commonly performed surgeries worldwide. The purpose of this article is to review the appearance of normal post-TKA roentgenographs and describe the correct sequence for their interpretation. It is unwise to depend solely on patients' symptoms when diagnosing TKA complications because serial radiographs can foresee failures well before they manifest clinically.

Intralesional injection of Mycobacterium w vaccine vs imiquimod, 5%, cream in patients with anogenital warts: a randomized clinical trial.

Importance: Intralesional antigen therapy has been used in the treatment of anogenital warts (AGWs), but it has not been compared with existing therapies. Evidence of its efficacy is not strong.

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of intralesional Mycobacterium w (Mw) vaccine with that of imiquimod, 5%, cream in the treatment of AGWs, as well as changes in human papillomavirus (HPV)-6 and HPV-11 viral loads.

Modeling the relation between obesity and sleep parameters in children referred for dietary weight reduction intervention.

Objectives: Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies have demonstrated that short sleep periods increase the likelihood of obesity in children. This study was designed to identify other less-clearly defined sleep and behavioral patterns associated with changes in body mass index (BMI) in obese children referred for interventions.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinic records of children with obesity and children at risk for developing obesity who were referred for counseling and weight loss.

Enhancing business intelligence by means of suggestive reviews.

Appropriate identification and classification of online reviews to satisfy the needs of current and potential users pose a critical challenge for the business environment. This paper focuses on a specific kind of reviews: the suggestive type. Suggestions have a significant influence on both consumers' choices and designers' understanding and, hence, they are key for tasks such as brand positioning and social media marketing.

Discovery of highly selective 7-chloroquinoline-thiohydantoins with potent antimalarial activity.

A series of C-3 thiourea functionalized β-lactams, β-lactam-7-chloroquinoline conjugates and 7-chloroquinoline-thiohydantoin derivatives were prepared with the aim of probing antimalarial structure-activity relationships. 7-Chlorquinoline-thiohydantoin derivatives were found to be potent inhibitors of cultured Plasmodium falciparum, with the most potent and non-cytotoxic compound exhibiting an IC50 of 39.8 nM.

Acute alcohol intoxication and long-term outcome in patients with traumatic brain injury.

The effect of blood alcohol concentration (BAC) on outcome after traumatic brain injury (TBI) is controversial. We sought to assess the independent effect of positive BAC on long-term outcome in patients with TBI treated in the intensive care unit (ICU). We performed a retrospective analysis of 405 patients with TBI, admitted to the ICU of a large urban Level 1 trauma center between January 2009 and December 2012.

Modulation contrast optimization for wavelength conversion of a 20 Gbit/s data signal in hybrid InP/SOI photonic crystal nanocavity.

Photonic crystal cavity-based switching is studied both theoretically and experimentally in order to identify the best configuration to maximize "wavelength conversion" efficiency. In particular, it is shown that an enhanced contrast can be reached when the probe is blueshifted with respect to the resonance. The use of an InP/SOI hybrid photonic crystal nanocavity is reported for the first time for all-optical error-free "wavelength conversion" at 20  Gbit/s with a nonreturn to zero on-off keying signal.

Accelerometer-based devices can be used to monitor sedation/agitation in the intensive care unit.

Purpose: Monitoring sedation/agitation levels in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) are important to direct treatment and to improve outcomes. This study was designed to determine the potential use of accelerometer-based sensors/devices to objectively measure sedation/agitation in patients admitted to the ICU.

Materials And Methods: Accelerometer-based devices (actigraphs) were placed on nondominant wrists of 86 patients in the ICU after informed consent.

Thermal management in hybrid InP/silicon photonic crystal nanobeam laser.

Thermal properties of InP-based quantum well photonic crystal nanobeam lasers heterogeneously integrated on silicon on insulator waveguides are studied. We show both numerically and experimentally the reduction of the thermal resistance of the III-V cavities by adjusting the composition of the layer which bonds the III-V materials to the silicon wafer and by adding an over-cladding on top of the cavities. Using a bonding layer made of benzocyclobutene and SiO(2) and an over-cladding of MgF(2), we found a decrease by a factor higher than 35 compared to air-suspended photonic crystal nanobeam cavities.

Characterization of new natural cellulosic fiber from Cissus quadrangularis root.

Fiber reinforced polymer composites are replacing many metallic structures due to its high specific strength and modulus. However commonly used man-made E-glass fibers are hazardous for health and carcinogenic by nature. Comprehensive characterization of Cissus quadrangularis root fiber such as anatomical study, chemical analysis, physical analysis, FTIR, XRD, SEM analysis and thermo gravimetric analysis are done.

Influenza, immune system, and pregnancy.

Influenza is a major health problem worldwide. Both seasonal influenza and pandemics take a major toll on the health and economy of our country. The present review focuses on the virology and complex immunology of this RNA virus in general and in relation to pregnancy.

Implantation failure in female Kiss1-/- mice is independent of their hypogonadic state and can be partially rescued by leukemia inhibitory factor.

The hypothalamic kisspeptin signaling system is a major positive regulator of the reproductive neuroendocrine axis, and loss of Kiss1 in the mouse results in infertility, a condition generally attributed to its hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. We demonstrate that in Kiss1(-/-) female mice, acute replacement of gonadotropins and estradiol restores ovulation, mating, and fertilization; however, these mice are still unable to achieve pregnancy because embryos fail to implant. Progesterone treatment did not overcome this defect.

Psychosocial determinants of nutritional neglect in a developing country.

Objective: To determine the demographic features and psycho-social and economic determinants of nutritional neglect in order to suggest interventional strategies.

Study Design: Cross-sectional, observational study.

Place And Duration Of Study: Department of Paediatrics, Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) and Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK), from January 2009 to December 2010.

Predicting outcome after traumatic brain injury: development of prognostic scores based on the IMPACT and the APACHE II.

Prediction models are important tools for heterogeneity adjustment in clinical trials and for the evaluation of quality of delivered care to patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). We sought to improve the predictive performance of the IMPACT (International Mission for Prognosis and Analysis of Clinical Trials) prognostic model by combining it with the APACHE II (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II) for 6-month outcome prediction in patients with TBI treated in the intensive care unit. A total of 890 patients with TBI admitted to a large urban level 1 trauma center in 2009-2012 comprised the study population.

Effect of hydrophilic defects on water transport in MFI zeolites.

The subnanometer pore structure of zeolites and other microporous materials has been proposed to act as a molecular sieve for various water separation technologies. However, due to the increased interaction between the solid and water in these nanoconfined spaces, it is unclear which type of interface, be it hydrophilic or hydrophobic, offers an advantageous medium for enhancing transport properties. In this work, we probe the role of hydrophilic defects on the transport of water inside the microporous hydrophobic MFI zeolite pore structure via combined sorption and high-pressure infiltration experiments.

Seckel syndrome: a rare case report.

Seckel syndrome (SS) is a rare, autosomal recessive syndrome; characterized by severe intrauterine and postnatal growth retardation, microcephaly, mental retardation, and typical facial appearance with beaklike protrusion of the midface (bird headed). In addition to the characteristic craniofacial dysmorphism and skeletal defects, abnormalities have been described in the cardiovascular, hematopoietic, endocrine, gastrointestinal, and central nervous systems. Usually such patients have poor psychomotor development.