Pulse-Controlled Amplification-A new powerful tool for on-site diagnostics under resource limited conditions.

Background: Molecular diagnostics has become essential in the identification of many infectious and neglected diseases, and the detection of nucleic acids often serves as the gold standard technique for most infectious agents. However, established techniques like polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are time-consuming laboratory-bound techniques while rapid tests such as Lateral Flow Immunochromatographic tests often lack the required sensitivity and/or specificity.

Methods/principle Findings: Here we present an affordable, highly mobile alternative method for the rapid identification of infectious agents using pulse-controlled amplification (PCA).

Retroperitoneal Hematoma Following Elective Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair: A Case Report.

Retroperitoneal hematoma formation following elective open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair may be occult. We report a case of recurrent hypotensive episodes in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) that were temporarily treated successfully with fluid, blood products, and vasopressors. At reoperation, active bleeding was excluded; however, upon reopening the bovine pericardial patch closure of the retroperitoneum, hematoma between the aneurysmal sac and inferior vena cava (IVC) had caused IVC compression.

Cost Savings Analysis of Early Extubation Following Congenital Heart Surgery.

The clinical benefit of early extubation following congenital heart surgery has been demonstrated; however, its effect on resource utilization has not been rigorously evaluated. We sought to determine the cost savings of implementing an early extubation pathway for children undergoing surgery for congenital heart disease. We performed a cost savings analysis after implementation of an early extubation strategy among children undergoing congenital heart surgery at British Columbia Children's Hospital (BCCH) over a 2.

MinION as part of a biomedical rapidly deployable laboratory.

Fast turnaround times are of utmost importance for biomedical reconnaissance, particularly regarding dangerous pathogens. Recent advances in sequencing technology and its devices allow sequencing within a short time frame outside stationary laboratories close to the epicenter of the outbreak. In our study, we evaluated the portable sequencing device MinION as part of a rapidly deployable laboratory specialized in identification of highly pathogenic agents.

Should early extubation be the goal for children after congenital cardiac surgery?

Objective: We sought to determine the feasibility and assess the clinical outcomes associated with an early extubation strategy for all children undergoing congenital heart surgery, including neonates (age, <30 days).

Methods: We performed a linked database analysis of all patients undergoing congenital heart surgery from July 1, 2010 to December 31, 2012. We collected data on the cardiac diagnoses, preoperative status, procedure, and postoperative course, including the duration of invasive and noninvasive ventilation, failure of extubation, hemodynamic data, length of stay, complications, and mortality.