Multiphoton scaling of femtosecond laser-induced refractive index change (LIRIC) in hydrogels and rabbit cornea.

To find optimal conditions for performing laser induced refractive index change (LIRIC) in living eyes with both safety and efficacy, we investigated multiphoton excitation scaling of this procedure in hydrogel and excised corneal tissue. Three distinct wavelength modalities were examined: high-repetition-rate (HRR) and low-repetition-rate (LRR) 405 nm systems, as well as 800 nm and 1035 nm systems, whose LIRIC-inducing properties are described for the first time. Of all the systems, LRR 405 nm-LIRIC was able to produce the highest phase shifts at the lowest average laser powers.

Assessment of thermal index compliance in clinical ultrasound examinations.

Introduction: The thermal index (TI) is critical for monitoring potential heating risks in ultrasound examinations. This study aims to analyse adherence to TI guidelines in clinical ultrasound exams, focusing on the thermal index for soft tissue (TIS) and thermal index for bone at the focus (TIB).

Methods: Clinical ultrasound images over a five working day period from a single NHS University Hospital Trust were analysed using a custom MATLAB script.

Temporal evolution of the biological response to laser-induced refractive index change (LIRIC) in rabbit corneas.

Laser-induced refractive index change (LIRIC) is a new, non-incisional, non-ablative, femtosecond photo-modification technique being developed for vision correction in humans. Prior, exvivo studies showed intra-tissue refractive index change to induce minimal cell death, restricted to the laser focal zone in the corneal stroma, and with no observable damage to the epithelium or endothelium. Here, we used live rabbits to ascertain longer-term consequences of LIRIC in vivo.

Electronic Health Records and Pulmonary Function Data: Developing an Interoperability Roadmap. An Official American Thoracic Society Workshop Report.

A workshop "Electronic Health Records and Pulmonary Function Data: Developing an Interoperability Roadmap" was held at the American Thoracic Society 2019 International Conference. "Interoperability" is defined as is the ability of different information-technology systems and software applications to directly communicate, exchange data, and use the information that has been exchanged. At present, pulmonary function test (PFT) equipment is not required to be interoperable with other clinical data systems, including electronic health records (EHRs).

The Association Between Operating Room Personnel and Turnover With Surgical Site Infection in More Than 12 000 Neurosurgical Cases.

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) contributes significantly to postoperative morbidity and mortality and greatly increases the cost of care.

Objective: To identify the impact of workflow and personnel-related risk factors contributing to the incidence of SSIs in a large sample of neurological surgeries.

Methods: Data were obtained using an enterprisewide electronic health record system, operating room, and anesthesia records for neurological procedures conducted between January 1, 2009, and November 30, 2012.

Incidence and risk factors for 30-day readmission in patients undergoing nephrectomy procedures: a contemporary analysis of 5276 cases from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database.

Objective: To explore factors associated with readmission after nephrectomy procedures using a large national database.

Materials And Methods: A national surgical outcomes database, the American College of Surgeon-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program registry, was queried for data on all patients undergoing open partial nephrectomy (OPN), minimally invasive (laparoscopic + robotic) partial nephrectomy (MIPN), and minimally invasive radical nephrectomy (MIRN) in 2011 and 2012. Patients undergoing these procedures were identified using the Current Procedural Terminology codes.

Repeated head trauma is associated with smaller thalamic volumes and slower processing speed: the Professional Fighters' Brain Health Study.

Objectives: Cumulative head trauma may alter brain structure and function. We explored the relationship between exposure variables, cognition and MRI brain structural measures in a cohort of professional combatants.

Methods: 224 fighters (131 mixed martial arts fighters and 93 boxers) participating in the Professional Fighters Brain Health Study, a longitudinal cohort study of licensed professional combatants, were recruited, as were 22 controls.

Invasive fungal infections following liver transplantation: incidence, risk factors, survival, and impact of fluconazole-resistant Candida parapsilosis (2003-2007).

Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) are associated with a high mortality rate for liver transplantation (LT) recipients. To study the incidence of and risk factors for IFIs in LT recipients and the associated mortality rates, we retrospectively reviewed the records of first-time deceased donor LT recipients (January 2003 to December 2007). The incidence of IFIs was 12%.