Investigation of myocardial bioimpedance at multiple frequencies for cardiac radiofrequency ablation: ex-vivo experiments.

Background: Bioimpedance method is used clinically as a surrogate measure of effective tissue heating during cardiac ablation. It does not, however provide information regarding thermal cellular destruction which is the goal of ablation procedures.

Objective: This study investigated myocardial impedance (resistance and reactance) at different frequencies in response to the thermal effect and across temperatures where tissue necrosis occurs during ablation.

Influence of handle shape and size to reduce the hand-arm vibration discomfort.

Background: Non-automated tool handles transmit a large magnitude of vibration to operators' hands, causing discomfort and pain. Therefore, the need for a better handle design is a matter of prime concern to overcome musculoskeletal disorders such as hand-arm vibration syndrome.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the influence of handle shapes in reducing the transmission of hand-arm vibration.

Decolorization of Direct Red 28 by mixed bacterial culture in an up-flow immobilized bioreactor.

Aerobic mixed bacterial culture comprised of five isolates (Bacillus vallismortis, B. pumilus, B. cereus, B.

Wicked spell or magic bullet? A review of the clinical supervision literature 2001-2007.

Clinical supervision has become an established part of nursing. Implemented in various different ways it has attracted attention from the research, educator and practice communities. The literature reported and analysed in this paper describes work that may benefit professional practice but there continue to be questions about application and method.

Systematic review of the diagnostic accuracy of 201Tl single photon emission computed tomography in the detection of recurrent glioma.

Objective: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of 201Tl SPECT in the detection of tumour recurrence in patients with previous radiotherapy for supratentorial glioma.

Methods: The databases of PubMed and Embase were searched for relevant studies. Two reviewers independently selected and extracted data on study characteristics, quality and accuracy of studies.

Interobserver variability in the semi-quantitative assessment of 201Tl SPECT in cerebral gliomas.

Objectives: 201Tl SPECT is used successfully in the diagnosis of recurrent supratentorial glioma and in the evaluation of its response to chemotherapy. However, different methods are used to measure relative tracer uptake in tumour and background. The objective of this study was to assess the interobserver variability of such methods, and, if possible, to provide nomograms for data conversion.