Development of a Paper-based Hematocrit Test and a Lateral Flow Assay to Detect Critical Fibrinogen Concentrations Using a Bottom-Up Pyramid Workflow Approach.

Fibrinogen is a coagulation factor in human blood and the first one to reach critical levels in major bleeding. Hypofibrinogenemia (a too low fibrinogen concentration in blood) poses great challenges to first responders, clinicians, and healthcare providers since it represents a risk factor for exsanguination and massive transfusion requirements. Thus, the rapid assessment of the fibrinogen concentration at the point of care has gained considerable importance in preventing and managing major blood loss.

High-resolution ultrasound of the supra- and infraclavicular levels of the brachial plexus including the axillary nerve: imaging anatomy based on multiplanar reconstructions and technical guide.

Purpose: The diagnosis of peripheral nerve injuries remains challenging. Electromyography and nerve conduction studies do not allow precise localization of the lesion and differentiation between lesions in continuity and non-continuity in cases with complete axonotmesis. Improved ultrasound technology allows the examination of almost the entire peripheral nervous system.

Circulating endothelial extracellular vesicle signatures correspond with ICU requirement: an exploratory study in COVID-19 patients.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) represent nanometer-sized, subcellular spheres, that are released from almost any cell type and carry a wide variety of biologically relevant cargo. In severe cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and other states of systemic pro-inflammatory activation, EVs, and their cargo can serve as conveyors and indicators for disease severity and progression. This information may help distinguish individuals with a less severe manifestation of the disease from patients who exhibit severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and require intensive care measures.

Factor XIII Measurement and Substitution in Trauma Patients after Admission to an Intensive Care Unit.

Trauma patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) may potentially experience a deficiency of coagulation factor thirteen (FXIII). In this retrospective cohort study conducted at a specialized trauma center, ICU patients were studied to determine the dependency of FXIII activity levels on clinical course and substitution with blood and coagulation products. A total of 189 patients with a median injury severity score (ISS) of 25 (16−36, IQR) were included.

Percutaneous fixation of intraarticular joint-depression calcaneal fractures with different screw configurations - a biomechanical human cadaveric analysis.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the biomechanical performance of different screw configurations for fixation of Sanders type II B joint-depression calcaneal fractures.

Methods: Fifteen human cadaveric lower limbs were amputated and Sanders II B fractures were simulated. The specimens were randomized to three groups for fixation with different screw configurations.

Current rates of prosthetic usage in upper-limb amputees - have innovations had an impact on device acceptance?

Purpose: There is a large body of evidence demonstrating high rates of prosthesis abandonment in the upper extremity. However, these surveys were conducted years ago, thus the influence of recent refinements in prosthetic technology on acceptance is unknown. This study aims to gather current data on prosthetic usage, to assess the effects of these advancements.