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This article, titled "Maternal and infant microbiology findings as prognostic factors in very or extreme preterm neonates after PPROM: a retrospective analysis of data," explores the association between preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) and certain pathogens in the maternal vaginal microbiome, and their potential impact on neonatal outcomes. The study analyzed data from 2009 to 2018, focusing on 551 premature, liveborn singletons and twins born before 29 weeks of gestation. The results showed that certain microbial groups, such as Escherichia coli, were significantly associated with neonatal deaths, signs of sepsis, elevated inflammatory markers, and positive blood cultures in preterm newborns. The study suggests that positive maternal swabs for certain pathogens, particularly E. coli, increase the risk of mortality and morbidity in newborns. The findings align with existing research and provide new insights for further studies and the management of PPROM. [Extracted from the article]

Byline: J. Ebner, P. Schober, O. Schafer, R. Koch, S. Wittig Liquid wall films that are driven by the shear stress exerted from a co-current air stream occur in many technical systems, e.g. in rocket nozzles, heat exchangers and on steam turbine blades. They are also present in prefilming airblast atomisers which are used for the fuel preparation in modern aviation gas turbines. In many cases, an acceleration of the co-current air flow is imposed in order to improve the performance or because of the geometrical constraints in complex configurations. The film flow characteristics are strongly influenced by the additional pressure gradient and the associated increase of the interfacial shear forces at the gas-liquid interface. In order to predict the two-phase flow field, a model has been developed at the Institut fur Thermische Stromungsmaschinen (ITS), University of Karlsruhe (TH) which allows a fully coupled computation of the gas flow field and the liquid film. In the present paper the modifications are discussed which are required to take into account the effect of an imposed pressure gradient in the air flow on the film flow dynamics. It will be shown that the numerical approach is capable to predict the film propagation with a high accuracy, providing a powerful tool for the design and the improvement of technical applications where liquid film phenomena play an important role.

In this study, the investigation of the intraoperative effects of dipyrone (metamizol) on heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and analgesic efficacy in rabbits is described for the first time. This was carried out to evaluate the cardiovascular stability achieved using dipyrone compared with fentanyl. In this prospective study, 17 female New Zealand White rabbits were randomly allocated to either one of two groups: dipyrone/propofol (DP) or fentanyl/propofol (FP). Anaesthesia was induced in both groups using propofol to effect (4.0-8.0 mg/kg intravenously) until the swallowing reflex was lost for intubation. After induction, anaesthesia was maintained with continuous infusion of propofol 1.5-1.7 mg/kg/min intravenously. Analgesics were then injected in defined boluses of either dipyrone 65 mg/kg or fentanyl 0.0053 mg/kg. After surgical tolerance, defined as loss of the ear pinch reflex and loss of the anterior and posterior pedal withdrawal reflex, was achieved, two surgical procedures were performed. The surgical procedures (implantation of either a pacemaker or an electrocardiogram transmitter), both require a comparable level of analgesic depth. During and after surgery, clinical variables, such as MAP, HR, peripheral arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) and end-tidal CO2 (PE'CO2) were recorded simultaneously every 2 min. Eight time points were chosen for comparison: baseline, surgical tolerance (ST), values at 10, 20 and 30 min after reaching ST, values at the end of propofol infusion (EI) and data at 10 and 20 min after EI. Both FP and DP combinations provided effective anaesthesia and analgesia in rabbits. In both groups a significant decrease of HR and MAP was measured. The results of this study indicate that the non-opioid drug dipyrone produces similar analgesic and even better cardiovascular effects by trend in rabbits. Therefore we conclude that dipyrone in combination with propofol can be used as an alternative to FP for intraoperative analgesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two different methods, administered both subcutaneously and intravenously, to reverse intramuscular midazolam-medetomidine-ketamine, are evaluated. Eighteen cats were anaesthetized twice each 5 min after premedication with atropine 0.04 mg/kg using midazolam 0.5 mg/kg, medetomidine 0.02 mg/kg and ketamine 2.0 mg/kg intramuscularly in one syringe. Because this study was conducted in co-operation with a dental prophylaxis project, cats had to be immobilized for approximately 1 h. Therefore, anaesthesia was prolonged with propofol to effect, if necessary. After 68 ± 11 min on average, immobilization was partially reversed by either atipamezole 0.05 mg/kg subcutaneously (group A/SC, n = 7) or intravenously (group A/IV, n = 10), or by atipamezole 0.05 mg/kg and flumazenil 0.05 mg/kg subcutaneously (group AF/SC, n = 10) or intravenously (group AF/IV, n = 9), respectively. These four groups were additionally compared with a non-reversed group. Recovery time and total time of immobilization (until cats regained a standing position) were not significantly shortened using the antagonists. However, unconsciousness and sedation (expressed through parameters like the time taken to head lifting, crawling, sitting and the return of righting reflex) were significantly shortened by the antagonists, especially if administered intravenously. Abnormal behaviour, such as vocalization, licking, hyperaesthesia, restlessness or salivation, was observed in all groups. However, excitation and hyperaesthesia were not observed in group AF/IV, whereas in this group only intensified salivation occurred. The addition of flumazenil showed no significant difference to atipamezole alone, but subcutaneous administration of atipamezole alone was not sufficient in the dosage used to show an advantage compared to non-reversed cats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A low dose of midazolam–medetomidine–ketamine (MMK) combination was evaluated in three increasing dosages. Each of the 18 cats was randomly allocated for several times to one of four groups. Five minutes after premedication with intramuscular (IM) 0.04 mg/kg atropine, group A ( n = 43), B ( n = 40) and C ( n = 28) all were anaesthetized with 0.5 mg/kg midazolam, combined with 10, 20 or 30 μg/kg medetomidine, and 1.0, 2.0 or 3.0 mg/kg ketamine, respectively, IM in one syringe. Group D ( n = 11) received the established combination of 50 μg/kg medetomidine and 10.0 mg/kg ketamine for comparison. Because this study was in cooperation with a project on dental prophylaxis, cats had to be immobilized for approximately 1 h. Therefore, anaesthesia was prolonged with propofol to effect, if necessary. Duration of MMK anaesthesia was between 30 ± 15, 45 ± 19 and 68 ± 28 min in groups A, B and C respectively. A significant decrease of respiratory rate was observed with increasing dosage, but venous carbon dioxide (pCO2) and pH values in combination with arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) values were not alarming. The diastolic blood pressure particularly showed an increase. MMK combination A showed the best cardiovascular results, but it cannot be recommended due to disadvantages like a long induction time sometimes accompanied by excitations and the short duration of surgical immobilization. Dosage C in contrast had fewer side effects but less favourable cardiovascular results and a longer recovery period. However, either dosage B or C was suitable as a repeatable IM immobilization method for non-invasive procedures in healthy cats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study that described the droplet disintegration mechanism and the film properties of liquid oil films driven by shear stress induced by a co-current gas flow in gas turbines. Details on the experimental setup and operating conditions; Analysis of the rate of mass flow of the droplets in the gas core and the liquid wall film; Effect of film flow length on the entrainment fraction.

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2012 in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, July 29 – August 2, 2012. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Aim: The aim of this study was to analyze factors influencing outcomes of surgical management for lower limb acute ischemia., Methods: A retrospective analysis of 490 thromboembolectomies performed in 468 patients was conducted. Perioperative and follow-up results were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analysis of clinical variables and patients' characteristics for the risk of reocclusion, amputation and mortality at 2 years were performed. Statistical significance was defined as a P value <0.05., Results: Cumulative reocclusion, amputation and mortality rates at 24 months were 22.6%, 14.3% and 42.8%, respectively. At univariate analysis, the factors associated with increased 2-year reocclusion rate were severity of clinical presentation, current smoking habit, arterial thrombosis rather than embolism, atrial fibrillation and the avoidance of completion angiography. All these factors except clinical presentation maintained significance at multivariate analysis. Factors associated with increased 2-year amputation rate at univariate analysis included severity of clinical presentation, smoke, arterial thrombosis, atrial fibrillation and valvulopathy. All these factors except clinical presentation and valvular defects maintained significance at multivariate analysis. Factors associated with increased 2-year mortality rate at univariate analysis included age >80 years, arterial thrombosis, history of peripheral arterial disease and antiplatelet drugs. The same factors, except antiplatelet treatment, were found to be significant at multivariate analysis., Conclusion: Surgical intervention for lower limb ischemia is associated with high 2-year mortality but offers good 2-year limb salvage. The pattern of risk factors for reocclusion and amputation rates is quite different from those affecting mortality. Only thrombotic aetiology is a significant risk factor for all the three outcomes.

Aim: The objectives were to review in our series the risk factors, management and outcomes of patients who sustained vascular injuries in the lower limbs and to determine the effect of risk factors and treatment on the outcome of the injured extremity., Methods: Fifty-six patients submitted to surgical treatment were retrospectively reviewed. Results were analysed in terms of type of operation and reconstruction, intraoperative and 30 day complications, reconstruction occlusion, major amputation and mortality., Results: The mechanism of trauma was blunt in 30.4% and penetrating in 69.6%. The overall primary amputation rate was 5.4%, the overall secondary amputation rate was 1.8%. The overall intraoperative and postoperative mortality were 1.8% and 5.4% respectively. At univariate analysis, the presence of compartment syndrome and ischemia time >6 hours were associated with a significantly higher risk of early reconstruction thrombosis (both P=0.03). It showed also that the number of patent vessels (P=0.0000) and the presence of a MESS score >7 (P=0.0000) significantly affected primary amputation, and that the occurrence of postoperative deep wound infection or sepsis (P=0.0000), of tibio-peroneal trunk injury (P=0.003) and of a MESS score >7 (P=0.004) significantly affected secondary amputation., Conclusion: The number of patent arteries (0-1), the presence of a MESS score >7, the incidence of tibio-peroneal trunk injury and the occurrence of postoperative deep wound infection are significant independent factors for limb loss. The presence of compartment syndrome and of ischemia time >6 hours are associated with a significantly higher risk of early reconstruction thrombosis.