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The safe use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) relies upon the ability to administer, monitor, and reverse anticoagulation. Although rare, the factor XII deficient patient creates a challenge for the perfusionist due to resultant complications in monitoring anticoagulation. There have been proposed strategies to aid in monitoring anticoagulation in factor XII deficient patients, however, documentation of successful monitoring during CPB is infrequent. With the use of the Hemochron Signature Elite and ACT + cartridges, CPB in a factor XII deficient 8-month-old was completed with predictable and reliable anticoagulation monitoring. This case report explores the current suggestions for factor XII deficiency management with CPB.

Neutron detection by MWPC based on 10B4C coatings can surpass in performance the one utilising 3He-gas in terms of position resolution and count rate capability at similar detection efficiency [13]. The use of m2-size foils coated by 10B4C demands the development of a mechanical concept to avoid deformations of the neutron sensitive surface due to their own weight and the electrostatic forces resulting from high voltage for operation. To preserve a flat shape of the converter, a pressure gradient is applied between its both sides [4]. The design shall allow a stacking of detection modules consisting of sequenced elements [converter/x-y-multi-wire planes/converter] in few mm proximity. A multiple stacking of the detector modules is needed to accumulate a sufficient high detection efficiency for diffraction with thermal neutrons over the entire detector [2]. The MWPC is planned to have fifteen detection modules corresponding to an efficiency equivalent of 30 converters coated with 1.2 µm of 10B4C. Efficiency simulations of a converter coating thickness-profile from 0.6 µm up to 1.2 µm prognoses a conversion rate up to 50 % for thermal neutrons and the presented design parameters of the 1-m2 MWPC allow a position resolution of 2 mm.

Background: Genetically engineered porcine hearts may have an application for infants in need of a bridge to cardiac allotransplantation. The current animal model that resulted in 2 human applications has been validated in adult non-human primates only. We sought to create an infant animal model of life sustaining cardiac xenotransplantation to understand limitations specific to this age group., Methods: We performed 11 orthotopic cardiac xenotransplants from genetically modified infantile pigs into size-matched baboons (Papio spp). Porcine grafts were preserved using a modified Del Nido solution. Protocolized post-operative care and outcomes were tracked with invasive monitoring, echocardiogram, and serial chemistries (including a 7-cytokine panel)., Results: Mean ischemic time was 52.1 +/- 13.9 min. All porcine hearts separated from bypass in normal sinus rhythm with normal systolic function documented by echocardiogram at chest closure and again at 24 h. In the first 48 post-operative hours, mean vasoactive inotropic score for the recipients was 9.6 +/- 3.5. Survival >3months was achieved in 6 animals. Five animals succumbed early (<7days) either due to errors in care (n=2) or pulmonary complications (n=3) confirmed on chest radiograph and necropsy. Cytokine levels objectively increased following xenograft implant but were not significantly different between survivors and non-survivors., Conclusions: In a non-human primate model of infant orthotopic cardiac xenotransplantation, cardiac function does not hinder early peri-operative survival. Instead, pulmonary edema and pleural effusions in the setting of systemic inflammation preclude clinical progression. Targeted therapies are necessary to encourage prolonged survival., (Copyright © 2025 International Society for the Heart and Lung Transplantation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: There is no standard protocol for management of organ preservation for orthotopic, life-sustaining cardiac xenotransplantation, particularly for hearts from pediatric sized donors. Standard techniques and solutions successful in human allotransplantation are not viable. We theorized that a solution commonly used in reparative cardiac surgery in human children would suffice by exploiting the advantages inherent to xenotransplantation, namely the ability to reduce organ ischemic times by co-locating the donor and recipient., Methods: Orthotopic cardiac xenotransplantation was performed from genetically engineered pigs to size matched baboons. A dose of modified Del Nido cardioplegia initiated donor heart arrest and was followed by a second dose mixed with recipient blood prior to implant. Hemodynamics and cardiac function were tracked with a combination of invasive and non-invasive measures., Results: Mean ischemic time and cardiopulmonary bypass times were 54.1 ± 14.6 and 84.1 ± 14 min respectively. The ejection fraction following chest closure was preserved at >50% for all animals. This finding persisted at 48hours. Mean inotropic score at 24 h post-implant was 9.7 ± 3., Conclusion: Del Nido cardioplegia solution when combined with short graft ischemic times demonstrates promising outcomes to avoid primary graft dysfunction for cardiac xenografts in a small animal model of life-sustaining orthotopic cardiac xenotransplantation. Ex vivo perfusion systems may be unnecessary for successful clinical implementation of this evolving technology., (© 2025 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background and Purpose: With standard radiotherapy protocols after R0 resection of advanced local oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and primary reconstruction of segmental defects, a high radiation dose is applied to healthy tissue in autologous microvascular free flaps. Considering the potential consequences of flap complications and associated surgeries for patients, data is lacking on whether postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) of the flap volume is indicated at all., Materials and Methods: Patients with segmental mandibular resection and immediate reconstruction with osseous free flaps due to advanced OSCC between 2012 and 2022 were analyzed retrospectively regarding overall (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), local failure-free survival (LFFS), the need for secondary surgeries as well as flap complications and compared between patients with and without PORT in a matched-pair approach with occurrence of flap complications as a primary endpoint., Results: 105 patients matched the inclusion criteria. The maximum follow-up period was 60 months. 68 patients received PORT. 74 patients were included in the final analysis. No case of disease recurrence inside the free flap was recorded. There were no significant differences in DFS (p = 0.21), OS (p = 0.33) and LFFS (p = 0.6) between both cohorts. Occurrence of osteoradionecrosis (p = 0.03) and bone exposure (p = 0.003) was higher in irradiated flaps. In patients with PORT, the demand for secondary surgeries due to flap complications was significantly higher (p = 0.009). Radiation doses were not increased in patients with flap ORN., Conclusion: PORT is associated with higher flap complications and need for secondary surgeries in advanced stage OSCC. Given a recurrence rate of zero inside the flap without PORT and the improbability of recurrence within healthy transplanted tissue, the usefulness of applying high radiation doses to this vulnerable tissue is questioned. Further refinements of RT planning should be evaluated and tested in a RCT trial., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Miniplates offer superior clinical handling and facilitate postoperative removal after mandibular reconstruction but unfavorable load distribution under high stress has been shown. This study aimed to compare the clinical outcome of patient-specific 3D-printed (PS-3D) titanium miniplate with reconstruction plate fixation in three-segmental LCL-type reconstructions for the first time., Methods: Patients undergoing three-segmental LCL-type mandibular reconstruction after malignant tumor resection between April 2017 and July 2023 were analyzed in a retrospective single-center study. Inclusion criteria were primary reconstruction using a fibula free flap and PS-3D titanium mini- or reconstruction plate fixation. Complication rates were recorded and analyzed within 6 months after surgery using the N - 1 Chi 2 - and unequal variance t-test., Results: 38 patients (10 females, 28 males; mean age 61.4 ± 7.6 years) met the inclusion criteria. In 14 patients (36.8%) miniplates were used in the anterior region. Rates of fixation failure, plate exposure, incomplete osseous union, wound infection, soft tissue, and overall complications did not differ significantly between the two plate systems., Conclusion: Complication rates did not differ significantly between PS-3D mini- and reconstruction plates in three-segmental LCL-type mandibular reconstructions. Given their advantages in clinical handling and postoperative removal, PS-3D miniplates can be a viable alternative also in larger mandibular reconstructions., Competing Interests: MH and KK received speaker remuneration and research funding for other projects by KLS Martin SE & Co. KG. CR served as a consultant and received research funding for other projects by KLS Martin SE & Co. KG. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The author(s) declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers, at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision., (Copyright © 2024 Lampert, Fenske, Wüster, Koerdt, Kreutzer, Ruf, Checa, Heiland, Steffen and Rendenbach.)

Using two decades of data from 12 low-income countries in West Africa, we show that dust carried by harmattan trade winds increases infant and child mortality. Health investments respond to dust exposure, consistent with compensating behaviours. Despite these efforts, surviving children still exhibit negative health impacts. Our data allow us to investigate differential impacts over time and across countries. We find declining impacts over time, suggesting adaptation. Using national-level measures of macroeconomic conditions and health resources, we find suggestive evidence that both economic development and public health improvements have contributed to this adaptation, with health improvements playing a larger role., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Royal Economic Society.)

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, with adverse health consequences largely related to hyperglycemia. Despite clinical practice guideline recommendations, effective pharmacotherapy, and interventions to support patients and providers, up to 60% of patients diagnosed with T2DM are estimated to have hemoglobin A 1c (HbA 1c ) levels above the recommended targets owing to multilevel barriers hindering optimal glycemic control., Objective: The aim of this study is to compare changes in HbA 1c levels among patients with suboptimally controlled T2DM who were offered the opportunity to use an intermittently viewed continuous glucose monitor and receive personalized low-carbohydrate nutrition counseling (<100 g/day) versus those who received usual care (UC)., Methods: This was a 12-month, pragmatic, randomized quality improvement program. All adult patients with T2DM who received primary care at a university-affiliated primary care clinic (N=1584) were randomized to either the UC or the enhanced care (EC) group. Within each program arm, we identified individuals with HbA 1c >7.5% (58 mmol/mol) who were medically eligible for tighter glycemic control, and we defined these subgroups as UC-high risk (UC-HR) or EC-HR. UC-HR participants (n=197) received routine primary care. EC-HR participants (n=185) were invited to use an intermittently viewed continuous glucose monitor and receive low-carbohydrate nutrition counseling. The primary outcome was mean change in HbA 1c levels from baseline to 12 months using an intention-to-treat difference-in-differences analysis comparing EC-HR with UC-HR groups. We conducted follow-up semistructured interviews to understand EC-HR participant experiences with the intervention., Results: HbA 1c decreased by 0.41% (4.5 mmol/mol; P=.04) more from baseline to 12 months among participants in the EC-HR group than among those in UC-HR; however, only 61 (32.9%) of 185 EC-HR participants engaged in the program. Among the EC-HR participants who wore continuous glucose monitors (61/185, 32.9%), HbA 1c was 1.1% lower at 12 months compared with baseline (P<.001). Interviews revealed themes related to EC-HR participants' program engagement and continuous glucose monitor use., Conclusions: Among patients with suboptimally controlled T2DM, a combined approach that includes continuous glucose monitoring and low-carbohydrate nutrition counseling can improve glycemic control compared with the standard of care., (©Dina H Griauzde, Grace Ling, Daniel Wray, Melissa DeJonckheere, Kara Mizokami Stout, Laura R Saslow, Jill Fenske, David Serlin, Spring Stonebraker, Tabassum Nisha, Colton Barry, Rodica Pop-Busui, Ananda Sen, Caroline R Richardson. Originally published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (https://www.jmir.org), 02.02.2022.)