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Evaluates the adverse effects of the use of Eutectic Mixture of Local Anesthetics (EMLA) cream for the placement of jugular catheters in cats in the U.S. Blood methemoglobin concentrations of the treated cats; Absence of signs of gastrointestinal upset, neurologic signs, cyanosis, or distress; Efficacy of the cream in eliminating the usual signs of discomfort associated with venipuncture.

Purpose: To assess the efficacy and safety of a low-dose, computed tomography (CT)-guided transthoracic biopsy of lung and pleural lesions., Material and Methods: A total of 135 low-dose, CT-guided transthoracic lung and pleural lesions biopsies were performed. A cutting needle was utilized in 124 cases, and fine needle aspiration biopsy was performed in 14 cases. In all cases, 14- to 22-gauge biopsy needles were used., Results: Diagnostic material was obtained in 111 (82.2%) patients. In 97 (71.8%) cases neoplastic lesions were found, predominantly adenocarcinoma and non-small cell carcinoma. In 14 (12.6%) cases non atypical cells were reported. Biopsy failed to obtain material suitable for histopathological examination in 24 (17.7%) cases. Complications occurred in 31 patients, including pneumothorax in 28 patients and haematoma in 3 cases., Conclusions: Based on the obtained results, it can be stated that low-dose, CT-guided transthoracic biopsy of lung and pleural tissues is an accurate and safe procedure. Also, it is linked to a low risk of complications such as a small pneumothorax., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflict of interest., (© Pol J Radiol 2023.)

Coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) is a widely accepted, non-invasive diagnostic modality for the evaluation of patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). However, a limitation of CTA is its inability to provide information on the hemodynamic significance of the coronary lesion. The recently developed stress dynamic CT perfusion technique has emerged as a potential solution to this diagnostic challenge. Dynamic CT myocardial perfusion provides information on the hemodynamic consequences of coronary stenosis and is used to detect myocardial ischemia. The combination of stress dynamic CT myocardial perfusion with CTA provides a comprehensive assessment that integrates anatomical and functional information. CT myocardial perfusion has been validated in several clinical studies and has shown comparable accuracy to Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and stress magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of hemodynamically significant coronary stenosis and superior performance to Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT). More importantly, CTP-derived myocardial perfusion has been shown to have a strong correlation with FFR, and the use of CTP results in a reduction of negative catheterizations. In the context of suspected stable coronary artery disease, the CT protocol with dynamic perfusion imaging combined with CTA eliminates the need for additional testing, making it a convenient "one-stop-shop" method and an effective gatekeeper to an invasive approach.

In this study, we assess image quality in computed tomography scans reconstructed via DLIR (Deep Learning Image Reconstruction) and compare it with iterative reconstruction ASIR-V (Adaptive Statistical Iterative Reconstruction) in CT (computed tomography) scans of the head. The CT scans of 109 patients were subjected to both objective and subjective evaluation of image quality. The objective evaluation was based on the SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) and CNR (contrast-to-noise ratio) of the brain's gray and white matter. The regions of interest for our study were set in the BGA (basal ganglia area) and PCF (posterior cranial fossa). Simultaneously, a subjective assessment of image quality, based on brain structure visibility, was conducted by experienced radiologists. In the assessed scans, we obtained up to a 54% increase in SNR for gray matter and a 60% increase for white matter using DLIR in comparison to ASIR-V. Moreover, we achieved a CNR increment of 58% in the BGA structures and 50% in the PCF. In the subjective assessment of the obtained images, DLIR had a mean rating score of 2.8, compared to the mean score of 2.6 for ASIR-V images. In conclusion, DLIR shows improved image quality compared to the standard iterative reconstruction of CT images of the head.

Objective: Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) can be effectively treated by epidural blood patch (EBP) following the primary unsuccessful conservative therapy. Nevertheless, multi-site cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks or those originating at the cervical or thoracic spine remain therapeutically challenging. Therefore, this study aimed to present our experience in the treatment of thoracic CSF leaks using epidural catheters for the EBP infusion., Methods: Three patients presenting with typical orthostatic headaches were qualified for an EBP procedure. Preoperative MRI scans, myelography, and CT myelography were performed. Additionally, delayed CT myelography was repeated after 3 h to identify the CSF leakage site. Patients were followed-up clinically and radiologically for three months., Results: The CT myelography identified CSF leak at the T2-3 (case 1), T5-12 (case 2), and T3-7 level (Case 3). A 0.06" diameter lumbar drainage catheter (Case 1 and 2) or Abbot's spinal cord stimulation (SCS) catheter (Case 3) was inserted epidurally through the lower thoracic/lumbar single-entry point and advanced into the identified thoracic leak site. The average volume of injected blood was 15.7 ml. No procedure-related complications were observed, and all patients improved clinically., Conclusions: Epidural catheters remain safe and effective in treating thoracic and multi-site CSF leaks. In addition, Abbot's SCS catheter was found superior to the lumbar drainage catheter due to higher rigidity and bigger diameter despite being shorter than the lumbar drainage catheter., (Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Amitriptyline and its metabolite, Nortriptyline are commonly used tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) drugs that are electrochemically active. In this work, the performance characteristics of a plasticized PVC membrane-coated glassy carbon (GC) electrode are described for the voltammetric quantification of Amitriptyline and Nortriptyline in whole blood. The highly lipophilic Amitriptyline and Nortriptyline preferentially partition into the plasticized PVC membrane where the free drug is oxidized on the GC electrode. The concentrations of the drugs in the membrane are orders of magnitude larger than in the sample solution, resulting in superb limit of detection (LOD) of the membrane-coated voltammetric sensor: 3 nmol/L for Amitriptyline and 20 nmol/L for Nortriptyline. Conversely, hydrophilic components of the sample solution, e.g., proteins, the protein-bound fraction of the drugs, and electrochemically active small molecules are blocked from entering the membrane, which provides exceptional selectivity for the membrane-coated sensor and feasibility for the measurements of Amitriptyline in whole blood. In this work, the concentrations of Amitriptyline and Nortriptyline were determined in whole blood using the sensor and the results of our analysis were compared to the results of the standard HPLC-MS method. Based on our experience, the one-step voltammetric methods with the membrane-coated sensor may become a real alternative to the significantly more complex HPLC-MS analysis., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Brain death/death by neurologic criteria (BD/DNC) guidelines are routinely analyzed, compared and updated in the majority of countries and are later implemented as national criteria. At the same time, extensive works have been conducted in order to unify clinical procedures and to validate and implement new technologies into a panel of ancillary tests. Recently evaluated computed tomography angiography and computed tomography perfusion (CTA/CTP) seem to be superior to traditionally used digital subtraction angiography (DSA), transcranial Doppler (TCD) and cerebral perfusion scintigraphy for diagnosis of cerebral circulatory arrest (CCA). In this narrative review, we would like to demonstrate scientific evidence supporting the implementation of CTA/CTP in Polish guidelines for BD/DNC diagnosis. Research and implementation process: In the first of our base studies concerning the potential usefulness of CTA/CTP for the confirmation of CCA during BD/DNC diagnosis procedures, we showed a sensitivity of 96.3% of CTA in a group of 82 patients. CTA was validated against DSA in this report. In the second study, CTA showed a sensitivity of 86% and CTP showed a sensitivity of 100% in a group of 50 patients. In this study, CTA and CTP were validated against clinical diagnosis of BD/DNC supported by TCD. Additionally, we propose our CCA criteria for CTP test, which are based on ascertainment of cerebral blood flow (CBF) < 10 mL/100 g/min and cerebral blood volume < 1 mL/100 g in regions of interest (ROIs) localized in all brain regions. Based on our research results, CTA/CTP methods were implemented in Polish BD/DNC criteria. To our knowledge, CTP was implemented for the first time in national guidelines., Conclusions: CTA and CTP-derived CTA might be in future the tests of choice for CCA diagnosis, proper and/or Doppler pretest might significantly increase sensitivity of CTA in CCA diagnosis procedures. Whole brain CTP might be decisive in some cases of inconclusive CTA. Implementation of CTA/CTP in the Polish BD/DNC diagnosis guidelines does not show any major obstacles. We believe that in next edition of "The World Brain Death Project" CTA and CTP will be recommended as ancillary tests of choice for CCA confirmation during BD/DNC diagnosis procedures.

Thin plasticized PVC membrane-coated glassy carbon working electrodes have been used for the voltammetric measurement of highly lipophilic, electroactive drugs. Compared to conventional working electrodes, these membrane-coated electrodes exhibit remarkable detection limit and selectivity and are less prone to electrode fouling. The unique performance characteristics of these sensors are related to the large partition coefficient of the analyte in the membrane coating where it is oxidized in a non-aqueous membrane phase. To analyze the influence of the key parameters of the response of membrane-coated sensors, we derived theoretical expressions on the voltammetric response of the sensors. In our analysis we considered 1) the partition coefficient (P mw ) of the analyte between the aqueous sample and the organic membrane, 2) the membrane volume to sample volume ratio (V m /V w ), and 3) the binding constant of constituents in the sample that bind the analyte (K). The results of our theoretical analysis have been tested through voltammetric measurement of highly lipophilic analytes with logP ow values (logarithm of the partition coefficient between octanol and water) ranging between 0.3 and 7.5. By understanding of the influence of the sensor design parameters on the overall sensor response, these parameters can be tuned for optimized response slope, detection limit, etc., for solving specific analytical tasks., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Lindner and Chaum are authors on issued patents related to this technology. Chaum has a declared equity interest in Infusense, a startup company with the license to commercialize the technology presented in this manuscript., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

To assess the feasibility of utilizing reagent-loaded, porous polymeric nanocapsules (NCs) for chemical and biochemical sensor design, the surfaces of the NCs were decorated with 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) moieties. The pores in the capsule wall allow unhindered bidirectional diffusion of molecules smaller than the programmed pore sizes, while larger molecules are either entrapped inside or blocked from entering the interior of the nanocapsules. Here, we investigate two electrochemical deposition methods to covalently attach acrylate-based porous nanocapsules with 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene moieties on the nanocapsule surface, i.e., EDOT-decorated NCs to the surface of an existing PEDOT film: (1) galvanostatic or bilayer deposition with supporting EDOT in the deposition solution and (2) potentiostatic deposition without supporting EDOT in the deposition solution. The distribution of the covalently attached NCs in the PEDOT films was studied by variable angle FTIR-ATR and XPS depth profiling. The galvanostatic deposition of EDOT-decorated NCs over an existing PEDOT (tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate) [PEDOT(TPFPhB)] film resulted in a bilayer structure, with an interface between the NC-free and NC-loaded layers, that could be traced with variable angle FTIR-ATR measurements. In contrast, the FTIR-ATR and XPS analyses of the films deposited potentiostatically from a solution without EDOT and containing only the EDOT-decorated NCs showed small amounts of NCs in the entire cross section of the films.

In the last 50 years, plasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVC) membranes have gained unique importance in chemical sensor development. Originally, these membranes separated two solutions in conventional ion-selective electrodes. Later, the same membranes were applied over a variety of supporting electrodes and used in both potentiometric and voltammetric measurements of ions and electrically charged molecules. The focus of this paper is to demonstrate the utility of the plasticized PVC membrane modified working electrode for the voltammetric measurement of highly lipophilic molecules. The plasticized PVC membrane prevents electrode fouling, extends the detection limit of the voltammetric methods to sub-micromolar concentrations, and minimizes interference by electrochemically active hydrophilic analytes.

The theoretical models for ISEs almost exclusively assume thermodynamic equilibrium at the membrane/solution-phase boundary. In this report, we present a new, congruent model which combines first-order reaction kinetics of ion-exchange at the phase boundary and diffusional mass transport in the adjoining phases in the continuity equation. The influence of the rate constant in the new kinetic model has significant impact on the predicted transients corresponding to instantaneous change in the sample solution composition. The simulated transients generated with the new model coincide with the transients recorded in common potentiometric experiments, e.g., with transients recorded upon step change in the primary or interfering ion concentrations. The simulated transients also align well with previously published transients representing special cases of potentiometry (e.g., super-Nernstian response, non-Nernstian responses in the presence of highly interfering ions). The implementation of the kinetic model for simulating the transients in the water layer test also resulted in a better agreement with the experiments compared to the previous models.

In this paper, we raise questions that researchers have to ask if they intend to replace a conventional reference electrode with an ionic liquid-based reference electrode and try to answer these questions based on our experiences and literature data. Among these questions, the most important is which ionic liquid should be used. However, beyond the chemical composition of the ionic liquid, to realize all the potential benefits of ionic-liquid based reference electrodes, there are additional, equally important considerations. Through examples we will show the importance of the (i) purity of the ionic liquid and the consequences of deviations from its stoichiometric salt composition, (ii) form of implementation of the ionic liquid-based reference electrode membrane (free-flowing salt bridge, or ionic liquid embedded in a membrane), (iii) membrane/gelling agent material and its composition, and (iv) experimental conditions (steady state or flowing conditions) under which it will be used. Finally, we recommend methods to test the performance criteria of the ionic liquid-based reference electrodes.

The aim of this study was to find a conducting polymer-based solid contact (SC) for ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) that could become the ultimate, generally applicable SC, which in combination with all kinds of ion-selective membranes (ISMs) would match the performance characteristics of conventional ISEs. We present data collected with electrodes utilizing PEDOT-C 14 , a highly hydrophobic derivative of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), PEDOT, as SC and compare its performance characteristics with PEDOT-based SC ISEs. PEDOT-C 14 has not been used in SC ISEs previously. The PEDOT-C 14 -based solid contact (SC) ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) (H + , K + , and Na + ) have outstanding performance characteristics (theoretical response slope, short equilibration time, excellent potential stability, etc.). Most importantly, PEDOT-C 14 -based SC pH sensors have no CO 2 interference, an essential pH sensors property when aimed for whole-blood analysis. The superhydrophobic properties (water contact angle: 136 ± 5°) of the PEDOT-C 14 SC prevent the detachment of the ion-selective membrane (ISM) from its SC and the accumulation of an aqueous film between the ISM and the SC. The accumulation of an aqueous film between the ISM and its SC has a detrimental effect on the sensor performance. Although there is a test for the presence of an undesirable water layer, if the conditions for this test are not selected properly, it does not provide an unambiguous answer. On the other hand, recording the potential drifts of SC electrodes with pH-sensitive membranes in samples with different CO 2 levels can effectively prove the presence or absence of a water layer in a short time period.

To understand the rate determining processes during the equilibration of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrenesulfonate-based (PEDOT(PSS)-based) solid contact (SC) ion-selective electrodes (ISEs), the surfaces of Pt, Au, and GC electrodes were coated with 0.1, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 μm thick galvanostatically deposited PEDOT(PSS) films. Next, potential vs time transients were recorded with these electrodes, with and without an additional potassium ion-selective membrane (ISM) coating, following their first contact with 0.1 M KCl solutions. The transients were significantly different when the multilayered sensor structures were assembled on Au or GC compared to Pt. The differences in the rate of equilibration were interpreted as a consequence of differences in the hydrophilicity of PEDOT(PSS) in contact with the substrate electrode surfaces based on X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and synchrotron radiation-XPS (SR-XPS) analysis of 10-100 nm thick PEDOT(PSS) films. The influence of the layer thickness of the electrochemically deposited PEDOT(PSS)-films on the hydrophilicity of these films has been documented by contact angle measurements over PEDOT(PSS)-coated Au, GC, and Pt electrode surfaces. This study demonstrates that it is possible to minimize the equilibration (conditioning) time of SC ISEs with aqueous solutions before usage by optimizing the thickness of the SC layer with a controlled ISM thickness. PEDOT(PSS)-coated Au and GC electrodes exhibit a significant negative potential drift during their equilibration in an aqueous solution. By coating the PEDOT(PSS) surface with an ISM, the negative potential drift is compensated by a positive potential drift related to the hydration of the ISM and activity changes at the PEDOT(PSS)|ISM interface. The potential drifts related to activity changes in the ISM have been determined by a novel adaptation of the "sandwich membrane" method.

The aim of the study was to compare visualisation of the surgically relevant anatomical structures via low- and standard-dose multidetector CT protocol in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and higher risk for perioperative complications (i.e. presence of bronchial asthma, history of sinus surgery and advanced nasal polyposis). 135 adult CRS patients were divided randomly into standard-dose (120 kVp, 100 mAs) or low-dose CT groups (120 kVp, 45 mAs). The detectability of the vital anatomical structures (anterior ethmoid artery, optic nerve, cribriform plate and lamina papyracea) was scored using a five-point scale (from excellent to unacceptable) by a radiologist and sinus surgeon. Polyp sizes were quantified endoscopically according to the Lildholdt's scale (LS). Olfactory function was tested with the "Sniffin' Sticks" test. On the low-dose CT images, detectability ranged from 2.42 (better than poor) for cribriform plate among anosmic cases to 4.11 (better than good) for lamina papyracea in cases without nasal polyps. Identification of lamina papyracea on low-dose scans was significantly worse in each group and the same was the case with cribriform plates in patients with advanced polyposis and anosmia. Cribriform plates were the most poorly identified (between poor and average) among all the structures on low-dose images. Identification of anterior ethmoid artery (AEA) with reduced dose was insignificantly worse than with standard-dose examination. The AEA was scored as an average-defined structure and was the second weakest visualised. In conclusion, preoperatively, low-dose protocols may not sufficiently visualise the surgically relevant anatomical structures in patients with CRS and bronchial asthma, advanced nasal polyps (LS > 2) and history of sinus surgery. Low mAs value enables comparable detectability of sinonasal landmarks with standard-dose protocols in patients without analysed risk factors. In the context of planned surgery, the current preferences of the tube should be carefully evaluated for different patient constitutions to minimise the risk of complications., Competing Interests: All authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. Ethical approval All procedures performed in the studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. Informed consent Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Objectives: The growing awareness of increased X-ray exposure to the public has led to the propagation of several methods for reducing the radiation dose during CT examination. Low-dose CT protocols do not, however, have an established role in pre-operative evaluation. The aim of this article was to assess the usefulness of nasal endoscopy in the selection of patients under pre-operative care for low-dose CT examination., Methods: A cadaver head was used to discover institutional minimum acceptable CT image quality and scanning settings. Then, 134 adult patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) were enrolled into the study and divided randomly into standard dose (120 kVp, 100 mAs) or low-dose CT groups (120 kVp, 45 mAs). Subjective assessment of the diagnostic image quality of the surgically relevant anatomical structures was compared using a five-point scale (from excellent to unacceptable) by a radiologist and sinus surgeon independently. Pathologic states of the nose were quantified according to the Lund-Kennedy endoscopic system (LKES) and Lildholdt's scale., Results: Image quality was similar in low-dose and standard dose groups in patients without polyps. The quality of 13% of scans from patients with polyps from the low-dose group and 4% from the standard dose group was in the range from moderate to poor. The quality of scans obtained with low milliamperes second (mAs) values worsened in patients with polyps in the middle meatus, but the difference was particularly pronounced compared with standard dose among subjects with Lildholdt's score above 2 (p < 0.001). Correlation with LKES revealed that changes other than polyps (i.e. discharge, oedema, scaring or crusting) in the nasal cavity alone do not affect the image quality. Interobserver agreement in both groups was very high., Conclusions: Low-dose scanning should be promoted as the screening imaging method of choice in patients with suspected CRS. Furthermore, low mAs value examination can be performed pre-operatively without fear of significant image quality deterioration in uncomplicated CRS patients without polyps, or with minor changes in nasal endoscopy. Standard dose CT, which provides a better identification of bony landmarks, minimizes diagnostic errors and risk to patients, so it might be considered in those with polyps below the middle turbinate.

Papers published on ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) generally report on the performance characteristics of these devices after long, extensive conditioning. Conditioning refers to the equilibration of the ion-selective electrode in an aqueous solution before the measurement of the sample. The requirement for long and repeated conditioning is a significant burden in a variety of applications, for example, single-use sensors aimed for in vivo or field applications and solid contact (SC) ISEs, which were developed to provide simple, mass-produced sensors that have the potential to be implemented without calibration and extensive conditioning. In this study we recorded the potential of SC K(+), Na(+), and H(+) ISEs as a function of time following their first contact with an aqueous electrolyte solution and used these transients to determine their equilibration times. The SC electrodes were built on Au, Pt, and glassy carbon (GC) substrates using galvanostatically deposited conductive polymer (PEDOT(PSS(-)), poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrenesulfonate) as ion-to-electron transducer (solid internal contact) between the ion-selective membrane and the substrate. The SC electrodes built on GC and Au had significantly shorter equilibration times (between 5 and 13 min) than the SC electrodes built on Pt substrates (>60 min). Such significant differences in the equilibration times of SC ISEs built on different substrate electrodes are reported here for the first time. These unexpected findings suggest that the interface between the conductive polymer and the electron-conducting substrate (EC) has significant influence on the long-term dynamic behavior of SC ISEs.

The logistics of aeromedical evacuation are discussed. The order of magnitude of the problem and detailed analyses are presented. Examples are presented for patient transfer from point of injury in areas remote from hospitalization through successive installations to the hospital for extended treatment and convalescence.