Autonomous cryogenic RF receive coil for 13 C imaging of rodents at 3 T.

PURPOSE: To develop an autonomous, in-bore, MR-compatible cryostat cooled with liquid nitrogen that provides full-day operation, and to demonstrate that the theoretical signal-to-noise benefit can be achieved for 13 C imaging at 3 T (32.13 MHz). METHODS: The cryogenic setup uses a vacuum-insulated fiberglass cryostat, which indirectly cools a cold finger where the RF coil is attached. The cryostat was evacuated before use and had a reservoir of liquid nitrogen for full-day operation. A 30 × 40 mm2 copper coil was mounted inside the cryostat with a 3-mm distance to the sample. Two examples of in vivo experiments of rat brain metabolism after a hyperpolarized [1-13 C]pyruvate injection are reported. RESULTS: A coil Q-factor ratio of Q88K /Q290K = 550/280 was obtained, and the theoretical SNR enhancement was verified with MR measurements. We achieved a coil temperature of 88 K and a preamplifier temperature of 77 K. A 2-fold overall SNR enhancement was achieved, compared with the best case at room temperature. The thermal performance of the coil was adequate for in vivo experiments, with an autonomy of 5 hours consuming 6 L of LN2 , extendable to over 12 hours by LN2 refilling. CONCLUSION: Cryogenic surface coils can be highly beneficial for 13 C imaging, provided that the coil-to-sample distance remains short. An autonomous, in-bore cryostat was developed that achieved the theoretical improvement in SNR.

Swabbing the Urban Environment - A Pipeline for Sampling and Detection of SARS-CoV-2 From Environmental Reservoirs.

To control community transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during the 2020 global pandemic, most countries implemented strategies based on direct human testing, face covering, and surface disinfection. Under the assumption that the main route of transmission includes aerosols and respiratory droplets, efforts to detect SARS-CoV-2 in fomites have focused on locations suspected of high prevalence (e.g., hospital wards, cruise ships, and mass transportation systems). To investigate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces in the urban environment that are rarely cleaned and seldomly disinfected, 350 citizens were enlisted from the greater San Diego County. In total, these citizen scientists collected 4,080 samples. An online platform was developed to monitor sampling kit delivery and pickup, as well as to collect sample data. The sampling kits were mostly built from supplies available in pandemic-stressed stores. Samples were processed using reagents that were easy to access despite the recurrent supply shortage. The methods used were highly sensitive and resistant to inhibitors that are commonly present in environmental samples. The proposed experimental design and processing methods were successful at engaging numerous citizen scientists who effectively gathered samples from diverse surface areas. The workflow and methods described here are relevant to survey the urban environment for other viruses, which are of public health concern and pose a threat for future pandemics.

Impact of ultrasound on the perception of health quality in adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis / Impacto de la ecografía en la percepción de la calidad en salud de pacientes adultos con artritis reumatoide

ABSTRACT Introduction: Ultrasound has shown its usefulness in multiple aspects in the management of inflammatory joint disease and in particular of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The evidence using patient outcomes and its aspects related to quality of health care is scarce. The aim of this study is to determine the level of satisfaction in the perception of the quality of health care in a group of patients with RA who underwent ultrasound during the consultation, and whether it is higher than those who did not have the ultrasound. Methods: An observational, cross-sectional descriptive study was performed. Patients older than 18 years with a diagnosis of RA using the ACR/EULAR classification criteria were included. One group underwent skeletal muscle ultrasound to study RA during the out-patient medical consultation, as decided by the attending physician. After the completion of the medical action according to prior verbal acceptance by the patient, the Servqhos questionnaire and an ultrasound questionnaire were completed. A satisfied patient was defined as one who had 70% or more in the responses in the Servqhos questionnaire greater than or equal to 4, and a score of 5 in this questionnaire was defined as maximum satisfaction. There were no significant differences between the number of satisfied patients in the two groups. Univariate analysis was performed according to the distribution in the ultrasound or non-performing groups. Subsequently, a bivariate analysis of the different questions was carried out according to the distribution in the satisfaction and very high satisfaction groups. It was established if there was any degree of association using the Chi squared test for categorical variables, and the parametric tests (Mann Whitney U) or non-parametric tests (Kruskal-Wallis test) for the numerical variables were performed according to the distribution. Results: A total of 126 patients were obtained, of whom 62 corresponded to the group of patients who underwent ultrasound during the consultation and 62 to the control group in whom no ultrasound was performed. The majority were women (91%). Ultrasound was mostly performed to study joint disease (93%), with a third of the time to assess more than one aspect. In those on whom the ultrasound was performed, the number of satisfied patients was 56 (90%) and for the control group it was 48 (77%). The difference in the proportion of satisfied patients (13%) was statistically significant (P = .05). A difference was found between the groups in the number of patients with the highest level of satisfaction in the questions regarding presentation of staff and technology (P < .05). The vast majority of patients considered that ultrasound was useful during the consultation (93%), and that it generates greater confidence in the treatments and the doctor (93%). Conclusions: Performing skeletal muscle ultrasound during consultation in patients with RA improves satisfaction rates of health care, perception of the doctor, and treatments.

RESUMEN Introducción: La ecografía ha mostrado su utilidad en múltiples aspectos del manejo de la enfermedad articular inflamatoria, particularmente en la artritis reumatoide (AR). Su utilidad usando desenlaces derivados de pacientes y relacionados con aspectos de la calidad de la atención en salud es escasa. El objetivo del estudio es determinar si el grado de satisfacción de la calidad de la atención en un grupo de pacientes con AR, en quienes se realizó ecografía durante la consulta, es superior al de un grupo en los que esta no se llevó a cabo. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo transversal. Se incluyeron pacientes mayores de 18 años con diagnóstico de AR por criterios clasificatorios ACR/EULAR que posteriormente a la finalización del acto médico respondieron las preguntas del cuestionario Servqhos. Quienes se sometieron a ecografía musculoesquelética para estudio de AR durante la consulta ambulatoria, según decisión del médico tratante, respondieron adicionalmente el cuestionario de ecografía. Se define paciente satisfecho como aquel que tiene un 70% o más en las respuestas del cuestionario Servqhos con un puntaje mayor o igual a 4, y se define como la máxima satisfacción al puntaje de 5 en una pregunta de dicho cuestionario. Se determinó si había diferencias significativas entre las proporciones de pacientes satisfechos en los dos grupos con y sin ecografía. Se realizó un análisis univariado según la distribución en los grupos, y posteriormente se hizo un análisis bivariado de las diferentes preguntas según la distribución en los grupos de satisfacción y muy alta satisfacción. Se estableció si había algún grado de asociación con las pruebas de chi-cuadrado para las variables categóricas, en tanto que para las variables numéricas se llevaron a cabo pruebas paramétricas (U de Mann Whitnney) y no paramétricas (test de Kruskal-Wallis), según la distribución. Resultados: Se obtuvo un total de 126 pacientes, de los cuales 62 corresponden al grupo de aquellos en quienes se realizó ecografía durante la consulta, mientras que otros 62 hacen parte del grupo control, en quienes no se realizó ecografía. La mayoría eran mujeres (91%). En quienes se hizo la ecografía, el número de pacientes satisfechos fue de 56 (90%), en tanto que para el grupo control fue de 48 (77%). La diferencia en la proporción de pacientes satisfechos entre los grupos fue del 13%, siendo estadísticamente significativa (p = 0,05). Se encontró diferencia entre los grupos en las preguntas referentes a presentación del personal y la tecnología de los equipos (p < 0,05). La gran mayoría de los pacientes consideró que la ecografía fue útil durante la consulta (93%) y que genera mayor seguridad en los tratamientos y en el criterio médico (93%). Conclusiones: La realización de ecografía musculoesquelética durante la consulta en pacientes con AR mejora los índices de satisfacción de atención en salud, así como la percepción del criterio médico y de los tratamientos.

Incidence and Risk Factors for Early Acute Kidney Injury in Nonsurgical Patients: A Cohort Study.

Introduction. Detecting acute kidney injury (AKI) in the first days of hospitalization could prevent potentially fatal complications. However, epidemiological data are scarce, especially on nonsurgical patients. Objectives. To determine the incidence and risk factors associated with AKI within five days of hospitalization (EAKI). Methods. Prospective cohort of patients hospitalized in the Internal Medicine Department. Results. A total of 16% of 400 patients developed EAKI. The associated risk factors were prehospital treatment with nephrotoxic drugs (2.21 OR; 95% CI 1.12-4.36, p = 0.022), chronic kidney disease (CKD) in stages 3 to 5 (3.56 OR; 95% CI 1.55-8.18, p < 0.003), and venous thromboembolism (VTE) at admission (5.05 OR; 95% CI 1.59-16.0, p < 0.006). The median length of hospital stay was higher among patients who developed EAKI (8 [IQR 5-14] versus 6 [IQR 4-10], p = 0.008) and was associated with an increased requirement for dialysis (4.87 OR 95% CI 2.54 to 8.97, p < 0.001) and in-hospital death (3.45 OR; 95% CI 2.18 to 5.48, p < 0.001). Conclusions. The incidence of EAKI in nonsurgical patients is similar to the worldwide incidence of AKI. The risk factors included CKD from stage 3 onwards, prehospital treatment with nephrotoxic drugs, and VTE at admission. EAKI is associated with prolonged hospital stay, increased mortality rate, and dialysis requirement.

Aplicación de las escalas de estratificación del riesgo en el diagnóstico de los síndromes coronarios agudos / Implementation of risk stratification scales in the diagnosis of acute coronary syndromes

Resumen Introducción: El dolor torácico es uno de los principales motivos de consulta en el servicio de urgencias. Diferentes escalas de riesgo han sido evaluadas en los pacientes con dolor torácico. El objetivo del presente estudio es comparar el desempeño diagnóstico de las escalas de riesgo en los pacientes con dolor torácico y sospecha de síndrome coronario agudo. Métodos: Estudio de pruebas diagnósticas que incluyó pacientes mayores de 18 años con dolor torácico y sospecha de síndrome coronario agudo. El estándar de referencia fue alguna prueba de estratificación coronaria invasiva o no invasiva y la prueba índice la constituyó la puntuación de las escalas de riesgo TIMI, GRACE, CARdiac, Florencia, Sanchis y HEART. Se calcularon las características operativas para diferentes puntos de corte y se compararon las áreas bajo la curva ROC. Resultados: Se incluyeron 249 pacientes, 143 (57,4%) fueron de sexo masculino, 65,3 años de edad media; 73 (29,3%) fueron anginas inestables, 79 (31,7%) presentaron infartos agudos de miocardio sin elevación del ST y a 97 (39%) se les descartó la enfermedad coronaria. Las escalas HEART y TIMI mostraron el mejor rendimiento diagnóstico con un área bajo la curva de 0,75 (IC del 95% 0,69-0,81) y 0,71 (IC del 95% 0,65-0,77). Las áreas bajo la curva de Florencia, CARdiac, GRACE, y Sanchis fueron 0,64 (IC 95% 0,57-0,71), 0,63 (IC 95% 0,57-0,69), 0,62 (IC 95% 0,55-0,69), y 0,62 (IC 95% 0,55-0,69), respectivamente. Conclusiones: En una población de pacientes con alta probabilidad para el síndrome coronario agudo, las escalas HEART y TIMI mostraron una mayor capacidad para discriminar el diagnóstico del síndrome coronario agudo.

Abstract Introduction: Chest pain is one of the main reasons for consultation in the emergency room. Several risk scales have been assessed in patients with chest pain. The motivation of this study is to compare the diagnostic performance of risk scales in patients with chest pain and suspicion of acute coronary syndrome. Methods: Study of diagnostic tests that included patients over the age of 18 with chest pain and suspicion of acute coronary syndrome. The reference standard was an invasive or noninvasive coronary stratification test and the index test consisted of the score in risk scales TIMI, GRACE, CARdiac, Florencia, Sanchis and HEART. Operative characteristics for different cut points were calculated and the areas under the ROC curve were compared. Results: The study included 249 patients, of whom 143 (57.4%) were male, average age was 65.3 years; 73 (29.3%) were unstable anginas; 79 (31.7%) showed acute myocardial infarctions without ST elevation and for 97 (39%) coronary disease was ruled out. HEART and TIMI scales revealed the best diagnostic performance with a low area under the curve of 0.75 (CI of 95% 0.69-0.81) and 0.71 (CI of 95% 0.65-0.77). Areas under the curve for Florencia, CARdiac, GRACE, and Sanchis were 0,64 (CI 95% 0.57-0.71), 0.63 (CI 95% 0.57-0.69), 0.62 (CI 95% 0.55-0.69), and 0.62 (CI 95% 0.55-0.69), respectively. Conclusions: In a patient population with high probability for acute coronary syndrome, HEART and TIMI scales showed a greater ability to discriminate the diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome.

Escalas de riesgo en el diagnóstico de la angina inestable en pacientes con dolor torácico con electrocardiograma y biomarcadores negativos / Risk scales in the diagnosis of unstable angina in patients with chest pain with negative electrocardiogram and biomarkers

Introducción: La evaluación del dolor torácico con electrocardiograma y biomarcadores negativos representa un desafío para el clínico. Como estrategia adicional se utilizan varias escalas para la estratificación pronóstica. Se describe el rendimiento diagnóstico de dichas escalas para los síndromes coronarios agudos en pacientes de alta probabilidad, con electrocardiograma y biomarcadores negativos. Metodología: Estudio de pruebas diagnósticas en una cohorte de pacientes mayores de 18 años ingresados a 2 hospitales de tercer nivel por dolor torácico y sospecha de síndrome coronario agudo, sin cambios electrocardiográficos ni elevación de biomarcadores. Como referente diagnóstico se utilizaron diversas pruebas de estratificación coronaria y para la prueba índice se incluyeron las diferentes escalas para la evaluación del pronóstico en dolor torácico. Se calcularon las características operativas en diferentes puntos de corte y se compararon las áreas bajo la curva ROC. Resultados: Se incluyó a 86 pacientes cuyo promedio de edad fue 63 años (DE: 12); el 61,6% fueron hombres y 51,2% tuvieron diagnóstico de angina. La escala HEART tuvo el mejor desempeño, con un área bajo la curva de 0,65, seguida por la GRACE con 0,61. Los intervalos de confianza se sobreponían entre las diferentes escalas evaluadas. Conclusión: Las escalas de predicción de riesgo en pacientes con dolor torácico, evaluadas con fines diagnósticos, mostraron un pobre poder discriminatorio en una población de pacientes de alto riesgo pese a tener electrocardiograma y troponina negativos.

Introduction: The evaluation of chest pain in cases where electrocardiogram and biomarkers are negative represent a challenge for the clinician. Severe scales are now being used as an additional strategy for the prognosis stratification. The objective of the present study is to describe the diagnostic performance of the diagnostic scales for acute coronary symptoms in patients with high probability and in whom the electrocardiogram and biomarkers are negative. Methodology: A study of the diagnostic tests in a cohort of patients older than 18 years old, whowere admitted into 2 level-3 hospitals due to chest pain and suspicion of acute coronary syndrome with no changes in the electrocardiogram or increases in biomarkers. Different coronary stratification tests were used as a diagnostic reference, and the different scales for evaluating the prognosis in chest pain were included for the index test. The operational characteristics were calculated for different cut-off points, and the areas under the ROC curve were compared. Results: The study included a total of 86 patients. The mean agewas 63 years old, with 61.6% men, and 51.2% of the patients had a diagnosis of angina. The HEART scale gave a better performance, with an area under the curve of 0.65, followed by the GRACE scale with 0.61. The confidence intervals overlapped the different evaluation scales. Conclusion: The scales of risk prediction in patients with chest pain, evaluated for diagnostic purposes, showed a lower discriminatory power in a population of patients with high risk, despite having a negative electrocardiogram and troponin.