Evaluation of right ventricle systolic function after tetralogy of Fallot repair: A systematic review comparing cardiac magnetic resonance and global longitudinal strain.

BACKGROUND: Most patients who undergo tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) repair experience late right ventricle (RV) dysfunction due to pulmonary valve regurgitation (PVR). Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is the gold standard method for evaluating RV during follow-up. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) has been introduced as a novel method for the assessment of RV dysfunction. We aimed to compare the feasibility of GLS and CMR for assessing RV function after TOF repair. METHODS: We systematically reviewed the English literature using PubMed, SciELO and Google Scholar for articles published between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2020. Articles evaluating RV function comparing by GLS and CMR after TOF repair were included. RESULTS: Nine studies including 465 patients were analyzed. Most patients were men (280; 60%), the male:female ratio was 1.5:1, and the age range was .8 to 57.7 years. The mean follow-up time was 6 to 32 months. The correlation between RV GLS and RV ejection fraction (EF) by CMR was negative for the articles and varied from moderate to strong (r = -.45, r = -.60, r = -.76). CONCLUSION: Right ventricle GLS can be considered for routine follow-up of TOF repair patients, even though CMR remains the noninvasive gold standard method. Using a single parameter may not allow comparison of the accuracy of 3D RV EF by using CMR and GLS. Further studies with a larger number of patients undergoing TOF repair are required to evaluate the correlation between these examinations.

Effects of Surface Chemistry and Topology on the Kinesin-Driven Motility of Microtubule Shuttles.

Nanoscale transport using the kinesin-microtubule system has been successfully used in applications ranging from self-assembly, to biosensing, to biocomputation. Realization of such applications necessitates robust microtubule motility particularly in the presence of complex sample matrices that can affect the interactions of the motors with the surface and the transport function. In the present work, we explored how the chemical nature and nanoscale topology of various surfaces affected kinesin-microtubule transport. Specifically, we characterized microtubule motility on three distinct interfaces: (i) surfaces modified with self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) displaying three different terminal groups, (ii) SAM-modified surfaces with adsorbed fetal bovine serum (FBS) proteins, and (iii) surfaces where the FBS layer was silicified to preserve an underlying surface topology. The composition and topology of each surface was confirmed with a number of techniques including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), water contact angle, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The majority of surfaces, with the exception of those with the hydrophobic SAM, supported gliding motility consistent with the glass control. Differences in the displacement, velocity, and trajectory of the leading tip of the microtubule were observed in relation to the specific surface chemistry and, to a lesser extent, the nanoscale topology of the different substrates. Overall, this work broadens our understanding of how surface functionality and topology affect kinesin-based transport and provides valuable insights regarding future development of biosensing and probing applications that rely on biomolecular transport.

Design for Transtibial Modifiable Socket for Immediate Postoperative Prosthesis.

Amputations are long-standing surgical procedures that have been performed for centuries; however, very little attention and urgency have been given to immediate restoration of movement and return to a normal lifestyle. In many cases, the time between amputation and prosthetic fitting can pause recovery and development of new routines. To increase recovery, immediate postoperative prostheses (IPOPs) have been developed yet these are under-utilized because of concerns for wound healing and complications with vascular diseases. Subsequently, we designed a transtibial IPOP that utilizes an ergonomic modifiable socket that allows for examination, wound care, and in situ edema control. Additionally, the IPOP facilitates early weight bearing and protects the amputated limb from external trauma postoperatively. Our purpose is to introduce this technology and describe how its unique design will serve to provide potential benefits and positive effects on patients who have undergone amputations.