The effect of hand fine motor skills on peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to evaluate the relationship between the hand fine motor skills of peritoneal dialysis (PD) practitioners and PD-related peritonitis. METHODS: This multicenter prospective observational study was conducted with 120 incident PD patients. Patients were divided into two groups who had PD-related peritonitis within the first year as Group 1, and those who did not as Group 2. Hand fine motor skills were evaluated by Nine-Hole Peg Test (NHPT) and Nut Screwing Test (NST). RESULTS: Initial NHPT (28.5 ± 6.0 s vs. 25.8 ± 5.0 s, p = 0.011) and NST (82.3 (61.5-102.8) s versus 65.3 (52.3-88.5) s p = 0.023) scores were significantly higher in Group 1 than Group 2. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, NHPT, Body Mass Index, Mini-Mental Test, self PD practitioner, and catheter complications were found to be independent variables in predicting PD-related peritonitis. CONCLUSION: Decreased hand fine motor skills of PD patients is a risk factor for peritonitis.

Faradaic effects in electrochemically gated graphene sensors in the presence of redox active molecules.

Field-effect transistors (FETs) based on graphene are promising devices for the direct sensing of a range of analytes in solution. We show here that the presence of redox active molecules in the analyte solution leads to the occurrence of heterogeneous electron transfer with graphene generating a Faradaic current (electron transfer) in a FET configuration resulting in shifts of the Dirac point. Such a shift occurs if the Faradaic current is significantly high, e.g. due to a large graphene area. Furthermore, the redox shift based on the Faradaic current, reminiscent of a doping-like effect, is found to be non-Nernstian and dependent on parameters known from electrode kinetics in potentiodynamic methods, such as the electrode area, the standard potential of the redox probes and the scan rate of the gate voltage modulation. This behavior clearly differentiates this effect from other transduction mechanisms based on electrostatic interactions or molecular charge transfer doping effects, which are usually behind a shift of the Dirac point. These observations suggest that large-area unmodified/pristine graphene in field-effect sensors behaves as a non-polarized electrode in liquid. Strategies for ensuring a polarized interface are discussed.

Binding Kinetics of Methylene Blue on Monolayer Graphene Investigated by Multiparameter Surface Plasmon Resonance.

In this paper, we study the interaction of a small dye molecule, namely, methylene blue (MB) with graphene surfaces using surface plasmon resonance (SPR). We show that by utilizing all of the parameters of the SPR angular dip and exploiting the fact that MB absorbs light at the operating wavelength, it is possible to detect the binding of small molecules that would otherwise not give a significant signal. The binding of MB to unmodified graphene is found to be stronger than that for gold. By studying the interaction at modified surfaces, we demonstrate that electrostatic effects play a dominant role in the binding of MB on to graphene. Furthermore, following the binding kinetics at various concentrations allows us to estimate apparent equilibrium binding and rate constants for the interaction of MB with graphene.

Discrimination of urinary tract infection pathogens by means of their growth profiles using surface enhanced Raman scattering.

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a widespread infection and affects millions of people around the globe. The gold standard for identification of microorganisms causing infection is urine culture. However, current methods require at least 24 h for the results. In clinical settings, identification and discrimination of bacteria with less time-consuming and cheaper methods are highly desired. In recent years, the power of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) for fast identification of bacteria and biomolecules has been demonstrated. In this study, we show discrimination of urinary tract infection causative pathogens within 1 h of incubation using principal component analysis (PCA) of SERS spectra of seven different UTI causative bacterial species. In addition, we showed differentiation of them at their different growth phases. We also analyzed origins of bacterial SERS spectra and demonstrated the highly dynamic structure of the bacteria cell wall during their growth. Graphical Abstract Collection of bacteria from urine sample, and their discrimination using their SERS spectra and multivariate analysis.

The dissection of reinforced endotracheal tube internal wall causing intraoperative airway obstruction under general anesthesia: case report.

Endotracheal intubation is performed to establish a secure airway. However, this carries its risks and obstruction of an endotracheal tube (ETT) is a potentially life-threatening event. We report two cases with an obstruction of the resterilized, single use, spiral, reinforced endotracheal tubes by dissection of the internal wall. As a conclusion, we suggest not reusing and resterilizing single tubes in these cases to avoid a complication like dissection of the internal wall of the tube, as this has been the main cause.

Dissecção da parede interna de tubo endotraqueal aramado que causa obstrução das vias aéreas no intraoperatório sob anestesia geral: relato de caso / The dissection of reinforced endotracheal tube internal wall causing intraoperative airway obstruction under general anesthesia: case report / Disección de la pared interna del tubo endotraqueal reforzado que causa obstrucción de las vías aéreas en el intraoperatorio bajo anestesia general: relato de caso

A intubação endotraqueal é feita para estabelecer uma via aérea segura; contudo, pode trazer riscos. A obstrução de um tubo endotraqueal (TET) é um evento potencialmente fatal. Relatamos dois casos de obstrução de TET reesterilizado, de uso único, aramado por causa da dissecção da parede interna. Como conclusão, sugerimos não reesterilizar tubos individuais em tais casos, para evitar uma complicação como dissecção da parede interna do tubo, pois essa foi a causa principal.

Endotracheal intubation is performed to establish a secure airway. However, this carries its risks and obstruction of an endotracheal tube (ETT) is a potentially life-threatening event. We report two cases with an obstruction of the resterilized, single use, spiral, reinforced endotracheal tubes by dissection of the internal wall. As a conclusion, we suggest not reusing and resterilizing single tubes in these cases to avoid a complication like dissection of the internal wall of the tube, as this has been the main cause.

La intubación endotraqueal se hace para establecer una vía aérea segura; sin embargo, puede traer riesgos. La obstrucción de un tubo endotraqueal (TET) es un evento potencialmente fatal. Relatamos aquí dos casos de obstrucción de TET re-esterilizado de uso único, en formato de espiral y reforzado a causa de la disección de la pared interna. Como conclusiones, sugerimos no re-esterilizar los tubos individuales en esos casos, para evitar una complicación como la disección de la pared interna del tubo, porque esa fue la causa principal.

Lifestyle behaviors and early diagnosis practices of cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to determine the lifestyle behaviors and the practices for early diagnosis of cancer of cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used for this study. The sample consisted of 222 patients with a diagnosis of cancer (non-random sample method). Ethical permission was obtained of the Non-interventional Research Ethics Committee of our Institution. Values of p<0.05 were accepted as statistically significant. RESULTS: It was observed that 54.4% of the patients had never performed breast self-examination, 60.8% had never had a mammography, and 71.2% had never had a Pap smear. Sixty-six point two percent of patients had never had screening for colon cancer within the past ten years. GIS cancers were higher in smokers and ex-smokers (p=0.005), in drinkers and in ex-drinkers (p=0.000). The breast cancer rate was higher in obese people (p=0.019). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study provide information on the healthy lifestyle behavior of cancer patients before their diagnosis, and their use of early diagnosis practices. The important aspect of this study is to extend cancer patients' period of life after the diagnosis and treatment process, to make them conscious of risky lifestyle and nutritional behavior so that they can maintain a high quality of life, and to start initiatives in this direction that would ensure changes in behavior.

The dissection of reinforced endotracheal tube internal wall causing intraoperative airway obstruction under general anesthesia. Case report.

Endotracheal intubation is performed to establish a secure airway. However, this carries its risks and obstruction of an endotracheal tube (ETT) is a potentially life-threatening event. We report two cases with an obstruction of the resterilized, single use, spiral, reinforced endotracheal tubes by dissection of the internal wall. As a conclusion, we suggest not reusing and resterilizing single tubes in these cases to avoid a complication like dissection of the internal wall of the tube, as this has been the main cause.