Intraventricular entrapment of a Sapien-3 balloon in transapical TAVR: A near missed catastrophe

Balloon rupture is an uncommon complication during balloon-expandable transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). We describe a balloon rupture and tearing with intraventricular entrapment complicating transapical-TAVR, as well as our bailout retrieval of the failed device.     

Powered off-road wheelchair for the transportation of tetraplegics along mountain trails

Purpose: For off-road mobility, some manual or power assisted devices were conceived to be self-driven by paraplegics while for tetraplegics non power-assisted devices were conceived. These devices require one or more conductors who are subjected to a high physical demand thus potentially creating: precarious safety condition for the user an elevated physical demand of conductors could reduce the care and the attention to give to the user; the time of the outdoor adventure experience of the user could be limited.

Methods: To address these issues, an innovative user-centered power assisted off-road wheelchair for the transportation of tetraplegics along mountain trails was developed. The device, structured like a trike, is driven by two healthy conductors; the user is placed in the middle of the frame. A movable seat provides for the transfer from the standard to the off-road wheelchair. An electrical motor, powered by a battery pack, provides for the actuation. All the design and prototype aspects, the control system and experimental tests are detailed.

Results: The prototype satisfies mechanical, safety and duration requirements. No physical demand while using the device and for the transfer of the user to the device was identified. Fun and engaging tests were carried out and all the participants were involved.

• Implications for Rehabilitation

• The device has the potential to enhance the quality of life of tetraplegics in terms of new life experiences.

• The device revealed the real possibility of a full recreational experience, an enhanced participation and a better social integration of tetraplegics.

     

Modified Research Utilization Questionnaire: Development and Validation Study among Italian Nurses

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to develop the modified research utilization questionnaire (M-RUQ) and to establish its content and face validity, construct validity, and reliability.

In Utero Exposure to Benzo[a]pyrene Induces Ovarian Mutations at Doses That Deplete Ovarian Follicles in Mice

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons like benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants formed during incomplete combustion of organic materials. Our prior work showed that transplacental exposure to BaP depletes ovarian follicles and increases prevalence of epithelial ovarian tumors later in life. We used the MutaMouse transgenic rodent model to address the hypothesis that ovarian mutations play a role in tumorigenesis caused by prenatal exposure to BaP. Pregnant MutaMouse females were treated with 0, 10, 20, or 40 mg/(kg day) BaP orally on gestational days 7–16, covering critical windows of ovarian development. Female offspring were euthanized at 10 weeks of age; some ovaries with oviducts were processed for follicle counting; other ovaries/oviducts and bone marrow were processed for determination of lacZ mutant frequency (MF). Mutant plaques were pooled within dose groups and sequenced to determine the mutation spectrum. BaP exposure caused highly significant dose-related decreases in ovarian follicles and increases in ovarian/oviductal and bone marrow mutant frequencies at all doses. Absence of follicles, cell packets, and epithelial tubular structures were observed with 20 and 40 mg/(kg day) BaP. Depletion of ovarian germ cells was inversely associated with ovarian MF. BaP induced primarily G > T and G > C transversions and deletions in ovaries/oviducts and bone marrow cells and produced a mutation signature highly consistent with that of tobacco smoking in human cancers. Overall, our results show that prenatal BaP exposure significantly depletes ovarian germ cells, causes histopathological abnormalities, and increases the burden of ovarian/oviductal mutations, which may be involved in pathogenesis of epithelial ovarian tumors. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 60:410–420, 2019. © 2018 Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada