COVID-19 associated coagulopathy in critically ill patients: A hypercoagulable state demonstrated by parameters of haemostasis and clot waveform analysis

Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis - Patients with COVID-19 are known to be at risk of developing both venous, arterial and microvascular thrombosis, due to an excessive immuno-thrombogenic...     

Low noise,self-phase-modulation-enabled femtosecond fiber sources tunable in 740-1236 nm for wide two-photon fluorescence microscopy applications

We have demonstrated widely tunable Yb:fiber-based laser sources, aiming to replace Ti:sapphire lasers for the nJ-level ultrafast applications, especially for the uses of nonlinear light microscopy. We investigated the influence of different input parameters to obtain an expansive spectral broadening, enabled by self-phase modulation and further reshaped by self-steepening, in the normal dispersion regime before the fiber damage. We also discussed the compressibility and intensity fluctuations of the demonstrated pulses, to reach the transform-limited duration with a very low intensity noise. Most importantly, we have demonstrated clear two-photon fluorescence images from UV-absorbing fluorophores to deep red dye stains.     

The Impact of Music on Patient Satisfaction,Anxiety, and Depression in Patients Undergoing Gynecologic Surgery

PurposeThe project piloted a perioperative music listening program to explore the feasibility and acceptability of the use of music in a perioperative setting for female surgical patients in an academic hospital in Singapore. The aim was also to examine the most commonly chosen music genres, timing, and length of time listening to music for perioperative patients to assess the impact of music on patients' satisfaction, anxiety, and depression.DesignThis was a quality improvement project.MethodsMusic playlists developed by a music therapist were installed on three iPod Touch^TM devices (Apple, Cupertino, CA). After obtaining consent, female patients undergoing elective gynecologic day surgery selected their preferred music from the playlists on the iPods to listen to during the preoperative and postoperative periods. Patients' anxiety and depression were measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the three-level version of the EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire. Patients' satisfaction with listening to music, duration, and chosen music genres were recorded.FindingsIn the project, 135 patients listened to music during the preoperative period, and 70 patients chose to listen to music in the postoperative period. Patients were satisfied with the music listening program in both the preoperative (95.5%) and the postoperative (91.5%) periods. In the preoperative period, the most popular music genres were Disney songs (17.7%), classical music (11.6%), and the Piano Guys (7.5%). In the postoperative period, the most favorable music genres were classical music (26.3%), Disney songs (7.9%), and the Beatles (7.9%). This project suggests that music listening may be associated with patients' decreased anxiety and depression as measured by the three-level version of the EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire questionnaire (P = .008).ConclusionsImplementation of a music listening program in perioperative settings is feasible and accepted well by patients as evidenced by the high satisfaction scores. The project addressed patients' satisfaction, anxiety, and depression before and after elective surgery. The findings suggest that music listening is a safe, inexpensive, and effective intervention in perioperative settings.     

Posteromedial thigh (PMT) propeller flap for perineoscrotal reconstruction: A case report

Fournier's gangrene can lead to extensive defects of the perineoscrotal area with exposure of the testes. Such defect poses challenging tasks for both functional and cosmetic reconstruction. Due to its proximity, medial thigh skin appeared to be the most versatile donor site for perineoscrotal reconstruction. In this report, we present a case of reconstruction of a large perineoscrotal defect because of Fournier's gangrene using a posteromedial thigh (PMT) perforator propeller flap. A 58 year‐old male who suffered from Fournier's gangrene resulted in a scrotal defect of 10 × 12 cm² with a large dead space. A pedicled PMT propeller flap measuring 9 × 23 cm² with two perforators that originated from the profunda femoris artery (PFA) was harvested for scrotal defect reconstruction and dead space obliteration. The flap survived completely, with no recipient or donor site morbidity. The length of followup was 3 months and was uneventful. The pedicled PMT propeller flap may be considered as a valid option for perineoscrotal reconstruction. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 35:569–572, 2015.