VirtoScan-on-Rails – an automated 3D imaging system for fast post-mortem whole-body surface documentation at autopsy tables

Two-dimensional photographic documentation is a substantial part of post-mortem examinations for legal investigations. Additional three-dimensional surface documentation has been shown to assist in the visualization of findings and contribute to the reconstruction of the sequence of events. However, 2D photo documentation and, especially, 3D surface documentation, are time-consuming procedures that require specially trained personnel. In this study a 3D imaging system, called VirtoScan-on-Rails, was developed to automate and facilitate 3D surface documentation for photo documentation in autopsy suites. The imaging system was built to quickly acquire photogrammetric image sets of whole bodies during different stages of external and internal examinations. VirtoScan-on-Rails was set up in the autopsy suite of the Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine at the University of Zurich (Zurich, Switzerland). The imaging system is based on a movable frame that carries a multi-camera array. Data quality and the applicability of the system were analyzed and evaluated within two test series. Up to 200 overlapping photographic images were acquired at consecutive image-capturing positions over a distance of approximately 2000 mm. The image-capturing process took 1 min and 23 s to acquire a set of 200 images for one side of the body. During test series one and two, 53 photogrammetric image sets taken from 31 forensic cases were successfully reconstructed. VirtoScan-on-Rails is an automated, fast and easy-to-use 3D imaging setup for autopsy suits. It facilitates documenting bodies during different stages of forensic examinations and allows standardizing the procedure of photo documentation.     

Initial modelling and updates on cost effectiveness from the first 10 years of a spleen registry

Objective: To validate our estimates from our original model and re‐evaluate the cost‐effectiveness of Spleen Australia, the Australian post‐splenectomy registry, using our original model with updated model parameters based on advances in the literature and experience of the registry over the past decade. Methods: We revisited a decision model from 2005, comparing 1,000 hypothetical registered patients with asplenia or hyposplenism against 1,000 who were not registered, and updated the model parameters. The cost‐effectiveness of the registry was evaluated from a healthcare perspective in terms of additional cost per case of overwhelming post‐splenectomy infection (OPSI) avoided and as additional cost per life year gained. Results: Over a cohort lifetime the registry was associated with an additional cost of $125,724 per case of OPSI avoided or $19,286 per life year gained. Conclusions: Despite our initial over‐estimation of immunisation and chemoprophylaxis uptake and increases in unit costs, our re‐evaluation confirmed use of the registry to be cost‐effective. Implications for public health: Improved outcomes for patients with asplenia or hyposplenism can be achieved by a cost‐effective registry. Additional research into effectiveness of interventions, OPSI prevalence associated with varying intervention use, and compliance rates over time after registration would provide improved accuracy of cost‐effectiveness estimates.     

Reading or Listening to a Gain- or Loss-Framed Health Message: Effects of Message Framing and Communication Mode in the Context of Fruit and Vegetable Intake

Gain-framed health messages are found to be more effective when targeting prevention behaviors. However, framing research has only minimally investigated the role of communication mode, another important factor in health communication. This study explored the role of communication mode in interaction with message framing, and the influence of two individual differences related to involvement as conditions under which gain framing can lead to health behavior change. Participants (N = 258) were exposed to either an auditory or written health message concerning fruit and vegetable intake, with either gain- or loss-framed arguments. In addition, the online experiment consisted of baseline and posttest measures, among which intention to consume sufficient fruit and vegetables. Moderating effects of perceived baseline fruit and vegetable consumption and baseline intention were assessed. A significant interaction between message framing and communication mode was observed: In case of a gain-framed message, an auditory message resulted in a higher intention than a written message. This pattern was most explicitly found among those with a lower perceived fruit and vegetable intake at baseline. Although further research is warranted in health persuasion research, the findings can possibly be used to target health interventions better at specific groups of people who behave less healthy.     

Layered stigma among health-care and social service providers toward key affected populations in Jamaica and The Bahamas

While considerable research has documented stigma toward key populations affected by HIV and AIDS – men who have sex with men (MSM), sex workers (SWs) – it provided limited empirical evidence on the presence of layered stigma among health-care professionals providing services for these populations. C-Change conducted a survey among 332 staff of health-care and social service agencies in Jamaica and The Bahamas to understand the levels of stigma toward people living with HIV (PLHIV), including MSM and SWs and factors associated with stigma. While most health-care professionals responding to the survey said that PLHIV, MSM, and SWs deserved quality care, they expressed high levels of blame and negative judgments, especially toward MSM and SWs. Across a stigma assessment involving eight vignette characters, the highest levels of stigma were expressed toward PLHIV who were also MSM or SWs, followed by PLHIV, MSM, and SWs. Differences were assessed by gender, country, type of staff, type of agency, and exposure to relevant training. Findings indicate higher reported stigma among nonclinical vs. clinical staff, staff who worked in general vs. MSM/SW-friendly health facilities, and among untrained vs. training staff. This implies the need for targeted staff capacity strengthening as well as improved facility environments that are MSM/SW-friendly.     

Quantification of the area and shunt volume of multiple,circular, and noncircular ventricular septal defects: A 2D/3D echocardiography comparison and real time 3D color Doppler feasibility determination study

Background

Quantification of defect size and shunt flow is an important aspect of ventricular septal defect (VSD) evaluation. This study compared three‐dimensional echocardiography (3DE) with the current clinical standard two‐dimensional echocardiography (2DE) for quantifying defect area and tested the feasibility of real time 3D color Doppler echocardiography (RT3D‐CDE) for quantifying shunt volume of irregular shaped and multiple VSDs.

Methods

Latex balloons were sutured into the ventricles of 32 freshly harvested porcine hearts and were connected with tubing placed in septal perforations. Tubing was varied in area (0.13–5.22 cm²), number (1–3), and shape (circle, oval, crescent, triangle). A pulsatile pump was used to pump “blood” through the VSD (LV to RV) at stroke volumes of 30–70 mL with a stroke rate of 60 bpm. Two‐dimensional echocardiography (2DE), 3DE, and RT3D‐CDE images were acquired from the right side of the phantom.

Results

For circular VSDs, both 2DE and 3DE area measurements were consistent with the actual areas (R² = 0.98 vs 0.99). For noncircular/multiple VSDs, 3DE correlated with the actual area more closely than 2DE (R² = 0.99 vs 0.44). Shunt volumes obtained using RT3D‐CDE positively correlated with pumped stroke volumes (R² = 0.96).

Conclusions

Three‐dimensional echocardiography (3DE) is a feasible method for determining VSD area and is more accurate than 2DE for evaluating the area of multiple or noncircular VSDs. Real‐time 3D color Doppler echocardiography (RT3D‐CDE) is a feasible method for quantifying the shunt volume of multiple or noncircular VSDs.     

Endorsement of abortion: the differential impact of social perspective on women and men

Objective: The purpose of this study is to explore whether women’s and men’s endorsement of abortion is differentially influenced by perspective-taking. Methods: An experimental design was employed in which 145 university students (104 women, 41 men) were randomly assigned to one of two conditions and asked to make judgements regarding the advisability of abortion across diverse situations. Participants in the self-referent condition (n = 82; 56 women, 26 men) were asked to render judgements in reference to themselves, while those in the other-referent condition (n = 63; 48 women, 15 men) were asked to make judgements in reference to a generic ‘other’. Results: A significant interaction emerged between Sex and Referent Group. Specifically, referent-group membership had no impact on men’s endorsement of abortion, but did have a significant impact on women’s ratings whereby women were more endorsing of abortion for others than for themselves. Subsequent item analyses revealed that this pattern was evident for 6 of the 14 items. Conclusions: Given societal expectations regarding women’s and men’s appropriate parental roles, it is reasonable to speculate that gender differences would exist in the value attached to the parental role, and subsequently, in the choice made when the opportunity to become a parent versus termination of a pregnancy presents itself. Counsellors can use this information to maximise the extent to which they facilitate autonomous decision-making.     

Which Parameters Affect Biofilm Removal with Acoustic Cavitation? A Review

Bacterial biofilms are a cause of contamination in a wide range of medical and biological areas. Ultrasound is a mechanical energy that can remove these biofilms using cavitation and acoustic streaming, which generate shear forces to disrupt biofilm from a surface. The aim of this narrative review is to investigate the literature on the mechanical removal of biofilm using acoustic cavitation to identify the different operating parameters affecting its removal using this method. The properties of the liquid and the properties of the ultrasound have a large impact on the type of cavitation generated. These include gas content, temperature, surface tension, frequency of ultrasound and acoustic pressure. For many of these parameters, more research is required to understand their mechanisms in the area of ultrasonic biofilm removal, and further research will help to optimise this method for effective removal of biofilms from different surfaces.