Manual Injection Research Articles

New infusion device for use in acquisition of images during endovascular procedures: an experimental model.

BackgroundThe contrast power injector (CPI) is the gold standard method for injecting contrast with the pressure and flow needed to generate a satisfactory images during endovascular procedures, but it is an expensive tool, narrowing its wide-scale applications. One alternative is the manual injection (MI) method, but this does not generate the pressure required for adequate visualization of anatomy. It is therefore imperative to create an alternative low-cost method that is capable of producing high quality images.ObjectivesTo compare the injection parameters of a new mechanical device (Hand-Crank) created in a university hospital with the MI method and with the contrast power injector’s ideal values.MethodsA circulation phantom was constructed to simulate the pressure in the aorto-iliac territory and the injection parameters of the two methods were compared in a laboratory setting. Student’s t test and the Mann-Whitney test were used for statistical analysis. Three vascular surgery residents (the authors) performed the injections (each performed 9 tests using conventional manual injection and 9 tests using the Hand-Crank, totaling 54 injections).ResultsThere were statistical differences between the two methods (p<0.05) in total volume injected until maximum pressure was attained, pressure variation, maximum pressure, total injection time, and time to reach the maximum pressure.ConclusionsThe Hand-Crank can achieve higher maximum pressure, higher average flow, and lower injection time than the manual method. It is a simple, low-cost, and effective tool for enhancing injection parameters in an experimental setup. It could help to produce higher quality images in a clinical scenario.

Method of optimal hydraulic dilatation of venous conduits for coronary artery bypass grafting

Hydraulic dilatation is used in everyday cardiac surgical practice for assessment of leak-proofness and prevention of spasm of autovenous shunts. The classical technique envisages manual high-pressure solution injection, which exerts a negative effect on venous conduits and is one of the causes of incompetence of shunts in the postoperative period. Limiting pressure during hydraulic dilatation is necessary to minimize morphological changes and preserve functional viability of venous conduits. The purpose of the present study was to develop and assess efficacy of a standardized methodology of controlled hydraulic dilatation of venous conduits. We worked out an original technique of controlled hydraulic dilatation of venous conduits under perfusion pressure of artificial circulation. This was followed by assessing morphological changes and functional viability of venous segments after controlled hydraulic dilatation as compared with veins after conventional uncontrolled hydraulic dilatation and the control intact veins. Uncontrolled hydraulic dilatation was accompanied by endothelial damage (p<0.05), multiple conduit wall tears (p<0.05) according to the findings of light microscopy, leading to a significant decrease in the functional vitality of the venous conduit (a decreased reaction to hyperpotassium solution, phenylephrine, acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside (p<0.05) according to the findings of biophysical examination. Our original technique of controlled hydraulic dilatation of venous conduits under perfusion pressure of artificial circulation made it possible not only to evaluate leak-proofness of the vessel but also to achieve comparable to the control segments parameters of structural integrity of the venous wall and functional viability of the conduit. Thus, using the developed method of controlled hydraulic dilatation makes it possible to minimize morphofunctional alterations in venous conduits, influencing the function of autovenous shunts.

Fully Automated Sample Processing and Analysis Workflow for Low-Input Proteome Profiling.

Recent advances in sample preparation and analysis have enabled direct profiling of protein expression in single mammalian cells and other trace samples. Several techniques to prepare and analyze low-input samples employ custom fluidics for nanoliter sample processing and manual sample injection onto a specialized separation column. While being effective, these highly specialized systems require significant expertise to fabricate and operate, which has greatly limited implementation in most proteomic laboratories. Here, we report a fully automated platform termed autoPOTS (automated preparation in one pot for trace samples) that uses only commercially available instrumentation for sample processing and analysis. An unmodified, low-cost commercial robotic pipetting platform was utilized for one-pot sample preparation. We used low-volume 384-well plates and periodically added water or buffer to the microwells to compensate for limited evaporation during sample incubation. Prepared samples were analyzed directly from the well plate with a commercial autosampler that was modified with a 10-port valve for compatibility with 30 μm i.d. nanoLC columns. We used autoPOTS to analyze 1-500 HeLa cells and observed only a moderate reduction in peptide coverage for 150 cells and a 24% reduction in coverage for single cells compared to our previously developed nanoPOTS platform. To evaluate clinical feasibility, we identified an average of 1095 protein groups from ∼130 sorted B or T lymphocytes. We anticipate that the straightforward implementation of autoPOTS will make it an attractive option for low-input and single-cell proteomics in many laboratories.

Are single-lumen 5Fr and triple-lumen 6Fr PICCs suitable for hemodynamic assessment by trans-pulmonary thermodilution? A pilot study

BackgroundSingle-lumen 4Fr or double-lumen 5Fr power injectable peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are not accurate for trans-pulmonary thermodilution (TPTD), since they overestimate cardiac index and other TPTD-derived parameters when compared with centrally inserted central catheters (CICCs) because of the smaller size of their lumen. We hypothesize that PICCs with larger lumen size may be reliable for the cardiac index assessment using the TPTD.MethodsThis is a single-centre, prospective method–comparison study that included adult patients admitted in ICU who required a calibrated Pulse Contour hemodynamic monitoring system (VolumeView/EV1000™) for circulatory shock and had both PICC and CICC in place. We compared TPTD measurements via single-lumen 5Fr or triple-lumen 6Fr polyurethane power injectable PICCs with triple-lumen 7Fr CICC (reference standard). To rule out biases related to manual injection, measurements were repeated using an automated rapid injection system. We performed Bland–Altman analysis accounting for multiple observations per patient.ResultsA total of 320 measurements were performed in 15 patients. During the manual phase, the cardiac index measured with either single-lumen 5Fr or triple-lumen 6Fr PICCs were comparable with cardiac index measured with triple-lumen 7Fr CICC (3.2 ± 1.04 vs. 3.2 ± 1.06 L/min/m2, bias 2.2% and 3.3 ± 0.8 vs. 3.0 ± 0.7 L/min/m2, bias 8.5%, respectively). During the automated phase, triple-lumen 6Fr PICC slightly overestimated the cardiac index when compared to triple-lumen 7Fr CICC (CI 3.4 ± 0.7 vs. 3.0 ± 0.7 L/min/m2, bias 12.5%; p = 0.012). For both single-lumen 5Fr and triple-lumen 6Fr PICCs, percentage error vs. triple-lumen 7Fr CICC was below 20% (14.7% and 19% during the manual phase and 14.4% and 13.8% during the automated phase, respectively). Similar results were observed for TPTD-derived parameters.ConclusionsDuring hemodynamic monitoring with TPTD, both single-lumen 5Fr PICCs and triple-lumen 6Fr PICCs can be used for cold fluid bolus injection as an alternative to CICC (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04241926).

Endovascular surgery in the field of ophthalmology.

In this article, we provide an overview of the current perspectives on endovascular surgery in ophthalmology, including a description of the various approaches, recent clinical results and future prospects. Experimental studies of endovascular surgery in ophthalmology started in the 1980s; since then, a considerable amount of research has been done to develop the procedure for clinical use. During the past two decades endovascular surgery has been performed on eyes with retinal vascular disorders, including central retinal vein occlusion and central retinal artery occlusion. The first endovascular surgery on human eyes was performed in 1998 on a patient with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). The most recent techniques used in retinal endovascular surgery involve manual injection of liquid agents such as tissue plasminogen activator into major retinal vessels using a 47 or 48-gauge micro-needle. New technology using a bimanual procedure and digitally assisted vitrectomy systems enables surgeons to perform this delicate procedure more effectively. Recent results reported from a number of researchers corroborate the effectiveness of the procedure. Endovascular surgery is one of the latest techniques in the field of ophthalmology and has garnered significant interest from vitreoretinal surgeons. However, it is also at the limit of what surgeons are able to accomplish with manual precision. There is still much to learn and improve to maximize the potential of this approach. The combination of skills as a surgeon, sound science, objective clinical evidence and cutting edge technology will lead to improvements in this field.

A novel injection technique: using a field-based quantum cascade laser for the analysis of gas samples derived from static chambers

Abstract. The development of fast-response analysers for the measurement of nitrous oxide (N2O) has resulted in exciting opportunities for new experimental techniques beyond commonly used static chambers and gas chromatography (GC) analysis. For example, quantum cascade laser (QCL) absorption spectrometers are now being used with eddy covariance (EC) or automated chambers. However, using a field-based QCL EC system to also quantify N2O concentrations in gas samples taken from static chambers has not yet been explored. Gas samples from static chambers are often analysed by GC, a method that requires labour and time-consuming procedures off-site. Here, we developed a novel field-based injection technique that allowed the use of a single QCL for (1) micrometeorological EC and (2) immediate manual injection of headspace samples taken from static chambers. To test this approach across a range of low to high N2O concentrations and fluxes, we applied ammonium nitrate (AN) at 0, 300, 600 and 900 kg N ha−1 (AN0, AN300, AN600, AN900) to plots on a pasture soil. After analysis, calculated N2O fluxes from QCL (FN2O_QCL) were compared with fluxes determined by a standard method, i.e. laboratory-based GC (FN2O_GC). Subsequently, the comparability of QCL and GC data was tested using orthogonal regression, Bland–Altman and bioequivalence statistics. For AN-treated plots, mean cumulative N2O emissions across the 7 d campaign were 0.97 (AN300), 1.26 (AN600) and 2.00 kg N2O-N ha−1 (AN900) for FN2O_QCL and 0.99 (AN300), 1.31 (AN600) and 2.03 kg N2O-N ha−1 (AN900) for FN2O_GC. These FN2O_QCL and FN2O_GC were highly correlated (r=0.996, n=81) based on orthogonal regression, in agreement following the Bland–Altman approach (i.e. within ±1.96 standard deviation of the mean difference) and shown to be for all intents and purposes the same (i.e. equivalent). The FN2O_QCL and FN2O_GC derived under near-zero flux conditions (AN0) were weakly correlated (r=0.306, n=27) and not found to agree or to be equivalent. This was likely caused by the calculation of small, but apparent positive and negative, FN2O when in fact the actual flux was below the detection limit of static chambers. Our study demonstrated (1) that the capability of using one QCL to measure N2O at different scales, including manual injections, offers great potential to advance field measurements of N2O (and other greenhouse gases) in the future and (2) that suitable statistics have to be adopted when formally assessing the agreement and difference (not only the correlation) between two methods of measurement.

B vitamins and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: the efficacy of the combination for nonspecific back pain

Back pain significantly affects quality of life in patients. Therapy for acute and chronic nonspecific back pain (NBS) includes non-drug and drug treatments. The non-drug treatment includes educational conversations with a patient, recommendations to maintain an active lifestyle, therapeutic exercises, behavioral and cognitive-behavioral therapy, and mindfulness. Manual therapy and injections of anesthetics into the area of tender joints may be prescribed. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used for drug treatment of acute and chronic NBS. Antidepressants may be prescribed for chronic pain and depression symptoms. B vitamins (thiamine, pyridoxine, and cyanocobalamin) can be considered as adjuvant analgesics in NBS. The results of animal experimental studies have shown that B vitamins at high doses have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. Clinical studies, a systematic review, and a meta-analysis published in 2020 demonstrated the safety and advantages of combination therapy with NSAIDs and B vitamins over NSAID monotherapy in the treatment of acute NBS and exacerbations of chronic NBS. The addition of B vitamins to NSAIDs can reduce the duration of treatment by 2 times. By reducing the duration of pharmacotherapy, the risk of adverse reactions to NSAIDs decreases and the patient returns to daily activities more quickly. It is advisable to conduct further, larger studies of combined pharmacotherapy for NBS.

A Feasibility Study of the DyeVert™ Plus Contrast Reduction System to Reduce Contrast Media Volumes in Percutaneous Coronary Procedures Using Optical Coherence Tomography

ObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility of using the DyeVert™ Plus EZ Contrast Reduction System in optical coherence tomography (OCT)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures and to assess OCT image quality. BackgroundOCT is employed as a powerful intravascular imaging modality; however, it requires blood displacement via contrast injection during image acquisition, thereby posing risk of nephrotoxicity. The DyeVert System is designed to reduce and facilitate monitoring of contrast media volume (CMV) delivered, without diminishing image quality. MethodsWe conducted a prospective clinical feasibility study to determine whether the DyeVert System is non-inferior to manual contrast injection in reducing CMV without lessening image quality during OCT-guided PCI procedures. Eligible participants were ≥ 18 years of age, indicated for coronary OCT, and able to provide informed consent. The primary endpoint was CMV saved during angiography; the secondary endpoint was image quality as evaluated by operators in real time and by an independent core laboratory that also assessed images from a control group that underwent comparable procedures performed without the DyeVert System. ResultsFourteen participants underwent 15 coronary OCT procedures using the DyeVert System. Mean age among participants was 67 ± 11 years, and 11 (78%) were male. Mean eGFR was 71 ± 20 mL/min/1.73m2. Mean attempted CMV administration was 342.01 ± 129.8 mL; mean CMV delivered was 216.21 ± 88.87 mL, representing CMV savings of 37.5 ± 5.3%. Results from quantified OCT analysis suggest that the clear region of interest (ROI) in the DyeVert group was non-inferior (p < .0001) to the control group. There were no device-related adverse events. ConclusionsThe DyeVert™ Plus EZ Contrast Reduction System reduced CMV and preserved an image quality that was non-inferior to OCT-guided PCI procedures without using the contrast reducing device.

Effectiveness of amikacin administered by autoinjector compared to manual injection on infected excision wound model of Wistar rats

To evaluate the effectiveness of amikacin administered by autoinjector compared to manual injection on infected excision wound model of Wistar rats. Randomly bred 14 Wistar rats of either sex weighing 180 to 230 g were used for the present study. The study has the approval of the Institutional Animal Ethical Committee. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was used for infecting the wounds.1 mL of blood was withdrawn aseptically from the orbital sinus under isoflurane anaesthesia, and the biochemical parameters were carried out. All results were expressed as mean ± SEM, and the results were compared statistically by one-way ANOVA using Sigma Plot 13. P-value &amp;lt; 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The biochemical parameters in the study was more or less similar. The infected rats treated with amikacin showed faster wound contraction compared to control. This study concludes the effectiveness of amikacin administered through autoinjectors and manual injection in infected excision wound model as similar. Therefore, amikacin autoinjector is a better choice to manual injection to overcome from wound infections if it is administered at the right time in case of emergency or whenever required. Injury and wound infection are common in natural and manmade disasters. Serious bacterial wound infections are a potential threat to open injuries. As accessibility to the primary health centre or hospital may not be easy or possible during disasters and to overcome such a situation, an antibacterial autoinjector would be useful.

Dual-axis rotational coronary angiography versus conventional coronary angiography: a randomized comparison.

Dual-axis of rotational coronary angiography (RA), with one single cine acquisition during continuous C-arm motion along a pre-described path, is an alternative to conventional coronary angiography (CA). We assessed the performance of RA versus CA in a modern, experienced cath lab setting. Sixty-seven patients with suspected coronary artery disease undergoing invasive coronary angiography were randomized to CA (n = 35) or dual-axis RA (n = 32). CA was performed with four left and two right coronary artery acquisitions with manual contrast medium injection. In RA, one cine acquisition each was performed for the left (5 projections) and right coronary artery (3 projections) with a fixed amount of contrast medium applied by a power injector. In both groups, single cine acquisitions in additional angulations were performed to fully interpret the coronary system, if necessary. Procedural parameters and outcome were compared. Mean age was 63 ± 12years (64% males). Six additional projections were required in the RA group compared to 13 in the CA group (p = 0.173). Fluoroscopy duration (CA: 3 ± 3min, RA: 3 ± 2min, p = 0.748) and dose area product (CA: 1291 ± 761µGym2, RA: 1476 ± 679µGym2, p = 0.235) did not differ significantly between both groups. For CA, the amount of contrast medium (42 ± 13 vs. 46 ± 8ml, p = 0.022) and procedure time (8 ± 5 vs. 11 ± 3min, p < 0.001) were significantly lower. No major adverse event occurred during hospital stay. Dual-axis RA represents a feasible and safe alternative method to CA for obtaining coronary angiograms. However, no superiority was observed when performed by an experienced interventionalist with a modern system.

User experience for manual injection of 2 mL viscous solutions is enhanced by a new prefillable syringe with a staked 8 mm ultra-thin wall needle

ABSTRACT Objectives User experience was compared between a new pre-fillable 2.25 mL glass syringe equipped with an ultra-thin-wall (UTW) 8 mm staked needle and a marketed BD Neopak™ syringe equipped with a special-thin-wall (STW) 12.7 mm staked needle. Methods Participants simulated subcutaneous injections with both syringes alone (formative Human Factors study) and in combination with a needlestick-prevention device (validation Human Factors study). Results Usability results of both studies showed higher success rates for delivering the full dose of 2 mL viscous solution (30 cP) with the 8mmUTW syringe than with the 12.7mmSTW one (63% vs. 42% in the formative study). The use of the 8mmUTW syringe demonstrated also better ease of use and acceptance results and 72% of formative study participants preferred this new syringe over the current one when delivering the viscous solution. Using a shorter needle also showed a benefit in decreasing the injection-related anxiety. Besides, in the case of a non-recommended injection technique, the calculated risk of accidental intramuscular injection is reduced by 2 to 13 times with the 8mmUTW syringe. Conclusion Altogether, the results obtained demonstrated an improvement of the user experience with this new syringe compared to the current one in the manual delivery of 2 mL viscous solutions.

Improved Reproductive Efficiency in Beef Cattle under Tropical and Sub- Tropical Environments

The majority of the world's ox-like crowd is found in tropical districts. Manager records prevail, because of their adjustment to the atmosphere and the executives conditions. Anestrous is the primary factor that adversely influences conceptive presentation of creatures reproduced in these locales of the globe. A few components influence baby blues anestrous, including nursing and maternal-posterity bond, and pre-and baby blues dietary status. The brief span of estrus and the propensity to show estrus during the night, extraordinarily influence the effectiveness of manual semen injection (AI) programs in B. indicus dairy cattle oversaw in tropical territories. A few confined nursing or weaning methodology (brief or changeless), and hormonal medicines have been utilized to prompt ovulation and cyclicity in baby blues bovines. Most hormonal medicines depend on progesterone/progestogen (P4) discharging gadgets related with estradiol benzoate (EB), or a mix of GnRH/PGF2α/GnRH (Ovsynch). Medicines with GnRH/PGF2α/GnRH have introduced conflicting outcomes, presumably because of the variable number of bovines in anestrous. Medicines utilizing P4 gadgets and EB have brought about evidently more reliable outcomes than Ovsynch programs in B. indicus steers; notwithstanding, pregnancy rates are low in groups introducing high anestrous rates and moderate to low body condition. The expansion of an eCG treatment at the hour of gadget evacuation, which expanded plasma progesterone focuses and pregnancy rates in anestrous baby blues nursed B. indicus dairy animals, might be helpful to improve conceptive execution of meat steers in tropical atmospheres.

Histomorphological assessment of isolated abdominal organs after targeted perfusion with the contrast agent Angiofil® in postmortem computed tomography angiography

The current literature about histological alterations and artefacts associated with postmortem computed tomography angiography (PMCTA) is scarce and limited to qualitative research.The aim of this study was to describe and quantify histological alterations and artefacts in histologic specimens of the inner organs. The spleen, the liver, the kidneys and the pancreas were eviscerated in the course of standard forensic autopsy, followed by manual arterial and venous perfusion of the organs with the lipophilic contrast agent Angiofil®. Computed tomography (CT) of the organ packages was executed to evaluate if the perfusion with Angiofil® was sufficient. The CT scans revealed a good delineation of the vessel trees up to the organ periphery, suggesting a sufficient perfusion. Tissue samples were taken before and after perfusion, stained with hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) and examined by using microscopy. Native and perfused specimens were assessed on the basis of a qualitative rating scale in regard to the integrity of the cells, the tissue architecture and induced alterations. Subsequently the observed differences before and after perfusion with Angiofil® were analyzed quantitatively. While the liver, spleen and kidneys could be evaluated, further microscopic examinations of the pancreatic tissue were not possible due to vast autolytic changes.On the cellular level no changes in the liver, spleen and kidneys were observed after administering Angiofil®. While the tissue architecture of these organs remained intact, a significant blood volume displacement occurred. As a consequence, tissue with hypoemic or normal blood state demonstrated congestion. Further, optically empty spaces emerged regularly in the vessels and the parenchyma of each organ as a surrogate for the lipophilic contrast agent. With a few exceptions an adequate perfusion up to the microscopic level was observed.Following the results of this investigation, CT-controlled manual injection of Angiofil® into isolated organs may be an alternative to the generalized in situ application of contrast agents in the course of PMCTA. It is of eminent importance to know the artefacts induced by an Angiofil® injection in order to avoid a misinterpretation or a masking of findings. Thus, a collection of native tissue specimens has to be done before contrast agent application.

Impact of using a perioperative artificial endocrine pancreas in pancreatic resection.

AimPancreatectomy causes both hyperglycemia, secondary to surgical stress, and pancreatic diabetes, which leads to difficult‐to‐control postoperative blood glucose levels. We investigated whether using an artificial pancreas perioperatively to provide appropriate blood glucose control could reduce postoperative complications following pancreatectomy.MethodsWe retrospectively enrolled 52 patients who underwent pancreatectomy at Tokushima University Hospital from 2015 to 2019. The most recent 26/52 patients received perioperative blood glucose control using an artificial pancreas. Postoperative blood glucose control with manual insulin injections based on a sliding scale was performed in the earlier 26 patients (controls). We compared surgical outcomes between the artificial pancreas group and the control group.ResultsThere was no significant difference in patients' white blood cell or neutrophil counts, prognostic nutritional index, neutrophil‐lymphocyte ratio, and C‐reactive protein‐to‐albumin ratio on postoperative day 1; however, lymphocyte counts were higher in the artificial pancreas group. The number of serious complications of Clavien‐Dindo grade >IIIa was significantly lower in the artificial pancreas group (P < .05).ConclusionsUsing an artificial pancreas for perioperative blood glucose control in patients undergoing pancreatectomy decreased the number of serious complications through proper management of blood glucose levels without hypoglycemia, and may influence peripheral lymphocytes.

Impact of a contrast media volume control device on acute kidney injury rate in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

The DyeVert™ system (Osprey Medical Inc., Minnesota, MN) may reduce contrast media (CM) volume during coronary procedures while maintaining fluoroscopic image quality. Here, we assessed whether the use of the DyeVert system reduces acute kidney injury (AKI) rate in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) undergoing invasive coronary procedures. ACS patients scheduled for coronary procedure from January 2017 to December 2019 were included. Two groups were identified: (a) Control group (n= 339), including patients in which a conventional manual injection syringe was used; and (b) DyeVert group (n= 112), in which CM injection was handled by the DyeVert™ system. A propensity score matching was performed to reduce the effect of treatment selection bias and potential confounders. In all cases, a low-osmolar, nonionic CM was administered. The primary objective was the rate of AKI, defined as a serum creatinine increase ≥0.3mg/dl within 72 hr after CM exposure. CM volume was higher in the Control group than in the DyeVert group (130 [120-188] ml vs. 99 [69-136] ml; p<.001). In the DyeVert group the mean percent CM volume saved was 38 ± 13%. AKI occurred in 7/90 patients (8%) in the DyeVert group and in 17/90 (19%) patients in the Control group (odds ratio=0.37; 95% confidence interval 0.14-0.95; p=.047). This preliminary result suggests that CM volume reduction obtained by the DyeVert™ system is an effective strategy to prevent AKI in ACS patients undergoing invasive procedure.

Mechanism and consequences for avoidance of superparasitism in the solitary parasitoid Cotesia vestalis

A parasitoid’s decision to reject or accept a potential host is fundamental to its fitness. Superparasitism, in which more than one egg of a given parasitoid species can deposit in a single host, is usually considered sub-optimal in systems where the host is able to support the development of only a single parasitoid. It follows that selection pressure may drive the capacity for parasitoids to recognize parasitized hosts, especially if there is a fitness cost of superparasitism. Here, we used microsatellite studies of two distinct populations of Cotesia vestalis to demonstrate that an egg laid into a diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) larva that was parasitized by a conspecific parasitoid 10 min, 2 or 6 h previously was as likely to develop and emerge successfully as was the first-laid egg. Consistent with this, a naive parasitoid encountering its first host was equally likely to accept a healthy larva as one parasitized 10 min prior, though handling time of parasitized hosts was extended. For second and third host encounters, parasitized hosts were less readily accepted than healthy larvae. If 12 h elapsed between parasitism events, the second-laid egg was much less likely to develop. Discrimination between parasitized and healthy hosts was evident when females were allowed physical contact with hosts, and healthy hosts were rendered less acceptable by manual injection of parasitoid venom into their hemolymph. Collectively, these results show a limited capacity to discriminate parasitized from healthy larvae despite a viability cost associated with failing to avoid superparasitism.

Gastric artery embolization: studying the\xa0effects of catheter type and injection method on microsphere\xa0distributions within a benchtop arterial model

AimsThe objective of the study is to investigate the effect of catheter type and injection method on microsphere distributions, specifically vessel targeting accuracy.Materials and methodsThe study utilized three catheter types (a standard end-hole micro-catheter, a Surefire anti-reflux catheter, and an Endobar occlusion balloon catheter) and both manual and computer-controlled injection schemes. A closed-loop, dynamically pressurized surrogate arterial system was assembled to replicate arterial flow for bariatric embolization procedures. Four vessel branches immediately distal to the injection site were targeted for embolization. Embolic microspheres were injected into the model using these three catheter types and both manual and computer-controlled injections.ResultsAcross all injection methods, the catheter effect on the proportion of microspheres to target vessels (vs. non-target vessels) was significant (p = 0.005). The catheter effect on the number of non-target vessels embolized was nearly significant (p = 0.059). Across all catheter types, the injection method effect was not statistically significant for either of two outcome measures (percent microspheres to target vessels: p = 0.265, number of non-target vessels embolized: p = 0.148).ConclusionCatheter type had a significant effect on targeting accuracy across all injection methods. The Endobar catheter exhibited a higher targeting accuracy in pairwise comparisons with the other two injection catheters across all injection schemes and when considering the Endobar catheter with the manifold injection method vs. each of the catheters with the manual injection method; the differences were significant in three of four analyses. The injection method effect was not statistically significant across all catheter types and when considering the Endobar catheter/Endobar manifold combination vs. Endobar catheter injections with manual and pressure-replicated methods.

Formal Verification of Robotic Cell Injection systems up to 4-DOF using HOL Light

Abstract Cell injection is an approach used for the delivery of small sample substances into a biological cell and is widely used in drug development, gene injection, intracytoplasmic sperm injection and in-vitro fertilization. Robotic cell injection systems provide the automation of the process as opposed to the manual and semi-automated cell injection systems, which require expert operators and involve time consuming processes and also have lower success rates. The automation of the cell injection process is obtained by controlling the orientation and movement of its various components, like injection manipulator, microscope etc., and planning the motion of the injection pipette by controlling the force of the injection. The conventional techniques to analyze the cell injection process include paper-and-pencil proof and computer simulation methods. However, both these techniques suffer from their inherent limitations, such as, proneness to human error for the former and the approximation of the mathematical expressions involved in the numerical algorithms for the latter. Formal methods have the capability to overcome these limitations and can provide an accurate analysis of these cell injection systems. Model checking, i.e., a state-based formal method, has been recently used for analyzing these systems. However, it involves the discretization of the differential equations capturing the continuous dynamics of the system and thus compromises on the completeness of the analysis of these safety-critical systems. In this paper, we propose a higher-order-logic theorem proving (a deductive-reasoning based formal method) based framework for analyzing the dynamical behavior of the robotic cell injection systems upto 4-DOF. The proposed analysis, based on the HOL Light theorem prover, enabled us to identify some discrepancies in the simulation and model checking based analysis of the same robotic cell injection system.

Topographic computer analysis for acne scar treatment on face accompanying biopsy study after dermal injection of hydrotoxin mixture.

BackgroundAcne during youth can leave permanent facial scarring. The depressed acne scars can be treated by injection of stabilized hyaluronic acid (S‐HA) into the dermis. Due to the large number of acne scars, manual injection methods are technically difficult and bear high risk of lump formation in the dermis. Therefore, the author designed a specific injection method to solve the two abovementioned problems.AimsThis research aims to assess the effect of the intradermal injection of S‐HA and aboborulinumtoxinA mixture in the treatment of all types of acne scars.Materials/MethodsA total of 102 patients who suffered from acne scars were treated with a mixture of S‐HA (Restylane Vital®) and abobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport®). Using an automatic injector, micro‐droplets of the mixture (0.001 cc of S‐HA and 0.125 U abobotulinumtoxinA) were delivered into 1000 intradermal sites on whole face except eyelids. This instrument radically reduced injection amounts per site (0.001 cc), lessened manual operator efforts, and ensured consistent injection depth (from 0.8 to 1.2 mm depending on individual dermal thickness) into the facial dermis. The changes in each depression site of acne scars were evaluated by topographic computer analysis (point roughness), based on the 40 magnification microscopic photographs generated. Depth measurements of each small acne scar point were taken one by one at the exact same point before and after the treatments. Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) was measured for improvement of acne scars at 1‐ and 6‐month posttreatment. Additionally, serial histologic examinations of the biopsy specimens evaluated neocollagenesis, neoelastinogenesis, and longevity state of the S‐HA.ResultsA total of 78 patients showed improvements of depressed acne scars in physical examinations, medical photographs, and dermascopic photographs.Using topographic computer analysis, the average point roughness decreased 27.48% (at 1 month) from 29.042 ± 6.85 (baseline) to 21.05 ± 6.30 µm (P < .0001), corresponding with scar improvements observed in physical examinations, and 3.02 ± 0.66 of GAIS at 1‐month posttreatment. Using an injector allowed the hydrotoxin mixture into the deep dermal layer. Biopsy study proved that the injection depth was exactly in the dermis, and showed evidence of neocollagenesis and neoelastinogenesis. Also, the S‐HA particles remained after 1 year, which proved its longevity of at least 1 year.ConclusionThe topographic computer analysis using point roughness showed improvement of all subtype acne scars at 1‐month posttreatment. The improvement may have resulted from dermal expansion due to the neocollagenesis and neoelastinogenesis. S‐HA lasted more than 1 year in human dermis.

Topical Sensor for the Assessment of PET Dose Administration: Metric Performance with an Autoinjector.

Extravasation or partial extravasation of the radiopharmaceutical dose in PET can undermine SUV and image quality. A topical sensor has been validated using several metrics to characterize injection quality after manual injection. The performance of these metrics for autoinjector administration has been assessed. Methods: A single PET/CT scanner at a single site was used to characterize injections using an autoinjector with standardized apparatus, flush volume, and infusion rate (1-min infusion followed by 2 syringe flushes) for 18F-FDG, 68Ga-prostate-specific membrane antigen, and 68Ga-DOTATATE. In total, 296 patients with topical application of sensors were retrospectively analyzed using conventional statistical analysis and an artificial neural network. Results: Partial extravasation was noted in 1.3% of studies, with 9.1% (inclusive of partial extravasation) identified to have an injection anomaly (e.g., venous retention). Extravasation was independently predicted by the time that elapsed as the counts recorded by the injection sensor fell from the maximum value to within 200% of the reference sensor counts greater than 1,200 s; as the difference in counts for injection and reference sensors, normalized by dose, from 4 min after injection greater than 25; and as the ratio of the average counts per second recorded by the injection sensor at the end of a monitoring period to those of the reference sensor greater than 2. Conclusion: Extravasation and partial extravasation of PET doses are readily detected and differentiated using time-activity curve metrics. The metrics can provide the insight that could inform image quality or SUV accuracy issues. Further validation of key metrics is recommended in a larger and more diverse cohort.