Technologies are difficult to assess in an early stage of development. A comparison between innovative and conventional technologies is often complex due to differences in scale (large-scale with ...several 100 t/d vs. demonstrator-scale with less than 100kg/d) and subsequent efficiency. A methodology is implemented using Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) enhanced by Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) aspects and incorporating industrial principles for technology assessment. The methodology is applied to identify the trade-off between direct and indirect emissions and to evaluate scale dependency with focus on energy and broader sustainability. The applicability is illustrated for glass and ceramic frits production and supported by experimental data for conventionally and innovatively heated processes.
Nearly a quarter of the energy consumption of Europe is required for industrial processes. Huge efficiency potentials can be exploited. One such is under research within the EU funded project DAPhNE ...by developing an integrated solution for energy intensive firing processes with microwave technologies. A methodology towards the preliminary definition of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) with focus on economical, environmental and operational aspects is presented within this paper. By means of lab-scale measurements, the preliminary selected KPIs are determined and benchmarked against conventional KPIs to develop an eco-efficient production system. Moreover life cycle assessment (LCA) results support the evaluation and quantify the environmental benefits of microwave heating. Lab-scale results indicate a high carbon emission reduction potential.
This work illustrates a new role for the membranotropic peptide gH625 and its derivative gH625-GCGKKK in impairing formation of polymicrobial biofilms. Mixed biofilms composed of Candida and ...bacterial species cause frequently infections and failure of medical silicone devices and also show a major drug resistance than single-species biofilms. Inhibition and eradication of biofilms were evaluated by complementary methods: XTT-reduction, and crystal violet staining (CV). Our results indicate that gH625-GCGKKKK, better than the native peptide, strongly inhibited formation of mixed biofilms of clinical isolates of C. tropicalis/S. marcescens and C. tropicalis/S. aureus and reduced the biofilm architecture, interfering with cell adhesion and polymeric matrix, as well as eradicated the long-term polymicrobial biofilms on silicone surface.
•Polymicrobial biofilms cause frequently infections.•The use of antimicrobial peptides represents a possible strategy to treat biofilms.•Membranotropic gH625 peptide and its analogue are effective against polymicrobial biofilms.
Abstract
Background
Circumferential pulmonary veins ablation (CPVA) with posterior wall isolation (PWI) using radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) is gaining increasing interest in terms of safety ...and efficacy.
Purpose To compare procedural data and efficacy between two radiofrequency ablation protocols for the treatment of persistent atrial fibrillation (PersAF): very high power-short duration (vHPSD) ablation using a novel temperature-controlled ablation catheter and Ablation Index (AI) guided RFCA using traditional contact-force catheter.
Methods
This single center prospective study enrolled 75 consecutive patients (Group 1) with symptomatic PersAF undergoing RFCA using a novel contact-force catheter optimized for temperature-controlled ablation with microelectrodes and 6 thermocouples for real-time temperature monitoring during ablation. The vHPSD algorithm modulates power to maintain target temperature during these lesions (90 Watts, 4 s) in the posterior wall. RF delivery in anterior regions was performed in a temperature guided setting (1-45W, 45°C) to achieve a 500-550 AI. These patients were compared to 75 propensity matched patients (Group 2) undergoing PersAF ablation with traditional AI-guided ablation. Procedural data were compared between the two groups (Table 1). Procedural outcome was considered as loop recorder documented atrial arrhythmias recurrences and compared between the two groups.
Results
Seventy-five patients (69% male, 63.1±11.2 years old) underwent ablation with vHPSD protocol (Group 1). CPVA and PWI was achieved in all patients with total procedure and fluoroscopy times of 67.5±28.8 min and 4.5±2.8 min, respectively. After 12-month median follow-up, 57/75 patients (76%) were free from AF. Seventy-five propensity matched patients (69% male, 60.7±9.9 years old) have undergone ablation with standard contact-force catheter. CPVA and PWI was achieved in all patients with total procedure and fluoroscopy times of 81.99±20.5 min and 5.7±2.1 min, respectively. After 12-month median follow-up, 55/75 patients (73%) were free from AF. Procedural and fluoroscopy times were significantly lower in in Group 1 than in Group 2 (Table 1). AF recurrencies were comparable between the two groups as assessed with survival analysis (Figure 1, log-rank 0.509). There were no deaths or other severe periprocedural complications.
Conclusions
PWI on top of CPVA is effective in limiting arrhythmic recurrences following RFCA of PersAF. Compared to standard AI guided ablation, vHPSD protocol significantly reduces procedural time and fluoroscopy exposure. Clinical outcomes between the two protocols are similar.Figure 1
Abstract
Aims
This study sought to examine the efficacy of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) originating from the outflow tracts. The investigation ...utilized the QDOT MICRO™ (QDOT) catheter, known for enabling a temperature-controlled ablation strategy.
Methods and results
The study began in November 2022 at a single center. All patients (n=100, 57% male, mean age 49±18) were prospectively and consecutively enrolled and underwent PVCs ablation with QDOT-MICRO™ catheter. The procedural and efficacy data of the study population were compared with those of a control group composed of a cohort of 100 propensity score-matched patients who underwent the same procedure with the ThermoCool® SmartTouch® Catheter using the Ablation Index strategy. Acute procedural success was defined as the elimination of the targeted PVCs at the termination of the procedure. Clinical success was defined as at least an 80% decrease in PVCs burden. Follow-up visits with 24- to 48-h Holter monitoring were performed at baseline and 1, 3, and every 3 months thereafter. Both patients with follow-up <6 months and non-outflow tracts PVCs were excluded. In the study cohort, the average PVCs burden was 21,13% (IQR: 12,50, 24,44) and the RVOT PVCs were 58% (n=58). The mean procedure and fluoroscopy times were 113±103 and 18±15, respectively, and significantly differ between both groups (p=0.02 and p<0.001, respectively). Signals detected by the microelectrodes at the effective site of ablation differed significantly from those recorded by the standard bipolar electrodes (p<0.001). No major complication occurred during the procedures, and there was no procedure-related mortality. The freedom from PVCs recurrences was 86% in the QDOT group and 84% in the STSF group.Freedom from PVCs recurrences at a mean follow-up of 11.5±1.6 months did not significantly differ between both groups (86% vs 84%, respectively; p=0.65).
Conclusion
This study suggests that RFCA using the QDOT MICRO™ catheter is not only effective but also comparable to the standard approach for treating outflow tract PVCs. Moreover, the study highlights shorter fluoroscopy and procedure times, reinforcing the catheter's efficiency and safety. The use of microelectrodes proved beneficial in enhancing precision in RF delivery.
Abstract
Background
Slow pathway ablation (SPA) in pediatric patients with documented paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) has been proven safe and effective. Arrhythmia induction is often ...difficult in the pediatric population. Accordingly, empirical SPA is frequently adopted in this population. Real-world data about long-term outcomes of slow pathway ablation (SPA) in relation to tachycardia inducibility and electrophysiologic characteristics in pediatric patients with PSVT in a high-volume center are lacking.
Purpose To compare long-term clinical outcomes of SPA in pediatric patients with and without intraprocedural documentation of DAVP and AV nodal reentrant tachycardia induction.
Methods
In this retrospective sigle-center study, all SPA procedures performed on pediatric patients (under 18 years) at our Institution since 2016 were considered. All patients had documented PSVT with short RP interval, no evidet ventricular pre-excitatio on surface ECG and normal echocardiography. Baseline EPS was performed to exclude the presence of concealed accessory pathway and isoproterenol infusion was used to exclude focal atrial tachycardias. According to intraprocedural EP characteristics, three group of patients were identified: Group 1 with AVNRT induction; Group 2 with dual atrioventricular nodal physiology (DAVP) and no tachycardia induction; Group 3 without DAVP. According to previous documentation of a short RP PSVT and after discussion with patients’ families, SPA was performed in all patients. The endpoint of the ablation was to eliminate slow pathway conduction and AV node re-entrant beat. Follow up visits were scheduled three and twelve months after ablation for all patients.
Results
1734 patients underwent SPA since 2016 at our Institution. 1092 patients (73.4%) showed AVNRT induction during EPS (Group 1). 433 patients (14.2%) showed DAVP without tachycardia induction (Group 2). 209 patients (12.4%) didn’t show DAVP at EPS (Group 3). Age and gender were similar among the three groups. SPA was performed with acute procedural success in all patients. After 36-month median follow-up, freedom from palpitations was 98.5% in Group 1, 97.1% in Group 2 and 92.3% in Group 3. A survival analysis showed the best outcomes in group 1 and no significant difference in recurrence rate among the groups 2 and 3 (Figure 1). No permanent heart blocks, neither other major complication was observed.
Conclusions
When performed by experienced operators and in high-volume centers, SPA is a safe and effective procedure in pediatric patients with documented short RP PSVT. Success rate is highest with AVNRT induction and good without AVNRT induction, regardless of AV node dual conduction at baseline EPS. Such high success rate depends on careful exclusion of others arrhythmia mechanisms (i.e., focal atrial tachycardias, AV re-entrant tachycardias) that, although infrequent in children, are the main determinants of arrhythmia recurrences.
Aim of this study was to evaluate the mineral milk content and its relationship with the cheese yield and the rennet coagulation properties. Ca and P content, total and soluble, was determined on 70 ...milk samples along with the physic-chemical composition, cheese yield and coagulation parameters. Total Ca and P contents were 170,57±14,41mg·dl-
1
and 145,34±26,87 mg·dl-
1
,with a Ca/P ratio of about 1.2. Fresh cheese yield was on average 261.7 ± 25.4 gr·l-
1
of milk and was influenced by both milk quality and Ca and P contents (R
2
=0.82). The average rennet coagulation parameters had the following values: R = 14,20±3,82; K
20
= 1,73±0,97 and A
30
= 46,01±8,81. R values was influenced positively (R
2
=0.68) by milk pH, protein and fat content and negatively by the Ca/P ratio while shorter K
20
value were linked to low micellar Ca and higher soluble P (R
2
=0.46). The A
30
was negatively influenced by milk pH, fat/protein ratio and positively by soluble Ca and P content and micellar P % (R
2
=0.50).
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