Abstract Background: Percutaneous dilation tracheostomy is an aerosol-generating procedure carrying a documented infectious risk during respiratory virus pandemics. For this reason, during the COVID-19 outbreak, surgical tracheostomy was preferred to the percutaneous one, despite the technique related complications increased risk. Methods: We describe a new sequence for percutaneous dilation tracheostomy procedure that could be considered safe both for patients and healthcare personnel. A fiberscope was connected to a video unit to allow bronchoscopy. Guidewire positioning was performed as usual. While the established standard procedure continues with the creation of the stoma without any change in mechanical ventilation, we retracted the bronchoscope until immediately after the access valve in the mount tube, allowing normal ventilation. After 3 minutes of ventilation with 100% oxygen, mechanical ventilation was stopped without disconnecting the circuit. During apnea, the stoma was created by dilating the trachea and the tracheostomy cannula was inserted. Ventilation was then resumed. We evaluated the safeness of the procedure by recording any severe desaturation and by performing serological tests to all personnel. Results: Thirty-six patients (38%) of 96 underwent tracheostomy; 22 (23%) percutaneous dilation tracheostomies with the new approach were performed without any desaturation. All personnel (150 operators) were evaluated for serological testing: 9 (6%) had positive serology but none of them had participated in tracheostomy procedures. Conclusion: This newly described percutaneous dilation tracheostomy technique was not related to severe desaturation events and we did not observe any positive serological test in health workers who performed the tracheostomies.

Resumo Justificativa e objetivos: A ecocardiografia transtorácica pode ser potencialmente útil para obter uma estimativa rápida, precisa e não invasiva do débito cardíaco. Avaliamos se os intensivistas não cardiologistas podem obter uma determinação precisa e reprodutível do débito cardíaco em pacientes mecanicamente ventilados e hemodinamicamente instáveis. Métodos: Avaliamos 25 pacientes em unidade de terapia intensiva, mecanicamente ventilados, hemodinamicamente instáveis, com cateteres de artéria pulmonar posicionados. O débito cardíaco foi calculado com a técnica de ecocardiografia transtorácica com Doppler pulsátil aplicada à via de saída do ventrículo esquerdo no corte apical (5-câmaras) por dois médicos intensivistas que receberam treinamento básico em ecocardiografia transtorácica e treinamento específico focado em Doppler, via de saída do ventrículo esquerdo e determinação da integral de tempo-velocidade. Resultados: A avaliação do débito cardíaco pelo ecocardiograma transtorácico foi factível em 20 dos 25 pacientes inscritos (80%) e mostrou excelente reprodutibilidade entre operadores (teste de correlação de Pearson r = 0,987; K de Cohen = 0,840). No geral, o viés médio foi de 0,03 L.min-1, com limites de concordância de -0,52 e +0,57 L.min-1. O coeficiente de correlação de concordância (ρc) foi 0,986 (95% IC 0,966-0,995) e 0,995 (95% IC 0,986-0,998) para os médicos 1 e 2, respectivamente. O valor de precisão (Cb) da mensuração de COTTE foi de 0,999 para ambos os observadores. O valor de precisão (ρ) da mensuração de COTTE foi de 0,986 e 0,995 para os observadores 1 e 2, respectivamente. Conclusões: Um treinamento específico focado na determinação do Doppler e VTI, adicionado ao treinamento padrão em ecocardiografia transtorácica básica, permitiu que médicos não cardiologistas da unidade de terapia intensiva obtivessem uma avaliação rápida, reprodutível e precisa do débito cardíaco instantâneo na maioria dos pacientes mecanicamente ventilados em unidade de terapia intensiva.

Abstract Background and objectives: Transthoracic echocardiography may potentially be useful to obtain a prompt, accurate and non-invasive estimation of cardiac output. We evaluated whether non-cardiologist intensivists may obtain accurate and reproducible cardiac output determination in hemodynamically unstable mechanically ventilated patients. Methods: We studied 25 hemodynamically unstable mechanically ventilated intensive care unit patients with a pulmonary artery catheter in place. Cardiac output was calculated using the pulsed Doppler transthoracic echocardiography technique applied to the left ventricular outflow tract in apical 5 chamber view by two intensive care unit physicians who had received a basic Transthoracic Echocardiography training plus a specific training focused on Doppler, left ventricular outflow tract and velocity-time integral determination. Results: Cardiac output assessment by transthoracic echocardiography was feasible in 20 out of 25 enrolled patients (80%) and showed an excellent inter-operator reproducibility (Pearson correlation test r = 0.987; Cohen's K = 0.840). Overall, the mean bias was 0.03 L.min-1, with limits of agreement -0.52 and +0.57 L.min-1. The concordance correlation coefficient (ρc) was 0.986 (95% IC 0.966-0.995) and 0.995 (95% IC 0.986-0.998) for physician 1 and 2, respectively. The value of accuracy (Cb) of COTTE measurement was 0.999 for both observers. The value of precision (ρ) of COTTE measurement was 0.986 and 0.995 for observer 1 and 2, respectively. Conclusions: A specific training focused on Doppler and VTI determination added to the standard basic transthoracic echocardiography training allowed non-cardiologist intensive care unit physicians to achieve a quick, reproducible and accurate snapshot cardiac output assessment in the majority of mechanically ventilated intensive care unit patients.

BACKGROUND Dengue virus type 4 (DENV-4) was first reported in Brazil in 1982 and since then no more cases were detected again in Brazil until 2010, when the virus was reintroduced. Over the following years, the virus spread to several Brazilian states and resulted in about 1,400,000 dengue cases, in 2013. The largest number of cases were documented in the Southeast macro-region. OBJECTIVES To determine the phylogeography of DENV-4 Genotype IIB strains isolated during the epidemics in 2012-2013 in São Paulo, Brazil, we aimed to contextualise the contribution of viruses sampled in different localities across the overall movement of DENV-4 in Brazil. METHODS Based on the envelope gene sequences retrieved from GenBank, we employed a Bayesian phylogeographic approach to assess the spatiotemporal dynamics of DENV-4 Genotype IIB in São Paulo, Brazil. FINDINGS The dispersal dynamics of DENV-4 Genotype IIB in Brazil indicated Rio de Janeiro and Mato Grosso states as the most likely routes toward São Paulo before the 2012-2013 outbreak. Likewise, Guarujá and São José do Rio Preto facilitated viral spread and transmission to other localities in the South and Southeast macro-regions in Brazil. CONCLUSIONS The spread pattern of DENV-4 Genotype IIB strains across the country supports two independent introductions of the virus in São Paulo in a short period of time. Furthermore, São Paulo appears to have played a pivotal role in the dissemination of DENV-4 to other locations in Brazil.

Nowadays digital ultrasound-cardiovascular devices are able to send out directly digital images and films. Thanks to the large adoption of such devices, the echocardiographic world is facing new ways of exchanging images and collaborating. What we present in this paper is a review of the experimental projects carried in Lombardy, meant to support the work of specialists by means of second opinion and telemedicine services. On the medical point of view echocardiography is a widely used activity where operators are perfectly accustomed to do repetitive operations and steps. Tele-echocardiography (T-E) introduces new methods and technologies into stable and everyday medical practice, causing disruptions either on the side of the specialists' way of working or on the new opportunities and service. Introducing such a service means to properly model it in order to reduce the changes in the operators' way of working while maximizing the benefits. A proper method of modelling the operators' needs is then a key factor which must be correctly addressed. This paper will present some successful projects and the assessment procedure but it will also discuss a possible service modelling method, which has been adopted for the described experiences.

Oggigiorno gli strumenti digitali per la ecocardiografia ad ultrasuoni sono in grado di produrre immagini digitali e filmati. Grazie al largo impiego di questi strumenti il mondo della ecocardiografia sta affrontando nuove modalità di scambio immagini e collaborazione. In questo lavoro è presentata una revisione su progetti sperimentali realizzati in Lombardia, con l'obiettivo di supportare il lavoro di specialisti per mezzo di consultazioni di tipo second opinion e servizi di telemedicina. Da un punto di vista medico l'ecocardiografia è una "pratica medica" ampiamente usata, dove gli operatori sono perfettamente in grado di fare delle operazioni ripetitive e dei passi ben prestabiliti. La tele-ecocardiografia introduce nuovi metodi e tecnologie in "pratiche mediche" ben stabilizzate causando da un lato disagio dal punto di vista del modo di lavorare dello specialista, dall'altro portando nuove opportunità e servizi. Introdurre un tale servizio implica una opportuna modellizzazione dello stesso in modo da ridurre i cambiamenti nel modo di lavorare dell'operatore e massimizzando i benefici. Un opportuno metodo di modellizzazione dei bisogni dell'operatore è pertanto un elemento chiave e deve essere opportunamente preso in considerazione. Questo lavoro presenta alcuni progetti realizzati con successo ed i relativi metodi di valutazione ma discute anche i possibili metodi di modellizzazione del servizio che è stato adottato per le esperienze descritte.

OBJETIVE: A population-based survey was conducted to know the attitudes towards new Italian smoke-free regulations and its impact on tobacco consumption. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We considered 3 114 subjects aged 15 or over, representative of the general adult Italian population. RESULTS: Once smoke-free policies were introduced, support for them tended to increase. Smoke-free policies accounted for 8% decrease in cigarette consumption in the short run. Tobacco bans were almost universally accepted, and do not seem to unfavourably affect the business of restaurants or cafes. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study, show the advantages of smoke-free legislations, which may have major public health implications.

OBJETIVO: Se realizó un estudio poblacional para conocer las actitudes relacionadas con la Nueva Ley Italiana Antitabaco y el efecto sobre el consumo. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se analizó una muestra de 3 114 individuos mayores de 15 años representativos de la población general adulta italiana. RESULTADOS: Tras la entrada en vigor de las políticas antitabaquismo, el apoyo a ellas aumentó y además contribuyeron con 8% al descenso del consumo de cigarrillos en el corto plazo. Las prohibiciones antitabaco se aceptaron casi de modo unánime y al parecer no afectaron de manera desfavorable a restaurantes y cafeterías. CONCLUSIONES: Los resultados muestran las ventajas de esta nueva legislación, que puede tener importantes implicaciones en la salud pública.

OBJETIVE: A population-based survey was conducted to know the attitudes towards new Italian smoke-free regulations and its impact on tobacco consumption. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We considered 3 114 subjects aged 15 or over, representative of the general adult Italian population. RESULTS: Once smoke-free policies were introduced, support for them tended to increase. Smoke-free policies accounted for 8% decrease in cigarette consumption in the short run. Tobacco bans were almost universally accepted, and do not seem to unfavourably affect the business of restaurants or cafes. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study, show the advantages of smoke-free legislations, which may have major public health implications.

OBJETIVO: Se realizó un estudio poblacional para conocer las actitudes relacionadas con la Nueva Ley Italiana Antitabaco y el efecto sobre el consumo. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se analizó una muestra de 3 114 individuos mayores de 15 años representativos de la población general adulta italiana. RESULTADOS: Tras la entrada en vigor de las políticas antitabaquismo, el apoyo a ellas aumentó y además contribuyeron con 8% al descenso del consumo de cigarrillos en el corto plazo. Las prohibiciones antitabaco se aceptaron casi de modo unánime y al parecer no afectaron de manera desfavorable a restaurantes y cafeterías. CONCLUSIONES: Los resultados muestran las ventajas de esta nueva legislación, que puede tener importantes implicaciones en la salud pública.