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Frailty has been suggested as a possible risk factor for postoperative delirium (POD). However, results of previous studies were not consistent. We performed a meta-analysis of cohort study to evaluate the above association.

Relevant studies were obtained via systematic search of PubMed, Embase, SCOPUS, and Web of Science databases. Only studies with multivariate analysis were included. A random-effect model incorporating the potential heterogeneity was used to combine the results.

Fifteen cohort studies including 3250 adult patients who underwent surgery were included, and the prevalence of frailty was 27.1% (880/3250) before surgeries. Overall, POD occurred in 513 patients (15.8%). Pooled results showed that frailty was associated with a higher risk of POD (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3.23, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.56-4.07, P < 0.001) without significant heterogeneity (P for Cochrane’s Q test = 0.25, I

 = 18%). Subgroup analyses showed a more remarkable association between frailty and POD in prospective cohort studies (OR 3.64, 95% CI 2.95-4.49, P < 0.001) than that in retrospective cohort studies (OR 2.32, 95% CI 1.60-3.35, P < 0.001; P for subgroup difference = 0.04). Moreover, the association was not affected by country of the study, age group of the patient, elective or emergency surgeries, cardiac and non-cardiac surgeries, evaluation instruments for frailty, diagnostic methods for POD, or quality score of the study (P for subgroup difference all > 0.05).

Frailty may be associated with a higher risk of POD in adult population.

Frailty may be associated with a higher risk of POD in adult population.

Quality assurance (QA) of ultrasound (US) equipment is currently required in only a few countries around the world. In Greece, no national or other norms exist for regulating the use of US equipment. However, to obtain accreditation for the radiology department of a Greek hospital, the establishment and implementation of a quality control (QC) protocol and a QA programme for US equipment was required.

A literature review regarding US QC/QA procedures was performed. The information collected was used as a guide to create a QC/QA protocol and to obtain an appropriate US QC phantom. Drafting and testing of the initial protocol lasted 6months. Its final version was implemented for 18months in two US systems and five US transducers.

The QC tests included in the protocol evaluate mechanical and electrical safety, image display, uniformity, penetration depth, distance accuracy, greyscale display, anechoic object imaging, geometric distortion, and axial/lateral resolution. The only QC test that failed was the test for uniformity since intense non-uniformities were observed that led to the replacement of two linear transducers.

US imaging is considered safe and, where appropriate, is preferred over imaging modalities that use ionizing radiation. However, the lack of QC/QA implies that US image quality is not routinely monitored. Therefore, the possibility of malfunctions that may go undetected and lead to wrong diagnosis cannot be excluded. A QC/QΑ programme can contribute to the elimination of such errors and ensure that performance is maintained over time.

US imaging is considered safe and, where appropriate, is preferred over imaging modalities that use ionizing radiation. However, the lack of QC/QA implies that US image quality is not routinely monitored. Therefore, the possibility of malfunctions that may go undetected and lead to wrong diagnosis cannot be excluded. A QC/QΑ programme can contribute to the elimination of such errors and ensure that performance is maintained over time.

The sudden and unexpected pandemic changed the daily routine of the children with cerebral palsy (CP) and their caregivers.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the utilization of health and rehabilitation services and the general health and physical status of children with CP. In addition, the second aim of the study was to examine the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on caregivers’ quality of life (QOL) and their fear of COVID-19.

The utilization of children health and rehabilitation services during the pandemic, the general health and physical status of the children during the pandemic, and the children and caregivers’ history of COVID-19 infections were questioned. Furthermore, the caregivers’ level of fear of COVID-19 and their QOL were examined.

One hundred twenty caregivers were contacted by phone, and 94 (78.33%) caregivers agreed to participate in the study. Sixty-three of 94 children (67.1%) did not attend their routine control check-up during the pandemic. Twelve children (12.8%) discontinued their physical therapy sessions during the pandemic. Caregivers physical and mental QOL significantly decreased during the pandemic (p<0.05). The median of caregivers’ Fear of COVID-19 scale (FCV-19S) was 17.5 (7-35).

We think that more attention should be given to telerehabilitation and telemedicine services of the clinicians who deal with the children with CP, and their caregivers in order to prevent the negative effects of future pandemic periods.

We think that more attention should be given to telerehabilitation and telemedicine services of the clinicians who deal with the children with CP, and their caregivers in order to prevent the negative effects of future pandemic periods.In addition to history taking and clinical examination, blood and serum values, a urine examination and ultrasound of the abdomen are helpful in the diagnostic clarification of renal insufficiency. Itacnosertib in vivo The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) determines the severity of the renal insufficiency. It is estimated (eGFR) from the serum creatinine, the age and gender of the patient. The protein and albumin/creatinine ratios in the urine provide information on the etiology of renal insufficiency and are a measure of the patient’s cardiovascular risk. A urine dipstick is used to screen for cellular components and should be supplemented with an investigation of the urine sediment if positive. Sonography is used to determine the size of the kidneys, morphological changes in the kidneys and to rule out urinary obstruction.