Publications by Year: 2015

2015

Beltrán MD, Molina RL, Aznar MÁS, Moltó CS, Verdú CM. Double Laser for Depth Measurement of Thin Films of Ice.. Sensors (Basel, Switzerland). 2015;15(10):25123-38. doi:10.3390/s151025123
Publisher's Version

The use of thin films is extensive in both science and industry. We have created an experimental system that allows us to measure the thicknesses of thin films (with typical thicknesses of around 1 µm) in real time without the need for any prior knowledge or parameters. Using the proposed system, we can also measure the refractive index of the thin film material exactly under the same experimental conditions. We have also obtained interesting results with regard to structural changes in the solid substance with changing temperature and have observed the corresponding behavior of mixtures of substances.

Molina RL, Easter SR, Venkatesh KK, et al. Defining Physiological Predictors of Peripartum Maternal Bacteremia.. American journal of perinatology. 2015;32(14):1342-50. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1565995
Publisher's Version

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine physiological and laboratory parameters associated with peripartum maternal bacteremia.

STUDY DESIGN: This case-control study matched 115 cases (women with fever and bacteremia during the peripartum period) to 285 controls (defined as the next two febrile women with negative blood cultures at the same institution) from two academic medical centers from 2009 to 2013. Conditional logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association of physiological and laboratory parameters with maternal bacteremia at the time of initial and maximum fever.

RESULTS: At the time of initial fever, temperature > 103°F (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 5.58, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.05-15.19) and respiratory rate (RR) > 20 respirations per minute (aOR: 5.27, 95% CI: 2.32-11.96) were associated with bacteremia. At the time of maximum fever, temperature (> 102°F, aOR: 3.37, 95% CI: 1.61-7.06; > 103°F, aOR: 7.96, 95% CI: 3.56-17.82), heart rate > 110 beats per minute (aOR: 2.20, 95% CI: 1.21-3.99), and RR > 20 (aOR: 3.65, 95% CI: 1.65-8.08) were associated with bacteremia. Bandemia > 10% (aOR: 2.44, 95% CI: 1.07-5.54) was associated with bacteremia.

CONCLUSION: Physiological and laboratory parameters associated with maternal bacteremia differed from those reported with sepsis in the adult critical care population. Further studies of objective markers are needed to improve detection and treatment of peripartum bacteremia.