The design of an experimental AGPS-based (Assisted Global Positioning System) elderly tracking system is described. The system includes: a wearable AGPS terminal with HSPA two-way communication capability and designed for 10 days of continuous battery operation, a GPS assistance data server with reference GPS stations, location database and server, application server, and web server and client. Assistance data is retrieved by the wearable AGPS terminal using the SUPL protocol (Secured User Plane Location). This paper describes the design of each component based on key considerations such as accuracy, availability, battery life-time, and user behavior.

AIM: Hyperglycemia commonly seen in liver transplantation (LT) has often been attributed to the dextrose in the storage solution of blood transfusion products. The purpose of the study is to compare the changes of the blood glucose levels in transfused and non-transfused patients during LT. METHODS:A retrospective study on 60 biliary pediatric patients and 16 adult patients undergoing LT was carried out. Transfused pediatric patients were included in Group I (GI), those not transfused in Group II (GII). Twelve adult patients were not given transfusion and assigned to Group III (GIII); whereas, four adult patients who received massive transfusion were assigned to Group IV (GIV). The blood glucose levels, volume of blood transfused, and the volume of crystalloid infused were recorded, compared and analyzed. RESULTS:Results showed that the changes in blood glucose levels during LT for both non-transfused and minimally transfused pediatric groups and non-transfused and massively-transfused adult groups were almost the same. CONCLUSION:We conclude that blood transfusion does not cause significant changes in the blood glucose levels in this study.

Difficult ventilation occurred during general anesthesia as the result of a manufacturing defect in both limbs of the connector of the double-lumen endotracheal tube. The problem was resolved with a careful approach, and there were no serious consequences.

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