Neuronavigation-guided endoscopic management of a pineal region tumour with obscured floor of the third ventricle: case report.

BACKGROUND: Shunt surgery is frequently chosen to manage periventricular metastasis of pineal region tumours which obscured the floor of the third ventricle. However, this procedure falls short due to distant metastasis. Neuronavigation-guided endoscopic surgery offers a viable alternative. PATIENT: A 17-year-old man became symptomatic from widespread periventricular metastasis of a pineal region tumour which completely obscured the floor of the third ventricle. RESULTS: Endoscopic tumour biopsy followed by neuronavigation-guided endoscopic third ventriculotomy was performed successfully. CONCLUSION: This case report emphasizes the value of neuronavigation-guided endoscopic third ventriculostomy as a feasible surgical alternative for pineal region tumours with widespread periventricular metastasis that obscure the third ventricular floor.

Effects of cucumber mosaic virus-infected chilli plants on non-vector Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae).

Plant virus infections are known to alter host plant attractiveness and suitability for insect herbivores. This study was conducted to determine how cucumber mosaic virus (CMV)-infected chilli plants affect the fitness and settling preferences of nonvector whitefly, Bemisia tabaci adults under dual-choice conditions with volatile organic compounds analyzed using solid phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results showed that the presence of CMV in chilli plants substantially affects the settling preferences of the B. tabaci, which preferred to settle on noninfected plants. Duration of the egg stage and the longevity and fecundity of adult B. tabaci on CMV-infected chilli plants were not markedly different from those on noninfected chilli plants. In contrast, the developmental time from egg to adult was significantly reduced in CMV-infected chilli plants compared to the noninfected plants. The results also showed that CMV-infected chilli plants released significantly more linalool and phenylacetaldehyde than noninfected plants. Overall, it was suggested that the behavioral response of B. tabaci might be modified by CMV-infected plants, which alter the release of specific headspace volatiles. Based on these results, the modification of plant volatile profiles may help in enhancing the effectiveness of biological control and the protection of crop plants against B. tabaci.

In Situ Bioprinting of Autologous Skin Cells Accelerates Wound Healing of Extensive Excisional Full-Thickness Wounds.

The early treatment and rapid closure of acute or chronic wounds is essential for normal healing and prevention of hypertrophic scarring. The use of split thickness autografts is often limited by the availability of a suitable area of healthy donor skin to harvest. Cellular and non-cellular biological skin-equivalents are commonly used as an alternative treatment option for these patients, however these treatments usually involve multiple surgical procedures and associated with high costs of production and repeated wound treatment. Here we describe a novel design and a proof-of-concept validation of a mobile skin bioprinting system that provides rapid on-site management of extensive wounds. Integrated imaging technology facilitated the precise delivery of either autologous or allogeneic dermal fibroblasts and epidermal keratinocytes directly into an injured area, replicating the layered skin structure. Excisional wounds bioprinted with layered autologous dermal fibroblasts and epidermal keratinocytes in a hydrogel carrier showed rapid wound closure, reduced contraction and accelerated re-epithelialization. These regenerated tissues had a dermal structure and composition similar to healthy skin, with extensive collagen deposition arranged in large, organized fibers, extensive mature vascular formation and proliferating keratinocytes.

Disturbances in Calcium and Zinc Homeostasis During Testicular Damage Induced by Citrus aurantifolia Juice in Wistar Rats.

Infertility rate is high globally and in Nigeria. The reported spermicidal activity of Citrus aurantifolia juice (CAJ)and its popular consumption may be a contributing factor to the rise in male infertility. This study examined the effects ofCAJ on testis and evaluated the role of calcium and zinc in these effects. Twenty-eight male rats (200-220g) were groupedinto four (n=7). Group I (control) received 0.5ml normal saline, while groups II, III and IV received 600mg/kg, 900mg/kgand 1200mg/kg of CAJ, respectively, orally for 35 days. Sperm analysis, testicular histology, testicular zinc and calciumconcentrations were evaluated. The results showed a significant decrease (P < 0.001) in body weight and gonad-somaticindex (GSI) of the rats in group IV. No sperm cells were found in the sperm samples of all the treatment groups in contrastto control. There was a significant decrease (P < 0.001) in zinc concentration of group III and IV animals and a significantincrease (P < 0.001) in testicular calcium content of group III and IV animals. Derangement of testicular cyto-architecture,shrinkage or complete destruction of seminiferous tubules as well as absence of spermatogenic cells were observed in thetreatment groups. It was concluded that CAJ induced a destructive effect on testes of rats as evidenced by damaged testiculartissue, reduced gonado-somatic index, azospermia and disruption in testicular electrolyte homeostasis. It was concluded thatCAJ caused hypercalcaemia and hypozincaemia in the testicular tissue of the treated rats. Concurrently, CAJ also causeddamage to testicular histology, azospermia and decreased GSI. Citrus aurantifolia juice should be consumed with cautiondue to its potential to cause infertility in males.

Self-medication practices with antibiotics and antimalarials among Sudanese undergraduate university students.

BACKGROUND: In many developing countries, up to 60-80% of health problems are self-medicated. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics and/or antimalarials and identify factors promoting such use among university students in Sudan. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed, using a pretested questionnaire on a sample of 1300 students selected from 5 universities in Khartoum State, Sudan. RESULTS: Eight hundred ninety-one (79.5%; 95% CI 77.0 to 81.8) students from the study population had used antibiotics or antimalarials without a prescription within 1-2 months prior to the study. Four hundred ninety (55%; 95% CI 51.7 to 58.3) of the respondents stated that they had used antibiotics, 39 (4.4%; 95% CI 3.2 to 6.0) had used antimalarials, and 362 (40.6%; 95% CI 37.4 to 43.9) had used both. Overall, self-medication with antibiotics or antimalarials was significantly more common among students 21 years of age or older compared with those 20 years of age or younger (OR 1.55; 95% CI 1.15 to 2.09; p = 0.004) and among students attending private universities compared with those attending public universities (OR 1.42; 95% CI 1.04 to 1.95; p = 0.028). Self-medication with antibiotics followed a similar pattern, which was significantly more common among students 21 years of age or older (OR 1.36; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.81; p = 0.03) and private university respondents (OR 1.52; 95% CI 1.15 to 2.02; p = 0.003). Self-medication with antimalarials was found to be significantly less common among females (OR 0.76; 95% CI 0.59 to 0.97; p = 0.028) and higher among the 21 years or older age group (OR 1.84; 95% CI 1.42 to 2.40; p < 0.001). The most common reason indicated for self-medication was the respondents' previous experiences with similar ailments. The main source of drugs was community pharmacies. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics/antimalarials among undergraduate university students in Khartoum State is high. Our findings highlight the need for planning interventions to promote the judicious use of antibiotics/antimicrobials.

Microstructure and strength of extruded porous HA ceramics.

The paper discusses the influence of sintering temperature on the microstructure and strength of hydroxyapatite ceramics prepared using the extrusion process. The average pore diameters observed were in the range of approximately 150mm to 300mm whereas the compaction strength was found to be around 120-160 MPa.

The influence of sintering temperature on the porosity and strength of porous hydroxyapatite ceramics.

The present paper reports on the influence of sintering temperature on the porosity and strength of porous hydroxyapatite (HA). HA powder was first prepared by the sol-gel precipitation method using calcium hydroxide and ortho-phosporic acid. The fine HA powder, measuring <50 microm was then mixed into a slurry with the addition of binder agent, being a mixture of sago and PVA. A small amount of sodium dodecyl sulphate was also used as a foaming agent. Porous HA samples were then prepared via slip casting technique. The surface morphology of the sintered samples was observed under scanning electron microscopy at 20 kV and the compositions were determined via SEM-EDX. A universal testing machine was used to determine the compaction strength of the sintered samples.

HAp physical investigation--the effect of sintering temperature.

The paper presents the effect of sintering temperature on the physical properties of porous hydroxyapatite (HAp In this study, the HAp was prepared using polymeric sponge techniques with different binder concentrations. The sintering process was carried out in air for temperature ranging from 1200 degrees C to 1600 degrees C. Different physical properties namely density and porosity were observed at different sintering temperatures. The HAp prepared with higher PVP binder showed a slightly decreased in apparent density with increasing sintering temperature, while those HAp prepared with lower PVP showed a slightly increase in apparent density with increasing sintering temperature. The total porosity was found to be approximately constant in the whole sintering temperature range. However, closed porosity decreases with increasing sintering temperature for HAp prepared by lower binder concentration. On the other hand, the HAp prepared by higher binder concentrations showed increasing closed porosity with increasing sintering temperature. Other features such as the influence of sintering temperatures on grain and strut would also be presented in this paper.

Hydroxapatite and tricalcium phosphate prepared by precipitation method.

A mixture with different compositions of HA and TCP were synthesize in this work by precipitation method using Ca(NO3)2 4H2 and (NH4)2HPO4 as the starting materials. A mixture with HA and TCP phases in different ratios were produced. The powders were sintered from 1000 degrees C to 1250 degrees C. The phase compositions of the mixtures were then studied via XRD. This work shows that the pH value determines the different phase compositions of the HA-TCP mixture. Chemical analyses were carried out by FTIR. The microstructure was observed under SEM.

Seasonal trends in epidemiological and entomological profiles of malaria transmission in North Central Nigeria.

The influence of seasonal changes on epidemiological and entomological indices of malaria transmission in North Central Nigeria was elucidated in a series of studies carried out between January 2004 and December 2009. The climate in the study area was divided into three seasonal periods namely, rainy (May-October), dry (December-March) and transitional (April and November), during which larval and adult anopheline mosquito collections were carried out and assessed for densities, sporozoite infection and parity rates and potentials for malaria transmission. The results indicated that the climate in the study area was clearly seasonal, with close similarities in the patterns of distribution of the climatic factors in the study sites. Mosquito densities, both at the adult and larval stages (i.e., 29.35 +/- 5.10 adult mosquitoes/man/night and 10.36 +/- 3.34 larvae/dip, respectively), were significantly (p<0.05) highest during the rainy season. However, while the former varied significantly in the three seasonal periods, the latter was not significantly different during the dry and transitional seasons. Malaria transmission risks, in terms of sporozoite rates and entomological inoculation rates, was significantly (p<0.05) least in the dry season (i.e., 2.89 +/- 1.25% and 0.37 +/- 0.21 infective bite/man/night, respectively) but the two variables were not significantly (p>0.05) different during the transitional and rainy seasons. Adult mosquito daily survival rate and adult longevity were least in the dry season (26.52 +/- 11.80% and 6.80 days, respectively) and significantly (p<0.05) highest during the rainy season (72.28 +/- 4.00% and 16.95 +/- 4.20 days, respectively). Parous rates of the mosquitoes and duration of sporogony had distinct distribution pattern from the other variables investigated. While, significantly highest parous rates were recorded in the transitional season (86.00 +/- 4.30%), duration of sporogony was not significantly (p>0.05) different during the three seasons. The epidemiology of urban malaria in North Central Nigeria was discussed from the view points of the these results and concluded that the findings should promote the development of informed temporally-targeted vector control programs for the area.

Comparison of the dimensional accuracy of one- and two-step techniques with the use of putty/wash addition silicone impression materials.

This study compared the putty/wash one-step and two-step techniques for making addition silicone impressions. For each technique 15 impressions were made of a stainless steel base to which three tapered posts were attached. Stone models were made of all impressions. The results indicated that the interabutment distances increased slightly compared with the stainless steel model for both techniques, but the differences between techniques were not considered to be clinically important. The intraabutment measurements for the abutment without undercut increased, whereas abutments with undercuts decreased. These variations from the stainless steel model were also clinically insignificant.