An Improvised Cost-Effective Repair Technique for Management of Broken Luer Connections of Tunneled Dialysis Catheter and Salvage Existing Catheter.

Mechanical problems like break or crack in Luer connectors or hubs, clamps, and tubings are common non-infectious complications of tunneled dialysis catheters (TDC), which may lead to other TDC complications and the need to insert a new catheter. These can be tackled using TDC repair kits or spare parts, which are often not available, resulting in the insertion of a new TDC that increases morbidity, TDC-related procedures, and healthcare costs. We discuss two cases of broken Luer connections of TDC, which were managed by exchanging the broken Luer connector of TDC with the similar Luer connector of a temporary dialysis catheter. Both the repaired TDCs are thereafter functioning well. This improvised technique provides an easy, effective, long-lasting option that salvages the existing TDC and reduces the cost factor.

Sensitivity of temperature-based time since death estimation on measurement location.

Rectal temperature measurement (RTM) from crime scenes is an important parameter for temperature-based time of death estimation (TDE). Various influential variables exist in TDE methods like the uncertainty in thermal and environmental parameters. Although RTM depends in particular on the location of measurement position, this relationship has never been investigated separately. The presented study fills this gap using Finite Element (FE) simulations of body cooling. A manually meshed coarse human FE model and an FE geometry model developed from the CT scan of a male corpse are used for TDE sensitivity analysis. The coarse model is considered with and without a support structure of moist soil. As there is no clear definition of ideal rectal temperature measurement location for TDE, possible variations in RTM location (RTML) are considered based on anatomy and forensic practice. The maximum variation of TDE caused by RTML changes is investigated via FE simulation. Moreover, the influence of ambient temperature, of FE model change and of the models positioning on a wet soil underground are also discussed. As a general outcome, we notice that maximum TDE deviations of up to ca. 2-3 h due to RTML deviations have to be expected. The direction of maximum influence of RTML change on TDE generally was on the line caudal to cranial.

Delayed occurrence of traumatic aortic dissection? Biomechanical considerations and literature.

Chronic aortic dissections and pseudoaneurysms caused by chest trauma are rare and generally have to be critically distinguished from non-traumatic dissections and aneurysms. We present a well-documented case of a post-traumatic aortic dissection that ruptured about 9 months after chest trauma. A motorcyclist sustained fractures of the forearm and chest trauma with paravertebral rib serial fractures and hemopneumothorax. Nine months after the accident, echocardiography revealed a pseudoaneurysm that ruptured 3 months later and 1 month prior to the planned surgery. An autopsy showed pericardial tamponade following a rupture of the dissected aorta. Accident scene documentation was consistent with a head-on collision of the motorcycle against the left front side of the car. The relative speed was about 55 km/h. Aggravation of unspecific symptoms after discharge, initial CT imaging, and the absence of atherosclerosis or medial necrosis hold for a post-traumatic genesis of the dissection in our case. Initially, the accident insurance company rejected the regulation. In the second instance, they revised rejection based on our interdisciplinary expert opinion.

Recruitment to higher specialty training in anaesthesia in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic: a national survey.

There were more applications for higher specialty training posts in anaesthesia in the UK starting in August 2021 than in previous years, with approximately two-thirds being unsuccessful. We surveyed applicants to investigate their experience of the recruitment process (response rate 536/1056; 51%). Approximately 61% of respondents were not offered ST3 posts (n = 326). We enquired about their career plans for the next 12-24 months. Most respondents (79%) intended to take up a post equivalent to a third year of core training or a clinical fellow post from August 2021. Other options considered included: pursuing work abroad (17%); embarking on career breaks (16%); taking up higher training posts in intensive care medicine (15%); and permanently leaving medicine (9%). Nine per cent of respondents also expressed plans to pursue training in another medical specialty. Some expressed an intention to pursue further education or research (10%). A large proportion (42%) expressed a lack of confidence in being able to achieve the training requirements to later apply for a higher training post. The majority reported not feeling confident in achieving specialist registration in anaesthesia in the future without a training number (75%), and noted disruption to their wider life plans from the impending time out of training (78%). Sentiment analysis of free-text responses indicated generally negative sentiment about the recruitment process. Themes elicited included: feeling the recruitment process was unfair; burnout and negative impact on well-being; difficulties in making life plans; and feeling undervalued and abandoned. These results suggest that junior anaesthetic doctors in the UK negatively perceived postgraduate training structures and changes to the postgraduate curriculum and experienced difficulties in securing higher training.

Mosquito larvicidal and pupicidal activity of Euphorbia hirta Linn. (Family: Euphorbiaceae) and Bacillus sphaericus against Anopheles stephensi Liston. (Diptera: Culicidae).

OBJECTIVE: To explore the larvicidal and pupicidal activity of Euphorbia hirta (E. hirta) leaf extract and Bacillus sphaericus (B. sphaericus) against the malarial vector, Anopheles stephensi (An. stephensi). METHODS: The larvicidal and pupicidal activity was assayed against An. stephensi at various concentrations ranging from (75-375 ppm) under the laboratory as well as field conditions. The LC(50) and LC(90) value of the E. hirta leaf extract was determined by probit analysis. RESULTS: The plant extract showed larvicidal effects after 24 h of exposure; however, the highest larval mortality was found in the methanol extract of E. hirta against the first to fourth instars larvae and pupae of values LC(50)= 137.40, 172.65, 217.81, 269.37 and 332.39 ppm; B. sphaericus against the first to fourth instars larvae and pupae of values LC(50)= 44.29, 55.83, 68.51, 82.19 and 95.55 ppm, respectively. Moreover, combined treatment of values of LC(50)= 79.13, 80.42, 86.01, 93.00 and 98.12 ppm, respectively. No mortality was observed in the control. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest methanol leaf extracts of E. hirta and B. sphaericus have potential to be used as an ideal eco-friendly approach for the control of the malarial vector, An. stephensi as target species of vector control programs. This study provides the first report on the combined mosquito larvicidal and pupicidal activity of this plant crude extract and bacterial toxin against An. stephensi mosquitoes.

Carbon microelectromechanical systems as a substratum for cell growth.

The study of the biocompatible properties of carbon microelectromechanical systems (carbon-MEMS) shows that this new microfabrication technique is a promising approach to create novel platforms for the study of cell physiology. Four different types of substrates were tested, namely, carbon-MEMS on silicon and quartz wafers, indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass and oxygen-plasma-treated carbon thin films. Two cell lines, murine dermal fibroblasts and neuroblastoma spinal cord hybrid cells (NSC-34) were plated onto the substrates. Both cell lines showed preferential adhesion to the selectively plasma-treated regions in carbon films. Atomic force microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses demonstrated that the oxygen-plasma treatment modifies the physical and chemical properties of carbon, thereby enhancing the adsorption of extracellular matrix-forming proteins on its surface. This accounts for the differential adhesion of cells on the plasma-treated areas. As compared to the methods reported to date, this technique achieves alignment of the cells on the carbon electrodes without relying on direct patterning of surface molecules. The results will be used in the future design of novel biochemical sensors, drug screening systems and basic cell physiology research devices.

Pancreatic tuberculosis presenting with recurrent acute pancreatitis.

Tuberculosis, in its extrapulmonary form, though emerging as a common clinical problem, rarely affects the pancreas. Its indolent course, vague symptomatology along with its non-specific laboratory and radiographic findings call for greater vigilance. We report a case of pancreatic tuberculosis, previously managed as recurrent alcohol related pancreatitis which showed symptomatic improvement following commencement of antituberculosis drugs. The diagnosis of pancreatic tuberculosis in this case was based on the abdominal CT scan findings, response to anti-tubeculous chemotherapy and overall laboratory and radiological work-up.

Ribozyme-mediated reduction of the GABA(A) receptor alpha1 subunit.

As an approach to understanding the role of the alpha1 subunit of the GABA(A) receptor, ribozymes were designed to reduce expression of this subunit protein by hydrolysis of alpha1 subunit message and antisense inactivation. The ribozyme cleavage sites were selected through homology comparison of all known murine GABA(A) receptor subunits at the amino acid and nucleotide sequence level. Two ribozymes were designed and synthesized: one against the extracellular domain and the other against the cytoplasmic domain. These ribozymes were cloned in a mammalian expression plasmid, pZeoSV2 (+). Cleavage of both extracellular and cytoplasmic domain transcripts by the respective ribozymes was observed when each ribozyme was tested against in vitro transcribed mRNA. The stable cell line, 122, expressing recombinant human GABA(A) alpha1, beta2 and gamma2S subunits of receptor was stably transfected with the cytoplasmic domain ribozyme (cy) alone and with both the cytoplasmic (cy) and extracellular domain (ex) ribozyme expression plasmids. Northern analysis showed a 55-60% reduction of alpha1 mRNA in clones of cells transfected with either the single ribozyme (Cy) or with both ribozymes (EC). The alpha1 protein level was reduced 75% in a stable Cy clone and more than 90% in a stable EC clone when compared with alpha1 expression in 122 cells and the vector transfected (Zeo) cells. Electrophysiological analysis revealed that the GABA(A) receptor properties were very similar in 122 cells and in stable clones in which the subunit protein expression had been greatly reduced. No significant difference was detected in the potentiation of the receptor response by either bretazenil or zolpidem. These data demonstrate the efficacy of the ribozyme approach in dramatically reducing GABA(A) subunit protein levels in transfected cells and identify those elements that will be important to the application of similar ribozymes to knock-down transmitter receptor subunit proteins under inducible promoters in transgenic mice.

Histoplasmosis presenting with progressively worsening backache--a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Bilateral adrenal enlargement is often the result of disseminated malignant disease, and this diagnosis is particularly likely in a patient with severe weight loss. We describe a case with bilateral adrenal enlargement presenting with progressively worsening backache as a prominent symptom. CLINICAL PICTURE: A 55-year-old man presented with intermittent low back pain which was progressively worsening, fever, anorexia, low back pain and a 10-kg weight loss. He had underlying diabetes mellitus and ischaemic heart disease. He gave a history of travel to caves for worship. Clinically, the most significant findings included nodular lesions in the anterior fauces and left palatoglossal region. Computed tomographic scan revealed bilateral adrenal masses. Biopsies were taken from the palatal nodules, which revealed histiocytes with numerous histoplasma organisms. TREATMENT: He was commenced on itraconazole 200 mg daily for a period of 9 months. There was a dramatic initial response with settling of his fever and this was followed by subjective improvement in his well-being. OUTCOME: He is presently on follow-up and has completed 9 months of itraconazole therapy with resolution of all his symptoms and has gained about 10 kg of weight.

Copper chaperone for superoxide dismutase is essential to activate mammalian Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase.

Recent studies in Saccharomyces cerevisiae suggest that the delivery of copper to Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) is mediated by a cytosolic protein termed the copper chaperone for superoxide dismutase (CCS). To determine the role of CCS in mammalian copper homeostasis, we generated mice with targeted disruption of CCS alleles (CCS(-/-) mice). Although CCS(-/-) mice are viable and possess normal levels of SOD1 protein, they reveal marked reductions in SOD1 activity when compared with control littermates. Metabolic labeling with (64)Cu demonstrated that the reduction of SOD1 activity in CCS(-/-) mice is the direct result of impaired Cu incorporation into SOD1 and that this effect was specific because no abnormalities were observed in Cu uptake, distribution, or incorporation into other cuproenzymes. Consistent with this loss of SOD1 activity, CCS(-/-) mice showed increased sensitivity to paraquat and reduced female fertility, phenotypes that are characteristic of SOD1-deficient mice. These results demonstrate the essential role of any mammalian copper chaperone and have important implications for the development of novel therapeutic strategies in familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Overexpression of superoxide dismutase and catalase in immortalized neural cells: toxic effects of hydrogen peroxide.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a known toxicant which causes its damage via the production of hydroxyl radicals. It has been reported to cause both necrotic and apoptotic cell death. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the mode of H2O2-induced cell death and to assess if overexpression of catalase could protect against its toxicity. H2O2 causes cell death of immortalized CSM 14.1 neural cells in a dose-dependent manner. H2O2-induced death was associated with DNA laddering as shown by agarose gel electrophoresis. Stable overexpression of catalase by transfection of a vector containing human cDNA into these cells markedly attenuated H2O2-induced toxic effects. Transfection of a vector containing a SOD cDNA afforded no protection. These results indicate that H2O2 can lead to the activation of endonuclease enzyme that breaks DNA into oligosomes. These cells which overexpress catalase or SOD will help to determine the specific role of H2O2 or O2- in the deleterious effects of a number of toxins.

Prevalence of diabetes in the young in south India.

Students from nine schools and one college in Madras city, were screened for diabetes by oral glucose tolerance test. The criteria recommended by the World Health Organization was adopted to classify glucose tolerance. Among 3,515 students, between 5 and 19 years of age, participated in this survey, 1982 (56.4%) were males and 1.533 were (43.6%) females. Family history of diabetes was positive in 302 (8.6%) students. There was no overt case of diabetes of any type. Three (0.09%) males had renal glycosuria. It is therefore concluded that insulin-dependent diabetes, non-insulin dependent diabetes or any other type of diabetes in the young is rare in South India.

Expression and Localization of Plant Protein Disulfide Isomerase.

A cDNA clone encoding a putative protein disulfide isomerase (PDI, EC 5.3.4.1) from alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) was expressed in Escherichia coli cells, and an antiserum was raised against the expressed PDI-active protein. The antiserum recognized a protein of approximately 60 kD in extracts from alfalfa, soybean, and tobacco roots and stems. Levels of this protein remained relatively constant on exposure of alfalfa cell suspension cultures to the protein glycosylation inhibitor tunicamycin, whereas a slightly lower molecular mass form, also detected by the antiserum, was induced by this treatment. A lower molecular mass form of PDI was also observed in roots of alfalfa seedlings during the first 5 weeks after germination. PDI levels increased in developing soybean seeds up to 17 d after fertilization and then declined. Tissue print immunoblots revealed highest levels of PDI protein in the cambial tissues of soybean stems and petioles and in epidermal, subepidermal, cortical, and pith tissues of stems of alfalfa and tobacco. Immunogold electron microscopy confirmed the localization of PDI to the endoplasmic reticulum in soybean root nodules.

Glycosuria and diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents in south India.

In Madras city (India) 10,513 school students between 3 and 20 yr of age were investigated for glycosuria and its causes. While no previously known cases of diabetes mellitus of any type were encountered, four students (0.038%) in the survey population were found to have glycosuria. One (0.009%) had renal glycosuria, two (0.019%) were possibly NIDDY (MODY) and one (0.009%) had transient glycosuria while receiving anti-tuberculous chemotherapy. It is therefore concluded that neither diabetes mellitus nor glycosuria of non-diabetic causes is a crucial health problem in Indian children and adolescents. While the reasons for this are not known, further research in this field could be of global interest.

Multimodality evoked potentials in motor neuron disease.

We performed median and tibial nerve somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs), pattern-shift visual evoked potentials (PSVEPs), and brain-stem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) on 27 patients with motor neuron disease (MND). Median and tibial nerve SEPs were abnormal in 8 (30%) of 27 and 3 (14%) of 21 patients tested, respectively. Central and peripheral abnormalities were recorded in the absence of spondylosis. As a group, patients with MND and no evidence of cervical spondylosis had normal conduction to Erb's point following median nerve stimulation, but conduction times beyond this point were prolonged. The PSVEPs and BAEPs were within normal limits in all patients, excluding abnormalities attributable to other disease, but the group P100 latency was significantly prolonged in the group with MND. The BAEPs were normal in the group with MND. This study provides neurophysiological evidence of sensory system involvement in MND.