RESUMEN
Ant behavior relies on a collection of natural products, from following trail pheromones during foraging to warding off potential predators. How nervous systems sense these compounds to initiate a behavioral response remains unclear. Here, we used Caenorhabditis elegans chemotaxis assays to investigate how ant compounds are detected by heterospecific nervous systems. We found that C. elegans avoid extracts of the pavement ant ( Tetramorium immigrans ) and either osm-9 or tax-4 ion channels are required for this response. These experiments were conducted in an undergraduate laboratory course, demonstrating that new insights into interspecies interactions can be generated through genuine research experiences in a classroom setting.
RESUMEN
A newborn male child with prenatally identified aortic arch hypoplasia presented to our facility for cardiac management. He had been started on prostaglandins at the delivery facility and was subsequently placed on a high-flow nasal cannula due to associated apnea. On the day of life three, the patient underwent cardiac computed tomography scan for delineation of his anatomy. The patient remained intubated after his imaging study in anticipation of surgical intervention, which took place at the age of 5 days. The patient required a peritoneal dialysis catheter placement 2 days after his procedure due to oliguria. He progressed into renal failure requiring continuous renal replacement therapy. This patient was subsequently discussed at our departmental morbidity and mortality conference. The short time frame between contrast administration for the computed tomography and surgical intervention was thought to have contributed to his renal failure. We discussed the adequacy of transverse aortic arch imaging by echocardiogram and the utility of advanced imaging in the fragile neonatal period. This discussion resulted in our department asking, "Is transthoracic echocardiography accurate when diagnosing and characterizing aortic coarctation at our institution? Are advanced imaging studies necessary in instances of simple coarctation?"
RESUMEN
Background: The Fontan operation is a well-described palliative procedure for functional single-ventricle patients. This population has an increased risk of thrombo-embolic events. Adequate imaging, and therefore diagnosis, requires an understanding of the unique anatomy and physiology of a Fontan. Optimal strategies for the prevention and treatment of thrombo-embolic complications in the Fontan population are poorly defined. Case summary: A 28-year-old female with a history of Ebstein anomaly of the tricuspid valve status post-Fontan presented with chest pain and acute hypoxia. Computed tomographic angiography (CTA) reported a submassive pulmonary embolism (PE). She was initiated on a heparin drip. Catheterization demonstrated elevated Fontan pressures and a large thrombus in the right lower pulmonary artery that was removed with an aspiration device. The patient was transitioned to a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) following the procedure. Discussion: Thrombotic complications are common in the adult Fontan population. Given the morbidity and mortality associated with this complication, the use of proper imaging techniques is imperative. Traditional CTA imaging for PE in Fontan patients often has contrast filling defects related to their anatomy and physiology. Utilization of adequate imaging techniques helps decrease cost and additional radiation exposure. In addition, it avoids inappropriate hospitalization, need for anticoagulation, and potential need for catheterization toconfirm or exclude the presence of PE. For Fontan patients with a thrombus, prior event, and no contraindications, current guidelines recommend oral anticoagulation with a vitamin K antagonist; however, there are increasing data on the use of DOACs in this population.
