Generalized Tetanus in an Adult Patient.

Tetanus is a vaccine-preventable disease that commonly occurs in under-resourced countries; clinically, it manifests as spontaneous muscle spasms and overall body rigidity, which can lead to autonomic dysfunction. The diagnosis of tetanus is primarily clinical, although laboratory testing is available, treatment of a clinical case should never be delayed. Management includes general support measures, prevention of complications, control of muscle spasms, and immunoglobulin. We present a patient from an underdeveloped region with a diagnosis of generalized tetanus after injury with a disc grinder. Clinical presentation of the patient, diagnostic studies performed, management, and outcome are discussed.

Enhanced Gas Adsorption on Cu3(BTC)2 Metal-Organic Framework by Post-Synthetic Cation Exchange and Computational Analysis.

Increased gas adsorption in a series of post-synthetically modified metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) of the type HKUST-1 was achieved by the partial cation exchange process. Manipulation of post-synthetic conditions demonstrates high tunability in the site substitution and gas adsorption properties during the dynamic equilibrium process. In this work, post-synthetic modification of Cu3(BTC)2 is carried on by exposure to TM2+ solutions (TM = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) at different time intervals. The crystal structure, composition, and morphology were studied by powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Structural analysis supports the retention of the crystal structure and partial substitution of the Cu metal nodes within the framework. A linear increase in the transmetalation process is observed with Fe and Co with a maximum percentage of 39 and 18%, respectively. Conversely, relatively low cation exchange is observed with Mn having a maximum percentage of 2.40% and Ni with only 2.02%. Gas adsorption measurements and surface area analysis were determined for each species. Interestingly, (Cu/Mn)3(BTC)2 revealed the highest CO2 adsorption capacity of 5.47 mmol/g, compared to 3.08 mmol/g for Cu3(BTC)2. The overall increased gas adsorption can be attributed to the formation of defects in the crystal structure during the cation exchange process. These results demonstrate the outstanding potential of post-synthetic ion exchange as a general approach to fine-tuning the physical properties of existing MOF architectures.

Alcohol self-administration and nicotine withdrawal alter biomarkers of stress and inflammation and prefrontal cortex changes in Gß subunits.

Background: Although alcohol and nicotine are often used together, the biological consequences of these substances are not well understood. Identifying shared targets will inform cessation pharmacotherapies and provide a deeper understanding of how co-use of alcohol and nicotine impacts health, including biomarkers of stress and inflammation.Objective: We examined the effects of nicotine exposure and withdrawal on alcohol self-administration (SA), stress and inflammatory biomarkers, and a G-protein coupled receptor subunit (Gß) in brain areas associated with drug use.Methods: Male rats were trained to SA alcohol and then received a nicotine pump (n = 7-8 per group). We assessed alcohol intake for 12 days during nicotine exposure and then following pump removal to elicit withdrawal. After the behavioral studies, we assessed plasma leptin, corticosterone, and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), and Gß protein expression in the amygdala, nucleus accumbens (NAc), and prefrontal cortex (PFC).Results: Nicotine exposure or withdrawal did not alter alcohol intake (p > .05). Alcohol and nicotine withdrawal elevated corticosterone levels (p = .015) and decreased Gß levels in the PFC (p = .004). In the absence of nicotine, alcohol SA suppressed IL-1ß levels (p = .039). Chronic exposure to nicotine or withdrawal during alcohol SA did not alter leptin levels or Gß expression in the amygdala or NAc (p's > .05).Conclusions: The combination of alcohol SA and nicotine withdrawal produced a persistent increase in stress biomarkers and a suppression in Gß expression in the PFC, providing an important first step toward understanding the common biological mechanisms of alcohol/nicotine misuse.

A Novel Phospholipase A2 Isolated from Palythoa caribaeorum Possesses Neurotoxic Activity.

Zoanthids of the genus Palythoa are distributed worldwide in shallow waters around coral reefs. Like all cnidarians, they possess nematocysts that contain a large diversity of toxins that paralyze their prey. This work was aimed at isolating and functionally characterizing a cnidarian neurotoxic phospholipase named A2-PLTX-Pcb1a for the first time. This phospholipase was isolated from the venomous extract of the zoanthid Palythoa caribaeorum. This enzyme, which is Ca2+-dependent, is a 149 amino acid residue protein. The analysis of the A2-PLTX-Pcb1a sequence showed neurotoxic domain similitude with other neurotoxic sPLA2´s, but a different catalytic histidine domain. This is remarkable, since A2-PLTX-Pcb1a displays properties like those of other known PLA2 enzymes.

Deployment of a Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta Device in a Case of Gunshot Wound Injury to a Horseshoe Kidney.

A horseshoe kidney (HSK) is a urological malformation that is typically found incidentally after a traumatic injury due to its asymptomatic nature. We present a 25-year-old male with multiorgan injuries secondary to blunt abdominal trauma caused by a gunshot wound. We report the courses of action taken that led to the identification of the HSK and other associated intra-abdominal injuries and the subsequent surgical management. Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) is an improving minimally invasive technique that was used to control hemorrhage in the early preoperative stages and during surgical repair of the injuries. Multiorgan injuries that involve an HSK are uncommon. Our interest in the case relies on the rarity and unique aspects of the injuries and the recovery of the patient following the use of REBOA.