Effects of Methamphetamine on Testes Histopathology and Spermatogenesis Indices of Adult Male Rats.

BACKGROUND: Methamphetamine (MAMP) as a recreational drug has devastating effects on the central nervous system (CNS). Several studies have shown that MAMP has inhibitory effects on oogenesis and spermatogenesis, and causes impaired fertility. This study designed to investigate the effect of mAM Padministration on histological changes and spermatogenesis indices in the testis of adult male rats. METHODS: In this experimental study, 50 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control (received no treatment, n = 10), vehicle (received saline for 7 and 14 days, n = 20), and experimental group [received MAMP, 5 ml/kg, intraperitoneal (IP) for 7 and 14 days, n = 20]. Testicular tissue samples were stained by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) technique. For histological study, we counted the number of spermatogonia, spermatocytes and Leydig cells. Spermatogenesis indices which include: tubular differentiation index (TDI), spermiogenesis index (SI), repopulation index (RI) and the mean seminiferous tubules diameter (MSTD) were studied. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA, using SPSS software. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. FINDINGS: This study showed that MAMP caused a significant decrease in number of seminiferous tubules cells and spermatogenesis in treated group compared with the control group. Moreover, results showed a significant decrease in spermatogenesis indices including TDI, SI, RI, and MSTD in 14th day, compared to control group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The data showed the adverse effects of MAMP administration (for 7 and 14 days) on testes structure and spermatogenesis indices in rat testis tissue. The underlying mechanism(s) needs further investigation.

Systemic iodine absorption associated with the use of preoperative ophthalmic antiseptics containing iodine.

BACKGROUND: Polyvinylpyrrolidone-Iodine (PVP-I) is routinely used as preoperative antiseptic during ophthalmic surgery. Iodine absorption from iodine-containing antiseptics can lead to the development of thyroid disorders. Therefore, a quantitative measurement of iodine absorption from these antiseptics was performed in patients undergoing elective cataract surgery. METHODS: This study enrolled 241 patients to evaluate systemic iodine absorption after exposure to conjunctival and/or periorbital 1.25% and 10% PVP-I compared to an iodine-free antiseptic. RESULTS: All patients who received the 10% PVP-I regardless of the application site showed a 1.2-1.5-fold increase in urinary iodine excretion after 24 h (p = 0.01). In 17 out of 110 (15.5%) patients in whom 10% PVP-I was used, the critical threshold of urinary iodine excretion as defined by WHO (>300 µg/L) was exceeded. In contrast, no significant ioduria was observed with the use of 1.25% PVP-I except in patients after 48 h (p = 0.01) and with a concurrent conjunctival and periorbital application. The proportion of the excreted iodine in urine ranged from 0.24% to 1.77%. No correlation was found between the total applied concentration of iodine and the amount excreted in urine. CONCLUSION: Based on our findings, we believe that the use of 10% PVP-I as preoperative ophthalmic antiseptic should undergo further clinical evaluation in regard to its impact on thyroid function. Conjunctival or periorbital application of 1.25% PVP-I does not result in significant ioduria.

Reduction in catheter-associated urinary tract infections by bundling interventions.

OBJECTIVE: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common type of hospital-acquired infection, and most are associated with indwelling urinary catheters, that is, catheter-associated UTIs (CAUTIs). Our goal was to reduce the CAUTI rate. INTERVENTIONS: We retrospectively examined the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of a bundle of four evidence-based interventions upon the incidence rate (IR) of CAUTIs in a community hospital. The first intervention was the exclusive use of silver alloy catheters in the hospital's acute care areas. The second intervention was a securing device to limit the movement of the catheter after insertion. The third intervention was repositioning of the catheter tubing if it was found to be touching the floor. The fourth intervention was removal of the indwelling urinary catheter on postoperative Day 1 or 2, for most surgical patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Rates of CAUTI per 1000 catheter days were estimated and compared using the generalized estimating equations Poisson regression analysis. RESULTS: During the study period, 33 of the 2228 patients were diagnosed with a CAUTI. The CAUTI IR for the pre-intervention period was 5.2/1000. For the 7 months following the implementation of the fourth intervention, the IR was 1.5/1000 catheter days, a significant reduction relative to the pre-intervention period (P = 0.03). The annualized projection for the cost of implementing this bundle of four interventions is $23 924. CONCLUSION: A bundle of four evidence-based interventions reduced the incidence of CAUTIs in a community hospital. It is relatively simple, appears to be cost-effective and might be sustainable and adaptable by other hospitals.

Broadly cross-reactive antibodies dominate the human B cell response against 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus infection.

The 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza pandemic demonstrated the global health threat of reassortant influenza strains. Herein, we report a detailed analysis of plasmablast and monoclonal antibody responses induced by pandemic H1N1 infection in humans. Unlike antibodies elicited by annual influenza vaccinations, most neutralizing antibodies induced by pandemic H1N1 infection were broadly cross-reactive against epitopes in the hemagglutinin (HA) stalk and head domain of multiple influenza strains. The antibodies were from cells that had undergone extensive affinity maturation. Based on these observations, we postulate that the plasmablasts producing these broadly neutralizing antibodies were predominantly derived from activated memory B cells specific for epitopes conserved in several influenza strains. Consequently, most neutralizing antibodies were broadly reactive against divergent H1N1 and H5N1 influenza strains. This suggests that a pan-influenza vaccine may be possible, given the right immunogen. Antibodies generated potently protected and rescued mice from lethal challenge with pandemic H1N1 or antigenically distinct influenza strains, making them excellent therapeutic candidates.

Towards neuromote: a single-chip, 100-channel, neural-signal acquisition, processing, and telemetry device.

This paper investigates the design of a single-chip, 100-channel wireless neural-signal acquisition, processing, and communications device. Design approaches for realizing front-end neural-signal amplifier, data conversion, microprocessor, and transceiver circuitry have been outlined.

Adjunctive intracolonic vancomycin for severe Clostridium difficile colitis: case series and review of the literature.

Successful treatment of severe Clostridium difficile colitis has been reported with the use of adjunctive intracolonic vancomycin (ICV) therapy. We report a descriptive case series and review the literature on patients with C. difficile colitis who received adjunctive ICV therapy. Nine patients received antibiotics within 6 weeks prior to presentation. Complete resolution of the clinical presentation occurred in 8 patients (88.9%), and eradication of C. difficile cytotoxin production was documented in 3 (75%) of 4 patients who were tested after the completion of adjunctive ICV therapy. One patient (11.1%) died as a result of progressive multisystem organ failure. In the 6 weeks after the completion of treatment for C. difficile colitis, no patient had recurrent disease, required surgical intervention, or experienced complications from adjunctive ICV therapy. In this case series, administration of adjunctive ICV therapy appeared to be a safe, practical, and effective adjunctive therapy for severe C. difficile colitis.