Environmental radioactivity assessment of the Brunei Darussalam coastline of the South China Sea.

Radioactivity levels of naturally occurring radionuclides at the coast of Brunei Darussalam were evaluated along with their dose rates. Twenty-six berm and intertidal sediment samples were measured using gamma-ray spectrometry. The mean activity concentrations of Ra, Th and K in berm sediments were 10.

Assessment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patient's skin drug reaction in Zanzibar: A certain causal relationship with Clofazimine.

Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) is a serious public health of concern. We present the management of multidrug-resistant (MDR)-TB with skin reaction in Zanzibar in a patient who had prior exposure to anti-TB drugs. The reaction developed 4 months later, following MDR-TB treatment, stopped when the drug was withdrawn, and reappeared when reintroduced.

Assessment of radioactivity concentration in intertidal sediments from coastal provinces in Oman and estimation of hazard and radiation indices.

The natural radioactivity of intertidal sediment samples collected from the beaches of Oman was investigated. Using gamma ray spectrometry, the activity concentrations of Ra, Th and K in the sediment samples were measured to have average values of 20.49 ± 3.

Functional and genetic evidence that nucleoside transport is highly conserved in Leishmania species: Implications for pyrimidine-based chemotherapy.

Leishmania pyrimidine salvage is replete with opportunities for therapeutic intervention with enzyme inhibitors or antimetabolites. Their uptake into cells depends upon specific transporters; therefore it is essential to establish whether various Leishmania species possess similar pyrimidine transporters capable of drug uptake. Here, we report a comprehensive characterization of pyrimidine transport in L.

Flap decisions and options in soft tissue coverage of the lower limb.

THE LOWER EXTREMITIES OF THE HUMAN BODY ARE MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE HUMAN LEGS, INCORPORATING: the foot, the lower or anatomical leg, the thigh and the hip or gluteal region. The human lower limb plays a simpler role than that of the upper limb. Whereas the arm allows interaction of the surrounding environment, the legs' primary goals are support and to allow upright ambulation.

The development and future of reconstructive and microvascular surgery of the hand.

The hand is often thought of as a key discriminator in what makes humans human. The hand is both intricate and fascinating in its design and function, allowing humans to interact with their surroundings, and each other. Due to its use in manipulation of the person's environment, injury to the hand is common.

Flap decisions and options in soft tissue coverage of the upper limb.

Soft tissue deficiency in the upper limb is a common presentation following trauma, burns infection and tumour removal. Soft tissue coverage of the upper limb is a challenging problem for reconstructive surgeons to manage. The ultimate choice of soft tissue coverage will depend on the size and site of the wound, complexity of the injury, status of surrounding tissue, exposure of the vital structures and health status of the patient.

When are circular lesions square? A national clinical education skin lesion audit and study.

Background: Skin cancer is the most prevalent cancer by organ type and referral accuracy is vital for diagnosis and management. The British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) and literature highlight the importance of accurate skin lesion examination, diagnosis and educationally-relevant studies.

Methods: We undertook a review of the relevant literature, a national audit of skin lesion description standards and a study of speciality training influences on these descriptions.

Controlled human malaria infection of Tanzanians by intradermal injection of aseptic, purified, cryopreserved Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites.

Controlled human malaria infection (CHMI) by mosquito bite has been used to assess anti-malaria interventions in > 1,500 volunteers since development of methods for infecting mosquitoes by feeding on Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) gametocyte cultures. Such CHMIs have never been used in Africa. Aseptic, purified, cryopreserved Pf sporozoites, PfSPZ Challenge, were used to infect Dutch volunteers by intradermal injection.

Cyclic AMP effectors in African trypanosomes revealed by genome-scale RNA interference library screening for resistance to the phosphodiesterase inhibitor CpdA.

One of the most promising new targets for trypanocidal drugs to emerge in recent years is the cyclic AMP (cAMP) phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity encoded by TbrPDEB1 and TbrPDEB2. These genes were genetically confirmed as essential, and a high-affinity inhibitor, CpdA, displays potent antitrypanosomal activity. To identify effectors of the elevated cAMP levels resulting from CpdA action and, consequently, potential sites for adaptations giving resistance to PDE inhibitors, resistance to the drug was induced.

Pyrimidine biosynthesis is not an essential function for Trypanosoma brucei bloodstream forms.

Background: African trypanosomes are capable of both pyrimidine biosynthesis and salvage of preformed pyrimidines from the host, but it is unknown whether either process is essential to the parasite.

Methodology/principal Findings: Pyrimidine requirements for growth were investigated using strictly pyrimidine-free media, with or without single added pyrimidine sources. Growth rates of wild-type bloodstream form Trypanosoma brucei brucei were unchanged in pyrimidine-free medium.

Acute compartment syndrome of the limbs: current concepts and management.

Acute compartment syndrome (ACS) of the limb refers to a constellation of symptoms, which occur following a rise in the pressure inside a limb muscle compartment. A failure or delay in recognising ACS almost invariably results in adverse outcomes for patients. Unrecognised ACS can leave patients with nonviable limbs requiring amputation and can also be life-threatening.

Pyrimidine salvage in Trypanosoma brucei bloodstream forms and the trypanocidal action of halogenated pyrimidines.

African trypanosomes are capable of both pyrimidine biosynthesis and salvage of preformed pyrimidines from the host. However, uptake of pyrimidines in bloodstream form trypanosomes has not been investigated, making it difficult to judge the relative importance of salvage and synthesis or to design a pyrimidine-based chemotherapy. Detailed characterization of pyrimidine transport activities in bloodstream form Trypanosoma brucei brucei found that these cells express a high-affinity uracil transporter (designated TbU3) that is clearly distinct from the procyclic pyrimidine transporters.

How should we investigate breast implant rupture?

We aimed to examine a cohort of patients presenting with breast implant complications to establish the sensitivity and specificity of clinical examination, Ultrasound Scanning (US) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of implant rupture, and to examine the correlation between US and MRI. We performed a 26-month retrospective review. Patients underwent US and MRI to exclude rupture.

Synthesis of marine-derived 3-alkylpyridinium alkaloids with potent antiprotozoal activity.

Given the pressing need for new antiprotozoal drugs without cross-resistance with current (failing) chemotherapy, we have explored 3-tridecylpyridinium alkaloids (3TPAs), derivatives of viscosamine, as antiparasitic agents. We have developed a simple synthetic route toward viscosamine and related cyclic and linear monomers and oligomers. Evaluation for cytotoxicity on the protozoan parasites Trypanosoma brucei, Leishmania spp.

Hyaluronan, TSG-6, and inter-α-inhibitor in periprosthetic breast capsules: reduced levels of free hyaluronan and TSG-6 expression in contracted capsules.

Background: The exact mechanism of capsular contracture (CC) is still unknown. The covalent modification of hyaluronan (HA) with the heavy chains (HC) of inter-α-inhibitor (IαI) has been identified as an important pathway in inflammation and tissue remodeling, where HC·HA formation is catalyzed by TSG-6 (the protein product of tumor necrosis factor stimulated gene-6).

Objective: The authors quantitatively assess the correlation between severity of CC (measured by Baker grade) and expression of HA, TSG-6, and IαI (ie, the polypeptides HC1, HC2, and bikunin) in periprosthetic breast capsules.

Cosmetic tourism: public opinion and analysis of information and content available on the Internet.

Background: The medical tourism market is a rapidly growing sector fueled by increasing health care costs, longer domestic waiting times, economic recession, and cheaper air travel.

Objectives: The authors investigate public opinion on undergoing cosmetic surgery abroad and then explore the information patients are likely to encounter on the Internet when searching for such services.

Methods: A poll of 197 members of the general public was conducted in the United Kingdom.

Prevalence of body dysmorphic features in patients undergoing cosmetic procedures at the National Skin Centre, Singapore.

Background: Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is characterised by an obsessive preoccupation with a slight defect in appearance, and recognition is essential.

Objective: To screen by a previously developed questionnaire the prevalence of BDD in an aesthetics clinic in Singapore. This questionnaire has a positive predictive value of 70% and a negative predictive value of 100%; patients answering that they were preoccupied with their appearance and having answered 'yes' in part A, answered 8 further questions (part B) grading the degree of distress (B4) and impairment (B5) of social functioning.

When to use drains in breast reduction surgery?

We aimed to identify risk factors that may influence surgeons' decision on the use of surgical drains in breast reduction surgery. Medical notes of 182 patients were reviewed. The mean age of the patients was 38 years and the mean body mass index was 25.

The contribution of breast and abdominal pannus weight to body mass index: implications for rationing of reduction mammaplasty and abdominoplasty.

The body mass index (BMI) is an arbitrary criterion used by third party fundholders in some countries for rationing the public funding of reduction mammaplasty and abdominoplasty surgery. Many patients have commented that the weight of their excess breast tissue or abdominal pannus contributes to an overestimation of their body mass index. This study seeks to establish the truth of this by ascertaining whether the difference between pre- and postoperative body mass indices of patients undergoing reduction mammaplasty or abdominoplasty is significant.