Speech results with tracheoesophageal voice prosthesis after total laryngectomy.

Objective: To assess the success rate of tracheoesophageal voice prosthesis as the primary mode of voice rehabilitation in patients after total laryngectomy.

Methods: Medical record files of 35 patients subjected to total laryngectomy were reviewed for determining success or failure of the voice prosthesis. The indicators used were quality of speech and utility of the device.

Kinetics of batch single cell protein production from rice polishings with Candida utilis in continuously aerated tank reactors.

Single cell protein was produced from the defatted rice polishings by fermentation with Candida utilis in an aerated 14-L fermentor to optimize bioprocess variables. Maximum values of specific growth rate coefficient (mu, h(-1)), cell mass yield (Y(X/S), g/g) and cell mass productivity (g/Lh) were 0.31, 0.

Diagnostic value of fine needle aspiration cytology in parotid tumors.

Objective: To evaluate the usefulness and accuracy of fine needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of parotid gland tumors.

Methods: We reviewed files of all patients who underwent parotidectomy for various parotid pathologies at Aga Khan University Hospital. Study design included a comparison between results of preoperative FNAC with final histopathological diagnosis.

Clinical study on the use of nozovent in a tertiary care setting.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of the Nozovent device in Pakistani subjects at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi and Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore from 15 January 2001 to 15 January 2002.

Methods: Sixty males and 40 females were selected by non probability purposive sampling, from OPD of ENT Department, complaining of nasal obstruction due to various reasons, e.g.

A randomized controlled trial of unilateral strabismic and mixed amblyopia using occlusion dose monitors to record compliance.

Purpose: To investigate compliance with patching therapy and the dose-effect relationship in occlusion therapy in amblyopia by recording the effective patching time using occlusion dose monitors (ODMs).

Methods: Fifty-two children with strabismic or mixed amblyopia (Snellen equivalent, 6/12-6/48) were given optimal refractive correction and randomly allocated for 12 weeks into three treatment groups: group 1, no patching; group 2, prescribed patching for 3 hours; and group 3, prescribed patching for 6 hours. The effective time of occlusion was monitored with ODMs continuously.

H-89, a non-specific inhibitor of protein kinase A, promotes post-ischemic cardiac contractile recovery and reduces infarct size.

Myocardial ischemia is associated with increased production of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), with potentially deleterious effects. We hypothesized that the ischemia-induced activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA), could beneficially be inhibited by a PKA-inhibitor N-(2-[p-bromocinnamylamino]ethyl)-5-isoquinoline-sulfonamide (H-89). H-89 when given to isolated perfused rat hearts before 30 minutes of global ischemia-reperfusion improved postischemic function and decreased infarct size.

"Single sample concept": theoretical model for a combinatorial approach to solid-state inorganic materials.

A theoretical model for a "single sample concept" (SSC) applied to the combinatorial chemistry of solid-state inorganic compounds is presented. The SSC is performed by reacting N starting materials (randomly mixed) in a single sample of approximately 1 cm(3). Combinatorial calculations demonstrate that the number of reasonably estimated phases to be found in the space of N components grouped into compounds (e.

Anastomotic leakage post-esophagogastrectomy for esophageal carcinoma: retrospective analysis of predictive factors, management and influence on longterm survival in a high volume centre.

Objective: Anastomotic leak post-gastro-esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma remains an important issue in immediate as well as late morbidity and mortality. Several predictive factors such as patient and technical variables have been suggested with inconsistent findings. Our aim was to compare these factors and the results of treatment of anastomotic dehiscence on short and longterm survival in our center to published data.

A "single-sample concept" (SSC): a new approach to the combinatorial chemistry of inorganic materials.

Combinatorial estimations show that, within an unreacted ceramic sample prepared by mixing N different starting materials MxOy with average particle size approximately 1 microm, there are about 10(12) grains per cubic centimeter, sufficient for local reactions to occur that may produce a larger number of product oxides than presently accessible by 2D plate techniques. The "single-sample concept" (SSC) is proposed for performing property-directed syntheses for the preparation of ferri-/ferromagnetic or superconducting compounds. Because of the magnetic properties of the products, libraries of product grains can be sorted by means of magnetic separation techniques.

Development of thermochromic strips as a water pasteurization indicator.

Boiling of water, for purification, commonly practiced in the world, has many problems associated with it like danger of scalding, scaling in the vessels, removal of useful minerals and blandness of taste etc. Water can be made safe for drinking simply by heating at 65 degrees C for 6 minutes. A colour indicating strip was developed which changes colour from red to purple at 67 degrees C.

Removal of heavy metals through adsorption using sand.

The removal of four heavy metals i.e. Pb, Cr, Cu, and Zn from their aqueous solutions, using ordinary sand as an adsorbent, was studied at 20 degrees C.

Tuberculous otitis media: two case reports and literature review.

Tuberculous otitis media can be difficult to diagnose because it can easily be confused with other acute or chronic middle ear conditions. Compounding this problem is the fact that physicians are generally unfamiliar with the typical features of tuberculous otitis media. Finally, the final diagnosis can be difficult because it requires special culture and pathologic studies.

Endotracheal tube fire during tracheostomy: a case report.

Electrosurgery in the presence of volatile anesthetic gases has been associated with operating-room fires. We report a case in which an operating-room fire occurred while an intubated patient underwent electrosurgical tracheostomy. The fire in this case was caused by a combination of an oxygen-rich environment, a polyvinyl chloride tube, and heat generated by an electrosurgical unit.

Vestibular schwannomas: clinical presentation, management and outcome.

Objective: To review the demographic trends clinical spectrum, diagnosis, management and out come of patients with vestibular Schwannoma and to identify areas where improvements are needed.

Methods: All patients with vestibular schwannoma admitted to the Aga Khan University Hospital over the past 11 years were reviewed retrospectively.

Results: The age range of majority of 22 patients analyzed, was 41-50 years (23%).

Mechanisms whereby glucose deprivation triggers metabolic preconditioning in the isolated rat heart.

Transient glucose deprivation of the heart [GLU (-)] confers a preconditioning-like protection against subsequent ischemic/reperfusion (I/R). The mechanisms involved remain unclear. We hypothesized that GLU (-) would induce the classic ischemic preconditioning activated signaling cascade.

Recognized globe perforation during strabismus surgery: incidence, risk factors, and sequelae.

Background: Inadvertent perforation of the globe is a well-recognized complication of extraocular muscle surgery. We evaluated the incidence, risk factors, and sequelae of this complication at our institution.

Methods: Medical records of patients who underwent extraocular muscle surgery at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Saudi Arabia, between September 1983 and April 1997, were reviewed for the occurrence of globe perforation.

Opposing effects on infarction of delta and kappa opioid receptor activation in the isolated rat heart: implications for ischemic preconditioning.

Delta-opioid receptors are known to participate in the protection found following ischemic preconditioning (IPC), but the role of kappa-receptors in IPC is currently controversial. Langendorff-perfused rat hearts received 35 min regional ischemia and 2 h reperfusion. PC (2 cycles 5 min global ischemia) substantially reduced infarct size.

Normothermic transfer times up to 3 min will not precondition the isolated rat heart.

Isolated, perfused heart preparations suffer an inevitable peri-operative delay (POD) before retrograde perfusion restores coronary flow. By varying this ischaemic period we investigated the threshold of POD-induced inadvertent preconditioning (PC) in the rat heart. Hearts subjected to POD at 37 degrees C increasing from 1, 2, 3, 5, 10 up to 15 min prior to 20 min retrograde perfusion were further subjected to 30 min global, normothermic ischaemia and 30 min reperfusion (index I/R).

Transgenic potato plants expressing soybean beta-1,3-endoglucanase gene exhibit an increased resistance to Phytophthora infestans.

Soybean beta-1,3-endoglucanase represents a model system for studies on early plant responses to infection by fungal pathogens, and it has been implicated in the release of elicitors from fungal cell walls. In the present study, potato plants were transformed with the soybean beta-1,3-endoglucanase cDNA via Agrobacterium delivery system. The transfer of the gene into potato genome was confirmed by (i) PCR amplification, (ii) Northern blot analyses, and (iii) an increase in the activity of beta-1,3-endoglucanase in transgenic plants.

Heterogeneity of staphylococci and other bacteria isolated from six-week-old broiler chickens.

In broiler operations, various health problems develop during the final 2 wk of the growing period, resulting in increased mortality and condemnation losses. At this stage, sickly birds were found to be systemically infected by various bacteria regardless of varied clinical signs, and the purpose of this study was to carry out thorough microbiological investigations on this problem. Thirty-one 6-wk-old broilers showing signs of illness were obtained from three farms, and bacterial isolations were carried out from the blood, liver, and hock joint.

Solubilization of Amphiphilic Hemicyanine Dyes by a Cationic Surfactant, Cetyltrimethylammonium Bromide.

The solubilization of amphiphilic hemicyanine dyes by the micelles of a cationic surfactant, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), was studied as a function of surfactant concentration above the critical micelle concentration (CMC). The micelle-water partition coefficient, Kx, and the standard free energy of solubilization, DeltaG0, of these dyes in CTAB micelles was determined at 25.0°C by a differential spectroscopic method.

The epidemiology of Newcastle disease in rural poultry: a review.

Rural poultry are the dominant form of poultry kept in the developing world. They are a natural resource whose potential is not fully exploited for the welfare of rural populations. The most devastating disease of rural poultry is Newcastle disease (ND).

Malonyl-CoA metabolism in cardiac myocytes and its relevance to the control of fatty acid oxidation.

1. Viable myocytes were obtained from rat hearts. Oxidation of [1-14C]palmitate by these cells could be decreased by the addition of glucose (5 mM) or lactate (2 mM).