Chronic Sciatic Neuropathy in Rat Reduces Voluntary Wheel-Running Activity With Concurrent Chronic Mechanical Allodynia.

Background: Animal models of peripheral neuropathy produced by a number of manipulations are assessed for the presence of pathologic pain states such as allodynia. Although stimulus-induced behavioral assays are frequently used and important to examine allodynia (ie, sensitivity to light mechanical touch; von Frey fiber test), other measures of behavior that reflect overall function are not only complementary to stimulus-induced responsive measures, but are also critical to gain a complete understanding of the effects of the pain model on quality of life, a clinically relevant aspect of pain on general function. Voluntary wheel-running activity in rodent models of inflammatory and muscle pain is emerging as a reliable index of general function that extends beyond stimulus-induced behavioral assays.

Moyamoya disease, revascularisation surgery and anaesthetic considerations.

We report a case of a rare disease that requires a unique anaesthetic approach for a unique surgical procedure. Anaesthesiologists need to be familiar with different pathophysiological aspects of this disease and its perioperative management.

Comparative analysis of nucleotide translocation through protein nanopores using steered molecular dynamics and an adaptive biasing force.

The translocation of nucleotide molecules across biological and synthetic nanopores has attracted attention as a next generation technique for sequencing DNA. Computer simulations have the ability to provide atomistic-level insight into important states and processes, delivering a means to develop a fundamental understanding of the translocation event, for example, by extracting the free energy of the process. Even with current supercomputing facilities, the simulation of many-atom systems in fine detail is limited to shorter timescales than the real events they attempt to recreate.

The infection risk of plastic wrap as an acute burns dressing.

Background: Domestic plastic wrap has been recommended as an appropriate acute burn wound dressing in the Emergency Management of Severe Burns course. There remain limited studies reporting the risk of infection associated with this dressing.

Aim: To determine the potential infection risk of domestic plastic wrap used to treat acute burns wounds by assessment for the presence of clinically significant micro-organisms.

Disentangling steric and electrostatic factors in nanoscale transport through confined space.

The voltage-driven passage of biological polymers through nanoscale pores is an analytically, technologically, and biologically relevant process. Despite various studies on homopolymer translocation there are still several open questions on the fundamental aspects of pore transport. One of the most important unresolved issues revolves around the passage of biopolymers which vary in charge and volume along their sequence.

Medical management of paediatric burn injuries: best practice part 2.

Burns remain a leading cause of injury in the paediatric population in Australia despite efforts in prevention. Advances in surgical management include novel debridement methods and blood conserving techniques. Patients with severe burns (>20%) remain significantly more complex to manage as a result of extensive alterations in metabolic processes.

Medical management of paediatric burn injuries: best practice.

Burns commonly occur in children and their first aid remains inadequate despite burn prevention programmes. While scald injuries predominate, contact and flame burns remain common. Although typically less severe injuries overall than those in adults, hypertrophic scarring complicating both the burn wound and even donor sites occur more frequently in children.

Introduction of new safety technologies into central venous access.

The American Society of Anesthesiologists, the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation, the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), and the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005 encourage anesthesiology departments to institute systematic improvements in patient safety, including but not limited to integration of new safety technologies. The evaluation and method of use of the reciprocating procedure device in central venous access is presented.

Determination of Free Energy Profiles for the Translocation of Polynucleotides through α-Hemolysin Nanopores using Non-Equilibrium Molecular Dynamics Simulations.

The translocation of polynucleotides through transmembrane protein pores is a fundamental biological process with important technological and medical relevance. The translocation process is complex, and it is influenced by a range of factors including the diameter and inner surface of the pore, the secondary structure of the polymer, and the interactions between the polymer and protein. In this paper, we perform nonequilibrium constant velocity-steered molecular dynamics simulations of nucleic acid molecule translocation through the protein nanopore α-hemolysin and use Jarzynski's identity to determine the associated free energy profiles.

Delayed cooling of an acute scald contact burn injury in a porcine model: is it worthwhile?

The current Australia and New Zealand Burn Association recommended burns first aid treatment is to place the burn under cool running water for 20 minutes. Immediate cooling of a burn wound has been shown to reduce the depth of the injury. Cooling has also been recommended as beneficial for up to 3 hours after the burn.

Optimal duration of cooling for an acute scald contact burn injury in a porcine model.

The Australian and New Zealand Burn Association recommend 20 minutes of cold running tap water as burn first aid. Scientific evidence for the optimal duration of treatment is limited. Our aim was to establish the optimal duration of cooling using cold running tap water to treat the acute burn.

Unusual neck sinus--first or second cleft?

A sinus tract presenting with an opening around the angle of mandible is suggestive of first cleft remnant. We present the case of a 4-year-old boy with a recurrent discharging sinus around the angle of the right mandible whose internal opening was near the tonsil on imaging. Complete excision was performed with facial nerve monitoring.

Posttraumatic small bowel obstruction in children.

Background: The diagnosis of intestinal injuries in children after blunt abdominal trauma can be difficult and delayed. Most children who suffer blunt abdominal trauma are managed nonoperatively, making the diagnosis of intestinal injuries more difficult. We sought to gain information about children who develop intestinal obstruction after blunt abdominal trauma by reviewing our experience.

Nanoscale protein pores modified with PAMAM dendrimers.

We describe nanoscale protein pores modified with a single hyperbranched dendrimer molecule inside the channel lumen. Sulfhydryl-reactive polyamido amine (PAMAM) dendrimers of generations 2, 3 and 5 were synthesized, chemically characterized, and reacted with engineered cysteine residues in the transmembrane pore alpha-hemolysin. Successful coupling was monitored using an electrophoretic mobility shift assay.

Assessment of cooling on an acute scald burn injury in a porcine model.

The current Australian and New Zealand Burn Association (ANZBA) recommended Burns First Aid Treatment is place the burn under cool running water for 20 minutes. Wet towels and water spray also have been used frequently. No scientific data exist to compare the effectiveness of these methods of cooling.

Idiopathic fibrosing pancreatitis in children--a single-center experience.

Purpose: The experience of a single institution on idiopathic fibrosing pancreatitis (IFP) is presented.

Methodology: This is a retrospective review of medical records of affected patients.

Results: There were 7 cases with a mean age of 7 years.

First-aid management of minor burns in children: a prospective study of children presenting to the Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney.

Objective: To identify the adequacy of first aid care following minor burns in children.

Design: Prospective case series.

Setting: Emergency Department and Acute Wound Clinic, the Children's Hospital at Westmead (CHW), Sydney.

Kavain attenuates vascular contractility through inhibition of calcium channels.

Kavain is a biologically active compound from the Oceanic plant Piper methysticum (kava). Traditional medicinal uses of the kava root are many. Kava is increasingly being utilized by Western societies for its anxiolytic effects.