Confinement effects on monosaccharide transport in nanochannels.

Transport theories based on the continuum hypothesis may not be appropriate at the nanoscale in view of surface effects. We employed molecular dynamics simulations to study the effects of confinement and concentration on diffusive transport of glucose in silica nanochannels (10 nm or smaller). We found that glucose modifies the electrical properties of nanochannels and that, below 5 nm in channel height, glucose adsorption and diffusivity are significantly reduced.

Fludarabine-based conditioning chemotherapy for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in acquired severe aplastic anemia.

Thirty-eight patients who met the diagnostic criteria for severe aplastic anemia underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The median patient age was 20 years (range, 14-36 years). Twenty-four patients were treatment-naïve, 11 had failed one or more previous courses of immunosuppressive therapy, and 3 had failed a previous HSCT.

Inhibition of p38 MAPK-dependent bronchial contraction after ozone by corticosteroids.

We determined the role of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in the increased airway smooth muscle (ASM) contractile responses following ozone and modulation by corticosteroids. Mice were exposed to air or ozone (3 ppm for 3 h) and isometric contractile responses of bronchial rings to acetylcholine (ACh) were measured using a myograph in the presence of p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB239063 (10⁻⁶ M) or dexamethasone (10⁻⁶ M). Because MAPK phosphatase (MKP)-1 is a negative regulator of p38 MAPK, we also studied these effects in MKP-1(-/-) mice.

Treatment of intertrochanteric femoral fractures with a proximal femoral nail (PFN): a short follow up.

Proximal femoral nails have been introduced relatively recently but have begun to compete the traditional DHS. The mechanical strength of the nail and less invasive procedure have made the procedure preferable. This is a short retrospective review of 26 cases operated in the last 2years.

The utility of dobutamine stress echocardiography for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease in the HIV population.

Background: The introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has increased human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patient longevity by 10-15 years. This increased longevity has habituated new cardiovascular complications, in particular, accelerated coronary artery disease (CAD). Although dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) is a highly sensitive and specific test for the noninvasive detection of underlying CAD in the general population, its utility in the HIV population remains unknown.

In vitro and in vivo metabolism of the radiolytic compound 2-dodecylcyclobutanone.

Our knowledge about the metabolism of alkylcyclobutanones (2-ACBs) is limited, and the lack of literature on the metabolism of 2-ACBs causes consumers to doubt the safety of irradiated foods. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the metabolism of 2-dodecylcyclobutanone (2-DCB) and identify any possible metabolite. The 2-DCB was mixed with rat S9 (postmitochondrial supernatant fraction) and beta-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) in phosphate buffer (pH 7.

The photophysics of europium and terbium polyoxometalates and their interaction with serum albumin: a time-resolved luminescence study.

Polyoxometalates (POMs) are emerging as useful materials for a variety of applications. Many show potential for use in the biological and medical fields. Those incorporating lanthanides, with their narrow emission bands, large Stokes' shift and tuneable emission are of particular interest for the labelling and imaging of biological molecules.

UK Renal Registry 12th Annual Report (December 2009): chapter 15: clinical, haematological and biochemical parameters in patients receiving renal replacement therapy in paediatric centres in the UK in 2008: national and centre-specific analyses.

Background: The British Association for Paediatric Nephrology Registry was established thirteen years ago to analyse data related to renal replacement therapy for children. The registry receives data from the 13 paediatric nephrology centres in the UK. In 2008 the registry was relocated to the UK Renal Registry (UKRR).

UK Renal Registry 12th Annual Report (December 2009): chapter 14: demography of the UK paediatric renal replacement therapy population in 2008.

Aims: To describe the demographics of the paediatric RRT population in the UK and analyse changes in demographics with time.

Methods: Extraction and analysis of data from the UK Paediatric Renal Registry and the UK Renal Registry (UKRR).

Results: The UK paediatric established renal failure (ERF) population in December 2008 was 905 patients.

Renal functional & haemodynamic changes following acute unilateral renal denervation in Sprague Dawley rats.

Background & Objectives: Regulation of renal function and haemodynamics are under a direct control from the renal sympathetic nerves and renal denervation produces overt diuresis and natriuresis in several mammalian species. However, the inter-related series of changes in renal function and haemodynamics following acute renal denervation (ARD) is not fully understood. Thus, we aimed to investigate and relate the changes in renal function and haemodynamics following acute unilateral renal denervation in anaesthetized Sprague Dawley (SD) rats.

Migration of an embolized deployed stent from the left main with subsequent crushing: a new use for the IVUS catheter?

Coronary stent dislodgement and loss carries significant morbidity and risk of infarction and thrombosis if left untreated. There have been multiple previous techniques for stent retrieval or deployment after stent loss including wire braiding, distal small balloon retrieval technique, snare use, forceps in large vessels and the stent crush technique. We report an unusual case of a largely deployed stent which was iatrogenically embolized retrogradely to the left main and its migration using an IVUS catheter with successful stent crushing in the proximal circumflex with good angiographic and medium term clinical outcome.

Status of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO).

Several centers are now performing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in the World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO) but the availability is still limited due to high cost and the need for multi-disciplinary team and an advanced laboratory support. Special issues including compatible donor availability, potential for alternate donor programs, differences in pattern of disease, pre-HSCT general status particularly for patients with BM failure, high sero-positivity for CMV, Hepatitis B and C infection and specific observations about GVHD with its relation to genetically homogeneous community are discussed. A total of 17 HSCT programs (performing five or more HSCTs annually) exist in nine countries of the EM region.

Progression of low-pressure to acute classic cardiac tamponade-a diagnostic dilemma in the setting of spontaneous left ventricular rupture.

Cardiac tamponade (CT) is a pathophysiologic continuum where hemodynamic embarrassment occurs as a result of progressive, decreased venous return that impairs diastolic ventricular filling, which in turn, when uncorrected, severely compromises cardiac output. While CT is classically associated with high intrapericardial pressures due to rapidly accumulating large pericardial effusions, low-pressure CT is a recognized entity in which a comparatively low intrapericardial pressure could result in cardiac chamber compression and subsequent cardiovascular collapse. In this article, we highlight a previously unreported scenario of rapidly re-accumulating, acute CT in the setting of left ventricular rupture in a patient who had presumably presented with low-pressure CT due to hemoperiardium.

The expression of IL-8 and IL-8 receptors in pancreatic adenocarcinomas and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours.

Background: Inflammatory mediators influence tumour progression. IL-8 has been shown to have pro-angiogenic, mitogenic and motogenic effects and several studies have demonstrated the expression of IL-8 by various human pancreatic cancer cell lines.

Methods: The expression of IL-8 and IL-8 receptors was studied in 52 pancreatic adenocarcinomas and 52 pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours using immunohistochemistry.

The effect of a PEEP valve on a Laerdal neonatal self-inflating resuscitation bag.

Background: Self-inflating bags are used to provide ventilation during neonatal resuscitation. However, they cannot provide positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) unless a PEEP valve is attached. The ability of Laerdal neonatal self-inflating bags fitted with PEEP valves to reliably deliver PEEP is unclear.

Lysine-60 in copper chaperone Atox1 plays an essential role in adduct formation with a target Wilson disease domain.

The mechanism by which the human copper (Cu) chaperone Atox1 delivers Cu to metal-binding domains of Wilson disease (WD) protein for insertion into cuproenzymes is unclear. Using near-UV circular dichroism as a new tool to probe chaperone-target interactions, in combination with gel filtration and molecular dynamics simulations, we here demonstrate that Atox1 forms a stable Cu-dependent adduct with the fourth metal-binding domain of WD (WD4). Using point-mutated Atox1 variants, we show that the adduct forms in the absence of conserved residues M10 or T11 but K60 is essential for heterocomplex formation and Cu transfer.

Clinical clearance of the cervical spine in blunt trauma patients younger than 3 years: a multi-center study of the american association for the surgery of trauma.

Background: Cervical spine clearance in the very young child is challenging. Radiographic imaging to diagnose cervical spine injuries (CSI) even in the absence of clinical findings is common, raising concerns about radiation exposure and imaging-related complications. We examined whether simple clinical criteria can be used to safely rule out CSI in patients younger than 3 years.

Renal biopsies in children: current practice and audit of outcomes.

Background: There is considerable variation in the way that children are prepared for and the techniques employed in a renal biopsy. There was national agreement between UK paediatric renal centres to review current practice and audit outcomes

Methods: An initial questionnaire survey was undertaken and a 12-month prospective audit performed of renal biopsies against agreed standards for the number of needle passes, adequacy of biopsy material and complication rates.

Results: Eleven of 13 centres participated.

UK Renal Registry 11th Annual Report (December 2008): Chapter 13 Demography of the UK paediatric renal replacement therapy population.

Aims: To describe the demographics of the paediatric RRT population in the UK and analyse changes in demographics with time.

Methods: Extraction and analysis of data from the UK paediatric Renal Registry.

Results: The UK paediatric established renal failure (ERF) population in April 2008 was 875 patients.

Robotic camera holder as good as expert camera holder: a randomized crossover trial.

Introduction: This study aimed to compare the impact of robotic camera holder (RCH) and human camera holder (HCH) on product quality and procedure effectiveness of a simulated laparoscopic procedure.

Methods: This was a prospective randomized crossover trial including voluntary surgical residents. Block randomization generated RCH-HCH or HCH-RCH sequence allocation.

Does lactate level in the first 12 hours of life predict mortality in extremely premature infants?

Aims: To determine if high lactate levels within the first 12 h of life independently or in combination with Clinical Risk Index for Babies (CRIB) II can predict mortality in extremely premature babies.

Study Design: A retrospective review of medical charts of babies born between 2001 and 2003 with birthweight <1000 g or gestation <28 weeks was performed. Blood gases and highest umbilical lactate levels in first 12 h of life were noted.