Hyperpolarized 89Y complexes as pH sensitive NMR probes.

Hyperpolarization can increase the sensitivity of NMR/MRI experiments, but the primary limitation is the T(1) decay of magnetization. Due to its long T(1), the hyperpolarized (89)Y nucleus makes an excellent candidate as an in vivo spectroscopy/imaging probe. Here we report the (89)Y chemical shift dependence upon pH for two hyperpolarized (89)Y(III) complexes and demonstrate how such complexes can be used as sensitive spectroscopy/imaging agents to measure pH.

Particle shape: a new design parameter for passive targeting in splenotropic drug delivery.

The role of particle size and surface modification on biodistribution of nanocarriers is widely reported. We report for the first time the role of nanoparticle shape on biodistribution. Our study demonstrates that irregular shaped polymer lipid nanoparticles (LIPOMER) evade kupffer cells and localize in the spleen.

Measurement of glycine in human prefrontal brain by point-resolved spectroscopy at 7.0 tesla in vivo.

Measurement of glycine in human frontal brain by an optimized point-resolved spectroscopy sequence at 7 T is reported. Echo time dependencies of the overlapping coupled resonances of myo-inositol, free choline, and threonine were investigated with density matrix simulations, incorporating the slice-selective radiofrequency and gradient pulses. The numerical simulations indicated that the selectivity of the 3.

Silicone oil induced glaucoma: a review.

Background: Silicone oil has been an important adjunct for internal tamponade in the treatment of complicated retinal detachment for the past 4 decades. A known complication of its use has been the development of secondary glaucoma.

Methods: This article reviews the current body of literature documenting the different pathogeneses, predisposing factors and management of silicone oil induced pressure elevation and optic neuropathy.

The Highest Battlefield of the World : Medical Problems and Solutions.

The Indian Armed Forces Medical Services has been engaged in providing medical to the soldiers serving on Siachen Glacier for the last 25 years. This paper attempts to highlight the medical problems faced by troops on the world's highest battlefield as perceived by a medical officer located on the forward most medical echelon on Siachen Glacier. The medical problems on the glacier include high altitude pulmonary oedema, acute mountain sickness, frost bite chilblains, hypothermia, snow blindness, injury non enemy action due to avalanches, crevasses and fires, carbon monoxide poisoning and problems in disposal of nightsoil.

Protective effect of an extract of Emblica officinalis against radiation-induced damage in mice.

The radioprotective effect of Emblica officinalis extract (EOE) was studied in mice. Swiss albino mice were exposed to gamma rays (5 Gy) in the absence (control) or presence (experimental) of EOE, orally 100 mg/kg body weight, once daily for 7 consecutive days. A specimen of small intestine (jejunum) was removed from the mice and studied at different autopsy intervals from 12 hours to 30 days.

Understanding the synthesis of DEGVE pulsed plasmas for application to ultra thin biocompatible interfaces.

There is interest in the development of novel surface treatments for biocompatibility and non-fouling behaviors on various surfaces of in vivo devices. Polyethylene glycol thin films have shown promise as non-fouling passivation layers for such devices. Studies of the surface chemistry and non-fouling effectiveness of plasma deposited di(ethylene glycol) vinyl ether (DEGVE) films have observed that non-fouling performance is maximized when plasma deposition occurs at low values of average power, (<5W).

Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

A 33-year-old male presented with a history of fever and cough and was diagnosed to have pulmonary tuberculosis and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). He was started on antituberculosis therapy (ATT) followed by highly active anti-retroviral treatment (HAART) after one week. He developed an immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) leading to an exacerbation of the tuberculosis disease.

Modulation of radiation-induced biochemical alterations in mice by rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis) extract.

Radioprotective effect of leaves extract of Rosemarinus officinalis (ROE) has been studied against 6 Gy gamma-radiations in the liver of Swiss albino mice at various post-irradiation intervals between 12 h and 30 days. In control animals (without ROE treated irradiated), an elevation in glycogen, protein, acid and alkaline contents was found till day 5th, but thereafter decreased at successive intervals without returning to normal. Cholesterol level was found to be lower than normal till 10th day, then increased up to 20th day but later declined without restoring normal level.

Radioprotective potential of Rosemarinus officinalis against lethal effects of gamma radiation : a preliminary study.

The radioprotective effect of Rosemarinus officinalis extract (ROE) was studied in mice exposed to 8 Gy of gamma radiation. The optimum dose for radioprotection was determined by administering 100, 200, 400, 800, 1000, 1500, and 2000 mg/kg body weight of ROE orally once daily, consecutively for five days before irradiation. Treatment of mice with ROE, delayed the onset of mortality and reduced the symptoms of radiation sickness when compared with the non-drug-treated irradiated controls.

Antimicrobial use and resistance in swine waste treatment systems.

Chlortetracycline and the macrolide tylosin were identified as commonly used antimicrobials for growth promotion and prophylaxis in swine production. Resistance to these antimicrobials was measured throughout the waste treatment processes at five swine farms by culture-based and molecular methods. Conventional farm samples had the highest levels of resistance with both culture-based and molecular methods and had similar levels of resistance despite differences in antimicrobial usage.

Ultrasound guided percutaneous nephrostomy for obstructive uropathy in benign and malignant diseases.

Objective: Analyze the success rate, complications and overall benefit of ultrasound guided percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) for the relief of obstructive uropathy in benign and malignant diseases.

Materials And Methods: PCN was performed in 50 kidneys of 32 patients. It was performed in emergency rooms totally under ultrasound guidance by general surgeons.

Polio Eradication in India: Myth or Reality.

Background: Poliomyelitis has been eradicated from large parts of the world. In South East Asian Region, India and Pakistan remain the only countries where active transmission of the disease persists. A decade-long initiative to eradicate the disease is in progress in India.

Chemopreventive action of emblica officinalis on skin carcinogenesis in mice.

Chemoprevention with food phytochemicals is currently regarded as one of the most important strategies for cancer control. Emblica officinalis (Family: Euphorbiaceae) indigenous to India, is valued for its unique tannins and flavanoids, which contain very powerful antioxidant properties. The inhibition of tumor incidences by fruit extract of this plant has been evaluated on two-stage process of skin carcinogenesis in Swiss albino mice, induced by a single application of 7, 12-dimethyabenz(a)anthrecene (100 microg / 100 microl acetone), and two weeks later, promoted by repeated application of croton oil (1% in acetone/thrice a week) till the end of the experiment (16 weeks).

Presence of macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B and tetracycline antimicrobials in swine waste treatment processes and amended soil.

Little is known about the fate of antimicrobials during common agricultural waste handling procedures. To better define the potential scope of this problem, concentrations of antimicrobials throughout the waste treatment process were estimated based on known antimicrobial usage, and the resulting predictions of high antimicrobial concentrations indicated the need for further investigation. Samples from building pits, a solids settling basin, a holding pond, and soil amended with waste treatment byproducts were therefore analyzed for traditional chemical parameters and macrolide, lincosamide, and tetracycline antimicrobials.

Malignant melanoma of the nasal cavity.

Malignant melanomas of the sinonasal mucosa are very uncommon, presenting frequently in advanced stages with usually a fatal course. Diagnosis becomes more difficult if it is amelanotic variety. Radical surgery is constrained because of increased morbidity & cosmesis, moreover radiotherapy and chemotherapy have little role if any to play.

Expression of the neurotrophin receptors Trk A and Trk B in adult human astrocytoma and glioblastoma.

Neurotrophins and their receptors of the Trk family play a critical role in proliferation, differentiation and survival of the developing neurons. There are reports on their expression in neoplasms too, namely, the primitive neuroectodermal tumours of childhood, and in adult astrocytic gliomas. The involvement of Trk receptors in tumour pathogenesis, if any, is not known.

Compliance with sequential compression device prophylaxis in at-risk trauma patients: a prospective analysis.

The Sequential Compression Device (SCD) is frequently the sole measure used to prevent deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in trauma patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the compliance with physician orders for the application of SCD prophylaxis among nonambulatory trauma patients at risk for DVT. We conducted a prospective observational study at two Level I university-affiliated trauma centers.

Severe trauma is not an excuse for prolonged antibiotic prophylaxis.

Hypothesis: For critically injured patients, a limited course of antibiotics is as effective as a prolonged course in preventing sepsis and organ failures.

Design: Prospective nonrandomized study.

Setting: Surgical intensive care unit (SICU) of an academic hospital with a level I trauma center.

Prophylactic antibiotics after severe trauma: more is not better.

After severe trauma, physicians frequently use multiple antibiotics for prolonged periods of time to prevent sepsis, based on intuition rather than scientific evidence. Over a 1-year period (January-December 1999) we included prospectively 112 critically injured patients who required an operation and/or chest tube insertion and stayed for more than 2 days in the intensive care unit (ICU). Of these patients, 46 received a single prophylactic antibiotic for 24 hours (group SING+SHORT), and 66 received one or more prophylactic antibiotics for more than 24 hours (group MULT+LONG), based on physician discretion.

Computed tomography for evaluation of mild to moderate pediatric trauma: are we overusing it?

Computed tomography (CT) is used liberally in the evaluation of pediatric trauma, even of low or moderate severity, because clinical examination of pediatric patients is considered unreliable. Appropriate utilization of valuable resources is essential in a cost-conscious medical era. The objective of this study is to determine if children with mild to moderate trauma are evaluated by more CT scans than adults with injuries of similar severity.

Transesophageal echocardiography in patients with ischemic stroke accurately detects significant coronary artery stenosis and often changes management.

Objectives: TEE is performed in many patients with ischemic stroke, and it is possible to examine the proximal coronaries by TEE in these patients. Our purpose was to (1) determine the accuracy of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in the diagnosis of proximal coronary stenosis in patients with ischemic stroke and (2) show that TEE detection of proximal coronary stenosis changed management in a substantial number of patients.

Methods: Thirty-two patients with ischemic stroke undergoing TEE, in whom the proximal coronaries were examined and who had angiographic results available, were studied.

Spinal congenital dermal sinus: an experience of 23 cases over 7 years.

Spinal congenital dermal sinus is a rare entity, which supposedly results from the failure of neuroectoderm to separate from the cutaneous ectoderm during the process of neurulation. The present study was undertaken to know the clinical profile of these patients, to study associated anomalies and to assess the results of surgical intervention. We had 23 patients with male : female ratio of 9:16.

Clinically significant blunt cardiac trauma: role of serum troponin levels combined with electrocardiographic findings.

Background: The true importance of blunt cardiac trauma (BCT) is related to the cardiac complications arising from it. Diagnostic tests that can predict accurately if such complications will develop or not may allow early and aggressive monitoring or early discharge. We investigated the role of two simple and convenient tests, serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and electrocardiogram (ECG), when used to identify patients at risk of cardiac complications after BCT.

"Insignificant" mechanism of injury: not to be taken lightly.

Background: Trauma resources should be spent rationally. The mechanism of trauma is used extensively to triage patients to appropriate levels of care. We examine the hypothesis that patients with "insignificant" mechanism of trauma may have major injuries that require expert trauma care.