Global survey on point-of-care ultrasound (pocus) use in child surgery.

Purpose: To undertake a global assessment of existing ultrasound practices, barriers to access, point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) training pathways, and the perceived clinical utility of POCUS in Child Surgery.

Methods: An electronic survey was disseminated via the GICS (Global Initiative of Children's Surgery) network. 247 anonymized responses from 48 countries were collated.

A roadmap for starting, growing and sustaining a comprehensive pediatric surgery service in a low resource area.

The Tanzania-Oxford Children's Surgery Partnership is a longstanding capacity building and research collaboration. Over a 21-year period, this non-hierarchical partnership has worked to develop from service delivery to children surgical system strengthening in Tanzania. This has directly impacted the children's surgery and workforce by increasing the number of pediatric surgeons in the country and upskilling nurses, anesthetists, and pediatricians.

Point of Care Ultrasound in Pediatric Surgery across the European Region-European Pediatric Surgery Association Endorsed Survey.

Introduction:  Our purpose was to assess the state of training, clinical practice, and barriers to use point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in pediatric surgery in Europe.

Methods:  An electronic survey was disseminated among European pediatric surgeons utilizing the European Pediatric Surgery Association network and other existing networks.

Results:  There were 186 respondents from 27 European countries and 7 non-European countries.

The mangroves of Africa: A review.

Mangroves are highly productive, dynamic ecosystems that occur in intertidal areas in tropical and temperate regions. These woody trees or shrubs are important because of their global extent and high productivity. Africa has 20 % of global mangroves, with 74 % on the west coast and 26 % on the east coast.

Salinity exacerbates oil contamination effects in mangroves.

The effects of salinity (10 and 50% seawater) and oil in combination on three mangroves, Avicennia marina, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, and Rhizophora mucronata, were investigated. In all species, plant height, number of leaves, and CO exchange were generally higher in 10% than in 50% seawater. Salinity and oil decreased plant height, number of leaves, chlorophyll content, and CO exchange, with reductions being greater at the higher salinity.

The role of soluble E-selectin in HIV associated preeclampsia.

Objective: To determine the serum concentration of soluble E-selectin (sE-selectin) in HIV associated preeclampsia.

Study Design: The study population (n = 72) consisted of normotensive pregnant (n = 36) and preeclamptic (n = 36) women stratified by HIV status (negative vs. positive).

Oil induces chlorophyll deficient propagules in mangroves.

In Australia, some trees of the mangrove, Avicennia marina, growing in a chronic oil polluted site, produce chlorophyll deficient (albino) propagules. We tested the hypothesis that albinism was due to an oil-induced mutant allele that controls photosynthesis. We determined whether there are genetic differences between normal and chlorophyll deficient propagules.

Biodegradable Stents in Resistant Peptic Oesophageal Stricture: Is It the Right Way to Go?

Peptic oesophageal stricture can be considered as the end result of prolonged gastro-oesophageal reflux. The 'gold standard' treatment for peptic stricture is endoscopic dilatation with balloon or bougie. It is predicted that up to 40% of patients remain symptomatic with dysphagia due to refractory (resistant to treatment) or recurrent strictures, needing frequent interventions at short intervals.

Comparative transcriptome and translatome analysis in contrasting rice genotypes reveals differential mRNA translation in salt-tolerant Pokkali under salt stress.

Background: Soil salinity is one of the primary causes of yield decline in rice. Pokkali (Pok) is a highly salt-tolerant landrace, whereas IR29 is a salt-sensitive but widely cultivated genotype. Comparative analysis of these genotypes may offer a better understanding of the salinity tolerance mechanisms in rice.

Uptake and accumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the mangroves Avicennia marina and Rhizophora mucronata.

This study investigated the uptake and accumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in two mangrove species, Avicennia marina and Rhizophora mucronata. We tested the hypothesis that A. marina would absorb and accumulate more PAHs than R.

Financial implications of laparoscopic hot gallbladder service in a nontertiary District General Hospital.

Introduction: The service of providing index admission laparoscopic cholecystectomy (IALC), as recommended by NIC guidelines, often falls short in nontertiary centres because of a combination of limited resources and financial constraints.

Methods: This retrospective study in a single-centre District General Hospital included 50 patients, eligible to undergo IALC, and calculated potential savings from performing IALC on the day of admission by considering admission tariffs, bed, and operating costs.

Results: The IALC was provided in 19 patients (38%), with a mean delay from admission to operation of (median) 3 days.

Are pioneer mangroves more vulnerable to oil pollution than later successional species?

Propagules of Avicennia marina, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza and Rhizophora mucronata were cultivated in rhizotrons (root observation chambers) and subjected to sediment oiling treatments for 409days to determine the effects of oil on root growth. Oiling reduced root length, specific root length, relative root growth rate and root diameter, while specific root volume increased. Oiling reduced root length by 96% in A.

Uptake of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their cellular effects in the mangrove Bruguiera gymnorrhiza.

The uptake of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their cellular effects were investigated in the mangrove Bruguiera gymnorrhiza. Seedlings were subjected to sediment oiling for three weeks. In the oiled treatment, the ƩPAHs was higher in roots (99%) than in leaves (1%).

Mangrove propagule size and oil contamination effects: Does size matter?

Three mangroves species with differential propagule size, Avicennia marina (2.5±0.3cm), Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (16±2cm) and Rhizophora mucronata (36±3cm), were subjected to oil contamination.

Micromorphology, histochemistry and ultrastructure of the foliar trichomes of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Solanaceae).

The leaves of Withania somnifera contained four morphologically distinct trichome types: glandular capitate, non-glandular dendritic (branched), non-glandular bicellular and non-glandular multicellular trichomes. Major phytochemical compounds present within glandular and non-glandular trichomes were alkaloids and phenolic compounds. The aim of this study was to characterize the micromorphology of the foliar trichomes of Withania somnifera as well as to elucidate the location and composition of the secretory products.

Glandular trichomes of Ceratotheca triloba (Pedaliaceae): morphology, histochemistry and ultrastructure.

This study was initiated to characterize the distribution, morphology, secretion mode, histochemistry and ultrastructure of the glandular trichomes of Ceratotheca triloba using light and electron microscopy. Its leaves bear two morphologically distinct glandular trichomes. The first type has long trichome with 8-12 basal cells of pedestal, 3-14 stalk cells, a neck cell and a head of four cells in one layer.

Factors contributing to dwarfing in the mangrove Avicennia marina.

Background And Aims: In Richards Bay, South Africa, Avicennia marina frequently exhibits a distinct productivity gradient, with tree height decreasing markedly from 6-10 m in the fringe zone to <1.5 m in the dwarf zone which is 120 m inland at a slightly higher elevation. In this investigation, soil physico-chemical conditions between fringe and dwarf A.

The effects of coal dust on photosynthetic performance of the mangrove, Avicennia marina in Richards Bay, South Africa.

Richards Bay, on the northern KwaZulu-Natal coast, is the largest coal exporting port in South Africa. The coal is stored at the Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) prior to export. Dust from coal operations is a major problem in the Richards Bay area.

Quantitative trait loci for low aflatoxin production in two related maize populations.

Aflatoxin B(1) formed by Aspergillus flavus Fr:Link has been associated with animal disease and liver cancer in humans. We performed genetic studies in progenies derived from maize inbred Tex6, associated with relatively low levels of aflatoxin production, crossed with the historically important inbred B73. (Tex6 x B73) x B73 BC(1)S(1) and Tex6 x B73 F(2:3) mapping populations were produced and evaluated in 1996 and 1997 in Champaign, Ill.

Relationship between morphological and physiological responses to waterlogging and salinity in Sporobolus virginicus (L.) Kunth.

The effects of waterlogging and salinity on morphological and physiological responses in the marsh grass Sporobolus virginicus (L.) Kunth were investigated in a 4×2 factorial experiment. Plants were subjected to four salinity levels (0, 100, 200 and 400 mol m NaCl) and two soil inundation conditions (drained and flooded) for 42 days.

Waterlogging responses of Sporobolus virginicus (L.) Kunth.

Flooding responses in Sporobolus virginicus (L.) Kunth., a perennial C grass, propagated from plants collected on the fringes of a mangrove swamp, were examined in a glasshouse study over 42 days.

EFFECTS OF SALINITY AND NITROGEN ON GROWTH AND WATER RELATIONS IN THE MANGROVE, AVICENNIA MARINA (FORSK.) VIERH.

Young plants of Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh, were subjected to a factorial experiment with three concentrations of NaCl (0.1, 0.

Benign duodenocolic fistula. A report of 3 cases.

Duodenocolic fistulae, although often malignant in aetiology, may result from a wide range of relatively benign disease processes. A report is given of 3 patients with benign duodenocolic fistulae, in 2 on the basis of tuberculosis and in 1 after a duodenal ulcer. The subject is reviewed and the ease of management and good prognosis are stressed.

Viral hepatitis.

The natural history of and biochemical changes in 27 patients with viral hepatitis are outlined. Analysis is made of the symptomatology and physical signs at the time of presentation as well as a comparison between hepatitis B surface antigen-positive and negative patients. In general, hepatitis B surface antigen-positive patients have a more severe clinical illness as well as greater biochemical derangement and a longer duration of disease.