Sensors in blockchain.

Blockchain, the technology behind bitcoin, has stimulated global conversation around digital decentralization to connect societies and economies. Connected low-cost sensors within Internet of Things (IoT) networks may soon perform measurements, exchange data, and make decisions automatically over decentralized networks; these systems could improve healthcare, the quality of goods, and supply chain efficiency.

Detection of spreading depolarization with intraparenchymal electrodes in the injured human brain.

Background: Spreading depolarization events following ischemic and traumatic brain injury are associated with poor patient outcome. Currently, monitoring these events is limited to patients in whom subdural electrodes can be placed at open craniotomy. This study examined whether these events can be detected using intra-cortical electrodes, opening the way for electrode insertion via burr hole.

Successful minimally-invasive management of a case of giant prostatic hypertrophy associated with recurrent nephrogenic adenoma of the prostate.

Background: Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH) is said to affect at least a third of men over 60. However, the literature contains fewer than 200 reports of prostates over 200g in mass - Giant Prostatic Hypertrophy (GPH). Nephrogenic adenomas are benign lesions of the urinary tract that are believed to represent the local proliferation of shed renal tubular cells implanting at sites of urothelial injury.

Acute Renal Failure in Association with Community-Acquired Clostridium difficile Infection and McKittrick-Wheelock Syndrome.

We report the case of a 65-year-old Caucasian woman who experienced two separate episodes of acute renal failure within an 18-month period, both requiring emergency admission and complicated treatment. Each episode was precipitated by hypovolaemia from intestinal fluid losses, but from two rare and independent pathologies. Her first admission was attributed to community-acquired Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea (CDAD) and was treated in the intensive therapy unit.

The rod and the serpent: history's ultimate healing symbol.

The snake has served as a medical emblem for more than 2400 years, since its association with the ancient Greek god of medicine and healing, Asclepius, in the 4th century BC. Its symbolic background can be traced further back to the worship of gods of earth's blossom in ancient Egypt and earth-related deities of the archaic period of Greek antiquity. It is featured entwined around a staff of knowledge and wisdom in most anaglyphs depicting Asclepius.

An intrahepatic calculus superimposed over the right renal shadow: a case of mistaken identity.

A 36-year-old Caucasian British woman presented with a classic case of right renal colic. Initial plain abdominal radiography and intravenous urography identified an 8 x 5 mm calculus apparently lying within a right lower pole calyx. Following failed extracorporeal lithotripsy and flexible ureterorenoscopy, cross-sectional imaging revealed a misdiagnosis by superposition of an intrahepatic calculus over the right renal shadow.