Development of objective performance metrics for ultrasound-guided internal jugular vein cannulation on behalf of the College of Anaesthesiologists of Ireland and observation of scores amongst novice and experienced operators.

Background: Ultrasound-guided, internal jugular venous (IJV) cannulation is a core technical skill for anaesthesiologists and intensivists.

Objectives: At a modified Delphi panel meeting, to define and reach consensus on a set of objective ultrasound-guided IJV cannulation performance metrics on behalf of the College of Anaesthesiologists of Ireland (CAI). To use these metrics to objectively score video recordings of novice and experienced anaesthesiologists.

Breathlessness and Respiratory Disability After Kidney Transplantation.

Background: Dyspnea is a common symptom in patients with end-stage kidney disease being treated with dialysis. This study aimed to ascertain the level of respiratory disability in patients after kidney transplantation through assessing a cohort of kidney allograft recipients for respiratory compromise and thereby identifying a potential target for therapeutic intervention.

Methods: Kidney transplant recipients who were under active observation in a single tertiary referral center were invited to take part in this prevalence study at the time of clinic follow-up.

Hypersegmented neutrophils and oval macrocytes in the setting of B deficiency and pancytopaenia.

Vitamin B deficiency is a recognised pathology in several populations, with a particular prevalence in an older adult population. We present two cases whereby vitamin B deficiency is the causative factor in marked pancytopaenia. Oval macrocytosis and hypersegmented neutrophils were noted on both peripheral blood samples, which are a characteristic finding in macrocytic anaemia due to B deficiency.

Presenilins are novel substrates for TRAF6-mediated ubiquitination.

Mutations in presenilins (PS1 and PS2) have been linked to the pathogenesis of early onset familial Alzheimer's disease. Presenilins function as the catalytic component of the γ-secretase protease complexes responsible for the cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein (APP), subsequent generation of amyloid-β and associated amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease. Biochemical and genetic studies have revealed that through interactions with several proteins, the presenilins are functionally involved in a range of cellular processes, including the regulation of intracellular calcium homeostasis.