Congenital lumbar hernia in association with carpus equina varus.

A rare case of congenital lumbar hernia associated with carpus equina varus is described in a week old baby. The treatment is described with limited review of the literature.     

Effects of Salvadora persica extracts on mice exploratory locomotion activities

The effects of Salvadora persica extracts on mice exploratory locomotor activities and stereotype movements have been determined. Mice injected with Salvadora persica extracts showed significantly low exploratory locomotor activity. The total distance travelled by naive mice injected with saline, during the first 5 min of introduction into an activity cage (Session 1) was 1007 +/- 105 cm/5 min, in contrast to 800 +/- 75, 540 +/- 100 and 330 +/- 55 cm/5 min for naive mice injected i.p. with 5.7, 14.3 and 28.6 ml/kg Salvadora persica extract. The exploratory locomotion of Salvadora persica treated mice declined faster than that of the controls. Mice injected with Salvadora persica extract also showed a significantly lower number of stereotype movements (P less than 0.05). The stereotype movements of the control was 175 +/- 5 movements/5 min and 90 +/- 10, 118 +/- 15 and 35 +/- 11 for mice injected with 5.7, 14.3 and 28.6 ml/kg, Salvadora persica extract, respectively.     

维药硬尖神香草中熊果酸的薄层鉴别方法研究

目的:以熊果酸为对照品,建立新疆维吾尔药材硬尖神香草的薄层色谱鉴别方法。方法:收集两个产地8个批次的硬尖神香草生药材,根据2010版《中国药典》附录VI B(薄层色谱法)中相关项下方法进行薄层鉴别,以熊果酸作为对照品,考察不同展开系统、显色剂、温度、湿度、点样量和不同厂家硅胶板对尖神香草中熊果酸薄层鉴别的影响,从中选出维药硬尖神香草中熊果酸薄层鉴别的最佳条件。结果:吸取供试品溶液和对照品溶液各3μl点于青岛海洋化工有限公司产高效硅胶板上,在三氯甲烷-丙酮(12∶1)系统中展开,喷以10%硫酸乙醇显色,供试品与熊果酸对照品在同样的位置显紫色的斑点,所得的薄层色谱分离效果较好。结论:研究建立的硬尖神香草药材中熊果酸的薄层鉴别方法操作简便,重现性好,专属性强,可以用于维吾尔药硬尖神香草的质量控制。     

Inhibition of protein synthesis by trimethyltin

The effects of trimethyltin chloride (TMT) on protein synthesis, measured as the incorporation of [3H]valine into trichloroacetic acid-precipitable material, were investigated in mice. One hour after intraperitoneal administration of a 3.0 mg/kg dose, TMT decreased brain protein synthesis by 47% and also caused a significant decrease (4.2 degrees C) in body temperature. When hypothermia was prevented by maintaining the animals at 35 degrees C, TMT decreased protein synthesis by 20%. Twenty-four hours following administration of TMT, protein synthesis was decreased in brain and liver; however, only a reduction of brain protein synthesis was observed at 48 hr. No hypothermia was present at either time point. A regional study in brain showed that at 24 and 48 hr after TMT administration, protein synthesis was decreased by 18-23% in cerebral cortex and hippocampus but not in cerebellum. TMT also inhibited protein synthesis in vitro in mouse brain homogenates with an IC50 of about 100 microM. Neither SnCl2, nor dimethyltin or monomethyltin had any effect on protein synthesis in vitro. These results suggest that, as for other neurotoxicants such as methyl mercury or acrylamide, inhibition of protein synthesis might be involved in TMT neurotoxicity.     

Psychometric Properties of Osteoporosis Knowledge Tool and Self-Management Behaviours Among Malaysian Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Osteoporosis is a major growing public health problem and it is clear that much needs to be done to bridge the gap between patients and practitioners. However, the educator must have a valid and reliable tool to evaluate the effectiveness of the teaching and learning that are done. Osteoporosis Knowledge Tool (OKT) provides an important strategy for healthcare professionals to start early intervention for patients who are at risk of osteoporosis. The aims of this study were to translate and examine the psychometric properties of the Malaysian version of the Osteoporosis Knowledge Tool (OKT-M) among 250 type 2 diabetes patients and to assess factors that affect diabetic patients’ osteoporosis knowledge. The OKT English version was translated and validated using the internationally accepted and recommended methodology. The sensitivity and specificity of OKT-M was calculated using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. The face and content validity showed acceptable results. Internal consistency, test–retest reliability, mean difficulty factor and discriminatory power values were 0.72, 0.83, 0.47 ± 0.16 and 0.96, respectively. The cut-off point of the OKT-M to predict osteoporosis/osteopenia was 14 with optimal sensitivity (84.1 %) and specificity (85.5 %). Regression analysis revealed that health belief, self-efficacy and some demographic data had an impact on the OKT-M. The findings of this validation study indicate that the OKT-M is a reliable and valid tool with good psychometric properties in the Malaysian setting. The OKT-M is an appropriate tool for application in clinical setting to identify patients need for a bone health-promoting intervention regarding lifestyle behaviour changes.     

Safety of total dose iron dextran infusion in geriatric patients with chronic kidney disease and iron deficiency anemia

There are limited data on total dose infusion (TDI) using iron dextran in geriatric chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients with iron-deficiency anemia (IDA). Our goal was to evaluate the safety of TDI in this setting. We conducted a retrospective chart review spanning a 5 year period (2002–2007), including all patients with CKD and IDA who were treated with iron dextran TDI. Patient demographics were noted, and laboratory values for creatinine, hemoglobin and iron stores were recorded pre- and post-dose. TDI diluted in normal saline was administered intravenously over 4-6 hours after an initial test dose. One hundred fifty-three patients received a total of 250 doses of TDI (mean?±?SD?=?971?±?175?mg); age was 69?±?12 years and creatinine 3.3?±?1.9?mg/dL. All stages of CKD were represented (stage 4 commonest). Hemoglobin and iron stores improved post-TDI (P?P?=?0.1433 by Fishers Exact Test). Iron dextran TDI is relatively safe and effective in correcting IDA in geriatric CKD patients. Fewer AEs were noted with the LMW compared to the HMW product. LMW iron dextran given as TDI can save both cost and time, helping to alleviate issues of non-compliance and patient scheduling.     

Vasopressin-independent regulation of collecting duct aquaporin-2 in food deprivation

BACKGROUND: Humans and animals are frequently subjected to food deprivation or starvation. However, the adaptation of the kidney to this condition is not well understood. The purpose of these studies was to examine the effects of food deprivation on water handling by the kidney, the expression levels of collecting duct (CD) water channel aquaporin-2 (AQP2), and to determine the role of vasopressin in the adaptation of AQP2 to food deprivation. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley (SD) and Brattleboro rats were placed in metabolic cages and deprived of food but had free access to water for 72 hours. Water balance and urine osmolality were measured daily. Kidney tissues were isolated and examined for the expression of AQP2 using semiquantitative immunoblotting and Northern hybridization. The circulating level of vasopressin and the mRNA expression levels of its precursor were determined by radioimmunoassay and Northern hybridization, respectively. RESULTS: In SD rats, the first 24 hours of food deprivation is associated with a significant polyuria and decreased urine osmolality (Uosm). This correlated with a significant down-regulation of AQP2 in the cortex and outer medulla. After 72 hours of food deprivation, Uosm increased above baseline, and urine volume dropped to a lower value. This was associated with a rebound increase in AQP2 expression in the cortex and OM and its up-regulation in the inner medulla. Interestingly, vasopressin mRNA expression and plasma levels were unchanged during food deprivation. Further, in homozygous Brattleboro rats, in which endogenous vasopressin is absent, food deprivation caused changes in urine volume, urine osmolality, and AQP2 expression, which are qualitatively similar to those observed in normal rats. CONCLUSION: Food deprivation impairs water handling by the kidney by causing dual changes in urine volume and urine osmolality. This effect is associated with parallel alterations in the expression of AQP2 and is independent of vasopressin activity. It is concluded that the increase in water reabsorption in the CD is an adaptive response of the kidney to a long period of food deprivation and is mediated via a vasopressin-independent mechanism.     

Maternal Tetanus at the University College Hospital in Ibadan Nigeria: A 15-Year Retrospective Analysis

Objective To determine the characteristics of women with maternal tetanus, pattern of presentation and outcome of management. Methods A total of 19 women were managed with maternal tetanus between 1990 and 2005 from the University College Hospital in Ibadan Nigeria. A retrospective study was performed. The medical records of all women managed as a case of maternal tetanus were retrieved from the central record department of the hospital. The pattern of presentation, characteristics of women, the duration of hospital admission, tetanus toxoid immunization, and outcome of care were measured. Results The records of 18 women managed were analyzed. The mean age at presentation was 25.2 ±5.3 years. The patients were mostly single, nulliparous and had primary school education. The maternal tetanus cases seen mainly complicated induced abortion while 5 and 2 other cases were due to childbirth complication and leg wound respectively. The portal of entry of the remaining 3 cases could not be ascertained. None of the patient managed had complete immunization schedule. The average duration of admission was 11.2 ± 6. 7 d. Five women had intensive care with 3 of them requiring ventilatory support. The case fatality rate was 66. 7%. The only factor that significantly improved survival was presence of generalized spasm at presentation （P=0.006） Conclusion The occurrence of maternal tetanus is a reflection of low quality of health care delivery and lack or inefficient routine immunization coverage in any community.