Ocular complications after kidney transplantation: a case report and review of literature

Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type II (MPGN II), also known as a dense deposit disease, is a chronic progressive kidney disease that often progresses to end-stage renal disease within 10 years. Most patients also have multiple subretinal white spots or drusen-like deposits that are histopathologically identical to the glomerular basement membrane deposits. The purpose is to determine ocular findings in a patient with MPGN II before and after renal transplantation and to correlate them with clinical characteristics related to transplantation and review of literature. We present a case of a 45-year-old female with MPGN II who developed bilateral serous retinal detachment and retinal hemorrhages in the left eye, which appeared 6 months after a renal transplant. Ocular complications in our case, with the exception on the retina, were present at the cornea and iris. Changes to the eyes were independent of the renal disease, because there was no recurrence of MPGN II on the renal graft.     

Eco-Friendly Adhesives Based on the Oligomeric Condensed Tannins-Rich Extract from Alder Bark for Particleboard and Plywood Production

Toxic formaldehyde emissions, and the necessity to reduce the consumption of petrochemicals, stimulates the development of environmentally friendly adhesives. The aim of this research was to study, for the first time, the possibility of using condensed tannins (CTs)-rich extracts from grey alder (Alnus incana) and black alder (Alnus glutinosa) bark in the production of particleboards and plywood adhesives. The chemical structure, composition, and molecular weight of the CTs were identified by a ¹³C-NMR and TOF-MS analysis. Three innovative adhesive systems were studied: CTs-phenol-formaldehyde (CTs-PF) resin; a CTs-polyethyleneimine (PEI) adhesive system; and CTs–PEI combined with an ultra-low emitting formaldehyde resin (ULEFR)—CTs–PEI–ULEFR. The results showed that CTs-PF resin has properties close to commercial PF resin, and the formaldehyde emission was twice lower. CTs–PEI bonded particleboards corresponded to the requirements of the EN 312:2010 standard for particleboards in dry conditions (Type P2). CTs–PEI–ULEFR, with a 40–60% substitution of ULEFR by CTs–PEI, had adhesive properties very close to ULEFR; the plywood shear strength fit the requirements of the EN 314-2:1993 standard for application in internal and external system conditions. The introduction of extracted alder bark residues microparticles into the composition of the adhesive system showed their positive potential for application as a filler.     

Reliability and Responsiveness of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures of Neck Disability to Physical Therapy: Comparison of the Copenhagen,Northwick Park,and Neck Bournemouth Questionnaires and the Neck Disability Index

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to identify the external and internal reliability and responsiveness of the validated patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) of neck pain to a standardized regimen of physiotherapy administered acutely after mild whiplash injury using the clinically significant improvement components of the Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) as the outcome measure.MethodsEighty-six patients with neck pain alone were referred for physiotherapy within 2 weeks of whiplash injury. They completed the Copenhagen, Northwick Park (NP), and Neck Bournemouth (NBQ) questionnaires and the Neck Disability Index (NDI) before starting and after treatment when they also completed the PGIC. Treatment comprised deep soft tissue massage, myofascial releases, muscle energy techniques, joint articulation and manipulation techniques, and a home exercise program. The duration of treatment was between 3 and 6 weeks. A PGIC of 6 or 7 was considered to be clinically significant improvement.ResultsThe external reliability of the PROMs was >0.7 and internal >0.87. All components of the PROMs contributed to the final score except headache in the Copenhagen and upper-limb dysesthesia in the NP. The most reliable questionnaire was the NBQ, which was significantly more responsive than the Copenhagen (P = .008). The NBQ was slightly more responsive than the NDI and NP. The NBQ and NDI were successfully completed more frequently than the NP and Copenhagen.ConclusionThe NP, NDI, and NBQ are all reliable and responsive measures of change after physiotherapy for neck pain after acute whiplash injury.     

Detection of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 in exhaled breath condensate of rats with pneumonia due to staphylococcal enterotoxin B

Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) may contain mediators of acute lung injury. The objectives were to determine if EBC could be collected in a mechanically ventilated rat, to measure tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the EBC after staphylococcal enterotoxin B administration (SEB) and to find out if the concentrations of TNF-α and IL-6 correlated with those in lung lavage. Four hours after SEB instillation, rats were placed on mechanical ventilation and EBC was collected over 90 minutes. Lung lavage was collected and white cell count was determined. TNF-α and IL-6 were measured in the EBC and lavage. EBC was available in a sufficient quantity (250-400 μL) for the measurement of cytokines. The rats that received SEB had an inflammatory response when compared to control rats as shown by an increase in white cell count. TNF-α and IL-6 were detected in the EBC. Concentration of TNF-α correlated with that in the lavage (r = .497, P = .021), whereas IL-6 did not. EBC can be collected in rats in sufficient quantities to study acute lung injury. TNF-α and IL-6 can be measured in the EBC. Correlation between TNF-α in the EBC and lavage was demonstrated in this rat model of lung injury.