Polysaccharide-based tissue adhesives for sealing corneal incisions

PURPOSE: To investigate the ability of a novel polysaccharide-based tissue adhesive to seal corneal incisions, and to determine the effect of the tissue adhesive on corneal endothelial cells. METHODS: A polysaccharide-based tissue adhesive composed of dextran aldehyde and star PEG amines was applied to a 5-mm corneal incision on an enucleated rabbit eye, and the leak pressure of the eye was measured. The tissue adhesive was additionally incubated in direct contact with bovine corneal endothelial cells to evaluate cytotoxicity. RESULTS: The polysaccharide-based tissue adhesive was successful in sealing corneal incisions to pressures of > 10 psi (500 mmHg). The tissue adhesive was non-cytotoxic to bovine corneal endothelial cells. CONCLUSIONS: Polysaccharide-based tissue adhesives are efficacious in sealing corneal wounds and are non-cytotoxic to corneal endothelial cells. Such adhesives represent a promising new technology for ophthalmic surgery.     

Oval cells and cystic structures in multiplication of M leprae

Ten preserved biopsy suspensions from leprosy patients were inoculated in biphasic medium and incubated alternatively in refrigerator and at 37 °C. The cultures were observed every week for 3 months. The typical actinomycetoid growth appeared within 3-5 days. Microscopically, two types of cysts (unstained and dark) were seen along with oval cells. Dark cysts showed developement of irregular septae or cracks breaking the mass into irregular quadrangular pieces. Granular acid-fast material could be made out inside the cracks and around the cysts. Oval cells were seen either independently or organised around pink homogeneous material. The oval cells were stained blue or pink. Some of them showed both blue and pink shades.     

Epithelioid and polygonal cells in histoid leprosy

Salient histological features of 36 histoid leprosy were presented. Usual features like whorls and interlacing bundles of spindle cells, histoid habitus of the bacilli were noticed in all the cases. Pseudocapsule was present in 6 cases. Circumscribed islets of epithelioid cells were seen in the deeper part of the granuloma in 5 cases. Acid-fast bacilli were absent or rare in these cells. Polygonal, foamy macrophages were found in 12 cases. Presence of epithelioid and polygonal cells in histoid leprosy is rare and its significance needs to be explored.     

Effect of treatment on systolic time intervals in systemic arterial hypertension

Twenty-six hypertensive patients and 25 control subjects were studied, and their systolic time intervals (STI) were measured. It was found that an alteration in STI, signifying left ventricular dysfunction, sets in most of the hypertensives earlier than any evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) by clinical, radiological or electrocardiographic criteria. The parameters affected are the PEP interval which shows prolongation and PEP/LVET ratio which is increased. After treatment, the left ventricular performance was found to improve in those who did not reveal evidence of LVH. Thus, STI may be a sensitive indicator of early left ventricular dysfunction in hypertensives and a useful guide to assess improvement after treatment at a stage when other non-invasive methods are not so useful.     

The untapped potential of Instagram to facilitate rheumatology academia

Clinical Rheumatology - Instagram allows for graphical and visual information exchange. This paper aims to explore the current landscape of rheumatology on Instagram and analyse the accounts...     

Essential Medicines: An Indian Perspective

The concept of defining essential medicines and establishing a list of them was aimed to improve the availability of affordable medicines for the world''s poor. Access to essential medicines is a major determinant of health outcomes. Several countries have made substantial progress towards increasing access to essential medicines, but access to essential medicines in developing countries like India is not adequate. In this review we have tried to present the Indian scenario in respect to availability and accessibility of essential medicines over last one decade. To enhance the credibility of Indian healthcare system, procurement and delivery systems of essential medicines have to be strengthened through government commitment, careful selection, adequate public sector financing, efficient distribution systems, control on taxes and duties, and inculcating a culture of rational use of medicines in current and future prescribers.     

Perinatal diagnosis and management of oropharyngeal fetus in fetu: A case report

Fetus in fetu is an extremely rare congenital anomaly. We describe the perinatal diagnosis and management of a fetus with oropharyngeal and cervical fetus in fetu. High‐resolution ultrasonography with 3‐dimensional rendering can identify increased risks of airway obstruction in utero. Early identification allows a multidisciplinary team to be assembled for a scheduled ex utero intrapartum treatment procedure.