Changes in plasma volume during hypohydration and rehydration in subjects from the tropics

Summary Plasma volume (PV) at different levels of hypohydration was determined using radio-iodinated serum albumin-125 in 28 heat acclimated male volunteers in hot dry conditions in a climatic chamber. The heat acclimated subjects were hypohydrated to varying degrees i.e. 1%, 2%, 3% and 4% body mass deficit by moderate work in hot conditions in a climatic chamber maintained at 45°C dry bulb temperature and 30% relative humidity. A rehydration study was carried out in only those subjects who were hypohydrated to 3% and 4% body mass and they were brought back to a 2% level of hypohydration by giving a calculated amount of water. A significant decrease in PV was observed at 3% and 4% hypohydration only. The magnitude of the decrease was the same in both the groups and not related to the level of hypohydration. With partial rehydration in the 3% hypohydrated group PV was restored fully, while in the 4% hypohydrated group restoration was incomplete, indicating that at this hypohydration level some of the replenished water that entered in plasma may have moved to the intracellular compartment which may have contributed more at 4% hypohydration. It is suggested that with higher levels of thermal hypohydration significant reduction in the intracellular compartment may result in accentuated physiological strain during work in the heat.     

Recent trends in development of biosensors for detection of microcystin

Increased cyanobacterial blooms, a source of cyanotoxins are linked with climate change and eutrophication in aquatic bodies, a major concern worldwide. Microcystins are potently hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic as well as carcinogenic. Thus microcystins are threat to tourism, agriculture and animal's health. However, there is a still lacuna in the knowledge of regulation of microcystins production. Presence of toxic and non-toxic cyanobacterial strains together and occurrence of various microcystin variants in aquatic bodies compounded the problem. Although several analytical techniques for microcystin detection such as bioassay, ELISA, HPLC and LC-MS etc. have been already prevalent, the development of biosensors offered rapid and accurate detection, high reproducibility and portability. Sequencing of Microcystis spp., opened the new vistas towards the development of biosensor at molecular and genetic level. This review incorporates the current trends in the development of biosensors for microcystin detection in the light of state-of-the-art techniques.     

Incidence and Risk of Intestinal and Extra-intestinal Complications in Medicaid Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A 5-Year Population-Based Study

Background and Aim  

Intestinal and extra-intestinal complications are associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) but their exact incidence is not well known. In order to improve our understanding of their incidence and impact, we assessed the complications associated with ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD) in a population-based study in Medicaid patients.     

Cystic Mass in Interventricular Septum; A Rare Presentation of Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm

A young male presented with progressively increasing breathlessness for one year. Echocardiography showed a cystic echolucent cavity in interventricular septum communicating with sinus of Valsalva. A diagnosis of unruptured aneurysm of Valsalva dissecting into the interventricular septum was made. This complication is extremely rare and early recognition may prevent a potential catastrophe. (Echocardiography 2010;27:E117‐E118)     

Efficacy and safety of anti-D for immune thrombocytopenic purpura in children

This study was conducted in 20 children (16 males) (mean age 9.2 ± 4.34y) with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) to assess the response to anti-D immunoglobulin. Six patients had newly diagnosed ITP, 6 had persistent ITP and 8 had chronic ITP. The overall response rate was 70% (14/20). The median time to response was 3 days (1–13 days). Response to anti-D was not related to age, sex, severity of bleeding, platelet counts at presentation, ABO blood group, or prior steroid or IVIG response.     

MAGRIT: The Largest-Ever Phase III Lung Cancer Trial Aims to Establish a Novel Tumor-Specific Approach to Therapy

This clinical trial summary provides the background and rationale for a randomized trial, MAGRIT, to investigate the efficacy of MAGE-A3 antigen-specific cancer immunotherapeutic (ASCI) agents in preventing cancer relapse, when administered after tumor resection, in patients with MAGE-A3—positive stages IB, II, and IIIA Non–Small-cell lung cancer. The study will also evaluate potential side effects of MAGE-A3 ASCIs. The primary endpoint is disease-free survival. The secondary endpoint is prospective validation of the gene signature predictive of benefit from MAGE-A3 ASCI therapy.