Changes in renal volume during normal pregnancy

Twenty-four healthy pregnant women with a normal pregnancy demonstrated a significant uniform enlargement of both kidneys. The renal volumes increased by a maximum of 30% during pregnancy. However, this could not be attributed to hydronephrosis, as the patients were selected in such a way that none with pelvectasia participated in the study. All regained normal renal volume within the first week after delivery. It is well known that a glomerular hyperfiltration takes place during normal pregnancy. Possible pathogenetic mechanisms are discussed.     

Foreign body removal with fine-nosed forceps and assistance of image intensification

Foreign body removal has been developed as a routine radiology department service. Techniques, indications and hazards are described.     

Loading of Tetanus Toxoid to Biodegradable Nanoparticles from Branched Poly(Sulfobutyl-Polyvinyl Alcohol)-g-(Lactide-Co-Glycolide) Nanoparticles by Protein Adsorption: A Mechanistic Study

Purpose. Mucosal delivery of vaccine-loaded nanoparticles (NP) is an attractive proposition from an immunologic perspective. Although numerous NP preparation methods are known, sufficient antigen loading of NP remains a challenge. The aim of this study was to evaluate adsorptive loading of NP with a negatively charged surface structure using tetanus toxoid (TT) as a model vaccine. Methods. Blank NP, consisting of poly(sulfobutyl-polyvinyl alcohol)-g-(lactide-co-glycolide), as well as poly(lactide-co-glycolide) NP were prepared by a solvent displacement technique. The use of polymers with different degrees of substitution resulted in NP with different negative surfaces charges. Adsorption of TT to NP was performed varying to NP surface properties, protein equilibrium concentration, and loading conditions. Results. The protein adsorption was controlled by NP surface properties, and maximum TT adsorption occurred at highly negatively charged NP surfaces. Results from isothermal titration calorimetry and -potential measurement suggest an adsorption process governed by electrostatic interactions. The adsorption followed the Langmuir isotherm in the concentration ranges studied. TT withstood this gentle loading procedure in a nonaggregated, enzyme-linked immunoabsorbant assay-active form. Conclusions. The results demonstrate that negatively charged NP consisting of poly(sulfobutyl-polyvinyl alcohol)-g-(lactide-co-glycolide) are suitable for adsorptive loading with TT and may have potential for mucosal vaccination.     

Unusual presentation of perirenal lung metastases

Lung cancer is not commonly known to metastasise to the perirenal space, with only five such cases previously published. We present an unusual case of perirenal lung metastases manifesting as diffuse perinephric stranding which to our knowledge has not been described before.     

Breast cancer cell lines: friend or foe?

The majority of breast cancer research is conducted using established breast cancer cell lines as in vitro models. An alternative is to use cultures established from primary breast tumours. Here, we discuss the pros and cons of using both of these models in translational breast cancer research.     

Effects of bilateral subthalamic nucleus stimulation on parkinsonian gait.

Gait analysis was carried out to assess the effects of L-dopa and bilateral subthalamic nucleus stimulation on gait velocity, cadence, stride length, and gait kinematics in nine patients with PD. Substantial effects of bilateral subthalamic nucleus stimulation on gait, with an increase in gait velocity and stride length comparable to that of a suprathreshold L-dopa dose, were found. Interestingly, stride length was more improved by L-dopa and cadence more by subthalamic nucleus stimulation. In two patients with freezing during the "on" period, subthalamic nucleus stimulation failed to reduce this symptom effectively.     

Paracetamol use, availability, and knowledge of toxicity among British and American adolescents

Paracetamol is the commonest agent employed in self poisoning, however it is not clear whether adolescents possess insight into the serious complications associated with its misuse. Using a one page questionnaire, the availability, usage, and knowledge of toxicity of paracetamol among 1147 American and British adolescents was assessed. Although 90% of all students recognised that paracetamol could kill, the great majority of students overestimated the lethal dose. In addition, while knowledge regarding side effects of paracetamol was poor the drug was widely available to, and used by, the study population. It is proposed that gross overestimation of the number of tablets required to kill, poor understanding of paracetamol side effects, and wide availability of the drug contribute to its frequent use in adolescent suicidal behaviour. The inclusion of some over-the-counter medications in school drug education programs in addition to tighter control of the availability of paracetamol may help reduce the problem of adolescent self poisoning.     

Screening for a raised rectal temperature in Africa

The main purpose of this study was to compare rectal and axillary temperature measurements in African children. Altogether 573 sick children were seen in an outpatient setting in rural West Africa. Rectal and axillary temperatures were measured and the parent or guardian was asked if they thought that the child had a raised body temperature. Normal ranges were defined from an age matched population of 203 healthy children. A raised axillary temperature predicted a raised rectal temperature with a sensitivity of 98% and a specificity of 88%. The parents' impression that their child had a fever was a less sensitive (89%) and less specific (59%) indicator of raised rectal temperature. A raised axillary temperature is a good screening test for a raised rectal temperature in African children.     

Right heart pressure determination by Doppler in infants with tricuspid regurgitation

Doppler and direct measurements of right ventricle to right atrial pressure drop were made during cardiac catheterisation on 28 occasions in 26 infants with congenital heart disease. Age was 10 days to 12 months (median 4.5 months), and weight was 3.1 to 9.0 kg (median 4.7 kg). We measured peak velocity of tricuspid regurgitation by continuous wave Doppler, and the pressure drop was calculated using the modified Bernoulli equation (delta p = 4v2). There was a high correlation (r = 0.95) between direct and Doppler measurements. Doppler values tended to underestimate the right ventricle to right atrial pressure drop, but this was not of clinical significance (mean 2 mm Hg). The 95% confidence interval for the Doppler velocity was -0.41 to +0.26 m/sec, and was consistent across the range of pressures studied. Variability between observers was tested, by two observers performing sequential paired examinations on 16 newborn babies with tricuspid regurgitation. The coefficient of repeatability was 6.3 mm Hg (95% confidence interval 4.7 to 9.5 mm Hg) or 0.26 m/sec (0.18 to 0.50 m/sec). This method of right ventricular pressure estimation, validated previously only in older children and adults, is a reproducible and accurate technique in infants with tricuspid regurgitation.