Impact of diabetes status on immunogenicity of trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine in older adults

Individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus experience high rates of influenza virus infection and complications. We compared the magnitude and duration of serologic response to trivalent influenza vaccine in adults aged 50–80 with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus. Serologic response to influenza vaccination was similar in both groups: greater fold‐increases in antibody titer occurred among participants with lower pre‐vaccination antibody titers. Waning of antibody titers was not influenced by diabetes status.     

Mucormycosis in COVID-19 patients

Mucormycosis, commonly known as ‘Black Fungus’ which was then a rare fungal infection, has suddenly come to light post the COVID-19- pandemic, more so during the second wave in India. It thus becomes important not only for the medical fraternity but also the general population to build awareness about the same. The present review will focus on the pathophysiology, etiology, outcomes of some case studies, and current treatment methods of mucormycosis infection. Major focus of the current article is on rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis. All the studies included in the present review article was extracted from the PubMed database.     

Imaging features of low-grade central osteosarcoma of the long bones and pelvis

Purpose To determine the age and gender distribution and imaging features of low-grade central osteosarcoma (LGCOS) of the long bones and pelvis and to discuss our findings in the context of lesions for which LGCOS has been mistaken.Materials and methods We reviewed 99 cases of LGCOS collected between 1919 and 2002 from our institution and pathology consultation files. Adequate imaging was available in 70 cases (36 radiographs only, 17 radiographs/CT, 12 radiographs/MRI, 2 radiographs/CT/MRI, 2 CT only, 1 MRI only, 5 bone scans).Results Patient average age was 30.1±14.2 years, with a slight female predominance. The femur and tibia were the most common long bones involved (29 and 20 each) with the majority of these tumors arising around the knee, followed by the fibula, radius, humerus and ulna (four, three, two and one case each). Flat bones were involved in six cases (three pelvis, one rib, two scapulae). Short tubular bones were involved in five cases (two metatarsal, two phalanges, one clavicle). The lesion extended to the end of the affected long bone in 22 of 59 cases. Lesions were large at presentation (mean 7.9±4.6 cm, range 2–24). Four radiographic patterns were identified: lytic with varying amounts of thick and coarse trabeculation (n=22), predominantly lytic with few thin, incomplete trabecula (n=21), densely sclerotic (n=17) and mixed lytic and sclerotic (n=10). Lesions were benign-appearing overall with focally aggressive features. CT or MRI demonstrated cortical breech or extension into the soft tissues in all cases.Conclusions LGCOS has a variable appearance on radiographs. A frequent pattern is a slow-growing large intracompartmental fibro-osseous lesion with varying amounts of septal ossification associated with focal areas of aggression. A homogeneously sclerotic pattern was also noted. Imaging with CT or MRI was helpful in every instance in our series in identifying areas of soft tissue extension or cortical disruption suggestive of a low-grade malignancy.     

Neuroprotective effect of gadolinium: a stretch-activated calcium channel blocker in mouse model of ischemia–reperfusion injury

The present study was designed to investigate the potential of gadolinium, a stretch-activated calcium channel blocker in ischemic reperfusion (I/R)-induced brain injury in mice. Bilateral carotid artery occlusion of 12 min followed by reperfusion for 24 h was given to induce cerebral injury in male Swiss mice. Cerebral infarct size was measured using triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. Memory was assessed using Morris water maze test and motor incoordination was evaluated using rota-rod, lateral push, and inclined beam walking tests. In addition, total calcium, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), reduced glutathione (GSH), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity were also estimated in brain tissue. I/R injury produced a significant increase in cerebral infarct size. A significant loss of memory along with impairment of motor performance was also noted. Furthermore, I/R injury also produced a significant increase in levels of TBARS, total calcium, AChE activity, and a decrease in GSH levels. Pretreatment of gadolinium significantly attenuated I/R-induced infarct size, behavioral and biochemical changes. On the basis of the present findings, we can suggest that opening of stretch-activated calcium channel may play a critical role in ischemic reperfusion-induced brain injury and that gadolinium has neuroprotective potential in I/R-induced injury.     

Abdominal wall abscess due to spilled gallstone presenting 11 years after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Gallstone spillage during laparoscopic cholecystectomy may be a source of significant morbidity. In this report, we describe the clinical course of a patient who presented with a tender right subcostal swelling. She had had a laparoscopic cholecystectomy 11 years earlier. Imaging revealed a dumbbell-shaped abscess in the perihepatic area with communication into the subcutaneous tissue with a stone inside the cavity. The patient underwent abscess drainage and the stone was retrieved. During laparoscopic cholecystectomy, every effort should be made to remove spilled gallstones to prevent further complications but conversion is not mandatory.     

Tribological properties of Ti-based alloys in a simulated bone–implant interface with Ringer’s solution at fretting contacts

The wear properties of oxidized and non-oxidized gamma-TiAl (a potential biomaterial) as well as Ti–6Al–4V and CP-Ti disks were studied and characterized by means of standard wear tests using a custom made bone pin arrangement. The Ti-based disks were oxidized in air at 500 and 800 °C for one hour. The tribological properties of the oxides formed over the disks were studied using a linear reciprocating wear testing machine under both dry and simulated biological conditions using Ringer’s solution. Loss of metal oxide and coefficient of friction values were determined from wear testing. From the results, abrasion and adhesion were the primary wear mechanisms in each of the three alloy–bone pairs. Specifically, the oxide formed on gamma-TiAl possessed the highest COF and wear resistance of the three materials which were studied. Also, as expected, bone wears down faster than the Ti-based metal oxide.