A comparison of bilateral infraorbital nerve block with intravenous fentanyl for analgesia following cleft lip repair in children

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of analgesia with bilateral infraorbital nerve block and intravenous (i.v.) fentanyl were compared for cleft lip surgery in children. METHODS: Eighty-two children aged 3 months to 10 years undergoing cleft lip repair were prospectively randomized to one of two groups: bilateral infraorbital nerve block (Group B), or i.v. fentanyl (Group F). Group B (n = 41) received bilateral infraorbital injection of 1 ml 0.25% bupivacaine and 2 ml i.v. saline as control. Group F (n = 41) received 2 microg x kg(-1) i.v. fentanyl, and bilateral infraorbital injection of 1 ml saline as control. Pain was evaluated by the incidence of tachycardia, hypertension, and/or modified pain score > or =4. The time to awakening, time to first cry and time to feeding were noted. RESULTS: Thirty four children (82.9%) in Group B had adequate analgesia compared with 15 (36.6%) in Group F (P < 0.0001, RR of failure 0.27 for Group B). Group B had a mean time to awakening of 5.65 +/- 2.52 min (Group F: 9.37 +/- 4.50 min; P < 0.0001), time to first cry 32.14 +/- 18.22 min (Group F: 28.00 +/- 16.27 min; P = 0.3), time to feed 62.05 +/- 20.06 min (Group F: 72.44 +/- 17.72; P = 0.015), and pain score 2.81 +/- 1.38 (Group F: 4.71 +/- 1.89; P < 0.0001). There were no major complications. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral infraorbital block is superior to fentanyl in terms of analgesia, and time to awakening and feeding.     

Atherosclerosis and the Lectin-like OXidized low-density lipoprotein scavenger receptor

The Lectin-like OXidized low-density lipoprotein scavenger receptor (LOX-1) is implicated in vascular inflammation and atherosclerotic plaque initiation, progression, and destabilization. LOX-1 levels are elevated upon recognition of oxidized low-density lipoprotein, a key pro-atherogenic substance in the vasculature. Recent evidence indicates this gene product is a biomarker of inflammation and disease status. We review and assess the role of LOX-1 in atherosclerotic plaque formation, physiologic regulation, and as a biomarker and target in cardiovascular disease diagnosis and prevention.     

Cardiac isoform of alpha 2 macroglobulin, an early diagnostic marker for cardiac manifestations in AIDS patients

This study investigated the possible role of the cardiac isoform of alpha 2-macroglobulin (CA2M) as an early diagnostic marker for HIV-associated cardiovascular manifestations. A total of 349 samples were analysed by Western blot and quantified by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The levels of CA2M present in sera of HIV-associated cardiac diseases were significantly higher than those of HIV without cardiac involvement and healthy sera. CA2M may act as a novel diagnostic marker to identify cardiac manifestations in HIV/AIDS patients.     

Inter species variations in cultivable endophytic fungal diversity among the tropical seagrasses

Seagrasses thriving in the marine environment are inhabited with rich endophytic assemblages which are less explored globally. The present study isolated and identified 42 culture dependent endophytic fungi through internal transcribed spacer (ITS1–ITS4) sequences and their phylogenetic placement was ascertained. Among the 42 culturable endophytic fungal isolates, 25 were identified up to species level, 15 to the genera level and 2 to the order level. Fungal taxa were represented by 13 genera (Penicillium, Eupenicillium, Paecilomyces, Aspergillus, Fennellia, Talaromyces, Eurotium, Teratosphaeria, Cladosporium, Alternaria, Cochliobolus, Phialophora and Simplicillium) belonging to the phylum Ascomycota, except Rhizomucor (Seagrass Endophyte—SGE 39) which belonged to Glomeromycota. Of these, 34 were Eurotiomycetes, 4 were Dothideomycetes and 3 were Sordariomycetes. Dothideomycetes are represented mostly by sterile mycelial forms and have only been identified by DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) sequence analysis. Penicillium and Aspergillus were encountered more frequently among all the seagrasses. Seven fungal genera namely Eurotium, Eupenicillium, Teratosphaeria, Simplicillium, Cochliobolus, Rhizomucor and Fennelia are reported for the first time as endophytes from seagrasses. The present study reports subtle variations in distribution of endophytic population in the tropical seagrases.     

Arrhythmic activity in reoxygenated guinea pig papillary muscles and ventricular cells

Aftercontractions, delayed afterdepolarizations, and automaticity occurred in guinea pig papillary muscles that were reoxygenated after hypoxic conditioning. The emergence of dysfunction was dependent on the severity of hypoxic conditioning and on stimulation during reoxygenation. After 60 minutes of substrate-free hypoxia, reoxygenation induced automaticity in a high proportion of stimulated muscles; the automaticity appeared within 1 minute and lasted for 10-20 minutes. After similar conditioning, muscles reoxygenated for 7-15 minutes were stimulated at various cycle lengths. The incidence of automaticity and the amplitudes of delayed events had W-shaped dependencies on cycle length (200-1,000 msec), whereas coupling intervals had M-shaped dependencies. In ventricular myocytes that displayed automaticity after reoxygenation, extrasystolic upstrokes arose smoothly from delayed afterdepolarizations that reached threshold. In tissue, extrasystolic upstrokes usually rose sharply from delayed afterdepolarizations that were distinctly subthreshold. Thus, threshold was reached elsewhere in the tissue. Further evidence of electrical heterogeneity was obtained from surface mapping of delayed-afterdepolarization amplitude in reoxygenated muscle. There were no detectable aftercontractions, delayed afterdepolarizations, or signs of automaticity in quiescent reoxygenated muscles or in stimulated reoxygenated muscles that were treated with 1 microM ryanodine. We conclude that the dysfunction precipitated by reoxygenation is due to synchronized spontaneous releases of calcium from overloaded sarcoplasmic reticulum.     

Understanding the socioeconomic heterogeneity in healthcare in US counties: the effect of population density, education and poverty on H1N1 pandemic mortality

The recent outbreak of H1N1 has provided the scientific community with a sad but timely opportunity to understand the influence of socioeconomic determinants on H1N1 pandemic mortality. To this end, we have used data collected from 341 US counties to model H1N1 deaths/1000 using 12 socioeconomic predictors to discover why certain counties reported fewer H1N1 deaths compared to other counties. These predictors were then used to build a decision tree. The decision tree developed was then used to predict H1N1 mortality for the whole of the USA. Our estimate of 7667 H1N1 deaths are in accord with the lower bound of the CDC estimate of 8870 deaths. In addition to the H1N1 death estimates, we have listed possible counties to be targeted for health-related interventions. The respective state/county authorities can use these results as the basis to target and optimize the distribution of public health resources.     

Impact of tunable 2-(1H-indol-3-yl)acetonitrile based fluorophores towards optical,thermal and electroluminescence properties

Herein, we have synthesized 4,5-diphenyl-1H-imidazole and 2-(1H-indol-3-yl)acetonitrile based donor–π–acceptor fluorophores and studied their optical, thermal, electroluminescence properties. Both the fluorophores exhibit high fluorescence quantum yield (Φ_f = <0.6) and good thermal stability (T_d10 = <300 °C), and could be excellent candidates for OLED applications. Moreover, the ground and excited state properties of the compounds were analysed in various solvents with different polarities. The geometric and electronic structures of the fluorophores in the ground and excited states have been studied using density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) methods. The absorption of BIPIAN and BITIAN in various solvents corresponds to S₀ → S₁ transitions and the most intense bands with respect to the higher oscillator strengths are mainly contributed by HOMO → LUMO transition. Significantly, the vacuum deposited non-doped OLED device was fabricated using BITIAN as an emitter, and the device shows electroluminescence (EL) at 564 nm, maximum current efficiency (CE) 0.687 cd A⁻¹ and a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 0.24%.

Herein, we have synthesized 4,5-diphenyl-1H-imidazole and 2-(1H-indol-3-yl)acetonitrile based donor–π–acceptor fluorophores and studied their optical, thermal, electroluminescence properties.