Mussel-mimetic tissue adhesive for fetal membrane repair: An ex vivo evaluation

Iatrogenic preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (iPPROM) remains the main complication after invasive interventions into the intrauterine cavity. Here, the proteolytic stability of mussel-mimetic tissue adhesive (mussel glue) and its sealing behavior on punctured fetal membranes are evaluated. The proteolytic degradation of mussel glue and fibrin glue were compared in vitro. Critical pressures of punctured and sealed fetal membranes were determined under close to physiological conditions using a custom-made inflation device. An inverse finite element procedure was applied to estimate mechanical parameters of mussel glue. Mussel glue was insensitive whereas fibrin glue was sensitive towards proteolytic degradation. Mussel glue sealed 3.7 mm fetal membrane defect up to 60 mbar (45 mm Hg) when applied under wet conditions, whereas fibrin glue needed dry membrane surfaces for reliable sealing. The mussel glue can be represented by a neo-Hookean material model with elastic coefficient C₁ = 9.63 kPa. Ex-vivo-tested mussel glue sealed fetal membranes and resisted pressures achieved during uterine contractions. Together with good stability in proteolytic environments, this makes mussel glue a promising sealing material for future applications.     

Cryptococcal lymphadenitis and meningitis in human immunodeficiency virus infection--a case report

Cryptococcal meningitis (CM) is the commonest life threatening opportunistic fungal disease in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infected individuals. But there are very little reports of lymphadenopathy along with cryptococcal meningitis, although cases of pulmonary, Intestinal, Bone marrow and retinal involvement have been described earlier. Here we report a case of cryptococcal meningitis associated with generalized lymphadenopathy and hepatosplenomegaly.     

Assessing cold chain status in a metro city of India: an intervention study

Background

Cold chain maintenance is an essential activity to maintain the potency of vaccines and to prevent adverse events following immunization. One baseline study highlighted the unsatisfactory cold chain status in city of Kolkata in India.

Objectives

To assess the changes which occurred in the cold chain status after the intervention undertaken to improve the status and also to assess the awareness of the cold chain handlers regarding cold chain maintenance.

Methods

Intervention consisted of reorganization of cold chain points and training of health manpower in Kolkata Municipal area regarding immunization and cold chain following the guidelines as laid by Govt of India. Reevaluation of cold chain status was done at 20 institutions selected by stratified systematic random sampling after the intervention. The results were compared with baseline survey.

Results

Significant improvement had been observed in correct placing of cold chain equipment, maintenance of stock security, orderly placing of ice packs, diluents and vaccines inside the equipment, temperature recording and maintenance. But awareness and skill of cold chain handlers regarding basics of cold chain maintenance was not satisfactory.

Conclusions

The success of intervention included significant improvement of cold chain status including creation of a designated cold chain handler. The gaps lay in non-availability of non-electrical cold chain equipment and separate cold chain room, policy makers should stress. Cold chain handlers need reorientation training regarding heat & cold sensitive vaccines, preventive maintenance and correct contingency plan.     

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus and non-diabetics with special reference to insulin resistance and hepatic histopathological changes

AimsNon alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) includes simple steatosis and non alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The present study was intended to evaluate insulin resistance (IR) in patients with NAFLD and correlate Insulin resistance [IR] with histopathological grades of liver involvement.Material and MethodsIt constituted of forty two consecutive patients (ultrasonographically established) with fatty liver admitted to our hospital. Ninteen were patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus, 23 were normoglycemic and 12 age-matched healthy persons served as controls. IR was assessed by using HOMA-IR. Histopathological grading and staging of NAFLD was done as per Brunt system.ResultsDiabetics had significantly higher IR than both the other groups while non diabetics with NAFLD also had higher IR (p  < 001) than controls. There was no difference in the HDLc values between the three groups, whereas all other lipid parameters were higher in the patients. The IR was significantly higher 6.83(±2.51) in patients with grade 3 NASH as compared to patients with grade I changes 3.04(±1.58) (p < 0.05) irrespective of glycemic status. Similarly, the level of total cholesterol was significantly higher in patients with grade-3 NASH as compared to grade-1. Serum billirubin and liver enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP) were significantly higher in subjects with Grade 3 NASH when compared with Grade-1.ConclusionInsulin resistance and dyslipidemia rather than the glycemic status.were the determinant factors that had positive correlation with higher histopathological grades of NAFLD.     

Measurement properties of the benign prostatic hyperplasia impact index in tadalafil studies

Background  

To assess the measurement properties of the Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Impact Index (BII) for use in men with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) secondary to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) treated with tadalafil.     

A Quick and Easy Approach to Prepare Ground Bone Slides from Undecalcified Skeleton

Ground bone slides are not only necessary for teaching histology of Haversian system to undergraduate and postgraduate students, but also essential for rapid pathological diagnosis in related diseases as well as to be used in polarizing microscopy and studying bone architectures from fossils. This technique is also applicable for hard tissues like teeth. Present histology manual-cum-practical literatures though prefer bone-slide preparation from decalcified skeleton, but Haversian architectures with osteons are vivid in ground bone slides. Here a technique is briefed; which have practiced well to prepare the ground bone slides with very simple, cheap and easily available equipments in a very short time, which can be adopted by anatomists, odontologists and geologists for quick making of compact bone slides without hampering the bone continuity avoiding hazardous and time consuming methods or costly equipments like freezing microtome.