Characterization of Ribosomal Binding and Antibacterial Activities Using Two Orthogonal High-Throughput Screens

We report here the affinity and antibacterial activity of a structurally similar class of neomycin dimers. The affinity of the dimer library for rRNA was established by using a screen that measures the displacement of fluorescein-neomycin (F-neo) probe from RNA. A rapid growth inhibition assay using a single drug concentration was used to examine the antibacterial activity. The structure-activity relationship data were then rapidly analyzed using a two-dimensional ribosomal binding-bacterial inhibition plot analysis.     

Variation in the insertion of the palmaris longus tendon

The palmaris longus is harvested as a tendon graft in various surgical procedures. We herein report the variations in the insertion of the palmaris longus tendon. During a routine dissection, a rare variation in the insertion of the palmaris longus tendon was observed. In the left forearm, the palmaris longus tendon bifurcated, while in the right forearm, the palmaris longus tendon trifurcated, giving rise to an accessory muscle, which passed superficial to the ulnar artery and ulnar nerve. The accessory muscle was supplied by a deep branch of the ulnar nerve, and the ulnar artery was observed to be tortuous. During reconstructive surgeries, surgeons should bear in mind the accessory muscle. Also, since the palmaris longus muscle provides a very useful graft in tendon surgery, every surgeon should be aware of the variations in the insertion of the palmaris longus tendon.     

The effect of robotic assistance on learning curves for basic laparoscopic skills

BACKGROUND: We hypothesized that laparoscopic tasks performed with ZEUS robotic assistance would be done with greater precision and with a different learning curve than when performed in a standard laparoscopic trainer. METHODS: Participants were divided into the surgically experienced (n = 11) and the surgically naive (n = 17). Two laparoscopic tasks (bead transfer and rope pass) were repeated for five repetitions. RESULTS: For all drills and participants, completion time and error rate decreased across the five repetitions for each platform. Precision averaged 97% for both platforms over all drills. For both groups, completion time for tasks was shorter on the laparoscopic platform. ZEUS allowed for greater consistency in performance. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with performance on a standard laparoscopic trainer, robotic assistance allows for increasing speed and consistency while maintaining precision over multiple repetitions. Understanding how robotics affects learning curves will allow for modifications in the training experience with this new technology.     

Ptosis postcardiac surgery: a case of pituitary apoplexy

We present a patient in whom ptosis and third cranial nerve palsy developed postcoronary artery bypass grafting, and discuss the management of pituitary apoplexy postcardiac surgery.     

Centchroman Regresses Mastalgia: A Randomized Comparison with Danazol

We conducted a randomized trial to evaluate effectiveness of Centchroman in control of mastalgia and compared it with Danazol. Research Question- Is proportion of pain relief achieved by Centchroman similar to or inferior to that achieved by Danazol? In a randomized controlled trial of Centchroman vs. Danazol in mastalgia, 81 patients with mastalgia were studied. Thirty-nine patients were randomized to Danazol arm and 42 in Centchroman arm. The treatment was given for 12 weeks, followed by observation for 12 weeks. The pain was measured by visual analogue scale (VAS) of 0–10. At 12 weeks 89.7% women achieved reduction in pain score to ≤3 in Centchroman group (pvalue 0.001). In Danazol group 69.44% women achieved reduction in pain score to ≤ 3 (p = 0.001). Three months after stopping therapy, Centchroman was more effective in pain score reduction at 24 weeks as compared to Danazol (p = 0.019). Centchroman is an effective, safe and inexpensive alternative to Danazol for treatment of mastalgia.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s12262-010-0216-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Role of bromocriptine in multi-spectral manifestations of traumatic brain injury

Purpose: Despite the prevalence and cost of traumatic brain injury related disabilities, there is paucity in the literature on modern approaches to pharmacotherapy. Medications may promote recovery by enhancing some neurological functions without impacting others. Herein we discussed the role ofbromocriptine in neurorehabilitation for patients with traumatic brain injury.Methods: A cohort comprising of 36 selective nonsurgical cases of traumatic brain injury in minimallyconscious state were enrolled in the study. After hemodynamic stability, bromocriptine was given atpaediatric dose of 3.75 mg/d and adult dose of 7.5 mg/d. It was administered through a naso-gastric (NG) feeding tube in the patients with minimally conscious state, then changed to oral route after proper swallowing and good gag reflex were ensured in the patient. The drug was slowly reduced over three weeks after neurological improvement in the patients. Positive result was determined by improvd GCS score of 2 and motor power by at least 1 British Medical Council (BMC) motor score. Improvement of deficits was evaluated in terms of fluency of speech for aphasia, task switching, digit span double tasking and trail-making test for cognition and attention, and functional independence measure score for motor functioning and self-independence.Results: Accelerated arousal was seen in 47.0% of cases (8/17) in 4e40 days. In 41.2% of cases (7/17), Glasgow outcome score (GOS) was improved to 4/5 in 90 days. Improvement in hemiparesis by at least 1 BMC score was seen in 55.6% of cases (5/9) in 40 days. Aphasia was improved in 80% of cases (4/5) in 7-30 days. Moderate improvement in cognitive impairment was seen in 66.7% of cases (2/3) in 14e20 days. Improvement in memory was observed in 50% of cases (1/2) in over 30 days. No cases were withdrawn from the study because of adverse reactions of the drug. There was no mortality in the study group.Conclusion: Bromocriptine improves neurological sequelae of traumatic brain injury as well as theoverall outcome in the patients. If medication is given to promote recovery and treat its associateddisabilities, clinicians should thoroughly outline the goals and closely monitor adverse effects.