Technical and clinical evaluation of a glucose meter employing amperometric biosensor technology

The objective of this study was to assess accuracy and precision of the Optimum H System for measuring glucose in fresh venous whole blood samples. Ninety-one whole blood specimens were analyzed duplicate on two optimum blood glucose meter and compared to YSI reference analyser and Beckman LX20 laboratory analyser. The study demonstrated that the Optimum H System gives clinically accurate, plasma equivalent glucose results for venous samples, compared to the YSI*1.12 reference method. All results were within the clinically acceptable A and B zones of the Parkes error grid, with 98.6% falling within zone A. The mean bias of the Optimum H System versus the YSI*1.12 reference was +5.39%, which is consistent with the strip claim that slightly higher results may be observed when using venous samples. The Optimum H System results showed good precision, with an overall mean CV of 3.0%. Plasma results from the Beckman laboratory analyser correlated well with the YSI*1.12 whole blood reference with a slightly higher mean bias of +3.92%. The study demonstrated the Optimum H System to give clinically accurate and precise results for glucose in fresh venous whole blood samples.     

Impact of toilet hygiene training program: results from 11- to 16-year-old secondary school Turkish children

Objectives

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of toilet hygiene education in secondary school students.

Methods

The study was quasi-experimental with a pre-test–post-test design and includes a control group. The study was conducted at a secondary school in Istanbul, Turkey with 100 students (50 students for experiment and 50 students for control). The experiment and control groups were in the same school population. Data were collected with the student information form and toilet hygiene evaluation form (THEF), which were developed by the researchers.

Results

When we examined the toilet hygiene techniques used by the students, they indicated 58 % (n = 58) wiped perinea from front to back, 25 % (n = 25) back to front and 17 % (n = 17) randomly. It was found that 69 % (n = 69) of the students changed their underwear every 2–3 days; 80 % (n = 80) were trained by parents on toilet hygiene. Total THEF scores, which were obtained pre and post (shortly after) education, showed significant differences in the experiment group (p = 0.000). Total THEF scores obtained post education (shortly after and 1 month later) showed significant differences in the experiment group (p = 0.009).

Conclusions

The toilet hygiene education program is found to be successful in secondary school students.     

Increased Laterality of the Thalamus in Children and Adolescents with Asperger's Disorder: An MRI and Proton Spectroscopy Study

Objective

Thalamic abnormalities have been reported in people with pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) including Asperger''s Disorder (ASP). The aim of the present study was to compare the volume and volume fraction of the thalamus and the metabolite concentrations in children and adolescents with ASP using the magnetic resonance imaging and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Additionally, the relationships between thalamic abnormalities and clinical features were examined.

Methods

Volume and volume fractional and metabolic measurements of bilateral thalamus were collected from 15 boys with ASP with a total IQ over 70 (age range 7-18 years, mean age 11.6±3.79 years), and 15 healthy controls matching age, sex and IQ. The thalamic volumes, hemisphere volumes and total brain volumes (TBV) were estimated using the stereological methods on magnetic resonance images. Chemical metabolites of thalamus were evaluated by ¹H spectroscopy.

Results

No differences in thalamic volumes, volume fractions and metabolites were observed between the groups. There were significant correlation between thalamic volume and total brain volume in both groups. The ASP group showed a significant left-minus-right thalamus difference as well as a significantly greater laterality index. In addition, a significant correlation between the laterality index and Autism Behavior Checklist language scores was observed.

Conclusion

Findings from this investigation point to a significant increase in laterality of the thalamus and a relationship with language problems in individuals with ASP. Our findings suggest that thalamic abnormalities may be related to mild language problems observed in ASP.     

Left Main Coronary Artery Obstruction by Dislodged Native-Valve Calculus after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement can be an effective, reliable treatment for severe aortic stenosis in surgically high-risk or ineligible patients. However, various sequelae like coronary artery obstruction can occur, not only in the long term, but also immediately after the procedure. We present the case of a 78-year-old woman whose left main coronary artery became obstructed with calculus 2 hours after the transfemoral implantation of an Edwards Sapien XT aortic valve. Despite percutaneous coronary intervention in that artery, the patient died. This case reminds us that early recognition of acute coronary obstruction and prompt intervention are crucial in patients with aortic stenosis who have undergone transcatheter aortic valve replacement.     

Amyloid goiter related with Crohn's disease: A rare association: Amyloid goiter secondary to Crohn's disease

INTRODUCTION

Amyloid goiter (AG) is characterized by enlargement of the thyroid gland as a result of extensive amyloid deposition in a bilateral and diffuse manner.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 58-year-old male patient was diagnosed of Crohn''s Disease (CD). He was admitted to our clinic with complaint of respiratory distress and rapid growth swelling in the neck. Ultrasound examination revealed huge multinodular goiter on both sides of thyroid gland. We performed bilateral total thyroidectomy. Pathological evaluation revealed AG.

DISCUSSION

Amyloid leads to degeneration in tissues, thereby disrupts the function of the relevant organs. It is important to distinguish AG from other reasons of goiter, particularly thyroid medullary cancer that can cause amyloid deposition in thyroid gland. Secondary amyloidosis frequently involves thyroid gland at microscopic level, but rarely causes goiter. An analysis of current literature revealed that only few cases of AG occurred secondary to CD. Herein we presented a case of AG who has rapidly growing goiter that associated with CD.

CONCLUSION

AG must be kept in mind in case of rapidly growing goiter, especially in patients with chronic inflammatory bowel diseases.     

Preliminary Characterization of a Polycaprolactone-SurgihoneyRO Electrospun Mesh for Skin Tissue Engineering

Skin is a hierarchical and multi-cellular organ exposed to the external environment with a key protective and regulatory role. Wounds caused by disease and trauma can lead to a loss of function, which can be debilitating and even cause death. Accelerating the natural skin healing process and minimizing the risk of infection is a clinical challenge. Electrospinning is a key technology in the development of wound dressings and skin substitutes as it enables extracellular matrix-mimicking fibrous structures and delivery of bioactive materials. Honey is a promising biomaterial for use in skin tissue engineering applications and has antimicrobial properties and potential tissue regenerative properties. This preliminary study investigates a solution electrospun composite nanofibrous mesh based on polycaprolactone and a medical grade honey, SurgihoneyRO. The processing conditions were optimized and assessed by scanning electron microscopy to fabricate meshes with uniform fiber diameters and minimal presence of beads. The chemistry of the composite meshes was examined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photon spectroscopy showing incorporation of honey into the polymer matrix. Meshes incorporating honey had lower mechanical properties due to lower polymer content but were more hydrophilic, resulting in an increase in swelling and an accelerated degradation profile. The biocompatibility of the meshes was assessed using human dermal fibroblasts and adipose-derived stem cells, which showed comparable or higher cell metabolic activity and viability for SurgihoneyRO-containing meshes compared to polycaprolactone only meshes. The meshes showed no antibacterial properties in a disk diffusion test due to a lack of hydrogen peroxide production and release. The developed polycaprolactone-honey nanofibrous meshes have potential for use in skin applications.