Cardiac Tamponade,Sever Hypothyroidism and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) with COVID-19 Infection

A 21-years-old with Down syndrome presented with respiratory distress. Initial investigations revealed a cardiac tamponade. On further evaluation, he had positive coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), severe chest infection and severe hypothyroidism. He responded well to urgent pericardiocentesis, levothyroxine, hydrocortisone and tocilizumab.     

Serum profiles of insulin-like growth factors and their binding proteins in adults with growth hormone receptor deficiency treated with insulin like growth factor I

Six adult patients with growth hormone receptor deficiency (GHRD) (2 men, 4 women) with an identical defect in the growth hormone receptor (GHR) gene, were treated with recombinant human insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), 40 μgikg S.C. twice daily, for 7 days. Serum concentrations of IGF peptide and IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) were measured by specific radioimmunoassays; serum IGFBPs were also measured by Western ligand blotting. The size distribution of both IGF-I and IGF-II was measured in serum following size-exclusion fast-performance liquid chromatography. IGF-I treatment resulted in a normalization of serum IGF-I levels on days 1–7 of treatment and a decrease in serum IGF-II levels. The fall in IGF-II levels and the simultaneous rise in IGF-I levels, however, resulted in an unchanged total serum IGF level. The low IGFBP-3 values did not significantly change during treatment, whereas there was a slight increase in IGFBP-2 levels. Preliminary analysis of size-fractionated sera suggested an increase in IGF-I levels in the 40 and 150 kDa regions at the expense of IGF-II levels. The results suggest that despite the failure of IGF-I treatment to increase IGFBPs significantly, serum IGFBP concentrations were sufficient to maintain normal levels of IGF-I. 0 Laron syndrome, growth hormone receptor deficiency, insulin-like growth factors, insulin-like growth factor binding protein     

Cytotoxic activity of halogenated sesquiterpenes from Laurencia dendroidea

Red algae of the genus Laurencia J. V. Lamouroux are found in tropical and subtropical regions throughout the world and are an extremely rich source of active secondary metabolites with diverse structural features. In the present study, 6 sesquiterpenes (obtusol, (?)‐elatol, dendoidiol, debrome‐elatol, triquinane, and obtusane) isolated from Laurencia dendroidea were investigated for their cytotoxicity, using 4 cancer cell lines (U937, Jurkat, B16F10, and Colo‐205). Among all sesquiterpenes tested, obtusol and (?)‐elatol showed a promising activity in the treatment of Colo‐205 strain, with IC₅₀ of 1.2 ± 1.4 and 2.5 ± 1.3 μg/ml, respectively. In addition, fluorescence microscopy results indicated that, at 100 μg/ml, obtusol induced apoptosis at 79% and (?)‐elatol at 95%. Activation of Caspases 2, 4, 6, and 8 showed to be involved in (?)‐elatol activity and only Caspase 6 in obtusol activity. These data demonstrated the effective apoptosis‐inducing activity of the sesquiterpene (?)‐elatol and obtusol in the treatment of Colo‐205 strain. Therefore, more studies should be done so that the sesquiterpenes (?)‐elatol and obtusol might become promising chemotherapy.     

Factors Affecting Job Satisfaction and Their Correlation with Educational Standards among Dental Assistants

A disparity exists in the educational qualifications of dental assistants working in various public and private institutions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of professional and personal characteristics on job satisfaction among dental assistants. A cross-sectional survey was performed among dental assistants using a 24-item self-administered questionnaire. Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between overall job satisfaction and other variables. The overall response rate was 72.1%. Factor analysis suggested that five underlying factors were related to job satisfaction. The mean score for overall job satisfaction was 3.86 (satisfied) out of 5. Among the work environment factors, the highest mean score, 4.26 (satisfied), was obtained for quality of service, and the lowest mean score, 2.78 (neutral), was obtained for the perception of income. The income and general prospects of the profession was significantly associated with overall job satisfaction. This study suggests that for dental assistants, professional and personal life, quality of service, perception of income and prestige and self-respect are important factors for job satisfaction. Despite differences in professional formation standards, in general, the study participants were considerably satisfied with their jobs.     

Cholera in India: an analysis of reports, 1997�C2006

Objective

To more accurately define the annual incidence of cholera in India, believed to be higher than reported to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Methods

We searched the biomedical literature to extract data on the cases of cholera reported in India from 1997 to 2006 and compared the numbers found to those reported annually to WHO over the same period. The latter were obtained from WHO’s annual summaries of reported cholera cases and National health profile 2006, published by India’s Central Bureau of Health Intelligence.

Findings

Of India’s 35 states or union territories, 21 reported cholera cases during at least one year between 1997 and 2006. The state of West Bengal reported cases during all 10 years, while the state of Maharashtra and the union territory of Delhi reported cases during nine, and Orissa during seven. There were 68 outbreaks in 18 states, and 222 038 cases were detected overall. This figure is about six times higher than the number reported to WHO (37 783) over the same period. The states of Orissa, West Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Assam and Chhattisgarh accounted for 91% of all outbreak-related cases.

Conclusion

The reporting of cholera cases in India is incomplete and the methods used to keep statistics on cholera incidence are inadequate. Although the data are sparse and heterogeneous, cholera notification in India is highly deficient.     

Pretreatment With L‐Citrulline Positively Affects the Mucosal Architecture and Permeability of the Small Intestine in a Murine Mucositis Model

Background: Mucositis is a common complication in patients undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy. It is associated with pain, poor quality of life, and malnutrition, leading to an increased number of hospital admissions and prolonged hospitalization. The use of immunonutrients may be an alternative treatment option, which may help to improve patient outcome. Objective: Here we assessed the impact of L‐citrulline (CIT) on a murine model of 5‐fluorouracil (5FU)–induced mucositis. Methods: Swiss male mice were randomized into 4 groups: control, CIT, 5FU, and 5FU+CIT. Mice were fed with commercial chow and supplemented with an oral solution of alanine (control and 5FU groups) or CIT (CIT and 5FU+CIT groups). On the seventh day, mice received intraperitoneal phosphate‐buffered saline or 5FU (200 mg/kg, single dose) to induce mucositis. On the 10th day, mice were euthanized, and the blood and small intestines were harvested. Body weight, morphology, histopathology score (hematoxylin and eosin) of the small intestine (from 0–12), myeloperoxidase activity, oxidative stress level, and intestinal permeability were assessed. Results: We observed significant weight loss after the administration of 5FU in both treated and control animals. CIT administration contributed to a partial recovery of the mucosal architecture as well as an intermediate reduction of the histopathologic score, and functional intestinal permeability was partially rescued. Conclusions: CIT administration attenuated 5FU‐mediated damage to the mucosal architecture of the small intestine, decreasing the size of the injured areas and promoting decreased intestinal permeability.