Association between preeclampsia and prostasin polymorphism in Pakistani females

Objectives:To investigate the relationship between a prostasin gene variations and the development of preeclampsia in a Pakistani female population.Methods:This was a case-control study carried out at University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan between May 2018 and 2019. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at rs12597511 locus was examined with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses in 76 preeclamptic and 74 normotensive expecting mothers.Results:We observed significantly increased risk of preeclampsia associated with the CC genotype of rs12597511 polymorphism as compared to TT (p<0.001, OR=8.08, 95% CI:1.28-31.19) and TT/TC (p<0.001, OR=14.66 and 95% CI: 3.31-65.07) genotypes carriers. Calculation of the allelic distribution revealed a higher frequency of the T allele (82%) among controls; however, the C allele was more prevalent in the preeclamptic group (36%) significantly.Conclusion:The significantly higher C allele frequency in the prostasin gene at the rs12597511 locus in the preeclamptic group indicates that the distribution of the C allele of the prostasin gene is a potential risk factor contributing to the development of preeclampsia.     

Acute cardiac injury is associated with adverse outcomes,including mortality in COVID-19 patients: A single-center experience

Objectives:To evaluate acute cardiac injury in COVID-19 patients and its association with adverse outcomes including mortality in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) population.Methods:A retrospective study conducted between February and June 2020 in Dubai, UAE, for all laboratory-confirmed Coronavirus disease-19 patients. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, radiological, and clinical outcomes were compared between patients with and without acute cardiac injury.Results:During the study period, 203 patients were included, of which, 44 (21.7%) had evidence of acute cardiac injury. Compared with patients without acute cardiac injury, patients with acute cardiac injury were: older, had more shortness of breath, diabetes, hypertension, and more bilateral airspace shadowing on admission chest radiography. These patients also had a higher neutrophil count, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, ferritin, D-dimers and lactate dehydrogenase but lower lymphocyte count. Regarding outcomes, these patients had higher intensive care admissions; a higher rate of complications including acute kidney and liver injury, acidosis, septic shock, acute respiratory distress syndrome, needed more mechanical ventilation, and had a significantly higher risk of death.Conclusion:Acute cardiac injury is common among Coronavirus disease-19 patients. These patients present with higher comorbidities, have high inflammatory markers and have greater risk for in-hospital multi-organ damage, need for mechanical ventilation, and death. Prompt full assessment and intervention are recommended.     

The Effects of Annealing Temperatures on Composition and Strain in SixGe1?x Obtained by Melting Growth of Electrodeposited Ge on Si (100)

The effects of annealing temperatures on composition and strain in Si_xGe_1−x, obtained by rapid melting growth of electrodeposited Ge on Si (100) substrate were investigated. Here, a rapid melting process was performed at temperatures of 1000, 1050 and 1100°C for 1 s. All annealed samples show single crystalline structure in (100) orientation. A significant appearance of Si-Ge vibration mode peak at ~00 cm⁻¹ confirms the existence of Si-Ge intermixing due to out-diffusion of Si into Ge region. On a rapid melting process, Ge melts and reaches the thermal equilibrium in short time. Si at Ge/Si interface begins to dissolve once in contact with the molten Ge to produce Si-Ge intermixing. The Si fraction in Si-Ge intermixing was calculated by taking into account the intensity ratio of Ge-Ge and Si-Ge vibration mode peaks and was found to increase with the annealing temperatures. It is found that the strain turns from tensile to compressive as the annealing temperature increases. The Si fraction dependent thermal expansion coefficient of Si_xGe_1−x is a possible cause to generate such strain behavior. The understanding of compositional and strain characteristics is important in Ge/Si heterostructure as these properties seem to give significant effects in device performance.     

The first case of locally acquired tick-borne Babesia microti infection in Canada

A child with a complicated medical history that included asplenia acquired an infection with Babesia microti in the summer of 2013 and had not travelled outside of Manitoba. Although the clinical findings were subtle, astute laboratory work helped to reach a preliminary identification of Babesia species, while reference laboratory testing confirmed the diagnosis. Blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis) are known to transmit Borrelia burgdorferi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in the province; however, the present case represents the first known instance of tick-borne B microti, both in Manitoba and in Canada. The expanding territory of the blacklegged tick increases the relevance of this emerging infection. Clinicians, laboratory medical practitioners and public health officials should be aware of B microti as a potential locally acquired infection in Canada.     

A novel method of surgical site infection surveillance after cardiac surgery by active participation of stake holders

We describe a comprehensive surveillance system involving infection control practitioners, surgeons, administrative staff, and patients aimed at improving the postdischarge surveillance of surgical site infections. The system was able to detect 22 infections out of 538 procedures, 95% of which were detected during the postdischarge period.     

Intestinal transplantation: a review

Parenteral nutrition is a life-saving therapy for patients with intestinal failure. Intestinal transplantation is now recognized as a treatment for patients who develop complications of parenteral nutrition and in whom attempts at intestinal rehabilitation have failed. Patients with parenteral nutrition related liver disease will require a liver graft typically part of a multivisceral transplant. Isolated intestinal transplants are more commonly performed in adults while multivisceral transplants are most commonly performed in infants. Isolated intestinal transplants have the best short-term outcome, with over 80?% survival at 1?year. Patients requiring multivisceral transplants have a high rate of attrition with a 1?year survival less than 70?%. Prognostic factors for a poor outcome include patient hospitalization at the time of transplant and donor age greater than 40?years while systemic sepsis and acute rejection are the major determinant of early postoperative outcome. For patients surviving the first year the outcome of transplantation of the liver in addition to intestine affords some survival advantage though long-term outcome does not yet match other abdominal organs. Outcomes for intestinal retransplantation are poor as a result of immunology and patient debility. Overall intestinal transplantation continues to develop and is a clear indication with cost and quality of life advantages in patients with intestinal failure that do not remain stable on parenteral nutrition.     

First 24-h SNAP-II score and highest PaCO2 predict the need for ECMO in congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Background/Purpose

Early clinical predictors for the use of ECMO in patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) are lacking. We sought to evaluate the first 24-h SNAP-II score and highest PaCO₂ as predictors of ECMO support and in-hospital mortality in neonates with CDH.

Methods

Retrospective review of 47 consecutive neonates with CDH admitted to our institution from January 2007 to December 2010 was performed. Covariates of ECMO use including SNAP-II score and highest PaCO₂ within the first 24 h of NICU admission were evaluated.

Results

Of the 47 infants in this study, 24 patients were supported with ECMO. The ECMO group had a higher incidence of pulmonary hypertension, higher PaCO₂, and higher 24-h SNAP-II scores. Only the SNAP-II score and not highest PaCO₂ predicted mortality following multivariate adjustment.

Conclusions

The first 24-h SNAP-II score and highest PaCO₂ may provide some prognostic value in identifying neonates who undergo ECMO support; however neither measure was independently associated with the use of therapy. Only the SNAP-II score was associated with in-hospital mortality following multivariate adjustment. Additional study is needed to validate these results in a larger data set.