Correction: Development and in vitro evaluation of κ-carrageenan based polymeric hybrid nanocomposite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

Correction for ‘Development and in vitro evaluation of κ-carrageenan based polymeric hybrid nanocomposite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering’ by Muhammad Umar Aslam Khan et al., RSC Adv., 2020, 10, 40529–40542. DOI: 10.1039/D0RA07446B.

The authors regret errors in Fig. 9 in the original article. The corrected Fig. 9 is shown below where all three +ive control panels and the 72 h CG-g-Aac-2 panel have been replaced.Open in a separate windowFig. 9Cell morphology of MC3T3-E1 against +ive control and all scaffold samples (CG-g-AAc1, CG-g-AAc2 and CG-g-AAc3) under standard in vitro conditions. The red arrows show thread-like morphology and the yellow arrows exhibits well-grown morphology of the cells.The Royal Society of Chemistry apologises for these errors and any consequent inconvenience to authors and readers.     

Outcomes of tracheostomy in COVID-19 patients in National Guard Health Affairs,Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Objectives:To evaluate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patient tracheostomy outcomes.Methods:All COVID-19 patients at the National Guard Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, were retrospectively recruited. Those who had tracheostomies between April and December 2020 were included.Results:The population was 45 patients, of which 30 (66.7%) were males, 15 (33.3%) were females and the mean age was 66.76±12.74 years. The tracheostomy indications were anticipated prolonged weaning in 40 (88.9%) and failed extubation in 5 (11.1%) of the patients. The mean intubation to tracheostomy duration was 20.62±7.21 days. Mortalities were high, with most attributed to COVID-19. Mortality and a pre-tracheostomy C-reactive protein (CRP) uptrend were significantly related (p=0.039). Mortality and intubation to tracheostomy duration were not significantly related. The mean post-tracheostomy time to death was 10.64±6.9 days. Among the survivors, 20 (44.4%) males and 11 (24.4%) females were weaned off mechanical ventilation; 9 (20%) remained on ventilation during the study. The mean ventilation weaning time was 27.92±20 days.Conclusion:The high mortality rate was attributed to COVID-19. Mortality and a pre-tracheostomy CRP uptrend were significantly related; uptrend patients experienced far more mortalities than downtrend patients. Unlike previous findings, mortality and intubation to tracheostomy duration were not significantly related.     

Effect of Dietary Protein and Processing on Gut Microbiota—A Systematic Review

The effect of diet on the composition of gut microbiota and the consequent impact on disease risk have been of expanding interest. The present review focuses on current insights of changes associated with dietary protein-induced gut microbial populations and examines their potential roles in the metabolism, health, and disease of animals. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) protocol was used, and 29 highly relevant articles were obtained, which included 6 mouse studies, 7 pig studies, 15 rat studies, and 1 in vitro study. Analysis of these studies indicated that several factors, such as protein source, protein content, dietary composition (such as carbohydrate content), glycation of protein, processing factors, and protein oxidation, affect the digestibility and bioavailability of dietary proteins. These factors can influence protein fermentation, absorption, and functional properties in the gut and, consequently, impact the composition of gut microbiota and affect human health. While gut microbiota can release metabolites that can affect host physiology either positively or negatively, the selection of quality of protein and suitable food processing conditions are important to have a positive effect of dietary protein on gut microbiota and human health.     

Incretin Response to a Standard Test Meal in a Rat Model of Sleeve Gastrectomy with Diet-Induced Obesity

Background

Currently, the most effective treatment for obesity is bariatric surgery. Gastroduodenal bypass surgery produces sustained weight loss and improves glycemic control and insulin sensitivity. Previous studies have shown that sleeve gastrectomy (SG) produces similar results and implicate changes in incretin hormone release in these effects.

Methods

Male Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into four groups; lean control (lean), diet-induced obesity (DIO), DIO animals that had undergone SG (SG), and DIO animals that had undergone a sham operation (sham).

Results

After a 2-week recovery period, the incretin response to a standard test meal was measured. Blood sampling was performed in free-moving rats at various time points using chronic vascular access to the right jugular vein. There was a significant increase in the bodyweight of DIO animals fed a high-fat/high-sugar diet compared with the lean animals, which was reversed by SG. DIO caused an impairment of the GLP-1 response to a standard test meal, but not the GIP response. SG resulted in a dramatic increase in the GLP-1 response to a standard test meal but had no effect on the GIP response.

Conclusions

A rapid rise in blood sugar was observed in the SG group following a standard test meal that was followed by reactive hypoglycemia. SG dramatically increases the GLP-1 response to a standard test meal but has no effect on GIP in a rat model of DIO.     

Wallenberg’s syndrome with extradural–extracranial origin of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery

We report a case of lateral medullary syndrome (LMS) with extradural origin of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA). A 45-year-old construction worker presented with acute signs and symptoms of typical LMS. Prolonged work-related neck extension was reported just prior to the onset of symptoms. Cerebral angiography revealed a patent vertebrobasilar tree with an extradural origin of an otherwise normal appearing PICA ipsilaterally. Workup did not show evidence for cardioembolic or atheroembolic source. The presence of an extradural origin of PICA may be considered a predisposing factor for non-traumatic LMS associated with head and neck movement.     

Clinical profile of disseminated cryptococcal infection–a case series

ObjectiveTo study disseminated cryptococcal infection in a tertiary care hospital in Southern India.MethodsThe clinical profile of 12 disseminated cryptococcosis patients with the age group of 28-52 years was retrospectively analyzed.Results7(58.3%) presented with fever < 30 days and 3(25%) > 30 days whereas 2(16.7%) did not have fever. All the 12(100%) had headache, 2(16.7%) had altered sensorium, one (8%) seizure. 5(41.7%) had diarrhea and vomiting. 6(50%) had oral candidiasis, and anemia. 9(75%) had elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). 6(50%) had neck stiffness. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure was elevated in all 12(100%) patients. Blood culture positive for Cryptococcus neoformans(C. neoformans) in 11(91.7%) and CSF culture positive in all 12 (100%), one (8%) had urine culture positive. India ink preparation was positive in 10(83.3%). CD4 count was less than 50/microl in 4 (33.3%), between 50-100 in 6(50%) and 2(16.7%) in the range of 100-200. 6(50%) were treated with parenteral amphotericin B (0.7 mg/kg/d) during intensive phase followed by oral fluconazole 400 mg/d for 8 weeks then maintenance oral fluconazole 200 mg/d. 5(41.6%) were treated with fluconazole alone. 8(66.7%) improved and 4(33.3%) patients died. Among those who succumbed to the illness, 2(16.7%) received amphotericin and fluconazole, 2(16.7%) patients received fluconazole alone.ConclusionsDisseminated cryptococcosis can cause considerable mortality in HIV patients and immunocompromised non- HIV individuals. At times, its presentation closely mimics that of Tuberculosis. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment should be started as early as possible.