Liver profile in COVID-19: a meta-analysis

Journal of Public Health - Few studies have been performed to investigate multiorgan failure occurring with extrapulmonary symptoms like diarrhea, anorexia, and vomiting. There has been no attempt...     

Profile of ocular injury in pediatric age group

目的：研究北印度三级转诊中心儿童眼外伤的临床特征。

方法：基于医院的流行病学研究。包括所有年满16岁的眼外伤儿童。记录关于患者的社会经济状况,治疗手段和出院情况。随访3mo,记录初始和最终视力。眼部创伤分类指南和Birmingham眼部创伤术语用于眼外伤的定义和分类。社会经济地位是根据改良B.G. Prasad分类和Kuppuswamy社会经济级别分级的。

结果：在42例儿童中,男女比例为3.6：1。发生在11～16岁儿童眼外伤最多(50%)。大多数儿童(59.52%)属于较低的社会经济阶层,且均为农村背景。在家中发生眼外伤的儿童为20例(47.61%),其次在学校,游乐场和街道发生为6例(14.28%)。其中开放性眼外伤19例(45.24%),闭合性眼外伤23例(54.75%)。因木棍、石头、烟花、跌倒、玩具而受伤的儿童数量分别为12例(28.57%),5例(11.90%),3例(7.14%),3例(7.14%)和2例(4.76%)。 17例(40.47%)儿童需要药物治疗,25名(59.53%)需要手术治疗。

结论：农村地区和经济条件较差的男童更易患眼外伤。儿童在家里更易患眼外伤。木棍和石头是引起眼外伤最常见的因素。开放性眼外伤的患病率更高且视力不良增多。需要进一步的以人群为基础研究以补充本研究。基于此,人们可以计划在该地区实施一项长期的政策以预防儿童眼外伤。     

Development, validation and utility of an in vitro technique for assessment of potential clinical drug–drug interactions involving P-glycoprotein

Regulatory interest is increasing for drug transporters generally and P-glycoprotein (Pgp) in particular, primarily in the area of drug–drug interactions. To aid in both identifying and discharging the potential liabilities associated with drug–transporter interactions, the pharmaceutical industry has a growing requirement for routine and robust non-clinical assays. An assay was designed, optimised and validated to determine the in vitro inhibitory potency of new chemical entities (NCEs) towards human Pgp-mediated transport. [³H]-Digoxin was established as a suitable probe substrate by investigating its characteristics in the in vitro system (MDCKII-MDR1 cells grown in 24-multiwell inserts). The inhibitory potencies (apparent IC₅₀) of known Pgp inhibitors astemizole, GF120918, ketoconazole, itraconazole, quinidine, verapamil and quinine were determined over at least a 1000-fold concentration range. Validation was carried out using manual and automatic techniques. [³H]-Digoxin was found to be stable and have good mass balance in the system. In contrast to [A → B] transport, [³H]-digoxin [B → A] transport rates were readily measured with good reproducibility. There was no evidence of saturation of transport up to 10 μM digoxin and 30 nM digoxin was selected for routine assay use, reflecting clinical therapeutic concentrations. IC₅₀ values ranged over approximately 100-fold with excellent reproducibility. Results from manual and automated versions were in close agreement. This method is suitable for routine use to assess the in vitro inhibitory potency of NCEs on Pgp-mediated digoxin transport. Comparison of IC₅₀ values against clinical interaction profiles for the probe inhibitors indicated the in vitro assay is predictive of clinical digoxin–drug interactions mediated via Pgp.     

Dietary coral calcium and zeolite protects bone in a mouse model for postmenopausal bone loss

In patients diagnosed with osteoporosis, calcium is lost from bones making them weaker and easily susceptible to fractures. Supplementation of calcium is highly recommended for such conditions. However, the source of calcium plays an important role in the amount of calcium that is assimilated into bone. We hypothesize that naturally occurring coral calcium and zeolite may prevent ovariectomy-induced bone loss. We have measured bone loss in ovariectomized mice supplemented with coral calcium and Zeolite. Female C57BL/6 mice were either sham-operated or ovariectomized and fed diets containing coral calcium or zeolite for 6 months. Serum was analyzed for bone biochemical markers and cytokines. Bones were analyzed using dual x-ray absorbtiometry, peripheral quantitative computed tomography, and micro–computed tomography densitometry. In the distal femoral metaphysis, total bone and cortical bone mass was restored and the endocortical surface was significantly decreased in coral calcium and zeolite fed ovariectomized (OVX) mice. Trabecular number and the ratio of bone volume to total volume was higher in OVX mice after coral calcium and zeolite feeding, while trabecular separation decreased in the different treatment OVX groups. Coral calcium protected bone to a lesser extent in the proximal tibia and lumbar vertebrae. Overall, coral calcium and zeolite may protect postmenopausal bone loss.     

Leiomyosarcoma of the zygoma : Report of a case and review of literature

Leiomyisarcomas are rarely encounter ed in otolaryngological practice and primary lesions of the bone are rarer still. Until 1982 only 20 documented cases of primary leiomyosarcoma of bone had been reported (Kratochvil, 1982). In eight of these cases the tumour occurred in the mandible or maxilla. Orbital involvement is extremely uncommon, only five cases having been reported so far (Wojno et al, 1983). In the English literature available to date we have been unable to find any case of primary leiomyosarcoma of the zygoma, additionally involving the orbit. Our experience with such a case is being reported.     

The occurrence of amino acid substitutions D96N and S242N in VP7 of emergent G2P[4] rotaviruses in Nepal in 2004-2005: a global and evolutionary perspective

Rotavirus is the leading cause of severe diarrhea among children worldwide. Strains with G2P[4] have captured recent attention because of its abrupt increase or re-emergence in many locations in the world. In Nepal, G2P[4] strains were detected at a rate of 1% in 2003-2004, but increased to 33% in 2004-2005. Thus, the VP7 genes of 45 emergent G2 strains from Nepal were sequenced and analyzed together with a total of 339 G2VP7 sequences detected over the last 34 years that were compiled from the DNA database. We found that all Nepalese VP7 sequences had a substitution from aspartic acid to asparagine at residue 96 (D96N) that was the hallmark of the lineage termed sublineage IVa, which replaced virtually all globally circulating G2 strains during the last decade. Within sublineage IVa, further sublineages emerged, of which a sublineage termed IVa-3 was identified to have another amino acid substitution from serine to asparagine at 242 (S242N). This sublineage, to which all Nepalese sequences belonged, now became the most frequent G2 sequence globally. In conclusion, the G2VP7 gene evolved in a dynamic fashion such that new lineages emerged within the previously dominant lineage, one of which became subsequently dominant.     

Temporary tricuspid valve leaflet detachment for closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect: Early experiences

Background  

Detachment of the Tricuspid Valve Leaflet (TVD) has been described for better access to repair Perimembranous Ventricular Septal Defects (pVSD). The present report is our early experience with which has been found to be safe and easy with reproducible results.     

Life-threatening megaloblastic pancytopenia with normal mean cell volume: Case series

The mean red blood cell volume (MCV) is usually increased in severe megaloblastic anemia due to pernicious anemia. However, during one year in a university hospital, three patients with life-threatening pancytopenia and normal MCV were proven to have severe vitamin B12 deficiency. The red blood cell distribution width was markedly increased (three times normal) and led to review of the blood smear and recognition of megaloblastosis as well as prominent red cell fragmentation. These three cases illustrate that vitamin B12 status should be evaluated in cases of pancytopenia, independent of the MCV value.