Bone Marrow Failure in Children: Approach to Diagnosis and Treatment

Indian Journal of Pediatrics - Bone marrow failure has many different etiologies, including genetic defects which manifest with specific syndromes, as well as acquired conditions as a result of...     

Urinary bladder cancer risk factors in an area of former coal,iron, and steel industries in Germany

ABSTRACT

This study was performed to investigate the frequency of bladder cancer in patients with an occupational history such as underground hard coal mining and/or painting after the structural change in the local industry. A total of 206 patients with bladder cancer and 207 controls were enlisted regarding occupational and nonoccupational bladder cancer risk factors by questionnaire. The phase II enzymes N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2), glutathione S-transferases M1 (GSTM1), and T1 (GSTT1) and the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs11892031[A/C] reported to be associated with bladder cancer in genome-wide association studies were genotyped. The bladder cancer risk in varnishers and underground hard coal miners was increased as previously shown in a study in this area performed in the 1980s. The occupation of a car mechanic was associated with a significantly elevated bladder cancer risk and higher in the case of underground hard coal miners even though the mine was closed in 1987. The frequency of GSTM1 negative genotype was comparable in cases and controls (53% versus 54%). In the case of NAT2, the slow NAT2 genotype was more frequent (62% versus 58%) and ultra-slow NAT2 genotype (NAT2*6A and/or *7B alleles only) was 23% versus 15%. An occupational history of a varnisher or an underground hard coal miner remains a risk factor for bladder cancer occurrence. Data indicate that in the case of bladder cancer, GSTM1 is a susceptibility factor related to environmental and/or occupational exposure.     

Cavitation Emissions Nucleated by Definity Infused through an EkoSonic Catheter in a Flow Phantom

The EkoSonic endovascular system has been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the controlled and selective infusion of physician specified fluids, including thrombolytics, into the peripheral vasculature and the pulmonary arteries. The objective of this study was to explore whether this catheter technology could sustain cavitation nucleated by infused Definity, to support subsequent studies of ultrasound-mediated drug delivery to diseased arteries. The concentration and attenuation spectroscopy of Definity were assayed before and after infusion at 0.3, 2.0 and 4.0 mL/min through the EkoSonic catheter. PCI was used to map and quantify stable and inertial cavitation as a function of Definity concentration in a flow phantom mimicking the porcine femoral artery. The 2.0 mL/min infusion rate yielded the highest surviving Definity concentration and acoustic attenuation. Cavitation was sustained throughout each 15 ms ultrasound pulse, as well as throughout the 3 min infusion. These results demonstrate a potential pathway to use cavitation nucleation to promote drug delivery with the EkoSonic endovascular system.     

Restylane - a temporary alternative for saddle nose deformity in nasal Wegener's Granulomatosis - how we do it

We present a case of a 22-year-old female with nasal collapse secondary to Wegener's Granulomatosis who has benefited from Restylane^® injection use to improve cosmesis whilst awaiting formal nasal reconstruction. There are several publications in the otolaryngology and plastic and reconstructive surgery literature in the United States literature which describe this technique¹ but we are not aware of any similar publications in the UK literature.