Human erythrocyte transketolase: no evidence for variants

Using isoelectric focusing of human erythrocyte transketolase, the isoenzyme pattern described recently (Kaczmarek and Nixon, 1983) was reexamined. Seven bands having pI values of 7.4-8.4 were common to the central part of the transketolase isoenzyme pattern in 63 healthy subjects investigated and were definitely reproduced, whereas four additional marginal bands (pI values of 7.2, 7.3, 8.6 and 8.8) were found with varying intensities in part of the samples and could not always be reproduced. We conclude that the method used does not permit the distinction of transketolase variants, that would allow to postulate a genetic polymorphism, based only on variation of the marginal bands of the pattern.     

Dermal myiasis of the eyelid

A case report describes the clinical findings of dermal myiasis of the upper eyelid in a 6-year-old girl from South America. Dermal myiasis due to Dermatobia hominis can simulate a common furuncle and is known to occur in world travelers.     

Body surface area equations for physically active men and women

Objectives

To improve predictive formulae for estimating body surface area (BSA) in healthy men and women using a modern three-dimensional scanner technology.

Methods

Body surface areas were obtained from a convenience sample of 1267 US Marines (464 women and 803 men) using a whole body surface scanner (Size Stream SS20). The reliability of SS20 measures of total and regional BSA within participants was compared across triplicate scans. We then derived a series of formulae to estimate SS20-measured BSA using various combinations of sex, height, and mass. We also assessed relationships between percent body fat measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and sex-specific formulae errors in Marines.

Results

Body surface areas recorded by the SS20 were highly reliable whether measured for the total body or by region (ICC ≥ .962). Formulae estimates of BSA from sex, height, and mass were precise (root-mean-square deviation, 0.031 m²). Errors from the Marine Corps formulae were positively associated with percent body fat for men (p = .001) but not women (p = .843).

Conclusions

Clinicians, military leaders, and researchers can use the newly developed BSA formulae for precise estimates in healthy physically active men and women. Users should be aware that height- and mass-based BSA estimates are less accurate for individuals with extremely low or high percent body fat.     

bTUNED: transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation for neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction

Objective

To present the protocol for a randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluating the efficacy and safety of transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) for refractory neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD).

Study Design and Results

bTUNED (bladder and TranscUtaneous tibial Nerve stimulation for nEurogenic lower urinary tract Dysfunction) is an international multicentre, sham-controlled, double-blind RCT investigating the efficacy and safety of TTNS. The primary outcome is success of TTNS, defined as improvements in key bladder diary variables at study end compared to baseline values. The focus of the treatment is defined by the Self-Assessment Goal Achievement (SAGA) questionnaire. Secondary outcomes are the effect of TTNS on urodynamic, neurophysiological, and bowel function outcome measures, as well as the safety of TTNS.

Conclusions

A total of 240 patients with refractory NLUTD will be included and randomized 1:1 into the verum or sham TTNS group from March 2020 until August 2026. TTNS will be performed twice a week for 30 min during 6 weeks. The patients will attend baseline assessments, 12 treatment visits and follow-up assessments at the study end.