New method for testing the absorbency of surgical dressings

Absorbent cellulose dressings have been tested by immersion in a standard aqueous solution of picric acid followed by standard draining, elution of the picric acid, and measurement of the absorbance of the yellow colour at 355 nm. Six samples of gauze were graded by this procedure, and two considered unsatisfactory, despite all sinking in less than 10s. Filmated gauzes and unwoven dressings required greater dilution for the absorbance readings, reflecting their different structures.     

Effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on the nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB signaling pathway in traumatized muscle

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) activation and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in an experimental model of muscle trauma. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Injury to the gastrocnemius muscle in the rat was produced by a single impact blunt trauma. A low-level galium arsenide (Ga-As) laser (904 nm, 45 mW, and 5 J/cm2) was applied for 35 seconds duration, continuously. RESULTS: Histological abnormalities with increase in collagen concentration, and oxidative stress were observed after trauma. This was accompanied by activation of NF-kappaB and upregulation of iNOS expression, whereas protein concentration of I kappa B alpha decreased. These effects were blocked by LLLT. CONCLUSION: LLLT reduced the inflammatory response induced by trauma and was able to block the effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) release and the activation of NF-kappaB. The associated reduction of iNOS overexpression and collagen production suggest that the NF-kappaB pathway may be a signaling route involved in the pathogenesis of muscle trauma.     

Decreases in procalcitonin and C-reactive protein are strong predictors of survival in ventilator-associated pneumonia

Introduction  

This study sought to assess the prognostic value of the kinetics of procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP) and clinical scores (clinical pulmonary infection score (CPIS), Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA)) in the outcome of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) at an early time point, when adequacy of antimicrobial treatment is evaluated.     

Evaluation of the Automated Vitek 2 System for Detection of Various Mechanisms of Macrolide and Lincosamide Resistance in Staphylococcus aureus

We evaluated the performance of the automated Vitek 2 system against disk diffusion for susceptibility testing of Staphylococcus aureus strains showing various resistance mechanisms to macrolides and lincosamides (ML). The Vitek 2 system showed 100% concordance with the D-zone test in detection of the most common resistance mechanisms to ML, including methylase and efflux systems.     

The role of nitric oxide during healing of trauma to the skeletal muscle

Introduction  

The role of NO in muscle injury is not clear.     

Ni–Al–Cr superalloy as high temperature cathode current collector for advanced thin film Li batteries

To obtain full advantage of state-of-the-art solid-state lithium-based batteries, produced by sequential deposition of high voltage cathodes and promising oxide-based electrolytes, the current collector must withstand high temperatures (>600 °C) in oxygen atmosphere. This imposes severe restrictions on the choice of materials for the first layer, usually the cathode current collector. It not only must be electrochemically stable at high voltage, but also remain conductive upon deposition and annealing of the subsequent layers without presenting a strong diffusion of its constituent elements into the cathode. A novel cathode current collector based on a Ni–Al–Cr superalloy with target composition Ni_0.72Al_0.18Cr_0.10 is presented here. The suitability of this superalloy as a high voltage current collector was verified by determining its electrochemical stability at high voltage by crystallizing and cycling of LiCoO₂ directly onto it.

A novel cathode current collector based on a Ni–Al–Cr superalloy is presented here. The suitability of this superalloy as a high voltage current collector was verified by crystallizing and cycling of LiCoO₂ directly onto it.     

Cachexia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a cohort study

Clinical Rheumatology - Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disease that leads to altered body composition. The loss of lean mass with a preservation or increase in fat mass has been...     

Contact lens-related polymicrobial keratitis: Acanthamoeba spp. genotype T4 and Candida albicans

A 31-year-old female daily user of contact lenses sought medical attention, reporting blurred vision and irritation of the left eye. Slit-lamp examination revealed hyperemia and an irregular corneal epithelium surface, and empirical treatment was started. A corneal scrape was obtained and examined for the presence of fungi, bacteria, and Acanthamoeba spp. The results of the microbial culture revealed growth of Acanthamoeba spp. and Candida albicans. The Acanthamoeba isolate was characterized by cyst morphology as belonging to group II according to Pussard and Pons. Sequencing of the diagnostic fragment 3 (DF3) region located on the 18S ribosomal DNA identified the isolate as genotype T4. The patient was treated with chlorhexidine 0.02% and polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) 0.02% drops for 5 months until the infection resolved. Lately, rare cases of polymicrobial keratitis associated with Acanthamoeba and Candida albicans have been reported. Cases of co-infection are more difficult to treat, since the specific treatment depends on precise identification of the agents involved.