SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT OF ACUTE DAPSONE INTOXICATION USING CHARCOAL HEMOPERFUSION

Abstract: A 22 year old female was admitted to hospital two hours after ingesting 4 g of dapsone. Over the next 15 h she developed progressive hemolysis and methemoglobinemia. Charcoal hemoper-fusion and sequential dialysis were performed because of the serious risk of fatality following such a massive dose of dapsone. Charcoal hemoperfusion led to rapid clearing of dapsone from the circulation. This resulted in clinical improvement and controlled the progression of hemolysis and methemoglobinemia.     

Antibacterial properties of human lysozyme toward Fusobacterium nucleatum Fevl

Abstract – Human lysozyme in physiologic concentrations (17–50 μg/ml) had apparently no effects on growth rate and viability of exponentially growing Fusobacterium nucleatum Fevl cells, but cells in the stationary phase were affected. When grown in the presence of active lysozyme about 70% of the cells in late exponential phase (24-h culture) were able to form colonies, compared to about 100% in the control culture. About 24 h later the colony forming abilities were about 5% and 20%, respectively. Addition of lysozyme to suspensions of cells taken from any growth phase did not lead to any significant decrease in turbidity, that is, no more than 10% decrease at 650 nm. Control cells treated with acridine orange fluoresced with a uniform bright orange color, while the lysozyme treated stationary phase cells fluoresced more faintly. Intracellular granules were more preponderant in the latter cells. When incubated with the hydrophobic probe 8-anilinonaphthalene-l-sulfonic acid (ANS), lysozyme exposed cells gave approximately 20% higher fluorescence intensity than the control cells. Changes in the ultrastructure of the lysozyme treated cells were best studied in the transmission electron microscope using ultrathin sectioned preparations. The peptidoglycan layer became disorganized and apparently dissolved and the ordered structure of the cell wall had disappeared in zones. The cells, however, still retained their form, and only a few per cent had lost their cellular content. This explains why the turbidity of the solution did not change significantly.     

Interaction of Intraluminal Tissue and Coronary Sinus Lead Stabilized with Stent Placement

Intraluminal Interaction of Tissue and Stented CS Lead . Introduction: The aim of our investigation was to examine the intraluminal interaction of the vascular tissue and the implanted coronary sinus lead stabilized with stent on two human hearts removed before transplantation. Methods and results: The coronary sinus lumen was sectioned under operational microscope and opened carefully. The leads and stents were found separately positioned beside each other completely covered by an intact intimal tissue layer. No sign of occluding proliferative tissue was observed. Conclusion: Stent fixation technique and extraction of the CS lead in our cases did not have any particular damaging effect on the vascular system. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 24, pp. 468‐470, April 2013)     

Methods for Examination an Explanted Coronary Sinus Lead Stabilized with a Coronary Stent

The aim of our investigation was to test the suitability of a novel method for the analysis of the integrity of an explanted pacemaker lead stabilized by a stent. A coronary sinus lead has been explanted 27 months after implantation and has been examined by optical‐, confocal‐, x‐ray‐, and scanning electron microscopy. Several surface injuries were found on the insulation. Based on the surface characteristics, it is possible to define and differentiate the source of damages as well as to measure the extent of injuries. Impedance of the explanted lead has also been measured and electronic integrity has been verified. (PACE 2013; 36:e27–e30)     

DNA fragmentation reduced by antioxidants following ischaemia-reperfusion in the isolated perfused rat kidney

SUMMARY: The role of oxygen-derived free radicals (OFR) in modifying structure and function after ischaemia-reperfusion (IR) injury was studied in isolated perfused rat kidneys (IPRK). Control kidneys were studied after 20 min of ischaemia followed by 15 or 60 min of reperfusion. the xanthine oxidase inhibitor allopurinol and the hydroxyl radical scavenger dimethylthiourea (DMTU) were used to prevent OFR-related damage. Morphological injury was assessed in cortex, inner and outer medulla and compared with indices of global renal function (inulin clearance, fractional sodium excretion and renal vascular resistance). Apoptosis was assessed using both morphological criteria and in situ end-labelling (ISEL) to identify DNA fragmentation. Tubular damage, as evidenced by cellular blebbing, tubular cast formation, epithelial necrosis, and occasional apoptosis, was greatest in the straight proximal tubule and thick ascending limb (TAL) in the outer zone of the outer medulla. Pretreatment with allopurinol or DMTU did not significantly improve renal function. However, structural damage and luminal debris were diminished in allopurinol- and DMTU-treated kidneys. These changes may lead to functional improvement after more prolonged reperfusion. In situ end-labelling was more frequent in distal tubular epithelial cells after IR than either morphological evidence of apoptosis or necrosis. Decreased ISEL was observed after pretreatment with both allopurinol and DMTU. the data demonstrate that OFR produce DNA damage after IR, increasing ISEL. This probably represents reversible DNA damage rather than incipient apoptosis. Thus, antioxidants reduce or prevent DNA and cellular injury after IR and may reduce functional impairment after prolonged reperfusion.