The effect of Bosentan on healing of colonic anastomosis

Background  

Ischemia is the most important factor compromises wound healing in colonic anastomosis. Mesenteric vessels are ligated at first while performing colonic resection and following anastomosis. Therefore blood supply of the related segments of colon temporarily interrupted and ischemia can easily occur. This study was carried out to explore whether Bosentan, an endothelin-receptor antagonist, can eliminate vasoconstruction, increase blood flow in the splanchnic area and anastomotic region and therefore possibly facilitate wound healing and prevent intra-abdominal adhesion formation.     

Inter- and intramolecular interactions in polyelectrolyte complex formation with polyampholytes

Employing polyampholytes (inclusively polybetaines) of different chemical structure containing carboxylic groups and various basic nitrogen functions, homosymplex formation, as well as the competition between homo- and heterosymplex formation on addition of an appropriate polyelectrolyte, was investigated in dependence of pH and ionic strength by means of viscometry and turbidimetry. With most, but not with all, of the polyampholytes, the expected viscosity minimum at the isoelectric point, with its steepness depending on polyampholyte structure, was observed. Competition of homo- and heterosymplex formation at and near the isoelectric point is mainly governed by the pK values of the species involved, the level of zwitter-ion formation of the polyampholyte and the effect of non-Coulombic interactions, for example, via hydrogen bonds.     

Age-related reductions in rat atrial high affinity choline uptake, ACh synthesis, and ACh release. A brief note

We have developed a rat atrial mince preparation that can take up choline, acetylate it, and then release acetylcholine in a depolarization-dependent manner. We demonstrate that aging appears to reduce the functional cholinergic activity in this tissue, which may be important for understanding how senescence alters the regulation of cardiac activity.     

The clinical impact of Prostate Imaging–Reporting and Data System classification in patients with haemospermia undergoing multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging of the prostate

In this study, we evaluated the role of the Prostate Imaging–Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) classification of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) to determine the likelihood of prostate cancer (PCa) in patients with haemospermia. Fifty-one patients presenting with haemospermia between 2018 and 2020 were included in this retrospective study. Forty-two of the patients (82.4%) were over 40 years, and the median prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level was 1.4 ng/ml. Fourteen of the patients (27.5%) had recurrent haemospermia. All patients underwent mpMRI, and assessments were classified according to PI-RADS v2. The mpMRI revealed PI-RADS one to four lesions in 10 (19.6%), 30 (58.8%), 6 (11.8%) and 5 (9.8%) patients respectively. One patient with PI-RADS 3 and five with PI-RADS 4 lesions underwent cognitive fusion prostate biopsy depending on MRI findings, and two patients with PI-RADS 4 lesions were diagnosed with PCa. Patients with haemospermia and risk factors, that is aged over 40 years, a high PSA level or familial history of PCa, need a more thorough evaluation with mpMRI.     

Chronic subdural haematoma following caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia

Intracranial subdural haematoma is a rare complication of spinal anaesthesia. This report describes the case of a 31-year-old woman who presented with post partum headache following spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section. Bilateral haematomata were evacuated via burr-holes performed under total intravenous anaesthesia and the patient made a complete and uneventful recovery. The recognized causes of subdural haematoma are discussed.