Pharmacy patron perspectives of community pharmacist administered influenza vaccinations

Background

One approach to boost influenza vaccination coverage has been to expand immunization authority. In 2012, the province of Ontario gave community pharmacists the authority to administer the influenza vaccine.

Acute necrotizing gastritis.

A 17-year-old man presented with signs of peritonitis. Laparotomy revealed gangrene of the stomach without obvious cause. The patient underwent total gastrectomy with esophago-jejunal anastomosis with formation of jejunal pouch. Bacterial culture of the peritoneal fluid grew Strept. pyogenes and E. coli. The patient was discharged on day 21 after a stormy postoperative course.     

Antiproliferative, cytotoxic and apoptogenic activity of Indian toad (Bufo melanostictus, Schneider) skin extract on U937 and K562 cells.

The antiproliferative, cytotoxic and apoptogenic activities of Bufo melanostictus (Indian common toad) skin extract (TSE) on U937 and K562 leukemic cell line has been investigated. TSE significantly (P<0.001) reduced the time-dependent cell proliferation and decreased MTT values in U937 and K562 cells. TSE (IC50 doses) suppressed the proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression in both the cells. It was demonstrated that, TSE (IC50 doses) primarily arrested the U937 and K562 cells at G1 phase of the cell cycle. Confocal microscopy showed the altered fragmented nuclei and apoptotic bodies formation in TSE (IC50 doses) treated U937 and K562 cells. Membrane blebbing, cell surface shrinkage and perforation were observed through scanning electron microscope. TSE-induced DNA fragmentation in U937 and K562 cells was reflected in single-cell gel electrophoresis. TSE significantly (P<0.001) increase the length-width ratio of DNA mass as compared to control in comet assay. The flow cytometric analysis of annexin-V binding to the cancer cells further supported the apoptotogenic activity of TSE. The effect of TSE on normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells viability and cytotoxicity was studied in culture and found to be less cytotoxic than on the U937 and K562 cells. The findings from the present study suggested that TSE might possess potent antineoplastic agent having antiproliferative, cytotoxic and apoptogenic activity against U937 and K562 myeloid leukemic cells.     

Brain Death Further Promotes Ischemic Reperfusion Injury of the Rabbit Myocardium

Background. Little is known about preload-dependent cardiac function after brain death (BD) and subsequent graft preservation.

Methods. A validated model of BD in rabbits was developed and myocardial performance was studied after BD induction and 1 hour of subsequent global hypothermic ischemia using a validated rabbit model and an isolated work-performing heart preparation.

Results. Significant decreases in stroke work, left ventricular contractility, and left ventricular relaxation were observed 2 hours after BD. After global hypothermic ischemia, significant decreases in stroke work, left ventricular contractility, and left ventricular relaxation were observed in the BD group compared with controls. Cardiac output and coronary flow were also significantly decreased in BD hearts compared with controls. Creatine kinase release was increased by 32.5% in BD hearts compared with controls.

Conclusions. In a rabbit model, BD combined with global hypothermic ischemia causes a significant decrease in left ventricular function compared with global hypothermic ischemia. This dysfunction may be attributed to a significant decrease in coronary flows in BD hearts.     

Extrapontine myelinolysis in a 4 year old with diabetic ketoacidosis

Extrapontine and central pontine myelinolysis (EPM/CPM) are rare events in pediatric neurology but can have devastating consequences. They are most commonly associated with rapid correction of hyponatremia but have been reported in other situations as well. This condition is relatively more common in adult neurology, not surprisingly, as alcoholism and associated malnutrition are often predisposing conditions. There have been few case reports in children with regards to this. We describe a 4-year old who presented with focal neurological deficits in the setting of diabetic ketoacidosis and the ensuing underlying osmotic imbalances. The patient made a remarkable recovery with no deficits of note-cognitive or motor. To our knowledge this is the youngest case reported so far of EPM in a child with diabetic ketoacidosis. The history of the condition, early animal experiments, clinicopathologic correlates, previous case reports and other scenarios in which this unusual event can occur are discussed--though the exact pathogenesis of this condition still remains unclear. We hope to bring to the attention of clinicians caring for children in the acute care setting, the importance of gradual correction of serum osmolality to reduce morbidity and mortality.     

Size Dependent Tolerance of Indian Cat Fish Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) to Toxicity of Cadmium and Composted Vegetation

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology - Indian catfish Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch), commonly known as “Singhi” in India, is an air breathing fish with a slender,...