Operative management and outcomes in patients with myxomas: A single-center experience

BackgroundCardiac myxoma is a rare cardiac tumor that may be asymptomatic or can cause embolization or intracardiac obstruction, leading to heart failure, sudden cardiac death, and arrhythmia. This study aims to report an 11-year experience of a single center in the management of cardiac myxoma.MethodThis study is a single-center retrospective case series. Eighty cases of cardiac myxoma were collected in Ibn Albitar's specialized center for cardiac surgery. Transthoracic echocardiography was used to make the preoperative diagnosis in all patients. The surgeries were undertaken through the standard approach of a median sternotomy. All four cardiac chambers were thoroughly explored for additional myxomas. The major objective of the operations was complete tumor resection.ResultThe mean age of the patients was 46.3 years. Females (67.5%) were predominant over males (32.5%). Shortness of breath was the most common symptom (86.25%). The left atrium was the most affected site (83.75%), followed by the right atrium (13.75%). Coronary artery bypass grafting was required as the secondary or associated intervention in 19 (23.75%) cases. The recurrence rate was 11.25%, with a mortality rate of 3.75%.ConclusionRecurrence and tumor embolism are risks of surgical intervention for myxoma. Good preparation using transthoracic echocardiography as a diagnostic tool and standard median sternotomy to complete resection of the tumors can decrease the rate of recurrence, embolism, and even mortality

Variation in postoperative outcomes of patients with intracranial tumors: insights from a prospective international cohort study during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: This study assessed the international variation in surgical neuro-oncology practice and 30-day outcomes of patients who had surgery for an intracranial tumor during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We prospectively included adults aged ≥18 years who underwent surgery for a malignant or benign intracranial tumor across 55 international hospitals from 26 countries. Each participating hospital recorded cases for 3 consecutive months from the start of the pandemic. We categorized patients’ location by World Bank income groups (high [HIC], upper-middle [UMIC], and low- and lower-middle [LLMIC]). Main outcomes were a change from routine management, SARS-CoV-2 infection, and 30-day mortality. We used a Bayesian multilevel logistic regression stratified by hospitals and adjusted for key confounders to estimate the association between income groups and mortality. Results: Among 1016 patients, the number of patients in each income group was 765 (75.3%) in HIC, 142 (14.0%) in UMIC, and 109 (10.7%) in LLMIC. The management of 200 (19.8%) patients changed from usual care, most commonly delayed surgery. Within 30 days after surgery, 14 (1.4%) patients had a COVID-19 diagnosis and 39 (3.8%) patients died. In the multivariable model, LLMIC was associated with increased mortality (odds ratio 2.83, 95% credible interval 1.37–5.74) compared to HIC. Conclusions: The first wave of the pandemic had a significant impact on surgical decision-making. While the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection within 30 days after surgery was low, there was a disparity in mortality between countries and this warrants further examination to identify any modifiable factors

Determination of work index of Filin Kokuwa Gold Deposit in Toro Local Government, Bauchi State Nigeria

This report shows the work index of Filin Kokuwa Gold ore sample in Bauchi State, Nigeria. The “reference sample (granites)” were sourced from outcrops of granites around Toro town. The samples were crushed, ground, and pulverized using appropriate laboratory milling machine. 80% passing size for the gold ore and granites samples were obtained at 100μm sieve size for the ball mill feeds and products respectively. The work indexes of reference samples i.e. granites were used to calculate the work index of the Filin Kokuwa gold ore sample. The values of 13.277kWh/ton and 15.192kWh/ton were obtained respectively for the two different reference granites samples used and 14.21kWh/ton as their average which is the value of the work index of the Filin Kokuwa gold ore deposit. The energy required for grinding the ore was found to be 3.581kW

Successful treatment of multi-focal XDR tuberculous osteomyelitis

Summary: We herein describe the nosocomial transmission of a pre-XDR or MDR case of pulmonary tuberculosis in a HIV-negative health care worker in an area endemic for MDR and XDR tuberculosis. Following inadequate therapy and non-compliance, he presented with extra-pulmonary XDR tuberculosis in the form of multi-focal osteomyelitis and encysted pleural effusion. He was cured after two years of treatment with various anti-tuberculous drugs in addition to interferon gamma. Keywords: XDR tuberculosis, Osteomyelitis, Therap

New-onset diabetes after transplantation among renal transplant recipients at a new transplant center; King Fahad Specialist Hospital-Dammam, Saudi Arabia

New-onset diabetes after transplant (NODAT) has been reported to occur in 4%-25% of renal transplant recipients. Its development has also been shown to be associated with an adverse impact on patient survival and an increased risk of graft rejection and graft loss, as well as an increased incidence of infectious complications. The study aims to describe the incidence of NODAT and its important risk factors in a single center. We conducted a retrospective analysis of data from all kidney transplant recipients in our center, transplanted between September 2008 and May 2013. Out of 311 patients, 77 had diabetes mellitus (DM) before transplantation and were excluded, leaving 234 patients as the study population. NODAT was diagnosed based on the WHO definition for DM: any two readings of fasting blood sugar >7 mmol/L or random blood sugar >11 or the use of hypoglycemic medications after 1st posttransplant month. The mean age of the study patients was 36 years ± 14 years; 55.5% were male, 69% had living-related transplant, 31% had deceased donor transplant, 98% were on tacrolimus-based immunosuppression regimen, 2% on cyclosporine and all patients were on the steroid-based regimen. The 1 and 5-year cumulative incidence of NODAT was 14.1% and 27.5%, respectively. The median duration to onset of NODAT was 2.5 months. The body mass index of >30 kg/m2 and age >60 years at the time of transplant were significantly associated with the occurrence of NODAT. Our finding of incidence was not different from what has been reported in the literature. Larger prospective and multicenter studies are needed

Oral Exposure to Silver/Gold Nanoparticles: Status of RatLipid Profile, Serum Metabolites and Tissue Morphology

Study investigated the effect of oral administration of gold-silver nanoparticleson rat biochemical parameters and tissue morphology. Wistar rats weighingapproximately 180±7 g were randomly assigned into four groups. Animals in thecontrol group received distilled water once daily for 30 days while, those in thetreatment groups were administered 10, 50 and 100 mg kgG1 b.wt. gold-silvernanoparticles. The rats were sacrificed under slight anesthesia, 24 h after the lasttreatments. Blood and vital organs including the heart, kidney and liver werecollected and prepared for biochemical and histopathological determinations.Exposure to Ag/Au nanoparticles altered the rat serum lipid profile; lowering theHDL-C while raising the atherogenic index. Exposure of Ag/Au nanoparticles inrats caused significant alteration to the levels of serum albumin, total protein,bilirubin, urea and creatinine. The activities of alanine transaminase, aspartatetransaminase and alkaline phosphatase in rat serum and tissues were alsosignificantly altered by Ag/Au nanoparticles exposure. The histopathologicalexamination revealed inflammation and cellular degeneration caused by exposureto the Ag/Au nanoparticles. We show evidence that Ag/Au nanoparticles elevatedatherogenic index, as well as caused biochemical and morphological alterations,reminiscent of cellular injur

Bioconversion of Aspergillus niger KM treated Rice and Wheat Bran for Experimental Rat Feed Formulation

This study investigated the nutritional value of pre-treated rice and wheat bran wastes as feed formulation in experimental rats. Aspergillus niger KM isolated from decomposing organic matter was tested for cellulase assay. The lignocellulosic agricultural residues (wheat bran and rice bran) were pretreated with ammonia and diluted sulfuric acid after which solid substrate fermentation with Aspergillus niger KM was carried out. Determination of reducing sugar was carried out and the fermented residues were included as components in feed formulation and were fed to different groups of rats for four weeks. The proximate analysis of the feed formulation showed that the NH3 pretreated feeds gave higher protein content of 21.94%, relative to the control or other groups. Growth performances of animals fed with NH3 pretreated wheat bran significantly increased from 158.25 to 201.66 g throughout the feeding periods. Evaluation of the various feeds’ effect on tissue marker enzymes revealed inconsistent alterations relative to the control. Bioconverted wheat or rice bran has nutritive value to support animal growth and could be explored in animal feed preparation

Cypermethrin and chlorpyrifos raises serum urea level and causes abnormal sperm morphology in Wistar rats

Chlorpyrifos (organophosphate) and cypermethrin (pyrethroid) are insecticides, which are widely used for agricultural as well as for domestic purposes. This study investigated the toxicological effect of chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin on selected organs and tissues of male Wistar rats. Nine (9) male Wistar rats were randomly grouped into three and were orally given chlorpyrifos or cypermethrin, while the control group was given distilled water for 28 days. The results revealed a significant increase (p<0.05) in rat serum AST activity for the chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin groups. Also, there was significant elevation in serum urea following oral exposure to either chlorpyrifos or cypermethrin. Conversely, a reduction in the rat liver ALP activity for treatment with cypermethrin or chlorpyrifos was recorded. Thehistology results revealed that the administration of chlorpyrifos but not cypermethrin for 28 days has no significant effecton the biochemical properties and sperm morphology of the rats. Taken together, findings indicate that cypermethrin and chlorpyrifos exposure in rats predisposes to renal injury, while altering sperm morpholog