A minimally invasive option for the treatment of persistent postoperative esophageal leak

Persistent postoperative leaks in esophageal surgery in children are highly morbid. They usually require technically difficult major reoperations. A less invasive approach is always desirable. During the period 2003 to 2007, we used a minimally invasive approach for the treatment of persistent postoperative esophageal leaks in two children by injection of fibrin glue into the leak site through a small catheter that was introduced through the chest tube. The procedure was successful in one case. We introduce this approach as an alternative to surgery. We found it to be a safe and viable option for the treatment of persistent postoperative esophageal leaks.Keywords: chest tube, esophageal leak, fibrin glu

A valid treatment option for isolated congenital microgastria

Congenital microgastria (CM) is an extremely rare anomaly of the caudal part of the foregut. Treatment of CM has not yet been standardized. We present the case of a 34-monthold girl with an isolated CM complicated by nasogastric tube-related gastric perforation. During the definitive reconstructive surgery, a scarred structure (1.5 1.5 cm) was found to follow a dilated esophagus. The scarred microstomach was resected, and a Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy was performed. The patient has been followed for 6 months. She tolerates a regular oral diet and has reached acceptable growth parameters. We describe the first case of CM to be treated with resection of the microstomach and with a Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy.Keywords: congenital microgastria, gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostom

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin-related cold thigh abscess as an unusual cause of thigh swelling in infants following BCG vaccine administration: a case series

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Thigh swelling in an infant can be a symptom of a simple benign condition or a life-threatening condition. We observed a cluster of thigh swelling episodes in infants in which the cause was Bacillus Calmette-Guérin-related cold thigh abscess. We report this unusual case series to raise awareness about this diagnosis.</p> <p>Case presentations</p> <p>We performed a retrospective review of five infants (four boys and one girl) who presented with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin-related left thigh abscess. The swelling was noticed by the parents at a mean period of three months prior to presentation. The ages at presentation were five, five, eight and nine months for the boys, and six months for the girl. All of the patients were healthy Saudi infants, and received the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine at birth. Clinically, all of the patients were well and did not demonstrate signs of systemic infection. All patients underwent needle aspiration, with subsequent incision and drainage in four of the five cases. The cultures obtained from the abscess fluids were the key to establishing the diagnosis. Only three patients (60%) received antituberculosis drugs. Wound healing lasted for a mean period of approximately seven months. Two-year follow-up was unremarkable for all of our patients.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Technical errors continue to be significant in the development of vaccine-related complications. Bacillus Calmette-Guérin-related cold thigh abscess is an extremely rare entity.</p

Gravity Probe B: Final Results of a Space Experiment to Test General Relativity

Gravity Probe B, launched 20 April 2004, is a space experiment testing two fundamental predictions of Einstein's theory of General Relativity (GR), the geodetic and frame-dragging effects, by means of cryogenic gyroscopes in Earth orbit. Data collection started 28 August 2004 and ended 14 August 2005. Analysis of the data from all four gyroscopes results in a geodetic drift rate of -6,601.8+/- 18.3 mas/yr and a frame-dragging drift rate of -37.2 +/- 7.2 mas/yr, to be compared with the GR predictions of -6,606.1 mas/yr and -39.2 mas/yr, respectively (`mas' is milliarc-second; 1mas = 4.848 x 10-9 rad)

Characterising the role of selective Set7 inhibitors in transcriptional regulation and cytokine production in human microvascular endothelial cells

© 2019 Dr. Sameer A. Jadaan Al-SarraySet7 is a lysine methyltransferase which catalyses the transfer of a monomethyl group to lysine 4 of histone H3 (H3K4me1). Set7 is also associated with regulation of different non-histone proteins including nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB). Recent reports have implicated Set7 in the activation of pro- inflammatory genes in human vascular endothelial cells in response to hyperglycemia. In addition, several studies have demonstrated that Set7 is required for NF-κB dependent tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) induced inflammation. Vascular inflammation can drive endothelial dysfunction, and is involved in the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Manipulation of Set7 methyltransferase activity by genetic deletion or pharmacological inhibition has been reported to regulate cytokine signalling in human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1). Selective Set7 inhibitors have recently been developed, but their impact on vascular inflammation remains unknown. In this project, HMEC-1 cells were used to assess the Set7 inhibitors, PFI-2 and cyproheptadine hydrochloride mediated regulation under basal conditions and during TNF-α induced inflammation. Using RNA sequencing and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), Set7 inhibitors upregulated the expression of genes involved in the control of cholesterol Sterol Regulatory Element-Binding Proteins (SREBP), cholesterol and fatty acyl biosynthesis. On the other hand, pharmacological inhibition of Set7 by PFI-2 and cyproheptadine hydrochloride reduced the expression of genes implicated in cell cycle and smooth muscle cell contraction. Given its contribution to pro-inflammatory gene activation, we hypothesized that targeting Set7 activity may reduce the burden of vascular inflammation. Transcriptome profiling by RNA sequencing and GSEA studies showed PFI-2 and cyproheptadine hydrochloride can attenuate TNF-α induced gene expression. Set7 inhibitors suppressed the expression of genes implicated in cytokine and interferon signalling and NF-κB activation. Having shown that pharmacological inhibition of Set7 activity attenuates TNF-α driven gene expression, we proposed that PFI-2 and cyproheptadine hydrochloride could suppress TNF-α induced cytokine release. To test this hypothesis, inflammatory insult was induced and the impact of Set7 inhibitors was assessed by cytokine array. We detected robust attenuation in the secretion of various pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-1b, IL-6, TNF-α and IFN- ɣ. Moreover, pharmacological Set7 inhibitors attenuated TNF-α stimulated production of key chemokines such as IL-8, MCP-1 and RANTES. PFI-2 and cyproheptadine hydrochloride also decreased release of growth factors and cytokines associated with allergic inflammation. We show, for the first time, Set7 inhibition attenuates induced cytokine expression and secretion. This work will lead to new therapeutic opportunities to address vascular inflammation

Endophthalmitis associated with the Ahmed glaucoma valve implant

Aim: To investigate the rate, risk factors, clinical course, and treatment outcomes of endophthalmitis following glaucoma drainage implant (GDI) surgery. Methods: A computerised relational database search was conducted to identify all patients who were implanted with Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) and developed endophthalmitis following surgery at the King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between 1 January 1994 and 30 November 2003. Only medical records of the patients who developed endophthalmitis were retrospectively reviewed. Results: 542 eyes of 505 patients who were on active follow up were included in the study. Endophthalmitis developed in nine (1.7%) eyes; the rate was five times higher in children than in adults. Delayed endophthalmitis (developed 6 weeks after surgery) occurred in eight of nine eyes. Conjunctival erosion overlying the AGV tube was present in six of nine eyes. Common organisms isolated in the vitreous included Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus species. Multiple regression analysis revealed that younger age and conjunctival erosion over the tube were significant risk factors associated with endophthalmitis. Conclusion: Endophthalmitis is a rare complication of GDI surgery that appears to be more common in children. Conjunctival dehiscence over the GDI tube seems to represent a major risk factor for endophthalmitis. Prompt surgical revision of an exposed GDI tube is highly recommended

Menopon gaillinae lice in the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) and Marsh harear (Circus aeruginosus) in Najaf province, Iraq

Our study considered as the first work on ectoparasites of the Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) and Marsh harear (Circus aeruginosus) in Iraq. Overall, we examined 17 eagles for the period from 01\Nov\2016 until 25\Feb\2017, out of which 4were found infected (23.5%). All infected birds were female. Aquila was hunted from Najaf sea area. Under the wing and between feathers of Aquila grossly examined for detect any parasites. Lice of genus Menopon gaillinae isolated from 4 eagles, from under the wing area. Infected eagles suffering from skin redness. 38 parasites isolated from infected eagle, we prepared a slide from these louse for spp. classification. This study was on the first hand record of shaft louse (M. gallinae) in Golden eagle and Marsh harear in Ira

Preparation of 5-Selenocyanatouracil by a more convenient method and evaluation of some pharmacological properties

A convenient method for preparation of 5-Selenocyanatouracil (5-SeU), this compound gains importance because it is similar to 5-Fluorouracil which is one of the famous uracil derivatives as an anticancer drug. Some of invitro pharmacological activities such as DPPH antioxidant effects and antimicrobial activity, in addition to median lethal dose (LD50) were estimated. The study aimed to use a convenient synthesis procedure, and evaluation of in vitro pharmacological activity, also to determine the median lethal dose of 5-SeU. 5-SeU synthesis was carried out in very good yield through a direct reaction between 5-Iodouracil and freshly prepared potassium selenocyanate in refluxing aqueous solution to give light-gray crystalline. Antimicrobial measured by disc diffusion method. LD50was determine using Albino rats. 5-SeU compound was branded by FT-IR; 13C- NMR and 1H- NMR spectroscopic data. The results showed no antibacterial effects for most of test bacteria with a low inhibition effect on Staph. Aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with moderate inhibition zone at candida culture