Ventilator associated pneumonia in major paediatric burns

Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references

Genetic variation at the MCIR Locus and the time since loss of human body hair

Journal ArticleThe melanocortin I receptor (MCIR) locus makes a protein that affects the color of skin and hair. At this locus, amino-acid differences are entirely absent among African humans, abundant among non-Africans (especially Europeans), and abundant in chimpanzee/human comparisons (Rana et al. 1999, Harding et al. 2000). Previous studies have found no evidence of either directional or diversifying selection, so the pattern in these data has been attributed to tight selective constraint within Africa--a defense against the strong sunlight there--and relaxed constraint in Eurasia (Harding et al. 2000)

The Quality of Operative Notes at a General Surgery Unit

practice, accurate documentation is critical. This is particularly true for operative procedures, and medical councils have identified this and published guidelines to aid surgeons. However, these remain a frequently cited weakness in their defence in medico-legal cases. This study assessed the accuracy of operative notes in a general surgery unit in order to improve our practice. Method. An audit of 100 consecutive operative notes was performed, and notes were assessed using the Royal College of Surgeons guidelines. The quality of note-taking of trainees was compared with that of consultant surgeons. A series of operation note pro formas was designed in response to the findings. Results. Of the notes, 66% were completed by trainees. The vast majority of notes had no diagram to demonstrate the surgical findings or illustrate the actions. Specialist surgeons were more likely to describe the actions accurately, but less likely to describe wound closure methods or dressings used. They were also less likely to complete adequate postoperative orders. Conclusions. This study identifies key areas of weakness in our operative note-keeping. Pro formas should be introduced and made available for commonly performed procedures, and diagrams should be used wherever possible. South African Medical Journal Vol. 98 (9) 2008: pp. 726-72

Radio Astronomy

Contains reports on three research projects.National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Grant NsG-419)National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Grant NsG-250-62)U. S. Air Force under Contract AF 19(628)-500Lincoln Laboratory, Purchase Order DDL BB-10

Hydroxyethyl starches in burns

Comment by Rogers on Den Hollander D. Hydroxyethyl starches in severe burns. S Afr Med J 2014;104(10):650-651. DOI:10.7196/SAMJ.8808 and response by Den Hollande

‘Getting under our skin’: Introducing banked allograft skin to burn surgery in South Africa

Deceased donor skin possesses many of the properties of the ideal biological dressing, and a well-stocked skin bank has become a critically important asset for the modern burn surgeon. Without it, managing patients with extensive burns and wounds becomes far more challenging, and outcomes are significantly worse. With the recent establishment of such a bank in South Africa, the challenge facing the medical fraternity is to facilitate tissue donation so that allograft skin supply can match the enormous demand

Radio Astronomy

Contains reports on three research projects.National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Grant NsG-419

Plasmodium falciparum ligand binding to erythrocytes induce alterations in deformability essential for invasion

The most lethal form of malaria in humans is caused by Plasmodium falciparum. These parasites invade erythrocytes, a complex process involving multiple ligand-receptor interactions. The parasite makes initial contact with the erythrocyte followed by dramatic deformations linked to the function of the Erythrocyte binding antigen family and P. falciparum reticulocyte binding-like families. We show EBA-175 mediates substantial changes in the deformability of erythrocytes by binding to glycophorin A and activating a phosphorylation cascade that includes erythrocyte cytoskeletal proteins resulting in changes in the viscoelastic properties of the host cell. TRPM7 kinase inhibitors FTY720 and waixenicin A block the changes in the deformability of erythrocytes and inhibit merozoite invasion by directly inhibiting the phosphorylation cascade. Therefore, binding of P. falciparum parasites to the erythrocyte directly activate a signaling pathway through a phosphorylation cascade and this alters the viscoelastic properties of the host membrane conditioning it for successful invasion