ADAMTS13 Gene Mutations in Children with Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

We investigated ADAMTS13 activity as well as the ADAMTS13 gene mutation in children with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Eighteen patients, including 6 diarrhea-negative (D-HUS) and 12 diarrhea-associated HUS (D+HUS) patients, were evaluated. The extent of von Willebrand factor (VWF) degradation was assayed by multimer analysis, and all exons of the ADAMTS13 gene were PCR-amplified using Taq DNA polymerase. The median and range for plasma activity of ADAMTS13 in 6 D-HUS and 12 D+HUS patients were 71.8% (22.8-94.1%) and 84.9% (37.9-119.9%), respectively, which were not statistically significantly different from the control group (86.4%, 34.2-112.3%) (p>0.05). Five ADAMTS13 gene mutations, including 2 novel mutations [1584+2T>A, 3941C>T (S1314L)] and 3 polymorphisms (Q448E, P475S, S903L), were found in 2 D-HUS and one D+HUS patients, which were not associated with deficiency of ADAMTS13 activity. Whether these mutations without reduced ADAMTS13 activity are innocent bystanders or predisposing factors in HUS remains unanswered

Cytomegalovirus Enteritis Causing Ileal Perforation in an Elderly Immunocompetent Individual

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is usually subclinical in immunocompetent individuals, however it can be life threatening in an elderly immunocompetent individual. We report a case of CMV enteritis causing ileal perforation in a physically active elderly man. An 88-year-old healthy man presented with abdominal pain and diarrhea. After initial conservative treatment, emergency laparotomy was performed for ileal perforation. The diagnosis of CMV enteritis was based on histological findings revealing many large cells with CMV inclusion bodies in the surgical specimen. In elderly individuals, even though they are immunocompetent, CMV enteritis may result in major complications such as bowel perforation, and it should be included in the differential diagnosis of diarrhea if it is resistant to conventional treatment

A Novel Application of Amniotic Membrane in Patients with Bullous Keratopathy

To evaluate the efficacy of amniotic membrane in the management of painful bullous keratopathy secondary to the intractable glaucoma and in preventing exposure of drainage devices, we inserted Ahmed valve with amniotic membrane patch graft over the implant itself, and debrided corneal epithelium with amniotic membrane graft over the exposed stroma as a single operation. During the follow-up periods, we monitored vision, intraocular pressure (IOP), presence of ocular pain, and postoperative complications associated with the implants. The mean follow up period was 8.4±3.2 months. IOP was well controlled after the intervention. The preoperative mean IOP was measured as 43.9±9.0 mmHg and lowered to 16.1±1.8 mmHg at the last visit and no complications associated with the implants were noted. Even though the improvement in vision was not prominent, the ocular surface stabilized rapidly and ocular pain associated with bullous keratopathy disappeared soon after surgery. Conclusively the use of amniotic membrane in conjunction with Ahmed valve implantation is an effective way to relieve ocular pain and lessen the chances of complications associated with the implant in patients with intractable glaucoma and bullous keratopathy

Fabrication of a Multi-Walled Nanotube (MWNT) Ionic Liquid Electrode and Its Application for Sensing Phenolics in Red Wines

A multi-walled nanotube (MWNT) ionic liquid was prepared by the immobilization of 1-butylimidazole bromide onto an epoxy group on a poly(glycidyl methacrylate)-grafted MWNT, which was synthesized by radiation-induced graft polymerization of glycidyl methacrylate onto MWNT in an aqueous solution. Subsequently, a MWNT ionic liquid electrode was fabricated by hand-casting MWNT ionic liquid, tyrosinase, and chitosan solution as a binder on indium tin oxide (ITO) glass. The sensing ranges of the MWNT ionic liquid electrode with immobilized tyrosinase was in the range of 0.01-0.08 mM in a phosphate buffer solution. The optimal conditions such as pH, temperature, and effects of different phenolic compounds were determined. The total phenolic compounds of three commercial red wines were also determined on the tyrosinase-immobilized biosensor

No Association between PAWR Gene Polymorphisms and Tardive Dyskinesia in Schizophrenia Patients

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a hyperkinetic movement disorder associated with the prolonged use of antipsychotic drugs. Since prostate apoptosis response 4 (Par-4) is a key ligand of the dopamine D2 receptor, the Par-4 gene (PAWR) is a good candidate gene to study in the context of TD susceptibility. We examined the association between PAWR gene polymorphisms and TD. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms of PAWR were selected for the analysis: rs7979987, rs4842318, and rs17005769. Two hundred and eighty unrelated Korean schizophrenic patients participated in this study (105 TD and 175 non-TD patients). Genotype/allele-wise and haplotype-wise analyses were performed. There were no significant differences in genotype and allele frequencies between the two groups. Haplotype analysis also did not reveal a difference between the two groups. Within the limitations imposed by the size of the clinical sample, these findings suggest that PAWR gene variants do not significantly contribute to an increased risk of TD

Cleavage of pyrene-stabilized RNA bulge loops by trans-(±)-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine

Chemical agents that cleave HIV genome can be potentially used for anti-HIV therapy. In this report, the cleavage of the upper stem-loop region of HIV-1 TAR RNA was studied in a variety of buffers containing organic catalysts. trans-(±)-Cyclohexane-1,2-diamine was found to cleave the RNA with the highest activity (31%, 37°C, 18 h). Cleavage of the RNA in trans-(±)-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine buffer was also studied when the RNA was hybridized with complementary DNAs. A pyrene-modified C3 spacer was incorporated to the DNA strand to facilitate the formation of a RNA bulge loop in the RNA/DNA duplex. In contrast, unmodified DNAs cannot efficiently generate RNA bulge loops, regardless of the DNA sequences. The results showed that the pyrene-stablized RNA bulge loops were efficiently and site-specifically cleaved by trans-(±)-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine

Application of functionalized nanofluid in thermosyphon

A water-based functionalized nanofluid was made by surface functionalizing the ordinary silica nanoparticles. The functionalized nanofluid can keep long-term stability. and no sedimentation was observed. The functionalized nanofluid as the working fluid is applied in a thermosyphon to understand the effect of this special nanofluid on the thermal performance of the thermosyphon. The experiment was carried out under steady operating pressures. The same work was also explored for traditional nanofluid (consisting of water and the same silica nanoparticles without functionalization) for comparison. Results indicate that a porous deposition layer exists on the heated surface of the evaporator during the operating process using traditional nanofluid; however, no coating layer exists for functionalized nanofluid. Functionalized nanofluid can enhance the evaporating heat transfer coefficient, while it has generally no effect on the maximum heat flux. Traditional nanofluid deteriorates the evaporating heat transfer coefficient but enhances the maximum heat flux. The existence of the deposition layer affects mainly the thermal performance, and no meaningful nanofluid effect is found in the present study

Video-calls to reduce loneliness and social isolation within care environments for older people: an implementation study using collaborative action research

Background  Older people in care may be lonely with insufficient contact if families are unable to visit. Face-to-face contact through video-calls may help reduce loneliness, but little is known about the processes of engaging people in care environments in using video-calls. We aimed to identify the barriers to and facilitators of implementing video-calls for older people in care environments.  Methods  A collaborative action research (CAR) approach was taken to implement a video-call intervention in care environments. We undertook five steps of recruitment, planning, implementation, reflection and re-evaluation, in seven care homes and one hospital in the UK. The video-call intervention ‘Skype on Wheels’ (SoW) comprised a wheeled device that could hold an iPad and handset, and used Skype to provide a free video-call service. Care staff were collaborators who implemented the intervention within the care-setting by agreeing the intervention, recruiting older people and their family, and setting up video-calls. Field notes and reflective diaries on observations and conversations with staff, older people and family were maintained over 15 months, and analysed using thematic analysis.  Results  Four care homes implemented the intervention. Eight older people with their respective social contacts made use of video-calls. Older people were able to use SoW with assistance from staff, and enjoyed the use of video-calls to stay better connected with family. However five barriers towards implementation included staff turnover, risk averseness, the SoW design, lack of family commitment and staff attitudes regarding technology.  Conclusions  The SoW intervention, or something similar, could aid older people to stay better connected with their families in care environments, but if implemented as part of a rigorous evaluation, then co-production of the intervention at each recruitment site may be needed to overcome barriers and maximise engagement