A Rare Case of Salmonella typhi Meningitis in an Eleven Month Old Infant: A Case Report

Non-typhoidal Salmonella are infrequent causes of childhood meningitis. Most reports of Salmonella typhi meningeal infections are confined to neonates. A rare instance of S. typhi in an otherwise healthy eleven month old infant is being reported.Keywords: Salmonella typhi, meningitis, infant

On the electromagnetic shielding properties of carbon fiber materials

Introduction. Due to the good electrical and thermal properties of carbon, carbon-based materials represent a major trend is various applications, including electromagnetic compatibility. Among carbon-based materials, graphite-impregnated woven fabrics represent a new trend in the field of electromagnetic shielding, with the perspective of being used for protective clothing. The novelty of the proposed work consists in the exhaustive comparative analysis of various carbon-based sample shields by employing both simulation and experimental methods. The selected configurations included a simple graphite plate, a graphite powder strip network, and a graphite-impregnated fabric with 2´2 twill weave. Purpose. The main scope of the analysis is to prove the efficiency of the graphite-impregnated twill woven fabric in the field of electromagnetic shielding. Methods. Two main research methods were employed: simulation and experiment, both following the same protocol: the shield placed in the middle, with the excitation (transmitting antenna) on one side and the measurement / receiving antenna on the other. The experimental stage was thorough, being performed in two different laboratories and by applying the double transverse electromagnetic (TEM) cell method and the shielded box method. Results. A significant difference yielded from the comparison of the simulation and experimental results for the shielding effectiveness, probably due to the fact that the virtual model is an idealized version of the physical one, not taking into account its imperfections. The virtual analysis yielded the graphite plate shield as the most efficient, followed closely by the twill fabric. The graphite strip network had significantly poorer performance compared to the other two shields, probably due to the electrical contact imperfections between the graphite strips and the optical transparency of the shield. The main focus of the analysis was the twill woven graphite-impregnated fabric; therefore, its shielding effectiveness was determined through simulation and experiment. The experimental analysis was performed in two stages in two different electromagnetic compatibility laboratories, by employing the double TEM cell method and the shielded box method, respectively, both methods providing similar results and classifying the shielding performance as good. Practical value. The paper provides an accurate analysis of the graphite-impregnated 2´2 twill woven fabric in terms of electromagnetic shielding effectiveness, by employing both simulation and experimental methods, and comparing its performance to the one other graphite-based shields.Вступ. Завдяки хорошим електричним і тепловим властивостям вуглецю, вуглецевмісні матеріали являють собою основні напрямки у різних застосуваннях, у тому числі в області електромагнітної сумісності, завдяки хорошим екрануючим властивостям. Серед матеріалів на основі вуглецю просочені графітом тканини є новою тенденцією в області електромагнітного екранування з перспективою використання для захисного одягу. Новизна запропонованої роботи полягає у вичерпному порівняльному аналізі різних зразків екранів на основі вуглецю з використанням як моделювання, так і експериментального методів. Вибрані конфігурації включали просту графітову пластину, сітку зі смуг з графітового порошку і просочену графітом тканину з переплетенням саржею 2´2. Ціль. Основною метою аналізу є доказ ефективності саржевого полотна, просоченого графітом, у галузі електромагнітного екранування. Методи. Використовувалися два основних методи дослідження: моделювання та експеримент, обидва слідували одному й тому ж протоколу: екран розташовувався посередині, з збуджуванням (передаючою антеною) з одного боку і вимірювальною/приймальною антеною з іншого. Експериментальний етап був ретельним і проводився у двох різних лабораторіях із застосуванням методу подвійної поперечної електромагнітної (ПЕМ) комірки та методу екранованої скриньки. Результати. Порівняння результатів моделювання та експериментів стосовно ефективності екранування демонструє суттєву відмінність, ймовірно, через те, що віртуальна модель є ідеалізованою версією фізичної, не враховуючи її недосконалості. Віртуальний аналіз показав, що екран із графітових пластин є найбільш ефективним, за ним близько слідує саржева тканина. Мережа з графітових смуг мала значно гірші характеристики порівняно з двома іншими екранами, ймовірно, через недосконалість електричного контакту між графітовими смужками та оптичною прозорістю екрана. Основним предметом аналізу була тканина саржевого переплетення, просочена графітом; тому її ефективність екранування визначалася шляхом моделювання та експерименту. Експериментальний аналіз був виконаний у два етапи у двох різних лабораторіях електромагнітної сумісності з використанням методу подвійної ПЕМ комірки та методу екранованої скриньки, відповідно, обидва методи дали аналогічні результати та визначили характеристики екранування як хороші. Практична цінність. У статті наведено точний аналіз просоченої графітом саржевої тканини 2´2 з точки зору ефективності електромагнітного екранування з використанням як моделювання, так і експериментальних методів, а також порівняння її характеристик з іншими екранами на основі графіту

Management protocol of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria

Coronavirus infection became a global pandemic in March 2020. The number of hospitalized cases in Nigeria and Ogun State has been on a steady increase with a concomitant rise in Mortality. This necessitates a coordinated and a more systemic approach in the management of this deadly disease. As a result of the potential effects of the disease on the socio-economic development of Ogun State, the state government granted Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilishan-Remo the permission to diagnose, admit and manage cases in line with Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)/World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. This led to the establishment of a molecular laboratory and a COVID-19 task force to oversee the treatment of confirmed cases of COVID-19 disease. This protocol is developed to serve as a template for the diagnosis, admission, treatment of cases of COVID-19 diseases presenting for care in the hospital and to prevent the spread of the disease among healthcare workers within the hospital environment

Glutathione amperometric detection based on a thiol-disulfide exchange reaction

Abstract A method based on a thiol-disulfide exchange reaction is proposed for glutathione detection. The method utilises a reaction between glutathione and an excess of the disulfide cystamine which produces an equimolar concentration of the thiol cysteamine. This latter is then detected at Prussian Blue modified screen printed electrodes at an applied potential of 200 mV versus Ag/AgCl. First the cysteamine analytical parameters were optimised, resulting in a detection limit of 10 −6 mol l −1 and a linear range up to 10 −4 mol l −1 . Reproducibility (R.S.D. = 7%, n = 6) and stability (more than 30 measurements with the same electrode) were satisfactory. Then the reaction between the disulfide cystamine and the thiol glutathione was optimised and a pH of 7.4 with a concentration of cystamine of 10 −2 mol l −1 was chosen as the best conditions in terms of reaction rate and sensor sensitivity. Glutathione was then measured under the optimised conditions giving a detection limit of 2 × 10 −6 mol l −1 and a linear range up to 5 × 10 −4 mol l −1 . Blood samples were also tested in order to determine the recovery of the method. Recoveries between 92 and 103% were observed for glutathione concentrations in blood ranging from 0.5 to 3 × 10 −3 mol l −1

Effect of the Type of Organic Waste and Retention Time on Biogas Production from Cow Dung

Nowadays, the demand on fossil energy is increasing in number whereas its availability is decrease. People are still reckoned on it, despite of its rareness. Fossil energy utilized must be banned due to its negative effect. It is time for us to use renewable and eco-friendly energy (biofuel). Biogas is one of biofuel produced from anaerobic decomposition of organic matter by microorganisms. Organic waste as a by-product of our daily activities can be used as raw material to produce biogas. To use waste, means to decrease the environmental pollution problem. This research is aim to study the type of organic waste as a raw material to produce biogas through anaerobic digestion and its retention time. Organic wastes that were used in this research are domestic waste (food waste), agriculture waste (corn leaves) and industrial waste (solid and liquid waste of tofu). All of these wastes were mixed with cow dung as the starter/inoculum. As a control, the starter was used without organic waste addition. The testable retention times were 1st week until 9th week. The experimental design was Factorial Complete Randomized Design with confidence level 95%. The result showed that all the type of organic waste can be used to produce biogas through anaerobic digestion. Statistically, the average volume of biogas produced from industrial waste per week, 5794,3 ml was significantly different from any other organic waste (P=0,000). The best retention time was found on 8th week with the average volume of biogas was 3675,6 ml (P=0,006). There was no interaction between these two factors (P=0,1). This research is expected to open the people’s awareness about the management of useable organic waste as a raw material to produce biogas

Investigación médico-antropológica documental: prescripciones enfocadas al manejo del dolor

Introducción: Las recetas médicas o prescripciones históricas en el territorio de la Nueva Granada (hoy Colombia) revelan la evolución del manejo de la enfermedad en función de los efectos benéficos de administrar algún tipo de agente medicinal de origen vegetal, animal o mineral. Objetivo: Describir el tratamiento del reumatismo en los siglos XVIII y XIX, con base en dos recetas médicas de la época con base en la fundamentación contemporánea de su interacción fisiológica. Materiales y métodos: Búsqueda documental en el archivo Histórico de la Biblioteca Octavio Arizmendi Posada de la Universidad de La Sabana, donde se encontraron las recetas tituladas “Reumatismo” y “Rehumas”. Resultados: Se describen cuatro clases de tratamientos para las enfermedades reumáticas utilizados en los siglos XVIII y XIX y orientados principal-mente a la disminución del dolor. Este artículo presenta las bases fisiológicas de estos tratamientos, y cómo pudieron o no haber tenido algún efecto calmante al examinar su fisiología. Conclusiones: Estos medicamentos coloniales neogranadinos no ameritan su uso en el contexto actual de la medicina, pero pudieron representar una ayuda terapéutica en su momento

Atrasentan and renal events in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (SONAR): a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial

Background: Short-term treatment for people with type 2 diabetes using a low dose of the selective endothelin A receptor antagonist atrasentan reduces albuminuria without causing significant sodium retention. We report the long-term effects of treatment with atrasentan on major renal outcomes. Methods: We did this double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial at 689 sites in 41 countries. We enrolled adults aged 18–85 years with type 2 diabetes, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)25–75 mL/min per 1·73 m 2 of body surface area, and a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR)of 300–5000 mg/g who had received maximum labelled or tolerated renin–angiotensin system inhibition for at least 4 weeks. Participants were given atrasentan 0·75 mg orally daily during an enrichment period before random group assignment. Those with a UACR decrease of at least 30% with no substantial fluid retention during the enrichment period (responders)were included in the double-blind treatment period. Responders were randomly assigned to receive either atrasentan 0·75 mg orally daily or placebo. All patients and investigators were masked to treatment assignment. The primary endpoint was a composite of doubling of serum creatinine (sustained for ≥30 days)or end-stage kidney disease (eGFR <15 mL/min per 1·73 m 2 sustained for ≥90 days, chronic dialysis for ≥90 days, kidney transplantation, or death from kidney failure)in the intention-to-treat population of all responders. Safety was assessed in all patients who received at least one dose of their assigned study treatment. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01858532. Findings: Between May 17, 2013, and July 13, 2017, 11 087 patients were screened; 5117 entered the enrichment period, and 4711 completed the enrichment period. Of these, 2648 patients were responders and were randomly assigned to the atrasentan group (n=1325)or placebo group (n=1323). Median follow-up was 2·2 years (IQR 1·4–2·9). 79 (6·0%)of 1325 patients in the atrasentan group and 105 (7·9%)of 1323 in the placebo group had a primary composite renal endpoint event (hazard ratio [HR]0·65 [95% CI 0·49–0·88]; p=0·0047). Fluid retention and anaemia adverse events, which have been previously attributed to endothelin receptor antagonists, were more frequent in the atrasentan group than in the placebo group. Hospital admission for heart failure occurred in 47 (3·5%)of 1325 patients in the atrasentan group and 34 (2·6%)of 1323 patients in the placebo group (HR 1·33 [95% CI 0·85–2·07]; p=0·208). 58 (4·4%)patients in the atrasentan group and 52 (3·9%)in the placebo group died (HR 1·09 [95% CI 0·75–1·59]; p=0·65). Interpretation: Atrasentan reduced the risk of renal events in patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease who were selected to optimise efficacy and safety. These data support a potential role for selective endothelin receptor antagonists in protecting renal function in patients with type 2 diabetes at high risk of developing end-stage kidney disease. Funding: AbbVie

Surgery through time. Saturn extract : an 18th century medical prescription

Objetivo: Analizar una receta médica del siglo XVIII en el Nuevo Reino de Granada, hoy República de Colombia, utilizada para el tratamiento de las lesiones de tejidos blandos, específicamente heridas y úlceras en la piel. Método: Se realizó una búsqueda documental en el Archivo Histórico Cipriano Rodríguez Santamaría de la Biblioteca Octavio Arizmendi Posada, en la Universidad de La Sabana (Chía, Colombia), y se hizo una revisión de la literatura disponible en bases de datos electrónicas. Resultados y conclusión: En la receta médica colonial se mencionan los beneficios del uso de lo que se interpreta como acetato de plomo en cataplasma para procesos inflamatorios en general y alteraciones de la piel. Sin embargo, en la actualidad se conoce su potencial efecto citotóxico tisular en diversos órganos.Q4Objective: To analyze a medical prescription from the 18th century in the New Kingdom of Granada, nowadays Colombia, used in the treatment of soft tissue injuries, specifically wounds and skin ulcers. Method: A documentary search was conducted in the Cipriano Rodríguez Santamaria Historical Archive of the Octavio Arizmendi Posada Library, at Universidad de La Sabana (Chía, Colombia), and a review of the literature available in electronic databases. Results and conclusion: The colonial medical prescription mentions the benefits of lead acetate in poultice for inflammatory processes in general and skin alterations. However, its use is not recommended due to its potential cytotoxic effect at tissue level in various organs.Revista Internacional - No indexad

Signal processing and machine learning algorithm to classify anaesthesia depth

Background Poor assessment of anaesthetic depth (AD) has led to overdosing or underdosing of the anaesthetic agent, which requires continuous monitoring to avoid complications. The evaluation of the central nervous system activity and autonomic nervous system could provide additional information on the monitoring of AD during surgical procedures.Methods Observational analytical single-centre study, information on biological signals was collected during a surgical procedure under general anaesthesia for signal preprocessing, processing and postprocessing to feed a pattern classifier and determine AD status of patients. The development of the electroencephalography index was carried out through data processing and algorithm development using MATLAB V.8.1.Results A total of 25 men and 35 women were included, with a total time of procedure average of 109.62 min. The results show a high Pearson correlation between the Complexity Brainwave Index and the indices of the entropy module. A greater dispersion is observed in the state entropy and response entropy indices, a partial overlap can also be seen in the boxes associated with deep anaesthesia and general anaesthesia in these indices. A high Pearson correlation might be explained by the coinciding values corresponding to the awake and general anaesthesia states. A high Pearson correlation might be explained by the coinciding values corresponding to the awake and general anaesthesia states.Conclusion Biological signal filtering and a machine learning algorithm may be used to classify AD during a surgical procedure. Further studies will be needed to confirm these results and improve the decision-making of anaesthesiologists in general anaesthesia

Morbus gallicus, bubas o mal francés: una receta médica neogranadina para una enfermedad vergonzosa

5 páginasintroduction. Sexually transmitted diseases have accompanied humanity for much of its history. Syphilis, previously known as morbus gallicus, is an example of this type of infectious diseases. During the New Granada period, this disease caused havoc in the population due to the precarious prevailing health conditions, the scarce knowledge of the disease and its difficulty diagnosis. objective. To contextualize a medical prescription for syphilis management dating from the 18th century in the New Kingdom of Granada. Analyze its components based on current scientific knowledge, and try to understand the possible phytotherapeutic effects that could have acted on the manifestation of the disease in the population of the time. material and methods. Documentary search in the Historical Archive of the University of La Sabana, where the recipe “gallic infection” was identified. Databases such as Scopus, Clinical Key, Scielo and Google Scholar were used, with no time limit and with the following search terms: phytotherapy, plant extracts, therapeutic use, Smilax, Pimpinella, Lavandula, Senna bicapsularis and vegetable oils. results. The source document was transcribed, finding four phytotherapeutic agents: sarsaparilla (Smilax aspera), composed of steroidal saponins, polyphenols and flavonoids, with anti-inflammatory, analgesic, cytotoxic and antioxidant properties; anise (Pimpinella anisum), with antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antioxidant and analgesic medicinal properties; lavender flowers (Lavandula stoechas), with antibacterial, antifungal and sedative effects; sem (Senna bicapsularis) leaves with reported antioxidant and antibacterial activities. conclusion. In light of current evidence, it cannot be concluded that the multiple components of this prescription were effective for the definitive syphilis treatment. However, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties are recognized in its components.introducción. Las enfermedades de transmisión sexual han acompañado a la humanidad durante buena parte de su historia. La sífilis, anteriormente conocida como morbus gallicus, es un ejemplo de este tipo de patologías infecciosas. Durante el periodo neogranadino, esta enfermedad causó estragos en la población debido a las precarias condiciones de salud imperantes, el escaso conocimiento de la enfermedad y la dificultad de su diagnóstico. objetivo. Contextualizar una receta médica que data del siglo xviii en el Nuevo Reino de Granada utilizada para el manejo de la sífilis, analizar sus componentes con base en conocimientos científicos actuales, y tratar de entender los posibles efectos fitoterapéuticos que pudiesen haber actuado sobre la manifestación de la enfermedad en la población de la época. material y métodos. Búsqueda documental en el Archivo Histórico de la Universidad de La Sabana, donde se identificó la receta “Infección gálica”. Se utilizaron bases de datos como Scopus, Clinical Key, Scielo y Google Académico, sin límite de tiempo y con los siguientes términos de búsqueda: fitoterapia, extractos de plantas, uso terapéutico, Smilax, Pimpinella, Lavandula, Senna bicapsularis y aceites vegetales. resultados. Se realizó la transcripción del documento fuente donde se encontraron cuatro agentes fitoterapéuticos: la zarzaparrilla (Smilax aspera), compuesta por saponinas esteroidales, polifenoles y flavonoides, con propiedades antiinflamatorias, analgésicas, citotóxicas y antioxidantes; el anís (Pimpinella anisum), con propiedades medicinales antibacterianas, antifúngicas, antivirales, antioxidantes y analgésicas; las flores de cantueso (Lavandula stoechas), con efectos antibacterianos, antifúngicos y sedantes; hojas de sem (Senna bicapsularis), con actividades antioxidantes y antibacterianas reportadas. conclusión. A la luz de la evidencia actual no se puede concluir que los múltiples componentes de esta receta fueran eficaces para el tratamiento definitivo de la sífilis. Sin embargo, en éstos sí se reconocen propiedades analgésicas y antiinflamatorias