Investigating Anti-Bacterial and Anti-COVID-19 Virus Properties and Mode of Action of Pure Mg(OH)2 and Copper-infused Mg(OH)2 Nanoparticles and Coated Polypropylene Surfaces
Published on: 29th May, 2024
Robust anti-microbial surfaces that are non-toxic to users have widespread application in medical, industrial, and domestic arenas. Magnesium hydroxide has recently gained attention as an anti-microbial compound that is non-toxic, biocompatible, and environmentally friendly. Here we demonstrate melt compound and thermally embossed methods for coating polypropylene with Mg(OH)2 nanoplatelets and copper-infused Mg(OH)2 nanoplatelets. Polypropylene articles coated with Mg(OH)2 nanoplatelets and copper-infused Mg(OH)2 nanoplatelets exhibit a log 8 kill of E.coli within 24 hours. In addition, Mg(OH)2 NPs suspension, at 0.25% reduced SARSCoV-2 virus titers in the solution by 2.5 x 103 PFU/mL or 29.4%, while the Cu-infused Mg(OH)2 NPs suspension, at 0.25% reduced titers by 8.1 x 103 PFU/mL or 95.3%. Fluorescence microscopy revealed that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced in bacteria in response to Mg(OH)2 and Cu-infused Mg(OH)2 nanoplatelets which appears to be an important but not the sole mode of anti-microbial action of the nanoplatelets. Plastics with anti-microbial surfaces from where biocides are non-leachable are highly desirable. This work provides a general fabrication strategy for developing anti-microbial plastic surfaces.
Successful Management of a Giant Splenic Cyst during Pregnancy: A Rare Case
Published on: 27th May, 2024
Background: Maternal splenic cyst during pregnancy appears to be a rare pathology whose treatment is not codified. The most feared complication is rupture during pregnancy. It occurs in 60% of cases in the third trimester of pregnancy, leading to significant maternal-fetal morbidity and mortality. Case report: We describe the successful management of a 24-year-old patient, G1P0, with a history of a recurrent splenic cyst. She presented with a giant splenic cyst measuring 28 cm in diameter at 30 weeks of amenorrhea. A cesarean section was performed at 37 weeks gestation. A splenectomy was performed on day 21 postpartum.Conclusion: The incidence of splenic cysts is extremely rare during pregnancy. The diagnosis must be made as early as possible to undertake appropriate treatment before the appearance of maternal-fetal complications.
A Retrospective Analysis of Maternal Mortality in a Tertiary Care Centre at District Level
Published on: 23rd May, 2024
Background: Maternal mortality is a very sensitive indicator of our health system and services. Epidemiological data about maternal mortality is a vital requirement in every setting not only to design interventional programs but also to identify gaps in the existing structures, to reduce the ratio favorably. This study was an attempt to shed light on the mortality rate in our hospital, to analyze the epidemiological aspects, causes of maternal mortality, and types of delay, and to suggest recommendations for improvement. Methods: A retrospective study was done at a tertiary care center at the district level from January 2022 to December 2022. Demographic data and details of selected parameters were obtained from maternal death review forms and case records. Data analyzed and presented.Results: The majority of the maternal deaths could be attributed to direct obstetric causes like Eclampsia (29.41%), Pre-eclampsia (20.59%), and anemia (20.59%) followed by hemorrhage (14.71%), and septicemia (11.76%). Medical conditions contributing to death included liver disorders (5.8%), COVID-19 infection (5.8%), and cardiac disorders (2.9%). Conclusion: It is evident that the maternal mortality ratio is significantly high, with a majority of the deaths occurring due to avoidable causes. Leading contributory factors were due to delay in seeking help or delay in referral. High-risk cases must be identified at the earliest and referred to higher centers for management from the first trimester itself. Generating awareness among the common public and counseling the gravidas and their caretakers throughout pregnancy is equally important to prevent maternal mortality and near-miss cases.
Outcome of Patients Presenting with Peripartum Cardiomyopathy in a Tertiary Care Center of Nepal
Published on: 29th May, 2024
Purpose: Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a rare life-threatening cardiomyopathy of unknown etiology with significant maternal morbidity and mortality. It causes heart failure due to left ventricular systolic dysfunction with or without left ventricular dilatation in the last month of pregnancy up to 5 months postpartum in previously healthy women. We aimed to determine short-term outcomes of peripartum cardiomyopathy clinically as well as in terms of left ventricular systolic function and to study the clinical profile and associated risk factors.Patients and methods: A prospective observational study was carried out in the Department of Cardiology of Manmohan Cardiothoracic Vascular and Transplant Center, Institute of Medicine, Kathmandu, Nepal, from July 2018 to January 2022. All the patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy who presented to the department of cardiology were enrolled in the study and re-evaluated with echocardiography at 6 months.Results: A total of 68 women met the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 28.38 ± 5.5 years (range 19 to 44 years). The most common clinical presentation was dyspnea followed by lower limb edema. Six (8.8%) patients presented during the last month of pregnancy whereas 62 (91.2%) patients presented in the postpartum period. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction on presentation was 30.01 ± 8.54. A full recovery was observed among 60.29% at 6 months. The mortality rate was 4.41%.Conclusion: Timely diagnosis and management of peripartum cardiomyopathy with standard therapy for heart failure leads to better recovery of left ventricular systolic function.
Transformative Convergence: Exploring the Nexus of Engineering, Science and Technology in Intensive Care
Published on: 23rd May, 2024
In the last decade, convergence science has been described as the solution to problems by integrating biological sciences with the physical, mathematical and computational sciences. This concurrence opens the pitch to strengthen multidisciplinary, transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary work. This short review delves into the transformative integration of engineering, science and technology in the dynamic realm of intensive care. Unveiling recent advancements, the exploration spans the multifaceted contributions of these disciplines toward elevating patient care and optimizing healthcare systems.
Custom Implants and Beyond: The Biomedical Potential of Additive Manufacturing
Published on: 17th May, 2024
Additive manufacturing, commonly known as 3D printing, is revolutionizing the field of biomedical engineering by enabling the creation of custom implants tailored to individual patient anatomy. This technology uses digital design files to layer-by-layer build structures from various materials, including biocompatible metals, polymers, and ceramics. In medical applications, this precision allows for the creation of implants that closely match the contours and geometries of a patient’s unique anatomical features, offering improved fit, functionality, and comfort compared to traditional, mass-produced implants. The potential benefits extend beyond just enhanced patient outcomes. With additive manufacturing, healthcare providers can reduce surgical times by designing implants that require minimal intraoperative modification. Moreover, the flexibility of this technology facilitates rapid prototyping and iterative design, enabling healthcare professionals to collaborate with engineers in refining implant designs before they are used in surgery. This iterative approach is particularly useful in complex cases, such as craniofacial reconstruction, where conventional implants may not adequately address the intricacies of a patient’s skeletal structure.
Adalimumab in the Treatment of Complex Sarcoidosis-related Inflammatory Eye Disease: A Case Series
Published on: 21st May, 2024
Background: Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous inflammatory disease that is associated with inflammatory eye manifestations such as uveitis, cystoid macular edema, and retinal vasculitis. Although Corticosteroids (CS) have traditionally been the mainstay of treatment, there is a clinical need and growing interest in exploring alternative therapeutic options for patients who are refractory to or intolerant of CS or require long-term steroid-sparing agents. Purpose: This case series aims to describe the effectiveness of adalimumab, an anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α monoclonal antibody, in the management of complex sarcoidosis-related inflammatory eye disease via reduction in CS dosage and ocular exam findings before and after initiation of adalimumab therapy.Method: A retrospective chart review of patients between 2010 and 2023 seen at our academic center’s rheumatology and eye clinics was conducted, with 5 patients meeting the inclusion criteria. Results: Most patients were able to lower, discontinue, or remain off oral CS, while all 5 patients demonstrated a reduction in uveitis activity, Cystoid Macular Edema (CME), and/or retinal vasculitis. Conclusion: These findings suggest a potential role for adalimumab as an effective and safe therapeutic option in the management of complex sarcoidosis-related inflammatory eye disease.
Complications of External Otitis in Horses
Published on: 21st May, 2024
The physiological removal of foreign bodies in the horse’s external ear canal is best achieved by head-shaking. However, external otitis in the horse induces moderate to severe pain: therefore, the horse does not shake his head. The causes of external otitis are dust, water in the external ear canal, keratin, and ceruminous debris. The clinical symptoms are ear discharge, skittishness, facial nerve paresis, and/or head tilt. After the horse has been sedated, the most important diagnostic procedure is the endoscopy of the cartilaginous and osseous part of the external ear canal, including the evaluation of the transparency of the tympanic membrane. The clinical complications of external otitis are hearing loss, facial nerve paresis, head tilt, hypertrophy of the tympanostylohyoideum, and corneal ulcers. The most important treatment is soaking up the exudate in the osseous part of the external ear canal using small cotton balls which are held by the foreign body forceps of the endoscope. Based on the results of the culture of exudate and the antibiogram, an antibacterial drug must be administered orally for 3 to 4 weeks. At this time, an endoscopy of the external ear canals and guttural pouches also has to be done. Based on the outcome of the endoscopy, endoscopic and clinical investigations have to be performed six months later as well. Only 7/19 horses had a normal osseous part of the external ear canal with a transparent tympanic membrane, including normal hearing measured by the brainstem auditory-evoked response after one month of treatment.
eactive Oxygen Species Production from Hydroxamic Acid and their Iron (III) Complexes against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli
Published on: 15th May, 2024
The N-hydroxydodecanamide (HA12) and its complexes tri-hydroxamato-iron(III) and di-hydroxamto-iron(III) chloride (HA8Fe3 and HA12Fe3Cl, respectively) showed antibacterial and antimycobacterial activities. The proteomic analysis demonstrated that the targets of Hydroxamic Acid (HA) and their complexes were involved in the biosynthesis of mycobacterial cell walls. The Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) is one of the key elements to cause oxidative stress, damaging DNA, and cell membranes impaired during the procedure to kill bacteria. Here, the ROS production was determined to evaluate the compounds HA12, HA8Fe3, HA12Fe3Cl, and ZnCl2 against bacteria using 2’,7’-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) by spectrofluorometric analysis. The low fluorescence was observed using the compounds HA12, HA8Fe3, HA12Fe3Cl, and ZnCl2 treating the S. aureus and E. coli, indicating that the ROS production could not be observed using the compounds used at a dose higher than the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC). It was noted that the ROS determination could be performed with a concentration less than or equal to the MIC. This would enable the mechanism of action linked to the ROS production by HA and their metal complexes to be determined.
Hypercalcaemic Crisis Associated with Hyperthyroidism: A Rare and Challenging Presentation
Published on: 15th May, 2024
A 51-year-old female with a history of multinodular goitre presented with vomiting, abdominal discomfort, and generalized tiredness. Investigations revealed hypercalcemia (ionized calcium 1.41 mmol/L), hypokalaemia, suppressed parathyroid hormone, and significantly elevated free thyroxine (> 7.77 ng/dL) with a suppressed thyroid-stimulating hormone level consistent with hyperthyroidism. Further, the workup confirmed Graves’ disease as the underlying aetiology. Hyperthyroidism is occasionally associated with mild to moderate hypercalcemia, but severe hypercalcemia or hypercalcaemic crisis is an extremely rare complication. Prompt recognition and treatment are crucial to prevent life-threatening complications. The patient was treated with intravenous fluids, a low-calcium diet, zoledronic acid, carbimazole, and a beta-blocker, leading to improvement in her condition. This case highlights a rare occurrence of hypercalcaemic crisis in a patient with thyrotoxicosis due to Graves’ disease. Hyperthyroidism-induced hypercalcemia requires prompt recognition and multidisciplinary management involving endocrinologists, internists, and critical care specialists to prevent potentially life-threatening complications. Healthcare providers should consider the hypercalcaemic crisis in the differential diagnosis of hypercalcemia in the context of hyperthyroidism.
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