Size controlled hydroxyapatite and calcium carbonate particles: synthesis and their application as templates for SERS platform.

An elegant route for hydroxyapatite (HA) particle synthesis via ionic exchange reaction is reported. Calcium carbonate particles (CaCO3) were recrystallized into HA beads in water solution with phosphate ions. The size of initial CaCO3 particles was controlled upon the synthesis by varying the amount of ethylene glycol (EG) in aqueous solution. The average size of HA beads ranged from 0.6±0.1 to 4.3±1.1µm. Silver nanoparticles were deposited on the surface of HA and CaCO3 particles via silver mirror reaction. Surface enhanced Raman scattering of silver functionalized beads was demonstrated by detecting Rhodamine B. CaCO3 and HA particles have a great potential for design of carrier which can provide diagnostic and therapeutic functions.

Ketamine reduces swallowing-evoked pain after paediatric tonsillectomy.

BACKGROUND: Ketamine efficacy as an analgesic adjuvant has been studied in several clinical settings with conflicting results. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ketamine on spontaneous and swallowing-evoked pain after tonsillectomy. METHODS: Fifty children were randomized to receive premedication with either ketamine 0.1 mg kg(-1) i.m. or placebo given 20 min before induction of a standard general anaesthesia. All children received rectal diclofenac 2 mg kg(-1) and fentanyl 1 micro g kg(-1) i.v. before surgery. RESULTS: The ketamine group showed significantly lower pain scores both at rest and on swallowing, with less total paracetamol consumption (P < 0.05) during the 24 h after surgery. Significantly more patients required postoperative morphine titration in the control group (P < 0.05). The time to the first oral intake, and duration of i.v. hydration, were significantly shorter and the quality of oral intake was significantly better in the ketamine group (P < 0.05). There were no differences in the incidence of vomiting or dreaming between the groups. CONCLUSION: Premedication with a small dose of ketamine reduces swallowing-evoked pain after tonsillectomy in children who received an analgesic regimen combining an opioid and a NSAID.

Radiofrequency bipolar submucosal diathermy of the inferior turbinates.

Fifty nonatopic patients with chronic hypertrophic rhinitis and suffering from chronic nasal obstruction due to hypertrophied inferior turbinates were subjected to bipolar submucosal diathermy using a radio frequency unit and a bipolar turbinate probe. One year postoperatively, 76% of patients showed significant improvement of their nasal breathing and another 16% reported partial improvement. The minimal cross sectional has also significantly increased from 0.58 +/- 0.05 cm2 to 0.72 +/- 0.04 cm2 and the decongestive effect was statistically significant. Electron microscopic examination of the nasal mucosa at the end of the follow up period revealed intact healthy epithelium as well as intense fibrosis of the underlying stroma. The results of the work showed that bipolar submucosal diathermy is a safe, effective outpatient procedure that does not require nasal packing or expensive instrumentation. The procedure can be repeated, if necessary, according to the patient's needs.

Salter's innominate osteotomy: the biologic stimulating effect.

This study entails the follow-up of 28 patients (33 hips) with congenital hip dislocation. The primary treatment was one-stage open reduction and Salter type osteotomy. The mean follow-up period was 5 years and 6 months (range = 3 years to 7 years 4 months). At last follow-up, 9 hips (27%) were classified as excellent, 22 hips (67%) as good, and 2 hips (6%) as fair. Avascular necrosis developed in two hips (6%) postoperatively. The difference between the acetabular index at immediate postoperative time and at last follow-up was statistically significant (p < 0.01). The Salter osteotomy by itself may have a biologic stimulating effect on the acetabulum, which accentuates reversal of the dysplastic changes.

A new bioactive metabolite from Xanthoria steineri .

The ether extract of the lichen Xanthoria steneri Lamb yielded two new octanoic acid derivatives identified as 3-hydroxy 2,4, 6-trimethyl octanoic acid (xantoric acid A) and 3-O-[3'-hydroxy-2',4',6'-trimethyl octanoate]-2,4,6 trimethyl octanoic acid (xanthoric acid B). In addition, 3-methyl orsellinic acid methyl ester (2, 4-dihydroxy-3,6-dimethyl benzoic acid methyl ester), physcion and 5 alpha-stigmast-7-en-3 beta-OI were further isolated and identified on the basis of spectral data. The biological profile of xanthoric acid B revealed a wide range of bioactivity including cytotoxicity, anticonvulsant, antibacterial and antimycotic properties.

(+)-Sparteine N-16-oxide, a lupin alkaloid from Lygos raetam var. sarcocarpa.

A new lupin alkaloid, (+)-sparteine N-16-oxide was isolated from Lygos raetam var. sarcocarpa, together with five known alkaloids: (+)-aphylline, (+)-17 oxosparteine, (-)-5,6-dehydrolupanine, (-)-N-formyl cytisine and (+)-ammodenderine. The structure of the new alkaloid including absolute configuration was determined by spectroscopic methods and chemical transformation.

Guaianolides from Lactuca saligna.

The phytochemical investigation of the aerial parts of LACTUCA SALIGNA L. revealed the presence of lactucin, lactucopicrin, and a new guaianolide named 11beta,13-dihydrolactucopicrin. The structural configuration was established through spectral data.

Survival statistics for multiple primaries in head and neck cancer.

The recognition of a second primary carcinoma in a patient with known head and neck cancer is considered a poor prognostic sign. However, its true implication for patient survival is not known. A retrospective 10-year study showed that second primary malignancies developed in 207 of 875 patients. Second primary malignancies were most commonly associated with glottic index tumors, followed by floor of mouth tumors. The second primary was most likely to occur at a time interval of 1.5 years from diagnosis of the index tumor. Second primary neoplasms were more likely to develop in patients whose original head and neck tumor was stage I or II, or whose histopathology showed well or moderately well differentiation. Patients with head and neck cancer in whom a second upper aerodigestive tract tumor develops have a 75% chance of 1-year survival, but only a 25% chance of 5-year survival. The average time from diagnosis of second primary to the time of death was 2.3 years. If we are to increase the survival time of our patients with head and neck cancer, we must consider that a second primary will develop in one of four patients. We must therefore consider the high risk of second primary malignancy when formulating the original treatment plan for a patient manifesting his or her first head and neck cancer.

Neurobrucellosis in an eight-year-old child.

An 8-year-old boy, presenting with signs of chronic meningitis, and involvement of cranial nerves, was found to have neurobrucellosis. The diagnosis was rapidly established by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that detected high titres of IgG, IgA and IgM brucella antibodies in CSF and in serum. Brucella melitensis was subsequently isolated both from blood and CSF. Neurobrucellosis, which has been considered to be very rare in childhood, should be suspected in cases of meningitis of obscure aetiology in brucella-endemic areas. Brucella-specific antibodies in serum and CSF should be determined in these cases using sensitive serological techniques.

Reversible renal failure in a child with brucellosis: a case report.

Bilateral kidney enlargement and renal failure are described in a five-years-old girl with brucellosis. The diagnosis was made on the basis of a rising brucella agglutination titre. Both the function and the size of the kidneys returned to normal after four weeks treatment with co-trimoxazole. Renal brucellosis may stimulate renal tuberculosis or chronic pyelonephritis and should be considered in areas where brucellosis is endemic.

Non-union of the humeral shaft: a report on 25 cases.

A series of 25 cases of pseudarthrosis of the humeral shaft is presented. These cases were treated by three different methods. The reasons for non-union, the effectiveness of various methods of treatment and the complications are discussed. The best results are achieved in cases treated by compression plates and iliac bone grafts. Excision of the pseudarthrotic fibrous tissue with freshening of the bone end was done in all cases.