A simple approach for synthesis, characterization and bioactivity of bovine bones to fabricate the polyurethane nanofiber containing hydroxyapatite nanoparticles.

In the present study, we had introduced polyurethane (PU) nanofibers that contain hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanoparticles (NPs) as a result of an electrospinning process. A simple method that does not depend on additional foreign chemicals had been employed to synthesize HAp NPs through the calcination of bovine bones. Typically, a colloidal gel consisting of HAp/PU had been electrospun to form nanofibers. In this communication, physiochemical aspects of prepared nanofibers were characterized by FE-SEM, TEM and TEM-EDS, which confirmed that nanofibers were well-oriented and good dispersion of HAp NPs, over the prepared nanofibers. Parameters, affecting the utilization of the prepared nanofibers in various nano-biotechnological fields have been studied; for instance, the bioactivity of the produced nanofiber mats was investigated while incubating in simulated body fluid (SBF). The results from incubation of nanofibers, indicated that incorporation of HAp strongly activates the precipitation of the apatite-like particles, because of the HAp NPs act as seed, that accelerate crystallization of the biological HAp from the utilized SBF.

CTX-M-15-producing multidrug-resistant enteroaggregative Escherichia coli in the United Arab Emirates.

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production was demonstrated in five independent, multidrug-resistant isolates of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) from the United Arab Emirates, representing 11.3% of the EAEC isolates recovered during 1 year. All five isolates carried the bla(CTX-M-15) and the bla(TEM-1) genes, the former positioned 48 bp downstream of an ISecp1 element. In two isolates, the bla(CTX-M-15 )and bla(TEM-1) genes were located on a 95-kb plasmid. This is the first detailed description and characterisation of ESBL production in enteroaggregative E. coli and also the first report of CTX-M-producing organisms encountered on the Arabian Peninsula.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the United Arab Emirates: evidence of local transmission with unique strains.

A retrospective epidemiological analysis was performed of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections in the Al Ain Medical District, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) during the period 1995-2000. The mean incidence for the study period was 7.1%, more than 3 times that reported for the period 1983-1992 (2.1%). For the years 1997 through 2000, the highest incidences (approximately 5-7% of tested) were from health care facilities that cater exclusively for citizens and long-term residents of the U.A.E. Corresponding rates for the immigrant visa applicants (non-citizens) were lower and showed a dramatic decrease from approximately 18% in 1995 to approximately 2% in 2000. Most importantly, the number of multidrug-resistant cases showed an increase from 1.4% during the period August 1997-December 1998 to 8.5% during the period January 1999-July 2000. Analysis of 7 different isolates by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) showed RFLP patterns that did not match > 4000 individual patterns from 32 countries, suggesting the possible presence of M. tuberculosis strains unique to the U.A.E. Our data demonstrate local transmission of M. tuberculosis in the Al Ain Medical Region of the U.A.E.

Acute acalculous cholecystitis following open heart surgery.

We undertook a retrospective study designed to ascertain the frequency of acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) following open heart surgery. In the study period 1982-1990, 22 of 6393 patients following open heart surgery were recognized to have developed AAC, an incidence of 0.34%. The majority of patients (16/22) presented within the first postoperative week. Vague right upper quadrant physical findings, nonspecific changes in the liver function chemistries and unexplained sepsis frequently led to radiologic evaluations. Ultrasonography was the most valuable radiologic study, with a diagnosis sensitivity of 82%. Technetium cholescintography can serve as a useful adjunct when interpreted in the context of other clinical findings. Cholecystectomy was performed in 20 patients and cholecystostomy in two. Nine (41%) patients had gangrenous gallbladders with frank perforation in two. A specific preoperative diagnosis was made in 19 patients (86%). Fifteen patients survived for a mortality rate of 32%. In 12 of 15 survivors (80%), the diagnosis of AAC was established and laparotomy performed within 48 hours of first clinical suspicion. Gangrene and perforation were seen in 87% of patients in whom surgery was delayed. AAC is a life-threatening condition especially in critically ill patients. Experience suggests that early diagnosis and operative intervention are the key elements of treatment. Delay of operative management on the grounds of recent cardiac surgery is not justified.

Prophylactic ureteric catheters in colon surgery--how safe are they? Report of three cases.

Preoperative placement of ureteral catheters has been recommended for prevention of ureteral injuries. During a three-year period, prophylactic ureteral catheters were inserted selectively in 59 patients undergoing colorectal surgery in whom a difficult dissection was anticipated. Three patients developed reflux anuria after the use of prophylactic ureteral catheters. The safety of these catheters is questioned, and the diagnoses and methods of preventing ureteral injuries are discussed.

Final diagnosis by fine-needle aspiration biopsy for definitive operation in breast cancer.

This work has been based on 15 years experience with more than 10,000 needle aspiration biopsies of the breast. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy was used in place of open breast biopsy for definitive operation in breast cancer. Our experience with 2,623 aspiration biopsies over a 3 year period has been reviewed. There was a total of 323 cancers, of which 257 (80 percent) were unequivocally diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration biopsy. Definitive operation was performed in 244 of these patients (95 percent) without open biopsy. Thirteen had an excisional biopsy before definitive operation at the request of the referring physician. The sensitivity was 80 percent and the specificity was 98 percent. There were no false-positive diagnoses. The positive predictive value was 100 percent. False-negative diagnoses were made in 9 percent of the patients, half of whom had nonpalpable carcinomas. Our experience shows that fine-needle aspiration biopsy is accurate in the diagnosis of breast cancer, and when the finding is positive, it can be used for definitive breast operation, eliminating the need for open biopsy. A management algorithm has also been presented herein.