Competition between electron pairing and phase coherence in superconducting interfaces.

In LaAlO3/SrTiO3 heterostructures, a gate tunable superconducting electron gas is confined in a quantum well at the interface between two insulating oxides. Remarkably, the gas coexists with both magnetism and strong Rashba spin-orbit coupling. However, both the origin of superconductivity and the nature of the transition to the normal state over the whole doping range remain elusive. Here we use resonant microwave transport to extract the superfluid stiffness and the superconducting gap energy of the LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interface as a function of carrier density. We show that the superconducting phase diagram of this system is controlled by the competition between electron pairing and phase coherence. The analysis of the superfluid density reveals that only a very small fraction of the electrons condenses into the superconducting state. We propose that this corresponds to the weak filling of high-energy dxz/dyz bands in the quantum well, more apt to host superconductivity.

Once-daily indacaterol versus twice-daily salmeterol for COPD: a placebo-controlled comparison.

Indacaterol is a novel, inhaled, once-daily, ultra-long-acting ß(2)-agonist bronchodilator recently approved in Europe for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of indacaterol compared with placebo and the twice-daily ß(2)-agonist, salmeterol, as an active control. Patients with moderate-to-severe COPD were randomised to 6 months double-blind treatment with indacaterol (150 µg once daily), salmeterol (50 µg twice daily) or placebo. The primary efficacy end-point was trough (24 h post-dose) forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) after 12 weeks. 1,002 patients were randomised and 838 (84%) completed the study. Indacaterol increased trough FEV(1) at week 12 by 170 mL over placebo (p<0.001) and by 60 mL over salmeterol (p<0.001). Both active treatments improved health status (St George's Respiratory Questionnaire) and dyspnoea (transition dyspnoea index) compared with placebo, with differences between them favouring indacaterol. Safety profiles were similar across the treatment groups, and both indacaterol and salmeterol were well tolerated. Once-daily treatment with 150 µg indacaterol had a significant and clinically relevant bronchodilator effect over 24 h post-dose and improved health status and dyspnoea to a greater extent than twice-daily 50 µg salmeterol. Indacaterol should prove a useful additional treatment for patients with COPD.

Adverse reactions to cosmetics.

Adverse reaction to cosmetics constitute a small but significant number of cases of contact dermatitis with varied appearances. These can present as contact allergic dermatitis, photodermatitis, contact irritant dermatitis, contact urticaria, hypopigmentation, hyperpigmentation or depigmentation, hair and nail breakage. Fifty patients were included for the study to assess the role of commonly used cosmetics in causing adverse reactions. It was found that hair dyes, lipsticks and surprisingly shaving creams caused more reaction as compared to other cosmetics. Overall incidence of contact allergic dermatitis seen was 3.3% with patients own cosmetics. Patch testing was also done with the basic ingredients and showed positive results in few cases where casual link could be established. It is recommended that labeling of the cosmetics should be done to help the dermatologists and the patients to identify the causative allergen in cosmetic preparation.

Inpatient costs and paramilitary punishment beatings in northern Ireland.

BACKGROUND: Paramilitary punishment beatings are a common occurrence in Northern Ireland. Little is known about the costs such attacks impose on the health service. METHODS: Data was collected retrospectively on victims treated by Northern Ireland's regional specialist orthopaedics unit. Data related to all victims treated in the unit between January 1999 and May 2000. RESULTS: Average inpatient care costs were 2010 Pounds ($2914). There was no significant difference in these between patients who were shot and those who were beaten. CONCLUSION: Punishment beatings present a small but significant cost burden to the health service. A fuller understanding of them from a health care perspective is warranted.

Late outcome of isolated tibial fractures treated by intramedullary nailing: the correlation between disease-specific and generic outcome measures.

OBJECTIVES: To measure the late morbidity of nailed isolated tibial fractures, using both a generic health score and disease-specific scores. To determine the correlation between the two types of outcome measure. DESIGN: Retrospective study, using a combination of case notes and radiographic review plus current clinical assessment. SETTING: Fracture Outcomes Research Unit in a U.K. teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Eighty-three patients with isolated fractures of the tibial diaphysis. Follow-up time was a minimum of three years from injury (mean fifty-seven months). INTERVENTION: All patients were treated primarily by closed, reamed intramedullary nailing. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Iowa Knee and Ankle Scores, visual analogue pain scores for fracture site and knee and ankle joints, and the Short Form 36 health status questionnaire. RESULTS: Sixty-four (77.1%) fractures united after the first procedure. Twenty-nine (34.9%) patients had pain around the knee at rest, fifty-nine (71.1%) had difficulty in kneeling, and thirteen (15.7%) were still experiencing some pain at their fracture site; 69% of patients had excellent results based on the Iowa scores as well as the SF-36 scores. Pain at the knee correlated with low Physical Component Summary and Mental Component Summary scores, and fracture site pain correlated with only low Physical Component Summary score. There was a significant correlation between the disease-specific scores and the SF-36 scores, and only patients with an excellent Iowa grade had "normal" SF-36 scores. CONCLUSION: After tibial nailing, mild deficits registered by Iowa scores are associated with a significant disability and unhappiness as registered by the SF-36. According to the patient-oriented outcomes tool, 31% of late results are "unsatisfactory."

Alkaptonuria.

A case of alkaptonuria, a rare autosomal recessive metabolic disorder is being reported. The patient presented with passage of dark coloured urine, cutaneous and scleral pigmentation and joint pains. The diagnosis was confirmed by the detection of homogentisic acid in the urine.

Evaluation on azathioprine in the treatment of parthenium dermatitis.

Parthenium dermatitis is one of the most intractable problems in dermatology, the management of which poses a therapeutic challenge. The mainstay of treatment has been systemic corticosteroids for prolonged periods which may result in various side-effects.ln the present study, 30 patients of parthenium dermatitis were treated with oral azathioprine in a dose of 1-3 mg/kg/day. Assessment was done at monthly intervals using a clinical score. Azathioprine emerged as an effective and safe corticosteroid sparing agent in the treatment of parthenium dermatitis, provided the patients are carefully monitored for the side effects.

Dia-metaphyseal distal tibial fractures--treatment with a shortened intramedullary nail: a review of 15 cases.

Fifteen patients were reviewed retrospectively with distal tibial fractures treated with a reamed intramedullary nail which had approximately 1 cm removed just distal to the lowermost locking screw. There were 15 patients (nine males and six females). All patients had returned to normal activities of daily living. Eleven patients could perform all leisure activities with no symptoms and three had only minor discomfort, which did not preclude sport. All fractures united, 12 uneventfully and three after a secondary surgical procedure. Three patients had malalignment defined as varus-valgus angulation or recurvatum of 5 degrees or greater. Whilst technically challenging, intramedullary nailing for dia-metaphyseal distal tibial fractures represents a safe and reliable method for managing these injuries. This represents the first report in the English Language literature specifically examining treatment with a shortened tibial nail.

Actinomycotic mycetoma.

A case of actinomycotic mycetoma presenting as multiple nodules with sinuses and swelling of left foot of six years duration is being reported. The diagnosis was confirmed histologically.

Rowell's Syndrome.

A 65-year old woman presented with long standing history of lupus erythematosus with episodic eruption of erythema mutiforme - like lesions. Immunological investigations revealed positive rheumatoid factor, ANF and histology was consistent with the clinical findings.

Making videos for medical undergraduate teaching in child psychiatry: the development, use and perceived effectiveness of structured videotapes of clinical material for use by medical students in child psychiatry.

The rationale for using videotapes in medical student teaching is presented with some examples of their use. The process of producing videotapes for use in the undergraduate child psychiatry course at the University of Leicester Medical School is then described, based on eight videos made so far. This includes planning, patient recruitment, and the technical issues associated with video production. The use of the videotapes is then contextualized. Feedback from medical students on the usefulness and quality of the videos is presented. There is finally a brief discussion of some of the issues that arise for both patients and clinicians when videos are made and used for medical student teaching.

Early mobilisation versus immobilisation of surgically treated ankle fractures. Prospective randomised control trial.

In a randomised prospective controlled trial of 52 patients aged 16 to 65 we compared early non-weightbearing ankle mobilisation with ankle immobilisation following surgical treatment of bimalleolar ankle fractures. At 3 months there was no significant difference between the two groups in the range of ankle movements or pain. There was however a significant difference in the gait pattern with a higher proportion of cases in the early ankle mobilisation group having a symmetrical gait (P = 0.0001).

Total hip arthroplasty for giant cell tumour.

A 32 month follow up of an uncommon case of a Giant Cell Tumour affecting the proximal end of femur is presented. Following a wide excision, the hip was reconstructed using Charnley type of low friction total hip arthroplasty. At a 32 month review, there was no recurrence and the function was good.

Chrysotherapy in psoriasis.

Efficacy of oral gold was assessed in 23 patients with psoriasis of various types with excellent or good response in 14 patients (60%) whereas patients belonging to the age group of 11-20 years showed beneficial response in 10 out of 12 patients (83%). None of the patients experienced any side effect. It was concluded that oral gold (6mg/ day) for 3 to 6 months can be used as an alternative therapy in psoriasis especially in younger age group.

Solitary synovial osteochondroma of the knee.

A very rare case of solitary osteochondroma of the knee is reported. The patient presented with a slowly growing retropatellar bony tumour of 4 years duration following a minor trauma. An excisional biopsy with a total patellectomy was performed as the patellar articular surface was unsalvageable. A 20 month follow up revealed no recurrence and a functional knee. A brief review of literature is also presented.

Total hip arthroplasty in healed tuberculous hip.

Total hip arthroplasty was performed in a patient who had tuberculous hip, quiescent for the last 15 years, without pre or postoperative anti-tuberculous chemotherapy. At a 27 month follow up, there has been no evidence of reactivation. A brief review of relevant literature is also presented.

Distal fibular giant cell tumour.

A patient who reported with a slowly growing swelling ovr thee lateral aspect of the left ankle, was investigated and diagnosed to have a giant cell tumour which was confirmed on FNAC. The tumour was managed with excision biopsy and reconstruction. The case is being reported for its rare site of occurrence.

Fracture sacrum.

An extremely rare case of combined transverse and vertical fracture of sacrum with neurological deficit is reported here with a six month follow-up. The patient also had an L1 compression fracture. The patient has recovered significantly with conservative management.

Evaluation of H2 receptor antagonists in chronic idiopathic urticaria.

H1-antagonist (hydroxyzine hydrochloride) in dosage of 10 mg-25 mg thrice a day failed to elicit satisfactory response in 60 out of 170 patients of chronic idiopathic urticaria. Additional administration of H2-antagonist (cimetidine) in dosage of 200 mg four times a day, in patients not responding earlier to H1-antagonist alones exhibited moderate to good improvement of various parameters of urticaria in approximately 85% patients.