Simultaneous Identification of Unroofed Coronary Sinus Atrial Septal Defect and Atrial Septal Defect Secundum Using Cardiac Computed Tomography Angiography

Unroofed coronary sinus (UCS) represents a rare subtype of atrial septal defect (ASD), an adult congenital heart disease characterized by communication between the systemic and pulmonary circulations at the atrial level. This case report presents the unique occurrence of a large, unrepaired ASD secundum and an incidentally identified UCS type II in a 25-year-old female during a cardiac murmur assessment. The diagnosis of ASD secundum was initially made using transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and was later confirmed with a transesophageal echocardiogram. The identification of the UCS was achieved through the utilization of cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA). Ultimately, the patient underwent a successful reroofing procedure using a bovine pericardial patch.

Spontaneous Coronary Sinus Thrombosis in a Patient With Pulmonary Embolism and No Prior Cardiac Instrumentation

•Spontaneous CS thrombosis is a rare condition. •High clinical suspicion is needed to diagnose spontaneous CS thrombosis. •Heart instrumentation may cause CS thrombosis.

Plasma Homocysteine Levels and Cardiovascular Events in Patients With End-Stage Renal Disease: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Patients with chronic renal disease or failure are at a heightened risk of mortality due to cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is a predominant cause of death in this population. Hyperhomocysteinemia is prevalent in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), which may increase their susceptibility to CVD.

METHODS

We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar for articles published between 2003 and February 2023, using a combination of keywords such as "plasma homocysteine levels," "hyperhomocysteinemia," "end-stage renal disease," "renal failure," "kidney failure," "cardiovascular events," "cardiovascular disease," "myocardial infarction," "coronary artery disease," and "stroke." Our inclusion criteria were studies that investigated the association between total homocysteine (Hcy) level and CVD or total mortality, as well as the impact of vitamin supplementation on cardiovascular or mortality risk. We restricted our search to English-language studies that included ESRD patients and provided data on plasma Hcy levels and associated CVD events.

RESULTS

This systematic review includes 11 articles published between 2003 and 2023 that enrolled a total of 3,953 subjects, of whom 79.15% were male patients. All studies included in the review were either quantitative randomized trials or non-randomized studies, such as cross-sectional, cohort, or case-control studies. Of the total studies included, 10 reported either cardiovascular mortality or CVD events, including cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction (MI), angina, and stroke. One study reported the CVD risk score of the patients, and most of them had higher total homocysteine (tHcy) levels. Overall, a total of 817 CVD events were reported across the studies.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the relationship between Hcy and cardiovascular events in ESRD patients is not straightforward and requires further research. However, our review suggests that Hcy could be a predictor of cardiovascular events in this population, and its nutritional characteristics as well as other associated comorbidities may contribute to its inverse association with outcomes.

Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia – Rare Complication of Brucellosis in a Saudi Woman: A Case Report and Literature Review

Patient: Female, 46-year-old

Final Diagnosis: Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia • brucella induced autoimmune haemolytic anaemia and immune thrombocytopeni • brucellosis • immune thrombocytopenia

Symptoms: Fatigue • fever • weight loss

Medication: —

Clinical Procedure: —

Specialty: Hematology • Infectious Diseases • General and Internal Medicine

The morphological development of the proventriculus of Dandarawi chick: Light and electron microscopical studies

This study was carried out on 40 chick embryos collected from incubated eggs of Dandarawi chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) on the 5th to 19th incubation day (27 to 45 Hamburger and Hamilton, H&H stages). In addition, 15 chicks were collected on the day of hatching (stage 46 H&H), one week and two weeks post-hatching to demonstrate the histological, histochemical, and electron microscopic developmental changes of the proventriculus (of the digestive tract). Histologically, the proventriculus was observed as a narrow tube at 27 H&H stage. It was lined by pseudostratified columnar epithelium through 27-39 H&H stages and from the stage 43 till post-hatching, it was lined by simple columnar epithelium. The Lamina muscularis mucosa could be identified at stage 43. The proventricular glands were detected firstly at stage 31 and branching at stage 35. Histochemically, the surface epithelium and proventricular glands reacted positively to PAS, alcian blue and bromophenol blue from stage 31 till maturity. The glands displayed an apocrine mode of secretion at stage 39 and their cytoplasm contained abundant mitochondria, RER, secretory granules, and lipid droplets. Enteroendocrine cells could be observed among the glandular and surface epithelium at stage 45 H&H. The interstitial tissue contained fibroblasts and telocytes. The telocytes were firstly detected at stage 35 H&H and composed of a cell body and two long cell processes called telopodes. The tunica muscularis differentiated into three layers of smooth muscle fibers at stage 37 H&H. The cellular and stromal organizations of the proventriculus and their relations to the development and function were discussed.

Sarcoidosis and HIV infection in a native Saudi man

Sarcoidosis is a rare condition among native Saudis. It typically presents with asymptomatic chest radiographs, exertional breathlessness and cough. The coexistence of sarcoidosis and HIV is also rare, and the overlap of the symptoms makes their differential diagnosis challenging. Nevertheless, the outcome of sarcoidosis is favourable with or without the presence of HIV. We present a case of a 55-year-old native Saudi man with extremely atypical sarcoidosis presentation coexisting with HIV. This case highlights the association between the two pathologies, and the difficulties encountered in establishing a proper diagnosis in the presence of two overlapping diseases.

Tuning the redox potential of vitamin K3 derivatives by oxidative functionalization using a Ag(i)/GO catalyst

We propose herein initial results to develop optimum redox mediators by the combination of computational simulation and catalytic functionalization of the core structure of vitamin K₃. We aim to correlate the calculated energy value of the LUMO of different vitamin K₃ derivatives with their actual redox potential. For this, we optimized the catalytic alkylation of 1,4-naphthoquinones with a designed Ag(i)/GO catalyst and synthesized a series of molecules.

Histopathologic Findings of Potential Kidney Donors With Asymptomatic Microscopic Hematuria: Impact on Donation

INTRODUCTION

Isolated microscopic hematuria (IMH) is not uncommon in potential kidney donors.

AIM

The aim was to study the kidney biopsy findings of potential kidney donors with IMH and the impact of the histopathologic diagnoses on the decision to accept or decline such donors from kidney donation.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, all the potential kidney donors with IMH were identified from the medical records of patients who underwent kidney biopsies between January 2010 and December 2016.

RESULTS

Forty-five such individuals were identified. The mean age of these potential donors was 32.6 years and 76% were male. All of them had normal blood pressure and no significant proteinuria. Seventeen (38%) biopsies showed histopathologic abnormalities; thin basement membrane disease (n = 13; 28%) was the most common cause followed by immunoglobulin (Ig)A nephropathy (n = 4; 9%). Donors with abnormal biopsy findings were excluded from donation. However, 62% of the potential donors had normal kidney biopsy findings and were accepted for kidney donation.

CONCLUSION

IMH justifies extensive work-up including kidney biopsy to identify donors who may have underlying significant glomerular pathology excluding them from kidney donation. On the other hand, kidney biopsy also helps in accepting the donors if it does not show significant abnormality.

Sociodemographic determinants of complicated unsafe abortions in a semi-urban Nigerian town: a four-year review

BACKGROUND

Abortions performed by persons lacking the requisite skills or in environments lacking minimal medical standards or both are considered unsafe. It is estimated that over 20 million unsafe abortions are performed annually and about 70 000 women die globally as a result, with the majority occurring in the developing world. This study aims to determine the sociodemographic factors involved in complicated unsafe abortions.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The study is a four-year retrospective evaluation of all cases of complicated unsafe abortions managed at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri, Bayelsa state, Nigeria between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2010.

RESULTS

The incidence of unsafe complicated abortions over the study period was 4.10% of total deliveries and contributed 14.0% of gynaecological admissions: 34.92% occurred in adolescents less than 20 years of age, of which the majority (55.55%) were secondary school students. There were 55.45% of patients who were nulliparae, 60.32% were unemployed and 69.80% were unmarried. A total of 87.30% had never used any form of contraceptive. Abortion mortality rate was 256/100 000 deliveries and the case fatality was 4.76%. It constituted 30.0% of all gynaecological deaths and 17.64% of maternal deaths during the study period. The commonest cause of death was septicaemia (66.66%).

CONCLUSION

Unfavourable sociodemographic factors are major determinants of the high incidence of unsafe abortion in the Niger Delta despite strict abortion laws. Concrete measures must be put in place to address these, as unsafe abortion and its complications are a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality in the environment.

In situ surface modification of molybdenum-doped organic-inorganic hybrid TiO2 nanoparticles under hydrothermal conditions and treatment of pharmaceutical effluent

Molybdenum-doped TiO2 organic-inorganic hybrid nanoparticles were synthesized under mild hydrothermal conditions by in situ surface modification using n-butylamine. This was carried out at 150 degrees C at autogeneous pressure over 18 h. n-Butylamine was selected as a surfactant since it produced nanoparticles of the desired size and shape. The products were characterized using powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, dynamic light-scattering spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Chemical oxygen demand was estimated in order to determine the photodegradation efficiency of the molybdenum-doped TiO2 hybrid nanoparticles in the treatment of pharmaceutical effluents. It was found that molybdenum-doped TiO2 hybrid nanoparticles showed higher photocatalytic efficiency than untreated TiO2 nanoparticles.

Bowtie nano-aperture as interface between near-fields and a single-mode fiber

We present the development and study of a single bowtie nano-aperture (BNA) at the end of a monomode optical fiber as an interface between near-fields/nano-optical objects and the fiber mode. To optimize energy conversion between BNA and the single fiber mode, the BNA is opened at the apex of a specially designed polymer fiber tip which acts as an efficient mediator (like a horn optical antenna) between the two systems. As a first application, we propose to use our device as polarizing electric-field nanocollector for scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM). However, this BNA-on-fiber probe may also find applications in nanolithography, addressing and telecommunications as well as in situ biological and chemical probing and trapping.

Bowtie-shaped nanoaperture: a modal study

Using the N-order finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method, we show that optical resonances of the bowtie nanoaperture (BNA) are due to the combination of a guided mode inside the aperture and Fabry-Perot modes along the metal thickness. The resonance of lower energy, which leads to the well-known light confinement in the gap zone, occurs at the cutoff wavelength of the fundamental guided mode. No plasmon resonance is directly involved in the generation of the light hot spot. We also define a straightforward relationship between the resonance wavelengths of the BNA and its geometrical parameters. This brings a simple tool for the optimization of the BNA design.

Full vectorial imaging of electromagnetic light at subwavelength scale

We propose a concept of near-field imaging for the complete experimental description of the structure of light in three dimensions around nanodevices. It is based on a near-field microscope able to simultaneously map the distributions of two orthogonal electric-field components at the sample surface. From a single 2D acquisition of these two components, the complementary electric and magnetic field lines and Poynting vector distributions are reconstructed in a volume beneath the sample using rigorous numerical methods. The experimental analysis of localized electric and magnetic optical effects as well as energy flows at the subwavelength scale becomes possible. This work paves the way toward the development of a complete electromagnetic diagnostic of nano-optical devices and metamaterials.

Susceptibility of Bovans chicks to low dietary levels of Ammi visnaga and Artemisia herba-alba

Ammi visnaga seeds and Artemisia herba-alba shoots were fed to 7-d-old Bovans chicks at 2% and 10% of diet for 9 w. The 10% A visnaga seed was toxic but not lethal to chicks and caused a consistently reduced body weight gain, inefficient feed utilization, enterohepatonephropathy, anemia, and alterations of serum aspartate transaminase and creatine kinase activities and cholesterol, total lipid and uric acid concentrations. The depression in growth and damage to vital organs of chicks fed 10% A herba-alba shoots 2% A visnaga seed, or 2% A herba-alba shoots were less marked.

Crystal modification of calcium sulfate dihydrate in the presence of some surface-active agents

The effect of surface-active agents (surfactants), as additives, on the crystallization of gypsum was studied under conditions of the simulated dihydrate process of phosphoric acid production. Calcium hydrogen phosphate and sulfuric acid were mixed with dilute phosphoric acid at 80 degrees C, and the turbidity of the reaction mixture was measured at different time periods to determine the induction time of gypsum crystal formation. Two types of surfactants, namely, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as a cationic surfactant and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as an anionic surfactant were added to investigate their effects on the crystallization of gypsum. Addition of CTAB decreased the induction time and increased the growth efficiency, while addition of SDS increased the induction time and decreased the growth efficiency compared with the baseline (without additives). The surface energy increased with CTAB and decreased with SDS compared with the baseline. The percentage of fine crystals decreased in the presence of CTAB and increased in the presence of SDS compared with the baseline. Gypsum morphology changed from needle-like in the absence of additives to tabular in the presence of CTAB.

The impact of disease management on outcomes and cost of care: a study of low-income asthma patients

An asthma disease management program designed specifically for low-income patients experiencing significant adverse events can improve health outcomes substantially, while lowering costs. The Virginia Health Outcomes Partnership aimed to help physicians in a fee-for-service primary care case management program manage asthma in Medicaid recipients. Approximately one-third of physicians treating asthma in an area designated as the intervention community volunteered to participate in training on disease management and communication skills. This large-scale study discovered that the rate of emergency visit claims for patients of participating physicians who received feedback reports dropped an average of 41% from the same quarter a year earlier, compared to only 18% for comparison community physicians. Although only a third of the intervention community physicians participated in the training, emergency visit rates for all intervention community physicians nonetheless declined by 6% relative to the comparison community among moderate-to-severe asthma patients when data for participating and nonparticipating physicians were combined. At the same time, the dispensing of some reliever drugs recommended for asthma increased 25% relative to the comparison community. A cost-effectiveness analysis projected direct savings to Medicaid of $3 to $4 for every incremental dollar spent providing disease management support to physicians. The results of this study demonstrate the potential this program offers, especially for Medicaid programs in other states that want to improve the care of their primary care case management networks and, at the same time, manage costs.

Experimental Azadirachta indica toxicosis in chicks

Brown Hisex chicks were fed Azadirachta indica ripe fruit at 2, 5 or 10% of basic diet from their 7th to 35th d of age. Decreased body weight gain and efficiency of feed utilization and hepatonephropathy were most severe in chicks fed the 10% A indica diet. These changes were accompanied by anemia and increases in LDH, GOT and ALP activities and uric acid concentration and by decreased serum total protein. Hepatocytes and renal tubular cells did not completely revert to normal 2 w after removal from the test diets.