A compressomyograph train of four monitoring device

The monitoring of the neuromuscular blockade is critical for patient's safety during and after surgery. The monitoring of neuromuscular blockade often requires the use of Train of Four (TOF) technique. During a TOF test two electrodes are attached to the ulnar nerve, and a series of four electric pulses are applied. The electrical stimulation causes the thumb to twitch, and the amount of twitch varies depending on the amount of neuromuscular blockade in patient's system. Current medical devices used to assist anesthesiologists to perform TOF monitoring often require free hand movement and do not provide accurate or reliable results. The goal of this work is to design, prototype and test a new medical device that provides reliable TOF results when thumb movement is restricted. A medical device that uses a pressurized catheter balloon to detect the response thumb twitch of the TOF test is created. An analytical model, numerical study, and mechanical finger testing were employed to create an optimum design. The design is tested through a pilot human subjects study. No significant correlation is reported with subjects' properties, including hand size.

Mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial disease: Clinical and immunological findings of patients suspected for IL12Rβ1 deficiency

BACKGROUND

Mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial disease (MSMD) is characterized by increased susceptibility to weakly virulent mycobacteria (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin [BCG] vaccines and environmental mycobacteria), Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Candida spp. and Salmonella spp. The aim of this study is to evaluate clinical features and immunological findings of MSMD patients with interleukin 12 receptor beta 1 (IL12Rβ1) deficiency.

METHODS

Among 117 screened patients with BCG infection following vaccination, 23 suspected MSMD subjects were recruited to this study by the exclusion of severe combined immunodeficiencies and chronic granulomatous diseases. Flow cytometric assessment for surface expression of IL12Rβ1 was performed. Moreover, the clinical and immunological data from the patients was evaluated.

RESULTS

A significant decrease (less than 1%) in the surface expression of IL12Rβ1 was reported in six cases which showed a significant increase in the count of lymphocytes (p=0.009) and CD8⁺ T cells (p=0.008) as compared to MSMD subjects with normal expression of surface IL12Rβ1. The frequency of disseminated BCGosis (50% vs. 20%, p=0.29), recurrent infection (83.3% vs. 40%, p=0.14) and salmonellosis (33.3% vs. 0.0%, p=0.07) was higher in IL12Rβ1 deficient subjects than IL12Rβ1 sufficient individuals.

CONCLUSION

MSMD patients with childhood onset of mycobacteriosis (mostly after BCG vaccination) and recurrent salmonellosis could be evaluated for IL12Rβ1 expression with flow cytometry for punctual diagnosis.

Immobilization of Lewis acidic ionic liquid on perlite nanoparticle surfaces as a highly efficient solid acid catalyst for the solvent-free synthesis of xanthene derivatives

In this study, perlite nanoparticles were prepared through a simple method and then modified with Lewis acidic ionic liquid (perlite NP@IL/ZrCl₄) through a two step procedure. The prepared solid acid catalyst was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). Perlite NP@IL/ZrCl₄ was used as a new solid acid, reusable and green heterogeneous nanocatalyst for the one-pot synthesis of xanthene derivatives. Synthesis of xanthenes was performed under solvent free conditions using a catalytic amount (0.005 g, 0.4 mol%) of the prepared catalyst with simple work-up and high to excellent yield of products. The reusability and high efficiency of this catalyst makes this method attractive for large scale environment-friendly operations.

Perlite nanoparticles were prepared, modified with Lewis acidic ionic liquid, and used as a highly efficient catalyst for the eco-friendly, solvent free and high yield synthesis of xanthenes via a multicomponent reaction.

Thiocyanate Ion-selective PVC Membrane Electrode Based on N,N'-Ethylene-bis(4-methylsalicylidineiminato)nickel(II)

A highly selective poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) membrane electrode based on an N,N'-ethylene-bis(4-methyl-salicylidineiminato) nickel(II) [Ni(EBMSI)] complex as a carrier for a thiocyanate-selective electrode is reported. The influences of the membrane composition, pH and possible interfering anions were investigated based on the response properties of the electrode. The electrode exhibited a good Nernstian slope of -58.9 +/- 0.7 mV decade(-1), over a wide pH range of 3.5 - 8.5 and a linear range of 1.0 x 10(-6) - 1.0 x 10(-1) M for thiocyanate. The detection limit of electrode was 3.1 x 10(-7) M SCN(-). The selectivity coefficients determined by a fixed interference method (FIM) indicate that a good discriminating ability towards the SCN- ion compared to other anions. The proposed sensor had a fast response time of about 5 - 15 s and could be used for at least 3 months without any considerable divergence in the potential. It was applied as an indicator electrode in the titration of thiocyanate with Ag+ and in the potentiometric determination of thiocyanate in saliva and urine samples.

Perchlorate-selective membrane electrode based on a new complex of uranil

A potentiometric ion-selective electrode based on new compound, as a carrier, has been successfully developed for detection of perchlorate anion in aqueous solution. Within the perchlorate ion concentration range 1.0x10(-6) to 1.0 mol L(-1) the electrode had a linear response with a Nernstian slope of 60.6+/-1.0 mV per decade . The limit of detection as determined from the intersection of the extrapolated linear segments of the calibration plot was 8.0x10(-7) mol L(-1). The proposed electrode has fairly a good discriminating ability towards ClO(4) (-) ion in comparison to other anions. The sensor has a response time of < or =10 s and can be used for at least 2 months without substantial divergence in potential. It was successfully applied to direct determination of perchlorate in urine and water.