"Virtual unwrapping" of a mummified hand

The purpose of this work is to demonstrate the feasibility of medical virtual reality technologies in the investigation of a mummified hand. The Ulster Museum obtained the mummy hand, which originated from Thebes, without any identifying information. The mummified hand was investigated using conventional X-ray and 3D multi-slice Computed Tomography (CT). Imaging revealed a range of fractures of the wrist, metacarpals and phalanges whilst 3D CT demonstrated internal structures using volume rendering. The absence of any features of bone healing at the fracture sites would imply that they occurred just prior to death or in the mummified state possibly during excavation. Conventional X-ray imaging indicated that the hand, although small, was likely to have originated from an adult. Medical imaging and virtual reality display will enable us to produce a rapid prototyped model using fused deposition technology. Therefore, further paleopathological research can be performed on the replica without the need to handle the original specimen.

Fibrin glue application through the flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope: closure of bronchopleural fistulas

Closure of bronchopleural fistulas can be accomplished by applying fibrin glue through a flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope. The advantages of this method include the avoidance of general anesthesia and thoracotomy and the excellent extended access to the bronchial tree provided by the flexible bronchoscope.

A sterile, delayed-closure technique for placement of a left ventricular assist device

A simplified technique of left ventricular assist device placement using Silastic sheeting attached to the presternal fascia and skin is described. This technique allows viewing of cardiac action and prevents cardiac compression by sternal closure. Removal of the assist device is simple because the sternum does not have to be reopened.

Radioimmunoassay of flurazepam in human plasma

A radioimmunoassay for the determination of the hypnotic flurazepam in plasma was developed. Plasma levels of intact flurazepam were measured following oral administration of therapeutic doses to humans. The procedure employs an antiserum obtained from a rabbit immunized with 3-hemisuccinyloxyfluorazepam covalently coupled to bovine serum albumin and tritium-labeled flurazepam as the radioligand. Assay specificity was achieved by chromatographic isolation of flurazepam from plasma extracts on Sephadex LH-20 prior to analysis. The method has a sensitivity limit of 0.1 ng of flurazepam/ml using a 1-ml plasma sample, and the intra- and interassay coefficients of variation did not exceed 9% over a range of 0.1-5 ng/ml. In eight subjects who received a single 30-mg dose of flurazepam, peak plasma concentrations of 0.5-3.0 ng of intact drug/ml were reached after 0.5-1 hr, except in one subject where the peak occurred at 4 hr. The plasma concentrations of flurazepam declined with a harmonic mean apparent half-life of 2.3 hr.

Test for the Determination of Starch in Meat Food Products (Applicable for Estimation of Cereal in Sausages)

A method has been developed for determining starch in meat food products in which simple sugars are extracted from meat food products with hot 80% ethanol while starch remains. The starch residue is solublized with dilute perchloric acid, readily forms a colored derivative when heated with anthrone-sulfuric acid reagent, and is measured at 630 mμ. It was not necessary to prepare a standard dextrose curve daily. The anthrone-sulfuric acid reagent is good for 3–4 days if kept near 0.0°C.