DEHP leaches from ECMO circuits, with potential exposure concentrations related to the surface area of the tubing in the ECMO circuit. Heparin bonding of the tubing eliminates this risk. Although significant concentrations of DEHP leach from the nonheparin-bonded circuits over time, our in vivo studies showed that the DEHP plasma concentrations were less than the previously reported values and do not correlate with any observable short-term toxicity. This compound may be either efficiently metabolized by the newborn, or redistributed into various tissues. Although signs of toxicity were not found in this study, long-term complications from chronic exposure to DEHP have not been determined.
Bright strains of the marine bioluminescent bacterium Photobacterium leiognathi produce a "lumazine protein" in amounts comparable to that previously found in Photobacterium phosphoreum. New protocols are developed for the purification to homogeneity of the proteins from both species in yields up to 60%. In dimmer strains the amounts of lumazine protein in extracts are less, and also there is an accompanying shift of the bioluminescence spectral maximum to longer wavelength, 492 nm. Both types of lumazine proteins have identical fluorescence spectra, with maxima at 475 nm, so it is suggested that, whereas lumazine protein is the major emitter in bright strains, there is a second emitter also present with a fluorescence maximum at longer wavelength. The two species of lumazine protein have the same 276 nm/visible absorbance ratio, 2.2, but differ in visible maxima: P. phosphoreum, 417 nm; P. leiognathi, 420 nm. For the latter the bound lumazine has epsilon 420 = 10 100 M-1 cm-1, practically the same as in free solution. The two lumazine proteins also differ quantitatively in their effect on the in vitro bioluminescence reaction, i.e., at blue shifting the bioluminescence spectrum or altering the kinetics. The P. phosphoreum lumazine protein is more effective with its homologous luciferase or with P. leiognathi luciferase than is the lumazine protein from P. leiognathi. These differences may have an electrostatic origin.
A neonate male born cesarian due to a breech presentation was noted to have no spontaneous movements of the limbs after delivery. Radiographs were not demonstrative of pathology. However, MRI revealed a large intraspinal mass with significant distortion of the cervicothoracic spinal cord. At operation, a brown, fibro-gelatinous, moderately adherent mass was evident extradurally dorsal to the spinal cord. It was noted to extend anterolaterally to the left such that the cord was deviated anteriorly and to the right. There was no indication of the mass being under pressure but the cord was not pulsatile. There was sufficient mass to the anterolateral component of the cord that it appeared rotated to the right within the canal. The right cervical roots exited dorsally, with a markedly lengthened course through the spinal canal before exiting above their respective pedicles. Histology was that of blood clot. The patient clinically demonstrated no neurologic improvement post-operatively. Now, six months after surgery, the patient has still had no significant change in clinical function. To our review, this is the first reported case of a spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma mimicking a birth-related spinal injury.
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