Lithopedion " Stone Child"

Today, as the incidence of this disease is increasing and recent record of it Nigeria, there is a need to discuss the stone baby and possibly get someone challenged to start a research on what could cause this disorder.

The first case was recorded in 1554 and now 450 years from its first diagnosis, we have recorded about 300 cases in different countries in the world(France, Rome, Denmark, USA, Jamaica, Thailand, China, Brazil, Morocco,, South Africa, South Korea,, Ghana, India,Congo, Colombia and now Nigeria amidst several others) yet there is no medical literature and neither are there published research work on this matter.

On May 5th 2013, we discussed about this topic in a blog post on this page, You can view 

http://medicramblings.blogspot.com/2013/05/lithopedion-or-stone-baby.html 

Calcification processes that lead to lithopedion formation are very rare. Technology and advanced medical care has prevented many cases from developing into lithopedions. In recent case studies it has been found that lithopdeions are found in underdeveloped countries. The absense or limited forms of health care, along with cultural differences, prevent patients from seeking the medical attention that is needed. Since lithopedions do not pose a threat to the health of the pregnant woman, women often do not seek treatment to deliver their baby. Many women have been shown to live with a “stone child” for many years, and have been able to have other children while the calcified fetus remains in the body.

But today, record of it occurring in Developed countries are arising and a need for new generation of doctors to seek out its etiology is needed for effective treatment and prevention.

The earlier recorded cases have all occurred in patients with relatively good health before intra-uterine fetal death (Premature and in Post Dated) cases happened and due to low economic condition or cultural believes of sleeping baby have refused treatment. Thou in very few, it has been asymptomatic. To note is also the fact that cases of twin has been recorded.

But what brings question to my heart as a medic  is the perculiarity of the Nigerian case in which patient had VVF( vesico- vaginal Fistula) beforehand and the conclusion of practitioners as reported by social media that it has occurred due to low water intake by VVF patients. 

 Hence, i ask of your own opinion of what the cause could be? If and why Ultrasonically it can be viewed?

 Further information or studies could be referred to. 

As always, you can comment below or send in a mail.

Have you heard of third hand smoking:linked to liver, lung and skin problems

While the physical evidence of secondhand smoke can be seen wafting through the air, thirdhand smoke is a more clandestine health threat. The invisible remnant of tobacco smoke that clings to surfaces and even dust, thirdhand smoke is linked to several adverse health effects in a new study published in PLOS ONE.

According to the researchers, from the University of California-Riverside (UCR), tobacco smoke affects around 1.5 billion smokers worldwide, but several billion more are at an "underappreciated health risk" from cigarette smoke exposure.

Although many parents who smoke may protect their children from exposure to secondhand smoke, the researchers say the effects of thirdhand smoke are also dangerous.

They cite previous research suggesting that children living with adults who smoke in the home are absent from school 40% more days than children who do not live with smokers.

Medical News Today recently reported on a study that suggested secondhand smoke exposure is linked to hospital readmission for asthmatic children.

But researchers from this latest study say thirdhand smoke is left on surfaces and ages over time, becoming increasingly more toxic. The team suggests second and thirdhand smoke are just as harmful as firsthand smoke.

Health impacts of thirdhand smoke

And the threat does not only apply to smokers, the team explains. Even after smokers move out of a house or hotel, thirdhand smoke and its accompanying carcinogens remain.

Hidden danger? Thirdhand smoke can cling to fabrics, surfaces and even dust, leaving increasingly toxic carcinogens - even after the smoker has moved out.

To conduct their study, the team - led by Prof. Manuela Martins-Green of UCR - studied the effects of thirdhand smoke on mice, looking at "several organ systems under conditions that simulated thirdhand smoke exposure of humans," Prof. Martins-Green explains.

After exposure to thirdhand smoke, these mice showed alterations in several organs and excreted levels of a tobacco carcinogen that are similar to those found in children confronted with secondhand smoke.

In detail, the thirdhand smoke increased lipid levels and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which is a forerunner to cirrhosis, cancer and cardiovascular disease. It also increased collagen production and inflammatory cytokine levels in the lungs, which has implications for fibrosis, pulmonary disease and asthma.

The mice also showed poor healing of wounded skin and exhibited hyperactive behavior.

Prof. Martins-Green comments on their findings:

"The latter data, combined with emerging associated behavioral problems in children exposed to second and thirdhand smoke suggests that with prolonged exposure, they may be at significant risk for developing more severe neurological disorders."

The team says their results form a basis for future studies looking at the harmful effects of thirdhand smoke in humans, potentially informing regulatory policies aimed at prevention.

'Still much to learn'

In the recent past, measures to reduce smoking in the US have resulted in positive outcomes. A recent study suggested that smoking controls have saved 8 million lives since 1964.

And other research showed that smokers who wish to quit are more successful in cities that have banned smoking in public places.

Still, Prof. Martins-Green says there is a "critical need" for more animal studies to analyze the biological effects of thirdhand smoke exposure.

"Such studies can determine potential human health risks, design of clinical trials and potentially can contribute to policies that lead to reduction in both exposure and disease," she adds.

In other studies, the team has learned that thirdhand smoke exposure brings about changes that can lead to type 2 diabetes in non-obese individuals.

Prof. Martins-Green says:

"There is still much to learn about the specific mechanisms by which cigarette smoke residues harm non-smokers, but that there is such an effect is now clear."

"Children in environments where smoking is, or has been allowed, are at significant risk for suffering from multiple short-term and longer health problems, many of which may not manifest fully until later in life," she adds.

Written by Marie Ellis

New cream with silver nanoparticles could block HIV transmission

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1.1 million people in the US are infected with human immunodeficiency virus. But new research has detailed the creation of a cream that has proved effective against transmission of the infection in laboratory tests.

Previous research from the University of Texas, in collaboration with the University of Monterrey in Mexico, found that silver nanoparticles may be able to stop transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Now, the research team has used the findings to create a vaginal cream that can block HIV transmission.

Humberto Lara Villegas, of the University of Monterrey and co-author of the study, says that in order for HIV to infect immune cells of its host, a protein called GP120 helps the virus bond to the cells.

He explains that the silver nanoparticles attach themselves to the GP120 protein and block it, meaning HIV is unable to infect immune cells.

Commenting on the creation, Lara Villegas says:

"Normally, the medication used against the virus act within the cell to avoid its replication. This is a very different case, given that the nanoparticle goes directly against the HIV and no longer allows its entry to the cell."

Positive results in laboratory tests

He says the cream has been tested in the laboratory using human tissue samples of cervical mucous membrane. It was found to effectively block HIV transmission.

Lara Villegas notes that the cream works in less than 1 minute following application and is protective against virus transmission for up to 72 hours.

The researchers say although the cream is for vaginal use, the sexual partner will also be protected against the virus.

Using silver nanoparticles (pictured), researchers have created a vaginal cream that has proved effective in blocking HIV transmission.
Image credit: Investigación y Desarrollo

However, Lara Villegas stresses that although there have been no negative side effects from the silver nanoparticles so far, the team will carry out further investigation to be sure.

The next steps will be to test the cream on mice that are modified with human immune cells, before moving on to clinical trials in humans.

The researchers note that the cream may also help to protect against other sexually transmitted infections, such as the human pappilloma virus (HPV), as the silver nanoparticles should be able to block this virus using the same process it uses to block HIV infection.

The team is also in the process of creating a diagnostic kit. The kit will use blood tests to predict whether an HIV-positive individual will respond to antiretroviral treatment.

They hope the kit will provide these results within hours, and that it will help clinicians to ensure their patients receive the best possible treatment for HIV.

Medical News Today recently reported on a study suggesting that targeting HIV with radioimmunotherapy may abolish the virus from infected cells.

Written by Honor Whiteman