Chronic lung disease in adults and air travel

The safety of travelling in patients suffering from chronic lung conditions is a frequently encountered problem amongst healthcare professionals. The objective of this paper is to review currently available literature, with the aim of clarifying such issues for doctors dealing with such concerns. The article will describe the effect of altitude on healthy and diseased lungs, assessment tools to be utilised when assessing patients with suspected or diagnosed chronic lung conditions and international guideline recommendations for chronic lung conditions.peer-reviewe

Bacterial conjunctivitis

Bacterial conjunctivitis is a very common ophthalmic condition that can affect anyone from day one of life to old age. It is one of the commonest reasons for self-referrals of patients visiting eye specialists. It is defined ad an inflammation of the conjunctiva by bacteria where the palpebral, bulbar and forniceal parts of the conjunctiva become hyperaemic. The infection can be acute, hyperacute or chronic. Contrary to popular belief it can be self-limiting but it is frequently treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics most commonly in drop form. Very rarely it can progress to complications such as keratitis (corneal infection) or pre-septal cellulitis (skin infection of the lids)peer-reviewe

Pregnancy and asthma

Asthma is the most common chronic condition encountered in pregnancy. Due to lack of evidence on the adverse effects of asthma medication during pregnancy, there is persistent concern regarding use of asthma-related medication throughout the pregnancy, management of exacerbations and asthma management during labour. Several respiratory-related physiological changes are said to occur during pregnancy which could possibly worsen or improve asthma, and asthma as well as its treatment can affect pregnancy outcomes. The aim of this paper is to summarize current literature findings on clinical management issues encountered in this cohort of patients.peer-reviewe

Mycoplasma pneumonia : an unusual cause of acute myocarditis in childhood

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is primarily a respiratory pathogen but may affect exhibit a diverse range of presentations from asymptomatic infection to life threatening conditions. Myocarditis of varying severity is an unusual complication. We report a 6 year old with mycoplasma myocarditis, a rare age for such a presentation, and who responded well to treatment with no sequelae. Serological testing for Mycoplasma pneumoniae should be part of the routine work-up for myocarditis.peer-reviewe

Photoelectron spectroscopy of NpPd3 and PuPd3

We present the results of x-ray and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy of NpPd3 and PuPd3. The spectra indicate that for both compounds, the 5f electrons are well localized on the actinide sites. Comparison with bulk measurements indicates that for NpPd3 the electrons have a valence of Np3+ and thus a ground state 5f4 with a Hund's rules 5I4 configuration. Similarly for PuPd3, we find a Pu3+ valence, 5f5 ground state and a Hund's rules 6H5/2 configuration

Transcatheter closure of Ventricular Septal defects in Malta : initial experience

Ventricular septal defects (VSD) consist of deficiencies of the wall separating the two ventricles. VSDs are the commonest congenital cardiac defects. Small VSDs rarely require intervention, however, larger defects cause ventricular volume overload with or without heart failure or pulmonary hypertension and may, therefore, require closure. Traditionally, closure has been an open heart surgical procedure. In recent years, various devices have been developed to close a wide variety of cardiac defects including atrial septal defects and patent arterial ducts through transcatheter interventional techniques. Recently, AGA Medical Corporation have introduced a range of Amplatzer VSD occluders which include specific devices for perimembranous (PM), muscular and post myocardial infarction (MI) VSDs. Atrial septal defect and patent foramen ovale closure has been carried out at St. Luke's Hospital in Malta for the past three years. This year, for the first time, we have closed three VSDs in three individuals; two children with large perimembranous defects and an elderly gentleman with a large post-MI VSD. This paper will discuss this technique and initial results.peer-reviewe