Advances in Medicine and Biology : Volume 171

This compilation begins by examining the use of propofol for end of life sedation. As the use of this medication in end-of-life care is uncommon, providers may lack practical experience and resources that are specific to this specialized application. Following this, the authors describe the role of sperm DNA integrity in miscarriage, including a review of the available DNA fragmentation assays and treatment options for high levels of DNA fragmentation. Mental health literacy is reviewed, particularly focusing on possible reasons for the current illiteracy and aiming to determine how literacy be achieved in the mental health field. The evidence demonstrating that seasonal influenza infection is an additional risk factor for acute vascular events, including both acute myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke, is explored. Some challenging cases of total hip arthroplasty are reviewed in light of recent literature, including: multiple failed hip arthroplasties in a young noncompliant patient, dysplastic hips with insufficient bone stock, acetabular wall defect in an elderly patient, unavoidable intra-operative complications and septic hip complication in childhood. The transversus abdominis plane block, a block in which a local anaesthetic drug is deposited in the plane between two abdominal wall muscles, is surveyed as a promising modality for analgesia. The authors discuss molecular epidemiology in the field of infectious diseases, which points to the detection of genetic polymorphisms based on measures of genetic heterogeneity among strains of microorganisms of clinical importance. In the closing review, a comprehensive look at the current state of knowledge with regard to molecular networks of halotolerance in cyanobacteria is provided, focusing on important components functioning in ion homeostasis, de novo synthesis of novel compatible solutes, and the adaptation of intracellular molecular events by salt-responsible components.