This case report describes a 20-year-old woman whose initial clinical, laboratory, and radiological presentation suggested obstructive jaundice. However, she was subsequently found to be suffering from autoimmune haemolytic anaemia resulting from an Epstein-Barr virus infection complicated by cold agglutinin disease. The patient went on to make a complete clinical recovery after discharge.

Introduction Upper-limb amputations make up 10% to 20% of the total amputations in the United States. Of the two million individuals currently living with limb loss, 30% to 50% do not wear their prosthesis regularly. This is a result of lack of education, lack of training, discomfort, poor cosmetics, and cost. Three-dimensional (3D) printing may provide a cost-effective alternative for upper-limb prostheses. The purpose of this pilot study was to test and compare efficiency and functional capabilities of a 3D-printed and commercially available manufactured myoelectric hand. Materials and Methods The research team designed a quasi-experimental, static group comparison trial. A box and blocks test was used to assess the efficiency of the i-limb and Limbitless Arm. The two prosthetic hands were tested over two visits with a 2-week crossover period. Two custom devices, to which the two hands attach distally, were created to accommodate the able-bodied subjects. Results Twenty-four able-bodied (mean age, 26.1 ± 4.2 yrs), healthy, right-hand–dominant participants were recruited for this study. There were 14 men and 10 women. The mean number of blocks using the Limbitless Arm was significantly lower than the i-limb. For trial 1, the mean was 8.4 ± 3.6 versus 12.9 ± 3.3 (P < 0.001). For trial 2, the mean was 8.3 ± 3.6 versus 13.8 ± 4.1 (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the mean number of blocks improved when using the i-limb versus the 3D-printed hand by 53.6% in trial 1 and 66.3% in trial 2. Similar findings were obtained when we ran the analyses separately for men (trial 1, the mean was 9.1 ± 3.3 vs. 12.9 ± 3.7, P = 0.01 and trial 2, the mean was 9.6 ± 3.2 vs. 14.1 ± 4.7, P = 0.02) and women (trial 1, the mean 7.5 ± 3.9 vs. 12.8 ± 2.9, P = 0.00 and trial 2, the mean 6.3 ± 3.4 vs. 13.4 ± 3.2, P = 0.00). Conclusions The results and observations made by the researchers suggested the i-limb was more efficient than the Limbitless Arm. There is a potential for 3D-printed prostheses to be a viable option for prosthetic care in the future with better development and technological advancements. However, at this point, myoelectric prostheses such as the i-limb are more practical and effective.

Hemodialysis catheters are primarily used in instances of acute renal failure and poisonings. The typical hemodialysis catheter consists of a polymer tube with either single or double lumen. The tube is inserted into one of three preferred catheter access sites: the femoral vein, subclavian vein, or internal jugular vein. Once in place, the catheter is available for vascular access during hemodialysis. Despite advances in hemodialysis catheter design, a multitude of problems still exist. Venous access thrombosis and stenosis distal to the catheter outlet port are common. Unacceptable levels of recirculation (filtered blood returning to the catheter inflow port) are often observed in these catheters. The purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of different catheter design parameters on the reduction of access recirculation, maximum fluid shear rate and pressure drop across the device.