I detail the design and construction of an analog VLSI model of the neural system responsible for swimming behaviors of the leech. Why the leech? The biological network is small and relatively well understood, and the silicon model can therefore span three levels of organization in the leech nervous system (neuron, ganglion, system); it represents one of the first comprehensive models of leech ...

Mazzoni, Alberto, Elizabeth Garcia-Perez, Davide Zoccolan, Sergio Graziosi, and Vincent Torre. Quantitative characterization and classification of leech behavior. J Neurophysiol 93: 580–593, 2005. First published August 18, 2004; doi:10.1152/jn.00608.2004. This paper describes an automatic system for the analysis and classification of leech behavior. Three colored beads were attached to the dor...

We report the selection in a 15-year-old boy of a multidrug-resistant, extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Aeromonas salmonicida after medicinal leech therapy that required an antibiotic prophylaxis based on piperacillin/tazobactam and cotrimoxazole. Whole genome sequencing of the strain indeed revealed 13 antibiotic resistance genes, including the ESBL CTX-M-3 and the unusual β-lact...

Leeches are prevalent in the Australian Rainforest. We report two cases of leech bites resulting in pruritis and palpable purpura. The dermatologic sequelae of leech bites, differential diagnosis of pruritic palpable purpura, leech bite treatment, prevention, and complications are reviewed.

Objective: Ear replantation poses a significant technical challenge even for the skilled microsurgeon. Many ear amputations result from avulsion and thus have damaged and often diminutive vessels with a paucity of veins. Artery-only replantation is an option for ear salvage, but little is published on the clinical course and appearance after this procedure. Methods: A subtotal ear replantation ...

BACKGROUND Venous anastomosis is an important component of digital replantation, but is not always feasible, as some cases require external bleeding to treat venous congestion in the replanted tissue. In the present study, we evaluated the relationship between the number of vein anastomoses and the survival rate of Tamai zone I replantations. METHODS A retrospective review was performed of al...

Leeches are found in fresh water as well as moist marshy tropical areas. Orifical Hirudiniasis is the presence of leech in natural human orifices. Leech have been reported in nose, oropharynx, vagina, rectum and bladder but leech per urethra is very rare. We report a case of leech in urethra causing hematuria and bleeding disorder in the form of epistaxis and impaired clotting profile after use...

The emergence of leeches in modern medicine proves that they can be a useful treatment for many conditions. Bloodletting was practiced for millennia, with leeches being used for this purpose since the Stone Age. Leeches were misused until the discovery of germs. Leeches are now used in microsurgery to aid circulation. They have also been used in pain management for osteoarthritis. The chemicals...