Microvascular replantation of a completely avulsed scalp

Total scalp avulsion is an unusual injury. To obtain good functional and cosmetic results, immediate revascularization using microsurgical techniques and replacement of the scalp in the correct anatomical position is the procedure of choice. This article describes a case report of successful replantation of a totally avulsed scalp from a 26-year-old male. Bilateral superficial temporal vessel anastomoses were performed using reversed autologous long saphenous vein grafts on the right side and direct repair on the left. Points of technique are discussed and the literature is reviewed. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

HIV-positive patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease have a lower body mass index and are more physically active than HIV-negative patients

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the clinical and metabolic features associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are similar between HIV-positive and HIV-negative male subjects. METHODS: Twenty-six HIV-positive and 25 HIV-negative subjects with liver biopsy-proven NAFLD were compared for liver histology (extent of steatosis, steatosis grading, and fibrosis staging), blood biochemistry (glucose, insulin, C-peptide, hemoglobin A1c, and lipid profile), insulin resistance (IR) using a homeostasis model assessment, anthropometry (body mass index [BMI], waist circumference, and arm muscle area), dietary intake, and physical activity. RESULTS: The 2 groups were similar for age, liver histology, and IR. HIV-positive patients had a lower BMI (26.3 +/- 0.5 vs. 30.2 +/- 1.0 kg/m; P = 0.001) and lower percentage of fat mass (19.4 +/- 0.9 vs. 22.7 +/- 1.2; P = 0.026) when compared with HIV-negative patients. Although caloric intake was similar between groups, HIV-positive patients had a higher physical activity level (8.3 +/- 1.6 vs. 4.1 +/- 0.8 units of exercise per day; P = 0.029). Blood triglycerides were significantly higher (3.14 +/- 0.39 vs. 1.86 +/- 0.20 mmol/L; P = 0.006) in HIV-positive patients. CONCLUSION: Although NAFLD was similar between the 2 groups, HIV-positive patients had a lower BMI and were more physically active compared with HIV-negative patients. This may suggest that in HIV, NAFLD is associated with factors other than those related to body fatness, such as HIV infection and treatment.     

Porous-coated acetabular component. Quantitative assessment of normal radiophosphate uptake as a function of implant age.

A computer-assisted quantitative analysis was undertaken of normal radiophosphate bone uptake adjacent to the porous-coated acetabular component in asymptomatic patients. Implants ranged from 1.6 to 49 months of age. In 62 hips, it was found that implants newer than 12 months of age had uptakes that were significantly greater than those 12 months or older. Between 12 and 49 months, there was no correlation with age, indicating a stabilization of the remodeling process.     

Eczema in loco minoris resistentiae

Eczema is a common skin condition of varied pathophysiology. Despite being common, under some circumstances, this diagnosis may be missed due to the presence of other more obvious signs—namely the presence of surgical scars.     

Pharmacological studies of scorpion (Androctonus amoreuxi Aud. & Sav.) venom.

Venom from the scorpion Androctonus amoreuxi was fractionated into eight components by cellulose acetate electrophoresis, using barbitone buffer pH 8·6. Only one of the electrophoretic fractions was lethal in mice. The ld₅₀ of the venom following i.m. injection into mice was estimated to be 0·88 ± 0·06 mg per kg. The cardiovascular effects of the venom appeared to be mediated through stimulation of both parts of the autonomic nervous system with predominance of sympathetic stimulation, and release of tissue catecholamines. The venom markedly decreased the tone of the spontaneously contracting rat uterus in all states of uterine function except in pregnancy where it produced a stimulant effect. The uterine inhibitory effect of the venom is probably due to stimulation of the β-adrenergic receptors as it was blocked by propranolol. The venom first increased the amplitude and then blocked the twitches of the rat phrenic nerve-hemidiaphragm and caused contracture and decrease of twitch height of the tibialis anterior muscle preparation. Of the various fractions separated by cellulose acetate electrophoresis, only three fractions showed activity on the various preparations studied.     

Effect of oral contraceptives (Lyndiol) on rat brain gamma aminobutyric acid system.

(1) Virgin female albino rats were treated with the estrogenic substance mestranol, the progestogenic substance lynestrenol or with a combination of these two compounds. These two drugs are the components of the oral contraceptive pill Lyndiol®. (2) Mestranol pretreatment caused a significant increase in brain GABA level, lynestrenol pretreatment caused a significant decrease in brain glutamic acid level and pretreatment with a combination of the two drugs caused a significant rise in brain GABA content. Other changes were statistically insignificant. All three types of treatment, however, caused an identical and significant decrease in the glutamic acid: GABA ratio in rat brains. (3) The changes produced by oral contraceptive steroids on two brain enzymes, namely glutamate decarboxylase and aminobutyrate aminotransferase could not satisfactorily justify the assumption that the brain GABA concentration is controlled solely by the activities of such enzymes.