Large Lipomatous Hypertrophy of the Interventricular Septum

We present the case of a 58-year-old woman who had large lipomatous hypertrophy of the interventricular septum, a condition that is reported very infrequently. Preoperative cardiac magnetic resonance images revealed an inhomogeneous, infiltrating mass that was suppressed in fat-suppression mode. The extensive mass was causing right ventricular dysfunction, so we excised it through a right ventricular approach. The findings on histologic analysis of the mass were consistent with lipomatous hypertrophy. The patient died of septic shock on the 28th postoperative day. In addition to the patient''s case, we discuss the characteristics and diagnosis of this rare entity.     

Distinct responses of Gulf of Mexico phytoplankton communities to crude oil and the dispersant corexit® Ec9500A under different nutrient regimes

This study examines the potential effects of exposure to South Louisiana sweet crude oil (LSC), Corexit^® EC9500A, and dispersed oil on enclosed phytoplankton communities under different nutrient regimes. Three distinct microcosm experiments were conducted for 10 days to assess changes to the structure of natural communities from the Gulf of Mexico as quantified by temporal changes in the biomasses of different phytoplankton groups. Concentration of NO₃, Si and PO₄ were 0.83, 0.99 and 0.09 μM for the unenriched treatments and 14.07, 13.01 and 0.94 μM for the enriched treatments, respectively. Overall, the contaminants LSC and Corexit^® EC9500A led to a decrease in the number of sensitive species and an increase in more resistant species. Phytoplankton communities showed more sensitivity to LSC under nutrient-limited conditions. The addition of nutrients to initially nutrient-limited treatments lessened the inhibitory effect of LSC in the short term. Centric diatoms benefited most from this enrichment, but pennate diatoms demonstrated considerably greater tolerance to crude oil at low crude oil concentrations in nutrient-enriched treatments. Dinoflagellates showed relatively higher tolerance in nutrient-limited treatments and high crude oil concentrations. Corexit^® EC9500A inputs significantly increased the toxicity of crude oil. Corexit^® EC9500A alone had a highly inhibitory effect at 63 ppm on phytoplankton communities. This study highlights the fact that different nutrient regimes play a major role in determining the shifts of the phytoplankton community in response to exposure to different concentrations of crude oil and dispersant. Determination of the functional equivalence of shifted phytoplankton groups could complement our research and allow for more pertinent extrapolation to real world conditions.     

Application of Rhenium-186 Radiosynovectomy in Elbow Diffuse Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis. - A Case Report with Multiple Joint Involvement

After surgical therapy of diffuse pigmented villonodular synovitis (DPVNS), recurrence is seen in almost half of the patients. The effectiveness of radiosynovectomy (RSV) in preventing recurrence and complaints of DPVNS is well known. Elbow involvement in DPVNS is a very rare condition; therefore, RSV in elbow hasn’t been experienced widely. The aim of this case report is to show the effectiveness of RSV with rhenium-186 (Re-186) sulfide colloid. We applied Re-186 sulfide colloid to the elbow joint of DPVNS patients six weeks after arthroscopic synovectomy. As a result, the patient did not have any complaints, and our findings are compatible with residue or recurrence on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in sixth and twentieth month controls after administration. We concluded that Re-186 is an effective adjuvant therapy for the prevention of recurrence and complaints.     

Microbiological and SEM assessment of atraumatic restorative treatment in adult dentition

Objectives

To investigate the practicability of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) in adults in terms of marginal adaptation of restorations and microbiological changes in residual carious dentin.

Materials and methods

The occlusal dentin caries of 25 permanent molar teeth were removed with hand instruments. The total counts of bacteria (TCB) and the facultative anaerobic bacteria (FAB), mutans streptococci (MS), and Lactobacillus spp. (LB) counts in the affected dentin were evaluated quantitatively. The weights of the samples were measured with an electronic balance (Shimadzu, Type AX200, Japan). The cavities were restored with glass ionomer cement (Ketac^TM Molar Easymix, ESPE Dental AG, Seefeld, Germany). Twenty replicas of randomly selected ART restorations were prepared and marginal adaptation was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). After 6 months, the same protocols were repeated. Data were analyzed with paired sample t-tests, Wilcoxon t-tests, Pearson and Spearman correlations, and chi-square tests (p<0.05).

Results

In the sixth month, restoration loss and pulpitis were not observed. The mean weight of samples removed from the cavity floor was less than the baseline (0.014±0.009 and 0.023±0.013 g, respectively) (p<0.01), and the counts of total bacteria, FAB, MS, and LB significantly decreased compared to baseline (p<0.01). The frequency of marginal gaps was increased (p< 0.01).

Conclusions

ART showed that the counts of microorganisms decreased after 6 months although the marginal gap rates of restorations increased.

Clinical relevance

ART can be a reliable treatment approach in adults for 6 months due to the decrease in microorganism counts, although gaps exist.

     

Unveiling the optical parameters of vanadium dioxide in the phase transition region: a hybrid modeling approach

The phase change behavior of vanadium dioxide (VO₂) has been widely explored in a variety of optical and photonic applications. Commonly, its optical parameters have been studied in two extreme regimes: hot (metallic) and cold (insulating) states. However, in the transition temperatures, VO₂ acts like an inherent metamaterial with mixed metallic-insulating character. In this range, the portions of metallic and insulating inclusions are tuned by temperature, and therefore a gradual change of optical parameters can be achieved. In this paper, a universal hybrid modeling approach is developed to model VO₂ in the intermediate region. For this aim, the measured reflectivity data, is analyzed and matched through the transfer matrix method (TMM) simulations where an effective medium theory (EMT) is employed. Based on the findings of this approach, not only the relative portions of inclusions are tailored but also their grain shapes are significantly altered in the transition range. Finally, the modeling approach is testified by experimental findings through dynamic device applications operating at short and mid infrared wavelengths. In addition, the hysteretic behaviors on electrical, optical, and structural parameters of the VO₂ film along the heating and cooling cycles are demonstrated by the experiments and scrutinized by the simulations.

A universal hybrid modeling approach is developed to model VO₂ in transition, revealing dynamic behavior of metallic inclusions and grain shapes.     

Potential Animal Reservoirs of Toscana Virus and Coinfections with Leishmania infantum in Turkey

Toscana virus (TOSV), a sandfly-borne phlebovirus, is an important agent of human meningoencephalitis in the Mediterranean region, for which vertebrates acting as reservoirs have not yet been determined. This study investigates TOSV and Leishmania infections in dogs, cats, sheep, and goats from Adana and Mersin provinces in southeastern Turkey. TOSV neutralizing antibodies were demonstrated in 40.4% of the dog and 4% of the goat samples. TOSV RNA was detected in 9.9% of the 252 samples that mainly comprise dogs (96%). Thus, canine species can be suggested as the candidate reservoirs of TOSV. Partial sequences revealed the activity of TOSV genotypes A and B. In two dogs presenting with symptoms of canine leishmaniasis, infections of TOSV genotype B and Leishmania infantum have been documented, describing the first report of coinfections with these agents.