Comparison of the skin biophysical parameters of Southeast Asia females: forehead–cheek and ethnic groups

Background Regional and ethnic (racial) differences in skin properties are well known. However, regional and racial studies are limited and have studied skin properties using an insufficient number of subjects and limited ethnic groups, except in the case of some recent studies. Objective The aim of this study was (1) to compare the skin biophysical parameter among the large scale of Southeast Asia females group and (2) to compare skin properties of the forehead and cheek. Methods We measured and compared seven skin biophysical parameters, such as skin hydration, sebum, skin pH, melanin index, erythema index, skin elasticity and transepidermal water loss (TEWL), of the forehead and cheek of a large population of Indonesian (n = 200), Vietnamese (n = 100) and Singaporean females (n = 97). Results At the point of site difference, there were significant differences in five biophysical parameters (skin hydration, skin pH, melanin index, erythema index and skin elasticity) in Indonesian females. In Vietnamese and Singaporean women, they were significant differences in five biophysical parameters (skin hydration, skin pH, melanin index, erythema index and TEWL). At the point of ethnic difference, the Indonesian women had the highest skin pH and melanin index between the different ethnic groups. Vietnamese women had the highest skin hydration and TEWL in the forehead, whereas Singaporean women had the highest skin elasticity. Conclusion The skin biophysical parameters are different between the forehead and cheek among Southeast Asian females. It also reveals that the biophysical parameters are different in same racial group.     

Pilot study on combination of azacitidine and low-dose cytarabine for patients with refractory anemia with excess blast

This study analyzed the outcomes of the combination of azacitidine and low-dose cytarabine in patients newly diagnosed with refractory anemia with excess blast (RAEB). Patients were treated with azacitidine 75 mg/m² for 7 days subcutaneously and cytarabine 20 mg/m² intravenously for 7 days every 28 days. The assigned regimen was repeated for two cycles, then the patients treated with azacytidine alone until progression or allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT). Eighteen patients with 5 RAEB-1 and 13 RAEB-2 were enrolled in the current study. After two cycles of the combination therapy, responses were achieved in nine patients (50.0%): four complete response (CR) (22.2%), one partial response (5.6%), two marrow-CR (11.1%), and two hematologic improvement (11.1%). Four patients (22.2%) progressed to acute leukemia during two cycles of the combination therapy. The 1-year overall survival (OS) was 87.5% for the early response group (responses at two cycles) and 0% for the late response group (responses at four cycles, p = 0.042). Plus, the median survival time was 476 days (range, 37–718 days) for the early response group and 221 days (range, 193–249 days) for the late response group. The 1-year OS was 100% for the patients who underwent allo-SCT and 73.4% for those without allo-SCT. In summary, the combination therapy showed promising response rate when compared to treatment with azacitidine alone. However, it was limited in terms of preventing leukemic transformation. Allo-SCT would seem to be the only available treatment that can alter disease progression.     

Risk factors and effects on long-term outcomes of cardiac troponin I elevation after drug-eluting stent implantation in patients with stable coronary artery disease

This study evaluated the risk factors of postprocedure cardiac troponin I (cTnI) increase and its effects on repeat revascularization and on overall clinical outcomes in patients with angina and normal preprocedural cTnI levels who underwent successful drug-eluting stent implantation. Postprocedure cTnI increase (≥0.5 ng/ml) was observed in 207 of 802 patients (25.8%). Patients with cTnI increase had more extensive coronary disease than patients without cTnI increase, which necessitated for the cTnI group more multilesion interventions and a longer total stent length. In multivariate analysis, total stent length (odds ratio 1.02, 1.01 to 1.03, p = 0.001) and use of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (3.07, 1.54 to 6.11, p <0.001) were identified as independent predictors of cTnI increase. During a median follow-up of 42 months, however, there were no significant between-group differences in Kaplan-Meier estimates of any repeat revascularization (24.8% vs 18.4%, hazard ratio 1.085, 0.723 to 1.627, p = 0.694) and major adverse cardiovascular events (27.0% vs 22.4%, 1.022, 0.703 to 1.485, p = 0.911). In conclusion, patients with postprocedure cTnI increase had more severe baseline coronary disease and received more complex interventional procedures. However, cTnI increase after successful drug-eluting stent implantation was not associated with an increased risk of repeat revascularization or of other adverse events.     

Total Talar Extrusion without Soft Tissue Attachments

Total talar extrusion without a soft tissue attachment is an extremely rare injury and is rarely reported. Appropriate treatment remains controversial. We describe the long-term outcomes of two patients who had complete talar extrusion without remaining soft tissue attachment treated with arthrodesis. Both of our patients had complications such as infection and progressive osteolysis. We suggest reimplantation of the extruded talus after thorough debridement as soon as possible as a reasonable option unless the talus is contaminated or missing, because an open wound may arise from inside to outside.     

Design and characterization of an intracavitary ultrasound hyperthermia applicator for recurrent or residual lesions in the vaginal cuff

For evaluating the feasibility of treating recurrent lesions in the vaginal cuff by hyperthermia, a 2-element ultrasound applicator was designed, constructed and characterized. A half-cylindrical transducer ( d = 1 cm, length = 1 cm) was used to construct the 2-element ultrasound applicator. Each element of this applicator was operated at 1.5 MHz and characterized by measuring transducer efficiency and acoustic power distribution. Thermocouple probes were used to measure the temperature rise in the phantom. The element sizes used in this study were selected to be comparable to a high dose rate brachytherapy colpostat applicator. Each element was powered separately to achieve a desired temperature pattern in a target. The acoustic output power as a function of applied electric power of elements 1 and 2 were linear over this 1-40 W range and efficiencies were 32.2 &#45 3.4% and 46.2 &#45 0.8%, respectively. The temperature measurements in the phantom showed that a 6°C temperature rise was achieved 2 cm from the applicator surface. As a conclusion, the ability of the ultrasound colpostat applicator to be used for hyperthermia was demonstrated by measuring acoustic output power, ultrasound field distribution and temperature rise in the phantom. Based on the characteristics of this applicator, it has the potential to be useful for inducing hyperthermia to the vaginal cuff in the clinic.     

Evaluation of the angiographic outcomes after clipping of intracranial aneurysms: determination of predisposing factors for occurrence of aneurysm remnants

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Aneurysm remnants after microsurgical clipping have a risk of regrowth and rupture and have not been validated in the era of three-dimensional angiography. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the angiographic outcome using three-dimensional rotational images and determine the predictors for remnants after microsurgical clipping.

Methods: Between January 2014 and May 2017, 139 aneurysms in 106 patients who were treated with microsurgical clipping, were eligible for this study. For the determination of aneurysm remnants after microsurgical clipping, the angiographic outcomes were evaluated using follow-up digital subtraction angiography within 7 days for unruptured aneurysms or within 2 weeks for ruptured aneurysms. According to the Sindou classification, the aneurysm remnants were dichotomized, and subgroup analysis was performed to identify the predictors of aneurysm remnants after clipping with various imaging parameters and clinical information.

Results: The overall rate of aneurysm remnants was 29.5% (41/139), in which retreatments were needed in 6.5% (9/139). The neck size and maximum diameter of aneurysms were independent predisposing factors for the aneurysm remnants that need retreatment (OR: 2.30; p < 0.001; OR: 1.38; p < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusions: This study demonstrated a low incidence of aneurysm remnants after microsurgical clipping which need to retreatment. However, selective postoperative angiography could provide us clear information of surgical result and evidence for long-term follow-up for some aneurysms with larger neck size (>5.7 mm) and maximum diameter (>7.1 mm).     

Serum growth arrest-specific protein 6 levels are elevated in adult-onset Still’s disease

We investigated the growth arrest-specific protein 6 in adult-onset Still’s disease. Serums were collected from 52 adult-onset Still’s disease patients with follow-up samples of 21 patients. The growth arrest-specific protein 6 levels in adult-onset Still’s disease were higher compared to those in the normal controls (25.37?±?7.71 vs. 19.86?±?5.01 ng/mL, p?<?0.001). However, growth arrest-specific protein 6 did not correlate with disease activity. Also, growth arrest-specific protein 6 was not decreased after activity was resolved in the follow-up. The growth arrest-specific protein 6 in adult-onset Still’s disease patients were higher than the normal controls. However, growth arrest-specific protein 6 was not correlated with disease activity.