Calcified atherosclerotic plaque - where exactly is the calcium and what does it contain?

Objective  

To understand the morphology and mineral content in calcified atherosclerotic plaques.     

Impact of dialysis requirement on outcomes in tumor lysis syndrome

Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is a life threatening emergency due to destruction and massive release of intracellular metabolites from cancer cells often resulting in acute kidney injury (AKI), sometimes severe enough to require dialysis (AKI‐D). The impact of dialysis requirement in AKI has not been explored. We utilized data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample and using International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, diagnoses codes for TLS, AKI and dialysis, evaluated the incidence, risk factors and impact of AKI‐D on mortality, adverse discharge and length of stay (LOS). Survey multivariable logistic regression was used to compute adjusted Odds Ratios (aOR and 95% confidence intervals (CI). An estimated 12% (2,919) of all TLS hospitalizations (n = 22 875) develop AK‐D. After adjustment for confounders, AKI‐D was associated with greater odds of mortality (aOR 1.98; (95% CI 1.60–2.45)), adverse discharge (aOR 1.63 (95% CI 1.19–2.24)) and longer LOS (19 vs 14.6 days; P < 0.01) compared with those without AKI‐D. Further studies to evaluate the association of AKI‐D on long‐term outcomes in patients with TLS are needed.     

Dupuytren��s contracture following burn injury of the hand: A case report and review of literature

In burn patients, scar contractures adjacent to or across the joints lead to disabling deformities. In Dupuytren’s disease, the proliferative process involves the fascia of the palm and fingers, resulting in disabling flexion contractures of the fingers and the palm. A single insult involving the hand or even a more proximal injury may lead to Dupuytren’s disease.     

Reconstruction of a transmetatarsal amputation stump using a salvaged peroneal artery fasciocutaneous flap from the opposite leg: A case report

During lower extremity amputation, the objective is to provide a functional residual limb that permits maximum patient mobility and independence. Preservation of length of the fore part of the foot using salvageable tissue from the amputated part in young patients prevents equines deformity and revision of amputation to a higher level. This can be achieved using tissue available from the amputated part. The spare part concept in reconstructive surgery should be integrated into the trauma algorithm to avoid additional donor site morbidity. Reported here is a young adult patient with crush injuries to both feet, which resulted in amputations. A fasciocutaneous flap raised from one extremity was used to facilitate transmetatarsal amputation stump length preservation of the other extremity.     

The lamellar peel: A sequential nonablative and ablative laser treatment for facial skin rejuvenation

Objectives. Ablative and nonablative laser treatments have established themselves independently in the rejuvenation of aging skin. This study was designed to determine the effects of sequential nonablative and ablative laser treatments on facial skin.

Materials and methods. Twelve patients, ages 32–56 years, with skin phototypes I‐IV, received three treatments spaced six weeks apart. Each treatment consisted of one pass with 1319‐nm Nd:YAG laser at 16 J/cm², 50 ms pulse duration. This was immediately followed by one pass of 2940‐nm Er:YAG laser at 5 J/cm². Photographs and biopsies were taken prior to the first treatment and following the third treatment.

Results. Clinical improvements in facial skin tone and texture, acne scarring and dyschromia were noted in all patients. Histologic changes included a more compact epidermal granular layer and lamellar collagen formation with decreased solar elastosis in the dermis. Compared to controls, treated skin had a thicker, more homogeneous papillary dermis.

Conclusion. The sequential use of nonablative and superficial ablative laser treatments clinically and histologically improved photodamaged and chronologically aged skin. This occurred with minimal recovery and little morbidity, demonstrating this laser application to be a safe and effective method for facial rejuvenation.     

A randomized parallel trial of topical aspirin–moisturizer solution vs. oral aspirin for acute herpetic neuralgia

BACKGROUND: In this study, the efficacy of oral aspirin vs. topical aspirin in moisturizer (Vaseline Intensive Care Lotion) was studied in an open, randomized, parallel trial in patients with acute herpetic neuralgia. METHODS: Thirty patients were evaluated in the trial, with 15 in each group. The patients were randomized to receive either oral aspirin, 375-750 mg three times a day, or 75 mg topical aspirin/mL of moisturizer (5-10 mL, depending on the extent of involvement), three times a day, for 21 days. Pain was assessed daily by means of a self-rating visual analog scale and physician assessment. In addition, the skin and plasma levels of aspirin were measured in both groups. RESULTS: The mean time to onset of pain relief was 44 min with topical aspirin and 110 min with oral aspirin. The mean duration of pain relief after a single application of topical aspirin was 5.4 h, whereas it was 3.5 h with oral aspirin. The mean visual analog scale scores for pain with oral aspirin decreased from 68.2 +/- 6.1 on day zero to 43.1 +/- 8.7 on day 21, which was not significant compared with the baseline score. With topical aspirin, the baseline pain score was 77.5 +/- 3.7 and decreased to 6.8 +/- 3 on day 21 (P < 0.001 compared to the baseline score and compared to oral aspirin). The mean plasma and skin levels of aspirin following oral administration were 16.21 +/- 1.1 microg/mL and 1.97 +/- 0.3 microg/mm2, respectively. After topical administration, the mean plasma level of aspirin was 2.29 +/- 0.5 microg/mL (P < 0.01 vs. oral aspirin) and the skin level was 5.96 +/- 0.4 microg/mm2 (P < 0.05 vs. oral aspirin). Treatment tolerance was excellent in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: This trial has demonstrated that topical aspirin in moisturizer is clearly superior to oral aspirin in relieving the pain of acute herpetic neuralgia, and that the analgesic activity of aspirin is largely due to its local effect.     

Statistical Optimization of Bioprocess Parameters for Improved Production of L-Asparaginase from Lactobacillus plantarum

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences - L-asparaginase (ASNase), a tetrameric enzyme, holds comprehensive applications in food industries as a...