X-ray Fluorescence Analysis of Pigments in Gothic Frescoes,Coats of Arms,and Polychromy on Sculptures on the Triforium in St. Vitus Cathedral on the Territory of the Czech Kingdom in the 14th Century

Pigments in the paints used for the coats of arms, polychromy on sculptures, and pigments in frescoes characterize not only the epoch but also individual creators or groups of artists involved in their creation. X-ray fluorescence analysis is a non-destructive method suitable for determining the chemical composition of these artifacts. This article covers the results of measurements of selected objects, and compares them with similar objects from the territory of the Czech Kingdom in the 14th century.     

Adding collagen to adipose tissue transplant increases engraftment by promoting cell proliferation,neovascularisation and macrophage activity in a rat model

To clarify the effect of collagen addition to transplanted adipose tissue on angiogenesis, cell proliferation and tissue remodelling process and reveal whether collagen addition contributes to improving transplanted adipose tissue engraftment in rats. Adipose tissue was harvested from the inguinal and injected into the back of the rat, in addition to collagen. Engraftment tissue was harvested, semi‐quantitatively evaluated and underwent haematoxylin and eosin or Perilipin staining. Moreover, we evaluated viable adipocyte counts and neovascularisation. Macrophages were evaluated using flow cytometry, and the adiponectin or vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA was detected using real‐time polymerase chain reaction. By collagen addition to transplanted adipose tissue, higher engraftment rate semi‐quantitatively and a greater number of new blood vessels histologically were identified. Perilipin staining revealed a higher adipocyte number. The total cell, M1 macrophage and M2 macrophage count were higher. There was increased adiponectin mRNA significantly at week 4 compared to that at week 1 after transplantation. Note that the expression levels of VEGF mRNA increased. In rats, adding collagen enhanced cell proliferation, induced M2 macrophages, which are involved in wound healing, and promoted adipocytes and neovascularisation. Therefore, collagen addition to transplanted adipose tissue could increase the engraftment rate of adipose tissue.     

A nucleic acid amplification test‐based strategy does not help inform return to work for healthcare workers with COVID‐19

ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to assess the utility of a nucleic acid amplification test‐based approach to shorten isolation of healthcare workers (HCWs) with COVID‐19 in the setting of the highly transmissible omicron variant.MethodsBetween December 24, 2021, and January 5, 2022, HCWs who tested positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 were retested with PCR at least 5 days since onset of symptoms.ResultsForty‐six sequential fully COVID‐19 vaccinated HCWs who had tested positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 underwent follow‐up testing. All the samples were confirmed as omicron variants and only four (8.7%) were negative in the follow‐up test performed at a median of 6 (range 5–12) since onset of symptoms.ConclusionsImplementation of a test‐based strategy is logistically challenging, increases costs, and did not lead to shorter isolation in our institution.     

Mobile Phone and Social Media Use of Homeless Youth in Denver,Colorado

The purpose of this study was to investigate homeless youth mobile phone and social media use, to plan health promotion efforts. Nearly half (46.7%) of runaway/homeless youth in this sample (n = 181) owned a mobile phone and a majority of those devices were smart phones. Ownership did not vary significantly by shelter location, though regular use of Facebook was more prevalent among those in housing programs or camping, than those living on the streets. Over 90% of youth in the sample reported using Facebook. Such media use might facilitate parent, family, and health provider communications with homeless youth.     

Teaching medical students and residents how to inject local anesthesia almost painlessly

The objective of the present study was to determine whether it is possible to consistently and reliably teach medical students and resident learners how to administer local anesthetics in an almost painless manner. Using the published technique, 25 consecutive medical students and residents were taught how to inject local anesthetics for carpal tunnel release by watching the senior author perform the technique once. The learner then independently administered the anesthesia to the next patient who then scored the learner’s ability to inject the local anesthetic from a pain perspective. The teaching technique is demonstrated in an accompanying online video. The learners were consistently capable of administering local anesthetics with minimal pain. During the injection process, the patients only felt pain once (‘hole-in-one’) 76% of the time. This pain was attributed to the first 27-gauge needle poke. The other 24% of the time, patients felt pain twice (eagle) during the 5 min injection process. All 25 patients rated the entire pain experience to be less than 2/10. Eighty-four per cent of the patients indicated that the experience was better than local anesthetic given at the dentist’s office. Medical students and residents can quickly and reliably learn how to administer local anesthesia for carpal tunnel release with minimal pain to the patient.     

A rare case of invasive melanoma likely arising from passenger melanocytes of a basal cell carcinoma

Neoplasms consisting of different cell lineages within a single skin specimen are rare, yet well documented in the literature. However, to date, there appears to be no report of invasive melanoma arising directly from the passenger melanocytes of a basal cell carcinoma (BCC). We present a case of a 91-year-old male with a suspicious lesion on the ear. Histopathology and immunohistochemical staining revealed BCC closely intertwined with invasive melanoma that exhibited foci of chondroid differentiation. The melanoma appeared to arise from the benign-appearing passenger melanocytes of the BCC and lacked connection to the overlying epidermis or an in situ component. Multiple dermatopathologists reviewed the case and agreed that the most likely explanation for the histopathologic findings was that the invasive melanoma arose from the passenger melanocytes within the BCC.