Life-threatening complications associated with acute monocytic leukaemia after dental treatment

It is highly recommended to conduct a prophylactic check for any dental problems on patients who suffer from leukaemia before chemotherapy begins. Bacteraemia caused by oral microflora may be very dangerous for patients with haematological malignancies. However, it should be noted that the prophylactic process itself might bring about life-threatening complications if there is only a short interval between dental treatment and the beginning of chemotherapy, or if the dental treatment is too aggressive. We present a case where this prophylactic procedure produced life-threatening complications for a patient with acute myeloid leukaemia.     

Subcutaneous zygomycosis: report of 10 cases from two institutions in North India

Background Subcutaneous zygomycosis is an uncommon condition observed in tropics. Few series have been published, particularly from the northern regions of India. Objectives The aim of this study was to describe clinical, investigative and therapeutic details in subcutaneous zygomycosis observed in two teaching hospitals in Delhi. Patients and methods Ten patients seen over a period of 10 years (1999–2009) form the material for this report. Results There were four children and six adults. In four children, the presentation was a subcutaneous localized mass or gradually spreading plaque. In the others, it was observed over nasal region of face, spreading inward into mucosal sites and paranasal sinuses, and outward to the contiguous areas. Regional lymphadenopathy was present in two with facial lesions. Majority showed a granulomatous infiltrate with admixture of other cells, mainly eosinophils. Aseptate or poorly septate hyphae were observed in seven. In one patient in whom no hyphae were observed, there was dense perivascular inflammation. Organisms were cultured from four patients, Basidiobolus ranarum in two and Syncephalastrum racemosum in two. The main therapy used was a saturated solution of potassium iodide (KI). Four received only KI of which two attained cure after 3 months and 9 months respectively, and the other two showed signs of regression. In one boy subsidence was associated with reduced circumference of thigh. Ketoconazole or itraconazole was given with KI to hasten regression when response was slow or there were side‐effects to KI. Conclusion Awareness and early recognition will prevent disfigurement produced by advanced disease, misdiagnosis and unnecessary surgical intervention.     

The Role of Attachment in Body Weight and Weight Loss in Bariatric Patients

Purpose

The aim of this study is to explore the role of attachment styles in obesity.

Material and Methods

The present study explored differences in insecure attachment styles between an obese sample waiting for bariatric surgery (n = 195) and an age, sex and height matched normal weight control group (n = 195). It then explored the role of attachment styles in predicting change in BMI 1 year post bariatric surgery (n = 143).

Results

The bariatric group reported significantly higher levels of anxious attachment and lower levels of avoidant attachment than the control non-obese group. Baseline attachment styles did not, however, predict change in BMI post surgery.

Conclusion

Attachment style is different in those that are already obese from those who are not. Attachment was not related to weight loss post surgery.

     

Axial length and anterior chamber indices in elderly population: Tehran Geriatric Eye Study

AIM: To determine the normative distribution of axial length (AL), anterior chamber depth (ACD), anterior chamber volume (ACV), anterior chamber angle (ACA), and some of their associated factors in subjects aged 60 and over.METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 160 clusters were sampled using multi-stage cluster sampling in Tehran, Iran. After a preliminary interview, the participants underwent optometric examinations including visual acuity and refraction measurement followed by slit lamp biomicroscopy. Finally, ocular imaging was done using the Pentacam AXL to measure AL, ACD, ACV, and ACA.RESULTS: A total of 4519 eyes of 2436 participants were evaluated, of whom 58.0% (n=1412) were female. The mean age of the subjects was 67.32±6.05y (range: 60-95y). The mean AL, ACD, ACV, and ACA was 23.22 mm (23.18-23.27 mm), 2.61 mm (2.59-2.62 mm), 126.56 mm3 (125.08-128.04 mm3), and 30.61° (30.3°-30.92°), respectively. In the multivariable model, after adjusting for the effect of both eyes, the longest and shortest AL was seen in myopic and hyperopic subjects, respectively. AL, ACD, ACV and ACA were significantly larger in men compared to women (P<0.001). Except ACA, other evaluated parameters showed an inverse correlation with age (P<0.001), however, this correlation was insignificant for AL (P=0.623).CONCLUSION: Normative value of AL, and other biometric parameters are specific for each ethnicity, age and sex group. Any alteration in these parameters and their effect on refraction should be considered in this age group, especially in case of cataract surgery.     

Safety,efficacy and pitfalls of fibrocyte application in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcer

Fibrocytes are unique bone marrow‐derived cells with great potential in wound healing. Hence, the aim of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of the applied circulating fibrocytes in the treatment of non healing diabetic foot ulcers. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated by centrifugation through Ficoll–Paque method. After 3 days, the non adherent cells were removed by a single, gentle aspiration. Adherent cells were cultured in the same medium for 10 days. The cells were characterised using mouse anti‐human‐CD45‐fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and mouse anti‐human–collagen I, and also characterised by immunofluorescence microscopy using the above mentioned antibodies. Sterility measures were applied for clinical evaluation. Based on the literature review, cell transplantation generally requires at least 3 × 10⁶ cells regarding efficacy measures. As fibrocytes are non proliferating cells, 350 ml patient's blood is required to prepare patient‐specific serum before cell isolation and culture, and 85 ml patient's blood is needed for cell isolation and differentiation on cell transplantation applications. In our survey, no diabetic patient was inclined to be donor of such blood volume, mainly because of their pre‐assumption that they are anaemic. It is concluded that fibrocytes do not seem to be candidate cells for cell therapy in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers because of the rarity of this cell population in circulation.     

In Vitro and Computational Thrombosis on Artificial Surfaces With Shear Stress

Implantable devices in direct contact with flowing blood are associated with the risk of thromboembolic events. This study addresses the need to improve our understanding of the thrombosis mechanism and to identify areas on artificial surfaces susceptible to thrombus deposition. Thrombus deposits on artificial blood step transitions are quantified experimentally and compared with shear stress and shear rate distributions using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models. Larger steps, and negative (expanding) steps result in larger thrombus deposits. Fitting CFD results to experimental deposit locations reveals a specific shear stress threshold of 0.41 Pa or a shear rate threshold of 54 s^?1 using a shear thinning blood viscosity model. Thrombosis will occur below this threshold, which is specific to solvent‐polished polycarbonate surfaces under in vitro coagulation conditions with activated clotting time levels of 200–220 s. The experimental and computational models are valuable tools for thrombosis prediction and assessment that may be used before proceeding to clinical trials and to better understand existing clinical problems with thrombosis.     

高时-空分辨力门控螺旋相位对比MR成像评价先天性心脏病快速血流

目的探讨敏感性编码技术(SENSE)前瞻性门控螺旋相位对比MR检查序列在儿童与成人先天性心脏病检查的可行性。材料与方法当地伦理委员会批准该项研究,所有     

冠状动脉斑块与心肌缺血

目的采用心脏MR(CMR)前瞻性研究冠状动脉斑块对心肌缺血的预测价值。方法 52例行冠状动脉造影(CA)后评定为可疑冠心病(CAD)的病人进行了CMR和