Histological characterization of a delayed wound healing model in pig

Chronic wounds, such as venous ulcers and pressure ulcers, frequently remain unresponsive to currently available treatments. Several animal models of wound healing have been published, including models of impaired healing developed to mimic the clinical condition of chronic wounds better. We used a delayed wound healing model in the pig that uses irradiation of the skin prior to creation of the surgical wounds and characterized it histologically. Radiation was used on one side of the back prior to making four full-thickness wounds on each side. Clinical observations were performed to record granulation tissue, reepithelialization, and wound area as a function of time. Histology data were obtained at 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks, and slides were stained with hematoxylin and eosin for general observations. Immunohistochemistry was performed using laminin as a marker for blood vessels, and the number, size, and circularity of blood vessels found in the granulation tissue were measured. Our results show that this model causes a delay in wound healing that is mostly apparent between days 7 and 15. Granulation tissue took more time to form and fill the wounds on the irradiated side, and blood vessels were slower to develop. Blood vessels were larger and more irregular in shape on the irradiated side than on the control side. After 2 weeks, healing resumed, indicating that the induced damage was not irreversible. These results suggest that this model can be used to test the effects of therapeutic approaches intended to treat chronic wounds.     

The Role of Smoking in Breast Cancer Development: An Analysis of a Mayo Clinic Cohort

Abstract:  The purpose of this study was to assess the predictive value of smoking history on breast cancer diagnosis in a referral clinic population. We conducted a case–control study using clinical data collected on 8,097 female patients (1,225 breast cancer cases and 6,872 controls) seen in the Mayo Clinic Breast Clinic between August 1, 1993 and November 31, 2003. Breast cancer patients and noncancer patients significantly differed with respect to age at time of the index visit (p < 0.001), number of pregnancies (p = 0.006), number of live births (p = 0.002), vital status at last known follow-up (p < 0.001), current menstruation (p < 0.001), age at menopause (p < 0.001), history of hysterectomy (p < 0.001), use of oral contraception (p = 0.05), duration of oral contraception use (p = 0.001), use of other exogenous hormones (p < 0.001), duration of exogenous hormone use (p = 0.05), breast pain at time of index visit (p = 0.002), smoking status (p < 0.001), and use of five or more alcoholic beverages per week (p = 0.002). After adjustment for these baseline characteristics, having a personal history of smoking was found to be predictive of breast cancer diagnosis (odds ratios [OR] = 1.25, p = 0.004). Other positive predictors for breast cancer diagnosis were: age (OR = 1.02, p < 0.001), history of hysterectomy (OR = 0.66, p < 0.001), prior use of oral contraception for more than 11 years (OR = 2.10, p < 0.001), and prior use of other exogenous hormones/estrogen (OR = 1.81, p < 0.001). In this referral practice having a personal history of smoking is predictive of breast cancer diagnosis. Further studies are needed to further explore this relationship.     

Giant-cell tumour in the cervical spine: a case report

A forty-six-year-old man presented with a two-month history of increasing neck pain of insidious onset. He received treatment from his familty doctor and chiropractor consisting of analgesics and manipulation respectively, both of which did not offer relief. The patient presented to University Hospital where plain radiographs and CT showed a pathological fracture of the C4 vertebral body. A neoplasm was suspected and surgical excision revealed a giant-cell tumour of bone. This type of neoplasm is rare in the spine and difficult to manage in this site. This case highlights some of the problems encountered in the treatment of giant-cell tumour of the spine.     

Nutritional status and serum zinc and selenium levels in Iranian HIV infected individuals

Background  

Human immunodeficiency virus infected individuals are prone to malnutrition due to increased energy requirements, enteropathy and increased catabolism. Trace elements such as zinc and selenium have major role in maintaining a healthy immune system. This study was designed to evaluate the nutritional status of Iranian subjects who were newly diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus infection and to compare serum level of zinc and selenium in these patients with those of the sex and aged match healthy subjects.     

WONCA研究论文摘要汇编——基层抑郁症风险患者的连续性服务

背景目前已开展了对重性精神病患者进提供连续性服务的研究。目的探讨基层对有抑郁症风险患者提供连续性服务的水平,并与对心力衰竭患者的服务水平进行对比。方法采用抑郁症风险患者与心力衰竭患者对比的探索性研究。采用患者问卷评估服务的持续性,包含如下内容:(1)联系的服务提供者数(个人连续性);(2)诊所内服务提供者之间的合作(团队连续性)(6个项目,分数1~5分);(3)诊所外全科医师与服务提供者之间的合作(跨界连续性)(4个项目,分数1~5分)。结果大多数抑郁症风险患者在过去1年中寻遍整个服务提供界联系了几个服务提供者,曾遇到过高水平团队连续性服务及低水平跨界连续性服务。在诊所中可接触到的不同服务提供者要明显多于心力衰竭患者服务提供者(P<0.01)。抑郁症风险患者的服务提供者之间的合作更好一些,每项平均得分4.3分,心力衰竭患者得分为4.0分(P=0.03)。然而,跨界连续性服务方面正好相反:抑郁症风险患者每项平均得分3.5分,心力衰竭患者得分为4.0分(P=0.01)。结论抑郁症风险患者与心力衰竭患者之间的探索性对比显示:体验服务连续性方面的差距不大。对此还应行进一步分析。     

Stress Fractures of the Calcaneus Diagnosed by Sonography: Report of 8 Cases

We present a retrospective review of 8 patients (6 women and 2 men, with an age range of 46–80 years; mean age, 60.2 years) in whom sonography was used to diagnose a calcaneal stress fracture. Sonography was performed because of a clinical suspicion of soft tissue injuries. Two patients were first assessed by standard radiography; for the remaining patients, sonography was the first imaging technique used. Patients were subsequently examined by magnetic resonance imaging, except for 1 patient in whom the diagnosis was made only on a clinical‐sonographic correlation. On sonography, there was thickening of the periosteum and subcutaneous edema in all patients; a calcified bone callus was evident in none of the 8 patients. Cortical irregularities were found in 6 of 8 patients. Color Doppler imaging showed local hypervascular changes of the periosteum in all patients. Sonography, together with clinical findings, can be used to diagnose a calcaneal stress fracture. We suggest that sonologists should include a calcaneal stress fracture in their differential diagnosis in cases of mechanical hind foot pain. They must also include, as a part of every sonographic examination of the ankle, an examination of the calcaneus and be aware of the sonographic appearance of stress fractures. If the diagnosis is still uncertain after the sonographic examination, magnetic resonance imaging should be prescribed.     

Lactococcus garvieae multi-valve infective endocarditis in a traveler returning from South Korea

Lactococcus garvieae is a rare but emerging human pathogen causing a variety of infections with only ten cases of infective endocarditis reported in the literature. We present the only case of Lactococcus garvieae infective endocarditis affecting both a native and a bioprosthetic valve in a traveler returning from rural South Korea.