Comprehensive Rehabilitation of Partially Amputated Index Finger with Silicone Prosthesis: A Case Report with 3 years of Follow Up

The loss of all or part of a finger following traumatic amputation may have a negative impact on physical and psychological well-being. An esthetic prosthesis can offer psychological, functional, and rehabilitative advantages. One of the major problems associated with somato-prosthetic replacement of partially amputated finger is inadequate retention of the prosthesis. This may stem from the weight of the prosthesis, inadequate tissue support, and/or the particular area of the finger to be replaced. A number of means have been employed to enhance retention. Among the more common are adhesives, adhesive tape, magnets and implants. The purpose of this article is to describe a technique which eliminates the need for adhesive materials and utilizes copper wire to fabricate a finger ring as a primary means of retention. This technique can be utilized whenever the prosthesis encompasses more than 180° of the affected area. This clinical report presents a case of rehabilitation of a partially amputated index finger defect and describes a method of retention for the same with a copper ring.

     

Inhibin/activin-betaC subunit does not represent a prognostic parameter in human endometrial cancer

Introduction  

Inhibins, dimeric peptide hormones composed of an α subunit and one of two possible β subunits (betaA or betaB), exhibit substantial roles in human reproduction and in endocrine-responsive tumors. Recently, two novel inhibin-beta subunits, defined as betaC and betaE, have been identified in humans. However, the prognostic significance and clinical implications of the novel inhibin-betaC subunit in endometrial cancers is still quite unclear.     

A comparative epidemiologic analysis of SARS in Hong Kong,Beijing and Taiwan

Background  

The 2002-2003 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak infected 8,422 individuals leading to 916 deaths around the world. However, there have been few epidemiological studies of SARS comparing epidemiologic features across regions. The aim of this study is to identify similarities and differences in SARS epidemiology in three populations with similar host and viral genotype.     

Oestrogen and progesterone receptor expression in melasma: an immunohistochemical analysis

Background Melasma is a commonly acquired symmetrical hypermelanosis on sun‐exposed areas of the skin. The development of melasma appears to be associated with increased levels of oestrogen, exposure to sunlight and a genetic predisposition. Several in vitro studies have partially clarified the effects of oestrogen and progesterone on melasma. However, oestrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) expression in melasma‐affected skin has not been investigated to date, except for one case report on ER expression. Objective The purpose of this study was to compare ER and PR expression between hyperpigmented areas and unaffected areas of facial skin in patients with melasma. Methods Biopsies were performed on skin lesions and adjacent‐unaffected facial skin in 33 Korean women with melasma. The sections were stained using haematoxylin and eosin, Fontana‐Masson, and antibodies to NKI/beteb, ERα, β and PR. Results The immunohistochemical expression of ERβ showed an increasing tendency in epidermal lesions without statistical significance. Expression of PR was significantly increased in the epidermal lesions compared with unaffected skin on the computer‐assisted image analysis. Interestingly, there was increased ERβ expression in the dermal lesions especially around small blood vessels and fibroblast‐like cells compared with unaffected dermis on the semi‐quantitative analysis. However, there was no significant difference in the expression of PR between the dermal lesions and unaffected dermis. Conclusion The results of this study may provide useful information for further investigation into the pathogenesis and therapeutic approaches for treating melasma in relation to hormonal factors. The role of ER in the dermis in association with dermal environment such as blood vessels and fibroblasts remains to be further clarified.     

Impact of slit and nonslit mesh technique on testicular perfusion and volume in the early and late postoperative period of the totally extraperitoneal preperitoneal technique in patients with inguinal hernia

Aims

Using slit and nonslit mesh in laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal preperitoneal (TEPP) inguinal hernia repair are well-known approaches. The aim of this prospective, randomized, clinical study was to assess testicular perfusion after these procedures.

Methods

In the study period, 40 male patients with unilateral inguinal hernia were assigned into 2 equal groups as follows: slit (S) and nonslit (NS). TEPP hernia repair was performed in all patients. In the 2 groups, testicular arterial blood flow and testis volumes were measured by Doppler ultrasonography preoperatively, on the 5th postoperative day, and 6 months postoperatively, respectively.

Results

No statistically significant difference was found between the preoperative, 5th day postoperatively, and 6-month arterial resistance index (ARI) results when comparing the S and NS groups in ultrasonographic testicular blood flow studies. There was no statistically significant difference of testicular volume between the preoperative period, the 5th postoperative day, and 6 months postoperatively in the 2 groups.

Conclusions

According to the results, no statistically significant difference was found in terms of testicular perfusion and volume between those 2 methods of TEPP repair for inguinal hernia.     

ROLE OF CYCLIC NUCLEOTIDES IN THE CONTROL OF CYTOSOLIC Ca2+ LEVELS IN VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL CELLS

• 1 Endothelial cells have a key role in the cardiovascular system. Most endothelial cell functions depend on changes in cytosolic Ca²⁺ concentrations ([Ca²⁺]_i) to some extent and Ca²⁺ signalling acts to link external stimuli with the synthesis and release of regulatory factors in endothelial cells. The [Ca²⁺]_i is maintained by a well‐balanced Ca²⁺ flux across the endoplasmic reticulum and plasma membrane.
• 2 Cyclic nucleotides, such as cAMP and cGMP, are very important second messengers. The cyclic nucleotides can affect [Ca²⁺]_i directly or indirectly (via the actions of protein kinase (PK) A or PKG‐mediated phosphorylation) by regulating Ca²⁺ mobilization and Ca²⁺ influx. Fine‐tuning of [Ca²⁺]_i is also fundamental to protect endothelial cells against damaged caused by the excessive accumulation of Ca²⁺.
• 3 Therapeutic agents that control cAMP and cGMP levels have been used to treat various cardiovascular diseases.
• 4 The aim of the present review is to discuss: (i) the functions of endothelial cells; (ii) the importance of [Ca²⁺]_i in endothelial cells; (iii) the impact of excessive [Ca²⁺]_i in endothelial cells; and (iv) the balanced control of [Ca²⁺]_i in endothelial cells via involvement of cyclic nucleotides (cAMP and cGMP) and their general effectors.