Quality of Depression among Suicidal Inpatient Youth

This study examined the relationship between suicidality and dependent and self-critical depression among adolescents. Ninety-six adolescents participated: 32 suicidal inpatients, 32 nonsuicidal inpatients and 32 healthy controls. The groups were matched for gender, age and education. Participants completed the Depressive Experience Questionnaire for Adolescents (DEQ-A), the Cognition Checklist (CCL), and the Multi-Attitude Suicidal Tendencies Scale (MAST). Results indicated that suicidal adolescents have significantly higher levels of self-critical and dependent depression, compared to nonsuicidal inpatients and healthy controls. The distinctive quality of depression among suicidal adolescents suggests assessment and treatment strategies for these individuals.     

Low-level visible light (LLVL) irradiation promotes proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells

Low-level visible light irradiation was found to stimulate proliferation potential of various types of cells in vitro. Stem cells in general are of significance for implantation in regenerative medicine. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of low-level light irradiation on the proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). MSCs were isolated from the bone marrow, and light irradiation was applied at energy densities of 2.4, 4.8, and 7.2 J/cm². Illumination of the MSCs resulted in almost twofold increase in cell number as compared to controls. Elevated reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide production was also observed in MSCs cultures following illumination with broadband visible light. The present study clearly demonstrates the ability of broadband visible light illumination to promote proliferation of MSCs in vitro. These results may have an important impact on wound healing.     

Long waiting period to enter methadone maintenance treatment: relation to patient characteristics and outcome

Methadone maintenance treatment is a chronic treatment for opiate addicts. After having reached full capacity, new admissions to our clinic were delayed (through a waiting list) for all but opiate addicts with HIV and pregnant women. We compared characteristics and outcomes between patients admitted without delay (1993-2002) and those admitted through a waiting list (2003-2009). All 704 patients admitted between June 1993 and June 2009 were followed up until June 2010. There were 470 patients in the early period and 234 in the late period (56 patients were admitted immediately and 178 after 1.1 ± 0.8 years of waiting). Predictors for 1-year retention in treatment (logistic regression model) were if a patient self-referred during the late period, on a waiting list. The waiting list patient group was characterized by older age and self-referral - two known independent predictors of better retention that were attributed to their superior retention rate.     

Secondary splitting of a free deep inferior epigastric perforator flap with pedicled transfer to the contralateral breast for staged reconstruction of two breasts: The split diep flap

Free tissue transfer has become popularized for post‐mastectomy autologous breast reconstruction, particularly with the abdominal wall donor site. However, in the setting of previous autologous breast reconstruction, options for later contralateral reconstruction are limited. We present a case of breast reconstruction with a free deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap, which was split from the initially reconstructed breast and shared to reconstruct the opposite breast after the occurrence of a metachronous contralateral second primary breast cancer. There were no operative complications, no flap‐related complications, and at two years follow‐up, the patient subjectively described bilateral soft and supple breasts, which were symmetrical in a bra, and with which she has reported high satisfaction. An account of the “split DIEP flap” is provided, highlighting the planning, technique, and vascular rationale. The technique comprises partition of a previously transferred DIEP flap breast reconstruction into two parts based on preoperative computed tomographic angiography, performed to guide surgical planning in avoiding pedicle damage and identifying the portion of the flap to island. The split DIEP flap for staged bilateral autologous breast reconstruction offers two soft‐tissue flaps for the price of one donor site, offering new possibilities in breast reconstruction and the broader field of tissue transplantation. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2013.