Photobiomodulation therapy on expression of HSP70 protein and tissue repair in experimental acute Achilles tendinitis

Lasers in Medical Science - The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy on the expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and tissue repair in...     

Orofacial evaluation of individuals with temporomandibular disorder after LED therapy associated or not of occlusal splint: a randomized double-blind controlled clinical study

Lasers in Medical Science - This study compared the effects of LED therapy associated with occlusal splint (OS) on the signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorder (TMD). In this randomized,...     

Quality of life outcomes after minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum utilizing a new set of metallic bars and stabilizers

Background/PurposeThe aim of the study was to evaluate the postoperative quality of life (QoL) of patients who underwent minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum (MIRPE) with a newly designed bar and bar stabilizers.MethodsWe conducted a prospective randomized study in which patients were operated either with standard perpendicular stabilizers (control group) or with the newly designed oblique stabilizers (intervention group). All patients were evaluated 6 months after the operation with the Pectus Excavatum Evaluation Questionnaire (PEEQ).ResultsThere were 16 patients in the control group and 14 in the intervention group. Mean age was 17 (SD: 3.3, range 14–27) years. There were no demographic differences between groups. Two patients in the control group and one in the intervention group were repaired with two bars instead of one. There was one reoperation in each group. There was a significant difference between the pre- and postoperative scores, in both groups, in the patient body image domain (control group: 9.5 to 3; p < 0.01; intervention group 10 to 3; p < 0.01), as well as in the psychosocial domain (control group: 13.5 to 24, p < 0.01; intervention group: 15 to 24, p < 0.01). With regards to the patients' perception of physical difficulties before and after MIRPE, the difference between pre- and postoperative scores was greater in the intervention group (8 to 12, p < 0.01) than in the control group (10 to 11, p = 0.04). The mean length of stay was 4.5 and 5 days in the intervention group and the control group, respectively.ConclusionOur study showed that patients who underwent MIRPE with the newly designed bars and stabilizers had non-inferior outcomes than patients reported in the literature who underwent MIRPE with standard bars and stabilizers. We found slightly better outcomes in patients in the intervention group compared to the control group, but larger studies will be needed to confirm if those differences are statistically significant.Level of evidenceII     

Hematoma subdural intracraneal tras punción dural accidental: caso clínico

Intracranial subdural hematoma is a rare, but potentially lethal complication of neuraxial procedures. Considering the high frequency of neuraxial techniques in the obstetric population, parturients are more susceptible to this fearful complication. The diagnosis is often masked and delayed because it shares similar clinical characteristics with posdural puncture headache, with headache being the most common symptom. This case report describes a timely diagnosis and successful management of an intracranial subdural hematoma, after unintentional dural puncture during labour epidural analgesia. Postpartum headache following epidural analgesia, remains a clinical challenge for the caring team, requiring a close follow-up and awareness for non-benign causes that require prompt management, avoiding devastating consequences.     

Donor Choriocarcinoma Transmission From Solid Organ Transplantation: A Case Report

Transplantation of any organ has some inherent risk of disease transmission, such as infection and malignancy. The present study aims to describe 2 cases of choriocarcinoma transmission after kidney and liver transplantation originating from the same patient. The donor was a 17-year-old woman who died of cerebral hemorrhage. Both organ recipients died of metastatic choriocarcinoma few months after the transplantation, within days after starting chemotherapy. Retrospective hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin hormone) analysis in donor's blood stored at the time of donation had a result of 9324 mIU/mL. Despite its rarity, clinicians should be aware of the risk of transplant-related choriocarcinoma from female donors in childbearing age. In some cases, hCG dosage should be performed before donation.     

Patient Satisfaction and Quality of Life Among Adult Women with Androgenetic Alopecia Using 5% Topical Minoxidil

BACKGROUND: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a common, genetically predisposed condition that begins after puberty and whose frequency increases with age; although biologically benign, AGA can impact patients both psychologically and socially, contributing to an impairment on their quality of life. OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the psychological, social, and quality of life impairments inherent in women with AGA using 5% minoxidil daily for at least six months. DESIGN: Thirty-one women with diffuse central hair thinning and shaft miniaturization who were using 5% minoxidil daily for at least six months responded to a clinical questionnaire and underwent trichoscopy. RESULTS: 83.9 percent (n=26) of the participants reported they were satisfied with the 5% minoxidil treatment and its convenience. Hair loss influenced social life in 54.8 percent (n=17) of the respondents and choice of hair cut/hairstyle in 87.1 percent (n=27) of respondents. For 51.6 percent (n=16) hair loss was slightly increased, although it did not increase after beginning treatment. A frontoparietal pattern (74.2%, n=23), very low capillary density (61.3%, n=19), trichodynia (32.3%, n=10), and negative traction test (100%, n=31) were also observed. Miniaturization occurred in 100 percent (n=31) of patients, frontal/occipital hair thickness was reduced in 83.9 percent (n=26), and more than 10 percent of velus hair in the frontal area was observed in 83.9 percent (n=26) of patients. The number of hair shafts per follicular unit was reduced in 67.7 percent (n=21), and a higher frontal to occipital ratio of follicular units with one hair shaft was seen in 74.2 percent (n=23) of patients. Empty follicles, large numbers of peripillar brownish halo, scalp pigmentation, mild Ludwig''s baldness degree, and quality of life scores of 4±3.5 points were observed. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that patient satisfaction and quality of life of women with AGA on 5% topical minoxidil are high, although hair loss influences daily habits and social life.     

A spectral framework for sperm shape characterization

A novel methodology for characterization of animal sperm shape involving the use of a spectral approach to multiscale curvature estimation is proposed. By using the derivative property of the Fourier transform, allied to Gaussian smoothing, accurate estimates of the curvature along the sperm contour can be obtained in such a way that the curvature peaks corresponding to the sperm head vertices can be effectively identified. The measurements derived from such a processing, namely the width of the basal region of the head, the centralization of tail implantation, and the multiscale bending energy, provide valuable resources for fertility and phylogenetic studies.     

The importance of a teleradiographic evaluation of cardiac volume in subjects with the long QT syndrome

The increase in electrocardiographic QT interval, denominated "long QT" syndrome, is related to syncopes and sudden death during anger, fear, physical effort, or sleep. Its diagnosis is important because mortality rate is high among untreated patients. In this study the author tried to single out, with the help of conventional radiology, some radiological elements belonging to this syndrome. Heart diameters and volume could be determined by means of teleroentgenography in 24 patients affected with "long QT" syndrome. The method employed considerably reduced the factors preventing a correct determination of heart size. In most of the cases examined, heart diameters and volume were increased, the heart had a globose shape with a lifted tip, the second right arch was accentuated, and the space behind the sternum reduced: these elements suggest a volumetric increase in the right sections of the heart. No relationship was found between QT value and increase in heart size. The results suggest the existence of a non-casual relationship between electrocardiographical anomaly and increase in the volume of the right sections of the heart.