Reconstruction of extensive postburn scar deformities and contractures of the neck using expanded and nonexpanded free tissue transfer

The treatment of postburn scar deformities and contractures of the neck is one of the most complicated and unsolved challenges in reconstructive surgery. This paper is based on the experience of treating 63 patients with extensive postburn scar deformities and contractures of the neck. The supraclavicular and anterolateral chest wall skin was damaged, and the authors therefore used expanded and nonexpanded free flaps. This method allows the release of contracture, creates a natural skin cover of this part for the body, and provides good functional and cosmetic results.     

Sjögren–Larsson syndrome: case reports of two brothers

Sjögren-Larsson syndrome (SLS) is an autosomal recessively inherited disorder characterized by the triad of congenital ichthyosis, spastic diplegia or tetraplegia and menial retardation. SLS is also often associated with a variety of other anomalies, including signs that are of interest to optometrists and ophthalmologists. Two case histories are presented. Both patients exhibited maculopathies and uncorrected astigmatism. The reduced visual acuities in one case appeared to be caused at least partly by astigmatism and the associated astigmatic amblyopia.     

New monoclonal antibody enzymoassay for the specific measurement of placental ferritin isotype in hematologic malignancies

A new enzymoimmunoassay, specific for the measurement of placental ferritin (PLF) isotype, has been described. Two monoclonal antibodies (McAbs) with different binding specificities to placental ferritin have been used in this assay. One antibody (CM-G-8) binds to all ferritins, whereas the second (CM-H-9) binds to placental ferritin only. In addition, a second enzymoassay was developed for the measurement of total common serum ferritin using CM-G-8 McAb. Serum levels of total ferritin and PLF were measured in healthy individuals and in patients with lymphoproliferative diseases and multiple myeloma. The majority of normal subjects were deficient in PLF in the serum. Increased serum levels of PLF were observed in patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of low and intermediate grades, as well as in patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). Total ferritin was also elevated in these patients. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and multiple myeloma patients exhibited normal levels of common serum ferritin, whereas PLF in the serum was lacking.     

Anti-arrhythmic effectiveness and hemodynamic effect of ethacizine in middle-aged and elderly patients with ischemic heart disease and extrasystole

The anti-arrhythmic effectiveness of ethacizine (diethylamine ethmozine analogue) was studied in extrasystolic arrhythmia in 40 IHD patients aged 60-85 and its effect on the autonomic cardiac rhythm regulation, intracardiac and central hemodynamics in acute oral load (75 mg) and in the process of course monotherapy (150 mg/24 h). In monotherapy of ventricular extrasystole ethacizine (150 mg/24 h) is effective in 80 per cent and in supraventricular extrasystole in 66 per cent of the cases. The drug produced no significant negative inotropic action but caused delay of atrioventricular and intraventricular conduction and weakening of parasympathetic cardiac tone. Side effects were found in 20 per cent of the patients. Ethacizine can be a preparation of choice in a long-term therapy of ventricular extrasystole in elderly patients.     

Placental isoferritin as a physiological downregulator of cellular immunoreactivity during pregnancy.

CM-H-9 monoclonal antibody specific for placental isoferritin (PLF) was used to quantify PLF in the serum and on peripheral blood lymphocytes derived from term delivery women and healthy controls. It was found that the mean level of PLF in maternal sera was 50.4 +/- 50.1 U/ml, whereas in normal adults the mean serum PLF level was very low (4.5 +/- 7.7 U/ml). Furthermore, term mothers exhibited a sub-population of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) which stained positively with CM-H-9 MoAb (mean 11.6 +/- 7.8%). Such lymphocytes were scarce in normal non-pregnant women (mean 0.8 +/- 1.2%). The effect of PLF on lymphocyte transformation in MLC was studied in mixed lymphocyte cultures of maternal-newborn and normal non-related PBL controls. It was found that placental isoferritin was immunosuppressive in comparison to normal adult ferritin. The suppressive effect was significantly higher in maternal-newborn MLC compared to normal adult controls. Furthermore, it was found that PLF which is present in maternal serum has an immunosuppressive activity since, its removal on CM-H-9 MoAb affinity column abrogated this effect. The results of this study suggest that both PLF and PLF binding lymphocytes play a role in the development of immunosuppression during pregnancy. Therefore the lack of one of the factors may result in diminished immunosuppression or in fetal rejection.     

Surgical treatment of postburn cicatricial inversions of the lower eyelids with involvement of the lid edge and conjunctival ectopia

Examinations of 30 patients with postburn cicatricial inversions of the lower lids have revealed involvement of the median half of the tarsus and ciliary edge in approximately 1/5 of them. Conjunctival growth and creeping of the conjunctiva on the edge and outward surface of the eyelid, manifesting as a red spot, are observed at the site of this involvement, where no eyelashes grow. The treatment of 6 patients with such condition has led the authors to a conclusion that ectopic conjunctiva is subject to tangential resection with plasty of the eyelid, its tarsus and ciliary edge, released from the cicatrices, with a single graft of split skin. The technique of surgery is described.     

Concept mapping: an educational strategy for advancing nursing education

TOPIC: Application of concept mapping as a tool in nursing education. PURPOSE: To highlight the use of concept mapping as a method for advanced learning in nursing education. SOURCES OF INFORMATION: Literature from nursing and general education, instructor and student experiences, and opinions from using concept maps as a method of teaching/learning. CONCLUSIONS: Instructors and students reported satisfaction from use of concept maps in the educational process. Teaching with the aid of concept maps has been incorporated as an innovative and viable teaching method in nursing education.