Split-face comparative study between intradermal tranexamic acid injection alone versus intradermal tranexamic acid injection combined with Q-switched Nd:YAG laser in melasma treatment: dermoscopic and clinical evaluation

Lasers in Medical Science - Melasma is a chronic, dark brown–pigmented patches and macules commonly on the face. Many treatment modalities for melasma have been used as hydroquinone, laser...     

Stature estimation for Saudi men based on different combinations of upper limb part dimensions

Estimating stature based on body/limb parts can help define the characteristics of unidentified bodies. The most studied upper limb part is the hand, although few studies have examined whether stature can be estimated using fingers plus other hand dimensions. Moreover, there is paucity in anthropometric studies that determined whether bilateral whole limb parts (e.g., arms, forearms, and hands) are related to stature among the living subjects.This prospective cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the relationship between different upper limb measurements and the stature of Saudi men. Furthermore, I assessed whether upper limb asymmetry was present, and developed regression models to estimate stature based on different available measurements. Stature and 13 upper limb parameters were measured for 100 right-handed Saudi men who were 18 to 24 years old.All measurements were positively correlated with stature (P < .001), and the best single predictor was the bilateral ulnar length. Asymmetry was more pronounced in the hand measurements. A multiparameter model provided reasonable predictive accuracy (±3.77–5.68 cm) and was more accurate than single-parameter models. Inclusion of the right-side fingers improved the model''s accuracy.This study developed potential models for estimating stature during the identification of bodies of Saudi men.     

Diagnostic difficulties of pelvic splenosis: case report.

We report the case of a 38-year-old woman who presented with chronic lower abdominal pain. Her past medical history included a splenectomy due to abdominal trauma. Ultrasound examination revealed four pelvic tumors which, upon laparotomy, were found to be the result of splenosis. Approximately 100 cases of splenosis have been reported but only a minority of them have been published in the gynecological literature. Our case indicates that those involved in pelvic scanning (even of asymptomatic women) and/or treating those complaining of lower abdominal pain or presenting with pelvic tumors should be aware of splenosis as a possible diagnosis.     

Active management of infertility.

Management of infertility is slow, time consuming and, paradoxically, costly. It needs to be streamlined so that diagnosis and management go hand in hand with proper division between primary physicians at district level and highly trained specialists at regional level. Incorporation of assisted conception techniques is the key to the success of such an approach.     

Smoking delays chondrogenesis in a mouse model of closed tibial fracture healing.

Smoking delays the healing process and increases morbidity associated with many common musculoskeletal disorders, including long bone fracture. In the current study, a murine model of tibial fracture healing was used to test the hypothesis that smoking delays chondrogenesis after fracture. Mice were divided into two groups, a nonsmoking control group and a group exposed to cigarette smoke for 1 month prior to surgical tibial fracture. Mice were euthanized at 7, 14, and 28 days after surgery. The outcomes measured were immunohistochemical staining for type II collagen protein expression as a marker of cartilage matrix and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) staining to measure proliferation at the site of injury. Toluidine blue staining and histomorphometry were used to quantify areas of cartilaginous and noncartilaginous fracture callus. Radiographs were analyzed for evidence of remodeling after injury. At day 7 after injury, mice exposed to cigarette smoke had a smaller fracture callus with less cartilage matrix compared to controls. Proliferation was present at high levels in both groups at this time point, but proliferating cells had a more immature morphology in the smoking group. At day 14, chondrogenesis was more active in smokers compared to controls, while a higher percentage of bone was present in the control animals. At day 28, X-ray analysis revealed a larger fracture callus remaining in the smoking animals. Together, these findings show that the chondrogenic phase of tibial fracture healing is delayed by smoking. This study represents, to our knowledge, the first analysis of molecular and cellular mechanisms of healing in a smoking mouse fracture model.     

SF 36 health survey questionnaire: II. Responsiveness to changes in health status in four common clinical conditions.

OBJECTIVE--To assess the responsiveness of the SF 36 health survey questionnaire to changes in health status over time for four common clinical conditions. DESIGN--Postal questionnaires at baseline and after one year's follow up, with two reminders at two week intervals if necessary. SETTING--Clinics and four training general practices in Grampian region in the north east of Scotland. PATIENTS--More than 1,700 patients aged 16 to 86 years with one of four conditions: low back pain, menorrhagia, suspected peptic ulcer, and varicose veins; and a random sample of 900 members of the local general population for comparison. MAIN MEASURES--A transition question measuring change in health and the eight scales of the SF 36 health survey questionnaire; standardised response means (mean change in score for a scale divided by the standard deviation of the change in scores) used to quantify the instrument's responsiveness to changes in perceived health status, and comparison of patient scores at baseline and follow up with those of the general population. RESULTS--The response rate exceeded 75% in a patient population. Changes across the SF 36 questionnaire were associated with self reported changes in health, as measured by the transition question. The questionnaire showed significant improvements in health status for all four clinical conditions, whether in referred or non-referred patients. For patients with suspected peptic ulcer and varicose veins the SF 36 profiles at one year approximate to the general population. CONCLUSIONS--These results provide the first evidence of the responsiveness of the SF 36 questionnaire to changes in perceived health status in a patient population in the United Kingdom.     

The surgical removal of mandibular third molars: a study in decision making.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate and analyze the angulation of and the various indications for removal of mandibular third molars in Jordanians as a representative Arab sample. METHOD AND MATERIALS: The data included in this retrospective study were obtained from the clinical and radiographic records of 1,282 patients undergoing mandibular third molar surgery during a 5-year period from 1994 to 1999. The indications for removal of the mandibular third molars were classified in accordance with age and gender. The angular position of mandibular third molars was registered. RESULTS: A total of 2,252 mandibular third molars were removed from 740 male patients (57.7%) and 542 female patients (42.3%) aged 14 to 67 years. Pericoronitis was the most common indication for surgery, affecting 1,055 teeth (46.8%). Caries was observed in 519 third molars (23.0%). The vertical angular position was most commonly found (1,383 teeth; 61.4%) followed by the mesioangular position (407 teeth; 18.1%). CONCLUSION: The results obtained in this study are similar to those reported in earlier studies carried out elsewhere, although the incidence of periodontitis among Jordanians was significantly higher and occurred in older patients, and prophylactic removal was performed less frequently than has been reported in other countries.     

Pathological changes in testes and liver of male albino rats after dermal exposure to DDVP insecticide.

Exposure of male albino rats to DDVP insecticide at sublethal dose of 30 mg/kg/day through dermal painting for a period of 90 days didn't show any intoxication symptoms or mortality. However, cytopathological changes in testicular and liver tissues were evident. There was a positive correlation between the degree of cellular damage and the period of insecticide administration. In general, damages were prominent in rats treated for 30 days or more. Histological examination of testes showed degenerative seminiferous tubules and fewer leydig cells. Hepatic cells were congested, atrophied and showed different stages of necrobiotic changes. This suggests a great care and caution for workers during different phases of DDVP insecticide handling.