Late-Onset Superficial Lymphatic Malformation: Report of a Case and Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND: Superficial lymphatic malformations are predominantly developmental malformations of infancy, but they may arise at any age. OBJECTIVE: To describe a patient with a late-onset superficial lymphatic malformation. METHODS: Case report and literature review. RESULTS: A 53-year-old woman was evaluated for a colored lesion that developed spontaneously on the anterior abdominal wall. The lesion was treated by surgical excision. Findings on histopathologic examination of the specimen were consistent with superficial lymphatic malformation. There was no recurrence of the lesion at 4 months after the operation. CONCLUSION: Superficial lymphatic malformations can develop in adults spontaneously without the presence of any predisposing condition. Because the majority of such late-onset malformations reported in the literature are localized lesions similar to the one in our patient, surgical removal with inclusion of subcutaneous tissue usually results in cure without recurrence.     

Intravenous Pyogenic Granuloma of the Hand

BACKGROUND: Intravenous pyogenic granuloma is the intravasal counterpart of cutaneous pyogenic granuloma. This rare, benign lesion appears clinically as a subcutaneous nodule usually located in the upper extremity or neck in middle-aged people. It is hard to make an exact diagnosis on clinical basis, and there is a risk of recurrence because of undertreatment. OBJECTIVE: To report a case of an intravenous pyogenic granuloma located in the hand and to describe the clinical and histopathologic features of this rare vascular tumor. METHODS: An operation was performed on a 58-year-old female who presented with a small, painless mass in the right palm, and the pathologic examination revealed an intravenous pyogenic granuloma. CONCLUSION: This rare lesion should be differentiated from a regular pyogenic granuloma and should be excised with the vein segment to avoid recurrence.     

Antimicrobial Activity of Various Extracts of Ocimum Basilicum L. and Observation of the Inhibition Effect on Bacterial Cells by Use of Scanning Electron Microscopy

The antimicrobial activities of chloroform, acetone and two different concentrations of methanol extracts of Ocimum basilicum L. were studied. These extracts were tested in vitro against 10 bacteria and 4 yeasts strains by the disc diffusion method. The results indicated that the methanol extracts of O. basilucum exhibited the antimicrobial activity against tested microorganisms. While the chloroform and acetone extracts had no effect, the methanol extracts showed inhibition zones against strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigella sp., Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and two different strains of Escherichia coli. The cells of microorganisms, which were treated and untreated with plant extracts, were observed by using the scanning electron microscope. It was observed that the treated cells were damaged.     

A closer look at traditional contraceptive use in Turkey.

Withdrawal is the main method used amongst couples in Turkey to prevent pregnancy. Discontinuation of use is most likely to be due to the desire to become pregnant or failure of the method. Withdrawal users are less likely to switch to another contraceptive method; however, among users who do switch, they will most likely switch to a modem method. The strongest three determinants that predict withdrawal use are using withdrawal as one's first method, the woman's age, and the husband's education. The woman's work status and the couple's ethnicity are also important predictors of withdrawal use. Family planning programs should target different segments of the population and focus on correct knowledge of all methods. Results indicate that men and women need to learn about family planning options earlier in their lives or prior to marriage.     

A lost intrauterine device. Guess where we found it and how it happened?

Perforation of the uterus by an intrauterine device (IUD) is a serious complication occurring at or following 1/350 to 1/2,500 insertions. It is more common among women with 'lost' IUDs. If a woman presents with pelvic pain and a history of a 'lost' IUD, X-rays of the abdomen and of the pelvis should be ordered. We report on a 'lost' IUD that had been inserted 12 years previously. It was found in the lower anterior abdominal wall. Most probably uterine perforation had happened during a dilatation and curettage (D & C) attempted for removal of the device. Thereafter the IUD must have migrated to the abdominal wall. This case illustrates that unless it can be recovered by simple traction on the threads, a trained medical professional should be called upon for removal of the IUD.     

Choroidal structural changes determined by the binarization method after intravitreal aflibercept treatment in neovascular age-related macular degeneration

AIM: To assess the choroidal structural alterations after intravitreal injection of aflibercept in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). METHODS: Fifty eyes with treatment-naïve nAMD were evaluated at baseline, 3rd, and 12th month. Fifty eyes of 50 healthy subjects were also included as controls. Choroidal thickness (CT) was measured in the subfoveal region. Total circumscribed choroidal area (CA), luminal area (LA), stromal area (SA), and choroidal vascularity index (CVI) was calculated using Image J. RESULTS: At baseline, subfoveal CT was increased in nAMD patients compared to controls (P=0.321). Eyes with nAMD had a significantly increased total circumscribed CA and SA (P=0.041, 0.005, respectively). The CVI was decreased (P=0.038). In the 3rd month, the subfoveal CT, LA, and CVI revealed a decrease (P=0.005, P=0.039, 0.043, respectively). In the 12th month, subfoveal CT, LA, and CVI were decreased in comparison to baseline measures (P<0.001, 0.006, 0.010, respectively). CONCLUSION: Significant structural alterations are found after intravitreal aflibercept treatment during the 12-month follow-up, in particular at the third month, in eyes with nAMD.     

Pinealectomy exaggerates and melatonin treatment suppresses neuroma formation of transected sciatic nerve in rats: gross morphological, histological and stereological analysis

At present, an intensive effort for prevention of neuroma formation following peripheral nerve section continues. It has been recently suggested that surgical pinealectomy (Px) induces elevation of the collagen content in the granulation tissue of a wound, while melatonin application after Px suppresses elevation of the collagen accumulation in the tissue. The aim of the present study was to assess whether melatonin had the ability to suppress collagen production and neuroma formation following peripheral nerve transection. A total of 40 male rats (four groups of 10) were left intact (intact controls) or sham operated (sham group), were Px, or were Px and given melatonin (Px + melatonin group). All animals underwent a surgical intervention consisting of right sciatic nerve neurectomy. After 4 wk, the animals were killed following intracardiac perfusion. Gross morphology of neuroma formation in the proximal nerve segment was examined and proximal neuroma evaluated. Macroscopic and microscopic findings revealed that Px caused a proliferation of connective tissue and large neuroma formation at the proximal ends of transected nerves. Stereological analysis showed that there was a statistically significant reduction in connective tissue content of the same region in Px animals treated with melatonin (P < 0.005). The results achieved in a rodent model of sciatic nerve neuroma formation showed that there was a positive correlation between macroscopic and microscopic observations, and that melatonin enhanced axonal regeneration presumably due to its inhibitory effect on neuroma formation.     

Patient Health Literacy and Communication with Providers Among Women Living with HIV: A Mixed Methods Study

AIDS and Behavior - In this mixed-methods study, we examine the relationship between provider communication and patient health literacy on HIV continuum of care outcomes among women living with HIV...