(-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate,reduces corneal damage secondary from experimental grade II alkali burns in mice

Background

Since recent reports have shown that (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) could be used for treating proliferative and inflammatory disorders, we explored its use for the management of corneal chemical burns.

Correction of head movement on PET studies: comparison of methods.

Head movement presents a continuing problem in PET studies. Head restraint minimizes movement but is unreliable, resulting in the need to develop alternative strategies. These include frame-by-frame (FBF) realignment or use of motion tracking (MT) during the scan to realign PET acquisition data. Here we present a comparative analysis of these 2 methods of motion correction. METHODS: Eight volunteers were examined at rest using (11)C-raclopride PET with the radioligand administered as a bolus followed by constant infusion to achieve steady state. Binding potential (BP) was estimated using the ratio method during 2 periods of the scan at steady state. Head movement was compensated by using coregistration between frames (FBF) and 3 methods using MT measurements of head position acquired with a commercially available optical tracking system. RESULTS: All methods of realignment improved test-retest reliability and noise characteristics of the raw data, with important consequences for the power to detect small changes in radiotracer binding, and the potential to reduce false-positive and false-negative results. MT methods were superior to FBF realignment using coregistration on some indices. CONCLUSION: Such methods have considerable potential to improve the reliability of PET data with important implications for the numbers of volunteers required to test hypotheses.     

Vitamin E deficiency secondary to chronic intestinal malabsorption and effect of vitamin supplement: a case report.

We report the clinical, neurophysiological (comprehending electromyography, nerve conduction velocities, and multimodal evoked potentials), histological study of the nerve and muscle and the effect of vitamin E supplement in a 32-year-old case with chronic vitamin E deficiency subsequent to acquired intestinal malabsorption. An early diagnosis for an early treatment is essential in preventing severe neurological deterioration.     

Lower urinary tract symptoms and sexual dysfunction in women

This article assesses the effects of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), not including urinary incontinence, on the overall sexual health of women, using literature that includes peer-reviewed articles. This article analyzes a number of studies that provide data on the prevalence and the predictors of sexual function impairment in women with LUTS, such as urinary urgency and frequency, overactive bladder syndrome, and interstitial cystitis. Because case studies provide substantial heterogeneity of outcome measures, this article does not apply meta-analytic techniques to the data. Most of the studies showed that LUTS can have a negative impact on the sexual health of women, sexual pain disorder being the more frequent complaint among patients with bladder dysfunctions.     

Long-term Doppler echocardiographic evaluation of the right heart after major lung resections.

OBJECTIVE: The effects of major lung resections on cardiac function in the medium and long term have not been thoroughly evaluated. We have studied right heart function with serial Doppler echocardiography in patients undergoing lobectomy and pneumonectomy during 4 years of follow-up after surgery. METHODS: Thirty-six patients undergoing lobectomy and 15 receiving pneumonectomy were evaluated with one- and two-dimensional Doppler standard transthoracic echocardiography before surgery and 1 week, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 4 years postoperatively. We have studied the right midventricular diastolic diameter (RVDD), the right ventricle free wall thickness, the tricuspid valve insufficiency (TVI) and regurgitation jet (TRJ), and the pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP). RESULTS: None of the patients died within the first postoperative year. After lobectomy there were no significant modifications of any variable at any time. RVDD progressively increased after pneumonectomy (26.5+/-2.2mm preoperatively vs 34.3+/-7.6 at 4 years; p<0.001). Four years after surgery all patients undergoing pneumonectomy had moderate TVI while only 55% of patients receiving lobectomy showed it (low grade in 50% and moderate in 5%). In this group of patients PASP increased from 26.1+/-2.6 mmHg preoperatively to 34.3+/-7.6 mmHg at 4 years (p<0.00001). CONCLUSIONS: Right ventricle modifications are clearly evident after pneumonectomy and even if they do not show a clear clinical impact they should not be neglected.     

Robotic-assisted heller myotomy versus laparoscopic heller myotomy for the treatment of esophageal achalasia: multicenter study

Laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) has become the standard treatment option for achalasia. The incidence of esophageal perforation reported is about 5%–10%. Robotically assisted Heller myotomy (RAHM) is emerging as a safe alternative to LHM. Data comparing the two approaches are scant. The aim of this study was to compare RAHM with LHM in terms of efficacy and safety for treatment of achalasia. A total of 121 patients underwent surgical treatment of achalasia at three institutions. A retrospective review of prospectively collected perioperative data was performed. Patients were divided into two groups: group A (RAHM), 59 patients, and group B (LHM), 62 patients. All the operations were completed using minimally invasive techniques. There were 63 women and 58 men, with a mean age of 45 ±19 years (14–82 years). Fifty-one percent of patients in group A and 95% of patients in group B reported weight loss. Duration of symptoms was equal for both groups. Dysphagia was the main complaint in both groups (P = NS). There was no difference in preoperative endoscopic treatment in both groups (44% versus 27%, P = NS). Operative time was significantly shorter for LHM in the first half of the experience (141 ± 49 versus 122 ± 44 minutes, P < .05). However, in the last 30 cases there was no difference in operative time between the groups (P = NS). Intraoperative complications (esophageal perforation) were more frequent in group B (16% versus 0%). The incidence of postoperative heartburn did not differ by group. There were no deaths. At 18 and 22 months, 92% and 90% of patients had relief of their dysphagia. This study suggests that RAHM is safer than LHM, because it decreases the incidence of esophageal perforation to 0%, even in patients who had previous treatment. At short-term follow-up, relief of dysphagia was equally achieved in both groups. Presented at the Forty-Sixth Annual Meeting of The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, Chicago, Illinois, May 14–18, 2005 (oral presentation). This study was supported in part by a grant provided by Intuitive Surgical, Inc. and Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.     

Forced oscillation technique. Reference values for total respiratory resistance obtained with the Siemens Siregnost FD5.

Total respiratory resistance (Rrs) was measured by the application of a sine wave of airflow to the mouth at an oscillation frequency of 10 Hz. The instrument used was the Siemens Siregnost FD5. The Rrs data were correlated with height, age, sex, and weight in 73 patients and 29 healthy subjects. The patients took part in a rehabilitation program for restoration of their locomotion function. Both groups had normal lung function (VC, FEV1) and no signs of pulmonary disease. The only important determining factor for the value of the Rrs was height. The mean Rrs of 102 subjects was 0.29 +/- 0.08 kPa.1-1.s. Other studies gave values between 0.23 +/- 0.05 and 0.32 +/- 0.10 kPa.1-1.s.     

A new shape for an old function: lasting effect of a physiologic surgical restoration of the left ventricle

Background  

Long-term morphofunctional outcome may vary widely in surgical anterior left ventricular wall restoration, suggesting variability in post-surgical remodeling similar to that observed following acute myocardial infarction. The aim of this pilot study was to demonstrate that surgical restoration obtained with a particular shape of endoventricular patch leads to steady morphofunctional ventricular improvement when geometry, volume and residual akinesia can be restored as normal as possible.     

Intraoperative radiotherapy in the multidisciplinary treatment of bone sarcomas in children and adolescents

From September 1984 to December 1989, 38 patients of pediatric age with localized bone sarcomas received intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) as part of a multidisci plinary treatment program. The age ranged from 6 to 21 years. The tumor histologies were 22 osteosarcomas and 16 Ewing's sarcomas. Thirty-four had initial primary disease (90%) and 4 were treated for local recurrence (10%). IORT was used on 32 untreated patients and in 6 previously treated with external beam radiotherapy (EBR). The IORT field included the surgically exposed tumor bed area. Single radiation doses ranging from 10 to 20 Gy were delivered, using 6–20 MeV electron beams. The median follow-up time for the entire group is 25 months (2–65+ months). The projected 5-year disease-free and overall survival rates are 65% and 69%, respectively. One patient developed a local recurrence in each histological group: one chondroblastic osteosarcoma and one cervical Ewing's sarcoma. Six patients died from metastatic progression: 3 initially recurrent tumors and three primary disease cases. Severe neuropathy and soft tissue necrosis were seen in some patients as IORT related complications. IORT is a feasible technique to be integrated in multidisciplinary programs that may promote local control in pediatric and adolescent patients with bone sarcomas. Peripheral nerves are dose-limiting tissue structures for IORT.