Horizontal advancement flap for lateral dorsal nasal defects

BACKGROUND: Repairing dorsal nasal defects is a frequent challenge for dermatologic surgeons, mainly due to the high frequency of basal cell carcinomas on this site. Obvious scars, mismatched skin and distortion of the nasal contour are the surgical hazards that must be avoided in these cases. AIM: Our aim was to perform surgery involving a simple flap in order to repair medium to large defects on the dorsal side of the nose. METHODS: The dorsal horizontal advancement flap was studied in 12 patients, in order to evaluate the benefits and limits of this surgical procedure. RESULTS: The resulting scars on most of our patients were well-camouflaged among their natural skin lines, and there was neither distortion of the alar contour nor the nostril. CONCLUSIONS: This flap is easy to perform and, in selected cases, provides an outstanding alternative to second-intention healing, full-thickness skin grafts, transposition, rotation and pedicle flaps.     

2,3-Butanedione monoxime protects mice against the convulsant effect of picrotoxin by facilitating GABA-activated currents

While adult mice receiving picrotoxin (PTX) alone responded with clonic and tonic-clonic seizures, this response was greatly suppressed for mice simultaneously injected with 2,3-butanedione monoxime (BDM). For example, 60% and 10% of the mice convulsed when injected (i.p.) with 3.0 mg/kg PTX alone or PTX plus 205 mg/kg of BDM, respectively. In contrast, a non-oxime analogue of BDM, 2,3-butanedione (BTD), did not have this anticonvulsant effect. In order to explore the basis for the anticonvulsant effect of BDM, we recorded GABA-activated currents (I_GABA) of frontal cortical as well as ventromedial hypothalamic neurons before, during and after exposure to this oxime. BDM had a biphasic effect on concentrations (100 μM-40 mM) decreased and lower concentrations (0.01 μM–0.001 μM) potentiatedI_GABA; these effects of BDM reversed upon washout of the oxime. In contrast, BTD had no effect onI_GABA. Finally, when 0.001 μM BDM, 10–30 μM PTX and GABA were co-applied the inhibitory effect of the toxin onI_GABA was markedly suppressed. These data suggest that the anticonvulsant effect of oximes involves facilitation of the inhibitory action of GABA.     

Assessment of sodium and potassium intakes

The sodium, potassium and creatinine contents of three non-consecutive 24-h urine samples collected by 34 selected adult individuals (10 m; 24 f) living in Cork City were determined. The pooled mean 24-h excretion of sodium and potassium in collections adjudged to be complete were 152 mmol and 78 mmol, respectively. There was no significant difference between group average weekday and weekend-day excretion of Na or K, for either males or females. This suggests that weekend 24-h urinary collections, which most subjects find more convenient, are suitable for studies of sodium and potassium intakes of groups. The ratios of intra- to inter-individual variation for 24-h urinary sodium were 1.4 and 2.1 for males and females, respectively. The corresponding ratios for 24-h urinary potassium were 6.6 for males and 4.9 for females. These ratios indicated that there were large individual day-to-day variations in urinary sodium and potassium excretion in this group. It was estimated that a sample size of 35-60 individuals would be required to estimate group mean sodium and potassium intakes by means of single 24-h urine collections.     

Validation of a Flow-Through Diffusion Cell for Use in Transdermal Research

A flow-through finite-dose diffusion cell has been designed for use in transdermal drug delivery research. The diffusion cell consists of an upper donor chamber and a lower receiver compartment through which a continuous supply of fresh solvent flows. The flow is directed to an automatic fraction collector. To validate the flow-through cell, its performance was compared directly against that of a conventional single-reservoir Franz cell. Homologous alkyl p-aminobenzoates were diffused through dimethylpolysiloxane membranes, and permeability coefficients increased with increasing chain length, reaching a plateau at the butyrate ester for both types of cells. This behavior suggests a shift from membrane-controlled diffusion to boundary layer control. Permeation of the butyrate and valerate compounds was significantly faster when the flow-through cell was used, suggesting that better mixing is obtained through the flow-through cell design. Considering the advantages offered in terms of time and labor saved through its use, the flow-through cell with automatic fraction collector appears to be a viable alternative to the conventional Franz cell.     

Computerized tomography and Trotter's syndrome in the diagnosis of maxillofacial pain

Trotter's syndrome is a clinical triad of unilateral deafness, neuralgia affecting branches of the trigeminal nerve, and defective mobility of the soft palate, which is caused by malignant tumors involving the lateral pharyngeal recess (Rosenmüller's fossa). It is an ominous presentation, which can masquerade as dental or masticatory pain. Computerized tomography (CT) can be used not only to explain the anatomic basis of Trotter's syndrome but also to determine the extent and distribution of the malignant tumor involved. The advantages of CT over conventional radiography are illustrated by a case of adenoid cystic carcinoma that presented as Trotter's syndrome. Perineural invasion by tumor is shown on the gross level for the first time with CT, and important diagnostic considerations, which may aid in the early diagnosis of future cases, are discussed.