Intravenous cidofovir treatment for recalcitrant warts in the setting of a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome

Cidofovir is an acyclic nucleoside phosphonate with broad-spectrum activity against DNA viruses, including human papilloma virus (HPV). However, data on the efficacy of cidofovir in an immunosuppressive setting remain contradictory. We report for the first time on the promotion of the healing of recalcitrant warts in a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome with intravenous cidofovir treatment.     

Systemische Freisetzung von Prostanoiden nach chirurgisch induzierter Verletzung des Lungengewebes

In a prospective study, the systemic inflammatory consequences of surgery-induced lung tissue injury were evaluated using biochemical markers. The aim was to examine whether this type of injury produces a specific pattern of prostanoid plasma levels (prostacyclin, thromboxane, PGE₂, PGF_2α, and PGM). We, therefore, compared 18 patients (group 1) who underwent thoracotomy without injury to the lung with 26 patients (group 2) that had a resection of pulmonary tissue due to benign diseases. Group 2 patients clearly revealed increased plasma levels of C-reactive protein as well as of the granulocyte-specific PMN-elastase. In particular, there was a pronounced release of prostacyclin and its antagonist thromboxane A₂ following lung tissue resection. In contrast to group 1 patients, lung tissue damage resulted in immediately elevated plasma levels of PGF_2α and PGE₂. When, however, taking into account the time course of PGM, the stable cleavage product of PGF_2α, there was no hint of an altered pulmonary metabolic capacity. Presumably, this pattern of elevated prostanoid levels in group 2 is the result of the surgical damage to the lung tissue. Therefore, it can be suggested to be specific for that type of injury. Thus, the release of prostanoids following surgery-induced lung tissue damage may indicate the importance of these mediators, particularly in thoracic injuries associated with lung damage since those may lead to post-traumatic pulmonary dysfunction. These substances may also be useful in evaluating both the severity and the extent of lung tissue damage following major trauma.     

Digital radiography of subtle pulmonary abnormalities: an ROC study of the effect of pixel size on observer performance

Forty conventional radiographs with examples of mild interstitial infiltrates and subtle pneumothoraces and 40 normal studies of the chest were selected and digitized, with pixel sizes of 1.0, 0.5, 0.2, and 0.1 mm. Observer performance tests were carried out using receiver operating characteristic analysis. Conventional radiographs and digitized images were compared. The results indicate that, in such cases, diagnostic accuracy increases significantly as the pixel size is reduced, at least to the 0.1-mm level. We conclude that, for digital systems using screen-film or similar image receptors, use of a pixel size substantially larger than 0.1 mm may result in some loss of diagnostic accuracy.     

Humerus reconstruction after gunshot fracture]

High-velocity bullits can cause severe blast injuries with shattering and defects of the large bones. Initial external fixation is followed by rebuilding of the bone, which is difficult due to concomitant infection, poor revascularization and lack of a suitable bone bed. A case report of an injured African soldier shows the follow-up and difficulties of reconstruction of the shattered humerus by repeated spongious bone grafting. After successful remodeling of the bone, external fixation is followed by ASIF dynamic compression-plate osteosynthesis.     

Influence of stress simulation parameters on the fracture strength of all-ceramic fixed-partial dentures.

OBJECTIVES: This in vitro study tested the influence of diverse stress simulation parameters on the fracture strength of all-ceramic three-unit fixed partial dentures (FPDs). METHODS: All-ceramic FPDs made of Empress 2 (Ivoclar-Vivadent, FL) were exposed to thermal cycling and mechanical loading (TCML) with varying loading parameters such as chewing force (amount, frequency), thermal loading, lateral jaw motion, abutment material, artificial periodontium or antagonistic denture. To investigate the influence of the abutment material, human teeth, polymer abutments and alloy abutments were used. Two different TCML devices with pneumatic or weight loading were compared. FPDs without aging were used as a control. RESULTS AND SIGNIFICANCE: Combined thermal and mechanical loading significantly reduced the FPD fracture resistance from 1832N to 410N. Duplication of chewing frequency, phase load increase or additional lateral movement did not effect the results. Increasing chewing force, artificial periodontium, and antagonist or abutment material reduced the fracture resistance of the tested FPDs. Different devices with weight or pneumatic loading had no significant influence on the loading capacity of the FPDs. Artificial aging should be performed combining thermal cycling with mechanical loading. Simulation of the artificial periodontium, human antagonists and abutments should be included to achieve a significant aging.