Laser and light-based therapies in the management of rosacea: an updated systematic review

Lasers in Medical Science - Unlike other rosacea therapies which need daily takings or applications over long periods, the edge of lasers and light-based therapies (LLBT) is the limited number of...     

Overview of non-invasive factors (low level laser and low intensity pulsed ultrasound) accelerating tooth movement during orthodontic treatment

The need for orthodontic treatment is increasing all the time. As the treatment is time consuming ranging from a year to several years, any method of reducing the period of treatment and increasing the quality of the tissue will be beneficial to patients. The use of non-invasive techniques such as low level laser therapy and low intensity pulsed ultasound in accelerating orthodontic tooth movement are promising. Thus, this overview study will help to generate more understanding about the background information and the possible applications of them in daily orthodontics, depending on previous literature searching for reviews and original research articles.     

Inhibition of concanavalin A-induced acute T cell dependent hepatic damage in mice by hypothyroidism

Abstract: Aims/Background: Concanavalin A (Con A) activates T lymphocytes and causes acute T-cell-mediated hepatic injury in mice. Decreased thyroid hormonal production is associated with a variety of immunological manifestations, including inactivation of macrophages with reduced TNF production and reduced soluble IL-2 receptors in the serum. We have recently shown that hypothyroidism prevents the development of cirrhosis and also minimizes hepatic damage in rats with fulminant hepatic failure. In the present study we examined the effects of hypothyroidism on a mouse model of Con A induced T cell-mediated acute hepatitis. Methods: Hypothyroidism was induced both medically (MMI, PTU) and surgically. Eight groups of 10 mice each were studied: euthyroid controls (2 groups: water, Con A) and hypothyroid (6 groups: MMI, PTU, Surgical, MMI-Con A, PTU-Con A, Surgical-Con A). Results: Hepatic inflammation was significantly decreased in each of the Con A treated hypothyroid groups of mice. The serum transaminases, TNF-α and IL-6 levels were significantly elevated in the Con A treated group while near normal levels were found in the hypothyroid Con A treated groups (mean±SE AST: 1499±18 vs 78±10 IU/1, p<0.001; TNF: 2500±250 vs 135± 15 pg/ml. p<0.001, IL-6: 12,200±300 vs 1260±140 pg/ml, p<0.001, respectively). Conclusions: Hypothyroidism, independent of the mode of induction, can effectively inhibit the development of acute T cell-mediated liver damage in mice. These results suggest that some decrease in thyroid function might have a role in the prevention of immune mediated liver diseases.     

The diabetes-obesity-hypertension nexus in Qatar: evidence from the World Health Survey

Background

As countries develop economically, an “epidemiological transition” occurs whereby a set of chronic diseases increasingly becomes a country’s health challenge. Against this background, this paper examines the most common conditions associated with the prevalence of diabetes in Qatar, with a specific focus on the diabetes-obesity-hypertension nexus.

Methods

We analyzed data from the World Health Organization’s World Health Survey conducted in the State of Qatar in 2006. The survey included demographic, anthropometric, and blood chemistry measurements. Using multivariate logistical regression analysis, we assessed the most common conditions associated with diabetes, using both objective and subjective measures of diabetes. The objective measures relied on random blood sugar tests, and the subjective measure included respondents who affirmatively answered the question on diabetes diagnosis. We repeated our analysis on respondents who had blood glucose levels high enough to be considered diabetic/glucose intolerant but did not answer affirmatively on the question of diabetes diagnosis.

Results

When using the objective measure of diabetes, the following conditions appeared significant: obesity (OR?=?1.5, 95% CI?=?1.2 – 1.9), higher income (OR?=?1.4, 95% CI?=?1.0 – 1.9), high cholesterol (OR?=?1.4, 95% CI?=?1.0 – 1.9), having Qatari origin (OR?=?1.3, 95% CI?=?1.0 – 1.7), and increasing systolic blood pressure (SBP) 120–139 mmHg (OR?=?1.5, 95% CI?=?1.2 – 2.0), SBP 140–159 mmHg (OR?=?2.2, 95% CI?=?1.6 – 3.1), SBP?>?160 mmHg (OR?=?3.2, 95% CI?=?2.0 – 5.3). Similar results were obtained using the subjective measure of diabetes as a dependent variable. When applied to the group of respondents that included pre-diabetics and those who did not know they were diabetic, obesity and hypertension appeared as the only statistically significant explanatory variables.

Conclusion

High prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, and especially obesity is documented among residents of Qatar. Further steps are required to tackle the most common conditions associated with the rising diabetes epidemic in the country, which might also pose significant fiscal challenges in the future.

     

Outcomes for children with submucous cleft palate and velopharyngeal insufficiency

OBJECTIVE: To review the outcomes of children with submucous cleft palate who also have velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI). METHODS: A retrospective chart review was carried out at a tertiary care academic centre of all patients who had VPI with a submucous cleft palate. The University of Iowa Cleft Palate registry parameters encompassing nasality (hyper- and hyponasality) were compared pre- and postoperatively. RESULTS: Preliminary results demonstrate a significant, stable improvement in children who underwent palatal surgery for VPI. CONCLUSION: Positive outcomes in the treatment of VPI in the submucous cleft palate population were demonstrated with a combined approach of speech therapy and palatal surgery.     

Ultrasonography and videobronchoscopy to assess the subglottic diameter in the paediatric population: a first look

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of ultrasonography and videobronchoscopy in measuring the subglottic diameter in the paediatric population. DESIGN: A double-blinded, prospective clinical study carried out at the Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University. METHODS: Children undergoing non-life-threatening bronchoscopy for various reasons had the subglottic diameters measured with ultrasonography, videobronchoscopy, and the traditional method of endotracheal tube sizing during the operative period. Ten patients were enrolled in the study. Parental consent was obtained prior to the procedure. RESULTS: Statistical analysis revealed that although ultrasonography was highly correlated with both videobronchoscopy and endotracheal tube sizing in measuring the subglottic diameter in the paediatric population, the measurements were not accurate in giving an exact value of the diameters in question. Videobronchoscopy was found to highly correlate with endotracheal tube sizing but had values that were slightly larger. CONCLUSION: This study is the first to examine the ability of ultrasonography and videobronchoscopy in evaluating the subglottic diameter in the paediatric population. Videobronchoscopy was shown to correlate highly with the present standard of measurement, namely, endotracheal tube sizing. The difference in measurement between the two was shown to be statistically significant, with videobronchoscopy being the consistently larger of the two. These results are in keeping with the limitations of measurement by the endotracheal tube. Similarly, ultrasonography was also correlated with both videobronchoscopy and endotracheal tube sizing. In contrast, ultrasonography was found to provide measurements that were significantly smaller than the other two methods. This suggests that ultrasonography may be a good technique to follow the change in lesions of the subglottis but may be poor for absolute measurements of this area as it always underestimated the size of the lumen.