Imaging of intradermal tattoos by optical coherence tomography

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Tattoos have become increasingly popular followed by a growing demand for tattoo removal, and yet there is little knowledge and monitoring of tattoo pigment deposition in skin layers. The purpose of this pilot study is to describe optical coherence tomography image characteristics of intradermal tattoos. METHODS: We included five black tattoos in 3 female volunteers, 39, 35 and 30 years old. In vivo imaging of tattoo pigments in the skin is possible with optical coherence tomography (OCT), a novel non-invasive, in vivo optical imaging technology with a resolution and a penetration in skin high enough for visualization of tattoo pigment in the dermis. RESULTS: In optical coherence tomography images tattoo pigments clusters appear as dark, homogenous vertical columns and structures in the papillary dermis. OCT-scanned normal skin (without tattoos) appeared to be free of this dark structure. CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated that OCT can be used to visualize clusters of light absorbing pigments in a predictable manner.     

Right superficial femoral artery to superior vena cava graft using a polytetrafluroethylene graft: a new technique in a complicated dialysis access patient.

Sir, The expansion of haemodialysis includes older patients withcomorbidities, poor quality vessels, unsuitable for transplantationor peritoneal dialysis. Vascular access complications accountfor 20% of hospital admissions [1]. With exhausted sites inupper extremities, unusual sites for arteriovenous grafts formationare used [2]. The     

Application of an aldrin and dieldrin ELISA to the detection of pesticides in eggs

This paper details the results obtained when a number of egg samples, collected in Egypt from different races of chicken were analyzed for the presence of the organochlorine insecticides aldrin and dieldrin. A simple ELISA was used for the detection and quantification of aldrin and dieldrin. The test was modified for application in this high protein system. Pesticide was detected in 83–352% (14/17) of the samples at levels ranging from 0.006 to 0.7 ppm (0.006 to 0.7 μg ml^‐1). People eating eggs containing these amounts of pesticides which are above the World Health Organisation average daily intake levels would be at increased risk.     

Preventive effects of cannabis on neurotoxic and hepatotoxic activities of malathion in rat

Objective: To investigate the effect of Cannabis sativa extract on the development of neuroand hepato-toxicity caused by malathion injection in rats. Methods: The extract of Cannabis sativa was obtained from the plant resin by chloroform treatment. Δ~9-Tetrahydrocannabinol content of the extract(20%) was quantified using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The doses of cannabis extract were expressed as Δ~9-tetrahydrocannabinol content of 10 or 20 mg/kg. Malathion(150 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally administered followed after 30 min by the cannabis extract(10 or 20 mg/kg, subcutaneously). Rats were euthanized 4 h later. Malondialdehyde(MDA), reduced glutathione(GSH), nitric oxide and paraoxonase-1(PON-1) activity were determined in brain and liver. Brain 5-lipoxygenase and butyrylcholinesterase(BChE) activity were measured as well. Histopathological examination of brain and liver tissue was also performed. Results: Compared to controls, malathion resulted in increased oxidative stress in brain and liver. MDA and nitric oxide concentrations were significantly increased(P0.05) and GSH significantly decreased with respect to control levels(P0.05). Malathion also significantly inhibited PON-1 and BChE activities but had no effect on brain 5-lipoxygenase. Brain MDA concentrations were not altered by cannabis treatment. Cannabis at 20 mg/kg, however, caused significant increase in nitric oxide and restored the GSH and PON-1 activity. Brain BChE activity significantly decreased by 26.1%(P0.05) after treatment with 10 mg/kg cannabis. Cannabis showed no effect on brain 5-lipoxygenase. On the other hand, rats treated with cannabis exhibited significantly higher levels of liver MDA, nitric oxide and PON-1 activity compared with the malathion control group. Rats treated with only malathion exhibited spongiform changes, neuronal damage in the cerebral cortex and degeneration of some Purkinje cells in the cerebellum. There were also hepatic vacuolar degeneration and dilated and congested portal vein. These histopthological changes induced by malathion in brain and liver were reduced to great extent by cannabis administration at 20 mg/kg. Conclusions: Our data suggest that acute treatment with cannabis alleviates the malathion-induced brain and hepatic injury in rats possibly by maintaining the levels of GSH and PON-1 activity.     

Benign soft tissue chondroma of the foot

Soft tissue chondroma is an uncommon soft-tissue cartilaginous tumor of benign nature, it considers a variant of extra-skeletal chondromas that undergoes extensive ossification. This case of a 37?years old Egyptian male presented with a recurrent slowly growing painful palpable heel mass arises at the plantar aspect of his RT foot.The case is pathologically proven to be benign soft tissue chondroma.     

Efficacy of ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir/ribavirin in management of HCV genotype 4 and end-stage kidney disease

Background

Till now, pooled data about the safety and efficacy of different direct-acting antiviral (DAAs) regimens in different renal situations are still under evaluation.

Free functioning gracilis transplantation for reconstruction of elbow and hand functions in late obstetric brachial plexus palsy

Background: In late obstetric brachial plexus palsy (OBPP), restoration of elbow and hand functions is a difficult challenge. The use of free functioning muscle transplantation in late OBPP was very scarcely reported. In this study, we present our experience on the use of free functioning gracilis transfer for restoration of elbow and hand functions in late cases of OBPP. Patients and Methods: Eighteen patients with late OBPP underwent free gracilis transfer for reconstruction of elbow and/or hand functions. The procedure was indicated when there was no evidence of reinnervation on EMG and in the absence of local donors. Average age at surgery was 102.5 months. Patients were evaluated using the British Medical Research Council (MRC) grading system and the Toronto Active Movement Scale. Hand function was evaluated by the Raimondi scoring system. Results: The average follow‐up was 65.8 ± 41.7 months. Contraction of the transferred gracilis started at an average of 4.5 ± 1.03 months. Average range of elbow flexion significantly improved from 30 ± 55.7 to 104 ± 31.6 degrees (P <0.001). Elbow flexion power significantly increased with an average of 3.8 grades (P = 0.000147). Passive elbow range of motion significantly decreased from an average of 147 to 117 degrees (P = 0.003). Active finger flexion significantly improved from 5 ± 8.3 to 63 ± 39.9 degrees (P < 0.001). Finger flexion power significantly increased with an average 2.7 grades (P < 0.001). Only 17% achieved useful hand (grade 3) on Raimondi hand score. Triceps reconstruction resulted in an average of M4 power and 45 degrees elbow extension. Conclusion: Free gracilis transfer may be a useful option for reconstruction of elbow and/or hand functions in late OBPP. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 35:350–355, 2015.     

Prevalence,morphology, and molecular analysis of Serrasentis sagittifer (Acanthocephala: Palaeacanthocephala: Rhadinorhynchidae), a parasite of the gilthead Sea bream Sparus aurata (Sparidae)

Seventy specimens of the gilthead sea bream Sparus aurata of the Red Sea were collected during the period from March to November 2013; they were dissected and examined for parasitic acanthocephalans. Only 40 (57.14 %) specimens were found to be naturally infected with Serrasentis sagittifer belonging to family Rhadinorhynchidae. The infection was recorded in the intestine, pyloric ceca, and the external surfaces of some internal organs of the infected fish. Seasonally, the prevalence of infection was increased to 77.14 % during summer season and decreased to 37.14 % during winter. Light and scanning electron microscopic investigation revealed that the adult worm was elongated (with broad anterior and narrow posterior ends) and measured 6.9–8.6 (7.6?±?0.2)?×?0.57–0.73 (0.63?±?0.02) mm for male and 10.2–12.1 (11.5?±?0.2)?×?0.71–0.82 (0.76?±?0.02) mm for female. Proboscis was long and cylindrical with a length of 0.97–1.6 mm (1.2?±?0.2) for male and 1.12–1.17 mm (1.14?±?0.02) for female. It was covered with numerous uniform spines arranged longitudinally as 9–11 rows each equipped by 15–18 spines. Spines were triangular, arrow-shaped, strong, and covered with cuticular theca; they decreased in size from the apex to the base of the proboscis. The proboscis is followed by a short spineless neck region followed by the body proper which is supported by multiple combs of spines (16–20) on its ventral surface. Molecular analysis of 18S rDNA sequence for the parasite demonstrated a close identity (>83 %) between the present acanthocephalan and other previously described species within class Palaeacanthocephala with 98 % identity with the previously recorded S. sagittifer (acc. no. JX014227) which is supported by the morphological data and the presence of trunk spines arranged within rows (comb-like) and the presence of four cement glands in the males. So, according to the records of morphological and molecular analyses, the present parasite is classified as S. sagittifer belonging to class Palaeacanthocephala and family Rhadinorhynchidae with a new host record from the gilthead sea bream S. aurata of the Red Sea.