Treatment of Acquired Bilateral Nevus of Ota-Like Macules (Hori''s Nevus) with a Combination of the 532 nm Q-Switched Nd:YAG Laser Followed by the 1,064 nm Q-Switched Nd:YAG Is More Effective: Prospective Study

BACKGROUND: Acquired bilateral nevus of Ota-like macules (Hori's nevus) is a common dyschromatosis among Asian women. Q-switched lasers have been used successfully as a treatment modality. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of using the Q-switched 532 nm neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser followed by the 1,064 nm laser versus the Q-switched 1,064 nm Nd:YAG laser alone in the treatment of Hori's nevus. METHODS: This is a prospective left-right comparative study. Ten women with bilateral Hori's nevus were recruited and treated with a combination of the Q-switched 532 and 1,064 nm Nd:YAG lasers on the right cheek and the Q-switched 1,064 nm Nd:YAG laser alone on the left cheek. Only one laser treatment session was performed. The degree of pigmentation was objectively recorded with a mexameter. Subjective assessment was made by both patients and two blinded, nontreating dermatologists. RESULTS: At 6 months, there was a statistically significant difference (p = .009) of 35.10 points using objective mexameter measurements between the two sides, favoring the side treated with a combination of 532 and 1,064 nm laser treatment. Subjective grading by the patients and blinded dermatologists also confirmed that combination therapy was more successful after one treatment. Although combination treatment had a higher incidence of mild postinflammatory changes, this disappeared within 2 months. CONCLUSIONS: Concurrent use of the Q-switched 532 nm Nd:YAG laser in combination with the 1,064 nm laser is more effective in pigment clearance than the Q-switched 1,064 nm Nd:YAG laser alone for Hori's nevi.     

Cyclosporin-A nephrotoxicity and acute cellular rejection in renal transplant recipients: correlation between radionuclide and histologic findings

Serial radionuclide studies using both Tc-99m DTPA (perfusion) and I-131 hippuran (tubular function) were correlated with histologic findings in 25 patients with renal transplants. These cases included 15 cases of cyclosporin-A nephrotoxicity (CsA-NT) and ten cases of acute cellular rejection that were retrospectively selected on the basis of biopsy findings and favorable clinical response to therapy specific for each of these conditions. The serial radionuclide studies enabled the correct diagnosis in 12 of 15 cases of CsA-NT and eight of ten cases of acute rejection. Posttherapy radionuclide studies, furthermore, demonstrated improvement consistent with clinical response. In all cases, the radionuclide results were available at least 24 hours before biopsy findings. These results indicate that serial radionuclide studies evaluating interval changes in both perfusion and tubular function are of significant value in the diagnosis and follow-up of CsA-NT and acute cellular rejection in transplant recipients. This initial experience suggests a sensitivity of 80%.     

Tympanic membrane prosthesis using soft magnetoelastomer]

This paper presents a new method for tympanum prosthesis application. The prosthesis is fixed by the interaction of magnetic pondermotive forces between two soft petals of a magnetoelastomer. This type of prosthesis was applied to 30 patients with dry perforative otitis media, aged 51-75 years. The intervention was performed in the outpatient department. Prostheses are recommended to be replaced every 3 months. These patients showed good tolerance of the treatment, which significantly improved their hearing level. The method of prosthesis fixation was reliable and atraumatic.     

A new bone/blood index in the study of labelled citrate metabolism in rat bones in fracture, deafferentation, rickets, and caries

A new bone/blood index has been developed which is calculated by dividing % of radionuclide inclusion in the bones by % of the inclusion in the serum. Graphic image of the index changes with time is significantly more demonstrative than digital tables and allows one not only easily measure distribution of the labelled compound between fractions diluted in the blood and sorbed on the bone but also specify a major direction of their transport between blood and bone. The index confirms the presence of biphasic primary fast but weak physical adsorption and secondary slow and strong chemisorption. This was established by the study of time course of the labelled citrate in intact rats of different age as well as in fracture and bone innervation defect, in rickets and dental caries. The proposed index can be applied in investigation of various diseases.