Variation in the insertion of the palmaris longus tendon

The palmaris longus is harvested as a tendon graft in various surgical procedures. We herein report the variations in the insertion of the palmaris longus tendon. During a routine dissection, a rare variation in the insertion of the palmaris longus tendon was observed. In the left forearm, the palmaris longus tendon bifurcated, while in the right forearm, the palmaris longus tendon trifurcated, giving rise to an accessory muscle, which passed superficial to the ulnar artery and ulnar nerve. The accessory muscle was supplied by a deep branch of the ulnar nerve, and the ulnar artery was observed to be tortuous. During reconstructive surgeries, surgeons should bear in mind the accessory muscle. Also, since the palmaris longus muscle provides a very useful graft in tendon surgery, every surgeon should be aware of the variations in the insertion of the palmaris longus tendon.     

Aspergillus Iris Granuloma: A Case Report with Review of Literature

We report the case of a 25-year-old male patient who presented with complaints of redness, photophobia, and decreased vision in the right eye of a week's duration. Slit-lamp biomicroscopic examination revealed a cream-colored, irregular elevated inferior iris mass, extending on to the anterior lens surface. Differential diagnoses of a fungal granuloma, a medulloepithelioma, and an amelanotic melanoma were considered. An excisional biopsy of the mass was performed through a superior clear corneal incision. Polymerase chain reaction analysis of the aqueous humor showed a positive pan fungal genome. Histopathology of the biopsied mass showed a giant cell granuloma with surrounding numerous branching, septate hyphae. Culture growth revealed Aspergillus fumigatus We report this case because of the rarity of Aspergillus iris granuloma as a primary presentation of endogenous Aspergillosis and review the relevant literature. Absence of a significant systemic history compounded the diagnostic dilemma in our patient. Definitive differentiation of this rare entity from a foreign body, amelanotic melanoma, and other inflammatory conditions such as sarcoidosis and tuberculosis, may be possible only on microbiological and histo-pathological evaluation.     

Clinical Experience with Light-Emitting Diode (LED) Photomodulation

Background. Light-emitting diode (LED) photomodulation is a novel nonthermal technology used to modulate cellular activity with light.
Objective:. We describe our experience over the last 2 years using 590 nm LED photomodulation within a dermatologic surgery environment.
Methods. Practical use of nonthermal light energy and emerging applications in 3,500 treatments delivered to 900 patients is detailed.
Results. LED photomodulation has been used alone for skin rejuvenation in over 300 patients but has been effective in augmentation of results in 600 patients receiving concomitant nonablative thermal and vascular treatments such as intense pulsed light, pulsed dye laser, KTP and infrared lasers, radiofrequency energy, and ablative lasers.
Conclusion:. LED photomodulation reverses signs of photoaging using a new nonthermal mechanism. The anti-inflammatory component of LED in combination with the cell regulatory component helps improve the outcome of other thermal-based rejuvenation treatments.     

Improvement of Atrophic Acne Scars with a 1,320 nm Nd:YAG Laser: Retrospective Study

Background. Facial acne scarring has been treated with multiple methods with varying degrees of improvement. Although the 1,320 nm neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser has been widely used to improve photoaging, studies analyzing its effects on atrophic acne scarring are limited.
Objective. To evaluate the efficacy of a dynamic cryogen-cooled 1,320 nm Nd:YAG laser for the treatment of atrophic facial acne scars in a larger cohort of patients with long-term follow-up.
Methods. Twenty-nine patients (skin phototypes I–IV) with facial acne scarring received a mean of 5.5 (range 2–17) treatments with a 1,320 nm Nd:YAG laser. Objective physician assessment scores of improvement were determined by side-by-side comparison of preoperative and postoperative photographs at a range of 1 to 27 months (mean 10.4 months) postoperatively. Subjective patient self-assessment scores of improvement were also obtained.
Results. Acne scarring was significantly improved by both physician and patient assessment scores. Mean improvement was 2.8 (  p < .05  ) on a 0- to 4-point scale by physician assessment and 5.4 (  p < .05  ) on a 0- to 10-point scale by patient assessment. No significant complications were observed.
Conclusions. Nonablative laser skin resurfacing with a 1,320 nm Nd:YAG laser can effectively improve the appearance of facial acne scars with minimal adverse sequelae.     

Effect of mercuric chloride on the kinetics of cationic and substrate activation of the rat brain microsomal ATPase system

Mercuric chloride (HgCl2), a neurotoxic compound, inhibited the adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) system in a concentration-dependent manner. Hydrolysis of ATP was linear with time with or without HgCl2 in the reaction mixtures. Higher inhibition of (Na(+)-K+)ATPase activity by HgCl2 was observed in alkaline (8.0 to 9.0) pH and at lower temperatures (17 to 32 degrees). Activation energy values were increased slightly in the presence of HgCl2. Activation of (Na(+)-K+)ATPase by ATP in the presence of HgCl2 showed a decrease in Vmax from 15.29 to 5.0 mumol of inorganic phosphate (Pi)/mg protein/hr with no change in Km. Similarly, activation of K(+)-stimulated p-nitrophenyl phosphatase (K(+)-PNPPase) in the presence of HgCl2 showed a decrease in Vmax from 3.26 to 1.35 mumols of p-nitrophenol (PNP)/mg protein/hr with no change in Km. K(+)-activation kinetic studies indicated that HgCl2 decreased Vmax from 14.01 to 4.30 mumols Pi/mg protein/hr in the case of (Na(+)-K+)ATPase and from 3.45 to 2.40 mumols PNP/mg protein/hr in the case of K(+)-PNPPase with no changes in Km. Na(+)-activation of (Na(+)-K+)ATPase in the presence of HgCl2 showed a decrease in Vmax from 11.06 to 3.23 mumols Pi/mg protein/hr and an increase in Km from 1.06 to 2.08 mM. Preincubation of microsomes with sulfhydryl (SH) agents dithiothreitol, cysteine and glutathione protected HgCl2-inhibition of (Na(+)-K+)ATPase. The data suggest that HgCl2 inhibited (Na(+)-K+)ATPase by interfering with the dephosphorylation of the enzyme-phosphoryl complex.     

Improvement of Dermatochalasis and Periorbital Rhytides With a High-Energy Pulsed CO2 Laser: A Retrospective Study

Background. Upper eyelid dermatochalasis is typically treated with excisional blepharoplasty. The role of the CO₂ laser previously had been confined to that of a vaporizing, incisional, or hemostatic tool. Over the past several years, however, ablative CO₂ laser skin resurfacing has been popularized as an adjunctive treatment to blepharoplasty to minimize periorbital rhytides through its vaporizing as well as skin-tightening action.
Objective. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a high-energy pulsed CO₂ laser as a stand-alone treatment for dermatochalasis and periorbital rhytides.
Methods. Sixty-seven patients (skin phototypes I–IV) with mild-to-severe upper eyelid dermatochalasis and periorbital rhytides received periocular CO₂ laser skin treatment. Global assessment scores of dermatochalasis and rhytides were determined by a side-by-side comparison of periocular photographs preoperatively and 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. In addition, caliper measurements of upper eyelids before and 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment were obtained.
Results. Both dermatochalasis and periorbital rhytides were significantly improved after periocular CO₂ laser skin resurfacing. Patients with more severe dermatochalasis and rhytides showed greater improvement after CO₂ laser treatment than did those with mild or moderate involvement. Side effects were limited to erythema and transient hyperpigmentation. No scarring, hypopigmentation, or ectropion were observed.
Conclusions. Periocular skin resurfacing with a CO₂ laser can safely and effectively improve upper eyelid dermatochalasis and periorbital rhytides.     

Heroin-Induces Differential Protein Expression by Normal Human Astrocytes (NHA)

Heroin use is postulated to act as a cofactor in the neuropathogenesis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection. Astrocytes, integral components of the CNS, are reported to be susceptible to HIV-1 infection. Upon activation, astrocytes release a number of immunoregulatory products or modulate the expression of a number of proteins that foster the immunopathogenesis of HIV-1 infection. However, the role of heroin on HIV-1 infectivity and the expression of the proteome of normal human astrocytes (NHA) have not been elucidated. We hypothesize that heroin modulates the expression of a number of proteins by NHA that foster the neuoropathogenesis of HIV-1 infection. We utilized LTR amplification and the p24 antigen assay to quantitate the effect of heroin on HIV-1 infectivity while difference gel electrophoresis (DIGE) combined with protein identification through high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) to analyze the effects of heroin on the proteomic profile of NHA. Results demonstrate that heroin potentiates HIV-1 replication in NHA. Furthermore, heroin significantly increased protein expression levels for protein kinase C (PKC), reticulocalbin 1 precursor, reticulocalbin 1, tyrosine 3-monooxgenase/tryptophan 5-monooxgenase activation protein, chloride intracellular channel 1, cathepsin D preproprotein, galectin 1 and myosin light chain alkali. Heroin also significantly decreased protein expression for proliferating cell nuclear antigen, proteasome beta 6 subunit, tropomyosin 3, laminin receptor 1, tubulin alpha 6, vimentin, EF hand domain family member D2, Tumor protein D54 (hD54), ATP synthase, H+ transporting, mitochondrial F1 complex and ribosomal protein S14. Identification of unique, heroin-induced proteins may help to develop novel markers for diagnostic, preventative and therapeutic targeting in heroin using subjects.     

Inhibition of Prostate Cancer Cell Colony Formation by the Flavonoid Quercetin Correlates with Modulation of Specific Regulatory Genes

The natural product quercetin is a flavonoid found in many fruits and vegetables. Previous research has shown that quercetin has antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, and antiviral activities. In the present investigation we studied the effect of quercetin on the ability of prostate cancer cell lines with various degrees of aggressive potential to form colonies in vitro. Specifically, we examined the molecular mechanisms underlying this effect, including the expression of cell cycle and tumor suppressor genes as well as oncogenes. We observed that quercetin at concentrations of 25 and 50 μM significantly inhibited the growth of the highly aggressive PC-3 prostate cancer cell line and the moderately aggressive DU-145 prostate cancer cell line, whereas it did not affect colony formation by the poorly aggressive LNCaP prostate cancer cell line or the normal fibroblast cell line BG-9. Using the gene array methodology, we found that quercetin significantly inhibited the expression of specific oncogenes and genes controlling G₁, S, G₂, and M phases of the cell cycle. Moreover, quercetin reciprocally up-regulated the expression of several tumor suppressor genes. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that the antitumor effects of quercetin directly correlate with the aggressive potential of prostate cancer cells and that the mechanism(s) of quercetin-mediated antitumor effects may involve up-regulation of tumor suppressor genes and reciprocal down-regulation of oncogenes and cell cycle genes. The results of these studies provide a scientific basis for the potential use of flavonoids as nutraceuticals in the chemoprevention of cancer.     

Inhibition of prostate cancer cell colony formation by the flavonoid quercetin correlates with modulation of specific regulatory genes

The natural product quercetin is a flavonoid found in many fruits and vegetables. Previous research has shown that quercetin has antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, and antiviral activities. In the present investigation we studied the effect of quercetin on the ability of prostate cancer cell lines with various degrees of aggressive potential to form colonies in vitro. Specifically, we examined the molecular mechanisms underlying this effect, including the expression of cell cycle and tumor suppressor genes as well as oncogenes. We observed that quercetin at concentrations of 25 and 50 micro M significantly inhibited the growth of the highly aggressive PC-3 prostate cancer cell line and the moderately aggressive DU-145 prostate cancer cell line, whereas it did not affect colony formation by the poorly aggressive LNCaP prostate cancer cell line or the normal fibroblast cell line BG-9. Using the gene array methodology, we found that quercetin significantly inhibited the expression of specific oncogenes and genes controlling G(1), S, G(2), and M phases of the cell cycle. Moreover, quercetin reciprocally up-regulated the expression of several tumor suppressor genes. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that the antitumor effects of quercetin directly correlate with the aggressive potential of prostate cancer cells and that the mechanism(s) of quercetin-mediated antitumor effects may involve up-regulation of tumor suppressor genes and reciprocal down-regulation of oncogenes and cell cycle genes. The results of these studies provide a scientific basis for the potential use of flavonoids as nutraceuticals in the chemoprevention of cancer.