Mesh penetrating the cecum and bladder following inguinal hernia surgery: a case report

Tension-free repair using mesh is a common inguinal hernia surgical procedure. However, various complications such as mesh-related infection and recurrence may develop as a result. Moreover, although rare, the...

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Optical Coherence Tomography Evolution in a Case of X-Linked Juvenile Retinoschisis: 15 Years of Follow-Up

Purpose: We present the evolution of X-linked juvenile retinoschisis (XLRS) in a male patient using optical coherence tomography (OCT) with a long-term follow-up time of 15 years. Case Description: A 10-year-old male patient presented at the Medical Retina Department of our hospital complaining for blurred vision in both eyes. At the initial presentation in 2001, his best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 6/12 in both eyes on the Snellen chart. Based on clinical and OCT findings, the diagnosis of XLRS was made, and it was confirmed by genetic testing. No treatment was performed, but the patient was regularly examined. His BCVA and OCT findings remained relatively stable from 2001 to 2012, when BCVA decreased to 6/18 and 6/24 in the right and left eye, respectively. In 2016, his BCVA was 6/24 and 6/36 in right and left eye, respectively, while OCT depicted significant macular thinning, accompanied by irregularities of the foveal contour in both eyes. Conclusion: Patients with XLRS should be monitored regularly to evaluate the progression of the disease and manage the potential complications.
Case Rep Ophthalmol 2017;8:459–464

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The unregulated use of melanotan-II is of public health interest to Australian dermatologists

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Expressions of p53 and PUMA in fibroblasts of systemic sclerosis patients are normal at transcription level

Summary

Background

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) fibroblasts show resistance apoptosis mechanisms, which enhances the fibrosis stage of the disease. Impaired function of p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA) has been related to deficits in p53-dependant apoptosis pathway. This study aimed to evaluate the transcriptional levels of p53 and PUMA mRNAs in fibroblasts from SSc patients and compare it with healthy individuals.

Methods

In this case-control study, skin biopsy samples were obtained from 19 patients with diffuse cutaneous SSc (DcSSc) and 16 healthy controls. Afterward, dermal fibroblasts were isolated and cultured. After extraction of total RNA from cultured fibroblasts, complementary DNA (cDNA) was synthesized. mRNA quantification was carried out using real-time PCR, SYBR Green PCR master mix, and specific primers for p53 and PUMA.

Results

No significant alteration was observed in mRNA expression levels of p53 and PUMA (P = .99 and .23, respectively) in fibroblasts from SSc patients compared with controls.

Conclusions

Apoptosis pathways are impaired in fibroblasts from patients with SSc, leading to chronic fibrosis. Nonetheless, PUMA/p53 pathway may not be involved in dysfunction of apoptosis mechanisms in fibroblasts of patients with SSc.

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Role of Negative Vector Orbit in Orbital Blow-Out Fractures.

Background: Negative vector orbit is defined as the most anterior globe portion protrudes past the malar eminence. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between negative vector orbit and blow-out fracture location analyzing the distance between the anterior corneal surface and orbital bone with facial soft tissue in medial and orbital floor blow out fractures using orbital computed tomography (CT). Methods: Seventy-seven patients diagnosed with blow-out fractures involving the medial or orbital floor were included. Distances from the anterior cornea to lower lid fat, inferior orbital wall, inferior orbital rim, and anterior cheek mass were measured using orbital CT scans. The proportion of negative vector orbit and measured distanced were compared between medial wall fracture and orbital floor fracture. Medical records including age, sex, concomitant ophthalmic diagnosis, and nature of injury were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Forty-three eyes from 43 patients diagnosed with medial wall fracture and 34 eyes from 34 patients diagnosed with orbital floor fracture were included. There was no significant difference in the distance from the anterior cornea to lower lid fat (P = 0.574), inferior orbital wall (P = 0.494), or orbital rim (P = 0.685). The distance from anterior cornea to anterior cheek mass was significantly different in medial wall fracture (-0.19 +/- 3.49 mm) compared with orbital floor fracture (-1.69 +/- 3.70 mm), P = 0.05. Negative vector orbit was significantly higher in orbital floor fracture patients (24 among 34 patients, 70.6%) compared with those with medial wall fractures (19 among 43 patients, 44.2%) (P = 0.04). Conclusions: Patients presenting with a negative vector orbit relationship when the most anterior portion of globe protruded past the anterior cheek mass and malar eminence were more likely to develop orbital floor fracture than medial wall fracture. (C) 2017 by Mutaz B. Habal, MD.

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The Americleft Project: A Modification of Asher-McDade Method for Rating Nasolabial Esthetics in Patients With Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Using Q-sort.

The purpose of this study was to investigate ways to improve rater reliability and satisfaction in nasolabial esthetic evaluations of patients with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP), by modifying the Asher-McDade method with use of Q-sort methodology. Blinded ratings of cropped photographs of one hundred forty-nine 5- to 7-year-old consecutively treated patients with complete UCLP from 4 different centers were used in a rating of frontal and profile nasolabial esthetic outcomes by 6 judges involved in the Americleft Project's intercenter outcome comparisons. Four judges rated in previous studies using the original Asher-McDade approach. For the Q-sort modification, rather than projection of images, each judge had cards with frontal and profile photographs of each patient and rated them on a scale of 1 to 5 for vermillion border, nasolabial frontal, and profile, using the Q-sort method with placement of cards into categories 1 to 5. Inter- and intrarater reliabilities were calculated using the Weighted Kappa (95% confidence interval). For 4 raters, the reliabilities were compared with those in previous studies. There was no significant improvement in inter-rater reliabilities using the new method. Intrarater reliability consistently improved. All raters preferred the Q-sort method with rating cards rather than a PowerPoint of photos, which improved internal consistency in rating compared to previous studies using the original Asher-McDade method. All raters preferred this method because of the ability to continuously compare photos and adjust relative ratings between patients. (C) 2017 by Mutaz B. Habal, MD.

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Cleft Lip and Palate Repair: Our Experience.

Introduction: Cleft lip and palate is the most frequent congenital craniofacial deformity. In this article, the authors describe their experience with cleft lip and palate repair. Methods: Data regarding patients presenting with primary diagnosis of cleft lip and/or palate, between 2009 and 2015, were reviewed. Details including demographics, type of cleft, presence of known risk factors, surgical details, and follow-up visits were collected. Documented complications were reported. Caregivers' satisfaction was assessed with a survey. The survey used to assess satisfaction with cleft-related features was based on the cleft evaluation profile (CEP). In addition, 4 assessors used visual analog scale (VAS) to assess the aesthetic satisfaction. Results: Seven hundred fifty-two patients with primary diagnosis of cleft lip and/or palate underwent surgical correction at "S. Chiara" Hospital, 432 (57.45%) male and 320 (42.55%) female. The most common cleft types in our study were incomplete cleft palate (152 patients) and left unilateral complete cleft lip and palate (152 patients). Associated syndromes were found in 46 patients (6.12%). Cleft lip was repaired using a modified Tennison-Randall technique when the defect was unilateral, whereas a modified Mulliken technique was used for bilateral cleft lip. Cleft palate was repaired using the Bardach technique or Von Langenbeck technique at 5 to 6 months of age. Cleft lip and palate was repaired in several surgical steps. In total, complications were reported in 81 of 752 patients (14.16%). Average fathers' satisfaction score assessed using CEP was 4.5 (lip), 4.8 (nose), 4.7 (teeth), 4.8 (bite), 4.2 (breathing), 4.6 (profile). Average mothers' satisfaction score assessed using CEP was 4.3 (lip), 4.6 (nose), 4.4 (teeth), 4.5 (bite), 4.1 (breathing), 4.4 (profile). Average level of aesthetic satisfaction, assessed using VAS, was 8.7 (fathers), 8.1 (mothers), 7.9 (lay person), and 8.0 (senior cleft surgeon). Conclusion: The multidisciplinary management of children with oral cleft determinated good results, in terms of satisfaction and aesthetic appearance. From our experience, periosteoplasty and lip-adhesion are key surgical techniques. (C) 2017 by Mutaz B. Habal, MD.

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