Activity

The constituents of normal cardiac valves as well as those involved by active and/or chronic processes have been detailed previously, however minor attention has been provided toward mature adipocytes within valves and correlation with other histologic, clinical, and echocardiographic data. The literature also contains a paucity of investigations examining the presence of a particular form of degenerative change of mature adipocytes termed membranous fat necrosis. We retrospectively reviewed the histologic findings of 1042 native cardiac valves which included identification of the presence of adipocytes and membranous fat necrosis within them, as well as correlation with other histopathologic features, and clinical and echocardiographic findings. Notable observations included that membranous fat necrosis was only present in valves with adipocytes, adipocytes and membranous fat necrosis were seen in older patients, and that Caucasians made up a greater proportion of patients while African Americans made up a lower proportion of patients when valves were found with adipocytes and membranous fat necrosis. selleck chemicals llc Aortic valves contained adipocytes and membranous fat necrosis at a greater rate than compared to other valves, and aortic valves with adipocytes and membranous fat necrosis were more commonly tricuspid (as opposed to bicuspid) and with larger aortic valve area and lower peak and mean gradients. Further investigation is required to determine potential physiologic and/or pathologic consequence of their presence.Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a disease of pregnancy that is associated with d-glucose intolerance and foeto-placental vascular dysfunction. GMD causes mitochondrial dysfunction in the placental endothelium and trophoblast. Additionally, GDM is associated with reduced placental oxidative phosphorylation due to diminished activity of the mitochondrial F0F1-ATP synthase (complex V). This phenomenon may result from a higher generation of reactive superoxide anion and nitric oxide. Placental mitochondrial biogenesis and mitophagy work in concert to maintain cell homeostasis and are vital mechanisms securing the efficient generation of ATP, whose demand is higher in pregnancy, ensuring foetal growth and development. Additional factors disturbing placental ATP synthase activity in GDM include pre-gestational maternal obesity or overweight, intracellular pH, miRNAs, fatty acid oxidation, and foetal (and ‘placental’) sex. GDM is also associated with maternal and foetal hyperinsulinaemia, altered circulating levels of adiponectin and leptin, and the accumulation of extracellular adenosine. Here, we reviewed the potential interplay between these molecules or metabolic conditions on the mechanisms of mitochondrial dysfunction in the foeto-placental unit in GDM pregnancies.

Recalcitrant palmoplanter warts represent a therapeutic challenge. Side effects of local destructive methods necessitates the need for other less morbid modalities. Recently immunotherapy as well as light based devices and lasers have emerged as therapeutic approaches.

To compare between the safety and efficacy of intralesional vitamin D3 injection and photodynamic therapy (PDT) using eosin in treatment of recalcitrant palmoplanter warts.

Prospective, randomized, controlled comparative study. Fifty -six patients with recalcitrant palmoplanter warts were randomly divided into 3 groups. Group A was injected with intralesional vitamin D3. Group B was subjected to PDT using eosin loaded in trasferosomes as a photosensitizer. Group C is the control group. Clinical improvement was assessed by photographic records and dermoscopic assessment, at baseline, before each session and after completion of treatment. Patients were followed up for 6 months after cure to detect recurrence.

Group A and B showed complete clearance in 88.89 % and 86.36 % respectively compared to 18.75 % in the control group. These results were statistically significant (P value<0.001). No side effects were reported except for pain during injection in group A.

In the current study, both vitamin D3 and PDT using Eosin are safe, highly effective and well tolerated modalities in treatment of viral warts.

In the current study, both vitamin D3 and PDT using Eosin are safe, highly effective and well tolerated modalities in treatment of viral warts.The aim of this study was to demonstrate the efficacy of 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) as an alternative treatment in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) patients who are not fit for surgery. Thirty-three invasive cSCC patients who, for some reasons, cannot undergo surgery were enrolled in this study. All patients received plum blossom needle (PBN) pretreated ALA-PDT combined with topical application of 5% imiquimod cream. Two patients dropped the study because of severe pain and two patients discontinue treatment due to lack of response. Of 29 patients, who completed the treatment, 5 patients had complete response after 2-9 sessions of PDT and these patients had no recurrence till 18 months after treatment. Twenty-four patients achieved partial response and are satisfied with treatment outcome in terms of decreased symptoms and improved quality of life. PBN pretreated PDT in combination with topical imiquimod may be a viable treatment option for non resectable cSCC lesions.

Scabies is a contagious dermatosis. The risk factors for its transmission remain unclear. A scabies outbreak, involving patients who were receiving chemotherapy for haematological malignancies, occurred at our hospital.

The outbreak population was analysed to determine whether the incidence of scabies was higher among contact patients receiving chemotherapy for haematological malignancies.

A patient with crusted scabies was the index case, and 18 of 78 contact healthcare workers (HCWs) and 22 of 135 contact patients were diagnosed with classical scabies. Ten of 17 contact patients with haematological malignancies and 12 of 118 contact patients with other diseases were infected with scabies. The incidence rate was significantly higher among the patients with haematological malignancies (P<0.001). The patients with haematological malignancies had a significantly lower mean minimum neutrophil count than those with other diseases (1159/μL vs 3761/μL, P=0.0012). Most haematological patients did not require special nursing assistance, suggesting that the higher incidence of scabies among these patients resulted from their immunodeficiency rather than greater skin-to-skin contact with infected HCWs.