Ibudilast Protects Retinal Bipolar Cells from Excitotoxic Retinal Damage and Activates the mTOR Pathway.

Ibudilast, an inhibitor of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and phosphodiesterase (PDE), has been recently shown to have neuroprotective effects in a variety of neurologic diseases. We utilize a chick excitotoxic retinal damage model to investigate ibudilast's potential to protect retinal neurons. Using single cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq), we find that MIF, putative MIF receptors CD74 and CD44, and several PDEs are upregulated in different retinal cells during damage.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of community-acquired pneumonia in western Saudi Arabia: A four-year retrospective analysis of medical records.

Background: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, especially for the elderly and people who suffer from chronic conditions. This study was conducted to assess the clinical and microbiological characteristics and disease outcomes associated with the occurrence of CAP.

Methods: This retrospective chart review was conducted at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Early microvascular reconstruction of Gustilo type III-C lower extremity wound. Case report.

Current algorithms for lower limb injuries recommend amputation for most Gustilo type III-C injuries with a limb salvage index score of 6-8 or more. Recent improvements in the timing and technique of microvascular flaps with the reduction in bone healing time as a result of better fixation devices and early bone grafting make the option of limb salvage after such severe injuries a valid and acceptable therapeutic approach. We present a case of severe shot gun injury to the leg with a limb salvage index score of 9 that was successfully salvaged by vascular reconstruction followed three days later with a microvascular osteocutaneous scapular flap anastomosed to the divided limbs of a preliminary arteriovenous fistula that had been constructed at the time of the initial vascular repair.

Giant cell tumor (osteoclastoma) of the mandible: a diagnostic dilemma and a therapeutic challenge.

A recurrent giant cell lesion of bone 4.5 years after initial curettage from the mandibular body is described in a 40-year-old premenopausal female patient. Giant cell tumor is exceedingly rare in this location and histologically may be indistinguishable from giant cell reparative granuloma.

Fibrohistiocytic sarcoma of the thumb treated by wide resection and immediate free flap reconstruction. Case report.

A 29 year old surgical resident presented with a fibrohistiocytic sarcoma over the thumb of his dominant right hand. The tumour was widely excised including the ulnar neurovascular bundle. The resultant defect was immediately reconstructed with a sensory forearm free flap from the opposite upper extremity.