Association between reverse electrical remodeling and cardiac fibrosis markers in patients with cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Objective: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) induces structural and electrical reverse remodeling of the failing heart. However, the association between native QRS narrowing and cardiac fibrosis markers has not been investigated in patients with an implanted CRT device.

Methods: A total of 41 symptomatic patients diagnosed with systolic heart failure who underwent CRT implantation were included in this study.

Effect of reduction mammoplasty on the pulmonary function tests.

Introduction: Bilateral breast reduction surgery is the surgical treatment of bilateral breast hypertrophy. This is one of the most common breast surgery requested by women, and performed by plastic surgeons. The reasons that patients want this surgery are to re-size sagging breasts aesthetically, and to get rid of somatic symptoms such as shoulder, chest, back, and neck pain.

Evaluating the effects of cardiac resynchronization therapy on pathophysiological pathways of heart failure using surrogate biomarkers.

Background: Several studies have investigated the effects of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) on heart failure (HF), but none have evaluated the pathophysiological pathways involved in a single group of patients. Therefore, this study aims to assess the long-term effects of CRT on six different patho-physiological pathways involved in the process of HF by the use of surrogate biomarkers.

Methods: In a group 44 patients with HF, six groups of biomarkers were measured, both at baseline and 1 year after CRT implantation: inflammation (interleukin [IL]-4, IL-6, tumor necrosis fac-tor [TNF]-a, high sensitive C-reactive protein [hsCRP]); oxidative stress (myeloperoxidase [MPO], oxidized low-density lipoprotein [oxLDL], uric acid); extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling (matrix metalloproteinase [MMP]-2 and -9, galectin-3, procollagen III N-terminal propeptide [prokol-3NT]); neurohormonal pathways (endothelin-1, chromogranin-A); myocyte injury (troponin T, creatine kinase MB fraction [CK-MB]), myocyte stress (B-type natriuretic peptide [BNP]).

Facial Actinomycosis Mimicking a Cutaneous Tumor.

Actinomycosis is a chronic granulomatous infection that commonly occurs in the cervicofacial region. Although Actinomcyes is an element of the normal oral flora, infections of the facial skin are very rare because of the entirely endogenous habitation of the organism. The authors report a case of facial actinomycosis, which mimicked a cutaneous tumor both clinically and surgically in a 44-year-old woman with chronic renal failure and Hepatitis C viral infection.

Vitamin D levels predict the response to cardiac resynchronization therapy in patients with systolic heart failure.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between vitamin D levels in patients with heart failure (HF) and response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).

Methods: We studied 57 patients (mean age: 60.47±13.

Metachromatic leukodystrophy: Biochemical characterization of two (p.307Glu→Lys, p.318Trp→Cys) arylsulfatase A mutations.

Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) is a lysosomal storage disease caused by Arylsulfatase A (ASA) deficiency. The hallmark of the disease is central and peripheral neurodegeneration. More than 200 mutations have been identified in gene so far.

Effect of Concentrated Growth Factor on Survival of Diced Cartilage Graft.

Background: Diced cartilage grafts are important in rhinoplasty for raising the dorsum and eliminating dorsal irregularities. The most common problems with the use of diced cartilage are wrapping and cartilage resorption.

Objectives: To histopathologically investigate and compare the viability of diced cartilage grafts wrapped with concentrated growth factor, fascia and fenestrated fascia, or blood glue.

Effectiveness of Palatal Mucosa Graft in Surgical Treatment of Sub-Glottic Stenosis.

Objectives: Mucosal free grafts may be successfully applied in many surgical interventions. This study aims at investigating the feasibility of palatal mucosa graft in sub-glottic field in an animal model.

Methods: This randomized prospective controlled study was conducted with an animal model.

Survival of Minced Cartilage Grafts with Comparison Surgicel(®) Original and Fibrillar.

Background: Cartilage grafts are commonly used in nasal surgery for structural and/or esthetic purposes. The viability of cartilage grafts has been investigated in many forms since the use of cartilage grafts in surgical procedures.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the viability of minced cartilage grafts and whether there is a difference between grafts wrapped in Surgicel(®) Original and Surgicel Fibrillar.

The Use of the PlasmaBlade and Acellular Dermal Matrix in Rhinophyma Surgery: A Case Report.

Background: Rhinophyma is a rare, disfiguring disease characterized by a slow progressive overgrowth of the soft tissue of the nose associated with end-stage severe acne rosacea.

Objective: We present a case of severe rhinophyma treated successfully using PlasmaBlade and acellular dermal matrix with split-thickness skin graft.

Methods: This procedure combines deep excision with PlasmaBlade followed by coverage with an acellular dermal matrix for dermal substitution and split-thickness skin graft.

Multidetector computed tomography angiography to evaluate the subscapular arterial tree.

Objective: The subscapular artery has an important place in reconstructive surgery. The major pedicles of several different flaps used widely in reconstructive surgery take their roots from this arterial tree. This study aimed to provide anatomical data relating to these vessels through the use of multidetector computed tomography angiography (MDCTA) and to evaluate the clinical utility of MDCTA tool prior to surgery.

New insights into the mechanisms of diastolic dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Background: Little is known about the role of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and their receptor (RAGE) in diabetic cardiovascular complications. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the association of serum soluble RAGE (sRAGE) levels and left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: Our study consisted of 40 patients with type 2 diabetes and 40 age- and sex-matched healthy control group.

Preventing negative effects of smoking on microarterial anastomosis.

Although microsurgery has rapid expanded, problems related to microarterial anastomosis continue. Cigarette smoking is one of the major risks for anastomosis by increasing platelet adhesion, and its effects on endothelial cells. Aim of this article is to study the negative effects of cigarettes on microarterial anastomosis line, and to investigate the protective effects of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO).

Effects of isoflurane and sevoflurane on the survival of skin flaps in rats.

The effects of inhalational anaesthetic agents on survival of flaps are not well known. We investigated the effect of isoflurane and sevoflurane anaesthesia on survival of flaps using a caudally-based McFarlane skin flap in 20 male Wistar rats. Sevoflurane 1 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) and isoflurane (1 MAC) in oxygen mixture was given to the animals.

Delaying the reverse sural flap provides predictable results for complicated wounds in diabetic foot.

Defective wounds in diabetic foot are difficult to manage. Several studies reported the use of reverse sural flap in a small number of patients with varying success. We presented our experience with the reverse sural island flap (RSIF) in a series of 37 patients associated with diabetic foot using the delay procedure.