Association between right heart catheterization hemodynamics and glycosylated hemoglobin levels in adults with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

Unlabelled: This study hypothesized that elevated glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels are associated with abnormal right heart catheterization (RHC) hemodynamic parameters in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and no prior diagnosis of diabetes.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of adult patients with HFrEF and no prior diagnosis of diabetes who underwent RHC and had HbA1c levels measured 30 days before or after the RHC. This study excluded patients who had received blood transfusions within 90 days prior to HbA1c measurement and patients with known diabetes.

Analysis of image-guided superficial radiation therapy (IGSRT) on the treatment of early-stage non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) in the outpatient dermatology setting.

Background: Interest in image-guidance superficial radiation therapy (IGSRT) for the treatment of early-stage non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) has resurfaced given its low complication rates, superior cosmesis and local control and cure rates. In addition, it has been recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) for early-stage NMSC in patients who are considered poor surgical candidates.

Methods: 1899 NMSC lesions were treated with energies ranging from 50 to 100 kilovoltage (kV), for a mean of 20.

From ancient Egypt to the dermatologic office: An overview of skin substitutes and modern-day applications in dermatologic surgery.

Skin grafting (specifically xenografting) dates back to as early as 1500 before Christ (BC) in the Ebers papyrus, an Egyptian medical papyrus. In 1503, the use of human skin allograft was described in the manuscript of Branca of Sicily, and among the Hindu Tilemaker Caste approximately 2500-3000 years ago, surgeons repaired defects secondary to nose amputations of those who committed adultery and thievery. Over the years, many advancements in skin grafts/substitutes and their applications have propelled the field to focus on better graft survival, contracture prevention, cosmesis, and quality of life.

Local control comparison of early-stage non-melanoma skin Cancer (NMSC) treated by superficial radiotherapy (SRT) and external beam radiotherapy (XRT) with and without dermal image guidance: a meta-analysis.

Background: Various treatments exist for non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), but the mainstay is surgical removal. Superficial radiotherapy (SRT) is one non-surgical technique that has been used for over a century but fell out of favor due to the advent of Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). A new technology that combines a 22 megahertz (MHz) dermal ultrasound with SRT (US-SRT) enables tumor visualization before, during, and after treatment, and demonstrates increased cure rates and reduced recurrences.

Evaluation of Picosecond 755-nm Alexandrite Laser With a Diffractive Lens Array on Pore Size Reduction.

Objectives: Medications, lasers and light therapy have all been shown to transiently minimize pore size. Current research of the 755-nm Alexandrite picosecond laser (Cynosure, MA) on pore size shows differing results regarding the efficacy, with one study of Asian volunteers (Fitzpatrick skin type IV) reporting “marked” improvement of pores, yet another study reporting no significant improvement in pore size in Chinese patients (Fitzpatrick skin type III–IV), causing some contention. This study aims to rectify the discordant results through the examination of the 755-nm Alexandrite picosecond laser on pore size reduction in a sample consisting of Fitzpatrick skin type I–III.

Psychodermatology in clinical practice: An examination of physician attitudes, beliefs, and interventions toward psychocutaneous disease.

Fifteen days postconception, the embryonic ectoderm simultaneously gives rise to the central nervous system and the epidermis of the integumentary system. The connections between the two organ systems manifests in both the psychiatric and dermatologic setting. To examine the current awareness of psychiatric comorbidity in dermatologic practice and its management in a sample of dermatologists across the United States.

Low Cost Electrode Assembly for EEG Recordings in Mice.

Wireless electroencephalography (EEG) of small animal subjects typically utilizes miniaturized EEG devices which require a robust recording and electrode assembly that remains in place while also being well-tolerated by the animal so as not to impair the ability of the animal to perform normal living activities or experimental tasks. We developed simple and fast electrode assembly and method of electrode implantation using electrode wires and wire-wrap technology that provides both higher survival and success rates in obtaining recordings from the electrodes than methods using screws as electrodes. The new wire method results in a 51% improvement in the number of electrodes that successfully record EEG signal.

Fondaparinux for prevention of venous thromboembolism in major orthopedic surgery.

Objective: To review clinical information related to fondaparinux, a synthetic pentasaccharide recently approved for the prevention of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients undergoing major orthopedic surgeries and for extended DVT prophylaxis after hip fracture surgery.

Data Sources: Primary and review articles were identified by MEDLINE (1983-June 2003) using the key words pentasaccharide, Org31540, SR90107A, DVT prophylaxis, and fondaparinux. Additional sources were found listed in articles, abstracts, and unpublished data on file from the manufacturer.

Nesiritide: a novel approach for acute heart failure.

Objective: To review preclinical and clinical information related to nesiritide, a recombinant form of B-type natriuretic peptide approved for treatment of acutely decompensated heart failure.

Data Sources: Primary and review articles were identified by MEDLINE search (1966-May 2002) using the key words natriuretic peptide and heart failure, and through secondary sources. Natrecor's document submitted for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) New Drug Application were obtained from the FDA Web site.