Assessment of a decision making protocol to improve the efficacy of VELscope™ in general dental practice: a prospective evaluation.

Background: VELscope™ is a device designed to help detect potentially malignant disorders of the oral mucosa at an early stage using direct tissue autofluorescence. Previous research indicates a high rate of false positives using this device. This study assesses a decision making protocol for the detection of oral mucosal lesions using conventional oral examination and VELscope™ in a general dental practice setting.

Single LP(0,n) mode excitation in multimode fibers.

We analyze the transmission of a Single mode - Multimode -Multimode (SMm) fiber structure with the aim of exciting a single radial mode in the second multimode fiber. We show that by appropriate choice of the length of the central multimode fiber one can obtain > 90% of the total core power in a chosen mode. We also discuss methods of removing undesirable cladding and radiation modes and estimate tolerances for practical applications.

Implications of formulation design on lipid-based nanostructured carrier system for drug delivery to brain.

Context & Objective: The aim of present investigation was to formulate and develop lipid-based nanostructured carriers (NLCs) containing Idebenone (IDE) for delivery to brain. Attempts have been made to evaluate IDE NLCs for its pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile through the objective of enhancement in bioavailability and effectivity of drug.

Methods: Nanoprecipitation technique was used for development of drug loaded NLCs.

The relative position of femoral artery and vein in children under general anesthesia--an ultrasound-guided observational study.

Background: Femoral artery overlaps femoral vein by varying degrees distal to the inguinal ligament, which may result in difficult venous access and also increases the risk of arterial puncture.

Objective: To study the size of femoral vessels and the degree of overlap in children undergoing anesthesia using ultrasound at 1 and 3 cm distal to inguinal ligament.

Methods: A prospective observational study, 84 children aged <7 years were recruited in six different age groups.

Comparison of posterior and subcostal approaches to ultrasound-guided transverse abdominis plane block for postoperative analgesia in laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Study Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of subcostal TAP block and to compare its efficacy with that of posterior TAP block in decreasing postoperative pain in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy during general anesthesia.

Design: Prospective, randomized, double-blind study.

Setting: Academic medical center.

Tissue Doppler imaging optical flow (TDIOF): a combined B-mode and tissue Doppler approach for cardiac motion estimation in echocardiographic images.

The quantitative analysis of cardiac motion from echocardiographic images helps clinicians in the diagnosis and therapy of patients suffering from heart disease. Quantitative analysis is usually based on tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) or speckle tracking. These methods are based on two techniques which to a large degree are independent: the Doppler phenomenon and image sequence processing.

External iliac artery pseudoaneurysm complicating renal transplantation.

Pseudoaneurysms at donor renal-external iliac artery anastomosis is rare, multifactorial and more often leads to transplant nephrectomy.The incidence of such false aneurysms is less than 1%. With a few series of case reports in literature, the management, aetiology and indications for repair always remain very controversial and debatable.

Composite hemangioendothelioma: An unusual presentation of a rare vascular tumor.

Objectives: Composite hemangioendothelioma (CHE) has been recently recognized as a low- to intermediate-grade vascular tumor. CHEs are rare vascular tumors that are clinically similar to more common vascular tumors but histologically exhibit a composite of hemangioendothelioma variants. We report the first case of a CHE on the scalp and the fifth case to show findings supportive of regional metastasis.

Cricoid pressure: Where do we stand?

In 1961, Sellick popularized the technique of cricoid pressure (CP) to prevent regurgitation of gastric contents during anesthesia induction. In the last two decades, clinicians have begun to question the efficacy of CP and therefore the necessity of this maneuver. Some have suggested abandoning it on the grounds that this maneuver is unreliable in producing midline esophageal compression.

Role of oral Polypodium leucotomos extract in dermatologic diseases: a review of the literature.

Polypodium leucotomos extract (PLE), derived from the tropical fern of Polypodiaceae family, has properties ranging from immunomodulatory and antioxidative to photoprotective. It is these multiple mechanisms of action, in combination with a favorable side effect profile, which makes PLE a promising adjunctive treatment for several dermatologic disorders. Studies are summarized on the use and potential applications of PLE in the treatment or management of photodermatoses, vitiligo, melasma, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and more recently, in minimizing infections in high-performance athletes.

Risk factors for lower urinary tract injury at the time of hysterectomy for benign reasons.

Objectives: To identify risk factors associated with lower urinary tract injury at the time of performing hysterectomy for benign indications.

Methods: We conducted a multi-center case-control study of women undergoing hysterectomy for benign disease. Cases were identified via ICD-9 codes for lower urinary tract injury at the time of hysterectomy from 2007 to 2011: controls were two subsequent hysterectomies following the index case in the same institution that did not have lower urinary tract injury.

Sensorineural deafness in patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus in uttar pradesh: a pilot study.

B/L symmetrical sensorineural hearing loss has long been associated with diabetes Mellitus. Microangiopathy associated with thickening of the basement membrane of small vessels has been implicated as a major source. This study was done to observe the predominant site of lesion whether cochlear or retrocochlear in patients of diabetic sensorineural hearing loss.

Posttranslational regulation of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 by calcium-dependent vesicular exocytosis.

Liver myofibroblasts derived from hepatic stellate cells (HSC) are critical mediators of liver fibrosis. Release of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) advances liver fibrosis by blocking fibrinolysis. The mechanisms responsible for the posttranslational regulation of TIMP-1 by myofibroblastic HSC are unknown.

Managing external genital warts: practical aspects of treatment and prevention.

Rising rates of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections in recent decades, including external genital warts (EGWs), underscore the need for effective management of this common sexually transmitted disease. Although treatment is a vital aspect that aims primarily to resolve physical symptoms, health care providers must also address the psychosocial burden that typically accompanies diagnosis, treatment, remission, and recurrence. Education and counseling are integral components of care to address the cascade of negative emotional reactions that follow diagnosis, which often include anger, shame, stigma, frustration, and fear.

Therapeutic options for external genital warts.

The primary goal of treatment for external genital warts (EGWs) is to eradicate visible lesions and address symptoms that may accompany them, but it does not address the underlying virus. Left untreated, warts may grow, remain the same, or spontaneously regress as a result of being cleared by the immune system. However, recurrence is common with or without treatment and may occur within 3 months of ending treatment in one-quarter to two-thirds of cases.

Clinical features of external genital warts.

External genital warts (EGWs) are a common sexually transmitted infection caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Although over 100 HPV types have been identified, some of which are associated with cancer, EGWs are caused by noncancerous HPV subtypes 6 and 11. This cutaneous manifestation of HPV infection can be asymptomatic or produce warty lesions that may assume a cauliflower-like, flat, papular, or keratotic appearance.

Understanding genital warts: epidemiology, pathogenesis, and burden of disease of human papillomavirus.

As the most commonly sexually transmitted disease worldwide, human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. HPV infections most commonly affect young adults, women under 25 in particular. The most common risk factor for HPV infection in both sexes is a high number of lifetime sexual partners, whereas leading protective factors include circumcision, consistent condom use, and abstinence.

Testosterone dose-response relationships in hysterectomized women with or without oophorectomy: effects on sexual function, body composition, muscle performance and physical function in a randomized trial.

Objective: This study aims to determine the dose-dependent effects of testosterone on sexual function, body composition, muscle performance, and physical function in hysterectomized women with or without oophorectomy.

Methods: Seventy-one postmenopausal women who previously underwent hysterectomy with or without oophorectomy and had total testosterone levels less than 31 ng/dL or free testosterone levels less than 3.5 pg/mL received a standardized transdermal estradiol regimen during the 12-week run-in period and were randomized to receive weekly intramuscular injections of placebo or 3, 6.

Cutting too deep? Assessing the impact of a shorter surgery clerkship on students' clinical skills and knowledge.

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the performance of students completing an 8-week versus a 6-week surgery clerkship on an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) clinical science surgery examination.

Methods: One hundred fifteen students from the 8-week clerkship and 99 from the 6-week clerkship were included. Performance on a summative OSCE was assessed using behaviorally anchored checklists.

Surgical techniques for spinopelvic reconstruction following total sacrectomy: a systematic review.

Purpose: To identify all available reconstruction methods for a total sacrectomy. Secondarily, we aimed to evaluate outcomes based on different interventions.

Methods: We searched PubMed to identify sacral resections for tumors requiring internal fixation for stabilization.

Evaluation of analgesic effect of local administration of morphine after iliac crest bone graft harvesting: A double blind study.

Background And Objective: Pain is a complex process influenced by both physiological and psychological factors. In spite of an armamentarium of analgesic drugs and techniques available to combat post-operative pain, appropriate selection, and effective management for relief of post-operative pain still poses unique challenges. The discovery of peripheral opioid receptors has led to growing interest in the use of locally applied opioids (intra-articular, intra-pleural, intra-peritoneal, and perineural) for managing acute pain.

Advances in optical adjunctive AIDS for visualisation and detection of oral malignant and potentially malignant lesions.

Traditional methods of screening for oral potentially malignant disorders and oral malignancies involve a conventional oral examination with digital palpation. Evidence indicates that conventional examination is a poor discriminator of oral mucosal lesions. A number of optical aids have been developed to assist the clinician to detect oral mucosal abnormalities and to differentiate benign lesions from sinister pathology.

Determination of the optimum number of cardiac cycles to differentiate intra-pulmonary shunt and patent foramen ovale by saline contrast two- and three-dimensional echocardiography.

Introduction: Patent foramen ovale (PFO) and intra-pulmonary shunt (IPS) are potential causes of stroke. The most optimum cardiac cycle cutoff for bubbles to appear in the left heart on saline contrast transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) as criteria to differentiate the 2 entities is unknown.

Methods: Ninety-five adult patients had saline contrast transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), two-dimensional (2D) and 3DTTE.