Kinetic spectrophotometric assay for the determination of vitamin C in cosmetics following ultrasound-assisted emulsification.

In this work, a new analytical approach based on ultrasound-assisted emulsification followed by a photoreaction with methylene blue (MB) and kinetic analysis by UV-vis spectrophotometry has been developed for the determination of L-ascorbic acid (AA) in cosmetic samples. The emulsification of cosmetic samples results in a transparent solution that allows an easy and rapid quantitation by UV-vis spectrophotometry. The emulsified sample is mixed with a MB aqueous solution and this mixture is subjected to irradiation with a tungsten lamp for 5 min (fixed-time kinetic assay).

Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding Because of Kasabach-Merritt Syndrome Showing an Impressive Response to Sirolimus.

Kasabach-Merritt syndrome is a rare but life-threatening disease in which a rapidly growing vascular tumor induces localized intravascular coagulation, causing thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, and consumption coagulopathy. It presents mainly in infants and young children. We present an adult with recurrent and severe lower gastrointestinal bleeding due to Kasabach-Merritt syndrome, treated successfully with sirolimus after multiple other failed interventions.

Effect of excess weight and immune-related adverse events on the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy with anti-PD-1 antibodies.

Immunotherapy is an effective treatment in advanced cancer, although predictors of response are limited. We studied whether excess weight influences the efficacy outcomes of immunotherapy. We have also evaluated the combined prognostic effect of excess weight and immune-related adverse events (irAEs).

Immune-related adverse events predict the therapeutic efficacy of anti-PD-1 antibodies in cancer patients.

Background: Cancer immune therapy has shown remarkable benefit in the treatment of a range of cancer types, although it may initiate autoimmune-related disorders in some patients. We have attempted to establish whether the incidence of irAEs after the use of anti-PD-1 antibodies nivolumab or pembrolizumab in advanced malignancies is associated with anti-PD-1 treatment efficacy.

Patients And Methods: We studied patients treated with single-agent nivolumab or pembrolizumab for advanced cancer.

Outcomes of an underserved Hispanic population with chronic hepatitis C treated with pegylated-interferon and ribavirin in a government-sponsored clinic.

Objective: Treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) with interferon-based therapy has been shown to be less effective in Hispanics when compared to other populations. A pilot clinic was established at the University of Puerto Rico for the treatment of HCV in the government-insured population. The aim of this study was to describe the outcomes and treatment response to pegylated interferon and ribavirin in treatment-naive patients enrolled at this government-sponsored clinic.

Systemic lupus erythematosus presenting as acute iceric hepatitis: a case report.

Liver involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is infrequent. The coexistence of SLE and autoimmune hepatitis is rare (1.3-1.

Prevalence of spondyloarthropathy in Puerto Rican patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Introduction: Inflammatory arthritis is the most common extraintestinal manifestation in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Approximately 20% of all IBD patients will present with peripheral arthritis, sacroiliitis, or spondylitis. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of spondyloarthropathy and sacroiliitis in Puerto Rican patients with IBD.

Transcutaneous access to retrograde axonal flow.

Transcutaneous entry of fluorescent tracer and subsequent retrograde neuronal transport achieved by the use of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as a vehicle fluorescent dye dissolved in DMSO and applied topically to the hind limb of rats was found in corresponding dorsal root ganglia; aqueous absorption of tracer dye by neuronal tissue was not demonstrated. This example of transcutaneous access and retrograde transport may have implications as to the entry of various toxins, viruses, chemicals, and therapeutic agents to the nervous system.

Hyaluronic acid through a new injectable nerve guide delivery system enhances peripheral nerve regeneration in the rat.

The use of non-neural conduits to bridge gaps in peripheral nerves has been noted in the literature for many years. A logical extension of this concept is the introduction of neurotrophic or growth promoting factors into the lumen. We present here an injectable nerve guide that allows percutaneous access to the microenvironment of the regenerating peripheral nerve within the guide's lumen.

Inside-out vein graft repair compared with nerve grafting for nerve regeneration in rats.

The inside-out vein graft is a vein conduit pulled through itself to invert the normal orientation and place the adventitial layer within the lumen of the conduit. Our study compares regeneration of peripheral nerves in the rat through two conduits: inside-out graft of the jugular vein and autogenous nerve graft. In 10 rats, the right jugular vein was harvested, turned inside out, and used to bridge a 10 mm defect created in the right sciatic nerve.

Normal sensation of the human face and neck.

A total of 116 adult volunteers were studied to determine normal values for static two-point discrimination and sensation of pressure of the head and neck. Thirteen regions of the head and neck corresponding to major sensory innervation were examined bilaterally for static two-point discrimination with the Mackinnon-Dellon Disk-Criminator and for sensation of pressure with Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments. Perception of two-point discrimination improved from lateral and posterior areas (17 to 25 mm) to the midline toward the lips (3 to 7 mm).

Immunocytochemistry of skeletal muscle basal lamina grafts in nerve regeneration.

The influence on nerve regeneration of the extracellular matrix glycoprotein laminin was studied after sciatic nerve transection in 90 outbred Sprague-Dawley rats. Nerve regeneration through basal lamina grafts was comparable with regeneration through traditional nerve grafts across gaps up to 2.0 cm in length.

Total versus partial musculofascial coverage for steroid-containing double-lumen breast implants in augmentation mammaplasty.

The use of intraluminal steroids in double-lumen breast implants is effective in preventing fibrous capsular contraction around the implant. This technique has not been accepted widely, however, and remains controversial primarily because steroid-related complications, including extrusion, late inferior migration, and atrophy of the skin, have been associated with their use. This nonrandomized retrospective study of 76 patients (146 breasts) who underwent submuscular augmentation of the breast through inframammary and periareolar incisions compares results after total musculofascial coverage of the implant with partial muscle coverage of the implant.

CMV front-line chemotherapy in transitional bladder carcinoma.

Background: Despite standard treatment, surgery and/or radiotherapy, most patients with muscle invasive bladder carcinoma die early of distant metastasis. CMV chemotherapy has demonstrated a high response rate with moderate toxicity in advanced bladder carcinoma. In an attempt to eradicate undetectable metastatic disease and to avoid cystectomies, 36 patients were given up-front CMV.

Inside-out vein graft promotes improved nerve regeneration in rats.

Vein grafts have been used both experimentally and clinically to bridge gaps in peripheral nerves. This study describes a modification of the vein graft technique in which vein graft conduits are pulled inside-out before anastomosis with proximal and distal nerve stumps. This technique creates an autogenous vein conduit with the collagen-rich adventitial surface exposed to the regenerating axons.

Sleeve insertion and collagen coating improve nerve regeneration through vein conduits.

Vein grafts have been used as conduits for nerve regeneration in both research protocols and clinical situations. Results to date are encouraging. This study investigated several variations in the vein graft model in an attempt to enhance peripheral nerve regeneration.

Transformation of a rabbit progesterone receptor from an 8S form to 5.5S and 4S forms.

The 8S form of the rabbit uterine progesterone receptor transforms slowly at 0 degree C to a 4S form with an intermediate 5.5S form. The transformation is accelerated by either heat, increased ionic strength and dilution of cytosol.

Relation of lipids, weight and physical activity to incidence of coronary heart disease: the Puerto Rico heart study.

The 2 1/2 year incidence of coronary heart disease was examined in relation to antecedent serum cholesterol and fasting triglyceride levels, physical activity status and relative weight in a cohort of 8,171 urban and rural men 45 to 64 years old participating in the Puerto Rico Heart Program. In this population with a low incidence rate of coronary heart disease, risk of coronary disease was related to serum cholesterol in both urban and rural groups, but this trend was statistically significant only in the urban population. Neither the urban nor the rural population showed a substantial or statistically significant association of serum triglyceride levels with incidence of coronary heart disease.