Investigating the air kerma rate constant for Am through first principle calculations and simulation.

The air kerma rate constant is important for estimating radiation dose and shielding calculations to ensure radiation exposure is as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA). Currently, there are significant deviations in this constant reported for Am by various institutions. Therefore, through first principle calculations and simulation, we investigate the air kerma rate constant for Am based on photon energies and emission probabilities reported in literature.

Investigating coherent normalization and dosimetry for the Am-La K XRF system.

Objectives: Lanthanum (La) retention in bone has been shown to occur in individuals who are orally administered lanthanum carbonate (LaC), a drug to treat hyperphosphatemia. The breakdown of LaC in the gastrointestinal tract into La and carbonate ions results in residual quantities of La being deposited in bone. We previously reported on a non-invasive x-ray fluorescence (XRF) system that was developed to quantify bone La concentrations and applied it to a series of excised cadaver tibiae.

Ex vivo quantification of lanthanum and gadolinium in post-mortem human tibiae with estimated barium and iodine concentrations using K x-ray fluorescence.

Objectives: Lanthanum (La) and gadolinium (Gd) are known to deposit in bone of exposed populations, namely those who are orally administered lanthanum carbonate (LaC, La(CO)) or are injected with Gd-based contrast agents, respectively. In this work, bone La and Gd concentrations from the environment and diet were measured using x-ray fluorescence in ten post-mortem human tibiae. As a secondary objective, bone barium (Ba) and iodine concentrations were estimated.

The feasibility of in vivo detection of lanthanum using a Am K x-ray fluorescence system.

Objective: Lanthanum (La) is commonly used in phosphate binders in the form of lanthanum carbonate in patients with end-stage kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis treatments. With this administration, there is the potential for La storage in the body with bone being the main site of concern. However, the long-term effects of residual La in the body on bone health are not yet known.

A Comparative Analysis of Recombinant Human Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 with a Demineralized Bone Matrix versus Iliac Crest Bone Graft for Secondary Alveolar Bone Grafts in Patients with Cleft Lip and Palate: Review of 501 Cases.

Background: Alveolar cleft reconstruction using iliac crest bone graft is considered standard of care for children with complete cleft lip and palate at the time of mixed dentition. Harvesting bone may result in donor-site morbidity and additional operating time and length of hospitalization. Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP)-2 with a demineralized bone matrix is an alternative bone source for alveolar cleft reconstruction.

Microsurgical Lower Extremity Reconstruction in the Subacute Period: A Safe Alternative.

Background: Microsurgical reconstruction of the lower extremity is an integral part of the limb salvage algorithm. Success is defined by a pain-free functional extremity, with a healed fracture and sufficient durable soft tissue coverage. Although early flap coverage of lower extremity fractures is an important goal, it is not always feasible because of multiple factors.

Defective fast inactivation recovery of Nav 1.4 in congenital myasthenic syndrome.

Objective: To describe the unique phenotype and genetic findings in a 57-year-old female with a rare form of congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS) associated with longstanding muscle fatigability, and to investigate the underlying pathophysiology.

Methods: We used whole-cell voltage clamping to compare the biophysical parameters of wild-type and Arg1457His-mutant Nav 1.4.

Analysis of risk factors associated with microvascular free flap failure using a multi-institutional database.

Background: There are numerous factors that may contribute to microvascular free flap failure. Although technical issues are dominant factors, patient and clinical characteristics are also contributory. The aim of this study was to investigate non-technical variables associated with microsurgical free flap failure using a multi-institutional dataset.

COOH-terminal collagen Q (COLQ) mutants causing human deficiency of endplate acetylcholinesterase impair the interaction of ColQ with proteins of the basal lamina.

Collagen Q (ColQ) is a key multidomain functional protein of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), crucial for anchoring acetylcholinesterase (AChE) to the basal lamina (BL) and accumulating AChE at the NMJ. The attachment of AChE to the BL is primarily accomplished by the binding of the ColQ collagen domain to the heparan sulfate proteoglycan perlecan and the COOH-terminus to the muscle-specific receptor tyrosine kinase (MuSK), which in turn plays a fundamental role in the development and maintenance of the NMJ. Yet, the precise mechanism by which ColQ anchors AChE at the NMJ remains unknown.

Breast implants and minimally invasive cardiac surgery: a case series.

Introduction: The number of women affected by valvular heart disease and the number of women with breast implants are both on the rise. Minimally invasive heart surgery using a limited thoracotomy offers many potential benefits including reduction in blood loss, shorter hospital stay, faster recovery time, decreased pain, and improved cosmesis. Minimally invasive heart surgery often requires access to the second, third, or fourth intercostal space of the anterior chest wall.

Use of human acellular dermal matrix in implant- based breast reconstruction: evaluating the evidence.

The use of acellular dermal matrix (ADM) in implant based breast reconstruction has become increasingly popular to the point that a subset of surgeons use ADM for virtually every tissue expander/implant based reconstruction. While there may be a number of perceived and anecdotal advantages such as decreased post-operative pain, increased initial expander fill volume, and improved aesthetic outcome, it remains unclear as to whether there is sufficient evidence to support these as well as other claims or its routine use. In this review, we identified all papers in the PubMed and Medline databases that addressed outcomes of the use of ADM in single and multiple staged implant based breast reconstruction.

Pfeiffer syndrome twins: despite improved correction in one twin, growth disturbance results in similar need for subsequent monobloc advancement.

Background: Twins with Pfeiffer syndrome (or acrocephalosyndactyly) had a similar phenotypic appearance with findings of classic or type 1 Pfeiffer syndrome, including bicoronal and sagittal craniosynostoses, midface hypoplasia, and broad thumbs/toes. We document their treatment with 2 monobloc advancements and discuss growth disturbances in craniofacial dysostosis.

Methods: At 6 months, both twins underwent release of multisuture (bilateral coronal and sagittal) fusions for improvement of scaphocephalic shape and multisuture release; however, one twin had a more aggressive procedure with advancement of the frontal-orbital region.

Cleft lip and palate: review.

The most common craniofacial malformation in the newborn is the orofacial cleft, consisting of cleft lip with or without cleft palate and isolated cleft palate. Given its prevalence it is important to understand the etiology of the deformity, medical management prior to surgical correction, surgical techniques and timing.

Roman arch, keystone fixation for facial bipartition with monobloc distraction.

Background: Patients with craniofacial dysostosis may require correction for hypertelorbitism and midface hypoplasia. Traditionally, these procedures were sequential or staged, and used acute advancement with bone grafting and rigid fixation. The authors reviewed a series of combined, one-stage facial bipartition and monobloc distraction procedures using internal devices.