Improving the quality of life in melanoma: the role of the CO(2) laser.

The cutaneous manifestations of late-stage melanoma can be distressing both physically and psychologically. In our department, we are sometimes referred a subgroup of patients where, despite adequate initial treatment, the disease manifests as cutaneous metastases that can be very symptomatic. The referring physician, having deemed other modalities of treatment inappropriate, may direct such patients to us at the regional laser centre for local control.

The management of periorbital fat excess in haemangioma involution.

Haemangioma of infancy is a common birthmark. As spontaneous involution is the rule, it is usually treated conservatively. Periorbital haemangiomata may require intervention if symptomatic and this may be early or late, where plastic surgery may be required.

Ubiquitination and degradation of the anti-apoptotic protein ARC by MDM2.

Current evidence shows that cardiomyocyte apoptosis plays a central role in the pathogenesis of myocardial disease and that reactive oxygen species is critically responsible for mediating cardiomyocyte apoptosis in both ischemia-reperfusion injury and dilated cardiomyopathy. ARC (Apoptosis Repressor with Caspase recruitment domain) is an anti-apoptotic protein that is found abundantly in terminally differentiated cells such as cardiomyocytes. The ARC knock-out mouse developed larger infarct in response to ischemia-reperfusion and transitioned more rapidly and severely to dilated cardiomyopathy following aortic constriction.

Smoking and wound healing problems in reduction mammaplasty: is the introduction of urine nicotine testing justified?

We sought to prove a significant relationship between cigarette smoking and wound healing problems in reduction mammaplasty patients, to show the effect of stopping smoking before the procedure, and to justify the implementation of urine nicotine testing preoperatively. One hundred and seventy-three consecutive patients aged 16 to 67 years underwent bilateral reduction mammaplasty in our institution over 26 months. Patients were advised to stop smoking at least 4 weeks prior to surgery.