Evaluation of Morphometric Measurements on Preoperative CT Angiograms to Determine Risk of Abdominal Donor Site Complications-A Retrospective Review of 174 Patients.

Autologous breast reconstruction remains a popular surgical option following mastectomy; however, it is not without complications. Preoperative CT angiograms (CTAs) are often obtained for surgical planning, and morphometric data such as fat and muscle distribution can be measured. This study aimed to assess if CTA morphometric data predicts abdominal donor site complications in patients undergoing abdominally based autologous breast reconstruction.

Adherence to Clinical Practice Guidelines for Treatment of Bell's Palsy.

Background: Bell's palsy is the most common cause of acute facial nerve paresis and paralysis with devastating disability yet high rate of spontaneous recovery. Patients who do not fully recover have functional disability that may require reconstructive surgery. The Clinical Practice Guideline: Bell's Palsy recommends treatment with high-dose steroids as it shows a higher likelihood of complete recovery.

MicroRNA miR-21 Decreases Post-stroke Brain Damage in Rodents.

Due to their role in controlling translation, microRNAs emerged as novel therapeutic targets to modulate post-stroke outcomes. We previously reported that miR-21 is the most abundantly induced microRNA in the brain of rodents subjected to preconditioning-induced cerebral ischemic tolerance. We currently show that intracerebral administration of miR-21 mimic decreased the infarct volume and promoted better motor function recovery in adult male and female C57BL/6 mice subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion.

Serotonin Syndrome Following Methylene Blue Administration for Vasoplegic Syndrome.

Methylene blue (MB) has been used for additional blood pressure support in patients who develop severe, refractory vasoplegia; however, MB can induce serotonin syndrome, especially when used in conjunction with other serotonergic agents. We describe a case of serotonin syndrome in a patient who received MB for vasoplegic syndrome after left ventricular assist device implantation and discuss its presentation and management.

Dectin-1 Regulates Hepatic Fibrosis and Hepatocarcinogenesis by Suppressing TLR4 Signaling Pathways.

Dectin-1 is a C-type lectin receptor critical in anti-fungal immunity, but Dectin-1 has not been linked to regulation of sterile inflammation or oncogenesis. We found that Dectin-1 expression is upregulated in hepatic fibrosis and liver cancer. However, Dectin-1 deletion exacerbates liver fibro-inflammatory disease and accelerates hepatocarcinogenesis.

Outcomes of subtalar arthroereisis for the planovalgus foot.

Chronic pain and gait disturbance are possible complications of subtalar arthroereisis. Despite literature indicating a considerably high rate of such complications, subtalar arthroereisis continues to be commonly performed for children with pes planus. The goals of this study are to identify common presenting features and an approach to the treatment of foot pain after subtalar arthroereisis.

Use of radioisotope bone scans in children with obscure foot pain.

Foot pain in pediatric patients often presents as a diagnostic challenge. Studies in adults with foot pain have shown that bone scans are valuable diagnostic tools, especially in instances in which clinical evaluation and conventional radiography have failed to provide a clear answer. To our knowledge, no similar investigation has ever been conducted in the pediatric population.

The effect of HDL mimetic peptide 4F on PON1.

Several lines of evidence indicate that serum paraoxonase 1 (PON1) acts as an important guardian against cellular damage from oxidized lipids in plasma membrane, in low-density lipoprotein (LDL), against bacterial endotoxin and against toxic agents such as pesticide residues including organophosphates. In circulation, the high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-associated PON1 has the ability to prevent the formation of proinflammatory oxidized phospholipids. These oxidized phospholipids negatively regulate the activities of the HDL-associated PON1 and several other anti-inflammatory factors in HDL.

[Molecular-epidemiological analysis of HIV-1 initial prevalence in Guangxi, China].

Objective: In April 1996, HIV-1 infection was first found among both commercial blood donors and IDUs in Guangxi. In order to identify the source of HIV-1 transmission and analyze the trend of HIV-1 epidemic, the study was carried out.

Methods: HIV-1 genetic subtypes were determined by peptide enzyme immunoassays (PEIA), RT-PCR and DNA sequencing.