Continuous Invariant-Based Maps of the Cambridge Structural Database.

The Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) played a key role in the recently established crystal isometry principle (CRISP). The CRISP says that any real periodic crystal is uniquely determined as a rigid structure by the geometry of its atomic centers without atomic types. Ignoring atomic types allows us to study all periodic crystals in a common space whose continuous nature is justified by the continuity of real-valued coordinates of atoms.

Bromelain-based enzymatic debridement of e-cigarette burns: a single unit experience.

Objective: It is widely accepted that the early debridement of burns improves outcome. There is increasing evidence that enzymatic debridement is an effective technique for removal of full-thickness and deep-dermal burns, reducing blood loss and often the need for autologous skin grafting by avoiding over excision of the burn. We aim to highlight the potential use of this form of debridement as an alternative to surgical management in patients with electronic cigarette (e-cigarette)-associated flame burn injuries.

E-cigarette burn injuries: Comprehensive review and management guidelines proposal.

Introduction: Electronic cigarettes (EC) have been reported to be associated with burns secondary to explosions of the device or battery, or contact from overheating, resulting in flame, contact or chemical burns. In addition to this, there have also been reported cases of soft tissue and bony trauma with or without associated burns. Using collective evidence, this review aims to summarise all reported burns associated with ECs, and its implications on immediate management with a particular focus on surgical treatment.

Microsurgical skill acquisition in a one-day introductory course with performance evaluation using software-assisted scoring system.

Background: Recent emphasis on microsurgical skill acquisition at an earlier stage of plastic surgery training has seen a shift toward objective competence-based assessment. Yet no objective measures of spacing or alignment exist, with few validated models that assess ability. The authors propose a novel software analysis scoring system to objectively measure spacing, alignment and the overall improvement in a 1-day, introductory course setting.

Deep vein thrombosis in shoulder arthroplasty - a prospective study.

Background: Shoulder arthritis of varied aetiology is often disabling and patients seek treatment for pain relief and restricted movements. Though non operative measures in the form of analgesics, physiotherapy and joint injections offer satisfactory results in the early stages; operative treatment in the form of joint replacements becomes necessary in late and advanced stages. The above operations are being performed more frequently in the recent years across the National Health Service [NHS] in the UK with increasing success in specialised units and the outcome of the operation is often rewarding.

Bilateral spontaneous non-traumatic rupture of the Achilles tendon: a case report.

Introduction: We present an interesting case of spontaneous non-traumatic bilateral rupture of the Achilles tendons, which is a rare condition. Delayed or missed diagnosis of Achilles tendon ruptures by primary treating physicians is relatively common.

Case Report: A 78-year-old Caucasian woman presented with spontaneous non-traumatic bilateral rupture of the Achilles tendons.

Determination of the effects of blood depth in the dermis on skin colour in a novel skin phantom using digital imaging.

A phantom of human port wine stain (PWS) skin, previously described by the authors, that takes into account its light propagation and scattering properties, was used to model varying depths of blood within PWS skin. Digital images of these phantoms were then acquired under controlled conditions, and the colour information was abstracted with a digital image processing suite. These colour data were analysed quantitatively for each depth of blood, and the relationship between depth of blood and colour was defined.

Magnetic resonance imaging in rectal cancer downstaged using neoadjuvant chemoradiation: accuracy of prediction of tumour stage and circumferential resection margin status.

Objective: The aim was to examine the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in predicting circumferential resection margin (CRM) involvement, T- and N-stage in patients with locally advanced carcinoma of the rectum, who had undergone long-course downstaging chemoradiation (CRT).

Method: Patients with rectal cancer were selected for long-course downstaging CRT if their tumour was considered to threaten (< or = 1 mm) or involve the CRM on MRI. Eighty such patients had a repeat MRI at a median of 6 weeks post-CRT followed by surgical excision soon thereafter.

Outcome of erbium:yttrium aluminium garnet laser resurfacing treatments.

Erbium:yttrium aluminium garnet (erbium:YAG) laser treatment was used to resurface skin abnormalities in patients suffering from conditions that included epidermal naevi, tuberous sclerosis, angiofibromata, neurofibromatosis, and scarring caused by acne or other means. Patients completed self-report questionnaires before their first laser test patch session, and again approximately 4 months after one treatment, so that its success could be evaluated from the patient's perspective. Disability and distress were quantified with the University of York Health Measurement Questionnaire (HMQ).

Construction of a novel port wine stain phantom and measurement of colour by digital imaging and reflectance spectrophotometry.

A novel skin phantom is described that is constructed with quantifiable amounts of skin pigments, as well as a light scattering medium in the form of barium sulphate suspension. The two predominant skin pigments (melanin and haemoglobin) are varied in controlled amounts within the phantoms to simulate skin colour in different situations. The phantoms were devised in order to simulate the changes in skin colour particularly after laser treatment of port wine stains, where superficial cutaneous vascularity is reduced.

Synthesis and structure-affinity relationships of new 4-(6-iodo-H-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-2-yl)-N-dimethylbenzeneamine derivatives as ligands for human beta-amyloid plaques.

A new and extensive set of 4-(6-iodo-H-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-2-yl)-N-dimethylbenzeneamine (IMPY) derivatives was synthesized and assayed for affinity toward human Abeta plaques. 6-Ethylthio- (12h), 6-cyano- (12e), 6-nitro- (12f), and 6-p-methoxybenzylthio- (15d) analogues were discovered to have high affinity (KI < 10 nM). However, introduction of a hydrophilic thioether group in the 6-position (15a-c, 15e-g) reduced or abolished affinity.

The increasing significance of how to learn motor skills.

The training of surgeons has traditionally been an apprenticeship. In recent times it has become increasingly difficult for trainees to acquire operative skills. The acquisition and refinement of these technical skills by the surgical trainee are central to surgical teaching.

Adverse effects reported in epilatory ruby laser treatment.

A retrospective study was conducted to investigate the incidence of reported adverse responses after epilatory laser treatment to control the growth of facial hair in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. Forty-eight patients received a median of 6 (range 2-11) treatments with an Aesculap ruby laser during a 704 day monitoring period at Salisbury District Hospital. Nine adverse skin responses such as blistering, scabbing, sustained localised erythematous reactions or hyperpigmentation were reported.

Monitoring the ups and downs of pulsed dye laser energy output.

The internal energy meter reading of a Chromos pulsed dye laser (PDL) set at 50% of maximum pumping energy was recorded at the start of every clinical session over an 898 day period and compared with the measurement from an Ophir Optronics 'Nova' external energy meter. This quick and inexpensive process improved quality control procedures for the use of the PDL and enabled the performance of laser components such as the dye, pumping mechanism and optics to be monitored. The stability of the laser output energy was also monitored during three simulated clinics on days 665, 870 and 898.