Comparison of the stratum corneum thickness measured in vivo with confocal Raman spectroscopy and confocal reflectance microscopy.

Background: Thickness measurement of the outermost layer of the skin, the stratum corneum (SC), is essential for in-vivo measurement of the cutaneous bioavailability of topically applied drugs and cosmetics. Our aim was to compare SC thickness calculated from confocal Raman spectroscopy (CRS) data with results of SC thickness based on confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) measurements and with literature data, to validate CRS data with CLSM data and vice versa.

Methods: SC thickness was measured with two non-invasive devices, confocal Raman spectroscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy, on four different areas of the body: volar forearm, leg, face and palm in 18 healthy adult subjects.

A migrated aortic stent graft causing erosive spondylopathy.

We report about a patient presenting with back pain 4 months after an uneventful endovascular implantation of an aortic stent graft. Computed tomography scan revealed a migration of the stent with consecutive endoleakage, kink formation, and movement of the stent toward the spine, which caused destruction of the aortic wall as well as vertebral necrosis. Explantation of the stent and replacement of the native aorta relieved the patient of his symptoms.

Combined semirigid and flexible ureterorenoscopy via a large ureteral access sheath for kidney stones >2 cm: a bicentric prospective assessment.

Purpose: The international guidelines on urolithiasis state that the percutaneous approach is superior for kidney stones ≥20 mm. Nevertheless, several groups have reported high stone-free rates (SFRs) with low morbidity for ureteroscopic treatment of calculi >15 mm. We hereby describe a new technique including the combined use of semirigid and flexible ureteroscopy via a large ureteral access sheath (UAS).

Transrenal ureteral occlusion using the Amplatzer vascular plug II: a new interventional treatment option for lower urinary tract fistulas.

Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate the results of a novel technique for transrenal ureteral occlusion using an Amplatzer vascular plug (AVP) II in patients with urinary fistulas.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the results of transrenal occlusion of 15 ureters in 9 hospitalized patients [8 females, 1 male, mean age 64 (range 52-79) years] suffering from pelvic malignancy (4 cervix-carcinomas, 3 bladder-carcinomas, 1 colorectal carcinoma, and 1 vulva-carcinoma). Seven patients were treated for urinary fistulas (4 ureteroenteral, 3 vesicovaginal); the others showed ileum-conduit-insufficiency and Mainz-pouch incontinence, respectively.

Comparison of the survival and tolerability of radioembolization in elderly vs. younger patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background & Aims: The European Network on Radioembolization with Yttrium-90 resin microspheres study group (ENRY) conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the outcomes among elderly (≥ 70 years) and younger patients (<70 years) with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who received radioembolization at 8 European centers.

Methods: Patients with confirmed diagnosis of unresectable HCC who either progressed following resection or locoregional treatment and/or who were considered poor candidates for chemoembolization were evaluated by a multidisciplinary team for radioembolization with (90)Y-resin microspheres (SIR-Spheres; Sirtex Medical). The survival outcome and all adverse events were compared between the two age groups.

Interventional exclusion of iliac artery aneurysms using the flow-diverting multilayer stent.

Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate retrospectively the results of complex iliac artery aneurysm (IAA) exclusion using the Cardiatis-Multilayer-Stent.

Methods: Between October 2010 and August 2012, ten IAAs were treated in eight males (mean age 75 (59-91) years) using the Multilayer Stent. All IAA exceeded a diameter of 3 cm or were symptomatic.

Retrospective evaluation of safety and effectiveness of the EXOSEAL vascular closure device for single vascular closure and closure after repeat puncture in diagnostic and interventional radiology: single-center experience.

Purpose: To retrospectively evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the EXOSEAL vascular closure device (VCD) for first or repeated closure after retrograde percutaneous femoral arterial access.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective analysis of 417 patients (271 men; mean age, 64.1 y±12.

An observational cross-sectional survey of rosacea: clinical associations and progression between subtypes.

Background: Few studies have evaluated differences between rosacea subtypes in epidemiological associations and clinical features. The natural history of rosacea is unknown and progression between subtypes has been implied but not formally evaluated.

Objectives: To assess associations between the four rosacea subtypes [erythematotelangiectatic (ETR), papulopustular (PPR), phymatous (PHY) and ocular], including quantitative and qualitative details on primary and secondary features of rosacea.

Short term clinical efficacy of new meridol HALITOSIS tooth & tongue gel in combination with a tongue cleaner to reduce oral malodor.

Objective: This study evaluated the short term efficacy of tongue cleaning with meridol HALITOSIS tooth & tongue gel in comparison to mechanical tongue cleaning alone and untreated after five and 60 minutes in patients with an oral cause of bad breath.

Methods: Fifty-four male and female subjects with an intra-oral cause of halitosis (organoleptic ratings > or = 2 and volatile sulphur compounds > or = 50 ppb) participated in this crossover study and were assigned to six different treatment sequences (ABC, ACB, BAC, BCA, CAB, CBA) with no treatment (A), mechanical tongue cleaning alone (B), and tongue cleaning with tooth & tongue gel applied to the tongue cleaner (C). Efficacy was assessed by organoleptic ratings and volatile sulphur compound measurements five and 60 minutes after treatment

Results: Cleaning the tongue with tooth & tongue gel applied onto the tongue cleaner resulted in significantly reduced organoleptic ratings (p < 0.

[Dacryocystorhinostomy as part of the interdisciplinary treatment of lacrimal duct].

Introduction And Methods: Epiphora, which leads to blurry vision, is the leading symptom for intra- and/or postsaccal lacrimal duct stenosis. Due to the anatomy of the tear duct system, which lies between the fields of ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology, and due to newly available techniques in interventional radiology to diagnose and treat patients with intra- and postsaccal lacrimal duct stenosis, various methods for diagnosis and treatment are available. We report the results of 107 patients who underwent endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) between 2005 and 2011.

Human endothelial-like differentiated precursor cells maintain their endothelial characteristics when cocultured with mesenchymal stem cell and seeded onto human cancellous bone.

Introduction: Cancellous bone is frequently used for filling bone defects in a clinical setting. It provides favourable conditions for regenerative cells such as MSC and early EPC. The combination of MSC and EPC results in superior bone healing in experimental bone healing models.

[Comparative examination of selected blood parameters from different sampling sites in high yielding cows. Practical usability of blood sampling from the udder vein for metabolic analyses].

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate different statements in the literature on the influence of the sampling site on various blood parameters in a larger amount of animals. In addition, the practical usability of blood sampling from the udder vein or other accessible veins (e. g.

Thermometry during coblation and radiofrequency ablation of vertebral metastases: a cadaver study.

Purpose: To evaluate safety of coblation of simulated lytic metastases in human cadaveric vertebral bodies by measuring heat distribution during thermal tissue ablation and comparing it to radiofrequency ablation (RFA).

Materials And Methods: Three devices were compared: a 10 mm single-needle RFA electrode, a 20 mm array RFA electrode and the coblation device. To simulate bone metastases, a spinal tumor model was used stuffing a created lytic cavity with muscle tissue.

Feasibility of allografting in patients with advanced acute lymphoblastic leukemia after salvage therapy with inotuzumab ozogamicin.

Background: No highly effective salvage therapy exists for patients with relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Inotuzumab ozogamicin (IO) is a CD22 monoclonal antibody attached to calicheamycin that targets B lymphocytes in early stages of development, successfully inducing remission in patients with multiply relapsed ALL.

Methods: We describe our findings in 26 patients who received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT) after treatment with IO between September 2010 and October 2011.

Putting PAID to diabetes-related distress: the potential utility of the problem areas in diabetes (PAID) scale in patients with diabetes.

Introduction: Distress and depression are commonly reported negative affects in people with diabetes (PWD), and may influence glycemic control. 'Distress' can be measured as general or diabetes-related. 'Depression' is considered through symptom severity or episodes of depressive disorder, both potentially derived by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9).

Smoking and other drug characteristics of aboriginal and non-aboriginal prisoners in australia.

Introduction and Aim. Although tobacco and alcohol use have declined substantially in the Australian community, substance use among prisoners remains high. The aim was to compare the smoking, drug, and alcohol characteristics, sociodemographic profile, and general health of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal male prisoners in a smoking cessation intervention.

Skin benefits with a novel emollient-treated menstrual pad.

Manufacturers of consumer products consistently seek to improve marketed products in terms of both safety and efficacy. The desire for continued improvement is seen even in well-established products such as catamenial products which have existed in some form for thousands of years. A recent innovation in the design of menstrual pads is the addition of a surface finish of emollient for the purpose of increasing comfort during wear.

A randomized controlled trial of a smoking cessation intervention conducted among prisoners.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of nortriptyline (NOR) added to a multi-component smoking cessation intervention, which included cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and provision of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).

Design: Randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing two study groups with blinded follow-up at 3, 6 and 12 months. Both groups received a multi-component smoking cessation intervention comprising two half-hour individual sessions of CBT and NRT with either active NOR or placebo.

Standardized flexible ureteroscopic technique to improve stone-free rates.

Objective: To present a unique completely standardized sequence of steps performed before, during, and after flexible ureteroscopy (FURS) that achieves superior results for FURS treatment of renal calculi.

Materials And Methods: The "Freiburg FURS technique" includes the following steps: (a) preoperative ureteral stenting; (b) placement of 2 hydrophilic wires; (c) semirigid ureteroscopy before FURS; (d) the use of a large access sheath (14F-16F) if multiple ureteral passages are expected; (e) the use of a 2-working channel flexible endoscope; (f) a modified active flushing system; and (g) an advanced holmium laser technique with complete stone extraction. We performed a prospective analysis of 153 consecutive FURS procedures for nephrolithiasis from August 2009 to July 2011.

[First description of mesenchymal chondrosarcoma of the lateral skull base in a 9-year-old boy].

Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma (MSC) is a very rare sarcoma that is highly malignant with frequent local recurrences and distant metastases leading to a very poor long-term outcome. It differs from classical chondrosarcomas in that it occurs more often in children and commonly in extraskeletal locations. Hardly any evidence-based recommendations for treatment exist.

Hepatic volume changes induced by radioembolization with 90Y resin microspheres. A single-centre study.

Purpose: Lobar radioembolization (RE) of the liver can result in reduction in volume of the ipsilateral lobe as well as hypertrophy of the contralateral lobe. Theoretically, hypertrophy of the contralateral liver lobe after RE could increase the chance of a successful liver resection, especially in patients with limited liver function reserve. The aim of this preliminary study was to evaluate the early effects of RE with resin microspheres on the volumes of the liver lobes and spleen.

Clinical efficacy of a new tooth and tongue gel applied with a tongue cleaner in reducing oral halitosis.

Objective: The short-term and overnight effect of three treatment regimens on oral halitosis were investigated: toothbrushing with a reference toothpaste, toothbrushing with reference toothpaste and tongue cleaning, and toothbrushing and tongue cleaning with a tooth-and-tongue gel.

Method And Materials: Fifty-four subjects meeting the inclusion criteria for bad breath were enrolled in the study. All subjects received each of the three treatment regimens in a balanced design.