A Rare, Unforeseen Complication Of Facial Skin Resurfacing

Erosive pustular dermatitis (EPD), a rare condition that typically affects actinically damaged skin on the scalp, may also emerge on the face after cosmetic resurfacing, researchers have found.
Reuters Health Information

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Age-related histologic and biochemical changes in auricular and septal cartilage

Objectives/Hypothesis

To characterize the histologic and biochemical properties of auricular and septal cartilage and analyze age-related changes in middle-aged to older adults.

Study Design

Cross-sectional study of auricular and septal cartilage from 33 fresh cadavers.

Methods

Auricular and septal cartilage specimens were stained using Safranin O for glycosaminoglycans, Verhoeff's stain for elastin, and Masson's trichrome for collagen. Percentage of tissue stained, cell density and size were quantified. Relationships between donor characteristics and histologic properties were evaluated using mixed model analyses.

Results

The average donor age was 75 years (standard deviation = 11 years; range, 55–93 years). In auricular cartilage, each 1-year increase in age was associated with a 0.97% decrease in glycosaminoglycans (P < .001) and a 0.98% decrease in elastin (P < .001). In septal cartilage, glycosaminoglycans decreased 2.4% per year (P < .001). Age did not affect collagen content significantly in auricular (P = .417) or septal cartilage (P = .284). Cell density and cell size declined with age in auricular (both P < .001) and septal cartilage (P = .044, P = .032, respectively). Compared to septal cartilage in patients of all ages, auricular cartilage had more glycosaminoglycans, less collagen, higher cell density, and smaller cells.

Conclusions

In auricular and septal cartilage, glycosaminoglycans, elastin, cell density, and cell size decrease significantly with age in patients over 55 years of age. Glycosaminoglycan content declines faster with age in septal cartilage than auricular cartilage. These age-related changes may affect biomechanical properties and tissue viability, and thereby have implications for graft choice in functional, aesthetic, and reconstructive nasal surgery.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 2017

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Combined surgical and endovascular approach to treat a carotid cavernous fistula with associated brainstem venous congestion

Endovascular embolization is the standard approach for management of carotid cavernous fistulas (CCFs) due to the ease of access and reduced level of risk associated with the procedure compared with open surgery. We present here a case of a CCF that eventually led to the development of brainstem venous congestion from perimedullary venous drainage. This fistula was not amenable to endovascular embolization due to lack of either ophthalmic vein or petrosal sinus drainage. Therefore, a craniotomy with direct puncture of the cavernous sinus was performed, followed by coil embolization to completely treat this fistula. This case demonstrates an uncommon progression of venous drainage to Cognard grade V, rare development of symptomatic brainstem venous congestion and a unique method to combine an open surgical approach with endovascular embolization to treat CCFs.

http://ift.tt/2xr3D8j

Nrf2-peroxiredoxin I axis in polymorphous adenocarcinoma is associated with low matrix metalloproteinase 2 level

Abstract

Polymorphous adenocarcinoma (PAC) is a malignant epithelial neoplasm that affects almost exclusively the minor salivary glands, generally described as having a relatively good prognosis. Aberrant nuclear factor erythroid 2 (NF-E2)-related factor (Nrf2) activation in tumor cells has been associated with induction of antioxidant enzymes, such as peroxiredoxin I (Prx I) and increased matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression. In this context, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the expression of Nrf2 and correlate it with Prx I and MMP-2 secretion in PAC. Thirty-one cases of PAC from oral biopsies were selected and immunohistochemically analyzed for Nrf2 and Prx I. MMP-2 quantification was performed on primary cell cultures derived from PAC. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell cultures were used as control. A high immunoexpression of Nrf2 was observed in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus of neoplastic cells from PAC. Nuclear staining for Nrf2 suggested its activation in the majority of the PAC cells, which was confirmed by the high expression of its target gene, Prx I. Quantification of MMP-2 secretion showed lower levels in PAC cell cultures when compared to OSCC cell cultures (p < 0.05). In conclusion, although Nrf2 overexpression has been frequently associated with high-grade malignancies, such relationship is not infallible and, in fact, the opposite may occur in low-grade tumors, such as PAC of minor salivary glands.

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A Study to Investigate the Efficacy and Safety of Cobimetinib Plus Atezolizumab in Participants With Solid Tumors

Condition:   Solid Tumors
Interventions:   Drug: Cobimetinib;   Drug: Atezolizumab
Sponsor:   Hoffmann-La Roche
Not yet recruiting - verified August 2017

http://ift.tt/2xqTHeM

Kinesio-Taping in Stroke Patients With Visuospatial Neglect

Conditions:   Stroke;   Motor Disorder
Interventions:   Other: Kinesio taping group;   Other: Sham Taping
Sponsor:   Universita di Verona
Not yet recruiting - verified August 2017

http://ift.tt/2wb2WB5

AMP-activated protein kinase and cAMP response element-binding protein activity are associated with distinct postoperative behavioral changes in rats

Abstract

Purpose

To explore the association of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) activity with distinct postoperative behavioral changes in rats.

Methods

We performed partial hepatolobectomy in adult rats and aged rats. The learning and memory ability of rats was evaluated by the Barnes maze test on postoperative days 1–4. The expressions of AMPK and phosphorylated CREB (p-CREB) in the CA1 and DG regions of the hippocampus were detected by immunohistochemical assay at 3, 6, 12 and 24 h postoperatively.

Results

Surgery impaired the memory of aged rats but not that of adult rats on postoperative days 2 and 3 (both p < 0.05). Surgery synergistically increased the expressions of AMPK and p-CREB in the CA1 region of hippocampus in aged rats but not in adult rats at 3 and 6 h postoperatively.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that surgery induces cognitive impairment in aged rats. Surgery-induced expression of AMPK and p-CREB in the CA1 region of hippocampus may be involved in this cognitive impairment.

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