A hybrid approach to elephant trunk technique for treatment of thoracic aortic aneurysms combines a conventional surgical and endovascular therapy. Compared to surgery alone, there is a presumption that mortality and morbidity is reduced. We present a case report of a 42-year-old man with a giant aneurysm of the entire thoracic aorta, significant aortic and tricuspid regurgitation and ventricular septum defect. The patient underwent multiple consecutive operations and interventions having, among others, finally replaced the entire thoracic aorta with the use of the hybrid elephant trunk technique. and T. Holubec, J. Raupach, J. Dominik, J. Vojácek
Small bowel obstruction is a common clinical problem presenting with abdominal distention, colicky pain, absolute constipation and bilious vomiting. There are numerous causes, most commonly attributed to an incarcerated hernia, adhesions or obstructing mass secondary to malignancy. Here we present an unusual cause of a small bowel obstruction secondary to an incarcerated incisional hernia in association with an acute organoaxial gastric volvulus. and N. R. Kosai, H. S. Gendeh, M. Noorharisman, P. A. Sutton, S. Das
The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that more recently developed rubber dam systems (OptraDam ® Plus and OptiDam™) are faster and easier to handle, and that the quality of isolation is not decreased. The rubber dam systems were applied in standard conditions on a dental simulator in several model clinical situations. The time of preparation, application and removal were measured and the quality of isolation was evaluated. The median time of rubber dam placement was 51 s (Q1 = 38 s; Q3 = 79 s). The shortest median time of application was with OptiDam™ (42 s), followed by a conventional rubber dam (53 s), and finally the longest was with OptraDam® Plus (58 s). The median volume of fluid remaining in the isolated space after 5 minutes was 9.5 mL (Q1 = 8 mL; Q3 = 10 mL). The largest median volume of remaining water was with OptiDam™ (10 mL), followed by a conventional rubber dam (9.5 mL) and the least with OptraDam® Plus (8.5 mL). The afore-stated hypothesis about the advantages of modern rubber dam isolation systems was accepted for OptiDam™, but rejected for OptraDam® Plus. The results could contribute to decision-making concerning the choice of rubber dam system. and Martin Kapitán, Zdeňka Šustová, Romana Ivančaková, Jakub Suchánek
The aim of this study was to compare the isolation systems OptraDam® Plus and OptiDam™ with the conventional rubber dam in terms of objective and subjective parameters. The isolation systems were applied during the dental treatment of the patients. The time of preparation, placement, presence and removal were measured and the quality of isolation was evaluated. The median time of rubber dam placement was 76 s (Q1=62 s; Q3=111.25 s). The application time of OptraDam® Plus was significantly longer compared to the other systems (P ® plus. The results presented in this study could guide clinicians for choosing the most appropriate isolation system. and M. Kapitán, T. Suchánková Kleplová, J. Suchánek
BACKGROUND: Radio frequency (RF) and chemical peels have been used for nonablative skin rejuvenation. Both of these cause collagen remodeling in the dermis and neo-collagen formation resulting in facial rejuvenation. There is limited literature on the evaluation of collagen remodeling by objective methods. OBJECTIVE: To compare the benefits of monopolar radiofrequency and glycolic acid peels in facial rejuvenation with regards to histopathology and Ultrabiomicroscopic sonography (UBM). METHODOLOGY: In this study, forty patients with mild to moderate photoaging received four treatments with 3 weeks interval of monopolar radiofrequency on one side of face and glycolic acid peels in increasing concentrations (NeostrataR) on the other side. Pre and post treatment, 2 mm biopsies were taken from both preauricular areas and Ultrasonography using a 35 MHz probe was done from outer canthus of eye and nasolabial folds from both sides of face. A blinded assessment was done to measure the increase in the grenz zone and dermal thickness. RESULTS: In 35/40 patients there was a significant increase in the grenz zone on histopathology and decrease in subepidermal low-echogenic band (SLEB) on UBM of the nasolabial folds on both sides of the face (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Radiofrequency and chemical peels showed equal efficacy in the treatment of facial rejuvenation. and D. V. Wakade, C. S. Nayak, K. D. Bhatt
Literature data support that green tea and its major component epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) have powerful antioxidant effects. Contrary, hepatotoxicity can be induced by high-dose EGCG. The timing of exposure to green tea in relation to administration of hepatotoxic agent plays an import role too. The aim of our work was a verification of antioxidative effect of EGCG on D-galactosamine-induced injury in primary culture of rat hepatocytes. Hepatocytes were incubated with EGCG at concentrations of 1.25-10 μM and toxic D-galactosamine (GalN) for 24 hrs. Alternatively, hepatocytes were pretreated with EGCG for 24 hrs, and then incubated with EGCG and GalN for further 24 hrs. Cytotoxicity was analysed by lactate dehydrogenase activity, functional capacity by albumin production. Oxidative stress was evaluated from a production of malondialdehyde and glutathione content in the cells. EGCG protected hepatocytes against GalN-induced cytotoxicity but preventive treatment of intact hepatocytes with EGCG was required to diminish the development of hepatocyte injury. Oxidative stress induced in our study seems to overcome the ability of hepatocytes to improve GSH depletion and albumin production. Prolongation of the pretreatment with EGCG could be a promising strategy leading to amelioration of its hepatoprotective effect. and Alena Moravcová, Zuzana Červinková, Otto Kučera, Vojtěch Mezera, Halka Lotková
INTRODUCTION: The issue of resistance to antiplatelet therapy has raised many questions in the area of neurovascular diseases. The first objective of this work was to determine the prevalence of aspirin resistance in neurovascular patients with clinical non-responsiveness to aspirin treatment and a high-risk of atherothrombotic complications using two interpretable and independent methods (aggregation and PFA 100). The second objective was to find the correlation between both assays and to evaluate the results in groups at risk for various cerebrovascular diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Laboratory tests of aspirin resistance were performed in 79 patients with clinical non-responsiveness to aspirin treatment suffering from neurovascular diseases. Patients were divided into the two groups: expected low risk for aspirin resistance due to the first manifestation of a neurovascular disease (n = 34) and expected high risk due to the second clinical manifestation of a neurovascular disease (n = 45). RESULTS: The prevalence of aspirin resistance in both groups combined as determined by the PFA-100 and CPG techniques were 50.6% and 17.7%, respectively. No correlation was found between the two techniques. CONCLUSIONS: No significant prevalence of aspirin resistance was demonstrated by either method despite the heterogeneous pathophysiological mechanisms. However, we are presently unable to provide an accurate opinion on the value of laboratory test result or routine monitoring in clinical neurology. and M. Vališ, D. Krajíčková, J. Malý, R. Malý, I. Fátorová, O. Vyšata, R. Herzig
Psoriasis patients are often susceptible to cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including atherosclerosis. Traditional markers (biochemical and inflammatory) and diagnostic tools could detect occlusive but not subclinical atherosclerosis. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), has recently been recognised as a non invasive diagnostic tool for identification of premature atherosclerosis. Therefore we evaluated 80 psoriasis patients and 80 age sex matched healthy controls for serum leptin levels and apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A-I ratio (apoB/apoA-I ratio) in relation with CIMT of carotid artery. Carotid intima-media thickness and carotid plaques were simultaneously measured by carotid sonography. Serum concentration of leptin and apolipoprotein were measured using enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA) and nephelometry respectively. Raised CIMT correlated to age of onset of the disease, serum leptin and apoB/apoA-I ratio in psoriasis patients. Taking into account, values that were above the 75 percentile of the three markers (leptin, apoB/apoA-I ratio and CIMT) the odds ratio was 4.26 (2.06-8.80 CI). Leptin and apoB/apoA-I ratio showed significant cumulative association with CIMT. Results of predictive analysis supports measurement of CIMT along with estimation of serum leptin and apoB/apoA-I ratio for prediction of premature atherosclerosis in psoriasis patients. and K. Asha, S. B. Sharma, A. Singal, A. Aggarwal
Brachial Plexus is formed by the union of the anterior rami of cervical 5, 6, 7, 8 and thoracic 1 nerves. These nerves unite and divide to form the key nerves innervating the upper limb. Variations in the course of these nerves are clinically important to anesthetists, neurologists and orthopedicians. We report bilateral variations in the arterial and neural structures in the upper limb of a 65 year old cadaver. The muscles of the arm on one side were innervated by the median nerve with absence ofmusculocutaneous. While on the other side the musculocutaneous nerve contributed to the formation of the median nerve. There was a presence of high bifurcation of brachial artery on both sides. Knowledge of such variations in the innervations of muscles and the arterial supply of the limbs are important to remember before performing any reconstructive procedures or interventions on the limb. and V. Tomar, S. Wadhwa
Unilateral otosclerosis combined with avascular necrosis of stapes crura is a rare entity. It should be considered in a case of high grade otosclerosis. Symptoms are the same as in patients who suffer from common otosclerosis. Patients complain on progressive hearing loss and tinnitus. The diagnosis is made clinically by conventional audiologic evaluation and radiologically by x-ray mastoid Schuller's view and CT scan. HRCT scan makes visible all parts of ossicular chain and gives surgeon some information about ossicular chain damage. Surgery with stapedotomy and stapes prosthesis implantation in a case of otosclerosis with avascular necrosis of stapes crura can be success therapy to improve patient's hearing and M. Erdoglija, J. Sotirovic, V. Jacimovic, B. Vukomanovic