Search

Background: Lipomas can be categorized into deep and superficial lipomas according to anatomical depth. Many cases of forehead lipomas are reported to be deep to the muscle layer. We analyze ultrasound in delineating depth of forehead lipomas. Methods: A retrospective review was performed for all patients who underwent excision of forehead lipomas between January 2008 and March 2013 and for whom preoperative ultrasound study was available. Sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound imaging was evalauted against depth finding at the time of surgical excision. Results: The review identified 42 patients who met the inclusion criteria. Preoperative ultrasound reading was 18 as deep lipomas and 24 as superficial. However, intraoperative finding revealed 2 of the 18 deep lipomas to be superficial and 13 of the 24 superficial lipomas to be deep lipomas. Overall, ultrasonography turned out to be 69% (29/42) accurate in correctly delineating superficial versus deep lipomas. Conclusion: Lipomas of the forehead tend to be located in deeper tissue plane compared to lipomas found elsewhere in the body. Preoperative ultrasonography of lipomas can be helpful, but was not accurate in identifying the depth of forehead lipomas in our patient population. Even if a forehead lipoma is found to be superficial on ultrasound, operative planning should include the possibility of deep lipomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We used the retroauricular area skin as an alternative full-thickness skin donor site in the hand reconstruction surgery. Methods: From January 2006 to March 2013, 55 patients observed more than 1 year, were recruited for the study. In case of requiring the skin graft on hand, we grafted skins were harvested from the retroauricular area on hand. To assess the subjective and objective satisfaction, the patients themselves and three doctors compared the skin graft area's color with adjacent skin and estimated the donor site scar on a five-point scale. Results: A partial necrosis was seen in one case who received skin graft because of a burn scar contracture, but it was cured with conservative treatment. In other cases, the skin graft was well taken without any specific problems. The retroauricular skin graft showed good color match with adjacent skin and less pigmentation. Donor site scar was not noticeable. As a result, the patient's subjective satisfaction (4.07) and doctor's objective satisfaction (4.18) about skin graft were very good. And the patient's subjective satisfaction (4.93) and doctor's objective satisfaction (4.98) about donor site scar were also very good. Conclusion: We obtained the favorable result and the patients satisfaction by using the retroauricular area as a full thickness skin graft donor site in hand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Liposuction is a procedure to reduce the volume of subcutaneous fat by physical force. Intracellular storage fat is composed of triglyceride, whereas circulating fat particles exist as cholesterol or triglycerol bound to carrier proteins. It is unavoidable that the storage form of fat particles enters the circulation system after these particles are physiologically destroyed. To date, however, no studies have clarified the fatal characteristics of fat embolism that occurs after the subclinical phase of free fat particles. Methods A mixture of human lipoaspirate and normal saline (1:100, 0.2 mL) was injected into the external jugular vein of rats, weighing 200 g on average. Biopsy specimens of the lung and kidney were examined at 12-hour intervals until postoperative 72 hours. The deposit location and transport of the injected free fat particles were confirmed histologically by an Oil Red O stain. Results Inconsistent with previous reports, free fat particles were transported from the intravascular space to the parenchyma. At 24 hours after infusion, free fat particles deposited in the vascular lumen were confirmed on the Oil Red O stain. At 72 hours after infusion, free fat particles were accumulated compactly within the parenchymal space near the perivascular area. Conclusions Many surgeons are aware of the fatal results and undiscovered pathophysiologic mechanisms of free fat particles. Our results indicate that free fat particles, the storage form of fat that has been degraded through a physiological process, might be removed through a direct transport mechanism and phagocytotic uptake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand the effect of interfacial contact between the hole transporting layer (HTL) and fullerene derivatives in the active layer of bulk heterojunction polymer solar cells (BHJ PSCs), carbazole (Cz) linked phenylquinoline (PhQ)-based fullerene derivatives, PhQHCz-C61BM and PhQEOCz-C61BM, have been successfully synthesized. They are used as acceptors with a poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) donor in the active layer, and PEDOT:PSS and MoO3 were used as the HTL. Both the derivatives are highly soluble in common organic solvents and possess high thermal stability. BHJ PSCs are fabricated with configurations of ITO/PEDOT:PSS/P3HT:PhQHCz-C61BM/LiF/Al, ITO/PEDOT:PSS/P3HT:PhQEOCz-C61BM/LiF/Al, and ITO/MoO3/P3HT:PhQHCz-C61BM/LiF/Al, ITO/MoO3/P3HT:PhQEOCz-C61BM/LiF/Al, and the device characteristics were measured under AM1.5G (100 mW cm-2). Both derivatives exhibited much lower power conversion efficiencies (PCE) of ~0.1% when PEDOT:PSS was employed as the HTL. In contrast, the PCE increases to ~2.2% upon replacing PEDOT:PSS with MoO3 as the HTL. This is due to the fact that protonation of the pyridyl nitrogen of the acceptor in the active layer by the -SO3H group of PEDOT:PSS in the HTL, establishes a charge injection barrier at the interfacial contact and leads to restricted charge collection at the electrodes. This was indirectly confirmed by protonation of pyridyl nitrogen in PhQHCz-C61BM by the -SO3H group in p-toluenesulphonic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractBackground:Adequate glycemic control is important for patients with end-stage renal disease on maintenance hemodialysis (HD). Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems are reported as a useful method for glucose monitoring in patients under maintenance HD. The object of this study was to describe glucose profiles and hypoglycemia associated with HD in diabetes patients using a CGM system.Methods:We recruited nine medically stable patients with type 2 diabetes under maintenance HD. CGMS®System Gold™ (Medtronic MiniMed, Northridge, CA) was applied to the subjects for 144 h. During the period, HD using glucose-containing dialysate was performed every other day. Various glucose profiles were calculated from the CGM readings and compared between the day on and the day off dialysis.Results:Mean ± SD for age, duration of diabetes, and hemoglobin A1c were 67 ± 9 years, 24 ± 9 years, and 8.6 ± 1.2%, respectively. Hemoglobin A1c was correlated with mean glucose (ρ= 0.780, P< 0.05) and with area under the curve for glucose above 180 mg/dL (ρ= 0.797, P< 0.05). Although there was no difference for mean amplitude of glycemic excursion between the day on and off HD, hypoglycemia occurred predominantly with day on HD. In the subjects who maintained antidiabetes agents with day on HD, glucose levels decreased with initiation of HD, causing significantly lower glucose levels compared to those during the equivalent time of the following day without HD.Conclusions:According to the CGM system, glucose variability was not affected by HD. However, in spite of glucose-containing dialysate, HD seemed to increase the risk of hypoglycemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study describes the development of a bio-mimetic flapping wing and the aerodynamic characteristics of a flexible flapping wing. First, the flapping wing is designed to produce flapping, twisting, and camber motions by using a bio-mimetic design approach. A structural model for a macro-fiber composite (MFC) actuator is established, and structural analysis of a smart flapping wing with the actuator is performed to determine the wing configuration for maximum camber motion. The analysis model is verified with the experimental data of the smart flapping wing. Second, aerodynamic tests are performed for the smart flapping wing in a subsonic wind tunnel, and the aerodynamic forces are measured for various test conditions. Additionally, the effects of camber and chordwise wing flexibility on unsteady and quasi-steady aerodynamic characteristics are discussed. The experimental results demonstrate that the effect of the camber generated by the MFC produces sufficient aerodynamic benefit. It is further found that chordwise wing flexibility is an important parameter in terms of affecting aerodynamic performance, and that lift produced in a quasi-steady flow condition is mostly affected by the forward speed and effective angle of attack. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the case of a 29-year-old woman who complains of gradual swelling of her right upper eyelid and had a history of undergoing blepharoplasty in another hospital.

The article presents a case study of a 8-year-old girl with a complaint of nail deformity in the left thumb, and mentions that a fully developed Posttraumatic E unit separate from the normal one was founded and the ectopic nail plate was removed afterwards.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging tick-borne disease caused by SFTS virus (SFTSV) infection. Despite a gradual increase of SFTS cases and high mortality in endemic regions, no specific viral therapy nor vaccine is available. Here, we developed a single recombinant plasmid DNA encoding SFTSV genes, Gn and Gc together with NP-NS fusion antigen, as a vaccine candidate. The viral antigens were fused with Fms-like tyrosine kinase-3 ligand (Flt3L) and IL-12 gene was incorporated into the plasmid to enhance cell-mediated immunity. Vaccination with the DNA provides complete protection of IFNAR KO mice upon lethal SFTSV challenge, whereas immunization with a plasmid without IL-12 gene resulted in partial protection. Since we failed to detect antibodies against surface glycoproteins, Gn and Gc, in the immunized mice, antigen-specific cellular immunity, as confirmed by enhanced antigen-specific T cell responses, might play major role in protection. Finally, we evaluated the degree of protective immunity provided by protein immunization of the individual glycoprotein, Gn or Gc. Although both protein antigens induced a significant level of neutralizing activity against SFTSV, Gn vaccination resulted in relatively higher neutralizing activity and better protection than Gc vaccination. However, both antigens failed to provide complete protection. Given that DNA vaccines have failed to induce sufficient immunogenicity in human trials when compared to protein vaccines, optimal combinations of DNA and protein elements, proper selection of target antigens, and incorporation of efficient adjuvant, need to be further investigated for SFTSV vaccine development.

Scrub typhus, caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi infection, has been a serious public health issue in the Asia-Pacific region, with rising incidence and sporadic outbreaks. However, human protective immunity against specific antigens has been poorly characterized for this bacterium. In addition, immunity produced in early vaccine trials or even after natural infections, did not last long and had poor cross-reactivity among various genotypes. Here, we systematically investigated the kinetics and magnitude of specific adaptive immunity against two membrane antigens, 56 kDa type-specific antigen (TSA56) and surface cell antigen A (ScaA), that are involved in bacterial adhesion and invasion of the host in 64 recovered scrub typhus patients. Antibody responses to the bacterial antigens in patients were generally short-lived and waned to baseline levels 2 years after recovery. The anti-TSA56 IgG responses were predominantly composed of the IgG1 and IgG3 subclasses and persisted for up to 1 year after recovery, whereas IgG specific to ScaA primarily consisted of more transient IgG1, with limited responses by other subclasses. Cellular immunity, including CD4 and CD8 T-cells specific to membrane antigens, also rapidly declined from 1 year after infection, as measured by enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assays and flow cytometry. The short longevity of antigen-specific adaptive immunity might be attributable to limited memory responses, as observed in earlier vaccine studies using whole bacterial antigens. Finally, we identified HLA-A*0201-restricted and highly conserved CD8 T-cell epitopes in the TSA56 antigen, which may be valuable tools for assessing cellular immunity against O. tsutsugamushi and developing an effective scrub typhus vaccine.Emerging Microbes & Infections (2017) 6, e116 doi:10.1038/emi.2017.106; published online 20 December 2017

Background Depressed scars are usually corrected using subcutaneous fillers such a dermal fat grafting or an autologous fat grafting. But, fillers are absorbed over time and cannot be appropriately used for the correction of large or deep depressed scars. Therefore, we tried new methods to correct challenging cases of deep depressed scars. Methods From 2005 to 2013, deep depressed scar were corrected in 10 patients. The location of the scars were as follows: 6 neck, 4 lower extremities. Preoperative marking was done involving the scar on the skin in an oval shape including the long axis of relaxed skin tension line, and the epithelium of the scar was removed. Both ends of the dermal layer of the residual scar were dissected and then isolated from the subcutaneous layer of the adjacent skin. Then, we folded both ends of the flap like hinge flaps and thereby appropriately restored the depressed part of the dermal layer. And we directly closed skin for scar revision. Results All ten patients had a good result and satisfaction without complication, such as wound infection, dehiscence, at a mean follow-up of seven months. Correction of depression area made the depressed scar less noticeable. Moreover, the problems like donor morbidity, color and texture matching in case of using our techniques, are not issued. Conclusions We folded residual scar tissue like a hinge flap in the correction of depressed scar. We obtained good outcomes and report our new methods and their outcomes with a review of literatures.

Background Burn injuries of the extremity can result in cosmetically offensive appearance. Postburn scar can improve by the combination of tangential excision and thin split-thickness skin graft. Methods From January 2005 and December 2012, 17 patients (10 males and 7 females) with postburn scar of the extremity underwent the combined techniques. The median time from initial injury to surgery was 66.2 months (range: 11-288 months). In the operation, burn scar was excised until viable dermis could be observed using electrical dermatome, after which thin split thickness skin graft was performed. Results Tangential excision and thin split thickness skin graft gave excellent grafting results without the need of reoperation. Depigmentation in the majority of patients were recovered within a year by the operation of thin split thickness skin graft. Recovery of range of motion and cosmetic results were good in all patients. Conclusions Tangential excision and thin split thickness skin graft are a good way of the reconstruction of deformed and depigmented skin from burns on extremity.

Keloid is a scar tissue that undergoes recovery and excessive growth over the original wounds when the collagen is excessively accumulated in the dermis during the wound healing process. The common sites of keloid occurrence include the anterior thorax, shoulder, upper extremities and ear. To our knowledge, however, there are few cases of keloid that occurs in the axilla. In addition, there are fewer cases of keloid that bilaterally occurs at the operated sites postoperatively in individuals with no past or family history. 21-year-old male had undergone subdermal shaving for the management of osmidrosis but had not received appropriate scar management during the military service. He visited us with a keloid-like scar formed in the bilateral axillae. We excised the scar tissue and treated it with local steroid injection and postoperative axilla compression. In histopathological report, no flattening of the overlying epidermis, and presence of keloid collagen which confirms diagnosis of keloid. We report our clinical experience with a rare case of keloid occurring in the axilla and treatment process.

BACKGROUND:Scrub typhus is a mite-borne febrile disease caused by O. tsutsugamushi infection. Recently, emergence of scrub typhus has attracted considerable attention in several endemic countries in Asia and the western Pacific. In addition, the antigenic diversity of the intracellular pathogen has been a serious obstacle for developing effective diagnostics and vaccine. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:To understand the evolutionary pathway of genotypic diversification of O. tsutsugamushi and the environmental factors associated with the epidemiological features of scrub typhus, we analyzed sequence data, including spatiotemporal information, of the tsa56 gene encoding a major outer membrane protein responsible for antigenic variation. A total of 324 tsa56 sequences covering more than 85% of its open reading frame were analyzed and classified into 17 genotypes based on phylogenetic relationship. Extensive sequence analysis of tsa56 genes using diverse informatics tools revealed multiple intragenic recombination events, as well as a substantially higher mutation rate than other house-keeping genes. This suggests that genetic diversification occurred via frequent point mutations and subsequent genetic recombination. Interestingly, more diverse bacterial genotypes and dominant vector species prevail in Taiwan compared to other endemic regions. Furthermore, the co-presence of identical and sub-identical clones of tsa56 gene in geographically distant areas implies potential spread of O. tsutsugamushi genotypes. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE:Fluctuation and diversification of vector species harboring O. tsutsugamushi in local endemic areas may facilitate genetic recombination among diverse genotypes. Therefore, careful monitoring of dominant vector species, as well as the prevalence of O. tsutsugamushi genotypes may be advisable to enable proper anticipation of epidemiological changes of scrub typhus.

Flammulina velutipes is a fungus with health and medicinal benefits that has been used for consumption and cultivation in East Asia. F. velutipes is also known to degrade lignocellulose and produce ethanol. The overlapping interests of mushroom production and wood bioconversion make F. velutipes an attractive new model for fungal wood related studies. Here, we present the complete sequence of the F. velutipes genome. This is the first sequenced genome for a commercially produced edible mushroom that also degrades wood. The 35.6-Mb genome contained 12,218 predicted protein-encoding genes and 287 tRNA genes assembled into 11 scaffolds corresponding with the 11 chromosomes of strain KACC42780. The 88.4-kb mitochondrial genome contained 35 genes. Well-developed wood degrading machinery with strong potential for lignin degradation (69 auxiliary activities, formerly FOLymes) and carbohydrate degradation (392 CAZymes), along with 58 alcohol dehydrogenase genes were highly expressed in the mycelium, demonstrating the potential application of this organism to bioethanol production. Thus, the newly uncovered wood degrading capacity and sequential nature of this process in F. velutipes, offer interesting possibilities for more detailed studies on either lignin or (hemi-) cellulose degradation in complex wood substrates. The mutual interest in wood degradation by the mushroom industry and (ligno-)cellulose biomass related industries further increase the significance of F. velutipes as a new model.