Notes

Dual purpose Substance Detecting Platform Based on Dual-Resonant Infrared Plasmonic Excellent Absorber regarding On-Chip Discovery associated with Poly(ethyl cyanoacrylate).
Surgery for early-stage squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal vestibule (SCCNV) may lead to facial disfigurement. We wanted to investigate if skin-preserving excision of SCCNV with reconstruction is oncologically, aesthetically, and functionally justifiable in cases with proximity to the skin. From 2010 to 2016, 16 patients underwent skin-preserving excision of T1-2 N0 SCCNV by a lateral rhinotomy approach at a tertiary referral center. The inner nose was reconstructed using a mucoperichondrial septal flap for the inner lining and a septal pivot flap and/or auricular cartilage grafting for the framework. Nasal appearance was measured on pre- and postoperative photographs. Median follow-up was 5.4 years. Three (19%) patients received adjuvant radiotherapy. Two (12.5%) recurrences occurred locally, but not at the site of preserved skin. The Kaplan-Meier estimate of local control rate after 5 years was 83%. All patients could be salvaged, giving an ultimate control rate of 100%. Nasal tip projection decreased by 6.7% (p less then 0.001), and it was retained normal or near normal in 87.5% of patients. Nasal axis changed by 1.7° (p = 0.5). Nasal deviation occurred in 6.25% (1/16) of patients, and minor alar retraction in 6.25% of patients (1/16). Nasal breathing was normal or close to normal in 75% (12/16) of patients. Skin-preserving excision of SCCNV is oncologically justifiable in selected cases even in proximity to nasal skin. Early inner nasal reconstruction preserves nasal form and function to a high degree. This technique is a suitable alternative to rhinectomy and to avoid the sequelae of radiotherapy in selected cases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcomes of Gillies and McLaughlin's dynamic muscle support with regard to functional outcomes and assess possible effects of comorbidities on both functional outcomes and reoperation and complication rates. A retrospective single-centre study was conducted in all patients (n = 154) who underwent surgical correction of irreversible facial paralysis from 1994 to 2018. Patients with either Gillies procedure or McLaughlin's dynamic muscle support or a combination of these techniques were included in the analysis. Data on reoperations, comorbidities, complications, functional outcomes and patient satisfaction were analysed. Sixty-nine patients had Gillies and McLaughlin combination, 12 patients had Gillies and 33 patients had McLaughlin procedure alone. Patient satisfaction was generally high (>80%) and highest when McLaughlin procedure alone was performed and in patients without comorbidities. Reoperations were performed in 80 patients (70%; mean 2.2 ± 1.7) and complications affected 16 patients (14%). Smile ability and movement control of the corner of the mouth were achieved in >85% of patients operated, whereas complete eyelid closure and facial symmetry at rest were attained in only 46%‒68% of patients. Patients with no underlying medical conditions were able to smile more often, had motor control of the corner of the mouth, better facial symmetry at rest and fewer complications. Although newer surgical techniques are offered in many centres, this study shows that conventional facial reanimation of irreversible facial paralysis with Gillies or McLaughlin's dynamic muscle support or a combination of both produces yield good results and, therefore, continues to be a viable treatment option for many patients. OBJECTIVE Life expectancy is increasing. Sleep problems are more likely with advancing age however, are largely overlooked, and the longitudinal health impact of reported sleep problems is unclear. In this study, relationships were examined between reporting prior or current sleep problems with health outcomes, among Māori and non-Māori of advanced age. METHOD Data were available from 251 Māori and 398 non-Māori adults (79-90 years) from Wave 1 (W1) of Te Puāwaitanga o Ngā Tapuwae Kia Ora Tonu. Life and Living in Advanced Age A Cohort Study in NZ (LiLACS NZ). Four years later (W5), data were available from 85 Māori and 200 non-Māori participants. Relationships between reporting problem sleep at W1 and cohort and health outcomes at W5 were investigated using generalised linear models and Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS Over 25% reported sleep problems at both waves. Mortality was associated with problem sleep for Māori but not non-Māori. Within the whole group, W1 problem sleepers were more likely to still have problems at W5, compared with nonproblem sleepers at W1. They also had poorer indicators of physical health and pain at W5. Problem sleepers at W5 had poorer concurrent mental health and increased likelihood of hospital admittance in the last year. CONCLUSION Sleep health is an important characteristic of ageing well, particularly for Māori. Early recognition and management of sleep problems could improve physical and mental health with advancing age. Outdoor enthusiasts are at a high risk of poisonous side effects after ingestion of wild and raw edible fiddlehead ferns, such as the ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris) and bracken (Pteridium genus) species, in the United States and Canada. The acute onset of nonlethal side effects manifests with gastrointestinal signs and symptoms and can last from 24 h up to 3 d. This case report is the first to outline the presentation of ingestion of a wild fiddlehead plant in the Carrabassett Valley in Maine, as well as the supportive management for this concerning and self-limiting illness. BACKGROUND Advances in our understanding of total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TPIAT) have been made. We aimed to define indications and outcomes of TPIAT. METHODS Expert physician-scientists from North America, Asia, and Europe reviewed the literature to address six questions selected by the writing group as high priority topics. A consensus was reached by voting on statements generated from the review. RESULTS Consensus statements were voted upon with strong agreement reached that (Q1) TPIAT may improve quality of life, reduce pain and opioid use, and potentially reduce medical utilization; that (Q3) TPIAT offers glycemic benefit over TP alone; that (Q4) the main indication for TPIAT is disabling pain, in the absence of certain medical and psychological contraindications; and that (Q6) islet mass transplanted and other disease features may impact diabetes mellitus outcomes. Conditional agreement was reached that (Q2) the role of TPIAT for all forms of CP is not yet identified and that head-to-head comparative studies are lacking, and that (Q5) early surgery is likely to improve outcomes as compared to late surgery. CONCLUSIONS Agreement on TPIAT indications and outcomes has been reached through this working group. Further studies are needed to answer the long-term outcomes and maximize efforts to optimize patient selection. V.INTRODUCTION Adequate iodine intake is essential during pregnancy. A previous study of pregnant women from the Pamplona healthcare region showed mild iodine deficiency (mean urinary iodine level, 125 mcg/L). This study was intended to ascertain the iodine intake of pregnant women in our region and to analyze the change over time in their iodine nutritional status. METHODS An observational study of 400 women in their first trimester of pregnancy. An iodine intake questionnaire was administered. To assess iodine status, urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was measured in a simple urine sample, and serum thyroglobulin levels were determined. In addition, thyroid volume was measured by cervical ultrasound examination. RESULTS Iodized salt was used by 70.5% of all participants (55.3% since the pre-gestational period) and 98.5% of them received iodine-containing supplements (mean dose, 202.6±30.1 mcg/day). Mean urinary iodine concentration was 242 mcg/L (138.5-415.5 mcg/L) and the mean serum thyroglobulin level was 12.3 mcg/L (8.3-9 mcg/L). Iodized salt intake was associated with higher UICs and lower thyroid volume. No differences were found in any of the tested parameters regarding the intake of dairy products, fish, or eggs. CONCLUSIONS Iodine intake by pregnant women in Pamplona has increased due to a greater use of iodized salt and to higher doses of iodine supplements. As a result of this, an adequate iodine status has been achieved in the last decade. BACKGROUND The pattern of nodal spread in body-tail pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has been poorly investigated. This study analyzed the characteristics of lymph node (LN) involvement and the prognostic role of nodal metastases stratified by LN stations. METHODS All upfront distal pancreatectomies (DPs) for PDAC (2000-2017) with complete information on station 8,10,11, and 18 were included. Clinico-pathological correlates and survival were investigated using uni- and multivariable analyses. RESULTS Among 100 included patients, 28 were N0, 42 N1 and 30 N2. The median number of examined LN was 32 (IQR 26-44). Tumor size at preoperative imaging increased across N-classes. Preoperative size >27.5 mm was associated with N2 status. The frequency of nodal metastases at stations 8, 9, 10, 11, and 18 was 12.0%, 10.9%, 3.0%, 71.0%, and 19%, respectively. The pattern of LN spread was independent from primary tumor location (with tail tumors metastasizing to station 8/9 and body tumors to station 10), while it was highly associated with N-class. At multivariable analysis, tumor grading, adjuvant treatment, station 9 and 10 metastases were independent prognostic factors in node-positive patients. CONCLUSIONS In patients undergoing upfront DP for PDAC preoperative tumor size is associated with the degree of nodal spread. While station 11 was the most frequently involved, only station-9 and 10 metastases were independent prognostic factors. The site of nodal metastases was somewhat unpredictable based on tumor location. This data has potential implications for allocating patients to neoadjuvant treatment and supports the performance of routine splenectomy during DP for PDAC. BACKGROUND Spasticity is one of the main complications in poststroke survivors leading to difficulties in walking and standing resulting in high levels of disability. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of deep dry needling on lower limb dysfunction in poststroke spastic patients. METHODS A randomized clinical trial conducted in poststroke survivors who were assigned to one of 2 groups Deep dry needling (intervention group) and sham dry needling (control group). The primary outcome measures were Modified Modified Ashworth Scale (MMAS) and functional tests (timed up and go test, 10-meter walk test). Secondary outcome measures were active ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (AROM), passive ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (PROM), single leg stance test, and Barthel index. All measurements were assessed at baseline (T0), immediately after the third session 1 week later (T1), and 1 month after the end of the intervention (T2). RESULTS We recruited 24 patients (71% male; mean age 57 ± 10 years; 26.4 ± 1.8 kg•m-2; time since event 25.2 ± 12.5 months). There were significant improvements in MMAS, timed up and go test, 10-meter walk test, Barthel scale, and PROM (P .05). CONCLUSIONS Deep dry needling decreases muscle spasticity and improves lower limb function and gait speed in poststroke survivors.
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