Most Viewed Articles

Strep throat, a common affliction known for its hallmark symptom of a severe and sudden sore throat, is caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes, classified under Group-A Streptococcus (GAS) [1]. This condition not only impacts millions globally but also carries the risk of severe complications if left untreated [2]. Understanding strep throat goes beyond recognizing its symptoms; it entails an appreciation of its transmission dynamics, potential complications, and the evolving landscape of treatment and prevention strategies [3].

The paper is dedicated to the consideration of the metal-carbon mesocomposites application possibilities for the medicine magnetic transport. This trend is determined by correspondent peculiarities of content and structure of mesoscopic composites. The main peculiarities of these nanosized particles are the following: a) the presence of unpaired electrons on the carbon shell; b) the structure of carbon shell from poly acetylene and carbine fragments; c) the atomic magnetic moment of inner metal is equaled to more than 1–3 μB. The creation of reactive mesoscopic materials with regulated magnetic characteristics which can find application as medicine magnetic transport within an organism is very topical. The present investigation has fundamental character. It’s based on the ideas concerning to the change of metal-carbon mesocomposites reactivity. The use is possible as metal-carbon mesocomposites both and they are modified analogously.

Aim: To identify the possibility of correction of motor function of the gastro-intestinal tract in experimental pancreatitis with the administration of infliximab. Material and methods: Pancreatitis was modeled by the administration of picrylsulfonic acid retrogradely into the pancreatic duct of rat (n=5) and 4 animals were control. Electromyogram (EMG) of the pancreatic duct was monitored immediately after the administration of picrylsulfonic acid and on the 15th day of pancreatitis simulation before and after the administration of infliximab. The morphological investigation of pancreas was conducted on the 15th day of development of pancreatitis and on the 15th day of treatment of pancreatitis with infliximab. Results: Infliximab restores the motor function of pancreatic duct and structure of pancreas during acute pancreatitis. Conclusion: Protective action of infliximab during acute pancreatitis was shown.

Background: Pyogenic liver abscesses (PLA) are frequent in immunosuppressed patients. We review the characteristics of patients with PLA at a tertiary academic Spanish hospital in Asturias. Methods: A retrospective observational study for 10 years, between 2006-2015. Epidemiological, clinical, analytical characteristics, treatment and hospital stay of the patients with PLA were analyzed. Results: 99 patients, 62 (62.6%) men, with age ≥65 years (72.7%). The most frequent etiology was: Biliary (40%), postsurgical (15%) and intestinal origin (11%). The most frequent clinical signs were fever, showing significant differences, abdominal pain (p=0.001) and nausea (p=0.02) between biliary PLA and the rest of the PLA. Microbiological results were confirmed in 63% (62 cases). All were treated with antibiotic therapy, along with percutaneous drainage (44.4% (44 cases)); and surgical drainage (12.1% (12 cases)). The overall mean stay was 23.1 days without significant differences between those treated with percutaneous drainage or surgical drainage. Conclusion: PLA predominate in patients ≥65 years. Biliary PLA are the most frequent, diagnosed at an older age than the intestinal PLA (p=0.005). - The treatment is based on systemic antibiotherapy and percutaneous drainage, especially in PLA only >5cm (p=0.019). - There are no significant differences in average stay of patients treated with percutaneous drainage or surgical drainage.

Vasculitis is a group of rare but potentially serious disorders characterized by inflammation of blood vessels. This condition can affect blood vessels of all sizes, ranging from small capillaries to larger arteries. 

From the first case of primitive cardiac surgery (CS), treatment of stab wound of the heart (Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, 1893), to recent surgical procedures and device implantations for end-stage heart failure (HF), the CS has grown and emerged in the public health more and more [1]. The heart valve disease had interested immediately since the non-cardiopulmonary era because of the multitude of rheumatic patients and congenital valve disease. In the 1952, Hufnagel implanted the first valve in descending aorta and it was the sign of the first step of the CS evolution. New prosthesis and heart valve techniques were tested between 1970 and 2000 with optimal results in patients’ quality of life and survival, at the same time of CPB evolution. Whilst, the evolution of heart valve surgery had stimulated new devices, prosthesis and the development of minimally invasive surgery, this was partially diminished by the spreading of trans catheter valve implantation. In the 2002, Dr. Alain Crabbier described a non-surgical prosthetic valve implantation firstly: it was the revolution of CS evolution [2]. The transcatheter valve implantation has evolved and spread rapidly with multiple approaches femoral to apical, aortic, axillary and carotid, and many suitable and technological devices. The higher and higher risk patients, the needs to avoid surgical complications, the evolution of available devices and the fabrication of new technologies have increased the efforts to improve trans catheter valve implantation [3]. The recent article of Loyalka et al, described a special case of tricuspid valve in valve replacement with Sapien 3, an innovative and alternative therapeutic choice to a tricuspid valve degeneration [4]. Instead, Sawara et al [5], documented as trans catheter aortic valve implantation for a failing surgical bio prosthesis or native aortic valve regurgitation has become an alternative for patients at high risk for redo surgical aortic valve replacement or aortic regurgitation since now off-label: that was a reliable and significant results in the era of trans catheter valve implantations. What would we attend from the future? In the most surgical centres, the trend were a significant decrease in patients undergoing to open-heart valve surgery compared to trans catheter valve implantation. Maybe the new ongoing studies of lower and mild-risk patients undergone to transcatheter procedure would open either a deeper collaboration of the heart team and a new therapeutic perspectives in the public health with a shift to more minimally invasive procedures, less day of hospitalization and I don’t see why not less costs for public health.

Introduction: Laparoscopic approach is emerging as a standard of care approach for management of masses amenable to partial nephrectomy. Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy is a challenging surgery and its successful performance depends on various factors. We aim to evaluate the influence of tumor characterestics on the operative performance for laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. Methods: Patients undergoing laparoscopic partial nephrectomy in our institution were recruited for this study. The tumor profile was evaluated by a senior radiologist from cross sectional imaging (computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging). Tumor characerestics was defined by assessing tumor size, tumor location and RENAL score. The operative performance was evaluated in terms of warm ischemia time, blood loss, operation duration and any significant operative complications. Statistical inference was drawn. Results: 37 patients who underwent laparoscopic partial nephrectomy between January 2010 and June 2012 were included in this study. The mean tumor dimension was 3.81 cms. 21 tumors involved left kidney and 16 involved right kidney. 12 were located in upper pole, 8 were located in midpole and 17 were located in lower pole. The average RENAL score was 6.56. The mean warm ischemia time, blood loss and operation duration was 26.29 minutes (min), 256.76 millilitres (ml) and 208.11 min respectively. Statistically significant correlation was appreciated between tumor location (polar location, side, anterior/ posterior location) and RENAL score and operative parameters (warm ischemia time and operation duration). Tumor size did not have any correlation with the operative parameters. Conclusion: The operative performance of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy is significantly influenced by the tumor location and RENAL score.

Solar lentigo is defined as an alteration in cutaneous pigment deposition on account of exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Solar lentigo is a benign, pigmented lesion with a characteristic increment in the quantification of pigmented keratinocytes. It can manifest as a dark brown spot on the skin. The benign, pigmented spot or solar lentigo or multiple solar lentigines are preponderantly delineated in the sun exposed skin in a majority (> 90%) of Caucasians above 60 years of age although younger individuals and Asians can be implicated. Solar lentigines are induced by repetitive exposure to ultraviolet light with constituent mutagenic potential. Ultraviolet radiation can induce a localized proliferation of melanocytes with a subsequent accumulation of melanin within the keratinocytes. Individuals who are genetic carriers of one or two melanocortin-1- receptor (MC1R) gene or cogent variants demonstrate a 1.5 to twice the probability of developing solar lentigines [1,2].

Broad-spectrum sunscreens are now widely used worldwide as an adjunct to help prevent sunburn, skin cancers and premature skin aging. In the United States, all persons older than 6 months are recommended to apply sunscreen to all sun-exposed skin from toes to head except eyes and mouth even on cloudy days. Such a recommendation is apparently based on concepts that exposure to sunlight damages the skin, the damage is cumulative and hence any sun exposure should be minimized or prevented. This communication raises several questions suggesting that the above recommendation may need to be reconsidered. For example, numerous previous studies have indicated many potential health benefits from non-burning sun exposure including protection against sunburn, melanoma, colorectal cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer, increasing vitamin D synthesis, helping sleep, reducing blood pressure, heart attack and stroke. Recent studies suggested that regular lifetime non-burning sun exposure may not result in premature skin aging and the skin aging is mainly caused by the intrinsic factor. Skin aging or whole-body aging has been recently postulated to be mainly attributed to a gradual reduction in cardiac output/index with age and a new anti-aging or age-reversing nutritional theory has been proposed. An apparent lack of long-term cumulative sunray damage was also supported by reported age independence in incidences of sunburn and skin cancers. It is of interest that the current US policy is different from that of World Health Organization and Australia recommending the need of sun protection only when UV Index is 3 or greater. In view of the above, some general guidelines regarding when to best apply sunscreen are proposed.

Excessive ankle stiffness can greatly impact mobility, leading to discomfort, difficulty in walking, and limited Range of Motion (ROM). We aimed to identify and address the symmetry of shank muscle strength, ankle passive stiffness, and plantar pressure distribution, in a patient with unilateral excessive ankle stiffness, utilizing Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) accompanied by Faradic Electrical Stimulation (FES).The patient’s muscle strength and ROM which had diminished due to 3.5 years of ankle immobilization post-rescue from amputation, underwent a 12-week program involving IASTM and FES. The plantar and dorsiflexion muscles’ torque, ROM, and plantar pressure were measured using an isokinetic and plantar distribution system before and after the intervention. Symmetry of muscle torque, ROM, and plantar pressure between two limbs were calculated for pre and post-test.Results indicated improvement in the ratio index of the concentric/eccentric dorsi- and plantar-flexion peak torque and dorsi- and plantar-flexion work, ROM, gait line length, and contact time after a 12-week intervention.The study suggests that IASTM and FES are effective interventions for restoring symmetry in a patient with post-operation complications, highlighting the need for further research on similar cases.