Efficacy of silver-loaded nanofiber dressings in Candida albicans-contaminated full-skin thickness rat burn wounds.

In this experimental study, the effects of nanofiber dressings containing different forms of silver on full-thickness rat burn contaminated with Candida albicans was analyzed. A full-thickness skin burn was formed on a total of 32 Sprague-Dawley rats. After the burn wound was seeded with a 10 colony-forming units/ml standard strain of Candida albicans ATCC90028, the animals were divided into four groups. The effects of topical silver sulfadiazine and two recently designed nanofiber dressings containing nanosilver and silversulfadiazine as active materials were compared with the control group. There was a significant difference in the Candida growth on the burn eschar tissue among the groups. The difference for Candida growth in the burn eschar between the control group and the 1% silver sulfadiazine-containing nanofiber dressing group was statistically significant (P< 0.01). Silver sulfadiazine-containing nanofiber dressing was the most effective agent in the treatment of Candida albicans-contaminated burn wounds. Because of their regenerative potential, silver-loaded nanofiber dressings could be a good alternative for infected burn wounds.

A rare phenomenon: oculonasal synkinesis.

Oculonasal synkinesis is the simultaneous contraction of the orbicularis oculi and the compressor narium minor muscles. The etiology of this phenomenon is still unclear; congenital and traumatic reasons are considered to be responsible. Here we report a case of oculonasal synkinesis.

The effects of resveratrol on flap survival in diabetic rats.

Resveratrol is an antioxidant agent with multiple positive impacts on the body. It is known to have anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, and neuroprotective effects. The goal of this study is to demonstrate the antioxidant and anti-diabetic effects of resveratrol on flap survival in diabetic rats. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic Sprague-Dawley albino rats were treated with 10 mg/kg resveratrol following a flap surgery. Histological findings regarding polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNL) density, vascular proliferation, fibroblast density, and tissue necrosis were compared between resveratrol-treated and control rats. Significantly higher PMNL density was found in the control group (p = 0.005); while vascular proliferation and the fibroblast density were higher in the resveratrol group (p = 0.004 and p = 0.021, respectively). Collagen density was also higher in the resveratrol group and the difference has statistical significance (p = 0.024). Lymphocyte density was not significantly different between groups (p = 0.061). When the necrosis in the distal areas was evaluated histologically, 20% of the resveratrol group had epidermal tissue necrosis, thus 90% of the control group had epidermal or full-layer necrosis. Resveratrol improved flap survival significantly in diabetic rats. Therefore, diabetic patients requiring complex reconstructive procedures may benefit from resveratrol; so, clinical trials are required to support this study.

Eyebrow asymmetry: definition and symmetrical correction using botulinum toxin A.

BACKGROUND: Some degree of eyebrow asymmetry is present in many patients who request periorbital rejuvenation, although patients are often unaware of minor asymmetries. There are few parameters for defining eyebrow asymmetry and its incidence in otherwise healthy patients in the literature. OBJECTIVE: We investigated whether bilateral, symmetric chemodenervation of the primary depressors and elevators of the eyebrows results in a symmetrical standstill of the eyebrows in a neutral position. METHODS: Measurements of brow height taken in 683 patients who requested reduction of facial rhytids revealed that the minimal amount of asymmetry noticeable to the patients was 2 mm. Between 2002 and 2005, we performed botulinum toxin A injections in a group of 115 patients with eyebrow asymmetry of more than 2 mm who requested aesthetic periorbital rejuvenation; patients with trauma, facial palsy, or previous surgery in the periorbital area were excluded. A total of 30 to 45 units of Botox (Allergan, Irvine, CA) were injected in all patients bilaterally and symmetrically to both brow regions, regardless of their brow height measurements. RESULTS: All 115 patients completed the study. Mean pretreatment brow height was 18.59 mm at the right lateral canthus and 18.55 mm at the left lateral canthus. After treatment, the mean brow height was 21.91 mm on the right site and 21.89 mm on the left site. The decrease in discrepancy between the right and left brow heights resulting from symmetrical Botox treatment was statistically significant (P < .01). In 83 of 115 patients (72.1%), treatment was successful, with success defined as posttreatment asymmetry of either 0 or 1 mm. CONCLUSIONS: We propose that bilateral chemodenervation of the primary depressors and elevators of the eyebrows can result in a symmetrical standstill of the eyebrows in the neutral position. The treatment is easy to administer and involves few complications.

Third refinement in rhomboid release of contractures by adding four-flap z-plasties.

Rhomboid release has been utilized in the reconstruction of flexion contractures. In this study a new refinement of the rhomboid subcutaneous flap with a combination of adjacent four-flap Z-plasties on both sides is presented. Satisfying functional results were obtained, keeping the rhomboid flap and the structures on the rhomboid flap in their original position. The new design of the previous rhomboid release - the "rhomboid flap and adjacent four-flap Z-plasties" - makes it possible to preserve important anatomical landmarks, such as hairy skin in the axilla, the nipple/areola complex, and the pubic area in the contracture, and is considered a good method of releasing burn or congenital contractures.

Sex-specific telomere length profiles and age-dependent erosion dynamics of individual chromosome arms in humans.

During aging, telomeres are gradually shortened, eventually leading to cellular senescence. By T/C-FISH (telomere/centromere-FISH), we investigated human telomere length differences on single chromosome arms of 205 individuals in different age groups and sexes. For all chromosome arms, we found a linear correlation between telomere length and donor age. Generally, males had shorter telomeres and higher attrition rates. Every chromosome arm had its individual age-specific telomere length and erosion pattern, resulting in an unexpected heterogeneity in chromosome-specific regression lines. This differential erosion pattern, however, does not seem to be accidental, since we found a correlation between average telomere length of single chromosome arms in newborns and their annual attrition rate. Apart from the above-mentioned sex-specific discrepancies, chromosome arm-specific telomere lengths were strikingly similar in men and women. This implies a mechanism that arm specifically regulates the telomere length independent of gender, thus leading to interchromosomal telomere variations.