Frosted branch angiitis and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis as an initial onset of neuro-Behçet’s disease: a case report and review of the literature

Frosted branch angiitis is a rare, severe condition. It can be either a primary or a secondary condition and is characterized by rapid deterioration of vision and fulminant retinal vasculitis that manifests as...

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Primary adrenal non-Hodgkin lymphoma: a case report and review of the literature

Lymphomas are cancers that arise from the white blood cells and have been traditionally divided into two large subtypes: Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. B-cell lymphoma is the most common subtype of non-Hodg...

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Determining the Trimming Layer in Breast Reconstruction with a Free TRAM Flap Using Intraoperative Video-angiography

Summary: In breast reconstruction using a free transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous or deep inferior epigastric perforator flap, the trimming process for the flap area, which is usually the upper portion of the reconstructed breast, is critical to creating a natural-looking breast. In this study, we investigated which subcutaneous fat layer of the abdominal flap benefited most from a well-maintained blood supply during the trimming process using intraoperative fluorescent angiography system in a cross-sectional view of the elevated abdominal flap. We concluded that, for cosmetic purposes, the deep subcutaneous fat layer (beneath Scarpa's fascia) should be trimmed first to minimize fat necrosis due to fat ischemia.

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Improved Head and Neck Free Flap Outcome—Effects of a Treatment Protocol Adjustment from Pre- to Postoperative Radiotherapy

Background: The impact of preoperative radiotherapy on microvascular reconstructive surgery outcome has been a subject of debate. However, data are conflicting and often dependent on local treatment protocols. We have studied the effects of radiotherapy in a unique, single-center setting where a treatment protocol change was undertaken from pre- to postoperative radiotherapy administration for microsurgical head and neck reconstructions. Methods: A cohort study was conducted for 200 consecutive head and neck free flap cases, where 100 were operated on before and 100 after the treatment protocol adjustment in 2006. Only direct cancer reconstructions were included. Complication rates of anastomosis-related (flap necrosis) and flap bed–related (infection, fistula, and wound dehiscence) complications were compared between irradiated and nonirradiated patients. A multivariate analysis was performed to correct for treatment period. Results: One hundred twenty-six patients had received radiotherapy before reconstruction due to cases of cancer recurrence. There were no significant differences in demographic data or risk factors between irradiated and nonirradiated cases. Irradiated cases had a higher rate of both flap loss (9.5% versus 1.4%; P = 0.034) and flap bed–related complications (29% versus 13%; P = 0.014). However, after multivariate analysis, there was only a significant relationship between preoperative irradiation and infection (odds ratio = 2.51; P = 0.033) and fistula formation (odds ratio = 3.13; P = 0.034). Conclusions: The current single-center study clearly indicates that preoperative radiotherapy is a risk factor for both infection and fistula formation, most likely related to an impaired flap bed. We suggest postoperative radiotherapy administration whenever possible for oncological reasons, otherwise proper antibiotic cover and meticulous flap insetting to prevent radiation-related infection and fistula formation.

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Development and characterization of PLA-mPEG copolymer containing iron nanoparticle-coated carbon nanotubes for controlled delivery of Docetaxel

Publication date: 19 May 2017
Source:Polymer, Volume 117
Author(s): Farshid Hossein Panahi, Seyed Jamaleddin Peighambardoust, Soodabeh Davaran, Roya Salehi
The practicability of application of single wall carbon nanotubes doped with iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4-iSWNTs) and coated with Poly (lactic acid)-co-methoxy polyethylene glycol copolymeric (PLA-co-mPEG) micelles as a smart drug delivery systems based on hybrid nanomaterials (HNDDSs) for the puissant chemotherapy agent Docetaxel (DTX) were studied. The SWNTs treatment in the acidic medium leads to formation of carboxylate groups on the surface of SWNTs and functionalization by iron oxide nanoparticles, Then PLA-co-mPEG was synthesized by ring-opening polymerization and prepared in the form of micelles and coated the Fe3O4-iSWNTs.The surface functionalization of nanomaterials and the type of surface-interaction were characterized by Fourier transform spectroscopy (FT-IR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (H-NMR), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometers (VSM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), field-emission gun scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive X-ray (FE-SEM-EDX). The particle size of nanocomposites examined by FE-SEM was in the range of 15–50 nm. The in-vitro drug release and cytotoxicity investigations of DTX loaded on Fe3O4-iSWNTs/PLA-co-mPEG nanocomposites were also studied. Docetaxel release in tumor environment simulated conditions showed sustained release manner (43.7% was released during 348.5 h) And kinetic mechanism of release according to log-probability equation. The designed nanocomposite showed no apparent evidence of toxicity to MCF7 cancer cells while DTX-loaded nanocomposites indicated enhanced antitumor activity in comparison to free DTX, 59% and 36% of the cells were viable after incubation, respectively. It was concluded that these findings may open the possibilities for targeted and sustained delivery of DTX to the cancerous tissues under external magnetic fields.

Graphical abstract

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Sub-critical gas-assisted processing using CO2 foaming to enhance the exfoliation of graphene in polypropylene + graphene nanocomposites

Publication date: 19 May 2017
Source:Polymer, Volume 117
Author(s): Thomas Ellingham, Lukas Duddleston, Lih-Sheng Turng
Polypropylene (PP) and graphene nanoparticles (GNPs) were mixed in a twin-screw extruder equipped with a simple CO2 injection unit consisting of a standard gas cylinder, a regulator, a valve, and a metal hose. Nanocomposites were produced with a 0.5% by weight GNP loading level. The addition of CO2 into the melt at pressures below the supercritical point allowed for foaming to occur within the barrel of the extruder and upon exiting from the die. Foaming introduces an equibiaxial flow on the surface of the expanding bubbles. This extensional flow imparts a stress greater than the shear case alone, aiding in the breakup of GNP agglomerates. Samples processed with sub-critical CO2 showed increased exfoliation and dispersion as observed via electron microscopy, thermal analysis, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. This sub-critical gas-assisted processing (SGAP) method was introduced as an alternative to supercritical fluid-assisted processing.

Graphical abstract

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Self-healing starch-based ‘green’ thermoset resin

Publication date: 19 May 2017
Source:Polymer, Volume 117
Author(s): Joo Ran Kim, Anil N. Netravali
In the present research, self-healing green thermoset resin has been developed using waxy maize starch. Self-healing was achieved using waxy maize starch-loaded poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) microcapsules (WMS-PLGA-MCs). Hydroxyl groups of WMS released from WMS-PLGA-MCs can bridge the microcrack surfaces by forming ester linkages between the carboxylic acid groups of Meso-1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) used in the resin as the crosslinker. Self-healing WMS resin containing 20% WMS-PLGA-MCs by weight showed self-healing efficiency in fracture stress of up to 51% and recovered about 66% of the original fracture toughness after 24 h of healing at room temperature. Self-healing starch-based resin developed in this study is not only green and sustainable but the fabrication processes including microencapsulation are water-based and can be easily scaled up. The nontoxic starch based green resin can be useful for fabricating green composites in many indoor applications such as automotive, aerospace and packaging, to replace currently used petroleum-derived composites.

Graphical abstract

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