Comparison of rim-sparing versus rim-removal techniques in deep lateral wall orbital decompression for Graves’ orbitopathy

The aim of this study was to compare the surgical outcomes of deep lateral orbital decompression using the rim-sparing technique versus the rim-removal technique in Graves' orbitopathy (GO). A retrospective cohort study of 75 orbits in 50 patients with GO was performed. Proptosis, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), upper and lower lid margin to reflex distances (MRD-1 and MRD-2, respectively), diplopia, ocular restriction, and GO quality of life (GO-QOL) questionnaire results were analyzed pre- and postoperatively.

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Cost analysis of oral and maxillofacial free flap reconstruction for patients at an institution in China

Free flap transplantation has become a mainstay for the restoration of oral and maxillofacial defects. However, the complexity of the surgical procedure and long hospitalization time result in high hospitalization costs. This study was performed to retrospectively analyse the composition of hospitalization expenses and factors influencing this for 507 patients who underwent oral and maxillofacial free flap transplantation at a representative medical institution in China. The aim was to provide evidence for the reasonable control of expenditure and effective utilization of medical resources, and to gain an indirect reflection of the healthcare model characteristics of public hospitals in China.

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Effects of auriculotherapy and midazolam for anxiety control in patients submitted to third molar extraction

Anxiety is common and still represents a barrier to appropriate professional care for patients requiring dental treatment. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of auriculotherapy and midazolam for the control of anxiety in patients submitted to third molar extractions. This was a randomized, double-blind, controlled, crossover clinical trial. Thirty healthy volunteers requiring bilateral third molar extraction received midazolam 15mg (oral) and sham auriculotherapy during one session, and a placebo tablet (oral) and auriculotherapy during the other; the sessions were randomized.

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Response to the Letter to the Editor regarding “Impact of crack cocaine use on the occurrence of oral lesions and micronuclei”

We are grateful for the interest in our study "Impact of crack cocaine use on the occurrence of oral lesions and micronuclei"1. Firstly, regarding the criticism that Giemsa stain can cause false-positive results, we agree that this method may provide an overestimate of the presence of micronuclei. However, any misclassification would be non-differential, as a difference in the overestimation between groups is not plausible. Thus, this type of error would bias the results towards the null hypothesis2 and therefore does not account for the differences described in our study between crack users and non-users.

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A Preliminary Study of Vocal Health Among Collegiate A Cappella Singers

Collegiate a cappella groups have grown significantly in popularity and prominence; however, there have been few studies that evaluate the vocal health of this subgroup of young singers. The objective of this preliminary study was to conduct a multiparametric evaluation of the vocal health characteristics of a sample of collegiate a cappella singers. We further tested whether differences in vocal health assessments exist between a cappella singers with and without vocal training and trained collegiate singers who do not participate in a cappella groups.

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Germination of pollen grains in the esophagus of individuals with eosinophilic esophagitis

Abstract

Background

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is characterized by esophageal dysfunction and, histologically, by eosinophilic inflammation. There is no a clear etiologic treatment. EoE exacerbations are often seasonal. We hypothesized that the inflammatory response of the esophageal mucosa in patients with high levels of antibodies to pollen allergens and worsened seasonal EoE might be due to swallowing airborne pollen and the intrusion into the esophageal mucosa of pollen allergens and pollen tubes, which encounter a pH and humidity resembling the stigma at pollination.

Objective

The aim of our study was to demonstrate the possible pathogenic role of environmental allergens in EoE through molecular and anatomopathological studies.

Methods

129 patients with EoE were tested for environmental and food allergens. Component resolved diagnosis (CRD), histological and botanical analysis was performed. Microscopic examination of esophageal biopsies of 129 adults patients with EoE, 82 of them with seasonal exacerbation, and 100 controls, with gastroesophageal reflux without eosinophilic infiltrate, were made to verify the presence of callose (polysaccharide abundant in pollen tubes but absent in animal tissues) in the esophagus.

Results

CRD detected pollen allergens in 87.6% of patients with EoE. The predominant allergens were group 1 grass (55%), Art v 3 (11.3%) and lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) (19.4%) of common Mediterranean foods such as peach, hazelnuts, walnuts and wheat. Callose from pollen tubes was found in 65.6% of biopsies.

Conclusion

Alteration of the mucosal barrier in EoE might cause the penetration of pollen grains into the esophageal tissues. In EoE patients, anatomopathological studies searching for intrusion to plant foods and pollen, and specific‐guided diet and immunotherapy after plant structures detection in biopsies, might be effective.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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Massive release of the histamine‐degrading enzyme diamine oxidase during severe anaphylaxis in mastocytosis patients

Abstract

Background

Histaminolytic activity mediated by diamine oxidase (DAO) is present in plasma after induction of severe anaphylaxis in rats, guinea pigs and rabbits. Heparin released during mast cell degranulation in the gastrointestinal tract might liberate DAO from heparin‐sensitive storage sites. DAO release during anaphylaxis has not been demonstrated in humans.

Methods

Plasma DAO, tryptase and histamine concentrations of four severe anaphylaxis events were determined at multiple serial time points in two patients with systemic mastocytosis. The histamine degradation rates were measured in anaphylaxis samples and in pregnancy sera and plasma with comparable DAO concentrations.

Results

Mean DAO (132 ng/ml) and tryptase (304 ng/ml) concentrations increased 187‐ and 4.0‐fold respectively over baseline values (DAO 0.7 ng/ml, tryptase 76 ng/ml) during severe anaphylaxis. Under non‐anaphylaxis conditions DAO concentrations were not elevated in 29 mastocytosis patients compared to healthy volunteers and there was no correlation between DAO and tryptase levels in mastocytosis patients. The histamine degradation rate of DAO in plasma from mastocytosis patients during anaphylaxis is severely compromised compared to DAO from pregnancy samples.

Conclusions

During severe anaphylaxis in mastocytosis patients DAO is likely released from heparin‐sensitive gastrointestinal storage sites. The measured concentrations can degrade histamine, but DAO activity is compromised compared to pregnancy samples. For accurate histamine measurements during anaphylaxis DAO inhibition is essential to inhibit further histamine degradation after blood withdrawal. Determination of DAO antigen levels might be of clinical value to improve the diagnosis of mast cell activation.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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