Although isolated cranial nerve palsies are common in diabetic patients, multiple, simultaneous cranial neuropathies are rare. We describe the second case of a complete superior orbital fissure syndrome including the optic nerve in a middle-aged Papuan man with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus. The differential diagnosis included septic cavernous sinus thrombosis and Tolosa Hunt syndrome, and management was initially directed at excluding these serious, treatable conditions.
Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis - diagnosis ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - complications ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - diagnosis ; New Guinea ; Oculomotor Nerve Diseases - diagnosis ; Oculomotor Nerve Diseases - etiology ; Tolosa-Hunt Syndrome - diagnosis

Animals ; Behavior, Animal ; Blindness ; rehabilitation ; Bonding, Human-Pet ; Culture ; Dogs ; Humans ; Locomotion ; Singapore

Adult ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Genital Neoplasms, Male ; pathology ; surgery ; Hernia, Inguinal ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Myxoma ; pathology ; surgery ; Scrotum ; pathology

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects about a third of the world’s adult population and is a major public health concern. NAFLD is defined by the presence of hepatic steatosis and the absence of other causes of liver disease. As NAFLD is closely associated with the presence of the metabolic syndrome, several experts have called for a change in nomenclature from NAFLD to metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) to better reflect the underlying pathophysiology of NAFLD as a metabolically driven disease and shift to a “positive” diagnostic criteria rather than one of exclusion. Recent studies have suggested that the global prevalence of MAFLD is higher than that of NAFLD, and patients with MAFLD have more metabolic comorbidities compared to those with NAFLD. Emerging data also suggest that all-cause and cardiovascular mortality may be higher in MAFLD compared with NAFLD. In this synopsis, we discuss differences in clinical features, prevalence and clinical outcomes between NAFLD and MAFLD. In addition, we highlight the advantages and disadvantages of a name change from NAFLD to MAFLD from the perspective of the scientific community, care providers and patients.

Objective: To optimize the warning threshold values of common communicable diseases in Gansu province, and improve the early warning effect. Method: An early warning model was set up for influenza, scarlet fever, other infectious diarrheal diseases, dysentery, typhoid and paratyphoid, viral hepatitis type E and hand foot and mouth disease (HFMD) respectively in Gansu by using the moving percentile method and cumulative sum method. By calculating the sensitivity, specificity, predictive value of positive test, predictive value of negative test, Youden' index and receiver-operating characteristic curve, the optimum early warning threshold values for communicable diseases in Gansu were selected. Results: The optimum early warning boundary values of influenza, scarlet fever, other infectious diarrheal diseases, dysentery, typhoid and paratyphoid, and viral hepatitis type E were P(90), P(80), P(95), P(90), P(80) and P(90) respectively. The optimum early warning parameters of HFMD were k=1.2, H=5σ. Under the optimum early warning boundary values/parameters, the early warning sensitivities of influenza, scarlet fever, other infectious diarrheal diseases, dysentery, typhoid and paratyphoid, viral hepatitis type E and HFMD were 86.67%, 100.00%, 91.67%, 100.00%, 100.00%, 100.00% and 100.00%, the specificities were 86.49%, 62.22%, 75.00%, 100.00%, 97.92%, 89.13% and 74.47%. The predictive values of positive test were 72.22%, 29.17%, 52.38%, 100.00%, 80.00%, 54.55% and 29.41%, and the predictive values of negative test were 94.12%, 100.00%, 96.77%, 100.00%, 100.00%, 100.00% and 100.00%, and the Youden' indexes were 0.73, 0.62, 0.67, 1.00, 0.98,0.89 and 0.74. Receiver-operating characteristic curve showed that the values/parameters of this warning boundary were the points closest to the upper left of the coordinate diagram. Conclusion: The early warning thresholds of influenza, other infectious diarrheal diseases, dysentery and hepatitis E in Gansu may be raised appropriately and the early warning parameters of HFMD need to be adjusted to improve the effectiveness of early warning.
China ; Communicable Disease Control/methods* ; Communicable Diseases/epidemiology* ; Disease Notification ; Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control* ; Humans ; Models, Theoretical ; Population Surveillance/methods*

INTRODUCTIONMotor neuron damage and cortical spinal tract (CST) degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are difficult to visualise and quantify on conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

CLINICAL PICTUREWe studied 8 ALS patients and 12 normal volunteers using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and fibre tractography using fibre assignment by continuous tracking (FACT) to study the fibres of the CST and the posterior thalamic radiation (PTR), a nonmotor tract.

OUTCOMEFibre tractography was successfully performed in all normal volunteers and all patients except 1. The fibre bundles of the CST, but not the PTR, were significantly reduced (P <0.05) in patients compared to normal volunteers.

CONCLUSIONFibre tractography can visualise axonal degeneration in the CST and may provide supplementary information about upper motor neuron disease in ALS patients.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ; pathology ; Case-Control Studies ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Echo-Planar Imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nerve Degeneration ; pathology ; Pyramidal Tracts ; pathology

INTRODUCTIONIn this study, we have developed and optimised a novel gelatin-chitosan (GC) substrate for use as a cellular carrier for tissue-engineered conjunctival epithelium.

MATERIALS AND METHODSThe substrate was fabricated by casting and the mechanical properties of the substrate, including tensile strength and elongation, were measured. Using the MTT, cell proliferation assay with rabbit conjunctival fibroblasts, we optimised the G:C ratio to enhance cytocompatibility. Rabbit conjunctival epithelial cells were immunostained using monoclonal antibodies for keratin 4 and pancytokeratin to investigate the biological effects of the GC substrate on the proliferation and differentiation of epithelial cells.

RESULTSWe found that increasing the amount of gelatin resulted in an increase in elasticity (from 1:9 to 1:1 ratio), reaching a maximum (101.89% +/- 7.13%) at a ratio of 1:1. The MTT assay showed that the proliferation of conjunctival fibroblasts significantly increased from 0.068 +/- 0.017 to 0.177 +/- 0.011 (P = 0.014) as the gelatin was increased from 20% (1:4) to 50% (1:1). Additional studies using tissue-cultured conjunctiva explants showed that these explants grew well on the substrate, forming a multilayered epithelium. Cell morphology on this substrate was similar to that of cells grown on culture dishes alone. Positive staining of keratin 4 and pancytokeratin indicated that the substrate supported normal differentiation of conjunctival epithelial cells.

CONCLUSIONBy enhancing the proportion of gelatin, both the mechanical and biological properties of the chitosan substrate were improved. The results also suggest that this GC biomembrane may be a useful candidate for reconstructive tissue engineering of the conjunctiva.

Animals ; Biocompatible Materials ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Chitosan ; Conjunctiva ; cytology ; metabolism ; physiology ; Elasticity ; Epithelium ; physiology ; Gelatin ; Keratins ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Tensile Strength ; Tissue Engineering

OBJECTIVETo investigate the microstructure and mechanical properties of a new IPS-Empress 2 dental glass-ceramic.

METHODSAFM, SEM and XRD were used to analyze the microstructure and crystal phase of IPS-Empress 2 glass-ceramic. The flexural strength and fracture toughness were tested using 3-point bending method and indentation method respectively.

RESULTSIPS-Empress 2 glass-ceramic mainly consisted of lithium disilicate crystal, lithium phosphate and glass matrix, which formed a continuous interlocking structure. The crystal phases were not changed before and after hot-pressed treatment. AFM showed nucleating agent particles of different sizes distributed on the highly polished ceramic surface. The strength and fracture toughness were 300 MPa and 3.1 MPam(1/2).

CONCLUSIONThe high strength and fracture toughness of IPS-Empress 2 glass ceramic are attributed to the fine lithium disilicate crystalline, interlocking microstructure and crack deflection.

Aluminum Silicates ; chemistry ; Compressive Strength ; Dental Porcelain ; chemistry ; Materials Testing ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Tensile Strength ; X-Ray Diffraction

INTRODUCTIONThe aim of this study was to conduct an audit of the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound, fi ne needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and frozen section in the evaluation of thyroid malignancies in our practice.

MATERIALS AND METHODSThe medical records of all the patients who underwent thyroid surgery in a tertiary institution's General Surgery Department between January 2005 and December 2007 were retrospectively reviewed using a standardised data collection template. Results of the ultrasounds, FNACs and frozen sections were compared with the fi nal histological diagnosis.

RESULTSA total of 112 patients underwent thyroid surgery in the 3-year study period. Thyroid malignancy constituted 34 (30%) of all patients who underwent thyroid surgery. The most popular diagnostic tools used were ultrasound (81%), FNAC (69%) and frozen section (59%). The sensitivity of ultrasound, FNAC and frozen section were 41.4%, 86.4% and 68.8%, respectively. FNAC was shown to be a superior diagnostic test in detecting malignancy compared to ultrasound. FNAC was able to pick up 53% of thyroid cancers missed by ultrasound. Frozen section was able to pick up 33% of thyroid cancers that were missed by both ultrasound and FNAC.

CONCLUSIONFNAC is the most reliable tool in detecting malignancies and ought to form the mainstay for investigation of thyroid nodules. The utilisation of ultrasonographic features in the evaluation of thyroid nodules might not necessary improve the detection rate of thyroid malignancy. Frozen section helps to improve the detection rate of thyroid malignancy but further studies into its cost-effectiveness ought to be performed.

Adult ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Female ; Frozen Sections ; Humans ; Male ; Medical Audit ; Middle Aged ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Ultrasonography

INTRODUCTIONThe aim of this study was to ascertain the outcomes of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection following immunosuppressive therapy in 38 consecutive oriental patients with systemic rheumatic diseases.

MATERIALS AND METHODSThis is a retrospective consecutive, non-comparative study.

RESULTSThe majority of patients were female (26, 68.4%), predominantly Chinese (92.1%), with a mean age 54 +/- 14 years (range, 16 to 87). The mean duration of rheumatic disease was 9 +/- 11 years (range, 0.1 to 48), with rheumatoid arthritis (52.6%) and systemic lupus erythematosus (23.7%) being the most common. The mean duration of CHB infection was 6 +/- 5 years (range, 0.1 to 17), with the majority diagnosed during pre-methotrexate screening (50.0%) and asymptomatic transaminitis following initiation of immunosuppressive therapy (23.7%). Upon diagnosis of rheumatic disease, all patients had normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Of these, 18.2% were positive for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and 78.1% were positive for anti- HBe antibody. Twenty (52.6%) developed ALT elevation, which was more than twice the upper limit of normal in 12 patients. ALT normalised spontaneously in 12 patients without hepatic decompensation or change in therapy. Seven (18.4%) patients received lamivudine for 18 +/- 22 months (range, 2 to 61). Two patients developed YMDD mutation subsequently treated with adefovir (1) and adefovir/lamivudine (1). There were 3 (7.9%) hepatitis B virus (HBV)-unrelated deaths [infection (2), genitourinary malignancy (1)], and 1 from HBV-reactivation complicated by septicaemia. None have developed hepatocellular carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONElevated ALT occurred in 52.6% of patients, with only 18.4% requiring anti-viral therapy for HBV reactivation. HBV-related mortality was low. With the appropriate precautionary measures, prednisolone and immunosuppressants (except methotrexate and leflunomide) may be used safely in patients where clinically indicated.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Comorbidity ; Female ; Glucocorticoids ; therapeutic use ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Lamivudine ; therapeutic use ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prednisolone ; therapeutic use ; Retrospective Studies ; Rheumatic Diseases ; epidemiology ; Treatment Outcome ; Virus Activation