Efficacy and safety of 595-nm pulsed dye laser treating port wine stains in Vietnamese patients: analysis of 124 cases and optimal treatment regimens.

The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy and safety of 595-nm pulsed dye laser (PDL) for port wine stains (PWS) treatment in Vietnamese patients. The study also analyzed the association between the response to treatment and the characteristics of patients and treatment regimens. Parallelly, the study contributed to further optimal treatment sessions for different subjects based on the data collected. One hundred twenty-five patients who underwent 595-nm PDL to treat PWS were included in the study, in which data from 124 patients was retrospectively analyzed. Data on demographic characteristics of patients, treatment regimens, and clinical improvement were collected. SPSS version 25 was used to analyze the relationship between associated factors and the response rate. The overall response rate of Vietnamese patients who had Fitzpatrick skin classification type III and IV was 73.4%. Age, gender, treatment sessions, and lesion positions were generally not associated with the response rate. The lesion grade was the sole element that affected the clinical improvement. The lesion grade 1 had the best response (100%) even after a short duration of treatment (six to ten treatments). Lesion grade 4 demanded over 16 treatments to reach > 60% of improvement. The lesion grades 1 and 2 could be blanched with regimen < 10 treatments while regimens exceeding 15 treatments should be carefully considered for lesions at grade 3 after evaluating associated conditions. Lesions at grade 4 demanded ≥ 16 treatments to reach acceptable outcomes. These results could help physicians establish a reasonable treatment strategy for patients.

Self-assembly of elastin-mimetic double hydrophobic polypeptides.

We have constructed a novel class of "double-hydrophobic" block polypeptides based on the hydrophobic domains found in native elastin, an extracellular matrix protein responsible for the elasticity and resilience of tissues. The block polypeptides comprise proline-rich poly(VPGXG) and glycine-rich poly(VGGVG), both of which dehydrate at higher temperature but form distinct secondary structures, ß-turn and ß-sheet respectively. In water at 45 °C, the block polypeptides initially assemble into nanoparticles rich in ß-turn structures, which further connect into long (>10 µm), beaded nanofibers along with the increase in the ß-sheet content. The nanofibers obtained are well-dispersed in water, and show thermoresponsive properties. Polypeptides comprising each block component assemble into different morphologies, showing that the conjugation of poly(VPGXG) and poly(VGGVG) plays a role for beaded fiber formation. These results may provide innovative ideas for designing peptide-based materials but also opportunities for developing novel materials useful for tissue engineering and drug delivery systems.

A Comparative Study on the Adipogenic and Myogenic Capacity of Muscle Satellite Cells, and Meat Quality Characteristics between Hanwoo and Vietnamese Yellow Steers.

Myogenesis and adipogenesis are the important processes determining the muscle growth and fat accumulation livestock, which ultimately affecting their meat quality. Hanwoo is a popular breed and its meat has been exported to other countries. The objective of this study was to compare the myogenesis and adipogenesis properties in satellite cells, and meat quality between Hanwoo and Vietnamese yellow cattle (VYC). Same 28-months old Hanwoo (body weight: 728±45 kg) and VYC (body weight: 285±36 kg) steers (n=10 per breed) were used. Immediately after slaughter, tissue samples were collected from longissimus lumborum (LL) muscles for satellite cells isolation and assays. After 24 h post-mortem, LL muscles from left carcass sides were collected for meat quality analysis. Under the same in vitro culture condition, the proliferation rate was higher in Hanwoo compared to VYC (p<0.05). Fusion index was almost 3 times greater in Hanwoo (42.17%), compared with VYC (14.93%; p<0.05). The expressions of myogenesis (myogenic factor 5, myogenic differentiation 1, myogenin, and myogenic factor 6)- and adipogenesis (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma)-regulating genes, and triglyceride content were higher in Hanwoo, compared with VYC (p<0.05). Hanwoo beef had a higher intramuscular fat and total monounsaturated fatty acids contents than VYC beef (p<0.05). Whilst, VYC meat had a higher CIE a* and total polyunsaturated fatty acids content (p<0.05). Overall, there was a significant difference in the in vitro culture characteristics and genes expression of satellite cells, and meat quality between the Hanwoo and VYC.

Morphological and molecular characterization of Eurytrema spp. Looss, 1907 detected in domestic water buffaloes and cattle in northern Vietnam.

Eurytrema spp. are pancreatic flukes belonging to the Dicrocoeliidae family. They are the cause of neglected diseases in Vietnam and are responsible for economic losses in ruminant production, particularly in water buffaloes and cattle. Eurytrema spp. have been widely reported in several Asian countries. Recently, morphological and molecular analyses to discriminate Eurytrema spp. have been conducted in Brazil, China, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Indonesia; however, similar analyses have not been performed in Vietnam. In the present study, we identified Eurytrema flukes collected from water buffaloes and cattle in northern Vietnam based on their morphology. Morphometric analyses were conducted on 15 samples each of Eurytrema cladorchis and Eurytrema coelomaticum. Representative samples from both species were selected for molecular analyses, and the nucleotide sequences of the 18S ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) gene and internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) were determined. Phylogenetic analyses based on 18S rRNA sequences revealed that E. cladorchis from Vietnam belongs to the same clade as that from Bangladesh. Similarly, E. coelomaticum isolates from Vietnam and China belonged to the same clade. Both clades were isolated from E. pancreaticum. This is the first study to describe the coexistence of E. cladorchis and E. coelomaticum in Vietnam and the first report of the ITS2 nucleotide sequence for E. coelomaticum, which can be used for molecular species discrimination.

Implant-supported distraction osteogenesis: a technique to advance the deficient maxilla.

We describe a technique in which osseointegrated implants are used as anchors to support a custom-fabricated distraction device to advance the deficient anterior maxilla. The absolute rigidity of osseointegrated implants in bone provides stable anchorage for successful distraction.

Dynamic changes in clinical features and cytokine/chemokine responses in SARS patients treated with interferon alfacon-1 plus corticosteroids.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), caused by a novel coronavirus, emerged in early 2003 as a major international health crisis. We report on serum cytokine levels, viral load and clinical parameters over the course of the disease in a cohort of nine adult SARS patients treated with steroids and interferon alfacon-1 at North York General Hospital in Toronto, Ontario. Considerable variation among SARS patients with respect to circulating viral load and patterns of SARS-CoV-evoked cytokine responses was recorded. No single cytokine profile was observed in all patients, yet serum concentrations of interferon (IFN)-gamma, interleukin (IL)-10, CXCL10, CCL5 and CXCL8 were found to be elevated above normal levels during the course of the disease in all patients. Expression levels for IL-10, IFN-gamma and CXCL10 consistently peaked within 4 days of peak viral load. IL-12p70, IL-4 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha concentrations were consistently highest within 5 days of peak viral load. These results suggest that elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines are sensitive correlates of disease severity, including lung abnormalities and viral load in serum, and may provide a tool for monitoring disease progression in affected individuals.

Interferon alfacon-1 plus corticosteroids in severe acute respiratory syndrome: a preliminary study.

CONTEXT: Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a new clinical entity for which no effective therapeutic strategy has been developed. OBJECTIVE: To provide preliminary results on the potential therapeutic benefit and tolerability of interferon alfacon-1 plus corticosteroids for SARS. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: Open-label study of 22 patients diagnosed as having probable SARS at North York General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, between April 11 and May 30, 2003. INTERVENTIONS: Thirteen patients were treated with corticosteroids alone and 9 patients were treated with corticosteroids plus subcutaneous interferon alfacon-1. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical parameters, including oxygen saturation and requirement, laboratory measures, and serial chest radiography results. RESULTS: Resolution of fever and lymphopenia were similar between the 2 treatment groups. Of the 13 patients treated with corticosteroids alone, 5 (38.5%) were transferred to the intensive care unit, 3 (23.1%) required intubation and mechanical ventilation, and 1 (7.7%) died. Of the 9 patients in the interferon alfacon-1 treatment group, 3 (33.3%) were transferred to the intensive care unit, 1 (11.1%) required intubation and mechanical ventilation, and none died. The interferon alfacon-1 treatment group had a shorter time to 50% resolution of lung radiographic abnormalities (median time, 4 days vs 9 days; P =.001), had better oxygen saturation (P =.02), resolved their need for supplemental oxygen more rapidly (median, 10 days vs 16 days; P =.02), had less of an increase in creatine kinase levels (P =.03), and showed a trend toward more rapid resolution of lactate dehydrogenase levels compared with the group receiving corticosteroids alone. CONCLUSIONS: In this preliminary, uncontrolled study of patients with SARS, use of interferon alfacon-1 plus corticosteroids was associated with reduced disease-associated impaired oxygen saturation, more rapid resolution of radiographic lung abnormalities, and lower levels of creatine kinase. These findings suggest that further investigation may be warranted to determine the role of interferon alfacon-1 as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of SARS.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome: quantitative assessment from chest radiographs with clinical and prognostic correlation.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined findings of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) on chest radiographs and presented a classification scheme using quantitative radiographic data supported by clinical parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three radiologists who were blinded to the identity, diagnosis, treatment protocol, and outcome of each patient independently evaluated serial chest radiographs from 67 patients with confirmed SARS. In addition to the chest radiographic abnormalities and percentage of involvement, several quantitative improvement parameters, including the peak to 50% improvement time (PIT(50)), were collected. Correlation between PIT(50) and clinical parameters (duration of fever, cough, dyspnea, oxygen supplementation, intubation, and death) were evaluated using Wilcoxon's rank sum testing and Spearman's correlation. RESULTS: The most common initial findings were unifocal air-space disease in the periphery of the lower lungs occurring a mean of 3.6 +/-2.4 (SD) days from symptoms onset. Peak abnormalities were seen at 10.4 +/- 2.9 days. PIT(50) was dependent on disease severity, showing a strong linear correlation with the clinical parameter duration of oxygen supplementation (r = 0.44, p = 0.0015). Three patterns of disease were recognized: pattern A (severe, 29.9%) with PIT(50) of more than 10 days, pattern B (typical, 44.8%) with PIT(50) of 10 or fewer days, and pattern C (mild, 25.4%) with minimal findings throughout the course of the disease. This classification was supported by collaborative clinical parameters. CONCLUSION: The quantitative radiographic parameter PIT(50) has strong clinical correlation and can be used to differentiate severity of disease into severe, typical, and mild types.