Bioactive compounds from the aerial parts of Hypericum sampsonii.

Hypericum sampsonii is an important medicinal plant used in Vietnam to treat many diseases such as backache, burns, diarrhea, and swelling. In order to study the chemical constituents in the aerial parts of H. sampsonii, five compounds, including two xanthones (1-2), and three benzophenones (3-5) were isolated from the aerial parts of the H. sampsonii with various chromatographic separations. Their chemical structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic data such as 1D- and 2D-NMR, HR-ESI-MS. Their anti-inflammatory activities were investigated by measuring nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cells. Moreover, the DPPH radical scavenging was evaluated. As the obtained results, compound 5 showed the strongest inhibitory activity against LPS-stimulated NO production in RAW264.7 cells with IC50 value ranging from 2.00 ± 0.34 µM.

Primary angle-closure glaucoma, a rare but severe complication after blepharoplasty: Case report and review of the literature.

Blepharoplasty is one of the most commonly performed aesthetic procedures. Surgical complications are rare, but can have severe consequences, such as permanent vision loss. In this report, we describe a patient who developed primary angle-closure glaucoma (ACG) with associated vision loss after a oculoplastic procedure using local anesthesia. So far, six similar cases have been described in the literature. It is believed that acute ACG is triggered by the surgical procedure in patients with predisposing risk factors such as a cataract. Surgical triggering factors include the use of buffered lidocaine/xylocaine with adrenaline/epinephrine, stress, and coverage of the eyes postoperatively. Due to postoperative analgesic use, the clinical presentation can be mild and atypical, leading to a significant diagnostic delay. Acute ACG should therefore be excluded in each patient with postoperative complaints by assessing pupillary reactions. If a fixed mid-wide pupil is observed in an ophthalmologic examination, an immediate ophthalmology referral is warranted. Surgeons should be aware of this rare complication in order to offer treatment at an early stage and to minimize the chance of irreversible vision loss.

Patency of the internal mammary arteries after removal of the Nuss bar: an initial report.

OBJECTIVES: Surgical correction of pectus excavatum (PE) has shifted to the modern minimally invasive Nuss procedure, which proved to be safe and effective. In order to restore the dented deformity, custom-curved metal bars provide continuous retrosternal pressure but cross the habitat of the internal mammary arteries (IMAs) directly affecting their patency. In this initial report, we sought to assess the patency of the IMAs in the first 6 patients who underwent Nuss bar removal in our department. METHODS: In 2010, we started to perform correction of PE using the Nuss bar technique. In 2013, observational analysis was performed on the first 6 patients who underwent removal of the Nuss bar. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) was performed in order to assess the patency of both IMAs directly after removal. RESULTS: In 4 (67%) patients, IMA patency was affected unilaterally (total obstruction or highly decreased flow pattern) corresponding with the lowest retrosternal side. CONCLUSIONS: According to our preliminary results, the oppressive force of Nuss bars interferes with IMA patency and thereby compromises future usability in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We recommend that patients undergoing CABG following the Nuss procedure undergo preoperative evaluation of IMA patency. This study will be continued to include a larger number of patients including follow-up CTA one year after removal of the bar.