Spectro-Electrochemical Properties of A New Non-Enzymatic Modified Working Electrode Used for Histamine Assessment in the Diagnosis of Food Poisoning.

We successfully prepared a non-enzymatic sensor based on a graphene-thiophene composite for histamine detection. The self-assembling properties of the thiophene onto Au support and the high electrical conductivity of graphene encouraged the choice of this type of composite. The composite was deposited via electrochemical polymerization onto the Au layer of a screen-printed microelectrode. The electropolymerization and electrochemical detection of histamine were both achieved by cyclic voltammetry. Two types of electrolytes were used for the electrochemical detection: (a) phosphate buffer solution (PBS), which showed low-intensity redox peaks for histamine; and (b) trichloroacetic acid (TCA) 0.01 M, which showed improved results over PBS and did not damage the microelectrode. For the concentration range of 100-200 mg/kg, the sensor shows a linear regression pattern for the oxidation peak fitted on the equation Ipa = 123.412 + 0.49933 ×x, with R2 = 0.94178. The lowest limit of detection was calculated to be 13.8 mg/kg and the limit of quantification was calculated at 46 mg/kg. These results are important since by monitoring the amount of histamine in a food product, early onset of spoilage can be easily detected, thus reducing foodborne poisoning and food waste (by recycling products that are still edible).

Basal Cell Carcinoma-A Retrospective Descriptive Study Integrated in Current Literature.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is considered to be the most common cancer in humans. It has a slow growth rhythm, and for this reason, metastases are rare. For our retrospective study, we selected 180 patients from those who underwent surgery for a variety of skin tumours between January 2019 and August 2022 and whose histopathological examination revealed basal cell carcinoma. All surgeries were performed by plastic surgeons at the "St. John" hospital in Bucharest. The aim of this article is to provide observational data regarding BCC-in terms of histopathology and diagnostic and therapeutic management and to integrate these data into the current knowledge of this pathology.

Identification of Uric Acid Crystals Accumulation in Human and Animal Tissues Using Combined Morphological and Raman Spectroscopy Analysis.

Gout is a metabolic condition, common to animals and humans, issuing from the excessive accumulation of end products of proteins degradation. In this study, histopathological and cytological examinations, combined with Raman spectroscopy, have been performed to investigate tissue samples from reptiles, chickens, and humans, presenting lesions produced by uric acid accumulation. As a result of classic processing and staining techniques commonly used in the anatomopathological diagnosis, uric acid crystals lose their structural characteristics, thus making difficult a precise diagnostic. Therefore, complementary diagnostic methods, such as Raman spectroscopy, are needed. This study compares from several perspectives the above mentioned diagnostic methods, concluding that Raman spectroscopy provides highlights in the diagnosis of gout in humans and animals, also adding useful information to differential diagnosis of lesions.

Current Innovative Methods of Fetal pH Monitoring-A Brief Review.

In this study, we explore the "why?", and "how?", monitoring the pH of the fetal scalp is used, and show its limitations. In addition, we review the development of new devices based on the modern physics and nanomaterials serving this topic. Most of the works we found in our search have focused on improving the prognostic of fetal heart rate monitoring, because it is the "golden standard" in determining fetal distress. Although the best-known screening method, it can only provide limited information about the actual status of the fetus. The best predictive assessment, with the highest reproducibility, states that a normal fetal heart rate is indicative of a healthy baby. However, its excellent sensitivity is much reduced when identifying the actual "distress". This is when second-line monitoring methods come into play to guide the diagnostics and direct the obstetrician towards an action plan. Although a historic method, fetal scalp pH sampling is still under review as to its efficiency and place in the current obstetrics. Continuous surveillance of the fetal parameters is important, especially for the fetuses undergoing intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR). Since fetal scalp blood sampling is still under research and is a randomized controlled trial, which compares the relevance of pH and lactates to the obstetrical situation, the maternal-fetal medicine could greatly benefit from the introduction of engineered nanomedicines to the field.

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in Postbariatric Lower Body Lift-A Method of Decreasing Postoperative Complications.

BACKGROUND: Lower body lift procedure is one of the most common procedures in postbariatric surgery, which can be followed by postoperative complications that delay the healing time. The purpose of this study was to analyse whether the use of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) as a replacement for the classical drainage method would provide better postoperative results with fewer complications. METHODS: The authors reviewed their experience with 46 consecutive patients that underwent lower body lift surgery from 2018 to 2021. They were divided into two groups: 23 of them received NPWT as drainage method and another 23 received classical active drains. We assessed the complication rates and types between the two groups to demonstrate the efficiency of NPWT as a support in the surgical protocol. RESULTS: Forty-six patients were included in this study. Two equal groups formed by 23 patients were analysed for age, sex, type of weight loss, type of circumferential lower body lift, type of drainage, quantity of drainage, time of drain usance, postoperative complications, operation time, hospital stay and frequency of hospital visits. The group that received NPWT had a 26.08% rate of complications as compared with the drain group that had a 47.8% complication rate. CONCLUSIONS: This study is performed as a comparison between negative pressure wound therapy and classical drainage method in lower body lift surgery, as a new method of reducing the postoperative complications. By achieving faster closure of large, undermining areas, it concludes in a lower risk of seroma or hematoma formation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Nevi, biologics for psoriasis and the risk for skin cancer: A real concern? (Case presentation and short review).

Psoriasis is a systemic inflammatory cutaneous disease that affects approximately 2% of the world's population. Systemic treatments and biologic treatment therapies are a powerful option for patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. Some studies from the literature indicate an overall small, but increased, risk of neoplasia in patients with psoriasis treated with phototherapy or systemic medication. The relationship between psoriasis and malignancy is not very well established; there are few studies with conflicting results. We present the case of a 31-year-old male patient, diagnosed with psoriasis, who was deemed eligible for systemic therapy. Treatment with methotrexate was initiated, but without a satisfactory outcome. Given the patient's resistant disease involving 15% of his body surface, his desire to have a clear skin, besides his being naïve to biologic therapy, he was proposed to start treatment with secukinumab 300 mg monthly. The patient experienced complete clearance of lesions and was followed-up on the basis of clinical and biological parameters. There are limited data concerning the relationship between melanocytic lesions, psoriasis and melanoma. Immunologic pathways implicated in psoriasis induce a reduction in the number of melanocytic nevi. Nevertheless, little is known concerning the association of melanocytic nevi with psoriasis. Thorough skin examination, meaning clinical and dermoscopic evaluation of melanocytic lesions, must be encouraged in patients treated with systemic therapies such as biologic agents.

Reconstruction of lower eyelid defects after the excision of basal cell carcinoma.

Objectives: The paper presents the reconstructive options of the lower eyelid region in patients who have benefited from the excision of basal cell carcinomas. Methods: The study was based on the clinical and evolutionary particularities analyzed in a series of cases, the patients benefiting from excision and reconstruction for the treatment of basal cell carcinomas located at the level of the orbital region. Results: Following the surgical treatment, the local evolution was favorable with a good functional recovery. The aesthetic results were strongly influenced by the stage of the neoplasm, the final aspect being satisfactory for the patients included in the study. Conclusion: Early diagnosis and rapid and effective surgical treatment are associated with favorable results from a functional and aesthetic point of view. Delayed surgery and treatment of relapses are associated with increased risks and inferior results.

Complex reconstruction of the orbitofrontal regions using three regional flaps after orbital exenteration for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma.

Objective. The current paper presents an interesting case of facial reconstruction after the excision of a giant basal cell carcinoma located in the orbitofrontal region. Methods. Performing the excision while securing the appropriate oncologic safety margin has determined the appearance of a soft tissue defect that required a complex reconstruction using three regional flaps: frontal, temporal fascial and temporal muscle flaps. Results. After the excision and reconstruction in a single surgical stage, the postoperative result was favorable, the 12 months assessment showing that the patient was satisfied with the aesthetic aspect. Conclusion. Including the orbital exenterations in the excisional treatment of giant neoplasms located in the facial region requires a complex reconstructive plan. The surgical team has to consider the relief of the anatomical structures that are targeted, as well as the necessity of achieving satisfactory aesthetic results while ensuring oncological radicality.

Eschar removal by bromelain based enzymatic debridement (Nexobrid®) in burns: European consensus guidelines update.

INTRODUCTION: Bromelain-based Enzymatic Debridement has been introduced as an additional concept to the burn surgeon's armamentarium and is best indicated for mid-to deep dermal burns with mixed patterns. Increasing evidence has been published focusing on special regions and settings as well as on limitations of Enzymatic Debridement to improve patient care. To better guide Enzymatic Debridement in view of the increasing experience, there is a need to update the formerly published consensus guidelines with user-orientated recommendations, which were last produced in 2017. METHODS: A multi-professional expert panel of plastic surgeons and burn care specialists from twelve European centers was convened, to assist in developing current recommendations for best practices with use of Enzymatic Debridement. Consensus statements were based on peer-reviewed publications and clinical relevance, and topics for re-evaluation and refinement were derived from the formerly published European guidelines. For consensus agreement, the methodology employed was an agreement algorithm based on a modification of the Willy and Stellar method. For this study on Enzymatic Debridement, consensus was considered when there was at least 80 % agreement to each statement. RESULTS: The updated consensus guidelines from 2019 refer to the clinical experience and practice patterns of 1232 summarized patient cases treated by the panelists with ED in Europe (2017: 500 cases), reflecting the impact of the published recommendations. Forty-three statements were formulated, addressing the following topics: indications, pain management and anesthesia, large surface treatment, timing of application for various indications, preparation and application, post-interventional wound management, skin grafting, outcome, scar and revision management, cost-effectiveness, patient´s perspective, logistic aspects and training strategies. The degree of consensus was remarkably high, with consensus in 42 out of 43 statements (97.7%). A classification with regard to timing of application for Enzymatic Debridement was introduced, discriminating immediate/very early (≤12 h), early (12-72 h) or delayed (>72 h) treatment. All further recommendations are addressed in the publication. CONCLUSIONS: The updated guidelines in this publication represent further refinement of the recommended indication, application and post-interventional management for the use of ED. The published statements contain detailed, user-orientated recommendations aiming to align current and future users and prevent pitfalls, e.g. for the successful implementation of ED in further countries like the USA. The significance of this work is reflected by the magnitude of patient experience behind it, larger than the total number of patients treated in all published ED clinical trials.

ALT flap and reverse sural flap for simultaneous soft tissue coverage of both medial and lateral calf wounds in a diabetic patient.

Defects of the lower limb are generally difficult to correct, especially in patients with associated pathologies, and they represent a challenge for the reconstructive surgeon. The sural flap provides considerable versatility for lower limb reconstructions, successfully covering defects located between the knee and the ankle or the heel. Most frequently, this flap is used for defects located in the middle to distal third of the lower limb. The scope of reconstructing defects from the lower limb extremities must be concentrated both on covering the defect, and on functional recovery. When use of a local flap is insufficient, free flaps must be used, as they provide a wider coverage of defect. We report the successful surgical management of a case of a lower extremity injury consisting of a tibial pilon fracture, proximal fibula and lateral malleolus fractures, and a medium-to-large defect on both sides (internal and external) of the left ankle, on a 61 year-old patient, insulin dependent diabetic, heavy smoker, and with poor hygiene.

Complications related to breast reconstruction after mastectomy using multiple surgical techniques - a national and international comparative analysis.

The present paper describes and analyzes complications related to alloplastic breast reconstruction, as well as those associated with surgical techniques involving myocutaneous flaps. The article also contains a comparative analysis of the results obtained with the data in the international specialized literature. The statistical analysis is primary based on data obtained from patients included in the National Breast Reconstruction Program developed within the "Bagdasar-Arseni" Emergency Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania, between 2015 and 2019. In order to highlight and present a thorough comparison between the possible long-term complications associated with multiple reconstructive techniques, the paper also includes data related to patients who have undergone such surgical interventions in the aforementioned Health Unit, but which were not included in the national program, resulting a total of 73 reconstructive surgical interventions. The research results show that the overall rate of complications was 43.83%, skin necrosis, superficial infection and seroma being in this order the main complications that were identified. In the authors' opinion, risks of complications are moderated in relation with breast reconstruction surgery. However, the complication rate significantly varies depending on the chosen technique. The lowest risk levels registered in this study were associated with the breast reconstruction using the two-stage expander-implant technique. The analysis compares the achieved results with data provided by international studies, the main differences being caused by the status of the medical infrastructure, as well as the moment of hospital admission that is primarily determined by the level of medical education.

The Role of Myocutaneous Flaps in the Treatment of Patients with Multiple Decubitus Ulcers.

The current research aims to present the therapeutic approach in the case of a paraplegic patient hospitalized in the Plastic Surgery Department at the "Bagdasar-Arseni" Emergency Clinical Hospital for the treatment of decubitus ulcers located at the level of the sacral, left trochanteric and posterior thoracic regions. The particularity of the case is given by the complexity of the surgical interventions necessary for the reconstruction of the above-mentioned anatomical regions. In order to cover the sacral region, two gluteal myocutaneous flaps were used, followed by a tensor fascia lata flap for the trochanteric lesion. For the thoracic defect, the surgical team has chosen the technique of excision and direct suture. Following reconstructive surgery, the patient had a favorable local evolution, being included in an intensive medical recovery program within the same health unit.

Lower Limb Salvage Using the Medial Hemisoleus Flap Associated with the Reverse Sural Flap.

The paper aims to present the reconstructive surgical approach in the case of a patient with complex soft tissue lesions of the calf. The patient was the victim of a road accident resulting in the fracture of the right tibia for which screw-plate osteosynthesis was performed. The chosen therapeutic solution was represented by covering the soft tissue defects using a complex algorithm that involved the use of a reverse sural flap associated with a medial hemisoleus muscle flap and a split-thickness skin graft. Considering functional recovery and the degree of patient satisfaction, the result of the therapeutic conduct was appreciated as very good. The association of the reverse sural flap with the medial hemisoleus flap can be a solution for solving complex cases with multiple soft tissue defects located in the middle and lower third of the calf.

Colon cancer: clinical, macroscopic and microscopic aspects.

Although in developed countries the incidence of colorectal cancer is decreasing through the introduction of well-designed screening systems, the worrying worldwide increase of the mortality rate by colorectal neoplasm indicates the need for a thorough characterization of this pathology. Clinical, endoscopic, histopathological and immunohistochemical data provide important information for creating categories of patients that can benefit from intensive screening methods and for establishing the prognosis based on these data. Approximately 80% of the colorectal cancer develops from adenomas, which shows that early detection of premalignant lesions is an important step in reducing global incidence and mortality. Our study aims at providing information about the clinical, imaging and histopathological characterization of colorectal neoplasm and premalignant lesions. A total of 98 patients were evaluated, including 72 patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer and 26 with premalignant lesions. Patients underwent colonoscopy with biopsy specimens that were examined histopathologically. From the epidemiological data, we observe a higher incidence in men with a men/women ratio of 2/1, with a median age in colorectal cancer patients of 63.93 years. Different data on signs and symptoms were observed according to the colonoscopy location, with a slight difference between symptoms of patients with premalignant lesions compared to those diagnosed with colorectal neoplasm. Endoscopy showed that the rectum was the most frequent location, followed by the left colon, the tumor having a vegetative aspect in most cases. Histopathology confirms that the most common subtype is adenocarcinoma, described in 67 of the studied cases. The moderate differentiation degree is present in more than half of the cases.

Correlations between clinics, dermoscopy and histopathology in a female with two dermatofibromas - a case report.

Dermatofibromas are benign fibrohistiocytic tumors that involve the dermis. They have often a polymorphous clinical aspect, being frequently confused with other lesions varying from vascular tumors to melanoma. An important tool in diagnosis is represented by dermoscopy, which facilitates the recognition of dermatofibromas' characteristic structures such as central white patch and peripheral pigment network. Although dermatofibromas are often solitary lesions, we report the case of a woman who presented two fibrohistiocytary masses, involving the calf and the thigh, the last one with an atypical aspect leading to the confusion with a malignant tumor. Furthermore, the lesions were different at both dermoscopic and histopathological examinations, needing a second histopathological opinion. The aim of our study is to emphasize the role of histopathology, which represents the diagnostic golden standard in suspicious cases and the possible connections between dermatoscopy and histology. Sometimes, even histopathology may be very difficult, needing repeated sections and even special stains.

An animal model of peripheral nerve regeneration after the application of a collagen-polyvinyl alcohol scaffold and mesenchymal stem cells.

Extensive nerve injuries often leading to nerve gaps can benefit, besides the gold standard represented by autologous nerve grafts, by the inciting field of tissue engineering. To enhance the role of biomaterials in nerve regeneration, the nerve conduits are associated with Schwann or Schwann-like cells. In this study, we evaluated rat sciatic nerve regeneration, by using a biodegradable nerve guide composed of Collagen (COL) and Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA), associated with mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). After the exposure of the rat sciatic nerve, a nerve gap was created by excising 1 cm of the nerve. Three experimental groups were used for nerve gap bridging: autografts, nerve conduits filled with medium culture and nerve conduits filled with MSC. The methods of sensory and motor assessment consisted of the functional evaluation of sciatic nerve recovery - toe-spread, pinprick tests and gastrocnemius muscle index (GMI). The histological and immunocytochemical analysis of the probes that were harvested from the repair site was performed at 12 weeks. Successful nerve regeneration was noted in all three groups at the end of the 12th week. The functional and immunocytochemical results suggested that COL-PVA tubes supported with mesenchymal stem cells could be considered similar to autologous nerve grafts in peripheral nerve regeneration, without the drawbacks of the last ones. The functional results were better for the autografts and the ultrastructural data were better for the nerve conduits, but there were not noticed any statistical differences.

Forequarter amputation (upper limb and shoulder girdle) in a synovial sarcoma case--case report.

We are often confronted with severe cases - patients with very aggressive tumours that suppose a complex and in the same time radical approach--in our medical practice. The correct approach and management of such cases ensure both the surgical success and the patient survival. In this paper, we present the case of a young woman, who has been admitted in our clinic with a giant, irradiated tumour involving left axilla, shoulder and scapula. Due to the vast size of the tumour and to the fact that surgical biopsy revealed a poorly differentiated sarcoma; other clinics considered that the case above belongs to surgical therapy. After the clinical examination, blood tests and diagnostic imaging, which allowed the correct evaluation of the case--tumour sizes and neighbouring tissue reports--we decided to perform tumour radical excision, respectively forequarter amputation, when the patient presented a satisfactory metabolic status. The presented case supports the idea that radical excision which might involve even mutilating amputations for extensive cancers can give patients a chance, even in desperate cases.