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Ann Ital Chir 2021 Apr 12;10. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

Aim: Enterocutaneous fistula is a rare but severe complication of prosthetic incisional hernia repair. Management requires re-exploration with intestinal repair/resection and mesh removal. Repair of the parietal defect in this contaminated field is challenging. Read More

Front Neurol 2021 25;12:652590. Epub 2021 Mar 25.

Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Eye and Vision, St. Erik Eye Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden.

Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is a mitochondrial disease causing severe bilateral visual loss, typically in young adults. The disorder is commonly caused by one of three primary point mutations in mitochondrial DNA, but a number of other rare mutations causing or associated with the clinical syndrome of LHON have been reported. The mutations in LHON are almost exclusively located in genes encoding subunits of complex I in the mitochondrial respiratory chain. Read More

J Craniofac Surg 2021 Apr 5. Epub 2021 Apr 5.

Department of Auricular Reconstruction, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.

Abstract: Congenital microtia is a severe physiological defect and is among the most common craniofacial defects. It is characterized by severe auricle dysplasia, external auditory canal atresia or stenosis, and middle ear malformation, though inner ear development is mostly normal with some hearing occurring through bone conduction. Auricular reconstruction is the only treatment for congenital microtia. Read More

Clin Res Cardiol 2021 Apr 11. Epub 2021 Apr 11.

Klinik für Innere Medizin III - Kardiologie, Angiologie und Internistische Intensivmedizin, Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes, Kirrberger Str, IMED, 66421, Homburg, Germany.

The echocardiographic assessment of mitral valve regurgitation (MR) by characterizing specific morphological features and grading its severity is still challenging. Analysis of MR etiology is necessary to clarify the underlying pathological mechanism of the valvular defect. Severity of mitral regurgitation is often quantified based on semi-quantitative parameters. Read More

Int J Surg Case Rep 2021 Apr 1;82:105856. Epub 2021 Apr 1.

Reconstructive Microsurgery Section, Division of Plastic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia, Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia.

Introduction And Importance: Ocular injury is second mostly caused by motor vehicle accident (MVA) and often leads to severe ocular injury even to visual loss and various aesthetic problems. The outcome is determined by the magnitude of the initial damage and treatment availability. Treating ocular and facial injury due to MVA is challenging given the scope of the damage and may result in various outcomes. Read More

J Biol Chem 2021 Jan 8;296:100268. Epub 2021 Jan 8.

Department of Pulmonary Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA. Electronic address:

Degranulation, a fundamental effector response from mast cells (MCs) and platelets, is an example of regulated exocytosis. This process is mediated by SNARE proteins and their regulators. We have previously shown that several of these proteins are essential for exocytosis in MCs and platelets. Read More

Zhonghua Er Bi Yan Hou Tou Jing Wai Ke Za Zhi 2021 Apr;56(4):374-380

Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830054, China.

To evaluate the application of three-staged paramendian forehead flap technique in reconstruction of severe full-thickness nasal defect. Clinical data of 7 cases with nasal reconstruction by three-staged forehead flap technique in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University and HongKong University Shenzhen Hospital between June 2016 and October 2019 was retrospectively reviewed. All were males aged from 10 to 71 years. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2021 Apr;100(14):e25375

Department of Cardiology, Kunming Children's Hospital, Kunming, Yunnan.

Rationale: Alveolar capillary dysplasia with misalignment of the pulmonary veins (ACD/MPV) is a rare congenital malformation in neonates that results in severe respiratory distress and pulmonary hypertension. ACD/MPV is caused by mutations in the FOXF1 gene. Herein, a new case of a girl with ACD/MPV carrying a novel pathogenic variant of FOXF1 was reported. Read More

Cryobiology 2021 Apr 5. Epub 2021 Apr 5.

Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, Hunan, China; Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, Basic Medicine College, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China. Electronic address:

Techniques for the cryopreservation of epididymal sperm was are widely used in clinical practice. However, given the unique characteristics of sperm from patients with obstructive azoospermia, epididymal sperm cryopreservation is more difficult because of low count and weak motility; therefore, conventional methods of sperm cryopreservation may not result in the best outcomes. We used the micro-straw method to store small quantities of sperm obtained from patients with severe oligozoospermia or azoospermia and achieved successful deliveries in the previous study. Read More

BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2021 Apr 7;22(1):338. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Department of Orthopedic Trauma, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, No.31 Xinjiekou East Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100035, China.

Background: Chronic intercondylar fractures of the distal humerus with massive bone defects and severe comminution in the metaphysis are rare and complex injuries that are challenging for surgeons to treat, as reconstructing the triangular structure of the distal humerus is difficult and may have a severe impact on functional outcomes, especially in young patients, for whom total elbow arthroplasty is usually not a suitable option due to significant impairment in upper limb strength. Here, we report a patient in such scenario who was young and active and was treated by structural iliac bone autografting and internal fixation.

Case Presentation: A 26-year-old male patient experienced a major car accident and was diagnosed with an open fracture (Gustilo-Anderson type IIIB) of the right distal humerus with massive bone defects and severe intra-articular involvement, without neurovascular injuries or other associated injuries. Read More

Ocul Immunol Inflamm 2021 Apr 7:1-3. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

The Institute of Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

: To report a unique case of Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) with severe ocular complications induced by pembrolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor.: A 64-year-old man with urothelial cancer presented with bilateral corneal epithelial defect and conjunctival pseudo-membrane formation with erythematous patches on the four extremities, abdomen, and back. He had urothelial cancer with multifocal lesions in the renal pelvis and left ureter, and para-aortic metastatic lymph nodes. Read More

J Vet Intern Med 2021 Apr 7. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Oncura Partners Diagnostics, Fort Worth, Texas, USA.

Background: Ultrasonographically detected gallbladder wall edema (GBWE) is a marker for anaphylaxis in dogs. Cardiac disease can cause GBWE with similar signs and should be included as a differential diagnosis to prevent interpretation errors.

Hypothesis/objectives: Document GBWE associated with cardiac disease. Read More

J Interv Cardiol 2021 18;2021:6634667. Epub 2021 Mar 18.

Graduate School, The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.

Background: With the rapid development of transcatheter techniques and instruments, transcatheter occlusion for patients with perimembranous ventricular septal defect (pVSD) and aortic valve prolapse (AVP) was constantly being tried, while the efficacy and safety of pVSD with AVP remain controversial.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate long-term efficacy and safety of transcatheter occlusion of pVSD with AVP.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 164 children with pVSD and AVP who underwent transcatheter occlusion between January 2013 and November 2014. Read More

Acta Biomater 2021 Apr 3. Epub 2021 Apr 3.

Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA. Electronic address:

Successful bone healing in severe trauma depends on early revascularization to restore oxygen, nutrient, growth factor, and progenitor cell supply to the injury. Therapeutic angiogenesis strategies have therefore been investigated to promote revascularization following severe bone injuries; however, results have been inconsistent. This is the first study investigating the effects of dual angiogenic growth factors (VEGF and PDGF) with low-dose bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2; 2. Read More

J Wildl Dis 2021 Apr;57(2):413-417

Department of Pathology and Wildlife Diseases, National Veterinary Institute, 751 89, Uppsala Sweden.

Severe cardiomegaly with an atrial septal defect was discovered during necropsy of a subadult White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) found dead in the wild. A thin membrane composed of fibromuscular tissue separated the left atrium into two chambers, most consistent with that described for cor triatriatum sinister (CTS) in other species. Seventeen months later, necropsy of an adult White-tailed Eagle again revealed CTS. Read More

Arch Ital Biol 2020 Dec;158(3-4):82-104

Human Anatomy, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa (Italy) - Email:

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common retinal disorder, which became more and more prevalent in the last decades. AMD is now the most prevalent cause of blindness in the western world. The disorder is classified into two phenotypes named dry and wet AMD. Read More

Mol Oral Microbiol 2021 Apr 5. Epub 2021 Apr 5.

Department of Oral Biology, College of Dentistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.

Trace metals are essential to all domains of life but toxic when found at high concentrations. While the importance of iron in host-pathogen interactions is firmly established, contemporary studies indicate that other trace metals, including manganese and zinc, are also critical to the infectious process. In this study, we sought to identify and characterize the zinc uptake system(s) of S. Read More

Curr Opin Physiol 2021 Mar 26. Epub 2021 Mar 26.

Department of Respiratory Medicine, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK.

In people recovering from COVID-19, there is concern regarding potential long-term pulmonary sequelae and associated impairment of functional capacity. Data published thus far indicate that spirometric indices appear to be generally well preserved, but that a defect in diffusing capacity (DLco) is a prevalent abnormality identified on follow-up lung function; present in 20-30% of those with mild to moderate disease and 60% in those with severe disease. Reductions in total lung capacity were commonly reported. Read More

Cureus 2021 Mar 30;13(3):e14191. Epub 2021 Mar 30.

Orthopaedic Department, General Hospital of Ioannina "G. Chatzikosta", Ioannina, GRC.

Crush injuries of the foot and ankle are uncommon and they have a poor prognosis leading to some form of disability. Degloving injuries of the heel and foot after crush injuries are rare and very challenging to manage due to the need for reconstruction of both osseous and soft tissue architecture. We present a salvage strategy for an open injury to the foot with extensive soft tissue detachment from the plantar and dorsal surface. Read More

World J Stem Cells 2021 Mar;13(3):193-207

Department of Endocrinology, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361100, Fujian Province, China.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic autoimmune disease caused by the specific destruction of pancreatic islet β cells and is characterized as the absolute insufficiency of insulin secretion. Current insulin replacement therapy supplies insulin in a non-physiological way and is associated with devastating complications. Experimental islet transplantation therapy has been proven to restore glucose homeostasis in people with severe T1DM. Read More

Radiol Case Rep 2021 May 19;16(5):1198-1203. Epub 2021 Mar 19.

Department of Radiology, State University of New York (SUNY) Upstate Medical University, 750 East Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA.

Despite the overall decrease in incidence and mortality rates for older adults, colorectal cancer in young adults is increasing. We present a case of a 15-year-old male who presented with 1.5 weeks of intermittent, sharp, severe right-sided abdominal pain. Read More

J Chem Phys 2021 Mar;154(12):124121

School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.

We investigate how the Hubbard U correction influences vacancy defect migration barriers in transition metal oxide semiconductors. We show that, depending on the occupation of the transition metal d orbitals, the Hubbard U correction can cause severe instabilities in the migration barrier energies predicted using generalized gradient approximation density functional theory (GGA DFT). For the d oxide SrTiO, applying a Hubbard correction to the Ti 3d orbitals below 4-5 eV yields a migration barrier of ∼0. Read More

Life (Basel) 2021 Mar 5;11(3). Epub 2021 Mar 5.

Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Faculty, University Dusseldorf, 40225 Dusseldorf, Germany.

Background: Traumatic cartilage injuries predispose articulating joints to focal cartilage defects and, eventually, posttraumatic osteoarthritis. Current clinical-standard imaging modalities such as morphologic MRI fail to reliably detect cartilage trauma and to monitor associated posttraumatic degenerative changes with oftentimes severe prognostic implications. Quantitative MRI techniques such as T2 mapping are promising in detecting and monitoring such changes yet lack sufficient validation in controlled basic research contexts. Read More

Diagnostics (Basel) 2021 Mar 5;11(3). Epub 2021 Mar 5.

CMI Reumatologie Dr. Damian, 6-8 Petru Maior St, 400002 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

Thoracic aortic aneurysms may result in dissection with fatal consequences if undetected. A young male patient with no relevant familial history, after having been investigated for hypertension, was diagnosed with an ascending aortic aneurysm involving the aortic root and the proximal tubular segment, associated with a septal atrial defect. The patient underwent a Bentall surgery protocol without complications. Read More

Metabolites 2021 Mar 25;11(4). Epub 2021 Mar 25.

Institute for Biomedicine, Eurac Research, Affiliated Institute of the University of Lübeck, Via Galvani 31, 39100 Bolzano, Italy.

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a genetic-based cardiac disease accompanied by severe ventricular arrhythmias and a progressive substitution of the myocardium with fibro-fatty tissue. ACM is often associated with sudden cardiac death. Due to the reduced penetrance and variable expressivity, the presence of a genetic defect is not conclusive, thus complicating the diagnosis of ACM. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2021 Mar 15;22(6). Epub 2021 Mar 15.

Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, The Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM), Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W2, Canada.

Lysosomal acid phosphatase 2 () mutant mice (naked-ataxia, ) have a severe cerebellar cortex defect with a striking reduction in the number of granule cells. Using a combination of in vivo and in vitro immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, BrdU assays, and RT-qPCR, we show downregulation of MYCN and dysregulation of the SHH signaling pathway in the cerebellum. MYCN protein expression is significantly reduced at P10, but not at the peak of proliferation at around P6 when the number of granule cells is strikingly reduced in the cerebellum. Read More

J Card Surg 2021 Apr 2. Epub 2021 Apr 2.

Department of Global Health, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Background: Pulmonary artery banding (PAB) remains a crucial technique in modern cardiac surgery. Left lateral thoracotomy, median sternotomy, and left anterior thoracotomy are well-known approaches. With significant scarce reports addressing the application of the upper mini sternotomy approach for PAB, this study aims to share experience and report outcomes of patients operated upon using this approach and its impact on facilitating the redo surgery. Read More

J Am Coll Cardiol 2021 04;77(13):1644-1655

Ahmanson/UCLA Adult Congenital Heart Center, Los Angeles, California, USA. Electronic address:

Background: Adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) have been considered potentially high risk for novel coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) mortality or other complications.

Objectives: This study sought to define the impact of COVID-19 in adults with CHD and to identify risk factors associated with adverse outcomes.

Methods: Adults (age 18 years or older) with CHD and with confirmed or clinically suspected COVID-19 were included from CHD centers worldwide. Read More

Lin Chung Er Bi Yan Hou Tou Jing Wai Ke Za Zhi 2021 Mar;35(3):274-281

Congenital deafness is known as the most common birth defect, and most sufferers from it manifest sensorineural hearing loss （SNHL）, with hereditary factors responsible for approximately 60% of the cases of deafness. At present, cochlear implantation （CI） is regarded as the most mature and effective solution to treating severe and extremely severe SNHL. However, the outcome of implantation varies due to different genetic factors. Read More

PLoS One 2021 1;16(4):e0248505. Epub 2021 Apr 1.

Department of Epidemiology, Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.

Background: In recent years, autologous fat grafting (AFG), also known as fat transfer or lipofilling, has been widely performed for periorbital rejuvenation and defect correction, although the evidence regarding its efficacy and safety is still lacking. Besides, with respect to the periorbital region, it is invariably the earliest appearance area of the facial aging phenomenon. Therefore, a systematic review and meta-analysis is needed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this technique. Read More