Acne Scars

Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2009 Jul; 32(7): 842-850Pratola C, Baldo E, Toselli T, Notarstefano P, Paolo A, Ferrari RIntroduction: The aim of this study was to compare contact versus noncontact mapping for radiofrequency (RF) ablation of any sustained post-myocardial infarction (MI) ventricular tachycardia (VT). Methods: Forty patients with tolerated VT post-MI were randomized to RF ablation with contact (group 1) or noncontact (group 2) mapping systems. In both groups ablation of tolerated VT was guided by VT activation map confirmed by concealed entrainment. When untolerated VTs were induced, ablation was performed in group 1 according to pace mapping starting from the scar border zone and in group 2 according to the VT activation map confirmed by pace mapping. Results: No differences were seen between the groups in terms of acute success rate of clinical VT ablation (95% vs 100%, respectively; P = ns) and in the noninducibility of any VT at the end of the procedure (55% vs 85%, respectively; P = 0.08). Moreover, untolerated VTs were eliminated in 30% of group 1 versus 83.3% of group 2 patients (P < 0.05). The mean total procedural and fluoroscopy times were 236.4 +/- 42.7 and 29.0 +/- 7.8 minutes in group 1 and 144.5 +/- 50.8 and 23.4 +/- 5.8 minutes in group 2 (P < 0.001 and < 0.05, respectively). At a mean follow-up of 15.2 +/- 6.7 months no differences were seen in VT recurrences between groups, but noninducibility at the end of the procedure was predictive of freedom from recurrences (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Both systems are useful for ablation of tolerated VT. Noncontact mapping is more effective for ablation of untolerated VT and allows the reduction of procedural and fluoroscopy times. Noninducibility at the end of the procedure seems predictive of freedom from recurrences during follow-up.

Eur Heart J. 2009 Jul 8; Schuleri KH, Feigenbaum GS, Centola M, Weiss ES, Zimmet JM, Turney J, Kellner J, Zviman MM, Hatzistergos KE, Detrick B, Conte JV, McNiece I, Steenbergen C, Lardo AC, Hare JMAims The ability of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to heal the chronically injured heart remains controversial. Here we tested the hypothesis that autologous MSCs can be safely injected into a chronic myocardial infarct scar, reduce its size, and improve ventricular function. Methods and results Female adult Göttingen swine (n = 15) underwent left anterior descending coronary artery balloon occlusion to create reproducible ischaemia-reperfusion infarctions. Bone-marrow-derived MSCs were isolated and expanded from each animal. Twelve weeks post-myocardial infarction (MI), animals were randomized to receive surgical injection of either phosphate buffered saline (placebo, n = 6), 20 million (low dose, n = 3), or 200 million (high dose, n = 6) autologous MSCs in the infarct and border zone. Injections were administered to the beating heart via left anterior thoracotomy. Serial cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was performed to evaluate infarct size, myocardial blood flow (MBF), and left ventricular (LV) function. There was no difference in mortality, post-injection arrhythmias, cardiac enzyme release, or systemic inflammatory markers between groups. Whereas MI size remained constant in placebo and exhibited a trend towards reduction in low dose, high-dose MSC therapy reduced infarct size from 18.2 +/- 0.9 to 14.4 +/- 1.0% (P = 0.02) of LV mass. In addition, both low and high-dose treatments increased regional contractility and MBF in both infarct and border zones. Ectopic tissue formation was not observed with MSCs. Conclusion Together these data demonstrate that autologous MSCs can be safely delivered in an adult heart failure model, producing substantial structural and functional reverse remodelling. These findings demonstrate the safety and efficacy of autologous MSC therapy and support clinical trials of MSC therapy in patients with chronic ischaemic cardiomyopathy.

Zhonghua Jie He He Hu Xi Za Zhi. 2009 Apr; 32(4): 262-5Tang SJ, Xiao HP, Chen G, Liu YD, Fan L, Zhang Q, Sun H, Gu J, Yao LOBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical, pathological and radiological characteristics of pleural tuberculoma, so as to improve the understanding of this disease. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical, laboratory, pathological and radiological data of 83 cases of pleural tuberculoma diagnosed by pathology and(or) bacteriology in Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University. RESULTS: In the recruited 83 cases, there were 50 males and 33 females, aged from 7 to 85 years old, with a mean age of 37.8 years. Cough, fever and chest pain were common symptoms, but no significant symptoms were seen in 25 patients (31.3%). Some patients had positive physical signs, such as dullness to percussion and low breath sound. Pulmonary tuberculosis was also present in 36 patients (43.3%) with pleural tuberculoma. A history of tuberculous pleurisy was elicited in 80 patients, among whom 45 (56.3%) received delayed antituberculous treatment and 42 (52.5%) received nonstandard treatment. Forty-eight cases (60.0%) did not receive corticosteroids. Fifty-nine cases underwent CT-guided percutaneous biopsy, while 24 underwent thoracoscopic surgery, and tuberculosis was pathologically confirmed in 62 (74.7%). Pathological profiles included granuloma, coagulation or caseation necrosis, lymphocyte infiltration, epithelioid cells, inflammatory cells, histiocytes and scar tissue. Fifteen (18.1%) specimens from percutaneous biopsy were anti-fast smear positive, while Mycobacterium tuberculosis was obtained by culture in 21 (25.3%) cases. Chest X-ray showed that solitary lesions were seen in 68 cases, multiple foci in 15. The lesions of 46 cases (55.4%) occupied the lower right lobes. Round-like shadows were the most common signs, which were present in 63 cases (75.9%). CT examination demonstrated homogeneous density in 20, heterogeneous density in 40, calcification in 9, central attenuation in 34, and peripheral intensification in 28 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Pleural tuberculoma is an important sequelae of tuberculous pleurisy. Understanding its clinical, pathological and radiological characteristics is helpful for the differential diagnosis of pleural and lung diseases.

J Coll Physicians Surg Pak. 2009 Jul; 19(7): 436-9Memon AA, Iqbal MS, Cheema A, Niazi JHObjective: To assess the visual outcome and complications after removal of posterior segment retained intraocular foreign bodies through pars plana approach. Study Design: Case series. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Ophthalmology, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, from May 2005 to May 2006. Methodology: Fifty patients with history of ocular foreign body were admitted through outpatient department and emergency. History, visual acuity, ocular and general examination was done. The foreign body was localized with the radiograph of the skull and ultrasonography. Primary repair was done in patients with open wounds. Pars plana vitrectomy, magnetic or forceps extraction of foreign body was done as required visual outcomes and complications were noted. Results: Among the 50 patients, there were 45 (90%) males and 5 (10%) females. Average age of the patients was 31.52 +9.52 (ranging from 20 to 50) years. The pre-operatively visual acuity finger counting to perception of light was 78% cases. The best corrected final visual acuity was 6/6 in 1 (2%) patient, 6/9 in 5 (10%) patients, 6/12 in 5 (10%) patients, 6/18 in 3 (6%) patients, 6/24 and 6/36 in 4 (8%) patients each, 6/60 in 4 (8%) patients, finger counting in 8 (16%) patients, hand movement in 4 (8%) patients, projection of light in 9 (18%) patients and no projection of light in 3 (6%) patients. The postoperative complications were corneal opacity in 8 (16%) patients, anterior chamber inflammatory reaction in 6 (12%) patients, increased intraocular pressure in 1 (2%) patient, silicone oil in anterior chamber in 1 (2%) patient, macular scar in 7 (14%) patients, cystoid macular edema in 1 (2%) patient, endophthalmitis in 4 (8%) patients, retinal detachment in 11 (22%) patients and phthisis bulbi in 3 (6%) patients. Conclusion: Acceptable visual results were achieved after the removal of posterior segment intraocular foreign bodies by vitrectomy. However, multiple complications can be encountered which require meticulate postoperative care.