All patients survived the two-stage liver transplantation procedure without major complications. Our cases demonstrated that temporary portocaval shunt while awaiting urgent liver transplantation could be an e. ective “”bridge” in selected patients who develop toxic liver syndrome; however, a short time between portocaval shunt and transplantation and careful intensive care managements are mandatory.”
“Study Design. Glucocorticoid Selleck SBE-β-CD with low calcium and phosphorus intake induces osteopenia in cancellous

bone of sheep.

Objective. To validate a large animal model for spine fusion and biomaterial research.

Summary of Background Data. A variety of ovariectomized animals has been used to study osteoporosis. Most experimental spine

fusions were based on normal animals, and there is a great need for suitable large animal models with adequate bone size that closely resemble osteoporosis in humans.

Methods. Eighteen female skeletal mature sheep were randomly allocated into 3 groups, 6 each. Group 1 (GC-1) received prednisolone (GC) treatment (0.60 mg/kg/day, 5 times weekly) for 7 months. Group 2 (GC-2) received the same treatment as GC-1 for 7 months followed by 3 months without treatment. Group 3 was left untreated and served as the controls. All sheep received restricted diet with low calcium and phosphorus during experiment. After killing the animals, find more cancellous bone specimens from the vertebra, femurs, and tibias were micro-CT scanned and tested mechanically. Serum

biomarkers were determined.

Results. In lumbar vertebra, the GC treatment resulted in significant decrease of cancellous bone volume fraction and trabecular thickness, and bone strength. However, the microarchitecture and bone strength of GC-2 recovered to a similar level of the controls. A similar trend of microarchitectural changes was also observed in the distal femur and proximal tibia of both GC treated sheep. The bone formation marker serum-osteocalcin was largely reduced in GC-1 compared to the controls, but recovered with a rebound increase at month 10 in GC-2.

Conclusion. The current investigation demonstrates that the changes in microarchitecture LDK378 and mechanical properties were comparable with those observed in humans after long-term GC treatment. A prolonged GC treatment is needed for a long-term observation to keep osteopenic bone. This model resembles long- term glucocorticoid treated osteoporotic model, and is useful in preclinical studies.”
“Background Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is the ideal treatment for skin cancer removal. The advantages of MMS in the eyelid area include its high cure rate, tissue-sparing effects, and overall cost effectiveness. Objective To review eyelid anatomy, detail ocular tumors that are amenable to MMS, and examine the surgical repair options commonly used in this area.