The left sternalis muscle variation detected during mastectomy

The sternalis muscle variation is a well-known anatomical situation. It is present in 8.7% of women and 6.4% of men, although the incidence varies according to sex, race and ethnicity. During a left modified radical mastectomy operation on a 46-year-old female patient a sternalis muscle was detected on the pectoralis major muscle in the superficial fascia. It was in craniocaudal position and was parallel to the body of the sternum. The cylindrical muscle was approximately 8 cm in length and 2 cm in diameter. Such variations are considered to have their origin in embryological development. Awareness of muscular variations and their identification is important both for procedure through the proper dissection planes during breast surgery and in radiological examination and follow-up

Effect of Prewetted Pumice Aggregate Addition on Concrete Properties under Different Curing Conditions

This study researches the effects of different curing conditions on the properties of high strength concrete containing presoaked pumice aggregate (PA). Fine normal weight aggregate is substituted by an equal volume of 1h and 24h presoaked PA at 50% and 100% fractions and a total of five concrete mixtures were prepared. After kept in water, air and hot weather, the performance of concretes were evaluated by determining their physical and mechanical properties at 28 days. Hot weather was found to be the most detrimental condition where the highest strength drops were observed. Frost resistance of concretes was improved with the use of presoaked PA at 50% replacement ratio. The use of presoaked PA also decreased the shrinkage values of concrete specimens. The results showed that the use of presoaked PA in high strength concrete at 50% replacement ratio could contribute to concrete properties when exposed to inadequate curing conditions

Dialetheism in Action: A New Strategy for Solving the Equal Validity Paradox

This paper starts from the Equal Validity Paradox, a paradoxical argument connected to the so-called phenomenon of faultless disagreement. It is argued that there are at least six strategies for solving the paradox. After presenting the first five strategies and their main problems, the paper focuses on the sixth strategy which rejects the assumption that every proposition cannot be both true a false. Dialetheism is the natural candidate for developing strategy six. After presenting strategy six in detail, we formulate a normative problem for the dialetheist and offer a tentative solution to it. We then elaborate further considerations connecting strategy six to pluralism about truth and logic. Even if strategy six is a hard path to take, its scrutiny highlights some important points on truth, logic and the norms for acceptance and rejection

Therapeutic effects of pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate on acute lung injury in rabbits

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is an early characteristic of multiple organ dysfunction, responsible for high mortality and poor prognosis in patients. The present study aims to evaluate therapeutic effects and mechanisms of pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) on ALI.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Alveolar-arterial oxygen difference, lung tissue edema and compromise, NF-κB activation in polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN), and systemic levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFa) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in rabbits induced by the intravenous administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and treated with PDTC. Production of TNFa and IL-8, activation of Cathepsin G, and PMNs adhesion were also measured.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The intravenous administration of PDTC had partial therapeutic effects on endotoxemia-induced lung tissue edema and damage, neutrophil influx to the lung, alveolar-capillary barrier dysfunction, and high systemic levels of TNFa and ICAM-1 as well as over-activation of NF-κB. PDTC could directly and partially inhibit LPS-induced TNFa hyper-production and over-activities of Cathepsin G. Such inhibitory effects of PDTC were related to the various stimuli and enhanced through combination with PI3K inhibitor.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>NF-κB signal pathway could be one of targeting molecules and the combination with other signal pathway inhibitors may be an alternative of therapeutic strategies for ALI/ARDS.</p

Modes, mechanisms and evidence of bet hedging in rotifer diapause traits

In this contribution, we review our knowledge on bet-hedging strategies associated with rotifer diapause. First, we describe the ecological scenario under which bet hedging is likely to have evolved in three diapause-related traits in monogonont rotifer populations: (1) the timing of sex (because diapausing eggs are produced via sexual reproduction), (2) the sexual reproduction ratio (i.e. the fraction of sexually reproducing females) and (3) the timing of diapausing egg hatching. Then, we describe how to discriminate among bet-hedging modes and discuss which modes and mechanisms better fit the variability observed in these traits in rotifers. Finally, we evaluate the strength of the empirical evidence for bet hedging in the scarce studies available, and we call for the need of research at different levels of biological complexity to fully understand bet hedging in rotifer diapause

Fournier's Gangrene Severity Index on the outcomes

Fournier's gangrene (FG) is a rare, rapidly progressive, fulminant form of necrotizing fasciitis of the genital, perianal and perineal regions. Several factors have been reported to contribute to the clinical outcomes. The primary aims of this study were to examine the clinical features of patients with FG and evaluate the predictivity of the Fournier's Gangrene Severity Index (FGSI) score on the outcomes. We carried out a collective retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed and treated for FG in three reference centers between January 1995 and July 2007. Seventy-two patients with FG with were included to the study. Data were collected on medical history, symptoms, physical examination findings, admission and final laboratory tests, timing and extent of surgical debridement and antibiotic therapy. Perianal and perirectal abscess, scrotal abscess and urethral stenosis were the leading etiological factors. Diabetes mellitus was the predominant risk factor. Etiological factors and risk factors did not significantly contribute to survival or mortality, and duration of the symptoms was significantly longer in the non-survivor's group (P < 0.05). The FGSI scores were higher in the non-survivor's group. Regression analysis showed a FGSIS score of 10.5 as the cut-off to the outcome. Based on these results, we conclude that a patient's metabolic status and the extent of disease at presentation are the most important factors determining the prognosis of FG. The FGSI score may be considered as an objective and simple tool to predict the outcome in the patient with FG and should be used in further studies of FG patient series for comparison purposes

The left sternalis muscle variation detected during mastectomy.

The sternalis muscle variation is a well-known anatomical situation. It is present in 8.7% of women and 6.4% of men, although the incidence varies according to sex, race and ethnicity. During a left modified radical mastectomy operation on a 46-year-old female patient a sternalis muscle was detected on the pectoralis major muscle in the superficial fascia. It was in craniocaudal position and was parallel to the body of the sternum. The cylindrical muscle was approximately 8 cm in length and 2 cm in diameter. Such variations are considered to have their origin in embryological development. Awareness of muscular variations and their identification is important both for procedure through the proper dissection planes during breast surgery and in radiological examination and follow-up

of the axilla: a rare entity. Report of a case

A 52-year-old woman presented with a palpable nodule in the right axilla. Physical examination revealed a 2.5 x 2.5 cm, nontender, firm, brownish, and peripherally hyperemic mass with overlying skin retraction on the right anterior axillary fold. Bilateral mammogram was negative. Ultrasonography of the right axillary region showed a 1.8 x 1.1 cm, poorly defined hypoechoic mass with irregular margins and posterior acoustic shadowing. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the mass revealed malignant epithelial cells. The patient underwent a wide local excision of the right axillary lesion with en bloc axillary lymph node dissection. Histopathological examination revealed an infiltrating ductal carcinoma. Here we report this case of carcinoma originating from aberrant breast tissue in the axilla. It is suggested that subcutaneous lesions of uncertain origin around the periphery of the breast should be suspected for breast carcinoma and treated appropriately