Stimulated emission depletion (STED) and reversible saturable optical fluorescence transition (RESOLFT) microscopy are the super-resolution imaging techniques that can acquire nanoscale spatial ...resolution. The spatial resolution of the other far-field optical microscopic techniques is bound by diffraction limit, however, STED/RESOLFT techniques eliminate the diffraction barrier. These microscopic techniques have taken the limits of optical image resolution down to the nanometer scale and opened new paths for biomedical and nanophosphor research. In this paper, we review the recent advancements of these techniques in the field of nanoscopy using continuous wave (CW) laser sources. Further, we discuss the main limitation of the STED microscopy in terms of essential requirements of higher depletion beam power and photobleaching issues. The RESOLFT microscopic technique can be considered as an alternate technique to overcome limitations of existing STED microscopy. Moreover, the Bessel and Gaussian-Bessel beam STED microscopic techniques are also reviewed to produce deep images with faster scanning of the samples. The organic molecules as well as the fluorescent doped nanoparticles like ZnSe:Mn having characteristics of excited state absorption can be investigated using RESOLFT microscopy.
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•Stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy for enhanced resolution is reviewed.•Reversible saturable optical fluorescence transition (RESOLFT) is discussed.•STED/RESOLFT can produce images of the living cells, tissues and organic molecules.•STED can be converted to RESOLFT by understanding carrier dynamics in semiconductors.•Bessel beam (BB) STED can perform fast and deep imaging of samples.
Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune connective tissue disease characterized by fibrosis in skin and internal organs. Chronic exposure to silica may not only lead to silicosis of lungs but also ...systemic sclerosis. Systemic sclerosis is relatively commoner in females; however, occupational exposure to silica in males makes them vulnerable to silica--associated systemic sclerosis (Erasmus syndrome).
To describe the clinico-epidemiological aspects of systemic sclerosis in males in a retrospective cohort study.
The data were analysed retrospectively for demographic profile and clinical characteristics including examination findings, laboratory investigations, and treatments of all male patients diagnosed with systemic sclerosis with or without silica exposure, managed from January 2018 to December 2021.
Eight out of twelve patients were having silica exposure in the form of stone cutting, cement exposure, and working with concrete. The average age was 55 ± 10.72 years with average smoking exposure of around 24.4 ± 12.8 pack years. Skin thickening was reported by all patients with an average modified Rodnan score of 18.33/51 in diffuse and 7/51 in limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis. Raynaud's phenomenon and sclerodactyly were universal findings, while 9 (75%) patients had digital pitted scars. Antinuclear antibodies were present in all patients and specific antibodies substantiated the clinical assessment in almost all patients. Interstitial lung disease was the most common systemic finding present in 11 (91%) patients and tuberculosis was diagnosed in 2 (25%) cases with silica exposure. Gastrointestinal and cardiac system involvement was seen in 5 (41.6%) and 4 (33.3%) patients, respectively.
Systemic sclerosis in males against the gender predilection indicates the role of occupational exposure. Silicosis and systemic sclerosis synergistically add to lung damage, and at the same time, these patients are more prone to infections like tuberculosis.
Background: Lymphangitis is an inflammation of lymphatic channels caused by infectious or non-infectious agents, presenting with characteristic linear erythematous streaks draining toward regional ...lymph nodes. Objective: To describe the clinical characteristics and etiological factors involved in acute superficial lymphangitis in a retrospective descriptive study. Materials and Methods: Records of patients were analyzed retrospectively who presented with linear erythematous streaks, diagnosed as superficial lymphangitis, in the outpatient department of dermatology during the last 5 years (January 2018-December 2022) in a tertiary care hospital. Patients were evaluated for their demographic profile, detailed history, complete physical examination, and standard blood tests (if necessary). Results: A total of 11 patients were found, out of which 7 (63%) were males and 4 (37%) were females. The mean/median age of these patients was 30 years (range 9-52 years). The minimum duration of development of lymphangitis was within minutes in the case of a mosquito bite reaction and around 72 hours in the case of trauma or infection induced, with a median interval of 48 hours. The site most commonly involved was the upper extremity in 8 (72%) patients, followed by the trunk in 2 (18%) and the lower extremity in 1 (9%). Arthropod bite reactions (63%) were the most common etiological agent. All patients presented with linear erythematous streaks extending towards draining lymph nodes. Conclusion: Lymphangitis is often considered to be a bacterial infection and is mostly treated with antibiotics; however, non-bacterial and non-infectious causes should be kept in mind while treating superficial lymphangitis to make judicious use of systemic antibiotics.
Background: Steroids being the strongest anti-inflammatory agents are used in innumerable disorders in various formulations with excellent results and seemingly known side effects as well. ...Triamcinolone acetonide used as intralesional injections is seen to be associated with localized atrophy in some patients. Aim: To describe the cases of steroid-induced localized atrophy/lipoatrophy after intralesional triamcinolone over various parts of the body in a retrospective study. Materials and Methods: All patients, with localized atrophy/lipoatrophy with a history of intralesional triamcinolone, were evaluated clinically and histopathologically over the last 3 years. Patients with localized atrophy/lipoatrophy without a history of intralesional steroids were excluded from the study. Patients were evaluated for number, duration, sites, size, shape, and morphology of lesions and response to treatment. Results: There were 24 patients (13 females and 11 males) who had intralesional steroid-induced atrophy/lipoatrophy.All but one patient (4-year-old male child) were adults. Buttock (50%) was the most common site involved followed by wrist (25%), scalp (16.6%), malleolus, and neck (4.1%) each. The most common presentation was asymptomatic depigmented atrophic single oval or ameboid plaque with radial extensions. Histopathology was done in 10 patients showing diminished subcutaneous fat lobules with minimal inflammatory cells. Sixteen patients (66.6%) improved with medications (tacrolimus, platelet-rich plasma, and saline injections), and seven were lost to follow-up. Conclusion: Corticosteroids act as a double-edged sword so should be used cautiously. Depigmentation/atrophy is a peculiar side effect of intralesional triamcinolone. Depigmented lesions with minimal clinical atrophy respond well to topical tacrolimus, while normal saline injections appear to have promising results in steroid-induced lipoatrophy.
Toxic optic neuropathy Sharma, Pradeep; Sharma, Reena
Indian journal of ophthalmology,
03/2011, Letnik:
59, Številka:
2
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Toxic optic neuropathy (TON) is a disease entity which is not only underdiagnosed, but also often diagnosed at a stage when recovery of vision is not possible. This article gives an overview of ...common causes, clinical features, and management of TON.
Background
Spontaneous atrophic scarring is characterised by an idiopathic, non‐inflammatory macular atrophy that typically occurs on the face and presents as shallow atrophic scars having sharp ...margins and may be linear, rectangular or varioliform.
Aim
To describe the cases of spontaneous atrophic scarring over perioral region of face having specific feline band pattern in a retrospective study.
Materials and Methods
All patients with facial atrophoderma (perioral region) were evaluated clinically and histopathologically in tertiary care centres over 3 years. Patients with facial atrophoderma but no perioral involvement and secondary atrophoderma were excluded from the study. Patients were evaluated for number, sites, size and shape of lesions and were confirmed histopathologically.
Results
There were 14 patients (10 females) with facial atrophoderma particularly over the perioral region. Three patients had perioral involvement with a few lesions on the cheeks and forehead. All patients developed atrophoderma spontaneously without preceding inflammation. Most of the patients were asymptomatic except for mild pain or burning at the time of development of atrophic lesions; however, none of the patients were symptomatic at the time of presentation. Histopathology in 5 patients showed epidermal and upper dermal atrophy with no/minimal signs of inflammation.
Conclusion
Idiopathic atrophodermas over the face can be due to spontaneous atrophia maculosa varioliformis cutis or atrophoderma of Moulin.
Background: Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a complication of herpes zoster characterized by persistent dermatomal pain. It has a negative impact on the quality of life. There is no gold standard ...therapy for PHN, and various local and systemic treatments have been tried. There are studies reporting the use of combination of steroids and local anesthetics but there is no standardized method. Aim: To evaluate the response of modified Jaipur block with increased concentration of dexamethasone. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study in patients who were given Jaipur block. The patients age, sex, duration of PHN, type and severity of pain were observed. A combination of 2% lignocaine and 0.5% bupivacaine and dexamethasone was injected subcutaneously. The pain was scored using visual analogue scale at the baseline, and 1 month after 1st, 2nd, and 3rd session of block and follow up after 6 months and 1 year. Results: The mean age of our patient was 63.33 ± 9.5 years. The males outnumbered females. Thoracic dermatomes were more commonly involved. The mean duration of PHN was 11.58 ± 12.76 months; stimulus evoked PHN was the commonest type of pain seen. The mean visual analogue score (VAS) decreased progressively after each session of the block. Maximum patients (50%) had excellent response, whereas 1.9% did not respond to the block. Relapse of pain was seen in 5.6% of the patients. There was no significant side effect noted. Limitations: There was no objective method used to assess pain. Conclusion: PHN is chronic neuropathic pain. Response to modified Jaipur block is good, but if the duration of PHN is more, the recurrence rate is higher. Modified Jaipur block is an effective and safe treatment for PHN
Conventional tillage practices have been regarded as the major reason for the loss of fertile topsoil in the sloping agricultural lands of the middle hills of Nepal. Reports on the effects of no-till ...and mulch on soil and corn yield in these regions are scarce, although these farming practices have been recommended to reduce soil erosion and increase crop yields. To assess the impacts of tillage (with +T, without −T) and mulch (with +M, without −M) on soil and soil nutrient losses, and corn yield, we conducted an experiment with five treatments: −T+M, −T−M, +T+M, +T−M, and bare fallow (BF), replicated four times each in an unbalanced complete random block design in Salyan district of Nepal. The results showed the presence of corn and no-till significantly lowered the soil losses. Losses of soil organic matter (SOM) and total nitrogen were also significantly reduced by the presence of corn, no-till, and mulch. However, no effects of mulch on soil losses, and no effects of tillage, mulch and corn on soil phosphorus losses were observed. Soil loss was found to be significantly and positively correlated with total seasonal rainfall, monsoon being the most severe season for soil erosion. While no-till and mulch did not affect corn height, cob height, and stover yield, no-till significantly increased the corn yield by 0.52 Mg ha−1 compared to conventional till. We confirm the synergistic interaction of mulch with tillage to reduce the losses of SOM and total nitrogen, and effectiveness of no-till to reduce the soil losses and increase the corn yield in the middle hills of Nepal. As this study is based on the results of two year’s data, long-term studies are required to identify the long-term impacts of no-till and mulch on soil losses and corn yield across the country.
There was no history of cough, hemoptysis, dysphagia, photosensitivity and joint pain. ...there was no history suggestive of exposure to any other environmental pollutants that can cause scleroderma. ...On the basis of occupational history, clinical examination, serology, radiological investigations, gene expert from bronchoalveolar lavage and skin biopsy, the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in Erasmus syndrome (systemic sclerosis in association with silicosis) was made and patient was started on antitubercular therapy along with calcium channel blocker and advised to strictly stop smoking and avoid further exposure to silica and cold. Silicosis or even exposure to silica without established disease is associated with increased risk of developing various pulmonary and systemic comorbidities including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, tuberculosis, nontuberculous mycobacteria-related diseases, lung cancer, glomerulonephritis, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma and other autoimmune diseases.
Clinical Features of Lysosomal Acid Lipase Deficiency Burton, Barbara K.; Deegan, Patrick B.; Enns, Gregory M. ...
Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition,
2015-December, Letnik:
61, Številka:
6
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Objective:
The aim of this study was to characterize key clinical manifestations of lysosomal acid lipase deficiency (LAL D) in children and adults.
Methods:
Investigators reviewed medical records of ...LAL D patients ages ≥5 years, extracted historical data, and obtained prospective laboratory and imaging data on living patients to develop a longitudinal dataset.
Results:
A total of 49 patients were enrolled; 48 had confirmed LAL D. Mean age at first disease‐related abnormality was 9.0 years (range 0–42); mean age at diagnosis was 15.2 years (range 1–46). Twenty‐nine (60%) were male patients, and 27 (56%) were <20 years of age at the time of consent/assent. Serum transaminases were elevated in most patients with 458 of 499 (92%) of alanine aminotransferase values and 265 of 448 (59%) of aspartate aminotransferase values above the upper limit of normal. Most patients had elevated low‐density lipoprotein (64% patients) and total cholesterol (63%) at baseline despite most being on lipid‐lowering therapies, and 44% had high‐density lipoprotein levels below the lower limit of normal. More than half of the patients with liver biopsies (n = 31, mean age 13 years) had documented evidence of steatosis (87%) and/or fibrosis (52%). Imaging assessments revealed that the median liver volume was ~1.15 multiples of normal (MN) and median spleen volume was ~2.2 MN. Six (13%) patients had undergone a liver transplant (ages 9–43.5 years).
Conclusion:
This study provides the largest longitudinal case review of patients with LAL D and confirms that LAL D is predominantly a pediatric disease causing early and progressive hepatic dysfunction associated with dyslipidemia that often leads to liver failure and transplantation.
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