Combined Upper Blepharoplasty With Upper Eyelid Filler Injection

To describe our experience with treating upper eyelid aging with combined upper blepharoplasty and upper eyelid hyaluronic acid gel filler injection. Retrospective analysis of patients with upper eyelid aging (including skin laxity/excess and fat deflation) undergoing combined upper blepharoplasty and upper eyelid hyaluronic acid gel filler injection by one surgeon. Minimum follow-up time was 3 months. Preoperative and postoperative photographs at longest follow-up visit were evaluated by blind observers. Patient satisfaction was recorded using questionnaire and phone call. A total of 40 patients (34 females, 6 males) underwent combined upper blepharoplasty with upper eyelid hyaluronic acid gel filler injection. Mean age was 43 years old (range: 26-75). All patients reported satisfaction with the surgical outcome, with no complications. 6 patients received additional touch-up filler injection postoperatively. One patient underwent additional skin removal. Upper blepharoplasty and upper eyelid hyaluronic acid gel filler injection can be safely and effectively combined together to treat upper eyelid aging for more youthful results.

Micronutrient Foliar Fertilization for the Biofortification of Raw and Minimally Processed Early Potatoes

Agronomic fortification with microelement as well as macronutrients has been used in recent years with increasing frequency to improve the nutritional quality of plant products for human consumption. Here the influence of pre-harvest foliar micronutrients fertilization (Micro+) including B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo and Zn compared to control (Micro−) on mineral profiles of raw and minimally processed potatoes of cv. Bellini was investigated. The mineral profile was analyzed on raw tubers at harvest and on minimally processed potatoes after 0 and 12 days of storage at 4 ± 1 °C. Preliminary results showed that micronutrients fertilization improved mineral composition of raw potatoes, through an increase in tuber concentrations of Fe (+70%) and Zn (+27%), but also of N (+23%), and Mn (+18%). The increased concentrations of minerals in micro-fertilized raw potatoes led to a better concentration in micro-fertilized minimally processed potatoes, even if some minerals were lost in processing, presumably due to skin removal. The reduction was particularly evident in both Micro– and Micro+ samples for Fe (−29%) and Ca (−17%). However foliar micronutrient fertilization markedly improved the Fe and Zn contribution that a 200 g serving of potatoes can give to current recommended nutrient intakes (RNIs) both in raw and minimally processed potatoes. Storage for 12 days did not alter the mineral profile of the tubers. Observations of the mineral profiles of the studied samples suggest that the application of foliar microelement-containing solutions was able to fortify both raw and minimally processed potatoes.

Outcomes of male circumcision performed by medical doctors and non–doctor health workers in central Uganda

Objective: Task shifting for male circumcision is still a challenge. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of circumcision conducted by doctors compared to non-doctors in Kampala, UgandaResults: In this prospective cohort study, we observed and followed 274 males at 3 health facilities in Kampala, Uganda. Each participant was observed during the circumcision procedure, monitored for 2 hours post-surgery and assessed at 24hours, 3 days and after one week for adverse events. The mean age of the circumcised men was 24.82 (6.36) years. Of the circumcisions, 19.3% (53/274) were carried out by doctors while 80.7% (221/274) by non-doctor health workers. About 5.47% (15/274) experienced adverse events and the proportions by cadre were similar; medical doctors (5.66% [3/53]) and non-doctor health workers (5.43% [12/221]), p=0.99. Seven patients had evidence of pus discharge (all had been operated by non-doctors), only 2 patients had bleeding at 2 hours (one by medical doctor and one by non-doctor), 4 patients had evidence of excessive skin removal (2 by medical doctor vs 2 by non-doctors). There was no reported urethral injury or glans amputation. These results indicate that non-doctor health workers can offer circumcision services safely with low adverse event rates.

Evaluation of the Hardness of Pumpkin Pulp Depending on the Implemented Heat Treatment

The work is a compilation of the research results concerning the evaluation of the hardness of pumpkin pulp depending on the implemented methods of heat treatment, i. e. scalding pumpkin in hot water and acting on it with water steam. Extended time of pumpkin heat treatment, both in hot water and combi steamer with steam during 6 min resulted in the reduction of the pulp hardness at 46 % after steaming and 88 % after boiling and softening of the skin, which eased its mechanical removal (cleavage) from the pumpkin fruit. The study was targeted to search for the methods allowing the facilitation and mechanisation of skin removal process in the course of acquiring pumpkin pulp for food purposes.

Co-treatment of wounds in rabbit skin with equine platelet-rich plasma and a commercial ointment accelerates healing

Autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is beneficial in the healing process of reconstructive surgeries, contributing to the stimulation of angiogenesis; however, heterologous plasma has been shown to be more effective. The objective of this study was to verify, by macro- and microscopic evaluation, whether PRP accelerates the healing process as compared to a commercial ointment containing gentamicin, sulfanilamide, sulfadiazine, urea, and vitamin A (study ointment). This study used 24 white New Zealand rabbits, aged 12 months, and each weighing approximately 3 kg. The animals were separated into 4 equal groups and underwent wound induction through skin removal in the thoracic (study wound) and lumbar (control wound) dorsal midline. Study wounds were co-treated with equine PRP and the study ointment. Control wounds were treated with only the study ointment. Group I underwent histological evaluation 3 days after the skin removal procedure, group II after 7 days, group III after 14 days, and group IV after 21 days. A skin fragment was collected from each animal for histological evaluation. The co-treatment with heterologous equine PRP and the study ointment accelerated the healing process in the surgically induced skin wounds, confirming the acceleratory effect of PRP on wound healing.