Nazm-ı Dilârâ, [1231, i.e. 1815 or 1816].

Elegant autograph copy of the versified Persian-Turkish glossary of the müderris Osman Şakir (whose name appears in Īḍāḥ al-maknūn as ʻUthmān Shukrī, d.1818?). Apparently inspired by the popular Tuhfe-yi Vehbî (used for many years in Ottoman schools) of Sünbülzâde Vehbi Mehmet Efendi (d.1809), see opening matter on p.5-15.

Hāẕā Kitāb-i Khvājah Ḥāfiẓ-i Shīrāzī, [1280, i.e. 1863 or 1864].

Richly elegant copy of the Dīvān of the masterful poet Ḥāfiẓ (Khvājah Shams al-Dīn Muḥammad Shīrāzī, d.1390?).

The treatment of pterygium

The treatment of pterygium is still quite controversial, with various treatments being advocated in the scientific literature. Unfortunately, there are very few well-conducted controlled clinical trials of treatments. However, years of anecdotal and noncontrolled studies have confirmed that some methods, such as bare scleral closure, are no longer acceptable in the treatment of pterygium and that other methods are likely to be more useful. In the future it will be important to develop a grading system, and surgeons will need to be conservative in the treatment of pterygium until such time as a single treatment provides a lower recurrence rate and complication rate.

Parotidectomy: review of treatment and outcomes

Background: Parotidectomy is a common surgical procedure performed for a wide array of benign and malignant tumours. The aim of the present study was to review a single-institution experience with parotidectomy over a 10 year period. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 170 patients who had parotidectomy performed. The preoperative investigations, clinicopathological parameters, perioperative morbidity and mortality were assessed. Results: One hundred and six (62%) of the patients were men. The mean age was 54 years (range 21-80). Indications for parotidectomy included benign tumour (44%), malignant tumour (42%), inflammatory parotid disease (7%) and miscellaneous (5%). The most common benign tumour was pleomorphic adenoma (25%). The most common malignant tumour was metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (19%). Fine needle aspiration cytology was performed in 83% patients with a sensitivity and specificity for benign tumours of 76% and 97%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity for malignant tumours was 90% and 99%, respectively. One (0.6%) patient died in the postoperative period. Postoperative complications included wound infection (2.3%), wound haematoma (3.5%) and seroma (6.6%). Six patients (3.5%) developed temporary complete facial paresis, while 33 patients (20%) developed temporary partial facial palsy in the immediate postoperative period. The 2-year disease-free and disease-specific survival for those patients with metastatic cutaneous SCC were 75% and 76%, respectively. Conclusions: The most common indications for parotidectomy were pleomorphic adenoma and metastatic cutaneous SCC. Our perioperative morbidity and survival for patients with malignant parotid disease compare favourably with other institutional series.

Total pharyngolaryngectomy for squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx: A review

Objectives. To evaluate our experience with total pharyngolaryngectomy in the treatment of hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Study Design: Retrospective analysis of consecutively treated patients in an academic otolaryngology, head and neck department. Methods. One hundred eighty patients who had total pharyngolaryngectomy performed for hypopharyngeal carcinoma were included in this study. Patients with a history of previous head and neck cancer were excluded. Clinicopathologic parameters were recorded and survival calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results. One hundred sixty-two (90%) of the patients were male, and the patients had a mean age of 62 years. The majority (91%) of patients had advanced overall clinical stage disease (stage 3,4). Thirty-one (17.8%) and 43 (24%) patients developed locoregional and metastatic disease recurrence, respectively. The 2- and 5-year disease-specific survival rates were 72% and 52%, respectively. Advanced nodal stage, perineural invasion, lymphovascular invasion, and positive margins were predictors of poor survival on univariate analysis, and lymphovascular invasion was an independent prognostic factor on multivariate analysis. Conclusion: Surgery and postoperative radiotherapy remains the treatment against which other modalities should be compared for advanced stage hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Pig eye trabeculectomy - a wet-lab teaching model

Purpose A teaching model for trabeculectomy is described using pig eyes prepared in formalin. Method The model enables trainee surgeons to practice various aspects of tissue handling required for successful trabeculectomy including the construction of a fornix-based conjunctival flap, scleral flap with buried releasable sutures, and water-tight conjunctival closure. Results Exposure to the necessary skills required to perform trabeculectomy surgery can be improved by the use of wet laboratory practice. Conclusions Trabeculectomy surgery experience is becoming more limited as fewer procedures are being performed due to the efficacy of recent medications. Wet laboratories will become an increasingly important aspect of a comprehensive ophthalmology training programme.

Skin cancer clinics in Australia: workload profile and performance indicators from an analysis of billing data

Objective: To describe the workload profile in a network of Australian skin cancer clinics. Design and setting: Analysis of billing data for the first 6 months of 2005 in a primary-care skin cancer clinic network, consisting of seven clinics and staffed by 20 doctors, located in the Northern Territory, Queensland and New South Wales. Main outcome measures: Consultation to biopsy ratio (CBR); biopsy to treatment ratio (BTR); number of benign naevi excised per melanoma (number needed to treat [NNT]). Results: Of 69780 billed activities, 34 622 (49.6%) were consultations, 19 358 (27.7%) biopsies, 8055 (11.5%) surgical excisions, 2804 (4.0%) additional surgical repairs, 1613 (2.3%) non-surgical treatments of cancers and 3328 (4.8%) treatments of premalignant or non-malignant lesions. A total of 6438 cancers were treated (116 melanomas by excision, 4709 non-melanoma skin cancers [NMSCs] by excision, and 1613 NMSCs non-surgically); 5251 (65.2%) surgical wounds were repaired by direct suture, 2651 (32.9%) by a flap (of which 44.8% were simple flaps), 42 (0.5%) by wedge excision and 111 (1.4%) by grafts. The CBR was 1.79, the BTR was 3.1 and the NNT was 28.6. Conclusions: In this network of Australian skin cancer clinics, one in three biopsies identified a skin cancer (BTR, 3.1), and about 29 benign lesions were excised per melanoma (NNT, 28.6). The estimated NNT was similar to that reported previously in general practice. More data are needed on health outcomes, including effectiveness of treatment and surgical repair.

Instability of CTG Repeats is Governed by the Position of a DNA Base Lesion through Base Excision Repair

Trinucleotide repeat (TNR) expansions and deletions are associated with human neurodegeneration and cancer. However, their underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. Recent studies have demonstrated that CAG repeat expansions can be initiated by oxidative DNA base damage and fulfilled by base excision repair (BER), suggesting active roles for oxidative DNA damage and BER in TNR instability. Here, we provide the first evidence that oxidative DNA damage can induce CTG repeat deletions along with limited expansions in human cells. Biochemical characterization of BER in the context of (CTG)20 repeats further revealed that repeat instability correlated with the position of a base lesion in the repeat tract. A lesion located at the 59-end of CTG repeats resulted in expansion, whereas a lesion located either in the middle or the 39-end of the repeats led to deletions only. The positioning effects appeared to be determined by the formation of hairpins at various locations on the template and the damaged strands that were bypassed by DNA polymerase b and processed by flap endonuclease 1 with different efficiency. Our study indicates that the position of a DNA base lesion governs whether TNR is expanded or deleted through BER.

Inter-relação entre lesão cervical não cariosa e comprometimento periodontal: diagnóstico, tratamento e previsibilidade - estudo clínico prospectivo e laboratorial

The coexistence of gingival recession (GR) with root coverage indication and non-carious cervical lesions (LCNC) generates the need for a protocol that respects and promotes health of dental and periodontal tissues and allows treatment predictability. The main objectives of this theses were: (1) verify, through clinical evaluations, the connective tissue graft for root coverage on direct and indirect restorations made of ceramic resin; (2) analyze the influence of the battery level of the LED curing unit in the composite resin characteristics; (3) assess the influence of restorative materials, composite resin and ceramics, on the viability of gingival fibroblasts from primary culture. Nine patients with good oral hygiene and occlusal stability diagnosed with LCNCs the anterior teeth including premolars associated with gingival recession (class I and II of Miller) and only gingival recession were selected. After initial clinical examination, occlusal adjustment was performed and the patients had their teeth randomized allocated on direct composite resin restoration of LCNC, polishing and GR treatment with connective tissue graft and advanced coronally flap CR group (n = 15); and indirect ceramic restoration of the LCNC's and GR treatment (CTG+CAF) Group C (n = 15). The GR presented teeth with no clinically formed LCNCs cavity were treated using (CTG+CAF) being the control group (n = 15). Sorption and solubility tests, analysis of the degree of conversion and diametral tensile strength were performed in composite resin samples (n = 10) photoactivated by 100, 50 and 10% battery charge LED unit. The viability of fibroblasts on composite resin, ceramics and dentin disks (n = 3) was examined. Clinical follow-up was performed for three months. The data obtained at different stages were tabulated and subjected to analysis for detection of normal distribution and homogeneity. The results showed that: the LED unit with 10% battery affects the characteristics of the composite resin; restorative materials present biocompatibility with gingival fibroblasts; and the association of surgical and restorative treatment of teeth affected by NCCL and GR presents successful results at 3-month follow-up.

L'étude du "cross-talk" des voies de synthèse des prostaglandines E₂ et des leucotriènes B₄ dans le fonctionnement altéré des ostéoblastes sous-chondraux humains arthrosiques

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

L'étude du "cross-talk" des voies de synthèse des prostaglandines E₂ et des leucotriènes B₄ dans le fonctionnement altéré des ostéoblastes sous-chondraux humains arthrosiques

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

Oxidative DNA Damage Modulates Trinucleotide Repeat Instability Via DNA Base Excision Repair

Trinucleotide repeat (TNR) expansion is the cause of more than 40 types of human neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington’s disease. Recent studies have linked TNR expansion with oxidative DNA damage and base excision repair (BER). In this research, we provided the first evidence that oxidative DNA damage can induce CAG repeat deletion/contraction via BER. We found that BER of an oxidized DNA base lesion, 8-oxoguanine in a CAG repeat tract, resulted in the formation of a CTG hairpin at the template strand. DNA polymerase β (pol b) then skipped over the hairpin creating a 5’-flap that was cleaved by flap endonuclease 1 (FEN1) leading to CAG repeat deletion. To further investigate whether BER may help to shorten an expanded TNR tract, we examined BER in a CAG repeat hairpin loop. We found that 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase removed the oxidized base located in the loop region of the hairpin leaving an abasic site. Apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) endonuclease 1 then incised the 5’-end of the abasic site leaving a nick in the loop. This further converted the hairpin into an intermediate with a 3’-flap and a 5’-flap. As a 5’-3’ endonuclease, FEN1 cleaved the 5’-flap, whereas a 3’-5’ endonuclease, Mus81/Eme1, removed the 3’-flap. The coordination between FEN1 and Mus81/Eme1 ultimately resulted in removal of a CAG repeat hairpin attenuating or preventing TNR expansion. To further explore if pol β bypass of an oxidized base lesion, 5’,8-cyclodeoxyadenosine, may affect TNR instability, we examined pol β DNA synthesis in bypassing this base lesion and found that the lesion preferentially induced TNR deletion during BER and Okazaki fragment maturation. The repeat deletion was mediated by the formation of a loop in the template strand induced specifically by the damage. Pol β then skipped over the loop structure creating a 5’-flap that was efficiently removed by FEN1 leading to repeat deletion. Our study demonstrates that pol β-mediated BER plays an important role in mediating TNR deletion and removing a TNR hairpin to prevent TNR expansion. Our research provides a molecular basis for further developing BER as a target for prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases caused by TNR expansion.

DEVELOPMENT OF AN ADJUSTABLE SUTURE TECHNIQUE FOR TRABECULECTOMY

This research presents a new design of an adjustable suture that could provide a better intraocular pressure (IOP) control in the post treatment of trabeculectomy surgery and limit associated complication with the current suturing techniques. A better control in tension suture brings a great deal of advantages to this surgical technique compared with the traditional adjustable suture. A length adjustment can be added in advance to a 10-0 nylon suture which enables suture tension to be released during the postoperative period of trabeculectomy surgery. This adjustment has a D-ring geometry made of 10-0 nylon suture adhered to a 10-0 nylon surgical suture which is used to close the scalar flap. The D ring was adhered with about 180 microdroplet of Loctite 4311that was found to form a strong joint to connect the D ring to the main 10-0 nylon suture and strong enough to carry the added tension instead after cutting the central suture between the two joints of the D ring. The geometry of adjustment is the key factor of maintaining the IOP at the normal range and keeping the scleral flap tight enough and secure so that aqueous humor continues to percolate under the subconjunctiva. It has been found that a 365, and 450 µm length extensions can release suture tension postoperatively and relieve the intraocular pressure within the eye by 33, and 66% respectively. The fabrication process of the new adjustable suture was divided into two steps: fabrication of micro jig and forming microdroplets. A micro jig was fabricated in order to form and bond a precise length extension to the new design of the adjustable suture. In addition, a new liquid separation technique has been followed in this study in order to generate micro adhesive droplets as small as 50µm for bonding the new adjustable suture structure.

Optimising power take-off of an oscillating wave surge converter using high fidelity numerical simulations

Oscillating wave surge converters are a promising technology to harvest ocean wave energy in the near shore region. Although research has been going on for many years, the characteristics of the wave action on the structure and especially the phase relation between the driving force and wave quantities like velocity or surface elevation have not been investigated in detail. The main reason for this is the lack of suitable methods. Experimental investigations using tank tests do not give direct access to overall hydrodynamic loads, only damping torque of a power take off system can be measured directly. Non-linear computational fluid dynamics methods have only recently been applied in the research of this type of devices. This paper presents a new metric named wave torque, which is the total hydrodynamic torque minus the still water pitch stiffness at any given angle of rotation. Changes in characteristics of that metric over a wave cycle and for different power take off settings are investigated using computational fluid dynamics methods. Firstly, it is shown that linearised methods cannot predict optimum damping in typical operating states of OWSCs. We then present phase relationships between main kinetic parameters for different damping levels. Although the flap seems to operate close to resonance, as predicted by linear theory, no obvious condition defining optimum damping is found.