Important Option (important + option)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Surgical therapies, part II: flip-top transplants in vitiligo

DERMATOLOGIC THERAPY, Issue 1 2001
Thomas W. McGovern
ABSTRACT: The flip-top transplantation (FTT) method provides an important option for the treatment of depigmentation. It enables any physician to treat stable areas of depigmentation using equipment that is readily available and easy to use. To date, this method has resulted in the spread of pigmentation from each graft and has caused no visible scarring. FTT is best suited for treating localized areas of stable depigmentation where the cosmetic result is a priority. [source]


String Fit: a new structurally oriented X-ray and neutron reflectivity evaluation technique

JOURNAL OF APPLIED CRYSTALLOGRAPHY, Issue 3 2001
Erich Politsch
A novel method for the analysis of neutron and X-ray reflectivity measurements is presented. In contrast to existing methods, the new data fitting approach is structurally oriented and therefore only requires information about the chemical structure of studied molecules and no other ad hoc assumptions. Apart from the inversion of reflectivity into scattering length density profile, the inversion of scattering length density profile into molecular arrangement is addressed systematically for non-trivial molecular conformations for the first time. This includes the calculation of structural characteristics, such as radius of gyration or chain order parameters, based on measured reflectograms. Another important option is the possibility to evaluate simultaneously neutron and X-ray reflectograms of a given sample. For better convergence, especially for complex simultaneous evaluations, an effective extension of the normally used least-squares deviation function is introduced. Different simulated molecular ensembles are used to illustrate the features of the new approach; typically, excellent agreement between the simulated starting and final deduced data sets is achieved. [source]


The use of silicon gel for treating children's burn scars in Saudi Arabia: a case study

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 2 2002
Cary A. Brown Lecturer
Abstract This case study is presented to illustrate the effectiveness of silicon gel as an important option in burn scar treatment and to provide treatment guidelines that address cultural, clinical and patient compliance issues in Saudi Arabia. The case study involves an 18-month-old child whose burn scar was treated for a period of 15 months with silicon gel. The Vancouver Burn Scar Scale assessment (Baryza and Baryza, 1995), used to track progress across the duration of treatment, reflected an improvement in the scar as the composite score changed from 9 to 2. Strategies for problem solving and addressing needs unique to the environment of Saudi Arabia were also developed over the treatment period. The findings of this case study indicate that silicon gel may be a superior treatment option under certain circumstances. Further research with a wider sample is indicated, given the high incidence of childhood burn injuries in Saudi Arabia. Copyright © 2002 Whurr Publishers Ltd. [source]


The present role of corticosteroids in uveitis

ACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2009
M KHAIRALLAH
Corticosteroids are the most widely used anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant drugs in ophthalmology in general, and remain the mainstay of therapy for patients with uveitis. An infectious etiology for intraocular inflammation should be adequately excluded or appropriately covered with anti-infectious therapy before administration of corticosteroid therapy. Topical corticosteroids alone are usually effective in the management of anterior uveitis and have little activity against intermediate or posterior uveitis. Ocular adverse effects of topical steroid therapy mainly include ocular hypertension and cataract. The use of periocular steroid injections (subconjunctival, anterior or posterior subtenon, orbital floor) are important modalities in the management of anterior uveitis refractory to topical treatment and intermediate or posterior uveitis, particularly unilateral cases. Systemic corticosteroids remain the initial drug of choice for most patients with severe bilateral intermediate or posterior uveitis. Therapy is initiated with 1.0 to 2.0 mg/Kg of oral prednisone or prednisolone as a single morning dose, followed by a slow taper. Use of intravenous pulse steroid therapy is an important option in acute, severe, bilateral posterior segment inflammation. In several cases, the level of systemic steroid required to control the inflammation is too high and unacceptable. Immunosuppressive drugs as steroid-sparing agents are indicated is such cases. Intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide and slow-release intraocular devices are therapeutic options that can be used in selected uveitis cases refractory to conventional therapy and biologic agents. [source]