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Introduction: Acute mesenteric venous thrombosis is a rare but potentially fatal condition with superior mesenteric vein being the most common site of thrombosis development [1]. It is more common in patients with underlying disorders which cause disruptions to Virchow's Triad of hypercoagulability, stasis and endothelial injury. The disease is often associated with intestinal ischemia in its acute form, further complicating its management., Presentation of Case: We present a case of acute superior mesenteric venous thrombosis resulting in jejunal ischemia in a 60-year-old Caucasian male with possible ulcerative colitis. A computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated features of intestinal infarction. However, the patient was stable after initial resuscitation with a non-peritonitic abdomen and was subsequently managed with conservative measures., Discussion: We have illustrated a case of a patient with acute mesenteric venous thrombosis with potential bowel compromise. Despite concerning CT features, the patient was clinically stable and responded to conservative management. We hope to emphasise that although radiology plays a crucial role in modern medicine, it is important to make therapeutic decisions based on clinical findings., Conclusion: Acute mesenteric venous thrombosis is a complex entity. It requires a multidisciplinary team approach to plan for the most appropriate treatment strategy suitable for each patient as all options are associated with significant risks. The underlying cause should be established as this will determine any long-term management necessary to prevent recurrence., (Copyright © 2018 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Acyl-coenzyme A thioesterases (Acots) play important cellular roles in mammalian fatty acid metabolism through modulation of cellular concentrations of activated fatty acyl-CoAs. Acots catalyse the hydrolysis of the thioester bond present within acyl-CoA ester molecules to yield coenzyme A (CoASH) and the corresponding non-esterified fatty acid. Acyl-CoA thioesterases are expressed ubiquitously in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes and, in higher order organisms, the enzymes are expressed and localised in a tissue-dependent manner within the cytosol, mitochondria, peroxisomes and endoplasmic reticulum. Recent studies have led to advances in the functional and structural characterization of many mammalian Acot family members. These include the structure determination of both type-I and type-II Acot family members, structural elucidation of the START domain of ACOT11, identification of roles in arachidonic acid and inflammatory prostaglandin production by Acot7, and inclusion of a 13th Acot family member. Here, we review and analyse the current literature on mammalian Acots with respect to their characterization and summarize the current knowledge on the structure, function and regulation of this enzyme family., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The transport of macromolecules across the nuclear envelope is an essential eukaryotic process that enables proteins such as transcription factors, polymerases and histones to gain access to the genetic material contained within the nucleus. Importin-beta plays a central role in the nucleocytoplasmic transport process, mediating nuclear import through a range of interactions with cytoplasmic, nuclear and nuclear pore proteins such as importin-alpha, Ran, nucleoporins and various cargo molecules. The unliganded form of the full-length yeast importin-beta has been expressed and crystallized. The crystals were obtained by vapour diffusion at pH 6.5 and 290 K. The crystals belonged to space group P2(1) (unit-cell parameters a = 58.17, b = 127.25, c = 68.52 A, beta = 102.23). One molecule is expected in the asymmetric unit. The crystals diffracted to 2.4 A resolution using a laboratory X-ray source and were suitable for crystal structure determination.

Introduction: Retrospectively we evaluated the surgical treatment of all primary operations for hypospadias performed at the Department of Plastic- and Reconstructive Surgery, Herlev University Hospital, over a period of ten years. During this time we changed the concept of surgical procedure from various two-stage techniques to a new one-stage modification (Scuderi's vascularised vertical preputial island flap combined with a triangular flap glanuloplasty and other refinements). Secondly, we evaluated the pre- and postoperative examination., Materials and Methods: During the period 1993-2003, 96 patients were primarily operated. The new one-stage technique was used in 58 patients, all performed by the same surgeon. The standardised follow-up time was three months., Results: Complications consisted of five urethrocutaneous fistulas (8.6%) and four meatal stenosis (6.7%), and the functional and cosmetic short-term outcome was satisfactory using the new one-stage procedure. The number of operations per patient was reduced from 4.57 to 1.26. We found the pre- and postoperative examination inadequate concerning classification of hypospadias type and possible associated malformations (cryptorchidism)., Conclusion: The short-term functional and cosmetic outcome of the new one-stage technique was satisfactory. The complication rate was low. However, the study was associated with severe methodological problems. On this background we suggest a national standardised registration of all boys operated for hypospadias.

The problem of blue-green algal toxin contamination of recreational waters and drinking water catchments is well described, as is the potential contamination of associated seafood. Algal contamination of Victorian waterways is now a widespread annual occurrence and, in some regions, the intersection of blooms and commercial fishing threatens the food safety of large numbers of people. Toxin levels which produce no observed adverse effect in animal studies were used to derive safe tolerable daily intake levels. These 'acceptable levels' were then modified to protect against potential acute health risks associated with short-term exposures. National food surveys were used to derive likely seafood intakes and thus, in combination with 'safe toxin levels', health alert levels for seafood were formulated. During the summer of 2001 a bloom of Nodularia spumigena occurred in the Gippsland Lakes area of Southern Victoria. During the bloom, seafood samples were collected and nodularin concentrations were estimated. Nodularin concentrations reached levels of concern in mussels and in prawn viscera at cell counts as low as 30,000 cells/ml. Nodularin concentrations in the flesh of finfish remained low. Boiling the seafood redistributed toxin between viscera and flesh. The results were used to restrict some seafood harvesting.

Midfacial degloving is a well-known technique for entering the nasal and paranasal cavities, the rhinopharynx and the base of the skull. We report our experience with a modification of midfacial degloving, applied to two patients with extensive bilateral benign tumours in the nasal cavities and the paranasal sinuses. No rhinoplastic procedure is necessary in this modification, and the access to the upper part of the nasal cavity is improved.

A brief account is given of the experimental data and the laboratory findings relative to the use of compound bone flaps of clavicle on a pedicle of sternomastoid muscle for restoration of mandibular defects. The clinical data on this method in 18 consecutive patients are presented and discussed.

One hundred and three non-delayed deltopectoral flaps were used for head and neck reconstruction in 86 patients. A retrospective analysis to detect factors with negative influence on the reconstruction resulted in two significant risk factors (p less than 0.05): irradiated recipient site and internal location of recipient site. The flap failure rate was not significantly affected by variations in flap length, age, sex or concomitant diseases. The mean stay in hospital was 10 weeks and was significantly prolonged for patients having had radiotherapy, internal reconstructions or flap failure (p less than 0.05).

An apparently original version of the several available tongue flaps is presented for the reconstruction of a lateral pharyngo-cutaneous fistula in a patient where several reconstructive attempts after excision for a malignant tumour had failed.

Recent publications show that severe damage to the trachea is still a problem with high-volume, low-pressure cuffs. The NL tracheostomy tube was used in 86 patients for 3 days to 2 months (mean 16 days). This tube has a high-volume, low-pressure cuff with automatic regulation of the cuff pressure at 3 kPa. The tube has a flexible tip. Fiberoptic examination at extubation showed minimal damage to the tracheal mucosa: 33 patients had normal mucosa and the rest had hyperaemia and/or fibrin formation. Four patients had ulcerations from suction catheters and four patients had small, superficial ulcerations produced by the tip of the tube. Of these last four patients, three had skin flaps that exerted pressure on the tube. Severe tracheal damage was prevented due to the combination of automatic regulation of cuff pressure and a flexible tip of the tube.

The history of the clinical, anatomical and haemodynamic aspects of the deltopectoral flap is reviewed, with some comments on its use as a neurovascular flap.