Head and Neck Diseases by Alexandros G.Sfakianakis: 07/03/17

Δευτέρα 3 Ιουλίου 2017

Metastatic sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma manifesting as a subcutaneous soft tissue mass

Abstract

Spindle cell lesions of the superficial soft tissues often pose a diagnostic challenge due to frequently non-specific clinico-radiologic presentation and overlapping microscopic features, therefore immunohistochemistry remains a favored approach in separating them.

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Ribosomal Chamber Music: Toward an Understanding of IRES Mechanisms

Publication date: Available online 3 July 2017
Source:Trends in Biochemical Sciences
Author(s): Hiroshi Yamamoto, Anett Unbehaun, Christian M.T. Spahn
Internal initiation is a 5′-end-independent mode of translation initiation engaged by many virus- and putatively some cell-encoded templates. Internal initiation is facilitated by specific RNA tertiary folds, called internal ribosomal entry sites (IRESs), in the 5′ untranslated region (UTR) of the respective transcripts. In this review we discuss recent structural insight into how established IRESs first capture and then manipulate the eukaryotic translation machinery through non-canonical interactions and by guiding the intrinsic conformational flexibility of the eukaryotic ribosome. Because IRESs operate with reduced complexity and constitute minimal systems of initiation, comparison with canonical initiation may allow common mechanistic principles of the ribosome to be delineated.

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Experimental Simulation of Clinical Borderline Situations in Temporal Bone Specimens After Ossiculoplasty.

Objectives: One reason for insufficient hearing improvement with a distinct air-bone gap after ossiculoplasty with implantation of partial or total ossicular replacement prostheses can be the dislocation or minimal shifting of the prosthesis. The aim of this study was the simulation of common clinical borderline situations with minimal shifting of the prosthesis in temporal bone specimens after ossiculoplasty. It was furthermore the goal to identify these specific situations through imaging by cone beam computed tomography (cbCT) and direct visual inspection using the operation microscope. Additionally, the functional status was evaluated using laser-Doppler vibrometry (LDV). Design: We used a total of four temporal bone specimens for this study. A reconstruction with a partial ossicular replacement prostheses was performed in three specimens and with a total ossicular replacement prostheses in one specimen, with good initial acoustic properties. Subsequently, one specific type of prosthesis failure was simulated in each specimen, respectively, by minimally shifting, tilting, or bending the prostheses from their initial positions. These changes were introduced step-by-step until a borderline situation just short of complete acoustic decoupling was reached. Each step was examined using both LDV and cbCT and observed through the operation microscope. Results: LDV was able to quantify the mechanic function of the ossicular chain after most of the manipulation steps by demonstrating the effect of any shifting of the prosthesis on the middle ear transfer function. However, in some situations, the middle ear transfer function was better with a visually more advanced failure of the prosthesis. In addition, cbCT showed most of the steps with excellent resolution and was able to delineate changes in soft tissue (e.g., cartilage covering). Conclusion: cbCT seems to be a promising imaging technique for middle ear problems. As cbCT and LDV exhibited slightly different advantages and disadvantages regarding the demonstration of borderline situations, the combination of both techniques allowed for a more precise evaluation of middle ear reconstructions. Knowledge of the specific characteristics of these methods and their possible combination might help otologists and otosurgeons to refine indications for revision surgery and improve their personal patient counseling. Copyright (C) 2017 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Investigation of Electrical Stimulation Levels Over 8 to 10 Years Postimplantation for a Large Cohort of Adults Using Cochlear Implants.

Objectives: This study examined electrical stimulation levels over 8 to 10 years postimplantation in adult Nucleus implant users. The first aim was to investigate long-term trends and amount of change in electrical stimulation levels for each of four electrode array segments. The second aim was to determine long-term trends and amount of change for particular participants who previously showed greater change (i.e., >20% of dynamic range [DR]) in each of the threshold (T) and comfort (C) levels within the first 3 to 6 months postimplantation. The third aim was to determine whether demographic characteristics were predictive of the long-term trends and amount of change in each of the T and C levels. Design: For 128 adults implanted with Nucleus implants, T levels, C levels, and DR were extracted for the following postimplant time points: 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 months. For each time point, the mean T levels, C levels, and DR were calculated for each of four electrode array segments. For each participant, regression analyses were conducted for each of the levels and DR, separately for each of the four electrode array segments. Proportions of participants with and without statistically significant trends were identified, and the amount of change was determined for all participants. Results: No significant differences in trends and amount of change were evident across segments for either of the T or C levels. On average across the four segments, 42% of participants showed nonsignificant trends in each of the T and C levels; 24% and 18% of the participants showed a significant trend only in C levels or only in T levels, respectively. Only 16% of the participants showed a significant trend in both T and C levels. Separately, 73% of the participants showed a nonsignificant trend in DR. In terms of current levels (CLs), the mean amount of change over 10 years for all participants was 10.4 (SD = 8.2) and 10.8 (SD = 9.8) for T and C levels, respectively. For both T and C levels, approximately 95% of the participants showed 20% change in levels as a function of DR in the first 3 to 6 months postimplantation, nonsignificant long-term trend in levels was shown for 70% of these participants over the first 8 to 10 years postimplantation. Etiology, onset of hearing loss, and age at implantation were not significant factors in predicting change in levels. Duration of hearing loss and hearing aid use before implantation were both predictive of long-term change in T and C levels, respectively. In terms of the amount of change in CLs, both these factors showed a very small amount of change in CLs. Conclusions: The majority of adults using Nucleus implants showed a nonsignificant trend in T levels, C levels, and DR over 8 to 10 years postimplantation. The present study provides strong evidence that only a small amount of change in levels should be expected for most adults from 6 months out to 10 years postimplantation. A large proportion of the subgroup of participants who previously showed more change in the first 3 to 6 months showed consistent long-term results with the overall group. The trends in levels and the amount of change in levels in the long term were not significantly associated with the demographic characteristics investigated. For implant users with consistent levels over a number of sessions after the first 6 months postimplantation, the frequency of programming in the long term can be reduced. The translation of the findings from the present study into clinical practice will enable more efficient programming services to be provided to implant users in the long term. Copyright (C) 2017 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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A Comparison of Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission Properties in Meniere's Disease Patients and Normal-Hearing Participants.

Objectives: Postmortem examination of temporal bones of Meniere's disease patients consistently show dilated endolymphatic spaces of the inner ear, for which the term endolymphatic hydrops has been coined. During the past decade, magnetic resonance imaging techniques for the inner ear appeared, advancing the diagnosis of Meniere's disease. They require, however, a field-strength of at least 3 T, are costly and not universally available. Alternative, noninvasive, cost-effective tests with high sensitivity and specifity for endolymphatic hydrops are desirable. In this study, we test the suitability of distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) for endolymphatic hydrops detection. Previous measurements of the commonly recorded cubic DPOAEs mainly register cochlear hearing loss and are not specific for Meniere's disease. Simultaneous recordings of cubic and quadratic DPOAEs might be more suitable to detect endolymphatic hydrops, because both DPOAE orders react differently to changes of the cochlear operating point as they might occur in Meniere's disease patients. Design: Cubic and quadratic DPOAEs were recorded in normal-hearing participants (N = 45) and in the affected and unaffected ears of patients with a diagnosis of definite Meniere's disease (N = 32). First, to assess the integrity of DPOAE-generating mechanisms, cubic DPOAE-grams were obtained with primary tone frequencies f2 between 1 and 8 kHz with primary tone levels l1 = 60 dB SPL and l2 = 50 dB SPL, and a fixed primary tone frequency ratio of 1.22. Then, cubic and quadratic DPOAEs were simultaneously recorded with primary tone levels l1 = l2 = 65 dB SPL and at primary tone frequencies f2 = 4 and 5 kHz, where f1 was successively varied such that the ratio f2/f1 ranged between 1.1 and 1.6 in 0.04 steps while quadratic and cubic DPOAE levels were extracted from the same recording. Results: Cubic DPOAEs were significantly reduced in the affected ears of Meniere's disease patients, and slightly reduced in the unaffected ears of Meniere's disease patients, relative to the ears of normal-hearing participants. In contrast, no significant changes could be seen in quadratic DPOAEs across the ears of normal-hearing participants and Meniere's disease patients. Conclusions: We could identify a relatively good preservation of quadratic DPOAE levels in relation to a reduction of cubic DPOAE levels as a potential noninvasive diagnostic approach in the early stage of suspected Meniere's disease. Future studies validating the differential diagnostic power of this parameter in control groups with nonhydropic forms of hearing loss are warranted. Copyright (C) 2017 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Regulation of the Immune System by Laminins

Publication date: Available online 3 July 2017
Source:Trends in Immunology
Author(s): Thomas Simon, Jonathan S. Bromberg
Laminins are trimeric proteins that are major components of the basement membranes that separate endothelia and epithelia from the underlying tissue. Sixteen laminin isoforms have been described, each with distinct tissue expression patterns and functions. While laminins have a critical structural role, recent evidence also indicates that they also impact the migration and functions of immune cells. Laminins are differentially expressed upon immunity or tolerance and orientate the immune response. This review will summarize the structure of laminins, the modulation of their expression, and their interactions with the immune system. Finally, the role of the laminins in autoimmune diseases and transplantation will be discussed.

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Mucosal Bioengineering: Gut in a Dish

Publication date: Available online 3 July 2017
Source:Trends in Immunology
Author(s): Ivaylo I. Ivanov
Studying the interactions between commensal microbes and host intestinal tissue networks is challenging due to the complexity and inaccessibility of the system. A recent study reports a novel organ culture system that will enhance our ability to dissect these interactions.

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Investigating pH based evaluation of fetal heart rate (FHR) recordings

Abstract

Cardiotocography (CTG) is a standard tool for the assessment of fetal well-being during pregnancy and delivery. However, its interpretation is associated with high inter- and intra-observer variability. Since its introduction there have been numerous attempts to develop computerized systems assisting the evaluation of the CTG recording. Nevertheless these systems are still hardly used in a delivery ward. Two main approaches to computerized evaluation are encountered in the literature; the first one emulates existing guidelines, while the second one is more of a data-driven approach using signal processing and computational methods. The latter employs preprocessing, feature extraction/selection and a classifier that discriminates between two or more classes/conditions. These classes are often formed using the umbilical cord artery pH value measured after delivery. In this work an approach to Fetal Heart Rate (FHR) classification using pH is presented that could serve as a benchmark for reporting results on the unique open-access CTU-UHB CTG database, the largest and the only freely available database of this kind. The overall results using a very small number of features and a Least Squares Support Vector Machine (LS-SVM) classifier, are in accordance to the ones encountered in the literature and outperform the results of a baseline classification scheme proving the utility of using advanced data processing methods. Therefore the achieved results can be used as a benchmark for future research involving more informative features and/or better classification algorithms.

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Development and application of a perioral force measurement system for infants with cleft lip and palate

As muscles converge or intermingle around the perioral area, and it change by the sequential therapy for cleft lip and palate (CLP) infants. The force of perioral muscles has a great influence on maxillary development and morphology. Perioral force in CLP infants has not been well studied, and accurate and reliable measurement of perioral force in infants remains a challenge. The aim of this study was to investigate a new way to accurately and reliably measure perioral force in UCLP infants and explore the change before and after cheiloplasty.

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Treatment for the endocrine resistant breast cancer: current options and future perspectives

Publication date: Available online 3 July 2017
Source:The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Author(s): Chun-Yu Liu, Chia-Yun Wu, Karineh Petrossian, Tzu-Ting Huang, Ling-Ming Tseng, Shiuan Chen
Endocrine resistance remains a challenge and an unmet need for managing hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. The mechanisms of endocrine resistance are multifaceted and are likely to evolve over time following various single or combination therapies. The purpose of this review article is to provide general understanding of molecular basis of endocrine resistance of breast cancer and to offer comprehensive review on current treatment options and potential new treatment strategies for endocrine resistant breast cancers. Last but not the least, we discuss current challenges and future directions for management of endocrine resistant breast cancers.

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A regulatory role of androgen in ovarian steroidogenesis by rat granulosa cells.

Publication date: Available online 4 July 2017
Source:The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Author(s): Toru Hasegawa, Yasuhiko Kamada, Takeshi Hosoya, Shiho Fujita, Yuki Nishiyama, Nahoko Iwata, Yuji Hiramatsu, Fumio Otsuka
Excess androgen and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I in the ovarian follicle has been suggested to be involved in the pathophysiology of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Here we investigated the impact of androgen and IGF-I on the regulatory mechanism of ovarian steroidogenesis using rat primary granulosa cells. It was revealed that androgen treatment with dihydrotestosterone (DHT) amplified progesterone synthesis in the presence of FSH and IGF-I, whereas it had no significant effect on estrogen synthesis by rat granulosa cells. In accordance with the effects of androgen on steroidogenesis, DHT enhanced the expression of progesterogenic factors and enzymes, including StAR, P450scc and 3βHSD, and cellular cAMP synthesis induced by FSH and IGF-I. Of note, treatment with DHT and IGF-I suppressed Smad1/5/8 phosphorylation and transcription of the BMP target gene Id-1, suggesting that androgen and IGF-I counteract BMP signaling that inhibits FSH-induced progesterone synthesis in rat granulosa cells. DHT was revealed to suppress the expression of BMP-6 receptors, consisting of ALK-2, ALK-6 and ActRII, while it increased the expression of inhibitory Smads in rat granulosa cells. In addition, IGF-I treatment upregulated androgen receptor (AR) expression and DHT treatment suppressed IGF-I receptor expression on rat granulosa cells. Collectively, the results indicate that androgen and IGF-I mutually interact and accelerate progesterone production, at least in part, by regulating endogenous BMP signaling in rat granulosa cells. Cooperative effects of androgen and IGF-I counteract endogenous BMP-6 activity in rat granulosa cells, which is likely to be functionally linked to the steroidogenic property shown in the PCOS ovary.

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Innate function of house dust mite allergens: robust enzymatic degradation of extracellular matrix at elevated pH

Exposure to the house dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (D.p.) increases the risk for developing allergic diseases in humans and their best friends, the dogs. Here, we explored whether this allergenic mite...

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Innate function of house dust mite allergens: robust enzymatic degradation of extracellular matrix at elevated pH

Chemokine isoforms and processing in inflammation and immunity

Publication date: Available online 3 July 2017
Source:Journal of Autoimmunity
Author(s): Paul Proost, Sofie Struyf, Jo Van Damme, Pierre Fiten, Estefania Ugarte-Berzal, Ghislain Opdenakker
The first dimension of chemokine heterogeneity is reflected by their discovery and purification as natural proteins. Each of those chemokines attracted a specific inflammatory leukocyte type. With the introduction of genomic technologies, a second wave of chemokine heterogeneity was established by the discovery of putative chemokine-like sequences and by demonstrating chemotactic activity of the gene products in physiological leukocyte homing. In the postgenomic era, the third dimension of chemokine heterogeneity is the description of posttranslational modifications on most chemokines. Proteolysis of chemokines, for instance by dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV/CD26) and by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) is already well established as a biological control mechanism to activate, potentiate, dampen or abrogate chemokine activities. Other posttranslational modifications are less known. Theoretical N-linked and O-linked attachment sites for chemokine glycosylation were searched with bio-informatic tools and it was found that most chemokines are not glycosylated. These findings are corroborated with a low number of experimental studies demonstrating N- or O-glycosylation of natural chemokine ligands. Because attached oligosaccharides protect proteins against proteolytic degradation, their absence may explain the fast turnover of chemokines in the protease-rich environments of infection and inflammation. All chemokines interact with G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Whether lectin-like GAG-binding induces cellular signaling is not clear, but these interactions are important for leukocyte migration and have already been exploited to reduce inflammation. In addition to selective proteolysis, citrullination and nitration/nitrosylation are being added as biologically relevant modifications contributing to functional chemokine heterogeneity. Resulting chemokine isoforms with reduced affinity for GPCRs reduce leukocyte migration in various models of inflammation. Here, these third dimension modifications are compared, with reflections on the biological and pathological contexts in which these posttranslational modifications take place and contribute to the repertoire of chemokine functions and with an emphasis on autoimmune diseases.

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Assessment of obstructive sleep apnoea treatment success or failure after maxillomandibular advancement

Maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) is an alternative therapeutic option that is highly effective for treating obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). MMA provides a solution for OSA patients that have difficulty accepting lifelong treatments with continuous positive airway pressure or mandibular advancement devices. The goal of this study was to investigate the different characteristics that determine OSA treatment success/failure after MMA. The apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI) was used to determine the success or failure of OSA treatment after MMA.

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Is oestrogen associated with mandibular condylar resorption? A systematic review

A systematic review of the literature was performed regarding the influence of oestrogen on the occurrence of mandibular condylar resorption. Search terms for oestrogen were used in combination with terms related to the effect on condylar remodelling. A search of the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases yielded 419 articles published between October 1993 and March 2017. An additional 48 articles were retrieved through manual searching of the reference lists.

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Impact of highly active antiretroviral therapy on the prevalence of oral lesions in HIV-positive patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The aim of this study was to determine whether highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is associated with the prevalence of oral lesions in HIV-positive patients. This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses). The search was conducted in seven electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, SciELO, LILACS, Embase, Web of Science, and OpenGrey), without restriction on publication period or language.

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Vitamin E Isoform γ-Tocotrienol Protects Against Emphysema in Cigarette Smoke-Induced COPD

Publication date: Available online 3 July 2017
Source:Free Radical Biology and Medicine
Author(s): Hong Yong Peh, W.S. Daniel Tan, Tze Khee Chan, Chen Wei Pow, Paul S. Foster, W.S. Fred Wong
Inflammation and oxidative stress contribute to emphysema in COPD. Although corticosteroids are the standard of care for COPD, they do not reduce oxidative stress, and a subset of patients is steroid-resistant. Vitamin E isoform γ-tocotrienol possesses both anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties that may protect against emphysema. We aimed to establish the therapeutic potential of γ-tocotrienol in cigarette smoke-induced COPD models in comparison with prednisolone. BALB/c mice were exposed to cigarette smoke for 2 weeks or 2 months. γ-Tocotrienol and prednisolone were given orally. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and lung tissues were assessed for inflammation, oxidative damage, and regulation of transcription factor activities. Emphysema and lung function were also evaluated. γ-Tocotrienol dose-dependently reduced cigarette smoke-induced BAL fluid neutrophil counts and levels of cytokines, chemokines and oxidative damage biomarkers, and pulmonary pro-inflammatory and pro-oxidant gene expression, but restored lung endogenous antioxidant activities. γ-Tocotrienol acted by inhibiting nuclear translocation of STAT3 and NF-κB, and up-regulating Nrf2 activation in the lungs. In mice exposed to 2-month cigarette smoke, γ-tocotrienol ameliorated bronchial epithelium thickening and destruction of alveolar sacs in lungs, and improved lung functions. In comparison with prednisolone, γ-tocotrienol demonstrated better anti-oxidative efficacy, and protection against emphysema and lung function in COPD. We revealed for the first time the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant efficacies of γ-tocotrienol in cigarette smoke-induced COPD models. In addition, γ-tocotrienol was able to attenuate emphysematous lesions and improve lung function in COPD. γ-Tocotrienol may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of COPD.

Graphical abstract

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Inhibition of platelet-derived growth factor receptor β reduces reactive glia and scar formation after traumatic brain injury in mice

Publication date: Available online 4 July 2017
Source:Brain Research Bulletin
Author(s): Dan Pei, Nan Liu, Dan Li, Hongjing Yan, Qiu-bo Wang, Yan Fang, Ling Xie, Hong-Peng Li
Brain injury leads to complex cellular and molecular interactions within the central nervous system. As the glial scar was a mechanical barrier to regeneration, inhibitory molecules in the forming scar and methods to overcome them have suggested molecular modification strategies to allow neuronal growth and functional regeneration. Here we investigated the roles of PDGFRβ signaling in regulating astrocyte reactivity and scar formation in mice following traumatic brain injury (TBI). The expression and distribution of phosphorylated PDGFRβ was analyzed, and its cell type-specific expression was verified with double labeling of astrocytes (GFAP), microglia (IBA1), oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPC) (NG2) and leukocytes (CD45). We found PDGFRβ was activated around the injury site after TBI, and primarily expressed in astrocytes, microglia, OPC and leukocytes in the boundary of the lesion site, suggesting PDGFRβ was involved in glial scar formation. Then the PDGFR inhibitor (AG1296) was administered following TBI. Reactive astrocytes were significantly inhibited in AG1296-treated mice. Furthermore, AG1296-treatment attenuated reactive leukocytes, OPC and astrocytes and pronouncedly disrupted of glial scar formation after TBI. These findings prove that PDGFRβ signaling inhibited reactive astrocytes-mediated scar formation after TBI in mice.

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Quantitative Analysis of Hepatic Microcirculation in Rabbits After Liver Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Using Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound

Publication date: Available online 3 July 2017
Source:Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology
Author(s): Haiyuan Li, Jingning Lu, Xiaofeng Zhou, Denghua Pan, Dequan Guo, Haiying Ling, Hong Yang, Yun He, Gang Chen
Previous studies have shown that contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) can be used quantitatively to analyze microcirculation blood perfusion in hepatocellular carcinoma patients. However, limited data have described the application of CEUS in hepatic microcirculation after liver ischemic-reperfusion injury (IRI). The purpose of this study was to explore the use of CEUS quantitatively to assess liver microcirculation after liver IRI. We randomly sorted 45 New Zealand rabbits into 3 groups (15 in each). Group A was a control group in which the rabbits underwent laparotomy alone. In groups B and C, hepatic blood was blocked for 30 min. Simultaneously, rabbits in group C underwent left lateral lobe resection. After 30 min of ischemia, CEUS was conducted after 0 h, 1 h, 6 h and 24 h of reperfusion in the 3 groups. Time-intensity curves (TICs) for CEUS were constructed and quantitative parameters (maximum intensity [IMAX], rise time [RT], time to peak [TTP] and mean transit time [mTT]) were obtained. In addition, serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were computed to estimate liver function before the operation and at 0 h, 1 h, 6 h and 24 h after reperfusion, respectively. Pathologic changes in the liver after reperfusion were also observed. Simultaneously, the correlations between serum transaminase and a variety of quantitative analysis parameters were analyzed. In groups B and C, the IMAX value decreased; whereas RT, TTP, mTT and serum ALT and AST levels increased significantly in comparison with those in group A after 0 h and 1 h of reperfusion. The pathology revealed that erythrocytes were destroyed and microcirculation was disturbed. Then, at 6 h of reperfusion, the IMAX continued to decrease. Additionally, the levels of RT, TTP, mTT and serum ALT and AST increased in comparison with those at 1 h of reperfusion. The pathologic analysis revealed inflammatory cell aggregation and leukocyte infiltration. After 24 h of reperfusion, the IMAX was reduced in comparison with that of the 6-h group. The levels of RT, TTP, mTT and serum ALT and serum AST were increased in comparison with that of the 6-h group. These findings were in accordance with the pathologic analysis. In addition, serum transaminase had a negative correlation with IMAX (p < 0.001) and a positive correlation with RT, TTP and mTT (all p < 0.001). So, in conclusion, the quantitative analysis of CEUS can be used to assess hepatic microcirculation after liver IRI.

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Alterations in nociception and morphine antinociception in mice fed a high-fat diet

Publication date: Available online 4 July 2017
Source:Brain Research Bulletin
Author(s): Caitlin M. Nealon, Chandni Patel, Beth L. Worley, Angela N. Henderson-Redmond, Daniel J. Morgan, Traci A. Czyzyk
Currently, more than 78.6 million adults in the United States are obese. A majority of the patient population receiving treatment for pain symptoms is derived from this subpopulation. Environmental factors, including the increased availability of food high in fat and sugar, contribute to the continued rise in the rates of obesity. The focus of this study was to investigate whether long-term exposure to a high-fat, energy-dense diet enhances baseline thermal and inflammatory nociception while reducing sensitivity to morphine-induced antinociception. Antinociceptive and hypothermic responses to morphine were determined in male and female C57BL/6N mice fed either a "western-style" diet high in fat and sucrose (HED) or a standard low-fat chow diet for 15 weeks. Antinociception was assessed using both the hot plate and tail flick tests of acute thermal pain and the formalin test of inflammatory pain. Acute administration of morphine dose-dependently increased antinociception in the hot plate and tail flick assays for mice of both sexes fed chow and HED. However, female mice displayed lower antinociceptive response to morphine compared to males in the tail-flick test. Hypothermic responses to acute morphine were also assessed in mice fed chow or HED. Male and female mice fed chow, and female mice fed HED displayed similar hypothermic responses to morphine. However, males fed HED did not exhibit morphine-induced hypothermia. Tolerance to the antinociceptive and hypothermic effects of morphine was assessed after ten days of repeated daily administration (10mg/kg morphine). Male mice fed chow or HED developed tolerance to morphine in the hot plate test. However, females fed HED did not. In the tail flick assay, only mice fed HED developed tolerance to morphine. All groups showed tolerance to morphine-induced hypothermia. In the formalin test, we found that both male and female mice fed HED had reduced sensitivity to the antinociceptive effects of morphine (6mg/kg). Collectively, these data suggest that sensitivity and tolerance to the antinociceptive effects of morphine may be dependent on diet and sex in the hot plate and tail flick thermal pain models, and that the acute antinociceptive effects of morphine in the formalin inflammatory pain model may also be dependent on these two factors. In addition, diet and sex can influence morphine-induced hypothermia. Exposure to an HED may lead to changes in neuronal signaling pathways that alter nociceptive responses to noxious stimuli in a sex-specific manner. Thus, dietary modifications might be a useful way to impact pain therapy.

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Transabdominal Ultrasound Colonography for Detection of Colorectal Neoplasms: Initial Clinical Experience

Publication date: Available online 3 July 2017
Source:Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology
Author(s): Jin-Ya Liu, Li-Da Chen, Jian-Bo Xu, Hui Wu, Jin-Ning Ye, Xin-Hua Zhang, Xiao-Yan Xie, Wei Wang, Ming-De Lu
We investigated the feasibility of using ultrasound colonography (USC) to visualize the healthy colon and rectum and detect colorectal polyps. Eight healthy volunteers underwent USC after standard bowel preparation. The feasibility and image quality of USC in different segments were evaluated. Then, USC was conducted on eight patients with known colonic neoplasms using colonoscopy as the reference standard. For volunteers, USC examinations were successfully performed on four (50.0%) ascending, three (37.5%) transverse and eight (100%) descending colons, as well as all sigmoid colons and rectums. One of four (25.0%) ascending, two of eight (25.0%) descending and all sigmoid colons and rectums were well visualized and free of artifacts. For patients, colonoscopy revealed that eight patients had 17 neoplasms in the distal sigmoid colon and rectum, which included 3 lesions ≤5 mm, 3 lesions 6–9 mm and 11 lesions ≥10 mm. USC visualized 12 of 17 (70.6%) neoplasms. Lesion detection by USC was 0% (0/3), 33.3% (1/3) and 100% (11/11) for neoplasms ≤5, 6–9 mm and ≥10 mm in size. USC can visualize the sigmoid colon and rectum well and detect distal sigmoid and rectal neoplasms ≥10 mm in diameter.

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Obese Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction Phenotype: From Pariah to Central Player.

Author: Kitzman, Dalane W. MD; Lam, Carolyn S.P. MBBS, PhD

Page: 20-23

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Long Noncoding RNA MANTIS Facilitates Endothelial Angiogenic Function.

Author: Leisegang, Matthias S. PhD; Fork, Christian PhD; Josipovic, Ivana MSc; Richter, Florian Martin PhD; Preussner, Jens MSc; Hu, Jiong PhD; Miller, Matthew J. MSc; Epah, Jeremy; Hofmann, Patrick MSc; Gunther, Stefan PhD; Moll, Franziska MSc; Valasarajan, Chanil MSc; Heidler, Juliana PhD; Ponomareva, Yuliya MSc; Freiman, Thomas M. MD; Maegdefessel, Lars MD, PhD; Plate, Karl H. MD; Mittelbronn, Michel MD; Uchida, Shizuka PhD; Kunne, Carsten PhD; Stellos, Konstantinos MD; Schermuly, Ralph T. PhD; Weissmann, Norbert PhD; Devraj, Kavi PhD; Wittig, Ilka PhD; Boon, Reinier A. PhD; Dimmeler, Stefanie PhD; Pullamsetti, Soni Savai PhD; Looso, Mario PhD; Miller, Francis J. Jr. MD; Brandes, Ralf P. MD

Page: 65-79

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Decoupling the effects of stiffness and fiber density on cellular behaviors via an interpenetrating network of gelatin-methacrylate and collagen

Publication date: October 2017
Source:Biomaterials, Volume 141
Author(s): Anthony J. Berger, Kelsey M. Linsmeier, Pamela K. Kreeger, Kristyn S. Masters
The extracellular microenvironment provides critical cues that guide tissue development, homeostasis, and pathology. Deciphering the individual roles of these cues in tissue function necessitates the development of physically tunable culture platforms, but current approaches to create such materials have produced scaffolds that either exhibit a limited mechanical range or are unable to recapitulate the fibrous nature of in vivo tissues. Here we report a novel interpenetrating network (IPN) of gelatin-methacrylate (gelMA) and collagen I that enables independent tuning of fiber density and scaffold stiffness across a physiologically-relevant range of shear moduli (2–12 kPa), while maintaining constant extracellular matrix content. This biomaterial system was applied to examine how changes in the physical microenvironment affect cell types associated with the tumor microenvironment. By increasing fiber density while maintaining constant stiffness, we found that MDA-MB-231 breast tumor cells required the presence of fibers to invade the surrounding matrix, while endothelial cells (ECs) did not. Meanwhile, increasing IPN stiffness independently of fiber content yielded decreased invasion and sprouting for both MDA-MB-231 cells and ECs. These results highlight the importance of decoupling features of the microenvironment to uncover their individual effects on cell behavior, in addition to demonstrating that individual cell types within a tissue may be differentially affected by the same changes in physical features. The mechanical range and fibrous nature of this tunable biomaterial platform enable mimicry of a wide variety of tissues, and may yield more precise identification of targets which may be exploited to develop interventions to control tissue function.

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Circulation Editors and Editorial Board.

Author:

Page: A1-A2

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Grounding Cardio-Oncology in Basic and Clinical Science.

Author: Moslehi, Javid MD; Amgalan, Dulguun MS; Kitsis, Richard N. MD

Page: 3-5

http://ift.tt/2uk24Y4

Evidence Supporting the Existence of a Distinct Obese Phenotype of Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction.

Author: Obokata, Masaru MD, PhD; Reddy, Yogesh N.V. MD; Pislaru, Sorin V. MD, PhD; Melenovsky, Vojtech MD, PhD; Borlaug, Barry A. MD

Page: 6-19

http://ift.tt/2tKX55M

Physiology of Angina and Its Alleviation With Nitroglycerin: Insights From Invasive Catheter Laboratory Measurements During Exercise.

Author: Asrress, Kaleab N. PhD; Williams, Rupert PhD; Lockie, Timothy PhD; Khawaja, Muhammed Z. PhD; De Silva, Kalpa PhD; Lumley, Matthew PhD; Patterson, Tiffany MBBS; Arri, Satpal MBBS; Ihsan, Sana MBBS; Ellis, Howard MSc; Guilcher, Antoine PhD; Clapp, Brian PhD; Chowienczyk, Philip J. MD, PhD; Plein, Sven MD, PhD; Perera, Divaka MD; Marber, Michael S. PhD; Redwood, Simon R. MD

Page: 24-34

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Nitroglycerine and Angina: Evolving Clinical Coronary Physiology Beyond Fractional Flow Reserve and Coronary Flow Reserve.

Author: Gould, K. Lance MD; Johnson, Nils P. MD

Page: 35-38

http://ift.tt/2ujSNzf

Association Between Fetal Congenital Heart Defects and Maternal Risk of Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy in the Same Pregnancy and Across Pregnancies.

Author: Boyd, Heather Allison PhD; Basit, Saima MSc; Behrens, Ida MD, PhD; Leirgul, Elisabeth MD, PhD; Bundgaard, Henning MD, DrMed; Wohlfahrt, Jan MSc, DrMed; Melbye, Mads MD, DrMed; Oyen, Nina MD, MPH, DrMed

Page: 39-48

http://ift.tt/2tKQokd

Preeclampsia and Fetal Congenital Heart Defects: Spurious Association or Maternal Confounding?.

Author: Thilaganathan, Basky MD, PhD

Page: 49-51

http://ift.tt/2ujSN2d

Effect of Long-Term Metformin and Lifestyle in the Diabetes Prevention Program and Its Outcome Study on Coronary Artery Calcium.

Author: Goldberg, Ronald B. MD; Aroda, Vanita R. MD; Bluemke, David A. MD, PhD; Barrett-Connor, Elizabeth MD; Budoff, Matthew MD; Crandall, Jill P. MD; Dabelea, Dana MD, PhD; Horton, Edward S. MD; Mather, Kieren J. MD; Orchard, Trevor J. MD; Schade, David MD; Watson, Karol MD, PhD; Temprosa, Marinella PhD; for the Diabetes Prevention Program Research Group

Page: 52-64

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Long Noncoding RNAs and Angiogenesis: Regulatory Information for Chromatin Remodeling.

Author: Zampetaki, Anna PhD; Mayr, Manuel MD, PhD

Page: 80-82

http://ift.tt/2tKVIE6

Idiopathic Ventricular Fibrillation in a 29-Year-Old Man.

Author: Beach, Leila Y. MD; Goldschlager, Nora MD; Moss, Joshua D. MD; Scheinman, Melvin M. MD

Page: 112-114

http://ift.tt/2tLch2B

Melanocortin 1 Receptor Signaling Regulates Cholesterol Transport in Macrophages.

Author: Rinne, Petteri PhD; Rami, Martina MSc; Nuutinen, Salla MSc; Santovito, Donato MD, PhD; van der Vorst, Emiel P.C. PhD; Guillamat-Prats, Raquel PhD; Lyytikainen, Leo-Pekka MD, PhD; Raitoharju, Emma PhD; Oksala, Niku MD, PhD, DSc; Ring, Larisa PhD; Cai, Minying PhD; Hruby, Victor J. PhD; Lehtimaki, Terho MD, PhD; Weber, Christian MD; Steffens, Sabine PhD

Page: 83-97

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Is Cardioprotection Dead?.

Author: Lefer, David J. PhD; Marban, Eduardo MD, PhD

Page: 98-109

http://ift.tt/2tKM1FQ

Breaking Meeting News: ACC.17

Author: Kuehn, Bridget M.

Page: 110-111

http://ift.tt/2ujIwmy

Letter by Cerit Regarding Article, "Recurrent Hospitalization Among Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Undergoing Intracoronary Stenting Treated With 2 Treatment Strategies of Rivaroxaban or a Dose-Adjusted Oral Vitamin K Antagonist Treatment Strategy".

Author: Cerit, Levent MD

Page: 115-116

http://ift.tt/2ujPhoo

Response by Gibson and Fox to Letter Regarding Article, "Recurrent Hospitalization Among Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Undergoing Intracoronary Stenting Treated With 2 Treatment Strategies of Rivaroxaban or a Dose-Adjusted Oral Vitamin K Antagonist Treatment Strategy".

Author: Gibson, C. Michael MS, MD; Fox, Keith MD

Page: 117

http://ift.tt/2tKPt36

Letter by Koh Regarding Article, "Factorial Effects of Evolocumab and Atorvastatin on Lipoprotein Metabolism".

Author: Koh, Kwang Kon MD, PhD

Page: 118-119

http://ift.tt/2ujQJr0

Response by Watts et al to Letter Regarding Article, "Factorial Effects of Evolocumab and Atorvastatin on Lipoprotein Metabolism".

Author: Watts, Gerald F. DSc, PhD, DM; Chan, Dick C. PhD; Somaratne, Ransi MD, MBA; Wasserman, Scott M. MD; Sabatine, Marc S. MD, MPH

Page: 120-121

http://ift.tt/2tKvZvo

Flow cytometry-based diagnosis of primary immunodeficiency diseases

Publication date: Available online 3 July 2017
Source:Allergology International
Author(s): Hirokazu Kanegane, Akihiro Hoshino, Tsubasa Okano, Takahiro Yasumi, Taizo Wada, Hidetoshi Takada, Satoshi Okada, Motoi Yamashita, Tzu-wen Yeh, Ryuta Nishikomori, Masatoshi Takagi, Kohsuke Imai, Hans D. Ochs, Tomohiro Morio
Primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs) are a heterogeneous group of inherited diseases of the immune system. The definite diagnosis of PID is ascertained by genetic analysis; however, this takes time and is costly. Flow cytometry provides a rapid and highly sensitive tool for diagnosis of PIDs.Flow cytometry can evaluate specific cell populations and subpopulations, cell surface, intracellular and intranuclear proteins, biologic effects associated with specific immune defects, and certain functional immune characteristics, each being useful for the diagnosis and evaluation of PIDs. Flow cytometry effectively identifies major forms of PIDs, including severe combined immunodeficiency, X-linked agammaglobulinemia, hyper IgM syndromes, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome, familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome, IPEX syndrome, CTLA 4 haploinsufficiency and LRBA deficiency, IRAK4 and MyD88 deficiencies, Mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial disease, chronic mucocuneous candidiasis, and chronic granulomatous disease. While genetic analysis is the definitive approach to establish specific diagnoses of PIDs, flow cytometry provides a tool to effectively evaluate patients with PIDs at relatively low cost.

http://ift.tt/2skLeab

Differential effect of the overexpression of Rad2/XPG family endonucleases on genome integrity in yeast and human cells

Publication date: Available online 3 July 2017
Source:DNA Repair
Author(s): Sonia Jimeno, Emilia Herrera-Moyano, Pedro Ortega, Andrés Aguilera
Eukaryotic cells possess several DNA endonucleases that are necessary to complete different steps in DNA metabolism. Rad2/XPG and Rad27/FEN1 belong to a group of evolutionary conserved proteins that constitute the Rad2 family. Given the important roles carried out by these nucleases in DNA repair and their capacity to create DNA breaks, we have investigated the effect that in vivo imbalance of these nucleases and others of the family have on genome integrity and cell proliferation. We show that overexpression of these nucleases causes genetic instability in both yeast and human cells. Interestingly, the type of recombination event and DNA damage induced suggest specific modes and timing of action of each nuclease that are beyond their known DNA repair function and are critical to preserve genome integrity. In addition to identifying new sources of genome instability, a hallmark of cancer cells, this study provides new genetic tools for studies of genome dynamics.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2sANJcv

Editorial: REM sleep behavior disorder and obstructive sleep apnea: does one “evil” make the other less or more “evil”?

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is commonly found in patients with REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), partially due to common risk factors shared by these two conditions (ie, age and male gender). Indeed, 34-60% of patients with RBD were reported to have an AHI > 10/hour.1,2 Recently, a few studies have tried to clarify the close relationship between OSA and RBD. In this issue, Bugalho et al. conducted a case-control study to further explore the reciprocal relationship between OSA and RBD. Albeit being hampered by a few limitations, such as small sample size, a lack of follow-up confirmation of potential pseudo-RBD induced by severe OSA, and a mixed group of idiopathic and symptomatic RBD (associated with Parkinson's disease), this study has taken a great step towards understanding the complex relationship between OSA and RBD.

http://ift.tt/2tkbliT

Back to sleep- or not: The impact of the supine position in pediatric OSA

In both adults and children obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has significant adverse cardiovascular consequences. In adults, sleeping position has a marked effect on the severity of OSA, however the limited number of studies conducted in children have reported conflicting findings. We aimed to evaluate the effect of sleeping position on OSA severity and the cardiovascular consequences in preschool-aged children.

http://ift.tt/2sAywbm

Secondary encephalocele in infant following subdural empyema repaired endoscopically-A case report

Subdural empyema (SDE) is an uncommon entity, mostly associated with meningitis and can be life threatening in infants. Rarely, a subdural empyema can lead to nasal encephalocele which can be challenging situation to manage especially in infant. We present a case of 7 month old infant who presented with subdural empyema that led to formation of nasal encaphalocele after 4 months which was managed endoscopic route.

http://ift.tt/2ujt5Lb

Absence of Relationship between Mitochondrial DNA Haplogroups and Cisplatin-Induced Hearing Loss

Background. Many drugs used for cancer chemotherapy produce reactive oxygen species, thus leading to various complications including nephrotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, and ototoxicity. Objective. We have provided a haplogroup analysis of a cohort of cancer patients treated with chemotherapy and compared factors associated with associated hearing loss. Study Design and Methods. This observational cohort study includes a pure-tone audiometry of the patients who underwent chemotherapeutic treatment. Medical history, presence of risk factors for hearing loss, toxic habits, and association with haplogroups have been determined. Results. 40% of patients developed hearing loss after administration of cisplatin, which was bilateral and symmetrical and of high frequencies. The most frequent haplogroup was H with a slight overexpression of groups V and K and a low frequency of groups J and T. No association of the haplogroup types with the hearing loss has been found; however age was revealed as an important determining factor. Conclusions. Ototoxicity caused by cisplatin is manifested as bilateral, symmetrical, and predominantly high frequency hearing loss. Although we did not find a strong correlation of haplogroups with ototoxicity, our results revealed the existence of a risk group of elderly patients over 60, which are more susceptible to hearing loss induced by cisplatin, than young adults, regardless of preexisting hearing loss.

http://ift.tt/2sxeFtB

Characterization of gliomas: from morphology to molecules

Abstract

This article reviews the histologic and molecular characterization of gliomas, including the new "integrated diagnoses" of the World Health Organization Classification, 2016 edition. The entities reviewed within include diffuse gliomas (astrocytoma, oligodendroglioma, glioblastoma), as well as circumscribed and low-grade gliomas (angiocentric glioma, pilocytic astrocytoma, subependymal giant cell astrocytoma, pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma, pilomyxoid astrocytoma, ependymoma, myxopapillary ependymoma, and subependymoma). Diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarkers are discussed for each entity. We review how molecular testing for IDH1 and ATRX and detection of chromosome 1p/19q codeletion can be used to categorize glioblastomas as IDH-wildtype or IDH-mutant, and lower grade diffuse gliomas into three molecular groups that correlate better with patient outcomes than histologic subtyping. Pediatric diffuse gliomas are highlighted, including diffuse midline glioma, H3 K27M-mutant, and inherited germline mutations that predispose to pediatric gliomas. The utility of genomic profiling of certain gliomas is discussed, including identifying candidates for experimental therapies. This review is meant to be a concise summary of glioma characterization for the practicing pathologist.

http://ift.tt/2tKDq5X

Service evaluation of patients’ views on the Patients’ Concerns Inventory (at diagnosis)

The amount of information wanted by patients after the diagnosis of cancer of the head and neck varies, and valid consent is not possible without information. The Patients' Concerns Inventory (diagnosis) (PCI-D) is a list intended to prompt patients to ask about aspects of their diagnosis and its potential treatments and outcomes. It has not previously been evaluated in clinical practice. Our aim was to assess how often patients recall using it and their satisfaction with both it and the information they received.

http://ift.tt/2sGtTaM

Absence of Relationship between Mitochondrial DNA Haplogroups and Cisplatin-Induced Hearing Loss

“Archers lip”: a lesion on the upper lip

A 65-year-old man was referred to us by his general practitioner with a persistent, scabbed lesion on his right upper lip. The lesion was red and had an irregular outline with a central scab that crossed the vermilion border (Fig. 1). On palpation it was indurated. The patient was a factory worker and had been regularly exposed to the sun. His medical history was unremarkable.

http://ift.tt/2sGIqU7

Medialization Laryngoplasty After Injection Augmentation

This study aims to assess the effect of vocal fold injection augmentation (IA) on subsequent medialization laryngoplasty (ML).

http://ift.tt/2sGRbgZ

“Prologues to a Bad Voice”: Effect of Vocal Hygiene Knowledge and Training on Voice Quality Following Stage Performance

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of intensive stage rehearsal and performance on perceptual, acoustic, and aerodynamic measures of voice, and to determine the impact of knowledge and practice of vocal hygiene on measures of voice during intensive vocal performance.

http://ift.tt/2sGWLjc

Sarcoidosis Presenting as Bilateral Vocal Fold Immobility

Bilateral true vocal fold paralysis is rarely attributable to inflammatory diseases. Sarcoidosis is a rare but important etiology of bilateral true vocal fold paralysis by compressive lymphadenopathy, granulomatous infiltration, and neural involvement. We describe the first reported case of sarcoidosis presenting as bilateral vocal fold immobility caused by direct fixation by granulomatous infiltration severe enough to necessitate tracheostomy insertion. In addition, we discuss the presentation, the pathophysiology, and the treatment of this disease with a review of the literature of previously reported cases of sarcoidosis-related vocal fold immobility.

http://ift.tt/2tbvXv5

Does a face-bow lead to better occlusion in complete dentures? A randomized controlled trial: part I

Abstract

Objectives

In a double-blinded randomized controlled clinical trial, the impact of face-bow registration for remounting complete dentures (CDs) on the occlusal parameters (part I) was evaluated.

Materials and methods

New CDs of 32 patients were duplicated and mounted after intraoral pin registration according to mean settings (group 1) and (group 2) using a face-bow (arbitrary hinge axis). The vertical dimension was reduced to the first occlusal contact point, and a bite record was fabricated in the articulator. The number of contacts and the number of teeth in contact were evaluated by a computer program (laboratory result). After randomization, half of the CDs were adjusted according to protocol of group 1 and group 2 and delivered to the patients. After 3 days (T1) and 84 days (T2), clinical static contact points and teeth in contact were counted. Contact points and teeth in contact of both groups (laboratory results) and at different moments (clinical results) were analyzed statistically with the F test and bootstrapping.

Results

Laboratory: No. 2 (face-bow) showed more occlusal contact points than no. 1 (mean setting), p > 0.05. The number of teeth with at least one occlusal contact was significantly higher in no. 2 (p = 0.027). Clinic: The mean number of teeth with at least one clinical contact point was significantly higher in no. 1 (no. 1 = 7.13, no. 2 = 5.31; p = 0.042). Extent of the vertical shift poorly correlated with number of laboratory occlusal contact points (R ² = 0.017).

Conclusions

Considering the complex multistep study design, a limited number of participants, and referring to one specific arbitrary face-bow, the following conclusion could be drawn: no substantial difference by the use of the arbitrary face-bow compared to a mean setting could be determined, when changing the vertical dimension in the articulator within a remounting procedure of complete dentures.

Clinical relevance

Further research is necessary to determine the effects of different arbitrary face-bows on the fabrication and adaptation of removable dentures.

http://ift.tt/2skrsf0

Oxidative potential of PM2.5 during Atlanta rush hour: Measurements of in-vehicle dithiothreitol (DTT) activity

Publication date: September 2017
Source:Atmospheric Environment, Volume 165
Author(s): Heidi Vreeland, Rodney Weber, Michael Bergin, Roby Greenwald, Rachel Golan, Armistead G. Russell, Vishal Verma, Jeremy A. Sarnat
Although exposure to traffic emissions is frequently associated with negative health impacts, few studies have measured air pollution directly in-vehicle, and limited measurements of daily commuter exposure exist. This research, part of the Atlanta Commuter Exposures (ACE) Study, assesses on-roadway in-cabin particulate pollution (PM2.5) collected from scripted rush hour commutes on highways and on non-highway side streets. Water-soluble extracts from PM2.5 filters were analyzed for oxidative potential of water-soluble species using the dithiothreitol (DTT) assay, and results suggest that there may be substantial gas-phase DTT activity in fresh emissions. We measured DTTv activities (i.e., DTT activity normalized to the sampled air volume) that were on average two times higher than comparable measurements collected by stationary roadside monitoring sites. Although some of this difference may be attributable to positive artifacts due to relatively brief (2-h) quartz filter sampling durations, the current findings provide some indication that commuters encounter notably higher exposure to redox-active PM2.5 in the on-road environment. Strong correlations are observed between water-soluble DTT activity and water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC), specifically for the 'semivolatile' WSOC component (measured as the difference between denuded and non-denuded filters). Although potential for artifacts when measuring DTT activity of fresh emissions using filter-based methods is considerable, these results suggest that semivolatile organic species are important contributors to DTT activity, at least in environments where ambient PM2.5 is dominated by vehicular sources.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2tb7Lcr

Time-resolved analysis of particle emissions from residential biomass combustion – Emissions of refractory black carbon, PAHs and organic tracers

Publication date: September 2017
Source:Atmospheric Environment, Volume 165
Author(s): Ingeborg E. Nielsen, Axel C. Eriksson, Robert Lindgren, Johan Martinsson, Robin Nyström, Erik Z. Nordin, Ioannis Sadiktsis, Christoffer Boman, Jacob K. Nøjgaard, Joakim Pagels
Time-resolved particle emissions from a conventional wood stove were investigated with aerosol mass spectrometry to provide links between combustion conditions, emission factors, mixing state of refractory black carbon and implications for organic tracer methods. The addition of a new batch of fuel results in low temperature pyrolysis as the fuel heats up, resulting in strong, short-lived, variable emission peaks of organic aerosol-containing markers of anhydrous sugars, such as levoglucosan (fragment at m/z 60). Flaming combustion results in emissions dominated by refractory black carbon co-emitted with minor fractions of organic aerosol and markers of anhydrous sugars. Full cycle emissions are an external mixture of larger organic aerosol-dominated and smaller thinly coated refractory black carbon particles. A very high burn rate results in increased full cycle mass emission factors of 66, 2.7, 2.8 and 1.3 for particulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, refractory black carbon, total organic aerosol and m/z 60, respectively, compared to nominal burn rate. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are primarily associated with refractory black carbon-containing particles. We hypothesize that at very high burn rates, the central parts of the combustion zone become air starved, leading to a locally reduced combustion temperature that reduces the conversion rates from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to refractory black carbon. This facilitates a strong increase of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons emissions. At nominal burn rates, full cycle emissions based on m/z 60 correlate well with organic aerosol, refractory black carbon and particulate matter. However, at higher burn rates, m/z 60 does not correlate with increased emissions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, refractory black carbon and organic aerosol in the flaming phase. The new knowledge can be used to advance source apportionment studies, reduce emissions of genotoxic compounds and model the climate impacts of refractory black carbon, such as absorption enhancement by lensing.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2taPgoc

Particulate matter from re-suspended mineral dust and emergency cause-specific respiratory hospitalizations in Hong Kong

Publication date: September 2017
Source:Atmospheric Environment, Volume 165
Author(s): Vivian C. Pun, Linwei Tian, Kin-fai Ho
While contribution from non-exhaust particulate matter (PM) emissions towards traffic-related emissions is increasing, few epidemiologic evidence of their health impact is available. We examined the association of short-term exposure to PM10 apportioned to re-suspended mineral dust with emergency hospitalizations for three major respiratory causes in Hong Kong between 2001 and 2008. Time-series regression model was constructed to examine association of PM10 from re-suspended mineral dust with emergency hospitalizations for upper respiratory infection (URI), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma at exposure lag 0–5 days, adjusting for time trends, seasonality, temperature and relative humidity. An interquartile range (6.8 μg/m³) increment in re-suspended mineral dust on previous day was associated with 0.66% (95% CI: 0.12, 0.98) increase in total respiratory hospitalizations, and 1.01% (95% CI: 0.14, 1.88) increase in URI hospitalizations. A significant 0.66%–0.80% increases in risk of COPD hospitalizations were found after exposure to re-suspended mineral dust at lag 3 or later. Exposure to mineral dust at lag 4 was linked to 1.71% increase (95% CI: 0.14, 2.22) in asthma hospitalizations. Associations from single-pollutant models remained significant in multi-pollutant models, which additionally adjusted for PM10 contributing from vehicle exhaust, regional combustion, residual oil, fresh sea salt, aged sea salt, secondary nitrate and secondary sulfate, or gaseous pollutants (i.e., nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, or ozone), respectively. Our findings provide insight into the biological mechanism by which non-exhaust pollution may be associated with risk of adverse respiratory outcomes, and also stress the needs for strategies to reduce emission and re-suspension of mineral dust. More research is warranted to assess the health effects of different non-exhaust PM emissions under various roadway conditions and vehicle fleets.

http://ift.tt/2tb1iOn

The association between Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection and speech and language impairment: A nationwide population-based study in Taiwan

by Ching-Shu Tsai, Vincent Chin-Hung Chen, Yao-Hsu Yang, Tai-Hsin Hung, Mong-Liang Lu, Kuo-You Huang, Michael Gossop

Manifestations of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection can range from self-limiting upper respiratory symptoms to various neurological complications, including speech and language impairment. But an association between Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection and speech and language impairment has not been sufficiently explored. In this study, we aim to investigate the association between Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection and subsequent speech and language impairment in a nationwide population-based sample using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database. We identified 5,406 children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection (International Classification of Disease, Revision 9, Clinical Modification code 4830) and compared to 21,624 age-, sex-, urban- and income-matched controls on subsequent speech and language impairment. The mean follow-up interval for all subjects was 6.44 years (standard deviation = 2.42 years); the mean latency period between the initial Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection and presence of speech and language impairment was 1.96 years (standard deviation = 1.64 years). The results showed that Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection was significantly associated with greater incidence of speech and language impairment [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.23–1.80]. In addition, significantly increased hazard ratio of subsequent speech and language impairment in the groups younger than 6 years old and no significant difference in the groups over the age of 6 years were found (HR = 1.43, 95% CI:1.09–1.88 for age 0–3 years group; HR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.25–2.23 for age 4–5 years group; HR = 1.14, 95% CI: 0.54–2.39 for age 6–7 years group; and HR = 0.83, 95% CI:0.23–2.92 for age 8–18 years group). In conclusion, Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is temporally associated with incident speech and language impairment.

http://ift.tt/2tJve5F

Topographical projections from the nucleus basalis magnocellularis (Meynert) to the frontal cortex: A voltage-sensitive dye imaging study in rats

Publication date: Available online 3 July 2017
Source:Brain Stimulation
Author(s): Kazuaki Nagasaka, Yumiko Watanabe, Ichiro Takashima
BackgroundThe nucleus basalis magnocellularis/Meynert (NBM) has been explored as a new target for deep brain stimulation for neurological disorders. Although anatomical studies suggest the existence of cholinergic topographical projections of the NBM, it is still unknown whether NBM subregions differentially activate the frontal cortex.ObjectiveTo investigate the topography between the NBM and frontal cortex.MethodsElectrical stimulation was applied to the anterior and posterior sites of the NBM in rats, and the evoked frontal activity was investigated using voltage-sensitive dye (VSD) imaging.ResultsVSD imaging revealed the functional topography of the NMB and frontal cortex: the anteroposterior axis of the NBM corresponded to the mediolateral axis of the dorsal frontal cortex.ConclusionThe present results suggest site-specific control of frontal neuronal activity by the NBM. These findings have practical implications, as the anterior and posterior parts of the NBM could be targeted to improve cognitive and motor function, respectively.

http://ift.tt/2tk2DRD

Unusual metallic penile foreign body

Kulothungan Gunasekaran Mar 27, 2017; 2017:bcr2017219377-bcr2017219377 case-report

http://ift.tt/2sA23BT

An unusual case of KBG syndrome with unique oral findings

Abdul Hafiz Jul 17, 2015; 2015:bcr2015210352-bcr2015210352 case-report

http://ift.tt/2tkbyTf

Laryngeal lipoma: a rare cause of acute intermittent airway obstruction

Peter George Deutsch Apr 22, 2016; 2016:bcr2016215506-bcr2016215506 case-report

http://ift.tt/2tjHxCW

Case of pneumatosis intestinalis and hepatic portal venous gas following a laparoscopic right hemicolectomy

Edit Elisa Castren Mar 21, 2016; 2016:bcr2016214431-bcr2016214431 case-report

http://ift.tt/2sAmO0j

Access to essential paediatric eye surgery in the developing world: a case of congenital cataracts left untreated

Marilyn L Vinluan Apr 22, 2015; 2015:bcr2014208197-bcr2014208197 case-report

http://ift.tt/2sAmKO7

Pulmonary co-infection with Nocardia and Aspergillus in a patient with adult-onset Still's disease receiving steroids and tacrolimus

Durga Prasanna Misra Nov 14, 2014; 2014:bcr2014207335-bcr2014207335 case-report

http://ift.tt/2sA44OP

A rare presentation of multiple dens invaginatus in maxillary dentition

Jigar M Purani Aug 1, 2014; 2014:bcr2013200389-bcr2013200389 case-report

http://ift.tt/2tk3YYs

Thoracic vertebral osteomyelitis: an unusual complication of Crohn's disease

Olushola Ajayi Jun 10, 2014; 2014:bcr2013202150-bcr2013202150 case-report

http://ift.tt/2sAgBSc

Endodontic retreatment of a mandibular first molar with five root canal systems: an important clinical lesson

Muhammad Hasan Mar 20, 2014; 2014:bcr2013201402-bcr2013201402 case-report

http://ift.tt/2tjXadz

Cold finger: urban frostbite in the UK

Stephen Mulgrew Aug 29, 2013; 2013:bcr1120115167-bcr1120115167 case-report

http://ift.tt/2sA0hkv

Central nervous system infection with Acanthamoeba in a malnourished child

Sumeeta Khurana Oct 24, 2012; 2012:bcr2012007449-bcr2012007449 case-report

http://ift.tt/2tk7lPo

Herbicide/Zn-Al-layered double hydroxide hybrid composite: synthesis and slow/controlled release properties

Abstract

The herbicide glyphosate (GLY) or 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acids (2,4D) was intercalated in the interlayer region of a Zn-Al-layered double hydroxide (LDH) to obtain LDH-GLY or the LDH-2,4D hybrid composite because of its controlled release. Compared to the physically mixed herbicides, the LDH-herbicide hybrid composite displayed slow-release properties in decarbonated distilled water. The release rate of herbicides was found to be dependent on the carbonate and chloride anion concentrations in solution. The time at which 50% of the herbicides were released from the hybrid composite into solution, t ₅₀, ranged from 6.5 to 18.6 h for LDH-GLY and from 10 to 21.5 h for LDH-2,4D. Our results indicate that the application of LDH-GLY or LDH-2,4D hybrid composite to agricultural areas could reduce the maximum 2,4D or GLY contamination and result in the retardation of herbicides leaching through the soil. This study demonstrates the potential applicability of LDHs as supports for the slow release of acid herbicides.

http://ift.tt/2sGHJdu

Biosynthesis of staphylococcal enterotoxin A by genetic engineering technology and determination of staphylococcal enterotoxin A in water by HPLC-ESI-TOF

Abstract

Staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) was the major virulence factor of Staphylococcus aureus and a biomarker of S. aureus. To establish a fast, low cost, high accuracy, reliable, and simple method for detecting S. aureus, SEA was analyzed by HPLC-ESI-TOF. SEA was not yet commercially available in universal, so SEA was prepared before it was analyzed by HPLC-ESI-TOF. The result showed that high purified SEA was successfully prepared and SEA has normal distribution in mass spectra. A large amount of recombinant SEA (rSEA) was obtained by engineering technology and was purified by Ni affinity chromatography column, and the expression and purity of rSEA and SEA were analyzed by SDS-PAGE. The factors effected on ionization of SEA were studied, and the qualitative analysis of SEA by HPLC-ESI-TOF. The result showed that large amount of SEs expressed within a short time at 28 °C or thereabouts, and there was no impurity bands in electrophorogram after rSEA was purified by Ni affinity chromatography column. In addition, the SEA which had homologous AA sequence with wild SEA was made by rSEA. The retention of SEA in column and ionization of SEA in ESI-TOF were studied for qualitative analysis of S. aureus. The result showed that the content of formic acid in mobile phase was an important factor for ionization of SEs in ESI-TOF. And the result provided theoretical foundation for qualitative detection of S. aureus. [SEs + nH⁺ + mNH₄⁺]^n+m+ was shown on ESI-TOF spectra when SEA was detected by ESI-TOF in positive ion mode, and the numerical value of n+m was less than or equal to the number of basic amino acids in SEs. This method was applied to determine SEA in water samples preliminarily, and the detection limit of SEA in spiked water sample was 3 mg/kg. The limit of detection of 3 mg/kg was low sensitivity for low molecular weight matters, but it was high sensitivity for SEA which had a high molecular weight of 27 kDa. Of SEA, 3 mg/kg was equivalent to 10⁻⁴ mmol/kg of SEA. This study can provide evidence for establishing method to determine SEA in real samples.

http://ift.tt/2taYvES

Preparation of modified waterworks sludge particles as adsorbent to enhance coagulation of slightly polluted source water

Abstract

Without treatment, waterworks sludge is ineffective as an adsorbent. In this study, raw waterworks sludge was used as the raw material to prepare modified sludge particles through high-temperature calcination and alkali modification. The feasibility of using a combination of modified particles and polyaluminum chloride (PAC) as a coagulant for treatment of slightly polluted source water was also investigated. The composition, structure, and surface properties of the modified particles were characterized, and their capabilities for removing ammonia nitrogen and turbidity were determined. The results indicate that the optimal preparation conditions for the modified sludge particles were achieved by preparing the particles with a roasting temperature of 483.12 °C, a roasting time of 3.32 h, and a lye concentration of 3.75%. Furthermore, enhanced coagulation is strengthened with the addition of modified sludge particles, which is reflected by reduction of the required PAC dose and enhancement of the removal efficiency of ammonia nitrogen and turbidity by over 80 and 93%, respectively. Additional factors such as pH, temperature, dose, and dosing sequence were also evaluated. The optimum doses of modified particles and PAC were 40 and 15 mg/L, respectively, and adding modified particles at the same time as or prior to adding PAC improves removal efficiency.

http://ift.tt/2sGL3oW

The Effect of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Methylphenidate Treatment on the Adult Auditory Temporal Order Judgment Threshold

Purpose

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition notes that attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosed in childhood will persist into adulthood among at least some individuals. There is a paucity of evidence, however, regarding whether other difficulties that often accompany childhood ADHD will also continue into adulthood, specifically auditory processing deficits. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of ADHD and the stimulant medication methylphenidate on auditory perception performance among adults.

Method

A total of 33 adults diagnosed with ADHD according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition criteria (ADHD group) and 48 adults without ADHD (non-ADHD group) performed an auditory temporal order judgment task. Participants with ADHD performed the task twice: with and without taking methylphenidate (Ritalin), in random order.

Results

Temporal order judgment thresholds of the ADHD group were significantly higher than those of the non-ADHD group. Methylphenidate significantly decreased temporal order judgment thresholds within the ADHD group, making their performance similar to the non-ADHD participants.

Conclusions

Auditory processing difficulties of those diagnosed with ADHD seem to persist into adulthood. Similar to findings with children, methylphenidate treatment improves performance on tasks requiring this ability among adults. Therefore, given the association between auditory temporal processing and linguistic skills, the beneficial effect of methylphenidate on adults' academic achievement may be accomplished by positively affecting auditory temporal processing. Further studies in this line of research are needed.

http://ift.tt/2tKeuez

Effects of a Conversation-Based Intervention on the Linguistic Skills of Children With Motor Speech Disorders who Use Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Purpose

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of a conversation-based intervention on the expressive vocabulary and grammatical skills of children with severe motor speech disorders and expressive language delay who use augmentative and alternative communication.

Method

Eight children aged from 8 to 13 years participated in the study. After a baseline period, a conversation-based intervention was provided for each participant, in which they were supported to learn and use linguistic structures essential for the formation of clauses and the grammaticalization of their utterances, such as pronouns, verbs, and bound morphemes, in the context of personally meaningful and scaffolded conversations with trained clinicians. The conversations were videotaped, transcribed, and analyzed using the Systematic Analysis of Language Transcripts (SALT; Miller & Chapman, 1991).

Results

Results indicate that participants showed improvements in their use of spontaneous clauses, and a greater use of pronouns, verbs, and bound morphemes. These improvements were sustained and generalized to conversations with familiar partners.

Conclusion

The results demonstrate the positive effects of the conversation-based intervention for improving the expressive vocabulary and grammatical skills of children with severe motor speech disorders and expressive language delay who use augmentative and alternative communication. Clinical and theoretical implications of conversation-based interventions are discussed and future research needs are identified.

Supplemental Materials

http://ift.tt/2tKtHMX

http://ift.tt/2ujrTYm

Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating the Effectiveness of Computer-Assisted Intervention Delivered by Educators for Children With Speech Sound Disorders

Purpose

The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of computer-assisted input-based intervention for children with speech sound disorders (SSD).

Method

The Sound Start Study was a cluster-randomized controlled trial. Seventy-nine early childhood centers were invited to participate, 45 were recruited, and 1,205 parents and educators of 4- and 5-year-old children returned questionnaires. Children whose parents and educators had concerns about speech were assessed (n = 275); 132 children who were identified with phonological pattern-based errors underwent additional assessment. Children with SSD and no difficulties with receptive language or hearing, typical nonverbal intelligence, and English as their primary language were eligible; 123 were randomized into two groups (intervention n = 65; control n = 58), and 3 withdrew. The intervention group involved Phoneme Factory Sound Sorter software (Wren & Roulstone, 2013) administered by educators over 9 weeks; the control group involved typical classroom practices. Participants were reassessed twice by a speech-language pathologist who was unaware of the initial assessment and intervention conditions.

Results

For the primary outcome variable (percentage of consonants correct), the significant mean change from pre- to postintervention for the intervention group (mean change = +6.15, p p d = 0.08). Similar results occurred for measures of emergent literacy, phonological processing, participation, and well-being.

Conclusion

Computer-assisted input-based intervention administered by educators did not result in greater improvement than typical classroom practices.

http://ift.tt/2tKwpSq

Assessing the Importance of Lexical Tone Contour to Sentence Perception in Mandarin-Speaking Children with Normal Hearing

Purpose

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of lexical tone contour and age on sentence perception in quiet and in noise conditions in Mandarin-speaking children ages 7 to 11 years with normal hearing.

Method

Test materials were synthesized Mandarin sentences, each word with a manipulated lexical contour, that is, normal contour, flat contour, or a tone contour randomly selected from the four Mandarin lexical tone contours. A convenience sample of 75 Mandarin-speaking participants with normal hearing, ages 7, 9, and 11 years (25 participants in each age group), was selected. Participants were asked to repeat the synthesized speech in quiet and in speech spectrum–shaped noise at 0 dB signal-to-noise ratio.

Results

In quiet, sentence recognition by the 11-year-old children was similar to that of adults, and misrepresented lexical tone contours did not have a detrimental effect. However, the performance of children ages 9 and 7 years was significantly poorer. The performance of all three age groups, especially the younger children, declined significantly in noise.

Conclusions

The present research suggests that lexical tone contour plays an important role in Mandarin sentence recognition, and misrepresented tone contours result in greater difficulty in sentence recognition in younger children. These results imply that maturation and/or language use experience play a role in the processing of tone contours for Mandarin speech understanding, particularly in noise.

http://ift.tt/2skg8zl

Case History Risk Factors for Specific Language Impairment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Purpose

Research suggests that the best approach to early identification of children with specific language impairment (SLI) should include assessment of risk factors. However, previous attempts to develop a list for this purpose have been unsuccessful. In this study, systematic review and meta-analytic procedures were used to determine whether any case history factors can be used to identify toddlers at risk of developing SLI.

Method

Epidemiological studies that examined the association between risk factors and SLI were identified. Results across studies were aggregated to determine more precisely the strength of association between each risk factor and the development of SLI. The clinical significance of these factors was established via comparison to late talker status.

Results

Eleven risk factors were found to be statistically significant predictors of SLI. Among these, maternal education level, 5-min Apgar score, birth order, and biological sex met criteria for clinical significance.

Conclusions

At least 4 case history factors are as predictive as late talker status in the context of early identification of toddlers at risk for SLI. The findings of this review highlight the importance of taking a child's genetic and environmental context into consideration when deciding whether further evaluation and early intervention services are warranted.

Supplemental Materials

http://ift.tt/2tjCLFj

http://ift.tt/2sA3Dni

Ecologically Valid Assessment of Prospective Memory for Task Planning and Execution by Adults With Acquired Brain Injury

Purpose

Individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI) often struggle due to inadequate planning and execution skills for completing nonroutine tasks. This study's purpose was to pilot ecologically valid procedures to assess planning for and execution of prospective daily activities.

Method

Participants included 9 adults with histories of severe ABI and 9 controls. Data collection included both prospective task planning and execution. First, participants created a plan for later execution of daily tasks in accordance with preestablished rules. Over the subsequent 10 days, participants independently attempted task completion. Differences within and between participant groups regarding planning and task performance were evaluated statistically and through examiner observation.

Results

Participants with ABI implemented minimal planning strategies. They demonstrated highly variable performance and displayed substantially greater difficulty initiating and successfully executing tasks in adherence to rules than participants without ABI.

Conclusions

Evaluating planning strategies and execution of novel prospective tasks is a crucial but often neglected aspect of assessment following ABI. Implementing ecologically valid procedures to evaluate this aspect of functioning can reveal individual strengths and challenges and provide guidance for developing effective intervention programs. Examining potential roles played by planning and strategy execution provides critical assessment information relating to independent living.

http://ift.tt/2sA1DM8

Cytokine storms in infectious diseases

http://ift.tt/2tK3NsA

Towards predicting the encoding capability of MR fingerprinting sequences

Publication date: Available online 3 July 2017
Source:Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Author(s): K. Sommer, T. Amthor, M. Doneva, P. Koken, J. Meineke, P. Börnert
Sequence optimization and appropriate sequence selection is still an unmet need in magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF). The main challenge in MRF sequence design is the lack of an appropriate measure of the sequence's encoding capability. To find such a measure, three different candidates for judging the encoding capability have been investigated: local and global dot-product-based measures judging dictionary entry similarity as well as a Monte Carlo method that evaluates the noise propagation properties of an MRF sequence. Consistency of these measures for different sequence lengths as well as the capability to predict actual sequence performance in both phantom and in vivo measurements was analyzed. While the dot-product-based measures yielded inconsistent results for different sequence lengths, the Monte Carlo method was in a good agreement with phantom experiments. In particular, the Monte Carlo method could accurately predict the performance of different flip angle patterns in actual measurements. The proposed Monte Carlo method provides an appropriate measure of MRF sequence encoding capability and may be used for sequence optimization.

http://ift.tt/2tDk7uW

Oral submucous fibrosis—an increasing global healthcare problem

http://ift.tt/2tjhUC9

Effects of the GaAlAs diode laser (780 nm) on the periodontal tissues during orthodontic tooth movement in diabetes rats: histomorphological and immunohistochemical analysis

Abstract

The purposes of the present study are to assess the effects of the GaAlAs diode laser on the periodontal tissues and to investigate its action on the alveolar bone remodeling process during orthodontic tooth movement in normoglycemic and diabetic rats. Sixty adult male Wistar rats were divided into four groups of 15 rats: normoglycemic (N), diabetic (D), laser-normoglycemic (LN), and laser-diabetic (LD) rats. Diabetes mellitus was induced by a single intravenous injection of 40 mg/kg monohydrated alloxan. The orthodontically moved tooth underwent a force magnitude of 20 cN. The laser irradiation with a continuous emission of a 780-nm wavelength, an output power of 20 mW, and a fiber probe with a spot size of 0.04 cm in diameter and an area of 0.00126 cm² were used. Moreover, an energy density of 640 J/cm² was applied in an exposition time of 40 s. Histomorphological and immunohistochemical analysis was performed. The photobiomodulation (PBM) strongly stimulated the periodontal tissue response, establishing mainly the balance between the bone formation and resorption. Intense inflammatory cell infiltration and extensive loss of bone tissue were mainly found in the D group from 14 days. The number of osteopontin-positive osteocytes was significantly greater in the LN group, followed by the LD, especially at 7 and 14 days, whereas osteoprotegerin-positive osteoblasts were significantly higher in the LN and LD groups than in the N and D groups, respectively, in all periods. The PBM strongly stimulated the alveolar bone remodeling and favored the continuous reorganization of the soft periodontal tissues, leading to the maintenance and integrity of the periodontal microstructure under orthodontic force, especially in uncontrolled diabetic rats.

http://ift.tt/2uiHFT9

Curcumin photodynamic effect in the treatment of the induced periodontitis in rats

Abstract

This study assessed the effect of curcumin as a photosensitizer in antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) for the treatment of induced periodontitis in rats. Periodontitis was induced via a ligature around the mandibular first molar on the left side of 96 rats. The ligature was removed 7 days later, and the animals were randomized into four groups: NT, no local treatment; CUR, irrigation with curcumin solution (40 μM); LED, irradiation with a light-emitting diode (LED, InGaN, 465–485 nm, 200 mW/cm², 60 s); and aPDT, irrigation with curcumin solution (40 μM) followed by irradiation with LED. Eight animals from each group were euthanized at 7, 15, and 30 days post-treatment. Treatments were assessed using alveolar bone loss (ABL) in the furcation region using histological, histometric, and immunohistochemical analyses. Rats treated with aPDT exhibited less ABL at 7 days compared to the NT group, moderate pattern immunolabeling for osteoprotegerin at 30 days, and a pattern of immunolabeling for RANKL from moderate to low. Treatments resulted in smaller numbers of TRAP-positive cells compared to the NT group. aPDT as monotherapy using curcumin as a photosensitizer and LED as the light source was effective in the treatment of induced periodontitis in rats.

http://ift.tt/2tJYclW

Abnormal renal parenchyma accumulation of 123I MIBG in a child with renal artery stenosis

Publication date: Available online 3 July 2017
Source:Clinical Imaging
Author(s): Randy Yeh, Ahmed Mohammed, Aleksandr Margolin, Peter Schlossberg, Rama S. Ayyala
Hypertension is rare in the pediatric population, however renal artery stenosis (RAS) is an important cause that can be difficult to diagnose. Doppler ultrasound is the first line imaging modality, with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging as adjunct modalities, all with variable sensitivity for RAS. The gold standard for evaluation of RAS is invasive selective catheter angiography. We present a unique multimodality case of abnormal radiotracer uptake in the renal parenchyma on 123-Iodine metaiodobenzylgunidine (¹²³I MIBG) scan in a patient with unilateral RAS. RAS is a potential cause of a false positive MIBG scan, and proper recognition may lead to accurate diagnosis.

http://ift.tt/2skdREa

Differentiation of low- and high-grade clear cell renal cell carcinoma: Tumor size versus CT perfusion parameters

Publication date: Available online 3 July 2017
Source:Clinical Imaging
Author(s): Chao Chen, Qinqin Kang, Bing Xu, Hairuo Guo, Qiang Wei, Tiegong Wang, Hui Ye, Xinhuai Wu
PurposeTo compare the utility of tumor size and CT perfusion parameters for differentiation of low- and high-grade clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC).Materials and methodsTumor size, Equivalent blood volume (Equiv BV), permeability surface-area product (PS), blood flow (BF), and Fuhrman pathological grading of clear cell RCC were retrospectively analyzed.ResultsHigh-grade clear cell RCC had significantly higher tumor size and lower PS than low grade. Tumor size positively correlated with Fuhrman grade, but PS negatively did.ConclusionsTumor size and PS were significantly independent indexes for differentiating high-grade from low-grade clear cell RCC.

http://ift.tt/2tDhiKh

Utility of surveillance MRI in women with a personal history of breast cancer

Publication date: Available online 3 July 2017
Source:Clinical Imaging
Author(s): Audree Tadros, Brittany Arditi, Christina Weltz, Elisa Port, Laurie R. Margolies, Hank Schmidt
PurposeTo determine the utility and rate of biopsy in women with a positive history of breast cancer screened with MRI.MethodsRetrospective review of 491 breast MRI screening examinations in women with a personal history of breast cancer.ResultsIn total, 107 biopsies were performed, an average of 0.09 biopsies per person year. The positive predictive value for biopsies prompted by MRI findings was 0.24 (95% C.I. 0.10–0.38). Eight of the nine subsequent cancers were initially identified on screening MRI alone.ConclusionSurveillance MRI in breast cancer survivors may increase detection of subsequent cancers while increasing rate of biopsy.

http://ift.tt/2skecac

Evaluation of white matter hypodensities on computed tomography in stroke patients using the Fazekas score

Publication date: Available online 3 July 2017
Source:Clinical Imaging
Author(s): Salvatore Rudilosso, Luis San Román, Jordi Blasco, María Hernández-Pérez, Xabier Urra, Ángel Chamorro
PurposeTo assess the reliability of the Fazekas score on brain CT in acute stroke patients.MethodsTwo raters evaluated the Fazekas score in 157 CT scans from consecutive patients with acute stroke.ResultsThe Fazekas scores on brain CT scans showed consistent (weighted κ, 0.73) and moderate (weighted κ, 0.56) interobserver agreement for periventricular and deep white matter areas, respectively. Intraobserver reliability was substantial for both areas (weighted κ, 0.85 and 0.8).ConclusionThe Fazekas score on CT can be used to reliably grade white matter changes, and can be a useful tool when MRI is not available.

http://ift.tt/2tCOuBG

Adjuvant radiochemotherapy in locally advanced gastric cancer

Abstract

Background

The aim of this study was to report the clinical outcome and toxicity of radiochemotherapy in locally advanced gastric cancer (LAGC) patients treated according to the Intergroup 116 trial protocol in our institution.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 105 patients with LAGC treated with radical surgery and adjuvant radiochemotherapy. We analyzed overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), locoregional failure-free survival (LFS), prognostic factors and toxicity.

Results

The mean follow-up was 96.48 months. The majority of tumors were T3–T4 (75%) and 86.6% had nodal metastases. The OS, DFS and LFS rates to 3 years were 53.48%, 52.75% and 81.65%, respectively and to 5 years 40%, 46.73% and 76.77% respectively. The univariate analysis showed that N stage < N2, TN stage < IIIA, R0 resection and N‑ratio < 3 were statistically significant prognostic factors for OS and DFS, T stage < T4 for OS and N‑ratio < 3 for LFS. The group with D2 lymphadenectomy had worse LFS than the D1 group (65.2% vs 88.1%, respectively, p = 0.039) probably due to a significant difference in the proportion node positive patients in the D2 group (94% vs. 78%; p = 0.027). In the multivariate analysis, only R0 resection was statistically significant factor for improved OS (p = 0.018). Acute grade III–IV gastrointestinal and hematologic toxicity rates were 8.5% and 15.2%, respectively and 89.5% completed treatment as planned.

Conclusion

Our results are consistent with those of the Intergroup-0116 trial for LAGC in terms of survival. This regimen is well tolerated and with acceptable toxicity. An R0 resection was an independent prognostic factor for improved OS.

http://ift.tt/2tFQGYx

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase and Iron are required for Mycobacterium leprae survival

Publication date: Available online 3 July 2017
Source:Microbes and Infection
Author(s): Mayara Garcia de Mattos Barbosa, Rhana Berto da Silva Prata, Priscila Ribeiro Andrade, Helen Ferreira, Bruno Jorge de Andrade Silva, Jéssica Araújo da Paixão de Oliveira, Tayná Quintella Assis, Thiago Gomes de Toledo-Pinto, Ohanna Cavalcanti de Lima Bezerra, José Augusto da Costa Nery, Patricia Sammarco Rosa, Marcelo Torres Bozza, Flávio Alves Lara, Milton Ozório Moraes, Veronica Schmitz, Euzenir Nunes Sarno, Roberta Olmo Pinheiro
Our previous study has demonstrated that IL-10 may modulate both indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) and CD163 expression in lepromatous leprosy (LL) cells, favoring Mycobacterium leprae persistence through induction of regulatory pathways and iron storage. Here, we observed that in LL lesion cells there is an increase in the expression of proteins involved in iron metabolism such as hemoglobin (Hb), haptoglobin, heme oxygenase 1 and transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) when compared to tuberculoid leprosy (BT) cells. We also found increased iron deposits and diminished expression of the iron exporter ferroportin 1 in LL lesion cells. Hemin, but not FeSO4 stimulation, was able to enhance M. leprae viability by a mechanism that involves IDO. Analysis of cell phenotype in lesions demonstrated a predominance of M2 markers in LL when compared with BT lesion cells. A positive correlation between CD163 and PPARG with the baciloscopic index (BI) was observed. In contrast, TNF, STAT1 and CSF2 presented a negative correlation with the BI. In summary, this study demonstrates that iron may regulate IDO expression by a mechanism that involves IL-10, which may contribute for the predominance of M2-like phenotype in LL lesions that favors the phagocytosis and maintainance of M. leprae in host cells.

http://ift.tt/2tFvySr

Calcium hydroxide associated with a new vehicle: Psidium cattleianum leaf extracts. Tissue response evaluation

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate edemogenic activity and subcutaneous inflammatory reaction induced by Psidium cattleianum leaf extracts associated with Ca(OH)2. Thirty male Wistar rats, split equally into three groups [aqueous extract + Ca(OH)2; ethanolic extract + Ca(OH)2; and propylene glycol + Ca(OH)2], were assessed every 3 h or 6 h (five animals in each period). Under general anesthesia, 0.2 mL of 1% Evans blue per 100 g of body weight was injected into the penile vein and each combination to be evaluated was subcutaneously injected into the dorsal region 30 min thereafter. Edemogenic activity was analyzed by spectrophotometry (λ=630 nm). For inflammatory reaction analysis, 50 rats received four polyethylene tubes (three experimental groups) and an empty tube (control group). The assessments were made at 7, 15, 30, 60, and 90 days, followed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and by the assignment of scores for evaluation of tissue response intensity. Ethanolic extract + Ca(OH)2 yielded the largest edemogenic activity at 3 h. Intergroup differences at 6 h were not significant. The histological analysis showed progressive repair over time (p<0.05) and aqueous and ethanolic extracts produced similar responses to those of the control and Ca(OH)2 + propylene glycol groups. Psidium cattleianum leaf extracts used as Ca(OH)2 vehicles evoked similar tissue response when compared to Ca(OH)2 associated with propylene glycol.

http://ift.tt/2uiSK6N

Efficacy of two mouthwashes with cetylpyridinium chloride: a controlled randomized clinical trial

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the anti-plaque and anti-gingivitis effects of two mouthwashes containing cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), in comparison to negative control mouthwash. One hundred and twenty subjects were randomly assigned to study groups: test (0.075% CPC and 0.28% zinc lactate), positive control (0.07% CPC) and negative control mouthwash without CPC. All volunteers were examined by a calibrated examiner for the Quigley-Hein Plaque Index (Turesky modification) and Löe-Silness Gingival Index (GI). Gingival severity was also measured by the percentage of sites with positive gingival bleeding. During six weeks, oral hygiene consisted of brushing twice daily with a toothbrush and toothpaste and rising with their assigned mouthwash. Plaque and gingival parameters were assessed at baseline, after four and six weeks of product use. Statistical analyses were performed separately for plaque and gingival indices, by ANOVA, paired t-test and ANCOVA (α < 0.05). After 4 and 6 weeks, all mouthwashes groups presented statistically significant reductions in plaque and gingival parameters as compared to baseline. In comparison to the positive control, the test group presented additional reductions in dental plaque of 19.8% and 16.8%, after 4 and 6 weeks, respectively. For GI, the additional reductions in the test group were 9.7% and 14.3%, at 4 and 6 weeks, respectively. The test group showed additional reduction of 35.3% and 54.5% in the gingival severity, at week 4 and 6, respectively. It is concluded that the mouthwash containing CPC and zinc lactate presents significant anti-plaque and anti-gingivitis effects as compared to positive and negative control mouthwashes.

http://ift.tt/2tK42no

Reports of uncontrolled clinical trials for directly placed restorations in vital teeth

Abstract Uncontrolled trials are criticized as unreliable. This study aimed to establish how the number of published reports from uncontrolled clinical trials compares to that of controlled trials for directly placed restorations in vital teeth and whether their annual number is increasing, stable or decreasing. PubMed was searched and suitable citations of uncontrolled and controlled trial reports published between 1990–2016 were included. Reference check and hand searching were conducted. The median annual report number with 25 and 75% percentile was calculated for both types of trials. 695 reports were found. The median number of reports per year was 4 (3–7) and 22 (15–26) from uncontrolled and controlled trials, respectively. A statistically significant decreasing ratio of uncontrolled to controlled trial reports was observed (p = 0.01) by linear regression analysis. The number of reports of uncontrolled clinical trials listed in PubMed over the last 27 years appears at least five times smaller than that of controlled clinical trials and its number in relation to that of controlled trials seems to decrease over time.

http://ift.tt/2uj1VUz

Evaluation of deflection forces of orthodontic wires with different ligation types

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate deflection forces of orthodontic wires of different alloys engaged into conventional brackets using several ligation types. Stainless steel, conventional superelastic nickel-titanium and thermally activated nickel-titanium archwires tied into conventional brackets by a ring-shaped elastomeric ligature (RSEL), a 8-shaped elastomeric ligature (8SEL) and a metal ligature (ML) were tested. A clinical simulation device was created especially for this study and forces were measured with an Instron Universal Testing Machine. For the testing procedure, the block representing the maxillary right central incisor was moved 0.5 and 1 mm bucco-lingually at a constant speed of 2 mm/min, and the forces released by the wires were recorded, in accordance with the ISO 15841 guidelines. In general, the RSEL showed lighter forces, while 8SEL and ML showed higher values. At the 0.5 mm deflection, the 8SEL presented the greatest force, but at the 1.0 mm deflection the ML had a statistically similar force. Based on our evaluations, to obtain lighter forces, the thermally activated nickel-titanium wire with the RSEL are recommended, while the steel wire with the 8SEL or the ML are recommended when larger forces are desired. The ML exhibited the highest force increase with increased deflections, compared with the elastomeric ligatures.

http://ift.tt/2tJUk4I

The need for endodontic treatment and systemic characteristics of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation patients

Abstract The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between the epidemiological and clinical profiles of patients before and after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and the need for endodontic treatment. The subjects included 188 individuals enrolled in the dental care program for transplanted patients of the School of Dentistry, Federal University of Minas Gerais (Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, FO-UFMG) from March 2011 through March 2016. The patients were subjected to an HSCT conditioning dental regimen based on a thorough clinical and radiographic evaluation. Intraoral periapical and bite-wing X-rays were obtained, and after evaluation, specific dental treatment was planned and performed. The following demographic and clinical data were collected from the patients' medical records: age, gender, transplantation stage, primary disease, transplant type, medication used, complete blood count at the time of visit, and need for endodontic treatment. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov and the chi-square tests were used. Leukemia (31.3%) and multiple myeloma (17.9%) were the most prevalent primary diseases. Most patients were subjected to allogeneic-related transplantation (83.6%). Most patients exhibited platelet counts and hemoglobin concentrations below the reference values in the pre-transplantation stage, while the neutrophil and platelet counts and the hemoglobin levels were within the reference ranges in the post-transplantation stage. The proportions of individuals requiring endodontic treatment were similar between the pre- and post-transplantation groups: 24.3% and 24.7%, respectively. The systemic conditions of the patients referred for dental treatment were compromised.

http://ift.tt/2uiGVxn

Αρχειοθήκη ιστολογίου

! # Ola via Alexandros G.Sfakianakis on Inoreader

Η λίστα ιστολογίων μου

Δευτέρα 3 Ιουλίου 2017

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