Correlation Between Histological Diagnosis and Mutational Panel Testing of Thyroid Nodules: A Two-Year Institutional Experience

Correlation Between Histological Diagnosis and Mutational Panel Testing of Thyroid Nodules: A Two-Year Institutional Experience: Thyroid , Vol. 0, No. 0.

Author information

Rupendra T. Shrestha,¹ Maria R. Evasovich,² Khalid Amin,³ Angela Radulescu,¹ Tina S. Sanghvi,⁴Andrew C. Nelson,³ Maryam Shahi,³ and Lynn A. Burmeister¹

¹Department of Medicine, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

²Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

³Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

⁴Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Address correspondence to:

Rupendra T. Shrestha, MD

Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism

University of Minnesota

420 Delaware St. SE, MMC 101

Minneapolis, MN 55455

E-mail: rupen.shrestha@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Background: Indeterminate thyroid fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology, including atypia of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS) and suspicious for follicular neoplasm (SFN), continues to generate uncertainty about the presence of malignancy, resulting in repeated follow-up, repeat FNA, or diagnostic surgery. Mutational panel testing may improve the malignancy risk prediction in indeterminate nodules, but the general application of such testing has not been investigated extensively.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed of all patients undergoing thyroidectomy at a tertiary care facility over a two-year period. Mutational panel test results, when present, were analyzed relative to FNA cytologic result and surgical histopathologic diagnosis. Malignancy rates, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values (PPV), negative predictive values (NPV) and positive and negative likelihood ratios (LR) were calculated.

Results: A total of 261 operated thyroid nodules had the following initial FNA cytology results: 2% non-diagnostic, 23% benign, 28% AUS/FLUS, 11% SFN, 9% suspicious for malignancy (SUSP), and 27% malignant. The histopathologic malignancy rate was 48%, subcategorized by cytology into benign 7%, AUS/FLUS 30%, SFN 38%, and SUSP 83%. Mutations were more frequent in indeterminate nodules that were histologically malignant versus benign (p < 0.0001) or versus adenoma (p = 0.001). Mutational analysis in 44 AUS/FLUS nodules resulted in a malignancy detection sensitivity of 85%, a specificity of 65%, a PPV of 50%, a NPV of 91%, and a positive LR of 2.4. In 12 SFN nodules analyzed with ThyroSeq^® testing, sensitivity was 100%, specificity 57%, PPV 63%, NPV 100%, and LR 2.3. Performance of the seven-gene mutational panel was not significantly different from the ThyroSeq^® panel in the AUS/FLUS group. The malignancy yield, comparing the mutation positive AUS/FLUS group with the untested AUS/FLUS surgical cohort, did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.17).

Conclusions: In a surgical cohort, a similar NPV but a lower PPV was found with the use of mutational panel testing compared to the published literature. Following the identification of a mutation, the prevalence of malignancy in the AUS/FLUS or SFN category was increased by nearly 15% to 45% and 53%, respectively. Further study is needed to confirm these results and to analyze clinical outcome subcategories relative to the utility of mutational testing.

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Effects of Covering Surgical Wounds with Polyglycolic Acid Sheets for Posttonsillectomy Pain

Effects of Covering Surgical Wounds with Polyglycolic Acid Sheets for Posttonsillectomy Pain:

Postoperative pain is a remaining issue in tonsillectomy. Polyglycolic acid (PGA) is a biocompatible material used for absorbent suture reinforcement, and its sheet has been applied for covering defects after resection of oral carcinoma. The aim of this study is to examine whether the attachment of a PGA sheet to surgical wounds would reduce posttonsillectomy pain. In this prospective single-blind study, 17 consecutive adult patients were recruited who needed to undergo tonsillectomy, mainly due to habitual tonsillitis. Following bilateral tonsillectomies, a PGA sheet was attached with fibrin glue to only 1 side, without notification to patients of which side. Postoperative pain of each side was separately evaluated with a visual analog scale at 4 time points: before each meal and before sleep. Postoperative pain of both the PGA sheet–attached and nonattached sides was most severe before breakfast among 4 time points. Postoperative pain measured before breakfast was significantly more severe in the PGA sheet–attached side than the nonattached side. As such, this study provided solid data on the negative effects of PGA sheeting on posttonsillectomy pain.

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In multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2A (MEN 2A), early total thyroidectomy (TT; performed before the age of 5 years) is the best option to prevent medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) development

Surgery in MEN 2A Patients Older Than 5 Years with Micro-MTC: Outcome at Long-term Follow-up:

In multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2A (MEN 2A), early total thyroidectomy (TT; performed before the age of 5 years) is the best option to prevent medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) development, but the management of MEN 2A patients diagnosed after childhood is still under debate. Seventeen consecutive patients diagnosed with MEN 2A after the age of 5 years (mean age, 23.3 years) with a pathologic diagnosis of micro-MTC without nodal involvement were enrolled. All patients underwent TT with thymectomy and central compartment lymph node dissection. During surgery, parathyroid tissue removal occurred in 14 patients. No major postoperative complications nor persistent hypoparathyroidism was observed. After a mean follow-up of 16.6 years, no patient developed primary hyperparathyroidism or disease recurrence. Even if TT is recommended before the age of 5, when MEN 2A diagnosis is performed after this age in micro-MTC without nodal involvement, TT with thymectomy and central compartment lymphadenectomy can provide good oncologic and functional results.

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Endoscopic Endonasal Repair of Septal Perforation with Interpositional Auricular Cartilage Grafting via a Mucosal Regeneration Technique

Endoscopic Endonasal Repair of Septal Perforation with Interpositional Auricular Cartilage Grafting via a Mucosal Regeneration Technique:

We evaluated the efficacy of interpositional auricular cartilage grafting for perforation with an endoscopic endonasal approach via a mucosal regeneration technique. In total, 12 patients with symptomatic septal perforations were operated on by way of an endoscopic endonasal approach after an adequately sized cartilage graft was harvested. The graft was inserted between the circumferentially incised and elevated flaps of the perforation and secured by vertical and horizontal nonabsorbable aligning approximation stitches and prolonged placement of silicone splints. The average perforation size was 12.3 mm (range, 4-19 mm). Bleeding, incrustation, pain, whistling respiration, and nasal congestion symptoms were relieved entirely in 10 of 12 patients (83.3%) who had successful treatment. This study showed that an endoscopic endonasal approach via a mucosal regeneration technique without direct mucosa-to-mucosa repair can be applied successfully without disrupting the neighboring nasal structures for septal perforations up to 20 mm and as effectively as other, more complex surgical interventions.

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Milk: An epigenetic inducer of FoxP3 expression

Milk: An epigenetic inducer of FoxP3 expression: Kirchner et al1 recently implicated microRNAs of unprocessed cow's milk in mediating the allergy-preventive effect of farm milk.2 On the basis of translational evidence, we predicted that the transmission of milk-derived immune-regulatory exosomal microRNAs including microRNA-148a, microRNA-155, microRNA-29b, and microRNA-21 prevent atopy by inducing FoxP3+ regulatory T (Treg)-cell differentiation.3 Notably, farm milk intake is associated with higher FOXP3 demethylation and higher Treg-cell numbers.

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The Assessment of the Newborn Hearing Screening Program

 in the Region of Murcia from 2004-2012: Newborn (NB) auditory deficit has a prevalence of 1-2% in the world. Since the 1990s different screening programs have been put into practice. The Newborn Hearing Screening Program has been in operation since 2002 in our hospital (HCUVA) in Murcia (Spain) and two years later it was introduced into the whole of the Autonomous Community of the Region of Murcia as part of universal healthcare. The objective of this study was to analyze and assess its results.

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Acceptance of internet-based hearing healthcare among adults who fail a hearing screening

Volume 55, Issue 9, September 2016, pages 483-490<br/>10.1080/14992027.2016.1185804<br/>Ann M. Rothpletz

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Bladder preservation in non-metastatic muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC): a single-institution experience

Marianna A Gerardi, Barbara A Jereczek-Fossa, Dario Zerini, Alessia Surgo, Samantha Dicuonzo, Ruggero Spoto, Cristiana Fodor, Elena Verri, Maria Cossu Rocca, Franco Nolè, Matteo Muto, Matteo Ferro, Gennaro Musi, Danilo Bottero, Deliu V Matei, Ottavio De Cobelli and Roberto Orecchia

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Communicating Uncertain News in Cancer Consultations

Abstract

In cancer communication, most of the literature is in the realm of delivering bad news while much less attention has been given to the communication of uncertain news around the diagnosis and the possible outcomes of the illness. Drawing on video-recorded cancer consultations collected in two Italian hospitals, this article analyzes three communication practices used by oncologists to interactionally manage the uncertainty during the visit: alternating between uncertain bad news and certain good news, anticipating scenarios, and guessing test results. Both diagnostic and personal uncertainties are not hidden to the patient, yet they are reduced through these practices. Such communication practices are present in 32 % of the visits in the data set, indicating that the interactional management of uncertainty is a relevant phenomenon in oncological encounters. Further studies are needed to improve both its understanding and its teaching.

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Influence of the natural Rio Negro water on the toxicological effects of a crude oil and its chemical dispersion to the Amazonian fish Colossoma macropomum

Abstract

The increment in crude oil exploitation over the last decades has considerably increased the risk of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination to Amazonian aquatic environments, especially for the black water environments such as the Rio Negro. The present work was designed to evaluate the acute toxicity of the Urucu crude oil (CO), the chemically dispersed Urucu crude oil (CO + D), and the dispersant alone (D) to the Amazonian fish Colossoma macropomum. Acute toxicity tests were performed, using a more realistic approach, where fish were acclimated to both groundwater (GW), used as internal control, and natural Rio Negro water (RNW) and exposed to CO, CO + D and D. Then, biomarkers such as ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), lipid peroxidation (LPO), serum sorbitol dehydrogenase (s-SDH) in liver, DNA damage in blood cells, and the presence of the benzo[a]pyrene-type, pyrene-type, and naphthalene-type metabolites in fish bile were assessed. Fish exposed to CO and CO + D, at both water types tested, presented increased biomarker responses and higher PAH-type metabolites in the bile. However, fish exposed to these treatments after the acclimation to RNW increased the levels of LPO, s-SDH (hepatotoxicity), DNA damage in blood cells (genotoxicity), and benzo[a]pyrene-type metabolites when compared to fish in GW. Our data suggests that some physicochemical properties of Rio Negro water (i.e., presence of natural organic matter (NOM)) might cause mild chemical stress responses in fish, which can make it more susceptible to oxidative stress following exposure to crude oil, particularly to those chemically dispersed.

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Effects of agricultural fungicides on microorganisms associated with floral nectar: susceptibility assays and field experiments

Abstract

Pesticides have become an inseparable element of agricultural intensification. While the direct impact of pesticides on non-target organisms, such as pollinators, has recently received much attention, less consideration has been given to the microorganisms that are associated with them. Specialist yeasts and bacteria are known to commonly inhabit floral nectar and change its chemical characteristics in numerous ways, possibly influencing pollinator attraction. In this study, we investigated the in vitro susceptibility of nectar yeasts Metschnikowia gruessi, Metschnikowia reukaufii, and Candida bombi to six widely used agricultural fungicides (prothioconazole, tebuconazole, azoxystrobin, fenamidone, boscalid, and fluopyram). Next, a commercial antifungal mixture containing tebuconazole and trifloxystrobin was applied to natural populations of the plant Linaria vulgaris and the occurrence, abundance, and diversity of nectar-inhabiting yeasts and bacteria was compared between treated and untreated plants. The results showed that prothioconazole and tebuconazole were highly toxic to nectar yeasts, inhibiting their growth at concentrations varying between 0.06 and 0.5 mg/L. Azoxystrobin, fenamidone, boscalid, and fluopyram on the other hand exhibited considerably lower toxicity, inhibiting yeast growth at concentrations between 1 and 32 mg/L or in many cases not inhibiting microbial growth at all. The application of the antifungal mixture in natural plant populations resulted in a significant decrease in the occurrence and abundance of yeasts in individual flowers, but this did not translate into noticeable changes in bacterial incidence and abundance. Yeast and bacterial species richness and distribution did not also differ between treated and untreated plants. We conclude that the application of fungicides may have negative effects on the abundance of nectar yeasts in floral nectar. The consequences of these effects on plant pollination processes in agricultural systems warrant further investigation.

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Correlation Between Histological Diagnosis and Mutational Panel Testing of Thyroid Nodules: A Two-Year Institutional Experience

Correlation Between Histological Diagnosis and Mutational Panel Testing of Thyroid Nodules: A Two-Year Institutional Experience: Thyroid , Vol. 0, No. 0.

Author information

Rupendra T. Shrestha,¹ Maria R. Evasovich,² Khalid Amin,³ Angela Radulescu,¹ Tina S. Sanghvi,⁴Andrew C. Nelson,³ Maryam Shahi,³ and Lynn A. Burmeister¹

¹Department of Medicine, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

²Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

³Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

⁴Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Address correspondence to:

Rupendra T. Shrestha, MD

Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism

University of Minnesota

420 Delaware St. SE, MMC 101

Minneapolis, MN 55455

E-mail: rupen.shrestha@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Background: Indeterminate thyroid fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology, including atypia of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS) and suspicious for follicular neoplasm (SFN), continues to generate uncertainty about the presence of malignancy, resulting in repeated follow-up, repeat FNA, or diagnostic surgery. Mutational panel testing may improve the malignancy risk prediction in indeterminate nodules, but the general application of such testing has not been investigated extensively.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed of all patients undergoing thyroidectomy at a tertiary care facility over a two-year period. Mutational panel test results, when present, were analyzed relative to FNA cytologic result and surgical histopathologic diagnosis. Malignancy rates, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values (PPV), negative predictive values (NPV) and positive and negative likelihood ratios (LR) were calculated.

Results: A total of 261 operated thyroid nodules had the following initial FNA cytology results: 2% non-diagnostic, 23% benign, 28% AUS/FLUS, 11% SFN, 9% suspicious for malignancy (SUSP), and 27% malignant. The histopathologic malignancy rate was 48%, subcategorized by cytology into benign 7%, AUS/FLUS 30%, SFN 38%, and SUSP 83%. Mutations were more frequent in indeterminate nodules that were histologically malignant versus benign (p < 0.0001) or versus adenoma (p = 0.001). Mutational analysis in 44 AUS/FLUS nodules resulted in a malignancy detection sensitivity of 85%, a specificity of 65%, a PPV of 50%, a NPV of 91%, and a positive LR of 2.4. In 12 SFN nodules analyzed with ThyroSeq^® testing, sensitivity was 100%, specificity 57%, PPV 63%, NPV 100%, and LR 2.3. Performance of the seven-gene mutational panel was not significantly different from the ThyroSeq^® panel in the AUS/FLUS group. The malignancy yield, comparing the mutation positive AUS/FLUS group with the untested AUS/FLUS surgical cohort, did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.17).

Conclusions: In a surgical cohort, a similar NPV but a lower PPV was found with the use of mutational panel testing compared to the published literature. Following the identification of a mutation, the prevalence of malignancy in the AUS/FLUS or SFN category was increased by nearly 15% to 45% and 53%, respectively. Further study is needed to confirm these results and to analyze clinical outcome subcategories relative to the utility of mutational testing.

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Effects of Covering Surgical Wounds with Polyglycolic Acid Sheets for Posttonsillectomy Pain

Effects of Covering Surgical Wounds with Polyglycolic Acid Sheets for Posttonsillectomy Pain:

Postoperative pain is a remaining issue in tonsillectomy. Polyglycolic acid (PGA) is a biocompatible material used for absorbent suture reinforcement, and its sheet has been applied for covering defects after resection of oral carcinoma. The aim of this study is to examine whether the attachment of a PGA sheet to surgical wounds would reduce posttonsillectomy pain. In this prospective single-blind study, 17 consecutive adult patients were recruited who needed to undergo tonsillectomy, mainly due to habitual tonsillitis. Following bilateral tonsillectomies, a PGA sheet was attached with fibrin glue to only 1 side, without notification to patients of which side. Postoperative pain of each side was separately evaluated with a visual analog scale at 4 time points: before each meal and before sleep. Postoperative pain of both the PGA sheet–attached and nonattached sides was most severe before breakfast among 4 time points. Postoperative pain measured before breakfast was significantly more severe in the PGA sheet–attached side than the nonattached side. As such, this study provided solid data on the negative effects of PGA sheeting on posttonsillectomy pain.

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In multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2A (MEN 2A), early total thyroidectomy (TT; performed before the age of 5 years) is the best option to prevent medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) development

Surgery in MEN 2A Patients Older Than 5 Years with Micro-MTC: Outcome at Long-term Follow-up:

In multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2A (MEN 2A), early total thyroidectomy (TT; performed before the age of 5 years) is the best option to prevent medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) development, but the management of MEN 2A patients diagnosed after childhood is still under debate. Seventeen consecutive patients diagnosed with MEN 2A after the age of 5 years (mean age, 23.3 years) with a pathologic diagnosis of micro-MTC without nodal involvement were enrolled. All patients underwent TT with thymectomy and central compartment lymph node dissection. During surgery, parathyroid tissue removal occurred in 14 patients. No major postoperative complications nor persistent hypoparathyroidism was observed. After a mean follow-up of 16.6 years, no patient developed primary hyperparathyroidism or disease recurrence. Even if TT is recommended before the age of 5, when MEN 2A diagnosis is performed after this age in micro-MTC without nodal involvement, TT with thymectomy and central compartment lymphadenectomy can provide good oncologic and functional results.

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Endoscopic Endonasal Repair of Septal Perforation with Interpositional Auricular Cartilage Grafting via a Mucosal Regeneration Technique

Endoscopic Endonasal Repair of Septal Perforation with Interpositional Auricular Cartilage Grafting via a Mucosal Regeneration Technique:

We evaluated the efficacy of interpositional auricular cartilage grafting for perforation with an endoscopic endonasal approach via a mucosal regeneration technique. In total, 12 patients with symptomatic septal perforations were operated on by way of an endoscopic endonasal approach after an adequately sized cartilage graft was harvested. The graft was inserted between the circumferentially incised and elevated flaps of the perforation and secured by vertical and horizontal nonabsorbable aligning approximation stitches and prolonged placement of silicone splints. The average perforation size was 12.3 mm (range, 4-19 mm). Bleeding, incrustation, pain, whistling respiration, and nasal congestion symptoms were relieved entirely in 10 of 12 patients (83.3%) who had successful treatment. This study showed that an endoscopic endonasal approach via a mucosal regeneration technique without direct mucosa-to-mucosa repair can be applied successfully without disrupting the neighboring nasal structures for septal perforations up to 20 mm and as effectively as other, more complex surgical interventions.

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Milk: An epigenetic inducer of FoxP3 expression

Milk: An epigenetic inducer of FoxP3 expression: Kirchner et al1 recently implicated microRNAs of unprocessed cow's milk in mediating the allergy-preventive effect of farm milk.2 On the basis of translational evidence, we predicted that the transmission of milk-derived immune-regulatory exosomal microRNAs including microRNA-148a, microRNA-155, microRNA-29b, and microRNA-21 prevent atopy by inducing FoxP3+ regulatory T (Treg)-cell differentiation.3 Notably, farm milk intake is associated with higher FOXP3 demethylation and higher Treg-cell numbers.

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The Assessment of the Newborn Hearing Screening Program

 in the Region of Murcia from 2004-2012: Newborn (NB) auditory deficit has a prevalence of 1-2% in the world. Since the 1990s different screening programs have been put into practice. The Newborn Hearing Screening Program has been in operation since 2002 in our hospital (HCUVA) in Murcia (Spain) and two years later it was introduced into the whole of the Autonomous Community of the Region of Murcia as part of universal healthcare. The objective of this study was to analyze and assess its results.

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Bladder preservation in non-metastatic muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC): a single-institution experience

Marianna A Gerardi, Barbara A Jereczek-Fossa, Dario Zerini, Alessia Surgo, Samantha Dicuonzo, Ruggero Spoto, Cristiana Fodor, Elena Verri, Maria Cossu Rocca, Franco Nolè, Matteo Muto, Matteo Ferro, Gennaro Musi, Danilo Bottero, Deliu V Matei, Ottavio De Cobelli and Roberto Orecchia

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Communicating Uncertain News in Cancer Consultations

Abstract

In cancer communication, most of the literature is in the realm of delivering bad news while much less attention has been given to the communication of uncertain news around the diagnosis and the possible outcomes of the illness. Drawing on video-recorded cancer consultations collected in two Italian hospitals, this article analyzes three communication practices used by oncologists to interactionally manage the uncertainty during the visit: alternating between uncertain bad news and certain good news, anticipating scenarios, and guessing test results. Both diagnostic and personal uncertainties are not hidden to the patient, yet they are reduced through these practices. Such communication practices are present in 32 % of the visits in the data set, indicating that the interactional management of uncertainty is a relevant phenomenon in oncological encounters. Further studies are needed to improve both its understanding and its teaching.

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Daytime napping and increased risk of incident respiratory diseases: symptom, marker or risk factor?

Daytime napping and increased risk of incident respiratory diseases: symptom, marker or risk factor?: • Daytime napping was associated with 32%-54% increase in respiratory incidence risk• The association was more pronounced for chronic lower respiratory diseases• The association was independent of comorbidities and a proxy measure of sleep apnea• Excessive daytime napping might be an early marker of incident respiratory diseases• Further studies are needed to help understand potential mechanisms

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Validating the Use of D for Measuring Lexical Diversity in Low-Income Kindergarten Children

Validating the Use of D for Measuring Lexical Diversity in Low-Income Kindergarten Children:

Purpose

Children from low–socioeconomic status families often perform poorly on standardized vocabulary assessments. The primary purpose of the study was to determine whether lexical diversity as measured by D (Malvern, Richards, Chipere, & Durán, 2004) serves as a valid measure of vocabulary in at-risk, low-income, predominantly African American kindergartners.

Method

Kane's (1992) argument-based approach was used to validate D. Six assumptions were examined. Kindergartners (N = 210) from a high-poverty, low-achievement region of the United States were recorded narrating a wordless picture book and assessed using the Expressive Vocabulary Test, Second Edition (Williams, 2007), and the Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement, Second Edition–Listening Comprehension subtest (Kaufman & Kaufman, 2004).

Results

D was distributed normally and did not vary as a function of language sample length or child ethnicity. D was significantly but weakly related to the Expressive Vocabulary Test, Second Edition, indicating some distinction between D and the Expressive Vocabulary Test, Second Edition, scores. Further, D was only marginally related to the Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement, Second Edition–Listening Comprehension subtest.

Conclusions

Although evidence was somewhat mixed, the study supported the view that D is a potentially valid measure of lexical diversity among low-income, predominantly African American kindergartners and could be a useful supplement to standardized vocabulary measures.

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Description and Preliminary Evaluation of a Curriculum for Teaching Conversational Skills to Children With High-Functioning Autism and Other Social Cognition Challenges

Description and Preliminary Evaluation of a Curriculum for Teaching Conversational Skills to Children With High-Functioning Autism and Other Social Cognition Challenges:

Purpose

The purpose of this clinical focus article is to provide (a) a detailed description of a school-based intervention designed to teach children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders (HF-ASDs) and other social cognition challenges both the how and the why of conversation and (b) a preliminary evaluation of program outcomes.

Method

This pilot study involved (a) qualitative and quantitative analysis of video footage of participants' conversational skills at baseline, during intervention, and postintervention; (b) interviews with participants' speech-language pathologist (third author) about individual participant progress; and (c) interviews with instructors responsible for implementing the curriculum regarding overall program effectiveness. Participants were four elementary-aged children with HF-ASDs and other social cognition challenges with deficits in expressive language and auditory processing and comprehension.

Results

Analyses of video-recorded footage indicated increases for all four participants in terms of peer-directed interactions, questions asked, use of wh-words to introduce new topics and/or extend conversation on existing topics, and attempts at conversational repair. Three participants also demonstrated increased use of attention-gaining behaviors. Qualitative analysis of transcripts, as well as in-depth interviews with the participants' speech-language pathologist and other program instructors, supported these findings.

Conclusions

Preliminary findings from this pilot study suggest that providing comprehensive instruction in many of the basic components required for successful conversation, including explanations for why these components are necessary, may be a promising means of teaching children with HF-ASDs and other social cognition challenges to engage in successful peer-to-peer conversation.

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Taxonomic Knowledge of Children With and Without Cochlear Implants

Taxonomic Knowledge of Children With and Without Cochlear Implants:

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to compare the taxonomic vocabulary knowledge and organization of children with cochlear implants to (a) children with normal hearing matched for age, and (b) children matched for vocabulary development.

Method

Ten children with cochlear implants, 10 age-matched children with normal hearing, and 10 vocabulary-matched children with normal hearing participated in this study. The children completed 2 experimental tasks: a forced-choice taxonomic sorting task, and a naming task requiring the children to use labels at multiple taxonomic levels.

Results

In the first task, the children in the cochlear implant group sorted pictures with accuracy consistent with the age-matched group. In the second task, the children with cochlear implants demonstrated delayed knowledge of superordinate relations as compared with the age-matched group, similar to the vocabulary-matched group. However, the children with cochlear implants did not demonstrate delayed knowledge of basic or subordinate relations.

Conclusion

The children with cochlear implants demonstrated a delay in use of superordinate taxonomic labels as compared with the children with normal hearing of the same age, which may lead to later difficulties with academic performance.

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Theoretical Principles to Guide the Teaching of Adjectives to Children Who Struggle With Word Learning: Synthesis of Experimental and Naturalistic Research With Principles of Learning Theory

Theoretical Principles to Guide the Teaching of Adjectives to Children Who Struggle With Word Learning: Synthesis of Experimental and Naturalistic Research With Principles of Learning Theory:

Purpose

The purpose of this tutorial is to provide clinicians with a theoretically motivated and evidence-based approach to teaching adjectives to children who struggle with word learning.

Method

Given that there are almost no treatment studies to guide this topic, we have synthesized findings from experimental and theoretical literature to come up with a principles-based approach to treatment.

Results

We provide a sample lesson plan, incorporating our 3 theoretical principles, and describe the materials chosen and methods used during treatment and assessment.

Conclusion

This approach is theoretically motivated, but it needs to be empirically tested.

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Clinical Translation of Tissue Engineered Trachea Grafts

Clinical Translation of Tissue Engineered Trachea Grafts: Objective:

To provide a state-of-the-art review discussing recent achievements in tissue engineered tracheal reconstruction.

Data Sources and Review Methods:

A structured PubMed search of the current literature up to and including October 2015. Representative articles that discuss the translation of tissue engineered tracheal grafts (TETG) were reviewed.

Conclusions:

The integration of a biologically compatible support with autologous cells has resulted in successful regeneration of respiratory epithelium, cartilage, and vascularization with graft patency, although the optimal construct composition has yet to be defined. Segmental TETG constructs are more commonly complicated by stenosis and delayed epithelialization when compared to patch tracheoplasty.

Implications for Practice:

The recent history of human TETG recipients represents revolutionary proof of principle studies in regenerative medicine. Application of TETG remains limited to a compassionate use basis; however, defining the mechanisms of cartilage formation, epithelialization, and refinement of in vivo regeneration will advance the translation of TETG from the bench to the bedside.

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Videostroboscopy and High-speed Videoendoscopy in Evaluation of Supraglottic Phonation

Comparison of Videostroboscopy and High-speed Videoendoscopy in Evaluation of Supraglottic Phonation: Objectives:

To compare clinicians' ratings of videolaryngoscopy (VLS) and high-speed videoendoscopy (HSV) and assess confidence of ratings with VLS and HSV in patients with supraglottic phonation.

Methods:

The VLS and HSV video samples were taken from 11 adolescents post airway reconstruction who use supraglottic tissues for voice. The 22 recordings were randomized and presented to 4 clinicians: 2 speech-language pathologists and 2 pediatric otolaryngologists. Additionally, a 5-point Likert scale was used to rate level of confidence of ratings.

Results:

Clinicians were more likely to rate regularity on HSV versus VLS videos (P = .003). Presence of mucosal wave was rated similarly on both imaging modalities; however, HSV was more likely to identify location (P = .002). Supraglottic phase symmetry (P = .014) and number of vibratory tissues used for phonation were rated more often with HSV versus VLS. Clinicians were more confident with HSV ratings compared to VLS ratings for determining vibration source, vibration pattern, and ability to make treatment decisions (P < .0001).

Conclusions:

The HSV improves the ability to rate tissue vibratory characteristics when compared with VLS in children with supraglottic phonation. This information may allow better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of voice production in these individuals, leading to improved therapeutic and surgical recommendations.

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High-dose hypofractionated radiotherapy for tumors in the head-and-neck

High-dose hypofractionated radiotherapy is effective and safe for tumors in the head-and-neck

via ScienceDirect Publication: Oral Oncology

Publication date: September 2016
Source:Oral Oncology, Volume 60
Author(s): Sewit Teckie, Benjamin H. Lok, Shyam Rao, Stanley I. Gutiontov, Yoshiya Yamada, Sean L. Berry, Michael J. Zelefsky, Nancy Y. Lee
ObjectivesHigh-dose, hypofractionated radiotherapy (HFRT) is sometimes used to treat malignancy in the head-and-neck (HN), both in the curative and palliative setting. Its safety and efficacy have been reported in small studies and are still controversial.Materials and methodsWe retrospectively evaluated the outcomes and toxicities of HFRT, including ultra-high-dose fractionation schemes (⩾8Gray per fraction), for HN malignancies.ResultsA total of 62 sites of measurable gross disease in 48 patients were analyzed. The median follow-up was 54.3months among five survivors and 6.0months in the remaining patients. Median RT dose was 30Gray in 5 fractions; 20/62 lesions (32%) received dose-per-fraction of ⩾8Gray. Overall response rate at first follow-up was 79%. One-year local-progression free rate was 50%. On multivariate analysis for locoregional control, dose-per-fraction ⩾6Gray was associated with control (p=0.04) and previous radiation was associated with inferior control (p=0.04). Patients who achieved complete response to RT had longer survival than those who did not (p=0.01). Increased toxicity rates were not observed among patients treated with dose-per-fraction ⩾8Gray; only re-irradiation increased toxicity rates.ConclusionDespite the poor prognostic features noted in this cohort of patients with HN malignancies, HFRT was associated with high response rates, good local control, and acceptable toxicity. Sites that were treated with 6Gray per fraction or higher and had not been previously irradiated had the best disease control. A prospective trial is warranted to further refine the use and indications of HFRT in this setting.

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Chronic Orofacial pain

Chronic Orofacial pain:

Abstract

The issues specific to trigeminal pain include the complexity of the region, the problematic impact on daily function and significant psychological impact (Shueb SS et al., 2015). By nature of the geography of the pain (affecting the face, eyes, scalp, nose, mouth) it may interfere with just about every social function we take for granted and enjoy (Renton and Yilmaz, 2011). The trigeminal nerve is the largest sensory nerve in the body, protecting the essential organs that underpin our very existence (brain, eyes, nose, mouth). It is no wonder that pain within the trigeminal system in the face is often overwhelming and inescapable for the affected individual.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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Descending Projections from the Inferior Colliculus to Medial Olivocochlear Efferents

: Mice with Normal Hearing, Early Onset Hearing Loss, and Congenital Deafness

via Hearing Research

Publication date: Available online 12 July 2016
Source:Hearing Research
Author(s): Kirupa Suthakar, David K. Ryugo
Auditory efferent neurons reside in the brain and innervate the sensory hair cells of the cochlea to modulate incoming acoustic signals. Two groups of efferents have been described in mouse and this report will focus on the medial olivocochlear (MOC) system. Electrophysiological data suggest the MOC efferents function in selective listening by differentially attenuating auditory nerve fiber activity in quiet and noisy conditions. Because speech understanding in noise is impaired in age-related hearing loss, we asked whether pathologic changes in input to MOC neurons from higher centers could be involved. The present study investigated the anatomical nature of descending projections from the inferior colliculus (IC) to MOCs in 3-month old mice with normal hearing, and 6-month old mice with normal hearing, early onset hearing loss, and congenital deafness. Anterograde tracers were injected into the IC and retrograde tracers into the cochlea. Electron microscopic analysis of double-labelled tissue confirmed direct synaptic contact from the IC onto MOCs in all cohorts. These labelled terminals are indicative of excitatory neurotransmission because they contain round synaptic vesicles, exhibit asymmetric membrane specializations, and are co-labelled with antibodies against VGlut2, a glutamate transporter. 3D reconstructions of the terminal fields indicate that in normal hearing mice, descending projections from the IC are arranged tonotopically with low frequencies projecting laterally and progressively higher frequencies projecting more medially. Along the mediolateral axis, the projections of DBA/2 mice with acquired high frequency hearing loss were shifted medially towards expected higher frequency projecting regions. Shaker-2 mice with congenital deafness had a much broader spatial projection, revealing abnormalities in the topography of connections. These data suggest that loss in precision of IC directed MOC activation could contribute to impaired signal detection in noise.

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Second Herbert Fleisch Workshop, 2016

IBMS BoneKEy 13 doi: 10.1038/bonekey.2016.51

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Generation of Soluble Interleukin-11 and Interleukin-6 Receptors: A Crucial Function for Proteases during Inflammation

The cytokines interleukin-11 (IL-11) and IL-6 are important proteins with well-defined pro- and anti-inflammatory functions. They activate intracellular signaling cascades through a homodimer of the ubiquitously expressed signal-transducing β-receptor glycoprotein 130 (gp130). Specificity is gained through the cell- and tissue-specific expression of the nonsignaling IL-11 and IL-6 α-receptors (IL-11R and IL-6R), which determine the responsiveness of the cell to these two cytokines. IL-6 is a rare example, where its soluble receptor (sIL-6R) has agonistic properties, so that the IL-6/sIL-6R complex is able to activate cells that are usually not responsive to IL-6 alone (trans-signaling). Recent evidence suggests that IL-11 can signal via a similar trans-signaling mechanism. In this review, we highlight similarities and differences in the functions of IL-11 and IL-6. We summarize current knowledge about the generation of the sIL-6R and sIL-11R by different proteases and discuss possible roles during inflammatory processes. Finally, we focus on the selective and/or combined inhibition of IL-6 and IL-11 signaling and how this might translate into the clinics.

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Liquid crystalline nanoparticles encapsulating cisplatin and docetaxel combination for targeted therapy of breast cancer

Biomater. Sci., 2016, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C6BM00376A, Paper

Raj Kumar Thapa, Ju Yeon Choi, Biki Gupta, Thiruganesh Ramasamy, Bijay Kumar Poudel, Sae Kwang Ku, Yu Seok Youn, Han Gon Choi, Chul Soon Yong, Jong Oh Kim
Dual drug-loaded liquid crystalline nanoparticles for targeted therapy of metastatic breast cancer.
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Energetic Assessment of the Nonexercise Activities under Free-Living Conditions

Nonexercise activities (NAs) are common types of physical activity in daily life and critical component in energy expenditure. However, energetic assessment of NA, particularly in free-living subjects, is a technical challenge. In this study, mechanical modeling and portable device were used to evaluate five common types of NA in daily life: sit to stand, lie to sit, bowing while standing, squat, and right leg over left. A human indirect calorimeter was used to measure the activity energy expenditure of NA. Mechanical work and mechanical efficiency of NA were calculated for mechanical modeling. Thirty-two male subjects were recruited for the study (20 subjects for the development of models and 12 subjects for evaluation of models). The average (mean ± SD) mechanical work of 5 NAs was 2.31 ± 0.50, 2.88 ± 0.57, 1.75 ± 0.55, 3.96 ± 1.25, and 1.25 ± 0.51 J/kg·m, respectively. The mean mechanical efficiencies of those activities were 22.0 ± 3.3%, 26.5 ± 5.1%, 19.8 ± 3.7%, 24.0 ± 5.5%, and 26.3 ± 5.5%. The activity energy expenditure estimated by the models was not significantly different from the measurements by the calorimeter () with accuracies of 102.2 ± 20.7%, 103.7 ± 25.8%, 105.6 ± 14.6%, 101.1 ± 28.0%, and 95.8 ± 20.7%, respectively, for those activities. These findings suggest that the mechanical models combined with a portable device can provide an alternative method for the energetic analysis of nonexercise activities under free-living condition.

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The Epithelial Sodium Channel and the Processes of Wound Healing

The epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) mediates passive sodium transport across the apical membranes of sodium absorbing epithelia, like the distal nephron, the intestine, and the lung airways. Additionally, the channel has been involved in the transduction of mechanical stimuli, such as hydrostatic pressure, membrane stretch, and shear stress from fluid flow. Thus, in vascular endothelium, it participates in the control of the vascular tone via its activity both as a sodium channel and as a shear stress transducer. Rather recently, ENaC has been shown to participate in the processes of wound healing, a role that may also involve its activities as sodium transporter and as mechanotransducer. Its presence as the sole channel mediating sodium transport in many tissues and the diversity of its functions probably underlie the complexity of its regulation. This brief review describes some aspects of ENaC regulation, comments on evidence about ENaC participation in wound healing, and suggests possible regulatory mechanisms involved in this participation.

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Mazor touts studies showing advantage of robotic assistance in MIS spinal procedures

Mazor Robotics (NSDQ:MZOR) today released data from 2 retrospective studies of its Renaissance robotic surgical device, touting the benefits of robotic assistance and surgical guidance during minimally invasive spinal surgery procedures.

The company said it plans to present the data today at the 23rd International Meeting on Advanced Spine Techniques in Washington, D.C.

"The results of these retrospective and prospective studies corroborate each other's conclusions. These data validate that Renaissance is performing at the highest level and delivering the positive results that surgeons and hospital administrations expect from advanced technologies. In addition, overall MIS adoption for spine surgeries is improving, and the rate of MIS surgeries using our surgical guidance technology is far higher than the industry average, demonstrating that it is an enabling technology that delivers better patient outcomes," CEO Ori Hadomi said in a press release.

The 1st study explored whether the use of robotic guidance reduced fluoroscopy time during minimally invasive surgeries for degenerative lumbar spine disease. Data from 627 patients were analyzed in the study, with 403 patients who underwent procedures with robotic-guidance and 224 who underwent freehand procedures.

Total fluoroscopy time per pedicle screw was 11.3 seconds amongst those in robotically-assisted procedures, and 27.4 seconds for patients in freehand procedures. Results indicated a net reduction of approximately 1.5 minutes of radiation with the use of robotic assistance.

The 2nd retrospective study investigated surgical outcomes between robotically-guided and freehand procedures, and examined the outcomes of 705 patients, 403 of which underwent robotically-guided surgeries, 228 who underwent fluoscopic-guided MIS procedures and 78 who underwent fluoscopic-guided open procedures.

Data indicated complication rates of 4%, 5.4% and 12.8% between robotically-guided MIS, fluoscopic-guided MIS and fluoscopic-guided open procedures, Mazor said. Robotically assisted procedures reported a lower rate of revisions, at 3.8%, while both fluoscopic-guided methods were at 7.7%

The study concluded that the use of robotic-assistance during minimally invasive spinal surgeries significantly reduces the rate of surgical complications and revision surgeries compared to fluoscopic-guided surgeries.

"Both presented studies demonstrate a significant improvement in patient outcomes when Renaissance-guidance is utilized by surgeons. Jointly, the large retrospective data-set corroborates the preliminary findings of the prospective, controlled study, validating the use of Mazor Robotics guidance technologies in minimally invasive surgery for patients and surgeons," trial lead investigator Dr. Sweeney of Sarasota, Fla.'s Southeast Spine Center said in prepared remarks.

Earlier this week, Mazor unveiled its Mazor X robotic spinal surgery system, designed to combine analytical tools, precision guidance, optical tracking and intra-operative verification into a single, spinal surgical aid system.The Mazor X is slated to launch during the North American Spine Society's annual meeting in Boston in October, the Israeli company said.

"What we will now become is much more comprehensive in spinal surgery. We now have a surgical assurance platform that can handle many more tasks in spinal procedures. It's a bright day for the company," U.S. biz CEO Cristopher Prentice told MassDevice.com in an interview.

The release is a major step for Mazor, Prentice said, with the new system integrating years of effort from the company, including changes based on regular customer and user feedback that resulted in a much more versatile system.

The post Mazor touts studies showing advantage of robotic assistance in MIS spinal procedures appeared first on MassDevice.

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Micro and nanotechnologies in heart valve tissue engineering

Publication date: October 2016
Source:Biomaterials, Volume 103
Author(s): Anwarul Hasan, John Saliba, Hassan Pezeshgi Modarres, Ahmed Bakhaty, Amir Nasajpour, Mohammad R.K. Mofrad, Amir Sanati-Nezhad
Due to the increased morbidity and mortality resulting from heart valve diseases, there is a growing demand for off-the-shelf implantable tissue engineered heart valves (TEHVs). Despite the significant progress in recent years in improving the design and performance of TEHV constructs, viable and functional human implantable TEHV constructs have remained elusive. The recent advances in micro and nanoscale technologies including the microfabrication, nano-microfiber based scaffolds preparation, 3D cell encapsulated hydrogels preparation, microfluidic, micro-bioreactors, nano-microscale biosensors as well as the computational methods and models for simulation of biological tissues have increased the potential for realizing viable, functional and implantable TEHV constructs. In this review, we aim to present an overview of the importance and recent advances in micro and nano-scale technologies for the development of TEHV constructs.



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Association between aberrant APC promoter methylation and breast cancer pathogenesis: a meta-analysis of 35 observational studies

Background. Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) is widely known as an antagonist of the Wnt signaling pathway via the inactivation of β-catenin. An increasing number of studies have reported that APC methylation contributes to the predisposition to breast cancer (BC). However, recent studies have yielded conflicting results. Methods. Herein, we systematically carried out a meta-analysis to assess the correlation between APC methylation and BC risk. Based on searches of the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science and Embase databases, the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) values were pooled and summarized. Results. A total of 31 articles involving 35 observational studies with 2,483 cases and 1,218 controls met the inclusion criteria. The results demonstrated that the frequency of APC methylation was significantly higher in BC cases than controls under a random effect model (OR = 8.92, 95% CI [5.12–15.52]). Subgroup analysis further confirmed the reliable results, regardless of the sample types detected, methylation detection methods applied and different regions included. Interestingly, our results also showed that the frequency of APC methylation was significantly lower in early-stage BC patients than late-stage ones (OR = 0.62, 95% CI [0.42–0.93]). Conclusion. APC methylation might play an indispensable role in the pathogenesis of BC and could be regarded as a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of BC.

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Sunlight-assisted, biocatalytic formate synthesis from CO2 and water using silicon-based photoelectrochemical cells

Chem. Commun., 2016, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C6CC04661D, Communication

Eun Jin Son, Jong Wan Ko, Su Keun Kuk, Hyunjun Choe, Sumi Lee, Jae Hong Kim, Dong Heon Nam, Gyeong Min Ryu, Yong Hwan Kim, Chan Beum Park
A silicon-based photoelectrochemical cell is developed to convert CO₂ to formate with water as an electron donor by using formate dehydrogenase from Thiobacillus sp.
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A simple, sufficient, and consistent method to score the status of threats and demography of imperiled species

Managers of large, complex wildlife conservation programs need information on the conservation status of each of many species to help strategically allocate limited resources. Oversimplifying status data, however, runs the risk of missing information essential to strategic allocation. Conservation status consists of two components, the status of threats a species faces and the species' demographic status. Neither component alone is sufficient to characterize conservation status. Here we present a simple key for scoring threat and demographic changes for species using detailed information provided in free-form textual descriptions of conservation status. This key is easy to use (simple), captures the two components of conservation status without the cost of more detailed measures (sufficient), and can be applied by different personnel to any taxon (consistent). To evaluate the key's utility, we performed two analyses. First, we scored the threat and demographic status of 37 species recently recommended for reclassification under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and 15 control species, then compared our scores to two metrics used for decision-making and reports to Congress. Second, we scored the threat and demographic status of all non-plant ESA-listed species from Florida (54 spp.), and evaluated scoring repeatability for a subset of those. While the metrics reported by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) are often consistent with our scores in the first analysis, the results highlight two problems with the oversimplified metrics. First, we show that both metrics can mask underlying demographic declines or threat increases; for example, ∼40% of species not recommended for reclassification had changes in threats or demography. Second, we show that neither metric is consistent with either threats or demography alone, but conflates the two. The second analysis illustrates how the scoring key can be applied to a substantial set of species to understand overall patterns of ESA implementation. The scoring repeatability analysis shows promise, but indicates thorough training will be needed to ensure consistency. We propose that large conservation programs adopt our simple scoring system for threats and demography. By doing so, program administrators will have better information to monitor program effectiveness and guide their decisions.

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Ruthenium(0)-catalyzed hydroarylation of alkynes via ketone-directed C-H functionalization using in situ-generated ruthenium complexes

Chem. Commun., 2016, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C6CC04537E, Communication

Feng Hu, Michal Szostak
Ketone-directed Ru(0)-catalyzed hydroarylation of alkynes enabled by in situ generation of a Ru(0) catalyst from an air-stable, inexpensive and user-friendly Ru(II) precatalyst is reported.
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Comparison of buckwheat, red clover, and purple tansy as potential surrogate plants for use in semi-field pesticide risk assessments with Bombus impatiens

Background. Bumble bees (Bombus spp.) are important wild and managed pollinators. There is increased interest in incorporating data on bumble bees into risk assessments for pesticides, but standardized methods for assessing hazards of pesticides in semi-field and field settings have not yet been established for bumble bees. During semi-field studies, colonies are caged with pesticide-treated flowering surrogate plants, which must be attractive to foragers to ensure colony exposure to the test compound, and must produce an ample nectar and pollen to sustain colonies during testing. However, it is not known which plant(s) are suitable for use in semi-field studies with bumble bees. Materials and Methods. We compared B. impatiens foraging activity and colony development on small plots of flowering buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum, var. common), red clover (Trifolium pratense), and purple tansy (Phacelia tanacetifolia) under semi-field conditions to assess their suitability as surrogate plants for pesticide risk assessment studies with bumble bees. We also compared the growth characteristics and input requirements of each plant type. Results. All three plant types generally established and grew well. Red clover and purple tansy experienced significant weed pressure and/or insect pest damage. In contrast, pest pressure was extremely low in buckwheat. Overall, B. impatiens foraging activity was significantly greater on buckwheat plots than red clover or purple tansy, but plant type had no effect on number of individuals produced per colony or colony weight. Discussion. Because of the consistently high foraging activity and successful colony development observed on buckwheat plots, combined with its favourable growth characteristics and low maintenance requirements, we recommend buckwheat as a surrogate plant for use in semi-field pesticide toxicity assessments with B. impatiens.

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Meter scale variation in shrub dominance and soil moisture structure Arctic arthropod communities

The Arctic is warming at twice the rate of the rest of the world. This impacts Arctic species both directly, through increased temperatures, and indirectly, through structural changes in their habitats. Species are expected to exhibit idiosyncratic responses to structural change, which calls for detailed investigations at the species and community level. Here, we investigate how arthropod assemblages of spiders and beetles respond to variation in habitat structure at small spatial scales. We sampled transitions in shrub dominance and soil moisture between three different habitats (fen, dwarf shrub heath, and tall shrub tundra) at three different sites along a fjord gradient in southwest Greenland, using yellow pitfall cups. We identified 2,547 individuals belonging to 47 species. We used species richness estimation, indicator species analysis and latent variable modeling to examine differences in arthropod community structure in response to habitat variation at local (within site) and regional scales (between sites). We estimated species responses to the environment by fitting species-specific generalized linear models with environmental covariates. Species assemblages were segregated at the habitat and site level. Each habitat hosted significant indicator species, and species richness and diversity were significantly lower in fen habitats. Assemblage patterns were significantly linked to changes in soil moisture and vegetation height, as well as geographic location. We show that meter-scale variation among habitats affects arthropod community structure, supporting the notion that the Arctic tundra is a heterogeneous environment. To gain sufficient insight into temporal biodiversity change, we require studies of species distributions detailing species habitat preferences.

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Human population and socioeconomic modulators of conservation performance in 788 Amazonian and Atlantic Forest reserves

Protected areas form a quintessential component of the global strategy to perpetuate tropical biodiversity within relatively undisturbed wildlands, but they are becoming increasingly isolated by rapid agricultural encroachment. Here we consider a network of 788 forest protected areas (PAs) in the world's largest tropical country to examine the degree to which they remain intact, and their responses to multiple biophysical and socioeconomic variables potentially affecting natural habitat loss under varying contexts of rural development. PAs within the complex Brazilian National System of Conservation Units (SNUC) are broken down into two main classes—strictly protected and sustainable use. Collectively, these account for 22.6% of the forest biomes within Brazil's national territory, primarily within the Amazon and the Atlantic Forest, but are widely variable in size, ecoregional representation, management strategy, and the degree to which they are threatened by human activities both within and outside reserve boundaries. In particular, we examine the variation in habitat conversion rates in both strictly protected and sustainable use reserves as a function of the internal and external human population density, and levels of land-use revenue in adjacent human-dominated landscapes. Our results show that PAs surrounded by heavily settled agro-pastoral landscapes face much greater challenges in retaining their natural vegetation, and that strictly protected areas are considerably less degraded than sustainable use reserves, which can rival levels of habitat degradation within adjacent 10-km buffer areas outside.

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The emerging roles of Jab1/CSN5 in cancer

Abstract

C-Jun activation domain-binding protein-1 (Jab1) not only is full but also a subunit (CSN5) of the constitutive photomorphogenesis 9 signalosome (CSN), which is an evolutionarily conserved and multifunctional protein that involves in controlling cellular proliferation and apoptosis, affecting a series of pathways, as well as regulating genomic instability and DNA damage and repair. The CSN is a highly conservative protein from yeast to human and interacts with the cullin-RING family of ubiquitin ligases so that it could be execute a process of removing NEDD8, a ubiquitin-like polypeptide (deneddylase activity). The role of Jab1/CSN5's multi-function has been proved as being oncogenic in nature, what is more, Jab1/CSN5 has been confirmed by much evidence that it participates in the carcinogenesis progression and is tightly associated with poor prognosis. However, the biologic implication of Jab1/CSN5 activity during the cancer's development is unclear. We performed a systematic literature review and assessment from PubMed and Medline databases in this article. Jab1/CSN5 is participate in a lot of biologic responses, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle regulation, DNA metabolism, invasion, DNA damage and repair, and recurrence. It also promotes cell transformation and tumorigenesis. In this review, we mainly expound the progress in the function and research advances of Jab1/CSN5 and in untangling the Jab1/CSN5 signaling pathway. Based on these bases, its potential as a therapeutic target for cancer can play a greater role in future cancer treatment.

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Descending Projections from the Inferior Colliculus to Medial Olivocochlear Efferents: Mice with Normal Hearing, Early Onset Hearing Loss, and Congenital Deafness

Publication date: Available online 12 July 2016
Source:Hearing Research
Author(s): Kirupa Suthakar, David K. Ryugo
Auditory efferent neurons reside in the brain and innervate the sensory hair cells of the cochlea to modulate incoming acoustic signals. Two groups of efferents have been described in mouse and this report will focus on the medial olivocochlear (MOC) system. Electrophysiological data suggest the MOC efferents function in selective listening by differentially attenuating auditory nerve fiber activity in quiet and noisy conditions. Because speech understanding in noise is impaired in age-related hearing loss, we asked whether pathologic changes in input to MOC neurons from higher centers could be involved. The present study investigated the anatomical nature of descending projections from the inferior colliculus (IC) to MOCs in 3-month old mice with normal hearing, and 6-month old mice with normal hearing, early onset hearing loss, and congenital deafness. Anterograde tracers were injected into the IC and retrograde tracers into the cochlea. Electron microscopic analysis of double-labelled tissue confirmed direct synaptic contact from the IC onto MOCs in all cohorts. These labelled terminals are indicative of excitatory neurotransmission because they contain round synaptic vesicles, exhibit asymmetric membrane specializations, and are co-labelled with antibodies against VGlut2, a glutamate transporter. 3D reconstructions of the terminal fields indicate that in normal hearing mice, descending projections from the IC are arranged tonotopically with low frequencies projecting laterally and progressively higher frequencies projecting more medially. Along the mediolateral axis, the projections of DBA/2 mice with acquired high frequency hearing loss were shifted medially towards expected higher frequency projecting regions. Shaker-2 mice with congenital deafness had a much broader spatial projection, revealing abnormalities in the topography of connections. These data suggest that loss in precision of IC directed MOC activation could contribute to impaired signal detection in noise.



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Descending Projections from the Inferior Colliculus to Medial Olivocochlear Efferents: Mice with Normal Hearing, Early Onset Hearing Loss, and Congenital Deafness

Publication date: Available online 12 July 2016
Source:Hearing Research
Author(s): Kirupa Suthakar, David K. Ryugo
Auditory efferent neurons reside in the brain and innervate the sensory hair cells of the cochlea to modulate incoming acoustic signals. Two groups of efferents have been described in mouse and this report will focus on the medial olivocochlear (MOC) system. Electrophysiological data suggest the MOC efferents function in selective listening by differentially attenuating auditory nerve fiber activity in quiet and noisy conditions. Because speech understanding in noise is impaired in age-related hearing loss, we asked whether pathologic changes in input to MOC neurons from higher centers could be involved. The present study investigated the anatomical nature of descending projections from the inferior colliculus (IC) to MOCs in 3-month old mice with normal hearing, and 6-month old mice with normal hearing, early onset hearing loss, and congenital deafness. Anterograde tracers were injected into the IC and retrograde tracers into the cochlea. Electron microscopic analysis of double-labelled tissue confirmed direct synaptic contact from the IC onto MOCs in all cohorts. These labelled terminals are indicative of excitatory neurotransmission because they contain round synaptic vesicles, exhibit asymmetric membrane specializations, and are co-labelled with antibodies against VGlut2, a glutamate transporter. 3D reconstructions of the terminal fields indicate that in normal hearing mice, descending projections from the IC are arranged tonotopically with low frequencies projecting laterally and progressively higher frequencies projecting more medially. Along the mediolateral axis, the projections of DBA/2 mice with acquired high frequency hearing loss were shifted medially towards expected higher frequency projecting regions. Shaker-2 mice with congenital deafness had a much broader spatial projection, revealing abnormalities in the topography of connections. These data suggest that loss in precision of IC directed MOC activation could contribute to impaired signal detection in noise.



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In Reply

Publication date: Available online 9 July 2016
Source:Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Author(s): Beomjune Kim, Arshad Kaleem, Waleed Zaid




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Quantifying the Effect of TMJ Intra-articular Steroid Injection on Synovial Enhancement in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Publication date: Available online 5 July 2016
Source:Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Author(s): Cory M. Resnick, Pouya M. Vakilian, Leonard B. Kaban, Zachary S. Peacock
PurposeTo quantify the effect of intra-articular steroid injections (IASI) on temporomandibular joint (TMJ) synovitis in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) using gadolinium enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).MethodsThis is a retrospective study of children with JIA who underwent TMJ IASIs at Boston Children's Hospital. Patients were included if they had contrast-enhanced MRIs both pre- and post-IASI, and if the pre-IASI MRI demonstrated synovitis (Enhancement Ratio (ER)>1.55). Patients with TMJ pathology or pain unrelated to JIA or a history of facial trauma were excluded. Predictor variables were: age, gender, JIA subtype, exposure to medications for arthritis and family history of autoimmune disease. The primary outcome variable was ER. Additional outcome variables included patient-reported pain and maximal incisal opening (MIO).ResultsTwenty-nine subjects (83% female) with a total of 50 injected TMJs were included. The average ages at JIA diagnosis and at IASI were 6.8±1.7 years and 12.1±1.9 years, respectively. Mean follow-up was 22.9±4.3 months (range 5–48 months). There was a decrease in ER in all injected joints, with a mean reduction of 1.05±1.01 (p<0.001). The post-IASI ER was below the normal threshold (1.55) in 18% of injected TMJs. IASI was associated with elimination of pain in 89% of subjects (p<0.001) and in augmentation of the MIO by 5.8±2.6mm (p<0.001).ConclusionsIn children with JIA and TMJ synovitis, TMJ IASI was associated with reduction in synovial enhancement, decreased pain and increased MIO. Only 18% of injected joints, however, had complete resolution of synovitis. These results support the use of IASI in the management of pain and dysfunction associated with TMJ synovitis. Further study is required to determine the efficacy of IASI in limiting inflammation and future joint destruction.



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Masthead

Publication date: July 2016
Source:Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Volume 74, Issue 7





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