Summary: Autologous fat grafting for blepharoplasty-induced lower eyelid retraction offers potential for a long-term solution while avoiding the morbidity associated with posterior lamellar spacer grafts. By combining traditional methods of lifting the retracted lower eyelid with autologous fat grafting, both functional and aesthetic concerns can be successfully addressed in these patients.<span class="paragraphSection"><div class="boxTitle">Abstract</div>Speech articulation requires precise control of and coordination between the effectors of the vocal tract (e.g., lips, tongue, soft palate, and larynx). However, it is unclear how the cortex represents movements of and contact between these effectors during speech, or how these cortical responses relate to inter-regional anatomical borders. Here, we used phase-encoded fMRI to map somatomotor representations of speech articulations. Phonetically trained participants produced speech phones, progressing from front (bilabial) to back (glottal) place of articulation. Maps of cortical myelin proxies (R<sub>1</sub>= 1/T<sub>1</sub>) further allowed us to situate functional maps with respect to anatomical borders of motor and somatosensory regions. Across participants, we found a consistent topological map of place of articulation, spanning the central sulcus and primary motor and somatosensory areas, that moved from lateral to inferior as place of articulation progressed from front to back. Phones produced at velar and glottal places of articulation activated the inferior aspect of the central sulcus, but with considerable across-subject variability. R<sub>1</sub> maps for a subset of participants revealed that articulator maps extended posteriorly into secondary somatosensory regions. These results show consistent topological organization of cortical representations of the vocal apparatus in the context of speech behavior.</span>
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<span class="paragraphSection"><div class="boxTitle">Abstract</div>The present experiment identified neural regions that represent a class of concepts that are independent of perceptual or sensory attributes. During functional magnetic resonance imaging scanning, participants viewed names of social groups (e.g. Atheists, Evangelicals, and Economists) and performed a one-back similarity judgment according to 1 of 2 dimensions of belief attributes: political orientation (Liberal to Conservative) or spiritualism (Spiritualist to Materialist). By generalizing across a wide variety of social groups that possess these beliefs, these attribute concepts did not coincide with any specific sensory quality, allowing us to target conceptual, rather than perceptual, representations. Multi-voxel pattern searchlight analysis was used to identify regions in which activation patterns distinguished the 2 ends of both dimensions: Conservative from Liberal social groups when participants focused on the political orientation dimension, and spiritual from Materialist groups when participants focused on the spiritualism dimension. A cluster in right precuneus exhibited such a pattern, indicating that it carries information about belief-attribute concepts and forms part of semantic memory—perhaps a component particularly concerned with psychological traits. This region did not overlap with the theory of mind network, which engaged nearby, but distinct, parts of precuneus. These findings have implications for the neural organization of conceptual knowledge, especially the understanding of social groups.</span>
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Publication date: Available online 27 January 2017
Source:Practical Radiation Oncology
Author(s): Arpan V. Prabhu, Tudor Crihalmeanu, David R. Hansberry, Nitin Agarwal, Christine Glaser, David A. Clump, Dwight E. Heron, Sushil Beriwal
PurposeThe Google search engine is a common resource used by patients to access health-related patient education information. The American Medical Association and National Institutes of Health recommend that patient education resources be written between the third and seventh grade reading levels. We assessed the readability levels of online palliative care patient education resources using ten readability algorithms widely accepted in the medical literature.MethodsIn October 2016, ten terms pertaining to palliative care and oncology were individually searched for using the Google search engine, and the first ten articles written for the public for each term were downloaded for a total of 100 articles. The terms included: palliative care, hospice, advance directive, cancer pain management, treatment of metastatic disease, treatment of brain metastasis, treatment of bone metastasis, palliative radiation therapy, palliative chemotherapy, and end-of-life care. We determined the average reading level of the articles by readability scale and website domain.ResultsNine readability assessments with scores equivalent to academic grade level found that the 100 palliative care education articles were collectively written at a 12.1 reading level (SD 2.1; Range 7.6–17.3). Zero articles were written below a 7th grade level. Exactly 49 (49%) articles were written above a high school graduate reading level. The Flesch Reading Ease scale classified the articles as 'difficult' to read with a score of 45.6 out of 100. The articles were collected from 62 different website domains. Seven domains were accessed 3 or more times, of which www.mskcc.org had the highest average article reading level at a 14.5 grade level (SD 1.4; Range 13.4–16.1).ConclusionMost palliative care education articles readily available on Google are written above national health literacy recommendations. There is need for revision of these resources to allow patients and their families to derive the most benefit from these materials.
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Publication date: 5 April 2017
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 119
Author(s): Mariglen Angjellari, Emanuela Tamburri, Luca Montaina, Marco Natali, Daniele Passeri, Marco Rossi, Maria Letizia Terranova
The use of dispersions of poly(vinyl alcohol) PVA and detonation nanodiamond (DND) as novel inks for 3D printing of variously shaped objects using a layer-by-layer additive manufacturing method is reported. In parallel with the nanocomposites preparation, we designed a 3D printing apparatus and settled protocols for the shaping of hybrid materials, choosing PVA-DND inks as a model system to test the performances of the 3D apparatus. Along with material design and preparation, we discuss the main factors influencing the quality of the final printed objects and enlighten the importance of the matching between the chemical/physical properties of the materials to be extruded and the characteristics of the 3D printer. The thermal and mechanical properties of the printed systems have been tested by Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Contact Resonance Atomic Force Microscopy. The analysis of the mechanical properties of the 3D printed objects evidenced, for 0.5%w/w, 1%w and 5%w DND-loaded nanocomposites, values of mean indentation modulus that are 22%, 44% and 200% higher, respectively, than that of the unloaded PVA. The results of the present research, indicate that an appropriate methodology is able to print PVA-DND nanocomposites in well-defined and shaped structures, suitable for a variety of possible applications.
Publication date: 5 April 2017
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 119
Author(s): J. Li, B.B. Yang, Y.H. Lu, L. Xin, Z.H. Wang, T. Shoji
The fretting corrosion behaviors of Inconel 690 in cathodic condition (CC) and anodic condition (AC) in water environment were investigated. The results indicated that fretting wear behavior, wear mechanism and the microstructure evolution mechanisms in the subsurface strongly depended on polarization condition. There was a thin wear debris layer (WDL) and a thick tribologically transformed structure (TTS) without oxidation in CC; while a thick oxidized WDL and a thin complex TTS consisting of nanocrystalline Ni-rich and Cr-rich oxide zones was observed in AC. The micro-cracks formed at the interface of WDL/TTS in CC, while they formed at the interfaces of Ni-rich/Cr-rich oxide zones and TTS/GDL in AC.
Publication date: 5 April 2017
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 119
Author(s): P. Subalakshmi, M. Ganesan, A. Sivashanmugam
CuO micro balls and nano hexagons have been synthesized by time, cost effective rapid hydrothermal and precipitation methods respectively. Physical characterization is explained through various analytical techniques. Electrochemical performance of CuO as an active material for super capacitor application in 6M KOH solution is illustrated. CuO micro balls exhibit specific capacitance of about 470Fg−1 where as CuO nano hexagons exhibit only 103Fg−1 at current density of 0.5Ag−1. The superior electrochemical performance of CuO micro balls is attributed to 3D micro structure assembled from nano sheets eventually possess more active sites as evident from larger surface area observed in BET analysis. Further, co-existence of Cu2O phase enhances the electrochemical performance by reversible redox couple CuO/Cu2O and the entrapped hydroxyl group in micro balls increases the conductivity and accelerates the electrode kinetics in alkaline medium.
Publication date: 5 April 2017
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 119
Author(s): Xiao Du, Jun Wan, Jia Jia, Chao Pan, Xiaoyun Hu, Jun Fan, Enzhou Liu
Ag3PO4-Bi2MoO6 heterojunctions with visible-light photocatalytic activity were successfully fabricated via a deposition-precipitation method. The investigation shows that Ag3PO4-Bi2MoO6 composites exhibit enhanced visible light harvesting ability and better degradation efficiency for RhB compared with Bi2MoO6 and Ag3PO4 under visible light irradiation (λ>420nm). What's more, we found that the activity and the stability of Ag3PO4-Bi2MoO6 heterojunction could be further improved by adding of H2O2 in the RhB reaction solution. The enhanced photocatalytic performance and structure stability are primarily attributed to the efficient charge carrier separation of the heterojunction formed by Ag3PO4 and Bi2MoO6, and the electron capturing property of H2O2 on the surface of Ag3PO4-Bi2MoO6 composites, leading to a highly efficient removal of RhB using the Ag3PO4-Bi2MoO6-H2O2 system. In addition, the active species trapping experiments indicate that h+ and •O2– play important roles during the photocatalytic degradation process. This work suggests that the H2O2 assisted Ag3PO4-Bi2MoO6 heterojunction system could be a potential promising photocatalyst for environmental remediation.
Publication date: 5 April 2017
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 119
Author(s): S. Colonna, M.M. Bernal, G. Gavoci, J. Gomez, C. Novara, G. Saracco, A. Fina
Successful preparation of polymer nanocomposites, exploiting graphene-related materials, via melt mixing technology requires precise design, optimization and control of processing. In the present work, the effect of different processing parameters during the preparation of poly (butylene terephthalate) nanocomposites, through ring-opening polymerization of cyclic butylene terephthalate in presence of graphite nanoplatelets (GNP), was thoroughly addressed. Processing temperature (240°C or 260°C), extrusion time (5 or 10min) and shear rate (50 or 100rpm) were varied by means of a full factorial design of experiment approach, leading to the preparation of polybutylene terephthalate/GNP nanocomposite in 8 different processing conditions. Morphology and quality of GNP were investigated by means of electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, thermogravimetry and Raman spectroscopy. Molecular weight of the polymer matrix in nanocomposites and nanoflake dispersion were experimentally determined as a function of the different processing conditions. The effect of transformation parameters on electrical and thermal properties was studied by means of electrical and thermal conductivity measurement. Heat and charge transport performance evidenced a clear correlation with the dispersion and fragmentation of the GNP nanoflakes; in particular, gentle processing conditions (low shear rate, short mixing time) turned out to be the most favourable condition to obtain high conductivity values.
Publication date: 5 April 2017
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 119
Author(s): Guang Ren, Maurice N. Collins
In this paper, the effect Sb on the microstructure, thermal and mechanical properties of Sn-8Zn-3Bi alloys was studied. With addition of 0.5–1.5wt.% Sb, melting temperature and undercooling is slightly increased compared with Sn-8Zn-3Bi alloy, while the pasty range remains unchanged. It was found that the addition of Sb refined the microstructure, resulting in a smaller α-Zn phase, and enlarged the Sn-Zn eutectic area, without intermetallic compound (IMC) formation. Mechanical properties are significantly improved by micro-alloying and this is attributed to solid solution strengthening. With the addition of 1.5wt.% Sb, tensile strength, yield stress and Young's modulus was improved by 14.5%, 87% and 116.2% respectively, compared with the Sn-8Zn-3Bi solder alloy. Elongation was increased by 28%, due to a more ductile fracture mechanism. The relatively low melting temperature, superior mechanical properties, along with narrow pasty range and undercooling, makes Sn-8Zn-3Bi-xSb alloy system a potential low temperature lead-free alloy for temperature sensitive applications such as optoelectronics, crystal oscillators, MEMS devices, and internet-of-things (IoT) devices.
Publication date: 5 April 2017
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 119
Author(s): Igor Moravcik, Jan Cizek, Jozef Zapletal, Zuzana Kovacova, Jozef Vesely, Peter Minarik, Michael Kitzmantel, Erich Neubauer, Ivo Dlouhy
The present work is focused on synthesis and mechanical properties evaluation of non-equiatomic Ni1,5Co1,5CrFeTi0,5, ductile single phase high entropy alloy (HEA) with excellent mechanical properties (bend strength Rmb=2593MPa, tensile strength Rm=1384MPa, tensile elongation to fracture of 4.01%, and elastic modulus of 216GPa) surpassing those of traditional as-cast HEA. For the alloy production, a combination of mechanical alloying (MA) process in a planetary ball mill and spark plasma sintering (SPS) for powder densification was utilized. The tensile properties of a bulk material produced by a combination of MA+SPS are characterized for the first time. The feedstock powder and corresponding bulk material microstructure, elemental and phase composition, and mechanical properties were investigated by scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), X-ray diffraction (XRD), as well as impulse excitation of vibration, Vickers microhardness and tensile and bend strength tests, respectively. The structure of the samples consisted of single-phase FCC high entropy solid solution of extremely fine-twinned grains and oxide inclusions inherited from the original powder feedstock. Dimple-like morphology corresponding to ductile fracture mode has been observed on the fracture surfaces, with crack initiation sites on the inclusions phases.
Publication date: 5 April 2017
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 119
Author(s): M.A. Signore, A. Taurino, M. Catalano, M. Kim, Z. Che, F. Quaranta, P. Siciliano
In the present work, the sputtering deposition conditions allowing the achievement of (002)-oriented aluminum nitride (AlN) thin films on titanium (Ti) bottom electrode were assessed on both silicon and kapton substrates. The AlN grain orientation was enhanced by tuning the conditions used for the Ti deposition, particularly the radiofrequency (RF) power applied to Ti target and the total pressure in the deposition chamber. Sputtered species energy and their flux towards the substrate were identified as key parameters to interpret Ti structure and morphology on both substrates, and to understand how they drive the AlN crystallization process. The evolution of morphology and structure of single Ti films and of the AlN/Ti system was characterized by X-ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy. Highly oriented AlN films were obtained on both substrates when the underneath Ti layer was mainly (002)-oriented; the presence in the Ti films of grains with (100) orientation produced a degree of misorientation in the following AlN growth, also resulting in a significant change of the surface morphology, on both substrates. The successful deposition of AlN/Ti on kapton substrate represents a promising result for the integration of this material in flexible piezoelectric electronics.
Publication date: 5 April 2017
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 119
Author(s): K.M. Collins, M. Meng, H.R. Le, D. Greaves, N.W. Bellamy
A wide range of wave energy converter (WEC) designs exists, and the SeaWave WEC uses an unstable buckled spine mode of operation. The SeaWave consists of a hose and buckled spine-diaphragm, which pumps air along the device under wave action. A physical model and finite element analysis (FEA) is compared to a previous theoretical model in this paper. The FE model was developed in ABAQUS 6.14 using shell, solid and contact elements and the analysis was done with a quasi-static approach to reduce the computational costs. The physical model was a scale version of the novel arrangement of the spine and diaphragm made from steel, polycarbonate and latex rubber. Geometry of the deformed device was investigated results showed an increase in transverse and longitudinal curvature as the compression rate increased. The FEA tended to overestimate the bending stiffness of the model, and hence the transverse curvature, because certain behaviours of the physical model were not captured. The force required to switch from one buckled state to another was measured both in the physical and FEA models and the potential energy storage was estimated to be 0.5J/m of device at a compression rate of 0.1%.
Publication date: 5 April 2017
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 119
Author(s): Zhibin Han, Chunjie Wang, Liqun Shi
Controllable helium-containing TiH2 phase films were prepared on Si (100) substances by magnetron sputtering with hydrogen-helium-argon mixed gas, in order to investigate the helium behavior in titanium tritide. The TiHxHe films were characterized by ion beam analysis (IBA) in which elastic recoil detection (ERD) and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) methods are included, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). It is found that with the increase in the relative hydrogen flow rate (QH: QAr) under the fixed helium flow and sputtering pressure, the hydrogen concentration in TiHxHe films increases at first, and then decreases. Though the hydrogen concentration in TiHxHe films can be greatly increased by increasing the total sputtering pressure, excessive sputtering pressure will deteriorate the crystallization quality. Although the helium concentration mainly relies on the relative helium flow rate of mixed gas during sputtering, the increase of the relative helium flow rate will reduce the concentration of hydrogen in films at fixed sputtering pressure dramatically. Fortunately, suitable relative hydrogen flow and sputtering pressure can maintain a high concentration of hydrogen in the films. Thus TiHxHe films with controllable hydrogen and helium content can be achieved.
Rejuvenation Research , Vol. 0, No. 0.
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Objective
Both antitumor and antisecretory efficacies of dopamine agonists (DA) make them the first-line treatment of macroprolactinomas. However, there is no guideline for MRI follow-up once prolactin is controlled. The aim of our study was to determine whether a regular MRI follow-up was necessary in patients with long-term normal prolactin levels under DA.
Patients and methodsWe conducted a retrospective multicenter study (Marseille, Paris La Pitie Salpetriere and Nancy, France; Liege, Belgium) including patients with macroprolactinomas (largest diameter: >10 mm and baseline prolactin level: >100 ng/mL) treated by dopamine agonists, and regularly followed (pituitary MRI and prolactin levels) during at least 48 months once normal prolactin level was obtained.
ResultsIn total, 115 patients were included (63 men and 52 women; mean age at diagnosis: 36.3 years). Mean baseline prolactin level was 2224 ± 6839 ng/mL. No significant increase of tumor volume was observed during the follow-up. Of the 21 patients (18%) who presented asymptomatic hemorrhagic changes of the macroprolactinoma on MRI, 2 had a tumor increase (2 and 7 mm in the largest size). Both were treated by cabergoline (1 mg/week) with normal prolactin levels obtained for 6 and 24 months. For both patients, no further growth was observed on MRI during follow-up at the same dose of cabergoline.
ConclusionNo significant increase of tumor size was observed in our patients with controlled prolactin levels on DA. MRI follow-up thus appears unnecessary in patients with biologically controlled macroprolactinomas.
Objective
Acromegaly is a rare disease caused by excess growth hormone (GH) production by the pituitary adenoma. The skeletal complications of GH and IGF-1 excess include increased bone turnover, increased cortical bone mass and deteriorated microarchitecture of trabecular bone, associated with a high risk of vertebral fractures in the presence of relatively normal bone mineral density (BMD). We aimed to evaluate tissue-level properties of bone using impact microindentation (IMI) in well-controlled patients with acromegaly aged ≥18 years compared to 44 controls from the outpatient clinic of the Centre for Bone Quality.
Design and methodsIn this cross-sectional study, bone material strength index (BMSi) was measured in 48 acromegaly patients and 44 controls with impact microindentation using the osteoprobe.
ResultsMean age of acromegaly patients (54% male) was 60.2 years (range 37.9–76.5), and 60.5 years (range 39.8–78.6) in controls (50% male). Patients with acromegaly and control patients had comparable BMI (28.2 kg/m2 ± 4.7 vs 26.6 kg/m2 ± 4.3, P = 0.087) and comparable BMD at the lumbar spine (1.04 g/cm2 ± 0.21 vs 1.03 g/cm2 ± 0.13, P = 0.850) and at the femoral neck (0.84 g/cm2 ± 0.16 vs 0.80 g/cm2 ± 0.09, P = 0.246). BMSi was significantly lower in acromegaly patients than that in controls (79.4 ± 0.7 vs 83.2 ± 0.7; P < 0.001).
ConclusionOur data indicates that tissue-level properties of cortical bone are significantly altered in patients with controlled acromegaly after reversal of long-term exposure to pathologically high GH and IGF-1 levels. Our findings also suggest that methods other than DXA should be considered to evaluate bone fragility in patients with acromegaly.
Context
Adrenal crisis is an endocrine emergency that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. However, the clinical features and practice patterns of treatment for adrenal crisis are not completely understood.
ObjectiveTo investigate patient characteristics, comorbidities and treatments of adrenal crisis.
MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study of patients who received intravenous glucocorticoids for adrenal crisis at admission from 1 July 2007 to 31 March 2014, using a national inpatient database in Japan.
ResultsAmong approximately 34 million inpatients in the database, we identified 799 patients diagnosed with adrenal crisis and coexisting primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency at admission. The median (interquartile range) age was 58 (28–73) years, and the overall in-hospital mortality was 2.4% (19 of 799 patients). The most common comorbidity at admission was infections excluding pneumonia and gastroenteritis (15.0%). There were 68 (8.5%) patients with gastroenteritis, and no deaths occurred among these patients. The patients with secondary adrenal insufficiency showed significantly higher proportions of admission to ICU, extracellular fluid resuscitation, insulin therapy and catecholamine use than the patients with primary adrenal insufficiency. There were no significant between-group differences in mortality rate and variation in intravenous glucocorticoids (short-acting glucocorticoid, hydrocortisone; moderate-acting glucocorticoid, prednisolone or methylprednisolone; long-acting glucocorticoid, dexamethasone or betamethasone). Of the 19 dead patients, 15 were aged above 60 years, 12 had impaired consciousness at admission and 13 received insulin therapy.
ConclusionsClinicians should be aware that older patients with impaired consciousness and diabetes mellitus are at relatively high risk of death from adrenal crisis.
| Related Articles |
Heme oxygenase/carbon monoxide in the female reproductive system: an overlooked signalling pathway.
Int J Biochem Mol Biol. 2017;8(1):1-12
Authors: Němeček D, Dvořáková M, Sedmíková M
Abstract
For a long time, carbon monoxide (CO) was known for its toxic effect on organisms. But there are still many things left to discover on that molecule. CO is formed directly in the body by the enzymatic activity of heme oxygenase (HO). CO plays an important role in many physiological processes, such as cell protections (against various stress factors), and the regulation of metabolic processes. Recent research proves that CO also operates in the female reproductive system. At the centre of interest is the importance of CO for gestation. During the gestation period, CO is an important element affecting the proper function of the feto-placental unit and generally affects fetal survivability rates. Gestation is one of the most important processes of successful reproduction, although there are more relevant processes that need to be researched. While already proven that CO influences steroidogenesis and the corpus luteum survivability rate, our knowledge concerning the function and importance of CO in the reproductive system is still relatively limited. As an example, our knowledge of CO function in an oocyte, the most important cell for reproduction, is almost non-existent. The aim of this review is to summarize our current knowledge concerning the function of CO in the female reproductive system.
PMID: 28123837 [PubMed - in process]
Photomedicine and Laser Surgery Feb 2017, Vol. 35, No. 2: 122-123.
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Photomedicine and Laser Surgery , Vol. 0, No. 0.
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Our aim was to assess the palatine tonsil size with transcervical ultrasonography in healthy children and to analyze whether the palatine tonsil size is correlated with age, gender and body-mass index (BMI).
http://ift.tt/2jyWPjN
Ablative procedures of the head and neck often result in significant facial and cervical irregularities and cosmetic asymmetry. The deformity resulting from ablative procedures of the head and neck is a significant source of cosmetic morbidity and postoperative dissatisfaction. Reconstruction of post-ablative defects in the head and neck can employ a broad range of techniques, ranging from primary closure to free tissue transfer. The free dermal fat graft (FDFG) is one such option and has been used to repair volume defects of varying sizes after common head and neck procedures such as parotidectomy.
http://ift.tt/2kCYUsG
Ablative procedures of the head and neck often result in significant facial and cervical irregularities and cosmetic asymmetry. The deformity resulting from ablative procedures of the head and neck is a significant source of cosmetic morbidity and postoperative dissatisfaction. Reconstruction of post-ablative defects in the head and neck can employ a broad range of techniques, ranging from primary closure to free tissue transfer. The free dermal fat graft (FDFG) is one such option and has been used to repair volume defects of varying sizes after common head and neck procedures such as parotidectomy.
http://ift.tt/2kCYUsG
Bone regeneration is an important concern in periodontal treatment and implant dentistry. Different biomaterials and surgical techniques have been used for this purpose. The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite and human freeze-dried bone graft (FDBG) in regeneration of rabbit calvarium bony defects by histologic and histomorphometric evaluation.
In this experimental study, three similar defects, measuring 8 mm in diameter, were created in the calvaria of 16 white New Zealand rabbits. Two defects were filled with FDBG and nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite silica gel, while the other one remained unfilled to be considered as control. All the defects were covered with collagen membranes. During the healing period, two animals perished; so 14 rabbits were divided into two groups: half of them were euthanized after 6 weeks of healing and the other half after 12 weeks. The specimens were subjected to histologic and histomorphometric examinations for assessment of the following variables: percentage of bone formation and residual graft material, inflammation scores, patterns of bone formation and type of newly formed bone.
The percentages of new bone formation after 6 weeks were 14.22 ± 7.85, 21.57 ± 6.91, and 20.54 ± 10.07% in FDBG, NanoBone, and control defects. These values were 27.54 ± 20.19, 23.86 ± 6.27, and 26.48 ± 14.18% in 12-week specimens, respectively. No significant differences were found in the amount of bone formation between the groups. With regard to inflammation, the control and NanoBone groups showed significantly less inflammation compared to FDBG at the 6-week healing phase (P = 0.04); this difference was not significant in the 12-week specimens.
Based on the results of this experimental study, both NanoBone and FDBG exhibited a similar effect on bone formation.
More than 50% of patients with diabetic macular oedema (DMO) have obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), but the majority remain undiagnosed. We used a 4-channel device (ApneaLink [AL], ResMed, UK) to establish a remote postal-based diagnostic service for patients with DMO. Here we describe our experience.
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Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is highly prevalent in Parkinson disease (PD) and is known to contribute to cognitive impairment and daytime sleepiness. We investigated feasibility of continuous positive airway pressure treatment (CPAP) and its effects on subjective daytime sleepiness and cognitive profile in PD plus OSA subjects in a longitudinal three months follow up study.
http://ift.tt/2kd63DE
Intermittent head drops are episodic and usually brief (lasting seconds) head flexion movements occurring in a wide spectrum of conditions, including epileptic syndromes and movement and sleep disorders [1]. Here, we report episodes of intermittent head drops with similar clinical features but different neurophysiological correlates occurring in two patients with two different diseases.
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Painful legs and moving toes (PLMT) syndrome is a rare chronic disorder (1) characterized by pain and repetitive stereotyped toe movements that may resemble restless legs syndrome (RLS) (2). PLMT is idiopathic or associated with other conditions (3). No effective therapy is available for PLMT. A video-polysomnography of PLMT has never been carried out.
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Autopsy after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a new field of interest in cardiovascular pathology. To identify the cause of death, it is important to be familiar with specific findings related to the time interval between the procedure and death. We aimed to provide an overview of the autopsy findings in patients with TAVI in their medical history divided by the timing of death with specific interest in the added value of autopsy over a solely clinically determined cause of death. In 8 European centres, 72 cases with autopsy reports were available. Autopsies were divided according to the time interval of death and reports were analysed. In 32 patients who died ≤72 h postprocedure, mortality resulted from cardiogenic or haemorrhagic shock in 62.5 and 34.4%, respectively. In 31 patients with mortality >72 h to ≤30 days, cardiogenic shock was the cause of death in 51.6% followed by sepsis (22.6%) and respiratory failure (9.7%). Of the nine patients with death >30 days, 88.9% died of sepsis, caused by infective endocarditis in half of them. At total of 12 patients revealed cerebrovascular complications. Autopsy revealed unexpected findings in 61.1% and resulted in a partly or completely different cause of death as was clinically determined. Autopsy on patients who underwent TAVI reveals specific patterns of cardiovascular pathology that clearly relate to the time interval between TAVI and death and significantly adds to the clinical diagnosis. Our data support the role of autopsy including investigation of the cerebrum in the quickly evolving era of cardiac device technology.
The release of large amounts of toxic metals in the neighboring sites of abandoned mine areas represents an important environmental risk for the ecosystem, because it adversely affects soil, water, and plant growth. The aim of the present study was to investigate the metal(loid) (As, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) contents of native Mediterranean plants grown on the ex-mining area of Elba island (Italy), with the prospective of its recovery by further phytoremediation technology. Soil samples were collected and characterized for metal(loid) content in total and potentially available (EDTA-extractable) fractions. Arsenic was particularly high, being 338 and 2.1 mg kg−1 as total and available fractions, respectively. Predominant native species, namely Dittrichia viscosa L. Greuter, Cistus salviifolius L., Lavandula stoechas L., and Bituminaria bituminosa L., were analyzed for metal content in the different plant organs. D. viscosa exhibited the highest metal(loid) content in the leaves and the singular behavior of translocating arsenic to the leaves (transfer factor about 2.06 and mean bioconcentration factor about 12.48). To assess the healthy status of D. viscosa plants, the leaves were investigated further. The activities of the main antioxidant enzymes and the levels of secondary metabolites linked to oxidative stress in plants from the ex-mining area were not significantly different from those of control plants, except for a lower content of carotenoids, indicating that native plants were adapted to grow in these polluted soils. These results indicate that D. viscosa can be suitable for the revegetation of highly metal-contaminated areas.
An easily recoverable homemade TiO2 catalyst (GICA-1) has been evaluated during the overall photodegradation process, understood as photocatalytic efficiency and catalyst recovery step, in the solar light-assisted photodegradation of isoproturon and its reuse in two consecutive cycles. The global feasibility has been compared to the commercial TiO2 P25. The homemade GICA-1 catalyst presented better sedimentation efficiency than TiO2 P25 at all studied pHs, which could be explained by its higher average hydrodynamic particle size (3 μm) and other physicochemical surface properties. The evaluation of the overall process (isoproturon photo-oxidation + catalyst recovery) revealed GICA-1 homemade titania catalyst strengths: total removal of isoproturon in less than 60 min, easy recovery by sedimentation, and reusability in two consecutive cycles, without any loss of photocatalytic efficiency. Therefore, considering the whole photocatalytic cycle (good performance in photodegradation plus catalyst recovery step), the homemade GICA-1 photocatalyst resulted in more affordability than commercial TiO2 P25.
In this study, a Bi2Fe4O9 catalyst with nanoplate morphology was fabricated using a facile hydrothermal method. It was used as a catalyst to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for aqueous sulfamethoxazole (SMX) removal. A comprehensive performance evaluation of the Bi2Fe4O9/PMS system was conducted by investigating the effects of pH, PMS dosage, catalyst loading, SMX concentration, temperature, and halides (Cl− and Br−) on the degradation of SMX. The Bi2Fe4O9/PMS system demonstrated a remarkable catalytic activity with >95% SMX removal within 30 min (conditions: pH 3.8, [Bi2Fe4O9] = 0.1 g L−1, [SMX]:[PMS] mol ratio =1:20). It was found that both Cl− and Br− can lead to the formation of PMS–induced reactive halide species (i.e. HClO, HBrO, and Br2) which can also react with SMX forming halogenated SMX byproducts. Based on the detected degradation byproducts, the major SMX degradation pathway in the Bi2Fe4O9/PMS system is proposed. The SMX degradation by Bi2Fe4O9/PMS system in the wastewater secondary effluent (SE) was also investigated. The results showed that SMX degradation rate in the SE was relatively slower than in the deionized water due to (i) reactive radical scavenging by water matrix species found in SE (e.g.: dissolved organic matters (DOCs), etc.), and (ii) partial deactivation of the catalyst by DOCs. Nevertheless, the selectivity of the SO4•− towards SMX degradation was evidenced from the rapid SMX degradation despite the high background DOCs in the SE. At least four times the dosage of PMS is required for SMX degradation in the SE to achieve a similar SMX removal efficiency to that of the deionized water matrix.
Bone regeneration is an important concern in periodontal treatment and implant dentistry. Different biomaterials and surgical techniques have been used for this purpose. The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite and human freeze-dried bone graft (FDBG) in regeneration of rabbit calvarium bony defects by histologic and histomorphometric evaluation.
In this experimental study, three similar defects, measuring 8 mm in diameter, were created in the calvaria of 16 white New Zealand rabbits. Two defects were filled with FDBG and nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite silica gel, while the other one remained unfilled to be considered as control. All the defects were covered with collagen membranes. During the healing period, two animals perished; so 14 rabbits were divided into two groups: half of them were euthanized after 6 weeks of healing and the other half after 12 weeks. The specimens were subjected to histologic and histomorphometric examinations for assessment of the following variables: percentage of bone formation and residual graft material, inflammation scores, patterns of bone formation and type of newly formed bone.
The percentages of new bone formation after 6 weeks were 14.22 ± 7.85, 21.57 ± 6.91, and 20.54 ± 10.07% in FDBG, NanoBone, and control defects. These values were 27.54 ± 20.19, 23.86 ± 6.27, and 26.48 ± 14.18% in 12-week specimens, respectively. No significant differences were found in the amount of bone formation between the groups. With regard to inflammation, the control and NanoBone groups showed significantly less inflammation compared to FDBG at the 6-week healing phase (P = 0.04); this difference was not significant in the 12-week specimens.
Based on the results of this experimental study, both NanoBone and FDBG exhibited a similar effect on bone formation.
3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing , Vol. 0, No. 0.
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The most appropriate surgical management of "follicular neoplasm/suspicious for follicular neoplasm" lesions (FN), considering their low definitive malignancy rate and the limited predictive power of preoperative clinic-diagnostic factors, is still controversial. On behalf of the Italian Association of Endocrine Surgery Units (U.E.C. CLUB), we collected and analyzed the experience of 26 endocrine centers by computerized questionnaire. 1379 patients, surgically treated after a FN diagnosis from January 2012 and December 2103, were evaluated. Histological features, surgical complications, and medium-term outcomes were reported. Total thyroidectomy (TT) was performed in 1055/1379 patients (76.5 %), while hemithyroidectomy (HT) was carried out in 324/1379 cases (23.5 %). Malignancy rate was higher in TT than in HT groups (36.4 vs. 26.2 %), whereas the rates of transient and definitive hypoparathyroidism following TT were higher than after HT. Consensual thyroiditis (16.8 vs. 9.9 %) and patient age (50.9 vs. 47.9 %) also differed between groups. A cytological FN diagnosis was associated to a not negligible malignancy rate (469/1379 patients; 34 %), that was higher in TT than in HT groups. However, a lower morbidity rate was observed in HT, which should be considered the standard of care in solitary lesions in absence of specific risk factors. Malignancy could not be preoperatively assessed and clinical decision-making is still controversial. Further efforts should be spent to more accurately preoperatively classify FN thyroid nodules.
Several studies explored the association between vitamin D status and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease with contradictory results. We aimed to investigate the association between vitamin D status, inflammatory cytokines and liver fibrosis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients. Two hundred nineteen nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients and 166 age- and gender- matched healthy controls were recruited for this study. Serum 25(OH)D was measured by radioimmunoassay. Serum interleukin-8 and transforming growth factor-β1 were measured using ELISA. Serum 25(OH)D was only marginally decreased in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients. Interestingly, serum 25(OH)D was markedly reduced in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients with advanced liver fibrosis compared to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients with indeterminate liver fibrosis and no advanced fibrosis. Logistic regression analysis showed that there was an inverse association between serum 25(OH)D and severity of liver fibrosis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients. Further analysis showed that serum interleukin-8 was elevated in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients, the highest interleukin-8 in patients with advanced fibrosis. An inverse correlation between serum 25(OH)D and interleukin-8 was observed in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients with and without liver fibrosis. Although serum transforming growth factor-β1 was slightly elevated in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients, serum transforming growth factor-β1 was reduced in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients with advanced fibrosis. Unexpectedly, a positive correlation between serum 25(OH)D and transforming growth factor-β1 was observed in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients with advanced fibrosis. In conclusion, low vitamin D status is associated with advanced liver fibrosis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients. Interleukin-8 may be an important mediator for hepatic fibrosis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients with low vitamin D status.
Publication date: Available online 27 January 2017
Source:Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Author(s): Katja G. Weinacht, Louis-Marie Charbonnier, Fayhan Alroqi, Ashley Plant, Qi Qiao, Hao Wu, Clement Ma, Troy R. Torgerson, Sergio D. Rosenzweig, Thomas A. Fleisher, Luigi D. Notarangelo, Imelda C. Hanson, Lisa R. Forbes, Talal A. Chatila
BackgroundGain-of-function (GOF) mutations in the human signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) manifest in immunodeficiency and autoimmunity with impaired TH17 cell differentiation and exaggerated responsiveness to type I and II interferons. Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation has been attempted in severely affected patients, but outcomes have been poor.ObjectiveWe sought to define the effect of increased STAT1 activity on T helper cell polarization and to investigate the therapeutic potential of ruxolitinib in treating autoimmunity secondary to STAT1 GOF mutations.MethodsWe used in vitro polarization assays, as well as phenotypic and functional analysis of STAT1-mutated patient cells.ResultsWe report a child with a novel mutation in the linker domain of STAT1 who had life-threatening autoimmune cytopenias and chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis. Naive lymphocytes from the affected patient displayed increased TH1 and follicular T helper cell and suppressed TH17 cell responses. The mutation augmented cytokine-induced STAT1 phosphorylation without affecting dephosphorylation kinetics. Treatment with the Janus kinase 1/2 inhibitor ruxolitinib reduced hyperresponsiveness to type I and II interferons, normalized TH1 and follicular T helper cell responses, improved TH17 differentiation, cured mucocutaneous candidiasis, and maintained remission of immune-mediated cytopenias.ConclusionsAutoimmunity and infection caused by STAT1 GOF mutations are the result of dysregulated T helper cell responses. Janus kinase inhibitor therapy could represent an effective targeted treatment for long-term disease control in severely affected patients for whom hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is not available.
EU regulators said the available evidence for drugs combining dienogest and ethinylestradiol does not raise new safety concerns.
Medscape Medical News
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Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) are gaining in importance, but objective data are mostly missing. However, in previous trials, methods such as acupuncture showed significant advantages compared to standard therapies. Thus, the aim was to evaluate most frequently used methods, their significance and the general acceptance amongst cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT).
A questionnaire of 18 questions based on the categorical classification released by the National Centre for Complementary and Integrative Health was developed. From April to September 2015, all patients undergoing RT at the Department of Radiation Oncology, Technical University of Munich, completed the survey. Changes in attitude towards CAM were evaluated using the questionnaire after RT during the first follow-up visit (n = 31).
Of 634 patients, 333 answered the questionnaire (52.5%). Of all participants, 26.4% used CAM parallel to RT. Before RT, a total of 39.3% had already used complementary medicine. The most frequently applied methods during therapy were vitamins/minerals, food supplements, physiotherapy/manual medicine, and homeopathy. The majority (71.5%) did not use any complementary treatment, mostly stating that CAM was not offered to them (73.5%). The most common reasons for use were to improve the immune system (48%), to reduce side effects (43.8%), and to not miss an opportunity (37.8%). Treatment integrated into the individual therapy concept, e.g. regular acupuncture, would be used by 63.7% of RT patients.
In comparison to other studies, usage of CAM parallel to RT in our department is considered to be low. Acceptance amongst patients is present, as treatment integrated into the individual oncology therapy would be used by about two-third of patients.
