Head and Neck Diseases by Alexandros G.Sfakianakis: 09/21/17

Πέμπτη 21 Σεπτεμβρίου 2017

Understanding conflict and the role of community development: Is building a peaceful society within our reach?

Publication date: Available online 22 September 2017
Source:Aggression and Violent Behavior
Author(s): August John Hoffman
The nature of human conflict and causal factors that are associated with extreme violence, hate crimes and terrorism (both domestic and global) have remained perplexing problems given their increasing prevalence despite recent international efforts to address these crimes (Al Ramiah & Hewstone, 2013). The current article summarizes Staub's (2013) essay: Building Peaceful Society and provides a community-based preventative approach that examines the psychological, cultural and sociological factors that contribute to modern extremism and hate crimes. Preventative methods involving interdependent community participation, community-based and prevention oriented (P&EI), "green" sustainable community service activities and civic engagement programs are offered as viable methods to reduce ethnic conflict, hate crimes and to help build a more peaceful society. Suggestions for future research are offered.

http://ift.tt/2xWXp3i

The role of values in forensic and correctional rehabilitation

Publication date: Available online 21 September 2017
Source:Aggression and Violent Behavior
Author(s): Tony Ward, Roxanne Heffernan
The principles of forensic and correctional rehabilitation inquiry, key forensic and correctional concepts, and their translation into practice are shot through with normative commitments of one type or another. The degree to which values pervade every level and aspect of research and practice is rarely, if ever, acknowledged. This is a problem, as it means that there may be a tendency to adopt research and practice positions that are ideological in nature and insufficiently unjustified. In this paper we examine how values of various types guide and shape action at the level of scientific inquiry, influence the construction of rehabilitation theories, and shape the concepts of dynamic risk and protective factors. For each class of normative issues, we propose ways in which researchers and practitioners can acknowledge these challenges while also respecting the factual basis of science.

http://ift.tt/2jNg0Ze

Efficacy of combining pulse corticotherapy and methotrexate in alopecia areata: Real-life evaluation

http://ift.tt/2wKGzzA

Lichen Planus triggered by infliximab biosimilar CT-P13 and recurred during secukinumab treatment

Abstract

we read with interest the manuscript published by Gonzales et al,¹ highlighting lichenoid reactions as an emerging side effect of biologics, with special regard to infliximab-biosimilar. We recently observed a 50-year-old male patient with a long-standing history of moderate-to-severe psoriasis, who developed oral lichen planus (LP) triggered by infliximab biosimilar CT-P13. Interestingly the same patient experienced cutaneous and oral LP when treated with IL-17A blocker, secukinumab. The patient suffered for hypertension, in treatment with valsartan, and anxiety. He previously failed to respond to phototherapy, methotrexate, etanercept and adalimumab.

http://ift.tt/2jOKeLz

Irradiance, as well as body site and timing of readings, is important in determining ultraviolet A minimal erythemal dose

Abstract

Irradiance, as well as body site and timing of readings, is important in determining ultraviolet A minimal erythemal dose. (Response to Gambichler et al. July BJD)

Gambichler et al. demonstrated that, in their population, using a 25 mWcm⁻² ultraviolet A-1 (UVA-1) source the median 24-hour delayed minimal erythema dose (MED) on the inner forearm was > 130 Jcm⁻².¹ This differs from the 20 Jcm⁻² to 28 Jcm⁻² median MED reported from our centre.²

http://ift.tt/2xXrY8U

Risk of malignancies associated with ustekinumab

Abstract

A recently published report by Florek et al.¹ associates malignancies with ustekinumab (STELARA^®) treatment. Janssen emphasizes patient safety and welcomes rigorous safety analyses from other parties. However, it is unclear how this report adds to the understanding of ustekinumab's safety profile.

http://ift.tt/2jOKaLP

Lichen Planus triggered by infliximab biosimilar CT-P13 and recurred during secukinumab treatment

Abstract

http://ift.tt/2jOKeLz

Irradiance, as well as body site and timing of readings, is important in determining ultraviolet A minimal erythemal dose

Abstract

Irradiance, as well as body site and timing of readings, is important in determining ultraviolet A minimal erythemal dose. (Response to Gambichler et al. July BJD)

http://ift.tt/2xXrY8U

Risk of malignancies associated with ustekinumab

Abstract

http://ift.tt/2jOKaLP

Chronic Poststernotomy Pain: Incidence, Risk Factors, Treatment, Prevention, and the Anesthesiologist's Role.

Chronic pain following median sternotomy is common after cardiac surgery. If left untreated, chronic sternal pain can reduce quality of life, affecting sleep, mood, activity level, and overall satisfaction. This has a significant societal effect given the large number of cardiac surgeries annually. Although a number of pathophysiologic processes and risk factors are assumed to contribute, the exact cause and major risk factors remain unknown. Moreover, the treatment of chronic poststernotomy pain is often inadequate, relying on opioids and other medications that provide minimal benefit to the patient and have significant adverse effects. Indeed, little is known regarding the prevention of chronic pain development following sternotomy. This review aims to present the current, limited data regarding the incidence, risk factors, treatment, and prevention of chronic poststernotomy pain and to identify areas of future research to improve management of this common complaint following cardiac surgery. Copyright (C) 2017 by American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine.

http://ift.tt/2xVYkkD

The Spread of Ultrasound-Guided Injectate From the Adductor Canal to the Genicular Branch of the Posterior Obturator Nerve and the Popliteal Plexus: A Cadaveric Study.

Background and Objectives: The popliteal nerve plexus contributes to afferent knee-pain conduction. It is mainly formed by genicular branches from the posterior obturator and the tibial nerves, innervating the intra-articular and posterior knee region. A subinguinal obturator nerve block alleviates pain after total knee arthroplasty. Reduced hip adductor motor function could be avoided by a posterior obturator nerve block inside the popliteal fossa. The aim of this study was to evaluate the spread of dye after a distal adductor canal (AC) injection to the popliteal fossa and coloring of the popliteal plexus and the genicular branch of the posterior obturator nerve by dissection. We also assessed the spread of dye into the popliteal fossa after a distal femoral triangle injection. Methods: Ten milliliters of dye was injected into the distal part of the AC in 10 cadaver sides and into the distal part of the femoral triangle in 3 sides. Dissection was used to assess the spread of the injectate and coloring of the popliteal plexus and the genicular branch of the posterior obturator nerve, as well as the saphenous and medial vastus nerves. Results: The popliteal plexus and the genicular branch of the posterior obturator nerve were dyed in all 10 dissections after AC injections. No dye spread into the popliteal fossa after femoral triangle injections. Conclusions: Injection of 10 mL of dye into the distal part of the AC spreads into the popliteal fossa and colors the popliteal plexus and the genicular branch of the posterior obturator nerve. Copyright (C) 2017 by American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine.

http://ift.tt/2yuWmof

Murine typhus masquerading as retiform purpura-like rashes

http://ift.tt/2hnDi3N

Inherited palmoplantar keratodermas: the heart of the matter

http://ift.tt/2hl6Lig

Sex hormone status in premenopausal women with frontal fibrosing alopecia: a multicentre review of 43 patients

http://ift.tt/2hmvFdO

Improvement of wound healing by regulated oxygen-enriched negative pressure-assisted wound therapy in a rabbit model

Summary

Background

Development of drug therapies and other techniques for wound care have resulted in significant improvement of the cure rate and shortening of the healing time for wounds. A modified technique of regulated oxygen-enriched negative pressure-assisted wound therapy (RO-NPT) has been reported.

Aim

To evaluate the efficacy and impact of RO-NPT on wound recovery and inflammation.

Methods

Infected wounds were established on 40 adult female white rabbits, which were then randomized to one of four groups: O₂ group, regulated negative pressure-assisted wound therapy (RNPT) group, regulated oxygen-enriched negative pressure-assisted wound therapy (RO-NPT) group and healthy control (HC) group. Each day, the O₂ group was treated with a constant oxygen supply (1 L/min) to the wound, while the RNPT group was treated with continuous regulated negative pressure (70 ± 5 mmHg) and the RNPT + O₂ group was treated with both. The HC group was treated with gauze dressing alone, which was changed every day. Leucocyte count, colony count and wound-healing rate were calculated. Levels of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-8 were evaluated by ELISA.

Results

RO-RNPT significantly decreased bacterial count and TNF-α level, and increased the wound-healing rate. IL-1β, IL-8 and leucocyte count had a tendency to increase in the early phase of inflammation and a tendency to decrease in the later phase of inflammation in the RO-RNPT group.

Conclusions

RO-NPT therapy assisted wound recovery and inflammation control compared with the RNPT and oxygen-enriched therapies. RO-NPT therapy also increased levels of IL-1β and IL-8 and attenuated expression of TNF-α in the early phase of inflammation.

http://ift.tt/2hl6JqE

A case of severe drug reaction secondary to alemtuzumab with successful re-exposure

http://ift.tt/2hmvDCI

Murine typhus masquerading as retiform purpura-like rashes

http://ift.tt/2hnDi3N

Inherited palmoplantar keratodermas: the heart of the matter

http://ift.tt/2hl6Lig

Sex hormone status in premenopausal women with frontal fibrosing alopecia: a multicentre review of 43 patients

http://ift.tt/2hmvFdO

Improvement of wound healing by regulated oxygen-enriched negative pressure-assisted wound therapy in a rabbit model

Summary

Background

Aim

To evaluate the efficacy and impact of RO-NPT on wound recovery and inflammation.

Methods

Results

Conclusions

http://ift.tt/2hl6JqE

A case of severe drug reaction secondary to alemtuzumab with successful re-exposure

http://ift.tt/2hmvDCI

Biochars derived from giant reed ( Arundo donax L.) with different treatment: characterization and ammonium adsorption potential

Abstract

The adsorption characteristics of Arundo donax L.(AD) biochars for ammonium(NH₄⁺-N) were investigated. Absorbents were characterized through scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses. AD-500 and AD-800 were produced from raw AD and pyrolyzed from room temperature to 500 and 800 °C, respectively. PD-500 was prepared by impregnating AD with a mild alkali solution and pyrolyzing from room temperature to 500 °C. The feasibility of the use of AD-500, AD-800, and PD-500 removing NH₄⁺-N from an aqueous solution was examined. The adsorption system followed the pseudo-first-order model. Results showed that the adsorption capacities of AD-biochars for NH₄⁺-N were enhanced after the final pyrolysis; temperature was increased or the mild alkali pretreatment was administered. When the initial NH₄⁺-N concentration was changed from 4 to 8 mM, the NH₄⁺-N sorption capacity of the biochar increased from 23 to 51%, with the final pyrolysis temperature increasing from 500 to 800 °C. The improved ratios were 12 to 33% when the biochar was prepared at 500 °C after the mild alkali pretreatment, and NH₄⁺-N sorption was enhanced due to ion exchange in the PD biochar.

Graphical abstract

Biochars derived from giant reed (Arundo donax L.) with different treatment :characterization and ammonium adsorption potential.

http://ift.tt/2xlTVEr

Source apportionment of polycyclic aromatic carbons (PAHs) in sediment core from Honghu Lake, central China: comparison study of three receptor models

Abstract

The spatial distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their source contributions employing receptor models has been widely reported. However, the temporal distribution of PAH source contributions is less studied. Thus, in this paper, three receptor models including principle component analysis-multiple linear regression (PCA-MLR), positive matrix factorization (PMF), and Unmix were used to PAH source apportionment study in a sediment core from Honghu Lake, China. Sixteen USEPA priority PAHs in 37 sliced sediment layers (1-cm interval) were measured, with the concentrations of ∑₁₆PAH (sum of 16 PAHs) ranging from 93.0 to 431 ng g⁻¹. The source apportionment results derived from three receptor models were similar, with three common sources: mixed sources of biomass burning and coal combustion (31.0–41.4% on average), petroleum combustion (31.8–45.5%), and oil leakage (13.1–21.3%). The PMF model segregated an additional source: domestic coal combustion (contributed 20.9% to the ∑₁₆PAHs). Four aspects including intra-comparison, inter-comparison, source numbers and compositions, and source contributions were considered in comparison study. The results indicated that the PMF model was most reasonable in PAH source apportionment research in this study.

http://ift.tt/2xnSENe

Oral food challenge outcomes in a pediatric tertiary care center

Oral food challenges are the clinical standard for diagnosis of food allergy. Little data exist on predictors of oral challenge failure and reaction severity.

http://ift.tt/2yhlYnT

Oral food challenge outcomes in a pediatric tertiary care center

Oral food challenges are the clinical standard for diagnosis of food allergy. Little data exist on predictors of oral challenge failure and reaction severity.

http://ift.tt/2yhlYnT

Posteriorly dislocated capsular tension ring leading to rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

Description

A 54-year-old woman presented with sudden diminution of vision in her left eye 4 months before. Medical history revealed that she underwent a phacoemulsification 1 year before in the left eye and 4 years before in the right eye. Snellen visual acuity in the right eye was 20/20 while she was just able to count fingers at 1 m in the left eye. She had a divergent squint of 30 prism dioptres in the left eye. The right eye had a well-centred foldable posterior chamber intraocular lens (PCIOL) in the capsular bag, while the left eye had a rigid polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) PCIOL in the sulcus with a large posterior capsular defect (figure 1A). On fundus examination of the left eye, we found a total rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with a large punched-out toxoplasma scar at the macula, three retinal horseshoe tears superonasally at the equator (figure 2B) and a...

http://ift.tt/2xVYSGX

Splenic calcification in systemic lupus erythematosus

Description

A 39-year-old woman with known systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) nephropathy, antiphospholipid syndrome and chronic renal failure was evaluated for renal transplant. She was asymptomatic; nevertheless, the abdominal ultrasonogram showed splenic calcification (figure 1). The chest radiograph showed faint lesions suggestive of (L) hypochondrial calcification (figure 2). The tuberculin skin test result revealed induration of 3 mm. She had no history of treatment for tuberculosis or brucellosis. The angiotensin-converting enzyme was normal at 19 U/L (normal range 29–112 U/L). A CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis showed a bulky spleen that contained numerous small and differently sized smooth calcific foci probably related to granulomatous disease. No calcification was seen in the liver (figure 3A, B). There were no definite or suspicious pulmonary nodules seen on a whole body fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography (PET) scan. Similarly, numerous tiny splenic calcifications with no abnormal metabolic activity were detected...

http://ift.tt/2jQH61F

Diaphyseal tuberculosis - a rare manifestation

DESCRIPTION

A 2 year old child presented with low-grade fever, progressive pain and swelling of right leg for the past 3 months. There was no history of injury, chronic cough, respiratory symptoms, weight loss or arthritis. Child's father had been treated for pulmonary tuberculosis 1 year back. On examination, there was a firm, diffuse, tender swelling over the medial aspect of middle one-third of right tibia and matted inguinal lymphadenopathy. Rest of the systemic examination was not contributory. A clinical diagnosis of diaphyseal bone tumour or chronic infective osteomyelitis was considered.

Investigations showed erythrocyte sedimentation rate 46 mm in first hour, haemoglobin 96 g/L and 20 mm induration after Mantoux test and normal chest radiograph. Radiograph of the right tibia showed a lytic intramedullary bone lesion (Figure 1A–B). MRI confirmed an intramedullary lytic lesion with cortical breach and thickening (figure 1C). Histopathology showed caseous necrosis, granuloma formation, Langhans giant cells...

http://ift.tt/2xVhg2O

Cholesterol embolism: its always a good idea to look into the eye

Description

Atheroembolism is a rare but feared complication of arteriography, causing a myriad of signs and symptoms including livedo reticularis, abdominal pain, cyanosis of the toes and renal injury. The main cause is a rupture of atherosclerotic plaque in vessel walls and its embolisation to small diameter vessels affecting more frequently skin and kidneys.1 Here, we present a 69-year-old Hispanic male with medical history of hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus and unstable angina status post drug-eluting stent in the left anterior descending coronary artery placement 10 days prior to admission, who arrived to the emergency department with intense diffuse sharp abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, oliguria and lower extremity pain. Physical examination disclosed livedo reticularis in lower extremities (figure 1), tender abdomen with decreased bowel sounds and funduscopy positive for a Hollenhorst crystal observed in right inferotemporal quadrant (figure 2) and increased creatinine and...

http://ift.tt/2jOfRVv

Infected enteric duplication cyst

Description

An 8-month-old female infant presented with a 2-day history of vomiting, diarrhoea and fever. Physical examination revealed a painful right abdomen. Laboratory tests showed a C-reactive protein of 140 mg/L (normal: <6 mg/L) and a white blood cell count of 12.8x10⁹/L (normal: 4–15x10⁹/L). Ultrasound of the abdomen revealed a paracolic cystic mass of 1.4x5 cm with septations from the lower part of the liver into the right fossa with no signs of volvulus or intussusception (figure 1). Abdominal CT confirmed the cystic mass and revealed signs of infection. MRI of the abdomen suggested an enteric duplication cyst as the most likely diagnosis (figure 2).

Figure 1

Ultrasound: encapsulated tubular mass with predominant hypoechoic heterogeneous echogenicity under the right lobe of the liver.

Figure 2

MRI coronal T1-weighted image with intravenous contrast: tubular cystic mass with thick wall ventral and lateral...

http://ift.tt/2xVh97o

An airway traffic jam: a plastic traffic cone masquerading as bronchial carcinoma

Tracheobronchial foreign body (TFB) aspiration is a common occurrence in children compared with adults. Long-standing cases of TFB aspiration during childhood presenting in an adult have rarely been reported. We report the unique case of an endobronchial Playmobil traffic cone that went undetected for 40 years and presented as a suspected bronchogenic carcinoma. This was subsequently removed successfully with flexible bronchoscopy. To our knowledge this is the first case of a TFB that was overlooked this length of time.

http://ift.tt/2jQGMzZ

Protective role of liriodendrin in mice with dextran sulphate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis

Publication date: November 2017
Source:International Immunopharmacology, Volume 52
Author(s): Zhen Zhang, Lei Yang, Botao Wang, Lanqiu Zhang, Qi Zhang, Dihua Li, Shukun Zhang, Hongwei Gao, Ximo Wang
Sargentodoxa cuneata, containing syringaresinol and its glycoside liriodendrin as the main bioactive compounds, is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine for treating intestinal inflammation. In our preliminary study, liriodendrin inhibited NF-kB activation in sepsis-induced acute lung injury. The present study was designed to investigate its effect on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in a mouse model and to explore the possible related mechanisms. Experimental colitis was established by giving mice drinking water containing 3% (w/v) DSS for 7days. The mice were pretreated with liriodendrin (100mg/kg/day, intragastrically) 3days before DSS treatment. We determined the effects of liriodendrin on disease activity index (DAI), colon length, histopathological examination, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory activities. Our results showed that liriodendrin greatly decreased MPO and MDA activities and significantly increased SOD and GPx activities in the colon. Moreover, liriodendrin improved DAI, colon length and histological damage in colon and reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-a, IL-1β and IL-6. Meanwhile, assessments by western blot revealed that liriodendrin significantly suppressed the activation of Akt and NF-κB pathways and up-regulated the expression of ERβ in the colon. In vitro, liriodendrin down-regulated production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and suppressed NF-κB signalling pathways in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, syringaresinol, the hydrolysate of liriodendrin, more potently down-regulated production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and suppressed NF-κB and Akt signalling pathways in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages,which were abolished by using a pure ER antagonist, ICI182, 780. Taken together, liriodendrin-mediated suppression of inflammatory damage in the colon may be attributable to the in vivo transformation to syringaresinol and liriodendrin may be a promising therapeutic approach preventive agent for colitis treatment.

http://ift.tt/2fEJzI2

The effect of Astragaloside IV on ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury in rats: Involvement of inflammation

Publication date: November 2017
Source:International Immunopharmacology, Volume 52
Author(s): Shumin Qin, Keer Huang, Zhigang Fang, Jinjin Yin, Ruwei Dai
The present study aimed to investigate the potential protective effects of Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury in rats. The animals were divided into 7 groups and pretreated with vehicle, various doses of AS-IV (1,2 and 4mg/kg, i.p.) or omeprazole (40mg/kg), 75min later, the gastric mucosal injury was induced by oral administration of ethanol. One hour after ethanol ingestion, the rats were euthanized and gastric tissues were collected to biochemical analyze. Myeloperoxidase (MPO), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), interleukin 10 (IL-10), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65 protein, TNF receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2) and nuclear NF-κB (nNF-κB) proteins were estimated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or western blot analysis. The gastric mucosal lesions were assessed by macroscopic and histopathological examinations. The results showed pretreatment with AS-IV attenuated the severity of ethanol gastric mucosal damage as evidenced by lowering of injury scores, histopathologic aberrations and leukocyte invasion. These actions were analogous to the reference omeprazole. AS-IV suppressed gastric inflammation by curbing of MPO, TNF-α levels along with NF-κB p65 and TRAF2 expression. It also augmented the anti-inflammatory IL-10 levels. Meanwhile, AS-IV could inhibit NF-κB transcription by inhibiting the expression of NF-κB p65 and increasing the expression of nNF-κB. It seems that AS-IV as an anti-inflammatory agent may have a protective effect against ethanol-induced mucosal injury by inhibition of neutrophil infiltration and reducing the expression of NF-κB p65, TRAF2 and inflammatory cytokines via regulating TNF-α/NF-κB signal pathway in gastric tissue.

http://ift.tt/2xjPufO

Perianal pseudoverrucous papules and nodules in Hirschsprung's disease: Rapid resolution with oral loperamide

Abstract

We report the case of a 2-year-old boy with Hirschsprung's disease who developed perianal pseudoverrucous papules and nodules subsequent to persistent diarrhea and stool leakage after Giardia infection. Bleeding from the papules resulted in iron deficiency anaemia requiring blood transfusion and iron infusion. Topical therapies used over 6 months were of limited benefit and colostomy was considered, but the condition completely resolved after commencement of oral loperamide. This demonstrates that perianal pseudoverrucous papules and nodules can be severe but are entirely reversible upon removal of the source of skin irritation.

http://ift.tt/2wKVbiu

Eruptive milia during isotretinoin therapy

Abstract

Isotretinoin (13-cis-retinoic acid) is a synthetic vitamin A derivative that is effective in the treatment of recalcitrant, nodulocystic acne. To our knowledge, there are no reports in the medical literature of milia as a side effect of isotretinoin. We report a case of eruptive facial milia in the setting of isotretinoin treatment for acne.

http://ift.tt/2xrF39h

X-linked ichthyosis associated with psychosis and behavioral abnormalities: a case report

X-linked ichthyosis is a dermatological condition caused by deficiency for the enzyme steroid sulfatase. Previously, X-linked ichthyosis/steroid sulfatase deficiency has been associated with developmental and ...

http://ift.tt/2fESsS9

Breast cancer metastases to the thyroid gland – an uncommon sentinel for diffuse metastatic disease: a case report and review of the literature

Metastases to the thyroid are rare. The most common primary cancer to metastasize to the thyroid is renal cell carcinoma, followed by malignancies of the gastrointestinal tract, lungs, and skin, with breast ca...

http://ift.tt/2xjW469

Simultaneous determination of tert-butylhydroquinone, propyl gallate, and butylated hydroxyanisole by flow-injection analysis with multiple-pulse amperometric detection

Publication date: 1 February 2018
Source:Talanta, Volume 178
Author(s): Dmytro Bavol, Anastasios Economou, Jiri Zima, Jiri Barek, Hana Dejmkova
We report the first amperometric method for the simultaneous determination of tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ), propyl gallate (PG), and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) using flow injection analysis coupled to multiple-pulse amperometry. A sequence of potential pulses was selected in order to detect tBHQ, PG, and BHA separately in a single injection step at a glassy carbon electrode without the need of a preliminary separation. A mixture of methanol and 0.040M Britton-Robinson buffer was used both as a carrier solution and for dilution of analyzed solutions before injection. The method is precise (RSD < 5%, n = 10), fast (a frequency of 140 injections h⁻¹), provides sufficiently low quantification limits (2.51, 1.45, and 0.85μmolL^–1 for tBHQ, PG, and BHA, respectively) and can be easily applied without high demands on instrumentation. As a practical application, the determination of these antioxidants contained in commercial chewing gum samples was carried out by applying a simple extraction procedure.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2yhDxnR

Macrophages are required to coordinate mouse digit tip regeneration [RESEARCH ARTICLE]

Jennifer Simkin, Mimi C. Sammarco, Luis Marrero, Lindsay A. Dawson, Mingquan Yan, Catherine Tucker, Alex Cammack, and Ken Muneoka

In mammals, macrophages are known to play a major role in tissue regeneration. These cells contribute to inflammation, histolysis, re-epithelialization, re-vascularization and cell proliferation. While macrophages have been shown to be essential for regeneration in salamanders and fish, their role has not been elucidated in mammalian epimorphic regeneration. Here, using the regenerating mouse digit tip as a mammalian model, we demonstrate that macrophages are essential for the regeneration process. Using cell depletion strategies, we show that regeneration is completely inhibited; bone histolysis does not occur, wound re-epithelization is inhibited and the blastema does not form. While rescue of epidermal wound closure, in the absence of macrophages, promotes blastema accumulation it does not rescue cell differentiation indicating that macrophages play a key role in the re-differentiation of the blastema. Further, we provide additional evidence that while bone degradation is a part of the regenerative process, it is not essential to the overall regenerative process. These findings show that macrophages play an essential role in coordinating the epimorphic regenerative response in mammals.

http://ift.tt/2xrUxdg

Distinct regenerative potential of trunk and appendages of Drosophila mediated by JNK signalling [RESEARCH ARTICLE]

Raquel Martin, Noelia Pinal, and Gines Morata

The Drosophila body comprises a central part, the trunk, and outgrowths of the trunk, the appendages. Much is known about appendage regeneration, but little about the trunk. As the wing imaginal disc contains a trunk component, the notum, and a wing appendage, we have investigated the response to ablation of these two components. We find that in contrast with the strong regenerative response of the wing, the notum does not regenerate. Nevertheless, the elimination of the wing primordium elicits a proliferative response of notum cells, but they do not regenerate wing; they form a notum duplicate. Conversely, the wing cells cannot regenerate an ablated notum; they over-proliferate and generate a hinge overgrowth. These results suggest that trunk and appendages cannot be reprogrammed to generate each other. Our experiments demonstrate that the proliferative response is mediated by JNK signalling from dying cells, but JNK functions differently in the trunk and the appendages, what may explain their distinct regenerative potential

http://ift.tt/2wKBKGq

CIP2A acts as a scaffold for CEP192-mediated MTOC assembly by recruiting Plk1 and Aurora A during meiotic maturation [RESEARCH ARTICLE]

HaiYang Wang, Min Ho Choe, In-Won Lee, Suk Namgoong, Jae-Sung Kim, Nam-Hyung Kim, and Jeong Su Oh

In contrast to somatic cells where spindle microtubules are nucleated from centrosomes acting as major microtubule organizing centers (MTOCs), oocytes form meiotic spindles by assembling multiple acentriolar MTOCs without canonical centrosomes. Although Aurora A and Plk1 are required for these events, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here we show that cancerous inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A (CIP2A) regulates MTOC organization by recruiting Aurora A and Plk1 at spindle poles during meiotic maturation. CIP2A colocalized with pericentrin at spindle poles with a few specific cytoplasmic foci. Although CIP2A has been identified as an endogenous inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), overexpression of CIP2A had no effect on meiotic maturation. Depletion of CIP2A perturbed normal spindle organization and chromosome alignment by impairing MTOC organization. Importantly, CIP2A was reciprocally associated with CEP192, promoting the recruitment of Aurora A and Plk1 at MTOCs. Moreover, CIP2A was phosphorylated by Plk1 at S904, which targets CIP2A to MTOCs and facilitates MTOC organization with CEP192. Collectively, our results suggest that CIP2A acts as a scaffold for CEP192-mediated MTOC assembly by recruiting Plk1 and Aurora A during meiotic maturation in mouse oocytes.

http://ift.tt/2xs9jRl

Neural-specific deletion of the focal adhesion adaptor protein paxillin slows migration speed and delays cortical layer formation [RESEARCH ARTICLE]

Mamunur Rashid, Judson Belmont, David Carpenter, Christopher E. Turner, and Eric C. Olson

Paxillin and Hic-5 are homologous focal adhesion adaptor proteins that coordinate cytoskeletal rearrangements in response to integrin-signaling, but their role(s) in cortical development are unknown. Here, we find that Hic-5 deficient mice are postnatal viable with normal cortical layering. Mice with a neural-specific deletion of paxillin are also postnatal viable, but show evidence of a cortical neuron migration delay that is evident pre and perinatally, but is not detected at postnatal day 35 (P35). This phenotype is not modified by Hic-5 deficiency (double knockout). Specific deletion of paxillin in postmitotic neurons by Nex-Cre mediated recombination as well as in utero electroporation of a Cre-expression construct identified a cell-autonomous requirement for paxillin in migrating neurons. Paxillin-deficient neurons have shorter leading processes that exhibited multiple swellings in comparison to control. Multiphoton imaging revealed that paxillin-deficient neurons migrate ~30% slower than control neurons. This phenotype is similar to that produced by deletion of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a signaling partner of paxillin and suggests paxillin and FAK function cell autonomously to control migrating neuron morphology and speed during cortical development.

http://ift.tt/2wKnQnV

The eutheria-specific miR-290/miR-371 cluster modulates placental growth and maternal-fetal transport [RESEARCH ARTICLE]

Alireza Paikari, Cassandra Belair, Danial Saw, and Robert Blelloch

A family of vertebrate-specific microRNAs called the ESCC microRNAs arises from two genetic loci in mammals, the miR-290/miR-371 and miR-302 loci. While the miR-302 locus is found broadly among vertebrates, the miR-290/miR-371 locus is unique to eutheria (placental mammals), suggesting a role in placental development. Here, we evaluate that role. A knockin reporter for the mouse miR-290 cluster gene is expressed throughout the embryo until gastrulation at which time it becomes specifically expressed in extraembryonic tissues and the germline. In the placenta, expression is limited to the trophoblast lineage, where it remains highly expressed until birth. Deletion of the miR-290 cluster gene results in reduced trophoblast progenitor cell proliferation and a reduced DNA content in endoreduplicating trophoblast giant cells. The resulting placenta is reduced in size. In addition, the vascular labyrinth is disorganized with thickening of the maternal-fetal blood barrier and an associated reduction in diffusion of a radioactive tracer. Multiple mRNA targets of the cluster miRNAs are upregulated. Together, these data uncover a critical function for miR-290 cluster in the regulation of a network of genes required for normal placental development, suggesting a central role for this microRNA cluster in the evolution of placental mammals.

http://ift.tt/2xs8QyJ

Unraveling transcriptome dynamics in human spermatogenesis [RESEARCH ARTICLE]

S. Z. Jan, T. L. Vormer, A. Jongejan, M. Röling, S. J. Silber, D. G. de Rooij, G. Hamer, S. Repping, and A. M. M. van Pelt

Spermatogenesis is a dynamic developmental process that includes stem cell proliferation and differentiation, meiotic cell divisions and extreme chromatin condensation. Although studied in mice, the molecular control of human spermatogenesis is largely unknown. Here, we developed a protocol that enables next generation sequencing of RNA obtained from pools of 500 individually laser capture microdissected cells of specific germ cell-subtypes from fixed human testis samples. Transcriptomic analyses of these successive germ cell subtypes reveals dynamic transcription of over 4000 genes during human spermatogenesis. At the same time, many of the genes encoding for well- established meiotic and post-meiotic proteins are already present in the pre-meiotic phase. Furthermore, we found significant cell type-specific expression of post-transcriptional regulators, including expression of 110 RNA-binding proteins and 137 long non-coding RNAs, most of them previously not linked to spermatogenesis. Together this suggests that the transcriptome of precursor cells already contains genes necessary for cellular differentiation and that timely translation controlled by post-transcriptional regulators seems crucial for normal development. These established transcriptomes provide a reference catalog for further detailed studies on human spermatogenesis and spermatogenic failure.

http://ift.tt/2wKnUnF

A tectorin-based matrix and planar-cell-polarity genes are required for normal collagen-fibril orientation in the developing tectorial membrane [RESEARCH ARTICLE]

Richard J. Goodyear, Xiaowei Lu, Michael R. Deans, and Guy P. Richardson

The tectorial membrane is an extracellular structure of the cochlea. It develops on the surface of an epithelium and contains collagen fibrils embedded in a tectorin-based matrix. The collagen fibrils are oriented radially with an apically-directed slant - a feature considered critical for hearing. To determine how this pattern is generated, collagen-fibril formation was examined in mice lacking a tectorin-based matrix, epithelial cilia, or the planar-cell-polarity genes Vangl2 and Ptk7. In wild-type mice, collagen-fibril bundles appear within a tectorin-based matrix at E15.5 and, as fibril-number rapidly increases, become co-aligned and correctly oriented. Epithelial-width measurements and data from Kif3a^cKO mice suggest, respectively, radial stretch and cilia play little, if any, role in determining normal collagen-fibril orientation, but evidence from tectorin-knockout mice indicates confinement is important. PRICKLE2 distribution reveals the planar-cell-polarity axis in the underlying epithelium is organised along the length of the cochlea and, in mice in which this polarity is disrupted, the apically-directed collagen offset is no longer observed. These results highlight the importance of the tectorin-based matrix and epithelial signals for precise collagen organisation in the tectorial membrane.

http://ift.tt/2xscjgF

The splicing co-factor Barricade/Tat-SF1, is required for cell cycle and lineage progression in Drosophila neural stem cells [RESEARCH ARTICLE]

Monika K. Abramczuk, Thomas R. Burkard, Vivien Rolland, Victoria Steinmann, Peter Duchek, Yanrui Jiang, Sebastian Wissel, Heinrich Reichert, and Juergen A. Knoblich

Stem cells need to balance self-renewal and differentiation for correct tissue development and homeostasis. Defects in this balance can lead to developmental defects or tumor formation. In recent years, mRNA splicing has emerged as one important mechanism regulating cell fate decisions. Here we address the role of the evolutionary conserved splicing co-factor Barricade (Barc)/Tat-SF1/CUS2 in Drosophila neural stem cell (neuroblast) lineage formation. We show that Barc is required for the generation of neurons during Drosophila brain development by ensuring correct neural progenitor proliferation and differentiation. Barc associates with components of the U2 small nuclear ribonucleic proteins (snRNP), and its depletion causes alternative splicing in form of intron retention in a subset of genes. Using bioinformatics analysis and a cell culture based splicing assay, we found that Barc-dependent introns share three major traits: they are short, GC rich and have weak 3' splice sites. Our results show that Barc, together with the U2snRNP, plays an important role in regulating neural stem cell lineage progression during brain development and facilitates correct splicing of a subset of introns.

http://ift.tt/2wKNWa8

Suppression of ERK signalling abolishes primitive endoderm formation but does not promote pluripotency in rabbit embryo [RESEARCH ARTICLE]

Anna Piliszek, Zofia E. Madeja, and Berenika Plusa

Formation of epiblast (EPI) – the founder line of all embryonic lineages – and extra-embryonic supportive tissues is one of the key events in mammalian development. The prevailing model of early mammalian development is based almost exclusively on the mouse. Here we provide a comprehensive, stage-by-stage analysis of the EPI and extraembryonic primitive endoderm (PrE) formation during pre-implantation development of the rabbit. Whilst we observed that rabbit embryos have several features in common with mouse embryos, including a stage-related initiation of lineage specification, our results demonstrate the existence of some key differences in lineage specification among mammals. Contrary to the current view, our data suggest that reciprocal repression of GATA6 and NANOG is not fundamental for initial stages of PrE versus EPI specification in mammals. Furthermore, our results provide insight into the observed discrepancies between the role of FGF/ERK signalling in PrE versus EPI specification, between mouse and other mammals.

http://ift.tt/2xs4Spx

HDAC3 promotes meiotic apparatus assembly in mouse oocytes via modulating tubulin acetylation [RESEARCH ARTICLE]

Xiaoyan Li, Xiaohui Liu, Min Gao, Longsen Han, Danhong Qiu, Haichao Wang, Bo Xiong, Shao-Chen Sun, Honglin Liu, and Ling Gu

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) have been shown to deacetylate numerous cellular substrates that govern a wide array of biological processes. HDAC3, a member of the Class I HDACs, is a highly conserved and ubiquitously expressed protein. However, its roles in meiotic oocytes are currently unknown. In the present study, we find that mouse oocytes depleted of HDAC3 are unable to completely progress through meiosis, blocking at metaphase I. These HDAC3-knockdown (HDAC3-KD) oocytes show spindle/chromosome organization failure, with severely impaired kinetochore-microtubule attachments. Consistent with this, the level of BubR1, a central component of the spindle assembly checkpoint, at kinetochores is dramatically increased in metaphase oocytes following HDAC3 depletion. Moreover, knockdown and overexpression experiments reveal that HDAC3 modulates the acetylation status of α-tubulin in mouse oocytes. Importantly, the deacetylation-mimetic mutant Tubulin-K40R can partly rescue the defective phenotypes of HDAC3-KD oocytes. In summary, our data support a model where HDAC3, through deacetylating tubulin, promotes the microtubule stability and establishment of kinetochore-microtubule interaction, consequently ensuring proper spindle morphology, accurate chromosome movement, and orderly meiotic progression during oocyte maturation.

http://ift.tt/2wKnw8K

Treatment of oesophageal cancer – Stressing the patient perspective

Publication date: October 2017
Source:European Journal of Cancer, Volume 84
Author(s): Florian Lordick

http://ift.tt/2ytpNa9

First-line treatment in metastatic colorectal cancer: Important or crucial?

Publication date: October 2017
Source:European Journal of Cancer, Volume 84
Author(s): David Malka, Federico Rotolo, Valérie Boige

http://ift.tt/2wDAWb9

CT and MR imaging findings of inflammatory pseudotumors in the abdomen and pelvis: Current concepts and pictorial review

Publication date: Available online 21 September 2017
Source:Seminars in Ultrasound, CT and MRI
Author(s): Ulysses S. Torres, Carlos Matsumoto, Dalila R. Maia, Luis Ronan M.F. de Souza, Giuseppe D'Ippolito
The group of inflammatory pseudotumors (IPTs) encompasses a variety of rare neoplastic and non-neoplastic entities described to occur in almost every location in the body and whose clinical features and aggressive imaging findings (varying from infiltrative to mass-forming lesions), frequently mimic those of malignant tumors. The radiologic features of IPTs are variable and nonspecific, the imaging findings depending on the body location and involved organ. Abdominopelvic IPTs are rare and the purposes of this review, therefore, are to familiarize the radiologist with the wide spectrum of CT and MR imaging findings of IPTs in various locations throughout the abdomen and pelvis, discussing the imaging features that allow consideration of IPTs in the differential diagnosis of soft-tissue masses within the pertinent clinical setting. Radiologists should be aware of this group of entities, as a preoperative histopathological diagnosis upon radiological suspicion may help to differentiate IPTs from malignancy and to allow the most appropriate clinical work-up for these patients.

http://ift.tt/2wD8jLl

Thyroid High-Impact Articles

FREE ACCESS through October 5, 2017.
Read now:

Latest Impact Factor: 5.515
The Official Journal of: American Thyroid Association

Management of Recurrent/Persistent Nodal Disease in Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: A Critical Review of the Risks and Benefits of Surgical Intervention Versus Active Surveillance
Ralph P. Tufano, Gary Clayman, Keith S. Heller, William B. Inabnet, Electron Kebebew, Ashok Shaha, David L. Steward, R. Michael Tuttle, for the American Thyroid Association Surgical Affairs Committee Writing Task Force

Impact of the Multi-Gene ThyroSeq Next-Generation Sequencing Assay on Cancer Diagnosis in Thyroid Nodules with Atypia of Undetermined Significance/Follicular Lesion of Undetermined Significance Cytology
Yuri E. Nikiforov, Sally E. Carty, Simon I. Chiosea, Christopher Coyne, Umamaheswar Duvvuri, Robert L. Ferris, William E. Gooding, Shane O. LeBeau, N. Paul Ohori, Raja R. Seethala, Mitchell E. Tublin, Linwah Yip, Marina N. Nikiforova

Thyroid Ultrasound Features and Risk of Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies
Luciana Reck Remonti, Caroline Kaercher Kramer, Cristiane Bauermann Leitão, Lana Catani F. Pinto, Jorge Luiz Gross

Incidences of Unfavorable Events in the Management of Low-Risk Papillary Microcarcinoma of the Thyroid by Active Surveillance Versus Immediate Surgery
Hitomi Oda, Akira Miyauchi, Yasuhiro Ito, Kana Yoshioka, Ayako Naka

Subclinical Hypothyroidism in Pregnancy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Spyridoula Maraka, Naykky M. Singh Ospina, Derek T. O'Keeffe, Ana E. Espinosa De Ycaza, Michael R. Gionfriddo, Patricia J. Erwin, Charles C. Coddington III, Marius N. Stan, M. Hassan Murad, Victor M. Montori

The post Thyroid High-Impact Articles appeared first on American Thyroid Association.

http://ift.tt/2xj0l9S

Thyroid High-Impact Articles

FREE ACCESS through October 5, 2017.
Read now:

Latest Impact Factor: 5.515
The Official Journal of: American Thyroid Association

The post Thyroid High-Impact Articles appeared first on American Thyroid Association.

http://ift.tt/2xj0l9S

Sleep apneas trigger epilepsy

Dr. Brunetti: study concept and design, drafting the manuscript, accepts responsibility for conduct of research, and analysis or interpretation of data. Dr. Ferilli and Dr. Vollono: accepts responsibility for conduct of research, and analysis or interpretation of data. Dr. Della Marca: interpretation of data, accepts responsibility for conduct of research, study supervision, revising the manuscript, and final approval.

http://ift.tt/2xkPBFf

Long sleep duration is associated with lower cognitive function among middle-aged adults—the Doetinchem Cohort Study

In older adults, both short and long sleep duration are associated with lower cognitive function, suggesting an inverted U-shaped association between sleep duration and cognitive outcomes. This study examined whether sleep duration is associated with changes in cognitive function in a middle-aged population.

http://ift.tt/2xjqogT

Sarcopenia Is Associated with Quality of Life and Depression in Patients with Advanced Cancer

AbstractBackground.Patients with advanced cancer often experience muscle wasting (sarcopenia), yet little is known about the characteristics associated with sarcopenia and the relationship between sarcopenia and patients' quality of life (QOL) and mood.Materials and Methods.As part of a randomized trial, we assessed baseline QOL (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy‐General [FACT‐G]) and mood (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS]) in patients within 8 weeks of diagnosis of incurable lung or gastrointestinal cancer, and prior to randomization. Using computed tomography scans collected as part of routine clinical care, we assessed sarcopenia at the level of the third lumbar vertebra with validated sex‐specific cutoffs. We used logistic regression to explore characteristics associated with presence of sarcopenia. To examine associations between sarcopenia, QOL and mood, we used linear regression, adjusted for patients' age, sex, marital status, education, and cancer type.Results.Of 237 participants (mean age = 64.41 ± 10.93 years), the majority were male (54.0%) and married (70.5%) and had lung cancer (56.5%). Over half had sarcopenia (55.3%). Older age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.05, p = .002) and education beyond high school (OR = 1.95, p = .047) were associated with greater likelihood of having sarcopenia, while female sex (OR = 0.25, p < .001) and higher body mass index (OR = 0.79, p < .001) correlated with lower likelihood of sarcopenia. Sarcopenia was associated with worse QOL (FACT‐G: B = −4.26, p = .048) and greater depression symptoms (HADS‐depression: B = −1.56, p = .005).Conclusion.Sarcopenia was highly prevalent among patients with newly diagnosed, incurable cancer. The associations of sarcopenia with worse QOL and depression symptoms highlight the need to address the issue of sarcopenia early in the course of illness.Implications for Practice.In this study, we found that sarcopenia, assessed using computed tomography scans acquired as part of routine clinical care, is highly prevalent in patients with newly diagnosed, incurable cancer. Notably, patients with sarcopenia reported worse quality of life and greater depression symptoms than those without sarcopenia. These findings highlight the importance of addressing muscle loss early in the course of illness among patients with incurable cancer. In the future, investigators should expand upon these findings to develop strategies for assessing and treating sarcopenia while striving to enhance the quality of life and mood outcomes of patients with advanced cancer.

http://ift.tt/2jOPONT

Immunotherapy: A New (and Old) Approach to Treatment of Soft Tissue and Bone Sarcomas

AbstractSoft tissue and bone sarcomas are a rare and heterogeneous form of cancer. With standard of care treatment options including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, the long‐term survival is still low for high‐risk soft tissue sarcoma patients. New treatment strategies are needed. Immunotherapy offers a new potential treatment paradigm with great promise. Immunotherapy of soft tissue sarcomas dates back to Dr. Coley's first use of toxins in the late 1800s. A variety of strategies of immunotherapy have been tried in soft tissue and bone sarcomas, including various vaccines and cytokines, with limited success. Results of these early clinical trials with vaccines and cytokines were disappointing, but there are reasons to be optimistic. Recent advances, particularly with the use of adoptive T‐cell therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors, have led to a resurgence of this field for all cancer patients. Clinical trials utilizing adoptive T‐cell therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors in soft tissue and bone sarcomas are under way. This paper reviews the current state of evidence for the use of immunotherapy, as well as current immunotherapy strategies (vaccines, adopative T‐cell therapy, and immune checkpoint blockade), in soft tissue and bone sarcomas. By understanding the tumor microenviroment of sarcomas and how it relates to their immunoresponsiveness, better immunotherapy clinical trials can be designed, hopefully with improved outcomes for soft tissue and bone sarcoma patients.Implications for Practice.Immunotherapy is a promising treatment paradigm that is gaining acceptance for the management of several cancers, including melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, prostate cancer, and lung cancer. There is a long history of immunotherapy in the treatment of soft tissue and bone sarcomas, although with little success. It is important to understand past failures to develop future immunotherapy treatment strategies with an improved possibility of success. This article reviews the history of and current state of immunotherapy research in the treatment of soft tissue and bone sarcomas, with particular regard to vaccine trials, adoptive T‐cell therapy, and immune checkpoint blockade.

http://ift.tt/2xrP9qy

The European Medicines Agency Review of Carfilzomib for the Treatment of Adult Patients with Multiple Myeloma Who Have Received at Least One Prior Therapy

AbstractOn November 19, 2015, a marketing authorization valid through the European Union was issued for carfilzomib in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone for the treatment of adult patients with multiple myeloma (MM) who have received at least one prior therapy.In a phase III trial in patients with relapsed MM, median progression‐free survival (PFS) for patients treated with carfilzomib in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone (CRd) was 26.3 months versus 17.6 months for those receiving lenalidomide and dexamethasone alone (hazard ratio = 0.69; 95% confidence interval, 0.57–0.83; one‐sided log‐rank p value < .0001). The most frequently observed toxicity (grade ≥3, treatment arm vs. control arm) in the phase III trial included neutropenia (29.6% vs. 26.5%), anemia (17.9% vs. 17.7%), thrombocytopenia (16.8% vs. 12.3%), pneumonia (12.5% vs. 10.5%), fatigue (7.7% vs. 6.4%), hypertension (4.6% vs. 2.1%), diarrhea (3.8% vs. 4.1%), and respiratory tract infection (4.1% vs. 2.1%).The objective of this article is to summarize the scientific review of the application leading to regulatory approval in the European Union. The scientific review concluded that the gain in PFS of 8.7 months observed with the combination of CRd was considered clinically meaningful and was supported by a clear trend in overall survival benefit, although the data were not mature. The delay in disease progression appeared superior to available alternatives in the setting of relapsed MM at the time of the marketing authorization of carfilzomib. Therefore, given the overall accepted safety profile, which was considered manageable in the current context, the benefit risk for CRd was considered positive.Implications for Practice.Carfilzomib (Kyprolis) was approved in the European Union in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone for the treatment of adult patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least one prior therapy. The addition of carfilzomib to lenalidomide and dexamethasone resulted in a clinically meaningful and statistically significant improvement of progression‐free survival compared with lenalidomide and dexamethasone, which was supported by a clear trend in overall survival benefit, although the data were not mature. At the time of the marketing authorization of carfilzomib, the delay in disease progression appeared superior to available alternatives in the setting of relapsed multiple myeloma. In terms of safety, the overall accepted safety profile was considered manageable.

http://ift.tt/2jPfev5

Effects of grassland degradation and precipitation on carbon storage distributions in a semi-arid temperate grassland of Inner Mongolia, China

Publication date: November 2017
Source:Acta Oecologica, Volume 85
Author(s): Xiaobing Li, Yunxiao Bai, Wanyu Wen, Hong Wang, Ruihua Li, Guoqing Li, Han Wang
Environmental degradation influences carbon (C) cycling and storage in grassland ecosystems by altering vegetation productivity. However, the impacts of different degradation intensities on vegetation–soil C distributions in grasslands have not been well documented. We measured C storage in soil, roots, and plants under light, moderate, and severe degradation levels in a typical steppe region of Xilinhot, Inner Mongolia, China in 2011 and 2012. Grassland C storage was highest in soil, followed by roots, and then aboveground plant biomass. Grassland degradation and precipitation significantly influenced C storage distributions. During the dry year (2011), total C storage in vegetation and soil was highest under light degradation. Carbon storage in aboveground plant biomass and roots increased with degradation intensity. During the wet year (2012), C storage was highest in aboveground plant biomass and roots under light degradation. Root biomass tended to be concentrated in the soil surface during the wet year.

http://ift.tt/2fe4y3J

Robotic epiglottopexy for severe epiglottic prolapse limiting decannulation

Surgical management of supraglottic collapse at the level of the epiglottis limiting decannulation has historically consisted of placement of epiglottopexy sutures which are technically challenging and often unsuccessful. Herein we describe the use of robotic technology to assist with epiglottopexy for a case of a 9 year old child with severe epiglottic petiole prolapse limiting capping and decannulation. Postoperatively the patient is tolerating capping during waking hours.

http://ift.tt/2wDcQNX

Laughter catches attention!

Publication date: Available online 21 September 2017
Source:Biological Psychology
Author(s): Ana P. Pinheiro, Carla Barros, Marcelo Dias, Sonja A. Kotz
In social interactions, emotionally salient and sudden changes in vocal expressions attract attention. However, only a few studies examined how emotion and attention interact in voice processing. We investigated neutral, happy (laughs) and angry (growls) vocalizations in a modified oddball task.Participants silently counted the targets in each block and rated the valence and arousal of the vocalizations. A combined event-related potential and time-frequency analysis focused on the P3 and pre-stimulus alpha power to capture attention effects in response to unexpected events.Whereas an early differentiation between emotionally salient and neutral vocalizations was reflected in the P3a response, the P3b was selectively enhanced for happy voices. The P3b modulation was predicted by pre-stimulus frontal alpha desynchronization, and by the perceived pleasantness of the targets.These findings indicate that vocal emotions may be differently processed based on task relevance and valence. Increased anticipation and attention to positive vocal cues (laughter) may reflect their high social relevance.

http://ift.tt/2wKFV5f

EEG Differences between Eyes-Closed and Eyes-Open Resting Remain in Healthy Ageing

Publication date: Available online 21 September 2017
Source:Biological Psychology
Author(s): Robert J. Barry, Frances M. De Blasio
In young adults and children, the eyes-closed (EC) resting state is one of low EEG arousal, with the change to eyes-open (EO) primarily involving an increase in arousal. We used this arousal perspective to interpret EC/EO differences in healthy young and older adults. EEG was recorded from 20 young (Mage=20.4years) and 20 gender-matched older (Mage=68.2years) right-handed adults during two 3min resting conditions; EC then EO. Older participants displayed less delta and theta, some reduction in alpha, and increased beta. Global activity in all bands reduced with opening the eyes, but did not differ with age, indicating that the energetics of EEG reactivity is maintained in healthy ageing. However, older adults had more focal changes than young adults, particularly in beta, suggesting the mobilisation of additional localised resources. This maintained reactivity, and heightened focal activity, may underlie preserved performance levels in healthy ageing.

http://ift.tt/2wKSBsL

Reactive oxygen species and glutathione antioxidants in the testis of the soil biosentinel Podarcis sicula (Rafinesque 1810)

Abstract

Important toxicological achievements have been made during the last decades using reptiles. We focus our investigation on gonadal reproductive health of the soil biosentinel Podarcis sicula which is very sensitive to endocrine-disrupting chemicals. The aim of this study is to quantitatively detect, by sensitive microassays, reactive oxygen species and the glutathione antioxidants in the testis and investigate if they are differentially expressed before and after remediation of a site of the "Land of Fires" (Campania, Italy) subject to illicit dumping of unknown material. The oxidative stress level was evaluated by electron spin resonance spectroscopy applying a spin-trapping procedure able to detect products of lipid peroxidation, DNA damage and repair by relative mobility shift, and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase enzymatic activity, respectively, the expression of glutathione peroxidase 4 transcript by real-time quantitative PCR analysis, the antioxidant glutathione S-transferase, a well-assessed pollution index, by enzymatic assay and the total soluble antioxidant capacity. Experimental evidences from the different techniques qualitatively agree, thus confirming the robustness of the combined experimental approach. Collected data, compared to those from a reference unpolluted site constitute evidence that the reproductive health of this lizard is impacted by pollution exposure. Remediation caused significant reduction of reactive oxygen species and downregulation of glutathione peroxidase 4 mRNAs in correspondence of reduced levels of glutathione S-transferase, increase of antioxidant capacity, and repair of DNA integrity. Taken together, our results indicate directions to define new screening approaches in remediation assessment.

http://ift.tt/2xrX33q

Immunomodulation in multiple sclerosis: promises and pitfalls

Calliope A Dendrou | Lars Fugger

http://ift.tt/2jPi9DW

Segmenting Hippocampal Subfields from 3T MRI with Multi-modality Images

Publication date: Available online 21 September 2017
Source:Medical Image Analysis
Author(s): Zhengwang Wu, Yaozong Gao, Feng Shi, Guangkai Ma, Valerie Jewells, Dinggang Shen
Hippocampal subfields play important roles in many brain activities. However, due to the small structural size, low signal contrast, and insufficient image resolution of 3T MR, automatic hippocampal subfields segmentation is less explored. In this paper, we propose an automatic learning-based hippocampal subfields segmentation method using 3T multi-modality MR images, including structural MRI (T1, T2) and resting state fMRI (rs-fMRI). The appearance features and relationship features are both extracted to capture the appearance patterns in structural MR images and also the connectivity patterns in rs-fMRI, respectively. In the training stage, these extracted features are adopted to train a structured random forest classifier, which is further iteratively refined in an auto-context model by adopting the context features and the updated relationship features. In the testing stage, the extracted features are fed into the trained classifiers to predict the segmentation for each hippocampal subfield, and the predicted segmentation is iteratively refined by the trained auto-context model. To our best knowledge, this is the first work that addresses the challenging automatic hippocampal subfields segmentation using relationship features from rs-fMRI, which is designed to capture the connectivity patterns of different hippocampal subfields. The proposed method is validated on two datasets and the segmentation results are quantitatively compared with manual labels using the leave-one-out strategy, which shows the effectiveness of our method. From experiments, we find a) multi-modality features can significantly increase subfields segmentation performance compared to those only using one modality; b) automatic segmentation results using 3T multi-modality MR images could be partially comparable to those using 7T T1 MRI.

http://ift.tt/2w9ujJB

Pre-Pregnancy Exposure to Diesel Exhaust Predisposes Offspring to Asthma through IL-1β and IL-17A

Using a mouse model we provided evidence that pre-pregnancy exposure to diesel exhaust predisposes offspring to asthma. We identified immunological mechanisms of this predisposition to facilitate future development of asthma prevention strategies.

http://ift.tt/2hn5X8V

Eosinophils release extracellular DNA traps in response to Aspergillus fumigatus

Extracellular DNA traps, commonly found in mucus plugs of patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, are released by eosinophils in response to Aspergillus fumigatus

http://ift.tt/2hkIiJM

Gene-environment interaction between an IL4R variant and school endotoxin exposure contributes to asthma symptoms in inner-city children

An interleukin 4 receptor genetic variant (IL4Rα-Q576R) is common in children of African ancestry. There is a gene-environment interaction between this variant, school endotoxin exposure, and asthma symptoms.

http://ift.tt/2hn60BD

Childhood Chronic Prurigo: interest of Patch tests and delayed reading Skin prick tests to environmental allergens

Childhood chronic prurigo is rarely studied in particular for allergic components. We propose a clinical classification according to seasonality of prurigo in three groups to help identifying causal agents and guide allergy testing with delayed readings tests.

http://ift.tt/2hkIhFI

Concomitant suppression of Th2 and Th17 cell responses in allergic asthma by targeting RORγt

Inhibition of RORγt suppresses both Th2 and Th17 cell responses in the airway, and this can become a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of allergic asthma.

http://ift.tt/2hl2bkb

High sensitivity cardiac troponin I detection in physiological environment using AlGaN/GaN High Electron Mobility Transistor (HEMT) Biosensors

Publication date: 15 February 2018
Source:Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Volume 100
Author(s): Indu Sarangadharan, Abiral Regmi, Yen-Wen Chen, Chen-Pin Hsu, Pei-chi Chen, Wen-Hsin Chang, Geng-Yen Lee, Jen-Inn Chyi, Shu-Chu Shiesh, Gwo-Bin Lee, Yu-Lin Wang
In this study, we report the development of a high sensitivity assay for the detection of cardiac troponin I using electrical double layer gated high field AlGaN/GaN HEMT biosensor. The unique gating mechanism overcomes the drawback of charge screening seen in traditional FET based biosensors, allowing detection of target proteins in physiological solutions without sample processing steps. Troponin I specific antibody and aptamer are used as receptors. The tests carried out using purified protein solution and clinical serum samples depict high sensitivity, specificity and wide dynamic range (0.006–148ng/mL). No additional wash or sample pre-treatment steps are required, which greatly simplifies the biosensor system. The miniaturized HEMT chip is packaged in a polymer substrate and easily integrated with a portable measurement unit, to carry out quantitative troponin I detection in serum samples with<2µl sample volume in 5min. The integrated prototype biosensor unit demonstrates the potential of the method as a rapid, inexpensive, high sensitivity CVD biomarker assay. The highly simplified protocols and enhanced sensor performance make our biosensor an ideal choice for point of care diagnostics and personal healthcare systems.

http://ift.tt/2yfFFwj

Peptide biosensors for anticancer drugs: Design in silico to work in denaturizing environment

Publication date: 15 February 2018
Source:Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Volume 100
Author(s): Filomena Guida, Anna Battisti, Ivan Gladich, Mauro Buzzo, Elena Marangon, Luciana Giodini, Giuseppe Toffoli, Alessandro Laio, Federico Berti
One of the main targets in current clinical oncology is the development of a cheap device capable of monitoring in real-time the concentration of a drug in the blood of a patient. This would allow fine-tuning the dosage according to the patient's metabolism, a key condition to reduce side effects. By using surface plasmon resonance and fluorescence spectroscopy we here show that short peptides designed in silico by a recently developed algorithm are capable of binding the anticancer drug irinotecan (CPT-11) with micromolar affinity. Importantly, the recognition takes place in the denaturating solution used in standard therapeutic drug monitoring to detach the drug from the proteins that are present in human plasma, and some of the peptides are capable of distinguishing CPT-11 from its metabolite SN-38. These results suggest that the in silico design of small artificial peptides is now a viable route for designing sensing units, opening a wide range of applications in diagnostic and clinical areas.

http://ift.tt/2xlmwtm

Functionalized polyacrylamide as an acetylcholinesterase-inspired biomimetic device for electrochemical sensing of organophosphorus pesticides

Publication date: 15 February 2018
Source:Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Volume 100
Author(s): Livia F. Sgobbi, Sergio A.S. Machado
A plethora of publications has continuously reported electrochemical biosensors for detection of pesticides. However, those devices rarely accomplish commercial application due to technical issues associated with the lack of stability and high cost of the biological recognition element (enzyme). Alternatively, the biomimetic catalysts have arisen as a candidate for application in electrochemical biosensors to overcome the enzymatic drawbacks, combining low cost scalable materials with superior stability. Herein, for the first time, we propose a biomimetic biosensor for organophosphorus pesticide detection employing a functionalized polyacrylamide, polyhydroxamicalkanoate (PHA), which mimics the performance of the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme. The PHA bears functional groups inserted along its backbone chain working as active sites. Thereby, PHA was immobilized on screen printed electrodes (SPE) through a blend formation with poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether (mPEG) to prevent its leaching out from the surface. Under optimum conditions, the biomimetic sensor was employed for the amperometric detection of paraoxon-ethyl, fenitrothion and chlorpyrifos ranging from 1.0 and 10.0μmolL⁻¹ with a limit of detection of 0.36μmolL⁻¹, 0.61μmol L⁻¹, and 0.83μmolL⁻¹, respectively. Typical AChE-based interfering species did not affect the PHA performance, which endorsed its superior behavior. The proposed biomimetic biosensor, denoted as SPE/PHA/mPEG, represents a significant advance in the field, offering a new path for low cost devices by means of an artificial enzyme, simple configuration and superior stability. Moreover, the biosensor performance can be further improved by modifying the electrode surface to enhance electronic transfer rate.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2yh2ujf

Efficient label-free chemiluminescent immunosensor based on dual functional cupric oxide nanorods as peroxidase mimics

Publication date: 15 February 2018
Source:Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Volume 100
Author(s): Juan Li, Yue Cao, Samuel S. Hinman, Kristy S. McKeating, Yiwen Guan, Xiaoya Hu, Quan Cheng, Zhanjun Yang
Dual-functional cupric oxide nanorods (CuONRs) as peroxidase mimics are proposed for the development of a flow-through, label-free chemiluminescent (CL) immunosensor. Forming the basis of this cost-efficient, label-free immunoassay, CuONRs, synthesized using a simple hydrothermal method, were deposited onto epoxy-activated standard glass slides, followed by immobilization of biotinylated capture antibodies through a streptavidin bridge. The CuONRs possess excellent catalytic activity, along with high stability as a solid support. Antigens could then be introduced to the sensing system, forming large immunocomplexes that prevent CL substrate access to the surface, thereby reducing the CL signal in a concentration dependent fashion. Using carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) as a model analyte, the proposed label-free immunosensor was able to rapidly determine CEA with a wide linear range of 0.1–60ngmL⁻¹ and a low detection limit of 0.05ngmL⁻¹. This nanozyme-based immunosensor is simple, sensitive, cost-efficient, and has the potential to be a very promising platform for fast and efficient biosensing applications.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2yhzWpG

Our experience with 500 patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: Reexploring aetiology and reevaluating MRI investigation

To explore the aetiology of and to evaluate the importance of MRI investigation on the posterior semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo in an Irish population.

http://ift.tt/2ygQJJs

Management of tinnitus in children: Review of literature and effect of counseling

Tinnitus in children has not been studied sufficiently to date. And, there is no consensus regarding the management of tinnitus in children. Tinnitus counseling can be considered as the most basic tool among therapeutic options of tinnitus in children. In this article, the importance of management in children with tinnitus is highlighted through the review of the literature. Also, we present survey results regarding usefulness and necessity of tinnitus counseling provided from parents of children with tinnitus.

http://ift.tt/2xmemko

Patient-reported quality of life outcomes following treatment for oral cancer

Patient-reported quality of life (QoL) outcomes have the potential to assist clinicians in providing individually tailored treatment decisions. QoL assessments were collected prospectively for 168 consecutive patients treated for oral cancer between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2014 using the University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire. Patients were followed up for 18 months post-treatment. Sub-group analyses were performed using paired t-tests and analysis of variance (ANOVA) to compare the effects of adjunctive chemoradiotherapy, type of bone resection, and methods of soft and hard tissue flap reconstruction.

http://ift.tt/2ygRnXo

A case of adult congenital laryngeal cleft asymptomatic until hypopharynx cancer treatment

Laryngeal cleft is an anomaly of failed posterior closure of the larynx. Most cases are diagnosed and need treatment early in life due to respiratory and swallowing problems. We report an unusual case of a 66-year-old man with an asymptomatic laryngeal cleft until treatment for hypopharyngeal cancer. During concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT), despite reduced tumor volume, he presented severe dysphagia and dyspnea, followed by severe pneumonia twice. Because CCRT had to be discontinued, a pharyngolaryngectomy was performed for the cancer treatment.

http://ift.tt/2xlD5Wi

Our experience with 500 patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: Reexploring aetiology and reevaluating MRI investigation

To explore the aetiology of and to evaluate the importance of MRI investigation on the posterior semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo in an Irish population.

http://ift.tt/2ygQJJs

Management of tinnitus in children: Review of literature and effect of counseling

Highly efficient electro-oxidation catalyst under ultra-low voltage for degradation of aspirin

Abstract

A novel cryptomelane-Ir (cry-Ir) electrode is prepared for Ir to enter into the cryptomelane (named as cry-Mn) structure and used for aspirin degradation. This catalyst can efficiently reduce the Ir usage from 85 to 34%. Also, the onset potential of cry-Ir is about 1.40 V and the over potential is about 0.34 V at 10 mA cm⁻², indicating that cry-Ir has an excellent oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity to produce oxidizing species and can decrease electrolytic voltage during the electro-oxidation process. So, the electrical efficiency per log order (EE/O) for cry-Ir electrode is only 5% of PbO₂ electrode, which is the best electrode for organic degradation. Also, cry-Ir has large tunnel size which favors insertion of aspirin molecule into cry-Ir structure and enhances the contact between reactive intermediates and the contaminant. Using cry-Ir as anode, 100% aspirin removal and 55% chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal could be obtained at 4 V. We also compare cry-Ir electrode with IrO₂ and find that IrO₂ anode can only eliminate 20% aspirin under the same condition. As a result, cry-Ir is a promising anode material for organic pollutant degradation.

Graphical abstract

Aspirin removal after 4h under different voltages. Aspirin removal on IrO₂/Ti-f and cry-Ir/Ti-f after 4h.

http://ift.tt/2hmEp79

Nitrates and phosphates in cave waters of Kraków-Częstochowa Upland, southern Poland

Abstract

The paper presents the varied presence of nitrates and phosphates in water from caves located in Częstochowa and Kraków, in urban, strongly anthropogenic conditions, representing the vadose zone of the fissure-karstic-porous massif of Upper Jurassic limestones. Hydrochemical research was carried out by the authors in the Cave on the Stone in Częstochowa in 2012–2015, in caves of the Zakrzówek horst from 1996 to 2002, and in the Dragon's Cave by the research team of J. Motyka in 1995–1998. A number of NO₃ and PO₄ measurements were performed in waters sampled at these research sites: 20 measurements each of NO₃ and PO₄ at the Cave on the Stone, 228 of NO₃ and 422 of PO₄ at Zakrzówek, and 19 each of NO₃ and PO₄ at the Dragon's Cave. To assess the quality aspect of N and P compounds in waters from the Cave on the Stone, the results of geochemical modelling were processed using PHREEQC software. In cave waters, the oxidised form of nitrogen NO₃⁻ predominates; in surface waters in the vicinity, unoxidised forms prevail: NH₄₊, NH₃, and NH₄SO₄⁻. Among phosphorus speciations, dissolved forms are dominant: HPO₄²⁻, H₂PO₄⁻, and the insoluble form CaHPO₄; in surface waters, these forms are practically absent. Transformations of water chemistry in 'urban' caves, often centuries old, manifest themselves in, inter alia, the occurrence of multi-ionic waters, including seasonal variations and extremely diversified concentrations, with very high concentrations in subpopulations of NO₃ (0.2–485 mg dm⁻³) and P (0.02–6.87 mg dm⁻³). The common presence of NO₃ in waters of the phreatic zone of the Częstochowa Upland, an area developed in an agricultural direction, is documented by, inter alia, the exploitation of intakes supplying the city of Częstochowa (10–57 mg dm⁻³, 2011) and crenological studies from 2008 to 2015 (NO₃, 2–58 mg dm⁻³), at simultaneously low phosphate concentrations (PO₄, 0.02–0.24 mg dm⁻³).

http://ift.tt/2hkMmd8

Control of Pain After Tonsillectomy in Children

This review examines the treatment of postoperative pain in children after tonsillectomy.

http://ift.tt/2ttUcpD

An Objective Drug-Induced Sedation Endoscopy Data Capture and Analysis System

To the Editor We read with great interest the article published by Gobbi et al. We would like to acknowledge 3 key points presented in the article. First, the authors presented a novel objective technique—a drug-induced sleep endoscopy technique implemented with simultaneous polygraphic monitoring of cardiorespiratory parameters (DISE-PG)—for capturing and visualizing anatomical and physiological data simultaneously in real time. Second, DISE-PG was shown to be better than standalone DISE in terms of feasibility, safety, and detecting obstructive breathing patterns. Third, DISE-PG provides accurate comprehension of upper airway obstructive dynamics and a nonobstructive breathing pattern. Our letter focuses on 4 questions.

http://ift.tt/2s098qq

Partial Resection in Microsurgical Management of Vestibular Schwannomas

This Viewpoint discusses selective use of partial tumor resection, in particular near total resection, over gross total resection when there is concern for imminent facial nerve compromise in the management of vestibular schwannomas.

http://ift.tt/2rYT6xl

Foreign Body in a Premature Infant

This case examines the unique challenges of treating airway obstruction in neonates and describes an innovative technique of foreign body removal.

http://ift.tt/2sDY72n

September 2017 Issue Highlights

http://ift.tt/2jPZjg0

Nocturnal Dyspnea as a Result of a Hypopharyngeal Mass

A man had worsening nocturnal dyspnea, dysphagia, and dysphonia; distal chip laryngeal endoscopy revealed a large, well-mucosalized mass of the left pyriform sinus, and CT with contrast showed a nonenhancing, well-circumscribed mass. What is your diagnosis?

http://ift.tt/2vhklVF

Somatization and the Review of Systems

This cohort study examines the association between patient responses on a form used for review of systems and somatization.

http://ift.tt/2rkOLVk

Comprehensive Hearing Aid Intervention at a Free Subspecialty Clinic

This observational cohort study describes the structure, feasibility, and outcomes of a free subspecialty clinic providing hearing aids to develop a paradigm for other programs interested in implementing similar projects.

http://ift.tt/2sDMx7y

Typographical Data Error in Abstract

In the Original Investigation titled "Objective and Subjective Measures of Simultaneous vs Sequential Bilateral Cochlear Implants in Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial," published online June 22, 2017, a typographical data error occurred in the Results section of the abstract. For the difference of 0.9 dB, the upper limit of the 95% CI should have been reported as 4.4 dB, not −4.4 dB (ie, difference, 0.9 dB [95% CI, –3.1 to 4.4 dB], not [95% CI, –3.1 to –4.4 dB]). This article was corrected online.

http://ift.tt/2iu7Ww9

Simultaneous vs Sequential Bilateral Cochlear Implants in Adults

This randomized clinical trial investigates the hearing capabilities and the self-reported benefits of simultaneous bilateral cochlear implants compared with sequential bilateral cochlear implants.

http://ift.tt/2suFtcy

Addressing the Challenges in Tonsillectomy Research to Inform Health Care Policy

This review provides an overview of the key challenges for research to inform tonsillectomy policy and recommendations to help bridge the evidence-policy gap.

http://ift.tt/2tQLlOd

Insurance and Community-Level Socioeconomic Status in Pharyngeal Cancer

This study of National Cancer Database records assesses the association of insurance and community-level socioeconomic status with outcomes for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the pharynx.

http://ift.tt/2ttGbZi

Exercise-Induced Vertigo in Vestibular Schwannoma

This case report describes a man in his 60s with a right intracanalicular vestibular schwannoma who presented with persistent motion-induced vertigo.

http://ift.tt/2uBG3WU

Control of Pain After Tonsillectomy in Children

This review examines the treatment of postoperative pain in children after tonsillectomy.

http://ift.tt/2ttUcpD

An Objective Drug-Induced Sedation Endoscopy Data Capture and Analysis System

Foreign Body in a Premature Infant

This case examines the unique challenges of treating airway obstruction in neonates and describes an innovative technique of foreign body removal.

http://ift.tt/2sDY72n

Otolaryngology Research Challenges in Patient Care and Outcomes

Eight years ago, Chalmers and Glasziou estimated that nearly 85% of the public and private monies spent on biomedical research were wasted because of inadequately produced and reported research, thereby slowing improvement in patient care. There have been significant efforts made to remedy these issues, yet they persist because the underlying problems have not been corrected.

http://ift.tt/2uOCU3f

Expression of Concern

This Expression of Concern alerts readers to potential questions about research results published in a report of a trial in this journal in 2015 and announces the beginning of deeper investigation into the quality of this research.

http://ift.tt/2vspnzw

Nocturnal Dyspnea as a Result of a Hypopharyngeal Mass

The Reduction in the Age-Adjusted Prevalence of Hearing Impairment in the United States An Unexpected Dividend of Phasing Out Leaded Gasoline?

In their article, "Declining Prevalence of Hearing Loss in US Adults Aged 20 to 69 Years," Hoffman and colleagues concluded that there was a 25% reduction in high-frequency hearing impairment and a 30% reduction in speech frequency hearing impairment in respondents' worse ear between the 1999 to 2004 cycle of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and the 2011 to 2012 NHANES cycle. I hypothesize that this beneficial trend may be partially owing to the phasing out of leaded gasoline which resulted in an 87% decline in the geometric mean blood lead levels (BLL) in American adults from 13.1 μg/dL in the late 1970s to 1.64 μg/dL by the year 2000.

http://ift.tt/2sfiMY7

Comprehensive Hearing Aid Intervention at a Free Subspecialty Clinic

Typographical Data Error in Abstract

Variations in the Prevalence of Hearing Loss in Children

Epidemiologic estimates of the prevalence of childhood hearing loss (HL) are important to public health and policy for a host of reasons. On the public health front, estimating the disease and disability burden of HL influences priorities in health care and research, determines whether prevention strategies are effective, and tracks longitudinal progression vs new onset of HL in the population. On a policy level, knowing the prevalence of HL in children helps policymakers allocate resources needed in the schools to rehabilitate and accommodate children and adolescents with HL, as mandated by the Individuals with Disability Education Act part C, and contributes to understanding the overall societal cost as children with HL grow into adulthood. However, epidemiological studies have reported large differences in the prevalence of childhood HL over time, from approximately 1 in 1000 to 19.5%.

http://ift.tt/2vMFCay

Evaluating Surgeon-Specific Performance for Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

This study evaluates differences in surgeon-specific performance for endoscopic sinus surgery using a risk-adjusted 5-year revision endoscopic sinus surgery rate as a quality metric.

http://ift.tt/2suLtC5

Addressing the Challenges in Tonsillectomy Research to Inform Health Care Policy

This review provides an overview of the key challenges for research to inform tonsillectomy policy and recommendations to help bridge the evidence-policy gap.

http://ift.tt/2tQLlOd

Insurance and Community-Level Socioeconomic Status in Pharyngeal Cancer

Parental Understanding of Educational Materials on Laryngotracheal Reconstruction

This study assesses the understandability and actionability of parental educational materials for laryngotracheal reconstruction in children.

http://ift.tt/2tQDYq6

Audiometric Measurement for Vocal-Fold Function Assessment

This study examines whether bedside measurement of infant cry volume using a smartphone application can be a screening tool for vocal-fold movement in flexible nasolaryngoscopy.

http://ift.tt/2u2OnNa

Exercise-Induced Vertigo in Vestibular Schwannoma

This case report describes a man in his 60s with a right intracanalicular vestibular schwannoma who presented with persistent motion-induced vertigo.

http://ift.tt/2uBG3WU

Amino acid or peptide conjugates of acridine/acridone and quinoline/quinolone-containing drugs. A critical examination of their clinical effectiveness within a twenty-year timeframe in antitumor chemotherapy and treatment of infectious diseases

Publication date: 15 November 2017
Source:European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Volume 109
Author(s): Monika Kukowska
Acridines/acridones, quinolines/quinolones (chromophores) and their derivatives constitute extremely important family of compounds in current medicine. Great significance of the compounds is connected with antimicrobial and antitumor activities. Combining these features together in one drug seems to be long-term benefit, especially in oncology therapy. The attractiveness of the chromophore drugs is still enhanced by elimination their toxicity and improvement not only selectivity, specificity but also bioavailability. The best results are reached by conjugation to natural peptides. This paper highlights significant advance in the study of amino acid or peptide chromophore conjugates that provide highly encouraging data for novel drug development. The structures and clinical significance of amino acid or peptide chromophore conjugates are widely discussed.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2wKEAeD

Vaginal semisolid products: Technological performance considering physiologic parameters

Publication date: 15 November 2017
Source:European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Volume 109
Author(s): Rita Monteiro Machado, Ana Palmeira-de-Oliveira, José Martinez-de-Oliveira, Rita Palmeira-de-Oliveira
Vaginal semisolid products are frequently used to treat vaginal infections and atrophy-related symptoms of menopause. Formulations composition and the methods for their characterization, especially those developed concerning the target epithelia, are key tools to predict in vivo results at early stages of product development. However, recent studies on this subject have been almost exclusively focused on anti-HIV preparations. The aim of this work consists on improving traditional characterization methods by using physiological parameters in order to construct predictive tools to characterize a new ideal vaginal semisolid formulation whatever target it may have. Ten vaginal antimicrobial and hormonal products already available in the market were studied (Gino-Canesten®, Sertopic®, Dermofix®, Gyno-pevaryl®, Lomexin®, Gino Travogen®, Dalacin V®, Ovestin®, Blissel®, Colpotrophine®). Furthermore, Universal Placebo gel and Replens® were used for comparison. Products were characterized in terms of: pH and buffering capacity in a vaginal fluid simulant (VFS); osmolality - directly and upon dilution in VFS; textural parameters (firmness, adhesiveness and bioadhesion) using vaginal ex vivo porcine epithelium; and viscosity (including VFS dilution at 37°C and after administration on an ex vivo model). Interestingly, the majority of the tested commercial vaginal formulations did not present technological characteristics close to the ideal ones when tested under target biological conditions. The inclusion of such methodologic adaptations is expected to optimize cost-efficiency of new formulations development by predicting efficacy and safety profiles at early stages of product development.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2wKsySs

Phenazopyridine-phthalimide nano-cocrystal: Release rate and oral bioavailability enhancement

Publication date: 15 November 2017
Source:European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Volume 109
Author(s): Yu Huang, Jin-Mei Li, Zhi-Hui Lai, Jun Wu, Tong-Bu Lu, Jia-Mei Chen
Both cocrystal and nanocrystal technologies have been widely used in the pharmaceutical development for poorly soluble drugs. However, the synergistic effects due to the integration of these two technologies have not been well investigated. The aim of this study is to develop a nano-sized cocrystal of phenazopyridine (PAP) with phthalimide (PI) to enhance the release rate and oral bioavailability of PAP. A PAP–PI nano-cocrystal with particle diameter of 21.4±0.1nm was successfully prepared via a sonochemical approach and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis. An in vitro release study revealed a significant release rate enhancement for PAP–PI nano-cocrystal as compared to PAP–PI cocrystal and PAP hydrochloride salt. Further, a comparative oral bioavailability study in rats indicated significant improvement in Cmax and oral bioavailability (AUC0−∞) by 1.39- and 2.44-fold, respectively. This study demonstrated that this novel nano-cocrystal technology can be a new promising option to improve release rate and absorption of poorly soluble compounds in the pharmaceutical industry.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2wK0f6Q

Myricetin solid lipid nanoparticles: Stability assurance from system preparation to site of action

Publication date: 15 November 2017
Source:European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Volume 109
Author(s): Dina M. Gaber, Noha Nafee, Osama Y. Abdallah
Myricetin - a natural flavonoid - has attracted a great interest due to its antioxidant and free-radical scavenging potential. However, its physicochemical instability critically impairs its dosage form design, evaluation and administration. In an attempt to protect from degradation, MYR was encapsulated into Gelucire-based solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs). The impact of medium pH, processing temperature and different additives on the drug degradation either in free or nanoencapsulated form was assessed. MYR stability was further monitored in essential biorelevant fluids.Investigations have led to the recommendation that the presence of fat-soluble antioxidant is necessary during SLN preparation to protect the drug at high temperature. Meanwhile, physiological buffers as well as simulated fluids should be supplemented with stabilizers as tween 80 and Poloxamer 407, in addition to water-soluble antioxidant such as sodium sulfite. Interestingly, mucin-containing fluids are suggested to provide better protection to MYR, in contrast, cell culture media do not guarantee MYR stability. The degradation kinetics changed from 1st to 2nd order mechanism after MYR nanoencapsulation. In presence of the aforementioned additives, MYR-SLNs significantly reduced the drug degradation rate constant up to 300-folds and prolonged the half-life time up to 4500-folds compared to free MYR in physiological buffers (One-way ANOVA, p<0.05). As a proof of concept, in vitro release experiment in presence of phosphate buffer (pH7.4) supplemented with these additives ensured sustained release of MYR over >8h with no signs of degradation.The study emphasizes virtuous guidance regarding appropriate nanoencapsulation conditions and evaluation attributes ensuing MYR physicochemical stability.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2wKswtO

Disposition of treosulfan and its active monoepoxide in a bone marrow, liver, lungs, brain, and muscle: Studies in a rat model with clinical relevance

Publication date: 15 November 2017
Source:European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Volume 109
Author(s): Michał Romański, Anna Kasprzyk, Mateusz Walczak, Agnieszka Ziółkowska, Franciszek Główka
For the recent years, the application of treosulfan (TREO)-based conditioning prior to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has been increasing as an alternative to busulfan-based therapy, especially for patients presenting high risk of developing hepato-, pulmo-, and neurotoxicity. So far, the penetration of TREO and its epoxy-derivatives into central nervous system and aqueous humor of the eye has been investigated. However, lacking knowledge on the compounds distribution into the other key tissues precludes comprehensive understanding and assessment of TREO clinical efficacy and toxicity. In this paper, the disposition of TREO and its active monoepoxide (S,S-EBDM) in a bone marrow, liver, lungs, brain, and quadriceps femoris was studied in an animal model. Male and female adult Wistar rats (n=48/48) received an intraperitoneal injection of TREO at the dose of 500mg/kg b.w. Concentrations of TREO and S,S-EBDM in tissues were determined with a validated HPLC-MS/MS method. Pharmacokinetic calculations were performed in WinNonlin using a noncompartmental analysis. Mean values of the maximal concentrations of TREO and S,S-EBDM in the organs were sex-independent and ranged from 61 to 1650μM and 25–105μM, respectively. No quantifiable levels of S,S-EBDM were found in the liver. Average tissue/plasma area under the curve (AUC) ratio for unbound TREO increased in the sequence: brain (0.10)<muscle (0.77)<bone marrow=lungs (0.82)<liver (0.96). The tissue/plasma AUC ratio for unbound S,S-EBDM changed as follows: brain (0.35)<lungs (0.50)<bone marrow (0.75)<muscle (1.14). Elimination half-lives of the compounds in plasma and the organs ranged from 0.7h to 2.1h. Scaling of the obtained AUCs of TREO and S,S-EBDM and the literature AUCs of busulfan to concentrations of the drugs in HSCT patients' plasma show that TREO reaches much higher levels in the organs than busulfan. Nonetheless, low S,S-EBDM exposure in a liver, lungs, and brain, even compared with busulfan, may contribute to relatively low organ toxicity of TREO-based conditioning regimens. Similarity of the scaled bone marrow AUCs of S,S-EBDM and busulfan corresponds to comparable myeloablative potency of TREO- and busulfan-based conditioning. The biological half-lives of TREO and S,S-EBDM in plasma and the studied organs indicate that 48h lag time following administration of the last dose of TREO to HSCT patients is sufficient to protect the transplanted stem cells from the compounds' exposure.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2wK5HXc

Αρχειοθήκη ιστολογίου

! # Ola via Alexandros G.Sfakianakis on Inoreader

Η λίστα ιστολογίων μου

Πέμπτη 21 Σεπτεμβρίου 2017

Abstract

Abstract

Abstract

Abstract

Abstract

Abstract

Summary

Background

Aim

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Summary

Background

Aim

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Abstract

Abstract

Abstract

Abstract

Graphical abstract

Abstract

Graphical abstract

Graphical abstract

Abstract

Abstract

Graphical abstract

Graphical abstract

Graphical abstract