The first postoperative-stimulated serum thyroglobulin is a prognostic factor for thyroid microcarcinomas

Publication date: Available online 31 October 2017
Source:Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology
Author(s): Isabela de Oliveira Amui, José Vicente Tagliarini, Emanuel C. Castilho, Mariângela de Alencar Marques, Yoshio Kiy, José Eduardo Corrente, Gláucia M.F.S. Mazeto
IntroductionEndogenous thyroid-stimulating hormone-stimulated thyroglobulin collected after total thyroidectomy is a useful predictor of better prognosis in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinomas in general, but studies with microcarcinomas are scarce.ObjectiveTo assess whether the first postoperative stimulated thyroglobulin measurement is a prognostic factor in patients with microcarcinoma.MethodsThe medical data of 150 differentiated thyroid carcinoma patients were studied retrospectively, and 54 (36%) cases with microcarcinoma were selected. The first postoperative stimulated thyroglobulin (1st stimulated thyroglobulin), measured after thyroidectomy, initial presentation data, and microcarcinomas treatment were assessed regarding outcome. Worse prognosis was defined as neoplasm persistence/recurrence.ResultsPersistence/recurrence occurred in 27.6% of the cases. These patients were identified according to the following parameters: receiving more than one ¹³¹iodine dose (100% vs. 0%; p<0.0001); accumulated ¹³¹iodine dose (232.14±99.09 vs. 144±33.61mCi; p<0.0001); presented active disease in the last assessment (53.3% vs. 0%; p<0.0001); follow-up time (103.07±61.27 vs. 66.85±70.14 months; p=0.019); and 1st stimulated thyroglobulin (19.01±44.18 vs. 2.19±2.54ng/dL; p<0.0001). After multivariate logistic regression, only the 1stSTg [odds ratio=1.242; 95% confidence interval: 1.022–1.509; p=0.029] and follow-up time (odds ratio=1.027; 95% confidence interval: 1.007–1.048; p=0.007) were independent predictors of risk of persistence/recurrence. The cutoff point of 1.6ng/dL for the 1st stimulated thyroglobulin was significantly associated with disease persistence/recurrence [area under the curve=0.713 (p=0.019)].ConclusionThe first stimulated thyroglobulin predicted disease persistence/recurrence in patients with microcarcinoma.



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Downregulation of Notch4 – a prognostic marker in distinguishing oral verrucous carcinoma from oral squamous cell carcinoma

Publication date: Available online 31 October 2017
Source:Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology
Author(s): M.K. Harishankar, A. Mathan Mohan, A. Vinod Krishnan, Devi Arikketh
IntroductionOral verrucous carcinoma is a special form of well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma which possesses specific clinical, morphologic and cytokinetic features that differ from other types of oral cancers and hence diagnosis requires immense experience in histopathology. Hence it is certainly important to distinguish such a lesion from other oral tumors as treatment strategies vary widely between them.ObjectiveIn search of a critical diagnostic marker in distinguishing oral verrucous carcinoma from oral squamous cell carcinoma, Notch4 receptor, one of the key regulatory molecules of the Notch signaling family has been aberrantly activated in the progression of several types of tumors. However its function in oral verrucous carcinoma remains unexplored. Thus the present study aims in determining the differential expression pattern of Notch4 in oral verrucous carcinoma and oral squamous cell carcinoma.MethodsTen patients reported positive for oral cancer (5 patients with oral verrucous carcinoma and 5 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma). Five normal tissue samples were also obtained and evaluated for clinicopathological parameters and immunohistochemistry, western blotting and RT-PCR for Notch4 expression.ResultsOur results reveal that the expression of Notch4 was considerably high in oral squamous cell carcinoma lesions compared to normal tissue, whereas in oral verrucous carcinoma, irrespective of the clinicopathological features, complete regulação descendente of Notch4 was observed.ConclusionsThese preliminary findings strongly support the fact that Notch4 is downregulated in oral verrucous carcinoma and could be considered as a suitable prognostic marker in distinguishing oral verrucous carcinoma from oral squamous cell carcinoma. This distinguishing marker can help in improving therapeutic options in patients diagnosed with oral verrucous carcinoma.



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Editorial on Special Issue: Animal models of Tourette syndrome

Publication date: 1 December 2017
Source:Journal of Neuroscience Methods, Volume 292
Author(s): Marco Bortolato, Giuseppe Di Giovanni




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Genetic Hearing Loss: A Comprehensive Review

Hearing loss can be attributed to a variety of inherited and environmental noises (medications, infections, etc.). In recent decades, our improved understanding of genetics, molecular biology, and audiologic pathways has led to the discovery of a variety of Hereditary Hearing Impairments (HHI). HHI can be categorized as syndromic HL and non-syndromic HL, in which HL is associated with other pathophysiological manifestations. Currently, greater than 300 syndromic HLs are recognized, while more than 100 chromosomal loci and 40 genes are attributed for non-syndromic HLs. Improved understanding of the genes impaired in HL, including their structure and function, will soon lead to improvements in screening and possibly treatments. The following is a review of genetic HL where we discuss the definition, classifications, etiology, epidemiology, recognized syndromes, genetics, diagnostics, and screening methods of HL.

http://article/19/2/64/2475846/Genetic-Hearing-Loss-A-Comprehensive-Review

Ménière's Disease: Current and Potential New Objective Measures Using Electrocochleography

The characteristic manifestations of Ménière's disease (MD) are mainly subjective, making MD difficult for physicians to diagnose without objective confirmation. A classic electrophysiologic technique for objective diagnosis of MD is electrocochleography (ECochG) to slow stimulus rates. This review will provide information regarding the sensitivity, specificity, and limitations of the conventional click and frequency specific ECochG measures. In addition, the paper will discuss two novel, promising techniques: fast click ECochG with the use of continuous loop averaging deconvolution (CLAD) and the auditory nerve overlapped waveform (ANOW). These new techniques may offer a new way in diagnosing MD through assessing neural adaptation and function of the apical half of the cochlear spiral.

http://article/19/2/44/2475844/M%C3%A9ni%C3%A8res-Disease-Current-and-Potential-New

Coordinator's Column

http://article/19/2/43/2475843/Coordinators-Column

A Review of Human Immunodeficiency Virus on the Auditory System

There are an increasing number of large-scale studies on the association between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hearing loss; these studies include both HIV-infected adults from horizontal disease transmission to HIV-infected children from vertical disease transmission in utero. With advances in HIV treatment approaches, this disease has become a chronic health condition rather than a terminal health condition. Based on recent data in this area, mechanisms within the auditory system are at risk based on HIV status. HIV-infected children have poorer hearing compared to perinatally exposed to HIV, but uninfected children. HIV-infected children also have poorer hearing compared to HIV-unexposed, uninfected children. HIV-infected adults also have poorer hearing compared with HIV-uninfected adults. Individuals with greater HIV disease severity had poorer hearing than HIV-infected individuals with lesser HIV disease severity. Auditory brainstem response data demonstrate poor waveform morphology, lower peak amplitude, increased peak and interpeak latencies in HIV-infected individuals. Conversely, distortion product otoacoustic emission data are similar for HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected individuals status. Taken together, differences in hearing sensitivity based on HIV status may be a result of auditory neural function, although large-scale studies are currently ongoing to further examine these risk factors of HIV on the auditory system.

http://article/19/2/55/2475845/A-Review-of-Human-Immunodeficiency-Virus-on-the

SIG 6 Perspectives Vol. 19, No. 2, November 2015: Earn 0.15 CEUs

Download the CE Questions PDF from the toolbar, above. Use the questions to guide your Perspectives reading. When you're ready, purchase the activity from the ASHA Store and follow the instructions to take the exam in ASHA's Learning Center. Available until October 29, 2018.

http://article/19/2/C1/2475847/SIG-6-Perspectives-Vol-19-No-2-November-2015Earn

Intelligibility of Synthetic Speech for Normal-Hearing and Hearing-Impaired Listeners

This study examined the perceived intelligibility of synthetic speech. Participants were adults aged 49–69, one group with normal hearing and one group with acquired sensorineural hearing impairment. Word lists were presented in two speech types: DECtalk (a high-quality speech synthesizer) and a natural male speaker. Results revealed differences between groups, with normal-hearing listeners scoring higher than hearing-impaired listeners, and between speech types, with higher scores for natural speech than for synthesized speech. There was no significant interaction of hearing level and speech type.

http://article/55/4/751/1775652/Intelligibility-of-Synthetic-Speech-for

Who shall be Called Language Disordered? Some Reflections and One Perspective

This paper discusses some issues involved in identifying children who have language problems. The perspective taken is that (a) the goal of identification must be clearly distinguished from other goals of assessment; (b) identification of children with language disorders is better based on language performance than on inferences about the language knowledge that underlies this performance; (c) language performance must be sampled in more than one context, including, for purposes of identification, contexts that stress the language system; (d) the standards of expectations for comparing performance and determining differences must be explicit; (e) standards used to determine differences are better based on the performance of chronological-age peers than on the performance of children with similar mental abilities; and (f) children who do not evidence poor language performance but are considered at risk for language-related problems should be distinguished from children who demonstrate poor language skills.

http://article/55/4/612/1775638/Who-shall-be-Called-Language-Disordered-Some

Comments on "Concomitant Speech and Language Disorders in Stuttering Children: A Critique of the Literature"

http://article/55/4/802-a/1775660/Comments-on-Concomitant-Speech-and-Language

Effects of Repair Strategies on Visual Identification of Sentences

This investigation determined whether information elicited by repair strategies enhances an individual's ability to lipread a misperceived sentence. Five groups of subjects were each assigned one of five repair strategies: (a) asking the talker to repeat a sentence, (b) simplify it, (c) rephrase it, (d) say an important keyword, and (e) speak two sentences. Subjects viewed sentences spoken by six different talkers. When a subject did not recite a sentence verbatim, the talker performed the assigned repair strategy and then repeated the original sentence. A control group of subjects saw only the original sentence repeated twice. All five test groups demonstrated a significantly greater improvement for the second presentation score (referenced to the first presentation score) than the control group. The benefits provided by the repair strategies were independent of the talker, and benefits did not differ significantly among the groups.

http://article/55/4/621/1775639/Effects-of-Repair-Strategies-on-Visual

The Iowa Articulation Norms Project and its Nebraska Replication

The purpose of the Iowa Articulation Norms Project and its Nebraska replication was to provide normative information about speech sound acquisition in these two states. An assessment instrument consisting of photographs and a checklist form for narrow phonetic transcription was administered by school-based speech-language pathologists to stratified samples of children in the age range 3–9 years. The resulting data were not influenced by the demographic variables of population density (rural/urban), SES (based on parental education), or state of residence (Iowa/Nebraska); however, sex of the child exerted a significant influence in some of the preschool age groups. The criteria used to determine acceptability of a production appeared to influence outcomes for some speech sounds. Acquisition curves were plotted for individual phoneme targets or groups of targets. These curves were used to develop recommended ages of acquisition for the tested speech sounds, with recommendations based generally on a 90% level of acquisition. Special considerations were required for the phonemes /n s z/.

http://article/55/4/779/1775656/The-Iowa-Articulation-Norms-Project-and-its

Spoken and Written English Errors of Postsecondary Students with Severe Hearing Impairment

This investigation compared the spoken and written English errors of 20 hearing-impaired postsecondary students with intelligible speech and poor English language. Error categories used to assess the language samples were function, content, and structure. Spoken and written performances were distinguished only by a greater number of function word errors in writing samples. A trend toward greater complexity in writing was also found. Implications for instruction are discussed.

http://article/55/4/628/1775640/Spoken-and-Written-English-Errors-of-Postsecondary

Taxonomies in Biology, Phonetics, Phonology, and Speech Motor Control

This article begins with a review explaining the different purposes of biological taxonomies. Taxonomic units are often dependent on the purpose for which the taxonomy has been constructed. Biological taxonomies provide an analogy that we use to emphasize some of the distinctions among the units of phonetic transcription systems, competence phonologies, and performance phonologies. The units of both phonology and phonetic transcription are considered as possible units of the speech motor system, and some of the difficulties of this assumption are explained. Although phonemic units, like units of phonetic transcription, are useful for many purposes, it is not theoretically necessary to use units derived as part of competence phonologies in systems attempting to explain phonological performance or speech motor performance. In this regard, we challenge the concept of coarticulation, because it is based on assumptions about the role of phonological or phonetic units in speech motor control. We offer an integrated perspective that has implications for research in speech motor control and deficits of the speech motor system. We see speech motor deficits as distinct from, yet possibly interacting with, phonological deficits.

http://article/55/4/596/1775637/Taxonomies-in-Biology-Phonetics-Phonology-and

Tabletop Versus Microcomputer-Assisted Speech Management: Response Evocation Phase

This is the third in a series of studies on the use of microcomputers with speech-delayed children. Two repeated-measures designs (n=15) and five case studies were completed to compare tabletop management at early and late stages of the response development phase with two comparable, computer-assisted drill-and-practice activities. Discrimination of correct articulatory responses was mediated by the clinician in all modes, rather than by speech recognition hardware, but all contingent reinforcement in the computer modes was presented by animation graphics. The two computer modes were identical except for the addition of fantasy involvement in one of the modes. Findings indicated that the three modes of intervention were equally effective, efficient, and engaging. Subject-level analyses suggested that microcomputer software has excellent potential to engage children in drill-and-practice for late-phase response evocation, when the target sound is stimulable, but limited usefulness with young children at early-phase response evocation, when specific articulatory behaviors need to be cued. Discussion considers learning, child, and hardware/software factors in microcomputer-assisted speech management.

http://article/55/4/635/1775641/Tabletop-Versus-MicrocomputerAssisted-Speech

Fast Mapping of Words in Event Contexts by Children with Down Syndrome

Fast mapping of novel words for objects was compared in 48 children and adolescents with Down syndrome (ages 5:6-20:6), who were delayed in expressive language acquisition compared to mental age, and 48 normally developing children matched for mental age (chronological ages 2:0-6:0). Normal and Down syndrome groups did not differ in their ability to infer a connection between the novel word and referent (100% vs. 100%), to comprehend the novel word after a single exposure (83% vs. 73%), and to recall the location in which they hid the novel referent (83% vs. 75%). Nor did they differ in their ability to produce the novel word correctly (at least two out of three phonemes in order: 48% vs. 40%). When retested after an hour of other activity, only the production task showed a significant, and comparable, decrement. Comparing youngest and oldest quarters of each group showed improved memory for location in both, improved comprehension in the Down syndrome group, and improved production in the control group. Adults (n=12), in contrast, performed perfectly on all tasks except the delayed word production. Neither intelligibility differences nor use of real word labels accounts for the failure to find a difference between groups. Fast mapping skills were unrelated to expressive language deficit in these children with Down syndrome.

http://article/55/4/761/1775654/Fast-Mapping-of-Words-in-Event-Contexts-by

The Relationship between Communication Problems and Psychological Difficulties in Persons with Profound Acquired Hearing Loss

Communication strategies, accommodations to deafness, and perceptions of the communication environment by profoundly deaf subjects were correlated with indices of psychosocial adjustment to determine whether accommodations to deafness could play a role in the presence of psychological difficulties among deaf persons. Persons with postlingually acquired profound deafness were administered the Communication Profile for the Hearing Impaired (CPHI) and several standardized tests of psychological functioning and adjustment. Inadequate communication strategies and poor accommodations to deafness reported on the CPHI were associated with depression, social introversion, loneliness, and social anxiety. Limited communication performance at home and with friends was related to both social introversion and the experience of loneliness; perceived attitudes and behaviors of others correlated with depression as well as loneliness. In general, the pattern of correlations obtained suggests that specific communication strategies and accommodations to deafness, rather than deafness per se, may contribute to the presence of some psychological difficulties in individuals.

http://article/55/4/656/1775642/The-Relationship-between-Communication-Problems

Response to Hamre

http://article/55/4/801/1775658/Response-to-Hamre

Generalized Learning of Receptive and Expressive Action-Object Responses by Language-Delayed Preschoolers

This study examined the effectiveness of matrix-training procedures in teaching action + object utterances in both the receptive and expressive language modalities. The subjects were 4 developmentally delayed preschool boys who failed to produce spontaneous, functional two-word utterances. A multiple baseline design across responses with a multiple probe technique was employed. Subjects were taught 4–6 of 48 receptive and 48 expressive responses. Acquisition of a word combination rule was facilitated by the use of familiar lexical items, whereas subsequent acquisition of new lexical knowledge was enhanced by couching training in a previously trained word combination pattern. Although receptive knowledge was not sufficient for the demonstration of corresponding expressive performance for most of the children, only minimal expressive training was required to achieve this objective. For most matrix items, subjects responded receptively before they did so expressively. For 2 subjects, when complete receptive recombinative generalization had not been achieved, expressive training facilitated receptive responding. The results of this study elucidate benefits to training one linguistic aspect (lexical item, word combination pattern) at a time to maximize generalization in developmentally delayed preschoolers.

http://article/55/4/665/1775643/Generalized-Learning-of-Receptive-and-Expressive

Comment on "Methodological Variables Affecting Phonational Frequency Range in Adults"

http://article/55/4/804/1775662/Comment-on-Methodological-Variables-Affecting

Partner Sensitivity to Communication Behavior of Young Children with Developmental Disabilities

Aspects of partner sensitivity to communication behaviors of 24 presymbolic children with developmental disabilities were examined. The children were grouped according to their movement abilities (normal vs. abnormal patterns) and communication status (intentional vs. preintentional). Participating communication partners were those with whom the children interacted on a regular basis and included their mothers, early childhood special educators, and speech-language pathologists. Procedures were developed whereby the partners served as informants in order to provide information regarding (a) recognition of the children's communicative cues and (b) consistency of cue recognition and descriptions across partners. Results indicated wide individual variability in the partners' basic recognition abilities as well as their consistency with each other. Further, the observed variations could not be attributed to the children's movement and communication abilities. It was concluded that sensitivity, as measured in the present investigation, was highly partner-child specific, with some children likely to be exposed to more optimal interactions than others.

http://article/55/4/679/1775644/Partner-Sensitivity-to-Communication-Behavior-of

Patient Compliance with Cleft Palate Team Regimens

A cleft palate team's prescribed regimen requires prompt and continued compliance in order to meet the management objectives and to justify the large investment of professional time. The purposes of this clinical investigation were to determine the rate of compliance with the recommendations made by a cleft palate team for its patients and to identify variables associated with compliance. A subject was defined as the person(s) who could best respond to questions concerning the management of the team's patient. Each subject was interviewed using a questionnaire. The mean patient compliance rate was 64.4%, and noncompliance with specific recommendations ranged from 12.5% to 100%. Using Jones and Caldwell's (1981) classification, 17.1% of the patients were classified as compliers, 78% as partial compliers, and 4.9% as noncompliers. The best predictor of compliance was a set of nine variables.

http://article/55/4/740/1775651/Patient-Compliance-with-Cleft-Palate-Team-Regimens

Parental reactions to children’s negative affect: The moderating role of parental GAD

Publication date: Available online 31 October 2017
Source:Journal of Anxiety Disorders
Author(s): Brenda Arellano, Colette Gramszlo, Janet Woodruff-Borden
The impact of parental anxiety disorders has been explored in broad categories of parenting behaviors; however, less is known about the impact of parental anxiety on emotion socialization behaviors. The current study tested the conditional effect of parental Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) on one aspect of emotion socialization, parents' reactions to their child's negative affect. Participants were 89 children between ages 3 and 12 and their parents, from a community sample. Parents completed the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule-IV (ADIS-IV), an interaction task with their child, and the Beck Anxiety Inventory-II (BAI-II). Overall, the data supported study hypotheses. Parental GAD moderated the relationship between child's negative affect and parental over control and emotional discouragement. Additionally, this relationship was unique to GAD, as self-reported anxiety symptoms did not moderate this relation. These findings suggest parents diagnosed with GAD are discouraging of their children's emotional experiences and fail to adjust their level of guidance throughout situations which induce negative affect, leaving children to cope with negative emotions on their own.



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Relationship Between Extensions and Intensions in Categorization: A Match Made in Heaven?.

Author: Djalal, Farah Mutiasari; Hampton, James A.; Storms, Gert; Heyman, Tom

DOI: 10.1037/xlm0000469

Publication Date: POST AUTHOR CORRECTIONS, 30 October 2017

http://ift.tt/2A4MPFf

Beyond 250: A Comprehensive Strategy to Maximize the Operative Experience for Junior Residents

Publication date: Available online 31 October 2017
Source:Journal of Surgical Education
Author(s): James M. Healy, Mark W. Maxfield, Daniel G. Solomon, Walter E. Longo, Peter S. Yoo
ObjectivesAmong surgical educators, duty-hour restrictions led to concern regarding the adequacy of operative experience during residency, especially for junior residents. The American Board of Surgery recently instituted guidelines mandating "a minimum of 250 operations by the end of the PGY-2 year". A series of programmatic and institutional changes were implemented at our institution to augment the junior resident operative experience and to exceed compliance with this mandate.MethodsOperative data from Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education case logs for categorical and nondesignated preliminary interns from our large academic surgical residency were identified for 5 consecutive academic years, 2011 until 2016. American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination (ABSITE) scores were collected anonymously. The program systematically instituted the following changes: night float minimization, identification of new surgical opportunities, augmenting use of midlevel care providers, identification of rotations with suboptimal operative experiences, maximizing rotations with involvement of junior residents in the operating room, and systematic review of junior case logs.ResultsAfter implementation, average total cases for residents completing postgraduate year (PGY)-2 increased from 176 to 330 (p < 0.001). Specifically, there was an 18% increase for interns (p = 0.059) and a 118% increase for PGY-2 residents (p < 0.001). There were statistically significant increases in skin and soft tissue cases, vascular cases, endoscopy, and complex laparoscopic cases. Average case volumes for senior residents did not change. Night float time was significantly decreased (5.7 vs 3.4 wk; p = 0.04). ABSITE scores were not significantly changed during this time.ConclusionsBefore implementation of these interventions, our program would have had 0% compliance with the 250 junior resident case rule. Within 12 months of implementation, total case volumes for residents completing PGY-2 increased by 88%—exceeding minimum standards. Overall, 100% programmatic compliance was achieved. Our program's experience exemplifies how mandates from the American Board of Surgery can lead to programmatic changes that improve the experience of surgical house officers.



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Identifying Nontechnical Skill Deficits in Trainees Through Interdisciplinary Trauma Simulation

Publication date: Available online 31 October 2017
Source:Journal of Surgical Education
Author(s): Sarah Sullivan, Krystle Campbell, Joshua C. Ross, Ryan Thompson, Alyson Underwood, Anne LeGare, Ingie Osman, Suresh K. Agarwal, Hee Soo Jung
ObjectiveThe goal of this study was to investigate nontechnical skills in a simulated trauma setting both before and after a debriefing session in order to better understand areas to target for the development of educational interventions.DesignWilcoxon signed rank tests were used to compare scores on the 5 domains of the T-NOTECHS pre- and postdebriefings. A qualitative analysis using the PEARLS debriefing framework was performed to provide a rich description of the strategies used by the debriefing facilitators.SettingThe Joint Trauma Simulation Program is an interdisciplinary project designed to improve the quality of trauma care through simulation exercises emphasizing nontechnical skills development.ParticipantsThirteen teams of 5 trauma trainees participated in trauma resuscitation simulations: a surgical chief resident, a surgical junior resident, an emergency medicine resident, and 2 emergency medicine nurses.ResultsTeams significantly improved on communication and interaction skills in the simulation scenarios from pre- to postdebriefing. The debrief facilitators spent most of their time engaged in Directive Performance Feedback (56.13%).ConclusionsInterprofessional team simulation in trauma resuscitation scenarios followed by debriefing differently affected individual nontechnical skills domains. Additional facilitation strategies, such as focused facilitation and encouraging learner self-assessment, may target other nontechnical skills in different ways.



http://ift.tt/2lBNriz

Clinicopathologic characteristics of early-onset Becker's nevus in Korean children and adolescents

Abstract

Background

Becker's nevus (BN) presents as a hairy patch or plaque with or without proliferation of the dermal smooth muscles. BN has been described as acquired as found in a similar entity, congenital smooth muscle hamartoma (CSMH). This study was aimed at evaluating the clinicopathological aspects of BN in Korean cases in differential diagnosis with CSMH.

Methods

We performed a retrospective study of 103 patients histopathologically diagnosed as having BN or CSMH. The cases included 40 cases diagnosed with BN or CSMH before the age of 10 years who had clinical monitoring and a second skin biopsy after puberty to determine the disease course.

Results

Among cases of children to adolescents (<18 years), we observed a slight male predominance. Among children aged <14 years, sex ratio converged at 1:1. Early-onset BN showed a female predominance and hyperpigmented skin lesions. All BN cases showed hyperpigmentation, and face and neck involvement tended to make severe cosmetic concerns. In contrast, hypertrichosis was more frequent in CSMH. Either skin-colored lesion or pseudo-Darier's sign was not seen in early-onset BN. BN showed less dermal smooth muscle than CSMH.

Conclusions

Androgens themselves do not seem to be related to the development of BN but play only an aggravating role especially in male patients. Considering high occurrence in exposed areas, BN may distress patients severely. As early laser treatment may be helpful in some patients with BN, early-onset BN in comparison to CSMH should be diagnosed appropriately.

http://ift.tt/2A6Luhg

Detection of somatic mutations in secondary tumors associated with nevus sebaceus by targeted next generation sequencing. Comment on Kitamura et al.

http://ift.tt/2xIxbO6

Furuncular myiasis for the Western dermatologist: treatment in outpatient consultation

Abstract

Background

Furuncular myiasis is likely to be seen by Western dermatologists because of the increasing number of international travelers but remains unfamiliar to most of them, who tend to refer these patients to hospitals. Different treatments have been proposed, but many of them are not achievable in outpatient consultation.

Methods

We reported three typical cases of furuncular myiasis, according to each species involved, and proposed diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines for dermatologists in outpatient consultation.

Results

One patient, complaining of an inflammatory nodule of the leg with a central punctum, was diagnosed with Dermatobia hominis infection, after a forest walk in French Guiana. One woman returned from Senegal with a nodule of the left buttock. She had been infected by a Cordylobia anthropophaga larva after drying her underwear under a mango tree. One woman living in Cameroon presented with scalp nodules, pain, fatigue, and facial edema. She had been infected by more than 40 larvae of Cordylobia rodhaini after drying her sheets under a mango tree. Manual extraction ensured complete healing in the three patients. We used neither doppler ultrasound nor occlusive dressing. Diagnosis was immediately made thanks to the typical clinical stories.

Conclusions

The diagnosis of furuncular myiasis requires only clinical skills and basic knowledge of life cycles. The treatment varies slightly depending on the species involved but is achievable in outpatient consultation and does not require occlusive dressing.

http://ift.tt/2A63Vmn

Multiple epidermolytic acanthomas mimicking condyloma: a retrospective study of 8 cases

Abstract

Background

Epidermolytic acanthoma (EA) is an uncommon benign cutaneous lesion. Multiple epidermolytic acanthomas (multiple EAs) are rarely reported.

Methods

We retrospectively identified patients diagnosed with multiple EAs between 2005 and 2017 from our dermatopathology database and analyzed their clinical, pathological, and immunohistochemical features. We also evaluated the association of multiple EAs with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.

Results

In total, eight patients (average age 51 years; 3 : 1 male predominance) with multiple EAs were found. All patients had lesions on the genitocrural area. The two most common clinical diagnoses were condyloma (5/8) and soft fibroma (3/8), which were predominantly skin-colored (5/8) or whitish (2/8). The lesions were less than 1 cm in diameter, and most (6/8) appeared to have a smooth surface. No molecular evidence suggesting HPV infection was found. Immunohistochemical staining showed low mitotic activity. The lesions were removed in one of two patients via cryotherapy, and one patient was treated with electrocauterization. The other five patients were followed without treatment.

Conclusion

The genital area was the most common location for multiple EAs, which was commonly misdiagnosed clinically as condyloma. Patients presenting with uniformly small-sized, skin-colored to whitish, smooth papular lesions in the genitalia should be carefully evaluated. The specific pathological features of epidermolytic hyperkeratosis are diagnostic, and the lesions can be observed without aggressive treatment after confirmed diagnosis.

http://ift.tt/2xIA4Pc

A narrative review of dermatologic protocols for primary care medical service trips in Latin America and the Caribbean

Abstract

Background

Skin disorders are prevalent on primary care medical service trips in Latin America and the Caribbean and commonly include scabies, superficial mycoses, and pyoderma. There have been no previous attempts to describe protocols that international volunteer clinicians use in managing these patients. The purpose of this study was to collect North American clinical protocols used by sending organizations in their volunteer operations in Latin America and the Caribbean, summarize the most common pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic management strategies, and compare these to published international practice recommendations.

Methods

A systematic web search was used to identify North American medical service trip-sending organizations. Clinical protocols were downloaded from their websites, and organizations were directly contacted to request protocols that were not published online. The protocols obtained were summarized, analyzed thematically, and compared to existing international guidelines.

Results

Of 225 organizations contacted, 112 (49.8%) responded, and 31 of these (27.7%) claimed to possess protocols for their trips, of which 20 were obtained and analyzed. Ten (50%) protocols discussed scabies, eight (40%) discussed superficial mycoses, and five (25%) discussed pyoderma. The protocols discussed clinical assessment, pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic management with variable degrees of accuracy and thoroughness, and with important omissions when compared to international guidelines. None were the product of systematic literature searches, and most were not referenced.

Conclusions

To avoid ineffective treatment and related harms, context-specific clinical guidelines are needed for volunteer clinicians practicing in remote international settings, and such guidelines should be based on best evidence and stakeholder consensus.

http://ift.tt/2A6LptY

Ethnic variations in the epidemiology of bullous pemphigoid in Israel

Abstract

Background

No ethnic or geographic predisposition to bullous pemphigoid (BP) was reported so far.

Objective

To evaluate trends in the incidence of BP in northern Israel, shedding light on differences between two distinct ethnic populations who inhabit the same region, namely Jews and Arabs.

Methods

Bullous pemphigoid incidence was retrospectively estimated from January 2000–December 2015 in two Israeli regions with a total population of 1.56 million inhabitants.

Results

A total of 287 new-onset BP patients (mean age: 77.6 ± 12.1) were identified. The incidence rate was 11.4 per million inhabitants per year (95% CI, 10.2–12.9). The crude incidence rate in Jews was 4.8-fold higher than that in Arabs (16.4 vs. 3.4 cases per million per year, respectively [P < 0.0001]). After adjusting for age, the discrepancy between the two populations diminished (11.7 vs. 8.9 cases per million per year, respectively) but remained statistically significant (P = 0.032). The incidence increased consistently from 7.6 cases per million per year in the calendar period 2000–2005 to 12.6 and 14.3 cases in 2006–2010 and 2011–2015, respectively (P < 0.0001). Bullous pemphigoid patients of Arab ancestry presented with the disease significantly earlier than Jews (69.5 ± 15.3 vs. 78.7 ± 11.1 years, respectively, P = 0.002).

Conclusions

The incidence of BP in northern Israel has increased in the last 16 years and is significantly higher among Jews compared to Arabs. The age of presentation is remarkably different between patients belonging to the two populations.

http://ift.tt/2xKpKpT

Cross-sectional study of Treponema pallidum PCR in diagnosis of primary and secondary syphilis

Abstract

Background

Syphilis remains a major challenge and a complex diagnosis. We aim to evaluate the role of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in Treponema pallidum (Tp) detection in various types of biological samples in the diagnosis of early syphilis.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study including all attendees of the STI clinic with clinical suspicion of early syphilis. One or more specimens for the detection of Tp by PCR testing were collected.

Results

The overall sensitivity of Tp PCR test was 82.61% (95% CI: 68.6–92.2%). Tp PCR test had sensitivity of 84.6% (95% CI: 54.6–98.1%) in primary syphilis cases and 81.8% (95% CI: 64.5–93%) in secondary syphilis cases. PCR test performance was independent of HIV status.

Conclusion

Tp PCR test is a fast and reliable method for the detection of Tp in skin lesions of early syphilis, and it is a powerful tool in clinical settings.

http://ift.tt/2A63SqH

Social media and modern dermatology

http://ift.tt/2xIzYXQ

Prospective, pilot evaluation of the performance of nanofractional radiofrequency for improvement of skin texture via skin resurfacing

Summary

Background

The latest generation of radiofrequency, nanofractional radiofrequency, allows the heat energy to be delivered through the use of pins or needles as electrodes, facilitating increased efficacy and reduced pain, downtime, and side effects.

Objective

The objective of this prospective pilot clinical study was to evaluate the efficacy of nanofractional radiofrequency in skin resurfacing.

Methods and materials

Seventeen subjects were enrolled in the study, and each received three nanofractional radiofrequency (160-pin tip) treatments in the facial area at 3-week intervals. Follow-up visits were scheduled at 1 and 2 months after the final treatment. Clinical photography, patient, and investigator assessments were conducted during the treatment visits and follow-up.

Results

All subjects completed the study. At the 1- and 2-month follow-up, there was a moderate to significant improvement (2.6 and 3.5, respectively, P = .01) according to the investigator global esthetic improvement scale rating. Most subjects reported that they were satisfied or very satisfied with the outcome and level of comfort.

Conclusion

Nanofractional radiofrequency is a safe and effective strategy for improving texture, tone, and skin laxity with high patient satisfaction and tolerable safety profile.

http://ift.tt/2zXRnMG

Prospective, pilot evaluation of the performance of nanofractional radiofrequency for improvement of skin texture via skin resurfacing

Summary

Background

The latest generation of radiofrequency, nanofractional radiofrequency, allows the heat energy to be delivered through the use of pins or needles as electrodes, facilitating increased efficacy and reduced pain, downtime, and side effects.

Objective

The objective of this prospective pilot clinical study was to evaluate the efficacy of nanofractional radiofrequency in skin resurfacing.

Methods and materials

Seventeen subjects were enrolled in the study, and each received three nanofractional radiofrequency (160-pin tip) treatments in the facial area at 3-week intervals. Follow-up visits were scheduled at 1 and 2 months after the final treatment. Clinical photography, patient, and investigator assessments were conducted during the treatment visits and follow-up.

Results

All subjects completed the study. At the 1- and 2-month follow-up, there was a moderate to significant improvement (2.6 and 3.5, respectively, P = .01) according to the investigator global esthetic improvement scale rating. Most subjects reported that they were satisfied or very satisfied with the outcome and level of comfort.

Conclusion

Nanofractional radiofrequency is a safe and effective strategy for improving texture, tone, and skin laxity with high patient satisfaction and tolerable safety profile.

http://ift.tt/2zXRnMG

Identifying fundamental criteria for eating disorder recovery: a systematic review and qualitative meta-analysis

Abstract

Background

Outcome studies for eating disorders regularly measure pathology change or remission as the only outcome. Researchers, patients and recovered individuals highlight the importance of using additional criteria for measuring eating disorder recovery. There is no clear consensus on which additional criteria are most fundamental. Studies focusing on the perspectives of recovered patients show criteria which are closely related to dimensions of positive functioning as conceptualized in the complete mental health model. The aim of this study was to identify fundamental criteria for eating disorder recovery according to recovered individuals.

Methods

A systematic review and a qualitative meta-analytic approach were used. Eighteen studies with recovered individuals and meeting various quality criteria were included. The result sections of the included papers were searched for themes that were stated as criteria for recovery or 'being recovered'. All themes were analyzed using a meta-summary technique. Themes were labeled into criteria for recovery and the frequency of the found criteria was examined.

Results

In addition to the remission of eating disorder pathology, dimensions of psychological well-being and self-adaptability/resilience were found to be fundamental criteria for eating disorder recovery. The most frequently mentioned criteria were: self-acceptance, positive relationships, personal growth, decrease in eating disorder behavior/cognitions, self-adaptability/resilience and autonomy.

Conclusions

People who have recovered rate psychological well-being as a central criterion for ED recovery in addition to the remission of eating disorder symptoms. Supplementary criteria, besides symptom remission, are needed to measure recovery. We recommend including measurements of psychological well-being and self-adaptability/resilience in future research, such as outcome studies and in routine outcome measurement.

http://ift.tt/2zVVzgd

Feasibility of deep brain stimulation for controlling the lower urinary tract functions: An animal study

Publication date: December 2017
Source:Clinical Neurophysiology, Volume 128, Issue 12
Author(s): Shih-Ching Chen, Pei-Yi Chu, Tsung-Hsun Hsieh, Yu-Ting Li, Chih-Wei Peng
ObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility of deep brain stimulation (DBS) and compare the potential of four DBS targets in rats for regulating bladder activity: the periaqueductal gray (PAG), locus coeruleus (LC), rostral pontine reticular nucleus (PnO), and pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPTg).MethodsA bipolar stimulating electrode was implanted. The effects of DBS on the inhibition and activation of micturition reflexes were investigated by using isovolumetric intravesical pressure recordings.ResultsPAG DBS at 2–2.5 V, PnO DBS at 2–2.5 V, and PPTg DBS at 1.75–2.5 V nearly completely inhibited reflexive isovolumetric bladder contractions. By contrast, LC DBS at 1.75 and 2 V slightly augmented reflexive isovolumetric bladder contractions in rats. DBSs on PnO and PPTg at higher intensities (2.5–5 V) demonstrated a higher success rate and larger contraction area evocation in activating bladder contractions in a partially filled bladder. DBS targeting the PPTg was most efficient in suppressing reflexive isovolumetric bladder contractions.ConclusionPPTg DBS demonstrated stable results and high potency for controlling bladder contractions. PPTg might be a promising DBS target for developing new neuromodulatory approaches for the treatment of bladder dysfunctions.SignificanceDBS could be a potential approach to manage bladder function under various conditions.



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Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-based thermoresponsive surfaces provide new types of biomedical applications

Publication date: January 2018
Source:Biomaterials, Volume 153
Author(s): Kenichi Nagase, Masayuki Yamato, Hideko Kanazawa, Teruo Okano
Thermoresponsive surfaces, prepared by grafting of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PIPAAm) or its copolymers, have been investigated for biomedical applications. Thermoresponsive cell culture dishes that show controlled cell adhesion and detachment following external temperature changes, represent a promising application of thermoresponsive surfaces. These dishes can be used to fabricate cell sheets, which are currently used as effective therapies for patients. Thermoresponsive microcarriers for large-scale cell cultivation have also been developed by taking advantage of the thermally modulated cell adhesion and detachment properties of thermoresponsive surfaces. Furthermore, thermoresponsive bioseparation systems using thermoresponsive surfaces for separating and purifying pharmaceutical proteins and therapeutic cells have been developed, with the separation systems able to maintain their activity and biological potency throughout the procedure. These applications of thermoresponsive surfaces have been improved with progress in preparation techniques of thermoresponsive surfaces, such as polymerization methods, and surface modification techniques. In the present review, the various types of PIPAAm-based thermoresponsive surfaces are summarized by describing their preparation methods, properties, and successful biomedical applications.

Graphical abstract

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Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor of the Jejunum with Active Bleeding Demonstrated on Dual Energy MDCT Angiography: A Case Report

Publication date: Available online 31 October 2017
Source:Current Problems in Diagnostic Radiology
Author(s): Abdul Razik, Kumble Madhusudhan, Abhishek Aggarwal, Rajesh Panwar, Deep N Srivastava
Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is the most common mesenchymal tumor of the gastrointestinal tract and may occasionally present with acute gastrointestinal bleed (GIB). Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) angiography is extremely useful in demonstrating the tumor as well as the presence of active hemorrhage, thereby guiding subsequent interventional or surgical management. We report a case of a 38-year-old male who presented with acute onset melena and compensated shock, whose source of bleed remained elusive on endoscopy. MDCT angiography performed on a dual energy scanner showed a jejunal tumor with active intraluminal contrast extravasation. The tumor was subsequently resected and the patient did well on follow up. This was one of the few instances when MDCT angiography demonstrated active bleeding in a GIST and the first such case demonstrated on a dual energy scanner.



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Towards Consensus: Training in Procedural Skills for Diagnostic Radiology Residents--Current Opinions of Residents and Faculty at a Large Academic Center

Publication date: Available online 31 October 2017
Source:Current Problems in Diagnostic Radiology
Author(s): Adam Prater, Bradley S. Rostad, Emily L. Ebert, Mark E. Mullins, Christopher P. Ho
Rationale and ObjectivesThe Diagnostic Radiology Milestones Project provides a framework for measuring resident competence in radiologic procedures, but there is limited data available to assist in developing these guidelines [1]. We performed a survey of current radiology residents and faculty at our institution as a first step towards obtaining data for this purpose. The survey addressed attitudes toward procedural standardization and procedures that trainees should be competent in by the end of residency.Materials and MethodsCurrent residents and faculty members were surveyed about: whether or not there should be standardization of procedural training; in which procedures residents should achieve competency; and the number of times a procedure needs to be performed to achieve competency.ResultsSurvey data were received from 60 study participants with an overall response rate of 32%. Sixty-five percent of respondents thought that procedural training should be standardized. Standardization of procedural training would include both the list of procedures that trainees should be competent in at the end of residency and the standard minimum number of procedures to achieve competency. Procedures that both residents and faculty agreed are important in which to achieve competency in included: central line/port procedures; CT guided abdominal, thoracic, and musculoskeletal procedures; minor fluoroscopic guided procedures; general fluoroscopy; peripheral line placements; and US guided abdominal procedures. For most of these categories, the majority of respondents believed that these procedures needed to be performed 6–20 times to achieve competency.ConclusionBoth resident and faculty respondents agreed that procedural training should be standardized during residency and competence in specific procedures should be achieved at the completion of residency. While this study is limited to a single institution, our data may provide assistance in developing future guidelines for standardizing image guided procedure training. Future studies could be expanded to create a national consensus regarding the implementation of the Diagnostic Radiology Milestones Project [1].



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Developing a Multidisciplinary Vascular Anomalies Clinic and Reviewing the Radiologist′s Clinic Role

Publication date: Available online 31 October 2017
Source:Current Problems in Diagnostic Radiology
Author(s): Mark D. Mamlouk, Pristine W. Lee




http://ift.tt/2z8kZd7

Portable CT pulmonary angiogram in an infant on veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in the pediatric intensive care unit

Publication date: Available online 31 October 2017
Source:Current Problems in Diagnostic Radiology
Author(s): Simon Ho, Meral Patel, Renee Mansour, Atul Vats, Nikhil Chanani, Bradley S. Rostad
Computed tomography (CT) has been shown to change management in children on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Although techniques have been described to transport these critically ill patients to the CT suite in the radiology department, transport out of the intensive care setting is not without risk, and using portable CT is a practical alternative. However, obtaining a CT pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) in a patient on veno-arterial (VA) ECMO presents unique challenges due to bypass of the cardiopulmonary system, which may lead to suboptimal opacification of the pulmonary arteries. Here we describe a method to obtain a diagnostic CTPA study in an infant on VA ECMO in the intensive care unit using portable CT. This case demonstrates that in select instances CTPA in infants on VA ECMO can be achieved using a portable CT system.



http://ift.tt/2gR8OXN

Development and Assessment of a Multidisciplinary Radiology Contrast Reaction Training Course: Our Experience and Future Directions

Publication date: Available online 31 October 2017
Source:Current Problems in Diagnostic Radiology
Author(s): Alisa Sumkin, Michael J. Magnetta, Ryan Anderson, Deborah Farkas, Margarita Zuley, Philip Orons, Marion Hughes




http://ift.tt/2gPQb6B

Trainee Knowledge of Imaging Appropriateness and Safety: Results of a Series of Surveys from a Large Academic Medical Center

Publication date: Available online 31 October 2017
Source:Current Problems in Diagnostic Radiology
Author(s): Thaddeus D. Hollingsworth, Richard Duszak, Arvind Vijayasarathi, Rondi B. Gelbard, Mark E. Mullins




http://ift.tt/2z7zSwu

Model selection for high b-value diffusion-weighted MRI of the prostate

Publication date: February 2018
Source:Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Volume 46
Author(s): Yousef Mazaheri, Andreas M. Hötker, Amita Shukla-Dave, Oguz Akin, Hedvig Hricak
PurposeTo assess the abilities of the standard mono-exponential (ME), bi-exponential (BE), diffusion kurtosis (DK) and stretched exponential (SE) models to characterize diffusion signal in malignant and prostatic tissues and determine which of the four models best characterizes these tissues on a per-voxel basis.Materials and methodsThis institutional-review-board-approved, HIPAA-compliant, retrospective study included 55 patients (median age, 61years; range, 42–77years) with untreated, biopsy-proven PCa who underwent endorectal coil MRI at 3-Tesla, diffusion-weighted MRI acquired at eight b-values from 0 to 2000s/mm². Estimated parameters were apparent diffusion coefficent (ME model); diffusion coefficients for the fast (Dfast) and slow (Dslow) components and fraction of fast component, ffast (BE model); diffusion coefficient D, and kurtosis K (DK model); distributed diffusion coefficient DDC and α for (SE model). For one region-of-interest (ROI) in PZ and another in PCa in each patient, the corrected Akaike information criterion (AICc) and the Akaike weight (w) were calculated for each voxel.ResultsBased on AICc and w, all non-monoexponential models outperformed the ME model in PZ and PCa. The DK model in PZ and SE model in PCa ROIs best fit the greatest average percentages of voxels (39% and 43%, respectively) and had the highest mean w (35±16×10⁻² and 41±22×10⁻², respectively).ConclusionDK and SE models best fit DWI data in PZ and PCa, and non-ME models consistently outperformed the ME model. Voxel-wise mapping of the preferential model demonstrated that the vast majority of voxels in either tissue type were best fit with one of the non-monoexponential models. At the given SNR levels, the maximum b-value of 2000s/mm² is not sufficiently high to identify the preferred non-monoexponential model.



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Diversity of cultivable bacterial endophytes in Paullinia cupana and their potential for plant growth promotion and phytopathogen control

Publication date: Available online 1 November 2017
Source:Microbiological Research
Author(s): Rhavena Graziela Liotti, Maria Isabela da Silva Figueiredo, Gilvan Ferreira da Silva, Elisabeth Aparecida Furtado de Mendonça, Marcos Antônio Soares
Endophytic bacteria occupy the same niche of phytopathogens and may produce metabolites that induce the host plant systemic resistance and growth. Host and environmental variables often determine the endophytic community's structure and composition. In this study, we addressed whether the plant genotype, organ, and geographic location influence the structure, composition, and functionality of endophytic bacterial communities in Paullinia cupana. To characterize the communities and identify strains with potential application in agriculture, we analyzed two P. cupana genotypes cultivated in two cities of the State of Amazonas, Brazil. Endophytic bacteria were isolated from surface-disinfested root, leaf, and seed tissues through the fragmentation and maceration techniques. The colonization rate, number of bacteria, richness, diversity, and functional traits were determined. The plant growth-promoting ability of selected bacterial strains was assessed in Sorghum bicolor. We identified 95 bacterial species distributed in 29 genera and 3 phyla (Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Firmicutes). The colonization rate, richness, diversity, and species composition varied across the plant organs; the last parameter also varied across the plant genotype and location. Some strains exhibited relevant plant growth-promoting traits and antagonistic traits against the main phytopathogens of P. cupana, but they were not separated by functional traits. The main bacterial strains with plant growth-promoting traits induced S. bicolor growth. Altogether, our findings open opportunities to study the application of isolated endophytic bacterial strains in the bioprospection of processes and products.



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Selected highlights in clinical anesthesia research

To review research highlights of manuscripts published in 2016 that pertain to all aspects of the clinical practice of anesthesiology.

http://ift.tt/2xGm6gx

Oncocytic carcinoma of the salivary glands: A Danish national study

To present a Danish national series of oncocytic carcinoma (OC) patients, including data on treatment, recurrence and survival.

http://ift.tt/2yk7N5W

Factors affecting the effect of physical rehabilitation therapy for synkinesis as a sequela to facial nerve palsy

To investigate factors affecting the effect of physical rehabilitation therapy for synkinesis as a sequela to facial nerve palsy.

http://ift.tt/2lAze5j

Oncocytic carcinoma of the salivary glands: A Danish national study

To present a Danish national series of oncocytic carcinoma (OC) patients, including data on treatment, recurrence and survival.

http://ift.tt/2yk7N5W

Factors affecting the effect of physical rehabilitation therapy for synkinesis as a sequela to facial nerve palsy

To investigate factors affecting the effect of physical rehabilitation therapy for synkinesis as a sequela to facial nerve palsy.

http://ift.tt/2lAze5j

Beyond the genome—towards an epigenetic understanding of handedness ontogenesis

Publication date: Available online 31 October 2017
Source:Progress in Neurobiology
Author(s): Judith Schmitz, Gerlinde A.S. Metz, Onur Güntürkün, Sebastian Ocklenburg
Hemispheric asymmetries represent one of the major organizational principles in vertebrate neurobiology, but their molecular determinants are not well understood. For handedness, the most widely investigated form of hemispheric asymmetries in humans, single gene explanations have been the most popular ontogenetic model in the past. However, molecular genetic studies revealed only few specific genes that explain a small fraction of the phenotypic variance. In contrast, family studies indicated heritability of up to 0.66. It has been suggested that the lack of recognizable genetic heritability is partly accounted for by heritable epigenetic mechanisms. Based on recent neuroscientific findings highlighting the importance of epigenetic mechanisms for brain function and disease, we review recent findings describing non-genetic influences on handedness from conception to childhood. We aim to advance the idea that epigenetic regulation might be the mediating mechanism between environment and phenotype. Recent findings on molecular epigenetic mechanisms indicate that particular asymmetries in DNA methylation might affect asymmetric gene expression in the central nervous system that in turn mediates handedness. We propose that an integration of genes and environment is essential to fully comprehend the ontogenesis of handedness and other hemispheric asymmetries.



http://ift.tt/2A4F0zw

The endocannabinoid system and its therapeutic exploitation in multiple sclerosis: clues for other neuroinflammatory diseases

Publication date: Available online 31 October 2017
Source:Progress in Neurobiology
Author(s): Valerio Chiurchiù, Mario van der Stelt, Diego Centonze, Mauro Maccarrone
Multiple sclerosis is the most common inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, caused by an autoimmune response against myelin that eventually leads to progressive neurodegeneration and disability. Although the knowledge on its underlying neurobiological mechanisms has considerably improved, there is a still unmet need for new treatment options, especially for the progressive forms of the disease. Both preclinical and clinical data suggest that cannabinoids, derived from the Cannabis sativa plant, may be used to control symptoms such as spasticity and chronic pain, whereas only preclinical data indicate that these compounds and their endogenous counterparts, i.e. the endocannabinoids, may also exert neuroprotective effects and slow down disease progression. Here, we review the preclinical and clinical studies that could explain the therapeutic action of cannabinoid-based medicines, as well as the medical potential of modulating endocannabinoid signaling in multiple sclerosis, with a link to other neuroinflammatory disorders that share common hallmarks and pathogenetic features.



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A paper-based SERS test strip for quantitative detection of Mucin-1 in whole blood

Publication date: 1 March 2018
Source:Talanta, Volume 179
Author(s): Shan-Wen Hu, Shu Qiao, Jian-Bin Pan, Bin Kang, Jing-Juan Xu, Hong-Yuan Chen
A paper-based SERS test strip combining strengths of paper chip and Raman active substrate was demonstrated to overcome challenges in spectroscopic sensing of complicated samples and realize quantitative detection of disease markers in whole blood. The precisely controlled Au NPs were not only capable of generating condensed hot spots on the fibers, but also enhanced the size exclusion effect of paper, resulting in the novel performance on both SERS detection and sample pretreatment. A biosensor for Mucin-1 is developed by equipping the Au NPs with aptamer. Combining all these merits, this small, cheap and portable test strip might find wide application in clinical diagnosis and health evaluation.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2h0BTUC

Exploiting multivariate calibration for compensation of iron interference in the spectrophotometric flow-based catalytic determination of molybdenum

Publication date: 1 March 2018
Source:Talanta, Volume 179
Author(s): Eliezer Oliveira, Camelia Henriquez, Lidiane C. Nunes, Elias A.G. Zagatto
Multivariate calibration involving partial least squares was exploited in the flow-based spectrophotometric determination of molybdenum in river waters relying on the Mo(VI)-catalyzed iodide oxidation by H2O2 under acidic conditions. Two sample aliquots were simultaneously inserted into the carrier stream, and differential pumping was accountable for in-line addition of sulfuric acid to one of them. Pronounced gradients (acidity and reagent concentrations) were established along the complex sample zone formed, and the absorbance-time function was characterized by local maximum and minimum values. As these values were intrinsically more precise, they were used for implementing the PLS multivariate calibration. Mo(VI) and Fe(III) were jointly determined, and Fe(III) interference was straightforwardly circumvented. Influence of reagent concentrations, acidity, available time for reaction development, and nature of the acid was investigated, and this later parameter manifested itself as relevant for discriminating purposes. The calibration set consisted of 6.2 – 50.0μgL⁻¹ Mo(VI) plus 0.5 – 7.0mgL⁻¹ Fe(III) solutions. The PLS model was characterized by good prediction ability [RMSEP = 0.67μgL⁻¹ for Mo(VI)]. The innovation was applied to spiked river waters, and analytical precision, sampling rate, recovery, detection limit and reagent consumption were estimated as 0.5 – 2.4%, 31h⁻¹, 98–114%. 0.88μgL⁻¹ Mo(VI), and 54.0mg KI per determination, respectively. Results were in agreement with ICP OES.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2gZQorE

Electrochemical aptasensor for multi-antibiotics detection based on endonuclease and exonuclease assisted dual recycling amplification strategy

Publication date: 1 March 2018
Source:Talanta, Volume 179
Author(s): Shengfeng Huang, Ning Gan, Tianhua Li, You Zhou, Yuting Cao, Youren Dong
An ultrasensitive electrochemical aptasensor for multiplex antibiotics detection based on endonuclease and exonuclease assisted dual recycling amplification strategy was proposed. Kanamycin and chloramphenicol were selected as candidates. Firstly, aptamers of the antibiotics were immobilized on bar A and then binding with their endonuclease labeled complementary DNA strands to construct enzyme-cleavage probes. Secondly, The nano zirconium-metal organic framework (NMOF) particles with 1,4-benzene-dicarboxylate (BDC) as linker was defined as UiO-66. And its updated version, hierarchically porous UiO-66 (HP-UIO-66) decorated with different electroactive materials as signal tags were synthesized. Then they were immobilized on bar B linked by two duplex DNA strands which can be specifically cleaved by corresponding enzyme-cleavage probes in bar A. Once targets were introduced into system, aptamers can capture them and then release enzyme-cleavage probes. In the presence of exonuclease-I, exonuclease assisted target recycling amplification was triggered and more enzyme-cleavage probes were released into solution. The probes can trigger endonuclease assisted recycles and repeatedly cleave their corresponding duplex DNA strands on bar B then released numerous signal tags into supernatant. Thus two recycling amplification was performed in the system. Finally, MB and Fc in the signal tags were detected by square wave voltammetry after removing bar A/B and the current intensities were correspondent with the concentration of KANA and CAP respectively. Under the optimum condition, the limits of detection for the KANA and CAP were 35fM and 21fM respectively with a wide linear range from 1 × 10⁻⁴ to 50nM. This dual recycling amplification detection system exhibited high sensitivities and specificity. It can be easily extended to detect other targets if changing the corresponding aptamers and has potential application values for screening of multiplex antibiotics residues in food safety.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2gZQhwe

SERS strategy based on the modified Au nanoparticles for highly sensitive detection of bisphenol A residues in milk

Publication date: 1 March 2018
Source:Talanta, Volume 179
Author(s): Libin Yang, Yongliang Chen, Yu Shen, Ming Yang, Xiuling Li, Xiaoxia Han, Xin Jiang, Bing Zhao
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a highly toxic chemical, and its residue in milk product is threatening people's health due to its possible leaching from the packagings and cans with BPA coating. In this work, halides modified Au nanoparticles (NPs) as the modification substrates were first designed for rapid and sensitive determination of BPA residue in real milk by SERS method with the assistance of aggregation agents (Zn²⁺). It can be concluded that Au NPs modification substrate with assistance of the aggregation agent can remarkably improve the detection sensitivity of BPA residue, which can significantly enhance the SERS signal of BPA and achieve the trace-level detection of BPA residue. Under the optimal conditions, the limit of detection of BPA residue can be as low as to 4.3 × 10⁻⁹mol/L (equal to 0.98 × 10⁻³mg/kg), which is much less than the standard of European Union (0.6mg/kg). And, there is a good linear relationship (R² = 0.990) between the intensity of SERS signal and the logarithm of BPA concentration in the range of 1.0 × 10⁻⁸–1.0 × 10⁻³mol/L. By this method, the recovery of BPA residue ranges from 89.5% to 100.2% with relative standard deviation between 4.6% and 2.7%. The proposed SERS method proves to be reliable, highly sensitive and possesses good reproducibility, which is very promising for sensitive detection of bisphenols residue in foodstuff.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2h0BHo8

Simultaneous determination of V, Ni and Fe in fuel fly ash using solid sampling high resolution continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

Publication date: 1 March 2018
Source:Talanta, Volume 179
Author(s): A. Cárdenas Valdivia, E. Vereda Alonso, M.M. López Guerrero, J. Gonzalez-Rodriguez, J.M. Cano Pavón, A. García de Torres
A green and simple method has been proposed in this work for the simultaneous determination of V, Ni and Fe in fuel ash samples by solid sampling high resolution continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (SS HR CS GFAAS). The application of fast programs in combination with direct solid sampling allows eliminating pretreatment steps, involving minimal manipulation of sample. Iridium treated platforms were applied throughout the present study, enabling the use of aqueous standards for calibration. Correlation coefficients for the calibration curves were typically better than 0.9931. The concentrations found in the fuel ash samples analysed ranged from 0.66% to 4.2% for V, 0.23–0.7% for Ni and 0.10–0.60% for Fe. Precision (%RSD) were 5.2%, 10.0% and 9.8% for V, Ni and Fe, respectively, obtained as the average of the %RSD of six replicates of each fuel ash sample.The optimum conditions established were applied to the determination of the target analytes in fuel ash samples. In order to test the accuracy and applicability of the proposed method in the analysis of samples, five ash samples from the combustion of fuel in power stations, were analysed. The method accuracy was evaluated by comparing the results obtained using the proposed method with the results obtained by ICP OES previous acid digestion. The results showed good agreement between them.The goal of this work has been to develop a fast and simple methodology that permits the use of aqueous standards for straightforward calibration and the simultaneous determination of V, Ni and Fe in fuel ash samples by direct SS HR CS GFAAS.

Graphical abstract

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Do different methods for measuring joint moment asymmetry give the same results?

Publication date: Available online 31 October 2017
Source:Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
Author(s): AmirAli Jafarnezhadgero, Morteza Madadi-Shad, Fatemeh Salari Esker, D.G.E. Robertson
Gait asymmetry is defined as a loss of perfect agreement between the dominant and non-dominant lower limbs. Conflicting results from gait asymmetry studies may be due to different definitions of asymmetry, different research methods, and/or different variables and formulas used for asymmetry calculation. As a result, this makes it difficult to compare joint asymmetry values between studies. An accurate and precise understanding of asymmetry during human walking is an important step towards developing enhanced rehabilitation protocols for pathological gait. This study examined bilateral lower extremity joint moment asymmetry during the stance phase of walking using three different methods. Fourteen male children (with flat feet) aged 8–14 years participated in this study. The three-dimensional lower limb kinetics was evaluated during a comfortable gait. Then, right and left lower limb joint moments were used to calculate the joint moment asymmetry via three different methods (Lathrop-Lambach method: equation used by Lathrop-Lambach et al. (2014); Su method: equation used by Su et al. (2015); Nigg method: equation used by Nigg et al. (2013)). Repeated-measures ANOVAs (α = 0.05) were used to compare the values of net joint moment asymmetry calculated by the three methods. The results of the statistical analyses found that the amounts of moment symmetry between limbs calculated by the first two methods were significantly greater than that of using the Nigg method (except for the values of the frontal ankle moment computed by the Lathrop-Lambach method). Furthermore, in comparison of the first two methods, using the Su method showed a reduction in moment asymmetry for all joints and for all moments (p < 0.05). We conclude that, although all of three common methods for determining asymmetry between limbs have documented merit, they sometimes differ dramatically in results.



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Fascia – The unsung hero of spine biomechanics

Publication date: Available online 31 October 2017
Source:Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
Author(s): P. Mark Driscoll




http://ift.tt/2hth2pU

Validation of the range of dry needling with the fascial winding technique in the carpal tunnel using ultrasound

Publication date: Available online 31 October 2017
Source:Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
Author(s): Jordi Gascon-Garcia, Caridad Bagur-Calafat, Montserrat Girabent-Farrés, Ramon Balius
ObjectivesTo use ultrasound imaging to show how the needles in dry needling applied in the carpal tunnel can reach the transverse carpal ligament, acting on it in the form of traction-stretching when the fascial winding technique is performed. The potential associated risks are also assessed.DesignValidation study.ParticipantsHealthy volunteers (n = 18).MethodsFour dry needling needles were applied to the carpal tunnel, only using anatomical references, according to the original approach known as "four-pole carpal dry needling", and manipulating the needles following the so-called fascial winding technique according to the authors, in the form of unidirectional rotation. An ultrasound recording of the distance reached was then performed, and compared with the mechanical action achieved on the transverse carpal ligament.Results93.1% of the needles placed came into contact with the transverse carpal ligament with traction-stretching of the ligament observed when the needles were manipulated with the fascial winding technique in 80.6%. The mean distance from the tip of the needle to the median nerve was 3.75 mm, with CI95% [3.10, 4.41] and it was 7.78 mm with CI95% [6.64, 8.91] to the ulnar artery. Pain immediately after the technique concluded was of mild intensity, almost nil 10 min later, and non-existent after one week.ConclusionDry needling with fascial winding technique in the carpal tunnel using the four-pole carpal dry needling approach is valid for reaching and traction of the transverse carpal ligament, and may stretch it and relax it. It is also safe with regard to the median nerve and ulnar artery, with a very mild level of pain.



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Central mucoepidermoid carcinoma: an up-to-date analysis of 147 cases and review of prognostic factors

To integrate the available data published on central mucoepidermoid carcinoma (CMC) into a comprehensive analysis of its clinical aspects, histology, treatment, and prognostic factors.

http://ift.tt/2zVJc3u

The localization and risk factors of squamous cell carcinoma in the oral cavity: A study of 1501 cases

Head and neck cancer is the tenth leading cause of cancer mortality. Ninety percent of tumours in the oral cavity are squamous cell carcinomas. Information about the exact localisation of OSCC is missing in the literature. In the present study, we retrospectively analysed a total of 1501 OSCC patients, who were treated between 1975 and 2009. The purpose of this study was to examine the localisation of OSCC tumours and to analyse the influence of various parameters on tumour localisation. 71.5% of these patients were male and 28.5% were female.

http://ift.tt/2hrVV7r

Three-dimensional changes of scleral show after surgical treatment of endocrine orbitopathy

Surgery in endocrine orbitopathy should address exophthalmos and adjunct stigmata such as increased lid aperture and scleral show. Secondary to decompression, rehabilitative surgical treatment such as blepharoplasty is routinely used to achieve this goal. Until now, however, there has been no investigation to measure the effect of decompression surgery on scleral show and lid aperture 3-dimensionally.

http://ift.tt/2zWIi78

Donor site morbidity after vascularized fibula free flap: gait analysis during prolonged walk conditions

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of vascularized fibula free flap (VFFF) harvest on gait variables during the six-minute walk test (6MWT). Eleven patients who had undergone VFFF harvest and 11 healthy peers participated in this case–control study. The main evaluation consisted of the collection of gait variables using the GAITRite system during three periods of the 6MWT: beginning (0–1min), middle (2:30–3:30min), and end (5–6min). The 6MWT was significantly shorter in the VFFF group than in the reference group (−31%, P<0.001).

http://ift.tt/2xGCQnP

High-fat diet exposure, regardless of induction of obesity, is associated with altered expression of genes critical to normal ovulatory function

Publication date: Available online 31 October 2017
Source:Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology
Author(s): Natalie M. Hohos, Kirstin J. Cho, Delaney C. Swindle, Malgorzata E. Skaznik-Wikiel
We evaluated the impact of high-fat diet (HFD) on ovarian gene expression. Female 5-week-old C57BL/6J mice were fed a 60% HFD or standard chow for 10 weeks. HFD-fed mice were then separated into obese (HF-Ob) and lean (HF-Ln) based on body weight. HFD exposure led to impairment of the estrous cycle, changes in hormones affecting reproduction, and decreased primordial follicles regardless of the development of obesity. RNA-sequencing of whole ovaries identified multiple genes with altered expression after HFD, with 25 genes displaying decreased expression in both HF-Ln and HF-Ob mice compared to the chow-fed controls (q < 0.05). Several of these 25 genes are involved in normal ovarian functions, including ovulation (Edn2, Tnfaip6, Errfi1, Prkg2, and Nfil3), luteinization (Edn2), and luteolysis (Nr4a1). Taken together, elevated dietary fat intake, regardless of obesity, is associated with impaired estrous cycle, depletion of the ovarian reserve, and altered expression of genes critical to normal ovulatory function.



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Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, first order nonlinear optical properties and DFT calculations of novel Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes with 1,3-diphenyl-4-phenylazo-5-pyrazolone ligand

Publication date: 5 February 2018
Source:Journal of Molecular Structure, Volume 1153
Author(s): Samir A. Abdel-Latif, Adel A. Mohamed
Novel Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) metal ions with 1,3-diphenyl-4-phenylazo-5-pyrazolone (L) have been prepared and characterized using different analytical and spectroscopic techniques. 1:1 Complexes of Mn(II), Co(II) and Zn(II) are distorted octahedral whereas Ni(II) complex is square planar and Cu(II) is distorted trigonal bipyramid. 1:2 Complexes of Mn(II), Co(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) are distorted trigonal bipyramid whereas Ni(II) complex is distorted tetrahedral. All complexes behave as non-ionic in dimethyl formamide (DMF). The electronic structure and nonlinear optical parameters (NLO) of the complexes were investigated theoretically at the B3LYP/GEN level of theory. Molecular stability and bond strengths have been investigated by applying natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis. The geometries of the studied complexes are non-planner. DFT calculations have been also carried out to calculate the global properties; hardness (η), global softness (S) and electronegativity (χ). The calculated small energy gap between HOMO and LUMO energies shows that the charge transfer occurs within the complexes. The total static dipole moment (μtot), the mean polarizability (<α>), the anisotropy of the polarizability (Δα) and the mean first-order hyperpolarizability (<β>) were calculated and compared with urea as a reference material. The complexes show implying optical properties.

Graphical abstract

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Experimental and theoretical analysis of a rare nitrato bridged 3d-4f complex containing LaZn2 core synthesized from a Zn(II) metalloligand

Publication date: 5 February 2018
Source:Journal of Molecular Structure, Volume 1153
Author(s): S.S. Sreejith, Nithya Mohan, M.R. Prathapachandra Kurup
A trinulcear Zn2La Schiff base complex was synthesized using slow-solvent evaporation technique from a Zn(II) mononuclear metalloligand by 2:1 addition with La(NO3)3 salt. Single crystal XRD analysis revealed a rare nitrato bridged trinuclear entity which is seldom seen in these class of ligand systems. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of intermolecular interactions/short contacts were done using Hirshfeld surface and 2D finger print analysis. The thermally stable, blue luminescent compound exhibits internal heavy atom effect thereby quenching the emission intensity of the ligand. DFT calculations were performed on the compound to analyze frontier orbitals and also ESP plots were used to monitor nucleophilic/electrophilic regions on the compound and its implications on hydrogen bonding. A comparison of the bond orders and atomic charges on the trinuclear compound and the Zn(II) metalloligand precursor was performed to substantiate the formation of the trinuclear product through ligand exchange.

Graphical abstract

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Mononuclear late first row transition metal complexes of ONO donor hydrazone ligand: Synthesis, characterization, crystallographic insight, in vivo and in vitro anti-inflammatory activity

Publication date: 5 February 2018
Source:Journal of Molecular Structure, Volume 1153
Author(s): Umashri Kendur, Geeta H. Chimmalagi, Sunil M. Patil, Kalagouda B. Gudasi, Christopher S. Frampton, Chandrashekhar V. Mangannavar, Iranna S. Muchchandi
Air and moisture stable coordination compounds of late first row transition metal ions, viz., Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) with a newly designed ligand, (E)-2-amino-N'-(1-(2-hydroxy-6-methyl-4-oxo-4H-pyran-3-yl)ethylidene)benzohydrazide (H2L) were prepared and extensively characterized using various spectro-analytical techniques. The ligand acts both in mono as well as doubly deprotonated manner. The ligand to metal stoichiometry was found to be 1:2 in case of complexes using chloride salts, whereas 1:1 in case of copper (II) complex using its acetate salt. The molecular structures of H2L, nickel and copper complexes were unambiguously determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies reveal that H2L exists in a zwitterionic form while copper complex has copper centre in a distorted square planar environment. On the other hand, cobalt, nickel and zinc complexes display distorted octahedral coordination around the metal ion. In case of [Ni(HL)2].H2O, intramolecular CH⋯π stacking interaction were observed between the centroid of five membered chelate ring and phenyl proton C5H5 and intermolecular CH⋯π stacking interaction between the centroid of phenyl ring, dehydroacetic acid (DHA) ring and phenyl protons. The [Cu(L)DMF] complex is stabilized by intramolecular hydrogen bonding N1H⋯N2 and by intermolecular hydrogen bonding N1H⋯O4. Intermolecular interactions were investigated by Hirshfeld surfaces. Further, H2L and its metal complexes were screened for their in vivo and in vitro anti-inflammatory activities. The activity of the ligand has enhanced on coordination with transition metals. The tested compounds have shown excellent activity, which is almost equipotent to the standard used in the study.

Graphical abstract

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Cutaneous Manifestations of Dermatomyositis: a Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Dermatomyositis (DM) is an idiopathic inflammatory myopathy characterized by the presence of skin lesions and inflammation of skeletal muscles; however, this feature may be absent in amyopathic DM. DM is a rare disease, occurring at any age, and has two peaks of incidence: one in childhood between 5 and 15 years of age and one in adulthood between 40 and 60 years, with a female preponderance. DM has been associated with malignancy; therefore, every newly diagnosed patient should undergo screening investigations, but evidence-based guidelines on their extension are lacking. The etiopathogenesis is still unclear, but a range of factors such as genetic predisposition, environment triggers, and immune- and non-immune-mediated mechanisms play a role in the development of the disorder. Some dermatological findings and new discoveries on immunological mechanisms in DM, including the association of certain autoantibodies with cancer, can be helpful in clinical practice. Therapy should consider both skin and muscle or internal organ involvement. Photoprotection, including the use of antimalarial drugs, plays an important role in the therapeutic approach of skin involvement. Treatment of muscle and internal organ involvement is based on systemic corticosteroids, alone or in association with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Intravenous immunoglobulins have been demonstrated to be effective as second-line therapy. Rituximab is an emerging treatment for difficult-to-treat DM, both in adults and children. In this review article, we discuss DM subforms, focusing on their dermatological manifestations that can be classified as pathognomonic, characteristic, compatible, less common, rare, recently-described, and non-specific skin lesions.

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A novel mutation of the EYA4 gene associated with post-lingual hearing loss in a proband is co-segregating with a novel PAX3 mutation in two congenitally deaf family members

This work was aimed at establishing the molecular etiology of hearing loss in a 9-year old girl with post-lingual non-syndromic mild sensorineural hearing loss with a complex family history of clinically heterogeneous deafness.

http://ift.tt/2z2y7OU

Implications of farnesyltransferase and its inhibitors as a promising strategy for cancer therapy

Publication date: Available online 31 October 2017
Source:Seminars in Cancer Biology
Author(s): Sergey G. Klochkov, Margarita E. Neganova, Nagendra Sastry Yarla, Madhukiran Parvathaneni, Bechan Sharma, Vadim V. Tarasov, George Barreto, Sergey O. Bachurin, Ghulam Md Ashraf, Gjumrakch Aliev
Ras proteins have been reported to play key role in oncologic diseases. Ras proteins are associated with cellular membranes for its carcinogenic activities through post-translational modifications, including farnesylation. Farnesyltransferase is responsible for a type of Ras membrane targeting, which leads to cancer origin and progression. Inhibitors of farnesyltransferase have been developed as novel anticancer agents for several cancers. In this review, role of farnesyltransferase in cancer progression and development has been discussed. Further, current status of development of farnesyltransferase inhibitors for cancer prevention and treatment has also been reviewed.



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Psychometric Properties of Voice Activity Participation Profile—Persian Version (VAPPP)

Individuals with voice disorders may experience limits in activity and restricted participation in daily activities. The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Voice Activity Participation Profile—Persian Version (VAPPP), a questionnaire which specifically investigates activity limitation and participation restriction in Persian-speaking individuals with voice disorders.

http://ift.tt/2hslxRs

Procedural Motor Learning in Children With Specific Language Impairment

Purpose

Specific language impairment (SLI) is a developmental disorder that affects language and motor development in the absence of a clear cause. An explanation for these impairments is offered by the procedural deficit hypothesis (PDH), which argues that motor difficulties in SLI are due to deficits in procedural memory. The aim of this study was to test the PDH by examining the procedural motor learning abilities of children with and without SLI.

Method

Thirteen children with SLI and 14 age-matched typically developing children completed the following procedural measures: (a) a knot-tying task as a measure of motor sequencing and (2) a mirror-drawing task as a measure of visual–motor adaptation.

Results

Although children with SLI produced significantly more errors on certain knot-tying tasks, they performed comparably on others. Also, children with SLI performed comparably with typically developing children on the mirror-drawing task.

Conclusions

The PDH requires reframing. The sequence learning deficits in SLI are modest and specific to more difficult tasks. Visual–motor adaptation, on the other hand, appears to be unaffected in SLI.

http://article/doi/10.1044/2017_JSLHR-L-16-0457/2661619/Procedural-Motor-Learning-in-Children-With

The Frequency and Nature of Communication Between School-Based Speech-Language Pathologists and Caregivers of Children With Language Impairment

Purpose

The present study investigates the extent to which school-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs) communicate with the caregivers of children with language impairment and the factors that are significantly associated with frequent communication. In addition, this study investigates the extent to which frequent SLP–caregiver communication is associated with change in language and literacy abilities of children.

Method

To address the study aims, weekly communication logs from 73 SLPs, serving 3–5 children with language impairment in grades K-2, were collected for a complete academic year. Logs detailed the frequency and nature of SLP–caregiver communication. Information regarding children's age, language ability, and socioeconomic status were gathered at study onset; additionally, SLPs completed a questionnaire about their work experience and current work conditions (e.g., caseload size and job satisfaction). Finally, children were administered grammar, vocabulary, and early literacy assessments at the beginning and end of the academic year.

Results

Descriptive results indicate that (a) the most common type of communication was via homework, (b) children's socioeconomic status was related to communication frequency, and (c) increased SLP–caregiver communication related to increased grammar gains over the academic year.

Conclusion

These results suggest that SLP–caregiver communication may be important for children's language outcomes; further studies exploring ways to support these communicative efforts are warranted.

http://article/doi/10.1044/2017_AJSLP-16-0235/2661618/The-Frequency-and-Nature-of-Communication-Between

Parathormone (PTH) is strongly related to left ventricular mass index (LVMI) in hypertensives, obese, and normal control

Publication date: Available online 31 October 2017
Source:Alexandria Journal of Medicine
Author(s): Samir Naim Assaad, Aliaa Ali El-Aghoury, Eman M. El-Sharkawy, Tamer Mohamed Elsherbiny, Ahmed Abdelhameed Osman




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Randomized Controlled Trial of a Novel Device for Tinnitus Sound Therapy During Sleep

Purpose

The aim of this study was to determine if a customized stimulus from the Otoharmonics Levo System reduces tinnitus perceptions and reactions for people with bothersome tinnitus.

Method

Sixty participants were randomized to 1 of 3 groups that used sound therapy devices during sleep that differed in their acoustic stimulus: (a) tinnitus-matched (TM), (b) noise stimulus (NS), and (c) bedside sound generator (BSG). Outcome measures were the Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI), numeric rating scale of tinnitus loudness, and tinnitus loudness match. A Bayesian hierarchical model was fit to estimate the differences in treatment efficacy among groups.

Results

Average tinnitus reactions and perceptions improved across treatment groups. We are at least 87% certain that treatment with TM or NS reduces mean TFI compared to treatment with BSG, with an estimated relative efficacy of 4.5–5 points greater reduction. We are at least 95% certain that treatment with TM results in greater reduction in mean numeric rating scale (NRS) of tinnitus loudness compared to the other groups, with an estimated relative efficacy of about 0.75 points greater reduction.

Conclusions

This study offers some support for greater average improvement in reactions to tinnitus with TM or NS devices compared to the BSG device. The TM group, compared to the BSG and NS groups, showed a greater reduction in ratings of tinnitus loudness on the NRS on average.

Supplemental Material

http://ift.tt/2h0o2h3

http://article/doi/10.1044/2017_AJA-17-0022/2661617/Randomized-Controlled-Trial-of-a-Novel-Device-for

Dexmedetomidine promotes liver regeneration in mice after 70% partial hepatectomy by suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome not TLR4/NFκB

Publication date: January 2018
Source:International Immunopharmacology, Volume 54
Author(s): Meihong Lv, Huizhi Zeng, Yi He, Jiashu Zhang, Guang Tan
Inflammasome activation is mediated by NOD-like receptors (NLRs) that play important role in cellular proliferation. NLRP3 senses the widest array of stimuli. But its role in the liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PHx) is still unknown. Dexmedetomidine (Dex) has been documented to protect the liver against ischemia-reperfusion injury via the suppression of the TLR4/NF-κB pathway, which is important for NLRP3 inflammasome activation and liver regeneration. We tested whether Dex contributes to liver regeneration, and investigated its consequent effect on inflammasome activation. In vitro, L02 human liver cells were treated with Dex at different concentrations. The 70% PHx was performed in C57 BL/6 mice as PHx group, and sham-operated animals as Sham group, Dex-treated animals were assigned into two groups: Dex+PHx, which received single intraperitoneal injections of Dex (25μg/kg) before PHx 30mins; Dex+PHx+Dex, which received additional Dex (25μg/kg) after PHx for 3days. Dex significantly inhibited the proliferation of Lo2 cells in vitro and decreased the expression of TLR4/NFκB. In vivo, Dex+PHx exhibited promoted effect on liver regeneration and liver function recovery via inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Dex+PH+Dex inhibited the liver regeneration, which may be associated with suppressed expression levels of TLR4/NFκB pathway. Though Dex pretreatment contributed to liver regeneration and function recovery via inflammation suppression, excessive inflammation suppression accompanied with TLR4 suppression could be related to the diminished liver regeneration, suggesting that TLR4/NFκB played important role in liver regeneration and Dex+PHx might be a useful therapeutic strategy to promote liver regeneration in clinical.



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Long-term social reintegration outcomes for burn survivors with and without peer support attendance: A Life Impact Burn Recovery Evaluation (LIBRE) Study

Publication date: Available online 31 October 2017
Source:Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Author(s): Brian Grieve, Gabriel D. Shapiro, Lucy Wibbenmeyer, Amy Acton, Austin Lee, Molly Marino, Alan Jette, Jeffrey C. Schneider, Lewis E. Kazis, Colleen M. Ryan
ObjectiveTo examine differences in long-term social reintegration outcomes for burn survivors with and without peer support attendence.DesignCross-sectional survey.SettingCommunity-dwelling burn survivors.ParticipantsBurn survivors (N = 601) aged ≥18 years with injuries to ≥5% total body surface area or burns to critical areas (hands, feet, face, or genitals).InterventionsNot applicable.Main Outcome MeasuresThe LIBRE Profile was used to examine the following previously validated six scale scores of social participation: Family & Friends, Social Interactions, Social Activities, Work & Employment, Romantic Relationships, and Sexual Relationships.ResultsBurn support group attendance was reported by 330 (55%) of 596 respondents who responded to this item. Attendees had larger burn size (43.4 ± 23.6 vs. 36.8 ± 23.4% total body surface area burned (TBSA), p<0.01) and were more likely to be >10 years from injury (50% vs 42.5%, p<0.01). Survivors who attended at least one support group scored significantly higher on three of the scales: Social Interactions (p=.01), Social Activities (p=.04) and Work and Employment (p=.05). In adjusted analyses, peer support attendance was associated with increased scores on the Social Interactions scale, increasing scores by 17% of a standard deviation (95% CI, 1-33%, p = .04).ConclusionsBurn survivors who reported peer support attendance had better social interaction scores than those who did not. This is the first reported association between peer support group attendance and improvements in community reintegration in burn survivors. This cross-sectional study prompts further exploration into the potential benefits of peer support groups on burn recovery with future intervention studies.



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Comparison of different methodologies for the 90Sr determination in environmental samples

Publication date: January 2018
Source:Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volume 181
Author(s): Željko Grahek, Silvia Dulanská, Gorana Karanović, Ivana Coha, Ivana Tucaković, Marijana Nodilo, Ľubomír Mátel
The paper describes different isolation/separation and detection procedures for ⁹⁰Sr determination in the environmental samples which are routinely used in Laboratories A and B. In this context, four different methods for strontium isolation and two methods for detection were tested and compared by ⁹⁰Sr determination in proficiency test samples (water, soil, vegetation) and animal bone samples. The chromatographic isolation of Sr on Sr resin, AnaLig^®Sr01 resin gel, strong base anion exchange resins in nitrate form and combination of strong base anion exchange and Sr resin were used for the examination of the impact of sample matrix constituents on efficiency of strontium isolation (chemical yield), while Cherenkov counting of ⁹⁰Y and counting of ⁹⁰Sr(⁹⁰Y) on proportional counter were used for the quantitative ⁹⁰Sr determination. The chemical yields obtained with different isolation methods were compared with the emphasis on its influence on reliability of the ⁹⁰Sr determination in different kinds of samples. The results show that the efficiency of strontium isolation depends on type of sample and separation methodology. The strontium yield on Sr resin column decreases with the increase of Sr, Ca and Na concentration. In the presence of 1 g of Ca and 1 g of Na, the yield of 85% was obtained for 5 mg of Sr carrier and dropped below 50% with further increase of Sr and other elements. However, the yield can be increased to 75% if Na and part of Ca are separated from Sr on the anion exchange column with alcoholic solution of nitric acid and by final separation of Ca from Sr on the Sr resin column. In the presence of large amounts of Ca, Na and other elements, isolation efficiency on the Sr resin column significantly decreases in comparison with other methods. The average yield for isolation from vegetation samples on the Sr resin column is only 21%. For the soil samples the highest average yield (78%) is obtained for the isolation in the combination of anion exchange and Sr resin columns. For the isolation from bone samples the average yields over 80% are on AnaLig^®Sr01 and anion exchange resins columns, while Sr resin was not used for separation due to high content of Ca in samples. The results of the ⁹⁰Sr determination in proficiency testing (PT) samples show that the accuracy of the determination does not depend on high chemical yield but depends on accuracy of yield determination. The analysis of z-values shows that 96% of obtained z-values range from 0 to ±2 while 77% of z-values range between 0 and ± 1. Ninety percent of obtained results of ⁹⁰Sr determination deviate less than 20% from assigned values in PT provider reports. The results of ⁹⁰Sr determination in animal bone samples using different methods are in good agreement. The results obtained by Cherenkov counting in both laboratories vary from −3.1–14.5% while results obtained by determination via ⁹⁰Y and counting on i-Matic vary between −10.0 and −2.9%. These deviations are in accordance with deviations obtained with PT samples. Activity concentrations of ⁹⁰Sr in wild boar bone samples range from 4 to 30 Bq kg⁻¹ while in deer bone samples from 2 to 8 Bq kg⁻¹.



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