Head and Neck Diseases by Alexandros G.Sfakianakis: 04/28/18

Σάββατο 28 Απριλίου 2018

Changes of biotoxicity in food waste fermentation wastewater treated by a membrane bioreactor system

Abstract

The biotoxicity of industrial effluents has attracted much concern in the wastewater treatment process. This research performed the biological treatment of the wastewater generated from food waste fermentation by anaerobic/anaerobic/anoxic/aerobic-membrane bioreactor (A³-MBR) system aiming at the meet of discharge standards and elimination of ecological risks to aquatic environment. The results showed that the A³-MBR could effectively remove pollutants such as COD, TN, ammonia, and TP in the wastewater. The study of biotoxicity revealed that the acute toxicity was mainly contained in the polar and mid-polar fractions of the wastewater, and the remained acute toxicity was less than 0.6 TU, much lower than the secondary effluent of domestic wastewater treatment plant. The genotoxicity was found abundantly in the polar fractions and less in mid-polar fractions, and a relatively low genotoxicity (0.086 μg 4-NQO/L) was obtained in the final effluent of the treatment system. The fulvic acid-like compounds and humic acid-like compounds were the main cause of the acute toxicity, while the aromatic proteins and soluble microbial by-products mainly resulted in the genotoxicity in the wastewater.

https://ift.tt/2FrqSBB

Impact of selected drugs and their binary mixtures on the germination of Sorghum bicolor (sorgo) seeds

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the toxicological potential of binary drug mixtures and individual drugs under different pH conditions with different inorganic ion additions on the germination of Sorghum bicolor (sorgo) seeds. To assess whether the given drug mixtures were more phytotoxic than the individual compounds, concentration addition (CA) and independent action (IA) approaches were applied to estimate the predicted phytotoxicity values, followed by calculations of the MDR (model deviation factor) to determine the deviation from the predicted values. Binary mixtures of chloramphenicol with ketoprofen, diclofenac sodium, and oxytetracycline hydrochloride proved to be synergistic. The pH changes had the largest impact on the phytotoxicity of the diclofenac sodium and ketoprofen solutions, elevating their toxicity toward S. bicolor, and the co-presence of inorganic ions was shown to have an impact on ketoprofen, chloramphenicol, and oxytetracycline hydrochloride. Most of the interactions between sorgo plants and pharmaceuticals with added ions were antagonistic in nature, particularly those calculated using the IA model, with a few cases (one case for ketoprofen and chloramphenicol, two cases for oxytetracycline hydrochloride, and four cases for diclofenac sodium) of overestimation.

https://ift.tt/2jhpxVF

Fat Embolism Syndrome: A Case Report and Review Literature

Fat embolism syndrome (FES) is a life-threatening complication in patients with orthopedic trauma, especially long bone fractures. The diagnosis of fat embolism is made by clinical features alone with no specific laboratory findings. FES has no specific treatment and requires supportive care, although it can be prevented by early fixation of bone fractures. Here, we report a case of FES in a patient with right femoral neck fracture, which was diagnosed initially by Gurd's criteria and subsequently confirmed by typical appearances on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain. The patient received supportive management and a short course of intravenous methylprednisolone.

https://ift.tt/2JAuBiN

Facile synthesis of highly porous “carbon sponge” with adsorption and co-adsorption behavior of lead ions and atrazine

Abstract

The rapid industrialization and modern agriculture, increasing emission of heavy metals, and abusing application of pesticide have changed biochemical features of the soil system and water system. Additionally, heavy metals and pesticide compounds may occur together in environments, giving rise to more serious damage to the environment because of their combined toxicity and carcinogenic properties. Therefore, there is a growing need for the development of low-cost adsorbents for their removal. Porous carbon materials have been considered as highly effective materials for pollutant ion control. In this thesis, a novel porous "carbon sponge" is produced using sucrose (S-PCS) with gas-producing molten salt KHCO₃ as the activator at different pyrolysis temperatures under a limited-oxygen condition. Results from these characterizations have indicated that the as-prepared carbon sponges share high surface area (up to 457.6434 m² g⁻¹) and abundant oxygen-containing functional groups existed on the surface. The essential factors of contact time, initial concentrations, and cyclic availability on adsorption of lead ions and atrazine onto the as-prepared porous samples are also discussed. The typical kinetic and thermodynamic models are carried out to interpret the adsorption behaviors of lead ions and atrazine. The interactive effects and mechanism of lead ions and atrazine adsorption onto S-PCS samples are examined by simultaneous adsorption and preloading adsorption procedures. Combined with the economic and environmental merits of the raw materials, the porous carbon sponges of sucrose by KHCO₃ activated are promising materials for potential practical applications.

Graphical abstract

The schematic diagram on the preparation of porous carbon sponse from sucrose.

https://ift.tt/2w0PFNM

Ionizing radiation exposure: hazards, prevention, and biomarker screening

Abstract

Radiation is a form of energy derived from a source that is propagated through material in space. It consists of ionizing radiation or nonionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation is a feature of the environment and an important tool in medical treatment, but it can cause serious damage to organisms. A number of protective measures and standards of protection have been proposed to protect against radiation. There is also a need for biomarkers to rapidly assess individual doses of radiation, which can not only estimate the dose of radiation but also determine its effects on health. Proteomics, genomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics have been widely used in the search for such biomarkers. These topics are discussed in depth in this review.

https://ift.tt/2r6g7jR

Concentration-dependent responses of soil bacterial, fungal and nitrifying communities to silver nano and micron particles

Abstract

The growing use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is likely to result in increased environmental contamination. Although AgNPs have been reported to affect microbial communities in a range of ecosystems, there is still a lack of information concerning the effect of low concentrations of AgNPs on soil microbial community structures and functional groups involved in biogeochemical cycling. In this study, the concentration-dependent effects of AgNPs and silver micron particles (AgMPs) on bacterial and fungal community structures in an agricultural pastureland soil were examined in a microcosm-based experiment using enzyme analysis, molecular fingerprinting, qPCR and amplicon sequencing. Soil enzyme processes were impacted by Ag contamination, with soil dehydrogenase activity reduced by 1 mg kg⁻¹ of AgNPs and AgMPs. Soil urease activity was less susceptible, but was inhibited by ≥ 10 mg kg⁻¹ AgNPs. The significant (P ≤ 0.001) decrease in copy numbers of the amoA gene by 10 mg kg⁻¹ AgNPs indicated that archaea ammonia oxidisers may be more sensitive to AgNP contamination than bacteria. Amplicon sequencing revealed the bacterial phyla Acidobacteria and Verrucomicrobia to be highly sensitive to AgNP contamination. A broad reduction in the relative abundance of Acidobacterial genera was observed, with the exception of the genus Geothrix which increased in response to AgNP and AgMP amendment. Broad tolerance to Ag was observed among the Bacteriodetes, with higher relative abundance of most genera observed in the presence of AgNPs and AgMPs. The proteobacterial genus Dyella was highly tolerant to AgNPs and AgMPs and relative abundance of this genus increased with Ag concentration. Soil fungal community structure responded to both AgNPs and AgMPs, but the nanoparticle had an impact at a lower concentration. This study demonstrates that pastureland soil microbial communities are highly sensitive to AgNP amendment and key functional processes may be disrupted by relatively low levels of contamination.

https://ift.tt/2JxUVu8

Cadmium bioaccumulation and antioxidant enzyme activity in hepatopancreas, kidney, and stomach of invasive apple snail Pomacea canaliculata

Abstract

The acute toxicity of Cd was tested, and metal bioaccumulation in tissue was determined for the alien invasive species Pomacea canaliculata and its native competitor Sinotaia quadrata under experimental conditions. The invasive species was more tolerant to Cd toxicity than native species, for which the LC₅₀ values were 4.26, 2.24, and 1.98 mg/L at exposure times of 48, 72, and 96 h, respectively, approximately three times higher than those of the native snails. The viscera accumulated the highest Cd concentration, followed by the foot and shell in both species. Metal concentrations in the above three tissues of P. canaliculata were much higher than those of S. quadrata, irrespective of Cd dose and exposure time. For P. canaliculata, the highest concentration of metal was further observed in the hepatopancreas (0.64–3.98 mg/g) followed by the kidney (0.067–3.78 mg/g), with lowest levels in the stomach (0.062–1.53 mg/g). Among the five antioxidant enzymes, the most responsive enzymes were CAT, ALP, and GST in the hepatopancreas; CAT, POD, and GST in the kidney; and POD in the stomach of exposed animals. These results, demonstrating a high Cd tolerance, may partly explain the ability of P. canaliculata to displace S. quadrata in Cd-contaminated habitat. The Cd was accumulated mainly in the hepatopancreas and kidney of invasive species, which changed the activity of antioxidant enzymes allowing the animals to cope with the toxicity.

Graphical abstract

Cadmium bioaccumulation and antioxidant enzyme activity in the invasive Pomacea canaliculata.

https://ift.tt/2vXgFgQ

Source characterization and risk of exposure to atmospheric polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in Ghana

Abstract

With recent evidence that persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are emerging in environmental media in some developing countries that otherwise have sparing production and usage history, it has become important to identify such contemporary source factors of PCBs and the risks this may pose, in line with the global consensus on POP management and elimination. The present study investigated contaminations from atmospheric PCBs in Ghana, deciphered source factors, and accessed risk of exposure to dioxin-like PCBs (DL-PCBs). Atmospheric PCBs were monitored by deployment of PUF-disk passive air samplers (PAS) at several sites across Ghana for 56 days. Atmospheric ∑₁₉₀PCB concentration in Ghana ranged from 0.28 ng/m³ in Kumasi to 4.64 ng/m³ at Agbogbloshie, a suburb in Accra noted for informal electronic waste (e-waste) recycling activities. As high as 11.10 ng/m³ of PCB concentration was measured in plumes from uncontrolled open burning of e-wastes at Agbogbloshie. Applying statistical source characterization tools, it emerged that e-wastes were a major contributor to the environmental burden of atmospheric PCBs in Ghana. The risk of DL-PCB toxicity via inhalation in the Agbogbloshie area was 4.2 pg TEQ/day, within similar order of magnitude of an estimated risk of 3.85 pg TEQ/day faced by e-waste workers working averagely for 8 h per day. It is suggested that elimination of e-waste sites would help to significantly reduce PCB-related toxicity issues in Ghana.

Graphical abstract

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Platelet-Rich Fibrin and Its Contradictory Effect on Peripheral Nerve Repair after Malignant Tumor Resection: Nerve Regeneration versus Cancer Proliferation

J reconstr Microsurg
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1639481

Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Article in Thieme eJournals:
Table of contents | Full text

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Effects of Transfusion on Free Flap Survival: Searching for an Optimal Hemoglobin Threshold for Transfusion

J reconstr Microsurg
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1648244

Background Microsurgical free tissue transfer is a popular technique nowadays. Because of its considerably exquisite procedure, various risk factors can affect surgical outcome. However, current key practices, especially those in blood transfusion, are in contention due to the lack of enough evidence. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the impact of perioperative blood transfusion on microsurgical complication. Methods Data of a total of 168 patients who underwent microvascular free tissue transfer from 2013 through 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Age, comorbidity, anatomical surgical site, preoperative and postoperative lowest hemoglobin (Hb) level, estimated blood volume loss, and final clinical flap outcome were compared between patients with and without transfusion treatment. Factors with a significance of p < 0.05 in univariate analysis were included in the multivariate logistic regression model to identify independent risk factors. Results Of 168 patients, 72 (43%) were in the transfusion group. Cross analysis statistics showed that flap failure in the transfusion group was 3.6 times higher (p = 0.018) than that in the control group. Multivariable analysis revealed that age (p = 0.083) and perioperative lowest Hb level (p = 0.021) remained as significant predictors of flap failure. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the appropriate lower limit of transfusion commencement of Hb was 8.75 g/dL (area under the curve: 0.721). Conclusion A transfusion during perioperative period of free flap did not increase its failure rate. Rather than appropriate transfusion strategy, perioperative lowest Hb level, and age were significant predictors of flap failure. Therefore, transfusion can be confidently used in patients who undergo free flap without any hesitation. Results of this study provide practical evidence of performing perioperative transfusion for free tissue transfer patients.
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Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Article in Thieme eJournals:
Table of contents | Abstract | Full text

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From Autotransplantation to Allotransplantation: A Perspective on the Future of Reconstructive Microsurgery

J reconstr Microsurg
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1639367

It has been half a century since Susumu Tamai reported on the first thumb replantation. The evolution of reconstructive microsurgery has continually added new applications of the operating microscope for reconstructive surgery and has had profound impact on countless patients. From the time of Harold Gillies until today, the reconstructive ladder has evolved to a reconstructive elevator with the "penthouse" floor being represented by vascularized composite allotransplantation.
[...]

Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Article in Thieme eJournals:
Table of contents | Abstract | Full text

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The impact of complete embedding of remaining tissue in gynecological lymph node dissection specimen in surgical pathology on lymph node yield: is it clinically relevant?

Abstract

The assessment of nodal metastases in gynecological surgical specimen is an important staging parameter, directing further therapeutic procedures. Since the number of lymph nodes (LNs) removed is seen as an indicator of surgical and pathological quality, the demand for higher lymph node (LN) counts is raising. The goal of this prospective study was the comparison between lymph node counts of macroscopically detectable LNs and the LN yield by complete embedding and proceeding of all submitted LN-containing tissue in the pathology laboratory. One hundred six cases of cervical, uterine, or ovarian cancer, treated in three different hospitals within 3 years, were analyzed. All tissue submitted to the pathology from the surgically performed LN dissections was completely dissected and embedded in the institute of pathology. Subsequently, the amount of LN of all macroscopically detectable nodes was compared to the final histologically reached numbers of LN. Furthermore the histologically visible area of the LNs and their metastases was analyzed to assess the relation of LN numbers to the whole examined LN area. Complete embedding raises the average number of LN counted by 3 to 7 but did only minimally increase the LN area for microscopical examination by about 5% due to the small area of the additional LNs in the remaining fat tissue. The staging was in no case altered by complete embedding, even when additional nodal metastases were detected in the remaining fat tissue, since this was only seen in cases which had already metastatic nodes. Complete embedding of LN-containing tissue did not provide relevant additional staging information and seems therefore unnecessarily laborious, careful pathological work-up assumed.

https://ift.tt/2vXd0j6

Rapid continuous 3D printing of customizable peripheral nerve guidance conduits

Publication date: Available online 27 April 2018
Source:Materials Today
Author(s): Wei Zhu, Kathryn R. Tringale, Sarah A. Woller, Shangting You, Susie Johnson, Haixu Shen, Jacob Schimelman, Michael Whitney, Joanne Steinauer, Weizhe Xu, Tony L. Yaksh, Quyen T. Nguyen, Shaochen Chen
Engineered nerve guidance conduits (NGCs) have been demonstrated for repairing peripheral nerve injuries. However, there remains a need for an advanced biofabrication system to build NGCs with complex architectures, tunable material properties, and customizable geometrical control. Here, a rapid continuous 3D-printing platform was developed to print customizable NGCs with unprecedented resolution, speed, flexibility, and scalability. A variety of NGC designs varying in complexity and size were created including a life-size biomimetic branched human facial NGC. In vivo implantation of NGCs with microchannels into complete sciatic nerve transections of mouse models demonstrated the effective directional guidance of regenerating sciatic nerves via branching into the microchannels and extending toward the distal end of the injury site. Histological staining and immunostaining further confirmed the progressive directional nerve regeneration and branching behavior across the entire NGC length. Observational and functional tests, including the von Frey threshold test and thermal test, showed promising recovery of motor function and sensation in the ipsilateral limbs grafted with the 3D-printed NGCs.

Graphical abstract

https://ift.tt/2FqWB5V

Human-specific features of the G-quadruplex in the androgen receptor gene promoter: A comparative structural and dynamics study

Publication date: Available online 28 April 2018
Source:The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Author(s): Christian Solís-Calero, Taize M. Augusto, Hernandes F. Carvalho
The androgen receptor (AR) promoter contains guanine-rich regions that are able to fold into polymorphic G-quadruplex (GQ) structures, and whose deletion decreases AR gene transcription. Our attention was focused on this region because of the frequent termination of sequencing reactions during promoter methylation studies. UV and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy of synthetic oligonucleotides encompassing these guanine-rich regions suggested a parallel quadruplex topology with three guanine quartets and three side loops in the three cases. Melting curves revealed a lower thermostability of the human GQ compared to the rat/mouse QG structures, which is attributed to the presence of a longer central loop in the former. One molecular model is proposed for the highly similar sequences in the rat/mouse. Due to the polymorphism resulting from possible arrangements of the guanine tracts, two models were derived for the human GQ. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations determined that both models for the human GQ had higher flexibility and lower stability than the rodent GQ models. These properties result from the presence of a longer central loop in the human GQ models, which contains 11 and 13 nucleotides, in comparison to the 2-nucleotide long loop in the rat/mouse GQ. Overall, the unveiled structural and dynamics features provide sufficient detail for the intelligent design of drugs targeting the human AR promoter.

Graphical abstract

https://ift.tt/2vTNYkV

An approach for phycoremediation of different wastewaters and biodiesel production using microalgae

Abstract

Four microalgal strains, namely, Tetraselmis indica (T. indica), Scenedesmus abundans (S. abundans), Spirulina sp., and Nostoc muscorum (N. muscorum) were cultivated on four different wastewaters in 1000 ml photobioreactors with 750 ml working volume under 94.5 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ light intensity for 14 days for phycoremediation of wastewaters and sustainable biodiesel production. These microalgal strains attained maximum biomass growth in the secondary treated sewage (STS). Maximum biomass yield (0.6533 g L⁻¹) and lipid productivity (25.44 mg L⁻¹ d⁻¹) for T. indica were achieved in STS. T. indica removed (63.6–78.24%) of nitrate, (60.90–65.97%) of phosphate, (61.01–80.01%) of ammonical nitrogen, and (71.16–85.70%) of total organic carbon (TOC) in all four wastewaters. The fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profile of T. indica shows the presence of myristic acid (1.2%) pentadecylic acid (0.28%), palmitic acid (10.32%), oleic acid (34.59%), linoleic acid (12.38%), and eicosanoic acid (14.88%) in STS. This study demonstrates that T. indica is the most suitable microalgal species among the four microalgal strains selected for phycoremediation of wastewaters and higher biomass production for sustainable biodiesel production.

https://ift.tt/2HCZH91

Soil organic carbon, macro- and micronutrient changes in soil fractions with different lability in response to crop intensification

Publication date: September 2018
Source:Soil and Tillage Research, Volume 181
Author(s): R. Romaniuk, M. Beltrán, L. Brutti, A. Costantini, S. Bacigaluppo, H. Sainz-Rozas, F. Salvagiotti
Soils under no tillage have experienced unfavorable changes, mainly due to current agricultural practices that consist in monocultures that leave little residue cover. The inclusion of grass as cover crops during the winter season could be a sustainable strategy to increase crop intensification in sequences where soybean predominates, helping to maintain soil fertility, organic matter levels and enhance soil physical properties. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of 8 years of sustainable crop intensification (by increasing the proportion of cereals in crop rotations) on soil organic carbon, macro- and micronutrients associated with granulometric fractions of different lability in a Typic Argiudoll of the Rolling Pampa, Argentina. The experiment included two crop sequences commonly used in this area: soybean-soybean (S-S) and maize-soybean-wheat/soybean (M-S-W/S) combined with the inclusion of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as cover crop (CC) in winter. The intensification sequence indices (ISI) were 0.39, 0.69, 0.55 and 0.64 for S-S, S-CC-S, M-S-W/S and M-CC-S-W/S, respectively. The carbon measured in the coarse particulate fraction (Pcf) in the 0–5 cm soil depth was 3 times larger in S-CC-S than in S-S. Cropping intensity also modified N, S, P, Ca and Mn in the Pcf with no changes in Mg, K, Zn, Fe and Cu contents. Among the carbon fractions studied, only the carbon measured in the Pcf and the easy mineralizable carbon estimated by the soil respiration in the first soil layer (0–5 cm), were positively correlated with the ISI. In the present study, 8 years under sustainable crop intensification were sufficient to show changes in the mineral associated fraction (Maf). Increases in the C in the Maf in maize legume-based rotation, suggest SOC accumulation in more stable carbon pools.

https://ift.tt/2r6kJqg

Elemental changes of hippocampal formation occurring during postnatal brain development

Publication date: September 2018
Source:Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, Volume 49
Author(s): J. Chwiej, M. Palczynska, A. Skoczen, K. Janeczko, J. Cieslak, R. Simon, Z. Setkowicz
In this paper the elemental changes of rat hippocampal formation occurring during the postnatal development were examined. Three groups of animals were used in the study. These were naive Wistar rats at the age of 6-, 30- and 60-days and the chosen life periods corresponded to the neonatal period, childhood and early adulthood in humans, respectively.For the topographic and quantitative elemental analysis X-ray fluorescence microscopy was applied and the measurements were done at the FLUO beamline of ANKA. The detailed quantitative and statistical analysis was done for four areas of hippocampal formation, namely sectors 1 and 3 of the Ammon's horn (CA1 and CA3, respectively), dentate gyrus (DG) and its internal area (hilus of DG, H).The obtained results showed that among the all examined elements (P, S, K, Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn and Se), only the levels of Fe and Zn changed significantly during postnatal development of the hippocampal formation and both the elements were significantly higher in young adults comparing to the rats in neonatal period. The increased Fe areal density was found in all examined hippocampal areas whilst Zn was elevated in CA3, DG and H.In order to follow the dynamics of age-dependent elemental changes, the statistical significance of differences in their accumulation between subsequent moments of time was examined. The obtained results showed statistically relevant increase of Zn level only in the first observation period (between 6th and 30th day of life). Afterwards the areal density of the element did not change significantly. The increase of Fe areal density took place in both examined periods, however the observed changes were small and usually not statistically relevant.

Graphical abstract

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Lemierres syndrome: a rare cause of sepsis presenting with an absence of throat symptoms

A 16-year-old boy presented to hospital with a 6-day history of diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal pain. During his admission he was found to be hypotensive, tachycardic and persistently feverish. Blood cultures taken on admission isolated Fusobacterium necrophorum. CT scanning of his neck showed a non-occlusive thrombus of the right internal jugular vein and a small right parapharyngeal abscess. CT scans of the chest and abdomen revealed multiple pulmonary abscesses, bilateral pleural effusions and splenomegaly. Treatment consisted of an unfractionated heparin infusion and intravenous antibiotics. A right-sided intercostal drain was inserted for a complex right-sided empyema. He subsequently developed a left-sided pleural effusion which was treated with a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) pleurodesis procedure. His fever resolved after his VATS pleurodesis procedure 3 weeks after initial presentation. Clinically he made a slow recovery but now is improved after 6 weeks of intravenous antibiotics and was discharged home.

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Novel management of vaginal chronic graft-versus-host disease causing haematometra and haematocolpos

Genital chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in women posthaematopoietic cell transplantation may cause vaginal mucosal sclerosis. Human papillomavirus (HPV) reactivation, also common post-transplantation, limits local immunosuppressive, but not oestrogen treatment. A 36-year-old nulliparous woman developed coincidental genital chronic GVHD and HPV 22 months after transplant for aplastic anaemia. Topical immunosuppression for GVHD led to an eruption of warts successfully treated with laser surgery and cone biopsy. She maintained normal ovarian function and used extended cycle combined hormonal contraception. A vaginal oestrogen ring used continuously limited most scarring for 8 years. Progressive apical vaginal scarring obstructed menstrual flow leading to haematocolpos and haematometra. Normal anatomy was restored with a cruciate incision in the cervicovaginal scar performed during menses. When HPV disease limits use of topical immunosuppression in women with vaginal GVHD, the local scar-reducing effect of a vaginal oestrogen ring is limited, and surgery may be needed and can be successful in treating haematocolpos.This study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov with trial registration number of NCT00003838.

https://ift.tt/2jf7aAk

Treatment of end-stage renal disease with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis in rural Guatemala

A 42-year-old indigenous Maya man presented to a non-profit clinic in rural Guatemala with signs, symptoms and laboratory values consistent with uncontrolled diabetes. Despite appropriate treatment, approximately 18 months after presentation, he was found to have irreversible end-stage renal disease (ESRD) of uncertain aetiology. He was referred to the national public nephrology clinic and subsequently initiated home-based continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. With primary care provided by the non-profit clinic, his clinical status improved on dialysis, but socioeconomic and psychological challenges persisted for the patient and his family. This case shows how care for people with ESRD in low- and middle-income countries requires scaling up renal replacement therapy and ensuring access to primary care, mental healthcare and social work services.

https://ift.tt/2Jwtu3y

Correction: Unilateral retinitis pigmentosa occurring in an individual with a mutation in the CLRN1 gene

Sim PY, Jeganathan VSE, Wright AF et al. Unilateral retinitis pigmentosa occurring in an individual with a mutation in the CLRN1 gene. BMJ Case Rep 2018; doi: 10.1136/bcr-2017-222045.

The following text should have been included in the 'Presented at' section:

Dr V. Swetha E. Jeganathan was finalist for the Novartis Retina Case Awards, held on 27^th February 2013 at the City Hospital, Birmingham. Her case presentation was subsequently published in the Eye News supplement in March 2013.

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Treatment and reconstruction of a complicated infected scalp squamous cell carcinoma with CNS invasion

A 60-year-old male patient with a large infected cranial apex lesion was admitted with lethargy and mental status changes. The patient underwent evaluation with imaging studies, a skin biopsy, cultures with microscopy and a diagnostic burr hole. MRI and positron emission tomography/CT scan revealed a squamous cell carcinoma with ingrowth in the midline of the brain and subdural empyema infected with Streptococcus anginosus and Staphylococcus aureus.

High dose intravenous antibiotic treatment was initiated and the patient subsequently underwent a surgical resection of the carcinoma with a 1 cm margin of surrounding skin and skull. The defect was reconstructed using a titanium plate and a free microvascular lattisimus dorsi muscle flap then covered with a split skin graft.

The patient received 37 radiation therapy sessions (66 GY) as adjuvant therapy.

Intensive neurorehabilitation slowly improved an initial paraparesis. The 7-month follow-up revealed a satisfactory cosmetic result and residual gait impairment secondary to central nervous system invasion.

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Clostridium difficile cure with fecal microbiota transplantation in a child with Pompe disease: a case report

Recurrent Clostridium difficile infection is a growing problem among children due to both the increasing survival of medically fragile children with complicated chronic medical conditions resulting in prolonged a...

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First and Second Trimester Prenatal Screening Update [Internet].

This report examines the safety, screening accuracy, therapeutic efficacy, patient outcomes and cost effectiveness of first trimester Quad (1T-Quad) +/- NT and NIPT screening for fetal trisomies.

https://ift.tt/2KmpXpO

Newborn Blood Spot Screening for Galactosemia, Tyrosinemia Type I, Homocystinuria, Sickle Cell Anemia, Sickle Cell/Beta-Thalassemia, Sickle Cell/Hemoglobin C Disease and Severe Combined Immunodeficiency: Costs and Cost Analysis [Internet].

This STE report examines the safety, screening accuracy, therapeutic efficacy/effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, budget impact, and health system readiness of newborn screening for seven conditions (galactosemia, tyrosinemia type I, homocystinuria, sickle cell anemia, sickle cell/beta-thalassemia, sickle cell/hemoglobin C disease, and severe combined immunodeficiency), contextualized to the Alberta setting.

https://ift.tt/2Fn5TA4

Endovenous Thermal Ablation Interventions for Symptomatic Varicose Veins of The Legs – An Update [Internet].

This report is an update of the "Technological efficacy / effectiveness analysis" (T) section of the 2014 Alberta STE report, which was an evidence assessment of the clinical effectiveness and safety of endovenous ablation interventions for symptomatic varicose veins of the legs, compared to conventional open surgery.

https://ift.tt/2KoJk1I

A meta-ethnography of health-care professionals’ experience of treating adults with chronic non-malignant pain to improve the experience and quality of health care.

This study highlights areas that help us to understand why the experience of health care can be difficult for patients and health-care professionals and, importantly, that health-care professionals can find it challenging not to find a diagnosis

https://ift.tt/2Fqjqqn

Endovenous Ablation Interventions for Symptomatic Varicose Veins of the Legs [Internet].

This report is an evidence assessment of the best available research evidence on the safety and effectiveness, cost effectiveness and budget impact of using Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) or Endovenous Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) in the management of symptomatic varicose veins of the legs due to venous reflux in working age patients when compared to conventional open surgery.

https://ift.tt/2KjwvWi

Institute of Health Economics (IHE).

The Institute of Health Economics (IHE) is a not-for-profit organization with key competencies in health economics and decision analytic modeling; health technology assessment; and knowledge transfer and exchange. A core objective is to support decision making in health policy and practice, with evidence from research in health economics and health technology assessment. Another core objective is to assess the medical, economic, social, and ethical implications of both established and new health practices, procedures, and technologies. The final core objective is to facilitate discussions and partnerships among government, academia, industry and healthcare providers to address important issues in health care.

https://ift.tt/2FouN2l

Endovascular Therapy for Acute Ischemic Stroke [Internet].

This STE report examines the social and system demographics, technological safety and therapeutic efficacy / effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and budget impact of endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke, contextualized to the Alberta setting.

https://ift.tt/2KlnP1F

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Testing in Alberta [Internet].

This report is about testing for Human Papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections and can also cause cervical cancer. Cervical screening aims to reduce cervical cancer incidence and mortality by detecting precancerous lesions early. Until the recent introduction of liquid-based cervical cytology (LBC) and HPV-DNA testing, conventional cervical cytology (Pap smear) was the only cervical screening test available in Canada. This report provides information on the effectiveness, economics, and social demographic implications of these different screening technologies.

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Low Dose Computed Tomography for The Screening of Lung Cancer in Adults [Internet].

This report examines the potential role of low dose computed tomography (LDCT) in screening for lung cancer in adults aged 50 years or older in Alberta.

https://ift.tt/2KlZyZb

Hysteroscopic Tubal Sterilization [Internet].

This report is an evidence assessment of the clinical effectiveness and safety of hysteroscopic tubal sterilization, and the value for money associated with adopting hysteroscopic tubal sterilization in Alberta.

https://ift.tt/2FsJvW8

The Effectiveness and Safety of Preschool Hearing Screening Programs [Internet].

This report performs an evaluation of the scientific evidence on the safety, performance, and effectiveness of universal and targeted preschool hearing screening (PHS) to inform the Infant and Preschool Screening Framework being developed by the Community and Public Health (CPH) Division of Alberta Health and Wellness (AHW), as well as comparing the cost-effectiveness of various strategies used in preschool hearing screening, through a review of the published economic literature.

https://ift.tt/2KlZyIF

Fecal Transplantation for the Treatment of Clostridium difficile-Associated Disease or Ulcerative Colitis [Internet].

"Fecal transplantation for the treatment of Clostridium difficile-associated disease or ulcerative colitis" examines the clinical research evidence on the safety and effects of fecal transplantation in the treatment of patients with Clostridium difficile-associated disease and/or ulcerative colitis. It also provides information on the prevalence and incidence of the two diseases and the availability of fecal transplantation procedure in Alberta and Canada. The Institute of Health Economics prepared this STE report at the request of the Government of Alberta as part of the Institute's ongoing work to support the Alberta Health Technologies Decision Process.

https://ift.tt/2FpbpSO

The Safety and Effectiveness of Preschool Vision Screening [Internet].

This review focused on the best evidence available on the use of PSVS to detect vision conditions in asymptomatic preschool children (aged from birth to 6 years; not necessarily considered at risk for developing visual impairment) to determine the safety and efficacy / effectiveness of PSVS, compare the safety and effectiveness of universal and targeted PSVS, and to determine the best practice for conducting PSVS, as well as to assess the cost-effectiveness of various strategies used in the screening of preschool vision.

https://ift.tt/2KmBFB4

Bariatric Treatments for Adult Obesity [Internet].

This report summarizes available key information on the use of bariatric treatments for adult obesity in Alberta and North America (mainly Canada). This analysis was intended to describe the profile of adult obesity (definition, progression, epidemiology, and population dynamics of affected individuals in Alberta and in Canada) and patterns of care for this condition (focusing on bariatric treatments recommended by evidence-based clinical practice guidelines), as well as to identify potential inequities in health status or care across population groups. Also considered were social factors associated with the use of multidisciplinary programs involving bariatric treatments for adult obesity in Alberta.

https://ift.tt/2FpbqGm

The Safety and Efficacy/Effectiveness of Using Automated Testing Devices for Universal Newborn Hearing Screening: An Update [Internet].

This report is an update of a 2007 report. Permanent congenital hearing impairment / loss (PCHI/PCHL) is one of the most common congenital anomalies found at birth which can lead to delays and deficits in the development of speech, language, cognition, and learning, as well as secondary effects on the child and the family. Early identification and subsequent appropriate intervention (within the first 6 months) in infants with PCHL can minimize these effects. The report also compares the cost effectiveness of various strategies used in the universal screening of newborn hearing (UNHS).

https://ift.tt/2Kl3TvW

A Framework for Conceptualizing Evidence Needs of Health Systems [Internet].

To develop a framework for understanding the evidence needs of health systems to inform the AHRQ EPC Program future efforts.

https://ift.tt/2FmDOJb

Islet Transplantation for the Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes [Internet].

This report is an update of the 2008 report on islet transplantation (IT) for Type 1 diabetes (T1DM). Section One of this analysis was intended to describe the profile of T1DM (definition, progression, epidemiology, and population dynamics of affected adults in Alberta, in Canada, and worldwide) and patterns of care for this condition in adults (focusing on recommendations from evidence-based guidelines), as well as to identify potential inequities in health status or care across adult population groups. Social, ethical, and legal issues associated with the provision of IT as a treatment for adults with T1DM were also considered. Section Two of the analysis was to determine, for the treatment of patients with T1DM in Alberta, the potential role of IT compared to whole pancreas transplantation or intensive insulin therapy (IIT). The objective of the economic analysis in Section Three was to estimate the costs and cost effectiveness of IT compared to IIT alone.

https://ift.tt/2KoJdDk

IHE Systematic Reviews [Internet].

The outcome of IHE initiatives is providing better information for developing health policy and best medical practices. IHE disseminates information in many ways. In addition to publications in peer-reviewed journals, IHE produces books and a variety of reports synthesizing information in a particular field. These reports include systematic reviews and health technology assessments.

https://ift.tt/2Fprjwl

Insulin Pump Therapy for Type 1 Diabetes [Internet].

This report examines the research evidence on the safety and efficacy of insulin pump therapy, as compared to multiple daily insulin injections, in the treatment of children, adults, and pregnant women diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. The report also analyses the economic impact of introducing the insulin pump therapy in Alberta.

https://ift.tt/2KkDvSM

Hysteroscopic Tubal Sterilization (Using the Essure® System) – An Update [Internet].

This rapid report has been produced in response to a request from Alberta Health to provide an update on the new published research evidence on the efficacy / effectiveness, efficiency, and safety of hysteroscopic tubal sterilization (HTS) using the Essure® system for permanent birth control since the publication of the Institute of Health Economics (IHE) STE report in September 2014. Only updated information related to the Background and T sections of the STE report is included in the present rapid report.

https://ift.tt/2FqqDXx

Literature contradictions about the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and the existence of “diabetes paradox” in patients with takotsubo syndrome

Publication date: July 2018
Source:Medical Hypotheses, Volume 116
Author(s): John E. Madias

https://ift.tt/2r5cECg

Bimetallic NiFe oxide structures derived from hollow NiFe Prussian blue nanobox for label-free electrochemical biosensing adenosine triphosphate

Publication date: 15 August 2018
Source:Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Volume 113
Author(s): Minghua Wang, Longyu Yang, Bin Hu, Jiameng Liu, Linghao He, Qiaojuan Jia, Yingpan Song, Zhihong Zhang
We designed and constructed a novel aptasensor based on the porous nanostructured bimetallic NiFe-oxides embedded with the mesoporous carbon (represented by NiOxFeOy@mC) for sensitively detecting adenosine triphosphate (ATP), of which the porous NiOxFeOy@mC was derived from the hollow NiFe Prussian blue analogue (hollow NiFe PBA) by calcinating under high temperature. Owning to the excellent electrochemical activity originated from the metal oxides and mesoporous carbon and the strong binding interaction between the aptamer strands and the nanostructure hybrid, the formed porous NiOxFeOy@mC composite calcinated at 900 °C exhibited superior sensitivity toward ATP determination in comparison with other porous nanocubes obtained at 500 and 700 °C. The proposed aptasensor not only revealed a wide linear range from 5.0 fg·mL⁻¹ to 5.0 ng mL⁻¹ with a extremely low detection limit of 0.98 fg·mL⁻¹ (1.62 fM) (S/N = 3), but also displayed high selectivity towards other interferences, good stability and reproducibility, and acceptable applicability. Therefore, this proposed approach provides a promising platform for ultra-sensitive detection of ATP, further having the potential applications on diagnosis of ATP-related diseases.

https://ift.tt/2JyM2QL

Enzyme- and label-free electrochemical aptasensor for kanamycin detection based on double stir bar-assisted toehold-mediated strand displacement reaction for dual-signal amplification

Publication date: 30 July 2018
Source:Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Volume 112
Author(s): Feng Hong, Xixue Chen, Yuting Cao, Youren Dong, Dazhen Wu, Futao Hu, Ning Gan
It is critically important to detect antibiotic residues for monitoring food safety. In this study, an enzyme- and label-free electrochemical aptasensor for antibiotics, with kanamycin (Kana) as a typical analyte, was developed based on a double stir bar-assisted toehold-mediated strand displacement reaction (dSB-TMSDR) for dual-signal amplification. First, we modified two gold electrodes (E-1 and E-2) with different DNA probes (S1/S2 hybrid probe in E-1 and DNA fuel strand S3 in E-2). In the presence of Kana, an S1/S2 probe can be disassembled from E-1 to form an S2/Kana complex in supernatant. The S2/Kana could react with S3 on E-2 to form S2/S3 hybrid and release Kana through TMSDR. After then, the target recycling was triggered. Subsequently, the formed S2/S3 hybrid can also trigger a hybridization chain reaction (HCR). Consequently, the dual-signal amplification strategy was established, which resulted in many long dsDNA chains on E-2. The chains can associate with methylene blue (MB) as redox probes to produce a current response for the quantification of Kana. The assay exhibited high sensitivity and specificity with a detection limit at 16 fM Kana due to the dual-signal amplification. The double stir bars system can both increase phase separation and prevent leakage of DNA fuel to reduce background interference. Moreover, it allows flexible sequence design of the TMSDR probes. The assay was successfully employed to detect Kana residues in food and showed potential application value in food safety detection.

https://ift.tt/2r4oEEe

Rapid and background-free detection of avian influenza virus in opaque sample using NIR-to-NIR upconversion nanoparticle-based lateral flow immunoassay platform

Publication date: 30 July 2018
Source:Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Volume 112
Author(s): Jaeyoung Kim, Jung Hoon Kwon, Jinyoung Jang, Hyojin Lee, Seungki Kim, Young Ki Hahn, Sang Kyung Kim, Kwan Hyi Lee, Seok Lee, Heesoo Pyo, Chang-Seon Song, Joonseok Lee
Rapid and sensitive on-site detection of avian influenza virus (AIV) is the key for achieving near real-time surveillance of AIV and reducing the risk of dissemination. However, unlike the laboratory-prepared transparent buffer solutions containing a single type of influenza virus, distinction between real- and false- positive outputs and detection of low concentrations of AIV in stool specimens or cloacal swabs are difficult. Here, we developed a rapid and background-free lateral flow immunoassay (LFA) platform that utilizes near-infrared (NIR)-to-NIR upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) to yield a sensor that detects AIV nucleoproteins (NPs) from clinical samples within 20 min. Ca²⁺ as a heterogeneous dopant ion in the shell enhanced the NIR-to-NIR upconversion photoluminescence (PL) emission without inducing significant changes in the morphology of the UCNPs. In a mixture of opaque stool samples and gold nanoparticles (GNPs), which are components of commercial AIV LFA, the background signal of the stool samples masked the absorption peak of GNPs. However, UCNPs dispersed in the stool samples still show strong emission centered at 800 nm when excited at 980 nm, which enables the NIR-to-NIR upconversion nanoparticle-based lateral flow immunoassay (NNLFA) platform to detect 10-times lower viral load than a commercial GNP-based AIV LFA. The detection limit of NNLFA for LPAI H5N2 and HPAI H5N6 viruses was 10² and 10^3.5 EID50/mL, respectively. Moreover, the viruses were successfully detected within dark brown-colored samples using the NNLFA but not the commercial AIV LFA. Therefore, the rapid and background-free NNLFA platform can be used for sensitive on-site detection of AIV.

https://ift.tt/2JyLYAv

"Asian Pac J Cancer Prev"[jour]; +16 new citations

16 new pubmed citations were retrieved for your search. Click on the search hyperlink below to display the complete search results:

"Asian Pac J Cancer Prev"[jour]

These pubmed results were generated on 2018/04/28

PubMed comprises more than millions of citations for biomedical literature from MEDLINE, life science journals, and online books. Citations may include links to full-text content from PubMed Central and publisher web sites.

https://ift.tt/2HCncyQ

A single preovulatory administration of ulipristal acetate affects the decidualization process of the human endometrium during the receptive period of the menstrual cycle

Publication date: Available online 27 April 2018
Source:Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology
Author(s): Saúl Lira-Albarrán, Marta Durand, David Barrera, Claudia Vega, Rocio García Becerra, Lorenza Díaz, Janice García-Quiroz, Claudia Rangel, Fernando Larrea
In order to get further information on the effects of ulipristal acetate (UPA) upon the process of decidualization of endometrium, a functional analysis of the differentially expressed genes in endometrium (DEG) from UPA treated-versus control-cycles of normal ovulatory women was performed. A list of 1183 endometrial DEG, from a previously published study by our group, was submitted to gene ontology, gene enrichment and ingenuity pathway analyses (IPA). This functional analysis showed that decidualization was a biological process overrepresented. Gene set enrichment analysis identified LIF, PRL, IL15 and STAT3 among the most down-regulated genes within the JAK STAT canonical pathway. IPA showed that decidualization of uterus was a bio-function predicted as inhibited by UPA. The results demonstrated that this selective progesterone receptor modulator, when administered during the periovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle, may affect the molecular mechanisms leading to endometrial decidualization in response to progesterone during the period of maximum embryo receptivity.

https://ift.tt/2rbDCYj

upper respiratory tract infection; +31 new citations

31 new pubmed citations were retrieved for your search. Click on the search hyperlink below to display the complete search results:

upper respiratory tract infection

These pubmed results were generated on 2018/04/28

https://ift.tt/2FouSD9

Performance validation of an amplicon-based targeted next-generation sequencing assay and mutation profiling of 648 Chinese colorectal cancer patients

Abstract

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has become a promising approach for tumor somatic mutation detection. However, stringent validation is required for its application on clinical specimens, especially for low-quality formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues. Here, we validated the performance of an amplicon-based targeted NGS assay, OncoAim™ DNA panel, on both commercial reference FFPE samples and clinical FFPE samples of Chinese colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Then we profiled the mutation spectrum of 648 Chinese CRC patients in a multicenter study to explore its clinical utility. This NGS assay achieved 100% test specificity and 95–100% test sensitivity for variants with mutant allele frequency (MAF) ≥ 5% when median read depth ≥ 500×. The orthogonal methods including amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS)-PCR and Sanger sequencing validated that NGS generated three false negatives (FNs) but no false positives (FPs) among 516 clinical samples for KRAS aberration detection. Genomic profiling of Chinese CRC patients with this assay revealed that 63.3% of the tumors harbored clinically actionable alterations. Besides the commonly mutated genes including TP53 (52.82%), KRAS (46.68%), APC (24.09%), PIK3CA (18.94%), SMAD4 (9.47%), BRAF (6.15%), FBXW7 (5.32%), and NRAS (4.15%), other less frequently mutated genes were also identified. Statistically significant association of specific mutated genes with certain clinicopathological features was detected, e.g., both BRAF and PIK3CA were more prevalent in right-side CRC (p < 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively). We concluded this targeted NGS assay is qualified for clinical practice, and our findings could help the diagnosis and prognosis of Chinese CRC patients.

https://ift.tt/2r7L7iP

Multisensory vestibular, vestibular-auditory, and auditory network effects revealed by parametric sound pressure stimulation.

Multisensory vestibular, vestibular-auditory, and auditory network effects revealed by parametric sound pressure stimulation.

Neuroimage. 2018 Apr 24;:

Authors: Oh SY, Boegle R, Ertl M, Stephan T, Dieterich M

Abstract
Multisensory convergence and sensorimotor integration are important aspects for the mediation of higher vestibular cognitive functions at the cortical level. In contrast to the integration of vestibulo-visual or vestibulo-tactile perception, much less is known about the neural mechanism that mediates the integration of vestibular-otolith (linear acceleration/translation/gravity detection) and auditory processing. Vestibular-otolith and auditory afferents can be simultaneously activated using loud sound pressure stimulation, which is routinely used for testing cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) in clinical neurotological testing. Due to the simultaneous activation of afferents there is always an auditory confound problem in fMRI studies of the neural topology of these systems. Here, we demonstrate that the auditory confounding problem can be overcome in a novel way that does not require the assumption of simple subtraction and additionally allows detection of non-linear changes in the response due to vestibular-otolith interference. We used a parametric sound pressure stimulation design that took each subject's vestibular stimulation threshold into account and analyzed for changes in BOLD-response below and above vestibular-otolith threshold. This approach helped to investigate the functional neuroanatomy of sound-induced auditory and vestibular integration using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Results revealed that auditory and vestibular convergence are contained in overlapping regions of the caudal part of the superior temporal gyrus (STG) and the posterior insula. In addition, there are regions that were responsive only to suprathreshold stimulations, suggesting vestibular (otolith) signal processing in these areas. Based on these parametric analyses, we suggest that the caudal part of the STG and posterior insula could contain areas of vestibular contribution to auditory processing, i.e., higher vestibular cortices that provide multisensory integration that is important for tasks such as spatial localization of sound.

PMID: 29702184 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

https://ift.tt/2JzabGU

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy: evaluation of the vestibular system with cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials.

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy: evaluation of the vestibular system with cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials.

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2018 Apr 27;:

Authors: Magliulo G, Iannella G, Manno A, Libonati L, Onesti E, Vestri A, Fegatelli DA, Angeletti D, Pace A, Gulotta G, Gagliardi S, Inghilleri M

Abstract
PURPOSE: To investigate the possibility of vestibular damage in a group of patients suffering from chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) using a diagnostic protocol including the caloric test, C-VEMPs and O-VEMPs.
METHODS: Twenty patients suffering from CIDP (mean age 58.5 years, range 33-80 years; 4 women and 16 men) were investigated. To assess any eventual audio-vestibular involvement, all patients of the study underwent pure tone audiometry, Fitzgerald-Hallpike caloric vestibular test, C-VEMPs and O-VEMPs.
RESULTS: In 11 patients with CIDP values of both O-VEMPs and C-VEMPs were either absent or abnormal. An absent trace at O-VEMPs testing occurred in 36% of these pathological patients, whereas an increase of n10 latency and amplitude was present in the other 64% .
CONCLUSIONS: A specific diagnostic protocol including the caloric test, C-VEMPS, O-VEMPS, could be useful when employed for identifying vestibular damage in CIDP patients.

PMID: 29700616 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

https://ift.tt/2r6cASR

Multisensory vestibular, vestibular-auditory, and auditory network effects revealed by parametric sound pressure stimulation.

Multisensory vestibular, vestibular-auditory, and auditory network effects revealed by parametric sound pressure stimulation.

Neuroimage. 2018 Apr 24;:

Authors: Oh SY, Boegle R, Ertl M, Stephan T, Dieterich M

PMID: 29702184 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

https://ift.tt/2JzabGU

Coherence in P300 as a predictor for the recovery from disorders of consciousness.

https:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-ima

Coherence in P300 as a predictor for the recovery from disorders of consciousness.

Neurosci Lett. 2017 Jul 13;653:332-336

Authors: Zhang Y, Li R, Du J, Huo S, Hao J, Song W

Abstract
Accurate and reliable prognostic judgments for disorders of consciousness (DOCs) can provide useful information for clinicians in the establishment of appropriate care plan, and may affect end-of-life decisions of caregivers. But until now no certain or standardized prognostic indicator has been constructed to predict the probability of awareness recovery. This study aims to assess higher-order cortical information processing in DOCs by event-related potential (ERP) and determine the value of P300 to predict the long-term prognosis. Two locked-in (LIS) patients and eighteen DOCs were evaluated with a hierarchical cognitive assessment by ERP. We used subject's own name (SON) as a deviant stimulus, 1000Hz tone and subject's derived name (SDN) as a standard stimulus in two paradigms respectively. P300 elicited by SON was used to assess the information processing. The patients' clinical outcomes were followed up at 2, 6 and 12 months after ERP recordings. The results showed that a P300 component was observed in both paradigms in two LIS patients. All of MCS and four out of nine UWS/VS showed an intact P300 in either paradigm. All of the five patients with P300 in both paradigms were finally awake after 12 months, while none of the eight patients without P300 regained consciousness. A highly significant relationship between P300 and subsequent recovery was found. The results provide evidence that P300 in the hierarchical bedside neurophysiologic oddball procedure can accurately characterize the level of cognitive preservation, and may serve as an alternative tool to predict the likelihood of recovery of DOCs.

PMID: 28610950 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

https://ift.tt/2HyOB98

P50 suppression deficits and psychopathology in Han Chinese patients with schizophrenia.

P50 suppression deficits and psychopathology in Han Chinese patients with schizophrenia.

Neurosci Lett. 2017 Jul 13;653:346-350

Authors: Zhu XL, Tan SP, Wang ZR, Zhang JG, Li D, Fan FM, Zhao YL, Zou YZ, Tan YL, Yang F, Zhang XY

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Numerous studies have reported P50 gating deficits in schizophrenia, though with mixed results. Moreover, few studies have explored the association between P50 gating deficits and psychopathology in Chinese patients with schizophrenia. In the present study, we investigated the P50 auditory sensory gating patterns and their correlations with clinical symptoms in a large sample of Han Chinese patients with schizophrenia.
METHODS: We assessed P50 sensory gating with a 64-channel electroencephalography system in 133 patients with schizophrenia and 148 healthy controls. The schizophrenia symptomatology was assessed with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS).
RESULTS: Patients with schizophrenia had a significantly higher P50 gating ratio (p<0.001), longer S1 latency (p<0.05), lower S1 amplitude (p<0.01), and lower P50 difference (p<0.001) than did controls. No significant correlations were found between the P50 gating measures and the PANSS total score or subscale scores in patients with schizophrenia.
CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the P50 sensory gating deficits identified in Chinese patients with schizophrenia may not be involved in the psychopathology of the illness.

PMID: 28606770 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

https://ift.tt/2r6ZTGF

Angiogenesis inhibitor; +16 new citations

16 new pubmed citations were retrieved for your search. Click on the search hyperlink below to display the complete search results:

Angiogenesis inhibitor

These pubmed results were generated on 2018/04/28

https://ift.tt/2KmLVcz

Lingual sulcus and cerebral polyopia.

Lingual sulcus and cerebral polyopia.

J Clin Neurosci. 2018 Apr 23;:

Authors: Kataoka H, Sugie K

PMID: 29699888 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

https://ift.tt/2FotAI0

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation accuracy as a spinal cord stimulation outcome predictor in patients with neuropathic pain.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation accuracy as a spinal cord stimulation outcome predictor in patients with neuropathic pain.

J Clin Neurosci. 2018 Apr 23;:

Authors: Shimizu T, Hosomi K, Maruo T, Goto Y, Shimokawa T, Haruhiko K, Saitoh Y

Abstract
OBJECT: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an effective albeit invasive and relatively expensive treatment of neuropathic pain. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the primary motor cortex (M1) is a non-invasive treatment of neuropathic pain. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether rTMS can predict the successful outcome of SCS.
METHODS: The study population consisted of 22 patients with neuropathic pain who had undergone SCS and rTMS. We conducted statistical analyses to identify the factors that predict pain reduction following SCS.
RESULTS: Multiple regression analyses showed that only degree of pain relief following rTMS was statistically correlated with success in SCS; on the other hand, age, sex, lesion location, pain duration and laterality, and targeted extremities were not correlated. Using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses of the pain relief following rTMS, the diagnostic sensitivity for successful SCS was 0.60 and the specificity was 0.83.
CONCLUSIONS: The degree of pain relief following rTMS over M1 is a significant prognostic factor of SCS outcome in patients with intractable neuropathic pain.
SIGNIFICANCE: The current study provides evidence showing that rTMS, a non-invasive and relatively easy to administer procedure, may aid in the selection of suitable candidates for SCS treatment.

PMID: 29699887 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

https://ift.tt/2KkYPaP

Evaluation of the diagnostic value of immunoglobulin clonal gene rearrangements in patients with parotid gland MALT lymphoma using BIOMED-2 protocol.

Evaluation of the diagnostic value of immunoglobulin clonal gene rearrangements in patients with parotid gland MALT lymphoma using BIOMED-2 protocol.

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2018 Mar 21;:

Authors: Zhang Y, Yu D, Huang K, Huang C, Liu H, Sun X, Wang J, Zhu H

Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of immunoglobulin (Ig) clonal gene rearrangements for mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma of the parotid gland.
STUDY DESIGN: We collected and retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 21 patients referred to our institution between 2009 and 2017. Eight patients had been primarily diagnosed MALT lymphoma of the parotid gland and the remaining patients with lymphoepithelial lesion. Paraffin-embedded tissues were chosen for extracting genomic DNA and multiplex primer polymerase chain reaction amplification by using BIOMED-2 primers. Polymerase chain reaction amplification products were analyzed by heteroduplex analysis.
RESULTS: Generally, 17 patients were identified to have parotid gland MALT lymphoma; 47.06% of them had Sjögren syndrome. The sensitivity of IGH VH-JH FR1, FR2, FR3, IGK Vκ-Jκ, and IGK (Vκ-Kde and intron-Kde) as targets was 76.47%, 82.35%, 88.24%, 29.41%, and 35.29%, respectively. The sensitivity of combined application of the above-mentioned 3 IGH primers as targets was 100%. The sensitivity of combined application of the above two IGK primers as targets was 58.82%.
CONCLUSIONS: Ig clonal gene rearrangements assays using BIOMED-2 protocol can be a highly reliable diagnostic method for parotid gland MALT lymphoma. For patients with Sjögren syndrome along with histologically benign lymphoepithelial lesion, identification of Ig clonal gene rearrangements is important for routine differential diagnosis.

PMID: 29699947 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

https://ift.tt/2vVcSAD

Corrigendum to "Clinical and pathological analyses of tuberculosis in the oral cavity: report of 11 cases" [Oral Surgery oral medicine oral pathology oral radiology 2018;125: 44-51].

Corrigendum to "Clinical and pathological analyses of tuberculosis in the oral cavity: report of 11 cases" [Oral Surgery oral medicine oral pathology oral radiology 2018;125: 44-51].

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2018 Apr 23;:

Authors:

PMID: 29699946 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

https://ift.tt/2r8quCS

Special focus issue on potentially premalignant oral epithelial lesions: introduction and perspective.

Special focus issue on potentially premalignant oral epithelial lesions: introduction and perspective.

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2018 Apr 06;:

Authors: Nikitakis NG

PMID: 29699945 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

https://ift.tt/2Hx84XE

Association between facial nerve second genu angle and facial canal dehiscence in patients with cholesteatoma: evaluation with temporal multidetector computed tomography and surgical findings.

Association between facial nerve second genu angle and facial canal dehiscence in patients with cholesteatoma: evaluation with temporal multidetector computed tomography and surgical findings.

Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2018 Apr 14;:

Authors: Tanrivermis Sayit A, Gunbey HP, Saglam D, Gunbey E, Kardas S, Celenk C

Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Otitis media, mastoiditis or the pressure effect of tumorous lesions such as cholesteatoma can be the cause of facial canal dehiscence and facial nerve paralysis. The most common segment involved in dehiscence is the tympanic segment and the second most common is the lateral aspect of the facial canal in the oval window area.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of the facial canal dehiscence and the relationship between the angle at the second genu of the facial nerve and facial canal dehiscence.
METHODS: We evaluated the surgical findings in 113 patients who underwent surgery for cholesteatoma. Facial canal dehiscence was detected in 62 of the 113 patients. Patients were divided into two groups: Group 1, with dehiscence of the facial canal and Group 2, without dehiscence of the facial canal.
RESULTS: The mean angles at the second genu of the facial nerve in Groups 1 and 2 were 117.8°±9.63° and 114°±9.9°, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between the mean angles at the second genu for the two groups (p=0.04).
CONCLUSION: In patients with dehiscence of the facial canal, the angle at the second genu was found to be wider than those without dehiscence.

PMID: 29699880 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

https://ift.tt/2jeviDy

Treatment of post-intubation laryngeal granulomas: systematic review and proportional meta-analysis.

Treatment of post-intubation laryngeal granulomas: systematic review and proportional meta-analysis.

Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2018 Apr 14;:

Authors: Rimoli CF, Martins RHG, Catâneo DC, Imamura R, Catâneo AJM

Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Laryngeal granulomas post intubation are benign but recurrent lesions. There is no consensus for its treatment.
OBJECTIVE: To describe the effectiveness of different treatment modalities for primary or recurrent laryngeal granulomas resulting from endotracheal intubation.
METHODS: Systematic review and proportional meta-analysis. Eligibility criteria - experimental or observational studies with at least five subjects. Outcomes studied - granuloma resolution, recurrence, and time for resolution. Databases used - Pubmed, Embase, Lilacs, and Cochrane. The Stats Direct 3.0.121 program was used.
RESULTS: Six studies were selected, with 85 patients. The treatments registered were: antireflux therapy, speech therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, antibiotics, zinc sulfate and surgery. 85 patients from six studies had primary treatment: surgery±associations (41 patients), resolution chance 75% (95% CI: 0.3-100%, I2=90%), absolute relapse risk 25% (95% CI: 0.2-71%); medical treatment (44 patients), resolution chance 86% (95% CI: 67-97%); and absolute relapse risk 14% (95% CI: 3-33%). There was no significant difference between groups. Three studies, encompassing 19 patients, analyzed secondary treatment (failure or recurrence after primary treatment); three subjects presented new recurrence. The time needed to resolve the lesions varied from immediate, after surgery, to 23 months, for inhaled steroid.
CONCLUSION: There is no evidence of high quality that proves the efficacy of any treatment for laryngeal granulomas resulting from endotracheal intubation.

PMID: 29699879 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

https://ift.tt/2r64gSX

The role of red cell distribution width in the locoregional recurrence of laryngeal cancer.

The role of red cell distribution width in the locoregional recurrence of laryngeal cancer.

Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2018 Apr 13;:

Authors: Bozkurt G, Korkut AY, Soytaş P, Dizdar SK, Erol ZN

Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Although the red cell distribution width has been reported as a reliable predictor of prognosis in several types of cancer, to our knowledge few reports have focused on the prognostic value of red cell distribution width in laryngeal carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE: We aimed to explore whether the pretreatment red cell distribution width predicted recurrence in laryngeal cancer patients is a simple, reproducible, and inexpensive prognostic biomarker.
METHODS: All laryngeal cancer patients who underwent curative surgery (n=132) over a 7 year study period were evaluated. Data on demographics, primary tumor site, T-stage, N-stage, histological features (differentiation; the presence of perineural/perivascular invasion), treatment group (total laryngectomy or partial laryngectomy) or adjuvant therapy (chemotherapy/radiotherapy); laboratory parameters (complete blood count, including the pre-operative red cell distribution width), and disease-free survival rates were retrospectively reviewed. All cases were divided into three groups by the red cell distribution width tertile [<13% (25th percentile) (n=31), 13-14.4% (50th percentile) (n=72), and >14.4% (75th percentile) (n=29)].
RESULTS: High-red cell distribution width group included more patients of advanced age, and more of those with recurrent and metastatic tumors (p=0.005, 0.048, and 0.043, respectively). Individuals with red cell distribution width >14.4% (75th percentile) had lower disease free survival rates than did those with red cell distribution width <13% (25th percentile) (p=0.014). Patients with red cell distribution width >14.4% at diagnosis were at a higher risk of locoregional recurrence (hazard ratio=5.818, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.25-26.97; p=0.024) than patients with a normal red cell distribution width (<13%).
CONCLUSION: We found that the pretreatment red cell distribution width was independently prognostic of disease free survival rate in patients with laryngeal cancer and may serve as a new, accurate, and reproducible means of identifying early-stage laryngeal cancer patients with poorer prognoses.

PMID: 29699878 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

https://ift.tt/2Jz4oRG

Prostate cancer with cribriform morphology: diagnosis, aggressiveness, molecular pathology and possible relationships with intraductal carcinoma.

Prostate cancer with cribriform morphology: diagnosis, aggressiveness, molecular pathology and possible relationships with intraductal carcinoma.

Expert Rev Anticancer Ther. 2018 Apr 27;:1-9

Authors: Montironi R, Cimadamore A, Gasparrini S, Mazzucchelli R, Santoni M, Massari F, Cheng L, Lopez-Beltran A, Scarpelli M

Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The Gleason grading system is one of the most important prognostic factors in prostate cancer (PCa). From the 2005 to the 2014 conference organized by the International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP), the histological criteria for the Gleason patterns were improved, resulting in the shrinkage of the Gleason pattern (GP) 3 and expansion of the GP 4. Areas Covered: Cribriform, fused, ill-defined and glomeruloid glands are part of the morphologic spectrum of the current GP 4. Cribriform, derived from the Latin word cribrum (i.e. sieve), was introduced by Gleason to describe glands composed of a solid sheet with perforations or lumina. Cribriform morphology has a worse prognosis compared with the other, non-cribriform, GP4 morphologies. A practical implication is that a cribriform growth precludes a patient from selecting an active surveillance (AS) protocol. Expert commentary: The presence of these four growth patterns should be incorporated into the current Grade Group (GG) system. Enhancing our understanding of cribriform tumor behavior will lead to correctly identifying and treating those patients that will die because of PCa, while sparing treatment in those who do not require it.

PMID: 29699428 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

https://ift.tt/2KhcAXX

Detection of abnormally shaped ears by a trained non-specialist allows for early non-surgical intervention

Publication date: July 2018
Source:International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, Volume 110
Author(s): Daphne Y.D. Lu, Julie Pauwels, Lisa Jin, Frederick K. Kozak, Neil K. Chadha
IntroductionMany children are born with abnormally-shaped ears, including protruding ears or unusually-shaped outer ears. While the majority are benign, these may cause significant issues with self-esteem and bullying in childhood. Early molding can resolve some of these abnormalities, avoiding the need for future corrective surgery. However, newborns with these abnormalities are rarely identified early, within the first few days of life, when molding is most effective. In this study, we investigate whether a trained non-specialist can correctly identify ear shape abnormalities in newborns.MethodsA non-specialist (medical student) was trained on normal and abnormal ear anatomy using photographs and descriptions. Newborns <72 h of age were recruited from maternity wards. Newborns' ears were photographed and these images were assessed independently by two specialists and the non-specialist. External ear shape was classified as either normal or abnormal based on pre-determined criteria.ResultsA total of 661 ears of 334 newborns were photographed and assessed. High inter-rater agreement was achieved with a kappa statistic of 0.863 (SE 0.078). The non-specialist detected abnormally-shaped ears with a sensitivity and specificity of 90.9% and 91.1% respectively.ConclusionsOur study illustrates that non-specialist can be trained to accurately detect newborn ear abnormalities, providing a cost-effective means of ensuring that these children's health care needs are met in a timely fashion. Specifically, we recommend the integration of ear shape assessment into currently established programs such as the newborn hearing screening program.

https://ift.tt/2r5BNfe

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy: evaluation of the vestibular system with cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials.

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy: evaluation of the vestibular system with cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials.

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2018 Apr 27;:

Authors: Magliulo G, Iannella G, Manno A, Libonati L, Onesti E, Vestri A, Fegatelli DA, Angeletti D, Pace A, Gulotta G, Gagliardi S, Inghilleri M

PMID: 29700616 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

https://ift.tt/2r6cASR

A Sorafenib-Sparing Effect in the Treatment of Thyroid Carcinoma Cells Attained by Co-treatment with a Novel Isoflavone Derivative and 1,25 Dihydroxyvitamin D3.

A Sorafenib-Sparing Effect in the Treatment of Thyroid Carcinoma Cells Attained by Co-treatment with a Novel Isoflavone Derivative and 1,25 Dihydroxyvitamin D3.

J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2018 Apr 24;:

Authors: Izkhakov E, Sharon O, Knoll E, Aizic A, Fliss DM, Kohen F, Stern N, Somjen D

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Sorafenib improves progression-free survival in patients with progressive radioactive iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid carcinoma, but causes severe side effects. Estrogens may accelerate thyroid carcinoma cell growth. Our group recently reported that isoflavone derivative 7-(O)-carboxymethyl daidzein conjugated to N-t-boc-hexylenediamine (cD-tboc), a novel anti-estrogenic compound, retards the growth of both thyroid carcinoma cell lines and cultured human carcinoma cells. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) is expressed in malignant cells and responds to 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1.25D) by decreased proliferative activity in vitro. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of vitamin D metabolites (VDM) on the expression of estrogen receptors (ERs), VDR, and 1OHase mRNA, and to evaluate the inhibitory effect of low doses of sorafenib in combination with cDtboc and VDM on cell proliferation in cultured human papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).
METHODS: In 19 cultured PTC specimens and 19 normal thyroid specimens, harvested during thyroidectomies from the same patients, expression levels of ERα, ERβ, VDR, and 1 alpha-hydroxylase (1OHase) mRNA (by quantitative real-time PCR) were determined at baseline and after treatment with VMD. Cell proliferation was determined by measurement of 3[H] thymidine incorporation after treatment with sorafenib alone, sorafenib with added 1.25D or cD-tboc, and sorafenib with both 1.25D and cD-tboc added.
RESULTS: 1,25D increased mRNA expression of all tested genes in the malignant and normal thyroid cells, while the ERα mRNA of the normal cells was unaffected. 1.25D dose-dependently inhibited cell proliferation in the malignant cells. The inhibitory effect of sorafenib on cell proliferation in the malignant cells was amplified after the addition of cDtboc and 1.25D, such that the maximal inhibition was not only greater, but also had been attained at a 10-fold lower concentration of sorafenib (20 µg/ml). This inhibition was similar to that of the generally used concentration of sorafenib (200 μg/ml) alone.
CONCLUSIONS: The demonstration that low concentrations of cDtboc and 1.25D markedly amplify the inhibitory effect of sorafenib on the growth of human PTC supports the use of a 10-fold lower concentration of sorafenib. The findings may promote a new combination treatment for progressive radioactive iodine-refractory PTC.

PMID: 29702263 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

https://ift.tt/2jbsG9o

Microscopic positive margins in papillary thyroid cancer do not impact disease recurrence.

Microscopic positive margins in papillary thyroid cancer do not impact disease recurrence.

ANZ J Surg. 2018 Apr 27;:

Authors: Abraham E, Tran B, Roshan D, Graham S, Lehane C, Wykes J, Campbell P, Ebrahimi A

Abstract
BACKGROUND: The prognostic significance of microscopic positive margins in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine if microscopic positive margins are associated with increased risk of disease recurrence.
METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of 610 patients with PTC using multivariate Cox regression to evaluate the association between microscopic positive margins and disease-free survival.
RESULTS: Microscopic positive margins were found in 67 (11%) patients and associated with extrathyroidal extension (P < 0.001), multifocality (P < 0.001), nodal metastases (P < 0.001), lymphovascular invasion (P < 0.001), age ≥55 years (P = 0.048), administration of radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy (P = 0.001) and a trend towards larger tumour size (18 versus 15 mm; P = 0.074). After a median follow-up of 3.4 years, there were 83 recurrences. Although involved margins were associated with increased risk of recurrence on univariate analysis (hazard ratio 2.6, 95% confidence interval 1.5-4.6; P = 0.001), there was no association after adjusting for age, nodal metastases, tumour size and extrathyroidal extension on multivariate analysis (hazard ratio 1.5, 95% confidence interval 0.8-2.9; P = 0.242). Similar results were obtained after adjusting for RAI and if margins were analysed as focal versus widely positive. In our study cohort, patients with involved margins generally had other indications for RAI. However, in the nine patients who did not receive RAI, there was no recurrence in the thyroid bed.
CONCLUSION: Despite a strong association between microscopic positive margins and other adverse prognostic factors in PTC, there is no independent association with disease recurrence on multivariate analysis. Microscopic positive margins are rare (1.1%) in the absence of other indications for RAI.

PMID: 29701284 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

https://ift.tt/2FmrWH6

Heavy metal availability, bioaccessibility, and leachability in contaminated soil: effects of pig manure and earthworms

Abstract

A pot experiment and a leaching experiment were conducted to investigate the effects of earthworms and pig manure on heavy metals (Cd, Pb, and Zn) immobility, in vitro bioaccessibility and leachability under simulated acid rain (SAR). Results showed manure significantly increased soil organic carbon (SOC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), available phosphorus (AP), total N, total P and pH, and decreased CaCl₂-extractable metals and total heavy metals in water and SAR leachate. The addition of earthworms significantly increased AP (from 0.38 to 1.7 mg kg⁻¹), and a downward trend in CaCl₂-extractable and total leaching loss of heavy metals were observed. The combined earthworm and manure treatment decreased CaCl₂-extractable Zn, Cd, and Pb. For Na₄P₂O₇-extractable metals, Cd and Pb were decreased with increasing manure application rate. Application of earthworm alone did not contribute to the remediation of heavy metal polluted soils. Considering the effects on heavy metal immobilization and cost, the application of 6% manure was an alternative approach for treating contaminated soils. These findings provide valuable information for risk management during immobilization of heavy metals in contaminated soils.

https://ift.tt/2Jz6dhv

Endometrial Metastasis from Ductal Breast Carcinoma: A Case Report with Literature Review.

Endometrial Metastasis from Ductal Breast Carcinoma: A Case Report with Literature Review.

Am J Case Rep. 2018 Apr 27;19:494-499

Authors: Rahmani M, Nili F, Tabibian E

Abstract
BACKGROUND There are few reports of breast cancer cases with uterine metastases; among them, myometrium is more frequently involved than endometrium. The majority of breast cancer metastases to endometrium are lobular type, and there have been only 5 reported cases of ductal type since 1984. Here, we describe a new case of invasive ductal carcinoma with metastases to endometrium and isolated presentation of abnormal uterine bleeding, in addition to reviewing the existing literature on other similar cases. CASE REPORT The patient was a 51-year-old Persian woman with no remarkable past medical or family history of cancer, who presented with a 6-month complaint of menorrhagia to our gynecology clinic. Diagnostic studies including trans-vaginal ultrasonography, pathological examination of endometrial curettage specimen, immunohistochemistry findings, and X-plane and magnetic resonance mammography, and breast core-needle biopsy revealed invasive ductal breast carcinoma as the origin of the endometrial metastasis. CONCLUSIONS Abnormal uterine bleeding in a premenopausal patient should alert clinicians to the possibility of secondary as well as primary neoplasms. It is necessary to differentiate a metastatic tumor from a primary one, since the treatment and prognosis are completely different.

PMID: 29700276 [PubMed - in process]

https://ift.tt/2KkcUFq

Assessment of the efficacy of ofatumumab in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia treated in the Department of Haematooncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation of the Medical University in Lublin - Prelimary results.

Assessment of the efficacy of ofatumumab in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia treated in the Department of Haematooncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation of the Medical University in Lublin - Prelimary results.

Ann Agric Environ Med. 2018 Mar 14;25(1):56-59

Authors: Wąsik-Szczepanek E, Szymczyk A, Kowal M, Nogalski A, Hus M

Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Despite significant recent advances in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), most cases of the disease are still incurable. Treatment with monoclonal antibodies, such as ofatumumab, is one of the new therapeutic options.
OBJECTIVE: Retrospective analysis of the efficacy of ofatumumab in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) treated in the Haematooncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Department of the Medical University of Lublin, Poland, during 2011-2013.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: The analysis included 5 patients (3 women and 2 men), aged 47-65, with Rai stage II-IV CLL, after a few lines of treatment. Three patients received ofatumumab in monotherapy and 2 patients received ofatumumab in combination with cyclophosphamide (50 mg/day) and dexamethasone (40 mg/day). All patients included in the study were diagnosed with an active form of leukaemia with symptoms such as lymphocytosis or massive lymphadenopathy.
RESULTS: All patients responded to the treatment. Within the first 8 weeks of the treatment, levels of white blood cells returned to normal in patients with baseline lymphocytosis (3 patients). An increase in platelet levels was reported in 3 patients. Haemoglobin levels were higher or comparable to the baseline values in all studied patients after the completion of immunotherapy. In the patient with massive lymphadenopathy and hepato- and splenomegaly, the size of the lymph nodes, spleen and liver decreased and neutrophil levels increased. Time of progression was 5-12 months, and in one patient partial remission has been maintained. The treatment was well-tolerated in most cases. Asymptomatic neutropenia and an infection with Candida glabrata were observed.
CONCLUSIONS: Ofatumumab may be a new and safe therapeutic option for patients with CLL after a few lines of treatment.

PMID: 29575875 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

https://ift.tt/2DZ0KNU

Geriatric nutritional risk index as a prognostic factor in patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma.

http:--production.springer.de-OnlineReso

Geriatric nutritional risk index as a prognostic factor in patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma.

Ann Hematol. 2018 Jun;97(6):999-1007

Authors: Kanemasa Y, Shimoyama T, Sasaki Y, Hishima T, Omuro Y

Abstract
The geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) is a simple and well-established nutritional assessment tool that is a significant prognostic factor for various cancers. However, the role of the GNRI in predicting clinical outcomes of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients has not been investigated. To address this issue, we retrospectively analyzed a total of 476 patients with newly diagnosed de novo DLBCL. We defined the best cutoff value of the GNRI as 96.8 using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Patients with a GNRI < 96.8 had significantly lower overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) than those with a GNRI ≥ 96.8 (5-year OS, 61.2 vs. 84.4%, P < 0.001; 5-year PFS, 53.7 vs. 75.8%, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that performance status, Ann Arbor stage, serum lactate dehydrogenase, and GNRI were independent prognostic factors for OS. Among patients with high-intermediate and high-risk by National Comprehensive Cancer Network-International Prognostic Index (NCCN-IPI), the 5-year OS was significantly lower in patients with a GNRI < 96.8 than in those with a GNRI ≥ 96.8 (high-intermediate risk, 59.5 vs. 75.2%, P = 0.006; high risk, 37.4 vs. 64.9%, P = 0.033). In the present study, we demonstrated that the GNRI was an independent prognostic factor in DLBCL patients. The GNRI could identify a population of poor-risk patients among those with high-intermediate and high-risk by NCCN-IPI.

PMID: 29427185 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

https://ift.tt/2sqi2TH

Bilateral proliferative retinopathy in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

https:--www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov-corehtml-pm

Bilateral proliferative retinopathy in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Indian J Ophthalmol. 2018 01;66(1):148-151

Authors: Kumawat D, Kumar V, Sahay P, Chandra P

Abstract
A 4-year-old child with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia presented with vitreous hemorrhage due to proliferative retinopathy in both eyes. Pars plana vitrectomy was performed in both eyes to clear nonresolving vitreous hemorrhage after systemic stabilization. Visual recovery was limited by the disc drag in the right eye and subfoveal exudation in the left eye. Etiopathogenesis and management of proliferative retinopathy in acute leukemias are discussed.

PMID: 29283147 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

https://ift.tt/2r8ivXt

Αρχειοθήκη ιστολογίου

! # Ola via Alexandros G.Sfakianakis on Inoreader

Η λίστα ιστολογίων μου

Σάββατο 28 Απριλίου 2018

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