Recovery and utilization of collagen protein powder extracted from chromium leather scrap waste

Abstract

In this work, we investigate collagen protein powder (CPP) extracted from chromium leather scrap waste (CLSW). The composition and molecular weight distribution of CPP were determined by elemental analysis and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), respectively. The microstructure and size distribution of CPP were then characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and nanometer analyzer instrument. Finally, CPP was treated with corn starch (CS), and the swelling behavior of the resulting CPP-CS blend was investigated in order to determine its range of applications. The experimental data showed that CPP contains 13 different amino-acids. CPP also displayed low mineral salt levels and a nitrogen content of 43.84%, indicating its potential use as an organic fertilizer. The molecular weight range of CPP is 6.5 to ~ 26.6 kDa. After the obtained CPP was blended with CS, the CPP-CS blend is endowed with optimal swelling properties and is able to overcome the solubility drawbacks of CPP alone. In addition, when the CPP was used as a natural fertilizer, the germination rate and height of kidney beans obviously increased.

http://bit.ly/2Tc4hAT

Arsenic, selenium, and metals in a commercial and vulnerable fish from southwestern Atlantic estuaries: distribution in water and tissues and public health risk assessment

Abstract

The anadromous catfish Genidens barbus is a vulnerable and economically important species from the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean. Concentrations of As, Co, Fe, Se, and Zn were determined in water and muscle, gill, and liver of catfish from two southwestern Atlantic estuaries (Brazil and Argentina) and health risk via fish consumption was evaluated. High spatial variability was observed in the metals, As, and Se distribution for both estuaries. Considering all tissues, element concentrations (mg/kg, wet weight) were As = 0.41–23.50, Co = 0.01–2.9, Fe = 2.08–773, Se = 0.15–10.7, and Zn = 3.97–2808). Most of the trace elements tended to be higher in Brazil than in Argentina, except for Co, Fe, Se, and Zn in liver and Fe and Co in muscle and gill, respectively. Arsenic accumulation order was muscle > liver ≥ gill. Only As (muscle) was above the maximum recommended by international guidelines at both estuaries. The target hazard quotient ranged from 0.10 to 1.58, suggesting that people may experience significant health risks through catfish consumption. Supposing that the inorganic/toxic As ranged between 1 and 20% of the total, the recommended maximum intakes per capita bases were 6.1–95 and 8.4–138 kg/year (wet weight) for Brazil and Argentina, respectively. Carcinogenic risk for As intake was within the acceptable range but close to the recommended limit (> 10⁻⁴). These results highlights the importance of quantifying the As species in catfish muscle in order to generate more reliable risk estimates.

http://bit.ly/2AX54P5

Vertical flow wetlands and hybrid systems for the treatment of landfill leachate

Abstract

Landfill leachates contain a variety of toxic compounds, which makes them one of the most difficult types of wastewater to be treated. An alternative "green" technology for leachate treatment is the use of constructed wetlands (CWs). The aims of this study were to select macrophytes and substrates to be used in vertical flow wetlands (VFWs) and to evaluate the performance of hybrid systems composed by a VFW and a horizontal subsurface flow (HSSW) or a free water surface flow (FWSW) wetlands for the treatment of a high ammonium concentration landfill leachate. In microcosms scale experiments, Typha domingensis, Scirpus californicus, and Iris pseudacorus were studied to assess their tolerance to raw and diluted leachate. Substrate selection for VFWs was evaluated using different layers of light expanded clay aggregate (LECA), coarse sand, fine sand, and gravel. Contaminant removals were higher in planted than in unplanted wetlands. Plants did not tolerate the raw effluent but showed a positive effect on plant growth when exposed to the diluted leachate. T. domingensis and I. pseudacorus showed higher contaminant removal ability and tolerance to landfill leachate than S. californicus. VFW with LECA + coarse sand showed the best performance in removal efficiencies. Hybrid system composed by VFW-FWSW planted with T. domingensis presented the best performance for the treatment of landfill leachate with high concentrations of ammonium.

http://bit.ly/2WoQGIy

Acute ecotoxicological effects of salicylic acid on the Polychaeta species Hediste diversicolor : evidences of low to moderate pro-oxidative effects

Abstract

Contamination of the aquatic environment by pharmaceutical drugs is an emerging issue in ecotoxicology. Aquatic organisms, in the presence of xenobiotics, tend to activate defensive mechanisms against toxic effects in order to mitigate and/or compensate for the toxic damages that frequently result from these interactions. Salicylic acid (SA) is a common drug, widely used in human medicine due to its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic properties, as well as its activity in terms of preventing platelet aggregation, among other clinical and cosmetic uses. It is commonly found in levels of the nanograms per liter to the micrograms per liter range in receiving waters, and its presence has been related to toxic effects in aquatic organisms, including oxidative stress. However, the number of studies that characterize the ecotoxicological profile of salicylates is still scarce and no studies have been published about the putative toxic effects of SA, especially in marine polychaetes. In order to determine the potential ecotoxicological effects caused by SA, individuals of the marine Polychaeta species Hediste diversicolor were exposed for 96 h to ecologically relevant concentrations of this compound, and several biochemical endpoints were evaluated, namely the activity of the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT), the phase II biotransformation isoenzymes glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), the cholinergic enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and the determination of lipoperoxidative damage (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) assay). The obtained results demonstrated that despite the pro-oxidative effects elicited by SA, exposure to realistic levels of this compound was not able to generate a state of oxidative stress, and the adaptive protective responses elicited by exposed individuals were effective enough to minimize and/or inhibit the damage potentially caused by overproduced reactive oxygen species.

http://bit.ly/2R9LzIk

Pancoast tumour presenting as shoulder pain with Horners syndrome

A 54-year-old man presented to the emergency department with a 4-week history of right shoulder pain radiating down his arm, with some associated sensory loss. Further questioning and examination in the department revealed a classical Horner's syndrome; miosis, partial ptosis and hemifacial anhidrosis. An initial chest X-ray was deemed to be unremarkable; however, further review by a radiologist noted asymmetrical right apical thickening. A subsequent high-resolution CT scan of the chest revealed a right-sided Pancoast tumour. This case highlights the importance of a thorough history and examination in identifying a rare cause of shoulder and/or back pain.

http://bit.ly/2B0IaGE

Multiple foreign bodies in the facial region from a penetrating stab injury

Penetrating injuries can lead to multiple retained foreign bodies. To present a case of a penetrating stab injury on to the right orbital region of a 37-year-old woman which resulted in lacerations on both eyelids, loss of vision in addition to the retention of glass particle and woven artificial hair strands at the anterior end of the floor of the orbit. The woven artificial hair strand, being flexible in nature, was apparently logged in by the penetrating force of the broken glass used as the stab injury object. Under local anaesthesia, a gentle intermittent pull on one hair strand led to the dislodgement of a piece of broken glass particle along with the other end of the hair strand. The resultant wound was repaired. Stab injuries can result in retained multiple foreign bodies. This possibility should be considered during assessment and management of facial injuries to avoid complications of retention.

http://bit.ly/2TbUcnx

Carcinoma of Unknown Primary with EML4‐ALK Fusion Response to ALK Inhibitors

AbstractWith the advent of next‐generation sequencing (NGS) and precision medicine, investigators have determined that tumors from different tissue sources that have the same types of genetic mutations will have a positive response to the same targeted therapy. This finding has prompted us to seek potential therapeutic targets for patients with carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP) using NGS technology. Here, we reported a case of a woman with CUP resistance to chemotherapy. We detected 450 cancer‐related gene alterations using three metastatic tumor specimens and found the presence of EML4 exon13 and ALK exon20 fusion. The tumor did respond to crizotinib, a first‐generation ALK inhibitor. When her tumor progressed, circulating tumor DNA detection revealed ALK L1196 M and G1269A mutation resistance to crizotinib, but she had a response to brigatinib. This case revealed that NGS technology used to detect the genetic alterations in patients with CUP might be a reliable method to find potential therapeutic targets, although the primary lesion could not always be confirmed.Key Points.This case exemplifies responsiveness to ALK inhibitor in carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP) with EML4‐ALK fusion.Next‐generation sequencing is an important diagnostic tool to find potential therapeutic targets in CUP.Liquid biopsy may be useful to provide critical information about resistance mechanisms in CUP to guide sequential treatment decision with targeted therapy.

http://bit.ly/2RdwYLN

Everolimus plus Exemestane for Hormone Receptor‐Positive Advanced Breast Cancer: A PAM50 Intrinsic Subtype Analysis of BOLERO‐2

AbstractBackground.The prognostic and predictive value of the two nonluminal (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 [HER2]‐enriched and basal‐like) subtypes within advanced hormone receptor‐positive (HR+) breast cancer is currently unknown.Materials and Methods.This study retrospectively analyzed 261 tumors (80.7% primary; 19.3% metastatic) from the BOLERO‐2 study; BOLERO‐2 randomized 724 patients with advanced HR+/HER2‐negative breast cancer to everolimus plus exemestane or placebo plus exemestane. Tumors were classified using a PAM50 subtype predictor. Multivariable Cox regression analyses tested the independent prognostic significance of PAM50, and associations between PAM50 subtypes and treatment upon progression‐free survival (PFS) were evaluated.Results.Subtype distribution was 46.7% luminal A (n = 122), 21.5% HER2‐enriched (n = 56), 15.7% luminal B (n = 41), 14.2% normal‐like (n = 37), and 1.9% basal‐like (n = 5); HER2‐enriched subtypes were more common in metastatic versus primary tumors (32.0% vs. 18.7%; p = .038). Median PFS differences between luminal and nonluminal (6.7 vs. 5.2 months; adjusted hazard ratio, 0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.47–0.94; p = .020) and HER2‐enriched and non‐HER2‐enriched subtypes (5.2 vs. 6.2 months; adjusted hazard ratio, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.07–2.19; p = .019) were significant. Everolimus plus exemestane significantly improved median PFS versus placebo plus exemestane among patients with HER2‐enriched tumors (5.8 vs. 4.1 months; adjusted hazard ratio, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.26–0.90; p = .034); however, the association between HER2‐enriched tumors and everolimus benefit was nonsignificant (p = .433).Conclusion.The HER2‐enriched subtype was identified in a substantial proportion of advanced HR+/HER2‐negative breast tumors, and was a consistent biomarker of poor prognosis. Tailored therapies are therefore needed for HER2‐enriched tumors in the advanced HR+/HER2‐negative breast cancer setting.Implications for Practice.Using 261 tumor samples from the BOLERO‐2 phase III clinical trial, this study shows that a substantial proportion (20%–30%) of hormone receptor‐positive (HR+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)‐negative advanced breast cancers do not have a luminal A or B gene expression profile. This group of patients with nonluminal disease has a poor survival outcome regardless of the addition of everolimus to exemestane. This is the second study that confirms the prognostic value of this biomarker. Overall, these findings indicate a necessity to design novel clinical trials targeting nonluminal disease within HR+/HER2‐negative breast cancer.

http://bit.ly/2WiK7a7

Aromatase Inhibitors and Newly Developed Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Postmenopausal Patients with Early Breast Cancer: A Propensity Score‐Matched Cohort Study

AbstractBackground.Unlike tamoxifen, the relationship between aromatase inhibitor use in postmenopausal patients with breast cancer and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has not been delineated.Materials and Methods.A retrospective analysis of 253 patients with early breast cancer without baseline NAFLD and treated with nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitors was performed. Among them, 220 patients were matched for sex, age, and menstruation status with healthy patients, and the prevalence of NAFLD was compared. NAFLD was determined by hepatic steatosis index in the absence of other known liver diseases. The presence of significant liver fibrosis in patients with NAFLD was determined noninvasively by AST‐platelet ratio index, FIB‐4 score, and NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS).Results.Postmenopausal patients with breast cancer undergoing treatment with aromatase inhibitors had higher prevalence of NAFLD independent of body mass index (BMI) and underlying diabetes mellitus (DM). Although the aromatase inhibitor group showed higher fibrotic burden by NFS, independent of BMI and DM, the proportion of advanced fibrosis did not show statistically significant differences between AI‐treated patients and the healthy patients. Those with abnormal baseline fasting glucose levels are suggested to have increased risk of NAFLD development after aromatase inhibitor treatment. In addition, patients with NAFLD developed after aromatase inhibitor use had significantly lower disease‐free survival than those without NAFLD, although there was no significant difference in overall survival.Conclusion.Results of this study suggest that inhibition of estrogen synthesis in postmenopausal women undergoing treatment with aromatase inhibitors could increase the risk of NAFLD, which might have some influence on the prognosis of patients with breast cancer.Implications for Practice.Unlike tamoxifen, the role of aromatase inhibitor treatment use in postmenopausal patients with breast cancer in development of fatty liver is not well known. In this propensity‐matched cohort study, postmenopausal patients with breast cancer treated with aromatase inhibitors had increased risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease compared with healthy women after menopause, independent of obesity and diabetes mellitus. The results show possible adverse influence of the newly developed fatty liver on breast cancer disease‐free survival and suggest a necessity for further validation. Fatty liver may need to be considered as an adverse event for aromatase inhibitor treatment.

http://bit.ly/2Rd8m5W

Phase II Study of the Triple Combination Chemotherapy of SOXIRI (S‐1/Oxaliplatin/Irinotecan) in Patients with Unresectable Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

AbstractLessons Learned. The triple combination chemotherapy of SOXIRI (S‐1/oxaliplatin/irinotecan) in patients with unresectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma was an effective treatment that appeared to be better tolerated than the widely used FOLFIRINOX regimen.SOXIRI regimen may provide an alternative approach for advanced pancreatic cancer.Background.In our previous phase I study, we determined the recommended dose of a biweekly S‐1, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan (SOXIRI) regimen in patients with unresectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). This phase II study was conducted to assess the safety and clinical efficacy in patients with unresectable PDAC.Methods.Patients with previously untreated metastatic and locally advanced PDAC were enrolled. The primary endpoint was response rate (RR). Secondary endpoints were adverse events (AEs), progression‐free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Patients received 80 mg/m2 of S‐1 twice a day for 2 weeks in alternate‐day administration, 150 mg/m2 of irinotecan on day 1, and 85 mg/m2 of oxaliplatin on day 1 of a 2‐week cycle.Results.Thirty‐five enrolled patients received a median of six (range: 2–15) treatment cycles. The RR was 22.8% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 10.4–40.1); median OS, 17.7 months (95% CI: 9.8–22.0); and median PFS, 7.4 months (95% CI: 4.2–8.4). Furthermore, the median OS in patients with distant metastasis was 10.1 months, whereas that in patients with locally advanced PDAC was 22.6 months. Major grade 3 or 4 toxicity included neutropenia (54%), anemia (17%), febrile neutropenia (11%), anorexia (9%), diarrhea (9%), and nausea (9%). There were no treatment‐related deaths.Conclusion.SOXIRI is considered a promising and well‐tolerated regimen in patients with unresectable PDAC.

http://bit.ly/2WdPB68

A Phase II Randomized Trial of Panitumumab, Erlotinib, and Gemcitabine Versus Erlotinib and Gemcitabine in Patients with Untreated, Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: North Central Cancer Treatment Group Trial N064B (Alliance)

AbstractLessons Learned. Dual epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)‐directed therapy with erlotinib and panitumumab in combination with gemcitabine was superior to gemcitabine and erlotinib, but the clinical relevance is uncertain given the limited role of gemcitabine monotherapy.A significantly longer overall survival was observed in patients receiving the dual EGFR‐directed therapy.The dual EGFR‐directed therapy resulted in increased toxicity.Background.Gemcitabine is active in patients with advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The combination of erlotinib, an oral epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor, and gemcitabine was shown to modestly prolong overall survival when compared with gemcitabine alone. The North Central Cancer Treatment Group (now part of Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology) trial N064B compared gemcitabine plus erlotinib versus gemcitabine plus combined EGFR inhibition with erlotinib and panitumumab.Methods.Eligible patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas were randomized to either gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m2 on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28‐day cycle with erlotinib 100 mg p.o. daily (Arm A) or the same combination with the addition of panitumumab 4 mg/kg on days 1 and 15 of a 28‐day cycle (Arm B). The primary endpoint of the trial was overall survival. Secondary endpoints included progression‐free survival, the confirmed response rate, and toxicity. Comparison between arms for the primary endpoint was done with a one‐sided log‐rank test, and a p value less than .20 was considered statistically significant. Response rate comparison was done with Fisher's exact test. All other reported p values are two‐sided.Results.A total of 92 patients were randomized, 46 to each arm. The median overall survival was 4.2 months in Arm A and 8.3 months in Arm B (hazard ratio, 0.817; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.530–1.260; p = .1792). The progression‐free survival was 2.0 months in Arm A and 3.6 months in Arm B (hazard ratio, 0.843; 95% CI, 0.555–1.280; p = .4190). A partial confirmed response was seen in 8.7% of patients on Arm A and 6.5% on Arm B (p = .9999). No patients had a complete response. Grade 3 and higher nonhematologic toxicities were more common in patients on Arm B compared with those on Arm A (82.6% vs. 52.2%; p = .0018).Conclusion.Dual EGFR‐directed therapy resulted in a significant prolongation of overall survival in patients with advanced adenocarcinoma of the pancreas but was associated with substantially increased toxicities. Dual EGFR‐directed therapy in combination with gemcitabine alone cannot be recommended for further study, as single‐agent gemcitabine is no longer considered an appropriate therapy for otherwise fit patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer.

http://bit.ly/2RdwOUH

Cutaneous involvement as the first manifestation of T‐lymphoblastic lymphoma and review of the literature.

Lymphoblastic lymphomas (LBL) are uncommon malignant neoplasms derived from immature T‐ or B‐ lymphoid progenitor cells. Although cutaneous involvement may reach 33% in B‐LBL, only twelve cutaneous cases of T‐ LBL have been published. We report the case of a 49‐year‐old woman with 2‐month history of erythematous‐violaceous plaques in the sternal region and breasts. Histopathologic examination showed a dense monomorphus infiltrate in dermis and positive immunostainings for CD3, CD99 and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase, thus indicating T‐LBL. Staging work‐up only revealed a mediastinal mass at diagnosis. After a 51‐month follow‐up and different treatment regimens, the patient remains alive although she has presented four relapses, all of them extramedullary.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

http://bit.ly/2B5fZWT

Editorial Board

http://bit.ly/2B4wSRt

Biomonitoring chronic lead exposure among battery manufacturing workers in Tunisia

Abstract

The aim of the study was the biomonitoring of the chronic exposure to Pb by measuring its levels in blood, urine, and hair of battery workers. Blood lead (BPb), urinary lead (UPb), hair lead (HPb), and urinary δ-aminolevulinic acid (UALA) levels were determined for 52 workers in a battery plant and compared to those of 20 non-occupational exposed subjects (controls). BPb and UPb levels were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). HPb levels were measured by triple quadrupole ICP-MS and UALA levels were determined using cation exchanger column. The measured levels were significantly higher compared to the controls exceeding the OSHA cutoff values (p < 0.01). The GM mean levels of BPb, UPb, UALA, and HPb of workers were 715 μg L⁻¹, 331 μg L⁻¹, 16.3 mg g⁻¹, and 234 μg g⁻¹, respectively. The GM mean levels of BPb, UPb, UALA, and HPb of controls were 93.6 μg L⁻¹, 36.3 μg L⁻¹, 1.9 mg g⁻¹, and 1.8 μg g⁻¹, respectively. Significant correlations were observed between BPb and UALA (r = 0.630, p = 0.000), UPb and UALA (r = 0.566, p = 0.000), and between BPb and HPb (r = 0.466, p = 0.004). The significant correlation between BPb and HPb suggests the usefulness of hair for assessing occupational exposure particularly when the study area presents medium to high levels of Pb pollution. The association between Pb biomarkers and potential confounding factors revealed significant influence of the occupational factor over smoking and alcohol consumption. The results of this study urge for the reinforcement of the implemented engineering controls and safety measures in order to reduce exposure and to address the health issues related to Pb poisoning.

http://bit.ly/2sKCkV6

Eine seltene Ursache der chronischen Otitis media

Laryngo-Rhino-Otol
DOI: 10.1055/a-0829-6950

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Article in Thieme eJournals:
Table of contents  |  Full text

http://bit.ly/2TeIJn1

Eine Gruppenintervention zur Förderung der Arbeitsfähigkeit für Patienten mit Kopf-Hals-Tumoren

Laryngo-Rhino-Otol
DOI: 10.1055/a-0829-6885

Einleitung Trotz hoher Belastung nimmt ein Großteil der Patienten mit Kopf-Hals-Tumoren keine psychosoziale Versorgung in Anspruch. Diese Patienten haben darüber hinaus ein höheres Risiko als andere Krebspatienten, nicht wieder in den Beruf zurückzukehren. Daher wurde eine Gruppenintervention entwickelt, die sich an Patienten mit Kopf-Hals-Tumoren richtet und deren Arbeitsfähigkeit, Lebensqualität, Selbstwirksamkeit und psychisches Wohlbefinden fördern soll. Material und Methoden In einem randomisiert-kontrollierten Design erhalten die Patienten eine Gruppenintervention oder eine sozialrechtliche Beratung. Eingeschlossen werden männliche Patienten mit Kopf-Hals-Tumoren mit hoher psychischer und arbeitsbezogener Belastung. Die Gruppenintervention besteht aus acht Sitzungen. Die Gruppen werden von einer Psychotherapeutin und einem ehemals Betroffenen eines Kopf-Hals-Tumors (sogenannter Peer) geleitet. Die Umsetzbarkeit und Akzeptanz der Intervention wurde anhand einer Pilotgruppe getestet. Die Teilnehmer der Pilotgruppe evaluierten jede Sitzung und wurden nach Abschluss der Intervention in halbstrukturierten Interviews zur Intervention befragt. Ergebnisse Von 113 Patienten persönlich angesprochenen Patienten nahmen zehn Patienten an einem Screening-Gespräch teil. Davon nahmen vier Patienten an der Pilotgruppe teil. Die Patienten gaben an, dass sich die Gruppenintervention gut mit ihrem Alltag vereinbaren ließe und dass sie die Gruppe insgesamt positiv wahrgenommen hätten. Drei Patienten betonten die Wichtigkeit des Peers. Diskussion Vor allem der Peers als Identifikationsfigur ist von zentraler Bedeutung. Zur Verbesserung der Rekrutierungszahlen sollen Einschlusskriterien erweitert und der Teilnahmeaufwand reduziert werden.
[...]

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

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

http://bit.ly/2B5daFc

REPLY to MS#JAAD-D-19-00075

http://bit.ly/2FM0pUf

Comments on: Abnormal erythrocyte morphology in drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms

http://bit.ly/2FUKan3

Impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act on Dermatologic Healthcare Utilization

http://bit.ly/2FJaKQA

Inpatient consultative dermatology: Where are we now? Assessing the value and evolution of this sub-specialty over the past decade

•The prevalence and complexity of cutaneous disease among hospitalized patients is high. Inpatient consultative dermatology has advanced as a sub-specialty over the past decade to provide much needed expertise regarding uncommon and severe skin disorders. Recent data support the significant value—clinical, outcomes-based, and economic—associated with inpatient dermatology care.

http://bit.ly/2FYaNHy

Examining Cutaneous Disease Activity As An Outcome Measure For Clinical Trials In Dermatomyositis

http://bit.ly/2FPNfFE

The Impact of Testosterone on the Chests and Abdomens of Transgender Men

http://bit.ly/2FVrymG

Bio-removal of cadmium from aqueous solutions by filamentous fungi: Trichoderma spp. and Piriformospora indica

Abstract

Six strains of Trichoderma spp. and Piriformospora indica have been studied for cadmium tolerance and bioaccumulation capacities by the poisoned food technique. A quantitative assay for Trichoderma spp. and P. indica was conducted in broth cultures supplemented with different cadmium concentrations (0–500 mg/l). In addition, the growth pattern of P. indica was determined by growing the fungus in a solid medium amended with eight concentrations of cadmium (0–200 mg/l). Generally, an increasing cadmium gradient in the culture medium suppressed the ability of fungi for cadmium accumulation. However, a negative relation was observed between the biomass production of fungi and cadmium uptake (q: mg/g biomass). Results showed that Trichoderma spp., especially T. simmonsii [UTFC 10063], are tolerant to cadmium toxicity and have a high ability to cadmium bioaccumulation. The biomass production of T. simmonsii [UTFC 10063] was significantly stimulated and increased by 46.1% when cadmium concentration increased from 0 to 125 mg/l. Moreover, 91.7 and 31.2% of cadmium removal was observed at 10 and 500 mg/l of the cadmium concentration, respectively. P. indica, however, showed a lower tolerance and removal efficiency for cadmium as compared with Trichoderma spp. Therefore, Trichoderma spp., especially T. simmonsii [UTFC 10063], can be exploited as potent bio-removal agents in cadmium-polluted aqueous solutions.

Graphical abstract

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http://bit.ly/2SbLEQs

Chronic Itch Management: Therapies Beyond Those Targeting the Immune System

Itch, a sensation that leads to a desire to scratch, becomes chronic when it persists for more than 6 weeks.1 Chronic itch can be debilitating and lead to a significantly reduced quality of life. It affects sleep, mood, and can cause symptoms of anxiety and depression.2 Pruritus may be perpetuated by inflammatory conditions, as seen in atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. However, chronic pruritus may not always have an inflammatory component, and therefore requires treatments that do not work on the immune system, but instead target the nerves.

http://bit.ly/2G3djfZ

From the pages of AllergyWatch

J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2018;6:1274-1286

http://bit.ly/2FJzubH

Pattern of Medication Use in Children with Very Poorly Controlled Asthma

Tables: 1

http://bit.ly/2FWOSR7

Arginase Inhibition Improves Endothelial Function in an Age-Dependent Manner in Healthy Elderly Humans

Rejuvenation Research, Ahead of Print.


http://bit.ly/2RMjT1i

The Relationship Between Sleep Duration, Falls, and Muscle Mass: A Cohort Study in an Elderly Chinese Population

Rejuvenation Research, Ahead of Print.


http://bit.ly/2CKfaTy

Sono-advanced Fenton-like degradation of aromatic amines in textile dyeing sludge: efficiency and mechanisms

Abstract

In this paper, a novel strategy integrating ultrasound (US) with a Fenton-like (zero-valent iron/EDTA/air, ZEA) process was proposed for the removal of the refractory and carcinogenic aromatic amines (AAs) in textile dyeing sludge for the first time. The operating condition was optimized as 1.08 W/cm³ ultrasonic density, 15 g/L ZVI, and 1.0 mM EDTA, which could reach degradation efficiencies of 51.79% in US, 72.88% in ZEA, and 92.40% in US/ZEA system after 90-min reaction. Quenching experiments showed that electron transfer reactions generated by the iron ligands in ZEA brought about various reactive oxidative species (ROS), in which Fe (IV), O₂˙⁻, and ˙OH dominated the degradation. US induced sludge disintegration by ultrasonic shear, proven by particle size decrease and supernatant organic matter upsurge, which helps ROS contact with those pollutants in the sludge cavities. Besides, US facilitated the iron redox cycle for oxygen activation by promoting the corrosion of ZVI and stripping considerable ferric ions from sludge iron oxides which were verified by SEM, XRF, and XPS.

Graphical abstract

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http://bit.ly/2S0M3oH

No Evidence of Broadband Noise Having Any Harmful Effect on Hearing

To the Editor Attarha et al recommended that sound therapies using white noise should be avoided as treatments for tinnitus. This advice might stem from the authors' collective lack of clinical experience assessing and treating patients with tinnitus, or from their unfamiliarity with tinnitus management techniques and associated literature. In any case, before recommending that white noise should be avoided by patients with tinnitus, Attarha et al should become more familiar with how a variety of sound therapies—including broadband sounds—often help this patient population.

http://bit.ly/2FMXWsK

Bullous Pemphigoid Presenting as Oropharyngeal Hemorrhage

This is a case report of a man who presented with oropharyngeal hemorrhage and impending airway compromise as the initial presentation of mucosal bullous pemphigoid.

http://bit.ly/2FVKNwA

Association Between Migraine and Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo in South Korea

This study evaluates representative patient data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort to trace the incidence of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo among adults who experience migraine.

http://bit.ly/2FMXWce

No Evidence of Broadband Noise Having Any Harmful Effect on Hearing—Reply

In Reply Critiques of our article by Folmer and Henry et al suggest the concerns we raised about the potential harmful effects of chronic exposure to broad-band noise (BBN) are overstated, citing a lack of clinical evidence demonstrating correspondence between human symptoms and maladaptive neuroplasticity recorded in animal studies. Although we acknowledged the paucity of human studies addressing these questions in our review, we do not think it is safe to assume humans will be exempt from substantial, negative impacts of chronic BBN exposure documented in the central auditory pathways of animals. A main goal of our report was to stimulate the audiology research and clinical communities to take these compelling animal studies more seriously—and to take on the long-delayed task of carefully documenting the impacts of chronic BBN exposure on residual human hearing, on accelerated aging, and on the evolution of tinnitus itself.

http://bit.ly/2FXHZ1S

Speech Functioning and Neurocognition Before Head and Neck Cancer

This cohort study examines neurocognitive functioning in patients with head and neck cancer before treatment and investigates the association between neurocognition and speech functioning.

http://bit.ly/2FLAqvZ

The Increasing Role of Social Media in Otolaryngology

This Viewpoint examines the increasing role of social media in the practice of otolaryngology.

http://bit.ly/2FVKAcM

No Evidence of Broadband Noise Having Any Harmful Effect on Hearing

To the Editor We are writing in response to the article by Attarha, Bigelow, and Merzenich, which concluded, "Sound therapies using unstructured, random (white) noise should be avoided as a treatment for tinnitus."^(E1) Their recommendation was based on animal studies that revealed long-term exposure to low-level broadband noise (BBN) resulted in central auditory changes that "bear striking phenomenological overlap with the persistent, widespread disinhibition of the auditory system thought to underlie tinnitus in humans."^(E2) They noted that BBN delivered from ear-level devices to treat tinnitus produces the same type of acoustic stimuli used in the animal studies. It therefore seems plausible that continuous use of BBN could affect the human auditory system in the same manner as seen in animals, suggesting the need for research to evaluate the premise. The authors, however, pointed to the animal findings as justifying a broad recommendation against the use of ear-level noise generators.

http://bit.ly/2FJicLP

Evaluation of osseous changes in dental panoramic radiography of thalassemia patients using mandibular indexes and fractal size analysis

Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the radiomorphometric indexes and fractal dimension (FD) on dental panoramic radiography (DPR) of Thalassemia Major (TM) patients.

Methods

In 59 TM patients and in 59 healthy control subjects, mandibular cortical index (MCI), mandibular cortical width (MCW), panoramic mandibular index (PMI), and FD of four different regions (FD1-4) were evaluated and compared using DPRs.

Results

The distribution of MCI in TM patients was similar to control subjects (p > 0.05). The mean MCW was significantly lower in TM patients (p = 0.001). There was no significant difference in PMI between TM patients and control subjects. The mean of FD measured in the supracortical area above the angle of mandible (FD2), in the anterior to the mental foramen (FD4) and mean FD of four different regions was significantly lower in TM patients (p = 0.003, p = 0.001, and p = 0.014, respectively).

Conclusions

The radiomorphometric indices and fractal dimensions evaluated in the panoramic radiograph are capable of identifying thalassemia patients' jaw bone, and the results of DPR scanning can be used to refer these patients to appropriate medical investigation.

http://bit.ly/2HwbSbZ

Short-term exposure to tricyclic antidepressants delays righting time in marine and freshwater snails with evidence for low-dose stimulation of righting speed by imipramine

Abstract

Active pharmaceutical ingredients such as tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are contaminants of emerging concern which are commonly detected in wastewater effluent and which can disrupt the behavior of non-target organisms. In aquatic snails, the righting response is a critical behavior that has been shown to be inhibited by exposure to SSRI-type antidepressants. We exposed marine and freshwater snails to three tricyclic antidepressants (clomipramine, amitriptyline, and imipramine) for 1 h and measured righting response time. In the marine mud snail (Ilyanassa obsoleta), all three TCAs significantly increased righting time at concentrations as low as 156 μg/L. Similarly, in the freshwater snail Leptoxis carinata, all three TCAs increased righting time at concentrations as low as 263 μg/L. However, exposure to imipramine from 15.8 to 316 μg/L resulted in significantly faster righting time. Such low-dose stimulation and high-dose inhibition are characteristics of a hormetic response. We discuss the possible physiological mechanism of action of TCAs and other antidepressants on snail behavior, and the occurrence of non-monotonic, hormetic dose responses to human pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment.

http://bit.ly/2CHlQ4U

Methodology Flaws and Implications of A Complementary Medicine Study

To the Editor In a retrospective case-control study using records from the US National Cancer Database with 1:4 matching of 258 vs 1032 patients with cancer, Johnson et al reported: (1) reduced survival among the 258 patients who used at least 1 conventional treatment together with complementary medicine (CM) compared with the 1032 patients who used only conventional treatment and (2) an association between the use of CM and refusal of standard treatment. The authors concluded that such refusal may explain the reduced survival. Herein, we briefly argue why we are not convinced that the authors' results support their conclusion.

http://bit.ly/2RKp3uA

Stripping the Fear of a Fatal Disease

This article describes the coping mechanism used by a patient with cancer.

http://bit.ly/2CGRFux

Rapidly Evolving Extensive Fluorodeoxyglucose-Positive Soft-Tissue Activity During Nivolumab Therapy

A 41-year-old woman with stage IIa melanoma of the upper thigh presented with diffuse erythematous induration of the upper thigh expanding to the lower left abdominal area and palpable subcutaneous nodules on the ipsilateral gluteal region and leg during nivolumab therapy. What is your diagnosis?

http://bit.ly/2RK1rX0

Association of Inherited Variants in CHEK2 With Susceptibility to Testicular Germ Cell Tumors

This case-control study evaluates the enrichment of germline pathogenic variants in the mendelian cancer predisposition DNA repair genes in patients with testicular germ cell tumors compared with healthy controls.

http://bit.ly/2CSCFtN

Patient and Caregiver Consent for Publication of Case Reports

This Viewpoint argues against policies mandating the patient consent process for publication and institutional review board approval of case studies.

http://bit.ly/2ROP0co

Efficacy and Safety of Avelumab for Patients With Recurrent or Refractory Ovarian Cancer

This phase 1b open-label study assesses the efficacy and safety of avelumab, an anti–programmed death ligand 1 agent, in a cohort of patients with previously treated recurrent or refractory ovarian cancer.

http://bit.ly/2RNTznl

Methodology Flaws and Implications of a Complementary Medicine Study

To the Editor The recently published study by Johnson et al evaluating the effect of complementary medicine (CM) use on survival in patients receiving curative cancer treatment is being misrepresented as evidence that CM may be harmful. There are 2 major methodological issues that challenge the validity of this study.

http://bit.ly/2CDHKpm

Methodology Flaws and Implications of a Complementary Medicine Study—In Reply

In Reply We appreciate the correspondence regarding our article and are happy for the opportunity to respond. The main critiques were that (1) we did not properly identify complementary medicine (CM), (2) we underascertained the number of patients who underwent CM, and (3) the definition of CM was not accurate.

http://bit.ly/2RLCwSZ

Methodology Flaws and Implications of a Complementary Medicine Study

To the Editor I congratulate Johnson and colleagues on their study in which they compared the overall survival rates, adherence to treatment, and characteristics of patients with cancer receiving conventional cancer treatment (CCT) with complementary medicine (CM) with those who did not receive CM. However, the authors did not clearly provide or refer to definitions of CM and alternative medicine. Indeed, they mentioned that patients who receive alternative medicine and CM behave similarly; however, there was no reference provided for this statement. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, CM is used along with conventional medicine, whereas alternative medicine is used instead of CCT. Johnson and colleagues used the term CM throughout their article when they were referring to alternative medicine. There has been a long debate about CM, alternative medicine, and CCT in the health care system. Yet, CM has been monitored by the national health regulatory authorities in Europe and the United States. None of these health regulatory authorities have supported the use of alternative medicine, and they only refer to nonconventional treatments as CM. The lack of clarity between CM and alternative medicine in the article by Johnson and colleagues may cause confusion in the international health communities.

http://bit.ly/2CKfTns

Methodology Flaws and Implications of A Complementary Medicine Study

To the Editor From my perspective, the work by Johnson et al has 3 problems. Two are genuinely methodological, whereas the third is more related with the ethics of research. The 3 problems severely undermine the study's scientific rigor.

http://bit.ly/2RR7I3d

Radiotherapy-Associated Sarcoma After Breast Cancer Treatment

This population-based study describes the incidence, latency period, and outcomes of radiotherapy-associated angiosarcoma among patients with breast cancer from the Netherlands Cancer Registry.

http://bit.ly/2CJNrSY

Methodology Flaws and Implications of A Complementary Medicine Study

To the Editor In a recent article, Johnson and colleagues concluded that patients with curable cancers who use complementary medicine (CM) modalities are more likely than those not using CM modalities to refuse or delay conventional cancer treatment and subsequently bear a higher mortality burden. The purpose of this letter is 2-fold: to address a glaring methodological flaw in this study, and to address the ramifications this study may have for the practice of medicine.

http://bit.ly/2RLTbWA

Morbidity and mortality among patients with head and neck cancer in the emergency department: A national perspective

Abstract

Background

Emergency departments are playing an increasing role in cancer management. Emergency department utilization by patients with head and neck cancer, however, is unknown.

Methods

The 2009‐2011 Nationwide Emergency Department Sample was queried for patients with a principle diagnosis of head and neck cancer. Descriptive analysis was performed to characterize patient and hospital characteristics, outcomes, and charges. Logistic regression identified predictors of admission and mortality.

Results

A total of 31 390 patients were seen in the emergency department with head and neck cancer: 72.8% were admitted, 0.5% died in the emergency department, and 5.0% died during admission. Patients with cancer of unknown primary site had the greatest odds of admission (odds ration [OR]: 2.83; P < 0.0001). Privately insured patients (OR: 1.78; P = 0.001), those from higher income zip codes (OR: 1.56; P = 0.008), and those with oropharyngeal cancer (OR: 2.02; P = 0.0003) had the greatest odds of death.

Conclusion

These findings have direct implications for preventing unnecessary and costly emergency department visits, improving hospital and physician preparedness, and improving patient outcomes.

http://bit.ly/2S9wBq8

Follow‐up of noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary‐like nuclear features (NIFTP)

http://bit.ly/2Hu7QAR

Ultrasonographic swallowing examination for early detection of neopharyngeal fistula after salvage total laryngectomy: A preliminary study

Abstract

Background

The current study investigated the feasibility of ultrasonographic swallowing examination (USSE) for the evaluation of neopharynx and early detection of neopharyngeal fistula after salvage total laryngectomy.

Methods

A prospective case series‐based study involving 16 patients who underwent salvage total laryngectomy was conducted. USSE was performed on postoperative days 5‐7, and oral diet initiation was determined based on the USSE results.

Results

Fistula of the neopharynx was detected in four patients (25%) via USSE, as was the specific site of the fistula. In these patients, oral diet was delayed and immediate interventions including ultrasound‐guided fluid aspiration and compression dressing were applied, and all fistulas were subsequently closed. In the remaining 12 patients with no neopharyngeal fistula on USSE, an oral diet was started immediately and no fistula occurred.

Conclusions

USSE is a promising method for neopharynx evaluation and early detection of neopharyngeal fistula after salvage total laryngectomy.

http://bit.ly/2S5fB4q

The Distribution of Allied Dental Practitioners in Australia: Socio‐economics and rurality as a driver of better health service accessibility

Abstract

Objectives

Analysis of the distribution of allied dental practitioners relative to the socio‐economic profile of the population, to develop a baseline of employment demographics at a time of proposed deregulation of practicing restrictions.

Methods

A database of allied dental practitioners (ADP – oral health therapists, dental therapists and dental hygienists) was compiled from the public access register of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. The principal practice locations limited to suburb and postcode were geocoded by latitude and longitude and superimposed on a map of the Australian landmass using QGIS software. Using Australian Bureau of Statistics data, the number of ADPs for each Statistical Area 2 (SA2) was counted and apportioned according to proportion of the population within each SA2 for each quintile of the Index of Relative Socio‐economic Disadvantage (IRSD). The results were reported according to oral health therapists, dental therapists and dental hygienists per 100 000 population for each IRSD quintile, by State and Territory, and the Australian Regional Index for Areas (ARIA+).

Results

The ADP to population ratio was not consistent for each professional class between states and territories, IRSD quintiles and (ARIA+) regional areas. Across Major Cities, South Australia was the State with the highest ratio of oral health therapists (10.6 ‐ 12.9) and dental hygienists (14.6 – 24.5) for all IRSD quintiles. Western Australia had the highest ratio of dental therapists (9.3 – 16.0).

Conclusion

There is no consistent pattern of distribution of ADPs relative to the socio‐economic profile of the population across states and territories, and regional (ARIA+) areas of Australia.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

http://bit.ly/2RQDT2L

Joint effects of Si and mycorrhiza on the antioxidant metabolism of two pigeonpea genotypes under As (III) and (V) stress

Abstract

Arsenic (As) is the most hazardous soil contaminant, which inactivates metabolic enzymes and restrains plant growth. To withstand As stress conditions, use of some alleviative tools, such as arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and silicon (Si), has gained importance. Therefore, the present study evaluated comparative and interactive effects of Si and arbuscular mycorrhiza-Rhizophagus irregularis on phytotoxicity of arsenate (As V) and arsenite (As III) on plant growth, ROS generation, and antioxidant defense responses in pigeonpea genotypes (Tolerant-Pusa 2002; Sensitive-Pusa 991). Roots of As III treated plants accumulated significantly higher total As than As V supplemented plants, more in Pusa 991 than Pusa 2002, which corresponded to proportionately decreased plant growth, root to biomass ratio, and oxidative burst. Although Si nutrition and AM inoculations improved plant growth by significantly reducing As uptake and the resultant oxidative burst, AM was relatively more efficient in upregulating enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defense responses as well as ascorbate–glutathione pathway when compared with Si. Pusa 2002 was more receptive to Si nourishment due to its ability to establish more efficient mycorrhizal symbiosis, which led to higher Si uptake and lower As concentrations. Moreover, +Si+AM bestowed better metalloid resistance by further reducing ROS and strengthening antioxidants. Results demonstrated that the genotype with more efficient AM symbiosis in As-contaminated soils could accrue higher benefits of Si fertilization in terms of metalloid tolerance in pigeonpea.

http://bit.ly/2CHYoo5

Intracameral Air and Fibrin Glue for the Management of Late Bleb Leak following Glaucoma Surgery

Background and Objectives: To report a case of delayed-onset bleb-associated endophthalmitis (BAE) with bleb leak successfully managed with pars plana vitrectomy, intravitreal antibiotics, intracameral air, and fibrin glue. Patient and Methods: A 66-year-old pseudophakic female presented with BAE and bleb leak. A 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy, cultures, and intravitreal antibiotics and steroid injections were performed. The infusion was switched to air filling the anterior chamber and bleb with air. Fibrin glue (Tisseel®) was applied over the leaking bleb. Results: BAE and bleb leak resolved with return of visual acuity to 20/25 and a functioning bleb with no recurrence of bleb leak after 1 year of follow-up. Conclusion: The combination of intracameral air and fibrin glue may have a role in the management of bleb leaks.
Case Rep Ophthalmol 2019;10:47–52

http://bit.ly/2Ta5pVv

Penetrating Eyelid and Ocular Fishhook-Related Injury

Purpose: To report removal techniques and outcomes for a patient with penetrating eyelid and cornea complicating localized retinal detachment from a fishhook. Methods: This is a case report of a 35-year-old man who presented with a fishhook embedded in his right upper eyelid and globe while participating in a fishing competition. On initial examination, his right eyelid was opened with difficulty and limited evaluation could be performed. Results: In an operating room, a shank was transected and removed from a lacerated eyelid by a back-out technique. Then, a barbed hook was noticed to penetrate through temporal peripheral cornea, iris, and entrapped within ciliary body behind the lens. A successful surgical removal of a fishhook was performed within a primary operation. After that, additional operations to repair injured ocular tissues including a localized retinal detachment were performed. The patient achieved a best-corrected visual acuity of 20/20 at 10-month follow-up. Conclusions: The visual prognosis for a fishhook-related ocular injury is associated with various variables including size and location of lacerated wound and technique to remove a fishhook. In this case, a patient could achieve a favorable final visual and anatomical outcome. This removal technique could be taken into consideration when encountering a fishhook-related eye injury patient.
Case Rep Ophthalmol 2019;10:41–46

http://bit.ly/2B0aY1G

Neurosarcoidosis Occurring 6 Years after Onset of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Disease

A 43-year-old Japanese woman visited a clinic with a 2-week history of visual loss, hyperemia, and bilateral eye pain. Dilated fundus and optical coherence tomography showed hyperemic optic disc and multifocal serous retinal detachments. Fundus fluorescein angiography revealed optic disc leakage and numerous hyperfluorescent pinpoints of leakage, which are typical of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease (VKHD). She also showed tinnitus, poliosis, and alopecia. With a diagnosis of VKHD, steroid therapy was started. At the age of 48, oral prednisolone was tapered off, and only corticosteroid eye drops were continued. Eighteen months later, dysesthesia appeared in the left side of her face and in her left ring and little fingers, which spread to the ulnar side of her forearm. Blood tests indicated elevated serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) levels. Chest CT showed bilateral lymphadenopathy, and histological analysis of the subcutaneous mass in her right arm showed multinucleated giant cells. Steroid therapy was started under a diagnosis of sarcoidosis. Serum ACE and lysozyme levels decreased in response to steroid therapy. We report a case of the concurrence of VKHD and sarcoidosis, which may share a common pathophysiology. Accumulation of further similar cases is necessary to elucidate the precise mechanism underlying the concurrence of these two diseases.
Case Rep Ophthalmol 2019;10:32–40

http://bit.ly/2T7ekal

Two-Year Outcome of Aflibercept for the Treatment of Choroidal Neovascularization in Punctate Inner Choroidopathy

Punctate inner choroidopathy (PIC) is a rare inflammatory chorioretinopathy that predominantly affects young myopic women. Visual prognosis is generally good, but occurrence of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is common and may be vision threatening. Case reports and short case series support the effectiveness of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents (ranibizumab and bevacizumab) for CNV associated with PIC given their anti-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory effects. Evidence concerning aflibercept, a more recent intravitreal anti-VEGF, is limited to a single case report. In this case report, we illustrate the case of a 43-year-old myopic woman presenting with visual acuity loss and distortion in the right eye over the last 5 days in whom CNV associated with PIC was diagnosed. Treatment with 1 injection per month of intravitreal aflibercept for 2 months and full-dose oral prednisone for 1 week, being tapered afterwards, improved visual acuity and resolved CNV, with benefits lasting up to 24 months.
Case Rep Ophthalmol 2019;10:24–31

http://bit.ly/2B0Z6g2

Deep sequencing reveals specific bacterial signatures in the subgingival microbiota of healthy subjects

Abstract

Objectives

This study aimed to define the comprehensive bacterial flora of the healthy oral cavity by identifying and comparing bacterial species in different subgingival sites using 454 sequencing of 16S rRNA genes.

Materials and methods

Subgingival plaque samples were taken from six target teeth (central incisor, first premolar, and first molar in both the maxilla and mandible) of 10 periodontally healthy patients. Bacterial DNA was extracted and next-generation sequencing of 16S rRNA genes was performed.

Results

Bacterial composition in phylum level was similar for all sites within the same individual irrespective of tooth location. Unweighted UniFrac distance values of microbiome also showed that average distance was significantly larger between subjects than between tooth locations of the same subjects.

Conclusions

The present results clarify the lack of effect of tooth location in the healthy subgingival microbiota. Results may suggest that any subgingival site can demonstrate similar subject-specific microbiota.

Clinical relevance

This investigation offers a better understanding of the uniqueness of the oral microbiome. The present study will facilitate sampling in future subgingival microbiological studies.

http://bit.ly/2DxfvdK

Design and testing of a 24-channel head coil for MR imaging at 3 T

Publication date: Available online 23 January 2019

Source: Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Author(s): Ye Li, Jo Lee, Lei Zhang, Qiaoyan Chen, Changjun Tie, Chao Luo, Xiaoliang Zhang, Dong Liang, Xin Liu, Hairong Zheng

Abstract

Purpose

To offer the new head coil option (with a lower channel count) of an RF coil array that provides comparable performance to the commercial 32-channel head coil.

Methods

The coil system comprised an upper shield (ten channels) and bottom section (fourteen channels). Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) values for 2D unaccelerated imaging and the g-factor with an acceleration factor of 2–4 were evaluated in a phantom study. SNR performance and human brain and intracranial vessel wall imaging were conducted as part of the in vivo study. Both studies were conducted using the commercial head coil on the Siemens Tim Trio 3 T system for comparison.

Results

In the phantom study, the new head coil had an 8% higher SNR than the commercial head coil and demonstrated less than a 1% difference in the g-factor with the acceleration factor 2–4 in the right-to-left and anterior-to-posterior directions. In the in vivo study, the performance matched the results seen in the phantom study and showed high reproducibility in several human experiments. Structural images of the brain and intracranial vessel wall with an isotropic spatial resolution of 0.5 mm can be acquired with the new head coil.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that the new head coil is capable of providing good SNR performance in both phantom and human experiments, can achieve similar acceleration ability compared to the commercial head coil, and is capable of obtaining brain and intracranial vessel wall images.

http://bit.ly/2RbPl3G

Feasibility of carbon‐ion radiotherapy for oral non‐squamous cell carcinomas

Abstract

Background

This study evaluated carbon‐ion radiotherapy (C‐ion RT) for oral non‐squamous cell carcinomas (non‐SCC).

Methods

We retrospectively obtained data from 74 patients who underwent C‐ion RT for oral malignancies between April 1997 and March 2016. The C‐ion RT was administered in 16 fractions at a total dose of 57.6 or 64.0 Gy (relative biological effectiveness).

Results

Forty‐three patients had salivary gland carcinomas, 29 patients had mucosal melanoma, and 2 patients had other types of pathologies. The tumors were classified as T1‐T3 (24 cases), T4a (21 cases), or T4b (29 cases). The median follow‐up was 49 months. The 5‐year rates were 78.8% for local control, 36.2% for progression‐free survival, and 58.3% for overall survival. Although 10 patients developed grade 3 osteoradionecrosis after C‐ion RT, all patients maintained their mastication and deglutition functions after sequestrectomy and prosthesis placement.

Conclusion

C‐ion RT was effective for oral non‐SCC and had acceptable toxicities.

http://bit.ly/2sFzQrc

Anatomy Pathology

 Annals of Diagnostic Pathology

The frequency of <em>NOTCH1</em> variants in T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma among Jordanian patients

Publication date: Available online 24 January 2019Source: Annals of Diagnostic PathologyAuthor(s): Nezeen Z. Abualhaj, Zain Dardas, Belal Azab, Dema Ali, Maher A. Sughayer, Tariq N. Aladily, Mamoun AhramAbstractThe transmembrane receptor NOTCH1 is thought to be associated with the development and progression of T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL)/T-lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL). The current study aimed to characterize NOTCH1...

Annals of Diagnostic Pathology

4h

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 Pathology International

Combined hepatocellular‐cholangiocarcinoma with angiosarcomatoid change: A case report with immunohistochemical study

Sarcomatoid combined hepatocellular‐cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC‐CCA) is a rare condition, with only 16 cases reported to date; however, there have been no reports of hepatic sarcomatoid carcinoma with angiosarcomatous features. Here, we report a rare case of cHCC‐CCA with angiosarcomatoid changes in a 77‐year‐old man. The tumor was biphasic with malignant epithelial and mesenchymal components. Histologically, the epithelial component was concordant with classical type cHCC‐CCA. The mesenchymal component...

Pathology International

1d

Intravascular large B‐cell lymphoma involving large blood vessels, three autopsy cases

Although intravascular large B‐cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) is an extranodal lymphoma characterized by the selective growth of lymphoma cells within the lumina of small vessels, we here report three autopsy cases of IVLBCL characterized by the proliferation within large blood vessels. These three cases were diagnosed as IVLBCL of the bone marrow or skin biopsy. Two cases died suddenly before treatment, whereas the other died during treatment. Autopsies showed a large embolus of dense lymphoma cells extending...

Pathology International

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 Cells Tissues Organs

Whey Protein Complexes with Green Tea Polyphenols: Antimicrobial, Osteoblast-Stimulatory, and Antioxidant Activities

Polyphenols are known for their antimicrobial activity, whilst both polyphenols and the globular protein β-lactoglobulin (bLG) are suggested to have antioxidant properties and promote cell proliferation. These are potentially useful properties for a tissue-engineered construct, though it is unknown if they are retained when both compounds are used in combination. In this study, a range of different microbes and an osteoblast-like cell line (human fetal osteoblast, hFOB) were used to assess the combined...

Cells Tissues Organs

2h

Two Web Resources Linking Major Human Embryology Collections Worldwide

Human embryology is a core subject for medicine and current research. While animal models of development now have significant online resources available, the vast majority of human embryonic material is locked up in historic collections. When accessed today, these collections are still contributing to our understanding of human development. This paper describes two online resources for studying human development that are unlocking these invaluable collections and providing related human developmental...

Cells Tissues Organs

1d

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 Case Reports in Pathology

A Rare Case of Fibrous Hamartoma of Infancy: A Clinicopathological Diagnosis at a Tertiary Hospital, Eastern Nepal

Background. Fibrous hamartoma of infancy is a rare soft tissue lesion of infants and young children with characteristic triphasic morphology. Case Description. An 18-month-old female child was presented with complaints of swelling over right leg shin since birth. On examination, a lump of size 7x3 cm was identified which was mobile and nontender. Local excision was performed and tissue sent for histopathological examination. On gross examination, a globular, capsulated, firm to hard tissue had cut...

Case Reports in Pathology

1d

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 Cancer Cytopathology

The prevalence and surgical outcomes of Hurthle cell lesions in FNAs of the thyroid: A multi‐institutional study in 6 Asian countries

Background Hurthle cell‐rich nodules (HCNs) encompass non‐neoplastic to malignant lesions. There is paucity of literature on the frequency distribution of HCNs among Bethesda categories, histologic follow‐up, risk of malignancy (ROM), and risk of neoplasia (RON). The objective of this retrospective, multi‐institutional study was to determine the prevalence of the cytologic diagnostic category and surgical outcomes of patients with HCN. Methods Nine tertiary health centers representing 6 Asian...

Cancer Cytopathology

1d

Negative predictive value and sensitivity of urine cytology prior to implementation of The Paris System for Reporting Urinary Cytology

Background Urinary tract cytology (UTCy) is used for screening urothelial carcinoma (UC) and it must have a high negative predictive value (NPV) to be an effective test. To the authors' knowledge, the literature regarding the NPV of UTCy provides little information regarding the risk of malignancy, especially for patients with high‐grade urothelial carcinoma (HGUC). Methods Patients with negative UTCy specimens were identified in the pathology files at the study institution for the years 2012...

Cancer Cytopathology

1d

The value of cytology in the management of patients with pancreatic cysts

Cancer Cytopathology

1d