Three-dimensional printing of a low-cost, high-fidelity laryngeal dissection station

http://ift.tt/2fuVs6w

A clicking larynx: Diagnostic and therapeutic challenges

A clicking larynx can be described as a clicking sensation in the neck on swallowing or when moving the head, often associated with a tender or painful area in the neck. Diagnosis and therapy are challenging. In this article, we present a case report and overview of the current literature. The clicking larynx most often is reported to be a result of a displaced cornu superior of the thyroid cartilage, an enlarged greater cornu of the hyoid bone, or a short distance between the thyroid cartilage and hyoid bone. If a possible cause is identified, surgery can be offered to the patient, although an explanation of the possible underlying anatomical cause also could be satisfying for the patient and avert surgery. Laryngoscope, 2017

http://ift.tt/2xHFSes

Three-dimensional printing of a low-cost, high-fidelity laryngeal dissection station

http://ift.tt/2fuVs6w

A clicking larynx: Diagnostic and therapeutic challenges

A clicking larynx can be described as a clicking sensation in the neck on swallowing or when moving the head, often associated with a tender or painful area in the neck. Diagnosis and therapy are challenging. In this article, we present a case report and overview of the current literature. The clicking larynx most often is reported to be a result of a displaced cornu superior of the thyroid cartilage, an enlarged greater cornu of the hyoid bone, or a short distance between the thyroid cartilage and hyoid bone. If a possible cause is identified, surgery can be offered to the patient, although an explanation of the possible underlying anatomical cause also could be satisfying for the patient and avert surgery. Laryngoscope, 2017

http://ift.tt/2xHFSes

Nano-sized metabolic precursors for heterogeneous tumor-targeting strategy using bioorthogonal click chemistry in vivo

Publication date: December 2017
Source:Biomaterials, Volume 148
Author(s): Sangmin Lee, Seulhee Jung, Heebeom Koo, Jin Hee Na, Hong Yeol Yoon, Man Kyu Shim, Jooho Park, Jong-Ho Kim, Seulki Lee, Martin G. Pomper, Ick Chan Kwon, Cheol-Hee Ahn, Kwangmeyung Kim
Herein, we developed nano-sized metabolic precursors (Nano-MPs) for new tumor-targeting strategy to overcome the intrinsic limitations of biological ligands such as the limited number of biological receptors and the heterogeneity in tumor tissues. We conjugated the azide group-containing metabolic precursors, triacetylated N-azidoacetyl-d-mannosamine to generation 4 poly(amidoamine) dendrimer backbone. The nano-sized dendrimer of Nano-MPs could generate azide groups on the surface of tumor cells homogeneously regardless of cell types via metabolic glycoengineering. Importantly, these exogenously generated 'artificial chemical receptors' containing azide groups could be used for bioorthogonal click chemistry, regardless of phenotypes of different tumor cells. Furthermore, in tumor-bearing mice models, Nano-MPs could be mainly localized at the target tumor tissues by the enhanced permeation and retention (EPR) effect, and they successfully generated azide groups on tumor cells in vivo after an intravenous injection. Finally, we showed that these azide groups on tumor tissues could be used as 'artificial chemical receptors' that were conjugated to bioorthogonal chemical group-containing liposomes via in vivo click chemistry in heterogeneous tumor-bearing mice. Therefore, overall results demonstrated that our nano-sized metabolic precursors could be extensively applied to new alternative tumor-targeting technique for molecular imaging and drug delivery system, regardless of the phenotype of heterogeneous tumor cells.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2wSKKJV

4(3H)-Quinazolone regulates innate immune signaling upon respiratory syncytial virus infection by moderately inhibiting the RIG-1 pathway in RAW264.7 cell

Publication date: November 2017
Source:International Immunopharmacology, Volume 52
Author(s): Liwei He, Fangtian Fan, Xianbang Hou, Hongyan Wu, Juan Wang, Huiqin Xu, Yun Sun
The root of Isatis indigotica, also known as Ban-Lan-Gen (BLG), is commonly used for prevention and early treatment of respiratory virus infection, but the underlying mechanisms of action remain unclear. In the early stage of infection, the innate immune system is activated by virus, and related immune cells such as macrophages secrete large amounts of cytokines including IFNs and ILs. On the one hand, these cytokines can remove virus. On the other hand, they dominantly mediate the inflammatory injury caused by viral infection. This study evaluated the effects of the main active plasma components of BLG (tryptanthrin B, 4(3H)-Quinazolone and epigoitrin) on the innate immune response of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-activated mouse macrophages. ELISA, real-time PCR and reporter gene assay all showed that 4(3H)-Quinazolone inhibited RSV-induced IFN-β secretion in mouse macrophages in a dose-dependent manner within a concentration range (0.3125–1.25μM) having no effects on cell viability, but the inhibitory effects were inferior to those of ribavirin. Western blot analyses further revealed that 4(3H)-Quinazolone inhibited RSV-induced expression of RIG-I (Retinoic acid-Inducible Gene-I) in mouse macrophages dose-dependently, thereby suppressing the transcription of IFN-β, with lower effects than those of ribavirin. This may be one of the important mechanisms by which BLG inhibited inflammatory injury without affecting the immune system to eliminate virus. The results inspire future studies to elucidate the antiviral mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine drugs.



http://ift.tt/2hv4nly

Adsorption of 1,2-dichlorobenzene and 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene in nano- and microsized crystals of MIL-101(Cr): static and dynamic gravimetric studies

Abstract

This work aims to highlight the promising adsorption capacity and kinetic of (poly)chlorobenzene pollutants in the hybrid MIL-101(Cr) type material for technological uses in industrial waste exhaust decontamination. The influence of the MIL-101(Cr) crystal size (nano- and microcrystals) on the adsorption behavior was studied in static and dynamic modes. For this purpose, crystals of MIL-101(Cr) in nano- and micrometric sizes were synthesized and fully characterized. Their sorption properties regarding 1,2-dichlorobenzene were examined using gravimetric method in dynamic (p/p° = 0.5) and static (p/p° = 1) modes at room temperature. 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene adsorption was only performed under static mode because of its too low vapor pressure. 1,2-dichlorobenzene and 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene were used to mimic 2,3-dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, respectively, and more largely dioxin compounds. Adsorptions of these probes were successfully carried out in nano- and microcrystals of MIL-101(Cr). Indeed, in static mode (p/p° = 1) and at room temperature, nanocrystals adsorb 2266 molecules of 1,2-dichlorobenzene and 2093 molecules of 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene per unit cell, whereas microcrystals adsorb 1871 molecules of 1,2-dichlorobenzene and 1631 molecules of 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene per unit cell. In dynamic mode, the 1,2-dichlorobenzene adsorbed amounts are substantially similar to those obtained in static mode. However, the adsorption kinetics are different because of a different scheme of diffusivity of the adsorbate between the two modes. To the best of our knowledge, these adsorption capacities of MIL-101(Cr) as adsorbent for polychlorobenzenes trapping have never been referenced. MIL-101(Cr) appears as a promising material for technological uses in industrial waste exhaust decontamination.

http://ift.tt/2htzbGV