Hearing interventions to prevent dementia

Abstract

Hearing loss is a marker of risk for cognitive decline and dementia. Controlled hearing intervention studies of long-term cognitive outcomes are challenging, and thus the evidence for the impact of hearing interventions is primarily from observational studies and will likely continue to be from studies other than randomised controlled trials. Seven studies of hearing interventions with cognitive outcomes assessed over longer than 3 years are reviewed. Most were of low-to-moderate quality. One cochlear implant study had indeterminate findings. Of six hearing aid studies, three reported a positive impact of hearing aid use while three reported no impact of hearing aid use on cognitive decline or incident cognitive impairment. Further studies are required to elucidate the benefit of hearing interventions on long-term cognitive outcomes. Research should include objectively ascertained hearing data, theoretically motivated cognitive outcomes including dementia subtypes, characterisation, and control for confounds and application of advanced statistical modelling to test causal hypotheses.

http://bit.ly/2N4ZHlG

Veiled Potential of Secretagogin in Diabetes: Correlation or Coincidence?

Publication date: Available online 13 February 2019

Source: Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism

Author(s): Anand Kumar Sharma, Radhika Khandelwal, Yogendra Sharma

Secretagogin (SCGN) is a calcium sensor protein enriched in neuroendocrine cells in general and pancreatic β-cells in particular. SCGN regulates insulin secretion through several Ca²⁺-dependent interactions. Recent studies implicate SCGN in the β-cell physiology and extracellular insulin function, making it an intriguing candidate in diabetes research. Here, we propose a conjoining theme of diversified SCGN function in diabetes pathology. In our opinion, SCGN is an attractive therapeutic candidate ascribed by its role in β-cell maintenance and neuronal functions and in the efficacy of insulin. To scrutinize the therapeutic prospects of SCGN, we abridge putative diabetes-related properties of SCGN and put forth strategies to determine the precise role of SCGN in the pathogenesis/preclusion of diabetes.

http://bit.ly/2EaoGkD

A rare anal mass: anal leiomyoma presented as perianal fistula

Abstract

Leiomyoma of the anal canal originating from the internal anal sphincter is an extremely rare clinical entity. Generally, it does not produce any clinical signs unless it is large enough to cause obstruction, discomfort, bleeding or pain. The diagnosis is often made incidentally during rectal examination due to other perianal disease or check-up. Herein we report a case of internal anal sphincter leiomyoma diagnosed unexpectedly during rectal examination in a patient with perianal fistula, and treated successfully with surgical excision. We present a review of the literature, the diagnostic strategies, differential diagnosis, prognosis and treatment modalities of this lesion.

http://bit.ly/2BCgfgj

Anterior mediastinal tumor as a solitary lymph node metastasis of occult thyroid carcinoma

Abstract

Solitary metastasis of occult thyroid carcinoma to the anterior mediastinum is very rare. A 65-year-old woman was examined for anterior mediastinal tumor based on the FDG accumulation on PET. We resected the tumor by video-assisted thoracic surgery. A pathological examination revealed that the tumor was lymph node metastasis of papillary thyroid carcinoma. The postoperative examination showed that the tumor was a solitary lymph node metastasis of occult thyroid carcinoma. Primary thyroid carcinoma has not appeared in 2 years since the surgery, and careful follow-up has been continued.

http://bit.ly/2TPzeuQ

Hysteroscopic guided, laparoscopic excision of caesarean scar defect: video presentation of a combined technique

Abstract

With increasing rates of delivery by caesarean section has come an increase in rates of associated complications, including caesarean scar defect. Whilst the management of this issue remains controversial, evidence is building for surgical management of such a defect for resolution of menstrual symptoms, pain and subfertility. We present a case report and surgical video of a hysteroscopic guided, laparoscopic excision of a caesarean scar defect. Following the successful management of this case and a literature review of the technique, we conclude this to be a safe, feasible and effective procedure with a low rate of complications.

http://bit.ly/2TPzaLC

Circulating CD14+CD163+CD209+ M2-like monocytes are associated with the severity of infection in Helicobacter pylori-positive patients

Publication date: April 2019

Source: Molecular Immunology, Volume 108

Author(s): Jie Hou, Xinrui Wang, Manli Zhang, Min Wang, Pujun Gao, Yanfang Jiang

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) initiates a robust host immune response and subsequently results in chronic inflammation in the gastric mucosa. This study monitored the circulating monocyte subsets and measured the plasma levels of IL-10 and IL-12 in response to H. pylori infection in 35 H. pylori-associated gastritis patients and 14 healthy controls. We found that the numbers of CD14⁺CD163⁻CD64⁺ M1-like monocytes as well as CD14⁺CD163⁺CD206⁺, CD14⁺CD163⁺CD209⁺, and CD14⁺CD163⁺IL-10⁺ M2-like monocytes were significantly increased in H. pylori-infected patients in comparison with the controls, accompanied by higher levels of plasma IL-10. In addition, IL-10 production was significantly higher in the stimulated M2-like cells from patients with H. pylori infection compared with controls. Moreover, the H. pylori-infected patients with CagA- or VacA-positive strains had a significantly higher number of CD14⁺CD163⁺CD206⁺, CD14⁺CD163⁺CD209⁺, CD14⁺CD163⁺IL-10⁺ monocytes compared to those with CagA- or VacA-negative strains. Furthermore, patients suffering from H. pylori-positive peptic ulcers had a greater number of CD14⁺CD163⁺CD209⁺ monocytes than H. pylori-positive nonatrophic or atrophic gastritis patients, with the numbers of CD14⁺CD163⁺CD209⁺ monocytes positively correlated with the extent of H. pylori infection. Notably, the triple anti-H. pylori therapy significantly reduced the numbers of CD14⁺CD163⁺CD206⁺ and CD14⁺CD163⁺CD209⁺ monocyte subsets. In conclusion, CD14⁺CD163⁺CD209⁺ M2-like monocyte subsets are increased in H. pylori infection, especially in patients with peptic ulcers. CD14⁺CD163⁺CD209⁺ M2-like monocytes are positively associated with the severity of H. pylori infection.

http://bit.ly/2GrJu9M

Retrospective analysis of aeroallergen’s sensitization patterns in Edmonton, Canada

Sensitization to common environmental aeroallergens plays a significant role in the pathogenesis and severity of respiratory allergic disorders, specifically asthma and allergic rhinitis. Understanding sensiti...

http://bit.ly/2BzoCcu