Association between preoperative thyrotrophin and clinicopathological and aggressive features of papillary thyroid cancer

Abstract

Purpose

We aimed to investigate the relation between preoperative serum thyrotrophin (TSH) and clinicopathological features in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and microcarcinoma (PTMC).

Methods

Patients who underwent thyroidectomy and diagnosed to have benign nodular disease or PTC/PTMC in our clinic were evaluated retrospectively. Patients with a previous history of thyroid surgery, patients using antithyroid medications or thyroid hormone and patients with tumors known to be unresponsive to TSH were excluded.

Results

Data of 1632 patients were analyzed. Histopathological diagnosis was benign in 969 (59.4%) and malignant in 663 (40.6%) patients. Preoperative median serum TSH was significantly higher in malignant compared to benign group (1.41 IU/dL vs. 0.98 IU/dL, p < 0.001). Malignancy risk increased gradually as going from hyperthyroidism to euthyroidism and hypothyroidism (20, 40.6, and 59.1%, respectively, p < 0.05). Serum TSH was lowest in benign nodular disease, higher in PTMC and highest in PTC (p < 0.001). This was also true when patients with positive antithyroid peroxidase/antithyroglobulin and with lymphocytic thyroiditis were excluded from the analysis (p < 0.001). Serum TSH was higher in patients with bilateral tumor, capsular invasion and lymph node metastasis (LNM) compared to patients with unilateral tumor, without capsule invasion and without LNM, respectively (p = 0.036, p = 0.002, and p = 0.001, respectively). Patients with aggressive variant PTC had higher serum TSH than nonaggressive ones (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Preoperative serum TSH is associated with PTMC, PTC and LNM. Serum TSH seems to be related with thyroid cancer regardless of autoimmunity. With the present study, for the first time, we showed an association between serum TSH and aggressive variants of PTC.

http://ift.tt/2nhs9nV

Association between preoperative thyrotrophin and clinicopathological and aggressive features of papillary thyroid cancer

Abstract

Purpose

We aimed to investigate the relation between preoperative serum thyrotrophin (TSH) and clinicopathological features in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and microcarcinoma (PTMC).

Methods

Patients who underwent thyroidectomy and diagnosed to have benign nodular disease or PTC/PTMC in our clinic were evaluated retrospectively. Patients with a previous history of thyroid surgery, patients using antithyroid medications or thyroid hormone and patients with tumors known to be unresponsive to TSH were excluded.

Results

Data of 1632 patients were analyzed. Histopathological diagnosis was benign in 969 (59.4%) and malignant in 663 (40.6%) patients. Preoperative median serum TSH was significantly higher in malignant compared to benign group (1.41 IU/dL vs. 0.98 IU/dL, p < 0.001). Malignancy risk increased gradually as going from hyperthyroidism to euthyroidism and hypothyroidism (20, 40.6, and 59.1%, respectively, p < 0.05). Serum TSH was lowest in benign nodular disease, higher in PTMC and highest in PTC (p < 0.001). This was also true when patients with positive antithyroid peroxidase/antithyroglobulin and with lymphocytic thyroiditis were excluded from the analysis (p < 0.001). Serum TSH was higher in patients with bilateral tumor, capsular invasion and lymph node metastasis (LNM) compared to patients with unilateral tumor, without capsule invasion and without LNM, respectively (p = 0.036, p = 0.002, and p = 0.001, respectively). Patients with aggressive variant PTC had higher serum TSH than nonaggressive ones (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Preoperative serum TSH is associated with PTMC, PTC and LNM. Serum TSH seems to be related with thyroid cancer regardless of autoimmunity. With the present study, for the first time, we showed an association between serum TSH and aggressive variants of PTC.

http://ift.tt/2nhs9nV

Effectiveness of laser adjunctive therapy for surgical treatment of gingival recession with flap graft techniques: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Various flap graft techniques in the treatment of gingival recession have already been reported in the literatures for root coverage. Laser therapy has effects of ablative, hemostatic, and decontamination. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to compare the efficacy of flap surgery combined with laser with surgery alone for treating gingival recession. The studies were searched from PubMed, Embase, Web of science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials by two reviewers up to August 2017. The quality of RCTs was assessed by Cochrane Handbook. Data were extracted from studies and analyzed by Review Manager 5.3. 95% confidence interval (CI) and risk ratio (RR) were calculated for dichotomous data. Seven RCTs with 173 patients and 296 teeth were included in the meta-analysis. We found no statistically significant differences between two groups in GRD (gingival recession depth) (P = 0.21), GRW (gingival recession width) (P = 0.92), RES (root esthetic score) (P = 0.21), and CRC (complete root coverage) (P = 0.09). Statistically significant differences were found between two groups in the WKT (width of keratinized tissue) (P < 0.0001) and 1-year follow-up of PD (probing depth) (P = 0.03) and CAL (clinical attachment level) (P < 0.00001). The meta-analysis found that surgery with laser therapy provided clinical advantages in terms of WKT and 1-year follow-up of PD and CAL. However, flap graft associated with laser did not offer additional benefit to root coverage and esthetics in treating gingival recession. More long-term studies are required to assess these parameters.

http://ift.tt/2rLec7c

Epidermotropic Presentation by Splenic B-cell Lymphoma: The Importance of Clinical-Pathologic Correlation

Abstract

There are exceedingly rare reports of patients with epidermotropic B-cell lymphomas. A subset presented with intermittent, variably pruritic papular eruptions and involvement of their spleens, peripheral blood, and bone marrow at the time of diagnosis. Furthermore, some experienced an indolent course despite dissemination of their lymphomas. We report a 66-year-old woman with a 12-year history of intermittent eruptions of nonpruritic salmon-colored papules on her torso and proximal extremities that occurred in winter and resolved with outdoor activity in spring. Skin biopsy revealed an epidermotropic B-cell lymphoma with a non-specific B-cell phenotype and heavy chain class switching with IgG expression. On workup, our patient exhibited mild splenomegaly and low-level involvement of her peripheral blood and bone marrow by a kappa-restricted B-cell population. A splenic B-cell lymphoma was diagnosed. Considering her longstanding history and absences of cytopenias, our patient has been followed without splenectomy or systemic therapy. Furthermore, the papules have responded dramatically to narrowband UVB. Our case and a review of similar rare reports aim to raise awareness among dermatopathologists and dermatologists of a clinically distinct and indolent subset of epidermotropic splenic lymphomas with characteristic clinical and histologic findings.

http://ift.tt/2Bv77Ya

A quantitative comparison between SOX10 and MART-1 immunostaining to detect melanocytic hyperplasia in chronically sun-damaged skin

Abstract

Histologic differentiation of melanoma in situ (MIS) from solar keratosis on chronically sun-damaged skin is challenging. The first-line immunostain is usually MART-1/Melan-A, which can exaggerate the epidermal melanocytes, causing a diagnostic pitfall for MIS. By comparing MART-1 and SOX10 immunostaining, we scored the percentage of epidermal melanocytes per 2-mm diameter fields in pigmented actinic keratosis (n=16), lichenoid keratosis (n=7), junctional melanocytic nevus (n=6), keratosis with atypical melanocytic proliferation (AMP, n=17) and MIS (n=10). These cases represented an older population (68 years median age) and the head and neck (50%) was the most common anatomic site. MART-1 score was significantly higher than SOX10 (P value < 0.05) in solar keratoses, but showed no difference in detecting melanocytic proliferations, demonstrating their equal detection rate of melanocytes. The sensitivity of both MART-1 and SOX10 was 100% while their specificities were 17% and 96%, respectively. These results show SOX10 is more specific than MART-1 in distinguishing epidermal melanocytes on sun-damaged skin by avoiding over diagnosis of melanoma.

http://ift.tt/2nedsD0

Periodontal Treatment in Cancer Patients: an Interdisciplinary Approach

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Dental care is an essential component in the comprehensive treatment for a cancer patient. As such, a review of the literature was completed to determine the relationships between periodontal and dental care in the cancer patient and provide strategic suggestions.

Recent Findings

Periodontal treatment must be personalized depending on the patient's current oral health status, systemic status, and progress in treatment. Oral mucositis, periodontal status, and osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) remain periodontal concerns in providing dental care to the cancer patient. Risk factors for development of ONJ include root amputation (OR = 6.64), extraction of a single tooth (OR = 3.7), severe tooth mobility (OR = 3.60), and unclosed wound (OR = 2.51).

Summary

Preventive maintenance, oral hygiene instruction, use of fluoride and chlorhexidine are all important therapeutic strategies. If extractions are required in patients who have received bone-modifying drug infusions, flap management and primary wound closure are needed to reduce the risk of complications.

http://ift.tt/2rIXchW

Possible effect of SNAIL family transcriptional repressor 1 polymorphisms in non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate

Abstract

Objective

Orofacial development is a complex process subjected to failure impairing. Indeed, the cleft of the lip and/or of the palate is among the most frequent inborn malformations. The JARID2 gene has been suggested to be involved in non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (nsCL/P) etiology. JARID2 interacts with the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) in regulating the expression patterns of developmental genes by modifying the chromatin state.

Materials and methods

Genes coding for the PRC2 components, as well as other genes active in cell differentiation and embryonic development, were selected for a family-based association study to verify their involvement in nsCL/P. A total of 632 families from Italy and Asia participated to the study.

Results

Evidence of allelic association was found with polymorphisms of SNAI1; in particular, the rs16995010-G allele was undertransmitted to the nsCL/P cases [P = 0.004, odds ratio = 0.69 (95% C.I. 0.54–0.89)]. However, the adjusted significance value corrected for all the performed tests was P = 0.051.

Conclusions

The findings emerging by the present study suggest for the first time an involvement of SNAI1 in the nsCL/P onset.

Clinical relevance

Interestingly, SNAI1 is known to promote epithelial to mesenchymal transition by repressing E-cadherin expression, but it needs an intact PRC2 to act this function. Alterations of this process could contribute to the complex etiology of nsCL/P.

http://ift.tt/2Gl0BGU

Cooking oil fume-derived PM 2.5 induces apoptosis in A549 cells and MAPK/NF-кB/STAT1 pathway activation

Abstract

Cooking oil fumes (COFs) are the major sources of indoor air pollution in Asia. It is well known that alveolar cells are key participants in the development of respiratory system; however, it still remains unknown whether alveolar cells are affected by COFs. Therefore, the present study investigated the effects of COFs on alveolar cells (A549 cells) and illuminated its apoptotic mechanism in response to COF-PM_2.5 exposure. When A549 cells were exposed to COF-PM_2.5, cell viability was substantially decreased, while the generation of ROS increased, and LDH levels and CCK-8 levels gradually changed within a dose-dependent manner. The nitrite concentration in the supernatants was augmented, while the SOD activity and GSH recycling were decreased upon COF-PM_2.5. Moreover, COF-PM_2.5 treatment increased mRNA levels of COX-2, inducible NO synthase, and TNF-α, and Elisa assay suggested that secretory proteins IL-6 and TNF-α were also increased. Furthermore, the Bax/Bcl-2 mRNA ratio was increased, and cleaved caspase-3 protein was activated in the A549 cells. Strikingly, COF-PM_2.5 induced the phosphorylation of STAT1 at Tyr701/Ser727 and activation of NF-кB and ERK1/2, p38, and JNK of the MAPK pathway. In short, our study suggested that COF-PM_2.5 resulted in inflammation, apoptosis, and cell damage in A549 cells, which might be modulated via the activation of MAPK/NF-кB/STAT1 pathway.

http://ift.tt/2Bwnnbn

Protective effect of melatonin on cadmium-induced changes in some maturation and reproductive parameters of female Prussian carp ( Carassius gibelio B.)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine whether melatonin (Mel), which is a known antioxidant and free radical scavenger, could perform the role of a preventive agent against the toxic effects of cadmium (Cd²⁺) on mortality, fish growth, gonadosomatic index (GSI), luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion, the response to hormonal stimulation of spawning, and also tissue accumulation of Cd in Prussian carp females. These females received melatonin implants and were exposed to 0.4 or 4.0 mg/L of Cd (as CdCl₂·2.5H₂O) over either a 5- or 3-month period, followed by further 2 months of purification in clear water. Negative changes caused by exposure to cadmium in the water were as follows: higher fish mortality, lower body weight, increased accumulation of cadmium in the brain and ovary, lowered GSI, impaired spontaneous LH secretion during exposure, and impaired LH secretion during stimulation of spawning. All of these effects were observed in the group of fish exposed to 0.4 and/or 4.0 mg Cd/L but did not occur or were less pronounced in the groups exposed to cadmium in the presence of melatonin released from the implants. During depuration, in the group of fish which had been exposed to the highest Cd concentration, we observed a significant improvement in fish survival rate, body growth, inhibition of further cadmium accumulation in tissues, and gradual return of spontaneous LH secretion as well as normalization of the GSI value to the control group levels. In conclusion, these findings indicate that melatonin can be a preventive agent for some toxic effects on fish reproduction induced by environmental cadmium contamination.

http://ift.tt/2rJCMFl

Effects of dissolved organic matter leaching from macrophyte litter on black water events in shallow lakes

Abstract

In recent years, the black water phenomenon has become an environmental event in eutrophic shallow lakes in China, leading to deterioration of lake ecosystems and potable water crises. Decomposition of macrophyte debris has been verified as a key inducement for black water events. In this study, the effects of the decomposition of dissolved organic matter (Kottelat et al., WASP 187:343–351, 2008) derived from macrophyte leachate on the occurrence of black water events are investigated to clarify the detailed mechanisms involved. Results show that dissolved organic matter (DOM) is composed of a trace of chromophoric DOM and mostly non-chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM). DOM decomposition is accompanied by varied concentration of CDOM components, generation of organic particles, and increased microbial concentrations. These processes increase water chroma only during initial 48 h, so the intensified water color cannot be maintained by DOM decomposition alone. During DOM decomposition, microorganisms first consume non-CDOM, increasing the relative CDOM concentration and turning the water color to black (or brown). Simultaneously, tryptophan and aromatic proteins, which are major ingredients of CDOM, enhance UV light absorption, further aggravating the macroscopic phenomenon of black color. Our results show that DOM leached from decayed macrophytes promotes or even triggers the occurrence of black water events and should be taken more seriously in the future.

http://ift.tt/2GlByn2

Tranexamic acid as a local hemostasis method after dental extraction in patients on warfarin: a randomized controlled clinical study

Abstract

Objectives

The present work is a controlled, blinded, and randomized clinical trial comparing hemostatic measures for the control of post-tooth extraction hemorrhage in patients on anticoagulation therapy with warfarin.

Materials and methods

The sample consisted of 37 patients (37.8% male and 62.2% female) with a mean age of 45.5 years. After randomization, 20 patients were allocated to the control group (conventional hemostasis measures) and 17 to the study group (addition of local tranexamic acid). All variables that could influence the outcome were similar between the groups and no significant difference was seen (p > 0.05).

Results

In the assessment of immediate hemostasis, for the control group, the time to achieve cessation of bleeding was 9.1 (± 3.6) minutes. For the study group this was much lower, and this difference (6.018 / confidence interval of 95%, 4.677 to 7.359) was statistically significant (p < 0.001). In evaluating the control of intermediate hemorrhage, the use of tranexamic acid was more significantly associated with the absence of bleeding, especially in the first 24 h.

Conclusions and clinical relevance

Thus, this measure of local hemostasis in topical form with gauze compression and irrigation was shown to be more effective in reducing the time to attain immediate hemostasis, and in preventing intermediate hemorrhage.

http://ift.tt/2DBWKUg

Whole blood viscosity and cerebral blood flow velocities in obese hypertensive or obese normotensive adolescents

Journal Name: Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism
Issue: Ahead of print


http://ift.tt/2ng7Gjq

The utility of body mass index as an indicator for lipid abnormalities in non-fasted children

Journal Name: Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism
Issue: Ahead of print


http://ift.tt/2DKdAEg

Hypercalcemia, hyperkalemia and supraventricular tachycardia in a patient with subcutaneous fat necrosis

Journal Name: Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism
Issue: Ahead of print


http://ift.tt/2ng7EYQ

Clinical follow-up data and the rate of development of precocious and rapidly progressive puberty in patients with premature thelarche

Journal Name: Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism
Issue: Ahead of print


http://ift.tt/2DJbHI3

Brain gray matter volume differences in obese youth with type 2 diabetes: a pilot study

Journal Name: Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism
Issue: Ahead of print


http://ift.tt/2neSiUd

Is it safe to get Botox while breast-feeding?

A look at Botox and breast-feeding safety. Included is detail on how Botox affects the body and other side effects that are important for mothers to know.

http://ift.tt/2neZCiU

Inhibition of Methyltransferase Setd7 Allows the In Vitro Expansion of Myogenic Stem Cells with Improved Therapeutic Potential

Publication date: Available online 25 January 2018
Source:Cell Stem Cell
Author(s): Robert N. Judson, Marco Quarta, Menno J. Oudhoff, Hesham Soliman, Lin Yi, Chih Kai Chang, Gloria Loi, Ryan Vander Werff, Alissa Cait, Mark Hamer, Justin Blonigan, Patrick Paine, Linda T.N. Doan, Elena Groppa, WenJun He, Le Su, Regan H. Zhang, Peter Xu, Christine Eisner, Marcela Low, Ingrid Barta, Coral-Ann B. Lewis, Colby Zaph, Mohammad M. Karimi, Thomas A. Rando, Fabio M. Rossi
The development of cell therapy for repairing damaged or diseased skeletal muscle has been hindered by the inability to significantly expand immature, transplantable myogenic stem cells (MuSCs) in culture. To overcome this limitation, a deeper understanding of the mechanisms regulating the transition between activated, proliferating MuSCs and differentiation-primed, poorly engrafting progenitors is needed. Here, we show that methyltransferase Setd7 facilitates such transition by regulating the nuclear accumulation of β-catenin in proliferating MuSCs. Genetic or pharmacological inhibition of Setd7 promotes in vitro expansion of MuSCs and increases the yield of primary myogenic cell cultures. Upon transplantation, both mouse and human MuSCs expanded with a Setd7 small-molecule inhibitor are better able to repopulate the satellite cell niche, and treated mouse MuSCs show enhanced therapeutic potential in preclinical models of muscular dystrophy. Thus, Setd7 inhibition may help bypass a key obstacle in the translation of cell therapy for muscle disease.

Graphical abstract

Teaser

Judson et al. show that lysine-methyltransferase Setd7 acts cytoplasmically to regulate the differentiation of skeletal muscle stem cells (MuSCs) by priming β-catenin for nuclear import. Pharmacological inhibition of Setd7 can provide a strategy to enhance the in vitro expansion and transplantation potential of murine and human MuSCs.


http://ift.tt/2naWBkw

Use of ENABL® adjuvant to increase the potency of an adenovirus-vectored foot-and-mouth disease virus serotype A subunit vaccine

Publication date: Available online 20 January 2018
Source:Vaccine
Author(s): José Barrera, Christopher Schutta, Melia Pisano, Marvin J. Grubman, David A. Brake, Timothy Miller, Barbara J. Kamicker, Femi Olutunmbi, Damodar Ettyreddy, Douglas E. Brough, Bryan T. Butman, John G. Neilan
A foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) recombinant subunit vaccine formulated with a lipid/polymer adjuvant was evaluated in two vaccine efficacy challenge studies in steers. The vaccine active ingredient is a replication-deficient human adenovirus serotype 5 vector encoding the FMD virus (FMDV) A24/Cruzeiro/BRA/55 capsid (AdtA24). In the first study, AdtA24 formulated in ENABL® adjuvant was compared to a fourfold higher dose of AdtA24 without adjuvant. Steers vaccinated with AdtA24 + ENABL® adjuvant developed a significantly higher virus neutralizing test (VNT) antibody titer and an improved clinical response following FMDV A24/Cruzeiro/BRA/55 intradermal lingual challenge at 14 days post-vaccination (dpv) than steers vaccinated with the active ingredient alone. In the second study, vaccination with AdtA24 formulated in ENABL® at the same dose used in the first study, followed by FMDV A24/Cruzeiro/BRA/55 challenge on 7 or 14 dpv, prevented clinical FMD in all steers and conferred 90% protection against viremia. In addition, post-challenge FMDV titers in nasal samples from vaccinated steers compared to unvaccinated steers were significantly reduced. In both studies, none of the AdtA24 vaccinated steers developed antibodies to the FMDV non-structural proteins prior to challenge with FMDV, indicative of the capacity to differentiate infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA). These results demonstrate that administration of AdtA24 formulated in ENABL® adjuvant lowered the protective dose and prevented clinical FMD following exposure of vaccinated steers to virulent FMDV at 7 or 14 dpv.



http://ift.tt/2Edvo7R

Durvalumab verbessert die Prognose beim lokal fortgeschrittenen nicht-kleinzelligen Bronchialkarzinom nach definitiver Radiochemotherapie

http://ift.tt/2DFHzNR

Toxicity of aqueous mixture of phenol and chlorophenols upon photosensitized oxidation initiated by sunlight or vis-lamp

Abstract

It is well established that aquatic wildlife in marine and freshwater of the European Union is exposed to natural and synthetic endocrine disruptor compounds (EDCs) which are able to interfere with the hormonal system causing adverse effects on the intact physiology of organisms. The traditional wastewater treatment processes are inefficient on the removal of EDCs in low concentration. Moreover, not only the efficiency of treatment must be considered but also toxicological aspects. Taking into account all these aspects, the main goal of the study was to investigate the photochemical decomposition of hazardous phenolic compounds under simulated as well as natural sunlight from the toxicity point of view. The studies were focused on photodegradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol as well as mixture of phenol, 2-chlorophenol and 2,4-dichlorophenol. Photosensitized oxidation process was carried out in homogeneous and heterogeneous system. V. fischeri luminescence inhibition was used to determine the changes of toxicity in mixture during simulated and natural irradiation. The photodegradation was carried out in three kinds of water matrix; moreover, the influence of presence of inorganic matter on the treatment process was investigated. The experiments with natural sunlight proved applicability of photosensitive chitosan for visible-light water pollutant degradation. The results of toxicity investigation show that using photosensitive chitosan for visible-light, the toxicity of reaction mixture towards V. fischeri has significantly decreased. The EC₅₀ was found to increase over the irradiation time; this increase was not proportional to the transformation of the parent compounds.

http://ift.tt/2DDzN37

Identifying the Predictive Factors of Response to PD-1 or PD-L1 Antagonists

Conditions:   Melanoma;   Non Small Cell Lung Cancer;   Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Intervention:   Procedure: Biopsy
Sponsors:   UNICANCER;   Fondation ARC
Not yet recruiting

http://ift.tt/2DH3hB9

Study on the Application of Convenient Foot-control Exhaust Method in Endoscopic Thyroidectomy

Conditions:   Thyroid Cancer;   Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma;   Thyroidectomy;   Endoscopy
Interventions:   Device: used of the Pressure adjustable foot-control method;   Device: direct exhaust
Sponsor:   wangbo
Recruiting

http://ift.tt/2DERkeZ

Hippocampus Avoidance During Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy for T4 Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Patients

Condition:   Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Intervention:  
Sponsor:   Zhejiang Cancer Hospital
Recruiting

http://ift.tt/2nb1s4e

Peptide Vaccine in Advanced Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma or Colorectal Adenocarcinoma

Conditions:   Pancreatic Cancer;   Colorectal Cancer
Interventions:   Biological: Peptide Vaccine;   Behavioral: Phone Call;   Drug: Pembrolizumab
Sponsor:   M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Recruiting

http://ift.tt/2niFJYn

Benefits and Harms of Cannabis in Chronic Pain or Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review [Internet].

Eight states and the District of Columbia have legalized cannabis use for recreational purposes, and 28 states plus the District of Columbia have legalized cannabis for medical purposes. Recent studies suggest that 45-80% of individuals who seek cannabis for medical purposes do so for pain management, and an estimated 6%-39% of patients prescribed opioid medication for pain are also utilizing cannabis. Over one-third of patients seeking cannabis for medical purposes list post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as the primary reason for the request. Approximately 15% of Veterans who are treated in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) outpatient PTSD clinics report recent (past 6 months) cannabis use.

http://ift.tt/2DQFxJU

Treatment Options of Arm Fractures in the Elderly – A Systematic Review and Assessment of the Medical, Economic, Social and Ethical Aspects [Internet].

The Swedish Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Assessment of Social Services (SBU) has evaluated the effects, complications, health economic aspects and ethical considerations of arm fractures treatment in the elderly with a mean age above 60 years. The project originates from a proposal from the Swedish Orthopaedic Association. The systematic review also includes studies on how patients with osteoporosis experience participation in their care and their encounters with health care professionals.

http://ift.tt/2FhEIqw

Comparative Clinical and Economic Effectiveness of Anti-vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Agents [Internet].

Visual impairment is a common problem among Veterans and results in significant reduction in quality of life. Diseases commonly responsible for substantial losses in visual acuity include neovascular ("wet") age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic macular edema (DME), and central or branch retinal vein occlusion (CRVO or BRVO). While the etiologies of these diseases are complex, all are driven at least in part by vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs). This has led to the development of several drugs called anti-VEGF agents designed to block these factors and thus limit their damage to the eye. The most commonly used anti-VEGF agents—aflibercept, bevacizumab, and ranibizumab—have been shown to slow and even reverse the vision loss typically seen in patients with AMD, DME, BRVO, and CRVO. The comparative effectiveness, harms, and costs of these drugs are unclear.

http://ift.tt/2DRrynk

Interventions to Improve Foster Children's Mental and Physical Health: A Systematic Review and Assessment of the Economic, Social and Ethical Aspects [Internet].

Many maltreated or troubled children and youth are placed in foster family care for shorter or longer periods. Those children have substantially increased risks of mental and health problems compared to other children, at time of care entry, while in care and in adulthood. It is therefore important to know if interventions for children residing in foster care are effective.

http://ift.tt/2FjHsEb

Theoretical Effect of DBS on Axonal Fibers of Passage: Firing Rates, Entropy, and Information Content

Background: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has effects on axons that originate and terminate outside the DBS target area. Objective: We hypothesized that DBS generates action potentials (APs) in both directions in "axons of passage," altering their information content and that of all downstream cells and circuits, and sought to quantify the change in fiber information content. Methods: We incorporated DBS parameters (fiber firing frequency and refractory time, and AP initiation location along the fiber and propagation velocity) in a filtering function determining the AP frequency reaching the postsynaptic cell. Using neural circuitry simulation software, we investigated the ability of the filtering function to predict the firing frequency of APs reaching neurons targeted by axons of passage. We calculated their entropy with and without DBS, and with the electrode applied at various distances from the cell body. Results: The predictability of the filtering function exceeded 98%. Entropy calculations showed that the entropy ratio "without DBS" to "with DBS" was always >1.0, thus DBS reduces fiber entropy. Conclusions: (1) The results imply that DBS effects are due to entropy reduction within fibers, i.e., a reduction in their information. (2) Where fibers of passage do not terminate in target regions, DBS may have side effects on nontargeted circuitry.
Stereotact Funct Neurosurg

http://ift.tt/2rJGG0W

Scholar : These new articles for Amyloid are available online

The online platform for Taylor & Francis Online content New for Amyloid and online now on Taylor & Francis Online: Original Article Reduced left atrial myocardial deformation irrespective of cavity size: a potential cause for atrial arrhythmia in hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis Michael Y. Henein, Ole B. Suhr, Sandra Arvidsson, Björn Pilebro, Per Westermark, Rolf Hörnsten & Per Lindqvist Pages: 1-8 | DOI: 10.1080/13506129.2018.1430027 To update which email alerts you receive, manage your alerts within the My Account area. Unsubscribe from new content alerts for this journal (both new issue and latest article notifications) with one click. If you need any further help, please contact us at support@tandfonline.com Please do not reply to this email. To ensure that you receive your alerts and information from Taylor & Francis Online, please add "alerts@tandfonline.com" and "info@tandfonline.com" to your safe senders list. Taylor & Francis, an Informa business. Taylor & Francis is a trading name of Informa UK Limited, registered in England under no. 1072954. Registered office: 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.

Rhizospheric effects on the microbial community of e-waste-contaminated soils using phospholipid fatty acid and isoprenoid glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraether analyses

Abstract

We performed the study of rhizospheric effects on soil microbial community structure, including bacteria, fungi, actinomycete, and archaea, at an electronic waste (e-waste) recycling site by analyzing the phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) and isoprenoid glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraether (GDGT) contents. By comparing PLFA and isoprenoid GDGT profiles of rhizospheric and surrounding bulk soils of 11 crop species, we observed distinct microbial community structures. The total PLFA concentration was significantly higher in rhizospheric soils than in non-rhizospheric soils, whereas no obvious difference was found in the total isoprenoid GDGT concentrations. The microbial community structure was also different, with higher ratios of fungal-to-bacterial PLFAs (F/B) and lower relative abundance of Gram-positive bacteria in rhizospheric soils. The extent of rhizospheric effects varied among plant species, and Colocasia esculenta L. had the greatest positive effects on the total microbial biomass. Dissolved organic carbon and pH were the main environmental factors affecting the microbial community represented by PLFAs, while the archaeal community was influenced by copper and zinc in all soils. These results offer a comprehensive view of rhizospheric effects on microbes in heavy metal and persistent organic pollutant co-contaminated soil, and provide fundamental knowledge regarding microbial ecology in e-waste-contaminated soils.

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Scholar : These new articles for Comedy Studies are available online

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Geochemical characteristics of n -alkanes and isoprenoids in coal seams from Zhuji coal mine, Huainan coalfield, China, and their relationship with coal-forming environment

Abstract

Ten coal seams in Upper Shihezi Formation, Lower Shihezi Formation, and Shanxi Formation from the Zhuji mine, Huainan coalfield, China, were analyzed for n-alkanes and isoprenoids (pristine and phytane) using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), with an aim of reconstructing the coal-forming plants and depositional environments along with organic carbon isotope analyses. The total n-alkane concentrations ranged from 34.1 to 481 mg/kg. Values of organic carbon isotope (δ¹³C_org) ranged from − 24.6 to − 23.7‰. The calorific value (Q_b,d), maximum vitrinite reflectance (Ro_max), proximate, and ultimate analysis were also determined but showed no correlation with n-alkane concentrations. Carbon Preference Index (CPI) values ranged from 0.945 to 1.30, suggesting no obvious odd/even predominance of n-alkane. The predominance of C₁₁ and C₁₇n-alkanes implied that the coal may be deposited in the fresh and mildly brackish environment. According to the contrary changing trend of pristine/phytane (Pr/Ph) ratio and boron concentrations, Pr/Ph can be used as an indicator to reconstruct the marine transgression-regression in sedimentary environment of coal formation. The influence of marine transgression may lead to the enrichment of pyrite sulfur in the coal seam 4-2. C3 plants (− 32 to − 21‰) and marine algae (− 23 to − 16‰) were probably the main coal-forming plants in the studied coal seams. No correlation of the n-alkane concentration and redox condition of the depositional environment with organic carbon isotope composition were found.

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