Reconstruction of Plasmodium vivax outbreaks in a low malaria endemic setting utilizing conventional restriction fragment length polymorphism

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Reconstruction of <em>Plasmodium vivax</em> outbreaks in a low malaria endemic setting utilizing conventional restriction fragment length polymorphism Via International Journal of Molecular Epidemiology and Genetics Int J Mol Epidemiol Genet. 2021 Feb 15;12(1):9-15. eCollection 2021. ABSTRACT Suriname is on track to eliminate local malaria transmission. P. vivax malaria reemerged in March and September 2019 in the Amerindian village Palumeu, free of malaria for two years and concurrently, a case was reported in another village Alalaparoe. The outbreaks were contained through targeted interventions including Mass Drug Administration (MDA). Molecular outbreak analysis was performed on 23 dried blood spots (DBS) using combined polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) with Pvmsp-1 F2 and Pvmsp-3α as polymorphic marker genes. Independent controls substantiated the discriminating capacities of the utilized PCR-RFLP method. All isolates from the first and second Palumeu outbreak shared a distinctive haplotype presuming single clonal lineage. An imported case probably triggered the first outbreak, while a delayed episode, prompted by withdrawal of drug pressure at the end of the prophylactic MDA, was suggested as source of the second outbreak. A diverging variant was demonstrated in Alalaparoe, implicating an infection from a different source. PCR-RFLP proved to be a useful molecular tool for P. vivax outbreak management in low endemic malaria settings. PMID:33859783 | PMC:PMC8044709 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Effect of smoking status and programmed death-ligand 1 expression on the microenvironment and malignant transformation of oral leukoplakia: A retrospective cohort study

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Effect of smoking status and programmed death-ligand 1 expression on the microenvironment and malignant transformation of oral leukoplakia: A retrospective cohort study Via Oral leukoplakia by Takahiro Yagyuu, Naoki Funayama, Mitsuhiko Imada, Tadaaki Kirita Tobacco smoking is associated with an increased risk of oral leukoplakia and head and neck cancer. Although it has recently been reported that the establishment of an immunosuppressive microenvironment in oral potentially malignant disorders may lead to malignant transformation, it is unclear whether the microenvironments of oral potentially malignant disorders differ according to smoking status. We examined differences in programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and subepithelial CD163+ TAM and CD8+ cell/lymphocyte counts in the microenvironment of oral leukoplakia of smoking and non-smoking patients and investigated their associations with malignant transformation. Pathology reports and original biopsy request forms from 1995–2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Lesions clinically characterized as white plaques/lesions of the oral mucosa and pathologically diagnosed as oral epithelial dysplasia were included. Immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate PD-L1 expression and subepithelial CD163+/CD8+ cell counts. The significance of prognostic factors in predicting malignant transformation was determined using Cox regression analysis. Statistical significance was defined as P View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Surgical, clinical, and functional outcomes of transoral robotic surgery used in sleep surgery for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Surgical, clinical, and functional outcomes of transoral robotic surgery used in sleep surgery for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: A systematic review and meta‐analysis Via Head & Neck Abstract We investigated safety and efficacy of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for base of tongue (BOT) reduction in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) patients. PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Scopus were searched. A meta‐analysis was performed. Random effects models were used. Thirty‐one cohorts met our criteria (1693 patients). The analysis was based mostly on retrospective studies. The summary estimate of the reduction of Apnea–Hypoxia Index (AHI) was 24.25 abnormal events per hour (95% CI: 21.69–26.81) and reduction of Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) was 7.92 (95% CI: 6.50–9.34). The summary estimate of increase in lowest O2 saturation was 6.04% (95% CI: 3.05–9.03). The success rate of TORS BOT reduction, either alone or combined with other procedures, was 69% (95% CI: 64–79). The majority of studies reported low level of evidence but suggested that TORS BOT reduction may be a safe procedure associated with improvement of AHI, ESS, and lowest O2 saturation. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Blocking miR-27a-3p sensitises Taxol resistant osteosarcoma cells through targeting Fbxw7

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Blocking miR-27a-3p sensitises Taxol resistant osteosarcoma cells through targeting Fbxw7 Via Association française pour l'étude du cancer Bull Cancer. 2021 Apr 13:S0007-4551(21)00078-3. doi: 10.1016/j.bulcan.2021.01.006. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT Osteosarcoma (OS) is a human malignancy, which primarily affects the long bones and occurs in children and adolescent. Although advanced clinical approaches and the addition of neoadjuvant chemotherapy improved 5-year survival of OS patients, a large fraction of them developed chemoresistance. Thus, due to the high morbidity and mortality of OS, it is urgent to investigate effectively molecular targets against chemoresistant osteosarcoma. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the functions of miR-27a-3p in the Taxol sensitivity of osteosarcoma. From fifty-paired OS tumour tissues and adjacent normal bone tissues, we detected significantly upregulated miR-27a-3p expressions in osteosarcoma. In addition, expression of miR-27a-3p was remarkedly elevated in OS cancer cell lines compared with normal osteoblast cells, hFOB1.19. Bl ocking miR-27a-3p effectively suppressed OS cell growth and sensitised OS cells to Taxol. miRNA target prediction indicated Fbxw7 was a potential target of miR-27a-3p. We demonstrated Fbxw7 functioned as a tumour suppressor in osteosarcoma. Overexpression of miR-27a-3p significantly suppressed Fbxw7 protein expression in OS cells. The direct binding between miR-27a-3p and Fbxw7 3'UTR was validated by luciferase assay. Particularly, results from rescue experiments by inhibiting Fbxw7 expressions in miR-23a-3p-blocked OS cells demonstrated the miR-27a-3p-mediated Taxol resistance was through direct targeting Fbxw7. In summary, our findings report a new molecular mechanism for the miR-27a-3p-mediated Taxol resistance via targeting tumour suppressor, Fbxw7 in osteosarcoma. This study potentiates a miRNA-based therapeutic approach against Taxol resistant osteosarcoma. PMID:33863546 | DOI:10.1016/j.bulcan.2021.01.006 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Radioguided surgery with iodine-125 seeds in breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Radioguided surgery with iodine-125 seeds in breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy Via radioactive iodine Rev Esp Med Nucl Imagen Mol. 2021 Apr 13:S2253-654X(21)00067-6. doi: 10.1016/j.remn.2021.02.017. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of radioactive iodine-125 seed (RIS) in breast and/or axillary surgery, in patients with breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective study between January 2016 and June 2020. 80 women T1-3,N0-2,M0: 30 RIS marking the breast tumor, 36 both the tumor and the biopsied posit ive axillary node, and 14 only the axilla. Age: 54.7±11.4 years. Tumor size: 34.1±14.6mm. Histological type: invasive ductal carcinoma 90.0%. Molecular subtypes: luminal-A 23.8%, luminal-B/HER2- 33.7%, luminal-B/HER2+ 18.8%, HER2+ 7.5%, basal-like 16,2%. RESULTS: Of the 66 patients with RIS marking of the tumor (51 pre-NAC, 15 post-NAC), 92.1% had tumor-free surgical margins, with a specimen volume of 126.7±111.2 cm3. Of the 5 second local excisions, in 3 the resection margin was involved (1 mastectomy). Of the 50 patients N1 with RIS marking (MLN), 44 pre-NAC and 6 post-NAC, MLN was identified in 97.2%: negative 23, positive 26. In 45/50 patients, sentinel node biopsy (SNB) was performed and it was identified in 93.3%: negative 26, positive 16. In 1 case RIS was not placed correctly and SNB was not identified due to non-migration. In 61.9% of the patients, MLN was among the SNB identified in the surgery. In 5 patients with mismatched SNB and MLN, the pathologica l result of the SNB was negative and the MLN was positive. Axillary lymph node dissection was performed in 53.8% of the patients. CONCLUSION: RIS allow to perform breast-conserving surgery and improve detection of residual axillary disease in patients treated with NAC. PMID:33863696 | DOI:10.1016/j.remn.2021.02.017 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Olfactory training with Aromastics: olfactory and cognitive effects

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Olfactory training with Aromastics: olfactory and cognitive effects Via http://link.springer.com/journal/405,European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology,The European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2021 Apr 16. doi: 10.1007/s00405-021-06810-9. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT PURPOSE: The olfactory system can be successfully rehabilitated with regular, intermittent stimulation during multiple daily exposures to selected sets of odors, i.e., olfactory training (OT). OT has been repeatedly shown to be an effective tool of olfactory performance enhancement. Recent advancements in studies on OT suggest that its beneficial effects exceed olfaction and extend to specific cognitive tasks. So far, studies on OT provided compelling evidence for its effectiveness, but there is still a need to search for an optimal OT protocol. The present study examined whether increased frequency of OT leads to better outcomes in both olfactory and cognitive domains. METHOD: Fifty-five subjects (28 females; Mage = 58.2 ± 11.3 years; 26 patients with impaired olfaction) were randomly assigned to a standard (twice a day) or intense (four times a day) OT. Olfactory and cognitive measurements were taken before and after OT. RESULTS: OT performed twice a day was more effective in supporting olfactory rehabilitation and interventions targeted to verbal semantic fluency than OT performed four times a day, even more so in subjects with lower baseline scores. CONCLUSIONS: OT is effective in supporting olfactory rehabilitation and interventions targeted to verbal semantic fluency. However, it may be prone to a ceiling effect, being efficient in subjects presenting with lower baseline olfactory performance and lower verbal semantic fluency. PMID:33864109 | DOI:10.1007/s00405-021-06810-9 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Craniofrontonasal dysplasia: hypertelorism correction in late presenting patients

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Craniofrontonasal dysplasia: hypertelorism correction in late presenting patients Via leak of cerebrospinal fluid Childs Nerv Syst. 2021 Apr 16. doi: 10.1007/s00381-021-05134-7. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Craniofrontonasal dysplasia (CFND) is a rare congenital craniofacial syndrome characterized by single suture synostosis, hypertelorism, other clinical facial features, and abnormalities in the upper extremities. There are only a few studies in the applicable literature that address hypertelorism management for CFND patients and outcomes and complication rates. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on consecutive late presenting CFND patients referred to our hospital with substantially completed craniofacial skeleton growth, who underwent hypertelorism correction between 2007 and 2019 following intracranial pressure screening, and who received at least 1 year of follow-up care. None of the patients in this study underwent prior craniofacial surgery. Only those patients with a confirmed mutation of the EFNB1 gene were include d in this study. All patients in this study underwent hypertelorism correction by facial bipartition or box osteotomy. RESULTS: A total of ten late presenting CFND patients (all female) were treated at our hospital during the study period. None of the patients presented signs of elevated intracranial pressure. The average patient age at hypertelorism correction was 13.4 ± 7.68 years of age. Major complications, defined as complications requiring a return to the operating room, were limited to infection of the frontal bone, which required partial bone removal, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, which was completely resolved by insertion of a lumbar shunt for a 7-day period. CONCLUSION: The absence of elevated intracranial pressure enables hypertelorism correction in late presenting CFND patients via facial bipartition or box osteotomy without the need for additional operations that provide for cranial expansion. PMID:33864106 | DOI:10.1007/s00381-021-05134-7 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Nipple Engineering: Maintaining Nipple Geometry with Externally Scaffolded Processed Autologous Costal Cartilage

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Nipple Engineering: Maintaining Nipple Geometry with Externally Scaffolded Processed Autologous Costal Cartilage Via Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery : JPRAS J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2021 Mar 24:S1748-6815(21)00099-1. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2021.03.010. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Nipple reconstruction is the essential last step of breast reconstruction after total mastectomy, resulting in improved general and aesthetic satisfaction. However, most techniques are limited by secondary scar contracture and loss of neo-nipple projection leading to patient dissatisfaction. Approximately, 16,000 patients undergo autologous flap breast reconstruction annually, during which the excised costal cartilage (CC) is discarded. We propose utilizing processed CC placed within biocompatible 3D-printed external scaffolds to generate tissue cylinders that mimic the shape, size and biomechanical properties of native human nipple tissue while mitigating contracture and projection loss. METHODS: External scaffolds were designed and then 3D-printed using polylactic acid (PLA). Patient-d erived CC was processed by mincing or zesting, then packed into the scaffolds, implanted into nude rats and explanted after 3 months for volumetric, histologic and biomechanical analyses. Similar analyses were performed on native human nipple tissue and unprocessed CC. RESULTS: After 3 months in vivo, gross analysis demonstrated significantly greater preservation of contour, projection and volume of the scaffolded nipples. Mechanical analysis demonstrated that processing of the cartilage resulted in implant equilibrium modulus values closer to that of the human nipple. Histologic analysis showed the presence of healthy and viable cartilage after 3 months in vivo, invested with fibrovascular tissue. CONCLUSIONS: Autologous CC can be processed intraoperatively and placed within biocompatible external scaffolds to mimic the shape and biomechanical properties of the native human nipple. This allows for custom design and fabrication of individualized engineered autologous imp lants tailored to patient desire, without the loss of projection seen with traditional approaches. PMID:33863678 | DOI:10.1016/j.bjps.2021.03.010 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Effect of Electrode Configuration and Impulse Strength on Airway Patency in Neurostimulation for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Effect of Electrode Configuration and Impulse Strength on Airway Patency in Neurostimulation for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Via The Laryngoscope Objectives/Hypothesis Hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HNS) has gained increasing interest for the treatment of patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Drug‐induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) can both exclude improper airway collapse patterns and visualize airway changes under stimulation. Stimulation outcome effects depend on the impulse voltage and electric field resulting from the electrode configuration of the implanted device. The effects of various combinations of voltage and electric field on DISE airway patterns in contrast to awake endoscopy are unknown. Study Design Cohort study. Methods During therapy adjustment about 6 months after implantation, patients underwent a DISE and awake endoscopy with 100% and 125% of functional voltage in three typical electrode configurations (+ – +, o – o, − – −). All videos were analyzed by two separate persons for the opening of the airway at velum, tongue base, and epiglottis level. Results Thirty patients showed typical demographic data. The opening effects were visible in all patients, but there were changes between different electrode configurations. Several demographic or therapeutic aspects such as obesity, OSA severity, or prior soft palate surgery were associated with changes arising from different electrode configurations, but none resulted in a consistently better airway opening. Conclusions In patients with poor results during the therapy adjustment, electric configuration changes can improve airway patency—an independent variable from increasing voltage. As these effects can only be seen in awake endoscopy or DISE, both endoscopies with live stimulation may be considered in cases with insufficient improvement in apnea–hypopnea index after initiation of HNS therapy. Level of Evidence Prospective case series; level 4. Laryngoscope, 2021 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Optimal Arytenoid Position in Laryngeal Framework Surgery: An Anatomic Human Larynx Study

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Optimal Arytenoid Position in Laryngeal Framework Surgery: An Anatomic Human Larynx Study Via The Laryngoscope Objectives The purpose of this study was to better understand the effects of stitch placement on arytenoid medialization by measuring normative cricoarytenoid joint anatomy and changes in arytenoid position when varying arytenopexy stitch configuration. Methods This adult human larynx study was done in two parts. First, measurements of the cricoid and arytenoid cartilage anatomy relevant to cricoarytenoid joint function were made in 45 preserved larynges (26 male (M), 19 female (F)) using digital calipers. Second, the arytenoids of six fresh larynges ( three M, three F) were sutured to the cricoid using various arytenopexy‐stitch placements ranging from inferior‐lateral to superior‐medial, and the resulting arytenoid positions were compared by measuring medial displacement of the arytenoid body and change in glottal configuration from macro still images using Image J. Paired t‐tests were used to compare the results. Results Cartilage and joint facet dimensions showed differences between males (M) and females (F). Cricoid facet lengths averaged 9.3 mm (M) and 7.1 mm (F), and widths averaged 4.9 mm (M) and 4.0 mm (F). The arytenoid facet widths averaged 10.5 mm (M) and 9.7 mm (F). Average distances between cricoid facets were 11.8 mm for both males and females. Securing the arytenoid superior‐medially on the cricoid facet produced more medialization (2.2 mm vs 1.0 mm, P < .001) and better glottic aperture configuration (9.5° vs 2.7°, P < .001) than securing the arytenoid inferior‐laterally on the facet. Conclusions Anatomic consistency in cricoarytenoid anatomy provides reliable surgical landmarks for ideal placement of an arytenopexy suture to optimally reposition the arytenoid cartilage. Optimal arytenoid medialization can be accurately reproduced with an arytenopexy‐suture that is placed superior‐medially on the cricoid facet. Level of Evidence NA Laryngoscope, 2021 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Surgical Margin Status and Survival Following Resection of Sinonasal Mucosal Melanoma

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Surgical Margin Status and Survival Following Resection of Sinonasal Mucosal Melanoma Via The Laryngoscope Objectives Sinonasal mucosal melanoma (SNMM) is an aggressive cancer usually managed with surgical resection. This study evaluates the impact of treatment modality and positive surgical margin (PSM) on survival following resection of SNMM. Study Design Retrospective study of a national cancer registry. Methods The National Cancer Database was queried for cases of SNMM from 2010 to 2015. Data regarding patient demographics, tumor staging, and treatment modality were obtained. Survival rates were compared by margin status: PSM, negative (NSM), and no operation (0SM) using Kaplan–Meier analysis and log rank test. Results A total of 446 patients met inclusion criteria. Most cases were elderly (>66 years‐old) (67.3%), female (54.3%), and white (89.5%). Cases of SNMM most commonly involved the nasal cavity (81.6%), were Stage 3 (60.0%), and underwent surgical resection at an academic center (65.0%). NSM and PSM were present in 59.0% and 26.9% of cases, respectively, while 14.1% of cases did not undergo surgical resection (0SM). Factors predictive of PSM included resection at a community hospital (OR 2.47) and Stage 4 disease (OR 2.07). The 2‐year survival rates were 72.1% (95% CI 69.4–75.4%), 36.3% (95% CI 22.0–48.9), and 16.0% (95% CI 8.2–25.4%) for NSM, PSM and 0SM, respectively. Survival was statistically significant between NSM and PSM (Log rank <0.001) but not between 0SM and PSM (Log rank = 0.062). Conclusion Our study emphasizes the need for NSM for SNMM as PSM did not demonstrate any significant improvement in survival when compared to 0SM. Our findings suggest that cases of SNMM are best managed at academic centers. Level of Evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 2021 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.