| EDITORIALS | ||
From "only decompression" to "only fixation:" A century-long journey of surgical treatment for spinal spondylosis  | p. 219 | |
| Atul Goel DOI:10.4103/jcvjs.JCVJS_118_18 | ||
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| Suboccipital pain in Chiari formation: Its cause and significance | p. 221 | |
| Atul Goel DOI:10.4103/jcvjs.JCVJS_117_18 | ||
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| ORIGINAL ARTICLES |  | |
  | Preliminary results of anterior cervical arthroplasty by porous alumina ceramic cage for cervical disc herniation surgery | p. 223 |
| Keyvan Mostofi, Babak Gharaei Moghaddam, Morad Peyravi, Reza Karimi Khouzani DOI:10.4103/jcvjs.JCVJS_95_18 Objective: Anterior cervical arthroplasty (ACA) is the gold standard surgery in severe or unresponsive cases of cervical disc herniation, uncarthrosis, and foraminal stenosis. The aim of this study is to establish the impact and outcome evaluations of managing the patients operated for cervical arthroplasty by the intersomatic porous alumina ceramic cervical cages (PACC). The authors describe their experience in the area to allow the comparison of effectiveness of ceramic cages versus other interbody fusion cages. Materials and Methods:Between April 2015 and September 2018, we operated 118 for ACA by using PACC. Among them, 52 were female and 66 were male, with an average age of 46.78 years. Results: The mean symptoms duration was 14.1 months. The most frequent level of the disorder was C5–C6 followed by C6–C7 level. Mean follow-up was 3.3 years. The Neck Disability Index (NDI) and the visual analog scale (VAS) were used to evaluate the patients status. No significant differences were observed between our results and literature data regarding operative time, duration of hospitalization, and NDI; however, we observed a shorter period and higher rate of bony fusion. Conclusion: The results from the present study corroborate that implementing of PACC is a good alternative treatment for the patient operated by ACA for cervical disc herniation or foraminal cervical stenosis. | ||
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 | Timing for surgical intervention in DISHphagia | p. 227 |
| Waeel Ossama Hamouda DOI:10.4103/jcvjs.JCVJS_83_18 Introduction: Dysphagia in old patients secondary to diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) syndrome is underdiagnosed. Surgical resection of the offending osteophytes is the definitive treatment. However, the timing of surgery in the course of the disease is still controversial. The study tries to find a correlation if any, between the timing of osteophytectomy surgery aimed to relieve DISH syndrome-induced dysphagia and the surgical outcome.Methods: During the period from 2010 to 2015, clinical and radiological data of patients who presented with dysphagia attributed to DISH syndrome were retrospectively reviewed along with their management and outcome.Results: One female and seven male patients were included in the study. Mean age was 71 years. Mean duration of dysphagia was 3 years and 10 months. Surgical resection was attempted through anterolateral cervical approach in five cases who were fit for surgery, in which four showed complete resolution of dysphagia (one experienced transient hoarseness of voice for 4 weeks postoperatively), and the fifth showed minimal improvement after limited resection due to intraoperative finding of marked esophageal adherence to osteophytes. The two unfavorable outcomes (subtotal resection and transient hoarseness of voice) occurred in relatively older patients (average: 75.5 years) with longer standing dysphagia (average: 7 years). Conclusion: DISH syndrome as a cause of dysphagia is commonly underlooked. Surgical resection of the offending osteophytes through an anterolateral approach is a safe and effective procedure. For patients who are fit for surgery, older age or longer duration of dysphagia might be associated with less favorable surgical outcome. | ||
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 | Who benefits more in osteoporotic fractures: Pedicle screw instrumentation or kyphoplasty for American Society of Anesthesiologists II/III patients? | p. 232 |
| Tjark Tassemeier, Marcel Haversath, Moritz Schutzbach, Marcus Jäger DOI:10.4103/jcvjs.JCVJS_55_18 Purpose: Osteoporotc fractures with posterior wall injury are commonly treated with a pedicle srcrew instrumentation (PSI) or a ballonkyphoplasty (BKP). A predictor for complications for these patients is the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class. Clinical results in ASA II/III patients who underwent BKP and PSI due to OF were evaluated to find the optimal treatment regimen. Materials and Methods: In a retrospective study design, ASA Class II and III patients with OF type OF 2 and OF 3 according to the German Society of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery classification who underwent surgery between 2011 and 2016 were enrolled. Perioperative data such as time of surgery, cement leakage, adjacent level fractures, screw loosening, wound infections, and segmental kyphosis correction were measured and a statistical analysis was conducted. Results:Ninety-nine patients met the inclusion criteria, 17 were classified as ASA II and 82 patients were classified as ASA III. Twenty-eight individuals were treated by PSI, whereas 71 underwent BKP. Not only a longer average operation (120 min) and hospital stay (21 days) were documented in the PSI group but also a better kyphosis correction (7.5°). In comparison, the BKP group required an average operation time of 35.5 min with a mean kyphosis correction of 2.1°. A statistical analysis revealed the surgical procedure and not the ASA class to be a relevant factor for complication and revision surgery. Conclusions: BKP is a safe and effective therapy including also fractures with posterior wall defects while PSI showed advantages in restoring the sagittal realignment but higher complication and revision risk. | ||
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| Lumbar disk herniation: How far should efforts go to minimally invasive procedure? | p. 238 | |
| Keyvan Mostofi, Babak Gharaei Moghadam, Morad Peyravi, Reza Karimi Khouzani DOI:10.4103/jcvjs.JCVJS_70_18 Background: Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) of lumbar disk herniation allows avoiding less of a mess in crossing structures, reducing muscular and cutaneous scarring, postoperative pain, lengthy recovery times, and the rate of infection. The aim of this study is to explain our experience in MIS of disc herniation. We compare the outcome of three different surgical techniques used for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation. Materials and Methods: A total of 1147 patients have been operated from July 2008 to December 2015 for lumbar disk herniation by posterior endoscopic approach. Three hundred and seventy-nine patients underwent discectomy and herniectomy (DH), 557 patients have been operated by herniectomy (H), and 211 patients underwent only bone decompression (BD). Results: The results show 80.10%, 82.06%, and 84.02% excellent outcome, respectively, in BD, DH, and BD techniques. Conclusion: Analysis of the data demonstrates that the results obtained are equivalent and comparable in different used techniques for the treatment of disc herniation, we do not need to perform discectomy in all cases in a systematic way. | ||
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| Ability of magnetic resonance imaging to accurately determine alar ligament integrity in patients with atlanto-occipital injuries | p. 241 | |
| Adam R Dyas, Thomas E Niemeier, Gerald Mcgwin, Steven M Theiss DOI:10.4103/jcvjs.JCVJS_81_18 Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the the reliability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosing alar ligament disruption in patients with potential atlanto-occipital dissociation (AOD). Materials and Methods: Three-blinded readers performed retrospective review on 6 patients with intra-operative confirmed atlanto-occipital dissocation in addition to a comparison cohort of patients with other cervical injuries that did not involve the atlanto-occipital articulation. Ligament integrity was graded from 1 to 3 as described by Krakenes et al. The right and left ligaments were assessed separately. Inter-observer agreement by patient, by group (AOD vs. non-AOD), and intra-observer agreement was calculated using weighted Cohen's kappa. Results: Interobserver agreement of alar ligament grade for individual patients ranged from slight to fair (κ = 0.05–0.30). Interobserver agreement of alar ligament grade for each group (AOD vs. non-AOD) ranged from fair to substantial (κ = 0.37–0.66). No statistically significant difference in categorical analysis of groups (AOD vs. non-AOD) and grade (0–1 vs. 2–3) was observed. Intraobserver agreement of individual patient's alar ligament grade ranged from moderate to substantial (κ = 0.50–0.62). Conclusion: The use of MRI to detect upper cervical ligament injuries in AOD is imperfect. Our results show inconsistent and unsatisfactory interobserver and intraobserver reliability in evaluation of alar ligament injuries. While MRI has immense potential for detection of ligamentous injury at the craniovertebral junction, standardized algorithms for its use and interpretation need to be developed. | ||
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 | On the linear sizes of vertebrae and intervertebral discs of children in the beginning of puberty | p. 246 |
| Mikhail Dudin, Yuri Baloshin, Igor Popov, Nikita Lisitsa, Stepan Bober DOI:10.4103/jcvjs.JCVJS_91_18 Study Design: We collected experimental data concerning vertebrae sizes and performed an investigation of these data for different patient ages by methods of mathematical statistics. Purpose: The standard dimensions of vertebrae and intervertebral discs are of major importance for obtaining a comprehensive understanding of spine diseases and their successful treatment. The purpose is to study these sizes for children at the age of 9–14 years.Overview of Literature: Unfortunately, this issue is poorly presented in the corresponding literature. There are no systematic results. Only particular cases are presented. Materials and Methods: Experimental is based on the: results of X-ray investigations of children spines. Theoretical background is given by methods of mathematical statistics. Results: Systematic description of vertebrae sizes for children of age 9–14 is given. This specific age interval is the most common period of initiation of various pathological deformations of human spine.Conclusions: The acquired data both reflect the process of spine growth and can serve for building correct mathematical models of a healthful or diseased spine. | ||
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 | A novel technique for the subfascial insertion of magnetically controlled growing rods – The Alder Hey technique | p. 250 |
| Sudarshan Munigangaiah, Phil Brown, Mohamed Mohamed, Colin E Bruce, Jayesh M Trivedi, Neil T Davidson DOI:10.4103/jcvjs.JCVJS_105_18 Purpose: In this study, we would like to describe a novel technique for subfascial insertion of magnetically controlled growing rods using chest drain during surgery for early-onset scoliosis. Materials and Methods:Posterior approach, surgical dissection to the spine is performed exposing the relevant anatomy to allow placement of pedicle screws always in the distal construct and pedicle screws or hooks in the proximal construct. To allow easy passage of the Magnetic Expansion Control (MAGEC) rod, as well as easy maneuvering of the rod in either the cranial to caudal direction, we use a chest drain of size 24 French diameter as a tunnel. This allows surgeons to fit the nonflexible part of MAGEC rod in the middle of the deformity and cut to length passed through the chest drain from a cranial to caudal position and then chest drain is removed. Results: A total of 40 children with early-onset scoliosis had insertion of MAGEC rods using this technique. There were 21 female and 19 male patients. Early-onset scoliosis etiology is idiopathic in 20 patients, neuromuscular in 16 patients, and others in 4 patients. Median age across all groups was 7 years (range 4–13) at the time of surgery. Follow-up ranged from 11 to 56 months with a median of 24 months. Conclusion: The use of a chest drain during subfascial passage of magnetically controlled growing rod is a safe, reliable, reproducible novel technique. This shortens overall time of surgery in our experience. | ||
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 | Clinical and radiological union rate evaluation of type 2 odontoid fractures: A comparison between anterior screw fixation and halo vest in elderly patients | p. 254 |
| Massimo Girardo, Alessandro Rava, Giosuè Gargiulo, Angela Coniglio, Stefano Artiaco, Alessandro Massè, Federico Fusini DOI:10.4103/jcvjs.JCVJS_93_18 Purpose: Odontoid fracture is a very common cervical injury, especially in elderly patients. Despite the high frequency, the appropriate management is still debated. The aim of this study is to evaluate clinical and radiological outcomes after anterior screw fixation or halo vest (HV) in type II odontoid fracture in elderly patients.Materials and Methods: Between January 2013 and December 2015, 135 consecutive patients affected by odontoid process were found. According to inclusion and exclusion criteria, 57 patients were included in the study. Patients were evaluated with visual analog scale (VAS), Smiley–Webster Scale (SWS), Italian Version of the Neck Disability Index (NDI), and patient satisfaction during follow-up. Furthermore, radiological data were evaluated for bone healing. Student's t-test or Fisher's exact test was used between groups, analyzing radiological and clinical results, and level of statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: Seventeen patients were female and 40 were male. Twenty-seven patients were included in surgical group (SG) while 30 were included in HV group with a mean follow-up of 37.74 ± 10.52 months. A significant difference (P < 0.05) between groups was found for pseudoarthrosis, with a lower rate for SG. No significant differences in term of VAS, NDI, and SWS were found between groups (P > 0.05); SG reached higher satisfaction than HV group (P = 0.0271). Conclusions: Both treatments are equivalent in terms of clinical outcomes, and they are a valuable choice in the management of type II odontoid fracture. However, it must be considered that patients could slightly tolerate HV and may need a change of treatment. | ||
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 | Recurrent lumbar disc herniation: Is there a correlation with the surgical technique? A multivariate analysis | p. 260 |
| Alessandro Landi, Giovanni Grasso, Cristina Mancarella, Demo Eugenio Dugoni, Fabrizio Gregori, Giorgia Iacopino, Harrison Xiao Bai, Nicola Marotta, Andrea Iaquinandi, Roberto Delfini DOI:10.4103/jcvjs.JCVJS_94_18 Purpose: The recurrence of a lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a common cause of poor outcome following lumbar discectomy. The aim of this study was to assess a potential relationship between the incidence of recurrent LDH and the surgical technique used. Furthermore, we tried to define the best surgical technique for the treatment of recurrent LDH to limit subsequent recurrences. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 979 consecutive patients treated for LDH. A multivariate analysis tried to identify a possible correlation between (1) the surgical technique used to treat the primary LDH and its recurrence; (2) technique used to treat the recurrence of LDH and the second recurrence; and (3) incidence of recurrence and clinical outcome. Data were analyzed with the Pearson's Chi-square test for its significance. Results: In 582 cases (59.4%), a discectomy was performed, while in 381 (40.6%), a herniectomy was undertaken. In 16 cases, a procedure marked as "other" was performed. Among all patients, 110 (11.2%) had a recurrence. Recurrent LDH was observed in 55 patients following discectomy (9.45%), in 45 following herniectomy (11.8%), and in 10 (62.5%) following other surgery. Our data showed that 90.5% of discectomies and 88.2% of the herniectomies had a good clinical outcome, whereas other surgeries presented a recurrence rate of 62.5% (Pearson's χ2 < 0.001). No statistical differences were observed between discectomy or herniectomy, for the treatment of the recurrence, and the incidence for the second recurrences (P > 0.05). A significant statistical correlation emerged between the use of other techniques and the incidence for the second recurrences (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The recurrence of an LDH is one of the most feared complications following surgery. Although the standard discectomy has been considered more protective toward the recurrence compared to herniectomy, our data suggest that there is no significant correlation between the surgical technique and the risk of LDH recurrence. | ||
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| CASE REPORTS | | |
 | The repair using a fibular graft of cervical vertebral collapse due to renal cell carcinoma: Late results with a case report | p. 267 |
| Vaner Koksal, Hüseyin Eren, Hasan Güçer DOI:10.4103/jcvjs.JCVJS_32_18 The most common cause of spinal tumors is metastases, but the cervical vertebra is the least common region of spinal metastasis, and relatively, little is published about surgery in metastasis to the cervical vertebra. While spinal metastasis is most often caused by neoplasms originating from the lung, breast, and prostate, renal cell carcinoma (RCC) metastasis is very rare. A 47-year-old patient introduced here presented with severe pain spontaneously on his neck and in his arm. In the radiology of the patient without neurological deficit, a pathologic vertebral collapse was detected in the C6 vertebral corpus. The patient underwent anterior cervical corpectomy. The fibula graft taken from his right leg was implanted in the emptied area and supported by an anterior plaque, and restoration of physiological cervical lordosis was established. From the pathological tissue that was taken, it was determined that the cause of the lysis was an RCC metastasis. After surgical repair of the cervical spine, a primary pathology with a diameter of 10 cm was detected in the patient's kidney, and a radical nephrectomy was performed. After 6 years of follow-up, there was no recurrence, and the patient continued his normal daily life. Radiologically between the autologous fibula graft and its own vertebral body was observed to achieve very good fusion. In this study, we emphasized the importance of resection of metastasis together with a primary tumor in a metastatic RCC case to cure the patient and provide the desired quality of life. | ||
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 | Transthoracic approach for ventrally situated paraspinal extradural hydatid cyst of the dorsal spine | p. 271 |
| Mohnish P Dighe, Srikant Balasubramaniam, Trimurti D Nadkarni DOI:10.4103/jcvjs.JCVJS_71_18 A 40-year-old female presented with back pain without any neurological deficits. Radiological investigations revealed a ventrally situated paraspinal lesion causing widening of the right D4 neural foramen. She underwent a right posterolateral thoracotomy and excision of the lesion in toto, which was reported as a hydatid cyst on histology. Ventrally situated paraspinal extradural hydatid cysts are rare. A Transthoracic surgical exposure offers a direct approach for complete excision of the lesion, minimizing the chances of rupture and spillage. | ||
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 | Autostabilization of neglected high-grade fracture–dislocation in the cervical spine | p. 274 |
| Kunal Shah, Akshay Gadiya, Abhay Nene DOI:10.4103/jcvjs.JCVJS_92_18 Neglected cervical spine trauma is rare with very few case series reported in literature. There are no clear guidelines for its treatment. If operative treatment is sought, the role of skull traction, type of approach (anterior only, posterior only, or combined), sequence of surgery, type of instrumentation, etc., have to be considered. Hence, the treatment is challenging. Autostabilization has been described in the natural history of degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis. As a result, many patients are treated nonoperatively, obviating need of surgery. We report two cases of neglected/untreated fracture–dislocation at subaxial cervical spine. They presented with exertional neck pain. Computed tomography scan showed bony fusion at involved level. The patient was treated nonsurgically with favorable outcome at long-term follow-up. Our cases depict autostabilization in a case of neglected traumatic cervical spine injury, which is never been reported. Such patients do well with nonsurgical treatment, thus obviating need for extensive deformity correction. | ||
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 | Performing the screw fixation from C3 to odontoid process in a patient with Klippel-Feil syndrome and type II odontoid fracture | p. 277 |
| Mustafa Ogden, Ulas Yuksel, Ibrahim Akkurt, Bulent Bakar DOI:10.4103/jcvjs.JCVJS_54_18 A 56-year-old female patient was admitted with a history of pain during neck movements after cervical injury. Computerized tomography scan revealed type II odontoid fracture and fusion anomaly between C2 and C3 vertebrae. At surgery, the anteroinferior part of C2 vertebra corpus could not be reached; therefore, transodontoid screw was advanced from C3 vertebra toward odontoid process. At follow-up examination, the complaints of the patient had recovered, and fracture line was completely fused. Advancing screw from C3 to odontoid process via anterior cervical approach could be thought an alternative treatment option in the patient with short neck caused from vertebra fusion anomaly and/or obesity. | ||
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 | Unprecedented complication of odontoid regeneration after transoral odontoidectomy | p. 280 |
| Manish Garg, MS Sridhar, Saurabh Verma, Jitendra Bhadoria DOI:10.4103/jcvjs.JCVJS_98_18 Transoral odontoidectomy followed by occipitocervical fixation is a widely used approach to relieve ventral compressions at the craniovertebral junction. Despite the large amount of literature on this approach and its complications, odontoid process regeneration and causing the worsening of symptoms of brainstem dysfunction and upper cervical cord were not found in the English literature. We report the case of odontoid regeneration in a 12-year-old girl. She presented with torticollis and symptoms of brainstem dysfunction and upper cervical cord compression with syringohydromyelia and underwent transoral resection of dens and posterior occipitocervical fusion at the age of 7 years. Post surgery, clinically and radiologically, the resolution was evident till the age of 11 years when the child started to have relapse and worsening of the previous symptoms. The computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging shows regeneration of the odontoid process compressing the brain stem with an increase in syringohydromyelia. We suggest that there is a need for the removal of the complete odontoid process with periosteum and also beyond the dentocentral synchondrosis to prevent late recurrences of odontoid regeneration. | ||
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 | Isolated enchondroma of the atlas | p. 283 |
| Necati Ucler DOI:10.4103/jcvjs.JCVJS_101_18 Periosteal enchondromas located in the spine are rare. We reported an even more infrequent occurrence of a periosteal enchondroma in the cervical spine of a 19-year-old girl. During the operation, a giant (>8 cm × 5.5 cm × 5 cm) ossified periosteal enchondroma with involvement of posterior structures and muscles of the axis was resected. The pathological examination revealed that the tumor consisted of enchondroid tissue with typical chondrocytes, confirming the diagnosis of periosteal enchondroma. Early identification of the initial lesion should be coupled with total surgical resection, as a definitive treatment, to prevent malignant transformation. Enchondromas grow in an expanding manner which makes easy total resection. | ||
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| LETTER TO EDITOR | | |
| Giant cell glioblastoma with spinal and spinal leptomeningeal metastasis in a child: A rare presentation of a rare tumor | p. 286 | |
| Mahmood Dhahir Al-Mendalawi DOI:10.4103/jcvjs.JCVJS_97_18 | ||
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Δευτέρα 21 Ιανουαρίου 2019
Craniovertebral Junction and Spine
The use of cinacalcet for the treatment of calciphylaxis in patients with chronic kidney disease: A comprehensive review
Abstract
Calciphylaxis is a rare but life‐threatening condition, most commonly affecting patients with stage 4 or 5 chronic kidney disease. No universally accepted therapy exists so far. In an attempt to avoid surgical intervention with parathyroidectomy, which is of questionable efficacy and carries several risks, a number of noninvasive treatments have been trialled with variable success. These treatments are aimed at modifying risk factors for calciphylaxis, in particular hypercalcaemia, hyperphosphataemia and hyperparathyroidism. The aim of this review was to summarise the available evidence to determine the potential role of cinacalcet in the treatment of calciphylaxis in patients with chronic kidney disease. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were retrospectively collected from the available English and non‐English literature. Overall, there was a very high response rate (partial or complete) of calciphylaxis lesions to both cinacalcet monotherapy and cinacalcet as part of a combination therapy (83.4% and 82.8%, respectively). When examining complete response to treatment specifically, combination therapy with cinacalcet proved more efficacious than monotherapy (62.1% versus 41.7%). There was also an associated rapid reduction of intact parathyroid hormone over a period of 2–33 months in both groups. While there are limitations as to how our data can be interpreted due to the heterogeneity of the methods and follow‐up of the included case reports and case series, prompt and consistent therapy including cinacalcet may help improve the disease outcome. Additional research needs to be performed in this area, to further define the optimal use of cinacalcet for the treatment of calciphylaxis.
http://bit.ly/2FR3vpe
Regeneration of wastewater contaminated by cationic dye by nanoporous activated carbon produced from agriculture waste shells
Abstract
The discharge of organic dye into environment is the threat to hydrosphere and biosphere. On the other hands, the agriculture solid wastes such walnut and almond shells pose serious pollutions in lithosphere and atmosphere when burned. The aim of present investigation is to fabricate microporous activated carbon from agriculture waste shells by microwave irradiation as efficient adsorbent to overcome these problems. Firstly, zinc chloride was impregnated into milled shell particles, 300 μm, by conventional and microwave-assisted techniques and then the dry precursors were heated in the closed and open ceramic vessels in air and nitrogen atmospheres. The experimental investigation was carried out to understand the roles of different fabrication factors such as shell particle size, catalyst impregnation ratio, microwave power, carbonization temperature, and atmosphere on cationic dye removal from wastewater. The mentioned factors efficiently affect the dye removal onto obtained activated carbon. The increase in the microwave power up to 600 W could effectively increase the dye removal. However, the higher powers inversely affect the removal efficiency. The equilibrium data were well fitted by Langmuir equation with high linear regression coefficients in which the maximum adsorption capacities of activated carbon produced by walnut and almond shells were determined to be 98 and 114 mg/g, respectively. The most prominent advantage of activated carbon produced from almond shell is lower content of catalyst employed in impregnation stage. Although the larger particles of solid waste were applied, the spongy nature with average pore diameter of 2.4 nm is the unique characteristic of activated carbon fabricated from almond shell which improves the performance of adsorbent in wastewater treatment.
http://bit.ly/2Cwlmy8
Intraoperative Detection of Efferent Lymphatic Vessels Emerging from Lymph Node during Lymphatic Microsurgery
J reconstr Microsurg
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1677039
Background Although the usefulness of efferent lymphaticovenular anastomosis (ELVA) in lymphatic microsurgery has been reported, the optimal method to distinguish efferent from afferent lymphatics is not yet established. We propose a novel technique to detect efferent lymphatics appropriate for anastomosis. Methods In total, 62 groin lymph nodes (LNs) of 46 limbs were divided into four groups based on the findings of indocyanine green lymphography: n = 15 in normal, 15 in dermal backflow stage 0, 18 in stage I, and 14 in stage II groups. The target LN and afferent lymphatic connecting it were preoperatively detected using ultrasonography. Intraoperatively, 0.05 mL patent blue dye was slowly manually injected from the afferent lymphatic; the lymphatic(s) subsequently stained was diagnosed as the efferent lymphatic(s) emerging from the node. The success rates of efferent lymphatic detection, sizes of LN, and diameter of efferent lymphatics were compared among the groups. Results Both LN size and diameter of efferent lymphatic were significantly larger in the stage 0 and I groups than the other groups (p < 0.01). Efferent lymphatic could be stained in 13, 13, 18, and 9 LNs in the normal and stage 0, I, and II groups, respectively. A significant difference was observed between the stage I and II groups regarding the success rate of efferent lymphatic detection (p = 0.04). Conclusion Efferent lymphatics could be detected using patent blue dye in 85.5% of the cases. The patients in early-stage lymphostasis might be the most appropriate candidates for ELVA.
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Genotoxic, cytotoxic, and neurotoxic responses in Anodonta cygnea after complex metal mixture treatment
Abstract
Environmental effects associated with the release of various metals even at maximum permissible concentrations (MPC) to the aquatic ecosystems are evident. In the present work, time-dependent increase in accumulated metals amount in gills of Anodonta cygnea after exposure to complex metal (Zn 0.1, Cu 0.01, Ni 0.01, Cr 0.01, Pb 0.005, and Cd 0.005 mg/L, MPC accepted for the inland waters in EU) mixture at various time points (1, 2, 4, 7, 14, and 28 days) was investigated. Statistically significant increase of Cu and Cd was determined in mussel's gills after 7-day exposure, in comparison to control group; moreover, significantly elevated concentration of Cu was measured and after 14-day treatment (in comparison to control and pre-exposure group). Concentrations of five (Cu, Ni, Cr, Pb, and Cd) out of 6 investigated metals were statistically increased in gills tissue after 28-day treatment. Moreover, complex metal mixture has demonstrated tissue- and time-dependent genotoxicity (∑Gentox) and cytotoxicity (∑Cytox) responses in mussels. After 4-day exposure, there were found the highest ∑Gentox levels in gills cells and haemocytes. Two-day treatment of mussels resulted in the highest and statistically significant induction of ∑Cytox level (in gills). Furthermore, after short-term (4 days) exposure, statistically significant inhibition of AChE activity in hemolymph of metal mixture–exposed mussels, in comparison to control and pre-exposure group, was found. Comparison of investigated responses in different tissue of A. cygnea discloses new information about metal mixture (at MPC) impacts at different treatment time. According to the obtained geno- and cytotoxicity data, it is suggested that gills are more sensitive tissue. Environmentally relevant trace metal concentrations when existing in mixture are able to cause adverse effects in A. cygnea; therefore, biological effects at different levels of organism are expected as a realistic scenario.
http://bit.ly/2RF7Rql
The ameliorative effect of quercetin on bisphenol A - induced toxicity in mitochondria isolated from rats
Abstract
Recent studies have demonstrated that bisphenol A (BPA) has an adverse or toxic effect on the kidney. This study was designed to evaluate the ability of quercetin (QUER) to prevent BPA-induced mitochondrial dysfunction. Thirty-two healthy adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups, as follows: control group (olive oil), BPA group (250 mg/kg), BPA þ QUER group (250 mg/kg + 75 mg/kg), and QUER group (75 mg/kg). All treatments were orally administered for 14 days. Kidney mitochondria were isolated by administration of the different centrifugation method. Uric acid and creatinine were considered to be biomarkers of nephrotoxicity. The ameliorative effects of QUER on BPA toxicity were evaluated by determining the glutathione (GSH) content, CAT, the damage to the mitochondrial membrane, the reactive oxygen species (ROS), and lipid peroxidation (LPO). Administration of BPA significantly decreased kidney weight. In the kidney, BPA can deplete GSH content and CAT activity, increase the mitochondrial ROS formation, and enhances LPO and mitochondrial membrane damage. The pretreatment of mitochondria with QUER has the ability to reduce the toxic effects of BPA in isolated mitochondria. These findings suggest a potential role for QUER in protecting mitochondria from oxidative damage in kidney tissue.
http://bit.ly/2FELEm7
Co-exposure to environmental endocrine disruptors in the US population
Abstract
Exposure to environmental endocrine disruptors (EEDs) has been linked to adverse health outcomes. The vast majority of studies examined one class of EEDs at a time but humans often are exposed to multiple EEDs at the same time. It is, therefore, important to know the co-exposure status of multiple EEDs in an individual, to preclude and control for potential confounding effects posed by co-exposed EEDs. This study examined the concentrations of seven classes of EEDs in the US population utilizing the data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2009–2014 survey cycles. We applied linear correlation and cluster analysis to characterize the correlation profile and cluster patterns of these EEDs. We found that EEDs with a similar structure are often highly correlated. Among between-class correlations, mercury and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and cadmium and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were two significantly correlated EEDs. In epidemiologic studies, measurement and control for co-exposure to pollutants, especially those with similar biological effects, are critical when attempting to make causal inferences. Appropriate statistical methods to handle within- and between-class correlations are needed.
http://bit.ly/2FMUaPc
Does asymmetric nexus exist between agricultural land and the housing market? Evidence from non-linear ARDL approach
Abstract
Expectedly, urbanization is often associated with constant degradation of natural habitat. In most cases, as demand for housing increases, natural habitat like agricultural land, forestry, and water bodies gradually gives way to building structures. Against this backdrop, the current study investigates the asymmetric nexus of agricultural land and housing market vis-à-vis house prices. The study employed the yearly data from 1976 to 2015 for the case of Sweden and used economic policy uncertainty (EPU) as a control variable in non-linear autoregressive distributed lag (NARDL) approach. The finding notes a significant and positive short- and long-run relationship between housing price and agricultural land especially when there is a negative shock on agricultural land. But when there is a negative shock on EPU, the impact on housing price is significant and negative for both short run and long run. While an asymmetric long-run relationship is significant and positive between EPU and housing price, such significant occurrence do not exist for agricultural land. Hence, in meeting housing demand and mitigating an escalated growth in house prices, implementation of effective land use policy is encouraged.
http://bit.ly/2FFHJoY
Asteraceae species as potential environmental factors of allergy
Abstract
The statistics from Europe and the USA have proven a high risk for skin diseases associated with plant contact. Therefore, plant-induced dermatitis is of increasing attention in dermatology. The focus of this paper was to present the current knowledge on aspects of contact allergy related to Asteraceae (Compositae) species. The Asteraceae family is one of the largest in the world with members across all continents. The PubMed/Medline databases have been searched. The Asteraceae representatives consist of diverse secondary metabolites, which exhibit various advantageous effects in humans. In particular, sesquiterpene lactones (SLs) may cause sensitization resulting in skin irritation and inflammation. In this study, we tried to reveal the allergenic potential of several Asteraceae species. The Asteraceae-related allergy symptoms involve eczema, hay fever, asthma, or even anaphylaxis. Furthermore, the evidence of severe cross-reactivity with food and pollen allergens (PFS) in patients sensitive to Asteraceae allergens have been announced. Further identification and characterization of secondary metabolites and possible allergens in Asteraceae are necessary for the better understanding of Asteraceae-related immune response. The Asteraceae allergy screening panel (the SL mix and the Compositae mix of five plant species) is a promising tool to improve allergy diagnostics and therapy.
http://bit.ly/2FP6xKo
A new procedure, free from human assessment, that automatically grades some facial skin structural signs. Comparison with assessments by experts, using referential atlases of skin aging
Abstract
Objective
To develop an automatic system that grades the severity of facial signs through "selfies" pictures taken by women of different ages and ethnics.
Methods
1140 women from three ethnics (African‐American, Asian, Caucasian), of different ages (18–80 years old), took "selfies" by high resolution smartphones cameras under different conditions of lighting or facial expressions. A dedicated software, was developed, based on a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) that integrates training data from referential Skin Aging Atlases. The latter allows to an immediate quantification of the severity of 9 facial signs according to the ethnicity declared by the subject. These automatic grading were confronted to those assessed by 12 trained experts and dermatologists either on "selfies" pictures or in live conditions on a smaller cohort of women.
Results
The system appears weakly influenced by lighting conditions or facial expressions (coefficients of variations ranging 10–13% for most signs) and leads to global agreements with experts' assessments, even showing a better reproducibility on some facial signs.
Conclusion
This automatic scoring system, still in development, seems offering a new quantitative approach in the quantified description of facial signs, independent from human vision, in many applications, being individual, cosmetic oriented or dermatological with regard to the follow up of medical anti‐aging corrective strategies.
This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
http://bit.ly/2HpJhVS
Exploring the possibility of predicting long‐term oxidative stability in prototype skincare formulations using various lipid oxidation‐initiators
Abstract
Objective
The purpose of this study was to identify an effective lipid oxidation initiator which could predict, within one month, the long‐term oxidative stability of a prototype skincare formulation. The main purpose is to find a potential initiator not to assess oxidation stability of the formulations.
Methods
Four initiators (below) were examined in three steps
1.Reaction kinetics using a Clark electrode (Oxygraph);
2. Effect of adding an initiator on the product's physical and oxidative stability in prototype skincare formulations by visual observation, peroxide value and headspace GC‐MS determination of volatile oxidation products; and
3. Ability to differentiate unstable vs. stable prototype creams by initiator addition.
The four initiators explored were: FeCl2/H2O2, FeCl3/ascorbic acid, 2,2′‐Azobis(2,4‐dimethylvaleronitrile) (AMVN) and 2,2′‐Azobis(2‐methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride (AAPH).
Results
In Oxygraph, the initiator systems FeCl2/H2O2 and FeCl3/ascorbic acid were good accelerators of oxygen consumption. The addition of FeCl2/H2O2 to prototype formulations did not affect the physical stability. However, the addition of FeCl3/ascorbic acid to prototype formulations resulted in phase separation and FeCl3/ascorbic acid was therefore deemed unusable. Moreover, the addition of AAPH or AMVN resulted in an increased and decreased viscosity, respectively.
In the oxidation stability study, peroxide value increased significantly when AMVN was added. However, the peroxide value remained low for the other initiators and the control (no initiator). The secondary volatile oxidation product, butanal, increased most with the FeCl2/H2O2 addition.
Three out of the four initiators did not have the ability to rank the stable and unstable formulations in accordance with the result obtained for volatile oxidation products after 42 days of storage at 20°C of formulations without initiator. Only, FeCl2/H2O2 was able to rank the formulations in accordance with the oxidative stability observed for volatile oxidation products after 42 days of storage.
Conclusion
FeCl2/H2O2 showed potential as an initiator to predict the oxidative stability of skincare formulations, but more studies are needed to confirm the result in a broader range of products over a longer time.
This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
http://bit.ly/2RV98ck
15 keto fluprostenol isopropyl ester (80 µgr/mL) gel for cosmetic eyelash growth and enhancement
Summary
Background
Eyelashes have both a protective and an aesthetic function. Hypotrichosis of the eyelashes may negatively influence an individual's self‐perception.
Objective
To evaluate efficacy and safety of topical administration of a new cosmetic preparation containing 15 keto fluprostenol isopropyl ester (80 µgr/mL) for the treatment of idiopathic hypotrichosis of the eyelashes.
Methods
This is a monocentric, double‐blind, vehicle‐controlled study. Forty patients (18 years) with idiopathic hypotrichosis (GEA 1 or 2), who also exhibit feelings of low confidence, based on the ESQ score, were divided into two groups. Group 1: twenty women treated with once‐daily 15 keto fluprostenol isopropyl ester gel and Group 2: twenty women treated only with the vehicle gel.
Results
Group 1: The average difference in eyelash length measured at the midpoint of palpebral margins between T0 and T2 for Group 1 was 1633 mm and for Group B was 0.25 (P < 0.0001). Comparing the ESQ questionnaires of Groups 1 and 2 from T0 to T2, only the 80% of the patients of Group 1 declared to dedicate less time to the application of cosmetic mascara, having longer and darker lashes at T2 vs patients of Group 2, of which only 20% reported longer and darker eyelashes at T2. About safety, only one patient of Group 1 experienced sensation of ocular sensation heaviness and headache. No other side effects were referred.
Conclusions
15 keto fluprostenol isopropyl ester gel was effective in enhancing eyelash growth, with an excellent safety profile.
http://bit.ly/2CCDHtF
Adsorption studies of 17β-estradiol from aqueous solution using a novel stabilized Fe–Mn binary oxide nanocomposite
Abstract
The removal of 17β-estradiol (E2) from contaminated water on nanoscale Fe–Mn binary oxide-loaded multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs/FMBO) was evaluated in this work. The characterizations of the mesoporous adsorbent were analyzed by using SEM, TEM, VSM, XRD, XPS, and FTIR measurements. The effects of experimental conditions in E2 removal, including stabilizer additional level, adsorption time, initial E2 concentration, solution pH, reaction temperature, and foreign ions, were examined. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacity (qm) of MWCNTs/FMBO for E2 in the experiment was 47.25 mg/g as verified by the Langmuir sorption isotherm study. The adsorption process was pH-sensitive with an optimum pH of 7.0. On the kinetics study, the adsorption data could be satisfactorily fitted by the pseudo-second-order kinetics. Thermodynamic parameters indicated that the adsorption process was spontaneous and exothermal. In addition, the foreign ions did not show any noticeable inhibition for E2 removal from the water solution except for PO43− that was adversely affected for E2 uptake than other anions in a certain concentration. The adsorption capacities of the mesoporous adsorbent remained at 86.16% even after five adsorption–desorption cycles without significant loss of capacity, which demonstrated the stability and reusability for further removal of E2. Moreover, both hydrogen bond and π–π interaction might be the dominating adsorption mechanisms for E2 adsorption onto MWCNTs/FMBO.
http://bit.ly/2DrVkOn
Atraumatic restorative treatment—ART in early childhood caries in babies: 4 years of randomized clinical trial
Abstract
Objective
To assess the effectiveness of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) performed 4 years ago in babies suffering from early childhood caries (ECC), and to compare the clinical performance of ART atraumatic restorations performed with two different high-viscosity glass ionomer cements (GIC).
Materials and methods
This was a longitudinal follow-up of a randomized, double-blind, split-mouth-type clinical trial. The initial sample was composed of 100 deciduous molars with occlusal lesions in 25 children with ages between 18 and 36 months who received ART with two different GICs: Ketac Molar Easymix® (3 M ESPE) and Vitro Molar® (DFL). The clinical assessments were performed by a trained, blind examiner gauged by the parameters assessed in 1, 2, and 4 years (ART and USPHS criteria).
Results
For the analysis of the clinical performance of ARTs between the different GICs, the chi-square and Mann–Whitney tests were applied (p < 0.05). In the 4 years of evaluation, the sample was composed by 76 ARTs and 19 children, with 94.7% of the treatments having inactivated the cavity process. The total success percentage of the ARTs was 94%, 87.5%, and 82.9%, in 1, 2, and 4 years of follow-up, respectively. Moreover, among the GICs studied, this difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05) (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03756025).
Conclusion
ART was effective in handling ECC, with an excellent clinical performance of ART restorations, for both GICs, during the 4 years of follow-up.
Clinical relevance
ART, with both GIC studied, is an alternative therapy for ECC.
http://bit.ly/2R120GJ
A survey of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in environmental water in Okinawa Prefecture of Japan and relationship with indicator organisms
Abstract
Surveys of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-pE) in stream water and untreated wastewater were carried out in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. Thirty-six samples of water were collected from 18 streams in Okinawa Prefecture, as well as ten samples of wastewater flowing into four wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). We investigated bacterial species, Escherichia coli O antigen, ESBL phenotype, ESBL genotype, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) type of isolates, and total viable count and fecal coliforms as indicator organisms. The relation between indicator organisms and ESBL-pE was also validated using the same samples. A total of 141 ESBL-pE including 107 E. coli, 15 Klebsiella pneumoniae, 2 Proteus mirabilis, and 17 other species was isolated from stream water and wastewater. Of the 141 ESBL-pE, 14.9% and 54.6% were found to be blaCTX-M-15 and blaCTX-M-14-like types, respectively, which have been found in hospital isolates in Okinawa. Two pairs of possibly related patterns according to PFGE criteria were isolated from stream water and wastewater in two districts. When ESBL-pE was significantly isolated, total viable count and fecal coliform boundaries were ≥ 6.0 × 103 CFU/ml and ≥ 4.3 × 102 most probable number/100 ml, respectively. These results suggested that ESBL-pE isolated from stream water is human derived, and that total viable count and fecal coliforms will be useful as indicators for confirming the spread of ESBL-pE to the environment by means of simple hygiene surveys.
http://bit.ly/2S1lGPl
Spontaneous Brain Activity Predicts Task-Evoked Activity During Animate Versus Inanimate Touch
Abstract
The spontaneous activity of the brain is characterized by an elaborate temporal structure with scale-free properties as indexed by the power law exponent (PLE). We test the hypothesis that spontaneous brain activity modulates task-evoked activity during interactions with animate versus inanimate stimuli. For this purpose, we developed a paradigm requiring participants to actively touch either animate (real hand) or inanimate (mannequin hand) stimuli. Behaviorally, participants perceived the animate target as closer in space, temporally more synchronous with their own self, and more personally relevant, compared with the inanimate. Neuronally, we observed a modulation of task-evoked activity by animate versus inanimate interactions in posterior insula, in medial prefrontal cortex, comprising anterior cingulate cortex, and in medial superior frontal gyrus. Among these regions, an increased functional connectivity was shown between posterior insula and perigenual anterior cingulate cortex (PACC) during animate compared with inanimate interactions and during resting state. Importantly, PLE during spontaneous brain activity in PACC correlated positively with PACC task-evoked activity during animate versus inanimate stimuli. In conclusion, we demonstrate that brain spontaneous activity in PACC can be related to the distinction between animate and inanimate stimuli and thus might be specifically tuned to align our brain with its animate environment.http://bit.ly/2T6RnnA
Reduced White Matter Fiber Density in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Abstract
Differences in brain networks and underlying white matter abnormalities have been suggested to underlie symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, robustly characterizing microstructural white matter differences has been challenging. In the present study, we applied an analytic technique that calculates structural metrics specific to differently-oriented fiber bundles within a voxel, termed "fixels". Fixel-based analyses were used to compare diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging data from 25 individuals with ASD (mean age = 16.8 years) and 27 typically developing age-matched controls (mean age = 16.9 years). Group comparisons of fiber density (FD) and bundle morphology were run on a fixel-wise, tract-wise, and global white matter (GWM) basis. We found that individuals with ASD had reduced FD, suggestive of decreased axonal count, in several major white matter tracts, including the corpus callosum (CC), bilateral inferior frontal-occipital fasciculus, right arcuate fasciculus, and right uncinate fasciculus, as well as a GWM reduction. Secondary analyses assessed associations with social impairment in participants with ASD, and showed that lower FD in the splenium of the CC was associated with greater social impairment. Our findings suggest that reduced FD could be the primary microstructural white matter abnormality in ASD.http://bit.ly/2AXEJ3d
Thalamocortical Afferents Innervate the Cortical Subplate much Earlier in Development in Primate than in Rodent
Abstract
The current model, based on rodent data, proposes that thalamocortical afferents (TCA) innervate the subplate towards the end of cortical neurogenesis. This implies that the laminar identity of cortical neurons is specified by intrinsic instructions rather than information of thalamic origin. In order to determine whether this mechanism is conserved in the primates, we examined the growth of thalamocortical (TCA) and corticofugal afferents in early human and monkey fetal development. In the human, TCA, identified by secretagogin, calbindin, and ROBO1 immunoreactivity, were observed in the internal capsule of the ventral telencephalon as early as 7–7.5 PCW, crossing the pallial/subpallial boundary (PSB) by 8 PCW before the calretinin immunoreactive corticofugal fibers do. Furthermore, TCA were observed to be passing through the intermediate zone and innervating the presubplate of the dorsolateral cortex, and already by 10–12 PCW TCAs were occupying much of the cortex. Observations at equivalent stages in the marmoset confirmed that this pattern is conserved across primates. Therefore, our results demonstrate that in primates, TCAs innervate the cortical presubplate at earlier stages than previously demonstrated by acetylcholinesterase histochemistry, suggesting that pioneer thalamic afferents may contribute to early cortical circuitry that can participate in defining cortical neuron phenotypes.http://bit.ly/2T6RiQO
Neural Coding of Contact Events in Somatosensory Cortex
Abstract
Manual interactions with objects require precise and rapid feedback about contact events. These tactile signals are integrated with motor plans throughout the neuraxis to achieve dexterous object manipulation. To better understand the role of somatosensory cortex in interactions with objects, we measured, using chronically implanted arrays of electrodes, the responses of populations of somatosensory neurons to skin indentations designed to simulate the initiation, maintenance, and termination of contact with an object. First, we find that the responses of somatosensory neurons to contact onset and offset dwarf their responses to maintenance of contact. Second, we show that these responses rapidly and reliably encode features of the simulated contact events—their timing, location, and strength—and can account for the animals' performance in an amplitude discrimination task. Third, we demonstrate that the spatiotemporal dynamics of the population response in cortex mirror those of the population response in the nerves. We conclude that the responses of populations of somatosensory neurons are well suited to encode contact transients and are consistent with a role of somatosensory cortex in signaling transitions between task subgoals.http://bit.ly/2AVPqTX
Selective Modulation of Early Visual Cortical Activity by Movement Intention
Abstract
The primate visual system contains myriad feedback projections from higher- to lower-order cortical areas, an architecture that has been implicated in the top-down modulation of early visual areas during working memory and attention. Here we tested the hypothesis that these feedback projections also modulate early visual cortical activity during the planning of visually guided actions. We show, across three separate human functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies involving object-directed movements, that information related to the motor effector to be used (i.e., limb, eye) and action goal to be performed (i.e., grasp, reach) can be selectively decoded—prior to movement—from the retinotopic representation of the target object(s) in early visual cortex. We also find that during the planning of sequential actions involving objects in two different spatial locations, that motor-related information can be decoded from both locations in retinotopic cortex. Together, these findings indicate that movement planning selectively modulates early visual cortical activity patterns in an effector-specific, target-centric, and task-dependent manner. These findings offer a neural account of how motor-relevant target features are enhanced during action planning and suggest a possible role for early visual cortex in instituting a sensorimotor estimate of the visual consequences of movement.http://bit.ly/2T1f94t
Biological Characteristics of Connection-Wise Resting-State Functional Connectivity Strength
Abstract
Functional connectivity is defined as the statistical dependency of neurophysiological activity between 2 separate brain areas. To investigate the biological characteristics of resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC)—and in particular the significance of connection-wise variation in time-series correlations—rsFC was compared with strychnine-based connectivity measured in the macaque. Strychnine neuronography is a historical technique that induces activity in cortical areas through means of local administration of the substance strychnine. Strychnine causes local disinhibition through GABA suppression and leads to subsequent activation of functional pathways. Multiple resting-state fMRI recordings were acquired in 4 macaques (examining in total 299 imaging runs) from which a group-averaged rsFC matrix was constructed. rsFC was observed to be higher (P < 0.0001) between region-pairs with a strychnine-based connection as compared with region-pairs with no strychnine-based connection present. In particular, higher resting-state connectivity was observed in connections that were relatively stronger (weak < moderate < strong; P < 0.01) and in connections that were bidirectional (P < 0.0001) instead of unidirectional in strychnine-based connectivity. Our results imply that the level of correlation between brain areas as extracted from resting-state fMRI relates to the strength of underlying interregional functional pathways.http://bit.ly/2AXu48I
Plasticity in Adult Mouse Visual Cortex Following Optic Nerve Injury
Abstract
Optic nerve (ON) injury is an established model of axonal injury which results in retrograde degeneration and death of retinal ganglion cells as well anterograde loss of transmission and Wallerian degeneration of the injured axons. While the local impact of ON crush has been extensively documented we know comparatively little about the functional changes that occur in higher visual structures such as primary visual cortex (V1). We explored the extent of adult cortical plasticity using ON crush in aged mice. V1 function of the contralateral hemisphere was assessed longitudinally by intrinsic signal imaging and 2-photon calcium imaging before and after ON crush. Functional imaging demonstrated an immediate shift in V1 ocular dominance towards the ipsilateral, intact eye, due to the expected almost complete loss of responses to contralateral eye stimulation. Surprisingly, within 2 weeks we observed a delayed increase in ipsilateral eye responses. Additionally, spontaneous activity in V1 was reduced, similar to the lesion projection zone after retinal lesions. The observed changes in V1 activity indicate that severe ON injury in adulthood evokes cortical plasticity not only cross-modally but also within the visual cortex; this plasticity may be best compared with that seen after retinal lesions.http://bit.ly/2Cz9r2L
Sequence Variation Associated with SLC12A5 Gene Expression Is Linked to Brain Structure and Function in Healthy Adults
Abstract
A single-nucleotide polymorphism in the promoter region of the Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) gene, rs3918242, has been shown to affect MMP9 expression in macrophages and was associated with schizophrenia by two independent groups. However, rs3918242's effects on MMP9 expression were not replicable in cell lines or brain tissue. Additionally, publically available data indicate that rs3918242 genotype is related not to MMP9 expression, but rather to expression of SLC12A5, a nearby gene coding for a K+/Cl- cotransporter, whose expression has also been related to schizophrenia. Here, we studied brain structure and function in healthy participants stratified by rs3918242 genotype using structural MRI (N = 298), functional MRI during an N-back working memory task (N = 554), and magnetoencephalography (MEG) during the same task (N = 190). We found rs3918242 was associated with gray matter volume (GMV) in the insula and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex bilaterally, closely replicated in discovery and replication samples; and with inferior parietal lobule (IPL) GMV when the samples were meta-analytically combined. Additionally, using both fMRI and MEG, rs3918242 was associated with right IPL working memory-related activation, replicated in two cohorts and across imaging modalities. These convergent results provide further impetus for examinations of the relationship of SLC12A5 with brain structure and function in neuropsychiatric disease.http://bit.ly/2T5H7w5
Fruits and vegetables (FVs)
Nature's bountiful gift to humankind: Vegetables & fruits & their role in cardiovascular disease & diabetes p. 569
Kamala Krishnaswamy, Rajagopal Gayathri
DOI:10.4103/ijmr.IJMR_1780_18
Fruits and vegetables (FVs) are recognized as healthy constituents of diet and a sustainable solution to the existing twin burden of micronutrient deficiencies and non-communicable diseases in developing and developed countries. In general, FVs are nutrient dense foods low in energy, containing varying amounts of vitamins and minerals including carotenoids, B vitamins, vitamin C, iron, zinc, potassium, calcium, magnesium and fibre. These are abundantly rich in phytochemicals that function as antioxidants, anti-atherosclerotic and anti-inflammatory agents. This review summarizes some epidemiological, prospective cohort and intervention studies on the health benefits of FVs in relation to cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes. The rich varieties of FVs available, their composition, production scenario in India, dietary intake and trends over time, barriers to sufficient intake mainly sociocultural, economic and horticulture environment, policies for promotion and prevention of diseases are considered.
Monitoring of environmental persistent organic pollutants in hair samples collected from wild terrestrial mammals of Primorsky Krai, Russia
Abstract
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) constitute a wide range of chemicals. Their release into the environment has raised great concern due to their potentially harmful impact in humans and wildlife species. The aim of this current study was to detect selected POPs in hair samples of wild terrestrial mammals from Primorsky Krai, Russia, so as to assess potential environmental exposure. The tested wild species were leopard cat, musk deer, wolf, amur hedgehog, and raccoon dog. The targeted organochlorines were hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and DDTs (opDDE, ppDDE, and opDDD), polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners (28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153, and 180), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (acenaphylene (ACEN), fluorene (FLU), anthracene (ANTH) phenathrene (PHEN), and pyrene (PYR)). The detection of POPs was conducted in hair samples by a one-step hair extraction method, by using a headspace solid-phase microextraction technique (HS-SPME) and analyzed then by GC-MS. The majority of the wild animal hair samples were found positive in all tested pollutants. More specifically, the percentage of positive hair samples for HCB was 93.3% and for DDTs, PCBs, and PAHs, 20.0 to 100.0%, 6.7 to 100.0%, and 75.0 to 100.0%, respectively. DDT, PCB, and PAH detection ranged from 1.26 to 52.06 pg mg−1, 0.73 to 31.34 pg mg−1, and 2.59 to 35.00 pg mg−1, respectively. The highest mean concentration levels of all tested pollutants were found for musk deer (PCBs 12.41 pg mg−1, DDTs 21.87 pg mg−1, PAHs 22.12 pg mg−1) compared to the other wild species. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that provides results regarding contamination in different terrestrial mammals by POP exposure. The use of hair as a matrix is proven to be an effective tool for nondestructive biological monitoring of POP contamination in terrestrial ecosystems.
http://bit.ly/2FDdNtG
Removal efficiency of commonly prescribed antibiotics via tertiary wastewater treatment
Abstract
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have been identified as "hot spots" of antibiotics release to the environment. Treatment operations at WWTPs may remove a significant proportion of antibiotics from influent wastewater; however, the effects of tertiary treatment processes on antibiotics removal are not well understood. The objective of this review is to summarize the current literature regarding antibiotics removal from common tertiary processes at full-scale municipal WWTPs and to reveal the research gaps and inform future research directions. Chlorination, ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, and sand filtration were reviewed due to their popularity of application in the USA. The majority of studies of antibiotics removal via tertiary wastewater treatment have been conducted in EU nations, the USA, Australia, and China. Chlorination significantly reduces antibiotics concentrations in wastewater effluents. In comparison, sand filtration and UV irradiation are less effective. However, a large discrepancy of removal efficiencies is apparent across different studies of these treatment processes. Increases in antibiotics concentration following tertiary treatment have also been observed. Possible reasons for the discrepancies, such as sorption to filtered particles, sampling strategies, specific operating parameters of wastewater treatment plants, and deconjugation, are discussed. It is concluded that the effects of tertiary treatment on antibiotic removal efficiency are still arguable, and caution must be taken when sampling wastewater in full-scale WWTPs for comparison of removal efficiencies of antibiotics.
http://bit.ly/2FS4yVA
Changes in proinflammatory gene expression in human whole blood after contact with UV-conditioned implant surfaces
Abstract
Objectives
The aim of this in vitro study was to assess changes in the gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines in human whole blood after contact with titanium implant surfaces conditioned by UV light. To this end, expression levels of proinflammatory cytokines were analyzed in vitro in human whole blood.
Materials and methods
Dental implants made of grade 4 titanium were conditioned by UV light in a UV device and submerged in human whole blood. Unconditioned implants served as controls, and blood samples without implants served as the negative control group. Sampling was performed at 1, 8, and 24 h. Changes in the expression levels of interleukin-1β (IL1B) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF) were assessed using RT-qPCR at the mRNA level.
Results
The gene expression of IL1B was significantly suppressed in the test group over the observation period compared to the control group during the 1–8 h after having contact between the implant surface and the blood. The gene expression of TNF was not significantly altered by UV conditioning after 1 and 8 h of observation, but both cytokine expression levels were increased significantly after 24 h.
Conclusions
Differences in the gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines after insertion of UV-conditioned titanium implants can be assessed using a human whole blood test. UV-conditioned implant surfaces apparently suppress the release of IL1B in vitro.
Clinical relevance
The results of our publication demonstrate that modulation of the early inflammatory response in human whole blood is possible by surface treatment with UV light. In particular, the suppression of IL1B expression, especially after the initial contact of blood cells, may be beneficial in the osseointegration of titanium implants by positively influence the balance between rejection and acceptance of an implant.
http://bit.ly/2CBQTPt
Raman spectroscopy applications in rheumatology
Abstract
Raman spectroscopy is a type of vibrational spectroscopy based on the inelastic scattering of photons, which has attracted much attention due to its potential clinical application in rheumatology. In this review, we discuss the typical spectral features of cartilage, bone, synovial fluid, and pathologic crystal deposits, as well as methods of amplifying the Raman signal of biofluids such as drop-coating deposition Raman spectroscopy. Further, applications of Raman and drop-coating deposition Raman spectroscopy in osteoarthritis are described, highlighting the clinical potential of these methods. We also discuss the role of Raman and related techniques in analyzing pathologic crystals such as monosodium urate, calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate, and hydroxyapatite. The results presented in this review demonstrate that Raman spectroscopy has grown past the stage of proof-of-concept, especially in the case of pathologies involving crystal depositions such as gout and calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease , for which the method has been validated on large number of samples. As the medical community becomes more and more aware of Raman spectroscopy, it is envisioned that it will become a standard technique in the near future.
http://bit.ly/2HnNqtj
Cosmetics, Vol. 6, Pages 6: Role of PGE-2 and Other Inflammatory Mediators in Skin Aging and Their Inhibition by Topical Natural Anti-Inflammatories
Cosmetics, Vol. 6, Pages 6: Role of PGE-2 and Other Inflammatory Mediators in Skin Aging and Their Inhibition by Topical Natural Anti-Inflammatories
Cosmetics doi: 10.3390/cosmetics6010006
Authors: Bryan Fuller
Human skin aging is due to two types of aging processes, “intrinsic” (chronological) aging and “extrinsic” (external factor mediated) aging. While inflammatory events, triggered mainly by sun exposure, but also by pollutants, smoking and stress, are the principle cause of rapid extrinsic aging, inflammation also plays a key role in intrinsic aging. Inflammatory events in the skin lead to a reduction in collagen gene activity but an increase in activity of the genes for matrix metalloproteinases. Inflammation also alters proliferation rates of cells in all skin layers, causes thinning of the epidermis, a flattening of the dermo-epidermal junction, an increase in irregular pigment production, and, finally, an increased incidence of skin cancer. While a large number of inflammatory mediators, including IL-1, TNF-alpha and PGE-2, are responsible for many of these damaging effects, this review will focus primarily on the role of PGE-2 in aging. Levels of this hormone-like mediator increase quickly when skin is exposed to ultraviolet radiation (UVR), causing changes in genes needed for normal skin structure and function. Further, PGE-2 levels in the skin gradually increase with age, regardless of whether or not the skin is protected from UVR, and this smoldering inflammation causes continuous damage to the dermal matrix. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, PGE-2 is strongly linked to skin cancer. This review will focus on: (1) the role of inflammation, and particularly the role of PGE-2, in accelerating skin aging, and (2) current research on natural compounds that inhibit PGE-2 production and how these can be developed into topical products to retard or even reverse the aging process, and to prevent skin cancer.
http://bit.ly/2S1qnc2
Nipple leiomyoma: a rare neoplasm with a broad spectrum of histologic appearances
Cutaneous leiomyomas are rare benign smooth muscle tumors. These lesions are differentiated based on their cell of origin and are sub‐classified as pilar leiomyoma, angioleiomyoma, and genital leiomyoma. Nipple leiomyomas are the least common genital leiomyoma, arising from the dartoic muscle cell of the nipple. Histologic examination of the lesion is necessary for definitive diagnosis, and these uncommon tumors can pose a diagnostic challenge. We describe herein a series of six nipple leiomyomas with a spectrum of histologic appearances.
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http://bit.ly/2QZzLbD
Low dose Isotretinoin as an adjuvant therapy for treatment of different clinical variants of warts: a case series
Abstract
Warts constitute the most frequently observed dermatological manifestations of human papillomavirus (HPV). Although an extensive range of treatments exists for local warts, there is no specific therapy based on high‐quality evidence of notable treatment success or high cure rate, or minimal adverse effects. Recalcitrant warts are, therefore, a common therapeutic problem. This case series refer to 14 immunocompetent patients with recalcitrant warts, who experienced full resolution of their warty lesions when treated with addition of low dose isotretinoin, in a dose of 0.1‐0.2 mg/kg/day, for a 3‐month course, with no significant adverse effects. Long‐term remission was noted for up to 3 years with no signs of active lesions. Low dose isotretinoin should be in the priority of the treatment options of recalcitrant warts, alone or in‐combination.
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http://bit.ly/2sAxmKH
Increased synthesis of hyaluronic acid by enhanced penetration of CTP‐EGF recombinant in human keratinocytes
Summary
Background
Epidermal growth factor (EGF) plays an important role in regeneration and proliferation of skin cells. It synthesizes fibrous proteins, such as collagen, and induces the proliferation of keratinocytes and fibroblasts. It can also induce hyaluronic acid synthesis, which subsequently leads to improved skin elasticity, wrinkle improvement, and moisturizing effects. Thus, the EGF is an attractive cosmetic additive for skin care.
Objectives
We tested the use of cytoplasmic transduction peptide (CTP) as a delivery peptide for EGF into skin cells. Additionally, we characterized the skin permeability of CTP‐EGF for its potential use in skin antiaging and antiwrinkle cosmetics.
Methods
Skin penetration by recombinant CTP‐EGF protein was confirmed using fluorescent imaging techniques. The ability to synthesize hyaluronic acid was confirmed by immunoblotting and ELISA.
Results
CTP‐EGF displayed cell membrane permeability and could penetrate skin cells. Treatment with CTP‐EGF increased collagen protein formation, which is a major regulator of skin elasticity. Further, CTP‐EGF treatment led to increased expression of HAS3 enzyme and subsequently boosted hyaluronic acid synthesis. The CTP‐EGF also performed better than natural EGF in wound healing assays.
Conclusions
CTP‐EGF has a superior ability, compared with natural EGF, to permeate skin and induce hyaluronic acid synthesis and collagen formation. Thus, it has great potential to be used in cosmetics and therapeutic agents to improve wrinkles and health of the skin.
http://bit.ly/2Holw0u
Effects of lactobionic acid peel, aluminum oxide crystal microdermabrasion, and both procedures on skin hydration, elasticity, and transepidermal water loss
Summary
Background
Topical applications of alpha‐hydroxy acids and poly hydroxy acids in the form of peels gained popularity. To enhance the effect of these substances, aluminum oxide crystal microdermabrasion can be used in one procedure.
Aims
The assessment of skin hydration, elasticity, and TEWL after using lactobionic acid in the form of 20% peel and lactobionic acid in the form of 20% peel combined with aluminum oxide crystal microdermabrasion.
Material and methods
The study involved 20 Caucasian female subjects. Six treatments were performed at weekly intervals, using the Split face method—20% LA was used on the left side of the face and aluminum oxide crystal microdermabrasion followed by 20% LA application on the right side of the face.
Results
Corneometric measurement showed statistically significant differences between the hydration level for sessions 1 and 3 and 1 and 6. A higher hydration level was found on the side with the combined procedure. Tewametric measurement showed that the TEWL values were different for sessions 1 and 3 and 1 and 6—they decreased. There were no statistically significant differences between the two procedures. The cutometric measurement indicated statistically significant differences between skin elasticity for pairs in session 1 and 3 and 1 and 6.
Conclusions
The results of the study indicate that the combination of LA peel with microdermabrasion increases its moisturizing effect and improves skin elasticity. The use of both procedures also contributed to the decrease in TEWL; however, greater exfoliation of the epidermis in combined procedures resulted in slightly higher TEWL values.
http://bit.ly/2S1krQi
Periorbital pigmentation: An alarming sign of metabolic syndrome
Abstract
Periorbital pigmentation is a commonly encountered condition which presents clinically as bilateral round, oval or semicircular homogenous dark brown pigmented macules in the periocular region. It may influence quality of life of an individual with its strong psychological impact. We present a case of middle‐aged female patient, who had periorbital pigmentation as a manifestation of acanthosis nigricans. On evaluation, she was found to have hypertension, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia and she fulfilled the criteria for metabolic syndrome. We believe, it is important to evaluate the patients who present as periorbital pigmentation with clinical features of acanthosis nigricans for underlying metabolic syndrome.
http://bit.ly/2HnFBE3
Solitary and Multiple Epidermolytic Acanthoma: A Demographic and Clinical Study of 131 Cases
BACKGROUND
Epidermolytic acanthoma (EA) is a rare, benign acquired cutaneous keratosis displaying epidermolytic hyperkeratosis in more than 50% of its surface. Due to the sparsity of comprehensive studies, little is known on the patient demographics and clinical characteristics of this uncommon entity. We wish to comprehensively characterize the clinical and demographic features of EA and to differentiate it from its mimickers.
METHODS
We carried out a retrospectively review of 131 cases of EA, recorded clinical and histopathologic features and performed linear regression of yearly incidence rates to assess for possible under‐reporting of this entity.
RESULTS
EA affected both genders equally. We found 9.08 cases per 100,000 biopsy specimens per year and linear regression analysis demonstrated significant decreasing incidence rates. Analysis of the anatomical site distribution of EA lesions demonstrated a more frequent genital location in men (39.1% of cases in men, as compared to 11.3% for women). Contrary to previous studies, lesions were most frequently single (91.7%) and the mean age of presentation was 57.8 years.
CONCLUSION
The presented largest case series to‐date indicates that EA is likely an underdiagnosed entity and establishes the demographic and clinical features of EA.
This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
http://bit.ly/2T0C289
Influence of metal-based cerium oxide nanoparticle additive on performance, combustion, and emissions with biodiesel in diesel engine
Abstract
Biodiesel has been renowned as potential and alternative fuel for years. In order to improve the quality of the conventional fossil fuels, biodiesel, and air pollution from combustion, additives are essential to exploit. In this study, the uses of cerium oxide (CeO2) nanoparticle additive for B20 fuel in a diesel engine are investigated. The CeO2 nanoparticles with cetyl-trimethyl ammonium bromide are doped into the B20 fuel by using ultrasonicator. The purpose of the experimental work was adopted to enhance engine combustion and reduce the emissions with an approach of CeO2 nanoparticle additive. The experiment was conducted on a diesel engine using different propagation of CeO2 nanoparticle in blended mahua methyl ester fuel such as B20 + CeO2 50 ppm, B20 + CeO2 100 ppm, and B20 + CeO2 150 ppm. The obtained results are compared with the diesel and B20 fuels. The minor changes are obtained in B20 fuel properties due to the addition of CeO2 nanoparticles. The performance of brake thermal efficiency and combustion of pressure data is observed to be enhanced by the addition of a metal-based additive. The CO, HC, and smoke are decreased for B20 fuel with nanoparticles. The NOx is reduced by dosing the CeO2 due to the oxidation of unburned CeO2 in the exhaust.
http://bit.ly/2sEgGBQ
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Ειδοποίηση Μελετητή:[ ωτα ] [HTML] Gender, identity and material: Film screening C Brand - 2017 ftypM4V *M4V M4A mp42isom*a┌moovlmvhd...
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Publication date: September 2017 Source: Free Radical Biology and Medicine, Volume 110 Author(s): Lucía Fernández-del-Río, Anish Nag, Elen...
