[Acute Myocardial Infarction in Young Smokers Treated by Coronary Angioplasty. In-hospital Prognosis and Long-term Outcome in a Consecutive Series of 93 Patients]

Annales De Cardiologie Et D'angéiologie. Jun, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 20511119

The study evaluated in-hospital and long-term outcome of patients less than 50 years old with myocardial infarction within 12 hours after symptom onset treated by coronary angioplasty.

Application of PAMPA-models to Predict BBB Permeability Including Efflux Ratio, Plasma Protein Binding and Physicochemical Parameters

International Journal of Pharmaceutics. Jun, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 20685235

This study examines whether algorithms to predict brain penetration of 88 drug candidates could benefit from inclusion of PAMPA data such as P(eff), flux and membrane retention. Specifically the ability to fit experimentally derived LogBB data with PAMPA information and compound related physicochemical and structural parameters was assessed. Collected data were analyzed by partial least square analysis and various regression models for LogBB. Four PAMPA methodologies were evaluated in this study including: (1) a PAMPA-BLM (black lipid membrane) model, (2) a PAMPA-DS (double sink) model, (3) a PAMPA-BBB (blood-brain barrier) model and (4) a PAMPA-BBB-UWL (unstirred water layer). Additionally, plasma protein binding (PPB) experiments and a Caco-2 assay were performed to determine the unbound fraction in plasma and the efflux ratio, respectively, for subsets of the selected compounds. This information was combined with the obtained PAMPA data in an effort to improve the predictions of LogBB. Taken in aggregate, the results presented, suggest that the PAMPA-BLM parameters are the most important contributors to predict the LogBB. The optimized multiple linear regression (MLR) relationship including the PAMPA-BLM properties demonstrated a slightly improved prediction compared to the model without the PAMPA-BLM parameters. Including the plasma protein binding of 15 compounds resulted in a significantly improved PAMPA-BLM prediction of LogBB, while integrating the efflux ratio with PAMPA-BLM or PAMPA-BBB P(eff) values, resulted in improved classification of brain permeable [BBB+(LogBB>/=0)] and impermeable [BBB-(LogBB<0)] compounds.

[Lumbar Transforaminal Epidural Injections: Evaluation of Potential Risks and Complications]

Journal De Radiologie. Sep, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 20814399

Highly Regio- and Stereoselective One-pot Synthesis of Carbohydrate-based Butyrolactones

Organic Letters. Feb, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21244043

The use of manganese(III) acetate allows the direct synthesis of diverse arrays of [4.3.0] bicyclic carbohydrate-based γ-lactone building blocks from glycals. A mechanism to explain the high regio- and stereoselectivity is proposed. The new reaction has the potential to generate libraries for biological screening.

Twice Weekly PegIFN-Alfa 2a And Ribavirin Results In Superior Viral Kinetics In HIV/HCV Co-Infected Patients Compared To Standard Therapy

AIDS (London, England). Apr, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21505311

HCV/HIV co-infected patients have more rapid progression of liver fibrosis and only modest cure rates (sustained virologic responses, SVR) when compared to HCV monoinfected patients. We compared the virologic responses of either twice-weekly peginterferon-alpha-2a 180 μg/wk (for 4 weeks, followed by weekly dosing) or weekly peginterferon-alpha 2a 180 μg/wk, plus weight based ribavirin (1-1.2 g/day), among HIV/HCV co-infected genotype-1 subjects. Patients receiving the investigational dosing had lower levels of HCV RNA at all time points after initiation of therapy. More patients on this arm achieved clinically relevant early virological responses at weeks 1, 2, 4, 12 and 24. The enhanced early virologic response observed with the investigational arm was associated with a higher induction of interferon stimulated genes (ISG). This early double dose regimen also resulted in a rapid normalization of liver enzymes. Twice weekly peginterferon-alpha-2a is associated with more frequent early virological responses with similar safety profiles when compared with standard therapy. Our results, when confirmed in larger randomized clinical trials, may provide a novel therapeutic approach to improve SVR among HIV/HCV co-infected patients, especially African American patients.

Successful Embolization of a Suprascapular Artery Aneurysm

Annals of Vascular Surgery. May, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21620668

A 45-year-old woman was referred to our service because 9 months earlier she had developed a pulsating mass on the right supraclavicular fossa and torticollis. Ultrasounds and computed tomographic arteriography showed the presence of a subclavian collateral artery aneurysm with a diameter of 21 mm. On selective arteriography, an aneurysm of a suprascapular artery arising directly from the right subclavian artery was reported. The presence of thoracic outlet syndrome was excluded. The aneurysm was successfully treated with ethylene-vinyl alcohol polymer, a liquid embolic agent. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 1 in good general condition. After 12 months, control ultrasounds confirmed the complete thrombosis of the aneurysm sac.

Prevalence of Orthostatic Hypotension in a Series of Elderly Mexican Institutionalized Patients

Cardiology Journal. 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21660918

Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is a common problem among the elderly. It is associated with an increase in morbidity and mortality, but its prevalence in Mexico is unknown.

The Role of ABC Transporters in Kin Recognition in Arabidopsis Thaliana

Plant Signaling & Behavior. Aug, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21758011

The ability to sense and respond to the surrounding rhizosphere including communications with neighboring plants and microbes is essential for plant survival. Recently, it has been established that several plant species including Arabidopsis thaliana have the ability to recognize rhizospheric neighbors based or their genetic identity. This study investigated the role of ABC transporters in kin recognition in A. thaliana based on previous evidence that root secretions are involved in the kin recognition response and that ABC transporters are responsible for secretion of a number of compounds. Three genes, AtPGP1, ATATH1 and ATATH10, are all implicated to be partially involved in the complex kin recognition response in A. thaliana based on this report. These findings highlight the importance of ABC transporters in understanding root secretions and plant-plant community interactions. 

Transcriptome Analysis of Arabidopsis Thaliana Plants in Response to Kin and Stranger Recognition

Plant Signaling & Behavior. Oct, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21900741

Recent reports have demonstrated that Arabidopsis thaliana has the ability to alter its growth differentially when grown in the presence of secretions from other A. thaliana plants that are kin or strangers, however, little knowledge has been gained as to the physiological processes involved in these plant-plant interactions. Therefore, we examined the root transcriptome of A. thaliana plants exposed to stranger versus kin secretions to determine genes involved in these processes. We conducted a whole transcriptome analysis on root tissues and categorized genes with significant changes in expression. Genes from four categories of interest based on significant changes in expression were identified as ATP/GST transporter, auxin/auxin related, secondary metabolite and pathogen response genes. Multiple genes in each category were tested and results indicated that pathogen response genes were involved in the kin recognition response. Plants were then infected with Pseudomonas syringe pv. Tomato DC3000 to further examine the role of these genes in plants exposed to own, kin and stranger secretions in pathogen resistance. This study concluded that multiple physiological pathways are involved in the kin recognition. The possible implication of this study opens up a new dialogue in terms of how plant-plant interactions change under a biotic stress.

Extinction of Care-Induced Vocalizations by a Desensitization Routine on a Palliative Care Unit

The American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Care. Sep, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21908456

Vocalizations during care occur frequently in patients with dementia, and are not uncommon in the palliative setting. Underlying trigger factors may include pain during movement, fear of being turned, startle reflex, attempts at verbal communication, environmental factors such as cold water, and other possible etiologies. A case of a 92 year old female who screamed and called out during bathing is presented. This patient with comorbid dementia and brain lesions did not respond to pre-event pain medication, and became somnolent due to opioid administration for presumed incident pain. A non-pharmacological approach, with a patient-centered focus rather than task orientation, succeeded in extinguishing the vocalizations after a period of six weeks.

Cochlear Implantation in a Child with CINCA Syndrome Who Also Has Wide Vestibular Aqueducts

Cochlear Implants International. Jun, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 22333493

Chronic infantile neurological cutaneous and articular (CINCA) syndrome is a severe auto-inflammatory disease, due to mutation of the CIAS1 gene. CINCA syndrome should be considered the most severe of a spectrum of three disorders all due to mutation of the CIAS1 gene. CINCA syndrome produces a triad of symptoms of neonatal onset: maculopapular urticarial rash, chronic meningitis, and chronic non-inflammatory arthropathy with recurrent fever. CINCA syndrome is also associated with sensory organ damage, especially progressive hearing loss and loss of vision. In this case report, we present the first case of cochlear implantation in a 13-year-old child with CINCA syndrome. Cochlear implantation was successful at rehabilitating the hearing loss with the child able to continue mainstream education, with her academic performance and speech discrimination both showing marked improvement. Anakinra (an interleukin 1 receptor antagonist) is now in widespread use to treat CINCA syndrome and is known to rapidly reverse the inflammatory features of CINCA syndrome. However, current evidence suggests that anakinra has limited effectiveness in reversing the sensorineural hearing loss seen in CINCA syndrome. We therefore propose that cochlear implantation is a viable treatment option in this rare yet severe auto-inflammatory disease, if the patient has failed to respond to anakinra. Owing to the unknown pathogenesis of the progressive hearing loss seen in CINCA syndrome and the limited effectiveness of anakinra in reversing the progressive hearing loss, we suggest that cochlear implantation is the modality of choice in rehabilitating severe-to-profound hearing loss not responsive to anakinra.

Reimplantation with a Conventional Length Electrode Following Residual Hearing Loss in Four Hybrid Implant Recipients

Cochlear Implants International. Jun, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 22333755

Hypothesis: Revision surgery using a newer-generation conventional length cochlear implant electrode will provide improved speech perception in patients that initially underwent hybrid electrode implantation and experienced post-operative loss of residual hearing and performance deterioration. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: We present four patients who experienced delayed post-operative hearing loss following implantation with the Nucleus Hybrid S8 device and underwent reimplantation with the Nucleus Freedom or Nucleus 5 device using the Contour Advance array. Pure-tone thresholds and speech perception data were retrospectively reviewed. INTERVENTION: Four subjects underwent reimplantation with the Nucleus Freedom or Nucleus 5 device after experiencing deteriorating performance related to delayed acoustic hearing loss. Comparison of pre-revision performance to the most recent post-revision performance demonstrated improved speech perception performance in all subjects following reimplantation. CONCLUSIONS: A small percent of patients will experience a significant loss of residual low-frequency hearing following hybrid implantation thereby becoming completely reliant on a shorter electrode for electrical stimulation. In the current series, reimplantation with a conventional length electrode provided improved speech perception performance in such patients. Revision surgery with a conventional length electrode should be considered in 'short electrode' recipients who experience performance deterioration following loss of residual hearing.

Defining the Tipping Point. A Complex Cellular Life/death Balance in Corals in Response to Stress

Scientific Reports. 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 22355675

Apoptotic cell death has been implicated in coral bleaching but the molecules involved and the mechanisms by which apoptosis is regulated are only now being identified. In contrast the mechanisms underlying apoptosis in higher animals are relatively well understood. To better understand the response of corals to thermal stress, the expression of coral homologs of six key regulators of apoptosis was studied in Acropora aspera under conditions simulating those of a mass bleaching event. Significant changes in expression were detected between the daily minimum and maximum temperatures. Maximum daily temperatures from as low as 3°C below the bleaching threshold resulted in significant changes in both pro- and anti-apoptotic gene expression. The results suggest that the control of apoptosis is highly complex in this eukaryote-eukaryote endosymbiosis and that apoptotic cell death cascades potentially play key roles tipping the cellular life/death balance during environmental stress prior to the onset of coral bleaching.

[The Change of Telomere Protein in BEAS-2B Malignant Transformation Cell Induced by Coal Tar Pitch Smoke Extracts]

Zhonghua Lao Dong Wei Sheng Zhi Ye Bing Za Zhi = Zhonghua Laodong Weisheng Zhiyebing Zazhi = Chinese Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases. Sep, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 22356715

By testing the changes of telomere binding protein in malignant transformation BEAS-2B cells induced by coal tar pitch smoke extracts, to study the role of protection of telomeres 1 (POT1), telomeric repeat binding factor 1 (TRF1) and TRF2 in tumorgenesis that contact with coal tar pitch.

Cochlear Implantation in Mitochondrial Deafness Due to A7445G Mutation

Cochlear Implants International. Mar, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22449265

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine if cochlear implantation (CI) improved speech discrimination in the New Zealand pedigree with the A7445G mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutation and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). METHODS: Nine patients had their speech discrimination and pure tone audiograms evaluated. Pre- and post-implant results were compared. Type of CI and patient age at implantation was recorded. RESULTS: Speech discrimination testing shows greatly improved functional hearing after CI in this group of patients. DISCUSSION: Individuals with mtDNA-related SNHL should be identified by screening and offered assessment for CI suitability because functional hearing improves after CI.

Congenital Cholesteatoma and Cochlear Implantation: Implications for Management

Cochlear Implants International. Mar, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22450542

INTRODUCTION: Cholesteatoma is an uncommon condition that has occasionally been associated with cochlear implantation (CI). Cases of secondary acquired cholesteatoma have been described, in which intra-operative breech of the posterior canal wall is thought to be a contributing factor. Primary acquired cholesteatoma is not typically associated with congenital sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) or CI in children. Congenital cholesteatoma is a rarer entity yet with an incidence in the literature of 2-4% of all cholesteatomas. We present lessons learned from our experience of congenital cholesteatoma in CI candidates. METHODS: Retrospective reviews of departmental CI and cholesteatoma databases in a tertiary/quaternary pediatric center were conducted. Cases of congenital cholesteatoma were identified. The proportion of congenital cholesteatoma cases in CI candidates was compared with number of acquired cholesteatoma. Optimum management of congenital cholesteatoma in CI candidates was reviewed. RESULTS: In our pediatric CI population, 2/794 patients (0.25%) were recognized as having a congenital cholesteatoma during their evaluation for CI. No cases of primary acquired cholesteatoma were identified in this population at presentation or at follow up to 18 years. DISCUSSION: The 0.25% incidence of congenital cholesteatoma in our population of CI patients is higher than expected of this rare condition. It is surprisingly common given the absence of any cases of primary acquired cholesteatoma, which is considerably more common even in the pediatric population. Both patients likely had an inherited form of hearing loss and a genetic contribution to the presence of congenital cholesteatoma cannot be excluded. The presence of congenital cholesteatoma has implications for the algorithm currently employed for the assessment of CI. We consider that surgery should be staged to ensure complete removal of the cholesteatoma before implantation. Thus bilateral CI should be provided sequentially rather than simultaneously in the presence of unilateral cholesteatoma.

Pituitary Carcinoma Recurrent to the Lumbar Intradural Extramedullary Space: Case Report

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine. Feb, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22333938

CONTEXT: Pituitary tumors are rare, and pituitary carcinomas are rarer still. Prognosis is poor, with less than 50% of patients surviving past 1 year after diagnosis. In this case of spinal metastasis from an adrenocorticotropic hormone-secreting pituitary carcinoma, the intradural extramedullary metastases recurred in the same lumbar area 6 years apart. FINDINGS: Fourteen years prior to presentation in our clinic, a 48-year-old woman was diagnosed with pituitary adenoma which was treated with resection followed by radiation. Eight years later, an intradural extramedullary spinal drop metastasis at L2-L3 was again treated with resection and radiation. Three years later, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a mass encasing the right carotid artery, which was treated for 1 year with chemotherapy using temozolomide (Temodar). Three years later, MRI showed intradural extramedullary metastases at the L3-L4 intervertebral disc space and behind the L3 vertebral body; treatment was again resection followed by radiation. Back pain and weakness resolved after surgery and her neurological examination returned to baseline. There was no evidence of recurrence 1 year after surgery. Conclusion/clinical relevance: In this unusual case, this pituitary carcinoma metastasized twice in 6 years to virtually the same intradural extramedullary lumbar region. Surgical resection of these masses aided in relieving neurological symptoms and prolonging life.

Curcumin Protects Against the Oxidative Damage Induced by the Pesticide Parathion in the Hippocampus of the Rat Brain

Nutritional Neuroscience. Feb, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22333997

One of the main concerns regarding organophosphate pesticides (OP) is their possible toxic effects. Doses that do not produce acute toxicity are capable of altering the structure and biochemistry of different tissues and organs by production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Curcumin (CUR) is the main substance in Curcuma longa (Zingiberacea) rhizome that has strong antioxidant activity. However, the neuroprotective properties of curcumin against oxidative stress induced by prolonged exposure to parathion (PAR) is not clear. OBJECTIVE: The present work evaluated the protective effect of curcumin against the oxidative damage induced in the rat hippocampus by the OP PAR. METHODS: Forty female Wistar rats were distributed in four groups as follows: exposed to PAR by inhalation (PAR group); pre-treated with CUR and then exposed to PAR by inhalation, (CUR + PAR group); exposed to environmental air and treated with CUR in the food (CUR group); and exposed to environmental air (the control group). At the end of the handling process, the concentration of erythrocyte cholinesterase was monitored, as indicator of PAR intoxication and lipoperoxidation, immunohistochemistry for astrocytes, and activated microglia and apoptosis was determined in the hippocampus. RESULTS: In the present study, we show that the administration of CUR (200 mg/kg body weight) significantly diminished the oxidative damage in the hippocampus of rats exposed to the OP PAR. DISCUSSION: These data suggest that CUR may be an alternative to prevent neurodegenerative damage after pesticide exposure.

Tobacco Addiction and The Risk of Upper Aerodigestive Tract Cancer in A Multicenter Case-Control Study

Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention : a Publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, Cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology. Feb, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22337537

BACKGROUND: While previous studies on tobacco and alcohol and the risk of upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) cancers have clearly shown dose-response relations with the frequency and duration of tobacco and/or alcohol, studies on addiction to tobacco itself as a risk factor for UADT cancer have not been published, to our knowledge. The aim of this report is to assess whether smoking addiction is a risk factor for UADT SCC risk in the multicenter case-control study (ARCAGE) in Western Europe independent of tobacco smoking or alcohol drinking intensity or duration.METHODS: The analyses included 1,905 ever smoking UADT SCC cases (871 oral cavity/oropharynx, 814 hypopharynx/larynx, 127 esophagus, and 93 overlapping oral cavity/pharynx) and 1,489 ever smoking controls. The addiction variables included first cigarette after waking up, difficulty refraining from smoking in places where it is forbidden, and cigarettes per day. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for UADT cancers with addiction variables were estimated with unconditional logistic regression, adjusting for center, age, sex, education level, alcohol consumption, and tobacco smoking.RESULTS: Among current smokers, 76.47% of cases were categorized in the highest addiction level, whereas 54.69% of controls were in that category. The participants who smoked their first cigarette within 5 minutes of waking up were two times more likely to develop UADT SCC (OR = 2.22, 95% CI 1.57-3.15) than those who smoked 60 minutes after waking up. A higher modified Fagerstram score, reflecting greater tobacco addiction, was associated with an increased risk of UADT SCC among current smokers, but not among former smokers.CONCLUSION: We observed that time to first cigarette after waking up was associated with UADT SCC risk, regardless of heavy smoking or alcohol drinking behaviors. These results are consistent with residual effect of smoking that was not captured by the questionnaire responses alone. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 21(3); 1-9. ©2012 AACR.

Lifestyle and Dietary Risk Factors for Colorectal Hyperplastic and Adenomatous Polyps

Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention : a Publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, Cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology. Feb, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22337539

BACKGROUND: Increasing evidence suggests that colon hyperplastic polyps (HP) increases predisposition to the development of colon cancer, albeit to a lesser degree than colon adenoma. Data on behavioral and lifestyle risk factors for HP are limited.METHODS: We compared the risk factor profiles for colon adenoma and colon HP in 1,826 patients without known history of colorectal cancer or polyps who are undergoing screening colonoscopy at our institution. Five hundred and eight patients were diagnosed with one or more colon adenomas, 215 with HP, 140 patients with both adenoma and HP, and 963 with negative colonscopic examination. Information on behavioral and lifestyle risk factors and dietary habits were collected by computer-assisted personal interview (CAPI) and Food Frequency Questionnaire prior to colonoscopy. We used multivariate unconditional logistic regressions to assess risk associations.RESULTS: Positive association were found between adenomatous polyps and male gender (OR 1.702, 95% CI 1.210-2.394, p 0.002), current smoker (OR 1.598, 95% CI 1.091-2.340, p 0.016) and family history (OR 1.409, 95% CI 1.034-1.920, p 0.030). For hyperplastic polyps, positive associations were found between current smoker (OR 2.038, 95% CI 1.207-3.441, p 0.008) and regular alcohol drinker (OR 1.661, 95% CI 1.057-2.610, p 0.028). For both types of polyps positive associations were found between male gender (OR 2.282, 95% CI 1.233-4.222, p 0.009), current smoker (OR 2.692, 95% CI 1.475-4.912, p 0.001) and family history (OR 2.472, 95% CI 1.506-4.057, p 0.00). In a subgroup analysis by gender, regular alcohol consumption (OR 1.780, 95% CI 1.008-3.143, p 0.047) was associated with increased risk and HRT (OR 0.450, 95% CI 0.225-0.903, p 0.025) was associated with a decreased risk of hyperplastic polyps in females. Whereas in males, ever smokers (OR 3.074, 95% CI 1.357-6.965, p 0.007) and current smokers (OR 3.311, 95% CI 1.307-8.389, p 0.012) were associated with an increase risk of hyperplastic polyps.CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that there are several lifestyle and dietary risk factors that are associated with both colorectal adenomatous and hyperplastic polyps. These risk factors vary not only by type of polyp but also gender. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 21(3); 1-9. ©2012 AACR.