Photoacoustic treatment mitigates cognitive dysfunction in a model of sleep-wake rhythm disturbance

Sleep-wake rhythm disturbances,which are characterized by abnormal sleep timing or duration,are associated with cognitive dysfunction.Photoacoustic treatments including light and sound stimulation have been found to be effective in modulating sleep patterns and improving cognitive behavior in abnormal sleep-wake pattern experiments.In this study,we examined whether light and sound interventions could reduce sleep-wake pattern disturbances and memory deficits in a sleep rhythm disturbance model.We established a model of sleep rhythm disturbance in C57 BL/6 J mice via a sleep deprivation method involving manual cage tapping,cage jostling,and nest disturbance.We used a Mini Mitter radio transmitter device to monitor motor activity in the mice and fear conditioning tests to assess cognitive function.Our results indicated that an intervention in which the mice were exposed to blue light(40-Hz flickering frequency)for 1 hour during their subjective daytime significantly improved the 24-hour-acrophase shift and reduced the degree of memory deficit induced by sleep deprivation.However,interventions in which the mice were exposed to a 40-Hz blue light at offset time or subjective night time points,as well as 2 Hz-blue light at 3 intervention time points(subjective day time,subjective night time,and offset time points),had no positive effects on circadian rhythm shift or memory deficits.Additionally,a 2000-Hz sound intervention during subjective day time attenuated the24-hour-acrophase shift and memory decline,while 440-Hz and 4000-Hz sounds had no effect on circadian rhythms.Overall,these results demonstrate that photoacoustic treatment effectively corrected abnormal sleep-wake patterns and cognitive dysfunction associated with sleep-deprivation-induced disturbances in sleep-wake rhythm.All animal experiments were approved by the Experimental Animal Ethics Committee of Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to the Medical College of Nanjing University,China(approval No.20171102)on November20,2017.     

Higher mass meningococcal group C-tetanus toxoid vaccines conjugated with carbodiimide correlate with greater immunogenicity

To examine the link between meningococcal C (MenC) vaccine size and immunogenic response, a panel of MenC glycoconjugate vaccines were prepared differing in chain length, molar mass and hydrodynamic volume. The preparations consisted of different lengths of MenC polysaccharide (PS) covalently linked to monomeric purified tetanus toxoid (TT) carrier protein using the coupling reagent ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC). Size exclusion chromatography with multi-angle light scattering (SEC-MALS) and viscometry analysis confirmed that the panel of MenC-TT conjugates spanned masses of 191,500 to 2,348,000 g/mol, and hydrodynamic radii ranging from 12.1 to 47.9 nm. The two largest conjugates were elliptical in shape, whereas the two smallest conjugates were more spherical. The larger conjugates appeared to fit a model described by multiple TTs with cross-linked PS, typical of lattice-like networks described previously for TT conjugates, while the smaller conjugates were found to fit a monomeric or dimeric TT configuration. The effect of vaccine conjugate size on immune responses was determined using a two-dose murine immunization. The two larger panel vaccine conjugates produced higher anti-MenC IgG1 and IgG2b titres after the second dose. Larger vaccine conjugate size also stimulated greater T-cell proliferative responses in an in vitro recall assay, although cytokines indicative of a T-helper response were not measurable. In conclusion, larger MenC-TT conjugates up to 2,348,000 g/mol produced by EDC chemistry correlate with greater humoral and cellular murine immune responses. These observations suggest that conjugate size can be an important modulator of immune response.     

芪玉三龙汤调节Beclin1,Atg5,LC3B表达以抑制肺癌肿瘤生长机制

目的:研究芪玉三龙汤对肺癌小鼠皮下移植瘤生长及对自噬关键分子酵母Atg6同系物(Beclin1),自噬相关基因5(autophagy related genes,Atg5)及微管相关蛋白1轻链3(microtubule-associated protein1light chain3,LC3B)表达的影响。方法:采用Lewis肺癌细胞(lewis lung cancer cell,LLC)构建肺癌移植瘤小鼠模型,造模成功后随机分为模型组、芪玉三龙汤组、顺铂组及联合组,每组18只移植瘤小鼠。模型组每日按照生理盐水20 mL·kg~(-1)灌胃;芪玉三龙汤组每日按照80. 48 g·kg~(-1)灌胃;顺铂组在第1,3,5天腹腔注射顺铂溶液(DDP)0. 4 mL;联合组每日按80. 48 g·kg~(-1)灌胃给药,并分别在第1,3,5天腹腔注射顺铂溶液0. 4 mL;连续治疗21 d剥离瘤组织,称取瘤重,计算抑瘤率。苏木素-伊红(HE)染色观察肿瘤组织形态学改变。免疫组化检测肿瘤组织中Beclin1,LC3B蛋白表达和定位。蛋白免疫印迹法(Western blot)测定Beclin1,Atg5,微管相关蛋白1轻链3-I(LC3B-Ⅰ)及微管相关蛋白1轻链3-Ⅱ(LC3B-Ⅱ)蛋白表达,并计算LC3B-Ⅱ/LC3B-Ⅰ。实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应(Real-time PCR)检测肿瘤组织Beclin1,Atg5 mRNA转录水平。结果:芪玉三龙汤具有温和的移植瘤抑制作用,抑瘤率为31. 2%;镜下观察芪玉三龙汤组肿瘤组织可见片状坏死的肿瘤细胞;免疫组化及Western blot实验表明,与模型组比较,芪玉三龙汤能够上调Beclin1,Atg5,LC3B蛋白的表达(P 0. 01),并且能促进LC3B-Ⅰ转化为LC3B-Ⅱ;Real-time PCR结果表明,与模型组比较,芪玉三龙汤能够促进Beclin1,Atg5 mRNA的转录(P 0. 01)。结论:芪玉三龙汤对肺肿瘤生长具有温和地抑制作用,其作用机制可能与上调自噬关键分子Beclin1,Atg5,LC3B表达,促进LC3B-Ⅰ向LC3B-Ⅱ转化有关。     

A novel technique to measure severity of pediatric pectus excavatum using white light scanning.

Background/purpose

Computed tomography (CT) derived Haller Index (HI) remains the standard for quantifying severity in patient with pectus excavatum (PE). Optical scanning described in literature reports optimistic results and new indices that correlate with HI. This study assessed the feasibility of a handheld White Light Scanner (WLS) to obtain 3D measurements and indices of PE deformity.

A 2017 update: Challenging the cosmetic procedural delay following oral isotretinoin therapy

For decades it has been widely accepted that elective procedures should be delayed for at least 6-months following completion of isotretinoin therapy. However, numerous 2017 publications demonstrate the need for change in best practice. The evidence has yet to be succinctly summarized in a single article or in a stand-alone quick reference algorithm for physicians. This article’s review of all 2017 publications confirms that the 6-month delay is not necessary for all procedures and provides a simple algorithmic approach to summarize the updated recommendations for procedural delay of cosmetic procedures following systemic isotretinoin therapy. This is a useful tool for clinicians and allows patients to receive the most appropriate and timely cosmetic therapy to minimize the psychosocial impact of the skin condition.     

Terapia de luz pulsada intensa regulada: un tratamiento complementario prometedor para la enfermedad de ojo seco

ObjectiveTo propose the Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy as a helpful supplementary treatment in patients with dry eye disease.Material and methodsRetrospective cross sectional design. Medical records of patients in whom dry eye disease symptoms were not satisfactorily controlled with medical therapy alone and who underwent additional IPL with at least three sessions completed. Data were analyzed before therapy and 3 weeks after its completion to asses improvement. Determination of symptoms, through a visual analog scale; tear film stability, through tear Break Up Time (tBUT); measurement of tear secretion, through Schirmer Test; and ocular surface staining with Van Bijsterveld score were evaluated. SPSS software and nonparametric analysis of repeated measures were used. The study was approved by the ethics committee.Results50 eyes from 25 subjects were reviewed. There were 9 males (36%) and 16 females (64%), with a median age of 59 years (IQR 52-64). The median of the symptoms scale was 8 (IQR 8-9) and 3 (IQR 2-4) before and after the therapy respectively (P < .05). The median of BUT was 4 (IQR 3-5) and 10 (IQR 8-11), Schirmer test was 13 (IQR 12-15) and 15 (IQR 13-20), and Van Bijsterveld score was 3 (RIC 3-4) and 2 (IQR 2-3) before and after the therapy respectively (P < .05, for all measurements).ConclusionIPL treatment has excellent results regarding both: dry eye disease symptoms improvement and in office objective tests such as tBUT, Schirmer test and Van Bijsterveld score; IPL could be considered as an effective adjunct for dry eye disease.     

Treatment of oral manifestations of toxic epidermal necrolysis with low‐level laser therapy in a pediatric patient

Drug‐induced reactions are complications associated with high mortality and significant morbidity. Stevens–Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are examples of these conditions, which are characterized by skin and mucous lesions. Here, we report a case of a 9‐year‐old girl who presented with blisters associated with an extensive vesicular rash and multiple ulcerations on the lips and oral cavity. A drug‐induced hypersensitivity reaction to antibiotics was suspected, and a diagnosis of TEN was made. The patient was managed with withdrawal of the suspected causative agent, and the oral lesions were treated with low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) and oral hygiene. This case highlights that TEN requires interdisciplinary intervention with dental assistance and follow‐up to improve symptoms, nutrition, systemic condition, and quality of life.