Quantifying target conspicuity in contextual modulation by visual search

Contextual elements can strongly modulate visual performance. For example, performance deteriorates when a vernier is flanked by neighboring lines. On a neural level, such contextual modulation is often explained by local spatial interactions such as lateral inhibition or pooling. However, these mechanisms cannot account for a number of recent results which showed that global rather than local factors play a key role in contextual modulation. On a level of perceptual organization, we proposed that contextual modulation increases when the target groups with the flankers and decreases when the target stands out from the flankers. To quantify this "standing out" in foveal vision, here, we performed both a visual search and a vernier offset discrimination task on the same stimulus configurations. Stimulus configurations yielding short reaction times in visual search yielded good vernier discrimination performance. Stimulus configurations yielding long reaction times yielded weaker discrimination. Hence, vernier offset discrimination is superior for targets that are efficiently searched and vice versa.     

The role of electronegative low-density lipoprotein in cardiovascular diseases and its therapeutic implications

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a health problem of great concern to both the public and medical authorities. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) has been reported to play an important role in both the development and progression of CVD, but studies are underway to determine how LDL exerts its effects. In recent years, it has been found that LDL has several subfractions, each of which affects endothelial function differently; L5, the most electronegative fraction, has been shown to be unique in that it induces an atherogenic response. This review examines the current knowledge concerning the relationships between L5 and CVD and highlights the role of L5 in the pathophysiology of CVD, especially with regards to atherosclerosis.     

Vandetanib in a Child Affected by Neurofibromatosis Type 1 and Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma with Both NF1 and Homozygous RET Proto-oncogen Germ-line Mutations

Cases of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1)-associated medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or C-cell hyperplasia are rarely associated with other endocrine tumors or cases with a multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2. In these patients, mutations were detected in the NF1 gene but no mutations were detected in the RET gene. Although vandetanib has been shown to improve progression-free survival in adults with advanced MTC, data in pediatric patients are limited. Herein, we report the use and outcome of vandetanib in a pediatric MTC case in which NF1 gene and RET proto-oncogen mutation were identified together.     

Use of adhesively inserted full-ceramic restorations in the conservative treatment of amelogenesis imperfecta: a case report

Amelogenesis imperfecta is an inherited disorder that presents a major challenge to the dentist for prosthetic treatment of missing and/or malformed tooth structures. This clinical report presents the use and short-term clinical performance of adhesively-inserted full-ceramic restorations in the restoration of a case of amelogenesis imperfecta.     

Prospective study of combined modality treatment or radiotherapy alone in the management of early-stage adult Hodgkin's disease

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy and toxicity of combined modality treatment (CMT) or radiotherapy (RT) alone in the management of clinical Stage I-IIA adult Hodgkin's disease patients. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Forty-seven patients with supradiaphragmatic clinical Stage I-IIA Hodgkin's disease without bulky mediastinal lymphadenopathy were enrolled into this prospective study between September 1997 and February 2002. Patients with very favorable criteria presenting with one or two nonbulky nodal areas involved, an erythrocyte sedimentation rate of <50 mm/h, age <40 years, and either lymphocyte predominant or nodular sclerosing histologic findings were treated by RT alone. Patients missing any of these favorable criteria were classified as the other favorable group and were treated with three courses of doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine chemotherapy followed by involved-field RT. The median age was 36 years (range, 19-53 years). Of the 47 patients, 15 were women and 32 were men. Only 3 patients were classified as the most favorable group and treated with mantle RT alone; the remaining 44 were treated with CMT. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 51 months (range, 20-74 months). Only 2 patients developed recurrence, both out of the irradiated field, one in the contralateral neck and the other in the abdomen. The 5-year relapse-free and overall survival rate was 95.4% and 97.8%, respectively. Although none of the prognostic factors were statistically significant for relapse-free survival, a trend was noted for the response to chemotherapy (p = 0.06). Only 2 patients developed treatment-related complications. One patient treated with mantle RT alone developed severe ischemic heart disease and one in the CMT arm developed subclinical hypothyroidism. CONCLUSION: Despite the short follow-up, CMT or RT alone tailored according to the clinical prognostic factors were successful in terms of disease control in clinical Stage I-IIA Hodgkin's disease. Longer follow-up is required to make definitive conclusions.     

Zoledronic acid concurrent with either high- or reduced-dose palliative radiotherapy in the management of the breast cancer patients with bone metastases: a phase IV randomized clinical study

Introduction

In this prospective study, the efficacy and safety of radiotherapy combined with zoledronic acid was evaluated.

Materials and methods

Breast cancer patients with painful bone metastases were randomized to either high- or reduced-dose radiotherapy. All patients received zoledronic acid (4 mg) every 28 days from the beginning of radiotherapy. Analgesic and pain scores in addition to visual analog score (VAS) for treatment satisfaction and whole-body bone scintigraphy were evaluated.

Results and conclusion

No significant differences could be found in analgesic or pain scores and bone scintigraphy results between the groups. Our results suggest that reduced-dose radiotherapy produces similar response rates and response durations when used concomitantly with zoledronic acid.     

Protective role of alpha-tocopherol and caffeic acid phenethyl ester on ischemia-reperfusion injury via nitric oxide and myeloperoxidase in rat kidneys

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the acute effects of antioxidant caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) and alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) on nitric oxide (NO) production, neutrophil infiltration, and antioxidant enzyme activities on an in vivo model of renal ischemia-reperfusion injury. METHODS: Rats were divided into five equal groups each consisting six rats: sham operation, ischemia, ischemia-reperfusion (I/R), I/R plus CAPE, and I/R plus vitamin E groups. CAPE or vitamin E was administered intraperitoneally before reperfusion. After experimental procedure, rats were sacrificed and both ipsilateral and contralateral kidneys were removed and prepared for NO concentrations, myeloperoxidase (MPO), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. RESULTS: Acute administration of vitamin E decreased NO concentrations in both ipsilateral and contralateral renal tissues compared to I/R group. SOD activity was increased in I/R and I/R + CAPE groups compared to sham operation group. The most prominent results were encountered in MPO activities, which did not change in contralateral kidneys in both ischemia and I/R groups. There was a significant decrease in ipsilateral MPO activity in ischemia group and a significant increase in I/R group compared to sham operation group. Pretreatment with intraperitoneal CAPE significantly diminished the tissue MPO activity indicating the prevention of the neutrophil sequestration into the kidney. CONCLUSION: There is a role for CAPE in attenuation in renal damage after I/R injury of the kidney, in part at least by inhibition of neutrophil sequestration.     

The evaluation of soluble Fas and soluble Fas ligand levels of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in lung cancer patients

Fas-Fas Ligand (FasL) is one of the major mediator system that activates programmed cell death. Cleavage of membranebound FasL by a metalloproteinase-like enzyme resulted in the formation of soluble FasL (sFasL). sFasL as well as the transmembrane form of FasL binds to Fas and transduces apoptotic signal in Fas-expressing cells. It's suggested that soluble Fas (sFas) and sFasL has an impact on tumor progress and immune escape feature of tumor cells from the host immune system. Since Fas antigen expression in the lungs has been localized to alveolar and bronchial epithelial cells, in this study we aimed to investigate the sFas (pg/mL) and sFasL levels (pg/mL) of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in lung cancer patients. Study population was consisted of 27 patients with lung cancer (mean age 62.9 +/- 10.7 years, 25 control subjects (mean age 47.9 +/- 13.9 years). BAL was performed under local anesthesia, on the unaffected lung of patients; either subsegments of right middle or lingula. BAL sFas and sFasL were evaluated by using ELISA method. The mean levels of sFas was 60.8 +/- 56.8 in lung cancer patient and 39.5 +/- 25.9 in control subjects (p> 0.05). The mean levels of sFasL was 51.6 +/- 39.2 in cancer patient and 41.2 +/- 27.4 in control subjects (p> 0.05). In conclusion, although we did not observe any significant difference between two groups, higher BAL levels of sFas and sFasL levels in lung cancer patients than control subjects, made us thought that apoptosis might have a role development and progression of lung cancer.     

Mannose-Binding Lectin Gene Polymorphism and Chronic Hepatitis B Infection in Children

Background/Aims:

Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is a member of innate immune system that activates complement system through lectin pathway. MBL deficiency is associated with susceptibility to infectious diseases. In this study, the relation between MBL gene polymorphism and chronic hepatitis B infection in children is evaluated.

Patients and Methods:

The study included 67 children with chronic hepatitis B and 99 healthy controls. The hepatitis B patients were divided into immuntolerant, chronic inactive, and treatment groups according to their laboratory findings. MBL gene codon 52, 54, and 57 polymorphisms were studied with polymerase chain reaction in all patients and controls. The associations of MBL gene polymorphism with clinical, laboratory, and histopathologic findings were evaluated.

Results:

Homozygous codon 54 polymorphism of MBL was found significantly higher in chronic hepatitis B patients than controls. Rate of the polymorphism was similar in all groups and, responsive and nonresponsive patients in the treatment group.

Conclusions:

The hepatitis B patients who are homozygous for codon 54 of MBL are prone to develop chronic infection. Longitudinal studies with larger groups are needed.