Association of Healthcare and Aesthetic Procedures with Infections Caused by Nontuberculous Mycobacteria,France, 2012‒2020

We describe nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections during 2012–2020 associated with health care and aesthetic procedures in France. We obtained epidemiologic data from the national early warning response system for healtcare-associated infections and data on NTM isolates from the National Reference Center for Mycobacteria. We compared clinical and environmental isolates by using whole-genome sequencing. The 85 original cases were reported after surgery (48, 56%), other invasive procedures (28, 33%) and other procedures (9, 11%). NTM isolates belonged to rapidly growing (73, 86%) and slowly growing (10, 12%) species; in 2 cases, the species was not identified. We performed environmental investigations for 38 (45%) cases; results for 12 (32%) were positive for the same NTM species as for the infection. In 10 cases that had environmental and clinical samples whose genomes were similar, the infection source was probably the water used in the procedures. NTM infections could be preventable by using sterile water in all invasive procedures.     

Sodium independence of the binding of [3H]GBR 12783 and other dopamine uptake inhibitors to the dopamine uptake complex

When Na+ was the only cation present in the incubation medium used for the determination of the specific binding of [3H]GBR 12783 in rat striatal membranes, the Na+-dependence between 10 and 210 mM Na+ was not observed. In media with low (10 mM) or high (130 mM) Na+ concentration, mazindol and nomifensine competed with [3H]GBR 12783 for its specific binding site with the same affinities. With the exception of amineptine, all the tested catecholamine uptake inhibitors were equally potent to compete with [3H]GBR 12783 when Na+ concentration was decreased from 130 to 10 mM. These data suggest that the media previously used for the binding studies of tritiated inhibitors of dopamine uptake (Tris-ions buffer and Krebs-Ringer medium) contain ions which could exert inhibitory effects on the specific binding at low Na+ concentration.     

TMC1 but not TMC2 is responsible for autosomal recessive nonsyndromic hearing impairment in Tunisian families

Hereditary nonsyndromic hearing impairment (HI) is extremely heterogeneous. Mutations of the transmembrane channel-like gene 1 (TMC1) have been shown to cause autosomal dominant and recessive forms of nonsyndromic HI linked to the loci DFNA36 and DFNB7/B11, respectively. TMC1 is 1 member of a family of 8 genes encoding transmembrane proteins. In the mouse, MmTmc1 and MmTmc2 are both members of Tmc subfamily A and are highly and almost exclusively expressed in the cochlea. The restricted expression of Tmc2 in the cochlea and its close phylogenetic relationship to Tmc1 makes it a candidate gene for nonsyndromic HI. We analyzed 3 microsatellite markers linked to the TMC1 and TMC2 genes in 85 Tunisian families with autosomal recessive nonsyndromic HI and without mutations in the protein-coding region of the GJB2 gene. Autozygosity by descent analysis of 2 markers bordering the TMC2 gene allowed us to rule out its association with deafness within these families. However, 5 families were found to segregate deafness with 3 different alleles of marker D9S1837, located within the first intron of the TMC1 gene. By DNA sequencing of coding exons of TMC1 in affected individuals, we identified 3 homozygous mutations, c.100C-->T (p.R34X), c.1165C-->T (p.R389X) and the novel mutation c.1764G-->A (p.W588X). We additionally tested 60 unrelated deaf Tunisian individuals for the c.100C-->T mutation. We detected this mutation in a homozygous state in 2 cases. This study confirms that mutations in the TMC1 gene may be a common cause for autosomal recessive nonsyndromic HI.     

Study of dyslexia within school kids that suffer from epilepsia

Dyslexia is a reading problem disorder. It can be a direct result of epilepsia for some kids. The researchers have done the study on 30 school kids that suffer from epilepsia. All the children had Audiometry which was normal in all cases. The orthophonic exam has done in all cases, founding a prononciation and speaker disorder also there is disorder at the psychometric test The purpose of the study research is to define the different profiles of dyslexia on the epileptics, then to check the importance of collaboration between Otorhinolaryngologists, Neurologists and Orthophonists to take care of the epileptic kids having dyslexia.     

Influence of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) on serotonin neurotransmission in the hippocampus of adult rodents

Whereas SSRIs produce rapid blockade of the serotonin transporter (SERT) in vitro and in vivo, the onset of an observable clinical effect takes longer to occur and a variety of pharmacological effects caused by antidepressants have been speculated to be involved either in initiating antidepressant effects and/or enhancing their effects on serotonergic transmission so as to cause clinical improvement. Among such secondary factors is increased activity of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which requires the Tropomyosine-related kinase B receptor (TrkB) for its effects. To begin an analysis of the influence of BDNF on serotonergic activity, we studied the acute effects of BDNF on SERT activity. A single BDNF injection (either intracerebroventricularly or directly into the CA3 region of hippocampus) decreased the signal amplitude and clearance rate produced by exogenously applied 5-HT compared to what was measured in control rats, shown using in vivo chronoamperometry. It also reduced the ability of a locally applied SSRI to block the clearance of 5-HT. In awake freely moving mice, acute intrahippocampal injection of BDNF decreased extracellular levels of 5-HT in the hippocampus, as measured using microdialysis. In addition, perfusion with BDNF decreased KCl-evoked elevations of 5-HT. These effects of BDNF were blocked by the non-selective antagonist of TrkB receptors, K252a. Overall, it may be inferred that in the hippocampus, through TrkB activation, a single injection of BDNF enhances SERT function. Such acute effects of BDNF would be expected to counter early effects of SSRIs, which might, in part, account for some delay in therapeutic effect.     

Lymphoepithelial carcinoma: a case report of a rare tumor of the larynx

Background

Lymphoepithelial carcinoma is a tumor mostly diagnosed in the nasopharynx, but it has also been described in a variety of nonnasopharyngeal sites. It is extremely rare in the larynx and should be distinguished from squamous cell carcinoma. Therefore, it must be known by clinicians, pathologists and oncologists. In this case report, we discuss its etiopathogeny, its epidemiological, clinical, pathological and therapeutic aspects, and its outcome.

Case presentation

An 81-year-old Morrocan man, smoker for 40 years, presented with a 1 year history of dysphonia, dyspnea and dysphagia. Laryngoscopy showed a mass occupying supraglottic, glottic and subglottic levels of the larynx. Cervico-thoracic computed tomography scan showed a laryngeal wall thickening with cervical lymphadenopathy. Laryngeal biopsy was performed. Microscopic analysis and immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis of laryngeal lymphoepithelial carcinoma. Immunostaining for LMP1 was negative.

Conclusion

Laryngeal lymphoepithelial carcinoma is an extremely rare and an aggressive tumor. It is rarely associated with the EBV. It must be regarded as a distinct entity. Radiotherapy is advisable as the unique therapy for local tumor. A correct diagnosis and a close collaboration between the pathologist and clinicians is mandatory for an optimal treatment strategy.