In vitro activity of EDTA and TOL-463 against Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Neisseria gonorrhoeae quickly develops drug resistance. Time-kill curves revealed that EDTA and TOL-463 inhibit growth similar to penicillin, ciprofloxacin, and azithromycin. Furthermore, synergistic and additive antimicrobial interactions occurred when EDTA and TOL-463 were combined with penicillin or azithromycin, respectively, suggesting that further investigations into these unconventional antimicrobials may be advantageous.     

Community Member and Faith Leader Perspectives on the Process of Building Trusting Relationships between Communities and Researchers

In the first phase of this research, we conducted, audio‐recorded, and transcribed seven focus groups with more than 50 English‐ or Spanish‐speaking women of childbearing age. Qualitative analysis revealed the following themes: (1) expectation that participation would involve relationships based on trust that is built over time and impacted by cultural factors; (2) perceived characteristics of research staff that would help facilitate the development of trusting relationships; (3) perceptions about the location of the visits that may affect trust; (4) perceptions of a research study and trust for the institution conducting the study may affect trust; (5) connecting the study to larger communities, including faith communities, could affect trust and willingness to participate. In the second phase of this research, we conducted, recorded, transcribed, and analyzed interviews with leaders from diverse faith communities to explore the potential for research partnerships between researchers and faith communities. In addition to confirming themes identified in focus groups, faith leaders described an openness to research partnerships between the university and faith communities and considerations for the formation of these partnerships. Faith leaders noted the importance of finding common ground with researchers, establishing and maintaining trusting relationships, and committing to open, bidirectional communication.     

When Is a Maze Procedure a Maze Procedure?

The initial surgical attempts to treat atrial fibrillation (AF) were isolation procedures designed to confine the arrhythmia to a specific area of the heart for relief of symptoms. The first surgical attempt to ablate AF was unsuccessful but was quickly followed by the Maze-I procedure on September 25, 1987. Because of several adverse sequelae of the Maze-I procedure, it was sequentially modified to the Maze-II and then Maze-III procedures. The Maze-IV procedure was introduced some 10 years later; these are the only 4 procedures that adhere to the concept of a maze pattern of lesions to ablate AF and leave both atria capable of being activated during normal sinus rhythm. The term maze procedure has become generic for virtually any operation designed to treat AF, but procedures that do not adhere to the concept of creating lesions of conduction block in the pattern of a maze are not maze procedures. These include, among others, the Wolf Mini-Maze, the Left-Sided Maze, and the 5-Box Maze, none of which are truly based on the maze-pattern concept. The cardinal feature of maze procedures that is necessary for both effectiveness and comparability to classical maze procedures includes lines of conduction block that preclude macro-reentry anywhere in either atrium while leaving both atria capable of activation by a sinus-generated impulse. Components essential to achieving this include appropriate lesions in both atria, the absence of gaps that allow electrical activity to bypass an intended line of block, and the absence of alternate pathways by which impulses can reach the intended maze exit.     

Nitric oxide signaling in the brain: A new target for inhaled nitric oxide?

Nitric oxide (NO) is a powerful vasodilator, involved in both physiological functions and pathophysiological alterations of various regulatory processes, for example, the maintenance of vascular tone and inflammation. The recently demonstrated impact of exogenous NO on the central nervous system extends its role under normal and pathological conditions. At times neuroprotective, at times neurotoxic, NO is capable of different effects depending upon the extent of cerebral damage, the cellular redox state, and the spatiotemporal coordinates and concentration at which it is synthesized. This review provides new insights into the short‐ and long‐term effects of endogenous and exogenous NO in brain injury. ANN NEUROL 2013;73:442–448     

Superficial Epidermolytic Ichthyosis: A Report of Two Families

Abstract: Superficial epidermolytic ichthyosis (SEI), previously known as ichthyosis bullosa of Siemens, is a rare genetic skin condition, characterized by blisters and hyperkeratosis. It can be easily confused with epidermolytic hyperkeratosis, known now as epidermolytic ichthyosis, and genetic testing can be helpful in differentiating between the two conditions. We describe two children with SEI confirmed by genetic testing, including one with a novel mutation. We also describe other affected family members with SEI.     

Accumulation of non-compressive fascicular lesions underlies NF2 polyneuropathy

A distinct polyneuropathy (PNP) syndrome affects up to 66 % of patients with neurofibromatosis II (NF2). Whether this is primarily a diffuse PNP or due to single, surgically amenable mass lesions has not yet been conclusively demonstrated. We aimed to solve this question by investigating the pathomorphological MR imaging correlate of this rare disorder. Eight patients with NF2-PNP were characterized by clinical examination, electrophysiological studies, and genetic analysis. All patients additionally underwent extended peripheral nerve imaging by a novel protocol of large-coverage high-resolution MRI. Quantitative analyses were performed by separately evaluating cross-sectional images, and by categorizing lesions into non-compressive fascicular microlesions (<2 mm), intermediate lesions (2–5 mm), and compressive macrolesions (>5 mm). The predominant imaging findings were non-compressive fascicular microlesions and intermediate lesions. Proximal-to-distal cumulative lesion burden of these lesions correlated strongly with the severity of clinical symptoms of NF2-PNP. In contrast, compressive macrolesions were not found at all in several symptomatic extremities. We conclude that proximal-to-distal accumulation of non-compressive fascicular lesions instead of compressive mass lesions predominantly underlies the clinical manifestation and severity of NF2-associated PNP. Diagnostic management may now be assisted by large-coverage high-resolution imaging of plexus and peripheral nerves. Additionally, the results underscore the feasibility of this new method, which may open up new diagnostic and investigative possibilities for other disseminated disorders of the peripheral nervous system.