Neural correlates of embodied action language processing: a systematic review and meta-analytic study

Brain Imaging and Behavior - The neural correlates of action language processing are still debated within embodied cognition research and little is known about the flexible involvement of...     

Fatal neonatal nephrocutaneous syndrome in 18 Roma children with EGFR deficiency

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a transmembrane glycoprotein with tyrosine-kinase signaling activity, involved in many cellular functions including cell growth and differentiation. Germ line loss-of-function mutations in EGFR lead to a severe neonatal skin disorder (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man #131550). We report 18 premature Roma children from 16 families with birthweights ranging 440–1470 g and multisystem diseases due to the homozygous mutation c.1283G˃A (p.Gly428Asp) in EGFR. They presented with thin, translucent, fragile skin (14/15), skin desquamation (10/17), ichthyosis (9/17), recurrent skin infections and sepsis (9/12), nephromegaly (10/16) and congenital heart defects (7/17). Their prognosis was poor, and all died before the age of 6 months except one 13-year-old boy with a severe skin disorder, dentinogenesis imperfecta, Fanconi-like syndrome and secondary hyperaldosteronism. Management of ion and water imbalances and extremely demanding skin care may improve the unfavorable outcome of such patients.     

The use of absorbable polyglactin/polydioxanon implant (Ethisorb) in non-surgical closure of oro-antral communication

Oro-antral communications (OAC) greater than 4-5mm in diameter can seldom be counted on to heal spontaneously without the necessity for surgical closure. The initial experience in applying an absorbable polyglactin/polydioxanon implant (Ethisorb^®), in non-surgical closure of OAC ranging from 5 to 7 mm in diameter, is presented. Twelve patients of varying ages with OAC up to72 h in duration, have been treated with Ethisorb^®. Failures were not demonstrated in the form of the creation of an oro-antral fistula (OAF), and in all patients, OAC-s were closed with the epithelization of post-extraction wounds up to 21 days after implantation of Ethisorb^®. Based on these initial encouraging results, we propose that an Ethisorb^® biopolymeric absorbable implant can be used in selected clinical cases for non-surgical closure of OAC.     

Relationship between diffusion parameters derived from intravoxel incoherent motion MRI and perfusion measured by dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI of soft tissue tumors

Our aim was to evaluate the link between diffusion parameters measured by intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) and the perfusion metrics obtained with dynamic contrast‐enhanced (DCE) MRI in soft tissue tumors (STTs). Twenty‐eight patients affected by histopathologically confirmed STT were included in a prospective study. All patients underwent both DCE MRI and IVIM DWI. The perfusion fraction f, diffusion coefficient D and perfusion‐related diffusion coefficient D* were estimated using a bi‐exponential function to fit the DWI data. DCE MRI was acquired with a temporal resolution of 3–5 s. Maps of the initial area under the gadolinium concentration curve (IAUGC), time to peak (TTP) and maximum slope of increase (MSI) were derived using commercial software. The relationships between the DCE MRI and IVIM DWI measurements were assessed by Spearman's test. To exclude false positive results under multiple testing, the false discovery rate (FDR) procedure was applied. The Mann–Whitney test was used to evaluate the differences between all variables in patients with non‐myxoid and myxoid STT. No significant relationship was found between IVIM parameters and any DCE MRI parameters. Higher f and D*f values were found in non‐myxoid tumors compared with myxoid tumors (p = 0.004 and p = 0.003, respectively). MSI was significantly higher in non‐myxoid tumors than in myxoid tumors (p = 0.029). From the visual assessments of single clinical cases, both f and D*f maps were in satisfactory agreement with DCE maps in the extreme cases of an avascular mass and a highly vascularized mass, whereas, for tumors with slight vascularity or with a highly heterogeneous perfusion pattern, this association was not straightforward. Although IVIM DWI was demonstrated to be feasible in STT, our data did not support evident relationships between perfusion‐related IVIM parameters and perfusion measured by DCE MRI. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Local anesthesia in pediatric dermatologic surgery: Evaluation of a patient‐centered approach

Background/Objectives

A few studies have documented the effect of local anesthesia for minor dermatologic surgical procedures on children and their parents. Our objective was to evaluate the psychological effect and global satisfaction of a patient‐centered approach to dermatologic surgery under local anesthesia.

Methods

Two self‐administered questionnaires were used to evaluate the distress and global satisfaction of 388 children who underwent dermatologic surgery under local anesthesia, accompanied by oral and written therapeutic education measures (structured information and a cartoon brochure illustrating the procedure) addressed to children and parents. Distraction techniques were also used during the procedures.

Results

Although 54.5% of patients manifested some degree of fear, all other parameters analyzed (pain, surgery‐related distress, surgical team–patient and –family relationship, global satisfaction) indicated that the procedures resulted in limited distress and that the large majority of children and parents tolerated them well.

Conclusion

Specific measures for therapeutic pediatric patient education may be helpful in limiting discomfort, anxiety, and pain perception linked to procedures performed under local anesthesia. Further controlled studies are required to more precisely assess the benefits of specific therapeutic education measures.     

Spontaneous reports of adverse drug reactions related to oral anticoagulants in the Czech Republic

International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy - Background Oral anticoagulants are established drugs of choice for the prevention and treatment of thromboembolic events. However, monitoring their...