Neural gain control measured through cortical gamma oscillations is associated with sensory sensitivity

Gamma oscillations facilitate information processing by shaping the excitatory input/output of neuronal populations. Recent studies in humans and nonhuman primates have shown that strong excitatory drive to the visual cortex leads to suppression of induced gamma oscillations, which may reflect inhibitory‐based gain control of network excitation. The efficiency of the gain control measured through gamma oscillations may in turn affect sensory sensitivity in everyday life. To test this prediction, we assessed the link between self‐reported sensitivity and changes in magneto‐encephalographic gamma oscillations as a function of motion velocity of high‐contrast visual gratings. The induced gamma oscillations increased in frequency and decreased in power with increasing stimulation intensity. As expected, weaker suppression of the gamma response correlated with sensory hypersensitivity. Robustness of this result was confirmed by its replication in the two samples: neurotypical subjects and people with autism, who had generally elevated sensory sensitivity. We conclude that intensity‐related suppression of gamma response is a promising biomarker of homeostatic control of the excitation–inhibition balance in the visual cortex.     

Unusual Contiguous Soft Tissue Spread of Advanced Malignant Mesothelioma Detected by FDG PET/CT

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a tumor of mesodermal origin that arises from the serosa of the pleura, peritoneum, pericardium or tunica vaginalis. MPM is well known to have a poor prognosis with a median survival time of 12 months. Accurate diagnosis, staging and restaging of MPM are crucial with [18F] flurodeoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET/CT) playing an increasingly important role. Here we report a case of MPM with unusual contiguous soft tissue spread of the tumor along the dermal and fascial planes characterized by PET/CT. Given that the loco-regional tumor in the thorax was under control on PET/CT, the death of the patient was most likely associated with physiologic or metabolic causes associated with an extra-thoracic tumor.     

Smoking,alcohol and family history of cancer as risk factors for small intestinal neuroendocrine tumors: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives: Risk factors for small intestinal neuroendocrine tumors (SI-NETs) are not well understood. The aim of this systematic literature review was to identify risk factors for SI-NET and to further assess these by meta-analysis.

Material and methods: PubMed and abstracts from the ENETS and NANETS were searched for studies published until May 2015. Eligible studies were selected according to the PRISMA statement.

Results: Seven studies evaluating six individual populations were included (study accrual period 1980–2012) in the meta-analysis, involving 765 (range 17–325) cases and 502,282 (range 52–498,376) controls. All studies were case–control by design. The following risk factors were reported in ≥2 studies: family history of any cancer, family history of colorectal cancer, ever alcohol use and ever smoking. The pooled OR was 1.34 (95% CI: 1.12–1.60; p?<?.01; I²?=?0.0%) for family history of any cancer, 1.43 (95% CI: 1.15–1.79; p?<?.01; I²?=?0.0%) for family history of colorectal cancer, 1.04 (95% CI: 0.63–1.72; p?=?.87; I²?=?65.0%) for ever alcohol use and 1.40 (95% CI: 1.06–1.86; p?<?.05; I²?=?49.3%) for ever smoking.

Conclusions: Family history of any cancer, family history of colorectal cancer and history of ever smoking were associated with an increased risk of SI-NET by meta-analysis. Alcohol consumption was not a significant risk factor for SI-NET. However, the studies reporting smoking and alcohol had a high degree of heterogeneity. Therefore, further studies are needed for clarification of smoking and alcohol as risk factors for the occurrence of SI-NET.     

Crystal structure and physicochemical properties of crystalline form of 2'-O-{3-[(7-chloro-4-quinolinyl)amino]propyl}-9-deoxo-9a-methyl-9a-aza-9a-homoerythromycin A

The intent of the study was to prepare and characterize crystalline form of 2'-O-{3-[(7-chloro-4-quinolinyl)amino]propyl}-9-deoxo-9a-methyl-9a-aza-9a-homoerythromycin A (1), a novel 15-membered azalide derivative with antimalarial activity. The crystalline material was prepared by crystallization from acetonitrile reproducible in high yield and purity. Single crystal X-ray studies, X-ray powder diffractometry, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, moisture adsorption, Karl Fischer titration, gas chromatography, scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy, solubility, and solid-state and solution stability were conducted to investigate physicochemical properties of the existing crystalline form. Crystalline 1 is not hygroscopic, does not contain solvents, is physicochemically stable in solid state for up to 4 weeks, and is highly soluble at pH values below 6 and in biorelevant media (simulated gastric fluid, fed simulated intestinal fluid, and fasted simulated intestinal fluid). Solution stability studies (buffers and biorelevant media) indicated that this compound is stable in solutions at pH values 5-6, and that stability is influenced by pH and temperature.     

Bile stone ileus with cholecystoduodenal fistula--Bouveret's syndrome

This is a case report of a 71-year-old man, who presented to emergency department with elevated temperature, vomiting and epigastric pain. Computed tomography of the abdomen revealed a large fistulous tract extending from the gallbladder to the duodenal bulb, as well as a large calculus obstructing the second part of the duodenum. The patient subsequently underwent successful surgical therapy.     

CTSS activation coexists with CD40 activation in human atheroma: evidence from plasma mRNA analysis

ObjectivesBy the analysis of plasma mRNA levels, we tested the hypothesis that, in human atheroma, CTSS activation coexists with activation of CD40.Design and methodsmRNAs were isolated from plasma of patients with coronary atherosclerosis and quantified by real-time RT–PCR.ResultsCTSS mRNA levels correlated with CD40 mRNA levels, independently of observed traditional risk factors for atherosclerosis and pharmacological treatment.ConclusionsOur results suggest that CTSS mediated atherogenesis may be associated with a CD40 mediated inflammatory and immune response. Further invasive atheroma analysis is reasonable.     

Monthly or weekly bisphosphonate? Evaluation of satisfaction in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis using OPSAT-Q questionnaire during the BOOSTER study in Croatia

A prospective, open-labelled, multicentre 6-month study was designed to assess three categories that have high impact on Health-Related Quality of Life (HR-QoL). These categories were: satisfaction, preference and drug tolerability in postmenopausal patients with osteoporosis in Croatia, at first treated with weekly oral bisphosphonates, followed by monthly oral ibandronate. Three hundred eighty-five postmenopausal women who were treated with one of the weekly bisphosphonates for at least 6?months were included into the study and after they had signed written informed consent, the therapy was changed to monthly ibandronate. Satisfaction with the treatment was assessed with the Osteoporosis Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (OPSAT-Q). Patients completed OPSAT-Q at the baseline visit before the change of therapy (visit 1) and 6?months after the change of therapy (visit 2). Following 6?months ibandronate therapy, the values in all four domains of the OPSAT-Q (convenience, confidence with daily activities, overall satisfaction, side effects) as well as in the Composite Satisfaction Score were higher in visit 2 (p?相似文献   

Acquired von Willebrand syndrome in multiple myeloma

Acquired von Willebrand syndrome (AvWS) is an uncommon complication of multiple myeloma (MM), and it is believed to be connected with paraprotein. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of AvWS in patients with MM, and estimate the role of paraprotein in its occurrence. The study included 40 patients with MM. The plasma level of paraprotein, platelet adhesion on glass pearls, plasma von Willebrand factor antigen concentration, and ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation (RIPA) were measured initially. Absence of RIPA was found in six patients with MM (15%); however, all six of them had normal levels of von Willebrand factor antigen. Paraprotein was isolated from the serum of these patients. Platelet aggregation was measured in six healthy donors before and after addition of the isolated paraprotein. RIPA was significantly decreased in healthy donors in the presence of paraprotein (P<0·001). The same test was repeated with added human immunoglobulins for intravenous use without any change in RIPA. A significant negative correlation between plasma paraprotein level and RIPA was found (P<0·001). These investigations have shown that paraprotein is associated with AvWS in patients with MM.     

Cell-free DNA in the Peritoneal Effluent of Peritoneal Dialysis Solutions

The beneficial effects of novel peritoneal dialysis solutions low in glucose degradation products regarding peritoneal cell apoptosis and necrosis are well established in vitro, however in vivo data is lacking. Cell-free DNA quantification is a possible method to determine cell damage through apoptosis and necrosis in vivo. We performed a prospective, cross-over study on 26 stable continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients, treating each patient for 3 months in a randomized order with a conventional, lactate-buffered, acidic solution (solution D) and a novel, bicarbonate/lactate-buffered neutral solution (solution P). The timed overnight peritoneal effluent was sampled for cell-free DNA quantification using a fluorometric assay. The effluent samples of eighteen patients were finally available for DNA quantification. The concentration range of cell-free DNA in the peritoneal effluents was 1.8–9.5 µg/L. The coefficient of intrapatient variation in overnight effluent cell-free DNA appearance was 15.6 ± 12.4%. Cell-free DNA peritoneal appearance using solutions D and P was 14.9 ± 6.8 µg and 11.8 ± 3.4 µg, respectively (P = 0.02), with the average difference of 3.1 µg (95% CI, 0.7–5.6 µg). Our results show that cell-free DNA is present in the overnight peritoneal effluent of stable CAPD patients. A significant decrease in the cell-free DNA appearance with solution P was found; however, before accepting this as an indicator of a more biocompatible profile causing less peritoneal membrane cell necrosis and apoptosis, confirmatory data on larger patient samples are needed. Our results indicate the potential future role of cell-free DNA in the diagnosis and prognosis of therapy-related peritoneal membrane degeneration.