The bacteriostatic properties of ear tubes made of absorbable polylactic acid

OBJECTIVE: Tympanostomy tube placement remains the most common reason children are brought to the operating room. Of the known complications, transient, recurrent, and chronic otorrhea represent the most common and challenging sequelae of tube insertion. This study was performed to determine if the acidic nature of the polymer of lactic acid (PLA), a possible material for the construction of ear tubes, would have bacteriostatic properties. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Experimental PLA tubes and control fluoroplastic tubes were inoculated with a broth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus and incubated. Fluid recovered from the tubes was plated and incubated again. Colony counts were recorded at 24 and 48 h. Two separate trials were conducted for each organism. Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) models were used to assess the effects of the type of tube, the experimental run, and the tube by run interaction on colony counts. RESULTS: In the Pseudomonas experiments, the mean colony count of the PLA tube group (Run 1: 1.0; Run 2: 26.6) was significantly lower than the mean colony count in the fluoroplastic tube group (Run 1: 132.6; Run 2: 122.2; p=0.0150). Similarly, in the S. aureus experiments, the mean colony count of the PLA tube group (Run 1: 88.2; Run 2: 92.6) was significantly lower than the mean colony count in the fluoroplastic tube group (Run 1: 335.0; Run 2: 325.8; p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: PLA has many properties including an apparent bacteriostatic quality, which may make it an attractive material for the construction of tympanostomy tubes.     

Major psychoses symptomatology: factor analysis of 2241 psychotic subjects

Current nosography classifies major psychoses as separate disorders, but their symptomatological presentation during illness episodes largely overlaps and diagnoses may change during a lifetime. Few analyses of major psychoses symptomatology have been performed so far because of the large number of subjects needed to obtain stable factors. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to identify the symptomatologic structure common to major psychoses based on lifetime symptoms. Two thousand and forty-one inpatients affected by schizophrenic (n=1008), bipolar (n=563), major depressive (n=352), delusional (n=108) and psychotic not otherwise specified disorder (n=210) were rated for lifetime symptoms using the Operational Criteria Checklist for Psychotic Illness (OPCRIT) and included in a factorial analysis. Four factors were obtained, the first consisted of excitement symptoms, the second comprised psychotic features (delusions and hallucinations), the third comprised depression and the fourth disorganization. When scored by the OPCRIT checklist, major psychoses symptomatology is composed of excitement, depressive, delusion and disorganization symptoms.     

Icons for health effects of cigarette smoke: a test of semiotic type

We sought to identify icons to effectively communicate health harms of chemicals in cigarette smoke. Participants were a convenience sample of 701 U.S. adults. A within-subjects online experiment explored the effects of icon semiotic type: symbolic (arbitrary, most abstract), indexical, and iconic (representative, most concrete). Outcomes were perceived representation, affect toward smoking, elaboration, perceived severity, and perceived effectiveness. For not-easy-to-visualize harms of cancer and addiction, symbolic icons received the highest ratings (all p < .001). For easy-to-visualize symptoms of heart attack/stroke, indexical icons received the highest ratings (all p < .001). For easy-to-visualize harm of reproductive organ damage, the iconic image did best (all p < .001). Icon type often had a larger impact among participants with higher health literacy. Symbolic icons may be most effective for health effects not easily visualized. Iconic or indexical icons may be more effective for health effects attributable to specific body parts or symptoms.     

Phenotype to genotype characterization by array-comparative genomic hydridization (a-CGH) in case of fetal malformations: A systematic review

The aim of the current review is to report a-CGH abnormalities identified in fetuses with prenatally diagnosed fetal malformations in whom a normal karyotype was diagnosed with conventional cytogenetic analysis.A systematic electronic search of databases (PubMed/Medline, EMBASE/SCOPUS) has been conducted from inception to May, 2017. Bibliographic analysis has been performed according to PRISMA statement for review. The following keywords were used: ‘array-CGH’ and ‘fetal malformations” and “prenatal diagnosis”; alternatively, “microarray”, “oligonucleotide array”, “molecular biology”, “antenatal diagnostics”, “fetal diagnostics”, “congenital malformations” and “ultrasound” were used to capture both “a-CGH” and “prenatal”.One-hundred and twelve fetuses with prenatally diagnosed fetal malformations with normal karyotyping and a-CGH abnormalities detected are described. Single or multiple microarray abnormalities diagnosed have been classified in relation to different organ/system affected. The most frequent a-CGH abnormalities were detected in cases of congenital heart diseases (CDHs), multiple malformations and central nervous system (CNS) malformations. Maternal or paternal carrier-state was seen in 19.64% (22/112), of cases while the number of reported de novo mutations accounted for 46.42% (52/112) of all CNVs microarray abnormalities. Array-comparative genomic hydridization (a-CGH) may become an integral and complemantary genetic testing when fetal malformations are detected prenatally in fetuses with normal cytogenetic karyotype. In addition, a-CGH enables the identification of CNVs and VOUS and improves the calculation of recurrent risk and the genetic counseling.     

Physical exercise reduces pyruvate carboxylase (PCB) and contributes to hyperglycemia reduction in obese mice

The present study evaluated the effects of exercise training on pyruvate carboxylase protein (PCB) levels in hepatic tissue and glucose homeostasis control in obese mice. Swiss mice were distributed into three groups: control mice (CTL), fed a standard rodent chow; diet-induced obesity (DIO), fed an obesity-inducing diet; and a third group, which also received an obesity-inducing diet, but was subjected to an exercise training protocol (DIO + EXE). Protocol training was carried out for 1 h/d, 5 d/wk, for 8 weeks, performed at an intensity of 60% of exhaustion velocity. An insulin tolerance test (ITT) was performed in the last experimental week. Twenty-four hours after the last physical exercise session, the animals were euthanized and the liver was harvested for molecular analysis. Firstly, DIO mice showed increased epididymal fat and serum glucose and these results were accompanied by increased PCB and decreased p-Akt in hepatic tissue. On the other hand, physical exercise was able to increase the performance of the mice and attenuate PCB levels and hyperglycemia in DIO + EXE mice. The above findings show that physical exercise seems to be able to regulate hyperglycemia in obese mice, suggesting the participation of PCB, which was enhanced in the obese condition and attenuated after a treadmill running protocol. This is the first study to be aimed at the role of exercise training in hepatic PCB levels, which may be a novel mechanism that can collaborate to reduce the development of hyperglycemia and type 2 diabetes in DIO mice.     

Association analysis of Neuregulin 1 candidate regions in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder

Schizophrenia (SCZ) and bipolar disorder (BPD) are severe heritable psychiatric disorders involving a complex genetic aetiology. Neuregulin 1 (NRG1) is a leading candidate gene for SCZ, and has recently been implicated in BPD. We previously reported association of two NRG1 haplotypes with SCZ and BPD in a Scottish case–control sample. One haplotype is located at the 5′ end of the gene (region A), and the other is located at the 3′ end (region B). Here, association to haplotypes within regions A and B was assessed in patients with SCZ and BPD in a second Scottish case–control sample and in the two Scottish samples combined. Association to region B was also assessed in patients with SCZ and BPD in a German case–control sample, and in all three samples combined. No evidence was found for association in the new samples when analysed individually; however, in the joint analysis of the two Scottish samples, a region B haplotype comprising two SNPs (rs6988339 and rs3757930) was associated with SCZ and the combined case group (SCZ: p = 0.0037, OR = 1.3, 95% CI: 1.1–1.6; BPD + SCZ: p = 0.0080, OR = 1.2, 95% CI: 1.1–1.5), with these associations withstanding multiple testing correction at the single-test level (SCZ: p_st = 0.022; BPD + SCZ: p_st = 0.044). This study supports the involvement of NRG1 variants in the less well studied 3′ region in conferring susceptibility to SCZ and BPD in the Scottish population.     

Human NPY promoter variation rs16147:T>C as a moderator of prefrontal NPY gene expression and negative affect

Studies in humans and animals suggest a role for NPY in the mediation of behavioral stress responses. Here, we examined whether the NPY promoter variant rs16147:T>C is functional for expression of NPY in a brain region relevant for behavioral control, anxiety and depression, the anterior cingulate cortex. In silico analysis of DNA structural profile changes produced by rs16147 variation suggests allelic differences in protein binding at the rs16147 site. This was confirmed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay, demonstrating that the rs16147 C‐allele has strongly reduced affinity for a yet unknown factor compared to the T‐allele. Analyzing 107 human post‐mortem brain samples we show that allelic variation at rs16147 contributes to regulation of NPY mRNA and peptide levels in this region. Specifically, the C‐allele leads to increased gene expression. In agreement with the molecular findings, rs16147:T>C is associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms in 314 young adults via a gene x environment interaction with early childhood adversity, replicating the recent finding of rs16147‐C as a risk factor for stress related psychopathology. Our results show the importance of rs16147:T>C for regulation of NPY gene expression and brain function. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

CD4+ CCR5+ and CD4+ CCR3+ lymphocyte subset and monocyte apoptosis in patients with acute visceral leishmaniasis

The potential involvement of apoptosis in the pathogenesis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) was examined by studying spontaneous and Leishmania antigen (LAg)-induced apoptosis using cryopreserved peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of Sicilian patients with VL. Results indicate that monocytes and T lymphocytes from acute VL patients show a significantly higher level of apoptosis compared with that observed in healed subjects. The percentage of apoptotic cells was higher in monocytes than in T lymphocytes. T cells involved in programmed cell death (PCD) were mainly of the CD4(+) phenotype. In particular, the T helper 1-type (Th1) subset, as evaluated by chemokine receptor-5 (CCR5) expression, is involved in this process. Cell death in Th1-type uses a CD95-mediated mechanism. Furthermore, Th1-type CCR5(+) cells are prone to cell suicide in an autocrine or paracrine way, as attested by enhanced expression of CD95L in acute VL patients. The reduction in Th1-type cells by apoptosis was confirmed by the decrease in interferon-gamma secretion. In conclusion, apoptosis of monocytes, CD4(+) and CD4(+) CCR5(+) T cells could be involved in the failure of cell mediated immunity that is responsible for severe immune-depression in VL.     

Effect of specific immunotherapy added to pharmacologic treatment and allergen avoidance in asthmatic patients allergic to house dust mite

BACKGROUND: Although several studies support the efficacy of specific immunotherapy in allergic asthma, its benefit compared with that of standardized pharmacologic intervention remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 72 patients with mild-to-moderate asthma and allergy to house dust mite (HDM; Dermatophagoides species) was conducted to assess the effects of specific immunotherapy added to guideline-adjusted pharmacologic treatment and allergen avoidance. METHODS: After 1 observational year of pharmacologic treatment and standard measures of HDM avoidance, 2 groups of asthmatic subjects were randomly assigned to receive specific immunotherapy consisting of subcutaneous injections of either a mixture of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae vaccine (n=41) or placebo (n=31) for 3 years. Medications were adjusted every 3 months according to the Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines. RESULTS: The adjustment of treatment was associated with a reduction in asthma symptom scores in all subjects. The addition of specific immunotherapy was associated with a decrease in the number of subjects requiring rescue bronchodilators, an increase in morning and evening peak expiratory flow, and a reduced skin sensitivity to HDM extracts. The addition of specific immunotherapy had no significant effects on the cumulative dose of inhaled corticosteroids, asthma symptoms, lung volumes, or bronchial responsiveness to methacholine. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that specific immunotherapy added to pharmacologic treatment and HDM avoidance provides marginal but statistically significant clinical benefits, possibly by reducing the allergic response of asthmatic patients sensitized to HDM.