Palmar fasciitis and polyarthritis syndrome: a sign of ovarian malignancy

Highlighting the importance and recognition of palmar fasciitis and polyarthritis syndrome, a paraneoplastic syndrome related to ovarian and other malignancies.     

Autologous platelet-rich plasma for wound and osseous healing: A review of the literature and commercially available products

The application of autologous platelets that have been sequestered, concentrated, and mixed with thrombin to create growth factor-concentrated, autologous platelet-rich plasma for application to soft tissue wounds and for osseous healing has been a subject of great interest for much of the past 2 decades. Autologous platelet-rich plasma, which consists of both quantitative and qualitative components, has the greatest potency or ability to produce the desired effect. Manufacturers prepare autologous platelet-rich plasma with the ultimate goal of maximizing its benefits while minimizing potential risks. Unfortunately, the manufacturing processes for autologous platelet-rich plasma are highly variable, and the types of proprietary systems available on the market for soft tissue and osseous applications are numerous. The authors provide here an in-depth review of commercially available systems for delivery of autologous platelet-rich plasma that emphasizes the subtle yet important differences among systems. In addition, a detailed review of the literature regarding the use of autologous platelet-rich plasma in soft tissue and osseous healing is provided. Although findings are not yet conclusive, autologous platelet-rich plasma has been shown to be safe, reproducible, and effective in mimicking the natural processes of soft tissue wound and osseous healing.     

Analysis of Microglial Gene Expression

Microglia are the tissue macrophage of the central nervous system (CNS) and their activation is among the earliest signs of CNS dysfunction and disease. Because microglia express many macrophage markers, they are presumed to act primarily as effectors of CNS inflammation and destruction. While such responses are beneficial to the extent that they destroy CNS pathogens, these responses do have the potential to have neurotoxic outcomes. Consequently, therapies for many CNS neurodegenerative and inflammatory diseases have been directed at suppressing microglial function.There is evidence to suggest that microglia play an important role during CNS development and maintenance of CNS function that may go beyond simple defense against pathogens. Molecular analysis of microglial phenotypes and function has revealed three striking findings: (i) that microglia are a unique CNS-specific type of tissue macrophage; (ii) that they are highly heterogeneous within the healthy CNS; and (iii) that microglial responses are exquisitely tailored to specific regions of the CNS and specific pathological insults. We suggest that ubiquitous suppression (rather than targeted manipulation) of microglial function may fail to fully ameliorate CNS pathology and may even ultimately promote maladaptive outcomes.     

Incidence of maxillary sinusitis following Le Fort I maxillary osteotomy

Twenty adult patients with maxillofacial discrepancies most amenable to correction by Le Fort I osteotomy were evaluated for the incidence of postoperative maxillary sinusitis. Before surgery, each patient was evaluated both radiographically, by Waters' projection technique, and subjectively, according to a brief questionnaire pertaining to sinus symptoms. Identical evaluations were carried out at three- and six-month intervals following surgery. The results show no increase in the incidence of maxillary sinusitis following Le Fort I osteotomy.     

The influence of 8 weeks of whey-protein and leucine supplementation on physical and cognitive performance

The purpose of this study was to investigate the ability of whey-protein and leucine supplementation to enhance physical and cognitive performance and body composition. Thirty moderately fit participants completed a modified Air Force fitness test, a computer-based cognition test, and a dual-energy X-ray-absorptiometry scan for body composition before and after supplementing their daily diet for 8 wk with either 19.7 g of whey protein and 6.2 g leucine (WPL) or a calorie-equivalent placebo (P). Bench-press performance increased significantly from Week 1 to Week 8 in the WPL group, whereas the increase in the P group was not significant. Push-up performance increased significantly for WPL, and P showed a nonsignificant increase. Total mass, fat-free mass, and lean body mass all increased significantly in the WPL group but showed no change in the P group. No differences were observed within or between groups for crunches, chin-ups, 3-mile-run time, or cognition. The authors conclude that supplementing with whey protein and leucine may provide an advantage to people whose performance benefits from increased upper body strength and/or lean body mass.     

Behavioral misperceptions,attitudinal discrepancies,and adolescent alcohol and marijuana use

Background: Adolescents’ risk of substance use is shaped by perceptions of peers’ use and peers’ approval, and also by attitudes, values, and behaviors of broader, peer-based, school-level climates. Yet misperceiving peer behavior and/or possessing beliefs/values discrepant from peers may also increase substance use.

Methods: Using school-based survey data, we examined (a) associations between individual- and school-level norms and adolescents’ risk of alcohol and marijuana use, (b) accuracy of adolescents’ perception of peer behavior and consistency between individual and peer attitudes, and (c) consequences of behavioral misperceptions and attitudinal discrepancies.

Results: Both individual- and school-level perceptions and attitudes were associated with adolescent substance use, and students aligned behaviors with their perceptions of the broader normative climate.

Conclusions: Peers are key correlates of adolescents’ use, and their influence is nuanced and complex. Substance use prevention and intervention efforts should thus attend to the prevailing norms within certain developmental contexts, and also adolescents’ deviation from such norms.