Influence of contralateral stimulation by two-tone complexes,narrow-band and broad-band noise signals on the 2f1-f2 distortion product otoacoustic emission levels in humans

In order to test the frequency specificity of the efferent suppressive effect on otoacoustic emissions, changes in the 2f1-f2 distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) levels induced by contralateral stimuli of different spectra were measured in 10 normally hearing adults. Three types of contralateral stimuli were used: (i) a set of 6 pairs of pure tones with the same frequencies as used for DPOAE stimulation; (ii) 6 narrow-band noise signals with cut-off frequencies equal to the frequencies of the primary tones used for DPOAE stimulation; and (iii) broad-band noise with a bandwidth of 840-6,000 Hz. A small suppressive effect was observed mainly in the mid-frequency region. Broad-band noise was more effective at suppressing DPOAEs than narrow-band noises and two-tone complexes. Occasionally, small enhancements in DPOAE amplitudes were observed. Based on the results of this study, it is concluded that DPOAE changes induced by contralateral stimuli are not frequency-specific, and are too small to have routine clinical value.     

Primary Rotating-Hinge Total Knee Arthroplasty: Good Outcomes at Mid-Term Follow-Up

We evaluated the clinical and radiologic outcomes of primary knee replacements using a rotating-hinge knee prosthesis in 12 knees with a minimum follow-up of 10 years. Indications for the operation included gross joint destruction, significant axial deformities and contracture with a dysfunctional medial collateral ligament in all cases. The patients’ WOMAC and Knee Society scores improved, and the use of mobility aids decreased. No loosening of implants was observed. Nonprogressive radiolucent lines were identified around three tibial components. Three patients required marginal wound excision with resuturing and thereafter healed uneventfully. With significant improvement in function, pain and range of motion, the rotating-hinge knee prosthesis can be used as a salvage device in patients with medial collateral ligament deficiency, contracture, and gross joint destruction.     

Whole Cell Therapeutic Vaccine Modified With Hyper-IL6 for Combinational Treatment of Nonresected Advanced Melanoma

Active specific immunotherapy of cancer requires an efficient induction and effector phase. The induction covers potent activation of anti-tumor response, whereas effector breaks the immunosuppression. We report efficacy of therapeutic melanoma vaccine (AGI-101H) used alone in advanced disease as a candidate for further combined treatment. In adjuvant setting in patients with resected metastases AGI-101H combined with surgery of recurring disease demonstrated long-term survival.Seventy-seven patients with nonresectable melanoma (8% IIIB, 21% IIIC, 71% IV) were enrolled. AGI-101H was administered 8× every 2 weeks, and then every month. At progression, maintenance was continued or induction was repeated and followed by maintenance.Median follow-up was 139.3 months. The median overall survival (OS) was 17.3 months; in patients with WHO 0-1 was 20.3 months. Complete response (CR) and partial response (PR) were observed in 19.4% and 9% of pts. Disease control rate was 54.5% of pts. The median CR+PR duration was 32 months. Reinduction was performed in 36.3% patients following disease progression with 46.6% of CR+PR. No grade 3/4 adverse events were observed.Treatment with AGI-101H of melanoma patients is safe and effective. AGI-101H is a good candidate for combinatorial treatment with immune check-points inhibitors or tumor hypoxia normalizators.Trial registration: EudraCT Number 2008–003373-40.     

The influence of cheese type and fat extraction method on the content of conjugated linoleic acid

Milk and dairy products, including cheeses, are the richest sources of CLA in our diet. Determination of CLA content in these products requires extraction of fat from the sample. Solvent extraction is the most-often used method for fat extraction. As an alternative method, extraction using supercritical CO₂ (SC CO₂) could be applied. The aim of the present study was to compare the influence of solvent extraction of fat and extraction of fat with SC CO₂ on the content of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in ten different types of cheese. CLA content was determined by GC method after fat esterification. The type of cheese was of significance for the CLA content. The content of CLA in cheeses ranged from 0.44% to 1.31% when solvent extraction was used, and from 0.55% to 1.30% when SC CO₂ extraction was applied. The method of fat extraction had no influence on the content of CLA in 3 samples of cheese. A significantly higher content of CLA after CO₂ extraction was gained only in 1 sample of cheese, whereas in 6 samples the amount of CLA after solvent extraction was significantly higher than after extraction using SC CO₂. On the basis of the obtained results, no clear influence of the extraction method on CLA content in cheeses was found. Further investigations with the special attention on the type and properties of cheese, pressure, temperature, extraction time and volume of extracted material are needed.     

Simple method for determining human serum 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity - possible application in clinical studies on dietary antioxidants.

BACKGROUND: 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical decomposition in alcohol solution is widely used, characterizing plant antioxidants that can rise in serum after fruit and vegetable intake. However, this test failed reproducible results with serum due to protein precipitation. We describe the application of serum deproteinization with acetonitrile relating to the DPPH test. METHODS: Assay sensitivity, linearity, repeatability and storage effect were determined in serum samples deproteinized with an equal volume of acetonitrile. Associations between the DPPH test and the ferric reducing ability of serum (FRAP) method, measuring total antioxidant potential, were evaluated in sera from 78 healthy non-smoking men. The effect of a single ingestion of 1 L of cloudy apple juice on the serum DPPH radical scavenging activity in healthy volunteers was also investigated. RESULTS: Assay linearity was within 5-25 microL (r=0.99, p<0.01). With 25 microL-deproteinized serum, coefficient of variation was 4.2% and detection limit was 0.5% of the initial amount of decomposed DPPH radical over 30 min incubation. There was no sera activity decrease over 14 days storage at -20 degrees C. Mean values of DPPH radical scavenging activity and FRAP obtained in human serum were 11.2+/-3.3% and 382.0+/-88.1 micromol/L, respectively. A positive significant linear correlation was observed between these two methods (r=0.42, p<0.01). Serum supplementation with 50 micromol/L of catechin, gallic acid, ascorbic acid or uric acid enhanced DPPH test results. One brisk serving of 1 L of apple juice caused a significant increment of serum DPPH radical scavenging activity (1.9+/-1.9%, p<0.01) in 12 healthy subjects 1 h after juice ingestion. CONCLUSIONS: Applicability of the DPPH test to deproteinized serum with acetonitrile revealed numerous advantages, validating its practicability, simplicity and cost effectiveness as a tool in the estimation of antioxidant status in humans.     

Triple-site biventricular pacing in patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy: a feasibility study.

AIMS: To evaluate implantation safety and efficiency of triple-site (double left-single right) cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and to assess the outcome of this procedure. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-six patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III-IV, left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) < or = 35%, and QRS > or = 120 ms underwent triple-site CRT. Procedural course and complications were analysed. NYHA class, QRS duration, echocardiographic parameters, peak oxygen consumption (VO(2)max), and 6 min walking distance (6MWD) were assessed at baseline and after 3 months. Responders were defined by survival, by no re-hospitalization for heart failure, and by >10% EF, VO(2)max, and 6MWD increase. Implantation was successful in 22 patients (84.6%). Procedure duration (199.1 min) and fluoroscopy time (38.7 min) were higher than in standard procedures. Two clinically silent coronary sinus dissections occurred intra-operatively; one phrenic nerve stimulation and one pocket infection were observed during follow-up. After 3 months of CRT, a significant reduction (P < 0.05) of NYHA class, increment of VO(2)max, 6MWD, EF, and improvement of indices of dyssynchrony were observed. Response rate in the studied group was 95.4%. CONCLUSION: Triple-site resynchronization appears to be a safe and efficient treatment method, with high response rate. Further studies are needed to evaluate the role of this pacing mode in CRT.