Endothelial-like nitric oxide synthase immunolocalization by using gold nanoparticles and dyes

Immunofluorescence is a biological technique that allows displaying the localization of the target molecule through a fluorescent microscope. We used a combination of gold nanoparticles and the fluorescein isothiocianate, FITC, as optical contrast agents for laser scanning confocal microscopy imaging to localize the endothelial-like nitric oxide synthase in skeletal muscle cells in a three-dimensional tissue phantom at the depth of 4µm. The FITC detected fluorescence intensity from gold-nanoparticles-labelled cells was brighter than the emission intensity from unlabelled cells.OCIS codes: (170.1790) Confocal microscopy, (280.1415) Biological sensing and sensors     

Spontaneous Achilles tendon rupture in alkaptonuria

Alkaptonuria (AKU) is a rare inborn metabolic disease characterized by accumulation of homogentisic acid (HGA). Excretion of HGA in urine causes darkening of urine and its deposition in connective tissues causes dark pigmentation (ochronosis), early degeneration of articular cartilage, weakening of the tendons, and subsequent rupture. In this case report, we present a rare case of a patient presented with unilateral spontaneous rupture of Achilles tendon due to AKU. The patient developed most of the orthopedic manifestations of the disease earlier than typical presentations. Alkaptonuria patients should avoid strenuous exercises and foot straining especially in patients developing early orthopedic manifestations.Alkaptonuria (AKU) is a rare genetic metabolic disorder with an incidence of 1:250,000 in most populations. It is due to deficiency of homogentisate 1,2-dioxygenase (HGD), which is an enzyme involved in the phenylalanine and tyrosine degradation pathway.1,2 Homogentisate 1,2-dioxygenase deficiency results in accumulation of homogentisic acid (HGA), which is oxidized to benzoquinones that polymerize and form a dark pigment. The excess HGA binds to the connective tissues and cartilage. Ochronotic osteoarthropathy is used to refer to the musculoskeletal manifestation of AKU. Ochronosis is the darkening of connective tissues due to the deposition of HGA and/or its polymer in connective tissue. Over time this causes ochronotic osteoarthropathy.3 On microscopic examination yellowish (ocher-like) discoloration of the tissue is seen, but macroscopically the affected tissues appear bluish grey. This leads to weakness and early degeneration of articular cartilage and arthritis.2 Large quantities of HGA excreted in urine causes urine to darken upon standing due to oxidation or after exposure to alkaline agents.1 Rupture of Achilles tendon is an important clinical manifestation of AKU. There are few reports in the literature of spontaneous rupture of the Achilles tendon caused by AKU.4-6 We report a case of an AKU patient presented with a unilateral spontaneous rupture of Achilles tendon. The objective of this case report is to highlight the rare Achilles tendon rupture due to AKU, which can be a reference for physicians and surgeons in the prevention and/or delay of such a complication.     

Thyroid-related autoantibodies in Tunisian patients with coeliac disease

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to evaluate, retrospectively, the frequency of anti-thyroid antibodies (ATA) in coeliac disease (CD) patients. METHODS: ELISA was used to determine the frequency of anti-thyroid stimulating hormone receptor antibodies, thyroperoxidase antibodies and thyroglobulin antibodies in sera of 104 adult patients with CD. Patients were divided into three groups: group I, 56 untreated patients; group II, 21 patients on a strict gluten-free diet (GFD); and group III, 27 patients who did not comply with a GFD. Sera of 189 healthy blood donors served as controls. RESULTS: Out of 104 patients with CD, five (4.8%) had ATA. The frequency of ATA found in the control group (1.6%) was not significantly different from that found in all CD patients. However, the frequency of ATA in CD patients on a GFD was significantly higher than that found in the control group (8.3% vs. 1.6%, p=0.03). The frequency of ATA in groups I, II and III was 1.8%, 9.5% and 7.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: ATA were found in CD patients even on a GFD.     

Role of transperineal sonography in diagnosis of placenta previa/accreta: A prospective study

Purpose

To evaluate the role of transperineal ultrasound (TPS) in the detection of morphological and vascular manifestations of placenta previa (PP)/accreta and to compare it with transabdominal sonography (TAS) and transvaginal sonography (TVS), with the clinical outcomes as the reference standards.

Materials and methods

TPS, TVS, and TAS were carried on 134 patients after 28 weeks’ gestation presented with antepartum hemorrhage. The final diagnosis was obtained from the obstetrician at time of delivery and from histopathological reports.

Results

One hundred and three patients had PP, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in diagnosing PP were 97.1%, 75% and 94% for TPS, 94.2%, 75% and 91.5% for TAS, and 98.1%, 93.8% and 97.4% for TVS respectively. PP accreta was present in 39 patients. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in diagnosing PP accreta were 89.7%, 100% and 96% for TPS, 87%, 95% and 92.2% for TAS, and 94.9%, 100% and 98% for TVS respectively.

Conclusion

TPS is a valuable approach for evaluating patients with high risk of PP & PP accreta, it is a safe, rapid, & accurate technique with little patient discomfort.     

Medication overuse and drug addiction: a narrative review from addiction perspective

Chronic headache is particularly prevalent in migraineurs and it can progress to a condition known as medication overuse headache (MOH). MOH is a secondary headache caused by overuse of analgesics or other medications such as triptans to abort acute migraine attacks. The worsening of headache symptoms associated with medication overuse (MO) generally ameliorates following interruption of regular medication use, although the primary headache symptoms remain unaffected. MO patients may also develop certain behaviors such as ritualized drug administration, psychological drug attachment, and withdrawal symptoms that have been suggested to correlate with drug addiction. Although several reviews have been performed on this topic, to the authors best knowledge none of them have examined this topic from the addiction point of view. Therefore, we aimed to identify features in MO and drug addiction that may correlate. We initiate the review by introducing the classes of analgesics and medications that can cause MOH and those with high risk to produce MO. We further compare differences between sensitization resulting from MO and from drug addiction, the neuronal pathways that may be involved, and the genetic susceptibility that may overlap between the two conditions. Finally, ICHD recommendations to treat MOH will be provided herein.     

Real-Time Light-Guided Vocal Fold Injection via the Cricothyroid Membrane in Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis: A Human Pilot Study

Objectives. Vocal fold injection (VFI) via the cricothyroid (CT) membrane is used to treat various diseases affecting the vocal folds. The technical challenges of this technique are mainly related to the invisibility of the needle. Real-time light-guided VFI (RL-VFI) was recently developed for injection under simultaneous light guidance in the CT approach. Herein, we present the first clinical trial of RL-VFI, in which we investigated the feasibility and safety of this new technique in unilateral vocal fold paralysis (VFP).Methods. This prospective pilot study enrolled 40 patients, who were treated with RL-VFI for unilateral VFP between September 2020 and August 2021. Adverse events were monitored during the procedure and for 4 weeks postoperatively. The Voice Handicap Index-10, the GRBAS (grade, roughness, breathiness, asthenia, and strain) scale, aerodynamic studies, and acoustic analyses were evaluated to compare the voice improvement after 4 weeks with the baseline values.Results. The needle tip was intuitively identified by the red light. The mean procedure time was 95.6±40.6 seconds for the initial injection, while the additional injection required 79.2±70.5 seconds. The injection was performed under light guidance without additional manipulation after the needle reached the intended point. No acute or delayed adverse events were reported. Among the 40 patients, 36 completed voice analyses after 4 weeks. Subjective and objective voice parameters, including the Voice Handicap Index-10, GRBAS scale, maximum phonation time, mean expiratory airflow, fundamental frequency, jitter, shimmer, and noise-to-harmonics ratio improved significantly after RL-VFI (P<0.05), while the expiratory volume was maintained.Conclusion. RL-VFI is feasible and safe for treating patients with unilateral VFP. This technique is anticipated to improve the precision and safety of the CT approach in the treatment of unilateral VFP. This study provides a rationale for further structured clinical studies.