Feeling what you hear: auditory signals can modulate tactile tap perception

We tested whether auditory sequences of beeps can modulate the tactile perception of sequences of taps (two to four taps per sequence) delivered to the index fingertip. In the first experiment, the auditory and tactile sequences were presented simultaneously. The number of beeps delivered in the auditory sequence were either the same as, less than, or more than the number of taps of the simultaneously presented tactile sequence. Though task-irrelevant (subjects were instructed to focus on the tactile stimuli), the auditory stimuli systematically modulated subjects tactile perception; in other words subjects responses depended significantly on the number of delivered beeps. Such modulation only occurred when the auditory and tactile stimuli were similar enough. In the second experiment, we tested whether the automatic auditory-tactile integration depends on simultaneity or whether a bias can be evoked when the auditory and tactile sequence are presented in temporal asynchrony. Audition significantly modulated tactile perception when the stimuli were presented simultaneously but this effect gradually disappeared when a temporal asynchrony was introduced between auditory and tactile stimuli. These results show that when provided with auditory and tactile sensory signals that are likely to be generated by the same stimulus, the central nervous system (CNS) tends to automatically integrate these signals.     

Chronic myeloid leukemia with unusual variant Ph translocation (22;22)(q11;q13). Two cases with chimeric BCR-ABL transcripts

We studied two cases of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) with unusual variant Philadelphia (Ph) translocation (22;22)(q11;q13). Southern blot analysis showed a chromosomal break in the BCR gene within the 5.8-kilobase (kb) breakpoint cluster region (bcr), between bcr exons 2 and 3 and between bcr exons 3 and 4, respectively. Chimeric bcr-abl mRNA was detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) which amplified, according to the respective bcr breakpoints, bcr exon 2-abl exon II and bcr exon 3-abl exon II junction products. These results further support the involvement, even when not cytogenetically detectable, of the 9q34 chromosomal region in all variant Ph translocations and that BCR-ABL gene fusion products are causally involved in the development of Ph positive CML.     

MaxiK channel partners: physiological impact

The basic functional unit of the large-conductance, voltage- and Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ (MaxiK, BK, BK_Ca) channel is a tetramer of the pore-forming α-subunit (MaxiKα) encoded by a single gene, Slo , holding multiple alternative exons. Depending on the tissue, MaxiKα can associate with modulatory β-subunits (β1–β4) increasing its functional diversity. As MaxiK senses and regulates membrane voltage and intracellular Ca²⁺, it links cell excitability with cell signalling and metabolism. Thus, MaxiK is a key regulator of vital body functions, like blood flow, uresis, immunity and neurotransmission. Epilepsy with paroxysmal dyskinesia syndrome has been recognized as a MaxiKα-related disorder caused by a gain-of-function C-terminus mutation. This channel region is also emerging as a key recognition module containing sequences for MaxiKα interaction with its surrounding signalling partners, and its targeting to cell-specific microdomains. The growing list of interacting proteins highlights the possibility that associations with the C-terminus of MaxiKα are dynamic and depending on each cellular environment. We speculate that the molecular multiplicity of the C-terminus (and intracellular loops) dictated by alternative exons may modulate or create additional interacting sites in a tissue-specific manner. A challenge is the dissection of MaxiK macromolecular signalling complexes in different tissues and their temporal association/dissociation according to the stimulus.     

Ambient air pollution and emergency department visits among children and adults in Casablanca,Morocco

This study presents the relationships between ambient air pollutants and morbidity and emergency department visits among children and adults performed in Great Casablanca, the most populated and economic region in Morocco. This research was analyzed using conditional Poisson model for the period 2011–2013. In the period of study, the daily average concentrations of SO₂, NO₂, O₃ and PM₁₀ in Casablanca were 209.4 µg/m³, 61 µg/m³, 113.2 µg/m³ and 75.1 µg/m³, respectively. In children less than 5 years old, risk of asthma could be increased until 12% per 10 µg/m³ increase in NO₂, PM10, SO₂ and O₃. In children over 5 years and adults, an increase of 10 µg/m³ air pollutant can cause an increase until 3% and 4% in respiratory consultations and acute respiratory infection, respectively. Similarly, impact on emergency department visits due to respiratory and cardiac illness was established. Our results suggest a not negligible impact on morbidity of outdoor air pollution by NO₂, SO₂, O₃, and PM₁₀.     

Complete common mesentery revealed by acute perforated appendicitis: case report and review of the literature

Intestinal malrotation in children is a rare aberration, due to a halt in the rotation and attachment of the primitive gut, it can be asymptomatic if the rotation terminates at 90 degrees, which manifests itself in unusual forms of appendicitis as in our observation, or dangerous in cases of inadequate common mesentery and worsened by small intestine volvulus. This 12-year-old boy experienced abdominal discomfort in the hypogastrium and left iliac fossa 4 days before admission. The pain had been developing in a feverish setting, and the clinical examination had revealed abdominal sensitivity. A biological inflammatory syndrome was detected throughout the biological workup, the CT scan allowed the diagnosis of acute appendicitis on a complete common mesentery, and the patient underwent a laparotomy appendectomy. Even though children frequently experience acute appendicitis in its conventional form, it is nevertheless highly challenging to identify in its atypical forms when intestinal malrotation is involved. An abdominopelvic CT scan is used to make the diagnosis, and appendectomy, preferably with laparoscopy, is the recommended course of action.     

Les dispositifs d’épuration extracorporelle du CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> en réanimation : principes,indications potentielles,résultats actuels

Extracorporeal CO₂ removal (ECCO₂R) primarily ensures CO₂ removal, without significant effect on oxygenation. This is possible with low or moderate extracorporeal blood flows unlike ECMO devices. It is important to consider for each ECCO₂R device not only the performance in terms of CO₂ elimination but also the cost and safety, including the incidence of hemorrhagic and thrombotic complications. The most convincing clinical experience has been reported in the context of ARDS and severe acute exacerbations of COPD, particularly in patients at high risk of non invasive ventilation failure. Preliminary reported clinical benefits prompt to achieve in the short term randomized controlled trials in these two major indications.     

L’œdème aigu du poumon à pression négative : illustration à partir d’un cas clinique inhabituel compliquant une paralysie récurrentielle postopératoire

Acute postoperative negative pressure pulmonary edema (NPPE) is a respiratory complication due to upper airway obstruction occurring most commonly in the postoperative period. Pathophysiologically, NPPE is explained by the abrupt generation of highly negative intrathoracic pressure that lead to fluid transudation from the pulmonary capillaries. This observation reports an unusual case of a young patient who has undergone total thyroidectomy for multinodular goiter. The postoperative period was marked by the occurrence of bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy that was complicated by a NPPE. The outcome was favorable after mechanical ventilation with reversal of NPPE and recovery of the recurrent laryngeal nerve function. This article stresses the importance of prevention of recurrent nerve palsy during thyroid surgery. It also highlights a little known respiratory complication: the NPPE. Understanding the pathophysiology of NPPE, rapid diagnosis and appropriate therapeutic measures could prevent its potential lethal consequences.     

Sotatercept in patients with osteolytic lesions of multiple myeloma

This phase IIa study evaluated the safety and tolerability of sotatercept, and its effects on bone metabolism and haematopoiesis in newly diagnosed and relapsed multiple myeloma (MM) patients. Patients were randomized (4:1) to receive four 28‐d cycles of sotatercept (0·1, 0·3, or 0·5 mg/kg) or placebo. Patients also received six cycles of combination oral melphalan, prednisolone, and thalidomide (MPT). Thirty patients were enrolled; six received placebo and 24 received sotatercept. Overall, 25% of patients received all four sotatercept doses; 71% of sotatercept‐treated patients had ≥1 dose interruption mainly due to increases in haemoglobin levels. Grade ≥3 adverse events (AEs) were reported in 17% of patients receiving placebo and 58% receiving sotatercept. Grade 4 AEs in sotatercept‐treated patients were neutropenia, granulocytopenia, and atrial fibrillation (one patient each). In patients without bisphosphonate use, anabolic improvements in bone mineral density and in bone formation relative to placebo occurred, whereas bone resorption was minimally affected. Increases in haemoglobin levels, versus baseline, and the duration of the increases, were higher in the sotatercept‐treated patients, with a trend suggesting a dose‐related effect. Multiple doses of sotatercept plus MPT appear to be safe and generally well‐tolerated in MM patients.     

Identification of a new chemical class of antimalarials

The increasing spread of drug-resistant malaria strains underscores the need for new antimalarial agents with novel modes of action (MOAs). Here, we describe a compound representative of a new class of antimalarials. This molecule, ACT-213615, potently inhibits in vitro erythrocytic growth of all tested Plasmodium falciparum strains, irrespective of their drug resistance properties, with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) values in the low single-digit nanomolar range. Like the clinically used artemisinins, the compound equally and very rapidly affects all 3 asexual erythrocytic parasite stages. In contrast, microarray studies suggest that the MOA of ACT-213615 is different from that of the artemisinins and other known antimalarials. ACT-213615 is orally bioavailable in mice, exhibits activity in the murine Plasmodium berghei model and efficacy comparable to that of the reference drug chloroquine in the recently established P. falciparum SCID mouse model. ACT-213615 represents a new class of potent antimalarials that merits further investigation for its clinical potential.