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Αλέξανδρος Γ. Σφακιανάκης

Tuesday, July 27, 2021

Patients with COVID-19-associated olfactory impairment also show impaired trigeminal function.

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Publication date: Available online 26 July 2021

Source: Auris Nasus Larynx

Author(s): Martin Sylvester Otte, Marie-Luise Bork, Philipp Heinrich Zimmermann, Jens Peter Klussmann, Jan Christoffer Luers

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Alopecia and cancers: From basics to clinical practice

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Bull Cancer. 2021 Jul 22:S0007-4551(21)00209-5. doi: 10.1016/j.bulcan.2021.04.011. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Alopecia, although long considered an unavoidable consequence of cancer therapy, currently presents a multifaceted challenge. The knowledge of the physiology of the hair and consequently of the pathophysiology of alopecia has led to show that there is not one but several types of alopecia. Transposed to the world of oncology, different types of alopecia and subsequently molecular pathways have been characterized, allowing a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms. Thus, in patients with cancer, alopecia can be iatrogenic (chemotherapies, endocrine therapies, targeted therapies, immunotherapies, radiotherapy, surgery) or directly the consequence of the disease itself (malnutrition, scalp metastases, paraneoplastic syndromes). Knowledge of the incriminated mechanism(s) could thus make it possible to deploy an appro priate care component, whether on the preventive or curative sides or in terms of supportive care. These are particularly essential regarding the psychological repercussions caused by alopecia, with significant consequences on the quality of life of patients and with a potential impact on treatment compliance. On the preventive side, the last few years have seen the advent of the automated scalp cooling therapy, supported by several randomized clinical trials. On the curative side, several therapeutic proposals are currently deployed or under development in order to provide relevant treatments.

PMID:34304865 | DOI: 10.1016/j.bulcan.2021.04.011

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Transfer of the deep temporal nerve for eyelid reconstruction in Mobius syndrome - an anatomic feasibility study and proposed surgical approach

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J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2021 Jun 12:S1748-6815(21)00318-1. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2021.05.059. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Facial paralysis may result in significant functional, esthetic, and psychological morbidity. Mobius syndrome is a form of bilateral congenital facial paralysis that is particularly difficult to treat owing to the lack of readily available donor nerves, particularly in the upper face. In this study, we evaluate the feasibility of using the deep temporal nerves as donors for the innervation of free muscle grafts in the periorbital region. Preserved and fresh cadaver facial halves are dissected, and the course of the deep temporal nerves delineated. We find the middle branch of the deep temporal nerve to be located consistently 4.6 cm from the posterior edge of the tragus along the zygomatic arch, giving an easily identifiable surface landmark for our donor. Finally, we outline a proposed surgical approach fo r using the middle deep temporal nerve to innervate a free muscle graft to the eyelids through an interpositional nerve graft.

PMID:34305023 | DOI:10.1016/j.bjps.2021.05.059

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Aesthetic forehead reduction in female patients: Surgical details and analysis of outcome

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J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2021 Jun 18:S1748-6815(21)00335-1. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2021.06.002. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Primary aesthetic hairline lowering, also known as forehead reduction, is a relatively unexplored procedure, and the perceived satisfaction with outcome has not been previously discussed in scientific literature. The objectives of this study were to review the surgical technique and to analyze outcome assessing objective reduction, improvement of facial balance, patient satisfaction, and complications.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study of patients seeking aesthetic forehead reduction since 2010. Inclusion criteria were as follows: women with a high but stable hairline. We excluded smokers, those seeking combined surgery, and those who had history of scalp surgery or hair loss. All patients were operated following the same protocol. Forehead reduction was measured comparing the pre- and postoperative distance from the glabella to the trichion. Improvement in facial balance was assessed comparing the pre- and postoperative quotient between the upper and middle thirds of the face. The forehead FACE-Q tool and the Vancouver Scar Scale were used to assess patient satisfaction. All complications were registered with a minimum follow-up of 6 months.

RESULTS: Twenty-six women aged 16 to 56 years were included. The average reduction was 2.03 cm. The facial balance quotient improved from 1:1.44 preoperatively to 1:1.05 postoperatively (p < 0.01). Both the forehead FACE-Q and the Vancouver Scar Scale showed significantly positive results. Complications included transient scalp numbness in 23 subjects, small areas of scar widening in 3 patients, and minor seroma in 1 patient.

CONCLUSION: With meticulous execution, aesthetic forehead reduction in female patients is effective and safe, resulting in high patient satisfaction. The FACE-Q is o wned by the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) and was used with permission for this research.

PMID:34305024 | DOI:10.1016/j.bjps.2021.06.002

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Spectrum of Neurological Outcomes in Diphtheria: A Case Series

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Abstract

Diphtheria is an acute infectious disease caused by the exotoxin produced by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, a gram positive bacteria. It has propensity to affect mainly cardiac muscle and nervous system. To study the percentage, spectrum of patients with various neurological complications and the pattern of recovery in followed up confirmed cases of diphtheria. Single centre prospective analysis of neurological complications in diphtheria patients from June 2019 to September 2020 at SMS Medical College and hospital,Jaipur. In this study, 60 cases were included. Immunised cases were 60% (36 out of 60 cases) whereas unimmunised constituted the rest 40% (24 out of 60 cases). Neurological complications were observed in 15% of the cases (9 out of 60). Isolated palatal palsy was the most common complication (4 out of 9 cases, 44.44%), succeeded by lower limb LMN palsies (2 out of 9 cases, 22.22%) with unilateral facial nerve palsy, bilateral abductor palsy and paralytic ileus constituting the rest (1 out of 9 cases each, 11.11% each). Onset of complications ranged from 10 to 36 days whereas recovery was complete and without any residual sequelae between 60 to 240 days. Our study concluded that neurological complications form a sizeable portion of post diptheritic complications and carries good prognosis, hence timely diagnosis and differentiation from other neuropathies is a pre requisite for rational management and contact tracing.

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Efficacy of small-dose ganciclovir on cytomegalovirus infections in children and its effects on liver function and miR-UL112-3p expression

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Exp Ther Med. 2021 Sep;22(3):912. doi: 10.3892/etm.2021.10344. Epub 2021 Jun 29.

ABSTRACT

The aim of the study was to explore the efficacy of small-dose ganciclovir on cytomegalovirus infections as well as its effects on the liver function and miR-UL112-3p of children. A total of 141 children infected with cytomegalovirus admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University from May 2015 to August 2017 were enrolled, of which 74 children were treated with small-dose ganciclovir as an observation group (Obs group), and the rest were treated with conventional-dose ganciclovir as a control group (Con group). The two groups were compared in efficacy after treatment, changes of liver function indexes [total bilirubin (TB), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)] and miR-UL112-3p before and after treatment, and adverse reactions after treatment. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was dr awn to analyze the value of miR-UL112-3p in predicating efficacy on cytomegalovirus infections in children, and Pearson's correlation analysis was carried out to analyze the correlation between miR-UL112-3p expression and TB, ALT and AST. The MV-DNA level between the two groups after treatment was compared. The two groups showed no significant difference in efficacy and adverse reactions (both P>0.05), and before treatment, there was also no significant difference between the two groups in miR-UL112-3p, TB, ALT, and AST, while after treatment, both groups showed lower levels of miR-UL112-3p, TB, ALT, and AST, and the Obs group showed significantly lower levels thereof than the Con group (all P<0.05). In addition, the area under the curve (AUC), specificity, and sensitivity of miR-UL112-3p in the ROC curve of the Obs group were 0.866, 73.77 and 84.62%, respectively, while the AUC, specificity, and sensitivity of the ROC of the Con group were 0.837, 75.44, and 90.00%, respective ly. Furthermore, miR-UL112-3p was positively correlated with TB, ALT, and AST, respectively. The CMV-DNA level in the Obs group was lower than that in the Con group, but the difference was not significant, and the level of CMV-DNA was positively correlated with that of miR-UL112-3p. In conclusion, small-dose ganciclovir can better improve the liver function of the children, and downregulate miR-UL112-3p in them. The AUC, specificity, and sensitivity of miR-UL112-3p for predicting the efficacy of small-dose ganciclovir were 0.866, 73.77 and 84.62%, respectively, and the AUC, specificity, and sensitivityfor predicting the efficacy of conventional-dose ganciclovir were 0.837, 75.44 and 90.00%, respectively.

PMID:34306186 | PMC:< a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/PMC8281003/?utm_source=Inoreader&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=1ba2t84FK1dz-fAY5g7-lbp7yzA9oSsgU2XptRGyGkyx-wIkEA&ff=20210726210215&v=2.14.5" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="underlink bluelink">PMC8281003 | DOI:10.3892/etm.2021.10344

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Reversine inhibits proliferation, invasion and migration and induces cell apoptosis in gastric cancer cells by downregulating TTK

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Exp Ther Med. 2021 Sep;22(3):929. doi: 10.3892/etm.2021.10361. Epub 2021 Jun 30.

ABSTRACT

Reversine (Rev) has been used for the treatment of a number of cancers. However, there have been no previous reports for the use of Rev for gastric cancer (GC). The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of Rev on cell proliferation, migration, invasion and cell apoptosis in human GC cells and TTK expression. Cell Counting Kit-8 and colony formation were used to assess cell proliferation. Wound healing and Transwell assays were performed to examine cell migration and invasion, respectively. Cell apoptosis was measured using TUNEL staining and western blotting. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blotting were performed to determine TTK expression in AGS and NCI-N87 GC cells. Rev treatment inhibited the viability of the two GC cells lines in a dose-dependent manner and suppressed their capacities of clone formation, m igration and invasion. Rev-treated cells exhibited reduced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)2/9 expression and increased apoptosis compared with those in control cells. In addition, expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 was significantly decreased, whilst the expression levels of the pro-apoptotic factors Bax and cleaved-caspase-3/9 were increased by Rev treatment compared with that in the control group that were not treated with Rev. In addition, TTK protein expression was decreased in cells treated with Rev compared with that in untreated cells. However, overexpression of TTK significantly reversed the aforementioned effects of Rev in GC cells. These results suggest that Rev may inhibit the proliferation, invasion and migration of GC cells whilst inducing cell apoptosis by suppressing TTK expression. Therefore, Rev may confer potential properties as a therapeutic anti-cancer agent. Additionally, TTK may serve as a molecular target for the treatment of gastric cancer.

P MID:34306198 | PMC:PMC8281506 | DOI:10.3892/etm.2021.10361

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Comparison of safety and efficacy between laparoscopic myomectomy and traditional laparotomy for patients with uterine fibroids and their effect on pregnancy rate after surgery

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Exp Ther Med. 2021 Sep;22(3):913. doi: 10.3892/etm.2021.10345. Epub 2021 Jun 29.

ABSTRACT

The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the safety and efficacy between laparoscopic myomectomy and traditional laparotomy for patients with uterine fibroids and determine their effect on the pregnancy rate after surgery. In total, 86 cases with uterine fibroids were selected among patients who were admitted in the Zhangqiu District Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital during the period of April, 2016 to April, 2017. Patients who underwent laparoscopic myomectomy were enrolled in group A (n=42), and those who underwent traditional laparotomy were placed in group B (n=44). The general linear data and the operative indicators were compared. The VAS scores, serum IFN-γ, IL-6, VEGF levels and clinical efficacy of the two groups were also compared one week after surgery. Postoperative pregnancy rates and complications in both groups were also compared. No significant differences were observed in general data between the two groups (P>0.05). The intra-operative blood loss in the group A was lower than that in group B (P<0.05), the average time of operation, hospital stays (days), and anal exhaust time in group A were shorter than those in group B (P<0.05). The pain degrees at 3, 6 and 18 h after surgery for patients in the group A were significantly lower than those of the group B (P<0.05). There was no significant difference IL-6 and VEGF levels in the serum between groups A and B before and after surgery (P>0.05); however, the level of IFN-γ expression, one week after surgery, in group B was significantly higher than that in group A (P<0.05). The pregnancy rate in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05), and the incidence rate of complications in group A was significantly lower than that in group B (P<0.05). Results presented in the present study suggested that compared to traditional laparotomy, laparoscopic myomectomy is a more advantageous method in terms of safety, efficacy and pregnancy rate after surgery.

PMID:34306187 | PMC:PMC8281455 | DOI:10.3892/etm.2021.10345

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Inhibition of EMMPRIN by microRNA-124 suppresses the growth, invasion and tumorigenicity of gliomas

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Exp Ther Med. 2021 Sep;22(3):930. doi: 10.3892/etm.2021.10362. Epub 2021 Jul 1.

ABSTRACT

MicroRNAs (miR) are a group of non-coding, small RNAs, 18-20 nucleotides in length, that are frequently involved in the development of a variety of different types of cancer, including glioma, which is a type of severe tumor in the brain. Previous studies reported that miR-124 levels were downregulated in glioma specimens; however, the potential role of miR-124 in glioma currently remains unclear. The present study performed experiments, including dual-luciferase reporter assay (DLRA), MTT assay, transwell assay and flow cytometry, with the aim of elucidating the molecular mechanism of miR-124 in glioma. The results indicated that miR-124 expression was decreased in glioma tissues, accompanied by the increased expression of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN). The expression of EMMPRIN was inhibited by miR-124 transfection. The DLRA results revealed that EMMPRIN directly targets miR-124. Furthermore, upon overexpression of miR-124 in the U87 cells, cell proliferation was significantly inhibited, apoptosis was increased, and cell migration and invasion were decreased. Furthermore, tumor growth was blocked by miR-124 in mice. Based on these results, the present study concluded that miR-124 is critical for amelioration of glioma by targeting EMMPRIN, thereby acting as a tumor suppressor. Thus, miR-124/EMMPRIN constitutes a plausible basis for the treatment of glioma.

PMID:34306199 | PMC:PMC8281370 | DOI:10.3892/etm.2021.10362

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Safety and efficacy of a COVID-19 treatment with nebulized and/or intravenous neutral electrolyzed saline combined with usual medical care vs. usual medical care alone: A randomized, open-label, controlled trial

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Exp Ther Med. 2021 Sep;22(3):915. doi: 10.3892/etm.2021.10347. Epub 2021 Jun 29.

ABSTRACT

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is currently the major public health problem worldwide. Neutral electrolyzed saline solution that contains reactive chlorine and oxygen species may be an effective therapeutic. In the present study, the treatment efficacy of intravenous and/or nebulized neutral electrolyzed saline combined with usual medical care vs. usual medical care alone was evaluated in ambulatory patients with COVID-19. A prospective, 2-arm, parallel-group, randomized, open-label, multi-center, phase I-II clinical trial including 214 patients was performed. The following two outcomes were evaluated during the 20-day follow-up: i) The number of patients with disease progression; and ii) the patient acceptable symptom state. Serial severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 naso/oro-pharyngeal detection by reverse transcription-quantita tive (RT-q) PCR was performed in certain patients of the experimental group. Biochemical and hematologic parameters, as well as adverse effects, were also evaluated in the experimental group. The experimental treatment decreased the risk of hospitalization by 89% [adjusted relative risk (RR)=0.11, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.03-0.37, P<0.001] and the risk of death by 96% (adjusted RR=0.04, 95% CI: 0.01-0.42, P=0.007) and also resulted in an 18-fold higher probability of achieving an acceptable symptom state on day 5 (adjusted RR=18.14, 95% CI: 7.29-45.09, P<0.001), compared with usual medical care alone. Overall, neutral electrolyzed saline solution was better than usual medical care alone. Of the patients analyzed, >50% were negative for the virus as detected by RT-qPCR in naso/oro-pharyngeal samples on day 4, with only a small number of positive patients on day 6. Clinical improvement correlated with a decrease in C-reactive protein, aberrant monocytes and increased l ymphocytes and platelets. Cortisol and testosterone levels were also evaluated and a decrease in cortisol levels and an increase in the testosterone-cortisol ratio were observed on days 2 and 4. The experimental treatment produced no serious adverse effects. In conclusion, neutral electrolyzed saline solution markedly reduced the symptomatology and risk of progression in ambulatory patients with COVID-19. The present clinical trial was registered in the Cuban public registry of clinical trials (RPCEC) database (May 5, 2020; no. TX-COVID19: RPCEC00000309).

PMID:34306189 | PMC:PMC8281484 | DOI:10.3892/etm.2021.10347

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Efficacy of human immunoglobulin injection and effects on serum inflammatory cytokines in neonates with acute lung injury

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Exp Ther Med. 2021 Sep;22(3):931. doi: 10.3892/etm.2021.10363. Epub 2021 Jul 1.

ABSTRACT

The present study aimed to explore the efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) injection in neonates with acute lung injury (ALI) and assess its effects on serum inflammatory cytokine levels. The research subjects were 140 neonates with ALI who were evenly distributed into a control group (COG) and a study group (STG). The COG patients were treated routinely, whereas patients in the STG were administered IVIG in addition to the standard treatment received by the COG. The arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2), PaO2/fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO2), mechanical ventilation time and hospitalization time were compared between the two groups. ELISA was used to determine the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the patients before treatment and at 12, 24 and 36 h after treatm ent. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the survival of the patients, including their survival for 30 days after treatment. The patients were divided into high and low cytokine expression groups based on their mean expression levels of serum IL-6 and TNF-α before treatment. After treatment, PaO2 and PaO2/FiO2 were significantly higher and mechanical ventilation and hospitalization time were reduced in the STG in comparison with the COG (all P<0.001). At 12, 24 and 36 h after treatment, serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels in the STG were lower than those in the COG (both P<0.05). The 30-day survival rate after treatment was not significantly different between the two groups (P>0.05). The 30-day survival rate in the high IL-6 and high TNF-α expression COG was lower than that in the low IL-6 and low TNF-α expression COG (both P<0.05). The results of the present study indicate that IVIG may improve pulmonary gas exchange, shorten the course of dise ase and reduce the inflammatory response in neonates with ALI.

PMID:34306200 | PMC:PMC8281239 | DOI:10.3892/etm.2021.10363

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