A comparative study of laser posterior cordotomy and vocal cord lateralization

AbstractIntroductionThe treatment of bilateral vocal cord paralysis continues to be a challenge to the otolaryngologist, head and neck surgeon even today. Numerous surgical procedures have been proposed to improve the patient’s airway insufficiency without leaving the patient with a breathy, weak voice or an incompetent larynx. In this study we compared the outcome of laser posterior cordotomy and vocal cord lateralization in a group of bilateral abductor palsy patients.MethodRetrospective as well as a prospective study of 25 patients was carried out. The total of 25 patients was divided into 2 groups, group 1 consisted of 15 patients who underwent vocal cord lateralization with SUTUPAK suture and group 2 consisted of 10 patients who underwent laser assisted posterior partial cordotomy.ResultsThyroidectomy was the commonest cause for bilateral vocal fold paralysis i.e. 80% (20) of cases. Patients who underwent laser posterior cordotomy had 100% successful decannulation rate as compared to 92.8% for vocal cord lateralization patients. Comparison between pre and post operative voice assessment data by WILCOXON SIGNED RANKS test revealed that excepting the parameter of fluctuations/s in F0, all other parameters were statistically not significant.ConclusionLaser cordotomy is a superior, reliable and viable alternative to the other lateralization procedures for bilateral vocal fold paralysis

Differential Effects of Pravastatin and Simvastatin on the Growth of Tumor Cells from Different Organ Sites

3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) inhibitors, commonly known as statins, may possess cancer preventive and therapeutic properties. Statins are effective suppressors of cholesterol synthesis with a well-established risk-benefit ratio in cardiovascular disease prevention. Mechanistically, targeting HMGCR activity primarily influences cholesterol biosynthesis and prenylation of signaling proteins. Pravastatin is a hydrophilic statin that is selectively taken up by a sodium-independent organic anion transporter protein-1B1 (OATP1B1) exclusively expressed in liver. Simvastatin is a hydrophobic statin that enters cells by other mechanisms. Poorly-differentiated and well-differentiated cancer cell lines were selected from various tissues and examined for their response to these two statins. Simvastatin inhibited the growth of most tumor cell lines more effectively than pravastatin in a dose dependent manner. Poorly-differentiated cancer cells were generally more responsive to simvastatin than well-differentiated cancer cells, and the levels of HMGCR expression did not consistently correlate with response to statin treatment. Pravastatin had a significant effect on normal hepatocytes due to facilitated uptake and a lesser effect on prostate PC3 and colon Caco-2 cancer cells since the OATP1B1 mRNA and protein were only found in the normal liver and hepatocytes. The inhibition of cell growth was accompanied by distinct alterations in mitochondrial networks and dramatic changes in cellular morphology related to cofilin regulation and loss of p-caveolin. Both statins, hydrophilic pravastatin and hypdrophobic simvastatin caused redistribution of OATP1B1 and HMGCR to perinuclear sites. In conclusion, the specific chemical properties of different classes of statins dictate mechanistic properties which may be relevant when evaluating biological responses to statins

Comprehensive Pan-Genomic Characterization of Adrenocortical Carcinoma

SummaryWe describe a comprehensive genomic characterization of adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC). Using this dataset, we expand the catalogue of known ACC driver genes to include PRKAR1A, RPL22, TERF2, CCNE1, and NF1. Genome wide DNA copy-number analysis revealed frequent occurrence of massive DNA loss followed by whole-genome doubling (WGD), which was associated with aggressive clinical course, suggesting WGD is a hallmark of disease progression. Corroborating this hypothesis were increased TERT expression, decreased telomere length, and activation of cell-cycle programs. Integrated subtype analysis identified three ACC subtypes with distinct clinical outcome and molecular alterations which could be captured by a 68-CpG probe DNA-methylation signature, proposing a strategy for clinical stratification of patients based on molecular markers

Clinical Characteristics, Racial Inequities, and Outcomes in Patients with Breast Cancer and COVID-19: A COVID-19 and Cancer Consortium (CCC19) Cohort Study

BACKGROUND: Limited information is available for patients with breast cancer (BC) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), especially among underrepresented racial/ethnic populations. METHODS: This is a COVID-19 and Cancer Consortium (CCC19) registry-based retrospective cohort study of females with active or history of BC and laboratory-confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection diagnosed between March 2020 and June 2021 in the US. Primary outcome was COVID-19 severity measured on a five-level ordinal scale, including none of the following complications, hospitalization, intensive care unit admission, mechanical ventilation, and all-cause mortality. Multivariable ordinal logistic regression model identified characteristics associated with COVID-19 severity. RESULTS: 1383 female patient records with BC and COVID-19 were included in the analysis, the median age was 61 years, and median follow-up was 90 days. Multivariable analysis revealed higher odds of COVID-19 severity for older age (aOR per decade, 1.48 [95% CI, 1.32-1.67]); Black patients (aOR 1.74; 95 CI 1.24-2.45), Asian Americans and Pacific Islander patients (aOR 3.40; 95 CI 1.70-6.79) and Other (aOR 2.97; 95 CI 1.71-5.17) racial/ethnic groups; worse ECOG performance status (ECOG PS ≥2: aOR, 7.78 [95% CI, 4.83-12.5]); pre-existing cardiovascular (aOR, 2.26 [95% CI, 1.63-3.15])/pulmonary comorbidities (aOR, 1.65 [95% CI, 1.20-2.29]); diabetes mellitus (aOR, 2.25 [95% CI, 1.66-3.04]); and active and progressing cancer (aOR, 12.5 [95% CI, 6.89-22.6]). Hispanic ethnicity, timing, and type of anti-cancer therapy modalities were not significantly associated with worse COVID-19 outcomes. The total all-cause mortality and hospitalization rate for the entire cohort was 9% and 37%, respectively however, it varied according to the BC disease status. CONCLUSIONS: Using one of the largest registries on cancer and COVID-19, we identified patient and BC-related factors associated with worse COVID-19 outcomes. After adjusting for baseline characteristics, underrepresented racial/ethnic patients experienced worse outcomes compared to non-Hispanic White patients. FUNDING: This study was partly supported by National Cancer Institute grant number P30 CA068485 to Tianyi Sun, Sanjay Mishra, Benjamin French, Jeremy L Warner; P30-CA046592 to Christopher R Friese; P30 CA023100 for Rana R McKay; P30-CA054174 for Pankil K Shah and Dimpy P Shah; KL2 TR002646 for Pankil Shah and the American Cancer Society and Hope Foundation for Cancer Research (MRSG-16-152-01-CCE) and P30-CA054174 for Dimpy P Shah. REDCap is developed and supported by Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research grant support (UL1 TR000445 from NCATS/NIH). The funding sources had no role in the writing of the manuscript or the decision to submit it for publication. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: CCC19 registry is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04354701

Nanorods and nanofilms of ZnO generated at the liquid–liquid interface

Reaction between zinc cupferron and alkali at the organic–aqueous interface has been investigated in detail. In the presence of an organic amine, this reaction yields ZnO nanorods, the morphology depending on the concentration of reactants. In the absence of the amine, ultrathin films of ZnO are produced. Amazingly, both the nanorods and thin films are single crystalline in nature, even though the synthesis is carried out at room-temperature. Single-crystalline, substrate-free ultrathin films of ZnO, is indeed an extraordinary feature of synthesis at the liquid–liquid interface. Photoluminescence spectra show defect-related bands besides that due to band edge emission. The nanostructures exhibit ferromagnetism due to surface defects

Surface-enhanced Raman spectra of aza-aromatics on nanocrystals of netallic ReO<SUB>3</SUB>

Surface-enhanced Raman spectra (SERS) of pyridine have been investigated on the surfaces of the metallic ReO<SUB>3</SUB> nanocrystals with diameters in the range of 12-32.5 nm. On ReO<SUB>3</SUB> nanocrystal surfaces, the Raman bands of pyridine generally shift toward lower frequencies, accompanied by enhancement of intensity. The frequency shift does not vary with particle size, but band intensification is highest with the 17 nm nanocrystals. The study establishes how an oxide metal can be employed equally effectively to observe SERS of molecules. On the basis of the success with the study of pyridine, we have extended the study to SERS of pyrimidine and pyrazine on 17 nm ReO<SUB>3</SUB> nanocrystals. The SERS effect observed in the three aza-aromatics demonstrates the presence of bonding interaction between the ReO<SUB>3</SUB> surface and the adsorbed molecules

Pressure-induced phase transitions in nanocrystalline ReO<SUB>3</SUB>

Pressure-induced phase transitions in the nanocrystals of ReO3 with an average diameter of ~12 nm have been investigated in detail by using synchrotron x-ray diffraction and the results compared with the literature data of bulk samples of ReO3. The study shows that the ambient-pressure cubic I phase (space group Pm3&#x0305;m ) transforms to a monoclinic phase (space group C 2/c), then to a rhombohedral I phase (space group R3&#x0305;c ), and finally to another rhombohedral phase (rhombohedral II, space group R3&#x0305;c ) with increasing pressure over the 0.0-20.3 GPa range. The cubic I to monoclinic transition is associated with the largest volume change (~5%), indicative of a reconstructive transition. The transition pressures are generally lower than those known for bulk ReO3. The cubic II (Im3&#x0305;) or tetragonal (P4/mbm) phases do not occur at lower pressures. The nanocrystals are found to be more compressible than bulk ReO3. On decompression to ambient pressure, the structure does not revert back to the cubic I structure

Kotkan kaupungin kiinteistöjen pelastussuunnitelmien käyttöönotto

Tämän opinnäytetyön aiheena oli kehittää Kotkan kaupungin kiinteistöjen uusien pelastussuunnitelmien käyttöönottoa. Tavoitteena oli kehittää selkeät ohjeet, joiden avulla kaupungin kiinteistöjen haltijat pystyvät laatimaan ja ylläpitämään oman kiinteistönsä pelastussuunnitelman internetpohjaisen Pelsu-pelastussuunnitelman verkko- ja mobiilityökalun avulla. Työssä käydään läpi pelastuslain määrittämiä vaatimuksia pelastussuunnitelmille. Lisäksi työssä esitellään Pelsu verkko- ja mobiilityökalun kehittänyt yritys Plan Brothers sekä tutustutaan tarkemmin myös Pelsun tarjoamiin työkaluihin ja ohjelman hyötyihin. Tämänhetkinen Kotkan kaupungin kiinteistöjen pelastussuunnitelmien tilanne käydään läpi tutkimalla nykyisiä pelastussuunnitelmia ja tuomalla esiin niissä havaitut puutteet. Ohjeiden laatiminen pelastussuunnitelmien luomista ja päivittämistä varten toteutettiin kuvakaappauksin ja tekstiosioin. Osaaminen ohjeiden tekoon saatiin osallistumalla Pelsu-perehdytykseen ja harjoittelemalla ohjelman verkko- ja mobiilityökalun käyttöä omilla tunnuksilla. Työssä valmistettiin monisivuiset mutta selkeät ohjeet, joita seuraamalla voidaan luoda kiinteistön internetpohjainen pelastussuunnitelma. Työssä annetaan myös suosituksia, joiden avulla pelastussuunnitelmat saadaan jaettua kaikille toimijoille helposti ja tehokkaasti. Lisäksi otetaan kantaa myös pelastussuunnitelmien ylläpitoon ja siihen kuinka Kotkan organisaatioiden tulisi ottaa Pelsun käyttö osaksi työrutiinejaan.The subject of the thesis was to develop the commissioning of rescue plans in the real estate services of the City of Kotka. The objective was to create explicit instructions that can be used by the tenants (of the city’s real estates) to draft and maintain the rescue plans of their premises using an internet based Pelsu web and mobile software. The study discusses the requirements that the rescue act defines for the rescue plans. The study also exhibits the company Plan Brothers that has developed the Pelsu web and mobile software. It also explores the tools and benefits that the Pelsu software provides. The current situation of the city rescue plans is gone through by studying the present rescue plans and by bringing out the flaws in them. The instructions for creating and updating the rescue plans are executed with screenshots and text parts. The know-how for creating the instructions is gathered by participating in orientation about Pelsu and by practicing the use of the web and mobile software with the author’s own user identification. The result of this thesis is a multipage but clear instructions that can be followed to create the real estate’s internet-based rescue plan. The study also gives recommendations on how the rescue plans can be distributed to all the operators easily and effectively. In addition, an opinion is given on maintenance of the rescue plans and on adoption of Pelsu by the different branches of the local authority as part of their work routine

Soft chemical approaches to inorganic nanostructures

Chemical approaches have emerged as the preferred means to synthesize nanostructures of various inorganic materials due to superior control over size, shape, and surface functionality. This article provides an overview of the contributions made in the authors' laboratory toward the synthesis of nanocrystals, nanowires, nanotubes, nanowalls, and other nanostructures of several inorganic materials. Thus, thiolized monodisperse metal nanocrystals have been obtained by a ligand exchange process and the stability of their 2D assemblies studied. Nanocrystals of pure CoO and ReO<SUB>3</SUB> have been synthesized, for the first time, employing a one-pot solvothermal technique. The solvothermal method has also been used to obtain organic soluble nanocrystals of semiconducting materials such as CdS, CdSe, and GaN. Inorganic nanowires and nanotubes have been prepared by several soft chemical routes, including surfactant-assisted synthesis and hydrogel templating. A simple reaction between elemental Se and Te with NaBH<SUB>4</SUB> in water has been utilized to obtain nanowires of Se and Te. We also describe the nebulized spray pyrolysis (NSP) technique to synthesize carbon nanotubes and nanowires of metals and III-V nitride semiconductors with improved yields. An important new technique for preparing nanocrystalline films of materials is by the reaction of the metal precursors in the organic layer at the interface of two immiscible liquids, with appropriate reagents. Nanocrystalline films of metals, alloys, and semiconductors and ultra-thin single-crystalline films of metal chalcogenides and oxides have been obtained by this technique. Apart from these, we discuss single precursor routes to iron sulfide, GeSe<SUB>2</SUB>, and III-V nitride nanostructures as well as the first synthesis of GaS and GaSe nanowalls and nanotubes obtained through exfoliation by laser irradiation and thermal treatment