Is Dexamethasone Epidural Injection Effective in Relieving Radicular Pain in an Adult Population?

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not dexamethasone epidural injections are effective in treating radicular pain in an adult population. STUDY DESIGN: Review of three randomized controlled trials, two of which were published in 2012 and one in 2010, all English language. DATA SOURCES: Three randomized controlled trials comparing dexamethasone epidural injections to saline injections. All articles were found using PubMed, Medline, and OVID. OUTCOMES MEASURED: Researchers measured pain associated with radicular pain using the Short McGill Pain Questionnaire, Numeric Pain Scale, and Oswestry Disability Index. RESULTS: All three randomized controlled trials did display significant radicular pain relief with the use of an epidural steroid injection as compared to a saline injection. These three studies however did not display that dexamethasone was the most successful in treating radicular pain. CONCLUSIONS: These three RCTs studies displayed significant radicular pain relief by receiving epidural steroid injection. Further research is warranted to compare the safety and efficacy of epidural injections verses physical therapy

A comparison of RGP parameters to ANSI standards

Precise determination of parameters is essential to the proper fit of a rigid gas permeable contact lens. It is also important that the lens be manufactured to specifications ordered. One hundred rigid gas permeable lenses from four labs were verified, and their parameters compared to ANSI standards. A considerable number of the lenses studied had one or more parameters which failed to meet these standards. The percentages of lenses which failed to meet ANSI standards for a specific parameter were as follows: optic zone -- 7%; back vertex power-- 9%; overall diameter-- 10%; center thickness -- 15%; base curve -- 25%; and, peripheral curve widths -- 55%. Therefore, it is to the optometrist\u27s benefit to verify incoming lenses, and to be able to modify them when needed to help ensure a proper fit

Extracts of anti-malarial and anti-inflammatory healing plants as oncolytic concept

Obwohl viele Krebserkrankungen initial erfolgreich behandelt werden können, verlangen rezidive und refraktäre Tumore die Entwicklung neuer Chemotherapeutika. Die vorliegende Masterarbeit untersuchte hierzu zwei ethnomedizinischen Pflanzen aus Guatemala, Critonia morifolia und Neurolaena lobata, die bereits seit hunderten Jahren traditionell in der Medizin der Mayas Anwendung finden, als potentielle Quellen zukünftiger Chemotherapeutika. Aus dem Pflanzenmaterial wurden jeweils fünf Extrakte unterschiedlicher Polaritäten hergestellt und im Zellversuch in HL 60 Zellen auf ihre anti kanzerogene Wirkung getestet. Für jede der Pflanzen wurde das Extrakt mit den stärksten anti proliferativen und pro apoptischen Effekten ausgewählt und mittels weiterführender Untersuchungen, u.a. Western Blot und FACS Analyse, versucht zugrundeliegende Mechanismen zu ermitteln. Die Proliferationshemmung des C. morifolia Petroleumetherextraktes beruhte vermutlich eher auf der frühen Induktion der Apoptose vermittelt durch aktive Caspase 3. Die Aktivierung des zellregulatorischen Proteins Chk2 und der damit korrelierende S Phase Arrest nach 24 Stunden wäre demnach durch DNA Schäden aufgrund des vorschreitenden Zelltod verursacht. Der rasche Verlust an Bioaktivität des Extraktes lässt auf in hohem Maße instabile Verbindungen schließen, die einen zukünftigen Einsatz als Chemotherapeutikum limitieren könnten. Im Fall von N. lobata wurde das Dichlormethanextrakt (10 15 µg/ml) in humanen SR 786 und murinen 417 NPM ALK positiven ALCL Zelllinien getestet. In beiden war ein Zellzyklusarrest in G2 M zu beobachten, der mit der Aktivierung von Chk1, der Abnahme an c Myc und der Induktion des Tumorsupressor Proteins p21 korrelierte. Zusätzlich induzierte das Extrakt Apoptose vermittelt durch Caspase 3 Aktivierung und gefolgt von H2AX Phopsphorylierung. Die Exposition humaner Lungenfibroblasten gegenüber 20 µg/ml Extrakt ließ auf eine geringe Toxizität gegenüber normalen Zellen schließen. Desweiteren führte das Extrakt zu einer deutlichen Abnahme des onkogenen NPM ALK Transkriptes und Proteins. Da die NPM Proteinexpression unverändert blieb, wird ein post transkriptioneller Mechanismus hinter dieser Beobachtung vermutet. Im Gegensatz zu N. lobata nahmen Behandlungen mit Vincristine und C. morifolia Extrakt keinen Einfluss auf die NPM ALK Proteinexpression. Mit PDGFR β wurde, neben NPM ALK, eine weitere Rezeptor Tyrosinekinase durch N. lobata herunterreguliert. Zusammengefasst verhinderte das N. lobata Extrakt die Expression wichtiger Proto Onkogene, dessen exakten Mechanismus es noch zu klären gilt.Although many cancers can be treated efficiently in first line chemotherapy, relapse and refractory cancers require the discovery and development of new anti cancer agents. The present work analyzed the potential anti neoplastic activity of two rainforest species of the Asteraceae family, Critonia morifolia and Neurolaena lobata, that successfully passed hundreds of years of usage as home remedies in the long lasting medical tradition of the Central American Mayas. The plant material, collected in Guatemala, was lyophilized and sequentially extracted with five solvents of increasing polarity to provide an initial separation of plant constituents. For each plant, the extract exhibiting the most potent anti proliferative and pro apoptotic effects in HL 60 cells was subjected to more detailed investigations including western blot and FACS analyses. The anti proliferative properties of the C. morifolia petroleum ether extract turned out to be attributable to the induction of cell death as the apoptotic executioner protein caspase 3 was already activated within 2 hours of incubation. Changes in the levels of cell regulatory proteins were observed thereafter, in particular, Chk2 was activated upon DNA cleavage initiated by the foregoing onset of apoptosis,and this correlated with the S phase cell arrest after 24 hours. The loss in bio activity of this extract indicated that considerably unstable compounds triggered the anti neoplastic effects, which may limit its potential use as anti cancer remedy. The other plant, N. lobata, tested in human SR 786 and murine 417 NPM ALK positive ALCL cell lines, was more promising. In both cell lines, 10 15 µg/ml of the dichloromethane extract inhibited the cell cycle in G2 M phase, which correlated with the activation of Chk1 and the depletion of the proto oncogene c Myc paralleled by the upregulation of the p21 tumor suppressor protein. The extract strongly triggered apoptosis, inducing caspase 3 followed by phosphorylation of H2AX. Overall toxicity was low since normal human lung fibroblasts remained viable even upon exposure to extract concentrations beyond 15 µg/ml. The extract led to a substantial decrease in oncogenic NPM ALK transcript and protein expression, but not in that of nucleophosmin. This suggested that the extract affected a post-transcriptional mechanism, i.e. mRNA stability rather that mRNA transcription. The chemotherapeutic agent vincristine and the C. morifolia extract did not affect NPM-ALK expression. Apart from NPM ALK, a second tyrosine kinase, namely PDGFR β, was also downregulated by the N. lobata extract. Taken together, the N. lobata extract blocked the expression of several proto oncogenes by a mechanism that needs to be determined in future investigations

Conditions promoting mycorrhizal parasitism are of minor importance for competitive interactions in two differentially mycotrophic species

Friede M, Unger S, Hellmann C, Beyschlag W. Conditions promoting mycorrhizal parasitism are of minor importance for competitive interactions in two differentially mycotrophic species. Frontiers in Plant Science. 2016;7: 1465.Interactions of plants with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) may range along a broad continuum from strong mutualism to parasitism, with mycorrhizal benefits received by the plant being determined by climatic and edaphic conditions affecting the balance between carbon costs vs. nutritional benefits. Thus, environmental conditions promoting either parasitism or mutualism can influence the mycorrhizal growth dependency (MGD) of a plant and in consequence may play an important role in plant-plant interactions. In a multifactorial field experiment we aimed at disentangling the effects of environmental and edaphic conditions, namely the availability of light, phosphorus and nitrogen, and the implications for competitive interactions between Hieracium pilosella and Corynephorus canescens for the outcome of the AMF symbiosis. Both species were planted in single, intraspecific and interspecific combinations using a target-neighbor approach with six treatments distributed along a gradient simulating conditions for the interaction between plants and AMF ranking from mutualistic to parasitic. Across all treatments we found mycorrhizal association of H. pilosella being consistently mutualistic, while pronounced parasitism was observed in C. canescens, indicating that environmental and edaphic conditions did not markedly affect the cost:benefit ratio of the mycorrhizal symbiosis in both species. Competitive interactions between both species were strongly affected by AMF, with the impact of AMF on competition being modulated by colonization. Biomass in both species was lowest when grown in interspecific competition, with colonization being increased in the less mycotrophic C. canescens, while decreased in the obligate mycotrophic H. pilosella. Although parasitism-promoting conditions negatively affected MGD in C. canescens, these effects were small as compared to growth decreases related to increased colonization levels in this species. Thus, the lack of plant control over mycorrhizal colonization was identified as a possible key factor for the outcome of competition, while environmental and edaphic conditions affecting the mutualism-parasitism continuum appeared to be of minor importance

Temporal diabetes-induced biochemical changes in distinctive layers of mouse retina

To discover the mechanisms underlying the progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR), a more comprehensive understanding of the biomolecular processes in individual retinal cells subjected to hyperglycemia is required. Despite extensive studies, the changes in the biochemistry of retinal layers during the development of DR are not well known. In this study, we aimed to determine a more detailed understanding of the natural history of DR in Akita/+ (type 1 diabetes model) male mice with different duration of diabetes. Employing label-free spatially resolved Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) chemical imaging engaged with multivariate analysis enabled us to identify temporal-dependent reproducible biomarkers of the individual retinal layers from mice with 6 weeks,12 weeks, 6 months, and 10 months of age. We report, for the first time, the nature of the biochemical alterations over time in the biochemistry of distinctive retinal layers namely photoreceptor retinal layer (PRL), inner nuclear layer (INL), and plexiform layers (OPL, IPL). Moreover, we present the molecular factors associated with the changes in the protein structure and cellular lipids of retinal layers induced by different duration of diabetes. Our paradigm provides a new conceptual framework for a better understanding of the temporal cellular changes underlying the progression of DR

Correlation of crystal violet biofilm test results of Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates with Raman spectroscopic read-out

Biofilm-related infections occur quite frequently in hospital settings and require rapid diagnostic identification as they are recalcitrant to antibiotic therapy and make special treatment necessary. One of the standard microbiological in vitro tests is the crystal violet test. It indirectly determines the amount of biofilm by measuring the optical density (OD) of the crystal violet-stained biofilm matrix and cells. However, this test is quite time-consuming, as it requires bacterial cultivation up to several days. In this study, we correlate fast Raman spectroscopic read-out of clinical Staphylococcus aureus isolates from 47 patients with different disease background with their biofilm-forming characteristics. Included were low (OD  20) biofilm performers as determined by the crystal violet test. Raman spectroscopic analysis of the bacteria revealed most spectral differences between high and low biofilm performers in the fingerprint region between 750 and 1150 cm−1. Using partial least square regression (PLSR) analysis on the Raman spectra involving the three categories of biofilm formation, it was possible to obtain a slight linear correlation of the Raman spectra with the biofilm OD values. The PLSR loading coefficient highlighted spectral differences between high and low biofilm performers for Raman bands that represent nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and proteins. Our results point to a possible application of Raman spectroscopy as a fast prediction tool for biofilm formation of bacterial strains directly after isolation from the infected patient. This could help clinicians make timely and adapted therapeutic decision in future

Gold nanoparticles induce cytotoxicity in the alveolar type-II cell lines A549 and NCIH441.

International audienceBackground: During the last years engineered nanoparticles (NPs) have been extensively used in different technologies and consequently many questions have arisen about the risk and the impact on human health following exposure to nanoparticles. Nevertheless, at present knowledge about the cytotoxicity induced by NPs is still largely incomplete. In this context, we have investigated the cytotoxicity induced by gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), which differed in size and purification grade (presence or absence of sodium citrate residues on the particle surface) in vitro, in the human alveolar type-II (ATII)-like cell lines A549 and NCIH441

Population dynamics in Kampong chicken and consequences for HPAI vaccination: results of a field trial in Java

Until today HPAI in poultry is considered to be endemic in most of the Indonesian provinces since it was officially declared in 2004. Vaccination is used as one of the control strategies targeting layer and breeder farms but also Kampong (village) chicken. Limited information is available on the scope of off-take and replacement occurring in Kampong chicken populations under field condition and their effects on HPAI vaccination. To collate information on population dynamics in Kampong chicken, twelve communities with 300-500 chickens each have been enrolled in this trial. Chicken exit/entries as well as disease/mortality events were intensively monitored in weekly intervals. The trial was carried out between July 2008 and August 2009 in two Districts of Yogyakarta, Java. Results indicate that 39-44% of chickens were younger than two months of age over time and more than two-thirds of chickens were younger than four months, respectively. Adult chickens represented only 10% (male) and 20% (female) of the total population. Though overall population size within the selected communities was relatively stable, the number of chickens changed widely within age classes. In each observed quarter, there was a 43% or higher turnover of the population (43-72%). Observed changes were related to socio-cultural events such as holidays or begin of school. From our results we can conclude that approximately 40% of a natural backyard population will be un-vaccinated by 60 days after the onset of a vaccination campaign. Considering this high population turnover rate, even a quarterly vaccination regime including a booster round is required will have difficulty achieving effective flock immunity levels. This results in high costs, poses a significant logistical challenge and suggests mass vaccination is not a practical approach to sustained control of HPAI

Inflammatory and cytotoxic responses of an alveolar-capillary coculture model to silica nanoparticles: Comparison with conventional monocultures

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To date silica nanoparticles (SNPs) play an important role in modern technology and nanomedicine. SNPs are present in various materials (tyres, electrical and thermal insulation material, photovoltaic facilities). They are also used in products that are directly exposed to humans such as cosmetics or toothpaste. For that reason it is of great concern to evaluate the possible hazards of these engineered particles for human health. Attention should primarily be focussed on SNP effects on biological barriers. Accidentally released SNP could, for example, encounter the alveolar-capillary barrier by inhalation. In this study we examined the inflammatory and cytotoxic responses of monodisperse amorphous silica nanoparticles (aSNPs) of 30 nm in size on an <it>in vitro </it>coculture model mimicking the alveolar-capillary barrier and compared these to conventional monocultures.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Thus, the epithelial cell line, H441, and the endothelial cell line, ISO-HAS-1, were used in monoculture and in coculture on opposite sides of a filter membrane. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by the MTS assay, detection of membrane integrity (LDH release), and TER (Transepithelial Electrical Resistance) measurement. Additionally, parameters of inflammation (sICAM-1, IL-6 and IL-8 release) and apoptosis markers were investigated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Regarding toxic effects (viability, membrane integrity, TER) the coculture model was less sensitive to apical aSNP exposure than the conventional monocultures of the appropriate cells. On the other hand, the <it>in vitro </it>coculture model responded with the release of inflammatory markers in a much more sensitive fashion than the conventional monoculture. At concentrations that were 10-100fold less than the toxic concentrations the apically exposed coculture showed a release of IL-6 and IL-8 to the basolateral side. This may mimic the early inflammatory events that take place in the pulmonary alveoli after aSNP inhalation. Furthermore, a number of apoptosis markers belonging to the intrinsic pathway were upregulated in the coculture following aSNP treatment. Analysis of the individual markers indicated that the cells suffered from DNA damage, hypoxia and ER-stress.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We present evidence that our <it>in vitro </it>coculture model of the alveolar-capillary barrier is clearly advantageous compared to conventional monocultures in evaluating the extent of damage caused by hazardous material encountering the principle biological barrier in the lower respiratory tract.</p