Effects of flutter and PEP mask physiotherapy on symptoms and lung function in children with cystic fibrosis

Recently, the flutter was introduced as a new device to improve sputum expectoration. Preliminary data suggested a significant improvement in expectoration and lung function during flutter treatment in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of the flutter and the positive expiratory pressure (PEP) mask on symptoms and lung function in children with CF. In a crossover randomized study 22 patients with CF (mean age 12 yrs, range 7-17 yrs) performed physiotherapy using either the flutter or the PEP mask twice a day during two treatment periods of 2 weeks, separated by a one week wash-out period, in a random sequence. Lung function parameters (peak expiratory flow, forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second, maximal midexpiratory flow, maximal expiratory flow at 25% of FVC, thoracic gas volume, total lung capacity, residual volume/total lung capacity, airway resistance and specific airway conductance) and changes in transcutaneous oxygen haemoglobin saturation were assessed before and after the first supervised session and at the end of each treatment period. Throughout the study peak flow was measured and symptoms were scored daily. No significant changes in any lung function parameter occurred after a single session or after 2 weeks of physiotherapy with either method. There was no difference in acceptability and subjective efficacy. In conclusion, any superiority of the flutter over the positive expiratory pressure mask technique for expectoration could not be confirmed during 2 weeks of daily treatment in children with cystic fibrosis. Both methods are well accepted by children and do not change lung function. Long-term comparison of both methods, including expectoration measurements, seems to be required for further evaluation of the potential success of physiotherapy in cystic fibrosis

Detection of peptide-based nanoparticles in blood plasma by ELISA

Aims: The aim of the current study was to develop a method to detect peptide-linked nanoparticles in blood plasma. Materials & Methods: A convenient enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for the detection of peptides functionalized with biotin and fluorescein groups. As a proof of principle, polymerized pentafluorophenyl methacrylate nanoparticles linked to biotin-carboxyfluorescein labeled peptides were intravenously injected in Wistar rats. Serial blood plasma samples were analyzed by ELISA and by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC/MS) technology. Results: The ELISA based method for the detection of FITC labeled peptides had a detection limit of 1 ng/mL. We were able to accurately measure peptides bound to pentafluorophenyl meth-acrylate nanoparticles in blood plasma of rats, and similar results were obtained by LC/MS. Conclusions: We detected FITC-labeled peptides on pentafluorophenyl methacrylate nanoparticles after injection in vivo. This method can be extended to detect nanoparticles with different chemical compositions

Changes in sex steroids and relation with menopausal complaints in women undergoing risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy

Context: Risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) is performed in BRCA1 or 2 mutant carriers to minimize ovarian cancer risk. Although studies have been performed investigating sex steroid levels, menopausal complaints, and sexual functioning in relation to RRSO, their exact relationship remains unknown. Objectives: To investigate the impact of RRSO on serum sex steroid levels and their association with menopausal complaints and sexual functioning. Methods: This prospective observational cohort study included 57 premenopausal and 37 postmenopausal women at risk of ovarian cancer and opting for RRSO. Data collection involved validated questionnaires on sexual functioning and menopausal complaints.Testosterone, androstenedione, estradiol, and estrone levels in serum determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry were obtained 1 day before, 6 weeks, and 7 months after RRSO. Results: In premenopausal women, all 4 steroids were decreased both 6 weeks (P < 0.01) and 7 months (P < 0.01) after RRSO. Furthermore, in these women, decreases in estrogens were associated with a decrease in sexual functioning 7 months after RRSO (P < 0.05). In postmenopausal women, only testosterone was decreased 6 weeks and 7 months (P < 0.05) after RRSO, which was associated with an increase in menopausal complaints at 7 months post-RRSO (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Our results suggest that in premenopausal women, decreases in estrogens are related to a decrease in sexual functioning and that in postmenopausal women, testosterone is decreased after RRSO, which indicates that postmenopausal ovaries maintain some testosterone production. Furthermore, in postmenopausal women, a large decrease of testosterone was associated with more menopausal complaints, indicating that future studies investigating testosterone supplementation are warranted.</p