The use of platelet-rich plasma in treatment of olfactory dysfunction: A pilot study.

BackgroundOlfactory dysfunction is a prevalent problem with a significant impact on quality of life and increased mortality. Limited effective therapies exist. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous biologic product with anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. This novel pilot study evaluated the role of PRP on olfactory neuroregeneration in patients with hyposmia.MethodsSeven patients who had olfactory loss greater than 6 months in duration, no evidence of sinonasal inflammatory disease, and no improvement with olfactory training and budesonide topical rinses were enrolled in this preliminary study. Patients received a single intranasal injection of PRP into the mucosa of the olfactory cleft. The Sniffin' Sticks olfactory test consisting of threshold, discrimination, and identification measurements (TDI) was administered at the beginning of the study and at 1 and 3 months.ResultsAll patients reported a subjective improvement of their smell shortly after injection but then stabilized. At 3-month post-treatment, two patients with functional anosmia (TDI < 16) did not improve significantly. Five patients with hyposmia (TDI > 16 but <30) showed an improvement with 60% achieving normosmia (TDI > 30) at 3-month follow-up. On average, patients with baseline TDI > 16 improved by 5.85 points with the most significant improvement in the threshold subcomponent. There were no adverse outcomes from intranasal PRP injections.ConclusionPRP appears safe for use in the treatment of olfactory loss, and preliminary data suggest possible efficacy, especially for those with moderate yet persistent loss. Further studies will help determine optimal frequency and duration of use.Level of evidence 2

Production of affricate consonants by Cantonese-speaking pediatric cochlear implant users

"A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Bachelor of Science (Speech and Hearing Sciences), The University of Hong Kong, June 30, 2009."Includes bibliographical references.Thesis (B.Sc)--University of Hong Kong, 2009.published_or_final_versionSpeech and Hearing SciencesBachelorBachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Science

Use of Electronic Science Journals in the Undergraduate Curriculum: An Observational Study

Phase 2 of a 2-phase project funded by the NSF- National Science Digital Library Project observed undergraduate and graduate engineering, chemistry, and physics students and faculty while they searched the ScienceDirect e-journals system for scholarly science journal articles for simulated class-related assignments. Think-aloud protocol was used to capture affective and cognitive state information, while online monitoring provided an automatic log of interactions with the system. Pre- and post-search questionnaires and a learning style test provided additional data. Preliminary analysis shows differences in search patterns among undergraduates, graduates, and faculty. All groups used basic search functions the most. Graduate students on average spent more time per session and viewed more pages. Further analysis, including analysis of affective and cognitive reactions is continuing

Nutrient Contribution of the Dinner Meal Consumed by Low-Income Minority Preschool Children

Objective: To examine the energy and nutrient intake of dinner of low income preschool minority groups, African-Americans and Mexican-Americans, attending Head Start (HS). Design: Cross-sectional study of intake at dinner using digital photography. Pictorial records were converted to energy and nutrient intakes using NDS-R Nutritional software. Means±SE for total grams of food and beverages, energy, and macro- and micro-nutrients were determined and compared with recommendations. Setting: Home assessment dinner of children enrolled in HS in Houston, TX. Subjects: Low-income children (n=214), 3 to 5 years (mean age 4.4 ± 0.7 years; 48% boys; 53% Mexican-American). Results: Energy from food and beverages and food was 350.29±10.36 kcals and 302.35±10.46 kcals, respectively. Mean protein, carbohydrate, and total fat intakes were 14.22±0.52 g (16.32% of total energy), 44.33±1.25 g (52.24%), and 13.18±0.56 g (32.29%), respectively, which provided 95.4±0.52%, 44.5±1.25%, and 10.4±0.11% of the requirements for protein, carbohydrate, and dietary fiber, respectively; these were consistent with recommendations. Intakes of vitamin D, calcium, and potassium were 0.66±0.08 mcg, 102.61±5.03 mg, and 404.42±13.63 mg, respectively; which constituted only 6.6±0.08%, 12.7±5.03%, and 10.7±13.63% of these nutrients of public health concern. Conclusions: Children participating in HS had low intakes of nutrients of public health concern at the dinner meal. The dinner meal is an integral part of the daily intake of preschool children and this study suggests that micronutrient intakes could be improved. It is important to educate mothers and children as to what constitutes a nutrient-dense meal and to confront barriers to consumption of these meals

Resemblance of Dinner Meal Consumption among Mother and Preschool-Aged Child Dyads from Families with Limited Incomes

Parents’ eating habits are associated with food and nutrient intake of their children; yet, the associations have not always been very strong. The objective of this study was to expand the current literature to include an examination of resemblance in intakes of foods, within the context of a meal, among mother and preschool-aged child dyads from families of limited incomes. Mother-child dyads (n=112; 41% Hispanic and 59% African-American) participated in the study. During the two home observations of each mother-child dyad, a digital photography method plus actual weighing of plate waste was used to assess the amount of food served and consumed by the mothers and children. There were significant correlations between the mother-child dyad intakes of food/beverages consumed at the dinner meal; ranging from 0.298 (total beverages, p<0.01) to 0.687 (100% fruit juice or milk, p<0.01). There was a significant linear association between the amount of total food/beverages served and the amount consumed for both the mothers (R2=0.72, p<0.0001) and the children (R2=0.55, p<0.0001). Mothers-children who were served larger amounts of total food/beverages consumed more. There was a positive association (p<0.05) between the amount of total energy consumed in the mother-child dyads. Portion sizes may be an important strategy that can be used by parents to promote intake of fruits and vegetables and to decrease intake of energy-dense foods. It is important that food and nutrition professionals provide the guidance needed that encourages intake of major food groups in mothers so they can model healthier food consumption behaviors for their children

The anti-inflammatory role for IkappaB kinase (IKK) beta through inhibition of ‘classical’ macrophage activation

PhDRecent research has revealed a role of NF-B in the resolution of inflammation. Using Cre-lox mediated gene targeting, IKK was selectively deleted in macrophages (IKKβ∆Mye). From in vitro studies, LPS stimulated IKKMye macrophages increased STAT1 phosphorylation, iNOS, MHC II and IL-12 production, suggesting negative cross talk between NF-B and STAT1 signalling pathways. Since IKK is required for TNF gene expression and TNF signalling, I investigated the hypothesis that TNF inhibits ‘classical’ macrophage activation through IKK activation. Macrophages from p55-/- and mice treated with anti-TNF antibody show increased STAT1 activation and IL-12 expression after LPS and IFN stimulation. BMDM infected with adenovirus expressing IKKβ dominant negative rescued the inhibitory effect of TNFα on IL-12p40 production, indicating TNFα inhibits IL-12p40 via IKKβ activation. Macrophages are antigen presenting cells while IL-12 and MHC II are critical factors for TH1 cell development. I thus investigate the inhibitory effects of IKKβ∆Mye macrophages in TH1 responses. FACS analysis showed higher MHC II, costimulatory molecules expression on IKKβ∆Mye macrophages after LPS stimulation. In a DTH model, recall assay has shown increased antigen-specific IFN production from IKKMye splenocytes compared to IKKβF/F splenocytes. Furthermore, IFN production was greatly enhanced by CD4+ OTII T cells co-cultured with IKKMye macrophages. Further analysis of CD4+ OTII T cells with qRT-PCR showed increased TH1 genes including IRF1, IFN, IL-12R1 and IL-12R2 and reduced TH2 marker IL-4. In addition to the enhanced antigen-specific T cell responses, IKKMye macrophages also increased anti-tumour immunity. Injection of H-Y positive MB49 tumour cells into IKKF/F and IKKMye female mice has shown tumour rejection, but no tumours were rejected after CD8+ T cells depletion, suggesting tumour rejection is associated with enhanced CTL activity. Taken together, these studies demonstrated the negative regulatory roles of IKK in macrophage activation and their impact to the innate and adaptive immunity

Mobilization and Role of Starch, Protein, and Fat Reserves During Seed Germination of Six Wild Grassland Species

Since seed reserves can influence seed germination, the quantitative and qualitative differences in seed reserves may relate to the germination characteristics of species. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the correlation between germination and seed reserves, as well as their mobilization during germination of six grassland species (Chloris virgata, Kochia scoparia, Lespedeza hedysaroides, Astragalus adsurgens, Leonurus artemisia, and Dracocephalum moldavica) and compare the results with domesticated species. We measured starch, protein, and fat content in dry seeds and the initial absorption of water during imbibition. Starch, soluble protein, fat, and soluble sugar content also were determined at five stages during germination. Starch, protein, and fat reserves in dry seeds were not significantly correlated with germination percentage and rate (speed), but soluble sugar and soluble protein contents at different germination stages were positively significantly correlated with germination rate for the six species. Starch was mainly used during seed imbibition, and soluble protein was used from the imbibition stage to the highest germination stage. Fat content for all species remained relatively constant throughout germination for six species, regardless of the proportion of other seed reserves in the seeds. Our results for fat utilization differ from those obtained for cultivated grasses and legumes. These results provide new insight on the role of seed reserves as energy resources in germination for wild species

Seedling Tolerance to Cotyledon Removal Varies with Seed Size: A Case of Five Legume Species

It is generally accepted that seedlings from large seeds are more tolerant to defoliation than those from small seeds due to the additional metabolic reserves present in the large seeds. However, information on the effects of amount of seed reserves (cotyledon removal) from seedlings resulting from large vs. small seeds on seedling growth and long-term survival in the field is limited. Five legume species with different sizes of seeds were sown in the field and none, one, or both cotyledons removed 7 days after seedling emergence. Seedling biomass, relative growth rate (RGR) and survival were determined at different time. Cotyledon removal, species, and their interaction had significant effects on seedling growth and survival. During the period between 33 and 70 days, seedlings from large seeds had a significantly lower RGR than those from small seeds. Biomass, RGR, and survival of seedlings from large seeds were significantly reduced by removal one or both cotyledons, whereas those of seedlings from small seeds were not affected. Seed energy reserves are more important for the early growth of seedlings from large seeds than for those from small seeds. The overall effect of cotyledon removal on growth and survival varies with seed size (i.e., energy reserves) with seedlings from small seeds being less sensitive than those from large seeds under field conditions