25-Hydroxyvitamin D variability within-person due to diurnal rhythm and illness: a case report

Vitamin D nutrition research requires accurate measures of circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Our objectives were to test whether a diurnal fluctuation in blood-spot concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D can be ...

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Activation of Group 2 innate lymphoid cells after allergen challenge in asthmatics

Publication date: Available online 4 February 2019

Source: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

Author(s): Carla Winkler, Thomas Hochdörfer, Elisabeth Israelsson, Annemarie Hasselberg, Anders Cavallin, Kristofer Thörn, Daniel Muthas, Shervin Shojaee, Katrin Lueer, Meike Mueller, Jenny Mjösberg, Outi Vaarala, Jens Hohlfeld, Katerina Pardali

Abstract

Background

Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) are effective producers of IL-5 and IL-13 during allergic inflammation and bridge the innate and adaptive immune response. ILC2 are increased in asthmatics compared to healthy controls. So far human data describing their phenotype during acute allergic inflammation in the lung is incomplete.

Objectives

This study aims to characterize and compare blood- and lung-derived ILC2 before and after segmental allergen challenge in mild to moderate asthmatic individuals with high blood eosinophil levels (≥300/μl).

Methods

ILC2 were isolated from blood and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) before and after segmental allergen challenge. Cells were sorted by flow cytometry, cultured and analyzed for cytokine release or migration, and sequenced for RNA expression.

Results

ILC2 were nearly absent in the alveolar space under baseline conditions but increased significantly after allergen challenge (P < 0.05) , whilst at the same time ILC2 numbers in blood were reduced (P<0.05). Prostaglandin D₂ (PGD₂) and CXCL12 levels in BAL correlated with decreased ILC2 numbers in blood (P = 0.004, respective P = 0.024). After allergen challenge several genes promoting type 2 inflammation were higher expressed in BAL compared to blood ILC2, while blood ILC2 remain unactivated.

Conclusion

ILC2 accumulate at the site of allergic inflammation and are recruited from the blood. Their transcriptional and functional activation pattern promote type 2 inflammation.

http://bit.ly/2WNWo70

Successful treatment of refractory cutaneous lupus vasculitis with i.v. immunoglobulin

http://bit.ly/2t0qGpo

The protective role of ferulic acid against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity

Publication date: Available online 4 February 2019

Source: International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology

Author(s): Eu-Ri Jo, Cha Kyung Youn, Yonghyun Jun, Sung Il Cho

Abstract

Objectives

While cisplatin is an effective chemotherapeutic agent, it can cause irreversible hearing loss. Ototoxicity leads to dose reduction during the cisplatin chemotherapy and results in inadequate treatment of malignant tumors. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of ferulic acid on cisplatin-induced ototoxicity.

Methods

House Ear Institute-Organ of Corti 1 (HEI-OC1) cells were exposed to 30 μM of cisplatin for 24 h with or without pretreatment with ferulic acid. Cell viability was determined using the WST assay. Apoptotic cells were identified using TUNEL assay. Western blot analysis was performed to examine the change in expression of cleaved caspase, cleaved poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and catalase. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were determined by flow cytometry. Real-time PCR analyses were performed to examine the mRNA levels of antioxidant enzymes including glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (Gclc), glutathione peroxidase 2 (Gpx2), catalase, and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2). Phalloidin staining of the organ of Corti was performed to determine hair cell survival or degeneration.

Results

Pretreatment with ferulic acid before cisplatin exposure significantly increased cell viability, levels of antioxidant enzymes, and hair cell survival. In addition, pretreatment with ferulic acid significantly reduced apoptotic cells, levels of cleaved caspase, levels of cleaved PARP, and intracellular ROS production.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrated that ferulic acid inhibited cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity by preventing ROS formation and inducing the production of endogenous antioxidants and indicated that ferulic acid might be used as a protective agent against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity.

http://bit.ly/2DRpf2B

Patient injuries in pediatric otorhinolaryngology

Publication date: Available online 3 February 2019

Source: International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology

Author(s): Johanna Nokso-Koivisto, Karin Blomgren, Leena-Maija Aaltonen, Lasse Lehtonen, Päivi Helmiö

Abstract

Objectives

Patient injuries in children can have lifelong effects on the patient and a marked impact on the whole family. The aim of this study was to identify the errors and incidents leading to patient injuries in pediatric otorhinolaryngology (ORL) by evaluating accepted patient injury claims.

Methods

The records of all accepted patient injury claims in ORL between 2001 and 2011 were searched from the nationwide Patient Insurance Centre registry. Pediatric injuries were reviewed and evaluated in detail, and factors contributing to injury were identified.

Results

In the 10-year study period, 17 (7.6%) of the 223 patient injuries occurred in children, and of these, 15 (88%) were considered operative care. The median age of the patients was 8 years (range 3 to 16 years). All operations were performed as daytime elective surgery and by a fully trained specialist in 93% of the cases. One-half of the cases were routine surgeries for common ORL diseases. The most common incidences were incomplete surgery, retained gauze or foreign body, injury to adjacent anatomic structure, and insufficient charts or instructions (each occurred in 3 cases). The most frequent consequence was burn (n=4). One child died because of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage.

Conclusions

Patient injuries in pediatric ORL are strongly related to surgery. Most injuries occurred after routine operations by a fully trained specialist. Clinicians should be aware of the most likely scenarios resulting in claims.

http://bit.ly/2MMoWcg

Serum biotin and zinc in male androgenetic alopecia

Summary

Background

Male androgenetic alopecia (MAGA) is caused by the conversion of the terminal to vellus hair. Zinc is one of the most studied trace elements in hair disorders and biotin is one of the most prescribed supplement for its treatment.

Objectives

The study aimed to evaluate serum zinc and biotin levels in MAGA patients to answer the question if there is a value to add zinc or biotin as a supplements in the MAGA treatment.

Patients and Methods

Sixty MAGA patients and 60 age, sex, and body mass index‐matched healthy volunteers were included. We measured serum biotin and zinc in all participants.

Results

Zinc (µg/dL) was lower significantly in patients compared to controls (P = 0.01), suboptimal biotin (ng/L) levels were in patients, and within normal values in controls (P = 0.01). A positive significant correlation was found between serum zinc and serum biotin (r = 0.489, P = 0.001). Serum zinc and biotin showed a nonsignificant correlation with age and disease duration. A non‐significant relation was obtained between the MAGA grades, and zinc (P = 0.485) and biotin levels (P = 0.367).

Conclusions

Serum zinc showed subnormal value and adding zinc supplement in MAGA treatment is recommended. Serum biotin showed a suboptimal level in MAGA patients that is not correlated with patients' age or disease severity. Biotin supplement in MAGA treatment may add value to hair quality and texture. We recommend future biotin evaluation in serum combined with its metabolites in MAGA patients' urine.

http://bit.ly/2SksjfS

Huge rhinophyma in a complicated patient successfully treated with C02 laser

Abstract

Rhinophyma is a bothersome and disfiguring condition of the nose that is often cause of cosmetic embarrassment and social reclusion.

Nowadays the therapeutic possibilities are highly variable and have to be personalized case by case. These possibilities include pharmacological therapy, laser surgery, mechanical dermabrasion and surgical excision. For patients with cardiovascular comorbidies and anticoagulant therapy, the therapeutic choice is limited. We present a case of a giant rhinophyma in a patient with several comorbidities that we successfully treated with CO2 laser.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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