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Speech Identification Test in Telugu: Considerations for Sloping High Frequency Hearing Loss
No full textThe present study developed two high frequency word lists (HFWLs) with each list consisting of 25 words for assessing individuals with sloping high frequency hearing loss (SHFHL). Speech identification score (SIS) testing was carried out on normal hearing subjects who were equally divided into three groups. The results revealed that there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in mean SIS of each group between two lists, and between three groups for each list. The groups’ mean SISs were 99.68% and 99.60% for two lists respectively which are in the normal range of SIS. In order to check the applicability of HFWLs, SIS testing was carried out on subjects with sensorineural hearing loss who were equally divided into two groups. Group I: Individuals with flat frequency hearing loss (FFHL-Group). Group II: Individuals with sloping high frequency hearing loss (SHFHL-Group). SIS testing was carried out using four conventional word lists (CWLs) already existing in Telugu and two HFWLs developed in the present study. The results revealed that there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in mean SIS between CWLs and HFWLs in FFHL-Group. However, there was a significant difference (p<0.05) in mean SIS between CWLs and HFWLs in SHFHL-Group. SHFHL-Group obtained significantly lower (p<0.05) mean SIS for HFWLs compared to CWLs. Hence it can be concluded that CWLs would not indicate true nature of communication difficulties caused by SHFHL. On the other hand, the developed HFWLs were found be effective in identifying the true nature of communication difficulties caused by SHFHL
Synthesis and In Vitro Cytotoxicity of New 3-(5-methyl-1-aryl-1H- 1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazoles
No full textIn this paper we present the synthesis of a novel series of 3-(5-methyl-1-aryl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazoles 3-6 by employing Vilsmeier-Haack reaction followed by Knoevenagel condensation on 1-aryl-3-acetyl-4-methyl-1,2,3-triazoles 1a,b. The cytotoxicity and in vitro anticancer evaluation of the prepared compounds have been assessed against four different human cancer cell lines including breast MCF-7; liver HepG2 and lung cancer A549 as well as human normal melanocyte HFB4. The results revealed that the prepared compounds exert their actions in MCF-7 and HepG2. Compounds 4a and 6a revealed promising anticancer activity compared to the activity of the commonly used anticancer drug, doxorubicin. MCF-7 cells are slightly more sensitive to the tested compounds than HepG2 cells
Psychological Influence on the Effects of Cognitive Training in an Individual with Emotional Distress
No full textCognitive therapy can be an important part of a stroke survivor’s rehabilitation but the effects of psychological factors on its training outcome is unclear. This study investigated the neuroplastic effects of working memory training on a single stroke survivor who has emotional distress due to prolonged motor impairment. The participant completed a six-week auditory working memory training program at home. Neurocognitive tests and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) testing were conducted before and after training. Posttest neuroimaging results indicated increased neural efficiency for the trained task. However, there was no behavioral improvement on neurocognitive tests, and the participant’s motivation declined as the training progressed. This case study indicated that while the performance of the trained task could be improved due to automaticity of task practice, psychological factors might play a key role in limiting the transfer of learning to other cognitive skills. Nevertheless, more research is needed to determine if these findings can be replicated in a similar clinical population
Heat Shock Proteins as Target for the Induction of Antigen-Specific Tolerance in Rheumatoid Arthritis and other Chronic Inflammatory Diseases
No full textThe critical causative factor of chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the faulty regulation of self-tolerance. Despite good results in patients that do respond to potent immunosuppressive therapies, in most of the cases only partial responses are achieved leaving them unduly susceptible to risks, such as infections. More importantly, immunosuppressive measures do not alter the basic condition, so that disease returns when therapy is halted. Antigen-specific therapies may represent a better and more physiological approach for manipulating the immune response avoiding the generalized immune suppression in patients and possibly leading to a state of permanent disease remission. The selection of auto-antigens without necessarily being the initiator of disease and with the ability to induce regulatory T cells is crucial for the development of antigen-specific therapies. Heat Shock Proteins (HSPs) are up-regulated during inflammation and HSP-responses are immuno-dominant. HSP-derived peptides have proved to be able to produce a shift from a pro-inflammatory to a tolerogenic phenotype in pathogenic T cells and endogenous HSP have been shown to act as targets for anti-inflammatory Tregs that control disease without general immune suppression
HDL-C and Plaque Calcification are Associated with Microcirculatory Damage after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
No full textAims: Microvascular disturbance followed by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was sometimes occurred. There were no report of the quantitative evaluation about microvascular disturbance after PCI. The aim of this study was to quantitate microcirculatory injury caused by elective PCI using index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR), and to clarify preprocedural predictors of microvascular damage.Methods: Fifty patients with stable angina and planned PCI for single vessel disease were enrolled in this study. IMR was measured after PCI. Plaque components were analyzed by integrated backscatter intravascular ultrasound.Results: Post-PCI IMR tended to correlate with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (r = –0.298, p = 0.078) and plaque calcification (r = -0.22, p = 0.058) in the univariate analysis. Multivariate logistic analysis adjusted for these covariates revealed that the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and plaque calcification were inversely associated with higher post-PCI IMR (odds ratio = 0.919, p = 0.049; and odds ratio = 0.546, p = 0.049, respectively).Conclusion: Low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and plaque calcification independently predict higher post-PCI IMR. Based on these results, Serum lipid and plaque calcification profiles might be important for predicting and preventing periprocedural myocardial damage during elective PCI
Long Latency Responses in Children with Learning Disorder
No full textThe purpose of the study was to investigate long latency response from the children with LD and compare the findings with controlled subjects (i.e. age-gender matched). LLR responses were recorded from 30 subjects with LD (experimental group) and 30 control groups, age range from 10 -14 year with means age of 11.2 years. The LLR responses were recorded by using the click stimulus. P1, N1, P2, N2 latency and amplitude were used for analysis. Result of the study indicates that both the group had statistically significant difference in latency. P1 and N1 amplitude were found to be significantly different between the two test groups. The present study findings suggest that click evoked auditory late latency response is easily traceable in all children with LD and typically developing children. However, prolonged latency responses in the present study suggest that the auditory stimulus processing at auditory cortex level is different in LD children compared to typical children. This functioning difference in the auditory cortical area results in altered auditory cortical recording. The present study has discussed how LLR test can be effective test tool to use clinically that differentiates between individuals with and without LD
Re-Visiting Glutamate Toxicity: Implications of Monosodium Glutamate Consumption on Glutamate Metabolism and Metabolic Syndrome
No full textAround a quarter of the world’s population is estimated to have metabolic syndrome (metS) which is a major risk factor for type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease and death. While the neurotoxicity of monosodium glutamate (MSG) has long been ruled out, recent trends suggest that excessive MSG intake may be associated with metS. Considering that some enzymes involved in glutamate metabolism predict early onset of metS, and that glutamate is involved in gluconeogenesis, energy production, insulin secretion and fatty acid synthesis and that it creates a perfect environment for the activation of mTOR, which subsequently leads to cell growth and autophagy inhibition, we propose that altered glutamate metabolism plays a central role in the cellular deregulation that leads to the development of metS. While recent studies have highlighted the role of aminotransferase enzymes and glutamine-recycling in metabolic syndrome, here we extend upon these concepts and provide fundamental mechanisms through which altered glutamate metabolism as a result of increased MSG consumption may play a role in the pathogenesis of metS. We propose that excessive MSG consumption leads to metS development via mechanisms involving deregulated glutamate metabolism and this is manifested through changes in glutamate metabolic enzymes and glutamate derived metabolites. Understanding whether MSG plays a role in the pathogenesis of metS is important for policy makers in food additive regulations as this may allow the prevention of debilitating diseases associated with metS. Furthermore, understanding the mechanisms involved in altered glutamate metabolism may provide important targets for diagnosing, preventing and treating metS
Large Malignant Pheochromocytoma: About Three Cases
No full textIntroduction: Malignant pheochromocytomas are rare tumors which carry a poor prognosis and their clinical presentation is variable. Malignancy is defined by the presence of local invasion and/or metastases. In this report, we describe three cases of large malignant pheochromocytomas.Cases Presentation: The three cases have presented abdominal masses. Two patients complained of hypochondrium pain, and the third one was asymptomatic. One of the patients experienced sweating for 2 years, while the two others had no symptoms suggesting the hyper secretion of catecholamines. Urinalysis revealed elevation of daily urinary excretion of catecholamine metabolites in two cases and the computed tomography (CT) revealed large adrenal masses in the three cases. The malignancy was confirmed by the presence of multiple liver, lung and bone metastases. Surgery was performed in one case, but the tumor resection was impossible because the mass was adherent to great vessels. Calcitonin, intact parathormone (PTH) and calcium were normal in the 3 cases, which ruled out multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2. Otherwise, there was no sign suggesting phacomatosis. Two patients died before starting therapy, while in the third case the treatment considered was surgery and chemotherapy regimen of cyclophosphamide, dacarbazine and vincristine (CVD). Follow-up, showed a progression of tumor size with no significant improvement of metastatic disease.Conclusion: Malignant pheochromocytomas are particularly rare and aggressive tumors. Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment of malignant pheochromocytomas, their management is still a real dilemma, especially in our context because of the lack of diagnostic tools such as genetic analysis and the cost of therapy
A Global Image in Gastroenterology: "Inlet Patchâ€: An Unusual Endoscopic Appearance
No full textInlet patch is usually an incidental finding during upper Gastro-intestinal endoscopy. It can be found anywhere in the GI tract but most commonly in the cervical oesophagus. It consists of gastric mucosa, which has the ability to produce acid. Although most of the patients are asymptomatic, some may present with chest pain, globus or dysphagia. Dysplastic changes in the patch have been reported but malignant transformation is exceedingly low. Treatment with anti-acid medication is recommended however resistant patients may require endoscopic intervention
A Comparison of Two Radiography Scoring Methods Used by Rheumatologists and Radiologists in Patients with Established Rheumatoid Arthritis
No full textBackground: There are numerous radiographic scoring methods in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The scoring method Sharp/van der Heijde (SHS) is considered “a gold standard†for the assessment of the disease progression in RA. It is reliable but complex scoring method, which is time consuming and is used by well trained readers. The Simple Erosion Narrowing Score (SENS) was derived from the SHS method as an easier, quicker and reliable method for joint lesions scoring.Aim: The aim of the present work is to use and to evaluate the SENS method, for the first time in Macedonia, in comparison with SHS, and to test the agreement between the readers for the two scoring methods, in a group of patients with established RA.Materials and Methods: Evaluation of the patients included collection of demographic and clinical data, physical examination and calculation of the 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS-28). Laboratory tests and bilateral radiographs of the hands, wrists and feet were done in each of the patients. The radiographs were scored in pairs by two independent readers: rheumatologist and experienced radiologist.Results: The study group consisted of 54 RA patients. The mean age of the patients was 54,4 years. The average duration of the disease was 4,74 years with the mean DAS 28 score 5,0. The average radiography scores read by the rheumatologist and radiologist were 43,7 vs. 38,6 for the total SENS and 70 vs. 72 for the total SHS score. The interobserver reliability was calculated by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) which was 0,77 for SENS and 0,88 for the SHS score. The intraobserver reliability was 0,76 vs 0,74 for the rheumatologist and radiologist, respectively.Conclusion: The performances of SENS method were good and the reading was very fast and easy. The agreement between the readers was higher for the more detailed SHS score