Traditional Chinese medicine Yiqi Huoxue recipe attenuates hepatic fibrosis via YAP/TAZ signaling

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Traditional Chinese medicine Yiqi Huoxue recipe attenuates hepatic fibrosis via YAP/TAZ signaling Via Cellular and Molecular Biology Histol Histopathol. 2021 Sep 7:18373. doi: 10.14670/HH-18-373. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND/AIMS: The Yiqi Huoxue (YQHX) recipe has been shown to attenuate liver fibrosis, but precise mechanisms have not yet been elucidated. Recently, Yes-associated protein (YAP)/transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) signaling has been implicated in liver fibrogenesis. This study investigated whether the YAP/TAZ signaling is involved in the therapeutic effect of YQHX on hepatic fibrosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wistar rats were used to generate a model of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis. Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with liver fibrosis were enrolled and assigned to receive either nucleoside/nucleotide analogues (NAs) or NAs plus YQHX. Histology, immunohistochemistry, qRT-PCR, and western blotting were conducted to mechanistically assess the therapeutic effects of YQHX on liver fibrosis. RESULTS: YQHX markedly alleviated morphological alterations in CCl4-induced liver fibrosis and decreased markers of hepatic fibrosis in rats. Furthermore, YQHX significantly suppressed CCl4-meidated activation of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β)/Smad signaling pathway. Notably, CCl4 induced up-regulation of YAP, TAZ, and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), which were significantly abrogated by YQHX. Consistent with the above major findings in rats, CHB patients treated with NAs plus YQHX had greater improvement in liver fibrosis than those given NAs alone (71.4% vs. 28.6%; P = 0.057). In addition, hepatic and plasma levels of YAP were significantly decreased after YQHX treatment in CHB patients with liver fibrosis. CONCLUSION: YAP/TAZ signaling plays a role, at least in part, in the anti-fibrotic activity of YQHX. The findings may help to better understand the mechanisms of YQHX in the treatment of liver fibrosis. PMID:34490599 | DOI:10.14670/HH-18-373 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Vagus Nerve Stimulation as a Potential Adjuvant to Rehabilitation for Post-stroke Motor Speech Disorders

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Vagus Nerve Stimulation as a Potential Adjuvant to Rehabilitation for Post-stroke Motor Speech Disorders Via Traditional dysphagia therapy Front Neurosci. 2021 Aug 19;15:715928. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2021.715928. eCollection 2021. ABSTRACT Stroke often leaves lasting impairments affecting orofacial function. While speech therapy is able to enhance function after stroke, many patients see only modest improvements after treatment. This partial restoration of function after rehabilitation suggests that there is a need for further intervention. Rehabilitative strategies that augment the effects of traditional speech therapy hold promise to yield greater efficacy and reduce disability associated with motor speech disorders. Recent studies demonstrate that brief bursts of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) can facilitate the benefits of rehabilitative interventions. VNS paired with upper limb rehabilitation enhances recovery of upper limb function in patients with chronic stroke. Animal studies reveal that these improvements are driven by VNS-dependent synaptic plasticity in motor networks. M oreover, preclinical evidence demonstrates that a similar strategy of pairing VNS can promote synaptic reorganization in orofacial networks. Building on these findings, we postulate that VNS-directed orofacial plasticity could target post-stroke motor speech disorders. Here, we outline the rationale for pairing VNS with traditional speech therapy to enhance recovery in the context of stroke of speech motor function. We also explore similar treatments that aim to enhance synaptic plasticity during speech therapy, and how VNS differs from these existing therapeutic strategies. Based on this evidence, we posit that VNS-paired speech therapy shows promise as a means of enhancing recovery after post-stroke motor speech disorders. Continued development is necessary to comprehensively establish and optimize this approach, which has the potential to increase quality of life for the many individuals suffering with these common impairments. PMID:34489632 | PMC:PMC8417469 | DOI:10.3389/fnins.2021.715928 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Long-term aesthetics, patient-reported outcomes, and auricular sensitivity after microtia reconstruction: A systematic review

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Long-term aesthetics, patient-reported outcomes, and auricular sensitivity after microtia reconstruction: A systematic review Via Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery : JPRAS J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2021 Aug 19:S1748-6815(21)00379-X. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2021.08.004. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Auricular reconstruction for microtia is most frequently performed using autologous costal cartilage (ACC) or porous polyethylene (PPE) implants. Short-term results are generally promising, but long-term results remain unclear. Long-term outcomes were explored in this systematic review, and minimal reporting criteria were suggested for future original data studies. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception through October 14, 2020. Articles on auricular reconstruction in patients with microtia using ACC or PPE were included if postsurgical follow-up was at least 1 year. Outcome reporting was split into separate publications, and results on complications were reported previously. This publi cation focused on long-term aesthetic, patient-reported, and sensitivity outcomes. RESULTS: Forty-one publications reported on these outcomes. Both materials led to aesthetically pleasing results and high rates of patient satisfaction. ACC frameworks grew similarly to contralateral ears, and the anterior surface of auricles regained sensitivity. Furthermore, postoperative health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes were generally good. Data synthesis was limited due to considerable variability between studies and poor study quality. No conclusions could be drawn on the superiority of either method due to the lack of comparative analyses. CONCLUSION: Future studies should minimally report (1) surgical efficacy measured using the tool provided in the UK Care Standards for the Management of Patients with Microtia and Atresia; (2) complications including framework extrusion or exposure, graft loss, framework resorption, wire exposure and scalp/auricular scar complication s and (3) HRQoL before and after treatment using the EAR-Q patient-reported outcome measure (PROM). PMID:34489212 | DOI:10.1016/j.bjps.2021.08.004 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Effect of TSH stimulation protocols on adequacy of low-iodine diet for radioiodine administration

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Effect of TSH stimulation protocols on adequacy of low-iodine diet for radioiodine administration Via radioactive iodine PLoS One. 2021 Sep 7;16(9):e0256727. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256727. eCollection 2021. ABSTRACT Low-iodine diet (LID) is a crucial preparation for radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment or scan in thyroid cancer. The aim of this study is to analyze the influence of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) stimulation protocols and other clinical factors on LID adequacy. Thyroid cancer patients who underwent LID for RAI scan or treatment were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were guided t o have LID for 2 weeks before RAI administration and urine iodine/creatinine ratio (UICR, μg/g Cr) was measured. TSH stimulation was conducted using either thyroid hormone withdrawal (THW) or recombinant human TSH (rhTSH) injection. Adequacy of LID was classified by UICR as 'excellent (< 50)', 'adequate (50-100)', 'inadequate (101-250)' and 'poor (> 250)'. A total of 1715 UICR measurements from 1054 patients were analyzed. UICR was significantly higher in case of rhTSH use than THW (72.4 ± 48.1 vs. 29.9 ± 45.8 μg/g Cr, P < 0.001). In patients who underwent LID twice using both TSH stimulation protocols alternately, UICR was higher in case of rhTSH than THW regardless of the order of method. Among clinical factors, female, old-age, and the first LID were significant factors to show higher UICR. Although the adequacy of LID was 'adequate' or 'excellent' in most patients, multivariate analysis demonstrated that THW method, male, young age, and prior LID-experience were sig nificant determinants for achieving 'excellent' adequacy of LID. In conclusion, UICR was higher and the proportion of 'excellent' LID adequacy was lower with rhTSH than with THW. UICR was higher also in women, old-age, and LID-naïve patients. Further researches are required to suggest effective methods to reduce body iodine pool in case of rhTSH use and to validate the efficacy of such methods on outcomes of RAI treatment. PMID:34492048 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0256727 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Retrospective Analyses of 18FDG-PET/CT Thyroid Incidentaloma in Adults: Incidence, Treatment, and Outcome in a Tertiary Cancer Referral Center

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Retrospective Analyses of 18FDG-PET/CT Thyroid Incidentaloma in Adults: Incidence, Treatment, and Outcome in a Tertiary Cancer Referral Center Via liebertpub1 Thyroid, Ahead of Print. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

The Use of Tele Practice in Assessment of Middle Ear Function in Adults Living with HIV During the COVID-19 Pandemic

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader The Use of Tele Practice in Assessment of Middle Ear Function in Adults Living with HIV During the COVID-19 Pandemic Via Otolaryngology Indian Abstract Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is the latest threat to global health that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Tele-practice has inadvertently sprung to the forefront to become a common practice amongst healthcare providers during COVID-19. Limited evidence exists on the use of tele-practice in assessing middle ear function in adults living with HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aims of this study were to investigate the use of tele-practice for assessment of middle ear function in adults with HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic. A quantitative observational, cross-sectional design was adopted. A total of 134 adults diagnosed with HIV were purposively selected from the HIV clinic. An audiology researcher, in the role of site-facilitator, captured video otoscopic images of the tympanic membrane using a video otoscopy for all participants through asynchronous tele-practice. All captured images were sent to two independent otorhinolaryngologist s for diagnosis. Findings of this study indicated that tele-practice can be used to assess middle ear function in adults living with HIV during COVID-19 pandemic. When asynchronous tele-practice was used, there was a moderate diagnostic agreement (k = 0.58) between the two otorhinolaryngologists on abnormality versus normality, but poor agreement (k = 0.15) on the nature of abnormality (e.g. OME vs CSOM). Current findings highlight the urgent need for a widespread use of tele-practice during the continued clinical follow up and management of adults living with HIV, and the implementation of tele-practice, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where capacity versus demand challenges related to ear and hearing care continue to exists. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Long-term complications of microtia reconstruction: A systematic review

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Long-term complications of microtia reconstruction: A systematic review Via Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery : JPRAS J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2021 Aug 17:S1748-6815(21)00376-4. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2021.08.001. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Microtia is a rare disorder characterized by malformation or even complete absence of the auricle. Reconstruction is often performed using autologous costal cartilage (ACC) or porous polyethylene implants (PPE). However, the long-term outcomes of both methods are unclear. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review aimed to analyze long-term complications and suggest minimal reporting criteria for future original data studies. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception through October 14, 2020. Articles on auricular reconstruction in patients with microtia using ACC or PPE were included provided that the follow-up period was at least one year. This publication focused on long-term complications reported in patients with a postoperative follow-up period of at least one year. RESULTS: Twenty-nine publications reported on complications during long-term follow-up. Overall long-term complication rates were not reported. The incidence of individual complications during long-term follow-up was less than 10% after ACC reconstruction and less than 15% in PPE reconstruction. Framework resorption and wire exposure were reported even after an extended follow-up of more than five years after ACC reconstruction, while reports on the extended long-term results of PPE reconstruction are limited. Data synthesis was limited due to heterogeneity and poor study quality. CONCLUSIONS: Future studies should report on long-term complications including framework exposure or extrusion, graft loss, framework resorption, wire exposure and scalp and auricular scar complications. We recommend a surgical follow-up of at least five years. PMID:34481742 | DOI:10.1016/j.bjps.2021.08.001 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

3D-printed template and optical needle navigation in CT-guided iodine-125 permanent seed implantation

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader 3D-printed template and optical needle navigation in CT-guided iodine-125 permanent seed implantation Via radioactive iodine J Contemp Brachytherapy. 2021 Aug;13(4):410-418. doi: 10.5114/jcb.2021.108595. Epub 2021 Aug 24. ABSTRACT PURPOSE: To preliminarily verify the accuracy of navigation-assisted seed implantation by comparing pre-operative and actual differences in puncture characteristics and dosimetry in computed tomography (CT)-guided, navigation-assisted radioactive iodine-125 seed implantation, using 3D-printed templates for malignant tumors' treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 27 t umor patients, who were treated with seed implantation under combination guidance in our hospital between December 2019 and December 2020 were enrolled in this study. Navigation needles (n = 1-3) were placed in each patient to obtain pre-operative and intra-operative puncture information, such as angle, depth, insertion point, and tip position. Moreover, dosimetry parameters in pre-operative and post-operative plans, including D90, V100, V150, V200, minimum peripheral dose (MPD), conformal index, external index, and homogeneity index of target area were investigated. RESULTS: Mean errors of the angle, depth, insertion point, and tip position were 0.5 ±0.5°, 4.0 ±2.0 mm, 1.7 ±1 mm, and 3.1 ±1.8 mm, respectively. There were no significant differences between intra-operative and pre-operative angles (p = 0.271), but there was a significant difference in the depth (p = 0.002). Errors of the angle, depth, and ins ertion point were larger for the pelvic/retroperitoneal area than for the head and neck/chest wall (p < 0.05). With the exception of MPD, there was no significant difference in dosimetry indices between post-operative and preoperative plans (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Seed implantation under combination guidance showed good accuracy, and the actual intra-operative puncture information and post-operative doses were in agreement with those in the pre-operative plan, thereby demonstrating promising prospects for further development. PMID:34484355 | PMC:PMC8407253 | DOI:10.5114/jcb.2021.108595 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Insurance Status Effect on Laryngeal Cancer Survival: A Population Based Study

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Insurance Status Effect on Laryngeal Cancer Survival: A Population Based Study Via otol rhinol Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2021 Sep 4:34894211044231. doi: 10.1177/00034894211044231. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To analyze insurance status effect on overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) in laryngeal cancer. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional population analysis. SETTING: Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. PARTICIPANTS: Laryngeal cancer patients from 2007 to 2016. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Kaplan- Meier method with log-rank statistic analyzed OS and DSS by insurance status. Multivariable cox proportional hazard modeling generated survival prognostic factors. RESULTS: Of 19 667 laryngeal cancer cases, initial disease presentation was stage I: 7770 patients (39.5%), stage II: 3337 patients (17.0%), stage III: 3289 patients (16.7%), and stage IV: 5226 patients (26.6%). Patients had non-Medicaid insurance (15 523, 78.9%), had Medicaid (3306, 16.8%), or were uninsured (891, 4.5%). Mean and median OS for insured, Medicaid, and uninsured patients were 60.5, 49.6, and 56.6 and 74.0, 40.0, and 65.0 months, respectively. Following multivariable analysis, OS for insured, Medicaid, and uninsured patients was stage I: 87.9, 82.8, and 88.4 (P < .001), stage II: 79.1, 75.1, and 78.3 (P = .12), stage III: 68.7, 66.1, and 72.1 (P = .11), and stage IV: 57.1, 51.7, and 50.3 (P < .001) months. DSS mean survival times were 77.0, 65.8, and 67.7 months (P< /i> < .001) for insured, Medicaid, and uninsured patients. Age (HR: 1.02/year, P < .001) and black (HR: 1.15, P = .001) compared to white race predicted worse survival. Compared to insured status, Medicaid insurance carried a death hazard ratio of 1.40 (P < .001) and uninsured status had a death hazard ratio of 1.40 (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Insured laryngeal cancer patients had prolonged OS and DSS compared to Medicaid and uninsured patients. Medicaid patients had equivalent survival outcomes to uninsured patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2c. PMID:34486418 | DOI:10.1177/000 34894211044231 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

High-sensitivity FEES® with the professional image enhancement technology 'PIET'

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader High-sensitivity FEES<sup>®</sup> with the professional image enhancement technology "PIET" Via http://link.springer.com/journal/405,European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology,The European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2021 Sep 6. doi: 10.1007/s00405-021-07067-y. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT PURPOSE: Flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES®) is a standard diagnostic tool in dysphagia. The combination of FEES® and narrow band light (narrow band imaging; NBI) provides a more precise and detailed investigation method. So far, this technique could only be performed with the NBI illumination. The new version of the "professional image enhancement technique" (PIET) provides another image enhancing system. This study investigates the eligibility of PIET in the FEES® procedure. METHODS: Both techniques, NBI and PIET, were compared using a target system. Furthermore, the image enhancement during FEES® was performed and recorded with the two systems during daily routine. RESULTS: Performing an image enhancement during FEES® is possible with both sys tems PIET and NBI. On the target system, the contrast of the PIET showed a brighter and a more detailed picture. In dysphagia patients, no difference between PIET and NBI was detected. CONCLUSIONS: PIET proved to be non-inferior to NBI during image enhancement FEES®. So far, image enhancement FEES® was exclusively connected to NBI. With the PIET system, an alternative endoscopy technology is available for certain indications. PMID:34487219 | DOI:10.1007/s00405-021-07067-y View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Cochlear implantation under local anesthesia in 117 cases: patients' subjective experience and outcomes

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Cochlear implantation under local anesthesia in 117 cases: patients' subjective experience and outcomes Via http://link.springer.com/journal/405,European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology,The European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2021 Sep 6. doi: 10.1007/s00405-021-07061-4. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT PURPOSE: To report the outcomes and the patients' subjective experience of cochlear implantation (CI) performed under local anesthesia (LA). To describe a new form of intraoperative cochlear monitoring based on the patients subjective sound perception during CI. METHODS: In this retrospective case-cohort study, 117 patients underwent CI under LA with (n = 58) or without conscious sedation (n = 59). Included were primarily elderly patients with elevated risks for general anesthesia and recently patients with residual hearing eligible for electro-acoustic stimulation (EAS) (n = 27), in whom hearing could be monitored during the electrode insertion. A 500 Hz test tone was presented and the patient reported of subjective changes in loudness, leading to a modification of the insertion. A questionnaire was sent to all patients in whi ch they assessed their subjective experience. RESULTS: All patients were successfully operated under LA without the need to intraoperatively convert to general anesthesia. 90% of the patients reported that the surgery was a positive experience. The vast majority, 90% of patients were satisfied with the overall treatment and with intraoperative pain management and 84% of the patients would opt for local anesthesia again. Cochlear monitoring by the patients' subjective sound perception enabled for atraumatic insertions as all EAS patients could hear the test tone up to the end of the surgery. CONCLUSIONS: CI under LA was well tolerated and recommended by the vast majority of patients. In addition, it offers the possibility to monitor the patients' hearing during the electrode insertion, which may help to prevent insertion trauma. PMID:34487218 | DOI:10.1007/s00405-021-07061-4 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.