Morphological analysis of sigmoid sinus anatomy: clinical applications to neurotological surgery

Abstract

Objectives

The primary objective of this study was to use high-resolution micro-CT images to create accurate three-dimensional (3D) models of several intratemporal structures, and to compare several surgically important dimensions within the temporal bone. The secondary objective was to create a statistical shape model (SSM) of a dominant and non-dominant sigmoid sinus (SS) to provide a template for automated segmentation algorithms.

Methods

A free image processing software, 3D Slicer, was utilized to create three-dimensional reconstructions of the SS, jugular bulb (JB), facial nerve (FN), and external auditory canal (EAC) from micro-CT scans. The models were used to compare several clinically important dimensions between the dominant and non-dominant SS. Anatomic variability of the SS was also analyzed using SSMs generated using the Statismo software framework.

Results

Three-dimensional models from 38 temporal bones were generated and analyzed. Right dominance was observed in 74% of the paired SSs. All distances were significantly shorter on the dominant side (p < 0.05), including: EAC – SS (dominant: 13.7 ± 3.4 mm; non-dominant: 15.3 ± 2.7 mm), FN – SS (dominant: 7.2 ± 1.8 mm; non-dominant: 8.1 ± 2.3 mm), 2nd genu FN – superior tip of JB (dominant: 8.7 ± 2.2 mm; non-dominant: 11.2 ± 2.6 mm), horizontal distance between the superior tip of JB – descending FN (dominant: 9.5 ± 2.3 mm; non-dominant: 13.2 ± 3.5 mm), and horizontal distance between the FN at the stylomastoid foramen – JB (dominant: 5.4 ± 2.2 mm; non-dominant: 7.7 ± 2.1). Analysis of the SSMs indicated that SS morphology is most variable at its junction with the transverse sinus, and least variable at the JB.

Conclusions

This is the first known study to investigate the anatomical variation and relationships of the SS using high resolution scans, 3D  models and statistical shape analysis. This analysis seeks to guide neurotological surgical approaches and provide a template for automated segmentation and surgical simulation.

http://bit.ly/2RjbVMV

Profil épidémio-clinique et étiologique des teignes du cuir chevelu chez l’adulte à Dakar (Sénégal)

Publication date: Available online 11 January 2019

Source: Annales de Dermatologie et de Vénéréologie

Author(s): A. Diop, F. Ly, F. Diagne, M.-T. Ndiaye, B. Seck, M. Ndiaye, B.-A. Diatta, T. Dieng, M. Diallo, S.-O. Niang, A. Kane, M.-T. Dieng

Résumé

But

Déterminer le profil épidémio-clinique et étiologique de la teigne du cuir chevelu chez l'adulte à Dakar (Sénégal).

Patients et méthodes

Étude prospective, multicentrique, descriptive et analytique d'une durée de 9 mois. Les patients âgés de plus de 18 ans étaient inclus. Le diagnostic était confirmé par un examen mycologique.

Résultats

Nous avons inclus 121 patients, soit une fréquence hospitalière de 0,8 %. L'âge moyen était de 36 ans. Les patients âgés de 19 à 38 ans représentaient 64,4 % des cas, les femmes au foyer 51 % ; le niveau socioéconomique était bas dans 72,8 % des cas. Seules 3,3 % des teignes avaient débuté dans l'enfance. Les patients avaient consulté auprès des tradipraticiens dans 31,4 % des cas. Il existait une notion de cas similaires dans la famille de 60,3 % des patients et un contact avec un mouton dans 32,2 % des cas. On notait aussi une fréquentation des salons de coiffure dans 46,7 % des cas, une dépigmentation volontaire chez 64 % des femmes et une immunodépression dans 17,3 % des cas. Un prurit était présent chez 95,5 % des patients et des plaques squameuses chez 92,6 %. Les lésions étaient diffuses dans 64 % des cas (n = 75). L'examen à la lumière de Wood était positif dans 40,2 % des cas, et la culture l'était dans 71 %. Les germes trouvés étaient : Trichophyton soudanense (65 %), Microsporum audouinii (21 %), T. rubrum (4,7 %), M. gypseum (3,5 %), T. violaceum (2,3 %), T. verrucosum (2,3 %) et M. canis (1 cas). L'évolution était favorable sous griséofulvine ou terbinafine.

Conclusion

La teigne du cuir chevelu chez l'adulte atteint essentiellement la femme jeune. La forme diffuse est la plus fréquente. L'espèce T. soudanense est la plus fréquente.

Summary

Objective

To determine the epidemiological and etiological profile of tinea capitis in adults in Dakar (Senegal).

Patients and methods

A 9-month prospective, multicenter, descriptive and analytic study. Patients included were aged over 18 years. Mycological tests were used to confirm the diagnosis.

Results

121 patients were included with a mean age of 36.1 years and a hospitalisation frequency of 0.8%. The age range of 64.4% of patients was between19 and 38 years. 51% of patients were housewives. A low socioeconomic level was found in 72.8% of cases. In 3.3% of patients, the disease began in childhood. 31.4% of patients had already consulted a traditional healer. Similar familial cases were noted in 60.3% of patients. Contact with a sheep was noted in 32.2% of cases, deliberate skin lightening in 64% of women, hair salon attendance in 46.7% of women, and immunosuppression in 17.3% of patients, while itching was present in 95.5%. Dermatologic examination showed scaled plaques and a diffuse form, with 92.6% and 64% (n = 75) respectively. Wood's light examination was positive in 40.2% of patients. A positive culture test was found in 71%. The most frequently encountered species were: T. soudanense (65%), M. audouinii (21%), T. rubrum (4.7%), M. gypseum (3.5%), T. violaceum (2.3%), T. verrucosum (2.3%) and M. canis (1 case). The clinical course was favorable under treatment with griseofulvin or terbinafine.

Conclusion

Tinea capitis in adults mainly affects young women. The diffuse form is the most common. The most frequently encountered species was T. soudanense.

http://bit.ly/2FiHeBf

Pruritus in Deutschland – eine Google-Suchmaschinenanalyse

Zusammenfassung

Hintergrund

Die Prävalenz von chronischem und akutem Pruritus in der Allgemeinbevölkerung ist schwer zu ermitteln, da Betroffene häufig nicht zum Arzt gehen.

Ziel der Arbeit

Ziel dieser Studie ist es, mithilfe von Analysen des Google-Suchvolumens Rückschlüsse auf die Häufigkeit sowie die häufigsten Lokalisationen von Pruritus in der internetnutzenden Bevölkerung in Deutschland zu ziehen, die mit 62,4 Mio. Personen einen Großteil der deutschen Allgemeinbevölkerung umfasst.

Material und Methoden

Mithilfe des Google-AdWords-Keyword-Planner wurden relevante Keywords zum Thema „Juckreiz" im Zeitraum von Januar 2015 bis Dezember 2016 identifiziert und hinsichtlich des Suchvolumens analysiert.

Ergebnisse

Insgesamt wurden 701 Keywords zum Thema „Juckreiz" vom Google-AdWords-Keyword-Planner identifiziert, die im Analysezeitraum 7.531.890 Suchanfragen bei Google erzielten. Die häufigsten Suchbegriffe waren dabei „Neurodermitis" (23,7 %), „Schuppenflechte" (17,8 %) und „Psoriasis" (13 %), erst auf Platz 6 folgte der Begriff „Juckreiz" (3 %). Die meisten Suchanfragen (72 %) thematisierten Einflussfaktoren und dabei v. a. Hauterkrankungen und Hautveränderungen. Die häufigste Lokalisation war Pruritus am ganzen Körper, gefolgt von Juckreiz im Analbereich. Im jahreszeitlichen Verlauf zeigte sich ein höheres monatliches Suchvolumen zum Thema Pruritus im Winterhalbjahr.

Diskussion

Die vorliegende Studie erlaubt mit ihrer unkonventionellen Methodik von Google-Suchmaschinenanalysen erstmalig eine grobe Schätzung des „medical needs" von Pruritus in Deutschland auf Bevölkerungsebene, der höher als bisher angenommen erscheint. Dabei wurde v. a. auch Pruritus im Analbereich als „unmet need" identifiziert.

http://bit.ly/2VNniLR

Panorama Dermatologische Praxis

http://bit.ly/2QHx4eJ

Personalisierte Medizin

http://bit.ly/2VKL2A8

Antifungal activities against Candida albicans, of cell-free supernatants obtained from probiotic Pediococcus acidilactici HW01

Publication date: Available online 11 January 2019

Source: Archives of Oral Biology

Author(s): Hyunjin Kim, Seok-Seong Kang

Abstract

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the antifungal activities of cell-free supernatants of a probiotic strain,Pediococcus acidilactici HW01, against Candida albicans.

Design

C. albicans was cultured in the presence of different concentration of cell-free supernatants obtained from P. acidilactici HW01 (HW01 CFS) and the growth of C. albicans was determined. C. albicans was incubated with HW01 CFS for 24 h and the biofilm formation of C. albicans was determined by staining crystal violet and by using a scanning electron microscope. Biofilm quantification was determined by 2, 3-Bis (2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide (XTT) assay.

Results

HW01 CFS inhibitedC. albicans growth, whereas bacteriocin, which is a well-known antimicrobial peptide of lactic acid bacteria, failed to inhibit C. albicans growth. Pre-treatment and simultaneous treatment with HW01 CFS exhibited a significant inhibition of C. albicans biofilm. Although post-treatment with HW01 CFS did not disrupt the established biofilm of C. albicans at 3 h-incubation, significant reduced C. albicans biofilm was observed after 6 h-incubation in the presence of HW01 CFS.

Conclusion

These results suggested that the CFS fromP. acidilactici HW01 was revealed as an effective antifungal agent against C. albicans by reducing the growth and biofilm formation.

http://bit.ly/2D2jbnE

Down-regulation of mitochondrial NADH and cytochrome b gene associated with high tumor stages in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Publication date: Available online 10 January 2019

Source: Archives of Oral Biology

Author(s): Pitsapaporn Wangpermtam, Songsak Petmitr, Phaibul Punyarit, Boworn Klongnoi, Sirima Sanguansin

Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to determine mitochondrial mRNA expression levels and the relationships between these expression levels and various adverse clinicopathological characteristics.

Methods

The mRNA expression levels of all 12 genes encoded protein, located on the heavy-strand of mitochondrial DNA including cytochrome b, NADH1, NADH2, NADH3, NADH4, NADH4L, NADH5, ATPase6, ATPase8, cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1, cytochrome c oxidase subunit 2, cytochrome c oxidase subunit 3 were analyzed in 30 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and the corresponding normal tissues using reverse transcriptase quantitative real time PCR. Pearson Chi-square test was used to determine the relationships between these expression levels and categorical parameters.

Results

The expression levels of 12 mitochondrial mRNAs were observed in all 30 HNSCC patients with down-regulation, ranging from 43.3% - 76.7% and up-regulation, ranging from 10.0% – 36.7%. Furthermore, the number of cases with down-regulations in all 6 NADH and cytochrome b mRNA with TMN stages III and IV were significantly higher than that in stages I and II (p=0.049 and 0.007, respectively).

Conclusion

Down-regulation of all mitochondrial NADH mRNA as well as mitochondrial cytochrome b mRNA was associated with high tumor stage among HNSCC patients.

http://bit.ly/2THLrS8