Gout: optimizing treatment to achieve a disease cure.

Gout is one of the most common inflammatory arthritides. The disease is due to the deposition of monosodium urate crystals. These deposits are reversible with proper treatment, suggesting that gout is a curable disease.

Accurate mode characterization of two-mode optical fibers by in-fiber acousto-optics.

Acousto-optic interaction in optical fibers is exploited for the accurate and broadband characterization of two-mode optical fibers. Coupling between LP and LP modes is produced in a broadband wavelength range. Difference in effective indices, group indices, and chromatic dispersions between the guided modes, are obtained from experimental measurements.

Impact of age- and gender-specific cut-off values for the fecal immunochemical test for hemoglobin in colorectal cancer screening.

Background: There is no information on the impact of age and gender on the diagnostic yield of different positivity thresholds for the fecal immunochemical test for hemoglobin (FIT).

Objectives: To evaluate the performance of this test at distinct positivity cut-offs in a population-based colorectal cancer (CRC) screening program.

Methods: CRC detection rate (DR), and analysis of resources were evaluated retrospectively, at different cut-offs of FIT (20, 25, 30, 35 and 40μg Hb/g) respect to a reference value (15μg Hb/g), according to age and gender, in a screening population of 10,611 participants of the ColonPrev study (Quintero.

[Superficial mycoses--analysis of mycological examinations from Mycology Laboratory in Krakow in years 2010-2014].

Introduction: Superficial fungal infections are a major epidemiological issue with increasing prevalence. Mycological examination is crucial for proper diagnosis. The aim of this study was to determine the epidemiological and etiological factors of superficial fungal infections in Malopolska and the incidence of superficial fungal infections in relation to sex and age.

Epidemiological profile and postoperative complications of women undergoing gynecological surgery in a reference center in the northern Brazilian legal Amazon.

Objective: To evaluate the epidemiological profile and the operative complications of patients undergoing gynecological operations for benign diseases in a tertiary public hospital in the state of Roraima, Brazil.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective survey through the analysis of 518 records of patients submitted to gynecological operations between January and June 2012. We included the three major operations during this period (n = 175): hysterectomy, colpoperineoplasty and suburethral sling placement.

Phytotoxic and Nematicidal Components of Lavandula luisieri.

Several preparations were obtained from the aerial parts of predomesticated Lavandula luisieri, including the essential oil and ethanolic, hexane, and ethyl acetate extractives. Additionally, pilot plant vapor pressure extraction was carried out at a pressure range of 0.5-1.

Current advances in therapies for calcium pyrophosphate crystal arthritis.

Purpose Of Review: Calcium pyrophosphate (CPP) crystal disease is a common rheumatologic disorder that has received limited attention from the scientific community. This review is aimed at summarizing current evidence for managing CPP disease (CPPD), focusing on recently reported advances.

Recent Findings: New data from case series indicate that interleukin-1β inhibitors can help patients with refractory forms of CPPD.

Silent Monosodium Urate Crystal Deposits Are Associated With Severe Coronary Calcification in Asymptomatic Hyperuricemia: An Exploratory Study.

Objective: To evaluate the association between monosodium urate (MSU) crystal deposits in patients with asymptomatic hyperuricemia and the severity and extension of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, consecutive inpatients with a non-ST elevation acute coronary event and asymptomatic hyperuricemia (serum uric acid concentration of ≥7.0 mg/dl) or normouricemia (serum uric acid concentration of <7.

BPTF is required for c-MYC transcriptional activity and in vivo tumorigenesis.

c-MYC oncogene is deregulated in most human tumours. Histone marks associated with transcriptionally active genes define high-affinity c-MYC targets. The mechanisms involved in their recognition by c-MYC are unknown.

Primary cutaneous lymphomas: the analysis of cases treated in the Department of Dermatology University Hospital in Krakow.

Introduction: Primary cutaneous lymphomas are lymphoproliferative skin infiltrates of T-, B- or NK-cells, classified according to the World Health Organization - European Organization of the Research and Treatment of Cancer (WHO-EORTC) criteria. They are the second most common group of extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphomas, that present in the skin with no evidence of systemic involvement at the time of diagnosis.

Aims: The aim of the study was the analysis of clinical profile of cutaneous lymphomas in the tertiary referral center in Poland.

Human lactoferrin triggers a mitochondrial- and caspase-dependent regulated cell death in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

We have previously shown that the antifungal activity of human lactoferrin (hLf) against Candida albicans relies on its ability to induce cell death associated with apoptotic markers. To gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying hLf-induced apoptosis, we characterized this cell death process in the well-established Saccharomyces cerevisiae model. Our results indicate that hLf induces cell death in S.

Retrospective Analysis of an Ongoing Group-Based Modified Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy Program for Children with Acquired Brain Injury.

Aim: A pretest-posttest retrospective design was used to evaluate the impact of a group-based modified constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT) program on upper extremity function and occupational performance.

Methods: 20 children ages 3 to 18 years with hemiplegia following an acquired brain injury participated in a 2-week group mCIMT program. Upper extremity function was measured with the Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA) and subtests from the Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test (QUEST).

Two New Species of Homalometron (Digenea: Apocreadiidae) from Nearctic Freshwater Fundulids, Elucidation of the Life Cycle of H. cupuloris, and Molecular Phylogenetic Analysis of Some Congeners.

Two species of digeneans belonging in Homalometron are described from Nearctic freshwater fundulid fishes: Homalometron robisoni n. sp. is described from the Blackstripe Topminnow, Fundulus notatus, from Oklahoma and Homalometron frocioneae n.

Epigenetic regulation of interleukin-8, an inflammatory chemokine, in osteoarthritis.

Objective: To determine whether altered IL8 methylation status is associated with increased expression of IL8 in human osteoarthritic (OA) chondrocytes.

Methods: IL8 expression levels and the percentage CpG methylation in human chondrocytes were quantified by qRT-PCR and pyrosequencing in OA patients and in non-OA osteoporotic controls. The effect of CpG methylation on IL8 promoter activity was determined using a CpG-free vector; co-transfections with expression vectors encoding nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), AP-1 and C/EBP were subsequently undertaken to analyse for IL8 promoter activity in response to changes in methylation status.

Skeletal stem cell and bone implant interactions are enhanced by LASER titanium modification.

Purpose: To evaluate the osteo-regenerative potential of Titanium (Ti) modified by Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation (LASER) beam (Yb-YAG) upon culture with human Skeletal Stem Cells (hSSCs(1)).

Methods: Human skeletal cell populations were isolated from the bone marrow of haematologically normal patients undergoing primary total hip replacement following appropriate consent. STRO-1(+) hSSC(1) function was examined for 10 days across four groups using Ti discs: i) machined Ti surface group in basal media (Mb(2)), ii) machined Ti surface group in osteogenic media (Mo(3)), iii) LASER-modified Ti group in basal media (Lb(4)) and, iv) LASER-modified Ti group in osteogenic media (Lo(5)).

Selective nematocidal effects of essential oils from two cultivated Artemisia absinthium populations.

Essential oils (EOs) obtained from two crops and populations of thujone-free cultivated Artemisia absinthium were tested against two nematode models, the mammalian parasite Trichinella spiralis, and the plant parasitic root knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica. The EOs were characterized by the presence of (Z)-epoxyocimene and chrysanthenol as major components and showed time and population dependent quantitative and qualitative variations in composition. The EOs showed a strong ex vivo activity against the L1 larvae of the nematode Trichinella spiralis with a reduction of infectivity between 72 and 100% at a dose range of 0.

Mente Activa® Improves Impaired Spatial Memory in Aging Rats.

Objectives: Aging is accompanied by a decline in several aspects of the cognitive function, having negative personal and socioeconomic impacts. Dietary supplements could be beneficial for preventing age-related cognitive decline. In this context, we examined whether the nutritional supplement Mente Activa® has beneficial effects on aging-related cognitive deficits without inducing side effects.

Motor simulation beyond the dyad: Automatic imitation of multiple actors.

A large body of research has provided evidence for the idea that individuals simulate the actions of others in their motor system. However, this research has focused almost exclusively on dyadic situations, hence ignoring the fact that social situations often require that the actions of multiple persons are simulated simultaneously. In the current study, we addressed this issue by means of a widely used automatic imitation task.

Mechanisms of crystal formation in gout-a structural approach.

The mechanisms and sites of monosodium urate monohydrate (MSU) crystal deposition in gout have received little attention from the scientific community to date. Formalin fixation of tissues leads to the dissolution of MSU crystals, resulting in their absence from routinely processed pathological samples and hence neglect. However, modern imaging techniques-especially ultrasonography but also conventional CT and dual-energy CT-reveal that MSU crystals form at the cartilage surface as well as inside tendons and ligaments, often at insertion sites.

Assessment of global DNA methylation in peripheral blood cell subpopulations of early rheumatoid arthritis before and after methotrexate.

Introduction: DNA methylation is an epigenetic mechanism regulating gene expression that has been insufficiently studied in the blood of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, as only T cells and total peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with established RA have been studied and with conflicting results.

Method: Five major blood cell subpopulations: T, B and NK cells, monocytes, and polymorphonuclear leukocytes, were isolated from 19 early RA patients and 17 healthy controls. Patient samples were taken before and 1 month after the start of treatment with methotrexate (MTX).

Exposure to repeated immobilization stress inhibits cocaine-induced increase in dopamine extracellular levels in the rat ventral tegmental area.

A higher vulnerability to drug abuse has been observed in human studies of individuals exposed to chronic or persistent stress, as well as in animal models of drug abuse. Here, we explored the effect of repeated immobilization stress on cocaine-induced increase in dopamine extracellular levels in VTA and its regulation by corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and GABA systems. Cocaine (10mg/Kg i.

Unsigned value prediction-error modulates the motor system in absence of choice.

Human actions are driven by the pursuit of goals, especially when achieving these goals entails a reward. Accordingly, recent work showed that anticipating a reward in a motor task influences the motor system, boosting motor excitability and increasing overall readiness. Attaining a reward typically requires some mental or physical effort.

Impact of vaccination on invasive pneumococcal disease in adults with focus on the immunosuppressed.

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) has been recently added to the vaccine recommendations for immunosuppressed adults (ISP). We conducted a multicenter observational prospective study aimed to assess the evolving epidemiology of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in adults, with especial focus on ISP. All IPD cases admitted from 1999 to 2014 were included.