Transverse Myelitis in a Healthy Adult Female Patient: A Rare Viral Etiology.

Transverse myelitis (TM) is an uncommon but extensively documented neurological disorder marked by acute spinal cord inflammation, resulting in a spectrum of impairments including motor, sensory, and autonomic disturbances. We outline a rare case of viral-induced TM linked to COVID-19 and Coxsackie B viral infections. A 25-year-old healthy female patient presented with acute bilateral upper and lower extremity weakness, paresthesia, and urinary retention.

An estrogenic municipal effluent decreased fathead minnow reproduction to a near stop.

Municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) release endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) which can impact aquatic species' reproduction (e.g., decrease fecundity).

Simultaneous targeted and non-targeted analysis of contaminants in fertilizers in Quebec, Canada.

In this study, an LC-MS based analytical method was developed and validated for the simultaneous targeted analysis (14 bisphenols and 14 plasticizers) and suspect screening of other plastic-related contaminants in various types of fertilizers. The ultrasound-assisted extraction method showed overall satisfactory performances, achieving a median absolute recovery of 85 % for the target compounds in different types of fertilizers. The method was applied to sixteen different types of fertilizers, including fertilizing residual materials (n = 8 types), one cattle manure, and seven mineral fertilizers collected in Quebec, Canada in 2022 and 2023.

Zwitterionic, cationic, and anionic PFAS in freshwater sediments from AFFF-impacted and non-impacted sites of Eastern Canada.

Zwitterionic, cationic, and anionic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were investigated in freshwater sediments of Canada, including sites impacted by aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs). The first step of the project involved optimizing the extraction method with equilibrated sediment-water-AFFF samples. The analytical method had acceptable linearity, accuracy, and precision in the sediment matrix, and was further validated with NIST SRM 1936.

Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin (TSLP): Evidence in Respiratory Epithelial-driven Diseases Including Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps.

Purpose Of The Review: Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is increasingly recognized for its pivotal role in the pathogenesis of various epithelial-driven chronic inflammatory diseases. This review navigates the existing evidence on TSLP, with a particular focus on asthma, before delving into the current understanding of its role in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). We explore the role of TSLP in the pathogenesis of asthma and CRSwNP, two conditions often interconnected and collectively referred to as"Global Airway Disease".

Perioperative adjuvant therapy with short course of dupilumab with ESS for recurrent CRSwNP.

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) is associated with a high rate of disease recurrence following endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). Type 2 disease is associated with a higher incidence of recurrence and is believed to impact disease resolution via interference with epithelial healing and pathogen immunity. We wished to verify if perioperative control of Type 2 inflammation with an anti-IL4/IL13 targeting monoclonal antibody and during the resolution period following surgery leads to better control of the disease long term.

Is Seven Days Enough? Comparing A 7-Day Exposure to the Classical 21-Day OECD TG 229 Fish Short-Term Reproduction Assay in Fathead Minnow.

The OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) test guidelines (TG) 229-fish short-term reproduction assay (FSTRA) is one of the gold standard methods used to identify endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). While informative, the FSTRA's 5-6 week duration makes it difficult to use routinely. Prior studies have shown that EDCs' impact on fecundity, vitellogenin (VTG) and steroid levels can be detected after less than 1 week of exposure suggesting the FSTRA could be shortened.

Nasal brushing molecular endotyping distinguishes patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps with better response to dupilumab.

Background: There is evidence of pathophysiologic diversity in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), but data characterizing the molecular endotypes of CRSwNP and their association with treatment are lacking.

Objective: This study aimed to identify gene signatures associated with CRSwNP endotypes, clinical features, and dupilumab treatment response.

Methods: Nasal brushing samples were collected from 89 patients randomized to dupilumab 300 mg every 2 weeks or placebo in the SINUS-52 trial (NCT02898454).

EUFOREA/EPOS2020 statement on the clinical considerations for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps care.

Following the European Forum for Research and Education in Allergy and Airway Diseases (EUFOREA) treatment algorithm for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), patients suffering from severe uncontrolled CRSwNP are recommended to receive oral corticosteroids, (revision) sinus surgery, systemic biologicals and/or aspirin treatment after desensitization (ATAD). Given the major differences in indications, outcomes, practical considerations, risks and costs of these key pillars of treatment, there is a growing need to define criteria for each treatment option and list the clinically relevant and major considerations for them. This EUFOREA document therefore provides an expert panel overview of the expected outcomes, specific considerations and (contra)indications of the five major treatment arms of severe uncontrolled CRSwNP: oral corticosteroids, primary and revision sinus surgery, biological treatment and ATAD.

Optogenetic targeting of AII amacrine cells restores retinal computations performed by the inner retina.

Most inherited retinal dystrophies display progressive photoreceptor cell degeneration leading to severe visual impairment. Optogenetic reactivation of inner retinal neurons is a promising avenue to restore vision in retinas having lost their photoreceptors. Expression of optogenetic proteins in surviving ganglion cells, the retinal output, allows them to take on the lost photoreceptive function.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of biologics for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps in Canada.

Background: Dupilumab, omalizumab, and mepolizumab are the three biologics currently approved for use in CRSwNP in Canada. Despite evidence of efficacy, their cost-effectiveness, which is a key factor influencing prescribing patterns, has not yet been compared to each other.

Methods: A cost-effectiveness model using quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) was constructed using a Decision Tree Markov analysis.

Consensus criteria for chronic rhinosinusitis disease control: an international Delphi Study.

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) disease control is a global metric of disease status for CRS. While there is broad acceptance that it is an important treatment goal, there has been inconsistency in the criteria used to define CRS control. The objective of this study was to identify and develop consensus around essential criteria for assessment of CRS disease control.

Utilization of Transcriptomic Profiling to Identify Molecular Markers Predicting Successful Recovery Following Endoscopic Sinus Surgery for Chronic Rhinosinusitis.

Objectives: Successful recovery from chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) following endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) can be characterized by minimal presence of symptoms and absence of disease on endoscopy. However, molecular markers of surgical success remain to be characterized. These could allow for better tailoring of perioperative therapy.

Remission: does it already exist in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis?

Background: Remission, defined as absence of symptoms and objective markers of disease, is emerging as the penultimate goal in the management of several chronic diseases. The concept of remission, well-established in Rheumatology as well as Gastroenterology, is currently emerging in Respiratory Medicine for asthma. It is interesting to consider whether the disease remission concept might successfully be applied to Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery in the management of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP).

The Effect of Corticosteroids on Sinus Microbiota in Chronic Rhinosinusitis Patients with Nasal Polyposis.

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) is a multifactorial disease with no known single cause, but it is thought that bacteria play a role in the disease process.

Objective: This pilot study aims to assess the longitudinal effect of corticosteroid therapy on sinus microbiota in chronic rhinosinusitis patients with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP).

Methods: A longitudinal prospective case-control study was done on patients with CRSwNP and healthy controls.

Sustained efficacy of mepolizumab in patients with severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps: SYNAPSE 24-week treatment-free follow-up.

Background: In the 52-week Phase III SYNAPSE study, mepolizumab given every 4 weeks (100 mg subcutaneously) reduced nasal polyp (NP) size, improved symptoms and quality of life (QoL), and reduced corticosteroid use and number of sinus surgeries in patients with severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), versus placebo. Because the durability of mepolizumab's efficacy after discontinuation is poorly understood in CRSwNP, the efficacy of mepolizumab after discontinuation was analyzed in severe CRSwNP, over a 24-week follow-up.

Methods: Changes from SYNAPSE baseline to end of treatment (week 52) and end of follow-up (week 76) were assessed for total endoscopic NP score, nasal obstruction and overall symptoms visual analog scale scores, and 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test score.

The Management of Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP) With Biologics.

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps affects a significant portion of the worldwide population. This illness is associated with several chronic conditions and has an important impact on patient quality of life, leading to a great societal economic burden. In recent years, biologic medications have been developed and found to be effective in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

Azithromycin Mechanisms of Action in CRS Include Epithelial Barrier Restoration and Type 1 Inflammation Reduction.

Objective: Previous in vitro transcriptomic profiling suggests azithromycin exerts its effects in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) via modulation of type 1 inflammation and restoration of epithelial barrier function. We wished to verify these postulated effects using in vitro models of epithelial repair and in vivo transcriptional profiling.

Study Design: Functional effects of azithromycin in CRS were verified using in vitro models of wounding.

Canadian multidisciplinary expert consensus on the use of biologics in upper airways: a Delphi study.

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) often coexists with lower airway disease. With the overlap between upper and lower airway disease, optimal management of the upper airways is undertaken in conjunction with that of the lower airways. Biologic therapy with targeted activity within the Type 2 inflammatory pathway can improve the clinical signs and symptoms of both upper and lower airway diseases.

Response to intranasal probiotic supplementation in refractory CRS is associated with modulation of non-type 2 inflammation and epithelial regeneration.

Justification: We have previously documented that in individuals with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) refractory to surgery, intranasal application of live , a probiotic bacterium, improves sinus-specific symptoms, SNOT-22, and mucosal aspect on endoscopy, accompanied by a reduction in sinus pathogens and an increase in protective bacteria. The present work explores the molecular mechanisms underpinning these observations using transcriptomics of the sinus mucosa.

Method: Epithelial brushings collected prospectively as a sub-study of the clinical trial were used to probe epithelial responses to microbiome supplementation using a hypothesis-free bioinformatic analysis of gene expression analysis.

Assessing athlete leadership and cohesion using a social network analysis approach.

The study of athlete leadership has gained momentum over the past 15 years and is recognized as a vital component of team performance. Specifically, athlete leadership has been most studied with regards to its impact on the outcome of cohesion. As a result, a current gap in this area of research is the analysis of attribute data, such as tenure and self-reported athlete leadership, and how this attribute data is related to outcomes, such as cohesion.

The EUFOREA pocket guide for chronic rhinosinusitis.

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is known to affect around 5 % of the total population, with major impact on the quality of life of those severely affected (1). Despite a substantial burden on individuals, society and health economies, CRS often remains underdiagnosed, under-estimated and under-treated (2). International guidelines like the European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps (EPOS) (3) and the International Consensus statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Rhinosinusitis 2021 (ICAR) (4) offer physicians insight into the recommended treatment options for CRS, with an overview of effective strategies and guidance of diagnosis and care throughout the disease journey of CRS.

Numb regulates Tau levels and prevents neurodegeneration in tauopathy mouse models.

Accumulation of the microtubule-associated protein Tau is linked to neuronal cell death in tauopathies, but how intraneuronal Tau levels are regulated in health and disease remains unclear. Here, we show that conditional inactivation of the trafficking adaptor protein Numb in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) increases Tau levels and leads to axonal blebbing, which is followed by neuronal cell loss in aged mice. In the TauP301S mouse model of tauopathy, conditional inactivation of Numb in RGCs and spinal motoneurons accelerates neurodegeneration, and loss of Numb in motoneurons also leads to precocious hindlimb paralysis.

Artemisia extracts differ from artemisinin effects on human hepatic CYP450s 2B6 and 3A4 in vitro.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The Chinese medicinal herb, Artemisia annua L., has been used for >2,000 yr as traditional tea infusions to treat a variety of infectious diseases including malaria, and its use is spreading globally (along with A. afra Jacq.