Suspicious eyes - Elvis's glaucoma battle.

Elvis Presley (1935-1977) is an iconic figure in modern pop culture. Although many of his medical conditions have been the subject of extensive speculation, less is known about his ophthalmological problems, including steroid-induced glaucoma caused by a life-long use of steroids, both prescribed and self-administered, and secondary angle closure glaucoma most likely due to anterior uveitis. Further, he had an episode of acute angle closure glaucoma in 1971 that was treated with a subconjunctival injection of a mydriatic agent or, less likely, a paracentesis combined with an iridotomy.

Anti-osteoblastogenic, pro-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic effect of extracellular vesicles isolated from the human osteosarcoma cell line MNNG/HOS.

Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly recognized as integral signaling vehicles in several types of cancers, including bone malignancies. However, the specific mechanisms by which EVs influence osteosarcoma progression have not been fully determined. We evaluated the effects of EVs derived from the human osteosarcoma cell line MNNG/HOS (MNNG/HOS-EVs) on bone resident cells.

Patterns of chronic inflammation in extensively treated patients with arachnoiditis and chronic intractable pain.

Objective: To use biomarkers to gain insight into and gauge the residual (post-treatment) level of inflammation in two groups of intensively treated patients with severe chronic pain.

Methods: Three study groups were analyzed, and included: (i) patients (n = 90) with chronic intractable pain (CIP), (ii) patients (n = 26) with chronic pain and MRI-documented arachnoiditis (ARC) and (iii) normal subjects without a diagnosis of chronic pain (n = 86). We determined and compared the serum concentrations of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin (A1AT), Myeloperoxidase (MPO) and soluble Tumor Necrosis Factor receptor type 2 (sTNFR2) in each of the patient populations studied.

Why oral opioids may not be effective in a subset of chronic pain patients.

Objective: To identify possible underlying causes of poor oral opioid effectiveness.

Methods: Ninety-five (95) adults who were referred for evaluation and medical management of their intractable pain were screened to determine if oral opioids provided enough pain relief to physically and mentally function and carry out activities of daily living. A clinical evaluation included history, physical examination, cytochrome P450 enzyme testing and a hydromorphone injection to help confirm lack of oral opioid effectiveness.