Relation of positive fluid balance to the severity of renal impairment and recovery among ST elevation myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock.

Purpose: We analyzed the relationship between a positive fluid balance and its persistence over time on acute kidney injury (AKI) development, severity and resolution among ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients complicated by cardiogenic shock.

Methods: We retrospectively studied the cumulative fluid balance intake and output at 96h following hospital admission in 84 consecutive adult patients with STEMI complicated by cardiogenic shock. The cohort was stratified into two groups, based on the presence or absence of positive fluid balance on day 4.

Incidence and outcomes of early left ventricular thrombus following ST-elevation myocardial infarction treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: Since the advent of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), studies have reported a declining incidence of left ventricular thrombus (LVT) following ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We investigated the incidence and outcomes of early (pre-discharge) LVT in the contemporary era of PCI practice in a large cohort of STEMI patients.

Methods: We retrospectively studied 2071 consecutive STEMI patients who underwent successful primary PCI.

Effect of Vitamin D Replacement on Cognition in Multiple Sclerosis Patients.

Multiple Sclerosis is associated with deficient serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25 (OH)D) level and cognitive impairment. The aim of this study is to evaluate cognitive performance in MS patients with deficient 25 (OH)D (<25 ng/ml) compared to patients with sufficient levels (>35 ng/ml), then to evaluate the change in cognitive performance after 3 months of vitamin D3 oral replacement. Eighty-eight MS patients with relapsing remitting and clinically isolated type of MS, older than 18 years treated with interferon beta were enrolled.

Safety and Efficacy of Sequential Intracorneal Ring Segment Implantation and Cross-linking in Pediatric Keratoconus.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and visual outcome of intracorneal ring segment (ICRS) implantation followed by cross-linking in pediatric keratoconus patients.

Design: Retrospective interventional case series.

Methods: This retrospective study included pediatric patients (aged ≤14 years) with keratoconus and poor corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) that underwent ICRS implantation and cross-linking (CXL).

ENDOILLUMINATION-ASSISTED MODIFIED SCLERAL BUCKLING.

Purpose: To assess the anatomical and functional outcomes in addition to complications for endoillumination-assisted modified scleral buckling surgery using a noncontact Oculus BIOM wide-angle viewing system in patients with primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

Methods: This is an interventional prospective noncomparative case series. Consecutive patients listed for scleral buckle surgery for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment were enrolled over an 18-month period and followed up for 1 year.

Defects in CD4+ T cell LFA-1 integrin-dependent adhesion and proliferation protect Cd47-/- mice from EAE.

CD47 is known to play an important role in CD4 T cell homeostasis. We recently reported a reduction in mice deficient in the Cd47 gene (Cd47) CD4 T cell adhesion and transendothelial migration (TEM) in vivo and in vitro as a result of impaired expression of high-affinity forms of LFA-1 and VLA-4 integrins. A prior study concluded that Cd47 mice were resistant to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) as a result of complete failure in CD4 T cell activation after myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptide 35-55 aa (MOG) immunization.

Mechanisms of Effort Intolerance in Patients With Heart Failure and Borderline Ejection Fraction.

Combining echocardiography and cardiopulmonary stress testing allows noninvasive assessment of hemodynamics, and oxygen extraction (A-VO difference). We evaluated mechanisms of effort intolerance in patients with heart failure with borderline (40% to 49%) left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) (HF and Borderline Ejection fraction). We included 89 consecutive patients with HF and Borderline Ejection fraction (n = 25; 63.

Th9 cells in the pathogenesis of EAE and multiple sclerosis.

Interleukin (IL)-9 producing CD4 T helper cells (Th9) are the newest addition to the T helper cell subsets. IL-9 binds to a heterodimeric receptor consisting of the IL-9 receptor (IL-9R) and a common γ chain also presents in IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, and IL-15 receptor complexes. In addition to Th9 cells, Th17 cells secrete smaller amounts of IL-9.

Drinking water system treatment and contamination in Shatila Refugee Camp in Beirut, Lebanon.

Drinking water at Shatila Palestinian Refugee Camp in Beirut, Lebanon is of poor quality and unpredictably intermittent quantity. We aimed to characterize drinking water sources and contamination at Shatila and determine how drinking water can be managed to reduce community health burdens. We interviewed the Popular Committee, well owners, water vendors, water shopkeepers and preschool administrators about drinking water sources, treatment methods and the population served.

Genetic predictors of human chronic pain conditions.

Chronic pain conditions are multifactorial disorders with a high frequency in the population. Their pathophysiology is often unclear, and treatment is inefficient. During the last 20years, genetic linkage analysis and association studies have made considerable strides toward identifying key molecular contributors to the onset and maintenance of chronic pain.

Blood Biomarkers as Outcome Measures in Inflammatory Neurologic Diseases.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system. Only a few biomarkers are available in MS clinical practice, such as cerebrospinal fluid oligoclonal bands and immunoglobulin index, serum anti-aquaporin 4 antibodies, and serum anti-John Cunningham virus antibodies. Thus, there is a significant unmet need for biomarkers to assess prognosis, response to therapy, or potential treatment complications.

Discriminating Circulatory Problems From Deconditioning: Echocardiographic and Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test Analysis.

Background: Discriminating circulatory problems with reduced stroke volume (SV) from deconditioning, in which the muscles cannot consume oxygen normally, by gas exchange parameters is difficult.

Methods: We performed combined stress echocardiography (SE) and cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPET) in 110 patients (20 with normal effort capacity, 54 with attenuated SV response, and 36 with deconditioning) to evaluate multiple hemodynamic parameters and oxygen content difference (A-V.o Diff) in four predefined activity levels to assess which of the gas measures may help in the discrimination.

Tiam1/Rac1 complex controls Il17a transcription and autoimmunity.

RORγt is a master transcription factor of Th17 cells and considered as a promising drug target for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Here, we show the guanine nucleotide exchange factor, Tiam1, and its cognate Rho-family G protein, Rac1, regulate interleukin (IL)17A transcription and autoimmunity. Whereas Tiam1 genetic deficiency weakens IL-17A expression partially and inhibits the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), deletion of Rac1 in T cells exhibits more robust effects on Th17 cells and EAE.

Three cases of herpes zoster radiculitis in MS patients treated with natalizumab.

Natalizumab was the first FDA-approved monoclonal antibody for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). We report on 3 natalizumab-treated patients who developed herpes zoster infections. In addition to progressive multifocal leukoencephelopathy, other opportunistic infections have been rarely reported during Natalizumab treatment.

Sleep Bruxism-Tooth Grinding Prevalence, Characteristics and Familial Aggregation: A Large Cross-Sectional Survey and Polysomnographic Validation.

Study Objectives: Sleep bruxism (SB) is characterized by tooth grinding and jaw clenching during sleep. Familial factors may contribute to the occurrence of SB. This study aims are: (1) revisit the prevalence and characteristics of SB in a large cross-sectional survey and assess familial aggregation of SB, (2) assess comorbidity such as insomnia and pain, (3) compare survey data in a subset of subjects diagnosed using polysomnography research criteria.

Retinal measures correlate with cognitive and physical disability in early multiple sclerosis.

Further studies are needed to determine the role of retinal optical coherence tomography (OCT) in non-optic neuritis (ON) eyes of patients with early MS. The objective of this study is to explore the relationship between retinal layers' thickness and cognitive as well as physical disability in patients with the early RRMS. Participants in this cross-sectional study were adults with early RRMS, stable on interferon beta-1a, or fingolimod therapy, and without a history of ON in one or both eyes.

Pediatric Keratoconus in a Tertiary Referral Center: Incidence, Presentation, Risk Factors, and Treatment.

Purpose: To report the incidence, clinical presentation, risk factors, and treatment outcome of pediatric keratoconus in a tertiary referral eye hospital in Beirut, Lebanon.

Methods: In this retrospective study, the authors evaluated all patients with keratoconus 14 years or younger newly diagnosed at the Beirut Eye Specialist Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon, between January 2010 and December 2014. The incidence of pediatric keratoconus among all pediatric patients and among patients with keratoconus of all ages was assessed.

ACCLAIM: A randomized trial of abatacept (CTLA4-Ig) for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Background: Costimulatory blockade of T lymphocytes with the CTLA4-Ig fusion protein abatacept could be an effective treatment for the immune-mediated neuroinflammatory disease relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).

Objective: To evaluate efficacy and safety of abatacept in RRMS.

Methods: ACCLAIM (A Cooperative Clinical Study of Abatacept in Multiple Sclerosis) was a Phase II, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center trial.

Imaging in multiple sclerosis: A new spin on lesions.

This article evaluates the most relevant state-of-the-art magnetic resonance (MR) techniques that are clinically available to investigate multiple sclerosis (MS). The presence of hypo- and hyperintense lesions on T1- and T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences in white matter (WM) is a common finding that is occasionally a diagnostic challenge for the radiologist. The technical requirements and how they may help to understand, classify or follow-up these pathologies are briefly summarized.

Novel method for dynamic control of intracranial pressure.

OBJECT Intracranial pressure (ICP) pulsations are generally considered a passive result of the pulsatility of blood flow. Active experimental modification of ICP pulsations would allow investigation of potential active effects on blood and CSF flow and potentially create a new platform for the treatment of acute and chronic low blood flow states as well as a method of CSF substance clearance and delivery. This study presents a novel method and device for altering the ICP waveform via cardiac-gated volume changes.

A comparative analysis of lncRNAs in prostate cancer exosomes and their parental cell lines.

Prostate cancer is the second leading cancer in men world-wide. Due to its heterogeneous nature, a considerable amount of research effort has been dedicated in identifying effective clinical biomarkers with a focus on proteins, messenger RNA and microRNAs [1]. However, there is limited data on the role and expression of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in prostate cancer exosomes [2].

Prognostic implications of fluid balance in ST elevation myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock.

Background: Positive fluid balance has been associated with adverse outcomes in patients admitted to general intensive care units. We analysed the relationship between a positive fluid balance and its persistence over time in terms of in-hospital outcomes among ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients complicated by cardiogenic shock.

Methods: We retrospectively studied fluid intake and output for 96 hours following hospital admission in 48 consecutive adult patients with STEMI complicated by cardiogenic shock, all undergoing primary angioplasty.

Medical Research Volunteer Program (MRVP): innovative program promoting undergraduate research in the medical field.

Background: Most educational institutions lack a structured system that provides undergraduate students with research exposure in the medical field. The objective of this paper is to describe the structure of the Medical Research Volunteer Program (MRVP) which was established at the American University of Beirut, Lebanon, as well as to assess the success of the program.

Methods: The MRVP is a program that targets undergraduate students interested in becoming involved in the medical research field early on in their academic career.

Ultrasound-Guided Phrenic Nerve Block for Intractable Hiccups following Placement of Esophageal Stent for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Unlabelled: Hiccups are actions consisting of sudden contractions of the diaphragm and intercostals followed by a sudden inspiration and transient closure of the vocal cords. They are generally short lived and benign; however, in extreme and rare cases, such as esophageal carcinoma, they can become persistent or intractable, up to and involving significant pain, dramatically impacting the patient's quality of life. This case involves a 60-year-old man with a known history of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus.

Expression of microRNAs in HPV negative tonsil cancers and their regulation of PDCD4.

Global rates of tonsil cancer have been increasing since the turn of the millennia, however we still have a limited understanding of the genes and pathways which control this disease. This array dataset which is linked to our publication (Zhang et al., 2015) describes the profiling of human miRNAs in tonsil and normal adjacent tissues.