Temporal Relationship Between Serum Neurofilament Light Chain and Radiologic Disease Activity in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis.

Background And Objectives: Serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) levels correlate with multiple sclerosis (MS) disease activity, but the dynamics of this correlation are unknown. We evaluated the relationship between sNfL levels and radiologic MS disease activity through monthly assessments during the 24-week natalizumab treatment interruption period in RESTORE (NCT01071083).

Methods: In the RESTORE trial, participants with relapsing forms of MS who had received natalizumab for ≥12 months were randomized to either continue or stop natalizumab and followed with MRI and blood draws every 4 weeks to week 28 and again at week 52 The sNfL was measured, and its dynamics were correlated with the development of gadolinium-enhancing (Gd+) lesions.

Measuring the probability of a financial crisis.

When financial firms are undercapitalized, they are vulnerable to external shocks. The natural response to such vulnerability is to reduce leverage, and this can endogenously start a financial crisis. Excessive credit growth, the main cause of financial crises, is reflected in the undercapitalization of the financial sector.

Feasibility Study for Transnasal Endoscopic Repair of Orbital Floor Fracture With Alloplastic Implant.

Objective: Fractures of the orbital floor are common yet repaired by various techniques, including open periorbital, transantral endoscopic, and endoscopic endonasal approaches. To date, endoscopic endonasal repair of an orbital floor fracture using an alloplastic implant has not been described. We aim to determine the technique and limitations of completely endoscopic endonasal orbital floor repair using an alloplastic implant.

Transnasal endoscopic medial maxillary sinus wall transposition with preservation of structures.

Objectives/hypothesis: To evaluate the increase in access to the maxillary sinus (MS) with transnasal endoscopic medial maxillary sinus wall transposition (TEMMT), while preserving major structures of the nasal cavity.

Study Design: The study was divided into three parts: anatomical, radiographic, and case series.

Methods: Three cadaveric dissections (total of six sides) confirmed the feasibility of the TEMMT approach.

Endoscopic midfacial rejuvenation.

Early facial rejuvenation focused largely on the upper and lower thirds of the face. More recently, improvements in understanding of midfacial aging and anatomy have paralleled the development of endoscopic and minimally invasive surgical techniques. The midface is now understood to include both the lower lid subunit and the cheek down to the nasolabial fold.

Split-calvarial osteopericranial flap for reconstruction following endoscopic anterior resection of cranial base.

Objectives/hypothesis: To conceive and critically evaluate an adaptation of the split calvarial osteopericranial flap for reconstruction following endoscopic endonasal resection of the anterior skull base.

Study Design: Cadaveric anatomic study.

Methods: Five cadavers were embalmed with methanol, and vasculature was injected with latex.

Impact of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on otitis media bacteriology.

Objectives: To determine the microbiology of otitis media (OM) since the introduction of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) in February 2010.

Methods: Middle ear effusion from a pediatric Otolaryngology population undergoing pressure equalization tube (PET) placement was obtained and sent for aerobic culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing between August 2012 and April 2013. Vaccination records were obtained and statistical analysis was completed.

The safety of bendamustine in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia or non-Hodgkin lymphoma and concomitant renal impairment: a retrospective electronic medical record database analysis.

Abstract This retrospective study compared adverse-event rates in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), with and without renal impairment, receiving bendamustine alone or with rituximab. Patients (n = 940) were stratified into a renally impaired group (creatinine clearance [CrCL] < 40 mL/min) and two comparator groups (CrCL ≥ 40 mL/min and CrCL ≥ 60 mL/min). Renally impaired patients with NHL had a significantly greater incidence of grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia compared with the CrCL ≥ 60 mL/min group (hazard ratio [HR], 2.