The Effects of Lithium on Proprioceptive Sensory Function and Nerve Conduction.

Animals are exposed to lithium (Li) in the natural environment as well as by contact with industrial sources and therapeutic treatments. Low levels of exposure over time and high volumes of acute levels can be harmful and even toxic. The following study examines the effect of high-volume acute levels of Li on sensory nerve function and nerve conduction.

The Effects of Zinc on Proprioceptive Sensory Function and Nerve Conduction.

Zinc (Zn) is an essential element that can promote proper organ function, cell growth, and immune response; it can also, however, be present in too great a quantity. Zinc toxicity caused by overexposure may result in both minor and major physiological effects, with chronic exposure at low levels and acute exposure at high levels being harmful or even toxic. This investigation examines the effects of acute exposure to relatively high concentrations of Zn on sensory nerve function and nerve conduction.

Effective intravitreal gene delivery to retinal pigment epithelium with hyaluronic acid nanospheres.

Inherited retinal degeneration (IRD) can cause a wide range of different forms of vision loss and blindness, and in spite of extensive advancements in gene therapy research, therapeutic approaches for targeting IRDs are still lacking. We have recently developed an approach for the intravitreal co-delivery of hyaluronic-acid nanospheres (HA-NSs) with sulfotyrosine (ST), effectively reaching the outer retina from the vitreal cavity. Here, our goal was to understand whether DNA-filled HA-NSs could generate gene expression in the outer retina.

Downregulation of rhodopsin is an effective therapeutic strategy in ameliorating peripherin-2-associated inherited retinal disorders.

Given the absence of approved treatments for pathogenic variants in Peripherin-2 (PRPH2), it is imperative to identify a universally effective therapeutic target for PRPH2 pathogenic variants. To test the hypothesis that formation of the elongated discs in presence of PRPH2 pathogenic variants is due to the presence of the full complement of rhodopsin in absence of the required amounts of functional PRPH2. Here we demonstrate the therapeutic potential of reducing rhodopsin levels in ameliorating disease phenotype in knockin models for p.

Reduction of Outdoor and Indoor PM Source Contributions via Portable Air Filtration Systems in a Senior Residential Facility in Detroit, Michigan.

The Reducing Air Pollution in Detroit Intervention Study (RAPIDS) was designed to evaluate cardiovascular health benefits and personal fine particulate matter (particulate matter < 2.5 μm in diameter, PM) exposure reductions via portable air filtration units (PAFs) among older adults in Detroit, Michigan. This double-blind randomized crossover intervention study has shown that, compared to sham, air filtration for 3 days decreased 3-day average brachial systolic blood pressure by 3.

Expression of the human usherin c.2299delG mutation leads to early-onset auditory loss and stereocilia disorganization.

Usher syndrome (USH) is the leading cause of combined deafness and blindness, with USH2A being the most prevalent form. The mechanisms responsible for this debilitating sensory impairment remain unclear. This study focuses on characterizing the auditory phenotype in a mouse model expressing the c.

Comparative study of PRPH2 D2 loop mutants reveals divergent disease mechanism in rods and cones.

Mutations in the photoreceptor-specific tetraspanin gene peripherin-2 (PRPH2) lead to widely varying forms of retinal degeneration ranging from retinitis pigmentosa to macular dystrophy. Both inter- and intra-familial phenotypic heterogeneity has led to much interest in uncovering the complex pathogenic mechanisms of PRPH2-associated disease. Majority of disease-causing mutations in PRPH2 reside in the second intradiscal loop, wherein seven cysteines control protein folding and oligomerization.

The usherin mutation c.2299delG leads to its mislocalization and disrupts interactions with whirlin and VLGR1.

Usher syndrome (USH) is the leading cause of combined deafness-blindness with type 2 A (USH2A) being the most common form. Knockout models of USH proteins, like the Ush2a model that develops a late-onset retinal phenotype, failed to mimic the retinal phenotype observed in patients. Since patient's mutations result in the expression of a mutant protein and to determine the mechanism of USH2A, we generated and evaluated an usherin (USH2A) knock-in mouse expressing the common human disease-mutation, c.

Riboflavin deficiency leads to irreversible cellular changes in the RPE and disrupts retinal function through alterations in cellular metabolic homeostasis.

Ariboflavinosis is a pathological condition occurring as a result of riboflavin deficiency. This condition is treatable if detected early enough, but it lacks timely diagnosis. Critical symptoms of ariboflavinosis include neurological and visual manifestations, yet the effects of flavin deficiency on the retina are not well investigated.

Co-Injection of Sulfotyrosine Facilitates Retinal Uptake of Hyaluronic Acid Nanospheres Following Intravitreal Injection.

Gene and drug delivery to the retina is a critical therapeutic goal. While the majority of inherited forms of retinal degeneration affect the outer retina, specifically the photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium, effective targeted delivery to this region requires invasive subretinal delivery. Our goal in this work was to evaluate two innovative approaches for increasing both the persistence of delivered nanospheres and their penetration into the outer retina while using the much less invasive intravitreal delivery method.

Gene Therapy to the Retina and the Cochlea.

Vision and hearing disorders comprise the most common sensory disorders found in people. Many forms of vision and hearing loss are inherited and current treatments only provide patients with temporary or partial relief. As a result, developing genetic therapies for any of the several hundred known causative genes underlying inherited retinal and cochlear disorders has been of great interest.

Upper-Extremity Perceptual-Motor Training Improves Whole-Body Reactive Agility Among Elite Athletes With History of Sport-Related Concussion.

Context: Sport-related concussion (SRC) elevates risk for subsequent injury, which may relate to impaired perceptual-motor processes that are potentially modifiable.

Objective: To assess a possible upper-extremity (UE) training effect on whole-body (WB) reactive agility performance among elite athletes with history of SRC (HxSRC) and without such history of SRC.

Design: Cohort study.

Concussion History and Neuromechanical Responsiveness Asymmetry.

Context: Detection of subtle changes in brain sensorimotor processes may enable clinicians to identify athletes who would derive the greatest benefit from interventions designed to reduce the risk for future injury and progressive neurologic or musculoskeletal dysfunction.

Objective: To develop a generalizable statistical model for identifying athletes who possess subtle alterations in sensorimotor processes that may be due to previous concussion.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Reduction of personal PM exposure via indoor air filtration systems in Detroit: an intervention study.

The adverse health effects of fine particulate matter (PM < 2.5 μm in diameter [PM]) air pollution are well-documented. There is a growing body of evidence that high-efficiency particulate arrestance (HEPA) filtration can reduce indoor PM concentrations and deliver some health benefits via the reduction of exposure to PM.

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis presenting as facial nerve palsy in a teenager.

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA, previously known as Wegener's granulomatosis) is an autoimmune systemic small-vessel vasculitis, associated with the presence of anti-neurophil cytoplasmic antibodies with a cytoplasmic staining pattern (c-ANCA). It is characterized by necrotizing granulomas, usually affecting the airways and kidneys. GPA should be considered when patients do not improve despite adequate treatment of otologic symptoms, when patients have unspecific symptoms suggesting systemic disease (e.

Middle Ear Obliteration with Blind-Sac Closure of the External Auditory Canal for Spontaneous CSF Otorrhea.

Outcome Objectives To (1) identify unique features of patients who underwent middle ear/mastoid obliteration with blind-sac closure of the external auditory canal for spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) otorrhea and (2) explore outcomes. Study Design Case series with chart review. Setting Tertiary care center.

Analysis of Audiometric Outcomes following Combined Middle Cranial Fossa/Transmastoid Approaches for Spontaneous Cerebrospinal Fluid Otorrhea.

Outcome Objectives To (1) explore audiometric outcomes following use of a combined transmastoid/middle cranial fossa (TM-MCF) approach in the treatment of spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) otorrhea and (2) determine the influence of dehiscence location and reconstructive methodology on audiometric outcomes. Study Design Case series with chart review. Setting Tertiary care center.

Pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma presenting as a hypopharyngeal mass.

Background: Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a rare malignancy derived from skeletal muscle with approximately 40% of cases involving the head and neck. The pleomorphic variant, however, most commonly occurs in the extremities and has never, to our knowledge, been described in the pharynx.

Methods: A 46-year-old man with no significant medical history presented to the emergency department complaining of hemoptysis.

Steroids for treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objective: To systematically review the available evidence regarding steroid treatment for sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) and to update prior analyses when possible.

Data Sources: OVID Medline.

Review Methods: An electronic database search (OVID Medline) was performed with the objective of identifying all randomized controlled trials examining the use of steroids for the treatment of SSHL.