Raman spectroscopy in oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: a systematic review.

Due to the high incidence of head and neck cancer and under-diagnosis in the early stages, non-invasive and highly accurate diagnostic tests are required for cancer detection. Recent advances in Raman spectroscopy techniques have yielded promising sensitivity and specificity results in the evaluation of cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential value of Raman spectroscopy in oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer diagnosis based on currently available scientific papers. A search of the PubMed database was performed using a specific strategy and according to the PRISMA guidelines. Raman spectroscopy achieved a maximum accuracy of 98% in cancer detection, while accuracy was 97.24% for tumour grading evaluation, 95% for cancer treatment assessment, and 77% for the detection of cancer recurrence. Moreover, early-stage cancer can be identified by Raman spectroscopy investigation of liquid biopsy samples. An in vivo technique with direct mucosa examination by fibre-optic Raman spectroscopy obtained a maximum accuracy of 94% in cancer diagnosis. The most prominent markers of the presence of malignancy were an increase in Raman signal intensity for proteins, nucleic acids, and water and a decrease for lipids. These cancer discriminants were detected in both fingerprint and high wavenumber regions. In conclusion, Raman spectroscopy is a promising tool for oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer screening.

[Experience with 4 clinical cases. Traumatic encephalopathy may be associated with a single traumatic brain injury?] / Experiencia con cuatro casos clínicos, ¿puede la encefalopatía traumática crónica estar asociada a un traumatismo craneoencefálico único?

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative disease that affects people who had repetitive head trauma. Also, in single traumatic brain injury (TBI), changes may be found during the follow-up visits. We present four clinical cases of patients visited at the Institut Guttmann clinic between 2017 and 2019. They were affected by mild sequelae of severe and unique TBI who have subsequently developed a neurodegenerative disease without a specific diagnosis, and who could meet clinical criteria for chronic traumatic encephalopathy syndrome. Rehabilitation doctors are the professionals with the greatest possibility of identifying a suggestive clinic of this pathology, they can order the appropriate studies and indicate the new rehabilitation goals according to the new neurological situation.

[Neurological complications of nitrous oxide consumption. A case report]. / Complicaciones neurológicas del consumo de óxido nitroso. A propósito de un caso.

TITLE: Complicaciones neurológicas del consumo de óxido nitroso. A propósito de un caso.

[Spasticity in neurological pathologies. An update on the pathophysiological mechanisms, advances in diagnosis and treatment]. / Espasticidad en la patología neurológica. Actualización sobre mecanismos fisiopatológicos, avances en el diagnóstico y tratamiento.

INTRODUCTION: Spasticity is a frequent clinical sign in people with neurological diseases that affects mobility and causes serious complications: pain, joint limitation, muscular contractions and bed sores, which have a significant effect on the individual's functionality and quality of life. AIM: To review the integration, description and critical interpretation of the most recent scientific evidence on the clinical variability of spasticity and associated symptoms, the different pathophysiological mechanisms and their relevance in the diagnostic and therapeutic approach. DEVELOPMENT: A search was conducted in the scientific publications on the different aspects of spasticity grouped into two main categories: cerebral and spinal cord pathologies. The epidemiological, clinical and pathophysiological aspects, clinical and instrumental diagnoses, and the physiotherapeutic, pharmacological and surgical approach to spasticity in each group of pathologies were all reviewed. CONCLUSION: Spasticity is related to structural lesions and maladaptive neuroplastic changes that determine an important variability in its clinical expression. Although its diagnosis presents important limitations, the use of clinical and neurophysiological diagnostic tools aimed at achieving different approaches in cases of neurological pathologies originating in the brain and in the spinal cord could optimise the effectiveness of spasticity therapies.

TITLE: Espasticidad en la patología neurológica. Actualización sobre mecanismos fisiopatológicos, avances en el diagnóstico y tratamiento.Introducción. La espasticidad es un signo clínico frecuente en personas con enfermedades neurológicas que afecta a la movilidad y causa graves complicaciones: dolor, limitación articular, contracturas y úlceras por presión, que conllevan una afectación significativa de la funcionalidad del individuo y de su calidad de vida. Objetivo. Revisar la integración, la descripción y la interpretación crítica de la evidencia científica más reciente sobre la variabilidad clínica de la espasticidad y los síntomas asociados, los distintos mecanismos fisiopatológicos y su relevancia en el abordaje diagnóstico y terapéutico. Desarrollo. Se realizó una búsqueda de las publicaciones científicas sobre los distintos aspectos de la espasticidad agrupados en dos categorías magistrales: patologías cerebral y medular; y se revisaron aspectos epidemiológicos, clínicos y fisiopatológicos, el diagnóstico clínico e instrumental, y el abordaje fisioterapéutico, farmacológico y quirúrgico de la espasticidad en cada grupo de patologías. Conclusión. La espasticidad se relaciona con lesiones estructurales y cambios neuroplásticos maladaptativos que determinan una importante variabilidad en su expresión clínica. Aunque su diagnóstico presenta importantes limitaciones, el uso de herramientas de diagnóstico clínico y neurofisiológico encaminadas al abordaje diferencial en las patologías neurológicas de origen cerebral y medular podría optimizar la eficacia de las terapias de la espasticidad.

Red yeasts from leaf surfaces and other habitats: three new species and a new combination of Symmetrospora (Pucciniomycotina, Cystobasidiomycetes).

Our understanding of the systematics of red yeasts has greatly improved with the availability of sequence data and it is now clear that the majority of these fungi belong to three different classes of Pucciniomycotina (Basidiomycota): Agaricostilbomycetes, Cystobasidiomycetes, and Microbotryomycetes. Despite improvements in phylogenetic placement, the taxonomy of these fungi has long been in need of revision and still has not been entirely resolved, partly due to missing taxa. In the present study, we present data of culture-based environmental yeast isolation, revealing several undescribed species of Symmetrospora, which was recently introduced to accommodate six species previously placed in the asexual genera Sporobolomyces and Rhodotorula in the gracilis/marina clade of Cystobasidiomycetes. Based on molecular phylogenetic analyses of three rDNA loci, morphology, and biochemical studies, we formally describe the following new species: Symmetrospora clarorosea sp. nov. from leaf surfaces in Portugal and the USA; S. pseudomarina sp. nov. from leaf surfaces in Brazil, and the USA and decaying wood in the USA; and S. suhii sp. nov. from a beetle gut in the USA, leaf surfaces in Brazil and marine water in the Taiwan and Thailand. Finally, we propose a new combination for Sporobolomyces oryzicola based on our molecular phylogenetic data, Symmetrospora oryzicola comb. nov.

European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps 2020.

The European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps 2020 is the update of similar evidence based position papers published in 2005 and 2007 and 2012. The core objective of the EPOS2020 guideline is to provide revised, up-to-date and clear evidence-based recommendations and integrated care pathways in ARS and CRS. EPOS2020 provides an update on the literature published and studies undertaken in the eight years since the EPOS2012 position paper was published and addresses areas not extensively covered in EPOS2012 such as paediatric CRS and sinus surgery. EPOS2020 also involves new stakeholders, including pharmacists and patients, and addresses new target users who have become more involved in the management and treatment of rhinosinusitis since the publication of the last EPOS document, including pharmacists, nurses, specialised care givers and indeed patients themselves, who employ increasing self-management of their condition using over the counter treatments. The document provides suggestions for future research in this area and offers updated guidance for definitions and outcome measurements in research in different settings. EPOS2020 contains chapters on definitions and classification where we have defined a large number of terms and indicated preferred terms. A new classification of CRS into primary and secondary CRS and further division into localized and diffuse disease, based on anatomic distribution is proposed. There are extensive chapters on epidemiology and predisposing factors, inflammatory mechanisms, (differential) diagnosis of facial pain, allergic rhinitis, genetics, cystic fibrosis, aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease, immunodeficiencies, allergic fungal rhinosinusitis and the relationship between upper and lower airways. The chapters on paediatric acute and chronic rhinosinusitis are totally rewritten. All available evidence for the management of acute rhinosinusitis and chronic rhinosinusitis with or without nasal polyps in adults and children is systematically reviewed and integrated care pathways based on the evidence are proposed. Despite considerable increases in the amount of quality publications in recent years, a large number of practical clinical questions remain. It was agreed that the best way to address these was to conduct a Delphi exercise . The results have been integrated into the respective sections. Last but not least, advice for patients and pharmacists and a new list of research needs are included. The full document can be downloaded for free on the website of this journal: http://www.rhinologyjournal.com.

Cercospora cf. flagellaris and Cercospora cf. sigesbeckiae Are Associated with Cercospora Leaf Blight and Purple Seed Stain on Soybean in North America.

Cercospora kikuchii has long been considered the causal agent of Cercospora leaf blight (CLB) and purple seed stain (PSS) on soybean, but a recent study found C. cf. flagellaris associated with CLB and PSS in Arkansas (United States) and Argentina. Here, we provide a broader perspective on the distribution of C. cf. flagellaris on soybean and alternate hosts within the United States (Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Kansas). We used a multilocus phylogenetic approach with data from actin, calmodulin, translation elongation factor 1-α, histone 3, the internal transcribed spacer region of rDNA and the mating-type locus to determine that two species, C. cf. flagellaris (200 of 205 isolates) and C. cf. sigesbeckiae (five of 205 isolates), are associated with CLB and PSS in the United States. In our phylogenetic analyses, species-level lineages were generally well-supported, though deeper-level evolutionary relationships remained unresolved, indicating that these genes do not possess sufficient phylogenetic signal to resolve the evolutionary history of Cercospora. We also investigated the potential for sexual reproduction in C. cf. flagellaris in Louisiana by determining the frequency of MAT1-1/MAT1-2 mating-type idiomorphs within the Louisiana population of C. cf. flagellaris. Though the MAT 1-2 idiomorph was significantly more common in our collection, the presence of both mating types suggests the potential for sexual reproduction exists.

Role of mastoid pneumatization in temporal bone fractures.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The mastoid portion of the temporal bone has multiple functional roles in the organism, including regulation of pressure in the middle ear and protection of the inner ear. We investigated whether mastoid pneumatization plays a role in the protection of vital structures in the temporal bone during direct lateral trauma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was performed on 20 human temporal bones isolated from cadavers. In the study group formed by 10 temporal bone samples, mastoid cells were removed and the resulting neocavities were filled. The mastoids were maintained intact in the control group. All samples were impacted at the same speed and kinetic energy. The resultant temporal bone fractures were evaluated by CT. RESULTS: Temporal squama fractures were 2.88 times more frequent, and mastoid fractures were 2.76 times more frequent in the study group. Facial nerve canal fractures were 6 times more frequent in the study group and involved all the segments of the facial nerve. Carotid canal fractures and jugular foramen fractures were 2.33 and 2.5 times, respectively, more frequent in the study group. CONCLUSIONS: The mastoid portion of the temporal bone plays a role in the absorption and dispersion of kinetic energy during direct lateral trauma to the temporal bone, reducing the incidence of fracture in the setting of direct trauma.

Secondary extracranial meningiomas extending into the paranasal sinuses.

Meningiomas are well-recognized tumors of the central nervous system. Extracranial meningiomas, secondarily extended into the paranasal sinuses, are rare tumors, comprising approximately 2% of all meningiomas. Extracranial meningiomas of the paranasal sinuses may present a diagnostic and the rapeutic challenge. We present a retrospective review comprising three cases and discuss the clinical presentation, imaging findings,diagnostic evaluation, and treatment options. The localizations included the frontal sinus, the ethmoid sinus, the sphenoid sinus and even the maxillary sinus. Complete surgical resection was achieved in one patient; meanwhile deliberate subtotal tumor resection was performed in the other cases in order to avoid severe neurological damage with sufficient tumor control.

A case of respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartoma.

We report a case of a 50-year-old man diagnosed with a unilateral nasal mass found to be a respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartoma (REAH) upon pathologic examination.REAH is a recently described pathologic entity that can present with nasal obstruction, congestion, rhinorrhoea,epistaxis, hyposmia, and headaches. It is a rare lesion of nasal and paranasal sinuses, but should be considered in the differential diagnosis because it is a benign lesion and complete surgical resection is curative.

Impact of specific symptoms of spasticity on voluntary lower limb muscle function, gait and daily activities during subacute and chronic spinal cord injury.

BACKGROUND: Although the spasticity syndrome is an important sensorimotor disorder, the impact of grade of lower limb muscle hypertonia, spasm and clonus activity on voluntary muscle function, gait and daily activities has not been systematically analysed during subacute and chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of spasticity signs and symptoms during SCI, and to assess their impact on motor function and activities. METHODS: A descriptive transverse study of sixty-six subjects with SCI was performed by assessing injury characteristics, spasticity (modified Ashworth scale, Penn scale, SCATS scale) and motor function (lower limb manual muscle scores, WISCI II, spinal cord injury spasticity evaluation tool). RESULTS: Most subjects with the spasticity syndrome presented lower limb hypertonia and spasms during both subacute and chronic SCI, interfering with daily life activities. Subjects with incomplete SCI and hypertonia revealed a loss of voluntary flexor muscle activity, while extensors spasms contributed strongly to loss of gait function. The Penn spasms scale no correlated with muscle function or gait. CONCLUSIONS: Specific diagnosis of spasm activity during subacute SCI, and its impact on lower limb voluntary muscle activity, gait function and daily activities, is required to develop a more effective neurorehabilitation treatment strategy.

The 'double-barrel' approach to the removal of dental implants from the maxillary sinus.

The purpose of this article is to present a new surgical technique - the double-barrel approach - employed for the extraction of dental implants from the maxillary sinus, and to compare it with the classic canine fossa puncture (CFP). The surgical steps in the performance of the double-barrel approach (DBA) are systematically described. In order to compare the two techniques (CFP versus DBA), a prospective, randomized study was carried out between 2004 and 2011, comparing the length of duration of the procedure and the incidence of adverse effects. The average duration was 6.3 ± 5.2 min for the DBA group and 14.8 ± 8.4 min for the CFP group (P=0.0001, Mann-Whitney test). Nevertheless, the incidence of adverse effects within the first postoperative week did not differ between the two groups. We have demonstrated that the double-barrel approach is faster, has the same incidence of adverse effects, provides excellent visualization, and permits a more accurate withdrawal of implants in comparison with the classic CFP. It is minimally invasive, requires no sutures, and minimizes the risks to local vascular and neural structures.

Sensory function after cavernous haemangioma: a case report of thermal hypersensitivity at and below an incomplete spinal cord injury.

STUDY DESIGN: Case report of a 42-year-old woman with non-evoked pain diagnosed with a cavernous C7-Th6 spinal haemangioma. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of intramedullary haemorrhage (IH) on nociception and neuropathic pain (NP) at and below an incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI). SETTING: Sensorimotor Function Group, Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos de Toledo (HNPT). METHODS: T2*-susceptibility weighted image (SWI) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of spinal haemosiderin and a complete pain history were performed 8 months following initial dysaesthesia complaint. Thermal pain thresholds were assessed with short 1 s stimuli, while evidence for central sensitization was obtained with psychophysical electronic Visual Analogue Scale rating of tonic 10 s 3 °C and 48 °C stimuli, applied at and below the IH. Control data were obtained from 10 healthy volunteers recruited from the HNPT. RESULTS: Non-evoked pain was present within the Th6 dermatome and lower legs. T2*-SWI MRI imaging detected extensive haemosiderin-rich IH (C7-Th5/6 spinal level). Cold allodynia was detected below the IH (left L5 dermatome) with short thermal stimuli. Tonic thermal stimuli applied to the Th6, Th10 and C7 dermatomes revealed widespread heat and cold allodynia. CONCLUSION: NP was diagnosed following IH, corroborated by an increase in below-level cold pain threshold with at- and below-level cold and heat allodynia. Psychophysical evidence for at- and below-level SCI central sensitization was obtained with tonic thermal stimuli. Early detection of IH could lead to better management of specific NP symptoms, an appreciation of the role of haemorrhage as an aggravating SCI physical factor, and the identification of specific spinal pathophysiological pain mechanisms.

Stabilising total ossicular replacement prosthesis for ossiculoplasty with an absent malleus in canal wall down tympanomastoidectomy - a randomised controlled study.

OBJECTIVES: To compare two titanium total ossicular replacement prosthesis (TORP) stabilisation techniques in canal wall down mastoidectomy presenting with footplate only and absent malleus handle. DESIGN: Prospective, controlled, randomised study. SETTING: Tertiary Otology Department. PARTICIPANTS: Patients operated on with canal wall down mastoidectomy between 1999 and 2009 were randomised into two groups. Two techniques enhancing the TORP stability were compared: Hüttenbrink's method (63 patients, Group 1) and author's (GB) procedure (62 patients, Group 2). Hüttenbrink's technique consists in placing a cartilage shave with a hole in the middle over the footplate. Through this hole, the end of the TORP is accommodated. The author's method involves using a cartilage split in the middle, to lodge the TORP's shaft at one end and to lay the opposite end over the fallopian canal. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mean postoperative air-bone gap, hearing gain and air-bone gap closure within 20 dB. Auditory outcomes were evaluated at 1 year postoperatively. RESULTS: Postoperative air-bone gap closure within 20 dB (successful outcome) at 1 year was achieved in 59% of patients in Group 1 and 72% in Group 2 (P = 0.03). Mean postoperative air-bone gap was 24.4 ± 10.8 dB for Group 1 and 20.17 ± 9.8 dB for Group 2. The difference is 4.23 dB (95% confidence interval, 0.65-07.81), statistically significant: P = 0.02. Hearing gain was 20.3 ± 9.5 in Group 1 and 25.1 ± 10.2 in Group 2, significantly superior: P = 0.007. CONCLUSION: Better hearing outcomes for author's method could be demonstrated, but our sample size cannot exclude small and possible trivial, group differences.

Craniofacial resection for malignant tumors of the paranasal sinuses.

OBJECTIVE: To review the experience with craniofacial resection for malignant tumors of the anterior skull base and analyze prognostic factors for survival. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 1996 and 2008, 64 consecutive patients with malignant tumors of the anterior skull base underwent craniofacial resection. Different parameters were analyzed to study their relationship with survival: age, sex, pathology, orbital involvement, dural involvement, status of the surgical margins, adjuvant radiotherapy, and whether the treatment was done before or after surgery. Survival analysis was carried out with the Kaplan-Meier product limit method and comparison between groups was performed by the log-rank test. Factors identified in the univariate analysis were then entered in the multivariate analysis using the Cox regression model in order to identify predictive factors of survival. RESULTS: For the entire group survival rates were 47% at 5 years. The highest survival was observed in patients with estesioneuroblastoma and the lowest in melanoma cases. Dural involvement and orbital clearance are predictors of poor survival. CONCLUSION: The improved survival and minimal morbidity associated with craniofacial resection make it the approach of choice for anterior skull base tumors.

The enhancement and scale up of the extraction of anti-oxidants from Rosmarinus officinalis using ultrasound.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of ultrasound on the solvent extraction of anti-oxidants from the rosemary herb and to scale up the ultrasonic extraction process. The anti-oxidants of interest were identified using HPLC. Results indicated that, compared with conventional solvent extraction, the use of ultrasound gives a more effective extraction at lower temperatures with less dependence on the extraction solvent employed and that scale up of the process is possible.