Search

The resolving power and relative efficiency of two off-axis reflection zone plates (RZPs) in the soft X-ray range between 1 nm and 5 nm were investigated. RZPs focus only a very narrow bandwidth around the design wavelength. By misaligning the RZP, the focused wavelength can be tuned through a much wider spectral range. Using a laser-produced plasma source, we demonstrate that a single RZP can be efficiently used for spectroscopy at arbitrary wavelengths in the investigated soft X-ray range.

Objective The discovery of noninvasive biomarkers of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is critical to enable our ability to provide prognostic information and targeted medical therapy. Epithelial P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is overexpressed in CRS and exists in an extracellular, secreted form. The objective of this study was to determine whether secreted P-gp concentrations are elevated in CRS and can be used to predict disease severity. Methods Institutional review board-approved study examining mucus concentrations of P-gp in 36 patients (10 control, 16 CRS without nasal polyps [CRSsNP], and 10 CRS with nasal polyps [CRSwNP]). P-gp concentrations were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and normalized to total protein (TP). Clinical indices of disease severity, including the Sino-Nasal Outcomes Test (SNOT-22) and Lund-Mackay score, were collected for all patients. Results Secreted P-gp concentration was significantly higher in CRS versus control patients (mean ± standard deviation; 247.8 ± 224.8 vs. 102.4 ± 81.7 pcg P-gp/μg TP, P = 0.022). A threshold value of 250 pcg/μg TP was used to differentiate low versus high secretors. High P-gp secretors with CRS (sNP and wNP, n = 9) demonstrated significantly higher SNOT-22 and Lund-Mackay scores (57.1 ± 7.9 and 13.9 ± 7.3) versus low secretors (38.3 ± 23.9 and 6.8 ± 7.3; P = 0.030 and P = 0.013, respectively) and had a significantly higher proportion of CRSwNP (66.7%) versus the low secretors (23.5%, n = 17, P = 0.046). Conclusion P-gp secretion levels are significantly elevated in patients with CRS. High P-gp secretion is associated with a higher incidence of CRSwNP and confers worse subjective and objective measures of disease severity. The presence of elevated P-gp secretion may therefore represent a novel noninvasive biomarker of CRS and could be used to predict patients who may benefit from P-gp inhibitory therapeutic strategies. Level of Evidence N/A. Laryngoscope, 2016

Background P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is a 170 kDa transmembrane efflux pump, which is upregulated in chronic rhinosinusitis. Studies of leukemia demonstrated that P-gp may also be secreted in an intact soluble form. The purpose of this study was to explore whether sinonasal epithelial cells were capable of secreting soluble P-gp and whether P-gp has any functional role. Methods Soluble and cytoplasmic P-gp were quantified in vehicle and lipopolysaccharide exposed cultures by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The molecular weight of the soluble P-gp was determined by Western blot. Naive cultures were exposed to recombinant human P-gp at 0-2000 ng/mL. The degree of membranous interpolation was determined by quantitative fluorescent immunocytochemistry and function was determined by a calcein acetoxymethyl ester assay. Results Soluble P-gp was secreted intact at 170 kDa. Mean (standard deviation) secretion was detected within vehicle wells at 55.43 ± 26.26 ng/mL, which significantly increased to 333.27 ± 305.98 ng/mL (p < 0.001) after lipopolysaccharide stimulation. Soluble P-gp strongly and significantly correlated with cytoplasmic P-gp (r = 0.57, p = 0.000001). Exposure to 2000 ng/mL of recombinant P-gp significantly increased corrected total cell fluorescence (1.34 ± 1.85) relative to vehicle control 0.29 ± 0.26 (p = 0.01) and significantly reduced calcein acetoxymethyl ester fluorescence (82.03 ± 43.69) relative to 100 ng/mL recombinant P-gp exposed cells (123.11 ± 42.16, p = 0.001). Conclusion Cultured sinonasal epithelial cells were able to both secrete intact P-gp and could functionally interpolate soluble P-gp into their cell membrane. These in vitro findings indicated that soluble P-gp may be present in nasal mucus as a biomarker and could participate in the maintenance of P-gp overexpression in chronic rhinosinusitis and associated inflammation.

Background Patients with ankylosing spondylitis are well-known to have an increased incidence of osteoporosis/osteopenia. Consequently, control measurements of bone densitometry should be done more frequently than in the normal population. Ultrasound densitometry has the advantage to be free of radiation and having been used widely. However, DXA is still a “gold standard”. Objectives The aim of our study was to look at the relationship of the ultrasound densitometry and DXA-measurements in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Methods We have examined 184 patients with ankylosing spondylitis. All patients fulfilled the modified New York criteria. We measured the bone mineral density of the right hip and lumbar spine with DXA (QDR 4500) and of the calcaneus with ultrasound (UBIS 5000). Results The best correlation was found between DXA of the right hip and ultrasound of the calcaneus. The correlation of BMD hip total with ultrasound BUA was r = 0.235(p Conclusion The hip total measured by DXA present with significant (p > 0,005) correlations with ultrasound measurements of the calcaneus. In contrast, BMD of the lumbar spine did not show significant correlations with the ultrasound measurements. As measurements of BMD of the lumbar spine in patients with ankylosing spondylitis have limitations due to disease specific changes of the lumbar vertebra, ultrasound of the calcaneus measurement should be considered as an alternative, too.

Background A sufficient alimentation of vitamin D and calcium is essential in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Patients with ankylosing spondylitis have osteoporosis to a various degree. Objectives The aim of our study was to look at the influence of nutrition on bone mineral density in our patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Methods We examined 180 patients with ankylosing spondylitis fulfilled the modified New York criteria. The bone mineral density was measured with DEXA (QDR 4500) at the lumbar spine (LS) and right hip. Factors of nutrition were examined by a standardised questionnaire. Results Positive correlations with bone mineral density were only found with wine consumption. However, this correlation was week but was confirmed for both hip and LS bone mineral density measurements. Conclusion No significant correlations between milk and cheese intake with bone mineral density were found in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Dietetic factors do not seem to influence much bone mineral density in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Only wine consumption was found to have a influence on bone mineral density as is correlated with bone mineral density in our patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

The results of 49 specimens obtained by fine-needle aspiration biopsy of parotid gland lesions were compared with the pathologic diagnoses of the surgically resected specimens. Cytologically, 33 lesions were diagnosed as benign, with 30 of these confirmed histologically and three false-negative results. Fourteen cytologic specimens were called malignant or suspicious for malignancy, with 11 of these confirmed histologically and three false-positive results. The concurrence rate for distinguishing benign from malignant disease was 87.2%. The sensitivity for malignancy was 78.6% and the specificity 90.9%. The pathology of the misdiagnosed lesions will be reviewed. Based on our data and a review of the literature, we conclude that fine needle aspiration biopsy of parotid gland masses, with the observation of certain caveats, is a helpful adjunctive test for diagnosis and treatment planning.