Search

Previous studies have reported hearing loss in patients undergoing interferon-alpha (IFN-α) therapy. The mechanisms by which IFN-α causes hearing loss remain poorly understood. This study was designed to investigate if the immune reaction is one of these mechanisms. Real time-PCR was used to determine the expression of the major histocompatibility class-I (MHC-I) in HEI-OC1 auditory hair cell line. This gene is a marker for an immune response and it is known as H2K1 gene. The cochlear cells were treated by IFN-α (0, 200 & 2000U/ml) for 6, 12, 24 & 48 Hrs. Differential gene expression patterns encoding IFN-α-1, IFN-γ and H2K1 (MHC-I) were assessed by real-time PCR. The results revealed significant expression of the MHC-I gene in a dose- and time-dependent manner. This outcome indicates that IFN-α led to initiation of an immune reaction in the cochlear cell line. Therefore, the current in-vitro study indicates that the immune reaction might be the underlying mechanism of the hearing impairment observed in patients undergoing IFN-α therapy. These results imply that pre-treatment hearing evaluation and close monitoring of hearing function in patients undergoing long-term high-dose of IFN-α therapy are necessary to avoid or to minimize its adverse effect on hearing.

Previous studies have reported hearing loss in patients undergoing interferon-alpha (IFN-α) therapy. The mechanisms by which IFN-α causes hearing loss remain poorly understood. This study was designed to investigate if the immune reaction is one of these mechanisms. Real time-PCR was used to determine the expression of the major histocompatibility class-I (MHC-I) in HEI-OC1 auditory hair cell line. This gene is a marker for an immune response and it is known as H2K1 gene. The cochlear cells were treated by IFN-α (0, 200 & 2000U/ml) for 6, 12, 24 & 48 Hrs. Differential gene expression patterns encoding IFN-α-1, IFN-γ and H2K1 (MHC-I) were assessed by real-time PCR. The results revealed significant expression of the MHC-I gene in a dose- and time-dependent manner. This outcome indicates that IFN-α led to initiation of an immune reaction in the cochlear cell line. Therefore, the current in-vitro study indicates that the immune reaction might be the underlying mechanism of the hearing impairment observed in patients undergoing IFN-α therapy. These results imply that pre-treatment hearing evaluation and close monitoring of hearing function in patients undergoing long-term high-dose of IFN-α therapy are necessary to avoid or to minimize its adverse effect on hearing.

Two techniques of closed wedge osteotomy of the proximal tibia in 132 cases using external fixation device were compared retrospectively for neurological complication rate. While in group 1 (n = 89) wedge osteotomy was performed conventionally using an oscillating saw, in group 2 (n = 43) osteotomy was done with consecutive drill holes of increasing diameter followed by osteoclasis. Neurological complications in group 1 were found postoperatively 15.7% (transient) and after 7 months follow-up time in 12.4% (persistent), in group 2 14% transient and 4.7% persistent neurological deficits were registered. The lower complication rate in group 2 is due to the reduction of postoperative tibialis anterior syndrome (type B lesions). No differences for type C lesions (extension deficit of D1) were found. No complete peroneal palsy (type A) occurred in either group. The authors conclude that reduction of neurological complications in group 2 is related to the less extensive approach of the proposed technique.

Some sociologists have argued that sport is a male-dominated institution and sexist culture in which female athletes experience various forms of discrimination, including sexual harassment from coaches and male athletes. Some research does indicate that female athletes suffer higher rates of sexual victimization from authority figures in sport than their nonathletic counterparts in education and the workplace. In contrast, researchers have also speculated that athletic participation can protect female athletes from sexual victimization through a variety of social-psychological mechanisms such as team membership, physical strength, and self-confidence. This paper reports on the first descriptive analysis to test the “sport protection hypothesis” among both female and male athletes, using cross-tabulation secondary analyses of data from the National College Health Risk Behavior Survey, conducted in 1995 by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (N=4814). USA college students of traditional undergraduate age (aged 18-24) were included in the sample (N=2903). Some limited support for the protection hypothesis was found, and student athletes were significantly less likely to report sexual victimization during their late high school and early college years than their nonathletic counterparts. A gender gap in the pattern of sexual victimization also appeared between males and females across all student age groups, with females experiencing more sexual victimization than males. However, no significant gender gap was found among athletes. The results are discussed in relation to previous studies of campus athletes and to college prevention policy.

Babasanya, B., 9th annual conference of the Nigerian Association of Agricultural Economists, Bauchi, Nigeria, November 5-8, 2007

Eleven articles reporting 39 patients with the combination of progressive scoliosis and familial congenital gaze palsy have now been published. This disorder appears to be caused by a malfunction of the normal equilibrial control mechanism related to the brainstem or the central nervous system. The scoliosis progresses when the children begin to walk. Even when they are treated with physiotherapy or brace, they often require early operation. We consider that progressive juvenile or infant scoliosis associated with familiar congenital horizontal gaze palsy constitutes a clinical entity. We report two sisters with congenital gaze palsy, in one of whom scoliosis of at least 70 degrees (Cobb) developed, and review and analyze all cases published until now.