Avoiding the ingestion of cytotoxic concentrations of ethanol may reduce the risk of cancer associated with alcohol consumption.

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Avoiding the ingestion of cytotoxic concentrations of ethanol may reduce the risk of cancer associated with alcohol consumption.

Drug Alcohol Depend. 2017 Dec 27;183:201-204

Authors: Guillén-Mancina E, Calderón-Montaño JM, López-Lázaro M

Abstract
Alcohol consumption is a known risk factor for cancer. Almost 6% of all cancers worldwide are attributable to alcohol use. Approximately half of them occur in tissues highly exposed to ethanol, such as the oral cavity, pharynx, upper larynx and esophagus. However, since ethanol is not mutagenic and the mutagenic metabolite of ethanol (acetaldehyde) is mainly produced in the liver, it is unclear why alcohol consumption preferentially exerts a local carcinogenic effect. Recent findings indicate that the risk of cancer in a tissue is strongly correlated with the number of stem cell divisions accumulated by the tissue; the accumulation of stem cell divisions leads to the accumulation of cancer-promoting errors such as mutations occurring during DNA replication. Since cell death activates the division of stem cells, we recently proposed that the possible cytotoxicity of ethanol on the cells lining the tissues in direct contact with alcoholic beverages could explain the local carcinogenic effect of alcohol. Here we report that short-term exposures (2-3 s) to ethanol concentrations between 10% and 15% start to cause a marked cytotoxic effect on human epithelial keratinocytes in a concentration-dependent manner. We propose that choosing alcoholic beverages containing non-cytotoxic concentrations of ethanol, or diluting ethanol to non-cytotoxic concentrations, may be a simple and effective way to reduce the risk of cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx and esophagus in alcohol users. This preventive strategy may also reduce the known synergistic effect of alcohol drinking and tobacco smoking on the risk of these cancers.

PMID: 29289868 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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The Effectiveness of the EASE Scale in the Development of a Vocal Warm-up Program for an Amateur Choir.

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The Effectiveness of the EASE Scale in the Development of a Vocal Warm-up Program for an Amateur Choir.

J Voice. 2017 Dec 28;:

Authors: Marchand DLP, Kavaliunas FS, Cassol M

Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study aims to assess the effectiveness of the EASE-BR (Evaluation of the Ability to Sing Easily for Brazil) protocol in the development of a vocal warm-up program for members of an amateur choir.
STUDY DESIGN: This is a prospective cross-sectional study measuring pre- and postintervention results at two moments.
METHODS: Forty-four subjects filled out a questionnaire to characterize the sample and underwent two major applications of the EASE-BR scale-the first to determine the group's vocal requirements and the second to assess the performance after the application of a customized vocal warm-up routine.
RESULTS: Overall reduction of the scores in the postintervention moment has been determined. The score of 16 of the questions (72.7%) showed a statistically relevant reduction after the intervention.
CONCLUSIONS: The EASE-BR scale proved a valuable assessment tool and its use may help develop customized vocal warm-up programs for different types of singers.

PMID: 29289412 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Sialendoscopy in treatment of adult chronic recurrent parotitis without sialolithiasis.

Sialendoscopy in treatment of adult chronic recurrent parotitis without sialolithiasis.

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2017 Dec 30;:

Authors: Jokela J, Haapaniemi A, Mäkitie A, Saarinen R

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the efficacy of sialendoscopy in the management of adult chronic recurrent parotitis without sialolithiasis. In addition, preliminary results of an initial randomized placebo-controlled trial of single-dose intraductal steroid injection given concurrently with sialendoscopy, are presented.
METHODS: Forty-nine adult patients with chronic recurrent parotitis without sialoliths were included in this study. They underwent sialendoscopy and were randomized to receive either a concurrent intraductal injection of isotonic saline solution or 125 mg of hydrocortisone. Symptom severity was evaluated with visual analogue scale (VAS) and by recording symptom frequency and course with a multiple-choice questionnaire completed preoperatively and at 3, 6, and 12 months after the procedure.
RESULTS: The mean VAS score was 5.6 preoperatively and dropped to 2.9 at 3 months, 3.0 at 6 months, and 2.7 at 12 months after the procedure. The VAS score and the frequency of symptoms were significantly lower at 3 (p < 0.001), 6 (p < 0.001) and 12 (p < 0.001) months after the procedure when compared with the preoperative scores indicating that sialendoscopy reduces the symptoms of recurrent parotitis. However, complete permanent resolution of symptoms was rare. Single-dose steroid injection concomitant to sialendoscopy provided no additional benefit, but the current study is not sufficiently powered to determine a clinical difference between the steroid and non-steroid groups.
CONLUSION: Sialendoscopy appears to reduce the symptoms of chronic recurrent parotitis. While total permanent symptom remission is rare, sialendoscopy can be considered a safe and relatively efficacious treatment method for this patient group.

PMID: 29290052 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Macroalgal-bacterial interactions: Role of dimethylsulfoniopropionate in microbial gardening by Ulva (Chlorophyta).

Macroalgal-bacterial interactions: Role of dimethylsulfoniopropionate in microbial gardening by Ulva (Chlorophyta).

Mol Ecol. 2017 Dec 31;:

Authors: Kessler RW, Weiss A, Kuegler S, Hermes C, Wichard T

Abstract
The marine macroalga Ulva mutabilis (Chlorophyta) develops into callus-like colonies consisting of undifferentiated cells and abnormal cell walls under axenic conditions. U. mutabilis is routinely cultured with two bacteria, the Roseovarius sp. MS2 strain and the Maribacter sp. MS6 strain, which release morphogenetic compounds and ensure proper algal morphogenesis. Using this tripartite community as an emerging model system, we tested the hypothesis that the bacterial-algal interactions evolved as a result of mutually taking advantage of signals in the environment. Our study aimed to determine whether cross-kingdom cross-talk is mediated by the attraction of bacteria through algal chemotactic signals. Roseovarius sp. MS2 senses the known osmolyte dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) released by Ulva into the growth medium. Roseovarius sp. is attracted by DMSP and takes it up rapidly such that DMSP can only be determined in axenic growth media. As DMSP did not promote bacterial growth under the tested conditions, Roseovarius benefited solely from glycerol as the carbon source provided by Ulva. Roseovarius quickly catabolized DMSP into methanethiol (MeSH) and dimethylsulfide (DMS). We conclude that many bacteria can use DMSP as a reliable signal indicating a food source and promote the subsequent development and morphogenesis in Ulva. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID: 29290092 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Incorporating behavioral and sensory context into spectro-temporal models of auditory encoding

Publication date: Available online 31 December 2017
Source:Hearing Research
Author(s): Stephen V. David
For several decades, auditory neuroscientists have used spectro-temporal encoding models to understand how neurons in the auditory system represent sound. Derived from early applications of systems identification tools to the auditory periphery, the spectro-temporal receptive field (STRF) and more sophisticated variants have emerged as an efficient means of characterizing representation throughout the auditory system. Most of these encoding models describe neurons as static sensory filters. However, auditory neural coding is not static. Sensory context, reflecting the acoustic environment, and behavioral context, reflecting the internal state of the listener, can both influence sound-evoked activity, particularly in central auditory areas. This review explores recent efforts to integrate context into spectro-temporal encoding models. It begins with a brief tutorial on the basics of estimating and interpreting STRFs. Then it describes three recent studies that have characterized contextual effects on STRFs, emerging over a range of timescales, from many minutes to tens of milliseconds. An important theme of this work is not simply that context influences auditory coding, but also that contextual effects span a large continuum of internal states. The added complexity of these context-dependent models introduces new experimental and theoretical challenges that must be addressed in order to be used effectively. Several new methodological advances promise to address these limitations and allow the development of more comprehensive context-dependent models in the future.



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Stakeholders’ Perspectives on Postmastectomy Breast Reconstruction: Recognizing Ways to Improve Shared Decision Making

Background: Postmastectomy breast reconstruction (PMBR) is an elective, preference-sensitive decision made during a stressful, time-pressured period after a cancer diagnosis. Shared decision making (SDM) can improve decision quality about preference-sensitive choices. Stakeholders' perspectives on ways to support PMBR decision-making were explored. Methods: Forty semi-structured interviews with stakeholders (20 postmastectomy patients, 10 PMBR surgeons, 10 PMBR nurses) were conducted. Clinicians were recruited from diverse practices across the United States. Patients were recruited using purposive sampling with varying PMBR experiences, including no reconstruction. The interview guide was based on an implementation research framework. Themes were identified using grounded theory approach, based on frequency and emotive force conveyed. Results: Engagement in SDM was variable. Some patients wanted more information about PMBR from clinicians, particularly about risks. Some clinicians acknowledged highlighting benefits and downplaying risks. Many patients felt pressured to make a choice by their clinicians. Clinicians who successfully engaged patients through decisions often used outside resources to supplement conversations. Conclusions: Patient–clinician trust was critical to high-quality decisions, and many patients expressed decision regret when they were not engaged in PMBR discussions. Patients often perceived a race- or age-related bias in clinician information sharing. Interventions to support SDM may enhance decision quality and reduce decision regret about PMBR, ultimately improving patient-centered care for women with breast cancer.

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Creation of Nepal’s First Skin Bank: Challenges and Outcomes

Background: In Nepal, burn trauma causes more than 55,000 injuries each year. Burn-related mortality is high in Nepal, in part due to lack of allograft, leading to high infection rates. To address this challenge, our collaboration between Kirtipur Hospital, America Nepal Medical Foundation, Stanford University, and ReSurge International established Nepal's first skin bank. Methods: We identified 3 major tasks to create a sustainable skin banking program: 1) identify and acquire the equipment and personnel needed to collect, process, store, and graft cadaveric skin for burn injuries; 2) develop safe donation protocols and documentation tools that remain feasible for low-resource settings; and 3) develop a long-term awareness program to educate the Nepali people on skin donation, a previously foreign concept. Results: Kirtipur Hospital acquired the necessary equipment and materials for the skin bank through a combination of local and international fundraising efforts. Existing U.S. skin banking protocols were adapted for the Nepali setting and piloted on potential patients, donors, and physicians. For the first time in the hospital's history, patients with > 40% total body surface area burns were successfully treated with extensive allografts. Conclusions: It is feasible to create a skin bank in a country with no tradition of allograft skin use. Long-term sustainability now depends on spreading awareness and education in the Kathmandu Valley to overcome religious and cultural barriers that have hindered donor recruitment. Our low-cost and high-impact skin bank provides a model to expand this system to other hospitals both within Nepal and beyond.

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