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Background and aim Psoriasis (Ps) is a chronic skin inflammatory disorder, that progresses to scaly-red dermal plaque formations associated with inflammation. Divya-Kayakalp-Vati (DKV) and Divya-Kayakalp-Oil (DKO) are traditional Ayurveda herbo-mineral formulations, that are prescribed for the treatment of inflammatory dermal ailments. In the present study, we evaluated the efficacy of Divya-Kayakalp-Vati and Divya-Kayakalp-Oil (DKV-O) combined treatment in ameliorating Ps-like skin inflammation under in-vitro and in-vivo conditions. Experimental procedure Efficacy of DKV-O was analyzed in λ-carrageenan-treated Wistar rats paw edema and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA)-treated CD-1 mouse ear edema models through physiological and histopathological analysis. Mode of action for the DKV-O was studied in LPS-stimulated THP-1 cells through pro-inflammatory cytokine analysis. Observed effects were correlated to the phytochemicals constituents of DKV-O analyzed using the HPLC method. Result and conclusion DKV and DKO formulations were individually found to contain phytochemicals Gallic acid, Catechin, Berberine, Curcumin, Phenol and Benzoic acid. DKV-O treatment significantly reduced the paw volume and edema in Wistar rats stimulated through λ-carrageenan-treatment. Furthermore, DKV-O treatment significantly reduced the ear edema and enhanced biopsy weight, epidermal thickness, inflammatory lesions and influx of neutrophils stimulated by TPA-treatment in CD-1 mice. DKV alone ameliorated the LPS-stimulated release of Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-17A, IL-23, and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha cytokines in the THP-1 cells. Taken together, DKV-O showed good efficacy in ameliorating acute systemic inflammation stimulated by effectors such as, λ-carrageenan and TPA in animal models. Hence, Divya-Kayakalp-Vati and Divya-Kayakalp-Oil co-treatment can be further explored as an anti-inflammatory treatment against dermal diseases like psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.

GeSn alloys are promising materials for CMOS-compatible mid-infrared lasers manufacturing. Indeed, Sn alloying and tensile strain can transform them into direct bandgap semiconductors. This growing laser technology however suffers from a number of limitations, such as poor optical confinement, lack of strain, thermal, and defects management, all of which are poorly discussed in the literature. Herein, a specific GeSn-on-insulator (GeSnOI) stack using stressor layers as dielectric optical claddings is demonstrated to be suitable for a monolithically integration of planar Group-IV semiconductor lasers on a versatile photonic platform for the near- and mid-infrared spectral range. Microdisk-shape resonators on mesa structures were fabricated from GeSnOI, after bonding a Ge0.9Sn0.1 alloy layer grown on a Ge strain-relaxed-buffer, itself on a Si(001) substrate. The GeSnOI microdisk mesas exhibited significantly improved optical gain as compared to that of conventional suspended microdisk resonators formed from the as-grown layer. We further show enhanced vertical out-coupling of the disk whispering gallery mode in-plane radiation, with up to 30% vertical out-coupling efficiency. As a result, the GeSnOI approach can be a valuable asset in the development of silicon-based mid-infrared photonics that combine integrated sources in a photonic platform with complex lightwave engineering.

BACKGROUND: We detected yellow-green fluorescence in the face, hair and lunulae of patients using favipiravir. AIM: We evaluated the frequency and intensity of favipiravir-associated fluorescence. PATIENTS/METHODS: The participants comprised patients who had taken at least a single dose of favipiravir and been examined no later than 30 days after the last dose. The gender, age, body mass index (BMI), Fitzpatrick's skin-type, hair color, N-acetylcysteine use, presence and the intensity of fluorescent reflection under Wood's light in the lunulae of the fingernails, hair, and the face were recorded. RESULTS: There were 275 patients, 144 (52.4%) of whom were women. 165 (57.9%) had used treatment for a maximum of 5 days, 99 (34.7%) for 6-10 days, and 21 (7.4%) for more than ten days. Using more than 22 tablets of favipiravir increased the probability of detecting fluorescence in the lunulae by 6.72 (2.61-17.23) times. Using more than 28 tablets increased the risk of fluorescence in hair and the T-zone by 5.92 (2.43-14.71) and 2.88 (1.11-7.47) times, respectively. No relationship was found between the fluorescence intensity in any localization and the total dose. However, we determined a negative correlation between the elapsed time after the last dose and the fluorescence intensity in the lunulae and the T-zone (p=0.036; p=0.031; respectively). It was noted that BMI negatively correlated with the fluorescence intensity in the lunulae (p=0.001). Skin type was related to intensity for all localizations (p

Recent achievements of direct band gap with germanium by alloying with tin or by tensile strain engineering has enabled multiple times demonstration of laser emission in the 2-4µm wavelength range. This fast and promising emergence of CMOS-compatible laser technology in the Mid-IR faces, however, major issues, e.g., high power density of thresholds, hindering the aim to be integrated on a silicon chip and develop low cost sensing and/or Datacom devices. In this report we show that combining both tensile strain and Sn alloying can effective engineer the material band structure and its optical gain properties. We also evidence the importance of defects management on GeSn lasing characteristics, beyond the band structure engineering. We discuss the potential of GeSnOI technology to address above aspects, which enabled to drastically reduce the lasing thresholds in microdisk laser cavities and reach continuous-wave operation in GeSn active media.

GeSn alloys are nowadays considered as the most promising materials to build Group IV laser sources on silicon (Si) in a full complementary metal oxide semiconductor-compatible approach. Recent GeSn laser developments rely on increasing the band structure directness, by increasing the Sn content in thick GeSn layers grown on germanium (Ge) virtual substrates (VS) on Si. These lasers nonetheless suffer from a lack of defect management and from high threshold densities. In this work we examine the lasing characteristics of GeSn alloys with Sn contents ranging from 7 \% to 10.5 \%. The GeSn layers were patterned into suspended microdisk cavities with different diameters in the 4-\SI{8 }{\micro\meter} range. We evidence direct band gap in GeSn with 7 \% of Sn and lasing at 2-\SI{2.3 }{\micro\meter} wavelength under optical injection with reproducible lasing thresholds around \SI{10 }{\kilo\watt\per\square\centi\meter}, lower by one order of magnitude as compared to the literature. These results were obtained after the removal of the dense array of misfit dislocations in the active region of the GeSn microdisk cavities. The results offer new perspectives for future designs of GeSn-based laser sources., 30 pages, 9 figures

Introduction: Cisplatin is an antineoplastic agent widely used in the treatment of a variety of cancers. Ototoxicity is one of the main side-effects restricting the use of cisplatin. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective efficacy of gallic acid, in biochemical, functional and histopathological terms, against ototoxicity induced by cisplatin. Methods: Twenty-eight female Sprague Dawley rats were included. Rats were randomly assigned into four groups of seven animals each. Cisplatin group received a single intraperitoneal dose of 15 mg/kg cisplatin. Gallic acid group received intraperitoneal gallic acid at 100 mg/kg for five consecutive days. Cisplatin + gallic acid group received intraperitoneal gallic acid at 100 mg/kg for five consecutive days and a single intraperitoneal dose of 15 mg/kg cisplatin at 3rd day. A control group received 1 mL intraperitoneal saline solution for five consecutive days. Prior to drug administration, all rats were exposed to the distortion product otoacoustic emissions test. The test was repeated on the 6th day of the study. All rats were then sacrificed; the cochleas were removed and set aside for biochemical and histopathological analyses. Results: In cisplatin group, Day 6 signal noise ratio values were significantly lower than those of the other groups. Also, malondialdehyde levels in cochlear tissues were significantly higher, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities were significantly lower compared to the control group. Histopathologic evaluation revealed erosion in the stria vascularis, degeneration and edema in the connective tissue layer in endothelial cells, impairment of outer hair cells and a decrease in the number of these calls. In the cisplatin + gallic acid group, this biochemical, histopathological and functional changes were reversed. Conclusion: In the light of our findings, we think that gallic acid may have played a protective role against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in rats, as indicated by the distortion product otoacoustic emissions test results, biochemical findings and immunohistochemical analyses. Resumo: Introdução: A cisplatina é um agente antineoplásico amplamente usado no tratamento de vários tipos de câncer. A ototoxicidade é um dos principais efeitos colaterais que restringem o uso da cisplatina. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a eficácia protetora do ácido gálico, em termos bioquímicos, funcionais e histopatológicos, contra a ototoxicidade induzida por cisplatina. Método: Vinte e oito ratas Sprague-Dawley foram incluídas. As ratas foram distribuídas aleatoriamente em quatro grupos de sete animais cada. O grupo cisplatina recebeu uma única dose intraperitoneal de 15 mg/kg de cisplatina. O grupo ácido gálico recebeu ácido gálico via intraperitoneal a uma dose de 100 mg/kg durante cinco dias consecutivos. O grupo cisplatina + ácido gálico recebeu ácido gálico via intraperitoneal a uma dose de 100 mg/kg durante cinco dias consecutivos e uma única dose intraperitoneal de 15 mg/kg de cisplatina no terceiro dia. O grupo controle recebeu 1 mL de solução salina via intraperitoneal por cinco dias consecutivos. Antes da administração do fármaco, todos os ratos foram expostos ao teste de emissões otoacústicas - produto de distorção. O teste foi repetido no sexto dia do estudo. Todos os ratos foram então sacrificados; as cócleas foram removidas e reservadas para análises bioquímicas e histopatológicas. Resultados: No grupo cisplatina, os valores da relação sinal-ruído do dia 6 foram significativamente mais baixos aos dos outros grupos. Além disso, os níveis de malondialdeído nos tecidos cocleares foram significativamente mais altos, e as atividades de superóxido dismutase e glutatione peroxidase foram significativamente mais baixas em comparação com o grupo controle. A avaliação histopatológica revelou erosão na estria vascular, degeneração e edema na camada de tecido conjuntivo em células endoteliais, comprometimento das células ciliadas externas e diminuição do número dessas células. No grupo cisplatina + ácido gálico, estas alterações bioquímicas, histopatológicas e funcionais foram revertidas. Conclusão: Tendo em vista os nossos achados, consideramos que o ácido gálico pode ter desempenhado um papel protetor contra a ototoxicidade induzida por cisplatina em ratas, conforme indicado pelos resultados do teste emissões otoacústicas - produto de distorção, achados bioquímicos e análises imuno-histoquímicas. Keywords: Cisplatin-induced ototoxicity, Gallic acid, Oxidative stress, DPOAE, Palavras-chave: Ototoxicidade induzida por cisplatina, Ácido gálico, Estresse oxidativo, EOAPD

Resume Objectif Evaluer, en debut d’experience, la morbidite precoce et plus particulierement l’incontinence urinaire apres enucleation endoscopique de prostate au laser Holmium (HoLEP), en preciser la nature, l’evolution et rechercher des facteurs predictifs de survenue. Patients et methode Nous avons realise une etude observationnelle, analytique, retrospective, monocentrique incluant tous les patients operes d’une hypertrophie benigne de prostate (HBP) par HoLEP entre novembre 2015 et janvier 2017. Les donnees ont ete recueillies en pre-, per- et postoperatoire. Le suivi etait de 6 mois. Resultats Cent soixante et onze patients ont ete inclus. 23 patients (14,6 %) ont eu une complication classee selon Clavien-Dindo [4] : 19 (83 %) Clavien 2, 1 (4 %) Clavien 3b et 3 (13 %) Clavien 4. A 1 mois postoperatoire, 64 (42,7 %) patients presentaient une incontinence urinaire dont 55 (86,1 %) uniquement a l’effort. 18 (32,7 %) etaient incontinent urinaire a 6 mois. L’energie delivree en peroperatoire ainsi que l’IIEF5 preoperatoire etaient statiquement associes a la survenue d’une incontinence urinaire d’effort. Il n’a pas ete mis en evidence de lien entre l’apprentissage et la survenue de l’incontinence. Conclusion Le taux important d’incontinence urinaire post HoLEP en debut d’experience implique une reflexion sur la technique utilisee ainsi que sur l’information delivree aux patients en preoperatoire. Niveau de preuve 4.

Septorhinoplasty is a surgical procedure widely employed by otolaryngologists and plastic surgeons. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a single pre-emptive dose of iv ibuprofen on postoperative pain and opioid consumption in patients undergoing septorhinoplasty.50 patients scheduled for septorhinoplasty were included in this prospective, randomized, double-blinded study. Control group (n = 25) was administered 100 mL iv saline solution 30 min preoperatively, while Ibuprofen group (n = 26) received 800 mg ibuprofen iv. in 100 mL saline solution. Intravenous fentanyl was administered with a Patient Controlled Analgesia device after surgery for postoperative pain management. Postoperative pain was evaluated using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) with 0 representing no pain and 10 the worst pain possible.VAS scores at 10, 20, and 30 min and at 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h were lower in the ibuprofen group than in the control group (p 0.05). Total fentanyl consumption was lower in the ibuprofen group compared to the placebo group (148.8 ± 86.4 mcq vs 338.00 ± 81.00 mcq), respectively.We suggest that the pre-emptive use of iv ibuprofen at a dosage of 800 mg 30 min before septorhinoplasty will be beneficial in reducing opioid consumption and pain scores.

To investigate the efficacy of perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in benign-malignant differentiation of thyroid nodules. Images from 24 patients with thyroid masses were obtained using dynamic contrast enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) at 3-T MR. DCE-MRI images were evaluated by post-processing of selected regions of interest (ROIs) on software, thus eliciting quantitative data for each voxel within the ROI. Ktrans, Ve, Kep, iAUC and chi(2) were calculated automatically. The DCE-MRI values of benign and malignant lesions were then compared. Mean Ktrans and iAUC values in malignant lesions were significantly lower than those in benign lesions (p = 0.028 and 0.049). Ktrans, Kep, and iAUC values in malignant lesions were statistically significantly lower than normal parenchyma values. In contrast to other tissues, the perfusion MRI findings of thyroid masses exhibit a decrease in Ktrans and iAUC values as malignancy increases. Perfusion MRI may be useful in differentiating benign and malignant thyroid nodules once a cut-off value has been determined by other studies.

Direct band gap achievements in germanium by alloying with tin or by tensile strain engineering has enabled, in recent years, several demonstrations of laser emission in the 2-5µm wavelength range. This fast and promising emergence of CMOS-compatible laser technology in the Mid-IR faces, however, major issues, e.g. high threshold power densities, which limit the integration of GeSn as a gain media on a silicon chip for cost-efficient sensing and/or short-range Datacom devices. We show that combining tensile strain and Sn alloying enables one to effectively engineer the material band structure and its optical gain properties. We also evidence the importance of defects management on GeSn lasing characteristics, beyond the band-structure engineering. We discuss the potential of GeSnOI technology to address the above-mentionned aspects, which enabled to drastically reduce the lasing thresholds in microdisk laser cavities and reach continuous-wave operation in GeSn.

The widely used cancer treatment, chemotherapy, causes severe long-term neuropathic pain in 30–40% cases, the condition clinically known as chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Approved conventional analgesics are sometimes ineffective, while others like opioids have undesirable side effects like addiction, seizures, and respiratory malfunctioning. Tricyclic antidepressants and anticonvulsants, although exhibit anti-allodynic effects in neuropathy, also have unpleasant side effects. Thus, alternative medicines are being explored for CIPN treatment. Despite scattered reports on different extracts from different plants having potential anti-allodynic effects against CIPN, no established medicine or formulation of herbal origin exists. In this study, efficacy of an herbal decoction, formulated based on ancient medicinal principles and protocols for treating neuropathic pain, Divya-Peedantak-Kwath (DPK), has been evaluated in a paclitaxel (PTX)-induced peripheral neuropathic mouse model. We observed that DPK has prominent anti-allodynic and anti-hyperalgesic effects and acts as a nociceptive modulator for CIPN. With exhibited antioxidative effects, DPK restored the redox potential of the sciatic nerves to the normal. On histopathological evaluation, DPK prevented the PTX-induced lesions in the sciatic nerve, in a dose-dependent manner. It also prevented inflammation by modulating the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines involved in CIPN pathogenesis. Our observations evinced that DPK can alleviate CIPN by attenuating oxidative stress and concomitant neuroinflammation through immune modulation.

We fabricated a Ge 0.92 Sn 0.08 micro-disk laser with a lasing threshold as low as 20-30 kW/cm2 at 75 K. A specific etching process was developed to remove the dense array of misfit dislocations from the gain medium. Further surface treatments and passivations improved the lasing dynamics.

International audience; In the last decades, designs of most incandescent sources have been realized by heating the whole device. Here we propose a novel approach consisting in taking advantage of hot nanoemitters that can be cooled in a few tens of nanoseconds. It offers a new opportunity for high speed modulation and for enhanced agility in the active control of polarization, direction and wavelength of emission. To compensate the weak thermal emission of isolated nanoemitters, we propose to insert them in some complex environments, such as e.g. the gap of cold nanoantenna, which allow a significant thermal emission enhancement of the hot nanovolume. In order to optimize this kind of device, a fully vectorial upper bound for the thermal emission of a hot nanoparticle in a cold environment is derived. This criterion is very general since it is equivalent to an absorption cross-section upper bound for the nanoparticle. Moreover, it is an intrinsic characteristic of the environment regardless of the nanoparticle, so it allows to decouple the design of the environment from the one of the hot nanovolume. It thus provides a good figure of merit to compare the ability of different systems to enhance thermal emission of hot nanoemitters.

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a ubiquitous chronic disease with a growing incidence. We aimed to investigate the protective effect of naringenin against AR induced in rats. Thirty-two Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups of eight animals each. Group 1 represented the control group. The other 24 rats were sensitized with intraperitoneal 0.3 mg ovalbumin (OVA) and 30 mg aluminum hydroxide every other day for 14 days to induce AR. Ten microliters OVA was administered to both nostrils by inhalation for the following seven days to provoke AR. Group 2 represented the AR group and received no treatment. Group 3 was treated as the reference group and received 5 mg/kg desloratadine every day between days 15 and 21. Group 4 received 100 mg/kg naringenin orally between days 15 and 21. All animal’s sneezing and nasal itching scores were recorded on day 22. The rats were then sacrificed. Serum total IgE, IL4 and IL5 values were studied, and nasal structures were extracted ‘en bloc’ for histopathological examination. Significant clinical recovery was achieved in the group treated with naringenin. Serum total IgE, IL4 and IL5 values in the naringenin group were significantly lower than in the AR group, and significant histopathological improvement was observed compared to the AR group. Naringenin produced significant clinical, biochemical and histopathological benefits in rats with induced AR. These effects suggest that naringenin is a promising agent for the treatment of AR.

Living alongside predators can entail substantial costs both in terms of livelihoods and personal safety. Negative interactions with predators can lead to negative attitudes and behavioural intentions such as retaliatory or pre-emptive killing. As a result, conservation strategies are increasingly adopting human–wildlife coexistence approaches aimed at minimizing the costs associated with living with predators by providing direct or indirect benefits. This is done in the hope that people will foster positive attitudes and behavioural intentions towards predators. However, people's attitudes and their behavioural intentions are not necessarily linked, and both need to be understood for conservation actions to be effective. We conducted 747 semi-structured interviews with community members in the Maasai Mara, Kenya, to determine which factors influenced people's attitudes and behavioural intentions towards predators and whether the two were linked. Most interviewees (57.52%) had a positive attitude towards predators as measured by their assertion that people, livestock and predators should coexist. Their attitude was dependent on benefits, occupation, conservancy membership and perceived community ownership of predators, but was not influenced by the costs of livestock depredation. Most respondents who were members of a conservancy had positive attitudes towards predators but this differed by conservancy, suggesting that, in addition to benefits, conservation politics could influence attitudes. In total, 10.3% of respondents said that they would kill a predator if it killed their livestock. This behavioural intention was only influenced by the respondent's attitude. Understanding the factors that influence attitudes and behavioural intentions will aid future management and coexistence strategies.

Background320-row volume computed tomography (CT) allows CT dose to be reduced while maintaining image quality.PurposeTo evaluate image quality of low-dose non-contrast temporal bone CT using singl...

Before the full release of 5G, 4G will continue to be developed to support many new use cases and applications. By making some modifications and enhancements on its structure, 4G can handle many new features that could be seen as 5G specifics. Such enhancement includes the use of small cells in heterogeneous networks, mobile edge computing, and cloud computing, virtualizations and software-defined networks (SDN), and network slicing. Heterogeneous network supported by computing functionality is one of the most recent added flavor topologies to LTE technology and the upcoming next-generation mobile network. Mobility is yet one of the main challenges in such a system. Allowing the user to surf the world of the data without interruption while in the move between the different cells of the heterogeneous network in the future 5G network is required to keep the high level of the user’s quality of experience. In this paper, new mobility-enhanced schemes are presented for improving the handover performance of a mobile UE with dual connectivity in heterogeneous network.

IMPORTANCE: The risk stratification of adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) based on tumor proliferation index and stage is limited. Adjuvant therapy after surgery is recommended for most patients. Pan-genomic studies have identified distinct molecular groups closely associated with outcome. OBJECTIVE: To compare the molecular classification for prognostic assessment of ACC with other known prognostic factors. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: In this retrospective biomarker analysis, ACC tumor samples from 368 patients who had undergone surgical tumor removal were collected from March 1, 2005, to September 30, 2015 (144 in the training cohort and 224 in the validation cohort) at 21 referral centers with a median follow-up of 35 months (interquartile range, 18-74 months). Data were analyzed from March 2016 to March 2018. EXPOSURES: Meta-analysis of pan-genomic studies (transcriptome, methylome, chromosome alteration, and mutational profiles) was performed on the training cohort. Targeted biomarker analysis, including targeted gene expression (BUB1B and PINK1), targeted methylation (PAX5, GSTP1, PYCARD, and PAX6), and targeted next-generation sequencing, was performed on the training and validation cohorts. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Disease-free survival. Cox proportional hazards regression and C indexes were used to assess the prognostic value of each model. RESULTS: Of the 368 patients (mean [SD] age, 49 [16] years), 144 were in the training cohort (100 [69.4%] female) and 224 were in the validation cohort (142 [63.4%] female). In the training cohort, pan-genomic measures classified ACC into 3 molecular groups (A1, A2, and A3-B), with 5-year survival of 9% for group A1, 45% for group A2, and 82% for group A3-B (log-rank P

Rinolitiazis, burun icerisindeki bir yabanci cisim etrafinda kalsifiye materyal birikimidir. Genellikle burnun on kisminda bulunurlar. Tanisi endoskopik nazal muayene ve goruntuleme yontemlerine dayanir. Rinolitin yerinin belirlenmesi ve operasyon kararinin verilebilmesi icin bilgisayarli tomografi oldukca faydalidir. Bu makalede, sol nazal kavitede obstruksiyon, nefes almada gucluk ve son iki haftadir devam eden purulan nazal akinti sikayetleri ile klinigimize basvuran ve dev bir rinoliti olan 16 yasindaki bir hastayi sunduk. Endoskopik muayenede, nazal kavitedeki kitlenin nares girisinden koanaya kadar uzanim gosterdigi goruldu. Bilgisayarli tomografide sol nazal kaviteyi tama yakin dolduran, yuksek derecede ranyodensiteye sahip, rinolit ile uyumlu gorunum izlendi. Rinolit endoskopik olarak cikarildi. Cikarilan spesmen boyutlari 10x5x4 cm idi. Rinolitler nadir olup, tanisi burunda yabanci cisim oykusu ile birlikte fizik muayene ve nazal endoskopi ile konur. Rinolitlerin olusumu yillar alabilmektedir, bildigimiz kadariyla bu vaka, bu yas grubunda bugune kadar rapor edilmis en buyuk rinolit olgusudur.

Tramadol was found to be more effective than dexamethasone in post-operative pain control, with long-lasting relief of pain.This study aimed to compare the effects of pre-operative local injections of tramadol and dexamethasone on post-operative pain, nausea and vomiting in patients who underwent tonsillectomy.Sixty patients between 3-13 years of age who were planned for tonsillectomy were included in the study. Patients were divided into three groups. Group 1 was the control group. Patients in Group 2 received 0.3 mg/kg Dexamethasone and Group 3 received 0.1 mg/kg Tramadol injection to the peritonsillary space just before the operation. Patients were evaluated for nausea, vomiting, and pain.When the control and the dexamethasone groups were compared; there were statistically significant differences in pain scores at post-operative 15 and 30 min, whereas there was no statistically significant difference in pain scores at other hours. When the control and tramadol groups were compared, there was a statistically significant difference in pain scores at all intervals. When tramadol and dexamethasone groups were compared, there was no statistically significant difference in pain scores at post-operative 15 and 30 min, 1 and 2 h, whereas there was a statistically significant difference in pain scores at post-operative 6 and 24 h.

International audience; We analyze the emission yield of the second harmonic generation (SHG) from dense ordered arrays of L-shaped Au nanoantennas within a well-defined collection angle and compare it to that of the isolated nanostructures designed with the same geometrical parameters. Thanks to the high antenna surface density, arrays display one order of magnitude higher SHG yield per unit surface with respect to isolated nanoantennas. The difference in the collected nonlinear signals becomes even more pronounced by reducing the collection angle, because of the efficient angular filtering that can be attained in dense arrays around the zero order. Albeit this key-enabling feature allows envisioning application of these platforms to nonlinear sensing, a normalization of the SHG yield to the number of excited antennas in the array reveals a reduced nonlinear emission from each individual antenna element. We explain this potential drawback in terms of resonance broadening, commonly observed in densely packed arrays, and angular filtering of the single antenna emission pattern provided by the array 0th order.

Free flaps based on static slings principles cannot provide esthetic and functional outcomes at a desired level in total or close to total lip loss. Therefore, dynamic methods have become a current issue in recent years and especially the idea of functional gracilis free muscle flap has been suggested. In this study, we present a case of a successful total lower lip repair with this flap.In a 78-year-old female patient who was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma involving the entire lower lip, bilateral modified radical neck dissection and full-thickness total resection with 1 cm surgical margin so as to include both commissures of the tumor were performed and then a free gracilis muscle flap was transferred from the same side. After microvascular anastomoses, the motor nerve of the flap was coapted to the marginal mandibular branch of the fascial nerve. The entire intra- and extraoral surfaces of the flap were covered with a partial-thickness skin graft which was taken from the right thigh. There was no any intra- or early postoperative complication. The skin graft and flap survived without any problem.In the controls of the patient who was followed-up for 8 postoperative months, it was observed that the gracilis muscle flap was well-adapted to its place, gained a very good tonus, its volume reduced over time and reached to ideal dimensions, and the overlying skin graft provided a good color and texture match with the surrounding tissues. The motor activity of the muscle was monitored with the Tinel's test. The speech and facial expressions of the patient were very clear. Despite the patient has an edentulous mandible and was not using prosthesis, her feeding with fluid and solid foods was free of problems, oral competence was highly sufficient, and there was no any drooling. Esthetic appearance was very good and intraoral vestibular depth was sufficient. The mouth opening was 3 cm. When comparing with upper orbicularis oculi muscle on the electroneuromyography (ENMG) ordered at the 8th month, a similar nerve conduction time (3.3 versus 3.8 ms) and contraction amplitude (0.5 versus 0.4 mV) values were obtained from the gracilis muscle. Follow-up of the patient is still continued with no tumor recurrence observed during this period.Being the real dynamic flap and its tonus of the functional gracillis free muscle flap in opposite to the static methods provides a significant superiority over the other options in terms of oral functions; moreover, the overlying skin graft presents a very good color and texture harmony aesthetically. This method is a candidate to be an exclusive surgical technique in the repair of total or close to total lip losses in the future.

Objective Tonsillectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures performed at ear, nose, and throat clinics. Chronic recurrent tonsillitis, obstructive tonsillitis, and halitosis are among the most common indications for surgery. Determining whether the infection is chronic and the patient's annual number of infections are important in estimating the necessity for surgery to be performed due to infectious causes. Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is a numerical value present in normal complete blood count that provides information about erythrocytes and their dimensions. Studies in recent years have shown that RDW increases in chronic infections, hypoxia, and oxidative stress. This study investigated the changes in RDW in patients with chronic tonsillitis and the effect tonsillectomy has on this value by comparing RDW between patients scheduled for tonsillectomy and normal population and examining preoperative and postoperative changes in RDW. Materials and Methods Sixty-three patients scheduled for tonsillectomy due to recurrent tonsillitis aged 4-14 years were included in the study. The control group consisted of 60 subjects comparable in terms of age and sex. Hemoglobin level and RDW were recorded by collecting 2 mlof blood before surgery and at 4 months postoperatively from all patients. Results Preoperative RDW was significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group. Comparison of patients' preoperative and postoperative RDW revealed a significant decrease in RDW after surgery. Conclusion As a biomarker showing chronic infection in patients with tonsillitis, RDW can provide support to the clinician in deciding on surgery. However, this has to be confirmed in further studies with greater participation.

Deep neck infection (DNI) refers to infections in spaces created by superficial and deep cervical fascia around the muscles and organs in the neck. Vitamin D is highly important for an effective immune system. Vitamin D receptors (VDR) have been identified in immune system cells, and particularly in T and B lymphocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells. Vitamin D deficiency is thought to result in impaired immune response, decreased leukocyte chemotaxis, and an increased disposition to infection. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether vitamin D deficiency is an underlying occult factor in the development of DNI. Sixty-five patients aged 6 to 90, diagnosed with DNI, and 70 healthy age- and sex-compatible cases were included in the study. Serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone, and 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) were determined in each case. 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels above 20 ng/mL were regarded as normal, 12 to 20 ng/mL as insufficient, 5 to 12 ng/mL as deficient, and less than 5 ng/mL as severely deficient. Mean serum 25(OH)D levels were 10.4 (6.2) ng/mL in the patient group and 15.5 (6.4) ng/mL in the control group ( P < .01). This difference was statistically significant ( P < .01). Vitamin D was within normal limits in 9.2% (n = 6) of cases in the study group, insufficient in 29.2% (n = 19), deficient in 35.3% (n = 23), and severely deficient in 26.2% (n = 17). The equivalent values in the control group were 21.4% (n = 15), 48.5% (n = 34), 30% (n = 21), and 0% (n = 0). Serum 25(OH)D levels were significantly lower in patients with DNI compared to the healthy cases; 25(OH)D levels may be a factor in the development of DNI.

Improving flexibility and adding complexity are the most driving terms in any computer or telecommunications network and should be carefully considered when proposing new technical solutions for the next (5G) networks. Until the full release of the next generation mobile network; 4G, represented by LTE-A, will continue to develop and improve with new releases launched periodically; each of them demonstrates new added feature(s) that can be seen to continue working with 5G, such enhancing features include small cells in heterogeneous networks, cloud computing, virtualization, software defined networks (SDN), content delivery network (CDN) and cloud radio access networks (CRAN). Resource allocation in cloud computing is one of the major challenges in such systems; this is due to users’ frequent mobility, hence the need for an efficient load balancing method assisted by prediction trait. In this paper we propose and discuss load balancing technique using Hopfield artificial neural network and Radial Basis Function Neural Network for content delivery mechanism in Heterogeneous LTE-A mobile network.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is defined as a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disorder that causes damage to limb joints and progressive injuries to secondary organs. Medical practitioners prescribe Methotrexate (MTX) as standard care medicine for treating RA. However, the long-term application of MTX has shown to have adverse health-related effects. Divya Amvatari Ras (DAR), an Indian Ayurvedic herbo-mineral formulation, has been described in ancient texts to provide relief from RA inflammation associated distress. Therefore, in the present study, we explored the biocompatibility, anti-inflammatory, and anti-arthritic efficacy of DAR using in vivo and in vitro disease models. Using carrageenan (CA)-stimulated Wistar rat paw edema model, we showed a reduction in inflammation-induced paw edema at human equivalent dose of DAR. Anti-rheumatic efficacy of DAR was studied using collagen-antibody cocktail (C-Ab) Induced Arthritis (CAIA) mouse model. The onset of RA in the CAIA mice was determined using parameters such as the increase in arthritis score, and induction of disease associated lesions in the ankle and knee joints, and increase in mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia. Treatment of CAIA animals with a human equivalent dose of DAR significantly reversed the RA-associated pathogenesis. These effects were comparable with the standard of care RA drug, MTX. DAR acted at multiple levels of inflammation associated with RA to reduce progressive pathogenesis. Animal serum biochemistry showed DAR was capable of ameliorating RA induced increase in liver enzyme Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 6 (IL-6). In the lipopolysaccharide stimulated THP-1 cells, DAR was found to inhibit the release of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and upstream inflammatory gene regulatory protein, NFκB. The study endorsed the anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory activity of the Indian Traditional herbo-mineral medicine, DAR. These results also confirm that DAR was highly biocompatible and would show minimal health-related side effects than those associated with standard of care MTX. Taken together, we show that the DAR could be utilized as a promising alternative or complementary therapy for treating rheumatoid arthritis.

Next generation mobile networks designed to offer new features for User Equipment (UE) and to host more services to improve UEs’ Quality of Experience (QoE). In this regard, this paper presents the concept, implementation and the components of two of the next generation services so-called: Follow Me Service (FMS) and Multicast Sharing Service (MSS). MSS is a service offered by 5gNB small-cell to UE in indoor environments (e.g. Museum), it enables its clients to use their smart phones in a server-client mode. Server (or host) selects media content from content servers, then casts it to a group of registered clients based on predefined criteria (subscription-based or relative proximity-based). MSS does not rely on UE’s smartphone capabilities, rather on network capabilities. MSS can be provisioned by utilising UEs’ geolocation information, robust switching mechanism between multiple 5G Radio Access Technology (RAT) and relying on the intelligence of the SDN/NFV Intelligent Home IP Gateway of the Internet of Radio Light (IoRL) project paradigm. Since the infrastructure of the IoRL is not completely ready for deployment, we used Mininet platform to provide performance monitoring with measurements for the service. Simulation results show the effectiveness of our proposal under various use case scenarios by means of eliminating the packet loss rate and improving QoE of the museum users.

The aim of this randomized prospective study was to investigate the postoperative analgesic effectiveness of bupivacaine versus bupivacaine plus dexamethasone-soaked nasal packing in patients scheduled for endoscopic nasal surgery.Sixty American Society of Anesthesiologists groups I and II patients aged 18 to 65 years and scheduled for endoscopic nasal surgery were assigned into 2 groups. Group B received 8 mL 0.5% bupivacaine and 2 mL saline, and group BD received 8 mL 0.5% bupivacaine and 8 mg (2 mL) dexamethasone-soaked nasal packing. In the postoperative period, 1000 mg paracetamol was administered and repeated every 6 hours. Postoperative pain scores, additional analgesia requirements and nausea-vomiting were recorded.Postoperative pain scores were significantly lower in group BD than in group B at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 hours, and during tampon removal (P 0.05), but there was no difference between the groups' 24-hour visual analog scale scores (P = 0.115). Postoperative additional analgesia use was statistically significantly higher in group B than in group BD (25/30 versus 13/30 respectively, P = 0.001). Postoperative nausea and vomiting was statistically higher in group B than in group BD (11/30 versus 4/30 respectively, P = 0.037).The addition of dexamethasone to bupivacaine via soaked nasal packing in endoscopic nasal surgery reduced postoperative pain scores, additional analgesia requirements, and PONV. The authors recommended a combination of bupivacaine plus dexamethasone-soaked nasal packing after endoscopic nasal surgery.

Aim: Aminoglycoside group drugs are widely used due to their broad spectrum and low cost. Clinical or subclinical nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity may frequently be seen as side-effects. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the protective efficacy of thymol and coenzyme Q10 in a gentamycin-induced ototoxicity model in rats.Materials and Methods: Thirty-six female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into six groups of six animals each. The first group represented the control animals. The second group was exposed to ototoxicity induced by intraperitoneal (i.p.) gentamycin administration at 80 mg/kg for seven days. The third group received oral thymol at 10 mg/kg simultaneously with 80 mg/kg gentamycin. The fourth group received 20 mg/kg oral thymol simultaneously with i.p. 80 mg/kg gentamycin. The fifth group received 10 mg/kg coenzyme Q10 simultaneously with i.p. 80 mg/kg gentamycin, and the sixth group received 20 mg/kg coenzyme Q10 simultaneously with i.p. 80 mg/kg gentamycin. All animals were sacrificed by decapitation under anesthesia at the end of the seventh day. The temporal region was extracted en bloc, and cochlear structures were subjected to histopathological and immunohistochemical examination.Results: Immunohistochemical and histopathological analyses showed that thymol and coenzyme Q10 administered at dosages of 10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg reduced such effects as hyperemia in the stria vascularis, decreases in inner hair cell numbers, and degeneration in spinal ganglion cells, and produced a decrease in caspase-3 activity. Significantly better results were obtained with high-dose treatments compared to the low-dose groups. The protective efficacy of coenzyme Q10 applied at a dose of 20 mg/kg was particularly marked compared with the ototoxicity group.Conclusion: Coenzyme Q10 and thymol exhibited marked protective effects against ototoxicity induced in rats. Coenzyme Q10 and thymol are two important antioxidant substances with the potential for use in preventing side-effects that may develop in association with gentamycin use.

Aim: The primary treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is parathyroidectomy. With its shorter operative time and healing period, lesser general anesthesia duration, lesser hypoparathyroidism risk and better cosmetic results minimally invasive parathyroidectomy is the most commonly performed contemporary surgical procedure. However, in order for this procedure to be successful, it is important to know the location of the parathyroid adenoma. The purpose of this study was to determine the diagnostic value of Ultrasonography (USG) and technetium methoxyisobutylisonitrile scintigraphy (99mTc-MIBI) in the preoperative localization of parathyroid adenoma. Materials and Methods: Fifty-two patients diagnosed with parathyroid adenoma were included in the study. Preoperative parathyroid USG and 99mTc-MIBI were performed on all patients. All patients’ preoperative serum calcium, phosphorus, parathormone and Vitamin D levels, parathyroid USG and 99mTc-MIBI, intraoperative parathyroid lesion location and histopathological examination results were recorded. Results: Patients aged between 22 and 81 (51.7±15.6) were eventually enrolled. When USG was used alone, the site of the adenoma was correctly determined in 26 of the 52 patients with a sensitivity of 52% and a positive predictive value of 92.8%. When scintigraphy was performed alone, the site of the adenoma was correctly identified in 39 of the 52 patients. Sensitivity was thus 76.4% and positive predictive value 97.5%. When USG and scintigraphy were assessed together, adenoma location was correctly identified in 45 of the 52 patients. Sensitivity for the two tests employed together was 88.2% and positive predictive value was 97.8%. Conclusions: Due to the high sensitivity of combined use of USG and 99mTc-MIBI, we recommend the two tests to be assessed together before parathyroid surgery.

The quest for novel plasmonic materials has been a lively area of research over the last few years. In the mid-infrared (mid-IR) spectral region, in particular, localized plasmon resonances in nanoparticles and nano-antennas hold promise for enhanced IR spectroscopies, with key applications in biology, medicine, and security. In this frame, the development of a CMOS-compatible plasmonic platform in the mid-IR could have disruptive effects for future technologies, allowing for cost-effective sensing devices integrated with electronics [1-2]. We report on the growth, fabrication and optical characterization of heavily-doped Ge antennas integrated on a Si substrate and we exploit them for the sensing of solid-phase and liquid-phase analytes [3-5]. Epitaxial Ge is grown on Si by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition, exploiting phosphorous as the dopant and achieving plasma frequencies up to 1950 cm-1 (5.1 µm wavelength) corresponding to activated doping of 8.1 x 1019 cm–3. Through modelling and simulation of a series of key figures of merit we demonstrate that n-Ge has performance as a mid-infrared plasmonic material that is within an order of magnitude of noble metals such as gold and with properly designed antennas has the potential to provide enhancements of up to 3 orders of magnitude. We demonstrate two-wire gap antennas fabricated by electron-beam lithography and reactive ion etching techniques, displaying localized plasmon resonances in the important 8 to 13 µm molecular fingerprint region. We target the sensing of a thin polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layer (thickness of about 40 nm) and demonstrate experimentally an enhancement of two orders of magnitude in the collected signal for resonances around 800 cm–1 (12.5 µm wavelength), as derived from a comparison with the results of detailed numerical simulations. Further measurements of the ~700 cm–1 (14.3 µm wavelength) C–Cl bond duplet of 2-chloroethyl methyl sulfide, a mustard chemical warfare (CW) agent simulant, demonstrates potential security applications. This part of the mid-infrared spectrum has a host of molecular absorption lines important for the sensing of both CW agents and explosives, both of which are of interest for airport and counter terrorism security screening. Our results represent a first experimental benchmark for group-IV mid-IR plasmonics and confirm that future CMOS sensing platforms could benefit significantly from plasmonic enhancements provided by integrated heavily-doped Ge-based devices. The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme under grant agreement n°613055. [1] R. Soref, Nature Phot. 4, 495-497 (2010). [2] R. Soref, J. Hendrickson, and J.W. Cleary, Opt. Exp. 20, 3814-3824 (2012). [3] L. Baldassarre, E. Sakat, J. Frigerio, A. Samarelli, K. Gallacher, E. Calandrini, G. Isella, D.J. Paul, M. Ortolani, and P. Biagioni, Nano Lett. 15, 7225-7231 (2015). [4] P. Biagioni, J. Frigerio, A. Samarelli, K. Gallacher, L. Baldassarre, E. Sakat, E. Calandrini, R.W. Millar, V. Giliberti, G. Isella, D.J. Paul, and M. Ortolani, J. Nanophot. 9, 093789 (2015). [5] A. Samarelli, J. Frigerio, E. Sakat, L. Baldassarre, K. Gallacher, M. Finazzi, G. Isella, M. Ortolani, P. Biagioni, and D.J. Paul, Thin Solid Films 602, 52 – 55 (2016). Figure 1

Purpose We aimed to determine the effect of a cartilage shoe graft placed between the foot of the TORP and the stapes footplate on hearing improvement and long-term displacement rates. Materials and methods Patients who underwent TORP ossiculoplasty were divided into two groups. The TORP-alone group consisted of 32 patients who underwent TORP placement without cartilage shoe graft and served as the control group. The study group consisted of 56 patients who underwent placement of cartilage shoe graft together with TORP. Pure-tone audiometry was administered to all patients before and 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery. Indications for surgery, surgical technique used, postoperative complications, and air and bone conduction thresholds at 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz were recorded for all patients. Results No significant difference in postoperative air–bone gaps was observed between the groups. The number of patients with air–bone gaps less than 20 dB was 14 (25%) in the study group and 8 (25%) in the control group. There was no significant difference in changes in air–bone gaps between the groups. Dislocation of the prosthesis was observed in 3 patients in the study group (5.3%) and 4 in the control group (12.5%). There was less dislocation of the prosthesis in the study group, but the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion Placement of a cartilage graft between the footplate of the stapes and the foot of the prosthesis may have positive effects on long-term hearing improvement and rates of prosthesis displacement. Further research with larger patient numbers is needed to identify the advantages of shoe graft.

Noise is a stress factor that causes auditory, psychological and physiological effects. The realization that sudden loud noises or chronic exposure to noise in social and working environments can cause hearing loss has led to increased interest in noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). The best means of preventing primary damage is protection against noise. Since this protection is not always possible for various reasons, the use of pharmacological agents to prevent or treat NIHL should also be considered. The purpose of this study is to discuss current pharmacological protection and treatment options in the light of the literature, since no such extensive reviews have been performed to date, including agents used for protection against and treatment of NIHL. We reviewed both animal and clinical studies, and these are discussed separately for ease of comprehension. For each agent, first animal studies, then clinical studies, if available, are discussed. We also performed a two-step search of the literature. In the first step, we searched the terms "noise induced hearing loss", "treatment" and "protection" in Pubmed. Based on the results obtained, we identified the agents used for the treatment of and protection against NIHL. In the second step, we searched the names of the agents identified in the first step, together with the term "noise induced hearing loss," and reviewed the results.

International audience; Midinfrared plasmonic sensing allows the direct targeting of unique vibrational fingerprints of molecules. While gold has been used almost exclusively so far, recent research has focused on semiconductors with the potential to revolutionize plasmonic devices. We fabricate antennas out of heavily doped Ge films epitaxially grown on Si wafers and demonstrate up to 2 orders of magnitude signal enhancement for the molecules located in the antenna hot spots compared to those located on a bare silicon substrate. Our results set a new path toward integration of plasmonic sensors with the ubiquitous CMOS platform.

Berberine and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) are agents with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of berberine and CoQ10 on allergic rhinitis. This study involved 30 Sprague–Dawley rats, and allergic rhinitis model was established with induction of ovalbumin. Rats were randomized into five groups. The first represented the control group, in which no allergy was established. The second represented the allergy group, in which allergy was induced but no treatment was given. In the remaining three groups, following induction of allergy, desloratadine at a dose of 10 mg/kg was given to Group 3, 100 mg/kg dose of berberine to Group 4, and 20 mg/kg dose of CoQ10 to Group 5. Nasal symptom scores, and plasma immunoglobulin-E, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-13, malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels were examined at the end of the study. Rats’ nasal tissues were also subjected to histopathological immunohistochemical examination. Nasal symptom scores, and plasma immunoglobulin-E, IL-4, IL-13, MDA and NO levels increased significantly in rats with induced allergic rhinitis. Berberine and CoQ10 significantly reduced these elevated levels. CoQ10 was also found as effective as desloratadin in terms of nasal symptom scores and biochemical parameters. At histopathological examination, severe allergic inflammation was observed in rats from allergic rhinitis group. At all treatment groups, the histopathological changes were significantly improved and only a mild inflammation was determined. Also, immunochemistry showed a significant improvement in all three treatment groups. Coenzyme Q10 and berberine were both effective in suppressing allergy symptoms. We think that berberine and coenzyme Q10 can usefully be employed as therapy due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in an experimentally induced allergic rhinitis model.

BackgroundOtitis media with effusion is a clinical manifestation characterised by inflammation of middle-ear mucosa. This study investigated the therapeutic effect of erythromycin, clarithromycin, azithromycin and roxithromycin on a histamine-induced animal model of otitis media with effusion.MethodsThe animals were divided into five groups, receiving erythromycin, clarithromycin, azithromycin, roxithromycin or saline solution. The guinea pigs in the study groups received erythromycin (40 mg/kg/day), clarithromycin (15 mg/kg/day), azithromycin (10 mg/kg/day) or roxithromycin (10 mg/kg/day) for 3 days by gastric tube. Four hours after the end of the administration, histamine solution was injected into the right middle ear.ResultsThe lowest neutrophil density value obtained using stereological techniques was in the azithromycin group (0.86 ± 0.25 × 10−5/μm3), while the highest value was observed in the control group (6.68 ± 3.12 × 10−5/μm3). The anti-inflammatory properties of clarithromycin, azithromycin and roxithromycin were similar to one another, but better than that of erythromycin.ConclusionThe use of macrolide antibiotics is recommended, as they show antibacterial and anti-inflammatory efficacy in otitis media with effusion.

Introduction: Ototoxicity refers to cellular damage or function impairment developing in the inner ear in association with any therapeutic agent or chemical substance, and still represents the principal side-effect restricting the use of cisplatin. Objective: The aim of this study was to perform a biochemical, functional and histopathological investigation of the potential protective effect of eugenol against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity. Methods: The study was performed with 24 female Sprague Dawley rats. Distortion product otoacoustic emissions tests were performed on all animals, which were randomized into four equal groups. A single intraperitoneal dose of 15 mg/kg cisplatin was administered to cisplatin group, while the eugenol group received 100 mg/kg eugenol intraperitoneal for five consecutive days. 100 mg/kg eugenol was administered to cisplatin + eugenol group for 5 days. On the third day, these rats were received a single dose of 15 mg/kg cisplatin. The control group was given 8 mL/kg/day intraperitoneal saline solution for five days. The distortion product otoacoustic emissions test was repeated 24 h after the final drug administration. All animals were sacrificed, and the cochleas were subsequently used for biochemical and histopathological examinations. Results: Cisplatin caused oxidative stress in the cochlea, impaired the cochlear structure and significantly reduced signal noise ratio levels. Administration of eugenol together with cisplatin reversed these effects and provided functional, biochemical and histopathological protection. Conclusion: The study findings represent the first indication in the literature that eugenol may protect against ototoxicity by raising levels of antioxidant enzymes and lowering those of oxidant parameters. © 2018 Associação Brasileira de Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia Cérvico-Facial, This study was performed in accordance with the PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, the NIH Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, and the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. et seq.); the animal use protocol was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) of Ataturk University.

Objective The frequency of metabolic syndrome is increasing in both children and adults. In addition to metabolic complications such as obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome may affect all systems of the body. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of metabolic syndrome on hearing in childhood. Methods A prospective, controlled study was performed on 38 obese children diagnosed with metabolic syndrome and 34 healthy children. Anthropometric measurements and biochemical studies were performed. All individuals underwent pure-tone audiometry, tympanogram, and transient evoked otoacoustic emission (TEOAE) tests. The hearing thresholds of the patients were compared with healthy volunteers. Results There was no significant difference in terms of age and gender between the groups (p>0.05). There was no significant difference in mean hearing levels between the groups. When frequencies were compared, significantly increased hearing threshold levels were determined at low frequencies in children with metabolic syndrome. Analysis of the TEOAE results elicited no statistically significant variation in terms of signal-to-noise ratio values, signal amplitudes, or test reproducibility values between the study groups. Conclusion Identification of the potential hearing losses early by means of detailed hearing examinations in children with metabolic syndrome is important. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the effect of metabolic syndrome on hearing in this age group.

Introduction: Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine system cancer. Although fine-needle aspiration biopsy is the most commonly used method for diagnosis, it is not always sufficient. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of preoperative serum thyroglobulin (Tg) concentration on differentiated thyroid cancer risk. Material and Methods: A total of 133 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy due to various indications at the Ear-Nose-Throat Department, Ataturk University Medical School, between April 2015 and December 2015, were included in this prospective study. Histopathological diagnosis and preoperative Tg levels were compared. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used for detection of the cut-off to discriminate malignant from benign thyroid masses using preoperative Tg as a variable. Results: Malignant pathology (differentiated thyroid carcinoma) was detected in 59 out of 133 patients (44.4%) and benign pathology in 74 (55.6%). A statistically significant difference in preoperative Tg value was detected between malignant and benign cases (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of differentiated thyroid carcinoma was higher among patients with a preoperative serum Tg value > 188.5 ng/mL, and this may thus be used as a marker for the diagnosis of this malignancy.

© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2019. In contrast to the previous generations, the next generation mobile network will be largely driven by data. Data are increasing in exponential way due to the increased number of smart mobile devices and network connection capabilities. Mobile connectivity had become every day’s need for many network users, and demand for mobile broadband to access the different applications and services on the internet is increasing in a rapid way. Therefore, data delivery will represent a challenging area for the mobile networks, taking in consideration the adaption of advanced multimedia application, video content and IoT applications. New methods, strategies, and techniques that provide Interworking and harmonization between computer and telecom network in a unified heterogenous ecosystem that can provide computing capabilities in the edge should be considered for the implementation of next generation of mobile networks.

International audience; In recent decades, researchers have demonstrated incandescent sources that exhibit monochromatic, directional, and even fast modulated infrared emission. Most of the researchers achieve this type of emission by heating the whole device. Here, we propose heating only nanovolumes that can be cooled in a few tens of nanoseconds. This approach could enable high-speed modulation. To compensate for the weak thermal emission of such isolated nanoemitters, we propose inserting the hot nanovolume in the gap of a cold nanoantenna. We calculate the resulting emission enhancement by using a generalized version of Kirchhoff's law, and demonstrate that careful design of the complete antenna– nanoemitter system can result in emission enhancements of more than four orders of magnitude.

OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to evaluate image quality of low dose in noncontrast paranasal sinus computed tomography (CT) using single volumetric 320-row multidetector CT technique. METHODS The low-dose protocol including tube voltage of 135 kV and tube current of 5 mAs was chosen based on results of the present phantom study. Forty-six patients were assigned to control group with factory standard settings (120 kVp, 75 mAs), and 46 patients were assigned to study group and underwent noncontrast CT of paranasal sinus with low-dose protocol using single volumetric 320-row multidetector CT device. Objective and subjective image qualities were performed. RESULTS Effective radiation dose calculated for control group scans was 0.45 (SD, 0.39) mSv. It was 0.038 (SD, 0.004) mSv for study group scans. The effective radiation dose of study group was statistically significant lower than control group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Noncontrast paranasal sinus CT imaging can be performed at very low radiation exposure maintaining high image quality with 135 kVp and 5 mAs.

Choanal atresia is the unilateral or bilateral obstruction of the passage between nasal cavity and nasopharynx. Transnasal surgery of choanal atresia in a patient with unilateral choanal atresia diagnosed accidentally during operation of septorinoplasti for septal deviation and external nasal deformity in Plastic Surgery Clinic is presented. A 25-year-old female referred to plastic surgery clinic with external nasal deformity and difficulty in breathing through nose. Although concha bullosa at middle concha and polipoid degeneration at lower concha are observed in computerized tomography of paranasal sinus, the patient referred to our clinic. In physical examination, due to advanced septal deviation, endoscopic examination of left nasal cavity could not be established. It was planned to examine the left nasal cavity in operating room after septoplasty. In the endoscopic examination after septoplasty, choanal atresia at left nasal cavity observed. Atresia was repaired with transnasal approach. At follow-up period, the choanal opening was intact. Unilateral choanal atresia is a disorder which can reach at the adolesant ages without diagnosis. Although the symptoms of the disease can be interfere in lots of diseases, the diagnosis is simple with nasal endoscopic examination. If nasal endoscopic examination is difficult because of nasal septal deviation, it must be performed in operating room before ending the operation to reveal the additional disorders. [Med-Science 2015; 4(1.000): 2073-9]

The aim of this study is to determine some parameters such as the structure of foreign body, age of patient etc. in patients with foreign body in their nasal cavity. The patients who referred to our hospital with foreign body in their nasal cavity between November 2013 and November 2014 are included to study. Data were collected retrospectively from patients records. 80 patients had foreign body in their nasal cavity. 45(%56.25) of them have foreign body in right nasal cavity, while 35 have in left one (%43.75). 48 of the patients were male (%60), 32 of them were female (%40). The foreign bodies were more common in early ages. 28 of patients (%35) were between age 0-2, 32 of them (%40) were between age 2-4, 15 of them (%19) were between age 5-8 and 5 of them (%6) were older than 8 years old. The foreign bodies mostly consist of little plastic substances (18 patients, %22.5), beans (16 patients %20), paper particles (12 patients, %12) and sponge (7 patients, %8.75). Only 5 of patients had complication of epistaxis after removal of foreign body. Foreign bodies in nasal cavity are common disorders of pediatric population. Although it is generally easy to remove foreign bodies from nasal cavity, it must be also considered that, all foreign bodies of nasal cavity have potential risk to obstruct the airway. Because of this, the foreign body in the nasal cavity is an emergency situation. Key Words: Foreign bodies, nasal cavity, epistaxis

Peedantak Vati (PV) is a polyherbal ayurvedic formulation, which is regularly prescribed by the ayurvedic practitioner for the inflammatory disorders and joints pain in India. It is composed of 23 different herbs and minerals, described in ayurvedic text for their anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.To investigate anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive potential of 'Peedantak Vati' using in vitro and in vivo methods.In-vitro anti-inflammatory activity of PV was studied by estimating nitric oxide (NO) and LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α, using murine macrophage RAW264.7 and human monocyte THP-1 cell lines. PV's anti-inflammatory potential was studied in vivo using carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model. Similarly, anti-nociceptive property of PV was evaluated using hot plate, tail flick, formalin and writhing tests on CD-1 mice. Phytochemical profiling of hydro-alcoholic extract of PV was done using HPLC and HPTLC techniques to identify different marker compounds. These identified marker compounds were confirmed using LC-MS/MS analysis.In vitro results strongly suggest that, PV significantly (p 0.001) inhibited NO release and LPS-stimulated pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α, in murine RAW264.7 and human THP-1 cells. Further, PV demonstrated significant (p 0.05) anti-inflammatory activity at different time points after carrageenan injection with maximum effect at 2 h (40.4 ± 5.2% at 400 mg/kg). Similarly, PV significantly (p 0.05) decreased nociceptive pain, studied using hot plate, tail flick, formalin and writhing tests. Moreover, HPLC and HPTLC methods were developed for the standardization of PV. Five marker phytocompounds viz. rutin, caffeic acid, colchicine, withaferin A and curcumin were identified and quantified by HPLC and HPTLC methods. The presence of these phytoconstituents was confirmed by LC-MS/MS analysis.The findings of the study strongly suggest that, the polyherbal ayurvedic formulation 'Peedantak Vati' possesses remarkable anti-inflammatory and analgesic property, providing potent alternative for currently available allopathic medicines such as non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).