by Berta Monleón López  , Valentina Della Torre  , Federico Bilotta  and Rafael Badenes

Received: 11 June 2019;  Published: 22 August 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.1903037

Purpose of review: The purpose of this review is to describe recent evidence regarding the use of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) as rescue therapy for refractory cardiac or respiratory failure in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) when conventional treatments have failed. The characteristics of these patients, including the risk of bleeding and developing malignant intracranial hypertension, are generally considered as relative contraindications to ECMO treatment; however, recent evidence sugges [...]

by Avneet K. Mangat  and Georg M. Schmölzer

Received: 07 June 2019;  Published: 20 August 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1903051

The incidence of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) is increasing due to more mothers using illicit drugs. This results in an increase in costs and resources for the healthcare system. Newborns with NAS might experience withdrawal symptoms that can cause pain, distress, and may potentially increase the risk of future health complications. It is therefore important to find effective treatments that can alleviate NAS. Various non-pharmacological treatments are used in conjunction with pharmacological treatments to re [...]

by Elizabeth F. Wallin  , Michelle A. Linterman  and Kathryn J. Wood

Received: 02 June 2019;  Published: 19 August 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.1903079

Background: T follicular helper (Tfh) and regulatory (Tfr) cells are key players in the formation of long-lived antibody responses. Their circulating counterparts, cTfh and cTfr, are often used as biomarkers because longitudinal sampling of secondary lymphoid tissues is unfeasible in clinical studies. This is the first study to track cTfh and cTfr cells following therapeutic lymphocyte depletion with alemtuzumab, an anti-CD52 monoclonal antibody, to infer the influence of this treatment on the germinal centre respo [...]

by Gabriele Cipriani  , Sabrina Danti  , Cecilia Carlesi  , Claudio Lucetti  , Angelo Nuti  and Mario Di Fiorino

Received: 27 March 2019;  Published: 16 August 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1903070

Background: Mania in older adults is associated with a high rate of medical and neurological disease. Objective: The goal of this review is to describe the phenomenon of manic episodes in patients suffering from dementia. Methods: Medline and Google Scholar searches were conducted for relevant articles, chapters, and books published before 2019. Search terms used included dementia, late-onset, mania, and elderly. Publications found through this indexed search were reviewed for further relevant references. Resultsan [...]

by Alina Wong  and Scott D Lee

Received: 09 May 2019;  Published: 16 August 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.hg.1903033

Crohn’s disease is characterized by chronic intestinal inflammation that can result in significant morbidity and loss of intestinal function over time. Many novel treatments for Crohn’s disease are being developed, but a significant portion of patients still requires surgical therapy for structuring or penetrating disease. While the utility of esophagogastroduodenoscopy and ileocolonoscopy in inflammatory bowel disease patients is well established, new endoscopic techniques are being developed to help evaluate prev [...]

by Tahereh Fatemian  and Ezharul Hoque Chowdhury

Received: 29 March 2019;  Published: 15 August 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.genet.1903090

Introduction of biocompatible ingredients into nano-material formulations has been studied as a strategy for the enhancement of the pharmacokinetics as well as pharmacodynamics of the final product. With the aim of enhancing drug loading and the ultimate efficacy, incorporation of Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) into carbonate apatite (CA) nanoparticles structure was employed in the present study. As a result of BSA embedding in the CA formulation, approximately three-times higher loading efficiency was achieved for pac [...]

by Joep Geraedts

Received: 08 April 2019;  Published: 14 August 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.genet.1903089

Mitochondrial diseases are among the most prevalent inborn errors of metabolism. The overwhelming majority of mitochondrial diseases (about 85%) result from mutations in nuclear genes involved in oxidative phosphorylation, while some (15%) are caused by mutations in mitochondrial DNA (MtDNA). The familial mtDNA mutations are exclusively inherited from the mother. There are four main methods available to prevent the transmission of mtDNA mutations: preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) or prenatal diagnosis (PND) [...]

by Abdulmaleek Sado  , Rahul Kalla  and Simon Campbell

Received: 20 May 2019;  Published: 14 August 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.hg.1903032

Crohn's disease is part of a group of diseases termed inflammatory bowel disease. Guidelines have long advocated the use of steroids for acute flare up and Current goals of treatment include enhancing long-lasting remission, preventing relapse, reducing the need for surgery, preventing complications and slowing disease progression. No cure currently exists for the disease. Traditionally, the clinical approach to treatment has been symptom-based where patients have had to ‘earn’ their next treatment escalation. Howe [...]

by Assaf Assis  , Lena Sapozhnikov  , Sandra Camargo  and Eduardo Mitrani

Received: 07 May 2019;  Published: 14 August 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.1903078

Background: Cell encapsulation technology is most likely the ultimate solution for cell therapy based clinical approaches. A key issue when developing a functional encapsulated construct is to consider not only the nature of the capsule but also how the cells should be incorporated into the capsule in order to minimally compromise their function. Methods: We have developed a tissue engineering approach, composed of decellularized micro scaffolds and various types of cells in which fully functional "Engineered Micro [...]

by Sara Schatz  and Melvin Gonzalez Rivera

Received: 15 March 2019;  Published: 13 August 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1903069

Pragmatic competence includes the capacity to express illocutionary force and successfully achieve perlocutionary effects, in order to guarantee fully functional communication exchanges. Improved pragmatic competence in patients has been found in patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and early to moderate Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) in the domains of jokes, self-expression and empathy after extended, targeted intranasal insulin therapy. In this paper it is argued that extended intra-nasal insulin treatment can [...]

by Stephen Ames

Received: 08 April 2019;  Published: 13 August 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1903068

Thirty years ago, Tom Kitwood proposed a change in the care of people with dementia, from ‘warehousing’ to ‘person-centred care’. The change had noticeable benefits for those with dementia. Kitwood set out his presuppositions for this change. For example, Kitwood understood personhood as the standing or status bestowed on one human being by others in the context of relationships and social being and held that respect for the absolute value of each person is a key theme in Western ethical discourse. He was clear thi [...]

by Shira Peleg  and Howard Litwin

Received: 23 March 2019;  Published: 12 August 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1903067

Background: Differential effects of the characteristics of social network on limitations with activities (LWA) and the quality of life (QOL) among older adults, and the moderating role of depression were studied. Methods: The data obtained from two consecutive waves of the Survey of Health, Aging, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) was examined. Results: Emotional closeness, satisfaction with the social network, and contact frequency were able to predict the QOL and not LWA. Moreover, depression was observed to moder [...]

by Rachel Rutherford  and Patrick B Allen

Received: 25 February 2019;  Published: 12 August 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.hg.1903031

Crohn's Disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory, relapsing and remitting condition that leads to structural damage of the bowel wall. It can be located in any part of the gastrointestinal tract with associated extra-intestinal manifestations. It varies in severity having many complications resulting in significant morbidity. In the past decade medical management of CD has evolved rapidly and with ongoing research it continues to show promising novel therapies. In this article we aim to give an overview of current li [...]

by Ilaria Scarpelli  , Fabienne Marcelli  , Francesca Mattioli  and Jacqueline Schoumans

Received: 01 April 2019;  Published: 09 August 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.genet.1903088

With the advent of next-generation sequencing (NGS), genomic profiling of tumors has been gradually introduced into the clinical setting and has become a standard in cancer care. NGS allows convenient, rapid, and inexpensive sequencing and the commercially available NGS panels enable the detection of single or global genomic alterations of germline and somatic origin. Today, genomic mutation profiling using NGS is indispensable for disease evaluation and prediction of prognosis or responsiveness to cancer therapy. [...]

by Garuth Chalfont  , Jane Simpson  , Sarah Davies  , David Morris  , Ruth Wilde  , Leigh Willoughby  and Christine Milligan

Received: 08 April 2019;  Published: 07 August 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1903066

The dominant narrative around dementia argues that progression cannot be halted or reversed. However, evidence on multimodal non-pharmacological treatments formulated around a ‘personalised medicine’ approach challenges this view. This paper reviews the current evidence for dementia prevention utilising such treatments and explains the logic of applying personalised medicine. The functional medicine treatment approach to ‘root cause’ analysis is presented as currently practiced with patients experiencing cognitive [...]

by Hsueh-Fen S. Kao  and Maria A. Amaya

Received: 19 May 2019;  Published: 07 August 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1903065

Background: In 2016, Hispanic/Latino (H/L) Americans made up 8% of the older population (≥65) and 22.9% of the oldest population (≥85) in the United States. It is projected that the older H/L population will grow to 21% by 2060. Currently the older H/L population depends primarily on their families for care. Methods: Review published caregiving models for older adults in H/L populations. Results: Gradual and inevitable acculturation of H/L caregivers to U.S. social customs, and the mutual relationship within the [...]

by Patricia Lynn Dobkin

Received: 14 May 2019;  Published: 07 August 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1903050

The author writes a genuine story using a narrative medicine writing style [1]. She relates how she applied mindfulness awareness and meditation practices to accompany her best friend, Abigail (Abigail is a pseudonym), who struggled through stages 3 and 4 breast cancer, including its noxious treatments and upsetting side effects. Clinical practice can be enhanced with narrative competence in that it helps the author recognize, interpret and be touched by patients’ stories, including all aspects of illness experienc [...]

by Babkir Ali

Received: 30 May 2019;  Published: 07 August 2019;  doi: 10.21926/jept.1903002

The main objective of this paper is to study the sustainability of power generation from an abandoned oil and gas well in the province of Alberta, Canada. Economic and environmental indicators were used for the sustainability assessment. A conceptual design for a pilot plant was developed, and the main parameters were determined. An abandoned oil and gas well represents the thermal power source through circulating water into an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) unit to generate electricity. The thermal power is extracted [...]

by H. Hakemi  , O. Pinshow  and D. Gal-Fuss

Received: 24 June 2019;  Published: 07 August 2019;  doi: 10.21926/rpm.1903002

In the past few years, there have been many attempts to commercialize Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) for Rear Projection Screen (RPS) in electrically switchable films and glass products. This application is based on the exceptional image quality of PDLC at a wide viewing angle. However, due to the high price of conventional switchable PDLC privacy glass, the integration of RPS in PDLC failed to attract large multimedia and entertainment markets. An obvious solution to this problem is the independent develo [...]

by Petr A. Fedotov  , Maria A. Simonenko  , Yulia V. Sazonova  , Mariya A. Bortsova  , Artem N. Kostomarov  and Mariya Yu. Sitnikova

Received: 01 February 2019;  Published: 05 August 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.1903077

Background: To estimate the survival of patients in the heart transplantation waiting list (HTx WL) at Almazov National Medical Research Centre (V.A. Almazov NMRC), Saint-Petersburg, Russia, from 2010 to 2017 and to define risk factors for death among these patients. Methods: It was a single-center retrospective study involving 151 patients with advanced chronic heart failure (CHF) in the HTx WL. Results: Mortality in the HTx WL for the period 2010-2017 was found to decrease. Based on the results of constructing th [...]

by Ryan A. Williams  , Lorna Hatch  and Simon B. Cooper

Received: 29 April 2019;  Published: 02 August 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1903049

It is well documented that an acute bout of exercise has a positive effect on subsequent cognitive function in children and adolescents. However, the effect of: the exercise characteristics (i.e. intensity, duration and modality), the cognitive domain assessed, and moderating variables (such as the participant’s age, physical fitness and baseline cognitive abilities); all of which affect this relationship are poorly understood. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to examine the impact of these variables on the [...]

by Alina Khan  , Tengfei Wan  , Catherine Hunter  , Pavel Schweizer  , Abbas Ishaq  , Shobha Nagarathanam  , Julia Morris  , Minyu Chan  and Gabriele Saretzki

Received: 13 March 2019;  Published: 01 August 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.1903036

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease and is a synucleinopathy due to the critical role of α-synuclein (α-Syn) in its pathology. α-Syn is able to translocate from the cytoplasm to the nucleus and cause DNA damage. Methods: SH-SY5Y cells were stably transfected with plasmids containing wild type (WT) α-Syn and A53T mutant α-Syn as fusion proteins with EGFP and an EGFP only control vector. The cells were differentiated using retinoi [...]

by Marta Ramirez  and Mercedes Fernandez

Received: 25 February 2019;  Published: 31 July 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.hg.1903030

This review describes our current understanding of the pathogenic role of angiogenesis in chronic liver disease and portal hypertension, emphasizing its involvement not only in the liver but also in extrahepatic complications such as the formation of portosystemic collaterals and increased splanchnic blood flow, and highlighting different molecular and cellular mechanisms involved.

by Danielle Graham  , Takahiro Ito  , Ronald Busuttil  and Fady Kaldas

Received: 05 May 2019;  Published: 29 July 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.hg.1903029

Acute pancreatitis is a highly morbid condition widely recognized and well-defined in the general population. In this article, we summarize the current literature on acute pancreatitis in the setting of solid organ transplant axiom, including patients who are listed for or have undergone transplantation. The literature is summarized by organ transplant type, including cardiac, lung, pancreas, kidney, intestine, and liver. Our review suggests that providers should have a high index of suspicion for acute pancreatiti [...]

by Hideki Kanamaru  , Fumihiro Kawakita  , Reona Asada  and Hidenori Suzuki

Received: 07 May 2019;  Published: 29 July 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.1903035

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) causes serious brain injury, and its mechanisms have not been completely unraveled so far. The causative factors for the brain injury initiated by an aneurysm rupture, which is referred to as the early brain injury (EBI), include elevated intracranial pressure, cerebral hypoperfusion, and blood contents that are directly exposed to the brain surface. At Day 4–14 post aSAH, delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) often develops, which may worsen the neurological outcomes critically. [...]