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Trimethylamine N-oxide(TMAO), a metabolite of gut microbiota, is closely associated with chronic kidney disease(CKD). It can aggravate the kidney injury and promote the occurrence of complications of CKD mainly by inducing renal fibroblast activation, vascular endothelial inflammation, macrophage foaming, platelet hyperreactivity, and inhibition of reverse cholesterol transport. Thus it is of great significance for clinical treatment of CKD to regulate circulating TMAO and alleviate its induced body damage. Currently, therapeutic strategies for TMAO regulation include dietary structure adjustment, lifestyle intervention, intestinal microflora regulation, and inhibition of intestinal trimethylamine synthesis and liver trimethylamine oxidation. Chinese medicinal herbs have the clinical advantage of multi-component and multi-target effects, and application of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) to synergistically regulating TMAO and improving CKD via multiple pathways has broad prospects. This study systematically reviewed the clinical relevance and mechanism of TMAO in aggravating CKD renal function deterioration and complication progression. In addition, the effect and mechanism of TCM in improving TMAO-induced kidney injury, cardiovascular disease, hyperlipidemia, thrombosis and osteoporosis were summarized. The results provided a theoretical basis for TCM in attenuating gut microbiota-derived metabolite TMAO and improving CKD, as well as a basis and direction for in-depth clinical development and mechanism research in the future.
Subject(s)
Humans , Gastrointestinal Microbiome , Medicine, Chinese Traditional , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/drug therapyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Isolation of nuclei or nuclear proteins is a prerequisite for western blot, nuclear proteome profiling, and other evaluations of nuclear proteins. Here, we developed a simple method for in situ isolation of nuclei or nuclear proteins by in situ removing the extranuclear part of adherent cells via a classical nonionic detergent triton X-100. RESULTS: First, the feasibility of our method was confirmed by confocal microscopy, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, immunofluorescence imaging, and time-lapse dynamic observation. Next, the optimal concentration range (approximately 0.1-1% for ~ 10 min) of triton X-100 and the optimal treatment time (< 30 min) of 0.1-1% Triton X-100 for our method were determined via western blotting of eight extra-/ intra-nuclear proteins. Subsequently, the effectiveness, sensitivity, and cytoplasmic contamination of our method were tested by investigating the levels of phosphorylated p65 (a NF-κB subunit) in the nuclei of endothelial or tumor cells treated with/without lipopolysaccharide (LPS) via western blotting and by comparing with a commercial nuclear protein extraction kit (a classical detergent-based method). The data show that compared with the commercial kit our method obtained a higher yield of total nuclear proteins, a higher pP65 level in both control and LPS groups, and much lower content of GAPDH (as a reference for cytoplasmic contamination) in nuclei. CONCLUSIONS: The in situ isolation of nuclei or nuclear proteins from adherent cells in this study is a simple, effective method with less cytoplasmic contamination. This method/strategy has the potential of improving the quality of downstream evaluations including western blotting and proteomic profiling.
Subject(s)
Nuclear Proteins , Lipopolysaccharides , NF-kappa B/metabolism , Octoxynol/pharmacology , Proteomics , Detergents/pharmacologyABSTRACT
Abstract Objective This study aimed to assess the correlation between Sjögren′s Syndrome (SS) and adverse pregnancy outcomes, with the aim of providing a basis for preconception and pregnancy interventions in women with SS. Methods A search of electronic databases in English and Chinese databases from January 2005 to December 2021, was conducted to collect the literature of case-control studies or cohort studies on the association between SS and pregnancy outcome studies. Literature inclusion and data extraction were performed according to established criteria, and the Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used to evaluate the quality of the literature. Stata 15 software was used for meta-analysis. Results A total of nine papers were included in this study. Meta-analysis results showed that SS was associated with spontaneous abortion (RR = 8.85, 95% CI 3.10‒25.26), preterm birth (RR = 2.27, 95% CI 1.46‒3.52), low birth mass (RR = 1.99, 95% CI 1.34‒2.97), and birth defects (RR = 4.28, 95% CI 3.08‒5.96). Conclusion SS can increase the incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes.
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@#Abstract: Objective To analyze the impact of the flood disaster on the distribution of Oncomelania snails in 2020 in Wuhu City, to provide scientific basis for formulating the "14th Five-Year Plan" for schistosomiasis control and precise prevention and control measures in Wuhu City. Methods Systematic sampling combined with environmental spot check was used to investigate the distribution of snails in the historical snail's environment, existing snail's environment and suspected snail's environment in Wuhu City. The collected snails were crushed and examined by microscope to understand the death and life of snails and the infection of Schistosoma japonicum, and the density of live snails and other indicators were counted. Results The historical area of snails was 14 475.24 hm2 in Wuhu City, and the existing area of snails was 4 588.72 hm2, including 4 210.32 hm2 for lake type and 378.40 hm2 for hill type snails. The average occurrence rate of live snails was 14.59%, and the average density of live snails was 0.50 snails/0.1 m2 in Wuhu City. There were 2 745 snail breeding environments, of which 491 were lake type and 2 254 are hill type, accounting for 17.89% and 82.11% respectively. The existing snail area was mainly distributed in the beaches and ditches, accounting for 92.51% and 6.29% of the existing snail area respectively. Some snails were distributed in ponds, paddy fields and other environments. Among all the historical snail habitats, the majority were class Ⅱ and class Ⅲ environments (which still have the basic conditions for snail breeding at present), with a total of 1 739 sites (blocks), accounting for 63.35% of the total environment. No schistosomiasis infected snails have been found, and the newly discovered and recovered snails cover an area of 268.21 hm2 in Wuhu City. Conclusions The distribution of snails is extensive in Wuhu City, and snails are mostly distributed in beaches, which are vulnerable to the impact of flood disasters. The spread of Oncomelania snails is found in 30 marshlands in 3 counties in this survey. It is necessary to continue to strengthen snail monitoring after disasters, and take class Ⅱ and class Ⅲ environments as key areas for snail monitoring, so as to find, identify and evaluate the risk of schistosomiasis transmission as soon as possible, to avoid or reduce the impact of flood disasters on the process of schistosomiasis control, and promote the process of schistosomiasis elimination.
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Aims@#Acinetobacter baumannii has been identified as one of the six most pathogenic bacteria that is the cause of most hospital bacterial infections according to Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA). These nosocomial pathogens are notorious worldwide due to its ability in causing lethal infections among immunocompromised patients and its resistance to many strong antibiotics. This study aims to compare the expressed proteins of two A. baumannii strain, ATCC 19606 and a pathogenic clinically isolated strain known as AB-13. @*Methodology and results@#AB-13 clinically strain was isolated from the lower respiratory tract of a patient with pneumonia. In this study, the proteomic profile of both ATCC 19606 and AB-13 are produced using 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The total protein contents were extracted, quantified and separated using 2-DE with a pH range of 4-7 to acquire the proteomic profile for comparison. The final analytical gel was analysed using Delta2D software and among the 324 protein spots successfully resolved, 10 spots exhibited signs of differential expression with 7 spots found to be downregulated and 3 spots upregulated (p< 0.01). These differences could signify the evolution AB-13 has undergone as it acquires traits ultimately aiding in its survivability, antimicrobial resistance and pathogenicity within varied environments especially during infections.@*Conclusion, significance and impact of study@#These findings support the presence of variation in AB-13 from a proteomic perspective, highlighting the pathogen’s evolution improving survivability and pathogenicity, warranting in-depth exploration towards understanding A. baumannii virulence and pathogenicity.
Subject(s)
Two-Dimensional Difference Gel Electrophoresis , ProteomicsABSTRACT
Purpose@#There is no consensus regarding adjuvant therapies following Kasai portoenterostomy (KP) for biliary atresia (BA). This study aimed to analyze the effect of extended perioperative intravenous antibiotics (PI-Abx) and adjuvant corticosteroid on cholangitis and jaundice clearance rates in the 3 years post-KP in children with BA. @*Methods@#Data of patients who underwent KP between 1999-2018 at a single center were retrospectively analyzed. Group A (1999–2010) received PI-Abx for 5 days, Group B (2010–2012) received PI-Abx for 5 days plus low-dose prednisolone (2 mg/kg), and Group C (2012–2017) received PI-Abx for 14 days plus high-dose prednisolone (5 mg/kg). @*Results@#Fifty-four patients were included with groups A, B, and C comprising 25, 9, and 20 patients, respectively. The number of episodes of cholangitis was 1.0, 1.6, and 1.3 per patient (p=NS) within the first year and 1.8, 2.3, and 1.7 (p=NS) over 3 years in Groups A, B, and C, respectively. The jaundice clearance rate at 6 months was 52%, 78%, and 50% (p=NS), and the 3-year native liver survival (NLS) rate was 76%, 100%, and 80% (p=NS) in Groups A, B, and C, respectively. A near-significant association was observed between the incidence of cholangitis within the first year and decompensated liver cirrhosis/death at 3 years post KP (p=0.09). Persistence of jaundice at 6 months was significantly associated with decompensated cirrhosis/death at 3 years (p<0.001). @*Conclusion@#The extended duration of PI-Abx and adjuvant corticosteroids was not associated with improved rates of cholangitis, jaundice clearance, or NLS in patients with BA.
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Purpose@#There is no consensus regarding adjuvant therapies following Kasai portoenterostomy (KP) for biliary atresia (BA). This study aimed to analyze the effect of extended perioperative intravenous antibiotics (PI-Abx) and adjuvant corticosteroid on cholangitis and jaundice clearance rates in the 3 years post-KP in children with BA. @*Methods@#Data of patients who underwent KP between 1999-2018 at a single center were retrospectively analyzed. Group A (1999–2010) received PI-Abx for 5 days, Group B (2010–2012) received PI-Abx for 5 days plus low-dose prednisolone (2 mg/kg), and Group C (2012–2017) received PI-Abx for 14 days plus high-dose prednisolone (5 mg/kg). @*Results@#Fifty-four patients were included with groups A, B, and C comprising 25, 9, and 20 patients, respectively. The number of episodes of cholangitis was 1.0, 1.6, and 1.3 per patient (p=NS) within the first year and 1.8, 2.3, and 1.7 (p=NS) over 3 years in Groups A, B, and C, respectively. The jaundice clearance rate at 6 months was 52%, 78%, and 50% (p=NS), and the 3-year native liver survival (NLS) rate was 76%, 100%, and 80% (p=NS) in Groups A, B, and C, respectively. A near-significant association was observed between the incidence of cholangitis within the first year and decompensated liver cirrhosis/death at 3 years post KP (p=0.09). Persistence of jaundice at 6 months was significantly associated with decompensated cirrhosis/death at 3 years (p<0.001). @*Conclusion@#The extended duration of PI-Abx and adjuvant corticosteroids was not associated with improved rates of cholangitis, jaundice clearance, or NLS in patients with BA.
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Objective@#To analyze the mortality trend of bladder cancer among residents in Qidong, Jiangsu Province from 1972 to 2016, so as to provide the basis for the prevention and treatment strategy of bladder cancer in Qidong.@*Methods@#The data of bladder cancer was collected from Qidong Cancer Registry.The crude mortality rate ( CR ), age-standardized rate by Chinese population in 2000 (CASR) and world population in 1960 ( WASR ), truncated rate (35-64 years) and cumulative rate ( 0-74 years ) were calculated. The annual percent change ( APC ) was used to analyze the trend of mortality in bladder cancer.@*Results@#During from 1972 to 2016, There were 1 497 deaths due to bladder cancer in Qidong from 1972 to 2016. The CR, CASR and WASR were 2.96/105, 1.83/105 and 1.80/105, respectively. The APCs in CR, CASR, WASR of bladder cancer were 5.29%, 1.86% and 1.81%, respectively ( P<0.05 ), showing upward trends. The truncated rate, cumulative rate and cumulative risk were 1.47/105, 0.17% and 0.17%, respectively. The CR, CASR and WASR in males were 4.71/105, 2.97/105 and 3.31/105, respectively, which was higher than that of 1.26/105, 0.75/105, and 0.66/105 in females ( P<0.05 ). The APC of CR, CASR and WASR in males were 5.71%, 1.96% and 2.17%, respectively ( P<0.05 ), all showed upward trends. For females, the APC of CR was 4.47% ( P<0.05 ), showing an upward trend, but there was no significant change in CASR and WASR ( P>0.05 ). The CR of bladder cancer was high among people aged more than 55 years. The CR in 55-64-year-old group, 65-74-year-old group and more than 75-year-old group showed upward trends, with APC of 4.50%, 2.22% and 4.51%, respectively ( P<0.05 ). @*Conclusions@#From 1972 to 2016, the mortality of bladder cancer in Qidong showed an upward trend, which was relatively high in men and people aged over 55 years.
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This study aimed to investigate the predictive factors for uveitis recurrence (UR) risk in Behcet's disease (BD) patients. BD patients (n=164) with a history of uveitis were recruited, and demographic data, clinical features, and laboratory tests were recorded. Uveitis was defined as anterior uveitis, intermediate uveitis, posterior uveitis, panuveitis referring to the "International Uveitis Study Group recommendations for the evaluation of intraocular inflammatory disease". In total, there were 70 UR patients and 94 non-UR patients. Compared to non-UR patients, UR patients appeared to be older and presented with increased uveitis occurrence rate and times within 3 months, oral ulcers occurrence rate, as well as higher concentrations of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and serum amyloid A (SAA). Multivariate logistic model disclosed that uveitis occurrence times within 3 months, oral ulcers, TG, LDL, and SAA independently predicted higher risk of UR. Furthermore, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the combination of uveitis occurrence times within 3 months, oral ulcers, TG, LDL, and SAA exhibited a high predictive value for UR risk with an area under the curve of 0.983 (95%CI: 0.969−0.998). In conclusion, uveitis occurrence times within 3 months, oral ulcers, TG, LDL, and SAA might be potential predictive factors for UR risk in BD patients, which can help in prevention and management of the disease.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Uveitis/etiology , Behcet Syndrome/complications , Recurrence , Uveitis/drug therapy , Behcet Syndrome/drug therapy , Risk Factors , ROC CurveABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Long non-coding RNA small molecule RNA host gene 1 (SNHG1) was previously identified to be relevant with Parkinson's disease (PD) pathogenesis. This work aims to further elucidate the regulatory networks of SNHG1 involved in PD. Methods: 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-hydrochloride (MPTP)-induced mice and 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+)-treated SH-SY5Y cells were respectively constructed as the in vivo and in vitro PD models. Expression levels of SNHG1 and miR-153-3p were detected by qRT-PCR. Protein expression levels of phosphate and tension homology deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) were measured by western blotting assay. Cell viability and apoptosis were determined by MTT and flow cytometry assays. The interactions among SNHG1, miR-153-3p and PTEN were identified by luciferase reporter assay, RNA immunoprecipitation, and/or RNA pull-down analysis. RESULTS: Increased SNHG1 expression was found in midbrain of MPTP-induced PD mice and MPP+-treated SH-SY5Y cells. Overexpression of SNHG1 lowered viability and enhanced apoptosis in MPP+-treated SH-SY5Y cells. Moreover, SNHG1 acted as a molecular sponge to inhibit the expression of miR-153-3p. Furthermore, miR-153-3p-mediated suppression of MPP+-induced cytotoxicity was abated following SNHG1 up-regulation. Additionally, PTEN was identified as a direct target of miR-153-3p, and SNHG1 could serve as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) of miR-153-3p to improve the expression of PTEN. Besides, enforced expression of PTEN displayed the similar functions as SNHG1 overexpression in regulating the viability and apoptosis of MPP+-treated SH-SY5Y cells. Finally, SNHG1 was found to activate PTEN/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in SH-SY5Y cells by targeting miR-153-3p. CONCLUSION: SNHG1 aggravates MPP+-induced cellular toxicity in SH-SY5Y cells by regulating PTEN/AKT/mTOR signaling via sponging miR-153-3p, indicating the potential of SNHG1 as a promising therapeutic target for PD.
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Mice , Parkinson Disease/metabolism , 1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium/toxicity , PTEN Phosphohydrolase/metabolism , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism , TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism , RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism , Parkinson Disease/genetics , Transfection , Signal Transduction , Cells, Cultured , Gene Expression Regulation , Blotting, Western , Apoptosis , MicroRNAs , Disease Models, Animal , Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction , RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics , Mice, Inbred C57BLABSTRACT
@# Objection: To analyze the factors affecting the prognosis of patients with gastric neuroendocrine neoplasms (G-NENs) by using the surveillance of National Cancer Institute (NCI) of America, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database, and to construct a prognostic Nomogram model for individualized prediction of prognosis in patients with G-NENs. Methods: The clinical data of 2720 G-NENs patients with complete follow-up data from 2010 to 2015 in the SEER database were collected. The prognostic Nomogram model was constructed based on independent risk factors determined by survival analysis. The consistency index (C-index) and calibration curve were used to evaluate its accuracy.Area under the curve (AUC) was used to compare the evaluation value between the Nomogram and the 7th edition of AJCC TNM staging. Results: The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates of 2,720 patients with G-NENs were 88.14%, 79.09%, and 71.86%, respectively. Multivariate COX regression analysis showed that gender, age, marital status, other associated tumors, histological type, tumor grade, T stage, M stage, and surgery were independent risk factors affecting survival time of GNENs patients. The C-index of newly constructed Nomogram prediction model was 0.816, which was significantly higher than 0.702 of the 7thAJCC TNM staging (P<0.001), and the 1-, 3- and 5-year calibration curves showed a good agreement between predicted survival and actual survival. The AUC for 1-, 3- and 5-year survival by Nomogram prognostic model was 0.800, 0.811, and 0.820, which was higher than 0.650, 0.688 and 0.698 of the 7th AJCC TNM staging, and the differences were statistically significant (Z= 6.600, 8.085, 9.632, all P<0.0001). Conclusion: The Nomogram prediction model drawn in this study has a high prognostic value and can individually predict the survival rate of G-NENs patients, which is helpful for clinical treatment decision-making and clinical research options.
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@#Background: The prevalence of known hypertension has resulted from the progression of undiagnosed hypertension. This study is targeted to examine and compare the risk factors based on the estimated odds ratios of modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors on different outcome levels of hypertension. Methods: A nationwide representative secondary data from the Fourth National Health of Morbidity Survey (NHMS IV) which consists of 24,632 non-institutionalised Malaysian population conducted by the Ministry of Health in 2011 has been used. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval has been estimated using multinomial logistic regression. Results: Obese and overweight respondents exhibit increased likelihood of having undiagnosed and known hypertension. Physically inactive, ex-smokers and unclassified drinkers are found having higher likelihood to have known hypertension. However, current drinkers are found to have higher likelihood of having undiagnosed hypertension. Elderly, retirees, home makers and lower educated respondents are shown higher odds to have undiagnosed hypertension. Likewise, the likelihood of having known hypertension has been found to increase among the elderly and other Bumiputra. Conclusion: Through this research, significant predictors which consist of obese and overweight respondents, current drinkers, older respondents (above 65 years old) and primary educated respondents are having higher likelihood to have undiagnosed hypertension.
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OBJECTIVE@#Behcet's disease (BD) is an autoimmune disorder that causes most commonly mouth and genital ulcerations and erythema nodules of the skin and currently has limited options of therapeutic medicines. Metformin is recently reported to suppress immune reaction, and we hypothesized that metformin could be an option for treatment of BD.@*METHODS@#Thirty patients with BD were enrolled in this perspective single-blinded, before-after study. We recorded the changes in the mucocutaneous activity index for BD (MAIBD), relapse frequency, C-reactive protein (CRP) level and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) after metformin treatment to assess the changes in the disease activity. We also analyzed the changes in the protein and mRNA expression levels of Foxp3, interleukin-35 (IL-35), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), Ror-γt, IL-17, and tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) in these patients using ELISA and qRT-PCR.@*RESULTS@#Of the 30 patients enrolled, 26 completed the trial. After the treatment, favorable responses were achieved in 88.46% (23/26) of the patients, and partial remission was obtained in 11.54% (4/26) of them. During the treatment, 8 patients complained of gastrointestinal side effects, for which 4 chose to withdraw from the study in the first week. Our results showed that metformin treatment decreased MAIBD and relapse frequency in the patients, and significantly lowered the clinical inflammatory indexes including CRP and ESR. The results of ELISA and qRT-PCR revealed that metformin treatment obviously increased Foxp3 and TGF-β expressions at both the protein and mRNA levels and significantly decreased the levels of ROR-γt, IL-17 and TNF- as well as IL-35 level in these patients.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Metformin treatment relieves the clinical symptoms, reduces the inflammatory reaction indexes and regulates the Treg/Th17 axis in patients with BD, suggesting the potential of metformin as a candidate medicine for treatment of BD.
Subject(s)
Humans , Behcet Syndrome , Drug Therapy , Metabolism , Controlled Before-After Studies , Forkhead Transcription Factors , Metabolism , Immunosuppressive Agents , Therapeutic Uses , Interleukin-17 , Metabolism , Interleukins , Metabolism , Metformin , Therapeutic Uses , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local , Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3 , Metabolism , RNA, Messenger , Metabolism , Recurrence , Single-Blind Method , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory , Cell Biology , Th17 Cells , Cell Biology , Transforming Growth Factor beta , Metabolism , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha , MetabolismABSTRACT
@#The aim of this study is to examine the influence of risk factors which include modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors on the likelihood of newly diagnosed hypertension among Malaysians. A cross-sectional population-based survey: The Fourth National Health and Morbidity Survey (2011) was conducted by the Ministry of Health, Malaysia in 2011. The sample included 20,095 participants. This study uses binomial logistic regression techniques to predict the likelihood of modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors of newly diagnosed hypertension among the individuals. The analysis has been carried out by estimating odds ratio with 95% confidence interval. This study reveals that obese and overweight respondents as well as current drinkers have increased chances of having newly diagnosed hypertension. In contrast to that, only physically inactive respondents exhibit lower odds of newly diagnosed hypertension. Besides that, the significant predictors, which include older respondents, retirees and home makers, as well as lower educated respondents are respectively found to be more likely to have newly diagnosed hypertension. On the other hand, female respondents, urban dwellers, including the Chinese and Indian respondents, the highest income earners and underweight respondents have been found to have statistically significant lower odds of newly diagnosed hypertension. Through the insightful findings and evidence, this research provides a platform for the early detection and prevention of newly diagnosed hypertension. Hence, this study offers a means to monitor and control the increasing prevalence of newly diagnosed hypertension in Malaysia.
Subject(s)
Disease PreventionABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Percutaneous kyphoplasty is an effective method for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture, because it can relieve pain quickly, restore the vertebral height and correct kyphosis. However, little is reported on percutaneous kyphoplasty for the treatment of Kummell disease. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of kyphoplasty with polymethylmethacrylate bone cement in treating Kummell disease in the elderly. METHODS: Thirty-one patients (6 males and 25 females) with Kummell disease, aged 58-72 years old, were included in this study. Affected segments involved T11 in 5 cases, T12 in 11 cases, L1 in 8 cases, L2 in 4 cases, L3 in 2 cases, L4 in 1 case. All the patients underwent percutaneous kyphoplasty with polymethylmethacrylate bone cement. The clinical effect was evaluated by pain, viability and imaging changes before and after therapy. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Pain relief: The visual analogue scale score for all the 31 patients at 3 days, 3 months and 12 months after the surgery were significantly lowered compared to the preoperative scores (P < 0.05). (2) Viability: The mean Oswestry disability index scores for 31 patients at 3 days, 3 months and 12 months after the surgery were significantly lowered compared to the preoperative scores (P < 0.05). (3) Imaging evaluation: The anterior vertebral height and vertebral height at middle line for 31 patients at 3 days, 3 months and 12 months after the surgery were higher compared to the preoperative data (P < 0.05), and Cobb angles were significantly lowered compared to the preoperative data (P < 0.05). (4) Adverse reaction: There was no leakage of bone cement in the vertebral canal and vein, and no adverse reaction occurred related to bone cement. In summary, the kyphoplasty with polymethylmethacrylate bone cement is safe and effective in treating Kummell disease in the elderly. It can fast relieve pain, improve patients quality of life, and reconstruct the spinal stability.
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BACKGROUND: Percutaneous kyphoplasty is an effective method for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture, because it can relieve pain quickly, restore the vertebral height and correct kyphosis. However, little is reported on percutaneous kyphoplasty for the treatment of Kummell disease. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of kyphoplasty with polymethylmethacrylate bone cement in treating Kummell disease in the elderly. METHODS: Thirty-one patients (6 males and 25 females) with Kummell disease, aged 58-72 years old, were included in this study. Affected segments involved T11 in 5 cases, T12 in 11 cases, L1 in 8 cases, L2 in 4 cases, L3 in 2 cases, L4 in 1 case. All the patients underwent percutaneous kyphoplasty with polymethylmethacrylate bone cement. The clinical effect was evaluated by pain, viability and imaging changes before and after therapy. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Pain relief: The visual analogue scale score for all the 31 patients at 3 days, 3 months and 12 months after the surgery were significantly lowered compared to the preoperative scores (P < 0.05). (2) Viability: The mean Oswestry disability index scores for 31 patients at 3 days, 3 months and 12 months after the surgery were significantly lowered compared to the preoperative scores (P < 0.05). (3) Imaging evaluation: The anterior vertebral height and vertebral height at middle line for 31 patients at 3 days, 3 months and 12 months after the surgery were higher compared to the preoperative data (P < 0.05), and Cobb angles were significantly lowered compared to the preoperative data (P < 0.05). (4) Adverse reaction: There was no leakage of bone cement in the vertebral canal and vein, and no adverse reaction occurred related to bone cement. In summary, the kyphoplasty with polymethylmethacrylate bone cement is safe and effective in treating Kummell disease in the elderly. It can fast relieve pain, improve patients quality of life, and reconstruct the spinal stability.
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Aims: The aim of this research is to explore the presence of multidrug-resistance (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii strains isolated from hospitalized patients in a tertiary-care center, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia and to compare their genotypic and phenotypic characteristics. Methodology and results: Clonal relationships were determined by multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and biofilm forming ability was evaluated by using 2, 3 - bis (2 - methoxy - 4 - nitro - 5-sulfophenyl) - 5 - [(phenylamino) carbonyl] - 2H-tetrazolium hydroxide (XTT) reduction assay in microplates and Congo red agar method (CRA). Four virulence genes coding for A. baumannii pilus usher-chaperone assembly protein, csuE gene; outer membrane protein, ompA gene; biofilm poly-β-1, 6-Nacetylglucosamine (PNAG) synthesis protein, pgaA gene; and acinetobactin-mediated iron acquisition protein, bauA gene were searched for in a collection of strains. Antimicrobial resistance against 11 antibiotics were studied by broth microdilution method. Seventeen A. baumannii clinical strains were isolated and MLST showed that the strains belonged to 5 distinct sequence types (STs), namely, ST-6, ST-265, ST-324, ST-325 and ST-432. Fiftythree percent of the strains were resistant to 4 or more antibiotics. Twelve strains produced biofilm and out of them, 4 were strong biofilm producer, besides, these strong biofilm producers were MDR strains and belongs to ST-6. In addition, all strains were ompA positive, biofilm producing strains were csuE and pgaA positive and only strong biofilm producing strains were bauA positive. Conclusion, significance and impact study: Our study demonstrates that the ST-6 strains in Malaysia could represent MDR, capable of forming strong biofilm and possess csuE, ompA, pgaA and bauA genes, virulence characteristics that probably help the bacteria to persist and cause infection.
Subject(s)
Acinetobacter baumanniiABSTRACT
Aim: Reciprocal translocation between retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARα) gene on chromo- some 17 and promyelocytic leukemia (PML) gene on chromosome 15 is the hallmark for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Three different PML/RARα isoforms have been described; S-form, L-form and V-form. Our aims were to characterize the different types of PML/RARα iso- forms in Malay patients with APL and to determine the outcome of these different types of iso- forms. Materials and methods: RT-PCR analysis was performed on 20 patients recruited from hematology-oncology ward. RT-PCR detected fusion transcript of PML/RARα in all patients. Results and Discussion: Of these patients, 65% (13 patients) exhibited L/V-form, and 35% (7 patients) S-form. Total white blood cell count (TWBC) was higher in L/V-form (25 x 109/l) compared to S-form (2.1 x 109/l) (p < 0.05). Five years survival rate was 100% and 33.3% for L/V-forms and S-forms respectively (p<0.005). Conclusion: We conclude that L/V- forms is the commonest isoform among Malays. They presented at younger age with higher TWBC counts. Although the sample size is small, our preliminary data showed an interestingly longer survival outcome among L/V-forms compared to S-form. PML/RARα isoforms could be used in future as risk stratification feature in patients diagnosed as APL. Further study with more number of patients is required.
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A mutant designated NC2168, which was selected from wild-type Streptococcus equisimilis CVCC55116by ultraviolet ray combined with60Co-γ ray treatment and does not produce streptolysin, was employed to produce hyaluronic acid (HA). In order to increase the output of HA in a flask, the culture medium and conditions for NC2168 were optimized in this study. The influence of culture medium ingredients including carbon sources, nitrogen sources and metal ions on HA production was evaluated using factional factorial design. The mathematical model, which represented the effect of each medium component and their interaction on the yield of HA, was established by the quadratic rotary combination design and response surface method. The model estimated that, a maximal yield of HA could be obtained when the concentrations of yeast extract, peptone, glucose, and MgSO4 were set at 3 g/100 mL, 2 g/100 mL, 0.5 g/100 mL and 0.15 g/100 mL, respectively. Compared with the values obtained by other runs in the experimental design, the optimized medium resulted in a remarkable increase in the output of HA and the maximum of the predicted HA production was 174.76 mg/L. The model developed was accurate and reliable for predicting the production of HA by NC2168.Cultivation conditions were optimized by an orthogonal experimental design and the optimal conditions were as follows: temperature 33ºC, pH 7.8, agitation speed 200 rpm, medium volume 20 mL.
Subject(s)
Animals , Hyaluronic Acid/analysis , Hyaluronic Acid/isolation & purification , Streptolysins/analysis , Streptolysins/adverse effects , Culture Media/isolation & purification , Streptococcal Infections , Streptococcus equi/isolation & purification , Industrial Microbiology , MethodsABSTRACT
Psychological factors can be correlated with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), but the mechanisms are unknown. In the present study, we examined the microstructural changes and expression of proinflammatory cytokines in mandibular condylar cartilage of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in a psychological stress animal model. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (8 weeks old, 210 ± 10 g) were randomly divided into 3 groups: psychological stress (PS, N = 48), foot shock (FS, N = 24), and control (N = 48). After inducing psychological stress using a communication box with the FS rats for 1, 3, or 5 weeks, PS rats were sacrificed and compared to their matched control littermates, which received no stress and were killed at the same times as the PS rats. Body and adrenal gland weight were measured and corticosterone and adrenocorticotropic hormone levels were determined by radioimmunoassay. After hematoxylin-eosin staining for histological observation, the ultrastructure of the TMJ was examined by scanning electron microscopy. Transcription and protein levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were evaluated by ELISA and semi-quantitative RT-PCR. The PS group showed a significantly higher adrenal gland weight after 3 weeks of stress and higher hormone levels at weeks 1, 3, and 5. Histopathological changes and thinning cartilage were apparent at weeks 3 and 5. In the PS group, TNF-α increased at 1, 3, and 5 weeks and IL-1β increased significantly after 1 and 3 weeks of stress, and then decreased to normal levels by 5 weeks. Psychological stress increased plasma hormone levels and RT-PCR indicated increased IL-1β and TNF-α expression in the TMJ in a time-dependent manner. These results suggest that cytokine up-regulation was accompanied by stress-induced cartilage degeneration in the mandibular condyle. The proinflammatory cytokines play a potential role in initiating the cartilage destruction that eventually leads to the TMDs.