Valve surgery for infective endocarditis complicated by stroke: surgical timing and perioperative neurological complications.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Ischaemic and hemorrhagic strokes are dreaded complications of infective endocarditis (IE). The timing of valve surgery for IE patients with stroke remains uncertain. The aim was to study perioperative neurological complications in relation to surgical timing. METHODS: The study cohort consisted of patients diagnosed with acute IE from January 2010 to December 2016. Early surgery was defined as valve surgery within 14 days of IE diagnosis, and late surgery as after 14 days. Neurological complications that occurred within 14 days post-surgery were considered perioperative and classified as new ischaemic stroke or hemorrhagic stroke, expansion of an existing intracranial hemorrhage and new-onset seizures. Perioperative neurological complications were compared by surgical timing and other variables, including pre-surgical imaging. RESULTS: Overall, 183 patients underwent valve surgery: 92 had early surgery at a median of 8 days (interquartile range 6-11); 91 had late surgery at a median of 28 days (interquartile range 19-50). Twenty patients (10.9%) had 24 complications: 11 ischaemic, six intraparenchymal hemorrhages, three subarachnoid hemorrhages (SAHs) and four new-onset seizures. Rates of neurological complications were similar for early and late surgery groups (10.9% vs. 11%). Enterococcal IE was more common amongst patients with perioperative neurological complications (35% vs. 12.3%, P < 0.01). An acute infarct was present on pre-surgical magnetic resonance imaging of 134 patients (74%) and was not associated with perioperative neurological complications. Thirty-five patients (19.3%) had intracranial hemorrhage on pre-surgical imaging. SAH on pre-surgical imaging was associated with developing SAH perioperatively (66.7% vs. 13.5%, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Early valve surgery for patients with IE complicated by stroke was not associated with perioperative neurological complications.

A novel approach for tuberculosis diagnosis using exosomal DNA and droplet digital PCR.

OBJECTIVES: The rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) is important for patient treatment and infection control. Current molecular diagnostic techniques for TB have insufficient sensitivity to detect samples with low bacterial loads. The sensitivity of molecular testing depends on not only the performance of the assay technique but also the nucleic acid extraction method. Here, we present a novel approach using exosomal DNA (exoDNA) and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) platforms to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA in clinical samples. METHODS: The ddPCR platform targeting IS6110 was evaluated in parallel using total DNA and exoDNA. The clinical performance of ddPCR method was assessed with 190 respiratory samples from patients with suspected pulmonary TB. RESULTS: Compared with mycobacterial culture, sensitivity and specificity of ddPCR were 61.5% (95% CI 44.6-76.6%) and 98.0% (95% CI 94.3-99.6%) using total DNA, and 76.9% (95% CI 60.7-88.9%) and 98.0% (95% CI 94.3-99.6%) using exoDNA, respectively. Among 15 culture-positive specimens with low concentrations of target molecules (2~99 positive droplets with exoDNA), only 53.3% (8/15), 46.7% (7/15), and 26.7% (4/15) of cases were detected using ddPCR with total DNA, real-time PCR with exoDNA, and real-time PCR with total DNA, respectively. DISCUSSION: Our platform using ddPCR and exoDNA has the potential to provide sensitive and accurate methodology for TB diagnosis.

Differences between caregiver-perceived and dentist-assessed oral health status of patients among intellectual disabilities.

OBJECTIVE: This study compared the caregiver-perceived and dentist-determined oral health status of patients with intellectual disabilities to determine factors that affect caregiver-perception of patients' oral health. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 297 patients [mean (SD) age = 51.9 (12.5) years] and 56 professional caregivers [42.1 (8.2) years] from three institutional facilities took part. Data were acquired via self-administered questionnaires by caregivers and oral examination by dentists. Oral hygiene condition, numbers of decayed and missing teeth, and periodontal disease reported by caregivers and dentists were compared using paired t-test and Pearson correlation. Demographic and dental factors of the patients and caregivers were analyzed using chi square and Fisher's exact tests. RESULTS: Caregivers underestimated decayed and missing teeth compared to dentists (p⟨0.05). Oral hygiene condition and periodontal disease were similarly rated by the two groups. Tooth brushing, diet type, sex, and overall oral health status of the patients were associated with caregiver perception (p⟨0.05). Career length and time since caregivers last received dental care were also related factors (p⟨0.05). CONCLUSION: Professional caregivers of adult patients with intellectual disabilities had different perceptions of oral health status based on patient and caregiver circumstances.

Cerebral microbleeds predict infectious intracranial aneurysm in infective endocarditis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features such as cerebral microbleeds and sulcal susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) or gradient-echo T2* lesions in infective endocarditis (IE) have been associated with the presence of infectious intracranial aneurysm (IIA). Our aim was to validate these MRI predictors for IIA in order to better assist in assessing the appropriate indications for digital subtraction angiography (DSA). METHODS: The derivation cohort comprised IE patients with neurological evaluation, MRI and DSA at a single tertiary referral center from January 2015 to July 2016. Validation was performed in a cohort of IE patients who underwent MRI and DSA at the same center from 2010 to 2014. RESULTS: Of 62 patients in the derivation cohort, 10 (16%) had IIAs. Of 129 in the validation cohort, 19 (15%) IIAs were identified. The MRI predictors for IIA consist of (i) contrast enhancement with microbleeds, (ii) cerebral microbleeds >5 mm or sulcal SWI lesions and (iii) any MRI hemorrhages. The sensitivity for the presence of IIA in each group of the derivation cohort was 90%, 80% and 100%, respectively. The sensitivity in the validation cohort was 47%, 68% and 94% respectively. The specificity in the derivation cohort was 87%, 85% and 18%. In the validation cohort, the specificity was similar at 87%, 75% and 27%. CONCLUSIONS: The absence of MRI hemorrhages may not necessitate the need for DSA.

Simultaneous determination of water-soluble whitening ingredients and adenosine in different cosmetic formulations by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array detection.

OBJECTIVE: The Korean Cosmetic Act regulates the use of functional cosmetics) by the law. Four functional cosmetic groups, whitening, anti-wrinkle, UV protection and combination of whitening and anti-wrinkle, were categorized according to the Korean Cosmetic Act and Functional Cosmetics Codex. In this study, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with photodiode array detection (DAD) was employed for the simultaneous detection of arbutin (and its decomposition product, hydroquinone), niacinamide, ascorbyl glucoside, ethyl ascorbyl ether and adenosine in functional cosmetic products such as creams, emulsions and lotions. METHODS: Separation by HPLC-DAD was conducted using a C18 column with a gradient elution of 5 mm KH2PO4 buffer (containing 0.1% phosphoric acid) and methanol (containing 0.1% phosphoric acid). The wavelengths for the detection of arbutin, hydroquinone, niacinamide, adenosine, ascorbyl glucoside and ethyl ascorbyl ether were 283, 289, 261, 257, 238 and 245 nm, respectively. RESULTS: This method exhibited good linearity (R(2) ≥ 0.999), precision (expressed as relative standard deviation (RSD) < 2%) and mean recoveries (89.42-104.89%). The results obtained by monitoring 100 market samples showed that the detected levels of the tested materials are within the acceptable authorized concentration. CONCLUSION: The method developed herein is simple and can be used for market survey and quality control of functional cosmetics.

Inhibitory and anti-inflammatory effects of the Helicobacter pylori-derived antimicrobial peptide HPA3NT3 against Propionibacterium acnes in the skin.

BACKGROUND: An effective treatment strategy for acne vulgaris is the reduction of Propionibacterium acnes in the skin. The Helicobacter pylori-derived synthetic antimicrobial peptide HPA3NT3 is a customized α-helical cationic peptide with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity. OBJECTIVES: To examine the role of HPA3NT3 as a treatment against P. acnes-induced skin inflammation. METHODS: Morphological alteration of individual P. acnes cells by HPA3NT3 was visualized by scanning electron microscopy. Modulation by HPA3NT3 of a number of P. acnes-induced innate immune responses was analysed in vitro using cultured normal human keratinocytes (HKs), and in vivo using the ICR mouse, a well-established model for P. acnes-induced skin inflammation. RESULTS: The minimum inhibitory concentration of HPA3NT3 against P. acnes was low (0·4 µmol L(-1)). HPA3NT3 showed no cytotoxicity to HK cells at the concentrations used in our in vitro and in vivo studies. Treatment with HPA3NT3 in vitro induced morphological disruptions in P. acnes cells suggestive of a bactericidal effect. HPA3NT3 significantly decreased P. acnes-induced interleukin-8 expression and intracellular calcium mobilization in HK cells by inhibiting P. acnes-activated Toll-like receptor 2-mediated nuclear factor-κB signalling pathways. Intradermal injection of HPA3NT3 in vivo effectively decreased viable P. acnes, as well as erythema, swelling and inflammatory-cell infiltration in ICR mouse ears inoculated with P. acnes. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that HPA3NT3 has potential as a therapeutic agent for acne vulgaris due to its antimicrobial effects on P. acnes and its ability to block P. acnes-induced inflammation.

3D reconstructions of spinal segmental arteries using CT angiography: applications in minimally invasive spinal procedures.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Injury to spinal segmental arteries may potentially occur during spinal surgery, particularly during anterior or minimally invasive approaches. Use of a noninvasive radiologic tool to evaluate these arteries before surgery may reduce this risk. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed spinal CT angiography and reconstructed 3D images of segmental arteries in 41 patients. We classified the pathways and locations of the segmental arteries into 4 zones (A, B, C, and D) according to pedicle and vertebral endplates. We designated segmental arteries from T8 to L1 as "high-level segmental arteries" and those from L2 to L4, as "low-level segmental arteries." We compared the distribution of segmental arteries between these 2 groups. We also investigated anatomic variations of segmental arteries and the rate of occurrence of the artery of Adamkiewicz. RESULTS: In all patients, 3D reconstruction images from spinal CT angiography clearly showed the pathways of segmental arteries on the vertebral bodies. Most of the segmental arteries passed the middle portion of the vertebral body (zones B and C). However, 51 of 738 segmental arteries (6.9%) had uncommon pathways (zones A and D), and segmental arteries from L2 to L4 had a higher incidence of uncommon pathways than higher level vertebrae (P < .05). We also observed 2 types of segmental artery anatomic variation, agenesis and dual supply. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that spinal CT angiography can help to precisely visualize the spinal segmental arteries and surrounding bony structures and can aid clinicians in deciding on optimal approaches for spinal surgery.

Thermo-sensitive hydrogels based on interpenetrating polymer networks made of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and polyurethane.

A series of interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) of vinyl-terminated polyurethane (VTPU) and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) was prepared by free radical polymerization. The effects of IPN composition and cross-linking density on the thermo-responsive and mechanical properties have been studied in terms of particle size, dynamic mechanical thermal properties, transmittance, swelling and de-swelling behavior and water transport mechanism. Results showed that the swelling ability of hydrogels increased over four orders of magnitude in terms of diffusivity, and phase transition became faster with increasing N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) content. Regarding the mechanical reinforcement of swollen gel, a significant increase in compression properties has been obtained by forming IPNs with polyurethane, which was tailor-made depending on the IPN composition and structure of polyurethane. Furthermore, a cross-linking density increase in the NIPAAm domain augmented rubbery modulus, decreased water swelling and increased water deswelling of the IPNs.

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding in children with haemophilia: a clinical significance of Helicobacter pylori infection.

SUMMARY: For patients with haemophilia, gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is a life-threatening complication and can be caused by the Helicobacter pylori infection. Among children with haemophilia who had visited with GI bleeding, the prevalence of H. pylori infection and the recurrence rate after H. pylori eradication was investigated. Seven children with haemophilia A with hematemesis (age: 5.3-17.0 years) were evaluated for the causes of GI bleeding and the detection of H. pylori. Gastroendoscopy was done to find the bleeding focus and for further evaluation including rapid urease test and mucosal biopsy. Four patients had dyspepsia and abdominal pain for several weeks or months prior to hematemesis. Three patients did not show any symptoms of bleeding. From gastroendoscopy, four patients were diagnosed as duodenal ulcer, one as H. pylori associated chronic gastritis and one as haemorrhagic gastritis. One patient showing a normal finding was diagnosed with adenoid haemorrhage after nasopharyngoscopy. Helicobacter pylori infection was found in four of six patients with GI bleeding (3, duodenal ulcer; 1, H. pylori associated chronic gastritis). The patients with H. pylori infection had an eradication treatment of triple therapy and no recurrence happened. In children with haemophilia, H. pylori should also be considered as an important cause of GI bleeding. The recurrence of the infection and GI bleeding can be prevented with eradication of H. pylori. Screening test for H. pylori would be needed in children with haemophilia in endemic area.

Development of a Decision Support Model for Screening Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder with Actigraph-based Measurements of Classroom Activity.

OBJECTIVE: Questionnaire-based ADHD screening tests may not always be objective or accurate, owing to both subjectivity and prejudice. Despite attempts to develop objective measures to characterize ADHD, no widely applicable index currently exists. The principal aim of this study was to develop a decision support model for ADHD screening by monitoring children's school activities using a 3-axial actigraph. METHODS: Actigraphs were placed on the non-dominant wrists of 153 children for 3 hours, while they were at school. Children who scored high on the questionnaires were clinically examined by child psychiatrists, who then confirmed ADHD. Mean, variance, and ratios of low-level (0.5-1.0G) and high-level (1.6-3.2G) activity were extracted as activity features from 142 children (10 ADHD, 132 non-ADHD). Two decision-tree models were constructed using the C5.0 algorithm: [A] from whole hours (class + playtime) and [B] during classes. Accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were evaluated. PPV, NPV, likelihood ratio, and AUC were also calculated for evaluation. RESULTS: [Model A] One child without ADHD was misclassified, resulting in an accuracy score of 99.30%. Sensitivity and NPV were 1.0000. Specificity and PPV were 0.992 and 0.803-0.909, respectively. [Model B] Two children without ADHD were misclassified, resulting in an accuracy score of 98.59%. Specificity and PPV were scored at 0.985 and 0.671-0.832, respectively. CONCLUSION: The selected features were consistent with the findings of previous studies. Objective screening of latent patients with ADHD can be accomplished with a simple watch-like sensor, which is worn for just a few hours while the child attends school. The model proposed herein can be applied to a great many children without heavy cost in time and manpower cost, and would generate valuable results from a public health perspective.

Morphological changes of injected calcium phosphate cement in osteoporotic compressed vertebral bodies.

SUMMARY: This study was undertaken to investigate the radiologic and clinical outcomes of vertebroplasty with calcium phosphate (CaP) cement in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. The morphological changes of injected CaP cement in osteoporotic compressed vertebral bodies were variable and unpredictable. We suggest that the practice of vertebroplasty using CaP should be reconsidered. INTRODUCTION: Recently, CaP, an osteoconductive filler material, has been used in the treatment of osteoporotic compression fractures. However, the clinical results of CaP-cement-augmented vertebrae are still not well established. The purpose of this study is to assess the clinical results of vertebroplasty with CaP by evaluating the morphological changes of CaP cement in compressed vertebral bodies. METHODS: Fourteen patients have been followed for more than 2 years after vertebroplasty. The following parameters were reviewed: age, sex, T score, compliance with osteoporosis medications, visual analog scale score, compression ratio, subsequent compression fractures, and any morphological changes in the filler material. RESULTS: The morphological changes of injected CaP included reabsorption, condensation, bone formation (osteogenesis), fracture of the CaP solid hump, and heterotopic ossification. Out of 14 patients, 11 (78.6%) developed progression of the compression of the CaP-augmented vertebral bodies after vertebroplasty. CONCLUSIONS: The morphological changes of the injected CaP cement in the vertebral bodies were variable and unpredictable. The compression of the CaP-augmented vertebrae progressed continuously for 2 years or more. The findings of this study suggest that vertebroplasty using CaP cement should be reconsidered.

Characterization of a homogentisate dioxygenase mutant in Pseudomonas chlororaphis O6.

Transposon mutagenesis of Pseudomonas chlororaphis O6 was performed with the transposon Tn5 to investigate genes involved in production of secondary metabolites. A mutant, termed Org, produced intense dark-brown pigmentation on rich medium. The Tn5-flanking sequence of the Org mutant showed high homology with the hmgA gene encoding the enzyme homogentisate dioxygenase, involved in the degradation of aromatic amino acids such as tyrosine. Growth of the hmgA mutant on L-tyrosine as sole carbon and energy sources was impaired. Growth on L-tyrosine was restored and production of the brown melanin pigment was eliminated when the mutant was complemented with the wild-type hmgA gene. The change in aromatic amino acids metabolism caused by the deletion of the hmgA gene function did not impair production of phenazines and biological traits connected to these secondary compounds: inhibition of fungal growth and inhibition of barley seed germination.

Osteonecrosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: MR imaging and scintigraphic evaluation.

This study was to describe the findings of osteonecrosis in patients with SLE at MR and scintigraphic imaging. Among 415 patients with SLE, 37 patients were diagnosed to have osteonecrosis. MR images and bone scintigraphs were analyzed for sites of involvement, signal intensity, bilaterality and multiplicity. MR imaging features of osteonecrosis in patients with SLE included isointense signal intensity relative to adjacent bone marrow, hypointense rim, marginal enhancement and unusual involvement of flat bones. Bilateral and multiple involvements were common.

Toxoplasmosis: prevalence and risk factors.

A total of 200 pregnant women were recruited in this cross-sectional study. The overall seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women was found to be 49%, in which 39%, 4% and 6% for anti-Toxoplasma IgG, IgM and both anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies, respectively. We found the differences in Toxoplasma seroprevalence rates among the races were significant: the highest rate was in the Malays (55.7%), followed by the Indian (55.3%) and the Chinese (19.4%) (P<0.05) populations. An increase in Toxoplasma seroprevalence with increasing parity was detected (P<0.05). Women with no children had a prevalence of 39.7%, while women with one or more than two children had a prevalence of 44.2% and 62.9%, respectively. In this study, there was no significant association between Toxoplasma seroprevalence and various possible risk factors in pregnant women (P>0.05). When multivariate analysis was performed, no significant association between Toxoplasma seroprevalence and history of contact with cats, consumption of undercooked meat and blood transfusion was found (P>0.05). We did not find any newly diagnosed cases of acute acquired toxoplasmosis in pregnancy during the study period.

Toxoplasmosis in HIV/AIDS patients in Malaysia.

Three hundred and one sera of HIV/AIDS patients were tested for anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibody by ELISA technique. The seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis was 41.2% (95% CI: 35.5-46.9) in HIV/AIDS patients. The seroprevalence was significantly higher in the Malay (57.9%) than the Chinese (38.7%), followed by the Indian patients (29.6%) (p<0.05). No possible risk factor, such as contact with cats, consumption of uncooked meat, and history of blood transfusions was found to have any significant association with the presence of anti-Toxoplasma antibody in the study sample (p>0.05). Multivariate analysis was employed to find any association between Toxoplasma seroprevalence and a single subject having single or multiple risk factors. It was found that the association was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Among the HIV/AIDS study samples, 124 (41.2%) samples were found to have positive anti-Toxoplasma antibody, the association between the presence of anti-Toxoplasma antibody and CD4 cell count was determined but no statistically significant association was found (p>0.05). During the study period, only one case of active CNS toxoplasmosis was registered and the diagnostic criteria included: clinical presentations, CT scan finding, serological evidence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibody, and respose to anti-Toxoplasma therapy.

Giant dielectric permittivity observed in pb-based perovskite ferroelectrics.

Giant dielectric permittivity was observed in La-modified PbTiO (3) (PLT) with A-site vacancy. The observed values of PLT with A-site vacancy are 1 order of magnitude larger than those of relaxor ferroelectrics. The giant relative dielectric permittivity, coupled with a low dielectric loss (tandelta approximately 0.03) of the PLT, potentially makes it one of the most promising materials for numerous modern technological applications.

Betulinans A and B, two benzoquinone compounds from Lenzites betulina.

Two lipid peroxidation inhibitors, designated as betulinans A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the MeOH extract of Lenzites betulina. The structures of these compounds have been determined to be 2,5-diphenyl-3,6-dimethoxy-p-benzoquinone and 2-phenyl-3-methoxy-[1H-2-benzopyran][4,3-e][p]benzoquinone, respectively, on the basis of various spectral data. Betulinans A and B inhibited lipid peroxidation with IC50 values of 0.46 and 2.88 micrograms/mL, respectively.