Mast cell tryptase-PAR2 pathway in proliferation of prostatic stromal cells reacted with Trichomonas vaginalis.

We investigated whether tryptase released from mast cells activated by prostate stromal cells (PSC) reacted with Trichomonas vaginalis (Tv) promoted the proliferation of PSC through protease- activated receptor 2 (PAR2). Conditioned medium of PSC was prepared by stimulating them with Tv (Trichomonad-conditioned medium (TCM)), and mast cell-conditioned medium were prepared by incubating them with TCM (mast cell-TCM (M-TCM)). Mast cells incubated with TCM migrated more efficiently and produced more ß-hexosaminidase and tryptase. M-TCM containing tryptase increased the proliferation of PSC, while inhibition of tryptase decreased proliferation. Expression of signalling molecules such as PAR2, p-ERK, COX-2, 15d-PGJ2 and PPARγ, known to be involved in the tryptase-PAR2 pathway, increased in response to M-TCM, and blocking any of these signals decreased proliferation, indicating that tryptase-PAR2 signalling is involved in the proliferation of PSC. Inhibition of tryptase and PAR2 led to reduced expression of PAR2, p-ERK, COX-2, 15d-PGJ2 and PPARγ, while inhibition of ERK or COX-2 reduced the expression of COX-2, 15d-PGJ2 and PPARγ indicating that the tryptase-PAR2 pathway proceeds in the order p-ERK, COX-2, 15d-PGJ2 , and PPARγ. These results show that interaction between PSC stimulated with Tv and mast cells causes proliferation of PSC through the tryptase-PAR2 pathway.

Risk factors associated with the need for oxygen therapy in patients with COVID-19.

ABSTRACT: Respiratory failure is the major cause of death in patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Data on factors affecting the need for oxygen therapy in early-stage COVID-19 are limited. This study aimed to evaluate the factors associated with the need for oxygen therapy in patients with COVID-19.This is a retrospective study of consecutive COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized between February 27 and June 28, 2020, in South Korea. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the factors associated with the need for oxygen therapy.Of the 265 patients included in the study, 26 (9.8%) received oxygen therapy, and 7 of these patients (29.2%) were transferred to a step-up facility, and 3 (11.5%) died. The median age of all patients was 46 years (IQR, 30-60 years), and the median modified early warning score at admission was 1 (IQR, 1-2). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, being a current smoker (odds ratio [OR] 7.641, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.686-34.630, P = .008), heart rate (OR 1.053, 95% CI 1.010-1.097, P = .014), aspartate aminotransferase values (OR 1.049, 95% CI 1.008-1.092, P = .020), blood urea nitrogen levels (OR 1.171, 95% CI 1.073-1.278, P < .001), and chest radiographic findings (OR 3.173, 95% CI 1.870-5.382, P < .001) were associated with oxygen therapy.In patients with less severe COVID-19, the need for oxygen therapy is affected by smoking and elevated values of aspartate aminotransferase and blood urea nitrogen. Further research is warranted on the risk factors for deterioration in COVID-19 to efficiently allocate medical resources.

Detection of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 in the Pleural Fluid.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can be detected via a nasopharyngeal swab and in sputum, blood, urine, and feces. However, there is only limited data on the real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with pleural fluid. We report a case of COVID-19 with SARS-CoV-2 detected in both sputum and pleural fluid. A 68-year-old male patient came to the hospital with a chief complaint of dyspnea. He was diagnosed with lung cancer. A biopsy was performed, and a pneumothorax was found. As a result, a chest tube was placed into the right pleural space. During his hospital stay, the patient was confirmed as COVID-19 positive. We identified the presence of SARS-CoV-2 through real-time RT-PCR assay from the pleural fluid. Although pleural effusion is an uncommon finding in the COVID-19, care should be taken to avoid exposure when handling the pleural fluid sample.

Completion rate of latent tuberculosis infection treatment in patients aged 65 years and older.

INTRODUCTION: There are insufficient data on the treatment of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in elderly patients. We investigated the completion rate of treatment in elderly LTBI patients. METHODS: A retrospective multicentre study was conducted at five university hospitals in South Korea. We reviewed the electronic medical records of patients aged 65 years and older who were diagnosed with LTBI via positive interferon-gamma release assay results between January 2016 and December 2018. Treatment completion was defined as ingestion of more than 80% of all prescribed medications without loss to follow-up. RESULTS: During the study period, 127 LTBI patients aged 65 years and older visited outpatient department. Among them, 77 patients aged 65-78 years (median age, 69 years [interquartile range, 66-71 years]) who received LTBI treatment were analysed. Common reasons for IGRA testing in elderly patients were health-care worker (n = 33, 42.9%) and household contact with infectious TB patients (n = 18, 23.4%). The overall completion rate of LTBI treatment was 83.1% (n = 64), and the completion rate of 3-month isoniazid plus rifampin regimen was 88.4%. Adverse effects were reported in 23 patients (29.9%), and an increase in aminotransferase level was the most common adverse effect (n = 11, 14.3%). Three patients (3.9%) with the adverse effect discontinued treatment and 10 (13.0%) patients were lost to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: LTBI treatment in patients aged 65-78 years was relatively well tolerated. In LTBI treatment in elderly patients, the majority of discontinuation of treatment was due to loss to follow-up rather than adverse effects of anti-TB medications.

Comparison of Two PCR Assays for Trichomonas vaginalis.

PCR is known to be the most sensitive method for diagnosing Trichomonas vaginalis infections. This study aimed to compare the sensitivity of a PCR assay for trichomoniasis (HY-PCR) developed in Hanyang University with the use of a Seeplex Ace Detection Kit®, using urine collected from four Korean men with prostatic disease. Overall, HY-PCR was more sensitive than the Seeplex Kit. The use of Chelex 100 is recommended for DNA isolation in order to increase the sensitivity of the PCR test.

Prevalence of allergic diseases and risk factors of wheezing in Korean military personnel.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis, as well as the risk factors of wheezing among young adults in the Korean military. Young military conscripts in five areas completed a modified International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire. For subjects with current wheeze in one sample area, baseline spirometry and bronchodilator response were measured. For subjects without a significant response to bronchodilator (improvement in FEV1 of more than 200 mL and 12%), methacholine challenge tests (MCT) were also performed. Of 3,359 subjects that completed the questionnaire, 354 (10.5%) had current wheeze, 471 (14.0%) had current allergic rhinitis, and 326 (9.7%) had current eczema. Current wheeze was associated with family history of allergic disease, overweight, current smoking, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis. Of 36 subjects with current wheeze who underwent PFT with or without MCT in the Anyang area, 24 (66.7%) were confirmed to have current asthma. In conclusion, the prevalence of allergic disease in young adults of Korean military is not low, and the risk factors of wheezing include family history of allergic disease, overweight, current smoking, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis.