Study on Drug Resistance to Treatment for Ureaplasma Urealyticum Infections in the Female Genital Tract.

BACKGROUND: Ureaplasma urealyticum (U. urealyticum) commonly occurs in female genitourinary infections, and its different biovars and serotypes have varying degrees of resistance to different antibiotics. This study aimed to ex-plore the characteristics of U. urealyticum infection and drug-resistant profiles in Chinese females. METHODS: We included 1,045 females with genital tract infections who visited Tangshan Workers' Hospital and Tangshan Maternal and Child Health Center from September 2017 to December 2018. The bacteria were selectively cultured, and drug sensitivity experiments were conducted. Eight pairs of oligonucleotide primers were designed, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to amplify specific DNA fragments to perform bacterial strain typing. RESULTS: Among the 1,045 participants included, 566 (54.11%) participants were positive for mycoplasma infection. There were 432 (41.34%) participants with U. urealyticum infection, accounting for 76.33% of the positive participants. The infection rate of U. urealyticum was the highest in females who were 21 - 30 years old, followed by those who were 31 - 40 years old. Ureaplasma urealyticum showed the highest sensitivity to tetracyclines and the greatest resistance to quinolones. The biovar 1 of U. urealyticum with the highest detection rate of serotype 4, accounted for 66.88%. The biovar 2 of U. urealyticum mainly showed mixed subtypes 2 and 3. Biovar 2 showed higher resistance to sparfloxacin, clarithromycin, josamycin, and doxycycline than biovar 1. CONCLUSIONS: Women might be more susceptible to U. urealyticum, especially if they are of childbearing age. Urea-plasma urealyticum is mainly caused by a single serotype 6 infection. The resistance of U. urealyticum to quinolone (e.g., norfloxacin) is a great concern. Sparfloxacin, clarithromycin, ciprofloxacin, and doxycycline might be more suitable for people with biovar 1 infection. Biotyping may facilitate clinical drug use and help avoid the emergence of drug-resistant strains.

Cardiotoxicity monitoring of pyrotinib in combination with nab-paclitaxel, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide in HER2-positive breast cancer: a single-armed clinical trial.

Background: Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) inhibitors play a vital role in the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer. Numerous studies have shown that traditional HER2 inhibitors and chemotherapeutics such as albumin-paclitaxel, liposomal doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide (TAC regimen) have different degrees of cardiotoxicity. Pyrotinib is a novel small-molecule HER2 inhibitor and has no cardiotoxicity. Here, the purpose of this study was to investigate the cardiac safety of pyrotinib with TAC regimen for HER2-positive breast cancer. Methods: In this study, 22 patients with stage I-IIIA HER2-positive breast cancer were screened, enrolled, and assigned to receive either neoadjuvant or postoperative adjuvant treatment with pyrotinib (320-400 mg, once daily) combined with TAC (albumin-paclitaxel 260 mg/m2, liposomal doxorubicin 20 mg/m2, cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2) from December 2019 to May 2021. Patients' heart function was monitored using electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and serological indicators. ST segment and T wave change, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF, %), N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP), creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase myoglobin band (CK-MB), together with patients' weight, white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), platelets, plasma lipid, and glucose were recorded. Results: Before and after the 2nd, 4th, and 6th cycles of treatment, the incidence of abnormal electrocardiogram of patients enrolled in the neoadjuvant treatment group was 36.4%, 27.3%, 27.3%, and 27.3%, respectively, while in the postoperative adjuvant treatment, the incidence was 45.5%, 36.4%, 36.4%, and 36.4%, respectively. LVEF before and after treatment in the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group was 65.36%±2.25% and 65.00%±2.15% (t=1.305, P=0.221), while in the postoperative adjuvant treatment group, LVEF was 66.27%±2.69% and 65.18%±1.89% (t=1.359, P=0.204). Pyrotinib combined with a TAC regimen may have induced a decrease in RBC. No obvious abnormality was found in the level of NT-pro-BNP, CK, CK-MB, patients' weight, WBC, platelets, plasma lipid, or glucose in all enrolled patients during the entire treatment process. Conclusions: Our findings indicated that neither neoadjuvant nor postoperative adjuvant treatment using pyrotinib combined with a TAC regimen to treat patients with HER2-positive breast cancer increased cardiotoxicity. However, the treatment may have induced a decrease in RBC and further research is needed.

Effects of oxycodone applied for patient-controlled analgesia on postoperative cognitive function in elderly patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a common complication after orthopedic surgery, which is not conducive to the prognosis of the elderly. AIMS: We performed this study to investigate the effects of oxycodone applied for patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) on postoperative cognitive function in elderly patients after total hip arthroplasty (THA). METHODS: Ninety-nine participants were enrolled and allocated into two groups: oxycodone group (group O) and sufentanil group (group S). The primary outcome was the incidence of POCD, diagnosed according to the changes in the Mini-mental status examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores. The secondary outcomes included the plasma levels of S-100B protein and neuron-specific enolase (NSE), the amount of postoperative analgesic consumption and the incidence of adverse reactions. RESULTS: The incidence of POCD was significantly lower in patients receiving oxycodone up to the 3rd postoperative day (POD, 1st POD 27.3% vs. 51.1%, P = 0.021; 3rd POD 20.5% vs. 40.0%, P = 0.045), as compared to patients receiving sufentanil. The MMSE and MoCA scores of both groups decreased to varying degrees. However, compared with group S, the MMSE scores at 1st POD, 3rd POD, 5th POD and 7st POD in group O were higher than that in group S, while MoCA scores at 1st POD, 3rd POD and 5th POD in group O were higher. Compared with group S, the plasma levels of S-100B protein in group O at 4 h, 8 h, 12 h post-surgery were lower. While the plasma levels of NSE in group O at 4 h, 8 h, 12 h, 24 h post-surgery were lower. Number of PCIA boluses and consumption of analgesic drug during the first two POD were similar between two groups. However, postoperative incidence of nausea, vomiting and pruritus was significantly lower in patients receiving oxycodone. CONCLUSION: Oxycodone applied for PCIA in elderly patients after THA could reduce the incidence of POCD, improve postoperative cognitive function and decrease the adverse reactions.

Combined Detection of HER2, Ki67, and GSTP1 Genes on the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Breast Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Breast cancer (BC) is a common malignant tumor in females. The combined assay of multiple molecular markers benefits the diagnosis and prognostic prediction. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) facilitates the proliferation and differentiation of cancer cells through ligand binding. Ki67 is a tumor proliferation-related gene, whereas GSTP1 is a DNA repair-related gene. This study thus investigated the significance of HER2 and Ki67/GSTP1 gene combined assay in the diagnosis and prognosis of BC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 86 breast tumor tissues and adjacent tissues were collected. Gene expression and protein levels of HER2 and Ki67 were quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot, respectively. Methylation frequency of GSTP1 was analyzed by methylation-specific PCR. The correlation between HER2 and Ki67/GSTP1 and clinical/pathological features of BC was analyzed. RESULTS: Gene and protein expression levels of HER2 and Ki67 in tumor tissues were increased (p < 0.05 compared with adjacent tissues). Methylation frequency of GSTP1 gene was 37.2%, which was significantly higher in breast tumor tissues than in adjacent tissues (12.79%, p < 0.05). HER2 expression was positively correlated with TNM stage, tumor size, and lymph node metastasis, and negatively correlated with tissue grade and estrogen receptor (ER)/progesterone receptor (PR) expression (p < 0.05). GSTP1 methylation was positively correlated with TNM stage and tumor size, and negatively correlated with ER/PR expression (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: HER2, Ki67, and GSTP1 methylation were correlated with clinical and pathological features of BC. The combined assay benefits the early diagnosis and prognostic prediction of cancer.

Antitumor Effect of GO-PEG-DOX Complex on EMT-6 Mouse Breast Cancer Cells.

OBJECTIVE: Doxorubicin (DOX) can be used to treat malignant tumors, but with multiple adverse effects. Graphene oxide-polyethylene glycol (GO-PEG) is a novel nanoscale carrier material and can elevate solubility and biocompatibility of drugs. This study prepared a GO-PEG-DOX complex, whose toxicity and antitumor effects were evaluated on mouse EMT-6 breast cancer cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: GO-PEG-DOX complex was prepared for calculating the drug carrier rate of DOX on GO-PEG by MV approach. EMT-6 cells were treated with 40 µg/mL GO-PEG, 1 µg/mL DOX, or 40 µg/mL +1 µg/mL GO-PEG-DOX for 72 h of incubation. Cells without treatment were considered the control group. Cell survival rate and apoptotic rate were tested at different time points. RESULTS: GO-PEG and GO-PEG-DOX complex were successfully prepared with satisfactory solubility. After 72 h of incubation, EMT-6 cells after GO-PEG-DOX treatment had significantly higher survival rate than GO-PEG group (p < 0.05). All three treatment groups had significantly elevated apoptotic rates than control group (p < 0.05). GO-PEG-DOX group had much more apoptosis (p < 0.05 compared with DOX group). Moreover, with elongated treatment time, all groups showed decreased survival rate (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: GO-PEG did not reduce the cytotoxicity of DOX on EMT-6 cells. GO-PEG-DOX complex can increase the water solubility and targeting sensitivity of DOX, with facilitating effects on DOX-induced tumor cell apoptosis.

HIF-1α Promotes Breast Cancer Cell MCF-7 Proliferation and Invasion Through Regulating miR-210.

OBJECTIVE: Many malignant tumors grow in hypoxic condition, which is associated with tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. MicroRNAs are of great significance in the development of multiple malignant tumors. This study cultured breast cancer cell MCF-7 under the condition of different concentrations of oxygen, to test cell proliferation and invasion, and detect miR-210 expression, aiming to analyze the influence of hypoxia on breast cancer cell behaviors as well as miR-210 expressions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Breast cancer cell MCF-7 was cultured under normoxia, hypoxia, or anaerobic conditions for 12, 24, or 48 hours. Cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay. Cell invasion and migration were tested by transwell assay. HIF-1α mRNA and miR-210 expressions were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: MCF-7 cell proliferation was gradually increased following time extension (p < 0.05). MCF-7 cell exhibited higher proliferation, invasion, and migration activities in hypoxic and anaerobic groups compared with those in normoxic group during the same time period. HIF-1α mRNA and miR-210 were significantly upregulated in anaerobic group compared with those in other groups (p < 0.05). HIF-1α mRNA and miR-210 were obviously elevated at 12, 24, and 48 hours (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: MCF-7 cell proliferation was increased, invasion and migration were enhanced, with upregulated expression of HIF-1α mRNA and miR-210 in the hypoxic and anaerobic group following time extension.

Effect of calcitonin pretreatment on naturally occurring intervertebral disc degeneration in guinea pig.

INTRODUCTION: Our previous study suggested protective effects of calcitonin (CT) on experimental osteoarthritis. The aim of the present study was to provide evidence of whether CT pretreatment could prevent naturally occurring intervertebral disc degeneration in guinea pigs. METHODS: Forty-two 3 months old female guinea pigs were randomly assigned into 2 groups as follows: Twenty-four were treated by normal saline as control group and sacrificed at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age (6 animals at each time point), the other 18 were received salmon CT (8 ug/kg/day, everyday) treatment at 3 months of age and sacrificed at the age of 6, 9 and 12 months respectively. Van Gieson stain and the histological score were used to identify the histological changes of the lumbar intervertebral discs. The disc height and vertebral body height were measured. Immunohistochemistry measurements for glycosaminoglycan, type II collagen, and matrix metalloprotease (MMP)-1 expressions were performed. Bone quality and microstructural changes in the L3-6 lumbar vertebral bodies were assessed by bone mineral density (BMD), micro-CT analysis and biomechanical testing. RESULTS: Histological analysis indicated significantly higher disc degeneration scores in 9-month-old guinea pigs in comparison with younger animals, and grew higher with increasing age. CT treatment significantly reduced the histological score, and increased the disc height and the ratio to vertebral body height in 12 months old animals, as well as upregulated the glycosaminoglycan, type II collagen and inhibited the MMP-1 expression. Micro-CT analysis showed decreased percent bone volume (BV/TV) and increased trabecular separation (Tb.Sp), structural model index (SMI) in 12 months old animals in comparison with the younger animals. Markedly increased BV/TV and decreased Tb.Sp were observed in CT treated animals when compared with control animals. The biomechanical properties including maximum load, maximum stress, yield stress and elastic modulus increased from 3 to 6 months old and thereafter maintained in a stable level, which were enhanced by CT treatment. CONCLUSION: Pretreatment with CT could prevent naturally occurring intervertebral disc degeneration in guinea pigs, which might be related to the modulation of extracellular matrix metabolism and the integrity and biomechanical properties in adjacent vertebral body.

CT-guided satellite ganglion block for the treatment of Prostatectomy pain in survivors of breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the feasibility and efficacy of CT-guided satellite ganglion block in the management of Prostatectomy pain in survivors of breast cancer. METHODS: Twenty-six breast cancer survivors with the complex regional pain syndrome were included in this retrospective study between 2012-07 and 2014-07. All suffered from prostatectomy pain and received CT-guided satellite ganglion block. Three blocks were performed for each patient using the same approach each time. Postmastectomy pain intensity using a visual analog score (VAS) and Patient satisfaction score (PSS) during scheduled visits at baseline, 2, 6 and 9 weeks following the CT-guided satellite ganglion block. RESULTS: All patients had temporary Horner's syndrome indicating the effectiveness of the CT-guided satellite ganglion block and there were no adverse events resulting from the block. The mean visual analog scale score (VAS) was significantly decreased and and Patient satisfaction score (PSS) was significantly increased after each block. CONCLUSIONS: CT-guided satellite ganglion block is a safe and successful treatment of Prostatectomy pain with few or no side-effects.

Garlic-derived compound S-allylmercaptocysteine (SAMC) is active against anaplastic thyroid cancer cell line 8305C (HPACC).

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological and experimental carcinogenesis studies provide evidence that components of garlic have anticancer activity. OBJECTIVE: In this study, the apoptotic effects of Garlic-derived compound S-allylmercaptocysteine (SAMC) were investigated in 8305C human anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cells. METHODS: The cell line 8305C (HPACC) were treated with SAMC and the MTT assay, flow cytometry (FCM), electron microscope method were used to test cell cycle, inhibitory rate and morphologic changes respectively. RESULTS: HPACC-8305C cells were suppressed after exposure to SAMC of 0.02 mg/ml, 0.06 mg/ml, and 0.1 mg/ml for 48 h. Compared with the control, the difference was significant (P< 0.05). SAMC could induce apoptosis of the cells in a dose-dependent and non-linear manner and increase the proportion of cells in the G2/M phase. Compared with the control, the difference was significant in terms of the percentage of cells in the G2/M phase (P< 0.05). After exposure to SAMC at 0.02 mg/ml for 24 hours, HPACC-8305C cells showed typical morphologic change. CONCLUSIONS: SAMC inhibits the growth of HPACC-8305C cells by induction of apoptotic cell death and inhibit telomerase activity, which appears to account for its anti-cancer activity.

Age dependent changes in cartilage matrix, subchondral bone mass, and estradiol levels in blood serum, in naturally occurring osteoarthritis in Guinea pigs.

The Dunkin Hartley (DH) guinea pig is a widely used naturally occurring osteoarthritis model. The aim of this study was to provide detailed evidence of age-related changes in articular cartilage, subchondral bone mineral density, and estradiol levels. We studied the female Dunkin Hartley guinea pigs at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of age (eight animals in each group). Histological analysis were used to identify degenerative cartilage and electron microscopy was performed to further observe the ultrastructure. Estradiol expression levels in serum were assessed, and matrix metalloproteinase 3 and glycosaminoglycan expression in cartilage was performed by immunohistochemistry. Bone mineral density of the tibia subchondral bone was measured using dual X-ray absorptiometry. Histological analysis showed that the degeneration of articular cartilage grew more severe with increasing age starting at 3 months, coupled with the loss of normal cells and an increase in degenerated cells. Serum estradiol levels increased with age from 1 to 6 months and thereafter remained stable from 6 to 12 months. Matrix metalloproteinase 3 expression in cartilage increased with age, but no significant difference was found in glycosaminoglycan expression between 1- and 3-month old animals. The bone mineral density of the tibia subchondral bone increased with age before reaching a stable value at 9 months of age. Age-related articular cartilage degeneration occurred in Dunkin Hartley guinea pigs beginning at 3 months of age, while no directly positive or negative correlation between osteoarthritis progression and estradiol serum level or subchondral bone mineral density was discovered.