Educational video describing the condition of Pulmonary Embolism (PE)
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Horm Metab Res
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1565183
Autoimmune adrenalitis (AA) and congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) are the most common reasons for acquired and monogenetic primary adrenal insufficiency. Both concern women in their fertile years. The aim of the work was to examine fertility rates, pregnancy outcome, and children's characteristics in AA and CAH patients in 2 German endocrine centers. One hundred and fifty-eight women were contacted. Thirty-nine patients with CAH due to 21-hydroxlase deficiency and 54 AA patients agreed and were included. Information about course and outcome of pregnancies was obtained by questionnaire and telephone interview. Fertility rates were calculated and compared to expected values from the German general population. Twelve CAH patients (30.8%) had 25 pregnancies, which resulted in 16 children. In AA patients, 93 pregnancies in 42 women (75%) were reported resulting in 73 childbirths. Fertility rates were normal in nonclassic CAH and in AA-only patients, but significantly reduced in classic CAH and autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 2 (APS-2). Rates of miscarriages were high in all CAH (36%) and APS-2 (22%) patients. The majority of children in both groups were born at term, but rates of cesarean section were elevated in classic CAH and in AA patients<5 years before or after diagnosis. Children born to CAH patients weighed significantly less than expected and 33.3% of them were born small for gestational age. Fertility seems not to be reduced in general, but specific in classic CAH and APS 2 patients. Nevertheless all CAH and AA patients seem to be at risk of miscarriages and cesarean section.
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© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York
Article in Thieme eJournals:
Table of contents | Abstract | Full text
Heart transplantation (HT) is the treatment of choice for many patients with end-stage Heart Failure (HF) who remain symptomatic despite optimal medical therapy but no study has looked directly into functional improvement of Heart Transplant patients after an Inpatient Rehabilitation Program.
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This study used the Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment, and Adaptation to explore family factors associated with primary female caregivers' appraisals of children's behaviors, distortion of their appraisals, and children's risk of having behavioral problems.
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During the past two decades, the number of children and adolescents who are obese has more than doubled. Following this trend in childhood obesity, there has been an alarming increase in the number of children with asthma who are overweight.
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Pula JH, Kwan K, Yuen CA, Kattah JC
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The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of photobiomodulation (PBM) on cytokine levels and angiogenesis during oral wound healing. Ulcers were made on the dorsum of the tongue in 48 Wistar rats. Irradiation with an indium-gallium-aluminum-phosphide (InGaAlP) laser (660 nm; output power, 40 mW; spot size, 0.04 cm2) was performed once a day on two points of the ulcer for 14 days. Two different energy densities were used: 4 J/cm2 (energy per point 0.16 J, total energy 0.32 J) and 20 J/cm2 (energy per point 0.8 J, total energy 1.6 J). Tissue levels of interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Image analysis of CD31-immunostained sections was used to investigate microvessel density (MVD). PBM increased the tissue levels of IL-1β at the early stage of oral wound healing (p < 0.01) and increased the tissue levels of TNF-α during all stages of oral wound healing (p < 0.05). PBM at a dose of 4 J/cm2 produced more significant results regarding cytokine modulation and was associated with higher MVD at day 5. Collectively, these findings indicate that cytokine modulation and increased angiogenesis are among the basic mechanisms whereby PBM improves oral wound repair.
To assess the efficacy and the safety of GreenlightTM high-performance system (HPS) 120-W laser photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) compared with transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The related original studies only including randomized controlled trials were searched by databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Controlled Trial Register. The databases were updated till July 2014. The risk ratio, mean difference, and their corresponding 95 % confidence intervals were calculated. Risk of bias of the enrolled trials were assessed according to Cochrane Handbook. A total of four trials involving 559 patients were enrolled. Statistical analysis was performed by software Review Manager (V5.3.3). There was no significant difference in International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and maximum flow rate (Qmax) between PVP and TURP at 6-, 12-, and 24-month follow-up. Patients in the PVP group were associated with significantly lower risk of capsule perforation (risk ratio (RR) = 0.06, 95 % confidence interval (95%CI) = 0.01 to 0.46; p = 0.007), significantly lower transfusion requirements (RR = 0.12, 95%CI = 0.03 to 0.43; p = 0.001), a shorter catheterization time (mean difference (MD) = −41.93, 95%CI = −54.87 to −28.99; p < 0.00001), and a shorter duration of hospital stay (MD = −2.09, 95%CI = −2.58 to −1.59; p < 0.00001) than that in the TURP group. In the TURP group, the patients were associated with a lower risk of re-operation (RR = 3.68, 95%CI = 1.04 to 13.00; p = 0.04) and a shorter operative time (MD = 9.28, 95%CI = 2.80 to 15.75; p = 0.005) than those in the PVP group. In addition, no statistically significant differences were detected between groups in terms of the rates of transurethral resection syndrome, urethral stricture, bladder neck contracture, incontinence, and infection. GreenlightTM 120-W laser PVP is as effective as TURP for symptom reduction and improvement of the quality of life. Laser PVP shows advantages over TURP in terms of intraoperative safety, whereas TURP is found to have a shorter operative time and lower re-operative risk.
Dermatosis papulosa nigra (DPN) is a common condition of pigmented skin. Whilst lesions are benign, they may be symptomatic or cosmetically disfiguring. Ablative lasers have previously been reported as a useful therapeutic modality in DPN. We report the largest case series to date of patients with DPN ablated with the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser. A retrospective case note review was conducted of all patients with DPN treated in our laser clinic in the last five years, and a post-treatment telephone survey was undertaken to assess patient satisfaction. Forty-five patients were identified, with a median age of 41 years (range 25–74 years), of whom 37 (82 %) were female. The median number of treatments undertaken was three (range 1–10). Of the 18 respondents to the telephone survey, when asked to grade their satisfaction with the procedure out of 10, median response was 9.5 (range 6–10) with nine patients citing the maximum score of 10. All patients replied that their confidence had improved following the procedure and that they would recommend the treatment to other patients. Five respondents (28 %) reported recurrence of a few lesions following CO2 laser ablation; the remaining 13 respondents (72 %) reported no recurrence of DPN. No respondents reported any other post-procedural complications (including scarring, hypopigmentation and hyperpigmentation). We advocate use of the CO2 laser as a safe, convenient means of treating DPN, with a high degree of patient satisfaction, low recurrence rate and few complications.
The aim of this study is to establish and to prove a new lenticule shape for the treatment of hyperopia using a 500 kHz femtosecond laser and the femtosecond lenticule extraction (ReLEx® FLEx) technique. Improved lenticule shapes with a large transition zone of at least 2 mm adjusted to the 5.75 mm optical zone were designed. A prospective pilot study on nine eyes of five patients who underwent an uncomplicated FLEx using VisuMax® femtosecond laser (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG) for spherical hyperopia was performed. Patients' mean age was 55.5 years, and the preoperative manifest spherical equivalent (SE) was +1.82 D (range +1.25 to +3.00 D). Because of the presbyopic age and in order to compensate for a possible regression, the treatment was aimed at low myopia (mean target SE was −0.88 D with a mean treatment refraction of +2.69 D). At the last follow-up, after 9 months, 33 % were within ±0.50 D and 78 % within ±1.00 D of intended correction. Thirty-three percent lost one line, and 11 % gained one line corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA). On average, the centre of the optical zone was 0.34 ± 0.17 mm from the corneal vertex. No adverse effects were observed. This pilot study confirms that the improved lenticule's design with a large optical and transition zone can achieve good centration and acceptable results for spherical hyperopia using FLEx. The next steps are to extend the study to spherocylindrical hyperopic treatments and to increase the number of eyes for better assessment of refractive outcome.
Significant populations in burn centers are diabetic burn patients. Healing process in these patients is more difficult due to diabetes complications. The gold standard treatment for patients with grade 3 burn ulcer is split-thickness skin grafting (STSG), but in the diabetic patients, the rate of graft failure and amputation is high due to impaired tissue perfusion. The technique of low level laser therapy (LLLT) improves tissue perfusion and fibroblast proliferation, increases collagen synthesis, and accelerates wound healing. The purpose of this case report is introducing a new therapeutic method for accelerating healing with better prognosis in these patients. The protocols and informed consent were reviewed according to the Medical Ethics, Board of Shahid Beheshti Medical Sciences (IR.SBMU.RAM.REC.13940.363). Diabetic type 2 patients with 13 grade 3 burn ulcers, candidate for amputation, were enrolled in the study. We used a 650-nm red laser light, 2 J/Cm for the bed of the ulcer and an 810-nm infrared laser light 6 J/Cm2 for the margins along with intravenous laser therapy with a 660-nm red light, before and after STSG for treating grade 3 burn ulcers in 13 diabetic ulcers. The results of this study showed complete healing in the last 8 weeks for all patients who were candidates for amputation. In this case series, we present 13 cases of diabetic ulcer with type 3 burn wound, candidate for amputation, who healed completely using LLLT and STSG. This is the first time that these two techniques are combined for treatment of burn ulcer in diabetic patients. Using LLLT with STSG might be a promising treatment for burn victims especially diabetic patients.
The chemical characterization of dissolved organic matter (DOM) is critical for understanding carbon sequestration processes in soils. This work evaluated the use of electrospray ionization in both negative ion mode (ESI−) and positive ion mode (ESI+) for the characterization of DOM extracted from nine terrestrial sources using Fourier transform ion cyclotron mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS). The compositing of the peaks from ESI− to ESI+ modes increased the total assigned formulas from 23 to 63 % as compared to the traditional use of ESI− alone for DOM characterization. In general, there was a preferential increase in the number of assignments for the aliphatic and carbohydrate-like DOM components in the ESI+ mode. The soil-extracted DOM specifically exhibited greater increases in the aliphatic and carbohydrate-like DOM components with the combined use of ESI− and ESI+ modes likely due to the greater presence of aromatic DOM molecules that suppressed the ionization of these entities in ESI− mode. On the basis of these findings, we show that improved characterization of DOM is possible through the combined use of ESI− and ESI+ modes for FT-ICR-MS analysis, especially for samples rich in condensed aromatic and aromatic molecules.
Bufadienolides, a class of polyhydroxy steroids, exhibit significant antitumor activity. In this study, a total of 39 metabolites from 10 bufadienolides were detected and identified by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled with an LTQ Orbitrap mass spectrometer. The results showed that hydroxylation and dehydrogenation were the major metabolic pathways of bufadienolides in human liver microsomes (HLMs). CYP3A4 was found to be the major metabolic enzyme and CYP2D6 only mediated the dehydrogenation reaction. A systematic validated cytotoxicity evaluation method for bufadienolide metabolites at equal equivalents was established. Hellebrigenin (1), hellebrigenol (2), arenobufagin (3), bufotalin (5), and bufalin (6) were selected to determine their cytotoxicity against HepG2 cells before and after incubation in HLMs. All the test samples were enriched by a validated solid-phase extraction (SPE) method. Although the cytotoxicities of metabolites were weaker than those of the parent compounds to different degrees, their effects were still strong.
Graphical Abstract
A portable reconfigurable platform for copper (Cu(II)) determination based on luminescent carbon dot (Cdots) quenching is described. The electronic setup consists of a light-emitting diode (LED) as the carbon dot optical exciter and a photodiode as a light-to-current converter integrated in the same instrument. Moreover, the overall analog conditioning is simply performed with one integrated solution, a field-programmable analog array (FPAA), which makes it possible to reconfigure the filter and gain stages in real time. This feature provides adaptability to use the platform as an analytical probe for carbon dots coming from different batches with some variations in luminescence characteristics. The calibration functions obtained that fit a modified Stern-Volmer equation were obtained using luminescence signals from Cdots quenching by Cu(II). The analytical applicability of the reconfigurable portable instrument for Cu(II) using Cdots has been successfully demonstrated in tap water analysis.
The authors describe a disposable screen-printed graphite electrode (SPGE) modified with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The electrode, designated as AuNPs-SPGE, was characterized by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The AuNPs-SPGE combines the electrochemical features of graphite and the disposability of screen-printed electrodes. It displays excellent electrocatalytic activity towards dopamine (DA) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA). Two well-defined, sharp, and fully resolved voltammetric peaks (at 525 mV for DA and at 415 mV for 5-HIAA, both vs. Ag/AgCl) were found. Square wave voltammetry was used to simultaneously determine DA and 5-HIAA in mixtures and in urine. The linear working range extends from 0.1 to 120.0 μM for both DA and 5-HIAA, and the limits of detection (based on 3× the baseline noise) are 14.0 and 5.7 nM, respectively. The fabrication method for the AuNPs-SPGE is highly reproducible. The performance of the AuNPs-SPGE was evaluated by analyzing spiked human urine, and the recoveries were found to be well over 94.0 % for both compounds. These results indicate that the AuNPs-SPGE represents a highly selective and sensitive sensor for simultaneous determination of DA and 5-HIAA in urine.
Graphical Abstract
Mycotoxins are secondary plant metabolites that have been found to cause severe diseases in humans and livestock. Exposure can take place on a daily basis since mycotoxins can be found not only in food, animal food, and dietary supplements but also in materials used in buildings. For this work, the Alternaria toxins alternariol (AOH) and alternariol methyl ether (AME) are chosen as representatives for this relevant compound class and are investigated regarding their oxidative phase I metabolism using a combination of electrochemical (EC) oxidation and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS). This previously established method has been proven to be a valuable tool for the electrochemical simulation of certain phase I metabolic reactions. A comparison of the electrochemically generated products with those formed during microsomal incubation demonstrates the potential of the method for the successful prediction of the main phase I metabolic reactions of mycotoxins. It can thus find use as a supportive method in the elucidation of the metabolic pathways of various mycotoxins.
Graphical Abstract
We present the determination of the alkaloid hordenine and its forensic relevance as a qualitative and quantitative marker for beer consumption. A simple, rapid and sensitive ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC)–tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) method for the determination of hordenine in human serum samples was developed and validated. The application was tested with serum samples after enzymatic cleavage. After addition of the synthesized internal standard hordenine-D 4, a liquid–liquid extraction with dichloromethane and diethyl ether was performed. Chromatographic separation was conducted with a Waters Acquity® UPLC system with gradient elution on an Agilent Eclipse XDB-C18 column (4.6 mm × 150 mm, 5-μm particle size). For quantification, a Waters Acquity® TQ detector (version SNC 627) with a positive electrospray ionization probe and multiple reaction monitoring mode was used. A flow rate of 0.4 ml/min was applied. The retention time for both the analyte and the internal standard was 3.67 min. Linearity was demonstrated from 0.2 to 16 ng/ml (R 2 > 0.999). The lower limit of quantification was 0.3 ng/ml in serum. Matrix effects and extraction recoveries for low and high concentrations were within acceptable limits of 75–125 % and 50 %, respectively. To the best of our knowledge there is no corresponding method for the determination of hordenine by UPLC–MS/MS in serum. By our drinking studies we demonstrate that beer consumption leads to detectable hordenine concentrations in serum and observed a linear elimination of total hordenine correlating to blood alcohol concentration, which shows that hordenine can be used as a reliable qualitative and quantitative marker for beer consumption. The validated method was successfully applied to serum from actual forensic cases.
Graphical Abstract
This study describes the use of BRCA testing and evaluates how concerns about genetic risk and use of genetic information affect subsequent treatment decisions in young women with breast cancer. Read the article at: http://ja.ma/1KUYrIT.
Cases of intradiploic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collections have been previously reported in the literature with various underlying causes. We focus specifically on the iatrogenic cases of this rare but possible neurosurgical complication discussing the possible pathophysiological mechanisms and management strategy.
A 14-year-old boy was admitted in our institute with recurrent headache and worsening attention deficits. He was previously treated twice for a Chiari malformation type I. The performed imaging showed the persisting lower position of the cerebellar tonsils with a syrinx within the cervical spinal cord and a fluid collection within the occipital bone with thinning of outer and inner table. Occipital bone decompression with resection of the intradiploic cavity and enlarging duraplasty was performed. Postoperative imaging confirmed the removal of the iatrogenic-induced focal bone alteration.
Iatrogenic intradiploic focal fluid accumulation can occur when a dural defect combines with an inner table defect of the calvaria or vertebral bones. Though rare, such a complication should be taken into account when postoperative imaging suggests a focal fluid collection inside the theca. The surgical excision of the lesion is mandatory due to the natural history of progression.
Thrombosis is frequently observed in Galen malformation, but propagation of thrombosis resulting in the disappearance of the aneurysmal malformation is a very rare clinical condition.
A rare case of spontaneous regression and disappearance of the vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation (VoGAM) in a pediatric patient with repeated generalized seizure, increased head circumference, and congestive heart failure is recorded. The course of regression from infancy to 8 years of age has been depicted. Radiological studies initially demonstrated VoGAM complicated by an intra-cerebral hemorrhage and hydrocephalus, which later underwent spontaneous regression. Long-term clinical and radiological follow-up is presented.
Different conditions including hemodynamic alteration, compression of adjacent hematoma, and narrowing of related vascular structures have been described to cause thrombosis of VoGAM. The relevant literature to address possible mechanism is reviewed.
Lower heart rate variability (HRV) is known to make patients more susceptible to tachycardia and possibly sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). The heart rate (HR) at which tachycardia is present may vary by age. To date, no study has been done comparing adult and child seizures at different time points. The purpose of this study was to compare the frequency of HR changes with ictal tachycardia (IT) seizures at different time points in adults versus children.
We retrospectively assessed the changes in the HR of 99 IT seizures in children and 96 IT seizures in adults. The difference between adults and children in gender, hemispheric lateralization or sleep/wakefulness, or seizure type on the HR changes and the difference between children and adults during 10 s preictal, ictal onset, and ictal and 60 s postictal were separately assessed.
The HR difference and maximum HR increase with aging in children. The seizure duration in adults lasted longer as compared with that in children. There are higher HR at different points and HR difference at 10 s preictal as compared to baseline in children.
The study illustrates that age and duration were respectively related to HR differences distinguishing children from adults. There may be an age-related effect of HR changes associated with seizures, with higher HR at different times and HR difference at 10 s before seizure onset as compared to baseline in children, which might explain that children are more likely to predict epileptic seizures than adults, contributing to subclinical seizures and treatment efficiency in refractory patients.
In introgressive hybridization (the repeated backcrossing of hybrids with parental populations), Edgar Anderson found a source for variation upon which natural selection could work. In his 1953 review article "Introgressive Hybridization," he asserted that he was "bringing taxonomy to the service of genetics" whereas distinguished colleagues such as Theodosius Dobzhansky and Ernst Mayr did the precise opposite. His work as a geneticist particularly focused on linkage and recombination and was enriched by collaborations with Missouri Botanical Garden colleagues interested in taxonomy as well as with cytologists C.D. Darlington and Karl Sax. As the culmination of a biosystemtatic research program, Anderson's views challenged the mainstream of the Evolutionary Synthesis.
Word is getting out about a new partnership inked between Mercy Virtual and University of North Carolina Health Care (UNCHC).
In a Modern Healthcare article out this week, Mercy Virtual president Dr. Randy Moore explains that both health systems - their patients and co-workers - will benefit.
"[And] over time, we want to be able to offer this across the country," Dr. Moore said.
Read the entire article here.
Publication date: February 2016
Source:Cortex, Volume 75
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Publication date: February 2016
Source:Cortex, Volume 75
Author(s): Carolyn McGettigan
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Publication date: February 2016
Source:Cortex, Volume 75
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Publication date: February 2016
Source:Cortex, Volume 75
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Publication date: February 2016
Source:Cortex, Volume 75
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Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is an acute-onset hypoxic condition with radiographic bilateral lung infiltration. It is characterized by an acute exudative phase combining diffuse alveolar damage and lung edema followed by a later fibroproliferative phase. Despite an improved understanding of ARDS pathobiology, our ability to predict the development of ARDS and risk-stratify patients with the disease remains limited. Biomarkers may help to identify patients at the highest risk of developing ARDS, assess response to therapy, predict outcome, and optimize enrollment in clinical trials. After a short description of ARDS pathobiology, here, we review the scientific evidence that supports the value of various ARDS biomarkers with regard to their major biological roles in ARDS-associated lung injury and/or repair. Ongoing research aims at identifying and characterizing novel biomarkers, in order to highlight relevant mechanistic explorations of lung injury and repair, and to ultimately develop innovative therapeutic approaches for ARDS patients. This review will focus on the pathophysiologic, diagnostic, and therapeutic implications of biomarkers in ARDS and on their utility to ultimately improve patient care.
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The aims of this study were to compare cut points for weakness proposed by Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) Sarcopenia Project with cut points estimated with our own data; to assess the prevalence of clinically relevant handgrip strength (HGS) weakness according to published criteria across distinct populations of older adults; to estimate the ability of HGS weakness to identify slowness. This is a cross-sectional analysis of International Mobility in Aging Study (IMIAS) involving 1935 community-dwelling older adults, between 65 and 74 years, who completed HGS and gait speed assessment. We used baseline data from Tirana (Albania), Natal (Brazil), Manizales (Colombia), Kingston (Ontario, Canada), and Saint-Hyacinthe (Quebec, Canada). Weakness was defined according to sex-specific HGS cut points associated with slowness proposed by FNIH Sarcopenia Project. Slowness was defined as gait speed <0.8 m/s. IMIAS cut points for clinical weakness had good agreement with those proposed by FNIH. Weakness prevalence across the research sites ranged from 1.1 % (Saint-Hyacinthe) to 19.2 % (Manizales) among men. Women from Manizales (13.5 %) and Natal (19.3 %) had higher prevalence of weakness than their counterparts. FNIH cut points had a strong association with slowness, for both sexes. The IMIAS population generated cut points which were close to those proposed by FNIH. There was large variability in prevalence of weakness across our research sites. The HGS cut points for weakness proposed by FNIH performed well in IMIAS populations, providing a useful tool for screening older adults at risk for functional problems.
Studies indicate that exercise might delay human biological aging, but the effects of long-term exercise on T cell function are not well known. We tested the hypothesis that moderate or intense exercise lifestyle may attenuate the effects of aging on the telomere length and the survival and composition of T cell subpopulations. Elderly (65–85 years) with intense training lifestyle (IT, n = 15), moderate training lifestyle (MT, n = 16), and who never trained (NT, n = 15) were studied. Although the three groups presented the age-associated contraction of the TCD4+/TCD8+ naïve compartments and expansion of the memory compartments, both training modalities were associated with lower proportion of terminally differentiated (CD45RA+CCR7neg) TCD4+ and TCD8+ cells, although among the latter cells, the reduction reached statistical significance only with IT. MT was associated with higher proportion of central memory TCD4+ cells, while IT was associated with higher proportion of effector memory TCD8+ cells. However, both training lifestyles were unable to modify the proportion of senescent (CD28neg) TCD8+ cells. Telomeres were longer in T cells in both training groups; with IT, telomere length increased mainly in TCD8+ cells, whereas with MT, a modest increase in telomere length was observed in both TCD8+ and TCD4+ cells. Reduced commitment to apoptosis of resting T cells, as assessed by caspase-3 and Bcl-2 expression, was seen predominantly with IT. Measurement of pro-inflammatory cytokines in serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC)'s supernatants did not show chronic low-grade inflammation in any of the groups. In conclusion, MT and IT lifestyles attenuated some of the effects of aging on the immune system.
China is one of the 22 countries with high TB burden worldwide, and Sichuan contained the second-largest number of TB cases among all of the Chinese provinces. But the characteristics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis circulated in Zigong, Sichuan, were still unknown. To investigate the character and drug resistance profile, 265 clinical isolates were cultured from tuberculosis patient's sputum samples in the year of 2010, of which the genetic profile was determined by using Spoligotyping and MIRU-VNTR typing methods, and the drug sensibility testing to the four first-line and four second-line antituberculosis (anti-TB) drugs was performed by using proportion method on Lowenstein-Jensen (L-J) media. The major Spoligotype was Beijing family (143/265, 53.96%), followed by T (80/265, 30.19%) and H (9/265, 3.40%) genotypes; the total Hunter-Gaston discrimination index (HGDI) of the 24 loci MIRU-VNTR was 0.9995. About 27.17% (72/265) of the isolates were resistant to at least one of the eight tested anti-TB drugs, and for Beijing and non-Beijing family isolates the proportion of drug resistance was 28.47% (41/144) and 25.62% (31/121), respectively. That is, the most prevalent genotype here was Beijing family, and the 24 loci VNTR analysis could supply a high resolution for genotyping, and Beijing and non-Beijing isolates had no difference () for drug resistance.
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Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiological characteristics and adverse pregnancy outcomes of pregnant women with syphilis infection in China. Methods. Data were from China's Information System of Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of Syphilis Management. Women who were registered in the system and delivered in 2013 were included in the analysis. Results. A total of 15884 pregnant women with syphilis infection delivered in China in 2013. 79.1% of infected women attended antenatal care at or before 37 gestational weeks; however, 55.4% received no treatment or initiated the treatment after 37 gestational weeks. 14.0% of women suffered serious adverse pregnancy outcomes including stillbirth/neonatal death, preterm delivery/low birth weight, or congenital syphilis in newborns. High maternal titer (≥1 : 64) and late treatment (>37 gestational weeks)/nontreatment were significantly associated with increased risk of congenital syphilis and the adjusted ORs were 1.88 (95% CI 1.27 to 2.80) and 3.70 (95% CI 2.36 to 5.80), respectively. Conclusion. Syphilis affects a great number of pregnant women in China. Large proportions of women are not detected and treated at an early pregnancy stage. Burden of adverse pregnancy outcomes is high among infected women. Comprehensive interventions still need to be strengthened to improve uptake of screening and treatment for maternal syphilis.
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Doxorubicin (DOX), an anthracycline, is broadly considered the most active single agent available for treating breast cancer but has been known to induce cardiotoxicity. Although DOX is highly effective in treating triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), DOX can have poor outcomes owing to induction of chemoresistance. There is an urgent need to develop new therapies for TNBC aimed at improving DOX outcome and DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. Substance P (SP), a neuropeptide involved in pain transmission is known to stimulate production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Elevated cardiac ROS is linked with heart injury and failure. We investigated the role of SP in chemotherapy-associated death of cardiomyocytes and chemoresistance. We showed that pretreating a cardiomyocyte cell line (H9C2) and a TNBC cell line (MDA-MB 231) with aprepitant, a SP receptor antagonist that is routinely used to treat chemotherapy-associated associated nausea, decreased DOX-induced reduction of cell viability, apoptotic cell death, and ROS production in cardiomyocytes and increased DOX-induced reduction of cell viability, apoptotic cell death, and ROS production in TNBC cells compared with cells treated with DOX alone. Our findings demonstrate the ability of aprepitant to decrease DOX-induced killing of cardiomyocytes and to increase cancer cell sensitivity to DOX, which has tremendous clinical significance.
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Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) flame retardants (FRs) were phased-out in the mid-2000s (penta- and octaBDE) and 2013 (decaBDE); however, their hydroxylated metabolites (OH-BDEs) are still commonly detected in human serum. Today, novel FRs such as Firemaster® 550, a mixture that contains two brominated compounds, EH-TBB and BEH-TEBP are used as replacements for PBDEs in some applications, and there is a need to develop a comprehensive analytical method to assess exposure to both legacy PBDEs and novel FRs. This study developed a solid-phase extraction (SPE)-based method to analyze PBDEs, OH-BDEs, 2,4,6-tribromophenol (TBP), hexabromocylcododecane isomers (HBCDs), EH-TBB, and BEH-TEBP in human serum. Briefly, serum proteins were first denatured with formic acid, and then the target analytes were isolated using a SPE column. Finally, the extract was cleaned and fractioned using a silica SPE column. Method performance was assessed by spiking fetal bovine serum with 1–2 ng of the target analytes, and method accuracy was quantified by comparison to a serum Standard Reference Material (SRM). The developed method showed good recovery and accuracy for all target analytes with the exception of the very low and very high molecular weight PBDE congeners. Using this method, 43 serum samples collected from the Healthy Pregnancy, Healthy Baby Study (HPHB) cohort in Durham, NC, USA were analyzed for FRs. A novel finding was the ubiquitous detection of 2,4,6-TBP, at levels greater than the individual PBDE congeners. Furthermore, 2,4,6-TBP was positively correlated with PBDEs, suggesting that they may have a similar source of exposure, or that 2,4,6-TBP may result from metabolism of PBDEs in vivo.
Are you a victim of Tubal Pregnancy? Do you have awareness about this type of pregnancy condition or have you undergone certain tests to confirm that you pregnancy is normal? The day you decide that you want to have child is one of the most important days of your married lives due to the fact that welcoming a baby into this world is not an easy task it requires you to undergo immense pain & stress especially if you are new to this condition.
Initially you will worry as to whether you can conceive a baby or not, questions like you might be suffering from infertility problems or you might not have a healthy baby, I won't be as good of a parent as others are, Is my child going to be a calm one or will he create difficulty for me, all these questions start circling in your mind soon after you decide that you are going to have a baby. Numerous females have already gone through either all or at least some of these worries but one thing that most of the females miss out is whether or not they are suffering from Tubal Pregnancy. Mostly Tubal pregnancy can end up in catastrophic results for both the female & the baby.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for any ectopic pregnancies. At the point when your treated egg does not advance down to your uterus, there is no chance in sparing the pregnancy. Your doctor will do a test to affirm that your pregnancy is a tubal one and in the event that it is sufficiently early in the pregnancy, he or she will infuse a medication into your body that will stop the development of the egg. On the off chances that your pregnancy is best in shape, your doctor will perform a laparoscopic surgery to expel the egg from your fallopian tubes.
While a tubal pregnancy can't be cured, it can be forestalled. One approach to keep this kind of pregnancy is to dependably hone safe sex. Constraining the quantity of sexual accomplices you have, continually utilizing assurance, and having a yearly exam performed by your obstetrician can offer you some assistance with preventing this kind of destroying pregnancy. Sexually transmitted ailments can bring about pelvic incendiary infection, which is a reason for tubal pregnancy.
On the off chance that you do experience this sort of pregnancy, you need ought not to endeavor to imagine another child until you have consulted your doctor. Your doctor will offer you some assistance with understanding the dangers, check your body to guarantee that everything looks great, or illuminate you that your body can't deal with another pregnancy. If all else fails, call your doctor. Therapeutic experts concur that any lady who experiences this sort of pregnancy will probably experience the ill effects of a second. A tubal pregnancy can't proceed. The more you have the more likely you are to harm your own body and experience the ill effects of health issues identified with your irregular pregnancies.
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