Association between chronic hepatitis C infection and metabolic syndrome: A meta-analysis

BackgroundHepatitis C virus (HCV) infected patients have been found to be more susceptible to metabolic syndrome (MetS), but the results remain unclear and lack of a meta-analysis.MethodsDatabases including PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library were searched to identify all studies concerning HCV and MetS. Funnel plots combined with Begg's tests and Egger's tests were used to analysis the possible publication bias. The odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to access the effect of HCV infection on the risk of MetS.ResultsEight articles, involving a total of 57387 HCV patients were included. HCV infection was significantly associated with an increased incidence of MetS (OR = 1.73; 95% CI, 1.19–2.52). After adjustment according to the sensitivity analysis, one included article was removed to decrease the publication bias and high heterogeneity, of which the results showed that HCV infection was still associated with an increased incidence of MetS (OR = 1.93; 95% CI, 1.39–2.68).ConclusionsHCV patients tend to have a significant increased risk for MetS, but more large-scale studies are needed to confirm this and explore the exact mechanism.     

Use of mammalian museum specimens to test hypotheses about the geographic expansion of Lyme disease in the southeastern United States

Lyme disease, caused primarily in North America by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, is the most frequently reported vector-borne disease in North America and its geographic extent is increasing in all directions from foci in the northeastern and north central United States. Several southeastern states, including Virginia and North Carolina, have experienced large increases in Lyme disease incidence in the past two decades, with the biggest changes in incidence occurring in the western portion of each state. We tested the hypothesis that B. burgdorferi s.s. was present in western Virginia and North Carolina Peromyscus leucopus populations prior to the recent emergence of Lyme disease. Specifically, we examined archived P. leucopus museum specimens, sampled between 1900 and 2000, for B. burgdorferi s.s. DNA. After confirming viability of DNA extracted from ear punch biopsies from P. leucopus study skins collected between 1945 and 2000 in 19 Virginia counties and 17 North Carolina counties, we used qPCR of two species-specific loci to test for the presence of B. burgdorferi s.s. DNA. Ten mice, all collected from the Eastern Shore of Virginia in 1989, tested positive for presence of B. burgdorferi; all of the remaining 344 specimens were B. burgdorferi-negative. Our results suggest that B. burgdorferi s.s was not common in western Virginia or North Carolina prior to the emergence of Lyme disease cases in the past two decades. Rather, the emergence of Lyme disease in this region has likely been driven by the relatively recent expansion of B. burgdorferi s.s. in southward-moving ticks and reservoir hosts in the mountainous counties of these two states.     

Comprehensive screening of tick-borne microorganisms indicates that a great variety of pathogens are circulating between hard ticks (Ixodoidea: Ixodidae) and domestic ruminants in natural foci of Anatolia

Grazing domestic ruminants serve as important reservoirs and/or amplificatory hosts in the ecology of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) and tick vectors in the natural foci; however, many enzootic life cycles including ruminants and ticks are still unknown. This study investigated a wide range of TBPs circulating among ticks and grazing ruminants in the natural foci of Anatolia, Turkey. Tick specimens (n = 1815) were collected from cattle, sheep, and goats in three ecologically distinct areas (wooded, transitional, and semi-arid zones) of Anatolia and identified by species: Dermacentor marginatus, Dermacentor reticulatus, Hyalomma anatolicum, Hyalomma excavatum, Hyalomma marginatum, Hyalomma scupense, Haemaphysalis inermis, Haemaphysalis parva, Haemaphysalis punctata, Haemaphysalis sulcata, Ixodes ricinus, Rhipicephalus bursa, and Rhipicephalus turanicus. PCR-sequencing analyses revealed TBPs of great diversity, with 32 different agents identified in the ticks: six Babesia spp. (Babesia occultans, Babesia crassa, Babesia microti, Babesia rossi, Babesia sp. tavsan1, and Babesia sp. Ucbas); four Theileria spp., including one putative novel species (Theileria annulata, Theileria orientalis, Theileria ovis, and Theileria sp.); one Hepatozoon sp.; four Anaplasma spp., including one novel genotype (Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Anaplasma marginale, Anaplasma ovis, and Anaplasma sp.); six unnamed Ehrlichia spp. genotypes; Neoehrlichia mikurensis; nine spotted fever group rickettsiae, including one putative novel species (Rickettsia aeschlimannii, Rickettsia slovaca, Rickettsia hoogstraalii, Rickettsia monacensis with strain IRS3, Rickettsia mongolitimonae, Rickettsia raoultii, Candidatus Rickettsia goldwasserii, Candidatus Rickettsia barbariae, and Rickettsia sp.); and Borrelia valaisiana. Detailed phylogenetic analyses showed that some of the detected pathogens represent more than one haplotype, potentially relating to the tick species or the host. Additionally, the presence of Neoehrlichia mikurensis, an emerging pathogen for humans, was reported for the first time in Turkey, expanding its geographical distribution. Consequently, this study describes some previously unknown tick-borne protozoan and bacterial species/genotypes and provides informative epidemiological data on TBPs, which are related to animal and human health, serving the one health concept.     

Analysis of the complete mitochondrial genomes of Dermacentor albipictus suggests a species complex

Dermacentor albipictus is a one-host tick broadly distributed across North America. There are two easily recognizable color variants – ornate and inornate/brown – that have been taxonomically synonymized. Based on mt-cox1 and mt-16S data, there is also evidence for two genetic lineages which do not match the color variants. We present for the first time the complete mitochondrial genomes of the two color variants of D. albipictus including representatives of each lineage. The AT-rich genomes are 14,822 bp – 14,865 bp in length and contain 13 protein coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes and 22 transfer RNA genes, arranged in the conserved type 3 metastriate mitochondrial genome order. The overall differences were 10.66% between the mitochondrial genomes of D. albipictus ornate variant lineage 1 and lineage 2, 10.51% between lineage 1 and inornate/brown variant and 5.87% between lineage 2 and inornate/brown variant. The inornate/brown variant did not form a separate lineage and all inornate isolates were found to belong to lineage 2. Ornate variant isolates occurred in both lineage 1 and 2. The high divergence of the mitochondrial genome suggests that D. albipictus may represent a species complex. Other barcoding genes that may help capture the genetic differences between color and lineage variants include nad1, nad2, nad5, cox1 and atp8 loci. The mtDNA data generated in this study are available in GenBank (Accession numbers: OM678457 - OM678459 and ON032564 - ON032573) for future studies on tick taxonomy, phylogenetics and molecular epidemiology.     

Quantifying the incidence of clinically significant respiratory depression in women with and without obesity class III receiving neuraxial morphine for post-cesarean analgesia: a retrospective cohort study

BackgroundObesity is a suspected risk factor for respiratory depression following neuraxial morphine for post-cesarean analgesia, however monitoring guidelines for obese obstetric patients are based on small, limited studies. We tested the hypothesis that clinically significant respiratory depression following neuraxial morphine occurs more commonly in women with body mass index (BMI) ≥40 kg/m² compared with BMI <40 kg/m².MethodsWe conducted a single-center, retrospective chart review (2006–2017) of obstetric patients with clinically significant respiratory depression following neuraxial morphine, defined as: (1) opioid antagonist administration; (2) rapid response team activation (initiated in April 2010); or (3) tracheal intubation due to a respiratory event. The incidence of respiratory depression was compared between women with BMI ≥40 kg/m² and BMI <40 kg/m².ResultsIn total, 11 327 women received neuraxial morphine (n=1945 BMI ≥40 kg/m²; n=9382 BMI <40 kg/m²). Women with BMI ≥40 kg/m² had higher rates of sleep apnea, hypertensive disorders, and magnesium administration. Sixteen cases of clinically significant respiratory depression occurred within seven days postpartum. The incidence did not significantly differ between groups (odds ratio 2.2, 95% CI 0.6 to 6.9, P=0.174). Neuraxial morphine was not deemed causative in any case, however women with BMI ≥40 kg/m² had higher rates of tracheal intubation unrelated to neuraxial morphine (2/1945 vs. 0/9382, P=0.029).ConclusionsRespiratory depression in this population is rare. A larger sample (∼75 000) is required to determine whether the incidence is higher with BMI ≥40 kg/m². Tracheal intubation was higher among the BMI ≥40 kg/m² cohort, likely due to more comorbidities.     

成人Willis环50例的3.0T高场磁共振3D-TOF-MRA解剖学分析

目的 探讨Willis环各组成血管的形态和其间可能存在的相关性,为该部位血管的影像学分析提供参考.方法 回顾性分析50例来包头市中心医院接受检查者3.0 T 3D-TOF核磁共振血管成像结果.于最大密度投影法三维重建结果上测量Willis环各组成血管的内径,通过统计学分析探索各组成血管的内径之间可能存在的相关性,判断成对血管是否有内径差异以及各血管内径有无性别差异.结果 50例中,存在胚胎型大脑后动脉的有10例,占20％.右侧后交通动脉内径与同侧大脑后动脉P1段内径呈负相关(r=-0.451,P=0.001).Willis环成对动脉内径无左右差异.左颈内动脉水平岩段,男性组内径大于女性组内径(t =2.243,P=0.030).结论 导致Willis环代偿能力降低的解剖变异并非少见.Willis 环各局部血管结构之间关系复杂,个体差异较大.临床实践中应重视Willis环的解剖变异以避免诊治延误.     

槲皮素壳聚糖膜对口腔溃疡及创面组织中超氧化物歧化酶和丙二醛含量的影响

背景:以天然可吸收的壳聚糖为膜载体,加入具有抗菌消炎、促进创面愈合的槲皮素制成复合膜,拟通过动物模型对该膜的药理作用进行初步观察。目的:观察槲皮素壳聚糖复合药膜对NaOH所致大鼠口腔溃疡的治疗作用。方法:采用NaOH烧灼法制备SD大鼠口腔溃疡模型80只,随机分为4组,空白对照组不采取任何处理措施,壳聚糖膜组在溃疡处贴壳聚糖膜,复合膜组在溃疡处贴槲皮素与壳聚糖复合药膜,冰硼散组在溃疡处喷洒冰硼散,2次/d,直至溃疡完全愈合为止。另外从上述实验动物中取SD大鼠10只,在大鼠背部脊柱两侧制作全层皮肤缺损模型,创面制作后次日,空白对照组不做任何处理,冰硼散组创面涂抹冰硼散液,壳聚糖组创面涂抹壳聚糖液,复合溶液组创面涂抹槲皮素壳聚糖液,2次/d,连续给药3d。结果与结论:复合膜组各时间点的溃疡面积均小于空白对照组(P<0.01),且给药后第2,4天的溃疡面积也小于冰硼散组(P<0.05)。在溃疡表面感染程度上复合膜组明显好于空白对照组(P<0.01),与冰硼散组之间差异无显著性意义。复合溶液组创面组织中超氧化物歧化酶活力明显高于空白对照组(P<0.01),而丙二醛含量低于空白对照组(P<0.01)。结果可见槲皮素壳聚糖复合药膜可促进溃疡面愈合,这可能与其提高创面组织中超氧化物歧化酶活性,降低丙二醛含量有关。     

唐山市某医院医护人员对HPV及其疫苗认知和接受度调查

目的:调查河北省唐山某医院医护人员对HPV及其疫苗的认知、态度和接受性,探究全科医师和护士对HPV疫苗接种的看法,为HPV疫苗的推广提供一定的基础。方法:采用自行设计的调查问卷,以自填式匿名方式调查唐山市某医院200名医护人员对HPV病毒及其疫苗的认知态度。结果:198名医护人员中,91.5%的医师和75.0%的护士曾经听说过HPV,53.2%的医师和47.7%的护士曾经听说过HPV疫苗,超过半数的医师和护士担心HPV疫苗的安全性(61.2%vs 65.8%)和有效性(59.6%vs 65.1),仅有23.4%医师和34.8%护士愿意接受该疫苗,53.1%医师和30.9%护士建议患者使用HPV疫苗,仅有30.0%左右医师和护士赞同让自己的子女接受HPV疫苗,65.3%医师和55.7%的护士建议满18周岁接种HPV疫苗。结论:医师和护士关于HPV病毒的认知水平较高,但不够全面,对HPV疫苗认知不足,多数医师和护士对HPV疫苗持观望态度。     

The impact of the Major Trauma Network: will trauma units continue to treat complex foot and ankle injuries?

IntroductionApril 1st 2012 saw the introduction of National Trauma Networks in England. The aim to optimise the management of major trauma. Patients with an ISS ≥ 16 would be transferred to the regional Major Trauma Centre (level 1). Our premise was that trauma units (level 2) would no longer manage complex foot and ankle injuries thereby obviating the need for a foot and ankle specialist service.MethodsRetrospective analysis of the epidemiology of foot and ankle injuries, using the Gloucestershire trauma database, from a trauma unit with a population of 750,000. Rates of open fractures, complex foot and ankle injuries and requirement for stabilisation with external fixation were reviewed before and after the introduction of the regional Trauma Network. Secondly, using the Trauma Audit & Research Network (TARN) database, all foot and ankle injuries triaged to the regional Major Trauma Centre (MTC) were reviewed.ResultsIncidence of open foot and ankle injuries was 2.9 per 100,000 per year. There were 5.1% open injuries before the network and 3.2% after (p > 0.05). Frequency of complex foot and ankle injuries was 4.2% before and 7.5% after the network commenced, showing no significant change. There was no statistically significant change in the numbers of patients with complex foot and ankle injuries treated by application of external fixators. Analysis of TARN data revealed that only 18% of patients with foot and ankle injuries taken to the MTC had an ISS ≥ 16. The majority of these patients were identified as requiring plastic surgical intervention for open fractures (69%) or were polytrauma patients (43%). Only 4.5% of patients had isolated, closed foot and ankle injuries.ConclusionWe found that at the trauma unit there was no decrease in the numbers of complex foot and ankle injuries, open fractures, or the applications of external fixators, following the introduction of the Trauma Network. These patients will continue to attend trauma units as they usually have an ISS < 16. Our findings suggest that there is still a need for foot and ankle specialists at trauma units, in order to manage patients with complex foot and ankle injuries.     

Live birth after blastocyst transfer following only 2 days of progesterone administration in an agonadal oocyte recipient

In oocyte donation cycles where hormone replacement is given to recipients, progesterone administration is necessary to induce the luteal phase and synchronize the endometrium with the embryo stage. Most studies suggest that 5–7 days of progesterone are needed to prepare the endometrium for a day-5 embryo transfer and provide optimal implantation rate. This paper reports a case where an agonadal oocyte recipient received only 2 days of progesterone prior to the embryo transfer of a day-5 embryo. She subsequently had a clinical pregnancy and a live birth.