Expression profile and thyroid hormone responsiveness of transporters and deiodinases in early embryonic chicken brain development

We used the chick embryo to study the mechanisms regulating intracellular TH availability in developing brain. TH-transporters OATP1C1 and MCT8, and deiodinases D1, D2, and D3 were expressed in a region-specific way, well before the onset of endogenous TH secretion. Between day 4 and 10 of development MCT8 and D2 mRNA levels increased, while OATP1C1 and D3 mRNA levels decreased. D2 and D3 mRNAs were translated into active protein, while no D1 activity was detectable. Injection of THs into the yolk 24 h before sampling increased TH levels in the brain and resulted in decreased OATP1C1 and increased MCT8 expression in 4-day-old embryos. A compensatory response in deiodinase activity was only observed at day 8. We conclude that THs are active in the early embryonic brain and TH-transporters and deiodinases can regulate their availability. However, the absence of clear compensatory mechanisms at day 4 makes the brain more vulnerable for changes in maternal TH supply.     

Rapid exclusion or confirmation of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia: a single-center experience with 1,291 patients

Background

The current gold-standard for diagnosing heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is the detection of platelet-activating antibodies by means of functional assays which, since they are time consuming and not widely available, are not suited to guiding acute treatment decisions. The objective of our study was to assess the ability of more rapid immunoassays to predict the presence of functionally relevant anti-platelet factor 4/heparin-antibodies.

Design and Methods

We analyzed 1,291 of 1,383 (93.4%) patients consecutively evaluated for suspected heparin-induced thrombocytopenia at our institution. Clinical pre-test probability was defined by the 4T-score. Anti-platelet factor 4/heparin-antibodies were measured with three immunoassays (ID-H/PF4-PaGIA, Asserachrom-HPIA, and GTI-PF4) and their functional relevance was assessed by a two-point heparin-induced platelet aggregation test. Performance of the immunoassays was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic analysis.

Results

Among 1,291 patients, 96 (7.4%) had a positive heparin-induced platelet aggregation-test: 7 of 859 (0.8%) with a low, 50 of 358 (14.0%) with an intermediate, and 39 of 74 (52.7%) with a high 4T-score. Receiver operating characteristics analysis indicated that best immunoassay thresholds for predicting a positive platelet aggregation test were: Titer of 4 or more (ID-H/PF4-PaGIA), optical density more than 0.943 (Asserachrom-HPIA) and more than 1.367 (GTI-PF4). A 100% negative predictive value was observed at the following thresholds: Titer of 1 or under (ID-H/PF4-PaGIA), optical density less than 0.300 (Asserachrom-HPIA) and less than 0.870 (GTI-PF4). A 100% positive predictive value was reached only by ID-H/PF4-PaGIA, at titers of 32 or over. Positive and negative likelihood ratios were calculated for results between the thresholds with 100% negative or positive predictive value.

Conclusions

We show that: i) negative and weak positive results of immunoassays detecting anti-platelet factor 4/heparin-antibodies exclude heparin-induced thrombocytopenia; ii) anti-platelet factor 4/heparin-antibody titers of 32 or over (ID-H/PF4-PaGIA) have a 100% positive predictive value for functionally relevant antibodies; iii) combining the clinical pre-test probability with the likelihood ratio of intermediate immunoassay results allows assessment of post-test probability for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in individual patients.     

Influence of large molecular polymeric pigments isolated from fermented Zijuan tea on the activity of key enzymes involved in lipid metabolism in rat

Influence of large molecular polymeric pigments (LMPP) isolated from fermented Zijuan tea on the activity and mRNA expression of key enzymes involved in lipid metabolism in rat was explored. The results show that intragastric infusion of high-dose LMPP (1.215g/kg body weight) effectively suppressed the elevation in TC and LDL-C (p<0.05), and prevented the reduction in HDL-C (p<0.05), compared with the hyperlipidemia model group. LMPP significantly enhanced the activity of HL and HSL, and increased the HSL mRNA expression in the liver tissue and adipose tissue. High-LMPP treatment significantly reduced the HMG-CoA reductase expression by 56.5% in the liver compared with hyperlipidemia model group. In contrast, LDL-R expression was increased by 120% in the presence of high-LMPP treatment. These results suggest that LMPP have the hypolipidemic effect to some extent and significantly enhance HSL mRNA expression in the liver and adipose tissue, thereby increasing HSL activity in rat.     

Role of Quantitative Electroencephalography,Neurotherapy, and Neuroplasticity in Recovery from Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders

Introduction. Until recently, patients with brain injuries had poor prognosis for recovery, but new insights into neuroplasticity and neurorehabilitation have significantly improved outcomes. Neurotherapy or neurofeedback is one of those promising techniques for neurorehabilitation.

Methods. Neurofeedback or EEG biofeedback, as it is also called, uses operant conditioning to reinforce desirable self-regulated changes in EEG rhythms, changes that are believed to correspond to reorganization in neural networks, particularly in thalamocortical and corticothalamic circuits. Sensorimotor rhythm reinforcement has been effective in facilitating recovery in patients with traumatic brain injury, stroke, seizures, and certain sleep disorders.

Results. We describe the case of a 19-year-old man with severe, partial secondarily generalized seizures that did not respond to extensive conventional treatments including all antiepilepsy drugs.

Conclusion. He underwent two 3-week sessions of daily neurotherapy, which produced remarkable EEG and behavioral normalization.     

Patient’s Rights: a Figment for Patients,a Threat to Surgeons!

The aim of this study is to compare our surgical results of parathyroidectomies in primary hyperparathyroidism with literature results. From 1985 until 1009, 167 patients were operated for primary hyperparathyroidism by bilateral central neck exploration. The sex ratio (women/men) is 4/1 and the middle age is 57 years old. We record clinical information, laboratory and radiological results of the preoperative period.

We count 158 adenomas, 5 parathyroid hyperplasias, two carcinomas and two parathyroid glands reported as normal. The morbidity rate was low (0.6%) and there was no mortality. With a mean follow-up of 6 years, the majority of symptoms and clinical signs improved after surgery, the parathyroid hormone level (PTH) and the calcaemia normalized in all patients except 4/166 (1.41%). Among twenty-four patients who go for a Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry test (DEXA), 16/14 (66.67%) demonstrated a lumbar spine bone mass increase and 15/14 (61.5%) a total hip bone mass increase. There was one recurrence of hyperparathyroidism due to a missed second adenoma in the mediastinum. In conclusion, the parathyroidectomy by bilateral neck exploration under general anesthesia in the treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism is a surgical technique associated with a high recovery rate and a low complications rate. A systematic study of the bone mass before and after parathyroidectomy should allow identification of the factors that are associated with the bone density increase of these patients.     

Asymptomatic seminal infection of herpes simplex virus:impact on male infertility

In more than half of infertile men,the cause of their infertility is unknown.Several studies revealed the role of viral infections in male infertility.The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) and HSV-2 in semen from asymptomatic infertile male patients,and its association with altered semen parameters.A total of 70 semen samples were collected from infertile men who attended the Research and Clinical Center for Infertility in Yazd,Iran.Semen analysis and diagnostic real-time PCR using specific primers and probes for HSV-1 and HSV-2 DNA were performed.Comparison of semen parameters between virally infected and non-infected samples were performed with independent t-test and Mann-Whitney test.Semen analysis showed that infertile men fell into two groups,the male factor group and the unexplained group.HSV-1 and HSV-2 DNA was detected in 16 (22.9%) and 10 (14.3%) of 70 semen samples,respectively.All HSV-positive samples had abnormal semen parameters (the male factor group).Although HSV infection was not associated with sperm motility and morphological defects,it was correlated with lower sperm count in the seminal fluid.The findings suggest that asymptomatic seminal infection of HSV plays an important role in male infertility by adversely affecting sperm count.     

乙型肝炎血清标志物和HBV-DNA载量相关性分析

目的 探讨乙肝血清标志物与病毒DNA水平之间的相关性.方法 采用实时荧光定量PCR对874例HBV感染者血清中HBV-DNA含量进行检测,同时运用ELISA法检测HBV血清标志物,并统计分析患者乙型肝炎血清标志物、病毒DNA之间的相关性及分布特点.结果 在受检的874例标本中,男性533例,阳性率58.16％ （310/533）;女性341例,阳性率50.44％（172/341）,男性和女性阳性率比较差异有统计学意义（X2=5.01,P＜0.05）,男性和女性HBV-DNA水平差异无统计学意义（t =0.117,P=0.907）.乙肝总阳性率和HBV-DNA水平均随年龄的增长呈下降趋势,不同年龄组间比较差异有统计学意义.同一年龄段的大三阳与小三阳、两头阳和三抗阳之间比较差异有统计学意义;其中男性和女性HBV-DNA水平随年龄增长均呈下降趋势,差异有统计学意义.≤20岁以下人群HBV-DNA阳性率最高达82.86％.结论 HBV-DNA阳性率和HBV-DNA水平都随年龄增长呈下降趋势,其中≤20岁年龄段HBV-DNA阳性率最高达82.86％;男性HBV-DNA的阳性率高于女性.     

2010-2012年南京市呼吸道冠状病毒流行病学特征分析

目的 分析2010年11月至2012年10月南京地区4个型别冠状病毒流行病学特征.方法 采集江苏省人民医院与南京医科大学第二附属医院流感样(influenza-like illness,ILI)病例咽拭子标本,并收集患者相关信息,利用RT-PCR方法进行检测,应用SPSS 17.0对数据进行统计分析.结果 1233例标本中,冠状病毒核酸阳性者共有115份(总阳性率9.33％),主要为229E型(36.52％,42/115)、OC43型(29.57％,34/115)与HKU1型(25.22％,29/115).2010-2012年不同年份间,冠状病毒229E型、HKU1型与NL63型阳性率有统计学差异(229E亚型:X2=18.072,P＜0.001;HKU1亚型:X2 =22.091,P＜0.001;NL63亚型:X2 =6.470,P=0.039).结论 南京地区冬季为冠状病毒流行高峰期,夏季为低谷期,春秋季小高峰趋势不明显.2010-2012年南京地区人呼吸道冠状病毒主要流行亚型为229E型、OC43型与HKU1型.不同年份冠状病毒主要流行亚型存在一定差异.