Anesthetics attenuate ischemia–reperfusion induced renal injury: Effects and mechanisms

Acute kidney injury (AKI) secondary to ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI) is a major cause of patient morbidity and mortality in the perioperative period. It can lead to new onset of chronic kidney disease and accelerate its progression. Patients with risk factors undergoing cardiac, vascular, and liver transplantation surgeries, which may inevitably involve IRI, are more susceptible to AKI. Anesthetic agents have been postulated to possess renoprotective properties. Thus, exploring the utilization of selective perioperative anesthetic agents with renoprotective properties may be a promising avenue to reduce the risk of AKI. This review discusses the effects and mechanisms of dexmedetomidine, inhalational and intravenous anesthetics, and xenon-mediated renoprotection. Although the renoprotective effects of these agents obtained in the laboratory are promising, much work especially via clinical trials is required to determine the translational value from the bench to the bedside.     

Molecular tools for identification of Zygomycetes and the diagnosis of zygomycosis

The identification of Zygomycetes and diagnosis of zygomycosis are notoriously difficult. However, there have been recent advances, particularly in the availability and evaluation of new molecular approaches. Two main issues are of importance: the identification to species level of a strain isolated in culture, and the identification of a zygomycete in tissues. By using several molecular targets and by increasing the number of available DNA sequences in international databases, several studies have shown that accurate molecular identification of Zygomycetes to species level is feasible. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region may be used as a first-line molecular target for the identification of Zygomycetes in pure culture. However, cultures from infected tissues are often negative and the different Zygomycetes share similar morphology according to histopathology. Furthermore, differentiation of a zygomycete from another hyalohyphomycete can sometimes be difficult in histopathology. Thus, alternative methods for the diagnosis of zygomycosis and for species identification directly from tissues are needed. For this purpose, molecular methods have been recently evaluated, both on unfixed fresh/frozen material and on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded biopsies. This review discusses the molecular approaches currently available for the identification of Zygomycetes and the diagnosis of zygomycosis.     

视网膜细胞瘤的研究进展

视网膜细胞瘤是发生于视网膜组织的一种良性肿瘤。该病自1982年由Gallie等首次描述，迄今人们对其认识日渐加深。越来越多的临床和组织病理学研究提示，视网膜细胞瘤可能是视网膜母细胞瘤（RB）的早期转化阶段或是RB的一种类型，且由于该病早期无明显的临床症状，因而难以发现。因此认为通过对RB患者的亲属进行随访和筛查，以便早期发现、早期诊断和早期干预视网膜细胞瘤对于防止和阻断其向恶性肿瘤的转化进程具有重要的临床意义。收集国内外关于视网膜细胞瘤的研究和报道，对视网膜细胞瘤的命名变迁、临床表现、病理特征、分子机制研究及遗传学特点等方面进行综述。     

Imaging features of automated breast volume scanner: Correlation with molecular subtypes of breast cancer

ObjectivesTo investigate the correlation between the imaging features obtained by an automated breast volume scanner (ABVS) and molecular subtypes of breast cancer.MethodsWe examined 303 malignant breast tumours by ABVS for specific imaging features and by immunohistochemical analysis to determine the molecular subtype. ABVS imaging features, including retraction phenomenon, shape, margins, echogenicity, post-acoustic features, echogenic halo, and calcifications were analysed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to determine the significant predictive factors of the molecular subtypes.ResultsBy univariate logistic regression analysis, the predictive factors of the Luminal-A subtype (n = 128) were retraction phenomenon (odds ratio [OR] = 10.188), post-acoustic shadowing (OR = 5.112), and echogenic halo (OR = 3.263, P < 0.001). The predictive factors of the Human-epidermal-growth-factor-receptor-2-amplified subtype (n = 39) were calcifications (OR = 6.210), absence of retraction phenomenon (OR = 4.375), non-mass lesions (OR = 4.286, P < 0.001), absence of echogenic halo (OR = 3.851, P = 0.035), and post-acoustic enhancement (OR = 3.641, P = 0.008). The predictors for the Triple-Negative subtype (n = 47) were absence of retraction phenomenon (OR = 5.884), post-acoustic enhancement (OR = 5.255, P < 0.001), absence of echogenic halo (OR = 4.138, P = 0.002), and absence of calcifications (OR = 3.363, P = 0.001). Predictors for the Luminal-B subtype (n = 89) had a relatively lower association (OR ≤ 2.328). By multivariate logistic regression analysis, retraction phenomenon was the strongest independent predictor for the Luminal-A subtype (OR = 9.063, P<0.001) when present and for the Triple-Negative subtype (OR = 4.875, P<0.001) when absent.ConclusionsABVS imaging features, especially retraction phenomenon, have a strong correlation with the molecular subtypes, expanding the scope of ultrasound in identifying breast cancer subtypes with confidence.     

Genetic structure and variability of virus populations in cross-protected grapevines superinfected by Grapevine fanleaf virus

Recombination was assessed in a vineyard site in which grapevines cross-protected with mild strains GHu of Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV) or Ta of Arabis mosaic virus (ArMV) were superinfected with GFLV field isolates following transmission by the nematode vector Xiphinema index. The genetic structure and variability within RNA2 of isolates from grapevines co-infected with GFLV field isolates and either GFLV-GHu or ArMV-Ta were characterized to identify intra- and interspecies recombinants. Sequence analysis and phylogenetic relationships inferred intraspecies recombination among GFLV field isolates but not between field isolates and GFLV-GHu. SISCAN analysis confirmed a mosaic structure for two GFLV field isolates for which recombination sites were located in the movement protein and coat protein genes. One of the recombinants was found in eight grapevines that were in close spatial proximity within the vineyard site, suggesting its transmission by X. index. No interspecies recombination was detected between GFLV field isolates and ArMV-Ta. Altogether, our findings suggest that mild protective strains GFLV-GHu and ArMV-Ta did not assist the emergence of viable recombinants to detectable level during a 12-year cross-protection trial. To our knowledge, this is the first extensive characterization of the genetic structure and variability of virus isolates in cross-protected plants.     

Gabapentin for Cough in Cancer

Cough is a common problem among cancer patients, especially lung cancer patients. Gabapentin has been shown to be effective in reducing cough number and severity in patients with idiopathic refractory cough. The authors report here the successful use of gabapentin at usual doses to treat cough in cancer patients, including two with lung cancer, with minimal side effects. Gabapentin may be a useful addition to the symptom management toolbox for palliation of cancer symptoms.     

Molecular identification of coliform bacteria from colicky breastfed infants

Objective:  To determine the presence of intestinal coliform bacteria in colicky vs healthy infants.
Study design:  We isolated coliform strains from faeces and performed quantitative bacterial cultures in 41 colicky and 39 healthy breastfed infants, identified using PCR with species-specific primers, strain-specific Automated Ribotyping and the API-50E kit for Enterobacteriaceae to identify the most frequent strains.
Results:  Coliform strains were more abundant in colicky infants (median 6.04 log₁₀ CFU/g faeces, range 2.00–8.76) vs controls (median 4.47 log₁₀ CFU/g faeces, range 1.00–8.08) (p = 0.026). Escherichia coli , Klebsiella pneumoniae , K. oxytoca , Enterobacter cloacae , E. aerogenes and Enterococcus faecalis were the predominant species in colicky and healthy infants. The counts of each bacterial species differed between the two groups, and the difference was significant (p = 0.002) for E. coli : median 6.30 log₁₀ CFU/g faeces (range 3.00–8.74) in colicky infants, and median 4.70 log₁₀ CFU/g faeces (range 2.00–5.85) in controls.
Conclusions:  This is the first study to evaluate the colonization patterns of gas-forming coliforms in colicky infants and healthy controls identified by molecular methods. Coliform bacteria, particularly Escherichia coli, were found to be more abundant in colicky infants. Our data could help to shed light on the cause of infantile colic.     

保健灸法抗衰老的作用及应用

根据当代对人体衰老机制的认识并结合现代医学实验研究，深入探讨了保健灸法对人体的作用及其应用。认为保健灸法可增强人体抵抗疾病和抗衰老的能力，从而达到防病保健和延年益寿的目的。     

Highly temperature dependent mass-transport parameters for ORR in Nafion® 211

Nafion® 211 differs from previous versions of Nafion in that the membrane is cast from a dispersion rather than being melt-extruded. As such, the water sorption properties are different, as is the rate of increase in water content with temperature. Kinetic and mass-transport parameters for dispersion-cast Nafion® 211 were determined using solid-state electrochemistry in the temperature range 30–70 °C, 100% relative humidity, and 30 psi oxygen pressure. Exchange current densities, Tafel slopes, and transfer coefficients for ORR in Nafion® 211, are similar to those observed in Nafion® 117; mass-transport parameters are not. At 30 °C and 100% RH oxygen solubility and the diffusion coefficient is determined to be 1.16 × 10⁻⁵ mol cm⁻³ and 1.13 × 10⁻⁶ cm² s⁻¹, respectively. Oxygen permeability at 30 °C (1.28 × 10⁻¹¹ mol cm⁻¹ s⁻¹) is lower than in Nafion® 117 (5.31 × 10⁻¹¹ mol cm⁻¹ s⁻¹) by factor of 4, while at T > 60 °C the permeability of Nafion® 211 increases significantly to values higher than Nafion® 117, and is correlated with the increase in water content and hydration number (λ) with temperature.