Toxocarosis in children: poor hygiene habits and contact with dogs is related to longer treatment

Parasitology Research - The objective of this study was to investigate the main clinical signs and symptoms of toxocarosis in children and the treatment results. The study group consisted of 66...     

Aggregation of biologically important peptides and proteins: inhibition or acceleration depending on protein and metal ion concentrations

The process of aggregation of proteins and peptides is dependent on the concentration of proteins, and the rate of aggregation can be altered by the presence of metal ions, but this dependence is not always a straightforward relationship. In general, aggregation does not occur under normal physiological conditions, yet it can be induced in the presence of certain metal ions. However, the extent of the influence of metal ion interactions on protein aggregation has not yet been fully comprehended. A consensus has thus been difficult to reach because the acceleration/inhibition of the aggregation of proteins in the presence of metal ions depends on several factors such as pH and the concentration of the aggregated proteins involved as well as metal concentration level of metal ions. Metal ions, like Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺etc. may either accelerate or inhibit aggregation simply because the experimental conditions affect the behavior of biomolecules. It is clear that understanding the relationship between metal ion concentration and protein aggregation will prove useful for future scientific applications. This review focuses on the dependence of the aggregation of selected important biomolecules (peptides and proteins) on metal ion concentrations. We review proteins that are prone to aggregation, the result of which can cause serious neurodegenerative disorders. Furthering our understanding of the relationship between metal ion concentration and protein aggregation will prove useful for future scientific applications, such as finding therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.

The process of aggregation of proteins and peptides is dependent on the concentration of proteins, and the rate of aggregation can be altered by the presence of metal ions, but this dependence is not always a straightforward relationship.     

Repeat angioplasty of the left anterior descending coronary artery due to restenosis. How many times could we do it?

Coronary angioplasty is widely accepted method of myocardium revascularisation. Repeat restenosis is often an indication for surgical treatment. Unfortunately, some patients are not treated surgically for various reasons. This leads to major therapeutic problems. We present a case of a 79-year-old female with repeat angioplasty done 6 times to the left anterior descending artery due to acute coronary syndromes in a 4-year period. The patient did not agree to recommended surgical treatment. We observed gradually deteriorating left ventricular function. The patient finally agreed to surgery, but left ventricle injury added to other clinical problems resulted in disqualification from operation.     

PSD-95 in CA1 Area Regulates Spatial Choice Depending on Age

Cognitive processes that require spatial information rely on synaptic plasticity in the dorsal CA1 area (dCA1) of the hippocampus. Since the function of the hippocampus is impaired in aged individuals, it remains unknown how aged animals make spatial choices. Here, we used IntelliCage to study behavioral processes that support spatial choices of aged female mice living in a group. As a proxy of training-induced synaptic plasticity, we analyzed the morphology of dendritic spines and the expression of a synaptic scaffold protein, PSD-95. We observed that spatial choice training in young adult mice induced correlated shrinkage of dendritic spines and downregulation of PSD-95 in dCA1. Moreover, long-term depletion of PSD-95 by shRNA in dCA1 limited correct choices to a reward corner, while reward preference was intact. In contrast, old mice used behavioral strategies characterized by an increased tendency for perseverative visits and social interactions. This strategy resulted in a robust preference for the reward corner during the spatial choice task. Moreover, training decreased the correlation between PSD-95 expression and the size of dendritic spines. Furthermore, PSD-95 depletion did not impair place choice or reward preference in old mice. Thus, our data indicate that while young mice require PSD-95-dependent synaptic plasticity in dCA1 to make correct spatial choices, old animals observe cage mates and stick to a preferred corner to seek the reward. This strategy is resistant to the depletion of PSD-95 in the CA1 area. Overall, our study demonstrates that aged mice combine alternative behavioral and molecular strategies to approach and consume rewards in a complex environment.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT It remains poorly understood how aging affects behavioral and molecular processes that support cognitive functions. It is, however, essential to understand these processes to develop therapeutic interventions that support successful cognitive aging. Our data indicate that while young mice require PSD-95-dependent synaptic plasticity in dCA1 to make correct spatial choices (i.e., choices that require spatial information), old animals observe cage mates and stick to a preferred corner to seek the reward. This strategy is resistant to the depletion of PSD-95 in the CA1 area. Overall, our study demonstrates that aged mice combine alternative behavioral and molecular strategies to approach and consume rewards in a complex environment. Second, the contribution of PSD-95-dependent synaptic functions in spatial choice changes with age.     

Shared decision making in surgery: A scoping review of the literature

BackgroundShared decision making (SDM) has been increasingly implemented to improve health‐care outcomes. Despite the mixed efficacy of SDM to provide better patient‐guided care, its use in surgery has not been studied. The aim of this study was to systematically review SDM application in surgery.DesignThe search strategy, developed with a medical librarian, included nine databases from inception until June 2019. After a 2‐person title and abstract screen, full‐text publications were analysed. Data collected included author, year, surgical discipline, location, study duration, type of decision aid, survey methodology and variable outcomes. Quantitative and qualitative cross‐sectional studies, as well as RCTs, were included.ResultsA total of 6060 studies were retrieved. A total of 148 were included in the final review. The majority of the studies were in plastic surgery, followed by general surgery and orthopaedics. The use of SDM decreased surgical intervention rate (12 of 22), decisional conflict (25 of 29), and decisional regret (5 of 5), and increased decisional satisfaction (17 of 21), knowledge (33 of 35), SDM preference (13 of 16), and physician trust (4 of 6). Time increase per patient encounter was inconclusive. Cross‐sectional studies showed that patients prefer shared treatment and surgical treatment varied less. The results of SDM per type of decision aid vary in terms of their outcome.ConclusionSDM in surgery decreases decisional conflict, anxiety and surgical intervention rates, while increasing knowledge retained decisional satisfaction, quality and physician trust. Surgical patients also appear to prefer SDM paradigms. SDM appears beneficial in surgery and therefore worth promoting and expanding in use.     

Biological significance of the different erythropoietic factors secreted by normal human early erythroid cells

Evidence is accumulating that autocrine/paracrine regulatory mechanisms play an important role in regulating normal hematopoiesis. To support this, various growth factors, cytokines and chemokines are expressed and secreted by normal early and differentiated hematopoietic cells. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the identification and understanding of the role of autocrine/paracrine axes in normal human erythropoiesis. We will also address a biological significance of the secretion of (i) metalloproteinases which in addition to growth factors and cytokines are secreted by normal erythroid cells and (ii) membrane-derived microvesicles (MV), that are shed from the surface of maturating erythroblasts/reticulocytes, and as we postulate may also play a role in intercellular communication. We hypothesize that all these factors together play an important role in a crosstalk between erythroid cells and their environment. A better understanding of intercellular crosstalk operating in normal erythropoiesis and of the mechanisms regulating synthesis of these endogenously produced factors may allow us to develop more efficient therapeutic strategies to treat various erythropoietic disorders.