The role of mast cell activation in cholestatic pruritus

Jaundiced patients experience intense pruritus, the pathophysiology of which is unclear. In this study, blood histamine concentrations, skin mast cell counts and intracellular histamine concentrations in peritoneal mast cells were examined in an experimental model of biliary obstruction. Three weeks after bile duct ligation (BDL), total blood histamine concentrations were significantly elevated compared with those from control animals (p<0.0001). skin=" mast=" cell=" counts=" were=" increased=">p<0.05) and=" peritoneal=" mast=" cell=" histamine=" content=" decreased=">p<0.05) in=" jaundiced=" animals.=" these=" results=" demonstrate=" that=" mast=" cells=" degranulate=" in=" biliary=" obstruction=" with=" consequent=" release=" of=" histamine=" into=" the=" systemic=" circulation.=" this=" may=" contribute=" to=" cholestatic=" pruritus.=" these=" data=" may=" have=" significant=" pharmacological=" implications=" in=" patients=" with=" obstructive=">     

The protective effect of α-hederin,the active constituent of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nigella sativa</Emphasis>, on tracheal responsiveness and lung inflammation in ovalbumin-sensitized guinea pigs

Many investigations have demonstrated the prophylactic effect of Nigella sativa on asthma disease. One of its active constituents is α-hederin. In the present study, the preventive effect of two different concentrations of α-hederin on tracheal responsiveness and lung inflammation in ovalbumin-sensitized guinea pigs was examined. Forty male adult Dunkin-Hartley guinea pigs were randomly divided into the control (C), sensitized (S) and sensitized pretreated groups with thymoquinone (3 mg/kg i.p., S + TQ), low-dose α-hederin (0.3 mg/kg i.p., S + LAH) and high-dose α-hederin (3 mg/kg i.p., S + HAH). The responsiveness of tracheal smooth muscle (TR) to methacholine, histamine and ovalbumin was assessed. Moreover, total and differential white blood cell counts in lung lavage fluid were examined. Compared with the S group, the mean EC50 value in the S + LAH group increased significantly (p < 0.05). The mean EC50 value of histamine contraction in the S + LAH and S + HAH groups was significantly higher than in the S group (p < 0.05). In all pretreated groups, the TR to ovalbumin decreased in comparison to the S group (p < 0.001). Both the S + HAH and S + LAH groups showed significantly decreased TR compared to the S + TQ group (p < 0.01–p < 0.01). Total WBC and eosinophil counts in all pretreated groups decreased significantly in comparison with the S group (0.001–0.01). There was a significant increase in neutrophil, lymphocyte and monocyte counts in the pretreated groups compared to the S group (p < 0.001–p < 0.05). The basophil count in the S + TQ and S + HAH groups was significantly lower than in the S group (p < 0.01–p < 0.05). This study suggested that α-hederin has anti-inflammatory and bronchodilatory effects like thymoquinone.     

Adverse reactions to drugs: in vitro studies with isolated cells

Objective and design:Drug-induced adverse reactions can be allergic or pseudoallergic in nature, in this study the histamine releasing ability of 4 radiographic contrast media and 2 opioid analgesics was tested on a variety of mast cell containing cell suspensions. Material:Mast cell containing cell suspensions were obtained from porcine lung, liver, kidneys and heart, as well as rat lung and rat peritoneal lavage. Treatment:Cells were incubated for 10 min with Angiographin® (amidotrizoate), Hexabrix® (ioxaglate), Rayvist® (ioglycate) or Telebrix® (ioxithalamate) all 10-500 μl/ml or with levomethadone (0.1–5 mM) or pethidine (0–10 mM). Methods:Histamine was measured using an automated fluorometric method and percentage histamine release calculated. Results:All agents caused histamine release from porcine cells and rat lung cells. However, rat peritoneal mast cells were refractory to the action of pethidine. Cardiac cells were the most sensitive to the radiographic contrast media but the least sensitive to the opioid analgesics. Conclusions:The data indicate that mast cells isolated from animal models can provide an indication of those agents likely to induce an adverse pseudoallergic reaction. However, these data should be used together with those obtained from human mast cells, in vivo animal experiments as well as studies using human volunteers and clinical trials as advocated in the Marburg Model.     

Increased numbers of circulating basophils with decreased releasability after administration of rhG-CSF to allergic patients

Preliminary studies in hematological patients have indicated that treatment with rhG-CSF reduces basophil releasabilityex vivo. We examined this phenomenon further, in allergic patients. Ten patients with grass pollen rhinoconjunctivitis were given rhG-CSF (5 μg/kg/day s.c.) for 5 days, and examined before and after treatment. Basophil counts increased from 5 to 19×10⁹/l (P<0.01). Total blood histamine increased from 80 to 160 μg/l (P<0.01), corresponding to a decrease in average basophil histamine content from 1.5 to 0.81 pg/cell (P<0.01). Isolated mononuclear cells showed a significantly decreased histamine release (HR) when stimulated with A23187 and grass. Whole blood experiments showed a similar decreased HR to grass and anti-IgE (P<0.01). However, we found an increase in total blood histamine. We conclude that treatment with rhG-CSF (1) increases the number of circulating blood basophils, (2) reduces the average histamine content per basophil, and (3) reduces the basophil releasability. These findings could be due to the mobilization of immature basophils from the bone marrow.     

Bactibilia in diseases of the biliary tract and pancreatic gland in patients older than 80 years: a STROBE-retrospective cohort study in a teaching hospital in Italy

Bile is a lipid-rich sterile solution produced in the liver that can be infected resulting in bactibilia. A higher incidence of postoperative infectious complications has been seen in patients with bactibilia. Recently, gram-negative bacteria have been linked to a tumor-associated inflammatory status. This study is a retrospective cohort study of 39 patients, who are over 80 years of age only (53.85% males and 46.15% females), hospitalized with diseases of the biliopancreatic system in one teaching hospital in Italy from January 2011 to December 2012 with a follow-up of 5 years. The most common biliary diseases after surgery were pancreatic head cancer (p?<?0.0001) and gallbladder cancer (p?=?0.0051), while the most common bacteria in the bile were E. coli (p?=?0.0180) and Pseudomonas spp. (p?<?0.0001). Uni- and multivariate linear correlation analysis revealed that patients with pancreatic head cancer had low survival times compared to patients with other diseases. Moreover, the bacterium type was a positive predictor of survival time compared to other variables. Our data confirm E. coli as a pathogen in patients with gallbladder and pancreatic cancer. Although the influence of bactibilia in developing surgical complications is limited, we consider that its composition is crucial to properly address the antibiotic treatment in biliary tract infections, especially in the elderly.     

Effect of Kalpaamruthaa on immunosuppression of both humoral and cell-mediated immunity in DMBA-induced mammary tumours of rats

The present study was carried out to elucidate the protective effect of Kalpaamruthaa on improving 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced immunosuppression of both humoral and cell-mediated immunity in mammary carcinoma-induced rats. Breast cancer was induced in rats by administering DMBA orally (25 mg/rat) as a single dose. After 90 days of induction, SA (200 mg/kg body weight) and KA (300 mg/kg body weight) were administered for 14 days, by gastric intubation. Several immunotoxicological assays such as T cell rosette delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) response, migration inhibition factor (MIF) assay, lymphocyte proliferation assay, plaque forming cell (PFC) assay and haemagglutination assay, plaque forming cell (PFC) assay, serum soluble immune complex and cytokine production, T and B cell mitogenesis induced by Con A and nonspecific cell-mediated immunity were evaluated using phagocytosis activity and NBT reduction. In cancer-induced animals (group II), the leukocyte migration inhibition declined markedly (p?<?0.001), the levels of cytokines IFN-γ and IL-2 were significantly decreased (p?<?0.001) and also the antibody titre level (p?<?0.001) was significantly reduced when compared with control rats. A marked decline in PFC (p?<?0.001) and serum soluble immune complex (PEG) formation (p?<?0.001) was also observed. Hence, the present study clearly demonstrates the immunoprotective effect of KA.     

Gasterophilosis in horses in Sardinia (Italy): effect of meteorological variables on adult egg-laying activity and presence of larvae in the digestive tract,and update of species

Gasterophilus larvae are common obligate parasites of the digestive tract of the equids. Horses become infected with this parasite by ingesting the larvae hatched from eggs laid by the female flies. In this study carried out monthly, we (i) counted the Gasterophilus eggs deposited by female flies on the coat of 30 grazing horses, (ii) counted and identified the Gasterophilus larvae retrieved from the digestive tract of 128 slaughtered horses, and (iii) compared these results to meteorological data. Eggs were deposited on all monitored horses, and were present from October to January and from May to September, whereas they were absent from February to April. The number of laid eggs was significantly different between the months, body regions, genders, and age classes (p?<?0.05). Larvae were recovered in 112 (87.5 %) horses, and 6 species of Gasterophilus were identified. The prevailing species were Gasterophilus intestinalis (recovered in 110 horses; 85.9 %) and Gasterophilus nasalis (69 horses; 53.9 %), recovered in all months. Gasterophilus inermis (5 horses; 3.9 %), Gasterophilus pecorum (3 horses; 2.3 %), Gasterophilus haemorrhoidalis (3 horses; 2.3 %)¸ and Gasterophilus meridionalis (2 horses; 1.6 %) larvae were also found. Significant differences were found among monthly larval burdens for both Gasterophilus spp. and G. intestinalis (p?<?0.05), but not for G. nasalis (p?>?0.05). Larval burdens and prevalences did not differed significantly between both genders and age classes (p?>?0.05). Monthly eggs and larvae trends were not significantly correlated (p?>?0.05). With regard to the meteorological variables, minimum air temperature was significantly correlated with the eggs trend (rho?=?1.000; p?<?0.001) and maximum air temperature with the Gasterophilus spp. (rho?=?0.972; p?<?0.001) and G. intestinalis (rho?=?0.972; p?<?0.001) larvae trends. In addition, the number of hours with a temperature below +10 °C was significantly correlated with G. intestinalis larvae trend (rho?=?0.602; p?<?0.05). Our findings confirmed that in Sardinia, Gasterophilosis is an important parasitosis in the horses, and it needs more attention and extensive and/or correct treatment to reduce its prevalence.     

Palliative enteral feeding for patients with malignant esophageal obstruction: a retrospective study

Background

Malignant esophageal obstruction leads to dysphagia, deterioration in quality of life, and malnutrition. Traditional bedside nasogastric (NG) tube placement is very difficult under these circumstances. However, endoscopically assisted NG tube placement under fluoroscopic guidance could be an alternative option for establishing palliative enteral nutrition. This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of enteral tube feeding and esophageal stenting for patients with malignant esophageal obstruction and a short life expectancy.

Methods

Thirty-one patients were divided into 3 groups according to their treatment modality: NG tube (n?=?12), esophageal stent group (n?=?10), and supportive care with nil per os (NPO) (n?=?9). Enteral nutrition, clinical outcomes, length of hospital stay, and median survival were evaluated.

Results

There were no significant baseline differences among the groups, except in age. The tube and stent groups had significantly higher enteral calorie intake (p?=?0.01), higher serum albumin (p?<?0.01), shorter hospital stay (p?=?0.01), and longer median survival (p?<?0.01) than the NPO group. The incidence of dislodgement in the tube group was significantly higher than in the stent group (58 % vs. 20 %, respectively; p?=?0.01). However, stenting costs more than NG tube placement.

Conclusions

Palliative enteral feeding by NG tube is safe, inexpensive, and has a low complication rate. Endoscopically assisted NG tube placement under fluoroscopic guidance could be a feasible palliative option for malignant esophageal obstruction for patients who have a short life expectancy.

     

Fungi predatory activity on embryonated <Emphasis Type="Italic">Toxocara canis</Emphasis> eggs inoculated in domestic chickens (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Gallus gallus domesticus</Emphasis>) and destruction of second stage larvae

The objective of this study was to evaluate the infectivity of Toxocara canis eggs after interacting with isolated nematophagous fungi of the species Duddingtonia flagrans (AC001) and Pochonia chlamydosporia (VC4), and test the predatory activity of the isolated AC001 on T. canis second stage larvae after 7 days of interaction. In assay A, 5000 embryonated T. canis eggs previously in contact with the AC001 and VC4 isolated for 10 days were inoculated into domestic chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus), and then these animals were necropsied to collect material (digested liver, intestine, muscles and lungs) at 3-, 7-, 14-, and 21-day intervals after inoculation. In assay A, the results demonstrated that the prior interaction of the eggs with isolated AC001 and VC4 decreases the amount of larvae found in the collected organs. Difference (p?<?0.01) was observed in the medium larvae counts recovered from liver, lung, intestine, and muscle of animals in the treated groups when compared to the animals in the control group. At the end of assay A, a percentage reduction of 87.1 % (AC001) and 84.5 % (VC4) respectively was recorded. In the result of assay B, the isolated AC001 showed differences (p?<?0.01) compared to the control group, with a reduction of 53.4 % in the recovery of L₂. Through these results, it is justified to mention that prior interaction of embryonated T. canis eggs with the tested fungal isolates were efficient in reducing the development and migration of this parasite, in addition to the first report of proven predatory activity on L₂.     

The predictor of mortality outcome in adult patients with Ebola virus disease during the 2014–2015 outbreak in Guinea

The purpose of this study was to examine the association of any demographic and clinical factors with mortality outcome among adult patients with Ebola virus disease (EVD) in Guinea. This retrospective observational study analyzed medical records of laboratory confirmed EVD adult patients during the 2014–2015 EVD outbreak in Guinea. The associations between any demographic or clinical variables and mortality outcome of EVD were assessed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Of 2,310 EVD adult patients included for analysis, the overall case fatality rate was 68.1%. Univariate analyses identified factors possibly associated with mortality outcome, including patient age (p?<?0.001), history of visiting or close contact with a suspected or confirmed EVD patient (p?=?0.035), and seven clinical symptoms on admission, i.e., fever (p?=?0.003), hiccups (p?<?0.001), vomiting (p?=?0.003), diarrhea (p?<?0.001), cough (p?=?0.001), sore throat (p?=?0.016), and unexplained bleeding (p?=?0.021). The multivariate analysis showed that patient age was independently associated with mortality outcome of EVD (OR?=?1.06; 95%CI?=?1.03–1.09; p?<?0.001), while none the of clinical symptoms on admission were significantly associated with the mortality outcome. Our analysis indicates that older age was the only independent factor associated with death among EVD adult patients in Guinea. This suggests that older EVD patients should receive intensive medical care and be carefully monitored.     

Effects of dust particles on body weight and some haematological parameters in rats in Maiduguri metropolis,Nigeria

Maiduguri metropolis in Northern Nigeria is a typical Sahel region characterized by dry hot climate for a greater part of the year during which dust pollution is a major concern with regard to human and animal health. In order to understand some effects of prolonged dust exposure, this study investigated the effects of dust exposure on body weight and some haematological parameters of rats in Maiduguri metropolis. Sixty (60) rats of both sexes were used for the study. The rats were randomly divided into two groups of 30 rats each and designated groups I and II, being the experimental and control groups respectively. Rats in group I were exposed to dust concentration of 477 mg/m³ for 3 h per day for 10 weeks consecutively, while those in group II were confined to normal ambient air, dust concentration of 243 mg/m³ for the same period of time. The result of the investigation showed a significant (p?<?0.05) decrease in red blood cell (RBC), packed cell volume (PCV) and haemoglobin (Hb) concentration from week 4 onwards. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) increased significantly (p?<?0.05) from week 4 onwards. Mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and MCH concentration (MCHC) did not vary significantly (p?<?0.05) throughout the study period. Total white blood cell (TWBC) counts increased significantly (p?<?0.05) in the experimental group. This increase was characterized by neutrophilia, eosinophilia and monocytosis. There were, however, no significant (p?>?0.05) variations in lymphocyte counts. This study has shown that prolonged exposure of mammals (using rats as a model) to dust particles has adverse haematological consequences such as anemia and hypoxia, which predispose the animal to serious health challenges and even death.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Mycoplasma hominis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gardnerella vaginalis</Emphasis> display a significant synergistic relationship in bacterial vaginosis

Gardnerella vaginalis plays an important role in bacterial vaginosis (BV,) while the role of genital Mollicutes is less obvious. The diagnosis of BV by use of the current Gram stain Nugent score is also suboptimal for defining the role of Mollicutes that lack a cell wall. Since bacterial load and diversity is an important prerequisite for BV, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays enable these to be assessed. The purpose of this study was to define the role of genital Mollicutes and potential patterns of synergy with G. vaginalis in women with BV. Vaginal swabs from 130 women categorised by Nugent score as BV (n?=?28), intermediate (n?=?22) and non-BV (n?=?80) were tested against four qPCR TaqMan assays targeting G. vaginalis, Mycoplasma hominis, M. genitalium, Ureaplasma urealyticum and U. parvum. Statistical analyses were used to compare bacterial prevalence and load between the three groups of women. Mycoplasma hominis and G. vaginalis co-infection was significantly more common in BV (60.7 %) compared to intermediate (36.4 %) and non-BV (8.8 %) Nugent scores (p?<?0.001). Significantly higher loads of M. hominis (p?=?0.001) and G. vaginalis (p?<?0.001) were detected in women with BV and the respective loads in M. hominis and G. vaginalis co-infections displayed a significant positive correlation (p?<?0.001; r?=?0.60). No significant associations were seen with the other Mollicutes. The findings strengthen the evidence of a role for M. hominis in BV and a potential synergy with G. vaginalis. This synergy could be an important trigger of the condition and sexual contact the conduit for the transmission of an otherwise commensal bacterium that could initiate it.     

Haematological and acute-phase response of dogs with experimental skin <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas aeruginosa</Emphasis> infection to treatment with antibiotic and parthenolide

Changes in white blood cells, leukogram patterns, the positive acute-phase protein (APP) fibrinogen and negative APPs (albumin and arylesterase) were monitored to evaluate their potential as sensitive indicators throughout the course of therapy in canine skin Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. The study was performed on 15 male mixed-breed dogs, divided in three groups of 5 dogs each. Dogs from group A were injected subcutaneously with P. aeruginosa bacterial culture (1?×?10⁸ CFU/mL) at a dose of 0.3 mL/kg and treated with enrofloxacin (5 mg/kg, s.c.) on post infection hour 48 for 10 consecutive days. Dogs from group B were infected and treated with a combination of enrofloxacin (at above-mentioned dose and intervals) and parthenolide (feverfew extract 90 mg, 0.7 % parthenolide). The schedule consisted of daily oral intake of two capsules of feverfew beginning on post infection hour 4 and continued for 6 days. The control group C included healthy dogs, injected s.c. with 0.3 mL/kg physiological saline. The haematological indices and APPs were assayed before infection and on 4th, 24th, 48th and 72nd hours and on 7th, 10th and 14th days after infection. Infected and antibiotic-treated dogs responded with significant leukocytosis, left shift, eosinopaenia and lymphopaenia between hours 24 and 72. In this group, fibrinogen increased substantially by post infection hours 24 (p?<?0.01 vs 0 h; p?<?0.05 vs group C), 48 (p?<?0.001 vs 0 h; p?<?0.05 vs group C) and 72 (p?<?0.001 vs 0 h; p?<?0.01 vs group C) while albumin reduction was marked by hours 48 (p?<?0.05 vs 0 h) and 72 (p?<?0.05 vs 0 h; p?<?0.001 vs group C) and day 7 (p?<?0.01 vs 0 h; p?<?0.001 vs group C). The combination of enrofloxacin and parthenolide modified, at a significant extent, the deviations in studied parameters except for eosinophil percentage, which persisted low.     

Influence of blood flow velocity on arterial distensibility of carotid artery in healthy men

Decreased distensibility of carotid artery is independently associated with the incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. Arterial distensibility is determined by vascular tone. Since shear stress is an important driving force of vasodilatory substances production form endothelial cells, we hypothesized that local basal (i.e., resting) arterial blood flow velocity is associated with regional arterial distensibility. To test this hypothesis, we determined the influence of local blood flow velocity on carotid arterial distensibility in cross-sectional study design. In a total of 73 apparent healthy men (18–64 years), carotid arterial properties, including measures of carotid arterial distensibility and BFV at rest, were evaluated via B-mode and Doppler ultrasound imaging and applanation tonometry system. Carotid arterial peak BFV and the absolute and normalized pulsatile BFV significantly correlated with age (r = ?0.453 to ?0.600, p < 0.0001), whereas mean and minimum BFV were not influenced by age. Distensibility coefficient of carotid artery correlated with peak BFV (r = 0.305, p < 0.01) and more strongly with pulsatile (i.e., systolic minus end-diastolic) BFV (r = 0.406, p < 0.0001) and the normalized pulsatile BFV by time-averaged velocity (r = 0.591, p < 0.0001). Multi-regression analysis revealed that age (β = ?0.57, p < 0.0001) was the primary independent determinant for distensibility coefficient. In addition with this, carotid lumen diameter (β = ?0.202, p < 0.01) and the normalized pulsatile BFV (β = 0.237, p < 0.05) were significant independent determinants of distensibility coefficient. Qualitatively similar results (although inverse in direction) were obtained by use of β-stiffness index. These results suggest that greater gradient of blood flow velocity during a cardiac cycle are favorably associated with distensibility of carotid artery.     

Women with familial risk for breast cancer have an increased frequency of aldehyde dehydrogenase expressing cells in breast ductules

Background

Knowledge is limited regarding the association between stem cells in histologically benign breast tissue and risk factors for breast cancer, and hence we addressed this issue in the present study. Recently, we assessed the histology of benign breast tissue from cancer and non-cancer patients for cells positive for the putative stem cell marker aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 A1 (ALDH), and the findings indicated an association between expression of ALDH and the hormonal factors menopause and hormone therapy. The current investigation examined possible associations between various known clinical and genetic risk factors for breast cancer and cellular expression of ALDH in ductules in benign human breast tissue.

Methods

The study included breast surgery patients that were BRCA1/2 mutation carriers without breast cancer (n?=?23), had BRCA1/2 (n?=?28) or sporadic (n?=?21) breast cancer, or required non-cancer-related mammoplasty (n?=?34). The distribution and frequency of ALDH-immunolabelled cells were correlated to patient subgroups with different risk factors, using mammoplasty patients as a control group. Statistical analyses comprised linear and logistic regression, Spearman’s rank test, Pearson’s test, and Fisher’s exact test. In two-tailed tests, p?<?0.05 was considered significant.

Results

A strong association was found between family history of breast cancer and a high frequency of ALDH+ cells (p?=?0.001) at all ductular levels in all groups, regardless of BRCA status, age, parity, or occurrence of cancer. In pre-menopausal non-BRCA cancer patients, the frequency of ALDH+ cells increased with age (p?<?0.01) but decreased with increasing parity (p?<?0.03). High frequencies of ALDH+ cells were found in the non-basal ductular levels in BRCA1 mutation carriers (p?=?0.03), but in the basal ductular level in BRCA2 cancer patients (p?=?0.02). Among post-menopausal patients, only on-going hormone replacement therapy was correlated with a high number of ALDH+ cells (p?<?0.03).

Conclusion

In histologically normal breast tissue, we found a positive association between the frequency of ductular ALDH+ cells and several breast cancer risk factors, particularly family history of this disease, which supports previous evidence that ALDH plays a role in breast cancer.

     

The Turning Point for Morphomechanical Remodeling During Complete Intestinal Obstruction in Rats Occurs After 12–24 h

Intestinal obstruction prompts luminal dilation and wall remodeling proximal to the site of obstruction. Studies on temporal and spatial morphomechanical remodeling are needed for comprehending the pathophysiology of acute intestinal obstruction. The aim was to estimate the no-load and zero-stress morphomechanical properties in circumferential and longitudinal direction at 0, 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 h after complete intestinal obstruction. Obstruction of the distal ileum was created surgically by placement of a polyethylene ring for up to 48 h in 30 rats. Sham and normal groups were also studied (n = 12). Five 6 cm-long intestinal segments proximal to the obstruction site were used for histological, morphometric and mechanical analysis at the designated times. Morphomechanical changes were huge but only subtle changes were observed between the 5 segments during the obstruction period. Due to dilation, the serosal length and mucosal length increased continuously from 6 to 48 h (p < 0.001). The wall area increased at 24 h and beyond (p < 0.001), demonstrating tissue growth. The opening and bending angle decreased to minimum values at 24 h where after the opening angle increased and the bending angle returned to pre-obstruction levels. For the residual stretch ratios and the position of the neutral axis the turning point was found after 24 h. Histologically, the thickness and area of most wall layers were quite stable for the first 12 h but with an increase at the 24 h time point that continued to the 48 h time point. The most pronounced change was found for the circumferential muscle layer (p < 0.05). Analysis of picrosirius red stained slides showed that submucosal type 3 collagen fraction increased significantly (p < 0.001), whereas the fraction of type 1 collagen decreased (p < 0.001). In conclusion, pronounced time-dependent morphomechanical remodeling was found. The obstructed intestine went from dilation remodeling to growth remodeling during the interval 12–24 h after creating the obstruction.     

Factors associated with serum CA19-9 levels among healthy children: a cross-sectional study

Background

CA19-9 is a tumor marker mainly used for biliary tract, pancreas and colorectum. Since the marker applies usually for adults, the normal range of serum CA19-9 among children has been rarely reported. This is the first study reporting the distribution of serum CA19-9 levels among cancer-free children as well as their parents, taking into account the Lewis and secretor gene polymorphism and physical growth.

Methods

Study subjects were 972 apparently healthy Japanese Brazilians including 476 children aged from 1 to 19 years.

Results

The comparisons in five-year age groups demonstrated that the mean values of serum CA19-9 was lower in the boys than in the girls, and higher in younger age groups; 22.5 U/ml for 1–4 year-old (n=13), 17.4 U/ml for 5–9 year-old (n=36), 15.5 U/ml for 10–14 year-old (n=96) and 10.2 U/ml for 15–19 year-old (n=74) in boys, and 25.3 U/ml (n=11), 27.1 U/ml (n=50), 17.7 U/ml (n=105) and 13.5 U/ml (n=59) in girls, respectively. The difference in those geometric means was statistically significant among four age groups (p=0.006, ANOVA adjusted for sex). After Lewis and secretor genotypes, which are definitive factors of serum CA19-9, were taken into account, geometric mean of serum CA19-9 was associated with any of BMI (p<0.001), height (p<0.001) and weight (p<0.001) among children excluding those with le/le genotype. The associations were still significant when age was adjusted.

Conclusions

Serum CA19-9 values were higher among children than among adults, and influenced by sex, height, weight, and BMI even after the adjustment for age as well as Le and Se genotypes.

     

Effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Citrullus vulgaris</Emphasis> on some functional indices of selected tissues of Wistar rats

Citrullus vulgaris (watermelon) is a fruit with prophylactic and therapeutic potentials. In an attempt to maximize these potentials, the seed and rind are now often consumed together with the pulp. This study aimed at evaluating the implications of such consumption. Study involved the use of 35 Wistar rats grouped into seven with a control group administered distilled water, and the other groups administered varying concentrations of the pulp and whole fruit for 28 days. Alanine and aspartate aminotransferase (ALT, AST) were assayed in the serum and liver. Total protein of the serum and selected tissues was determined and malondialdehyde (MDA) level measured. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of steroids, saponin, alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenoids in both whole fruit and pulp. Significant increases (p < 0.05) were seen in the liver ALT levels while there was a decreased (p < 0.05) intestinal total protein in the treatment groups. No significant (p ? 0.05) difference was seen in the serum and pancreas MDA levels while an increased (p < 0.05) intestinal MDA level was observed. Increased liver ALT levels in all the treatment groups might be due to high glutamate levels of C. vulgaris. Decreased (p ? 0.05) intestinal total protein might be indicative of protein loss, while elevated (p < 0.05) intestinal MDA levels in the groups administered whole fruit is suggestive of a defect in absorption at the intestinal epithelium. Hence, whole fruit consumption of C. vulgaris should be done with caution as it has potential to cause intestinal oxidative stress.     

Prognostic impact of hyperglycemia at onset of methicillin-sensitive <Emphasis Type="Italic">Staphylococcus aureus</Emphasis> bacteraemia

Previous reports have associated hyperglycemia to poor outcome among aged and comorbid Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (SAB) patients. However, the prognostic impact of hyperglycemia in SAB irrespective of age and underlying conditions including a diagnosis of diabetes has received little attention. The objective here was to evaluate the prognostic relevance of hyperglycemia at onset of methicillin-sensitive SAB (MS-SAB). It was a retrospective study of MS-SAB patients. Blood glucose was measured within 24 h of positive blood cultures. The patient cohort was analyzed en bloc and by categorization according to age, underlying conditions and a diagnosis of diabetes. Altogether 161 patients were identified. High initial blood glucose levels were observed among diabetics (p?<?0.001), patients with deep infections (p?<?0.05) and poor outcome at 28- or 90-days (p?<?0.05). Receiver operating characteristics presented the glucose cut-off level of 7.2 mmol/L as a significant predictor of mortality with an area under the curve of 0.63 (95% CI 0.52–0.75, p?<?0.05). Blood glucose ≥7.2 mmol/L connected to higher 28- (9 vs. 20%, p?<?0.05) and 90-day (14 vs. 29%, p?<?0.01) mortality. In Cox proportional hazard regression the blood glucose cut-off value of 7.2 mmol/L significantly predicted 90-day mortality (HR, 2.12; 95% CI, 1.01–4.46; p?<?0.05). Among young and healthy non-diabetics the negative prognostic impact of high glucose was further accentuated (HR 7.46, p?<?0.05). High glucose levels had no prognostic impact among diabetics. Hyperglycemia at SAB onset may associate to poor outcome. The negative prognostic impact is accentuated among young and healthy non-diabetics.