Impact of Helicobacter pylori eradication on refractory thrombocytopenia in patients with chronic HCV awaiting antiviral therapy

The possibility of delaying treatment of HCV due to severe thrombocytopenia is challenging. This study aimed to detect the prevalence of active helicobacter infection as a claimed cause of thrombocytopenia in a cohort of Egyptian patients with chronic active HCV awaiting combined anti-viral therapy. The study included 400 chronic HCV patients with thrombocytopenia. Laboratory investigations included liver function tests, real time quantitative PCR, reticulocytic count, ESR, ANA, bone marrow aspiration, measurement of anti-helicobacter antibodies, and helicobacter stool antigen. Positive cases for active H. pylori were given the standard triple therapy for 2 weeks. Helicobacter stool antigen was detected 4 weeks after termination of therapy and the change in platelet count was detected 1 month after eradication. A total of 248 out of 281 seropositive patients for H. pylori (88.3 %) showed positive stool antigen (p?=?0.01). Eradication was achieved in 169 (68.1 %) patients with platelet mean count 114.9?±?18.8?×?10³/μl with highly significant statistical difference from pretreatment value (49.7?±?9.2?×?10³/μl, p?=?0.000). Seventy-nine patients were resistant to conventional triple therapy and given a 7-day course of moxifloxacin-based therapy; 61 patients responded (77.1 %) with mean platelet improvement from 76.4?±?17.4?×?10³/μl to 104.2?±?15.2?×?10³/μl (p?=?0.000). The non-responders showed no improvement in their platelet count (74.6?±?20.5 vs. 73.6?±?15.3?×?10³/ul, P?=?0.5). Eradication of active H. pylori in HCV augments platelet count and enhances the early start of antiviral therapy.     

Differences in clotting parameters between species for preclinical large animal studies of cardiovascular devices

Several species of domestic animals are used in preclinical studies evaluating the safety and feasibility of medical devices; however, the relevance of animal models to human health is often not clear. The purpose of this study was to compare the clotting parameters of animal models to determine which animals most adequately mimic human clotting parameters. The clotting parameters of the different species were assessed in whole blood by in vitro thromboelastography using the clotting activators, such as tissue factor (extrinsic clotting screening test, EXTEM^®) and partial thromboplastin phospholipid (intrinsic clotting screening test, IINTEM^®). The measurements were performed using normal blood samples from humans (n?=?13), calves (n?=?18), goats (n?=?56) and pigs (n?=?8). Extrinsic clotting time (CT) and the intrinsic CT were significantly prolonged in calves compared to humans (249.9?±?91.3 and 376.4?±?124.4 s vs. 63.5?±?11.8 and 192.5?±?29.0 s, respectively, p?<?0.01). The maximum clot firmness (MCF) in domestic animals (EXTEM^®: 77–87 mm, IINTEM^®: 66–78 mm) was significantly higher than that of humans (EXTEM^®: 59.1?±?6.0 mm, IINTEM^®: 58.8?±?1.5 mm, p?<?0.01), and calves and goats exhibited longer time to MCF (MCF-t) than did humans and pigs (p?<?0.01). Our results show that there are relevant differences in the four species’ extrinsic and intrinsic clotting parameters. These cross-comparisons indicate that it is necessary to clarify characteristics of clotting properties in preclinical animal studies.     

Insecticidal activity of essential oils from native medicinal plants of Central Argentina against the house fly, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Musca domestica</Emphasis> (L.)

The insecticidal activity of nine essential oils (EOs) against the house fly (Musca domestica) was evaluated by placing flies in a screw-cap glass jar holding a piece of EO-treated cotton yarn. The dose necessary to kill 50% of flies (LC₅₀) in 30 min was determined at 26?±?1°C. The EOs showed LC₅₀ values ranging from 0.5 to 46.9 mg/dm³. The EO from Minthostachys verticillata was the most potent insecticide (LC₅₀?=?0.5 mg/dm³) followed by EOs from Hedeoma multiflora (LC₅₀?=?1.3 mg/dm³) and Artemisia annua (LC₅₀?=?6.5 mg/dm³). The compositions of the nine EOs, obtained by hydrodistillation of medicinal herbs, were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy. These analyses showed that (4R)(+)-pulegone (69.70%), menthone (12.17%), and limonene (2.75%) were the principal components of M. verticillata EO. (4R)(+)-pulegone was also the main constituent (52.80%) of H. multiflora, while artemisia ketone (22.36%) and 1,8-cineole (16.67%) were the major constituents of A. annua EO. The terpene (4R)(+)-pulegone showed a lower toxicity (LC₅₀?=?1.7 mg/dm³) than M. verticillata or H. multiflora EOs. Dimethyl 2,2-dichlorovinyl phosphate, selected as a positive control, showed an LC₅₀ of 0.5 mg/dm³. EOs from M. verticillata and H. multiflora show promise as natural insecticides against houseflies.     

Some pathophysiological insights into ovarian infestation by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Myxobolus</Emphasis> sp. (Myxozoa: Myxosporea) in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clarias gariepinus</Emphasis> (Clariids: Silurids) from Bénin (West Africa)

Mature female specimens of the catfish Clarias gariepinus originating from Ouémé River (Benin) were investigated into ovarian myxozoan parasites. Spores of Myxobolus sp. (Myxozoa: Myxosporea) were found encrusted in the whitish color oocytes which present fat dot aspect in the gonads. The pathological investigation by electron microscopy revealed that maturation and multiplication of spores induced lytic action, deformation and dysfunction of the oocyte internal structures. No host inflammatory reaction was observed, while yolk, lipid, mitochondria, and other oocyte components were degenerated inducing empty area in the oocyte and could lead to castration in case of wide infestation. The mean prevalence was 19.79 %. No significant difference was observed within seasonal prevalence (χ²?=?1.771; df?=?3; p?>?0.05). Though the host length classes ranging from 35 to 39 cm and 40 to 45 cm were more infected, difference was not significant (χ²?=?2.273; df?=?4; p?>?0.05) within them. The spores are ovoid in shape with two polar capsules which are equal in size, pyriform, and converging in anterior part of spore with four to five polar filament turns. Spore body are (11.47?±?0.67)?×?(8.19?±?0.52)?μm length by width while polar capsule size are (4.24?±?0.25)?×?(3.07?±?0.28)?μm and located in the first third portion of the spore. The molecular approaches are still running for accurate identification of this parasite.     

Morphometric study of the two fused primary ossification centers of the clavicle in the human fetus

Purposes

A satisfactory understanding of the clavicle development may be contributing to both the diagnosis of its congenital defects and prevention of perinatal damage to the shoulder girdle. This study was carried out to examine the transverse and sagittal diameters, cross-sectional area and volume of the two fused primary ossification centers of the clavicle.

Methods

Using the methods of CT, digital-image analysis and statistics, the size for two fused primary ossification centers of the clavicle in 42 spontaneously aborted human fetuses at ages of 18–30 weeks was studied.

Results

Without any male–female and right-left significant differences, the best fit growth models for two fused primary ossification centers of the clavicle were as follows: y = ?31.373 + 15.243 × ln(age) ± 1.424 (R ² = 0.74) for transverse diameter, y = ?7.945 + 3.225 × ln(age) ± 0.262 (R ² = 0.78), y = ?4.503 + 2.007 × ln(age) ± 0.218 (R ² = 0.68), and y = ?4.860 + 2.117 × ln(age) ± 0.200 (R ² = 0.73) for sagittal diameters of the lateral, middle and medial ends respectively, y = ?31.390 + 2.432 × age ± 4.599 (R ² = 0.78) for cross-sectional area, and y = 28.161 + 0.00017 × (age)⁴ ± 15.357 (R ² = 0.83) for volume.

Conclusions

With no sex and laterality differences, the fused primary ossification centers of the clavicle grow logarithmically in both transverse and sagittal diameters, linearly in cross-sectional area, and fourth-degree polynomially in volume. Our normative quantitative findings may be conducive in monitoring normal fetal growth and screening for inherited faults and anomalies of the clavicle in European human fetuses.

     

The correlation between <Emphasis Type="Italic">Toxoplasma gondii</Emphasis> infection and prenatal depression in pregnant women

Previous studies have demonstrated that latent toxoplasmosis is associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. We evaluated the correlation between Toxoplasma gondii infection and prenatal depression. In this case–control study, we enrolled 116 depressed pregnant women and 244 healthy controls. The Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) was used to evaluate the depression symptom severity in study participants. All participants were screened for the anti-Toxoplasma IgG by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Seroprevalence of T. gondii did not significantly differ between the depressed pregnant women and healthy controls (OR?=?1.4; 95 % CI?=?0.9–2.19; P?=?0.142). T. gondii IgG titer was significantly higher in depressed women (18.6?±?10.9 IUs) than those in the control group (13.6?±?8.1 IUs) (z?= ?5.36, P?<?0.001). The T. gondii–positive depressed women showed a positive correlation of T. gondii IgG titer with the EPDS scores (r?=?0.52; P?<?0.01). The mean EPDS score was also significantly higher in the T. gondii–positive depressed women (20.7?±?2.7) compared with the controls (18.36?±?2.7) (P?<?0.001). The results obtained from the current study revealed that T. gondii infection might affect susceptibility to depression and severity of depressive symptoms in pregnant women, particularly in those patients who have high antibody titers. Further study is required to fully elucidate the characteristics and mechanisms of this association.     

Asthma and Hypogammaglobulinemia: an Asthma Phenotype with Low Type 2 Inflammation

Purpose

Little is known about hypogammaglobulinemia (HGG) in asthma patients. No data are available on the characteristics of adult patients with asthma and HGG.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective monocentric study between January 2006 and December 2012. Asthma patients with a serum immunoglobulin (Ig) quantitative analysis were included and classified into two groups depending on their serum IgG concentration: presence or absence of HGG. Clinical, biological, functional, and radiologic characteristics were compared in univariate and multivariate analysis, using a logistic regression model.

Results

In univariate analysis, asthma patients with HGG (n?=?25) were older (58 years old?±?18 vs 49?±?18, p?=?0.04) and more frequently active or former smokers as compared to patients with normoglobulinemia (n?=?80) (56.0 vs 35.0 %, p?=?0.01). Total IgE?<?30 kUI/L was more frequently observed in patients with HGG (53.0 vs 18.3 %, p?=?0.01). HGG asthma patients had lower fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (p?=?0.02), blood eosinophilia (p?=?0.0009), and presented with more severe composite score for bronchiectasis (p?=?0.01). In multivariate analysis, asthma patients with HGG had increased risk of being smokers [OR?=?6.11 (IC 95 %?=?1.16–32.04)], having total IgE concentration?<?30 kUI/L [OR?=?12.87 (IC 95 %?=?2.30–72.15)], and a more severe composite score of bronchiectasis [OR?=?20.65 (IC 95 %?=?2.13–199.74)].

Conclusion

Asthma patients with HGG are older and more often tobacco smoker than asthma patients without HGG. These patients have low type-2 inflammation markers.

     

Endothelial,platelet, and macrophage microparticle levels do not change acutely following transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Background

Patients with severe aortic stenosis have increased levels of prothrombotic and proinflammatory microparticles (MP), and MPs actively regulate pathological processes that lead to atherothrombotic cardiovascular events. Shear stress is a validated stimulus of MP production, and abnormal shear stress in aortic stenosis increases MP release in ex-vivo studies. We hypothesized that in patients with severe aortic stenosis, percutaneous replacement of the aortic valve (TAVR) would reduce abnormal shear stress and would decrease levels of circulating MPs.

Findings

The experimental protocol utilized flow cytometry (FC) and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) to quantify circulating plasma MP levels in aortic stenosis patients at baseline and 5 days after TAVR. The baseline and 5 day MP counts measured by FC were 6.10?10⁵?±?1.21?10⁵ MP/μL and 5.74?10⁵?±?9.54?10⁴ MP/μL, respectively (p?=?0.91). The baseline and 5 day MP counts measured by NTA were 9.29?10¹³?±?1.66?10¹³ MP/μL and 3.95?10¹⁴?±?3.11?10¹⁴ MP/μL, respectively (p?=?0.91). When MPs were stratified by cell source, there was no difference in pre/post TAVR endothelial, platelet, or leukocyte MP levels.

Conclusion

Levels of circulating MPs do not change acutely following TAVR therapy for aortic stenosis.Trial registered at clinicaltrials.gov NCT02193035 on July 11, 2014.

     

Interaction of oxytocin level and past depression may predict postpartum depressive symptom severity

We examined plasma oxytocin concentration and postpartum depression (PPD) symptom severity in women who were not depressed during pregnancy and whether this differed by major depressive disorder (MDD) history. We assessed psychiatric history and plasma oxytocin in 66 healthy pregnant women in the third trimester (M?=?35?±?3 weeks) and depressive symptoms at 6 weeks postpartum (M?=?5.9?±?0.8 weeks). Linear regression analysis was used to examine oxytocin and PPD symptom severity and moderation of oxytocin and PPD by past MDD. Women with (n?=?13) and without (n?=?53) past MDD differed in third trimester depressive symptom severity, but not oxytocin level, demographic factors, or birth outcomes. Controlling for third trimester depressive symptoms, oxytocin level was unrelated to PPD symptom severity [B(SE)?=??.019 (.084); β?=??.025; t?=??.227; p?=?.821]. However, oxytocin level interacted with past MDD to predict PPD symptom severity [B(SE)?=?7.489 (2.429); β?=?.328; t?=?3.084; p?=?.003]. Higher oxytocin predicted greater PPD symptom severity in women with past MDD (p?=?.019), but not in women without (p?=?.216). Replication in a larger sample and methodologic challenges are discussed.     

The association of urinary interferon-gamma inducible protein-10 (IP10/CXCL10) levels with kidney allograft rejection

Background

Interferon-gamma inducible protein-10 (IP-10/CXCL10) is a chemokine involved in the alloimmune response against kidney allograft. We aimed to investigate the association of urinary CXCL10 protein levels with rejection in renal transplant patients.

Methods

A total of 273 urine samples from (biopsy-proven) rejection and non-rejection patients and controls were included in this study. CXCL10 levels were analyzed for association with rejection.

Results

The data showed statistically significant differences in the CXCL10 levels between rejection vs. non-rejection (p?<?0.001). Among the rejection groups, statistically significant differences for CXCL10 levels were found between ACR vs. NAD (p?<?0.001), ACR vs. BLR (p?=?0.019) and AVR vs. NAD (p?=?0.009). Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis of CXCL10 showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.74 with 72% sensitivity and 71% specificity at 27.5 pg/ml between rejection and non-rejection group. Kaplan–Meier curve analysis among different levels of CXCL10 showed a better rejection-free graft survival in patients with <100 pg/ml when compared to >200 pg/ml (38?±?6 vs. 12?±?1.0 weeks; log-rank p?<?0.001) and 100–200 pg/ml (38?±?6 vs. 22?±?9 weeks; log-rank p?=?0.442) concentration.

Conclusion

The results indicate significantly increased levels of CXCL10 protein in the urine at the time of allograft rejection. This association of urinary CXCL10 protein levels with rejection could provide an additional tool for the non-invasive monitoring of allograft rejection.

     

Reconfiguration of NKT Cell Subset Compartment Is Associated with Plaque Development in Patients with Carotid Artery Stenosis

Accumulating evidence shows that immune cells play an important role in carotid atherosclerotic plaque development. In this study, we assessed the association of 6 different natural killer T (NKT) cell subsets, based on CD57 and CD8 expression, with risk for development of carotid atherosclerotic plaque (CAP). Molecular expression by peripheral NKT cells was evaluated in 13 patients with high-risk CAP and control without carotid stenosis (n?=?18). High-risk CAP patients, compared with healthy subjects, had less percentage of CD57+CD8? NKT cell subsets (8.64?±?10.15 versus 19.62?±?10.8 %; P?=?0.01) and CD57+CD8int NKT cell subsets (4.32?±?3.04 versus 11.87?±?8.56 %; P?=?0.002), with a corresponding increase in the CD57?CD8high NKT cell subsets (33.22?±?11.87 versus 18.66?±?13.68 %; P?=?0.007). Intracellular cytokine staining showed that CD8+ NKT cell subset was the main cytokine-producing NKT cell. Cytokine production in plasma was measured with Bio-Plex assay. The expression levels of pro-inflammatory mediators (IFN-γ, IL-17, IP-10) were significantly higher in CAP patients as compared to that from controls. These data provide evidence that NKT cell subset compartment reconfiguration in patients with carotid stenosis seems to be associated with the occurrence of carotid atherosclerotic plaque and suggest that both pathogenic and protective NKT cell subsets exist.     

Efficacy evaluation of iclaprim in a neutropenic rat lung infection model with methicillin-resistant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Staphylococcus aureus</Emphasis> entrapped in alginate microspheres

The objective of this study was to demonstrate the efficacy of iclaprim in a neutropenic rat lung infection model with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) entrapped in alginate beads. An inoculum of 5.25?×?10⁵ colony-forming units (CFU)/mL of S. aureus strain AH1252 was administered intratracheally to rats with prepared alginate bacteria suspensions. Beginning 2 h post-infection, rats received: (1) iclaprim 80 mg/kg (n?=?16); (2) iclaprim 60 mg/kg (n?=?16), or (3) vancomycin 50 mg/kg (n?=?24), for 3 days via subcutaneous (SC) injection every 12 h. Twelve hours after the last treatment, rats were euthanized and lungs collected for CFU determination. Iclaprim administered at 80 mg/kg or 60 mg/kg or vancomycin 50 mg/kg SC twice a day for 3 days resulted in a 6.05 log₁₀ CFU reduction (iclaprim 80 mg/kg compared with control, p?<?0.0001), 5.11 log₁₀ CFU reduction (iclaprim 60 mg/kg compared with control, p?<?0.0001), and 3.42 log₁₀ CFU reduction, respectively, from the controls (p?<?0.0001). Iclaprim 80 mg/kg and 60 mg/kg resulted in 2.59 and 1.69 log₁₀ CFU reductions, respectively, from vancomycin-treated animals (80 mg/kg iclaprim vs. vancomycin, p?=?0.0005; 60 mg/kg iclaprim vs. vancomycin, p?=?0.07). Animals receiving iclaprim, vancomycin, and controls demonstrated 100%, 91.7%, and 48.3% survival, respectively. In this neutropenic rat S. aureus lung infection model, rats receiving iclaprim demonstrated a greater CFU reduction than the controls or those receiving vancomycin.     

Comparison of Reconstruction Algorithms for Decreasing the Exposure Dose During Digital Tomosynthesis for Arthroplasty: a Phantom Study

To explore the possibility of decreasing the radiation dose during digital tomosynthesis (DT) for arthroplasty, we compared the image qualities of several reconstruction algorithms, such as filtered back projection (FBP) and two iterative reconstruction (IR), methods maximum likelihood expectation maximization (MLEM) and the simultaneous iterative reconstruction technique (SIRT) under different radiation doses. The three algorithms were implemented using a DT system and experimentally evaluated by contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), artifact spread function (ASF), and power spectrum measurements on a prosthesis phantom. The CNR and ASF data were statistically analyzed by a one-way analysis of variance. The effectiveness of each technique for enhancing the visibility of the prosthesis phantom was quantified by the CNR (reference dose vs. 20 % reduced dose in FBP, P?=?0.62; reference vs. 37 % reduced dose in FBP, P?=?0.16; reference vs. 55 % reduced dose in FBP, P?<?0.05; reference vs. 20 % reduced dose in IR, P?=?0.92; reference vs. 37 % reduced dose in IR, P?=?0.40; reference vs. 55 % reduced dose in IR, P?<?0.05) and ASF (reference dose vs. 20 % reduced dose in FBP, P?=?0.25; reference vs. 37 and 55 % reduced dose in FBP, P?<?0.05; reference vs. 20 % reduced dose in IR, P?=?0.16; reference vs. 37 and 55 % reduced dose in IR, P?<?0.05). The power spectra under the reference and reduced doses are equivalent. In this phantom study, the radiation dose of the reference dose could be decreased by 20 % with FBP and IR for consideration of common factors.     

Association between duration of intravenous antibiotic administration and early-life microbiota development in late-preterm infants

Antibiotic treatment is common practice in the neonatal ward for the prevention and treatment of sepsis, which is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in preterm infants. Although the effect of antibiotic treatment on microbiota development is well recognised, little attention has been paid to treatment duration. We studied the effect of short and long intravenous antibiotic administration on intestinal microbiota development in preterm infants. Faecal samples from 15 preterm infants (35?±?1 weeks gestation and 2871?±?260 g birth weight) exposed to no, short (≤ 3 days) or long (≥ 5 days) treatment with amoxicillin/ceftazidime were collected during the first six postnatal weeks. Microbiota composition was determined through 16S rRNA gene sequencing and by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Short and long antibiotic treat ment significantly lowered the abundance of Bifidobacterium right after treatment (p?=?0.027) till postnatal week three (p?=?0.028). Long treatment caused Bifidobacterium abundance to remain decreased till postnatal week six (p?=?0.009). Antibiotic treatment was effective against members of the Enterobacteriaceae family, but allowed Enterococcus to thrive and remain dominant for up to two weeks after antibiotic treatment discontinuation. Community richness and diversity were not affected by antibiotic treatment, but were positively associated with postnatal age (p?<?0.023) and with abundance of Bifidobacterium (p?=?0.003). Intravenous antibiotic administration during the first postnatal week greatly affects the infant’s gastrointestinal microbiota. However, quick antibiotic treatment cessation allows for its recovery. Disturbances in microbiota development caused by short and, more extensively, by long antibiotic treatment could affect healthy development of the infant via interference with maturation of the immune system and gastrointestinal tract.     

Differences in successful treatment completion among pregnant and non-pregnant American women

The present study explores characteristics of successful substance abuse treatment completion of pregnant women through an analysis of retrospective outcomes data. Women without prior treatment admissions, aged 18–44, and not in methadone maintenance therapy were included (N?=?678,782). Chi-square tests analyzed significant differences; logistic regression provided predictive probabilities; odds ratios (OR) and risk differences with 95 % confidence intervals represent the effect sizes and clinically meaningful differences. Pregnant women were less likely to successfully complete treatment than non-pregnant women (χ ²?=?321.33, df?=?1, p?<?0.0001), though the difference was not clinically meaningful (risk difference?=?4.75, 95 % confidence interval (CI)?=?4.23–5.26). Aside from criminal justice agencies, “other community agencies” refer the greatest percentage of pregnant women to treatment (risk difference?=?6.37, 95 % CI?=?5.89–6.84). Pregnant women successfully complete treatment more than non-pregnant women in only non-intensive outpatient settings (χ ²?=?10,182.48, df?=?7, p?<?0.0001). Further attention to referral source and treatment setting for pregnant women may improve successful treatment completion by targeting needs of pregnant women. Referring to non-intensive outpatient and residential hospital treatment settings may help to ameliorate prenatal substance abuse treatment contingent on the primary problem substance.     

Exercise type and volume alter signaling pathways regulating skeletal muscle glucose uptake and protein synthesis

Purpose

The aim of this study was to compare activation of cellular signaling pathways regulating protein synthesis and glucose uptake in skeletal muscle between resistance and endurance exercise. Moreover, the effect of resistance exercise volume was examined.

Methods

Three groups of male volunteers (26 ± 3 years) were examined: 5 × 10 repetition maximum (RM) resistance exercise (RE) with leg press device (5 × 10 RE; n = 8), 10 × 10 RE (n = 11), and endurance exercise (strenuous 50-min walking with extra load on a treadmill; EE; n = 8). Muscle biopsies were obtained from m.vastus lateralis 30 min pre- and post-exercise.

Results

Downstream markers of mTORC1, p-p70S6K^{Thr421/Ser424} and p-rpS6^Ser240/244, increased more after 10 × 10 RE than after 5 × 10 RE (p < 0.05) and EE (p < 0.01–0.001). Exercise-induced changes in p-IRS-I^Ser636/639 that inhibit IRS-I signaling via negative feedback from hyperactivated mTORC1 signaling were greater (p < 0.05) after 10 × 10 RE compared with 5 × 10 RE and EE. The changes in energy sensor p-AMPKα^Thr172 were greater after 10 × 10 RE and EE (p < 0.05–0.01) than after 5 × 10 RE. A major regulator of glucose uptake in muscle, p-AS160^Thr642, increased more after 10 × 10 RE than after 5 × 10 RE (p < 0.01) and EE (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

10 × 10 RE induced greater activation of important signaling proteins regulating glucose uptake (p-AS160) and protein synthesis (p-p70S6K, p-rpS6) than 5 × 10 RE and EE. The present findings further suggest that, especially after 10 × 10 RE, IRS-I signaling is downregulated and that AS160 is activated through AMPK signaling pathway.

     

Is 5 days of oral fluoroquinolone enough for acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis? The DTP randomized trial

The treatment duration of acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis (AUP) is still under debate. As shortening treatment duration could be a means to reduce antimicrobial resistance, we aimed to establish whether 5 days of antibiotic treatment is non-inferior to 10 days in patients with AUP. We performed an open-label prospective randomized trial comparing 5 days to 10 days of fluoroquinolone treatment for AUP. The inclusion criteria were: female patients aged ≥18 years with clinical signs of urinary tract infection, fever >38 °C, and positive urinalysis. Patients were randomized to either 5 or 10 days of fluoroquinolone treatment. Outcome was cure at day 10 and day 30 after the end of treatment. One hundred patients were randomized and 12 were excluded after randomization. The mean?±?standard deviation (SD) age was 31.8?±?11 years old and the mean?±?SD temperature was 38.6?±?0.7 °C. The main bacterium involved was Escherichia coli (n?=?86; 97.7%) and 3 (3.4%) patients had a positive blood culture. In the post-hoc analysis, clinical cure 10 days after the end of the treatment was 28/30 (93.3%) in the 5-day arm and 36/38 (94.7%) in the 10-day arm (p?=?1.00). At day 30, the clinical cure rate was 23/23 (100%) in the 5-day arm and 20/20 (100%) in the 10-day arm (p?=?1.00). The microbiological cure rate was 20/23 (87.0%) in the 5-day arm and 16/20 (80.0%) in the 10-day arm (p?=?1.00). The efficacy of 5 days of fluoroquinolone treatment does not seem different from 10 days of treatment for AUP.     

Psychosocial Profile of Women with Premenstrual Syndrome and Healthy Controls: A Comparative Study

Purpose

According to modern bio-psychosocial theories of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), the aim of this study is to investigate systematically associations between selected psychosocial factors and premenstrual symptoms in different menstrual cycle phases.

Method

Several psychosocial variables were assessed, in a sample of German women with PMS (N?=?90) and without premenstrual complaints (N?=?48) during the follicular and luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Presence of PMS was indicated by analysis of contemporary daily ratings of premenstrual symptom severity and impairment for one menstrual cycle.

Results

Regarding perceived chronic stress (? ²?=?0.34), self-efficacy (? ²?=?0.12), and two dimensions of self-silencing (0.06?≤?? ²?≤?0.11) analyses revealed only a significant effect of group. Regarding body dissatisfaction and somatosensory amplification, a significant effect of group (0.07?≤?? ²?≤?0.16) and additionally a group by menstrual cycle phase interaction (? ²?=?0.06) was identified. Regarding relationship quality, a significant effect of menstrual cycle phase (? ²?=?0.08) and a group by menstrual cycle phase interaction (? ²?=?0.06) was demonstrated. In respect to sexual contentment, acceptance of premenstrual symptoms, and the remaining two dimensions of self-silencing statistical analyses revealed no effects at all. Linear multiple regression analysis revealed that 20 % of the variance in PMS symptom severity was explained by the psychosocial variables investigated. Body dissatisfaction (ß?=?0.26, p?=?0.018) and the divided self-dimension of self-silencing (ß?=?0.35, p?=?0.016) were significant correlates of PMS severity.

Conclusion

Results of this study are consistent with previous research and additionally show patterns of associations between specific psychosocial factors and PMS in dependence of menstrual cycle phase that have not been researched before. The role of the psychosocial variables we investigated in regard to the development and maintenance of PMS should be clarified in future research.

     

Effects of two dietary exogenous multi-enzyme supplementation,Natuzyme<Superscript>®</Superscript> and beta-mannanase (Hemicell<Superscript>®</Superscript>), on growth and blood parameters of Caspian salmon (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Salmo trutta caspius</Emphasis>)

Recent increases in feed ingredient costs have motivated the fisheries industry to identify technologies that will improve feed utilisation and reduce the cost per pound of gain. The effects of two supplemental exogenous enzymes (Natuzyme® and Hemicell®) on the growth performance in Caspian salmon (Salmo trutta caspius) were examined over an 8-week feeding trial. After the experimental period, the survival rate ranged from 91.33?±?1.15 % in controls to 96.67?±?1.15 % in the group that received 0.5 g Natuzyme® kg^?1?+?0.5 g Hemicell® kg^?1 (NH) in their diet and there was a statistical difference between experimental and control groups (p?<?0.05). Growth rate was significantly higher in the NH group (1.01?±?0.01) than the other groups (Sig.?=?0.00). The best feed conversion rate (0.64?±?0.01) was in the NH group and it was significantly lower than the control group, the 0.5 g Natuzyme® kg^?1 group, and the 0.25 g Hemicell® kg^?1 group (Sig.?=?0.03). The best final body weight (80.68?±?5.27) was observed in the NH group. Also, WBC count (7,716.67?±?348.80 N/mm³) was significantly higher in the NH group compared to the control (6,916.67?±?194.10 N/mm³; p?<?0.05). No difference was observed in haematocrit%, haemoglobin, red blood cell, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (p?>?0.05). The results suggested that enzyme supplementation caused significant improvement on growth performance and feed utilisation in Caspian salmon.     

Topical ocular dexamethasone decreases intraocular pressure and body weight in rats

Background

Recently, topical dexamethasone-induced ocular hypertension and a consequent loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) have been described in mice. This has been proposed as a model of steroid-induced glaucoma. In this study, we set up and evaluated a similar model in rats.

Results

Ten-week old Sprague Dawley (SD) rats (N?=?12) were used to evaluate the effect of topical 0.1 % dexamethasone (50 μl) administered 3 times daily for 4 weeks. Sodium chloride (0.9 %) was used in another group of rats (N?=?12) that served as the controls. After 1 week, we observed a progressive decrease in body weight in the dexamethasone-treated rats compared both to the pre-treatment baseline and the vehicle-treated rats. In contrast to earlier work that showed elevated Intraocular pressure (IOP) following dexamethasone instillation in mice, IOP in the rats unexpectedly fell to 11.3?±?1.3 mmHg in the treated eyes, compared to 14.8?±?2.4 mmHg in the untreated eyes, after 3 weeks of topical dexamethasone (P?=?0.032). Blood tests performed after 4 weeks of treatment showed a 3.3-fold increase in both plasma cholesterol (P?<?0.001) and alanine transaminase (P?=?0.019) in the dexamethasone-treated rats compared to the control rats. Meanwhile, topical steroid did not induce changes in either plasma blood glucose or glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). We also did not detect changes in the expression of RGC markers (with real-time PCR) following the treatment.

Conclusions

In contrast to mice, which previously showed increased IOP following the topical administration of dexamethasone, the rats displayed a paradoxical reduction in IOP following a similar treatment. This was accompanied by a loss of body weight without affecting the level of blood glucose.