Elevated expression of complement C3 protein in chemically induced hepatotumorogenesis in Wistar rats: A correlative proteomics and histopathological study

Liver cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Early detection of liver cancer is problematic due to the lack of a marker with high diagnosis sensitivity and specificity. The present study was designed to determine the differently expressed proteins at early stage in the serum of animals with liver cancer vis-à-vis controls and figure out the function of the proteins. One-dimensional electrophoresis (1D), two-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE) and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) were used to screen the serum proteins of liver cancer induced in animals by diethyl nitrosamine (DEN) + 2-acetyl amino fluorine (2-AAF). From optimized 2DE image and computer assisted PD Quest analysis were found to be differentially expressed spots when the serum from normal and treated animals were compared. Among these, one spot was selected whose expression level was higher in DEN + 2-AAF treated animal sera than in adjacent normal animal sera. The target spot was excised from the 2D gel of liver cancer sera and the peptide mass fingerprinting as obtained LC–MS/MS analysis after digesting the chosen protein spot. This was identified to be complement C3 protein. The changes in complement C3 expression level were validated by Western blot analysis. We reported that the changes in complement C3 concentration start at very early stage of tumorogenesis. The fully grown tumors were developed at 120 days and hepatotumorogenesis was confirmed by histopathological examination. This protein may therefore represent a powerful tool in search for candidate biomarkers for HCC.     

Application of Ultrasonography in the Assessment of Abdominal and Lumbar Trunk Muscle Activity in Participants With and Without Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to systematically review the literature regarding which condition (task, position, or contraction type), changes in muscle thickness could be interpreted as muscle activity of trunk muscles.MethodsStudies that assessed the correlation between changes in muscle thickness measured with ultrasonography (US) and electromyography (EMG) activity were included. Only the data related to abdominal and lumbar trunk muscles in participants with or without low back pain were extracted. The PubMed, ScienceDirect, Ovid MEDLINE, Scopus, Springer, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature databases were searched from inception to August 2018. Two independent raters appraised the quality of the included studies using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program checklist.ResultsFourteen studies were included. The results revealed significant correlations between US and EMG measures for the lumbar multifidus and erector spinae muscle during most contraction levels and postures. For transverse abdominis and internal oblique, US and EMG measures were correlated during low load abdominal drawing or bracing. The correlations were influenced by trunk position for higher intensities of contraction. For the external oblique muscle, correlation was observed only during trunk rotation.ConclusionChanges in muscle thickness should not be interpreted as muscle activity for all tasks, positions, and contraction types. Only during prime movement tasks performed with isometric contraction could muscle thickness change be considered as muscle activity. Also, upright postures influenced the relationship between changes in muscle thickness and muscle activity for abdominal muscles.     

A common allele in the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) impacts prosocial temperament and human hypothalamic-limbic structure and function

The evolutionarily highly conserved neuropeptide oxytocin is a key mediator of social and emotional behavior in mammals, including humans. A common variant (rs53576) in the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) has been implicated in social-behavioral phenotypes, such as maternal sensitivity and empathy, and with neuropsychiatric disorders associated with social impairment, but the intermediate neural mechanisms are unknown. Here, we used multimodal neuroimaging in a large sample of healthy human subjects to identify structural and functional alterations in OXTR risk allele carriers and their link to temperament. Activation and interregional coupling of the amygdala during the processing of emotionally salient social cues was significantly affected by genotype. In addition, evidence for structural alterations in key oxytocinergic regions emerged, particularly in the hypothalamus. These neural characteristics predicted lower levels of reward dependence, specifically in male risk allele carriers. Our findings identify sex-dependent mechanisms impacting the structure and function of hypothalamic-limbic circuits that are of potential clinical and translational significance.     

EMLA cream application without occlusive dressing before upper facial botulinum toxin injection: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted among 44 subjects to assess the efficacy of EMLA cream application without occlusive dressing on pain on needling (PN) and pain on injection (PI) felt during multiple botulinum toxin type A (BTA) injections for correction of hyperkinetic upper facial lines. Mean PN score was less than PI score with high correlation and no significant difference. Although both PN and PI scores (visual analog) were less in the EMLA than placebo group, the difference was only statistically significant for PN score. Time intervals between the cream application and BTA injections beyond 60 minutes did not show lower pain score in either type of the pain.     

Laparoscopy simulators

To reduce the complication rate associated with laparoscopic surgery and to improve training, several simulators have been incorporated into training curricula and skills courses. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages and compare the different types of simulators available. We also reviewed the literature to assess the acquisition of skills using these simulators and their transfer to real operations. It is important to realize that currently, any form of simulation is merely an adjunct to, and not a replacement for, traditional methods of training and that supervision and feedback are essential. More collaboration is needed between urologists and simulator companies to produce operation-specific simulated modules for urologic procedures.     

Differences in attitudes towards medication between population groups in the Durban Metropolitan Area of South Africa

Objectives Personal factors, especially attitude, have been implicated in the utilization of health care services, and in access to medical treatment. There is little information on the attitudes of the general public in South Africa towards medications and whether attitudes differ across population groups or among the different users of the health care system. This study aimed to determine the general attitude of a local population to medications, self‐care orientation and health professional contact, and whether differences existed between age groups, gender and race groups. Methods We carried out a randomized, cross‐sectional quantitative study via telephonic questionnaire survey (adapted from a previous study) of a sample of 1132 telephone numbers. The setting was the Durban Metropolitan Area, KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa. Key findings A total of 500 (44.2%) people responded. The majority had a positive attitude towards medication. An increase in age resulted in increased medication use. Females were more likely than males to use medication and seek professional health care (P = 0.0406). Most of the respondents (86.0%) were self‐care‐orientated and displayed moderate medication knowledge (46.2%). Some 295 (59.0%) of the 500 respondents had visited a pharmacy within the last 6 months. Conclusions Health care professionals can adopt an informed approach to address the needs of the population with regard to medication, by targeting groups more likely to use medication (females and the older age group). In addition, gaps in medication knowledge were identified which could be used for health‐promotion interventions by health care workers.