Parathyroid hormone has an important role in blood pressure regulation in vitamin D–insufficient individuals

ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to evaluate whether vitamin D status is related to blood pressure (BP) in adults.MethodsWe evaluated the relationship between vitamin D status, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) and BP in 332 adults. Anthropometric measurements, BP, and a fasting blood sample was obtained. Participants were stratified into the following BP categories: 1) normal BP; 2) high BP; 3) normal BP through medication. Vitamin D insufficiency was defined as 25-hydroxvitamin D ≤ 75 nmol/L; high iPTH as > 65 pg/mL. The relationships between vitamin D status, iPTH and BP were adjusted for body mass index, waist circumference, blood lipids, physical activity, and sunscreen use.ResultsNo differences in prevalences of vitamin D insufficiency and high iPTH were observed among BP groups. No significant association was observed between BP and vitamin D status. Positive correlations were observed between iPTH and systolic BP (r = 0.168; P = 0.002) and between iPTH and diastolic BP (r = 0.168; P = 0.002). iPTH remained correlated with BP even with adjustments.ConclusionsThe present study contributes to the understanding of calcemic hormones and BP regulation.     

Molecular Identification,Antifungal Susceptibility Profile,and Biofilm Formation of Clinical and Environmental Rhodotorula Species Isolates

Rhodotorula species are emergent fungal pathogens capable of causing invasive infections, primarily fungemia. They are particularly problematic in immunosuppressed patients when using a central venous catheter. In this study, we evaluated the species distribution of 51 clinical and 8 environmental Rhodotorula species isolates using the ID32C system and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing. Antifungal susceptibility testing and biofilm formation capability using a crystal violet staining assay were performed. Using ITS sequencing as the gold standard, the clinical isolates were identified as follows: 44 R. mucilaginosa isolates, 2 R. glutinis isolates, 2 R. minuta isolates, 2 R. dairenensis isolates, and 1 Rhodosporidium fluviale isolate. The environmental isolates included 7 R. mucilaginosa isolates and 1 R. slooffiae isolate. Using the ID32C system, along with a nitrate assimilation test, only 90.3% of the isolates tested were correctly identified. In the biofilm formation assay, R. mucilaginosa and R. minuta exhibited greater biofilm formation ability compared to the other Rhodotorula species; the clinical isolates of R. mucilaginosa showed greater biofilm formation compared to the environmental isolates (P = 0.04). Amphotericin B showed good in vitro activity (MIC ≤ 1 μg/ml) against planktonic cells, whereas voriconazole and posaconazole showed poor activity (MIC₅₀/MIC₉₀, 2/4 μg/ml). Caspofungin and fluconazole MICs were consistently high for all isolates tested (≥64 μg/ml and ≥ 4 μg/ml, respectively). In this study, we emphasized the importance of molecular methods to correctly identify Rhodotorula species isolates and non-R. mucilaginosa species in particular. The antifungal susceptibility profile reinforces amphotericin B as the antifungal drug of choice for the treatment of Rhodotorula infections. To our knowledge, this is the first study evaluating putative differences in the ability of biofilm formation among different Rhodotorula species.     

AHSP and β-thalassemia: A possible genetic modifier

The identification of defectives genes underlying inherited diseases has made it clear that patients with the same genotype can have variable clinical expression. Suggestions proposing that the protein AHSP, a a-globin specific chaperone could influence disease severity in patients with ß-thalassemia, an inherited disorder characterized by a quantitative deficiency of ß-globin genes. This article presents a review of the AHSP gene structure, function and expression. A discussion of the AHSP gene knowledgments is presented with an overview of the possible genetic modifier function of AHSP on ß-thalassemia pathophisiology.     

Effects of a High Dose,Aglycone-Rich Soy Extract on Prostate-Specific Antigen and Serum Isoflavone Concentrations in Men With Localized Prostate Cancer

The efficacy and safety of consuming high-dose isoflavone supplements for prostate cancer is not clear. A double-blind, placebo controlled, randomized trial was conducted in 53 men with prostate cancer enrolled in an active surveillance program. The treatment group consumed a supplement containing 450 mg genistein, 300 mg daidzein, and other isoflavones daily for 6 mo. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was measured in both groups at baseline, 3 mo, and 6 mo, and serum concentrations of genistein, daidzein, and equol were assessed at baseline and 6 mo in the treatment group. Following the completion of the 6-mo double-blind study, men were enrolled in a 6-mo open label trial with the same isoflavone-rich supplement, and PSA was measured at 3 and 6 mo. PSA concentrations did not change in either group after 6 mo or after 12 mo when the open-label study was included. The 6 mo serum concentrations of genistein and daidzein (39.85 and 45.59 μmol/l, respectively) were significantly greater than baseline values and substantially higher than levels previously reported in other studies. Equol levels did not change. Although high amounts of aglycone isoflavones may result in significantly elevated serum concentrations of genistein and daidzein, these dietary supplements alone did not lower PSA levels in men with low-volume prostate cancer.     

Amphiphilic Antimony(V) Complexes for Oral Treatment of Visceral Leishmaniasis

The need for daily parenteral administration is an important limitation in the clinical use of pentavalent antimonial drugs against leishmaniasis. In this study, amphiphilic antimony(V) complexes were prepared from alkylmethylglucamides (L8 and L10, with carbon chain lengths of 8 and 10, respectively), and their potential for the oral treatment of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) was evaluated. Complexes of Sb and ligand at 1:3 (SbL8 and SbL10) were obtained from the reaction of antimony(V) with L8 and L10, as evidenced by elemental and electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) analyses. Fluorescence probing of hydrophobic environment and negative-staining transmission electron microscopy showed that SbL8 forms kinetically stabilized nanoassemblies in water. Pharmacokinetic studies with mice in which the compound was administered by the oral route at 200 mg of Sb/kg of body weight indicated that the SbL8 complex promoted greater and more sustained Sb levels in serum and liver than the levels obtained for the conventional antimonial drug meglumine antimoniate (Glucantime [Glu]). The efficacy of SbL8 and SbL10 administered by the oral route was evaluated in BALB/c mice infected with Leishmania infantum after a daily dose of 200 mg of Sb/kg for 20 days. Both complexes promoted significant reduction in the liver and spleen parasite burdens in relation to those in the saline-treated control group. The extent of parasite suppression (>99.96%) was similar to that achieved after Glu given intraperitoneally at 80 mg of Sb/kg/day. As expected, there was no significant reduction in the parasitic load in the group treated orally with Glu at 200 mg of Sb/(kg day). In conclusion, amphiphilic antimony(V) complexes emerge as an innovative and promising strategy for the oral treatment of VL.     

Minimally Complex Renal Cysts: Outcomes and Ultrasound Evaluation Compared with Contrast-Enhanced Cross-Sectional Imaging Bosniak Classification

We correlated contrast-enhanced cross-sectional imaging and outcomes to assess the reproducibility of ultrasonographic criteria for renal minimally complex (MC) cysts. From 2003 to 2015, 143 cysts were described as complex or MC by ultrasound (US). After exclusions, 98 US studies were retrospectively evaluated and compared with computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). At sonography, 51 were MC cysts and 47 were complexes according to two independent observers. Inter-observer agreement for US was 0.704 and 0.745 for CT/MRI. Of 51 cysts classified as MC by US, 38 were Bosniak I/II and 6 were Bosniak IIF by CT/MRI. In 7, there were no cross-sectional images; however, they were stable for at least 2 y. Of 47 complex cysts, 9 were Bosniak II, 22 Bosniak IIF, 8 Bosniak III and 8 Bosniak IV. No Bosniak III/IV cysts by CT/MRI were classified as MC by US. Our results indicate that US offers reproducible criteria for MC cysts and may be used alone for these lesions.     

Superolateral dislocation of the intact mandibular condyle associated with panfacial fracture: a case report and literature review

Abstract – Superolateral dislocation of the intact mandibular condyle (SDIMC) is rare. This case report focuses on a 15‐year‐old teenager who was involved in a motor vehicle accident as well a literature review regarding the SDIMC. Clinical examination demonstrated a diffuse edema in the midfacial area and a left lateral deflection of the mandible, including an open bite and a crepitation in the symphyseal region. Three‐dimensional computed tomography scans were taken, which presented a superolateral dislocation of the left mandibular condyle as well as panfacial fracture. The patient was set in intermaxillary fixation for 2 weeks and underwent subsequent active jaw physiotherapy, the evaluation of which presented satisfactory results. This case study also presents a literature review, which demonstrated 21 well‐documented cases of SDIMC. The patients’ mean age was of 29 years. The male gender proved to be more prevalent, with road traffic collisions representing the most common form of accident. Type II, with unilateral dislocation, proved to be the most common. The mean reduction time was 7 days. The open methods were the most commonly used reduction methods. Mandible fracture was associated with dislocation in 82% of the cases, with other facial fractures appearing in only 23% of the cases. Patient follow up presented satisfactory results in 59% of the cases.