One-Year Follow-Up of Relapse to Risky Behaviors and Incidence of Syphilis Among Patients Enrolled in the HIV Case Management Program

A longitudinal prospective study was conducted at an AIDS designated hospital in Taiwan. The study aimed to determine the incidence of syphilis and to identify risk factors predicting new onset syphilis and relapse into risky behaviors among 117 patients enrolled in the HIV case management program for 1 year. Having a new episode of syphilis was defined as patients had a fourfold increase of serum rapid plasma reagin titers from baseline to 12-month follow-up. After enrollment, 17% relapsed in unprotected sexual intercourse. New onset syphilis was noted in ten (10.4%) participants, and all were men having sex with men. The incidence of syphilis was 5.8 per 100 person-years. Predictors of a new episode of syphilis were higher CD4 cell counts [hazard ratio (HR), 1.003; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.00–1.006], and recreational drug use (HR, 18.89; 95% CI, 2.78–128.15). Regular screening for syphilis among patients retaining in HIV care remains necessary.     

Heat shock induces apoptosis through reactive oxygen species involving mitochondrial and death receptor pathways in corneal cells

Although many studies have been performed to elucidate the molecular consequences of ultraviolet irradiation, little is known about the effect of infrared radiation on ocular disease. In addition to photons, heat is generated as a consequence of infrared irradiation, and heat shock is widely considered to be an environmental stressor. Here, we are the first to investigate the biological effect of heat shock on Statens Seruminstitut Rabbit Cornea (SIRC) cells. Our results indicate that heat shock exhibits effective cell proliferation inhibition by inducing apoptosis. Heat shock triggers the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway indicated by a change in Bax/Bcl-2 ratios, resulting in caspase-9 activity. In addition, heat shock triggered the death receptor apoptotic pathway indicated by a change in Fas ligand expression, resulting in caspase-8 activity. Furthermore, we also found that generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a critical mediator in heat shock-induced apoptosis. In addition, the antioxidant vitamin C significantly decreased heat shock-mediated apoptosis. Taken together, these findings suggest a critical role for ROS involving mitochondrial and death receptor pathways in heat shock-mediated apoptosis of cornea cells.     

YouTube Video as Health Literacy Tool: A Test of Body Image Campaign Effectiveness

This study examined the effectiveness of four media campaigns about disordered eating behaviors. It investigated possible factors that affected females’ perceived effectiveness of four campaign videos. Results indicated that health campaign about a celebrity's struggle with extreme thinness proved to be the least effective of four campaign videos, whereas the video presenting solid facts about the dangers of extreme dieting was perceived as the most effective campaign. Self-discrepancy was not a significant predictor to females’ perceived effectiveness of campaign videos. Similarly, the frequency of Internet usage was proved as a weak predictor of their perceived effectiveness. These findings and the possible rationale for the lack of support with regard to the correlates of campaign effectiveness were also discussed.     

Salvage therapy with tigecycline for recurrent infection caused by ertapenem-resistant extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae

Optimal antimicrobial therapy for infections due to ertapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae remains undetermined. In this study, a diabetic patient with recurrent pyomyositis and osteomyelitis caused by extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae developed ertapenem resistance after imipenem/cilastatin treatment, which was a currently recommended therapy. He was finally treated successfully using tigecycline. Ertapenem resistance was in part explained by the production of SHV-type ESBL and the absence of an outer membrane protein, OmpK36. Our observation suggests that tigecycline may be an alternative for invasive infections caused by ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae with decreased susceptibility to carbapenem.     

Plumbagin induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis through reactive oxygen species/c-Jun N-terminal kinase pathways in human melanoma A375.S2 cells

This study is the first to investigate the anticancer effect of plumbagin in human melanoma A375.S2 cells. Plumbagin exhibited effective cell growth inhibition by inducing cancer cells to undergo S-G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis. Further investigation revealed that plumbagin's inhibition of cell growth was also evident in a nude mice model. Blockade of cell cycle was associated with increased levels of p21, and reduced amounts of cyclin B1, cyclin A, Cdc2, and Cdc25C. Plumbagin also enhanced the levels of inactivated phosphorylated Cdc2 and Cdc25C. Plumbagin triggered the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway indicated by a change in Bax/Bcl-2 ratios, resulting in caspase-9 activation. We also found the generation of ROS is a critical mediator in plumbagin-induced cell growth inhibition. Plumbagin increased the activation of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1, JNK and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), but not p38. In addition, antioxidants vitamin C and catalase significantly decreased plumbagin-mediated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation and apoptosis. Moreover, blocking ERK and JNK by specific inhibitors suppressed plumbagin-triggered mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Taken together, these results imply a critical role for ROS and JNK in the plumbagin's anticancer activity.     

Outcome of drug-eluting balloon angioplasty versus endarterectomy in common femoral artery occlusive disease

Objective

Common femoral artery (CFA) occlusive disease remains a debatable site for endovascular therapy, and the outcome of drug-eluting balloon (DEB) angioplasty in treating CFA occlusive disease is largely unknown. This study compared the efficacy, safety, and short-term patency rate of DEB angioplasty and femoral endarterectomy for treatment of CFA occlusive disease.