Improved Diagnostic Sensitivity of Bowel Disease of Prematurity on Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound

Bowel diseases of prematurity, including necrotizing enterocolitis, are dreaded ailments of neonates. Early diagnosis is difficult, with clinical and radiographic findings often inconclusive. We present a novel use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in detection of pediatric bowel disease. Early identification of compromised blood flow or an at-risk bowel can be quantitatively detected and monitored. This ability has implications for guidance of emerging therapies, allowing targeting of inflammation. These findings represent an advancement in detection of bowel disease in neonates.     

Combining proteomics and lipid analysis to unravel Confidor stress response in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a useful model for studying the influence of different stress factors on eukaryotic cells. In this work we used the pesticide imidacloprid, in the Confidor formulation, as the stress factor and analyzed its influence on the metabolic activity, proteome and lipid content and composition of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast. During the cultivation of yeast, the lowest recommended application dose of Confidor (0.025%, v/v) was added to the growth media and its influence on the mitochondria, cytosol with microsomes, and the whole yeast cells was monitored. The results show that under the stress provoked by the toxic effects of Confidor, yeast cells density significantly decreased and the percentage of metabolically disturbed cells significantly increased comparing with untreated control. Also, there was a downregulation of majority of glycolytic, gluconeogenesis, and TCA cycle enzymes (Fba1, Adh1, Hxk2, Tal1, Tdh1,Tdh3, Eno1) thus providing enough acetyl‐CoA for the lipid restructuring and accumulation mechanism since we have found the changes in the cell and mitochondrial lipid content and FA composition. This data suggest that lipids could be the molecules that orchestrate the answer of the cells in the stress response to the Confidor treatment.     

An overview of existing mesothelioma registries worldwide,and the need for a US Registry

The association between asbestos exposure, mainly in occupational settings, and malignant mesothelioma has been well established; this has prompted several countries to establish mesothelioma epidemiologic surveillance programs often at the request of national agencies. This review compares currently existing mesothelioma registries worldwide to develop a concept model for a US real-time case capture mesothelioma registry. Five countries were identified with a mesothelioma specific registry, including Italy, France, UK, Australia, and South Korea. All, except the UK, used interviews to collect exposure data. Linkage with the national death index was available or was in future plans for all registries. The registries have limited information on treatment, quality of life, and other patient-centered outcomes such as symptoms and pain management. To thoroughly collect exposure data, “real-time” enrollment is preferable; to maximize the capture of mesothelioma cases, optimal coverage, and a simplified consent process are needed.     

The Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 Antagonist Capsazepine Improves the Impaired Lung Mechanics during Endotoxemia

Acute lung injury (ALI) caused by systemic inflammatory response remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. Management of patients with sepsis is largely limited to supportive therapies, reflecting an incomplete understanding of the underlying pathophysiology. Furthermore, there have been limited advances in the treatments for ALI. In this study, lung function and a histological analysis were performed to evaluate the impact of transient receptor potential vanilloid‐1 receptor (TRPV1) antagonist (capsazepine; CPZ) on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced lung injury in mice. For this, adult mice pre‐treated with CPZ or vehicle received intraperitoneal injections of LPS or saline and 24 hr after, the mice were anaesthetized, and lung mechanics was evaluated. The LPS‐challenged mice exhibited substantial mechanical impairment, characterized by increases in respiratory system resistance, respiratory system elastance, tissue damping and tissue elastance. The pre‐treatment with CPZ prevented the increase in respiratory system resistance and decreased the increase in tissue damping during endotoxemia. In addition, mice pre‐treated with CPZ had an attenuated lung injury evidenced by reduction on collapsed area of the lung parenchyma induced by LPS. This suggests that the TRPV1 antagonist capsazepine has a protective effect on lung mechanics in ALI during endotoxemia and that it may be a target for enhanced therapeutic efficacy in ALI.     

新型冠状病毒肺炎疫情对天津市无偿献血的影响及其对策

目的 分析新型冠状病毒肺炎(以下简称新冠肺炎)疫情对天津市无偿献血的影响.方法 回顾性分析该市2020年无偿献血人次及献血量,并与2019年献血情况进行对比;分析2020年春节前后及2019年同期的献血情况.结果 2020年捐献全血和单采血小板的总人次较2019年均下降13.03％,献血量分别下降17.60％、10.37％.2020年与2019年春节期间捐献全血和单采血小板的人次和献血量均明显下降,但2020年献血情况持续受疫情影响.2020年1-6月全血和单采血小板的献血情况较2019年同期下降较为明显,2020年7-12月的献血情况好转,与2019年同期差距减小.结论 新冠肺炎疫情对无偿献血工作提出严峻考验.常态化疫情防控期间,分析研判疫情对无偿献血工作的影响,有利于制订更有效的预防措施抗击疫情,保障临床用血.     

Sonodynamic Therapy: Advances and Challenges in Clinical Translation

Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) consists of the synergetic interaction between ultrasound and a chemical agent. In SDT, the cytotoxicity is triggered by ultrasonic stimuli, notably through cavitation. The unique features of SDT are relevant in the clinical context more than ever: the need for efficacy, accuracy, and safety while being noninvasive and preserving the patient's quality of life. However, despite the promising results of this technique, only a few clinical reports describe the use of SDT. The objective of this article is to provide an extensive overview of the clinical and preclinical research conducted in vivo on SDT, to identify the limitations, and to detail the developed strategies to overcome them.