Risk of finding an endometrial cancer when atypical hyperplasia was incidentally diagnosed on hysteroscopic resection products

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risk of discovering an endometrial cancer when atypical hyperplasia was diagnosed by histologic examination of hysteroscopic resection products. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective monocentric study from January 1994 to January 2001. Seventeen patients with atypical hyperplasia were included. Initial endometrial status was provided by operative hysteroscopy resection products. For all patients, there was no hysteroscopical aspect evocative of adenocarcinoma. Histopathological analysis of the hysterectomy pieces precised the final diagnosis. RESULTS: Among the 17 hysterectomy pieces, one adenocarcinoma was diagnosed. Risk for discovering adenocarcinoma when atypical hyperplasia was diagnosed by operative hysteroscopy resection products was 5.9% (1/17). CONCLUSION: Risk of omitting adenocarcinoma when atypical hyperplasia is discovered by hysteroscopy resection pieces is low.     

nCOVID-19 outcomes on curfews and lockdown: Precautionary decisions in Saudi Arabia

ObjectivesCoronavirus (nCOVID-19) cases are increasing not only daily but also hourly worldwide. Therefore, it is important to look into how developed countries are managing this pandemic and also observe their experiences and estimations in dissimilar consequences. In this study, we compared the results of the precautionary measurements taken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and higher officials on the outcome of the nCOVID-19.MethodsWe examined all the current pandemic related data, including the total number of cases, total recovered, total deaths with the curfew phases, and the various actions taken by Saudi's Ministry of Health, World Health Organization, Web of Science, Sci Finder, MEDLINE, and the Worldometer. The total number of cases, recovered cases, deaths, and peak days were templated using Microsoft Excel sheets and graphs.ResultsDuring this pandemic, the KSA government released many services such as smartphone-based apps and media campaigns to control the spread and contact of the virus among people. All these early extreme precautionary measures and services implemented by the KSA government reduce the number of deaths from the nCOVID-19 in Saudi Arabia. The curfew phases enforced by the government recorded few deaths during the first two phases, whereas a noticeable increase in the number of deaths and the total number of cases were recorded during Phase 3.ConclusionsAll these limitations and precautionary measures, including the different phases of curfew, assumed a significant role in restricting the spread of nCOVID-19 and reducing the number of cases and deaths among people.Public Summary AbstractCoronavirus (nCOVID-19) outbreak has shocked the world causing more cases than the latest global epidemics. It is necessary to specify how developed countries managing this pandemic outbreak. In this study, we lined up to compare the results of the precautionary measurements taken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) on the outcome of the nCOVID-19. All current pandemic related data: total cases, total recovered, total deaths and actions were congregate from Saudi's Ministry of Health (MoH), World Health Organization (WHO). Total number of cases, recovered cases and deaths were templated by using Microsoft Excel sheets and graphs. The KSA government had released many services including smartphone-based apps, and media campaigns to control the spread and contact to the nCOVID-19 positive persons. All these limitations and precautionary measures including different phases of curfew assumed a significant role in restricting the spread of nCOVID-19 and reduce cases and deaths numbers.     

Comparing serum and hepatic concentrations of iron, copper, and cobalt in healthy sheep and sheep with chronic fasciolosis

Fasciolosis is one of the most important parasitic diseases of ruminants. This parasite causes liver dysfunction which may contribute to albumin synthesis and copper transferring to the liver and also reduces the elemental storage. Due to these reasons and to determine the effects of fasciolosis on serum and liver iron, copper, and cobalt status, the present study was conducted on 460 slaughtered sheep. During antemortem examination and after giving an identification number, blood samples were taken, and age, sex, and origin of animals were recorded. Visual inspection and palpation were performed on the liver to determine Fasciola infestation; then, liver samples were taken from 100 sheep (50 infested and 50 healthy ones), and the concentration of the mentioned minerals was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results indicated that liver iron, copper, and cobalt concentrations in healthy sheep (74.47, 32.95, and 0.13 ppm, respectively) were significantly higher than those in sheep with fasciolosis (36.78, 11.22, and 0.05 ppm, respectively) (P?<?0.05). These findings may explain the role of hepatic injuries caused by fasciolosis on mineral status and also the role of minerals on parasite persistency.     

Generation and initial analysis of more than 15,000 full-length human and mouse cDNA sequences

The National Institutes of Health Mammalian Gene Collection (MGC) Program is a multiinstitutional effort to identify and sequence a cDNA clone containing a complete ORF for each human and mouse gene. ESTs were generated from libraries enriched for full-length cDNAs and analyzed to identify candidate full-ORF clones, which then were sequenced to high accuracy. The MGC has currently sequenced and verified the full ORF for a nonredundant set of >9,000 human and >6,000 mouse genes. Candidate full-ORF clones for an additional 7,800 human and 3,500 mouse genes also have been identified. All MGC sequences and clones are available without restriction through public databases and clone distribution networks (see http:mgc.nci.nih.gov).     

Adenosine diphosphate strongly potentiates the ability of the chemokines MDC, TARC, and SDF-1 to stimulate platelet function

Platelet activation is normally induced by primary agonists such as adenosine diphosphate (ADP), thrombin, and collagen, whereas other agonists, such as epinephrine, can play important accessory roles. It is now reported that the macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC), thymus activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), and stromal cell-derived factor one (SDF-1) are highly effective activators of platelet function under a variety of conditions, stimulating platelet shape change, aggregation, and adhesion to collagen or fibrinogen. Chemokine-mediated platelet activation was rapid and maximal (less than 5 seconds) under arterial flow conditions and depended strongly on the presence of low levels of primary agonists such as ADP or thrombin. Concentrations of ADP (0.05-0.25 microM) or thrombin (0.005-0.02 U/mL) that induced minimal aggregation caused major aggregation acting in combination with the chemokines. The ability of apyrase to block chemokine-dependent aggregation or adhesion was consistent with an important role for ADP. Chemokine-stimulated aggregation was also insensitive to indomethacin, suggesting that the activation of cyclo-oxygenase is not involved. TARC, MDC, and SDF-1 increased intracellular calcium concentrations [Ca(2+)](i) when combined with low levels of ADP. The MDC and TARC receptor CCR4 was expressed on platelets, and an anti-CCR4 antibody blocked aggregation induced by TARC or MDC. Treatment of platelets with SDF-1 and MDC rapidly exposed P-selectin (CD62P) on the cell surface but did not induce the secretion of serotonin. These findings suggest that the chemokines MDC, TARC, and SDF-1, which may be produced during inflammatory responses, coupled with low levels of ADP or thrombin, can serve as strong stimuli for activating platelet function.     

Alginate and alginate composites for biomedical applications

Alginate is an edible heteropolysaccharide that abundantly available in the brown seaweed and the capsule of bacteria such as Azotobacter sp. and Pseudomonas sp. Owing to alginate gel forming capability, it is widely used in food, textile and paper industries; and to a lesser extent in biomedical applications as biomaterial to promote wound healing and tissue regeneration. This is evident from the rising use of alginate-based dressing for heavily exuding wound and their mass availability in the market nowadays. However, alginate also has limitation. When in contact with physiological environment, alginate could gelate into softer structure, consequently limits its potential in the soft tissue regeneration and becomes inappropriate for the usage related to load bearing body parts. To cater this problem, wide range of materials have been added to alginate structure, producing sturdy composite materials. For instance, the incorporation of adhesive peptide and natural polymer or synthetic polymer to alginate moieties creates an improved composite material, which not only possesses better mechanical properties compared to native alginate, but also grants additional healing capability and promote better tissue regeneration. In addition, drug release kinetic and cell viability can be further improved when alginate composite is used as encapsulating agent. In this review, preparation of alginate and alginate composite in various forms (fibre, bead, hydrogel, and 3D-printed matrices) used for biomedical application is described first, followed by the discussion of latest trend related to alginate composite utilization in wound dressing, drug delivery, and tissue engineering applications.     

The preventive effect of pentoxifylline on contrast-induced nephropathy: a randomized clinical trial

Background

Percutaneous coronary intervention provides a high-risk condition for incidence of CIN even in patients with normal renal function. Pentoxifylline (PTX) with a variety of mechanisms may prevent CIN.

Materials and methods

Between April 5, 2011, and February 20, 2012, all consecutive eligible patients referred for elective percutaneous coronary intervention were asked to participate in the study (n = 199). Eligibility was defined as the age between 18 and 65 years and baseline serum creatinine ≤132.6 μmol/l (1.5 mg/dl). The patients were randomly allocated to two groups either receiving saline or saline plus pentoxifylline 400 mg orally three times a day for 48 h. Serum creatinine was measured 24 h prior to the procedure and 48 h thereafter. The primary endpoint was occurrence of CIN defined as 25 % rise in serum creatinine 48 h after the procedure.

Results

The overall incidence of CIN was 6 % in this study (6.2 % in the PTX group versus 5.9 % in the hydration group, P = 0.92). Absolute rise in serum creatinine was not also significantly different between the two groups (P = 0.97). In hypertensive patients, however, the incidence of CIN was lower among those receiving PTX: 5 % in the PTX group versus 8.7 % in the hydration group. Nevertheless, this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.68).

Conclusion

Short-term prophylaxis with pentoxifylline added to optimal hydration does not seem to reduce the risk of CIN in patients with normal renal function undergoing PCI. Further clinical trials in patients with renal impairment are warranted to define its role.     

Prevalence of antibiotic resistance in lactic acid bacteria isolated from the faeces of broiler chicken in Malaysia

Background

Probiotics are commonly used as feed additive to substitute antibiotic as growth promoter in animal farming. Probiotic consists of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), which enhance the growth and health of the animal. Probiotic also have higher possibility to become pathogenic bacteria that may carry antibiotic resistant gene that can be transmitted to other LAB species. The aim of this study was to identify the LAB species in the faeces of broiler chicken and to determine the prevalence of antibiotic resistant in LAB of broiler chicken.

Methods

Sixty faeces samples were collected from wet markets located in Klang Valley of Malaysia for the isolation of LAB using de-Mann Rogosa Sharpe medium. Thirteen species of LAB were obtained in this study and the identification of LAB was performed by using API test kit on the basis of carbohydrate fermentation profile. Antibiotic susceptibility assay was then carried out to determine the prevalence of LAB antibiotic resistance.

Results

Lactococcus lactis subsp lactis was found in nine out of sixty faecal samples. Lactobacillus paracasei was the second common LAB species isolated from chicken faecal. No significant difference (P > 0.05) was found between the occurrence of Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus curvatus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Leuconostoc lactis mesenteroides subsp mesenteroides/dectranium and Pediococcus pentosaceus isolated from 5 different locations. Most of the isolated LAB was resistant to antibiotic and high variability of the antibiotic resistance was observed among the LAB against 15 types of antibiotics. Penicillin, amoxicillin, chloramphenicol, and ampicillin had significant higher (P< 0.05) inhibitory zone than nalidixic acid, gentamycin, sulphamethoxazole, kanamycin, and streptomycin.

Conclusions

Many species of LAB were isolated from the faecal samples of broiler chicken that resistance to the common antibiotics used in the farm. The development of resistant against antibiotics in LAB can be attributed to the long term exposure of antibiotic as growth promoter and therapeutic agents. Thus, it is essential to advise farmer the safety measure of antibiotic application in animal farming. Additionally, the supplementation of probiotic in animal feeding also needs more attention and close monitoring.