Changes in older people’s quality of life in the COVID-19 era: a population-based study in Finland

Quality of Life Research - We investigated how quality of life (QoL) changed between 2018 and 2020, and how its related factors, i.e., communication with friends and family, loneliness, and...     

Incarceration of the appendix into silicone drain holes without signs of appendicytis

A surgical drainage simple surgical procedure that enables elimination of pathological effluent from operative wounds or other anatomical spaces, as well as removal of possible pathological exudates (blood, pus, enteric content, pancreatic juice, etc.). Nowadays, silicone drains are used for draining of the peritoneal cavity. In this study we presented a case of 42-year old female patient who underwent surgery after traumatic injury of intraabdominal organs and fracture of pelvic ring bone structure. Postoperative drain placed into the rectovesical space could not be removed on day 17 post surgery. Additional diagnostics could not identify the actual reason of failing to remove the drain, thus relaparotomy was required. Intraoperative diagnosis revealed incarceration of the antimesenteric part of the appendix into two circumjacent side perforations in the drain, without signs of acute inflammation. This paper presents an unusual and rare case of peritoneal drainage complication. The drainage of peritoneal cavity should be performed only in appropriate clinical situations, i.e. when the procedure is surgically indicated.     

Contribution of bacterial cells as nucleation centers in microbiologically induced CaCO3 precipitation—A mathematical modeling approach

The microbiologically induced calcite precipitation (MICP) has been extensively studied for geotechnical engineering through simultaneous action of natural phenomena and engineering processes. The focus of bacterial contribution to the MICP has been directed to calcium carbonate productivity, while the additional bacterial role as a crystal nucleation center was not explained especially from a mathematical prediction modeling point of view. Therefore, this study provides explanations and a mathematical modeling approach of bacterial influence on the MICP induced by newly-isolated ureolytic Bacillus strains and Sporosarcina pasteurii DSM 33. Using the obtained results of low-cost, rapid, and simple assays, artificial neural network modeling was applied for cell surface predispositions, pH changes as well as calcium-involved function in biofilm formation during the MICP, for the first time. Based on the obtained contribution of the alkalophilic/alkaloresistant bacteria, calcite precipitation can be significantly directed by the presence, of ureolytic bacterial cells as nucleation centers during CaCO₃ precipitation as well as their morphology, surface characteristics, potential to form a biofilm, and/or generate pH changes.     

Palodent V3成形系统用于上颌第一恒磨牙Ⅱ类洞树脂充填的临床效果

目的探讨PalodentV3邻面成形系统对上颌第一恒磨牙II类洞深龋树脂直接充填后的临床效果。方法选择符合纳入标准的近中邻面龋洞上颌第一恒磨256颗牙,单个充填牙194颗,成对充填牙31对。随机分为A组88颗、B组90颗和C组78颗。A组采用Palodent成形系统+P60树脂充填,B组采用PalodentV3成形系统+P60树脂充填,C组采用PalodentV3系统成形+SDR树脂+P60树脂充填。所有操作均由同一名主治医师完成,由椅旁护士记录充填的时间。所有的充填完成后由另一名医生于治疗后即刻、1个月、3个月和6个月对树脂充填体进行检查评价。结果A、B、C 3组的治疗后即刻、治疗后1个月及3个月的成功率均为100%,治疗后6个月的成功率分别为98.75%、100%和100%,治疗后12个月的成功率为98.75%、97.64%和97.29%。3组成功率在5个时间点的比较均无统计学差异。A、B、C 3组的临床操作的平均时间分别为25 min、23 min和18 min。其中C组与A组、C组与B组之间差异有统计学意义,A组与B组差异无统计学意义。结论使用PalodentV3成形系统和SDR树脂充填能良好地恢复上颌第一恒磨牙II类洞的邻接关系,缩短临床操作时间,便于临床应用。     

UHPLC–MS/MS quantitation of porphyroxine in opium and application of porphyroxine‐acetylated products as signature markers for heroin

Porphyroxine, a trace alkaloid in opium, was identified in the early 1800s and isolated/characterized in the 1960s. Recently, two significant porphyroxine‐related byproducts found in the acidic and neutral extracts of illicit heroin were characterized by this laboratory as the N‐acetyl‐O¹⁴‐desmethyl‐epi‐porphyroxine ( B ) and N,O⁸‐diacetyl‐O¹⁴‐desmethyl‐epi‐porphyroxine ( C ). The prevalence of the B and C compounds has been consistent in the following order of abundance for the thousands of authentic heroin samples analyzed: Southwest Asia (SWA) > South America (SA) > Southeast Asia (SEA) > Mexico (MEX). In this research, a rapid and efficient ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS/MS) method was developed to determine the content of porphyroxine and five primary alkaloids (morphine, codeine, thebaine, noscapine, and papaverine) in opium after extraction with methanol/water (50/50). The method was validated in terms of linearity, accuracy, recovery, and precision for porphyroxine. The limit of quantitation (LOQ) for porphyroxine was 2.5 ng/mL. The developed method was successfully applied to a total of 114 authentic opium samples from the major poppy‐growing regions. The amount of porphyroxine was determined at the level of part per thousand (‰) and the relative concentrations to morphine were in the range of 1x10^?4 and 1x10^?2 with an order of SWA > SEA, SA > MEX for its average abundance, which is consistent with the order of the average abundance of its acetylated products ( B , C ) in illicit heroin. This study reveals the significance of porphyroxine and its acylated compounds in classifying heroin and opium samples to major geographical regions of production.     

White adipose tissue mitochondrial metabolism in health and in obesity

White adipose tissue is one of the largest organs of the body. It plays a key role in whole‐body energy status and metabolism; it not only stores excess energy but also secretes various hormones and metabolites to regulate body energy balance. Healthy adipose tissue capable of expanding is needed for metabolic well‐being and to prevent accumulation of triglycerides to other organs. Mitochondria govern several important functions in the adipose tissue. We review the derangements of mitochondrial function in white adipose tissue in the obese state. Downregulation of mitochondrial function or biogenesis in the white adipose tissue is a central driver for obesity‐associated metabolic diseases. Mitochondrial functions compromised in obesity include oxidative functions and renewal and enlargement of the adipose tissue through recruitment and differentiation of adipocyte progenitor cells. These changes adversely affect whole‐body metabolic health. Dysfunction of the white adipose tissue mitochondria in obesity has long‐term consequences for the metabolism of adipose tissue and the whole body. Understanding the pathways behind mitochondrial dysfunction may help reveal targets for pharmacological or nutritional interventions that enhance mitochondrial biogenesis or function in adipose tissue.     

Murine double minute 2 regulates Hu antigen R stability in human liver and colon cancer through NEDDylation

Hu antigen R (HuR) is a central RNA-binding protein regulating cell dedifferentiation, proliferation, and survival, which are well-established hallmarks of cancer. HuR is frequently overexpressed in tumors correlating with tumor malignancy, which is in line with a role for HuR in tumorigenesis. However, the precise mechanism leading to changes in HuR expression remains unclear. In the liver, HuR plays a crucial role in hepatocyte proliferation, differentiation, and transformation. Here, we unraveled a novel mean of regulation of HuR expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and colon cancer. HuR levels correlate with the abundance of the oncogene, murine double minute 2 (Mdm2), in human HCC and colon cancer metastases. HuR is stabilized by Mdm2-mediated NEDDylation in at least three lysine residues, ensuring its nuclear localization and protection from degradation. Conclusion: This novel Mdm2/NEDD8/HuR regulatory framework is essential for the malignant transformation of tumor cells, which, in turn, unveils a novel signaling paradigm that is pharmacologically amenable for cancer therapy.     

Does Senna Extract Promote Growth of Aberrant Crypt Foci and Malignant Tumors in Rat Colon?

Current evidence suggests that aberrant cryptfoci (ACF) can be used to evaluate agents for theirpotential colon carcinogenic activity. The aim of thepresent study was to determine whether senna pod extract (SE) itself induces ACF and tumors in the ratcolon or increases the development of ACF and tumorsinduced by azoxymethane (AOM). A daily administration ofSE 10 mg/kg by mouth for 13-28 weeks produced a weak laxative effect but did not itself causethe appearance of ACF or tumors. The numbers of ACF andtumors induced by AOM were, however, increased by a doseof SE (100 mg/kg) able to induce chronic diarrhea over three months. These resultssuggest that SE does not cause the appearance of ACF ortumors in the rat colon nor does it have a promotingeffect when given to rats at a dose that produceslaxation (10 mg/kg), whereas a diarrhogenic dose (100mg/kg) increases the appearance of tumors induced byAOM.