Altersetin,a new antibiotic from cultures of endophytic Alternaria spp. Taxonomy,fermentation, isolation,structure elucidation and biological activities

A novel antibacterial antibiotic, for which the name altersetin is proposed, was isolated from the culture broth of two endophytic Alternaria species. The relative and absolute configuration were assigned by NOESY or CD data, respectively. Altersetin is chemically related to equisetin and showed potent MIC against several pathogenic gram-positive bacteria, whereas gram-negative bacteria and pathogenic yeast were not or much less susceptible. Moderate in vivo efficiacy was observed for altersetin in a murine sepsis model.     

以PGA为三维支架同种异体工程化软骨的构建

为探讨以聚羟基乙酸（PGA）为三维支架材料的同种异体软骨细胞构建组织工程化软骨的能力,采用胶原酶消化方法分离乳兔肋软骨获取种子细胞,收集体外培养传2-3代的软骨细胞,接种于经多聚赖氨酸处理的PGA支架材料上,将细胞-材料复合物种植在成兔皮下,一定时间取材,对获得的同种异体工程化软骨进行组织学评价。结果显示,软骨细胞体外培养1天后,在PGA支架上分布均匀;培养1周左右,PGA纤维间有呈蜘蛛网状基质产生。种植复合物4周取材可见PGA纤维未完全降解,软骨细胞不成熟,周边存在一定程度炎细胞浸润;8周取材,PGA纤维消失,软骨基本成熟,炎细胞浸润不明显。软骨基质含量丰富,分布与正常肋软骨组织学特征相似,提示以PGA为支架材料同种异体软骨细胞在有免疫力的动物体内可形成工程化软骨,无明显免疫排斥反应。     

Differential expression of E-prostanoid receptors in human hepatocellular carcinoma

Recent studies have shown that inhibition of cyclooxygenases (e.g. COX-2) exerts antitumorigenic effects on hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), which are to a significant extent due to the abrogation of PGE(2) synthesis. PGE(2) acts via differentially regulated prostaglandin receptors (EP(1-4)). Our study was designed to investigate the expression pattern of EP-receptors in HCCs and to evaluate the therapeutic potential of selective EP-receptor antagonists. Using tissue microarrays including a total of 14 control livers, 17 liver cirrhoses, 22 premalignant dysplastic nodules (DNs) and 162 HCCs with different histological grades, the expression of COX-2, mPGES-1 and -2 and EP(1-4)-receptors was analyzed. Western immunoblot analyses were performed to confirm the expression in HCC cell lines. The effects of EP(1-4)-receptor antagonism on cell viability and apoptosis were investigated using MTT-assays and FACS-analyses, respectively. COX-2, mPGES-1 and -2 and EP(1-4)-receptors were expressed in all HCC tissues. COX-2 expression was highest in DNs and declined with loss of HCC-differentiation. With respect to COX-2 expression, a converse expression of EP(1-3) -receptors and mPGES-1 and -2 was found in DNs compared to HCCs. Selectively antagonizing EP(1)- and EP(3)-receptors reduced the viability of HCC cells in a dose-dependent manner, which was associated with apoptosis induction. Our results suggest a differential regulation of EP-receptor subtype expression with dedifferentiation of HCCs in which a converse expression pattern for COX-2 in comparison to EP(1-3)-receptors occurs. Of clinical interest, selectively antagonizing EP(1)- and EP(3)-receptors may provide a novel systemic therapeutic approach to the treatment of HCCs.     

“Minimized rotational vestibular testing” as a screening procedure detecting vestibular areflexy in deaf children: screening cochlear implant candidates for Usher syndrome Type I

Morbus Usher (USH), a combination of sensorineural hearing loss and retinal visual impairment, is classified into group I-III. USH I patients are born deaf. Within the first 10 years of life, they develop a severe vision impairment due to progressive retinal dystrophy (retinitis pigmentosa). USH I patients show vestibular deficits. The incidence of USH I among congenitally deaf children is assumed to be as high as 10%. We intend to create a simple examination procedure for screening congenitally deaf children for vestibular deficiency and subsequently USH I. The examination procedure is named "Minimized Rotation". The vestibular function of deaf children was examined by Minimized Rotation during their preoperative cochlear implant candidacy examination. A lack of postrotational nystagmus was seen as an indication for vestibular deficit. Subsequently some of these patients were examined under general anaesthesia by electroretinography (ERG) at the Department of Ophthalmology. A total of 117 children were examined by Minimized Rotation. In 19 children (16.2%) no rotational nystagmus was found. Six of these children were additionally examined at the Department of Ophthalmology using Ganzfeld ERG. Three of them (50%) showed generalized dysfunction of the retina; 8.1% of the children undergoing preoperative evaluation for cochlear implatation are assumed to show abnormalities of the retina. Rotational examination seems to be an appropriate screening method to detect vestibular deficits, which is one sign of USH I. The results always have to be verified by Ganzfeld-ERG or further genetic investigations. Children with USH I are threatened by progressive reduction of vision. We, therefore, consider USH I children always to be implanted bilaterally with a cochlear implant to maximize the benefit of auditory rehabilitation.     

Satisfaction with access and quality of healthcare services for people with spinal cord injury living in the community

Objective: To identify barriers to access healthcare services and reveal determinants of satisfaction with healthcare services in people with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI).

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Setting: Community setting in Switzerland.

Participants: People with chronic SCI.

Interventions: Non-applicable.

Outcome Measures: Questionnaire-based evaluation of availability and quality of healthcare services for secondary health conditions, satisfaction with fulfillment of healthcare needs, and preference for care from a hypothetical service provider with limited specialized SCI care expertise but in close proximity over comprehensive care from an existing specialized SCI center located at a greater distance.

Results: Close to three-quarter of participants (70%) indicated satisfaction with healthcare services received for SCI related health conditions. Elderly individuals (61+ years old) rated the availability and quality of healthcare 6% to 11% higher than younger individuals. The perceived fulfillment of healthcare needs was lower in people with incomplete paraplegia (odds ratio (OR) 2.11, 95%-credibility interval (CI) 1.18–3.84), chronic pain (OR 1.85, CI 1.12–3.08), insufficient access to long distance transportation (OR 5.81, CI 2.74–12.82), and longer travel distances to specialized SCI centers.

Conclusion: Perceived inadequateness of access to healthcare services was partly related to transportation barriers, suggesting that outreach services or support with transportation are possible solutions. People with incomplete paralysis and pain consistently rated the fulfillment of care needs associated with SCI less favorably, pointing to the need for enhanced advocacy for this vulnerable groups.     

Amniotic fluid peptides predict postnatal kidney survival in developmental kidney disease

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Oral rehabilitation with implant-based prostheses of two adult patients treated for childhood rhabdomyosarcoma

Background  

Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common malignant tumor in the nasal and paranasal sinus area at childhood. Multimodal treatment for this disorder has severe side effects due to normal tissue damage. As a result of this treatment, facial growth retardation and oral abnormalities such as malformation of teeth and microstomia can cause esthetic and functional problems.