Prospective isolation of skeletal muscle stem cells with a Pax7 reporter

Muscle regeneration occurs through activation of quiescent satellite cells whose progeny proliferate, differentiate, and fuse to make new myofibers. We used a transgenic Pax7-ZsGreen reporter mouse to prospectively isolate stem cells of skeletal muscle by flow cytometry. We show that Pax7-expressing cells (satellite cells) in the limb, head, and diaphragm muscles are homogeneous in size and granularity and uniformly labeled by certain cell surface markers, including CD34 and CD29. The frequency of the satellite cells varies between muscle types and with age. Clonal analysis demonstrated that all colonies arising from single cells within the Pax7-sorted fraction have myogenic potential. In response to injury, Pax7(+) cells reduce CD34, CD29, and CXCR4 expression, increase in size, and acquire Sca-1. When directly isolated and cultured in vitro, Pax7(+) cells display the hallmarks of activation and proliferate, initially as suspension aggregates and later distributed between suspension and adherence. During in vitro expansion, Pax7 (ZsGreen) and CD34 expression decline, whereas expression of PSA-NCAM is acquired. The nonmyogenic, Pax7(neg) cells expand as Sca1(+) PDGRalpha(+) PSA-NCAM(neg) cells. Satellite cells expanded exclusively in suspension can engraft and produce dystrophin(+) fibers in mdx(-/-) mice. These results establish a novel animal model for the study of muscle stem cell physiology and a culture system for expansion of engraftable muscle progenitors.     

Comparison of chemical profiles,antioxidation, inhibition of skin extracellular matrix degradation,and anti-tyrosinase activity between mycelium and fruiting body of Cordyceps militaris and Isaria tenuipes

ContextCordyceps militaris and Isaria tenuipes (Cordycipitaceae) are high-value fungi that are used for health-promoting food supplements. Since laboratory cultivation has begun for these fungi, increased output has been achieved.ObjectiveThis study compared the chemical profiles, antioxidant, anti-tyrosinase, and skin extracellular matrix degradation inhibition between mycelium and fruiting body of C. militaris and I. tenuipes.Materials and methodsThe antioxidative potential of 10% v/v aqueous infused extract from each fungus was separately investigated using 2,2-azinobis(3-ethylbenzo-thiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant ability, and ferric thiocyanate methods. The inhibition against MMP-1, elastase, and hyaluronidase were determined to reveal their anti-wrinkle potential. Anti-tyrosinase activities were determined.ResultsC. militaris and I. tenuipes extracts were found to contain a wide range of bioactive compounds, including phenolics, flavonoids, and adenosine. A correlation was discovered between the chemical compositions and their biological activities. The extract from I. tenuipes fruiting body (IF) was highlighted as an extraordinary elastase inhibitor (IC₅₀ = 0.006 ± 0.004 mg/mL), hyaluronidase inhibitor (IC₅₀: 30.3 ± 3.2 mg/mL), and antioxidant via radical scavenging (ABTS IC₅₀: 0.22 ± 0.02 mg/mL; DPPH IC₅₀: 0.05 ± 0.02 mg/mL), thereby reducing ability (EC₁: 95.3 ± 4.8 mM FeSO₄/g extract) and lipid peroxidation prevention (IC₅₀: 0.40 ± 0.11 mg/mL). IF had a three-times higher EC₁ value than ascorbic acid and significantly higher elastase inhibition than epigallocatechin gallate.Discussion and conclusionsIF is proposed as a powerful natural extract with antioxidant and anti-wrinkle properties; therefore, it is suggested for further use in pharmaceutical, cosmeceutical, and nutraceutical industries.     

Outcome of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a 2300-bed hospital in a developing country

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcome and quality of in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and factors affecting the outcome. SETTING: A 2300-bed university hospital in Thailand. METHOD: A 1-year prospective audit according to the Utstein style. RESULTS: A total of 639 cardiac arrests (370 male, 269 female, age 1 day-96 years, mean+/-S.D.=53.3+/-24.12 years) were included. Four hundred and thirty-three cardiac arrests (67.8%) occurred in non-monitored areas and 200 (31.3%) occurred in monitored areas. Five hundred and thirty-six cardiac arrests (84%) were witnessed. The majority of cardiac arrests occurred in medical patients (68.4%) and surgical patients (21.4%). The most common underlying causes of arrest were respiratory failure (24.7%) and septic shock (23.3%). Initial ECG rhythms were ventricular fibrillation 79 (12.4%), asystole 272 (42.6%) with pulseless electrical activity 225 (35.2%). Most patients received basic life support within 1 min (86.7%) and advanced life support (ALS) within 4 min (92.6%) but only 25% of patients received defibrillation within 3 min. Following resuscitation, 394 (61.7%) achieved restoration of spontaneous circulation and 44 patients (6.9%) survived to discharge. Only 162 post-arrest patients were treated in the critical care area. The initial survival rate was not associated with sex, age and time to ALS, but was significantly related to the monitored area. CONCLUSION: In our setting, survival to discharge is 6.9%. Initial survival rate was strongly associated with being in a monitored area. Defibrillators and the critical care areas were insufficient.     

Prevalence of asthma, rhinitis, and eczema in the university population of Phitsanulok, Thailand

Allergic diseases have been increasing around the world. Many studies in Thai children by ISAAC protocol found an increase in the prevalences of asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema. Nevertheless very few studies in Thai adults have been done. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema among Naresuan University students. Two thousand six hundred and ninety-three students (835 males and 1,858 females) completed ISAAC standardized written and video questionnaires. The age range was 17-53 years (mean 20.0 +/- 3.2 years) of which 97.2% were less than 30 years old. The prevalences of allergic rhinitis within the past 12 months and allergic rhinitis with concomitant conjunctivitis were 57.4% and 25.6%. The prevalences of wheeze within the past 12 months and of diagnosed asthma were 12.1% and 9.8%. The eczema prevalence within the past 12 months was 15.0%. Subjects with rhinoconjunctivitis had significantly more wheeze within the past 12 months and more asthma than those without rhinoconjunctivitis (25.8% and 20.1% vs. 7.6% and 6.3%; p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001). The prevalences of wheeze within the past 12 months and asthma in males (14.1%, 11.9%) were significantly higher than in females (11.2%, 8.9%) (p = 0.044 and 0.018, respectively). Similar to a recent study in Bangkok University students, our results showed an increasing trend in allergic diseases in the adult population of Phitsanulok, Northern Thailand, as compared to a study 2 decades ago.     

Effect of wound infiltration with bupivacaine on postoperative analgesia in neonates and infants undergoing major abdominal surgery: a pilot randomized controlled trial

Purpose

Postoperative pain management is essential in the perioperative care of neonates and infants but it requires a high level of care. Wound infiltration with bupivacaine, a long-acting local anesthetic, is a simple method with minimal complications. However, studies on the effectiveness of wound infiltration in neonates and infants are lacking. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of wound infiltration with bupivacaine for postoperative analgesia in neonates and infants undergoing abdominal surgery.

Methods

A prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted in 34 neonates and infants. The patients were randomized into two groups: the bupivacaine (B) group and the control (C) group. A standardized anesthetic protocol was used for each patient. Before wound closure, the surgical site of each patient in the B group was infiltrated with 2?mg/kg of bupivacaine, whereas no surgical site anesthetic infiltration was used in the C group. The neonatal infant pain scale (NIPS) score was used to evaluate postoperative pain, and fentanyl 0.5–1.5?μg/kg was administered when the NIPS score was ≥4. In regard to the fentanyl requirement, the NIPS score and the numbers of patients whose NIPS score was ≥4 were compared between the two groups.

Results

The median fentanyl dose requirements in the B group and C group were 1 and 0.5?μg/kg, respectively; and the difference was not statistically significant (p?=?0.255). The postoperative NIPS scores in the two groups were not significantly different. In addition, there were no significant differences in the numbers of patients whose NIPS score was ≥4 at 6, 12, 18, and 24?h postoperatively.

Conclusions

In neonates and infants, wound infiltration with bupivacaine had no significant effect on pain relief or fentanyl requirement during the first 24?h after major abdominal surgery.     

Kinetics of Swelling of Compressed Cellulose Matrices: A Mathematical Model

Purpose. A model for swelling time course of compressed cellulose matrix is presented. Methods. The model incorporates the two most important features: water penetration by diffusion and volume change due to swelling. Approximations of the model for small t values and for large t values are also derived, which are utilized in a handy routine for estimation of swelling parameters. Results. The observed time courses of thickness change with compressed matrices of methyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl cellulose agree well with the calculated values of the proposed model. Conclusions. The proposed model is compatible with the observed swelling kinetics.     

Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in Asian women with polycystic ovary syndrome: using the International Diabetes Federation criteria.

BACKGROUND: Since insulin resistance and compensatory hyperinsulinemia are the major causes of the metabolic syndrome (MS) and are also the main pathophysiology of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), PCOS women are at risk of MS. The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to determine the prevalence of MS in Asian women with PCOS using the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria and to define the risk factors. METHODS: One hundred and seventy women with PCOS were enrolled in the study from September 3, 2002 to June 14, 2005. A 75-g oral glucose tolerance test with plasma glucose and serum insulin levels was performed. Also, blood samples were examined for fasting triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and adiponectin levels. RESULTS: The mean (+/-standard deviation) age, body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio were 28.8+/-5.9 years, 27.1 +/- 7.0 kg/m(2) and 0.85+/-0.06, respectively. The prevalence of MS was 35.3%. Age, BMI, waist circumference and all metabolic parameters were higher in PCOS women with MS than in those without MS. MS prevalence increased with age, BMI and insulin resistance as determined by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR), but not with adiponectin after BMI adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: According to the IDF criteria, one-third of the PCOS women had MS. This study also showed that age, BMI and HOMA-IR are important risk factors for MS.