Multicenter Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry Study for Identification of Clinically Relevant Nocardia spp.

This multicenter study analyzed Nocardia spp., including extraction, spectral acquisition, Bruker matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) identification, and score interpretation, using three Nocardia libraries, the Bruker, National Institutes of Health (NIH), and The Ohio State University (OSU) libraries, and compared the results obtained by each center. A standardized study protocol, 150 Nocardia isolates, and NIH and OSU Nocardia MALDI-TOF MS libraries were distributed to three centers. Following standardized culture, extraction, and MALDI-TOF MS analysis, isolates were identified using score cutoffs of ≥2.0 for species/species complex-level identification and ≥1.8 for genus-level identification. Isolates yielding a score of <2.0 underwent a single repeat extraction and analysis. The overall score range for all centers was 1.3 to 2.7 (average, 2.2 ± 0.3), with common species generally producing higher average scores than less common ones. Score categorization and isolate identification demonstrated 86% agreement between centers; 118 of 150 isolates were correctly identified to the species/species complex level by all centers. Nine strains (6.0%) were not identified by any center, and six (4.0%) of these were uncommon species with limited library representation. A categorical score discrepancy among centers occurred for 21 isolates (14.0%). There was an overall benefit of 21.2% from repeat extraction of low-scoring isolates and a center-dependent benefit for duplicate spotting (range, 2 to 8.7%). Finally, supplementation of the Bruker Nocardia MALDI-TOF MS library with both the OSU and NIH libraries increased the genus-level and species-level identification by 18.2% and 36.9%, respectively. Overall, this study demonstrates the ability of diverse clinical microbiology laboratories to utilize MALDI-TOF MS for the rapid identification of clinically relevant Nocardia spp. and to implement MALDI-TOF MS libraries developed by single laboratories across institutions.     

Folic acid protects against experimental prenatal nicotine–induced cardiac injury by decreasing inflammatory changes,serum TNF and COX-2 expression

Nicotine administration has been shown to increase the risk for cardiovascular diseases and death. The present study was designed to investigate the impact of nicotine administration on serum level tumor necrosis factor and cycloxygenase -2 (COX-2) expression mediated cardiac injury in rat off springs, and the possible protective effect of folic acid. Eighteen pregnant female rats were randomly divided into three groups, six animals each. Control group received the vehicle, nicotine group received a dose of nicotine 0.1?mg/kg body weight, daily with subcutaneous injection from day 3 of gestation until weaning on postnatal day 21. Nicotine treated group received daily oral supplementation with folic acid 200?mg/kg body weight by intragastric tube prior to injection of nicotine. In serum of the pups, levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), nitric oxide (NO), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured. Histopathological studies of cardiac tissues using hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) were carried out. The expression of COX-2 was evaluated using immunohistochemistry. Serum TNF and MDA were significantly increased, while serum NO and TAC were significantly decreased in nicotine group. Moreover, nicotine-exposed rats showed complete lysis of cardiac myocytes, marked cytoplasmic vacuolation of myocytes, muscle fibers show loss of striation and increased COX-2 expression. Concomitant folic acid administration resulted in a significant alleviation of biochemical and structural alteration-induced by nicotine. In conclusion, folic acid has a protective role against nicotine induced cardiac injury by reduction of COX-2 expression, decreasing TNF production and lipid peroxidation mediated cell injury.     

Both HCV and HBV are Major Causes of Liver Cancer in Southeast Asians

The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is higher in Asian Americans than in other ethnicities. While hepatitis B virus (HBV) is common, hepatitis C virus (HCV) is more prevalent in some subgroups. Our goal was to determine the etiology of liver disease associated with HCC in subgroups of Asian Americans. This was an analysis of 510 Asian HCC patients at a US medical center. Patients were identified using ICD9 diagnosis. Multivariate logistic regression was used to study predictors of HCV as the cause of HCC. Patients were Southeast Asian, Chinese, and Korean, with similar gender, age, and foreign-born status. Southeast Asians had a similar proportion of HBV- and HCV-related HCC, while Chinese and Korean patients had a higher proportion of HBV-related HCC. HCC was usually associated with HBV in Chinese and Korean patients, but both HCV and HBV were important associations in Southeast Asians.     

Association of MTHFR and TYMS gene polymorphisms with the susceptibility to HCC in Egyptian HCV cirrhotic patients

Clinical and Experimental Medicine - Identification of host genetic factors influencing the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV)...     

Changes in Choroidal Thickness after Cataract Surgery

Objective: The aim of this study is to compare subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) before and after uneventful phacoemulsification using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT).Background: Cataract is a major cause of visual impairment in the elderly. Cataract surgery is the most common ophthalmic surgery and is performed simultaneously with glaucoma or vitreous surgery in many cases. However, according to the results in epidemiology studies, cataract surgery is associated with the onset of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataract surgery increases visual acuity in these patients without an increased risk of progression to exudative AMD. Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 53 eyes of 53 patients who had phacoemulsification. Measurements of SFCT were performed preoperatively, 7 days (D7), 1 month (M1), and 3 months (M3) postoperative using the EDI-OCT technique. Central retinal thickness was also measured at the same time. Results: Twenty-seven male (50.9%) and 26 female (49.1%) with a mean age of 56.43 years ± 10.34 (SD) were analyzed. The mean choroidal thickness was 199.9 ± 60.74 µm. It significantly increased to 228.42 ± 59.77 µm at D7, then decreased to 210.78 ± 59.59 µm at M1, and then decreased to 200.63 ± 61 µm at M3. The mean retinal thickness was 260.79 ± 6.12 µm. It significantly increased to 294.09 ± 7.20 µm at D7 and then decreased to 274.70 ± 6.00 µm at M1 and 258.92 ± 5.89 µm at M3. Conclusion: Mean SFCT increased after cataract surgery. The changes in SFCT return to near the baseline after 3 months.