Stability of carbohydrate-modified vesicles in vivo: comparative effects of ceramide and cholesterol glycoconjugates.

The stability and tissue distribution of lipid vesicles modified at the surface by the incorporation of either a galactosyl ceramide (GalCer) or a galactosyl cholesterol (GalChol) glycoconjugate have been studied in mice by measuring the release of vesicle-entrapped 111In. Although the tissue distributions of both vesicle types were similar, the GalCer-containing vesicles were markedly less stable than those prepared with GalChol, whether administered orally or by intraperitoneal injection. Physical characterization of the vesicles in vitro suggests that the increased disruption rate for GalCer vesicles in vivo is related to structural instabilities induced by the cerebroside, which can then result in either an increased rate of vesicle uptake by tissues or a greater susceptibility to lysis. These studies demonstrate the importance of the nonpolar anchoring groups in determining the fate of surface-modified vesicles in vivo.     

Prevalence of pregnancy experiences and contraceptive knowledge among single adults in a low socio-economic suburban community in Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia

Background

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of pregnancy experience and its association with contraceptive knowledge among single adults in a low socio-economic suburban community in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2012 among the Kerinchi suburban community. Of the total 3,716 individuals surveyed, young single adults between 18 and 35 years old were questioned with regard to their experience with unplanned pregnancy before marriage. Contraceptive knowledge was assessed by a series of questions on identification of method types and the affectivity of condoms for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.

Results

A total of 226 female and 257 male participants completed the survey. In total, eight female (3.5%) participants reported experience with an unplanned pregnancy before marriage, and five male (1.9 %) participants had the experience of impregnating their partners. The participants had a mean total score of 3.15 (SD = 1.55) for contraceptive knowledge out of a possible maximum score of five. Female participants who had experienced an unplanned pregnancy had a significantly lower contraceptive knowledge score (2.10 ± 1.48) than who had never experienced pregnancy (3.30 ± 1.35), p<0.05. Likewise, male participants who had experienced impregnating their partners had a significantly lower contraceptive knowledge score (1.60 ± 1.50) than those who did not have such experience (3.02 ± 1.59), p<0.05.

Conclusion

The results showed evidence of premarital unplanned pregnancy among this suburban community. The low level of contraceptive knowledge found in this study indicates the need for educational strategies designed to improve contraceptive knowledge.

     

Factors associated with return to work of breast cancer survivors: a systematic review

Background

The breast cancer survival rate is the highest among all types of cancers, and survivors returning to work after completing treatment is extremely important in regards to economy and rehabilitation. The aim of this systematic review study is to identify the prevalence of breast cancer survivors who return to work (RTW) and the factors associated to RTW.

Methods

A computer based literature search was carried out. "PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, and Science Direct" databases were searched systematically. Our search strategy identified a total of 12,116 papers of which 26 studies met the inclusion criteria and quality assessment. These were original papers published between January 2003 and January 2013.

Results

The trends in RTW differ among countries for the breast cancer survivors. The time to RTW after successful cancer treatment also varies among the countries and by ethnicity. The prevalence of the RTW varies from 43% to 93% within one year of diagnosis. The prevalence of the RTW for the Netherland is the lowest in the world (43%). The United States survivors showed the highest RTW (93%) within 12 months of the diagnosis. Numerous barriers and facilitators were identified as factors that affect RTW. For instance, socio-demographic factors such as education and ethnicity; treatment oriented factors such as chemotherapy; work related factors such as heavy physical work; disease related factors such as poor health condition and fatigue; and psychological factors such as depression and emotional distress, act as barriers of RTW. In contrast, social, family, employer support, and financial independency emerge as key facilitators in enabling breast cancer survivors to return and continue work.

Conclusion

Minimising these identified barriers and strengthening these facilitators could further improve the work condition and increase the percentage of RTW among the breast cancer survivors.

     

Fitness level and body composition indices: cross-sectional study among Malaysian adolescent

Background

The importance of fitness level on the well-being of children and adolescent has long been recognised. The aim of this study was to investigate the fitness level of school-going Malaysian adolescent, and its association with body composition indices.

Methods

1071 healthy secondary school students participated in the fitness assessment for the Malaysian Health and Adolescents Longitudinal Research Team (MyHEART) study. Body composition indices such as body mass index for age, waist circumference and waist height ratio were measured. Fitness level was assessed with Modified Harvard Step Test. Physical Fitness Score was calculated using total time of step test exercise and resting heart rates. Fitness levels were divided into 3 categories - unacceptable, marginally acceptable, and acceptable. Partial correlation analysis was used to determine the association between fitness score and body composition, by controlling age, gender, locality, ethnicity, smoking status and sexual maturation. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to determine which body composition was the strongest predictor for fitness.

Results

43.3% of the participants were categorised into the unacceptable fitness group, 47.1% were considered marginally acceptable, and 9.6% were acceptable. There was a significant moderate inverse association (p < 0.001) between body composition with fitness score (r = -0.360, -0.413 and -0.403 for body mass index for age, waist circumference and waist height ratio, respectively). Waist circumference was the strongest and significant predictor for fitness (ß = -0.318, p = 0.002).

Conclusion

Only 9.6% of the students were fit. There was also an inverse association between body composition and fitness score among apparently healthy adolescents, with waist circumference indicated as the strongest predictor. The low fitness level among the Malaysian adolescent should necessitate the value of healthy lifestyle starting at a young age.

     

Factors associated with time to diagnosis in early rheumatoid arthritis

Early diagnosis and treatment yield optimal outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA); thus, barriers to disease recognition must be identified and addressed. We determined the impact of sociodemographic factors, medical comorbidities, family history, and disease severity at onset on the time to diagnosis in early RA. The Canadian early ArThritis CoHort study data on 1,142 early RA patients were analyzed for predictors of time to diagnosis using regression analysis. Sociodemographic factors (age, sex, income strata, education, ethnicity), measures of disease activity (joint counts, DAS28 score, acute-phase reactants, patient global evaluation, function), family history, serology, chronic musculoskeletal and mental health conditions, and obesity at diagnosis were considered. In multivariate linear regression analysis, more swollen joints (β = ?0.047 per joint, 95 % CI ?0.085, ?0.010, p = 0.014), higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (β = ?0.012 per 1 mm/h, 95 % CI ?0.022, ?0.002, p = 0.0018), and worse patient global scores (β = ?0.082 per 1 unit on a visual analogue scale, 95 % CI ?0.158, ?0.006, p = 0.034) at baseline predicted a shorter time to diagnosis. Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibody positivity (β = 0.688, 95 % CI 0.261, 1.115, p = 0.002) and low income (annual <$20,000 β = 1.185, 95 % CI 0.227, 2.143, p = 0.015; annual $20,000–50,000 β = 0.933, 95 % CI 0.069, 1.798, p = 0.034) increased time to diagnosis. In the logistic regression models, the odds of being diagnosed within 6 months of symptom onset were increased for each swollen joint present [odds ratio (OR) 1.04, 95 % CI 1.02–1.06 per joint], each 1 mm/h elevation in the ESR (OR 1.01, 95 % CI 1.00–1.02), and decreased for patients who were either rheumatoid factor or anti-CCP positive compared to both factors being negative (OR 0.68, 95 % CI 0.51–0.91). Higher disease activity results in a more rapid diagnosis for Canadian patients with early RA, but those with lower income have delays in diagnosis. Strategies to identify patients with a less severe disease presentation and in lower socioeconomic strata are needed to ensure equal opportunity for optimal management.     

Cancer risks along the disease trajectory in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody associated vasculitis

Clinical Rheumatology - This review appraises the current literature on carcinogenic risks in anti-neutrophilic cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA) associated vasculitis (AAV). Patients with AAV are...     

青蒿琥酯对痤疮丙酸杆菌的体外抑菌作用及机制研究

目的探究青蒿琥酯对痤疮丙酸杆菌的体外抑菌作用及相关机制。方法采用微量肉汤稀释法检测痤疮丙酸杆菌标准株和临床株,观测青蒿琥酯联合盐酸多西环素的最小抑菌浓度(MIC),并观察2种药物对痤疮丙酸杆菌生长的动态影响。采用扫描电镜观察青蒿琥酯作用后痤疮丙酸杆菌的形态学变化。结果青蒿琥酯MIC为0.750~3.000 mg/mL,盐酸多西环素MIC为0.040~0.160μg/mL,两药联合使用呈相加或协同抑菌作用。两药在单药和联合使用时的MIC差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。细菌生长动态观察结果显示两药联合使用可降低药物浓度,且抑菌作用起效快、持续时间长。扫描电镜观察结果显示青蒿琥酯作用后菌体变短,表面有皱瘪、凹陷、弯折等改变。结论青蒿琥酯对痤疮丙酸杆菌有一定抑菌作用,与盐酸多西环素联合使用抑菌效果优于单独使用,且对痤疮丙酸杆菌形态有影响。