Neutrophil extracellular traps and MPO in models of susceptibility and resistance against Entamoeba histolytica

The main effector mechanisms of neutrophils are the release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and myeloperoxidase (MPO). In this work, we evaluated the role of NETs and the activity of MPO in the interactions of rodent neutrophils with amoebae and in amoebic liver abscess (ALA)-resistant and ALA-susceptible models. We showed with in vitro assays that mice produced greater amounts of NETs and MPO than did hamsters, and the elastase activity was high in both models. However, the inhibition of NETs and MPO promoted an increase in amoeba viability in the mice. The mouse ALAs showed a more profound presence of NETs and MPO than did the hamster ALAs. We concluded that both effector mechanisms were essential for the amoebic damage and could prevent the formation of ALAs in the resistant model.     

Assessment of health-related quality of life among hypertensive patients: a cross-sectional study from Palestine

Aim

The ability to identify indicators of poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is crucial for both improving clinical care and determining targets of intervention for the prevention and treatment of disease. The main objectives of this study were to assess the HRQoL profile of the hypertensive population from Palestine, and to determine the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics associated with poor HRQoL.

Subject and methods

A cross sectional study was conducted, adopting the EuroQoL-5 Dimensions scale (EQ-5D-5 L) for the assessment of HRQoL. Hypertensive patients attending outpatients’ clinics at Al-Makhfyah primary health care clinic and from Alwatani Hospital, Nablus, Palestine were approached for study.

Results

Four hundred and ten hypertensive patients were enrolled in the study. Of these, 213 patients (52 %) were female. The average age of the study population was 58.38?±?10.65 years. HRQoL was good, with a mean EQ-5D-5 L index value and EQ visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS) score of 0.80?±?0.16 and 74.1?±?15.6 respectively. There was a significant positive correlation (r?=?0.56; p?<?0.001) between the EQ-5D-5 L index values and the reported EQ-VAS scores. A significant difference in EQ-5D-5 L index values was found among participants when grouped according to age, occupation, marital status, income, educational level, duration of disease, total number of chronic diseases, and total number of medications (Kruskal–Wallis test; p-value?<?0.05), as well as gender and therapy type (Mann–Whitney test, p-value?<?0.05).

Conclusions

This study highlighted that specific socio-demographic and disease-related characteristics of hypertensive patients as well as treatment factors were strongly associated with HRQoL. The study findings could be helpful in clinical practice, mainly in the early treatment of hypertensive patients, at a point where improving HRQoL is still possible.     

Clinical comparison between the bleaching efficacy of light‐emitting diode and diode laser with sodium perborate

The aim of this clinical study was to test the efficacy of a light‐emitting diode (LED) light and a diode laser, when bleaching with sodium perborate. Thirty volunteers were selected to participate in the study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. The initial colour of each tooth to be bleached was quantified with a spectrophotometer. In group A, sodium perborate and distilled water were mixed and placed into the pulp chamber, and the LED light was source applied. In group B, the same mixture was used, and the 810 nm diode laser was applied. The final colour of each tooth was quantified with the same spectrophotometer. Initial and final spectrophotometer values were recorded. Mann–Whitney U‐test and Wicoxon tests were used to test differences between both groups. Both devices successfully whitened the teeth. No statistical difference was found between the efficacy of the LED light and the diode laser.     

Efficacy of different solvents in removing gutta‐percha from curved root canals: A micro‐computed tomography study

The aim of this study was to compare the root filling material that remained after retreatment of curved root canals with chloroform and Endosolv R as solvents. The evaluation employed micro‐computed tomography (CT) imaging. Thirty‐six extracted molar teeth with curved roots were selected. After preparation with ProTaper rotary instruments, the canals were filled with gutta‐percha and AH26 sealer. The teeth were randomly divided into three groups according to solvent used (n = 12) as follows: group 1: chloroform; group 2: Endosolv R; group 3: no solvent (negative control). ProTaper Universal Retreatment files were used to remove each root canal filling and then the self‐adjusting file was applied for two minutes. Preoperative and postoperative micro‐CT images were used to assess the percentage of residual filling material. The mean percentage of residual filling material was quantified. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of percentage volume of residual root canal filling.     

红花SRAP扩增体系的建立和优化

目的:探讨影响红花SRAP扩增的各种因素,建立能够稳定扩增红花基因组的体系,为研究红花重要性状的遗传基础及建立分子辅助标记育种的技术平台奠定基础.方法:用CTAB法提取红花DNA,设计Taq酶浓度(0.02、0.04、0.06 U/μl)、dNTP浓度(0.15、0.25、0.30 mmol/L)、Primer浓度(0.15、0.30、0.45 μmol/L)3因素3水平27次实验和Mg2 浓度(0.5、1.0、1.5、2.0、2.5、3.0、3.5、4.0 mmol/L)8水平单因素实验.在25 μl体系中加入模板DNA 20 ng.对体系进行优化,用琼脂糖进行检测.结果:本研究建立了适合红花的SRAP体系,Taq酶浓度为0.02 U/μl,dNTP浓度为0.25 mmol/L,Primer 浓度为0.30 μmol/L,Mg2 的浓度为3.0 mmol/L,优化后的体系目标条带增多,重现性好,得到了较好的扩增效果.结论:本研究建立的反应体系适合红花SRAP的研究.     

Dynamics of impulsive–compulsive behaviors in early Parkinson’s disease: a prospective study

Journal of Neurology - Impulsive compulsive behaviors (ICBs) in Parkinson’s disease (PD) are debilitating disorders of repetitive, excessive, and compulsive nature affecting up to one third...     

单纯鼻腔表面麻醉在电子喉镜检查中的应用效果观察

摘要：目的??探讨盐酸丁卡因行咽腔表面麻醉对电子喉镜检查的影响。方法?用双盲法随机将200例电子喉镜检查患者分成两组,每组各100例,一组患者咽腔用1.0%盐酸丁卡因表面麻醉（对照组）,另一组用0.9%氯化钠喷雾（实验组）,两组患者鼻腔均用呋嘛和1.0%盐酸丁卡因行表面麻醉,检查前均用盐酸达克罗宁胶浆涂抹镜身。根据自设评估标准对患者表面麻醉开始至检查结束期间的反应进行评估。结果?两组患者电子喉镜检查均顺利完成,检查时间差异有统计意义（P <0.05）,对照组咽部不适阳性率较实验组高,程度较实验组重,差异有统计学意义（P <0.05）。结论?单纯鼻腔表面麻醉不使用咽腔丁卡因表面麻醉,不会影响电子喉镜检查的顺利完成;不行咽腔表面麻醉的患者,咽部不良反应更少,患者检查后恢复进食快,患者检查全过程的舒适度体验大幅度提高;不使用咽腔麻醉缩短了患者的表面麻醉和等候时间,提高了检查效率,值得推广应用。     

大鼠心肌钙敏感受体蛋白的表达及其与心肌细胞凋亡的关系

目的观察大鼠心肌组织和心肌细胞钙敏感受体（CaSR）蛋白表达与心肌细胞凋亡及相关信号传导途径的关系。方法Western blot检测心肌CaSR蛋白和ERK1／2、BCl2及Caspase3的表达。免疫荧光和流式细胞仪观察细胞凋亡。结果心肌组织和心肌细胞表面可检测到CaSR蛋白的表达。CaSR激动剂氯化钆（GdCl3）能促进心肌细胞凋亡,并使ERK1／2的磷酸化增加、BCl2表达及Caspase3活化。加入酪氨酸蛋白激酶阻断剂PD98059后,心肌细胞凋亡率增加,ERK1／2磷酸化降低,BCl2表达消失,Caspase3活化增强。结论CaSR蛋白在心肌细胞膜表面表达,其激活通过Caspase3活化,促进心肌细胞凋亡。同时亦可激活酪氨酸蛋白激酶途径。