Photobiomodulation therapy on expression of HSP70 protein and tissue repair in experimental acute Achilles tendinitis

Lasers in Medical Science - The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy on the expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and tissue repair in...     

The implementation of an infection control bundle within a Total Care Burns Unit

AimTo evaluate the impact of the implementation of a best practice infection prevention and control bundle on healthcare associated burn wound infections in a paediatric burns unit.BackgroundBurn patients are vulnerable to infection. For this patient population, infection is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, thereby representing a significant challenge for burns clinicians who care for them.MethodsAn interrupted time series was used to compare healthcare associated burn wound infections in paediatric burn patients before and after implementation of an infection prevention and control bundle. Prospective surveillance of healthcare associated burn wound infections was conducted from 2012 to 2014. Other potential healthcare associated infection rates were also reviewed over the study period, including urinary tract infections, pneumonia, upper respiratory tract infections and sepsis. An infection prevention and control bundle developed in collaboration between the paediatric burn unit and infection control clinicians was implemented in 2013 in addition to previous standard practice.ResultsDuring the study period a total of 626 patients were admitted to the paediatric burns unit. Healthcare associated burn wound infections reduced from 34 in 2012 to 0 in 2014 following the implementation of the infection prevention and control bundle. Pneumonia and sepsis also reduced to 0 in 2013 and 2014, however one upper respiratory tract infection occurred in 2013 and urinary tract infections persisted in 2013.ConclusionThe implementation of an infection prevention and control bundle was effective in reducing healthcare associated burn wound infections, pneumonia and sepsis within our paediatric burns unit. Urinary tract infections remain a challenge for future improvement.     

Pretreatment Primary Tumor Stage is a Risk Factor for Recurrence in Patients with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Who Achieve Pathological Complete Response After Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy

Annals of Surgical Oncology - Although pathological complete response (pCR) after multimodal treatment for esophageal cancer is associated to the best prognosis, recurrence may occur in...     

ASO Author Reflections: Recurrence After Pathological Complete Response in Esophageal Cancer: Analysis of Risk Factors for this Unexpected Event

Annals of Surgical Oncology -     

Surface-Attached Polymer Networks Made from Cationic Poly(diitaconates): Synthesis,Surface Characterization,and Bioactivity

Facially amphiphilic polymers carrying cationic and hydrophobic groups on the same repeat unit have shown promising antimicrobial activity and biocompatibility, yet they are prone to suffer from protein adhesion which may induce biofilm formation. To overcome this problem, poly(diitaconate)-based copolymers with cationic/hydrophobic and protein-repellent/charge-neutral repeat units are synthesized. The bioactivity profile of surface-attached polymer networks made from these copolymers depends on the ratio of the cationic and charge-neutral repeat units. In all cases, the protein adhesion is substantially reduced compared to purely cationic polymers. At a 50:50 ratio, the polymer coatings are partially protein-repellent and antimicrobial, yet slightly cell toxic. At an intermediate composition of 30:70, they are still antimicrobial and the cell compatibility is substantially improved. The long-term stability of these materials still has to be determined to judge their suitability for medical applications.     

Adverse childhood experiences and the development of Down syndrome regression disorder

Down syndrome regression disorder (DSRD) is a clinical symptom cluster of acute or subacute neurocognitive regression in otherwise health persons with Down syndrome. The objective of this study was to evaluate if adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) were more prevalent in children with DSRD than those with DS alone. A survey-based, cohort-based study was performed. Caregivers of individuals with DSRD with onset of symptoms between age 10 and 30 years and DS alone were administered the ACEs questionnaire via an online REDCap survey. A total of 159 responses were collected after excluding incomplete surveys and those not meeting criteria for DSRD. Individuals with DSRD were not more likely to experience ACEs (p = 0.18, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.43–1.17). In those with ACEs prior to the onset of symptoms, the median time prior was 7 months (interquartile range: 5–10). Individuals with DSRD were more likely to report three or more ACEs (52, 33%) compared to those with DS alone (39, 22%) (p = 0.02, 95% CI: 1.08–2.87). Exposure to ACEs were not predictive of response to particular therapeutic interventions although those with multiple ACEs 3 months prior to the onset of symptoms was associated with lower response rates to benzodiazepines and immunotherapy (p = 0.02, 95% CI: −3.64–−1.13). This study provides preliminary data that individuals with DSRD experience ACEs at a similar rate to individuals with only DS alone, although three or more ACEs, often preceding the onset of symptoms, was more prevalent in individuals with DSRD.     

Serum esterase inhibition in birds: A nondestructive biomarker to assess organophosphorus and carbamate contamination

With the aim of proposing a nondestructive biomarker for monitoring the toxicological risk to birds of exposure to the organophosphorus insecticide azamethiphos and the carbamate insecticide methomyl, laboratory studies were performed on serum B esterases in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). The birds received two single dose treatments of each compound (azamethiphos and methomyl), i.e., 50 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg respectively. In the first treatment, serum butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and carboxylesterase (CbE) were drastically inhibited in the azamethiphos-treated group, 24 h after the dose. No inhibition was detected for BChE and CbE activities in the methomyl-treated group, 24 h after the dose. In the second treatment, the birds died or were sacrified 3 h after the dose. Serum BChE and brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) were strongly inhibited after treatment with both insecticides. Serum CbE, hepatic microsomal CbE and 7-ethoxyresorufin dealkylation activities were also inhibited. A statistically significant correlation between serum BChE and brain AChE was found at lethal and sublethal doses of these xenobiotics. The experimental results indicate that the nondestructive biomarker BChE can give an early qualitative and semi-quantitative warning of the toxic effects of organophosphate and carbamate insecticides in birds.