Use of egg yolk-derived immunoglobulin as an alternative to antibiotic treatment for control of Helicobacter pylori infection

The present study evaluated the potential use of immunoglobulin prepared from the egg yolk of hens immunized with Helicobacter pylori (immunoglobulin Y [IgY]-Hp) in the treatment of H. pylori infections. The purity of our purified IgY-Hp was 91.3%, with a yield of 9.4 mg of IgY per ml of egg yolk. The titer for IgY-Hp was 16 times higher than that for IgY in egg yolk from nonimmunized hens, and IgY-Hp significantly inhibited the growth and urease activity of H. pylori in vitro. Bacterial adhesion on AGS cells was definitely reduced by preincubation of both H. pylori (10(8) CFU/ml) and 10 mg of IgY-Hp/ml. In Mongolian gerbil models, IgY-Hp decreased H. pylori-induced gastric mucosal injury as determined by the degree of lymphocyte and neutrophil infiltration. Therefore, in this experimental model, H. pylori-associated gastritis could be successfully treated by orally administered IgY-Hp. The immunological activity of IgY-Hp stayed active at 60 degrees C for 10 min, suggesting that pasteurization can be applied to sterilize the product. Fortification of food products with this immunoglobulin would significantly decrease the H. pylori infection. In conclusion, the IgY-Hp obtained from hens immunized by H. pylori could provide a novel alternative approach to treatment of H. pylori infection.     

Cell death in retinoblastoma: electron microscopic, immunohistochemical, and DNA fragmentation studies

Apparent cell loss by apoptosis occurs in carcinomatous tissue. To investigate cell death in retinoblastoma (Rb), ultrastructural examination, ApopTag staining, electrophoresis to detect apoptotic DNA fragmentation, and flow cytometric studies were performed. Immunostaining for the oncogenic products bcl-2 and p53 was also carried out. Relationships between the proliferation fraction (PF), apoptotic index (AI), and the distribution of bcl-2 and p53 were investigated according to the degree of histologic differentiation of Rb. Ultrastructurally, two patterns of cell death were seen. Necrotic cells exhibited vacuolation of cytoplasmic organelles with a marked lytic change in the karyoplasm and cytoplasm. In contrast, apoptotic cells were characterized by crescentic margination of chromatin, condensation of karyoplasm and cytoplasm, and fragmentation of the nucleus. Differentiated Rb had a low AI value (< 1%), whereas undifferentiated Rb had a high AI value (> 8%). The PF of undifferentiated RB (31%) was significantly higher than that of differentiated RB (14%). Analysis of DNA fragmentation using 3'-end labeling with terminal transferase indicated that undifferentiated Rb has increased DNA cleavage. The distribution of apoptotic bodies within Rb was inversely correlated with the expression of bcl-2. A majority of tumor cells of differentiated Rb were negative for p53, whereas 20-40% of tumor cells of undifferentiated Rb showed a positive reaction for p53. These findings suggest that the degree of susceptibility to apoptosis is closely related to PF, is inversely related to the degree of differentiation of Rb, and is protected by oncogene bcl-2.     

Causal Effects of Homocysteine,Folate, and Cobalamin on Kidney Function: A Mendelian Randomization Study

Blood homocysteine level and related vitamin levels are associated with various health outcomes. We aimed to assess causal effects of blood homocysteine, folate, and cobalamin on kidney function in the general population by performing Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. Genetic instruments for blood homocysteine, folate, and cobalamin levels were introduced from a previous genome-wide association (GWAS) meta-analysis of European individuals. Summary-level MR analysis was performed for the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from the CKDGen consortium GWAS that included 567,460 European ancestry individuals. For replication, allele-score-based MR was performed with an independent U.K. Biobank cohort of 337,138 individuals of white British ancestry. In summary-level MR for the CKDGen data, high genetically predicted homocysteine levels were significantly associated with low eGFR (per 1 standard deviation, beta for eGFR change −0.95 (−1.21, −0.69) %), supported by pleiotropy-robust MR sensitivity analysis. Genetically predicted high folate levels were significantly associated with high eGFR change (0.86 (0.30, 1.42) %); however, causal estimates from cobalamin were nonsignificant (−0.11 (−0.33, 0.11) %). In the U.K. Biobank data, the results were consistently identified. Therefore, a high blood homocysteine level causally decreases eGFR. Future trials with appropriate homocysteine-lowering interventions may be helpful for the primary prevention of kidney function impairment.     

Does multidetector computed tomographic urography (MDCTU) T staging classification correspond with pathologic T staging in upper tract urothelial carcinoma?

International Urology and Nephrology - Multidetector computed tomographic urography (MDCTU) is not yet sufficient to be used in the clinical staging of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). This...     

Knotless All-Inside Arthroscopic Modified Broström Procedure for Lateral Ankle Instability

One reported complication of the arthroscopic modified Broström operation is pain caused by the suture anchoring knot. We hypothesized that a knotless technique could reduce such pain. Therefore, in this study we evaluated the clinical and radiological outcomes after knotless all-inside arthroscopic modified Broström operation for lateral ankle instability. From July 2017 to November 2017, 28 patients were treated. Clinical and radiological features were evaluated preoperatively and 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively using the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot scale score, visual analogue scale score for pain, anterior talar drawer test, and talar tilt angle. The mean age of the 28 patients (14 men, 14 women) was 41.71 ± 17.19 years. Three (10.7%) complications, but no knot-associated pain, occurred. The clinical and radiological outcomes were significantly improved 12 months postoperatively compared with preoperative outcomes (all p < .05). Knotless all-inside arthroscopic modified Broström operation for lateral ankle instability avoided knot-associated pain and improved not only patient satisfaction but also clinical and radiological outcomes.     

Effect of high-BDNF microenvironment stem cells therapy on neurogenic bladder model in rats

BackgroundThe purpose of this study is to explore the effects of high-BDNF microenvironment produced by engineered immortalized mesenchymal stem cells (imMSCs) on the neurogenic bladder (NB) and investigate underlying mechanism.MethodsMale Sprague-Dawley rat (12-week-old, weighing about 370–400 g) were purchased from a Korean company (Orient Bio Co. Seongnam, Korea) and divided into the following groups (n=32): sham control group (n=8), NB group (n=8), NB + ImMSCs group (n=8), NB + ImMSCs (BDNF) group (n=8). The major pelvic ganglion (MPG) was observed under anesthesia. Three NB groups of rats were then subjected to bilateral MPG injury. The sham control group of rats was treated with sham surgery. Cystometry were performed before the rats were sacrificed, and then MPG and bladder were collected for histochemical and Western blot analysis.ResultsMSCs treatment improves lower urinary tract function, and the NB + ImMSCs (BDNF) group is better than the NB + ImMSCs group (P<0.01). MSCs treatment accelerates recovery of injured nerve tissue, and the NB + ImMSCs (BDNF) group is better than the NB + ImMSCs group (P<0.01). In high BDNF environment, apoptosis was reduced more significantly and muscle tissue recovered more rapidly (P<0.01). High-BDNF microenvironment activates more BDNF/TrkB/CREB signaling pathways (P<0.01).ConclusionsIn a rat NB model caused by nerve injury, imMSCs have certain effects on nerve tissue repair. At the same time, it was proved that increasing the expression of BDNF which had specific effect on nerve injury repair could more effectively repair injured MPG in local microenvironment. The mechanism may be related to the activation of the BDNF/TrkB/CREB signaling pathway and the reduction of apoptosis by highly expressed BDNF.