Potential high virulence for infective endocarditis in Streptococcus mutans strains with collagen-binding proteins but lacking PA expression

Objective

Streptococcus mutans, an aetiologic agent of dental caries, is a pathogen for infective endocarditis (IE). We investigated strains that express collagen-binding proteins (CBPs) with further classification based on expression of the 190-kDa protein antigen (PA).

Method

Zeta-potential values of strains TW871 (CBP+/PA+) and MT8148 (CBP−/PA+), and their respective PA-defective mutant strains TW871PD (CBP+/PA−) and MT8148PD (CBP−/PA−), were analysed, as were their adhesion to and invasion of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The distribution of strains from the oral cavities of 200 healthy individuals was analysed for CBP and/or PA expression and the strains were characterised for their adhesion and invasion properties.

Results

TW871PD and MT8148PD showed significantly lower zeta-potential values than TW871 and MT8148, respectively. Collagen-binding rates were significantly higher for TW871PD than for TW871 but nearly negligible for MT8148 and MT8148PD. The adhesion and invasion rates of HUVECs were significantly higher for TW871PD than for TW871 and significantly higher for TW871 than for MT8148 and MT8148PD. The prevalence of CBP+ strains was ∼10% and ∼3% in the case of CBP+/PA− strains. Analyses of 200 clinical strains showed the CBP+/PA− group to have higher adhesion and invasion rates than other groups.

Conclusions

CBP+/PA− S. mutans strains, despite their low distribution frequency, may be highly virulent for infective endocarditis.     

n—HA／PA66Cage在腰椎融合术中的生物安全性研究

目的评价新型纳米羟基磷灰石／聚酰胺66融合器（nano-hydroxyapatite／polyamide66Cage,n—HA／PA66Cage）植人人体内可能引起的全身毒性反应及对人体局部组织的影响。方法2012年2月至2012年4月将n—FLA／PA66Cage通过腰椎后路经椎间孔进行腰椎椎体融合植入20例患者体内,通过对研究对象检查术前、术后4d、术后2个月等3个时期的血压、脉搏、体温、免疫球蛋白A、G、M、补体C3、C4、谷丙转氨酶、谷草转氨酶、肌酐、尿素、白细胞、红细胞、血红蛋白、血小板、C反应蛋白、血沉、局部反应等指标。结果n—HA／PA66Cage植人人体后,除了术后4d白细胞、红细胞、血红蛋白、血小板等血常规、C反应蛋白、血沉等检查与术前相比,存在统计学差异（P〈0．05）;在不同时相,其他检查结果之间无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论新型n—HA／PA66Cage具有良好的生物安全性。     

Importance of the perforating arteries in the proximal part of the PICA for surgical approaches to the brain stem and fourth ventricle - an anatomical study

Objective

The purpose of this study is to examine the perforating arteries (PAs) in the proximal part of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) for surgical approaches to the brain stem and fourth ventricle, and to stress their importance in microsurgical procedures.

Methods

Twenty-six adult cadaver obtained from routine autopsies were used. During the examination, the PAs and the segmental structure of the proximal part of the PICAs and their relation to the neighbouring anatomical structures were demonstrated.

Results

We classified the PICAs into 4 types on the basis of the distance of the middle point of the width of the caudal loop to the midline, and their presence or absence as Group A (symmetrical, anterior medullary type: 26.9%), Group B (lateral medullary type: 15.4%), Group C (asymmetrical type: 38.5%), and Group D (unilateral type: 19.2%). The number of the PAs in the tonsillomedullary segment and the caudal loop was higher than those originating from the other segments.

Conclusions

Approaches to the medial or lateral of the PICA should be made in a way that protects the PAs (avoiding retraction of the PICA). Otherwise the PAs will be damaged and as a result brain stem ischaemia may occur, which can have serious clinical outcomes.     

Imaging Intussusception in Children’s Hospitals in the United States: Trends,Outcomes, and Costs

ObjectiveTo describe imaging utilization, outcomes, and cost in the management of intussusception between 2010 and 2017 in pediatric hospitals in the United States.MethodsAll children (under 18 years of age) with a primary diagnosis of intussusception in a large administrative database were identified. Demographics, imaging, and costs were described.ResultsThere were 17,032 children (63.3% boys, 36.7% girls, mean age: 3.2 years) that had 20,655 hospital encounters for intussusception, and 88.5% were <5 years of age. The average length of stay was 2.8 days (median: 1 day), with rates of intensive care unit admission, 3.7%; 90-day readmission, 10.5%; and mortality, 0.2%. The surgical rate was 19.6%, and 93.5% (n = 19,301) of patients underwent imaging: 87.2% (n = 16,822) received ultrasound, 69.1% (n = 13,329) had fluoroscopy, 59% (n = 11,380) had abdominal radiographs, and 8.8% (n = 1,696) had CT. The reduction success rate for fluoroscopy was 77.9%. Surgery was more common in rural patients (26.8% versus 18.7% in urban patients, P < .001). Median encounter costs were $2,675 (interquartile range: $1,637-$5,465). Imaging cost represented a quarter (median $680, interquartile range: $372-1,069) of all costs. Higher costs (median) were associated with longer length of stay (<3 days: $858 versus >3 days: $5,342; use of CT ($4,168 versus $943 in patients without a CT), and surgery ($4,434 versus $860 without surgery).ConclusionThe management of intussusception is mainly nonsurgical, most frequently involving imaging with ultrasound and fluoroscopy, and resulting in excellent outcomes in the great majority of the cases. Despite playing a central role for diagnosis and management, imaging only represents a fraction of total cost.     

P-Smad 3在胆道闭锁肝纤维化中的作用机制研究

目的研究转化生长因子-β1(Transforming growth factor-β1,TGF-β1)、促纤维化通路中TGF-β1、P-Smad3等通路蛋白在胆道闭锁(Biliary atresia,BA)肝纤维化进程中的作用机制。方法选取2010年1月到2015年7月我们收治的胆管扩张症肝活检病例10例,为胆扩组;BA肝活检病例19例,为Kasai组;BA晚期肝移植患者自体肝活检病例11例,为移植组11例。进行苏木素/伊红(HE)、马松(Masson)染色观察肝标本纤维化评价其纤维化程度,免疫组化(Immunohistochemistry,IHC)染色检测TGF-β1、Smad2-4、P-Smad2-3及人纤溶酶原激活物抑制因子1(PAI-1)在肝组织中的表达,结合BA肝纤维化病理分级标准探讨TGF-β1等通路蛋白在肝纤维化进程中的作用。结果 HE及Masson:胆扩组偶见纤维细胞增生,Kasai组胶原纤维增生、桥接纤维化现象显著,移植组假小叶显著。免疫组化:①定性分析:胆扩组肝内Smad 2、Smad 4、PAI-1为阳性表达,其余为弱阳性;Kasai组TGF-β1等蛋白均在肝细胞胞质阳性表达,P-Smad 2、P-Smad 3、Smad4在胞核亦呈阳性表达;移植组患儿肝内TGF-β1等蛋白皆为弱阳性表达。②半定量分析:三组中Kasai组TGF-β1、Smad 3、P-Smad 3及PAI-1含量表达明显高于其他两组(P0.05),随着TGF-β1、Smad3、P-Smad3及PAI-1逐渐升高肝纤维化逐渐加重;PSmad3与PAI-1含量大小及变化幅度密切相关,促肝纤维化作用显著;Smad2、P-Smad2、Smad4组间无差异,在通路中连接相关蛋白。移植组TGF-β1等通路蛋白含量均少于Kasai组,随着肝硬化加重而逐渐减少。结论 BA肝内TGF-β1促纤维化通路中TGF-β1、Smad3显著促进肝纤维化,P-Smad3与肝纤维化进程密切相关。     

Reconstruction after skin cancer excision through a dermal induction template: our experience

Dermal substitutes offer alternative approaches for wounds of all thicknesses where sufficient donation sites are not available for self‐grafts. Several dermal substitutes are described in literature. This study included 20 patients treated with a dermal induction template after the removal of malignant skin cancers situated in various parts of the body. The participants were especially aged patients with multiple skin cancers, and complex clinical conditions, often affected by pathologies such as cardiopathy, diabetes mellitus, and hypercholesterolaemia, and receiving pharmacological multi‐therapies, particularly antiplatelets and anticoagulants. In many of these patients, the general complex clinical picture provided significant contraindication for complex reconstructive surgery because of the high risk involved. All patients achieved complete healing about 8 weeks after the first surgery. By using a dermal induction template, it was possible to cover substantial loss of substances without the need of autologous tissue, with smoother and less apparent scar, minor occurrence of hypertrophic and retracted scars, better flexibility of healed skin and therefore a better result from an aesthetic point of view.     

Impact of clinical pharmacist services delivered via telemedicine in the outpatient or ambulatory care setting: A systematic review

Background

Utilization of telemedicine allows pharmacists to extend the reach of clinical interventions, connecting them with patients and providers, but the overall impact of these services is under-studied.