Human chondrocytes differentially express matrix modulators during in vitro expansion for tissue engineering

Cartilage tissue engineering plays an important role in the generation of grafts for reconstructive surgery. In cultured chondrocytes, the dedifferentiation of cells seems unavoidable for multiplication. Dedifferentiated cells produce matrix of less quality, and the molecular basis is still not well understood. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate the expression of matrix modulators in human chondrocytes during expansion. Human chondrocytes were isolated from septal cartilage (n=32) and held in primary cell culture. Cells were harvested after 1, 6 and 21 days. The differentiation of cells using light microscopy, the expression patterns of various proteins (MMPs, BMPs, and TIMPs) using immunohistochemistry, and the expression of distinct genes using microarray technique, were investigated. The chondrocytes showed strong in vitro proliferation. After 6 and 21 days, BMP-5 and -8 were up-regulated, BMP-2 was down-regulated and BMP-6 was inactivated. Other BMPs were not expressed. The expression of MMP-2, -3 and -13 was up-regulated from day 1 to 21, and MMP-12 and -20 were down-regulated. Other MMPs were not expressed. TIMP-1 was up-regulated and TIMP-3 was down-regulated during expansion. Differential expression of matrix modulators might influence the matrix composition of engineered cartilage. Improving the basic knowledge in this area may ultimately help clinicians to identify and proactively intervene in an attempt to prevent bioartificial cartilage from losing stability.     

Neonatal mortality in Jordan: secondary analysis of Jordan Population and Family Health Survey (JPFHS) data

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the 2009 Jordan Population and Family Health Survey (JPFHS) data to determine the level, trend, and distribution of neonatal mortality (NNM) in Jordan and determine its associated factors.

Methods: Nationally representative data on NNM were extracted from the JPFHS data. Using multivariate analyses, the strength of associations between 12 clinical/sociodemographic variables and neonatal mortality were quantified after controlling for potential confounders.

Results: The weighted NNM rate for 2005–2009 period was 16 deaths per 1000 live births, with the early NNM rate and late NNM rates were 10 deaths per 1000 live births and six deaths per 1000 live births, respectively. Fluctuations of NNM according to year of birth and geographic variations were noted. Risk of NNM increased among male newborns, as mother’s education level decreased, in mothers 40–49 years old, in multiple gestations-low birth weight neonates, and as birth interval was <3 years.

Conclusions: The NNR rate for 2005–2009 period of 16 deaths per 1000 live births indicates that there are opportunities to decrease it. Risk factors of neonatal mortality with respect to predictors of death during first days of life and variables related to geographic variations require particular focus to improve the quality of obstetric and neonatal health services and to decrease neonatal mortality.     

Kawasaki disease with Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase deficiency,case report

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute, self-limited vasculitis of unknown etiology that occurs predominantly in infants and children younger than 5 years of age. Coronary artery abnormalities are the most serious complication.Based on the literatures infusion of Intravenous Immunoglobulin of 2 g/kg and a high dose of oral aspirin up to 100 mg/kg/day are the standard treatment for Kawasaki disease in the acute stage, and should be followed by antiplatelet dose of aspirin for thrombocytosis. Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is an inherited X-linked hereditary disorder, and aspirin can induce hemolysis in patients with G6PD deficiency. We report a case of a 5 year and 8 month old male with KD and G6PD deficiency.     

A novel de novo heterozygous pathogenic variant in the SDHA gene results in childhood onset bilateral optic atrophy and cognitive impairment

Metabolic Brain Disease - Isolated defects in the mitochondrial respiratory chain complex II (CII; succinate-ubiquinone oxidoreductase) are extremely rare and mainly result from bi-allelic...     

Risk factors for hospital admission among COVID-19 patients with diabetes: A study from Saudi Arabia

Objectives:To elucidate the risk factors for hospital admission among COVID-19 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Methods:This retrospective study was conducted at the Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between May 2020 and July 2020. Out of 7,260 COVID-19 patients, 920 were identified as T2DM. After the exclusion process, 806 patients with T2DM were included in this analysis. Patients’ data were extracted from electronic medical records. A logistic regression model was performed to estimate the risk factors of hospital admission.Results:Of the total of 806 COVID-19 patients with T2DM, 48% were admitted in the hospital, 52% were placed under home isolation. Older age between 70-79 years (OR [odd ratio] 2.56; p=0.017), ≥80 years (OR 6.48; p=0.001) were significantly more likely to be hospitalized compared to <40 years. Similarly, patients with higher HbA1c level of ≥9% compared to <7%; (OR 1.58; p=0.047); patients with comorbidities such as, hypertension (OR 1.43; p=0.048), cardiovascular disease (OR 1.56; p=0.033), cerebrovascular disease (OR 2.38; p=0.016), chronic pulmonary disease (OR 1.51; p=0.018), malignancy (OR 2.45; p=0.025), chronic kidney disease (CKD) IIIa, IIIb, IV (OR 2.37; p=0.008), CKD V (OR 5.07; p=0.007) were significantly more likely to be hospitalized. Likewise, insulin-treated (OR 1.46; p=0.03) were more likely to require hospital admission compared to non-insulin treated patients.Conclusion:Among COVID-19 patients with diabetes, higher age, high HbA1c level, and presence of other comorbidities were found to be significant risk factors for the hospital admission.     

Evaluation of Spironolactone Solid Dispersions Prepared by Co-Spray Drying With Soluplus® and Polyvinylpyrrolidone and Influence of Tableting on Drug Release

Solid dispersions of spironolactone with Soluplus^® and polyvinylpyrrolidone were prepared by spray drying according to a mixture experimental design and evaluated for moisture content, particle size, drug solubility, crystallinity (powder X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry), and physicochemical interactions (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman). In vitro dissolution was evaluated for the spray dried product itself and after compression into tablets, and prediction models were derived using multiple linear regression analysis. The spray dried products consisted of amorphous drug, indicated by the absence of crystalline powder X-ray diffraction peaks. Amorphization and interactions impacted changes in the Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy spectra in the ranges 2900-3000 cm^?1 (C-H) and 1600-1800 cm^?1 (C=O) and caused merging at 1690 cm^?1 (C=O of lactone) and 1670 cm^?1 (C=O of thioacetyl group). In the Raman spectra, amorphization and interactions resulted in disappearance of peak at 1690 cm^?1 (C=O) and merging of peaks at 582 and 600 cm^?1 (C-S). Hydrogen bonding between the thioacetyl group of the drug with the hydroxyl groups of Soluplus^® caused marked suppression of the peak at 1190 cm^?1 (R-C(=O)-S vibration). Amorphization and interactions resulted in improved solubility and dissolution which was greatest for drug/Soluplus^® ratio 1:4 and was also demonstrated in the corresponding tablets.