BACKGROUND: Several studies have disclosed a correlation between polyomavirus BK (BKV) and interstitial nephritis in renal transplant recipients and its quantification in urine and serum is therefore required to assess the role of BKV infection in nephropathy. OBJECTIVE: This paper describes a urine and serum BKV-DNA quantification protocol devised to evaluate the viral load. STUDY DESIGN: Screening of samples containing > or =10(3)/ml viral genome copies by a semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay is followed by precise quantification of the samples containing a high number of viral genomes in a quantitative-competitive (QC)-PCR assay. Generation of the competitor construct relied on the different sizes of wild-type and competitor amplicons. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Screening by semi-quantitative PCR selects samples with a high number of viral genomes for use in the more labor-intensive and -expensive QC-PCR assay and thus provides a handy means for quantitative DNA analysis of large numbers of samples. The results obtained in BKV-DNA quantification in urine and serum samples from 51 renal transplant recipients (22 on treatment with tacrolimus (FK506) and 29 on cyclosporine A (Cy A)) are interesting: BKV-DNA findings (43.1%) in urine samples are in agreement with the BKV urinary shedding reported in literature (5-45%). With regard to immunosuppressive treatment, the percentage of activation of the infection (revealed by BKV-DNA detection in urine samples) in the two groups of therapy is similar (40.9% vs 44.8%). The observation that the viral load in urine is dissociated with that of serum suggests that both parameters should be investigated in evaluation of the pathogenetic role of BKV reactivation in renal transplant recipients. Moreover, our BKV-DNA quantification protocol could be used to monitor viral load in urine and serum samples from renal transplant recipients so as to detect those at risk of nephropathy and monitor their response to immunosuppression reduction therapy if it occurs. 相似文献
The aim of this study was to evaluate the Diet Quality Index (DQI) and the Physical Activity (PA) levels associated with adequacy of gestational weight gain in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). A total of 172 pregnant women with a single fetus and a diagnosis of GDM participated. Food intake was self-reported on the food frequency questionnaire and DQI was quantified using the index validated and revised for Brazil (DQI-R). To assess PA, the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire was administered. Gestational weight gain was classified, following the criteria of the Institute of Medicine, into adequate (AWG), insufficient (IWG), or excessive (EWG) weight gain. A multinomial logistic regression analysis was performed, with level of significance <0.05. The participants were divided into 3 groups: AWG (33.1%), IWG (27.3%), and EWG (39.5%). The analysis indicated that if the pregnant women PA fell into tertile 1 or 2, then they had a greater chance of having IWG, whereas those with the lowest scores on the DQI-R, whose PA fell into tertile 2, and pregestational obesity women had the greatest chance of having EWG. This study has shown that low PA levels may contribute towards IWG. On the other hand, a low final DQI-R score, representing inadequate food habits, low PA levels, and pregestational obesity may increase the chance of EWG in patients with GDM. 相似文献
For noninvasive evaluation of anatomy and flow characteristics of internal mammary artery graft (IMA-graft), 2D echo-Color-Doppler (CDE) was performed in 60 patients (54 M, 6 F, mean age 54.1±6.9 y), who underwent coronary angiography 20.1 ±13 months after a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG).CDE was performed, using an echocardiographic unit equipped with a 5 MHz linear transducer.In all patients, measurements of IMA-graft diameter (mm), and peak systolic and diastolic flow velocity (cm/sec) were obtained at baseline and also in 16 patients after dipyridamole infusion (0.54 mg/Kg/min) and in 10 patients after sublingual nitroglycerin (NTG) (0.4 mg). Angiography showed the IMA-graft patency in 58/60 patients (96.8%).A typical biphasic flow was displayed by CDE in 49/58 patients (84.4%) with angiographic patency.Dipyridamole infusion increased both IMA-graft diameter and peak diastolic flow velocity (PDFV) from 2.28 ±0.51mm to 2.9 ±0.42mm and from 19.4 ±6.2 cm/sec to 93.9 ±29 cm/sec, respectively (p<0.0001).No significant modifications of peak systolic flow velocity (PSFV) were observed.NTG increased PDFV from 29.11 ±8 cm/sec to 41.88 ±7.20 cm/sec (p<0.005), while diameter and PSFV showed no statistically significant modifications.CDE is a useful diagnostic tool for noninvasive evaluation of IMA-graft patency both early after surgery and during long-term follow-up. CDE pharmacological stress improves the sensibility of the technique and it can provide indirect information about pathophysiology of recipient coronary vessel. 相似文献
The impact of using therapeutic interchange (TI) of dolasetron for granisetron for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) was evaluated. An outcomes evaluation was conducted in two cohorts of adult outpatients who had not previously received chemotherapy. Before the interchange, 20 patients were enrolled in a granisetron cohort, and after the interchange to dolasetron, 42 patients were matched to the initial cohort. Evaluations using the modified Functional Life Index--Emesis (MFLIE) compared changes in functional status before and after treatment. Nausea and vomiting frequency, satisfaction with antiemetics, reported adverse effects, changes in antiemetic therapy, and the use of antiemetics postchemotherapy were also evaluated. Success, defined as no vomiting and less than a 2.5-unit change in MFLIE score, was demonstrated in 45% of granisetron patients and 40% of dolasetron patients (p = 0.461). While functional status declined in both groups in response to chemotherapy, the changes in MFLIE scores did not differ between agents (-16.8 +/- 20.16 versus -19.39 +/- 26.36 in granisetron and dolasetron patients, respectively) (p = 0.650). Patients were equally satisfied with their prescribed antiemetic therapy, although less than half of patients achieved antiemetic success in the 72-hour study period. Self-reported adverse events attributed to serotonin type 3-receptor antagonist use were minimal and not significantly different between groups. The TI did not negatively affect patient outcomes and produced savings of $143,534 in the first year of the program. TI of dolasetron for granisetron for CINV did not affect functional status, nausea control, or patient satisfaction with antiemetic therapy. 相似文献
Background: The inter-individual differences in taste perception find a possible rationale in genetic variations. We verified whether the presence of four different single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes encoding for bitter (TAS2R38; 145G > C; 785T > C) and sweet (TAS1R3; −1572C > T; −1266C > T) taste receptors influenced the recognition of the basic tastes. Furthermore, we tested if the allelic distribution of such SNPs varied according to BMI and whether the associations between SNPs and taste recognition were influenced by the presence of overweight/obesity. Methods: DNA of 85 overweight/obese patients and 57 normal weight volunteers was used to investigate the SNPs. For the taste test, filter paper strips were applied. Each of the basic tastes (sweet, sour, salty, bitter) plus pure rapeseed oil, and water were tested. Results: Individuals carrying the AV/AV diplotype of the TAS2R38 gene (A49P G/G and V262 T/T) were less sensitive to sweet taste recognition. These alterations remained significant after adjustment for gender and BMI. Moreover, a significant decrease in overall taste recognition associated with BMI and age was found. There was no significant difference in allelic distribution for the investigated polymorphisms between normal and overweight/obese patients. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that overall taste recognition depends on age and BMI. In the total population, the inter-individual ability to identify the sweet taste at different concentrations was related to the presence of at least one genetic variant for the bitter receptor gene but not to the BMI. 相似文献
AbstractPolyurethanes (PU) foams with titanium particles (Ti) were prepared with castor oil (CO) and isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) as polymeric matrix, and 1, 3 and 5?wt.% of Ti. Composites were physicochemically and mechanically characterized and their biocompatibility assessed using human dental pulp stem cells (HDPSC). PU synthesis was confirmed by FTIR, but the presence of Ti was detected by RAMAN, X-ray diffraction (peak at 2θ?=?40.2°) and by EDX-mapping. Materials showed three decomposition temperatures between 300?°C and 500?°C and their decomposition were not catalyzed by Ti particles. Compressive modulus (164–846?kPa), compressive strength (12.9–116.7?kPa) and density (128–240?kg/m3) tend to increase with Ti concentration but porosity was reduced (87% to 80%). Composites’ foams were fully degraded in acid and oxidative media while remained stable in distilled water. HDPSC viability on all composites was higher than 80% up to 14?days while proliferation dropped up to 60% at 21?days. Overall, these results suggest that these foams can be used as scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration. 相似文献
A new effective surgical procedure to repair chronic ulcers called minced micrografts technique has been recently reported. The technique consists in spreading a finely minced skin sample upon the wound bed. In this study, we investigate the in vitro release of cytokines (interleukin‐6, tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐1α, and granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor), chemokines (monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 and growth‐related oncogene‐α), and growth factors (platelet‐derived growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor, and nerve growth factor) by minced (referred to as the minced sample) vs. not minced (referred to as the whole sample) human skin biopsy samples from the same donor. Factor release in the culture medium at different time points was detected using a multiplexed protein assay. The minced sample, which could behave like the skin fragments used in vivo in the autologous minced micrografts technique, expressed higher levels of tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐1α, platelet‐derived growth factor, and basic fibroblast growth factor, and lower levels of interleukin‐6, monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1, growth related oncogene‐α, and vascular endothelial growth factor compared with the whole sample. In conclusion, mincing of healthy skin may allow appropriate regulation of the inflammatory phase of wound healing and could induce overexpression of some growth factors, which facilitates the proliferative phase of healing. 相似文献
La radiologia medica - To evaluate the accuracy of preoperative contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the assessment of radiological depth of invasion (rDOI) and bone invasion in... 相似文献
Background: Recent introduction of direct antiviral agents (DAAs) has completely changed the scenario regarding hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment. Certain countries’ economic health programs prioritize DAAs according to specific clinical features of HCV-infected patients. The aim of this study was to define epidemiological, demographic and clinical characteristics of HCV-infected patients in the Tuscany region of central Italy.
Methods: We enrolled HCV patients with chronic viral hepatitis who were referred to the outpatient services of 16 hospitals in Tuscany from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2015. Case report forms contained patient information including main demographic data, blood chemistry data, viral hepatitis markers, instrumental evaluations (liver biopsy or transient elastometry, liver ultrasound), eligibility for DAAs, and liver transplantation or therapy already in progress.
Results: Of all patients considered, 2919 HCV patients were enrolled (mean age: 57.44?±?15.15; 54% males, 46% females). All routes of transmission were well represented (intravenous drug use in 20.7%; nosocomial/dental care in 20.6%; and coagulation factors/blood transfusions in 13.3%). Diabetes was the highest represented comorbidity (20.8%), followed by metabolic syndrome (15.5%) and ischemic heart disease (6.2%). The most prevalent HCV genotypes were 1b (47.4%) and 2 (16.5%). In the whole cohort of patients, 32.8% were cirrhotic (40 patients were listed for liver transplantation). Signs of portal hypertension were present mostly in the group older than 45 years (92.3%). Extrahepatic HCV-related diseases were present in 13.3% of cases (cryoglobulinemic syndrome in 58.3% and B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 10.5%).
Conclusions: Our study provides evidence of a high prevalence of epidemiological changes in HCV infection with a major prevalence of advanced liver disease, such as portal hypertension, in this elderly cohort of patients. 相似文献