Association of microneme antigens of Plasmodium brasilianum merozoites with knobs and other parasite-induced structures in host erythrocytes.

The localization of Plasmodium brasilianum antigens, common to merozoite micronemes and parasite-induced structures in the host erythrocyte, was determined by means of immunogold electron microscopy and monoclonal antibodies directed against blood stages of this parasite. All monoclonal antibodies reacted with micronemes. In addition, some reacted with either knob protrusions or caveolae of the host erythrocyte membrane; one reacted with a parasite-derived antigen present in the erythrocyte cytoplasm. Gold particles appeared over the membranes of ring-infected cells before the appearance of knobs and caveolae. We hypothesize that at least some knob- and caveolae-associated antigens of P. brasilianum are inserted into the erythrocyte membrane at the time of merozoite invasion.     

Overview for various aspects of the health benefits of Piper longum linn. fruit

Herbal remedies have become popular, due in part to the lower risk of adverse reactions. Thousands of plants have been used traditionally to treat various diseases. Among them, species of the genus Piper are important medicinal plants used in various systems of medicine. The Piper longum fruit has been used in traditional medicine, including the Ayurvedic system of medicine. Although there are numerous indications for its use, controlled trials are needed to determine its efficacy. The primary constituents isolated from various parts of P. longum are piperine, piperlongumine, sylvatin, sesamin, diaeudesmin piperlonguminine, pipermonaline, and piperundecalidine. It is most commonly used to treat chronic bronchitis, asthma, constipation, gonorrhea, paralysis of the tongue, diarrhea, cholera, chronic malaria, viral hepatitis, respiratory infections, stomachache, bronchitis, diseases of the spleen, cough, and tumors. This study provides detailed information about the P. longum fruit, including phytochemistry, pharmacological profile and safety profile. In view of the commercial, economic, and medicinal importance of the P. longum plant, it is useful for researchers to study the plant in detail.     

Numbness Following Total Knee Arthroplasty: Role of Incision Length And Position - A Randomized Study

BackgroundOne of the symptoms annoying patients after total knee replacement (TKR) is numbness around the operative scar. Some studies have shown that altering the incision in terms of placement or length may decrease the incidence of numbness. It still remains unknown whether numbness affects patient-reported outcomes.MethodsWe conducted a randomized study to compare a short-length incision (n = 50) and a lateral exit incision (n = 50) with a standard midline TKR incision (n = 50) in terms of the incidence of numbness and its progress over 1 year of follow-up. Our secondary objective was to look at the involved zone, area of numbness, and secondary symptoms. We also looked at patient-reported outcome in terms of satisfaction in all groups using a visual analog scale and Forgotten Joint Score.ResultsAt 3 months postoperatively, the incidence of numbness was least in the lateral exit group: 46.2% as compared to midline (62%) and short (58.3%), but the difference was not significant (p = 0.07). At 6 months, the short incision group had a significantly lower incidence (8%) of residual numbness as compared to 30% in the other two groups (p = 0.003). At 1 year, most patients recovered sensation loss and had similar function.ConclusionsPlacement or length of an incision did not significantly affect the incidence of numbness; however, the short incision led to early recovery of numbness. At 1 year of follow-up, most patients did not complain of loss of sensation and had similar functional outcome.     

Multicenter Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry Study for Identification of Clinically Relevant Nocardia spp.

This multicenter study analyzed Nocardia spp., including extraction, spectral acquisition, Bruker matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) identification, and score interpretation, using three Nocardia libraries, the Bruker, National Institutes of Health (NIH), and The Ohio State University (OSU) libraries, and compared the results obtained by each center. A standardized study protocol, 150 Nocardia isolates, and NIH and OSU Nocardia MALDI-TOF MS libraries were distributed to three centers. Following standardized culture, extraction, and MALDI-TOF MS analysis, isolates were identified using score cutoffs of ≥2.0 for species/species complex-level identification and ≥1.8 for genus-level identification. Isolates yielding a score of <2.0 underwent a single repeat extraction and analysis. The overall score range for all centers was 1.3 to 2.7 (average, 2.2 ± 0.3), with common species generally producing higher average scores than less common ones. Score categorization and isolate identification demonstrated 86% agreement between centers; 118 of 150 isolates were correctly identified to the species/species complex level by all centers. Nine strains (6.0%) were not identified by any center, and six (4.0%) of these were uncommon species with limited library representation. A categorical score discrepancy among centers occurred for 21 isolates (14.0%). There was an overall benefit of 21.2% from repeat extraction of low-scoring isolates and a center-dependent benefit for duplicate spotting (range, 2 to 8.7%). Finally, supplementation of the Bruker Nocardia MALDI-TOF MS library with both the OSU and NIH libraries increased the genus-level and species-level identification by 18.2% and 36.9%, respectively. Overall, this study demonstrates the ability of diverse clinical microbiology laboratories to utilize MALDI-TOF MS for the rapid identification of clinically relevant Nocardia spp. and to implement MALDI-TOF MS libraries developed by single laboratories across institutions.     

Comparative study of pulsatile and nonpulsatile flow during cardio-pulmonary bypass

The use of nonpulsatile flow during extracorporeal circulation remains popular despite theoretical advantages of pulsatile cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Pulsatile CPB is considered to be more physiological than nonpulsatile flow as the pulsatile energy ensures the patency of the vascular bed and mechanical motion of tissue fluid around the cell membrane, improves microcirculation and enhances diffusion. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of pulsatile and nonpulsatile flow on the coagulation profile, liver and kidney function and also on the haemodynamics in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting on CPB. One hundred patients between 35 and 65 years of age with normal left ventricular function were randomly divided into two equal groups: Pulsatile (P) and nonpulsatile (NP). Haematological parameters, clotting profile, renal parameters, hepatic function tests and haemodynamic variables were measured preoperatively and postoperatively at specific intervals. Surgical, anaesthetic and CPB regimen was standard in all cases. There was a decrease in platelet count during and after CPB in both groups. Coagulation profile and renal function parameters remained similar in both groups except that creatinine clearance was better in group P on the first postoperative day. Urine output was also better in group P. There was no change in liver function tests in both groups. The haemodynamic variables were comparable in both groups. The systemic vascular resistance was higher in group NP postoperatively and oxygen consumption was higher in group P post CPB. In conclusion we did not find any significant difference between pulsatile and nonpulsatile flow during CPB except the creatinine clearance and urine output were better in pulsatile group.     

Stingless Bee,Tetragonula iridipennis Smith, 1854 (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini): Molecular and Morphological Characterization

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences - This is the first account of molecular and morphological characteristics of the stingless bee, Tetragonula...     

Identification of Mycobacteria from Solid and Liquid Media by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry in the Clinical Laboratory

Mycobacteria cause significant morbidity in humans. Rapid and accurate mycobacterial identification is important for improvement of patient outcomes. However, identification may be challenging due to the slow and fastidious growth of mycobacteria. Several diagnostic methods, such as biochemical, sequencing, and probe methods, are used for mycobacterial identification. We compared the matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) Biotyper system (Bruker Daltonics) to 16S rRNA/hsp65 sequencing and/or DNA probes (Gen-Probe) for mycobacterial identification. One hundred seventy-eight mycobacterial isolates grown on solid and/or broth medium were included in the study. MALDI-TOF MS identified 93.8% of the mycobacteria isolates accurately to the species level and 98.3% to the genus level, independent of the type of medium used for isolation. The identification of mycobacteria directly from cultures using MALDI-TOF MS allows for precise identification in an hour compared to traditional biochemical and phenotypic methods that can take weeks or probes and sequencing that may take a few hours. Identification by MALDI-TOF MS potentially reduces the turnaround time and cost, thereby saving resources within the health care system.     

Employment status at time of first hospitalization for heart failure is associated with a higher risk of death and rehospitalization for heart failure

Aims

Employment status at time of first heart failure (HF) hospitalization may be an indicator of both self‐perceived and objective health status. In this study, we examined the association between employment status and the risk of all‐cause mortality and recurrent HF hospitalization in a nationwide cohort of patients with HF.

Methods and results

We identified all patients of working age (18–60 years) with a first HF hospitalization in the period 1997–2015 in Denmark, categorized according to whether or not they were part of the workforce at time of the index admission. The primary outcome was death from any cause and the secondary outcome was readmission for HF. Cumulative incidence curves, binomial regression and Cox regression models were used to assess outcomes. Of 25 571 patients with a first hospitalization for HF, 15 428 (60%) were part of the workforce at baseline. Patients in the workforce were significantly younger (53 vs. 55 years) more likely to be male (75% vs 64%) and less likely to have diabetes (13% vs 22%) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (5% vs 10%) (all P < 0.0001). Not being part of the workforce was associated with a significantly higher risk of death [hazard ratio (HR) 1.59; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.50–1.68] and rehospitalization for HF (HR 1.09; 95% CI 1.05–1.14), in analyses adjusted for age, sex, co‐morbidities, education level, calendar time, and duration of first HF hospitalization.

Conclusion

Not being part of the workforce at time of first HF hospitalization was independently associated with increased mortality and recurrent HF hospitalization.