Rapid screening for bacteriuria in pregnancy

Summary We evaluated a bioluminescence assay as a screening test for the detection of bacteriuria in pregnancy. A total of 1,000 urine specimens from a randomly selected group of pregnant women undergoing prenatal surveillance was investigated. Sequential dilution of urine specimens on CLED agar plates served as a reference method. Set against the reference group, bioluminescence screening scored a 93% sensitivity, a 78% specificity and a 99% predictive accuracy for negative results. All urine specimens were also analysed chemically for the presence of nitrite and leucocyte esterase by dip sticks. Dip sticks proved to be insufficient because of poor sensitivities of 54% and 59%, respectively. The bioluminescence assay is an effective, time- as well as labor-saving but questionably cost-effective method for the detection of bacteriuria in pregnancy.

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Rascher Nachweis der Bakteriurie bei Schwangeren

Zusammenfassung In der vorliegenden Studie prüften wir die klinische Wertigkeit eines Biolumineszenz-Verfahrens zum Nachweis der Bakteriurie bei Schwangeren. Insgesamt wurden 1000 Routine-Harnproben von Schwangeren untersucht. Als Referenzmethode diente die sequentielle Verdünnung der Harnproben und Ausstreichen auf CLED-Agarplatten. Eine signifikante Bakteriurie konnte mit der Biolumineszenz-Methode mit einer Sensitivität von 93% und einer Spezifität von 78% erkannt werden. Die Voraussagewahrscheinlichkeit für negative Resultate war 99%. Gleichzeitig untersuchten wir alle Harnproben auf Vorhandensein von Nitrit und Leukozyten-Esterase mittels Teststreifen. Die Sensitivitäten lagen nur bei 54% bzw. 59%. Mit Hilfe der Biolumineszenz-Methode kann eine signifikante Bakteriurie bei Schwangeren rasch, verläßlich, aber nur bei relevanter Probenanzahl auch kostengünstig nachgewiesen werden.

     

BCA2 is differentially expressed in renal oncocytoma: an analysis of 158 renal neoplasms

The distinction between renal oncocytoma and renal cell carcinoma, especially chromophobe renal cell carcinoma and clear cell carcinoma with oncocytic features, is important due to the different biologic potentials of these tumors. RING E3 ligases have the subject of intense studies for their roles in many diseases including cancer and as potential therapeutic targets. All RING E3 ligases, including BCA2, contain a consensus protein sequence that would complex two or more zinc ions in the expressed protein. Identification of which ubiquitin ligases specifically affect distinct cellular processes is essential to the development of targeted therapeutics in these tumors. The ubiquitin–proteasome system regulates the turnover of proteins that have essential roles in the cell cycle, apoptosis, DNA damage repair, and in protein trafficking, which makes this pathway a target for oncogenic events. In this study, we investigated expression of BCA2 in renal oncocytoma and renal cell carcinoma. A total of 158 patients were included in the study. Our study has shown that 114/114 (100 %) cases of renal cell carcinoma were negative for BCA2. All 38 (100 %) cases of renal oncocytoma were positive for BCA2, and 6/6 (100 %) cases designated as oncocytic neoplasm which favor oncocytoma were also positive for BCA2. This is the first study to date evaluating the expression of BCA2 in renal oncocytoma. BCA2 could serve as a marker that may be utilized in the distinction between renal oncocytoma and its mimickers.     

Dose estimations for Iranian 11-year-old pediatric phantoms undergoing computed tomography examinations

In order to establish an organ and effective dose database for Iranian children undergoing computed tomography (CT) examinations, in the first step, two Iranian 11-year-old phantoms were constructed from image series obtained from CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Organ and effective doses for these phantoms were calculated for head, chest, abdomen–pelvis and chest–abdomen–pelvis (CAP) scans at tube voltages of 80, 100 and 120 kVp, and then they were compared with those of the University of Florida (UF) 11-year-old male phantom. Depth distributions of the organs and the mass of the surrounding tissues located in the beam path, which shield the internal organs, were determined for all phantoms. From the results, it was determined that the main organs of the UF phantom receive smaller doses than the two Iranian phantoms, except for the urinary bladder of the Iranian girl phantom. In addition, the relationship between the anatomical differences and the size of the dose delivered was also investigated and the discrepancies between the results were examined and justified.     

Imaging data in COVID-19 patients: focused on echocardiographic findings

To assess imaging data in COVID-19 patients and its association with clinical course and survival and 86 consecutive patients (52 males, 34 females, mean age?=?58.8 year) with documented COVID-19 infection were included. Seventy-eight patients (91%) were in severe stage of the disease. All patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography. Mean LVEF was 48.1% and mean estimated systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) was 27.9 mmHg. LV diastolic dysfunction was mildly abnormal in 49 patients (57.6%) and moderately abnormal in 7 cases (8.2%). Pericardial effusion was present in 5/86 (minimal in size in 3 cases and mild- moderate in 2). In 32/86 cases (37.2%), the severity of infection progressed from “severe” to “critical”. Eleven patients (12.8%) died. sPAP and computed tomography score were associated with disease progression (P value?=?0.002, 0.002 respectively). Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) was significantly higher in patients with no disease progression compared with those who deteriorated (P value?=?0.005). Pericardial effusion (minimal, mild or moderate) was detected more often in progressive disease (P?=?0.03). sPAP was significantly lower among survivors (P value?=?0.007). Echocardiographic findings (including systolic PAP, TAPSE and pericardial effusion), total CT score may have prognostic and therapeutic implication in COVID-19 patients.

     

The role of toll-like receptors in B-cell development and immunopathogenesis of common variable immunodeficiency

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is the most frequent symptomatic primary immune deficiency and is characterized by hypogammaglobulinemia, defect in specific antibody response and increased susceptibility to recurrent infections, malignancy and autoimmunity. Patients with CVID often have defects in post-antigenic B-cell differentiation, with fewer memory B cells and impaired isotype switching. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are expressed on various immune cells as key elements of innate and adaptive immunity. TLR signaling in B cells plays multiple roles in cell differentiation and activation, class-switch recombination and cytokine and antibody production. Moreover, recent studies have shown functional alteration of TLRs responses in CVID patients including poor cell proliferation, impaired upregulation of co-stimulatory molecules and failure in cytokine and immunoglobulin production. The purpose of the present review is to discuss the role of TLRs in B-cell development and function as well as their role in the immunopathogenesis of CVID.     

The effect of 810-nm low-level laser therapy on pain caused by orthodontic elastomeric separators

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of 810-nm (DMC Equipamentos, Sao Carlos, Brazil) continuous wave low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on the pain caused by orthodontic elastomeric separators. Thirty-seven orthodontic patients (12 male and 25 female, aged 11–32 years, mean age?=?24.97 years) participated in the study, including 20 subjects aged 18 years or more, and 17 under 18 years of age. Four elastomeric separators (Dentarum, Springen, Germany) were placed for the first permanent molars (distal and mesial), either for maxillary (22 patients) or mandibular (15 patients) arches; one quadrant was randomly selected and used as a placebo group (received no laser irradiation). After separator placement for each quadrant, patients received 10 doses (2 J/cm², 100 mW, 20 s) of laser irradiation on the buccal side (at the cervical third of the roots), for distal and mesial of the second premolars and first permanent molars, as well as distal of second permanent molars (five doses). The same procedure was repeated for the lingual or palatal side (five doses). After 24 h, patients returned to the clinic and received another 10 doses of laser irradiation on the same quadrant. Postseparation pain level recorded on a 10-cm visual analog scale for both jaws immediately (hour?0), and after 6, 24, 30 h, as well as on days?3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. Significant differences in the pain perception (PP) were found between the laser and placebo groups at 6, 24, 30 h, and day?3 of the experiment (P?<?0.05). Friedman’s test of multiple comparisons revealed significant differences in the PP among various time intervals for laser (chi-square?=?173.407, P?=?0.000) and placebo (chi-square?=?184.712, P?=?0.000) groups. In both groups, pain was highest at 6 and 30 h after placing elastomeric separators. No gender differences were observed in both groups. More pain was recorded in the mandible (P?<?0.05) at 24 (laser group) and 30 h (both groups) after starting the experiment. The PP was significantly higher (P?<?0.05) for the group aged 18 years or more, only at days?3 [both groups] and 4 [laser group only] of the experiment. The 810-nm continuous wave LLLT significantly reduced the PP in the first 3 days after orthodontic separation. However, the mean postseparation PP in both groups was low and wide ranges of PP scores were observed.