Isolation of three different sizes of exosomes in an Asian population with different retinal diseases before and after treatment: preliminary results

Exosomes are membranous structures measuring between 40-120 nm that are secreted by various cells of the human body into the body fluid system. Exosomes contain proteins, mRNA, miRNA, and signaling molecules, and physiologically they assist in the intercellular transport of proteins and RNA molecules. In this study, we used an immunoaffinity filter paper platform combined with scanning electron microscopy and microfluidic systems to detect the size of exosomes within the aqueous humor. Eight aqueous humor samples showed three distinct sizes of exosomes that were significantly different on scanning electron microscopy(P < 0.01). We further used nanoparticle tracking analysis to assess the size distribution of exosomes within the aqueous humor. We found significantly different distributions of exosomes between patients with three different ocular diseases and patients with normal cataracts as controls. An obvious peak of exomeres(size around 35 nm)was found in the patients with central retinal vein occlusion and vitreous hemorrhage. Flare-ups of large exosomes(size 90-120 nm)were found in the patients with the inflammatory ocular disease pars planitis. No obvious peaks in exomeres or large exosomes were found in the control group. There was a high association between the distribution of exosomes and the pathogenesis of ocular diseases. After intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment, the aqueous humor from the patients with neovascular diseases showed a significant reduction in exosomes in nanoparticle tracking analysis. These findings suggest that at least three distinct sizes of exosomes exist in the aqueous humor:(1)exomeres:<35 nm;(2)small exosomes:60-80 nm; and (3)large exosomes:90-120 nm. Different sizes of exosomes may have different implications in normal or diseased eyes.

A missense mutation in human INSC causes peripheral neuropathy

PAR3/INSC/LGN form an evolutionarily conserved complex required for asymmetric cell division in the developing brain, but its post-developmental function and disease relevance in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) remains unknown. We mapped a new locus for axonal Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT2) and identified a missense mutation c.209 T > G (p.Met70Arg) in the INSC gene. Modeling the INSCM70R variant in Drosophila, we showed that it caused proprioceptive defects in adult flies, leading to gait defects resembling those in CMT2 patients. Cellularly, PAR3/INSC/LGN dysfunction caused tubulin aggregation and necrotic neurodegeneration, with microtubule-stabilizing agents rescuing both morphological and functional defects of the INSCM70R mutation in the PNS. Our findings underscore the critical role of the PAR3/INSC/LGN machinery in the adult PNS and highlight a potential therapeutic target for INSC-associated CMT2.

Telemedicine Use Among Adults with Asthma in the United States, 2021-2022

Introduction: While previous studies have mainly focused on the impact of telemedicine on asthma management, little is known about the disparities in the use of telemedicine among individuals with asthma. This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with telemedicine use among adults with asthma in the United States using a nationally representative survey. Methods: Data from the 2021 and 2022 National Health Interview Survey were used. The multivariable logistic regression model was conducted to identify the factors associated with telemedicine use among adults with asthma. Results: In 2021-2022, the prevalence of telemedicine use among adults with asthma was 47.7%. Females, individuals who were obese, current smokers, those with educational levels of college and higher, health insurance coverage, a usual place for care, a history of asthma attacks, and coronavirus disease 2019 were more likely to use telemedicine. Non-Hispanic blacks, residents in the Midwest, South, and nonmetropolitan areas were less likely to use telemedicine. Conclusions: Disparities in telemedicine use were found among several characteristics in adults with asthma. It is crucial to identify the vulnerable populations in accessing telemedicine and ensure equality in telemedicine use among patients with asthma.

Prevalence and characteristics in long COVID among adults with asthma in the United States

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to assess: (1) the prevalence of long COVID by asthma status, and (2) the characteristics associated with developing long COVID among adults with asthma in the United States.

METHODS

Data from the 2022 National Health Interview Survey were used. The prevalence of long COVID was reported and stratified by asthma status. The multivariable logistic regression model was conducted to identify the factors associated with developing long COVID.

RESULTS

In 2022, the overall prevalence of long COVID among U.S. adults was 6.9%. When stratified by asthma status, the prevalence of long COVID was 13.9% among adults with asthma, and 6.2% among adults without asthma. Among adults with asthma, certain characteristics, including age over 55 years, female sex, obesity, problems paying medical bills and a history of asthma attacks, were significantly associated with developing long COVID.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed that the prevalence of long COVID among adults with asthma was much higher than the general adult population in the United States. The limited validity of the collected information in this study should prompt caution when interpreting our findings. Further studies on the association between asthma and long COVID could be valuable for the clinical practice.

Mitochondrial UQCRC1 mutations cause autosomal dominant parkinsonism with polyneuropathy

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder with a multifactorial aetiology. Nevertheless, the genetic predisposition in many families with multi-incidence disease remains unknown. This study aimed to identify novel genes that cause familial Parkinson's disease. Whole exome sequencing was performed in three affected members of the index family with a late-onset autosomal-dominant parkinsonism and polyneuropathy. We identified a novel heterozygous substitution c.941A>C (p.Tyr314Ser) in the mitochondrial ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductase core protein 1 (UQCRC1) gene, which co-segregates with disease within the family. Additional analysis of 699 unrelated Parkinson's disease probands with autosomal-dominant Parkinson's disease and 1934 patients with sporadic Parkinson's disease revealed another two variants in UQCRC1 in the probands with familial Parkinson's disease, c.931A>C (p.Ile311Leu) and an allele with concomitant splicing mutation (c.70-1G>A) and a frameshift insertion (c.73_74insG, p.Ala25Glyfs*27). All substitutions were absent in 1077 controls and the Taiwan Biobank exome database from healthy participants (n = 1517 exomes). We then assayed the pathogenicity of the identified rare variants using CRISPR/Cas9-based knock-in human dopaminergic SH-SY5Y cell lines, Drosophila and mouse models. Mutant UQCRC1 expression leads to neurite degeneration and mitochondrial respiratory chain dysfunction in SH-SY5Y cells. UQCRC1 p.Tyr314Ser knock-in Drosophila and mouse models exhibit age-dependent locomotor defects, dopaminergic neuronal loss, peripheral neuropathy, impaired respiratory chain complex III activity and aberrant mitochondrial ultrastructures in nigral neurons. Furthermore, intraperitoneal injection of levodopa could significantly improve the motor dysfunction in UQCRC1 p.Tyr314Ser mutant knock-in mice. Taken together, our in vitro and in vivo studies support the functional pathogenicity of rare UQCRC1 variants in familial parkinsonism. Our findings expand an additional link of mitochondrial complex III dysfunction in Parkinson's disease.

Atrial Fibrillation Screening in Nonmetropolitan Areas Using a Telehealth Surveillance System With an Embedded Cloud-Computing Algorithm: Prospective Pilot Study

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common form of arrhythmia that is associated with increased risk of stroke and mortality. Detecting AF before the first complication occurs is a recognized priority. No previous studies have examined the feasibility of undertaking AF screening using a telehealth surveillance system with an embedded cloud-computing algorithm; we address this issue in this study.

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of AF screening in nonmetropolitan areas using a telehealth surveillance system with an embedded cloud-computing algorithm.

Methods

We conducted a prospective AF screening study in a nonmetropolitan area using a single-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) recorder. All ECG measurements were reviewed on the telehealth surveillance system and interpreted by the cloud-computing algorithm and a cardiologist. The process of AF screening was evaluated with a satisfaction questionnaire.

Results

Between March 11, 2016 and August 31, 2016, 967 ECGs were recorded from 922 residents in nonmetropolitan areas. A total of 22 (2.4%, 22/922) residents with AF were identified by the physician’s ECG interpretation, and only 0.2% (2/967) of ECGs contained significant artifacts. The novel cloud-computing algorithm for AF detection had a sensitivity of 95.5% (95% CI 77.2%-99.9%) and specificity of 97.7% (95% CI 96.5%-98.5%). The overall satisfaction score for the process of AF screening was 92.1%.

Conclusions

AF screening in nonmetropolitan areas using a telehealth surveillance system with an embedded cloud-computing algorithm is feasible.

Severe hypoglycemia and hip fracture in patients with type 2 diabetes: a nationwide population-based cohort study

Hypoglycemia is a major concern in glycemic control. Using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, we found that the risk of hip fracture was associated with emergency or hospitalization visits of severe hypoglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes; greater visits were associated with higher incidence of hip fracture.

INTRODUCTION

The objective of the study was to assess the risk of hip fracture among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and severe hypoglycemia.

METHODS

Using the National Health Insurance Research database in Taiwan, we identified 2588 patients with T2DM who had developed severe hypoglycemia from 2001 to 2009. A comparison cohort who had never developed severe hypoglycemia was frequency matched at a ratio of approximately 1:2. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to evaluate the risk of hip fracture.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up period of 3.9 years, there were 219 hip fracture events in 5173 comparison cohorts and 148 hip fracture events in 2588 hypoglycemia cohorts. The incidence of hip fracture was higher in patients with severe hypoglycemia than without severe hypoglycemia (17.19 vs. 8.83 per 1000 person-years; adjusted HR 1.71, 95% CI = 1.35-2.16). Approximately half of the individuals developed hip fracture within 2 years from the first occurrence of severe hypoglycemia. There was a significant associated trend towards increased hip fracture risk with increasing average visit of severe hypoglycemia per year (p for trend <0.001). Medication analysis showed that patients taking sulfonylurea alone, insulin alone, and insulin secretagogues combined with insulin had a higher associated risk to develop hip fracture.

CONCLUSIONS

Severe hypoglycemia was associated with a higher risk to develop hip fracture. The more the visits of severe hypoglycemia per year indicated the higher associated risk in patients with T2DM. Fall is likely an important reason for severe hypoglycemia in relation to increased risk of hip fracture.

Establishment of a renal supportive care program: Experience from a rural community hospital in Taiwan

Renal supportive care (RSC) denotes a care program dedicated for patients with acute, chronic renal failure, and end-stage renal disease (ESRD), aiming to offer maximal symptom relief and optimize patients' quality of life. The uncertainty of prognosis for patients with chronic kidney disease and ESRD, the sociocultural issues inherent to the Taiwanese society, and the void of structured and practical RSC pathway, contributes to the underrecognition and poor utilization of RSC. Taiwanese patients rarely receive information regarding RSC as part of a standardized care and are not commonly offered this option. In National Taiwan University Hospital Jinshan branch, we started a RSC subprogram, supported by the community-based palliative/hospice care main program. We focused on understanding the need and providing the choice of RSC to suitable candidates. A three-step and four-phase protocol was designed and implemented to identify appropriate patients and to enhance the applicability of the RSC. We harnessed family visit and home-based family meeting as a vehicle to understand the patients' preferences, to discover what ESRD patients and their family value most, and to introduce the option of RSC. In the current review, we described our pilot experience of establishing a RSC program in Taiwan, and discuss its potential advantage.

Monitoring VEGF levels with low-volume sampling in major vision-threatening diseases: age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy

The purpose of this article is to demonstrate the capacity of paper-based ELISA (P-ELISA) to monitor VEGF in patients requiring treatment for vision-threatening diseases. The most commonly encountered vision-threatening diseases are age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy (DR), both of which may require short-term or life-long anti-VEGF injection treatment therapy. Accurate measurement of VEGF concentration in aqueous humor can provide significant and timely information to diagnose the disease state. Adequate and precise therapy may consequently be provided. At odds with conventional diagnostic approaches is the fact that a maximum of only 200 microliters of aqueous humor can be safely removed from the eye for testing. Fortunately, new diagnostic platforms, such as P-ELISA, require only minute volumes, i.e., approximately 2 microliters per test "well" and approximately 40 microliters total to quantify VEGF levels, and the testing process takes less than an hour. Thus, point-of-care (POC) diagnostics, such as P-ELISA, should be examined and improved upon as needed in order to develop an efficient tool for outpatient clinics and others to obtain semi-quantitative results that might facilitate accurate dosing of anti-VEGF treatment and delay or prevent the progression of AMD and DR.

Derlin-1 regulates mutant VCP-linked pathogenesis and endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptosis

Mutations in VCP (Valosin-containing protein), an AAA ATPase critical for ER-associated degradation, are linked to IBMPFD (Inclusion body myopathy with Paget disease and frontotemporal dementia). Using a Drosophila IBMPFD model, we have identified the ER protein Derlin-1 as a modifier of pathogenic TER94 (the fly VCP homolog) mutants. Derlin-1 binds to TER94 directly, and this interaction is essential for Derlin-1 overexpression to suppress the pathogenic TER94-induced neurodegeneration. Derlin-1 overexpression reduces the elevated ATPase activity of pathogenic TER94, implying that IBMPFD is caused by ATPase hyper-activation. Under physiological condition, Derlin-1 expression is increased upon ER stress to recruit TER94 to the ER. However, in response to severe ER stress, Derlin-1 is required for activating apoptosis to eliminate damaged cells. This pro-apoptotic response is mimicked by Derlin-1 overexpression, which elicits acute ER stress and triggers apoptosis via a novel C-terminal motif (α). As this Derlin-1-dependent cell death is negated by TER94 overexpression, we propose that while Derlin-1 and VCP work cooperatively in ER stress response, their imbalance has a role in removing cells suffering prolonged ER stress.

We have previously developed a fly model for IBMPFD (inclusion body myopathy with Paget disease and frontotemporal dementia) and demonstrated that specific mutations in VCP gene, a highly conserved ATPase, cause muscle and neuron degeneration by depleting cellular ATP level. Using this model, we show that expression of Derlin-1, an ER membrane protein capable of directly interacting with VCP, restores the normal cellular ATP level and suppresses IBMPFD-like neurodegeneration. As Derlin-1 expression can be induced by tunicamycin (an antibiotic) in experimental systems, our findings may yield new therapeutic strategies for VCP-linked diseases. In addition, we have obtained important insights regarding Derlin-1 function under physiological conditions. ER stress, caused by accumulation of improperly folded proteins, results in increased Derlin-1 expression, which is important for ER stress-induced cell death. We propose that Derlin-1 promotes ER homeostasis through multiple mechanisms. In addition to cooperating with VCP to extract improperly folded proteins from the ER, elevated Derlin-1 expression removes cells suffering from irreparable ER stress, thus preventing these damaged cells from further harming the organisms.

Patient satisfaction with nutrition services amongst cancer patients treated with autologous stem cell transplantation: a comparison of usual and extended care

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to determine patient satisfaction with clinical nutrition services delivered by an accredited practicing dietitian amongst cancer patients treated with autologous stem cell transplantation that was provided with usual and extended care at 100 days post-transplantation.

METHODS

Patients were randomised to receive usual nutrition care or extended nutrition care during the course of their stem cell transplantation. After hospital discharge, usual care patients received no further nutrition support, whereas extended care patients received telephone dietary counselling from the same dietitian for up to 100 days post-transplantation. The patient satisfaction with clinical nutrition service questionnaire was completed anonymously at 100 days post-transplantation. Group comparisons were made using independent t-tests.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven patients consented to participate in the study (54% male; mean age 58.7 ± 9.5 years; median body mass index 26.8 kg m(-2) , range 16.4-47.6 kg m(-2) ); 33 patients completed the study and 28 patients returned the questionnaire (response rate = 85%). All components of the questionnaire were rated highly by both groups; there was no significant difference between the groups (P > 0.05). Although not statistically significant, extended care patients who received at least three telephone calls rated a higher overall satisfaction compared to those who received less calls; this difference was clinically important (score difference = 0.56).

CONCLUSIONS

Cancer patients treated with autologous stem cell transplantation were satisfied with usual and extended nutrition care. Extended care patients who received at least three telephone calls after hospital discharge were more satisfied than those with less frequent intervention. Further exploration regarding the frequency and intensity of nutrition service is required.

Investigation of magnetic properties and microstructure of ultrathin Co films grown on Si(111)- 7 x 7 surface

Magnetic properties and growth mechanism of ultrathin Co films on Si(111)-7 x 7 surface have been studied by using both surface magneto-optic Kerr effect (SMOKE) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), respectively. STM results show that the growth mechanism of ultrathin Co films on Si(111)-7 x 7 surface at room temperature belongs to Stranski-Krastanov (SK) growth mode. Due to formation of CoSi2 layer, no magnetic signal could be detected by SMOKE for 1-4 ML Co deposited on Si(111) surface. Because of rougher surface, both longitudinal and perpendicular magnetic anisotropy configuration appear for 4.2-10 ML Co/Si(111) films. When the Co thickness is increased to 10 ML, only longitudinal anisotropy configuration is found, resulting from the contribution to the volume anisotropy. Furthermore, in-plane coercivity increases with Co coverage because of enhancement of ferromagnetic coupling with Co thickness, out-of-plane coercivity increases with Co coverage due to the increment of demagnetized field, induced by the rougher Co surface and pinhole structures.

PTEN, tau-AP-3, thymidylate synthase immunohistochemistry scoring expression in patients with uterine leiomyomas, uterine smooth muscle tumors of uncertain malignancy potential and uterine leiomyosarcomas

Uterine smooth muscle tumors are frequently classified as benign and malignant. However, an assortment of mitotic counts and nuclear atypia can be indecisive between uncertain malignant potential, and malignant uterine smooth muscle tumors. We applied three immunohistochemical parameters to distinguish between cases of benign, malignant, and those with uncertain malignant histology.

Normal-sized ovarian papillary serous carcinoma: a case report

A normal-sized ovarian papillary serous carcinoma is rare. We present the case of a 46-year-old woman with progressive abdominal fullness of one week's duration. The medical evaluation revealed abdominal carcinomatosis with normal-sized ovaries and an elevated serum CA-125 level of 147,365.8 U/ml. Cytoreductive surgery (hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, omentectomy, lymphadenectomy, infracolic omentectomy, peritoneal biopsy, washing cytology, and appendectomy) was performed. The histologic examination revealed an ovarian serous papillary carcinoma. Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered. The serum CA-125 level decreased after completion of treatment. Normal-sized ovarian serous surface papillary carcinomas should be kept in mind as an origin of disease in patients who have peritoneal carcinomatosis, which sometimes is a diagnostic dilemma of the disease source. We report this case to emphasize the clinical symptoms and importance of the early and accurate diagnosis of a normal-sized ovarian papillary serous carcinoma.

Late toxicities in concurrent chemoradiotherapy using high-dose-rate intracavitary brachytherapy plus weekly cisplatin for locally advanced cervical cancer: a historical cohort comparison against two previous different treatment schemes

PURPOSE

To determine the long-term toxicity of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT), using high-dose rate intracavitary brachytherapy (HDRICB) compared to radiation (RT) alone in patients with advanced cervical cancer using a control-cohort study.

METHODS

A total of 332 cases of Stage IIB-III disease were included in this comparative study. Seventy-three patients were treated with a 3-insertion schedule and labeled group A, whereas the other 146 patients with a 4-insertion schedule became group B. One hundred and thirteen patients treated by a 4-insertion protocol with concurrent weekly cisplatin were labeled group C.

RESULTS

The cumulative rate of grade 2 or above rectal complication was 13.7% for group A, 9.6% for the group B and 15.9% for group C (p = 0.76), whereas the grade 3 to 4 non-rectal radiation-induced intestinal injury was 6.8% for group A, 6.2% for group B and 9.7% for group C (p = 0.20). Grade 2 to 4 late bladder toxicity was higher in group C, with the cumulative rate being 5.5% for group A, 4.8% for group B and 15.0% for group C (p = 0.004). The independent factor for a rectal complication was the occurrence of a bladder complication (p = 0.01, hazard ratio 3.06). The independent factors for bladder complications were the use of CCRT (p = 0.01, hazard ratio 2.08), and the occurrence of rectal complications (p = 0.02, hazard ratio 2.77).

CONCLUSIONS

When treating advanced cervical cancer, HDRICB consisting of four 6 Gy insertions and weekly cisplatin shows a trend of increasing late bladder complications. The interval between drug administration and HDRICB should be kept long enough to avoid any synergistic effect of both regimens.

Malignant transformation of extragonadal endometriosis: a case report

Though malignant transformation of endometriosis has been documented, malignancy arising from extragonadal endometriosis is rare. We present the case of a 39-year-old woman with abdominal pain and fullness after menstruation. Evaluation revealed a cul-de-sac mass and CA-125 level of 1048 U/ml. A hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and omentectomy were performed. Endometrioid adenocarcinoma with a clearly defined transition zone from endometriosis to adenocarcinoma was noted histologically. Adjuvant chemotherapy and GnRH agonist treatment was administered. Serum CA-125 level was 1.51 U/ml 19 months after completion of treatment. Patients with endometriosis and elevated CA-125 levels should be managed aggressively and CA-125 levels monitored until they have normalized.

Comparison of a new modified laparoscopic presacral neurectomy and conventional laparoscopic presacral neurectomy in the treatment of midline dysmenorrhea

OBJECTIVE

To describe a newly modified laparoscopic presacral neurectomy procedure and to evaluate the long-term benefits of the surgery as a treatment for midline dysmenorrhea.

METHOD

Eighty-eight reproductive female patients with midline dysmenorrhea were enrolled in the non-randomized prospective study. There were fifty-five patients in the modified laparoscopic presacral neurectomy (MLPSN) group and thirty-three patients in the conventional laparoscopic presacral neurectomy (LPSN) group. All patients received post-surgery follow-up of more than eight years for evaluation with respect to pain relief, recurrence, and complications.

RESULTS

Upon receipt of surgery, the MLPSN and the LPSN groups both demonstrated a significant decrease (P<0.001) in the mean pain score when compared to the pre-surgery mean pain scores. However, the probability of recurrence during the eight years of follow-up was 81.8% (27 patients) in the LPSN group, compared to 43.6% (24 patients) in the MLPSN group, resulting in a significantly lower long-term recurrence rate in the MLPSN group, compared to the LPSN group (P<0.05). No patients in the MLPSN group had long-term complications and one patient had constipation after surgery in the LPSN group.

CONCLUSION

The modified laparoscopic presacral neurectomy procedure provides an alternative for those patients who suffer intractable midline dysmenorrhea. This surgery is relatively simple and safe and could result in a satisfactory long-term outcome in the intervention of midline dysmenorrhea.

Efficacy of electrolyzed water in the prevention and removal of fecal material attachment and its microbicidal effectiveness during simulated industrial poultry processing

This study was undertaken to investigate the efficacy of alkaline and acidic electrolyzed (EO) water in preventing and removing fecal contaminants and killing Campylobacter jejuni on poultry carcasses under simulated industrial processing conditions. New York dressed and defeathered chicken carcasses spot-inoculated with cecal material or C. jejuni were subjected to spraying treatment with alkaline EO or 10% trisodium phosphate (TSP) water or combinations of spraying and immersion treatments with acidic EO and chlorinated water, respectively. Prespraying chicken carcasses with alkaline EO water significantly lowered cecal material attachment scores (3.77) than tap water (4.07) and 10% TSP (4.08) upon treatment of the dorsal area. Combinations of pre- and postspraying were significantly more effective than postspraying only, especially when using alkaline EO water in removing fecal materials on the surface of chicken carcasses. Although treatment by immersion only in EO and chlorinated water significantly reduced the initial population (4.92 log10 cfu/g) of C. jejuni by 2.33 and 2.05 log10 cfu/g, respectively, combinations of spraying and immersion treatment did not improve the bactericidal effect of sanitizers. The results indicated that alkaline EO water might provide an alternative to TSP in preventing attachment and removal of feces on the surface of chicken carcasses. The results also suggested that chicken carcasses containing pathogenic microorganisms may contribute to the cross-contamination of whole batches of chickens during processing in the chiller tank and afterward.

Usefulness of whole body positron emission tomography (PET) with 18F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (FDG) to detect recurrent ovarian cancer based on asymptomatically elevated serum levels of tumor marker

The aim of this study was to evaluate practice usefulness of whole body positron emission tomography (PET) with 18F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (FDG) to detect recurrent ovarian cancer based on asymptomatically elevated tumor marker (CA-125) serum levels. Whole-body FDG-PET was performed in 28 patients with suspected recurrent ovarian cancers and asymptomatically increased serum levels of tumor marker (CA-125 antigen) but negative or equivocal other imaging modality results. All of these 28 asymptomatic patients had serum levels of CA-125 antigen >35 U/ml. The final diagnosis of recurrent ovarian cancer was established by operation/biopsy histopathological findings or clinical follow-up longer than 1 year by additional morphologic imaging techniques. Among the 28 patients, the final diagnoses of recurrent ovarian cancers and benign lesions were established in 20 and 8 patients, respectively. FDG-PET accurately diagnosed recurrent ovarian cancers in 19 patients and benign lesions in 7 patients. When asymptomatically elevated serum levels of CA-125 antigen, the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of FDG-PET to detect recurrent ovarian cancers were 95.0%, 87.5%, and 92.9%, respectively. FDG-PET is a useful technique to detect recurrent ovarian cancers for patients suspected of recurrent ovarian cancers due to asymptomatically elevated serum levels of CA-125 antigen.

Early predicting recurrent cervical cancer with combination of tissue polypeptide specific antigen (TPS) and squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC)

The establishment of new tumor marker combinations including strong lead-time effects in detecting recurrent cervical cancer appears to be warranted. This retrospective study includes 50 patients with recurrent squamous cell cervical cancer after operation or radiotherapy. The serial serum levels of the tumor markers tissue polypeptide specific antigen (TPS) and squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC) were determined. Cutoff values of 78.5 U/L for TPS and 1.5 microg/L for SCC were selected according to the 95th percentile of serum concentrations measured in healthy control patients. Comparing with other monitoring modalities, SCC and TPS showed lead-time effective in 27 and 30 cases, respectively. This difference was not statistically significant. The combination of SCC and TPS provided lead-time effects in 42 cases. Our data indicate that combination of TPS and SCC is a valuable tool in the early predicting recurrent cervical cancer.

Protection of tea melanin on hydrazine-induced liver injury

The protective activity of melanin derived from tea (MDFT) was studied using hydrazine as a DNA-reactive chemical agent. Intra-peritoneal administration of MDFT at the doses of 5 or 20 mg/kg dose-dependently prevented liver toxicity induced by hydrazine in rats. It normalized rises in serum alanine transferase activity and a decrease in the glutathione level in the liver. It also reduced the hepatic malondialdehyde concentration. Monitoring the intensity of chemiluminescence showed that MDFT could prevent the production of free radicals that are generated owing to metabolic transformation of hydrazine. It also prevented the formation 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG) DNA adducts. The results obtained in vivo and in vitro suggest that MDFT confers marked protection of the liver against hydrazine-induced oxidative toxicity.

Gene expression of adhesion molecules and matrix metalloproteinases in endometriosis

Various types of cell adhesion molecules and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) seem to play an important role in the invasion process of endometriosis; however, limited investigation has focused on their gene expression in human peritoneal endometriotic lesions. A total of 63 endometriotic tissues were surgically obtained from 35 women with endometriosis, which included 43 pigmented and 20 non-pigmented lesions. Gene expression levels of E-cadherin, alpha- and beta-catenin, MMP-2, MMP-9 and membrane-type 1 (MT1)-MMP in these endometriotic lesions were compared with those in normal eutopic endometrium obtained from 12 women without endometriosis. MMP-2, MMP-9 and MT1-MMP mRNA expression in pigmented lesions was significantly higher than that in normal endometrium (p < 0.05), whereas E-cadherin, alpha- and beta-catenin mRNA expression was not suppressed in endometriotic lesions. There was a close correlation between MMP-2 or MT1-MMP and E-cadherin, alpha- or beta-catenin gene expression in 63 endometriotic tissues examined (p < 0.01). Immunohistochemical expression of E-cadherin, alpha- and beta-catenin in glandular epithelial cells was positive not only for all of seven cases with normal eutopic endometrium but also for 9 of 11 with ovarian endometriosis. MMP expression in ectopic endometrium was much greater than that in eutopic endometrium. These results suggest that endometriotic tissues expressing MMPs might be invasive and simultaneously possess cell-to-cell adhesion property in pelvic peritoneal foci.

Premedication with low-dose oral midazolam reduces the incidence and severity of emergence agitation in pediatric patients following sevoflurane anesthesia

BACKGROUND

Sevoflurane is a volatile anesthetic agent with low pungency, non-irritating odor, and low blood/gas partition coefficient that makes it an attractive alternative to halothane. However, a high incidence of emergence agitation (EA) has been reported in pediatric patients after sevoflurane anesthesia. The underlying mechanism of sevoflurane-induced EA remains unclear. Rapid recovery of consciousness (emergence) from sevoflurane anesthesia has been proposed as one possible mechanism. We, therefore, hypothesized that sedatives such as midazolam may counteract sevoflurane's rapid emergence and thus reduce the incidence and the severity of sevoflurane-induced EA.

METHODS

A prospective, controlled, single-blinded study was carried out in 88 ASA class I or II pediatric patients scheduled for elective outpatient surgery. Patients were assigned to receive either midazolam (oral midazolam, 0.2 mg/kg as anesthetic premedication) or saline (oral normal saline as premedication) before the conduct of anesthesia. When separation from parents was due its process was watched and evaluated. Induction of anesthesia and maintenance of anesthesia were uniform in both groups. Induction of anesthesia was made possible with 8% sevoflurane and N2O in 50% O2. Intubation was performed straight without the aid of muscle relaxant and the ventilator was set to maintain normocapnia. Anesthesia was maintained with 3% sevoflurane and N2O in 50% O2 until the surgery was over. All matters of relevant time periods were recorded (induction, surgical procedure, extubation and transportation). In the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), adverse events, the incidence and the severity of EA, analgesic requirement, duration of PACU stay, and parental as well as PACU nurses' satisfaction were evaluated.

RESULTS

A significant lower incidence and less severity of EA were noted in patients premedicated with midazolam. Less postoperaive analgesia was required in patients who had received midazolam. Although midazolam-premedicated patients remained sedated after sevoflurane anesthesia, the duration of the PACU stay was not significantly different from that of saline-treated patients. Both parents and PACU nurses were more satisfied with midazolam as premedication. No solid evidence showed that there was close correlation between the process of separation from parents and the occurrence of EA.

CONCLUSIONS

Premedication with oral midazolam is safe, convenient and effective in decreasing the occurrence of sevoflurane-induced EA. It does not delay discharge from PACU and is suitable for outpatient surgery.

Marked anemic hypoxia deteriorates cerebral hemodynamics and brain metabolism during massive intracerebral hemorrhage

The present study was undertaken to investigate the influence of imposed anemic hypoxia on cerebral hemodynamics and metabolism in a condition of massive ICH. Two groups of eight dogs, with a target hemoglobin concentration of 12 g/dl in nonanemic and 6 g/dl in anemic group, were included. Before the onset of the insult, anemic group had a significant reduction (p<0.05) in cerebral arteriovenous oxygen content difference (AVDO2), accompanied with a significant rise (p<0.05) in flow velocity (FV) of the basilar artery and cerebral extraction fraction of oxygen (CEO2) and a lower brain-tissue lactate clearance than did nonanemic group. Shortly after ICH, both groups displayed significant reductions (p<0.05) in FV, CEO2 and AVDO2, and simultaneous rises in arteriovenous lactate concentrations. In nonanemic group, the CEO2 and AVDO2 gradually returned after an initial decrease, and then the arteriovenous lactate concentrations slowly decreased. In contrast, anemic group showed progressive reductions in CEO2 and AVDO2 associated with persistent rises in arteriovenous lactate concentrations. Consequently, anemic group exhibited significantly greater brain-tissue lactate clearances (p<0.05), occurring at 10 min and 5 h postinjury, than did nonanemic group, although the former had relatively higher levels of CEO2 up to 3 h postinjury. We conclude that anemic hypoxia modulates a favorable change in cerebral hemodynamics and oxygenation, while it progressively deteriorates after an initial reduction during massive ICH, thus facilitating cerebral anaerobic glycolysis in biphasic periods. These results point to a complex interaction between cerebral hemodynamics, oxygen supply and glycolysis homeostasis upon the addition of anemic hypoxia in severe stress conditions of the brain.

Effects on the bispectral index during elective caesarean section: a comparison of propofol and isoflurane

BACKGROUND

Awareness during general anesthesia has been a particular problem during caesarean section. About 7 percent of patients undergoing elective caesarean section have reported dreaming or recall of voices during the procedure. The bispectral index (BIS), a value derived from the electroencephalogram (EEG), has been shown to be useful in monitoring the depth of anesthesia. Supplementation of propofol or isoflurane for maintenance of anesthesia has been shown to effectively reduce the incidence of awareness. However, the effects of propofol or isoflurane on the BIS index have not been fully investigated. We therefore designed this study to compare the effects of isoflurane or propofol supplementation on the BIS index in 24 healthy parturients undergoing elective caesarean section.

METHODS

All patients had induction of anesthesia and orotracheal intubation in rapid sequence made possible by 1 MAC isoflurane with 50% N2O-50% O2 as conveyer and atracurium. After delivery, patients were randomly assigned to either of two groups (isoflurane or propofol). Patients in the Isoflurane group (n = 12) received 0.5 MAC isoflurane in 67% N2O-33% O2 and fentanyl + droperidol. Patients in the propofol group (n = 12) received propofol (8 mg/kg/h) infusion combined with 67% N2O-33% O2 and fentanyl + droperidol.

RESULTS

There was no difference between the two groups in total operation time, maternal blood loss, fetal Apgar scores. No differences between the two groups in heart rate, blood pressure or BIS index values were found throughout the surgery. No patient from either group reported recall of the operative procedure. However, 25% of patients (3 of 12) in the isoflurane group had poor uterine contraction, suggestive of doubtful appropriateness of the use of isoflurane for maintenance of anesthesia in delivery.

CONCLUSIONS

We therefore concluded that supplementation of isoflurane or propofol for maintenance of anesthesia can satisfactorily decrease the BIS index and minimize the incidence of awareness in patients undergoing caesarean section under general anesthesia. The BIS index is a reliable monitor of the hypnotic component of anesthesia.

Acute paraplegia in a patient with spinal tophi: a case report

A 28-year-old man with a 5-year history of gouty arthritis suffered from an acute episode of lower back pain. He visited a rehabilitative clinic and received physical therapy following his examination. Weakness and numbness of both lower legs developed rapidly after physical therapy. He was sent to our hospital with complete paralysis of both lower limbs and complete sensory loss below the umbilicus 3 hours after the physical therapy. No peripheral tophi were found. Myelography showed an extrinsic compression of the dura sac at T10. Emergency decompressive laminectomy of T9 to T11 was performed. During the surgery, caseous material was found deposited in the ligamentum flavum and the left T9 to T10 facet joint, with indentation of the dura sac. The pathologic diagnosis was spinal tophi. After surgery, the patient's neurologic function recovered rapidly. It was suspected that inappropriate physical therapy might have aggravated acute inflammation of spinal gout and resulted in a rapid deterioration of neurologic function. Though gout is a chronic medical disease, an acute attack of spinal gout may be disastrous and requires emergency neurosurgical intervention.

Ultraviolet spectrophotometric characterization and bactericidal properties of electrolyzed oxidizing water as influenced by amperage and pH

To identify the primary component responsible in electrolyzed oxidizing (EO) water for inactivation, this study determined the concentrations of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and hypochlorite ions (OCl-) and related those concentrations to the microbicidal activity of the water. The ultraviolet absorption spectra were used to determine the concentrations of HOCl and OCl- in EO water and the chemical equilibrium of these species with change in pH and amperage. EO water generated at higher amperage contained a higher chlorine concentration. The maximum concentration of HOCl was observed around pH 4 where the maximum log reduction (2.3 log10 CFU/ml) of Bacillus cereus F4431/73 vegetative cells also occurred. The high correlation (r = 0.95) between HOCl concentrations and bactericidal effectiveness of EO water supports HOCl's role as the primary inactivation agent. Caution should be taken with standard titrimetric methods for measurement of chlorine as they cannot differentiate the levels of HOCl present in EO water of varying pHs.

Efficacy of electrolyzed oxidizing (EO) and chemically modified water on different types of foodborne pathogens

This study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of electrolyzed oxidizing (EO) and chemically modified water with properties similar to the EO water for inactivation of different types of foodborne pathogens (Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes and Bacillus cereus). A five-strain cocktail of each microorganism was exposed to deionized water (control), EO water and chemically modified water. To evaluate the effect of individual properties (pH, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) and residual chlorine) of treatment solutions on microbial inactivation, iron was added to reduce ORP readings and neutralizing buffer was added to neutralize chlorine. Inactivation of E. coli O157:H7 occurred within 30 s after application of JAW EO water with 10 mg/l residual chlorine and chemically modified solutions containing 13 mg/l residual chlorine. Inactivation of Gram-positive and -negative microorganisms occurred within 10 s after application of ROX EO water with 56 mg/l residual chlorine and chemically modified solutions containing 60 mg/l residual chlorine. B. cereus was more resistant to the treatments than E. coli O157:H7 and L. monocytogenes and only 3 log10 reductions were achieved after 10 s of ROX EO water treatment. B. cereus spores were the most resistant pathogen. However, more than 3 log10 reductions were achieved with 120-s EO water treatment.

Use of capillary tubes and plate heat exchanger to validate U.S. Department of Agriculture pasteurization protocols for elimination of Listeria monocytogenes in liquid egg products

D-values for a five-strain cocktail of Listeria monocytogenes in five different liquid egg products (whole egg, egg yolk, egg white, egg yolk + 5% sucrose + 5% NaCl, and egg yolk + 10% NaCl) were determined using 100-microl capillary tubes. The egg products were inoculated with approximately 1 x 10(10) organisms/ml and heated in capillary tubes to temperatures ranging from 53 to 69 degrees C for various time intervals. Using a pilot scale plate heat exchanger, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) protocols for pasteurization were also evaluated using egg products inoculated with approximately 1 x 10(7) L. monocytogenes/ml. Results of experiments with capillary tubes suggested that all processes would result in less than the 9D process recommended by USDA. Moreover, although pasteurization with a plate heat exchanger provided greater lethality than did capillary tubes, all products still received less than a 5.4D process. Hence, these results suggest that the current USDA protocol may not be adequate to assure a large margin of safety.

Arrhythmias during spinal anesthesia for Cesarean section

PURPOSE

Spinal block has long been considered a safe anesthesia technique for surgery. However, severe bradycardia, cardiac arrest, and other arrhythmias during spinal anesthesia have been reported and the incidence of intraoperative arrhythmias is not well established. In this study the incidence of arrhythmias during spinal anesthesia was determined.

METHODS

We studied 254 healthy women undergoing Cesarean section under spinal anesthesia prospectively. Spinal anesthesia with 10 mg bupivacaine mixed with 0.2 mg morphine was performed at the L3-4 interspace. Intraoperative arrhythmias were recorded and verified later by a cardiologist.

RESULTS

First degree atrioventricular block developed in nine patients (3.5%), second degree atrioventricular block in nine (3.5%), severe bradycardia (heart rate < 50 beats x min(-1)) in seventeen (6.7%), multiple VPC in three (1.2%). The height and weight of patients with severe bradycardia, multiple VPCs, or atrioventricular block were not different from those of the other patients. However, the age of patients in the potentially dangerous arrhythmias group was greater than that in the other group (P = 0.006).

CONCLUSION

The incidence of arrhythmias as well as hypotension during spinal anesthesia for Cesarean section was higher than expected. Although most of these arrhythmias were transient and recovered spontaneously, they might unexpectedly occur and sometimes need immediate and prompt treatment. It is necessary to remain vigilant during spinal anesthesia for Cesarean section and careful monitoring of these patients is warranted, especially in older parturients.

Roles of oxidation-reduction potential in electrolyzed oxidizing and chemically modified water for the inactivation of food-related pathogens

This study investigates the properties of electrolyzed oxidizing (EO) water for the inactivation of pathogen and to evaluate the chemically modified solutions possessing properties similar to EO water in killing Escherichia coli O157:H7. A five-strain cocktail (10(10) CFU/ml) of E. coli O157:H7 was subjected to deionized water (control), EO water with 10 mg/liter residual chlorine (J.A.W-EO water), EO water with 56 mg/liter residual chlorine (ROX-EO water), and chemically modified solutions. Inactivation (8.88 log10 CFU/ml reduction) of E. coli O157:H7 occurred within 30 s after application of EO water and chemically modified solutions containing chlorine and 1% bromine. Iron was added to EO or chemically modified solutions to reduce oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) readings and neutralizing buffer was added to neutralize chlorine. J.A.W-EO water with 100 mg/liter iron, acetic acid solution, and chemically modified solutions containing neutralizing buffer or 100 mg/liter iron were ineffective in reducing the bacteria population. ROX-EO water with 100 mg/liter iron was the only solution still effective in inactivation of E. coli O157:H7 and having high ORP readings regardless of residual chlorine. These results suggest that it is possible to simulate EO water by chemically modifying deionized water and ORP of the solution may be the primary factor affecting microbial inactivation.

Early alterations in cerebral hemodynamics, brain metabolism, and blood-brain barrier permeability in experimental intracerebral hemorrhage

OBJECT

The authors sought to ascertain the nature of the hemodynamic and metabolic derangement underlying acute pathophysiological events that occur after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).

METHODS

Cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), flow velocity (FV) of the middle cerebral artery, and the arteriovenous contents of oxygen and lactate were investigated in 24 dogs subjected to sham operations (Group A, four animals) or intracerebral injections of 3 ml (Group B, 11 animals) or 5 ml (Group C, nine animals) autologous arterial blood. Twelve additional dogs received intravenous injections of 2% Evans blue or trypan blue dye to evaluate blood-brain barrier (BBB) changes. Within 1 hour, animals with ICH exhibited a rise in FV associated with significant reductions (p<0.05) in CPP and the arteriovenous content difference (AVDO2). In Group C animals significant increases in lactate concentration were found in arterial and superior sagittal sinus (SSS) samples compared with those in the other two groups (p<0.05). Additionally, perihematomal dye extravasation was observed in animals subjected to ICH and trypan blue dye injections, with profound and mild leakages in Group C and Group B animals, respectively, but not in Group A and Evans blue dye-injected animals. During the subsequent 4 hours, the FV and AVDO2 returned to normal in Group B animals, indicating a balanced cerebral metabolic rate for oxygen (CMRO2) compared with a deranged CMRO2 in Group C animals due to their lowered FV and AVDO2. However, no coupling increase in brain lactate clearance in Group C animals accounted for either the early lactate elevation in SSS or the decrease in CMRO2.

CONCLUSIONS

Profound reductions in CPP and brain oxygenation after ICH may rapidly exhaust hemodynamic compensation and, thus, impede cerebral homeostasis; however, these reductions only modestly enhance anaerobic glycolysis. Furthermore, the data suggest that a selective increase in permeability, rather than anatomical disruption, of the BBB is involved in the acute pathophysiological events that occur after ICH, which may provide a possible gateway for systemic arterial lactate entering the SSS.

Comparison of six dose-response models for use with food-borne pathogens

Food-related illness in the United States is estimated to affect over six million people per year and cost the economy several billion dollars. These illnesses and costs could be reduced if minimum infectious doses were established and used as the basis of regulations and monitoring. However, standard methodologies for dose-response assessment are not yet formulated for microbial risk assessment. The objective of this study was to compare dose-response models for food-borne pathogens and determine which models were most appropriate for a range of pathogens. The statistical models proposed in the literature and chosen for comparison purposes were log-normal, long-logistic, exponential, beta-Poisson and Weibull-Gamma. These were fit to four data sets also taken from published literature, Shigella flexneri, Shigella dysenteriae, Campylobacter jejuni, and Salmonella typhosa, using the method of maximum likelihood. The Weibull-gamma, the only model with three parameters, was also the only model capable of fitting all the data sets examined using the maximum likelihood estimation for comparisons. Infectious doses were also calculated using each model. Within any given data set, the infectious dose estimated to affect one percent of the population ranged from one order of magnitude to as much as nine orders of magnitude, illustrating the differences in extrapolation of the dose response models. More data are needed to compare models and examine extrapolation from high to low doses for food-borne pathogens.

Quality enhancement of chicken baked without skin using honey marinades

Chicken (bone-in, skinless, split breast) injected with lemon-pepper poultry pump marinade containing 20 or 30% honey was compared with chicken (with and without skin) marinated without honey. The objectives were to 1) determine moisture and fat contents and instrumental color and texture measurements, 2) characterize the sensory profiles of marinated chicken baked with and without skin, and 3) investigate the effect of honey marinades on the sensory characteristics of chicken baked without skin. Chicken was roasted at 177 C for one h to an internal temperature of 80 C. A trained panel (n = 13) evaluated the roasted chicken. Results showed that skin could be removed from premarinated chicken breast before baking without significantly affecting the amount of marinade uptake, moisture content, fat content, texture (force required to shear), or most instrumental measurements of color. With regard to sensory characteristics, skin removal before baking resulted in a less glossy and moist appearance, less brown color, and more intense pepper flavor in the roasted product than when the skin was not removed. Addition of honey to the marinade restored, to some extent, the intensities of moist and glossy appearance and brown color that were reduced by removal of the skin before baking.

Comparison of six dose-response models for use with food-borne pathogens

Food-related illness in the United States is estimated to affect over six million people per year and cost the economy several billion dollars. These illnesses and costs could be reduced if minimum infectious doses were established and used as the basis of regulations and monitoring. However, standard methodologies for dose-response assessment are not yet formulated for microbial risk assessment. The objective of this study was to compare dose-response models for food-borne pathogens and determine which models were most appropriate for a range of pathogens. The statistical models proposed in the literature and chosen for comparison purposes were log-normal, long-logistic, exponential, beta-Poisson and Weibull-Gamma. These were fit to four data sets also taken from published literature, Shigella flexneri, Shigella dysenteriae, Campylobacter jejuni, and Salmonella typhosa, using the method of maximum likelihood. The Weibull-gamma, the only model with three parameters, was also the only model capable of fitting all the data sets examined using the maximum likelihood estimation for comparisons. Infectious doses were also calculated using each model. Within any given data set, the infectious dose estimated to affect one percent of the population ranged from one order of magnitude to as much as nine orders of magnitude, illustrating the differences in extrapolation of the dose response models. More data are needed to compare models and examine extrapolation from high to low doses for food-borne pathogens.

The application of transcranial Doppler sonography in patients with chronic subdural haematoma

The aim of this study was to evaluate the haemodynamic changes of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) and their clinical significance before and after surgical aspiration in patients with chronic subdural haematoma (CSDH). Nineteen patients with CSDH (17 unilateral and 2 bilateral) received transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD) examinations for cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFv) of the MCA prior to and 5 days after neurosurgical treatment. A total of 21 lesion and 10 non-lesion hemispheres were included. Cranial computerized tomography (CT) and clinical assessments were performed before and 3 months following surgery. The preoperative TCD study revealed that the lesion hemisphere had a modest decrease in CBFv in the MCA as compared to the non-lesion hemisphere. Postoperatively, the CBFv significantly improved in the lesion hemisphere, but not in the non-lesion hemisphere, compared to the preoperative data (P < 0.005). The improvement in CBFv showed no significant correlation with brain shift and haematoma volume of the initial cranial CT. Additionally, two patients, who were proved to have a postoperative complication of subdural pneumocephalus, failed to attend follow-up examinations of TCD. Our results support TCD as an alternative follow-up examination for patients with CSDH, although it may not be sensitive enough as a preoperative screening tool. Postoperatively, improvements in the CBFv of the lesion hemisphere are characteristic. An unexplained difficulty of accessing cerebral basal arteries in follow-up TCD examinations should suggest pneumocephalus in the primary differential diagnosis.

Efficacy of electrolyzed oxidizing water for inactivating Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella enteritidis, and Listeria monocytogenes

The efficacy of electrolyzed oxidizing water for inactivating Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella enteritidis, and Listeria monocytogenes was evaluated. A five-strain mixture of E. coli O157:H7, S. enteritidis, or L. monocytogenes of approximately 10(8) CFU/ml was inoculated in 9 ml of electrolyzed oxidizing water (treatment) or 9 ml of sterile, deionized water (control) and incubated at 4 or 23 degrees C for 0, 5, 10, and 15 min; at 35 degrees C for 0, 2, 4, and 6 min; or at 45 degrees C for 0, 1, 3, and 5 min. The surviving population of each pathogen at each sampling time was determined on tryptic soy agar. At 4 or 23 degrees C, an exposure time of 5 min reduced the populations of all three pathogens in the treatment samples by approximately 7 log CFU/ml, with complete inactivation by 10 min of exposure. A reduction of >/=7 log CFU/ml in the levels of the three pathogens occurred in the treatment samples incubated for 1 min at 45 degrees C or for 2 min at 35 degrees C. The bacterial counts of all three pathogens in control samples remained the same throughout the incubation at all four temperatures. Results indicate that electrolyzed oxidizing water may be a useful disinfectant, but appropriate applications need to be validated.

Delayed akathisia and suicidal attempts following epidural droperidol infusion--a case report

Epidural administration of droperidol has been used to prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) caused by opioids, but the adverse reactions were relatively neglected. We present a patient who received patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) with bupivacaine-morphine-droperidol mixture for one and half days following hemorrhoidectomy, developed paroxysmal adverse reactions of akathisia, dysphoria, and suicidal attempts 3 days after the initiation of the treatment. The use of droperidol in PCEA for prevention of nausea and vomiting therefore needs to be re-evaluated according to the serious side effects occurring in our case.

Inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes on plastic kitchen cutting boards by electrolyzed oxidizing water

One milliliter of culture containing a five-strain mixture of Escherichia coli O157:H7 (approximately 10(10) CFU) was inoculated on a 100-cm2 area marked on unscarred cutting boards. Following inoculation, the boards were air-dried under a laminar flow hood for 1 h, immersed in 2 liters of electrolyzed oxidizing water or sterile deionized water at 23 degrees C or 35 degrees C for 10 or 20 min; 45 degrees C for 5 or 10 min; or 55 degrees C for 5 min. After each temperature-time combination, the surviving population of the pathogen on cutting boards and in soaking water was determined. Soaking of inoculated cutting boards in electrolyzed oxidizing water reduced E. coli O157:H7 populations by > or = 5.0 log CFU/100 cm2 on cutting boards. However, immersion of cutting boards in deionized water decreased the pathogen count only by 1.0 to 1.5 log CFU/100 cm2. Treatment of cutting boards inoculated with Listeria monocytogenes in electrolyzed oxidizing water at selected temperature-time combinations (23 degrees C for 20 min, 35 degrees C for 10 min, and 45 degrees C for 10 min) substantially reduced the populations of L. monocytogenes in comparison to the counts recovered from the boards immersed in deionized water. E. coli O157:H7 and L. monocytogenes were not detected in electrolyzed oxidizing water after soaking treatment, whereas the pathogens survived in the deionized water used for soaking the cutting boards. This study revealed that immersion of kitchen cutting boards in electrolyzed oxidizing water could be used as an effective method for inactivating foodborne pathogens on smooth, plastic cutting boards.

Mixed germ cell tumor presenting as intratumoral hemorrhage: report of a case originated from the pineal region

A 17-year-old male patient was brought to our clinic because of sudden onset of headache, vomiting, followed by transient loss of consciousness during a strenuous exercise. Neurologic examinations revealed that the patient had severe sensorimotor and brain stem dysfunction. Examinations of cranial CT and MR imaging showed a huge heterogeneously enhanced tumor originated from the pineal region with tumoral hemorrhage. The tumor markers were found to be high in AFP but not the beta-HCG and CEA. A clinical diagnosis highly suggestive of germ cell tumor was made. Prior to the planned emergency radiation therapy, he received an external ventricular drainage (EVD) and open biopsy of the tumor. Due to a postoperative complication of cerebellar hemorrhage observed 8 hours later, another maneuver was therefore required to extirpate the pineal tumor and cerebellar hematoma. The histological diagnosis proved to be a mixed germ cell tumor with tumoral hemorrhage. Spontaneous intratumoral hemorrhage in germ cell tumor of the pineal region is rare, probably due to compromised venous circulation within the tumor. The bleeding propensity, which may contribute to the formation of cerebellar hematoma, warrants a special attention when a biopsy procedure is to be performed.

Anemic hypoxia in moderate intracerebral hemorrhage: the alterations of cerebral hemodynamics and brain metabolism

To determine the influence of anemic hypoxia on cerebral hemodynamics and brain metabolism during pathological conditions of the brain, moderate-sized intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) was created in canines with and without preoperatively inducing chronic anemia. The changes in cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) and cerebral blood flow velocities (CBFv) were evaluated as well as the determinations for cerebral extraction fraction of oxygen (CEO2), arteriovenous oxygen content difference (AVDO2) and lactate (Lac) concentrations through the arterial and superior sagittal sinus (SSS) samples. Before ICH production, anemic animals (n = 8) showed a significant reduction in cerebral AVDO2 and arteriovenous Lac difference (AVDLac) but had higher CBFv as well as CEO2 than did nonanemic animals (n = 8). The CBFv began to decrease within 30 min after ICH in anemic but not in nonanemic animals, and the difference between the two groups was found to be significant at 2 h (P<0.05). Following ICH, anemic group also showed coupling reductions in CEO2 and AVDO2, indicating a decreased cerebral metabolic rate for oxygen (CMRO2) relative to the baseline data, compared with a constant CMRO2 in nonanemic group in which the CEO2, AVDO2, and CBFv remained relatively normal. Moreover, compared to the baseline data, a significant increase of the AVDLac was found in anemic but not in nonanemic group, although the former had lower Lac concentrations of the SSS than did the latter group throughout the whole observation period. We conclude that, in cases with chronically reduced Hct, cerebral hemodynamics and oxygenation remain in favorable conditions, thus decreasing Lac production of the brain. The findings suggest a lowered metabolic demand of the brain tissue due to reduced cerebral O2-carrying capacity. During the early phase of moderate ICH, the regulation capacity in cerebral hemodynamics and brain oxygenation tend to deteriorate in profound anemic hypoxia, which consequently leads to enhancing at least modest anaerobic glycolysis.

Use of capillary tubes and plate heat exchanger to validate U.S. Department of Agriculture pasteurization protocols for elimination of Salmonella enteritidis from liquid egg products

D values for a five-strain cocktail of Salmonella Enteritidis in five different liquid egg products (whole egg, egg yolk, egg white, egg yolk + 5% sucrose + 5% NaCl, and egg yolk + 10% NaCl) were determined using 100-microl capillary tubes. The egg products were inoculated with approximately 1 X 10(10) organisms/ml and heated in capillary tubes to temperatures ranging from 51 to 68 degrees C for various time intervals. Using a pilot scale plate heat exchanger, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) protocols for pasteurization were also evaluated using egg products inoculated with approximately 1 x 10(7) Salmonella Enteritidis/ml. Results of experiments with capillary tubes suggested that almost all processes would result in less than the 9D process recommended by the USDA. However, when the egg products were pasteurized using the plate heat exchanger, a greater than 9D process was achieved for Salmonella Enteritidis in all products except egg yolk containing 5% sucrose + 5% NaCl, which received approximately a 4D process.

Kinematics of cervical spine discectomy with and without bone grafting: quantitative evaluation of late fusion in a sheep model

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted to evaluate the kinematic response of late fusion results for cervical spine discectomies with and without bone grafting.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifteen Barbados Black Belly sheep underwent sham operations (Group A, n = 5), C2-C3 discectomies only (Group B, n = 5), and C2-C3 discectomies with autologous iliac bone grafting (Group C, n = 5). Ten months after surgery, the animals were killed. Fresh ligamentous spines (C1-C5) were subjected to the relevantly applied loads through a loading frame attached to the C1. Each vertebra (from C2 to C4) was attached with a set of three infrared light-emitting diodes to record the spatial location relating to each load application using a Selspot II system (Selcom Selective Electronics, Inc., Valdese, NC). The load-deformation data of the C2-C3 and C3-C4 motion segments were recorded and analyzed for the three groups.

RESULTS

At the C2-C3 motion segment, the results indicated that Group B displayed larger motion ranges of rotation and lateral bending loads than did the other two groups. Significantly larger motion ranges of rotation loads were found in Group B than in Group C (P<0.05, for both comparisons). In contrast, Group C had the smallest motion ranges of flexion, lateral bending, and rotation loads. At the C3-C4 motion segment, both groups that had undergone discectomies had a significantly larger motion range of flexion load compared with Group A (P<0.05, for both comparisons). A significant increase in the motion range of right axial rotation was found in Group B (P<0.05), but not in Group C, compared with Group A. Group B exhibited larger motion ranges responding to all six tested loads than did Group C.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that anterior fusion after C2-C3 cervical discectomies, regardless of the presence or absence of bone grafting, decreases the motion range of flexion load at the C2-C3 motion segment, and contrary data were seen at the C3-C4 motion segment. For axial rotation loads, discectomies without bone grafting resulted in increased motion ranges of both C2-C3 and C3-C4 motion segments whereas discectomies with bone grafting did not. The data may have clinical relevance regarding the role of bone grafting in cases of cervical spine disease.

Factors influencing the functional outcome of patients with acute epidural hematomas: analysis of 200 patients undergoing surgery

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prognostic factors of the functional outcome of patients surgically treated for acute epidural hematomas.

METHODS

Two hundred patients who consecutively underwent neurosurgery for acute epidural hematomas over the past 9-year period were studied. Clinical characteristics, radiologic findings, and the time intervals with regard to treatment course were investigated to determine the interactions between all these factors and functional outcome.

RESULTS

Functional outcome showed a significant correlation with preoperative consciousness state, Glasgow Coma Scale score, pupillary sizes, and motor posturing (chi2 test, p < 0.05). Functional outcome correlated with the period of brain herniation, the length of time of the operation, as well as the period of hospitalization (chi2 test, p < 0.05), but not with the length of time of craniotomy decompression relative to the length of time from the injury until admission. The radiologic findings of the associated brain injury, the size and the density of the clot, the degree of the brain shift, and the obliteration of the basal cisterns significantly correlated with functional outcome (chi2 test, p < 0.05), whereas no significance was attributable to skull fracture. Multivariate analysis indicated that the following four factors independently correlated with functional outcome: (1) associated brain injury, (2) best motor response, (3) hematoma volume, and (4) period of hospitalization (chi2 test, p < 0.05). A combination of the four factors led to the prediction of the functional outcome with 91% accuracy (1.5 % falsely pessimistic predictions and 7.5 % falsely optimistic prediction) and 82.1% at over 90% confidence level. These four parameters correlated significantly with preoperative neurologic deterioration (chi2 test, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

This study identifies the risk factors involved in the functional outcome of patients who underwent surgical treatment for acute epidural hematomas. Our results indicate that associated brain injury plus best motor response are the optimal set of two prognostic indicants, with 87% correct predictions and 70.1% at over a 90% confidence level. Prevention of in-hospital neurologic deterioration would improve the patients' functional outcome with a resultant unfavorable recovery rate ranging from 11.5% to 17%.

Cerebral blood flow velocity and vasomotor reactivity before and after shunting surgery in patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus

The purpose of this study was to evaluate pre- and post-shunting haemodynamic changes and their correlation with the clinical results in normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). Accordingly, eleven demented patients with clinical signs suggestive of NPH received examinations of cerebral blood flow velocity (BFV) and vasomotor reactivity (VMR) by transcranial Doppler sonography with carbogen testing before and after shunt treatment. Computerized tomography (CT), clinical assessment and neuropsychological grading were performed prior to and at 3 months following surgery. A control group consisting of 10 patients was included to establish baseline data. The pre-operative CBF studies in the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) and the middle cerebral artery (MCA) revealed the NPH patients did not have significant decreases of BFVs, but had significant decreases of carbogen VMR (P < 0.05). After shunting, there were no significant changes of the BFVs as compared with the pre-shunting data. The post-shunting VMR of the ACA was significantly higher than the pre-shunting one (p < 0.05), but there was no variation in that of the MCA. Both the values of post-shunting VMR in ACA and the post-shunting increase in VMR in MCA of the 7 shunt-responsive patients who improved mentally and in other symptoms were significantly higher than those of patients without improvement (p < 0.05). In addition, the five patients with gait improvement showed significantly higher values of post-shunting VMR of ACA and the post-shunting increase of VMR for both ACA and MCA when compared with those patients without gait improvement (p < 0.05, respectively). Our study supports the view that patients with NPH had various degrees of impaired VMR in both the ACA and the MCA, but showed insignificant reduction in BFVs, indicating a compensatory mechanism of CBF over time to accommodate the subnormal state of cerebral perfusion pressure. Shunt placement would improve the VMR in responsive patients. Postoperatively, an increase of VMR tends to accompany improvement of the functional state: that in the MCA alone is associated with symptomatic improvement in mental function and that increase in VMR in both the ACA and the MCA with improvement in gait, respectively.

Orbital rhinocerebral mucormycosis associated with diabetic ketoacidosis: report of survival of a 10-year-old boy

Cerebral mucormycosis is a rare fungal infection that occurs mostly in association with diabetic ketoacidosis. This central nervous system infection is characterized by a rapid decline in clinical status, and has been recognized as a uniformly fatal event if aggressive therapy is not instituted. We report a diabetic child who presented with blurred vision, chemosis, and pain in the left periorbital region noted for about 1 week during an episode of ketocidosis. Neurologic examinations revealed that there was a decreased range of motion in the upward and lateral gaze, along with incomplete pupillary dilatation and papilledema of the left eye. Imaging studies demonstrated left-side orbital cellulitis, paranasal sinusitis, and a large lobulated abscess in the left frontal lobe. Two surgical procedures, including functional endoscopic sinus surgery for sinus debridement and a subsequent open craniotomy for abscess resection were performed. Pathologic specimens obtained from the abscess wall revealed necrotic inflammation and wide, nonseptate hyphae with right angle branching, which are typical characteristics of the family Mucoraceae. Postoperatively, the patient was treated with 1.5 g of amphotericin B over a 7-week period, and aggressive diabetic control for 2 months. Through the combination of medical and surgical treatment the child made an uneventful recovery.

Evidence of adenosine 5'-triphosphate release from nerve and P2x-purinoceptor mediated contraction during electrical stimulation of rat urinary bladder smooth muscle

PURPOSE

We provided direct evidence for the existence of purinergic innervation in the rat urinary bladder.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) innervation was studied in 4-month-old Wistar rats. Electric-field stimulation (EFS) of the detrusor muscle strips in the presence of four autonomic blockers (atropine 10(-6) M, guanethidine 10(-6) M, phentolamine 10(-6) M and propranolol 10(-6) M) showed NANC contractions accounted for about 50% of the maximum contractile response. The adenyl purines released from nerves by EFS were detected by HPLC after conversion to ethenopurines. The amount of total purine released was frequency-dependent and could be totally suppressed by tetradotoxin (10(-6) M). The amount of ATP released was significantly greater than those for ADP, AMP and adenosine (p < 0.05, n = 4). Desensitization induced by alpha, beta-MeATP (10(-6) to 10(-4) M), a P2x receptor agonist, reduced the NANC contraction. In addition, the NANC contraction was also abolished by P2 receptor blocker suramin (10(-4) to 10(-3) M) and P2x receptor blocker PPADS (10(-5) to 10(-4) M.).

CONCLUSION

The results of the present study give evidence to support purinergic nerve-mediated bladder smooth muscle contractions in the rat. Among the purine nucleotides, ATP is the dominant purinergic neurotransmitter released and P2x receptor activation is responsible for the NANC contractile response.