Journal of applied biomedicine最新文献

Background: Dysmetabolic iron overload syndrome (DIOS) is characterized by hyperferritinemia and normal transferrin saturation level with components of metabolic syndrome (MS). Among cases of MS, we determined those with DIOS and their characterizations, then we evaluated the association between plasma catecholamines status and hypertension in DIOS.

Methods: We compared 101 hypertensive patients with 50 healthy participants (control group). Iron (iron, transferrin, and ferritin), insulin, and plasma catecholamine (adrenaline, noradrenaline, and dopamine), profiles were measured for both groups. Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index and transferrin saturation were also calculated.

Results: Out of 101 hypertensive patients, 64 were diagnosed with MS, and 6 of the latter met the DIOS diagnostic criteria. Significantly, DIOS patients were older and had lower body mass index (BMI) compared with hypertensive non-DIOS patients with p-values of (0.026), and (0.033), respectively. Adrenaline, noradrenaline, and dopamine levels did not differ significantly between DIOS and non-DIOS patients.

Conclusions: Of the MS patients, 9.3% were diagnosed with DIOS. Accordingly, complete iron profiling should be performed routinely in the cases of MS for early diagnosis of DIOS, to prevent future complications. Further studies are required to test the hypothesis linking older age and lower BMI with the pathogenesis of DIOS.

Breast cancer is a serious public problem in modern society. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is increasingly used in modern medicine. Currently, PDT is an innovative method of treating breast cancer. Irreversible damage to neoplastic tissues is associated with the use of physicochemical processes. Generating cytotoxic reactive oxygen species [singlet oxygen (1O2)] is leading to tumor cell death. At the same time, valuable information can be extracted from breast cancer cells. Photogenerated 1O2 is the major factor responsible for cell necrosis during PDT. 1O2 can react rapidly intracellularly with all organic substances. The use of photodynamic therapy on tissues in vitro creates conditions for testing various types of solutions and implementing them in in vivo treatment. This article is a review of recent advances in PDT for treatment of breast cancer. PDT is a novel cancer diagnostic and cancer treatment therapy. Therefore, an understanding of the possibility to generate a toxic form of 1O2 is necessary. The knowledge gained from the basics of PDT in vitro can be useful in biomedical applications in vivo. The current literature mentions PDT in the treatment of cancers located very deep within the human body. Therefore, the development of agents used to deliver 1O2 to the deep cancerous tissue is a new challenge which can have an efficient impact on this discipline. This review covers the literature between 2000-2022.

The aim of this study was to assess 17-β-estradiol (E2) influence on sciatic nerve regeneration after injury followed by a repair with chitosan conduit in ovariectomized female rats. The study was performed in 2 groups (n = 16) of rats: OVChit - after excision of a fragment of the sciatic nerve, a chitosan conduit was implanted; OVChitE10 group - additionally to chitosan conduit, shape-memory terpolymer rods based on poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide- co-trimethylene carbonate) releasing 17-β-estradiol for 20 weeks were implanted. The mean number of regenerating axons and mean fiber area were significantly greater in 17-β-estradiol-treated animals. In this group, the infiltrate of leukocytes was diminished. The presence of 17-β-estradiol receptors alpha and beta in motoneurons in the spinal cord were discovered. This may indicate the location where 17-β-estradiol affects the regeneration of the injured nerve. Estradiol released from the terpolymer rods for 20 weeks could enhance, to some extent, sciatic nerve regeneration after injury, and diminish the inflammatory reaction. In the future, 17-β-estradiol entrapped in terpolymer rods could be used in the repair of injured peripheral nerves, but there is a need for further studies.

Introduction: There is increasing evidence that vaccinations against the severe acquired respiratory syndrome coronavirus type-2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus can be followed by venous sinus thrombosis (VST). Here we report on three patients who developed VST shortly after SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations.

Case series: An 80-year-old male, a 58-year-old male, and a 34-year-old female developed VST 14 to 24 days after the first dose of an mRNA-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. All three patients profited from analgesics, heparinisation, and oral anticoagulation, but made only an incomplete recovery at the time of discharge. Arguments for a causal relationship are: VST was time-linked to vaccination in the three patients; VST was previously reported after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination; SARS-CoV-2 infections can be complicated by VST; and SARS-CoV-2 can be associated with hypercoagulability. The fact that no hypercoagulability occurred in a pilot study after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and that there has been no evidence of an increased prevalence/incidence of VST after vaccination since the introduction of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination speak against a causal relationship.

Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations can occasionally be followed by a VST. There are more arguments for than against a causal relationship.

Bladder cancer (BC) is the 10th most common cancer worldwide. Genetic studies estimated 30% heritability in BC risk. Adiponectin is an adipocytokine that has important roles in the regulation of energy metabolism. Recent evidence suggests dysregulation of adiponectin levels in BC tissues. Serum level of adiponectin is influenced by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the ADIPOQ gene. However, limited evidence is available regarding the association between adiponectin serum levels or SNPs in ADIPOQ and BC risk. This study aimed to assess whether adiponectin serum levels or SNPs in ADIPOQ may modify BC risk. In this case-control study, 114 BC patients were recruited along with 114 controls. Study subjects were genotyped for variations in ADIPOQ SNPs, namely rs17300539, rs266729, rs2241766, and rs1501299. Adiponectin levels were measured from the serum of study subjects. Our analysis showed that the G allele and the GG genotype of rs1501299 were significantly more frequent in BC patients compared to those in the control group (p-value < 0.05). Moreover, two ADIPOQ haplotypes containing the above G allele were associated with increased BC risk (p-value < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that increased serum adiponectin, smoking or age were all significant predictors of BC (p-value < 0.05). The data supports use of serum adiponectin and the G allele of rs1501299 SNP in ADIPOQ as potential biomarkers and/or targets in BC. To further validate findings in this study, larger populations of various ethnicities and/or genetic backgrounds are required. More investigations on the functional role of adiponectin in BC will also provide better understanding of potential targeting adiponectin for BC treatment.

Open wounds are easily susceptible to infection by multi-drug resistant (MDR) pathogens. The emergence of MDR super bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus spp, fungi such as Aspergillus niger and Candida spp, has been identified to significantly increase the incidence rate. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a suitable barrier to prevent infection and enhance wound healing. On the other hand, medicinal plants could represent a significant source of new antimicrobial drugs for combating MDR pathogens. Out of 60 clinical skin burn cases, 51 patients (85%) had polymicrobial infections, while the remaining had monomicrobial infections. Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumonia were identified as the most common bacterial isolates based on morphological and biochemical tests. However, Candida albicans, Candida parasitosis, Candida glabrata, Candida famata, Aspergillus niger, and Exophilia spinifera were the most common fungal isolates found in skin burn cases. MDR classification was reported in 21 of the 39 bacterial isolates and 8 of the 27 fungal isolates. The antimicrobial activity of tested acetonic plant extracts rosemary, henna, and licorice against MDR isolates was compared to the commercial antibiotic agents. Acetonic rosemary extract outperformed henna and licorice extracts in antibacterial activity, while licorice extract outperformed henna and rosemary extracts on antifungal activity. As a result, rosemary and licorice extracts were chosen to prepare a topical cream for further in vivo wound healing and histopathology. Based on the antimicrobial potential of acetonic plant extracts against MDR isolates, BI-41 and FI-17 were chosen for in vivo wound healing. BI-41 stands for the molecularly identified species Pseudomonas aeruginosa SSM-15, while FI-17 stands for molecularly identified species Aspergillus niger SSM-27. In vivo testing showed that both cream formulas had excellent healing properties when administered topically. In vivo histopathological examination revealed that acetonic rosemary and licorice extract could be promising for wound healing, combating MDR pathogens of burn wound infections.

The first two objectives were to establish which stimulation parameters of kilohertz frequency alternating current (KHFAC) neuromodulation influence the effectiveness of pudendal nerve block and its safety. The third aim was to determine whether KHFAC neuromodulation of the pudendal nerve can relax the pelvic musculature, including the anal sphincter. Simulation experiments were conducted to establish which parameters can be adjusted to improve the effectiveness and safety of the nerve block. The outcome measures were block threshold (measure of effectiveness) and block threshold charge per phase (measure of safety). In vivo, the pudendal nerves in 11 male and 2 female anesthetized Sprague Dawley rats were stimulated in the range of 10 Hz to 40 kHz, and the effect on anal pressure was measured. The simulations showed that block threshold and block threshold charge per phase depend on waveform, interphase delay, electrode-to-axon distance, interpolar distance, and electrode array orientation. In vivo, the average anal pressure during unilateral KHFAC stimulation was significantly lower than the average peak anal pressure during low-frequency stimulation (p < 0.001). Stimulation with 20 kHz and 40 kHz (square wave, 10 V amplitude, 50% duty cycle, no interphase delay) induced the largest anal pressure decrease during both unilateral and bilateral stimulation. However, no statistically significant differences were detected between the different frequencies. This study showed that waveform, interphase delay and the alignment of the electrode along the nerve affect the effectiveness and safety of KHFAC stimulation. Additionally, we showed that KHFAC neuromodulation of the pudendal nerves with an electrode array effectively reduces anal pressure in rats.

Background: Unexpected accidental intoxication by uncommon industrial substances is a rare, but challenging and perilous event. To our best knowledge, this is the first reported case of 3,4',5,6'-tetra-tert-butylbiphenyl-2,3'-diol intoxication.

Case report: A 20-year-old man was referred to the Department of Emergency Medicine after seven days of nausea and vomiting triggered by drinking mead. Very high doses of 3,4',5,6'-tetra-tert-butylbiphenyl-2,3'-diol were detected in mead, blood, and urine samples. To prove the intoxication, gas chromatography - ion trap was performed. Symptoms of intoxication persisted for two weeks without significant organ damage. The case report illustrates the need for a multistep approach, focused mainly on the analysis of possible sources of intoxication.