Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in renal transplant recipients occurring after discontinuation of prophylaxis: a case–control study

A case-control study was conducted to identify risk factors for Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) in renal transplant recipients. Eleven cases of PCP were matched with 22 controls. Cases occurred a median of 18 months after transplantation, and none of the recipients was receiving prophylaxis. Univariate analysis showed that graft rejection, duration of steroid use, use of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors and lymphocytopenia at the time of prophylaxis discontinuation were risk factors for PCP. In the multivariate model, only graft rejection (OR 8.66, p 0.017) remained significantly associated with PCP. In patients with a history of graft rejection, PCP prophylaxis should be maintained, especially among those with lymphocytopenia.

Fluid flow induced calcium response in osteoblasts: mathematical modeling

Fluid flow in the bone lacuno-canalicular network can induce dynamic fluctuation of intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) in osteoblasts, which plays an important role in bone remodeling. There has been limited progress in the mathematical modeling of this process probably due to its complexity, which is controlled by various factors such as Ca(2+) channels and extracellular messengers. In this study we developed a mathematical model to describe [Ca(2+)](i) response induced by fluid shear stress (SS) by integrating the major factors involved and analyzed the effects of different experimental setups (e.g. [Ca(2+)](i) baseline, pretreatment with ATP). In this model we considered the ATP release process and the activities of multiple ion channels and purinergic receptors. The model was further verified quantitatively by comparing the simulation results with experimental data reported in literature. The results showed that: (i) extracellular ATP concentration has more significant effect on [Ca(2+)](i) baseline (73% increase in [Ca(2+)](i) with extracellular ATP concentration varying between 0 and 10 μM), as compared to that induced by SS (25% variation in [Ca(2+)](i) with SS varying from 0 to 3.5 Pa); (ii) Pretreatment with ATP-medium results in different [Ca(2+)](i) response as compared to the control group (ATP-free medium) under SS; (iii) Relative [Ca(2+)](i) fluctuation over baseline is more reliable to show the [Ca(2+)](i) response process than the absolute [Ca(2+)](i) response peak. The developed model may improve the experimental design and facilitate our understanding of the mechanotransduction process in osteoblasts.

Primary renal synovial sarcoma--a case report

Renal synovial sarcoma is a recently reported neoplasm rarely seen. We report a case of primary renal synovial sarcoma. The signs and symptoms are similar to any primary renal tumour diagnosis is clinically difficult through general survey or multiple imaging modalities and requires specific molecular and genetic testing. Surgical resection and ifosfamide-based chemotherapy are the mainstay of management. The prognosis can be poor. Physicians should be aware that synovial sarcoma is one of the possibilities of malignancy in the kidney.

Impact of depression mood disorder on the adverse drug reaction incidence rate of anticancer drugs in cancer patients

The aim of this study was to explore the impact of depression mood disorder on the incidence of adverse drug reactions of anticancer drugs in cancer patients. The Hamilton Depression Scale 17 was used to evaluate the depression mood disorder level in 73 cancer patients before chemotherapy. Pharmacists monitored adverse drug reactions during the chemotherapy period. The relationship between depression mood disorder level and the incidence of adverse drug reactions was analysed. The frequency and extent of total adverse drug reactions were not related to depression mood disorder level. The frequency and extent of subjectively experienced adverse drug reactions such as anorexia, nausea and fatigue were related to depression mood disorder level. In conclusion, psychological support and intervention should be provided to cancer patients in order to improve patient adherence and cancer chemotherapy effectiveness, and to decrease the incidence of adverse drug reactions.

Effect of liver X receptor activation on the very low density lipoprotein secretion and messenger ribonucleic acid level of related genes in goose primary hepatocytes

In this study, we investigated the role of liver X receptor (LXR) activation in hepatic assembly and in the secretion of very low density lipoprotein-triglycerides in goose primary hepatocytes. Goose primary hepatocytes were isolated and treated with the LXR agonist T0901317. Total triglyceride accumulation, intracellular and extracellular triglyceride concentrations, extracellular very low density lipoprotein concentration, and gene expression levels of LXRα, microsomal triglyceride transfer protein, acyl coenzyme A:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) 1, and DGAT2 were measured in primary hepatocytes. We found a dose-dependent upregulation of total and intracellular TG accumulation when using 0, 0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10 μM T0901317, but the extracellular triglyceride and very low density lipoprotein concentrations were dose dependent only when the T0901317 concentration was below 1 μM; as compared with 1 μM T0901317, 10 μM T0901317 had an inhibiting effect (P < 0.05). The mRNA levels of all the detected genes increased in the presence of T0901317. The change in LXRα and DGAT1 was dose dependent, and the mRNA levels of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein and DGAT2 increased with a T0901317 concentration up to 1 μM, but decreased when treated with 10 μM T0901317 (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the secretion of very low density lipoprotein plays a role in pharmacologically activating the LXR-induced development of hepatocellular steatosis in geese.

Measurement of Effective Longitudinal Piezoelectric Coefficient of thin Films by Direct Piezoelectric Effect

This paper presents a new method for the measurement of the longitudinal piezoelectric coefficient of piezoelectric thin films using the direct piezoelectric effect. A uniform uniaxial stress was applied to the piezoelectric thin film by high-pressure gas and the induced charge was collected and measured by a charge integrator. The effective longitudinal piezoelectric coefficient of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) 52/48 thin films made by sol-gel processing was measured by this method. Undoped films typically have d33 values of ∼ 5 pC/N, while poled films have values up to 220 pC/N.

Thickness Dependence of the Electrical Properties of Sol-Gel Derived Lead Zirconate Titanate Thin Films with (111) and (100) Texture

Crack-free (111) and (100)-textured Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 films with thicknesses ranging from 0.25 to 2.5 μm were prepared using a methoxyethanol-based precursor solution, multiple spin-coating and multiple crystallization steps. The thickness dependence of the dielectric, ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties were investigated on both (111) and (100) oriented PZT films. In both cases, the degree of preferred orientation did not change with thickness. It is found that the dielectric constant, remanent polarization and piezoelectric coefficients (d33 and d31) increase with increasing film thickness. The (100)-textured film showed higher dielectric constant but lower remanent polarization relative to (111) textured film. 1 μm was identified to be a critical thickness that marks the change of dielectric, ferroelectric and piezoelectric behaviors as a function of thickness.

Stability and compatibility of doxofylline with phentolamine mesilate in 0.9% sodium chloride or 5% dextrose injection for intravenous infusion

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE

The use of extemporaneously prepared admixtures of drugs must be supported by documentation of their chemical stability. The objective was to assess the physical compatibility and the chemical stability of doxofylline with phentolamine mesilate in 0.9% sodium chloride or 5% dextrose injection for intravenous infusion.

METHODS

Total volumes of 20 and 1 mL of doxofylline solution and phentolamine mesilate solution, respectively, were added to 250 mL polyolefin bags containing 5% dextrose injection or 0.9% sodium chloride injection. Bags were stored for 24 h at 20-25 °C. Chemical compatibility was measures with high-performance liquid chromatography, and physical compatibility was determined visually.

RESULTS

The samples were clear and colourless when viewed in normal fluorescent room light. The pH value and particulate content of the admixtures exhibited little change. The retentions of the initial concentration of doxofylline and phentolamine mesilate in the admixtures were within 97-105%. Doxofylline and phentolamine mesilate were stable in 5% dextrose injection or in 0.9% sodium chloride for up to 24 h at 20-25 °C.

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

Doxofylline and phentolamine mesilate mixed in both 5% dextrose injection and 0.9% sodium chloride injection in 250 mL multilayer polyolefin bags at concentrations of 0.74 mg/mL and 36.9 μg/mL, respectively, were stable for up to 24 h at 20-25 °C.

Identification of nitrogen-fixing Paenibacillus from different plant rhizospheres and a novel nifH gene detected in the P. stellifer

A total of 534 isolates were selectively obtained from different plant rhizospheres based on their growth on nitrogen-free medium and their resistance to 80 degrees C for 15 min. Of the 534 isolates, 23 isolates had nifH gene and exhibited nitrogenase activities. Based on 16S rDNA sequence, G + C content assay and DNA-DNA hybridization, by the 23 isolates, which were divided into four monophyletic clusters, all belonged to the Paenibacillus genus. NifH gene deduced amino acid alignment analysis revealed that cluster I, including 15 isolates, showed the highest NifH identity with Paenibacillus genus; while cluster II identified as P stellifer by DNA-DNA hybridization was consistent with four uncultured bacterial clones. This study suggested that the nitrogen-fixing Paenibacillus were distributed in various ecosystems and prevalent in different plant rhizospheres. It was the first demonstration that nitrogen fixation existed in P. jamilae and P. stellifer. In eight isolates identified as P. stellfer species, a novel nifH gene was detected in Paenibacillus.

Strain improvement for enhanced production of cellulase in Trichoderma viride

The filamentous fungi Trichoderma species produce extracellular cellulase. The current study was carried out to obtain an industrial strain with hyperproduction of cellulase. The wild-type strain, Trichoderma viride TL-124, was subjected to successive mutagenic treatments with UV irradiation, low-energy ion beam implantation, atmospheric pressure non-equilibrium discharge plasma (APNEDP), and N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine to generate about 3000 mutants. Among these mutants, T. viride N879 strain exhibited the greatest relevant activity: 2.38-fold filter paper activity and 2.61-fold carboxymethyl cellulase, 2.18-fold beta-glucosidase, and 2.27-fold cellobiohydrolase activities, compared with the respective wild-type activities, under solid-state fermentation using the inexpensive raw material wheat straw as a substrate. This work represents the first application of APNEDP in eukaryotic microorganisms.

Directional differentiation of chicken primordial germ cells into adipocytes, neuron-like cells, and osteoblasts

Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are useful for producing transgenic chickens and preserving genetic material in avian species. In this study, we investigated the in vitro differentiation potential of chicken PGCs into different cell types. For differentiation into adipocytes, chicken PGCs were cultured for 21 days in induction media containing dexamethasone, insulin and/or 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), and differentiation rates ranging from 74% to 91% were identified by oil red-O and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining. For differentiation into neuron-like cells, chicken PGCs were cultured for 3 or 7 days in the induction media containing retinoic acid (RA) and IBMX, and differentiation rates ranging from 71% to 87% were identified by toluidine blue staining and immunohistochemical staining. For differentiation into osteoblasts, chicken PGCs were cultured for 15 or 21 days in the induction media containing desamethasone, beta-glycerol phosphate and/or vitamin C, and differentiation rates ranging from 47% to 79% were confirmed by Von Kossa, cytochemical and immunohistochemical staining. These data suggest that, like mammalian PGCs, chicken PGCs can differentiate into different cell types in vitro.