Thrombospondin-1 and transforming growth factor-β1 levels in prolactinoma and their clinical significance

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the roles of angiogenesis, thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in invasive and noninvasive prolactinoma.

METHODS

TSP-1 and TGF-β1 protein were examined using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting in 81 prolactinomas. Angiogenesis was assessed by measuring microvessel density via CD34 immunostaining.

RESULTS

Microvessel density was significantly higher in invasive prolactinomas than in noninvasive prolactinomas. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that significantly fewer invasive prolactinomas were positive for TSP-1 compared with noninvasive prolactinomas (17.9% versus 50.0%, respectively), and significantly higher numbers of invasive prolactinomas were positive for TGF-β1 compared with noninvasive prolactinomas (82.1% versus 42.9%, respectively). Microvessel density was significantly lower in TSP-1-positive prolactinomas than in TSP-1-negative prolactinomas, and significantly higher in TGF-β1-positive prolactinomas than in TGF-β1-negative prolactinomas.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest a close relationship between angiogenesis and tumour invasiveness in prolactinoma. TSP-1 and TGF-β1 may play important roles in the progression of prolactinoma, by affecting angiogenesis.

Bending sensor based on intermodal interference properties of two-dimensional waveguide array fiber

We propose a highly sensitive bending sensor based on the intermodal interference properties of a strongly coupled two-dimentional waveguide array fiber (WAF). The interference resonance peaks formed by the SMF-WAF-SMF Mach-Zehnder interferometer are intrinsically the result of interference between the LP(01)-like supermode and other higher order supermodes, displaying supernormal sensitivity to bending in a wide curvature range. The bending sensitivity of the intermodal MZI is a quadratic function of curvature, and the resonance wavelength shift is up to 100 nm within a curvature range 0-10 m(-1). The fabrication reveals briefness, and temperature response shows little impact on the bend sensing precision. The high bending sensitivity and wide sensing range can make this device a candidate for bending discrimination and measurement in widespread areas.

Streptococcus pyogenes cluster in a care home in England April to June 2010

Two fatal cases of Streptococcus pyogenes emm st22.6 bacteraemia occurred in a care home in England during April and June 2010, initiating a cluster investigation. The first case had left the home 13 days before the second case took up residence. We sought further cases and carriers. We swabbed throat and chronic skin lesions from residents and staff and examined these specimens for the presence of S. pyogenes. 61 specimens were taken from 18 of 19 residents and 39 of 39 staff. All results from swabbing were culture negative. We observed infection control practices and the environment at the care home for deficiencies. Issues were identified relating to the correct use of personal protective equipment, hand hygiene, clinical waste and laundry. Infection control practices were improved and training given. Infection control practices and the environment at a care home should be examined as part of the investigation of a S. pyogenes cluster. Screening for carriage of S. pyogenes should be done before antibiotic chemoprophylaxis is issued to care home residents and staff.

Streptococcus pyogenes cluster in a care home in England April to June 2010

Two fatal cases of Streptococcus pyogenes emm st22.6 bacteraemia occurred in a care home in England during April and June 2010, initiating a cluster investigation. The first case had left the home 13 days before the second case took up residence. We sought further cases and carriers. We swabbed throat and chronic skin lesions from residents and staff and examined these specimens for the presence of S. pyogenes. 61 specimens were taken from 18 of 19 residents and 39 of 39 staff. All results from swabbing were culture negative. We observed infection control practices and the environment at the care home for deficiencies. Issues were identified relating to the correct use of personal protective equipment, hand hygiene, clinical waste and laundry. Infection control practices were improved and training given. Infection control practices and the environment at a care home should be examined as part of the investigation of a S. pyogenes cluster. Screening for carriage of S. pyogenes should be done before antibiotic chemoprophylaxis is issued to care home residents and staff.

Comparison of the GMFM-66 and the PEDI Functional Skills Mobility domain in a group of Chinese children with cerebral palsy

BACKGROUND

Previous research has suggested there is a high level of comparability between the Gross Motor Function Measure-66 (GMFM-66) and the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) Functional Skills Mobility domain. However, there are only a few studies that have examined the correlations between these instruments. The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation between the GMFM-66 and the PEDI Functional Skills Mobility domain scaled scores in a group of Chinese children with spastic cerebral palsy, at the ages of 12-70 months, in order to explore the feasibility of using them interchangeably.

METHODS

Secondary data analysis was conducted of data collected during a prospective international collaborative study that used the GMFM-66 and the PEDI to examine the impact of treatment. This study examined the Pearson correlations between the GMFM-66 and the PEDI Functional Skills Mobility domain at six time points over the course of 28 consecutive weeks for 115 Chinese children who participated at baseline.

RESULTS

Pearson correlations between the GMFM-66 and the PEDI Functional Skills Mobility domain ranged from 0.83 to 0.90 for the six time points of data collection, with statistically significant P-values <0.0001 for each correlation.

CONCLUSIONS

These results support previous research that the GMFM-66 and the PEDI Functional Skills Mobility domain are complementary assessments that may be used interchangeably when it is not possible to administer both.

Collection efficiencies of an electrostatic sampler with superhydrophobic surface for fungal bioaerosols

We recently developed an electrostatic precipitator with superhydrophobic surface (EPSS), which collects particles into a 10- to 40-μl water droplet allowing achievement of very high concentration rates (defined as the ratio of particle concentration in the collection liquid vs. the airborne particle concentration per time unit) when sampling airborne bacteria. Here, we analyzed the performance of this sampler when collecting three commonly found fungal spores--Cladosporium cladosporioides, Penicillium melinii, and Aspergillus versicolor--under different operating conditions. We also adapted adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-based bioluminescence for the analysis of collection efficiency and the concentration rates. The collection efficiency ranged from 10 to 36% at a sampling flow rate of 10 l/min when the airborne fungal spore concentration was approximately 10(5)-10(6) spores/m(3) resulting in concentration rates in the range of 1 × 10(5)-3 × 10(5)/min for a 10-μl droplet. The collection efficiency was inversely proportional to the airborne spore concentration and it increased to above 60% for common ambient spore concentrations, e.g., 10(4)-10(5) spores/m(3). The spore concentrations determined by the ATP-based method were not statistically different from those determined by microscopy and allowed us to analyze spore concentrations that were too low to be reliably detected by microscopy.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

The new electrostatic precipitator with superhydrophobic surface (EPSS) collects airborne fungal spores into small water droplets (10 and 40 μl) allowing achievement of concentration rates that are higher than those of most currently available bioaerosol samplers. Biosamplers with high concentration rates enable detection of low ambient aerial bioaerosol concentrations in various environments, including indoors air, and would be useful for improved exposure assessment. A successful adaptation of the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-based bioluminescence assay for the quantification of fungal spores from a specific species enables fast sample analysis in laboratory investigations. This rapid assay could be especially useful when investigating the performance of biological samplers as a function of multiple operational parameters.

Serum peptide profiles during progression of chronic hepatitis B virus infection to liver failure

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected patients with liver failure have a poor prognosis, and no satisfactory biomarkers are available for diagnosis before the end-stage. We explored serum peptide profiling for diagnosis and prediction of progression to liver failure in HBV-infected patients. Serum samples (164) from healthy subjects (n = 20), or subjects with chronic hepatitis B without cirrhosis and liver failure [chronic hepatitis B subjects without cirrhosis and liver failure (CHB); n = 33], with compensated liver cirrhosis (compensated liver cirrhosis (LC); n = 35), with acute-on-chronic liver failure [acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF); n = 38] or with chronic liver failure [chronic liver failure (CLF), n = 38] were applied to ClinProt magnetic beads, and bound peptides/proteins were analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. Our classification diagnostic models of liver disease were generated based on the Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Quick Classifier Algorithm (QC). Differentially expressed peptides were found among all test groups, with patterns of difference that readily distinguished between healthy and various HBV-associated liver disease samples. The model generated seven characteristic peptide peaks at 4053 m/z, 3506 m/z, 4963 m/z, 9289 m/z, 2628 m/z, 3193 m/z and 6432 m/z, giving overall predictive capability of 54.27%. Two-way comparisons of LC, ACLF or CLF vs CHB had predictive capabilities of 79.8%, 91.41% and 97.99%, respectively. Comparisons of ACLF or CLF vs LC were predictive at 87.72% and 82.18%, respectively and ACLF vs CLF was predictive at 75.05%. These classification diagnostic models generated by different peptide peaks were further validated in blinded tests with 67-100% accuracy. Serum peptide patterns vary during progression of chronic HBV infection to liver failure and may be used to distinguish different stages of the disease.

Bioactivity-guided fractionation for analgesic properties and constituents of Vitex negundo L. seeds

This study was undertaken to ascertain the analgesic properties of Vitex negundo L. seeds and to isolate and characterize the active constituents. Among the 80% ethanol extract and some fractions with different polarity, the acetoacetate fraction showed the highest anti-nociceptive activity in acetic acid-induced writhing test in ICR mice. The analgesic bioguided isolation of the acetoacetate fraction yielded two major lignans: 6-hydroxy-4-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenyl)-3-hydroxymethyl-7-methoxy-3,4-dihydro-2-naphthaldehyde (1) and vitedoamine A (2). Given orally, compound (1), which was more productive, produced significant inhibitions on chemical nociception induced by intraperitoneal acetic acid and subplantar formalin injections and exhibited notable anti-inflammatory activities in dimethyl benzene-induced ear edema test in a dose-dependent manner. Since co-administration of naloxone fails to antagonize the analgesic activity of compound (1) in the formalin test, we suggest that compound (1) possesses potent analgesic effects which are most likely to be mediated by its anti-inflammatory activity rather than through opioid receptor system and therefore could partially explain the anti-nociceptive effect of V. negundo L. seeds.