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It was verified that five proteins including SAA1, S100A8, TNC, GSN, and HRG had significant change in PE and/or in high-risk PE. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis based on binary logistic regression showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of SAA1, S100A8, and TNC in PE diagnosis were 0.882, 0.788, and 0.795, and AUC of S100A8 and TNC in high-risk PE diagnosis were 0.773 and 0.720.

As predictors of inflammation or injury repair, SAA1, S100A8, and TNC are potential plasma biomarkers for the diagnosis and risk stratification of PE.

As predictors of inflammation or injury repair, SAA1, S100A8, and TNC are potential plasma biomarkers for the diagnosis and risk stratification of PE.

To verify the presence of Streptococcus mutans (S.mutans) in atherosclerotic plaque (AP) using techniques with different sensitivities, correlating with histological changes in plaque and immunoexpression of inflammatory markers.

Thirteen AP samples were subjected to real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), histopathological analyses, histochemical analysis by Giemsa staining (GS), and immunohistochemical analysis for S.mutans, IL-1β, and TNF-α (streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase method). Ten necropsy samples of healthy vessels were used as controls.

All AP samples showed histopathological characteristics of severe atherosclerosis and were positive for S.mutans (100.0%) in qRT-PCR and immunohistochemical analyses. GS showed that Streptococcus sp. colonized the lipid-rich core regions and fibrous tissue, while the control group was negative for Streptococcus sp. IL-1β and TNF-α were expressed in 100% and 92.3% of the AP tested, respectively. The control samples were positive for S.mutans in qRT-PCR analysis, but negative for S.mutans, IL-1β, and TNF-α in immunohistochemical analyses.

The detection of S.mutans in AP and the visualization of Streptococcus sp. suggested a possible association between S.mutans and atherosclerosis. The results obtained from the control samples suggested the presence of DNA fragments or innocuous bacteria that were not associated with tissue alteration. However, future studies are necessary to provide more information.

The detection of S. mutans in AP and the visualization of Streptococcus sp. suggested a possible association between S. mutans and atherosclerosis. The results obtained from the control samples suggested the presence of DNA fragments or innocuous bacteria that were not associated with tissue alteration. However, future studies are necessary to provide more information.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is the most common disorder of inherited peripheral neuropathies characterized by distal muscle weakness and sensory loss. CMT is usually classified into three types, demyelinating, axonal, and intermediate neuropathies. Mutations in myelin protein zero (MPZ) gene which encodes a transmembrane protein of the Schwann cells as a major component of peripheral myelin have been reported to cause various type of CMT.

This study screened MPZ mutations in Korean CMT patients (1,121 families) by whole exome sequencing and targeted sequencing.

We identified 22 pathogenic or likely pathogenic MPZ mutations in 36 families as the underlying cause of the CMT1B, CMTDID, or CMT2I subtypes. Among them, five mutations were novel. The frequency of CMT patients with the MPZ mutations was similar or slightly lower compared to other ethnic groups.

We showed that the median onset ages and clinical phenotypes varied by subtypes the most severe in the CMT1B group, and the mildest in the CMT2I group. This study also observed a clear correlation that earlier onsets cause more severe symptoms. Linderalactone price We believe that this study will provide useful reference data for genetic and clinical information on CMT patients with MPZ mutations in Korea.

We showed that the median onset ages and clinical phenotypes varied by subtypes the most severe in the CMT1B group, and the mildest in the CMT2I group. This study also observed a clear correlation that earlier onsets cause more severe symptoms. We believe that this study will provide useful reference data for genetic and clinical information on CMT patients with MPZ mutations in Korea.

Previous studies have demonstrated a high incidence of acute pancreatitis (AP) in New Zealand, with Maori having the highest reported incidence worldwide. It is possible that barriers to healthcare exist for rural and Maori patients, leading to poorer outcomes. The aim of this study is to compare differences in severity and outcomes in patients with AP with regards to rurality and ethnicity.

Multicentre retrospective study of all adults aged >16 years who were admitted to any hospital with AP in Northland between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2018 was performed. Pancreatitis severity was classified using the Revised Atlanta classification. The primary outcome of interest was the difference in severity of pancreatitis with regards to rurality and ethnicity. Secondary outcomes of interest included clinical outcomes, aetiology of AP and re-presentation rates.

A total of 468 patients were included. There was no difference found between rural and urban or Maori and non-Maori patients with regards to disease severity, length of stay, mortality or intensive care unit admission rate. A significant difference in aetiology was found between Maori and non-Maori patients, with a higher rate of gallstone pancreatitis in Maori. There was no difference in local complications or number of re-presentations between groups.

This study showed no difference in the severity or outcomes of AP across rural and urban patients in the Northland region of New Zealand. Secondary outcomes were broadly comparable between groups, with a higher rate of gallstone pancreatitis found in Maori compared to non-Maori.

This study showed no difference in the severity or outcomes of AP across rural and urban patients in the Northland region of New Zealand. Secondary outcomes were broadly comparable between groups, with a higher rate of gallstone pancreatitis found in Maori compared to non-Maori.

Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) involves a significant component of education, but little has been published on what educational content is covered or how it is delivered. This survey study set out to investigate how PR education is delivered in practice.

A survey was designed to investigate the current educational delivery and which topics respondents reported should be included in a PR programme. The survey was sent to 11 Scottish PR Action group regional leads.

Nine completed the questionnaire (81.8%). Education was reported to be predominately group-based and face-to-face (n=9, 100%) consisting of between 6 and 12 sessions. Most educational topics lasted 15min or less, some topic areas were not consistently covered. The educational content was variable and not personalised to individual needs. Three health areas undertook informal literacy assessment at baseline assessment and when tailoring COPD plans. Often attendance at educational sessions was not needed to ‘complete’ PR.

Content and delivery of educational topics were varied, and no consistent outcome measure to assess the effectiveness of education was used.