DEVELOPMENT OF LABEL-FREE BIOSENSOR FOR DETECTING STEROID HORMONE CONCENTRATION IN FISH

A novel label-free immunosensor for detecting steroid hormone was developed. The principle of the sensor system is based on differences in the electrochemical activity induced by an immunoreaction that depends on the levels of steroid hormone in the sample. A gold electrode functionalized with 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) self- assembled monolayer was used to fabricate electrochemical immunosensor. In addition, single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) was selected to expandthe dynamic range of the sensor. The sensor was immersed into a sample solution and measurements were determined by cyclic voltammetry. Each electrochemical measurement including sample immerse only took about 15min. In this study, we introduced an application of our sensor in detecting 17, 20β- dihydroxy-4-pregnen- 3-one (DHP). The immunosensor showed a specific response to DHP, and the oxidation peak current linearly decreased in the range of 7.8-500.0pg ml-1 (without SWCNT) and 15.6-50000.0pg ml-1 (with SWCNT). The sensor system was then applied to monitor DHP of goldfish (Carassiusauratus) and was compared with the levels of the same samples determined using ELISA as the convention method. Blood plasma of fish was collected every 3h after administering a DHP inducer. A good relationship (coefficient: 0.934) was observed between DHP levels determined by both methods. Keyword: Biosensor, Steroid hormone, Immunoassay, Fish, Single-walled carbon nanotube

The aim of the measurement of Epstein‐Barr virus DNA in hydroa vacciniforme and hypersensitivity to mosquito bites

Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) DNA load in the blood increases in posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders and chronic active EBV infection. In this report, we analyzed the EBV DNA load in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and plasma of patients with hydroa vacciniforme (HV) and/or hypersensitivity to mosquito bites (HMB) to understand the clinical significance of EBV DNA load. All 30 patients showed high DNA loads in the PBMCs over the cut‐off level. Of 16 plasma samples, extremely high in two samples obtained from patients with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). The amount of cell‐free DNA in plasma was correlated to the serum levels of lactate dehydrogenase and inversely correlated to platelet counts. These results indicate that the EBV DNA load in PBMCs can provide one of the diagnostic indicators for HV and HMB and marked elevation of cell‐free EBV DNA in plasma might be related to cytolysis such as that observed in HLH

Fabrication of 16-main-core RE123 split wire using inner split method

For application to ultrahigh-field nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (e.g., 30 T), we have started to develop a REBa2Cu3O7-δ (RE123, RE: rare earth) multi-core coated conductor in which the ceramic layers (RE123 and buffer layers) are electrically separated to create multiple filaments. This method is called electrical separation by inner splitting, and the wire is called a split wire. The multi-core structure is fabricated using electrical separation by a phase stress, which utilizes the difference in toughness between ceramics and metal, such as partial V-bending by stress along the longitudinal direction of the coated conductor using a commercially available single-core RE123 coated conductor. In addition, about 10 narrow cores (width: 5-15 μm) can be formed by one bending. These cores are called subcores. The wire is composed of main cores and subcores. In this study, a 4 mm wide multifilamentary RE123 split wire with 16 main cores and 150 subcores was fabricated and evaluated. The manufacturing method, microstructure, and critical current properties under an external magnetic field and tension are presented

Apoptosis of neurons and oligodendrocytes in the spinal cord of spinal hyperostotic mouse (twy/twy): possible pathomechanism of human cervical compressive myelopathy

Cervical compressive myelopathy is the most serious complication of cervical spondylosis or ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) and the most frequent cause of spinal cord dysfunction. There is little information on the exact pathophysiological mechanism responsible for the progressive loss of neural tissue in the spinal cord of such patients. In this study, we used the spinal hyperostotic mouse (twy/twy) as a suitable model of human spondylosis, and OPLL to investigate the cellular and molecular changes in the spinal cord. Mutant twy/twy mouse developed ossification of the ligamentum flavum at C2-C3 and exhibited progressive paralysis

The prevalence and phenotype of activated microglia/macrophages within the spinal cord of the hyperostotic mouse (twy/twy) changes in response to chronic progressive spinalcord compression:implications for human cervical compressive myelopathy

Background:Cervical compressive myelopathy, e.g. due to spondylosis or ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament is a common cause of spinal cord dysfunction. Although human pathological studies have reported neuronal loss and demyelination in the chronically compressed spinal cord, little is known about the mechanisms involved. In particular, the neuroinflammatory processes that are thought to underlie the condition are poorly understood. The present study assessed the localized prevalence of activated M1 and M2 microglia/macrophages in twy/twy mice that develop spontaneous cervical spinal cord compression, as a model of human disease.Methods:Inflammatory cells and cytokines were assessed in compressed lesions of the spinal cords in 12-, 18- and 24-weeks old twy/twy mice by immunohistochemical, immunoblot and flow cytometric analysis. Computed tomography and standard histology confirmed a progressive spinal cord compression through the spontaneously development of an impinging calcified mass.Results:The prevalence of CD11b-positive cells, in the compressed spinal cord increased over time with a concurrent decrease in neurons. The CD11b-positive cell population was initially formed of arginase-1- and CD206-positive M2 microglia/macrophages, which later shifted towards iNOS- and CD16/32-positive M1 microglia/macrophages. There was a transient increase in levels of T helper 2 (Th2) cytokines at 18 weeks, whereas levels of Th1 cytokines as well as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF) and macrophage antigen (Mac) -2 progressively increased.Conclusions:Spinal cord compression was associated with a temporal M2 microglia/macrophage response, which may act as a possible repair or neuroprotective mechanism. However, the persistence of the neural insult also associated with persistent expression of Th1 cytokines and increased prevalence of activated M1 microglia/macrophages, which may lead to neuronal loss and demyelination despite the presence of neurotrophic factors. This understanding of the aetiopathology of chronic spinal cord compression is of importance in the development of new treatment targets in human disease

Redução de perícias médicas baseada na gestão de absenteísmo,rotatividade e qualidade de vida no trabalho

The medical expertise performed at the National Social Security Institute has a number of medical purposes based on the current legislation, granting the employee benefit or not. Among the benefits is the Aid accident disease (B-91) which is a benefit due to the insured who becomes incapacitated for the work or habitual activity, for reason of possibly occupational illness, for more than 15 days. The objective of this work was to expose the relationship of absenteeism, turnover, quality of life in the work with the removal of work, concession of benefit (B-91) and present the importance of control of absenteeism in the reduction of medical expertise. It is a bibliographical study, being carried out the search of the articles through the SciELO virtual library. It is of utmost importance the use of tools that seek continuous improvement in the quality of life of the worker. Thus, the greater the investment in working conditions and quality of life, the greater the financial return to the company.La pericia médica que se realiza en el Instituto Nacional del seguro social tiene una serie de propósitos médicos basados en la legislación vigente, otorgando el beneficio del empleado o no. Entre los beneficios se encuentra la enfermedad por accidente de auxilio (B-91) que es un beneficio debido al asegurado que se queda incapacitado para el trabajo o la actividad habitual, por motivos de enfermedad posiblemente ocupacional, por más de 15 días. El objetivo de este trabajo fue exponer la relación de absentismo, facturación, calidad de vida en el trabajo con la remoción de trabajo, concesión de beneficios (B-91) y presentar la importancia del control del absentismo en la reducción de la pericia médica. Se trata de un estudio bibliográfico que lleva a cabo la búsqueda de los artículos a través de la biblioteca virtual SciELO. Es de suma importancia el uso de herramientas que buscan una mejora continua en la calidad de vida del trabajador. Así, cuanto mayor sea la inversión en condiciones de trabajo y calidad de vida, mayor será el retorno financiero a la empresa.A perícia médica realizada no Instituto Nacional do Seguro Social possui diversas finalidades médicas baseadas na legislação vigente, concedendo ou não o benefício ao trabalhador. Dentre os benefícios, está o auxílio doença acidentário (B-91), que é um benefício devido ao segurado que ficar incapacitado para o trabalho ou atividade habitual, por motivo de doença, possivelmente, ocupacional, por mais de 15 dias. O objetivo deste estudo foi expor a relação do absenteísmo, rotatividade e qualidade de vida no trabalho com o afastamento do trabalhador, concessão de benefício (B-91) e apresentar a importância do controle de absenteísmo na redução de perícia médica. Trata-se de um estudo bibliográfico, sendo realizada a busca dos artigos através da biblioteca virtual SciELO. É de extrema importância o uso de ferramentas que busquem a melhora contínua na qualidade de vida do trabalhador. Sendo assim, quanto maior o investimento em condições de trabalho e qualidade de vida, maior será o retorno financeiro para a empresa

Switching between Three Types of Mesalazine Formulation and Sulfasalazine in Patients with Active Ulcerative Colitis Who Have Already Received High-Dose Treatment with These Agents

Background and aim: Oral mesalazine and sulfasalazine (SASP) are key drugs for treating ulcerative colitis (UC). The efficacy of switching from one of the several mesalazine formulations to another is largely unknown. This study assessed the efficacy of switching among three types of mesalazine formulation and SASP for UC therapy. Methods: UC patients receiving high-dose mesalazine/SASP who switched to other formulations due to disease activity were considered eligible. Efficacy was evaluated 2, 6, and 12 months after switching. Results: A total of 106 switches in 88 UC patients were analyzed. The efficacy at 2 months after switching was observed in 23/39 (59%) cases from any mesalazine formulation to SASP, in 18/55 (33%) cases from one mesalazine to another, and in 2/12 (17%) cases from SASP to any mesalazine formulation. Nine of 43 effective cases showed inefficacy or became intolerant post-switching. Delayed efficacy more than two months after switching was observed in four cases. Steroid-free remission was achieved in 42/106 (39%) cases—within 100 days in 35 of these cases (83%). Conclusions: Switching from mesalazine to SASP was effective in more than half of cases. The efficacy of switching between mesalazine formulations was lower but may be worth attempting in clinical practice from a safety perspective

Low Patient Weight and Long Intubation Time Are Key Factors for Pain during Colonoscopy

Although the clinical usefulness of colonoscopy has been established, the procedure remains painful for many patients. This study was designed to clarify the factors predicting colonoscopy-related pain. We evaluated 283 consecutive patients who completed a first-ever, total colonoscopy without sedatives or analgesics. The severity of pain symptoms was evaluated by a numeric rating scale (NRS) in a questionnaire immediately after the colonoscopy. Patient backgrounds and endoscopic findings were analyzed to evaluate their association with pain. Out of 283 patients, 53 scored their pain 0-1 on the NRS while 48 scored it 6-10. We defined the colonoscopies of the former and latter patients as painless and painful, respectively, and compared the two. Multivariate analyses revealed that low body weight (OR 4.95, 95%CI 1.89-12.99) and longer intubation time (OR 3.63, 95%CI 1.46-9.03) were significant risk factors for painful colonoscopy. To identify factors contributing to the increased intubation time, we divided subjects into short- and long-intubation-time groups based on a median insertion time of 7 min. Older age (OR 2.28, 95%CI 1.31-3.98), previous abdominal surgery (OR 1.93, 95%CI 1.13-3.32) and findings of invasive cancer (OR 10.90, 95%CI 1.34-88.90) were significant factors for longer intubation time

Role of Sphingomyelinase in Infectious Diseases Caused by Bacillus cereus

Bacillus cereus (B. cereus) is a pathogen in opportunistic infections. Here we show that Bacillus cereus sphingomyelinase (Bc-SMase) is a virulence factor for septicemia. Clinical isolates produced large amounts of Bc-SMase, grew in vivo, and caused death among mice, but ATCC strains isolated from soil did not. A transformant of the ATCC strain carrying a recombinant plasmid containing the Bc-SMase gene grew in vivo, but that with the gene for E53A, which has little enzymatic activity, did not. Administration of an anti-Bc-SMase antibody and immunization against Bc-SMase prevented death caused by the clinical isolates, showing that Bc-SMase plays an important role in the diseases caused by B. cereus. Treatment of mouse macrophages with Bc-SMase resulted in a reduction in the generation of H2O2 and phagocytosis of macrophages induced by peptidoglycan (PGN), but no effect on the release of TNF-α and little release of LDH under our experimental conditions. Confocal laser microscopy showed that the treatment of mouse macrophages with Bc-SMase resulted in the formation of ceramide-rich domains. A photobleaching analysis suggested that the cells treated with Bc-SMase exhibited a reduction in membrane fluidity. The results suggest that Bc-SMase is essential for the hydrolysis of SM in membranes, leading to a reduction in phagocytosis