Diagnostic Potential of Low Serum Platelet, Albumin and Prolong PT-INR for Overactive Bladder and Nocturia in Chronic Hepatitis-Related Liver Cirrhosis

Overactive bladder (OAB) is defined as urgency, usually with frequency, nocturia, and incontinence. Patients with liver cirrhosis often present with urinary complaints. The possible reason for this is fluid redistribution, which may induce OAB resulting from portal hypertension and ascites. We conducted this study to investigate predictors of OAB in cirrhotic patients. A total of 164 patients with chronic viral hepatitis-related liver cirrhosis were enrolled and 158 (96.3%) completed the Overactive Bladder Symptoms Score (OABSS) questionnaire. Age, severity of liver cirrhosis, comorbidities, serum sodium level, use of diuretics, body mass index and renal function were also recorded. In the study cohort, the prevalence of OAB was 31.01% and the prevalence of urge incontinence (OAB wet) was 18.3%. Patients with an urgency score ≥2 in OABSS had a significantly lower platelet level (p = 0.025) regardless of the use of diuretics. In addition, 98 patients (62%) with nocturia and 29 patients (18%) with urge incontinence had significantly lower levels of serum albumin (p = 0.028 and 0.044, respectively). In conclusion, patients with liver cirrhosis have a high prevalence of overactive bladder. A low platelet and low serum albumin level in these patients may be predictors for overactive bladder. And longer PT-INR is also a possible biomarker for nocturia

Data from: PbbHLH4 regulates floral monoterpene biosynthesis in Phalaenopsis orchids

Floral scent is an important factor in attracting pollinators and repelling florivores. In Phalaenopsis bellina (Orchidaceae), the major floral scent components are monoterpenoids. Previously, we have identified that expression of GERANYL DIPHOSPHATE SYNTHASE (PbGDPS) is highly correlated with monoterpene biosynthesis in Phalaenosis orchids. Here, we showed that both cis- and trans-regulation were present on the GDPS promoters, with trans-regulation playing a key role. To investigate the regulation of floral scent biosynthesis, we compared the transcriptomic data of two Phalaenopsis orchids with contrasting scent phenotypes. Eight transcription factors (TFs) with sequential elevation expressions through floral development stages in P. bellina were identified, and their transcript levels were higher in the scent orchid than the scentless one. Five of these TFs transactivated several structural genes involved in monoterpene biosynthesis pathway to various extent, including PbbHLH4, PbbHLH6, PbbZIP4, PbERF1, and PbNAC1. Ectopic transient expression of these TFs in scentless orchids revealed that terpenoid biosynthesis was all stimulated. PbbHLH4 most profoundly induced the monoterpene phenotype with a 950-fold increase of monoterpenoid production in the scentless orchid. In conclusion, the orchid floral monoterpenes biosynthesis was regulated sequentially and elaborately, and with PbbHLH4 playing a crucial role for monoterpene phenotype

Supplementary Figures and Tables

Includes nine supplementary figures (Fig. S1-9.jpg), supplementary figure legends (SuppFL.pdf), and supplementary tables (SuppTable.pdf)

Alignment Files

Includes four sequence alignment files in a plain text format for Fig. S1, S4, S6 and S9

Dataset 2

Includes one spreadsheet with the STEM clustering results for associating expression patterns of the transccription factors analyzed in this study

The Influence of Socioeconomic Status on Esophageal Cancer in Taiwan: A Population-Based Study

Background: Esophageal cancer has extreme worldwide demographic and histologic variations in occurrence; thus, understanding the pathogenesis of esophageal cancer must be region- or country-based. We examined the incidence and tumor stage at diagnosis of esophageal cancer in relation to patients’ socioeconomic status (SES) in Taiwan. Method: This retrospective cohort study used data from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database and Taiwan Cancer Registry collected between January 2008 and December 2014. The records of 40- to 79-year-old patients diagnosed with esophageal cancer were retrieved. The distribution of the crude incidence rates of esophageal cancer by occupation and income variables was studied retrospectively. Cox proportional hazard model was used to adjust for potential confounders and compare the esophageal cancer incidence among four independent variables: age, gender, occupation, and income. Logistic regression analysis was applied to find the power of the independent variables on the odds ratio of late-stage presentation. Results: The analysis included 7763 subjects. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) was the predominant histological type (96.6%) and 94.4% of patients were male. The peak affected age for ESCC was 50 to 59 years, whereas the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma increased progressively with age. The risk of ESCC was significantly unfavorable for the most disadvantaged group, either in occupation or income, while in EAC, risk was unrelated to either factor. The stage of cancer at diagnosis was lower in the highest income groups than in the other two groups. Conclusion: Significant SES disparities in esophageal cancer incidence, based on occupation and income, are present in Taiwan. Low SES populations have a higher percentage of late-stage diagnosis. Resolution of the increasing socioeconomic disparities and narrowing the gaps in health inequities in Taiwan are needed

Functional Recovery of Human Cells Harbouring the Mitochondrial DNA Mutation MERRF A8344G via Peptide-Mediated Mitochondrial Delivery

We explored the feasibility of mitochondrial therapy using the cell-penetrating peptide Pep-1 to transfer mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) between cells and rescue a cybrid cell model of the mitochondrial disease myoclonic epilepsy with ragged-red fibres (MERRF) syndrome. Pep-1-conjugated wild-type mitochondria isolated from parent cybrid cells incorporating a mitochondria-specific tag were used as donors for mitochondrial delivery into MERRF cybrid cells (MitoB2) and mtDNA-depleted Rho-zero cells (Mitoρ°). Forty-eight hours later, translocation of Pep-1-labelled mitochondria into the mitochondrial regions of MitoB2 and Mitoρ° host cells was observed (delivery efficiencies of 77.48 and 82.96%, respectively). These internalized mitochondria were maintained for at least 15 days in both cell types and were accompanied by mitochondrial function recovery and cell survival by preventing mitochondria-dependent cell death. Mitochondrial homeostasis analyses showed that peptide-mediated mitochondrial delivery (PMD) also increased mitochondrial biogenesis in both cell types, but through distinct regulatory pathways involving mitochondrial dynamics. Dramatic decreases in mitofusin-2 (MFN2) and dynamin-related protein 1/fission 1 were observed in MitoB2 cells, while Mitoρ° cells showed a significant increase in optic atrophy 1 and MFN2. These findings suggest that PMD can be used as a potential therapeutic intervention for mitochondrial disorders

Laser Doppler for Accurate Diagnosis of Oehler’s Type III Dens Invaginatus: A Case Report

In vital pulp therapy, pulp testing aids in the differential diagnosis and influences the treatment plan. Different from previous doppler flowmetry studies that only recorded waves and data, we report the first time, the use of a laser doppler blood flow monitor and imager with a colored image to present pulp vitality information in the dental field. We report here a case of Oehlers type IIIa dens invaginatus of the right upper lateral incisor in a 31-year-old girl, with the opening of the invagination near CDJ and a peri-invagination lesion sized 8 × 9 mm2. Cone beam computed tomography was used to verify specific spatial and stereoscopic data. After removing the source of infection, mineral trioxide aggregate was selected to fill the invagination. Laser doppler was scheduled for further assessment. After three years of regular follow-up, the patient’s clinical condition improved, the peri-invagination lesion healed, and the laser doppler and electric pulp test both showed a positive reaction. Laser doppler has successfully improved the diagnostic accuracy Thus, unnecessary interventions can be avoided while reducing the treatment time by preserving the vitality. However, further work is needed to resolve the limitations of laser doppler