SDF1 Gene Variation Is Associated with Circulating SDF1 alpha Level and Endothelial Progenitor Cell Number-The Bruneck Study

BACKGROUND: Stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF1) and its receptor CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) play a critical role in progenitor cell homing, mobilization and differentiation. It would be interesting to assess the predictive value of SDF-1alpha level for EPC number, and to ascertain whether there is a relationship between SDF1 gene variation, plasma SDF-1alpha level, and the number and function of circulating EPCs. We also tested whether EPC number and function was related to CXCR4 gene variation. METHODOLOGY AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We genotyped a cohort of individuals who participated in the Bruneck Study for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the SDF1 and CXCR4 genes, and measured blood SDF1alpha level as well as EPC number and function. SDF1alpha levels were correlated with age, gender, alcohol consumption, circulating reticulocyte numbers, and concentrations of matrix metalloproteinase-9, C-reactive protein, cystatin C, fibrinogen and homocytein. In blood samples taken in 2005, EPC number was inversely associated with SDF1alpha level (p<0.001). EPC number in 2005 was also inversely associated with SDF1alpha level in 2000 (p = 0.009), suggesting a predictive value of plasma SDF1alpha level for EPC number. There was an association between the SDF1 gene rs2297630 SNP A/A genotype, increased SDF1alpha level (p = 0.002) and lower EPC number (p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that a SDF1 gene variation (rs2297630) has an influence on SDF1alpha level and circulating EPC number, and that plasma SDF1alpha level is a predictor of EPC number

Appendicitis in an infant with atypical features

Acute appendicitis is an uncommon and challenging disease in infancy. Usually, the clinical presentation in neonates and infants is non-specific and varies depending on the age of the child and duration of the disease. Diagnosis of incomplete and atypical Kawasaki disease (KD) in infants is also a challenging aspect and there is no gold standard for this diagnosis and sometimes fever is the only symptom that could be found. Herein, we report a 6-month infant with a 7 days of fever and bilateral pleural effusion, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, thrombocytosis, hypo-albominemia, normal abdominal ultrasound, and primary diagnosis of KD. Final diagnosis was perforated retrocecal appendicitis and abscess formation. Physicians should be aware of the vague signs and symptoms of acute appendicitis in neonates and infants and consider this diagnosis to prevent delayed diagnosis, inappropriate treatment, and consequent morbidity and mortality

Multiworm algorithm quantum Monte Carlo

We review the path-integral quantum Monte Carlo method and discuss its implementation by multiworm algorithms. We analyze in details the features of the algorithms, and focus our attention on the computation of the $N$-body density matrix to study N-body correlations. Finally, we demonstrate the validity of the algorithms on a system of dipolar bosons trapped in a stack of $N$ one-dimensional layers in the case of zero and finite inter-layer hopping.Comment: 20 pages, 10 figure

Anal position index; can it predict pelvic organ disorders in adults? O índice de posição anal pode prever doenças de órgãos pélvicos em adultos?

Introduction: Anal position index is calculated with a simple formula, which is used to determine the exact position of anus in perineum. This index is currently used only in neonates and infants. Anteriorly displacement of anus is a common cause of chronic constipation. Here we assessed the association between anal position index with patients� characteristics, chronic constipation, rectum prolapse uterine prolapse, and number of delivery. Material and methods: This was a cross-sectional study performed in 2018 on 63 adult admitted to colorectal surgery clinic. Anus-forchuette, coccyx-forchuette and coccyx-scrotum and anal-scrotum were measure by a simple meter tape. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS for Windows, ver. 18) was used for data analysis. Independent Student's t-test, correlation coefficient and ANOVA were used. Results: Sixty-three patients within age range of 22�75 years old were recruited. 48 were male (76.2) and 15 females (23.8). Twenty-nine (46) had chronic constipation. The mean ± SD of the index with confidence interval of 95 was 0.5325 ± 0.11861 in males and 0.4510 ± 0.16803 in females. Also the mean of the index was 0.4616 ± 0.14007 in patients with chronic constipation and 0.5570 ± 0.11559 in patients without constipation. Discussion: Anal position index can be a prognostic factor to predict chronic constipation and pelvic floor anatomy disturbance in adults as well as pediatrics. © 201

The prevalence and incidence of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome in Iran: A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol study

Context: Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), being more prevalent in infants and children, is recognized by a triad of acute kidney injury, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, and thrombocytopenia. It is classified according to the underlying disorders, such as infection, systemic, metabolic disorder, or complement dysregulation. It has a high rate of morbidity and mortality. Many types of treatment, such as conservative management, plasma exchange, regular plasma infusion, and even a new expensive medication, "Ecluzimab", have been suggested. The aim of this systematic review is to estimate the incidence and prevalence of HUS (according to diarrhea positive or negative samples). In addition, the study will investigate the clinical presentation and the outcome of Iranian patients. Evidence Acquisition: The following data bases will be explored for articles published between years 1985 and 2016, PubMed, EMBASE, OVID, SCOPUS,Web of Sciences, Google Scholar, Google, barakatkns.com, MagIran, SID, dociran, PDFiran, and ganj.irandoc. Besides, all online university databases will be searched for theses and abstracts of local or international congresses; a manual search will be performed to identify pertinent cross references. Systematic reviewor meta-analysis, longitudinal and cohort studies, crosssectional, case-control, and epidemiological studies will be included in this review. Relevant conference proceedings, theses or unpublished data will also be considered. The retrieved data should comprise of proportions, incidence, prevalence, geographical distribution, mortality and morbidity rates (i.e. dialysis and central nervous system involvement). A meta-analysis will be performed if 3 similar studies are found. If sufficient data is extracted, subgroup analysis will be performed for age, gender, acute kidney injury, dialysis, and death. Results: The results of the current study could have implications for health policies, practice, research, and medical education: The data could improve clinical and health care decisions, allow estimation of the number of patients that require new medication, and could direct future research design in this field. © 2018, Journal of Comprehensive Pediatrics

The prevalence and incidence of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome in Iran: A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol study

Context: Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), being more prevalent in infants and children, is recognized by a triad of acute kidney injury, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, and thrombocytopenia. It is classified according to the underlying disorders, such as infection, systemic, metabolic disorder, or complement dysregulation. It has a high rate of morbidity and mortality. Many types of treatment, such as conservative management, plasma exchange, regular plasma infusion, and even a new expensive medication, "Ecluzimab", have been suggested. The aim of this systematic review is to estimate the incidence and prevalence of HUS (according to diarrhea positive or negative samples). In addition, the study will investigate the clinical presentation and the outcome of Iranian patients. Evidence Acquisition: The following data bases will be explored for articles published between years 1985 and 2016, PubMed, EMBASE, OVID, SCOPUS,Web of Sciences, Google Scholar, Google, barakatkns.com, MagIran, SID, dociran, PDFiran, and ganj.irandoc. Besides, all online university databases will be searched for theses and abstracts of local or international congresses; a manual search will be performed to identify pertinent cross references. Systematic reviewor meta-analysis, longitudinal and cohort studies, crosssectional, case-control, and epidemiological studies will be included in this review. Relevant conference proceedings, theses or unpublished data will also be considered. The retrieved data should comprise of proportions, incidence, prevalence, geographical distribution, mortality and morbidity rates (i.e. dialysis and central nervous system involvement). A meta-analysis will be performed if 3 similar studies are found. If sufficient data is extracted, subgroup analysis will be performed for age, gender, acute kidney injury, dialysis, and death. Results: The results of the current study could have implications for health policies, practice, research, and medical education: The data could improve clinical and health care decisions, allow estimation of the number of patients that require new medication, and could direct future research design in this field. © 2018, Journal of Comprehensive Pediatrics

Nuclear localization of the mitochondrial factor HIGD1A during metabolic stress.

Cellular stress responses are frequently governed by the subcellular localization of critical effector proteins. Apoptosis-inducing Factor (AIF) or Glyceraldehyde 3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (GAPDH), for example, can translocate from mitochondria to the nucleus, where they modulate apoptotic death pathways. Hypoxia-inducible gene domain 1A (HIGD1A) is a mitochondrial protein regulated by Hypoxia-inducible Factor-1α (HIF1α). Here we show that while HIGD1A resides in mitochondria during physiological hypoxia, severe metabolic stress, such as glucose starvation coupled with hypoxia, in addition to DNA damage induced by etoposide, triggers its nuclear accumulation. We show that nuclear localization of HIGD1A overlaps with that of AIF, and is dependent on the presence of BAX and BAK. Furthermore, we show that AIF and HIGD1A physically interact. Additionally, we demonstrate that nuclear HIGD1A is a potential marker of metabolic stress in vivo, frequently observed in diverse pathological states such as myocardial infarction, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), and different types of cancer. In summary, we demonstrate a novel nuclear localization of HIGD1A that is commonly observed in human disease processes in vivo

Motion-Based Technical Skills Assessment in Transoesophageal Echocardiography

This paper presents a novel approach for evaluating technical skills in Transoesophageal Echocardiography (TEE). Our core assumption is that operational competency can be objectively expressed by specific motion-based measures. TEE experiments were carried out with an augmented reality simulation platform involving both novice trainees and expert radiologists. Probe motion data were collected and used to formulate various kinematic parameters. Subsequent analysis showed that statistically significant differences exist among the two groups for the majority of the metrics investigated. Experts exhibited lower completion times and higher average velocity and acceleration, attributed to their refined ability for efficient and economical probe manipulation. In addition, their navigation pattern is characterised by increased smoothness and fluidity, evaluated through the measures of dimensionless jerk and spectral arc length. Utilised as inputs to well-known clustering algorithms, the derived metrics are capable of discriminating experience levels with high accuracy (>84 %)

Renal hydatid cyst or a simple cyst? Report of a rare case

Hydatid disease is a parasitic infection mainly caused by Echinococcus granulosus and is endemic in many parts of the world. Although hydatid disease can be found anywhere in the human body, the liver and lungs are the most commonly involved organs. Urinary tract involvement has been seen in about 2 - 4 of the cases; however, the isolated renal cyst is extremely rare. Here, we report a 5-year-old boy with an isolated huge renal hydatid cyst with no scolices or hooklets in aspirated fluid mimicking a simple renal cyst. The clinicians and radiologists should consider hydatid disease in the differential diagnosis of cystic lesions found in any part of the body especially in endemic countries since earlier diagnosis is crucial for appropriate treatment. © 2018, Author(s)