Nucleotide sequence of the vmhA gene encoding hemolysin from Vibrio mimicus

AbstractThe structural gene (vmhA) of hemolysin from Vibrio mimicus (ATCC33653) was cloned and sequenced. The vmhA gene contains an open reading frame consisting of 2232 nucleotides which can code for a protein of 744 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 83 059. The similarity of amino acid sequence shows 81.6% identity with Vibrio cholerae El Tor hemolysin

Schisandrae Fructus ethanol extract ameliorates inflammatory responses and articular cartilage damage in monosodium iodoacetate-induced osteoarthritis in rats

Schisandrae Fructus, the fruit of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill., is widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of a number of chronic diseases. Although, Schisandrae Fructus was recently reported to attenuate the interleukin (IL)-1β-induced inflammatory response in chondrocytes in vitro, its protective and therapeutic potential against osteoarthritis (OA) in an animal model remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the effects of the ethanol extract of Schisandrae Fructus (SF) on inflammatory responses and cartilage degradation in a monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced OA rat model. Our results demonstrated that administration with SF had a tendency to attenuate MIA-induced damage of articular cartilage as determined by a histological grade of OA. SF significantly suppressed the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α in MIA-induced OA rats. SF also effectively inhibited expression of inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase and cyclooxygenase-2, thereby inhibiting the release of NO and prostaglandin E2. In addition, the elevated levels of matrix metalloproteinases-13 and two biomarkers for diagnosis and progression of OA, such as cartilage oligomeric matrix protein and C-telopeptide of type II collagen, were markedly ameliorated by SF administration. These findings indicate that SF could be a potential candidate for the treatment of OA

Schisandrae Fructus ethanol extract ameliorates inflammatory responses and articular cartilage damage in monosodium iodoacetate-induced osteoarthritis in rats

Schisandrae Fructus, the fruit of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill., is widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of a number of chronic diseases. Although, Schisandrae Fructus was recently reported to attenuate the interleukin (IL)-1β-induced inflammatory response in chondrocytes in vitro, its protective and therapeutic potential against osteoarthritis (OA) in an animal model remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the effects of the ethanol extract of Schisandrae Fructus (SF) on inflammatory responses and cartilage degradation in a monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced OA rat model. Our results demonstrated that administration with SF had a tendency to attenuate MIA-induced damage of articular cartilage as determined by a histological grade of OA. SF significantly suppressed the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α in MIA-induced OA rats. SF also effectively inhibited expression of inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase and cyclooxygenase-2, thereby inhibiting the release of NO and prostaglandin E2. In addition, the elevated levels of matrix metalloproteinases-13 and two biomarkers for diagnosis and progression of OA, such as cartilage oligomeric matrix protein and C-telopeptide of type II collagen, were markedly ameliorated by SF administration. These findings indicate that SF could be a potential candidate for the treatment of OA

The Effects of Changing from Isoflurane to Desflurane on the Recovery Profile during the Latter Part of Anesthesia

It is not known whether changing from isoflurane to desflurane during the latter part of anesthesia shows early emergence and recovery in long surgery. We therefore evaluated the effects of changing isoflurane to desflurane on emergence and recovery. Eighty-two patients were randomly assigned to receive isoflurane (Group I) or desflurane (Group D) or to change from isoflurane to desflurane anesthesia (Group X). At the point when there was an hour until the operation would end, isoflurane was replaced with 1 MAC of desflurane in Group X, and isoflurane and desflurane were maintained at 1 MAC in Groups I and D. When the operation ended, we compared the emergence and recovery characteristics among the 3 groups. Compared with Group I, Group X showed faster emergence and recovery. Group X and Group D showed similar emergence and recovery. In conclusion, changing isoflurane to desflurane during the latter part of anesthesia improves emergence and recovery

Effects of Age and Body Mass Index on the Results of Transtrochanteric Rotational Osteotomy for Femoral Head Osteonecrosis

Background: Advanced-stage osteonecrosis and a large area of necrotic bone are known risk factors for failure of transtrochanteric rotational osteotomy of the hip in patients with osteonecrosis. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there are other risk factors for failure of this osteotomy. Methods: One hundred and five patients (113 hips) underwent an anterior transtrochanteric rotational osteotomy for the treatment of femoral head osteonecrosis and were followed for a mean of 51.3 months postoperatively. Radiographic failure was defined as secondary collapse or osteoarthritic change. Multivariate analysis was performed to assess factors associated with secondary collapse and osteophyte formation. The Kaplan-Meier product-limit method was used to estimate survival. Results: Secondary collapse occurred in twenty-seven hips (24%), and fourteen hips (12%) were converted to a total hip arthroplasty. At the time of the most recent follow-up, the hip scores according to the system of Merle d`Aubigne et al. ranged from 6 to 18 points (mean, 15.8 points). Multivariate analysis showed that the stage of the necrosis (III or greater) (hazard ratio = 3.28; 95% confidence interval = 1.49 to 7.24), age of the patient (forty years or older) (hazard ratio = 1.08; 95% confidence interval = 1.02 to 1.14), body mass index ( >= 24 kg/m(2)) (hazard ratio = 1.19; 95% confidence interval = 1.03 to 1.38), and extent of the necrosis (a combined necrotic angle of >= 230 degrees) (hazard ratio = 1.08; 95% confidence interval = 1.04 to 1.11) were associated with secondary collapse. Seven of the eighty-six hips without collapse showed progression to osteoarthritis. The survival rate at 110 months was 63.4% (95% confidence interval 51.1% to 75.7%) with total hip arthroplasty or radiographic failure as the end point and 56.0% (95% confidence interval 44.6% to 67.4%) with total hip arthroplasty, radiographic failure, or loss to follow-up as the end point. Conclusions: Our study showed that age, body mass index, and the stage and extent of the osteonecrosis were determining factors for secondary collapse, unsatisfactory clinical results, and conversion to total hip arthroplasty. These factors should be considered when selecting patients for a transtrochanteric rotational osteotomy. Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level II. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.Nam KW, 2008, J BONE JOINT SURG AM, V90A, P477, DOI 10.2106/JBJS.F.01582Kearns SR, 2006, CLIN ORTHOP RELAT R, P103, DOI 10.1097/01.blo.0000238868.22852.ddHa YC, 2006, J BONE JOINT SURG AM, V88A, P35, DOI 10.2106/JBJS.F.00535Yoo JJ, 2006, J BIOMED MATER RES B, V78B, P70, DOI 10.1002/jbm.b.30457Jacobsen S, 2004, OSTEOARTHR CARTILAGE, V12, P692, DOI 10.1016/j.joca.2004.05.010.Daniel J, 2004, J BONE JOINT SURG BR, V86B, P177, DOI 10.1302/0301-620X.86B2.14600Hisatome T, 2004, ARCH ORTHOP TRAUM SU, V124, P77, DOI 10.1007/s00402-003-0610-0Flugsrud GB, 2002, ARTHRITIS RHEUM, V46, P675, DOI 10.1002/art.10115Nishii T, 2002, J ORTHOPAED RES, V20, P130Koo KH, 2001, J BONE JOINT SURG BR, V83B, P83HOUGAARD P, 2000, ANAL MULTIVARIATE SUInao S, 1999, CLIN ORTHOP RELAT R, P141Steinberg ME, 1999, CLIN ORTHOP RELAT R, P262Langlais F, 1997, CLIN ORTHOP RELAT R, P110Smith SW, 1996, J BONE JOINT SURG AM, V78A, P1702KIM YH, 1995, CLIN ORTHOP RELAT R, P73HOLMAN AJ, 1995, J RHEUMATOL, V22, P1929HOUGAARD P, 1995, LIFETIME DATA ANAL, V1, P255DEAN MT, 1993, J BONE JOINT SURG BR, V75, P597SUGANO N, 1992, J BONE JOINT SURG BR, V74, P734KATZ RL, 1992, CLIN ORTHOP RELAT R, P145SUGIOKA Y, 1992, CLIN ORTHOP RELAT R, P111SAITO S, 1989, CLIN ORTHOP RELAT R, P198TOOKE SMT, 1987, CLIN ORTHOP RELAT R, P150FICAT RP, 1985, J BONE JOINT SURG BR, V67, P3CORNELL CN, 1985, ORTHOP CLIN N AM, V16, P757PARFITT AM, 1984, CALCIFIED TISSUE INT, V36, pS123TOTTY WG, 1984, AM J ROENTGENOL, V143, P1273SUGIOKA Y, 1978, CLIN ORTHOP RELAT R, P191SWEZEY RL, 1976, RHEUMATOL REHABIL, V15, P10KERBOUL M, 1974, J BONE JOINT SURG BR, VB 56, P291MERLEDAUBIGNE R, 1965, J BONE JOINT SURG B, V47, P612KAPLAN EL, 1958, J AM STAT ASSOC, V53, P457

How does the multidimensional frailty score compare with grip strength for predicting outcomes after hip fracture surgery in older patients? A retrospective cohort study

Background Frailty and low handgrip strength (HGS) are associated with adverse outcomes after hip fracture (HF) surgery. We aimed to compare the predictive role of frailty and HGS for adverse outcome in HF patients. Methods We included older patients (age ≥ 65 years) who underwent HF surgery to compare the predictive role of HGS and hip-multidimensional frailty score (Hip-MFS) for postoperative complications and mortality. The Hip-MFS was calculated based on comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA), and HGS was measured with a hand dynamometer. The primary outcome was a composite of postoperative complications (e.g., pneumonia, urinary tract infection, delirium, acute pulmonary thromboembolism, and unplanned intensive care unit admission). The secondary outcomes were 6-month mortality and mortality at the end of follow-up. Results The median observation time was 620.5 days (interquartile range: 367.0–784.8 days). Among the 242 patients (mean age: 81.5 ± 6.7 years, 73.1% women), 106 (43.8%) experienced postoperative complications. The 6-month mortality and mortality at the end of follow-up were 7.4% (n = 18) and 20.7% (n = 50), respectively. The Hip-MFS (odds ratio [OR], 1.250; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.092–1.432) and HGS (OR, 1.147; 95% CI, 1.082–1.215) could predict postoperative complications. The Hip-MFS could predict both 6-month mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 1.403; 95% CI, 1.027–1.917) and mortality at the end of follow-up (HR, 1.493; 95% CI, 1.249–1.769) after adjustment, while HGS was only associated with mortality at the end of follow-up (HR, 1.080; 95% CI, 1.024–1.139). For mortality at the end of follow-up, predictive models with the Hip-MFS were superior to those with HGS in the time-dependent receiver-operating curve analysis after adjustment (p = 0.017). Furthermore, the addition of Hip-MFS or HGS to the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification improved its prognostic ability. Conclusions Both the Hip-MFS and HGS could predict postoperative complications and improve prognostic utility when combined with the ASA classification. The Hip-MFS was a stronger predictor of mortality than HGS after HF surgery. HGS could be a useful pre-screening tool to identify patients at a high risk of postoperative complications and those who may benefit from further CGA.This research was supported by the grants from the Seoul National University Bundang Hospital (SNUBH) Research Fund [grant number 14–2017-023]. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript

Inhibitory Effects of Chrysanthemum boreale

The aim of the study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of essential oil extracted from Chrysanthemum boreale (C. boreale) on Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans). To investigate anticariogenic properties, and bacterial growth, acid production, biofilm formation, bacterial adherence of S. mutans were evaluated. Then gene expression of several virulence factors was also evaluated. C. boreale essential oil exhibited significant inhibition of bacterial growth, adherence capacity, and acid production of S. mutans at concentrations 0.1–0.5 mg/mL and 0.25–0.5 mg/mL, respectively. The safranin staining and scanning electron microscopy results showed that the biofilm formation was also inhibited. The result of live/dead staining showed the bactericidal effect. Furthermore, real-time PCR analysis showed that the gene expression of some virulence factors such as gtfB, gtfC, gtfD, gbpB, spaP, brpA, relA, and vicR of S. mutans was significantly decreased in a dose dependent manner. In GC and GC-MS analysis, seventy-two compounds were identified in the oil, representing 85.42% of the total oil. The major components were camphor (20.89%), β-caryophyllene (5.71%), α-thujone (5.46%), piperitone (5.27%), epi-sesquiphellandrene (5.16%), α-pinene (4.97%), 1,8-cineole (4.52%), β-pinene (4.45%), and camphene (4.19%). These results suggest that C. boreale essential oil may inhibit growth, adhesion, acid tolerance, and biofilm formation of S. mutans through the partial inhibition of several of these virulence factors

Application of Magneto-Rheological Fluids for Investigating the Effect of Skin Properties on Arterial Tonometry Measurements

Accurate, non-invasive measurements of blood pressure and its continuous monitoring are extremely important for personal health care. Arterial tonometry, a method that is used to provide a detailed image of a patient's cardiovascular health, shows promise for being a non-invasive alternative to current blood pressure measurement methods. However, its measurement accuracy is sensitive to patient variations such as the stiffness of the skin. Thus, this project intends to investigate the effect of skin properties (i.e., stiffness) on the accuracy of tonometric blood pressure measurements. To this end, a test platform, consisting of a pulsatile system and a tunable skin stiffness apparatus (or MR apparatus), is constructed. The cam-follower pulsatile system built based on in vivo testing of human pulses is used to generate realistic pulse waveforms. The MR apparatus is able to adjust its stiffness using Magneto-Rheological (MR) fluid whose apparent viscosity changes with applied magnetic fields. Placed at the surface of the MR apparatus, a cylinder with a frictionless plunger simulates a variable applanation force or “hold-down pressure” of tonometry by adjusting the added weights atop the cylinder. Using this test setup, a series of tests were performed by varying the input magnetic field and the weights, which effectively adjusts the skin stiffness and the hold-down pressure, respectively. The vertical displacement of the plunger caused by the internal pulse pressure was measured using a laser displacement sensor. The output displacement waveforms were analyzed with the focus on the peak amplitude difference of the waveforms, which is related to the augmentation index (a surrogate measure of arterial stiffness). The results show that there exists an “optimal” plunger weight or “hold-down pressure” that provides the most distinct output pulse waveforms. The results further show that the difference in the first two peak values decreases as the skin stiffness increases, indicating that the stiffer the skin property, the less the “hold-down pressure” effects on the accuracy of the tonometry measurements