Tongue-Coating Microbial and Metabolic Characteristics in Halitosis.

Halitosis is a common oral condition, which leads to social embarrassment and affects quality of life. Cumulative evidence has suggested the association of tongue-coating microbiome with the development of intraoral halitosis. The dynamic variations of tongue-coating microbiota and metabolites in halitosis have not been fully elucidated. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the tongue-coating microbial and metabolic characteristics in halitosis subjects without other oral diseases using metagenomics and metabolomics analysis. The participants underwent oral examination, halitosis assessment, and tongue-coating sample collection for the microbiome and metabolome analysis. It was found that the microbiota richness and diversity were significantly elevated in the halitosis group. Furthermore, species from Actinomyces, Prevotella, Veillonella, and Solobacterium were significantly more abundant in the halitosis group. However, the Rothia and Streptococcus species exhibited opposite tendencies. Eleven Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways were significantly enriched in the halitosis tongue coatings, including cysteine and methionine metabolism. Functional genes related to sulfur, indole, skatole, and cadaverine metabolic processes (such as serA, metH, metK and dsrAB) were identified to be more abundant in the halitosis samples. The metabolome analysis revealed that indole-3-acetic, ornithine, and L-tryptophan were significantly elevated in the halitosis samples. Furthermore, it was observed that the values of volatile sulfur compounds and indole-3-acetic abundances were positively correlated. The multiomics analysis identified the metagenomic and metabolomic characteristics to differentiate halitosis from healthy individuals using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator logistic regression and random forest classifier. A total of 19 species and 39 metabolites were identified as features in halitosis patients, which included indole-3-acetic acid, Bacillus altitudinis, Candidatus Saccharibacteria, and Actinomyces species. In conclusion, an evident shift in microbiome and metabolome characteristics was observed in the halitosis tongue coating, which may have a potential etiological significance and provide novel insights into the mechanism for halitosis.

Outcomes of transperineal and transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical outcomes and pathological findings of transperineal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy (TPUSPB) and transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy (TRUSPB) in a secondary referral hospital. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 100 TPUSPBs and 100 TRUSPBs performed in our centre. Pre-biopsy patient parameters (eg, patient age, clinical staging, serum prostate-specific antigen [PSA] level, prostate size, and PSA density), as well as pathological results and 30-day complication and readmission rates, were retrieved from the patients' medical records and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: One hundred TPUSPBs performed from January 2018 to May 2018 and 100 TRUSPBs performed from January 2016 to April 2016 were included for analysis. Mean age did not significantly differ between the groups. The TPUSPB group had a higher mean PSA level, smaller prostate size, and higher PSA density, compared with the TRUSPB group. The overall prostate cancer detection rate was similar between the TPUSPB and TRUSPB groups (35% vs 25%, P=0.123). There were no significant differences between the groups in prostate cancer detection rates after stratification according to PSA density and clinical staging. With respect to complications, no patients developed fever in the TPUSPB group, while 4% of patients in the TRUSPB group had fever and required at least 1-week admission for intravenous antibiotic administration. CONCLUSION: For prostate biopsy, TPUSPB is safer, with no infection complications, and has similar prostate cancer detection rate compared with TRUSPB.

Short-term outcome of patients with robot-assisted versus open radical prostatectomy: for localised carcinoma of prostate.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the short-term outcome of patients undergoing robot-assisted versus open radical prostatectomy. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. SETTING: A university teaching hospital in Hong Kong. PATIENTS: Twenty consecutive cases having robot-assisted radical prostatectomy were compared with the last 20 cases of open radical prostatectomy (prior to November 2005 when the robotic system was introduced). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Perioperative functional evaluation (with special emphasis on continence) and oncological evaluation (included margin studies and prostate-specific antigen levels). RESULTS: Regarding baseline clinical characteristics of the patients, there was no statistically significant difference between the robotic and open radical prostatectomy groups. For perioperative outcome, in the robotic group the blood transfusion rate was significantly lower (5 vs 65%), hospital stay was shorter (8 vs 17 days), and the catheter time was shorter (12 vs 18 days). For early oncological outcome, there was no statistically significant difference in the margin positive rate and early prostate-specific antigen results. Regarding continence (use of 0-1 pads/day), it was achieved by 95% in the robotic group with a mean follow-up of 6 months compared to 85% in the open group with a mean follow-up of 42 months. CONCLUSIONS: Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy offered the benefits of a minimally invasive operation with less blood loss, shorter catheter time and hospital stay, and earlier continence. It has therefore become the preferred surgical option in our institution.

Long-term outcome of patients with a successful trial without catheter, after treatment with an alpha-adrenergic receptor blocker for acute urinary retention caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a retrospective review of long-term outcome for patients with a first episode of acute urinary retention (AUR) who could void successfully after the initial trial without catheter (TWOC) after treatment with an alpha-adrenergic receptor blocker (AR blocker). METHODS: The records of 248 patients who presented with a first episode of AUR secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and who could void successfully after the initial TWOC following treatment with an AR blocker were reviewed during the period January 1998 to December 2001. The characteristics of the patients and the subsequent outcomes were recorded. The primary outcome assessed was failed medical treatment within the five-year follow-up period. Factors correlated with the primary outcome were also assessed. RESULTS: For these 248 patients, the median follow-up time was 33.0 months (range 0-96 months). The percentage of patients with failed medical treatment at 6, 12, 24, and 60 months was 11.6, 14.3, 28.4, and 50.5%, respectively. Multivariate analysis indicated that only a prostate size >50 ml and serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) level during AUR >10 ng/dl were significant predictors of subsequent requirement for surgical intervention after a successful TWOC. CONCLUSIONS: Although AR blockers increased the success rate of TWOC, approximately half of the patients in this study still required additional intervention within five years. By using appropriate selection criteria, such as a large prostate size (>50 ml) or high serum PSA level during AUR (>10 microg/l), patients who are at greater risk of TWOC failure can be identified, and earlier surgical intervention can be offered to them.

Spontaneous rupture of the left renal collecting system during pregnancy.

Spontaneous rupture of a normal renal collecting system during pregnancy is uncommon and all reported cases have occurred in right kidneys. We report a case of spontaneous rupture of the left renal collecting system during pregnancy. A 33-year-old pregnant woman presented with left loin and lower abdominal pain, and signs of preterm labour, at 32 weeks' gestation. An emergency caesarean section was performed for foetal distress but the left loin pain did not subside after delivery. Ultrasonography and a computed tomogram showed a left perinephric collection and urine extravasation, compatible with rupture of the renal collecting system. A percutaneous nephrostomy was inserted and the symptoms subsided. A summary of the literature discussing management of this clinical situation is provided.

A case-control study of SARS versus community acquired pneumonia.

The clinical, laboratory, and radiological features at presentation of 16 children (<12 years) with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and pneumonia were compared with 32 age matched patients with community acquired pneumonia for determination of predictive factors that could allow early differentiation of the two conditions. A definitive contact history was the most important predictor for SARS. Raised serum lactate dehydrogenase concentration in the presence of low neutrophil count and serum creatine phosphokinase level at presentation also indicated an increased likelihood of SARS-coronavirus infection in young children.

Removal of biocide pentachlorophenol in water system by the spent mushroom compost of Pleurotus pulmonarius.

Pentachlorophenol (PCP) has been widely used as a wood preservative since 1980s. Although it has been banned worldwide, residues of PCP are still commonly found. The spent compost of oyster mushroom Pleurotus pulmonarius (SMC) which was a degraded paddy straw-based substrate, contained 25% chitin. Five percentage of the SMC could remove 89.0 +/- 0.4% of 100 mg PCPl(-1) within 2 days at room temperature predominantly by biodegradation. The maximum removal capacity was 15.5 +/- 1.0 mg g(-1) SMC. The sorption kinetics of PCP by SMC can be described by the Freundlich monolayer model with a theoretical sorption capacity similar to that found for chitin. A PCP-degradative bacterium was isolated from the SMC. Yet, biodegradation was predominantly contributed by the immobilized ligninolytic enzymes secreted by the mushroom to the SMC. Degradation of PCP involves dechlorination, methylation, carboxylation and ring cleavage as verified by GC-MSD and ion chromatography. Thus, the SMC has a potential for treating PCP-contaminated water.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome in children: experience in a regional hospital in Hong Kong.

OBJECTIVE: To report the clinical, laboratory, and radiologic features of children with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and to examine the difference between the younger and older age groups. DESIGN: Retrospective descriptive cohort study. SETTING: A regional hospital in Hong Kong. PATIENTS: Children younger than 18 yrs with SARS. RESULTS: Twenty-one children were included, with a mean age of 10.7 +/- 5.1 yrs. Children with SARS presented with fever, nonproductive cough, malaise, chills, headache, myalgia, and loss of appetite. Examination of the chest showed minimal auscultatory findings. Common laboratory findings included lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, and mild elevations of activated partial thromboplastin time, alanine transaminase, lactic dehydrogenase, and creatine phosphokinase. Bacteriologic and virologic studies were all negative for common pathogens. Unilateral focal opacity was the commonest finding in chest radiography. High-resolution computerized tomography of the thorax was an early diagnostic tool if the chest radiograph was negative. The clinical course was less severe in comparison with adult patients. However, adolescents (age, > or =12 yrs) resembled adults in their clinical features. When compared with the younger age group, the adolescents had significantly higher temperatures, more constitutional upset, and a greater need for steroid treatment. Children younger than 12 yrs seemed less ill but had more coughing. On the whole, the outcome was favorable. CONCLUSION: Severe acute respiratory syndrome affects children, but the course is less severe. Nevertheless, the disease could have a significant psychosocial impact on children because of the potential seriousness of the disease in their adult family members.

New taxanes with an opened oxetane ring from the roots of Taxus mairei.

Two novel taxoids, taxumairols N (1) and O (2), have been isolated from extracts of the roots of Taxus mairei. The structures of 1 and 2 were identified as 7beta,9alpha,10beta,13alpha-tetraacetoxy-2alp ha, 4alpha,5alpha,20-tetrahydroxytax-11-ene and 7beta,9alpha,10beta, 13alpha-tetraacetoxy-1beta,2alpha,4alpha,5alp ha, 20-pentahydroxytax-11-ene on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR techniques including COSY, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY experiments.

Mass methanol poisoning: a clinico-biochemical analysis of 10 cases.

Methanol is a common ingredient in many household products and intoxication can arise easily from inadvertent exposure through ingestion, inhalation or percutaneous absorption. We analysed ten cases of methanol poisoning who presented with visual, neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms, of whom one died and nine were successfully detoxified with ethanol and bicarbonate infusions. Clinical symptoms were not found to correlate with the severity of poisoning. Serum methanol level was found to correlate significantly with arterial pH (correlation coefficient -0.74, p = 0.014) and serum standard bicarbonate levels (correlation coefficient -0.87, p = 0.001). We found that an arterial pH of < 7.33 or a serum standard bicarbonate of < 20 mmol/L correlated well with a serum methanol level of > 45 mg/dL ie severe poisoning (X2 test with Yate's correction factor, p < 0.02). We conclude that arterial pH or serum standard bicarbonate levels can be used as surrogate indicators of the severity of methanol poisoning. They can be used to guide physicians in the method of detoxification (ie whether intravenous or oral ethanol or dialysis should be used) whilst awaiting serum methanol levels in cases where the index of suspicion for methanol poisoning is high. Some cases of severe poisoning can be successfully treated with oral ethanol if the intravenous form is not available.

Nontuberculous mycobacterial disease of the lungs in Singapore.

Information on lung disease due to nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is lacking in Singapore. A review of the records at the Central Tuberculosis Laboratory up to the end of 1988 showed that 23 patients seen between 1976 to 1988 inclusive had cultures which were repeatedly positive for NTM. Of the 23 cases analyzed, 15 were found to have lung disease which could be attributed to NTM. There were 9 males and 6 females with a male to female ratio of 1.5:1. The patients were either middle aged or elderly. The 2 main infective agents were M avium-intracellulare and M kansasii. Ten (67%) patients had moderately advanced and 5 (33%) had far advanced disease. Concurrent disease of the lung was present in 10 patients (67%). Seven (47%) patients had bronchiectasis, 1 (7%) had both bronchiectasis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and 2 (13%) had COPD. A past history of pulmonary tuberculosis was present in 10 patients (67%). Lung disease due to NTM is uncommon in Singapore. Treatment failure was attributed to poor compliance, a possibility which could not be excluded in those patients who had adverse reactions.