Synergistic Renoprotective Effects of Green Tea Extract and Gemigliptin against Tacrolimus-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Mice / Efectos Renoprotectores Sinérgicos del Extracto de Té Verde y Gemigliptina contra la Nefrotoxicidad Inducida por Tacrolimus en Ratones

SUMMARY: Although tacrolimus (TAC) significantly reduces allograft rejection incidence in solid-organ transplantation, its long-term use is associated with an increased risk of TAC-induced nephrotoxicity. In this study, we investigated the renoprotective effects of green tea extract (GTE) with or without the dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor, gemigliptin, by assessing serum creatinine levels, the amount of proteinuria, and histopathology in TAC-induced nephrotoxicity. TAC-induced nephrotoxicity was induced by intraperitoneal TAC injection, GTE was administered via subcutaneous injection, and gemigliptin was administered orally. Mice with TAC-induced nephrotoxicity exhibited a significant increase in both serum creatinine levels and 24-hour urine protein. However, when treated with GTE via subcutaneous injection, mice showed a decrease in serum creatinine levels and the amount of proteinuria. When GTE was combined with gemigliptin, further renoprotective effects were observed in biochemical assessments, consistent with the attenuation of TAC-induced nephrotoxicity in histopathology. The expression of p53 protein was lower in the mice treated with the combination of GTE and gemigliptin compared to mice with TAC-induced nephrotoxicity. Our results demonstrate that the combination of GTE and gemigliptin treatment reveals synergistic renoprotective effects by decreasing the expression of p53 protein. These findings suggest that the combination of GTE and gemigliptin could potentially be used as a prophylactic or therapeutic strategy for TAC-induced nephrotoxicity.

Aunque tacrolimus (TAC) reduce significativamente la incidencia de rechazo de aloinjertos en trasplantes de órganos sólidos, su uso a largo plazo se asocia con un mayor riesgo de nefrotoxicidad inducida por TAC. En este estudio, investigamos los efectos renoprotectores del extracto de té verde (GTE) con o sin el inhibidor de la dipeptidil peptidasa 4, gemigliptina, mediante la evaluación de los niveles de creatinina sérica, la cantidad de proteinuria y la histopatología en la nefrotoxicidad inducida por TAC. La nefrotoxicidad inducida por TAC se indujo mediante inyección intraperitoneal de TAC, el GTE se administró mediante inyección subcutánea y la gemigliptina se administró por vía oral. Los ratones con nefrotoxicidad inducida por TAC mostraron un aumento significativo tanto en los niveles de creatinina sérica como en la proteína en orina de 24 horas. Sin embargo, cuando se trataron con GTE mediante inyección subcutánea, los ratones mostraron una disminución en los niveles de creatinina sérica y en la cantidad de proteinuria. Cuando se combinó GTE con gemigliptina, se observaron efectos renoprotectores adicionales en las evaluaciones bioquímicas, lo que concuerda con la atenuación de la nefrotoxicidad inducida por TAC en histopatología. La expresión de la proteína p53 fue menor en los ratones tratados con la combinación de GTE y gemigliptina en comparación con los ratones con nefrotoxicidad inducida por TAC. Nuestros resultados demuestran que la combinación de tratamiento con GTE y gemigliptina revela efectos renoprotectores sinérgicos al disminuir la expresión de la proteína p53. Estos hallazgos sugieren que la combinación de GTE y gemigliptina podría usarse potencialmente como estrategia profiláctica o terapéutica para la nefrotoxicidad inducida por TAC.

Protective effect of transient receptor potential melastatin 2 inhibitor A10 on oxygen glucose deprivation/reperfusion model / 浙江大学学报·医学版

:To investigate the effect of transient receptor potential melastatin 2 （TRPM2） inhibitor A10 on oxygen glucose deprivation/reperfusion （OGD/R） injury in SH-SY5Y cells．:Human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells were subject to OGD/R injury，and then were divided into blank control group，model control group and A10 group randomly. The cell survival rate was detected by cell counting kit 8 （CCK-8）; the level of cellular reactive oxygen species （ROS） was detected by reactive oxygen detection kit; the mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by tetramethylrhodamine （TMRM） method; the number of apoptotic cells was detected by TUNEL apoptosis assay kit; the protein expression level of cleaved caspase 3 was detected by Western blot．:Compared with 3，20，30，50， has lower cytotoxicity and better inhibition effect on channel activity. Compared with the model control group，ROS level was reduced，the mitochondrial membrane potential was improved，the number of apoptosis cells was reduced ，and the expression of cleaved caspase 3 was significantly reduced in the A10 group（all <0.05）. : A10 can alleviate cell damage after OGD/R by inhibiting TRPM2 channel function，reducing extracellular calcium influx，reducing cell ROS levels，stabilizing mitochondrial membrane potential levels，and reducing apoptosis.

Trypanosoma cruzi: analysis of two different strains after piplartine treatment

ABSTRACT The hemoflagellate protozoan, Trypanosoma cruzi, mainly transmitted by triatomine insects through blood transfusion or from mother-to-child, causes Chagas' disease. This is a serious parasitic disease that occurs in Latin America, with considerable social and economic impact. Nifurtimox and benznidazole, drugs indicated for treating infected persons, are effective in the acute phase, but poorly effective during the chronic phase. Therefore, it is extremely urgent to find innovative chemotherapeutic agents and/or effective vaccines. Since piplartine has several biological activities, including trypanocidal activity, the present study aimed to evaluate it on two T. cruzi strains proteome. Considerable changes in the expression of some important enzymes involved in parasite protection against oxidative stress, such as tryparedoxin peroxidase (TXNPx) and methionine sulfoxide reductase (MSR) was observed in both strains. These findings suggest that blocking the expression of the two enzymes could be potential targets for therapeutic studies.

Epithelial cell adhesion efficacy of a novel peptide identified by panning on a smooth titanium surface / 国际口腔科学杂志·英文版

Epithelial attachment via the basal lamina on the tooth surface provides an important structural defence mechanism against bacterial invasion in combating periodontal disease. However, when considering dental implants, strong epithelial attachment does not exist throughout the titanium-soft tissue interface, making soft tissues more susceptible to peri-implant disease. This study introduced a novel synthetic peptide (A10) to enhance epithelial attachment. A10 was identified from a bacterial peptide display library and synthesized. A10 and protease-activated receptor 4-activating peptide (PAR4-AP, positive control) were immobilized on commercially pure titanium. The peptide-treated titanium showed high epithelial cell migration ability during incubation in platelet-rich plasma. We confirmed the development of dense and expanded BL (stained by Ln5) with pericellular junctions (stained by ZO1) on the peptide-treated titanium surface. In an adhesion assay of epithelial cells on A10-treated titanium, PAR4-AP-treated titanium, bovine root and non-treated titanium, A10-treated titanium and PAR4-AP-treated titanium showed significantly stronger adhesion than non-treated titanium. PAR4-AP-treated titanium showed significantly higher inflammatory cytokine release than non-treated titanium. There was no significant difference in inflammatory cytokine release between A10-treated and non-treated titanium. These results indicated that A10 could induce the adhesion and migration of epithelial cells with low inflammatory cytokine release. This novel peptide has a potentially useful application that could improve clinical outcomes with titanium implants and abutments by reducing or preventing peri-implant disease.

Molecular epidemiology of hand-foot-mouth disease associated pathogen Coxsackievirus A10 identified in Fujian province, 2011-2014 / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the molecular epidemiology of hand-foot-mounth disease (HFMD) associated Coxsackievirus A10 (Cox A10) identified in Fujian province.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 1 525 specimens from non-EV71 non-Cox A16 HFMD patients were collected during 2011-2014. Isolated virus strains were identified and sub-typed. Full-length coding regions for the VP1 gene of the predominant serotype Cox A10 isolates were amplified and sequenced.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among the 407 non-EV71 non-Cox A16 HFMD cases confirmed by virus isolation and molecular subtyping, 103 (25.3%) were caused by Cox A10, accounting for 11.0%, 6.0%, 18.4% and 9.2% among the HFMD-associated entero-viruses identified in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively, in Fujian province. Compared to the general features observed in the HFMD epidemics, no differences on the Cox A10-specificity rates were observed among factors as geographical origins, gender or age groups, but all with high rates of severity. Data from the nucleotide sequence analyses on VP1 genes showed low homology levels of 76.0%-77.1% among Cox A10 strains from Fujian province, in contrast to the prototype Cox A10 strain, but with high levels of homology in the amino acid sequences (91.9%-93.6%). RESULTS from the Phylogenetic analysis also indicated that Cox A10 isolates from Fujian province were distinct from the prototype strain or other isolates from other countries but was homologous to domestic strains, but the Fujian isolates clustered into multiple branches.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Cox A10 remained one of the predominant serotypes of HFMD in Fujian province. Cox A10 isolates identified in Fujian province were co-circulating and co-evolving with other domestic strains.</p>

S632A3 promotes LPS-induced IFN-beta production through inhibiting the activation of GSK-3beta / 药学学报

LPS stimulation of macrophages production of IFN-beta plays a key role in innate immunity defending the microbial invasion. In this study, the effect of S632A3 promoting LPS-induced IFN-beta production and the underlying mechanism were investigated, mRNA level was measured by real-time PCR, cytokine production was determined by ELISA, GSK-3beta activity was investigated by kinase assay, protein phosphorylation and expression were evaluated by Western blotting. The results revealed that S632A3 significantly augmented IFN-beta production by LPS-stimulated macrophages. S632A3 inhibition of the activation of GSK-3beta, reduced the threonine 239 phosphorylation of transcription factor c-Jun but increased the total level of c-Jun in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Moreover, small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of c-Jun level abrogated the ability of S632A3 to augment IFN-beta. The study thus demonstrates S632A3 being a new anti-inflammation lead compound and provides a molecular mechanism by which S632A3 promoted LPS-induced IFN-beta production in macrophages through inhibiting the activation of GSK-3beta.

Soft Tissue Balancing of Varus Arthritic Knee in Minimally Invasive Surgery Total Knee Arthroplasty: Comparison between Posterior Oblique Ligament Release and Superficial MCL Release

PURPOSE: To assess proper soft tissue balancing of the varus arthritic knee between posterior oblique ligament (POL) release group and superficial medial collateral ligament (SMCL) release group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was performed on 186 patients who underwent minimally invasive surgery (MIS) total knee arthroplasty (TKA) from January 2011 to December 2011. Eighty-three patients were in the group of SMCL release and 103 patients were in the POL release group. We intended to use a 10 mm polyethylene insert (PE) during TKA, and retrospectively compared the actual thickness of PE between POL release group and SMCL release group. RESULTS: The mean PE thickness was 10.59+/-1.3 mm (range, 8 to 15 mm) in POL group and 11.88+/-1.8 mm (range, 10 to 18 mm) in SMCL group (p=0.001). We found a significant difference in the mean PE thickness between POL release group and SMCL release group. CONCLUSIONS: POL and deep MCL releases in MIS-TKA would be beneficial for varus deformity correction in the osteoarthritic knee.

Acetaminophen Induced Cytotoxicity and Altered Gene Expression in Cultured Cardiomyocytes of H9C2 Cells

OBJECTIVES: Hepatotoxicity of acetaminophen has been widely studied. However, the adverse effects on the heart have not been sufficiently evaluated. This study was performed to investigate cytotoxicity and alterations of gene expression in cultured cardiomyocytes (H9C2 cells) after exposure to acetaminophen. METHODS: H9C2 cells were incubated in a 10 mM concentration of acetaminophen for the designated times (6, 12, and 24 hours), and cytotoxicity was determined by the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide method. Alteration of gene expression was observed by microarray analysis, and RT-PCR was performed for the three representative oxidative stress-related genes at 24 hours after treatment. RESULTS: It revealed that acetaminophen was toxic to cardiomyocytes, and numerous critical genes were affected. Induced genes included those associated with oxidative stress, DNA damage, and apoptosis. Repressed genes included those associated with cell proliferation, myocardial contraction, and cell shape control. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide the evidences of acetaminophen-induced cytotoxicity and changes in gene expression in cultured cardiomyocytes of H9C2 cells.

The Effect of Back Massage on Degree of Pain, State Anxiety and Quality of Sleep of Postoperative Patients with Gastrectomy

PURPOSE: Most of postoperative patients experience pain, state anxiety and sleep disturbance. These problems negatively influence the recovery of postoperative patients. So alleviating these problems has been one of the nurses' central roles. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of back massage on pain, state anxiety and quality of sleep of postoperative gastrectomy patients. METHODS: A non-synchronized non-equivalent control group pre and post-test design was used. The research instruments used in this study were the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) for pain, the State-Anxiety Inventory (STAI) for anxiety and the Verran and Synder-Halpern scale for quality of sleep. The subjects were patients admitted to a university hospital located in D city. Twenty-nine patients in the experimental group had a 10 min manual back massage stimulation for 5 days from the 1st day to the 5th day after their operation, and 25 patients in the control group did not. RESULTS: The degree of pain was significantly reduced according to post operation day and quality of sleep was significantly increased. However state anxiety was not significantly reduced. CONCLUSION: Back massage is a partially effective nursing intervention for postoperative patients with gastrectomy who experience pain and sleep disturbance.

Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor Showing Durable Remission after Anthracycline-Containing Cytotoxic Chemotherapy: Report of a Case / 대한내과학회지

An inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a rare disease entity, and the clinical characteristics range from indolent to aggressive forms. No established management for patients with unresectable or aggressive IMT is available. We report on a 62-year-old patient with aggressive IMT who achieved a durable partial response lasting 12 months after anthracycline-containing cytotoxic chemotherapy without corticosteroids. The patient was admitted for an evaluation of progressive weight loss and lower abdominal pain lasting for 2 weeks. Abdominopelvic computed tomography revealed a 10 cm sized heterogeneous mass in the mesentery that encased the superior mesenteric artery and a liver metastasis. The diagnosis of IMT was confirmed by percutaneous core needle biopsy of the mesenteric mass. Systemic chemotherapy was performed after confirming disease progression during a 1 month observation period. A partial response was obtained after two cycles of chemotherapy. Anthracycline-containing cytotoxic chemotherapy could be a treatment option for patients with aggressive IMT.

Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor Showing Durable Remission after Anthracycline-Containing Cytotoxic Chemotherapy: Report of a Case / 대한내과학회지

An inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a rare disease entity, and the clinical characteristics range from indolent to aggressive forms. No established management for patients with unresectable or aggressive IMT is available. We report on a 62-year-old patient with aggressive IMT who achieved a durable partial response lasting 12 months after anthracycline-containing cytotoxic chemotherapy without corticosteroids. The patient was admitted for an evaluation of progressive weight loss and lower abdominal pain lasting for 2 weeks. Abdominopelvic computed tomography revealed a 10 cm sized heterogeneous mass in the mesentery that encased the superior mesenteric artery and a liver metastasis. The diagnosis of IMT was confirmed by percutaneous core needle biopsy of the mesenteric mass. Systemic chemotherapy was performed after confirming disease progression during a 1 month observation period. A partial response was obtained after two cycles of chemotherapy. Anthracycline-containing cytotoxic chemotherapy could be a treatment option for patients with aggressive IMT.

Difference in the value of arterial and end-tidal carbon dioxide tension according to different surgical positions: Does it reliably reflect ventilation-perfusion mismatch? / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Body posture, as a gravitational factor, has a clear impact on pulmonary ventilation and perfusion. In lung units with mismatched ventilation and perfusion, gas exchange and/or elimination of carbon dioxide can be impaired. In this situation, differences in the value of arterial and end-tidal carbon dioxide tension [Delta(PaCO2 - PETCO2)] are expected to increase. This study was conducted to observe how Delta(PaCO2 - PETCO2) changed according to the 3 different surgical positions, and to determine whether Delta(PaCO2 - PETCO2) is a reliable predictor of ventilation/perfusion mismatch when a patient is in different postural positions. METHODS: Fifty-nine patients were divided into either the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) group (n = 29) or the non-COPD group (n = 30). PaCO2 and PETCO2 were measured during surgery in the supine, prone, and lateral decubitus positions after a 10 minute stabilization period. The Delta(PaCO2 - PETCO2) were calculated and compared among positions. RESULTS: The Delta(PaCO2 - PETCO2) decreased slightly in the prone position and increased significantly in the lateral decubitus position compared with the supine position in both groups. These patterns almost corresponded with the degree of ventilation/perfusion mismatch from the results of the radiological studies. The Delta(PaCO2 - PETCO2) in the COPD group was significantly greater than that in the non-COPD group at all surgical positions. CONCLUSIONS: Lateral decubitus position is associated with marked increase in Delta(PaCO2 - PETCO2), especially in patients with COPD. The Delta(PaCO2 - PETCO2) is a simple and reliable indicator to predict ventilation/perfusion mismatch at different surgical positions in patients with or without COPD.

Application of a Loss of Resistance Syringe for Obtaining the Adequate Cuff Pressures of Endotracheal Intubated Patients in an Emergency Department

PURPOSE: The endotracheal tube cuff pressure must be kept within the optimal range. This study compared the usefulness of the conventional pilot balloon palpation technique using a 10 cc disposable syringe and passive release technique using a Loss of Resistance (LOR) syringe for obtaining adequate intracuff pressures of endotracheal intubated patients in an emergency department. METHODS: This was a prospective, observational study, conducted at the emergency department of a university teaching hospital. Patients who required endotracheal intubation in an emergency department were enrolled in this study. The patients were divided into two groups: one group who underwent the pilot balloon palpation technique using a conventional syringe (group A, n=40) and the other group who underwent the passive release technique using a LOR syringe technique (group B, n=40). The amount of air that infused into the cuff and the cuff pressure were measured. RESULTS: The mean cuff pressures of groups A and B were 41.0+/-23.7 cmH2O and 23.7+/-16.5 cmH2O, respectively. The mean cuff pressure of group A were significantly higher than group B (p=0.002). The mean air volume that infused into the cuff of groups A and B were 8.6+/-2.6 ml and 7.6+/-2.4 ml, respectively, showing no significant difference (p=0.688). The proportion of the optimal cuff pressure (Normal range: 22-32 cmH2O) of group A (9/40, 22.5%) was higher than that of group B (3/40, 7.5%). CONCLUSION: The range of air volumes and pressures for cuff inflation varied and it may not be possible to obtain the appropriate pressure using the LOR syringe technique. The endotracheal tube cuff pressure must be kept within the optimal range using a pressure monitor control inflator.

Huge subcapsular hematoma caused by intrahepatic sarcomatoid cholangiocarcinoma

Intrahepatic sarcomatoid cholangiocarcinomais is a very rare disease with a poor prognosis due to its biologically aggressive tumor behavior. We report a patient who presented with subcapsular hemorrhage and a rapidly growing liver mass. A 57 year-old man was admitted with severe abdominal pain. CT and MRI images showed the presence of a 10 cm-sized subcapsular hemorrhage connected with a multi-lobulated mass with hemorrhage and necrotic foci in the right liver. The patients underwent right hemihepatectomy with caudate lobectomy and lymphadenectomy. The operation findings revealed metastatic nodules to the diaphragm and omentum. Detailed histopathological analysis through immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis of sarcomatoid cholangiocarcinoma with a poorly undifferentiated sarcomatous component. The patient underwent chemotherapy. To date, the patient is doing well for 8 months after initial diagnosis.

An Extremely Macrosomia Born Weighted 6.14 kg: Case Report and Review of the Literatures

Infants, born with a birth weight above 4.0 kg, are categorized as high birth weight infant (HBWI). The term HBWI is often used in similar context with macrosomia. Macrosomia is associated with many complications, and is considered to be a high risk group that requires an intensive care in most cases. This report is presenting an extreme macrosomia born at a gestational age of 38+5 weeks, with a body weight of 6.14 kg. The infant was born by a cesarean section from a mother with diabetes, and was admitted into an intensive care unit with tachypnea, which had occurred soon after birth. There were other complications, such as hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, secondary atrial septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus, pulmonary hypertestion, and etc. With conservative management, the symptoms improved over a 10 day course and the patient was discharged from the hospital. To this day, the child has not presented with further health problems during the 6 months of follow up period. We reviewed the frequency and trend of the births of HBWI, through the raw data from the Statistics Korea on births between 2000 and 2010. With additional analysis of the cases of macrosomia, through the years of 1964 to 2011, we were able to find 7 reports, including this current case of infants born with a body weight above 6.0 kg. This case was the fifth heaviest infant among these 7 cases. We are reporting this case with the hope that it may contribute to the future care of high risk infants in a neonatal intensive care unit.

Mechanical analysis of conventional and small diameter conical implant abutments

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate if a smaller morse taper abutment has a negative effect on the fracture resistance of implant-abutment connections under oblique compressive loads compared to a conventional abutment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty morse taper conventional abutments (4.8 mm diameter) and smaller abutments (3.8 mm diameter) were tightened (20 Ncm) to their respective implants (3.5 x 11 mm) and after a 10 minute interval, implant/abutment assemblies were subjected to static compressive test, performed in a universal test machine with 1 mm/min displacement, at 45degrees inclination. The maximum deformation force was determined. Data were statistically analyzed by student t test. RESULTS: Maximum deformation force of 4.8 mm and 3.8 mm abutments was approximately 95.33 kgf and 95.25 kgf, respectively, but no fractures were noted after mechanical test. Statistical analysis demonstrated that the evaluated abutments were statistically similar (P=.230). CONCLUSION: Abutment measuring 3.8 mm in diameter (reduced) presented mechanical properties similar to 4.8 mm (conventional) abutments, enabling its clinical use as indicated.

CsA Affects the Rat Submandibular Glands via Regulating the CypA Expression

The effects of the an immunosuppressive drug cyclosporine A (CsA), on the salivary gland are largely unknown, even though clinical trials for the stimulation of salivation using CsA have been attempted. Cyclophilin A (CypA) is known to be a binding protein for CsA. CypA has cell proliferation and tissue matrix change activities. In our present study, the presence of CypA in the gland and effects of CsA on CypA expression were investigated by immunohistochemistry, immunoblotting and RT-PCR analyses. CypA was immunohistochemically detected in various kinds of ducts in the submandibular glands of Sprague Dawley rats. The CypA mRNA level was highest at postnatal day 1 and gradually decreased in a time-dependent manner up to adulthood. The expression of CypA increased after a 10 day subcutaneous administration of CsA in postnatal day 1 rats. Surgical sections of the chorda-lingual nerve with impaired salivation showed no changes in CypA expression. A cell proliferation assay using PCNA anti-serum showed increased cell division following CsA treatment. These results suggest that CsA and CypA may act on ductal cells to regulate saliva composition rather than salivation levels.

Micro-CT analysis of LPS-induced Alveolar Bone Loss in Diabetic Mice

Periodontal disease induces an increased incidence of tooth loss, particularly in cases with an associated loss of alveolar bone and periodontal ligaments. In this study, alveolar bone loss was detected by micro-computed tomography (CT) following exposure to E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mouse model. A 10 mg/ml dosage of E. coli LPS was applied between the first, second and third molars of the mice three times a week for 10 weeks. The loss of periodontal ligaments and alveolar processes was then evaluated by micro-CT using two and three dimensional microstructure morphometric parameters. In the diabetic mice, E. coli LPS induced the destruction of periodontal ligaments and loss of alveolar process spaces. The distances between periodontal ligaments were significantly widened in the STZ-LPS group compared with the untreated STZ group. The 10 mg/ml exposure to E. coli LPS in the STZ mice also resulted in a significant decrease in the alveolar bone volume fraction. The results of our study suggest that alveolar bone loss can be readily detected by volumetric micro-CT analysis as an increase in the distance between periodontal ligaments and in the alveolar process length.

Survival outcome of women with synchronous cancers of endometrium and ovary: a 10 year retrospective cohort study / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: Synchronous occurrence of endometrial and ovarian tumors is uncommon, and they affect less than 10% of women with endometrial or ovarian cancers. The aim of this study is to describe the epidemiological and clinical factors; and survival outcomes of women with these cancers. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study in a large tertiary institution in Singapore. The sample consists of women with endometrial and epithelial ovarian cancers followed up over a period of 10 years from 2000 to 2009. The epidemiological and clinical factors include age at diagnosis, histology types, grade and stage of disease. RESULTS: A total of 75 patients with synchronous ovarian and endometrial cancers were identified. However, only 46 patients met the inclusion criteria. The median follow-up was 74 months. The incidence rate for synchronous cancer is 8.7% of all epithelial ovarian cancers and 4.9% of all endometrial cancers diagnosed over this time frame. Mean age at diagnosis was 47.3 years old. The most common presenting symptom was abnormal uterine bleeding (36.9%) and 73.9% had endometrioid histology for both endometrial and ovarian cancers. The majority of the women (78%) presented were at early stages of 1 and 2. There were 6 (13.6%) cases of recurrence and the 5 year cumulative survival rate was at 84%. CONCLUSION: In our cohort, we found that majority of women afflicted with synchronous cancer of the endometrium and ovary were younger at age of diagnosis, had early stage of cancer and good survival.

Comparison of Methods for Detecting Bacterial Contamination in Platelet Concentrates / 대한수혈학회지

BACKGROUND: Bacterial contamination of platelets represents the highest infectious risk for a transfusion. In this study, we evaluated 2 culture-based systems that have been approved by the US FDA for bacterial screening. METHODS: Platelet concentrates were inoculated with 5 bacterial species to give a final concentration of 10(0), 10(1) and 10(2) CFU/mL. Samples for culture were taken immediately after inoculation (0 hr sample) and after 24 hrs (24 hr sample). For the BacT/ALERT 3D system, a 10 mL sample was inoculated into an aerobic culture bottle and incubated for 7 days. For the Pall eBDS system, 3 mL samples were taken from the 0 hr and 24 hr samples, respectively. The samples were incubated for 24 hrs and 30 hrs. RESULTS: Both systems detected all inoculated units both in the 0 hr and 24 hr samples, except for units inoculated with K. pneumoniae. Eleven units out of 30 units inoculated with K. pneumoniae were detected by the BacT/ALERT 3D system in the 24 hr samples. The Pall eBDS system detected 8 of 30 units in the 24 hr samples. CONCLUSION: Implementation of either system will decrease the risk of transfusing bacterially contaminated platelets. However, testing for bacterial contamination will not completely prevent septic transfusion reactions; pathogen inactivation that is now available should also be considered as an alternative method to reduce the risk of bacterial contamination.