Increased Plasma Levels of Heme Oxygenase-1 in Human Brucellosis.

BACKGROUND: Brucellosis is associated with inflammation and the oxidative stress response. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is a cytoprotective stress-responsive enzyme that has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects. Nevertheless, the role of HO-1 in human brucellosis has not yet been studied. The aim of this study was to examine the plasma levels of HO-1 in patients with brucellosis and to evaluate the ability of plasma HO-1 levels as an auxiliary diagnosis, a severity predictor, and a monitor for brucellosis treatments. METHODS: A total of 75 patients with brucellosis were divided into the acute, subacute, chronic active, and chronic stable groups. An additional 20 volunteers were included as the healthy control group. The plasma HO-1 levels and other laboratory parameters were measured in all groups. Furthermore, the plasma levels of HO-1 in the acute group were compared before and after treatment. RESULTS: The plasma HO-1 levels were considerably increased in the acute (4.97 ± 3.55), subacute (4.98 ± 3.23), and chronic active groups (4.43 ± 3.00) with brucellosis compared to the healthy control group (1.03 ± 0.63) (p < 0.01). In the acute group, the plasma HO-1 levels in the post-treatment group (2.33 ± 2.39) were significantly reduced compared to the pre-treatment group (4.97 ± 3.55) (p < 0.01). On the other hand, the plasma HO-1 levels were higher in the chronic active group (4.43 ± 3.00) than the chronic stable group (2.74 ± 2.23) (p < 0.05). However, the plasma HO-1 levels in the chronic stable group (2.74 ± 2.23) remained higher than the levels in the healthy control group (1.03 ± 0.63) (p < 0.05). The HO-1 levels were positively correlated with the C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in patients with brucellosis (r = 0.707, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The plasma HO-1 levels can reflect patients' brucellosis status and may be used as a supplementary plasma marker for diagnosing brucellosis and monitoring its treatment.

Arthroscopic tenodesis through positioning portals to treat proximal lesions of the biceps tendon.

Arthroscopic biceps tenodesis is a good choice for treating proximal lesions of the biceps tendon. However, there are few descriptions of the surgical approach. We introduce a technique for proximal biceps tenodesis using positioning portals and placing suture anchors. Our patients had a minimum of 12 months of follow-up. Between January 2010 and June 2012, a total of 49 patients (21 men, 28 women) underwent arthroscopic biceps tenodesis. The pathology was mainly associated with proximal lesions of the biceps tendon, with the diagnosis confirmed in all patients. Patients were evaluated preoperatively and then up to and including the final follow-up. Their pain and conditions were assessed using the Constant, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), and University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) scores for pain; range of active forward flexion; and active range of motion. All data were analyzed statistically. All patients were operated on successfully. They achieved good healing during the follow-up (mean 14 months; range 12-34 months). Before surgery the ASES, Constant, and UCLA scores were 17.0, 39.4, and 15.4, respectively. After surgery they were 33.6, 89.1, and 31.2, respectively. The scores had significantly improved: ASES scores from 17.0 to 33.6 (P < 0.05); Constant scores from 39.4 to 89.1 (P < 0.05); UCLA scores from 15.4 to 31.2 (P < 0.05). Arthroscopic tenodesis through positioning portals to treat proximal lesions of the biceps tendon produces satisfactory clinical outcomes. This technique is convenient and safe.

[Survey of infection of Toxoplasma gondii in infertile couples in Suzhou countryside].

OBJECTIVES: To determine the level of anti-Toxoplasma antibody in serum of infertile couples to explore the relationship between toxoplasma infection and infertility. METHODS: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was applied to detect the anti-Toxoplasma antibody, antisperm antibody (AsAb) and anticardiolipin antibody (ACA) in serum of 178 couples with infertility and 190 couples who had normal pregnant history. RESULTS: The positive result of Toxoplasma infection in the infertile couples was significantly higher than that in fertile couples which was 34.83% vs 12.11% (chi 2 = 26.72, P < 0.01) with the odds ratio 3.88. The positive result of serum AsAb in the Toxoplasma infected group was significantly higher than that in the no Toxoplasma infected group (32.50% vs 15.94%, chi 2 = 10.76, P < 0.01) with the odds ratio 2.54. CONCLUSIONS: Toxoplasma infection was related to infertility. The Toxoplasma infection and was posibly related to the antisperm antibodies which can be involved in the pathogenisis of infertility.