Natural course of perianal abscess in infants: a real-world study.

Natural course of perianal abscess (PA) in infancy remains obscure. This study aimed to investigate the natural course of infants with PA after conservative treatment. A retrospective cohort study was conducted in infants with PA who were treated conservatively (due to the parents' refusal of surgery), for more than 2 months between 2014 and 2020 at a single tertiary center. 153 patients (149 boys and 4 girls) were identified. The median follow-up was 5.3 years (range 3-8.2 years). Initially, 119 patients (77.8%) were completely cured by conservative treatment, and 34 (22.2%) failed. Among the 34 patients, 23 continued conservative treatment (20 cure, 3 fistula formation) and 11 underwent surgery. After conservative treatment, the rate of fistula formation, abscess recurrence, and new-onset abscess were 15.0%, 4.6%, and 6.5%, respectively. Overall, 139 patients (90.8%) were cured conservatively without surgery, and 11 (7.2%) underwent surgical management. In addition, 3 (2.0%) patients developed fistula-in-ano (under observation). PA in infants may be a time-limited and self-limited condition. Conservative management should be the first choice of treatment in most cases. Longer periods of conservative treatment may achieve better clinical outcomes in selected cases. There will be a percentage of patients (about 10%) that would require surgical treatment.

Neuroprotective effects of miR-142-5p downregulation against isoflurane-induced neurological impairment.

BACKGROUND: Isoflurane can lead to neuron damage to the developing brain, resulting in learning and memory disability. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of miR-142-5p on isoflurane-induced neurological impairment. METHODS: The Morris water maze (MWM) test was performed to evaluate spatial learning and memory of rats. The expression level of miR-142-5p was measured using qRT-PCR. MTT assay was used to calculate the viability of hippocampal neuronal cells. The cell apoptosis was analyzed using Flow cytometric assay. RESULTS: Isoflurane treatment led to the increase of neurological function score and escape latency, and the reduction of time spent in the original quadrant in rats. The expression level of miR-142-5p was increased significantly in isoflurane-treated rats. MiR-142-5p downregulation protected against isoflurane-induced neurological impairment, which was reflected by the decrease of neurological function score and escape latency, and the increase of time spent in the original quadrant. In vitro, downregulation of miR-142-5p alleviated isoflurane-induced neuron cell viability inhibition, and relieved isoflurane-induced cell apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: MiR-142-5p downregulation plays a neuroprotective role in protecting against isoflurane-induced neurological impairment through regulating neuron cell viability and apoptosis. It provides a theoretical basis for the investigation of the mechanism underlying the effect on isoflurane-induced neurological impairment.

Application of protein chip combined with SELDI-TOF-MS detection to investigate serum protein expression in patients with silicosis fibrosis.

The present study aimed to observe the identification of biomarkers of silicosis based on the differentially expressed serum proteins between normal healthy individuals and patients with silicosis fibrosis. A total number of 20 patients with clinically diagnosed silicosis were screened, which were designated as the foundation treatment group. In addition, 20 age-matched healthy patients attending a check-up at the physical examination department were selected. Serum samples were obtained and a combined protein chip with surface-enhanced laser desorption ionization flight mass spectrometry was applied to perform serum analysis. Data preprocessing, screening differences in peak, hierarchical cluster analysis, Principal Component Analysis, construction of a decision tree model, and prediction based on the differences between peaks corresponding to proteins were performed to analyze the data. The results revealed differences in the proteins in serum between the normal group and the group prior to foundation treatment prediction. The corresponding names of the protein peak, predicted protein, and gene name were as follows: M1948_00, complement c3 frag, C3; M2017_02, amyloid-ßa4 protein, APP; and M2879_56, hepcidin, HAMP. Differentially expressed serum proteins in the normal group and the basis treatment group were predicted, including M2017_02, amyloid-ßa4 protein, APP; M2879_56, hepcidin, HAMP; and M3224_97, fibrinogen-α chain frags, FGA. The differentially expressed serum proteins in the group prior to basis treatment and the group following basis treatment were predicted, including M2001_69, amyloid-ßa4 protein, APP; M2017_02, amyloid-ßa4 protein, APP, M4144_81, plasma protease c1 inhibitor frag, and SERPING1. In conclusion, there were differences in the proteins in serum between the patients with silicosis fibrosis and healthy individuals.

Effect of Xinjiang Uyghur Vernonia anthelmintica Willd Injection Treatment with Silicosis Fibrosis.

Objective. To observe the curative effect of VAWI on Xinjiang Uygur patients with silicosis fibrosis. Methods. After we diagnosed the 40 patients with the first phase of silicosis, we randomly divided them into two groups: the basic treatment group (group A, n = 20) and the VAWI group (group B, n = 20). At the same time, we selected the age-matched healthy patients (n = 20). We applied the combined protein chip with SELDI-TOF-MS to carry out the serum analysis. The data were analyzed throughout data preprocessing, difference in PEAK screening, hierarchical cluster analysis, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). We built decision tree model and predict the difference between the PEAK corresponding proteins. Results. The proteins peaks corresponding to name, predicted protein, and gene name were as follows: M2001_69, amyloid beta a4 protein, APP, and M2017_02, amyloid beta a4 protein, APP. The different expression of proteins in patients with silicosis was found before and after with VAWI treatment. The predicted proteins were as follows: M1982_50, amyloid beta a4 protein, APP; M3164_50, fibrinogen alpha chain frag, FGA; M3379_28, fibrinogen alpha chain frag, FGA; and so on. Conclusion. VAWI presented curative effect on patients with silicosis fibrosis via the alternation of proteins expression in serum.

Spontaneous perforation of pyometra presenting as acute abdomen: a rare condition with considerable mortality.

Pyometra is an uncommon and potentially lethal disease that occurs mainly in postmenopausal women. Spontaneous perforation of pyometra presenting as acute abdomen is an extremely rare complication of pyometra, and the patients are always admitted to the emergency department. An additional case is reported herein. In addition, a literature review was performed between 1949 and 2015. A correct preoperative diagnosis was made in 21.05% of all the cases. Of all cases, 25.71% were associated with malignant disease. The mortality rate of spontaneous perforation of pyometra is 31.88%. Thus, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute abdomen in elderly women. Total hysterectomy along with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy is the preferred treatment. Administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics and postoperative intensive care support are essential to reduce the high mortality.

Improvement in Ti-porcelain bonding by SiO(2) modification of titanium surface through cast method.

This study aimed to improve Ti-porcelain bonding strength through SiO2 modifications. Wax patterns were coated with SiO2 mixed with tetraethoxy silane (group C), patterns without coating were used as controls and subdivided into sandblasting group (group S) and polishing group (group P). Castingsurfaces were analyzed with XRD, while Ti-ceramic interfaces were characterized using SEM/EDS. Metal-ceramic specimens were tested in three point bending, and characterizations were also analyzed with SEM/EDS of porcelain debonding surfaces. In group C, SiO2 and Ti5Si3 phases were observed; SEM micrograph showed that Ti-porcelain had a compacted interface, and EDS maps of the interface illustrated the diffusion of Si, Al, and Sn to Ti, and cohesive fracture within the bonding agent. The bond strength of group C was 39.04±5.0 MPa, which was 15% higher than that of group S and 32% higher than that of group P. SiO2 coating could improve Ti-porcelain bond strength.