The Role of Secondary Conservative Management Strategies in Bladder and Bowel Dysfunction: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the effect of secondary management strategies in addition to urotherapy on bowel bladder dysfunction outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: The review protocol was prospectively registered (CRD42023422168). MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, and Scopus (database initiation until June 2023) were searched. Comparative studies of secondary management strategies vs conventional urotherapy alone were included. Two authors independently screened titles, abstracts, and reviewed full-text articles. Two authors extracted data related to study characteristics, methodology, subjects, and results. RESULTS: In this systematic review and meta-analysis of 18 studies and 1228 children, secondary management strategies (home-based education, biofeedback, and physical therapy) were associated with reduced symptom burden, fewer recurrent urinary tract infections, and improved uroflowmetry findings than children treated solely with urotherapy for conservative management. CONCLUSIONS: Although there is significant reporting heterogeneity, secondary conservative management strategies such as home education, biofeedback or cognitive behavioral therapy, and physiotherapy-based education are associated with less urinary incontinence, fewer infections, and fewer abnormal uroflowmetry findings.

Phase 3 randomized COMMODORE 1 trial: Crovalimab versus eculizumab in complement inhibitor-experienced patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria.

Crovalimab, a novel C5 inhibitor, allows for low-volume, every-4- week, subcutaneous self-administration. COMMODORE 1 (NCT04432584) is a phase 3, global, randomized trial evaluating crovalimab versus eculizumab in C5 inhibitor-experienced patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). Adults with lactate dehydrogenase ≤1.5 × upper limit of normal and receiving approved eculizumab doses for ≥24 weeks were randomized 1:1 to receive crovalimab (weight-based tiered dosing) or continue eculizumab. The original primary study objective was efficacy; however, given the evolving treatment landscape, target recruitment was not met, and all efficacy endpoints became exploratory, with safety as the new primary objective. Exploratory efficacy endpoints included transfusion avoidance, hemolysis control, breakthrough hemolysis, hemoglobin stabilization, FACIT-Fatigue score, and patient preference (crovalimab vs. eculizumab). Eighty-nine patients were randomized (45 to crovalimab; 44 to eculizumab). During the 24-week primary treatment period, adverse events (AEs) occurred in 77% of patients receiving crovalimab and 67% receiving eculizumab. No AEs led to treatment withdrawal or death, and no meningococcal infections occurred. 16% of crovalimab-treated patients had transient immune complex reactions (also known as Type III hypersensitivity events), an expected risk when switching between C5 inhibitors that bind to different C5 epitopes; most were mild/moderate and all resolved without treatment modification. Crovalimab-treated patients had sustained terminal complement activity inhibition, maintained disease control, and 85% preferred crovalimab over eculizumab. Together with phase 3 COMMODORE 2 results in complement inhibitor-naive patients, these data support crovalimab's favorable benefit-risk profile. Crovalimab is a new C5 inhibitor for PNH that is potentially less burdensome than existing therapies for this lifelong disease.

Full-endoscopic foraminotomy in low-grade degenerative and isthmic spondylolisthesis: a patient-specific tailored approach.

PURPOSE: To describe the surgical technique and methodology to successfully plan and execute an endoscopic foraminotomy in patients with isthmic or degenerative spondylolisthesis, according to each patient's unique characteristics. METHODS: Thirty patients with degenerative or isthmic spondylolisthesis (SL) with radicular symptoms were included from March 2019 to September 2022. Treating physician registered patients' baseline and imaging characteristics, as well as preoperative back pain VAS, leg pain VAS and ODI. Subsequently, authors treated the included patients with an endoscopic foraminotomy according to a "patient-specific" tailored approach. RESULTS: Nineteen patients (63.33%) had isthmic SL and 11 patients (36.67%) had degenerative SL. 75.86% of the cases had a Meyerding Grade 1 listhesis. One of the transforaminal foraminotomies with lateral recess decompression in degenerative SL had to be aborted because of intense osseous bleeding. Of the remaining 29 patients, one patient experienced recurrence of the sciatica pain that required subsequent reintervention and fusion. No other intraoperative or post-operative complications were observed. None of the patients developed post-operative dysesthesia. In 86.67% of the patients, the foraminotomy was implemented using a transforaminal approach. In the remaining 13.33% of the cases, an interlaminar contralateral approach was used. Lateral recess decompression was performed in half of the cases. Mean follow-up time was 12.69 months, reaching a maximum of 40 months in some patients. Outcome variables such as VAS for leg and back pain, as well as ODI, showed statistically significant reduction since the 3-month follow-up visit. CONCLUSION: In the presented case series, endoscopic foraminotomy achieved satisfactory outcomes without sacrificing segmental stability. The proposed patient-specific "tailored" approach allowed to successfully design and execute the surgical strategy to perform an endoscopic foraminotomy through transforaminal or interlaminar contralateral approaches.

Examining Clinical Practice Guidelines for Male Circumcision: A Systematic Review and Critical Appraisal Using AGREE II.

OBJECTIVE: To identify and critically appraise available clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) targeting male circumcision using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation II (AGREE II) instrument. STUDY DESIGN: A literature search was conducted using electronic databases, CPG databases, and national/international societies providing recommendations to guide clinical decision making for male circumcision. We selected pediatric-focused CPGs related to male circumcision published between January 2010 and December 2020. Non-English CPGs and publications involving narrative reviews, primary research, training manuals, patient and allied health professional guidelines, and technical guides were excluded from our search. Complete CPG documents (including full-text articles, supplemental documents, and associated information) were reviewed. Quality appraisal of CPGs was conducted in accordance with the AGREE II manual. RESULTS: A total of 163 CPGs were identified, of which 93 were screened and 13 were reviewed. All AGREE II domains demonstrated good to excellent interrater reliability, with intraclass correlation coefficients ranging from 0.82 (95% CI, 0.72-0.89) to 0.93 (95% CI, 0.90-0.95). Most CPGs performed satisfactorily in the clarity of presentation domain and performed poorly in the applicability and editorial independence domains. The top 3 CPGs identified were those of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Canadian Urological Association. Consistencies among the CPGs were demonstrated across most recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: Current CPGs are of variable quality, and our findings should be taken into consideration by clinicians and health care professionals when selecting appropriate guidelines for male circumcision.

How to deal with this complication: Intraoperative anterior cage migration in L5-S1 resolved with a lumbar hybrid fusion technique.

Anterior cage migration is the most infrequent and dangerous complication seen in posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) procedures. We report the case of a 74-year-old woman who underwent PLIF at the L5-S1 level. During the surgery, one of the PLIF-cages dislodged anteriorly into the abdominal cavity without vascular injury. An anterior retroperitoneal approach to remove the cage and complete the fusion was made. The patient was discharged 2 weeks later with encouraging clinical results. In a patient hemodynamically stable, removing the cage by a vascular surgeon, and complete the Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion could be a feasible option at L5-S1.

La migración anterior del implante para fusión lumbar es la complicación más infrecuente y peligrosa asociada a la fusión intersomática posterior (PLIF). Reportamos el caso de un paciente femenino de 74 años, operada de PLIF en L5-S1. Durante la cirugía, una de las cajas usadas migró a la cavidad abdominal, sin ocasionar lesión vascular. Para remover el implante y completar la fusión lumbar un abordaje retroperitoneal anterior fue realizado. La paciente fue egresada 2 semanas después con éxito. En un paciente hemodinamicamente estable, este abordaje puede ser una opción para revertir la complicación y completar la fusión lumbar vía anterior.

Long-Term Treatment of Cuban Policosanol Attenuates Abnormal Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Response via Amyloid Plaques Reduction in 5xFAD Mice.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder resulting in cognitive decline or dementia, the number of patients with AD is continuously increasing. Although a lot of great progress has been made in research and development of AD therapeutics, there is no fundamental cure for this disease yet. This study demonstrated the memory-improving effects of Cuban policosanol (PCO) in 5xFAD mice, which is an animal model of AD. Following 4-months of treatment with PCO in 5xFAD mice, we found that the number of amyloid plaques decreased in the brain compared to the vehicle-treated 5xFAD mice. Long-term PCO treatment in 5xFAD mice resulted in the reduction of gliosis and abnormal inflammatory cytokines level (interleukin [IL]-1ß, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α) in the cortex and hippocampus. Levels of lipid peroxide (4-hydroxynonenal [4-HNE]) and superoxide dismutase (SOD1 and SOD2) levels were also recoverd in the brains of PCO-treated 5xFAD mice. Notably, PCO administration reduced memory deficits in the passive avoidance test, as well as synaptic loss (PSD-95, synaptophysin) in 5xFAD mice. Collectively, we identified the potential effects of PCO as a useful supplement to delay or prevent AD progression by inhibiting the formation of Aß plaques in the brain.

Prevalence and characteristics of S-point bleeding compared to non S-point bleeding in severe epistaxis / Prevalência e características do sangramento no S-point em comparação com outros pontos sangramento na epistaxe grave

Abstract Introduction Stamm's S-point is gaining importance as a bleeding focus in severe epistaxis. However, prevalence and features of S-point bleeding compared to non S-point bleeding have not been studied. Objective To investigate the characteristics of patients with S-point bleeding among those with severe epistaxis and to compare the factors involved in the treatment of epistaxis. Methods We retrospectively analyzed medical records of 268 patients admitted to the otorhinolaryngology department of Konkuk University Hospital and Chung-Ang University Hospital with epistaxis of which the bleeding focus clarified. Patients with anterior nasal bleeding (n = 129) were excluded. The study was conducted at the department of otorhinolaryngology from January 2008 to August 2019. Collected data included patients' demographic information, bleeding focus, body mass index underlying medical and sinonasal diseases, laboratory test results (initial hemoglobin, platelet count, and triglyceride level), use of anticoagulants, direction of epistaxis, initial and final treatments, and need for blood transfusion. Results The prevalence of S-point bleeding was 28.8% of non-anterior bleeding cases. Mean body mass index score was lower in the S-point group (23.41 ± 3.71) compared to the non S-point group (24.93 ± 3.97) (p = 0.039). Underweight patients tended to show a greater incidence of S-point bleeding (15.0%) than non S-point bleeding (2.0%) (p = 0.010). Incidence of anemia was higher in the S-point group (67.5%) than in the non S-point group (36.4%). Anemia (Odds ratio [OR]: 3.635; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.669-7.914, p = 0.001) and underweight (body mass index < 18.5, OR: 8.559, CI: 1.648-44.445, p = 0.011) were significantly associated with S-point bleeding. Conclusion Prevalence of S-point bleeding was significant, underlining the importance of examining the S-point in patients with severe epistaxis. Patients with S-point bleeding had lower body mass index scores and a higher incidence of anemia than those with non S-point bleeding.

Resumo Introdução O S-point de Stamm tem ganhado importância como foco de sangramento na epistaxe grave. Entretanto, a prevalência e as características do sangramento no S-point em comparação com o sangramento em outros locais ainda não foram estudadas. Objetivo Investigar as características dos pacientes com epistaxe grave com sangramento no S-point e comparar os fatores envolvidos no tratamento da epistaxe. Método Analisamos retrospectivamente os prontuários médicos de 268 pacientes internados no Departamento de Otorrinolaringologia do Konkuk University Hospital e do Chung-Ang University Hospital com epistaxe cujo foco hemorrágico foi esclarecido. Pacientes com sangramento anterior (n = 129) foram excluídos. O estudo foi feito no Departamento de Otorrinolaringologia de janeiro de 2008 a agosto de 2019. Os dados coletados incluíram informações demográficas dos pacientes, foco hemorrágico, índice de massa corporal doenças médicas e nasosinusais subjacentes, resultados de exames laboratoriais (hemoglobina, contagem de plaquetas e nível de triglicerídeos iniciais), uso de anticoagulantes, direção da epistaxe, tratamentos iniciais e finais e necessidade de transfusão de sangue. Resultados A prevalência de sangramento no S-point foi de 28,8% dos casos de sangramento não anterior. O índice de massa corpórea médio foi menor no grupo com sangramento no S-point (23,41 ± 3,71) em comparação com o grupo não S-point (24,93 ± 3,97) (p = 0,039). Pacientes com baixo peso tenderam a apresentar maior incidência de sangramento no S-point (15,0%) do que sangramento em ponto não S (2,0%) (p = 0,010). A incidência de anemia foi maior no grupo com sangramento no S-point (67,5%) do que no grupo não S-point (36,4%). A anemia (odds ratio [OR]: 3,635; intervalo de confiança de 95% [IC95%]: 1,669-7,914, p = 0,001) e o baixo peso (IMC < 18,5, OR: 8,559, IC95%: 1,648-44,445, p = 0,011) foram significantemente associados com sangramento no S-point. Conclusão A prevalência de sangramento no S-point foi significativa, enfatizou a importância de examinar o S-point em pacientes com epistaxe grave. Pacientes com sangramento no S-point apresentaram escores mais baixos no índice de massa corpórea e maior incidência de anemia do que aqueles com sangramento em locais que não o S-point.

Prevalence and characteristics of S-point bleeding compared to non S-point bleeding in severe epistaxis.

INTRODUCTION: Stamm's S-point is gaining importance as a bleeding focus in severe epistaxis. However, prevalence and features of S-point bleeding compared to non S-point bleeding have not been studied. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the characteristics of patients with S-point bleeding among those with severe epistaxis and to compare the factors involved in the treatment of epistaxis. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed medical records of 268 patients admitted to the otorhinolaryngology department of Konkuk University Hospital and Chung-Ang University Hospital with epistaxis of which the bleeding focus clarified. Patients with anterior nasal bleeding (n=129) were excluded. The study was conducted at the department of otorhinolaryngology from January 2008 to August 2019. Collected data included patients' demographic information, bleeding focus, body mass index underlying medical and sinonasal diseases, laboratory test results (initial hemoglobin, platelet count, and triglyceride level), use of anticoagulants, direction of epistaxis, initial and final treatments, and need for blood transfusion. RESULTS: The prevalence of S-point bleeding was 28.8% of non-anterior bleeding cases. Mean body mass index score was lower in the S-point group (23.41±3.71) compared to the non S-point group (24.93±3.97) (p=0.039). Underweight patients tended to show a greater incidence of S-point bleeding (15.0%) than non S-point bleeding (2.0%) (p=0.010). Incidence of anemia was higher in the S-point group (67.5%) than in the non S-point group (36.4%). Anemia (Odds ratio [OR]: 3.635; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.669-7.914, p=0.001) and underweight (body mass index<18.5, OR: 8.559, CI: 1.648-44.445, p=0.011) were significantly associated with S-point bleeding. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of S-point bleeding was significant, underlining the importance of examining the S-point in patients with severe epistaxis. Patients with S-point bleeding had lower body mass index scores and a higher incidence of anemia than those with non S-point bleeding.

School Health Needs Assessment in Chanchamayo, Peru: A Health Promoting School Project.

Background: School-based health promotion can be particularly valuable in developing countries. However, there is a lack of information about the health needs of Peruvian school students. The purpose of this study was to conduct a health needs assessment to develop strategies for a school health promotion program in a jungle and indigent region in Chanchamayo, Peru. Methods: This study was conducted using a mixed method approach that included a literature review, national and local statistics, stakeholder interviews, and a survey. Participants of the survey were 210 teachers, 2,504 elementary school students, and 2,834 secondary school students from six 'schools in two planned project implementation regions. A self-administered questionnaire for students was developed based on WHO's Global School-based Student Health Survey. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and t-tests for the survey data and content analysis for the interviews. Results: Weak school health systems were identified, including school health policies, curriculum, trained health care personnel, and health-related facilities and equipment. Common health problems of students were anemia, nutritional deficiency, infectious diseases, tuberculosis, drug abuse, poor hygiene, and sex-related problems. High absence rates from school due to family problems and high dropout rates due to pregnancy were also critical issues. Teachers identified personal hygiene, nutrition, reproductive health, and sex education as high priorities for school health education, while students identified prevention of infectious diseases, nutrition education, psychological health, and healthy lifestyles as priorities. Identified strategies included: establishment of school health policies, curriculum-based interventions, increasing community participation and raising school health awareness, capacity building for health care promotors, training of trainers, and partnership between schools and communities. Conclusions: Findings from this study will help guide the development and implementation of a school-based health promotion program in Chanchamayo. Multicomponent school-based interventions that consider feasibility and sustainability will be developed and evaluated based on WHO's Health Promoting School concepts.

Ten-Step Biportal Endoscopic Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion Under Computed Tomography-Based Intraoperative Navigation: Technical Report and Preliminary Outcomes in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: The principal advantage of intraoperative spinal navigation is the ease of screw placement. However, visualization and the integration of navigation can be explored with the use of navigation-guided full-endoscopic techniques. OBJECTIVE: To describe the stepwise intraoperative navigation-assisted unilateral biportal endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (UBE-TLIF) technique and to present our preliminary results in a Mexican population. METHODS: A 10-step summary of the UBE-TLIF operative technique was described, and the clinical and radiological results are presented and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 7 patients were treated. We observed the value of integrating navigation and endoscopic visualization when decompression had to be performed. CONCLUSION: Together, intraoperative navigation and direct visualization through the endoscope may be a useful surgical tool for surgeons with experience in endoscopic spinal surgery.

Overexpression of rice F-box protein OsFBX322 confers increased sensitivity to gamma irradiation in Arabidopsis.

Ionizing radiation has a substantial effect on physiological and biochemical processes in plants via induction of transcriptional changes and diverse genetic alterations. Previous microarray analysis showed that rice OsFBX322, which encodes a rice F-box protein, was downregulated in response to three types of ionizing radiation: gamma irradiation, ion beams, and cosmic rays. In order to characterize the radiation-responsive genes in rice, OsFBX322 was selected for further analysis. OsFBX322 expression patterns in response to radiation were confirmed using quantitative RT-PCR. Transient expression of a GFP-OsFBX322 fusion protein in tobacco leaf epidermis indicated that OsFBX322 is localized to the nucleus. To determine the effect of OsFBX322 expression on radiation response, OsFBX322 was overexpressed in Arabidopsis. Transgenic overexpression lines were more sensitive to gamma irradiation than control plants. These results suggest that OsFBX322 plays a negative role in the defense response to radiation in plants. In addition, we obtained four co-expression genes of OsFBX322 by specific co-expression networks using the ARANCE. Quantitative RT-PCR showed that the four genes were also downregulated after exposure to the three types of radiation. These results imply that the co-expressed genes may serve as key regulators in the radiation response pathway in plants.

A Novel, Minimally Invasive Hybrid Technique to Approach Intracanal Herniated Thoracic Discs.

BACKGROUND: Multiple options exist for thoracic disc herniation (TDH). However, when a specific technique is chosen, the goal is to avoid the manipulation of the spinal cord, which is already compressed. OBJECTIVE: To describe a hybrid endoscopic technique for intracanal TDH by combining an oblique paraspinal approach (OPA) and transforaminal full-endoscopic discectomy. METHODS: We describe the step-by-step operative technique and present the clinical and radiological outcomes of a case series of hybrid endoscopic thoracic discectomy. RESULTS: A total of 3 patients were treated. We observed the usefulness of an OPA to enlarge the intervertebral foramen through the rigid tubular retractor and the feasibility of a full-endoscopic transforaminal approach to reach intracanal TDHs. CONCLUSION: Early experience with the hybrid endoscopic technique for TDHs demonstrated acceptable clinical and radiological outcomes in the 3 patients treated; however, a larger sample size and a methodologically advantageous study to compare this procedure with conventional options are necessary to probe the full benefits of the hybrid technique.

Minimally Invasive Craniocervical Decompression for Chiari 1 Malformation: An Operative Technique.

Chiari malformation type 1 (CM-1) is an ectopia of the cerebellar tonsils below the foramen magnum that causes severe disability due to its neurologic symptoms. The treatment of choice for CM-1 is decompression of the craniovertebral junction (CVJ). In some patients only an extradural decompression by removing the atlanto-occipital ligament may be sufficient. In other patients, duraplasty is necessary. In this case, we report the operative technique used to treat a CM-1 in a 16-year-old male patient who presented with severe headache and gait instability. A micro-decompression of the suboccipital bone and posterior arch osteotomy of C1 through a 2-cm midline incision was performed under surgical microscope magnification. A duraplasty was performed through the same approach. The patient was discharged home after 2 days in the hospital and returned to regular activities at school 3 weeks after surgery. The minimally invasive technique presented here is a viable option for the posterior decompression of the CVJ in patients with CM-1 using a low-cost self-retaining retractor.

Additional feeding during late gestation improves initial litter weight of lactating sows exposed to high ambient temperature

The present study investigated the impacts of additional feeding (AF; containing 16% excess feed than control diet in the last two weeks of gestation) during late gestation period and different backfat thickness (BFT) including low (<20 mm) and high (≥20 mm) backfat on reproductive performance, litter size, blood metabolites, hormonal profiles, colostrum, and milk composition of sows from day 90 of gestation to farrowing, and from farrowing to weaning during summer (average 28.3 °C). Fifty-four crossbred sows (Yorkshire × Landrace) were allotted to one of four treatments according to a 2×2 factorial arrangement. There was no AF×BFT interaction for any of the measured variables. The body weight change of sows was decreased for <20 mm in BFT and AF treatments during late gestation and farrowing to weaning periods. The BFT change of sows was higher in AF during late gestation and higher in ≥20 mm BFT during late gestation and farrowing to weaning periods. There were no effects of AF and BFT on the average daily feed intake and weaning-to-oestrus interval; however, sows in AF groups had a greater litter uniformity at birth and initial litter weight. Hormone profiles, colostrum, and milk composition of sows were not different among the treatments. Additional feeding during the last two weeks of gestation increases initial litter size in summer; however, final litter weight is not affected.(AU)

Delayed Infected Pseudomeningocele After Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Diskectomy.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar diskectomy (PELD) has evolved over the last decades and has become an effective treatment for soft disk herniations. However, while its use increases, newer complications have been discovered. CASE DESCRIPTION: We present the unique case of a woman who underwent PELD/foraminotomy to treat right-side foraminal disk herniations on L4-5 and L5-S1 in the same procedure. Ten days after surgery, the patient developed fever and severe low back pain radiated down her right leg. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a right pseudomeningocele arising from L4-5 and a nerve root herniated through the dural sac at the same lumbar segment. Blood cultures and fluid culture obtained from pseudomeningocele drainage depicted infection. Specific antibiotics were administrated, direct dura repair under the microscope was performed, and the patient improved symptomatically. CONCLUSIONS: PELD combined with foraminotomy is a relatively new and skill-demanding surgery which is indicated only in cases where foraminal disk herniation is combined with foraminal stenosis. This surgical strategy requires experience by the endoscopic surgeon to prevent procedure-related complications. Although rare, these complications can lead to increased morbidity.

Comparison of radiosensitivity response to acute and chronic gamma irradiation in colored wheat.

We aimed to investigate the biological responses induced by acute and chronic gamma irradiation in colored wheat seeds rich in natural antioxidants. After acute and chronic irradiation, the phenotypic effects on plant growth, germination rate, seedling height, and root length were examined, and the biochemical changes were investigated by analyzing the expression of antioxidant enzyme-related genes, antioxidant enzyme activities, and total antioxidant capacity. High dosages of chronic radiation reduced plant growth compared with the controls. Electron spin resonance measurement and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl activity analysis showed lower amount of free radicals in colored wheat seeds on chronic irradiation with low dosage of gamma rays compared to seeds subjected to acute irradiation. Expression levels of anthocyanin biosynthesis genes, antioxidant-related genes, and antioxidant enzyme activity in seeds and young leaves of seedling showed diverse effects in response to different dosages and types of gamma irradiation. This suggests that phenotype is affected by the dosage and type of gamma radiation, and the phytochemicals in colored wheat seeds involved in antioxidant activity to scavenge free radicals respond differently to irradiation types. This provides evidence that acute and chronic exposure to radiation have different effects on seeds and young leaves after germination.

Permeability enhancement of Escherichia coli by single-walled carbon nanotube treatment.

This research investigated the use of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) as an additive to increase the permeability of a bacterial cell wall. Recombinant Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) that expressed ß-lactamase were exposed to SWNTs under various levels of concentration and agitation. Activity of ß-lactamase in the culture fluid and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to determine the amount of released protein, and visually examine the permeability enhancement of the cells. It was found that ß-lactamase release in the culture fluid occurred in a dose-dependent manner with treatment by SWNTs and was also dependent on agitation rate. Based on TEM, this treatment successfully caused an increase in permeability without significant damage to the cell wall. Consequently, SWNTs can be used as an enhancement agent to cause the release of intracellular proteins. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 33:654-657, 2017.

Prostate-Specific Antigen fluctuation: what does it mean in diagnosis of prostate cancer?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether prostate-specific antigen (PSA) fluctuation correlates with a prostate cancer and to assess whether PSA fluctuation could be used for diagnosis of prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study included 229 patients who were performed a prostate biopsy (non-cancer group, 177; prostate cancer group, 52). Enrolled patients were provided twice PSA tests within 6 months. PSA fluctuation (%/month) was defined as a change rate of PSA per a month. Independent t test was used to compare between two groups. Receiver operator characteristic curve was used to assess the availability as a differential diagnostic tool and the correlation. Simple linear regression was performed to analyze a correlation between PSA fluctuation and other factors such as age, PSA, PSA density, and prostate volume. RESULTS: There were significant differences in PSA, PSA density, percentage of free PSA, and PSA fluctuation between two groups. PSA fluctuation was significantly greater in non-cancer group than prostate cancer group (19.95 ± 23.34%/month vs 9.63 ± 8.57%/ month, P=0.004). The most optimal cut-off value of PSA fluctuation was defined as 8.48%/month (sensitivity, 61.6%; specificity, 59.6%; AUC, 0.633; P=0.004). In a simple linear regression model, only PSA level was significantly correlated with PSA fluctuation. CONCLUSION: Patients with wide PSA fluctuations, although baseline PSA levels are high, might have a low risk of diagnosis with prostate cancer. Thus, serial PSA measurements could be an option in patients with an elevated PSA level.

Prostate-Specific Antigen fluctuation: what does it mean in diagnosis of prostate cancer?

Objective To investigate whether prostate-specific antigen (PSA) fluctuation correlates with a prostate cancer and to assess whether PSA fluctuation could be used for diagnosis of prostate cancer. Materials and Methods Our study included 229 patients who were performed a prostate biopsy (non-cancer group, 177; prostate cancer group, 52). Enrolled patients were provided twice PSA tests within 6 months. PSA fluctuation (%/month) was defined as a change rate of PSA per a month. Independent t test was used to compare between two groups. Receiver operator characteristic curve was used to assess the availability as a differential diagnostic tool and the correlation. Simple linear regression was performed to analyze a correlation between PSA fluctuation and other factors such as age, PSA, PSA density, and prostate volume. Results There were significant differences in PSA, PSA density, percentage of free PSA, and PSA fluctuation between two groups. PSA fluctuation was significantly greater in non-cancer group than prostate cancer group (19.95±23.34%/month vs 9.63±8.57%/month, P=0.004). The most optimal cut-off value of PSA fluctuation was defined as 8.48%/month (sensitivity, 61.6%; specificity, 59.6%; AUC, 0.633; P=0.004). In a simple linear regression model, only PSA level was significantly correlated with PSA fluctuation. Conclusion Patients with wide PSA fluctuations, although baseline PSA levels are high, might have a low risk of diagnosis with prostate cancer. Thus, serial PSA measurements could be an option in patients with an elevated PSA level. .

Genetic Diversity of Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. brasiliensis Isolated in Korea.

The plant pathogenic bacterial genus Pectobacteirum consists of heterogeneous strains. The P. carotovorum species is a complex strain showing divergent characteristics, and a new subspecies named P. carotovorum subsp. brasiliensis has been identified recently. In this paper, we re-identified the P. carotovorum subsp. brasiliensis isolates from those classified under the subspecies carotovorum and newly isolated P. carotovorum subsp. brasiliensis strains. All isolates were able to produce plant cell-wall degrading enzymes such as pectate lyase, polygalacturonase, cellulase and protease. We used genetic and biochemical methods to examine the diversity of P. carotovorum subsp. brasiliensis isolates, and found genetic diversity within the brasiliensis subsp. isolates in Korea. The restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis based on the recA gene revealed a unique pattern for the brasiliensis subspecies. The Korean brasiliensis subsp. isolates were divided into four clades based on pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. However, correlations between clades and isolated hosts or year could not be found, suggesting that diverse brasiliensis subsp. isolates existed.