Measuring adolescent health literacy in Taiwan: validation of the health literacy assessment scale for adolescents.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to validate the Chinese version of the Health Literacy Assessment Scale for Adolescents (HAS-A) and conduct a comparative analysis of adolescent health literacy between Taiwan and other countries. METHODS: The Chinese version of the HAS-A was completed by 2,312 adolescents in the fifth and sixth grades of a primary school. Psychometric properties were examined using consistent internal reliability and confirmatory factor analysis. These assessments were compared with the results from different regions to explore health literacy inequality. RESULTS: Construct validity was good, and internal consistency was acceptable. The scale, particularly regarding communication health literacy, was associated with parents' socioeconomic status, and family income had a more significant impact on children's health literacy than community income. Health literacy disparities appear in different countries, with Taiwan exhibiting the lowest level of communication health literacy. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the HAS-A is a valuable tool for assessing the health literacy of 10-11-year-old adolescents and can uncover health literacy inequality among different regions.

Concurrence of imatinib-induced massive pleural/pericardial effusion and Campylobacter bacteremia in an adolescent with chronic myeloid leukemia.

Imatinib is a crucial therapeutic strategy against chronic myeloid leukemia. Though superficial edema is a common adverse effect of imatinib, massive fluid retention is rarely reported. Here, we report the case of an adolescent who had tolerated imatinib for a long time, and then presented with massive pleural/pericardial effusion during an episode of Campylobacter jejuni bacteremia. A stepwise and comprehensive survey excluded all other plausible causes of disease. The Naranjo scale was used to assess the probability of an adverse effect of medication, and the score turned out to be 9, indicating severe fluid retention to be a definite reaction to imatinib. Drug discontinuation, antibiotic administration, and invasive procedures improved this condition. After this episode, the patient could tolerate imatinib again, illustrating the transient and reversible nature of this reaction. Since prolonged imatinib usage is crucial for chronic myeloid leukemia control, alertness to drug-related adverse effects is recommended, even if the subject has previously shown a good tolerance to the drug due to various physical conditions, especially physiological stressors, like infection or inflammation.

The functional interplay of lncRNA EGOT and HuR regulates hypoxia-induced autophagy in renal tubular cells.

Autophagy, an important cellular homeostatic mechanism regulates cell survival under stress and protects against acute kidney injury. However, the role of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) in autophagy regulation in renal tubular cells (HK-2) is unclear. The study was aimed to understand the importance of lncRNA in hypoxia-induced autophagy in HK-2 cells. LncRNA eosinophil granule ontogeny transcript (EGOT) was identified as autophagy-associated lncRNA under hypoxia. The lncRNA EGOT expression was significantly downregulated in renal tubular cells during hypoxia-induced autophagy. Gain- and loss-of-EGOT functional studies revealed that EGOT overexpression reduced autophagy by downregulation of ATG7, ATG16L1, LC3II expressions and LC 3 puncta while EGOT knockdown reversed the suppression of autophagy. Importantly, RNA-binding protein, (ELAVL1)/Hu antigen R (HuR) binds and stabilizes the EGOT expression under normoxia and ATG7/16L1 expressions under hypoxia. Furthermore, HuR mediated stabilization of ATG7/16L1 expressions under hypoxia causes a decline in EGOT levels and thereby promotes autophagy. Altogether, the study first reveals the functional interplay of lncRNA EGOT and HuR on the posttranscriptional regulation of the ATG7/16L1 expressions. Thus, the HuR/EGOT/ATG7/16L1 axis is crucial for hypoxia-induced autophagy in renal tubular cells.

Reference levels for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme activity in infants 7-90 days old in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Nationwide newborn screening for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency has been implemented in Taiwan since 1987 and the G6PD enzyme activity levels were applied for diagnosis confirmation. As the reference value of G6PD enzyme activity was not available for infants aged 7-90 days, this study was performed to determine the enzyme level in different genotypes. METHODS: Between January 1, 2016 and June 30, 2017, 410 term infants aged 7-90 days old visiting National Taiwan University Hospital Hsinchu branch were enrolled. The comparisons of G6PD enzyme activities among genotype groups were performed. RESULTS: G6PD enzyme activity was negatively correlated with age (R = -0.212, p = 0.01). For infants under 30 days of age, the G6PD enzyme activity levels were 1.4 ± 0.9 U/g Hb in hemizygotes (n = 76), 6.5 ± 2.0 U/g Hb in heterozygotes (n = 47), and 13.6 ± 3.7 U/g Hb in those without G6PD mutations (n = 70). Among infants more than 30 days old, G6PD enzyme activity levels were 0.9 ± 0.5 U/g Hb in hemizygotes (n = 46), 6.0 ± 2.7 U/g Hb in heterozygotes (n = 23), and 11.7 ± 3.4 U/g Hb in those without G6PD mutations (n = 148). G6PD levels differed significantly among the groups defined by genotypes. CONCLUSION: We determined G6PD enzyme activity levels in infants aged between 7 and 90 days in Taiwan. Completing the reference data and determining the cutoff values for different G6PD deficiency disease statuses will help pediatricians to make accurate diagnoses.

The origin of GSKIP, a multifaceted regulatory factor in the mammalian Wnt pathway.

GSK3ß interacting protein (GSKIP) is a naturally occurring negative regulator of GSK3ß and retains both the Protein Kinase A Regulatory subunit binding (PKA-RII) domain and GSK3ß interacting domain. Of these two domains, we found that PKA-RII is required for forming a working complex comprising PKA/GSKIP/GSK3ß/Drp1 to influence phosphorylation of Drp1 Ser637. In this study, bioinformatics and experimental explorations re-analyzing GSKIP's biofunctions suggest that the evolutionarily conserved Domain of Unknown Function (DUF727) is an ancestral prototype of GSKIP in prokaryotes, and acquired the C-terminal GSK3ß binding site (tail) in invertebrates except for Saccharomyces spp., after which the N-terminal PKA-RII binding region (head) evolved in vertebrates. These two regions mutually influence each other and modulate GSKIP binding to GSK3ß in yeast two-hybrid assays and co-immunoprecipitation. Molecular modeling showed that mammalian GSKIP could form a dimer through the L130 residue (GSK3ß binding site) rather than V41/L45 residues. In contrast, V41/L45P mutant facilitated a gain-of-function effect on GSKIP dimerization, further influencing binding behavior to GSK3ß compared to GSKIP wild-type (wt). The V41/L45 residues are not only responsible for PKA RII binding that controls GSK3ß activity, but also affect dimerization of GSKIP monomer, with net results of gain-of-function in GSKIP-GSK3ß interaction. In addition to its reported role in modulating Drp1, Ser637 phosphorylation caused mitochondrial elongation; we postulated that GSKIP might be involved in the Wnt signaling pathway as a scavenger to recruit GSK3ß away from the ß-catenin destruction complex and as a competitor to compete for GSK3ß binding, resulting in accumulation of S675 phosphorylated ß-catenin.

Phentolamine Reverses Epinephrine-Enhanced Skin Antinociception of Dibucaine in Rats.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the experiment was to assess the antinociceptive effect of dibucaine, bupivacaine, and epinephrine. To assess the mechanism of action of the interaction between dibucaine and epinephrine, phentolamine, a nonselective α-adrenergic antagonist, was added to the mixture. METHODS: We assessed sensory blockade with these drugs by injecting 0.6 mL of drug-in-saline in the dorsal thoracolumbar area of rats; pinprick of the "wheal" formed by the injectate was the area targeted for stimulation to elicit a cutaneous trunci muscle reflex. The sensory block of dibucaine was compared with that of bupivacaine or epinephrine. Drug-drug interactions were analyzed by isobologram. Phentolamine was added to investigate the antinociceptive effect of dibucaine coinjected with epinephrine. RESULTS: We demonstrated that dibucaine, epinephrine, and bupivacaine produced dose-dependent skin antinociception. On the median effective dose (ED50) basis, the potency was higher for epinephrine (mean, 0.011 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.007-0.015] µmol) than for dibucaine (mean, 0.493 [95% CI, 0.435-0.560] µmol) (P < .01), while there were no significant differences between dibucaine and bupivacaine (mean, 0.450 [95% CI, 0.400-0.505] µmol). On the equipotent basis (75% effective dose, median effective dose, and 25% effective dose), sensory block duration provoked by epinephrine was greater (P < .01) than that provoked by dibucaine or bupivacaine. Coadministration of dibucaine with epinephrine produced a synergistic nociceptive block, whereas phentolamine blocked that synergistic block. CONCLUSIONS: The preclinical data indicated that there is no statistically significant difference between the potency and duration of dibucaine and bupivacaine in this model. Epinephrine synergistically enhances the effects of dibucaine, while phentolamine partially blocked those effects. α-Adrenergic receptors play an important role in controlling synergistic analgesic effect of dibucaine combined with epinephrine.

Infectious complications in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated with the Taiwan Pediatric Oncology Group protocol: A 16-year tertiary single-institution experience.

BACKGROUND: Infection is a major complication in pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia during chemotherapy. In this study, the infection characteristics were determined and risk factors analyzed based on the Taiwan Pediatric Oncology Group (TPOG) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) protocol. PROCEDURE: We retrospectively reviewed fever events during chemotherapy in 252 patients treated during two consecutive clinical trials at a single institution between 1997 and 2012. Patients were classified as standard, high, and very high risk by treatment regimen according to the TPOG definitions. We analyzed the characteristics and risk factors for infection. RESULTS: Fever occurred in 219 patients (86.9%) with a mean of 2.74 episodes per person. The fever events comprised 64% febrile neutropenia, 39% clinically documented infections, and 44% microbiologically documented infections. The microbiologically documented infections were mostly noted during the induction phase and increased in very high risk patients (89 vs. 24% and 46% in standard-risk and high-risk patients, respectively). Younger age and higher risk (high-risk and very high risk groups) were risk factors for fever and microbiologic and bloodstream infections. Female gender and obesity were additive risk factors for urinary tract infection (odds ratios = 3.52 and 3.24, P < 0.001 and P = 0.004, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Infections developed primarily during the induction phase, for which younger age and higher risk by treatment regimen were risk factors. Female gender and obesity were additive risk factors for urinary tract infection.

GSKIP- and GSK3-mediated anchoring strengthens cAMP/PKA/Drp1 axis signaling in the regulation of mitochondrial elongation.

GSK3ß binding of GSKIP affects neurite outgrowth, but the physiological significance of PKA binding to GSKIP remains to be determined. We hypothesized that GSKIP and GSK3ß mediate cAMP/PKA/Drp1 axis signaling and modulate mitochondrial morphology by forming a working complex comprising PKA/GSKIP/GSK3ß/Drp1. We demonstrated that GSKIP wild-type overexpression increased phosphorylation of Drp1 S637 by 7-8-fold compared to PKA kinase-inactive mutants (V41/L45) and a GSK3ß binding-defective mutant (L130) under H2O2 and forskolin challenge in HEK293 cells, indicating that not only V41/L45, but also L130 may be involved in Drp1-associated protection of GSKIP. Interestingly, silencing either GSKIP or GSK3ß but not GSK3α resulted in a dramatic decrease in Drp1 S637 phosphorylation, revealing that both GSKIP and GSK3ß are required in this novel PKA/GSKIP/GSK3ß/Drp1 complex. Moreover, overexpressed kinase-dead GSK3ß-K85R, which retains the capacity to bind GSKIP, but not K85M which shows total loss of GSKIP-binding, has a higher Drp1 S637 phosphorylation similar to the GSKIP wt overexpression group, indicating that GSK3ß recruits Drp1 by anchoring rather than in a kinase role. With further overexpression of either V41/L45P or the L130P GSKIP mutant, the elongated mitochondrial phenotype was lost; however, ectopically expressed Drp1 S637D, a phosphomimetic mutant, but not S637A, a non-phosphorylated mutant, restored the elongated mitochondrial morphology, indicating that Drp1 is a downstream effector of direct PKA signaling and possibly has an indirect GSKIP function involved in the cAMP/PKA/Drp1 signaling axis. Collectively, our data revealed that both GSKIP and GSK3ß function as anchoring proteins in the cAMP/PKA/Drp1 signaling axis modulating Drp1 phosphorylation.

Synergistic interaction of guanfacine or dexmedetomidine coadministered with lidocaine for cutaneous analgesia in rats.

BACKGROUND: This study examined the cutaneous analgesic effects of lidocaine co-injected with guanfacine and its comparison with dexmedetomidine. METHODS: Cutaneous analgesic effects are quantified through the blocking effects of the cutaneous trunci muscle reflex against skin pinpricks in rats. The dose-response curves of guanfacine, dexmedetomidine, and lidocaine were constructed and drug-drug interactions were analyzed by the ED50 isobologram. RESULTS: Subcutaneous injections of guanfacine, dexmedetomidine, and lidocaine produced dose-dependently nociceptive/sensory blockade. On the ED50 (50% effective dose) basis, the potency rankings of the drug are dexmedetomidine (0.09 [0.08-0.11] µmol/kg) > guanfacine (3.98 [2.96-5.34] µmol/kg) > lidocaine (25.40 [23.51-27.44] µmol/kg) (p < 0.01). On their equipotent doses (ED25, ED50, and ED75), the duration of sensory blockade induced by guanfacine or dexmedetomidine was longer than lidocaine's (p < 0.01). Both guanfacine and dexmedetomidine showed synergistic effects with lidocaine. CONCLUSIONS: We showed that guanfacine elicits dose-dependent cutaneous analgesia when administered subcutaneously. Lidocaine is less potent than guanfacine or dexmedetomidine. Both guanfacine and dexmedetomidine enhance the potency and duration of lidocaine. Better synergistic responses we are getting with guanfacine plus lidocaine.

Target-controlled infusion vs. manually controlled infusion of propofol with alfentanil for bidirectional endoscopy: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: The best anesthesia methods for analgesia and sedation during gastrointestinal endoscopy are still debated. The aim of this study was to compare the recovery time, clinical presentations, and satisfaction between target-controlled infusion (TCI) and manually controlled infusion (MCI) in same-day bidirectional endoscopy (esophagogastroduodenoscopy followed by colonoscopy). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 220 patients with American Society of Anesthesiology physical status 1 or 2 were enrolled and randomized into the TCI or MCI groups. The clinical presentations, vasoactive drug demand, propofol consumption, and adverse events were recorded for both groups peri-procedurally. The concentrations of propofol in the plasma (Cp) and at the site of drug effect (Ce) by computerized simulation were also monitored in both groups. Finally, the satisfaction of patients, endoscopists, and nurse anesthetists was assessed by questionnaire after the examinations. RESULTS: Compared with the MCI group, the TCI group had a faster recovery time (17.91 ± 7.72 minutes vs. 14.58 ± 8.55 minutes; P = 0.002), less moderate hypotension (7.37 ± 15.46 % vs. 1.82 ± 5.15 %; P < 0.001), and shorter period of bradypnea (13.81 ± 15.92 % vs. 9.18 ± 12.00 %; P = 0.013). In addition, the TCI group reduced the relative risk of moderate desaturation by 50 % compared with the MCI group (30.9 % vs. 15.5 %; 95 % confidence interval 1.191-3.360; P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated that TCI of propofol combined with alfentanil was associated with a faster recovery time, and better hemodynamic and respiratory stability than MCI in same-day bidirectional endoscopy. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: CGMH IRB Identifier 97-0969B.

Beta-blocker carteolol and oxprenolol produce cutaneous analgesia in response to needle pinpricks in the rat.

BACKGROUND: This present study was undertaken to determine whether beta-blockers produce the cutaneous analgesic effect, comparing them with the long-acting local anesthetic bupivacaine. METHODS: Using a rat model of infiltrative cutaneous analgesia, the effect of 5 beta-blockers (oxprenolol, carteolol, butaxamine, metoprolol, and acebutolol) and bupivacaine was compared and eventually combined with epinephrine. RESULTS: Among 5 beta-blockers, oxprenolol exhibited the most potent and the longest duration of cutaneous analgesia. In dose-response studies, the rank order of efficacy (ED50 [50% effective dose]) was bupivacaine (0.40 [0.35-0.47] µmol) > oxprenolol (2.33 [2.06-2.64] µmol) > carteolol (4.86 [4.27-5.53] µmol) (p< 0.01). Carteolol provoked a longer duration of analgesia (p< 0.01) than oxprenolol or bupivacaine on an equipotent basis (ED25, ED50, and ED75). Adding epinephrine 1:200,000 to drug preparations (carteolol, oxprenolol, and bupivacaine) at ED95 had a peripheral action in prolonging the duration of action. CONCLUSIONS: Oxprenolol and carteolol had greater potencies and longer durations of cutaneous analgesia than butaxamine, metoprolol, and acebutolol. Oxprenolol produced a similar duration of action when compared to bupivacaine, while carteolol had a greater duration of action than bupivacaine. Cutaneous analgesia of oxprenolol (or carteolol) plus adrenaline was greater than that of bupivacaine plus adrenaline.

N(Omega)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester potentiates lidocaine analgesic and anaesthetic effect in rats.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the experiment was to study the effect of L-NAME (N(Omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester) and its cotreatment with lidocaine on the spinal block and infiltrative cutaneous analgesia. METHODS: The quality of cutaneous analgesia was examined by the block of the cutaneous trunci muscle reflexes following needle stimuli in the rat. Spinal anaesthetic potency was assessed by measuring three neurobehavioral examinations of nociceptive, proprioceptive and motor function following intrathecal injection in the rat. KEY FINDINGS: L-NAME (0.6, 6 and 60 nmol) when cotreatment with lidocaine (ED50) produced dose-related cutaneous analgesia. Coadministration of L-NAME (0.6 µmol) with lidocaine intensified (P < 0.01) and prolonged (P < 0.001) cutaneous analgesia, whereas subcutaneous L-NAME (0.6 µmol) and saline did not provoke cutaneous analgesic effects. Adding L-NAME (2.5 µmol) to lidocaine intrathecally prolonged spinal sensory and motor block (P < 0.01), while intrathecal L-NAME (2.5 µmol) or 5% dextrose (vehicle) produced no spinal block. CONCLUSIONS: L-NAME at 60 nmol (the minimum effective dose) increases and prolongs the effect of cutaneous analgesia of lidocaine. L-NANE at an ineffective dose potentiates lidocaine analgesic and anaesthetic effects.

Naphazoline and oxymetazoline are superior to epinephrine in enhancing the cutaneous analgesia of lidocaine in rats.

This study observed the cutaneous analgesic effect of adrenergic agonists when combined with lidocaine. We aimed at the usefulness of four adrenergic agonists and epinephrine as analgesics or as tools to prolong the effect of local anesthetics using a model of cutaneous trunci muscle reflex (pinprick pain) in rats. We showed that subcutaneous four adrenergic agonists and epinephrine, as well as the local anesthetic bupivacaine and lidocaine, developed a concentration-dependent cutaneous analgesia. The rank order of the efficacy of different compounds (ED50 ; median effective dose) was epinephrine [0.013 (0.012-0.014) µmol] > oxymetazoline [0.25 (0.22-0.28) µmol] > naphazoline [0.42 (0.34-0.53) µmol] = bupivacaine [0.43 (0.37-0.50) µmol] > xylometazoline [1.34 (1.25-1.45) µmol] > lidocaine [5.86 (5.11-6.72) µmol] > tetrahydrozoline [6.76 (6.21-7.36) µmol]. The duration of full recovery caused by tetrahydrozoline, oxymetazoline, or xylometazoline was greater (P < 0.01) than that induced via epinephrine, bupivacaine, lidocaine, or naphazoline at equianesthetic doses (ED25 , ED50 , and ED75 ). Co-administration of lidocaine (ED50 ) with four adrenergic agonists or epinephrine enhanced the cutaneous analgesic effect. We observed that four adrenergic agonists and epinephrine induce analgesia by themselves, and such an effect has a longer duration than local anesthetics. Co-administration of lidocaine with the adrenergic agonist enhances the analgesic effect, and the cutaneous analgesic effect of lidocaine plus naphazoline (or oxymetazoline) is greater than that of lidocaine plus epinephrine.

The school environment and bullying victimization among seventh graders with autism spectrum disorder: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: There is strong evidence to support the association between bullying and the onset of mental health conditions in students with ASD (autism spectrum disorder). In Taiwan, the seventh grade marks the first year of middle school, following elementary school. This period is also when peers tend to perform bullying behaviours to establish status among the peer group. Therefore, seventh grade is considered one of the most challenging times for students with ASD due to several changes within the school environment and the developmental changes that arise at this age. This study aims to assess the association between the school environment and bullying victimization among students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) enrolled in regular classes in their first year of middle school. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Special Needs Education Longitudinal Study database located in the Survey Research Data Archive of Academia Sinica. The analysis included one hundred eighty-four seventh graders with ASD who were in regular classes across Taiwan. The primary variables under study were whether the participants had experienced social exclusion, insults or teasing, extortion, or sexual harassment over the past semester. RESULTS: Participants with a higher positive friendship quality (P = 0.027) and who had received more peer support upon encountering difficulties in school (P = 0.041) were less likely to experience social exclusion. Participants with a higher positive friendship quality (P = 0.001) and a more positive classroom learning environment (P = 0.031) were less likely to have experienced insults or teasing. However, participants with more friends were more likely to be extorted (P = 0.015) and sexually harassed (P = 0.001) than those with fewer friends. Furthermore, participants in regular classes on a part-time basis were 2.59 times more likely to report sexual harassment than those in regular classes on a full-time basis (P = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that a supportive school environment reduces the likelihood that seventh-graders with ASD will be bullied. Clinicians should consider the association between the school environment and bullying victimization among adolescents with ASD in regular classes during their first year of middle school.

Evaluation of the Effects of Skin-to-Skin Contact on Newborn Sucking, and Breastfeeding Abilities: A Quasi-Experimental Study Design.

Mother and newborn skin-to-skin contact (SSC) after birth has numerous protective effects. Although positive associations between SSC and breastfeeding behavior have been reported, the evidence for such associations between early SSC and breastfeeding success was limited in high-income countries. This quasi-experimental intervention design study aimed to evaluate the impact of different SSC regimens on newborn breastfeeding outcomes in Taiwan. In total, 104 healthy mother-infant dyads (52 in the intervention group and 52 in the control group) with normal vaginal delivery were enrolled from 1 January to 30 July 2019. The intervention group received 60 min of immediate SSC, whereas the control group received routine care (early SSC with 20 min duration). Breastfeeding performance was evaluated by the IBFAT and BSES-Short Form. Generalized estimating equations (GEEs) were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. In the intervention group, the breastfeeding ability of newborns increased significantly after 5 min of SSC and after SSC. The intervention also improved the total score for breastfeeding self-efficacy (0.18 point; p = 0.003). GEE analysis revealed that the interaction between group and time was significant (0.65 point; p = 0.003). An initial immediate SSC regimen of 60 min can significantly improve neonatal breastfeeding ability and maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy in the short term after birth.

Intrathecal pramipexole and selegiline for sensory and motor block in rats.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to investigate spinal sensory and motor block by antiparkinsonian drugs (pramipexole and selegiline), and the combination of pramipexole and the local anesthetic lidocaine. METHODS: Using a technique of spinal blockade in rats, the effects of pramipexole, selegiline, and coadministration of pramipexole and lidocaine on spinal blockades of motor and sensory function were investigated. RESULTS: Under a concentration of 100 mM, pramipexole displayed more potent and had a longer duration of nociceptive, proprioceptive, and motor block than selegiline, whereas pramipexole and selegiline were less potent in comparison to lidocaine. Pramipexole produced spinal nociceptive, proprioceptive, and motor blocks in a dose-related manner. On the ED50 (50% effective dose) basis, the rank-order potency on nociceptive, proprioceptive, and motor block was pramipexole < lidocaine. The spinal block duration of pramipexole was greater than lidocaine at every equipotent dose tested (ED25, ED50, and ED75). Coadministration of lidocaine (ED50 or ED95) with pramipexole (4.5 µmol/kg) improved the effect (efficacy) and duration of the spinal block. CONCLUSIONS: Pramipexole and selegiline were less potent than lidocaine to block sensory and motor responses. The duration of the spinal anesthetic effect of pramipexole was longer than lidocaine. At a non-effective dose, pramipexole increased the duration of efficacy of lidocaine.

Treadmill workouts alleviate neuropathic allodynia and scratching behavior in rats following thoracotomy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the experiment was to investigate the effects of treadmill exercise on postthoracotomy pain and the expression of spinal pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. METHODS: Animals were randomly distributed into four groups: (a) sham surgery, (b) rats following 60 min thoracotomy and rib retraction (thoracotomy), (c) thoracotomy rats received treadmill training (thoracotomy+treadmill), and (d) sham surgery rats received treadmill training (sham surgery+treadmill). Treadmill workouts were started on postoperative day 10 (POD10) and lasted for 6 weeks (5 days per week). Rats were examined for cold allodynia using acetone and mechanical allodynia using von Frey hairs (in grams) at the surgical site. Spinal pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines were analyzed on PODs 28 and 49. RESULTS: Both thoracotomy and thoracotomy+treadmill groups exhibited a decrease in mechanical force thresholds (g) and an increase in scratches per min on POD10. Mechanical hypersensitivity and incremental scratches lasted from POD14 and POD49 in the thoracotomy group. Although force thresholds and scratches remained not return to baseline, incremental force thresholds (p < 0.001) and diminutive scratches (p < 0.001) occurred after 6-week treadmill workouts. The rise in spinal interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) concentrations or the decline in spinal IL-10 concentration in thoracotomy+treadmill rats was less (p < 0.05) than thoracotomy rats without exercise. CONCLUSIONS: Mechanical allodynia using von Frey filament testing and cold allodynia by acetone testing were improved in thoracotomy rats after treadmill workouts.. Treadmill exercise restrained excess pro-inflammatory cytokine expression but increased anti-inflammatory cytokine level in a rib retraction model.

Association of Exclusive Breastfeeding with Asthma Risk among Preschool Children: An Analysis of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Data, 1999 to 2014.

Breastmilk contains many important nutrients, anti-inflammatory agents, and immunomodulators. It is the preferred nutrition source for infants. However, the association of the duration of exclusive breastmilk feeding (BMF) with asthma development is unclear. Data on children from the United States who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2014 were obtained. We examined the association between the duration of exclusive BMF and asthma in 6000 children (3 to 6 years old). After calculating the duration of exclusive breastfeeding according to answers to NHANES questionnaires, the estimated duration of exclusive BMF was divided into five categories: never breastfed or BMF for 0 to 2 months after birth; BMF for 2 to 4 months after birth; BMF for 4 to 6 months after birth; and BMF for ≥6 months after birth. The overall prevalence of asthma in children aged 3 to 6 years was approximately 13.9%. The risk of asthma was lower in children with an exclusive BMF duration of 4 to 6 months (aOR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.48-0.98), after adjustment for potentially confounding factors. Subgroup analysis revealed that children of younger ages (3 to 4 years old) benefited most from the protective effects of exclusive BMF for 4 to 6 months (aOR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.27, 0.8). We found that exclusive BMF, especially BMF for 4 to 6 months, is associated with a decreased risk of asthma in preschool-age children. The protective effect appeared to be diminished in older children. The potential mechanism needs further investigation.

Antimalarial primaquine for spinal sensory and motor blockade in rats.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the experiment was to estimate whether intrathecal antimalarial drugs could provoke spinal block, and their comparison with lidocaine. METHODS: Rats were intrathecally administrated with antimalarial agents (primaquine, chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine and amodiaquine) and lidocaine, and neurobehavioural examinations (nociception, proprioception and motor function) were assessed; n = 8 per group. One-way and two-way analysis of variance were designed to analyse data. KEY FINDINGS: At a concentration of 20 mM, primaquine (0.46 mg/rat) exhibited the longest duration and the most potent effect of nociceptive, proprioceptive and motor blockade (P < 0.01) among five drugs, whereas the other antimalarial drugs displayed a lesser or similar potency of spinal blockade compared with lidocaine (0.29 mg/rat). In dose-dependent studies, primaquine was more potent (P < 0.01) than lidocaine for spinal block. At ED25, ED50 and ED75 equipotent doses, primaquine produced a greater duration of spinal motor, proprioceptive and nociceptive blockade when compared with lidocaine (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Primaquine, chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine and amodiaquine produced spinal blockade. Primaquine was more potent and displayed a prolonged life of local anaesthetic effect compared with lidocaine, whereas the other antimalarial drugs displayed a lesser or similar potency compared with lidocaine.

Association between Maternal Pre-pregnancy Body Mass Index and Breastfeeding Duration in Taiwan: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

An association between high pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and early breastfeeding cessation has been previously observed, but studies examining the effect of underweight are still scant and remain inconclusive. This study analyzed data from a nationally representative cohort of 18,312 women (mean age 28.3 years; underweight 20.1%; overweight 8.2%; obesity 1.9%) who delivered singleton live births in 2005 in Taiwan. Comprehensive face-to-face interviews and surveys were completed at 6 and 18 months postpartum. BMI status and breastfeeding duration were calculated from the self-reported data in the questionnaires. In the adjusted ordinal logistic regression model, maternal obesity and underweight had a higher odds of shorter breastfeeding duration compared with normal-weight women. The risk of breastfeeding cessation was significantly higher in underweight women than in normal-weight women after adjustments in the logistic regression model (2 m: aOR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.03-1.2; 4 m: aOR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.21-1.43; 6 m: aOR = 1.3, 95% CI = 1.18-1.42). Our findings indicated that maternal underweight and obesity are associated with earlier breastfeeding cessation in Taiwan. Optimizing maternal BMI during the pre-conception period is essential, and future interventions to promote and support breastfeeding in underweight mothers are necessary to improve maternal and child health.