[Relationship between anti-ENO1 antibody and systemic lupus erythematosus patients with retinopathy].

OBJECTIVE: To build bridges between anti-α enolase antibody (anti-enolase 1 antibody, anti-ENO1 antibody) and common clinical and laboratory characteristics of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to analyze the role of anti-ENO1 antibody in the evaluation of SLE disease activity. METHODS: The SLE patients with retinopathy and without retinopathy were enrolled in the study, as well as healthy individuals whose gender and age matched with those of the SLE patients. Serum anti-ENO1 antibodies were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), presenting as intra-group positive rate and arbitrary units (AU) value. Clinical and laboratory data were obtained from medical records. RESULTS: The SLE retinopathy patients represented various fundus abnormalities. Ranked by percentage, the top three retinopathies were retinal hemorrhage (14/32, 43.75%), cotton-wool spots (8/32, 25.00%) and retinal vein occlusion (3/32, 9.38%). Among the 32 SLE retinopathy patients, 13 (40.63%) suffered from two or more fundus abnormalities. The positive rate and AU value of the SLE patients were higher than of the SLE patients without retinopathy (68.75% vs. 46.00%, P=0.043; 16.11%±10.35% vs. 12.06%±6.47%, P=0.045). Besides, the positive rate and AU value of the two SLE groups were both significantly higher than those of the healthy control group (P < 0.001). Compared with the SLE-without-retinopathy group, the systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI)-2000 of the SLE retinopathy patients were significantly higher than those of the SLE patients without retinopathy (17.41±4.25 vs. 9.48±5.35, P < 0.001). Dividing all the SLE patients into an anti-ENO1-positive group and an anti-ENO1-negative group, we found that anti-ENO1-positive was more likely to be correlated to developing fever and positive result of urine occult blood (P=0.011, P=0.042). Comparing with the patients with negative anti-ENO1 antibodies, the patients with positive anti-ENO1 antibodies had significantly higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) [the median (range) was 29.50 (1.52-110.00) mg/L vs. 12.00 (4.00-101.00) mg/L, P=0.001], higher immunoglobulin G (IgG) [the median (range) was 14.30 (4.02-37.80) g/L vs. 10.46 (2.50-25.73) g/L, P=0.000 3], and higher blood platelet count (PLT) [(205.87×109±67.98×109) /L vs. (164.57×109±69.57×109) /L, P=0.008], as well as higher immunoglobulin A (IgA) [the median (range) was 2.85 (0.07-27.00) g/L vs. 2.05 (0.42-4.36) g/L, P=0.014]. CONCLUSION: The positive rate and AU value of anti-ENO1 antibody suggested higher SLE disease activity and they were elevated in SLE and SLE retinopathy.

Impact of visual features on capture of Aedes aegypti with host decoy traps (HDT).

The host decoy trap (HDT) is a surveillance trap that presents a combination of heat, visual and odour stimuli to attract bloodmeal-seeking mosquitoes. Here we employed a semi-field study to demonstrate the role of the visual attributes present on the HDT on the effectiveness of Aedes aegypti capture. Our results show that the HDT is an effective means of capturing Ae. aegypti mosquitoes in semi-field conditions, with a per trial capture rate of up to 69% across four visually distinct HDTs. The solid black coloured HDT captured more mosquitoes than HDTs with black-white stripes, black-white checkerboard patches or solid white colour by a factor of 1.9, 1.7 and 1.5, respectively. In all cases, mosquito capture was not evenly distributed on the HDT surface, with captures on the HDT's outer downwind half, away from the odour delivery, exceeding captures on the inner upwind half. We conclude that the solid black surface of the original HDT design is more effective than the other surfaces (white or black/white patterns) for the capture of Ae. aegypti. Our results demonstrate that mosquito attraction to the thermal and odorant cues of the HDT is modulated by visual information.

Bone mineral density from early to middle adulthood in persons with Down syndrome.

BACKGROUND: While accelerated ageing is recognised among individuals with Down syndrome (DS), the trajectory of their bone health across adulthood remains poorly understood. METHODS: This study aimed to determine the age-related loss of bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine in 128 adults with DS aged 18 to 54 years compared with 723 counterparts without DS. RESULTS: Men and women with DS had lower level of BMD than counterparts without DS across age groups. Magnitude of decrement in BMD as reflected in the z-scores was similar between younger and older men with DS. Older women with DS, on the contrary, showed greater decrement in older ages especially in their fourth decade of life. Osteopenia and osteoporosis as defined using age-specific and gender-specific T-scores affected greater number of men with DS (38% and 25%) than women (17% and 17%) aged 40-49 years. CONCLUSIONS: Findings supported adults with DS, especially men, to have early bone mineral testing.

[Influence of short-term intensive insulin therapy on plasma concentration of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A(2) and secretory phospholipase A(2) in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients].

The aim of the study was to explore the effect and its clinical relevance of short-term intensive insulin treatment on plasma concentrations of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A(2) (Lp-PLA(2)) and secretory phospholipase A(2) (sPLA(2)) in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Ninety newly diagnosed T2DM patients were recruited and received continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) for about 2 weeks. After CSII, sPLA(2) levels [173.78 (80.95, 278.09) µg/L] were significantly decreased compared with the levels before [219.33 (130.03, 337.30) µg/L], P<0.01, while no statistic significant changes could be viewed in Lp-PLA(2) levels. Correlation analysis showed that the changes of Lp-PLA(2) and sPLA(2) were both positively correlated with the changes of homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR)after CSII (r=0.537, 0.493 respectively, all P<0.05). The Lp-PLA(2) and sPLA(2) level reduction after CSII might help to protect the patients from diabetic macroangiopathy. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR-TRC-10001618.

[Comparison on metabolic disorders and uric acid levels between patients with primary aldosteronism and essential hypertension].

Objective: To compare the incidence of metabolic disorders and uric acid (UA) levels between patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) and essential hypertension (EH), and to explore factors associated with UA levels in these patients. Methods: A total of 117 PA and 117 EH patients individually matched by sex, age, blood pressure and duration of hypertension were recruited from in-hospital patients who were hospitalized in our department because of suspicion of secondary hypertension from January 2008 to December 2014. Clinical data including metabolic disorders and UA levels were analyzed. Results: (1) Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, plasma triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), free fatty acid (FFA) were significantly higher in EH than in PA group (all P<0.05). Prevalence of diabetes mellitus or impaired glucose tolerance (DM+ IGT) was significantly higher in EH than in PA group (41.9% (49/117) vs. 17.1% (20/117), P<0.01). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) was also significantly higher in EH than in PA group (51.3% (60/117) vs. 24.8% (29/117), P<0.01). (2) EH patients had higher homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and lower insulin sensitivity index composite (ISI comp) than PA patients, but basic insulin secretion index (HOMA-ß) and modified ß cell function index (MBCI) were significantly lower in PA than in EH group (P<0.05). (3) With regard to target organs damages, PA patients revealed higher 24-hour urinary protein, urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER), urinary IgG, urinary α-1 microglobulin, left ventricular mass index and lower urine specific gravity than EH patients (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) between two groups (P=0.103). (4) UA level was significantly lower in PA group than in EH group ((314.00±89.52) µmol/L vs. (379.16±101.25) µmol/L, P<0.01). Higher plasma aldosterone concentration and lower plasma renin activity were associated with lower UA level in PA group. Conclusions: Compared with sex, age and hypertension duration matched EH patients, PA patients revealed lower UA level and less severe abnormalities of glucose and lipid metabolism, but are associated with severer renal and cardiac damages. The reduced UA level in PA patients is possibly due to the high plasma aldosterone concentration and low plasma renin activity.

Molecular characterization and expression pattern of an α-amylase gene (HcAmy) from the freshwater pearl mussel, Hyriopsis cumingii.

The freshwater pearl mussel Hyriopsis cumingii is of commercial importance because it produces the freshwater pearl; however, knowledge about the molecular characterization and regulation mechanisms of α-amylase remains unknown for this species. In this study, the full-length cDNA of the α-amylase gene (HcAmy) was isolated from H. cumingii by the rapid amplification of cDNA ends. Tissue-specific expression analysis showed that HcAmy mRNA was mainly expressed in the hepatopancreas; although, the gene was also expressed in the adductor muscle, intestine, gill, and crystalline style. After 2 weeks starvation, the expression of HcAmy mRNA in the hepatopancreas was upregulated at 24 h after re-feeding or when exposed to algal concentration of 32 µg/L chlorophyll-a, indicating that the HcAmy mRNA expression in H. cumingii is regulated by algal availability. The results of this study confirm that the HcAmy gene is an important component of the carbohydrate metabolism of H. cumingii fed phytoplankton. In addition, this study demonstrates that the modulation of this gene is dependent on environmental food availability, including starvation, re-feeding time following a period of starvation, and algal concentrations during re-feeding.

[Clinical analysis of 18 children with aggressive mature B-cell lymphoma after liver transplantation].

Objective: To summarize the clinical characteristics, prognostic factors and treatment outcomes of childhood aggressive mature B-cell lymphoma after liver transplantation. Methods: This retrospective study included 18 children with newly diagnosed aggressive mature B-cell lymphoma after liver transplantation and treated from June 2018 to June 2022 in the Department of Hematology and Oncology of Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. Clinical characteristics, treatment and outcomes of patients at last evaluation were analyzed. Overall survival (OS) and event free survival (EFS) rates were calculated by Kaplan-Meier method and Log-Rank analysis was performed to find factors of poor prognosis. Results: Among all 18 patients, there were 6 males and 12 females, and the age of onset was 40 (35, 54) months. The interval from transplant to tumor diagnosis was 21 (17, 35) months and 5 patients had early onset disease (<1 year since transplant). Seventeen patients had abdominal lesions. Diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal masses were the main clinical manifestations. All patients were Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) related posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD). One patient received individualized therapy due to critical sick at diagnosis, and the remaining 17 patients received CP (cyclophosphamide, methylprednisolone plus rituximab) and (or) modified EPOCH (prednisone, etoposide, doxorubicin, vincristine, cyclophosphamide plus rituximab) regimens. Of all 18 patients, 15 cases got complete response, 2 cases got partial response, 1 patient died of severe infection. The 2-year OS and EFS rates of 18 patients were (94±5)% and (83±8)%, respectively. None of age, gender or early onset disease had effect on OS and EFS rates in univariate analysis (all P>0.05). Conclusions: The symptoms of PTLD were atypical. Close surveillance of EBV-DNA for patients after liver transplantation was crucial to early stage PTLD diagnosis. CP or modified EPOCH regimen was efficient for pediatric patients with aggressive mature B cell lymphoma after liver transplantation.

Retraction Note: Roles of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway in the anti-oxidative stress response to ischemia-reperfusion brain injury in rats.

The article "Roles of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway in the anti-oxidative stress response to ischemia-reperfusion brain injury in rats", by L.-J. Jiang, S.-M. Zhang, C.-W. Li, J.-Y. Tang, F.-Y. Che, Y.-C. Lu, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2017; 21 (7): 1532-1540-PMID: 28429353 has been retracted by the Editor in Chief. Following some concerns raised on PubPeer (link: https://pubpeer.com/publications/4C502B6EB4FCA59AC9F42A8278A3D4), the Editor in Chief has started an investigation to assess the validity of the results as well as possible figure manipulation. The authors have been informed about the journal's investigation but remained unresponsive and have not provided the study's raw data. The journal investigation revealed several figure duplications and manipulations in Figures 3 and 6. Consequently, the Editor in Chief mistrusts the results presented and has decided to retract the article. This article has been retracted. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/12521.

Dietary supplementation of proteases on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood characteristics and gut microbiota of growing pigs fed sorghum-based diets.

Low-tannin sorghum is an excellent energy source in pig diets. However, sorghum contains several anti-nutritional factors that may have negative effects on nutrient digestibility. The impacts of proteases on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood parameters, and gut microbiota of growing pigs fed sorghum-based diets were studied in this study. Ninety-six pigs (20.66 ± 0.65 kg BW) were allocated into three groups (eight pens/group, four pigs/pen): (1) CON (control diet, sorghum-based diet included 66.98% sorghum), (2) PRO1 (CON + 200 mg/kg proteases), (3) PRO2 (CON + 400 mg/kg proteases) for 28 d. No differences were observed in growth performance and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients between CON and PRO1 groups. Pigs fed PRO2 diet had increased (P < 0.05) BW on d 21 and 28, and increased (P < 0.05) average daily gain during d 14-21 and the overall period compared with pigs fed CON diet. In addition, pigs fed PRO2 diet had improved (P < 0.05) ATTD of gross energy, CP, and DM compared with pigs fed CON and PRO1 diets. Pigs fed PRO2 diet had lower (P < 0.05) plasma globulin (GLB) level and higher (P < 0.05) plasma glucose, albumin (ALB) and immunoglobulin G levels, and ALB/GLB ratio than pigs fed CON and PRO1 diets. Furthermore, pigs fed PRO2 diet had decreased (P < 0.05) the relative abundance of Acidobacteriota at the phylum level and increased (P < 0.05) the relative abundance of Prevotella_9 at the genus level. The linear discriminant analysis effect size analysis also showed that pigs fed PRO2 diet had significantly enriched short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria, such as Subdoligranulum and Parabacteroides. In conclusion, protease supplementation at 400 mg/kg improved the growth performance of growing pigs fed sorghum-based diets, which may be attributed to the improvement of nutrient digestibility, host metabolism, immune status and associated with the altered gut microbiota profiles.

Impacts of duration of untreated psychosis on cognition and negative symptoms in first-episode schizophrenia: a 3-year prospective follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive impairment is a core feature of schizophrenia. Its relationship with duration of untreated psychosis (DUP), a potentially malleable prognostic factor, has been less studied, with inconsistent findings being observed in the literature. Previous research investigating such a relationship was mostly cross-sectional and none of those prospective studies had a follow-up duration beyond 2 years. Method A total of 93 Hong Kong Chinese aged 18 to 55 years presenting with first-episode schizophrenia-spectrum disorder were studied. DUP and pre-morbid adjustment were measured using a structured interview incorporating multiple sources of information. Psychopathological evaluation was administered at intake, after clinical stabilization of the first psychotic episode, and at 12, 24 and 36 months. Cognitive functions were measured at clinical stabilization, and at 12, 24 and 36 months. RESULTS: DUP exerted differential effects on various cognitive domains, with memory deficits being the most related to DUP even when potential confounders including pre-morbid adjustment and sex were adjusted. Prolonged DUP was associated with more severe impairment in visual memory at clinical stabilization and verbal memory at 24 and 36 months. Further, patients with a long DUP were found to have worse outcomes on negative symptoms at 36 months. The effects of DUP on verbal memory remained significant even when negative symptoms were taken into consideration. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provided further supportive evidence that delayed treatment to first-episode psychosis is associated with poorer cognitive and clinical outcomes. In addition, DUP may specifically affect memory function and its adverse impact on verbal memory may only become evident at a later stage of the recovery process.

Factors affecting sunscreen use and sun avoidance in a U.S. national sample of organ transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: Organ transplant recipients have an increased risk of nonmelanoma skin cancers due to immunosuppressive therapy following transplantation. Use of sunscreen has been shown to reduce this risk. OBJECTIVES: To identify patient and healthcare factors associated with sun-protective behaviours in organ transplant recipients after transplantation with the goal of increasing overall sunscreen use. METHODS: This study utilized a cross-sectional, retrospective survey from a national sample of 198 organ transplant recipients in the U.S.A. from 2004 to 2008 with no prior diagnosis of skin cancer. The main outcome measures were sunscreen use and sun avoidance before and after transplantation. Frequency of sunscreen use and sun exposure was obtained by self-report on Likert scales ranging from never to always, and these responses were converted to a numerical scale from 0 to 4. RESULTS: Overall sunscreen use increased after transplantation (from a score of 1·4 to 2·1, P < 0·001). Sex, Fitzpatrick skin type, receiving advice to avoid sun from a healthcare provider, and pretransplantation sunscreen use were significantly associated with frequency of post-transplantation sunscreen use in multivariate models. Pretransplantation sun exposure, advice to avoid sun and pretransplantation sunscreen use were significantly associated with sun avoidance post-transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: Both patient features and clinician advice are associated with sun-protective behaviours after organ transplantation. These results will help physicians target expanded sun-protection counselling to those patients most in need of such intervention.

Prevalence and quantification of Listeria monocytogenes in chicken offal at the retail level in Malaysia.

A total of 216 chicken offal samples (chicken liver = 72; chicken heart = 72; chicken gizzard = 72) from wet markets and hypermarkets in Selangor, Malaysia, were examined for the presence and density of Listeria monocytogenes by using a combination of the most probable number and PCR method. The prevalence of L. monocytogenes in 216 chicken offal samples examined was 26.39%, and among the positive samples, the chicken gizzard showed the highest percentage at 33.33% compared with chicken liver (25.00%) and chicken heart (20.83%). The microbial load of L. monocytogenes in chicken offal samples ranged from <3 to 93.0 most probable number per gram. The presence of L. monocytogenes in chicken offal samples may indicate that chicken offal can act as a possible vehicle for the occurrence of foodborne listeriosis. Hence, there is a need to investigate the biosafety level of chicken offal in Malaysia.

Heavy metal tolerance and accumulation of Triarrhena sacchariflora, a large amphibious ornamental grass.

In this study, we report the tolerance and accumulation of Triarrhena sacchariflora to copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd). The results show that T. sacchariflora had strong tolerance to Cu and Cd stress. The tolerance indexes (TI) were greater than 0.5 for all treatments. The bioconcentration factors (BCFs) to Cu and Cd were both above 1.0. The accumulation ability of roots was stronger than that of shoots, and ranges of BCF to Cu and Cd in roots were 37.89-79.08 and 83.96-300.57, respectively. However, the translocation ability to Cu and Cd was weak, with more than 86% of Cu or Cd accumulated in roots, suggesting an exclusion strategy for heavy metal tolerance. The uptake efficiency (UE) and translocation efficiency (TE) to Cu and Cd increased linearly as the Cu and Cd concentration in the substrate increased. UE was higher than TE, with a maximum of 2,118.90 µg g(-1) root dry weight (DW) (50 mg L(-1) Cu) and 1,847.51 µg g(-1) root DW (20 mg L(-1)Cd), respectively. The results indicate that T. sacchariflora is a Cu- and Cd-tolerant non-hyperaccumulator plant, suggesting that T. sacchariflora could play an important role in phytoremediation in areas contaminated with Cu and Cd.

Compound bioengineering protein supplementation improves intestinal health and growth performance of broilers.

Currently, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are of growing interest as potential substitutes for antibiotic growth promoters in animal production. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of bioengineering artificial Parasin I protein (API) and artificial plectasin protein (APL) (named as compound bioengineering protein, CBP) on growth performance and intestinal health of broilers. A total of 450 one-day-old Arbor Acres male healthy broilers were randomly allotted to 5 dietary groups with 10 replicates of 9 individuals in each replicate and supplemented with 0, 250, 500, 750, and 1,000 mg/kg CBP for 6 wk. Dietary CBP supplementation increased (P < 0.01) body weight (6 wk), average daily gain (0-6 wk), and average daily feed intake (3-6 wk and 0-6 wk). CBP addition enhanced antioxidant capacity, which was accompanied by the higher (P < 0.05) activity of serum total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) (750 mg/kg), jejunal glutathione peroxidase (750 mg/kg), and T-AOC (500 and 1,000 mg/kg). Dietary CBP addition improved intestinal health, reflecting by the increased (P < 0.05) villus height to crypt depth ratio in the duodenum, the upregulated (P < 0.01) mRNA levels of claudin-1 (500 and 750 mg/kg) in the ileum, the downregulated (P < 0.01) mRNA expression of occludin (500 mg/kg) in the duodenum and claudin-1 (500 mg/kg) and occludin (500 and 750 mg/kg) in the jejunum, and the upregulated mRNA expression of (P < 0.01) mucin2 (MUC2) (1,000 mg/kg) in the duodenum. In addition, CBP upregulated (P < 0.01) IL-10 (1,000 mg/kg) in duodenum and ileum, and downregulated (P < 0.05) the mRNA expression of IL-6 (750 and 1,000 mg/kg), interferon-γ (1,000 mg/kg) in the jejunum and TNF-α (250 mg/kg) in the ileum. Furthermore, dietary CBP increased (P < 0.01) the abundance of total bacteria and Lactobacillus (500 and 750 mg/kg), and reduced (P < 0.05) the abundance of Escherichia coli (750 mg/kg) in the cecum. In conclusion, CBP supplementation enhances the antioxidant capacity, intestinal health, immune function, and ameliorates the gut microflora population, thus improving the growth performance of broilers. Dietary supplementation of 750 mg/kg CBP exhibits a better beneficial effect.

Pachyonychia congenita patients with mutations in KRT6A have more extensive disease compared with patients who have mutations in KRT16.

BACKGROUND: Pachyonychia congenita (PC) is an autosomal dominant, very rare keratin disorder caused by mutations in any of at least four genes (KRT6A, KRT6B, KRT16 or KRT17), which can lead to hypertrophic nail dystrophy and palmoplantar keratoderma, among other manifestations. Classically, patients with mutations in KRT6A and KRT16 have been grouped to the PC-1 subtype (Jadassohn-Lewandowsky type) and KRT6B and KRT17 to PC-2 (Jackson-Lawler type). OBJECTIVES: To describe clinical heterogeneity among patients with PC who have genetic mutations in KRT6A and KRT16. METHODS: In 2004, the Pachyonychia Congenita Project established the International PC Research Registry (IPCRR) for patients with PC. All patients reporting here underwent genetic testing and responded to a standardized, validated survey about their PC symptoms. We report results from 89 patients with KRT6A mutations and 68 patients with KRT16 mutations. RESULTS: Patients with PC who have KRT6A and KRT16 mutations display distinct phenotypic differences. Patients with PC-K6a experience earlier onset, more extensive nail disease and more substantial disease outside palms and soles, as they reported a higher prevalence of oral leucokeratosis (P < 0·001), cysts (P < 0·001) and follicular hyperkeratosis (P < 0·001) compared with their PC-K16 counterparts. CONCLUSION: Phenotypic differences between patients with KRT6A and KRT16 mutations support adoption of a new classification system based on the mutant gene (PC-6a, PC-16) rather than the PC-1 nomenclature.

Listeria monocytogenes in retailed raw chicken meat in Malaysia.

This study aimed to determine the prevalence Listeria monocytogenes in raw chicken meat samples at hypermarkets and wet markets. Chicken drumsticks, breasts, and thighs were randomly selected. The most probable number (MPN) PCR method was used to quantify the L. monocytogenes in the samples. Listeria monocytogenes was detected in 20% of the samples. Occurrence of L. monocytogenes was highest in breast (42.03%) followed by drumstick (11.27%) and thigh (7.14%). Samples from hypermarkets showed higher occurrence (25.71%) of L. monocytogenes compared with wet markets (14.29%). The density of L. monocytogenes found in samples ranged from <3.0 to 16 MPN•g(-1). The presence of L. monocytogenes in raw chicken meat is unwanted but unpreventable. Thus, further research on the processing method to reduce and eliminate this kind of bacteria in chicken meat before consumption is necessary. The presence of L. monocytogenes in chicken samples suggests the importance of this pathogen in chicken. Thus, more study is needed to find ways to eliminate this pathogen from poultry.

[Analysis of 42 cases of childhood superior vena cava syndrome associated with mediastinal malignancy].

Objective: To summarize the clinical features, management and outcome of superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) associated with mediastinal malignancy in children. Methods: Clinical data of 42 children of SVSC associated with mediastinal malignancy in Shanghai Children's Medical Center from January 2015 to December 2021 were collected and analyzed retrospectively. The clinical manifestations, pathological diagnosis, disease diagnosis process, and prognosis were summarized. Results: Among 42 children of SVCS associated with mediastinal malignancy, there were 31 males and 11 females. The age at diagnosis was 8.5 (1.9, 14.9) years. Cough and wheezing (33 cases, 79%), orthopnea (19 cases, 45%) and facial edema (18 cases, 43%) occurred most commonly. T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL) was the most frequent pathological diagnosis (25 cases, 60%), followed by T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) (7 cases, 17%), anaplastic large cell lymphoma (4 cases, 10%) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (2 cases, 5%), peripheral T-lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, Ewing's sarcoma and germ cell tumor (1 case each). Pathological diagnosis was confirmed by bone marrow aspiration or thoracentesis in 14 cases, peripheral lymph node biopsy in 6 cases, and mediastinal biopsy in 22 cases. Twenty-seven cases (64%) had local anesthesia. Respiratory complications due to mediastinal mass developed in 3 of 15 cases who received general anesthesia. Of the 42 cases, 27 cases had sustained remission, 1 case survived with second-line therapy after recurrence, and 14 cases died (2 cases died of perioperative complications and 12 cases died of recurrence or progression of primary disease). The follow-up time was 36.7 (1.2, 76.1) months for 27 cases in continuous complete remission. The 3-year overall survival (OS) and events free survival (EFS) rates of 42 children were 59% (95%CI 44%-79%) and 58% (95%CI 44%-77%) respectively. Conclusions: SVCS associated with mediastinal malignancy in children is a life-threatening tumor emergency with high mortality. The most common primary disease is T-LBL. The most common clinical symptoms and signs are cough, wheezing, orthopnea and facial edema. Clinical management should be based on the premise of stable critical condition and confirm the pathological diagnosis through minimal invasive operation.

Transfer of Campylobacter jejuni from raw to cooked chicken via wood and plastic cutting boards.

AIMS: We quantified Campylobacter jejuni transferred from naturally contaminated raw chicken fillets and skins to similar cooked chicken parts via standard rubberwood (RW) and polyethylene cutting boards (PE). METHODS AND RESULTS: RW and PE cutting boards (2.5 × 2.5 cm(2)) were constructed. RW surfaces were smooth and even, whereas PE was uneven. Scoring with scalpel blades produced crevices on RW and flaked patches on the PE boards. Raw chicken breast fillets or skin pieces (10 g) naturally contaminated with Camp. jejuni were used to contaminate the cutting boards (6.25 cm(2)). These were then briefly covered with pieces of cooked chicken. Campylobacter jejuni on raw chicken, the boards, and cooked chicken pieces were counted using a combined most-probable-number (MPN)-PCR method. The type of cutting board (RW, PE; unscored and scored) and temperature of cooked chicken fillets and skins were examined. Unscored PE and RW boards were not significantly different in regards to the mean transfer of Camp. jejuni from raw samples to the boards. The mean transfer of Camp. jejuni from scored RW was significantly higher than from scored PE. When the chicken fillets were held at room temperature, the mean transfer of Camp. jejuni from scored RW and PE was found to be 44.9 and 40.3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: RW and PE cutting boards are potential vehicles for Camp. jejuni to contaminate cooked chicken. Although cooked chicken maintained at high temperatures reduced cross-contamination via contaminated boards, a risk was still present. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Contamination of cooked chicken by Camp. jejuni from raw chicken via a cutting board is influenced by features of the board (material, changes caused by scoring) and chicken (types of chicken parts and temperature of the cooked chicken).