Molecular Detection of Using DiaSorin Molecular Simplexa Detection Kit: A Diagnostic Performance Evaluation.

is a globally emerging fungal pathogen that is associated with healthcare-related infections. The accurate and rapid detection of is crucial for effective infection prevention, control, and patient management. This study aimed to validate the analytical and diagnostic performance of the DiaSorin Molecular Detection Kit.

Frailty and polypharmacy in the community-dwelling elderly with multiple chronic diseases.

Background: Both multi-morbidity (MM) and polypharmacy (PP) are common in the elderly and pose a challenge for health and social care systems. However, high-quality patient-centred care requires context-bound understanding of the patterns and use of medications in those with MM. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of PP in community-dwelling elderly, and the factors associated with MM, PP, excessive polypharmacy (EPP), and the types of drugs used.

Higher levels of thyroxine may predict a favorable response to donepezil treatment in patients with Alzheimer disease: a prospective, case-control study.

Background: Cholinergic hypothesis has been advanced as an etiology of Alzheimer disease (AD) on the basis of the presynaptic deficit found in the diseased brains, and cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) are the treatment of choice for these patients. However, only about half of treatment efficacy was found. Because increasing evidence supports an extensive interrelationship between thyroid hormones (THs), cortisol level and the cholinergic system, the aim of the present study was to evaluate thyroid function and cortisol level in patients with mild to moderate AD before and after ChEIs treatment, and to identify possible variations in response.

B cell epitope of human cytomegalovirus phosphoprotein 65 (HCMV pp65) induced anti-dsDNA antibody in BALB/c mice.

Background: HCMV phosphoprotein 65 (HCMVpp65) is a putative immunogen that acts as an accelerator, inducing autoantibody and exacerbating autoimmune response in susceptible animals. The immunity to pp65 instigates autoimmunity, suggesting that pp65 contains crucial B cell epitope(s) for the development of nephritis. This study narrowed down the target epitope to pp65 for immunization of BALB/c mice and mapping of B cell epitope.

R432 is a key residue for the multiple functions of Ndt80p in Candida albicans.

Ndt80p is an important transcription modulator to various stress-response genes in Candida albicans, the most common human fungal pathogen in systemic infections. We found that Ndt80p directly regulated its target genes, such as YHB1, via the mid-sporulation element (MSE). Furthermore, the ndt80(R432A) allele, with a reduced capability to bind MSE, failed to complement the defects caused by null mutations of NDT80.

Caffeine and a selective adenosine A2A receptor antagonist induce sensitization and cross-sensitization behavior associated with increased striatal dopamine in mice.

Background: Caffeine, a nonselective adenosine A1 and A(2A) receptor antagonist, is the most widely used psychoactive substance in the world. Evidence demonstrates that caffeine and selective adenosine A(2A) antagonists interact with the neuronal systems involved in drug reinforcement, locomotor sensitization, and therapeutic effect in Parkinson's disease (PD). Evidence also indicates that low doses of caffeine and a selective adenosine A(2A) antagonist SCH58261 elicit locomotor stimulation whereas high doses of these drugs exert locomotor inhibition.

The impact of promotoras on social support and glycemic control among members of a farmworker community on the US-Mexico border.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to describe the effect of a promotora-driven intervention to build social support as a means to affect self-management behaviors and clinical outcomes in a farmworker community on the US-Mexico border.

Methods: Promotoras implemented a community-based intervention that included support groups, home/hospital visits, telephone support, and advocacy to people with diabetes. A 12-month pre/post study design was used to investigate the relationship between promotora contact, perceived support, and clinical outcomes.

Association of a transmembrane polymorphism of Fcgamma receptor IIb (FCGR2B) with systemic lupus erythematosus in Taiwanese patients.

Objective: To investigate the possible association of the Fcgamma receptor IIb (FcgammaRIIb) Ile/Thr187 transmembrane domain polymorphism, which significantly affects receptor signaling, with susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Taiwanese patients.

Methods: We used matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry to genotype 351 Taiwanese SLE patients and 372 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals from the same geographic area. Allele frequencies and genotype distributions were compared between the patients and controls, both as an aggregate and as stratified by sex, autoantibody profile, and clinical parameters.