Sepsis Mortality in Critical Care and Prior Statin Therapy: A Retrospective Cohort Study in Central Argentina.

Introduction: Sepsis is a major public health problem, frequent, costly, and often fatal. Despite of improvements in supportive treatments the incidence of sepsis and the number of deaths related to sepsis is increasing. Statins have been recently proposed as adjuvants in the treatment of sepsis, but its effects on mortality show conflicting results worldwide.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of the national decentralization policy of antiretroviral treatment programme in Zambia.

Background: In resource-limited settings with a high prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection such as Zambia, decentralization of HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) treatment and care with effective use of resources is a cornerstone of universal treatment and care.

Objectives: This research aims to analyse the cost effectiveness of the National Mobile Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Services Programme in Zambia as a means of decentralizing ART services.

Methods: Cost-effectiveness analyses were performed using a decision analytic model and Markov model to compare the original ART programme, 'Hospital-based ART', with the intervention programme, Hospital-based plus 'Mobile ART', from the perspective of the district government health office in Zambia.

Trends in antipsychotic prescriptions for Japanese outpatients during 2006-2012: a descriptive epidemiological study.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the trends in antipsychotic prescriptions for outpatients in Japan, where a community-based approach to mental healthcare is emphasized.

Methods: This descriptive epidemiological study used claims data from 1038 community pharmacies across Japan. Outpatients who were ≥18 years old and receiving their initial antipsychotic prescription during 2006-2012 were evaluated.

Heart failure due to cytomegalovirus myocarditis in immunocompetent young adults: a case report.

Background: Cardiac complications constitute a rare clinical manifestation of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. This virus is usually asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals. We report a case of myocarditis and cardiac insufficiency due to primary CMV infection.

Aortic aneurysm with complete atrioventricular block and acute coronary syndrome.

Background: Acute aortic dissection (AAD) is a highly lethal and prevalent cardiovascular emergency. AAD can develop into atrioventricular conductivity disorders caused by coronary artery dissection, with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) being the most frequent clinical sign. In many deceased patients, the diagnosis is not confirmed until autopsy, and 85 % receive the wrong therapy as a result of misdiagnosis.

PD-1 function in apoptosis of T lymphocytes in canine visceral leishmaniasis.

Dogs infected with Leishmania infantum have a reduced number of T lymphocytes. PD-1 (Programmed cell death 1) a new member of the B7-CD28 family that is expressed by immune cells, and its binding to PD-L1 (CD274) or PD-L2 (CD273) induces the deactivation or apoptosis of T cells. This study aimed to evaluate the expression of PD-1 and its ligands, as well as blocking in the induction of apoptosis in T lymphocytes, TNF-α, IL-4 and nitric oxide production by leucokocytes from PBMC and spleen and the parasite load in dogs with visceral leishmaniasis (VL).

Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in Zambia: prevalence, clinical, radiological and microbiological characteristics.

Background: Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infection is an emerging health problem. We present here the Zambia-specific national level data of prevalence, symptomatic, radiological and microbiological characteristics of NTM, using results from a national Tuberculosis (TB) prevalence survey.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of the prevalence of NTM among adults aged 15 years and above, who were participants in a national TB prevalence survey.

Effect of carbamazepine and gabapentin on excitability in the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis of neonatal rats using a voltage-sensitive dye imaging technique.

Background: The antiepileptic drugs carbamazepine and gabapentin are effective in treating neuropathic pain and trigeminal neuralgia. In the present study, to analyze the effects of carbamazepine and gabapentin on neuronal excitation in the spinal trigeminal subnucleus caudalis (Sp5c) in the medulla oblongata, we recorded temporal changes in nociceptive afferent activity in the Sp5c of trigeminal nerve-attached brainstem slices of neonatal rats using a voltage-sensitive dye imaging technique.

Results: Electrical stimulation of the trigeminal nerve rootlet evoked changes in the fluorescence intensity of dye in the Sp5c.

Biocompatibility of 4-META/MMA-TBB resin used as a dental luting agent.

Statement Of Problem: The bonding and biological properties of currently used luting/cementing materials need to be improved. 4-Acryloyloxyethyl trimellitate anhydride/methyl methacrylate-tri-n-butylborane (4-META/MMA-TBB) resin is primarily used for splinting mobile teeth or treating fractured teeth. It undergoes moisture-resistant polymerization and bonds strongly to dentin and metals.

Alteration of sFAS and sFAS ligand expression during canine visceral leishmaniosis.

Visceral leishmaniosis (VL) is caused by intracellular parasites of the genus Leishmania that affect humans and several animal species. Dogs are one of the main urban reservoirs of Leishmania infantum and play a central role in the transmission cycle to humans via sandflies. CD3+ cells apoptosis is involved in the immune response in VL.

Orexin induces excitation of respiratory neuronal network in isolated brainstem spinal cord of neonatal rat.

Endogenous neuropeptides known as orexins (hypocretins) play important roles in the regulation of feeding, drinking, endocrine function, and sleep/wakefulness. Orexin neuron projection sites include the rostral ventrolateral medulla of brainstem, which is related to the control of breathing. Previous studies suggest that orexins modulate the central CO2 ventilatory response during wakefulness in rodent.

Alteration of the redox state with reactive oxygen species for 5-fluorouracil-induced oral mucositis in hamsters.

Oral mucositis is often induced in patients receiving cancer chemotherapy treatment. It has been reported that oral mucositis can reduce quality of life, as well as increasing the incidence of mortality. The participation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the pathogenesis of oral mucositis is well known, but no report has actually demonstrated the presence of ROS.

Medical-grade collagen peptide in injectables provides antioxidant protection.

Medical-grade collagen peptide is used as an additive agent in pharmaceutical formulations; however, it is unknown as to whether the compound exerts antioxidant effects in vitro. In this study, we evaluated the antioxidant effects of medical-grade collagen peptide on reactive oxygen species such as hydroxyl radical, superoxide anion radical and singlet oxygen using electron spin resonance and spin trapping. We confirmed that medical-grade collagen peptide directly inhibited hydroxyl radical generated by the Fenton reaction or by ultraviolet irradiation of hydrogen peroxide, and singlet oxygen.

The impact of biofilm-producing bacteria on chronic bacterial prostatitis treatment: results from a longitudinal cohort study.

Purpose: We aim to evaluate the role of biofilm-producing bacteria in the clinical response to antibiotic therapy among patients affected by chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP).

Methods: All patients attending our centre from January to December 2008 due to prostatitis-like symptoms with a positive Meares-Stamey test were enroled. The clinical symptoms were assessed according to the NIH-CPSI, and the bacterial strains isolated from the patients enroled were identified and tested for antibiotic sensitivity using cards of the Vitek II semi-automated System for Microbiology (BioMerieux).

Increased oxidative stress biomarkers in the saliva of Down syndrome patients.

Objective: The DNA oxidation byproduct 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) is a well-known biomarker used to evaluate oxidative stress. We previously reported that the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is increased in cultured gingival fibroblasts (GF) from patients with Down syndrome (DS). Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate 8-OHdG as a marker of oxidative stress in saliva of DS patients.

Introduction of the I-gel supraglottic airway device for prehospital airway management in a UK ambulance service.

Aim: To clinically review the use of basic and advanced airway management techniques within the North East Ambulance Service National Health Service Foundation Trust (NEAS) for cardiac arrests following the introduction of the i-gel.

Method: Two retrospective clinical audits were carried out over a monthly period (May 2011 and January 2012) using electronic and paper NEAS patient records.

Results: This audit confirmed that a range of basic and/or advanced airway management techniques are being successfully used to manage the airways of cardiac arrest patients.

Assessment of oxidative stress and antioxidant property using electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy.

The pathophysiology of hypertension or stroke is associated with an excess of ROS generation in the vascular system, and results in induction of various pathological cascades of cerebrovascular damage. We have demonstrated that electron spin resonance methods using a spin trap or spin probe will be useful for understanding redox status under conditions of oxidative stress in the spontaneously hypertensive rat or stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rat brain. We have used electron spin resonance imaging and noninvasive L-band electron spin resonance to characterize the higher degree of brain oxidative stress in the stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rat and spontaneously hypertensive rat than in the Wistar-Kyoto rat brain, and the lower extent of oxidative stress in the spontaneously hypertensive rat than in the stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rat brain.

Fasudil suppresses fibrosarcoma growth by stimulating secretion of the chemokine CXCL14/BRAK.

We previously reported that chemokine CXCL14/BRAK (BRAK) has antitumor activity in several carcinoma cells indicating that BRAK secretion suppresses carcinoma cells. Ras-homologous small GTPase (RhoA) and Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing protein kinase (ROCK) are important regulators of secretory processes, and activation of the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway stimulates tumor invasion and metastasis. We investigated the effects of fasudil, a specific ROCK inhibitor, on BRAK secretion and tumor progression in mesenchymal fibrosarcoma cells (MC57).

Gingival vascular functions are altered in type 2 diabetes mellitus model and/or periodontitis model.

The association of vascular reactivity between diabetes and periodontal disease has not been clarified. Gingival blood flow was measured by laser Doppler flowmetry for 31 weeks in Wistar rats, Wistar rats orally challenged with Porphyromonas gingivalis (Wistar rats + Porphyromonas gingivalis), Goto-Kakizaki rats, and Goto-Kakizaki rats orally challenged with Porphyromonas gingivalis (Goto-Kakizaki rats + Porphyromonas gingivalis). Effects of alveolar bone resorption on periodontal tissue was enhanced in Wistar rats + Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Goto-Kakizaki rats, with this effect being significantly enhanced by Goto-Kakizaki rats + Porphyromonas gingivalis.

Dental resin curing blue light induced oxidative stress with reactive oxygen species production.

Dental resin curing blue light has been used in the treatment of tooth bleaching and to restore teeth with resin-based composite fillings. However, there has been little consideration of its effect on oral tissues such as dental pulp and oral mucosa. The aim of this study was to investigate whether dental resin curing blue light irradiation affects the dental pulp, especially the blood vessels that are known as the first target of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which play an important role in vascular reactivity.

Oral characteristics of a patient with Ekman-Westborg-Julin trait: a case history.

This article presents the case of a Japanese woman who had Ekman-Westborg-Julin trait. She had general macrodontia with multituberculism, evagination of the premolar, single conical roots, shovel-shaped incisors, enamel hypoplasia, impacted tooth, dental crowding, and an open bite. The oral and general characteristics of this patient are described and include the histological and radiographic findings of the mandibular third molars.

Assessments of salivary antioxidant activity using electron spin resonance spectroscopy.

Objective: In recent years, the function of saliva has been focused on evaluation of general status. The relationship between salivary antioxidant activity and periodontal disease progression is unclear. The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between periodontal disease and salivary antioxidant activity towards various reactive oxygen species (ROS) using electron spin resonance (ESR) technique.

Soft-food diet induces oxidative stress in the rat brain.

Decreased dopamine (DA) release in the hippocampus may be caused by dysfunctional mastication, although the mechanisms involved remain unclear. The present study examined the effects of soft- and hard-food diets on oxidative stress in the brain, and the relationship between these effects and hippocampal DA levels. The present study showed that DA release in the hippocampus was decreased in rats fed a soft-food diet.

Crocetin reduces the oxidative stress induced reactive oxygen species in the stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSPs) brain.

Crocetin is a natural carotenoid compound of gardenia fruits and saffron, which has various effects in biological systems. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant effects of crocetin on reactive oxygen species such as hydroxyl radical using in vitro X-band electron spin resonance and spin trapping. Crocetin significantly inhibited hydroxyl radical generation compared with the control.

Low-cost aerosol exposure system for Guinea pigs.

Background: This project designed and tested an economical apparatus to safely expose guinea pigs to biohazardous aerosol. The goals were to design a system that can be easily decontaminated, fits in a biosafety cabinet, and affordable.

Methods: It is composed of three main chambers housed in an outer box that fits within a conventionally sized biosafety cabinet.