晚期早产儿颅内出血的相关因素分析

目的：探讨晚期早产儿颅内出血的相关因素,指导晚期早产儿颅内出血的防治。方法：2011年9月至2012年8月我院收治晚期早产儿253例,其中有210例行头颅MRI检查,以经头颅MRI检查确诊颅内出血30例为ICH组,同时随机抽取同期住院的经头颅MRI证实无颅内出血晚期早产儿60例作为对照组。应用SPSS 17.0进行统计学分析。结果：1.ICH组产前激素应用率显著低于对照组（P〈0.05）。2.ICH组经阴分娩、胎膜早破、代谢性酸中毒发生率显著高于对照组（P〈0.05）。3.Logistic回归分析显示产前激素是颅内出血的保护因素（P〈0.05）,而经阴分娩、胎膜早破（P〈0.01）、代谢性酸中毒（P〈0.05）是颅内出血的危险因素。结论：产前应用激素是晚期早产儿颅内出血的保护因素,经阴分娩、胎膜早破、代谢性酸中毒是晚期早产儿颅内出血高危因素。     

Effectiveness of Partial Sedation to Reduce Stress in Captured Mule Deer

Information garnered from the capture and handling of free-ranging animals helps advance understanding of wildlife ecology and can aid in decisions on wildlife management. Unfortunately, animals may experience increased levels of stress, injuries, and death resulting from captures (e.g., exertional myopathy, trauma). Partial sedation is a technique proposed to alleviate stress in animals during capture, yet efficacy of partial sedation for reducing stress and promoting survival post-capture remains unclear. We evaluated the effects of partial sedation on physiological, biochemical, and behavioral indicators of acute stress and probability of survival post-capture for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) that were captured via helicopter net-gunning in the eastern Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, Wyoming, USA. We administered 10–30 mg of midazolam and 15 mg of azaperone intramuscularly (IM) to 32 mule deer in 2016 and 53 mule deer in 2017, and maintained a control group (captured but not sedated) of 38 mule deer in 2016 and 54 mule deer in 2017. To evaluate indicators of acute stress, we measured heart rate, blood-oxygen saturation, body temperature, respiration rate, and levels of serum cortisol. We recorded number of kicks and vocalizations of deer during handling and evaluated behavior during release. We also measured levels of fecal glucocorticoids as an indicator of baseline stress. Midazolam and azaperone did not reduce physiological, biochemical, or behavioral indicators of acute stress or influence probability of survival post-capture. Mule deer that were administered midazolam and azaperone, however, were more likely to hesitate, stumble or fall, and walk during release compared with individuals in the control group, which were more likely to trot, stot, or run without stumbling or falling. Our findings suggest that midazolam (10–30 mg IM) and azaperone (15 mg IM) may not yield physiological or demographic benefits for captured mule deer as previously assumed and may pose adverse effects that can complicate safety for captured animals, including drug-induced lethargy. Although we failed to find efficacy of midazolam and azaperone as a method for reducing stress in captured mule deer, the efficacy of midazolam and azaperone or other combinations of partial sedatives in reducing stress may depend on the dose of tranquilizer, study animal, capture setting, and how stress is defined. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.     

E35 ablates acute leukemia stem and progenitor cells in vitro and in vivo

Leukemia stem cells (LSCs) have critical functions in acute leukemia (AL) pathogenesis, participating in its initiation and relapse. Thus, identifying new molecules to eradicate LSCs represents a high priority for AL management. This work identified E35, a novel Emodin derivative, which strongly inhibited growth and enhanced apoptosis of AL stem cell lines, and primary stem and progenitor cells from AL cases, while sparing normal hematopoietic cells. Furthermore, functional assays in cultured cells and animals suggested that E35 preferentially ablated primitive leukemia cell populations without impairing their normal counterparts. Moreover, molecular studies showed that E35 remarkably downregulated drug-resistant gene and dramatically inhibited the Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway. Notably, the in vivo anti-LSC activity of E35 was further confirmed in murine xenotransplantation models. Collectively, these findings indicate E35 constitutes a novel therapeutic candidate for AL, potentially targeting leukemia stem and progenitor cells.     

Influence of Toxoplasma gondii Acute Infection on Cholinesterase Activities of Wistar Rats

Several studies have shown the mechanisms and importance of immune responses against Toxoplasma gondii infection and the notable role of cholinesterases in inflammatory reactions. However, the association between those factors has not yet been investigated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in blood and lymphocytes and the activity of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) in serum of rats experimentally infected with T. gondii during the acute phase of infection. For that, an in vivo study was performed with evaluations of AChE and BChE activities on days 5 and 10 post-infection (PI). The activity of AChE in blood was increased on day 5 PI, while in lymphocytes its activity was enhanced on days 5 and 10 PI (P<0.05). No significant difference was observed between groups regarding to the activity of BChE in serum. A positive (P<0.01) correlation was observed between AChE activity and number of lymphocytes. The role of AChE as an inflammatory marker is well known in different pathologies; thus, our results lead to the hypothesis that AChE has an important role in modulation of early immune responses against T. gondii infection.     

The Role of Platelet Serotonin and Depression in the Acute Coronary Syndrome Population

Platelet serotonin has been associated with depression and coronary artery disease. Understanding the association between platelet serotonin and depressive symptoms during acute coronary syndrome (ACS) may explain some of the ACS events seen in depressed individuals. The objectives were to evaluate whether levels of platelet serotonin during an ACS event differ between individuals who screen positive or negative for depressive symptoms and to determine if a linear relationship exists. In this cross-sectional study, data were collected on 51 patients with ACS. Multiple linear regression models were examined. Platelet serotonin levels were not significantly different between the depressed and non-depressed groups (β = -4.093 and p = .293); a linear relationship was not found (β = -.254 and p = .250). In conclusion, a relationship between platelet serotonin and depressive symptoms was not found. It remains unclear if an association exists between platelet serotonin levels and depressive symptoms during hospitalization for ACS.     

Prognostic value of leptin: 6-Month outcome in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage

Leptin has recently been discussed as a novel biomarker for the clinical outcome of critical illness. This study aims to investigate the prognostic value of leptin with regard to long-term clinical outcomes in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage. In 50 healthy controls and 92 patients with acute spontaneous basal ganglia hemorrhage presenting to the emergency department of a large primary care hospital, we measured plasma leptin levels using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in a blinded fashion. Plasma leptin levels on admission were considerably higher in patients than healthy controls. A significant correlation emerged between plasma leptin level and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score. A multivariate analysis identified plasma leptin level as an independent predictor for 6-month clinical outcomes including 6-month mortality and unfavorable outcome (Modified Rankin Scale score > 2). Using receiver operating characteristic curves, we calculated areas under the curve for 6-month clinical outcomes. The predictive performance of leptin was similar to, but did not obviously improve that of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores. Thus, leptin may help in the prediction of 6-month mortality and unfavorable outcome after intracerebral hemorrhage.     

Brugia pahangi: Immunization with early L3 ES alters parasite migration,and reduces microfilaremia and lymphatic lesion formation in gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus)

Previous studies have shown that intradermally (ID) injected Brugia pahangi L3s migrate through various tissues and into the lymphatics of gerbils in a distinct pattern. Excretory/secretory products (ES) produced at the time of invasion of B. pahangi are likely to be important in this early migration phase of the parasite life cycle in their rodent host. Hence, early L3 ES was collected from 24 h in vitro cultures of B. pahangi L3 larvae and used in immunization experiments to investigate the effect of immunity to early L3 ES on worm migration, survival and development of B. pahangi. Immunization of gerbils with ES in RIBI adjuvant produced antibodies to numerous ES proteins eliciting a strong humoral response to ES and indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) assay using anti-ES serum recognized the ES proteins on the surface of B. pahangi L3 larvae. Following ES immunization, gerbils were challenged either ID or intraperitoneally (IP) with 100 L3s of B. pahangi and euthanized at 3 or 106 days post inoculation (DPI). Immunization with early ES slowed the migration of ID inoculated L3 at 3 DPI and significantly altered the locations of adult worms at 106 DPI. Immunization did not induce protection in any treatment group. However, immunized animals had significantly fewer microfilariae per female worm suggesting the antigens in ES are important in microfilariae development or survival in the host. The number of lymphatic granulomas was also significantly reduced in ES immunized animals. It is important to note that microfilariae serve as a nidus in these granulomas. Our results shows immunization with early Brugia malayi L3 ES alters the worm migration, affects circulating microfilarial numbers and reduces lymphatic granulomas associated with B. pahangi infection in gerbils.