Comparison between bipolar hemiarthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty for unstable intertrochanteric fractures in elderly osteoporotic patients

The present study was conducted to compare bipolar hemiarthroplasty (BA) with total hip arthroplasty (THA) in treatment of unstable intertrochanteric fractures in elderly osteoporotic patients. The THA group included 14 males and 26 females with a mean age of 73.4 years, and the BA group included 27 males and 45 females with a mean age of 76.5 years. Significant difference existed between the two groups in operation time, blood loss, transfusion volume and cost of hospitalization, while no remarkable difference was identified in hospitalization period, general complications, joint function, pain, rate of revision and mortality. No dislocation was observed in BA group while 3 occurred in THA group. The results indicated that for unstable intertrochanteric fractures in elderly osteoporotic patients, BA seems to be a better or more reasonable choice compared with THA for the reason of less blood loss, shorter operation time, lower cost and no dislocation.     

Knowledge,Attitudes, Practices and Emotional Reactions among Residents of Avian Influenza (H5N1) Hit Communities in Vietnam

Background

Awareness of individuals’ knowledge and predicting their behavior and emotional reactions is crucial when evaluating clinical preparedness for influenza pandemics with a highly pathogenic virus. Knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) relating to avian influenza (H5N1) virus infection among residents in communities where H5N1 patients occurred in Vietnam has not been reported.

Methods and Principal Findings

Face-to-face interviews including KAP survey were conducted in Bac Kan province, located in the northeast mountainous region of Vietnam. Participants were residents who lived in a community where H5N1 cases have ever been reported (event group, n = 322) or one where cases have not been reported (non-event group, n = 221). Data on emotional reactions of participants and healthcare-seeking behavior after the event in neighboring areas were collected as well as information on demographics and environmental measures, information sources, and KAP regarding H5N1. These data were compared between two groups. Higher environmental risk of H5N1 and improper poultry-handling behaviors were identified in the event group. At the time of the event, over 50% of the event group sought healthcare for flu-like symptoms or because they were scared. Awareness of the event influenced KAP scores. Healthcare-seeking behavior and attention to H5N1 poultry outbreaks diminished in the event group as time passed after the outbreak compared with the non-event group. Factors that motivated participants to seek healthcare sooner were knowledge of early access to healthcare and the risk of eating sick/dead poultry, and perception of the threat of H5N1.

Conclusions

Awareness of H5N1 patients in neighboring areas can provoke panic in residents and influence their healthcare-seeking behavior. Periodic education to share experiences on the occurrence of H5N1 patients and provide accurate information may help prevent panic and infection and reduce mortality. Local conditions should be taken into account when emphasizing the need for early access to healthcare.     

Survival of Campylobacter jejuni in co-culture with Acanthamoeba castellanii: role of amoeba-mediated depletion of dissolved oxygen

Campylobacter jejuni is a major cause of infectious diarrhoea worldwide but relatively little is known about its ecology. In this study, we examined its interactions with Acanthamoeba castellanii, a protozoan suspected to serve as a reservoir for bacterial pathogens. We observed rapid degradation of intracellular C.jejuni in A.castellanii 5 h post gentamicin treatment at 25°C. Conversely, we found that A.castellanii promoted the extracellular growth of C.jejuni in co-cultures at 37°C in aerobic conditions. This growth-promoting effect did not require amoebae - bacteria contact. The growth rates observed with or without contact with amoeba were similar to those observed when C.jejuni was grown in microaerophilic conditions. Preconditioned media prepared with live or dead amoebae cultivated with or without C.jejuni did not promote the growth of C.jejuni in aerobic conditions. Interestingly, the dissolved oxygen levels of co-cultures with or without amoebae - bacteria contact were much lower than those observed with culture media or with C.jejuni alone incubated in aerobic conditions, and were comparable with levels obtained after 24 h of growth of C.jejuni under microaerophilic conditions. Our studies identified the depletion of dissolved oxygen by A.castellanii as the major contributor for the observed amoeba-mediated growth enhancement.     

Skeletal muscle is protected from disuse in hibernating dauria ground squirrels

The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that muscle fibers are protected from undue atrophy in hibernating dauria ground squirrels (Spermophilus dauricus, Brandt). Muscle mass, fiber cross sectional area (CSA, video analysis) and fiber type distribution (m-ATPase staining) were determined in extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle from non-hibernating control animals (Pre-H), from animals who hibernated for one (H1) or two (H2) months, and from animals 2-4 days after arousal (Post-H; N = 8 each). Muscle wet weight decreased less than body weight in hibernating animals, resulting in a steady increase in muscle-to-body mass ratio (+ 37% in Post-H compared to Pre-H, p < 0.001). In the Pre-H group, Type I (6.3 ± 2.0%) and II (93.7 ± 2.0%) fiber CSAs were 1719 ± 201 and 2261 ± 287 μm², respectively. There was a tendency (n.s.) of larger CSA of type I in hibernators compared to pre-H. In the Post-H group, fiber CSA and type distribution were not different from Pre-H. We are the first to report data on EDL fiber type distribution and confirm a protective effect that prevents muscle atrophy in spite of prolonged disuse during hibernation in dauria ground squirrels.     

Mitochondrial DNA variation in natural populations of endangered Indian Feather-Back Fish, Chitala chitala

Genetic variation at mitochondrial cytochrome b (cyt b) and D-loop region reveals the evidence of population sub-structuring in Indian populations of highly endangered primitive feather-back fish Chitala chitala. Samples collected through commercial catches from eight riverine populations from different geographical locations of India were analyzed for cyt b region (307 bp) and D-loop region (636–716 bp). The sequences of the both the mitochondrial regions revealed high haplotype diversity and low nucleotide diversity. The patterns of genetic diversity, haplotypes networks clearly indicated two distinct mitochondrial lineages and mismatch distribution strongly suggest a historical influence on the genetic structure of C. chitala populations. The baseline information on genetic variation and the evidence of population sub-structuring generated from this study would be useful for planning effective strategies for conservation and rehabilitation of this highly endangered species.     

Cell-specific processing and release of the hormone-like precursor and candidate tumor suppressor gene product, Ecrg4

The human open reading frame C2orf40 encodes esophageal cancer-related gene-4 (Ecrg4), a newly recognized neuropeptide-like precursor protein whose gene expression by cells in vitro, over-expression in mice in vivo, and knock-down in zebrafish affects cell proliferation, migration and senescence, progenitor cell survival and differentiation, and inflammatory function. Unlike traditionally secreted neuropeptide precursors, however, we find that Ecrg4 localizes to the epithelial cell surface and remains tethered after secretion. Here, we used cell surface biotinylation to establish that 14-kDa Ecrg4 localizes to the cell surface of prostate (PC3) or kidney (HEK) epithelial cells after transfection. Accordingly, this Ecrg4 is resistant to washing cells with neutral, high salt (2 M NaCl), acidic (50 mM glycine, pH 2.8), or basic (100 mM Na(2)CO(3), pH 11) buffers. Mutagenesis of Ecrg4 established that cell tethering was mediated by an NH(2)-terminus hydrophobic leader sequence that enabled both trafficking to the surface and tethering. Immunoblotting analyses, however, showed that different cells process Ecrg4 differently. Whereas PC3 cells release cell surface Ecrg4 to generate soluble Ecrg4 peptides of 6-14 kDa, HEK cells do neither, and the 14-kDa precursor resembles a sentinel attached to the cell surface. Because a phorbol ester treatment of PC3 cells stimulated Ecrg4 release from, and processing at, the cell surface, these data are consistent with a multifunctional role for Ecrg4 that is dependent on its cell of origin and the molecular form produced.