Healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP) has more similarities to nosocomial pneumonia than to community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). However, there have only been a few epidemiological studies of HCAP in ...South Korea. We aimed to determine the differences between HCAP and CAP in terms of clinical features, pathogens, and outcomes, and to clarify approaches for initial antibiotic management.
We conducted a retrospective, observational study of 527 patients with HCAP or CAP who were hospitalized at Severance Hospital in South Korea between January and December 2008.
Of these patients, 231 (43.8%) had HCAP, and 296 (56.2%) had CAP. Potentially drug-resistant (PDR) bacteria were more frequently isolated in HCAP than CAP (12.6% vs. 4.7%; P = 0.001), especially in the low-risk group of the PSI classes (41.2% vs. 13.9%; P = 0.027). In-hospital mortality was higher for HCAP than CAP patients (28.1% vs. 10.8%, P < 0.001), especially in the low-risk group of PSI classes (16.4% vs. 3.1%; P = 0.001). Moreover, tube feeding and prior hospitalization with antibiotic treatment within 90 days of pneumonia onset were significant risk factors for PDR pathogens, with odds ratios of 14.94 (95% CI 4.62-48.31; P < 0.001) and 2.68 (95% CI 1.32-5.46; P = 0.007), respectively.
For HCAP patients with different backgrounds, various pathogens and antibiotic resistance of should be considered, and careful selection of patients requiring broad-spectrum antibiotics is important when physicians start initial antibiotic treatments.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the most common chronic liver disease, and its prevalence has increased worldwide in recent years. Additionally, there is a close ...relationship between MASLD and gut microbiota-derived metabolites. However, the mechanisms of MASLD and its metabolites are still unclear. We demonstrated decreased indole-3-propionic acid (IPA) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in the feces of patients with hepatic steatosis compared to healthy controls. Here, IPA and IAA administration ameliorated hepatic steatosis and inflammation in an animal model of WD-induced MASLD by suppressing the NF-κB signaling pathway through a reduction in endotoxin levels and inactivation of macrophages.
metabolizes tryptophan to produce IAA, and
effectively prevents hepatic steatosis and inflammation through the production of IAA. Our study demonstrates that IPA and IAA derived from the gut microbiota have novel preventive or therapeutic potential for MASLD treatment.
(ToCV) is a whitefly-transmitted and phloem-limited crinivirus. In 2013, severe interveinal chlorosis and bronzing on tomato leaves, known symptoms of ToCV infection, were observed in greenhouses in ...Korea. To identify ToCV infection in symptomatic tomato plants, RT-PCR with ToCV-specific primers was performed on leaf samples collected from 11 tomato cultivating areas where ToCV-like symptoms were observed in 2013 and 2014. About half of samples (45.18%) were confirmed as ToCV-infected, and the complete genome of 10 different isolates were characterized. This is the first report of ToCV occurring in Korea. The phylogenetic relationship and genetic variation among ToCV isolates from Korea and other countries were also analysed. When RNA1 and RNA2 are analysed separately, ToCV isolates were clustered into three groups in phylogenetic trees, and ToCV Korean isolates were confirmed to belong to two groups, which were geographically separated. These results suggested that Korean ToCV isolates originated from two independent origins. However, the RNA1 and RNA2 sequences of the Yeonggwang isolate were confirmed to belong to different groups, which indicated that ToCV RNA1 and RNA2 originated from two different origins and were reassorted in Yeonggwang, which is the intermediate point of two geographically separated groups.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE; lupus) is a prototypical autoimmune disease characterized by circulating autoantibodies to nuclear antigens and immune complex deposition, resulting in damage to ...target organs. To investigate the effects of tacrolimus (TAC) on effector T cells and B cells, we examined its involvement in the development of effector T cells, germinal center (GC) B cells, and plasma cells in an in vitro system using wild-type (WT) and lupus-prone mice. The population of T helper (Th) 1, Th2, and Th17 cells interleukin (IL)-17-producing T (Th17) cells and the production of interferon-γ and interleukin-17A IL-17A were suppressed by TAC. TAC also reduced the population of regulatory T (Treg) cells; however, a combination treatment with the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) inhibitor STA-21 promoted the population of Treg cells. TAC also suppressed the populations of GC B cells and plasma cells synergistically with STA-21. These findings suggest that the application of TAC with a STAT3 signal inhibitor may provide benefits in SLE treatment.
A better understanding of tumor biology is important in the identification of molecules that are downregulated in malignancy and in determining their role in tumor suppression. B-cell translocation ...gene 1 (BTG1) has been shown to act as a tumor suppressor in several types of human malignancy. In this study, we analyzed BTG1 expression in ovarian carcinoma cell lines, and we investigated the mechanism underlying the observed alterations. The methylation status of the
promoter region was determined by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction, and the effect of demethylation on BTG1 expression was analyzed. BTG1 protein expression in ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma tissue samples was evaluated using immunohistochemistry. BTG1 mRNA and protein expression were reduced in ovarian carcinoma cells. In BTG1-silenced ovarian cancer cells, the
promoter was highly methylated. Treatment with 5-aza-deoxycytidine significantly elevated BTG1 mRNA and protein expression. Immunostaining demonstrated that BTG1 expression was significantly lower in ovarian carcinoma tissue samples than nonpathological ovaries and fallopian tubes. We demonstrated that BTG1 silencing in ovarian carcinoma occurs through epigenetic repression and is involved in the ovarian carcinogenesis. Our data suggest that BTG1 is a potential therapeutic target for patients with ovarian carcinoma.
Aim
Reaction times of the hip abductor were reported to be longer in elderly women than in elderly men, and this was suggested to be related to mediolateral balance performance. The aim of the ...present study was to investigate the effects of age and gender on the reaction performance of ankle muscles, which have predominant roles in anterioposterior balance control.
Methods
A total of 40 elderly subjects and 40 young subjects (even number of men and women) carried out a series of isometric plantarflexions and dorsiflexions, as forcefully and quickly as possible, in response to auditory stimulus. Surface electromyogram at the dorsiflexor and plantarflexor were recorded, together with foot plantar force. Premotor time, motor time and total reaction time derived from the experimental data were compared between age groups and genders by two‐way anova.
Results
Both dorsiflexor and plantarflexor showed similar reaction performance. Premotor time increased with age with no gender difference. Motor time increased with age in women and not in men, resulting in longer motor time in elderly women than in elderly men. Total reaction time was dominated by premotor time, so that it was longer in the elderly with no gender difference.
Conclusion
Although age‐related elongation of motor time was greater in women, total reaction time was not different between the genders. This may be related to no gender difference in anterioposterior balance performance. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2014; 14: 94–99.
Summary
CR6‐interacting factor 1 (CRIF1) is a nuclear protein that interacts with other nuclear factors and androgen receptors, and is implicated in the regulation of cell cycle progression and cell ...growth. In this study, we examined whether CRIF1 exerts an immunoregulatory effect by modulating the differentiation and function of pathogenic T cells. To this end, the role of CRIF1 in rheumatoid arthritis, a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by hyperplasia of synovial tissue and progressive destruction of articular cartilage structure by pathogenic immune cells such as T helper type 17 (Th17) cells, was investigated. p3XFLAG‐CMV‐10‐CRIF1 was administered to mice with collagen‐induced arthritis 8 days after collagen type II immunization and the disease severity and histologic evaluation, and osteoclastogenesis were assessed. CRIF1 over‐expression in mice with collagen‐induced arthritis attenuated the clinical and histological signs of inflammatory arthritis. Furthermore, over‐expression of CRIF1 in mice with arthritis significantly reduced the number of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3‐mediated Th17 cells in the spleen as well as osteoclast differentiation from bone marrow cells. To investigate the impact of loss of CRIF1 in T cells, we generated a conditional CRIF1 gene ablation model using CD4‐cre transgenic mice and examined the frequency of Th17 cells and regulatory T cells. Deficiency of CRIF1 in CD4+ cells promoted the production of interleukin‐17 and reduced the frequency of regulatory T cells. These results suggest a role for CRIF1 in modulating the activities of Th17 cells and osteoclasts in rheumatoid arthritis.
CR6‐interacting factor 1 ameliorates rheumatoid arthritis by targeting Th17 cells and STAT3 signal activation.
A chemoselective reductive cyclization and cyclomethylation reaction of 7‐iodohept‐2‐yne and 7‐iodohepta‐1,2‐diene derivatives has been carried out using an iron catalyst and various alkyl Grignard ...reagents, resulting in the formation of pyrrolidines, tetrahydrofurans, and carbocycles with an alkene functional group. The reaction is initiated by single‐electron transfer from reduced Fe species to alkyl iodides and the resulting Fe−H or Fe−Me compound differentiated the structures of the cyclized products, which exhibited diverse complexities and synthetic utilities.
H or CH3: If an alkyl group larger than a methyl is introduced, only a hydrogen atom is added. Radical cyclization occurred by single‐electron transfer (SET) from reduced iron species, and alkenyl radical intermediates furnished various olefin structures, according to alkyl Grignard reagents used.Eun Joo Kang and co‐workers (@kh_univ) have found an interesting option for reductive #cyclization and cyclomethylation #iron #Grignard #specialissue
The relationship between early life factors and childhood pulmonary function and structure in preterm infants remains unclear.
This study investigated the impact of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) ...and perinatal factors on childhood pulmonary function and structure.
This longitudinal cohort study included preterm participants aged ≥5 years born between 2005 and 2015. The children were grouped by BPD severity according to National Institutes of Health criteria. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were performed using spirometry. Chest computed tomography (CT) scans were obtained and scored for hyperaeration or parenchymal lesions. PFT results and chest CT scores were analyzed with perinatal factors.
A total 150 children (66 females) aged 7.7 years (6.4-9.9 years) were categorized into non/mild BPD (n=68), moderate BPD (n=39), and severe BPD (n=43) groups. The median z score for forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC ratio, and forced midexpiratory flow (FEF25%-75%) were significantly lower in the severe versus non/mild BPD group (-1.24 vs. -0.18, -0.22 vs. 0.41, -1.80 vs. -1.12, and -1.88 vs. -1.00, respectively; all P<0.05). The median z scores of FEV1, FEV1/ FVC, and FEF25%-75% among asymptomatic patients were also significantly lower in the severe versus non/mild BPD group (-0.82 vs. 0.09, -1.68 vs. -0.87, -1.59 vs. -0.61, respectively; all P<0.05). The severe BPD group had a higher median (range) CT score than the non/mild BPD group (6 0-12 vs. 1 0-10, P<0.001). Prenatal oligohydramnios was strongly associated with both low pulmonary function (FEV1/FVC<lower limit of normal; odds ratio, 3.54) and high CT score (median difference, 2.54).
School-aged children with severe BPD showed airflow limitations and structural abnormalities despite no subjective respiratory symptoms. These results suggest that patients with a history of prenatal oligohydramnios or prolonged mechanical ventilation require extended follow-up.