Biomedicine (Journal)
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Oral administration of injectable vitamin K1 in Brodifacoum intoxication
No full textBrodifacoum is a highly potent and long-acting anticoagulant rodenticide (LAAR). LAAR poisoning possibly leads to long term bleeding problems and needs vitamin K1 treatment for several months. Due to economic concern, tablet preparation of vitamin K1 was not available in most of the countries, including Taiwan. In literature, few reports had pointed out that injectable form of vitamin K could be used orally in patients on anticoagulant therapy with supratherapeutic state. Here, we reported a family with 3 members suffering from brodifacoum poisoning with severe coagulopathy needed to prolong hospitalization for intravenous vitamin K1 therapy, and successfully managed with injectable formula orally for about 5 months. Oral administration of injectable vitamin K1 might be a suitable substitute for intravenous route in long-term treatment for LAAR poisonings
Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 1-Bound Extracellular Vesicle as Novel Therapy for Osteoarthritis
No full textOsteoarthritis (OA) is a joint condition that causes significant impairment of the chondrocyte. The gradual degradation of the cartilage lining of one or more freely moving joints, as well as persistent inflammation, are the causes of osteoarthritis. Current medication focus on alleviating symptoms rather than curing the condition. The aim of this review is to evaluate the potential use of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 extracellular vesicle as novel therapy for osteoarthritis. This review article was completed by searching for the keywords “Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 1”, “Extracellular Vesicle”, and “Osteoarthritis” in various journals in several search engines. Of the 102 scientific articles found, 95 were found suitable to be used as material in the making of this article. The upregulated amount of FGFR1 (fibroblast growth factor receptors) signaling suggesting the progression of degenerative cartilage that commonly seen in osteoarthritis (OA) patients. Several studies showed that the involvement of extracellular vesicles (EV) derived from MSCs could enhance cartilage repair and protect the cartilage from degradation. EVs have the potential to deliver effects to specific cell types through ligand-receptor interactions and several pathway mechanisms related with the FGFR1. EVs and FGFR1 have been postulated in recent years as possible therapeutic targets in human articular cartilage. The protective benefits on both chondrocytes and synoviocytes in OA patients can be achieved by administering the MSC-EVs that may also stimulate chondrocyte proliferation and migration EVs have a promising potential to become a novel therapy for treating patients with OA. However, further researches are need to be conducted to discover further the application of this therapy
Does minimally invasive spine surgery reduce surgical site infection rates in the trauma patient? A Southeast Asian experience.
No full textAbstract
Introduction:
The trauma patient has an increased susceptibility to postoperative surgical site infection (SSI). There is a lack of studies in the literature investigating the rates of SSI in minimally invasive spine (MIS) surgery for trauma patients with thoracolumbar fractures with other concomitant injuries. We aim to investigate if MIS surgery for trauma patients reduces the incidence of SSI through a less invasive approach and smaller surgical incision.
Methods:
A case series of 30 trauma patients who underwent MIS surgery for thoracolumbar spine fractures at our center were followed up for a year. The primary outcome measured was the presence of a postoperative SSI. Subgroup analysis was performed to determine if there were specific factors that increase the risk of developing a SSI.
Results:
In total, 4 (13%) patients developed postoperative SSI out of which 1 was a deep infection (3%). Subgroup analysis of both patient and surgical factors did not demonstrate statistically significant results to suggest risk factors for SSI post-MIS surgery in our patient group.
Conclusion:
Our series of patients did not reflect a lower incidence of SSI with MIS surgery compared to incidences in the literature. This may suggest that the increased rates of SSI in the trauma patient may not be best addressed by a minimally invasive approach alone. A multidisciplinary approach that addresses other factors – such as prolonged recumbence and a compromised immunological state may yield improved results
Crude extract of Desmodium gangeticum process anticancer activity via arresting cell cycle in G1 and modulating cell cycle-related protein expression in A549 human lung carcinoma cells
No full textBackground: Desmodium gangeticum (L.)DC., which belongs to the Leguminosae family, has been used in Taiwan and other subtropical countries as an external medicine to remove blood stasis, activate blood circulation, and reduce inflammation. It has been reported to have antioxidant effects and improve inflammatory responses in rats stimulated by pro-inflammatory agents and induced gastric ulcers in experimental animals over the past few decades. This plant has also been used to treat parasitic infections, but there are no reports regarding its effects on lung cancer. Therefore, this study attempted to investigate its water crude extract (in abbreviation DG) on lung cancer cells.
Methods: A549 human lung cancer cells were tested for survival using MTT, trypan blue, and propidium iodide. The effects of various concentrations of the crude extract of Desmodium gangeticum (DG) (0.125 ~ 1 mg/ml) on the cell cycle and apoptosis of A549 cells were analyzed by flow cytometry and western blotting methods.
Results: DG can inhibit the growth of A549 human lung cancer cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. DG arrested A549 cells in the G1 phase by increasing the proteins expression of p21, p27, cyclin D1, and cyclin E. Additionally, DG decreased the expression of cyclin A, B1, and Cdc 2 (CDK1) proteins.
Conclusions: DG demonstrated the anti-lung cancer activity by arresting the cell cycle in G1 via increasing the p21, p27, cyclin D1, cyclin E, and decreasing Cdc2, cyclin A, and B1 proteins expression in A549 human lung cancer cells
Crosstalk between Fatty Acid Metabolism and Tumour-Associated Macrophages in Cancer Progression
No full textOver the last few decades, cancer has been regarded as an independent and selfsustaining progression. The earliest hallmarks of cancer comprise of sustaining proliferative signalling, avoiding growth suppressors, resisting cell death, enabling replicative immortality, inducing angiogenesis, and activating invasion and metastasis. Nonetheless, two emerging hallmarks are being described: aberrant metabolic pathways and evasion of immune destruction. Changes in tumour cell metabolism are not restricted to tumour cells alone; the products of the altered metabolism have a direct impact on the activity of immune cells inside the tumour microenvironment, particularly tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs). The complicated process of cancer growth is orchestrated by metabolic changes dictating the tight mutual connection between these cells. Here, we discuss approaches to exploit the interaction of cancer cells\u27 abnormal metabolic activity and TAMs. We also describe ways to exploit it by reprogramming fatty acid metabolism via TAMs
Comparison between the analytical sensitivity and clinical performance of two cobas SARS-CoV-2 tests based on high-throughput and point-of-care systems
No full textObjectives: This study examined analytical sensitivity, specificity, and the clinical performance in detecting SARS-CoV-2 of the Cobas SARS-CoV-2 Test based on the high-throughput Cobas 6800 system and the Cobas SARS-CoV-2 & Flu A/B Test based on the point-of-care cobas Liat system.
Methods: The commercial reagents containing SARS-CoV-2 RNA subgenomes were diluted for assessing the sensitivity of the RT-qPCR assay. 385 nasopharyngeal swab specimens taken from contacts of COVID-19 cases were tested for the SARS-CoV-2 detection with both Cobas SARS-CoV-2 Tests.
Results: In analytical sensitivity assays, the Cobas SARS-CoV-2 & Flu A/B Test on the Liat system had a lower limit of detection (12.5~25 copies/mL) than the cobas SARS-CoV-2 Test on the cobas 6800 system (25~50 copies/mL). In clinical performance assays, the cobas SARS-CoV-2 Test demonstrated 89.36% (42 out of 47) PPA (positive percent agreement) and 98.82% (334 out of 338) NPA (negative percent agreement) compared to the results of the Cobas SARS-CoV-2 & Flu A/B test. Among five discordant specimens, four had the positive result of the cobas SARS-CoV-2 test, but the negative result of the cobas SARS-CoV-2 & Flu A/B Test. Moreover, these discordant specimens had the Ct values of greater than 33 for the cobas SARS-CoV-2 Test, implying a very small number of virions in the samples. Remarkably, four specimens with a presumptive positive result of the cobas SARS-CoV-2 test had been confirmed by the Cobas SARS-CoV-2 & Flu A/B Test. Next, the scatter plots of the Ct values showed a highly positive correlation between cobas SARS-CoV-2 & Flu A/B Test and the cobas SARS-CoV-2 Test (R-squared value = 0.954~ 0.962).
Conclusions: Both SARS-CoV2 tests of the cobas 6800 and Liat systems produce reliable high throughput and point-of-care assays respectively for the early virus detection and the personal care decision-making during COVID-19 pandemic
Analysis of Antiquorum-Sensing and Antibiofilm Activity by Pomelo Peel Extract (Citrus maxima) on Multidrug-Resistance Pseudomonas aeruginosa
No full textPseudomonas aeruginosa is gram-negative bacteria with high adaptability by forming biofilms and quorum-sensing mechanisms to avoid immune responses and antimicrobial agents which tend to develop into Multidrug Resistance (MDR) related to Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI) with a prevalence of 3,8% in Indonesia and a mortality of up to 69%. Polyphenol compounds found in pomelo peels (Citrus maxima) have been shown to have antibiofilm and antiquorum-sensing effects but are less investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate those effects on MDR P. aeruginosa. In vitro study design is performed to evaluate the inhibition effect of ethanolic extract on bacterial growth (Kirby-Bauer test), biofilm formation (biofilm assay), and quorum-sensing activity (pyocyanin and pyoverdine assay) on clinical isolates of MDR and ATCC strain as comparator. Furthermore, we employed computational methods using docking protein analysis. Biofilm formation was significantly inhibited by 71.1% ± 4.4% in MDR (pLasR and LasI) by active compounds of Citrus maxima. Molecular docking was used to further strengthen this hypothesis, showing no significant differences in bonding energy of polyphenol compounds found in pomelo peel with LasR and LasI compared to the native ligand and inhibitors. Pomelo peel extract can be considered as a potential therapy for MDR P. aeruginosa infection mediated based on its antibiofilm and antiquorum-sensing effects
Covid19 Vaccines and the Misinterpretation of Perceived Side Effects
No full textIn the era of Covid19 and mass vaccination programs, the anti-vaccination movement across the world is currently at an all-time high. Much of this anti-vaccination sentiment could be attributed to the alleged side effects that are perpetuated across social media from anti-vaccination groups. Fear mongering and misinformation being peddled by people with no scientific training to terrorise people into staying unvaccinated is not just causing people to remain susceptible to viral outbreaks, but could also be causing more side effects seen in the vaccination process. This brief review will offer data that may demonstrate that misinformation perpetuated by the anti-vaccination movement may be causing more deaths and side effects from any vaccine. A mini review of published literature has been conducted and found that mental stress clearly causes vasoconstriction and arterial constriction of the blood vessels. Therefore, if subjects are panicked, concerned, stressed or scared of the vaccination, their arteries will constrict and become smaller in and around the time of receiving the vaccine. This biological mechanism (the constriction of veins, arteries and vessels under mental stress) is the most likely cause for where there has been blood clots, strokes, heart attacks, dizziness, fainting, blurred vision, loss of smell and taste that may have been experienced shortly after vaccine administration. The extreme mental stress of the patient could most likely be attributed to the fear mongering and scare tactics used by various anti-vaccination groups. This paper does not aim to rule in or out every side effect seen, but it is highly likely that many apparent side effects seen shortly after a subject has received a vaccine could be the result of restricted or congested blood flow from blood vessel or arterial constriction caused by emotional distress or placebo based on fear around vaccines
In silico and in vitro studies of Taiwan Chingguan Yihau (NRICM101) on TNF-α/IL-1β-induced Human Lung Cells
No full textCOVID-19 pandemic has been a global outbreak of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2 virus) since 2019. Taiwan Chingguan Yihau (NRICM101) is the first traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) classic herbal formula and is widely used for COVID-19 patients in Taiwan and more than 50 nations. This study is to investigate in silico target fishing for the components of NRICM101 and to explore whether NRICM101 inhibits cytokines-induced normal human lung cell injury in vitro. Our results showed that network prediction of NRICM101 by a high throughput target screening platform showed that NRICM101 has multiple functions that may affect cytokine regulation to prevent human lung cell injury. In addition, NRICM101 revealed protective effects against TNF-α/IL-1β-induced normal human lung HEL 299 cell injury through JNK and p38MAPK kinase signaling. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis of NRICM101 on TNF-α/IL-1β-injured HEL 299 cells indicated that inflammatory pathway, cell movement of macrophages, cellular infiltration by macrophages, and Th1/Th2 immuno-regulation pathways were included. Thus, NRICM101 is a therapeutic agent, and it can improve COVID-19 syndrome to confer beneficial effects through multiple targeting and multiple mechanisms
The Effect of Heparin Concentration on Results of Venous Blood Gas of Patients admitted to Cardiac Intensive Care Unit: A double-blind clinical Trial
No full textBackground: the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of heparin (1000 IU/mL) in the blood sample on the results of venous blood gases of patients admitted to the cardiac intensive care unit.
Materials and Methods: The present double-blind randomized clinical trial study was performed on 282 samples from 141 patients admitted to the cardiac intensive care unit. Insulin syringes with heparin (1000 IU/mL) and heparin (5000 IU/mL) and 1 cc of blood sample were taken from the peripheral vein, then distributed in two syringes and given to the analyzer.
Results: In the present study, the mean age of the samples was 49.96 ± 9.58. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of values of partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2) (P
Conclusion: Overall, heparin (1000 IU/mL) led to a less disruption in the results of venous blood gases, and since it has not significantly increased the risk of clots, it is recommended to be used for venous blood gas sampling