Cysts ; Epididymitis ; Humans ; Male ; Orchitis ; Urinary Tract Infections

Desquamative gingivitis (DG) is a manifestation of a number of mucocutanenous disorders, one of it being oral lichen planus (OLP). OLP is an autoimmune disease. The aetiology for this condition is unknown, but there are few factors associated with its occurrence, for example alcohol drinking, smoking, allergic reaction to certain medications or restorative material. DG lesions increase the long-term risk for plaque-induced periodontal disease. At the same time, dental plaque and calculus cause gingival OLP resulting in the erosive disease. This report presents the management of a case of oral lichen planus associated with desquamative gingivitis with periodontitis. The expertise involved are from the oral medicine, periodontic and prosthodontic clinics. The uniqueness of the case management was the introduction of single tufted brush, Tepe® compact tuft toothbrush, to perform “solo brushing technique”. It was able to remove plaque effectively and did not cause irritation to the gingivae. Patients presenting with mucocutaneous disorders which exarcebates other oral conditions requires multidisciplinary management. Proper treatment planning will significantly improve their oral health related quality of life.

Objective: The associations of mental illnesses and hypopituitarism have been reported. But, pituitary disorders are rare. The epidemiological studies have rarely addressed these associations between pituitary disorder and mental illnesses. Until now, no cohort study has been conducted to investigate the association. Methods: We performed a nationwide, retrospective cohort study using the Taiwanese National Health Insurance Program dataset to analyze this relationship. In total, 1,194 patients diagnosed with hypopituitarism between 2000 and 2013 were identified. For the control group, 4,776 individuals without hypopituitarism and psychotic diseases were matched (1:4) according to age, sex, and index date. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR). Results: Patients with hypopituitarism had a significantly higher risk of incident depression and anxiety disorders than those without hypopituitarism. The aHRs of depressive and anxiety disorders were 2.98 and 1.67, respectively, for the hypopituitarism cohort. Furthermore, the risk of both hypopituitarism-associated depressive and anxiety disorders was significantly high in female subjects and subjects aged ≥18 years. A statistically significant increase was not observed in the risk of bipolar disorders, dementia, or schizophrenia in the hypopituitarism group compared with the control group. Conclusion Although psychiatric morbidities were uncommon for the hypopituitarism cohort, the risk of developing depressive and anxiety disorders was significantly higher in those with hypopituitarism than in those without hypopituitarism.

Adult ; Basal Ganglia Hemorrhage ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Hypohidrosis ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Rupture ; Thalamus ; diagnostic imaging ; Third Ventricle ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, Optical Coherence

Some of the recombinant protein therapeutics with short half-life requires high frequent dose or injection, which results in poor patient compliance. This challenge has prompted the development of long-acting recombinant proteins in recent years. Four strategies and methods, including chemical modification, protein engineering, fusion proteins and protein glycosylation are used to modify protein molecule and finally obtain improved pharmacokinetics (PK) properties. This article reviews the four strategies of half-life extension and presents a detailed list of long-acting therapeutics on US, EU and China markets.

INTRODUCTIONWe carried out an epidemiological review of cholera in Singapore to determine its trends and the factors contributing to its occurrence.

MATERIALS AND METHODSEpidemiological data of all notified cases of cholera maintained by the Communicable Diseases Division, Ministry of Health, for the period 1992 to 2007 were collated and analysed. Case-control studies were carried out in outbreaks to determine the source of infection and mode of transmission. Linear patterns in age and ethnic distribution of cholera cases were assessed using chi2 test for trend.

RESULTSThere were a total of 210 cholera cases reported between 1992 and 2007. The incidence of cholera declined from 17 cases in 1992 to 7 cases in 2007. About a quarter of the cases were imported from endemic countries in the region. Between 76% and 95% of the reported cases were local residents. Four elderly patients with comorbidities and who sought medical treatment late died, giving a case-fatality rate of 1.9%. Vibrio cholerae 01, biotype El Tor, serotype Ogawa, accounted for 83.8% of the cases. The vehicles of transmission identified in outbreaks included raw fi sh, undercooked seafood and iced drinks cross-contaminated with raw seafood.

CONCLUSIONWith the high standard of environmental hygiene and sanitation, a comprehensive epidemiological surveillance system and licensing and control of food establishments, cholera could not gain a foothold in Singapore despite it being situated in an endemic region. However, health education of the public on the importance of personal and food hygiene is of paramount importance in preventing foodborne outbreaks. Physicians should also maintain a high level of suspicion of cholera in patients presenting with severe gastroenteritis, especially those with a recent travel history to endemic countries.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cholera ; microbiology ; mortality ; Disease Outbreaks ; statistics & numerical data ; Female ; Foodborne Diseases ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Population Surveillance ; Singapore ; epidemiology ; Vibrio cholerae O1 ; isolation & purification ; Young Adult

A role of gut microbiota in colorectal cancer (CRC) growth was first suggested in germ-free rats almost 50 years ago, and the existence of disease-associated bacteria (termed pathobionts) had becoming increasingly evident from experimental data of fecal transplantation, and microbial gavage or monoassociation. Altered bacterial compositions in fecal and mucosal specimens were observed in CRC patients compared to healthy subjects. Microbial fluctuations were found at various cancer stages; an increase of bacterial diversity was noted in the adenoma specimens, while a reduction of bacterial richness was documented in CRC samples. The bacterial species enriched in the human cancerous tissues included Escherichia coli, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis. The causal relationship of gut bacteria in tumorigenesis was established by introducing particular bacterial strains in in situ mouse CRC models. Detailed experimental protocols of bacterial gavage and the advantages and caveats of different experimental models are summarized in this review. The microbial genotoxins, enterotoxins, and virulence factors implicated in the mechanisms of bacteria-driven tumorigenesis are described. In conclusion, intestinal microbiota is involved in colon tumorigenesis. Bacteria-targeting intervention would be the next challenge for CRC.
Adenoma ; Animals ; Bacteria ; Bacteroides fragilis ; Carcinogenesis* ; Colon ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Enterotoxins ; Escherichia coli ; Fecal Microbiota Transplantation ; Fusobacterium nucleatum ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Mice ; Microbiota* ; Models, Theoretical* ; Mutagens ; Rats ; Virulence ; Virulence Factors

Anesthesia ; Conscious Sedation ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Humans

Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), which is characterized by bladder pain and irritative voiding symptoms, is a frustrating disease without effective treatment. The cause is still largely not understood, although urothelium ischemia/hypoxia, apoptosis, denudation, and infiltration of inflammatory cells are common histopathological findings. The current uncertainty regarding the etiology and pathology of IC/BPS has a negative impact on its timely and successful treatment; therefore, the development of new treatment modalities is urgently needed. Herein, we present advances in our knowledge on this topic and review the potential application of regenerative medicine for the treatment of IC/BPS. This article provides information on the basic characteristics and clinical evidence of stem cells, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and low-energy shock waves (LESWs) based on a literature review with a search strategy for articles related to IC/BPS, stem cells, PRP, and LESW published in MEDLINE and PubMed. Stem cells, PRP, and LESW, which modulate inflammatory processes and promote tissue repair, have been proven to improve bladder regeneration, relieve bladder pain, inhibit bladder inflammation, and increase bladder capacity in some preclinical studies. However, clinical studies are still in their infancy. Based on the mechanisms of action of stem cells, PRP, and LESW documented in many preclinical studies, the potential applications of regenerative medicine for the treatment of IC/BPS is an emerging frontier of interest. However, solid evidence from clinical studies remains to be obtained.

Acne Vulgaris ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Administration, Topical ; Adolescent ; Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Doxycycline ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Humans ; Isotretinoin ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Thorax