BACKGROUNDAge-associated decrease in type IIA/B human skeletal muscle fibers was detected in human biopsies in our previous study. The relationship between change in muscle fiber typing and bone mineral density (BMD) is, however, unknown either cross-sectionally or longitudinally. We therefore conducted a cross-sectional study to investigate their correlation using human muscle biopsies.

METHODSForty human subjects aged (53.4 ± 20.2) years were recruited. Histomorphometric parameters of their muscle biopsies were measured by ATPase staining and image analysis, including average area percentage, fiber number percentage, mean fiber area, and area percentage of connective tissues. Hip and spine BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Partial correlation with adjusting age was performed.

RESULTSType IIB muscle fiber was found positively correlated with hip BMD irrespective to age and demonstrated significantly stronger relationship with BMD among all fiber types, in terms of its cross-sectional area (r = 0.380, P = 0.029) and size (r = 0.389, P = 0.025). Type IIA muscle fibers associated with hip BMD in mean fiber area only (r = 0.420, P = 0.015).

CONCLUSIONSType IIB muscle fiber may play an important role in maintaining bone quality. This may also be a relatively more sensitive fiber type of sarcopenia and osteoporosis. These findings further consolidate the muscle-bone relationship.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Density ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscle Fibers, Fast-Twitch ; cytology ; metabolism ; Prospective Studies ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDNon-infectious endophthalmitis was reported to occur after cataract surgery or intravitreal injections. This study reported a series of patients having non-infectious endophthalmitis after pars plana vitrectomy in the same two operation rooms during the same period to estimate the risk factors for non-infectious endophthalmitis after vitrectomy.

METHODSMedical records of patients who presented with severe non-infectious endophthalmitis following vitrectomy between May 13 and June 8, 2011, were reviewed. The presenting symptoms and signs were collected, including visual acuity, intraocular pressure, cornea and anterior chamber activity. The treatments and results of microbiology examination were also recorded and analyzed.

RESULTSTen patients were identified with severe non-infectious endophthalmitis, presenting 1 day after pars plana vitrectomy. Three eyes (30%) had previous intraocular surgeries, four (40%) had proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and one (10%) got pars plana vitrectomy combined with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation. All the patients were initially treated with topical and/or oral steroids. Only two patients had intravenous antibiotics because of the atypical presentation. One eye had paracentesis because of high intraocular pressure and the aqueous sample was sent for microbiological examination. The culture of the aqueous, air in the operation room, the swab from hand of surgeons, infusion fluid, and vitrectomy effluent were all negative for bacteria and fungi. The inflammation regressed rapidly after the initial treatment.

CONCLUSIONSIntraocular surgery history, poor general health status, longer operation time, and more surgical procedures are the risk factors for non-infectious endophthalmitis after vitrectomy. It responds well to steroids.

Adult ; Aged ; Dexamethasone ; administration & dosage ; Endophthalmitis ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prednisolone ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Vitrectomy ; adverse effects

RNA interference (RNAi) is an ancient intra-cellular mechanism that regulates gene expression and cell function. Large-scale gene silencing using RNAi high-throughput screening (HTS) has opened an exciting frontier to systematically study gene function in mammalian cells. This approach enables researchers to identify gene function in a given biological context and will provide considerable novel insight. Here, we review RNAi HTS strategies and applications using case studies in cancer biology and virology.
Animals ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Humans ; Molecular Targeted Therapy ; methods ; trends ; Neoplasms ; genetics ; therapy ; RNA Interference ; Viral Proteins ; genetics ; Virus Diseases ; genetics ; therapy ; virology

BACKGROUNDThe association of long-term bisphosphonate treatment for osteoporosis and related safety problems such as atypical fractures were not clearly defined. This study was to evaluate the structural, densitometric and biomechanical properties of the prolonged bisphosphonate-loaded bones.

METHODSBone mineral density (BMD) at hip and femoral midshaft, bone cross-sectional area, moment of inertia of both femurs, bone formation and resorption biochemical markers were compared between 28 elderly with at least 4 years of bisphosphonate treatment from 2002 through 2006 and age-matched group of 37 elderly.

RESULTSThe total hip BMD and t-score were found not different between two groups. However, bisphosphonate treated patients were found to have significantly lower bone mineral content in the femoral shaft (P < 0.05); morphological study showed lower cross-sectional area in subtrochanteric and mid-diaphyseal region and thus significantly lower moment of inertia (P < 0.01). High resolution-peripheral quantitative computed tomography showed significantly decreased trabecular density, bone volume ratio, trabecular number but increased trabecular spacing in tibia and distal radius. Finite element analysis further confirmed significantly lower stiffness and failure load in tibia. Biochemical studies also showed lower bone resorption and severely suppressed bone formation activity (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSThe unchanged total hip BMD between two groups confirmed the beneficial effects of bisphosphonate on trabecular bone, thus preventing osteoporotic fractures at large in previous studies. However, the inferior structural, densitometric and biomechanical properties at cortical bones, especially femur midshaft, need a special attention to look into the association between long-term bisphosphonate intake and the occurrence of stress fractures. When patients taking bisphosphonate complain of proximal thigh pain or discomfort, plain X-ray film can be the first line screening. All patients prescribed with bisphosphonate should be informed of such a complication though we must stress its rarity.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Density ; drug effects ; Bone Density Conservation Agents ; adverse effects ; Bone Remodeling ; drug effects ; Densitometry ; Diphosphonates ; adverse effects ; Female ; Finite Element Analysis ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; RANK Ligand ; blood

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of leading causes of death in the world. Although various treatments have been developed, the therapeutic side effects are far from desirable. Chinese medicines (CMs, including plants, animal parts and minerals) have drawn a great deal of attention in recent years for their potential in the treatment of HCC. Most studies have shown that CMs may be able to retard HCC progression with multiple actions, either alone or in combination with other conventional therapies to improve quality of life in HCC patients. Additionally, CMs are used for preventing HCC occurrence. The aim of this study is to review the potential prophylactic and curative effects of CMs on human HCC and the possible mechanisms that underlie these pharmacological actions. Publications were collected and reviewed from PubMed and China National Knowledge Infrastructure from 2000 to 2014. Keywords for literature searches include "Chinese medicine", "Chinese herb", "traditional Chinese Medicine", "hepatocellular carcinoma" and "liver cancer". CMs in forms of pure compounds, isolated fractions, and composite formulas are included. Combination therapies are also considered. Both in vitro and in vivo efficacies of CMs are being discussed and the translational potential to bedside is to be discussed with clinical cases, which show the actions of CMs on HCC may include tumor growth inhibition, antimetastatic activities, anti-inflammation, anti-liver cancer stem cells, reversal on multi-drug resistance and induction/reduction of oxidative stress. Multiple types of molecules are found to contribute in the above actions. The review paper indicated that CMs might have potential to both prevent HCC occurrence and retard HCC progression with several molecular targets involved.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; drug therapy ; prevention & control ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; prevention & control ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2 ; physiology ; Neoplastic Stem Cells ; drug effects ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism