Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis after 2 weeks of preoperative anti tuberculosis treatment and to compare PCR to the Lwenstein Jensen Culture (LJC) and histopathological examination (HPE) methods. Methods: Twenty five patients were included in this study. Sixteen patients were diagnosed and treated for spinal tuberculosis based on clinical and radiological evidence. Nine patients were controls. The LJC me
Orthopaedic

Adult ; Community-Acquired Infections ; Humans ; Male ; Methicillin Resistance ; Myocarditis ; complications ; microbiology ; Pericarditis ; complications ; microbiology ; Pneumonia, Staphylococcal ; complications ; microbiology ; Shock, Septic ; microbiology ; Staphylococcus aureus ; drug effects

Biopsy ; Humans ; Male ; Maxillary Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Osteoma ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Cardiotonic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Heart Failure ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Middle Aged

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta) is present, predominantly in latent forms, in normal and malignant breast tissue. The mechanisms by which latent TGFbeta is activated physiologically remain largely an enigma. The objective of this study was to assess whether the proteases, cathepsin D and prostate specific antigen (PSA) could activate latent TGFbeta1 and TGFbeta2 in conditioned media of the hormone-dependent MCF-7 and hormone-independent MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell lines, newly purchased from ATCC. Both of the cell lines were seeded in 6-well plates 2 days prior to treatment with varying concentrations of cathepsin D and PSA. Active TGFbeta1 and TGFbeta2 in the media were then measured by ELISA after 4, 8, 24 and 72 hours of treatment. TGFbeta1 and TGFbeta2 mRNA expression of both cell lines were measured by RT-PCR to determine whether any increase in level of active TGFbeta1 and TGFbeta2 was due to increased production. There was a significant increase in only active TGFbeta2 levels in the MDA-MB-231 cell line with both treatments. Cathepsin D and PSA did not have any effect on TGFbeta1 and TGFbeta2 mRNA expression. Cathepsin D and PSA were unable to activate latent TGFbeta1 and TGFbeta2 in these two breast cancer cell lines. A constant level of TGFbeta2 mRNA in the control and treated MDA-MB-231 cells suggests that the increase in level of active TGFbeta2 was not a result of increased production but was likely to be due to activation by a mechanism independent of cathepsin D and PSA.
Transforming Growth Factor beta ; Cell Line ; Cathepsin D ; seconds ; public service announcement

Respiratory distress

Assessment: Cognition ; Chronic cough

Aged ; Dental Health Services ; standards ; Health Services for the Aged ; standards ; Humans ; Nursing Homes ; Oral Health ; Singapore

Bone Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; secondary ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; diagnosis ; secondary ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Patella ; Sternum

INTRODUCTIONThis prospective study aims to evaluate botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A, Botox ®) as a treatment for idiopathic detrusor overactivity (IDO) for patients with symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB).

MATERIALS AND METHODSNineteen patients with IDO were treated with intradetrusal injection of 200 units of BTX-A under cystoscopic guidance. There were 10 males and 9 females, with a mean age of 60 years (range, 38 to 87). Subjective responses were measured using the International Prostate Symptom Score and quality of life (QOL) score, as well as incontinent episodes, functional capacity and voiding intervals obtained from the voiding diary. They were recorded prior to, and at 6 weeks, 3, 6 and 9 months after BTX-A injections. Urodynamic studies were performed between 6 weeks to 3 months post-treatment.

RESULTSThere was statistically significant improvement in subjective parameters at 3 months post-treatment involving QOL (P = 0.002), incontinence episodes (P = 0.004), functional capacity (P = 0.01) and voiding interval (P <0.001). Reflex volume was significantly increased (P = 0.003), and maximal detrusal pressure (P = 0.001) as well as leak volume (P = 0.013) were significantly decreased during follow-up. Results of a gender-based subgroup analysis reveal that BTX-A may be more efficacious in females. Observed side effects included a patient who needed to perform CISC for about 3 months, a patient who had gross haematuria needed bladder washout and 3 patients who required treatments for urinary tract infection.

CONCLUSIONOverall BTX-A, which is well received by most patients, has become a very important part of the armamentarium for the treatment of IDO.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Botulinum Toxins, Type A ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Health Status Indicators ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neuromuscular Agents ; therapeutic use ; Quality of Life ; psychology ; Urinary Bladder ; cytology ; Urinary Bladder, Overactive ; drug therapy ; psychology ; Urodynamics