Active Transport, Cell Nucleus ; physiology ; Animals ; Cell Nucleus ; physiology ; Cilia ; physiology ; Humans ; Molecular Motor Proteins ; physiology ; beta Karyopherins ; physiology ; ran GTP-Binding Protein ; physiology

Ehrlichia (E.) canis is a Gram-negative obligate intracellular bacterium responsible for canine monocytic ehrlichiosis. Currently, the genetic diversity of E. canis strains worldwide is poorly defined. In the present study, sequence analysis of the nearly full-length 16S rDNA (1,620 bp) and the complete coding region (4,269 bp) of the gp200 gene, which encodes the largest major immunoreactive protein in E. canis, from 17 Taiwanese samples was conducted. The resultant 16S rDNA sequences were found to be identical to each other and have very high homology (99.4~100%) with previously reported E. canis sequences. Additionally, phylogenetic analysis of gp200 demonstrated that the E. canis Taiwanese genotype was genetically distinct from other reported isolates obtained from the United States, Brazil, and Israel, and that it formed a separate clade. Remarkable variations unique to the Taiwanese genotype were found throughout the deduced amino acid sequence of gp200, including 15 substitutions occurring in two of five known species-specific epitopes. The gp200 amino acid sequences of the Taiwanese genotype bore 94.4~94.6 identities with those of the isolates from the United States and Brazil, and 93.7% homology with that of the Israeli isolate. Taken together, these results suggest that the Taiwanese genotype represents a novel strain of E. canis that has not yet been characterized.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Bacterial Proteins/chemistry/*genetics ; Dogs ; Ehrlichia canis/*classification/*genetics ; Genotype ; Molecular Sequence Data ; *Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Sequence Alignment ; Sequence Analysis, Protein ; Taiwan

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.

INTRODUCTIONChloral hydrate (CH) sedation is routinely used in paediatric ophthalmic examination in Singapore as an alternative to examination under general anaesthesia. Despite CH's traditionally high success rates and relatively low rate of adverse events, there is little data on its safety and efficacy as a sedative for ophthalmic procedures in an Asian population.

MATERIALS AND METHODSA retrospective chart review was performed, including children who underwent CH sedation at the Singapore National Eye Centre from January 2012 to January 2015. Participants were given an initial dose of CH and a top-up dose if required. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed on data collected.

RESULTSCH sedation was successful in 144 of 153 children (94.1%). Of the 20 (13.0%) who required a top-up dose, 4 failed to sedate. The mean sedation onset was 29.4 minutes (SD: 24.3) and mean sedation duration was 56.5 minutes (SD: 24.0), with more than a third lasting more than 1 hour. The age of children, rather than initial dose of CH, was more relevant in determining success of sedation. Children who were >6 years old were 20.3 times more likely to fail sedation than those aged <2 years. During sedation, depression in the heart rate and a transient reduction of oxygen saturation was documented. All children recovered well post-sedation.

CONCLUSIONCH is a very useful sedative for paediatric ophthalmic procedures, especially in younger children. Children over 4 years old were more likely to fail sedation and require top-up doses. Alternative means of sedation may need to be considered in these cases.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with an increased risk of thromboembolic events in the acute setting. However, the abnormal thrombotic diathesis is not known to persist into the recovery phase of COVID-19 infection. We described 3 cases of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in healthy male patients who recovered from COVID-19 with no prior cardiovascular risk factors. They shared features of elevated von Willebrand factor antigen, factor VIII and D-dimer level. One patient had a borderline positive lupus anticoagulant. Intravascular ultrasound of culprit vessels revealed predominantly fibrotic plaque with minimal necrotic core. Clot waveform analysis showed parameters of hypercoagulability. They were treated with dual antiplatelet therapy, angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor, beta blocker and statin. These cases highlight the strong thrombogenic nature of COVID-19 that persisted among patients who recovered from infection. Several suspected mechanisms could explain the association between vascular thrombosis in the convalescent period (endothelial dysfunction, hypercoagulability, systemic inflammatory response and vasculopathy). Additional studies on "long COVID" are essential for identifying endotheliopathy and thrombotic sequalae.

Background: Echocardiography is a primary tool used by veterinarians to evaluate heart diseases. In recent years, various studies have targeted standard echocardiographic values for different breeds. Reference data are currently lacking in Maltese dogs and it is important to fill this gap as this breed is predisposed to myxomatous mitral valve disease, which is a volume overload disease. Objectives: To establish the normal echocardiographic parameters for Maltese dogs. Methods: In total, 23 healthy Maltese dogs were involved in this study. Blood pressure measurements, thoracic radiography, and complete transthoracic echocardiography were performed. The effects of body weight, age and sex were evaluated, and the correlations between weight and linear and volumetric dimensions were calculated by regression analysis. Results: The mean vertebral heart size was 9.1 ± 0.4. Aside from the ejection fraction, fractional shortening, and the left atrial to aorta root ratio, all the other echocardiographic parameters were significantly correlated with weight. Conclusion This study describes normal echocardiographic parameters that may be useful in the echocardiographic evaluation of Maltese dogs.

Background: Echocardiography is a primary tool used by veterinarians to evaluate heart diseases. In recent years, various studies have targeted standard echocardiographic values for different breeds. Reference data are currently lacking in Maltese dogs and it is important to fill this gap as this breed is predisposed to myxomatous mitral valve disease, which is a volume overload disease. Objectives: To establish the normal echocardiographic parameters for Maltese dogs. Methods: In total, 23 healthy Maltese dogs were involved in this study. Blood pressure measurements, thoracic radiography, and complete transthoracic echocardiography were performed. The effects of body weight, age and sex were evaluated, and the correlations between weight and linear and volumetric dimensions were calculated by regression analysis. Results: The mean vertebral heart size was 9.1 ± 0.4. Aside from the ejection fraction, fractional shortening, and the left atrial to aorta root ratio, all the other echocardiographic parameters were significantly correlated with weight. Conclusion This study describes normal echocardiographic parameters that may be useful in the echocardiographic evaluation of Maltese dogs.

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.

The purpose of the technical note is to introduce the complex coil assisted coil embolization method in the treatment of intracranial small aneurysm, in order to enhance the safety of the procedure. The first microcatheter was navigated into the aneurysm sac and the ultrasoft coil was used as the embolization coil. If the embolizations coil could not stay within the aneurysm sac smoothly, such as coil herniation into parent artery during the delivery process. The second microcatheter would be navigated to the aneurysm level in the parent artery. Another complex coil was delivered within the parent artery via the second microcatheter to provide the neck bridge effect in order to enhance the stability of embolization coil. Besides, the protection coil will not disturb the parent artery flow. While the embolization coil was put into the aneurysm sac smoothly under the help of complex protective coil, the protective coil was then withdrawn gently. We use the most magnified view, dual-plane approach simultaneously to observe the stability of embolization coil. The embolization coil would be detached without any evidence of coil motion or vibration. The new method could provide the physiological protective method, without leaving any protective device such as stent within the parent artery.
Aneurysm ; Arteries ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Neck ; Parents ; Protective Devices ; Stents ; Vibration

Background: Therapeutic interventions for diabetes are most effective when administered in the newly onset phase, yet determining the exact onset moment can be elusive in practice. Spontaneous autoimmune diabetes among NOD mice appears randomly between 12 and 32 weeks of age with an incidence range from 60 to 90%. Furthermore, the disease often progresses rapidly to severe diabetes within days, resulting in a very short window of newly onset phase, that poses significant challenge in early diagnosis. Conventionally, extensive blood glucose (BG) testing is typically required on large cohorts throughout several months to conduct prospective survey. We incorporated ultrasensitive urine glucose (UG) testing into an ordinary BG survey process, initially aiming to elucidate the lag period required for excessive glucose leaking from blood to urine during diabetes progression in the mouse model. Results: The observations unexpectedly revealed that small amounts of glucose detected in the urine often coincide with, sometimes even a couple days prior than elevated BG is diagnosed. Accordingly, we conducted the UG-based survey protocol in another cohort that was validated to accurately identified every individual near onset, who could then be confirmed by following few BG tests to fulfill the consecutive BG + criteria. This approach required fewer than 95 BG tests, compared to over 700 tests with traditional BG survey, to diagnose all the 37–38 diabetic mice out of total 60. The average BG level at diagnosis was slightly below 350 mg/dl, lower than the approximately 400 mg/dl observed with conventional BG monitoring. Conclusions We demonstrated a near perfect correlation between BG + and ultrasensitive UG + results in prospective survey with no lag period detected under twice weekly of testing frequency. This led to the refined protocol based on surveying with noninvasive UG testing, allowing for the early identification of newly onset diabetic mice with only a few BG tests required per mouse. This protocol significantly reduces the need for extensive blood sampling, lancet usage, labor, and animal distress, aligning with the 3Rs principle. It presents a convenient, accurate, and animal-friendly alternative for early diabetes diagnosis, facilitating research on diagnosis, pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment.