This study determined the association between nutritional status and the use of protease inhibitors (PI) containing regimen among HIV-infected children receiving treatment at the referral centres in Klang Valley. A total of 95 children currently on antiretroviral (ARV) therapy, aged one to eighteen years, were recruited using purposive sampling. Demographic data, anthropometric measurements, medical history, were collected using a structured questionnaire. Serum micronutrients levels and lipid profile were also examined using blood samples. Mean age was 8.8 3.9 years and 44.2% were on PI. Age ( 2 = 10.351, p = .006), weight-for-age ( 2 = 6.567, p = .010), serum selenium ( 2 = 4.225, p = .040) and HDL-C ( 2 = 7.539, p = .006) were significantly associated with the use of PI. Fewer children on PI were deficient in selenium as compared to those not on PI. On the contrary, more children on PI were underweight and had low HDL-C. The use of PI was found to have both positive and negative effects with better selenium level but poorer HDL-C level and weight status.

Introduction: Nutrition and HIV are closely related. Any immune impairment as a result of HIV leads to malnutrition, which in turn, can also lead to reduced immunity, thus contributing to a more rapid progression to AIDS. Methods: This cross-sectional study determined the nutritional status of children living with HIV and are receiving antiretroviral medication in the Klang Valley. A total of 95 children aged one to eighteen years old were recruited between September 2008 and February 2009. Data collected included socio-economic status, anthropometric measurements, dietary intake, medical history and serum levels of selected micronutrients specific for immunity. Results: The mean age of the children was 8.4±3.9 years and the mean duration on antiretroviral medications was 68.3±38.3 months. Anthropometric assessment found that 9.5% of the children were underweight and 31.6% were overweight. In contrast, 20.8% were stunted and 14.6% severely stunted. Biochemical indicators showed that 10.4% had deficiency in vitamin A while 12.5% had deficiency in selenium. Total cholesterol and HDL-C levels were found to be low in 30.5% and 10.5% of the children respectively. Conclusion: Dietary assessment showed almost all the children did not achieve the recommended energy intake for their age groups and almost half of the children did not achieve the RNI for selenium and vitamin A. This study provides an insight on the nutritional status of children living with HIV.

Given the ultimate lower usage rate of the AVF and higher intervention rate within 12 months of creation, AVF formation in octogenarian patients may not be appropriate. Patient selection is vital and alternative renal access should be considered especially for those patients with risk factors associated with failure.

OBJECTIVE: To improve diagnosis and treatment level of foreign body ingestion of button cell in children. METHOD: Among the 14 cases with foreign bodies ingestion of button cell, 6 cases in esophageal, 7 cases in stomach and lower gastrointestinal tract, 1 case with multiple foreign bodies both in esophagus and stomach. Seven cases in stomach and lower gastrointestinal tract were closely observed without special treatment, 6 cases in esophageal, underwent esophagoscopy and removal of foreign body under general anesthesia, 1 case with multiple foreign bodies in esophagus and stomach underwent esophagoscopy and electronic gastroscopy and then removal of foreign body. All patients had symptomatic treatments after removal of foreign body. The average age is 2 years and 1 month. RESULT: After the removal of button cell, Foreign bodies in stomach and lower gastrointestinal tract in 7 cases were all discharged spontaneously. For the 6 cases in esophagus, 4 cases were cured, 1 case had esophageal stricture, 1 cased died. 1 case with multiple foreign bodies in both esophagus and stomach was cured. CONCLUSION Esophageal foreign body has strong corrosiveness and would cause serious damages even to threaten children's life. It also may lead to esophageal stricture. The key point to cure this disease is to diagnose timely and to operate as soon as possible. Because neutralize of digestive juices and low probability of incarceration, with close observation, the foreign bodies of stomach and lower gastrointestinal tract can discharge spontaneously.
Child, Preschool ; Esophagus ; Female ; Foreign Bodies ; etiology ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Stomach

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) function as potent mediators of intercellular communication for many in vivo processes, contributing to both health and disease related conditions. Given their biological origins and diverse functionality from correspondingly unique “cargo” compositions, both endogenous and modified EVs are garnering attention as promising therapeutic modalities and vehicles for targeted therapeutic delivery applications. Their diversity in composition, however, has revealed a significant need for more comprehensive analytical-based characterization methods, and manufacturing processes that are consistent and scalable. In this review, we explore the dynamic landscape of EV research and development efforts, ranging from novel isolation approaches, to their analytical assessment through novel characterization techniques, and to their production by industrial-scale manufacturing process considerations. Expanding the horizon of these topics to EVs for in-human applications, we underscore the need for stringent development and adherence to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines. Wherein, the intricate interplay of raw materials, production in bioreactors, and isolation practices, along with analytical assessments compliant with the Minimal Information for Studies of Extracellular Vesicles (MISEV) guidelines, in conjunction with reference standard materials, collectively pave the way for standardized and consistent GMP production processes.

Nongonococcal urethritis(NGU) is one of the common sexually transmitted diseases. Chlamydia trachomatis is the commonest pathogen of NGU. Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma genitalium, Trichomonas vaginalis and other pathogens also account for some cases of NGU. With the development of molecular biology and immunology, more and more new techniques, such as PCR, LCR, etc., have been used in the researches on the laboratory diagnosis of NGU. It is necessary to establish and standardize some reliable rapid diagnostic tests for NGU. This paper reviews the progress in researches on the concept, etiology, clinical features, laboratory diagnosis and treatment of NGU.
Animals ; Clinical Laboratory Techniques ; Humans ; Mycoplasma Infections ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Trichomonas Infections ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Trichomonas vaginalis ; isolation & purification ; Ureaplasma Infections ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Ureaplasma urealyticum ; isolation & purification ; Urethritis ; diagnosis ; drug therapy

Carcinoma ; diagnostic imaging ; secondary ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; pathology ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; secondary ; Ultrasonography

Humans ; Diverticulum, Colon ; Fecal Impaction ; Hydrodynamics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect and molecular mechanism of Tiantai No.1, a compound Chinese herbal preparation, for the prevention and reduction of neurotoxicity induced by beta-amyloid peptides (Abeta) in vitro and its effects on nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) and cAMP responsive element-binding protein (CREB) pathways using the gene transfection technique.

METHODSB104 neuronal cells were used to examine the effects of Tiantai No.1 on lowering the neurotoxicity induced by Abeta. The cells were pre-treated with Tiantai No.1 at doses of 50, 100, 150, or 200 micro g/mL respectively for 3 days and co-treated with Tiantai No.1 and beta-amyloid peptide1-40 (A beta 1-40, 10 micro mol/L) for 48 h or post-treated with Tiantai No.1 for 48 h after the cells were exposed to beta-amyloid peptides25-35 (A beta 25-35) for 8 h. In gene transfection assays, cells were treated with Tiantai No.1 at 50 micro g/mL and 150 micro g/mL for 5 days or co-treated with Tiantai No.1 and A beta 1-40 (5 micro mo/L) for 3 days after electroporation for the evaluation of NF-kappa B and CREB expression.

RESULTSPre-treating and co-treating B104 neuronal cells with Tiantai No.1 lowered the neurotoxicity induced by Abeta, and post-treating with Tiantai No.1 reduced or blocked B104 neuronal apoptotic death induced by Abeta (P<0.05, P<0.01). With a dose-dependent relationship, the same treatments increased the expression of NF-kappa B or CREB in B104 neuronal cells (P<0.05, P<0.01). Meanwhile, Tiantai No.1 reduced A beta -40 induced inhibition on NF-kappa B expression (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSTiantai No.1 can protect neurons against the neurotoxicity induced by Abeta. The neuroprotective mechanisms may be associated with the activation of NF-kappa B and cAMP cellular signal pathways.

Amyloid beta-Peptides ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein ; analysis ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Electroporation ; Luciferases ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; NF-kappa B ; analysis ; Neurons ; drug effects ; Rats ; Transfection