No abstract

No abstract

This article identifies novel factors involved in cholesterol reduction by probiotic bacteria, which were identified using genetic and proteomic approaches. Approximately 600 Lactobacillus acidophilus A4 mutants were created by random mutagenesis. The cholesterol-reducing ability of each mutant was determined and verified using two different methods: the o-phthalaldehyde assay and gas chromatographic analysis (GC). Among screened mutants, strain BA9 showed a dramatically diminished ability to reduce cholesterol, as demonstrated by a 7.7% reduction rate, while the parent strain had a more than 50% reduction rate. The transposon insertion site was mapped using inverse PCR (I-PCR), and it was determined using bioinformatic methods that the deleted region contained the Streptococcus thermophilus catabolite control protein A gene (ccpA). In addition, we have shown using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) that several proteins, including a transcription regulator, FMN-binding protein, major facilitator superfamily permease, glycogen phosphorylase, the YknV protein, and fructose/tagatose bisphosphate aldolase, were strongly regulated by the ccpA gene. In addition, in vivo experiments investigating ccpA function were conducted with rats. Rats fed wild-type L. acidophilus A4 showed a greater than 20% reduction in total serum cholesterol, but rats fed BA9 mutant L. acidophilus showed only an approximately 10% reduction in cholesterol. These results provide important insights into the mechanism by which these lactic acid bacteria reduce cholesterol.

No abstract

BackgroundRedo coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is still associated with increased morbidity and mortality as compared to the first-time operation. Further, the application of the off-pump technique to redo CABG is limited due to technical difficulties. The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze early and midterm results after redo CABG and compare the outcome of redo on-pump and off-pump CABG.MethodsFrom June 1996 to October 2011, elective redo CABG was performed in 32 patients. Mean age was 64.8 years (on pump 64.3 years vs. off pump 65.5 years; p=0.658), and 21 patients were male. Among these patients, 14 (43.8%) underwent on-pump CABG, and 18 (56.2%) underwent off-pump CABG.ResultsInternal thoracic artery was used in 22 patients (68.8%), and total arterial revascularization was achieved in 17 patients (53.1%). The average number of distal anastomoses was 2.13, and the rate of incomplete revascularization was 43.8%. The rate of total arterial revascularization was higher in the off-pump group (14.3% vs. 83.3%, p<0.001), and the use of saphenous vein graft was more in the on-pump group (78.6% vs. 16.7%, p<0.001). Overall hospital mortality was 3.1% (n=1) and was comparable in both groups (on pump 7.1% vs. off pump 0%; p=0.249). Postoperative complications occurred in 9 patients (64.2%), and the rate of complications was high in the on-pump group without statistical significance (64.2% vs. 33.3%, p=0.082). The mean follow-up duration was 5.4 years, and overall survival at 10 years was 86.0%±10.5%. There was no significant difference in the 10-year survival rate between the two groups (79.6% vs. 100%, p=0.225).ConclusionRedo CABG can be safely performed with acceptable mortality. Redo off-pump coronary artery bypass is feasible with low mortality and morbidity, comparable target vessel bypass grafting, and long-term survival. The off-pump technique might be considered a safe option for redo CABG in high-risk patients.

Background This study examined factors influencing cultural beliefs associated with later-stage detection of breast cancer and determined what factors influence those cultural beliefs in Vietnamese women residing in a rural Vietnamese community. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 289 women aged 20–64 years from 12 villages using a self-administered structured questionnaire. Cultural beliefs were measured with a 13-item cultural beliefs scale consisting of four domains—characteristics of breast lumps, self-help techniques, faith-based beliefs, and futility of treatment. Data were collected in February 2017 and analyzed using chi-square tests, nonparametric tests, Fisher’s exact tests, and multiple linear regression analyses with SPSS/WIN 24.0 statistical software. Results Although the total score was relatively low (3.4 out of 13), cultural beliefs that could contribute to later-stage breast cancer were identified. Younger women (β = .15, p = .016) and women with a lower income (β = .21, p < .001) held more erroneous cultural beliefs as compared to their counterparts. Most women believed they would not get breast cancer if they took care of themselves. More than one-third held cultural beliefs about breast lumps, thinking they would need to be painful and/or actively growing to be breast cancer. Conclusions The results support the urgent need for education concerning breast cancer health promotion, including breast cancer assessment as well as guidance on evidence-based and up-to-date detection measures to change rural Vietnamese women’s cultural beliefs. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12905-019-0777-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

An Agrobacterium vitis-specific DNA fragment (pAVS3) was generated from PCR polymorphic bands amplified by primer URP 2R. A. vitis specificity of this fragment was confirmed by Southern hybridization with genomic DNA from different Agrobacterium species. Sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers were developed for A. vitis specific detection, using 24-mer oligonucleotide primers designed from the flanking ends of the 670bp insert in pAVS3. The SCAR primers amplified target sequences only from A. vitis strains and not from other Agrobacterium species or other bacterial genera. First round PCR detected bacterial cells between 5x10(2) and 1x10(3)cfu/ml and the detection sensitivity was increased to as few as 2cfu/ml by nested PCR. This PCR protocol can be used to confirm the potential presence of infectious A. vitis strains in soil and furthermore, can identify A. vitis strains from naturally infected crown galls.

A stages-of-change approach would be helpful to understand cancer screening behaviors. This study aimed to identify the compliance and determinants of breast self-examination (BSE) based on transtheoretical model (TTM) and health belief model (HBM). A cross-sectional study was conducted with 296 rural Vietnamese women using a self-administered questionnaire consisting of Champion’s HBM scales, breast cancer knowledge (BCK), integrated connection to neighborhood storytelling networks (ICSN), and TTM stages of BSE. A generalized ordered logistic regression was conducted to identify factors associated with TTM stages of BSE. About 61% of women did not currently perform BSE. Perceived benefit was significant in all stages changes. When changing to the action stage, perceived benefits, self-efficacy, and BCK were significant. When changing to the maintenance stage, perceived susceptibility, benefits, self-efficacy, and ICSN were significant. Determinants influencing BSE behavior were different in each TTM stage, indicating that educational programs should be introduced with stage-matched strategies to increase BSE.