Fluoxetine-induced hepatic lipid accumulation is mediated by prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase 1 and is linked to elevated 15-deoxy-Δ12,14PGJ2

Major depressive disorder and other neuropsychiatric disorders are often managed with long-term use of antidepressant medication. Fluoxetine, an SSRI antidepressant, is widely used as a first-line treatment for neuropsychiatric disorders. However, fluoxetine has also been shown to increase the risk of metabolic diseases such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Fluoxetine has been shown to increase hepatic lipid accumulation in vivo and in vitro. In addition, fluoxetine has been shown to alter the production of prostaglandins which have also been implicated in the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The goal of this study was to assess the effect of fluoxetine exposure on the prostaglandin biosynthetic pathway and lipid accumulation in a hepatic cell line (H4-II-E-C3 cells). Fluoxetine treatment increased mRNA expression of prostaglandin biosynthetic enzymes (Ptgs1, Ptgs2, and Ptgds), PPAR gamma (Pparg), and PPAR gamma downstream targets involved in fatty acid uptake (Cd36, Fatp2, and Fatp5) as well as production of 15-deoxy-Δ^12,14PGJ₂ a PPAR gamma ligand. The effects of fluoxetine to induce lipid accumulation were attenuated with a PTGS1 specific inhibitor (SC-560), whereas inhibition of PTGS2 had no effect. Moreover, SC-560 attenuated 15-deoxy-Δ^12,14PGJ₂ production and expression of PPAR gamma downstream target genes. Taken together these results suggest that fluoxetine-induced lipid abnormalities appear to be mediated via PTGS1 and its downstream product 15d-PGJ₂ and suggest a novel therapeutic target to prevent some of the adverse effects of fluoxetine treatment.     

Erythema induratum of Bazin in a 10‐year‐old boy

Erythema induratum of Bazin (EIB) is a form of tuberculid resulting from hypersensitivity to tuberculosis antigen. EIB occurs most commonly in middle‐aged women and is not typically seen in children. Here, we present a rare case of EIB, presenting as a chronic nodular panniculitis, in a 10‐year‐old Korean boy.     

Sample size re-estimation for clinical trials with longitudinal negative binomial counts including time trends

In some diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, lesion counts obtained from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are used as markers of disease progression. This leads to longitudinal, and typically overdispersed, count data outcomes in clinical trials. Models for such data invariably include a number of nuisance parameters, which can be difficult to specify at the planning stage, leading to considerable uncertainty in sample size specification. Consequently, blinded sample size re-estimation procedures are used, allowing for an adjustment of the sample size within an ongoing trial by estimating relevant nuisance parameters at an interim point, without compromising trial integrity. To date, the methods available for re-estimation have required an assumption that the mean count is time-constant within patients. We propose a new modeling approach that maintains the advantages of established procedures but allows for general underlying and treatment-specific time trends in the mean response. A simulation study is conducted to assess the effectiveness of blinded sample size re-estimation methods over fixed designs. Sample sizes attained through blinded sample size re-estimation procedures are shown to maintain the desired study power without inflating the Type I error rate and the procedure is demonstrated on MRI data from a recent study in multiple sclerosis.     

TSo联合IFN-γ鼻内免疫小鼠诱导的弓形虫IgA抗体特异性免疫应答

目的研究速殖子超声裂解物(TSo)和IFN-γ鼻内免疫小鼠经口感染弓形虫速殖子后,血清、小肠液和粪便IgA抗体分泌的动态变化。方法将6～7周龄BALB/c小鼠100只随机分为4组,每组25只,分别用10μl缓冲液PBS、20μgTSo、500UIFN-γ和20μgTSo 500UIFN-γ鼻内免疫小鼠。用RH株弓形虫速殖子4×104个/只灌胃攻击,分别于攻击后第7、10、13、16、19天处死小鼠,收集血清、小肠液及粪便,ELISA法测定IgA含量。结果各组血清IgA抗体水平在攻击后第10天达到峰值,TSo IFN-γ组血清IgA抗体含量高于其他各组。小肠液和粪便IgA抗体含量在攻击后第13天达到峰值,在实验期各时点TSo IFN-γ组小肠液和粪便IgA抗体含量高于其他组。小肠液与粪便IgA抗体水平呈正相关。结论TSo或IFN-γ或TSo联合IFN-γ鼻内免疫小鼠可诱导黏膜免疫,产生高水平的弓形虫特异性IgA抗体。TSo联合IFN-γ鼻内免疫优于单独免疫,免疫小鼠肠道产生大量SIgA,发挥抗虫作用。鼻黏膜免疫是一种安全有效的免疫接种途径。     

UVA对人角质形成细胞的氧化损伤作用

①目的　探讨紫外线A(UVA)对人角质形成细胞氧化损伤的机制。②方法　用 5J/cm2 UVA照射角质形成细胞 ,酶生化法检测活性氧 (ROS)的含量及超氧化物歧化酶 (SOD)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶 (GSH PX)活性的变化 ,流式细胞仪测定紫外线对角质形成细胞凋亡的影响 ,原位杂交技术观察 p2 1mRNA的变化 ,并与非照射组比较。③结果　与对照组比较 ,UVA照射组ROS含量升高 (t =113.6 8,P <0 .0 0 1) ,SOD、GSH PX活性下降 (t =5 7.2 3、19.0 4 ,P <0 .0 0 1) ,细胞凋亡率升高 (t=5 3.2 8,P <0 .0 0 1) ,p2 1mRNA表达增强。④结论　UVA对人角质形成细胞的损伤与氧自由基生成增多及细胞抗氧化能力抑制有关     

Anterior eye focusing of peripheral ultraviolet and visible radiation albedo

Concern about short- and long-term ultraviolet radiation (particularly UVB) damage to the eye has led to increased research in this area. Numerous studies have confirmed the pathogenic enhancing roles of reflected ultraviolet (UV) and visible radiation in our environment. There is concern that conventional sunglasses do not protect the eye adequately from reflected rays (albedo), especially on the lateral aspect, from behind and from below. Using eye models and computer ray tracing methods, the pathways of oblique rays incident at the temporal peripheral cornea have been plotted by Maloof, Ho and Coroneo.¹ These rays are refracted and focused and theoretically can result in up to 20 times the concentration of incident irradiance at the nasal anterior chamber angle and nasal equatorial cortex of the crystalline lens. The purpose of this study was to determine the limits of angular subtense of the incident peripheral light which is refracted in this manner in human subjects and to investigate the relation between corneal shape and certain ocular parameters to the limits. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between temporal entrance angle and anterior chamber depth (r = 0.70, P< 0.0006). The entrance angle ranged from 15 degrees to 30 degrees and was located 10 degrees to 45 degrees posterior to the coronal plane. Our results support Maloof and colleagues' predictions for the implication of focused peripheral UV and high intensity visible radiation in the pathogenesis of pterygium and cortical cataract and emphasise the need for lateral eye protection in conditions of high ultraviolet albedo.