Do higher cut-off values for tuberculin skin test increase the specificity and diagnostic agreement with interferon gamma release assays in immunocompromised Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccinated patients?

Purpose

Immunocompromised patients with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) are at high risk of progression to active tuberculosis. Detection and treatment of LTBI in this group of patients are very important to control active tuberculosis. Tuberculin skin test (TST) and interferon gamma release assays (IGRAs) are two methods for detection of LTBI. Diagnostic agreement between two tests are poor especially in Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccinated immunocompromised patients. In this study, we tried to figure out if the use of a higher cut-off for TST increases diagnostic agreement with IGRAs and TST specificity and or not.

Stat5b Is Essential for Natural Killer Cell–mediated Proliferation and Cytolytic Activity

We have analyzed the immune system in Stat5-deficient mice. Although Stat5a^−/− splenocytes have a partial defect in anti-CD3-induced proliferation that can be overcome by high dose interleukin (IL)-2, we now demonstrate that defective proliferation in Stat5b^−/− splenocytes cannot be corrected by this treatment. Interestingly, this finding may be at least partially explained by diminished expression of the IL-2 receptor β chain (IL-2Rβ), which is a component of the receptors for both IL-2 and IL-15, although other defects may also exist. Similar to the defect in proliferation in activated splenocytes, freshly isolated splenocytes from Stat5b^−/− mice exhibited greatly diminished proliferation in response to IL-2 and IL-15. This results from both a decrease in the number and responsiveness of natural killer (NK) cells. Corresponding to the diminished proliferation, basal as well as IL-2– and IL-15–mediated boosting of NK cytolytic activity was also greatly diminished. These data indicate an essential nonredundant role for Stat5b for potent NK cell–mediated proliferation and cytolytic activity.     

Spectrophotometric determination of leukocytes in urine

A spectrophotometric method based on myeloperoxidase activity for the determination of leukocytes in urine is described. Red cells that may be found in urine samples were lysed by an ammonium chloride method. Leukocytes were then sedimented by centrifugation and lysed using Triton X-100 (Sigma Chemicals Co., St. Louis, MO). Myeloperoxidase-catalyzed oxidation of o-dianisidine was carried out at 37 degrees C, pH 7. The reaction was stopped with the addition of 2 M H2SO4, and a stable form of oxidized o-dianisidine in acidic solution was obtained. Solid particles that may be found in urine samples were removed by centrifugation to avoid turbidity, and absorbance values of the supernatants were recorded at 400 nm. An Average number of leukocytes were noted per number of fields by microscopic examination and were related with the absorbance values of the supernatants at 400 nm. Pearson correlation (r) between our presented spectrophotometric analysis results and visual microscopic analysis was 0.877. Roche Combur 10-test M strips (Roche, Mannheim, Germany) and Multistix 10 SG Bayer test strips (Bayer Diagnostics, UK) were 0.645 and 0.648, respectively (P < 0.0001).     

Anticancer activity of Schiff base–Poloxamer P85 combination against kidney cancer

Purpose

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) accounts for approximately 80% of the primary renal cancers, and current treatment strategies are not sufficient to provide a certain solution. Since there are not many treatment options, interest in discovery of alternative drugs has increased.

Methods

In the current study, anticancer activity of a novel heterodinuclear Cu(II)–Mn(II) complex (Schiff base—SB) in combination with poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(propylene oxide) block copolymer (pluronic) P85 was tested against RCC. Cell viability, apoptosis and gene expression analysis were conducted in vitro by using Renca cells.

Results

The results revealed that the SB–P85 combination decreased cell proliferation by increasing the apoptotic gene expressions and apoptosis. Renca-injected BALB/c mice were used to mimic early stage of RCC model. Treatment with SB–P85 combination suppressed tumor formation and growth compared to baseline.

Conclusion

Overall, SB–P85 showed promising anticancer activity against RCC in vitro and in vivo.

     

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses in patients with chronic kidney disease in the predialysis stage at a university hospital in Turkey

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) viruses are the most common viruses that cause viral infections among the hemodialysis patients. OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of HBV and HCV in predialytic chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS: 171 consecutive predialytic CKD patients. MEASUREMENTS: Third-generation micro-ELISA assay was used for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody to hepatitis B core (anti-HBc) and surface antibody (anti-HBs), secretory form of hepatitis B envelop antigen (HBeAg), antibody to secretory form of hepatitis B envelop antigen (anti-HBe), and ELISA for antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV). RESULTS: The main causes of CKD were 29.8% diabetic nephropathy, 19.9% chronic glomerulonephritis, 16.3% hypertensive nephrosclerosis, 14.0% unknown, 5.3% amyloidosis, 4.7% autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease, 4.1% chronic tubuluointerstitial nephritis, 3.5% malignancies, 1.7% benign prostatic hypertrophy, 0.6% Alport syndrome. The seroprevalence of hepatitis was: HBsAg 10.5%, anti-HBc 36.8%, anti-HBs 28.7%, HBeAg 5.3%, anti-HBe 32.7%, anti-HCV 7% and HBsAg+anti-HCV 0.6%. CONCLUSIONS: The seroprevalence of HBsAg and anti-HCV among predialytic CKD patients was similar to our patients in hemodialysis program.     

Study of the ureterovesical jet flow by means of dupplex Doppler ultrasonography in patients with residual ureteral stone after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy

The aims of our study are to evaluate ureterovesical jet flow Doppler ultrasound (US) in patients with residual ureteral stone after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) and to compare with unobstructed contralateral ureter. Patients who have residual ureteral stone in intravenous pyelography (IVP) and/or computed tomography (CT) after ESWL and unobstructed contralateral ureter in 20 patients were prospectively evaluated with Doppler US. The mean peak velocity of the Doppler waveforms was obtained on the residual ureteral stone and contralateral non-obstructed ureter (17.10 ± 20), (56.0 ± 32), respectively (P < 0.05). In conclusion, due to the absence of contraindications and side-effects, Doppler US is sensitive and highly specific that can contribute significantly to the diagnosis of residual ureteral stone after ESWL. It can replace IVP and/or CT, in condition where IVP is undesirable and in addition Doppler US can supply a functional investigation of the obstructed ureter.     

The effect of risedronate treatment on serum cytokines in postmenopausal osteoporosis: a 6-month randomized and controlled study

There is much evidence suggesting that the decline in ovarian function after menopause is associated with spontaneous increases in proinflammatory cytokines. Treatment with risedronate is accompanied by significant changes in bone turnover and bone mineral density. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of risedronate treatment on the level of serum cytokines including receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin among postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. The study group consisted of 61 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Patients were randomly divided in two groups: In group 1 (n = 41) postmenopausal women received oral risedronate (35 mg/week), calcium (1,000 mg/day), and vitamin D (400 IU/day) for 12 months. In group 2 (control group; n = 20) patients received only oral calcium (1,000 mg/day) and vitamin D (400 IU/day). Bone mineral density (BMD) of lumbar spine (L1–L4) and proximal femur were determined using dual X-ray absorptiometry at baseline and after one year. Venous blood samples were obtained for determination of serum cytokines including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), RANKL, osteoprotegerin, and markers of bone formation and resorption. Levels of serum cytokines were measured before therapy and after three and 6 months. Markers of bone metabolism were studied before therapy and after 6 months. In group 1 (risedronate plus calcium/vitamin D-treated patients), serum levels of RANKL and IL-1β significantly decreased and the level of osteoprotegerin significantly increased after three and 6 months, but no significant difference was found in TNF-α level. In group 2, however, the level of serum cytokines did not change after three and 6 months. In cases of bone turnover, both markers of bone resorption and formation significantly decreased after 6 months in group 1. In conclusion risedronate could improve osteoporosis by increasing osteoprotegerin and reducing RANKL and IL-1β.