Intra-arterial administration of cell-based biological agents for ischemic stroke therapy

Introduction: Ischemic stroke is becoming a primary cause of disability and death worldwide. To date, therapeutic options remain limited focusing on mechanical thrombolysis or administration of thrombolytic agents. However, these therapies do not promote neuroprotection and neuro-restoration of the ischemic area of the brain.

Areas covered: This review highlights the option of minimal invasive, intra-arterial, administration of biological agents for stroke therapy. The authors provide an update of all available studies, discuss issues that influence outcomes and describe future perspectives which aim to improve clinical outcomes. New therapeutic options based on cellular and molecular interactions following an ischemic brain event, will be highlighted.

Expert opinion: Intra-arterial administration of biological agents during trans-catheter thrombolysis or thrombectomy could limit neuronal cell death and facilitate regeneration or neurogenesis following ischemic brain injury. Despite the initial progress, further meticulous studies are needed in order to establish the clinical use of stem cell-induced neuroprotection and neuroregeneration.     

Resistin is elevated in cystic fibrosis sputum and correlates negatively with lung function

Background

Resistin is an immunometabolic mediator that is elevated in several inflammatory disorders. A ligand for Toll-like receptor 4, resistin modulates the recruitment and activation of myeloid cells, notably neutrophils. Neutrophils are major drivers of cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease, in part due to the release of human neutrophil elastase- and myeloperoxidase-rich primary granules, leading to tissue damage. Here we assessed the relationship of resistin to CF lung disease.

翁连解毒汤治疗浊毒内蕴型溃疡性结肠炎的疗效观察

目的：探究翁连解毒汤治疗浊毒内蕴型溃疡性结肠炎（Ulcerative Colitis，UC）临床疗效及可能的作用机制。方法：选取2016年2月至2018年12月在攀枝花学院附属医院收治的浊毒内蕴型UC患者130例作为研究对象，按照入院先后顺序分为对照组和观察组，每组65例。对照组常规西医治疗，观察组加用翁连解毒汤，观察2组治疗前、完成治疗后T细胞、NK细胞、炎性反应因子、凝血功能、生命质量变化，完成治疗后总结疗效。结果：观察组患者在NK细胞、T淋巴细胞组成、CR、TNF-α、IL-1 β、ESR、内毒素、IL-10、FIB、PLT、APTT改善方面的效果较对照组更优，组间差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。观察组患者完成治疗后的生命质量量表各维度评分及总评分改善效果优于对照组患者（P<0.05），且临床总有效率和组织病理学疗效率均高于对照组患者（P<0.05）。结论：翁连解毒汤能抑制浊毒内蕴型UC炎性反应，改善高凝状态，提高机体免疫功能，从而提高疗效和生命质量。     

电针“足三里”穴对脾气虚大鼠小肠黏膜转运体SGLT1及GLUT2表达的影响

目的:观察电针双侧"足三里"穴对脾气虚模型大鼠小肠黏膜上皮组织内的钠依赖葡萄糖转运体(SGLT1),葡萄糖运载蛋白2(GLUT2)的基因及蛋白表达的影响。方法:将40只SD雄性大鼠随机分为正常组、脾气虚组、足三里组、非经非穴组,每组10只。所有大鼠均在SPF级动物实验中心饲养。除正常组外,其余3组均采用劳倦过度和不规则饮食复合法建立脾气虚证的大鼠模型。造模成功之后,对足三里组、非经非穴组大鼠分别进行电针"足三里"穴、非经非穴点干预处理7天。采用HE染色方法观察各组大鼠小肠黏膜组织形态变化;采用荧光定量PCR法检测大鼠小肠黏膜上皮的SGLT1和GLUT2的mRNA表达水平;采用蛋白质免疫印迹法(WB)检测大鼠小肠黏膜上皮组织内的SGLT1和GLUT2的蛋白含量变化。结果:脾气虚组大鼠小肠黏膜组织部分损伤,足三里组的小肠黏膜组织有一定程度的恢复;脾气虚组和非经非穴组大鼠小肠黏膜组织内的SGLT1和GLUT2蛋白和基因表达水平均明显低于正常组(P 0. 05);足三里组大鼠小肠黏膜组织内的SGLT1和GLUT2蛋白和基因表达水平相比于脾气虚组有所升高(P 0. 05),非经非穴组未见显著性差异(P 0. 05)。结论:电针"足三里"穴可以调节脾气虚大鼠小肠黏膜上皮组织内的SGLT1和GLUT2基因及蛋白的异常表达,参与小肠对葡萄糖的吸收作用进而改善脾气虚证。     

炎症性肠病患儿血清Th17相关细胞因子表达及其意义

目的　探讨儿童IBD患者血清中Th17相关细胞因子的表达水平及其临床意义。方法　收集2017年4月至2019年5月在西安交通大学附属儿童医院消化科住院治疗的儿童IBD患者40例，以同期21例非炎症性疾病儿童作为对照组。采集受检者血清标本，通过酶联免疫吸附试验检测白细胞介素-17A（IL-17A）、 IL-17F、 IL-21、 IL-22、 IL-25的表达水平。结果　IL-17A、 IL-17F、 IL-21和IL-22在溃疡性结肠炎（UC）及克罗恩病（CD）患儿血清中表达明显升高，IL-25明显降低（P＜0.05）；IL-17A、 IL-17F及IL-21血清水平与UC患儿疾病活动度呈正相关（P＜0.05）；IL-21在UC患儿血清中的表达与IL-17A和IL-17F的表达呈正相关（P＜0.05）。结论　Th17相关细胞因子在IBD患儿血清中表达失调，为进一步研究Th17细胞在儿童IBD中的作用提供了依据；IL-17A、 IL-17F、 IL-21血清水平与UC患儿疾病活动度呈正相关，表明其可能是Th17细胞触发儿童UC的重要促炎细胞因子。     

Interferon-induced Transmembrane Protein 3 Prevents Acute Influenza Pathogenesis in Mice

Objective Interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3(IFITM3) is an important member of the IFITM family. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying its antiviral action have not been completely elucidated. Recent studies on IFITM3, particularly those focused on innate antiviral defense mechanisms, have shown that IFITM3 affects the body's adaptive immune response. The aim of this study was to determine the contribution of IFITM3 proteins to immune control of influenza infection in vivo.Methods We performed proteomics, flow cytometry, and immunohistochemistry analysis and used bioinformatics tools to systematically compare and analyze the differences in natural killer(NK) cell numbers, their activation, and their immune function in the lungs of Ifitm3-/-and wild-type mice.Results Ifitm3-/-mice developed more severe inflammation and apoptotic responses compared to wild-type mice. Moreover, the NK cell activation was higher in the lungs of Ifitm3-/-mice during acute influenza infection.Conclusions Based on our results, we speculate that the NK cells are more readily activated in the absence of IFITM3, increasing mortality in Ifitm3-/-mice.     

Fundamentals about onset and progressive disease character of type 2 diabetes mellitus

ResearchGate is a world wide web for scientists and researchers to share papers, ask and answer questions, and find collaborators. As one of the more than 15 million members, the author uploads research output and reads and responds to some of the questions raised, which are related to type 2 diabetes. In that way, he noticed a serious gap of knowledge of this disease among medical professionals over recent decades. The main aim of the current study is to remedy this situation through providing a comprehensive review on recent developments in biochemistry and molecular biology, which can be helpful for the scientific understanding of the molecular nature of type 2 diabetes. To fill up the shortcomings in the curricula of medical education, and to familiarize the medical community with a new concept of the onset of type 2 diabetes, items are discussed like: Insulin resistance, glucose effectiveness, insulin sensitivity, cell membranes, membrane flexibility, unsaturation index (UI; number of carbon-carbon double bonds per 100 acyl chains of membrane phospholipids), slow-down principle, effects of temperature acclimation on phospholipid membrane composition, free fatty acids, energy transport, onset of type 2 diabetes, metformin, and exercise. Based on the reviewed data, a new model is presented with proposed steps in the development of type 2 diabetes, a disease arising as a result of a hypothetical hereditary anomaly, which causes hyperthermia in and around the mitochondria. Hyperthermia is counterbalanced by the slow-down principle, which lowers the amount of carbon-carbon double bonds of membrane phospholipid acyl chains. The accompanying reduction in the UI lowers membrane flexibility, promotes a redistribution of the lateral pressure in cell membranes, and thereby reduces the glucose transporter protein pore diameter of the transmembrane glucose transport channel of all Class I GLUT proteins. These events will set up a reduction in transmembrane glucose transport. So, a new blood glucose regulation system, effective in type 2 diabetes and its prediabetic phase, is based on variations in the acyl composition of phospholipids and operates independent of changes in insulin and glucose concentration. UI assessment is currently arising as a promising analytical technology for a membrane flexibility analysis. An increase in mitochondrial heat production plays a pivotal role in the existence of this regulation system.     

Volatile molecules for COVID-19: A possible pharmacological strategy?

COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus disease with a higher incidence of bilateral pneumonia and pleural effusion. The high pulmonary tropism and contagiousness of the virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), have stimulated new approaches to combat its widespread diffusion. In developing new pharmacological strategies, the chemical characteristic of volatility can add therapeutic value to the hypothetical drug candidate. Volatile molecules are characterized by a high vapor pressure and are consequently easily exhaled by the lungs after ingestion. This feature could be exploited from a pharmacological point of view, reaching the site of action in an uncommon way but allowing for drug delivery. In this way, a hypothetical molecule for COVID-19 should have a balance between its lung exhalation characteristics and both antiviral and anti-inflammatory pharmacological action. Here, the feasibility, advantages, and disadvantages of a therapy based on oral administration of possible volatile drugs for COVID-19 will be discussed. Both aerosolized antiviral therapy and oral intake of volatile molecules are briefly reviewed, and an evaluation of 1,8-cineole is provided in view of a possible clinical use and also for asymptomatic COVID-19.