Two novel anti-aminoacyl tRNA synthetase antibodies: Autoantibodies against cysteinyl-tRNA synthetase and valyl-tRNA synthetase

Anti-aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (anti-ARS) antibodies are useful for identifying a clinical subset of patients with inflammatory myopathies. Since the myositis of anti-ARS-positive patients is characterized by a unique set of non-myopathic manifestations, including interstitial lung disease, mechanic's hands, and arthralgia, the patients are classified as having anti-synthetase syndrome. Autoantibodies have been identified to eight kinds of ARSs. Of the other 12 ARSs, eight are components of the “OJ” multi-synthetase complex. Autoantibodies to the four remaining ARSs (CysARS, ValARS, SerARS, and TrpARS) have not been reported to be present in patients with inflammatory myopathies.In this study, we first screened samples from more than 300 Japanese patients majorly consisting of those with dermatomyositis (DM) by our established in-house ELISA to find autoantibodies against the four ARSs described above. Since sera from two DM patients specifically reacted to CysARS or ValARS, we determined their reactivities by immunoprecipitation (IP) with the corresponding recombinant proteins and IP–Western blotting with cellular extract. One patient had several features found in anti-synthetase syndrome, but the other did not. The clinical differences among the various anti-ARS antibodies should be explored in a future work.     

Atypical chemokine receptors: emerging therapeutic targets in cancer

Atypical chemokine receptors (ACKRs) regulate the availability of chemokines via chemokine scavenging, while also having the capacity to elicit downstream function through β-arrestin coupling. This contrasts with conventional chemokine receptors that directly elicit immune cell migration through G protein-coupled signaling. The significance of ACKRs in cancer biology has previously been poorly understood, but recent findings have highlighted the multifaceted role of these receptors in tumorigenesis and immune response modulation within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Additionally, recent research has expanded our understanding of the function of several receptors including GPR182, CCRL2, GPR1, PITPNM3, and C5aR2 that share similarities with the ACKR family. In this review, we discuss these recent developments, and highlight the opportunities and challenges of pharmacologically targeting ACKRs in cancer.     

Relational processes in heart failure care transitions: A data-driven case report

BackgroundEffective patient care transitions require consideration of social and clinical context, yet how these factors and relational processes in care coordination relate remains poorly described. This case report aims to describe provider networks and the clinical care and social context involved during longitudinal care transitions across settings.CaseWe examined the utilization and provider networks of an oldest old woman with heart failure (HF) before and after her first hospitalization for HF. She used primary care for care management and had insurance, strong caregiver support, and comprehensive discharge planning; however, after the hospitalization, Mrs. A's ambulatory provider networks were more diverse yet sparser and less strongly connected.ConclusionsTurbulence in care transition can result from sources other than transitioning between settings. The data-driven case report approach using electronic health records uncovered relational processes important for care coordination and may inform patient-centered approaches to improve care for patients with HF.     

妊娠合并肺动脉高压患者剖宫产围产期并发症的危险因素分析

目的探讨妊娠合并肺动脉高压患者剖宫产围产期并发症的危险因素。方法该研究为病例对照研究。回顾性纳入山东大学齐鲁医院、山东第一医科大学附属省立医院、山东省千佛山医院和青岛大学附属医院2010年5月至2020年5月妊娠合并肺动脉高压患者。根据是否发生剖宫产围产期并发症分为并发症组和对照组。收集患者的一般临床资料和辅助检查结果, 记录患者发生围产期并发症的情况。围产期并发症包括心功能恶化、新发心律失常、心脏骤停、术后42 d内全因死亡、产后出血及血栓事件。采用多因素logistic回归模型分析妊娠合并肺动脉高压患者剖宫产围产期并发症的危险因素。结果研究纳入患者167例, 年龄28(24, 32)岁, 其中并发症组47例, 对照组120例。两组患者年龄, 孕周, 初产妇、存在心内分流及接受靶向药物治疗者比例, 左、右心室舒张末期内径差异均无统计学意义(P均>0.05)。与对照组比较, 并发症组患者特发性肺动脉高压者比例较高(P=0.001)、接受全身麻醉的比例较高(P=0.001)、超声心动图估测的肺动脉收缩压较高(P<0.001)、术前世界卫生组织(WHO)功能Ⅲ/Ⅳ级者比例较高(...     

Preventing venous thrombo-embolism after nonmajor orthopedic surgery

The venous thromboembolism risk is low to moderate in nonmajor orthopedic surgery. The literature is unconclusive. New emerging data are now available. The global patient risk has to be taken into account to determine the need for any prophylaxis.     

Fatty Acid-Binding Protein 3 and CXC-Chemokine Ligand 16 are Associated with Unfavorable Outcome in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

BackgroundAneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is associated with activation of the inflammatory cascade contributing to unfavorable outcome and secondary complications, such as delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI). Both fatty acid–binding protein 3 (FABP3) and CXC-chemokine ligand 16 (CXCL-16) have been linked to vascular inflammation and cellular death. The authors aimed to assess the 30-day prognostic value of serum levels of FABP3 and CXCL-16 and explore their associations with DCI in aSAH patients.MethodsA total of 60 patients with aSAH were prospectively enrolled. Sampling for markers was done at 24 hours after the index event. FABP3 and CXCL-16 serum concentrations were determined by MilliPlex multiplex immunoassay method. The primary endpoint was unfavorable outcome at Day 30 based on the modified Rankin Scale.ResultsBoth FABP3 and CXCL-16 levels were significantly elevated in patients with unfavorable outcome compared to those with favorable outcome after aSAH (FABP3: 2133 pg/mL, IQR: 1053-4567 vs. 3773, 3295-13116; p<0.003 and CXCL-16: 384 pg/mL, 313-502 vs. 498, 456-62, p<0.001). The area under the curve (AUC) for serum CXCL-16 levels as a predictor of unfavorable outcome at Day 30 was 0.747 (95% CI =0.622-0.871; p<0.001). Based on binary logistic regression analysis, serum CXCL-16 with a cut-off level >446.7 ng/L independently predicted Day 30 unfavorable outcome with a sensitivity of 81% and a specificity of 62%. Neither CXCL-16 nor FABP3 showed a significant correlation with DCI.ConclusionEarly FABP3 and CXCL-16 levels are significantly associated with poor 30-day outcome in patients with aSAH.