Delayed haemolytic transfusion reaction due to Kidd antibodies

A delayed haemolytic transfusion reaction (DHTR) encompasses a positive direct antiglobulin test (DAT) developed anytime between 24 hours to 28 days after cessation of transfusion, a positive eluate or a newly identified alloantibody in the plasma or serum along with features of haemolysis in the patient. Routinely, it is expected that with the transfusion of one unit of packed red cells in a patient of average height and weight, the haemoglobin level and hematocrit increase by 1 g/dL and 3% respectively. However, in a patient with DHTR, an inadequate rise of post-transfusion haemoglobin (< 1 g/dL) or rapid fall in haemoglobin back to pre-transfusion levels is observed. Kidd antibodies are particularly known to cause DHTR, maybe alone or in unison with other antibodies. Detection of these alloantibodies is consequential in providing good transfusion support to these patients. These events may be difficult to detect as they may present as varied clinical features or immunological nuisances. In this case series, we have presented three cases of DHTR with special emphasis on their clinical presentations, immunohaematological evaluations, laboratory parameters and the role of proper transfusion support in these patients to avoid further complications.     

Memory related molecular signatures: The pivots for memory consolidation and Alzheimer's related memory decline

Age-related cognitive decline is the major cause of concern due to its 70% more incidence than dementia cases worldwide. Moreover, aging is also the major risk factor of Alzheimer's disease (AD), associated with progressive memory loss. Approx. 13 million people will have Alzheimer-related memory decline by 2050. Learning and memory is the fundamental process of brain functions. However, the mechanism for the same is still under investigation. Thus, it is critical to understand the process of memory consolidation in the brain and extrapolate its understanding to the memory decline mechanism. Research on learning and memory has identified several molecular signatures such as Protein kinase M zeta (PKMζ), Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) and Activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc) crucial for the maintenance and stabilization of long-term memory in the brain. Interestingly, memory decline in AD has also been linked to the abnormality in expressing these memory-related molecular signatures. Hence, in the present consolidated review, we explored the role of these memory-related molecular signatures in long-term memory consolidation. Additionally, the effect of amyloid-beta toxicity on these molecular signatures is discussed in detail.     

Correlation between cow’s milk protein allergy and otitis media: a systematic review

ObjectivesTo review the evidence pertaining to the association between cow’s milk protein allergy and recurrent acute otitis media and otitis media with effusion.MethodsThe CENTRAL, Web of Science, EMBASE, MEDLINE, LILACS databases, and gray literature were searched.ResultsFour studies were included, identifying the prevalence rates: 0.2% of delayed speech due to chronic otitis media with effusion in 382 children with cow’s milk protein allergy, 10.7% of cow’s milk protein allergy in 242 children who underwent ENT procedures, 40% of cow’s milk protein allergy in 25 children with recurrent otitis media with effusion and higher tendency to otitis media in children with cow’s milk protein allergy of 186 children (1.5 + 0.6 vs. 0.4 + 0.1; p < 0.1).ConclusionConsidering the characteristics and methodological variations of the identified studies, it is not possible to state that there is reliable evidence of an association between cow’s milk protein allergy and otitis media.     

Social cognitive correlates of device-measured and self-reported physical activity in Black and White individuals with multiple sclerosis

BackgroundThere is increasing research interest regarding physical activity behavior among persons with multiple sclerosis (MS), yet there is little known about physical activity and its correlates in Black persons with MS.ObjectiveThis cross-sectional study assessed associations among social cognitive theory (SCT) variables and device-measured and self-reported physical activity in samples of Black and White persons with MS.MethodsParticipants included 67 Black and 141 White persons with MS who wore an ActiGraph accelerometer on a belt around the waist measuring moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) for seven days and completed a battery of questionnaires. Questionnaires included demographic and clinical characteristics, leisure-time exercise, exercise self-efficacy, overcoming barriers self-efficacy, function, social support, exercise outcome expectations, and goal setting and planning.ResultsBlack participants with MS engaged in significantly less MVPA, but not sedentary behavior or light physical activity, than the White participants with MS. Black participants further had significantly lower levels of exercise self-efficacy and outcome expectations than the White sample. All SCT correlates were significantly correlated with self-reported physical activity, but only exercise and barriers self-efficacy, perceived function, and exercise goal setting were associated with device-measured MVPA. The difference in physical activity between Black and White participants with MS was accounted for by differences in exercise self-efficacy and outcome expectations.ConclusionsResearchers should consider developing behavioral interventions that target exercise self-efficacy and outcome expectations as SCT variables for increasing physical activity in Black persons with MS.     

扶正化瘀方含药血清对肝星状细胞activinA/smad信号通路活化的影响

目的　探讨扶正化瘀方含药血清对肝星状细胞（HSC）激活素A（activinA）/smad信号通路活化的影响。方法　20只SD大鼠按照随机数字表法分为对照组及扶正化瘀（Fzhy）-低、中、高剂量含药血清组，每组5只，分别以蒸馏水，0.75、1.5、3.0 g/kg扶正化瘀溶液（扶正化瘀胶囊药物粉末与蒸馏水配制）灌胃1次/d，连续3 d，取血制备空白血清（对照组）和含药血清。以大鼠HSC-T6细胞为研究对象，分别用5%、10%、20%体积分数的各组含药血清培养细胞。CCK-8检测细胞存活率，选取细胞存活率在50%左右的体积分数重新分为对照组及Fzhy-低、中、高剂量组。流式细胞术检测细胞周期及凋亡率、线粒体膜电位变化和活性氧（ROS）水平；实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应检测细胞中activinA、smad3、samd7、核因子（NF）-κB的mRNA水平；蛋白质印迹法检测细胞中activinⅡA受体（ActRⅡA）、smad3、NF-κB p65、胱天蛋白酶（caspase）-3的蛋白水平。结果　各扶正化瘀含药血清组的细胞存活率均低于对照组（P＜0.05），选择体积分数为10%的含药血清进行后续实验。对照组和各扶正化瘀方含药血清组细胞周期和凋亡率差异均无统计学意义。对照组及Fzhy-低、中、高剂量组细胞内ROS水平及线粒体膜电位水平降低比例逐次升高（P＜0.05）。与对照组比较，Fzhy-中、高剂量组smad3 mRNA表达水平降低，smad7 mRNA升高，Fzhy-低、中、高剂量组NF-κB、activinA mRNA，smad3、NF-κB p65、ActRⅡA蛋白表达水平降低，Fzhy-低剂量组、中剂量组caspase-3蛋白表达水平升高（P＜0.05）；与Fzhy-低剂量组相比，Fzhy-中、高剂量组smad3 mRNA表达水平降低，Fzhy-中剂量组activinA及smad7 mRNA升高（P＜0.05）。结论　扶正化瘀方含药血清可通过影响HSC-T6细胞增殖、参与细胞的氧化应激以及调节细胞activinA/smad信号转导通路来实现抗纤维化作用。     

芒针对脊髓损伤大鼠运动功能和炎症水平的影响

目的探究芒针深刺秩边穴对大鼠脊髓损伤后运动功能的影响及可能作用机制。方法选择健康雄性Wister大鼠81只,随机分为正常组、模型组和芒针组(正常组9只,其余两组各36只),采用改良Allen's造模法制备大鼠脊髓中度损伤模型,模型组不做特殊处理,芒针组采用芒针深刺秩边穴,每日1次,每次30 min。分别于术后1 d、3 d、5 d、7 d行BBB(Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan)运动功能评分;术后1 d、3 d、5 d、7 d取受损段脊髓组织行酶联免疫吸附测定(ELISA)、实时荧光定量PCR(RT-qPCR)和苏木素-伊红染色(HE染色)。结果术后5 d和7 d,芒针组大鼠BBB评分高于模型组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);脊髓损伤后,模型组和芒针组大鼠脊髓组织中高迁移率族蛋白B1(HMGB1)、核转录因子kB(NF-kB)、白介素-6(IL-6)含量及HMGB1mRNA、NF-kBmRNA、IL-6mRNA水平显著升高(P<0.05);受损的脊髓组织松散,灰质中有许多空洞形成,伴有炎性细胞浸润。芒针治疗后,芒针组大鼠脊髓组织中HMGB1、NF-kB、IL-6含量及HMGB1mRNA、NF-kBmRNA、IL-6mRNA水平较模型组降低,且在3 d、5 d、7 d差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);受损部位的空洞及炎性细胞逐渐减少。结论脊髓损伤后,炎症因子的大量聚集引起级联性炎症反应,影响大鼠运动功能的恢复。芒针的抗炎机制可能包括抑制HMGB1的表达,降低NF-kB信号通路的传导,下调促炎因子IL-6的分泌。     

高迁移率族蛋白A2与肿瘤关系的研究进展

高迁移率族蛋白A2(HMGA2)是一种非组蛋白,本身不具有转录活性,但它可通过与染色质结合改变其结构,继而调节其他基因的转录,从而促进肿瘤的侵袭和转移。相关RNA基因能够调控HMGA2在肿瘤中的作用,同时肿瘤的侵袭性与上皮间质转化密切相关,可以通过靶向HMGA2基因治疗相关肿瘤。文章主要介绍HMGA2与肿瘤之间关系的研究进展。