Neuro-immune crosstalk and food allergy: Focus on enteric neurons and mucosal mast cells

The nervous system and the immune system individually play important roles in regulating the processes necessary to maintain physiological homeostasis, respond to acute stress and protect against external threats. These two regulating systems for maintaining the living body had often been assumed to function independently. Allergies develop as a result of an overreaction of the immune system to substances that are relatively harmless to the body, such as food, pollen and dust mites. Therefore, it has been generally supposed that the development and pathogenesis of allergies can be explained through an immunological interpretation. Recently, however, neuro-immune crosstalk has attracted increasing attention. Consequently, it is becoming clear that there is close morphological proximity and physiological and pathophysiological interactions between neurons and immune cells in various peripheral tissues. Thus, researchers are now beginning to appreciate that neuro-immune interactions may play a role in tissue homeostasis and the pathophysiology of immune-mediated disease, but very little information is available on the molecular basis of these interactions. Mast cells are a part of the innate immune system implicated in allergic reactions and the regulation of host–pathogen interactions. Mast cells are ubiquitous in the body, and these cells are often found in close proximity to nerve fibers in various tissues, including the lamina propria of the intestine. Mast cells and neurons are thought to communicate bidirectionally to modulate neurophysiological effects and mast cell functions, which suggests that neuro-immune interactions may be involved in the pathology of allergic diseases.     

Comparison of primary repair and repair with polyglycolic acid coated tube in recurrent laryngeal nerve cuts (an experimental study)

BackgroundRecurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury is an important complication of thyroid surgery. In our study, we aimed to compare the effects of primary repair and polyglycolic acid (PGA) coated tube repair on nerve function and regeneration in RLN cuts in rats.MethodsTwenty seven rats were used for the study. Group-1 with only nerve cuts, group-2 with primary repair, and group-3 with conduit repair. The study was planned over two-stage surgery. In the first step, nerve defect formation and nerve repair were performed in the same session. In the second step, samples were taken from the subjects for histopathological.ResultsVocal cord mobility was proportionally higher in group-3 than other groups. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups (p < 0.239). The mean number of highest axons were detected the group-3.ConclusionsWe think that PGA coated conduit can provide a more accurate orientation of nerve fibers by creating an isolated environment when compared to the primary repair. And this may be the cause of functional improvement in the nerve.     

Adaptative responses of myenteric neurons of Sphoeroides testudineus to environmental pollution

Contamination in estuarine regions affects the local biota damaging the ecosystems and reaching humans. The gastrointestinal tract is a dynamic environment capable of obtaining nutrients and energy from food while it protects the host against harmful toxins and pathogens from the external environment. These functions are modulated by the enteric nervous system and changes in its structure can result in gastrointestinal disorders. The objective of this study was to evaluate if the environmental contaminants have effects on the myenteric neuronal plasticity of pufferfish Sphoeroides testudineus. Animals were collected in Barra do Una River, located at Jureia-Itatins Mosaic of Protected Areas (reference area – RA) and in the Santos Estuarine System (impacted area – IA). Morpho-quantitative analyses of the general and metabolically active myenteric neuronal populations of the proximal and distal intestine were made. Disarrangement was observed in the general organization of the myenteric plexus, with an expressive reduction of the neuronal groups (nodes) in the animals of IA. The vulnerability of the myenteric plexus was evidenced by a decrease in density and cellular profile of the general neuronal population, followed by an increase of the metabolism of the remaining neurons, which in turn was verified by a growth of the area of the cellular and nuclear profiles of the metabolically active neuronal population. Through these analyses, we concluded that animals inhabiting polluted regions present alterations in the myenteric neuronal plasticity, as a way of maintaining the functions of the gastrointestinal tract.     

Vitamin A deficiency exacerbates autism-like behaviors and abnormalities of the enteric nervous system in a valproic acid-induced rat model of autism

The manifestations of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are highly heterogeneous. As many individuals with ASD have gastrointestinal (GI) comorbidities, ASD with GI problems is considered to be a subtype of ASD. Vitamin A (VA) plays an important role in the development of both the central and peripheral nervous system. However, the relationship between VA deficiency (VAD) and ASD with GI comorbidities is still unclear. We established rat models with different VA levels based on the valproic acid-induced autism model. Compared to autism model rats with VA normal (VAN), autism model rats with gestational VAD showed more severe autism-like behavior, increased GI transit time, and impairment of the enteric nervous system (ENS). Besides, the expression levels of retinoic acid receptor α (RARα) and Ret in autism model rats with VAD were decreased compared with those in rats with VAN. Supplementation with VA was found to effectively ameliorate autism-like behaviors and impairments of GI motility and the ENS in autism model rats with VAD. Chromatin immunoprecipitation results suggested that RARa can bind to the promoter region of the Ret gene and regulate the Ret signaling pathway. We speculate that VAD in autism might lead to impairments of both the brain and ENS. VAD might be a factor that causes individuals to be more susceptible to ASD-related risk factors and aggravates a subtype of ASD with GI comorbidities.     

Enteric anendocrinosis attributable to a novel Neurogenin-3 variant

Congenital diarrhea and enteropathies (CODEs) are a group of monogenic disorders that often present with severe diarrhea in the first weeks of life. Enteric anendocrinosis (EA), an extremely rare cause of CODE, is characterized by a marked reduction of intestinal enteroendocrine cells (EC). EA is associated with recessively inherited variants in Neurogenin-3 (NEUROG3) gene. Here we investigate a case of a male infant who presented with mysterious severe malabsorptive diarrhea since birth. Thorough clinical assessments and laboratory tests were successful to exclude the majority of differential diagnosis categories. However, the patient's diagnosis was not established until the genetic test using whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed. We identified a novel homozygous missense disease-causing variant (DCV) in NEUROG3 (c.413C>G, p.Thr138Arg). Moreover, molecular dynamic simulation analysis showed that (p.Thr138Arg) led to a global change of the NEUROG3 orientation affecting its DNA binding capacity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time to apply WES to reach a differential diagnosis of patients with CODEs. Our study not only expands our knowledge about NEUROG3 variants and their clinical consequences but also proves that WES is a very effective tool for the diagnosis of CODEs. This might be of value in early diagnosis of diseases and prenatal CODEs detection.     

香菊胶囊联合桉柠蒎肠溶软胶囊治疗慢性鼻窦炎的临床研究

目的 探讨香菊胶囊联合桉柠蒎肠溶软胶囊治疗慢性鼻窦炎的临床效果。方法 选取2016年1月—2018年3月延安大学咸阳医院收治的慢性鼻窦炎患者134例,随机分成对照组（67例）和治疗组（67例）。对照组餐前30 min口服桉柠蒎肠溶软胶囊,1粒/次,2次/d。治疗组在对照组基础上口服香菊胶囊,3粒/次,3次/d。两组均连续治疗3个月。观察两组患者临床疗效,同时比较治疗前后两组患者视觉模拟评分法（VAS）、Lund-Kennedy和鼻腔鼻窦结局测试-20（SNOT-20）评分以及嗜酸性粒细胞比率（EOS%）、白介素-6（IL-6）、IL-17水平。结果 治疗后,对照组和治疗组临床有效率分别为80.6%和92.5%,两组比较差异具有统计学意义（P<0.05）。治疗后,两组VAS和鼻内镜Lund-Kennedy评分显著降低（P<0.05）,且治疗组上述评分明显低于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗后,两组患者SNOT-20各指标评分及总分均显著下降（P<0.05）,且治疗组SNOT-20评分明显低于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗后,两组外周血EOS%值及血浆IL-6、IL-17浓度均显著下降（P<0.05）,且治疗组比对照组降低更明显（P<0.05）。结论 香菊胶囊联合桉柠蒎肠溶软胶囊治疗慢性鼻窦炎,能明显控制患者病情,降低外周血EOS%,下调血浆中炎症介质,提高生存质量。     

黄芽疏肝汤治疗慢性浅表性胃炎30例

目的:观察黄芽疏肝汤治疗慢性浅表性胃炎的临床疗效。方法:选取本院2015年1月—2016年2月收治的60例慢性浅表性胃炎患者为研究对象,随机分为对照组和治疗组,每组各30例。对照组采用奥美拉唑肠溶胶囊治疗,治疗组采用黄芽疏肝汤治疗。观察两组患者的临床疗效,比较两组患者治疗前后中医证候积分和治疗后健康状况积分变化情况。结果:对照组有效率为63.3%,治疗组有效率为86.7%,两组患者临床疗效比较,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。两组患者治疗后中医证候积分低于治疗前,且治疗组低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。对照组饮食、情绪、精力、睡眠、疼痛、排便、体质等积分高于治疗组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:黄芽疏肝汤治疗慢性浅表性胃炎疗效显著,能有效缓解临床症状与体征,改善机体健康水平。     

羟基磷灰石涂层—钛基牙种植体的动物植入实验

将５６枚等离子喷涂羟基磷灰石涂层－钛基牙种植体植入狗股骨干。分别在术后１、２、３、４个月时制取不脱钙标本切片，作组织学观察、显微Ｘ线摄影及计算机辅助植体－骨接触率测量。     

电针足三里穴对失血性休克大鼠肠胶质细胞的影响

目的：观察电针足三里穴对失血性休克大鼠肠胶质细胞形态的影响,探讨电针足三里穴治疗胃肠疾病的机制。方法：将18只SD雄性大鼠随机分为假手术组、模型组和电针组,每组6只。按总血容量的45%放血制备失血性休克模型。电针组于制模完成后10 min电针足三里穴（持续刺激1.5 h,2-100 Hz,2 mA）;模型组同样方法电针非经非穴;假手术组只分离股动、静脉不放血。失血后6 h后处死大鼠,取肠道组织制作肠肌间神经丛全层铺片,采用免疫荧光法进行肠胶质纤维酸性蛋白（GFAP）染色,荧光显微镜下观察肠胶质细胞形态,同时对肠道GFAP蛋白含量进行WesternBlot测定。结果：失血后6 h,肠胶质细胞出现形态学异常,细胞变形并且荧光增强,突触模糊、中断;电针足三里穴能减轻肠胶质细胞形态学异常,增加荧光强度。与假手术组相比,模型组GFAP表达量增加,但电针足三里穴后GFAP的表达量增加更为显著（P〈0.05）。结论：大鼠失血性休克后电针足三里穴能激活并保护肠胶质细胞。     

Outcomes of Long Tapered Hydroxyapatite-Coated Stems in Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of femoral component revisions using a long tapered HA coated femoral revision stem. Between 2001 and 2008, 55 femoral component revisions were performed using this stem. Forty-one patients were available for follow up evaluation at average of 59 months. The clinical results were evaluated using the HHS and serial radiographs were evaluated for loosening. The mean HHS was 71 (range 22–100). Three hips required revision of KAR stem (1 aseptic loosening, 1 infection, 1 limb length discrepancy). Only one prosthesis demonstrated radiographic evidence of subsidence. Our study suggests that long tapered HA coated revision femoral components can provide stable fixation and in-growth in cases where there is good proximal femoral bone stock and favorable canal geometry.