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.

Antimicrobial prophylaxis in open reduction and internal fixation of compound mandibular fractures: a collaborative regional audit of outcome

We conducted a regional 2-stage prospective audit involving 5 different maxillofacial units in the Yorkshire region of the UK to evaluate the effectiveness of perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis in the treatment of mandibular fractures. In the first stage (145 patients) we surveyed current practice concerning antimicrobial prophylaxis and found out the current infection rate after open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of mandibular fractures. In the second stage (157 patients) we implemented a common antimicrobial protocol in all units and recorded the infection rates using the new regimen. In the first stage a wide range of antimicrobial prophylaxis was used in different units. The agreed perioperative antimicrobial protocol in the second stage was to begin amoxicillin or clarithromycin and metronidazole intravenously on admission and include 2 postoperative doses. The infection rates were 10.3% and 8.9%, respectively, and the difference between the two groups was not significant (χ² = 0.051, df = 1, p = 0.83). The infection rate in the Yorkshire region was similar to results from other centres. We recommend short perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis with a maximum of 2 postoperative doses after ORIF of mandibular fractures.     

Use of bone marrow derived stem cells in a fracture non-union

This is an attempt of using in vitro cultured mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from bone marrow in joining of a fracture non-union. Bone marrow cells were obtained and differentially centrifuged for MSCs that were grown in vitro in mesenchymal stem cell basal medium aseptically, for 10 d. The cell mass was injected around the fracture non-union. Healthy conditions of development of tissue regeneration at the trauma site and due bone joining were recorded. It is concluded that in vitro cultured MSCs had a blithesome effect on the fracture non-union.     

Ex vivo development of functional human lymph node and bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue

We introduce a novel in vivo model of human mucosal immunity, based on the implantation of human fetal bronchial mucosa and autologous peribronchial lymph node (PLN) in the severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mouse. In the SCID host, human fetal bronchi implanted alone retain macrophages and mast cells but lose T cells. In contrast, fetal bronchi co-implanted with PLN contain, in addition to macrophages and mast cells, numerous T cells and B cells, often clustered in intramucosal bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT). Functionally, bronchus-PLN cografts are able to mount robust alphabeta and gammadelta T-cell-mediated immune responses to Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 3,4-epoxy-3-methyl-1-butyl-diphosphate challenges. No other autologous lymphoid organ (bone marrow, thymus, liver) allows for BALT development in co-implanted bronchi, which suggests special ontogenetic and functional relations between extramucosal PLN and intramucosal BALT. Overall, the bronchus-PLN cograft appears as a promising model for human bronchial immune development and function. Our study is the first to document long-term ex vivo maintenance of functional human lymph nodes as native appendices to mucosal tissue. Our results, therefore, suggest a simple strategy for developing similar experimental models of human immune function in other mucosae.