The diagnosis and management of temporal arteritis

Temporal arteritis (TA), or giant cell arteritis, is a systemic autoimmune vasculitis affecting patients over 50 years of age. It can cause rapid, irreversible bilateral vision loss in older adults and is therefore considered an ophthalmological emergency. Many of the symptoms and signs of TA can be vague, non-specific and gradual in onset, often leading to a delayed or inaccurate diagnosis. As such, it is important for a wide variety of primary optometrists and health practitioners to maintain a robust understanding of the clinical presentation, key investigations and time-sensitive management of this disease, as early initiation of treatment for TA can be vision- and life-saving.     

Activation of antigen-presenting cells by DNA delivery vectors

Gene-based modulation of immune functions is a promising means of eliciting protective immunity and induction of tolerance. Novel viral and non-viral DNA delivery systems are being investigated to achieve efficient gene transfer into mammalian cells. Antigen-presenting cells (APCs), in particular dendritic cells, are crucial targets in this context due to their capacity to initiate and direct effector functions. The increasing relevance of APCs as targets of DNA vectors calls for an assessment of vector-driven activation of these cells. For viral vectors, a putative pathway of APC activation would be Toll-like receptor signalling for certain RNA genome viruses. On the other hand, non-viral vectors appear to mature APCs by interaction of polymeric particulates or bioactive lipids with cellular mechanisms. The rational design of DNA-based therapies is possible only when the intrinsic effects of the vector and immune modulation originating from the DNA are delineated. This paper will summarise recent reports of adjuvant properties of viral and non-viral delivery systems.     

Commentary on “A novel treatment strategy for newly diagnosed high-grade T1 bladder cancer: Gemcitabine and cisplatin adjuvant chemotherapy—A single-institution experience.”

Background

Management of high-grade T1 (formerly T1G3) bladder cancer continues to be controversial. Should patients with T1G3 bladder cancer have an immediate radical cystectomy or should they receive intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin preserving bladder? Gemcitabine and cisplatin (GC) adjuvant chemotherapy may help to strike a balance between intravesical and early cystectomy. For purposes of this study, we continue to refer high-grade T1 lesion as “T1G3.”

Upregulation of Systemic Inflammatory Pathways Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Relates to Both Cartilage and Muscular Changes: A Pilot Study

In conjunction with cartilage breakdown, muscle maladaptation including atrophy and increased fibrosis have been observed in the quadriceps following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Previously observed upregulated muscle-related proteins in the synovial fluid following ACL rupture allude to cellular communication between the joint and muscle. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether muscle-related analytes are differentially expressed in the serum. Sixteen patients with an acute ACL tear participated in this IRB-approved study. Serum was obtained at two different time points at a mean of 6 and 14 days post-injury, and serum was analyzed by a highly multiplexed assay of 1,300 proteins. Pathway analysis using DAVID was performed; genes included met three criteria: significant change between the two study time points using a paired t test, significant change between the two study time points using a Mann–Whitney non-parametric test, and significant Benjamini post hoc analysis. Twelve analytes significantly increased between time points. Proteins chitinase-3-like protein 1 (p = 0.01), insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 (p = 0.01), insulin-like growth factor binding protein 5 (p = 0.02), renin (p = 0.004), and lymphotoxin alpha 1: beta 2 (p = 0.03) were significantly upregulated in serum following acute ACL injury. The current results confirm the inflammatory pattern previously seen in the synovial fluid thought to play a role in the progression of post-traumatic osteoarthritis after ACL injury, and this data also provides further insights into important communication between the joint and quadriceps group, whose function is important in long term health. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 38:387-392, 2020     

"Hemicrania continua": another headache absolutely responsive to indomethacin

Two cases suffering from a headache apparently at variance with well recognized headaches are described. It is characterized by a steady, non-paroxysmal, probably severe to moderately severe hemicrania localized anteriorly or anteroposteriorly and is not associated with nausea. Indomethacin exerts an absolute, persistent and clearly dose-dependent effect on this headache, which differs from unilateral headache syndromes such as cluster headache and cervicogenic headache in its temporal pattern and indomethacin response. It differs from chronic paroxysmal hemicrania in its temporal pattern and in the lack of accompanying symptoms.     

应用功能磁共振成像分析脑卒中患者康复治疗前后大脑再塑机制

目的:应用功能磁共振成像观察脑卒中后及康复过程中,在相应脑内运动功能区激活的变化情况,探讨不同运动模式下皮质功能再塑的表现。方法:选取2003-02/10大庆油田总医院康复科住院的皮质下脑梗死患者8例,在发病后1周始进行连续两个月的康复。在康复前、康复1,2个月时运用Brunnstrom分级、Caroll上肢功能量表(0￣100分,评分越高功能越好)对其手功能进行评价,并采用GEMR/iHiSpeed1.5超导磁共振扫描机进行磁共振成像功能激发检查。患者用病手执行简单运动(快速连续的拇指与其他各指的对指动作)、随意运动(用病手摸不同形状的木块),获得脑功能激发图像,观察脑内相关功能区的激活情况。结果:8例受试者均进入结果分析。①康复后所有患者Brunnstrom分级和Caroll上肢功能评分均较康复前有明显改善。②病手简单运动时脑内相关功能区的激活情况:8例受试者7例在损伤后早期手指不能对指,所以没有激活;M1,SMA,PMA脑区和小脑呈现单侧激活-双侧激活-单侧激活的变化过程;随着运动功能恢复,脑内激活数目随时间呈下降趋势,几乎接近正常人脑功能表现。③病手随意运动时脑内相关功能区的激活情况:实验中发现引起的运动相关功能区的激发情况变化多样,规律性较差,但其中5例受试者表现出损伤后激发数目明显减少,许多对运动起决定性支配作用的功能区亦不激活;随着运动功能恢复,激发区数目呈上升趋势,同损伤后简单运动的激活表现。结论:①脑卒中后病手经过康复治疗简单运动恢复较好,康复治疗2个月后脑内运动功能相关区域激活的规律已同正常人。②脑卒中后病手随意运动恢复较困难,康复治疗后不如简单运动恢复好,脑内相关运动功能区激活无明显的规律性。随着运动功能的恢复,脑内相应的运动功能区激活增多。     

Increased expression of fatty acid synthase provides a survival advantage to colorectal cancer cells via upregulation of cellular respiration

Fatty acid synthase (FASN), a lipogenic enzyme, is upregulated in colorectal cancer (CRC). Increased de novo lipid synthesis is thought to be a metabolic adaptation of cancer cells that promotes survival and metastasis; however, the mechanisms for this phenomenon are not fully understood. We show that FASN plays a role in regulation of energy homeostasis by enhancing cellular respiration in CRC. We demonstrate that endogenously synthesized lipids fuel fatty acid oxidation, particularly during metabolic stress, and maintain energy homeostasis. Increased FASN expression is associated with a decrease in activation of energy-sensing pathways and accumulation of lipid droplets in CRC cells and orthotopic CRCs. Immunohistochemical evaluation demonstrated increased expression of FASN and p62, a marker of autophagy inhibition, in primary CRCs and liver metastases compared to matched normal colonic mucosa. Our findings indicate that overexpression of FASN plays a crucial role in maintaining energy homeostasis in CRC via increased oxidation of endogenously synthesized lipids. Importantly, activation of fatty acid oxidation and consequent downregulation of stress-response signaling pathways may be key adaptation mechanisms that mediate the effects of FASN on cancer cell survival and metastasis, providing a strong rationale for targeting this pathway in advanced CRC.     

构建以少突胶质细胞前体为主与人类早产儿脑室周围白质软化病理相似的动物模型

目的:建立以晚期少突胶质细胞前体为主、与人类早产儿脑室周围白质软化病理相似的可靠动物模型。方法:实验于2005-10/2006-06在上海交通大学医学院附属新华医院科研中心完成。2d龄和7d龄SD同窝清洁级新生大鼠各43只,雌雄不拘,以随机数字表法分为4组,即2d龄模型组(n=25)、2d龄假手术组(n=18)、7d龄模型组(n=25)和7d龄假手术组(n=18),脑室周围白质软化动物模型建立:结扎双侧颈总动脉,手术时间短于10～15min,术后将新生大鼠送入缺氧箱缺氧30min,混合气体为体积分数0.08的O2和0.92的N2,输入流量为1～2.5mL/min。假手术组游离双侧颈总动脉,但不予结扎和缺氧。将各组大鼠分别于术后1d测定脑梗死体积,术后2d进行少突胶质细胞系列免疫组织化学染色分析、脑片TTC染色观察脑梗死情况以及光镜下脑病理研究,术后21d进行电镜下病理研究。结果:实验86只新生大鼠,14只制作脑室周围白质软化模型死亡,余72只计入统计。①术后1d各组脑片大体观察:模型组脑内呈现大面积白色梗死区,多为大脑前、中动脉供血区域,2,7d龄模型组梗死体积分别为(53.45±33.90),(68.78±20.22)mm3,梗死百分比分别为(24.98±15.44)%,(11.84±4.14)%;假手术组脑片颜色鲜红,未见白色梗死区。②新生大鼠少突胶质细胞系列标志物免疫组织化学结果:2d龄新生大鼠脑白质内以少突胶质细胞前体为主,7d龄新生大鼠则以成熟少突胶质细胞为主。模型大鼠的相应少突胶质细胞系列阳性标记物的积分吸光度值均显著低于同日龄对照新生大鼠(P<0.05～0.01)。③各组大鼠术后2d光镜下脑病理检查结果:2d龄模型组新生大鼠的脑室周围以及皮层下白质呈现囊性坏死和细胞凋亡,而皮质神经元损伤轻微;而7d龄模型组在白质和皮质部位均呈明显损伤。④术后21d电镜下各组幼鼠脑病理检查结果:2d龄模型组幼鼠的脑白质内未见髓鞘形成,7d龄模型组幼鼠中见少量髓鞘形成,而同日龄假手术对照幼鼠的脑白质内则髓鞘形成正常。结论:通过对2d龄新生大鼠双侧颈总动脉结扎伴缺氧30min缺氧缺血法创建的脑室周围白质软化新生大鼠模型中存在少突胶质细胞前体和少突胶质细胞的明显受损和丢失,成功建立了2d龄新生大鼠以少突胶质细胞前体为主、与人类早产儿脑室周围白质软化病理相似的脑室周围白质软化动物模型。     

成纤维细胞生长因子2的分子结构和生物学效应

目的:成纤维细胞生长因子2是一种多功能、作用广泛的细胞因子。就成纤维细胞生长因子2分子结构和生物学效应以及与骨髓间充质干细胞移植治疗大鼠急性心肌梗死的相关研究进行综述。资料来源:应用计算机检索PubMed数据库1990-01/2006-10有关成纤维细胞生长因子2的文章,检索词“FGF-2,molecular structure,biological effect,myocardial infarction and rat and marrows tem cell”,限定文章语言种类为English。同时计算机检索中国期刊全文数据库、万方数据库1990-01/2006-10期间的相关文章,检索词“碱性成纤维细胞生长因子”,限定文章语言种类为中文。资料选择:对资料进行初审,选取符合研究要求的有关文章找全文。纳入标准:①有关成纤维细胞生长因子2分子结构、生物学特性的研究。②有关骨髓间充质干细胞移植治疗急性心肌梗死的研究。资料提炼:共收集到34篇有关成纤维细胞生长因子2分子结构和生物学效应的文章,67篇有关骨髓间充质干细胞移植治疗大鼠急性心肌梗死的研究。选取其中31篇归纳总结。资料综合:①成纤维细胞生长因子2在人体内普遍存在,许多体外培养的细胞也自分泌成纤维细胞生长因子2。成纤维细胞生长因子2包括18000的低相对分子质量成纤维细胞生长因子2和高相对分子质量成纤维细胞生长因子2。成纤维细胞生长因子2翻译的起始密码子有两种:AUG和CUG。②成纤维细胞生长因子2有两种不同的受体,它们可与相应的受体结合发挥生物学功能。③在体外培养骨髓间充质干细胞的过程中,成纤维细胞生长因子2可促进其向心肌样细胞分化,在相对缺氧的环境下,提高心肌样细胞存活率。结论:成纤维细胞生长因子2作为一种多功能的细胞生长因子,在胚胎发育,创伤修复以及缺血、炎症、肿瘤等情况下,可作用于靶细胞上的特异性受体,发挥多种生理功能。它对新生血管形成过程中的毛细血管基底膜降解、内皮细胞迁移增殖、胶原合成及小血管腔形成等均有明显的促进作用。在相对缺氧的环境下,成纤维细胞生长因子2提高心肌样细胞存活率。     

骨关节炎大鼠关节软骨修复与橄榄叶提取物的干预效应

目的:观察橄榄叶提取物对白陶土及鹿角菜胶诱导的大鼠骨关节炎组织炎症的预防作用及对关节软骨的修复作用。方法:试验于2005-11/12在大连医科大学中日合作医药科学研究所进行。实验动物:选择健康雄性SD大鼠80只。实验材料:受试物橄榄叶提取物[由日本国Eisai食品与化学有限公司(日本国东京市)提供]。实验分组及给药:按体质量将大鼠随机分为5组,每组16只。模型对照组,灌胃给予蒸馏水,消炎痛组,灌胃给予消炎痛2mg/kg体质量,其余3组为橄榄叶提取物组,分别给予橄榄叶提取物(活性成分为以羟基酪醇为主的多酚)25,50,100mg/kg体质量灌胃,连续5d。第1天给药后1h,采用白陶土与鹿角菜胶诱发大鼠单发亚急性关节炎。实验评估:①诱发关节炎后1,3,5d,用容积测量法测定每组8只大鼠的左右后肢足跖体积,计算肿胀度,并同时用游标卡尺测定其胫跗骨关节最大径。②诱发关节炎后第5天,测定大鼠足跖伊文思蓝含量。每组的另8只大鼠,在诱发关节炎第5天麻醉后处死,剪下右足跖做组织病理学检查,观察橄榄叶提取物对大鼠骨关节炎中组织炎症的预防作用及对关节软骨的修复作用。结果:80只大鼠全部进入结果分析。①足跖肿胀度及胫跗骨关节径:诱发关节炎后1,3,5d,橄榄叶提取物50mg/kg组和100mg/kg组大鼠的右后足跖肿胀度均明显小于模型对照组大鼠[1d:(46.7±4.2)%,(44.8±6.8)%,(52.5±4.0)%;3d:(40.4±4.8)%,(37.4±5.7)%,(45.0±2.9)%;5d:(34.5±4.8),(31.7±5.3)%,(40.4±4.0)%,P<0.05],橄榄叶提取物25mg/kg体质量组,50mg/kg体质量组,100mg/kg体质量组大鼠的右后胫跗骨关节径与模型对照组大鼠比较差异无显著性(P>0.05)。②足跖伊文思蓝含量:诱发关节炎后第5天,橄榄叶提取物50mg/kg,100mg/kg组大鼠的右后足跖伊文思蓝含量均明显小于模型对照组大鼠(P<0.05)。③组织病理学检查及评分:组织病理学检查可见,与模型对照组比较,橄榄叶提取物50mg/kg组,100mg/kg组大鼠骨关节炎中组织炎症浸润明显减少,软骨组织无破坏,且组织病理学评分也明显小于模型对照组(P<0.05)。结论:橄榄叶提取物在50mg/kg体质量及以上剂量能有效地预防白陶土与鹿角菜胶诱发的大鼠骨关节炎中组织炎症,且对软骨有修复作用。