Loss of host axons in nerve allografts after abolishing immunological tolerance in rats

Because host axons regenerate through long nerve allografts and become ensheathed by allogeneic cells in tolerant rats, we determined what would happen to these axons if tolerance were abolished. This was achieved by inoculating lymphoid cells from specifically sensitized isogenic donors into tolerant hosts. As a consequence of the immunological reaction which ensued, the host axons in the graft degenerated, indicating that permanent immunosuppression is required to maintain these fibers.     

Antibiotic use in acute pancreatitis: An Indian multicenter observational study

Introduction

Prophylactic antibiotics are used frequently for acute pancreatitis (AP). Consensus guidelines do not recommend this currently, based on moderate quality evidence. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the antibiotic use pattern in AP in India and propose a risk-directed approach to antibiotic use in AP.

Material and Methods

This multicenter study was conducted from 1 May 2013 to 31 July 2013. Eleven participants from eight tertiary centers completed a questionnaire that captured patient demographics, etiology, admission status, presence of (peri)pancreatic necrosis, severity of pancreatitis, details of antibiotic use, and clinical outcomes (total hospital stay, persistent organ failure, need for ICU, total days in ICU, development of infections, in-hospital mortality).

Results

A total of 200 proformas were analyzed. Seventy-three (36.5 %) had acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP). Eighty-nine (44.5 %), 52 (26 %), and 55 (27.5 %) patients had mild AP (MAP), moderately severe AP (MSAP), and severe AP (SAP), respectively. Forty-five (22.5 %) patients developed infections (unifocal 29; multifocal 16). One hundred thirty-four (67 %) patients received antibiotics, of which 89 (66.4 %) received prophylactic, while 45 (33.6 %) received therapeutic antibiotics. The distribution of antibiotic use according to the severity of AP was 43 (48.3 %) in patients with MAP (prophylactic in 41; therapeutic in 2), 36 (69.2 %) in patients with MSAP (prophylactic in 29; therapeutic in 7), and 55 (100 %) in patients with SAP (prophylactic in 19; therapeutic in 36). Therapeutic antibiotics were prescribed based on culture and sensitivity in 21 (46.7 %) patients.

Conclusions

Despite nonrecommendation, prophylactic antibiotics are used frequently in AP. We emphasize on the need for multicenter randomized controlled trials on prophylactic antibiotics for AP based on a risk-directed approach, rather than a “blanket approach.”     

Acute myocardial dysfunction in lupus: outcomes in Asian Indians

Clinical Rheumatology - Acute myocardial dysfunction is an uncommon but potentially fatal complication in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We describe the outcome in a small series of Asian...     

Chimeric Mouse model to track the migration of bone marrow derived cells in glioblastoma following anti-angiogenic treatments

Bone marrow derived cells (BMDCs) have been shown to contribute in the tumor development. In vivo animal models to investigate the role of BMDCs in tumor development are poorly explored. We established a novel chimeric mouse model using as low as 5 × 10⁶ GFP+ BM cells in athymic nude mice, which resulted in >70% engraftment within 14 d. In addition, chimera was established in NOD-SCID mice, which displayed >70% with in 28 d. Since anti-angiogenic therapies (AAT) were used as an adjuvant against VEGF-VEGFR pathway to normalize blood vessels in glioblastoma (GBM), which resulted into marked hypoxia and recruited BMDCs to the tumor microenvironment (TME). We exploited chimeric mice in athymic nude background to develop orthotopic U251 tumor and tested receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors and CXCR4 antagonist against GBM. We were able to track GFP+ BMDCs in the tumor brain using highly sensitive multispectral optical imaging instrument. Increased tumor growth associated with the infiltration of GFP+ BMDCs acquiring suppressive myeloid and endothelial phenotypes was seen in TME following treatments. Immunofluorescence study showed GFP+ cells accumulated at the site of VEGF, SDF1 and PDGF expression, and at the periphery of the tumors following treatments. In conclusion, we developed a preclinical chimeric model of GBM and phenotypes of tumor infiltrated BMDCs were investigated in context of AATs. Chimeric mouse model could be used to study detailed cellular and molecular mechanisms of interaction of BMDCs and TME in cancer.     

Surgery for Chronic Pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is progressive inflammatory process of the pancreas. Abdominal pain remains the most debilitating symptom affecting quality of life, apart from diabetes mellitus, steatorrhoea and weight loss. The treatment options have evolved over the past decades and are aimed to provide durable relief in pain with possible attempt to support or improve the failing endocrine and exocrine functions. Surgical treatment options have shown the potentials to provide superior long term results compared to the pharmacological and endoscopic modalities and are broadly divided in to drainage, resection and combination hybrid procedures. The choice is based on the morphology of the main pancreatic duct, presence of head mass and associated complication of CP. Knowing the basic nature of the disease, total pancreatectomy seems a curative option but not without significant morbidities. There is recent paradigm shift towards organ sparing surgical procedures with reasonable success. Despite recent advancement in the treatment modalities for CP the overall quality of life remains moderate which need further addressal.     

Perceptions of social support for weight loss among patients in primary care

This study examined primary care patients’ experiences with support for weight loss efforts. Adult patients (N = 106) were recruited through primary care clinics and completed an electronic survey pertaining to their weight loss efforts. The majority (76%) received support from their existing social network (e.g., family members, professionals); 59% had used apps and <20% had used social media for support. Findings reveal differences in satisfaction with support between men and women and between support sources, which will be useful for informing weight loss interventions in primary care.