E-Selectin expression in human endothelial cells exposed to PM10: the role of endotoxin and insoluble fraction

Exposure to PM10 is associated with cardiovascular effects. We evaluated the effects of PM10 on E-Selectin expression and monocytic cell adhesion in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). HUVEC were exposed to PM10 (5-40 microg/cm2) for 6 h, following which surface E-Selectin expression was detected by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. The effects of total particles, particles treated with polymixin-B to block the effects of endotoxin, and both soluble and insoluble fractions of particles, were assessed. Incubation with PM10 lead to a concentration-related increase of E-Selectin expression (>seven-fold increase at 40 microg/cm2). Particles pre-treated with polymixin-B inhibited E-Selectin expression to a level slightly higher than untreated particles. An increase in fluorescence was also observed with the insoluble fraction, while the soluble fraction had no significant effect. HUVEC exposed to PM10 were also evaluated for adhesivity of monocytic cells (U937). PM10 strongly increased the adhesion of U937 cells to HUVEC. In conclusion, PM10 induces endothelial cell activation, evidenced by enhanced E-Selectin expression. This activation is manifested functionally as an increase in monocytic cell adhesion. Insoluble components as well as endotoxins appear to be responsible for this activity.     

Metaphyseal sleeves as the primary implant for the management of bone defects in total knee arthroplasty after post-traumatic knee arthritis

Background

Implantation of a prosthesis after post-traumatic knee arthritis poses challenges derived from the bone defects and soft tissue damage. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological results of the use of metaphyseal sleeves in primary total knee arthroplasty surgery after post-traumatic arthritis.

Contribution of sex steroids and prolactin to the modulation of T and B cells during autoimmunity

In this review we discuss how sex steroids and prolactin affect regulation and responsiveness of B and T cells. Sex hormones exert profound effects on several physiological processes of non- reproductive tissues. In the immune system, several studies with experimental models for SLE have shown a noticeable pro-inflammatory role for ERα, contributing to disease development reflected in proteinuria and renal pathology. On the other hand, ERβ appears to have an anti- inflammatory and immunosuppressive effect. Estrogen/ERα signaling induced an increase of Th17 cells in lymph nodes as well as the expression of its correspondent chemokine receptor CCR6 during collagen induced arthritis acute phase. High levels of anti- DNA antibodies and increased mortality was observed when given high E and prolactin doses to NZB/NZW mice, as compared with mice receiving low E and prolactin doses, or high E and low prolactin doses. Intracellular progesterone receptors have been detected in TCD4⁺ cells but in contrast as observed with ERs, it suppresses T cell dependent responses. Progestagen administration on female NZB/NZW mice decreased anti DNA IgG, improved survival, decreased glomerulonephritis and proteinuria.     

Human sperm handling in intracytoplasmic sperm injection processes: In vitro studies on mouse oocyte activation,embryo development competence and sperm oxidation–reduction potential

Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and hyaluronic acid (HA) are routinely used in handling spermatozoa for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). As there are still concerns about possible adverse effects on the embryo, this study investigated sperm handling in a mouse ICSI model to (i) evaluate oocyte activation after injection of spermatozoa selected for rotational or linear motion in PVP; (ii) assess the effect of sperm selection in PVP, HA and medium on oocyte activation; (iii) examine the effects of PVP and HA on parthenogenetic oocyte activation and embryo development; and (iv) assess the oxidation–reduction potential (ORP) of spermatozoa exposed to PVP, HA or medium. Oocyte activation was higher when spermatozoa exhibited rotational motion rather than linear motion (79% vs. 52%; p = .05). There was no difference in oocyte activation and embryo development after parthenogenetic oocyte activation after sperm injection using PVP, HA or medium‐incubated spermatozoa. PVP‐selected spermatozoa exhibited lower (p < .0001) ORP levels than using HA. Thus, results indicate that the sperm handling method and the type of medium used impact ICSI outcomes. Overall, sperm incubation in PVP, HA and medium yields similar outcomes with regard to oocyte activation and embryo development. However, PVP provides more antioxidative protection than HA and should therefore be preferred for sperm manipulation.     

A Gastroschisis bundle: effects of a quality improvement protocol on morbidity and mortality

Objective

Gastroschisis incidence is rising. Survival in developed countries is over 95%. However, in underdeveloped countries, mortality is higher than 15% often due to sepsis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect on morbidity and mortality of a Quality Improvement Protocol for out-born gastroschisis patients.

Activities of four macrolides, including clarithromycin, against Mycobacterium fortuitum, Mycobacterium chelonae, and M. chelonae-like organisms.

Susceptibilities to erythromycin by broth microdilution were compared with those to the newer macrolide clarithromycin for 223 isolates of rapidly growing mycobacteria belonging to seven taxonomic groups. Seventy-nine random isolates were also tested against azithromycin and roxithromycin. The MIC of clarithromycin for 90% of strains tested (MIC90) was 0.25 microgram/ml for isolates of Mycobacterium chelonae subsp. chelonae and 0.5 microgram/ml for M. chelonae subsp. abscessus, with 100% of strains inhibited by less than or equal to 1 microgram/ml. Clarithromycin was 10 to 50 times more active than erythromycin and four- to eightfold more active than the other newer macrolides against M. chelonae. MICs of clarithromycin frequently increased with prolonged incubation with isolates of M. chelonae subsp. abscessus but not M. chelonae subsp. chelonae. MICs of clarithromycin were much higher for M. fortuitum bv. fortuitum (MIC50, 2.0 microgram/ml; MIC90, greater than 8.0 microgram/ml). The three newer macrolides had comparable activity against M. fortuitum bv. peregrinum (MIC90s of 0.5 to 2.0 microgram/ml compared with erythromycin MIC90s of greater than 8.0 microgram/ml). Overall, clarithromycin was the most active agent, inhibiting all isolates of M. chelonae subsp. chelonae, M. chelonae subsp. abscessus, M. fortuitum bv. peregrinum, and the M. chelonae-like organisms and 35% of M. fortuitum bv. fortuitum at less than or equal to 1 microgram/ml. Clinical trials of the newer macrolides, especially clarithromycin, against these environmental mycobacterial species appear to be warranted.     

Biomechanical comparison of anterolateral ligament anatomical reconstruction with a semi-anatomical lateral extra-articular tenodesis. A cadaveric study

BackgroundTo compare the biomechanical behavior of an anterolateral ligament (ALL) anatomical reconstruction and a semianatomical lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET) in the context of an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction combined with an anterolateral lesion.MethodsTwelve cadaveric knees were studied using a testing machine to assess the internal tibial rotation and anterior tibial translation across six surgical states: intact knee, ACL lesion, ACL + ALL lesion, ACL isolated reconstruction, ACL + ALL anatomical reconstruction and ACL + LET procedure. ALL and LET grafts were fixed at full knee extension and neutral rotation.ResultsPresented with combined ACL and ALL lesions, isolated ACL reconstruction failed to restore the internal tibial rotation to intact-knee values (P > 0.05 for all angles). The addition of both an ALL reconstruction and LET procedure significantly reduced the internal rotation, restoring the rotation laxity to intact-knee values at 0° and 30° of flexion (P < 0.05) and with a certain level of overconstraint at 60° and 90° (mean 3° ± 2SD). A higher tendency to overconstraint was observed with the LET, but there was no significant difference when comparing the ALL reconstruction with the LET (P > 0.05 for all angles).ConclusionsResidual rotational laxity was found after isolated ACL reconstruction in the presence of an anterolateral lesion. The combination of ACL reconstruction with anatomical ALL reconstruction or the LET procedure resulted in restoration to intact-knee values but with a certain degree of overconstraint in higher flexion angles. Both techniques showed optimal biomechanical results with no data supporting the advantage of one over the other.     

The Sleep of the Ring: Comparison of the ŌURA Sleep Tracker Against Polysomnography

Objective/Background: To evaluate the performance of a multisensor sleep-tracker (ōURA ring) against polysomnography (PSG) in measuring sleep and sleep stages. Participants: Forty-one healthy adolescents and young adults (13 females; Age: 17.2 ± 2.4 years). Methods: Sleep data were recorded using the ōURA ring and standard PSG on a single laboratory overnight. Metrics were compared using Bland-Altman plots and epoch-by-epoch (EBE) analysis. Results: Summary variables for sleep onset latency (SOL), total sleep time (TST), and wake after sleep onset (WASO) were not different between ōURA ring and PSG. PSG-ōURA discrepancies for WASO were greater in participants with more PSG-defined WASO (p < .001). Compared with PSG, ōURA ring underestimated PSG N3 (~20 min) and overestimated PSG REM (~17 min; p < .05). PSG-ōURA differences for TST and WASO lay within the ≤ 30 min a-priori-set clinically satisfactory ranges for 87.8% and 85.4% of the sample, respectively. From EBE analysis, ōURA ring had a 96% sensitivity to detect sleep, and agreement of 65%, 51%, and 61%, in detecting “light sleep” (N1), “deep sleep” (N2 + N3), and REM sleep, respectively. Specificity in detecting wake was 48%. Similarly to PSG-N3 (p < .001), “deep sleep” detected with the ōURA ring was negatively correlated with advancing age (p = .001). ōURA ring correctly categorized 90.9%, 81.3%, and 92.9% into PSG-defined TST ranges of < 6 hr, 6–7 hr, > 7 hr, respectively. Conclusions: Multisensor sleep trackers, such as the ōURA ring have the potential for detecting outcomes beyond binary sleep–wake using sources of information in addition to motion. While these first results could be viewed as promising, future development and validation are needed.