Polarizing the T helper 17 response in Citrobacter rodentium infection via expression of resistin-like molecule α

Citrobacter rodentium infection is a murine model of pathogenic Escherichia coli infection that allows investigation of the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in host-protective immunity and bacterial-induced intestinal inflammation. We recently demonstrated that following C. rodentium infection, the absence of Resistin-Like Molecule (RELM) α resulted in attenuated Th17 cell responses and reduced intestinal inflammation with minimal effects on bacterial clearance. In this addendum, we investigated the cytokine modulatory effects of RELMα and RELMα expression in the intestinal mucosa following C. rodentium infection. We show that in addition to promoting Th17 cytokine responses, RELMα inhibits Th2 cytokine expression and Th2-cytokine effector macrophage responses in the C. rodentium-infected colons. Second, utilizing reporter C. rodentium, we examined RELMα expression and macrophage recruitment at the host pathogen interface. We observed infection-induced macrophage infiltration and RELMα expression by intestinal epithelial cells. The influence of infection-induced RELMα on macrophage recruitment in the intestine is discussed.     

Emerging Role of Human Basophil Biology in Health and Disease

Basophils have emerged in recent years as a small but potent subpopulation of leukocytes capable of bridging innate and adaptive immunity. They can be activated through IgE-dependent and IgE-independent mechanisms to release preformed mediators and to produce Th2 cytokines. In addition to their role in protective immunity to helminths, basophils are major participants in allergic reactions as diverse as anaphylaxis and immediate hypersensitivity reactions, late-phase hypersensitivity reactions, and delayed hypersensitivity reactions. Additionally, basophils have been implicated in the pathophysiology of autoimmune diseases such as lupus nephritis and rheumatoid arthritis, and the modulation of immune responses to bacterial infections, as well as being a feature of myelogenous leukemias. Distinct signals for activation, degranulation, transendothelial migration, and immune regulation are being defined, and demonstrate the important role of basophils in promoting a Th2 microenvironment. These mechanistic insights are driving innovative approaches for diagnostic testing and therapeutic targeting of basophils.     

CD20‐positive plasmablastic lymphoma with excellent response to bortezomib combined with rituximab

As a distinct type of aggressive mature large B‐cell lymphoma, plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) poses diagnostic and treatment challenges. PBL is distinguished from other B‐cell lymphomas by the presence of plasmacytic differentiation markers such as CD38, CD138, and MUM1. Clinically, PBLs from oral and extra‐oral sites are rapidly progressive tumors with frequent relapse after treatment with standard diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma regimens. Here, we report a near‐complete response of one patient with relapsed PBL following treatment with a non‐cytotoxic regimen containing bortezomib, rituximab, and dexamethasone.     

The Role of Community Health Centers in Providing Behavioral Health Care

The prevalence of behavioral health problems is higher for low-income individuals, yet this population is less likely to receive behavioral health treatment. Community health centers have their advantages as behavioral health-care providers because they serve a majority low-income population and are located in medically underserved areas. Their role in providing behavioral health care is expected to expand under health reform as they are expected to double their patient capacity, and due to increased insurance coverage for individuals with behavioral health problems. However, the ability of community health centers to provide behavioral health care is compromised by provider shortages and funding shortfalls.     

Evaluation of the comorbidity burden in patients with ankylosing spondylitis using a large US administrative claims data set

Comorbidities among US patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are inadequately understood. This study compared the prevalence and incidence of comorbidities between patients with AS and matched controls using national claims databases. Adults enrolled in the MarketScan Commercial and Medicare databases with ≥?1 inpatient or ≥?2 non-rule-out outpatient diagnoses of AS between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2014 were included. Patients had to have ≥?1 AS diagnosis in 2013; the first AS diagnosis in 2013 was assigned as the index date. Control patients without AS were matched to AS patients on age, geographic region, index calendar year, and sex. Comorbidities were evaluated in AS patients and matched controls during the baseline and follow-up periods (before and after the index date, respectively). Hazard ratios of developing new comorbidities were estimated using Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for patients’ characteristics. A total of 6679 patients with AS were matched to 19,951 control patients. In addition to extra-articular manifestations of AS (inflammatory bowel disease [IBD], psoriasis, uveitis), a higher proportion of AS patients had asthma, cardiovascular disease, depression, dyslipidemia, gastrointestinal ulcers, malignancies, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, sleep apnea, and spinal fractures during the baseline period than matched controls. After AS diagnosis, a higher proportion of patients developed newly diagnosed cases of cardiovascular diseases, depression, osteoporosis, spinal fracture, IBD, psoriasis, and uveitis than matched controls. In this real-world, US claims-based study, patients with AS were shown to have significantly more comorbidities than matched controls.     

An innovative quaternary ammonium methacrylate polymer can provide improved antimicrobial properties for a dental adhesive system

A quaternary ammonium methacrylate polymer (QAMP) with antimicrobial potential was synthesized. The resulting product (QAMP) was characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, visible spectrophotometry, XRPD and TGA. The in vitro susceptibility tests against Streptococcus mutans of QAMP were investigated prior and after incorporation into a commercial adhesive system (Clearfil? SE Bond). The release of quaternary ammonium compounds from the experimental adhesive system (Clearfil? SE Bond?+?5% QAMP) was performed during 1, 7, 14, 21 and 30 days. Spectroscopic data confirmed that QAMP was successfully obtained. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that QAMP was heat stable. Prior incorporation into the adhesive system, QAMP revealed an inhibition halo of 18.33?±?0.6?mm. By agar disk diffusion test, Clearfil? SE Bond containing 5% QAMP presented an inhibition halo (16.67?±?1.5?mm) similar to Clearfil? Protect Bond (positive control, 17.00?±?1.7, p?=?0.815) and significantly higher than Clearfil? SE Bond (negative control, 11.00?±?1.0, p?=?0.006). The minimum inhibitory/bactericidal concentrations for Clearfil? SE Bond containing 5% QAMP were 20?μL?mL^?1. The release of quaternary ammonium compounds from the experimental adhesive containing QAMP was very low (5.1%) when compared to Clearfil? Protect Bond that released 47.2% of its quaternary ammonium monomer (MDPB) after 30 days. The QAMP can offer enhanced antimicrobial properties for self-etching adhesive systems.